Trance - B-

James McAvoy

Rated R, 101 minutes

Stylish "Trance" a vapid but hypnotic thriller 

Part crime drama and part psychological thriller, "Trance" is a stylishly entertaining, often baffling film from Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle, of "Slumdog Millionaire" and "127 Hours." Thin but visually enticing, it also has an attractive cast who performs well under Boyle's masterful hand. "Trance" stars James McAvoy ("Wanted") as a London art dealer named Simon, who is involved with a high-end crime gang led by the suave Franck (Vincent Cassel). When a heist goes horribly wrong, a blow to Simon's head makes him forget where he put an expensive piece of stolen art. Franck enlists the aid of Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson), a hypnotherapist who will hopefully help Simon remember where he put it, but instead unravels dark mysteries that blur the line between what's real and what isn't. "Trance," directed by Boyle and co-written by sci-fi writer Joe Ahearne and frequent Boyle collaborator Joe Hodge, "Trance" does what the recent thriller "Stoker" does, and that is choose style over substance. "Trance" features an array of hypnotic, mesmerizing visuals that is Boyle's signature trademark, which make the film much more entertaining than the weak script, the film's chief flaw, suggests. The story is a bit of a mess, muddled and maddeningly confusing and jumpy, and if it weren't for Boyle's steady hand to add some colorful visuals, the film would be a near disaster. The film, to its credit, has an energetic pace and a high-flying climax that will leave you talking, not to mention Dawson's full frontal nudity and the roguish appeal of McAvoy and Cassel. The immensely stylish "Trance" isn't one of Boyle's better films, but his sublime visual flair will keep you engaged, even if the story doesn't leave you with much depth. Worth a look especially for Boyle fans.

Wes's Grade: B-

Disconnect - B-

Rated R, 115 minutes

Thought-provoking "Disconnect" explores the power of the internet

Jason Bateman

The last twenty years have seen significant changes in how we connect with others, given the rise and power of the internet over our lives. The thought-provoking new drama "Disconnect" delves into our online worlds of connectivity and the choices it provides. Intense and somewhat meandering in the middle act, it carries a certain relevancy to it and is a case where its premise is better than the actual film. With a "Crash"-esque mode of interconnecting stories, there is a teenager (Jonah Bobo) suffering the effects of cyber bullying; his parents (Jason Bateman and Hope Davis) as they struggle with how it happened and who is responsible; a young couple (Alexander Skarsgard and Paula Patton) who are the devastating victims of cyber crime; and a young reporter (Andrea Riseborough) who becomes too involved with the subject of one her stories (Max Theirot), who is involved in some illegial online activity. Directed by "Murderball's" Henry Alex Rubin, the well-acted, emotionally satisfying "Disconnect" finds its power in the choices that our online activity push us to make, both good and bad, and how easily we're drawn into it; it's a serious, often intense portrait of the effects it has on our society. A sluggish middle act and a meandering tone keep the narrative from hitting a home run, but "Disconnect's" relevancy is in its stories, even if it takes too long to unfold. The online chat and activity is understandably its central focus, and you quickly realize the plot unfolds under these chats and texts. Riseborough and Theirot's story is the most poignant, while it's nice to see Bateman in a strong, serious turn as an attorney who is disconnected from his family. "Disconnect" is a flawed film, Rubin could've tightened up a few places, but it's also a thoughtful and thought-provoking drama about our online activity. Worth a look.

Wes's Grade: B-

42 - B

Rated PG-13, 125 minutes

Overlong but entertaining "42" an inspiring story of a hero

Harrison Ford and Chadwick Boseman

"42" tells a story many know but thus far has largely been untold on the big screen. Entertaining and uplifting, it's not a straight bio pic but the story of the first year of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, who broke ground by being the first black in major league baseball. Though too long and preachy, the likable "42" has immense appeal for non-sports fans too. It tells the story of the great Robinson (newcomer Chadwick Boseman) and legendary Brooklyn Dodgers GM Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford), who took a chance by signing the gifted Robinson to the Dodgers at a time when race was still an issue to some. As we know from many sports films, particularly baseball films, the sport is usually the backdrop for the larger story it teaches us about life, in this case about race and equality. The well-acted and satisfying "42" is directed and written by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Brian Helgeland of "L.A. Confidential" and "Mystic River" fame, who handles the material skillfully enough to keep it from being maudlin or overstylized, and with a stellar production that evokes the time period well. Boseman, who played another real-life sports figure Floyd Little in 2008's "The Express," is the standout here in a low-key, stalwart turn, resembling the real Robinson's facial and body features. Ford is also good, though on occasion too gruff and taking the focus away from Robinson, with all due respect to Rickey's contributions to Robinson's career. Character actors John C. McGinley, Lucas Black, Hamish Linklater, and Dallas' own Alan Tudyk also make memorable impressions as some real life figures in this story; Tudyk is particularly strong in a small role as racist Philadelphia Phillies manager Ben Chapman, who almost gets the best of Robinson. The film isn't perfect: unsurprisingly, details were changed for cinematic license, it's a shade too long and is redundantly preachy (I'm also sure these folks didn't speak in the lofty platitudes they do here). Even with that, "42" is an above-average, decent entry in the sports movie genre as well as a genuinely moving, thoughtful historical piece on a true American hero. Definitely worth checking out.

Wes's Grade: B

The Place Beyond the Pines - C+

Ryan Gosling

Rated R, 140 minutes

Well-acted "Pines" a tediously ambitious affair

The new drama "The Place Beyond the Pines" is a well-acted yet overlong epic contemporary tale of family, grief and crime. Intriguing yet plodding and slow, it's about 30 minutes too long, not to mention the film's most fascinating character exits too early. Set in Schenectady, New York, the film follows Luke Glanton (Ryan Gosling), a traveling motorcycle stuntman who arrives in town to find he has an infant son by an ex-lover named Romina (Eva Mendes). To help provide for his new family, he begins robbing banks, and he crosses paths with a local cop named AJ (Bradley Cooper), who has issues of his own. Tension builds over the years between the two families as they realize they'll forever be connected. "The Place Beyond the Pines" is an occasionally engrossing but tediously long, overly ambitious drama from director and writer Derek Cianfrance ("Blue Valentine"), who masterfully directs but could've tightened up some saggy places and/or unnecessary segments from the well-acted drama. The film is clearly defined in three acts that spans over many years; the first act, featuring Gosling, is the best as it lays the groundwork for the story, but it gets weaker as it goes on, with a particularly draggy middle act. Gosling is fine and intense as the drifter motorcyclist trying to provide for his character, but surprisingly it's a supporting character; he makes an unfortunate exit from the film early on in the film and with it goes its most captivating character. Cooper, fresh off his success in "Silver Linings Playbook," is also believable in a strong turn, but his character is the more bland of the two. Dane DeHaan ("Chronicle") is also memorable as Luke's grown son yet like Gosling, he's underused by Cianfrance. There are too many unnecessary, small characters, unfortunate since many talented actors such as Mendes, Rose Byrne, Bruce Greenwood and Ray Liotta, playing his usual slimeball cop role, are wasted in them; the section with Liotta in particular is largely unnecessary and does little to advance the film. Cianfrance is indeed a gifted director to watch in the future, but his "The Place Beyond the Pines" (the film's title comes from the meaning of Schenectady, which means 'place beyond the pines'), while superbly acted and often absorbing, is too long and tediously earnest.

Wes's Grade: C+

Evil Dead - C

Rated R, 91 minutes

"Evil Dead" remake conjures up humorless movie demons

The low-budget 1981 Sam Raimi classic horror film "The Evil Dead" gets the remake treatment with this new version, simply titled "Evil Dead." Unlike the original film, which was a campy horror film, this takes itself far too seriously though there are a few chillingly gory scenes. Five friends (Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas and Elizabeth Blakemore) become held up in a remote cabin when they discover a deadly book that unwittingly awakens a dormant demonic presence living in the nearby woods. Soon after, the demons possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival. Whereas the original "Evil Dead" was more high camp, this version is far more serious and resembles more the typical, ultra-violent slasher films of today. Raimi, who co-produces along with original star Bruce Campbell (he cameos over the credits, the only worthy aspect of this film), hand chose newcomer Fede Alvarez to direct his feature debut; with a modest budget, the film is admittedly entertaining in some respects, with a handful of serviceable gross-out scares, but otherwise is just another slasher flick. Had this version left in the campy humor, it would've far better, given that's the main reason the first film worked so well (not to mention having Campbell, who's also sorely missed but too old now to play a central character). Of the relatively unknown bland cast, "Subugatory's" Levy and Taylor Pucci are the most memorable, but this would've worked much better with some comedy. All in all, "Evil Dead" is a notch above others in this genre given it's decent source material, but it lacks the humor and laughs and replaces it with an exceeding amount of gore and violence. If you like this sort of thing, have at it, but otherwise this is one to skip.

Wes's Grade: C

The Sapphires - B+

Rated PG-13, 99 minutes

Chris O'Dowd

Funny, engaging
"Sapphires" bristles with electricity

Inspired by a true story and based on the 2004 play of the same name, the musical dramedy "The Sapphires" is a familiar but heartwarming rags-to-riches tale with a great cast and even better music. Set in Australia in 1968, Aboriginals and musical talents Cynthia (Miranda Tapsell), Gail (Deborah Mailman), Julie (Jessica Mauboy) and Kay (Shari Sebbens) are discovered by Dave (O'Dowd), a good-humored talent scout with a kind heart, very little rhythm but a great knowledge of soul music. All are drawn closer together in unexpected ways as they discover their talents and the price of fame. "The Sapphires" shimmers with soul and fun and delivers one of the better films of 2013 so far. Based on a true story of co-writer Tony Briggs and directed by Australian actor Wayne Blair, the Australian production is well-acted, if not overly familiar; think of "The Commitments" mixed with "Good Morning, Vietnam" with a splash of "Dreamgirls." It's also well-acted by "Bridesmaids" O'Dowd in his first starring role along with Australian actress Mailman as the tough-talking leader of the group, who was also in the original stage production. The other girls, including Sebbens and Tapsell in their feature film debuts, and especially Australian pop singer Mauboy, also shine; you'll hear some energetic '60s R&B tunes, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honeybunch)" and a personal favorite, "I'll Take You There." Though the film touches on some relevant issues such as war and race, including images of the Vietnam War, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, "The Sapphires" works best when it's focused on the musical numbers and the humorous moments, well-played by O'Dowd in a breakout role. You'll also want to stay over until the end to real the real-life inspirations for The Sapphires, with enough tissues handy just in case. Though "The Sapphires" (already a big hit in Australia) may appeal most to music-lovers, there's enough energy and soul to go around for most. Both the film and its soundtrack are worth checking out.

Wes's Grade: B+

Jurassic Park 3D - B+

Rated PG-13, 125 minutes

 

Dinos just as scary, thrilling in 3D "Jurassic Park" re-release

Sam Neill

Well, it's about time. It took long enough for Steven Spielberg's blockbuster "Jurassic Park" to finally be re-released in 3D, timed well for its 20th Anniversary and the announcement of the 4th edition of the now hit franchise series (Spielberg's not directing the 4th installment, if you want to know). "Jurassic Park" is a thrilling, tense ride, made all the more spectacular by the addition of decent 3D. In case you forgot, the film follows two dinosaur experts -- Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern) -- as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica. On what is perhaps the scariest theme park ride ever, Spielberg takes you on an unforgettable journey in "Jurassic Park" and reminds you of some of its impressive sights. The film's clear strengths are the stellar visual effects, groundbreaking at the time, and its energetic pacing. The flimsy storytelling and dialogue, based on the late Michael Crichton's best-seller and also scripted by Crichton himself, are the film's chief flaws, but what it lacks in character is made up in the action scenes and the excellent, Oscar-winning visual effects, which still have held up well 20 years later, only enhanced by the serviceable 3D. Famed Academy Award-winning director Attenborough ("Gandhi") was always an interesting casting choice, but it works remarkably well (and for those curious, Attenborough is still alive and kicking at age 89 today), paired with the hammy Jeff Goldblum, who steals the best scenes and lines and makes me long to see him in more films. I also forgot that is was one of Samuel L. Jackson's first big roles, and he adds a sense of squirrelly fun to the tense film, which becomes scarier in its final chapters. You won't want to miss all the 3D thrills and chills of the vastly entertaining "Jurassic Park," which is definitely worth a look after all these years.

Wes's Grade: B+