THE ROAD (John Hillcoat, 2009)


One of my favourite films so far this year. It's relentlessly gray (in theme as well as visuals). It also might be the first film to have had an actual physically affect on me (besides, like, crying). It made me feel weary and cold and depressed and it made me forget about the world outside the movie theater. I hate to sound cheesy, but that's the kind of power you hope a movie will have on you and basically never does. It allowed me to empathize with the characters more and invest more in the story. The acting ranges from brilliant to pretty decent. Viggo Mortensen gives what I think is his best performance as the father. There are really only two characters we spend alot of time with and the film is nearly two hours long, so being stuck with an actor who was less then perfect would've been unfortunate. Fortunately Mortensen more then carries the movie. He shows us a character who is strong, determined, loving, and in a way that's one of the bright sports in the movie. That amongst all of the evil and destruction he exists. Charlize Theron is very good, but she doesn't have alot to do. Robert Duvall is very good, but he has even less to do. Kodi Smit-McPhee is definitely the weakest link but he still gave a better performance than most child actors (Maybe I'm just spoiled after seeing Max Records). I like how the story doesn't unfold in traditional fashion. In fact, I think the most tense, "climactic" scenes took place towards the beginning. The characters are so strong and the film so good in basically every respect that I didn't need a traditional ending for three-act structure or anythnig like that. An excellent, dark, terrifying, thought-provoking movie. I want to see it again this weekend.


P.S. Just fyi, I haven't read the book. Maybe that's why I'm so impressed with it while so many others aren't?

P.S.S The only real problem with the film was the product placement of beverages. It's not just the Coke (which was apparently in the book). Mott's Juice boxes, Jim Beam, and Vitamin Water are all featured. If it was a comedy or somethnig it wouldn't seem so out of place but it just seems jarring in this one.

Ranking PIXAR

A new year, a new film from the folks at Pixar. In celebration of this week’s new Disney-Pixar release, ‘UP’, I’ve decided to rank the entire Pixar library. Here goes:

10. “Cars“ isn’t a bad film, but when you compare it to other Pixar masterpieces, it’s just not in the same league. The goofy dialogue, the celebrity cast and the, well, plot all reek of Dreamworks influence. The overall product is somewhat entertaining, but nothing to write home about. 6/10

09. “A Bugs Life“ isn’t a bad film, either. The plot is original (Or it was, when the film came out. Now it’s been copied with bugs, ants, etc. way too many times) but the animation isn’t quite as striking and it’s somewhat lacking in the intelligent humor department. I’ve seen it once or twice. It’s good for a rainy day, but not much else. 7/10

08. I seem to be one of the few who does not consider “Monster’s Inc.“ to be one of Pixar’s best efforts. It’s funny, it’s handsomely animated, but it’s not got that “wow” factor. Still good, and definitely worth a look. 7/10

07. “Up“. I’m kind of mixed on this one. It starts out BRILLIANTLY and then goes downhill. The lead characters are charming, the animation is lovely, and the story, amazingly, works. However, the film is hampered by a week villain who seems thrown in just to disrupt the brilliance with some cheesy action. Overall, it doesn’t quite have the magic of better Pixar films but it’’s still well worth the price of a 2D admission ticket. I do plan on re-watching it to see how it holds up. 7.5/10

06. I may just be the only person in existence that doesn’t prefer “Toy Story“ to it’s sequel. It’s alot of fun, it’s has clever dialogue and it introduces some of animated cinema’s best characters, but I just feel like the sequel does everything a little bit better. 9.5/10

05. “Toy Story 2“ takes the brilliance of it’s predecessor and bumps it up a notch. It’s more heartfelt, the characters are explored more fully, there are more impressive action sequences, great new characters, and I personally find it a bit funnier. 10/10

04. “Finding Nemo“. Funny, heart-warming, clever, and magnificently animated. On a side note, Ellen DeGeneres is the best casting decisions in Pixar history. In movie history, really. 10/10

03. “Ratatouille“ is funny, GORGEOUSLY animated, clever, has a sufficiently cute story, and involves both Paris and cooking, two of my favourite things. The clever jabs at critics and fast-food are hilarious and not over-done. Perhaps the best thing about the film is how well it stands up with repeated viewings. Each time I see it (Which is over 10 times, by now) I notice something new. Wonderful film. 10/10

02. “Wall-E“. I have nothing to say about this except that it is a brilliant social commentary, it’s a perfect blend of serious and silly, and it’s , well, to be incredibly cheesy, out-of-this-world in every way. 10/10

01. “The Incredibles“ works on so many levels. As a comedy, as an action film, as a satire, as a superhero film, as a kids movie, as an adult movie, as mindless entertainment, and as brainy Oscar-baity fare. It’s literally a perfect movie. One of the best, animated or otherwise, films I have ever and probably will ever see. 100/10

How do YOU rank them?