Reel News: Not Fade Away, The Impossible, Texas Chainsaw 3D, Looper

Upcoming Theatrical Releases

Not Fade Away
Director: David Chase
R; 112 mins
Trailer

Set in suburban New Jersey the 1960s, a group of friends form a rock band and try to make it big. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

This is an easy watch, but more of a rock cliché than a great movie. While the movie speaks to the boomer generation, it largely falls flat for other audiences that cannot directly relate to those times.

The Impossible
Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
PG-13; 114 mins
Trailer

Maria, Henry and their three sons begin their winter vacation in Thailand, looking forward to a few days in tropical paradise. But on the morning of December 26th, as the family relaxes around the pool after their Christmas festivities the night before, a terrifying roar rises up from the center of the earth. As Maria freezes in fear, a huge wall of black water races across the hotel grounds toward her. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

Despite being an impressive melodrama about a natural disaster, there is not much substance behind the waves. The survivalist portions are engaging, but get crushed beneath the hokey, uplifting, group-hug conclusion.

Texas Chainsaw 3D
Director: John Luessenhop
R; 92 mins
Trailer

A young woman travels to Texas to collect an inheritance; little does she know that an encounter with a chainsaw-wielding killer is part of the reward. (Synopsis by the Official Site)

Well, no one will get a group hug at the end of this–except the audience, who might need one from being forced to sit through yet another remake of a better horror film. This one has the added horror of starring Trey Songz. Worst pain that I ever had, indeed.

Upcoming DVD Releases

Looper
Director: Rian Johnson
R; 119 mins
Trailer

In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past, where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good… until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. (Synopsis by Sony)

An intense, cerebral sci-fi thriller that is one of last year’s best films. Rian Johnson establishes himself as both a writer and director with this film. The careful balance of action and emotion is often missing in many films in this genre. This one gets it right.