The End of the tour: You don't have to know anything about the late author David Foster Walkace to enjoy this film that does a nic job to getting to the heart and humanity of an author who is being interviewed by a Rolling Stone reporter played by Jesse Eisenberg. At about an hour and ten minutes the conversation between the two men starts to run its course a bit, but Jason Segel gives a career changing performance as David Foster Wallace. While it's doubtful, it'd be nice to see him recognized when Oscar nominations come out. 7 out of 10
Me, Earl and the Dying Girl- While the three main character have interesting relationships in this film, the film itself is pretty basic Sundance indie. There are lots of quirky cliches (like the folksy cool but annoying parents that almost no one in real life has), and the whole premise of the two leads remaking classic films is a flimsy one. The filmmaker should gave trusted that the leads could be interesting characters and telling their stories would have been enough. 6 out of 10
The Wolfpack- here is another film with teenagers remaking movies. This time it's about a group of brothers who are forced by their father to stay holed up in their New York apartment. There should be an interesting story there, but only glimpses of it are told. I did like when the brothers finally got to explore the world outside their apartment, but the film doesn't do much to differentiate between all of the similar looking brothers. 6 out of 10
The Salt of the earth- Sebastião Salgado is a great photographer, and here he talks about how his beautiful photos as they are displayed on this screen this documentary is like watching someone's vacation slide show. It's dull but very pretty. I basically watched it because it was nominated for an Academ award for best documentary. On a side now that I've seen all 5 nominees from last year. This is how I'd rank them.
5. The Salt of the Earth
4. Last Days of Vietnam
3. CitizenFour
2. Virunga
All of these are underwhelming. I gave them all a 5 or 6. The only documentary from these nominees that I can recommend without reservation is
1. Finding Vivian Maier
Hopefully the Academy will choose a better group of docs this year.
Cinderella- I was surprisingly charmed by this film. This may be the best version of Cinderella I've seen. Even though there are basically no songs, Disney is able to use special effects in a powerful way to show the transformation Cinderella goes through to go to the ball. It also takes a bit of a feminist bend on a story that definitely needs it. My only minor complaints are that the story drags a bit after the ball (but this happens in every adaptation), and I would've liked to have seen Cate Blanchett go more over the top as the step mother. Kenneth Branagh does a nice directing job here. 8 out of 10
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Film Reviews: Slices of American Pie
When something tragic like the Paris attacks and 9/11 happen, the aftermath can bring out the best in humanity. Unfortunately,as I have seen in the last couple weeks, it also does the opposite for some people.
Coincidentally the last two weekends I saw two films that were for good or bad truly unique American stories.
Spotlight directed by Thomas McCarthy is about one of America's (and ultimately the world's) most tragic stories. It is about the cover up that happened to protect priests in Boston (and ultimately the rest of the country and the world) who were sexually abusing children.
The story is interestingly told from the media's point of view which was an interesting choice when you think about how much news media is disliked in modern American society. What I hoped would not happen is that the media would be seen as the perfect savior of these victims. Thankfully this is not that kind of story. The movie doesn't point fingers in one place, but points it's fingers in multiple places and shows there is enough blame to go around even among the films protagonists, the Boston Globe news organization. Ultimately, the movie is brave enough to finally tell the story that desperately needs to be told.
This is a peak in Thomas McCarthy's sparse yet interesting directing career. He has dealt with tough issues in a more folksy way before as he dealt with illegal immigration in the great film The Visitor. This is his first film to take an unflinching look at a tough topic, and he gets away from a few of his indie film quirks. Hopefully what he does here in Spotlight is only the beginning for him.
As for the acting, this is truly an ensemble film and for the most part all of his main characters are able to show something interesting because of the capable actors playing them. Liev Schreiber plays against type in perhaps his quietest least showy role ever. Rachel McAdams is forgiven for the romance/romantic comedy hell she put many through. Her role isnt so much a standout as it shows that she's been capable of so much more than what she was previously given. Hopefully, she will be given that chance. Michael Keaton plays Michael Keaton well here and coming on the heels of losing the Oscar in Birdman, he may get some recognition for this. However, the actor who does the most with his role is not surprisingly Mark Ruffalo who is always great at making roles that are not always written as the most interesting and Making them into something that steals the show.
Spotlight isn't an easy film, but it is a must see. It is one of those films that shows a dark side of our country and hopes that by being reminded of our dark moments in history, we will never let them happen again.
Much less dark is Brooklyn. It's the American immigrant story that we have seen in film many times before . Especially now I can see that it might get criticized for glamorizing and white washing the immigration experience. That would beside the point though as Brooklyn tells the ultimate American Dream folktale through the eyes of an Irish woman played by Saoirse Ronan who played the young manipulating child in the otherwise awful adaptation of Atonement.
The film is an important reminder especially now that America is a nation of immigrants and how dare we build walls and shield ourselves from others who may want their chance to partake in this land of opportunity. It is ultimately not a heavy movie and doesn't need to be to get its message through.
Visually the movie is a beautiful painting. Backdrops, costumes and even eyes are colored with soft yet lush pastel colors. The.performances are also great. There are some nice supporting roles here for Jim Broadbent and especially Julie Walters. Emory Cohen as Tony is likely to breakout big after this very charming role. But it is young Saoirse Ronan who steers the film sometimes with only a
facial expression who deserves the most recognition. She has the potential to have the career of the Meryl Streeps and the Glenn Closes of the world.
Brooklyn is a charming film and it is the kind of film that Hollywood used to make and rarely does anymore. It is the kind of film that makes the viewer want to soar.
Spotlight 9 out of 10
Brooklyn 9 out of 10
Other great films that show the dark side of religious power: The Magdalene Sisters, Doubt, The Boys of St. Vincent, Priest, and Deliver Us from Evil
Other great film about the American immigration experience: The Visitor, A Better Life, In America, House of Sand and Fog, and The Namesake.
Coincidentally the last two weekends I saw two films that were for good or bad truly unique American stories.
Spotlight directed by Thomas McCarthy is about one of America's (and ultimately the world's) most tragic stories. It is about the cover up that happened to protect priests in Boston (and ultimately the rest of the country and the world) who were sexually abusing children.
The story is interestingly told from the media's point of view which was an interesting choice when you think about how much news media is disliked in modern American society. What I hoped would not happen is that the media would be seen as the perfect savior of these victims. Thankfully this is not that kind of story. The movie doesn't point fingers in one place, but points it's fingers in multiple places and shows there is enough blame to go around even among the films protagonists, the Boston Globe news organization. Ultimately, the movie is brave enough to finally tell the story that desperately needs to be told.
This is a peak in Thomas McCarthy's sparse yet interesting directing career. He has dealt with tough issues in a more folksy way before as he dealt with illegal immigration in the great film The Visitor. This is his first film to take an unflinching look at a tough topic, and he gets away from a few of his indie film quirks. Hopefully what he does here in Spotlight is only the beginning for him.
As for the acting, this is truly an ensemble film and for the most part all of his main characters are able to show something interesting because of the capable actors playing them. Liev Schreiber plays against type in perhaps his quietest least showy role ever. Rachel McAdams is forgiven for the romance/romantic comedy hell she put many through. Her role isnt so much a standout as it shows that she's been capable of so much more than what she was previously given. Hopefully, she will be given that chance. Michael Keaton plays Michael Keaton well here and coming on the heels of losing the Oscar in Birdman, he may get some recognition for this. However, the actor who does the most with his role is not surprisingly Mark Ruffalo who is always great at making roles that are not always written as the most interesting and Making them into something that steals the show.
Spotlight isn't an easy film, but it is a must see. It is one of those films that shows a dark side of our country and hopes that by being reminded of our dark moments in history, we will never let them happen again.
Much less dark is Brooklyn. It's the American immigrant story that we have seen in film many times before . Especially now I can see that it might get criticized for glamorizing and white washing the immigration experience. That would beside the point though as Brooklyn tells the ultimate American Dream folktale through the eyes of an Irish woman played by Saoirse Ronan who played the young manipulating child in the otherwise awful adaptation of Atonement.
The film is an important reminder especially now that America is a nation of immigrants and how dare we build walls and shield ourselves from others who may want their chance to partake in this land of opportunity. It is ultimately not a heavy movie and doesn't need to be to get its message through.
Visually the movie is a beautiful painting. Backdrops, costumes and even eyes are colored with soft yet lush pastel colors. The.performances are also great. There are some nice supporting roles here for Jim Broadbent and especially Julie Walters. Emory Cohen as Tony is likely to breakout big after this very charming role. But it is young Saoirse Ronan who steers the film sometimes with only a
facial expression who deserves the most recognition. She has the potential to have the career of the Meryl Streeps and the Glenn Closes of the world.
Brooklyn is a charming film and it is the kind of film that Hollywood used to make and rarely does anymore. It is the kind of film that makes the viewer want to soar.
Spotlight 9 out of 10
Brooklyn 9 out of 10
Other great films that show the dark side of religious power: The Magdalene Sisters, Doubt, The Boys of St. Vincent, Priest, and Deliver Us from Evil
Other great film about the American immigration experience: The Visitor, A Better Life, In America, House of Sand and Fog, and The Namesake.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
My Top 20 Showstopping Singalong Musicals
This is not to be confused with my favorite musicals of all time. For example Next to Normal would be high on that list, but it's not exactly a sing a long musical so it's not on this list. To qualify the show had to have three or more strong sing a long songs. Jukebox musicals like Mamma Mia and American Idiot and musicals based on musical movies like Beauty and the Beast and Grease were not eligible.
20.. Guys and Dolls
Three best singalong songs: Three best singalong songs: Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat, Adelaide's Lament, I've never been in love before.
19. Sound of Music (perhaps one of the mst overrated musicals, but it does have some strong songs)
My Favorite Things, Climb Every Mountain, Edelweiss
18. Hairspray
Good Morning Baltimore, You Can't Soo the Beat, I Can Hear the Bells.
17. Annie
Tomorrow, It's a hard knock life and Maybe
16. Sunset Boulevard
As if we never said Goodbye, The Lady's Paying and With One Look
15. My Fair Lady
I could've danced all night, On the street where you live, Wouldn't it be loverly.
14. Matilda
Naughty, When I grow up, My House
13. The King and I
Something Wonderful, I Have Dreamed, I Whistle a Happy Tune.
12. Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Wig in a Box, Midnight Radio, and Wicked Little Town
11. Phantom of the Opera
The show itself I don't think too much of, but it has a lot of great songs. AllI Ask if You, Music of the Night, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.
The Top 10
10. Avenue Q.
There's a fine fine line, Everyone's a little bit racist, if you were gay
9. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
A Little Priest, Not While I'm Around, By The Sea
8. A Chorus Line
Nothing, At the Ballet, What I Did for Love
7. Evita
This is where I start having a hard time choosing only three. Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Don't Cry for me Argentina, Rainbow High
6. Cabaret
Cabaret, Maybe this time, Willkommen
5. Wicked
The top 5 get five songs each. Popular, Defying Gravity, For Good, I'm not that girl, No one mourns the Wicked.
4. West Side Story
Somewhere, America, A Boy Like That/I Have a Love, I feel Pretty, One Hand OneHeart. Even choosing just 5 was hard.
3. Into the Woods
No one is alone, Moments in the Woods, I know things now, Giants in the sky, Stay with me
2. Rent
La Vie Boheme, Light my Candle, I'll Cover You, Tango Maureen, What You Own
1. Les Misérables
The perfect musical except when Javert sings. It gets ten songs! I dreamed a dream, Master of the House, Do You Hear The People Sing, one Day More, On my own, A little fall of rain, Empty Chaurs at Empty Tables, bring Him Home, Fantine's Death: Come to Me, Valjean's Death: Finale
7. Evita
This is where I start having a hard time choosing only three. Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Don't Cry for me Argentina, Rainbow High
6. Cabaret
Cabaret, Maybe this time, Willkommen
5. Wicked
The top 5 get five songs each. Popular, Defying Gravity, For Good, I'm not that girl, No one mourns the Wicked.
4. West Side Story
Somewhere, America, A Boy Like That/I Have a Love, I feel Pretty, One Hand OneHeart. Even choosing just 5 was hard.
3. Into the Woods
No one is alone, Moments in the Woods, I know things now, Giants in the sky, Stay with me
2. Rent
La Vie Boheme, Light my Candle, I'll Cover You, Tango Maureen, What You Own
1. Les Misérables
The perfect musical except when Javert sings. It gets ten songs! I dreamed a dream, Master of the House, Do You Hear The People Sing, one Day More, On my own, A little fall of rain, Empty Chaurs at Empty Tables, bring Him Home, Fantine's Death: Come to Me, Valjean's Death: Finale
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