After an extremely busy week at the theater that saw reviews for Thor: The Dark World, Diana, and Dallas Buyers Club and screenings of Nebraska and Philomena – which I’ll write about next week – I got busy with some more at-home viewings, catching up with a couple of flicks from 2013 that had previously swooped under my radar. I would certainly gush about the two documentaries – SOMM and Dear Zachary – that I encountered but the two traditional feature films – 21 and Over and In a World – left something to be desired. Take a stroll down movie watching lane with this week’s edition of Weekly Review.

IN A WORLD (2013)

Lake Bell‘s directorial debut is a well of indie potential that never quite finds its footing. The resulting dramedy – as if we really need another movie that fits the “dramedy” bill – is sloppy but mildly entertaining, even though it has this strange feeling that the fun was intentionally capped at 7. Laced with many B-list comedy stars, In a World rewards those plugged into film geekery with its wacky premise following a battle to become the next big thing in trailer voice over work. Demetri Martin, Jeff Corddry, Ken Marino, and a barely used Jeff Garlin all feel squandered, as if Bell didn’t want anyone to shine more than her and underwrote their characters and left any improvisation strokes of comic gold on the cutting room floor. There’s certainly many elements to like and Bell’s unkempt VO laggard is a great – dare I say feminist – turn of counterculture to an industry dominated by men but, ultimately, the ratio of laughs to mere smiles make this comedy a venture not worth pursuing.

C

DEAR ZACHARY (2008)

Amateur filmmaking and (un)happy accidents turn what could have been a minor pet project into an often unruly and always devastating documentary. Originally meant to commemorate the loss of Andrew Bagby – an at-home filmmaker/aspiring doctor who has murdered at the hands of a jealous girlfriend – this documentary shifted focus with news that his murderer was pregnant with his child. As a letter to a son about his father, Dear Zachary transforms into a whole different beast entirely. Reality tends to be more shocking and messy than fiction and the events that take place throughout this film serve as unholy proof of that fact. As much a peepshow into the failings of the justice system as a degradation of a murderer let off the hook, her name is Shirley Turner, Dear Zachary is a devastating documentary of the highest degree.

B+

SOMM (2013)

Taking a peek into the little known world of sommeliers, SOMM shows us just how little we know about wine and to what lengths some will go to be called “a master.” Despite any initial reaction urging you to jump up and yell “Bullshit!”, these gurus of grape knowledge must learn about every imagine facet of the wine making process – from grape varietals to dirt to regions, subregions, and villages – to even stand a chance at the impenetrable master sommelier test for which they are studying. Giving us a new perspective on a beverage as old as time, SOMM showcases devotion and persistent in the most unexpected of professions. The film stutters in moments and feels like it could have shaved off certain elements but for making us believe that a test about wine might just be much harder than passing the bar exam, filmmaker Jason Wise deserves a big glass of wine and a respectful nod.

B

21 AND OVER (2013)

There’s little to like in this cliche-ridden college movie that’s smothered in familiar tropes like cold gravy on a hard biscuit. Taking each and every familiar path we’ve seen so many times before, 21 and Over lacks anything distinct and is unable to summon a single laughter during its 93 minute runtime. For so short a film, it quickly overstays its welcome and only just barely glides by on the easy charm of star Miles Teller. Even the cursory gross out gags are inessential, mere distasteful moments tacked on as a last ditch effort that the film isn’t completely forgotten.