Looper (2012)

4/5

Rian Johnson's Looper is a smart, slick film. It takes place in a future where time travel and telekinesis co-exist, where the disparity between the rich and the poor is offensively stratospheric, and where "loopers" kill people from the future and incinerate their bodies. Much like Children of Men, Looper gives us a believable, richly-textured, and incredibly-detailed world while simultaneously advancing an expertly-paced thriller plot. Both the setting and the story are complex and tapestried, both surprise you time and again, and both keep your neurons firing non-stop. The plot is intelligent and fresh, interesting but not too cerebral. It is a marvel of imagination and storytelling. But for me it's missing something.

Except for the Drive-level ultra-violence and over-the-top blood, it's a movie that checks all the right boxes, and yet somehow it doesn't excite me as much as it should. The acting is on-point, the script is well-written, the cinematography is beautiful, the editing is tight, and the directing is pristine. Every individual element is impressive on its own, but they don't cohere into something that truly thrills me. No matter how much I enjoyed the film on an intellectual level, I simply couldn't engage with it on an emotional one. I can't wait to rewatch this movie in case I find myself in the latter camp, but I'm doubtful I'd make the crossover. I can see this movie being very special for many people; as of now it's just not for me.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/

State of Play (2009)

3/5

State of Play is a fairly typical journalism thriller with far too many conspiracies and plot twists to be believable, but just enough to keep you from accurately predicting the ending. The plot follows two journalists (Crowe & McAdams) writing separate articles, one on a dual homicide and another on a political sex scandal following a fatal accident, that later become linked by a far-reaching corporation and its deception. But the real focus of the movie isn't the unbelievable ending, nor is it the military conspiracy, nor is it the political cover-up. It's about two people putting their life on the line for something they believe in: discovering the truth and letting everyone know. And because you see their willingness to sacrifice everything for their ethics, you empathize with them. And because you empathize with them, the tension is remarkably palpable.

The cinematography was fairly good, but not consistently impressive. The writing was full of newspaper clichés about being the first to print the breaking story, holding the press for the ultimate story, blah blah blah. Does that stuff really happen anymore? Does anybody ever care about being the first to print a story? Does it provide them with some sort of financial gain? I've never worked in a newspaper before, but it all just seemed so overplayed and unrealistic. It didn't make any sense. As far as movies go, it's enjoyable, entertaining, and extremely gripping, but it's nothing special. If you enjoyed the trailer, you'll enjoy this movie.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0473705/

Away We Go (2009)

4/5

Sam Mendes's Away We Go is an utterly charming film. The plot follows a 6-months-pregnant Verona (Rudolph) and her life partner Burt (Krasinski) as they travel around the US, meeting with family and friends as they attempt to find the perfect home to raise their new child. The people they meet on their journey range from criminally unfit parents to their antithetical role model counterparts. And yet this movie seems to suggest that, despite what we would like, it is the hardest of situations that bring out the best in us. Even after dealing with endless miscarriages or prolonged separations, the ideal parents will always be there for their kids.

Much like Jim Jarmusch's Night on Earth, the first 75% of Away We Go is hilarious and light, while the last 25% contains harsh realities and sobering truths about life, love, and parenthood. The writing and acting are 100% spot-on, and a perfect blend of comedy and drama. The editing was also stellar. Unfortunately, the lighting and cinematography in this film were fairly average. Given the rest of Sam Mendes's oeuvre, it was a bit disappointing. Taken as a whole, this is a solidly entertaining, quasi-independent film that feels more like Zach Braff than Sam Mendes. But it's an uplifting movie with memorable characters and is not to be missed.

IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1176740/

The Lookout (2007)

3/5

The aptest word to describe this movie is, for me, unfulfilling. It starts out strong with an absolutely beautiful opening scene that explains the tragedy that results in Chris Pratt's head injury and debilitation that is his central characteristic throughout the rest of the movie. But from there, it never quite lives up to expectations. Coming in, I thought it was going to be a crime movie/character study à la The Beat That My Heart Skipped, but it doesn't even approach the depth, quality, or intensity that that movie contains. As is very often the case, in trying to be both kinds of movies, it succeeds at neither. Much of the story seems sloppy and unnecessary and characters come and go without being fully fleshed out. The writing relied excessively on voice-over and flash-back. The heist/crime aspect was simple and uninteresting and it took away from the emotional aspect of a character living with pain and guilt. The character study had potential, but not much else, as the movie spent more time on the plotting and execution of the bank robbery than on developing his mental anguish.

The acting by Jeff Daniels was awesome; his unique character is very memorable and well-envisioned. I didn't find Joseph Gordon-Levitt's acting spectacular, but I don't think he had much to work with. He was excellent in the very few opportunities he had to be excellent. There were some very pretty shots (in the beginning and during the actual bank heist). And while it never quite satisfied, the morsels of tenderness and emotion sprinkled throughout the movie felt real and true. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're interested in the actors, because they are really the only above average qualities this movie has.

IMDb link: http://imdb.com/title/tt0427470/