Movie Review- The Impossible

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The Impossible is one of those rare movie experiences, where the entire audience walks out of the theater in silence, a bit stunned over what they have just watched. It's by far the most intense, emotional and upsetting movie of 2012. I saw an evening screening last night and have not been able to stop thinking about it, I even had trouble sleeping last night.

This is a movie that needs to be experienced on the big screen, from the opening sequences of a beautiful Thailand resort to the devastation of the tsunami, the impact just wouldn't be the same watching it at home. It also just needs the communal experience of seeing it in the cinema. After all, it is a movie about strangers coming together through a shared experience.

Naomi Watts has been given much accolades for her portrayal of the matriarch of the family, but as fantastic as Watts is in the role, this is truly an ensemble piece. It is easy to forget that Watts and Ewan McGregor are big stars, because they blend in with the other actors in the movie. The three boys that play their kids are so good, that it's hard to believe that they're all acting. They seem so much like a real family. I read that many of the extras were tsunami survivors and that may be why so much of this movie rings true.

Sound is prominently featured in the film. I can only relate to this as far as having been in several major earthquakes. When an earthquake hits, the rumbling/house creaking sounds are far more frightening than the movement. This movie plays a lot with the sounds of the tsunami and it is terrifying, worse than any Hollywood horror movie.

The film is based on the true story of the Belon family. If even a small fraction of the Hollywood version is true to their experience, it is a miracle that they survived. Although, I don't think that it's even important if it's factual, because the most key component of the movie are the themes of humanity, community and love. It's about how all of the survivors pulled together to help each other, regardless of where they were from or their own dire circumstances. The story has many beautiful moments that don't come across as trite or overly sentimental.

I have no idea how this movie didn't get more Oscar nominations. It's one of the best of 2012. It is a must see, just be warned that it is an intense experience. My stomach was in knots after seeing the film.

Movie Review- Zero Dark Thirty

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My main reason for wanting to see Zero Dark Thirty, was because it's director Kathryn Bigelow's follow up to her film The Hurt Locker, for which she became the first woman in History to win an Oscar for Best Director. The Hurt Locker was one of the most intense and affecting movies that I have ever experienced. My stomach was in knots throughout the entire movie. I went into Zero Dark Thirty, expecting a similar experience.

Although a very well crafted and affecting film, Zero Dark Thirty was not on par with The Hurt Locker. This is not to say that it isn't one of the best movies of the year or underserving of its many awards and accolades. It just didn't have the same level of intensity and I felt less engaged with the characters. The pacing of the movie was slow to start and didn't immediately grab my attention.

Jessica Chastain is well cast as Maya, a CIA Operative chasing after leads to catch Osama Bin Laden. She carries the film with the help of a strong supporting cast, including a nearly unrecognizable James Gandolfini, whose betrays him. I love Chastain because she is such a chameleon in every role and is such an interesting actress to watch. She nails it in this film and although I have not seen all of the nominees, I suspect that she will take home the Oscar.

This movie has been swirling with controversy. I went in and just experienced it as a movie, not too fussed with fact vs fiction. I left feeling that there was a good dose of both. Really, both in truth and in fiction, the situation is rife with gray areas and people trying to make the best decisions with the resources that they have been given while working under extreme duress. This is what made the story so compelling and to me, it didn't matter how much of the movie was hard fact, as I feel that it touched upon the key issues and emotions.

As a side note, Bigelow's 1991 movie, Point Break is one of my guilty pleasures. Even better than watching the movie, is seeing the live theater version of the movie, where they cast an audience member to play the Keanu Reeves role. I've seen the Los Angeles production at the Dragonfly twice and it's one of the most hilarious, crazy and audience participatory theater events that I have ever experienced. I highly recommend it. If you go, don't skimp on the poncho, or you'll be sorry!

Movie Review- Django Unchained and Ten Minutes of The Gangster Squad

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Yesterday morning, we caught the first ten minutes of The Gangster Squad. I realize from that sentence, it sounds like we theater hopped, which we didn't. Theater hopping is a huge no-no in my book, I think it's stealing and just disrespectful to those who made the film and who are in the theater viewing. I love movies too much to theater hop.

We caught the the first ten minutes of The Gangster Squad because the AMC Sixteen in Burbank goofed and loaded the wrong movie. It wasn't on my hot to see list, but now I can confidently avoid seeing The Gangster Squad. Yes, I am judging a movie by ten minutes. Ten minutes and terrible reviews.

Luckily, we had tickets to Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. I wasn't too sure what to expect out of this controversial and polarizing film, but Tarantino never seems to make a bad movie and the cast is great, so I was sold.

Django Unchained has several things done right. The screenplay is fantastic. A compelling and original story with just the right mix of serious and levity to give it heart. It's 100% Tarantino in tone and the whole stylized spaghetti-western theme just works. I think that he is the only modern film maker who could have pulled it off. It's so his signature style.

Tarantino has created fantastic characters as a foundation and found the perfect cast to bring them to life. The writing and the cast make this movie. 

Django Unchained  has great heroes and villains. I loved seeing Christoph Waltz as a good guy this time. He just steals the show every time he's on the screen. Jamie Fox does a solid job of carrying the movie. He is one of those actors that I often forget about, but always give a great performance. He's so versatile. Speaking of versatile, I physically didn't recognize Samuel L. Jackson and probably wouldn't have, except for his distinct voice gives him away. I loved Leonardo DiCaprio, who is another scene stealer and I feel is often underrated. 

Django Unchained feels like a companion piece to Inglourious Basterds. In both movies Tarantino has written such rich characters and strong underdog seeks revenge based plots. It's impossible to not be swept up in the stories and to find yourself rooting for the heroes. These are two of Tarantino's best films. 

I throughly enjoyed Django Unchained and think that it's one of the best movies of the year, very deserving of the accolades that it has received. The only negatives are that it runs a bit long (But that is Tarantino) and that Tarantino should not have cast himself in a minor supporting role. It was painful to watch, especially the strange Australian accent that he attempted. 

A great movie, definitely one to catch on the big screen!