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