MEOW!
Let's get started with this surprisingly brief list!
MAMA (**1/2)--Despite a Burton-esque ending that almost tarnishes anything solid that came before it, this is a well-crafted horror flick directed by Argentine Muschietti, who was also responsible for a short of the same name that was released in 2008, and caught del Toro's attention in the process.
WARM BODIES (**)--An absurd but lively premise that disappointingly fails to live up to its true potential, Warm Bodies left me cold on a rather nice day in February.
SIDE EFFECTS (**)--Soderbergh's final project as a film director is not a bad way to go out, although it could have been improved by keeping the twists and turns to a minimum.
OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL (***)--A few flaws aside (Oscar may have been a fan of Thomas Edison, but is he that ignorant to never know about the history of him and George Melies? Whatever, I'll go back and watch HUGO again), this is one beautifully visualized picture that may bring out the child inside of you. Michelle Williams' portrayal as Glinda is a delight!
THE CROODS (**1/2)--Apart from its wonderfully visualized animation (with a little help from good ol' Roger Deakins), and one of the most energetic opening sequences to an animated film I've come across in quite some time, most of the script consists of an uneven mixture of unfunny banter, slapstick, and noise. I do, however, wish I had a belt that could go "dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuun!"
SPRING BREAKERS (***1/2)--The most misunderstood film of the year so far will not be for everyone's tastes, but this is a film with brilliant artistry under the direction of Harmony Korine. As for Franco...well...let's just say you will never look at Harry Ozborne the same way again (you see what I did there?).
42 (**1/2)--There's enough respect for the material to earn a recommendation (Boseman as Robinson is excellent here), and yet it's impossible to shake that feeling based on how it could have been so much more.
IRON MAN 3 (**)--The climax is fun, and has a couple of surprises in store. But good god, it takes forever. I felt more invested in the anxiety the Goodman family felt in Next to Normal than what Stark goes through in this film. If you didn't have an emotional connection in the last ten minutes of The Avengers, chances are you won't have one at all in the whole of Iron Man 3.
THE GREAT GATSBY (**)--You see, ol' sport, the first half of this film has an interesting (if head-ache inducing) visual style, and Dicaprio is a wise choice for Gatsby, ol' sport. But you see, ol' sport, it becomes rather boring in the second half with uninteresting moments and a lack of magic, ol' sport. You get it, ol' sport? Good, ol' sport. Talk to ya later.
...ol' sport.
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (***1/2)--Star Trek Into Darkness is an excellent summer entertainment; wonderful direction by J.J. Abrams, wonderful turns by everyone in the ensemble (the stand-outs are Benedict Cumberbatch as "John Harrison" and Zachary Quinto as Spock), wonderful score by Michael Giacchino--just a wonderful film overall.
FAST AND FURIOUS 6 (**)--Fast, furious, and forgettable summer entertainment. But the quote "HELP ME! I'VE GOT A TANK ON MY A**" is flat-out hilarious!
BEFORE MIDNIGHT (***1/2)--This is not a film to be enjoyed casually; it's too much of a downer during the film's.,.um...realistic climax. But thanks to fantastic direction by Richard Linklater, raw performances by Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, plus a terrific script of depth and insight, Before Midnight will make you appreciate the medium of film more than ever before.
THIS IS THE END (****)--Here's a perfect example of how I felt that this film was going to be a comedy classic: an opening shot shows Seth Rogen waiting for his best friend Jay Baruchel to get off his flight. Somebody off-screen yells "Oh, Seth, how ya doin' man?" How Seth waves made me laugh with the most ridiculous grin on my face. And that grin, along with my laughter, never stops for the next couple of hours, with jokes and references to films that are absolutely ingenious. Flat-out brilliant.
MAN OF STEEL (****)--I'll keep this one short and sweet: Emotional. Epic. Euphoric. Exhilarating. MAN OF STEEL is the absolute best film of the year so far, and one of the best (superhero) films I've ever seen in my life. Simply put: WOW. JUST. WOW!
MONSTERS UNIVERSITY (***1/2)--While I wouldn't rank it among the very best of PIXAR's filmography, to see PIXAR create a prequel with such craft and passion is incredibly more than welcoming after the frustratingly underwhelming efforts of Cars 2 and Brave.
DESPICABLE ME 2 (**1/2)--It's a ton of fun while watching it, and if that's what you're looking for, you will definitely get your money's worth (I, for one, am excited for the Minions spin-off coming out in 2014. My gosh, I can't wait for the line-up of animated films coming out next year). However, it's not going to be something to remember by the time the credits roll.
PACIFIC RIM (***1/2)--The most anticipated release of 2013, for me anyways, doesn't quite reach the level of unabashed speechlessness achieved with MAN OF STEEL when it comes to telling a story, and I---wait, is that a giant robot using an oceanliner to defeat a Godzilla-like monster? THIS. IS. AWESOME.
1.) Man of Steel
2.) This Is The End
3.) Before Midnight
4.) Spring Breakers
5.) Star Trek Into Darkness
6.) Pacific Rim
7.) Monsters University
8.) OZ The Great and Powerful
9.) Despicable Me 2
10.) 42
11.) The Croods
12.) Mama
13.) Iron Man 3
14.) The Great Gatsby
15.) Side Effects
16.) Fast & Furious 6
17.) Warm Bodies
Until next time,
MEOW!
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