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2013

Nebraska (2013)

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I haven’t seen them all, so I’m not saying the other nominees shouldn’t win Best Picture, I’m just saying that this one should. Masterful…

Nebraska

What’s more:

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: this is an amazing film that deserves all of its praise. It is a captivating story with emotion and feeling and it is a pleasure to watch.

Nebraska

Filmmakers historically have fallen in love with the midwest, and it’s no secret why. The wide-open vistas and endless horizons provide the perfect backdrop for long shots and artsy photography. It’s an instant movie set; just add a few solitary cars and play some atmospheric music and you’ve got a metaphor for life and an “important film”.

Nebraska

So I’m torn; while the black & white photography of cinematographer Phedon Papamichael is unquestionably beautiful, I’m not entirely convinced it couldn’t have been achieved by any DP alive with a wide lens and grainy film stock. The first thing I thought when leaving the theater was “if that was shot in color we wouldn’t have even heard of this movie”. I don’t know what that says exactly. The use of black & white is always subject to some criticism and claims of pretentiousness, and it generally deserves it. It can be a beautiful art form and design choice, but it can also be a calculated, even cynical attempt to elevate the perceived “arty-ness” of a movie by pompous auteurs. I truly don’t know which one this film is.

Nebraska

I can tell you that the original screenplay by Bob Nelson is truly inspired and excellent. The dialogue is consistently fantastic and engaging, and nicely balances the drama and comedy. Story took some unexpected turns that kept it fresh, just as I was wondering how they were going to keep the movie engaging. Oscar worthy.

In terms of the acting, Bruce Dern is exactly as good as you’ve heard, but it’s June Squibb who should really walk away with a statue. Will Forte is really solid in his first dramatic role, far better than expected, and Bob Odenkirk is his usual great self.

Nebraska

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Bechdel Test:

Pass

Main Cast Bruce Dern Woody Grant, Will Forte David Grant, June Squibb Kate Grant, Bob Odenkirk Ross Grant
Rating R
Release Date Fri 24 Jan 2014 UTC
Director Alexander Payne
Genres Adventure, Drama
Plot An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.
Poster Nebraska
Runtime 115
Tagline
Writers Bob Nelson (written by)
Year 2013

The Lone Ranger (2013)

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Forget the snobby reviews – this was a very fun, very entertaining movie. Overlong like POTC sequels, rocky middle 3rd, but overall a blast.

The Lone Ranger

What’s more:

Some of the stars were outspoken after the movie “tanked” this summer, criticizing the media and critics for intentional negative reviews borne of deliberately low expectations when the film seemed in trouble. At the time it seemed like people trying to right the ship and/or push off blame for poor receipts, but something about their claim struck true with me. Too often people smell blood in the water and pile on. There is a definite enjoyment in crowning the next Ishtar.

Having now seen the movie, I can report that the cast had every right to be defensive about being labeled a failure. This was a good movie, and if you are open minded enough to go into it not looking for problems you will enjoy it.

The Lone Ranger

 

Perhaps part of the problem is Depp. Despite being a wonderful chameleon over the years, he’s getting a little long in the tooth for some of these roles. The whole quirky act is getting a little old and going back to the well with the Pirates team was likely to attract some criticism.

So how is he? He’s good. Hammer is really charming and the two have a nice chemistry. The good casting kind of hits a wall after that. Tom Wilkinson is his usual capable self but in a sort of tone deaf role, and the next time I’m happy to see Helena Bonham Carter in a movie will be the first time. Basically the cast is fine, but the characters are kind of crap.

The Lone Ranger

In all, it’s basically two movies. The fun, modern western with gorgeous visuals and thrilling action pieces, and the overly involved plot-heavy  one that drags the middle of the movie out. Too bad, because this came quite close to being an excellent movie, but ended up being Pirates 5.

The major problem, as I see it, is that there seems to be a little confusion over what movie they were making. Disney seemed to market this as a family movie; there was a Lego tie-in for goodness sake. And a big portion of the movie fits this description. But there’s all sorts of dark and weird stuff in here with genocide and cannibalism that was neither interesting or necessary. I know the Pirates movies had some gruesome stuff, but I don’t think this is in the same category, possibly because the subject is less fantastical in nature.

So, expect fun and you’ll get it. But save some popcorn for the middle, because you’ll be looking for something to do…

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Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013)

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Better than 1st in most ways. Tony Head replaces Brosnan. Clearer but maybe not as epic; toothless. New characters mixed bag – Tyson cool…

Sea of Monsters

What’s more:

Since the first movie doesn’t seem to have many supporters, it was a little surprising a sequel was green-lit. Thank the gods for international receipts. Personally, I think a sequel was warranted; it’s a great premise, a good setting, and the books have sold well.

The feedback on this one was almost universally, “it’s much better than the first movie”. Damning with faint praise, maybe, but after listening to the bitterness and derision towards the Lightning Thief film from fans of the book, I guess this is progress.

Sea of Monsters
“This is the fabled Golden Fleece. It can heal anything. So if we lay it across the franchise…”

And it is better. Not night and day better. Despite my protestations, my daughter couldn’t wait to tell me all the things they got wrong, and which parts actually were in the first book and that they made up the majority of the ending. I was trying to review the films themselves, not the adaptations. But it’s very hard to divorce the two when watching anything that has been adapted.

Character development is slightly better, but then, it couldn’t have been worse. The ridiculous looking centaur played by Pierce Brosnan has been replaced by a ridiculous looking centaur played by Anthony Stewart Head. A very cool character named Tyson has been added. A very annoying character named Clarisse has also been added. These take time away from the sidekicks Grover & Annabeth, who really didn’t have time to spare.

Sea of Monsters
“Still waiting for something to do…”

Stanley Tucci continues to make the rounds on the cameo circuit to no useful end, but the cameo of 2013 goes to Captain Hammer, Nathan Fillion.

Sea of Monsters
“This shield is not the hammer…”

All in all, I thought this movie was exactly ok. I didn’t have the baggage that the fans of the novels were burdened with, so I took this as it came. And it was fine. No more than fine, but fine.

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