This Season in TV

I did this last year, where I gave a letter grade to the shows that aired this season. I'm not sure where I'll start but right now it will be at the beginning of the the fall season. Some shows haven't finished their run so I'll grade them as they stand currently and will fix them at the end of the season ( I don't expect a dramatic change except for maybe one show). I'll write a couple sentences in some cases as well as the best episodes of the year. I apologize if many grades seem redundant, it was a good year in television. Let's get started.

Game of Thrones (Season 3): B+
The current season has contains material from roughly the first 2/3 of the third book. While the show contains some wonderful melodrama and a fascinating story, the show lacks any symbolism or themes, or at least in the case of this season. There are some high points this season but also a fair amount of low points. In a way the story is to complicated to capture on screen. Still it's a top tier show that still has the best to come.
Note: This grade is almost definitely going to change after the next two episodes.
Best episodes: "And Now His Watch Has Ended", "Walk of Punishment"

Mad Men (Season 6): A-
It's a miracle that a show over six years has not seen a drop in quality and remains one of the best shows on television. This season sees Don in a relapse which is a unique trait for Mad Men. They can show character development even though the character doesn't do anything that out of the ordinary. This season seems to be tackling themes of abandonment seen in trying to reach one's dreams, as one pushes forward they will ultimately lose some of the things they hold most precious. It may not be the quality seen last season (but to be fair that season contains 3-4 episodes that make top ten of the series), the show rarely misses a beat.
 Best episodes: "The Kiss", "For Immediate Release", "The Crash"

The Walking Dead (Season 3): B+
Seeing a vast improvement over last season the grade now seems appropriate (I gave the same grade to season 2 but now I'd say it was more a B). The show did hit some low points here and again but it made up for it with the thing the show missed last season, zombies. Once again a threat instead of an nuisance, the show makes it's gimmicks work. This season also saw the episode "The Clear", which remains one of the best episodes of television I've seen this season and is the best episode of the show (maybe outside the pilot). Heavy on the symbolism, the agony seen by the characters in character development, and show casing what a world of zombies can do to the mind it was practically flawless. Yet the season finale
Best Episodes: "The Clear", "Seed", "Made to Suffer"

Justified (Season 4): A-
In perhaps the show's best season, Justified proves why it is one of the most consistently entertaining shows on television. A wide range of characters with proper development and writing that treats its audience with respect is hard to come by now a days. The show doesn't play games nor does it result in cheap gimmicks to draw in viewers (ex: Game of Thrones spending more time on nudity then story lines). The distinction between good and evil and all the lines in between make this some fantastic television.
Best Episodes: "Decoy", "Where's Waldo", "Kin", "Ghosts"

The Americans (Season 1): A-
FX may just be on it's way to be the best drama channel out there. With this and Justified (Sons on Anarchy is inconsistent but still pretty good) the station doesn't seem to be just getting lucky but has an understanding of what actually makes good drama. Featuring two wonderful lead characters the show analyzes the American family and hidden truths.
Best Episodes: "The Clock", "Duty and Honor", "The Colonel"

Orphan Black (Season 1): B+
If there were justice in the world Tatiana Maslany would win the Emmy for both Lead Actress and Supporting Actress. Playing several characters with a clear distinction between each is no easy feat and Maslany does it tremendously. The show is charming, mystery filled, and just the right amount of complicated.
Best Episodes: "Natural Selection", "Instinct", "Effects of External Conditions"

Doctor Who (Season 7): B+
The least cynical show on television is still a a delight. We had a wonderful finale for the ponds and some promising episodes for the new companion Clara. Matt Smith continues to show why he makes a tremendous Doctor. While Ten is considered the gold standard of the new series, at this rate Eleven may just take the crown.
Best Episodes: "The Angels Take Manhattan", "Cold War", "Hide"

American Horror Story: Asylum (Season 2): B

Last season I thought American Horror Story was the most unintentionally hilarious show on television. This season while still having a big amount of laughs actually delivered on well told story lines instead of just good themes. The season benefited from an actual conclusion, some actors having the time of their lives, and some compelling drama at times. Also "the name game" scene is by far the funniest thing I've seen all year.
Best Episodes: "I Am Anne Frank, "Unholy Nights", "Madness Ends"

Last Resort (Complete Series): B
The show was canceled after several episodes which seems really unfair to the quality of the show. It was tense and thrilling. The material would have been tough for a second season but still one can't deny that fantastic pilot.
Best Episodes: "Captain", "Skeleton Crew", "Cinderella Liberty"

Dexter (Season 7): B
After last season I decided not to return to this show. It wasn't just a boring season but truly a bad story telling one. Yet with the casting of Yvonne Strahovoski in a recurring guest role I was doomed to return. Yet I was impressed with the quality of the early season. it didn't play games and had many surprises (season 6 failed because every twist was predictable) It dropped in quality near the end but  the first half was quite good.
Best Episodes: "Are You...?", "Buck The System", "Argentina"

Homeland (Season 2): B+

In the reverse of Dexter this season the show started off high and progressively got worse. "Broken Hearts" and "In Memoriam" were low points, the show went from cat and mouse to 24 style of tension. Homeland was meant to be a different show and those two episodes didn't help that image. Still "Q&A", "Beirut Is Back", and "New Car Smell" match up to the standard the first season set.
Best Episodes: just look at those three above

Rectify (Season 1): A

I consider drama shows follow a pyramid formation. The top of the pyramid of course for those rare masterclass shows. Mad Men and Breaking Bad are the only two dramas I have in their right now. I think by the end of it's second season this show may join them. Rectify's first season is one of only four drama shows I've given an A grade to a season (those other two shows and the first season of Lost). The show is incredibly slow but is very powerful, moving me to watery eyes. It's so unconventional it felt it's purpose to tell a beautifully different story. I could go on and one about the show but that is for another time.

Hannibal (Season 1): B+

This dark show is for adults and I appreciate that. Like Justified it doesn't treat the audience like children. It is not afraid of its nasty side. Mads Mikkelsen perfectly casted steals the show.
Best Episodes: "Aperitif", "Coquilles"

The Office (Season 9): B
The final season of the beloved show saw an improvement over last season, but never reached earlier season standards (let's be honest it never would). Still the show truly understood what kind of finale it should go for. Some shows like to break the rules in the final season, some look to end the show on a blow out of what was loved about it, and this show wanted to send off each character with a lovely goodbye. The audience truly got to say goodbye to one of the most beloved group of people to grace television.
Best Episodes: "The Target", "Finale"

30 Rock (Season 7): A-
The end of this other great NBC show went out with its best season since the 3rd. Every actor and all the writing was top notch which is something that has been missing over the past few seasons (not saying they were bad, just not as good). It may have the best comedy finale I've seen this generation.
Best Episodes: "Mazel Tov, Dummies!", "Game Over", "Last Lunch"

Parks & Recreation (Season 5): B+

It's strange that the second weakest season of the show still manages a B+, no wonder why when this show is on its A game is one of the best shows on television. Adam Scott has solidified himself as the show's MVP during of the course of the season Andy and April remain the strongest married couple on screen. Still the show wasn't without fault. Leslie and Ron lacked proper season long stories, but maybe that's just in comparison to last year. Still it was a fun ride.
Best Episodes: "Leslie Vs. April", "Leslie and Ben", "Are You Better Off?"

Community (Season 4): B-
With the departure of Dan Harmon the show saw a massive drop in quality. Before the show was weird and original but has heavy and well planned drama. Now the show seems weird for the sake of weird. A weak finale, Abed having character development all over the place, and even was flat out boring made this a weak season. Yet I still enjoyed watching the characters and there were some some decent episodes. At this point I think I've seen the worse so it can only go up from here.
Best Episodes: "Paranormal Parentage", "Basic Human Anatomy"

Archer (Season 4): B+
One of the smartest and funniest shows proves once again why it is a showcase for wonderful television. The grade may seem low but basing this off previous seasons this seems fair. Still an episode of Archer is almost always the funniest episode of TV that week.
Best Episodes: "Legs", "Live And Let Dine", "Coyote Lovely"

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (Season 8): B
The eighth season of this whacky show might just be its weirdest. It took risks as well as relying on themes and styles from previous seasons. The problem was it was inconsistent. A "B" grade may seem harsh but when comparing this to previous seasons, I think the grade seems fair. One thing that the season does greatly is show case the transformation Dennis has seen as a character. Most of the characters haven't seen much growth, but Dennis with this season sure has. It's what keeps the show so funny after so many years.
Note: most the episodes I found to be the best don't line up with other peoples favorites, but I can argue why they should be there so I won't compromise there.
Best Episodes: "Maureen Ponderosa's Wedding Massacre", "Charlie & Dee Find Love", "The Gang Dines Out"

Suburgatory (Season 2): B
The season started mostly strong and ended that way, but the whole middle was all over the place. While not the funniest comedy on television, the show is easily watchable and contains one of the better pieces of drama I've seen on television this year (In "The Wishbone"). I'm hoping the show can find a steady pace of good episodes next season but that doesn't take away from the fact when this show is good, it's some of the best TV you'll see that week.
Best Episodes: "The Wishbone", "Krampus", "How To Be A Baby"

The League (Season 4): B
There's this theory that at some point this show is going to be 99% slang terms, I'm not opposed to that. The show has remained pretty consistently funny but rarely reaches a top tier quality. Still this season had it's highlights and was a pleasure to watch.
Best Episodes: "The Hoodie", "Anchor Baby"

Girls (Season 2): A-
Last season contained about three of the strongest episodes of television I saw last season. This year we have two, so not to bad. The problem I have with the show is wither it is brilliant or it is frustrating, there is rarely a middle ground. Some will complain that the characters are to unlikable, but isn't that why we watch many television shows. These unlikable characters tend to make me think more often as when they say something prominent or I can find a way to relate to them, I question my own my self.
Best Episodes: "It's A Shame About Ray", "One Man's Trash", "Boys", "On All Fours"

House of Cards (Season 1): B-
I might just rank this show the lowest on the list of the dramas I've seen this year. That means two things. The first is that it has been a great year in television. The second is that this show has it's problems. A lot of it has to do with central plots not packing much a punch and a large inconsistency in quality. Some episodes were terrific and others I couldn't wait to end. Still the show gifted us with Corey Stoll, who has given one of the better television performances this year.
Best Episodes: 'Chapter 3", "Chapter 8"

The Mindy Project (Season 1): C-
When I heard Mindy Kaling was getting her one television show co-written by some former Community and 30 Rock writers, plus costarred Chris Messina and Anna Camp, I was excited to say the least. The finished product was a dull and unfunny mess. When there were two good episodes in a 24 episode run, you know there is a problem. i remember saying the show had potential when it floundered at first, I don't even care anymore if I turn out to be right next season.
Best Episodes: "Harry & Mindy", "Take Me With You"

Ben & Kate (complete series): B+
Why is it that everything I love dies? This short lived sitcom was in the vein of Parks & Recreation in that every character was warm and loved each other even with all the yelling. The show was cancelled despite several strong episodes due to Nielson Ratings, what else is new?
Best Episodes: "Reunion", "The Trip"

Don't Trust the B**** In Apartment 23 (actual season: B, season 2 : B+)
So last spring ABC aired 7 of a 13 episode season and then decided to air the rest of those episodes during the run of the second season. The second season is a much higher quality television show and with combining the first season episodes, plot points that made no sense were introduced week to week.  Krysten Ritter was a delight on the show and was basically a live action Roger from American Dad. The show was cancelled in the Firefly fashion, but man if this show didn't show some potential.
Best Episodes: "A Reunion", "Love And Monsters", "Dating Games"

Bob's Burgers (Season 3): A-
Perhaps the most joyous show on television is also one of its most funniest. Fox gave it its first full season and has only improved each season. Each character great and not a single weak episode, what more could you want?
Best Episodes: "Tina-rannousaurous Wreck", "The Deepening", "O.T. The Outside Toilet", "The Unnatural"

Happy Endings (Season 3): A-

With the cancelation of this show by ABC and The USA Network likely not picking it up I can declare that love is dead! A showcase of zany and whacky comedy, it was practically a lie action cartoon. The cast members improved their comedic chops and while maybe not as impressive as the last season, it was still a delight. I never stopped grinning during this show and I pray I see more of it.
Best Episodes: "No-Ho-Ho" "Fowl Play/Date", "The Ex Factor", "The Merry Prankster"

Breaking Bad (Season 5): A
Alongside Mad Men, I consider this the top of the drama food chain. Tense story telling, masterful acting, twists and turns that even if you see coming they still have the emotional shock, and just a general desire to be great make Breaking Bad one of the best shows in history. Season Five just continues that trend.
Best Episodes: "Buyout", "Say My Name", "Gliding All Over"

Louie (Season 3): A-
The best dramedy on television is both hilarious and though provoking. Louie C.K shows signs of an auteur in art, and truly tries to make television all it can be. The fact i thought a particular dream sequence was reminiscent of Wong Kai's films is just an example of the top tier entertainment Louie brings.
Best Episodes: "Daddy's Girlfriend Part 2", "Late Show (Part 3)", New Year's Eve"

Wilfred (Season 2): B+
This and Louie make for one melancholy filled hour. While Louie was already a pinnacle of this trait, Wilfred has only recently stepped up it's game. The show improved as a dramedy with some of the better character development I've seen in a comedy this season. I can't wait for more.
Best Episodes: "Guilt", "Truth", "Secrets"

New Girl (Season 2): A-
Not only was New Girl the most improved show on television, it was arguably the best comedy on television this season. Instead of just throwing characters into funny situations. it developed characters so that they bring the laughs no matter what they do. Zooey Deschanel was good the first season but tremendous this season. it just took some time and practice to make here one of best female comedians on television. Huge laughs and some startling drama realizations made this one hell of a show.
Best Episodes: "Fluffer", "Santa", "Cooler", "Parking Spot"

Best Dramas This Season

1.) Rectify
2.) Breaking Bad
3.) Mad Men
4.) Justified
5.) Game of Thrones

Best Comedies This Season

1.) Louie
2.) New Girl
3.) Bob's Burgers
4.) 30 Rock
5.) Girls

Best Comedy Episodes
1.) "Late Show (Part 3)"- Louie
2.) "It's A Shame About Ray"- Girls
3.) "Parking Spot" - New Girl
4.) "On All Fours" - Girls
5.) "Last Lunch" - 30 Rock
6.) " Game Over" - 30 Rock
7.) "The Wishbone" - Suburgatory
8.) "Legs"- Archer
9.) "The Unnatural"- Bob's Burgers
10.) "Fluffer" - New Girl

Best Drama Episodes
1.) "Jacob's Ladder"- Rectify
2.) "Gliding All Over" - Breaking Bad
3.) "Decoy"- Justified
4.) "Drip, Drip"- Rectify
5.) "And Now His Watch Has Ended"- Game of Thrones
6.) "The Crash"- Mad Men
7.) "Q&A"- Homeland
8.) "The Clear" - Walking Dead
9.) "Duty & Honor" - The Americans
10.) "Buyout"- Breaking Bad

Best of the Best
Louie for "Late Show (Part 3)" is the best episode of television I've seen this year.

Upstream Color (***1/2 out of ****)

Shane Carruth has directed one other feature, it was called Primer. It was a mad mans take on time travel and the continuity affects. Looking at all the paradoxes the notion creates. The film in itself is similar to a homework assignment. It needs to be analyzed and studies so that sense can be made of it. It's a film that makes one think, I pushed my self to understand it and shouldn't an art form cause some stress. How does one learn if they are not challenged or willing to work? Shane Carruth returns nearly a decade later with Upstream Color. The director did not lose his touch in creating a haunting and dizzying experience.

I've said in the past that it can be difficult in describing a plot, this might be the hardest. So Kris (Amy Seimetz) is out at a nightclub one night where she is drugged. However it is not some regular chemical, but a bug like organism. It causes a hypnosis state that allows for the mind to be altered. It destroys her life. Some time later she meets Jeff (Shane Carruth), who has the same thing happened to them. They begin seeing each other and everything should be ok. However their identities become intertwined, memories confused, and pasts entangled. The organism that once was in them lives in a  new host and the effects are still there. Fear and panic set in.

When I say that Shane Carruth is an artist, I don't take that word lightly. The director through an powerful story, meaningful jump cuts, and a sense of mystery makes this a strong contribution to cinema. Instead of approaching this film as something that needed to be solved like Primer, he looks to analyze a question that cannot be answered, only to give some insight. Carruth looks at the condition of life and what drives it, where it begins and what is held sacred in it. It's a intoxicating odyssey  that needs and deserves interpretation.

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

Iron Man (**1/2 out of ****)

Jon Favreau steps down from the directing chair and passes the mantle onto Shane Black. The man previously worked with Robert Downey Jr. in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the outrageous action comedy. So it's not surprising that Iron Man 3 is perhaps the funniest super hero film yet. At points the film feels like it could just be a slapstick comedy, but then the fights kick in and your reminded where you're at here. Perhaps it is best described as a buddy cop style movie between various characters. Iron Man 3 has it's problems but that doesn't mean it isn't a blast.

This time around Tony Stark (whom has been immortalized by RDJ) is haunted by his inner demons. The incident he experienced during The Avengers has left fixated on making newer and better Iron Men Suits. In comes The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) who looks to teach the US their faults. There's quite a few twists and turns so I shouldn't go t much further but it's similar to the past two Iron Men in style.

The comedy, the climax, and some of the new characters work incredibly well. Ultimately it's goofy fun with some captivating action and to many that's enough. Still the film has some faults. Some the new characters suffer from strange or boring characterization. Rebecca Hall as Maya Hansen has little to contribute to the plot which is disappointing as she deserved better. Many of the characters don't contribute to the entertainment without Stark around. So despite some interesting character notions, they lack a life outside of the lead protagonist. Regardless Iron Man 3 will joyful to those who enjoyed previous installments.

**1/2 out of ****

Top of The Lake (**** out of ****)

Top of The Lake is transcendent it's story telling of a typical police mystery story. No emotion to big or to small in this series. Everyhting flows at such a natural pace and relies much rather on the emotional implications of an event rather than just throwing a big twist for shocks and gasps. Ther series leaves out overdone cliches and reworks others. A hauntingly beautiful story about child abuse, sexual assualt, incest, and cromes against women. Top of the Lake doesn't take these issues lightly and deals with them with maturity. It's some of the most compelling series  in this "Golden Age of Televesion".

Robert Griffith (Elizabeth Moss) has returned home to New Zealand as her mother's (Robyn Nevin) illness is progressing to a point of no return. While there she receives a call from her old department asking for aid in a crime. A young girl Tui (Jacqueline Joe) one morning rides her bike out to a large lake, walks into it and attempts to freeze her self to death. The next day she disappears. What follows is a wide search for this girl and the people responsible for her strife. Tui's father Matt (Peter Mullan), a leader in the area's criminal world  will make this search far more complicated. There is also a group of women seeking refuge and enlightenment lead by the mysterious GJ (Holly Hunter) that will play a role in the fates to come.

It's a long story that so rarely goes off track and if it does it knows how to use those elements to its advantage. It's a fierce feminist work that yet works spectacularly as entertainment. There are issues here that plague the world over and director Jane Campion deals with it in a responsible fashion. A engrossing mystery filled with true character development make it rewarding. Elizabeth Moss leads the terrific cast, but she gives a tour de force performance. It's a work that I can honestly say was a privilege to watch.

**** out of ****
note: this is a mini series originally aired on Sundance and now available on Netflix Streaming. The nature of the series is that it is continous with every episode blending into the next. It feels like a long movie he anything else

Pain & Gain (** out of ****)

Pain & Gain is perhaps the strangest film I've seen all year. Not completely in the abnormal way but I really had no idea what to make of it. The first thirty minutes or so were dreadful. The pacing is so erratic I was more confused on a why a film would construct itself like this then actually what was happening. Every character is given a narration,  in making every character important, they made them irrelevant.  However the second half the film gets progressively better. Things slowed down a bit. It's also at this point things become incredibly dark. I'm still 100% sure what to make of it.

Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) works as a fitness trainer in Miami Florida. He's tired of looking at people having wealth when he feels he should have it (yea he doesn't really have a good moral reason). He decides to kidnap a client he trains Victor (Tony Shalhob), a millionaire who's done some dirty dealing to gain his wealth. Daniel recruits fellow trainer Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and a former convict who trains at the gym, Paul (Dwayne Johnson). The three bumbling fools manage to pull off the kidnapping but a former cop (Ed Harris) won't let them get away with their crimes.

Besides the pacing is the odd story. It's based on a true story which is almost shocking since it looks like it was a story conceived by a Mark Wahlberg and John C. Reilly during their coked up phase of Boogie Nights (borrowed that line). The characters leap back and forth on the sympathetic line, which isn't neccisarily bad, but by the end I was just hoping the Ed Harris, the one sane man here, would win. I mean Mark Wahlberg is really the villian when you get down to the brass tax. He organizes a kidnapping to steal Victor's life and wants to kill the man without a second thought. I think this was the intnet of Michael Bay, but I could be wrong. It is a Bay film so it's longer then it should be and contains no compelling female characters. Yet it only has like two explosions, What's going on with Bay?! I did find some some scenes quite amusing, the comedy is absurd in the unusual way (a coked of Dwayne Johnson making a mess of Mark Wahlberg's "nerighborhood watch" rape seminar being one such scene). The story might is so out there it might have made for a surreal Paul Thomas Anderson film. Pain & Gain is Bay having some fun and doing something different but the man still has some structural problems in his career.

** out of ****
 

GI Joe: Retalitation (*1/2 out of ****)

GI Joe: Retaliation is a clunky, dumb, confusing, and an eye sore of an action film. The President of the U.S (Jonathan Pryce) has been replaced by the master of disguise Zartan. He sends the GI Joes on a dangergous mission to only double cross them and have their orginaztion destroyed. Now Zartan can safely free the imprisoned Cobra Commander and continue their plans of world domination. Yet not all the Joes died. Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), Flint (D.J Cotrona) and Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) have survived and look to stop these villains while avenging their fallen brothers. There are several things here that make this film do dreadful. First the action is so fast and disorientating it leaves no impression, it feels all to generic. The plot is whisker thin and only serves as a reason for non constant action. Most of Snake Eyes story is so second tier that it might as well have been a different film. You can see for yourself, but why bother. If anything it felt like a waste of time.

*1/2 out of ****

Oblivion (*** out of ****)

In some ways Oblivion is a fresh and original science fiction film. On the other hand it is a movie clearly in love and influenced by the past works in the genre and is splendid in its homages and borrowed concepts. Director Jospeh Kosinski is making a name for himself in the digital/CGI cinema world and Oblivion is mystery filled thrill ride with some genuinely interesting genre adding to the man's credentials.

Jack (Tom Cruise) is assigned to a job that is responsible for repairing defence drones. He flies out to their downed location while under the watch of his partner Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) back at her command center. The two have been a team for years and are involved romantically. Their location is Earth. The planet had been invaded decades ago and left nearly uninhabitable, now the humans look to extract resources and start life elsewhere. Jack's drones defend massive resource gathering machines that float high in the sky. There are a few aliens left on the planet and they are known as Scavs (short for scavengers). Jack's time on assignment is running out when a ship crashes in the wastes and changes everything he's every known.

Refrences to several Arthur C Clark works, Star Wars, Tron, The Matrix, Independence Day, and Wall-E make this a somewhat science fiction heaven. The characters are nearly fully realized. Victoria's feelings for Jack and how she reacts to an unwelcomed guest  are brilliant little pieces of character development. Still one has to wonder if the two major female characters are a bit too dependent on advances Jack's story line only. Oblivion is a gorgeous  looking film and seemingly blends CGI and live action. Another great component of Oblivion is its mystery. It has some twists and turns and there I was plesntly suprised. It's a great science fiction film this year.

*** out of ****

The Place Beyond The Pines (***1/2 out of ****)

Director Derek Cianfrance has done something special here. It feels like far to often times a director just looks to their next project as simply their next movie. Cianfrance gives the impression of a man who looks for nothing less than working his hardest to contributing to cinema. A film divided into three acts the story sweeps across the ages. This is a showcase for acting but treats the actors as part of the story and not work for their celebrity personas. The film is a true epic that does come off the rails every now and then, but for the most part it is a striking force of film.

Luke (Ryan Gosling) is a motorcylce stunt man at a traveling amusment park. He returns to Synecdoche New York after a year on the road and is greeted by Romina (Eva Mendes), a woman he had a fling with during his last visit. However he finds out that while away, she had his child. Luke wants to be there for his child, unlike his own father. However Romina has a boyfriend and starting a a new life. Luke has no skills outside of his riding abilities, which he decides to use for a life a crime. Rob a bank and use his talent to get out of the area as fast as possible. This sets him on a collison course with Avery (Bradley Cooper), a local cop. Avery has dreams of doing actual justice in town and Luke may be the catalyst to all of this. There is also two teenagers (Dane DeHaan and Emory Cohen) that will play a massive role on the story.

The film has a true scope of it's goals. Telling a story of father/son relationships and the effect they have on one's life. An attempt to look beyond the traditional looking glass in to the raw emotion that fuels people. There is a lot happening here, I'm sure there is a lot I missed (religious symbolism), so the film has a strong rewatch capability. There are several beautiful and meaningful shots namely two following from behind two different characters on bike via an aerial view. All the actors give it their all here, making it a roller-coaster of emotion  The Place Beyond The Pines tries hard to tell story of some magnitude and for the most part succeeds in its ambitious drive.


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

The Host (*1/2 out of ****)

The Host commits many sins, these leads to the film being not just bad, but nearly a waste of time. It's contains quetionable acing, mostly bland visuals, a non-engaging story, cheesy and is very slow (and not the good kind).

Earth has been taken over by aliens. They are known as Souls and are parasitic lifeform that takes over the human's body and now the Souls live a normal life on Earth. I would secribe the souls as a ball of light with a vague shape of some sort of sea urchin. Melanie Strider (Saoirse Ronan) several years after the invasion is found by Jared Howe (Max Irons). Two good looking teenagers find each and love, it's so heartwarming. That is until Melanie is captured and has a Soul placed in her body. The Soul is known as Wanderer and Melanie and Wanderer often yell at each in the apparence of a yound woman yelling at the voices in her head. Wanderer eventually goes in search of Mealinie's realitives and thus begins the love square of Jared, Melanie, Wanderer and Ian (Jake Abel), te boy who falls for The Soul. William Hurt plays Mealinie's uncle who belives that a person can still live in a body taken over by a soul and Diane Kruger plays a Seeker (Soul cop) who looks to hunt any surviving humans down and preventing our oh so dear love square, she's the square! The plot is more stupid then it is complicated.

A sci-fi movie in the in the vain of maintaining one's will with a hint of Invasion of The Body Snatchers could have been cool, having Andrew Niccol direct with Ronan, Hurt and Kruger lending their acting talents could have made this a good movie. Yet the source material based on a Stephenie  Meyer book is so weak the film leaves no impression. The movie moves at a snail's pace and there are very few scenes of interest to break on the mundane fair. The romance is nothing beyond the "you live on the opposite side of town but we can fall in love anyway" cliche. The most redeeming qualities is the movie is that the music is hauntingly lovely and bad sci-fi is normally somewhat entertaining. Still The Host is so meaningless in execution that I have no need to remember it rather than actually want to block it from my brain.

*1/2 out of ****

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

Danny Boyle has never made two similar movies. Every film is different in story. Yet they are all connected through the man's kinetic style. A mad dance through cinema. Trance is not one of Boyle's better films, in fact it's closer to the bottom of the man's collection. Still Trance is often wicked fun and engaging.

Getting started on describing the plot on Trance is a tricky thing. How much is too much to give away? James McAvoy plays Simon, an art auctioneer who gets invloved ona heist for very valuable painting. He sustains a blow to the head however and forgets much of what happened during the event, including where he hid the painting.Yet Frank (Vincent Cassel) and his team of criminals won't let amnesia stop them. Simon in order to recall where he hid the painting goes a hypnothearpist to unlock his mind. The thearpist is Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) who will make things interesting and complicated.

Boyle has a made a neo noir of the mind. Leaping around in narrative, Trance is quite intoxicating but often confusing. There are far more plot holes then there should be. While the actors are all very good, they lack chemistry with one another making their realtiionships somewhat dull. This leads to the problem of the plot feeling forced rather than organic. Boyle and the cast do their best with a weak script and often make up for its short comings. Quick editing, camera work shifting to what is happening in the film, and the always dazzling Boyle's choice in soundtrack lend a helping hand here. Trance is messy film, but a well made one


**1/2 out of ****

To The Wonder (*** out of ****)

Terrence Malick films are one of much debate. Some would claim his films are pretentious and the lacking a narrative approach is boring. I fall on the side where the director creates rapturous and euphoric films. Some of the most stunning images, intriguing reflection ad pure love I've seen in Malick's career. To The Wonder is his first completely  contemporary film but not one of his better ones.

Neil (Ben Affleck) is in love with Marina (Olga Kurylenko). The two enjoy blissful emotions while in France. They one day visit Mont Saint-Michael, a monastery that stands high upon a beach in Normandy. The place represents the plateau of their love, but also sets the idea of isolation. Malick looks to find symbolism in the most basic of concepts and images. Marina and her daughter from a previous marriage move with Neil to Oklahoma where things become more difficult. The nature of the countryside creates a vastly different feel then France and Marina reacts to it. Neil in his troubles reconnects with a woman from his past Jane (Rachel McAdams). Javier Bardem also plays a priest with a shaken faith in the lord and love, but his story seems very disconnected from Neil and Marina.

I appreciate the way Malick works with actors. The unique way of using them as models to express emotion and story instead of just letting actors playing a role. Malick tells a sometimes beautiful and sometimes devestating love story here. However in his lack on narration, the director creates some confusion, which distracts from the attachment. Another aspect of Malick's style I marvel in is the way the director can take a simple story and tear apart its basics to create something unique. To The Wonder spoke to me, not as much as other Malick moves but still I will never not long for the next film in this wonderful director's career.

*** out of ****

Evil Dead (**1/2 out of ****)

Sam Raimi's original Evil Dead is a horror classic. An unsettling gory feast, it's an over the top violent romp. However then a man decided to remake that movie, he was named Sam Raimi. The director remade his original with Evil Dead II, a comedic "Three Stooges" like joy. So decades later comes a somewhat blessed remake of the original film. Those looking for the fun Raimi saw later in his horror career should stay away, but for those looking for nauseating effects of the original, you won't be really disappointed.

Once again five young adults come out to a cabin in the woods. They are there for Mia (Jane Levy), who has sworn to kick her drug addiction and this remote location will serve as the "perfect" place for her to ride out the withdrawals. Her brother David (Shilo Fernandez) hasn't been always there for her and is making attempt to make up for it. This is all before they find "the book". Next thing you know  reading the ancient language inscribed in the pages begins and all hell breaks looks. Possession, tree rape, demons, the whole shebang.

The remake succesds in some ares but fails in others. In production of the film, practical effects were given a priority. So the gore has a sick pleasure in it. Problem is it sometimes becomes all to obvious when they touched up those effects with CGI. Yet still when the blood flies is just as disturbing as before. There are several callbacks to the original film, and for the most part (it's always hard with today's horror genre) finds ways to show love for what inspired this adaptation. However the film does have it's faults. The supporting characters don't add too much to the film, just bodies in the way. You'll still see characters behaving stupidly (it's almost a horror movie requirement now). What it comes down to is the era of horror films we live in, so many of them just feel the same. Even in Mama, which I enjoyed greatly, still can't escape all the cliche scares. There are still very good horror movies out there (Ti West is doing some fine work), it's just the average movie becomes so forgettable. In the end Evil Dead is a decent remake, has some scares, a lot of blood, but just isn't anything special in the now classic franchise.

**1/2 out of ****

Olympus Has Fallen (** out of ****)

I mean what did you expect? A stellar action movie that would match Die Hard in quality? I mean coming close to a feat like that would be even ludicrous. Olympus Has Fallen suffers from nearly all the problems seen in pro-american thrillers, they just come off as so artificial. The amount of eye roll worthy moments in the film would be a record high for such a type of film. Just because you have the president of the United States in the film, it doesn't make him an interesting character.

Gerard Butler plays a former secret service member who after a incident is transferred away from the president's service (Aaron Eckhart). During a visit from the Souther Korean Prime Minister, North Korean soldiers look to strike. launching a ridiculous assault on the White House they look to capture the president to get his hands on a special code that could destroy the country. The assault on the White House is pretty entertaining if look past all the stupidity involved by the guards there. Gerard Butler is alone in the ruined capital and must save his country (well sort of, I mean an Irishman playing a patriot).  he's not trapped in with the North Koreans, but they're trapped in their with him (it's that kind of cheesiness you can expect). Also Morgan Freeman plays the Speaker of the House, he's just there to make the wrong decisions and say things about how much in distress the country is. It's not all bad , some of the action is quite fun and the destruction looks great. Still the film is just a nothing special action movie. I mean how special can it be when there is a nearly identical movie coming out this summer with White House Down.

** out of ****

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

Something is wrong, in the household of the Stoker family and also a bit in the audience. Director Chan-wook Park takes full control in making this a uncomfortable and yet devilishly delicious experience. The film equivalent of a spider crawling up your body.

It is on India Stoker's (Mia Wasikowska) eighteenth birthday that her father is killed in an automobile accident. At his funeral service, India meets the uncle she never knew she had, Charlie Stoker (Matthew Goode). The feelings of confusion and annoyance from his appearance is only worsened when India's mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman) invites Charlie to stay with them for an indefinite amount of time. Charlie is unsettling, there is something he's hiding, his intentions are a mystery. India has just no idea what Charlie entering her life means.

It is in the attention of detail that Stoker most thrives. Heightened sounds and an unusual palette of color (some times absolutely luscious in scope and others bland but never mute) makes it a wonder to the senses. Stoker is a movie looking to create literate. There a vast array of symbolism and troupes at work here. It is a dizzying joy to point each one out. Stoker is a complicated film, there are a lot of layers to the film, not everything is clear at first. In reflection the film only becomes more impressive.  A terrific cast just make it all the better. It is an atmospheric treat. People are born with control over their lives, they are given to it by the parents. It is only in accepting this can freedom be attained.

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

Warm Bodies (*** out of ****)

Warm Bodies is pleasant enough that it can attract and keep many an audience. That's what happens when you make an original comedy/action/horror/romance. It's Twilight for people would don't like Twilight, but can also attract that group of fans. It's not great cinema, but it has a lot going for it.

The world has been overrun by zombies. Humans now crowd themselves behind walled off sections of cities. One of these zombies wonders around the airport, unable to remember his past or his name, so he goes by the letter he believes his name began with, R. Nicholas Hoult plays this zombie with a great attention to detail, letting his movement and eyes do most the talking. He's looking to make a connection in this strange world. While looking for some humans to eat one day, he sees Julie (Teresa Palmer). R has just finished eating some of her boyfriend's brains (which gains you that person's memories), and he is overcome by Julie. He saves her from the zombie swarm and promises to bring her back to her home. Something is changing about R, his heart is moving again. Although none of this maters to Julie's father (John Malkovich), who looks to re-kill these corpses anyway he can.

Hoult and Palmer have some good chemistry together. They make interesting characters already stronger. In fact the entire cast (Rob Corddry, Dave Franco, and Analeigh Tipton as well) keep the film rolling. Director Jonathan Levine knows to create charm does so through music and giving the actors something to actually do. Warm Bodies borrows and pays tribute to many other works. Little touches of H.P Lovecraft, Shakespeare, and George Romero are scattered throughout. Warm Bodies loses points in it's linear and paper thin story. It's original and fun, but still has plenty of cliches. Almost as if they're not sure what genre they're in their in at the moment. However for what it's worth, Warm Bodies often works its wild fantasy.

*** out of ****

Mama (*** out of ****)

First time feature film director Andres Muschietti has made one of the scariest horror movies in recent memory. Veteran Guillermo Del Toro helped get the film off the ground and you can see his fingerprints scattered throughout the film. Last year Del Toro aided in Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, which felt like it was a english made Del Toro horror film (then again he did help write the screenplay), Mama is more of a straight horror movie with some inspiration by Del Toro mechanics. Whatever it is the film has character development, genuine terror, a sense of constructed lore, great visuals, and an understanding of what goes bump in the night.

Two young girls are found in a cabin in the woods after being missing for five years. Professionals are dumbfounded by how they survived. The girl's uncle Lucas (Nicolaj Coster-Waldau) wants to take care of them, much to the dismay of his serious girlfriend Annabelle (Jessica Chastain). However the girl's didn't come to their new home alone. 

Mama has a clear sense of purpose. It's telling a theme of motherhood in the horror world. It largely succeeds at this. The scare mechanics are also very well done. Some jump scares but refreshingly there is plenty of atmosphere scares as well. If there is a sound from another room, there is actually something threatening there. This way there is the sense that anything could go wrong at any given moment. Some will argue that showing "Mama" too early ruins the terror from the mystery. You see the argument in many horror films, when do you show the monster? It doesn't when if what you build around it is good. "Mama" feels threatening from the beginning and does through almost the entire film, Muschietti does fine with it. There are however some loose plot points here. This creates a decent amount of confusion. So character's behave foolishly but it's not clear if these people are that way or if there is something missing from the film. Perhaps with some deleted scenes or an extended version things will be cleared up. Regardless Mama is a heart racer. 

*** out of ****

500 Days of Summer: A Cautionary Tale

I’ve been telling myself for months to write this piece. I just finished watching the film Ruby Sparks that inspired me to finally start this endeavor. In some ways that film changed my thought process, but mostly just reconfirmed what I’ve come to learn. Maturing is a strange thing. It seems to change on a variety of preconceived notions. About a year ago I realized the true meaning of 500 Days of Summer because of me growing up. I wrote a review for the film some time ago and a lot of the points I brought up about the film are still valid. It’s still very much a whimsical tale told through a unique narrative. What changed is the paragraph I wrote about the story was sort of a fantasy of mine. 500 Days of Summer isn’t a change of pace in romantic comedies but a deconstrustruction of its very ideas (or at least partially). I still identify with Tom as a character, but it took me a bit longer than him to come up with the message that the film is trying to communicate. It is my intent to explore this theme for both myself and those who have seen the film already.
              

As I said it’s film that is a deconstruction of a theater troupe. Boy meets girl seems to be the classic pattern of nearly all romantic comedies, 500 Days of Summer’s beginning seems like it will follow the typical path. Yet the narrator mentions twice “this is not a love story”, a sign of things to come. At first I thought this was just an attempt to revive the genre. I thought the film was telling the story of idea of a soul mate with an unconventional ending. That idea isn’t wrong, but yet I adored much of what Tom believed in. He was looking for a soul mate but he already established what his soul mate would be like. He was building himself up to be let down. I didn’t see anything wrong with the idea of what a soul mate would be like. Yet Tom grew up and I believe I have now. 500 Days of Summer may have joyous and lovely moments, but it is truly more a sad movie than anything.

The audience learns of Tom’s hopes and dreams within the first five minutes of the film. This is a normal practice, the genre of film supports him, but the actual film wants to tear his world apart.  I too misunderstood the meaning of The Graduate at a young age. It’s not the story of finding your soul mate but rather building a false image. The ending has Dustin Hoffman and Katherine Ross sitting next to each other on a bus, now the can live their lives together supposedly. Hoffman stares ahead with a stare that looks like realization. He has built up this idea in his head of Ross’ character and now that he has her, what is he to do? He ruined her life even. Tom misunderstands the ending that these two lovers are free to be together. This experience and a large amount of sad British music (namely The Smiths) gave Tom the idea that he will finally be fulfilled when he finds his dream girl. So every day leading up into this he has been in suspended animation. He’s never followed through on his goal of architecture, instead wastes his life at a job that isn’t of his potential. Then Summer shows up and he think he’s found the one. This inspires him to try at life again. He has the talent but he’s been waiting for Summer to complete him.

                         

Tom’s ideas of Summer are obsessive. The man has built up a theory of what his dream girl would be like and now believes Summer is that person. I like the scene where she tells Tom here weekend was “good” and he believes she is slut because of it. He wants Summer to be a perfect girl.  She replicates some practices Tom believes in but not others. For a while things go fine. They have fun, share secrets and find little things to love about each other. Of course as the relationship progresses Tom becomes frustrated because she won’t conform to his dream girl fantasies. There is nothing wrong with her.

Summer is fully realized character, an individual. One who thinks and bleeds on her on free will. She is darling and loveable, so it’s easy to see why Tom would fall for her even if it were not for their shared interests. From the start, alongside Tom, the film shows just who Summer is as a person. She loves but is not one to settle down, or at least not easily. This is the opposite of what Tom wants. She’s not an idea of a person; she’s an individual just like every one else in the world. People aren’t created to fulfill the dreams of others; we’re all just trying to make the ride in this world easier.

                          

They break up and Tom is of course miserable. Believing he let the one he was supposed to be with slip away. Not understandable but he latter believes he has a second chance. This leads to the expectation vs. reality scene, which is heartbreaking. Here is Tom’s first sign that everything he believes in is hopeless. His expectations for life will never be met, just like 99% of the general public. However he’s so focused in this illusion of his dream that it wasn’t until that day did he see how life really is.  Tom is a man who’s just had his whole life ripped apart.

So this comes back to this being really a sad movie over it being a happy one.   Believing that his dream girl would solve all his life’s problems has stunted Tom. He wouldn’t have to try until she came along because she would sort out his life by inspiring him. Yet the whom he believed to be that girl is engaged to somebody else. So only after some thinking does Tom realize his life is “bullshit".  So now does he continue to believe a dream that almost certainly will never come true, or rebuild his character and take responsibility. Taking charge of his life although admits defeat, but with a chance of winning again.  I had the same idea of Tom once or something close to it. It hurts your life living in dreams and not reality. Either take charge or find something else you love.

 

So some of this probably seems live the ranting of a madman. Well it’s not far off; this isn’t a proper analysis but rather an admission of shame. I wanted to finally say my thoughts of 500 Days of Summer as they stand now. I’ll keep my old review up, as I said some of things I said are still true. It’s just now when I watch the film instead of feeling bliss I feel melancholy. At the end of the day 500 Days of Summer is truly phenomenal achievement about love and maturing. 

2012 in Film

In 2012 film inspired, devastated, aroused, excited, and intrigued us. We came to care for characters as if they were ourselves and wished for the destruction of others. We saw things that confused us but eager to discover the meaning of it all. I've seen a lot of films this year and it's my pleasure to show you what I thought was the best and worst was. Just because a film in lower on the list than another film, doesn't necessarily mean its worse. This is as much personal opinion as it critique. Let's start the journey.

1.) Holy Motors
2.) Zero Dark Thirty
3.) The Master
4.) Amour
5.) Moonrise Kingdom
6.) Rust and Bone
7.) Cloud Atlas
8.) Beasts of The Southern Wild
9.) Looper
10.) Argo
11.) The Secret World of Arrietty
12.) Cabin in the Woods
13.) Django Unchained
14.) The Loneliest Planet
15.) Silver Linings Playbook
16.) Lincoln
17.) Bernie
18.) The Dark Knight Rises
19.) Seven Psychopaths
20.) Perks of Being A Wallflower
21.) Skyfall
22.) Life of Pi
23.) Prometheus
24.) The Raid: Redemption
25.) The Impossible
26.) Anna Karenina
27.) The Deep Blue Sea
28.) Headhunters
29.) Haywire
30.) Celeste & Jesse Forever
31.) The Hunger Games
32.) Smashed
33.) Chronicle
34.) The Hobbit: An Expected Journey
35.) The Amazing Spider-Man
36.) Not Fade Away
37.) Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
38.) 21 Jump Street
39.) The Avengers
40.) Les Miserables
41.) Flight
42.) Cosmopolis
43.) Sound of My Voice
44.) Premium Rush
45.) Jeff, Who Lives at Home
46.) Arbitrage
47.) The Grey
48.) Saftey Not Guaranteed
49.) Sinister
50.) Lawless
51.) The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
52.) Dredd
53.) Take this Waltz
54.) Killing Them Softly
56.) The Bourne Legacy
57.) End of Watch
58.) Snow White & The Huntsmen
59.) Men in Black 3
60.) John Carter
61.) The Campaign
62.) Wanderlust
63.) The Woman In Black
64.) Man In The Iron Fists
65.) This is 40
66.) The Five Year Engagement
67.) Silent House
68.) Total Recall
69.) Savages
70.) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
71.) Contraband
72.) The Expandables 2
73.) Bachelorette
74.) Safe House
75.) Ted
76.) Resident Evil: Retribution
77.) Safe
78.) Lockout
79.) The Chernobyl Diaries
80.) Wrath of the Titans
81.) Silent Hill: Revelation
82.) The Watch
83.) Man On A Ledge
84.) Red Dawn
85.) Underworld Awakening
86.) Act of Valor
87.) The Words

Best Performances, Genre Films and Other Works

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role

10.) Matthias Schoenaerts- Rust and Bone/ Liam Neeson – The Grey

9.) Jack Black- Bernie 

8.) Hugh Jackman – Les Miserables

7.) Richard Gere - Arbitrage

6.) Denzel Washington - Flight

5.) Bradley Cooper – Silver Linings Playbook

4.) Jean-Louise Trintignant- Amour

3.) Daniel Day Lewis – Lincoln

2.) Denis Lavent – Holy Motors

1.) Joaquin Phoneix – The Master

Best Performance by a Actress in a Leading Role

10.) Rashida Jones- Celeste & Jesse Forever

9.) Keira Knightly – Anna Karenina

8.) Mary Elizabeth Winstead- Smashed

7.) Quvenzhane Wallis – Beasts of The Southern Wild

6.) Naomi Watts – The Impossible

5.) Emmanule Riva- Amour

4.) Marion Cotillard- Rust and Bone

3.) Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

2.) Rachael Weisz – The Deep Blue Sea

1.) Jessica Chastain- Zero Dark Thirty

Best Performance by and Actor in a Supporting Role

10.) Javier Bardem - Skyfall

9) Tommy Lee Jones – Lincoln

8.) Sam Rockwell- Seven Psychopaths

7.) Robert DeNiro – Silver Linings Playbook

6.) Leonardo DiCaprio – Django Unchained

5.) Ewan McGregor- The Impossible

4.) Samuel L. Jackson –Django Unchained

3.) Dwight Henry – Beasts of the Southern Wild

2.) Christoph Waltz- Django Unchained

1.) Philip Seymour Hoffman – The Master

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role

10.) Shirly MacLaine - Bernie

9.) Jacki Weaver – Silver Linings Playbook

8.) Judi Dench - Skyfall

7.) Maggie Smith – The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

6.) Brit Marling – Sound of My Voice

5.) Sally Field - Lincoln

4.) Rosmaire DeWitt- Your Sister’s Sister

3.) Emily Blunt – Your Sister’s Sister

2.) Amy Adams – The Master

1.) Anne Hathaway – Les Miserables

Best Director

10.) Julia Loktev - The Loneliest Planet
9.) David O. Russell - Silver Lining Playbook
8.) Jacques Audiard - Rust and Bone
7.) Steven Spielberg - Lincoln
6.) Ben Affleck - Argo
5.) Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained
4.) Michael Haneke - Amour
3.) Leos Carax - Holy Motors
2.) Kathryn Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty
1.) Paul Thomas Anderson - The Master

Best Original Screenplay
5.) Amour
4.) Zero Dark Thirty
3.) Django Unchained
2.) Looper
1.) Moonrise Kingdom

Best Adapted Screenplay
5.) Life of Pi
4.) Lincoln
3.) Argo
2.) The Perks of Being a Wallflower
1.) Silver Linings Playbook

Best Score (music)
5.) Skyfall
4.) Lincoln
3.) The Master
2.) Anna Karenina
1.) Cloud Atlas

Best Action Movie - The Raid Redemption

Best General Comedy – 21 Jump Street

Best Dark Comedy – Seven Psychopaths

Most Entertaining Movie – Cabin in the Woods

Best Standard Romance - Logan Lerman and Emma Watson in Perks of Being a Wallflower

Best Unconventional Romance - Marion Cotillard and Mattias Schoenaerts in Rust and Bone

Best Science Fiction Movie - Looper

Best Movie I Thought Was Going To Suck – The Grey

Best Horror Movie – Sinister

Most Disappointing Movie of All Time (but still not that bad) – Prometheus

Most Disappointing Movie Outside of Prometheus – Killing Them Softley

Most Pleseant Surprise – Premium Rush

Best Superhero Movie – The Dark Knight Rises

Most Confusing Movie – Cosmopolis

Best Looking Film - Anna Karenina 

Future American Classsic – The Master 

Best Acting Ensambles

5.) The Master

4.) Argo

3.) Silver Lining Playbook

2.) Lincoln

1.) Moonrise Kingdom

(I thought about Les Miserables but when you have 3 bad performances I can’t give it to that)

Best Movies I Didn’t See – Magic Mike, Hitchcock, The Sessions, No, Pretty much every animated movie, The Hunt, A Royal Affair, Salmon Fishing in Yemen, Ruby Sparks, On the Road 

Movies on my Films of 2012 list I didn’t review but saw (No reviews mostly because I saw them way after their relsease):

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

The Loneliest Planet (***1/2 out of ****)

Life of Pi (*** out of ****)

The Deep Blue Sea (*** out of ****)

Saftey Not Guranteed (*** out of ****)

Take This Waltz (*** out of ****)

Dredd (*** out of ****)
End of Watch (**1/2 out of ****)

The Five Year Engagement (**1/2 out of ****)

Underworld Awakening (*1/2 out of ****)

Actor with the Best Year (Bias) – Joseph Godorn Levitt  - The Dark Knight Rises, Premium Rush, Looper, and Lincoln

Actor With the Best Year (unbiased, I haven’t seen half his movies) – Channing Tatum – Haywire, The Vow, 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike

Actress With the Best Year – Jennifer Lawrence- Massive and popular blockbuster with The Hunger Games and critic darling of movie that earned her an Oscar nomination with Silver Lining Playbook. Even the shitty The House at the End of the Street didn’t hurt her.

Burnout/Quick Reviews

I'm wrapping up my "end of the year best" lists and realizing I've fallen behind in my reviews some of the recent movie reviews are shorter (not all)  Sorry they're not more in depth and once I get back into the swing of things they'll be longer again. Anyway let's start.

Zero Dark Thirty (**** out of ****)

All The President's Men, United 93, and Zodiac were films that managed to effortlessly fuse drama, journalism, atmosphere, and suspense. Zero Dark Thirty now joins those great films in the hall of near flawlessly crafted investigative thrillers. Director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal walk the tightrope and complete the ambiguous journey. Conservative or liberal,  Zero Dark Thirty is a high octane powerhouse. There were eyebrows raised over how the truth of the torture scenes and just who was armed in Bin Laden's compound, but the film manages never reveal too much. Both elements manage to hide the controversy. Despite the fact we're watching the movie, there always feels like more is happening off it. That is how fantastic filmmakers craft the world their film inhabits. It is truly and marvelous achievement.

Maya (Jessica Chastain) has traded her youth in service for her country. She has spent her life working for the CIA with hunting Bin Laden.  She probably knows more about him than the few she's managed to stay close too. Maya is working with a small group searching for America's enemy and they are failing. They follow supposed messengers, make bribes, conduct surveillance, and interrogate prisoners often through violent force. Dan (Jason Clarke) administers these practices in both the role of the good cop/ bad cop. He makes perfectly clear that if they break any of his rules (mostly do not lie) he will hurt them, break them if he has too. However he brings them food and water, often talks casually in what seems both an attempt to win them over as well as Dan being himself. Through many different sources Maya thinks she may have just found the lead that will find the villain she has spent her life looking for.

Zero Dark Thirty is confident with itself. Tension builds naturally, nothing seems forced. During the raid on Bin Laden's compound you can hear a pin drop. It's suspenseful not through manipulation of score, cliche soldier types, or the will they or won't they. Bigelow takes her time to get here and has no intention to rush the payoff. It is some of the most intense cinema I've seen in some time. Many locations and different characters keep the movie flowing and never feels at a standstill. Kyle Chandler, Jennifer Elhe, Harold Perrineau, Edgar Ramirez, Mark Strong, Joel Edegerton, Chris Pratt, Mark Duplass, and James Gandolfini lend their talent in making the film all the stronger (sorry to name drop but there really is so many great actors here). Jessica Chastain doesn't simply act, but rather lives the role. No action, gesture, or emotion seems to big or to small. She is perfect from beginning to end. The ending has Maya sitting alone, no celebration from her success, just tears that are both or relief and emptiness. It is one of the fine film of this year and of any year.

**** out of ****

Les Misérables (**1/2 out of ****)

Victor Hugo's 1862 novel has been adapted countless times and here is perhaps the grandest attempt to bring it to cinema. However that doesn't mean the classic story holds up completely. For musical fans it will probably hit the sweet spot of emotianal heartbreak. It terms of a film, Les Miserables is a mediocre movie with several great scenes. These areas of excellence don't completely save the movie but make it worthwhile and shows just why this is the juggernaut of the musical world.

Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is on a quest of redemption. After being released from prison Jean with a little help is looking to be a good man and find his place in the world. He is however pursued relentlessly by lawful Javert (Russell Crowe) who looks to send Jean back to prison, his own personal hell. Jean takes care of Cosette (Amanda Seyfried) the daughter of Fantine (Anne Hathaway) in part due to a dying request. These actions will change the fates of many people.

Tom Hopper isn't a very good director. He's involved in often fine work, but his contribution is the weakest element of his films. He and cinematographer Danny Cohen used distracting close ups for most the film, showing the full set would have been a better option. It is the acting and production designs that make up for Hooper's inadequacy. Most of the actors do a fantastic job with their roles here. Hugh Jackman steps up and admirably shows the strength of Valjean as protagonist. Anne Hathaway is mostly marvelous. She steals the show and the heart wrenching "I Dreamed A Dream" but doesn't get "Fantine's Death"quite right. Eddie Redmayne sings so fantastically it makes up for Marius's shortcomings as a character (he nails "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables"). Samantha Banks and Aaron Tveit don't shy away from loud vocals and are easily the most impressive in the voice department. Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Helena Bonham Carter are the weak links in this cast, the Thenardier scenes don't provide the comic relief some claim is needed and don't come off as scummy as they should, Crowe seems too timid and barks his lines, but still does very well with "The Confrontation".  Les Miserables isn't a great movie nor is the strongest musical in recent memory, but it does contain some lovely displays of talent by the cast and sometimes it was just enough for enjoyment and drama.

**1/2 out of ****

Rust and Bone (**** out of ****)

Jacques Audiard is one of my favorite directors currently working and I like to believe that A Prophet is the finest film made all last decade. So of course I was looking forward to Rust and Bone especially when  the director is working with Marion Cotillard, my favorite actress now a days as well. Reviews of the film when it screened first at the Cannes Film Festival weren't as positive as A Prophet so my expectations lowered. Now that I've seen it I can honestly and with great determination hail it as a brave piece of filmmaking and one of the best films I've seen this year.

The film revolves around one of the most unlikely romances I've seen on screen. Alain van Versch ( a terrific Matthias Schoenaerts) is thrust into the care of his five year old son after the child's mother is arrested for drug trafficking. Alain is often a thief, boxer, hired muscle, friend, father or lover, whatever the situation calls for at the time. One night he's bouncing at a night club when he breaks a fight involving some men and Stephanie (Marion Cotillard). He drives her home and offers her his number. She is a Orca trainer at a park and one day her legs are bitten off by a whale in an accident (not spoiler if you've been reading so far , it's the plot of the film). She is in despair and eradicate, but one day calls back Alain. The two form an odd friendship that sometimes involves taking trips so that  he fighting in gypsy betting circles.

There is a lot to praise about this film. First being the performances, both are tour de forces especially Cotillard. There is also the weird plot of the film, it's a romance drama but in a such a strange fashion. It bleeds, nothing about it is safe. Like a wild animal Rust and Bone doesn't hide from the crazy world. It's also important to notice it's use of melodrama. Many movies use melodrama to create tension, but so few succeed like this film. Audiard builds character development to such a point where melodrama passes as credible. The people who made this care for the characters and their situations, so it's easy to form a odd bond with them. Also on another note Audiard uses music in all of his films including this one brilliantly. He uses a strange assortment such as Bon Ivor and Bruce Springsteen, but only could such a confident director use Katy Perry's Firework in a big emotional scene and completely pull it off. Rust and Bone doesn't shy away from life and you shouldn't shy away from this film.

**** out of ****

Amour (**** out of ****)

I don't think I really have ever enjoyed a Michael Haneke film. They are however challenging and masterfully crafted. This time he has reflected on the idea of what love truly represents. Amour is a film about love in the face of death, but is also just as much about how love and life are connected. Geroges (Jean-Louise Trintignant) and Anne (Emmanuelle Riva) are a married couple well into older age. They live in a nice Parisian apartment and are retired music teachers. Anne suffers a stroke and things are only likely to get worse. Geroges is more than willing to take care of his wife, he love her deeply and she feels the same. However she doesn't want this to be their life. So the issues questioned are how far love will go, what is best for your loved one, and is it ready for love in life to end etc. Perfectly acted the two leads are fearless in their performances (especially Riva whom starred in Hiroshima, Mon Amour around 60 years ago). Haneke has made a film hard to watch but impossible to look away from. One to think, reflect and meditate on. Amour is perhaps the best movie about the process of death ever made. It is one of the crowning achievements of this or any year. Yet I dare not watch it twice.

**** out of ****

Not Fade Away (*** out of ****)

David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, strikes big with his first feature film. A semi autobiographical tale of his youth it often shines bright. It's the story of young Douglas (John Magaro) and the rock band he and his friends formed. Feuds, fights and dilemmas all face these kids as they figure out what music has in store for them. James Gandolfini plays Douglas's father who looks at his long haired/big mouthed son as slap in the face on the years of hard work he put in with his small business for this child. Bella Heathcoate of Dark Shadows adds weight to the film as Douglas girlfriend with a fierce mean streak. Not just a love letter or a retelling of his youth, Not Fade Away manages to fresh up the tiresome plot of kids and bands. Nothing feels simple here nor is it over melodramatic. It flows freely and honors both the past and the genre he's working in. It's not  the strongest film suffering from a few cliches (not many mind you) and the fact the film seems like it could end anywhere. Still for those who like the music of the past who simply like movies about the topic, Not Fade Away is about as good it gets.

*** out of ****
Here's a clip of the band singing instead of just a picture, I'd listen to them.

Django Unchained (***1/2 out of ****)

The tale of Siegfried and Broomhilda sets be up for this film. Django (Jamie Foxx) much like the mythological character of Siegfried must overcome perilous obstacles to be with the woman he loves. Siegfried must brave a mountain, face a dragon, and pass through hell fire. Django will march into a plantation, face a cruel man surrounded by minions, and there will be blood before the end. All of this he does not just for love, but for himself, for he his a hero and hero does what is right. Django is a western but not a typical one. It borrows themes from spaghetti westerns, american style ones, and the reflective nineties approach to the genre. However it is the Tarantino style that makes this succulent. Quentin Tarantino has made once again attempted something new within the world he knows and while it could use some sprucing around the edges, it is one of the fine films of the year.

Django is freed from slavery by Dr. King Schultz (show stealing Christoph Waltz) who proposes a deal. If Django helps this german bounty hunter find three brothers among other tasks, Schultz will reunite Django with his wife and let them go live however they please. Yet Django's wife is in the service of one Calvin Candie (a wonderful Leonardo DiCaprio), a slave owner. Django and Schultz will meet various characters under the employment of  Candie but it is Samuel L. Jackson letting loose as a racist against his own ethnicity that is the most fascinating.

Django Unchained is perhaps Tarantino's funniest and bloodiest film. Carefully crafted the film has many terrific scenes of suspense and drama. Also to be expected in a Tarantino is strong character development. There is a scene later in the film (in which the director himself plays a role) that shows just how far Django will go as a character. That the idea of slavery can be overcome by a person. While Spielberg's Lincoln was a film about healing the nation, Tarantino has made a movie about saying violence is sometimes necessary in such a hellish time. The film however isn't perfect. Unlike previous Tarantino films, this is the first to not feature a strong female character (except Reservoir Dogs obviously) which isa shame (Broomhilda played by Kerry Washington has nothing to do but be rescued). Also the last fourth of the film could be better if some scenes were switched around, the endings doesn't have much stress. Still this is a stunning achievement in cinema and just a plain old good time.

***1/2 out of ****
( I might write more here later, perhaps a proper analysis for those who have seen the film.)

The Impossible (***1/2 out of ****)

Every three years or so the Spanish film industry make a big english language film. The Impossible was  this project and it turned out immensely. As far as the production value goes the tsunami and the after affect scenery is hauntingly dazzling. The is of course the story of said tsunami that hit southeast asia several years ago and the film focuses on the events one family experienced. One could question why focus a film on a upper class white family in foreign location, but many lives were affected, not just locals, so focusing on that detail seems like creating an argument for the sake of it. Still the harrowing quest for survival and to be reunited is terrific cinema. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor play as parents to a family of three young boys (child actor Tom Holland is magnificent) that are staying at beach resort during the disaster. All the cast are perfect in their roles. The two things the film needed to be successful was emotional involving characters and a understanding of its surrounding (meaning good production values), and it certainly had it. Naomi Watts gives an emotional tour de force of a performance and McGregor is not far behind. Only the last ten tearjerking minutes seem like a weak point. Heartfelt and engaging this is not one to miss.

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

This is 40 (** out of ****)

Judd Apatow understands how to bring heart to comedy. He also knows how to address topics that seem much more personal. Yet with This is 40 the director has made a film that is high of itself. Instead of simply addressing the problems of a family as the move into middle age in the current world, he's made film to show off. Leslie Mann is a beautiful woman but does Apatow really need at least three scenes describing how gorgeous his real life wife is? It's not just a film that was inspired by Apatow's life, but one to show how wonderful it is. Some of the problems of the characters seem eye roll worthy. It seems like a bitter statement from me but this film made me see why the criticism for Funny People was there. It's often engaging and is somewhat funny, but leads nowhere. The ending is more of when it will happen and not what it will be. Paul Rudd is charming and the cast does well though. One day it I may see it in a different light, but today is not the time.

** out of ****

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (*** out of ****)

For fans of the book and it's style, The Hobbit will probably a entertaining ride. However in the eyes of those who treat this as any run of the mill film will find it tiresome and inconsistent. Regardless there are scenes of grand adventure here, many developing characters, and a broad sense of comedy.

In the prequel of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bilbo Baggins(Martin Freeman perfectly casted) joins Gandalf and a company dwarves in a quest to reclaim their mountain homeland that was stolen from them by a ferocious dragon. Director Peter Jackson has decided to make one book into three films and while unnecessary does an admirable job with it. Many of the added or expanded scenes ties in naturally with the flow of the film. However that doesn't mean the movie doesn't drag. The Hobbit can be repetitive in themes and some scenes carry on perhaps longer than they should. However in the larger schemes of things, it doesn't detract from overall magic of the movie. The later half is a spellbinding and high caliber fun. Scenes of drama and action mix effortlessly.  Fans of the series should be delighted which is really the the goal of this whole project. It's an accomplishment.

Also if you have the chance to see the film in 48fps (frames per second), give it a shot. It's the Peter Jackson intended it and personally I have never seen a better looking movie.

*** out of ****

Killing Them Softly (**1/2 out of ****)

Often you hear about a director's sophomore feature being a dip in form, so it was strange in Andrew Dominik's case to see that with his third and most mainstream (or at least most widely released) film. Chopper is great and I consider The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Forward to be one of the masterpieces of our time. So here comes Killing Them Softly (which is close to Chopper in style) which while has subtext and a respect for the audience, just seems far to bloated. The film revolves around two low life thugs (Scoot McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn) who rob a mafia protected card game. People start pointing fingers on who is guilty and thus the higher members of the mob bring in Jackie Coogan (Brad Pitt) to sort things out.

There is a hint of odd beauty in some disturbing scenes. Director Dominik experiments  with his scenes, he takes risks with editing and narrative techniques. A gangster beating or heroin use becomes strangely alluring. Yet within this complex film there is a lot elements that don't really carry much weight. Some elements are kind of pointless and the true meaning gets lost. This being the character of  destructive hitman (James Gandolfini) and symbolism between the crime world and the presidential election of 2008. The symbolism is so blatantly obvious I felt like they were bashing my head in with hammer. Still it's not a bad film, just disappointing. Whatever it's goals were, it felt like they never achieved it.

**1/2 out of ****