Oblivion:
This Tom Cruise sci-fi flick was definitely my first big surprise of the year. Everything about the trailers, plot, and marketing just screamed recycled boring future wasteland movie. The lesson, never doubt Tom Cruise. One of the last true movie stars, Cruise carries the movie completely engaging the audience at every second and making you feel not just for his character but the other characters as well. Topped off with some great twists and turns, top level effects, and amazing design Oblivion is a must-own for Cruise/sci-fi fans and a definite rental for everyone else.
BUY
The Place Beyond the Pines:
Like 3 out of every 4 movies Ryan Gosling does The Place Beyond the Pines flew under the radar for most while it was in theaters. That's not to say this or any of the other low-key films he's done are bad...quite the opposite, they really are some of his best work (if you haven't seen Half-Nelson you need to make that one a priority). Gosling plays a man who commits a crime to support his son and finds himself in the cross-hairs of a detective played by Bradley Cooper. Eva Mendes plays Gosling's baby mama which isn't wholly relevant to what I'm trying to say, but I'm not going to NOT mention Mendes. Ahhh...Eva Mendes...
Rent
Mud:
Under the radar movie #2 this week is Mud starring Matthew McConaughey. Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I haven't seen this one yet but it will be the first movie I rent this Tuesday. The plot just seems to awesome to be real, a perfect scenario for McConaughey. He plays Mud, a mysterious guy living on an island in the Mississippi who befriends two young boys and relays to them fantastical stories about his exploits and how he plans to escape the law with the love of his life, Juniper. If you need word from those who have seen the movie RottenTomatoes.com currently holds it at a rare 98% critic score and an 86% audience score.
Rent
West of Memphis:
Easily the most intriguing, disturbing, thought provoking, and downright unbelievable crime/court saga of the last 25 years West of Memphis brings you a new view on the story of the 'West Memphis Three' who were originally brought to the world stage thanks to the Paradise Lost documentaries. Generally I don't buy into a documentaries angle right away...I mean they are making the movie to prove their point so, more often than not, there is a bias. West of Memphis will make you want to believe that there is an angle, that lady justice can't mess up this badly. After reading several books on the subject and seeing every documentary that's been released I can tell you with 99.9% certainty that what is discussed is, sadly, the truth.
Rent
