The Best of Armond White: (A Retrospective) Part Three

So we gave it a break last week, but let's jump right back into our Armond White Retrospective. In this edition, we are going to look at the times when both the public and Mr. White actually saw eye to eye on films that are, at least according to Rotten Tomatoes, Certified Fresh.

Arrival: 93% RT Approval

Armond Says: Though a second-rate, semi-profound art movie, Arrival is nonetheless an ambitious demonstration of how the media manipulate our perception and our experience

Matt Says: Even with a backhanded compliment, the point is made clearly about how media affects the way we feel and react
to things.

The Player: 98% RT Approval 

Armond Says: The Player, which Altman made after years of struggle, with all Hollywood fascination worn away, is Altman's dour version of Dante's Inferno. His satire forces us to realize the obscenity of Clinton-era corruption - once again.

Matt Says: The Player is likley Robert Altman's forgotten masterpiece, that deserves multiple viewings.

Kubo and the Two Strings: 97% RT Approval 

Armond Says: Kubo is a delicate tale addressing today's sense of moral bereavement. This is conveyed through the boy's search for the father he never knew. Little Kubo's gallantry parallels the desperation of youth from broken families.

Matt Says: While I will mention the fact that Mr. White loves
nearly all animation, as long as it isn't Pixar or Disney, I can't
argue with how great "Kubo" is and it narrative works on
so many levels, and it's emotion runs deep.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes: 81% RT Approval 

Armond Says: It is easily the best American movie of this corrupted summer.

Matts Says: This corrupted Summer? Let's take a look; Iron
Man 2, The Last Airbender, Shrek Forever After, Grown Ups...
yeah, pretty bad. But 81% for "Rise" that's almost criminal.

True Grit (2010): 96% RT Approval 

Armond Says: True Grit speaks to our current moment of vengeful, moral uncertainty. It continues the same revamped Americana that distinguished the Coens' sophisticated remake of The Ladykillers -- a truly original religiouspolitical hybrid.

Matt Says: While I won't speak as highly about the "sophisticated"
"Ladykiller," I will speak on the greatness that is "True Grit" and
the fact it turned Hailee Steinfeld into a star.

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: 81% RT Approval 

Armond Says: Wright's speed and humor are authentic and irresistible. Let's hope that's not all his admirers see.

Matt Says: It's a good point to bring up the fact that people
might only see style over substance with Edgar Wright, but
"Pilgrim" is so utterly watchable that it's shocking the Approval
Rating for this comic book adaptation is so low. This is why we
can't have nice things...

Bronson (2009): 76% RT Approval 

Armond Says:  Hardy's portrayal is more than a real-life impersonation of Bronson; it realizes the Stunt Movie opportunity to present an actor's thoroughly romantic admiration of force.

Matt Says: Hardy is the only person that could have pulled
this character off, and that was before anyone even knew who
he was! 

Pineapple Express: 68% RT Approval 

Armond Says:  The result is Green's first watchable movie since George Washington -- even if it's ultimately worthless.

Matt Says: While this film is on the cusp of just being "meh" according to our trusty voters on RT, it's still fun, albeit "worthless" if you will.

Live Free of Die Hard: 82% RT Approval 

Armond Says: To call this the best Die Hard movie ever made merely acknowledges that Director Len Wiseman simplifies the franchise to its basic elements: Predicament, Villain, Hero, Action.

Matt Says: "Best Die Hard Ever Made?" I guess the original film never existed...or "With a Vengeance" either....vexing.

See you guys next week with our final, and hater-rific, entry.