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The Cabin in the Woods 2012
Let me begin by writing something positive. The first scene is amusing. It undermines any sense of mystery the hype machine has built up for this movie, but it is amusing. As you can probably tell, I didn't like The Cabin in the Woods at all. The filmmakers made a boring formulaic horror movie and lampshaded the hell out of it. The defenders might say "It's supposed to be forumalic! That was an Intentional Choice on the part of the filmmakers! They are making a Comment about horror films!" I don't dispute this, but to me, the genre navel-gazing act gets old real fast.
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The Amazing Spider-Man 2012
This movie had a lot going against it. I didn't want to see Spidey's origin story again. It's a story that's been told, and I'm sick of origin stories. It seems like a step backward for the genre, and a cynical move by the studio to keep a cash cow franchise from dying of old age. So I was completely surprised that the movie works. It works because it lets its actors work. The superheroics are grounded by real humans…
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Seven Psychopaths 2012
If characters point out the flaws of their movie in the middle of the movie, does that make the movie any less flawed? I wish the characters had convinced Martin to write another draft. After a movie as tight and perfectly constructed as In Bruges, this is a let down.
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John Carter 2012
Some cute character moments and other funny bits make up for the ugly production design and frantically paced plot. As planetary romance movies go, it's no Thor but it'll do. I did enjoy the poke at David Lynch's Dune.
PS. Mark Strong needs to retire from playing villains.
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Take Shelter 2011
This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
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Dark Shadows 2012
It's proper old world money against new world vulgarity. Guess which side Burton is on. Eva Green is miscast. She can't hide that French elegance behind a bad American accent.
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Martha Marcy May Marlene 2011
Like Take Shelter, it's another well-done artsy thriller with a strong central performance and a bad ending.
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Seeking a Friend for the End of the World 2012
As long as you avoid that one angry mob, the end of the world looks like a lot of fun.
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Ruby Sparks 2012
The movie realizes its premise is disturbing, but it lets its protagonist off way too easily. The subtext of the ending is pretty icky, presenting the sort of male power fantasy that the movie up until that point had mostly avoided.
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Another Earth 2011
This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.
