——THE ESSENTIALS ——
DJANGO UNCHAINED (Quentin Tarantino)
Tarantino at his peak. Incendiary, controversial (of course) and riveting. A revisionist historical drama with Spaghetti Western energy. Everybody shines in this, from Jamie Foxx to Leonardo DiCaprio to Samuel L. Jackson to Oscar-winner (again) Christoph Waltz.
MOONRISE KINGDOM (Wes Anderson)
The Wes Anderson film even for those who aren’t really sure if they even like Wes Anderson films. Like me. There’s no denying that this one is quintessential Anderson. Quirky characters, elliptical dialogue, fairy-tale realism, colors everywhere, and plenty of heart. Probably his masterpiece. Any arguments? The cast is ridiculous. Full of top actors who never looked like this before. Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Harvey Keitel and the ubiquitous Bill Murray. But it’s the cast of kids who steal the show.
—–JEFF’S PICKS—–
LAWLESS (John Hillcoat)
An absolutely top-notch cast raises this story of the moonshine wars in Franklin County, Virginia during Prohibition almost to the epic level that it’s shooting for. But a near-miss is good enough when everyone is as committed as this cast and crew were in telling this true tale. Tom Hardy, Shia Lebouf, Jessica Chastain, Guy Pearce and Gary Oldman lead the superb cast. Excellent production design and costumes create a time and place all its own. The screenplay by Nick Cave is economical and authentic. Cave also did the music for this underrated gem.
SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED (Colin Trevorrow)
The kind of movie that gives Indies a good name. Starring the queen, Aubrey Plaza. Financed partly by the Duplass brothers and starring Mark as well. Everything’s off-kilter in just the right way. Consistently funny, but still recognizable as happening in the same absurd world we live in too.
SMASHED (James Ponsoldt)
The best movie about alcoholism ever made. Mary Elizabeth Winstead is astonishing in a breakout performance that sets the tone. Told without sentiment, but still with warmth and humor. Sometimes harrowing, the film pulls no punches while staying grounded and real, thanks to director Ponsoldt’s sure hand. And all with a budget of $500,00. Aaron Paul matches Winstead all the way, as does the supporting cast of Nick Offerman, Octavia Spencer, Megan Mullaly, and Mary Kay Place.
