Gone (2012)
Recently watched: panned by the critics but the middle third of Gone will hold your attention well enough, as Jill Conway (Amanda Seyfried) tries to locate her kidnapped sister whilst on the run from the police, who don’t believe her story. It’s nothing special but it’s a lot better than an 11% rating.
Cold Weather (2011)
Recently watched: Cold Weather is an awkward, ambling, low-key sort-of-mystery movie that I liked but could’ve liked more. The mystery elements (played up in the trailer above) are the best part, but later on the film seems more concerned with its central characters, which I cared less about. Like a low-budget, less polished, grown-up version of Brick.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Recently watched: not sure about the way mental health is portrayed (Bradley Cooper goes jogging in a bin bag, that’s how you can tell he’s crazy), or the way Jennifer Lawrence is objectified and ogled by everyone else (including director David O. Russell) or about the rather flimsy plot premise (two slightly mad, incredibly attractive people live nearby and enter a dance competition together) but the strengths of the movie — the well-judged ending, the nuances in the characters, and the strong performances (particular the aforementioned Jennifer Lawrence) — mean that it’s still in credit at the end.
The Master (2012)
Recently watched: featuring towering performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and filled with one beautifully shot scene after another, The Master is nevertheless let down by a lack of narrative drive and a wholly unlikeable cast of characters (see also There Will Be Blood). Paul Thomas Anderson’s best film is still Magnolia.
A Royal Affair (2012)
Recently watched: the Queen of Denmark has an affair with her doctor, with predictable results — it looks lovely, the performances are fine, but there’s nothing very special or noteworthy here.
