Moonrise Kingdom (2012, U.S.)

This movie is a charming coming-of-age tale, but beyond that it's hard to describe. These two pre-teens meet each other and become pen pals. The girl is from a dysfunctional, seemingly wealthy family on a New England island, and the boy is an orphaned ward of the state attending camp on the island. They decide to run away together.

There are many laugh-out-loud moments and touching moments alike. The ensemble cast was very well put together, and the new young actors who played the runaway children were especially brilliant.

As I said, it's very hard to describe this whimsical, strange movie, but it is definitely worth seeing.

Rating: 3.5

Burn After Reading (2008, U.S.)

I love Brad Pitt, and that is why I watched this movie. I thought it was going to be funny. Or somewhat entertaining. Instead it was confusing, barely funny, violent, and kind of stupid.

Positive things I will say: Firstly, the acting was phenomenal. The cast was great, and they all played their various levels of paranoia/insecurity/cruelty/stupidity/self-centeredness/greed to a T. As an ensemble, they worked smoothly.

Second, the concept was good, and I have to say that there were some funny moments.

Really, I just don't know what to say after that. Ages after I watched it, I'm still thinking, "What?" But maybe it's just me.

Rating: 2.0

Adaptation. (2002, U.S.)

What a crazy, crazy, crazy film. I don't even know what to think of this one or what the point was, exactly.

The story is about a man (played by Cage) who is writing a screenplay of a book written by a woman (Streep). The book is entirely about orchids (and quite boring, from what I gather). The man lives with his loser brother (also played by Cage), who decides to become a screenwriter as well.

The screenplay isn't going well, so the man decides to look farther into the story—and all kinds of bizarre things start happening / are revealed.

I can't lie. I thought this one was quite slow and often boring. Nicolas Cage was adequate, but not great. Chris Cooper, who played a minor (but integral) role, definitely stole the show.

You'd really have to see this one for yourself. But I will say one thing for it—it was different.

Rating: 2.5