Movie #1340 "Don't Think Twice" -- so now I am in the judging mode for a few months, judging films for the Naperville Film Festival, so that means I see less of the commercial/redbox/netflix offerings for a while, but redbox had this one (so does netflix), and I just had to make time to watch it, and I'm glad I did. In fact, I set it out for Dave to see before I returned it because I thought he'd like it , too, and he did! Maybe it's because we value improvisation, and the people who are able to do it so well --- that's the subject matter of this indie film. It goes through the three basic rules of improv: 1) yes and 2) it's all about the group (and not you!) 3) Don't think (thus the title), and it poses this conflict: a group of 5 improvers (who call themselves the "Commune" deal with one of them (Key) who tries out for Weekend Live (like SNL) and makes it ----- now what? When everything they do depends on the group, first of all the group suffers his absence. Then, when he comes back occasionally to perform with the group, audience members want to see what he has done on the t.v. show. Another issue that pops up is his dealing with his fame --- he wants to help them get more writing jobs, too, but he has trouble from SNL group and his group in doing that. He dates one of the members of the Commune so he is constantly leaving her to work on the show endlessly --- Overall, the great opportunity he got to be on a t.v. show --- a dream of most improvers --- doesn't seem to be the gift he really wanted because it so adversely affects his improv group. I found it all fascinating , and I also enjoyed watching all that entails being in a group such as this: How much you depend on the others in the group --- the trust is amazing --- and the creativity to keep going no matter what the audience or the other group members throw at you --- and to be able to do that even though you bring problems (one of the guys has a dad who is dying) or petty squabbles in the group (the boyfriend/girlfriend problems) or just not "on your game" that evening. It sure made me value that part of theatre by giving me some insight on all that is involved on a daily basis. It may sound like it is on a specific world (of improv), but what they go through is terribly universal to any set group. And it is driven by a talented group of people, "featuring as many poignant moments as genuine laugh lines" (so says IMDB) Mike B wrote the screenplay, and this is the second film I have enjoyed that he has done. Thumbs up for this one --- 4 out of 5 stars! And Bring on more , Mike!
P.S. I was most impressed with Gillian Jacobs (from tv show "Community), and after researching, I found out she is the one in the cast who never did Improv (like this)before ---- the cast evidently as a group prepped for 2 weeks before giving performances in front of audiences, and the performances for the audiences were what was put into the film.
"DON'T THINK TWICE" 1 HOUR, 32 mins 2016 R-rated
After years of treading the boards together, improv troupe the Commune has yet to gain much recognition for its satirical skills. When a member of the group lands a plum TV job, the news creates tumult among those left behind.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Movie #1339........................."Snowden"
Moie #1339 "Snowden" -- Knowing this is an Oliver Stone film, I realize he has an agenda, and therefore, many people will feel the film is biased. Yet, more so than his other films, I felt he presented fact after fact, as we watch incredulously how someone as smart as Snowden gets acclimated to his new job at NSA, and then in time becomes disillusioned once he discovers just how much our government can know about each and every one of us (while, incidentally, telling us the opposite. Snowden is presented as a quiet, almost anti-social (possibly on the autistic spectrum) nerdy intellect, esp. when it comes to writing computer programs. Yet, there's a girl who really likes him and puts up with his trips to other countries for months to work for NSA --- and that humanizes him, well, that and his scruples. The film points out time and time again that he isn't in it for the money or fame, and he isn't afraid to stick up for what he thinks is right, even though he might jeopardize his position at work (unlike many of his colleagues). He is so upset with the Bush government that he quits, and he comes back to work when President Obama comes in, only to find out things haven't changed. Very disillusioned and feeling to blame for a program that he wrote being abused by our government, he decides to be a whistleblower --- that is the frame of the film -- the beginning and ending of that infamous interview that became the academy award-winning "Citizenfour" documentary (which I now want to see!) Melissa Leo plays that filmmaker, and it's another memorable acting job for her, and for Rhys Ifans. As for Joseph Gordon- Leavitt, he continues to impress me with his gutsy choices on films that seem out of his comfort zone -- In this one, he changes the way he speaks and moves so that he looks and talks more like the Snowden we've seen in the news or documentary. Whether you think he's a hero, or a traitor, the film works well to sustain interest in a story that I didn't think would. There's lots of intrigue that worked for me. Also, I could follow it pretty easily, another worry I had going into the movie. In fact, I found his story very fascinating, and the film did what a good film should --- it made me want to learn more on the subject, so I recommend it. and boy, is it topical right now! I give it 4 out of 5 stars!
"SNOWDEN" 2 hours, and 14 mins 2016 R (for language mostly)
"SNOWDEN" 2 hours, and 14 mins 2016 R (for language mostly)
In 2013, CIA technical expert Edward Snowden stunned the world by revealing a stolen trove of classified U.S. government documents. This Oliver Stone-helmed drama tells the story of the bold theft that exposed secret NSA mass surveillance programs.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Movie #1338 ........................."Beauty & the Beast" 2017
Movie #1338 "Beauty & the Beast" 2017 --- I LOVED this film --- a new favorite. And I was one of those people after seeing the trailer who said: Why do we need another version of this story? I didn't think it could be better than the animated one, or all the play versions of it, but I was wrong. This is the first time that I really understood a lot more to the story. I only saw the movie once, and I never put on the play, so I really don't know those in much detail (and my memory is shot due to age), but the film took its time in a lot more places than the play/or animated version ever did, and I appreciated it. Not to mention, the lush cinematography, costumes (the yellow dress IS amazing!), all the guest voices (loved them all!), the new songs....and then there's Emma and the Beast --- I understood more the backstory with the beast so I could understand more what he was going through, and his new song helped a lot in that department, too. Emma's voice, her acting, her stage presence MADE the film for me. I didn't see her make a wrong move. In fact, I liked this movie so much that while I was leaving, I was thinking that I wanted to see it again! Rare for me. So if you feel like I did that I thought I saw it all as far as this franchise, you might want to give this a chance. Yes, it's a musical, but a very successful one in every department, I thought! I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
"BEAUTY & AND THE BEAST" 2017 PG
"BEAUTY & AND THE BEAST" 2017 PG
In this live action version of the Disney adapted animated feature, young Belle yearns to escape her ordinary existence -- and her village's boorish suitors -- until she becomes imprisoned in the castle of a monstrous prince.
Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Ian McCellan, and the beautifully voiced Audra McDonald (who actually sings well!!!!!)
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Movie #1337 ........................."Get Out"
Movie #1337 "Get Out" --- blah! Once again, I am NOT the demographic audience member for this film ---- I don't care for Horror pictures , and I can count on my one hand how many I have seen (and not by choice, usually). We went to see this one because it was director by Key (from Key and Peele) and we thought it was a comedy. Nope. Didn't laugh once. I was told I didn't get that it was a spoof and perhaps if I had seen some of these movies, I would enjoy it more. Perhaps. But doubt it! I get spoofs , and I don't get how tones can change in movies so quickly. So it ended up to be an awfully contrived horror picture to me (actually Stepford Wives came to mind a lot!) with very few surprises (I jumped once) , a predictable ending, sprinkled with manipulative comic moments in between, that weren't very funny because of the icky stuff happening earlier. I would have walked out of it, to be honest, but I felt I had to see the end to write this blog. Way, Way Way too violent for me, and not even stylish violence if that's a thing a horror advocate would like to see (I'm only guessing here). Anyway, it's a don't bother for me. Others will say differently, I'm sure. But that won't convince me to see another film like this in the future.
"GET OUT" 2017 R-rated 2 stars out of 5 too long (I didn't get the actual time)
"GET OUT" 2017 R-rated 2 stars out of 5 too long (I didn't get the actual time)
Already uneasy about meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time, Chris's anxiety doesn't diminish once he gets to their posh suburb and learns that young African-American men like himself have been vanishing from the spot.
Movie #1336 ........................."The Accountant"
Movie #1336 "The Accountant" was a strange one. Once again, this is not a movie that would be my cup of tea. I think the climax is about a 20 minute machine gun (or whatever the weapon was) shoot out. The movie plodded from the very beginning , and I'm sure I fell asleep through some of the middle, which didn't help with trying to put this rather detailed and too long story together, but I didn't care about it enough to relook at what I missed. So I thought, maybe I shouldn't write a blog on it, but then I felt I could still tell as many people as possible that this is one dark, detailed/possibly too detailed story with way too much violence and be safe in doing that. I read somewhere that it might have been an attempt to make a hero out of an autistic kid? but it's way too dark to do that...... now, that being said, I DO realize that those out there reading this that want a good action film, might want to look at this because I think it covers all bases for that........and it's got that "kind of different" slant to it, so for you action seekers, this might be a look see, but if you don't like violence, don't bother with this! I give it 2.8 out of 5.
"THE ACCOUNTANT" 2016 R 2 hours, 8 min
Offering two very different skills to his clients, a financial forensics expert and trained assassin goes to work for a tech mogul who's determined to eliminate those responsible for secretly manipulating the company's financial records.
"THE ACCOUNTANT" 2016 R 2 hours, 8 min
Offering two very different skills to his clients, a financial forensics expert and trained assassin goes to work for a tech mogul who's determined to eliminate those responsible for secretly manipulating the company's financial records.
Movie #1335 ........................."Doctor Strange"
Movie #1335 "Doctor Strange" was another Redbox movie I saw last week, and I must say, it was entertaining. I am NOT the audience for this kind of movie, though. I found it way too violent and full of one battle after another after another --- I lose interest in a movie like that, and I don't care for any of the DC or Marvel films, usually. But I enjoyed the opening of the film, I liked the acting of Cumberbatch, McAdams, & Edjofor --- my complaint is not enough of a story and dialogue to sustain my interest. Here you have very capable actors but the movie is so heavily weighted with special effects. They are good special effects (and I'm sure better on a big screen) but too much for me. I must say the backstory is better than most of the other films of this ilk, but I would give this still only a 3 out of 5. I'm sure there are many of you out there that liked this movie much more, so once again, this is not on my list of movie interests.
"DOCTOR STRANGE" 2016 PG-13 1 hour and 55 mins
"DOCTOR STRANGE" 2016 PG-13 1 hour and 55 mins
After an auto accident ends his career as a neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange embarks on a quest to heal himself. His path leads him to the Ancient One, a mysterious mentor who trains Strange to defend Earth by becoming the next Sorcerer Supreme.
Movie #1334 ........................." The Hunt for Wilderpeople"
Movie #1334 "The Hunt for Wilderpeople" was a New Zealand movie I got from Redbox the other night and found it quite enjoyable. It took a few minutes to get used to the accents, but I found the story tugging at my heart from the very beginning. Here's this boy shuffled around from one foster home to another and he has a bit of a reputation, and then this wonderful woman out in the wayback of New Zealand wants to take him in . She does nothing but show love for him from the very beginning, and she starts to build a wonderful relationship there ---- her husband is a different matter. You can see the problem if the little boy and the curmudgeon must survive in the wilderness together. A very funny, quirky comedy, and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. Make sure you see this one, if you can.
"THE HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE" 2016 PG-13, 1 hr 41 mins
"THE HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE" 2016 PG-13, 1 hr 41 mins
Young misfit Ricky Baker has grown comfortable with his foster parents, Aunt Bella and Uncle Hec. But when something happens to send Ricky back to child services, the irascible Hec heads for the bush with Ricky, setting off a national manhunt.
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Movie #1333 ........................."The Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened" doc.
Movie #1333 - the documentary "The Best Worst Thing that Ever Could Have Happened" is directed by Lonny Price, one of the leads of the musical "Merrilly We Roll Along" back in 1981, when he and the other original cast members (including Jason Alexander, Constanza from "Seinfeld") at age 16-25 experienced the best rehearsal experience being in a show penned by the famous Stephen Sondheim and directed by the equally famous Hal Prince, only to experience one of the worst nights, when it closed after only 15 shows. This film goes into the casting, rehearsal, and show itself back in 1981 and follows the show and its primary actors through the years. The film covers all the ups and downs that go into putting on a show, so if anyone has ever been involved in an artistic endeavor such as this, you will love it. But it is also for anyone who is interested in what happens when people try to follow their dreams. What I esp. liked about this film, though, is that while the documentary unfolds, it is translating the focus of the play into the film. To me, that is great storytelling, and I highly recommend this documentary. 5 out of 5 stars! How to see it? well, we saw it on iTunes --- maybe you can stream it on demand or from netflix eventually?
"THE BEST WORST THING THAT EVER COULD HAVE HAPPENED"
"THE BEST WORST THING THAT EVER COULD HAVE HAPPENED"
Stars:
Terry Finn, Ann Morrison, Tonya PinkinsMovie #1332 ........................."A United Kingdom"
Movie #1332 "A United Kingdom" is a movie I want to recommend, first for its historical account of a time in recent history that I , personally, knew nothing about (and I'm sure others didn't either), and second for the excellent acting of the two leads (Oyoyello (from "Selma") and Pike (from "Gone Girl") and the bad guys --Tim Felton (Draco from "Harry Potter" series) and Jack Davenport (Twat in "Pirate Radio". Another motivator for seeing this film might be the director, Amma Asante, female director of "Selma," who puts together a film that moves quickly, esp. in the opening, and is able to furnish a conflict that spans several years, but still manages to pull us in with the many twists and turns within that one conflict. I really believed these two were in love and therefore felt for them whenever it seemed they were being pushed apart. The only reason I didn't give it a 5 was that it was just a tad too long (I didn't really feel that, but the people I was with felt that way, and I think that's because it relies on dialogue instead of action in a lot of places).
A UNITED KINGDOM 2017 PG-13 I would give this 4 out of 5 stars
Meeting at a dance in 1947, African prince Seretse Khama and London office worker Ruth Williams share a love of jazz and an instant attraction. When they wed after a brief courtship, their interracial union sparks an international political crisis.
A UNITED KINGDOM 2017 PG-13 I would give this 4 out of 5 stars
Meeting at a dance in 1947, African prince Seretse Khama and London office worker Ruth Williams share a love of jazz and an instant attraction. When they wed after a brief courtship, their interracial union sparks an international political crisis.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Movie #1331 ........................."Hacksaw Ridge"
Movie #1331 "Hacksaw Ridge" -- I waited a long time to see this film, but I always try to see all the nominated films for oscars, so I finally sat down to watch this on the day of the Oscars. The reason I waited is that I have a tough time watching any man's inhumanity to man so war pictures offer challenges for me to watch --- I still can't get certain images out of my mind from "Saving Private Ryan" and I am here to tell you, this film is worse. So if you are like me, you will also find more than an hour's worth of this film so very difficult to watch --- it's "Braveheart" to the nth degree. I remember saying about that film that I felt I was in the middle of the battlefield experiencing every attack, every hit, and I felt the same way here. I wanted to turn it off several times, but the way I got through it was to be doing something else "while" watching. Until.....the meat of the film. When Dos makes his heroic moves to save some 75 men that day on Hacksaw Ridge. It was a wondrous thing to watch ---- such heroism ----- almost as if God were taking each step with him. And I'm not one to enjoy preachy films, but this spiritual heroics came along with this man --- he lived and breathed being a Christian and worrying about the other guy , and to me, that was so heroic that I couldn't keep my eyes away from what he was doing. I'm sorry I can't explain this any more, but it truly was a great cinematic achievement , and one that I was glad to have experienced. That being said, I think it is worth watching the first hour so you can get to the last 40 minutes; however, it isn't a film for everyone, but I do recommend it. 4 stars out of 5. And wow on Andrew Garfield's acting!!!
'HACKSAW RIDGE" 2016 2 hours and 11 minutes 4 stars out of 5 rated R
'HACKSAW RIDGE" 2016 2 hours and 11 minutes 4 stars out of 5 rated R
Based on a true story, this World War II drama focuses on Desmond T. Doss, a conscientious objector who becomes a hero while serving as an unarmed medic during the brutal and bloody fight for Okinawa.
Movie #1330 ........................."Enemies Within"
Movie #1339 "Enemies Within" is the last short action film that was nominated for an oscar this year, and it's the least of them, in my opinion. It runs 25 minutes or so and it felt long because it was pretty static --most of the film is an interrogation scene with a non moving camera, reading subtitles like watching a tennis match. I thought it went way too long. The ending was okay, but this was I reacted to the least and would give it 3 out of 5 stars. Once again, it is available on iTunes for a minimal price. What I liked most about it is that it concerns extreme vetting and it shows how that works, and that topic is so topical right now. That makes this film very important to see.
"ENEMIES WITHIN" 2016
"ENEMIES WITHIN" 2016
ENEMIES WITHIN (ENNEMIS INTERIEURS)
Director: Selim Azzazi
In what could have easily been the most powerful, poignant short film of the year, ENEMIES WITHIN attempts to dissect the horrors of Islamophobia and the fear of extreme vetting. What starts as an innocent quest for French citizenship by an Algerian man ends in life-shattering blackmail. Director Selim Azzazi brilliantly executes two lengthy, compelling interrogation scenes, but his staging is rather elementary, playing out like a less fluid Asghar Farhadi film (mind you, that’s still a huge compliment). The camera is limited to standard coverage and Azzazi never takes advantage of the restrictive space in order to heighten the tension. Cutaways to flashbacks are an interesting idea, but take viewers out of the immediacy of the film’s urgent, devastating situation. As such, the success of ENEMIES WITHIN lies entirely in the performances. Admittedly, the two leads are great, but it feels like a missed opportunity not to take more advantage of aesthetic flourishes. What’s more, the division of the two separate interrogations breaks up the film in a rather unflattering way. As an extended play on loyalty and notions of liberty, equality, and fraternity, ENEMIES WITHIN is certainly some of the smartest short film writing I’ve seen in quite some time, but as a stage play-esque visual piece, it’s a far cry from the works of Sidney Lumet.
Movie #1329 ......................."The Railroad Lady"
Movie #1329 "The Railroad Lady" was a cute short action film nominated for an oscar this year. It dealt with a lonely woman who daily sets her alarm and opens her window when it goes off and waves a flag as a train goes by --- until one day, when someone on the train throws a note off to her. The story escalates from there. I really enjoyed this and rate it 4 out of 5 stars. It can be seen one I-tunes for a minimal price.
"THE RAILROAD LADY" 2016 30 minutes
"THE RAILROAD LADY" 2016 30 minutes
A touching story between a lonely woman and a TGV train driver.
Director:
Timo von GuntenMovie #1328 ........................."Sing"
Movie #1328 "Sing" this is the live action one that won the oscar for its category, and it is not the full length animated feature with the same title ---- anyway, what a delightful story this is. It concerns a young girl coming in to a new school and wanting to be included in the choir --- how universal that feeling is. And if you have ever felt left out, you will delight in the ending of this film. That's all I want to say about it. I would give it 4 stars out of 5, and it deserved the award!
"SING" 2016
"SING" 2016
FILM SYNOPSIS
Young Zsofi is having a hard time fitting in at her new school, and her distress grows when the choir director treats her cruelly despite her love of singing. Along with her friend Liza, Zsofi investigates the revered teacher in an attempt to reveal her true nature.
directors: Kristof Deák and Anna Udvardy
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Movie #1327 ........................."Silent Nights"
Movie #1327 "Silent Nights" was the short action film that I thought would get the oscar because it had the most meat in it than the others, to me. It is also very topical, dealing with a Ghanaian refugee. Desperate times in the film for this refugee who meets up with this volunteer who works at a housing shelter and tries to help him, even when he tries to steal from them --- he's desperate and harboring a secret. She is very fragile and falls in love. A very tender story that deals with the sacrifices we make for those we love. I liked this one a lot --- brought to tears. Once again, saw it on iTunes in a bundle of all the oscar-nominated live action shorts.
"SILENT NIGHTS" 2016 30 minutes I'd give it 4 out of 5 stars
A volunteer at a housing shelter falls for a Ghanaian refugee.
Director:
Aske BangMovie #1326 .........................."Timecode"
Movie #1326 "Timecode" is an oscar-nominated Live Action Short film 2017 which I saw on iTunes and found very charming --- it was my favorite of the bunch. I don't want to tell you too much because the whimsical tone of it and the surprises push the narrative of this short film. However, I can say that it deals with two security guards, Luna and Diego, who communicate rather oddly to each other. It's funny and worth the 15 minutes' time to watch it, if you get a chance to see it! These cost something now to see them ---- maybe you'll be able to stream them for free in the future.
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