1964 - Once

This film is like a warm stew - it's something the fills you up and makes you feel wholesome.  I revisited this as research for something I'm working on.  It's tough to make a modern realistic musical, but this is about the perfect way to do it.  The style and tone and music is perfectly in sync.  It's beautifully simple.  If you haven't seen this film it's a damn shame.  I'm not sure how interested I am in the musical version of this, as this was just so spot-on perfect.  It's a must see film for anyone who likes their style of music, or films about music in general.

1963 - 21 Jump Street

I've never seen a single episode of the original 21 Jump Street, but I appreciate the cleverness in the meta set-up.  It's not a remake so much as what's happening with the Jump Street program a few decades later.  Very smart move.
Jonah Hill is one of those actors who can do very little wrong in my book.  He's just entertaining as hell for me to watch - and Channing Tatum is super delightful here - the two are a pretty fantastic pair.  Throw Brie Larson in and I'm a happy camper.  The comedy in this film is sharp and on point - it's a bit winky, and a bit of a satire, but it's never a bad thing - and the action is a lot of fun as well.  Sorry I was late to the boat on this one, and looking forward to the sequel!  It's on Netflix!

1962 - The Lego Movie

In theory the idea of a Lego Movie is terrible.  Seriously.  And when I was asked what it was about, I told someone that the plot was, actually, about how to play with lego.  Which sounds ridiculous.  But it's true - and it's awesome.  It took me a little while to get into it if I'm honest, but part of that was getting my little guy and his popcorn sorted out - so I absolutely need to see it again just to watch it clean and without distractions.  I don't want to say too much about it - the reviews kind of speak for itself, but I will say that the film has one of the smartest third acts in a kid's movie I've ever seen - and what might be my favourite final line of a film - the funniest anyway.
If you've ever played with Lego you should love it.  Unless you're dead inside...

1961 - In a World...

I've wanted to see this film since I saw the trailer sometime last year.  Lake Bell has this energy to her that I find incredibly charming in a non-traditional way.  She's refreshing.  This film looks at the world of voice over acting and the specificity of that world is just part of what makes it such a lovely little film.  Ultimately it's the story of finding your own voice and figuring out a way to stand out in the crowd.  There's a subplot with Bell's character's sister that I don't find works that well thematically, but it's enjoyable nontheless.  I'm really excited to see what happens next with Lake Bell :)  It's not on Netflix yet, but you can check it out VIA iTunes.

1960 - Fat Kid Rules the World

I remember seeing press for this film when it was in the festival circuit.  I've always enjoyed Lillard as an actor so it was exciting to see what he could do as a filmmaker.  I think it's a strong coming-of-age story, and more honest about how it feels to be that kid in that situation.  I've been there, though not nearly as damaged.  Poor kid. 
I found the film to be pretty charming.  I was planning to watch it in the background while doing some work but it drew me in completely.  The cast is full of solid performances and interesting characters that don't simply fall into the stereotypes one might come to expend in a film like this.  It's on netflix and I strongly recommend to anyone who loves tales about lovable losers.

1959 - Dallas Buyer's Club

When I normally think about Matthew McConaughey I picture him on a poster with his shirt off.  So this is quite the change for me, and a welcome one at that.  I haven't gotten into True Detective yet, so this next stage McCanaughey is a breath of fresh air.  His character storms into the movie in such a great way - he's such a perfect prick and has one of the best character arcs an actor can ask for in a film.  For those who don't know, this film takes place that the height of the AIDS crisis.  It's about a straight man (homophobic) who comes down with the virus, and in an effort to save himself, becomes a savior for a lot of other people.
Jared Leto gives one of my favorite performances of his, and the two make a terrific pair.  I have to admit that I caught this on a whim because I had time to see something and picked between it and some other Oscar contenders - and I'm glad I did.  It's still in the theatres.  I don't think it's a Best Picture film, but the acting nod could easily go to Matthew for this one.

1958 - American Hustle

I’ve heard a variety of things about this, and it was on my list to see but I wanted to make sure I caught it in the theatres.  Can I just admit to something out of the gate?  I love Amy Adams.  The intro to their characters (her and Christian Bale) with the duelling V/O as we watch them fall in love (and fall in love with them by proxy) is such an amazing and perfect set-up to get us into this story.  Bale is an amazing anti-hero.  There’s a long portion of the film where you’re not sure if you should be rooting for him or Cooper, and that’s a delightful way to experience a film like this.  The film is hard to describe - it’s essentially about two con artists who get forced to work with the FBI, and then it becomes a cat and mouse game of whose playing who.  The film is full of amazing performances by the previously mentioned, but also Louis CK has a fun little part, and Jennifer Laurence obliterates every single scene she’s in - she’s fantastic and worth all the praise.  

I think this film has been criticized as David O. Russell trying to be Scorcese, but I didn’t care.  I loved the feel of the film, and despite it feeling a bit long by the end, I really enjoyed it.  I love that it doesn’t paint the world as black and white.  The cast is in fine form.  It’s fun, it’s sexy, it’s a film well worth seeing.  It’s not going to change your life or the way you look at the world, but it’ll entertain you - or so I hope.  I liked it a lot and it could very well be my favourite David O. Russell film (though I’ve yet to see The Fighter).  Check it out pre-Oscars if you can!

1957 - Spring Breakers

I’d been warned by enough people that this was an odd little film, perhaps viewed best whilst high, but I voyaged into it sober.  It’s such an interesting little flick.  Essentially it’s about a bunch of young women who can’t afford to go off on spring break so they rob a little restaurant with water guns, and then when they get to their destination soon find themselves in the company of a true bad-ass.  And that bad-ass is played by James Franco in what seems like the son of Drexel Spivey, the Gary Oldman character from True Romance.  

The film is meant to be a bit of a trip, mostly played out in a dreamlike montage.  Korine does some interesting thing with voice-over, using the same piece to juxtapose different things.  It feels like it’s meant to be a satire, but the fear is young women see this and actually get excited by the goings-on.  Or maybe I’m just turning into a grumpy old bastard.  Anyway, it’s on Netflix, so if you missed it in theatres and were curious to see it, it’s pretty available.  Worth a gander!

1956 - Inside Llewyn Davis

Before throwing down my own thoughts I read some awesomely varied reviews - people that love and hate the film.  I'm in the former category.  I'm not a Coen apologist - I hated Ladykillers, and I was meh on A Serious Man.  Everything else has been enjoyable for me, and many of them are among my favourite films.  Say what you will about the Coens - they've got a distinct voice, and in this particular film they know exactly how to use it.  In lesser hands a film like this would meander and be boring as shit.  If you described the plot to anyone I'm sure it would turn them off seeing the film (to be fair - there isn't much of a plot - that's not what this one is about) but it's the execution here and it gets top marks.  We spend time trying to get inside of the main character, and see what makes him tick, see what others see in him, why he annoys others (Carey Mulligan is goddamn fantastic here, every time she emphasizes a word here it makes me smile, and John Goodman's mocking of Lewis' genre of music of fantastic).  This is a film that's purely about the journey with little to no thought about the destination.  If you like the Coens and you like folk music - this one is a no brainer (I'd be remiss to not mention a sequence in the middle featuring Oscar Isaac recording a song with Justin Timberlake and Adam Driver that is comedy gold.  So delightful.).  I wasn't familiar with Isaac as an actor before but he's on my radar big time.
Not everyone will love this film - some will dislike it immensely.  As mentioned, I'm of the former mentality.  Give it a whirl yourselves!

1955 - It's Kind of a Funny Story

I've been meaning to check this out since it was released - which feels like forever ago now.  I really love Keir Gilchrist, and this is a role that's perfect for him as the teenager who checks himself into a mental health clinic - and because the youth ward is closed, he gets hold up with the adults.
The film has a really lovely sense of tone and style and fun and there's some nice little fantastic moments of fantasy that play perfectly within the idea of the character and his world.  It doesn't take itself too seriously and if I'm honest there's times where that works nicely for it, but also against it in terms of predictability.  That said, I think this is the exact kind of film that today's youth should be seeing.  It's one of those "you are not alone" type films - which is exactly the message that's crucial at that age, but it doesn't do it in a way that's pandering.  It's honest.  I dug it.  If you haven't see it, it is on Netflix - give it a whirl.

1954 - Her

It's hard to write about a film like this.  One of my favorite films, especially in the relationship variety is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and this is the closest I've seen to that since.  Not to compare the two just because they both have outside-the-box concepts - but because they use them to put a spotlight on relationships in a really meaningful way.  This one, for those who don't know, is about a man in the near future who falls in love with his computer/phone's operating system. 
There's a moment in the middle of the film where Phoenix's character says that he thinks he's already felt everything he's ever going to feel - and it hit me like a ton of bricks and made me wonder if I'd experienced that as well.  It's a scary thing to think that you're cut off from feeling anything new.  This film is full of thoughtful commentaries on life like that - as well as "The past is a story we tell ourselves."  I'm a sucker for that kind of shit.
What Jonze does really well here is milk the concept about as much as it can be - which he does equally in other high-concept films he's done.  If I have a complaint about this film is I did feel that it went on a bit longer than needed - I went from being lost inside of this beautiful world and story and then suddenly was aware that it didn't feel like it was building to something.  That aside, I still loved this story.  It's without a doubt my favorite Phoenix performance.  Voice wise Scarlet Johanson is a perfect choice - she's playful and sexy and has all the other human qualities we need for the role as well.  I guess I wondered if it wouldn't have been different though with the voice of an unknown actor, where I wasn't able to picture their face the way I was here.  I guess I'll never know.
I was excited to see this nominated for Best Picture, it deserves that kind of attention.  It's still in cinemas - so please - if you like good solid love stories this is one that you need to see.

1953 - The World's End

I missed this one in the cinema and got it for xmas and decided to make it my birthday movie!  I’m a fan of the filmmaking team of Wright/Pegg/Frost.  I still think I’d rank Shaun of the Dead as the height of this “trilogy” and that this and “Hot Fuzz” are more-or-less tied for second.  For those who don’t know the film is about a pub crawl that happens to coincide with a sort-of alien invasion.  

As an action-comedy director I can’t think of anyone who holds a candle to Edgar Wright.  His films skip right along, and they are filled with fantastic and fun action.  There’s an amazing sequence in here wherein the group is surrounded and fighting the “blanks” as they’re called all the while Simon Pegg continues to try and finish his pint.  It’s comedy gold.  The film is full of that.  Frost and Pegg again show why they’re such a solid team here and really play to the emotions when needed.  Simon is in fantastically fine form here.  

If I have a complaint it’s that the epilogue just feels… strange, not sure that’s the route I would have taken it - though I suppose it works and makes sense.  At any rate I’m not going to spoil it.  If you’ve seen the other films from this team then you’ll likely enjoy this one too!

1952 - Philomena

I saw this on the weekend with my lovely wife - she doesn't get to see as many films as I do and so it was her turn to choose and I was really impressed with her selection - I hadn't even heard of this film to begin with, but I'm a big fan of Steve Coogan and I like Judi Dench well enough.
There's this ridiculous poster for the film that's bright yellow and makes it look like a romp.  What a bizarre marketing move.  This is a film about a woman who, in her youth, got pregnant and sent off to live with nuns to have her baby, and then forced into labor while they raised her child and she was given an hour a day to bond with him - then three years later - the child is "adopted" by a family and she has no chance to know what's to happen to him.  That's the back story.  We start the story on the 50th birthday of her son, and learn that she's never spoken of him to the people currently in her life, including her daughter.  They get in touch with Steve Coogan who is a former journalist - currently an on-the-outs politician - who thinks the story is a mere puff-piece human interest story that he could write in his sleep, but as the details keep coming he realizes that there's a lot more to the story.
Stephen Frears is kind of a master of this kind of film.  It's funny in that wonderfully dry British sense, but it's also a bit of a tear-jerker in the real sense - not manipulative - it makes you really feel, and really care, and feel angry and sad when all the layers pull back.
It's still in theatres but doesn't seem to be mentioned anywhere, which is a shame.  It's a damn fine little film.  Give it a shot if you can find it!

1951 - Happy Endings: season one

I've come to this show a bit late (and just learned it was cancelled after season three).  It's a show about (or at least this first season is) a group of friends examining their lives and relationships as they get closer to thirty and try to figure out if they're still working.  It's a simple premise that gives the show a lot of room.  The show has that kind of rapid fire comedy that works really well for me.  It's got a distinct comedic rhythm, even if that rhythm potentially flies in the face of character logic/continuity from time to time.  It's a barrage of jokes that hit a lot more than they miss, and they miss very rarely for me - and if so it's intentional and commented upon.
The strength and magic of this show is it's cast.  With the exception of Zachary Knighton, who I find is "fine" in his part, but pales when pitted against the rest of the stand-out ensemble whose comedic timing is like watching an elegant dance.  I was already a fan of Elisha Cuthbert and Damon Wayans Jr, and they excel here, but the cast members I wasn't familiar with really blew me away.  Eliza Coupe, Casey Wilson, and Adam Pally are magnetic here. 
I don't think this is a perfect show, and I'm not super surprised it didn't last given that plot lines sometimes feel a bit repetitious.  But the thing that keeps you coming back is the terrific chemistry of the cast - and this one is strong than most.  It's on Netflix.  Give it a go!

The Walking Dead - Vol 19: March to War

So we're in the 19th volume of an ongoing series - clearly I still read this because I love it.  If you're not caught up to here, or only watch the TV show know that HUGE SPOILERS lie ahead here.  You've been warned..

...

Negan.  Everyone went on and on about The Governor, but he's got nothing on Negan.  For my money he's the most interesting character the series has ever produced, and easily one of the best villains in history.  His blend of charisma and sadism is pure delightful, as well as watching his thought pattern.  He's always surprising in good ways and bad, and he ups the stakes in major ways.  And just when I think I can't be shocked, someone like Negan comes along and does just that.  It would look as though we're gearing up for war and so it's hard to say if he'll stick around much longer - but I like the idea of it not wrapping up so easily - he'll be hard to top as a villain, and because I really do think that the series has to get around to the idea of rebuilding society, it's hard to see them all out on the run again.  The Walkers have barely been an issue for a long time in this series, and I'm fine with that.  The only thing that would satisfy me would be to see a horde come into play right in the middle of the two groups going to war - making them realize that they're not really prioritizing the real problems in this world.

This series still sees us mourning for Glen (which is the biggest and saddest death the series has had - largely just because he's been around since the beginning), but also giving us more depth to characters like Ezekiel (which was nice since he was coming off as a looney).  At first I thought Rick absolutely should have done what he did - seized the day, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did - upping the ante.  I'm super excited for the next trade to come out in the summer.  I want this series to go on forever, but I want them to keep it fresh.  I question if they'll ever be so bold as to kill Rick off (not that I need/want him to go).  I just have a hard time seeing this world go on without Rick and/or Carl.  Kirkman has stated he's got up to issue 300 roughly sketched out - which means at least another twenty of these trades or so.  Can't wait to see where he takes us.

1950 - Homeland: season three

Late getting this up because I fell behind.  This season got a lot of flack from some critics early on, and from what I could tell was that most came around to it by the end.  There will be some SPOILERS going on here below, so if you're not caught up - here's your warning.

So the biggest complaint I've heard is about keeping Brody alive past his expiry point in the show.  I was one of those people who thought that the show pussied out by not having him blow everyone up inside of the bunker at the conclusion of season one.  The show has well made up for that with the Langely bombing as well as the mission that lead to (HUGE SPOILER) Brody's death - which redeemed him to all (the only thing that was missing was a final moment with Dana seeing how she reacted to discovering her father was a hero after-all.  Like any one else I love Mandy Patinkin's Saul, and seeing him in charge was a breath of fresh air - I pray they find a way to keep him in the story moving forward 'cause losing him would easily be the show's biggest loss.  I could watch a Homeland without Carrie if that came to pass - but one without Saul is just hard to imagine.  It's hard to imagine how the show will reinvent itself now that it's main storyline from the beginning is more-or-less resolved.  I feel confident that the freedom will allow for awesome things in the writer's room.  Although I thought the same about Dexter in the aftermath of season four, and later learned that we had just seen the show's peak.  Let's hope Showtime doesn't make the same mistake twice.  Keep it going, by all means, if you've got story to tell - but please don't milk it.  No one wants another lumberjack ending.

1949 - Frozen

I took my son to see this yesterday afternoon and it was his first 3D experience, which had him pretty excited with the prospect of having things flying at his face.  Ever since Pixar showed up on the block Disney's line-up of films have always felt like they were the not-so-talented cousin - this puts Disney's films back on track, in my opinion.  For me it was up there with the films they were making in my youth - Little Mermaid, Lion King, Aladdin, etc... But what's even better here is we've got an update and a modern message - which I won't ruin with a spoiler alert.  It has an ending that's perfect and inspiring.  It's funny without being silly or annoying - it respects it's audience which can't be said for the humour in most kinds films.  If you've got a little one I highly recommend this one.

1948 - A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas

Every year at Christmas I re-watch the same films, so I'm trying this year to watch ones I haven't seen before and this was on my list to check out anyway.  Kal Penn & John Cho could make these films forever and they'd work because of their awesome chemistry.  This one is similar to White Castle, the original, in it's wonderful simplicity.  If I'm honest I don't love the more cartoonish elements with the coked up kid and the waffle-bot - that stuff felt a little bit too much, and the characters are interesting enough to not need it.  Both just felt like easy gimmicks that ended up being plot resolving points.  Neil Patrick Harris' cameos continue to be an absolute delight in this series.  If you like your stoner human this could be the Christmas flick to check out this year.

1947 - The Fitzgerald Family Christmas

First holiday film of the season!  Kind of.  It's more of a family drama about a dying man who walked out on his wife and (7?) kids 20 years earlier, and has decided that he wants to spend his last xmas with them, and whether or not they'll take him back.  I like Ed Burns.  I like what he stands for, I like how he works.  This film, however, doesn't work all that well.  First, it's just a bit flat.  The actors are all fine, but it just lacks some kind of thematic cohesion, instead it feels like a bunch of loose stories smashed together.  To be honest I don't really have a strong opinion about this one way or the other.  The kind of film you might want to check out on a day when you're trapped in from a blizzard.

1946 - One Day

I really loved the book this film was based on.  It was a gimmick, the idea of revisiting two friends on the same day every year, but the book made it work - because even though we just saw the one day the medium allowed commentary on the 364 days we'd missed inbetween - something that the film can't allow without massive exposition - which it avoids.  It's a faithful adaptation in regards to the story and scenes, but not emotionally.  I adore Anne Hathaway - I can give or take Jim Sturges and perhaps that's part of the problem - I had a hard time buying into their love story because I didn't think he deserved her in this version.  I didn't get a sense of his tortured self the way it comes across in the book.  Here it just feels sterile, like we're bouncing from one year to another without much to keep us emotionally grounded.  That said, I'm not sure what you would have done with this adaptation to avoid such pratfalls.  If you liked the book it might be worth checking out just to see it come to life (it's on Netflix). For those that don't know the book, I don't know... your call!