Quickie Movie Reviews

I watched these, and none of them felt like their warranted a full review. Pls comment with movie recommendations that won't make me want to claw out my eyes.

Moon
(2009, Nathan Parker)
Great movie. For some reason I always lose interest about 1/4 of the way in. It's a movie that demands attention, and I'm often the worst for that. Great story, amazing acting by Sam Rockwell. For a low budget movie this is really a powerful story. Very suspenseful and doesn't become claustrophobic in the small space shuttle. This is how sci-fi should be done, to help explore the human condition. 8/10





Rush
(2013, Peter Morgan)
Who doesn't like a good sports movie? Apparently girls don't. That bothered me the most about Rush, the very obvious play towards male audiences. It was a little insulting. I'm a girl. I watched that movie. No male asked me to or recommended it. Sometimes females watch all kinds of movies. The first third of the movie felt slow and painful because it was so geared towards engaging a male audience. It isn't the same story telling that happens in the rest of the movie. In my opinion, this is probably why it lost out on some Oscar noms. Overall though, its great. Ron Howard is still an outstanding director. It's suspenseful and develops wonderful characters. Who doesn't love watching the third act of a sports movie where the underdog is lead to victory? From The Mighty Ducks to Moneyball it's why we keep going back to the genre. It's not a must see, but it's a good see. 8/10


The Bounty Hunter
(2010, Sarah Thorp)
Oh God, more Jennifer Aniston?! Can't she retire?? You know what, I'm all for promoting women and wanting women to succeed but she is just the worst actress. I didn't even watch this movie all the way through. It's just another vehicle for Jennifer Aniston to play the same character. If you liked Jen in Rumor Has It, or We're the Millers, or Love Happens, or Just Go With It, I'm sure you'll like this. It' a fine movie, but there was nothing passionate about this. It's not just a no-thinker, it's a movie that might potentially give you brain damage for being so stupid. 3/10





Frozen
(2013, Jennifer Lee)
I haven't been a fan of many animated movies lately. They've become a cash grab, and uninspired. Wreck-It Ralph was a good example of this to me. It cashed in on this "video game" experience but was really a poor story with boring characters. Frozen is their follow up, and it's a little better. The story is fine, although dramatically under developed in my opinion. It has one good song and the rest are forgettable. The boys are only love interests to the girls is just as frustrating as when it's the opposite. Despite the fact that Josh Gad actually brought a lot of good acting to the role, his goofy snowman sidekick is so paint-by numbers that I'm done. I wouldn't call this movie uninspired because you can feel passion in making a non-villainous villain. The problem is that the villain is now in the form of Elsa's powers, which are entirely unexplained and unresolved. I felt like the ending should have been the halfway point of the story, and things should have ramped up from there. Oh well, maybe next time. 5/10

REVIEW: Thanks for Sharing

6/10 - Candlelit romance and sex addiction

Based on the title, poster, and leads, I assumed this was a rom com about people in New York falling in love... which isn't wrong. But it's also about sex addiction. With some drugs and alcohol mixed in, too.

There is a bravery about this film that gives it some legs. I appreciate the originality injected into an otherwise cliche backdrop. (I am really starting to hate movies set in New York, there are other cities in the world, filmmakers. Maybe start checking them out.) Regardless, AA has developed its own sets of cliches. I thought none of them were used here, to my great relief.

The main story in Thanks for Sharing is about the relationship between Adam (Mark Ruffalo) and Phoebe (Gwyneth Paltrow) as they navigate their new relationship, having to overcome the hurdles of Adam's sex addiction. I don't know if I have an appreciation for the rom-com spin on an otherwise dramatic film. At the film's opening, Adam has been "clean" for 5 years, and hides his addiction from Phoebe who once dated an alcoholic and swore off dating another addict. Then they have beautiful charming dates. Perhaps Phoebe is too perfect for a film of this nature.

The cast really made this movie. During my brief Jobs review I said Josh Gad was great. In Thanks for Sharing he is outstanding. Truly, I found myself frustrated that his character wasn't the lead. He was both ambitious and self loathing. The best scene in this film is early in the movie with Josh Gad's character Neil is alone in his apartment, wanting to start the 12 steps but just spiraling out of control and into old habits. It's heart wrenching to watch. Tim Robbins and Patrick Fugit spend most of the film pushing and pulling at each other in a strained father-son relationship that's agonizing. Even Alecia Moore is able to get right to the core of hurt and pain.

As a character Adam is introduced as being vigilant, that he cannot go easy on himself. As if he is constantly aware of the monster under the surface. He lives a life of restraint and repetition. This would be extraordinarily fascinating if it was adequately displayed, but I don't get that feeling from Mark Ruffalo. His character is most frequently relaxed, joking around, comfortable, anything but ever-vigilant. Perhaps it's because his performance is overshadowed by Tim Robbins who play's Adam's mentor, and is the definition of a hard ass. I was desperate to see that struggle for self control that the other addict's showed. I wanted to see that intensity early in his relationship to show the depth of it's importance. It all went a little bit wishy washy because it was all too casual. It just stopped short of really hitting home.

Like the critical reviews, this film is a mixed bag. There are some brilliant performances and some mediocre ones. There are some scenes of incredible writing, and some that are tremendously boring. In retrospect it's a quality film that's worth watching all the way to the end, even if it's a bit long. I do have an appreciation for a film that explores some territory that isn't often shown in

IMDb - Thanks for Sharing (6.5)
Wikipedia - Thanks for Sharing
Rotten Tomatoes - Thanks for Sharing (49%)
Amazon.ca - Thanks for Sharing

REVIEW: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

9/10 - I really really really really liked this movie (a disproportionate amount)

Ever wonder why movies do stupid things like having the main character wake up from a scary dream by jumping up, breathing heavy, and sweating? It's one of those things that doesn't actually happen in real life. Movie makers have to do those sorts of stupid things to illustrate the internal crisis that's going on. This is one of the reasons we see very similar characters frequently. Characters need to be able to demonstrate their emotions and intentions so that the audience can see these things, otherwise we end up with the "bad guy monologue" and other cliches.

Extroverted characters are therefore, the norm. They are the people we expect to see in movies, and to a certain extent, idolize for their ability to be comfortable in those situations. 

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is about the opposite: someone who is deeply introverted. A concept which I love.

There are many critics who disliked this movie, and I will admit it has some faults. There is a jump in tone from the type of comedy in certain parts to the thoughtful reflection in other parts. It also draws people into the mystery element that makes the audience start trying to "solve" the ending instead of enjoying the film. I'm guilty of doing that myself. Many critics also disliked the concept of the film, a shy man jumping into fantastical experiences, but I could not disagree more.

To me, this is a beautifully shot thoughtful piece, but as an audience member you need to be along for the ride. Much of this movie involves the inner workings of Walter Mitty's head, something I expect a lot of naturally extroverted people will not appreciate as much. The quiet moments of this movie are so saturated with emotion that I never once was bored, and immediately wanted to watch the film again.


Ben Stiller is most noteworthy for me, not as the title character, but as the film's director. Again, this is a beautiful film. The mundane existence of Walter at the film's opening is encapsulated perfectly as he sits in his quiet bleak apartment, balancing his checkbook. The stunning images at the Life magazine offices, frame a movie that depicts an urban city with wonderment. The evolution of the images are powerful and uplifting. Stuart Dryburgh the Director of Photography deserves more awards than I could possibly name.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty captures something that isn't as simple as the day-dreamer gets to live his dreams. The inherent relatability in Walter's character is that he has accepted the responsibilities of adult life with fantasy being the only reprieve. We are often unaware of the simple things that make us the most happy, the small conversations, friendships, left behind passions.

What resonated most with me was the fact that once Walter decided to go on this journey, he was unaware of the impact it would have. Despite the surreal nature of visiting paradise, Walter's brain functioned as it always functioned, he had a job to do and went about doing it. In that lies a tremendous truth, that even during awe-struck moments we are all still people living our day to day lives. It's difficult to appreciate the grand nature of the things we experience in life without a little phone call to reflect every now and again on our "been there done that" sections.

I really enjoyed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, but I don't expect everyone to. Part of this movies appeal comes from it's opposing nature to most action/adventure movies being released. This kind of story is almost the antithesis of Gravity being that they are both about spectacular, extraordinary events happening, but in this, the explosion isn't the most important part of the scene. I suspect this film ultimately became a passion project for some people, because it goes against what a blockbuster adventure movie typically does, but the passion it had stayed with me.

IMDb - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (7.7)
Wikipedia - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Rotten Tomatoes - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (50%)
Amazon.ca - The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

REVIEW: About Time

6/10 - Perfectly fine in a quiet romantic, ideal world kind of way. 

About Time marks the second occasion where Rachel McAdams marries a time traveller. A strange way to get type-cast, but with charisma like hers she can make whatever movies she wants. There is something special about making a romcom with a time travelling twist. It's an adventure that is specifically and solely about sentimentality.

If you're wondering what this movie is about, you'll catch on pretty quickly in one viewing. It's one of those movies where there is a message and it hits you over the head with it. In fact, the movie is basically saying "This is the way to live your life. Here, look, this guy is doing it and he's happy! See? DO IT."

The problem with this kind of hammer on nail morality tale is that it puts plot in second place. There are so many problems with the story that I cannot possibly mention them all in this post.

Do not try to follow the "rules" of time travel. They don't exist. If you're a sci fi junkie and thought Looper was problematic, then don't even consider this film. The only "rules" that are stated are all broken at some point in the movie. All of them. But of course, time travel is a metaphor! Sure, sure. Then don't ruin your metaphor by breaking the rules.

It's also a movie about appreciating life you have and finding the best way to spend your time. Of course, it's easy to demonstrate this with a mid to upper class privileged, steadily employed family. Appreciate what you have! When you're well off, and there's no risk of losing what you have.

That's the essential problem with About Time. There is no external conflict, just an internal debate about the best way to use Time Travel to have the fewest regrets. There are mildly irritating friends who are charming in their own flawed ways. His sister gets into trouble, but they use that as an opportunity to come together as a family. It's all a little too perfect, but perhaps that's the perk of being a time traveller, you get to have perfect.

Overall there are some brilliant moments that makes it an enjoyable movie. The seasoned direction of Richard Curtis makes the movie feel intimate and romantic. Domhnall Gleeson is captivating as a growing, slightly awkward kid who grows into his family. It's genuinely fun to relive all the awkward moments and the terror that comes with meeting someone new and almost losing them. It's easy to become quite invested in the warm Bill Nighy as the guiding father. It's a good movie, but not one I would ever want to rewatch.

IMDb - About Time (7.8)
Wikipedia - About Time
Rotten Tomatoes - About Time (69%)
Amazon.ca - About Time