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Quick Cuts - Capsule Reviews of Current Movies 5/30/2012 12:58:57 AM
Quick Cuts
These capsule reviews of current movies offer a basic overview of what these stories did (or didn't do) to engage an audience. They are not meant to convey a full review of the movie, or a scene by scene breakdown. All reviews by Bill Johnson, copyright 1999-2012.
Men in Black 3
posted 5/29/2012
This is fun, and, by the end, heartfelt. It doestn't hit all the high notes of the first film, but the film is consistently fun.
Josh Brolin does a great imitation of a young Tommy Lee Jones.
The central question of the story, how did Tommy Lee Jones become the emotionally shut down person Will Smith is partnered with?
Jeff, Who Lives at Home
posted 5/25/2012
The title character is a 30 year old adolencent who lives in his mother's home, smoking dope, and thinking about fate. When he gets a wrong number about someone named Kevin, he considers it a sign to follow.
He comes across his brother, who's befuddled about why his wife would want to have an affair.
The movie does a good job of moving the two brothers to a deeper understanding of themselves and transformations (of a kind). After a meandering quality, the film also has an active ending.
Directed by Jay and Mark Duplass, who also worked together on the Puffy Chair.
The Raid
posted 4/30/2012
This is a wonderful martial arts film that also takes the time to develop the relationships between the characters. Some great action scenes, although one goes on so long, it calls into question how someone could still be conscious after so many blows.
John Carter
posted 3/21/2012
250 million dollars and no one thought to answer the question, what does the main character want? What he doesn't want is conveyed clearly and repeatedly: to not fight in anyone else's cause.
Another demonstration that money and special effects aren't a replacement for telling a good story.
