The East (2013)

We're not gonna take it!

Eco-terrorists have promised to hit three corporate targets across the United States.  An undercover agent from a private security firm is sent to infiltrate their network and bring back intel.  She then becomes sympathetic to their cause.  Having been very intrigued by the trailer, this film turned out to be very different than I thought it would be. The first third of the movie was really great, the middle third was good, but the final third suffered a little.  On the whole, a really good film with some great young actors. 

The East gets 3.5 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Zal Batmanglij
Writer: Zal Batmanglij
Starring: Brit Marling (Another Earth), Alexander Skarsgård (Melancholia), Ellen Page (Juno, Inception)
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
Metacritic: 68%

4:44 Last Day on Earth (2011)

Another last day

This film generated some buzz last year at some festivals and on some websites. I have been jonesing to see it for months now.  It got a very limited cinema release and never came anywhere near me.  I finally got it from Netflix the other day and very much wish I could go back in time and take it off my queue.  This film was bad.  Really bad.  Like terribly bad.  The filmmakers jumped on the bandwagon of 'earth disaster' films, but they forgot to bring a good story or decent acting.  The acting was bad.  The writing was bad.  Everything was bad.  Its like a B-movie gone wrong.  It felt very contrived as if it were trying too hard to be important.  Instead of watching this train wreck, try Melancholia, Another Earth, or Tres Dias. 

4:44 Last Day on Earth gets 1 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Abel Ferrara
Writer: Abel Ferrara
Starring: Willem Dafoe, Shanyn Leigh and Natasha Lyonne
Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
Metacritic: 54 out of 100

Melancholia (2011)

Its the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)
What if a planet were to collide with Earth?  Of course that would be bring worldwide disaster.  Lars von Trier takes us into the minds of a few people as they anticipate this event.  The wedding of Justine and Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) and later how Claire (her sister) deals with Justine's mental breakdown are the events through which we view this apocalyptic disaster.   Kirsten Dunst as Justine and Charlotte Gainsbourg (The Science of Sleep ) as Claire give equally stunning performances. The emotions conjured up by the actors is convincing to the point of making the viewing experience feel more like an intrusion on some of life's more intimate, painful, and embarrassing moments. And I mean that as a positive aspect of the film.  With Melancholia, von Trier gives us is a stunning viewing experience.  The intro alone is worth the price of admission and could easily stand on its on as a short film.  Lastly, I love Magnolia Pictures!

5 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Lars von Trier
Writer: Lars von Trier
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård, John Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland
Rotten Tomatoes: 77%
Metacritic: 81 out of 100

Another Earth (2011)

Out of this world theme, down to earth story
While Earth 2 looms in the background throughout this science-fiction drama, the focus in Another Earth is on this earth, and on Rhoda, played convincingly by Brit Marling.  Rhoda searches out a stranger, John, played by William Mapother (Ethan from Lost) with whom she has a horrific connection.  Bad choices &  their consequences, forgiveness & reconciliation, and penance, play large roles in this human centered drama.  While this story could have been told sans Earth 2, the spector of the 2nd earth adds to the intrigue.

A very watchable and moving film that earns its 5 out of 5 Poblanos!

Director: Mike Cahill
Writer: Mike Cahill, Brit Marling
Starring: Brit Marling, William Mapother
Rotten Tomatoes - 62%
Metacritic - 66 out of 100