PTs Reviews from 2012

I'm just going to leave my thoughts on the new releases I see in 2012, when remember, going through the year instead waiting till end to collate a list based on distant memories.


Release to See

Michael
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia
Kid With a Bike
Into the Abyss
Carnage
Rampart
Turin Horse
Tabu
Seven Psychopaths
Amour
Bernie
Ruby Sparks

The Hobbit
The Imposter
Berberian Sound Studio
Headhunters
Killing Them Softly


Shame

A fantastic Oscar worthy from Fassbender, playing a difficult role with utter conviction. The issue of sex-addiction isn't explored per se, rather favours taking a glimpse of the individual and how it ripples through his life with crippling effects and no answers. The script uses subtlety with little exposition or dialogue to the reasoning behind Fassbenders actions, making his performance even more haunting. The city of NY is shot coldly by McQueen though he does linger on several shots a little too long. Worth seeing for Fassbender alone.




Coriolanus

So I knew this was a Shakespeare play going in, set in modern times but didn't realise it was using the exact script. The dated dialogue, at times, could be hard to penetrate and required more focus than anticipated to understand fully. Fiennes direction skilfully avoids the play being too staged and the play doesn't seem to confine the narrative world he creates. Like the previous film, Fiennes gives a stand out performance with blistering intensity at times but there's little chance to develop any empathy with the characters; perhaps due to the nature of the characters but also the archaic dialogue itself. Redgrave possibly tops Fiennes as his mother in and Butler is also a surprise. It's a clever updating of a play, making it seem perfectly plausible as a real day affair and Fiennes lavishes delivering Shakespeare's rich dialogue.




The Descendants

I enjoyed it, Clooney gives a fine performance and I wouldn't be disappointed if he beats old favourite Oldman with it. Although the casting of a charismatic actor to play a depressed character seems a bit too much like novelty of the contradiction. The film's narrative wasn't that engaging but the strong supporting cast and spots of humour kept it enjoyable.




Martha Marcy May Marlene

Quietly haunting, just like John Hawkes in a character he's come to embody so well recently along with Winters Bone. Olsen is a strong performer with surely a bright future giving a great turn as a fractured young woman unable to elucidate her past. Suitably atmospheric yet downplayed, cutting between Olsen's past and supposed safety slowly giving insight to what happened. I didn't quite buy the seductive nature of the cult itself, Hawkes' charismatic leader aside, I couldn't quite believe her logic for being there. That said, will hopefully will catch this one again soon. Been listening to Hawkes' acoustic serenade a lot on youtube.

+

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I'm not a fan of either of the Fiennes brothers, but I would like to see this and I everthing I've heard so far has been positive.

Nice idea having them all together right from the start Pyro.

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A Dangerous Method

This is only a semi-type as after three attempts at finishing it, still having difficulty. Knightley, she's trying hard bless her, but I just can't watch her LifeTime Razzie Award performance. Such a shame Cronenberg seems to have diluted such a rich topic, so in tune with his auteur sensibilities and missed a trick in casting an actress who's performance can't be saved by three of today's best actors.


rating pending

Seriously, this must be the most overrated film of the year.

Spoilers ahead.

Yes, we see a guy with a sex-addiction who is unable to deal with that problem and it messes him up properly. It shows some of the effects, like him being unable to have sex with a woman he actually likes and him turning his back on his sister when she most needed him.

When you strip it down to what it actually is, it's an excruciatingly boring film about a guy who watches too much porn for his own good. It leads nowhere, except showing that it's bad for him and for the ones close to him. Yes... like all other addictions... And some of the shots are drawn out so long... Fassbender's sister singing a HORRIBLE version of Sinatra's New York, New York; Fassbender jogging throughout the city (shot for over 2 minutes).

So, I understood what this film was trying to tell and convey, but I fail to see how that makes it particularly interesting or qualitative.

I essentially, agree with all you said. In fact, thought I said as much in as many words. That aside, Fassbenders performance held it all together and kept the screen with an incredible presence despite the flaws in the script, plus thought it captured the mood with some nice city shots and cinematography. Anyway, I've liked him for a while so slightly bias.

A Dangerous Method

Well, after literally 8 stunted viewings, I finally finished it. What should have been a potential film of the year, wasn't. Cronenberg going back with a period piece about the men whose influence have been a direct influence in his work. The physical manifestations of subconscious were dominant through Cronenberg's Body Horror days, however of late he's avoided original scripts and deviated to films with more mainstream appeal. So this should have been a natural progression, a synthesis of elements in his oeuvre with high potential.

Taking an adapted source, he sticks what seems almost too rigidly to it, giving little space for his auteurist nature to have any impact. It even damages the film, Knightly who was a poor casting decision to begin with, attempts to convey a hysterical Russian, yet the script has her speak fluent prose with a suspicious accent and little inflection of dialect. It doesn't sound natural at all. I think that maybe the primary flaw of her character; that or her freakishly jutting chin that disturbs as much as any female body metamorphosis we've seen before. Being a period piece set in fact, a lot of the dramatic tension from the two (well performed) male leads is delivered by letter and thus removes much dramatic momentum, at least over split viewings. It feels more like a live action wikipedia entry than a film.

Maybe having three of my favourite actors; Fassbender, Mortensen and Cassel being directed by one of my favourite directors about two of the most innovative thinkers of the 20th century, was bound to put my expectations too high. It's not a particularly exciting film, nor does it really offer much insight into these men. I can't help thinking with such a similarly innovative artist directing, a much more interesting film could have been made without restraints of an adapted screenplay or Hollywood casting.




The Woman in Black

Finally, reviewing a film which doesn't have a stand out performance from a favourite actor! Daniel Radcliffe is not a good actor but he did almost look the part (if his son didn't look the same age as him, definitely wasn't old enough for the part) and gasp and fret when needed well. Just a shame his delivery of dialogue falls flat. That aside, it was a taut and suspenseful horror film with the standard jump scenes that made the annoying audience of teen girls scream at the right times. The main characters logic defied any plausible level of disbelief at his instance on staying and poor development on his reactions to any of the events. There were a few moment that veered uncannily close to moment in HP, not that that effected the films enjoyment. It was a good old fashioned gothic jumper, with some well delivered frights covering up an ultimately empty story yet the pace and direction never lets up enough for that to notice.

The Woman In Black is one of the few films of the year that I'd like to see, so it's good to see another positive review.

Just don't see it at the cinema, never had such a bad cinema experience of screaming children. One guy literally spent the showing with his phone constantly out, then when asked to put it away, opted to chat instead.

Underworld: Evolution

Was a serviceable action film with a refreshing amount of blood and violence, missing in most toned down action films. The blue tint surrounding the film is becoming a bit of a boreish cinematography, however. The plot was mostly perfunctory and suffered at points by having a stand in actor play the role of an old series character, preventing any close ups or dialogue. The CGI wasn't the best and despite watching in 2D, could see a lot of shots had been set up for 3D. Would only really recommend for fans of the other films and Beckinsale's character's baffling inclination to incessantly wear leather.

+


Ghost Rider 2

With a plot almost identical to the previous film, lead character protecting a young child, it's script never really develops any empathy. But considering the star and directors, the gaping holes in the script and huge asks from audiences in terms of rushed development, it's quite a blast. I'm a huge fan of the directors kinetic style and while it's not quite on par with Crank it's still a refreshing change to most styles. There's some great support from cast having fun and trademark Cage batsh!t-ness, he even manages to top some scenes from Wicker Man. The Ghost Rider himself is quite a threatening presence and suitably intimidating for the most part, considering the rating, at least until the script unravels a bit. It was fun and even the 3D was good but the scripts naivety in thinking one brief scene will create empathy and bonds between characters is grossly miscalculated.

The Muppets

Utterly delightful flick with some catchy musical numbers. Somehow feels it's spread a bit too thin across the characters and the script never really takes off but it's a kids film at heart so can't judge too harshly on that. Enough meta nods to keep adults smiling and some funny cameos here and there. A lot of fun for all the family as simplistic and happy filmmaking.

If you will take my reviews about the movies of 2012, i would say its gonna be a great year for movies.

Yeah, Fassbender was excellent. But I still can't get over that cover of Sinatra's New York. And the length of it, Jesus... It's like they were deliberately tormenting the viewer, because there was 0 added value in that scene. Just found out I've watched almost no films in 2012. Shame is the only one. I gotta get cracking.

I have however almost finished my 2011 to watch list.

I'm kind of the same. We're not even into March yet and already I think I've missed at least 4 or 5 films I wanted to catch.

Young Adult

A nice script and non conventional main characters made it pretty interesting, despite not really going anywhere. It manages to keep stay engaging despite having two leads who are both inherently pretty horrible people. Sure there's more to say about the way these type of characters are constructed but I can't be bothered to go into it.




Chronicle

A cheats 'found footage' genre pic, but in a good way, keeping a lot of the conventions but adding some intuitive twists to free itself from the constraints. It's a refreshing superhero take that doesn't dwell massively on morality or developing awkward romances to overcome or setting up franchises- nice antidote to anyone tired of Marvel basically. It's keep itself simple and is all the better for it. The film essentially turns into Akira and the battle of wills between two leads, which is a compliment as creates some exciting final set pieces on a low budget. Hope the studios notice a live action Akira can be done and Chronicle is all we need.

Missed Young Adult, but I did catch and love Chronicle. Really good stuff, glad you felt the same

The Hunger Games


I was aware of the similarities to Battle Royale but decided to put them aside and give this ago. Would rather have watched BR again. Was a competently made film with some good production sets but pretty dull and devoid of redeeming features. The urge to make it appeal to the young teen demographic harms any potential of showing the 'horror' of the situation with a low rating and focus seems to shift to an undeveloped love triangle of puppy dog eyes. The delivery of the concept was pretty uneven, they don't seem to have a consistent idea of what the 'Games' wanted to achieve in terms of lead Katniss' surviving/giving a good show. The characterisation of her was to preoccupied with making her morally likeable and avoiding make her commit to any cold blooding in the 'Game', using pop up deux ex characters to resolve any situations where she would need to use violence. Then worst of all, the conclude the 'Game' with a ridiculous shark jumping moment of magicking monster dogs out of the ground which sealed my opinion on it.

Goon

I like William Scott and he plays a more 'simple' character than normal which makes me a fair bit more likeable than normal. Basically carried a film of sport I had extremely little understanding of so props to him. Otherwise a fairly standard sports/comedy that relied on blood for most the jokes.




Avengers

Thoughts can be found in the review thread. First film this year wanted to rewatch, not sure how it will effect rating.




American Pie: Reunion

Just very average, plays it safe with humour and as such there's no really memorable scenes but also means the jokes don't tend to miss either. Enjoyable but the main incentive is the sense of nostalgia seeing them all back together brings which counteracts a script with clunky narrative exposition and signposting through out.




Safe

I loves me a bit of the Stath, I do. A slight move from B-Movie-ness and outright silliness for him, even if it is inherently the same as all his films. Some nice lines in it though and standard rough action scenes. Not sure why he bothers attempting to emulate American accent as it's extremely temperamental and bad

+


The Raid

Film of The Year, thus far. Absolutely marvellous action/martial arts film. Ample blood, shooting, fighting and ass kicking with some tight direction. Very Tony Jaa brutality with hand to hand combat but with added guns. A simple concept delivered with conviction and great fight choreography from unknown talent. Except for the two brothers withstanding an unnatural amount of beating it's pretty faultless for what it is.

Yes, The Raid. Tony Jaa, one of the true Muay Thai masters that always delivers.

Here's the way I see 2012:

10/10
Marvel's The Avengers

9/10

8/10
Chronicle
Goon

7/10
The Hunger Games
John Carter
Red Tails
Safe House

6/10
Act of Valor
The Vow
Contraband
Underworld: Awakenings

5/10
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

4/10
Lockout
Battleship
The Raven

3/10

2/10
The Grey

1/10

0/10

Total # of Films: 16
Average Rating: 6.06