LRA writes: Safety Not Guaranteed (SNG from this point) is a welcome distraction amidst a slew of summer blockbusters all vying for your attention and hard earned dollars. It is very easy to forget that the reason we all go to the movies is to see a well told story with characters that are rich with complexities and have personality to spare. It isn't about the spectacle or epic battles that so many other films seem to be preoccupied with (although those have their place and are amazing in their own right), it always comes back down to character for me. First time feature film director Colin Tevorrow knows this and has put together a shining example of this philosophy. If a movie doesn't have that most basic of story requirements, which are well written and realized characters, then it is most often dead in the water. While SNG may not have the deepest story or huge ambitions of other character centric films, it's charming cast, unique premise and witty script helps it stand out as one of the better films I have seen this year.
Mediaverum takes a look at quirky indie film Safety Not Guaranteed, a hidden gem that didn't get quite enough love upon release. Stars Aubrey Plaza and Jake Johnson.
It was a nice little surprise of a movie, although the ending felt like kind of a cop out.
LRA writes: 2012 was the year that the super hero movie stood tall amongst all others. Such colossal hits as "The Avengers", "Dark Knight Rises", "The Amazing Spider-man", the moderately successful but no less impactful release "Chronicle" and even the financial bomb but critically praised "Dredd 3D", this was a banner year for super heroes everywhere (let's try to forget that "Ghost Rider" sequel shall we). We also got the triumphant return of James Bond in "Skyfall", the beginning of another journey through Middle-Earth in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and countless more films that helped define a year that was filled with plenty of memorable highlights and some unfortunate (but sadly expected) low points. So to help commemorate (and narrow down) the best, worst, most disappointing and other miscellaneous picks from the year, here is my list of films that left an everlasting impact on me, both good and bad.
TF:
A smart character-driven charmer that gets better as it unfolds. Trevorrow and his excellent cast deserve to travel to the next level with this.
