It's the holiday time, and that means a lot of family fare. When one thinks of family fare, animated films certainly come to mind. We've seen many films, "The Peanuts Movie" is still in the theaters as I write this, but Pixar Animation Studios has brought us yet another gem, and it shines in the form of "The Good Dinosaur".
This film asks the generations-age question: What if the asteroid that forever changed life on Earth missed the planet completely and giant dinosaurs never became extinct? In this epic journey into the world of dinosaurs, an amiable young Apatosaurus named Arlo (Raymond Ochoa) loses his father (Jeffrey Wright) during a storm and Poppa is swept away by a vicious river current stranding Arlo in a frightening new place far from his home. While traveling through a harsh and mysterious landscape, he befriends a prehistoric human child known as Spot (Jack Bright) along the way, and ultimately ends up learning the power of confronting his fears and discovers what he is truly capable of.
Others to round out the cast are Frances McDormand as Momma, Marcus Schribner as Buck, Arlo's brother, Maleah Niray-Padilla as Young Libby, Arlo's Sister, Steve Zahn as Thunderclap, Mandy Freund as Downpour, Steven Clay Hunter as Coldfront, A.J. Buckley as Nash, Anna Paquin as Ramsey, Sam Elliott as Butch and Peter Sohn as Forrest Woodbush.
This was whimsically directed by Peter Sohn ("Partly Cloudy" (short) '09). Considering this is Sohn's first theatrical film in the director's chair, this was executed in ways that were amazing. These characters simply came alive assuredly as the story progressed. This filmmaker has done quite a bit of acting which certainly hasn't hurt his ability to direct. It was penned beautifully by Meg LeFauve based on a story by Sohn, Erik Benson, LeFauve, Kelsey Mann and Bob Peterson which is based on an original concept and development by Peterson. The continuity carried this film through an effortless process where one could just follow the flow of this with such ease. There were a lot of minds involved in the idea of the story, but when the rubber met the road, one writer came out of it credited in the writing, and this is what any studio or producer wants so the production doesn't get bogged down with the 'too many hands in the pot' philosophy. And what can I say about Pixar Animation Studios? You know, the same studio that gave us "Toy Story", "Cars", "Finding Nemo", "Monsters, Inc.", "Inside Out", "Up", and the upcoming "Finding Dory". Every project they touch turns to financial gold, as it should considering the incredible quality.
I've mentioned before and I'll say it again, how do those guys at Pixar do it? How do they create film after film giving us such simple topics and bringing them to life in ways that we would never see, and then after viewing them, walk out of the multiplex and be thinking about them long afterwards? How do they do it?
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG 100mins.
We've seen too many films based on true stories that ranges from politics to sports to musical band icons to actors to dangerous situations. The list is endless, because we and Hollywood have this fascination with fact-based films. Now we have "Trumbo" to throw into the mix to get us caught up in, yet another, fact-based film. One thing about this movie, the subject matter is certainly as original as any film could be out there.
In 1947, Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston) was Hollywood's top screenwriter until he and other artists, namely writer, Arlen Hird (Louis C.K.), Edward G. Robinson (Michael Stuhlbarg) and writer, Ian McLellan Hunter (Alan Tudyk) were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs. This true story recounts how Dalton used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice under the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne (David James Elliott), Kirk Douglas (Dean O'Gorman) and Otto Preminger (Christian Berkel). Even producer, Frank King (John Goodman) was threatened to dump writer Trumbo from his production company or 'else', which he responded in a 'I don't care' attitude. This is one man's struggle and reinventing himself at a time when the societal fear was running rampant.
Others to round out the cast are John Getz as Sam Word, Diane Lane as Cleo Trumbo, Dalton's wife, Roger Bart as Buddy Ross, Elle Fanning as Niki Trumbo, Dalton's daughter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Virgil, Stephen Root as Hymie King, Richard Portnow as Louis B. Mayer and James DuMont as J. Parnell Thomas.
This was interestingly directed by Jay Roach ("Zoo Radio" '90, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" '97, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" '99, "Mystery, Alaska" '99, "Meet the Parents" 2000, "Austin Powers in Goldmember" '02, "Meet the Fockers" '04, "Earth to America" (TV movie) '05, "Recount" (TV movie) '08, "Dinner for Schmucks" '10, "Game Change" (TV movie) '12, "The Campaign" '12). I say interestingly because if you'll notice this filmmaker's resume, most of his experience is in the genre of comedy. Not that there isn't any humorous moments in this, however this is definitely a drama. I'm not sure why the producers risked Roach to such an undertaking, but after seeing this film, Roach proved, in spades, that he was more than up to the task of this script. These characters came alive in just about every scene, albeit the actors are consummate, but this still takes a keen director to pull this off. It was written by John McNamara based on the book, "Dalton Trumbo" by Bruce Cook. This writer has a ton of experience, but all of it is a combination of a few TV movies and episodic TV. Considering this is his first theatrical feature film, this script was amazing. If this is his first big-screen venture, I surely can't wait to see how cutting edge his writing is, say ten years down the road. There were a small amount of descepancies in this, but all in all, this storyline was spot on and the acting, specifically by Cranston in the title role was worth the price of admission. Cranston will undoubtedly be nominated come Oscar time.
As aforementioned, this storyline is certainly original considering all the other films based on true stories, because when we go see movies, and since a good deal of them are based on true events, it would be frosting on the cake to see an extremely interesting storyline which "Trumbo" certainly is.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 124mins.
For years Hollywood has been fascinated with gangster/mafia oriented films, so much so that we could see as many as three or four releases a year easily. With films such as "The Godfather", "Casino", "Goodfellas", even comedies parodying that lifestyle: "The Freshman" and "The Family", and even the recent "Black Mass", Hollywood has cashed in on a subject matter that is rife with material to write upon. With "Legend" to add to that continuing list in tow, will there be an end to these films anytime down the road? Well, as long as they keep making money, most likely the answer to that question would be an overwhelming no.
This tells the true story of identical twin gangsters, Reggie and Ronnie Kray (Tom Hardy), two of the most notorious criminals in British history, and their organized crime empire in the East End of London in the 1960's. Focusing on the relationship between Reggie Kray and Frances Shea (Emily Browning), this is told from Frances' vantage point as someone who knew him best, as well as the mental health issues Ronnie Kray faced and their rise to power using gruesome and unhinged tactics and savvy business acumen to seize control of the city. With cohorts Jack McVitie (Sam Spruell), Nipper Read (Christopher Eccleston), and their finance advisor, Leslie Payne (David Thewlis), Constable Scott (Joshua Hill) certainly has his hands full trying to instill justice and apprehension when it comes to nailing the Kray's to that proverbial wall. With such a difference of character between these brothers, how can they even propel themselves ahead within their empire when they are such odds with each other?
Others to round out the cast are Chazz Palminteri as Angelo Bruno, mob boss from Philadelphia, Tara Fitzgerald as Elsie Shea, Frances' mother, Taron Egerton as Teddy Smith, Paul Anderson as Albert Donoghue, Colin Morgan as Frank Shea, Frances' brother, Nicholas Farrell as Dr. Humphries, Adam Fogerty as Pat Connolly and Mel Raido as Ian Barrie.
This was incredibly well directed by Brian Helgeland ("Payback" '99, "A Knight's Tale" '01, "The Order" '03, "42" '13). This filmmaker is not unfamiliar with biopics, hence "42", and he's not a director that can be pigeon-holed--he's quite eclectic, whether he's directing or writing. Obvious Tom Hardy is an awesome actor, however the nuances Hardy's characters emitted were amazing in that the characters had two very distinct personalities which makes this practically cutting-edge in directing and writing. It was equally well written by Helgeland ("Highway to Hell" '91, "L.A. Confidential" '97, "The Postman" '97, "Payback" '99, "Blood Work" '02, "Mystic River" '03, "Man on Fire" '04, "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3" '09, "Green Zone" '10, "42" '13) plus others. Other than a couple of very small places that seemed to just 'be there' with not much meaning, this script decidedly scored. Helgeland has certainly proven himself time and again--look at the resume above, and with these meaty characters from the 1960's to write about, the sky's the limit. And personally I'm a Tom Hardy fan, but this is certainly one of his best performances to date--played two distinct characters and not get confused is a skilled actor, and he's done some fine work. I smell Oscar buzz all over this film.
This is an intense film, hey, these were not angels in this film, but one needs to see this if for no other reason than for the acting, directing and writing. Even though this is a drama, there are numerous places of humor, mostly because these guys were ludicrous in nature, especially Ronnie Kray. The events in this secured the infamy of the Kray twins, and when one sees this they will see what I'm talking about.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: R 131mins.
Films about sports whether based on fact or fiction has been a constant staple of Hollywood seemingly forever, and even more so, football based films. "Knute Rockne", "Leathernecks", "Any Given Sunday", "The Replacements", even "Heaven Can Wait" are a handful of football films, much less sports films in general. A lot of times, these films have a tendency to inspire us to cheer them on and to maybe give us something to think about in our own lives, so when I realized "My All American" was being released, I noticed that this film certainly gave that feeling of inspiration, and it inspired big time.
What Freddie Steinmark (Finn Wittrock) wants most in the world is to play football. Although he is deemed too small by the usual athletic standards, his father, Fred (Michael Reilly Burke) trains him hard. Freddie brings a fight to the game that ultimately gets him noticed-- by none other than legendary University of Texas coach Darrell Royal (Aaron Eckhart), and is awarded a scholarship and a chance to play for the Longhorns. Freddie sets off to Austin with his loving high school sweetheart, Linda Wheeler (Sarah Bolger), determined to make the team. Alongside his old teammate Bobby Mitchell (Rett Terrell) and his new pal James Street (Juston Street), Freddie was put through the riggers of a grueling practice schedule. The boys' camaraderie off the field translates into solid playing on it, and they rise up the depth charts, giving the Longhorns a real chance to improve upon their mediocre record. But just when they're reveling in the success of the season, Freddie suffers an injury that leads to a shocking diagnosis and the biggest challenge he will ever face. This tells the true story, back in the late 1960's, of a young man who became a hero and what it truly means to have the heart of a champion.
Others to round out the cast are Robin Tunney as Gloria Steinmark, Freddie's mother, Donny Boaz as Super Bill Bradley, Marco Perella as Dr. Martin, Brent Anderson as Coach Mike Campbell, Brett Brock as Coach Emory Bellard, Hector Becerra as Frank Medina and David Stokey as Dr. Jullian.
There been more newbie directors that have come our way within the last 5 to 10 years, and what's more impressive is how many of them have been talented--basically naturals. One such director, Angelo Pizzo, who directed this film is an amazing newcomer to that director's chair. This not only his first theatrical film he's helmed, but his first direction period. These actors were paced and staged well. If this is his first, just think what he may become say, 10 years down the road. This is also well written by Pizzo ("Hoosiers" '86, "Rudy" '93, "The Game of Their Lives" '05). Certainly he's more than qualified to write scripts for sports based films--look at his resume, but the way he delineates his stories, as with this film, is cohesive, and well-structured. Other than a couple of very small choppy areas in script, this screenplay soared. I can't wait to see what sports based film he decides to write next. Eckhart's performance was solid and Wittrock's portrayal of this football hero was electric. This actor is definitely going places--he is an actor to contend with, and after this will undoubtedly receive more work.
This does have a bittersweet ending, but then it is based on a true story, so that being the scenario, to quote Forest Gump, "life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get".
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG 118mins.
Usually franchise films are set aside for the summer months, however since students have a good many days off during the holiday time--Thanksgiving and Christmas, what a better time to release another franchise, which the younger generation seems to gravitate to more than others. This time we have the fourth, count them, the fourth installment of the Hunger Games appropriately titled "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2" as the follow up to last year's Part 1.
As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts by the Capitol, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), the reluctant leader of the rebellion known as the Mockingjay by the president of the rebellion, Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and her advisor, Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), must bring together an army against President Snow (Donald Sutherland), while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.
However, to get to Snow, Katniss must get to District 2 in order to convince those in that district that all must band together to be free of Snow and his cohorts. With this move, Katniss recruits the best to help her: Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth), Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin), Boggs (Mahershala Ali) and even Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson). As they get closer to the Capitol to kill Snow, they end up getting more than they bargained for.
Others to round out the cast are Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen, Katniss' younger sister, Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket, Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, Jeffrey Wright as Beetee, Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, Evan Ross as Mesalla, Elden Henson as Pollux and Wes Chatham as Castor.
This was effortlessly directed by Francis Lawrence ("Constantine" '05, "I Am Legend" '07, "Water for Elephants" '11, "Gotham" (TV movie) '12, "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" '13, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 1" '14). Since the same director directed both Part 1 and 2, it's almost like watching the same film. All actors found their places in character as they did in Part 1, so this couldn't have been a stretch for either director or actors. It was written by Peter Craig and Danny Strong who also wrote Part 1 which, again, made each installment quite similar. Of course, this basically being a continuation of Part 1, the similarity is more forgiving. The franchise has certainly evolved from being about kids from different districts being forced in situations where it's kill or be killed, to becoming part of a rebellion to fight the very one that put them in the Hunger Games scenario. I have to say that this is not the first time we've seen films about a 'resistance' fighting 'big brother' basically--this is just with a slightly different backdrop. Remember the "Divergent" series? Sound familiar? I think you get the picture. The writing wasn't terrible--it was well scripted, just not original in the concept involved here. This being the last of the series, it's nicely tied up with a Hollywood bow, so all can walk out of the multiplex feeling resolved.
If you're into franchises and serial films, then you'll be in filmdom heaven, however if one is looking for substance instead of seasoned actors yawning their way through their roles that they've done for the fourth time since the franchise's inception, then this may be something you may want to avoid.
Out of 4 Stars: 2.5 Rated: PG-13 137mins.
"What Lies Beneath", "Fatal Attraction", "Gone Girl", "Primal Fear". Other than these films were all very intense, what else did they have in common? They all had endings that you just didn't see coming, and in spades! These type of films can be good, but also can appear to be bad. Sometimes it's nice to have plots spelled out for us so we aren't forced to think much, however I believe these formatted films are boring and uninteresting, if for no other reason than that of the element of lack of surprise. Well, if you are looking for the shocker impact, look no more, for it now comes in the package of "Secret in Their Eyes".
A tight-knit team of rising investigators-- Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Jess (Julia Roberts), along with supervisor Claire (Nicole Kidman) is suddenly torn apart when they discover that Jess's teenage daughter, Carolyn (Zoe Graham) has been brutally and inexplicably murdered. Now, thirteen years later, after obsessively searching every day for the elusive killer, Ray finally uncovers a new lead that he's certain can permanently resolve the case, nail the vicious murderer, and bring long-desired closure to his team. No one is prepared, however, for the shocking, unspeakable secret that will reveal the enduring, destructive effects of personal vengeance on the human soul.
This was intensely well directed by Billy Ray ("Shattered Glass" '03, "Breach" '07), in that this filmmaker has an incredible ability to force his characters to walk on eggs to bring home that intense, walking-the-tightrope feel to his projects, He hasn't directed a lot, but what he has done is has carefully chosen so as showcase these developed characters to the max. It was also extremely well written by Ray ("Volcano" '97, "Hart's War" '02, "Shattered Glass" '03, "Flightplan" '05, "Breach" '07, "The Hunger Games" '12, "Captain Phillips" '13) plus others. This film was based on the film, "El secreto de sus ojos" by Juan Jose Campanella and Eduardo Sacheri. Where Ray actually excels is writing screenplays, and as one can see by his resume, he is quite the veteran. Other than a couple of small places of slowness, this storyline will have you riveted. The film works off the format of going from the year, 2002, when Jess's daughter was killed to 13 years later when, after exhaustive research, Ray wants to reopen the case. Then the script goes back again, and this could easily be convoluted by any seasoned, well-honed writer, but Billy Ray took this and ran with it to give us a story that will have you biting your nails. And what can I say about Julia Roberts. This has got to be the best performance by her since "Erin Brockovich" 2000. She didn't just play a grieving mother-- the nuances she conveyed in her character were extremely life-like and realistic. She might be considered come Oscar time as could Ray for writing.
I actually love films where I don't see the twists and turns, which this has several, because the surprise element is like the cherry on top of the sundae. However, if you want everything stamped out for you, then this is probably a film that won't suit you. But hey, give it a try-- these types of films can jolt one in a way that you'll leave the multiplex remembering this for a while later.
Out of 4 Stars: 3.5 Rated: PG-13 111mins.
We've seen many films in which they center the film around wrongs being made right. The list is endless: "The Color Purple", "The Ghosts of Mississippi", "A Time to Kill", "To Kill a Mockingbird", "The Butler", "Selma", "12 Years a Slave", plus many others too numerous to name. In a time of so much racial tension, which is a problem, there are certainly other stories that showcase suppression in our history and one story is in the form of "Suffragette".
London 1912. This drama tracks the story of the foot soldiers of the early feminist movement, women who were forced underground to pursue a dangerous game of cat and mouse with an increasingly brutal State. These women, including Maud Watts (Carey Mulligan), Edith Ellyn (Helena Bonham Carter), Emily Davison (Natalie Press) and Violet Miller (Anne-Marie Duff), were not primarily from the genteel educated classes, they were working women who had seen peaceful protest achieve nothing. Radicalized and turning to violence as the only route to change, they were willing to lose everything in their fight for equality-- their right to vote, their jobs, their homes, their children and their lives. Maud was one such foot soldier. The story of her fight for dignity is as gripping and visceral as any thriller, it is also heart-breaking and inspirational. This story based on true events also begins after a four decades fight for their rights with nothing at this point to show for it.
Others to round out the cast are Ben Whishaw as Sonny Watts, Maud's husband, Meryl Streep as Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of this movement, Romola Garai as Alice Haughton, Brendan Gleeson as Inspector Arthur Steed, Morgan Watkins as Detective Malcolm Walsop, Finbar Lynch as Hugh Ellyn, Edith's husband, Geoff Bell as Norman Taylor and Adam Michael Todd as George Watts, Maud and Sonny's son.
This was incredibly and painstakingly well directed by Sarah Gavron ("This Little Life" (TV movie) '03, "Brick Lane" '07, "Village at the End of the World" (Documentary) '12) plus others. For a director who doesn't have as much experience as this film shows, she is phenomenal. These actors exuded just the right amount of emotion at the exact time that was needed, and sure, these are proven actors, however this clearly showcases the talent of the one directing them. This was equally well written by the incomparable Abi Morgan ("Brick Lane" '07, "Royal Wedding" (TV movie) '10, "Shame" '11, "The Iron Lady" '11, "The Invisible Woman" '13). Truly this writer hasn't got a huge amount of experience, but the experience that's presented is without question some of the finest screenplays in recent filmdom. "The Iron Lady" with Meryl Streep was phenomenal! This writer has to be in great demand in Hollywood today and will, undoubtedly be nominated come Oscar time.
What can I say, the writing, directing and acting was simply amazing, as was the production values. This film obviously has a lot to say, and with this, is a film all should see and experience. We take so much for granted today, and think we have it so hard. Watch this and then turn to an older woman and hug her and say thank-you for what your generation sacrificed for our freedoms.
Out of 4 Stars: 4 Rated: PG-13 106mins.
It's the holiday time, and that means a lot of family fare. When one thinks of family fare, animated films certainly come to mind. We've seen many films, "The Peanuts Movie" is still in the theaters as I write this, but Pixar Animation Studios has brought us yet another gem, and it shines in the form of "The Good Dinosaur".
