Month: November 2016

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Set in 1926, pre-Harry Potter, Newt Scamander arrives in New York after traveling the world to find unknown magical creatures in the wild.  But this New York is not the same as the one we all studied in grammar school.

It has an excellent cast including Eddie Redmayne, Colin Ferrell, Katherine Waterston, Erza Miller, Jon Voight and a quick cameo by Johnny Depp.

While there was non stop special effects and lots of unexpected twists and turns the story felt crowded, leaving this viewer exhausted trying to process everything that was going on.

That said, it was often funny, clever, and fresh material for the eyes and ears.

Rated PG-13, but we were surprised how few children were in the theater, mostly adults on a rainy Saturday afternoon.  Listed as a Fantasy/Action film and a heafty 2 hours 14 minutes.

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Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk

The movie is based on the novel by Ben Fountain and is directed by Ang Lee.  It tells the story of Bravo Squad, a group of celebrated heroes from the Iraq war and their victory tour while on leave back in the States.

I think the intent was to demonstrate the disconnect between the public’s perception of today’s war heroes with the brutal reality of modern war and the impact on its soldiers.

This film only partially succeeds.  The acting was generally believable with solid performances by Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, and Vin Diesel.  The critics have not been too kind.  Some, however, have been applauding the 3D version as the “sharpest focus ever”.  We did not see this movie in 3D.

Rated R for violence, language and alcohol abuse.  Listed as Drama/History. Running 1 hour, 50 minutes.

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Loving

Every once in a while a movie comes along and just shines.  So often they are true stories such as this one.  Richard and Mildred Loving fell in love and got married in 1958.  Interracial marriage was illegal in their State of Virginia.  And that was the beginning of their story and this movie.

What makes this a special movie is the grace and simplicity of the storytelling.  Joel Edgerton plays the husband, Ruth Negga the wife, and a long list of perfectly cast others seem naturals in their roles.

Director Jeff Nichols brilliantly weaves the then socially charged issues of the day into scene after scene with finesse and surgical skill.  Ultimately it is a touching reminder of times past, although not really so long ago.

Rated PG-13 as a Drama/History film, running 2 hours and 3 minutes.  Oscar worthy in several categories.

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The theaters are flush with new releases just ahead of the holidays and the December 31 deadline for Oscar contenders.  We cannot believe we are looking at the end of another year.  This week’s reviews are…

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is…well, a strange movie.  There are stunning visuals and special effects but the storyline is confusing and overly complicated.  Dr. Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose character is a talented neurosurgeon cut short after a horrible car accident.

There are all the trappings of the Marvel superhero stable except this story gets dark very quickly and stays there for most of the movie.  Overall, the film is both bizarre and beautiful at the same time.

All that said, costar Tilda Swinton is sensational.  Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a great good guy and Mads Mikkelsen plays an equally good bad guy.

Rated PG-13 as a Fantasy/Science Fiction film with a hefty run time of 1 hour, 55 minutes.  Watch for Oscar nominations for special and technical categories.

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Moonlight

Raw, powerful, revealing, insightful, gut wrenching, compelling, sensitive, timely, Oscar worthy.

This film is divided into three parts, with three different actors playing the lead character as he ages.  It is Barry Jenkin’s second movie and it is nothing short of genius.  It is based on a short theater piece by playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney called In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue.

Is is beautifully acted.  Every scene is complete, more would be too much and less would diminish the story.  It is about a poor black male coming of age and his journey through poverty, crime and a toxic self image.

It is currently in limited release. Rated R. Run time is 110 minutes. Don’t miss this one!

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A Man Called Ove

This Drama/Comedy film will be Sweden’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the next Academy Awards.  (That category will be a challenge given so many excellent choices to date.)

It’s a story about a gruff heartbroken widower, played by Rolf Lassgard, after losing his job with the railroad of over 40 years.  He channels his energy to enforcing the rules of the small gated community where he lives.  He is grumpy and grouchy to just about everyone.

There are a variety of scenes, some funny, some sad, but eventually the story of his life unfolds.  Movie buffs will enjoy this film.  Rated PG-13, parents be warned, even with this rating, the subject matter (death, anger) may not be suitable for young children.  Run time is 1 hour 56 minutes.

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We are still catching up on movies.  It is no small task given the looming holiday season and the plethora of new releases.  We were pleased to see so many earlier released films still in the theaters.  And when have you seen us post 3 four globe movies?!  Plenty of Oscar worthy material here.

Enjoy!  J&J

The Accountant

Ben Affleck delivers a powerful performance as a clandestine accountant to the rich and poor.  His character was born with a high functioning autism, raised by his tough-as-nails father, and lives just steps ahead of danger and the authorities.

That said, reviews have not been overly complimentary.  Overall, the comments could be characterized as unremarkable.  That seems overly harsh to my thinking.   I found it fresh, inventive, intelligent, compelling and believable.

The acting is quite good in my opinion.  Co-starring Anna Kendrick, and J. K. Simmons and cameo performances by John Lithgow and Jeffrey Tambor.

Listed as a Crime/Drama.  It runs 2 hours, 8 minutes.  It is rated R for violence and language.  It is pretty intense and may not be suitable for young children.

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Arrival

Here is a smart, intelligent Sci-Fi movie where 12 alien space ships park themselves around the planet to engage mankind in delivering a message.  It is based on Ted Chang’s “Story of Your Life“.

On one hand this is eerie and puzzling.  On the other hand it is intimate and thought provoking.  I am not sure why Director Denis Villeneuve decided to beef up the military aspect of the story.  Box office draw?  Reality check?

The acting was very good.  Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner take the leads along with Forest Whitaker.  The cinematography and special effects were exceptional.  Ultimately, the story was thought provoking.

Rated PG13 as a Mystery Science story.  Run time is 1 hour 58 minutes.

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Hacksaw Ridge

Wow!  This film is a compelling look at war in WWII Okinawa.  It is the true story of Desmond Doss, a pacifist that wanted to serve his country.  It is also one of the most authentic looks at the horrific reality of war at the time.

It is counter balanced by a look at rural America of the day and the social dynamics at play.  A love story threads its way throughout the storytelling adding a contrast to death and destruction.

Andrew Garfield and Teresa Palmer take the leading roles.  Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington and Luke Pegler highlight many other actors.

Directed by Mel Gibson, filmed in Australia.  Rated R for violence.  Labeled: Drama/Action with an exhausting 2 hours, 18 minutes.  Do not miss the real footage at the end of the film.

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