Mark Hobin
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Man of Steel (2013)
The movie is the creation of sterile perfectionism. The actors are… More
The movie is the creation of sterile perfectionism. The actors are pretty, everyone hits their marks, says their lines and does exactly what is asked of them. It exhibits slick professionalism but not art. The picture has no essence. There is no warmth, no wit, no humor, no joy. The only thing more offensive than the vulgar reliance on special effects in this flick, are the product placement deals. Word has it that it earned $160 million even before it ever played in a single theater due to all the advertising negotiations made. It doesn't come without a cost. Superman literally has a fight that starts at 7-Eleven, heads over to IHOP afterwards, then wraps at Sears. All the while the aforementioned businesses conspicuously pop up in scenes where the action is a muddy blur but their beaming signs are clear as day. There is no spark of life to be found in Man of Steel. It is a soulless product bought and paid for by the Hollywood machine.
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3 days ago via Flixster
Mark reviewed...
This Is the End (2013)
Stoner movie, slacker comedy, the arrested development of grown men in… More
Stoner movie, slacker comedy, the arrested development of grown men in their 30s. It's a tradition that perhaps started in 1978 with National Lampoon's Animal House and has continued with last year's Ted. This is the End compares favorably with those works. No this isn't highbrow stuff. Admittedly, it can be puerile and jejune at times. All the soporific humor gets a bit excessive. And the running time could use the benefits of an editor. It drags for about 20 minutes before the final act (which is thankfully inspired). But the overall theme promotes a redemptive heart. After all, these people were forsaken when the faithful were being taken up into heaven during the rapture. There's brilliance in its simple truths. For example - James Franco attempting to explain the mystery of the Holy Trinity to his confused friend. "It's like Neapolitan ice cream." More often than not this riff on the end of the world is a funny, and even insightful, sketch comedy. A model of the genre that deserves to be the most quotable film of 2013.
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5 days ago via Flixster
Mark reviewed...
The East (2013)
When I originally saw the trailer for The East, I figured it would be… More
When I originally saw the trailer for The East, I figured it would be a "horror" film recounting violent revenge "The East" exacted on evil companies they determined should be taken to task. But the way the plot unfolds it's more of a character examination balancing the principles of environmental terrorists with those of a corporate spy concerned about their "eye for an eye" mentality. It's natural to champion the environment, but hardly anyone would go to the limits of these radicals. We see these activists operate on the far end on the protester spectrum. They break into a gasoline mogul's mansion and dump crude oil through the air-conditioning vents. Later they lace the champagne of employees at a drug manufacturer's party with their own questionable medication. Their extreme behavior is not something most people would advocate. Yet we grow to understand their motivations and their viewpoint. On this converse side, we also appreciate Sarah's dilemma as she starts to sympathize with her criminal zealots and their alarming objectives. There are some issues. You might say that Brit Marling as Sarah ingratiates herself into the group a bit too easily. Also, the narrative is tidied up at the conclusion in a couple hastily presented scenes that don't do the nuanced story any favors. But more often than not this portrait is a brilliant study that handles multiple characters with deft and precision. Few films have accomplished this so skillfully in 2013.
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8 days ago via Flixster
