The Spectacular Now

TSN (I only did that because I realized the film's initial's were the same as The Sporting News, and makes it sound like a network on The Newsroom. I'm clever) is a generally enjoyable film about a functioning high school alcoholic who ends up falling for a sheltered classmate. The best things the film has going for it are the two leads (whose names I"m  not going to bother to look up). They have the benefit of actually looking like high schoolers (or, at worst, sophomores in college), and do a great job capturing the subtlety of the characters. This subtlety is generally matched by the pace of the film and I appreciated how for most of the first half it didn't feel the need to put an explanation point on the drinking, or the main character's general sense of disillusionment and fear of the future. Unfortunately the last half hour or so devolves into a combination of a PSA and the ending of Good Will Hunting which undercuts the restraint the rest of the film exhibited. Its still worth watching just because the two leads are so good, but I wish it had stuck to the earlier feel and not felt the need to shift tones so dramatically.

Also because I like to appear like a discerning pop culture fan I'm obligated to mention the Bubbles from the wire plays a math teacher. #stuffwhitepeoplelike

Blackfish/Despicable Me 2/Blue Jasmine

Okay got a little backed up here doing other super important activities (video games don't play themselves). Lightning round.

Blackfish

This documentary about deaths of Sea World trainers at the hands (flippers?) of Killer Whales is smart in how it goes about its business. Rather than being the expected "Aren't Orcas beautiful and mysterious, how dare we keep these beautiful spirits in captivity" route (though there is some of that), it focuses on whether or not Sea World (and other water parks) run unsafe work environments. And really, if the very act of working with these animals is asking for trouble (the answer would seem to be yes). The film has amazing footage of whales attacking trainers, and paints a pretty damning picture of Sea world  management ignoring risks and trying to hide all of the attacks from not just the public but other trainers as well.

The film does have two major drawbacks. The first isn't really the makers fault. Sea World refused to participate so there really isn't anyone arguing the other side (though there are few things that seem indefensible). This leaves most of the arguments feeling incomplete. Second, it does verge a bit into the polemical at moments, particularly at the end as former trainers get into the whole 'should we even have zoos' debate. I don't deny there may be a discussion to have about that, but its a much more problematic area then the question of unsafe work conditions (particularly, as my brother likes to point out, we do spend much of our time breeding animals in worse conditions for the sole reason of eating them).  Thankfully this isn't the focus, and the majority of the film is engaging and brings up some interesting questions. Well worth checking out.

Despicable Me 2

Its fine. Ignores the kid characters probably too much, and definitely gets draggy in spots, but inifinitely less offensive than something like Planes.

Blue Jasmine

As I've said before, I'm totally in the bag for Woody Allen.  I'll see anything the guy does, and even with his lesser works I always find something to enjoy.  Blue Jasmine is actually a divergence from his last several, mainly comedic, films.  Its funny, but more like Crimes and Misdemeanors funny as opposed to a farce. It follows a thoroughly unlikable character (jasmine, played by Cate Blanchett) whose life falls apart and then spends the rest of the film popping pills and going crazy. The film actually plays lighter than my description sounds, but its a really interesting choice and pretty dark. Not everything works (some of the supporting characters are, to say the least, broad) but overall another solid effort from the Wood-man (yes I really just called him that. Shut up.)