I've wanted to do a sort-of "this month in movies" series of reviews for a long time now. And so now I am. Huzzah!
All of the films featured below are ones that I saw for the first time this month (with the exception of Scream) and as is probably clear but just in case, films under the "Now Playing..." heading are currently in theaters, while "Flashback Films" are movies that have been out of theaters for some time.
This is my first attempt at reviewing post-high school newspaper, so please enjoy (and be kind).
Now Playing...
The Place Beyond the Pines A
I highly enjoyed this film. Interestingly crafted in three separate but inherently connected parts, The Place Beyond the Pines is fueled by emotion. The superb performances by both Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper remind you of why they are some of the most followed actors in the business right now. Gosling maintains a tough exterior as motorcycle stuntman turned bank robber Luke Glanton, while also discreetly showing a tender heart below the surface. And Cooper, in turn, expertly maneuvers his Officer Avery Cross from a man disconnected from his own life by an act he has committed, to one driven with an ambition to come out on top of the corruption surrounding him. Emory Cohen and Dane DeHaan also give engaging performances, as Cross’s and Glanton’s sons respectively, in the third and final portion of the film. Though running a bit long at 140 minutes, The Place Beyond the Pines will have you deeply invested in what becomes of each of the characters as it progresses. If your experience is anything like mine, you will laugh, you might cry, and there’s a possibility that you could get angry.
The Big Wedding B+
I didn’t go into The Big Wedding expecting to enjoy it too much. I thought the plot seemed funny enough, but that the film had the potential to fall flat, even with its interesting–and in some cases, reverable–cast. But having sat through the whole thing, I can say that I believe it is worth the ticket price. Though the storylines themselves often come across as a bit too tangled and clumsy (for example, the story of Katherine Heigl's Lyla could have been better-crafted), the film is undeniably funny and an all-around good time. The humor is often raunchier than expected from a film whose cast includes Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton, but that shock value adds to the overall. Additionally, I was impressed with the way that the film remained light-hearted and surprising throughout, never pulling the audience’s emotions down into a lull of heavy-heartedness or leading them to an all too predictable conclusion, like I think many romance-centered films have a tendency to do. The film is funny, fun, and just cute enough to put a smile on your face without giving you a cavity.*
Mud A-
This latest from Matthew McConaughey is an unusual and very clearly independent coming-of-age film that keeps its plot minimal in a way that somehow maximizes its effect. Mud focuses heavily on characterization and build-up, with little real action until its final half hour. It’s a film where the shift of an eye is as important as the shot of a gun. McConaughey gives an admirable performance as the film’s title character, a fugitive who befriends two Arkansas teens, but I think the real impact of the film comes from the two boys themselves, as played by newcomers Tye Sheridan (as Ellis) and Jacob Lofland (as Neckbone). Ellis, not Mud, is the real focal character of the film and Sheridan’s performance as a confused 14-year-old boy, propelled by a fierce need to believe that love really does last, is mesmerizing and often intense. Lofland as Neckbone (a character that, both in personality and appearance, is oddly reminiscent of River Phoenix’s Chris Chambers in Stand By Me) brings the occasionally necessary comedy to the soft-treading plot, in short bursts of colorfully lewd and offhanded remarks. The film is intriguing and sometimes even though-provoking, but more than anything, it made me excited to see what the future holds for these two young actors.
Flashback Films
Scream series (Scream, A; Scream 2, A-; Scream 3, B; Scream 4, A)
I highly recommend the Scream series, especially when watched back-to-back. These movies fall into one of my favorite genres: horror comedy. They are almost too funny at times to be taken seriously, but just scary enough to keep you jumping–a combination preferable, in my opinion, to constantly hiding behind a pillow. And the series is fairly successful in staying good throughout: Scream (1996) is a campy classic, Scream 2 (1997) an admirable follow-up. I believe Scream 3 (2000) to be the weakest of the four, but worth watching to keep the momentum going. And Scream 4 (2011) was surprisingly well done. Having come out 11 years after Scream 3, I had my worries (most of them being that the film would be gross torture-porn like many horror movies these days), but was very pleasantly surprised. If you haven’t seen this series, I suggest a marathon in the near future.
Jawbreaker B+
If you like black comedies, you’ll probably enjoy Jawbreaker (1999). If not, you probably won’t. I happen to be a fan of the genre, so I was mostly amused by this film. It’s a bit splashy, quite crude, and unnervingly blasé about the acts of murder and framing the innocent–in other words, a typical black comedy. The shining star of the film is Rose McGowan, who plays her part with such nastiness and wicked humor that it’s almost believable that Rose herself must be a force to be reckoned with. Essentially, the movie is very reminiscent of Heathers (a film which I love dearly) and will, if nothing else, make you feel like a better person after watching it–because even if you often do terrible things, it’s hard to be as bad as these girls.
Also Watched
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (C-; you’re not missing anything); Craig Ferguson: A Wee Bit O’ Revolution
*From a less professional standpoint, Ben Barnes is also very nice to look at.
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