review
Unlike Dominik's last endeavor (Jesse James), Killing Them Softly moves at a relentless pace that matches the plot's violent nature. His stylistic experiments do not always work, but the tremendous veteran cast nearly nullifies these complaints and elevatess the film.
Ultimately, "Hitchcock" proves entertaining, but hardly satisfying. Helen Mirren's performance is engrossing and heartfelt, but the treatment of the film's central icon feels superficially handled by the script and filmmakers. Some fans of the historic director will surely get a laugh out of the scarce nods and hints toward his movies, but this film is not likely to linger long afterward.
The audience I watched the film with could not stop laughing and let out a liberating round of applause during the film's climax. Russell's film, led by a pitch perfect cast, gives its audience the cathartic experience that its main characters seek out during its entirety. Regardless of whether the viewer is simply seeking laughs or a deeper, uplifting affirmation of the human spirit, Silver Linings Playbook will easily prove to be one of the most fulfilling films of the year.
The Loneliest Planet won the Grand Prize at the AFI Film Festival and is nominated for the Gotham Awards, but it is not for everyone. It is overlong and tests one's patience more than most films. It is one of those film's that is made better by the conversation it might inspire after the fact, but the actual experience of watching it is minimally engaging and far from satisfying.
Ultimately, Anna Karenina is a technical feast with some of the most incredible production design, editing, cinematography, and music of the year. Wright's concept of setting the film in a theater is a resounding success, but the film stumbles a bit in its main narrative. Fortunately, there is abundance of things to appreciate in the film and even if Anna never comes through as an admirable heroine, this film is a masterful piece of art.
All in all, Cloud Atlas is an experimental blockbuster.
The third time is a truly a charm for Affleck who creates a relentlessly thrilling and powerful film that will leave you exhausted, but uplifted and overjoyed to have experienced it.
"El Limpiador," Adrian Saba's debut feature film, is a highly successful display of visual creativity and controlled pacing. The film, while slow, maintains an immersive experience thanks to its two strong performances and its fascinating world.
The film moves along briskly in a rather subdued manner. It does lose its footing a bit in the final act as it seeks a way out. Fortunately the end comes quickly and ultimately leaves you satisfied. It is a feel-good film to be sure, but also one that emphasizes the brevity of life and the necessity to live it to the fullest.
The film's finale will be unsatisfying to some as the two diverging plots never really unite satisfactorily, but the film is a thrill ride from start to finish that will have you fully engaged. The triumphant performance by Richard Gere and the supporting cast only furthers the experience.
A sensational look into the lives of Latin America Role Models of Today.
The film is ultimately standard Hollywood fare: polished visuals but a hackneyed script and manipulative music. Despite strong performances from the leads, there is little that these great talents can to do lift this film above simply being passable. Some audiences will love it simply because of the one liners and the good performances, but they will soon forget it.
This review was written after a screening of the first two episodes of HBO Latino's new series "Profugos."
This is a not a post-apocalyptic film that endlessly emphasizes the negativity of the world. In the face of a crumbling world around us, "Seeking a Friend at the End of the World" chooses to emphasize its beauty. The world's existential message is that even though the prevention of death is impossible, happiness is not only possible but its search is also essential to the human condition.
It is not groundbreaking like the film it attempts to remake, but if one is able to simply ignore the predecessors while taking in the experience of "The Amazing Spiderman," the result will be an engaging emotional journey that represents how traditional Hollywood blockbusters should be made.
