(500) Days Of Summer (2009)

 

Cute, witty, with an utterly adorable Zoey Daschanel. Didn't quite live up to all the praise that's been lavished upon it, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

Rating: C+

Kill Shot (2008)

 

Did the Weinstein's really think this was worth producing. It's not terrible, but it's definitely bland. Feels like you're watching a B action movie from the 1990's starring Steven Seagal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was the stand out in this film.

Rating: C-

Flora And Son (2023)

 

John Carney delivers another delightful romantic musical, following in the footsteps of his previous films Once, Begin Again, and Sing Street. He has a way of perfectly blending original songs with his scripts. It’s a rare commodity. 

Rating: B

The Trial Of The Chicago 7 (2020)

It’s all just history repeating itself. The fight continues. Sorkin Sorkins. 

Rating: C+

Project Power (2020)

I got pulled in by the premise of a pill giving people superpowers for 5 minutes. Mostly held my attention, but definitely lacked a compelling narrative and depth.

Rating: C

Miracle At St. Anna (2008)

Strange movie. Nothing like you expect going in. I'm not certain Spike Lee or the editor were working from the same script. There was a really good film buried somewhere in there, but nobody on the crew seemed able to bring it to light.

The little Italian kid was fantastic (shame he has never acted since), but major actors were introduced and then left on the wayside. If they were cameos, they weren't treated as such. I was moved by many sequences, but disappointed at the incoherent storytelling. Some of the race issues felt very ham-fisted. Also, the Shawshank Redemption ending felt hollow. It didn't illicit the dramatic punch they were shooting for. This film was too big for Spike Lee's talent.

Rating: C-

Havoc (2005)

This angle was already covered in a slightly better film called Black and White. Havoc felt like an amateurish rip off of it. There were glimmers of quality here and there, but in the end, it was the wrong movie for Anne Hathaway to show her gritty side by getting naked. Her perfect breasts could have gone to much better use in a different film.

Rating: D

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009)

Looks and sounds amazing on screen, but it's hard to ignore the terrible script and delivery.

Rating: D+

The Walk (2015)

As Simon Cowell used to say, the entire performance felt a bit indulgent. Self-important also comes to mind. I thought they did a better job with the documentary on this stunt. Not sure a feature film was needed.

Rating: C

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For (2014)

The gorgeous visuals and striking cinematic compositions are back. This graphic novel-film mash up really does it for me. The original Sin City is one of my favorite films of all time, so any sequel has impossible shoes to fill. With that said, A Dame To Kill For is very entertaining. Many of my favorite characters from the first are back, plus a few new ones. I didn’t find the plot quite as gripping as the original, but it does the job. Definitely worth seeing.

Rating: B-

The Lookout (2007)

A mostly overlooked film that deserves to be seen. Characters are given time to develop, and the story is engaging. A nice effort overall.

Rating: B-

Brick (2005)

An oddly filmed teen indie drama about misguided youth, dealing drugs, lost love, and friendship. The story was disjointed, although the mood was right on. 

Rating: C

Premium Rush (2012)

I think Quicksilver, with Kevin Bacon, was the last bike messenger movie I saw. Can’t say I was chomping at the bit to see another one. This film felt beneath JGL’s talent level. Maybe he used it as a way to get in shape for another role? Very average film with a lot of biking action.

Rating: C

Lincoln (2012)

Filled with old timey political debate and closed door meetings. Chalk full of ridiculous hairstyles, walking canes, hearth fires, longwinded speeches, and the corpse of Tommy Lee Jones. (Someone needs to inform him he died 7 years ago and it’s safe to walk into the light.) If those are things you enjoy seeing on screen, this is a must see for you.

The film features an endless slate of A and B list actors. It may be simpler to list the actors not starring in Lincoln. The production value is very high, however it felt more like a stage production. I was particularly annoyed by Sally Field’s overly dramatic portrayal of Lincoln’s wife. Lifetime movie obnoxious. The movie is somewhat entertaining, but comes off more as a heavy handed history lesson.

Rating: C

Inception (2010)

A total mindf%#@. It takes the movie Dreamscape from my childhood and twists it into a visually stunning film. Very well made with fine acting. My only complaint is, like dreams, it never felt grounded. The movie takes place in a mostly make-believe world, which doesn't allow the audience to fully invest in the story. All the characters, with the exception of Leonardo, are written very shallow. I liked the movie, but in the end it was just a daydream—something to pass the time.

Rating: C+

Looper (2012)

I find most time travel movies frustrating, as they rarely make sense or stick with their own rules. Looper is a bizarre hit man tale that doesn’t make any effort to explain time travel; using it as a plot device instead. The story is engaging, albeit confusing at times. I thought it could have been edited with more focus on the main story. Not bad as far as time travel movies go.

Rating: C

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

While the first two Batman movies transcended the superhero genre, this third installment does not. It’s simply an entertaining popcorn movie with A-list talent carrying the usual amount of plot holes and insanely coincidental occurrences.

Rating: C

50/50 (2011)

As far as cancer movies go, this is a good one. Most of the contrived, forced scenes have been left out. Instead we get a more straightforward, honest portrayal of what one person’s experience with cancer might be like. Fortunately Seth Rogen and Joseph Gordon-Levitt click as friends, so things stay light despite the downer material. The romantic elements were nice too. Well done.

Rating: B-

Hesher (2010)

Totally F-ed up. Gordon-Levitt is a freaking genius and one of the greatest actors of our time. It’s a miracle considering his Third Rock From The Sun upbringing.

Hesher is a true indie film. Someone’s vision come to life on camera. No test audience or producer meddling. That doesn’t necessarily translate into movie magic, but it does produce something real and interesting to watch.

Hesher is a fantastic character. I could see him in his own graphic novel. Better yet, I’d love to see Hesher parachuted into multiple sequels, like a twisted superhero arriving to save the day, while simultaneously destroying it.

Devin Brochu, playing the kid, did a terrific job too. The movie is a trip, and it didn’t take me where I thought I was going, but that’s ok. Loved hearing the old school Metallica—back when they were relevant.

Rating: B