Dallas Buyers Club

Dallas Buyers Club
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Jean-Marc Vallée [IMDB]

Back in middle school I used to think AIDS was an automatic death sentence. It was fucking scary and if you got it, your life was automatically getting flushed down the toilet. Today, that's not so much the case. With adequate health care, you can live with AIDS for a long ass time (Magic Johnson). If my recollection of AIDS from the 90's was an entree, it'd be a deep dish pizza, it was pretty heavy. If Dallas Buyers Club AIDS from the 80's was an entree, it'd be a Turducken, it was absolute madness.

Synopsis: A free wheelin' rodeo stud's life hits a brick wall when he contracts AIDS and is given 30 days to live.

During his acceptance speech for the Golden Globes, Matthew McConaughey said he was glad it took forever for Hollywood to green light this film because it allowed the role of Ron Woodroof to fall into his lap... I, for one, couldn't agree more. McConaughey rules hard all over this movie. He has been on a roll lately (Killer Joe, Bernie, Magic Mike, The Wolf of Wall Street) and with DBC he hit another home run. Jared Leto also blasted out an incredible performance. You can tell that both of them really submerge themselves into the film and it pays off. The story is also very compelling and unfolds at a nice pace.

The only real negatives would be the film making itself, it was a little basic and felt like the quality you'd get from something like a made for HBO film.

It's still out there in theaters and is certainly worth a poke.

Lone Survivor

Lone Survivor
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Peter Berg [IMDB]

Before watching Lone Survivor I read a bunch of negative reviews, basically stating it was America Ra Ra and pro-military. I had also heard a lot of positives from people on facebook, many of whom were military themselves. So I was interested in seeing how it would unfold. I like Peter Berg's films mostly (not including Battle Ship) and thought how bad could it be?

Synopsis: The retelling of a failed mission by US marines in Afghanistan and their fight to survive.

I don't get it. This film didn't feel like pro-war or pro-America at all. If anything, it's ultra violent and makes war look unfun. The haters of this film just think that way because it's a modern tale from Afghanistan... which for many is an unpopular war. But take this story... a unit trap behind enemy lines fighting to get out, and place it in WWII, and everyone would love it. No matter what your politics, war is ugly, and Berg captures that masterfully in Lone Survivor. Going in, I knew what would happen, most people do, but waiting for it all to transpire was nerve racking. When the battle ensues, I was locked in and inthralled.

Berg also succeeded with the score, cinematography, and cast. Marky Mark and Tim Riggins were impressive and it was good to see Emile Hirsh playing some what of a different role.

The action felt a little over the top and Holly Woodish at times, which surprised me, but ultimately it wasn't enough to even come close to ruining it for me.

Lone Survivor is in theaters now and I believe #1 at the box office as of last weekend. Shit... Berg is ballin hard.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

3 Coen Brothers films sit inside my Top 100 Films of All Time list, I guess that means they are my favorite directors... or at least, almost my favorite directors. Who cares, they are rad and I've been meaning to check out their newest film Inside Llewyn Davis for a hot minute... I just used the term "hot minute", you can punch me in the throat next time you see me... sorry about that.

Synopsis: Llewyn Davis is a struggling folk singer living in NYC during the 60's... this is his story.

Inside Llewyn Davis was a big winner for me. I thought the one thing that may bring it down was the music, but I actually really enjoyed the soundtrack a lot. The fact that it was all recorded live while shooting is also incredible. Llewyn is the proverbial starving artist, but an extremely honest version of that which didn't feel forced. I loved going along for the ride with him, both literally when he took a road trip to Chicago and throughout the rest of the movie. He is a character that is flawed and ultimately heading down a dead end path, but you still want to see it unfold.

There were a lot of stand out moments for me... like the scenes with the cat, John Goodman, and the audition in Chicago. It also feels like a movie, on a rewatch, that will offer things you missed on the first viewing, as is the case with all Coen films.

Inside Llewyn Davis is still in theaters and comes highly recommended by me.... Curtis.

Her

Her
(2013) [Trailer]
Director: Spike Jones [IMDB]

Spike Jones is responsible for Being John Malkovich, which is in my Top 100 Films of All Time. He also cranked out Adaption, which would be a close runner up for that list. Point is, I like the dude, okay? When I saw his first trailer for Her, I was excited to lay my eyes upon the final product. Her and Inside Llewyn Davis were probably the two films I regret not seeing the most before I made my Top Ten of 2013, but I'm a busy man (internet porn) and I can't see everything. Finally Her gets its day in court, WFR court that is.

Synopsis: In the future people use Operating Systems to help them get their act together. Joaquin Phoenix falls in love with his OS... played by the voice of Scarlett Johansson.

Party voice. Do you know what that is? That is when a young lady smokes and drinks, then finds herself out in loud social environments where she has to shout a lot. If these steps are repeated often enough, her voice will start to sound raspy. Scarlett Johansson has party voice. I never really noticed until this movie. Maybe it's because you never see her and that's all you can focus on. Anyways, onto more pressing matters.

Her is effective at painting a very realistic portrait of the future. Sure, the future may not be exactly as it's portrayed in the film, but it's believable enough that you almost forget it's sci-fi. But it is, and a wonderful example of how sci-fi doesn't need epic space battles and CG to sell it. Her has an interesting concept and one that is executed fairly well. Spike Jones' direction is concrete and the pacing of Her was smooth. Phoenix and Johansson were both great, and made on screen chemistry in a unique way. Amy Adams was mediocre, like she is in most films... sorry Amy Adams fans. The film takes some turns towards the end which I think could have been handled differently, but ultimately I was happy with the overall take.

Her is still in theaters and I'd recommend it. Especially if you are familiar with the director's prior work, I think you'll enjoy it.