CREED   3.5***

       The original  Rocky won the Oscar for Best Picture  in 1976 that became a long-running franchise.  The series (6 movies) became sillier as it went along although each of the individual films had some merit to some degree. The latest sequel, Creed, takes a slightly new approach. It's not so much a Rocky sequel as it is a movie set in the Rocky universe. That's a crucial difference, and one that marks the film as a high point in the franchise.

Michael B. Jordan plays Adonis Johnson, the illegitimate son of Apollo Creed (famously played by Carl Weathers). A troubled youth, he is eventually taken in by the wife (Phylicia Rashad) Apollo cheated on. As a young man, Adonis decides that he, too, wants to be a professional fighter, so he makes his way to Philadelphia, where he convinces Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) to train him. He initially tries to hide his connection to his famous father, but others are intent on bringing the secret to light.  

The smartest thing Sylvester Stallone did was to not write and/or direct this film, as he did with all but one the previous sequels. Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station), as the Director, brings a fresh set of eyes to the project. He clearly understands and respects the appeal of the 1976 original, and he pays tribute to the franchise as a whole.. But Coogler also brings his own touches. One of them is some innovative staging, including a dazzling boxing match done entirely in one unbroken shot. Another is providing a more internal motivation for the central character. Whereas Rocky wanted to prove himself to the world, Adonis needs to prove himself to himself.  

Michael B. Jordan proves himself to be the real deal, effectively making Adonis' inner struggle feel true. We sense how deep and real the stakes are as he looks for a way to establish himself outside of his famous father's shadow.  Sylvester Stallone gives a stunning performance  as he returns to his iconic role of Rocky Balboa. Stallone acts as both a mentor and hero to Adonis, delivering a heart wrenching and emotional performance that's should snag him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Stallone has finally turned to a dramatic role rather than adding another action hero credit to his repertoire, and pulls it off quite well.

Creed is also just a good old-fashioned underdog story, one that has you rooting early on, then continues build.  Creed works both as part of a larger franchise and on its own  entertaining terms..

Clark

   

SECRET IN THEIR EYES   2.5****

"Secret in Their Eyes", stars some heavy hitters: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julia Roberts and Nicole Kidman. The movie is a mystery/thriller that is a remake of an Argentina movie from 2009 which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.. In the original film, the Julia Roberts character was a man and his wife was killed. In this one, Julia plays an F.B.I. agent in Los Angeles who is on the terrorism squad. This is around 2002, right after 9/11. A suspected terrorist Mosque is being watched when a girl's body is found in a dumpster, out back. The girl is Julia's daughter and, as can be expected, she is overcome with grief. Chiwetel is her partner and feels guilty about the death. It seems he was supposed to meet the girl just hours before the murder and he bailed on her for something else. Nicole plays the  district attorney and friend of both Julia & Chiwetel who tries to put the killer behind bars but the man is quickly released since he is supposedly an invaluable snitch for the FBI for providing names of terrorists. . For 13 years, Ray logs onto the criminal database and eventually finds a man who might have been responsible for Julia’s daughter’s death and tries to get Nicole to reopen the case. You do have to pay close attention because the story jumps back and forth  between 2002 & 2015 quite a bit, and sometimes it's hard to tell what year it is and thus detracts from the momentum of the film. However the story does show the effects of vengeance and how it can drastically change a person.

One of my problems with the film is that Kidman and Ejiofor share a side story where it's strongly hinted and somewhat revealed that they have a romantic history. I'm fine with romance where it works within the context of the story. But for the life of me I couldn't find a good reason for this romance to be in the film at all. It just doesn't fit within the story. Also, I don’t think the actual investigation is as intriguing as it could have been which is in part due to the frequent flashbacks.

All in all it isn’t a really bad movie, it just ends up being a very forgettable one….an unnecessary remake and a waste of some high powered talent. Wait and catch It, if at all, on a free streaming TV station.

It's rated "PG-13" for violence, language and some sexual content-no nudity- and has a running time of 1 hour & 51 minutes.  

Clark

SPOTLIGHT  3.7***

  Spotlight is the true-story behind the 2002 exposure of the Catholic Church's cover-up of decades of sexual abuse.   Writer/director Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent, Win Win) is a splendid curator of  movie ensembles, and with Spotlight he follows the  investigative team called “Spotlight” and the various editors at the Boston Globe as they go about their jobs.  Over the course of the 2 hour movie, we watch the Spotlight team chase down leads, go through archives, interview subjects, but know when to push harder and when to fall back. Day-by-day and week by week they build their case to expose the massive sex abuse corruption within the Catholic Church.  We don't really get to know any of the journalists on  a personal level ; they are defined by their tenacity and competence. We don't get much time for reflection on the culpability of those within systems of power that chose to ignore the monstrous truth.  With its nose to the grindstone, Spotlight is an affecting and absorbing news story that comes to life.

Tackling a true story with this subject matter like Spotlight does is very difficult to portray on film. You have to accurately tell the true story well enough to not create an outcry while also not relying too much on the weight of the source material so you can still induce emotion. It is difficult, but certainly not impossible and Spotlight did pretty much everything right. The acting from one of the best ensemble casts of the year is phenomenal. Everyone gave such a great performance that no one ended up stealing the spotlight, pun intended.

 Spotlight" is spotless in its focus and makes crystal clear why a free press matters. It very much reminds me of "All The President's Men”’ which was an excellent investigative journalism film about the Watergate scandal. The abuse of power and influence of the Catholic Church that is revealed is simply appalling. At one point, someone comments "it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to abuse a child", pinpointing the collective failing of all of Boston for so many years.  Kudos to the various performers, including Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachael McAdams, Stanley Tucci, and Liev Schreiber, just to name a few." Even so it was the incredible chemistry between and among the entire cast that was most impressive

 Make no mistake: This is not a thriller, nor is it docu-drama. This is smart, focused, intelligent story-telling with a great ensemble cast that pulls you into its story and never lets go.

This will be in the Oscar mix !!!!!

Clark

THE HUNGER GAMES:: MOCKINGJAY Part 2   3.0****

     The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Pt. 2 delivers an ending that satisfies, but does not truly blow you away. There are plenty of tense action sequences, but not as many as was expected. There are emotional scenes, but not quite as dramatic as anticipated.. It is very well-shot with excellent special effects, but not the special effects that blow away the competition of late.  

Katniss and the rebels begin the film trying to do everything they can to get all the Districts on their side against President Snow and the Capitol. Sounds a  lot like the Mockingjay Pt.1 and that's because it is. As Katniss and the other main rebel characters from the earlier movies go on their mission in route to the Capitol, it feels like a rehash of the first Mockingjay. That is one of my main issues with the film in that there was a huge  built up to an epic ending and satisfying closure, but we don’t get it There is an exception though in that the middle part to the film delivers some epic action and CPI scenes . Katniss’ team is forced to take their invasion underground to the sewer lines to get to Pres. Snow’s Mansion in the Capitol. The most intense segments/action of the film follows.. The sewer scenes are brilliantly shot and directed to create a claustrophobic feel and an intense “hold your breath” tension.  

The film's themes are the impossible choices faced by leaders during wartime, the corruption of personality for those who suffer captivity and torture, the vengeance and hatred of the oppressed, and opportunism and corruption among those who seek to manipulate crises for their own benefit. Overall,
Mockingjay: Part 2 does a solid job of revealing the darkness and cruelty of war without glorifying it.

From Julianne Moore and Donald Sutherland to the final screen performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Hunger Games movies have always had great established actors. They all do great work as usual, but I don't think anyone quite realizes how much the filmmakers lucked up with the first film in locking down the main trio of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth, before they all went through the star-fame stratosphere (in particular Oscar winner Lawrence). These three are just such good actors that it has always looked effortless for them, with Jennifer Lawrence once more affirming with this film that Katniss Everdeen was a once-in-a-lifetime role for her. The three stars all manage to round out the series with some of their finest work to date

 The ending is what you make of it, but I will say it follows the plot line of the book. Nonetheless, the problem with the film is that it never quite blows you away. The trailers and the advance hype promised such, but it doesn't happen and you feel let down. It’s one of those ”it that all it is” moments.

Clark

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