Looper (2012)

An intelligent time-travel flick, Looper is centred on Joe, a mob hit-man who kills targets sent back in time to him via time-travel. The plot thickens when Joe's future self is sent back in time to be killed by his present self; we are then artfully given two alternate endings which loop back to whether Joe fulfils his duty or allows his future self to live. With the potential to be confusing, the film is cleverly put together and, for the time being, fills a gap in the Terminator niche that really needed filling. The soundtrack is subtly used for dramatic effect and I definitely loved the inclusion of Chuck and Mac's - Powerful Love. The only fault here is the deflating ending - which is a big deal - but I have to give the movie a pass on this because the journey up until then was almost perfect and in a roundabout way you can choose your own ending. Watch it again many times.

9/10  

Pitch Perfect (2012)

A descendent of Glee, Pitch Perfect follows Beca and Jesse who join two different a capella groups hoping to eventually compete in a national tournament. Part romantic comedy, part musical and infused with a fraternity/sorority Greek element, there's a host of interesting sub-stories and characters yet this is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. At times horribly catty, the songs are well-chosen from pop hits and performed admirably and, for the most part, enjoyably. Beneath the story is a clichéd 'be yourself and don't be afraid to change' type moral which, in all fairness, is a worthwhile message worth repeating. Worth watching again in the background while not taking it too seriously.

7/10

Chronicle (2012)

Unusual, Chronicle is a faux-doco style film about 3 boys who discover an alien presence which bestows telekinetic abilities upon them. Initially party tricks, their competency improves until they are able to fly and control large objects with their minds. Inevitably, this escalates as Andrew, who comes from an abusive household, becomes corrupted by the powers to the detriment of the group.  Void of music, this kind of works with the feel of the film (but I always miss music in movies). That said, it's an interesting venture into 'real' superhero territory that feels like an improved hybridisation of Misfits and Cloverfield with a dark dramatic edge. A keeper, watch it again a few times.

8/10

Moneyball (2011)

Reminiscent of Friday Night Lights, Moneyball builds a story around baseball as opposed to just being a movie about baseball. It is based on the true story of Billy Beane, a washed up professional baseball player who manages a mediocre baseball team and dares to attempt to win the championship. He poaches a young analyst that has devised a calculation to quantify the value of players and then builds a rag-tag team based upon it. While the music is good, it's really sparse and it could've really helped in this film. In the end, this is a movie about opportunities lost and learning to make peace with that reality. Rewatchable (maybe once).


7/10

The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

A second recent reboot of the Spiderman franchise, The Amazing Spiderman aligns itself more readily with the comic books that gave birth to the series. While Spider-Man was pretty successful in its own right, the key improvement here is in the casting. From Andrew Garfield, who is almost the perfect choice for the geeky hero himself to the loveable Emma Stone this trend continues all the way to the smaller parts with Martin Sheen as chivalrous Uncle Ben and Sally Field as nurturing Aunt May. While I would've preferred a less obvious orchestral superhero soundtrack and I thought the robber/Uncle Ben scene had a bit less punch this time around, I can't help but look forward to the sequels and more neat scenes like the one with a scared kid and the re-assuring Spidey mask. Watch it a lot over the years.  

9/10

The Avengers (2012)

The Avengers takes a leaf out of the successful Iron Man series' book and blends realistic action with savvy dialogue. With a huge cast of superheroes, the film manages to give each character their due screen time and character development while binding it all together with a common enemy. Loki, a god from another world, is bent on invading earth and is a surprisingly good fit alongside the Marvel heroes. The most important feature of the Avengers is also preserved well: they all have fantastic strengths but its how the heroes overcome their weaknesses with team work that epitomizes the overall charm of this story. Disappointingly, the music is orchestral and keeps the movie chugging along but is mostly forgettable fare.  That said, the acting is quite impressive and helps to create atmosphere without becoming fake or two dimensional. Worth repeat viewing.

8.5/10

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)

Superbly unique and hard to take your eyes off, Moonrise Kingdom is a coming-of-age story told through fantasy-tinted lens. It has a Tim Burton feel about it but is lighter and often feels as awkward as our young couple's blossoming romance. The juxtaposition of serious issues such as rejection and bullying against the backdrop of quirky and downright loony adults makes for an enjoyable ride. The music is playful and adventurous and contributes admirably to the film. The only fault of the movie is also its main draw card: this film is a bit precocious and deserves special treatment as you watch it once, twice or even more.

9/10

Prometheus (2012)

Part prequel and part reboot of the Alien series, Prometheus follows the discovery of ruins on earth which suggest that there was intelligent life before humans. A spaceship is then built to investigate the faraway planet of our would-be makers. Essentially a dark action movie, this holds its ground with a respectable cast that includes an unwavering heroine as an homage to Ripley. Expectedly void of music, the film is anchored by the character David, a calculating and almost psychopathic android who makes a fantastic change from the usual robots of the series who generally abide by Asimov's three laws. While I can't help but yearn for the tension of its predecessors, I'm grateful for this commendable descent into scifi all the same. Scarily rewatchable.

8/10

The Hunger Games (2012)

An annual event, The Hunger Games pit one female and one male teenager from each of 12 fictional districts in an all-against-all fight to the death in the wilderness. A descendant of Battle Royale, the film is enriched by its televised reality show component. In this, wealthy spectators are able to influence the result by purchasing instant supply drops for agreeable contestants. A star-crossed romance develops between Katniss and Peeta, the two protagonists chosen from the 12th district. We are then forced to decide whether their relationship is entirely genuine or whether each of them are deceiving the cameras for the tide-turning goodie packs. The soundtrack plays second fiddle to the movie but is present throughout and keeps the film on its toes. Some genuinely gory scenes are surprising and the plot evokes tension while keeping the viewer rooting for the underdogs. This is well-balanced and rewatchable - so long as you aren't expecting anything too serious.

8/10

The Cabin in the Woods (2011)

TCITW starts off as a pedestrian horror flick and then becomes something a little bit unwieldy as a group of teenagers head to a remote cabin during summer break. Using stereotypical plot devices such as the 'hick gas attendant', the audience is lulled into expecting the run of the mill before being given an over-arching story and sense of purpose for the gore onscreen. The twist and comic relief makes this a refreshing take on the genre however it does feel a little too rushed at times and there are a fair few liberties with logic. Nonetheless, the soundtrack and the acting are reasonable thanks to a decent budget. Rewatchable for its pace, this is a lighter throwback to 90's successes such as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer. 

7.5/10

The Lincoln Lawyer (2011)

True to its title, this film is about Mick, a street-smart lawyer operating out of his Lincoln automobile. His latest client is a rich kid named Louis who has been charged with assaulting a prostitute victim. Mick then stumbles upon a previous client's case which seems to match the MO of Louis's and realises that his now-incarcerated former client could be innocent. The soundtrack is minimal and could've lightened aspects of the movie however there is some satisfying tension towards the end. Unfortunately, despite being slick and focused, The Lincoln Lawyer never really evokes much more than those few thrills and that's what lets it down. All in all, it's probably rewatchable over the years but I doubt it will hold your full attention.

7/10

The Ides of March (2011)

A political drama, The Ides of March is about an idealistic political advisor who is forced to revisit his moral compass when he uncovers a scandal affecting his boss's career in the democratic primary. It often feels like a West Wing episode only this is sombre and is missing the flair in dialogue that Aaron Sorkin brought to the show. The deception and political gambits keep the story moving forward and a host of great actors improve the film. But, as seems to be the case with George Clooney movies, the lack of a soundtrack and emotional contrast make the film seem too serious and bland: it's almost a scripted documentary. Well-intentioned, I can't see anyone wanting to sit through more than two viewings.

7.5/10

Midnight in Paris (2011)

A typically oddball Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris is a fantasy-romance that follows Gil, a Hollywood writer, and his fiancee, Inez, when they travel to Paris. Gil quickly falls in love with the city and wants to live there while Inez is largely immune to its charms. On a midnight stroll, he is transported to 1920s Paris and meets classic writers of the 'Lost Generation' such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald. Inez, ever the realist, dismisses these fantasies and the couple learn that they are more different than they thought. While the scenery and notion are charming, the music and name-dropping comes across as stuffy and largely unenlightening. Owen Wilson is tolerable in a more serious role than usual while Rachel McAdams is left with little to work with in her two-dimensional character. In the end it's only worth one watch - unless you're a francophile.

6.5/10

The Descendants (2011)

A somewhat dying breed, The Descendants is a pure drama about a hands-off father who is forced to step up as a solo parent after his wife is injured in a boating accident. Set in Hawaii, it takes an interesting look at the beauty and eccentricities of the island state and gives insight into Hawaiian lifestyle from a top-down perspective. Accompanied by endearing ukelele singer-songwriter tunes that reminded me of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, this is easily one of the more down-to-earth and accessible George Clooney films. However, the film has no real direction and lacks critical plot points to keep you wanting more. A lazy sunday kind of film that doesn't upset the waters and deserves a watch or two. 

7/10

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II (2011)

The curtain finally closes on the Harry Potter franchise as Hogwarts becomes the last bastion of hope against Voldemort and his overwhelming minions. HPATDH2 does a decent job of tying up the storylines and evoking hopelessness and I liked how academia becomes the refuge for all that is good. There's some feel-good scenes as house Slytherin finally get their just dessert and Severus Snape's true loyalties are finally revealed. Fantastic CGI is riddled throughout the film: magic golems, a Stargate Atlantis-esque defensive shield/bubble, the usual fireworks-like spells and a raging inferno. Unfortunately, the ending is a little pedestrian and I would've liked a bit more reflecting on past events for cohesion (if only the soundtracks of the prequels were more memorable). That said, the film is an enjoyable send-off and worthy of several watches.

8.5/10

Crazy Stupid Love (2011)

An ensemble cast romantic comedy, Crazy Stupid Love is about a middle-aged man (Steve Carell) whose life is turned upside down when his wife (Julianne Moore) cheats on him with a work colleague (Kevin Bacon). Broken, he is taken under wing and reinvented by a suave player named Jacob (Ryan Gosling) who teaches him the art of picking up women. Meanwhile, a sharp and down-to-earth rebel (Emma Stone) disarms Jacob and he soon falls in love with her. Amongst all this are a few good laughs and it wraps up with an entertaining brawl between all the major characters as they all grow a little wiser. Beware though, for this one is a slow burner and it meanders constantly. Luckily, a mixed up soundtrack helps to stabilise the stories and for that it's worth a few looks.
7/10

Real Steel (2011)

A genre stew, Real Steel is set in a future where the top sport is robot boxing. It follows a dead-beat, robot-trainer father who reluctantly ends up taking care of his son, Max. Unfortunately, they continue to lose robot after robot and fight after fight until Max finds an abandoned robot in a junkyard and restores it. Reinvigorated, the pair start winning bouts and Max's father realises that his son was just what he needed to get his life back on track. It's armed with a soundtrack that's underwhelming but passable, while the father-son dynamic gives the film a little more substance and succeeds in not becoming too syrupy. Definitely a film that kids are sure to enjoy and want to watch again.

7/10

50/50 (2011)

50/50 centres on Adam, a 27 year old guy given a spinal cancer diagnosis that helps him to discern his true friends from the pretenders. Played deftly by the cool-headed Joseph Gordon Levitt, and an atypically likeable but still comic Seth Rogen, this becomes a buddy movie that bounces between being heart-breaking one second and hilarious the next. With fresh dialogue that reminded me of the good parts of Friends with Benefits, it is elevated by an excellent soundtrack full of both  golden oldies and a few more youthful tracks too. The only downside might be that there's nothing truly genre-breaking here but maybe that's not even necessary as I can imagine watching this over and over again over the years.

9/10

War Horse (2011)

A story about a stubborn horse and his rider who travel from England to German-occupied France in World War I, this film requires some open-mindedness: Steven Spielberg and Love Actually's Richard Curtis are involved. The horse, Joey, is made the focus which causes the story to meander through side stories which never quite come together over the 150 minute epic. Compounding this,  War Horse is clumsy due to sentiment and takes a good hour-plus to pick up any pace - quite a chore with only old-fashioned orchestra as accompaniment. Thankfully it improves and starts to pay-off further in but, on the whole, it only grazes film excellence a few times with scenes such as the unlikely co-operation of ally and axis troops. Disappointingly, this makes it hard to imagine seeing it more than twice without a fast forward button (for many: once may be the limit).

7.5/10