Written Review: Cloud Atlas (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

A few questions about “Cloud Atlas”: How are there two movies currently playing in theaters with the word “Atlas” in the titles, namely, “Cloud Atlas” and “Atlas Shrugged II: The Strike”? How did this adaptation ever get past its initial pitch meeting? And more to the point, how would one pitch something like “Cloud Atlas” to studio execs? And how does one cut a trailer for such an execution-dependent film? And how long did it take to edit this film?

Premise: Adapted from a 2004 novel by David Mitchell, “Cloud Atlas” is essentially an anthology film with six story lines, set in various time periods, that are loosely interrelated and interwoven within one another:

One story involves a tribesman who is enlightened by a visitor who redefines his perception of the truth. Another story involves a seafaring traveler who is being treated by a doctor for a mysterious, deathly illness. Another story involves a female journalist pursuing a dangerous story pertaining to the energy industry. Another story involves a composer’s assistant who becomes perilously entangled with his employer. Another story involves an older man who has been tricked into admitting himself into an elderly care facility and tries to escape. And the sixth story involves a heroic man who rescues an enslaved woman in hopes that she can initiate the beginning of a great social revolution. Continue reading

Written Review: Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Note to readers who haven’t seen any “Paranormal Activity” films: It’s not absolutely necessary to see the three preceding films of this franchise in order to watch this fourth one. The set-up for this movie picks up where the second installment left off, and the prerequisite highlights from “Paranormal Activity 2” are shown to us at the beginning of this fourth movie, anyway. But my recommendation to anyone who hasn’t seen any of this franchise is to simply watch the first movie and then call it quits on the franchise.

Premise: When a suburban family babysits a neighbor boy for a few days while his mother is hospitalized, bizarre and inexplicable occurrences start happening in their house. Continue reading

Written Review: Argo (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Premise: Based on historical events, “Argo” depicts the rescue attempt of six U.S. embassy personnel who were holed up at a Canadian ambassador’s house during the Iran hostage crisis, which took place between 1979 and 1981.

Review: While watching “Argo,” I couldn’t help but wonder how this story hadn’t been adapted to the silver screen sooner. The full story wasn’t revealed until 1997, but I’m surprised we didn’t have a movie version at least by 1998. Truly, it’s one of those instances of “truth is stranger than fiction.” It’s also one of those “It’s so crazy, it just might work” kind of plans. I’ll describe the overview of said plan in broad strokes, without spoiling what happens, in case you haven’t seen the movie and aren’t familiar with the history. Continue reading

Written Review: Taken 2 (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Premise: A retired CIA agent who killed several men while rescuing his kidnapped daughter is now pursued by the vengeful family members of his victims.

Review: It’s this simple: If you liked “Taken,” then you will also like “Taken 2.” It’s the same movie, in almost every respect, story beats and all, except this time, his ex-wife is also thrown into the threatened family member mix. This same story, (slightly) different title isn’t necessarily a criticism, because I loved the first movie; I’ve seen “Taken” three times since its release, and I’d rate “Taken” 8.5 out of 10, and I’d recommend buying it.

I have read and heard a lot of attacks on “Taken 2,” where its critics are calling this sequel far-fetched and predictable. Those characteristics are inherent in its predecessor, and are a necessity in order for this story to work as it does. “Taken” and “Taken 2” are male-validation fantasies, where a father and husband is smart enough and strong enough to rescue the women he loves. Films like this are specifically designed to appeal to male viewers’ need to feel powerful and masculine and female viewers’ need to feel safe and protected. Continue reading

Written Review: Looper (2012)

by Jason Pyles
Movie Podcast Weekly.com

Premise: In the year 2044, hitmen called “loopers” are hired to execute any unwanted individuals who cross the criminal organizations of 30 years into the future. Time travel exists circa 2074, so victims are sent back in time to present-day 2044, to be disposed of by loopers.

Review: I have known about (and have been mildly anticipating) “Looper” since writer-director Rian Johnson described it during a guest appearance on The /Filmcast a couple of years ago. “Looper” is Johnson’s third feature film — and though I’m in the minority of people who didn’t love “Brick” (2005) or “The Brothers Bloom” (2008), I appreciated the craft evident in those movies. I suspected this talented filmmaker would one day make a film that dazzled me, and I’m happy to report that the day has come. Continue reading