Frozen (2013) Directed by Chris Buck

 

Summary: Following a dangerous incident involving a fearful public and her own wintry special abilities, a newly crowned queen flees into the solitude of the wilderness, prompting her estranged younger sister to set out after her.  En route, the younger sister discovers companionship, love and adventure.

Things I Liked: The lushly designed and vibrantly rendered environments.  The character animation/performances of the lead characters.  Both the casting and the execution of the visual effects felt very natural to me.

Things I Didn't Like: The songs – most of which seemed less effective at furthering the story than those of many Disney musicals.  The modeling and animation of some of the background characters.

Two Stars out of Five Stars

FilmWatch Ratings Legend:


One Star: Hated it 

Two Stars: Didn't like it 

Three Stars: Liked it 

Four Stars: Really liked it 

Five Stars: Loved it

Carnage (2011) Directed by Roman Polanski

Summary: A 'civilized discussion' between the parents of two boys involved in a violent altercation turns ugly as each adult's true feelings slowly bubble to the surface.

Things I Liked: The wardrobe chosen for each character and the way in which the costumes support the characters.  The unexpected humorous moments.

Things I Didn't Like: The pace of the film.  The sequence of events, which, ultimately, felt to me unrealistic and forced.  The writing and dialogue, which at times felt untruthful and provided little challenge for four actors of this caliber.

Two and Three Quarters Stars out of Five Stars

FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it

Thor (2011) Directed by Kenneth Branaugh

Summary: Film version of the popular Marvel comic-book superhero.  The youthfully arrogant and over proud son of a god finds himself banished from his heaven-like realm by his father and must learn humility, compassion and love on Earth before he can regain his place among his people.

Things I Liked: A few witty lines of dialogue (many from Kat Dennings).  The decision to cast Chris Hemsworth - a relative unknown - in the lead.  The performances of Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson).  The makeup and physical appearance of Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's plot and story, which featured a great many holes and provided too few hurdles for the film's protagonist to overcome.  The filmmakers' rendering of key characters (both supporting and otherwise) as archetypes rather than complex beings.  The dialogue, which too often failed to further the story and contributed to wooden performances.  The art direction, while impressive and accomplished, did not appeal to me personally.  Likewise the film's often overwrought costume design and uninventive creature design.  The sound design and poorly chosen sound effects.  

Two Stars out of Five Stars

FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it

Notting Hill (1999) Directed by Roger Michell

Summary: An exceptionally ordinary English bookstore owner falls for an American A-list movie star. At first, the feeling is mutual but their differences in lifestyle might make it impossible for them to be together.

Things I Liked: The humorous and truthful writing. The film's characters. The wonderfully human performances of the supporting cast. Julia Roberts's subtle portrayal of a flawed human being. The humorous performance of Rhys Ifans, the gentle wit of Hugh Grant and the selection and performances of the supporting cast.

Things I Didn't Like: The soundtrack, which often works against the story and visuals. The ending, which lacks the truthfulness of the rest of the film and treads dangerously close to that oh-so-familiar 'Hollywood ending'.

Four Stars out of Five Stars

FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Directed by Joe Johnston

Summary: Origin story behind the popular comic-book superhero.  An intensely patriotic young man (whose laundry list of physical health problems have heretofore kept him out of the army) gets his big chance when his ideals of honesty, integrity and courage result in him being selected as the top candidate for a new generation of super soldiers.  The experimental serum proves successful, transforming Steve Rogers into the costume-wearing, shield-toting superhero known as Captain America and providing the Allies with a brave and valiant new weapon in the war against Hitler and the Italian fascist known as the Red Skull.

Things I Liked: The film's re-envisioning of the hero's clothing from comic book costume to a much more believable uniform and gear.  The digital effects, particularly the depiction of pre-hero Steve.  The performance of Hugo Weaving.  The makeup (particularly that of the film's antagonist, The Red Skull).

Things I Didn't Like: The casting of far too recognizable actors.  The first hour or so of the film, which takes a little long to get going.  The film's emphasis on Axis weapons technology which, in my opinion, has a tendency to create more plot problems that it solves.  Captain America's low-key personality and lack of charisma, which, while appropriate and perhaps even true to the character, prevents the film from becoming a truly great comic book adaptation.

Three Stars out of Five Stars

FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it

The Hunger Games (2012) Directed by Gary Ross

Summary: Set in a dystopian future where child 'tributes' from twelve districts fight to the death each year on live television, a teenaged girl volunteers to take her younger sister's place for the latest match. Along the way, this heroine inadvertently becomes a symbol of hope and revolution. Based upon the popular novel by Suzanne Collins.

Things I Liked: The solid performances of the cast, particularly those of Stanley Tucci and Jennifer Lawrence. The nearly invisible score by James Newton Howard, which supports but never overwhelms the storyline.

Things I Didn't Like: The shaky camerawork and over reliance on extreme closeups. The uninspired art direction, costume design and hairstyles featured in the Capitol sequences.

Three Stars out of Five Stars



FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it

John Carter (2012) Directed by Andrew Stanton

Summary: A Civil War Veteran finds himself magically transported to the planet Mars, then forced to participate in a massive war before finally finding love and a cause worth fighting for. Based upon the Edgar Rice Burroughs adventure pulp classic A PRINCESS OF MARS.

Things I Liked: The concepts and storytelling presented and explored during the beginning and ending of the film. The period costumes and sets. The sound design. The computer-generated animation, which, overall, I found to be quite seamless.

Things I Didn't Like: The film's overwrought and bloated midsection. The overlarge cast of characters. The Mars costume designs, prop designs and vehicle designs, many of which felt derivative of past sci-fi and science fantasy films.

Two Stars out of Five Stars



FilmWatch Ratings Legend:

One Star: Hated it
Two Stars: Didn't like it
Three Stars: Liked it
Four Stars: Really liked it
Five Stars: Loved it