BradWesley123's Movie Journal- December 2016

Netflix- 1hr. 47min.
First Viewing

Too Late is a surprisingly effective Tarantino rip-off for about the first three of its four stories, but loses a lot of tension in its conflating last act. There are certainly problems with the film up to that point though; the plot isn't much to write about, relying on the actors and constant cinematography to create most of the energy (there are also a few gratuitous, Tarantino-aping n-bombs thrown around for absolutely no reason). The gimmick, for one-shot scenes, does prove to be fruitful; there is energy and immediacy brimming throughout the film. It doesn't always work, but at least it's interesting and, often, quite fun.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Cinematography- Bill Fernandez

HBO Now- 1hr. 43min.

DVD- 1hr. 28min.

DVD- 1hr. 38min.
First Viewing

The only scene worth the price of admission in Mechanic: Resurrection is the one heavily promoted in the trailers; the many-storied pool kill. It's fun and interesting in a way the rest of the movie is not. In all honesty, the assassinations are really the only decent parts of the movie (not really a compliment). The rest of the time, it's a dull, unnecessary sequel to one of Statham's better films.

"Why's he got bigger hands?"VHS- 2hrs.

Fun Fact: Donald Trump adopted this young boy, and he became Eric Trump.

Netflix- 1hr. 38min.

DVD- 1hr. 54min.
First Viewing

War Dogs is more fun than it is truly good. It's fun in the way that most Scorsese-esque films are; they're fast, frantic, funny, and inclusive in a way that says "hey, come on in pal." Trouble is, it doesn't leave the best aftertaste; it glosses over too many interesting details, does little with the information it presents, and doesn't do a whole lot with it's characters. Teller does what he can with his role, but there's not much there; outside of Hill, who's very good here, none of the characters shine. It takes a pretty standard story, but doesn't really say anything new with. That's enough to make it a pleasant diversion, but not a whole lot more.

HBO Now- 1hr. 26min.
Note: Versions of this movie that don't include "When Love Is Gone" lose a lot of power, and the person that authorized its exclusion should lose a limb.

DVD- 1hr. 21min.
First Viewing

It's certainly more engaging than I had expected it to be, the scares are solid and the cast is strong, but Lights Out can't quite overcome an undercooked plot. It works in differing stretches, but can't stick the landing (the ending is just not very good). There's certainly enough here to mildly recommend, but a few too many issues to rectify in the presumed sequel.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Visual Effects

DVD- 2hrs. 1min.
First Viewing

Anthropoid's first half isn't much to write home about; it's dull, slow and seems disinterested in it's own story. The second half, however, is a different story. When the action kicks in, and the ramifications from the first half take over, the film becomes a tense, claustrophobic action thriller. The cast keeps things movie for the first half (Murphy, in particular), but Director Ellis pulls it all together in the second half. Had the first half been as even-keeled as the second, this could've been a pretty memorable thriller.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Production Design- Morgan Kennedy and Ussal Smithers
Best Sound

HBO Now- 2hrs. 5min.

Netflix- 1hr. 43min.
First Viewing

An exceptionally well-made coming-of-age thriller with a pair of excellent performances from Max Records and Christopher Lloyd, I Am Not a Serial Killer is a indie-horror flick with a surprising amount of heart. I wasn't a fan of all of it, but the film is unique in a way that adds to the film's thrills.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Adapted Screenplay- Billy O'Brien and Christopher Hyde

DVD- 2hrs. 18min.

DVD- 2hrs. 12min.

Netflix- 1hr. 40min.

DVD- 1hr. 50min.
First Viewing

It's often funny and heartfelt, with a pair of winning performances from Streep and Grant, but Florence Foster Jenkins is too tonally confused to really succeed wholly. Moments that seem like they're played for laughs comes across as flat, and vice versa, and, despite the strong acting, the characters are never really fleshed out beyond archetypes. It's pleasing enough, but misses the mark more often than it should.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Costume Design- Consolata Boyle
Best Score- Alexandre Desplat
Best Makeup

DVD- 1hr. 24min.
First Viewing

While the leads are exceptionally charming and have genuine chemistry, Southside with You trying too much to be a Before movie than it's own. It's pleasant enough, and likable throughout, but it's just so slight that it's hard to wholeheartedly recommend.

DVD- 1hr. 30min.

Netflix- 2hrs. 15min.

Netflix- 1hr. 20min.
First Viewing

Another Before acolyte; Blue Jay is a heartfelt and lived-in nostalgia trip for the most part, before a late game twist makes it a heartbreaking story of pain and regret. Luckily, neither negates the other; the good moments are just as important as the bad. None of it works without its leads, and both Duplass and Plauson are superb, anchoring every moment with sincerity.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Actor- Mark Duplass
Best Actress- Sarah Paulson

DVD- 1hr. 37min.

Blu-Ray- 2hrs. 3min.

DVD- 1hr. 57min.
First Viewing

It's a Lumet film, so it should go without saying that the cast is superb (Hoffman and Finney, in particular, give the film real weight), but Lumet and the script are quite effective when it comes to building tension, to a truly queasy effect. There are drawbacks though, too many characters and the format doesn't always add much to the preceedings, but Before the Devil Knows You're Dead is a strong crime film about the legacies father's pass on to their sons.

Monthly Wesley AwardsBest Director- Sidney Lumet
Best Supporting Actor- Albert Finney
Best Editing- Tom Swartwout

Netflix- 1hr. 26min.
First Viewing

It suffers from the usual bit of indie-itis associated with these movies (too emotionally open, too conclusive, etc), but Miss Stevens is another strong film dealing with potential and legacy. The script doesn't overdo things that much; it feels honest, and only a little manipulative. It helps that Lily Rabe is quite good in the lead role, and Timothée Chalamet is stellar as well; their power helps overcome a few of the film's flaws. It's a fairly slight film, but a worthwhile one.

Netflix- 1hr. 31min.
First Viewing

Swept Under has an okay twist; not for the twist its self, but that it was willing to go for it. That doesn't make things any better though; in fact, it may even make it worse. It becomes more absurd, and not in a good way. What came before isn't very good either, and is the more cliched half. The leads are actually pretty good, but their give such a cliche-laden script that they can't do anything with it. It's just not worth it.

Monthly Wesley AwardWorst Picture

DVD- 1hr. 36min.

Hulu- 1hr. 41min.
First Viewing

A sweet genre hybrid that alternates between absurd humor and genuine pathos. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is an inventively fun movie with great work from its cast, a Wes Anderson-ian style energy (though not at all a ripoff), and an excellent script. December saved the best for last.

Monthly Wesley AwardBest Picture
Best Supporting Actress- Rachel House
Best Original Screenplay- Taika Waititi and Barry Crump

DVD- 1hr. 29min.

Netflix- 1hr. 30min.

DVD- 1hr. 35min.

DVD- 1hr. 32min.

DVD- 1hr. 26min.

DVD- 1hr. 38min.

FUCK YOU 2016!!!