24 Words Per Film (#103)

The sudden, ambiguous indie film ending has become a cliche, but disarmingly natural acting and dialogue never will. Wonderfully subtle shadings of emotional complexity.

Your Sister’s Sister (2011); dir. Lynn Shelton; starring Rosemarie DeWitt, Emily Blunt, Mark Duplass, Mike Birbiglia.

24 Words Per Film (#102)

Either I’m a rube, or the family-film recreations in Stories We Tell are incredible. Either way, the evoked nostalgia is palpable and emotionally affecting.  

Stories We Tell (2012); dir. Sarah Polley. Documentary.

24 Words Per Film (#101)

This intimate two-hander seems to mark the return of the old, Malick-influenced Green after his bizarre turn to a slew of straightforward comedies.

Prince Avalanche (2013); dir. David Gordon Green; starring Paul Rudd, Judd Hirsch.

24 Words Per Film (#100)

The leads rely on likeability, but greater humor can be found in the smaller roles, especially the partnership of Sonya Walger and Michael Sheen.

Admission (2013); dir. Paul Weitz; starring Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Lily Tomlin, Wallace Shawn, Gloria Reuben, Sonya Walger, Michael Sheen.

24 Words Per Film (#99)

Echoes of Saturday Night Fever, both in social milieu and in the fairly affecting portrait of contemporary social attitudes about nightclubs, dating, and sexuality.

Don Jon (2013); dir. Joseph Gordon-Levitt; starring JGL, Scarlett Johansson, Julianne Moore, Tony Danza.

24 Words Per Film (#98)

Using Fairport Convention was apt; it shares a symbolic affinity with this group of young English people focusing on idyllic nature during intense times.


How I Live Now (2013); dir. Kevin Macdonald; starring Saoirse Ronan, Tom Holland, George McKay, Harley Bird.

24 Words Per Film (#97)

The plot--two couples caught in a love rectangle--initially seems telegraphed, making Drinking Buddies all the more rewarding when its complexities sneak in.

Drinking Buddies (2013); dir. Joe Swanberg; starring Olivia Wilde, Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick, Ron Livingston.

24 Words Per Film (#96)

Romy & Michelle meet Candide and Pangloss. Ass Backwards gamely sticks to its lowbrow character humor through hits and misses. Up the funny ladies!

Ass Backwards (2013); dir. Chris Nelson; starring (and written by) June Diane Raphael & Casey Wilson. With Alicia Silverstone, Jon Cryer, Vincent D’Onofrio, Bob Odenkirk, Brian Geraghty.

24 Words Per Film (#95)

Judging by Kon-Tiki’s credits, it took the entire population of Norway to make, but it was worth it: Charm, adventure, and a history lesson.

Kon-Tiki (2013); dir. Joachim Ronning & Espen Sandberg; starring Pal Sverre Valheim Hagen, Anders Baasmo Christiansen, Odd-Magnus Williamson, Agnes Kittelsen, Gustaf Skarsgard

24 Words Per Film (#94)

A nice variation on the “girls can be sexual too” theme. Plaza proves she can play roles far removed from her familiar TV one.

The To Do List (2013); dir. Maggie Carey; starring Aubrey Plaza, Bill Hader, Alia Shawkat, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Donald Glover, Andy Samberg, Clark Gregg

24 Words Per Film (#93)

A how-to for indie screenwriters: Simple plot with strong character motivations, set In a World... both immediately recognizable and not overly familiar. Take note!


In a World... (2013); dir. Lake Bell; starring Lake Bell, Demetri Martin, Fred Melamed, Ken Marino, Rob Corddry, Nick Offerman, Tig Notaro.

24 Words Per Film (#92)

While her talent was never in doubt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus brings such an impressive subtlety to her performance that I'm tempted to say she's underrated.

Enough Said (2013); dir. Nicole Holofcener; starring James Gandolfini, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Catherine Keener, Toni Collette.

24 Words Per Film (#91)

A little bit funny and a lot of heart. None of the inventive CGI is as impressive as Adam Scott’s performance--or his beard.


The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013); dir. Ben Stiller; starring Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Sean Penn, Kathryn Hahn, Shirley MacLaine 

24 Words Per Film (#90)

Fear of progress is endemic to communities committed to conservation of certain artistic practices--it's even the theme of the song "Please Mr. Kennedy."

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013); dir. the Coen Bros.; starring Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman, Adam Driver, and a cat.

24 Words Per Film (#89)

The overstuffed About Time contains fully three time travel plots, inciting laughter and tears in equal measure. Bill Nighy is as charming as always.

About Time (2013); dir. Richard Curtis; starring Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Joshua McGuire

24 Words Per Film (#88)

Russell precisely impersonates Scorsese throughout American Hustle to demonstrate his theme: authentic emotion can often be found behind even the most transparent of cons.

American Hustle (2013); dir. David O. Russell; starring Bradley Cooper, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Michael Pena, Louis C.K.

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.