A dark intense horror thriller that doesn't waste its superb story line, tightly filmed shots and well acted scenes by the major leads, Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman, by delivering cheap scares. Instead the film creates a unique atmosphere and shows the audience just enough to shock without revealing its hand too soon. Every detail of the film demands re-watching just to pick up on all the visual nuances throughout its tightly packed 93 minute running time.
My only negative…
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The Babadook 2014
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Dumb and Dumber To 2014
A poorly written script somewhat redeemed by the terrific chemistry between the main characters played by Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey that made the original a comic masterpiece. They are both given uninspired material with jokes that don't connect at all. The supporting actors story lines are either so poorly developed (Rob Riggle and Laurie Holden) or so ridiculous(Rachel Melvin) that the movie feels like a shell of the first movie.
Some jokes connect, but the pace of the film feels drawn out. Great chemistry between Daniels and Carrey, but overall the film is twenty years too late.
3/10
My Take:Watch The Original -
Beyond the Lights 2014
This romance drama starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Nate Parker really surprised. Knowing this is not a film catered to me, I went in looking at the overall feel of the film and it delivered. While the film does often fall into stereotypical romance plot points, the story of someone trying to stay true to who they are definitely resonated. The strength of the film lies in the chemistry of the two main characters and based on this film, the future…
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Penguins of Madagascar 2014
A kid's movie that's definitely aware of who it caters to, Penguins of Madagascar is over the top silly with a lot of physical humor kids will enjoy, but just enough jokes for the older audience and a strong story pacing to keep everyone entertained. The voice actors including Benedict Cumberbatch are excellent in their roles and the animation is superb as well, this is a good movie for children and families with young ones.
Knowing this movie was not… -
Nightcrawler 2014
An average screenplay that rises above its flaws by a breathtaking performance by Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie drags in its first two acts, but I didn't mind as much as the time was used to delve deep into the demented persuasive character brought to the screen by Gyllenhaal and helped the intense 3rd act shine through. The directing seemed flawed at times and the soundtrack is mostly forgettable, but it's really Gyllenhaal's show as it's his interactions with Russo's character that helps make this must see.
7/10
My Take:Worth A View -
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) 2014
A gripping story told with great performances by the entire (but especially Keaton and Norton) and shot with great detail that it felt like it was shot in one take. The dialogue has a great feel to it (everyone felt like they were having fun interacting with each other), the low-key music is the perfect background and the concept plays out with just enough absurdity to set it apart from the other movies coming out this fall. Keaton definitely deserves an Oscar nom and I will definitely be snagging this on Blu-ray when it's released.
Score:10/10
My Take: Go See It.ASAP. -
Horrible Bosses 2 2014
An unneeded sequel that fails to live up to the original, Horrible Bosses 2 suffers from a poorly paced script, jokes that fail to connect with the audience and a finale that feels underwhelming. The chemistry between Bateman, Day and Sudeikis carries over well from the first film, but they often feel like over-exaggerated versions of the characters with Day's character in particular being hard to deal with. The returning costars(Aniston, Foxx, Spacey) give great performances with the minimal screen…