In this week’s Montage, we take a look at the penultimate entry in The Hunger Games franchise, a mockumentary about New Zealand vampires and an Oscar-nominated French-language film starring Marion Cotillard.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Whenever a best-selling novel is split into two films, fans commonly complain that the first film ends up carrying the bulk of the set-up, resulting in a slower pace and overall one of the least satisfying installments in a franchise (sound familiar, Harry Potter and Twilight fans?). The penultimate Hunger Games film certainly follows suit with this trend, but that doesn’t mean that the film is without its strong points. Jennifer Lawrence continues to be the saving grace of the series, as her commitment to Katniss Everdeen’s fierce passion and unsteady emotional core maximize the story’s impact. Take, for instance, the scene in which Katniss witnesses yet another of the Capitol’s despicable acts of destruction. The character – who usually guards herself against the world around her – understandably comes apart, finding revealing the extent of her commitment to the cause. Mockingjay – Part 1, however, doesn’t feature enough of these moments and, in actuality, doesn’t have enough story to sustain its two-hour runtime. It’s very apparent that the story is being protracted to double the box office take, and intriguing material such as the media battle between the Capitol and the residents of District 13 become diluted in the process. This entry is still worth watching for fans of the franchise, but don’t expect it to recruit any more moviegoers to its cause in the process.
Rating: 3 out of 5
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Donald Sutherland. It is directed by Francis Lawrence.What We Do in the Shadows
Mockumentary-style comedies can often be polarizing and for good reason. Often, classic films like This Is Spinal Tap and Best in Show feature humor that is either too dry for some viewers or, because of its heavy reliance on improvisation, comes across as too random or quirky. Like those films, What We Do in the Shadows may be something of an acquired taste, but its particular premise – centering on a group of vampire roommates and the difficulties they encounter in daily life – lends itself to such outrageously over-the-top antics that it could break through to those moviegoers who aren’t typically into this type of comedy. Directed by Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the film makes clever use of many of the various vampire tropes that have traditionally appeared throughout the creatures’ various incarnations. The cast – which includes both co-directors – is so pitch-perfect that even if viewers aren’t entirely sucked into the film right off the bat, they’ll likely find themselves quoting lines over the next few days. Following the Twilight saga, there’s a long road ahead to rehabilitate the public perception of vampires. This is a good start.
Rating: 4 out of 5
What We Do in the Shadows stars Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Johnny Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford and Ben Fransham. It is directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi.Two Days, One Night
Marion Cotillard is one of those actresses who can convey more about her character with simply a look that most can with an entire monologue. Case in point, Two Days, One Night exists essentially to remind viewers of her power in front of the camera. As its title suggests, the film takes place over the course of a weekend, as Sandra (Cotillard) visits her co-workers with one simple question. Either they forgo their annual bonus or she loses her job. It’s a simple premise that thankfully directors Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne trust enough to carry the drama of Sandra’s situation. The film follows the storytelling principle “simple plot, complex characters” to the letter, putting viewers into the unfortunate position of its lead. Viewers will be surprised how much they get sucked into Sandra’s mission, even if her journey is such a painfully straightforward one. Cotillard was rightfully nominated for an Academy Award for the French-language film, a well-deserved acknowledgment for a consistently outstanding performer.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Two Days, One Night stars Marion Cotillard, Fabrizio Rongione and Catherine Salee. It is directed by Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc Dardenne.Follow Robert Yaniz Jr. on Twitter @CrookedTable! Click here for more Crooked Table reviews!