Somewhere (2010)

Somewhere

Sofia Coppola is basically Hollywood royalty. The daughter of directing legend Francis Ford Coppola, has proved to be an excellent filmmaker in her own right. Lost in Translation is a rather phenomenal film about two lonely people bonding in a hotel in Tokyo. There is also a theme of loneliness in this film and the exploration of the character who experiences it. I'll get to that in a bit. Sofia's films are definitely not for everybody but I think if you love film you can really appreciate what she sets to accomplish with her pictures. Her films are not always plot heavy but we are usually guaranteed a riveting look into the life of a pained character.

To put it simply, the film is about an actor named Johnny Marco and how lonely he is in a world where he seems to have it all. He seems to be a newly famed Hollywood actor who feels a deprived sense of emotion and pleasure even though he has money, cars, a nice house, attractive women etc. He has a bond with his 10 year old daughter (played by Elle Fanning) which grows as he spends more and more time with her. First off, Dorff and Elle are great. I'm a big fan of Elle Fanning and know that she is in the now and will become huge. Even 6 years ago you can see how she has a natural knack for the screen. The film is shown in a way where the viewer just kind of sits back and experiences whats going on, almost as if you are taking a cut and seeing a real life as it unfolds (see seen with Johnny and the mask makeup).

Coppola's film has a story to tell, however its unconventional. The film isn't always dialogue heavy and you will experience a repetitive nature to some of the activities the protagonist grows through. Themes of a well off person experiencing loneliness are present once again in her film. Johnny seems to experience real happiness the more he sees his daughter. He finally seems to have a real emotional breakdown when she goes off to camp and he makes a call to his ex wife. I think that even though many of us are not in the wealthy situation of the protagonist, we can identify with how isolated he feels with everything going on around him.The magic of Coppola's films is their ability to just speak to you on an existential level.

The film is littered with gorgeous shots of hotels, people, location and such to mimic the glamorous life of Hollywood royalty. The soundtrack is chill and in the moment with what you see on screen. Seeing the pole dancers synchronizing to "My Hero" and Elle Fanning ice skate to Gwen Stefani's "Cool" help put you in the atmosphere of the world of the film. You are Johnny as he watches things happen on a day to day basis. Long story short, Coppola brings forth yet another enjoyable effort. I'm very excited about her pairing with Elle Fanning again in 2017.

7.5/10

Killing Me Softly (2002)

 

Killing Me Softly

Erotic thriller's are actually a really great sub genre of film. I am not an expert of this genre of film but I have a few favorites. I was many years late on this film but its been something I had planned on seeing had the opportunity ever arisen. Overall, its a mixed affair. There are quite a few problems. However, when you take the film for what it is you can really find cheesy enjoyment out of it.

I am not familiar with Chen Kaige's previous work.  the question isThis is the only film I've ever seen from him and will likely be the only film I'll ever check out. The film is about a married woman who meets a stranger and immediately falls into an erotic bliss with him. Little does she know that he has dark secrets hidden in his past. Once these secrets come to life her man starts to become dangerous. The plot sounds like something you've seen and heard before. Its nothing new and treads formulaic ground. There's nothing wrong with that per say, as long as the film has key elements that make it memorable. As I stated earlier this is a bit of a mixed bag (mostly bad though).

Heather Graham had previously already had a roll as the roller skate girl in the excellent Boogie Nights. My theory is that Graham is good in small doses or a supporting role but not as someone who has to carry the film. The acting from her at times seemed robotic. The script itself felt robotic. No, actually some of the dialogue in the film could have been written by sixth graders. Its so basic and there's nothing beneath the surface. The films acting and dialogue delivery makes this seem like a typical Lifetime Network film. Even the sudden and loud score that doesn't sound like it fits make the film seem amateur. The twists aren't even interesting or suspenseful. I had the end predicted early.

While I'm really harking on the negatives of the film, I liked the portrayal of the intimate sex scenes in the film. If a film markets itself as an erotic thriller, it should be... well... erotic. The scenes are filmed at good angles where we get intimate shots of the beautiful Heather Graham. You can sense the passion in the relationship before the more dangerous aspect of their relationship sets in. I mentioned earlier that the film felt like something you'd see on Lifetime. This is a bad thing but also sort of positive. If you don't take the flaws of the film seriously you'll have yourself enjoying a decent at best cheesy erotic thriller that almost gets to so bad its kind of good territory.

5.5/10

Keeping Up With the Joneses (2016)

 

Keeping Up with The Joneses

Can't say this was something I was very excited to see this film. The trailers didn't really pop out for me apart from a very attractive Gal Gadot in lingerie. I'd honestly say the best part of the film is seeing the two lovely leads looking very attractive. Maybe that sounds a bit crass but its honestly the best part of a film that doesn't meet expectations.

The film is about an average couple who get attractive but mysterious new neighbors who they suspect are spies. One of the main things I kept thinking while watching the film, is how the cast is wasted. I'm a big fan of Jon Hamm and thought he was riveting as Don Draper on Mad Men. While that is a serious role, I've seen Hamm in a comedic environment and think he is quite good in what should be an unconventional role for him. He's really wasted in this. A lot of the film is composed of jokes or moments that do not elicit laughs. Galifianakis is good when he is working with the right material but even he can't bring any smiles here. Gadot is seriously a gorgeous marvel. I'm so glad she's Wonder Woman as I think she will excel in her own film. Her amazonian beauty is on full display here. Isla also looks great as she always does. I've gone into complementing actresses because that's how bland this film is.

I'm going to keep this short as this film doesn't warrant an introspective analysis. The verdict- skip it. A so so idea, that never takes off. Its a shame because the film boasts a talented cast who really tried. The one real positive I can see from this is Gadot is in more things and is becoming a big star with every role.

6/10

Silence (2016)

Silence

One of the things I always look forward to is a new Martin Scorsese film. Scorsese is definitely one of the best filmmakers of the past and present, although I haven't been to impressed with his recent streak of films. With Silence, I was hoping for a special film that could rank among some of his best. Silence seemed to be that film that would be a cinematic and spiritual experience. It does not disappoint on that level. However, upon reflection I'm still a bit mixed on this film. In fact I'd say this will polarize the audience and that's probably what Scorsese had in mind.

One thing I hope is that people aren't liking this movie because of the religious conflict. I think personal beliefs should be checked at the door when experiencing a film. If you go in with the mindset that this is sacrilegious to Christianity  then you will have a biased view. Suspend your beliefs as they would say. I'd say Silence should be viewed in the theater or in the highest quality possible because some of the cinematography is beautiful. The oceans, plains, forest, clouds, pop out at you on the screen. Fog is seen often in the film and its great for suggesting a feeling of unease, anticipation, and even fear of the unknown. Scorsese's camerawork is always a joy to behold and it won't disappoint here. One of the most notable aspects of the film is the lack of non diegeitic music. There's a minimal use of a score, Its truly silence in that aspect. It lets you absorb the world of the film, its nature, and its surroundings.

I've not always been sold on Andrew Garfield as a serious actor and I was scratching my head at him being the lead in this film. I'll have to say I have no complaints here. Once you get used to the accents you basically see him at his best performance yet. His character has to show a bit of range as the film progresses, and I thought he did it well. Garfield's Sebastião Rodrigues goes from cautiously optimistic to having a serious crisis of faith . A lot of the film is told from the perspective of his inner monologue which goes hand in hand to his state of mind as events transpire. I liked Adam Driver in this as well. The film could have used more of him.

Now to get to my criticisms. Perhaps I got the wrong impression from the subject matter and the trailer but I was expecting more action/violence. This is definitely not that kind of film. Which is fine, however there are times where the film could have used more violence to build fear. What happens to Garfield and his Christian faithful is a scary thing (in a scary land) but sometimes there seems to be no urgency. I had problems with the pacing. This was not a film that flew by. At its near three hour length, you will feel the length. The first act is slow, second act picks up but then drops in the final act. The final minutes are fairly predictable and the method of telling the story at this point felt odd.

We live in a pretty modern time but I could have seen this film being pretty controversial in an earlier decade (much like Scorsese's Last Temptation of Christ). The themes and messages would have driven a fair few into a minor fit. God is silent and remains silent, through your pain. Your unwavering dedication to God; what does it mean? What purpose does it serve? Is it more important than living?

This was a passion project for Scorsese , which doesn't always mean its going to be fun at all times for us. I'd say this is a good film but I couldn't help but feel disappointed after expecting something of a masterclass from a fantastic filmmaker. By no means is it a bad film. I think I had problems with the delivery but the subject matter of the film is deep. I don't think its one of Scorsese's best; it wouldn't crack my top 5 of his filmography. If you are a fan of his work, I think you owe it to yourself to see it and form your own opinion about it. Just be prepared to invest your time into it. The film could yet be a grower and be something I love in a few weeks.

7.5/10

The Disappointments Room (2016)

The Disappointments Room

Oh yeah, we know the type. September and January releases are generally known as movie dump months, after a busy period of cinema releases. A lot of the films released in this time period are films studios just needed to stick in to release. Generally these films are not good. The Disappointments Room does not go against the mold. After I watched the film I was kind of hoping I didn't as it pretty much offered nothing worthwhile during its entire duration.

The film is about a mother (played by the lovely Kate Beckinsale), her son and husband who move into a house where creepy occurrences take hold. She soon discovers a "disappointments room" in the attic where children with special needs or deformities were locked up. The spirits of the past start haunting her and she has a hard time separating reality  from this new world she unlocked. Its a typical horror premise. Can I even call this horror? There isn't one scare in the film. Nothing that will stay with you. There aren't even any jump scares. In this day and age you'd expect something startling from a horror film but nothing really ever comes. As the film progresses you want to stomach less and less of it. If you've seen as many horror films as I have, you want something original, ambitious, or frighteningly entertaining. Unfortunately, this rarely happens.

I love Kate Beckinsale. She's an ageless beauty who I love watching on screen. I'd say she's the only reason you'd want to check this film out. She needs to pick better stuff for herself. She's been in some bad stuff but shes just wasted here. The guy who played her husband seemed like a caricature, his line delivery seemed so forced. He was basically the prototypical husband who doesn't see whats going on. Lucas Till was an entirely useless and creepy in the wrong kind of way character. I don't like the idea for the film but there could have been better delivery. Wish-washy editing of a bunch of "scary" images jumbled together is not enough to be memorable.

I know its my fault for getting sucked into this (damn you sexy Kate Beckinsale!) but as an avid film lover I'm always willing to give everything a chance in search of finding an inspired work. There's no inspiration here. Just a tired picture filled with nothing essential. You'll find scarier things in your day to day life than this mediocre effort. Skip it. There's too many puns I can do with the title of this film to convey how bad it is but I'll save you all the torture.

4/10

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

I had a few initial worries about this film. I’m a giant Star Wars fan and even a bit of an apologist for some of the stuff that occurs in the prequels. I also greatly enjoyed The Force Awakens and think the film held up on a re-watch. Saying that, I was worried that having another Star War film a year after TFA may have been overkill. I was also worried about Felicity Jones being a lead. Inferno was a bad film and I thought Felicty Jones was not very good in it. I thought the film was in a good filmmaker’s hands, as Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (while not without flaws) was an enjoyable blockbuster. My bare minimum for the film was to just be better than the previous prequels, a feat that shouldn’t have been too hard. Now after seeing the film I can say that I am satisfied.

This was my first IMAX 3D venture. I was unfamiliar with how IMAX 3D would look but it was amazing to see the characters pop out of the screen. The film immediately (without an opening scroll which was a bit disappointing) goes into who Jyn Erso really is, and her quest to find her father and recover plans to destroy the Death Star. Much like with The Force Awakens, you are introduced to a multitude of new characters and a new droid, K-2SO. K-2SO is a wonderful character, and its very obvious that he is the comic relief of the film. Its much needed to because its hard to rely on the other characters. Some of the other characters like Riz Ahmed’s Bodhi Rook and Wen’s Baze Malbus feel underdeveloped and its hard to get invested in them. I’ll come out and say its hard to get invested in many of the characters as there isn’t any emotional connection or dimensional aspect to a few of them. This even includes Diego Luna’s Cassian. As opposed to Finn and Rey in The Force Awakens who you connect with instantly. I thought Felicity Jones for the most part did a solid job in a leading role, although I kind of cringed when she was trying to cry upon seeing a hologram of her dad. Its hard to criticize acting in the Star Wars films because come on, Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen were awful in the prequels and had some of the most awkward chemistry ever seen

.

The films strongest point is most certainly the battles. The land battle is the best seen since the one in The Empire Strikes Back. The flying space battles are relatively great as well. The digital effects look good, especially in a certain scene near the end. I feel like if I wasn’t wearing 3D glasses I’d be able to take in the giant nature of the expansive battles but that’s just something I’ll have to look forward to when I re-watch the film. The score of the film is grandiose as you would expect in a Star Wars film. It does not disappoint.

I think the best part of the film is, hands down, witnessing Darth Vader again. James Earl Jones returns to voice him. I’m not sure if its the case, but his costume model looked slightly different in the helmet but I might be wrong. His first scene is great and his battle scene is so memorable. Its nice to see an iconic character in film have a resurgence all these years later and still be so badass. Also don’t even act like mentioning Vader is a spoiler; he’s in the trailer.

I think Rogue One felt fairly dark. Star Wars is generally pretty family friendly. And while there is violence and adult themes in these films, Rogue One had an air of bleakness and hopelessness. You know what will happen to these characters, its already written. That’s why in the third act we get a real sense of it with the fate of some characters. However, that hopelessness immediately turns into hope and the film ends in an exciting and prospective way.

Rogue One is not better than The Force Awakens for me. The Force Awakens was a cinema experience that was fun from start to finish. Rogue One is less show in a narrative sense and more business when it comes to the facts of the story and the technical aspects of warfare. Rogue One is still a great cinematic experience in the sense that the battles are still incredible to watch, and the film boasts a few moments that fans of the series will just love. Those moments bumped the films rating up a number for me.

8/10

The Accountant (2016)

    The Accountant

Ben Affleck's had a resurgence in his career as of late, mostly through his directional efforts. Here we have a thorough performance of a high functioning accountant with autism, who also happens to be skilled combatant and marksman. The plausibility of such a character existing may be up in the air but it doesn't deride the entertainment that the film provides. I've been told by a few sources that his portrayal of a person with autism is consistent with behaviors on the autism spectrum disorder. This is a character type that we do not see often in cinema so its nice to have a hero of the sort.

The film offers math lingo and if you are like me, its easy to have your mind wander. However, the film makes up for it with sleek action, characterization, and a sense of thrill throughout. Jon Bernthal may as well be typecast as the bad guy we love to hate because he plays it very well. JK Simmons and Lithgow are available in doses although in a lighter aspect as the film revolves around the lead character's plight, as he is being hunted down by multiple sources. The film offers a good time with action that isn't in your face but sufficient and present when you need it.

Anna Kendrick keeps the film grounded and real. She's the character we identify with if we can't do it with Affleck's Christian. She has her regular awkward nature, but this role is slightly more subdued in the humor to fit the tone of the film. She's still great though. Not sure on the chemistry she had with Affleck but it works from a professional standpoint. Also, seeing as Affleck's character is supposed to have disengaged social interactions, it probably makes sense. Parts of the final act are a bit too convenient and I can't say the twists and thrills always feel organic, however the film still offers a fun times. I think ultimately the film is a solid action film disguised inside of a smart and technical world of accounting and embezzlement. Its certainly a step up from what we've seen previously from Gavin O' Connor. He's bounced back from a truly terrible Jane Got a Gun and may even have a franchise on his hands, if that's what the public want.

7/10

Trolls (2016)

 

Trolls 

I don't know how popular troll dolls are among youth today but they were definitely a staple back when I was young. It was kind of odd getting a film based on the franchise in 2016 but you won't see me complain about an Anna Kendrick project...ever. Marketing for the film was positive with the Justin Timberlake song "Can't Stop the Feeling" being everywhere before its release. How did the film stack up to its animated counterparts of 2016 though?

It has to be said that I generally don't care for animated films. The bulk of them are targeted and marketed towards little children (which is fine) which is why they don't always resonate with me. An animated feature must be wholly impressive and have innovative, compelling storytelling for it to connect with me. Side note, but I think Kubo and the Two Strings was a film that accomplished this and although it bordered on having adult themes it was rather fantastic. Now let's get back on track. Trolls doesn't really tread new ground. I'm no expert on animation or voice acting but I think the film was satisfying in these aspects. The film did a good job setting up the history between the trolls and Bergens , they brought a backstory into something I'm sure most of us are unfamiliar with. Some of the music and covers in the film are pretty impressive.

I love hearing Anna Kendrick's singing voice. She's multifaceted in talents and her Princess Poppy is a cheery, boisterous, bundle of little joy. I enjoyed her troll rendition of "The Sound of Silence". There is good chemistry between Kendrick and Timberlake even though you never see them and they probably recorded the voices for their characters separately.I appreciate the film tries to keep itself simple at its core rather than try for overt messages and become a mess in the third act (ahem, Zootopia).

While the film has fun moments I think there is a slight overabundance of characters and not enough purpose for many of them. The film doesn't ever really reach to spectacular levels and stays safe. Can't argue with that as its a kids film. The film has more than enough song and dance, quirk, and vibrancy going around to make children love it. It provides enough of the sweet and happy to keep the young ones entertained. However, if you are like me and looking for something special to write home about, this is not the picture for it.

6/10

 

Bad Santa (2016)

 Bad Santa 2

 

Who asks for these sequels that come decades later? Was there a band of Bad Santa fans who were petitioning for a sequel all these years later? I don't remember the original film too well as I saw it way back when but I remember it for having a purpose on top of being known for being raunchy and crude. At the time having an adult themed Christmas film was great as there weren't many around and that film was smart and full of laughs. Bad Santa 2 is nowhere near as good, its just BAD. And pointless.

The film starts off with Willie Soke being a drunken mess (as usual). As he tries to kill himself he is soon reunited with Thurman and Marcus. This time there's a twist as he must work with his estranged mother to steal money from a charity. Sound interesting? It's not. A lot of the film is phoned in. For the most part the script is lazy and uninteresting its like everyone just rushed through the film. While the film does just go through the motions I liked Kathy Bates in this. She's always a terrific actress and she was easily one of the best parts of the film.

The jokes are X-rated as expected but just not bad. Most of the jokes revolve around genitalia and sex as expected. Nothing wrong with vulgar and offensive humor if it actually makes you laugh and is in a film that keeps your attention. Hardly any of them hit though. I'm a fan of Christina Hendricks but she was a one dimensional love interest for Billy Bob Thornton. There's just no dimension in this film. The lines just feel like they were written before hand just to be fit in at random intervals of the film. I'm not the biggest fan of Christmas films as there are probably only 3 or 4 that really resonate with me, but I know a good one when I see one. Avoid this at all costs. Just watch the original and long for Bernie Mac instead. I'll be generous with the rating because its the holidays.

5/10

The Birth of a Nation (2016)

The Birth of a Nation (2016)

When I first heard about this film I thought it would be a remake of the film from the early 1900's. Having seen that film I was wondering how a film that sympathizes with the KKK could get remade in this day and age. Upon figuring out it was a different film based on Nat Turner's rebellion and slave uprising I was cautious but interested to see what we would get. These types of films about a dark time in the country's past could easily turn into films that intentionally play the emotion card and don't have substance that can elevate the film elsewhere. This film also suffered a giant and negative downturn with Nate Parker's rape allegations came to light right before the release of the film. There was a theory that all that negativity (which was well deserved) hurt the film as an award season contender. The controversy surrounding the film completely buried any buzz it could have generated. Having now seen the film I can say that the film is not worthy of award season praise, has a few flaws but overall had enjoyable moments.

The subject matter is heavy handed, of course. Nate Parker isn't the greatest actor but he does well playing a slave preacher who becomes demoralized and outraged by the treatment of black people. The film features a slow build, almost too conservative. I'd say the film is ultimately uneven. Nat's youth is covered in minor detail and you quickly shift to his adult years. A lot of the beginning feels inconsequential. And when a shocking event occurs in the film, it seems a bit glazed over (the rape in the film). The pace picks up in the middle when Nat's owner attacks and whips him but then stalls again. At this point, we want to see the rebellion. I also could do without the visions that Nat' experiences throughout the film. They seem artistic and seem to convey a message, but what is the message? Nat and young Nat meeting each other in a primitive state in the forest? Some of it just seems to be there for the sake of being there.

Once you edge towards the rebellion, its great. However, its too short. The action is violent, unforgiving, and relentless but then its gone. I wanted larger focus on the rebellion; if done right it could have been great. There's a sense of longing in many places but I can't fault a first time filmmaker too much for that. Prior to the film I absolutely expected the inclusion of the song "Strange Fruit" and no doubt it was there. It was used well with powerful images of the bodies of lynched slaves. The eventual final moments of Nat Turner are also done quite well. His fate is unfortunate but he is accepting of his legacy.

I don't think the film satisfied me entirely. There are moments that absolutely could have been improved upon but ultimately I think Nat Turner's rebellion is an important moment in our countries history and his story should be told. I think the approach could have been much better but we get a fairly good presentation of a really important matter. There are better films out there that cover stories of slavery with more conviction.

7/10

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

 

Deepwater Horizon

Peter Berg is a fairly streaky director. He's had some pretty bad films (both Hancock and Battleship) come to mind but then again Lone Survivor was not bad and had some gripping action. I think Berg is in a place where he trusts an actor and trusts the formula of bringing a real life event to the screen. That's basically where Mark Wahlberg and his past, present and future film is (Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon, and Patriots Day). As mentioned earlier Lone Survivor's depiction of war and the action based cinematography kept your eyes glued to the screen, so how would the followup film stack up?

The trailers for the film were not interesting. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill and explosion was obviously a disaster and a sad event but was it worth a film? The build to the events of the disaster are slow. You sit through a lot of the jargon of the oil drilling world. I'd say its easy to lose interest in the first third of the film, especially if you don't get invested in the film's characters. You also have to sit through some bad accents (which is a pet peeve of mine). The films got a fairly good cast to boot and for the most part there are no faults acting wise. Gina Rodriguez was convincing, I haven't seen anything with her previously but she delivered. I also liked Kate Hudson in the small doses of the film that she appears in. She seemed like a raw character who was genuinely afflicted with her husbands situation and the up in the air nature of his safety really showed through in the emotion of her character.

I'm a fan of Mark Wahlberg. He doesn't always choose the best projects but he might be on to something co-oping with Peter Berg for a few films. You won't complain about Wahlberg being the hero here. Once the disaster occurs the pace picks up which is a good and bad thing. I'd say the first act was not very engaging and sort of set the tone for the rest of the film. The action depiction is great. There are moments of it that will captivate you and depending on who you are you will be moved with the raw emotionality depicted in the film. Be warned though, that the event is prolonged so there's not much else going on outside of the event. I saw a lot of similar camerawork from Berg in this and Lone Survivor. The camera at times seems to be a spectator just set as a fly on the wall for the events. The camerawork also becomes frenetic and pacy, which adds to the atmosphere set by the very scary and unpredictable event.

Once the disaster occurs and the film really starts rolling, there is decent satisfaction. I thought this film was better than I hoped, which is really much better than my expectations going in. However, its not a perfect film and can't stay wholly engaging. Worth a watch for the peeps who like Berg/Wahlberg or are fascinated by the event. Otherwise, your response to this film may (much like mine) be rather indifferent.

6/10

 

La La Land (2016)

La La Land 

 

All I needed was one whiff of the original trailer for this film (accompanied by Gosling's "City of Stars") and I was in love. I really loved Damien Chazelle's Whiplash. I'm generally a fan of films driven by music and that film was a great student v. teacher scenario. However, this was on another level and felt so honed. There are so many things about this picture that I want to applaud and I know that if I watched it again I could probably write another essay on a set of different things about this that I enjoyed.

From the very opening scene, the films aura is set. The musical numbers are expertly choreographed and the multitude of vibrant colors are present very often. Some of the scenes are just so gorgeous and pulsating. There are scenes where the backdrop of LA looks magnificent. The original songs are very good. Even if you do not appreciate a particular song, you will love the busy work on the screen. There is something going on in every frame; your eyes will be glued to something. "City of Stars" is such a catchy tune. I wasn't surprised that Ryan Gosling was able to sing and perform on the piano as I'm a big fan of that hunk and know he has his own band. Apparently, he learned the piano for this film which is insane (especially if he played the piano for all of his scenes). You would think he's been at it for years. I think there is good chemistry between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. Emma Stone's character is identifiable. She's the prototype of someone who has high ambitions, passion, and is unsure of whether others would feel the same way. I found this very real. There's an inherent theme of having a dream and how much hard work is involved in succeeding in that dream. Its tough to accomplish the dream because not everyone will feel the same way or identify with what you are doing. At times you have to take the practical road in life. However, if you stay on course for your passion you may achieve something down the road. This resonated so much for me and I loved it, but I don't want to get stuck in talking about that. Before I go off another tangent, let me just say that this was the best performance by Emma Stone yet. Both leads had to show a bit of versatility for this film and they did very well.

I'd say there's not much else going on with the other characters outside of the two leads. The spotlight is on Gosling and Stone the entire time and I liked it that way. The set  designs within the film were eye popping and beautiful to look at. A lot of this film is a love letter to Hollywood. You see it in the Ingrid Bergman, the Marilyn Monroe painting, and other places throughout the film. The film is essentially a tribute and revival of 50's Hollywood, which is another reason why I really liked this film. The musical genre is sort of dying in Hollywood (much like jazz in real life and in the film). I did not like jazz growing up, until I took an intro to jazz class in college and started appreciating the art form. So much goes into jazz, its improvisation, and I appreciated the pioneers of the genre who paved the way of not only other musicians of the genre but popular musicians in other genres to follow. I loved that Gosling's character was enamored with jazz and its history. The two leads are so passionate about what they love (another thing that resonated for me). The mix of music and cinema blended so well together.

The last twenty or so minutes of the film honestly floored me and I really wouldn't change any of it. I think a lot of people will enjoy this film. From a technical standpoint I think this is definitely the Best Picture frontrunner. It doesn't have that heavy handed emotionally dramatic plot that the Academy loves but everything else about it screams the favorite for the Oscar. Chazelle did a fantastic job of mixing his love for jazz music and film and finding symmetry with this film. I'd have to compile a list of the best films of the year but this will be somewhere near the very top. Very pleased with La La Land.

One final thing, my man crush on Ryan Gosling has grown tenfold. The guy can rock a suit better than anyone in Hollywood and is as charming as they get.

9/10

Suicide Squad (2016)

   Suicide Squad

With the Bluray of this film recently released, I decided to give the extended edition a rewatch. My initial thoughts about this film were not great as I thought a lot of the film was a mess. After rewatching the film again, my opinion of the film has not changed all that much. Be warned that this film will have potential spoilers and you should not read on if you don’t want parts of the film spoiled.

I wouldn’t say I’m a huge comic book fan but I do prefer DC to Marvel. I’m mostly a Wonder Woman fan but I want to see Batman films done right as well. While I wasn’t a giant detractor of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the film could certainly have been better. I hold out hope that the Justice League film and Wonder Woman film can lift the DC Universe because Suicide Squad sure as hell did not.

The first problem I had with the film was the exposition of the squad’s back story. Exposition is okay in doses and if its done correctly. This film has an awkward set up of it at a restaurant. The editing throughout the film is frenetic and erratic but its at its worst during the back stories. Also the character exposition is uneven. Deadshot and Harley Quinn get the most time. Its understandable because they are the main faces of the squad but its hard to really know the motivations or anything about the other characters when they have virtually no backstory or interesting element. Why did Captain Boomerang carry a pink unicorn around? Characters like Katana and Killer Croc are barely developed at all. Killer Croc seemed like a walking stereotype with bad lines. Characters are just thrown into this film, Slipknot was so useless and ultimately pointless. A lot of things felt pointless.

Initially I thought Will Smith would Will Smith the hell out of this film but he did alright. I am not a fan of Margot Robbie at all but apparently she played a Harley Quinn that was faithful to the comics. Fair enough. I cringed at many 9nearly all) of her lines but maybe that was more a character thing more than a script issue. There is plenty of bad dialogue going around in the film. A lot of it is awkward. Viola Davis is a great Amanda Waller; she always performs well. I am not that big on Jai Courtney in other films but honestly he was alright in this and had a few good moments. I didn’t have a problem with Jared Leto’s Joker as many others did but I think their criticisms are valid. Heath Ledger’s Joker was phenomenal and will never be duplicated, so I applaud Leto for putting a different spin on the role and trying to make it work.

Plot progression is uneventful (for lack of a better word). The squad get assembled literally walk a few streets in the night and then they are at the villains location. Its like nothing happened except flashbacks and bits of action here and there. The middle section suffers from a few boring stretches. The villain(s) are not memorable and look too CG’ed. The flashbacks in real time during the boss battle was annoying too. I’m surprised at how bad this is because David Ayer is better than this. Fury and End of Watch were great and gritty war dramas and cop dramas respectively. He’s also a good writer so I don’t know what went wrong here. Was it the studio involvement that caused this film to be such a mess? This was such a disappointment for DC. The extended scenes don’t add enough to make the film a little better. The Diablo reveal bothered me. He burns down the house with his family in it and then in the final battle we see him morph into a fire demon or something. So random and convenient. I would have shown him morph into the demon back in the house when he burned it down, like show a shadow on the wall of it happened just to foreshadow the real monster within him. Did I talk about the soundtrack yet? Yes its a collection of great songs but they are so randomly placed in the film and do not fit the tone of the film at all. The film struggles to really find a tone anyways.

I still think this film is a mess and kind of regret buying the Bluray. I may end up selling it because I really don’t think it was worth the money or the rewatch. DC better get their act together and deliver on Wonder Woman, that film NEEDS to be good.

5/10

American Honey (2016)

 

American Honey

Been anticipating this film ever since I've heard of it. This is a well made coming of age film of sorts about hopeless youth who are on the go. The film really reminded me of Kids but with stronger focus on its core character and her experience. It also reminded me a bit of Spring Breakers so maybe its a Harmony Korine thing. Sasha Lane stars as Star, a young drifter on the run who stumbles across a gang of people who travel in a van and are in "sales" and getting money where they can to get by. You're immediately curious about Star's previous life and experiences but you start in the moment and go on the road with her. Sasha Lane is just starting and I'm curious as to what her story is because this role was second nature to her. She's great. Love him or hate him, Shia LaBeouf can be a force on the screen. He is most certainly one in this film. There is a charismatic nature to his character and his relationship with Star (through the rage and love) is very entertaining to watch. I wish there was more of Riley Keough in this. I'm a huge fan of her after seeing her in the very excellent The Girlfriend Experience and she was the main attraction for me to this film. I may be biased but she steals the scenes she's in. The confederate bikini and oil rub scene in the motel room is fantastic.

The film has some other really beautiful scenes. Star and Jake sitting on top of the car as the wind blows and the bright lights pass by; its so wonderful. The stage is set in southern America and you get a real sense of that world on every pit-stop. Not all the character's in the gang are fleshed out in this near three hour film but its hardly a detriment as not many of them are necessarily memorable. The film is heavy on soundtrack which makes sense as you take a car trip through the eyes of Star as she goes from place to place. The scenes during the day always look like its almost sunset. I think it adds to the grittiness and roughness of the American South. The camera is mostly personal and very zoomed on Star so you get to see the world through her first hand experience. I saw a message of how tough it is to set your life straight in a hard world and having to do whatever it takes to get by  on a day to day basis. I think at its heart Andrea Arnold's film can be interpreted in a few ways but I saw it as the story of a down out of luck girl who will do whatever it takes to survive. Star potentially puts herself in dangerous situations in the film but she's just fearless throughout. Which takes me back to the curiosity of her past. To me, she's unfazed with what she's exposed to and can adapt very well. Once she realizes she can make it there's a moment of beauty as she takes whatever comes her way. She's always setting animals (and other people) free in this film  because she seeks to set herself free.

The first thing I'd recommend is not to be daunted by the running length of the film. Also  be prepared for more of a visual, sonic, and spiritual experience over a film that's plot heavy and focused. I enjoyed it just as much as I thought I would.

8/10

When The Bough Breaks (2016)

When The Bough Breaks

Here's a film of 2016 that didn't seem to gain a lot of traction. First thing that came to mind while viewing the film is that it felt so much like Fatal Attraction. I think Fatal Attraction may be the quintessential film about a psychotic woman who tries to ruin the relationship of a man she's obsessed with. In recent years, we have seen a trend of very similar films. Hollywood has a lot of films that are similar in form, which is perfectly fine. The trick is to not be too formulaic and offer something that will commit itself to memory. Films will obviously draw upon previous influences, they just need to be of substantial quality and be able to stand on its own merit. Unfortunately, I can not say this about When the Bough Breaks.

The premise of the film involves a young attractive woman, who decides to be the surrogate mother for a couple who cannot conceive. She also seems to be the victim of domestic violence, which further contributes to the affection of the couple. little do they know that she has ulterior motives that involve seducing the husband and tearing the family apart. The plot is interesting enough on paper but the delivery was all over the place. The film feels like something you would see on the Lifetime network. The dialogue at times seems simple and amateurish, writing isn't always up to par, parts of the plot drop in pace leading to an uneven feeling of plot progression. The film struggles to find its pace and I felt like the tone of the film kept shifting. Parts of it are drama, other parts feel like a romantic thriller, and then it diverts into a horror. This isn't a bad thing but you could just tell the filmmaker had a hard time keeping the film even.

I thought the acting was fairly solid. Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, and Jaz Sinclair all did well with what they were given. The film just ended up being too predictable and formulaic. Never was I genuinely shocked by something that happened. Having a psycho surrogate mother was a different twist on something that we see a lot but it doesn't do enough to make the film memorable or remarkable. There are some nice scenes, like when Sinclair lays on the floor donning her seductive red dress, however the film doesn't push the erotic boundaries. I think this was due to the PG-13 rating of the film. You won't leave this film thinking much about it, its a decent watch for when you are bored but not worth much more thought or consideration.

5/10

Manchester By The Sea (2016)

Manchester By The Sea

Kenneth Lonergan is a name that I didn't recognize because I've never seen any of his work. So basically for me, this film came out of the blue. Its getting early award buzz especially for Casey Affleck in the lead role. And I've got to say, its well deserved. The film is shot in and around Massachusetts, which genuinely looks beautiful in the film. Even the scenes involving winter just looked so gorgeous, serene, and real. Real is a word I think springs to mind for this film because its so genuine and just seems like an everyday story of a guy you might know. Affleck is a great actor, I enjoy a lot of his work. There was no way I was going to be let down by his performance. Its so effortless;  Affleck just embodies the role of a distant loner of a man who is surrounded by grief. New responsibilities come upon him with the death of his brother. He isn't just haunted by this event in the present but also by harrowing events of his past. Affleck's Lee Chandler gets a character study that never tries to be overbearing with its emotion. Yet there's pain in his eyes throughout the film.

Lonergan uses flashbacks throughout the film, which seems to be a popular (yet prosperous) form of storytelling. Events of Chandler's past are intertwined with the present. The film does enough of a job of showing why this troubled, down out of luck man, is overcome by the tragic circumstances of his life. Michelle Williams is not in this film for long but she is great in a spectacular scene with Affleck in its third act. Even Lucas Hedges is great in the film. Hedges and Affleck's interactions bring the humor in what should be an otherwise dark film (but it really isn't). Without spoiling anything, there are two scenes that pack a punch and they both are very short. I don't think this film treads any brand new ground but it does what it needs to do and it does it very well. I've been wrong about Oscar predictions in the past but surely Affleck is the frontrunner for Best Actor.

8/10

Snake Eyes (1998)

Snake Eyes

I have watched Brian De Palma films here and there for years, but it wasn't until recently where I really immersed myself in his filmography. Body Double is the one to beat, a phenomenal erotic thriller that stays in your head weeks after. Dressed to Kill and Passion are also top notch works that have such memorable sequences. Snake Eyes is not as erotic as the aforementioned films (although Carla Gugino is wildly ravishing in the film), however its a fun thrill ride. De Palma delves into a conspiracy involving a murder at a boxing event. Nicolas Cage is the detective at the event who is tasked with solving the crime. There are twists and turns in the film that keep the film going. The reveal occurs early but it wasn't a problem as there was much to enjoy. The cinematography is top notch; De Palma is excellent at this. There are first person view points, flashbacks, overhead shots going from room to room. Its all done with craft. The film isn't a magnificent marvel of cinema, however De Palma knows how to keep the film flowing. Cage as an overacting detective brings life to the film. Lets face it, we love when Nicolas Cage is like that. There are parts of the plot that could have been changed for a bit more coherency but its not much to complain about. Stay tuned all the way through to the end of the credits.

Overall, De Palma is a great filmmaker. What I really appreciate about him is his ability to branch out and try different types and styles of film. He's had some misses throughout the years but its safe to say Snake Eyes really isn't one of them. 

7/10 

The Neon Demon (2016)

 

The Neon Demon

I've already seen this twice and went to see it on opening day because I knew I would love it. Very pleased with the film. Right from the opening credits and the first shot of Elle, I was drawn in. Touches of Refn everywhere. As usual the soundtrack and film score are ace. The lights and color in the film are so in your face, absolutely gorgeous to watch. As expected, characters and plot depth is sacrificed for the atmosphere that is set in the film. It really works though. Characters are meant to be shallow, they are pretty models in a cutthroat environment of the fashion/modeling industry. Its a survival of the fittest environment, where the new cat comes along and threatens the survival of the more seasoned models, with her simplistic beauty and innocence that everyone just fawns over. I got some real Black Swan vibes from the general plot and grim nature underneath something meant to be pretty. In this world of "beauty" there is some serious visceral horror. Love how the seediness of Los Angeles is captured, as exemplified by the dull sleazy looking motel. I'm not sure everyone will love it. I can see many people disliking it. There were some shock horror bits I could have done without that I feel got included for the sake of the shock value. I can't complain much about it though because it fits right in the psychotic realm of the film.

Could the characters have used more development? Yes. I think it would change the experience though. Also it would spoil what the film leads towards. First half of the film is just visually beautiful and alluring. The next half I'd say the horror of it really kicks in and everything comes at you fast. Overall, as far as Refn films go I'd say Drive is still his best (and will be hard to top) but TND was for me much better than the others I've seen. 

The Light Between Oceans (2016)

                             
                                                           The Light Between Oceans

This film went about how I expected it to go. its got quite a riveting cast. Was curious to see how Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender would fare together seeing as their real life relationship sparked from this film. Both have great chemistry and are always reliable to bring  a wonderful performance. I think the problems for this film really come from execution of the plot. The running time is quite long therefore the film seems slowly focused and paced slowly. Its hard not to feel inconsequential about some of the stuff that happens in the film. I think Derek Cianfrance is a good filmmaker but inconsistent with his delivery. Blue Valentine is a fantastic film start to finish, that depicts a volatile relationship in the present day intertwined with the love in the relationship at an earlier time. The Place Beyond the Pines worked because of a strong first act involving Ryan Gosling but limped to the finish line. I never really got so invested in these characters or their plight and the film just doesn't offer as much as something like Blue Valentine died. Not all is bad though. The film is obviously well acted, well shot (especially the scenes overlooking the ocean, and seems faithful as a period piece. At the end of the day though there isn't enough 'light' in the film.

6.5/10

 

Arrival (2016)

                                                                         Arrival
I think I get swept away with the hype I've seen from others because I thought this was slightly disappointing. Not a bad film but I wanted better. The film starts off very well, I got a great sense of grief and something foreboding and the excellent score and build really helped with that. Just about the time of the reveal and on I think the pace of it dropped. I appreciate the language aspect/symbol element of what went on but it was long and not always interesting. I liked the end though. Without going into detail of what happened the film's form of narrative is worth praising especially as the credits roll. Pacing is not always perfect in the film. Sci-fi lovers will probably love this film but I think its predecessors do it better. Definitely worth a watch but not over the moon about all of it. Denis Villeneauve is excellent at setting a dark and inquisitive atmosphere in this film much like some of his previous work. I'd still say Enemy is his best effort but I look forward to seeing his next outing.

7/10

The Edge of Seventeen (2016)

 

The Edge of Seventeen 

Honestly, I'm not the biggest fan of coming of age films. Some work really well and others do not portray a realistic experience of an experience of growing up. This just about met my expectations and was enjoyable. Hailee Steinfeld is great in it, perfectly plays the awkward and angsty teen. Its a female's perspective of the dramas of a teenage high school life but god its relatable. I think most people will relate to it somehow. Whether its the strained relationship with a parent, the best friend who becomes the backstabber, the perfect older sibling, or the awkwardness of romance and trying to fit in in high school; there's something there for everybody. Laughed a lot more in this film than I thought I would. The dramatic moments don't always mesh well with the comedy but its forgivable. The best parts of the film is the interactions between Steinfeld and Harrelson. I wish there was more of it in the film. The one notable omission was not putting Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen" in the film. Was very much expecting it. 

8/10

Nocturnal Animals

                                                              Nocturnal Animals

I recall enjoying Ford's A Single Man but not on a level where its something I wanted to go back to Having seen A Single Man a while ago, I couldn't remember much about it. Therefore I was not familiar with Tom Ford's style. Thus, I was impressed with this film and the style of storytelling. The film is told with three stories that are interwoven and it switches back and forth very often. Each of the timelines/universes are not only intriguing but have you wide eyed and ready to see more. Its sleek at times when set in the modern day and manages to become a Western Texas thriller when it switches to the written novel story. The performances are great, which is what you'd expect from a cast of this caliber. Adams and Gyllenhaal are great but this is the best I've seen from Aaron Taylor-Johnson. His portrayal of a trouble making Southern man bordering on psychopathy is quite astounding. Michael Shannon is always great in what he does and this was no exception, hes definitely more subdued in this because we all know he has the ability to go to level 11. Even got Nightcrawler psycho vibes from a certain scene from Jake in this. While this was a very fun and absorbing film I wanted another twenty minutes and was a bit unsatisfied and left wanting from the end. However, upon further reflection that ending is quite brilliant. I can't talk about it without spoiling but this film certainly needs a second watch for its imagery and connectivity between its stories. Its layered, so it'll be a joy to decipher.


8/10

Lion (2016)

                                                                         Lion 

I am a massive fan of  of Rooney Mara but she's honestly nowhere near any of the top reasons why I enjoyed this (and she's not in it that much). I don't think this film will be for everybody because it is meant to be emotional and can seem like award season bait. "Oscar bait" as you'd call it comes out later in the year and they tend to be films that attempt to tap into your emotions. I truly enjoyed this film though, way more than I thought I would. This is basically a much better version of Slumdog Millionaire. Slumdog is honestly a bit of a mess, uninspired, and doesn't feel realistic. This (obviously based on a true story) is more or less a rags to riches story as well that is set in India and then shifts to Australia. The lead character lives in poverty with his mother and siblings and gets separated one night when he falls asleep on a train. He travels to areas in Calcutta where he struggles to understand Bengali and does not remember enough details to get home. He eventually ends up being adapted and has a successful life but then longs to find his family. It might be from being fresh out of the theater but I was quite emotionally attached to the protagonists quest to find his family. There are things that could be improved from a storytelling perspective, especially with the lack of focus on the adopted brother and his relationship with Nicole Kidman's character. I'll let it slide though because it was a fulfilling experience watching this film.  I Also one could argue that Dev Patel's character's struggle with trying to find his family was drawn out. Not that its a bad thing. The real life Saroo spend many years struggling with his dual identity and longing to find out where his biological family is. I know this might not get a lot of Award season love but I hope it at least gets nominated for Best Picture, and Best Adapted Screenplay. You'll be emotionally moved by the credits.