Maps to the Stars (2014)

Directed by David Cronenberg
Written by Bruce Wagner
Starring Julianne Moore, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson and John Cusack

A tour into the heart of a Hollywood family chasing celebrity, one another and the relentless ghosts of their pasts.

A dark, unapologetic satire on societies obsession with celebrity and the fight for fame, Cronenberg puts his personal twist on the world of Hollywood. Although I'm sure it's exaggerated (at least I hope it is), this film showcases all of the degenerate, self obsessed people that create the movies we love. And it will disgust you.

In true Cronenberg form, he adds an element of psychological thrills to this story. Throughout half of the film, you still find yourself trying to fit the pieces together to figure out exactly what the hell is going on. But unlike his other films, when everything comes together, it's a little underwhelming.

Throughout his career, Cronenberg has given us some of the best psychological thrillers ever made. And this movie wasn't bad, it was just not to par with the rest of his work. It's also just hard for me to enjoy a movie in which I want to get as far from it's characters as humanly possibly. Or give them a swift kick to the throat. But it's a DVD… It doesn't have a throat. Oh, well. It could have been worse.

My Rating: 6/10

Grand Piano (2013)

Directed by Eugenio Mira
Written by Damien Chazelle
Starring Elijah Wood, John Cusack, Kerry Bishé and Alex Winter

When a disgraced pianist attempts to make a comeback at the memorial concert for his teacher and mentor, he receives a note in his sheet music-- "Play one wrong note and you die!".

Elijah Wood's career after "The Lord of the Rings" has been a strange one. Having been blackballed by Hollywood because of his famous character, he unfortunately hasn't had many options. But I feel he does alright, all things considered. He's become the go-to guy for psychological thrillers too different to get backed by a major studio. With films like "Maniac", "Open Windows", this and the TV series "Wilfred", it's as if he's had to start his career over completely. But it could be worse.

This movie has a familiar concept. Much like "Photo Booth", it's just another man-becomes-hostage-in-public story. It is interesting enough, but nothing really sticks out as a selling point. Some scenes are intense while others make you wonder you are supposed to feel. And there are many plot holes that in my mind are so hard to miss that I find it hard to believe the writer (Academy Award Nominee, Damien Chazelle) didn't notice.

I also find it hard to believe that Elijah Wood is his generations

greatest pianist, yet walked away from his career for one slip up.

Is this a bad movie? No. But it definitely is not good. As the countless majority of movies are, it's just extremely mediocre. Just another movie to watch to pass the time. If one thing does stand out from this movie, it is the beautifully unique cinematography. But it takes more than pretty pictures to make a great movie.

My Rating: 5.6/10