Eastern Boys (2013)

Directed by: Robin Campillo
Country: France

Movie Review: Awarded at Venice Film Festival, “Eastern Boys”, is a realistic and inviting French drama focused on the homosexual relationship between a middle-aged man and a much younger illegal immigrant who is a member of a Eastern European gang based on a cheap suburban hotel of Paris. In a train station, Daniel (Olivier Rabourdin), a middle class man approaches a teenager named Marek (Kirill Emelyanov) who promptly offers him sexual services for the price of 50 euros. They set up an encounter for the next day in Daniels’s apartment, but for his surprise, a different boy appears followed by some other invaders, ready to begin their own private party. Tension grows fast in this first third, spreading an enigmatic feel that was quite positive, just to lose some grip in the second act, when Marek returns alone to Daniel’s apartment, this time for the sex they had agreed. The film enters in a more intimate and personal field as we see Marek’s insecurities increase as the relationship becomes steadier, although our doubts about his intensions remain. During the last third, tension is retrieved once again, to finish in an appropriate thrilling climax. “Eastern Boys”, although overextended and now and then unsteady, was a solid sophomore feature by Robin Campillo, known for his work with Laurent Cantet as editor and screenwriter (“Human Resources, “Time Out”, “The Class”), as well as for his 2004 zombie flick “They Came Back”. The leading pair of actors, Rabourdin and Emelyanov, had conspicuous performances.

Under the Skin (2013)

Directed by: Jonathan Glazer
Country: UK

Movie Review: I don’t have enough words to praise “Under the Skin”, Jonathan Glazer’s innovative sci-fi film, based on the novel with the same name by Michel Faber, and starring Scarlett Johansson as an alien embodying an attractive young woman who installs itself in Scotland to collect human skin that will serve to ‘dress’ her spatial invader friends. Her preys, very well selected, were allured and inevitably taken into a sophisticated process that removed their blood, flesh and bones. Emotionless at first, the visitant strangely starts to change after interact with a disfigured man, who she spared in an act of compassion. From this moment on, she becomes curious about what humans feel, going through different experiences that inevitably will lead her to the sad notion of how evil and scary our nature can be. The final scenes will remain in my head for a long time, and the idea that we, humans, can be very maleficent to one another, is so vividly exposed, that I couldn’t help wishing the alien’s revenge. The stylized, eerie, and hypnotic “Under the Skin” was cleverly conceived in order to grab our senses, proving Jonathan Glazer (“Sexy Beast”, “Birth”) as a filmmaker to follow, and giving Johansson an opportunity to shine in another memorable performance. I couldn’t find anything to rebuke here, apart from the Scottish accent, which sometimes makes the dialogues very difficult to understand. The distinguished plot and its exquisite execution make “Under the Skin” a modern sci-fi masterwork to watch and rewatch again!

Bad Words (2013)

Directed by: Jason Bateman
Country: USA

Movie Review: Jason Bateman directs (for the very first time) and stars in the insubordinate, yet ultimately flat comedy, “Bad Words”, picking up a story by the newcomer screenwriter Andrew Dodge. Guy Trilby (Bateman) is an impertinent, deceitful and mouthy 40 year-old eighth grade dropout who possesses a soul of a brat, expelling bad words everywhere and behaving like a hooligan. He had everyone astonished after qualify himself for a national children’s spelling bee, where his most direct opponent, Chaitanya Chopra () of only 10 years old, unexpectedly becomes a very special friend. The film also focuses in Guy’s casual relationship with a female reporter who found who his dad was. Causing the parents’ wrath and booed in his interventions throughout the competition, Guy takes us to the extremely predictable final duel, making extreme decisions that completely adulterate the rules of the contest. A film relying on words shouldn’t have been so inarticulate, and still the posture adopted just shocked for the worst reasons. In truth, there’s absolutely nothing we can learn from this trivial exercise that offers successive goofy situations created by an obnoxious character whose friendships don’t seem genuine. Too childish to be valued by adults, and too inappropriate to be seen by kids, “Bad Words” falls in the category of the most uninspired comedies of the year.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Country: USA

Movie Review: Finally here is a “Captain America” who unexpectedly rocks, being smarter in terms of plot and much more interesting in terms of battles and physical confronts than its predecessor from 2011, “The First Avenger”. Marvel comic-books spirit was truly invoked this time, and Russo brothers were able to offer much more than mere standardized action scenes and unbridled explosions made to impress in 3D, so characteristic of the majority films of the genre. Steve Rogers, the super soldier known by Captain America, forms his own alliance with Falcon, Black Widow, and Agent 13, to avenge the supposedly death of Nick Fury after a mysterious attack by Winter Soldier, a powerful assassin with a metal arm who happens to be an old lost friend, now working for Hydra under the orders of the senior SHIELD official, Pierce, and the Nazi scientist Zola whose evil brain was saved to a computer when his body was proclaimed dead. Some of the reserved surprises didn’t really work as a surprise, yet fantasy and action were treated decently in order to provide a vigorous experience. Only in terms of wittiness, it couldn’t get close to the great “Iron Man” from 2008. The film stars Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, and Sebastian Stan as recurrent choices, here very well reinforced by a sly Robert Redford, a winged Anthony Mackie, and the marvelous and outstanding Scarlett Johansson as Russian agent Natasha Romanoff. I suppose that, like me, you must be tired of repetitive exercises of this kind, but in case you’re a devoted Marvel fan give yourself a chance and watch this one.

The Lunchbox (2013)

Directed by: Ritesh Batra
Country: India

Movie Review: “The Lunchbox” is a generous drama about life and its problems, presented in a light and sporadically funny atmosphere of a long-distance romance, and marking a promising debut by Ritesh Batra on direction. Ila is going through a big crisis in her marriage, passing her days alone and only speaking through the window, to an elderly aunt who lives right above her flat. Every day she makes a lunchbox that a carrier was supposed to deliver at her husband’s office, but instead he was delivering at a wrong address and the beneficiary was Saajan, a solitary and taciturn widower who is about to retire and lives unhappy since his wife died. Both of them start a strange correspondence by letter (hidden inside the lunchbox) where they speak about their lives and concerns, making them better tolerate the difficult situations they were going through – she didn’t feel so lonely and anguished, while he became more cheerful and open at work, helping his future substitute, Sheikh, a friendly and smiling orphan who turned out to be his friend. I took some time to really enter in this letter game, but the more the film moved forward, the more I got involved, becoming curious about what these two common and grieving souls had to say. Even though, I expected some more from “The Lunchbox”, which being unable to utterly enchant or shake my emotions in its plenitude, certainly did it with my stomach, every time I imagined the smell and taste of Indian food. Simple, warm, and direct, it leaves us with an open ending and provides us with a few pensive reflections on life.

Dom Hemingway (2013)

Directed by: Richard Shepard
Country: UK

Movie Review: American film director Richard Shepard, committed to TV series in the last six years, brings us a comedy-crime drama (a more vulgar version of Guy Ritchie’s old flicks) focused on the brash character of Dom Hemingway, a deranged safecracker looking for an opportunity after coming out of prison, where for 12 years he didn't snitch on his mates. Dom goes to his boss’ French villa to demand a good compensation but his plans are thwarted by a car accident and a greedy femme fatale. Penniless and angered, he returns to London to reconnect with his long-lost daughter, later realizing that she must be his priority. In the meantime, the vain Dom will have to come to terms with Lester, an old acquainted who hates him since he killed a cat called Bernard. The film is episodically demarcated through explanatory sentences in the beginning of each adventure, and intends to be a feast of dirty jokes and savage behavior from its unrestrained, petulant and defiant main character whose anger and vitality can make you love him or hate him. The plot is somewhat overdone in many aspects and sometimes loses track of balance and consistency, remaining watchable till the end only due to Jude Law’s great performance. In all his craziness, Dom just needs a deep breath to calm down and admit he’s a charmless monster, but inevitably and gradually, Shepard shows us that all he needs is love. Production values are good and score includes Motorhead, Pixies, and a sweet version of Waterboys’ “Fisherman’s Blues” by the actress Emilia Clarke.

For Those in Peril (2013)

Directed by: Paul Wright
Country: UK

Movie Review: From Scotland, arrives another valuable drama that starts with an impressive chilling mood accompanied by tenebrous images of an agitated sea. Aaron (George MacKay) is the only survivor of an unexplained boat accident that victimized his older brother and four other young men from his small fishing village. In a state of shock and without recalling what happened in that fatidic day at sea, Aaron keeps looking for his brother, being blamed by the superstitious villagers and getting more and more isolated in his own tortuous thoughts and deliriums. I felt sorry for the hopeless Aaron, realizing that sooner or later, the tiredness of body and mind he is subjected to, might end in another tragedy. Scenes of the brothers’ childhood are depicted under the form of ghostly flashbacks, helping to frame a chant of despair and loneliness that brings us a very sad awareness of loss. Erik Enocksson’s score was fundamental to create the low-spirited and fearsome atmosphere chosen by newcomer Paul Wright whose writing/direction was simply triumphant. George MacKay and Kate Dickie’s performances were worthy and co-responsible for turning “For Those in Peril” in a creepy experience. The surreal finale, recalling “The Tree of Life” or “Werckmeister Harmonies”, can be a letdown for many, but didn’t affect the pleasure of watching its enthralling images, or the curiosity of following Aaron’s somber mind.

The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet
Country: France / Canada

Movie Review: Based on Reif Larsen’s novel “The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet”, the new film from the acclaimed French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a family-adventure film focused on a bright 10-year-old kid named Tecumseh Sparrow Spivet, who flees from his parents’ ranch in Montana to enter triumphantly in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, in order to receive the award of scientific excellence. Son of a cowboy and a peculiar scientist, T.S. will travel alone and in secret across the US, narrating his adventurous journey (almost totally spent onboard of a freight train) which will serve not only to recognize him as a little genius but also make him closer to his family and finally put aside the trauma he’s suffering since childhood due to an accident that victimized his younger brother. The pic doesn’t have the aura of “Amelie” or the vibrancy of “Delicatessen”, but is definitely more attractive in concept than Jeunet’s last film “Micmacs” whose humor didn’t please me. Visually, the film gives continuity to the rigor of color treatment and image composition evinced in previous works, with cinematographer Thomas Hardmeier being awarded with a French César. Some situations created in the final moments touched the pathetic, especially when T.S. is retrieved by his parents during a TV interview, but Jeunet still achieves some sustainability through the dramatic side of the story, providing the minimum amusement required to entertain all family.

The Meteor (2013)

Directed by: François Delisle
Country: Canada

Movie Review: “The Meteor” is a Canadian dialogue-free drama that uses solely voice-overs to express the thoughts and feelings of its characters, all part of the same broken family. Like reading a book with melancholic images passing in front of our eyes, François Delisle’s fifth feature succeeds in its elegiac tones by creating a whole story without interaction. 40 year-old Pierre is arrested and condemned to 14 years in prison for the murder of a woman, in a desperate act related with drugs. This fact motivated a great shake and suffering in his direct relatives, including his father who died shortly after. His old and tired mother, in turn, recalls the happy childhood of his son, while prepare herself for another visit to prison, the only occasion that her lone son get out of his cell. Death frequently comes to her head, boosted by the news of her older sister’s cancer, and with a sad assurance that she won’t be with her son again in the outside world. Pierre’s ex-wife, Suzanne, explains her gradual, prolonged, and deeply felt separation, regretting not to have children of him, but admitting to be totally ready for a new life. We also have the opportunity to know what’s in Pierre’s head. Every single day, he regrets what he did and revives the trauma of being raped by a cellmate in the night he arrived. Words of anguish, regret, and painful resignation echo constantly, in a depressing film that didn’t become limitative by its unusual communication option, which exposes openly the deplorable psychological state of its protagonists.

Hide Your Smiling Faces (2013)

Directed by: Daniel Patrick Carbone
Country: USA

Movie Review: Although not totally gratifying, there’s a lot going on in “Hide Your Smiling Faces”, a dissimilar coming-of-age drama from debutant Daniel Patrick Carbone. After a terrible and mysterious accident that took their neighbor friend’s life, two adolescent brothers become deeply affected, suspecting the victim’s father. Wandering aimlessly throughout the fields, these young boys try to continue with their wrestling games and pranks, but their heads are occupied with the idea of death, a consciousness very present not only on the human side but also in the animal, which represents an important part in the narrative. Youth in rural America is portrayed with sobriety, giving the exact sad sense of non-supportiveness from the family, but in the other hand is clear some apathy in diverse occasions along with narrative breaches that hamper its ambitions to become more fruitful. The performances by the young actors Ryan Jones and Nathan Varnson were solid enough to transmit a concealed anguish that no person can notice but is always there, ruminating their minds and souls. Other relevant aspect in the film is the constant presence of guns, a grave problem faced in our societies, especially in US. Creating a particular mood that comes pretty close to the works of David Gordon Green, “Hide Your Smiling Faces” is penetrating and occasionally haunting, keeping the line that divides life and death so close, that nature itself becomes more suffocating than the harsh summer humidity. Carbone’s resolute direction gives good indications for the future while dialogues and narrative sequence have a bit more to be improved.

Noah (2014)

Directed by: Darren Aronofsky
Country: USA

Movie Review: Brooklyn-born Darren Aronofsky became one of the most respected filmmakers due to remarkable cinematic pieces such as “Pi”, “Requiem for a Dream”, “The Wrestler”, and “Black Swan”. However, his latest feature, “Noah”, probably his weakest achievement so far, brings us a monotonous entertainment exercise that mixes fantasy, romance, ferocious battles, family drama, and miracles, all in the same Biblical epic story. Noah (Russell Crowe) was chosen by the Creator to accomplish the difficult task of saving the innocent animal species from a flood that will destroy the world. For that, he’ll have to build a gigantic wooden ark and get rid of the diabolic forces of Tubal-Cain (Ray Winstone), at the same time that his faith is put to test, leaving him with the cruel choice between the love of his own wife and children, and obedience to God. The Watchers, who were nothing more than fallen angels living inside a massive rocky body, add a fantastic side to a plot that never held my breath for more than a couple of times along its 138 minutes. The performances were not to remember, while the visual effects and characterization - curious how everyone got old in the course of time with exception of Noah’s wife (Jennifer Connely) and grandfather (Anthony Hopkins) – never had the desired impact. In the end, I realized how I miss Aronofsky’s narrative complexity and visionary bold plots from other times, since overall “Noah” is an absurd and speculative tale, which lacks the faith it wants to transmit, becoming quite unstimulating in its constrained family crisis.

Cesar Chavez (2014)

Directed by: Diego Luna
Country: USA / Mexico

Movie Review: Mexican actor Diego Luna, most known for his role in “Y Tu Mama También” and other supporting roles in “Frida”, “Milk”, and “Elysium”, chose Cesar Chavez’s inspiring deeds to direct his first English-language film, a biopic whose good intentions didn’t come to be nothing more than… good intentions. Set in Delano, California, the film covers the period from 1962 to 1970, when Chavez assumed himself as a civil-rights activist and labor-organizer, forming the United Farm Workers union and pacifically fighting against the injustices and discriminations that Filipino and Mexican farm workers were subjected to. To achieve his purposes, Chavez embarks in a strike hunger and promotes other non-violent strikes, inevitably forcing his employer, Bogdanovich, to sign a fair contract many years later. John Malkovich, in his habitual class, had a noteworthy performance, while Michael Peña, as main protagonist, played his part acceptably. As happened with another recent biopic, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”, ”Cesar Chavez” seemed more concerned in touching the viewers’ hearts and gain sympathy for the cause it depicts, than really presents us with an insightful portrait sustained by a solid narrative. The sentimental inclinations evinced throughout the film were reinforced with Chavez’s family life, particularly regarding his bullied son, Fernando. Diego Luna showed difficulties to escape the unchallenging approach and structure, basic visuals, and one-speed pace, which turn “Cesar Chavez” in another bland biopic.

Ilo Ilo (2013)

Directed by: Anthony Chen
Country: Singapore

Movie Review: Anthony Chen’s fictional film debut, “Ilo Ilo” is a tremendous drama, set up in Singapore in times of economical crisis and uncertainty about the future, about the relationship between a dysfunctional family and their newly arrived Filipino maid, Teresa, who left her own 12-month baby behind to search for a better life. Realizing how turbulent the lives of these people were, she will have an important role in appeasing the problems of the young Jianle, a troublesome kid who does everything to put her in a bad position. After a hard time of adaptation, Teresa will conquer the heart of the boy with her comprehension and good attitude, fact that will trigger the admiration of his parents but also some jealousy from the mother. Jianle found the attentive mother he was looking for, while Teresa found the son she missed so much. Everyone has to deal with their own problems, in a film where there are no heroes or villains, just life as it is and its complicated processes of learning, sharing, and understanding. Promising helmer/writer Anthony Chen assures great personality in the direction, while the cinematography by Benoit Soler is memorable with its predominant whites and occasionally unfocused images. The plot was magnificently constructed, making us indignant in diverse occasions, but also making us believers of the goodness present in human nature. “Ilo Ilo” collected important prizes at the festivals it competed, including Cannes, Dubai, Golden Horse, Molodist, and Tokyo, among others, and is one of the most compelling dramas to arrive this year.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Directed by: Joon-ho Bong
Country: South Korea / others

Movie Review: Korean helmer Joon-ho Bong’s English-language futuristic action thriller, “Snowpiercer”, lacks the humor of “Memories of Murder” and the psychological quietness of “Mother”, but find other arguments to stand as a dazzling adventure occurred inside a super-tech train that carries the last human survivors, after the outside world has become frozen due to a failed experiment against global warming. Inhabiting the poor tail section of the train, popular leader Curtis (Chris Evans) moves forward with his longtime uprising plan against the violent regime headed by the unapproachable Wilford (Ed Harris), the eternal engine mentor and ruler who unexplainably ordered the kidnapping of two little kids from tail section. Curtis will team with some mates, including Namgoong (Kang-ho Song), a drug addict who was behind the implementation of the doors security system in each of the cars. Surprises and twists will come up as the men advance towards the front. The plot, based on the French graphic novel “La Transperceneige”, was superbly executed in all its technical aspects and precise action moves, which became a delight for the eyes. Assertive, fantastic, and impossible, “Snowpiercer” reveals a deep dark side but doesn’t forget hope, taking the excitement of this trip to its maximum strength. Tilda Swinton’s performance as Wilford’s train-cult devoted, Mason (a somewhat feminine version of Austin Powers), was simply memorable in the most recent action gem of the year.

The Rocket (2013)

Directed by: Kim Mordaunt
Country: Australia / Laos / Thailand

Movie Review: Written and directed by Kim Mordaunt, “The Rocket” is a gentle Australian drama set in Laos, bringing us fresh adventure filled with rituals and traditions, perseverance, well-defined characters, and even supernatural connotations. In a full-moon night, Mali gives birth to twins, helped by her mother-in-law, Taitok. The first baby comes healthy but the second was born dead. An ancient village creed says that one of the twins is always cursed, bringing bad luck, while the other is blessed. Mother and granny decide to keep the baby alive, hiding the secret from everyone, with hope he can be the good one. Ahlo is his name, and at the age of ten, he shows to be very clever and full of life. One day, they are informed that a second dam is about to be constructed in the area, which will make the village disappear underwater. Relocated with promises of hot water and electricity, the family encounters a completely different reality, but will discover friendship, trust, self-respect, and an amazing Rocket Competition that can change their lives. The characters are stereotyped and the pace not always expeditious, but Mordaunt finds some balance through affectionate strokes, while the images with exotic landscapes in the background catch our eye. James Brown is joyfully revived with his funky tunes and through the character of uncle Purple, a semi-conscious traumatized of war. “The Rocket” was an award conqueror at Berlin and Tribeca film festivals.

Blood Ties (2013)

Directed by: Guillaume Canet
Country: USA / France

Movie Review: Set in New York 1974, “Blood Ties” has an explosive and noisy start with a home invasion by the police, an action led by officer Frank (Bill Crudup) who proceeds to the arrest of a man accused of being involved in narcotic business. The latter now lives with Frank’s former girlfriend, with whom he has a child, fact that makes us suspect the integrity of this determined police officer. In parallel, Frank’s older brother, Chris (Clive Owen), is released from prison after 12 years serving time for murder, but shows inability to lead a straight life, dragging himself into the world of crime and matching with his ex-wife, Monica (Marion Coutillard) in his greedy attempts to have an easy life outside the law. Inevitably, the plot steps into the brothers’ past, just to let us know that they were mistreated by their addicted mother, and later raised by their lonely father, who still struggles to keep the harmony. Love and hate are mixed in obfuscating ways to put family bonds into a test. Guillaume Canet (“Tell No One”, “Little White Lies”) directed the screenplay he co-wrote with James Gray (“We Own the Night”, “Two Lovers”) based on 2008 “Rivals” from Jacques Maillot, but unfortunately the results don’t always mirror the story’s potentiality, especially in dramatic terms. The protagonists’ amorous issues didn’t really work and the talented performances weren’t enough to make this blood ties really bleed the screen. Among its uneven ways, “Blood Ties” stood out for the period recreation.

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

Directed by: Wes Anderson
Country: USA / Germany

Movie Review: Another sympathetic and imaginative comedy from American director Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, is a German-British co-production that tells the incredible adventures of M. Gustave (Ralph Fiennes), a very solicited concierge of the famous and luxurious Grand Budapest Hotel located in the fictional Republic of Zubrowka, and his best friend and lobby boy, Zero Moustafa (Tony Revolori), who unexpectedly becomes the hotel’s owner. The eventful plot, also of Anderson’s authorship, was inspired on writings from Austrian writer Stefan Zweig, presenting the expected peculiarities and efficacious humor that, being very own, became staples in his filmmaking style. The scenarios, a feast for the eyes, were vividly photographed by Robert D. Yeoman, while the story was structured in a captivating way, never being boring or softening up. The numerous funny situations include: Gustave’s careful dedication to insecure, blond, and rich old women; a fantastic shooting inside the hotel; a great escaping from prison; and a perilous adventure in a top-mountain monastery, among many others. With a remarkable cast, “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is an irresistible feel-good movie that will provide you with a wonderful laid-back time. You won’t regret being a guest in the sumptuous Grand Budapest and get to know its eccentric personnel.

Enemy (2013)

Directed by: Denis Villeneuve
Country: Canada / Spain

Movie Review: Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker, Denis Villeneuve, presents us an inscrutable exercise on suspense, obscurity, and surrealism, where von Trier meets Cronenberg. “Enemy” was based on the novel “The Double” by Portuguese Nobel Prize winning author José Saramago, and adapted for the screen by Javier Gullón who took the premise: ‘chaos is an order yet undeciphered’ to good terms. How would you react if you find that another man looks exactly like you? David Bell is an introverted history professor, whose life seems not to be fulfilled, especially in regard to his amorous relationship. One day, while watching a movie, he discovers Anthony St. Claire, a self-assured small actor who is exactly his look-alike. Ruminating about this discovery, Adam decides to meet Anthony, in a strange move that will mess with their heads in completely different ways. The two men will switch houses and women, trying to find more about each other and themselves. Visually oppressive with its pale filtered tones and aerial shots showing the geometrical arrangement of the buildings, “Enemy” is an organized delirium (chaos) that invites its viewers to decide what they want to do with this inscrutable story - a bad dream, a longstanding hallucination, a traumatic situation triggered by arachnophobia, or even a movie inside the movie. You are still confronted with the choice if Adam and Anthony are two opposite sides of the same person or two identical persons with opposite personalities. The non-answering ending might be a frustration for some but for me was almost impossible to escape from the spell of “Enemy”.

A Birder's Guide to Everything (2013)

Directed by: Rob Meyer
Country: USA

Movie Review: Passable but far from impressive, “A Birder’s Guide to Everything” is an independent coming-of-age drama co-written and directed by debutant Rob Meyer. The central character is David, a sensitive 15-year-old boy who is going through a hard time since his mother died of prolonged illness. David doesn’t cope with the remarriage of his father with his mom’s former nurse, deciding to take an adventurous trip to Connecticut with his two best friends, Matt and Pete, in order to find a duck specie that everyone says to be extinct. Helen, a solitary girl dedicated to photography, will join the trio right after their departure in a stolen car. This passion for birds, also shared by his two best friends, seems to attenuate his concerns and occupy his time, but proves to be insufficient to completely erase the problems that are bothering him. Practically anything new was seen in this drama, where the scenes succeed one another in a soft, unforced cadence, but with some plot elements not being fully availed. The basic formulas adopted by the most films of the genre are present: an adventure trip, the beginning of a sweet teen romance, a funny guy, a quiet guy, confessions related to sex, and familiar problems. I cannot say this is a bad film, is just common and familiar in every sense. Despite humble and delicate, I never felt the great feeling of discovery mentioned in this birder’s guide due to its conventional paths and highly predictable ending. Ben Kingsley makes a short and inexpressive appearance as Dr. Konrad, an enthusiastic bird expert.

Cheap Thrills (2013)

Directed by: E.L. Katz
Country: USA

Movie Review: E.L. Katz’s directorial debut is a noteworthy dark comedy and thriller, focused on Craig (Pat Healy), a recently fired and evicted family man who will embark in an unforgettable wild night with his long time acquainted Vince (Ethan Embry). While drinking at a bar, the two men will be tempted by a wealthy vicious couple, Colin (David Koechner) and Violet (Sara Paxton), who are prepared to pay them good money to enter in their strange games. Every task proposed by the capricious Colin becomes a fierce competition between desperate Craig and envious Healy, both losers in their own way, who start hating each other for money. It starts with drinking competitions at the bar, but soon the games degenerate into stupid suggestions and assignments, including sexual perversion and body mutilation. As the greediness increases, the game becomes more and more dangerous for the pleasure of the manipulative couple, eventually bringing tragic consequences. The electrifying ambiance created was perfect, reinforced by hypnotic music and great performances by the quartet of actors, especially Pat Healy who showed great acting quality. The plot, written by David Chirchirillo and Trent Haaga, has its dose of childishness but compensates with lots of fun and excitement, capturing all my attention throughout the time. Demented, wild, and visceral, “Cheap Thrills” is a nasty silly game that I can’t understand, but is unquestionably hugely entertaining.