Sinister (*** out of ****)

I've said it before and I will say it again, Horror films are in a strange point in their history. Torture porn, remakes, and franchises are what make money now a days. So it's oddly refreshing to see a horror film like Sinister come along. It is most certainly original, but uses familiar scary movie mechanics. Whether that is a positive for individuals is up for debate. Sinister however works very well with what it set out to be.

Ethan Hawke brings weight to a role of Ellison, a one hit wonder crime novelist. He plans on writing a new novel based on the murder that occurred in the house he and his family just moved into. In the attic he finds a box with several "home videos" a projector in it. He soon finds out that the videos are of several murders cause through a malice entity.

Sinister operates in a world darkness, loud noises, startling images and so on. The jump scares are pretty effective, but it's not too hard to create such a scare. The film does create a rather dangerous atmosphere however. Tension builds wisely in some scenes that do realize how maddening the events have become. One major positive is the music. It is sickeningly disturbing and is fully enjoyable in all the wrong ways. Sinister has fresh mechanics (the super 8 reels being the highlight) but perhaps a more terrifying creature would've been better. Up close it looks like a metal head has been up for too many nights. Still for what it's worth, Sinister might be the scariest mainstream film of the year.

*** out of ****

Cloud Atlas (**** out of ****)

Cloud Atlas could be viewed as pretentious, strangely paced with at least three climaxs, three hours long, confusing and perhaps impossible to decipher every truth... and I loved every second of it. I anticipate eagerly my next viewing which isn't far off. This will not be an easy film. It will bruise, inspire, invoke thought and requires patience. Yet on the other end of the unimaginable tract is a something wondrous. A film like no other, one that will perhaps never been seen in such mannerism again. Cloud Atlas is art in it's most striking form.

To describe a plot would be the journey of a mad man, yet here I sit and will try to do honor to this film the best way I can. What if in one film could be the tales of a sea faring notary, an inspiring composer, a journalist being chased by an assassin, a clone awakening to be a rebel prophet, a man ruining his life through simple acts, and a future filled with cannibal marauders? What if the actors played many roles crossing gender and race? What if they had a unique way of telling each story (action, comedy drama, mystery etc.)? what if every tale had a connection? What if the story ranged centuries? Are you following? It's ok otherwise, some of it must be seen to believe and what a sight it is to behold.

Cloud Atlas is beautiful in just about every sense of the word. There are scenes of illuminating love, dazzling chases, tense suspense deep philosophical thought, invigorating life and a myriad more of wondrous acts. It was euphoric to take in such events. Genres blended before my eyes like never before. It's indisputable that Cloud Atlas is ambitious. However it is plausible to say it is an undertaking that can cause debate for years to come.

In the three hours, none of which I was bored through out, I knew I saw something different. A film that challenged the idea of being a film. The Wachoski siblings and Tom Tykwer have collaborated on a what seems to be an impossible work. A risk by the directors and actors (Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Sturgess, Jim Broadbent, Susan Sarandon, Hugh Grant and more) alike. Adapting Dave Mitchell's novel didn't seem like it could be done, but the three directors managed to compress the novel while keeping the theme and narratives alive. Those ideas being dreamlike qualities.

I feel awakened now. Like I've seen something important (paraphrasing quotes now). More than just a film but a work of art that enchanted me into a state a bliss. Cloud Atlas will divide people, but an ambitious films always will. They are in no way wrong in their opinion for those who don't care for it, but they aren't exactly right either. This is a film that can create different opinions, all of which being correct. I came out of the theater in love. Cloud Atlas is a siren song with reward like nothing else.

**** out of ****
(I chose a picture from Robert Frobisher's story since it was my favorite from the book, for the film I still haven't decided on a favorite segment, that will be deduced on a second viewing)

Argo (***1/2 out of ****)

Ben Affleck has now established himself as a director of remarkable talent. Take for example the opening of Argo. An american embassy is stormed by Iranian protesters and all but six americans are taken captive. The scene shows both rage and understanding. It intercuts scenes from handheld footage fitting of the time. So few "based on a true story" movies fully occupy the era within they live in. The opening of Argo is tense and engaging. If the film was nothing but white noise after that, I'd still list have put this film on the positive side. However much of Argo holds up and to it's stellar first ten minutes, making it a wonderful for nearly the whole at the end.

Argo is the telling of six Americans who fled the taking of the USA embassy in Iran and then hid out at the Canadian Ambassador's house for months. If they were found, they would be labeled spies for fleeing and hanged publicly. The CIA has no idea how to get them out. Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) is the guy to come up with the "best bad plan" they could get. He plans on faking a movie in the vein of Star Wars and wants to scout Iran as a possible location for shooting. It's so crazy that it could work. Life seems to stop for movie making. People are in awe of what may come and treat any little information they get like a child would being told a fantasy story. Tony plans on flying in Iran, forge documents and take the six americans out under the guise of a canadian film crew.

This is a tight and well made thriller on all fronts. John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Chris Messina, Bryan Cranston Kyle Chandler, Scoot McNairy, Tate Donovan and others all create and all star cast. Affleck as a director delivers on suspense, history and an occasional laugh. It's an overwhelming crowd pleaser. Yet it isn't one of those silly kinds, Argo is about as intelligent as a one can make without alienating the audience.  If it weren't for the last fifteen minutes and it's Hollywood style feel good joy, it might have been as strong as film as it could have been. However the ending doesn't weigh down the film enough to make it any less than fantastic. It's a film that could and is partially deserving of reaping in Oscar gold.

***1/2 out of ****

Seven Psyhcopaths (***1/2 out of ****)

You don't see them too often, but when you get a completely self aware film like Seven Psychopaths it's a real blessing. Here is a film that is funny,goofing, sometimes moving, and gets the audience involved. I expected nothing short of good from director Martin Mcdonagh. His previous film In Bruges, is perhaps the best dark comedy of last decade. So the director returns with the genre and his leading man Colin Farrell and works some movie magic once again.

Marty (Colin Farrell) is a screen writer stuck on writing a new script. He has a title and a idea, but nothing else. The plan is to make a movie filled with psychopaths that are unique and unseen before in Hollywood. He gets a little help from his friend Billy (Sam Rockwell stealing the show), a dog kidnapper. Billy and his friend Hans (Christopher Walken) look for rich people in parks, steal their dog, wait for a reward to be offered for the dog's return, then give the dog back and make some money. This plan goes well until they steal from crime boss Charlie (Woody Harrelson).

Seven Psychopaths is completely aware that it's a movie. Some of scenes would not be possible otherwise. However that's the fun of it. Characters discuss Marty's script which they have been written into and look to tell their own story. Seven Psychopaths is a wild ride and a vanity project in the style of Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonze's Adaptaton. The film plays with the audience and rewards it by playing things smart and entertaining. Some movies are grounded in reality. This is a movie to bewilder literally everyone involved. Any movie where Harry Dean Stanton plays a vengeful Quaker is bound to be intriguing.

***1/2 out of ****