Since my inclusion to the SRN team coincided with the end of the year, I did not get to do too many reviews for 2012. With the 2012 film year now behind us, I figured a multi-part article giving my two cents on the new release titles I got to see over the last 12 months might help fill the gap. What 2012 films are worth seeing and which ones should you skip? My 2012 films in review pt. 1 awaits you, after the jump.
The Divide 2/5
The year began with one of my most anticipated releases. In late 2011, I was fortunate enough to catch a revival screening of my favorite film of all time, The Terminator and the trailer for this film was placed before it. As a huge fan of dystopian settings and what I call the “Night of the Living Dead” scenario (strangers trapped in one location together, with an outside force trying to get in, creating drama and tension between the characters), what I saw from the footage had me floored. The images of dread mixed with the hauntingly beautiful piano score had me thinking that perhaps Xavier Gens (director of the disappointing Hitman film) might have squeezed out an under-the-radar cult classic. But the credit should go to the editor of the trailer, since they did their job well: they took bits and pieces of a film to create a compelling selling tool, regardless of the overall quality of the film. And it saddened me to see that The Divide was an utter mess.
The ensemble cast features Michael Biehn, Milo Ventimiglia, Rosanna Arquette and a host of others locking themselves in the basement of their apartment building when signs of a nuclear war break out. What follows is essentially two hours of unlikable characters doing a bunch of terrible things to each other. There’s really not much more to it. I had read that the script was tossed out and the actors mostly improvised their lines and actions. While this is an interesting approach to filmmaking, it didn’t result in a compelling final product. There seems to be no exploration of deeper meaning in human interaction under extreme duress. It’s all rather superficial… and gross. The photography is slick and the sets are grimey. If there’s one compliment to give, it’s to the visual department. Perhaps burdening filmmakers can use this as an example of how to make a low-budget film with an interesting premise. I’d just simply recommend keeping a shooting script handy.
Chronicle 4/5
Now here’s low budget film-making done properly. As a comic book lover, it’s a joy to see an original film utilize the superhero genre to such effect. It gives me hope knowing that there are some that can handle a commercially viable product without sacrificing quality within the upcoming generation of filmmakers. The script is compelling, intelligent, thrilling and at times terrifying, with strong performances from everyone in front of and behind the camera. It should be noted that I normally dislike the “found footage” style of shooting, but Chronicle gets it right.
The plot is simple enough: three teens enter a crater of alien origin within the earth, and upon their return, find that they have telepathic abilities, which they hone and develop over time to essentially make themselves Supermen. Some cope well, while others don’t. Craziness ensues. I really wouldn’t want to spoil anything further for those that have yet to check it out. If you were on the fence, get off it and watch this.
It’s interesting to note that director Josh Trank has been attached to helm the Fantastic Four reboot, while writer Max Landis (son of John Landis) is working on a script for a sequel, and star Dane DaHaan has been cast as Harry Osbourne in the upcoming sequel to Amazing Spider-Man. It’s looks like these fellas are off to a fine start within the genre. Not bad for a group of guys under 30.
The Woman in Black 3/5
Daniel Radcliffe’s big-screen followup to playing Harry Potter for a decade came, surprisingly, in a horror film. Woman in Black was the big return for Hammer Studios (whose history and filmography are a bit of an obsession of mine), after some mild acclaim from their English remake of Let the Right One In (Let Me In) and some DTV/limited release pictures. So for that, I give the film props. It’s a beautiful looking film with some thick atmosphere, yet unfortunately snails along and is rather uneventful. But my expectations weren’t too terribly high on account of the PG-13 rating, and Radcliffe’s inclusion obviously being used to pull in his young fan-base.
Radcliffe plays a London lawyer who goes to a village to check out some documents pertaining to a recently deceased woman at her spooky manor and lots of slow-building and predictable jump-scares follow suit. I’m not a particularly large fan of ghost movies, and this is no exception, but I must give the film credit for it’s style. I can always forgive a poor or slowly paced picture quite often as long as the visuals make up for it, and Woman in Black qualifies. Director James Watkins’ only other credit that sticks out to me was his contribution to the screeenplay for The Descent II (which most seemed to dislike, but I thought was actually good spooky, bloody fun) and the script was penned by the Matthew Vaughn collaborator and crazy neon red-haired Jane Goldman. Worth a look if you’re into this sort of film.
Buy ‘The Woman in Black’ on Blu-ray.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 2/5
This was the first film of 2012 that I actually got to see in theaters. I wasn’t a particularly huge fan of the first Ghost Rider film (though I enjoy the comic character very much), but the trailer for this followup looked promising. I was also a fan of the zany Crank films from directors Neveldine and Taylor, plus David Goyer (Blade, Dark Knight) got a writing credit, so I thought perhaps there was some hope. Sadly, every good shot was (as usual) in the trailers. What I was left with to fill in the gaps was a sluggishly boring plot and more scenes of Nic Cage losing his mind. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s always a good time. But I can’t help but thinking that the crazier he acts, the more he’s compensating for the overall lackluster quality of the film (look no further than the amazingly terrible remake of The Wicker Man).
I will give the film a little credit, though. It looks good (this appears to be a running thread for the lower-rated films I’ve mentioned), and the budget was significantly lower than the first film, which they appear to have gotten around with some creative choices. The animated prologue was fantastic. The CGI actually looks better. They used a neat technique of isolating characters on a green-screen during fight scenes while bizarre and trippy effects go on in the background. Sure, overall, it’s a poor film. But it’s a strange poor film, and that at least saves it from being awful poor film. I guess that’s the least worse of the two… if you catch my drift.
Buy ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ on Blu-ray.
Hunger Games 3/5
Alright, I’m sure everyone already saw this, so I won’t bore you with plot details. I had no personal interest in seeing it, but far be it for me to turn down a free movie ticket. I was actually surprised. For a film based on a recent smash-hit book series geared towards the youth, it was certainly better than Twilight… though not as good as Harry Potter. I appreciate films that set up their own universe, and this is certainly an immersive one, strange or silly as it may be. The real strength lies in the impressive supporting cast. But as with many vast stories, it has it’s pitfalls.
Director Gary Ross helmed Pleasantville earlier in his career, a film that relies entirely on suspension of disbelief and logic to enjoy. But that was a great film due to the core storytelling
involved, showing in depth how an entire towns worth of people drastically change from the beginning to end. I didn’t connect nearly as much to our main characters in Hunger Games, and about 95% of the huge cast of characters are despicable and unlikable. Now, obviously this is the first in a trilogy, so perhaps developments will be saved for the sequels, but I for one prefer each chapter to be a separate entity that works on it’s own merits.
While a well-made film, I’m not foaming at the mouth to see the sequels. I doubt I’ll go to the theater to see them either… unless more free tickets miraculously appear.
Buy ‘Hunger Games’ on Blu-ray.
The Raid: Redemption 3/5
Man, do I enjoy martial arts films. This one’s got it all: intense hand to hand fights, crazy gun-play, blood galore. All the stuff a typical dude likes. This is a fun “turn off your brain and be awed” movie, in the most classic sense. I love succinct, high-concept plots. It’s just strange that this is basically identical to Dredd (review of that later): SWAT team becomes trapped in a high-rise tenement, controlled by homicidal mobsters, and have to to shoot and fight their way out as their numbers dwindle. Pretty simple, but that’s all you need. You don’t watch films like this for complexity. It’s eye candy. And it’s damn good. This Indonesian film was directed by the Welch Gareth Evans with music by Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park.
Buy ‘The Raid: Redemption’ on Blu-ray.
Wrath of the Titans 3.5/5
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a sequel that I found superior to the original. I personally felt Wrath of the Titans improved on everything set up in Clash. I think I’ve always enjoyed Grecco-Roman myths in a sort of reverse logic; I love superhero comics – they were heavily influenced by the stories of the Gods – therefore, I can dig the source of inspiration. And the filmmakers were smart; these films are now designed to mimic the big-budget Summer superhero movies, so they of course appeal to that audience. You swap out the togas and sandals for capes and spandex and you’d barely know the difference. But that’s not a bad thing. Good kicking evil’s ass never gets old or any less awesome.
Director Jonanthan Liebsman isn’t a stranger to improving upon established ground; he directed the far superior prequel Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning to flesh out the history of setup in the pretty bad 2003 TCM remake. He’s supposedly attached to do the Ninja Turtles reboot as well. Here’s hoping that turns out well. Anyway, Wrath is more of the same set up in Clash, just better. Not the greatest thing ever created, but very entertaining. If you’re into epic stuff, I’d bet you wouldn’t be disappointed.
Buy ‘Wrath of the Titans’ on Blu-ray.
Be sure to check back for our 2012 films in review pt. 2!
Discuss:
What movies topped your 2012 film year?
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