The Focus Features: 10-Movie Spotlight Collection is a good selection of dramas, some better than others and one that is a personal favorite of mine (Lost in Translation). That being said, this is only worth picking up if you don’t own any of the 10 films, though the cost per movie is reasonable.
The Mountain Between Us isn’t quite a huge misfire but it’s a tale of two movies, one about survival and another about romance and it’s doesn’t quite mesh. However, as a fan of both Kate Winslet and Idris Elba, the film at least was watchable if not forgettable.
Collateral Beauty is the epitome of what is wrong with studios today, especially considering the outright dishonest trailer they put together for this which features really unlikeable characters.
Dressmaker is a well done movie highlighted by a fantastic cast including Kate Winslet, Judy Davis and Hugo Weaving. The story does have a familiar feel but with a darker crime twist that makes it all the more investing.
I know plenty have hated the Divergent Series thus far and although hardly great, I found portions at least semi-entertaining but that’s about it. Unlike Hunger Games: Catching Fire and to a lesser extent Mockingjay Part 1, Insurgent just kind of “is”.
Divergent is what I’d like to call a ‘nice’ movie. There’s nothing here terrible offensive but at the same time, it doesn’t break new ground either. The direction is more than adequate and the performance by Shailene Woodley is strong. But for all the good, the story structure is odd.
Triple 9 didn’t exactly fulfill its potential given the cast and a solid start yet still it’s very entertaining with some well shot action scenes and fine performances by Casey Affleck, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie and Clifton Collins Jr. who at times steals the show.
Romance & Cigarettes is an odd ball of a film, a mixture of genres and while I can appreciate what director John Turturro attempted to do, it just didn’t quite work but with a cats like this headlined by the great James Gandolfini, to go along with Susan Sarandon and Kate Winslet, might make at least watchable.
Sense & Sensibility is a well made adaptation of the Jane Austen classic headlined by a stellar cast but especially Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant and is well worth watching as it has its heartfelt but funny moments. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time has good video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material.
I know plenty have hated the Divergent Series thus far and although hardly great, I found portions at least semi-entertaining but that’s about it. Unlike Hunger Games: Catching Fire and to a lesser extent Mockingjay Part 1, Insurgent just kind of “is”. There’s nothing really memorable and the performances are limited thanks to a screenplay that could’ve been better.
Divergent is what I’d like to call a ‘nice’ movie. There’s nothing here terrible offensive but at the same time, it doesn’t break new ground either. The direction is more than adequate and the performances are good with Shailene Woodley attaining near greatness continuing her winning streak and is clearly the right choice to carry the franchise. But for all the good, the story structure is odd with the bulk of the time relegated to the training with another plotline almost an afterthought taking over the third act.
Labor Day is a fairly dull and despite the best intentions by Reitman, Brolin and Winslet just never resonated on an emotional level plus an inane, ridiculous and unbelievable plotline. The Blu-ray offers up good audio/video transfers and, for a Paramount release, at least has a commentary track to go along with a decent featurette and some deleted scenes.
I hated Movie 43. I didn’t find the jokes particularly funny – and mind you, I don’t mind crude/rude humor – nor was it very controversial. Instead this looked more like a college film project with a higher budget and one which was made for insiders rather than a larger audience. Interestingly enough, at the premiere, Seann William Scott apparently was the biggest name of the cast to show up which says a lot when the others, even in their small roles, didn’t even bother attending.
Masters of the Universe is a silly movie that seems to be better regarded today than it was back in 1987. The visual effects at times is lame, the acting fairly substandard save for Frank Langella and the story is fairly thin, though given the source material (a toy line and cartoon series), one has to give credit to the writer for doing his best. Having said all that, there’s little doubt this is at least a fun flick to watch every couple of years. It’s a cheesy picture that doesn’t take itself overly seriously.
The Avengers is one of the funnier movies of 2012. It perfectly brings together these heroes into a story that, albeit, is fairly mundane but with action and adventure which is both fun and thrilling under the tutelage of Joss Whedon. The Blu-ray here boasts solid video and audio transfers but the features are much to be desired with only a few minutes in one featurette covering the actual making of the movie. Still, the movie makes up for the discs shortcomings and is well worth purchasing.