24 Words Per Film (#87)

Neat trick: equal emphasis on realish protagonists and cartoon environment. Nicely satires the pushy, manipulative side of hippies, and the awkwardness of total openness.

Wanderlust (2012); dir. David Wain; starring Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Ken Marino, Kathryn Hahn, Joe Lo Truglio, Alan Alda. 

24 Words Per Film (#86)

The central conceit is rather clever, but the narrative itself doesn't always betray the same consideration. Kristen Wiig is, as always, totally frickin' brilliant.

Paul (2011); dir. Greg Mottola; starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig.

24 Words Per Film (#85)

Theron has pretty much cornered the market on "brave" choices, and Diablo Cody joins her here, writing a wholly unlikeable protagonist. Go Patton Oswalt!

Young Adult (2011); dir. Jason Reitman; starring Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson. 

24 Words Per Film (#84)

Perlman's incongruous performance choices incite more shock than the violence—which sometimes reaches true beauty. Drive and its excellent soundtrack have a symbiotic relationship.

Drive (2011); dir. Nicolas Winding Refn; starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman.

24 Words Per Film (#83)

A time capsule ready tour through some of today's subcultural categories: Brooklyn hipsters, high-powered yuppies, moderna-hippies. The less broad, the better the comedy here.  

Our Idiot Brother (2011); dir. Jesse Peretz; starring Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Rashida Jones, Adam Scott, Kathryn Hahn.

24 Words Per Film (#82)

The "Rushmore" affectation runs deep—down to the word "handjob." But look past it: there's an original, and quite beautiful, vision on display here.

Submarine (2010); dir. Richard Ayoade; starring Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Noah Taylor, Sally Hawkins.

24 Words Per Film (#81)

Ben Falcone gives a break-out performance—a better film would've starred him and Elizabeth Banks, cutting Diaz and Lopez, whose stories lack comedic punch. 

What to Expect When You're Expecting (2012); dir. Kirk Jones; starring Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Ben Falcone, Dennis Quaid, Anna Kendrick. 

24 Words Per Film (#80)

A Thor sequel with the plot to Transformers? Huh. Okay. Downey and Ruffalo are great, though. And the 3-D is tastefully done, for once.

Marvel's The Avengers (2012); dir. Joss Whedon; starring everybody.

24 Words Per Film (#79)

The rare comedy (romantic or otherwise) set in the "real" world that doesn't get all heavy on you, instead staying funny throughout. Great co-stars!

The Five-Year Engagement (2012); dir. Nicholas Stoller; starring Jason Segal, Emily Blunt, Chris Pratt, Alison Brie. 

24 Words Per Film (#78)

Remarkably perceptive about the differences between today's cool kids and those of just five years ago. Works equally well as both action and comedy.

21 Jump Street (2012); dir. Phil Lord, Chris Miller; starring Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Dave Franco, Ice Cube.

24 Words Per Film (#77)

Jesse Eisenberg has a tendency to match his performance quality to that of the material; both are mediocre here. Michael Pena is a revelation!

30 Minutes or Less (2011); directed by Ruben Fleischer.

24 Words Per Film (#76)

The many scenes lacking ambient sound propelled the plot beautifully but leaves our relationship to many of the characters (Marion Cotillard's, Dmitri Martin's) undernourished.

Polish Film Poster of the Moment

Just thought everyone would enjoy this hilarious--and oddly literal--take on The Big Lebowski. It was done in 2008 by Andrzej Krajewski. The practice of making limited edition posters for cult movies well after their productions is thriving in Poland. Below is one from last year for The Blues Brothers by the same artist. Krajewski is one of the old masters of Polish film posters--I've previously posted one of his pieces from 1968--and he's been working in variations on bright, bold, and cartoony styles for all those years.

24 Words Per Film #75

Whatever Works: Woody has lost the ability to elicit even slightly naturalistic performances from his actors--who chain themselves to reproducing a mediocre script.

24 Words Per Film #74

The Lovely Bones: How could a movie about the impact of a young girl's murder on her family be so goddamned beautifully life affirming?