——THE ESSENTIALS—––
BRIDESMAIDS (Paul Feig)
A master class in how to make a comedy. Makes it look easy. It isn’t. Everybody shines in this one. From top to bottom, Kristen Wiig (also co-writer), Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper, the lot!
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATOO (David Fincher)
Another remake, this time from a 2009 original from Sweden (itself based on the 2005 Swedish novel). And again, a success. Strange, wonderful and strangely wonderful. Great casting, as a punk computer hacker with a past (Rooney Mara) joins forces with a journalist (Daniel Craig) to solve a mystery for a wealthy patriarch (Christopher Plummer). Fincher’s meticulous direction keeps the plot points in line while exploring a most unusual relationship.
——JEFF’S PICKS——
THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne)
Another gem from director Alexander Payne, who also took an Oscar for co-adapting the screenplay. George Clooney navigates the choppy waters of familial love and loss, legacy and betrayal. Oh, and also while trying to raise 10-yr and 17-yr old girls. Payne’s familiar blend of humanity and unflinching dark humor make everything feel real. Like lives truly lived. A winner.
DRIVE (Nicolas Winding Refn)
Ryan Gosling scores as a stunt double and part-time getaway driver in this nifty Indie. Hard to pidgeon-hole, there’s action, dark humor and the human touch. Creates its own little universe, tough and tender. Carey Mulligan co-stars along with Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston, Oscar Isaac and Ron Perlman. Refn won the Best Director award at Cannes for his efforts.
HAYWIRE (Steven Soderbergh)
Another great Soderbergh spy thriller, this one starring Gina Carano, true-life mixed martial arts fighter doing her own stunts. Carano plays an operative for a private intelligence firm hired by the CIA. When things go wrong on an assignment, she realizes she’s been set up. She’s got her work cut out for her, as she tries to find out the truth followed by plenty of folks who would like her dead. This is Jason Bourne country as the locale moves from Barcelona to Dublin to San Diego and points in between. Great action scenes, terrific pacing and an exciting music score. The supporting cast is as good as it gets. Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paxton, Channing Tatum, Antonio Banderas, Michael Douglas, all contribute.
KILLER JOE (William Friedkin)
A wild ride through Texas trailer trash country. Matthew McConaughey as a police detective/hired killer who slithers his way into the lives of the dysfunctional family of the century. William Friedkin directs Tracy Letts’ screenplay (from his 1993 stage play) with straight-ahead genius, letting the characters (read the actors) have all the room they need to be their crazy selves. Explosive, hilarious, liberating. Emile Hirsch, Gina Gershon, Juno Temple and Thomas Haden Church are all beyond amazing.
SHAME (Steve McQueen)
A harrowing character study of a man trapped in his self-loathing, sex addiction, anger and loneliness. Michael Fassbender is devastating as the tortured Brandon, who lives a precarious double life as a successful, functioning human being. Carey Mulligan is heart-breaking as his emotionally scarred sister. Not your average feel-good movie or a good choice for a first date. But a deeply rewarding experience for discriminating adults.
TAKE SHELTER (Jeff Nichols)
Outstanding performances by Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain anchor this story of a man plagued by apocalyptic visions. Aware that he may be slipping into paranoid schizophrenia, he nonetheless has an overwhelming and natural compulsion to protect his family from something that feels is all too real. Director Nichols’ naturalistic style keeps things grounded. And guides us through our own emotional roller coaster.
TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY (Tomas Alfredson)
As good a spy thriller as they get. This film adaptation of the 1974 John le Carre novel and the beloved 1979 BBC mini series boasts a ridiculously brilliant cast of Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, and others. Some may argue that Alec Guiness’ Smiley can never be bettered. But it’s a quiet disagreement at best.
WIN WIN (Tom McCarthy)
Just like a good Indie sleeper should, this one delivers unexpected delights in its simple story of a struggling lawyer, father and part-time losing High School wrestling coach who becomes a reluctant mentor to a troubled teen. Paul Giamatti is just as good as you would expect him to be as he adjusts to the fact that his unwanted protege happens to have natural talent as a wrestler. Part sports movie, part comedy-drama, its greatest accomplishment is in avoiding the cliches that these kinds of movies always seem to succumb to.
