Us

NOTE: This was written alongside a leftover bag of Sour Skittles from the movie theater. Think of it as brain food. Oh and there are no spoilers here, I'm not a monster. Anyway, shall we?...


            Two words: Jordan. Peele. You know him even if you don't think you do. If this name does not ring a bell then please, by all means, stop reading and head on over to Wikipedia. But no, finish reading this first, won't take too long.

            Two years ago, the world was sucked into the Sunken Place and flipped over Get Out, the psychological thriller that gave a completely new spin and twisted interpretation on racism. This was not only genius work but also the directorial and screenwriting debut of Mr. Jordan Peele who is previously famous for being half of Comedy Central's sketch variety show Key & Peele. Get Out won Peele pretty much every accolade in the film industry including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. What makes this movie so noteworthy is the extremely in-depth symbolism hidden in plain sight with a light-hearted eeriness that you can't look away from. Great news, he is at it again with you, me, them, or just Us. 

            To get started, the Wilson family is made up of Adelaide and Gabe along with their kids, Zora and Jason. They are on a trip to an old family cabin near Santa Cruz where Adelaide spent much of her childhood. There, they are meeting the Tyler family (Kitty, Josh, and their twin daughters Becca and Lindsey) for some beach fun and catching up. Later into the first night, the power goes out and Jason Wilson says "There's a family standing in our driveway." Sure enough, there in the shadows are four people standing hand-in-hand motionless. Turns out, this other family, dressed identically in red jumpsuits, are nearly carbon copies of the Wilson's with just a touch of disturbed cringeworthy expressions.

             That's the bare bones of it all and you probably already knew that from watching the previews. But here's an inside clue: pay attention and don't mask your eyes. Look at the surroundings and just go along for the ride. The meticulous detail that Jordan Peele puts into his writing and execution is on a completely different level than movie goers are ready for.

            Still with me?

            Worry not, though. The scares are present and hand-dipped by Peele and his signature style of breaking tension with a quick joke and then diving right back into the fright that's still unfolding. It is not individual scenes that are terrifying, per se, it's the half-second switches and suspense that frightening. Us parallels and references all the reasons we love horror films like The Shining, Funny Games, The Strangers, and Jaws (that's right, I said it).

            This is meant to be a funhouse that keeps you guessing around every corner--literally. If you take it too seriously then you'll be bored and that's not why you watch a movie, right? The best thing to keep in mind is to not be afraid to let your imagination wander and just be a long for the ride. Don't resist having more questions raised than you had before you watched it.

            Us has a particular movement and physicality to it that sets it apart. What I mean is that not only do the camera angles put you right in the action as you turn your head and look in the corner behind you but the actors the actors themselves move subtly and with a spine-tingling purpose. The music choice of distorted and string-filled instrumental score placed with some throwback recognizable hip-hop somehow add further mystery throughout.

           Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave, Black Panther) stars as Adelaide Wilson and her doppelganger moves with swift concentration that is unstoppable. Her husband, Gabe played by Winston Duke (Black Panther) has much of the one-liners and his twin is a tower lumbering muscle. Zora and Jason (Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex) turn in performances beyond their years while stealing the scenes with some of the more memorable and shuddering moments. Supporting the Wilson family is Elisabeth Moss (A Handmaid's Tale), Tim Heidecker, and Cali and Noelle Sheldon who have their own fun as the Tylers.

            Let's wrap it up, is it worth the hype? Yes, it is simply because of Jordan Peele's diverse style of storytelling and risk-taking.
            Will you have nightmares? No, but it will keep you up at night for other reasons.
            What will it win? No Oscars this time around but the underlying themes that come up while you scratch your head afterward are a prize among themselves.
            Leaving the theater unsatisfied? Let's talk it out, or just go see it twice after already seeing double.

           

           

Oscars 2017

            Another year of movies come and gone. I know, I can't believe it either. Per tradition, Here are my humble picks of who I think will take home the gold tonight. The great part of the Oscars are the upsets and even though La La Land will be heavily peppered throughout the night (rightfully so), there's always room for the little guy to win, too! I like to include the year's unsung heroes so check those bad boys out, also. That being said, please, proceed with caution...

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone here already aware they're
 in the best movie this year.

Best Picture
Should Win: La La Land
Will Win: La La Land

Best Director
Should Win: Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Will Win: Damien Chazelle, La La Land

Casey Affleck and Lucas Hedges in Manchester By The Sea.

Best Actor
Should Win: Casey Affleck, Manchester By The Sea
Will Win: Ryan Gosling, La La Land


Best Actress
Should Win: Emma Stone, La La Land
Will Win: Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best Supporting Actor
Should Win: Lucas Hedges, Manchester By The Sea
Will Win: Mahershala Ali, Moonlight

Best Supporting Actress
Should Win: Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Will Win: Viola Davis, Fences

Surprises To Watch For: -Hidden Figures winning Best Picture
                                           - Natalie Portman getting Best Actress (Jackie)
                                           -Denzel Washington for Best Actor (Fences)
                                           -Moana for Best Animated Feature
                                           -Lin-Manuel Miranda winning for Best Original Song (Moana)


                                         

Snubbed: Best Picture- Silence, Sully
                 Best Director- Martin Scorsese (Silence)
                 Best Actor- Tom Hanks (Sully)
                 Best Supporting Actor- Aaron Eckhart (Sully)

Missed My Turn: The Day I Accidentally Ran My First Half Marathon

Preface

(9:15pm tonight.-- The diner at the corner of the street. )

            I’ll just have coffee for now, thank you. The story I have to tell is meant to just fill in a blank page. What I mean is, I’m not really sure what you’re going to take from it because most of what you are about to read are just thoughts. All of them very true in nature but, still, only what I thought about that day. It could make you laugh at my misfortune or maybe weep for my aching joints. There’s part of me that wants to use it as a tool for inspiration but I’ll leave that up to you. It was only after a personal suggestion from Mandy, a fellow running mate, that I even put this in writing, so, just like life itself, this is meant to be something fun where the ending is already given away in the title.

            First and foremost (and not to be too literal), this is a story of steps so I must give some introduction before jumping into it. I signed up for a 10K that is part of the Cleveland Marathon. In layman’s terms, 10 kilometers is 6.2 miles and, to someone with a relatively decent stamina, this should be just another morning run with only 15,000 other running mates. 

            My day started at 3:30am. I put on some coffee and the DVD of Raging Bull caught my eye so I thought “what better to prepare for a race than watching Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci yell at each other?” By 5:00am on the nose I was backing out of the driveway and making my way into Cleveland.

            Oh, wait hold on, I’d be doing you a disservice if I went without mentioning that at this time of the morning it was 35 degrees and beginning to rain. Okay, you’re good, you may proceed.

(7:00am-- Ontario Ave. Cleveland. A couple weeks ago.)

           Alright now we’re off and running. I’m on Ontario Ave. staring right at the Lebron poster along with a mass of people in fluorescent running clothes and uncomfortable amounts of spandex. The bell has already gone off and technically the race has started but it actually took me a solid 2 minutes of walking with the crowd to even reach the starting line itself. One cool thing I learned about these organized races is that it doesn’t matter how far back you are in line because these nifty trackers attached to your race number only begin timing you when you’ve physically reached the censor at the start. 

            Now that I’ve passed that, it’s go time! This is what I’ve been training for! 200 feet later as I took the bend to Euclid Ave, BAM, an icy cross wind just tearing off Lake Erie nails me in the face and chest accompanied with a nice awakening that lets me know this is Cleveland and we don’t mess around. I guess I should’ve expected that given that I went to physics class and the Bernoulli Effect is still alive and well! 

            “It’s okay, you’re okay, still on your feet!” I tell myself as I never let a wussy breeze slow me down and now I’m staring at the backs of about 50 people running in a clump. Easy fix. All I have to do is make like a needle... and thread! I figured out quickly that a way to make it through a group of people like this without stepping on them or tripping is to locate an Exit Buddy. Now, Finding Nemo fans, do you have your Exit Buddy?! Good! An Exit Buddy is someone who is running your pace or a tiny bit quicker and your mission is to stay behind them as they make their way through the crowd. Hopefully they know what they’re doing because their moves are your moves and will ensure a smooth landing to the open road where you can comfortably run without distractions. 

            Okay, still with me? Nice, because the running app on my phone just chimed in to let me know we are 3 miles in. It’s starting to lightly snow/hail but that’s just keeping the ground wet. No slippery roads here. By now, I’ve gone through 2 or 3 Exit Buddies and I keep seeing the same few people around me which must mean I’m doing pretty well with staying on pace. 

            Quick confession: this is actually the longest organized race I’ve signed up for. I’ve been running 10Ks throughout my personal training but never with this many people around or in this setting. Until now I’ve only registered for 5Ks, but, what’s 5 more kilometers between friends, right? Break’s over now, let’s get back at it.

            All of the sudden, people are cutting in front of me and flocking near the sidewalk with their arms stretched out. First of all, what is going on? And second, why am I now dodging hundreds of paper cups on the road? Water stations are not things you usually see in a 5K which is why I am not used to having dixie cups lazily thrown over shoulders at me. But that’s cool, more power to them. “I’m fine, thanks, I don’t need water to spill everywhere and then completely miss my mouth so I’ll just keep going.” My body is now used to the cold air and dampness and whenever there was a small spurt of heavier hailfall I can hear people cheering with camaraderie through my headphones and that just adds to the fun so why not let adrenaline take over for the next 3 miles?

            I have come to notice the small signs periodically on the side of the road that are color coded and say Marathon (Blue) Half Marathon (Red) and 10K (Green). Next to each color is an arrow to let you know which way you need to be going to stay with whichever race you’re running. 

*PING* You have now run 5 miles.

            I know when I have a mile left in my run I need to start thinking of the energy I’ve stowed for this moment. When I first started running regularly, my dad told me to think of race horses and how they are conditioned to run on another level during the homestretch. To this day, I cannot go on a run without thinking of that analogy. This time was no different. Right now I only had a half mile to go so no better time than the present, right?! Let’s shift into 5th gear and---

Woah, hold on. What did that sign just say? That one we just passed. Why was there no green 10K marker? What just happened?? Where are we?? 

            Ladies and gents, I need to stop you for a second. Of course, I could not stop because I was in a herd of people and my Exit Buddies were gone. But let’s rewind. Remember back when I was flabbergasted over the cups on the ground and the water being thrown around me by people who just cared about their hydration? Well, not too far after that, at mile 4, was my cut off turn. I still don’t know exactly how I got so distracted that I didn’t notice other runners splitting off but somehow I managed.

            With everything on my mind kicking in so fast, there is one clear thing I remember thinking so vividly that I almost said it out loud: “What have I just done? I’m now running a half marathon.” 

            Here’s my exact horrifying train of thought: “I’m only on mile 5... 5 x 2 = 10... A half marathon is 13.1 miles... But, I’ve never ran more than 9 miles at one time in my whole life... I’m not even half way through a race that I never trained for...”

            Let me tell you, that realization was a cross wind that nearly stopped me in my tracks. 

            An obvious question is if I ever thought about turning around. And the answer is yes, but with a follow up question, “How can I turn around when I don’t even know where I went wrong in the first place?” Okay fine, yes, they did supply a map of the race online. But, how hard is it to just follow the group and look at signs, anyway?... Stop laughing. 

            All I need now is for Rod Serling to pop up in front of me and say, “You’ve just entered... The Twilight Zone.” That’s really what it felt like. A whole new world I wasn’t prepared for and had no choice but to enter. 

Mile 7

            Since I am now indisposed for a bit longer than originally planned, better call Mom and let her know I won’t be home for dinner. After telling her I was going to be a little late to the finish line, she misheard me (which is understandable because I can’t imagine what I sounded like talking between strides) and thought I was already there so she began looking. It wasn’t until I told her it would be at least another 30 minutes that she understood. I said 30 minutes and I don’t know why because “30 minutes” doesn’t sound at all like “an hour and a half” which what I meant to say. At this point in time it didn’t really make a difference. 

Mile 8

            You know what? I bet my brother would get a kick out of hearing this. I’ve started gaining a third wind and, truth be told, I really wanted someone else to

talk with as I ran. After his initial confusion of what I was doing, he started laughing (probably both at me and the situation) and that’s exactly what I needed to hear. He asked if I was going to turn around and after I replied no he said “Well good, now just don’t stop running.” We both laughed and joked for a second and that was boost of energy all on its own. Never underestimate the power of your siblings.

            I’m feeling good now. What’s there to be scared of? Take this step by step. So many steps leads to another mile gone and closer to the finish. It’s more of an “already accomplished” feeling than anything. That guy we just passed under the bridge had a makeshift water table. As I got closer I read the sign that actually said “Free Beer”. Honestly, the good vibes and renewed fun that I was having tempted me to take a cup off his table but I resisted. Instead I just involuntarily laughed through my music and kept going. 

Mile 10

            It feels like 10 miles. If I knew what 10 miles even felt like, this would be it. My running app decided to make this race even more interesting and quit giving me updates so now I’m just guessing how far I’ve gone. Exit Buddies are a thing of the past. I am now the person that other people are pacing to get around. No worries. Don’t worry about it, I’m not worrying about it. Only 3 more miles to go, right? That’s just another 5 kilometers. 

Miles 11-12

            Thank God! Two familiar faces! The 4 other people running this race with me all split up pretty much at the starting line so I had no idea where anyone else was. Now I do! There’s John running two people in front of me. Did you see him pass me? I didn’t! I took whatever I had left from my third wind and ran his conditioned pace to catch up. 

“John! What mile are we on?” 

“Hey! I think it’s 11, it’s the homestretch just over that hill!” 

Okay, 2 miles. I guess I have 2 miles left in me... 

“Andrew!?” 

            100 feet behind me is John’s sister Margaret with her arms out in confusion from seeing my 10K face. I quickly turned, shrugged my shoulders and said the first thing that came to my mind:

“Missed my turn!” 

            Wait, am I running backwards now? When did I learn to do that and how have I not tripped in fatigue? For a second I thought I was stuck in reverse but I’m good now and both siblings whizzed past me and my drenched, freezing self. 

Mile 12.5

            When I run in my own leisure around my development I have one cardinal rule. Do. Not. Stop. Ever. The ONLY exception is if my shoes are untied but other than that: run through the pain! Today I broke my own rule. When the balls of my feet were barely lifting off the ground and nearly tripping myself, I took approximately 100 steps of walking to regain a bit of composure. As I reached the peak of the homestretch bridge I knew it was time to pick up the pace and get going. This was the real deal and I could feel that the end was near. That “end” was either the finish line or death, I was still uncertain. 

            It wasn’t until I saw him. The man who would win the full marathon and break the previous winner’s record ran right past me, all alone, and the second place finisher was nowhere to be seen. Then I heard the reverb from the announcer’s microphone resonating just up ahead. There are flag lining the streets. I could now see the finish line. Time to get my old pace again. I acted as if the race had just began. If I collapse, then I collapse. I have enough of nothing left in me to make it just another 500 yards. The racehorse effect kicked in and my stride was at full length. Now this dude next to me is trying to pass me... at the finish line?! Sorry man, not today. 

            That was it. 13.1 miles and 2 hours and 22 minutes later. The first person I see on the sidelines is who else but my Mom. I nearly walked right past the women handing out finisher medals and as I reached out for one, the lady said a hearty congratulations and the words “half marathon” caught my eye as I draped it over my head. No turning back now. 

(9:30pm tonight-- The diner at the corner of the street.)

            Welcome back. Thanks for staying with me all that time. 

            One thing I will always believe in is that being able to laugh at yourself is important because it’s very often that mistakes can turn into triumphs. If you laughed along with me then I’m glad. If you’re now hurting as bad as I did, that’s okay. Pain is only temporary. As I crossed the finish line and eventually met up with my fellow running mates, I bent over in exhaustion and realized just how cold and windy it was and that I hadn’t even begun to feel anything yet. I don’t know when the next time is that I’ll run another half marathon but, for now, I’m just going to finish my coffee and think about what turn I’ll miss next and where it’ll take me.

88th Academy Awards

            Whether you're into the crazy fun of awards season or not, the Academy Awards have proven to show up every year and be one thing: cool. You will always have a good time watching this; an almost untouchable realm of humans that are now acting in a way we aren't used to: human. Relax while tuning in, this is about the fun of seeing the purest form of entertainment climaxing onto one stage and celebrating a year's worth of fun that we all shared.

            Like you, I have my own opinions and I'd like to lend them for your comparison. Here is who I think will win in the "big" categories as well as who I think you shouldn't be surprised as an underdog win if the Academy is so forgiving. Also, there were a few snubs this year that I may as well bring up because, why not, it's what I do!

Best Picture
Will Win: The Revenant
Close Second: Spotlight or Room

Best Director
Will Win: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (The Revenant)
Close Second: Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)

Best Actor
Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio
Close Second: Leonardo DiCaprio

Best Actress
Will Win: Brie Larson
Close Second: Saoirse Ronan

Best Supporting Actor
Will Win: Mark Rylance
Close Second: Mark Ruffalo

Best Supporting Actress
Will Win: Kate Winslet
Close Second: Alicia Vikander

Best Writing (Directly For Screen)
Will Win: Spotlight
Close Second: Bridge of Spies

Best Writing (Based Off Previous Work)
Will Win: The Martian
Close Second: Room


SNUBBED
Johnny Depp- Black Mass
Jacob Tremblay- Room
Ridley Scott- The Martian
Ex Machina

Spotlight & Room

Spotlight

            Here's a controversial topic: let's go off the deep end and dive into a case that lowers Catholic priests down to the lowest scum of the Earth. As difficult a task as that seems, it happened and it was covered up. Over and over again. Of course, this should not cast a shadow over every priest but to those who have been found guilty, there's hell to pay thanks to the Spotlight investigative team at The Boston Globe in 2001. Four journalists make up this elite team that resides in the lower level offices of the renowned newspaper in Boston, MA and they pride themselves on working slow but extremely effectively, sometimes taking more than a year researching a story. The head of the quartet is Walter Robinson (Michael Keaton), but call him Robby. He may have his own office but there really isn't much separation from the other three: Mike Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams), and Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James). Together, they are brought to the attention of a sexual abuse case that was buried from the 1970s involving a priest and a young boy. Trying to keep things as hush-hush as possible, the Catholic Church removed him from the parish but it turns out he's not the only one that's been covered up and slapped on the wrist for this crime. Possibly 70+, no wait, more like 100+...in the Boston area alone. There's no action here, just solid facts coming from a dynamite Oscar-worthy script right there in courier-new. From the press room, to the office, to the churches, to the courts, hold onto the person next you and try to keep up with this team along with the new editor in town (Liev Schrieber) who watches over them stone-coldly but realizes the kind of leeway this sort of investigating calls for. This ensemble of actors leaves me short of words. Each player just bouncing off the next in a cut-throat journalistic style that punches harder with every interview they track down. I would say Mr. Mark Ruffalo has his scene-stealing moments that earned him the Supporting Actor Oscar nom but we can't leave out the most impressive and fellow nominee Rachel McAdams who prods and prods in rare form as Sacha Pfeiffer. Do not forget that even though Mr. Keaton did not get nominated this year, it was the real life Walter "Robby" Robinson who was astounded by the physical and vocal accuracy that Keaton had mastered before they had even met. The truth hurts sometimes and this subject matter leaves some people still in disbelief but the facts don't lie. It may not win Best Picture at the Academy Awards but I'm sure it has caught the eye of a few aspiring journalists out there looking to shine their own spotlight. GRADE: 9/10

Room

            I don't know about you but I will always be drawn to a kind of minimalist style of filmmaking. You know, the ones that can count the actors on one hand and only take place on one or two sets. The ones like Room. Always go with what works and, in this case, the simpler the better. Room is based of Emma Donaghue's novel of the same name before she adapted her book into the entrancing script immortalized on the silver screen. If you don't know much about this movie with an ambiguous one-word title, allow me to give you a quick rundown. Ma and Jack live in a room. Ma has been there for 7 years now and the movie opens on Jack's 5th birthday so you do the math on that one. A man stops by once a week with the bare (very bare) essentials. There's a sink, toilet, tub, rug, wardrobe and bed. That's all they get. One way in and no way out for 7 years (or Jack's whole life for the matter). I'm going not so far out on a limb by saying Brie Larson will snag the Best Actress Oscar as Ma. That's not a hard decision at all given her complete devotion as a mother raising her child in the most unbearable of conditions. Now Jacob Tremblay, an 8 year old playing a 5 year old and no Oscar nomination? Are you serious? The emotion this young man pulled off working in such close quarters is mesmerizing. He even provides a considerable amount of voice over narration that creates such an innocent environment dropped in a dark tunnel. Brie Larson will get the gold but it's Jacob who deserves the standing ovation here. Unbelievable talent that is nowhere near its peak. Room almost watches like a headline on the nightly news but proves that a scary and paranoid subject matter has another side of the wall as everything in life does. Trust me, this will make you want a deep breath of fresh air as soon as you leave the theater. Thank you for the simple things and thank you for keeping us grounded in a world full of distractions. GRADE: 9/10

Hail, Caesar!

            As you have experienced in the past, there are really two kinds of movies: those that are fun to watch and keep you on the edge of your seat, and those that are hard to watch and lose your interest from being a plain bad movie or just missing the wow factor. It's only every once in a great while that you come across a film that is a hybrid of the two. We'll call it the "hard to figure out" category. I guess you could consider this type of film an achievement all on its own but I wouldn't dwell too much on that notion this time around.

             Well, I hope that was a good enough intro for you and maybe it'll soften the blow on what has become Hail, Caesar!

            The Coen Brothers (Joel and Ethan) are what one would call a dynamic duo. That's an easy reference to make and even a bit of an under statement when discussing the minds who brought to the screen Fargo (1996), No Country For Old Men (2007), True Grit (2010), and what could be their crown jewel, The Big Lebowski (1998). Like Tarantino, if they wrote the script then there's a pretty darn good chance they'll share the director's seat. Hail, Caesar! is not an exception to this Coen tradition but it does fall off the beaten path when it comes to the Coen plot. Or any plot, for that matter.

            When you see names like Clooney, Brolin, Tatum, Johansson, and Fiennes lit up on a marquee you can expect a pretty show to follow. All are actors with considerable film records and frequented by big box office turnouts. Now, what went wrong this time?? Why was Hail, Caesar! so difficult to follow? And where oh where was the storyline?

Alden Ehrenreich and Ralph Fiennes as
Hobie Doyle and Laurence Laurentz.

            Okay okay, let's start with what we know. Josh Brolin is Eddie Mannix. He's a strong arm in 1950s Hollywood and the type of producer that you want to work for and he'll get you to perform one way or the other. He's a big shot with Capitol Studios and is now trying to wrap up two soon-to-be huge blockbuster hits, until, the 1950s equivalent to George Clooney as well as star of one of the films is kidnapped. Next, there's George Clooney playing the kidnapped Baird Whitlock. He's filming Capitol Studios' "Hail Caesar!" (I know it's confusing but bear with me) and is drugged then swept up by a couple of set extras while still wearing his Roman guard costume (which he spends the entire movie in). Turns out, the captors that are holding him in a rather amazingly retro beachfront house are disgruntled screenwriters who have adopted the practices of communism. Who'da thought!

              On the other side of the set is Ralph Fiennes as critically acclaimed director Laurence Laurentz (get it?). His feature film, "Merrily We Dance", stars the hottest new talent on the block, Hobie Doyle. Hobie is a twangy southern boy with a bright future in the world of Westerns. Too bad "Merrily We Dance" is not a western but an average romantic-comedy that requires a tuxedo over leather chaps and feels to Doyle as if the saddle's been tied a little too tight for this cowboy. Note: a particularly hilarious sequence mixing Laurentz's British fluidity and Doyle's clumsy manner is what this film needed much more of.

           

Josh Brolin stars as executive producer Eddie Mannix.

I have to give this movie credit in the quality factor. This was no low budget beginner's cut. It was made to be another Coen knockout. The sets themselves are looks into the golden age of Hollywood with a quick nonchalant joke thrown in here and there but this film lacks so much focus that it even took away from the fun of a period piece. There is one pretty cool dance sequence featuring Channing Tatum breaking out some Gene Kelly sailor moves that really sold me on the fact of how good of an actor he actually is.

            After a lot (I hate to admit) of contemplating what this could be classified as, I came to kind of a conclusion: I believe it is meant to be a satire on the communist "agenda" of Hollywood during the actual making of huge films with huge stars back in the 50s and 60s. Even saying that makes me wince because it still doesn't cover the incompleteness of what the filmmakers seemed to be striving for. Oh yeah and Scarlett Johansson's in it, too, I had almost forgotten. GRADE: 6/10

Brooklyn

            The problem with seeing a movie after it has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards is one thing; there is hype of course but that just makes the audience get nit-picky. It is another thing to go see a film after knowing one of the Academy Awards it is up for is Best Picture. That's the game-changer. That means not only is the acting most likely superior but that this movie could have some curveballs, twists, or shocking heartbreaks that may affect you deeply. It's hard to walk into a theater of a such a film and not anticipate that you will love it. I mean, how could you not? It was nominated for a reason(s), right? "If I don't like this movie then how do I ever show my face in a theater again?" You see how stressful it could be just going to see a good movie? Pretty awesome, huh?

           With a little bit of an abrupt start (yeah that's right, beginnings can be abrupt, too), Brooklyn is off and running inside the head of our heroine, Eilis (AY-lish), anticipating her leaping decision to go from her home in Enniscorthy, Ireland to the Promised Land of Brooklyn, NY. She doesn't just jump ship on a whim even though it seems that way, her sister Rose has a contact overseas with the promise of a job that would suit Eilis' yearning for growth. The boat trip alone from Ireland to America is something out of hell and a true eye-opener for a period piece that shows a time that used-to-be.

            The small cliches of home sickness with a plot of an immigrant is all but cliche this time around. It must be the face of Saoirse Ronan that you just can't look away from. She made me want to go back to my home in Ireland so badly that I forgot I was American. Take that sentence with a grain of salt but do pay attention to how she masters every emotion in the blink of an eye and when reality sinks in, the loneliness is palpable. With every risk comes opportunity and Eilis begins to step out of her shell at the Irish dance club she frequents with her boarding house roommates and leads to a one Tony Fiorello (Emory Cohen) asking her to dance. What's he doing in that club? Glad you asked, he's an Italian man that likes Irish girls and Eilis' poise and confidence are hard to ignore.

             The story that Eilis and Tony spark is very lovely if I do say so myself. There's a certain charm and cleverness bouncing between the two of them that draws you in from the first song on the dance floor. This "feel good vibe" is a theme in many of the scenes actually, especially the dinner table conversations at Eilis' boarding house. Her landlord, Mrs. Keogh (Julie Walters- you know her as Mrs. Weasley), better not see you with elbows on the table or declining to say prayer before meals but her wise cracks with a subtle aged-liveliness serves well as comic relief for her five female tenants.

            I hate to get personal but I have to admit there was some doubt in my mind of why this was chosen among the nominees for this year's Best Picture. That has now changed. Part of me wants to complicate this and dive into a laundry list of how stirring the lighting was off Saoirse Ronan's eyes or how much the set designers nailed the details of 1952 or how the dialogue was spotless or how this is a story of immigration but so beautifully executed that it seems like a glance into another human's life blah blah blah but I don't really want to. I want to keep it as simple as Brooklyn does. Sometimes you just like or even love a movie because it takes you into one person's life as if you're looking through a window. That person has done and seen so much more that what you're seeing just from looking at them. Somehow the 1 hour and 45 minutes of Brooklyn harnesses that experience and lets you see how much lies behind something that looks like just a glance. GRADE: 8/10

The Revenant

            In life, there are a of lot scenarios that require a certain self control and strength to bounce back from. I know that is a very broad and generic statement to make but sometimes you just never know. It could be a bad day at work, a surprise dent on your driver side door, missing a game-winning shot, or even getting brutally mauled by a bear in the wilderness and left for dead. However you want to categorize your own day-to-day struggles, forget them for 2 hours and 36 minutes, see The Revenant, then drive home and erase your list of problems.

           For the sake of readership I will say that I am kidding, of course, with the above paragraph because I pray that your daily struggles aren't even close to being in the same ballpark as Hugh Glass'. You've seen the commercials so I'll be brief in reiterating that The Revenant is based off true events that took place in the 1820s. Some of you already know that this story has been adapted before in 1971 with Man in the Wilderness starring Richard Harris (the original Albus Dumbledore) and John Huston. To clarify the difference, I am led to believe that The Revenant is focused more on the lives of Hugh Glass and John Fitzgerald versus Man in the Wilderness which is a looser adaptation of the events that transpired.

Alright! Now that I've gotten that off my chest... shall we?

             I usually don't do "warnings" per se when talking about seeing a movie (actually, I stay as far away as possible from them) because I would hate to deprive you of missing out on a revelation such as a well-made film solely from what could be a personal fear or whatever trivial thing that would hesitate you. This is kind of different, though. Purely because of how phenomenally realistic and researched The Revenant is, it is not for the squeamish or blood-phobics. You get a feel for the intensity during the trailers but the film itself is probably not far off of how it was almost 200 years ago. You're going to go see it anyway, right? Why wouldn't you? I mean, if you miss out on DiCaprio's finest hour, I don't think I could ever forgive you.

            Trying to defend his title as reigning Academy Award Best Picture and Best Director winner (Birdman 2014), Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is pulling out all the stops to blow the audience away with the story of 19th century frontiersmen Hugh Glass and John Fitzgerald. While on a woodsy expedition of hunting and trading furs, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is virtually torn apart by a mother bear after she spots him a little too close to her cubs. Volunteers from the expedition team stay back with Glass to ensure he is given a proper burial after his imminent death. The three men that remain by his side are the reluctant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy in touch with his inner Forrest Bondurant), Jim Bridger (Will Poulter) and Glass' Pawnee son, Hawk (Forrest Goodluck). Hot-headedness and a jealous rage from Fitzgerald leads to not only the ultimate fight for survival but a revenge mission that is colder than the air that surrounds them.

            Fur trappers are known for being resourceful and very much in touch with their surroundings but Hugh Glass has an understanding of the land's layout making him an expert of orienteering and marksmanship. In order to devote his mind, body, and spirit, Leonardo DiCaprio gave up his comfortable, vegetarian lifestyle and lived off the grid while filming a good part of this movie. Just giving you a tiny taste that doesn't spoil anything, the bison liver: it's real, and I want to assume that the vomit that follows said liver is real, too. This role channels a new level of acting greatness that I believe can only be pulled off by DiCaprio himself.

            I was under the impression that this was a perfect movie but I have to say the timeline of the story is a little disjointed, but nothing at all to worry about. Let yourself become enveloped by the scenery. Cinematography is a great strength of Inarritu and he flexes his muscles once again by having every picturesque landscape and mountainside shot using natural light. As uncomfortable as a lot of The Revenant may seem, there is a breath of fresh air that's as light as a snowflake so don't let the lack of dialogue or animalistic, painful heavy breathing intimidate you.

            The Oscar nominees have not been announced and I have not yet seen the other films that will be up against this one but I will go on record saying that I would bet the Powerball on DiCaprio walking away with his first Academy Award. This is truly one for the ages, folks. Inside and out, The Revenant sparks everything you want and you'll be glad it doesn't hold back. GRADE: 9/10

           

2016

Inside Out

            Along with every other sound-minded human, when I see the words "Pixar presents..." before a movie title I am pretty much guaranteed to enjoy what's about to hit the screen. Inside Out is no different and I will take the initiative in saying this was the most fun I had watching a movie in 2015. We are taken inside, not the brain but the mind, of a teenage girl who is getting a lot thrown at her this point in her life and, like every other teenager, is having some trouble keeping her emotions organized. Why hasn't anyone thought to "personify" emotions before this? Leave it to the brilliance of Pixar, I guess. You have Amy Poehler headlining as Joy: the ruler of all things happy and fun, Phyllis Smith completely nails it as the blue ne'er-do-well and depressing to be around Sadness, Mindy Kaling channels the pouty hater in all of us as Disgust, Bill Hader is exactly who I want to hear as the voice of Fear, and c'mon, how can you cast anyone else for the role of Anger besides the hot-headed Lewis Black?! With a subject matter that literally has more possibilities than we can imagine and a plot that hits all the feels and lives up to Pixar's track record of warmness and humor, Inside Out uses every neuron in its capacity to make sure you get what you expected. GRADE: 10/10

Black Mass

            The name James "Whitey" Bulger is not usually what we think of while listing gangster headliners throughout history. Until now. His story was well-known to some but now he has been immortalized on the silver screen via the chameleon Mr. John Depp and can consider himself crossed off the Most-Wanted list and inducted into the hall of film history villains. In South Boston there is a certain disregard for life when it comes to protecting family and reputations. Being the brother of a state senator, Whitey knows how to watch his steps but even more how to sway the law in the direction of the wind. He is considered the most violent criminal in the history of Boston but had the respect of those around him simply because he remained a hometown boy who looked after those who were loyal to him. Johnny Depp was nominated for an Oscar as Captain Jack Sparrow and many consider his cult-classic performance as the timid Edward Scissorhands to be his finest hour but as the menacing Whitey Bulger, he stands alone. He may not be a method actor such as the late Heath Ledger and the spellbinding Daniel Day-Lewis but Johnny Depp has a way of taking a scene and commanding it to the point where you just can't look away. Flanked by Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Edgerton, and Kevin Bacon, great acting is just all over this movie but the execution of the story itself is not quite up to the same caliber. Still, do not let this stop you in your tracks, having sat next to a true crime story expert in the theater, you'll want to be able to say you saw Johnny Depp's first Academy Award winner (we'll see). GRADE: 8/10

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

            I've written about highly anticipated movies before but I don't think any of them come close to the hype that surrounds this one. The Star Wars saga has become synonymous with what it means to be an American classic (kinda like Coca-Cola or McDonald's) so when another chapter in its journey is set to be released...well, it's a seismic shock we have to brace ourselves for. This is Episode VII (seven, I know you knew that) in a series of IX (I'll let you look that one up) but, most importantly, the introduction to a whole new generation of sci-fi lovers to get sucked into the phenomenon and the OJs (Original Jedis, I need a new name for that) get to relive the fun they had 30+ years ago and then again 16 years ago during the 3 prequels. Now I won't say much about the plot only that famed Jedi, Luke Skywalker, is nowhere to be found and there is a new Dark Side uprising that is most eager to find Luke's galactic whereabouts. A fresh group of heroes called the Resistance has limited resources but a great deal of skills along with some seasoned advice to guide them in the right direction. Despite the epic fight scenes and much improved special effects, there is disconnect during crucial scenes by means of forced comedy that doesn't fit and only serves as a distraction. Director JJ Abrams brought in old faces, as advertised, but also many unknowns made their debut which must be intimidating but they held their own just fine from time to time. Like its predecessors, it's a movie that goes by quickly (just over 2 hours) and is easy to follow, but there is such thing as being too predictable and that can ruin the fun for the ending. The mixed, underwhelmed feelings that filled me while walking out of the theater has left me to give this global, box office shattering, record-breaking spectacle a -- GRADE: 6/10

American Sniper

Experience The Silence

           It is easy to say that the original trailer for this film is the most suspenseful marketing campaign thus far in the 21st century. There is a reason all of your friends have already seen this movie and it's not just because it stars one of the best actors of this generation. The heart-wrenching story of Navy SEAL marksman Chris Kyle is inspirational with a capital "I" and who better to bring it to the big screen than Hollywood royalty like Clint Eastwood? While the film itself may not be all around perfect,  you will still be on edge and locked in the mind of this true American hero.

           With 160 confirmed kills or "savages" to your name, there is a reason to be called the "Legend." Bradley Cooper (+40lbs. and a bushy beard) brings to life the story based off Chris Kyle's autobiography of the same name and alternates between being a family man as well as performing his duties as the deadliest sniper in United States history. Post-traumatic stress is a sad but recurring problem with these veterans who are paying the high price of having to relive what horrors are found during deployment. Kyle is no stranger to this and there is a strong focus of what this shell-shocked fury can do to a wife (Sienna Miller) and young family as well as one's outlook on life itself.

              Clint Eastwood hits a directorial peak with American Sniper and watching how Bradley Cooper makes the not-so-smooth transformation even after his first 2 kills is mesmerizing. The clicking of his gun's adjustment knobs and intense focus on where the barrel is pointed all work in his favor. The suspense actually does kill, for once.

             There is no holding back on the lifestyle of these gentlemen. Patriots to the death and mouths like the SEALs they are. While some parts of the film are a bit too fast-paced with details that come off disconnected to the plot, the ending is what makes all 2 hours and 12 minutes worth it. Follow Chris' Texan drawl as Cooper's most visceral performance of his career is an emotional ride.

              The effect on every audience that this movie reaches is the same. Wait for the silence and know what it means. American Sniper may not win Best Picture in the upcoming Oscars but there is a reason it has earned 6 nominations and is breaking box office records left and right. The story of a man who keeps his targets set on what really matters in life. GRADE: 8/10

Foxcatcher

The Eyes (and nose) of Power and Money

            Since the recent unveiling of the 2015 Academy Award nominees, there has been question of how Foxcatcher did not receive a nod for Best Picture. How can acting of this caliber mixed with such an intense and dramatic plot be overlooked? Well, there surely are a few ups and downs in Bennett Miller's (Moneyball) latest directorial project but the obvious credit belongs solely to the actors.

            When the trailer for this film first surfaced, this quote was said by all who viewed it: "Oh cool a wrestling movie... Based on a true story, that's nice... Wait. Is that Steve Carell?!"

             From the beloved Michael Scott of The Office to being a 40-year-old virgin, Steve Carell has got comedy down pat and a style that has captured multiple generations. Here is donning pounds of make-up and nominated for a Best Actor Oscar! Not only is a feat like this unbelievable but completely awesome that he pulled it off. He's a normal guy off-camera with a house and family but you still want to laugh when you see him make any kind of appearance. Except for now. Now, you may be terrified to see him in any other role. It can be said with confidence that he loses himself while totally spot on and even appalling
as multimillionaire and heir to the Du Pont empire, John E. du Pont.

             Staring into du Pont's gummy grill with a bit of nose make-up and fake cauliflower ear also is Channing Tatum as Mark Schultz. His one mission is to get out from older brother Dave's (a nominated and tremendous Mark Ruffalo) shadow and show the world he is capable of earning a gold medal, as well.

             Intensity is a word that constantly comes to mind throughout. The fluidity of Tatum and Ruffalo training on the mats together is a display all on its own. I'm sure Channing's wrestling background was a nice preparation but the grueling physical training alongside insane filming hours can change oneself and take a toll to say the least. It is a workout just to watch the tension grow as Coach du Pont's dead eyes stare motionless when he isn't given the answer he's used to. It takes special talent to have an audience scared of what can come next when the past reaction was to howl with laughter.

              The stars can only shine so bright onscreen and what dulls this beauty is another word starting with "I." Incomplete. Biopics and true stories have a tendency to jump around because usually the person has a pretty eventful life (eventful enough to be made into a movie). The original cut of Foxcatcher was 4 hours long and was eventually cut in half to 2 hours and some change. Having to cover quite a lot of time results in some lack of detail and sudden climaxes that have no leading actions. This can be viewed as just a hiccup but, after all, the Academy must've gotten wise to what was needed. Doesn't change much though when everywhere you turn there are people taking their job seriously. GRADE: 8/10

Horrible Bosses 2

Same Story, Different Sequel

            The story of the "sequel" is the single most tiring story to listen to. It is a tale as old as time -- or at least as old as good movies have been butchered by last minute money-making leaps. The first Horrible Bosses was not only funny because it was a different form of comedy that shined a bright light on Jason Sudeikis' unique style but it was fine with the way it ended the first time. It's an all-star cast with a weak, practice-squad plot. That's not a bad thing, though! It was hilarious and surprising which got everyone riled up when they saw commercials for its sequel but once I got past the first couple scenes there was not much that could be salvaged.

            It is frustrating to see such amazing talent wasted. This cast is solid through and through with each member having a great track record to prove it. The result of having such a far-reaching plot and re-upped lines from its predecessor only comes with worn out laughter. 

            Nick, Kurt, and Dale (Bateman, Sudeikis, Day) have a brilliantly dim-witted entrepreneurial venture that will change showering to a whole new experience. After a promotional appearance on a morning talk show ended in embarrassing [hilarious] shambles, they are sought by billionaire father-son duo Bert and Rex Hanson (Waltz and Pine). As you can imagine, things do not go in the way our three protagonists hope so that leads to familiar faces making a comeback as well as their own completely stupid ways that would give Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels and run for their money. 

           Director Sean Anders can personally thank Charlie Day (Always Sunny in Philadelphia) for maintaining what comedic integrity was left in the script. He has a screech in his voice that never really get old because he can make and line funny. 

           Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, We're The Millers) is funny, also. He can take references from all over and make them work in all of his movies. But, as seen in other reviews, he is hit-or-miss. Here: mostly miss. I cannot totally dog his efforts because he and Charlie Day have proven to be a good team. Jason Bateman is kind of the front man for this trio but seems to be stuck in the shadows this time around. His only route to laughs is being the voice of reason for the other two while they are going back and forth, sometimes a little too long. 

           The supporting cast if what draws viewers in movies like this. Jennifer Aniston reprises her brunette role as Dale's boss, Dr. Julia. With all of the crudeness you can imagine, she is a recovering sexaholic now and that can only help so many people. Her lines are dirty and hot and overall identical to the first installment--eh, a little more emphasis on the "dirty" this time. 

           My ticket stub abbreviated the title to just "Horrible." Maybe they were thinking of Chris Pine. He plays a fake hateworthy character but his performance is plastic and overreaching. Christoph Waltz and Kevin Spacey are two of a very select group of actors who have won an Oscar every time they have been nominated. Spacey makes a 10 second appearance behind plated glass and Waltz is forgettable and incomplete as a crooked billionaire. 

           Well, this has been fun. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, once again. I know Jamie Foxx wishes they didn't show his only good lines in the previews as much as I do. Insult to injury here was how each scene was milked bone dry until there was nothing to laugh at but still tried to find a bang to end with. Let's just forget and move on. GRADE: 5/10

           

Birdman

Keaton Flies into Award Season

            If you have been wandering around the streets looking for Michael Keaton, he has finally been located! He was off starring in the defining role of his career. There, now your worrying is over. What's not over though is our discussion of one of the top movies of 2014. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu has directed and written many highly acclaimed films such as Biutiful, 21 Grams, and Babel. This where the beauty and total investment of one's self into the filmmaking process pays off. Birdman takes the conventional cut and paste style of movies and leaves the viewer enveloped in every character's effort.

            Before seeing this film, I have always been a huge advocate for the movie Black Swan. To me, it never gets old and I am constantly fascinated by the transformation of Natalie Portman's character, Nina, as well as the movie-within-a-movie theme. 

Birdman is the new Black Swan. In my humble opinion.

            There is nothing more refreshing to a movie lover than to see an actor (especially a seasoned one) lose his or herself in a role. Michael Keaton (the best Batman) has not given us that gift. The closest he has ever come was as the sarcastic zombie Beetlejuice back in the 80s. He has now trumped that performance simply by playing himself. 

Riggan (Keaton) used to be the man behind the mask that everyone looked up to. When he starred as the "Birdman" back in the 80s and 90s he was the center of all the red carpet flashes. Now, he is directing a Broadway play adaptation starring himself and just doesn't like knowing that the Birdman has become old news. While attempting make a triumphant comeback on the stage he, along with his Bird persona residing in his mind, now have more perseverance than any newcomer in showbiz.

             Apart from the brilliant acting and an unbelievably mastered script, the best part about this film is the structure. Inarritu set out to make Birdman flow from scene to scene rather than just having cuts and pauses like every other movie. There is no brief blackouts or time jumps in the set, it's all one smooth walk from location to location. I hope they bought enough rags to shine their cinematography Oscar with. 

Keaton channels his inner "Walter White" while
making a run for it down Broadway

            Sure, the continuous shot method is very cool but the reason it stands out is based off the perfection from those onscreen. Keaton is the man that will reap the awards but Edward Norton, Emma Stone, and a dramatically genius Zach Galifianakis can count on their share of nominations, as well!  Each performance is the epitome of visceral. Mind, body, and soul went into preparation and I cannot stress how nice it is to be able to see hard work as an art form. Do not be afraid to get sucked into the mind games Birdman plays. The dark comedy mixed with the leaving-some-doors-open drama is a display that can only be found in the highest tier of film. Watch it once and then hit rewind because this is something that is so much fun to fill in the blanks with. GRADE: 9/10

            

The Interview

Controversy wrapped in Comedy

           The antics are idiotic, the plot is not at all fool-proof, and target is the most evil person of the 21st century. The Interview has scraped up as much news coverage as humanly possible and given a new reinforcement of what the Freedom of Speech truly means. There is no holding back whatsoever. If you're going to make a movie about the assassination of an enemy that is still living, it's go big or go home.

            Seth Rogen and James Franco have become the center of this worldwide phenomenon after being condemned by the real Kim Jong Un himself. Why stop there? This movie has even gotten President Obama threatened, the crowd over at Sony hacked, and even all of North Korea's internet completely shut down. If there's more power that's come from another source of entertainment, point me to the direction and buy me a ticket, please. This is, without a doubt, the gutsiest move in showbiz since Mr. Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator made a mockery of Adolf Hitler's--THE most sinister being since satan himself--and his Third Reich during World War II.

            If you saw This Is The End back in 2013, you got a slight taste of the ridiculousness that comes from the minds of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. After spearheading that hilarious train wreck, they have decided to take on a popular punchline in current events: the supreme leader of North Korea, Kim Jong Un. Everything goes and there can be no holding back. They took on this project surely with the knowledge of what controversy they could drum up but I am sure the waves this has created are crashing down harder than expected.

Okay, now to talk about how insanely funny it is!

             James Franco likes to draw a crowd in any way he possibly can. He's revolutionized the selfie and how to get the paparazzi talking just about how crazy his Instagram photos are. It is no secret that he carries himself with confidence and would love to play someone like Dave Skylark. Arrogant as the day his long and a fashion sense close to Kim Jong Un's barber, Skylark is the host of "Skylark Tonight," a celeb gossip-driven talk show that finds whatever secret the spotlight may be hiding.

            Now, behind the scenes is Aaron Rapoport (Rogen)--"Skylark Tonight's" senior producer. When he finds out the supreme leader is obsessed with Dave Skylark, he sees the ratings fly higher and higher and a few phone calls to Asia must be made. After they are granted an interview under extremely strict protocol, the CIA shows up at their door with one request: kill the Kim. Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls) may be too hot to be in the CIA but she catches the eye of Skylark with her sarcastic charm and fake glasses. Her masterful plot to plant a fatal dose of ricin in Un is a little too much for Aaron and Dave to handle and they do so hilariously.

            The chemistry between these two Freaks is hard to come by in Hollywood. Their sense of humor and ability to fully compliment each other is what makes this watchable-- well, that and the ending. There is an immense of amount of crude, lewd, and Kim Jong -ude in this script  but some of the jokes create laughter that does not stop. Go ahead and let yourself get honeypotted into this one but just know that it takes every stereotype and North Korean gag to level 100 while giving a hefty nod to Katy Perry. Even a friendly game of basketball (wink wink). There's no way a completely quality movie can be made with such a far reaching and offensive plot but that definitely does not mean you can't sit back and have a good laugh! I don't know how to rate this movie (I'm sorry to admit) so I looked up Kim Jong Un's height and went with that. GRADE (in inches): 5.9/10