Mark Hobin (hobster1)

Chronicle is 2/3 of a really satisfying drama. What starts out as a thoroughly engaging setup devolves into your standard supervillain run amok at the end. The collection of adventures leading up to Andrew's admittance to a hospital in the final act are invariably entertaining. I appreciated the joy of discovery the three boys had getting used to their newly acquired abilities. The script has a sense of humor. When they purposefully move a woman's car in a parking lot as a practical joke, it's utterly indicative of what real high schoolers would initially do with their powers. The story exhibits a legitimate ambition to cultivate three-dimensional characters with bona fide emotion. That's what makes the eventual devolution of the narrative so depressing. A story about a telekinetic teen outcast with an unsupportive parent, bears more than a passing resemblance to Stephen King's Carrie. Both teens unleash untold mayhem as revenge against their enemies. That was a characteristic weakness in both as well. Despite the familiarity of the plot, Chronicle is still justifiably worth your time based on the character development of its three main stars. A solid debut from 27 year old Josh Trank, a young director to watch.

http://fastfilmreviews.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/chronicle/

The story arc may have the clichéd trajectory of a Behind the Music TV episode, but that's because so many showbiz careers really have followed that career path. The main characters aren't particularly likeable but they're very authentic. They behave like human beings driven by lust and greed. These individuals curse, smoke, do drugs and have sex. They're not sensitive or cloying. What they are is a convincing depiction of real people and attitudes of a certain time period. That uniqueness is kind of refreshing. But most of all, this is a love letter to a bygone era made by aficionados who truly appreciate Latin jazz, which was essentially a mixture of bebop and Cuban folk. It's a visually lush and beguiling re-creation that earned this a surprise Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. The picture draws attention to this beautiful music and I can think of worse things than reveling in these poetic rhythms for 94 minutes.

http://fastfilmreviews.wordpress.com/2012/02/05/chico-rita/