The Moved Unmover

I really don’t know what to say about The Debt (2010) except that it was relatively entertaining for its run time, but I can’t imagine going back to watch it again.  I find it interesting that Helen Mirren is top billed for the movie, even though 70% of the movie seems to take place in flashbacks with her younger self, played by Jessica Chastain.  Overall, it was a decent flick, but totally forgettable.

I really wanted to like The Innkeepers, but I just couldn’t do it.  Nothing in this movie engaged me, and I found myself checking the time trying to do the math in my head to find out how much time I had left.  The acting, the music, the whole atmosphere of the movie felt like it belonged in a made-for-television production.  The concept was okay, but the build up was very slow, and the payoff was lacking quite a bit.  Just not my cup o’ tea.

The Guard was a pretty enjoyable small-film.  I wouldn’t recommend it to people with difficulties understanding thick accents (those of you who couldn’t understand Attack the Block will probably have no luck here as well.)  This falls squarely into the realm of the “lovable curmudgeon” genre.  I can’t help but ponder on whether or not I would like Brendan Gleeson’s character if I was interacting with him personally.  In any case, I recommend it.  Mark Strong also has a pretty enjoyable turn as a very thoughtful villain.  He seems to be turning up everywhere these days, and mainly as the bad guy.

While I can say that I liked Drive (2011), I can’t really say that I loved it.  It could have been really great if you kept the plot, and the actors, and just got a different director.  There were editing choices, and certainly musical choices, that ground on my nerves while watching the movie.  But they did an excellent job at building tension.  The tense moments are enough for me to recommend the movie, but I wouldn’t get my expectations too high, because I don’t believe it could live up to them.  (Especially if you hate synthesized 80’s music as much as I do.)

I resent this idea that not liking Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy means you didn’t understand it.

I fought a good fight, but the day has come.  I’ve broken down and set up a Twitter and a Tumblr, just like everyone else on the internet that seems to think that people might be interested in what they have to say.