So this has been quite the crazy summer for me and I haven’t written a ton of reviews.  That doesn’t mean I haven’t been seeing movies though, and this is going to serve as a catch up of sorts.  I am going to just throw out some quick thoughts on anything I didn’t review in the order they came out this summer.  So without further ado, Part I:

 May:

Meek’s Cutoff – Kelly Reichardt’s follow up to Wendy and Lucy also stars Michelle Williams, but this time they are off on an adventure on the Oregon Trail.  The film is a very matter of fact and realistic look at what it was like to be on that treacherous journey and this group is almost out of water.  Following three wagons and featuring a fantastic cast, the film’s day in the life feel is bound to bore many to tears but I was gripped from start to finish.  Told from the perspective of the women, it is interesting to see how they influence the men along the trip and how the dynamic of power switches over the film.

Bruce Greenwood and Michelle Williams both excel in the picture, with Will Patton, Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan and Shirley Henderson not far behind.  The tension that slowly builds over the drama and craziness of being in the middle of nowhere and guessing where you might find food gives everyone some great material and I enjoyed the film more and more as it digested.

Reichardt is a force to be reckoned with, now someone just give her some money already.

Meek’s Cutoff is a B+ 

Incendies – This is a riveting and powerful Canadian import that goes to some pretty dark places.  Following a pair of siblings as they attempt to carry out their mother’s dying wish, we flash back and forth between their story and their mother’s in the past which took place during the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.  The mother’s story is by far the more engaging, but things are heavy, dark, and take you through some messed up stuff.

The film is wonderfully acted though, with Lubna Azabal and Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin taking the lead in their respective timelines and both have no problem throwing everything on their shoulders.  Azabal is especially given a tough task as she has to go through some horrific reenactments of history and she is able to sell every moment quite effectively.  Director Denis Villeneuve does a great job for the most part, especially in the period sections, though the film does drag a bit towards the end.  Either way, a fine motion picture that is worth the watch, if you are in the right mood; this isn’t a happy film.  Oh also, best use of Radiohead in a film in sometime.

Incendies is a B 

June:

The Beaver – Jodie Foster’s latest directorial effort stars Mel Gibson as a guy having quite the mental breakdown, so much so that he has gone to the resort of communicating only through a beaver puppet on his hand.  The two do everything together and Gibson does a great job of making this work.  The film is weird with a dark sense of humor that leads to some really dark twists.  The oddness of the film won’t jive with everyone but the film certainly feels original; which is a breath of fresh air.  Sure some elements of the film are a tad conventional, i.e. Anton Yechlin and Jennifer Lawrence’s romance, but when you have such two talented young stars it works.  Lawrence in particular continues to shine as she shows no signs of not becoming a star.

Gibson and Foster also work quite well with one another; with Gibson’s spiral in particular being played very well and playing out believable even with how ridiculous it is.  The film is an interesting and weird take on the family dramedy that definitely is worth your time; if interested.

The Beaver is a B-

13 Assassins – This samurai film from Takashi Miike is fucking awesome.  One of the best films of the year, the film is a slow but engaging character study for the first hour plus of its runtime before coming to a balls to the wall show down for the last 45 minutes.  The action is incredible, the characters are easy to invest in, and everyone gets their due.  All 13 of the assassins are built up with a character moment or two and once the battle commences the film gives them an action moment as well.

The villain in the film is also a horrible, horrible person that you will have no problem rooting against.  In fact, the stakes of the final moments will have you on the edge of your seats as you wonder if the assassins will be able to carry out their mission.

Miike’s film looks marvelous and gives Seven Samurai more of a run for its money than you would think.  The choreography and flow of the big battle is also an incredible feat as you can always tell who is who and what is going on.  For a foreign film with no stars we know, that is quite an accomplishment.  This one is on Netflix Instant right now, get on it.

13 Assassins is an A

Midnight in Paris – Woody Allen’s latest is going to be more enjoyed by those with a great knowledge of the Parisian art scene of the 50’s, but for someone with quite the basic background on the subject I still enjoyed it quite thoroughly.  Owen Wilson does a great job in the Woody Allen role made even more impressive as he also leads us through quite the twist to the narrative without a hitch.  The whimsy and charm of the film can not be denied and I find it to probably be nearly impossible to not be swept up in it.

Allen’s cast is, of course, great, with plenty of familiar faces turning in quality work; whether it is a brief cameo or an extended role.  Rachel McAdams, Marion Cotillard, Allison Pill, Kurt Fuller, Adrian Brody, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Kathy Bates, Carla Bruni, with Michael Sheen stealing the show.  Actually, Stoll, who is probably the least known name in that list, is quite good as well as Ernest Hemingway.  Yes Hemingway is in this film.

Allen does a fine job of handling the shifts in the narrative and does it with visual flare and humor to boot.  The film’s third act plays out just about perfectly as well with the ending just sneaking up on you.  Can’t wait to see this one again and maybe dust up on my art and literature of the time, Allen sure makes you want to.

Midnight in Paris is an A-

Beginners – This is getting redundant for this article, but Beginners is another great movie from this summer.  Mike Mills’ film is charming and sweet as it captures the relationship between a son and his dying father; a father who didn’t get to come ‘out of the closet’ until he was in his twilight years.  The son is also finding love with a French actress and spends his other free time with his father’s dog; that has quite the personality.

Christopher Plummer plays the aging father to endearing and heart breaking affect and he is quite the comedic presence as well.  The relationship between Plummer and Ewan McGregor plays out so naturally and believable that you can’t help but be pulled into their world.  The film feels very intimate and we are getting to peek into these characters world.  McGregor and Mélanie Laurent hold the other half of the film just as well and their blossoming relationship is so joyful and refreshing that you fall for the two and root for them to work.

The mix of humor and drama is a near perfect blend and the note Mills sends you out on is just right.  Quirky and heartfelt, the film is a fine effort that makes me excited for what Mill’s does next.  Seek this one out.

Beginners is an A-

Check out Part II and Part III