2012 Review Blog
The Cabin in the Woods
Grade: B+ 07/22/2014
The key to this movie is the fact that its secret is not a "twist". Most of the secret is laid out right from the get go...and that makes the experience so much more exciting. The inevitability, the hopelessness, and the ultimate necessity of what happens in the cabin virtually transformed every cliched horror movie I have ever seen. How could I watch, THE EVIL DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13TH, HALLOWEEN, or even LEPRECHAUN without imagining they fall under the same rules this film lays out? Also...who wouldn't love to see the other scenarios that this universe may have provided? I so enjoyed this film as parody, reflection, and also straight-forward horror. So very clever and original.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
Grade: B+ 07/22/2014
The key to this movie is the fact that its secret is not a "twist". Most of the secret is laid out right from the get go...and that makes the experience so much more exciting. The inevitability, the hopelessness, and the ultimate necessity of what happens in the cabin virtually transformed every cliched horror movie I have ever seen. How could I watch, THE EVIL DEAD, FRIDAY THE 13TH, HALLOWEEN, or even LEPRECHAUN without imagining they fall under the same rules this film lays out? Also...who wouldn't love to see the other scenarios that this universe may have provided? I so enjoyed this film as parody, reflection, and also straight-forward horror. So very clever and original.
1001 Movie to See Before You Die
The Master
Grade: B- 07/30/2014
This was a strange film to wrap my head around. I love myself some Paul Thomas Anderson. The acting chops of Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are firing on all cylinders. The base of the story is thoroughly interesting. However, I found myself bored, confused, and surprised by the boredom and confusion. The cult at the center of the film, an obvious Scientology analogy, is a presence and we aren't given much backstory or explanation...just that there is "The Cause" and PSH runs it. I seem to grasp the message that cults have the ability to prey on the weak, troubled, addicted, and confused...all of which Phoenix certainly portrays. I just wish there was a bit more clarity in the message. I felt like I was watching and experiencing things within the cult, but not understanding them or connecting with them...and for that reason I feel like "The Master" is a weaker PTA film. It did look amazing however having been filmed in 70mm.
Grade: B- 07/30/2014
This was a strange film to wrap my head around. I love myself some Paul Thomas Anderson. The acting chops of Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are firing on all cylinders. The base of the story is thoroughly interesting. However, I found myself bored, confused, and surprised by the boredom and confusion. The cult at the center of the film, an obvious Scientology analogy, is a presence and we aren't given much backstory or explanation...just that there is "The Cause" and PSH runs it. I seem to grasp the message that cults have the ability to prey on the weak, troubled, addicted, and confused...all of which Phoenix certainly portrays. I just wish there was a bit more clarity in the message. I felt like I was watching and experiencing things within the cult, but not understanding them or connecting with them...and for that reason I feel like "The Master" is a weaker PTA film. It did look amazing however having been filmed in 70mm.
The Raid: Redemption
Grade: B 08/18/2014
This movie was frickin' insane. There isn't much of a plot...only a premise to get the good guys and the bad guys in the same place at the same time...however...it is astonishingly directed & choreographed to an amazingly impressive level. Director Gareth Evans has quite the ability to keep the viewer oriented to the hyper-kinetic, hyper-violent action...and the ferocity by which the fighting transpires is almost as horrible as the worst torture porn movie...but in a good way. There is a great creativity the way these Indonesian martial arts fighters engage each other. Kicks, punches, use of knives, guns, debris...anything and everything. I was out of breath and my senses were overwhelmed by this film...and I loved it. It has fight choreography on par with Yimou films...and has a body count and blood-splattering level that rivals Eli Roth.
Grade: B 08/18/2014
This movie was frickin' insane. There isn't much of a plot...only a premise to get the good guys and the bad guys in the same place at the same time...however...it is astonishingly directed & choreographed to an amazingly impressive level. Director Gareth Evans has quite the ability to keep the viewer oriented to the hyper-kinetic, hyper-violent action...and the ferocity by which the fighting transpires is almost as horrible as the worst torture porn movie...but in a good way. There is a great creativity the way these Indonesian martial arts fighters engage each other. Kicks, punches, use of knives, guns, debris...anything and everything. I was out of breath and my senses were overwhelmed by this film...and I loved it. It has fight choreography on par with Yimou films...and has a body count and blood-splattering level that rivals Eli Roth.