“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

As happens with a lot of slow-burn films, once you turn the corner, there’s no going back.  We get one creepy character captured by the locals around whom rules and stipulations are proposed.  This is fun.  Then we’re told “what’s really going on” and the rules and stipulations seem to disappear in favor of a low-budget attempt at a big-budget ending.  It’s managed well enough, but the change in pacing makes the film’s sparseness at the beginning seem amateur instead of purposefully paced…

You’d say “you don’t say,” and maybe you’d be right, but I’d disagree with you anyway ’cause I totally say it

Nothing is really unexpected once the initial premise is explained, but the dedication to do it and do it right makes it wickedly admirable.  I loved Cabin in the Woods.  I can’t wait to watch it and re-watch it at home, musing over the possible intentions of various moments and then pausing frame by frame for nerdboy analyzation…

you can join me…

So I say this fully aware that he’s worked on some things that I’ve enjoyed – including this movie – and somethings that are wholly original and awesome – like Freaks and Geeks, but… Judd Apatow can kiss my ass.  ‘Wanderlust’ has all sortsa great laughs and moments, but it also has a recognizable Apatow touch of sentimentality that keeps it from achieving the batshit hilarity of The State or Wet Hot American Summer or the out-of-order bizareness of The Ten or even the momentum of Role Models…

For more people who can kiss my ass, click here