Ref: Mulhern
Awww, it's okay, Mulhern. We appreciate your annual effort.
#27: Amour
With painfully long shots and an achingly realistic story, this matter-of-fact end-of-life examination flits near the territory of soul-crushingly depressing but manages a balance.
#26: Wreck-It Ralph
Very, very cute with a clever twist and great differentiation of the various video game worlds.
#25: The Avengers
This solid entertainment vehicle (although Loki was a bit hokey) boasted one of my favorite movie lines this year:
Steve Rogers: Big man in a suit of armour. Take that off, what are you?
Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.
#24: Arbitrage
I was always waiting for yet another shoe to drop in this suspenseful business-life thriller.
#23: The Hunger Games
Less vicious than the novel (at least in what was shown), this was a great franchise launch.
#22: Life of Pi
Story sounded too brutal - although preview visuals were beautiful - so I didn't see it.
#21: 21 Jump Street
Fun overall, with a bit of excessive gross-out humor.
#20: The Five-Year Engagement
A humorous, realistic - hitting a bit too close to home for some - and ultimately lovely tale.
#19: The Dark Knight Rises
I don't remember much about this one, I must admit; Anne Hathaway was pretty good, as I recall.
#18: Lincoln
Very solid offering, with excellent storytelling, historical details (for example, the sound of Lincoln's pocket watch) and great acting.
#17: Les Miserables
Almost uniformly strong performances (I'm looking at you, Russell Crowe) anchor a visually intense saga.
#16: Shut Up and Play the Hits
I missed out on this one.
#15: Searching for Sugar Man
We were fortunate to stumble upon this documentary, which offered a saga unbelievable but for the fact that it's true.
#14: Bernie
Jack Black's creepy real-life character carries the film, as well he should.
#13: Your Sister's Sister
Unseen by me.
#12: The Hobbit
I missed this one and still have to track it down; in the meantime, I enjoyed its related SNL spoof.
#10: King Curling (tie)
With no expectations going in, I was thoroughly entertained by Truls Paulsen and his band of merry curling compatriots.
#10: Looper (tie)
More brutal than I expected it to be, but good nonetheless.
#9: Flight
Denzel is stellar as the pilot you love to hate.
#8: Brooklyn Castle
Didn't get to see this one.
#7: Zero Dark Thirty
Intense, gritty and painful, this film was exceedingly well acted and gripping from beginning to end.
#6: Argo
A movie by turns touching and thrilling that holds up well on repeat viewing.
#5: Django Unchained
Come on - you didn't expect me to see this, did you?
#4: Beasts of the Southern Wild
A mystical yet realistic story set in a fantastical, untamed and, yes, wild American world.
#3: Moonrise Kingdom
While I enjoyed the Andersonian off-the-wall style and eccentric story, I must admit that I didn't actually finish watching the film.
#2: Silver Linings Playbook
I've been on the Bradley Cooper bandwagon for quite some time now, and with good reason - he and his costars are excellent in this take on the everyday beauty of the most mixed-up relationships.
#1: The Master
Yet another of Mulhern's number one films I didn't see!
Thanks for the whirlwind, M - see you in 2013!
24 February 2013
2012 Movies: #31, 30, 29 & 28
Ref: Mulhern
#31: Seven Psychopaths
From the title alone, you can guess that I didn't see this.
#30: Rentaneko (Rent-a-Cat)
I disagree with Mulhern's review - I didn't hope for any additional plot; Master Umaturu was enough for me!
#29: Premium Rush
The lives of bike couriers: more exciting that I could possiblyh have imagined!
#28: Jeff, Who Lives at Home
I stayed at home whilst this film was viewed.
#31: Seven Psychopaths
From the title alone, you can guess that I didn't see this.
#30: Rentaneko (Rent-a-Cat)
I disagree with Mulhern's review - I didn't hope for any additional plot; Master Umaturu was enough for me!
#29: Premium Rush
The lives of bike couriers: more exciting that I could possiblyh have imagined!
#28: Jeff, Who Lives at Home
I stayed at home whilst this film was viewed.
2012 Movies: #34, 33 & 32
Ref: Mulhern
#34 Sleepwalk with Me
An offbeat film adaptation of Mike Birbiglia's comedy routine - based on a true story!
#33 God Bless America
I missed out on this one, which sounded good but grisly.
#32 Safety Not Guaranteed
This film's bizarre premise is well executed, making even the most unbelievable twists entirely plausible.
#34 Sleepwalk with Me
An offbeat film adaptation of Mike Birbiglia's comedy routine - based on a true story!
#33 God Bless America
I missed out on this one, which sounded good but grisly.
#32 Safety Not Guaranteed
This film's bizarre premise is well executed, making even the most unbelievable twists entirely plausible.
2012 Movies: #41, 40, 39, 38, 37, 36 & 35
Ref: Mulhern
#41: Brave
While this was a cute film overall (and the animated short was, as Mulhern indicated, quite splendid), it doesn't hold a candle to my favorite animated film of recent years, How to Train Your Dragon.
#40: Voyage to the Moon (restored)
This documentary and restored short film offered an intriguing look into the early days of motion pictures.
#39: Pitch Perfect
An enjoyable, lighthearted film that prompts singing along and holds up to repeated viewing, despite an entirely unnecessary gross-out plot element.
#38: Prometheus
#36: Last Day at Lambeau
#41: Brave
While this was a cute film overall (and the animated short was, as Mulhern indicated, quite splendid), it doesn't hold a candle to my favorite animated film of recent years, How to Train Your Dragon.
#40: Voyage to the Moon (restored)
This documentary and restored short film offered an intriguing look into the early days of motion pictures.
#39: Pitch Perfect
An enjoyable, lighthearted film that prompts singing along and holds up to repeated viewing, despite an entirely unnecessary gross-out plot element.
#38: Prometheus
The preview looked too scary, so I didn't see it.
#37: Ruby Sparks
Part indie fantasy, part commentary on how finding the perfect partner isn't always what it's cracked up to be, the film goes a little dark but is ultimately pleasantly quirky.
#37: Ruby Sparks
Part indie fantasy, part commentary on how finding the perfect partner isn't always what it's cracked up to be, the film goes a little dark but is ultimately pleasantly quirky.
#36: Last Day at Lambeau
A fan-centric look at the drama surrounding the last playing years of the quarterback that everyone loves to hate (or hates to love).
#35: Only the Young
While not offering sweeping social generalizations, this documentary shared an insightful look into the lives of its three main characters as they come of age during the Great Recession.
#35: Only the Young
While not offering sweeping social generalizations, this documentary shared an insightful look into the lives of its three main characters as they come of age during the Great Recession.
23 February 2013
2012 Movies: #46, 45, 44 & 43
Ref: Mulhern
#46: Wanderlust
I never quite got up the lust to wander over to Redbox and procure this movie
#45/44: Snow White and the Huntsman/Mirror Mirror
I agree with Mulhern's assessment of the Snow White face-off, because it truly does come down to the dwaves.
#43: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Steve Carell and Keira Knightley make a sweet pair as they face a bleak, short future and a world gone mad around them.
#46: Wanderlust
I never quite got up the lust to wander over to Redbox and procure this movie
#45/44: Snow White and the Huntsman/Mirror Mirror
I agree with Mulhern's assessment of the Snow White face-off, because it truly does come down to the dwaves.
#43: Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
Steve Carell and Keira Knightley make a sweet pair as they face a bleak, short future and a world gone mad around them.
2012 Movies: #53, 52, 50, 50, 49, 48 & 47
Ref: Mulhern
#53: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Salmon, sheikhs, surprise twists - this was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
#52: Where Do We Go Now?
While I've enjoyed previous MSPIFF closing films better than this one (see Stuck Between Stations, which Mulhern purchased recently for our re-viewing pleasure), I found Where Do We Go Now? thought-provoking.
#51: Think Like a Man
Diverting if far-fetched, this one may have been my fault...
#50: The Bourne Legacy
Jason Bourne approves of Mulhern's strategy of elevating his saga in the rankings each time a new blog post is released; that's what's happening, right?
#49: The Campaign
While entertaining overall, the film went a little too far in some places.
#48: Haywire
The action was packed in and the acting was lacking, but my sister and I were most amazed by the fact that Gina Carano wears way more makeup in real life (per the making-of featurette) than she did in the movie.
#47: That's My Boy
I did not view this, although it certainly sounds like a cinematic gem.
#53: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen
Salmon, sheikhs, surprise twists - this was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.
#52: Where Do We Go Now?
While I've enjoyed previous MSPIFF closing films better than this one (see Stuck Between Stations, which Mulhern purchased recently for our re-viewing pleasure), I found Where Do We Go Now? thought-provoking.
#51: Think Like a Man
Diverting if far-fetched, this one may have been my fault...
#50: The Bourne Legacy
Jason Bourne approves of Mulhern's strategy of elevating his saga in the rankings each time a new blog post is released; that's what's happening, right?
#49: The Campaign
While entertaining overall, the film went a little too far in some places.
#48: Haywire
The action was packed in and the acting was lacking, but my sister and I were most amazed by the fact that Gina Carano wears way more makeup in real life (per the making-of featurette) than she did in the movie.
#47: That's My Boy
I did not view this, although it certainly sounds like a cinematic gem.
2012 Movies: #62, 61, 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54 & 53
Ref: Mulhern
This year's edition of reviewing Mulhern's movie reviews gives a new meaning to "under the wire." With cinema's big dance only a day away, let's see how much we can second-guess Mulhern in this year's new time-friendly format of single-sentence synopses.
And we're off...
#62: Dark Shadows
Other than quibbling that the film goes off the rails in the last half-hour, rather than after the first half-hour, I agree wholeheartedly with Mulhern.
#61: Savages
I would like my sister's Redbox rental fee back, please.
#60: Mama
Even creepy Mama - or the luminous Jessica Chastain in what previews showed me was a hideous wig - could not drag me to this movie.
#59: The Dictator
I would like my fiance's Redbox rental fee back, please.
#58: Project X
I watched Can't Hardly Wait again, instead.
#57: The Amazing Spider-Man
I liked this reboot more than Mulhern - who, I should point out, fast forwarded through the last 45 minutes watching random 15-second increments in an effort to return the film on time so really shouldn't be complaining that the ending falls flat - did.
#56: Safe House
I'd certainly feel safe with Ryan Reynolds around, although not if he were tasked with protecting me from the infinitely more wily Denzel.
#55: Liberal Arts
"Zibby, have... you met Ted?"
#54: American Reunion
I opted not to have a fourth (theatrically released) serving of pie.
#53: The Bourne Legacy
Jason Bourne is going to come after Mulhern for ranking his film series in the fifties - and if Matt Damon believes in Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz, then so do I.
This year's edition of reviewing Mulhern's movie reviews gives a new meaning to "under the wire." With cinema's big dance only a day away, let's see how much we can second-guess Mulhern in this year's new time-friendly format of single-sentence synopses.
And we're off...
#62: Dark Shadows
Other than quibbling that the film goes off the rails in the last half-hour, rather than after the first half-hour, I agree wholeheartedly with Mulhern.
#61: Savages
I would like my sister's Redbox rental fee back, please.
#60: Mama
Even creepy Mama - or the luminous Jessica Chastain in what previews showed me was a hideous wig - could not drag me to this movie.
#59: The Dictator
I would like my fiance's Redbox rental fee back, please.
#58: Project X
I watched Can't Hardly Wait again, instead.
#57: The Amazing Spider-Man
I liked this reboot more than Mulhern - who, I should point out, fast forwarded through the last 45 minutes watching random 15-second increments in an effort to return the film on time so really shouldn't be complaining that the ending falls flat - did.
#56: Safe House
I'd certainly feel safe with Ryan Reynolds around, although not if he were tasked with protecting me from the infinitely more wily Denzel.
#55: Liberal Arts
"Zibby, have... you met Ted?"
#54: American Reunion
I opted not to have a fourth (theatrically released) serving of pie.
#53: The Bourne Legacy
Jason Bourne is going to come after Mulhern for ranking his film series in the fifties - and if Matt Damon believes in Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz, then so do I.
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