MY FAVORITE MOVIE: “Love Actually”

 

          People have often asked me what is my favorite movie ? I have always deferred by saying that it depends on the “genre”… the type of movie: action, comedy, drama etc.

Well after last night (12/23/2014) and watching for the umpteenth time “Love Actually” and once gain experiencing the true joy of watching that movie, I can now declare that it is my all-time favorite movie.

In my opinion, “Love Actually” is the closest there is to a perfect movie. From the flawless writing and direction (both by Richard Curtis ), the wonderful ensemble cast, the marvelous, oh so right-on music and soundtrack, the contemporary Christmas setting in London and on and on.

There are so many memorable scenes, the wedding, the Prime Minister’s inspiring rebuke of an arrogant American President, the stepfather/son relationship, the bar scene in Wisconsin when the British guy strikes hot chick gold, the song at the school Christmas show, and best of all (and one of my all-time favorite scenes in a film): the marriage proposal at the Portuguese restaurant ( shades of the Romeo/Juliet balcony scene)

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Then there is the perfect ending at Heathrow Airport where most of the characters and several subplots merge into a joyful finale topped off by the wonderful Beach Boy song: “God Only Knows “playing in the background.

 

( A bit of Trivia: The airport greeting footage at the beginning and end of the film is real. Director Richard Curtis had a team of cameramen film at Heathrow airport for a week, and whenever they saw something that would fit in they asked the people involved for permission to use the footage.)

 

If you have not seen it, you have missed out on an awesome movie experience.

 

If you have seen it, then watch it again… it never gets old, it just gets better !!!!

 

(Currently available on Netflix.)

 

 

The THEORY OF EVERYTHING  3.5***

 

 

               Starring Eddie Redmayne  and Felicity Jones this is the extraordinary story of one of the world's greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking (Redmayne), who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde (Jones). Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking receives an earth-shattering diagnosis of ALS ( Lou Gehrig’s disease)  at 21 years of age. The prognosis is that he will live only for about 2 years. Despite the devastating news, Jane insists that they marry. With Jane tirelessly fighting by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of - time. The movie  traces Hawking's gradual deterioration from walking with difficulty with canes, to crawling up the stairs, to being wheelchair bound, to losing his voice  and yet surviving and despite  the disease. The movie shows very effectively the terrific toll the disease takes not only on Hawkins but also on his wife who also has 3 of their children to rear.  

 

Eddie Redmayne has gotten (and will surely keep getting) a lot of well-deserved praise for the physical transformation of his performance ( favorably compared to Daniel Day Lewis), but what really makes his performance so compelling is how the actor expresses Stephen’s personality (his wit, his aloofness, his stubbornness) so effectively, regardless of the physical state of his character. Equally strong, though, is Felicity Jones playing Jane Wilde. Whereas Stephen’s struggles and complications are easier to comprehend due to his physical condition, Jones is able to communicate a multitude of conflicted thoughts and feelings with even the simplest of gestures or expressions. For sure, it’s these stars along with an excellent supporting cast that truly elevates this film into something quite special.

 

The story is ultimately an insightful love story/relationship that just happens to be about Stephen Hawking. By focusing  on their relationship, the movie only provides glimpses of Hawking’s genius and astounding scientific achievements, although it doesn’t dismiss them altogether. This was a disappointment to me in that I believe the film could have been even better if it had shown more of his brilliant mind and scientific achievements. But, nonetheless, it is an awe inspiring movie which is a beautifully filmed with one striking shot after another, often illustrating the way Hawking looks at the world such as playing off Hawking’s fascination with black holes… circles are a recurring motif — the swirl of cream in a coffee cup, the spinning of a bicycle wheel, an overhead shot of Hawking in his motorized wheelchair doing 360’s. It also includes little grace notes and unexpected details that don’t conform to an established formula. There is a fascinating  scene late in the film when a nearly immobile wheelchair-bound Hawking fantasizes about getting out of his wheelchair. Does he fantasize about giving a powerful speech in his own voice, or sweeping his love into his arms? No, he simply fantasizes about picking up a pen that someone has dropped on the floor. So simple yet so powerful.

 

Clark

 

 

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY  Part I    3.0***

 

            It seems that it has become an unofficial Hollywood money-making policy that, when adapting successful young adult novels for the screen, the last entry in the series must be divided into two separate films. The Harry Potter series did this to great financial effect, as did The Twilight Saga.  The upside to this approach is that filmmakers don't have to pare down the final book as much; they can include more of the story by spreading it out a little. The downside is that the first half of the finale tends to be a lot of setup for a payoff that comes about a year later. That can make it a less-than-satisfying experience in and of itself.  Mockingjay – Part 1 suffers from that downside  but still offers something new to the franchise which helps mitigate the half-a-story syndrome.

 

The plot picks up with Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) in District 13 after the spectacular ending to the last Games. President Coin of District 13 (Julianne Moore) and former Game maker Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), who rescued her, are leading a rebellion against the oppressive Capitol. They want Katniss to be the face of that rebellion. She initially resists, but then learns that President Snow (Donald Sutherland) has Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) at the Capitol, and is using him to campaign against the rebellion. In order to save Peeta, Katniss reluctantly agrees to become the public symbol of the rebellion. Katniss is filmed in a series of dramatic propaganda TV videos designed to encourage everyone in the remaining districts to rise up.

 

The movie is a worthy entry in the series because it does something very important. Mockingjay – Part 1 is an astute examination of a political rebellion and how masses are motivated and manipulated.  The film explores concepts of propaganda, myth-making and the ethics of deciding when/how to put people in danger.  It's fascinating stuff which makes the relative lack of big-ticket action go down a little easier  while also sergving as a huge promo for the big 2015 finale.  As always, Jennifer Lawrence anchors it all, bringing raw emotion to her role. Political machinations can be interesting in and of themselves, yet having such a relatable heroine gives them genuine weight here. Lawrence provides Katniss with just the right amount of hesitation. She may not be fighting for her life this time, but she's most definitely fighting for her soul and her morality, so the stakes are still high.

 

The look and feel of the film is different from the first two. There is much less action ( no games and none of the spectacle) and the Capitol scenes are brief and mostly in tight shots focusing on Snow, Peeta, or the unctuous interviewer Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci). We do get a sense of the sparse military/living conditions in District 13, where  Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) can’t get any alcohol drinks, Effie (Elizabeth Banks) can’t get any  make-up or costumes, and even Katniss has to demand that her sister be allowed to keep her cat.

 

Another problem  with the movie is the story doesn’t come to a satisfying end but rather to an abrupt intermission-type ending with a I year wait for the finale. Those who haven’t read the books will likely feel frustrated and those who haven’t seen the other movies shouldn’t even bother.

 

Clark

 

INTERSTELLAR  3.8***

             “Interstellar” is an epic story about the earth dying, with its soil no longer able to sustain crops other than corn, and the inevitably extinction of humanity. Our hero is an ex-NASA test pilot named Cooper (Matthew McConaughey), a typical ordinary-guy-in-an-extraordinary-situation  who's also a dedicated family man, especially toward his daughter, Murphy.  Cooper is summoned by a now-defunct NASA to become humanity's last hope in finding a new home, for they have found a wormhole near Saturn  which will time-warp the astronauts’ spaceship to another galaxy in a quest for a habitable planet.  

 

Many filmgoers will find similarities to  Stanley Kubrick's “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) in the sense that they are not whiz-bang sci-fi action movies  but more of a  slow-building, thinking person’s sci-fi movie . The space scenes are serenely suspenseful just like in last year’s “Gravity”, but unlike the documentary feel of Gravity, there's a real gusto and pace to these scenes. The visuals  are majestic and very innovative, particularly in the third act where whole new dimensions of time and space are created and thus where you should be prepared for unexpected twists. “Interstellar” is more than just sci-fi, it is also a human drama intertwined in space and a time loop.

The emotional core of this story is the relationship of  McConaughey's character, Cooper,   and his daughter, Murphy  ( by the way, three very talented actresses play the character of Murphy at different ages: Mackenzie Foy, Jessica Chastain & Ellen Burstyn).  For the role of Cooper, they needed an actor who could be an everyday guy who is experiencing incredible circumstances and McConaughey plays the role perfectly, and masterfully displays the emotions required of a man who has to drop everything, especially his family when he knows he probably may never see them again. You can see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice and your heart rises and falls with his emotions  . Anne Hathaway,  Michael Caine, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Ellen Burstyn and other actors do a fine job as the supporting characters. ( NOTE; the cast has  6… yes 6 Oscar winners.. count them). Also, it should be noted that there are two robots that accompany our heroes in this difficult journey….robots unlike any you’ve ever seen before. They add a touch of humor and fascination to the film, which helps to offset the at times depressing, dramatic, and sometimes really dark atmosphere.

 

But this unparalleled adventure of space, time and humanity would not have happened but for the vision and creativity of Christopher Nolan who co-wrote and directed the film. As with his other notable movies, Nolan works with the very best technical talents, many of whom are award-winners in their fields, and very likely will be nominated for this film  At the end of the day, all I can say is that” Interstellar” is a grand film. It is monolithic, thoughtful, sentimental, sophisticated, visceral and has few flaws ( those being  a less than smooth flowing script and the length at 169 minutes ( that’s only 11 min. short of 3 hrs)) .

 

I highly recommend you see this on a big screen at a movie theatre and preferably at an IMAX theatre.

 

Rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language ( but a “soft” PG-13)

 

Clark

 

NOTE: RE Director Christopher Nolan, here is a list, and what a list it is, of the movies he has directed:

 

 2014 Interstellar

 2012 The Dark Knight Rises

 2010 Inception

 2008 The Dark Knight

 2006 The Prestige

 2005 Batman Begins

 2002 Insomnia

 2000 Memento

 1998 Following

 

   

Birdman: or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) 3***  

       

            This is a story about Rigger Thompson (played masterfully by Micha4el Keaton) a man who once was a BIG time movie star as the hero in 3  “Birdman” comic book movies. After he found the sequels and franchise being less an artistic venture and more  a money making gimmick, he quit.. He then has to suffer through a 20 year gap where he was never able to toss the cape and  simply be an actor. He hopes to make a comeback as director, writer, and starring actor in his Broadway play . The movie begins 3 days before opening night of the play.

 

Michael Keaton has been given the definitive role of his career, and he puts the opportunity to awesome use. The supporting ensemble cast including Emma Stone as his estranged daughter;  Zach Galifinakis as his manager; and Naomi Watts and Edward Norton as his fellow actors in the play are all also great. It's obvious everybody sank their teeth into their roles with abandon. The level of intensity is on a par with the ultra-intense 1966 "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"  about four people having emotional meltdowns. In this story, it's Keaton's central character who's losing his grip on reality, and the audience is along for the strange and  tumultuous ride. Along with some gritty realism comes  an interesting touch of magic :  telekinesis and flying (real or imagined ??), both not so weird given the creative energy that seems to come out of the walls.

 Visually, this film has done what few films even attempt to do. Using the 'one shot' technique where the whole film looks as if it is one seamlessly continuous shot is not only a brilliant piece of camera work, but also gives you the sensation of it unfolding right before your eyes in real life. Other films use the element of fast film  with jump cuts and time lapses and you tend to  lose track of where you are and what’s happening. In this movie the transitions are utterly seamless. It is a joy to watch such beautiful pacing in a film. The cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezi will surely be nominated for an Oscar and should be a front-runner as will Michael Keaton for Best Actor.

 

A few caveats: Parts of the script are predictable  and the story premise itself isn't original and has had variations done many times before (a middle-aged former superstar actor  who's fallen on hard times goes for one last shot at redemption in a winner-takes- all gamble). Having said that, the combined talents in this movie manage to put together an extraordinary work of art, flaws and all, and for those who are tired of Hollywood caped crusaders and CGI explosions, will find this to be a fascinating alternative. A feast for the eyes, ears and brain..

 

Rated R for language throughout, some sexual content and brief violence.

 

Clark

 

 

 

 

 

NIGHTCRAWLER  3.0***

 

        A “nightcrawler” is an ugly and slimy animal that surfaces at night and feeds upon live and dead organisms,  a more than apt title for  this riveting  new film. In “Nightcrawler”, the creepy crawly creature  is one. Louis Bloom. Bloom ( Jake Gyllenhaal) is a true sociopath, lacking any kind of empathy or feeling for anyone. In fact the only living thing he seems to care about is his house plant that has pride of place next to the TV. He's a scavenger and a thief, completely unemployable. That is until he happens upon a car accident on the highway, stops to investigate, and bumps into a news crew video filming it. He suddenly gets an epiphany - that's what he wants to do with his life; that's how he can earn himself a lot of money.

 

The film then follows him as he embarks on his new “calling” and each instance sees him pushing the boundaries of legality and morality a little bit further… all to get the most graphic bloody shots. .Louis is the extreme embodiment of some of today's worst paparazzi. He has no care for his subjects - just getting the best shot of them to earn him the most money. But there's more. He's egotistical, ambitious, manipulative, and curious. There isn't much he won't do in order to further his goals including  threatening and blackmailing those around him. Bloom is one of  the most detestable character I've seen in ages. He's a soulless scavenger rummaging through the misfortunes of others, feeding off accidents and violent crimes, sometimes while they're still happening. But the TV news station keeps buying what he's selling as viewer ratings spike with each successive gory scene shown.. For the TV news the saying is : “If it bleeds, it leads” .

 

Gyllenhaal arguably gives one of the  best performance of his career in a role that substantially differentiates from his earlier work. He looks gaunt and creepy… he lost over 20 lbs and worked out diligently to create the scary appearance.

 Gyllenhaal's performance is flawless and terrifying. His creepy, relaxed composure is a perfect foil for the madness he hides inside. Rene Russo is quite good  as a veteran TV news producer whose moral compass has spun out.  

 

Nightcrawler is a  riveting and disturbing story set against the haunting backdrop of night-time L.A. This is definitely not an easy film to watch.  It can  be rather disturbing at times. And you find yourself feeling guilty for  rooting for Bloom even though you know you really shouldn't. All in all, this is  one of the most riveting and engaging films I have this year.  

 

Rated R for violence including graphic images, and for language.

 

Clark

 

FURY  2.5***

 

           It’s April, 1945, as the Allies make their final push into Germany.  A battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy ( Brad Pitt) commands a Sherman tank (named “Fury”) and  his crew now includes a rookie soldier with no combat experience. The story is your typical band of brothers squad: you have your messed up in the head character, your overly religious character, your emotionally scarred leader, an innocent inexperienced young man and a Mexican This time it is a tank squad, which offers a different perspective on war and its battles.

 

'Fury' strives to capture the insanity and chaos of war, not only that created by the 'enemy in the distance' but also by Allied fighters. Just as Nazi soldiers are displayed gunning down civilians, we also see Fury's crew harassing German citizens and coldly executing captured unarmed soldiers. In contrast, there are other scenes where not only Fury's crew, but also German soldiers, are seen acting humanely and selflessly. The message would appear to be that war can bring out both the worst and the best in people, regardless of their affiliation.

 

Fury is unapologetically messy and brutal. The crude realistic nature of the film is more than just visual as we have the cast using unrefined profanity mixed in with the usual military jargon. While the cinematography is splendid, it's nothing near as glossy  as  other war movies. Instead, this is an unfiltered portrayal of war. It goes out of its way to display the gritty, bloody, brutal, ugliness of war. In other words, this is not for the fainthearted  as bodies and body parts are vividly shown being terribly wounded or killed or blown up and apart.  The movies doesn't dwell on  gore for shock purpose, it simply shows rather graphically mortally wounded  and burning bodies as if they are normal occurrences, which of course they are in battle.

 

The movie strives to be authentic:   All outfits and weapons in the film were real and acquired from museums around the world; a genuine German Tiger I tank was used, the only fully functioning Tiger tank in the world; genuine allied Sherman and Grant tanks were also used; the cast (including Brad Pitt) underwent a rigorous month long course of boot camp and had to know how to fully operate their tank ; two brands of cigarettes are used in this movie, Lucky Strike and Camel and even the cigars being smoked were genuine Cubans.  

 

But despite the movies’ attempt at authenticity, the movie drastically fails in this regard when it comes to the major battle scene toward the end of the movie. It is ALL Hollywood and in no way close to the reality of an authentic battle given the odds and skill of the soldiers.. I won’t say more so as not to spoil the movie for you except to say that it could be compared to a possible different Hollywood outcome for Custer’s Last Stand if Custer and 5 of his soldiers were fighting from a covered wagon at night with a couple of extra rifles against several hundred armed indians….NO WAY.  

 

Rated R for strong sequences of war violence, some grisly images, and language throughout.

 

Clark

ST. VINCENT   3.3 ***

 

       Bill Murray plays a cantankerous old man named Vincent who forms an endearing friendship with his new preteen neighbor Oliver (played by Jaeden Lieberher). Vincent is a chain-smoking, alcoholic Vietnam veteran who gambles at the racetrack, is in deep debt, and enjoys the company of a pregnant Russian prostitute/stripper named Daka (played by Naomi Watts). When Oliver's mother, Maggie (Melissa McCarthy), is forced to work late hours to make ends meet, Vincent offers to babysit Oliver for a modest fee (in order to pay his various debts).During their time spent together, Vincent attempts to teach the mild-mannered and polite Oliver a thing or two about the real world while Oliver, through his childhood innocence, starts to break down some of the crotchetiness of Vincent.  

 

Bill Murray obviously steals the show and further demonstrates his incredible range of acting, but not without a few supporting one-liners from McCarthy and Watts. Chris O'Dowd also delivers a good supporting role as Brother Geraghty , Oliver’s teacher at his Catholic school.  And  Jaeden Lieberher as Oliver,  delivers a fine performance and demonstrates real chemistry with Murray on screen.

St. Vincent works because although it is designed to give us a positive message, it never overdoes it. It has salty language, some questionable characters, and people have flaws, but it also has a positive heart that doesn't quit, and it's willing to laugh at itself and lets us in. It doesn't merely tug at the heartstrings, it plays two-part harmony with it..

 

Rated PG-13 for mature  material including some sexual content, alcohol and tobacco use, and for language…but it is a “soft” PG-13.

 

Clark

 

 

JOHN WICK  3.0*** as regular movie (4.0*** as an action film)

 

       This movie is an “over-the-top”  action flick starring Keanu Reeves (in arguably his best action role since THE MATRIX) as the ultimate, unstoppable hit-man, John  Wick, who is in retirement when the film opens. .But then he  finds himself drawn back into his old ways when the punk son of a  Russian mobster steals his prized '69 Mustang and kills his puppy - a gift from his recently deceased, beloved wife.  Hell bent on getting revenge Wick is laser focused on his prime objective which is to  kill the punk no matter what it takes. His leaves destruction and a huge body count in his wake while all the time  being targeted himself with a huge bounty on his head.  

 

 “John Wick” is insanely fun, violently brutal and an overall wild romp. It is propelled by Tarantino-ish  style and  dialog mixed with the swagger of action stars from the 70s. Reeves literally emulates cool in this film and does it with such confidence, that we never doubt the character...even when he coolly and expertly kills countless bad guys with extreme force in some utterly ridiculous and implausible situations. We don't doubt him  for a minute. This is EXACTLY what you want out of an action film. It is briskly paced, brilliantly shot and meticulously choreographed .The supporting cast filled with the likes of John Legiuzamo, Ian McShane, and Willen Dafoe also keeps this film very interesting. These guys don't play good guys…. what the heck…,  John Wick by traditional standards would be a bad guy in any other film. Every character Wick encounters (including one really bad-ass woman assassin) is more ruthless than the next and pushes John Wick to be even more ruthless than they are, creating a very cool dynamic between the character and the plot regarding the idea of how far is too far? However, don't expect some illuminating revelation from John Wick regarding good versus evil… the point here is…… be very careful whose dog you kill..

 

This film wants you entertained and does so with brute force, it never lets up, not even for a second. One scene in particular that will have your blood pumping is a showdown between multiple thugs and Wick in a nightclub. This action sequence is the best in the film and will have you holding onto your seat with white knuckles due  the sheer intensity of it. Overall, John Wick is slick, violent fun that turns into a remarkably surprising film. I highly recommend this film to action buffs who can withstand a whole lot of brutal violence. The rest of you be forewarned.

 

Rated R for strong and bloody violence throughout, language and brief drug use

 

Clark

 

THE JUDGE  3.2***

 

           Robert Downey, Jr. returns to the screen as Henry Palmer in The Judge.  Henry is a successful Chicago defense attorney who is very good at his job and provides well for his wife and grade-school aged daughter. The wife is bored because Henry works so hard and she is seriously contemplating a divorce. When Henry learns that his mother has passed away, he returns to the small Indiana town of his childhood for the first time in 10 years. There he is reunited with his older brother, Glen (Vincent D'Onofrio), his younger, mentally challenged brother Dale (Jeremy Strong), and his  father, Judge Joseph Palmer (Robert Duvall) with whom he is bitterly estranged.

Judge Palmer becomes a murder hit/run suspect when a low-life he had previously sentenced is hit and killed on his bicycle. Henry defends his father in court. It's more family drama than courtroom drama and just because there's no mystery or "who done it" to solve doesn't mean the courtroom scenes aren't fulfilling. Every scene is  packed with drama  and some humor, and  are quite riveting. The rival prosecuting attorney played by Billy Bob Thornton is a nice surprise.

 

 

With brilliant performances from Robert Downey Jr and Robert Duvall, their battle is a joy to watch. Robert Downey Jr plays the son with his usual quick witted, cocky and charismatic style, and Robert Duvall's very humanistic performance as the bitter, stubborn father makes for a wonderful pairing of adversaries. Their outward bitterness is balanced well with their suppressed love for each other and the film is a wonderful emotional ride.  The two them on screen together are flat out amazing. The chemistry they bring to their on-screen relationship makes the film.  By films end, motivations are clear as well as the reasons why they are so estranged and why their relationship went down that path.  

Even though there was a bit too much going on at time, it is still a touching and absorbing film that will make you laugh and cry, and if you are a fan of either Downey Jr or Duvall you'll love !!

Rated R for language including some sexual references… but a “soft” R.

Clark

THE SKELETON TWINS   3.2***

       The film opens with Milo (Bill Hader) failing at a suicide attempt and winding up at the hospital, and twin sister Maggie (Kristen Wiig) receiving the call while she’s attempting her own suicide attempt. Maggie brings the LA-based Milo back to New York to live with her and her human Labrador of a husband Lance (Luke Wilson). As both come to grips with their brushes with death, they start to face and accept their personal demons.  Some of the major revelations that occur  are incredibly well-handled  giving the audience hints of what’s to come but never making it clear how dysfunctional average-looking people can be.  

The major pull for this film is to see what Wiig and Hader can do (They performed together often when they were on Saturday Night Live). It shouldn't come as a surprise that Wiig (great in “Bridesmaids”) is absolutely terrific, as adept with the drama  as the comedy. Her performance sits in the space between the two, that delectable tension of wondering in what direction she will go   The great delight though is Bill Hader, who proves to be just as skillful as his co-star. Milo is the more "showy" role, a gay actor riddled with emotion and neurosis, but what a relief to see Hader err away from the cliché and worry more about Milo as a character rather than his sexuality . And together, Wiig and Hader are absolutely electric, a powerhouse on-screen team that bring out the best in each other. When the sh** hits the fan, both come out with guns blazing, and leave you cheering as the twins find a place for each other in their complicated lives. There is also excellent work from Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell as Milo's old high school teacher/lover and Joanna Gleeson as their self-absorbed hippy mother

 

There is lots of darkness here. We see suicide attempts, adultery, depression and more, and it's not hidden behind fancy camera work or elevated language. It feels real and you can relate to it. These characters show what families can offer and take away. Nonetheless, 'The Skeleton Twins' is a beautifully pitched film that asks you to feel for a bit, sometimes in ways that feel a little too close to home or too difficult to ponder, but rewards you with hope and heart.

Rated R for language, some sexuality and drug use… but a “soft” R.

Clark

GONE  GIRL  4.0****

 

              Director David Fincher has delivered once again. His latest masterpiece, Gone Girl, is an uneasy thriller based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn, (who also wrote the excellent screenplay for the film).  David Fincher is  one of my favorite directors particularly for his dark thrillers like “Se7en” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” though he's probably better known for “ The Social Network”, “Fight Club” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. Fincher is a true artist. He creates incredibly intricate and stunning settings for his films through his unique and highly stylistic visuals.  

 

Ben Affleck plays the husband of Rosamund Pike who goes missing on the day of their 5^th wedding anniversary, and after a wide ranging search, she is presumed dead. Naturally Ben Affleck is the prime suspect. All of this is divulged within the first 15 minutes of the film. What happens after I won't say because watching the story unfold with all its twists and turns is a BIG part of the thrill and enjoyment of this spectacular movie. You may think you’re pretty good at guessing twists.  But I promise that this time most of you will be blindsided more than once. The story is dramatic, shocking and haunting without going overboard into ridiculousness. What transpires between these people is believable, but a real stretch at times, and is quite shocking. More than that I won't say.

 

The story’s beginning will  remind you of the infamous Scott Peterson case ( his pregnant wife went missing and he was later convicted of her murder) But the film looks unlike any film I've seen in recent years. Lead by an all-star cast featuring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Tyler Perry and Neil Patrick Harris, Gone Girl rises WAY above other thriller/suspense movies with smart storytelling, amazing pacing and stellar performances. What Gone Girl does so brilliantly is tap into the audience's psyche regarding marriage and a blood-thirsty media. It becomes heavy stuff when the story  gets to the meat and bones of it all. With plenty of twists and turns, Gone Girl keeps you, not only second guessing the whole idea of marriage, but the intentions of every character in the film. It is truly one of the most delightfully twisted thriller films you’ll ever see  . David Fincher and his longtime collaborator and cinematographer, Jeff Cronenweth create a hauntingly tense tone  that makes every twist and turn that much more gut wrenching. Every shot is meticulously planned, showing each shot as if it were a still frame that speaks a thousand words. It is truly gorgeous filmmaking. And as for the music, Trent Reznor and Atticus Finch deliver a perfect score, besting their Social Network and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo scores.  

 

Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike are EXCELLENT in this film. Harris and Perry give well rounded performances as well but are nothing compared to Affleck and Pike.  Pike is at her career best, particularly in the film's second half where she is nothing short of spectacular !!  She should be  a major contender for this year's award season. Affleck is no slouch either, being tasked with a lot of the weightier moments and nailing them like a seasoned pro. Affleck expertly plays up Nick's winning smile and boyish charm, but there's also an almost uncontrollable rage bubbling just beneath the surface.

 

The only  negative about the movie for me was the ending.. This film is almost 2.5 hours long and yet the ending seemed TOO abrupt and left me confused . Maybe that’s what Fincher intended but I felt like something was left out or maybe I missed something.. But, nonetheless it did not detract enough to change my opinion that this is one of the best films of the year. It is a totally mesmerizing film that probably calls for multiple viewings to truly get the full experience. It is impeccably made, beautifully acted and an all-around a near perfect film.

Rated R for a scene of bloody violence, some strong sexual content/nudity, and language

Clark

PS: If you find yourself confused about the ending as I was  I’ll be happy to share with you what I learned after I checked other reviews of the movie and the ending.

  

 

THE EQUALIZER  3.2***

 

    This movie is based off the television series called "The Equalizer". It is about an ex-CIA operative who uses his special skills to help ordinary people who have no other recourse. The Equalizer is a gritty and violent, suspenseful  action film. This movie is very character-driven, and Denzel Washington, who plays the good guy, Robert McCall, gives another stellar performance. At the beginning of the movie, his character lives alone, keeps to himself, and seems to suffer from some form of OCD.   He is not some  wise-cracking ex-cop in the wrong place at the wrong time, but rather a quiet and complex character whose sense of justice is awakened when a young girl is brutally beaten. The film also has a strong Russian bad guy who has almost as much screen time as  Denzel  which most action films lack. However this isn’t your average action film. It’ll remind you of the excellent 2008 movie “Taken” starring Liam Neeson.

 

Denzel delivers a strong, convincing performance with some very catchy, powerful punchlines that actually make the viewer believe that he really is a super bad-ass guy  capable of taking down the entire Russian mob on his own. He owns the character and makes the character come to life on screen.

 

This movie gives you everything you could want from an action film: guns, explosions, suspense and great effects. In fact, the violence and bloodshed  is so prevalent it is definitely deserving of its R- rating, but that also makes the film feel authentic. The excellent performances by all the cast  also  helps raise this movie above your ordinary action movie. Overall the movie gives us a darker hero for darker times, and one you will cheer on every step of the way!

 

Clark

A WALK AMONG THE TOMBSTONES  3.0***

            Liam Neeson would like to have a word with the man who said there were no second chances for a 62-year-old actor in Hollywood.  Neeson is in the midst of one of the most remarkable second chances in movie history ( but 1^st place would go to Robert Downey). This Academy Award nominee, previously known more for his prestigious résumé than his prodigious muscles, is the biggest and most consistent ass-kicker in Hollywood. If the Liam Neeson of today starred in a movie called Schindler’s List, fans who only know him from his recent work would assume it was a high-octane action thriller about a hit man named Schindler systematically working his way through a “list” of the men who murdered his family. Neeson’s latest effort ( his 5^th action film since starting with “Taken”)  is slightly more subdued than his average shoot-’em-up, but no less satisfying.

Neeson stars as an ex-cop-turned-unlicensed-private-eye, Matthew Scudder, who retired from the force following a shoot-out-gone-bad, and is earning a meager living as a detective. He’s called to the lavishly appointed home of Kenny, a drug dealer, whose wife was  kidnapped and held for ransom. At first Scudder refuses  but then agrees to take the case after  Kenny explains that he’s already handed over the ransom ( his life savings) to the kidnappers who killed his wife anyway and chopped her up into small pieces.   What follows contains no wild plot twists or complicated story line, just good old-fashioned detective work in some of the less glamorous corners of New York City: musty libraries and dingy diners, church basements and vacant lots, and for several key sequences, Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery.   Even with a foreigner like Neeson and some of the other cast members ____ who, to their credit, manage totally passable Noo Yawk accents—the movie is shot through and through with an authentic Big Apple vibe.

A Walk Among The Tombstones will probably do no better than modest business in theaters. It will certainly win no Oscar nominations.  But it’s the sort of modest yet thoroughly satisfying potboiler that, with time, begins to accrue a reputation among aficionados as a minor classic of its genre.  

Rated R for strong violence, disturbing images, language and brief nudity.

 

Clark

 

PS: You could wait for this to come out on Netflix or Redbox.

 

PLEASANTVILLE (1998 movie) 4.0****

 

       If you were told about a movie in which two 1990s teenagers (brother & sister) are magically warped into their television and become part of a black-and-white 1950s sitcom entitled “Pleasantville” might think it would be a lame idea. If you were told about a movie  where people of different beliefs clash and argue, then you would probably say so what. Now, if you were told that these two movies are one and the same, you will likely be surprised.” Pleasantville” is not just about two kids being trapped in an old TV show and trying to get out. It's really about how good or bad it can be to introduce your own values to those who hold a completely different set or none at all.. 

 

So you have Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon ending up in 1950s  Pleasantville  due to a magical TV remote control. The two explore this new world around them and find that everything is . . . perfect. It's so perfect that players on the high school basketball team can only  shoot  successful baskets. And when it comes to love, no teenage couples  make out and married couples sleep in different beds… i.e. no sex.. That is, until Reese Witherspoon changes all of that. There are no fires (the firemen only rescue cats in trees), no rain and the temperature is always a “pleasant” 72 degrees.

 

But after Reese and Tobey arrive and begin to stir up things, objects and people slowly change from black-and-white to color. Thanks to the magic of Hollywood special effects, this type of world with coexisting technicolor and black & white is made possible. The purpose of this unique color scheme is to symbolize change, the experience of emotion, and living more "colorfully."  

 

So you can imagine the conflict that arises from this. In one scene, married men get together to talk about maintaining their old-fashioned values as they watch their wives do things they've never done before. And in another scene, those still remaining in black & white commit violent acts against people and places  that have become “colored”. What happens from that point on, I won't say, but I really enjoyed and was totally fascinated by the entire movie..  This is a special “feel good’ movie.

 

Pleasantville is a great film and one that I think many people may have overlook. The cast is outstanding, not just Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon, but also William H. Macy and Joan Allen as the conservative TV husband and wife, and Jeff Daniels as the wanna-be artist soda shop owner , Pleasantville is an example of what makes  movies great.  

 

Written and Directed by Gary Ross ( his first time directing a movie) who previously had written the screenplays for “Big:” and “Dave”

 

Clark

 

PS: Parts of this review I attribute to a review by “Anthony’s Film Reviews”

  TOP TEN SEQUEL MOVIES

This year I'm going to be doing a Top Ten of my favorites movies in different categories and at some point I may even do my favorite top ten movies of all time. I'm going to start with sequel movie series from over the years with my definition of a sequel series being at least 3 movies pertaining to the same basic storyline and/or with the same characters and/or their predecessors or descendants including prequels.You'll be surprised how many there have been and how good and popular many of them have been. Here is my list which combines what I consider  to be the best and as well as my favorites...so it is not just the best quality-wise but also from an entertainment standpoint. Also it takes into account the fact that some have numerous sequels/prequels ( The James Bond Movies and Star Wars ) while some only have three ( for instance, The Bourne Movies).

Here we go in order of my very best/favorite at #1 and so forth:

 

1) Star Wars

2) James Bond

3) The Godfather

4) Indiana Jones

5) Bourne Series

6) Lord of the Rings

7) Austin Powers

8) Terminator

9) Spiderman

10) TIE: Harry Potter and Jurassic Park

 

Honorable Mentions: Planet of the Apes; Nightmare on Elm Street; Batman; Pirates of the Caribbean; Mad Max; Superman and Alien

 

Others in this category: Rocky; Shrek; Mission Impossible; X-Men; Lethal Weapon; Rush Hour; Matrix; Star Trek; Back to the Future; Home Alone; Oceans 11-13; Die Hard; National Lampoon Vacation Movies; Beverly Hills Cop; Halloween

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Clark