There’s nothing of merit to take away from Pain & Gain other than the fact that maybe in the hands of a different filmmaker something worthwhile could have been crafted, this pile of bombast as instantly forgettable, and in some ways lamentable, as anything I’m likely to see in all of 2013.
In the House is an incredible work of art that remembers the greatest stories start from the most blasé of scenarios, and that even when the ending to the tale borders on perfection the ultimate destination a masterpiece is headed for is for future generations to determine its value and worth for themselves.
The Lords of Salem is a giant step in the right direction for Zombie, and for a director I’ve thought precious little positive about in the past the fact I’m now excited to see what he’s got in store for us next is no small achievement.
It’s hard for me to say that Oblivion didn’t keep me entertained, and even though after it was over I wanted to pick all 126 minutes to pieces, while I was sitting in the theatre I was more than content to soak in the visuals and not worry about anything else.
Helgeland delivers Robinson’s rookie season with the Dodgers like a two-seam cinematic fastball fired with authority, and while the director might hang the pitch a bit too far in the middle of the plate the fact he still manages to ring up a strike isn’t anything to scoff at.
It’s a Disaster is a satirical triumph, an almost instant cult sensation I can’t help but hope audiences discover and hold dear for many years to come.
While not as prescient as it thinks it is or as twisty as I imagine the filmmakers hoped it would be, the tale intelligently being spun is still fairly solid, making The Company You Keep an old school political thriller worth checking out.
I can’t say this Evil Dead will be as revered or as influential as its predecessor, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without merit. Alvarez proves to be a horror filmmaker with passion, energy, style and vision, taking the Raimi/Campbell/Tapert concept into twisted new territory while at the same time paying just homage to the original trilogy at the exact same time.
Did Jurassic Park need a 3D upgrade? Heck no, the film confidently spoke for itself 20 years ago and its does so just as exuberantly now. Still, I will say that as post-conversions of older titles go, this is without a doubt the best one I have ever seen.