Despite the bad press, “Apollo 18” deserves notice for trying to bring something new to the found-footage genre, breaking some pacing trends to deliver an almost real sense of fear.  Notice given?  Okay.  It’s still not a very good film, however, mistaking pacing accuracy for interest, and when it ends up giving into the demands of it’s genre anyway… well.

WELL

If you don’t care about photography – like me – then you’ll probably need someone else to point you in the direction of this documentary.  So point I shall, because you listen to every word of mine you read, and ‘Bill Cunningham New York’ is definitely worth your time.

If you don’t care about anything, click here

Tragedy is what seeps through even in the moments of levity.  On the trail of the killer, we continue watching the film because of how well woven the story is, how gracefully and directly Hong-jin Na captures everything, from interrogations to torture to chase scenes, and because maybe we’re supposed to seek out films that don’t just tell easy tales.

My moments of levity are tragic

UGH.

Really.

“The Raid” has been promoted as one of the most amazing action films of all time.  While there are some successful moments that make your eyes bug out, it cannot maintain its imaginative mayhem for more than a few scenes, making the remainder a fun, but still seen-it-before chop socky flick.

Say nothing

‘Merantau’ doesn’t follow a new formula but it does get some key elements down that make a mostly enjoyable, if slightly overlong, film.

People kicking each other at a certain kick per second pace automatically equals enjoyment.  BUT WHAT IS THAT PACE

The film just rubbed me the wrong way.  Perhaps I was expecting horror with comedy and instead got comedy with horror.  While I understand Nathan Baesal’s high-energy, generally positive portrayal of Leslie as a purposeful juxtaposition with his slasher personae, there’s not enough focus on the difference to make it work.

Juxtapositions always make things work, though

On one hand, Tideland is perhaps Gilliam’s most focused film in terms of theme and impact.  He seemed to know what he wanted to say with this one and it provides for some of his strongest and most recognizable characters.  On the other hand, indirectly, this focus makes it more wandering and, at times, boring, than a good portion of his work.

Directly and indirectly: boring?

There are people who will “feel” Lena Dunham’s story, which is a privileged kid’s Dazed & Confused moved to post-College.  Certainly the general emotion of wandering without purpose is one we’ve all mostly felt.  There will be just as many who will raise their nose to this, though.  Thankfully, Dunham’s story and presentation of it are without a tone of ‘woe is me,’ and so despite her you-could-call-it-easy life, there’s a plain honesty here that makes it approachable.

find the monster