Sunday, October 14, 2012

Mini-Reviews: Seven Psychopaths, Nobody Walks, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)


Check out my thoughts on each new film after the cut.

Seven Psychopaths (2012)

Rockwell (right) is best in show.

Directed by Martin McDonagh
Produced by Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, and Martin McDonagh
Written by Martin McDonagh
Starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, and Olga Kurylenko

***1/2

Martin (Farrell) is writing a screenplay entitled Seven Psychopaths. With his friend Billy (Rockwell) along for the ride, he meets a series of psychopaths, including a gangster (Harrelson) who loves his dog, a man (Waits) with a bunny, and Billy's fellow dog "borrower" (Walken), en route to finishing his screenplay. 

If you've seen In Bruges, McDonagh's humor and writing style will be instantly recognizable in this film. That style also works here, yet it seems a bit too tongue-in-cheek this time around. Of course, the film is funny, and the cast does well with the material. But no one, apart from Rockwell, really stands out. Though McDonagh's twisted sense of humor is still there, it doesn't have as much bite and irreverence that made his previous film so much fun. It's enjoyable, but its uniqueness appears too blatant at times. 

Oscar Potential: Best Original Screenplay

Nobody Walks (2012)

Thirlby is a great reason to see this film.

Directed by Ry Russo-Young
Produced by Jonathan Schwartz, Andrea Sperling, and Alicia Van Couvering
Written by Lena Dunham and Ry Russo-Young
Starring John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie Dewitt, India Ennenga, Dylan McDermott, and Justin Kirk

**1/2

New Yorker Martine (Thirlby) visits Los Angeles to work on the sound of her new short art film with Peter (Krasinski). Staying with Peter and his family causes a number of problems, and the family is forever changed from her brief stay. 

Trailers make some good films look great, and this is how I felt about this one. Essentially, the film is a small-scale success with very little to bring you back to it a second time. Though this indie is slightly disappointing, the cast is very good. Thirlby, Krasinski, and Dewitt give solid performances. And the cinematography and sound design are also worth mentioning. It's a rather lightweight film, but it's still a worth a look. 

Oscar Potential: None

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Lerman gives one of the year's best performances.

Directed by Stephen Chbosky
Produced by Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, and John Malkovich
Written by Stephen Chbosky (screenplay/book)
Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miler, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Joan Cusack, and Paul Rudd

****

Charlie (Lerman) is a troubled high school freshman without any friends. Fortunately, he meets seniors Patrick (Miller) and Sam (Watson), who open his world to great music and a wonderful new life with strong friendships. 

When films like these succeed, they usually have great writing, performances, and a little something extra. Surprisingly, this film is an example of that. Lerman delivers one of the year's best leading performances, and Miller and Watson also turn in good work. If the film belongs to anyone, though, it's Logan Lerman. In addition to its fine screenplay, the film features great music and beautiful cinematography. For me, it's an excellent coming-of-age film that will, unfortunately, receive little awards play, like 2009's Adventureland

Oscar Potential: None

12 comments:

  1. I'm extremely excited for Seven Psychopaths and Perks - glad to see you enjoyed both!

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    1. I had a great time at both. Thanks for stopping by Stevee! :)

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  2. I'm so excited for Seven Psychopaths, how was Woody Harrelson in it? He plays such a fun character. I heard Christopher Walken was amazing in it.

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    1. Harrelson and Walken were great. They were both hilarious in their roles, and they were a perfect match for McDonagh's sense of humor. If anyone has a shot at awards, it's Rockwell, but I don't see him gaining any Oscar momentum.

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  3. I think Seven Psychopaths is more of a rental for me given the violent nature. I'm gonna be seeing Nobody Walks next week at TCFF, can't wait. I really like Rosemary DeWitt in The Company Men, but I haven't seen any movie of Krasinski nor Thirlby, so this'll be the first.

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    1. I completely forgot about The Company Men. It's very underrated, and I thought the whole cast was terrific.

      Have you seen Juno? Thirlby is in that, as Juno's best friend.

      Hope you like Nobody Walks at TCFF. :)

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  4. I am looking forward to TPOBAW and Seven Psychopaths. Thanks for the excellent concise reviews.

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    1. I hope you enjoy them. Thanks, and you're welcome! :)

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  5. I'm glad you got to see Nobody Walks! I've been wanting to see this since Sundance.

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    1. Nobody Walks is on Amazon Instant Video if you want to rent it on there.

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  6. Great reviews Josh! I am very excited to see Seven P and Perks, they both sound great and I've been hearing so many good things about them, especially Perks. We need a good coming-of-age film, there are not too many out there!

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    1. Thanks Diana! Haha, indeed. Hope you like them!

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