2012 Catch-Up (Cabin in the Woods / Moonrise Kingdom)

Alright, so I've decided that with the Oscars coming up here very soon that I'd better do some catching up on 2012 releases so that I can help to point out where the Academy gets it so very, very wrong. Because based on past history, they most certainly will. That being the case, we'll be spending the next couple of weeks hitting the theaters, raiding Redbox and scouring Netflix for the goodies that have been missed throughout the year (as well as the undeserving nonsense nominated by the Academy that we've managed to avoid until now).

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Director: Drew Goddard

Writers: Joss Whedon, Drew Goddard

Stars: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth and Anna Hutchison

Easily the best parody in the horror genre since "Scream"; this lampoons far more than just the slasher subgenre, branching out to make sure that it nods at as many tropes from the entire genre of horror that it possibly can. Slashers, zombies, monsters, shady government agencies, little ghost girls, Lovecraftian eldritch horrors - its all here. I wish that the horror would have been more... horrific, but with the broad deconstruction this plays as more of a comedy anyway, so it is alright. Not exactly a challenger for any awards, but an enjoyable watch. Definitely a must-see for Whedon fans.

Score: 6 / 10


Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Director: Wes Anderson

Writers: Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

Stars: Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward and Bruce Willis

As always, Wes Anderson has no interest in capturing the world as it really is, but rather through the eye of a painter or illustrator. The recurring references to Suzy's books seemed very appropriate, as the entire movie from the whimsical characters to the meticulously framed shots seems to come straight from the pages of a children's story. The plot is silly, the characters barely believable, but it is the sense of adventure and the joy of a first love that carry this film. I'd say Anderson is firmly in the "love it or hate it" category, but I really can't imagine anyone truly hating this movie - it just has too much charm for that.

Score: 7 / 10