Haiku Review: The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, Jon Favreau & Jean Dujardin
Written by Terence Winter
Directed by Martin Scorsese

Based on the true rise and fall of Jordan Belfort, a corrupt, drug-fueled Wall Street executive who lived a life of extravagance by swindling his investors.


In the real world, Big
Bad Wolf eats Little Red and
gets away with it.

Grade: B+


c2014
By Daniel J. Hoag
The Wolf of Wall Street is playing now in theaters nationwide.
IMDb

Haiku Review: In a World… (2013)

Starring: Lake Bell, Rob Corddry, Ken Marino, Demetri Martin, Fred Melamed, Nick Offerman, Michaela Watkins & Geena Davis
Written & directed by Lake Bell

A female vocal coach attempts to break into the male-dominated voice-over industry.


As long as it’s a
world where more women get to
direct films, I’m in.

Grade: B+


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
In a World… is playing now in select cities.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294677/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Haiku Review: Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto, Denis O’Hare & Steve Zahn
Written by Craig Borten & Melisa Wallack
Directed by Jean-Marc Vallée

Based on the true story of Ron Woodroof, who, in the 80s and early 90s, set up a distribution ring of experimental and non-FDA-approved medication for desperate and neglected AIDS patients after discovering that he had contracted the disease – and that conventional American treatments were corrupted by poor bureaucracy.


McConaughey is
finally the actor we
all thought he would be.

Grade: A-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Dallas Buyers Club is playing now in select cities.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790636/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

Haiku Review: Broken City (2013)

Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Jeffrey Wright, Barry Pepper, Alona Tal, Natalie Martinez & Kyle Chandler
Written by Brian Tucker
Directed by Allen Hughes

An ex-cop is hired by a corrupt mayor to discover the identity of his wife’s lover.


It’s not great, but let’s
be grateful that Russell Crowe
doesn’t sing in this.

Grade: C+


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Broken City is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 4/30/13.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1235522/

Haiku Review: Cosmopolis (2012)

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, Sarah Gadon, Mathieu Amalric, Jay Baruchel, Kevin Durand, Samantha Morton & Paul Giamatti
Written and directed by David Cronenberg

The life of a young billionaire begins to unravel during the course of a tumultuous trek across the city in his stretch limousine.


R-Patz proves he’s more
than a sparkley vamp – he’s
a total bore, too.

Grade: C-


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
Cosmopolis is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1480656/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: For a Good Time, Call…

Starring: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, Mark Webber, Justin Long, James Wolk, Mimi Rogers, Nia Vardalos, Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen & Ken Marino
Written by Katie Anne Nayon & Lauren Anne Miller
Directed by Jamie Travis

Odd-couple roommmates operate a phone-sex business.


Pretty much the best
time one could have that involves
faking orgasms.

Grade: B


c2013
By Daniel J. Hoag
For a Good Time, Call… is available now on Blu-ray and DVD.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1996264/?ref_=sr_1

Haiku Review: Arbitrage (2012)

Starring: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth & Brit Marling
Written and directed by Nicholas Jarecki

A corrupt business tycoon finds the sale of his company threatened while trying to cover up both fraudulent bookkeeping and a scandalous accident.


Hey, it’s hard out there
for a corrupt, entitled
corporate sleazebag.

Grade: A-


c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Arbitrage is available on Blu-ray and DVD on 12/21/12.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1764183/

Haiku Review: Killing Them Softly (2012)

Starring: Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, Richard Jenkins & Ray Liotta
Written & directed by Andrew Dominik

A mob enforcer is called in to track down three criminals who robbed an underground poker game, which disrupted the criminal economy.


Seems our corporate
mentality is hurting
Tony Soprano.

Grade: B+


c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Killing Them Softly is now playing in theaters nationwide.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1764234/

Haiku Review: Holy Motors (2012)

Starring: Denis Lavant, Edith Scob, Eva Mendes & Kylie Minogue
Written & directed by Leos Carax

In this French fantasy, the mysterious Monsieur Oscar travels the streets of Paris in a limousine, going from appointment to appointment, each time transforming himself into a new persona for a new role.


For those who like films
deeply metaphorical
and batsh*t crazy.

Grade: A-


c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Holy Motors is playing now in select cities.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2076220/

Haiku Review: Compliance (2012)

Starring: Ann Dowd, Dreama Walker & Pat Healy
Written and directed by Craig Zobel

Based on the true story of a 19-year-old fast food employee who was humiliated and horrifically violated by her manager and other people who were all acting under the orders of a man on the phone who claimed to be a police officer.


‘Cause working fast food
isn’t degrading enough.
Disturbing but true.

Grade: A


c2012
By Daniel J. Hoag
Compliance opens in select cities on 8/17/12.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1971352/
TCFF 12-11