Monday, April 6, 2015

November '14 - March '15 Movies' Digest

History repeats itself a lot recently...finally I managed to have a moment to put this list together...

Grand Piano

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

Rating: 1.5/5

This one really spews a feeling of incompletion. It holds an intriguing premise but nothing more. Most of it is pretty bland and the initial tension fades away quite fast. Moreover the two protagonists can't do much to save it. In the end the question that lingers is: that was all?


The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

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

Rating: 3/5

This movie is another example of the fact that splitting the last book of a series is not the most inspired choice. Most of the picture's purpose is to set the premise and this takes two thirds of its actual length. And even though there are several touching moments everything is highly slow-paced. Moreover a couple of performances were questionable, especially the one of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Nonetheless the second part has the right ingredients to prepare the viewer for what is mostly to come in the next installment.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies 

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

It is sad to admit it but for a middle earth film conclusion this one was disappointing. The main reason was its first act. The transition from the magnificent Smaug ending went through some weird* steps of doubtful pace down to an almost full stop. As if it was needed to create a secondary premise after three quarters of the trilogy have passed. If the acting was spot on there are some other aspects where the film soared: mainly the obvious CG moments and some story conflicts with the original trilogy. But all of this doesn't take anything away from the epicness of the titular event.
*the first counter-anticlimactic movie intro in cinema

Interstellar

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

Chris Nolan has to carry the burden of his brilliant early movies, and this doesn't leave him too much a margin of error. So what would have been an over the top achievement for any other director, is dissected to the tiniest details in his case. This is why we can complain of a first act which is too longwinded and melodramatic, of a somewhat shanty character unfolding, another melodramatic ending and of scientific quirks. Even if you find McConaughey exaggeratedly manneristic, Hathaway doubtful, those are details of overall solid performances. And from a cinematographic standpoint the picture is mesmerizing while also triggering a wee bit of an intellectual debate.

The Imitation Game

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

One of the rare recent biopics done right...and that's probably because it only focuses on a short period of time. Cumberbatches, with a Sheldon Coopery vibe, and the rest of the cast performances make you get easily attached to their struggle. And the tension curve is smoothly dosed for the viewers to synchronize with. In all a very good Oscar bait. 

Qu'est-ce Qu'on A Fait au Bon Dieu?

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

Every 2-3 years french cinematography comes up with a widely accepted entertaining movie...this is one of them. There is a strong french touch to it reinforced by the borderline political incorrectness of most of the situations, but the balance of it all is the key of the flick. And this makes it generally enjoyable.

How To Train Your  Dragon 2

Wits: 4.5/5
Story: 4.5/5
Perception: 5/5

This franchise looms in being my animation reference (...ok...you'll stone me for not seeing Toy Story). The whole story is pictured as an evolution from the last installment, and it does it with success. The character development is further unraveled. Plus, it has the right amount of emotions to really make the viewers 'feel' for the protagonists and continue to serve as a lesson of life, where not everything is rainbows and unicorns...and dragons. In addition, the visuals are stunning; making me regret once again not seeing it in 3D.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

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

MIB meets James Bond meets Kickass!!! Classy, nuts and a tad cheeky! The plot is dead straight with a steady dynamic pace. The over-the-top characters are interpreted spot on by Colin Firth and co. Moreover, the visuals are well balanced, with a bit of shock effect, and there are some very good choices for the score. Pure crazy entertainment!

Whiplash

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

This is a trademark of challenging character evolution films. The directorial and camera work project entirely the struggle and the tension held within. And all those sensations derive from the brilliant performance of J.K. Simmons doubled by his young co-protagonist. Not to mention the score embedded directly into the movie which completes the experience.