The Adjustment Bureau

Yes and no.

I really liked The Adjustment Bureau. I like the concept, story, the actors... almost everything. I didn't like the director, the screenplay and the end... so, almost everything.

I don't know if The Adjustment Bureau was too long or too short, but it definitely wasn't the right length, and then it just kind of ends. The end of the movie (which I won't give away even though it sucks) is really weak. Given the epic nature of the movie's concept, there should have been way more to it than there was.

I loved the whole idea behind the movie though; that we're all on a set path, but that it's possible to stray from that path in order to fight for something/one that we care about. I completely believed the chemistry between the actors and was rooting for them the whole time.

If the director and writer had done a better job, this would be an instant "must-see" recommendation. Alas, I can only recommend a video rental in a few months :-( .

State of Play

No.

I feel like I've been a little harsh lately. I haven't been able to recommend many films this year and I'm not sure why other than the fact that all of the movies that have been released lately have been mediocre at best and I'm pretty tired of the crap. I went into State of Play looking for reasons to recommend it in an effort to break the trend. I really couldn't find anything.

The biggest problem with the movie was the casting. I hate Russell Crowe. I've hated him since he won an Oscar for Gladiator. Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren both seemed out of place... but the biggest hurdle to get past was Ben Affleck. His performance might have actually been OK... if he wasn't Ben Affleck. I just couldn't get past the fact that he was Ben Affleck.

The other problem was the twist. I won't say what it is, but I will say that I knew the twist from the trailers. Obvious twists aren't always bad, but it was the "why" that made me angry. There was NO WAY that anyone could have figured out what happened and why based on the clues that Crowe and McAdams uncover during the movie. It's not until Crowe has an epiphany at the end of the movie that we understand why what happened happened.

I wanted to like State of Play, but couldn't. I don't think you will either.

The International

No, I don't think you should pay to see this one, either.

It hasn't been a great year for movies. Of the 9 I've seen so far, I've only mildly recommended one. I had to leave the theatre during The International a few times for various reasons and I do feel like I missed some important plot points, but I wasn't necessarily confused and I don't think I would have liked it more had I seen the whole thing straight through.

What bothered me the most was the ending. It just kind of ended. Like in Quarantine, the end of the movie is clearly depicted in the trailer, it's extraordinarily anti-climactic and then they open it up for a sequel; so there's really no resolution, even to the immediate threat.

I know I've been harsh lately and if anyone at the movie studios is reading (::chuckles quietly to self::), I really think you should be more brave and start releasing some Oscar caliber films earlier in the year. There are plenty of people who would go to a good movie, but don't have the time or funds to see so many at such a concentrated level at the end of the year. If a film really is the best picture of the year, it won't matter when it comes out in theatres... plus, you can always re-release it in December.