Manchester by the Sea

Indiefest:   Manchester by the Sea (2016) R   When his brother, Joe, dies, Lee (Casey Affleck) is forced to take care of his teenage nephew (Lucas Hedges) in his hometown. The big problem with going back to your hometown is you have to see people you left to avoid. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan brings us a tale of heartbreak, grief and the attempt to heal wounds from the past. It's an achingly beautiful film that follows Lee and Patrick as they try to deal with all the big and small stuff that has to be handled after a death in the family. Full of pain and guilt, Affleck's performance is a wonder to watch. It's a complex performance worthy of what should be an Academy Award nomination. Manchester by the Sea is a film that perfectly explores the sense of loss when a death occurs, but it even better explores the human reaction to bad things when they happen to good people. Why did it happen and will the people left behind forgive themselves for surviving is what this film answers.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   Manchester by the Sea Website

My View:   Man Down  (2015)  R   When Gabriel Drummer (Shia LaBeouf) returns from Afghanistan, he finds that life in America is just as bad as the battlefields he left. With the help of his best friend (Jai Courtney), he searches for his estranged wife and son. This is a film that has the right message at its core but delivers it rather clumsily. The film is hard to follow as it jumps around quite a bit in the timeline, and I found the movie to be slightly dull at times. Until the end of the film, most of the cast is not given much to do, except for LaBeouf who is on screen for the whole movie. Like the film overall, his performance is all over the place. The ending is predictable, and the big reveal at the end of the film wasn't surprising at all.    My Rating: Cable    Man Down Website

Indiefest:   The Eagle Huntress  (2016)  G  Documentary that follows a 13-year-old Mongolian girl named Aisholpan, as she trains to be the first female eagle hunter. The cinematography of this film is striking and remarkable as time after time we see scenes of ravishing beauty that at the same time are overwhelmingly isolated, as Aisholpan and her family seem to be the only people on that planet. The scenes of Aisholpan and her father traveling across snow-packed mountains and frozen streams are both beautiful and terrifying as you wonder if they will ever make it back alive to their home and family. The Eagle Huntress is a film filled with bravery, determination and the human spirit filled with confidence that nothing can stop someone who knows she will succeed. That Aisholpan succeeds is not the question, its how well this 13-year-old girl does might surprise you, and then again, once you get to know her, it just might meet your expectations for her.     My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Eagle Huntress Website

Forgotten Film:   The French Lieutenant's Woman  (1981)  R  This is a film of two stories; one takes place in 19th-century England when a biologist (Jeremy Irons) has an affair with a woman (Meryl Streep) who has a tainted past and the second story is about the two actors who are portraying those roles. This is a brilliant film made almost flawless by the acting of the two principals. Irons is perfect in the role, and Streep gives one of her greatest performances.    My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The French Lieutenant's Woman Info

Weird Credits: From the credits of Man Down: Pashto Language Coach

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:   Assassin's Creed (2016)   PG-13  Normally, I wouldn't pay too much attention to a movie based on a video game, but this cast includes two-time Oscar-nominated Michael Fassbender, Oscar winner Marion Cotillard and Oscar winner Jeremy Irons.   Assassin's Creed Website

Until Next Time!

In the Heart of the Sea

My View:  In the Heart of the Sea  (2015) PG-13  In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex is assaulted by a whale of mammoth size that destroys the ship. The remaining crew will be pushed to their limits in their attempt to survive the aftermath. I loved the cinematography of this film. The whale attacking action sequences are stunning and exciting. If the film had just been about the quest for the whale, it would have been an excellent film, but this film loses steam during the last third as crew are trying to survive out in the middle of nowhere. I liked Chris Hemsworth as the headstrong first mate, showing a bit of range when he is asked to perform in some rather touching scenes near the end of the film. The film is let down by Benjamin Walker, who plays the captain of the ship, as he has no charisma on screen and absolutely no chemistry with Hemsworth.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   In the Heart of the Sea Website

My View:  Macbeth  (2015)  R   Macbeth (Michael Fassbender), the Thane of Scotland receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that he will one day become King of Scotland. Consumed by his ambition and spurred on by his wife (Marion Cotillard), he murders the king and takes the throne for himself. This is an interesting take on the Macbeth tale, and the script deletes scenes from the play (for the better) and changes a few minor plot points to further the storyline. Fassbender gives the role his all, but he is slightly upstaged by a brilliant performance given by Cotillard, who makes this film worth watching. The film has some battle sequences that feel a little out of place by using slow motion action like it’s part of “300.” Most of the film takes place outside, and it uses the Scottish countryside to full advantage, which makes the film look spectacular.   My Rating: Full Price  Macbeth Facebook Page

Indiefest:  Hitchcock / Truffaut  (2015)  PG-13   In 1966, director Francois Truffaut came out with the ultimate book on filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock called, “Cinema According to Hitchcock.” This documentary looks at how that book influenced today’s filmmakers like Wes Anderson and Peter Bogdanovich.  I am a huge Hitchcock fan, and it was a thrill to watch this film as it uses much of the original audio recordings from the interview to make its various points. It is fascinating to hear how many of today’s directors are influenced by Hitchcock’s work and how much they admire what he did. The film stresses that before Truffaut’s interviews were published, Hitchcock was seen as just a box office director. After the book was published, the film shows that Hitchcock was celebrated for his genius for making movies his way, brilliantly and entertaining.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee   Hitchcock / Truffaut Info

Forgotten Film:  The Brave One  (1956)  Leonardo (Michel Ray) befriends a bull named Gitano from certain death during a storm. The bull and the boy become friends, but that friendship is threatened when the bull’s owners want to send the bull to fight a matador in Mexico City. Can Leonardo save his bull from certain death again?  This is a beautiful and simple tale that is moving and sure to bring a tear or two. Dalton Trumbo wrote the script but had to do it under a pen name, as he had been blacklisted by Hollywood as a Communist during the last 40’s.   My Rating: Full Price   The Brave One Info

In Case You Missed It (A Film Just Released on DVD / Blu-ray):   Minions  (2015)  PG  The Minions have been looking for a leader for ages to no avail. Kevin is a minion with a plan, and he, along with Stuart and Bob, are on a quest to find their next potential master. Scarlet Overkill(Sandra Bullock) just might be that leader. The Minions were always my favorite part of the Despicable Me series. Unfortunately, the Minions should only be a supporting cast, never the leads like they are in this very boring film. The film is set in 1968, and there are cultural references to things that kids are not going to know anything about (like The Beatles Abby Road).  The film does have five or six funny scenes, but it takes so long to get there that the laughs aren’t as big as they should have been. There is also a lot of Minion singing, which gets very old very quickly.   My Rating: Cable Minions Website  

Weird Credits: From the credits of In the Heart of the Sea:  Special Effects Teeth

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  The Legend of Tarzan  (2016)  It’s very hard to tell the tale of Tarzan, but I like the cast of Alexander Skarsgård as Tarzan, Margot Robbie as Jane and a supporting cast of Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, John Hurt and Djimon Hounsou. This is not an "origin" story as it takes place after Jane and Tarzan have become a couple and have moved from the jungle to London.   The Legend of Tarzan Info   

Until Next Time!

A Most Violent Year

My View:  A Most Violent Year (2014)  R  The winter of 1981 was the most violent year in the history of New York City.  Under that backdrop, a businessman (Oscar Isaac) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) struggle to keep their business against all the odds. This is a gangster film about a man who isn't a gangster but is forced to do what he must do for his family and his business to survive. Isaac gives a memorable and believable performance of a man who gets pulled further and further into the seamy world of New York City. Chastain, as usual, is perfect as the woman who knows how the gangster life works and helps her husband in his quest. I didn't enjoy this movie as I was watching it but, after further thought, I have changed my mind and now think this film works on all levels.   My Rating: Full Price   A Most Violent Year Website

My View:  Black or White  (2014)  PG-13  A grieving widower (Kevin Costner) is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter in Black or White.  Costner plays Elliot, a father whose daughter died in childbirth. He and his wife were raising dead mom's daughter when his wife suddenly dies.  The father of the young girl is a drug addict.  His mother (whose mother? (Octavia Spencer) wants her granddaughter to spend more time with her side of the family and, after several incidents with Elliot, she decides to file for custody. I like Costner in this role as he gives a very nuanced performance as the grandfather who can't get over the losses of his wife and daughter. The young, talented Jillian Estell is the best part of this film, giving a winning and touching performance as the granddaughter and focus of the custody battle. I didn't like Octavia Spencer as the fiery matriarch who bullies her family to get what she wants. She just kind of missed the mark for me as I never believed her in the part. It's not a bad (better word?) film, and Costner is excellent in it, but I just never got the big emotional moment that I wanted from this type of film.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Black or White Website

Indiefest:  Black Sea  (2015) R  A submarine captain (Jude Law) takes a job to find a World War II Soviet sub that may be full of gold at the bottom of the Black Sea.  I really liked this taut suspense film that is a new take on the classic submarine film. Law, in a strong performance that is fun to watch, really commands the screen as the rough and tumble sub commander who has always placed his work over his family. The film has some vibrant and fascinating underwater sequences and has very few special effects shots, making the film feel realistic and slightly claustrophobic. Besides Law, I loved Ben Mendelsohn in the role of the menacing sailor who challenges Law's command decisions at every turn. This film is enjoyable for both its performances and strong storyline.   My Rating: Full Price  Black Sea Website

Indiefest:  Two Days, One Night  (2014)  PG-13  A young Belgian mother (Marion Cotillard) has a weekend to convince her fellow workers to give up a bonus so that she can remain with the company.  This film features a brilliant performance by Cotillard, who has become one of the best actors out there. She is perfect in the role, and we root for her to succeed right from the start. It's an outstanding story that slowly builds the tension until the end of the film. Cotillard could be a dark horse to win Best Actress at this year's Academy Awards. Her portrayal is just that good.   My Rating: Full Price   Two Days, One Night Info

Indiefest:  Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action and Animated  (2015)     The Academy Award nominated shorts, both Live Action and Animated films for this year’s Oscars. This year's nominees are an outstanding group of films from around the world. Highlights include:  Aya, a fantastic live action film about strangers connecting on a car ride discussing their lives. The Single Life, the most fun animated film of the bunch, about a woman who discovers a record that allows her to travel through time. The Dam Keeper, a brilliant and touching animated film about a young pig in charge of a windmill that keeps pollution from reaching his town. The Phone Call, a live action short where Sally Hawkins plays a crisis center worker who receives a phone call from a man who is trying to kill himself and won't give his name or location.    My Rating:  I Would Pay to See It Again   Oscar Shorts Website

Forgotten Film:  Fearless  (1993)  R  Max (Jeff Bridges) is on an airplane that has lost its hydraulics and is going to crash. He spends what he thinks will be his last moments comforting a little boy.  Against the odds, Max survives the crash and now has to deal with the after-effects.  This is an moving film, with outstanding performances by Bridges and Rosie Perez, who plays a fellow survivor who seems to be the only person who knows how Max is thinking and feeling. This film also has one of the strongest supporting casts, including Tom Hulce, John Turturro, Benicio Del Toro and Isabella Rossellini. This is a magical film that has one of the truly greatest endings.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Fearless Info

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Black Sea:  underwater best boy

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You:  What We Do in the Shadows  (2015)    I am hearing great things about this comedy.  It’s about three vampires trying to live in modern society.  I mean, how do you keep up with your appearance when you can’t look in the mirror?   What We Do In the Shadows Info

Until Next Time!