UNDEFEATED  3.2***

       The 2012 Oscar-award winning documentary "Undefeated" is a great example of  being at the right place at the right time. The movies focuses  on a failing high-school football team, the Manassas Tigers in located in Memphis, Tennessee., This football team  has never won a play-off game in the 110 years of its existence.  Manassas high-school is located in an all-black neighborhood suffering from extreme unemployment. Most of the black teens lack parental guidance, being raised by grandmothers or single parents  Almost everyone on the team has friends or close relatives convicted of various  of crimes.  Into this backdrop of  hopelessness comes Bill Courtney, a white successful businessman, whose true calling and passion is coaching football teams. Having already coached the Tigers for six years, the year of the documentary is supposed to be his best team ever. His key player is  O.C. Brown,  a 6’4” and 315 lbs powerful lineman who is as fast as a running back and plays both offense and defense.. Will the school be able to break the 110 year play-off jinx? To do so they must win their region to have a playoff chance.

Molded into the all too familiar underdog sports story of a team of misfits conquering the odds, it is easy to understand how it won the Oscar for Best Documentary The film spends a significant amount of time  showing the challenges and ordeals of Bill Courtney and his challenged young team, capturing a spectacular moment in time when the team turns from being the perennial loser into a dominant regional team.

The thing that makes all of this truly special, is that these are REAL PEOPLE. This is not some scripted Hollywood sports movie with the latest pop-culture stars. 'Undefeated' cuts deep into real emotions and isn't afraid to show the reality of life whether good or bad .. And as it moves along, you never truly know what will happen, giving it a unique, engaging quality, that is often missing in fictional movies... Full of heart, passion and a hopeful outlook, it is one of the better documentaries out there and one of the BEST football sports stories you’ll ever see.

It’s currently streaming on Netflix and could be found elsewhere. It’s worth finding and watching.

Clark

BRIDGE OF SPIES  3.2****

      Directed by the great Steven Spielberg, BRIDGE OF SPIES tells the story of the Cold War prisoner exchange in 1950's that was brokered by the character portrayed by Tom Hanks . Taking his time telling this story in a script that was punched up the Coen brothers, Spielberg  creates a gray, grainy and, yes, cold world that accurately depicts the feelings of the time.

Not only is Spielberg at the top of his game but so too is Tom  Hanks in the lead role. He imbues lawyer James Donovan with strength, courage and decency ( and a disarming sense of humor) while also showing the fear of the unknown that permeates the movie and the Cold War times of the  '50's. It is Hanks best performance in a while and further highlights him as one of the best actors of our generation.

Spielberg, Hanks, and the Coens are all "veteran" movie names that show, yet again, that they know what they are doing and create a film/world that is interesting to look at and satisfying to experience. An added plus is film newcomer Mark Rylance, as Russian spy Rudolf Abel who almost steals the show. This veteran theater actor has a remarkably expressive face that shows more emotion in a raised eyebrow than most actors show in an entire performances.

 If you are looking for an "action" spy movie – go the James Bond film that is now out. If you are looking for a smart, atmospheric, well-acted movie that accurately depicts the mood, feeling and atmosphere of the Cold War, go to BRIDGE OF SPIES.

  Clark

CRIMSON PEAK  2.9***

   First, 'Crimson Peak' is not a horror film; it is a 'gothic romance' with some mild horror thrown in.  The genre hasn't been visited upon for decades, yet Director Del Toro does a fine job of offering his own take on it.  Despite some narrative problems, 'Crimson Peak' is a grand visual experience that needs to be seen on the big screen if at all. Del Toro's immense talent for creating wondrous images for the screen has not faltered one bit, and he truly has come up with an original concept that we haven't seen in a  long time. And although I didn't completely fall in love with this film, I will say I enjoyed it for those unique visuals which are so glorious, they are almost overwhelming. The sets are spectacular visions of beauty and decadence; the costumes are intricately detailed and gorgeous; and the lighting and  saturated color bring depth and meaning;  

The tale takes place first in America in the late 19th century. A family tragedy occurs near the beginning of the film starting the horror for Edith (Mia Wasikowska) while also driving her into the comforting arms of Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston), who she falls in love with and marries. . Edith travels to rural England with Sir Thomas and his sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain), to live in his  giant creepy  mansion which is in great disrepair, even with a huge  hole in the massive roof …but still it would have suited Vincent Price and Edgar Allan Poe quite well. After her arrival, things take a turn for the worse. Edith begins hearing and seeing strange noises and frightening apparitions that seem to be after her, or at least trying to tell her something.  

As for the horror side, I felt the ghosts/apparitions weren't striking or distinctive enough to achieve the haunting effect they deserve. Director Del Toro went to incredible lengths  to craft the house and other visuals,  yet he did not fully utilize his fantastical  design talents on these tormented creatures. I also felt the pacing dragged along in certain sequences and some scenes did appear repetitive at times.

The trio of leading stars are fine.. Wasikowska delivers a familiar turn as the frail victim and Hiddleston's charm is on show in droves but it is Chastain whose dark cynicism casts a shadow over any sign of happiness in this tale. There's something unnerving every time she appears on screen that only adds to the drama unfolding between the web of on screen relationships.

Rated R for bloody violence, some sexual content and brief strong language 

Clark

MASTER AND COMMANDER, The Far Side of the World   4.0**** 

   Peter Weir is a Director who has made some interesting movies over the years, for example: The Truman Show, Witness, Dead Poet's Society and  Fearless,  But, for me, Master and Commander ( played in 2003) is not only his best, but also one of the best period epics for its authenticity in all respects. Based on a novel written by Patrick O'Brian, it follows Captain Aburey and his ship HMS Surprise, as it seeks out and does battle with a larger and faster French ship around 1805.

Movies like “Master and Commander” only come around once in a while, and not often enough. It is, without question, the finest movie ever made about tall ships and their sea battles.  The cinematography is superb, as is the music through-out the movie. The climax of the movie, a fantastic battle between and on the ships is gripping, well shot and very exciting. I've read that the way the battle is shown is also historically accurate. I can believe that.

The casting is spot-on. There are probably not many actors who can pull off a part like Captain Aubrey, but Russell Crowe is one of them. Aubrey as Captain has to be a strong leader, but also an almost father figure to the young boy officers on board his ship. He certainly has to look the part when he has to fight. and in all these areas, Crowe easily convinces.    But this is not totally Crowes' movie. There is a fantastic performance from Paul Bettany as Mauturin, the ship's doctor, and Aubrey's close friend. The relationship is at the heart of the movie, despite the clashes with the French vessel, and both actors are very convincing. Aubrey and Maturin are particularly bound together by music and are never in more accord than when they are playing together the cello (Bettany) and violin (Crowe learned and actually plays the violin during the movie).  For many who have seen the movie, they remember it for its music.
  
Master And Commander was nominated in 2004 in 10 Oscar categories and won 2 (Best Cinematography and Best Sound Editing). It was beaten in its other categories by Lord of the Rings, Return Of The King (which won everything else!). I think in any other year, it would have also won best film and director.

 

Clark

       THE MARTIAN  4.0***

          From director Ridley Scott, the amazing visionary behind the sci-fi classics  Alien (1979) and Blade Runner (1982) (and other genre films:: Blackhawk Down(2001), Gladiator(2000) & Thelma & Louise(1991)) comes a visually stunning science fiction survival movie. . Matt Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney whose team is sent on a mission to Mars. The mission has to be aborted when an intense dust storm hits and Watney is left behind when he is injured and presumed dead.. Watney wakes up and discovers he is now stranded alone on a deserted planet . Watney must put all his skills and intelligence to the test in order to survive. As luck would have it, Damon's character is a botanist, and his biggest problem is having enough food to survive on until the next manned space crew can come back to rescue him.. So he gets to work planting crops using his own  body waste for fertilizer.  He also has to figure out a way to communicate with NASA back home. It's “Cast Away” meets” Apollo 13”, a survival thriller with men/women using ingenuity and good old fashioned brainpower to get the job done.. and dogged determinism that it makes what could otherwise be a very  depressing film upbeat and hopeful . However, when he has to put on his dramatic chops in certain scenes, he truly commits to  the situation adding to the suspense and sizzle of the movie. The supporting cast, everyone involved, all do great work as well. Jeff Daniels, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara and particularly Chiwetel Ejiofor.  

The visual effects and cinematography are awesome. With the Wadi Rum Valley in Jordan serving as the backdrop for the filming of Mars together with the addition of marvelous CGI, the audience is treated to the most realistic depiction of Mars ever shown in cinema . Another delightful aspect is the storytelling. Unlike most sci-fi films where there is a continuing sense of urgency and doom, this film carries a very hopeful tone and the characters remain optimistic, particularly as to Watney saving himself, and then the  others to rescuing him.  The “Martian” is a must-see on the BIG screen for all sci-fi fans, and actually everyone else. Matt Damon is amazing  and the almost 2 1/2 hour story never disappoints. I believe this film has  Oscars Nominations on the way for Best Visual Effects,  Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing and perhaps Best Actor and Best Picture/Director.

This is the best science-fiction movie I've seen in the last few years, equal to and even better than “Gravity”. It is now in my top 5 to 10 Best Sci-Fi movies of all time.

 

 

SICARIO  2.5***

 

     This is another time I disagree with the critics who are hailing this movie as excellent, saying it’s one of the best films of the year. A majority of the audiences seem to agree. I do not.

Yes, Sicario is well-made — in the sense that it looks, feels and plays like a professional piece of filmmaking. Yes, it is well acted by its stars. No complaints so far, but in my opinion it is quite overrated.  It is slow,  confusing and even obtuse. It takes what  is basically a lurid thriller and tries to make you believe there is  significance that simply isn’t there.  Apart from an exciting opening sequence (that promised a far more intriguing film than was delivered), this is basically just another violent movie about drug trafficking. It’s efficient enough at what it does, but what it does is neither new nor significant.

 Following the  opening in which two FBI agents are killed, a seemingly naïve FBI lead agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt) finds herself   recruited to work with a shadowy agency  to fight a Mexican drug cartel. No one seems to be even slightly inclined to tell her exactly who her new bosses are — the flip-flop-wearing  Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and his perplexing partner Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro) —  or who they work for.. She goes along with it because she’s idealistic and because she’d like to get revenge for the two dead agents.  

At this point, the movie turns full throttle on drug war stuff that feels  like it’s playing on a kind of Donald Trump view of all-things-Mexican. As presented in the film, everything in Mexico  is corrupt and no one can be trusted. But, for that matter, things don’t seem that much better stateside, and that, I suspect, is the supposed point of the film. The rest is for you to see and try to figure out (good luck) although I don’t recommend seeing this one..

Despite being well-made and well-acted, what we end up with is essentially just another violent crime drama straining — and failing — to make a significant statement.

 

Rated R for strong violence, grisly images and language.

Clark

     THE  WALK    3.5***

   “The Walk” is not just a  retelling of the story of Phillipe Petit's "coup" of a tight-wire walk  between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre in the 1974, it’s also a moving tribute to those beautiful icons. I actually felt a sense of loss when I looked upon the towers’ majestic beauty on the amazing IMAX 3D screen and could almost feel  Petit’s sense of wonder and awe upon his first seeing them and their immenseness.  Director Robert Zemekis (  Back to the Future I, II, and III, Forrest Gump, Cast Away, and Polar Express) has bought them back to life so well it was nearly impossible to believe that they are actually gone.

The slow build up covering Petit's early life as a street performer in Paris, France and his first and then many steps/walks on a high wire made the last 30 to 45 minutes of the film all the more remarkable. Even though I knew of his audacious plan and it's outcome through having seen the excellent 2008 documentary "Man On Wire", the heart stopping moments of  the culmination of the actual walk still had me on the edge of my seat.  When you see the  magnificent and captivating  scenes surrounding Petit's walk , you’ll agree that it was a spectacular event that was unspeakably tranquil yet grippingly suspenseful . The way Zemeckis and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski  focus on the sky, the clouds and New York spread out below ( make that 110 stories below ) during the walk ( a distance of 140 feet), the audience can feel the risk and  danger that comes with this unimaginable feat and thus the film transcends fiction in a way that gives audiences a real experience ( Petite had NO safety wires or anything else…if he fell , he was a dead man !!!)

 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a solid job playing Philippe Petit. He really got into his character because he actually learned wire walking and how to do it correctly by Philippe Petit himself. I know a lot of people have been talking about and criticizing  Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s  French accent in the movie… but you get used to it . And here's the thing, Philippe Petit apparently doesn't have an normal French accent and  Gordon-Levitt did a great job of  emulating that.  Also, Gordo- Levitt does a fine job of bringing Petit's "joie de vivre" eccentricity and earnestness to the screen.

 

“The Walk”  give us some of the most amazing and marvelous  visuals of the year and in so many ways the film is a gorgeous love letter to the Twin Towers

 

See this in 3D and IMAX if you can. It's worth it.

 

Clark