Proof

This dramedy had good acting but really needed to be edgier & dirtier to be effective. Think Stephen Frears but... less. 3/5

Proof on Netflix

Jesus Henry Christ

This dramedy is well acted I would have benefited from a little more seriousness. Good, not great. 3/5 3/5

Jesus Henry Christ on Netflix

In My Sleep

This suspense thriller was badly in need of decent actors & a stronger plot - I saw everything a mile away. Meh. 2.5/5

In My Sleep on Netflix

Dane Cook: ISolated INcident

Dear god, no, just no, and could he maybe not steal jokes? The man should stick to acting. Yikes. 2/5

Dane Cook: ISolated INcident on Netflix

The Double Feature Weekly Wrap-Up, 8/26/12

Welcome to this week's edition of  the Double Feature Weekly Wrap-up! Very interesting movie week with some hard pairings - hope I did a good job! Here are my self-imposed rules taken from my first edition:

1. No pairing of sequels. Obviously Watching Iron Man 2 with Iron Man would  be a good double feature, but that's so obvious I don't think it should count. Same with pairing it with another film in the Avengers series.
2. No pairing remakes with originals. Yes, it's tempting to pair the new Arthur with the original, but again that's too obvious.
3. No pairings with the same director or lead actor unless a REALLY persuasive case can be made.

So, without further ado, here's my double-feature pairings for the week:

• Lockout - I'm almost ashamed to admit that I really liked this film. It was fun, well acted, compelling, and well directed... and really, what more can you ask from a popcorn action film? Pair this with Death Race, another popcorn action flick that was just dead fun to watch, regardless of how silly it was.
• Virginia - Jennifer Connelly was excellent in this drama but I kept feeling the film should be taking itself more seriously. The subject matter was compelling, as was the character of Virginia, and I felt making it too light stole the shine from what could have been a very impactful film. This reminded me of Jolene, which was Jessica Chastain's first major role. The trailers for Jolene were light but the film itself was quite heavy and dark at times and really brought the reality of the situations at hand home. Virginia could have learned from this handling I think.
• Silent House - Usually movies like this scare me to death, but Silent House was an empty promise. Elizabeth Olsen was utterly amazing (as usual) but she was given nothing to work with. Simply put, the viewer is given no reason to join in Olsen's fear and thus the movie fails. Pair this with Jim Carrey's wonderful performance in The Number 23, a taut thriller that really had me... .up until the last 10 minutes that is. The Number 23 does what Silent House tried to do but failed - it takes the improbable and makes you afraid of it.
• Bernie - Throw away everything you know about Jack Black because he will just blow you away in this black comedy. I like Jack Black and I was just astounded at his performance in this - totally different than anything he's done before. The whole format of this was fun and well-designed - it reminded me across the board of To Die For , the Nicole Kidman film from a few years back that had a similar format and feel to it, even a similar type of plot.
• Perfect Sense - This sci-fi thriller was nothing I expected - hell, I didn't even know it wass a sci-fi thriller! However, it was everything I wanted - taut, well-paced, wonderfully acted and really intense. Really well done across the board. Pair this with Another Earth , another sci-fi film set in an ordinary world that will get you thinking about things in a different way.
• Hot Coffee - This documentary about tort reform was interesting and persuasive, but I found it a little preachy at times. Pair this with Food Inc., another social interest documentary that gives good information but at times tips a little much into preaching territory.

That's it for this week - happy movie watching!

Hot Coffee

An interesting documentary that may not have persuaded me but will certainly make me think more about tort reform. 4/5

Hot Coffee on Netflix

Perfect Sense

A sci-fi thriller in a non-sci-fi world, this darkly emotional film lives in a disturbing place. Incredible. 4/5

Perfect Sense on Netflix

Bernie

Put away your perceptions of Jack Black - he is amazing in this witty black comedy with everything done right. 4.5/5

Bernie on Netflix

Silent House

Olsen is marvelous but as a horror film this fails as we the viewers are never given a reason to be afraid. 2.5/5

Silent House on Netflix

Virginia

The drama couldn't decided how seriously to take it subject matter so I found it wishy-washy with good acting. 3/5

Virginia on Netflix

The Double Feature Weekly Wrap-Up, 8/19/12

Welcome to this week's edition of  the Double Feature Weekly Wrap-up! This is coming in late this week so I'm going to have to make this shorter than usual. More really superb movies this week - I hope I do them justice with my double feature picks. Here are my self-imposed rules taken from my first edition:

1. No pairing of sequels. Obviously Watching Iron Man 2 with Iron Man would  be a good double feature, but that's so obvious I don't think it should count. Same with pairing it with another film in the Avengers series.
2. No pairing remakes with originals. Yes, it's tempting to pair the new Arthur with the original, but again that's too obvious.
3. No pairings with the same director or lead actor unless a REALLY persuasive case can be made.

So, without further ado, here's my double-feature pairings for the week:

• Man on the Train - Johnny Hallyday came to my attention in the spectacular film Vengenace, which was about as close to a perfect movie as one can hope for. In Man on the Train, Hallyday captured the weary, reluctant criminal better than nearly anyone - he's a wonderful actor. It reminded me very much of Leon: The Professional, where Jean Reno delivered a similarly toned performance in another wonderful film.
• African Cats - This nature documentary was a distilled version of the show Big Cat Diary, of which I am a huge fan. I believe it was even shot in the same place. It's a must see for nature documentary lover, as is Planet Earth: The Complete Series , the double feature series with which I would pair this film.
• Pariah - This coming-of-age sexual identity film was good but not great - it felt rather surface-level to me. It's a shame as I was really interested in the subject matter and thought the acting was quite good. Pair this with Latter Days, a similar film also dealing with sexual identity in the face of a religious family.
• Puncture - Chris Evans was just wonderful in this legal thriller based on actual events. This film was taut and really well paced and written - wuite good. Pair it with Travolta's A Civil Action  , another legal drama based on real events of the same tenor and feel.
• A Girl Walks Into a Bar - I really wanted to like this a lot as I'm a big fan of Guitterez's previous films. They all have a very particular feel to them that I've not felt with any other filmmaker. This was good, but Guitterez' previous film Women in Trouble is much better and will give you a true impression of this style.
  Kimjongilia - This is a powerful and unflinching look at North Korea - it's almost painful to watch. This absolutely must be paired with A State of Mind, another strong documentary about the strange culture of this country.

Happy movie watching!

Lockout

This is a perfectly serviceable popcorn action thriller - far better than I expected actually with decent acting. 3/5

Lockout on Netflix

Kimjongilia

A powerful, unflinching & brave documentary that exposes the horrors of North Korean life like few others films. 4/5

Kimjongilia on Netflix

A Girl Walks Into A Bar

This is a decent comedy with great acting but it left me colder than Guiterrez's previous efforts. 3/5

A Girl Walks Into A Bar on Netflix

Puncture

Chris Evans is wonderful & the plot engaging in this well directed legal drama inspired by real events. 3.5/5

Puncture on Netflix

Pariah

This indie drama about sexual identity is powerful in its message but I felt could have gone deeper into character. 3/5

Pariah on Netflix

African Cats

This gorgeous documentary was like a shortened version of "Big Cat Diary" - such amazing animals! Beautiful. 4/5

African Cats on Netflix

Man on the Train

I adore Johnny Hallyday in everything, but his delicacy & grace were just perfect in this role - wonderful. 4/5

Man on the Train on Netflix

The Double Feature Weekly Wrap-Up, 8/12/12

Welcome to this week's edition of  the Double Feature Weekly Wrap-up! I had some great movies this week - I hope I do them justice with my double feature picks. Here are my self-imposed rules taken from my first edition:

1. No pairing of sequels. Obviously Watching Iron Man 2 with Iron Man would  be a good double feature, but that's so obvious I don't think it should count. Same with pairing it with another film in the Avengers series.
2. No pairing remakes with originals. Yes, it's tempting to pair the new Arthur with the original, but again that's too obvious.
3. No pairings with the same director or lead actor unless a REALLY persuasive case can be made.

So, without further ado, here's my double-feature pairings for the week:

• Purple Noon - This original French adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley left me quite cold. I found it choppy, uneven, and full of holes. For a better thriller with a similar tone try the much better Perfume: The Story of a Murderer which is resplendent with wonderful acting and a sumptuous story. Trust me, you'll like it better.
• Interview - Buscemi and Miller really nailed this dramedy - the writing in ia was so smart and quick and their chemistry was spot on. It reminded me of a much better version My Dinner With Andre, a cult classic that I just didn't get but many really love. If you liked Andre you'll love Interview I think.
• Bel Ami - Oh, Pattison is just so unbelievably amazing in this I simply don't have words. No, seriously... this kid can act. Although I know this character was meant to evoke Valmont I instead would recommend Vanity Fair with Reece Witherspoon as a better double feature. The stories are much more similar and the main character story arcs relate so nicely.
• Being Flynn - What a marvelous film this was on every level! Paul Dano gave the performance of his life and De Niro was better than he's been in years. Everything about this was amazing - I've no complaints. For a good double feature pair this with It's Kind of a Funny Story, a raw, believable, and powerful story with the best acting you'll probably ever see from Zach Galifianakis.
• Fantastic Mr. Fox - I've kind of been done with Wes Anderson for a while but this animated film reminded me why I was a fan in the first place. Really marvelous all around. I'm slightly at a loss for a double feature pick as I don't' watch many animated films. The best idea I can come up with is Ratatouille , a joyful film that strikes the same notes.
• Take Me Home Tonight - I didn't expect to like this nearly as much as I did. The acting was spot on, the writing witty and the plot engaging. It reminded me very much of The Wedding Singer which remains my favorite 80's period comedy ever.
• The Man with the Movie Camera - This 1929 silent film is honestly one of the finest and most astonishing films I've ever seen, bar none. I am simploy stunned at how many films found there origins here int his brave, revolutionary work. I can't think of a single double feature recommendation for this because nothing can honestly compare. Watch this one on it's own - it deserves nothing less.

There you go, my recommendations for the week. Happy movie watching!

The Man with the Movie Camera

This film is absolutely genius in every way & I cannot believe it was made in 1929! Beyond amazing! 5/5

The Man with the Movie Camera on Netflix

Take Me Home Tonight

This 80's comedy was surprisingly well written and acted - it never felt false to me. Color me shocked! 4/5

Take Me Home Tonight on Netflix

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Wes Anderson delivers in this whimsical & morally ambiguous tale - very witty & well acted. Well done! 4.5

Fantastic  Mr. Fox on Netflix

Being Flynn

De Niro is magnificent but Paul Dano is just stellar in this dark, tragic, & very bittersweet drama. Amazing. 4.5/5

Being Flynn on Netflix

Bel Ami

Pattinson is AMAZING in this perfect period drama that reminded me of "Vanity Fair" and "Dangerous Liasons". Seriously, I cannot state enough how astonishing Pattinson was in this. He blew my mind and that's not easy to do. Wow. Wonderful! 4.5/5

Bel Ami on Netflix

Interview

Buscemi's dramedy is quick, witty, & *really* well acted by both parties - "My Dinner with Andre" only way better. 4/5

Interview on Netflix

Purple Noon

I was never a "Talented Mr. Ripley" fan but that was far superior to this muddy French original - very scattered. 2.5/5

Purple Noon on Netflix

The Double Feature Weekly Wrap-Up, 8/5/12

Welcome to this week's edition of  the Double Feature Weekly Wrap-up! Tough ones this week - none of these were easy to pair up but I'm happy with my final selections. Here are my self-imposed rules taken from my first edition:

1. No pairing of sequels. Obviously Watching Iron Man 2 with Iron Man would  be a good double feature, but that's so obvious I don't think it should count. Same with pairing it with another film in the Avengers series.
2. No pairing remakes with originals. Yes, it's tempting to pair the new Arthur with the original, but again that's too obvious.
3. No pairings with the same director or lead actor unless a REALLY persuasive case can be made.

So, without further ado, here's my double-feature pairings for the week:

• The Daytrippers - I realize this is a cult comedy hit. I realize it has a big following of fans. I realize that it makes lists of the best indie comedies around. I didn't see it at all. I found it rather insipid, if I'm being honest, and I really don't get what the fuss was about. What The Daytrippers wants to do  City Island actually does by tightly weaving a comedy script around a group of likeable characters in an witty way.
• Detention - Oh dear god this was truly awful. I mean terribly, horribly awful in a way that cannot be redeemed in any way, shape or form. It wanted to be the next Scream and failed on every level. You want to know my double feature recommendation for this. NOTHING. Because to be a double feature you'd have to watch Detention and I wouldn't wish that upon any of you. Ugh.
• Toast - This film is just charming - it's the best word I can think of to describe it. It's fablesque and fabulously acted across the board. It reminded me very much of Billy Elliot in tone and form - I think they'd make a lovely pairing.
• 49 Up - This was my last UP film for a while, at least until 56 Up hits DVD so I'm slightly in mourning about not having anymore to see. I truly loved every moment of this series and I can't wait to see where our heroes are when next we meet. I'm running out of ideas for pairings for these lovely documentaries so I'm going to go with Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure for this pick. It's a wild story that spans decades and examines human behavior from different angles. It's an interesting film that I think would pair well with this series.
• The Grey - I fully realize that action thrillers like this usually don't make the bet of sense but this Liam Neeson thriller destroyed any idea of logic very early on and just got worse and worse. Yes, the action was good but I must have rolled my eyes a dozen times - not a good sign. Instead of this watch Adrian Brody in Wrecked, a wonderfully taut, well-written and marvelously acted thriller that will keep you both guessing and at the edge of your seat the whole film.
• I Saw The Devil - I'm a huge fan of Korean revenge thrillers and this one was no exception. While it was on the whole much more graphically violent than most others in this genre it was just gorgeously shot - it was like watching a painting. Strange to find such beauty in the midst of such horror - one of the reasons I love these films. This would pair perfectly with The Man from Nowhere , another Korean revenge thriller with an similar tone and feel. Both are truly excellent - if you like these types of films you'll love both of these.

There you have it, my double feature recommendations for the week. I hope you enjoy them and happy movie watching!

I Saw The Devil

This Korean revenge thriller is perfectly directly and easily the most violent I've yet seen. Disturbing. 4.5/5

I Saw The Devil on Netflix

The Grey

This thriller stopped making any sense at all at the beginning & just went downhill. Just didn't work for me, sorry. 2/5

The Grey on Netflix

49 Up

The last installment for a while in this wonderful series brings so many things round to a perfect waiting spot. 5/5

49 Up on Netflix

Toast

Nigel Slater's biography brought to life is a charming, almost fable-like tale wonderfully acted. Well done. 3.5/5

Toast on Netflix

Detention

Dear god this was just awful. The writers wanted clever & only achieved the purely awful. Please don't rent this! 1/5

Detention on Netflix