Upstream Color
As soon as the credits rolled on Upstream Color, Shane Carruth’s long-awaited follow up to Primer, I tweeted, “Shane Carruth is the best thing to happen to indie film since Soderbergh.”
Now, it could’ve been adrenaline flowing after watching something completely unique for the first time in, well, a very long time that made me say that. Or it could’ve been the time of night that I finished the film, after a very long work week, that made my thumbs move across my iPhone keyboard so effortlessly. Or it could just be true…
Carruth proves himself to be a masterful storyteller, using action in place of words throughout UC to evoke a strong emotional connection to the main characters. Once you figure out what the hell is going on that is. Carruth is a filmmaker who is not afraid to take chances, and in the case of UC it really pays off.
Most articles you’ll read about UC will mention how this film is nearly devoid of dialogue, which isn’t really true. There’s dialogue. Some of it is really soft and you might have to strain a little to hear it, but the little bit that is there counts. Perhaps the best part of Carruth’s second film, which we waited nine years after Primer to see, is that it’s challenging? Big surprise though right? Kinda. Carruth’s sophomore effort is even more interesting than his debut.
Lastly, Amy Seimetz is outstanding as always.
Masterfully shot and edited, Upstream Color is a tremendously beautiful film, and you should absolutely see it as soon as possible.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
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Hit & Run
Written by Dax Shepard and Directed by David Palmer & Shepard
A straightforward, boy and girl are in love, girl gets a job 500 miles away, boy is in witness protection but risks his life to drive the girl he loves to her job interview story.
Hit & Run is funny, sometimes sweet, and Tom Arnold is blast as a maybe-gay Federal Marshall. Oh yeah, the driving is awesome!
Honestly, if more summer movies like this were made, I think we’d all be better off. I’m looking at you Michael Bay… Fun movie. Definitely check it out.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
Frances Ha
Written by Noah Baumbach & Greta Gerwig and Directed by Baumbach
Frances Ha feels very familiar for a number of reasons that I don’t care to dive into right now, but I think this one will grow on me the more I watch it. For now though, I’d classify this one as (to quote one of the director’s most interesting characters) “minor” Baumbach.
Watched via the Dipson Amherst Theatre
Bernie
Directed by Richard Linklater
From IMDB: In small-town Texas, the local mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when he kills her, he goes to great lengths to create the illusion that she’s alive.
Jack Black is awesome in this. Linklater’s use of talking head interviews with the townspeople are refreshing and made this film feel like a documentary. Based on a true story.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
The Cabin in the Woods
Directed by Drew Goddard
FUN movie! Watch it.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
Looking for Lenny
From IMDB: An in-depth, controversial documentary that uses Lenny Bruce’s legacy to explore the present condition of the fear of words and expression.
Can’t get enough Lenny Bruce lately. I blame Don DeLillo; I just read Underworld.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
Unknown
Meh.
A bunch of dudes wake up in a warehouse. They slowly piece together who they are, try to figure out who the bad guys are, and then try to escape. Most of the plot is revealed through flashback.
Watched via Netflix Instant.
Sun Don’t Shine
Directed by Amy Seimetz
Starring Kate Lyn Sheil & Kentucker Audley
From IMDB: A couple takes a tense and mysterious road trip through the desolate yet hauntingly beautiful landscape of central Florida.
Sheil and Audley are both fantastic in this tense noir thriller. I love that you have no idea what the hell is going on for the first 30 minutes because once the two strangers’ motives are revealed, it hits you like a ton of bricks.
Absolutely watch this film immediately!
Watched via Amazon Video On Demand rental.
The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan’s final chapter in a great Batman trilogy. Nolan is just flat out one of the best directors of our time, and for that reason alone I really liked this film.
Now, about the movie… Bane’s voice came really close to ruining this whole thing, right? And Cat Woman… Ick! OK, that’s enough.
The Dark Knight Rises is a cool movie and probably would have kicked a lot of ass if I saw it in a theater, but I got married the day after this came out and then just sorta forgot about it until now so I got it from Redbox. Good movie, kinda.
Watched via Blu-ray from Redbox.
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Robot & Frank
From IMDB: Set in the near future, an ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team.
Funny, touching, sad, and an interesting look at the future. Definitely check this one out.
Watched via DVD from Redbox.
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