Archangel (1990)

Just because a film has a unique visual style doesn’t mean it’s automatically going to turn out any good. This Guy Maddin experiment takes place during the Russian Revolution and deals with a love triangle between a two men who have amnesia. I love stylized cinema but not when it’s confusing with old fashion style acting. I completely see his ingenuity and respect this show for what it was crafting but I just didn’t really care for it. Grade: B- (Wait a minute, if I didn’t like it why don’t’ I give it a C? Because regardless of my reaction, it’s a cool looking film.)

No (2012)

Gael García Bernal stars in this political film about the Chilean plebiscite of 1988. The population was asked to vote Yes or No if Augusto Pinochet should remain President of the country. Bernal plays an advertising guru who is asked to use his talents and techniques in making a series of television spots to campaign on the No side. Not only is this an educational experience about a South American historical moment worth knowing about but it’s also a well-acted drama about a man mixing politics with business. My only issue with it is that its pacing is inconsistent making for an almost anti-climactic ending that feels it was supposed to be more exciting. But I can see why it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, it is a fascinating story. Grade: B+

Trance (2013)

It’s always a bit disappointing when a director you trust makes something so average. Danny Boyle, why would you want to make this? You’re so much better than this trite. James McAvoy stars as an Auction House employee who gets mixed up in a painting’s robbery. Rosario Dawson plays his psychologist who uses hypnotism to attempt to unlock the parts of the crime he forgot so he can find the painting. Many uninspiring twists later, an exciting crime thriller turns into a messy revenge drama. It’s not really a bad film unless you consider average bad. Are we as film lovers worth more than average? Don’t we deserve to watch at least above average? In this case, I felt entertained just enough for it not to be a waste of my time. Yet it’s still a disappointment. Grade: B

March of Wooden Soldiers (1934)

I’ve been wanting to see this Laurel and Hardy “holiday” film for many years now but whenever I tried to check it out Netflix stated its status as Very Long Wait. Finally it arrived in the mail and I’ve had the pleasure of watching it. First observation: it’s not a holiday film. Why is it on my list of great classic holiday films? Because Santa Claus is in it for like ten minutes? This is a family film, also known as Babes in Toyland, that takes place in a land of fairy tales and Mother Goose characters. The main love story is between Tom Tom and Little Bo-Peep and the plot centers around saving the Old Woman Who Lived In A Shoe from being evicted with all her children. Stannie and Ollie bumble around to help out as side characters and propel this film into a watchable classic because of their comedic chemistry. The set pieces and costumes are also highly entertaining, such as a monkey dressed up as a mouse (animal cruelty?) and the freaky looking in a cute way Three Little Pigs. I still don’t think this should be considered a holiday film and most contemporary audiences will scoff at such an innocent fable but I’m glad I saw it. Grade: B+

Frances Ha (2013)

I adore this charming throwback to French New Wave cinema from director Noah Baumbach. This is easily his best work to date and Greta Gerwig, who stars and co-wrote the screenplay, shines. Gerwig plays easily the most annoying yet lovable character I’ve seen in a film. Her character, so flawed and real, jumps off the screen. I want to be her friend and yet know I’d probably need a break from her from time to time. While its plot is minimal, it’s her relationships with her best friend Sophie and all her various roommates that pull you in and make you want to keep watching. Sometimes a simple black and white film can say more about life and all its struggles than anything else. Watch this film unless you need explosions and heavy-handed plotting to keep you interested. I celebrate this film and hope more discover it. Grade: A-

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

Sam Raimi directs the prequel to The Wizard of Oz showing the origins of the trickster hero himself. This could have been so much better, showing how the wicked witch came to be and the start of her reign. It doesn’t help that James Franco is completely miscast. I like the actor but he can’t bolster this film. Yet he’s not the worst miscast, that would be Mila Kunis as Theodora . Mila is awful in this film. I don’t really blame her; she does her best but her make-up is pathetic and her acting is beyond her reach. I understand why they wanted her (and she is an Academy Award nominee) but she just can’t be scary evil. Most of the special effects are serviceable but there were a few bad moments such as when Oz and friends float away in bubbles (pretty bad). Overall it’s a mediocre fantasy film that will be forgotten in time, not the beginning of a new franchise that Walt Disney had hoped. Grade: C+

The Office (Season 9)

After nine seasons the American version of the famous UK show comes to a close and in a satisfying and emotionally rewarding way. Andy’s reign as the Boss continues to fail and Jim and Pam’s marriage gets a little rocky with Jim working a second career on a business he started with college friends. Then there’s Dwight Schrute (which in many ways is the final story line we want to see closure from) who deals with his family’s farm while also making his ultimate dreams come true. That’s not to say it’s a perfect season. When it comes to comedic moments it is lacking from other seasons and I wasn’t completely overjoyed by some of the wrap-ups. Still when it comes to final seasons this is one future sitcoms could learn from, as it is a clever and solid ending. Grade: A-

Spoiler Alert
To expand on the parts that I think weaken this season, my biggest complaint is with Ellie Kemper’s Erin. She quickly became one of my favorite characters and I was excited to see how they’d finish her storylines but instead they get her set up with the “new Jim” (unnecessary love story) and then have her reunite with her father and mother (which was good but way too late). I feel like her character really could have had an outstanding conclusion but instead it just fizzles. Then there’s a nitpicky thing with Dwight and Angela. Angela admits that her son is Dwight’s but never explains why the doctor from the first episode of the season told Dwight that the paternity test proved otherwise. While I did love seeing all the old characters come back for cameos, I felt Steve Carell’s final moment could have been a bit longer, at least have Holly there at the wedding too. And why wasn’t Michael at the big reunion at the last episode?  That was a glaringly missing piece. Was it about money or scheduling? For me that would have helped make this a perfect ending.