January 2014 Movie Reviews

January 2014 Movie Reviews

Jack Ryan, Labor Day, Ride Along, Stranger by the Lake, and That Awkward Moment

By Brett Takeshita

January. The month during which studios dump out their "lesser" films after releasing their award contenders during December. In other words, studios tend to have little faith in these movies, and in most cases, it shows. January 2014 definitely proved this stigma true with mediocrity.

Blog Update and 2014 Cinema Chat

Blog Update and 2014 Cinema Chat

Hello, friends, and welcome to 2014 cinema... in July! Please excuse my overlong absence from writing. During the past few months, I had been working on my own film (who would've thought) and didn't have much time to write. And then when the school year ended and summer began, I was on a furious hunt for an internship. (Fortunately, I have secured a good one!) Despite a pretty busy schedule, I always made time to go to my sacred place: the movies! Now that I have settled down, I finally have some time to write. 

2013 Cinema: The Best and The Worst of the Year

2013 Cinema: The Best and the Worst of the Year

By Brett Takeshita

Overview of 2013 Cinema

2013 was a solid, if a bit uneven, year for the movies. I noticed a strange pattern in which some of the best movies came out earlier in the year, and at least for me, cinema as a whole declined in quality as the year went on. (I'll admit that I'm not that ecstatic with this year's Oscar nominees). Nevertheless, what I will remember and appreciate from 2013 is that cinema dared to be different. It was stamped with modernity. It dared to be bolder and take more risks by having loftier ambitions. Whether the movies succeeded or failed, they left lasting impressions.

The Wolf of Wall Street Review

The Wolf of Wall Street

4 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

The Wolf of Wall Street is a masterpiece that ends 2013 with a bang. This is a new American classic, one that will be remembered years from now as one of Scorsese and DiCaprio's best works ever.

Capsule Reviews: Awards Buzz Edition

Capsule Reviews: Awards Buzz Edition

Reviews of Her, August: Osage County, Dallas Buyers Club, and Upstream Color

By Brett Takeshita

I've decided to do things a little bit differently for some 2013 movies that I've recently seen; mainly because I've been getting a lot of requests for my "Best Films of 2013" list. That is still a work in progress but should be out shortly. So, here are my mini reviews for some of the movies that have been garnering Oscar and/or Spirit Award nominations (as well as a slew of other awards nominations from smaller groups, circles, and organizations).

Getaway Review

Getaway

2.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

To be completely honest, I was really excited to see Getaway. When I first saw the trailers, I thought to myself, "Ethan Hawke + Selena Gomez + fast cars = awesome." And then I got nervous after I saw the reviews. It has a whopping 2% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is one of the worst reviewed movies of 2013. But I gotta tell you that I sorta dug Getaway. It's ridiculously stupid and unbelievable, but it's also tons of fun. 

2014 Oscar Nominations- Thoughts and Snubs

2014 Oscar Nominations

Thoughts and Snubs

By Brett Takeshita

It is Thursday, January 16, 2014. What does that mean? Oscar nominations, of course! What was surprising for me this year was that there weren't very many big surprises. Remember last year when the Academy screwed up and forgot to nominate both Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director? Yeah, the Academy made sure not to make similar mistakes again. And for the most part, nominations for both Best Picture and Best Actor/Actress (as well as the supporting categories) lined up with what critics' circles and other awards groups had been nominating these past few months. So, I'm actually pretty content with the nominees this year. Here are some of my thoughts:

The Way Way Back Review

The Way Way Back

3 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

The Way Way Back proves that even if movies follow formula, they can still be fantastic. The Way Way Back doesn't bring many surprises to "the summer that changed everything" coming-of-age film, but it is so charming that you can't help but love it. 

American Hustle Review

American Hustle

2 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

You might be thinking that I've lost my mind. How could I not recommend one of 2013's most acclaimed films? Well, it's a little complicated. American Hustle has one of the finest acting ensembles of the year. The larger-than-life performances are absolutely electric. But for me, the overly convoluted plot proved more frustrating than fun. 

White House Down Review

White House Down

3 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

White House Down is one of 2013's most fun and entertaining blockbusters. It's big, loud, and dumb, but also completely self-aware and never takes itself too seriously. 

Black Nativity Review

Black Nativity

2.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

Black Nativity is your standard, safe, and family-friendly Holiday movie fare. However, strong performances and joyous musical numbers elevate this film beyond television-movie level status. 

Out of the Furnace Review

Out of the Furnace

3 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

Out of the Furnace sears into your brain like hot coal with its blazing performances, intense atmosphere, and haunting storytelling.

Trance Review

Trance

2 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

Trance is a film that is easy to admire but hard to understand. The captivating performances, gorgeous visuals, and exciting direction don't quite compensate for a story that rarely makes sense and takes a few too many steps into crazy town. 

Homefront Review

Homefront

2.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

Homefront is all kinds of ridiculous. There is no story to speak of. And in the real world, do you actually think that James Franco would even have the slightest chance of taking down Jason Statham? Hell no. While Homefront is a dumb, plotless mess, it's also a lot of fun.

Inside Llewyn Davis Review

Inside Llewyn Davis

2 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

Forgive me, but I didn't love Inside Llewyn Davis like so many other people do. And I'm disappointed because I was really hoping to like it. The performances are fantastic across the board, but unfortunately, I found this film to be rather unenjoyable.

The Best Man Holiday Review

The Best Man Holiday

3.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

If I told you that The Best Man Holiday is one of my favorite films of 2013, would you believe me? Probably not. But what I am telling you is the honest truth. I absolutely loved this gift of a movie that intelligently combines outrageous humor with true heart. In fact, The Best Man Holiday may now be my favorite Christmas movie. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Review

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

3 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games, then you will love Catching Fire. This deeper and meaner sequel is a giant improvement over the first film.

Blue is the Warmest Color Review

Blue is the Warmest Color

3.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

A 3-hour, NC-17 rated, French lesbian drama. As a film, could you possibly have more going against you? All the odds are stacked against Blue is the Warmest Color, but no subtitles or explicit 10-minute sex scenes should steer you away from one of the year's best films. 

The Counselor Review

The Counselor

2.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

The Counselor is the film that multiple critics are positing as one of the worst films of the year. This negativity is completely unjustified. While it certainly isn't the Oscar-worthy film that some had predicted and hoped for, The Counselor is a mean, nasty, and original little thriller that brave moviegoers should seek out. 

12 Years a Slave Review

12 Years a Slave

3.5 stars out of 4

By Brett Takeshita

12 Years a Slave is an essential viewing. This brutal but brilliant epic is the most important film of the year.