Film Review -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This teen drama stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. Written and directed by the author of the cult-classic novel of the same name, Stephen Chbosky, Perks tells the story of Charlie (Lerman), a sweet but introverted high school freshman who had a tumultuous childhood. Almost accidentally, he makes friends with outcast seniors and step-siblings Sam (Watson) and Patrick (Miller).  The film then takes the audience through the significant events of the school year, sporadically narrated by Charlie when writing letters to an imaginary "friend." We see hook-ups, break-ups, friendships forming and dissolving and forming again, family strength being tested, and many other significant moments that help shape Charlie and take him from boyhood to adulthood. Even so, certain incidents from his past inhibit him from fully developing and expressing his emotions, particularly as he falls in love with Sam. The film is sad but poignant, and although about a boy's very specific situation, there is something in there for everyone to relate to. The three leads are wonderful, with an equally terrific supporting cast that includes Paul Rudd, Nina Dobrev, and Mae Whitman. In a year (a few years, really), that has seen way too many vampires and werewolves, Perks is an incredibly refreshing and touching teen film that moviegoers of all ages can enjoy.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+

Film Review -- Looper

This sci-fi thriller is directed by Rian Johnson and stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, and Emily Blunt. Set in the not-too-distant and not-too-different (apart from time travel, of course) future of 2044, Looper tells the complicated story of Joe (Gordon-Levitt), an assassin called a "Looper" who kills mob targets sent from thirty years into the future, the mob's goal being to dispose of their vicitms rather cleanly and with no bearing to their future world. A vital part of a Looper's job is to "close his loop," or killing the older version of yourself when the mob wants to retire you. However, Old Joe (Willis) has a different plan, so when he is sent back so Young Joe can kill him, he knocks Young Joe unconscious and escapes. Because the only rule that Loopers must follow is "don't ever let your target escape," Young Joe recognizes the immense consequences of his failure, and sets off on a wild goose chase to find his older self and kill him before the mafia finds his present self. Without spoiling the film for those who haven't seen it yet, Old Joe's mission involves the Rainmaker, a mysterious dictator from the future who directly impacts Old Joe's life. During his quest to find Old Joe, Young Joe seeks refuge on a Kansas farm owned by Sara (Emily Blunt), a single mother with an exceedingly intelligent young son. As with almost any time-travel film, the plot is incredibly mind-bending, and it doesn't all make sense after one sitting. Be prepared to wait for it to come out on DVD so you can attempt to comprehend some of the points you missed the first time around. But fear not, because Looper is decidedly less confusing that Gordon-Levitt's other sci-fi mind-bender, Inception. That being said, there is a lot to appreciate in this film, as long as you are able to overlook the plot points that escape even the director's logic (which you most probably will). And why will you? Because the film is superbly paced -- it grabs onto your attention from the first minute and doesn't let go of it until the end credits start rolling. It's also decently intelligent, a rarity in the post-summer/pre-Oscar box-office, and also an incredible feat for a film about a subject as complicated as time-travel. Look also for the underlying (or are they?) themes of nature vs. nurture and the importance of parenting. Looper is superb and very satisfying entertainment, and well worth the money to be seen in theatres. 

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- The Intouchables

This French comedy stars François Cluzet and Omar Sy. When wealthy Frenchman Philippe (Cluzet) becomes a quadriplegic following a paragliding accident, he hires an ex-con from the Paris projects, Driss, (Sy) to be his caretaker. Despite objections from Philippe's other employees, he and Driss forge an unlikely friendship. The film, based on a true story, was very uplifting, to my surprise. I expected the story to be sadder than it was, on account of the protagonist's condition. However, the film is laced with comedy throughout, and Philippe's unwavering optimistic attitude leaves little room for tear-jerking. The chemistry between the actors is fantastic, with most of the laughs coming from Driss's adjustment to the world of French aristocracy. Hopefully this mighty little film makes runs for Best Foreign Language Film at this season's top awards show (should it be eligible), for it is a beautiful, inspiring, superbly-told story.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: A-

Film Review -- Hope Springs

This romantic dramedy stars Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carrell. Kay (Streep) has been married to Arnold (Jones) for thirty-one years, and the suburban couple lives a simple, ordinary life. However, Kay is growing increasingly dissatisfied with the lack of passion in her marriage, and, defying her usually passive demeanor, decides to do something about it. She signs a reluctant Arnold and herself up for a week of intense marriage counseling from renowned therapist Dr. Feld, in the idyllic town of Great Hope Springs. What ensues is a week of awkward conversations, flaring tempers, and much soul-searching. Although the film features a very appealing cast, the script is not deserving of any of them. Streep, one of the best actresses in the history of film, plays a very uninteresting character who, even though takes a brave initiative to try to salvage the marriage, comes off as feeble, weak, and uninteresting. Jones' character is, for the lack of a better word, a jerk. His permanent frown and constant insults hurled at Kay made me wonder what it was that she ever saw in him. Steve Carrell, a brilliant comedian, plays an unfunny role, thus diminishing greatly almost all of his appeal. The characters were very artificial, and some of the situations they were put in seemed implausible. In the end, I left the theatre shaking my head, knowing that the calculated plot surely would never play out in "real life." This was a rare miss for three truly talented actors who deserve way better than these roles.

Should you see it: No
Grade: C

Film Review -- Rock of Ages

This movie musical is directed by Hairspray's Adam Shankman and its all-star cast includes Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Mary J. Blige, Paul Giamatti, Bryan Cranston, Malin Akerman, and Tom Cruise. Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Sherrie (Hough) moves to the City of Dreams to pursue her passion of singing. There, she meets aspiring rocker Drew (Boneta) and he gets her a waitressing job at the famed Bourbon Room on the Sunset Strip. Its love at first sight, but their relationship is tested by the prospect of fame and fortune. Other story lines, involving all others mention above, also occur, but they're not worth describing. I was expecting this film to be a satire, as I could not imagine anyone, not even the actors and director, taking this seriously. However, the film was so un-funny that I began worrying that they were being serious. It turns out that it was a satire, because it was so painfully bad that it had to be. I don't know what possessed all of these talented people to sign onto a project so ridiculous as this one. All of the musical numbers felt out of place, the lip-synching and auto-tuning were god-awful, the acting was mercifully bad, and the characters were just laughable. Tom Cruise, almost fifty and well under six feet tall, makes a fool of himself playing a rock star/sex god. I laughed guiltlessly every time he appeared on screen. Zeta-Jones and Akerman were also some of the worst offenders. Their characters were so incredibly ridiculous that I almost couldn't bear to watch. Shankman, with Hairspray, was able to craft a funny, poignant, and relevant musical, which I really enjoyed, but this one was a huge miss. I left the theatre angry that the film wasted two-and-a-half hours of my life.

Should you see it: No
Grade: F

Rock of Ages gets the distinction of being the first film on my blog to receive an F.

Film Review -- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Written by Simon Beaufoy, the Oscar-winner who penned Slumdog Millionaire, this indie stars Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, and Kristin Scott Thomas. Dr. Alfred Jones (McGregor) is one of Great Britain's leading fisheries expert, and he is approached by a consultant (Blunt) to a Middle-Eastern sheik (Amr Waked) about bringing the sport of fly fishing to the deserts of Yemen. He at first finds the idea appalling, unrealistic, and ridiculous, but an indirect threat on his job by the Prime Minister's spunky press secretary (Scott Thomas) forces him to take on the project. At first, his reluctance causes stiffness in his working relationship with Blunt's Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, but soon both of them come to wholeheartedly believe in the project, as well as develop a liking for each other. The film is very offbeat and quirky; the plot is definitely unlike any other I'm aware of. I did find the concept a little ludicrous, but I figured that if Dr. Jones believed the project to be rubbish throughout the film, it would turn out to be a very clever piece of satire. I assumed that, with such a ludicrous concept, the film would  never take it seriously; however, when Dr. Jones becomes an avid supporter of the project, the film's believability factor went way down. Nevertheless, it is a very mild and pleasing film.

Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B

Film Review -- The Amazing Spider-Man

Directed by indie darling Marc Webb and starring Andrew Garfield. Emma Stone, and Rhys Ifans, this reboot of the relatively recent superhero franchise tells the story of Peter Parker, a shy and awkward high school student whose parents vanished mysteriously when he was just a young boy. Raised by his Uncle Ben (Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field), the teen one day discovers a briefcase that belonged to his father and that may hold a very important clue to the truth about his parents. The holdings in the briefcase lead Peter to Dr. Curt Conners, his father's old research partner. Unknowingly, Peter gives Dr. Conners a vital piece of information that will threaten all of mankind, and it is up to the unlikely hero to go undercover and save the day. I was skeptical since the announcement of this film, because the first Spider-Man film only came out ten years ago, and it seemed way too soon to be rebooting it already. However, I enjoyed it more than the original -- Garfield and Stone make a more attractive and believable pair. I did, however, gripe with one major plot hole (which I won't reveal directly, but it involves Peter's camera) that completely ruined the film for me; I just could not forgive it, and could not believe a smart guy like Peter could've made such a stupid mistake. After that, my enjoyment level suffered quite a bit, but I was still very much entertained overall by the film's tense pacing.

Should you see it: Sure
Grade: B-