It’s not easy to distill the life of any person into a two-hour film, especially a person as complicated as Alan Turing. Turing was the brilliant—if socially awkward—mathematician who helped to crack the infamous “Enigma” code-machine used by the Nazis during World War II, building a machine that would become the basis of modern computing.
Film Review: The Imitation Game
Any one aspect of Turing’s life would make for an absorbing film. The Imitation Gamewants to have it all, centering on Turing’s work to break the Enigma code, but bookended by the investigation into Turing’s secrets which would lead to his public shaming, and even flashing back to a formative schoolboy romance. It’s a lot of ground to cover, and it’s a testament to Norwegian director Morten Tyldum that the film moves at such a fast—and coherent—clip.
The jokes are there but they’re mostly recycled. Dr. Harris is still a sex addict but now she’s even more disturbing! Motherfucker Jones’ running joke of being bad at haggling is on display all the time! The three ‘heroes’ luck into not screwing up! So many dick jokes!
I’m suffering from sequel-itis. It’s finally happened. On the plus side, Horrible Bosses 2 was a sequel to a film from three years ago instead of 10+. On the negative side, how many times can we recycle plot and jokes then call it a sequel? Isn’t that more of a remake?
I don’t understand why people hate open endings. I was thinking about the strange ending for Birdman (Michael Keaton has apparently taken over this movie rodeo, as we were also talking about him in last month’s column), as I left the theater, and began annoying the entire city of Ashland, Oregon with a cigarette.
How did you feel about the end of No Country For Old Men? Did it make you want to put your head through the window of a really stupid-looking little car? Did you tip over every baby carriage you came across, lest the child grow up to make movies with endings that are left up to the opinions of the crowd? If you did anything along those lines, then I’m not sure you’re going to be all that pleased with the ending for Birdman.
Here’s the biggest problem with splitting a book adaptation into two films: the first half of the novel usually sets up the second half. This includes the plotting, pacing, and action. Never was this so true or painfully obvious as in this weekend’s release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One. As the credits rolled I felt like I was supposed to take an intermission and come back for the rest of the movie.
Here’s the biggest problem with splitting a book adaptation into two films: the first half of the novel usually sets up the second half. This includes the plotting, pacing, and action. Never was this so true or painfully obvious as in this weekend’s release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1. As the credits rolled I felt like I was supposed to take an intermission and come back for the rest of the movie.
... for fans, Dumb and Dumber To swims. The plot’s shoddy and formulaic, a good number of the jokes zip by with barely a chuckle, and the modern setting carries a vibe that is unsettling at times, but there’s something nostalgic about this outing. There’s a sense of joy in being reunited with these comedic icons that cannot be shaken, one that bears with it a feeling of closure many fans clamored for years ago.
Catching Fire carries the audience along on a thrill ride, in the way that only the best blockbusters can. It sells the authenticity of its world and its characters in a way the listless first installment never did.