Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Skyfall (score: 8.5)

Not knowing what went right with Casino Royale and what went so wrong with Quantum, Skyfall played it very safe. The plot is very average, borderline underwhelming. The villain has no grand plan, MI6 leader get grilled like a rude sales girl, and while beautiful, the 'symbolism' in the opening sequence is way too literal (burning shooting targets?). But not being a bad Bond that sticks to the formula is good enough for most people, including me; and the ridiculously beautiful cinematography, perfect casting, and breathtaking action sequences didn't hurt either.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Ted (score: 6.5)

Ted would have worked better if it was a stand-up special with the bear (or just Seth McFarland) get up on stage and starts telling the one-liners. The purpose of the tired and uncomfortable story about a man having to prove he grew up to his girlfriend by abandoning his childhood best friend (Ted is part of the symbolism... get it?) is to deliver those jokes anyway.