One Sentence Film Reviews: 2012 Films

Trying to cover every film with a 200 word review seems overly complicated, and not that interesting considering neither were some of these films. Enter the Twitter length posts. For a closer look at any one of these particularly, feel free to ask in the comments.

Wanderlust: Game line readings from a rowdy band of misfits + Aniston, but story wears thin and jokes feel too much like work. Grade: B- (now on DVD)

Jeff, Who Lives At Home: Sweet & sad comedy about fate and family buoyed by smart turns esp. Sarandon, but sunk by indecisiveness. Grade: B (now on DVD)

The Pirates! Band of Misfits: Nimble jokes and good stop-motion. Missing some of the cheek of Chicken Run or Wallace & Gromit. Grade: B- (now on DVD)

Haywire: Tense, muscular, and sobering action flick with a fine-looking cast but zero resonance or effort involved. Seems like auto-pilot. Grade: B- (now on DVD)

Chico & Rita: Beautiful music, sensual story with some unique animation. Arcs still feel been-there-done-that despite the palpable heat. Grade: B (on DVD 9/18)

2 Days in New York: Delpy is a savvy lady and Rock's subtlety a treat, but comedic beats feel pushed too far and drama feels hollow. Grade: C+ (in theaters and VOD)


More including Dark Shadows, Men In Black 3, and American Reunion after the cut.



Safe House: All the elements of a fine Denzel paycheck movie. Reynolds out of place, but some good fights. Waste of Farmiga and Gleeson. Grade: C+ (now on DVD)

Dark Shadows: Weird amalgam of comedy, horror, design. The women though great feel miscast. Not enough of any element to be good, but still entertaining-ish. Grade: C (Available on DVD 10/2)

Dr. Suess' The Lorax: Suess' themes sodden by weak voice cast (save DeVito) and excessive animation. Tries too hard to be bigger than it is. Grade: C (now on DVD)

What to Expect When You're Expecting: Despite best efforts, limp execution of generic baby stories is neither informative nor funny. And it waste valuable talent.  Grade: C- (available on DVD 9/11)

Men in Black 3: Threequel that lives in a vacuum that forgets it's not 1997 anymore, and takes itself too seriously to be truly funny. Smith's tastes questionable from now on. Grade: C+

Katy Perry: Part of Me: Too impressed with its subject to be critical or to show her sing, but surprising glimpses into a marriage on the brink to go along with the big hooks. Grade: B- (Available on DVD 9/18)


 American Reunion: Nice to see the gang back together, but after fifteen years many of them aren't as charismatic on screen and neither is their sloppy film. Grade: C (now on DVD)