Back and Listier Than Ever!

It makes me sad that this is the first post for a year and a half.  I got lazy and started writing my movie reviews on my One-Sentence Review blog, and then I got even lazier and stopped doing that.  I DID however, keep track of the movies I saw that were 2012 theatrical releases (thus eligible for the 2013 Academy Awards).

Theatrical Releases 2012

This year, I ranked the movies I saw using a star system (1-5), and including “half” stars.  

5 star movies:

First Position

Moonrise Kingdom

Django: Unchained

Argo

4-4.5 star movies:

The Hunger Games

The Cabin In the Woods

Your Sister’s Sister

Beasts Of the Southern Wild

Silver Linings Playbook

Lincoln

3-3.5 star movies:

21 Jump Street

Bernie

Magic Mike

The Amazing Spider-Man

Shut Up and Play the Hits

Ruby Sparks

Celeste and Jesse Forever

Twilight: Break Dawn 2

2-2.5 star movies:

Wanderlust

The Five-Year Engagement

The Avengers

Safety Not Guaranteed

Brave

Ted

Life Of Pi

1-1.5 star movies:

Friends With Kids

Take This Waltz

Sleepwalk With Me

Buck

2011

This is a lovely documentary about a cowboy named "Buck," who holds training clinics for horses and people with horses.  He "breaks" colts in a NICE, RESPECTFUL way, rather than being violent or using fear to get them to obey.  He is so connected with the horses.  The documentary is largely about Buck and his life, but there are also some heartbreaking horse stories.  I might have cried.

I highly recommend this movie.  Though I am vegan and have some opinions about "using" horses, Buck's story is an interesting and heartfelt one, and the film is just really well-made.

A

Midnight In Paris

2011
Starring: Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard
Directed/Written by: Woody Allen

I don't usually like Woody Allen all that much, but this was pretty cute.  It has a very clear message: everyone wishes they could live back in "the good old days."  It's great hipster commentary on blind nostalgia.  Owen Wilson is the perfect "Woody Allen."  A much BETTER Woody Allen, I think.  Rachel McAdams is a bitch, which I love.  It brings me back to her Mean Girls days.  Marion Cotillard is so gorgeous I want to cry.

All in all, a cute movie for literary types.  If you are annoyed by pretentious literary stuff, don't see it.

B+

Bridesmaids

2011
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne and Maya Rudolph

This movie is so freaking funny.  I saw it twice.  It's heartfelt, wonderfully cast, and has some of the funniest scenes I have ever seen.  The characters are very relatable, and although it seems like a chick flick, there's enough ridiculous raunch for dudes to love it, too.

A

African Cats

2011

This is a Disney documentary about a family of cheetahs and a couple of lion prides.  It is narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, and I really wanted him to talk about "muthafucking African cats," but he didn't.  It's beautifully shot, but it's also really cheesy, manipulative, and anthropomorphic.  Please, don't speak for animals.  Just don't.

It's really amazing what high-tech cinematography can do these days, though!

B-

Scream 4

2011
Starring: Emma Roberts, Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox

I liked this so much!!!  I saw it twice.  It was so much fun, especially for movie-lovers.  There were great references to the original Scream Trilogy, which I love, and it was very self-reflexive about horror movie conventions.  This is exactly what you want in a teen horror flick.  Campy and scary and even downright funny!

A

Paul

2011
Starring: Seth Rogan, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost
Directed by: Greg Mottola

I liked this more than most British-y Simon Pegg/Nick Frost movies, but it was really lackluster.  It was trying too hard to be sweet, and therefore failed, in my opinion, to be funny.

C+