American Hustle, The Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire, A Madea Christmas

American Hustle

• WOW.  Just great from start to finish.  I love the nostalgia.  I love the absurdity.  I love ALL of the actors.  And I love the director.  This is a thoroughly entertaining film that succeeds at being both flat out hilarious and gripping, often at the same time.  The great movies about con artists are often clever because the characters in them are clever.  The plot really depends on the characters being actualized and fully developed.  Director David O. Russell has proven time and time again that he can craft amazing, character-driven films, and he has succeeded once again.  There's no question that this one will be garnering some well deserved attention at upcoming award shows.  Even if it doesn't, it makes it onto my list of top films of the year.  
• Rating: 5 out of 5

THG2:CF

• The first of the Hunger Games sequels amps up the psychological elements, maintains thrilling set pieces, and continues upon the first installment's smart direction and elaborate costuming.  This is one of those few, cherished occasions in which the sequel surpasses the original.  I'm hoping the trend continues, because word on the street is that the 3rd and final novel is decidedly lackluster.  This will hopefully be corrected for in the final film(s).  In Catching Fire, the threats young Catniss must face become more immediate and her actions more crucial.  As the title implies, this is a story that's meant to be a midpoint between an introduction and finale.  That being said, it still has enough chops to stand on its own as a satisfying middle man.  The ending is unexpectedly abrupt (not a bad thing), and by the end of it, it's fair to say the fire has started.  Catching Fire makes for an riveting trip to the movies and succeeds at pumping you up for the sure-to-be exciting finale.
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

A Madea Christmas

• Just kidding.  I didn't see this - YET!
• Rating: ?? out of ??????????

Sources for Above Images:

AH: http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/51fd708cecad04f144000041-1200-706/american-hustle.jpg

THG2CF: http://flavorwire.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/catching-fire3.jpg

Thor: The Dark World and About Time (2013 Reviews)

Can you find Malekith the Angry Elf?  He's waaaaay down there at the bottom!

Thor: The Dark World

• The follow-up doesn't quite live up to the original but does maintain the balance of humor and nicely executed action sequences that has come to define the Avengers saga.  Thor 2 (for brevity's sake) benefits greatly from the presence of Loki, who provides much of the cleverness and trickery in an otherwise Gladiator-dominated world.  The world of Asgard (and the other realms which are occasionally visited by characters throughout the film) remains incredibly beautiful.  It's truly masterfully crafted CGI that becomes even more immediate in 3-D.  Chris Hemsworth continues to epitomize his role and seems irreplaceable as Thor himself.  He's supported nicely by fine actors (Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston as the aforementioned Loki, Stellan Skarsgaard, and others).  
• To those of us naive to the nuances of the comics (myself included), Malekith is the film's super villain.  He's basically a really angry elf with a superiority complex.  The plot hinges around control of the aether, a gooey substance that's really cool to look at in 3-D and would give Malekith the ability to turn the lights out (hence the DARK world) on his neighbors in the other 9 realms.  As far as super villains go, he's not particularly menacing or even that memorable.  I suppose the true die hard comic fans would enjoy his presence in the film, and I will say that his army of drones with those creepy masks was pretty cool.  
• All in all... Thor 2 continues to excel at what it's good at, offering Gladiator-style battle sequences juxtaposed with effective comic relief, all the while advancing the on-going Avengers plot line with seemingly no end in sight.
• Stick around for mid-credits and post-credits bonus scenes.
• Recommended in 3-D.
• Rating: 3.5 out of 5 

About Time

• About Time earns the distinction as one of the most enjoyable romantic comedies I've seen in a long time.  The premise (or at least the handling of it) is somewhat original for the genre, and effective.  All the actors are engaging in their respective roles, especially Tom Hughes as the lead.  This was my first introduction to the actor, and he just nails it.  His performance shines both on screen and as the film's narrator.
• The film's plot seems to falter slightly around the exact "rules" of time travel and doesn't really make sense completely… typically if a character time travels BACK in time, their actions impact the FUTURE (as in a certain 1985 classic starring Michael J. Fox).  That doesn't entirely happen here.  But I tried not to rack my brain around that aspect of the film too much.
• Just as 500 Days of Summer is a story about love (not a "love story"), About Time is chiefly a comedy about romance (and therefore, NOT a stereotypical "romantic comedy").  Regardless of the exact genre that film falls into, it makes for an enjoyable and clever trip to the movies.
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

12 Years a Slave (review)

One of many pivotal moments in the film, told via one of McQueen's long takes.

12 Years a Slave

Steve McQueen has generated another compelling, challenging film.  His work is always brave and never easy to watch.  RT describes the film as "unflinchingly brutal."  Yep.  Michael Fassbender's character chiefly represents that brutality in another ferocious and no-holds-barred performance.  There are a number of welcome cameos from some of the most skilled actors working today - Brad Pitt, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, to name a few.  But the true shining star here is Chiwetel Ejiofor.  His performance will obviously earn him an Oscar nod (if not, he's truly been robbed of that distinction).  This is the moment in his career that will jettison him from supporting actor to lead.  The humility and bravery with which he portrays Solomon Northrup is commendable and requires absolute commitment to the role.  Likewise, skilled director Steve McQueen (whose previous, lesser known works include Hunger and Shame) will now be dead center in Hollywood's radar of talented filmmakers.  Combining masterful performances, dedicated direction, and a harsh reality that's part of our history, 12 Years a Slave is a demanding, brilliant film.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

Mr. Nobody - Welcome to America!

Poster for the upcoming U.S. release of Mr. Nobody.

Mr. Nobody seems to be an overlooked masterpiece.  I saw this over a year ago based on a friend's recommendation, and now it's getting an overdue U.S. release.  The film is absolutely fascinating and brilliantly shot.  Its vibrant visuals enhance the vivid imagination of the film's main character.  The scope of Mr. Nobody is daunting, ranging from the history of the universe to entropy to family dynamics to love.  It's an incredible amount of ideas that branch off each other, all stemming from the nature of decisions.  Mr. Nobody suggests that a single decision can completely alter one's future and that, given the ability to decide, anything remains possible.  The runtime is lengthy at about 2 1/2 hours, but Mr. Nobody will keep your interest and your brain racing throughout.  Make an effort to see this movie.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

Captain Phillips, Gravity, Insidious 2

I had to write up some overdue reviews of movies that I actually liked after scribbling about The Counselor.  Go watch any of these instead!

Captain Phillips

• Suspenseful?  Yes.  Masterpiece?  Not quite, but close.  The film maintains tension for about 2 hours, a feat which is far from easy (especially for a biopic).  However, it doesn't seem to utilize its setting to full effect (I thought more time should be spent on the main ship) and falls short of thriller perfection.  Nonetheless, the film is fraught with tension and showcases memorable performances from both Tom Hanks at the helm and all the supporting players.  Tom Hanks just nails his role and makes the real life character seem like a genuine hero.  The film's final act is particularly well executed (and awesome).
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Gravity

• A film that should be seen in theaters (in 3-D or IMAX) or not at all.  The film is an experience, and one that demands viewing on the big screen.  The image above is a perfect example; it fails to capture the sheer scale and impact the film has on a screen 20x its size.  Director Alfonso Cuaron has created a space epic that perfectly utilizes computer generated technology to craft a tale of survival in a way that's both artfully done and spectacular to no end.  This a film that isn't as much about plot as it is about spectacle and innovation.  Truly worth the price of admission.
• Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Insidious: Chapter 2

• An admirable follow up to the original.  Definitely delivers on the scares (had a few jumps in the theater myself) and the stylistics.  It cleverly taps into the original and plays with the "rules" laid down in the first installment.  Overall, a worthy sequel to the entertaining original).
• Rating: 4 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

The Counselor (Review)

Two of Hollywood's finest actors trapped in a film that's just all around miserable.

This movie was perhaps the biggest disappointment I've ever had going to the movies.  Michael Fassbender, Javier Bardem, and Brad Pitt are three of my favorite actors working in Hollywood today (not to mention Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz thrown into the mix).  Pair them with Ridley Scott (whose impressive canon of movies need not be mentioned) and you would think it'd be a match made in cinematic heaven.  In The Counselor's case, it couldn't be further from the truth.  The fatal flaw in the film is its abysmal script.  It's nearly completely devoid of suspense, overly complicated, uninteresting, and heavy-handed to the point of ridicule (hint: three different characters define the word "greed" for the viewer.  Hmm...).  The actors do their very best with what little they are given - Javier Bardem is always enjoyable to watch, even if his characters are typically unsavory.  This had such potential to be an amazing thriller and a new favorite of mine.  Instead, it made every possible wrong choice when it came to plot and fell flat on nearly every level.  It makes me sad how little I enjoyed this film, despite a few shining moments (i.e. the "bolito" was pretty unforgettable, in a good way).  Otherwise, what a complete and utter shame.

Rating: 1.5 out of 5

Note: I don't own the rights to any of the photos on this website.  They're copied here from Google images for entertainment purposes only.

Summer's Over. (2013)

Better belated than never, right?

• The World's End
• I avoided as many previews for this film as possible (something I typically recommend).  So going into the movie I had one impression of what I was getting into, then the film convinced me it was something entirely different, & then finally I realized the actual final product was somewhere in between my expectations and insanity.  All in all, I enjoyed it.  This one definitely stands to benefit from its audience NOT knowing what to expect when they walk into the theater.  I suspect most of the previews would spoil the surprise.
• Rating: 4 out of 5
• Elysium
• A sci-fi film that could've been great or terrible but settled somewhere right in the middle.  Elysium plays with the notion of dystopia juxtaposed against paradise, separated into two distinct worlds.  Of course, the goal is to blend the two.  There are some really nice ideas here, but I'm not sure the film knows what to do with them.  The film boasts a number of expertly crafted sequences, a few popular actors in nicely casted roles, & topped off with a mixture of cliche and originality.  Don't go in expecting District 9 part deux (like I was hoping for), and you probably won't be disappointed.
• Rating: 3 out of 5
• The Way, Way Back
• An awkward coming of age tale that's somewhat rescued by a memorable performance by Sam Rockwell.  The movie did succeed in creating a character played by Steve Carell that I actually hated, a feat I never thought was possible.  The main character is just so painful to watch throughout the first half of the movie, which I guess is what they're going for.  That would all be OK if there was some sense of cleverness or originality, which I'd say was lacking (aside from the aforementioned turn by Sam Rockwell). 
• Rating: 2 out of 5 (all stars awarded solely to Sam Rockwell)
• Fruitvale Station
• Emotionally powerful and fraught with tension.  Fruitvale Station, of course, gains all the more weight from its heartbreaking true story behind the film.
• Rating: 4 out of 5
• Before Midnight
• The closing chapter to an insightful and thought provoking trilogy might just be the strongest entry of the bunch.  Each of the Before films stands tall on its own, but together they represent a fascinating chunk of American cinema.
• Rating: 5 out of 5

Best film of the summer?

• Last year that honor went straight to the movie that caught me most by surprise: Beasts of the Southern Wild.  This year, I'd have to say The Conjuring and Frances Ha were my two favorites of mine.  A close third & fourth would be Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing and Before Midnight.  
• Was it just me or did this summer belong to the "independent" films?  It seemed there was a dramatic lacking in (quality) blockbusters.  Last summer's The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises both were financial kingpins that critics & audiences both loved.  This summer...
• Iron Man 3 was boring.
• Hangover Part 3 happened.
• The Purge was terrible (please don't see it).
• The newest Die Hard movie came out... entitled White House Down.
• Man of Steel was largely disappointing.
• Didn't see The Lone Ranger, Pacific Rim, The Heat, This is the End, or We're the Millers.
• World War Z and Star Trek Into Darkness were actually pretty good.
• Happy Fall 2013, everyone!