The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Ethan Wasdovitch

Some movies really just play it safe.  “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is one of those movies, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  Instead of taking a concept that could have had much more striking thematic contrast and various emotional peaks, this movie plays out modestly and is simple at the core to make it a much more easy going film experience.  When crowd pleaser films like this are released, it is hard to really criticize them for the amount of romanticism and glossing over of real life experiences.  So unless you’re expecting some sort of strong, character driven drama with some great laugh out lout moments, you’ll probably end up enjoying “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” as much as I did.

The plot here is simple: a group of various elderly folks living in the UK head to a hotel in India for various reasons, some more serious than others (medical or personal reasons).  This film is the chronicle of their experiences in India and we get to see these old folks grow and change quite a bit as the movie goes along.  There is also a subplot of the hotel itself which is facing economic and cultural hardships as the young owner (Dev Patel) struggles to keep the place alive.  The acting here is quite excellent, although no performances really stick out (Bill Nighy being the best).  All of these actors are seasoned veterans so it is not surprising that it is a real pleasure to watch them interact.  The only performance I thought was distracting was Dev Patel (whose call to fame is the highly over-awarded “Slumdog Millionaire”).  His bit is acting like he’s hopped up on caffeine in every scene.  He runs around flailing his arms and spewing overly idealistic nonsense that may be inspiring, but never really amounts to anything.  I feel as if the elderly characters are rolling their eyes at him in every scene.

I wish that this film took a bit more time examining these westerner’s interactions with the local Indian culture.  There is a bit of culture shock, particularly with Bill Nighy’s wife, who is afraid to even leave her room, and also Maggie Smith’s character, who begins the film as a spiteful racist and is forced to learn tolerance as she interacts with the Indians.  That is the biggest flaw with this entire picture, it doesn’t strive to do anything other than put a smile on your face.  None of the characters go through anything that feels like it would be a genuinely life altering experience (except perhaps Tom Wilkinson’s character).  However, the fact that many of them are very old suggests that they do not have the time to wait for something to happen so they are doing what they can with the time they have left.  Me, being a youngster, couldn’t relate to a lot of these concepts and feel as if this movie doesn’t take any risks or do anything to really get me to feel for the characters or understand why this experience in India is such a big deal.  Only Tom Wilkinson’s character has any real weight. 

Having said all of that, this movie is not hard to watch and is filled with humor.  As previously stated, watching these actors work together is a treat and there are many moments where you will laugh or even just smile because of the fun situations.  Most of the humor arises when there are cultural mix ups between the western individuals and Indian culture.  There is an undoubtable amount of heart to “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and many people won’t be able to help feeling emotional during certain moments.  Overall, this is a heartwarming and humor-filled film that will most likely appeal to an older audience.  Either way, I recommend seeing this movie especially when you’re in the mood for something a bit more lightweight.

7/10

The Kid comes back with.....

A top ten list of all time.  And I know what you're thinking.  Greg disappears from the blogging world for 3 months and thinks we want to hear what his favorite films are?
Yes.  That's exactly what I think.  So without further ado....

10.  For Love of the Game

-Most people would leave this game off of their list.  Hell, most people wouldn't even consider it a great film.  But, truth be told, there was only one movie in the 1990s where every father brought their son and then had to hold back to the torrential tears that followed afterwards.  This was that movie.  It stays in the mind for everything from a week to a month to a decade.  This is a film for a man with two loves: a woman and a game.  He knows the game is perfect for him.  He knows he needs a woman.  So at the top of his game, after he shows the game one more time that he loves it and can play it until the day he dies, he leaves the game for the woman.  A masterpiece of baseball films.  A beauty amongst families.  A passionate onslaught that would bring a man of any generation to his knees or want to dig up his old mitt and find his dad for one last game of catch (Field of Dreams anyone?) There is a love of something so inanimate, so meaningless, but so powerfully real that it epitomizes what baseball truly means to anyone that knows about the sport.

9.  Toy Story 3

-I love this film for one scene.  It's a scene that has the childhood of every person in my generation behind it. A scene so powerful that I argue that it has been crafted to be that way since the series' inception.  That scene is in the garbage dump.  When all the characters look at each other and stop fighting their inevitable doom and hold hands.  To think that a series as treasured, as great, as family friendly even, as Toy Story even fiddled with the idea of all of their characters perishing in one fell swoop...  Powerful.  Sweat beads on every person in the theatre powerful.  But to capture the nuances of emotion on the animated characters faces as they hold hands and accept their doom one by one as each other's best friends...  yeah.  Brilliant.  Powerful.  And I hope they had this scene rolling out since the first film.

8.  Sin City

My first introduction to the gritty world of everything grindhouse.  And I have not looked back yet.  Plus Jessica Alba is smoking hot.  Between the cinematic gore, ultra violence, and whistling coolness in it all, it allows the viewer to realize that villains can be good guys, so when they turn, get out of the way.  These boys are the equivalent of a freight train.  Plus when Marv gets electrocuted, that's just super awesome.  This concept has been overdone so many times since its creation; the gritty comic book laced weirdness roped around heroes and Elijah Wood all cannibal style; that to properly state where it landed, I do have say that I have a soft spot for really really ridiculously violent films.  While this isn't a bad thing, it certainly isn't a good thing.  I consider it a neutral subject that my father and grandfather handed down to me through generations. My grandfather will remember that he introduced my to my number 1.  But here I am getting ahead of myself...

7.  Southland Tales

Most people wouldn't agree with this.  However, I am not most people.  Allow to explain.  This film truly captures my concept of "Weirdly awesome" in films.  It takes an idea and morphs it, and never waits for the viewer to catch up.  Simply put, if you can't follow me, then don't try.  That's this film in a nutshell.  It's funny, cool, features Seann William Scott in a near Oscar worthy performance, and features Dwayne Johnson before anybody knew he could do anything besides wrestle.  I won't ruin anything about this film, because its transcendental nature is probably too much for a blurb in someone's top 10 list.  But suffice to say it follows a meditation of "If you could shake your own hand and watch the world burn, would you?"  I know I would. But only because I would want to know what my hand felt like.  And what it's like to speak to myself.  Even if it's myself from three days in the future.  Dig it.

6.  Inception

Beautiful, Brilliant, and more importantly, missed for the Oscars.  This film should have cleaned up at the Oscars.  From Gordon Levitt's superb performance to Leo's passioned, enraged, suicidal craziness, to Nolan's brilliant portrayal of how this quirky goofy concept that sounds like the religion of Eckankar (check it out if you don't know it) to the meaning of the end of the film wherein nothing really truly matters.  The final message of the film depicts a greater understanding of the idea that you need to be happy where you are.  Nothing else matters.  I like to think that he made it out of limbo.  But truly, the film was not about "getting out" nor was it about "saving the day."  It was about a man's growth into accepting his surroundings for what they are.  He grew to accept that, as you can see from the first scene where he is fully willing to blow his brains out if he wasn't in reality to the end where he simply walks away from it all.  Not a worry in the world.  Not a care.  This film allowed me to love life again and embrace it as I could, if only because each individual interaction with any individual person could be a changing point in their lives.  I digress.  This film was masterful.  However, I moved it to 6 on my list because the next couple films are assuredly too much to handle.    More to come shortly.

Any questions, comments, disagreements, feel free to comment.

The Dude Abides

This week...

There will be a number of reviews ready for publishing this week!

I, personally, will be reviewing "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" (which I finally saw last night) and after Wednesday "The Collection" (a sequel to the fairly unknown, unpopular horror film "The Collector").  More reviews from our critics may be on their way as well, so make sure you check for any updates that may be posted!

Also, I am going to give my two cents on this year's Oscar race so far!  It's an exciting year for the Academy Awards!  

Thanks!!

Killing Them Softly

Ethan Wasdovitch

Well, I’ve been waiting to see this movie for a very long time (ever since Brad Pitt’s performance was built up as Oscar-worthy during its premiere at Cannes).  I’m actually kind of surprised that it was given a wide release, and after seeing the film I am even more surprised given the artistic sensibilities at the film’s core.  The most important thing to know going into "Killing Them Softly" is that it is not the action-packed, suave film that trailers playing on television make it out to be.  Directed by Andrew Dominik (who also directed the slowly paced but brilliant western "The Assassination Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" which also starred Brad Pitt), "Killing Them Softly" focuses less on the amount of action (and yes, there is action) and more on the quality of the action and the overall themes that it is attempting to explore.  So don’t be surprised if wide audiences don’t embrace this movie because it is certainly not for everybody.

The story is simple enough: a crime syndicate is interrupted by a couple of dim-witted criminals who are looking to make a quick buck by robbing an underground gambling game and as a result a cleaner (Brad Pitt) is sent in to fix the mess and get the organization running again.  That central plot plays out beautifully, but at times drags along as a result of the other aim of the film, which is a much more broad message about the nature of American economics and politics.  For the most part, the film succeeds in juggling all of these elements, with some scenes being much more effective than others (especially the final moments, which easily steal the show).  Still, it is easy to read some of the more analogous elements of "Killing Them Softly" as overbearing and forced.

The acting in this movie is another high point.  Brad Pitt is incredible in his role (as expected) and the other standout performances are Scott McNairy and Ben Mendelsohn as the two criminals who perform the robbery that sets the plot in motion.  These two guys are absolutely vile and are the very definition of “scumbags”.  James Gandolfini is also excellent, but unfortunately his scenes go on for too long and had me guessing what the point of some of his dialogue was.  For the most part, the actors keep the film rolling along while Dominik adds some very interesting flare to give the film a distinct style.  Many scenes experiment with slow-motion and perspective to make it feel much more surreal.  These parts of the film may turn off many people who are looking for a more straight forward action-thriller.  

"Killing Them Softly" easily earns its R rating by being packed with profanity and extreme violence.  None of it ever feels excessive but rather adds to the realism of the film and gets you to really despise the right characters.  It is important to be aware that the violence in "Killing Them Softly" aims for realism and succeeds.  The violence is relentless and visceral, I can almost guarantee that you will cringe during every violent moment.  Proficient sound-editing adds to the impact of the violence, and I believe this film may even win Oscars for its sound effects and editing.  Not for the faint of heart.

Overall, "Killing Them Softly" succeeds.  The subtly of its political messages is certainly inconsistent and may be far too obvious for many, but the raw intensity and suspense of the plot mostly covers up any heavy-handedness.  Brad Pitt and the entire supporting cast give winning performances and director Andrew Dominik adds plenty of style to give "Killing Them Softly" a unique feeling.  Unfortunately it drags in parts and many will find the entire film flat out boring despite extremely realistic violence and big name actors.  This is a unique film that will either improve or be diminished upon repeated views.  Only time will tell.

Oh, and this movie is extremely cynical.  Don’t expect an uplifting picture by any means.  If you’re not optimistic about the current state of American politics, this movie will add to your pessimism.

8.5/10

Updates!

I'll be going to see Andrew Dominik's "Killing Them Softly" tomorrow and posting a review shortly afterwards!

I was a huge fan of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" and can't wait to see Brad Pitt in action again.

Best of 2012 (so far)

Ethan Wasdovitch

So I decided to put a few lists together with the movie season coming to a close and the Oscars just a few months away.  I thought I’d give my top 5 films of the year (so far), a few others that will probably end up on my top 10 list, and a few films I was disappointed with.  I also added a short list of films that I was pleasantly surprised with, even though they won’t be on my top 10 list.

BEST

1.  Cloud Atlas

• Here is a film I was expecting to be disappointed with.  The mostly positive and yet slightly sub-par reviews kept me away from it, but a few people urged me to see it and wow, I was blown away.  The scope of this film is almost impossible to explain and the element of storytelling is shockingly potent.  I was expecting a much more metaphysical and abstract film, but it is presented with surprising ease and is never once difficult to follow (unless you go to the bathroom for even five minutes).  Easily the most ambitious and awe-inspiring piece I’ve seen in a very long time.  Still, the polarizing reviews will most likely be reflected on audiences as more people are exposed to this film.

2.  the Master

• Far less polarizing than Cloud Atlas, and yet much more difficult to digest.  The Master is unlike any movie I have ever seen and plays out like a fever dream.  The plot is simple enough and the unsettling atmosphere is heightened by some of the best acting in recent memory (Joaquin Phoenix’s performance outshines any I have perhaps ever seen).  Even if you don’t follow or even enjoy the story of the Master, it is hard not to admire such a bold and stark film.  Not as instantly hard-hitting as director Paul Thomas Anderson’s last film, There Will Be Blood, but I have found it impossible to forget.

3.  the Cabin in the Woods

• This was the first movie that blew me away in 2012.  I am a hard core horror fan and rarely do big-budget, big-name modern horror movies make such an impact.  Honestly, this feels like a game changer within the genre.  My review pretty much says everything about it that can be said without ruining the movie, but this is a hilarious and shocking movie (in ways that I didn’t expect).

4.  Argo

• Absolutely proficient and incredibly intense, Argo will make just about every film lover’s list of best of 2012.  Ben Affleck once again proves he is a force behind the camera (and in front of it for a change) with this razor sharp political drama.  For a movie with so little action (as described in the traditional sense), Argo seems a lot more heart pounding than you would expect.  A must see on every level, unless you’re looking for something a bit more cutting edge.

5.  Prometheus

• Well here is the movie that many people will detest appearing on a best of list.  I was waiting for well over a year for this film to come out and just before its release the less than stellar reviews had me bummed out.  When I saw it at midnight in 3D, I couldn’t believe how much I loved it.  Having seen it almost 10 times since its release on blu-ray, this incredible science fiction/horror film still packs a punch despite some very interesting editing choices by director Ridley Scott (some of the deleted scenes should have been left in the movie).  The world of Prometheus is detailed and immersive all while painting an intriguing picture about the possibilities of life elsewhere in the universe.  Michael Fassbender gives one of my favorite performances of 2012 as well.

Also Up There... (possible top 10 contenders)

Moonrise Kingdom

Lincoln

Killer Joe

Beasts of the Southern Wild

the Avengers

SURPRISES

the Hunger Games

the Raid: Redemption

Goon

the Five Year Engagement

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World

the Tall Man

the Amazing Spiderman

Disappointments

Silent House

• I enjoy found footage films but this one was a huge letdown.  The “one giant shot” aspect was really cool but did not do much overall to improve the cliche and predictable plot.  Elizabeth Olsen is disappointing after her great turn in Martha Marcy May Marlene.

Dark Shadows

• Tim Burton needs to stop and think about his career.  Sweeney Todd is one of my favorite movies but this was another turn in the wrong direction.  Its a silly adaptation of a silly show.  Also, I’m sick of Tim Burton slapping pale makeup on Johnny Depp and having him act weird.  It doesn’t work.

the Dark Knight Rises

• Now before anybody gets out their pitchforks let me explain why I consider this a disappointment.  My final grade for this film is an 8/10, which is a very good score.  Overall this is an excellent movie that is a satisfying conclusion, but as a whole it is nowhere close to being in the league of the first two of Christopher Nolan’s Batman films.  I found it overlong and underdeveloped.  It could have been split into two films, and both halves could have been developed so much more (especially with Marion Cotillard’s character and even Tom Hardy as Bane) to make it seem complete.  There are too many plot-holes to let slip by involving silly things that could have been explained had the filmmakers been more fearless (like Batman’s return to Gotham near the end of the film and his miraculous recovery from a fatal would).  So like I said, this is a great film with amazing action, great acting, and an epic scope.  Still, I wanted a lot more.
  

Argo

Reviewed by Ethan Wasdovitch

It is almost impossible to comprehend that Ben Affleck is the man responsible for this film (let alone the equally impressive films The Town and Gone Baby Gone).  Affleck has gone from a nearly-laughable product of Hollywood (remember Gigli?) to one of the best directors working today.  In short, Argo is probably his best film yet and is a step in the right direction that proves that Affleck can tackle a genre outside of crime thrillers.  While not a revelation or a masterpiece, Argo is awfully close to both.

Based on an incredible and inspiring true series of events, Argo tells the story of six Americans who avoided being captured in Iran in 1979 when Ayatollah Khomeini’s new reign over the country caused a dangerous backlash against Western ideology (particularly American culture).  Tony Mendez (played with astonishing finesse by Affleck himself) devises an idea to get the six hiding hostages out of Iran before they are found and possibly publicly executed.  His plot involves creating a fake film production that will trick Iranian officials into believing the six hostages are part of a Canadian film crew in order to safely escort them out of the country.  This rather complicated story is presented very clearly and is never once confusing.  Many who have a lack of knowledge on the historical event itself should have no problem following the story.

One of the strongest aspects of the film is the cast.  Ben Affleck has an uncanny ability to assemble a very strong cast that aids in the pacing and aesthetics of the movie.  Other standouts in the film are Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin and John Goodman (Arkin providing some of the best lines in the film.  “Argo fuck yourself!”).  It should be noted that Argo, despite its dead-serious material, is surprisingly funny and easy to watch.  Dialogue is snappy and humorous, and the actors are talented enough to make everything believable.  This is no small feat, and Argo’s two hour runtime feels more like an hour as a result.

The last hour of Argo is undoubtably the main reason to see the film.  Edited with incredible suspense and passion, the final part of the movie will have you grasping your armrest and holding your breath in anticipation.  A true emotional bond is created, especially pertaining to the six American hostages.  You don’t want them to get caught, and you will wince whenever they have a close encounter with the forces that are working against them.  I was actually quite surprised with the amount of emotion in this movie, especially towards the end.  Without giving anything away, it is safe to say that many will be moved to tears by the time Argo comes to a close.

Having said all of that, Argo has a set of problems that set it back slightly.  The only major complaint I have about this movie is that Affleck has not yet created his own visual flair as a director.  In many ways, Argo is simply another superbly crafted political drama with many exciting moments and boatloads of excellent acting.  However, Affleck has yet to make a film that “feels” like a Ben Affleck film.  This is a minor criticism and this being his third film, I’m sure he can do nothing but develop as a director.  A gripe that some people will inevitably have with Argo is the lack of action in the traditional sense.  This is not a shoot-em-up, running through the allies thriller.  Argo is very dialogue heavy and thick with constant disagreements and discourse.  The action, however, is the the words.  It’s impossible to say that Argo is not exciting, because (as previously stated) this film has some of the most intense moments in recent memory.  I fear that many people (having seen the exciting trailer) are expecting more face-offs with bad guys and bullet dodging.  You won’t find any of that in Argo.  What you’ll find instead is a very intelligent and emotional thriller that is driven by dialogue and smart framing.

While director Ben Affleck has yet to discover his visual tag as a director, he has made another great movie.  Argo is his best work yet (as a director and an actor) and will definitely please history buffs and fans of political thrillers.  Hell, even general audiences should have no problem loving this movie.  Argo is not a revelatory motion picture, but it is a highly commendable one.  An impeccable cast, razor sharp script, and glowing emotional resonance makes Argo one of the best films of 2012 so far.  Expect to see this one nominated for a slew of Academy Awards, and don’t be surprised if Argo takes home the award for best picture of the year.

9/10

Ethan's Top 10 Movies of All Time: Part 2 (5 - 1)

5. Dazed and Confused

• Out of every film on this list, I have seen this one more than any of them.  The first time I saw it was sometime in high school, and ever since I have watched this movie at least one time a month.  There were even times where I would watch it nightly or one time after another.  There is just something about this meandering comedy/drama that is endlessly entertaining.  There isn’t really any “story”, but the film is a look at high school students in America during the mid-1970s.  We follow a few different groups on the last day of school, from when school gets out to a raging keg party in the country.  Each scene has quotable material and watching it feels like you’re revisiting some very fond memories.  A slick and entertaining film.

4. the Thin Red Line

• Terrence Malick can be described with one word: divisive.  The Thin Red Line is one of his more accessible films, but even at that it is a tough nut to crack.  Many people write it off because they find it tedious, pretentious, overlong, and confusing.  It is hard to defend the movie, because Malick’s style is so hit or miss.  All of that aside, I find this movie to not only be his best film (with the recent Tree of Life in a close second), but one of the greatest films ever made.  It is a World War II film that focuses not the reality of war and the gritty violence of battle, but rather on the philosophical implications of war and the inherent nature of violence in humanity.  Themes such as mortality, thanatophobia, and religion are all touched in this epic 3 hour long film.  Certainly not for everybody, but an absolute must see for serious film buffs and those who are willing to take on some more challenging material.  

3. Alien

• I remember the first time I saw this movie, and I remember how clearly and distinctly it impacted me.  I was 13 or 14 years old and it was a Saturday night.  I saw that this movie called Alien was playing on television and I decided to stay up to watch it.  Never before had a film so instantly scared the crap out of me.  The first half of this now classic science fiction/horror movie is mysterious and thought-provoking, and the second half is an intense blast of terror.  The iconic Xenomorph creature remains an amazing creation of cinema, and it is impossible to count how many times this film has been ripped off and copied by other filmmakers.  Director Ridley Scott began his hot streak with this film and continued to make great films over the years (which he continues to do… including the recent revival of the same franchise with Prometheus).   Each detail of this movie is stunning, and watching it now still has the same impact.  For a movie as old as this, it is shocking how well it has retained its impact and visual splendor.

2. the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

• If you can’t already tell from the last movie on my list, I have an odd love of horror movies.  I find that their liberties with human logic and their lack of restraint is unique and unmatched in any other genre.  Certainly, horror has become somewhat of a self-satire over the years, but movies such as the original 1974 Texas Chainsaw Massacre show how a horror movie should be made.  This film is the definition of gritty.  Shot with a tiny budget on 6mm film stock, Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s visual style and relentless plot changed what a horror movie could do.  The cast of relatively unknown actors and the rustic settings make it all the more convincing.  While it may appear quite dated and somewhat tame next to the recent wave of torture-porn horror films, Texas Chainsaw Massacre still retains a surprising shock value that will make you want to take a shower after the end credits roll.

1. There Will Be Blood

• Well here we are.  Perhaps not the most surprising of choices for a favorite film, but definitely much more modern than some critics would approve of.  Before I saw There Will Be Blood I had never seen a Paul Thomas Anderson film, and having now seen his other films I can say that they just barely can be compared in quality with this masterpiece (except for perhaps The Master… but that’s a discussion for a future date).  There Will Be Blood is unlike any movie I have ever seen.  The plot is simple enough (an ambitious man slowly builds up an oil company until he can reap the financial benefits endlessly out of greed and corruption), but the way this film plays out is difficult to describe.  Johnny Greenwood’s terrifying score would have felt out of place in any other film, but for some reason its menace perfectly matches the madness that is slowly overtaking the film’s main character.  I should also mention that Daniel Day-Lewis’ performance is, in my opinion, the finest to ever grace the screen.  While that is obviously debatable, I can’t help but offer this movie up as not only my favorite movie ever, but also the greatest movie ever.  The pacing is slow, the acting impeccable, the cinematography gorgeous (won an Oscar), and the impact is instant.  After I first saw the film in 2007, I didn’t know what to think of it or how to describe it.  After seeing There Will Be Blood countless times since, I have come to realize that it is everything about movies that I love.

***********Beasts of the Southern Wild***********

By Gregimus Malcumis Meridius.

This post is of a film that truly requires no introduction. I would urge you, humble reader, to run as fast as you to scramble out of your window and crash through solid glass  to go see. It's also a film that will grip your heart, steal your soul, and make you wish that this would never happen to any five year old girl.

Hushpuppy has stolen my vote for both upcoming and best actress Oscars. This young five year old did more with her vibrant depiction of lost innocence and growing up far too fast than most actors could hope to achieve in their entire lives. She is the shining star of her generation at this point. Few individuals, if any, have dually merited such praise. She is wonderful to watch and, lest we forget, also improvised more than half of her lines. She makes acting appear child's play. I suppose to her, it is!

Now to the rest of the film. To quote a friend, I wish I could wake up to this film every morning. It fills hearts and souls, minds and bodies with an overwhelming calm that maintains itself throughout. And the joy! The overwhelming joy of the piece! How a first time director could maintain such a careful, pain-stakingly careful mood through a duration the length of the film amazes me.

I had only minor complaints at best and a clear majority of them revolved around the billingand adverts. I expected the beasts to be the giant bores. The beasts were the frolicking humans. The people who showed disinterest in the other woes of a misbegotten world in exchange for a simpler means. A means more sustained by living happy and accepting everything as being their world. Beautiful. Brilliant.  Spellbinding. Love in it's basest and most protective form.

Beasts of the Southern Wild I could, and should go on and on about. But due to time I must cut it short. What I would love to do next would be a close watching of the film and attempting to draw all the metaphors and similarities from this. It plays like it should be Of' Brother Where Arte Thou for a more complex crowd. Hidden and skewed meanings culminating in a feeling of the thought 'Hey buddy, life goes on.'

I gave this movie a 9.18 for being so close to the idea of perfect. A bigger budget would have been welcomed for this film. But the love was still there.

The dude abides.

Ethan's Top 10 Movies of All Time: Part 1 (10 - 6)

A good way to see what kind of details a movie buff pays attention to is by looking at his or her favorite movies.  I feel that a list of any individual's ten favorite movies is not only fun for starting debate and discussion, but is also very excellent for showcasing the kind of things about movies that different people take note off.  All of us certainly interpret movies differently because we focus on different aspects within the picture and therefore develop our own sensibilities.  The following is a list of my top 10 favorite movies (in order) and a small disclaimer as to why I chose each film (10 - 6).

10. Brazil

• Brazil wasn’t the first film directed by Terry Gilliam that I saw, but after seeing it for the first time some years ago it instantly became my favorite in his catalog.  This film simply bleeds atmosphere and aesthetics.  The dystopian future that is portrayed with much humor and wit is also gorgeous and terrifying to look at.  Each set is bursting with detail and imagination and the story about a man trying to escape the trap of a world ruled by paperwork and endless policies is not to be missed.  This is a winner on every level and works brilliantly as a science fiction/comedy/action/romance.

9. Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story

• This probably seems like an odd choice.  This satirical comedy film went pretty much unnoticed in theaters but has begun to develop a devoted fan base.  Personally, I find Walk Hard to be the funniest movie ever made.  Most of the comedy play out as most Judd Apatow produced films do (lots of raunchy, bod-related humor), but this movie is unique in how incredibly brilliant the satire is and how heartfelt it is in the end.  Having a somewhat thorough knowledge of 1960’s and 1970’s pop culture (emphasis on the music) helps with some of the references, especially in the extended cut of the movie (when is the only version I watch).  Also noteworthy is the soundtrack.  Its a tragedy that this film went so unnoticed, as a handful of the songs are easily Oscar-worthy in their hilarious satire-soaked absurdity.  Walk Hard is the dark horse on my list, but I stand by it.  I love this film.

8. 8 1/2

• Just a few years ago I purchased the Criterion Collection blu-ray release of Fredrico Fellini’s brilliant film 8 1/2 without knowing much about it except that it is considered a classic and that it was on sale.  When I sat down and watched the film, I was stunned.  When the 2.5 hour film was over, I had zero idea of what to make of the thing.  This movie is surreal and splendid in style and substance.  Dream sequences start and stop without any real context or consideration of linear narrative.  The plot is simple enough (a film director is out of ideas and is making things up as he goes along on the set of his latest movie, all while dealing with his past and the relationships he has formed over the years), but the movie is a tough nut to crack.  I watched 8 1/2 with English subtitles (this is an Italian film), and so much is going on so quickly that I found myself struggling to keep up with the dialogue.  You will need to see this film more than one time.  8 1/2 is a fever dream and is constructed with a brilliant sense of atmosphere and imagination.

7. Casino

• Casino has been treated unfairly since the year it was released.  Martin Scorsese was riding the success of the almost equally incredible Goodfellas when he shot and released Casino.  Almost instantly the consensus was that Casino was so similar in form to Goodfellas that it seemed like an imitation movie that did nothing but copy the former film with no progressive intentions.  While I certainly see where those criticisms are coming from, I have to disagree and say that Casino takes all of the positive elements of Goodfellas and polishes them.  Casino is, indeed, very similar in style to Goodfellas (constant narration, music-video like editing, and strong stories with strong characters), but for me works much better as a whole.  Casino is an epic movie with some of the greatest performances in cinema history.  Don’t write this one off!

6. the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

• I know I cheated here, but I couldn’t help myself.  The three Lord of the Rings films are not to be ignored and continue to be a force to be reckoned with.  Consisting of three films (Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, and Return of the King), the Lord of the Rings Trilogy follows the epic story of the ring of power and the various characters that are involved with the emergence of the ring’s power.  Honestly, no other film matches the huge scope of these films nor the precision and attention to detail.  There isn’t a single miscast actor, poor creative choice (derived from the legendary novels written by J. R. R. Tolkien ), or moment of boredom in the entire trilogy (almost some may disagree… I’m talking to you Kevin Smith).  The extended cuts of each film are easily the best way to see them, as they add countless important scenes that fill in each gap of the story.  Lord of the Rings is how big-budget films should look and feel.  While their visual and visceral appeal is undeniable, the emotional depth of the trilogy is also a force to be reckoned with.

Well that is part 1 of my top 10 list!  I’m sure most people will shutter at my choices and others will agree in at least a few of my decisions.  These movies mean a lot to me and help showcase my personal taste in films.  Stick around because part 2 of this list (feature my five favorite movies EVER) will be posted shortly!

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Reviewed by Nathan Regina

Many films have rolled from Cannes to the Oscars and scored big. However, many of these films don’t get many people into the theater. Evidence of this was very clear when I saw Beasts of the Southern Wild. The film blew me away, but my only companion was my fellow blogger Ethan our significant others. Truth be told, I would be shocked if this film does not score big come award season. From the acting to the cinematography, this film does not disappoint.

Before I being telling just how much I love this film, it does come with a major drawback. The film is not one that any movie watcher can go see and instantly love. It takes a significant amount of understanding to fully understand the plot. The plot lacks a real direction and gets a little airy at certain point. However, the elite acting really makes up for any shortcomings.

Quvenzhané Wallis was amazing from the moment she enters onto the screen. Her acting was superb not even accounting for her age. The story is told through her eyes as she flows through her world of change. Her acting, for a small child, blew me away as she had to act out a variety of emotions. As her world changes, her acting evolves which truly amazed me. Once award season rolls around, I will be truly shocked if she doesn’t score big.

Any viewer of this film will wonder if the world depicted in the film is intended to be purely fantasy. The community does resemble many deep southern Louisiana communities. However, they depict a modern society at several points in the film. Regardless, the low budget of the film blew me away with the cinematography and the setting was truly amazing. The world represents something from rural Louisiana but still has some fantasy elements that don’t seem real.

 The biggest element that was impressive to me was the visual elements of the cinematography. Throughout the film one is able to not only see but also feel what the main character is going through. Many films struggle in getting across the emotions of the story. This film went above and beyond to the point you can literally feel sorry, happiness, and desperation. Great job, on behalf of the director, of getting these feelings across while also telling the story.

I am already marking this film among my Oscar favorites moving forward. The film may be small budget with low ticket sales, but it hits a home run in a variety of categories. In addition, the visual elements of the film will blow any film buff away. The acting of Quvenzhané Wallis highlight the entire film for me. I walked in fairly excited for this movie and it truly did not disappoint. Big time home run for this film. look for a full trophy case for actors and director once award season rolls around.

Nate’s Score: 9.3/10

Beasts of the Southern Wild

Reviewed by Ethan Wasdovitch

After reading about and sorting through the huge amount of hype surrounding this film, I finally got to see Beasts of the Southern Wild and see for myself whether or not it lived up to high expectations.  The short answer is yes, it does live up to those expectations, but in a completely different way than I had anticipated after seeing the trailer.  The movie is extremely realistic in regards to the humanity of the characters and the believability of the situations, but also very surreal in style and is jam packed with imagination and creativity.  I was expecting a movie about the struggles of extreme poverty during a disaster but what the film actually is could be described as a fantasy film about growing up and assuming responsibility.

  Told through the eyes of a very young girl who lives in a community separated from supposedly normal America civilization by a levy, Beasts of the Souther Wild begins as I had imagined it would have but quickly goes off on its own creative tangent.    Scenes early in the movie show Hushpuppy (played in a revelatory and inspiring performance by Quvenzhané Wallis) dealing with her father, who’s health is declining (possibly because of his alcoholic tendencies).  At first I found the father to be abusive in how he treats Hushpuppy, but as the film develops his hard edge turns to be paramount in helping his daughter gain the skills she needs to survive.  However, it is easy to say something like “these people shouldn’t be living in such impoverished conditions” and accuse this film of exploiting poor people for art’s sake.  I think those accusations are missing the point of the movie, and fail to see that the heart of the movie is the connection all of the characters have to their home in the bayou.

As the movie goes on, we see that the bayou (called Bathtub) is in danger because a big storm is coming and will flood the entire area (is this a reference to Hurricane Katrina?).  Hushpuppy, her father and some other select residents of Bathtub decide they will stay in their home and that there is no real purpose in living anywhere else.  This is the dynamic in the film that really stuck with me.  The flood does come and does put the entire area underwater.  But the characters adapt and begin to survive in the new environment.  Much of the film shows this in dreamy montage with Hushpuppy narrating with lines about how everything in the universe is connected (reminded me of Terrence Malick’s films).  They are surviving and refuse to leave their homes because this is the way they live, and there isn’t any real reason for them to change that.

One of the most convincing things about this film is the acting.  Quvenzhané Wallis is simply stunning in the leading role, and rarely do such incredibly young actors have the ability to carry a film while portraying a realistic and emotional character.  The father is also surprisingly sympathetic because of the performance.  He isn’t a character that one would normally like and cheer for, but the lifestyle they live and the environment they live in makes him seem like the most caring, loving father anybody could have.  The relationship Hushpuppy has with her father is fleshed fully out and creates a real emotional connection with the audience.  As for every other character in the film (especially the people who live in the bayou), they could have convinced me that this film was a documentary.  The way everybody talks and is made up is completely genuine and makes you feel like you’re living on floating homes with the locals in the bayou. The same can be said about the sets, everything looks grimy and realistic. This is no small feat for a film with such a minuscule budget.

There are several fantasy elements in the film as well.  Unfortunately this is where the small budget of the film shows.  I feel as if the filmmakers wanted to make a movie with more fantasy elements and more surrealism but the small budget somewhat restricted them.  There are some simply stunning scenes involving giant boars slowly trudging their way towards the bayou (a visual metaphor).  I don’t think this is a huge problem with the movie, and if anything the more minimalistic approach to the fantasy elements may in fact help with the concept humanity that is central to the film.  Also, for a movie with such a small budget, they certainly did make the fantasy elements that are present in the movie believable.  Since I wasn’t expecting anything like this in the movie beforehand, it was a pleasant surprise.  I definitely want to see the movie again to make more sense out of the surreal elements of the movie.

By the end of this film I was utterly confounded and nearly blown-away by the entire ordeal.  First it had completely shattered my expectations, than it introduced deeply humane concepts of family bonds and cultural relativism, and finally it wrapped up all of these elements smoothly all while being crafted with clear talent and precision.  There are elements of fantasy, which serve to help the audience understand that the movie is through the eyes of a six year old girl with a very vivid imagination.  The film is gorgeous in a somewhat dark, gothic way and the settings ands characters are to thank for that.  Out of nowhere Beasts of the Southern Wild is touching and inspiring.  It is a look at a group of people who celebrate life in their own unique way and refuse to let others take it away from them.  It does this mainly by showing us how a six year old’s relationship with her father and with the bayou itself allows her to grow up into a person who is ready for the uncertainty and unpredictability of everyday life.

9.5/10

Coming soon and updates

All three of us have now seen Beasts of the Southern Wild and our individual reviews of that film will be written and posted shortly!   It has gained much hype since its debut at the Sundance Film Festival where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize.  This will most likely be a major Oscar contender this year so check in shortly for what we thought of it!

Also we will hopefully be doing a group discussion of Cabin in the Woods either in audio format or a scripted review.  There is plenty to talk about!  Eventually we will do the same with Beasts of the Southern Wild.

More things to looks forward to.....

• Top 10 favorite films of all time from all three of us!
• Reviews and discussion of the highly anticipated The Master (next weekend) 
• Oscar predictions.

Thanks for reading!

Ethan Wasdovitch

Cabin in the Woods!

Review by Nathan Regina

Modern horror cinema has been fairly predictable within the last few years. Most films, in an effort to be different, have taken gore and plot twists to an entirely new level. But it seems that many films have forgotten the few core elements that make horror movies appealing. Also, the problem of repetition has also become a major problem. Films seem to almost blend together and some almost appear to be clones of one another. The genre has still remained very strong, but a majority of films just don’t seem to cut it. The

I am glad to say Cabin in the Woods was very refreshing to watch. The classic elements of horror were very present and well written out. The story was great and really keeps the viewer guessing throughout the film. The concept of movie is fairly unique and I felt it was very well laid out. Horror films based in the wild are fairly common. But this film brings in elements that are fairly unique. This allows the viewer to keep guessing and most likely be wrong. The plot twists are also excellent and are very well placed. Towards the end of the film the twists are huge and entirely unpredictable.

The death scenes in the beginning and middle of the movie left something to be desired. The ending scenes were simply great and really lived up to expectations. However, the death scenes early on were a little bit too predictable and lacked a true gore factor. While this isn’t really a gore film, you still a presence in these movies. Cabin in the Woods could have used just a hint more of blood. But we all know, most movies can’t be perfect.

The characters, while the typical crew, were well cast and acting was pretty decent. The typical buff guys and hot girl horror characters were present. The acting of the troup was fairly good with a few weak spots. But in horror movies, good screams and terrified facial expressions are key. Kristen Connolly and Fran Kanz were solid. The directors and writers did a good job of clearly defining the characters and they all acted their part.

I will attempts to not give too much away about the ending, but it was absolutely fantastic. The massive amounts of gore made up for the rest of the film. The end borders on epic with great special effects and a horror set makers wet dream. The ending, as is common, serves as a massive plot twist and definitely will not disappoint. The true ending may slightly confuse you but will leave you smiling or at least entertained. This element of the film knocked my rating up significantly and really was great.

Overall, this film was well done and will definitely entertain, even most horror film buffs may come to enjoy this film. The movie keeps you guessing and contains several moments that you may refer to as epic. In addition, the ending is truly unpredictable and is also highly entertaining. This film really sets itself apart from the typical horror genre film. My totally great for this film is going to be a 8.4 out of 10. Good job Drew Goddard, you made contact on this one.

Rating: 8.4/10

Cabin in the Woods

Reviewed by Ethan Wasdovitch

     Usually when anybody is talking about horror movies, there are a certain number of assumptions that have to be kept in mind.  One of them is the willful suspension of disbelief that none of the characters in the movie will make an intelligent decision.  After all, if people in horror movies were smart, they wouldn’t have much of a problem surviving many of the situations.  A second assumption is that there is some sort of fantastic and perhaps supernatural circumstance is causing torment to a group of innocent citizens.  Cabin in the Woods is a film that embraces the cliches of the horror genre but also adds enough twist to the ordeal to make it a fascinating and extremely entertaining experience.  These assumptions people make about horror movies are an integral part of this movie and are even given explanations.  As outrageous as those explanations are, its refreshing to see a horror film willing to take things to a different level.

Without giving too much away, Cabin in the Woods takes a pretty standard horror plot and reaches further than one would assume.  A group of college kids are taking a vacation to a cabin in the woods (woah!) to party and have a good time.  Characters appear to be pretty standard for horror movies, especially the creepy gas station attendant who preaches the normal gloom and doom to the unsuspecting college students.  Clearly something dark is waiting for them at the cabin, as anybody who has seen a dozen horror movies could say.  However, all of this is happening while a bunch of businesslike men and woman are scrambling in offices and in front of giant computer terminals with the main group of college kids on their screens.  They are being watched.  That’s more than anybody should know about the movie.  Just know that Cabin in the Woods has more in store for the viewer than most movies of its type.

Another important thing about this movie is that it is practically a comedy.  Cabin in the Woods never takes itself too seriously or gets heavy handed in the horror elements (gory, but not too gory or extreme).  Nearly every scene early on in the movie has a line or two worthy of a laugh.  The comedy works so well because of how aware the movie is of its own nature.  The filmmakers knew that horror movies don’t really make much sense when real-life logic is applied to them, so characters are poking fun at the situations and the script balances comedy with horror perfectly (especially when the observing men and women in the office are taking bets about what is going to happen to the college students).  Joss Whedon is one of the writers here, so it isn’t difficult to understand why each line is sharp and meaningful. The acting greatly helps the comedy along, with all actors giving well above average performances for horror films.  Its seems like many of the actors probably had a lot of fun filming this movie.

Hardcore horror fans will be particularly fond of Cabin in the Woods because of the constant wave of horror references.  Perhaps references isn’t the right word, but rather homages, because what is happening isn’t necessarily explicitly referencing other movies, but simply mirrors the same aesthetics and situations as them.  Again, without spoiling anything, there are homages to films like Friday the 13th, Evil Dead, and Hellraiser.  I found these references to be effective and made the overall experience have a familiar feeling, but not so familiar that I was bored by it.

Normally when doing a review, I would go more into what elements of the plot I liked and didn’t like, but I’m trying to avoid spoilers because I feel this movie is best seen knowing very little about it.  There are some gripes I have with the movie, especially if you think too hard trying to make every scene make sense to the grand scheme of the plot.  Cabin in the Woods is so set on playing with the classic elements of horror movies that it may get a bit too over-the-top at times.  Still, there are so many twists and turns to the story and it takes it so far, I can’t help but give it a pass in that section.  Even some of the cliche character roles are altered enough to make them seem more interesting (keep your eye on the stoner!).  The only thing that keeps me, a legitimate, hardcore horror movie buff, from giving Cabin in the Woods a perfect rating is that, for the first half of the movie at least, pretty standard and predictable elements are being used.  I know that its just setting up for the more outrageous and entertaining final act of the movie and that much of it plays homage to classic films, but I can’t justify a perfect 10 for a movie whose entertainment level depends largely on the prior knowledge a film goer has about the horror genre.

Still, Cabin in the Woods is easily one of the best horror movies in a very long time.  It is a movie that plays with convention enough to keep things familiar, but offers enough fresh material to really impress and wow even the most well-watched horror buffs.  Even if horror isn’t your favorite genre, Cabin in the Woods is a must see because of its comedic elements.  All acting is top notch as well, especially for a horror movie (its cool to see Chris Hemsworth before he was Thor, as this movie was filmed before he played Thor).  The script is water tight in the dialogue and setting department, and only falters slightly from relying on basic plot elements from other movies.  All in all, Cabin in the Woods is a winner and is destined to be remembered as a sort of milestone in the horror genre (in lines with Scream and Saw).  If anything, this movie tops all of those and gets top honors for taking more risks with the story and being much  more comical.

9/10

Cabin in the Woods!

----------------------Review by the Most Supreme Arch Deacon Greg Malcolm--------------------

  
          I will start out by saying if you have not seen this film, run---no!  Sprint!  Sprint out of your window and go grab a copy (preferably Blu-ray) and watch it.  Read no summaries.  Stop reading this one.  Go into this film spoiler free so that you can experience the movie as a whole and not be spoiled by crappy explanations by other people.  This movie is too good for that.

**********SPOILERS BEGIN HERE************************* 

            This review/critique will contain a gratuitous amount of *spoilers* solely because there is no point in discussing a film if you have to limit yourself and speak about specific moments of the film while containing yourself with vague explanations and hindering the entire process of properly reviewing the craft.  And I will not stand for that!

            Now to the meat and potatoes.  The blood and guts.  The shish and kabob.  The Cabin in the Woods.  The setting is impeccable and the audience is left noticeably aloof the entire time.  Not only is it brilliant Goddard and Whedon set this film in a way that expects the audience member to be clueless or draw horrid assumptions that makes one giggle when one thinks of how they came to that conclusion, but also it takes the Horror/Thriller genre in a completely different direction.  It’s a physical piece of brilliance and could be used to argue the point behind any and all horror movies.  Essentially, my favorite character is Mordecai.  This biblical inception creates the entire tone for the rest of the film.  Super creepy character, you half expect him to slit everyone’s throats standing there and have his family disembowel them one-by-one.  Instead?  Oh instead we are given a treat when the bosses tease and belittle him after he sends a bunch of teens running away towards their doom. 

            The menagerie of levels that this film is taking place on encompasses far more than just a horror flick.  Whether it is the stereotyped acting, which stoner comments on, or the way all of the monsters appear to be throwbacks to old school horror films (“Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain” will reminded me distinctly of “Cenobites.” On top of that, the Old Gods complex which should be familiar to anybody reading this, to me emulated a new level of horror films that has rarely been breached in this day and age.

            A tad more visceral now, the acting was great!  I know what you’re saying, “Hey Greg!  GTFO!  It’s a horror film and they are supposed to act like idiots, poorly!”  To which I respond yes they do.  Except it isn’t poorly acted; rather the acting is exceptional.  Sure it sticks to horror standards like taking an obscene amount of damage and surviving (i.e. being ripped open by a lycanthrope of some type and surviving to speak patiently and smoke some bud on the stairs) as well as resigning the stupid horror movie moves (i.e. dropping the scythe, even if it was involuntary. STUPID STUPID STUPID!)  But the crux of the film revolves around people tricking these teens into behaving the way they do.  And they do indeed trick them.  These kids die all kinds of horrid ways, probably my favorite being by force field.  Who dies by freaking force field!  I mean seriously! Who does that!  But the acting itself is exceptional, if not stellar. 

            My favorite character for this film is the stoner.  Strictly because of the fact that whatever he is smoking is making him immune to the majority of their tricks.  Secondly, my favorite monster, since I know there will be arguments, is Fornicus, Lord of Bondage and Pain. 

            If this film is a cult-classic now, consider me hooked.  Because I can’t wait to take another spin through Cabin in the Woods, even with the Zombie Redneck Torture Family.