THE ACCOUNTANT (2016)

Genre: Thriller / Action
Running Length: 2:08
Cast:  Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, Jon Bernthal, J.K. Simmons, John Lithgow, Cynthia Addai-Robinson
Director: Gavin O’Connor
Screenplay: Bill Dubuque

THE ACCOUNTANT is one of those movies which I went, "Now that's interesting; a mashup of autism and action thriller" but the more I think about it, the more its unique narrative diminishes. To be fair, it's still an entertaining movie and it's not as intense and serious like what is shown in the trailer. It's actually quite funny at times.

Ben Affleck is fine here and is still in full post-Batman shape as his "accountant" character is indifferent, fights for injustice and possesses a deadly set of combat abilities. His character is trained in the martial art of Silat, a pro in a variety of firearms and he usually goes for headshots. And of course, he's a genius in numbers and puzzles.

The plot is pretty straight forward; our hero is a forensic accountant with autism who earns big-bucks for cooking/uncooking the books for the world's shady characters. He tries to lay low by taking on a seemingly simple contractual job at a robotics firm but is soon caught in the cross-hairs of some assassins.

The movie employs flashback to different times of Affleck's character in the past to give him more depth and motivations to who he is presently. It's definitely an interesting structural approach but what annoyed me are the unnecessary multiple twists at the end and its poorly integrated subplots involving its supporting characters. Yes, it is as confusing as it sounds for a fairly simple plot.

Rating: 6.5/10

INTO THE WOODS (2015)

Genre: Musical 

Running Length: 2:05

Cast: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, James Corden, Lilla Crawford, Mackenzie Mauzy, Daniel Huttlestone

Director: Rob Marshall

Screenplay: James Lapine, based on the musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine 

"Was that me? Yes it was. Was that him? No it wasn't. Just a trick of the woods!" sings The Baker's wife from INTO THE WOODS. 

The "woods", however, is not devious. In fact, it's neither good nor bad - it is directly influenced by those that are in it. The "woods" can also represent a reflection of sorts for those in it - it brings either the best or the worst out of a person. The movie starts out as a straight forward fairy tale movie but along the way, the smart screenplay reveals the brokenness of its characters and the "grey" world they are living in. Although positioned as a Disney musical featuring a mash up of popular fairy tale characters (from the tales of The Brothers Grimm's), the premise is actually pretty dark as it's filled with adult themes such as; sexual innuendos, infidelity and death. This stuff is not for kids. Probably there lies the problem of the movie. The adult elements are noticeably muted. A large portion of the movie is spent establishing the characters and the choices they make, while the more challenging and interesting content which deals with the consequences are rushed through. Also, the production value of this film feels cheap as most of the scenes look stage bound (yes, it's based on a Broadway musical but...). I just wonder if it would have been a more satisfying experience if it was made into a TV mini series instead, thus giving its characters more space to develop. The songs are somewhat forgettable except for one number, "Agony" sung by Chris Pine (in smug handsome scumbag mode). 

Rating: 6.5/10