The Formula weighs in...
Whether guilty pleasure, ace effort, commercial or critical success, these bombers hit close enough to the mark. Ranked in the name of science, using The Formula for Film Correctness.
For questions about point allocation, please read this.
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3:10 to Yuma // 221fc
Directed by James Mangold, 117 min
Mangold’s follow up to Walk The Line is an attention-holding ride through rough country of both the physical and spiritual kind. Without being flashy, 3:10 to Yuma manages to incorporate the rhythms of a contemporary action movie while maintaining a healthy respect for the tenets of the genre. And while you’ll do your fair share of sweating and flinching during the 117 minute run time, the delivered performances of Bale, Crowe, and Ben Foster (as Charlie Prince) are what make this one superior to the original.
Ratatouille // 220fc
Directed by Brad Bird and Jan Pinkava, 111 min
The combination of story and craftsmanship has not only put Pixar on the map, but has set them apart from all other animation studios and, dare I say, made them the undisputed champion. Ratatouille is inspired, beautiful, funny – more of the same from Pixar. It will hold up over time, but in a year this special it lacked something for The Formula to rank it among the best.
Into The Wild // 210fc
Directed by Sean Penn, 140 min
Emile Hirsch carries the film on his increasingly emaciated shoulders, performs heroically as a disillusioned and misogynistic youth – but there’s an edge missing to the overall package. Despite annoying flaws, there’s enough good to engage. Understanding and sympathy are keys to the climax, and if you’re not willing to travel, best not set on the path.
Charlie Wilson’s War // 210fc
Directed by Mike Nichols, 97 min
Here comes a historical drama slash snarky comedy about a covert US effort to fund a resistance to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Written by the guy who created The West Wing. Directed by the guy who did The Graduate. Paid off by the skilled cast bringing out the best in each other, it’s briskly paced and engaging enough but with such a topic, it makes The Formula wonder why the teeth are missing from all but Hoffman. What can be said is that Mike Nichols cares about entertaining the audience, about giving them something to laugh at and have fun with before hitting them over the head with how bad things are.
Margot at the Wedding // 196fc
Directed by Noah Baumbach, 92 min
Mostly commendable for its departure from the proven success of The Squid and the Whale, Margot at the Wedding is at times pretentious, ugly, and annoying… and proves better for it. Baumbach has pulled off the rather dubious accomplishment of making an incisive, involving film about a thoroughly detestable group of people. It’ll take a day or two to shake yourself off.
This is England // 192fc*
Directed by Shane Meadows, 101 min
Balancing sharp social commentary with realistic wit and humor, This is England is a knuckle sandwich based on Shane Meadows’ experiences growing up in England’s Midlands in 1983.
*Tabulated offsite by Formula Lab assistant Matthew Barber.
Enchanted // 180fc
Directed by Kevin Lima, 107 min
A fairly tale that pokes fun at animated classics, but never too hard to hurt, Enchanted harnesses its charms and at times meets levels sophisticated and subversive – all the while remaining accessible to any age group mostly thanks to Amy Adams’ potentially iconic performance and a strong message to balance reality and fantasy for best results. Walt Disney would be proud.
Gone Baby Gone // 168.75fc
Directed by Ben Affleck, 114 min
(*Awaiting write-up from Formula Lab Mistress Kate Hyatt.)
Zodiac // 168fc
Directed by David Fincher, 158 min
Despite its wobbly storyline and difficult to film subject matter, Zodiac is given execution points for its masterful performances by Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo. Intentionally long and low-key, the film’s grip is not as strong as some would hope – but considering the absence of cheap tricks in favor of subtlety and unrest – it would be hard to ignore David Fincher’s exploration into the minds of men who are desperate to get to the bottom of something. Patient viewers will be rewarded.
American Gangster // 168fc
Directed by Ridley Scott, 157 min
All the expected impressive parts of a Ridley Scott production are here, and with such acting talent attached, American Gangster is an irresistibly seductive celebration of a monster. Built on the foundation of a great story – it’s epic to a fault. Minced into so many morsels that almost nothing in it has any weight – but it’s a ride nonetheless. The scope and execution rank American Gangster among the most likely to nab statues away from superior efforts come award season.
Reign Over Me // 168fc
Directed by Mike Binder, 124 min
Adam Sandler dusts off his drama chops in a film that is equal parts buddy-tale (with Don Cheadle) and knockdown drama: covering issues of tragic loss, survivor’s guilt, and psychological defense mechanisms. Surely those two don’t go together, but expected and sometimes surfaced problems are minimized by an ever-presently disarming sincerity and wonderful soundtrack that make this one a strong recommend from The Formula.
The Darjeeling Limited // 140fc
Directed by Wes Anderson, 91 min
There is something to be said for attention to detail. The Wes Anderson visual bag-of-tricks is not only breathtaking, but crucial to the humor and personality of the overall piece. Problem is that the themes, characters, and emotional baggage haven’t changed over the course of his five-film catalog – which unfortunately makes the Darjeeling gems (and they are surely there) harder to find, let alone appreciate. Sadly, form has become Mr. Anderson’s content, and this is hard for The Formula to say.
Juno // 140fc
Directed by Jason Reitman, 92 min
While favored over last year’s over-appreciated Little Miss Sunshine, The Formula finds little more in Juno than a sweet tempered world of enjoyably planned wit, sass, and engagement – and not so much the smarts the public is raving about. A feel good piece of pie, sure to be loved, maybe even cherished – but nothing more than satisfying.
You've seen The Good, check back soon for The Better.
To be continued...
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