REVIEW: Contagion

8/10 - Gravy

Contagion is the story about a contagion that becomes contagious. I actually confused this with Quarantine before I saw the movie. How hilarious. Please don't watch Quarantine.

Really, it's a multi-linear story that uses several points of view to explore the devastation that happens globally during this event. The disease is the main character, no doubt.

I really like Steven Soderbergh and I never realized it until this year. It's a real genuine shame that he is retiring this year because the last batch of movies he has done have been really inspiring, bright, and intelligent. Many of Steve's movies have not been getting the hype they deserve and I think this is one of them.

It takes great skill and restraint to illustrate the widespread effects, with only those characters that appear on the poster. I was deeply invested in these people and had no idea it was happening. Contagion has a cold and calculated feel, from the calculated roll-out of the relief efforts. It's hyper realistic but heartfelt. There are no exaggerated wide camera shots of riots or violence for the sake of violence.

Certainly when there is a star studded cast, some actors don't shine like the others, but I didn't see that in this movie. It was an outstanding cast from clinical Kate Winslet who shines in quiet moments, to the complicated Jude Law who portrays a character you either hate or love. I think the only actor who I was unhappy with was surprisingly Matt Damon. I'm not sure he reached the emotional level to make me believe what was happening at the beginning of the movie. Granted, that's likely a writing or directional choice. I think Matty makes up for it with the rising panic, and he grounds the movie unlike any other character.

I'm not sure I have a whole lot else to say about Contagion. It was great, but maybe a little cold. I want more movies like this, with creative and unique stories. It's thoughtful, scary, fast paced and emotional. Everyone should see it.

IMDB - Contagion (6.7)
Wikipedia - Contagion
Rotten Tomatoes - Contagion (84%)
Amazon.ca - Contagion

REVIEW: RED 2

5/10 - Action movie, action movie, something something whatever.

Here's the thing. It's the same stuff we got in the original. That's what you want to get in a sequel, right? Because we wanted more. But that's why it's bad. Wait, that doesn't make sense. 

This is the cycle of sequels. We liked the first movie, want more, get more, are disappointed that it's just like the original. 

It was fine action movie. It was funny in the right moments, surprising and unique like the original. It had great pacing, moving the story along without delay. Its got great actors (from the original) who are smart and funny and unpredictable. It had absurd scenes of stuff blowing up. The crucial puzzle piece missing is that it's not surprising. Because we saw the original.

As far as sequels go, this movie nails it. If this was a stand alone it has a strong enough story to be relatively interesting. But it doesn't do anything to rise above the original. 

I think the biggest problem I have is with the story itself. Which I already said was good. It's still totally fine, just a pet peeve. Red 2 is a school lesson from the MacGuffin Institute where you learn how to make an arbitrary object so important that they need to save the world. Dear Action Movies: you don't always need to save the world. Every time, saving the world. Maybe think of something else? I'm a little sick of the bombs waiting to detonate. 

If there is going to be a Red 3, I want to see it get more personal. The world doesn't need to be ending. Maybe just the protagonist's world? I wish more sequels did that. 

I definitely would not recommend someone dropping $15 on a theater ticket to see Red 2. Wait until it's on Netflix, and if you liked Red, then maybe check out Red 2 some night. On a Wednesday when there's nothing else good on television. 

IMDB - Red 2 (7.1)

Wikipedia - Red 2

Rotten Tomatoes - Red 2 (41%)
Amazon.ca - Red 2

REVIEW: Drinking Buddies

6/10 - Everyone gets drunk. I bet you weren't expecting that. 

Previously I put this in my "Most Anticipated Movie Whatever" list meaning - I had high expectations.

I was wrong. It wasn't that great.

Ok, ok. There was some good direction, and some great actors, but at the end of the day it was boring!

I like a movie that focuses on the mundane, making natural dialogue a priority and telling more grounded stories of everyday people. From what I understand writer/director Joe Swanberg specializes in naturalistic improvisational style. I also have a huge appreciation for low-budget filmmaking. Drinking Buddies tries to pull on all those strings for me, but at the end of the day, it's a jump that doesn't quite stick the landing.

I got to know these characters, I became invested in their lives and wanted to know more. I thought it balked at the end and didn't get there for me. This wasn't unsatisfying, but just uninteresting. It develops beautifully but by the final act, it became a flat story. Maybe the stunted action was meant to be real, but there are ways to do that without making me want to fall asleep. For me it's an incomplete emotional story.

I think I need to dole out some compliments, so I will say that I think the acting was superb. I've always considered the sign of a good actor to be conveying a range of emotions without dialogue. Across the board, this is a talented group of people.

I also genuinely appreciate the journey that it tried to go on. Relationships are complicated, and exploring the evolving relationship of friends was very smart. This script taps into an experience that will relate to a lot of people. I think there are a lot of stories like this that haven't been told on screen.

Drinking Buddies is most memorable to me for having great potential. I don't see nearly enough drama's that are grounded, not high concept or melodramatic. I want more real humans in movies who say things like "I just got really nervous" or for the silence to say more than the people. I want stories about women, and stories about real life and not cliches. I want more movies like this. But better.

IMDB - Drinking Buddies (6.0)
Wikipedia - Drinking Buddies
Rotten Tomatoes - Drinking Buddies (69%)
Amazon.ca - Drinking Buddies

I am a negligent blogger

Much like your fictional father figure, after being there and supportive, I left one day to pick up a nicotine refill for my e-cigarette, and some chocolate milk, and was never seen or heard from again.

Actually, I went on vacation.

For some reason being away brought tremendous traffic to this site, so in order to maintain the great standards I've established I won't post anything ever again! Success awaits!

Just kidding. I have lots of movie reviews coming up.

Who saw a good movie recently? I haven't, so tell me about it.