Prosecuting Casey Anthony (2013)

Steered fairly clear of sensationalism, choosing to give a simple outline of the case and the prosecution while painting the defense lawyer in a mildly skeevy light.

Unmemorably eh.

C+

Ruby Sparks (2012)

I wasn’t sure what to make of this “I wrote a girl and she appeared” premise.  It seemed to go pretty much just like you’d imagine that premise would go. But then (and maybe I was just tired or trying too hard to "get it") the story somehow morphed into a meditation on the nature of God.  I'm aware that it's a little much to have been intended -- that I’m the one probably seeing something that isn't actually there -- but still.

The author creates someone to his specifications but that person is unaware she’s got an author.  He’s sad when his creation does things to hurt him, but even sadder when he "fixes" her through his writing because then her actions are his rather than hers.  When faced with incontrovertible proof that she’s his creation, she gets angry and scared... See? Maybe I’m just forcing depth onto this movie, but doing so made me like it more than I would’ve if all there is to it is what’s on the obvious surface.

B

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Pretty good -- but definitely not great. Way too much rests on the shoulders of the fictional Maya and, frankly, Chastain’s not up to the task of making me believe. My husband made the point on the way home that, fair or not, her character would be compared to Homeland’s Carrie and found wanting. Although that comparison hadn’t even occurred to me in the theater, I think Maya should be considered inferior to Carrie. Her arguments felt somehow small and petulant rather than forceful and inarguable. 

The raid at the compound scene is a tense triumph, but it can’t make up for the movie as a whole.

B

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945)

Terrific movie about a struggling family living in a tenement.  The father is both loving and an alcoholic with continual dreams about his showbiz ship finally coming in. His children adore him but his wife is tired of being the only responsible one.

It’s terribly affecting and treads the line between depressing and inspiring beautifully. It’s a reminder that family means sacrifice and, no matter what a family’s circumstance, love can be a part of the picture. It's lovely and sad.

A-

Les Miserables (2012)

There was more wrong than right in this adaptation. When I heard the casting of Jean Valjean and Javert (Jackman and Crowe, respectively), I said “that’s backward.” After seeing the film, I’m still convinced they got that completely wrong. Also, Jackman BUTCHERS his singing parts, emphasizing inconsequential words, singing through his nose, and often going flat -- “Bring Him Home,” usually a beautiful highlight, was painful. The one scene that he got really, really right was in Valjean’s Soliloquoy, which is achieved through passion, not his vocals (which were terrible, but forgivable in the emotion of the scene).

I couldn’t put aside my knowledge of the gorgeous stage play to even attempt to enjoy this (though I was, a few times, moved to tears, but I’m suspicious that’s because I brought my already-present knowledge of the material to the most moving scenes), so I’m really curious as to what people who knew neither the stage play nor the source novel think about this film. My assumption is that they’d find the music boring/repetitive and the story too big for one film. For me, it was just a waste of time. The stage play is more immersive, the musical performances more polished (in the best of ways), and just more satisfying.

I will say that Seyfried’s quite the impressive soprano -- that was a surprise!

C

The Impossible (2012)

The “event” in this movie was so overwhelming and panic-inducing that I was literally gulping in my efforts not to wail aloud in the theater.  What follows is a very well-done telling of a true miracle, but one that still leaves you wanting to pound on God’s chest screaming “but WHY?”

My single complaint about the film is the scene in the hospital where one person turns the corner *just* as the other comes into view, thereby missing seeing the first -- like a French farce in a hallway with lots of doors. It just wasn’t worthy of the subject to add an extra layer of shenanigans before a reunion.

B+

Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

It’s the kind of movie that you enjoy while you're watching it, talk with your friends about, and think of often in the week or so afterward.  That is to say: it's a well-done movie with affecting characters and a story line I haven't seen a billion times.  But never, for one moment that I was watching it, did I think it was so good that it should nominated all over the place.  Give some attention to Jennifer Lawrence?  Great.  Adapted screenplay?  Sure.  But nominating it for best picture and three other acting nominations is getting a little out of hand.  Was it a weak year or something?  I mean I hated Beasts of the Southern Wild, but at least I see it’s the kind of crazy-ass message movie that could fool people into thinking it’s so meaningful that they better prove they "get it" with some awards.

Whatever.  I liked it.

B+

Dark Shadows (2012)

Everything even slightly humorous was spoiled in the trailers -- and none of what was spoiled was all that great in the first place.

Unimaginative.

D+

Life of Pi (2012)

This ia a gorgeous film, and we didn't even make it to a 3D showing!  The visuals would almost  flow from the storyteller (reminded me a bit of The Fall) and there were some moments that my breath was stopped.

Although I was often moved and, overall, liked it a lot, I was unhappy with the portrayal of the author (the guy who comes to hear the story in present-day).  He was such a non-entity that it almost felt as though the story was being wasted on his ears.  Another problem was that the promise that this story would make you believe in God went unfulfilled (surprising, since I already do believe in Him).

B

Django Unchained (2012)

This is probably Tarantino's best film since Pulp Fiction.  He took it easy on the rambly speechifying and kept things moving.  There was an "old fashioned" kind of violence going on that allowed me to be entertained without being freaked out by what I was seeing, which is a welcome change of pace for any movie.

I thought this was just really, really good.

A-

The Beaver (2011)

Gibson is Walter, a man crippled by depression.  He's become a non-presence in his life and work and his wife has finally had enough.  When tossing some of his stuff in a dumpster during his move, he sees a hand puppet in the garbage and picks it up.  The puppet becomes the vehicle for his better self; with the beaver in the driver's seat, Walter's life turns around.

I'm surprised at how much this movie reminded me of Lars and the Real Girl -- I love that film and really wasn't anticipating having much affection for this one.  This story has a darker undercurrent than Lars and it definitely has its own vibe, but it's worth a look on its own merit.

B+

Arbitrage (2012)

A billionaire has a lot of balls in the air and most of them are about to fall. He’s got a mistress, a cash hole in his books as a result of a dangerous gamble, and a deal to sell his company that's moving too slowly and must go through in order to bail him out of his gamble.

Gere plays the billionaire as a super-smart asshole who you can’t help but root for. The guy is undeniably in control and knows how to keep everyone happy in his family and the business world. Does it really matter that it’s an illusion? Is dishonesty so bad when honesty would make things worse?  I love the way this movie had me mentally sacrificing what I believe to be the "right" action in favor of protecting what he’d built. Masterful storytelling. 

A-

Looper (2012)

I thought I knew what this movie was about: contract killer handling people sent from the future is suddenly training a gun on his own future self -- whoa... but that’s just the introduction.  The real story is much more complicated, rich, and affecting. It’s smart and surprising.

My son and I were both just so impressed with the little touches and the over-arching story. We talked about it for quite a while after it ended. Great film.

A-

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

It took forever for things to get going -- the first hour or so had a lot of exposition and silliness that either outright fell flat or was too muted. I was also surprised to note that the special effects (we saw it in 3-D) were seriously lacking -- I was pretty disappointed in the bendy-doll look and the overuse of swooping camera moves that often made it impossible to get a visual fix on anything.

It did, thankfully, pick up in the last couple of hours and I guess I'm on board to see the next one. The highlight was definitely the stone giant fight -- a stunning, exciting and too-short bit.

C+

Flight Commander (1930)

The flight commander of a WWI British squadron making near-suicide runs behind enemy lines is getting angrier about their lot and his role in it. A couple of his hotdogging men do what they want instead of what’s commanded...and one of them gets a rude awakening when he’s handed the thankless job he disrespected.

I’m sure it was rousing and tragic in its day (backed up by its win for screenplay) but, from my vantage point, it felt overacted and thin. The flying sequences are impressive even today, but it’s basically the same story over and over: our assigned mission is IMPOSSIBLE and they’re just BOYS, I tell you! Some of the boys die, more boys come....that mission is impossible and they’re just boys, I tell you!

C+