Starting at the top of the list from the past few weeks one must put ENDER'S GAME right up there as a smart, exciting, cerebral science fiction experience, that actually got a round of applause at its conclusion, something that doesn't happen very often, especially with sci fi films. The story of a brilliant young teen trained to save the world at the risk of his soul, the film has delicious eye candy special effects, a compelling story line and some great actors (Ben Kingsley, Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Asa Butterfield and Hailee Steinfeld, to name a few), and the film moves along at an exciting pace before coming to it's disturbing and shocking (for me) ending. There is a whole handful of gaming and literary ENDER'S GAME product, and I look forward to the next cinematic installment, much like I looked forward to each LOTR episode. GRADE-----A
Another impressive science fiction experience is the unique GRAVITY, nearly a one woman show featuring the resourceful Sandra Bullock as a stranded astronaut trying to make her way home from space after a series of disasters leaves her stranded and in a near helpless situation. The story line is simplistic, but the film puts you in her position and creates an atmosphere of claustrophobia, fear, loneliness and hope. It's like nothing you've ever seen on film before. GRADE-----A-
Tom Hanks and cast really shine in the docu-drama CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, and he's the compelling, main reason for watching this based on a true story film about the capture by Somali pirates of a shipping vessel in the Indian ocean. I'd rate this film even higher if it weren't for the annoying hand held camera business that makes the film so unpleasant to watch at times. Especially impressive is the sympathy and empathy given the Somali perpetrators hopeless cause. GRADE-----B+
I wasn't really motivated to see director Ron Howard's new biographical sports (car racing) film RUSH, but I found it to be incredibly well constructed and involving, and the actors were fascinating, especially Daniel Bruhl, who also is so effective in the currant FIFTH ESTATE (see below). GRADE-----B+
It came and went quickly, but the independent film UNA NOCHE creates a fascinating world of life in the oppressive Havana, and deals with a brother and sister, and the object of their affection, a male friend, who try to leave Cuba on a wooden, makeshift raft. It is thoughtful and bittersweet. GRADE-----B+
A new faithful version of CARRIE is a success, mainly because the actors (Julianne Moore and Chloe Grace Moretz) breathe new life into the story of a shy high school girl who is berated and teased by her classmates, just as she is learning about the strange psychic powers that she has. The film is also updated for a modern audience (Carrie's horrible shower experience goes viral from some one's cell phone, etc). I enjoyed this version as much as Brian De Palma's 1976 thriller, and if you haven't seen CARRIE in a while, this is worth the watch. GRADE-----B
I was NOT a fan of the 2011 version of THOR, which I found to be dull, with a confusing and unnecessary subplot stuffed with political blah blah about one race of aliens hating another etc. Good news----this sequel called THOR; THE DARK WORLD is a giant step in the right direction. The special effects are outstanding, there's a lot more humor, and film moves along without getting bogged down in political clap trap. And then there's the amazing Tom Hiddleston who plays Thor's evil (adopted) brother Loki. He steals this film (as in the first) to very good effect, and if the film makers were smart, they'd figure out a way to cast him in a starring role, since muscle bound Chris Hemsworth (also starring currently in RUSH) who plays Thor, is not nearly as interesting as Loki.
GRADE-------B
A small run for the SIFF film I USED TO BE DARKER has a confused teen running away from her parents (in Europe!!) to her aunt and uncle in Baltimore (!!) only to find that they are in the middle of a nasty divorce. It's a little film, but I liked the subtly and nuance that many scenes displayed. GRADE-------B
Benedict Cumberbatch makes an excellent Julian Assange in the stylish thriller THE FIFTH ESTATE, based on the life of the computer genius who started Wikileaks, a place where whistle blowers could expose government and corporate corruption. Daniel Bruhl (RUSH) is also excellent as his friend. But over all, the film suffers in comparison to the excellent documentary that came out this past summer called WE SELL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS, which covers the same ground in an even more provocative and fascinating manner. They would make an interesting double bill. GRADE------B-
It's been only a couple weeks, but I've already put RUNNER RUNNER out of my head. A predictable story of a young hot head computer champion who thinks he can take down a world wide computer gambling king pin (Justin Timberlake and Ben Affleck, respectively), the film plays along in predictable fashion until the unrealistic ending. There is just nothing memorable about this film. GRADE-----C
_______________________
A couple films from TV and DVD......
I watched GOLDFINGER (1964) in incredible Blu-Ray and found it to be a fascinating 007 James Bond adventure, still. The gold paint death, the amazing theme song belted out by Shirley Bassey, the bowler hat of death, the laser beam creeping towards Bond's crotch, and outrageous women including Pussy Galore, -----the list goes on and on. This film is a classic. GRADE-----B+
MILDRED PIERCE (1945) is a Joan Crawford classic, but the film is soapy, lurid and sort of rambles along when is should be film noirish sharp. Still, there are many fascinating elements about it. I watched it because the night before I stumbled upon LOVE CRAZY (1941), a wacky screwball comedy featuring William Powell and Myrna Loy, and was particularly impressed with the madcap portrayal of Jack Carson--one of those faces that look familiar, but you can't quite place it. He is featured in MILDRED PIERCE, and quite effective too, though he never made it to the big big time---he's more of a character actor. LOVE CRAZY is about a series of misunderstandings that has a married couple on the brink of divorce. The husband decides to pretend to be crazy to postpone the divorce, but ends up getting institutionalized instead. He (Powell) pretends to be a woman to escape, so the last 30 minutes is played (to decent effect) in drag. Not great, but it had it's moments of mirth and laughs. GRADE for MILDRED PIERCE and LOVE CRAZY----------B for each.
ISLE OF THE DEAD (1946) featuring Boris Karloff, promises horror when it is really about a plague that keeps a group of people quarantined on an island so that they don't infect those on shore. Watchable if unmemorable. GRADE------C+
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment