It seems we have a weekend of disaster on our hands. Besides the apocalypse — set during a couple’s brunch, of all places — this batch of films details the dystopic effects of modern technology, a futuristic world where diseases are commodified, a battle for survival at the ends of the earth (aka, the Norwegian tundra), and a study of man’s inability to relate. And, of course, the cataclysmic “Scary Movie” franchise makes its reappearance. The lone light at the end of the tunnel is a heartwarming come-together-sports movie, a good pick-me-up and strong antidote to the hopelessness of life everywhere else. We’re pretty pumped. And you, faithful cinephiles: which Armageddon flick gets your blood pumping? Tell us in the comments below! “42.” Directed by Brian Helgeland. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni, Lucas Black, Andre Holland, Nicole Beharie, and Alan Tudyk. Our review: ” ’42’ casts a wide net in humanizing the risks of those who enabled
[Jackie Robinson‘s] rise to major league production, but takes great pains to
avoid turning this into yet another studio film where the white man
battles a gauntlet of adversity to allow for a Civil Rights victory.” Metacritic: 63 Rotten Tomatoes: 73% The Playlist: B+
“To the Wonder.” Directed by Terrence Malick. Starring Ben Affleck, Olga Kurylenko, Rachel McAdams, and Javier Bardem. Our review: ” ‘To the Wonder’ is unlikely to win over many who’ve sworn off Malick inthe past, but it’s certainly one that leans towards traditional
narrative a little more than ‘The Tree of Life.’ And to our eyes at
least it feels like a more coherent, deeply felt and satisfying film
than its predecessor.” MC: 60 RT: 42% PL: A-
“Disconnect.” Directed by Henry Alex Rubin. Starring Alexander Skarsgard, Jason Bateman, Hope Davis, Andrea Riseborough, Paula Patton, and Frank Grillo. Our review: “The film’s pacing is
molasses-like, and visually, the photography overtly seems to be taking its inspiration from ‘Crash,’
with the same
kind of color scheme and handheld feel. That’s not really a comparison
that they should have encouraged, given that the script tracks in the
same kind of banalities and shoddy plotting that the Oscar-winner did.
Despite some fairly decent performances, ‘Disconnect’ is a film that
feels both old-fashioned and like old news, revealing nothing new that
wasn’t already suggested by some half-assed op-ed half a decade ago.”
MC: 65 RT: 69% PL: D
“The Angels’ Share.” Directed by Ken Loach. Starring Paul Brannigan, John Henshaw, Gary Maitland, William Ruane, Scott Kyle, Siobhan Reilly, and Roger Allam. Our review: “Some good laughs and a passable air of bonhomie do nothing to cover upthe fact that ‘The Angels’ Share’ is totally lightweight and
distractingly underdone.” MC: 68 RT: 90% PL: C-
ways that many first features are, Brandon’s first film shows tremendous
promise. The second half is where ‘Antiviral’ really shows off his
stuff, with a deliciously dark streak and an undeniably unique narrative
that goes to some fascinating, twisted places. It’s exactly the oddball
and crooked tale you’d want and expect from a Cronenberg with all the
gratuitous blood, pus, bone and multiple closeups of needles piercing
skin you could ask for. Dad would be proud.” MC: 52 RT: 68% PL: B-
“It’s A Disaster.” Directed by Todd Berger. Starring Julia Stiles, David Cross, Erinn Hayes, Blaise Miller, America Ferrera, Jeff Grace, Rachel Boston, and Kevin M. Brennan. Our review: “Assembling a cast of eight actors in one house for a film that’s partrelationship dramedy and part end-of-the-world movie, Berger keeps the
setting fresh and the pace moving in a story that takes a humorous look
at the problems, both epic and trivial, that threaten to ruin lives.” MC: 55 RT: 74% PL: B+
“Paris-Manhattan.” Directed by Sophie Lellouche. Starring Alice Taglioni and Patrick Bruel. A love letter to Woody Allen films that attempts to update/homage “Play It Again, Sam,” but fails pretty miserably: all of the original’s wit, heart, and searing commentary is lost in the unfunny and maudlin remake. MC: 34 RT: 50%
“Into the White.” Directed by Petter Naess. Starring Florian Lukas, Rupert Grint, Stig Henrik Hoff, David Kross, and Lachlan Nieboer. This reality-inspired survival story is an interesting tale, and while the film features two good lead performances – way to go, Ron Weasley! – it also suffers from predictability and slow pacing. MC: no score yet RT: 50% “This Ain’t California.” Directed by Marten Persiel. Our review: “Even if Persiel’s film is a slight hoax, this has so much energy flowing
through it, that it just turns into both a good story, and a document
of an undefined time and place that many teenagers finding themselves
will experience. The mixed media approach is nearly seamless (though he
does lean on one-too-many montages), and again, how he pulls off some of
this truly original-looking vintage footage is pretty astounding. And
the director knows his way around music.” MC: 78 RT: 100% PL: B+