october sky 2: midlife crisis

I'll give Demolition credit for not following a standard narrative and trying to present a unique take on its plot. However, the film is a wildly uneven mixed bag, largely thanks to a muddled screenplay that doesn't seem to be sure of what it's trying to say. At times, it comes across as if screenwriter Bryan Sipe watched Bradley Cooper's performance in Silver Linings Playbook and decided to build an offshoot of that character. The film's biggest asset is the versatile Jake Gyllenhaal, who delivers another excellent performance in a movie that doesn't really deserve it. C+

Depressed Jake Gyllenhaal makes me feel sleepy.

** (C)

At least he got his $1.25 back.

I liked the idea of the overall movie but the screenplay doesn't allow any room for this to become good. Jake to no ones surprise gives an excellent performance though I'd like to see him more in comedic roles or even out and out comedy. The relationships are under-cooked and characters are just thrown together without much introduction before or resolution after specially Karen (Watts does good). The second hospital scene must have gone through a lot of changes as its badly cut and a mess. Ending leaves much to be desired and no specific reason for the patch with FIL

6/10. C

I liked this a lot, actually. It was pretty involving and Jake Gyllenhaal was fantastic. I didn't think that Naomi Watts's character made a whole lot of sense but she was quite good as well. B+

This is a very solid drama. It isn't particularly strong in any area, but overall gets lifted by a very good Gyllenhaal. The film nicely comes around full circle and it's the events towards the end that bring some life into it. I enjoyed watching Gyllenhaal's emotional cycle and most of the supporting cast is good too. Watts character was a bit off for me, but it meshed well enough with the film. Not as deep as I would have liked, but still the best pure drama I've seen this year.

B/ B+

Demolition

Gyllenhaal strikes again. I loved this film. It is more about the journey than the destination, and waiting for the arrival of the correct, previously-absent emotion, but it is gripping from start to finish. Demolition is a raw, beautifully crafted breakdown. It is quite moving at times but also humorous. Marvelous performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis, and Naomi Watts. And the soundtrack is superb and fitting.

A