The Wolverine

Saw The Wolverine yesterday. I liked it. It gets harder and harder to make these movies, because sequels tend to get stupid. Witness Jaws and Pirates of the Caribbean. But like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter – which really didn't have “sequels” as I mean that term – these continuing installments hold their own. I was entertained throughout. I have always liked Hugh Jackman in these films. In fact, I've become a fan of him generally. When he first started playing Logan, it reminded me of the way Clint Eastwood might have played the character in his younger years. Anyway, I liked the film. I like the way Logan is tormented. There is an honesty and a sincerity in how we was hurt in life, and how he dealt with it – and I can relate to it. I had bit of a problem with the ending, specifically, the person who “popped out of the cake.” But it wouldn't do any good to quibble. Grade: A-.

World War Z

Saw World War Z. You'd think I would find that story to be way too ridiculous. But the truth is that Brad Pitt has become so much of an improved actor over the last 10 years, that he held the film well. It was entertaining throughout. Grade: A-.

Star Trek, Into Darkness

Saw Star Trek. Can't say it agreed with me. Thought it was extremely stupid to have another Kahn story – this one, a prequel. For every moment that is enjoyable where the film snaps itself into the real Star Trek, there are more that are problematic. Thought it was stupid to have Spock talk to himself in the future (Nimoy) as though it were a telephone call. The relationship between Kirk and Spock seems to artificially reverse (is abrupt). Not sure the tension ever should have been written in that way from the begining. The film has a lot of action, but it can degenerate into a carnival. Dialogue is very cheesy in places. Film gets Disneyish too. Overall, there are some good scenes and moments, just not enough. Grade: B/B-.

The Great Gatsby

Saw The Great Gatsby. Liked it, but it was a little slow. Not sure some of the key scenes translated well. As i understand this, the story's major them is about the generational excess or emptiness of the roaring 20s. I don't think this comes through well. There's one scene in particular that translates horribly. When Gatsby loses his cool in front of the girl and wants to take the head off of the husband, the film looks really lost. I couldn't figure out why she and the others were suddenly mortified (given everything else going on). My daughter had to explain it to me. Point being: certain thematic ideas don't convey well. I'm also not a big fan of Tobey McGuire. But at least, on a personal level, I could identify with Gatsby's bane. (Reminded me of something I'll leave unsaid). Grade: B.

Mud

Saw Mud. I liked it. McConaughey was good. It was a rather strange coincidence to see Mud share Gatsby's bane. Was caught by surprise to see two of those in a row. With only minor quibbles over a few scenes toward the end, I thought the film pretty good. Grade: A-.