Director: David Fincher
Writers: Gillian Flynn (screenplay), Gillian Flynn (novel)
Stars: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris

Synopsis: With his wife’s disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent.

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DIRECTION
Gone Girl was one of my most anticipated films of 2014 because mixing in a great cast, a great director and a storyline so intriguing would even make God himself do a double take. David Fincher, just like the Seahawks in the Super Bowl last year, does not disappoint. Gone Girl is exactly why we should go to the movies. Gone Girl is like Blue Bell Ice Cream (never had it, sucks for you), it’s delicious, fulfilling and as you watch the film you will feel nothing but cold chills, just like that ice cream. In a time where movies try to out CGI each other, nothing can beat an engaging story and dynamic characters whom we develop a relationship similar to our child’s other parent- Love and Hate. And it’s Fincher that is in charge of putting on this Vegas type show.

Fincher, for those unfamiliar (shame on you) has films such as Fight Club, Zodiac, The Social Network and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo on his resume. Fincher was working with a script by Gillian Flynn and adapted from her popular 2012 novel. The challenging thing for Fincher, in my opinion, was to effectively tell the same story from two completely different perspectives and in different parts in time. Nick’s (Ben Affleck) prospective is in the present where he spends his time with his sister Margo and the detectives. We get to know Amy (Rosamund Pike) through the past at first through flashbacks and her journal entries. The stances are different and Fincher had to showcase that well, which he does.

Grade: A+

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SCRIPT
Much like a suspicious cheating man, I will keep the plot details scarce as to not ruin the story for the non-book readers. Ben Affleck stars as Nick Dunne, who awakens on his fifth wedding anniversary to discover that his wife Amy has gone missing. As a missing person investigation slowly turns into a possible murder mystery, Nick is being watched more than closely than a lion watches its prey. The majority of the film is a big episode of ID’s Unsolved Mysteries. The audience knows the outcome and it’s up to the film to present the story in such a way that we as an audience are right there in Missouri.

There is drastic shift in narration that I will not spoil here, but Fincher was able to do a complete 360 and still have that same Blue Bell Ice Cream chills for us the audience. The way all the characters interact is a refreshing sight to see because too many directors (Michael Bay) cannot seem to grasp how to have engaging conversations between all parties.

Grade: A

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RELATED: The Maze Runner Movie Review

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PERFORMANCES
For the record, I again am all for Ben Affleck as Batman and if you still do not believe he can do it, than like the wife in the film, your negative thoughts will go away after seeing his performance. One thing you will notice is how much bigger Affleck looks in this film compared to his recent films. Someone said that he has that Superhero look, and that goes to show how dedicated he is to playing Batman. Affleck is like Richard Sherman in coverage – TERRIFIC. This role is perfect for him and he has one of the best “villainous” grins as noted by his wife Amy (in the film). Pike is also very strong in her performance. Now here comes the shocker nobody thought I’d ever say – TYLER PERRY DID NOT ANNOY ME AT ALL IN THIS FILM. Mr. Perry (respect earned) showed that he does have the ability to be a decent actor.

Grade: A

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SCORE
As with several other Fincher films, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross got the nod to score here again and it’s amazing. It definitely adds to the ice cream chills you feel throughout the film and is a nicely layered aspect that’d you expect from a Fincher film.

Grade: A

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Gone Girl is the best choice this weekend and is worth the arm and leg for the admission. Congratulations Gone Girl, you have made the top 10 best list for 2014, and will most likely stay there. This film will blow you away like a Thursday Night Football game in Atlanta (right Tampa Bay?).

Overall Grade: A

Director: Jim Mickle
Writers: Nick Damici (screenplay), Joe R. Lansdale (novel)
Stars: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson

Synopsis: When a protective father meets a murderous ex-con, both need to deviate from the path they are on as they soon find themselves entangled in a downwards spiral of lies and violence while having to confront their own inner psyche.

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DIRECTION
Jim Mickle’s direction is pretty riveting through a lot of Cold in July, which earns it’s name in a cold and chilling tone that certainly sets the stage well. The stark cinematography is gorgeous all the way through and a highly effective score helps make this film extremely gripping from the get go. However, Mickle does mishandle some of the story elements, particularly in the second half of the film that introduces ambiguity and questions. That being said, thematically it stays pretty strong, along with consistent performances and camera work. Overall, Mickle does a great job with this one.

Grade: A-

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SCRIPT
The story here is a tale of two different halves. The first half is a dark, chilling thriller surrounding Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall), who accidentally killed an a burglar who was intruding in his home. Richard’s not exactly sure how to handle that and soon his emotions get the best of him, which lead to more dangerous situations for his family. After Richard meets Russel, the father of the supposed deceased burglar, things get really interesting and thus the stage is set for incredible dynamics. However, there are twists at play and it becomes something else entirely. The second half becomes a more superficial mystery thriller that’s a bit more dull and trite, which is very disappointing. The script really loses it’s focus, and while there’s an interesting father-son dynamic at play, it doesn’t save the second half from incoherency and abandoned plot lines.

Grade: C+

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RELATED: The Maze Runner Movie Review

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PERFORMANCES
Michael C. Hall, mullet and mustache, is fantastic here, especially in the first act. His character is shaken after the events of the intruder, which he sells incredibly well. Richard’s motives in the second and third acts, however, are unclear and ambiguous as to why he’s still in the story, so while Hall’s performance is great, a lot of it seemed unnecessary. Sam Shepard and Don Johnson are always great and provide some pivotal supporting roles that certainly elevate the film from it’s disappointing script.

Grade: A-

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SCORE
Jeff Grace’s score is easily one of the best of the entire year. He uses a digital synth that moves so fluidly and creates a sound that’s absolutely engaging. The score feels very 1980’s (the story takes place in 1989) while adding a thrilling tone that never feels too much or over the top. It fills the space so well and almost becomes a necessary character. Simply a-mazing!

Grade: A+

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Cold in July feels like two movies in one with kind of twists and turns that it takes. The first half is a riveting thriller with a great mystery that’s well executed and gripping on all fronts. The second half is more mundane, dull and been done before. However, there’s still some good things thematically throughout and the technical achievements save this film in a lot of ways. Despite the flaws, it’s still very enjoyable.

Overall Grade: B

Director: Wes Ball
Writers: Noah Oppenheim (screenplay), Grant Pierce Myers (screenplay)
Stars: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Will Poulter

Synopsis: Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they’re all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow “runners” for a shot at escape.

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The Maze Runner was much better than expected and will be discussed further on Episode 83 of the InSession Film Podcast. For more video reviews, subscribe on YouTube!

DIRECTION – B+

SCRIPT – B-

PERFORMANCES – B

SCORE/MUSIC – B

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OVERALL GRADE: B

Director: Scott Frank
Writers: Scott Frank (screenplay), Lawrence Block (novel)
Stars: Liam Neeson, Dan Stevens, David Harbour

Synopsis: Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.

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INTRO
I usually want actors/actresses to branch out and do different genres of film to enhance their resume. Liam Neeson is one of the few exceptions as he is a tremendous action star. A Walk Among the Tombstones has Neeson again yielding a gun and kicking ass. Taken is still my favorite Neeson film, and his latest venture is a slow-moving thriller that is relentlessly savage and sadistic towards woman.

SCRIPT/DIRECTION
A Walk Among the Tombstones is based on a novel by Lawrence Block of the same name. The film begins in a 1991 prologue we’re introduced to Detective Matt Scudder (Neeson). Scudder is a drunken cop who on this faithful day makes a huge mistake that we find out later caused him to quit the force, sober up and attend AA meetings. Come 1999, Scudder is now an unlicensed P.I. who is introduced to Brooklyn drug trafficker Kenny Kristo (Dan Stevens), who hires him to locate the two men who abducted his wife.

Scott Frank does a solid job with the script that makes sure that we cannot outguess or outpace the film. The film starts off really well as we just hear the voices of the ruthless killers and we travel with Neeson as he begins to crack the case. Along he meets a young Street Kid names TJ, a brilliant performance by Brian “Astro” Bradley. The way Neeson searches for clues is very slow-moving but I think that makes the buildup worth it. There is one great written scene with Scudder scoops out the local cemetery groundskeeper.

The script loses points with me in how every female character is either stalked, mutilated, raped or murdered. The brutal violence of the woman at the hands of the killers is never really explained neither is their motivation for such brutality.
The killers were handled very poorly, as we first see them as shadowy boogeymen, only to be formally introduced as an apparent gay couple reading the morning paper over breakfast (really?) The breakfast scene ruined what good this film had going for it as from here on out the film hinges solely on Neeson’s abilities.

The biggest letdown in this film is where we have a slow- motion shot of the killers stalking a 14 year old girl. I know Aaliyah said Age ain’t nothing but a number but damn a girl’s age needs to be greater than or equal to the age of 18.

Grade: C

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RELATED: This is Where I Leave You Movie Review

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PERFORMANCES
Brian Bradley surprised the hell out of it. Imagine you see a poodle about to be attacked by a pit-bull and the poodle takes down the pit, that surprised look on your face is how I was watching this kids performance. Bradley is not your typical movie kid, as he actually has some key moments in this film. Liam Neeson again proves why he is someone that you never want to have a phone conversation with because he will own you if you try to negotiate with him.

Grade: A

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SCORE
Donovan’s Atlantis is the only song I recognize from the film, but as for Carlos Rafael Rivera score, it’s just the typical score you get for an action film like this.

Grade: B

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FINAL THOUGHTS
A Walk Among the Tombstones is one of Neeson’s better works and I just wished the villains were written better as it overshadowed the brilliant acting by Neeson and Bradley.

Overall Grade: B

Director: Kevin Smith
Writers: Kevin Smith
Stars: Justin Long, Michael Parks, Haley Joel Osment

Synopsis: When podcaster Wallace Bryton goes missing in the backwoods of Manitoba while interviewing a mysterious seafarer named Howard Howe, his best friend Teddy and girlfriend Allison team with an ex-cop to look for him.

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INTRO
Tusk is the result of fans pledging on Twitter than they wanted this film made after Kevin Smith talked about a hypothetical story on his podcast. I think it’s a great idea to have Hollywood listen to us and make movies we want to see. Tusk is a weird, entertaining, and ridiculous at the time, but that is not enough to compensate for it’s stretched out story and weak central characters.

DIRECTION
Kevin Smith directed this abomination of a film and the best way to describe the direction is looking at a baby’s diaper after explosive diarrhea. Tusk is longer than it should be and I had no idea that this film is supposed to be a horror film. I have seen scarier things in the toilet after eating Taco Bell. The biggest issue with how Smith handles the film is the terrible use of a few flashbacks that try to get us to care about the new Wallace and I cared as much about Wallace as Tyler Perry has Oscars. The interactions between the characters are boring and the way Johnny Depp’s character was written was downright atrocious. I am usually a fan of Smith’s work (Chasing Amy, huge favorite) and that was the only reason I went to see this film.

Grade: F

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SCRIPT
Wallace Bryton (Justin Long) is a successful podcaster who made over 100 grand last year. Wallace along with his NOT SEE PARTY cohost Teddy Craft (Haley Joel Osment) discuss a viral video entitled “The Kill Bill Kid”. Wallace decides to head to Canada to interview the little internet sensation. The kid learned the definition of YOLO and Wallace is left without a story. Eventually Wallace meets Howard Howe, a mysterious seafarer. Howe has an odd obsession with Walrus and he kidnaps Wallace in hopes to turn him into a Walrus.

Bizarre story that was written by Smith himself and as the film went on, I could not help but wonder what kind of effing drugs were involved in the development of this script because the idea is there but the execution in horrendous. The story telling from Howe is bad and slow moving and the stupid look Wallace has on his face during the interaction just didn’t work.

Grade: C

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RELATED: This is Where I Leave You Movie Review

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PERFORMANCES
Justin Long did a commendable job as Wallace but I am afraid it’s too little too late. The last movie I seen Long in was Dodgeball. Long was the main character in Tusk and he did the best he could with what he was given. Michael Parks as Howard Howe was standout as the “villainous” Howe and Parks made the silly character believable. Johnny Depp is the best at playing quirky characters and was great as Guy Lapointe, although I found his accent extremely annoying- good job nonetheless.

Grade: C

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SCORE
Christopher Drake’s score was the lone bright spot in this film. Drake uses a nice balance of slow and fast repetitions to keep although the pacing of the film and help that horror element that I never saw.

Grade: A

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FINAL THOUGHTS
Tusk is simply a film that does not work and I hope the spin-off that is slated for next year is miles better than this film. Kevin Smith is solely to blame for this bomb of a movie. The only way you will enjoy this film is if you are under the influence of either marijuana or intoxicated.

Overall Grade: D