Bite Size Facebook Film Reviews- Melancholia, 50/50, Captain America, and more

Melancholia: Writer/director Lars Von Trier tries to solve the giant questions of life in this apocalyptic drama about depression, family, and what's important. Split into two sections each named for each of his female leads, Lars explores what happens when the dynamics of a relationship invert as a giant planet is ominously approaching an ever-waiting world leaving his characters in new roles from where they started. Kirsten Dunst is a revelation as Justine, the sister who starts as a woman teetering on the brink of insanity and desperation. Gone is the teenager still trying to be a leading lady, Dunst is one performance that you can't seem to forget. Charlotte Gainsbourg as her more rigid sister is so in touch with her emotions that her character's about face doesn't feel out of place or odd. It's sooo gorgeous too. The cinematography just encompasses these moments of light with the impending darkness and the use of Wagner's Tristan and Isolde is magical. Another cinematic triumph from one of its most oddball of characters. A
 
The Adjustment Bureau: With a healthy helping of suspending your disbelief as well as not trying to overthink what you're watching, this film is actually a sturdy, well-made romance with some thrillery, sci-fi elements thrown in. The chemistry between Matt Damon and Emily Blunt is fizzy, sexy, and real, and I like the attempts of the filmmakers to break them up and mend them without it feeling to jarring. The middle 45 min, as we're being explained (or not explained) what's going on gets a bit wonky, and final reveal feels a bit limp, but I can't wait to see what Damon and Blunt do next...Hopefully it's together because on-screen connection like that is hard to come by. B

After the jump...Horrible Bosses, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's cancer "comedy" 50/50, Beginners, and Captain America

DVD Mini Reviews- Dangerous Liasisons, Grizzly Man, Capote, Fast & Furious and more.

Dangerous Liaisons: Going back more to the novel versus his adapted stage play screenwriter Christopher Hampton has brought all of the high stakes sex games with all of wit, oh-so-black humor, and not very likable characters still in tact. Director Frears is able to take these seemingly very modern ideas and marry them well with visuals to match. Glenn Close is a astounding as the heartbroken and vindictive Marquise who is trying to hold her place in a man's world any way she can. Close finds such relish in each two-faced tactic and maneuver that her eventual downfall is even more satisfying for the viewer. Michelle Pfeiffer, playing so against type, as the spinster with strong moral fiber is such a joy to watch. Handsome, sumptuous visuals and cinematography to die as well. A-

Inside Job (2010): A scathing documentary about the 2008 fall of the financial systems, how we got there, and what's going on now. Charles Ferguson has created a film not only to enrage, but also to question how much longer we can sustain these kinds of activities without a bigger, costlier shoe to fall again. Like a good reporter, he wields his questions like little daggers out to find the truth. A-

Fast & Furious: The 4th installment of the muscle cars and drug cartels series reverts back to the main storyline explored in the first film after forays to Miami then Tokyo in parts 2 & 3. The car chases are still exciting, despite the obvious cultural stereotypes throughout. Vin Diesel does his Vin Dieselliest machismo and poor Paul Walker isn't looking as spry as he once was....Overall Mindless fun. B-

After the jump...Werner Herzog's look at obsession amongst the bears, Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg battle aliens for Earth, and a little elephant breaks our hearts and takes flight.

Mini Facebook Status Reviews- Drive, Moneyball, Weekend, and Buck etc.

Drive: Nicholas Winding Refn's cool and sleek thriller starring Ryan Gosling is a a stunner! What looks originally cheesy with the synth score and neon title screens unfurls into a confident and incredibly well-adjusted film. Gosling in such minimal dialogue is able to show everything through brilliant glances, looks, and reactions. Well-framed photography that just seeps with color and light, and a cast that is just plain spectacular, Drive is the BEST film I've seen so far this year. A-

Friends with Benefits: Frustrating how a film can rail against cliches for 100 minutes just to fall right into them. Mila Kunis and her brassy personality are still a winning combo, but Justin Timberlake's comedy smugness is infuriating. Even scene-stealers Patricia Clarkson's oversexed party monster mother and Woody Harrelson's gay co-worker with the bon mots are kinda stale. Richard Jenkins continues to remind us how even can make the blandest thing great. B-

Thor: Let's start with this Chris Hemsworth has charisma to spare. His Thor is a virile and powerful presence and the movie gives that certain respect. On the front of the film itself, I give director and Shakespearean god Kenneth Branagh a lot of credit for willingly trying to make it a bit campy and silly. The production values are certainly serious, but there's a hint of tongue-in-cheek I really appreciate. Still kinda lame in parts though. B-

The Beaver: Give Jodie Foster proper credit for still trying to bring quirky and difficult material to the screen, and also give props to Mel Gibson for such a ballsy performance as a very sad and very ill man trying to grasp at the straws that are his life. Jennifer Lawrence also gives a memorably naturalistic performance that escape the scripts drippier moments. The film doesn't have the light moments as advertised considering anything involving the puppet is downright sad. Almost works. B-

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Strong taut storytelling and an exemplary performance by Andy Serkis in motion capture raise this movie from the laughing stock I assumed it would be. The visual effects were astounding and it's incredibly well-paced. One of the best of the year so far. B+

Source Code: A little bauble of a entertainment that takes the familiar concept of multiple realities satisfyingly crafted by Duncan Jones (helmer of Moon) and led with leading man panache by Jake Gyllenhaal. It does move with some real zip (only 93 minutes long), and Vera Farmiga elevates a seemingly boring non-part into something more important. B

Limitless: Bradley Cooper learned to stop being the smug prick from The Hangover and how to carry a movie. A preposterous concept but a glossy film with some wonderful little touches and genuine thrills. B

After the jump....Brad Pitt takes a swing at Moneyball, Fast Five puts action into overdrive, the gay drama Weekend, and the horseman documentary Buck.