- The critics got it wrong with this one. Currently sitting at 47% on Rotten Tomatoes, Walter Mitty deserves higher praise than it seems to be getting. The film is gorgeously shot and scored, featuring song choices that perfectly accompany the visuals. It's what my sister would (accurately) call "a life movie." Ben Stiller (who also directed the film) portrays the title character with honesty and subtlety, but effectively. Walter Mitty finds just the right balance of laughs, emotions, poignancy, and surprise. And it's only rated PG! This is the type of film I suspect that the late critic Roger Ebert would have championed. Walter Mitty dreams big and has a great imagination, showcasing a love for life itself.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Dallas Buyers Club
- Matthew McConaughey leads the fight against pharmaceutical companies, the DEA, close-minded physicians, and anyone else who stands in his way to find a way to beat AIDS. The performance is phenomenal. His character (based on a real person) transforms from a frustrating state of numb apathy and drug-filled risk behavior to a take charge leader in the fight against AIDS. Fittingly, we see the self-proclaimed cowboy getting "back on the horse" at the end of the film, back in take-control-of-my-life fashion. The film is inspiring on several occasions and never fails to engage. McConaughey is helped by a slew of adept supporting characters, notably Jared Leto and Jennifer Garner. With the help of clever direction (i.e. the shot of what seems to be vocation candles, pulls back to reveal they're candles at a strip club) and a brilliant screenplay, Dallas Buyers Club is a "based on a true story" film done right.
- Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Frozen
- Frozen represents old-school storytelling in new-school clothes (i.e. stunning digital animation). It's a classic story of sisters torn apart, true love, and a town caught in the middle. Frozen has already gained well-earned praise for its memorable soundtrack. It's fun, familiar, and family-oriented entertainment. Frozen is thoroughly enjoyable.
- 3D: I saw the film in 3D, and my initial reaction was that it didn't add much to the story. The real value of seeing the film in 3D would be for the short film played before Frozen, which was absolutely genius (it blends classic Mickey Mouse cartoons with the latest 3D innovations).
- Stick around: There's a scene after the credits.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 (the short film before the feature gets 5 out of 5!)
Sources for Above Images:
TSLOWM: http://www.daveonfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/walter-mitty-publicity-still-photo.jpg
DBC: http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2013/09/09/DALLAS-BUYERS-CLUB.jpg
FROZEN:http://static2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20131103205461/disney/images/6/66/Frozen_castposter.jpg
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