Ethan and Joel Coen have been making movies since 1984. And not just your run-of-the-mill, “here’s another one” kind of movie. Thoughtful, delicately constructed masterworks. One after another. I truly think it’s fair to say that they don’t have a bad movie in the bunch, which makes the task of ranking them ever the more difficult. Each of their films have something in them to love; something unique worthy of cherishing. Be it a character, a stylish approach or brisk, bright bursts of comedy, they’re all bursting at the seams with life. In an attempt to parse out the differences though, it becomes clear just how united the Coen’s filmography is, even though at first glance, that couldn’t seem less the case. Read More

It’s been a good month since I’ve posted a Weekly Review, betraying its namesake once again, so I have a hefty pile to pour on you. This week (read: month) took me through some familiar territory in an old classic, saw some decent recent horror movies and a pair of debuts from indie directors, one of which you’ll most certainly know. But let’s waste no more words, for it is time for Weekly Review.

Afflicted (2014)

If not wholly inventive in its take on the found footage horror genre, Afflicted turns a familiar movie monster trope into something new and entirely addictive. Derek and Clif are two best friends who embark on a journey across the world and happen upon a femme fatale who changes their trip and their lives. In a way, Afflicted is the horror equivalent of Chronicle with enough immersive effects to impress and a taut and unpredictable storyline to guide you through. And though it doesn’t go any place that could quite be labeled new, it’s a lot of fun getting to the end and that certainly scores some duckets for this guy. (B-)

Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

Scott Derrickson didn’t set out to reinvent the wheel with Deliver Us From Evil, an eerie tale of possession and exorcism, but he works the components that he has going for him with craft and care, making for one of 2014’s more unsettling horror movies, if not one of its scariest. Adding Eric Bana to the mix gives Derrickson’s fright fest much needed legitimacy, the only issue is that the saga draws on a little long and sags in the second act. But enough cat crucifixions and snappy bones can right any wrong and by the time the third act rolls around and that final exorcism takes the stage, you must commend Derrickson for not sparing the gory details. Shaved clean and soulless, baddie Sean Harris is pure id and his final freak out moments may need to be watched through your fingers. (C+)

Another Earth (2011)

Having just seen and enjoyed Mike Cahill‘s sophomore effort, I Origins, I decided it was due time to take a peek at his debut, which had scored so highly amongst 2011’s Sundance crowd. Luckily a friend and fellow critic had a copy to lend out, so I got to watching it without my customary timetable which involves drawn out months of putting it off. Thanks Nick. The product, while decidedly more amateur than I Origins, is equally provocative; it’s a tidy look at two people after their lives collide. Picking up the pieces seems impossible, especially when added to the metaphysical crisis that is the discovery of another earth that seemingly mirrors ours. It’s compelling in a philosophical sense and Brit Marling‘s hollowed out performance keeps you silently stunned throughout. (B)

Princess Bride (1987)

One of the best bad movies of all time, Princess Bride is all tongue and no cheek. It’s a brilliantly simple satire that works against incredible odds. The performances are hammy past the point of marrow, the sets drab and cheap-looking. Even that ROUS looks like a man crawling on all fours. But how simply unforgettable is this storybook classic from start to finish? Who cannot quote alongside Inigo Montoya as he monologues about avenging his father? Who can’t picture the Pit of Despair, the Cliffs of Insanity or the Fire Swamp? Who can’t mimic Peter Cook’s marble-mouthed wedding vows? There’s so much unforgettable about this movie that it’s a picture book of highlights, scene after scene. This is sarcasm at its most childish and wonderfully wanton. “To the pain.” (A+)

Blood Simple (1984)

As I’ve been working my way through the Coen Bros oeuvre, I’ve finally made it to their debut feature, which I’ve owned on Blu-Ray for a good while now. I’ll admit that I approached it with modicum of trepidation, not wanting to be disappointed with something that I expected to be not amongst their top shelf, but boy was I wrong. It starts out a touch talky but as it drifts into the second act, it’s as visually arresting as anything the auteur bros have done since, all without help from Roger Deakins. Their tale of lust and revenge takes us to the darkly comic corners they come celebrate later in their career, making this a proper starting mark for the twisted siblings to launch from. (B+)

Homefront (2013)

An 80s-style shoot-em-up revenge story with little new on the story-front but almost enough wham-bam flourish to justify a watch, Homefront represents the best a Jason Statham movie can be. Add to that the fact that James Franco slips into the character of a bayou meth outlaw named Gator and you can see the draw. Where it really fails to deviate from the course though is in the story department as director Gary Fleder brings nothing absolutely new to the table. Too bad. (C-)

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