It’s been a slow movie watching period over the last few weeks. Recent schedules have held me back from writing new reviews, but due to some recent viewings of mine, I figured I’d take the time to make this post. I don’t know how often I’ll be updating the blog, but stay tuned for more. I even have a review for the new movie Looper that I plan to write.
Arbitrage:
A lot of people really like this movie,
and it’s not hard to see why. Sure, the script may leave a bit to be desired,
and the pacing may be draggy towards the end, but Arbitrage still manages to be
a keen thriller, and smart character study with great performances. Equally
charming and intense, Richard Gere has never been better than he is here,
partly due to how strong his character is. For a man of such “moral obligations”,
Robert Miller’s actions imply a contradictory lack of ethics. Gere knows
exactly what the role requires of him, and does it in such a fascinating and
occasionally unpredictable way. Tension gets even higher with how the people in
his life react to him, played by an excellent cast including Tim Roth, Brit Marling,
and Susan Sarandon. I’d love to watch this one again.
**** / *****
Cosmopolis:
David Cronenberg has made some truly
enviable thrillers in his career, and his latest is an adaptation of Don
DeLillo’s Cosomopolis. The movie reaches for great heights with its issues of
economic and societal meltdown, making it a decent commentary on current times.
The cast is also uniformly good, specifically Paul Giamatti, whose character
totally owns the last twenty minutes. However, Cosmopolis ultimately stumbles
across the finish line due to the script’s meandering nature and air of contrivances.
The movie just feels cold (aside from Giamatti and rapper K’Naan bringing some
genuine emotion into it), and the pacing and structure are just ill formed. Sarah
Gadon is also terrible, and her dialogue is unintentionally funny. Be sure not
to watch this movie late at night, as well. You’re likely to fall asleep that
way.
**1/2 / *****
The Five Year Engagement:
I’ve been meaning to write this for a
month, and finally found the time. Jason Segel is on a hot streak, coming off
of hilarious movies like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Muppets. The Five
Year Engagement is yet another funny and sweet addition to his writing credits.
The chemistry he shares on-screen with co-star Emily Blunt (terrific, as always) is far
too charming to resist. Again, the film’s cast and writing are hilarious. I got
an early laugh from Jacki Weaver, using actor Tom Hanks as a hysterical
allegory for marriage. There’s still too much going on, though. The plot does
get out of hand, and it feels overlong, but it makes for one touching and
enjoyable rom-com.
**** / *****
Moonrise Kingdom:
One of the most acclaimed and celebrated
movies of the year, Moonrise Kingdom might very well be Wes Anderson’s personal movie yet. It's also his most accessible movie yet, but that doesn’t
mean he tones down his usual quirky style and humor. His personal stamp is ever
so present throughout, his directorial choices a delight, and his cast
(including Bruce Willis, Edrward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and
Bill freakin’ Murray) are an absolute riot.
Most enchanting, however, is Anderson’s
delicate, layered script. The movie’s charm never seems to fade, but he still
manages to confront issues of first love, bullying, emotional damage, and
social isolation without missing a beat. It may be a funny movie, but it still
resonates deeply as a study of childhood. Moonrise Kingdom serves as a project
lovingly perfected by Anderson, and what he crafts - complete with gorgeous
photography and music - is one of the very best films of the year.
****1/2 / *****
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