2014 Movie Preview: #19 - Welcome to Yesterday

Release date: February 28

Plot summary: A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control.

My take: It seems like "found footage" films can be real hit and miss. While some use the device as a means of capitalizing on a fad, others have found a way to make it an effective storytelling device. Let's hope that Welcome to Yesterday fits into that latter category. It certainly has a decent, albeit done before, plot. Can this be a Back to the Future for a new generation or simply another showcase for how annoying teenagers can be? Only time will tell. See what I did there?

Yesterday's news

I've become somewhat cynical to the "found footage" genre of filmmaking, but I must admit that this trailer for Welcome to Yesterday about a group of teenagers who discover the ability to time travel has caught my eye. If it is as fresh and innovative as Chronicle then this may have a chance of being a mainstream hit.

RBR: Safety Not Guaranteed

Quirky is an understatement when it comes to Safety Not Guaranteed a small indie film about a trio of magazine workers going to investigate an odd ad in the personals from a man looking for a companion to time travel with him. The film's title comes from a line included in the ad. Aubrey Plaza from Parks and Recreation stars as one of the curious trio and quickly becomes fascinated with Kenneth (Mark Duplass), a man who is both odd and ernest in his belief of being able to go back in time. With a runtime of barely 80 minutes, the film is brief and yet still offers some fully developed characters. I was engaged by both the central story, as well as the subplots involving the other two magazine workers and was really curious as to how they would resolve this story. Unfortunately the ending is rather disappointing. They wanted a magical ending to this offbeat love story, but I feel they would have been better to opt for something more down to Earth. If a strong ending is important to you, you're best to skip this insignificant film. But if you enjoy being charmed and appreciate good performances, then you may find yourself seeing this as a small treasure. Rating: *** 1/2

Beat the clock

The words 'time travel' can evoke a wide array of emotions in people. Some marvel at the thought of being able to into the past or future. Others who have seen movies depicting such science fiction know the narrative and linear headaches such an undertaking can produce.

In Looper, the latest film from director Rian Johnson (Brick, The Brothers Bloom), both the wonder and frustration associated with travelling through time are on full display. The plot is not the easiest to explain, but I'll give it my best shot. The film is set in the not so distant future where time travel hasn't been invented but eventually will. In the film's future where time travel does exist, murder is forbidden, so people are sent to the past to be 'eliminated'. They are killed by 'loopers', a hired group of individuals who are informed of where their time travelling target is set to arrive so that they can be immediately killed.

One of the interesting things about the film is that eventually all loopers will kill off their future self. The film centers around one of these loopers named Joe, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Problems arise when he is unable to kill his future self, played by Bruce Willis (Gordon-Levitt went through extensive makeup in order to come off as a reasonably younger version of Willis). Willis' escape not only creates the possibility of timeline alteration, but puts Gordon-Levitt's life in danger as his mob boss (played fantastically in a small role by Jeff Daniels) wants him killed now as well.

At this point, the film appears to set itself up as an interesting chase picture. However, instead of going that conventional route, we learn that Willis has some big plans now that he is in the past that send the film in a whole new direction. Without going into too much detail on it, it creates a plot twist that I wasn't expecting and one that I'm not entirely sure I appreciate.

What I can divulge is that while on his quest to hunt down his future self, Gordon-Levitt comes across a young mother (played by Emily Blunt) living on a Kansas farm. Despite playing a role that you would not expect from her, Blunt delivers a captivating performance and proves to be a great addition to the film. But the role her and her son play in the story is one that I was at best, confused by, and at worst, greatly disturbed seeing unfold.

As the film shifts towards Willis' plan, the film also slows down considerably. This is a move that I don't have a problem with in theory. I can appreciate when a director wants to let their story breathe and allow for characters to develop. The problem with that shift in this film is that it leaves the viewer too much time to begin asking questions and poking holes in the time travel rules that were established in the faster-paced first half of the film.

I will credit Johnson, however, for imbuing the film with a unique visual style. Choosing a location like Kansas to set this film feels fresh and interesting. He also creatively weaves symobolism throughout the film that helps establish what he's trying to say with this admittedly difficult to follow story. I've seen each of Johnson's films so far and while each of them have their flaws, it's clear that he has some distinct talents that separate him from most other directors.

Looper was one of my most anticipated films this year, so I may be judging it harder than it deserves. There's plenty to like about this film and I applaud those involved for trying to create something new and engaging. Ultimately, though I can't help but feel let down by its unexpected narrative shift and unresolved subplots. I may find though that my criticisms may soften if I watch the film again. While time travel doesn't exist for us yet, thanks to the beauty of home video we have the ability to go into the past and watch films like these over and over again in hopes of discovering something new each time. Grade: B+

Thrown for a Looper

This made my most anticipated films of 2012 list and now here's our first chance to get a good look at what we can expect in this twisty, time-travelling sci-fi film. Check out the trailer for Looper starring Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis.