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).

Her

3.5 stars out of 4

Beautiful and astoundingly original, Her is a romantic drama unlike any other. Set in near-future Los Angeles, Her follows Theodore (a brilliant Joaquin Phoenix), an introverted loner who makes his living writing handwritten cards via computer. He learns of OS1, the world's first artificially intelligent operating system. After purchasing the product and answering a few simple questions that gage his personality, Theodore is paired up with operating system Charlotte (a sensational Scarlett Johansson). Even though she's basically just a voice, she has a rich personality that is quirky, sexy, charming, and most strangely, alive (credit must be given to Johansson for building an entirely likable and believable character using only her voice). Theodore falls in love with Charlotte and begins a relationship with her that will change his life. Writer-director Spike Jonze is such a visionary, whose works always pack a haunting emotional resonance. Her proves to be no different. Who would have thought of a concept like this that weirdly but perfectly captures our times and our obsession with technology. And even though the premise might turn off some audiences with its strangeness, Jonze makes this story beautiful, believable, and human. I found myself stunned by this daring and unpredictable piece of work. It's a tad too long, but that doesn't stop it from being one of the year's best films.

August: Osage County

3 stars out of 4

Based on the award-winning play from Tracy Letts, August: Osage County follows The Weston family, who is gathered together after the disappearance of the patriarch (Sam Shepard). We are introduced to a slew of interesting characters, including the pill-popping mom (Meryl Streep) and her bitter daughter (Julia Roberts). Tension rises as bitter truths are spilled, and shocking secrets are revealed. The Weinstein Company is pushing this as a heavy awards contender that packs drama, humor, and emotion. Really, this movie is more like simple trashy fun. The performances are universally excellent (but award worthy? That is seriously questionable, aside from a fierce turn from Julia Roberts), but the story is so twisty, soapy, and dramatic that it borders on unbelievable. If you're expecting to be devastated and stunned, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a bunch of shrill, shrieky women to yell at and fight with each other (the best line in the film is when Julia Roberts' character yells at Meryl Streep's character, "EAT THE FISH, BITCH!"), August: Osage County is the campy, trashy movie you've been waiting for.

Dallas Buyers Club

2.5 stars out of 4

The impeccably acted Dallas Buyers Club tells the inspiring true story of Ron Woodroof (a stellar Matthew McConaughey), a homophobic Texan who is diagnosed with AIDS in the '80s. After finding it difficult to obtain treatments for himself, he joins up with transgender woman Rayon (a brilliant and unrecognizable Jared Leto) to sell medication to AIDS positive people and give them access to treatment when no one else will. While Dallas Buyers Club deserves the acting nods that it has been receiving, I don't think that this is a best picture worthy film. A beautiful story and an important message doesn't quite stop the film from being "by-the-numbers." I never really found myself surprised by anything and felt that it drags in the middle. Still, the fine acting and solid filmmaking make Dallas Buyers Club a film worth seeing.

Upstream Color

3.5 stars out of 4

I'll be the first to admit that I didn't know what was happening for most of Upstream Color. This experimental arthouse flick that combines sci-fi, drama, romance, and thriller together is one of the strangest movies I've ever seen. And yet, I was mesmerized the entire time. I don't even know what the plot of this film is. But I know that it involves a damaged couple (a brave Amy Seimetz and a fantastic Shane Carruth). The two lovers are drawn towards each other and attempt to fix the wrongs in their lives. But then this story is interweaved with side plots involving parasites, worms, and pigs. And then there are drugs and hypnosis. And then weird, unexplainable sights and sounds thrown in for the mix. I don't know how filmmaker Shane Carruth -- who starred, directed, produced, wrote, shot, edited, and scored Upstream Color -- pulled it all off. This should have been a frustrating, pretentious disaster, but it instead recalls the masterpieces from Terrence Malick. Carruth's use of beautiful imagery and intense sound design is masterful. His off-kilter editing is among the best of the year. This is a "movie" that must be experienced. You won't know what hit you, but you'll know that what you saw was brilliant.