My Week in Movies - February 12th

An interesting week in which I see two of my most anticipated films of 2014.

Project Almanac

Project Almanac had been, when it was still titled Welcome to Yesterday, one of my anticipated films of last year. But it slipped into February where films go to die. The initial premise and teaser were intriguing. High schoolers get hold of a time travel device and go back in time, something they know they will be able to do because a video from the past shows them doing it. The movie explored the premise and the consequences, but I found it nearly impossible to watch. The shaky cam proved too much for my well-honed senses and I spent most of the movie lying down and listening to the action.

Watch It: Actually, you can just:
Skip It: It's an average movie at best. No need to see it.

Jupiter Ascending

The Wachowskis return with another future science fiction epic. This time, sadly, it's not quite as good. Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis deliver solid performances and the world the Wachowskis show us is incredibly colorful and interesting. But the main plot and the villain, played by a recently coronated Best Actor Oscar Winner, leave a lot to be desired. Jupiter Ascending doesn't feel particularly new. The themes from The Matrix re-appear mostly untouched: harvesting humans, reincarnation, an anointed one. But it is a beautiful movie and has an every-woman protagonist who gets swept up in a sibling rivalry.

Watch It: If you're willing to sit through a bit more film and few more characters than we actually needed.
Skip It: If you think you've likely seen this film before.