Author: James Hathaway

The Magnificent Seven

First, a short history lesson: The first Magnificent Seven of 1960 was chock a block with stars of the day, Yul Brynner, James Coburn, Eli Wallach and Steve McQueen.  It was based on the 1954 Akira Kurosawa film Seven Samurai which remains a classic.

The release of the newest The Magnificent Seven features a large cast that includes Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, the awesome Lee Byung-hun, Vincent D’Onofrio, Haley Bennett, a creepy Peter Sarsgaard, a great performance by Martin Sensmeier and at least eight others.

Director, Antonie Fuqua pulls out all the stops as the town is bullied by the evil mining barron.  The townspeople freak out as a bold heroin collects money and seeks gunfighters to defend the town.

The production is a Western spectacle with a run time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, rated PG-13 for extended and intense violence, some language and suggestive material.  We enjoyed it.

Rating: 

Blair Witch

This is a followup to the Blair Witch Project of 1999.  This Blair Witch follows a similar updated style with a trek into the woods, guided by an odd local pair. Things get creepy and interesting the first night and incrementally intense after that.

The critics were not very complimentary to this film.  We agree, there is nothing ground breaking here (pun intended).  But it did do its job of being inventive, primal and startling.  Isn’t that what audiences want from a horror flick?

Rated R for language, terror and some disturbing images.  We do not suggest viewing by children.  Run time is 1 hour, 29 minutes.

Rating: 

Demon

As October approaches along with Halloween on the horizon, we discovered another drama/thriller worth a look, Demon, a 2015 Polish release about a young couple’s wedding in a remote family country estate.

There are many twists and turns not typical in American films.  That makes this film dark, intriguing and exciting.  It is an Israeli-Polish production filmed in a small town in Southern Poland.

The acting is very good with a talented cast.  Critical reviews were quite high and the production received numerous awards in Europe.  It is catagorized as “Art House”, International, Mystery and Suspense.  Rated R for language and sexuality/nudity.  Run time is 94 minutes.  Polish and Yiddish with English subtitles.

Rating: 

In Order of Disappearance

No doubt our pick of the week is In Order of Disappearance.  Released just a few weeks ago, we were surprised to discover it was already gone in our theaters. Much to our delight, we found it on Pay Per View.  Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.

What a great surprise!  A unique story, told in a clean crisp way, plenty of intrigue and surprises.  Don’t be deturred by the 2 hour run time or the multiple languages: English, Norwegian, German, Swedish, Danish and Serbian, all with English subtitles.

This is a world class production, easy to watch, often visually stunning.  It is a bit of a black comedy but it shines as a Fantasy Thriller.  It has a great cast, most notably Stellan Skarsgard, but you may also recognize Bruno Ganz, Pal Sverre Valheim Hagen, Kristofer Hivju, and Brigitte Hjort Sorensen.

Don’t miss this one! We would love your thoughts after seeing it.

Rating: 

Snowden

Oliver Stone bring us his docudrama/thriller of Edward Snowden, played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the story behind the discovery and leak of classified data collected by the US government on foreign governments, terror organizations and anyone using any form of digital communication.

The film is told almost exclusively from Snowden’s point of view.  It reminds the viewer that this was real.  It is still unfinished.  Snowden remains in exile and still wanted for numerous felonies associated with his actions.

There is a surprisingly large cast including solid performances by Shailene Woodley, Zachary Quinto, Nicolas Cage, Tom Wilkinson and Rhys Ifans.  This film is well worth a look.

Rating: 

Special note:  If this topic interests you, seek out the Oscar winning documentary Citizenfour released in 2014 shortly after Snowden leaked NSA documents to the press.  Snowden speaks for himself first hand.  Riveting!!

Kubo and the Two Strings

This animated feature film tells the story about a young Japanese boy, his Mom and a romp through the spirit world.  It is clever, unique, sometimes dark, sometimes confusing, always a visual delight, charming and insightful.

The voice overs include the young Art Parkinson as Kubo, Charlize Theron as Monkey, Matthew McConaughey as Beetle and Rooney Mara as The Sisters.  The animation is from the studios of Laika (remember last year’s The Boxtrolls and earlier Coraline?).  Directed by Travis Knight, film producer, former rapper and lead animator.

This will probably get an Oscar nomination although it looks like this year will be chock-a-block crowded with lots of new animated releases still scheduled for this Fall and Winter.

Rating: 

Bridget Jones’s Baby

The new chapter of the Bridget Jones franchise is an interesting evolution of the character. Bridget, Rene Zellweger, is now over 40 and single once again.  Billed a a Romance/Comedy, it is a bit light on both counts.

Nonetheless, it is still worth a look.  The acting is solid.  The script is pretty crisp. The humor is a bit off beat but funny.  Emma Thompson, the Doctor, is a hoot.  She also co authored the Screenplay.

The competition between the Demsey and Firth characters is also well done.  I imagine they had a blast doing these characters.  The always great Jim Broadbent has a bit part.

Overall, the critics liked it a tad more than we did.  So if you have a free afternoon or want a couple of hours to fly by on a plane ride, give this film a look.

Rating: 

Author: The JT LeRoy Story

This is a remarkable, if not extraordinary,  documentary about a San Francisco author, Laura Albert, posing as the fictional author by the name of JT LeRoy who is HIV positive, ex-prostitute transgender male.

His/her books are a massive literary success with the entertainment industry and the literary public at large around the world.  This film is the authors explanation of what really happened from her perspective.

What is so fascinating about this story is everything is both real and fictional at the same time.  Mix in snippets of Winona Ryder, Courtney Love, GusVan Sant, Bono, Dennis Cooper and Asia Argento and you have all the ingredients for an unbelievable story.

At almost two hours, it is both amazing and exhausting.

Rating: 

Hands of Stone

I must first disclose I am not a boxing fan, and in general, not a fan of boxing movies.  Nonetheless, now and then, movies are released that are worthy of a watch.  Hands of Stone is such a movie only because it is based on real events, is well written, acted and produced.

It is also worth a look because of the reminder of the life and career of lightweight boxer Roberto Duran played by Edgar Ramirez.  He grew up as a scrappy poor kid in Panama and rose to world class boxing matches.

He’s not a very likable character: arrogant, cocky, angry, abusive.  By contrast, he is driven, sometimes charming, playful, and generous.

Robert De Niro is the accomplished trainer and anchors the story line. John Turturro has an unremarkable bit part as a gangster.  I am pretty sure there won’t be any Oscar nods for this film but if you have the time and interest it is worth the ticket price.

Note:  We saw it in Wisconsin at the economy hour with a senior discount.

Rating: 

The Light Between Oceans

This unique movie is set in post World War One Austrailia, (actually filmed in New Zealand).  It has a great cast of actors.  Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weisz all deliver powerful and compelling performances about passion, grace and sacrifice.

Many critics were tepid about the film, with comments like ‘soap opera’ and ‘melodrama’.  I think that is too harsh.

The chemistry between Vikander and Fassbender is compelling and poignant.  I bought it hook, line and sinker.  It is not perfect.  There is a certain amount of angst and betrayal. Much of the most important part of the story feels a little fast tracked in the last 20 minutes.

Nonetheless, this film is satisfying and thought provoking, romantic and dramatic.  Directed and Screenplay by Derek Cianfrance and based on the book by the same title.

Rating: 

The Hollars

This is a quirky but charming drama/comedy about a dysfunctional family and the challenges they face when the matriarch, brillantly played by Margo Martindale, faces a brain tumor.

Produced, Directed and Acted by John Krasinski.  Anna Kendrick plays his love interest.  Sharlto Copley is a hoot as the divorced brother.  Richard Jenkins is perfect as the sobbing Dad.  And Charlie Day is perfect as the surragate Dad.

It is at the same time funny and likable, sad and uncomfortable.  Many critics were not kind in their reviews.  I think that is taking the movie too seriously.  Yes, there are some flaws in the production but I also think the pandemonium softens some of the life challenges that are just ‘on the table’ in this film.

Margo Martindale just may earn an Oscar nomination for her performance.

Rating: 

Sully

This could almost be a documentary of the now infamous emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in January of 2009.  You may recall all 155 passengers and crew survived.

What makes this movie work is the story behind the story where the investigation challenges the judgement of the pilot, played by Tom Hanks, and the co-pilot, played by Aaron Eckhart.  The investigators play serious hardball with their evidence and accusations.  Laura Linney delivers a great performance as Sully’s wife.

This film does an excellent job of “peeling the onion” and appears to be completely accurate to the true events.  For those of us that fly a lot, the viewing experience can be a bit unnerving.  It truly was a miracle that cold sunny day.  Do not miss this one.  See it on a big screen with a good sound system.  Or, rent/buy it later if you have a decent home theater.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, classified as a drama/biography.  Run time is 1 hour 36 minutes.

Rating: 

Lo and Behold, Reveries Of The Connected World

Famed filmmaker Werner Herzog creates a feature documentary worthy of our attention.  The focus is on the creation, the present and future of the internet.  There is no doubt the world wide web has transformed the planet as we now know it.

This film explores some very different perspectives on the topic.  Some of it disturbing, some if it bizarre, some of it enlightening.  Mr. Herzog takes us on the internet version of Mr. Toad’s wild ride from invention to a plausible prediction of global disaster.

The interviews are facinating including Spacex/Tesla’s Elon Musk, scientist Leonard Kleinrock, medical scientist Adrien Treuille, hacking expert Kevin Mitnick, self driving car experts Sebastian Thurn and Rajkumar and robot guru Joydeep Biswas.

I came away more than mildly concerned.  After all there are so many things that could go wrong…solar flares, global hacking, the implosion of international financial systems.  It probably would not be a good idea to pair the latest Planet of the Apes movie as a double feature.

Rating 

Ixcanul

Maya/Spanish with English subtitles.

This is a unique and visually satisfying film debut by Guatemalan director Jayro Bustamante.  Ixcanul means Volcano in the Mayan language.  More specifically the Kaqchikel dialect is spoken by the highlands community of farm workers.

The young are innocent and naive.  The adults are driven by ageless customs, and the daily struggle to eck out a living on the remote coffee plantations.  By contrast, there are deep rooted indigenous traditions that dictate their actions, family, business and social lives.

It feels like a facinating peek behind the curtain into another world and culture.  Largely acted by non-professionals and directed/produced by talent from Guatemala, France, and Spain.

There is a funny scene in the pig pen early on and a powerful ending that will generate conversation.  Do seek this one out.  It will be a unique movie experience.

Rating 

The People vs. Fritz Bauer

If you want to know what Germany was like during the 1950s trying to cope with the postwar Nazi regime, then you will like this film.  Watching it was like watching an old news reel.  It felt like you were an outside observer of the candid conversations of the government officials of the day.

Best of all, it is based on true events.  If you are a history buff, you may already know the story of the search for the war criminal Adolf Eichmann.  But this film reveals its plot in layers and they are many.  The film itself is a bit bleak at times.  Alternatively, it is stunning.

Some of the dialog clips along at a quick pace that can be challenging since the story is told in German with English subtitles.  Good acting, some noteworthy nuauces, lots of twists and turns, and a fair amount of energized banter.

This was certainly my favorite pick of the week.

Rating 

Equity

The critics were less than kind to this movie and we had a hard time finding this in the theaters even though it was only recently released.

The topic is women in senior positions in investment banks.  It is well done.  It was believable (mostly).  Directed by Meera Menon in her third movie release.  Written by Amy Fox, Sarah Megan Thomas, and Alysia Reiner who also costarred along with Anna Gunn.

These characters and the industry they work in require ‘tough as nails’ characters as they navigate the male dominated landscape.  The stakes are big and the drama is just as monumental.

On the fun side, I had to chuckle now and then, mentally reflecting on my time with a major financial institution and some of the politically powerful personalities I encountered.  I don’t miss it.  Try not to miss this film if possible.  Its message is laser on target.

Rating 

War Dogs

This film is based on true events of 2005.  Unfortunately the true events were ultimately a cheating of the American taxpayers and a horrid example of beaurocracy  run a muck.  But that was real and the film is a separate animal.

The good news is the acting is strong and often powerful.  The on screen chemistry of leading actors Jonah Hill and Miles Teller is compelling and believable.  Director Todd Phillips weaves just the right balance of dark comedy, intrigue and suspense.  Bradley Cooper has an important bit part that ultimately brings everything together.

In the mean time, the Miles Teller character marries and has a child. The wife is played by Ana De Armas and wants nothing to do with the deceit and deception.  It is an important element in anchoring the story.

Run time is 114 minutes.  Rated R for language, drug use and sexual references.

Rating 

Ben-Hur

I was a bit surprised with the critics generally dishing this release of Ben-Hur.  I thought is was a good, if not great, recreation of the original.  It was updated to the latest production standards, honoring the original screenplay and presented a believable balance in the subject matter.

I liked the focus of the wealthy Jewish family living a Royal standard but not Roman.  That said, I did not buy for a moment the Morgan Freeman character as the Sheik.  That also said, Jack Huston was a good Ben-Hur and Toby Kebbell was an excellent brooding brother.

It will not replace the 1959 original, but personally, I liked the updated production qualities.  I found it entertaining and worthy of the time and ticket price.

Rating 

Sausage Party

I’m not quite sure where to begin…  First let me set the stage.  It is an animated story where every item in the supermarket is a real character.  At times it is quite funny.  Mostly, it is raunchy humor, irreverent, crude and manages to insult just about every type of person in society at one point in the story.

Visually, it is stunning, in more ways than you can imagine.  I am still trying to understand who the target audience is.  I am pretty sure we were the oldest ones in the theater so maybe there is a hint.

On the upside, the animation quality was excellent.  And the cast is virtually a who’s who of Hollywood.  Seth Rogen leads the crowd.  James Franco, Jonah Hill, Kristen Wiig, Selma Hayek, Michael Cera, Paul Rudd, Edward Norton round out only half the cast.

The run time is 1 hour, 29 minutes and is billed as an adventure/comedy.  Offensive language and sexual content is off the charts.  It is NOT suitable for youngsters.

Rating 

Little Men

This is a charming story about the friendship of two young teenage boys, their parents and the dynamics that the adults struggle to resolve.  The screenplay is excellent, the acting is spot on, and the plot is loaded with real challenges of modern life.

This film is laser focused on its story line.  Director and co-writer Ira Sachs creates a story where neither too much nor too little of anything occurs.  Each character is just right.  Greg Kinnear delivers one of his best performances.  Paulina Garcia delivers an exceptional performance as the business tenant.  The two teens, Michael Barbieri and Theo Taplitz capture the ackward  times of urban thirteen year olds.  I predict we will see these young actors again.

This movie reminds one what is it like to be a kid again.  It also reminds us how quickly matters can become complicated.  This family drama has a run time of 1 hour 25 minutes.  Rated PG.  See this one soon as it is currently distributed to independent theaters.

Rating 

Into the Forest

For some reason, Into the Forest failed to attract an audience.  It was in and mostly out of theaters quickly.  That is a shame because it is based on the popular novel by Jean Hegland.

It is a low budget film about a post-apocalyptic world that delivers powerful performances by its leading ladies, Evan Rachel Wood and Ellen Page, sisters in the story.  Their father, played by Callum Keith Rennie, is the glue that holds the family together.  They live in an expansive home, deep in the beautiful and remote Canadian forest.

Incrementally, conditions degregate and stress their family bond.  It is a very good example that good storytelling, acting and cinematography can deliver a satisfying film experience.  Rated R for violence, language and some nudity.  Your best bet may be pay per view.

Rating 

Hell or High Water

Two brothers in rural West Texas on a bank robbing quest to save the family ranch is both a reflection on the rural evolution in many parts of the country and the strong bonds that bind these families together.  It is all delivered with a great script by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) and solid acting by all.

The great cast starts with Chris Pine and Ben Foster as brothers, Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham as the Texas Rangers.  Directed by David Mackenzie.  The chemistry between each pair is the best of this seasons so far.  It makes the movie work.

There is a also a host of other characters that add seasoning and humor in just the right amounts.  You will come away feeling like you watched something more than a modern day Western.

Rating 

Florence Foster Jenkins

What is remarkable about this movie is that it is based on a socialite lady in New York’s mid 1940s, her husband, and her dream to be a great opera singer.  Like the real life story, the film is riddled with kinks and loopy scenes, sounds and a little slapstick.

Meryl Streep plays Florence whose love of music is her inspiration but she is really a terrible singer.  Hugh Grant is the husband, Nina Arianda is the love interest (I know it sounds wrong but it will make sense).  Simon Helberg (Big Bang Theory) is hilarious as the pianist.  There are stories within the story that ultimately make this a very endearing production.

A couple of interesting notes.  1.  The original recording of the Carnegie Hall Concert is the largest selling recording of all time for Carnegie Hall.  2.  Another film was released earlier this year by a French production company titled Marguerite.  That film is set in Paris but it is the same story.  It came and went so fast we missed it.  We understand is was quite good.

Rating 

Pete’s Dragon

This Disney remake of the 1977 original takes some liberty with the original story. Little Pete is orphaned when loosing his parents and wanders into the woods. Five year old Pete is played by Oakes Fegley with skills beyond his years.

Great photography and solid acting anchor this film.  The puppy quality of the giant dragon is just the right alternative to the animated version.  David Lowery is the Director and screen writer for the film.

The tilt on the lumber industry is just a bit heavy handed along with some of the acting, but in general this is a charming story, well told, and still inspires the imagination of the child within all of us.

Robert Redford has a bit part as the Grandfather who tells the tales of dragons to the local children.  Good performances are worth mentioning for Bryce Dallas Howard as the daughter and Forest Ranger, and little Oona Laurence as her daughter.

Rating 

Anthropoid

This is a powerful film based on true events about the Nazi takeover of Czechosolvakia in 1942 and the assassination of the third highest ranking leader of Hiltler’s SS, Reinhard Heydrich.

Anthropoid was apparently the code name of the joint operation between the remnants of the Czech underground and British agents who parachuted behind enemy lines.  The acting is believable, though everyone speaks English. (The alternative would have been English, Czech and German with English Subtitles.)

It is generally historically accurate which makes it interesting.  It is also told from the Czech/British point of view.  The acting is good.  Jamie Dornon and Cillian Murphy play the leading British operatives and Toby Jones plays the last leader of the Czech resistance.

It is a long two hours but worth a look for WWII and history buffs.  There are a few twists and turns for added intrigue.

Rating 

Norman Lear, Just Another Version of You

This biographic and historical documentary about the life’s work of Norman Lear is a joy to watch.  And why not, it recaps a remarkable career of a iconic television producer whose vision of television entertainment literally changed the American culture.

Better yet, this is a truly likable man, with vision, compassion, forward thinking and deep family values.  At first though, some of the early clips from All in the Family and The Jeffersons seem harsh and bigoted by today’s standards but upon reflection of the time and place of those shows were bold and groundbreaking.  They used humor to drive home tough topics.

Directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady skillfully navigate the complex subject matters with a keen focus on Lear as a change agent and ultimately an extraordinary family patriarch.  Do see this film.  It is a joyful reminder of another era and a remarkable man.

Rating  

Don’t Think Twice

This fast paced peek at a small Improv dramedy troop in New York and the challenge they face to grow, compete and thrive.  There is a fair amount of time devoted to showing how they remain creative, inspired and relevant to themselves and their craft.

It is both entertaining, exhausting and heartbreaking at moments.  It is clear these folks rely on one another with close bonds and inter-dependency.  Their creativity is inspiring.  But their competitive tendencies come at a price.

You might love this film if you are a comedy or entertainment industry fan.  The run time is only 90 minutes, but it feel longer.  Not because it isn’t good. It is only because the material comes fast and there is a lot to absorb.

Written and starring, Mike Birbiglia.  All talented Keegan-Micheal Key, Gillian Jacobs, Chris Gethard, Kate Micucci and Tami Sagher round out the troop.

Rating 

Indignation

Set in the 1951 under the cloud of the Korean war, a college bound Jewish son of a butcher from Newark, N.J. goes to the conservative Wineburg College, in Ohio.  It is a Christian school with only one Jewish fraternity on campus.

The young man Marcus, played by Logan Lerman, is intelligent, articulate, a loner and an atheist.  He is captivated by the alluring coed, Olivia, played by Sarah Gidon.  Finally there is a date and a bit more.

There are lots of twists and turns, plenty of social and period commentary but the films stays focused on this young mans journey.  Sad and satisfying at the same time.

Rating 

Suicide Squad

Oh my!  Where to begin.  We were not going to see this movie, it just looked ridiculous at first.  Then we started to hear good things, so we decided give it a look.  Now remember this is based on a 1980s DC comic book.

We have 10 bizzare imprisioned criminals each with a unique “superpower” who are recruited by the government to fight evil spirits threatening our destruction.

Yes, it is goofy, crazy, absurd, but on closer look it is inventive, truly unique, and playful in a goofy, crazy, absurd sort of way.  At first thought:  What is this?  By the end, pretty clever.  Be assured you have never seen anything quite like this.

It has a nice cast: Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne, Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman and, drum roll… Viola Davis!

If you like Superhero/Comicbook films, this may be interesting.  If not, maybe pass on this one.  I liked it much more that John and we are rarely on different pages.

Rating