Many, Many Movies; No "Mad Men" Recap This Week

Got a lot on my plate this week, so even though I did catch tonight's episode of "Mad Men," I won't have time to recap it. All I can say is the writers sure stepped on the gas this week, didn't they? My head is still spinning.

In other news, I've been seeing quite a few movies lately, but haven't had time to review them yet. I'll get to them as soon as I can; in the meantime, here are my initial grades and drive-by impressions:


NEVER LET ME GO

directed by Mark Romanek
starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, Charlotte Rampling, Sally Hawkins
based on the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro

GRADE: B+

REVIEW IN A NUTSHELL: About as good as an adaptation of this particular book *could* be. Its problems are problems inherent in the original design of the story and characters. Solidly acted across the board; somewhat to my surprise, I'd give best in show to Keira.



WALL STREET 2: MONEY NEVER SLEEPS

directed by Oliver Stone
starring Michael Douglas, Shia Laboeuf, Carey Mulligan, Josh Brolin, Frank Langella

GRADE: B

REVIEW IN A NUTSHELL: Reasonably engaging, though not a patch on the first movie and not as good as it could have been. Slides into predictability and sentimentality towards the end, but redeemed by strength of performances.


THE TOWN

directed by Ben Affleck
starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite

GRADE: B

REVIEW IN A NUTSHELL: Action/suspense elements were well executed; relationship drama less compelling, though that's no fault of any of the actors, who were generally quite good.


EASY A

directed by Will Gluck
starring Emma Stone, Penn Badgley, Amanda Bynes, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci, Thomas Haden Church, Lisa Kudrow, Malcolm McDowell, others

GRADE: B (Emma Stone: Easy A, indeed!)

REVIEW IN A NUTSHELL: Agreed with critics who say that Emma Stone is fabulous and by far the best thing in the movie. Worth watching for that reason, but *only* that reason.


ANIMAL KINGDOM

written and directed by David Michod
starring Guy Pearce, Joel Edgerton, and a whole buncha Australians

GRADE: B/B+

REVIEW IN A NUTSHELL: Gritty portrait of an Australian crime family coming apart at the seams, as seen by a young naif who gets pulled into their messy, nasty web. Doesn't always make a lot of sense, and the main character tends to suck the life out of the movie, but does do a good job putting the screws into the viewers and ratcheting up anxiety levels.


More later, if not sooner!