Monthly Movie Reviews – June, 2013

Here are some two sentence reviews of the movies I watched in June.

Stats

• Movies watched – 10
• Movies that were new to me – 8
• Shite foreign films – 2
• Monthly Masterpieces – This is Spinal Tap

June 27

• Man of Steel (2013) – This doesn’t really seem all that gritty (aside from Superman’s new-found penchant for collateral damage), rather, it is the same old origin story + small bit of plot development + last half of punching and explosions.  Hell, it doesn’t even have one of director Zach Snyder’s signature doggy style sex scenes to liven things up.

June 19

• This is the End (2013) – The cast does a good job sending up their images without making the film into a vanity project, while the jokes are deliciously crass, crude, and clever.  If you liked Pineapple Express, well, this isn’t as good, but you’ll still probably love it.

June 18

• Before Midnight (2013) – If the first half seems like it may wander in places, the stellar second half more than makes up for it.  Bottom line, this is another brilliant movie in a trilogy that is easily some of the best film making work of the last couple decades–it’s just too bad Ethan Hawke’s character is such a douche.

June 16

• Ghostbusters (1984) – Bill Murray’s asshole you hate to love (and company) wisecrack their way through one of the best comedies of the 1980s.  Full of memorable set pieces and memorable lines, this one really doesn’t get old no matter how many times you rewatch it.

June 15

• The Visitors (1993) – Two medieval knights get transported to modern day France and the hilarity ensues.  A premise like this should have been at least dumb fun, but most of the jokes are far too labored to merit much more than a few wincing smiles.

June 9

• This is Spinal Tap (1984) – The movie that cemented the mockumentary’s place in modern comedy, and it’s still the funniest example.  Every time I rewatch it I marvel at the impressive improv skills of the brilliant cast.

June 4

• One Man Metal (2012) – A collection of interviews with three modern underground black metal bands (all of which are actually excellent bands).  The production values are top notch, though the interviews don’t do much to make me like any of the musicians all that much.
• Away We Go (2009) – A couple has a series of encounters with friends from around the country who all turn out to be pretty batshit crazy. Overall, it is amusing enough, though it veers into dialog that is too pleased with itself for its own good a few too many times for my taste.
• Bullet to the Head (2012) – Supposedly a “good old fashioned” buddy cop movie, only they forget to bring the sense of fun.  Still, worth it to see a dude in his 60s with a body like Stallone’s axe fight Khal Drogo.