Rurouni Kenshin (2012)

Directed by: Keishi Ohtomo
Country: Japan

Review: Adapted from a popular Manga series, what we foresaw in “Rurouni Kenshin” was provided, yet in an uneven manner. The movie tells the adventures of a former assassin who seeks redemption in the beginning of Meiji period. He became a wandering swordsman, known for using a reverse sword to protect people. This new way of life will be challenged, when a wealthy opium merchant gets in his way. A well composed cinematography contrasts with a not so impressive story, where swords and machine guns are mixed. The fights put the energy that was supposed to, yet sometimes look too cartoonish, while the characterization produced a weird effect with the heroes seeming teen-warriors and the villains eccentric. Far from the best samurai movies, “Rurouni Kenshin” can be watchable, but just if we look into it as an animated entertainment.

Searching For Sugar Man (2012)

Directed by: Malik Bendjelloul
Country: UK / Sweden

Review: This documentary depicts an incredible story about an American musician who lived all his life in the shadow, while his records were sold at a fast pace in South Africa, during several years. The movie begins with all the mysteries involving Rodriguez, a man who nobody knew much about. Appearing and disappearing like a ghost, this composer from Detroit was a complete failure in the US, despite the meaningful lyrics and an interesting acoustic sound. Being an inspiration to South African people during the apartheid, in a time where any kind of art referring drugs or sex were banned by censorship, Rodriguez aroused curiosity among several followers of his music. An investigation was started, leading to unbelievable conclusions. “Searching For Sugar Man” is one of the best documentaries of 2012, making justice to a humble and talented artist.

The Bourne Legacy (2012)

Directed by: Tony Gilroy
Country: USA

Review: “The Bourne Legacy” was written and directed by Tony Gilroy (“Michael Clayton”, “Duplicity”), who sought inspiration on Robert Ludlum’s Bourne trilogy. Curiously, or not so much, Peter Greengrass (director of the last two Bourne’s) refused to direct this movie. The same had happened with the leading role: Jeremy Renner was the chosen, after Matt Damon’s quit. Greengrass and Damon predicted well what was coming with this sequel: Nothing new! Without passion, action scene upon action scene, it could not arouse any thrilling effect, due to the stereotypes of a wobbly plot and a performance that lost the charisma left by Damon. “The Bourne Legacy” could not challenge or provoke because it simply didn’t have anything more valuable to offer, when compared to the other three movies from which it was based on.

George Harrison:Living In The Material World (2011)

Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Country: USA

Review: Scorsese’s documentary about George Harrison is a wonderful opportunity to know more about the ex-Beatles’ life. It thoroughly covers in a chronologically way, the different phases of his career as musician, his private life and the ceaseless search for a spiritual side in himself. That particular search made him experience the world of drugs and also led him to India. There, he learned to meditate and sought inspiration on the music of Ravi Shankar to proceed his solo career. In the final 70’s, he unexpectedly joined Terry Gilliam’s Monty Python group, having participated in “Life Of Brian” as an actor and executive producer. Beautiful photographs and video footage were placed on the screen, intercalated with interviews of his closest friends and family. Watching “George Harrison: Living in the Material World” made me look to the shyest Beatle with much more respect.

Ace Attorney (2012)

Directed by: Takashi Miike
Country: Japan

Review: After two magnificent incursions into the ancient world of Samurais (“13 Assassins”, “Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai”), Takashi Miike adapts a popular Japanese videogame called “Ace Attorney” into film, where the players assume the role of a defense attorney in a fictional courtroom. The novice Phoenix Wright is our hero, always saved in the last moment by a brilliant idea or a little help from his friends. The investigation of a mysterious murder reopens another similar case occurred 15 years before, making the battles between attorneys to be ferocious and extremely amusing. The special attention given to characterization, costume designs and hairstyles, worked very well together with the remarkable futuristic scenarios and special effects. Exquisitely laughable, “Ace Attorney” reveals to be a mess... but with a distinct look and personality.

Architecture 101 (2012)

Directed by: Lee Yong-Joo
Country: South Korea

Review: “Architecture 101” is a Korean film that combines romance with architecture. A friendship between a girl and a boy ended 15 years ago in college, in harsh circumstances. Seung-Min, now an architect, was surprised by Seo-Yeon when she appears in his office asking him to build the house of her dreams. At the sound of cheesy tunes, the storyline moves back and forth in time, invoking nostalgic feelings and reviving the 90's. Clearly targeting juvenile audiences, this romance wasn’t sufficiently refreshing or exceptional to get me involved. Architecturally speaking, I would say that some basic pillars are missing here: pace, surprise and a better soundtrack, which make this "house" unable to stand up. Despite the huge success in South Korea, "Architecture 101" definitely is not among the best romantic flicks of the last times.

Jack Reacher (2012)

Directed by: Christopher McQuarrie
Country: USA

Review: Based on “One Shot”, the reputable novel by Lee Child, “Jack Reacher” brings Tom Cruise into the role of a former Army Military Police, whose name was implicated on the random killings of five people in Pittsburgh. Christopher McQuarrie, who got famous for writing “The Usual Suspects”, makes his second apparition as director, but disastrously nothing really stood out in “Jack Reacher”. The plot was impregnated with the usual formulas without bestow anything new. The predictable shootings, the long and tiresome car chasings and a limp ending, are reasons to ask: where have I seen this before?. I didn't feel any empathy for the characters, with Werner Herzog (yes!, the German filmmaker) being the most interesting of the cast. “Jack Reacher” filled the screens with another instantly forgettable punisher.

Django Unchained (2012)

Directed by: Quentin Tarantino
Country: USA

Review: “Django Unchained” is the most entertaining and provoking western of the last couple of years. The story itself doesn’t require much thought, but a delicate subject such as slavery was never handled with so indiscretion before. Tarantino’s mind has created another of his typical electrifying action movies, where bloodbaths and sharp humor join together to generate an explosive combination. Some scenes were deliberately exaggerated, being a mark of the director's style. I would have recognized his hand here, even if I didn’t know who the director was – I think that’s positive. The soundtrack was of bigger importance for “Django” to be classified as an unparalleled western; we can listen to a huge variation of styles such as: hip-hop, classical, romantic Italian or spaghetti western music. This is not the best work by Tarantino, but definitely one not to miss.

This Is 40 (2012)

Directed by: Judd Apatow
Country: USA

Review: Judd Apatow offers another agitated comedy with “This is 40”, a movie that tries to be cool but ends to be exhaustively tasteless. Ten percent of the jokes were well set, while the rest seemed forced and tactless. A more creative plot was needed to make me involved, instead of relying on a bunch of goofy jokes about sex, getting old, farting or hemorrhoids. The acting, often unnatural and full of hysteria, just bored me even more. We can still add to all these factors, an excess of language abuse – once in a while it can be funny, but throughout the whole movie it becomes tiresome and inappropriate. “This is 40” is simply a bad movie, lacking any type of smartness and denoting a great dose of childish talks and behaviors.

Twilight Portrait (2012)

Directed by: Angelina Nikonova
Country: Russia

Review: Angelina Nikonova’s directorial debut is a bleak portrait of a decadent Russia and also a curious character study. The approach in "Twilight Portrait" is raw, with intense and realistic scenes. It was a shame that some details hampered its chances of being more effective. I think the movie would have caused much more impact without the first scene, which serves as a warning for what will come next, losing the surprise factor. Marina, the main character, was brutally raped. Yet, the fact that she had been working with abused children, seemed too calculated by the screenwriters. Despite of these considerations, Marina’s baffling behavior kept me interested till the end, in a film that didn't spare an amoral Russia, where the lack of professionalism, bureaucracy, coldness and violence, are too evident issues to be ignored.

Hello I Must Be Going (2012)

Directed by: Todd Louiso
Country: USA

Review: “Hello I Must Be Going” is a sympathetic film that illustrates Amy’s attempt to re-encounter herself, after a traumatic divorce. Forced to move to her parent’s house, Amy never leaves home and seems to have no purpose in life. It’s when an unexpected romance with Jeremy, who is much younger than she is, will bring her back some self-consciousness. Most of the funny moments seemed very genuine, consisting on awkward attempts to act as normal as possible within embarrassing family situations. Melanie Lynskey did a great job, playing Amy with charisma, while Christopher Abbot played Jeremy, a not so strong character and even a bit overdone in his dilemmas. It’s true that “Hello I Must Be Going” could have been better in many aspects, but despite all its flaws, it manages to inject a bit of fresh air in the so exhaustive romantic comedies.

Rebellion (2011)

Directed by: Mathieu Kassovitz
Country: France

Review: “Rebellion” marks Mathieu Kassovitz's return to France, after an adventure in Hollywood with disastrous results. “Gothika” or “Babylon AD” were complete failures, while “La Haine” and “Assassin(s)” will be seen as references in his filmmaking career. Kassovitz recreates the 1988’s incidents that happened in New Caledonia, an archipelago located in southwest Pacific Ocean, when local men demanded instant independence from France, after making 27 hostages. Don’t expect lots of action here, since great part of the movie is centered on political negotiations between the parts involved. Despite the slow development, the story was able to keep me minimally interested, particularly regarding the dirty political manipulations that always lead to reproachable decisions. Welcome back monsieur Kassovitz!

Of Snails And Men (2012)

Directed by: Tudor Giurgiu
Country: Romania

Review: “Of Snails And Men” is a Romanian comedy that tries to gain our sympathy through the habitual political mockery and social criticism. A factory is about to be privatized in a business involving a French company whose main activity is selling snail cans. George, one of the workers, struggles with despair and comes with a possible solution: trying to persuade all his co-workers to donate sperm, collecting the money needed to save the factory. Crossed romances and popular soundtrack, complete the parody – Michael Jackson Tour, Julio Iglesias’ karaoke moment and many representative Romanian songs gave a good contribution to animate the atmosphere. “Of Snails And Men” is a mildly funny political satire that delivers some dose of good-disposition despite the sadness hidden in its story.

Dredd (2012)

Directed by: Pete Travis
Country: UK / USA / India

Review: “Dredd” is a tumultuous sci-fi movie, evincing urban chaos and futuristic imagery. It was based on the British comic “2000 AD”, which has Judge Joseph Dredd as main character. Helped by a psychic rookie girl (always helpful in these cases), Dredd will be trapped in a 200-floor shielded building, controlled by a dangerous gang. In a flash, the Indonesian “Raid: Redemption” came to my mind. Only this time, a large number of weapons were used instead of fists, not bestowing the same striking energy that emerged from the corporal fights. The merciless behavior showed by every character without exception, turned this film in one of the darkest of the year, but sadly the fierce action scenes eventually fell in standard shootings and hide-and-seek games, in a plot that can't be classified as imaginative or intriguing.

Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Country: USA

Review: It’s quite amazing the capacity of Kathryn Bigelow to create great films from high-risk subjects. If “The Hurt Locker” was the boldest movie from 2008, I have to say that “Zero Dark Thirty” has my vote in this category for 2012. A movie that gives us a thrilling insight about the operations that led to Osama Bin Laden’s death in Pakistan on May 2, 2011. The keys to success were many, but I can point a few: a gripping direction; a plot that never loses its way, maintaining high levels of adrenaline; the absence of superficial scenes; an outstanding performance by Jessica Chastain; image accuracy, with special emphasis on the military operation; a distinct approach, free from the standard clichés. The torture scenes, despite polemic, were absolutely necessary, since the goal here was to reveal the truth. “Zero Dark Thirty” sustains my total surrender to one of the best contemporary filmmakers.

Samsara (2011)

Directed by: Ron Fricke
Country: USA

Review: Watching “Samsara” is one of those unique experiences that one shouldn’t miss. Without narrative, it follows the same approach of “Baraka” from 1992, which also had Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson (producer) as leading team. A picturesque world tour, where the beauty and joy of some images counterbalance with the sadness and disappointment of some others. The powerful images speak for themselves, with the editing being extremely important to achieve the final outcome. Even wordless, some topics are evident: spirituality, nature, war, art, abundance, abandonment, beliefs, cultures, chaos, human creativity, massive labor, construction, destruction… “Samsara” is like the whole world inside a film, and even without a pronounced main theme or the immediate impact of “Koyaanisqatsi” (my favorite of the genre), still is a hypnotic accomplishment.

Beloved (2011)

Directed by: Christophe Honoré
Country: France / others

Review: Christophe Honoré insists on his light style dramas, which usually aren’t warm enough to please us. His new film counts with the presence of three wonderful divas – Catherine Deneuve, Chiara Mastroianni and Ludivine Sagnier, but their charm wasn’t enough to turn “Beloved” into a charming movie. The story was too long, dragging for so much time into uninteresting characters and relationships. The musical side wasn’t a gain too. The songs were depressive and the lyrics often foolish. It’s not an easy task to achieve a musical drama with the lightness or delicacy of some French examples of the past – and I´m remembering of Demy’s “The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg” and “The Girls Of Rochefort”, or Resnais’ “Same Old Song”. What I know is that “Beloved” won’t be among them, as an unforgettable experience.

Starry Starry Night (2011)

Directed by: Tom Lin
Country: Taiwan / China / HK

Review: Since we’re on Christmas, nothing better than watch “Starry Starry Night”, a sensitive movie that evokes the season and tells the story of Mei, a 13-year-old girl, who’s passing through a complicated phase in life. With her parents splitting up and her granddad, the one who she trusts most, dying in a hospital, she will find solace on Jie, a new classmate also having some troubles at home. Beautifully shot and adding some fantasy through interesting special effects, “Starry Starry Night” shows a lyrical side when dramatizing this particular vision about youth and growth. The young actors were real heroes, showing a magical gentleness and strong commitment in every scene. Between resolute silences and nostalgic musical compositions, this was a revitalizing film, although denoting some avoidable sentimentality in its final moments.

Vulgaria (2012)

Directed by: Pang Ho-Cheung
Country: Hong Kong

Review: 2012 wasn’t a year of much inspiration for Taiwanese filmmaker Pang Ho-Cheung. After a sloppy “Love in The Buff”, “Vulgaria” was another missed shot on comedy. The first moments had some interest, with a controversial interview given by an experienced film producer in front of students. But suddenly, the movie changed to imbecilic jokes about masturbation techniques, popping candy blow-jobs or sex with animals, all with a cynical silliness that got me bored very quickly. Family problems and Mafia connections were also introduced as mere pretexts to deflect our attention from the uninteresting sexual adventures of producer To Wai-Cheung. “Vulgaria”, as the title suggests, is nothing more than a vulgar movie.

Black's Game (2012)

Director: Óskar Thór Axelsson
Country: Iceland

Review: Oskar Thor Axelsson's debut film had Nicolas Winding Refn as executive producer, taking us to the Icelandic underworld of drugs trafficking and crime. So, it is not surprising if we note some resemblances with Refn’s movies about the underworld, such as “Pusher” or “Bronson”. “Black’s Game” shows the dark path taken by Stebbi, after bump into a childhood friend outside the jail. By joining a dangerous gang, Stebbi will experience things that he would never have imagined. All the cast did a great job, playing properly the dark and evil characters, but this was obfuscated with scenes of drug abuse and orgies that almost looked like one of those despicable low-grade movies. All got worse with a couple of superfluous scenes aiming to impose tension, as well as an hasty ending, which deserved a better conclusion. An hectic film, needing fresh ideas.