Plugged In Pulp

Monday, February 4, 2013

#12 - The Best Republican

12 – LINCOLN: The passage of the 13^th amendment gets the Spielberg treatment with Daniel Day-Lewis a shoo-in to win nearly every major acting award. Quickly vacillating from heartbreaking to hilarious, this film featured my favorite dialogue of the year. The eloquence with which these folks rip each other a new one is so refreshing. The wit comes thick and fast while never detracting from the weightiness of the issue at hand: freedom. This is a fascinating case study of how a major bill gets passed, with bribing, cajoling, and threats all employed. The cast is full of brilliant actors, and they seem to relish inhabiting characters from an era long forgotten. (continues after the jump)

#13 - California Love

13 – END OF WATCH: This criminally (heh) underappreciated buddy cop story is one of the best the genre can offer. Shot in hand-held style by Jake Gylenhaal and his partner Michael Pena, this is a down-to-earth look at an LAPD duo. From ball busting (example below)

and pranks to life-or-death shoot outs, these two go through some serious shit together and they are clearly best friends with their hearts in the right place. (continues after the jump)

#14 - Tom Cruise Is Not Impressed

14 – THE MASTER: This one is an acting masterpiece from Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix (what a great name). A cult leader and a damaged lost soul try to find their way in this beautifully shot film. Their camaraderie blossoms quickly, and they begin to expose doubts and weaknesses in each other. The film explores whether or not we can truly change our nature without some massive life event happening to us. Can we, through self-discipline and therapy, change our personalities for the better? Cults and their obsessive members are also examined, and this cult relies much on the appeal and charm of its creator. (continues after the jump)

15 – THE INTOUCHABLES: This French film found itself in deep controversy across the Atlantic because of its perceived “Uncle Tom” themes. While France is also rife with inequalities, their racial history is MUCH different than that of the red, white, and blue, so I think these issues are overblown. The film is set in Paris, and focuses on a wealthy man paralyzed from the neck down who is hiring a new caretaker, who has to do literally EVERYTHING for him. A young black man from the Banlieues, essentially “the hood”, applies for the job merely because he must apply at four places to continue receiving unemployment benefits. Except he ends up being offered the job, and a great friendship begins. (continues after the jump)

#16 - Gamers, Start Your Engines

16 – WRECK IT RALPH: For once, my favorite animated feature from this year does not come from Pixar. As a child I was prohibited from video games by my parents until the age of 11. Probably so I didn’t turn out like this guy (continues after the jump):

#17 - I Believe I Can Fly

17 – CHRONICLE: With that said, if you’re a nerd like me and love explosions and superpowers, but are just tired of the same old studio crap, this is one for you. Shot in found-footage documentary style, this MTV-backed production is not for those with motion sickness issues. A star athlete along with a popular kid and his introverted cousin stumble across something not of this world during a run-of-the-mill house party. Strange things start happening, and soon the trio’s metaphysical powers morph into something amazing, and potentially deadly. The actors do well here, each representing a high school stereotype, yet none are black-and-white; they have their nuances and surprises like the rest of us. (continues after the jump)

WTF? His brother's ghost was a no show?!?

18 – YOUR SISTER’S SISTER: This small independent film, written and directed by Lynn Shelton (never heard of her? Neither had I before this) features a charming cast and a simple story. The title refers to the relationship between the three characters played by Mark Duplass (hilarious on The League), Emily Blunt, and Rosemarie DeWitt. The film opens on the 1 year death day (think Nearly Headless Nick) party for Mark’s brother who was also Emily’s husband. Emotions are still raw so Emily sends Mark to her lake house to clear his head. Little do they know that Emily’s sister is already there dealing with issues of her own. (continues after the jump)