Distractions of Lola

World War Z (2013) | i was incredibly dubious about this one (delays, went way over budget, etc), but guess what?—it’s pretty damn good! i’m so ready for the zombie apocalypse. 

Robot & Frank (2012) | a bit simplistic, but overall, it’s quite a lovely story.

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks (2013) | a fascinating tale of computer geeks that plays out like a spy thriller that also takes on the larger issue of online civil disobedience.

Man of Steel (2013) | i’d been thoroughly wooed by the trailers and thought the casting was impeccable (that Henry Cavill *swoon*), but sadly, this Superman reboot is super boring. and for such a visual effects spectacle (or dysentery, really), they couldn’t get Diane Lane a better wig? 

Oblivion (2013) | file this one under “meh sci-fi”—that said, the production design and the bts use of HD projection screens is pretty fucking awesome. 

Gimme the Loot (2012) | a solid feature directorial debut that was fun to watch. 

Before Midnight (2013) | with each film, these characters and the quality of filmmaking have matured gracefully and complexly. my favorite part of the previous film, Before Sunset, was toward the end when the characters really let themselves go and get real with each other—Before Midnight is all that and more.  

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) | didn’t enjoy this as much as the first film (it was hard to tell where the story was going), but i totally understand the Benedict Cumberbatch love now—dude is the best part about this film.

The Great Gatsby (2013) | really wanted to like this, but Baz Luhrmann completely missed the point of adapting Gatsby for the screen…had no idea he could actually destroy the Great American Novel in the record time of 2 hr 22 min. 

Iron Man 3 (2013) | what the fuck was even happening in this movie?

To the Wonder (2013) | i have an inkling of what this film was trying to get at, but the execution of it was way off. at this point, it just feels like Malick is self parodying himself.

It Felt Like Love (2013) | there are specific qualities i liked about the film, but really, it’s just another teenage girl coming of age story that doesn’t have anything new to bring to the conversation.

Afterschool (2008) | not a fan.

Trance (2013) | the poster is a good representation of just how much of a mess this movie is, and to quote a friend of mine, it’s “pretty, impressively awful.” 

Disconnect (2012) | a popcorn movie that tries to be sentimental and deep, it’s essentially Crash: Internets Edition.