Introducing: Scattered Frames
Hi everybody! In light of my busy schedule, and with the hope of achieving not only my goal of seeing as many 2013 movies as I can before the Oscars but also my New Year’s resolution of watching more films than last year, the need for a shorter, quicker review format came up. Yes, even shorter.
So, that’s how Scattered Frames was born. Little tidbits accompanied by a simple score out of 5 that will help me say a few things about every film I and not take a lot of time to write. I’ll try to not use this format a lot since it screams lazy and hope I only use it sparingly outside the super busy award season.
This first edition is packed! Hope you enjoy. Also, I won’t apologize for my opinion on any film, but I am sorry if this post as a whole seems too negative. I didn’t plan it that way, ha!
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Captain Phillips: The suspense is gripping but I wasn’t a fan of the film’s very black-and-white (literally) view of good and evil, or of its cartoonish villains. Tom Hanks is amazing in the title role, though (his last scene is masterful). While newcomer Barkhad Abdi tends to overact (chalk that up to inexperience), there are impressive flashes of raw talent there and his awards buzz is well deserved. 3/5
The Butler: The cast is very solid, but they’re almost overshadowed by the terribly corny dialog, which robs the movie of most of the impact it could’ve had. Still, the incredible performances by Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey resonate. 2.5/5
The Heat: A bit too silly at times, but also consistently funny. Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock have great chemistry and are a match made in comedy heaven; the latter has been having a fantastic year. Probably the funniest 2013 film I’ve seen so far. 3.5/5
What Maisie Knew: This heartbreaking drama is a bit contrived but it still manages to make an impact. One of the most underrated films of the year, with understated, solid work from its actors and a fantastic performance by Onata Aprile, an extraordinarily gifted child actress. 3.5/5
About Time: It takes a while to get going, but once it does, it’s truly something special. Charming, moving dramedy is without a doubt one of the best films of the year. Great writing, great soundtrack and guaranteed to make you weep a little bit (or a lot, sorry). Everyone in the talented cast delivers (Tom Hollander is a bit OTT for my taste, though); the chemistry between Domnhall Gleeson and Bill Nighy is marvelous. 4/5
Don Jon: I really thought I’d love this but I so didn’t. The dialog’s terrible and every character’s unlikeable and a joke, except for Julianne Moore’s, but even she gets tiresome. The ones stuck with the worst parts -Scarlett Johansson and Tony Danza- are coincidentally the ones who render the best performances. Not impressed with Joe Gordon-Levitt’s skills as a writer/director (so far), and he didn’t wow me as an actor either (this time). Oh, and he has 0.0000% sexual chemistry with Julianne; awkward! 1/5
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Don’t forget to vote for your favorite movies and blogs at the Golden Katz Awards, where I’m one of the lucky nominees! You have until January 13th to vote!
Lol, this is awesome Fernando. Too true about Don Jon, loved Danza in it though :).
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Thanks, Joe! Glad we agree. I thought his character was repulsive but Danza did a great job.
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Nice little summary of the films here mate! Glad you liked About Time but shame you weren’t as hot on Captain Phillips. I though Abdi was brilliant in it, although that last scene with Hanks is just phenomenal.
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Thanks! About Time was beautiful and I was also a fan of Abdi. If he polishes his technique a little, which I’m sure he will if he pursues acting, he’ll do greater things.
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I’m loving this style. It’s sort of similar to what I do for Film Friday 🙂
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Thank you! And yeah, I have to say I was a bit inspired by your FF.
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Good post, Fernando. No apologies needed; I quite agree on most of these.
I think About Time much closer to failure than success, but that’s the only place we drastically disagree. I will say I think Gordon-Levitt solid to good as a director in Don Jon, but not good as a writer. The screenplay isn’t good.
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Thank you, James. Bummed that you didn’t enjoy About Time as much, but I know movies like that one are pretty divisive. And yeah, the writing in Don Jon was perhaps the worst thing about it.
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Hey I like the new format. I think it’s cool. Perhaps the most interesting thing is your take on Captain Phillips. I had a much different reaction to the perception of good and evil. The whole opening sequence of them being forced to hijack by an oppressive warlord and comments like “maybe in America” really seemed to be adding a sympathetic layer to the pirates.
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Thanks, Keith! I get where you’re coming from and while there were some references and nods to their backstories, I still thought the movie painted them as irredeemable villains.
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I can see where you’re coming from as far as What Maisie Knew, but I really think a 3/5 on Captain Phillips is harsh. Real harsh. “Cartoonish villains”? I have to revisit this! And on Don Jon, we’re in total disagreement. I’m kind of surprised, but nevertheless, I like the new idea: Scattered Frames. It’s like your own Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide, post-by-post.
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Glad you like the new format 😉
And I knew we would disagree on those but I just didn’t enjoy Don Jon and I thought the villains in Captain Phillips were poorly developed.
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You really hated Don Jon though. I’m so surprised.
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I was, too. Believe me!
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Great stuff. Thought about doing this myself; if only to pack more stuff in.
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Thanks. It’s a great format, definitely helps in “packing more stuff in”.
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I really haven’t mustered much enthusiasm to see Captain Phillips, though I know I eventually will see it, and The Butler looked much like Oscar bait to me. Nice review(s).
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I don’t normally have a problem with Oscar bait, but I do when it’s poorly witten! haha Thanks 🙂
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Nice post Fernando. A good way to still share your thoughts even though you are time poor. I agree with pretty much everything on here I have seen. I thought both Heat and About Time were enjoyable entries into their respective genres.
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Thanks, Tim. A bit like your “Worth Watching” feature in a way. Totally agree about The Heat and About Time.
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Good idea this Fernando. Straight to the point.
Ouch on Don Jon, though. I really enjoyed that one.
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Thanks, Mark! And I know! I remember you liking it very much and while I was watching it, I thought “What did Mark see in this”? haha Oh well.
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