The Caller (2011)

The Caller is a Butterfly Effect type movie with a horror twist. It follows Mary as she moves into a new apartment and receives calls from a mystery woman a few decades in the past. The mystery caller keeps altering events in the past and this in turn affects Mary's present. Unfortunately, it feels drawn for the first hour and then feels rushed for the last half hour and could have been balanced better. The soundtrack is sparse and forgettable and could have been used to help fix the slow start. The film gets bonus points for trying to add something cerebral to the horror genre (even tipping its hat to Star Trek) but I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch it more than twice.

6/10

Friends with Benefits (2011)

Friends with Benefits is a surprisingly sharp and modern take on Romantic Comedies. With worthy performances from both Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis as a couple, it examines the contemporary relationship and the expectations and idiosyncracies of men and women. The language is fresh and realistic and contributes to the quick-witted humour. The soundtrack is mostly well-chosen and keeps the movie on pace. It is only at the beginning and very end of the story where things veer towards the cliché and I felt particular distaste when Dylan's father had a lucid moment and explains his life's regrets which seemingly mirror the dilemma of the young couple. That aside, it's deserving of a couple of watches.
7.5/10