Apparently vacations are good for movie watching but AREN'T great times to write reviews. I would like to imagine I'm going to write all these reviews either today or tomorrow... or Thursday.
World War Z (2 stars out of 4. C) - "World War Z" is two films that are constantly fighting with each other. One is a surprisingly nuanced drama about dealing with a national epidemic. That part is a more speedy "Contagion". The other is a messy and unbelievable zombie horror film where the creatures are super fast. They crawl up buildings like a giant snake of former humans. These scenes are never impressive and always eye-roll inducing. "World War Z" would have benefitted from being adapted into an HBO series. Had it been given an 8-episode season (a la "Generation Kill") starring a somewhat lower profile star and they dialed down some of the more ridiculous elements and expounded the more serious, you would be looking at a great show. As it is, it is hopelessly jumbled and frustrating. You see the movie that is trying to dig its way out of the rubble but it can't quite make it.
We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks (2.5 stars out of 4. C+) - An interesting documentary about Julian Assange, Wikileaks, and the culture of "leaking" confidential information. Alex Gibney (the director of 2005's "Enron: The Smartest Men in the Room) puts together a sprawling, if not somewhat confusion, tale involving leaks, leakers, the paranoid mental-state of Assange. "We Steal Secrets" is interesting but could have used a good 20 minutes cut from it. Gibney again proves that he can't edit. This is the type of movie you add to your Netflix Queue and plan on watching because you know it is good for you. Then you decide to watch "The Avengers" because... EXPLOSIONS.
Much Ado About Nothing (3 stars out of 4. B) - A charming retelling of the Shakespeare story directed by Joss Whedon. It is a lot of fun although not of much substance. Completely worth a viewing but nothing you need to rush out and see.
The Bling Ring (3.5 stars out of 4. B+) - "The Bling Ring" deals with a group of teens who are so engrossed in celebrity culture that they will do whatever it takes to become just like their idols. Instead of doing the real work, they decide to simply break into the houses of celebrities and steal objects that they believe the stars will never notice disappeared. Much like "Spring Breakers", "Bling Ring" is devoid of likable characters but you end up laughing at the moronic capabilities of these characters. While the overall message of the film can be a little heavy at times, it is definitely well delivered.
Before Midnight (4 stars out of 4. A-) - The conclusion (maybe?) of the "Before Sunrise" series. Much like the other two films in the story, "Before Midnight" involves long, interesting discussions between the main characters. You will see yourself and past conversations in the dialogue, even when you really wish you couldn't see it. Some scenes echo 2010's "Blue Valentine" although "Before Midnight" seems to do them in a manner that seems much more plausible and believable. It is far from a breezy and fun time at the cinema but it is definitely amazing in its realism.
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