ARGO  4.0***

 

    Argo, the third feature film directed by Ben Affleck, simply stunning. Taking place during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, Argo takes your breath away as it very accurately portrays the covert CIA operation, led by Ben Affleck’s character,  to extract six Americans who escaped before the takeover of the Embassy. They escaped out the back exit the of the  Embassy. They took refuge in the Canadian Ambassador's home but were very much in danger as they were constantly being looked for by Iranian soldiers. CIA extractor Tony Mendez (Affleck) hatches a scheme to disguise the six citizens and himself as a Canadian film crew scouting Iran as a location for a fake science fiction movie called "Argo." The plan is then for them to hopefully sneak back into USA using the Iran International Airport, leading to a nail-biting finish.

Amazingly, after only 3 films, Ben Affleck has become an excellent Director. The first two movies he directed (Gone Baby Gone and The Town) were outstanding and he has now outdone himself with his latest installment, Argo. Though Argo is not as gritty as the previous films directed by Affleck, the intensity level is just as high. As a viewer, you will have to wait patiently for the climax to build but I can assure you, you will be rewarded with one of the most tense movie experiences this year. Ben Affleck did a very nice job of letting the plot grow and develop on its own. You don't feel forced to care about these stranded American citizens. Instead, the movie sucks you into their dilemma and the film grows so  that you find yourself worried and scared for these people without even realizing it. Even if you know the story, you will still be left in shock and awe as you witness this adaptation of the courageous mission that took place. Kudos to Ben Affleck for drawing me in and not letting go.

The acting here is top notch with everyone involved, including Affleck himself delivering some awesome performances. The dynamic between Affleck and Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is perfect creating a duo that both entertain as well as keep this story on track. The biggest treat in this film are brilliant. And there are exceptionally  funny performances from John Goodman and Alan Arkin. These guys really bring all the Hollywood aspect to the film to life while delivering Oscar worthy performances that will hopefully be recognized. The gritty look to this film really helps to capture the vibe and tone of the film while combined with the attention to detail, helps take you into the time period it takes place.

 

Argo is an Oscar worthy picture. It really is a movie event at its finest and gives you hope for the future of film making.  . You do not want to miss this exciting political thriller.

Clark

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD ..3.0***

 

   An interesting premise for a movie. What if the world is to end in 3 weeks when a 70 mile wide asteroid collides w the earth. What would U do ... What would others do ... What would happen to law & order ??

 

   Initially  the movie focuses on one man , Steve Carell, who is alone. His wife left him early on when news of the forth coming disaster first broke  The story focuses on him to see how he copes or not….. he's the one "seeking a  friend for the end of the world" He's about as laid back & in control as U could find ... a very different look & persona for Carell who is often way over the top.

 

By accident he is throw in with Keira  Knightly who lives  is in the same  apartment building & is  just breaking up with an annoying clinging boyfriend. Carell and Knightly unexpectedly (a scary  riot erupts in their neighborhood) have to flee together  in her car in what becomes a road trip where each hopes to find their end of the world someone. What ensues is rather fascinating... A road trip where surprises are plentiful & discovery is meaningful.

 

It sounds like a familiar journey from another movie? Well, "Seeking A Friend For The End of the World" takes you in one direction you think you're going, and then often makes a sharp turn when you least expect it. The movie is also funnier than the premise suggest and has some startling moments I never saw coming nor expected, and keeps you watching for many reasons.

 

There are other things you wonder while watching this movie. Most notably, is the world really going to end? Everyone in this movie seems to think so. While it's fascinating to see how different characters react to the news, you keep watching because you want to see if it really does. It can't be a dream or a delusion, can it?

 

Clark

 

 

 

 

FLIGHT   3.5****

       Robert Zemeckis is a  director many may not think of when it comes to some of the best directors of all-time. But when you actually go back and look at his career, there hasn't been a lot to shake your head at. Director of an acclaimed franchise in Back to the Future, an Oscar winner for his direction for Forrest Gump, followed by Cast Away after which  he became the motion capture master behind The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol, it was exciting to hear that Zemeckis was moving past motion- capture and back into live action film. Even more exciting was the idea of Zemeckis working with Denzel Washington on a challenging film for both director and lead actor.

The result of Zemeckis and Washington's partnership is the film Flight, the story of an airline pilot who miraculously crash lands a nose-diving jet, saving the lives of 96 people. The conflict? Pilot Whip Whitaker is an alcoholic and cocaine user and was under the influence of both the morning of the crash, a crash that resulted in six deaths and could result in life in jail for Whitaker.

The opening thirty minutes of Flight are some of the most intense minutes of film this year. While we know from the previews that this plane is going to crash, the process of filmmaking the turbulent nose dive is brilliant by Zemeckis. The camera shakes seemingly uncontrollably as the plane starts to fail in the sky, bags and items fly about the cabin, passengers scream, and Denzel powerfully acts as Pilot Whip trying to regain control of the plane as it plunges to a certain crash. These moments are edge-of-your-seat, heart-pounding filmmaking at its best and something everyone will want to see on the big screen rather than from the comfort of their living room.

But after the crash the film becomes a dark character study about a man who cannot resist the urges that have haunted him for years and years. It is a study of not only this character, but of the morality of him. Even if the crash was a colossal mechanical failure, how can Whip not see the danger he put all the passengers in the minute he stepped onto that plane?  

It is clear that Denzel Washington devoted himself to this character. Every move that Washington made is true and you believe every action of his character because Washington is so convincing. The film didn't need to continue having as much action as the first part of the film (the plane crash) because watching the development of Washington's character was so interesting. Even though Washington steals the film, he is backed up with some very respectable supportive acting. Don Cheadle  plays Washington's attorney and delivers some powerful moments in the film.   But the real scene stealer is  John Goodman (Argo, The Artist)who  plays the comic relief in Flight. Even though Goodman is only in the film for a short amount of time, he delivers some of the best scenes in the movie.

The film is a very accurate portrayal of the struggles and despairs of being an alcoholic. With a fine director and an expert lead role along with many great supporting roles, Flight is a film that shouldn't be missed. The only minor problem with Flight is that it's a little lengthy when it doesn't need to be. Other than that, Flight is a very well made drama .