American Hustle

American Hustle (David O. Russell, 2013)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

1978, AB SCAM, Crime, Sting, Complex Relationships

I thoroughly enjoyed the latest from David O. Russell. One thing is always true in his films: the acting shines. Bradley Cooper is phenomenal playing a character that I wanted to strangle half the movie... such an interesting role. Christian Bale and Amy Adams are wonderful, as usual, but Jennifer Lawrence is really fantastic as yet another bizarre and intriguing character.

I loved seeing 1978 through the clothes, style, and hair (so much crazy hair!). The soundtrack was awesome and fit the situations so perfectly. Russell knows that stories work best when there are layers of conflict and blurry lines. He did this tremendously well with Silver Linings Playbook last year. This one is no different--what really is a crime? What is a sin? The lines are very fuzzy in American Hustle just like they are in life.

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Peter Jackson, 2013)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Based on Book
 

I was so pleased with this second installment of The Hobbit. More narrative, more character development, more detail... I was particularly impressed with how the higher resolution and frame-rate made the film feel more intimate. At first I was jarred--it took me a while to get used to the movement of the camera--but soon it was like the characters and world was right outside a window.

Surprises came with an excellent performance by Luke Evans as Bard and more elements/characters of the Lord of the Rings stories to make a cohesive epic. This seems to be a trend in Hollywood. I think people want movies to be more like long TV show episodes. And why not? More time with a fantasy world. This one makes me pretty happy.
 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3
 

Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Coming of Age, Survival, Corruption
 

I know, I know... it took me a long time to see this film which was completely my cup of tea. I loved the premise, the symbolism, the many narrative themes. I was immediately reminded of many other stories told about corrupt governments and poverty-stricken people, spying and manipulating systems-- but that's OK. This was also a story about children and how all of the above play out when personalities are still forming. I liked it a lot. And really great soundtrack, too.
 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, 2012)

Click here for the basics

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Coming of Age, High School, Coping, Complex Relationships

This film had a nice balance of drama and comedy, light-heartedness and serious subject matter. Each character felt real and much of the time I was drawn back into my years as a teenager. It's amazing to me that no matter your particular situation, era, or group of friends, everyone seems to go through the same rites of passage, the same trials, scenes...growing up: it is the same but different.

I recommend this film to anyone who loves a good high school movie but especially to those who like a bit more substance, too. Oh, and great music!

 

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here