December Movies Degist

On this New Year's Eve (Have a Wonderful 2013!!!):

Argo

Acting: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Perception: 4.5/5
Rating: 5/5

An Oscar-worthy movie packing a lot of thrills. The acting is top-notch, with a personal preference for Alan Arkin, and the emotions are perfectly transmitted. All this helps building up one of the most intense climaxes that I've seen in the last couple of years. I could say that there are some prolonged still shot that aren't quite my thing but that's just pure bickering.

Life of Pi

Acting: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Perception: 5/5
Rating: 4.5/5

One of the most beautiful and touching movies I've seen in a while. An amazing journey of self-discovery, that is powerful but also lighthearted. And that delivers some extraordinary sceneries. In my opinion, one performance surpasses the others: the tiger.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Acting: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 5/5
Rating: 4.5/5

A Peter Jackson movie in the realm of Tolkien: that's a sure value. The purpose of he installment is to layout the situation and set the tone and that's done very well, with pitch perfect performances, from all the crew. The pace may sometimes seem a bit slow, but the 3 movie rendition made it able to keep very close to the book, so the abundance of events and details can be a bit difficult to follow. Anyway, when the black screen will appear, you'll feel incomplete.

Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted

Wits: 3.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 3.5/5

They still managed to bring a new idea into the franchise, which can be difficult for a third installment in animation. The puns are more than ok (with the penguins on top, of course), and even though some parts are too light or cliched the execution keeps them quite fresh. But in my opinion if the want to finish on a high note they should stop here.

November Movies Digest

Quite a slow month:

Creation

Acting: 4/5
Story: 2/5
Perception: 2/5
Rating: 2.5/5

Very good performance by Paul Bettany! Too bad that the plot is all over the place,  thus making it difficult for the viewer to really connect with the character. Another promising premise that gets wasted in the end!

Looper

Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4.5/5
Rating: 4.5/5

Complex Sci-Fi movie, that has a bit more to it than I had expected. Of course, the acting is flawless, JGL pulling a very convincing young Bruce Willis, and Bruce Willis being his own self. On top of that there's an impressive kid, so impressive that it crept me out. I enjoyed the retro-style image of a decaying future, and besides the camera work was impeccable. There are some small details like unexplained premises and improbable coherence in a couple of situations, but they can be easily overseen.

Arthur Christmas

Wits: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

An interesting take on the evolution behind Santa's magic. A story that is both funny and holding a message. It might have a couple of predictable twists, but they're done in an enjoyable way. One of the best Christmas movie of recent times

October Movies Digest

Quite the diversified month...

The Bourne Legacy

Acting: 3/5
Story: 1.5/5
Perception: 2/5
Rating: 2/5

A story lacking consistency and involvement. The dynamics are far from those of the original trilogy. And the action scenes even with a promising start end up being all over the place and sloppy. On top, the final confrontation was very disappointing both from the development and the technical point of view.

Coriolanus

Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 2.5/5
Rating: 3/5

To sum it up and describe it: a Shakespearean play happening in the Ancient Rome transposed into modern era. The idea is interesting and the acting goes along very well, but the self-willed anachronisms as well as the dialog in old English can seldom be difficult to process.

Le Capital

Acting: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

A good story revealing all the plots and mechanisms triggered by the people at the head of the banking institutions. Gad manages to portrait very well the robot-like cynicism of one of these master puppeteers. There are still small details that could have been developed a bit more, and sadly they weren't, as well as some small editing goofs. In any case thumbs up for the general performance and the
                                          for the killer ending.

Hollywoo

Acting: 3/5
Story: 2.5/5
Perception: 2.5/5
Rating: 2.5/5

A sketchy and cliched comedy, based on bits for stand-up shows and characters.

Ted

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3.5/5

This is a funny movie, nobody can state otherwise; maybe you'll find some of the jokes offensive, but the rest will be hilarious. It's problem though it's the story, a bit too cheesy, there were a couple of times when I was simply wating for the joke to end the scene. But the humor and some of the references make up for most of this.

Skyfall

Acting: 5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 4.5/5
Rating: 4.5/5

I was told that this 'James Bond' movie was different than what we were generally used to, and I can't do anything but agree. It has the classy, spy act but the situations and the decisions are less expected. There were two precise feelings that I wouldn't normally associate with 007 (*see below: Spoiler Alert!). I particularly appreciated the well placed witty remarks as well as the approach in cinematography and I was impressed by the power of Bardem's character. Of course, the classical action movie moments couldn't be avoided, this goes for the badass ones but also for the clichés, but anyway this installment is a good 'rival' for Casino Royale.

*the last episode from Series 2 of BBC's Sherlock Holmes and more surprisingly Home Alone

September Movies Digest

I was on holidays, movies included....

Machine Gun Preacher

Acting: 3/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 2/5
Rating: 2.5/5

Even though it is based on a true story, moreover a sensitive one, the movie isn't in anyway out of the ordinary. The flow is quite choppy; and as for the acting, some moments seem to be slightly overdone

The Campaign

Acting: 4/5
Story: 2.5/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5

'Ides of March' weird cousin. A well-played hyperbolic satire. Funny but not hilarious. There are some good laughable moments but they're seldom, for me most of it being chuckles.

Snow White And The Huntsman

Acting: 3/5
Story: 2/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 2.5/5

The purpose was to get a darker more 'serious' version of the famous fairy tale, but it didn't come out that well. The story had some fast transitions and many of the characters were useless; plus I'm not a fan of the artistic licences they've taken. On the acting side there were some almost solid performances by the Queen, The Huntsman and the Dwarfs as a collective character, but sadly Kristen Stewart didn't surprise me, being as faded as I expected. Also I didn't understand why everybody had to scream to make a point. But when it comes to the visuals, there no complaints can be done.

August Movies Digest

Not my best month: starts good, then it gets ugly, so that it could finish with a Bang!

Hugo

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

Without any doubt one of the most visually beautiful films there is. And with the help of the theme it aims straight to the heart. But that's where it is a bit shaky, I didn't perceive the emotional involvement coming from the actors at certain points. With made the said moments a bit too stretched. But it is nonetheless a very good all-audiences movie that was also meant to hypnotize the critics with its conclusion.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World 

Acting: 4/5
Story: 1.5/5
Perception: 2/5
Rating: 2.5/5

What would you do if everybody would die in 3 weeks? a very good premise, with a lot of potential especially if treated with a strange sense of humor, but the mushiness got in the way. The first 30 minutes were good then it derailed. In my book, this movie could have gone anywhere with one exception...and that's where it went! It's a pity for the performances (Keira apparently found her specialty: more or less deranged chicks) but they could have delivered the same message with a lot less emotional bagage.

Lockout

Acting: 3/5
Story: 1/5
Perception: 2/5
Rating: 2/5

Almost nothing good came out of this movie. There's the flat plot with no surprises what so ever, then you have the horrible CGI shots and the hallow characters. Pearce's sarcasm makes you chuckle from time to time but it's is eons away from being enough.

The Expendables 2

Acting: 3/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 3.5/5

If this movie was out 15 years ago I know that a certain kid would have been more than thrilled. In total the movie is made out of 5 huge action sequences, the last one being as I said  the dream of every kid and teen of the 80s and 90s, having all the 'big guys' pouring lead. Of course, there you have the cold war clichéd cultural incoherence, the worst possible villain name, some CGI and green-screen that are too obvious, but in the balance there are heads flying, hilariously absurd hit rates, sprinkling blood like it's Mortal Kombat, cool pop culture references and the aforementioned pure badass scene.

July Movies Digest

Maybe less serious than usual, but very entertaining!

Kung Fu Panda 2

Wits: 4.5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

This is one of the few movies that get a second part at least as good as the first one. There was an evolution in the story, not just a copy/paste with a different villain. Plus, it is funny!

Ice Age 4: Continental Drift

Wits: 4.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 3.5/5

It seems that the first one will never be evened, but this installment seemed more funny that the last two. Even though the adventure backbone is almost unchanged and that the sentimental clichés are quite strong, the new addition to the 'crew' had some of the best lines (another proof that the fun comes from the sloths). Also the fact that there's a team of 'voiced bad guys' made the story more attractive, and gave a slight 2002 déjà-vu feeling.

Léon - The Professional

Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 4/5

a slightly uncommon story, with exceptional and thrilling performances by the three main characters. Each one of them has a particular side that give you shivers down the spine. Mathilda seems like an inspiration for Hit Girl in Kick Ass. There are some transitions that don't quite work for me but I'm being really picky. Besides the film has a solid plot that makes you get involved easily.

The Amazing Spider-Man

Acting: 4/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 4.5/5
Rating: 4/5

A successful reboot, that falls nearer to the comics. Spidy's sarcasm is enjoyable and the couple's chemistry is not bad at all. There are maybe some emotional moments that tend to get long-winded or overacted. That and the obviousness of Parker's "evolution" in the way he behaves in school. The action scenes are bad-ass, but I just expected a little bit more of first-person shooting while he was swinging. So, quite physicked for the sequel.

Rock of Ages

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 2/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 3/5

My first musical and if there won't be another one on rock, probably my last. The plot is more of a pretext for the music and especially for all the craziness. And I must say that I enjoyed both: for the first one I had no doubt...as for the second the humor, the complete exaggeration of the situations and the wild performances from all the top names delivered a hell of a show.

The Guard

Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3.5/5

First thing to know: put on the Irish mode! and don't be surprised not to understand one third of the dialogues. Besides that, a very good Gleeson, solidly supported by Cheadle and Strong. The shooting and the editing seem a bit chopped, but that doesn't affect the humor of it all.

Piled Higher and Deeper: The PhD Movie

Rating: 2.5/5

Can't really rate it as a 'normal' movie. It is based on a comic strip and it confruntes with the main issue of being based on a comic strip: lack of continuity. It looks like a short sketch after another. The cast is also different from a 'common' film, since they don't do acting for a living, but some of the them have real potential, and that helps. Anyway, as a fan of the comics I rejoice over the promotional power of motion pictures.

The Dark Knight Rises

Acting: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Perception: 5/5
Rating: 5/5

It is huge, surprising, epic! A final act that completes the trilogy! The movie is an unending source of unexpected changes and shifts, without loosing its coherence. Regarding the cast, the 'veterans' of the trilogy don't need any new eulogy, and the new arrivals fill in just perfectly as: a true Cat-woman, the muscle that would kill you just by looking at you and the hot-head fan-boy. The action sequences arrive at the perfect moment and get you 100% in. There are also some mini-monologues that serve very well in adding involvement to the story. There are a couple of scenes that could have been treated differently, but that less than 1% of the entire screenplay. Anyway the best way to enjoy it to the last detail is to make a short recap of the previous two installments, in the end it's the same world.

Carnage

Acting: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 4/5

Pretty accurate depiction of the socially accepted hypocrisy. The story is based on a theater play, and that shows in its length and in the 'one room' type of filming; but the staging and the interpretation make it more than entertaining.

21 Jump Street

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3/5

A simple linear-plot light comedy. It is quite funny especially at some moment of 'self-irony', and probably that was the main idea that they wanted to get through.

June Movies Digest

A quite short list this time...

The Help


Acting: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 4/5


A brilliantly-acted well-written drama. Patience is needed for the whole build up part but once you get into the last third this patience is rewarded by the way things fall into place.

The Adjustment Bureau


Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5


A slightly exaggerated SF, which for me didn't answer to many of the questions it generated. The idea behind it is far from being bad and in parts is it very-well executed, but some additional 10 minutes of the thrilling dynamics it had at the end would have had a good influence. The movie is still entertaining but there are bits that have some holes in reasoning or that seem absurd due to the lack of explanation.

Moonrise Kingdom


Acting: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 5/5
Rating: 4.5/5


Cute, extremely funny and...completely wacky. Wes Anderson style!

May Movies Digest

Another month has passed...

The Ides of March



Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 4/5


The subject ain't nice for one bit, but the movie is well written and very well played. And after a slightly slow start, the parallel plots are revealed one by one and by the end Gosling's impeccable trademark cold blood comes to the surface.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel


Acting: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5


Funny, sensitive, genuine and full of life.

Dark Shadows


Acting: 4/5
Story: 1.5/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 2.5/5


A mediocre story with some scattered laughs having all it's side plots killed at birth. Luckily the last 20 minutes come with a more lively action and a couple of twists but neither this nor Depp or other solid performances could have saved the situation.

Father of Invention


Acting: 2.5/5
Story: 1/5
Perception: 1.5/5
Rating: 1.5/5


Dull, predictable and lacking inspiration.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes


Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5


After a start that seemed a bit too rushed for my taste, the film picks up the right pace, led by very good shooting and genuine CGI; Caesar stealing the show from his 'fellow actors'.

The Switch


Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 2.5/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5


a light rom-com with its' fun and its slow parts, but nothing out of the ordinary. Nevertheless,  special mentions for the kid.

The Muppets


Wits: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5

Surely a very good movie for the nostalgic fans, but I'm not one of them. Most of the jokes and references, and a couple of characters are funny, and that's about it. I guessed some of the intended irony but didn't quite feel it. Also the human song didn't do it at all for me.

A very Harold & Kumar Christmas


Acting: 3/5
Story: 0.5/5
Perception: 1.5/5
Rating: 1.5/5

First time to see a movie from this series, and it is definitely not my type. I know it is supposed to be self-mockery but still it didn't make me really laugh. Besides it is predictable and too mushy even for a holiday themed movie.

Men in Black 3


Acting: 4/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5

Regardless of some "plot inspirations" from the first installment, this one proved to be very entertaining. It has the action, the craziness, the fun, the answers and even the emotions. Let's hope that they'll stop here and end the series on a high note.

April Movie Digest

A selection of very different styles: from artsy dram-ody to raw muscle.


Beginners



Acting: 5/5
Story: 2/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3.5/5


A sentimental movie crammed with soft moments. There are some subtle humorous fragments, but what got to me more were the 'lessons' to be taken out from the story; it is such a pity that the plot is so loose.

Cowboys & Aliens



Acting: 4/5
Story: 2.5/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5


There is some wasted acting abilities and character potential in this movie. They had it all: the cast, the premises, the means...but somehow they didn't manage to create something more than just a quite predictable story with some choppy twists.

Our Idiot Brother



Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3/5


a light positivist story revolving around a hyperbolic representation of naivety which involves one very out of the ordinary family. There are some funny moments, but less than I expected, and in the end it felt for me that it was more about the message than the humor.

Sur la Piste du Marsupilami



Acting: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4.5/5
Rating: 4/5

Genuine Comedy, where logic has no place to be. Just bursts of pure laughter...

Margin Call


Acting: 4.5/5
Story: 3.5/5
Perception: 3/5
Rating: 3.5/5


The movie sketches an idea on how the 2008 crisis took off but the jargon is at times completely gibberish and the vulgarization too plain, so the actual fact felt unclear for me. Which was not the case for the very good performance delivered by the high-end cast.

La Source des Femmes



Acting: 5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 4/5
Rating: 4/5


a highly emotional and involving life-story, showing a perfect balance between the ups and downs of our daily existences. The universality of the message and the outstanding performances erase all cultural and language gaps.

Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol



Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3.5/5


a good popcorn flick with enough twists to make you think it would never come to an end (which got a bit annoying in the last 15 minutes). The stunts and the effects are awesome, even though physics would veto some of them, not to mention the gadgets which are quite cool (which is a general spy movie feature) What I appreciated in particular is that there was no parallel cheesy romance story.

The Expendables


Acting: 2.5/5
Story: 3/5
Perception: 3.5/5
Rating: 3/5

a movie pumping with testosterone...the brain would not have anything to do for the entire length of it. In my opinion, props to the hand-to-hand combat scenes, and to Statham as the only source of charismatic wits.

The Avengers



Acting: 4/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 5/5
Rating: 4.5/5


Pure awesomeness on a plate! It is the new icon for SFX-based superhero movies (Nolan's Batman falls under a different category). There is everything: a well structured plot, with various twists and a logical evolution, cool fights, a huge final showdown, no cheesiness and wits. One of my fears was that Stark is going to steal the show, and even though he may be the main source of entertainment,  the    others don't fall that much behind. A big screen must-see, 3D optional!