Jack Reacher: empty fun

So, regardless of my personal feelings for Tom Cruise, it is undeniable that he is a pretty good actor. He makes decent movie decisions but always delivers an outstanding performance; it was nice to be reminded of that. Jack Reacher is a well-done film about a bad-ass cop solving a really hard case.  It's like Die Hard, but less improbable/ extravagent.  It is unfortunate that it comes at a bad time, on the heels of the Newtown incident, as it's about solving a senseless and random shooting.  Though you really don't get why this nomadic hermit is as good as he is or as involved as he is, you learn to appreciate his presence and style in the investigation.  Though violent, it's not excessively graphic so that you can still enjoy the victory in getting the bad guy.
Verdict: Catch the matinee (discount) 

A brief note on long movies

There are far too many movies out this season that are over 2 1/2 hours long.  Between travel time, previews, and the actual movie, I lose close to 4 hours of my day.  While I love movies, that seems a bit excessive.  And what's worst, is that they feel that long.  As a general rule of thumb, I think the ideal running time should be between 90 and 120 min.  Anything shorter doesn't allow for any type of character development and only enough time for the conflict and resolution; even "Clueless" was 97 minutes long.   Case and point: "Friday after Next"

Anything longer and I feel like there is always 20 minutes of filler that I want back in my life.  In fact, I know the exact 20 minute segment I want to nix from the 165-minute "Dark Knight Rises."  I'm not even remotely interested in seeing the director's cuts on those bad boys.  So, please, stop making them sooo long now-- either turn them into 2 movies or cut some stuff out.
Thanks, the audience

Life of Pi: beautifully inspiring

Put a tiger and a bio-luminescent whale in a trailer, and I'm sold.  Add some beautiful sunsets and sunrises and the most stunning ship sinking since the "Titanic," and I'm content.  And add a whopping dollop of religious discovery and I'm intrigued.  For a boy who was named after a pool instead of a mathematical constant, he sure can tell a good story.  So, after having the senses dazzled in 3D and watching a fascinating display of animal instinct for survival, I was very pleased with Ang Lee's work.  My intrigue had little to do with the actual story and all to do with the aesthetics   It was an enchanted journey that was a bit too long (I can only look at a placid ocean, a tiger, and an emaciated boy for so long), but was an intriguing story of faith and perseverance.

Verdict: if it fits your fancy (buzzworthy)

Flight: light & dark

The opening scene of the film said it all: the type of person we would watch struggle for clarity of mind and conscience.  The problem was that he is not really pitiable.  In fact, he is downright unlikable.  This is a confounding story of an incredible act of heroism made by a nonredeemable man.  Rarely do I enjoy addiction stories but this one was better than average.  While that doesn't make this one of my favorite movies of 2012, it was an enjoyable experience.  It helped that the acting was incredible; nearly every role was superbly executed.  The characters are somewhat understandable, the story is decent, but the people (even John Goodman) make that world go round.
Verdict: only if you really like Denzel, go now (rent it)

Wreck-it Ralph: pretty good

When Alan Horn came to visit one of my classes this year, one of the movies he gave a resounding endorsement was Wreck-It Ralph.  While not my favorite animated film of recent years, it was pretty clever.  While we get to appreciate the fish-out-of-water feeling that Ralph tries to combat (and the lengths he goes through to fit in), it takes some fairly dark turns for a movie mostly set in an arcade version of "Candyland."  And it is because of these deviations from a traditional bubble-gum kids movie that it is a good movie for a grown-up who just wants to see a wholesome yet interesting story.  Additionally, Pixar/Disney (but mainly, Pixar) does a fantastic job of not only personifying mundane objects but also romanticizing the forgotten.  From Toy Story to Wall-E, there is the overt reminder that "old" does not mean irrelevant and should not be discarded as such.  Wreck-It Ralph is no exception.
Verdict: Good choice (worth it)

Skyfall: favorite bond

I know, that is a strong statement-- this is my favorite Bond--but, in the spirit of transparency, I haven't seen every one of them and I don't remember the ones I have seen.  In general, as stated in an earlier post, I find these kinds of films overly complicated and frustrating.  But this one was refreshing: it was a simpler story about a couple of spies going through transitions, and dealing with them in radically different ways.  As I prefer character stories to intricate plots (most of the time), this film is complemented by its great acting (Javier Bardem was fantastic) that truly enhance the film.
Verdict: Worth the $10 (buzzworthy)

Cloud Atlas: ...ummm...

I think I need to read the book.  It was confusing and jumbled and LONG and somewhat painful to sit through.  From what I read about it, this was a ridiculous undertaking in the first place, and it is a cleaner version of the book: they simplified the characters by having the actors play multiple roles.  And yes, it did in fact look like a make-up artist's "white whale," turning all the actors into at least one alternative ethnicity.  But, the story is disjointed and nearly impossible to follow, having no clear theme that explains why their lives are intertwined or circular.  Again, in summary, I think I need to read the book.
Verdict: It's a dense book... (skip it unless you fully commit)

Pitch Perfect: hilariously grand

I loved this movie.  I saw it like 2 months ago, but since it is still in theaters, I figured it's still relevant.  It is one of the few movies ever to be gifted as a DVD and still be in theaters.  And I get its appeal: it's a really funny movie, even though it's a story that has been told a thousand times.  There is the young misfit with great talent being brought into a team where its leader has something to prove.   Picture "Bring It On" (the original) but with only 1 black person and change out cheerleading with acapella.  What I think makes this movie exceptional is how it doesn't even attempt to be substantial.  Like, at all.  It is purely superficial fun that everyone can enjoy, from teenagers to grownups.
Verdict: Check it out (go for it)