100 movies: A Perfect Getaway

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100 movies of 2012

Every year I set myself a target, usually of about 100, of films to watch. These are new films. Not new, new films. But films that are new to me. Any time I’ve seen a new one, I post a bit of a brain dump of my thoughts on the film here. Enjoy!

A Perfect GetawayA Perfect Getaway (05/05/12)

Two pairs of lovers on a Hawaiian vacation discover that psychopaths are stalking and murdering tourists on the islands.

I admit. The only reason this film showed up on my radar was because of Timothy Olyphant. He’s fantastic in Justified and, yes, he is pretty damn hot. I’m open to seeing more of Mr. Olyphant while Justified’s between seasons.

Timothy Olyphant doesn’t disappoint here. Neither does the rest of the cast, but it’s Timothy Olyphant and Steve Zahn who are the pick out of the bunch here. I’m finding it a little hard to write what I loved about both of their characters without giving away any major plot points! Both of their characters go on an excellent little twisty journey.

The other thing that this film does brilliantly is showcasing the beauty of Hawaii. More specifically, the island of Kauai. It is stunning. It’s made me feel like I need to go there. Now.

A Perfect Getaway is a surprisingly good little thriller. It’s not a mind-blowing film. But it’s got a good build up and a very good climax, and it doesn’t mess around getting there. Oh and if that’s not enough, there’s a little bit of Chris Hemsworth too.
Rating: 4/5

Read on to see all the films watched this year…

35 Films so far this year

  1. The Tourist 1/5 (02/01/12)
  2. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo 5/5 (03/01/12)
  3. World’s Greatest Dad 2/5 (14/01/12)
  4. Haywire 3/5 (19/01/12)
  5. Dead Snow 3/5 (20/01/12)
  6. The Artist 5/5 (21/01/12)
  7. Priest 2/5 (05/02/12)
  8. The Muppets 5/5 (15/02/12)
  9. Faster 4/5 (19/02/12)
  10. Chronicle 4/5 (22/02/12)
  11. Safe House 4/5 (24/02/12)
  12. Reservoir Dogs 4/5 (25/02/12)
  13. This Means War 4/5 (02/03/12)
  14. The Royal Tenenbaums 3/5 (03/03/12)
  15. Reign of Fire 3/5 (04/03/12)
  16. Dear John 2/5 (04/03/12)
  17. Road to Perdition 5/5 (05/03/12)
  18. The Three Musketeers 3/5 (06/03/12)
  19. The Eagle 2/5 (10/03/12)
  20. Everybody’s Fine 2/5 (14/03/12)
  21. Frankenstein 4/5 (15/03/12)
  22. Love and Other Drugs 2/5 (15/03/12)
  23. You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger 2/5 (17/03/12)
  24. The Big Lebowski 5/5 (18/03/12)
  25. The Hunger Games 3/5 (23/03/12)
  26. Headhunters 4/5 (07/04/12)
  27. Super 1/5 (07/04/12)
  28. The Cabin in the Woods 5/5 (13/04/12)
  29. Watchmen 4/5 (14/04/12)
  30. The Hurt Locker 3/5 (21/04/12)
  31. Avengers Assemble 5/5 (26/04/12)
  32. 22 Bullets 2/5 (28/04/12)
  33. Bad Teacher 1/5 (29/04/12)
  34. Red Riding Hood 1/5 (04/05/12)
  35. A Perfect Getaway 4/5 (05/05/12)

30 Comments

  1. All right, a positive review! ๐Ÿ˜€

    I haven’t heard of this one, but I’ll have to keep it on my radar. I’m always up for a good thriller.

    • It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

      It’s a solid thriller. Warning though. It will make you want to go to Hawaii.

  2. I liked this one too. It just came out of nowhere and ended up being a lot better than expected. Never doubt writer/director David Twohy! He’s written and directed some good ones.

    • Just went and looked up David Twohy – loved his work on Pitch Black! It does come out of nowhere. While it’s not the cleverest of thrillers, it does entertain.

      Thanks for stopping by, Dave ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. I gave little thought into seeing this when it was released and happened upon it one night while it was playing on cable….and was completely drawn into it. It’s visually a beautiful movie, the acting performances are fairly decent, and it’s a surprisingly really well done thriller.

    I too am a fan of Timothy Olyphant and just saw him in The Girl Next Door, and thought he was great in it for the short amount time he’s on screen.

    • It does look amazing. They did a fantastic job of selling their location. I just loved how everything just shifted.

      Do you watch Justified? If not, do! Timothy’s great in it. It’s the part he’s made for.

  4. I love Steve Zahn, I wish he was in more stuff! However I found this to be pretty forgettable. I do remember thinking I wanted to go to Hawaii after it though!

    • Steve Zahn is an under appreciated little gem! I loved him in Sahara – a guilty pleasure film of mine.

      This film could do wonders for Hawaii’s tourist board. Well, apart from the killing.

  5. I’m somewhat intrigued by this movie and it has been on my Netflix queue for ages. Your positive review certainly has reawakened my interest to check it out even though I’m no big fan of Milla

    • Yeah, not a big fan of Milla either. She’s yet to wow me. I don’t expect her to any time soon though.

      Film’s worth it for the Olyphant, Zahn and beautiful location.

  6. I saw this a while back. I remember enjoying it and the twist was sound if a little transparent. Still I did enjoy it a lot. And I can imagine that topless shot of THOR went down well with the ladies!

    • Definitely a tad transparent – I saw it coming just before the reveal!

      Chris Hemsworth didn’t once wear a shirt in this film. Makes it so worth it.

  7. I liked this movie. I love Steve Zahn. I think I like his “duh” look and he is pretty damn funny. Needless to say, this is not the movie that best portrays Zahn’s funny man skills. I kinda saw the whole plot coming. I don’t know, for some odd reason I just knew. Did you?

    On a side (very random) note, I actually watched this movie while I was on vacation in Kaua’i. It was weird seeing a movie that took place where you are vacationing at. LOL Luckily, I was single, so I didn’t have worry about life mimicking movie. HAHA

    • His funny man skills are brilliant! Though I did like to see the other side of him here.

      I did see the twist coming. It just slowly dawned on me. Well, I thought one of two things and one of them was right! Still, a nice twist. Though, didn’t like the final twist with Milla’s character.

      Ha! I would love to go to Kaua’i! I’ve been umming and ahhing about going to Hawaii and I remember when I was doing some research into it, Kaua’i came out on top for me. It’s just so expensive to get there! ๐Ÿ™

      • Well, if it helps, I’ll be there…showing you all the cheap things to do! Kaua’i is very country, so I don’t see the cost stacking up that high. Unless, you stay at one of those resorts. I’m sure flight cost is the most expensive cost. It’s one the reason why I don’t visit the UK.

        • Yep, Jen – it’s the flight that’s the killer. Easily over ยฃ1000.

          I’m a bit fussy with where I stay, but as long as I’m comfortable, that’s alright!

          Cheap things to do sounds right up my alley. Just wish the getting there was cheaper. One day I WILL win the lottery!

  8. I hadn’t heard of this one before now but I love a good thriller so I’ll give it a go. Perhaps it’ll be a TV watch rather than a DVD buy.

  9. WE watched this for the first time last week. We are fans of Justified too but I think, like you, we would have enjoyed this film even without Raylan (oops, Timothy) ;). I do like a film that can surprise me and not many succeed but this one did. And it was lovely for us to revisit a memorable trip to Kauai. I would like to watch it again now I know the ending to see whether there are any clues.

    • Me too! I’m betting there were more than a few hints dropped throughout the film.

      Ahh, Raylan Givens – only he could pull that hat off!

  10. Oh I like Zahn, and there’s Olyphant and Hemsworth too? Wow, tons of eye candy! ๐Ÿ˜€ I might check this out even though I was kinda blase initially.

  11. jackdeth72

    Hi, Jaina and company:

    Intriguing choice and succinct critique!

    I’ve been an Olyphant fan since his days in HBO’s ‘Deadwood’ and one of his great gifts is ‘The Smile’.

    Not dazzling, like Burt Lancaster’s. Or stunning, like Cary Grant’s. Olyphant’s smile is sly and distracts from what’s going on inside his head. Regardless if his thoughts are good or evil.

    First caught my attention in ‘Deadwood’ and much more so in ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ and recently as Marshal Rayland Givens in FX’s ‘Justified’. He perfect opposite Walton Goggins’ Boyd Crowder. In a show where slyness is considered second nature.

    It was nice to see Steve Zahn hold his own and work so well in this decent small ensemble thriller.

    • Ahh, ‘The Smile’ – can definitely agree there. I really want to catch up with Deadwood at some point. Heard nothing but good things about it and Timothy Olyphant in it.

  12. Makes a change from a few rubbish films you’ve seen recently ๐Ÿ™‚ I have taken this out on rental at your recommendation. Will be watching it this weekend. Thanks!

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