Tuesday Releases: About Time & Dallas Buyers Club

February 4, 2014 / Leave a Comment

FEBRUARY 4TH, 2014

ABOUT TIME // For lack of a better term, “About Time” is simply sweet. Simple and sweet. And whether you accept this or not determines your feelings toward this film. Its simplicity comes from being a film about time travel that never explains the back story, but simply defines its premise and locks in from the start. The audience is never quite sure what the power holds and we learn as we go, but we accept that our main character can travel through time and we simply take it at face value or we don’t. Additionally, the characters are simple. Tim Lake (played by Domhnall Gleeson) is transparent. He loves his family and he even states that his power to time travel will always be about love. When he meets Mary (Rachel McAdams), this is solidified. Mary is also simple. She falls for Tim just as he does for him. She is happy for 95% of the film and their relationship just works, with hardly any hiccups. Yes, this can be explained by Tim’s ability to fix most fights, but without being privy to that or any fights, this simply comes off as a perfect couple.

“About Time” is also sweet, and I mean that in the best of ways, as it emotionally hits a tone that will have its viewers either smiling or in tears. With very authentic moments, this film brings up the idea of being able to change the bad things in our lives by going back, but in that we experience moments that could be considered by, like a windy, rainy wedding day that destroys party tents, but in that, there’s a sweetness where we wouldn’t change a thing. You feel for these characters and the situations they are placed in, whether it be a car accident or pregnancy or a funeral. The emotional turmoil placed on these characters as well as the audience must be applauded as most of the people in my screening were in tears by the end.

Domhnall Gleeson may be the nerdy British guy, but he plays that role with such endearing qualities that you cannot help but root for him. Rachel McAdams is always sweet, and she embodies this role with perfection. My favorite aspect of this film is the relationship between Tim and his father, played brilliantly by Bill Nighy. There’s such a connection between them and the words/moments that they share, that I’m even getting chills as I write this, thinking of how strong a bond they have. Producing some of the most emotional parts of the film, these two steal the show and for a moment, you realize this film is actually about them and their journey. Bill Nighy is a legend in his own right and brings this film to an entirely new level of appreciation. With a strong showing from the superb cast and just enough emotions to get you to feel something, “About Time” does exactly what it sets out to do, bringing a touch of science fiction to a mostly routine love story.

DallasBuyersClub-header

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB // “Dallas Buyers Club” is a transformation for all those involved. The only film of director Jean-Marc Vallée that I’ve seen is “The Young Victoria”, which garnered minimal Oscar attention a few years ago, and to which I enjoyed, but his latest endeavor is so much deeper and rich and a passion for this story breathes from the writing and the careful strokes of genius in directing the cast of actors. Matthew McConaughey may be having the best year of career, almost losing himself in the role of Ron Woodroof, a rough-around-the-edges rodeo jockey that talks smart, hates loudly, and won’t take no for answer, especially when he’s diagnosed with HIV and later AIDS. Based on a factual story, Woodroof ends up in Mexico where he learns about his disease and how to treat it effectively, returning with a trunk full of un-FDA approved pharmaceuticals, to which he takes inspiration from the east coast and initiates a “buyers club” where, instead of selling drugs to HIV patients, he’s selling memberships to get the drugs for free. Along the way meets an almost unrecognizable Jared Leto, as Rayon, a transgendered AIDS patient with the connection to the gay community that is in desperate need of the drugs. Also, Jennifer Garner turns in one of her best performances to date, as the kind female doctor who sees the most change in Woodroof after his 30 days to live diagnosis. “Dallas Buyers Club” brings up several discussions worth having, especially in the sicks ability to treat themselves and with what, as well as the twisted and political nature of the FDA. Emotion runs deep within this film, made possible by the men and women stepping into these roles, producing two of the best performances of the year in McConaughey and Leto, who will light up the critics’ awards. Rich in story and character, this is one dramatic, based on a true story that shouldn’t be missed.

New Releases
About Time (2013)
Baggage Claim
Banshee Chapter
A Case of You
Cutie and the Boxer
Dallas Buyers Club
Escape Plan (2013)
Free Birds
Inevitable Defeat of Mister and Pete
Mother of George
Romeo & Juliet (2013)