Zero Dark Thirty
(Rated
R for strong violence including brutal disturbing images, and for language.)
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| Courtesy of Columbia |
What
it’s about: Painstakingly chronicling the decade-long search for Osama bin
Laden, the film begins on Sept. 11, 2001, and ends on the night Navy SEALS
killed the terrorist mastermind. The narrative centers on Maya (Chastain), the
young CIA analyst tasked with the seemingly impossible assignment. It’s
cinematic journalism in the vein of All the President’s Men and Zodiac.
The
good: Basically, everything. Zero Dark Thirty was my pick for the best film
of 2012 due to the feat accomplished by director Kathryn Bigelow and
screenwriter Mark Boal despite the incredible level of difficulty. By
interviewing hundreds of individuals involved in the dangerous mission, the duo
packs 10 years’ worth of tragedy, false leads, bureaucratic dead ends and – ultimately
– victory into an unrelentingly tense 140 minutes. Thanks to Bigelow’s deft
hand and a phenomenal cast led by Chastain (a guaranteed Best Actress nominee)
and Clarke, the narrative never feels overwhelming. It’s nice to experience a
film that treats its audience like adults.
The
not-so-good: Unfortunately, because the movie doesn’t spoon-feed viewers, it
has been overshadowed by a debate regarding its supposed defense of torture.
Anyone remotely paying attention to the proceedings should realize the film
does no such thing. Just because Bigelow and Boal note that torture occurred
doesn’t mean they’re condoning it.
Grade:
A
Gangster Squad
(Rated
R for strong violence and language.)
 |
| Courtesy of Warner Bros. |
What
it’s about: In 1949 Los Angeles, mobster Mickey Cohen (Penn) owns practically
everything, including a lot of cops and judges. It’s impossible for the good
guys to take him on, until the chief of police (Nolte) finally snaps. He
enlists Sgt. John O’Mara (Brolin) to put together an under-the-radar team
tasked with dismantling Cohen’s criminal empire piece by piece. His squad
includes cops played by Gosling, Patrick, Anthony Mackie, Michael Pena and
Giovanni Ribisi. Of course, the whole operation could fall apart at any moment
due to Gosling’s character’s relationship with Cohen’s girlfriend (Stone).
The
good: The film’s cast is unquestionably stellar, though I’m guessing it’s not difficult
to find actors who want to dress up like old school detectives, gangsters and
femmes fatales. Gosling and Stone are solid, but they don’t have a lot to do. The
flick actually belongs to the supporting cast, especially Patrick, who owns every
scene he’s in. Director Ruben Fleischer and screenwriter Will Beall do a somewhat
decent job of creating an interesting world, though you’re crazy if you believe
this is remotely close to the “true story” it’s being billed as. I also enjoyed
the attempts at 1940s-style dialogue, even if they’re not always successful.
The
not-so-good: There’s no substance to the flick and no subtlety whatsoever in
the performances. Brolin definitely looks the part, but his delivery is
halfhearted at best. Penn chews a ton of scenery, but he brings no depth to his
character. You can tell the movie is trying its best to be the next L.A.
Confidential or The Untouchables, but it never even comes close. It’s easy
to remember iconic scenes from those films years after watching them. I’m trying
to recall the specifics of Gangster Squad just a few days later.
Grade:
C+
Jack Reacher
(Rated
PG-13 for violence, language and some drug material.)
 |
| Courtesy of Paramount |
What
it’s about: After five people are murdered by an expert sniper, police quickly
arrest the culprit. However, the man claims he’s innocent and tells the cops to
find Jack Reacher (Cruise). The mysterious drifter finds them first and tells
them he’s there to make sure their suspect is truly guilty. Instead, he
uncovers a conspiracy and some truly nasty bad guys.
The
good: Thanks to Christopher McQuarrie’s sharp screenplay and solid direction, Jack Reacher is a fun throwback to the action thrillers of the late-’80s and
early-’90s. Cruise is far from the character described in Lee Child’s books
(nobody would mistake the diminutive actor for a 6-foot-5-inch, 250-pound
brawler), but the flick makes him appropriately badass. Nothing about the story
is remotely realistic, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed watching
Cruise play the guy who’s always 10 steps ahead of everyone else.
The
not-so-good: You’ll forget all about Jack Reacher by the time you get back to
your car. It’s a fun trip to the theater, but look elsewhere if you desire
something with narrative weight. I also got a kick out of Pike’s only-in-the-movies
wardrobe, chosen by someone who has apparently never seen a defense attorney in
her life. I’m no legal expert, but it can’t be a good idea for a busty blonde to
hang out (no pun intended) with accused criminals while wearing skintight
sweaters cut down to her navel.
Grade:
B-
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