Facts: Co-written and directed by Baz Lurhmann based on the novel by Fitzgerald.
Fiction: Nick Carraway finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor, Jay Gatsby.
What I didn’t get: Was there even one moment of total silence?
What I got: A lot of (good) noise and bling that does not necessary fit the themes of the movie, even though Lurhmann’s usual talent is to make two polar worlds coexist to bring out the drama of the story. This time less would have more: less Nick Carraway in the sanitarium, less close-ups and much less of that green light would have made for a stronger movie.
Young Adult is just as good now as it was the first time I watched it.
(Source: parangarico)
Facts: Directed by Shane Black.
Fiction: When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
What I didn’t get: So many things didn’t make sense but I cared so little that I have already forgotten what they were.
What I got: At least this time you can tell they tried to write a good story with funny bits, but they failed. It was all very boring, the humor seemed too forced and the plots’ endings were way too easily wrapped up.
Facts: Directed by Keishi Ohtomo after the manga by Nobuhiro Watsuki.
Fiction: Former legendary assassin Kenshin Himura has now become a wandering samurai, offerring aid and protecting those in need as atonement for his past deeds.
What I didn’t get: The Japanese cards weren’t translated, so I lost a bit of the context.
What I got: Staring at the most beautiful face I have ever seen for two hours. A samourai movie that felt like a video game at times where you have to kill level after level of bad guys, but with interesting side stories in between.
Facts: Written by Sarah Koskoff and directed by Todd Louiso.
Fiction: Circumstances force a young divorcée to move back in with her parents in suburban Connecticut, where an affair with a younger guy rejuvenates her passion for life
What I didn’t get: -
What I got: A movie about life after a divorce that is slow-paced, but manages to ring true and be funny. Melanie Lynskey plays a big part in making her character endearing.
Facts: Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, the director of Take Shelter.
Fiction: Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.
What I didn’t get: Who cast Reese Witherspoon in that role?
What I got: An average coming-of-age story made interesting by two great young actors, an original subplot and beautiful shots of Arkansas.
Facts: Written and directed by Craig Zobel.
Fiction: A prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee.
What I didn’t get: How close to the facts it was.
What I got: A very difficult movie to watch and it took a look at the wikipedia page of the real events to convince me that this could, and actually, did happen. The ending felt a bit rushed, but I don’t think I could have endured much more.
Facts: Written and directed by Kim So Young.
Fiction: A struggling musician takes an overnight long-distance drive in order to fight his estranged wife for custody of their young daughter.
What I didn’t get: -
What I got: Paul Dano being the fantastic actor he is. A moody movie where nothing much happens, but that manages to be very moving up till the very end.
Facts: Co-written and directed by Derek Cianfrance, who already did the beautiful Blue Valentine.
Fiction: A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.
What I didn’t get: -
What I got: A great melodrama in three parts that shows a wide range of characters and ultimately the cycle of life they have to go through. Ryan Gosling is particularly good, but he had a lot of practice with Drive. The cinematography (oh that long take…) helps supporting a great cast and story.
Facts: Written and directed by Noémie Lvovsky.
Fiction: Camille was 16 when she met Eric. They fell madly in love and had a daughter. 25 years later Eric is leaving Camille for a younger woman. On New Year’s Eve Camille suddenly finds herself back in her past. She is sixteen again and has returned to her parents, her girlfriends, her childhood… and Eric.
What I didn’t get: -
What I got: The movie is enjoyable and charming, but never goes below the surface of adolescence and adulthood.
Facts: Co-written and directed by Régis Roinsard.
Fiction: 1958. Rose is a terrible secretary but a demon typist. Her boss resolves to turn her into the fastest girl in the world.
What I didn’t get: -
What I got: Visually it’s a cross between Mad Men and Amélie Poulain. The general idea and characters are straight out of My Fair Lady. All in all you get something you’ve seen before, but with added mushiness and little emancipation.
Facts: Directed by François Ozon.
Fiction: A sixteen-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays for his French teacher.
What I didn’t get: I have a feeling I missed something, but I’m not sure what.
What I got: An atmosphere reminiscent of Chabrol movies. A tense story within the story whose ending should have been much stronger. Fabrice Luchini being the great actor he is, without having to overdo it for once.
