2012 Catch Up (The Hunger Games / Sleepwalk With Me)

The Hunger Games (2012)

Director: Gary Ross

Writers: Gary Ross (screenplay), Billy Ray (screenplay), and Suzanne Collins (novel and screenplay)

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson saved this movie for me; because, despite the fact that there were many things about the film that frustrated, perplexed and annoyed me, I still was able to get some enjoyment out of the experience due almost entirely to those two actors. For such a long film, actual information about the film's universe is strangely sparse - by the end, I had only the most bare-bones knowledge of the world and more open questions than answers. (The District 11 revolt - why show one scene and then completely drop the plot thread?) The direction was very questionable: extreme shaky cam during actionless shots, no music in moments that cried out for an audio cue while apparently filler shots are lent gravitas with swelling score. I spent a good portion of the film baffled about what the director was actually trying to do with the scenes. And don't get me started on the actual "rules" of the Games. I can see why it plays well within its target demographic but if it weren't for the fact that they hit a home run casting their lead, I wouldn't be able to summon up much fondness for this project.

Score: 4 / 10


Sleepwalk With Me (2012)

Directors: Mike Birbiglia, Seth Barrish

Writers: Mike Birbiglia (screenplay), Joe Birbiglia (screenplay), 

Ira Glass (screenplay), and 

Seth Barrish (screenplay)

Stars: Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn

It may not be as good in this form as it is in his live performances, but Sleepwalk With Me is still quite endearing as a film. Birbiglia has a warm, friendly style that makes him seem instantly relatable and that really works to his advantage in front of the camera. Because of the changes to adapt the narrative to film the rhythm and momentum are altered, depriving the material of some of its outright hilarity. On the other hand, Birbiglia does a surprisingly solid job behind the camera, tying together snippets of his standup with the story he is telling and bits of narrative from his present-day self. As far as the adaptation goes, the ability to tie these strands together as well as visualization of the sleepwalking segments are by far the highlights. The eighty minute run time was refreshingly lightweight as well. A very solid effort, and I certainly wouldn't mind seeing future film projects from Birbiglia (as writer, actor or director).

Score: 6 / 10

2012 Catch Up (Ruby Sparks / Dredd)

Super-quick reminder... if you want to view the trailer for the movie, all you gotta do is click the title. Onward!

Ruby Sparks (2012)

Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Writer: Zoe Kazan

Stars: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Annette Bening

I appreciate the concept, as well as the deconstruction of the "manic pixie dream girl" trope that is going on here. However, I feel that the film, to some extent, wants to have its cake and eat it too; for most of the film Calvin's attempts to manipulate the situation to his advantage are played primarily for laughs. By the time the climax comes around, the script has built itself up around the comedic aspects too much for the dramatic turn to live up to its full potential. A turn from comedy to darker drama is not an inherently bad idea, but I feel that the tonal inconsistency is not handled all that well. Dano and Kazan are both great here, and the premise is interesting enough that I still enjoyed the film quite a bit in spite of its flaws.

Score: 6 / 10


Dredd (2012)

Director: Pete Travis
Writers: John Wagner (characters), Carlos Ezquerra (characters), and Alex Garland (screenplay)
Stars: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey

So, this is way better than that pile of hot garbage that Stallone made in the 90's (though that is not exactly a tall hurdle to clear). Dredd eschews backstory for the titular character in favor of badass, awesome, mindless, dirty, dystopian ultraviolence. I can get behind that. Only problem is that most of the violence is relatively bland: Dredd hides in doorway, pops out to pop five guys in the chest, proceed to next corridor. If your main attraction is dudes getting shot, show a touch more creativity with your gunfights. Also (and this may sound petty, but makes a huge difference in the visceral feel of a film) give me some squib blood packs, not red CGI mist. The slo-mo sequences are pretty cool, I guess.

Score: 4 / 10

2012 Catch Up (ParaNorman / Lawless)

ParaNorman (2012)

Directors: Chris Butler, Sam Fell

Writer: Chris Butler

Stars: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

For the most part an "above average" animated movie with a decent story and, while lacking some originality, well-executed characters. Goodman is particularly fun as Norman's seemingly crazy uncle who must pass off his responsibility of guarding the town against an ancient witch's curse to his nephew. The movie really shines in its final act after a major reveal involving the villain's identity. The visuals in the climactic sequence are phenomenal and the confrontation is equally impressive in its thematic and emotional power. I was enjoying the ride for most of the movie, but that finale totally won me over.

First "Coraline" and now this? Laika Studio is building a nice little resume here.

Score: 7 / 10


Lawless (2012)

Director: John Hillcoat

Writers: Nick Cave (screenplay), Matt Bondurant (novel)

Stars: Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pearce

Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce... Shia LaBeouf. Now, Shia's mere presence doesn't make the film terrible by default, but he is very average as an actor and he ends up sticking out like a sore thumb in an otherwise stellar cast. LeBeouf getting ten times the screen time of Oldman is something that should not happen in any movie, ever. I'd say that the "true story" of 1930's moonshiners is ripe for an awesome adaptation - so, while what is presented here is shot beautifully and unflinchingly in even the most brutal scenarios, I can't help but wonder how they managed to make such interesting material come across as fairly boring. Nick Cave makes some weird and wonderful music, but his skill in writing for the screen seems to be sorely lacking. A decent film, but I can't help but be disappointed at the failure to live up to its full potential.

Score: 5 / 10