Been A Long Time, Shouldn't Left You....

Movie Recap: Holiday Season

Howdy and hello fellow movie attendees!

I took a quick glance and saw that the last post I dropped on this here blog was in July 2013! While that may seem a little inconsistent, there’s probably a good reason for that. (For the 3 people that came across this blog by accident, I was in a different continent and 2 different cities in that time span).

As always when the calendars turn to a New Year, its customary to start a few goals/resolutions. I won’t bore you with the majority of mine, but a big one is getting this back up and running. I’m going to mostly focus on what I feel I do more-than average, which is movie reviews obviously, but I may pepper in a few thoughts and quips about other media that I consume.

For starters, I thought I would drop a few quick reviews of movies I've seen since my return to the City of Wind. Most of these are Golden Globe/Oscar nominations and winners, so I’ll throw a few thoughts in about that.

Without any further ado, let’s start the reviews!

Nightcrawler: This one flew completely under the radar for me when abroad, but upon my return had landed on more than one most anticipated lists. And for good reason! Jake Gyllenhal completely delivers on his role as the sociopath Lou. It’s an interesting take as its not too over the top but not under- performed, as many little choices make a huge impact. I believe Lou blinks about 4 times on screen the entire film which gives a very surreal and inhumane aspect to him. Additionally, his flat monotone voice rarely changes tone or pitch and gives him a Terminator level of emotion.

A phenomenal acting performance can be wasted with the wrong plot, and this movie hits home in this regard. The idea of media being driven by blood and violence just for ratings is an interesting idea, and certainly one that most people (myself included) wouldn't necessarily pay attention to. Bill Paxton’s “If it bleeds, it leads” foil to Lou shows how bodily harm and death can just be good business for the people that can stomach it, and the debate between the two producers about how to present a triple homicide brings up some interesting ideas about what media does and doesn't tell us.

My roommate told me not to see this movie alone or else you would feel like a total creep leaving, which I think is a great summary for the feeling and themes of the movie. Just remember: “If you want to win the lottery, you have to make the money to buy a ticket.”

Final Score: A-

Birdman: The Golden Globes took place last weekend, and (unsurprisingly to me) Michael Keaton won Best actor for his “Michael Keaton” expy in Birdman. An aging actor who can’t get out of his own shadow for playing a superhero? Obviously it rings close to reality, which would be fine but a little gimmicky in the wrong hands. Luckily, this is a much deeper movie about the differences between film and stage, attempting to reinvent yourself, and the pressures of being successful in your art.

The first thing I have to bring up is the direction and cinematography. The continuous one-shot style (called a “oner” in the industry) works incredibly well, showing the mounting tension and stress brought on by having so many egos jammed under one roof. I’ve heard some other reviewers call it “Preachy” and full of itself but I didn’t get that feeling. The performances seem genuine, the concept fresh, and the execution hitting its mark.

I could see how people wouldn’t like the ambiguity of the ending and of Michael’s “alter ego”, but I think it added to the surreal vibe and narrative style that comes with a stage play. The idea of watching actors perform as other people with specific feelings itself is somewhat of high-level concept that be can be deconstructed, so why hold back on bending the fourth wall?

Final Score: A

Whiplash: Another one that snuck under the radar for me, I originally had no interest in seeing this “Jazz Drumming” movie. I missed the Miles Teller rush and only saw him as the stereotypical “bad jock guy” in the horrible Divergent. After seeing a trailer, my interest grew, and I have to say the movie itself completely blew me away!

J.K. Simmons (Another deserved Golden Globe winner) does an amazing job in this role as a music teacher that is more R. Lee Earney than Mr. Setti (My band teacher in 7^th grade for those playing the home game). The editing is tight, the drama real, and the slow breakdown of the main character comes across as completely believable. Similar to a movie like Black Swan but completely ground in reality, it is a dramatic and shockingly tale of someone who is willing to give up everything to achieve greatness.

Final Score: A

Foxcatcher: I could sum up this review in a sentence: “Above-average movie with great performances that I never want to see again.”

Obviously, this being a slower-paced character study will have the movie drag at certain parts, but this movie really, REALLY takes it time. This allow us to wallow with the characters, played amazing by both Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, and (both surprisingly and unsprisingly) Steve Carrel, and will it’s amazing to see how they relate to the world and each other, a pretty picture is does not paint. Bleak in story and cinematography, any potential hope spots are crushed under the baggage carried by Carrl and Tatum.  I watched this alone in the theater, and really wished I had someone else to share the sadness with. Add it to the list to not watch by yourself!

Final Score: C

Inherent Vice: The last film on the list is also the most incomprehensible. I knew going in that the combination of Thomas Pynchon and P.T. Anderson would probably leave more than a few questions unanswered, but man there was a ton of loose ends this movie didn’t tie. And I was really paying attention!

The best way to describe this is imagine the complexity of Chinatown told through the hazy vision of a drugged out hippie trying to be a PI. How he manages his drug/drinking habits is also hard to follow, as he never seems to take any sort of payment for his work (in fact, the one time its offered he all but turns it down immediately). As always with Anderson the Cinematography is excellent and the performances well done. Joaquin Phoneix continues his incredibly bizarre range of emotions and acting styles, and Josh Brolin steals the show as the wannabe Actor/Cop Bigfoot.  At times a comedy, at times a thriller, and all times a psychedelic trip, Inherent Vice may be a confusing ride but it’s a fun one.

Makko Pannakako!
Final Score: B

Welp, I’m exhausted. Keep tuned as I’m trying to get one of these up every. Damn. Week!

-Tuck Nasty