Free State of Jones

Apparently there's more manner of southern heritage than some folks care to consider. This piece strikes some interesting notes, to be sure, and it keeps Matthew McConaughy's mid-career resurrection moving in a positive trajectory--he is all over virtually every scene here, and owns the movie--but there are some failings, too. The film has focus problems, occasionally betraying a lack of decision about what message it wishes to convey. Trying to shoehorn in a decades-later court case involving a descendant of protagonist Newton Knight only muddles the issue, and makes the story seem more individual and less ecumenical. Also, there is a certain amount of predictability to some scenes, while other scenes drag enough to encourage the viewer's attention to wander. Overall, this is an intriguing attempt that works, to an extent--it's just not an overwhelming victory.

Interstellar

I think this movie's heart is in the right place. Director Christopher Nolan has built a lot of equity with previous works, so one might be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, or at least a pass on certain things. But that also means there's a pretty high level of expectations attached to his projects, and this one does not live up to that hype. I'm not bothered by the predictability of what seems to be an obvious attempt at ginning up a big "shocking twist"; I'm more concerned about the vagueness surrounding much of the film's presentation: the unsteady science (including that one major boner that every screenwriter seems to love, misunderstanding black holes), the characters' odd motivations, even just the set-up for why all this is necessary in the first place. Indeed, the science is so vague in some places that this might be a more honest movie if it were an outright fantasy, with everyone wearing robes and pointed hats and doing magic rather than talking about wormholes. Too much of what may have been intended as atmospheric obscurity simply comes across as intellectual or creative laziness. If you want to shoot something into space in a rocket, make it your lack of willingness to work the problem all the way through.

The Wolf of Wall Street

Pretty standard issue Scorsese. Very high energy, actors chewing the scenery, everything very Noo Yawk...It’s an entertaining template, for the most part, but not nearly as great as his apologists like to believe. Case in point: at around three hours this film is way too long. How many orgy/drug-fiend scenes do we need to see to get the idea that your guys are debauched? We get it; in fact, we got it the first five times. There’s so much nudity here that the viewer wonders if there’s actually a comment intended in it, some sort of meta-criticism of movies...but maybe Scorsese just wants to show us a lot of tits and bush. It’s hard to say. And ultimately, what’s the message? “Chickens come home to roost”? Not sure about that, not based on the ending. I leave you to sort out the muddle on your own.

Bernie

An odd little movie, to be sure. I don’t think everyone will find this film to the his or her liking, but there was just enough humor, quirky fun, and good performances to pull this over the top in the end for me. Jack Black and Matthew McConaughey give fine performances in their roles, but the real stars of this movie are the Texas locals who bring a whole Home Depot paint department’s worth of “color” to the screen in the interspersed interview segments. Besides, I can’t really argue too strenuously against a Richard Linklater movie. Yeah, see it--just bring your most open mind to the proceedings.

Amistad

This movie features some tightrope walking: Spielberg is a director who has never let subtlety get in the way of the film he wants to make, and he lays it on thick in many scenes here. Yet, in addition to an impressive cast, this flick also features some terrific, inspiring moments about humans making connections, listening to their consciences, and the ideals by which--we hope--our nation lives. Even given its length, this film stays watchable, entertaining, and thought-provoking to the end. Good stuff.

Reign Of Fire

Surprisingly excellent action-adventure movie. Great action, interesting vision of an alternate world, compelling story and characters--even Sir Shirtless himself (McConaughy) holds his own against no less a costar than Christian Bale. Add it all up and you get an unfairly overlooked but thoroughly enjoyable movie. Take the time to find this one and appreciate.

U-571

Mostly, it's your standard WWII submarine flick (they are legion) until the story takes a turn for the interesting, and the movie really grabs your attention, until by the end it's finally...your standard WWII submarine flick. Got that? Nevertheless, I must admit that the action/battle sequences are top notch, and Matthew McConaughey gives a first rate performance as the would-be leader of men. If you can't get your hands on Das Boot, this will do.