Top 10 Favorite Movies of 2016

Honorable mentions in order of appearance: Arrival, Sing Street, The Nice Guys, Manchester By The Sea, Deadpool, Swiss Army Man, Doctor Strange, Zootopia, and Hell or High Water.

Opening song: In The Shadows by Foreign Air

Sing Street Review (2016)

Sing Street

  Sing Street sets us up in 1980's Dublin, and is a coming of age story about a boy who starts a high school band at his Catholic school.

  I hadn't heard too much about this indie flick going in, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. 

  Since it's about music, let's first talk about the soundtrack and score, which I really liked. Sing Street pays a lot of homage to 80s bands, while still keeping its own style. At one point during a scene, I even heard a slow piano rendition of Take On Me that was a part of the score. It was really cool and subtle. Like seriously, good on you, movie. Good on you.

  The cast is also really solid! The main kid, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo really reminded me of a young Freddie Highmore. Highmore is one of my favorite actors, so that's a huge compliment. Another surprise was Jack Raynor who you might recognize from that piece of trash that was the fourth Transformers movie. No need to worry though, he's great here! Probably the best part. He had this really genuine, authentic relationship with our main character, and some hilarious lines of dialogue.

  The other characters in the band weren't fleshed out as much as I would've liked, but they were fleshed out enough that it didn't take away too much from the story. I also thought their dorky transition of clothing style through the film as they changed genres was really fun.

  Sing Street is a feel good film that's almost impossible to dislike, even with it's sometimes unrealistic optimism. 7 out of 10 Stars. (Very Good)

Speed Reviews: Deadpool, Sully, The Nice Guys, and The Purge: Election Year

  In a year where superhero films are a dime a dozen, Deadpool hit theaters and changed the game. Not afraid of earning that hard R rating, Director Tim Miller gives us an edgy, cleverly self aware, and entertaining film. Does it break ground in terms of plot? Not particularly, but it has a lot to offer, and Ryan Reynolds couldn't be any cooler. 8 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It)

  I'm generally not a huge fan of Clint Eastwood films (I know, shoot me),  but I am a big fan of Tom Hanks. As usual, Hanks gives us a solid performance, but I must say I've seen him give more memorable ones. While Sully is definitely an inspiring story, I couldn't help but feel that the film as a whole felt lifeless in its execution. 5 out of 10 stars (Rent It)

  The Nice Guys is a detective story set in 1970's Los Angeles. Films like this aren't made very often, and this one hits just the spot. If there's one thing I loved about The Nice Guys, it's the amazing chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. The humor is offbeat, the story is clever, and Shane Black's directing is top notch. This film knows exactly what it is, and delivers.  8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It) 

 

  Being a fan of the previous films, I was disappointed by how utterly stupid The Purge: Election Year was. All I wanted was some good entertaining action, a decent script, and some decent acting. Instead, I got the exact opposite. I was literally hoping certain characters would die just because their acting was so unbelievably awful. The script felt like it was written by a 9 year old boy, and the worst part, is that The Purge: Election Year thinks itself a relevant political commentary. Do yourself a favor, and skip this. 1 out of 10 stars. (Trash)

Lion Review (2016)

Lion

  Lion is the true story of a young Indian boy named  Saroo, who gets lost on a train and taken far away from his home. Saroo is then adopted by a family in Australia and 25 years later, he tries to find his real family.

  I have very mixed feelings about this film because the first hour is absolutely amazing. It's powerful, it's emotional. The little boy who plays five year old Saroo is a revelation. Sunny Pawar. Remember that name guys. Not only did he have the cutest face in the history of ever, but his first acting debut completely won me over. Every line was believable, every expression genuine. He was by far the best part of this film. 

  Dev Patel plays Saroo as a 25 year old, and this is where the film kind of lost me. It's not that Dev Patel did a bad job, he was really solid, I simply felt he was miscast. He literally looks nothing like 5 year old Saroo, and I couldn't help thinking that someone like Manish Dayal would have been better for the part. 

  The second hour of this film was flawed on a lot of levels, but mainly dictatorially. What at first felt extremely organic, and truly gut-wrenching in execution, suddenly switched tones into a frankly boring melodrama. Nothing really happens in the second half of this film, and what does happen feels rushed and contrived. This is Garth Davis's directorial debut, and it shows.

  Nicole Kidman and David Wenham were pretty good, but a lot of Kidman's scenes feel Oscar-baity. They want us to cry, but they don't take the time to earn the tears. 

  Rooney Mara was also in the film, and her character felt completely useless. She didn't add anything to the plot and could have been played by almost anyone.

  In the end, Lion is a good looking film with a beautiful score, but the emotional punch doesn't quite land despite it's spectacular set up. 5 out of 10 stars (Rent It)

Speed Reviews: The Neon Demon, Zootopia, The Witch, and Lights Out

  The Neon Demon is about a young, aspiring model who enters a world of obsessed women who will stop at nothing to kill her career. This film was dark, twisted, bizarre, and stylistically hypnotic. The Neon Demon isn't afraid to go to deranged and horrific places, but perhaps to a fault. 7 out of 10 (Very Good)

 

 

  Zootopia isn't just a kid's movie, no, this zany film took me by surprise with it's depth and creativity. This is a genuinely funny film that tackles systematic racism in a Animal Farm-type style. The animation is adorable, the dialogue is witty, and the delivery from the voice actors is on point. There is plenty of charm and plenty of fun. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

  The Witch is one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. This slow-building masterpiece  doesn't quite scare you while you're watching, but when you finish, you realize that it's settled deep down into your skin, and you won't be getting it out anytime soon. The Witch is a visually stunning, brilliantly acted, period piece that will give you chills. If you like quality horror that doesn't rely on jump scares, give this one a watch. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

 

  Lights Out seemed to get a pretty good reaction from most critics, but unfortunately failed to impress me. Everything about this film you've already seen before, and the story itself is weak. I didn't love any of the characters, it followed a lot of the horror tropes, and in the end was more laughable than it was scary. I give Lights Out a 4 out of 10 stars. (One Time See For Free)

The Lobster Review (2016)

The Lobster 

 

  I thought that Swiss Army Man was the weirdest movie of the year, but I was wrong. Boy was I wrong.

  I saw The Lobster a while ago, but I was so confused by what I thought of it that I am just now doing this review. 

  The Lobster is a dark comedy about single people who are taken to this place where they are supposed to fall in love. If they don't meet anyone in a certain amount of time, they are turned into an animal. I'm not even kidding, that's the plot.

  As far as critiques, this is a frickin long movie with a very repetitive score. The satirical humor is very off color (definitely not for everyone), and the plot is pretty odd as I'm sure you've noticed. That said, there is something about this bleak, indie film that I really liked. It was original, layered, and well acted. Collin Farrell really commits to this role, giving us a quirky, funny, and moving character. As strange as the world he inhabits is, he grounds us and makes it believable. 

  This is a film that some people will love and some people will hate. I really appreciated the ambitious nature of it and the way it commented on social norms. When it comes to relationships, singleness, and loneliness, The Lobster tackles its themes in a way that really works. If you go into this with an open mind, you may like what you see. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

Silence Review (2016)

Silence

  I have literally never heard a movie theater so quiet. Even when this film ended, you could hear a pin drop. Nobody said anything, nobody clapped, everyone just stayed in their seats and waited for the credits to end.

  The whole time I was watching this, I felt like I was holding my breath. It's just one of those movies that grips you with its relentless storytelling and refuses to let go. 

  If you don't already know the plot, Silence is the story of two Jesuit priests who go to Japan for missionary work and to see if a former priest has truly apostatized or if it's just slander. This film was extremely hard to watch, but at the same time you can't look away.

  The cinematography was just mesmerizing, all of these beautiful long shots of the exotic locations. It was so moody and evoked this feeling of being in an unfamiliar, hostile environment, but also a beautiful and hopeful one.

  Andrew Garfield blew me away in this film, giving the best performance I've ever seen from him. It's going to be a tight race between the male Oscar contenders this season, but he definitely deserves to be up there. For such a young actor, Garfield has this maturity about his work. He's able to emote in a way that is both raw, honest, and vulnerable. Absolutely stellar.

  This was a deeply beautiful film in a lot of ways, but it's also a conversational piece that takes some interesting stances on its own religious beliefs. Silence was adapted from a book written by a Japanese Catholic and is also directed by a Catholic. As a non-denominational Christian myself, I tried to be as objective as I possibly could when watching this film. Still, at times I felt some of the moral questions and conclusions betrayed even their own faith. Without going into spoiler territory, I will say that the third act takes a very unexpected turn, and asks some very interesting questions. This turn kind of left a bad taste in my mouth, but also stayed in my head long after I left the theater. 

  Silence is a powerful film that makes you think and leaves a lot open for different interpretations. Would I watch this two hour and forty minute film again? I don't know. It isn't a film you really sit down and enjoy. Silence is gut-wrenching, heavy, and tragic. It doesn't try to pull at your heartstrings, it just straight rips them right out of your chest while your heart is pumping. And while I'm still not sure what to think hours after the film ended, I'm glad that I got to experience it and I highly respect it.  9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray) 

Fences Review (2016)

Fences

  Wow. Talk about an emotional roller-coaster. While I still haven't seen Silence, I've seen almost all of the other Oscar contenders for this year, and I have to say that Fences has moved me the most. 

  Before I go into what I loved about this film, I will talk about what could be considered a flaw to some. Fences is a very dialogue heavy film, adapted from a play. Because of this, it did at times feel a little restrained within the cinematic medium. Most of the movie takes place in one or two locations, where the camera is pointed at the actors and then leaves them to do their job. With the wrong actors this could have been a catastrophe, but fortunately we had Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, and they gave it everything they had.  Like really, the entire theater was sniffling and crying throughout this whole thing because they were just THAT good. If Washington and Davis don't both win Oscars, I'm going to be furious.  

  The characters are complex, they're flawed, they're relatable. The emotion in this film and from these two actors never feel contrived or theatrical. It's just straight up raw and unapologetic.

  Another thing I must talk about is the profoundly beautiful script. The story is simple, but the way it unfolds is so layered and impacting. It reminded me a lot of the movie Locke, which was one of my favorite films of 2014. 

  Originally, I was going to give this one 9 out of 10 stars, but there is one moment near the end (just a small moment) that I felt was pretty cheesy and out of place. Because of that, I give Fences 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

 

Manchester By The Sea Review (2016)

Manchester By The Sea

  When his older brother dies, Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck), is given the responsibility of being his nephew's guardian.

  If there is one thing you should know about this film, it's that it is extremely emotionally charged. A lot of this has to do with the delicate, Oscar-worthy performance from Casey Affleck. His capability to make us sympathize with a character that isn't so likeable in the first act of the film, is quite a testament to his skills and range as an actor.

  The script is rich and deeply human, but it's really the acting that makes Manchester By The Sea what it is. Michelle Williams is fantastic, Kyle Chandler is fantastic, but who really stood out to me (aside from Afflek) was Lucas Hedges. Hedges plays the nephew, Patrick, and WOW is he good. I loved the chemistry between him and Casey Affleck and how little by little you get to see why his character acts the way he does. 

  Manchester By The Sea isn't afraid of giving its characters flaws and taking it places that aren't comfortable. It's an intimate look into the lives of a deeply hurting family, and it really pulls at the heart strings. That said, it's not a perfect film. You definitely feel that two hour run-time, and if you're not prepared for it's leisurely pacing, you may want to see Rogue One instead. 

  I also wasn't a huge fan of the score. It sounded like it should have been in a Jane Austin film and felt very out of place as well as emotionally manipulative. 

  Lastly, and probably my biggest gripe with the film was the way it ended. I don't know what I was expecting, but it left me feeling a bit unsatisfied and underwhelmed.

  Overall, I thought this sobering film was well done and worth watching for the powerhouse performances and GORGEOUS cinematography, however, I felt the ending never reaches its full, impacting potential. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Rogue One (A Star Wars Story) Review (2016)

Rogue One (A Star Wars Story)

  THIS. This is what I wanted from The Force Awakens. 

  Rogue One is a stand alone Star Wars movie between episode 3 and 4. So you could say it's Star Wars 3.5 lol. 

  The plot is that there is a flaw in the Death Star, and a team of rebels must steal the plans revealing how to destroy it.

  Let me first say that I absolutely loved Rogue One, so I'm going to hit you all with the positives first!

  1. The acting from Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Alan Tudyk, Forest Whitaker, *DEEP BREATH* Jiang Wen, Mads Mikkelsen––basically just the whole cast was amazing. I loved them all, and I loved how ethnically diverse they were. Everyone gave it 100% which is rare for a Star Wars film because I feel like in every episode there is at least one horrendous actor. 

  2. It felt so Star Wars-y. While Force Awakens had the nostalgic help of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill, the vibe of the film felt extremely Marvel-ish. All of the one liners, that absence of real danger, the fluctuating tone. Rogue One just felt like it belonged in the Star Wars universe.

  3. With this film, we have a consistency in tone that is more gritty than the others. Because this is in between episode 3 and 4, anyone could've died and no one felt safe. This brought a real tension and urgency to the film.

  4. The CGI. Now, this is both a negative and a positive. The space sequences, the battle sequences, the whole movie in general, absolutely stunning to look at. The CGI for the majority of the film blew me away. That said, it's at this time we must also move into some of the negatives of the film. And one of those negatives was the decision to bring back Peter Cushing. If you don't know who that is, he was one of the villains in the original Star Wars trilogy who passed away almost 20 years ago. 

  "So how did they bring him back," you ask? CGI. Lol, I know... When I first saw him, I literally started laughing. It was soooo bad and soooo obvious that he was CGI, it looked like a video game. In fact, I've seen more realistic video games. If they had just shown him once, I would have been okay with it, but they kept bringing him back. I was like, "WHAT THE HECK. STOP THAT RIGHT NOW." Towards the end of the film they do it again with a different character (I won't say who because of spoilers), but that wasn't great either. Not as bad as Peter Cushing, but not great. 

  Another negative of the film was some of the pacing. In the first act there were a few parts that dragged a bit, but by the second and third act, they completely made up for it. Like really, the last act is AWESOME.

  The problem of having a Star Wars movie with no familiar characters, is that they must get us to care about a whole new cast in just two hours. While some of the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, and we never quite feel emotionally attached, they are developed enough to keep us invested till the end. I especially loved the robot, K-2SO, played by Alan Tudyk. His comedic timing was on point. 

  In the end, Rogue One is one of the best of the series and an objectively better film than the prequels/Force Awakens. If you're a Star Wars fan, go see this. If you're not, what the heck is a matter with you? Go sit in a corner. 9 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

 

Demolition Review (2016)

Demolition

  Demolition is the story of a man who loses his wife in a car accident. Having never really loved her, he must deal with the confusing emotions, guilt, and depression of her death. 

  As I've said many times before, Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the best actors working today, and here he gives a genuinely moving performance. Unfortunately, his performance is not enough to keep this film afloat. 
  The main problem for Demolition is its script. While its efforts are valiant, it's extremely heavy handed in its symbolism, dull in its entertainment value, and ultimately flat in its execution.
  I wanted to like this film, I really did. That said, whenever it strived to move me, it simply felt forced, self indulgent, and manipulative.
  It's a shameful waste of talent and a shameful waste of time. 3 out of 10 stars (Watch At Your Own Risk)

Hell Or High Water Review (2016)

Hell or High Water

  Hell or High Water is the story of two brothers whose family's land is threatened by the bank to be foreclosed. In an attempt to get enough money to pay off the debts, they decide to rob a chain of banks.

  Narratively speaking, Hell or High Water isn't exactly an original idea, but still there's something very nuanced and deep about this film. Similar in tone to No Country For Old Men, we have very developed characters with pretty simple motivations and these character carry the film.

  The two brother's are played by Ben Foster and Chris Pine. Their opposites (a Ranger and his Partner) are played by Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham. All of the acting is solid as can be, but I didn't feel as if anyone particularly stood out in a memorable way.

  Hell or High Water is a very entertaining Western that caters to mainstream audience and people with more of an eye for layered storytelling. It's effecting in all of the right ways, smartly written, and gritty, but it's never really outstanding. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

La La Land Review (2016)

La La Land

  In 2014 there was a movie that was extremely hyped by critics and movie buffs everywhere. Usually when a movie has this much buzz, I enjoy it, but it's almost always a little disappointing due to how much I built it up in my head. This movie, however, was different. This movie was the best movie I'd ever seen, and to this day is my favorite film of all time. If you're wondering what it was, I'm talking about Whiplash. Damien Chazelle's debut film. 

  Here we are, two years later, and we have his second film, La La Land. I went into it with the same expectations I had when I saw Whiplash, and I left adoring it almost as much.

  La La Land is a love letter to passionate dreamers, to Los Angeles, to old musicals, and to romance. It's a timeless masterpiece, and by far the best movie of 2016. 

  Every shot and composition is absolutely gorgeous, the editing seamless, the choreography and music breathtaking. It's the kind of songs you don't mind getting stuck in your head and will definitely be winning best original score at the Oscars.

   I adored everything about this gem of a film, and I'm now convinced Chazelle can do no wrong.

  Working together for their third time, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give us endearing, charismatic performances. Their chemistry was off the charts and more likeable actors could not have been cast.

  La La Land is one of those films that will put a lump in your throat, make you grin from ear to ear, and make you want to stand up and cheer all at the same time. It's high energy, it's whimsical, it's sometimes tragic, and as soon as it ended, I wanted to watch it all over again. 10 out of 10 stars. (A Must See)

The Edge of Seventeen Review (2016)

The Edge of Seventeen

   The Edge of Seventeen is the story of a teenage girl and her daily experiences in high school. 

  I know what you're thinking. Another teen movie? How many movies like these can they make? 

  Well, let me tell you, very rarely does a coming of age comedy quite like this hit theaters.   

  I absolutely loved everything about this film. It was laugh out loud funny, poignant, raw, authentic, and deeply personal. 

  The Edge of Seventeen gives us relatable, smart, three-dimensional, characters with flaws like you and me and universal struggles.

  Haliee Steinfeld is at her absolute best here, delivering a top-notch, touching, and amusing performance along side her equally fabulous co-star, Woody Harrelson.

  This is one of the best movies of the year, and perhaps the best coming of age drama in several years.

  The Edge of Seventeen encapsulates adolescence beautifully, and non-judgmentally. 10 out of 10 stars from me! (A Must See)

Nocturnal Animals Review (2016)

Nocturnal Animals

  I won't know until January, but I think I just watched the best film of the year. . . Nocturnal Animals is the story of Susan Morrow (Amy Adams), a successful artist who lives quite the lavish life with her husband (Armie Hammer). One week while her husband is away for work, she receives a novel in the mail written by her ex-husband (Jake Gyllenhaal). The film follows Susan's present life, her past life with her ex-husband, and the savage, violent story in the novel. 

  I'm going to talk about the acting first because Nocturnal Animals is full of some of the best acting I've ever seen from Amy Adams, Aaron-Taylor Johnson, and Michael Shannon.. Adams is nuanced and tragic, Johnson is terrifying and depraved, and Shannon breathes new life into the corrupt cop type.  

  Jake Gyllenhaal is my favorite actor of all time, which is why I'm talking about him last. With films like Nightcrawler, Prisoners, and Southpaw, it's hard to say this is his career defining performance. That said, it's right up there with the best. He brings everything to a role different from his usual. Here his character was more restrained, almost cowardly. It was cool to see this side to him.

  What I loved about this film most, is how captivating the complex script is. Every single shot is intentional, layered, and aesthetically pleasing. Every line of dialogue, purposeful.

  Nocturnal Animals is a mature, provocative film that treats the audience like adults. It doesn't hold your hand, it doesn't give you answers. It simply tells its story. A story that gets under your skin and stays with you long after you leave the theater. 10 out of 10 stars (A Must See)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review (2016)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

 

  Set in the Harry Potter universe, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them introduces us to a young, British wizard named Newt Scamander. Newt is basically the wizard version of Hagrid. He loves his magical creatures and wants others to love them too, even at the cost of people possibly getting hurt. In the film, his magical creatures get out in New York city and he, with the help of another wizard and a no-maj (American version of a muggle), must find them and return them to his suitcase before the wizarding world is revealed. 

  That's our story, and let me tell you, it's all kinds of wonderful. Eddie Redmayne is one of the best actors working today, and he nails it as Newt. He's charming, modest, a little eccentric, and unlike Harry, not so full of teenage angst.

  The entire cast is great, but some other stand outs were Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Colin Farrell, and I've always loved Ezra Miller.

  The production design of the new universe is absolutely perfect! All of the creatures were adorable, and the locations were gorgeous. Definitely go see this one in IMAX, you won't regret it.

  Are there problems with the film? Sure. The film walks the thin line of cute and cheesy at times, and it doesn't try to hide the obvious set up for future movies. That said, J.K. Rowling has returned with a bang, giving us one extremely exciting fantasy film that's thoroughly entertaining. 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

 

Bleed For This Review (2016)

Bleed For This

  Bleed For This is the true story of Vinny Pazienza, a world champion boxer who breaks his neck in a car crash, nearly paralyzing him, and rehabilitates himself to get back in the ring. 

  I was super excited to see this film because I'm a really big fan of Miles Teller. He's endearing, charming, and easy to root for, which is definitely a plus in a movie like this.

  While Bleed For This was good, and I did enjoy it, it wasn't as great as I wanted to be. Here are the two reasons why: 

  (1) I felt that the story lacked in plotting, specifically sub-plotting. Apart from the main story, nothing else really goes on, which makes for flat and one-denominational characters. We never get to see the personal life of Vinny outside of boxing, strippers, and his many girlfriends. 

  (2) It had no directorial flare. Everything from the fights to the narrative structure of the film felt very safe and formulaic. Such an extraordinary story deserves a less ordinary and generic execution.

  In better hands, Bleed For This could have been a really emotionally impacting sports drama, but unfortunately none of it's punches really knock anyone out. 5 out of 10 (Rent It)

 

Loving Review (2016)

Loving

  Loving is the story of the 1967 Supreme Court ruling in regards to the validation of interracial marriage. It's directed by Jeff Nichols and stars Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga. 

  As a fan of Edgerton, I knew he would be great, but what really surprised me was Ruth Negga's performance. She had these huge, expressive, puppy eyes and knew exactly how much emotion to bring to the screen. Her performance here was subtle and restrained, making the payoff all the more impacting. 

  Loving is an extremely quiet film that doesn't rely on big dramatic moments to build momentum. Instead, it builds slowly, and intimately. For this reason, some might find this film a bit stoic and feel every second of that runtime. 

  Regardless of some of it's pacing issues, Loving is a beautiful, elegant film with soulful and honest performances. Unlike most movies about civil rights, it never wacks you over the head with it's themes. Instead, it gently whispers them to you. That is why I give loving 7 out of 10 stars. (Very Good)

Arrival Review (2016)

Arrival

 

  I've been following Denis Villenueve's filmography after Enemy and Prisoners (one of my favorite movies of all time), and it's no secret that he is one of the better directors currently working today. For that reason, I felt super privilleged to see an early screening of his latest film, Arrival.  

  Arrival, is the story of a linguist recruited by the military to communicate with aliens after twelve UFO's land on earth.

  Villnenueve manages to take a really big budget film with a really big, sci-fi concept, and make it feel like an intimate, intelligent drama.

  The acting was great, the cinematography was breathtaking, the sound design and soundtrack were gorgeous. Arrival is a thought-provoking and layered take on the "aliens coming to earth" story, grounding it in Christopher Nolan like reality that transcends the genre.

  Is this movie for everyone? No. No, it is not. The average, mainstream movie goer, might grow bored of its leisurely pacing and be perplexed by it's unconventional third act. That said, those willing to take the time to really understand Arrival will be pleasantly rewarded. 8 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It)

Doctor Strange Review (2016)

Doctor Strange

  Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest A-list actor to delve into the role of superhero, and let me say this was a good one to be in.

  In a time where marvel movies are all starting to feel predictable and familiar, Doctor Strange decides to go bigger and better in ambitious ways that I really appreciate.

 Visually, Doctor Strange is one of the most unique comic book movies I've seen, epic and full of what feels like actual magic. It takes on big storytelling concepts unflinchingly and most of the time it really works! I never thought I would say this, but I really wish I had seen this breathtaking beauty in 3D.

  As far as acting goes, I loved Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Cumberbatch's performance is a little vanilla, but I still really liked his character's swagger and his chemistry with Rachel McAdams.

  Overall, Doctor Strange is your traditional popcorn flick. Entertaining, but with an air of surprising originality that really separates it from the rest of the pack. And while it never quite reaches "great" status, it is still pretty darn good.  8 out of 10 Stars (I'd Buy It)

Hacksaw Ridge Review (2016)

Hacksaw Ridge

 

  What would happen if the opening of Saving Private Ryan and the PG-13 version Full Metal Jacket had a baby? Hacksaw Ridge, folks. Hacksaw Ridge. 

  Mel Gibson's latest film is based on the outstanding true story of a man who enlisted into the military during World War 2, but refused to touch a rifle or kill anybody.

  Andrew Garfield is one of those actors that always gives extremely genuine and vulnerable performances. In Hacksaw Ridge, he is tasked with portraying a character of strong conviction; a conviction that most of the audience won't agree with. Still, he manages to be likeable and endearing without coming off as too preachy or like a martyr. I would say that he definitely deserves an Oscar nomination, but not once did it feel like he was trying too hard to get one. His performance is layered and grounded, but also extremely affecting. Desmond Doss was a courageous, inspiring man, and from what I saw, Garfield did him great justice.

  While all of the acting was solid as can be, two others really stood out to me. Hugo Weaving and Vince Vaughn. Weaving put it all out there, giving depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional. Even with limited screen time, you really connect with his pain, and understand why he is the way he is. 

  Vaughn took on a role more dramatic than usual, but hit every emotional note along with every humorous one. He was perfectly cast. 

  Hacksaw Ridge is an incredible true story told in an incredible, perfectly paced way. Mel Gibson directed all of the war scenes with poise, always being purposeful with the violence and gore. 

  While admittedly, it started off a little too charming, by the time the real meat of the story gets started, it hits you in all of the right spots.  9 out of 10 stars. (I Would Buy It On Blu-Ray)

 

Don't Breathe Review (2016)

Don't Breathe

 Hahaha ha ha. Oh man, that was the scariest game of Marco Polo I've ever seen. . .

  When I first saw the trailer for Don't Breathe my reaction was, "Please stop making trash like this. Seriously? We're supposed to root for a bunch of idiot kids breaking into a blind guy's house? #rude"

  Then the reviews started coming in, saying it was the best horror movie of the decade etc. So I decided to go see for myself. And it was a good thing I did.

  In this twisted version of the home invasion genre, we are given an extremely clever, brilliantly executed, and tightly edited piece of film. Don't Breathe knew exactly what it wanted to be and it really went for it.

  Suspenseful, scary, exciting, and fun. It's been a while since I've come out of a horror film with those adjectives on my brain, and for that I give this film major props. However, one of the minor problems I did have with Don't Breathe, and the reason I can't quite get it to 10 stars, is that all of the characters are so unsympathetic. At times I was rooting for the old man, other times I was rooting for the kids, and by the end of it,  I just wanted something terrible to happen to each and every one of them. That said and character's aside, I thoroughly enjoyed this for what it was and it achieved exactly what it wanted to achieve. 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-Ray)

Imperium Review (2016)

Imperium

  So as most of you know, I really love talking about some smaller, less mainstream movies that may have passed under your radar. Well today, I bring you a movie based on true events called, Imperium.

  In Imperium, Daniel Radcliff stars as an FBI agent going undercover into a white supremacist gang in order to stop a predicted terrorist attack.

  There were some things I really like about this movie, so I'll talk about those things first. 

  1. The tension. The whole time Daniel Radcliff's character is undercover, you never know who knows what, if he's convincing enough, if he's about to get caught, or if they're about to get away with something awful. The entire film, you're at the edge of your seat, rooting for Radcliff not to get caught, all the while waiting for something really terrible to happen. 

  2. I loved the moral conflicts the film presented. There is a scene (non spoiler) where the gang wants to go harass an interracial couple, and Daniel Radcliff's character can either blow his cover and help the people escape, or join in on the harassment so he looks convincing. It was scenes like these that really made the film. 

  3. Daniel Radcliff does an excellent, extremely convincing job in this role. After Harry Potter, Radcliff has picked very unique, interesting films to be in, like Swiss Army Man and Horns. While I admit, he still has room for some minor improvements, I think he's got a lot of talent and he really showcases it here in Imperium. My only complaint, is that I wish his character had more of an arch. He is the same person at the beginning of the film as he is at the end of it.

  As for the things I didn't love so much. . .

  1. There wasn't a lot of characterization for the gang of white supremacists. While you know people like them exist, they didn't feel very fleshed out as individuals. Unlike American History X, their arguments for their racism and hatred was very obviously wrong and the movie made sure you knew they were wrong. What I'm trying to say, is that it is very heavy-handed in it's represented perspective. Where a film like American History X really makes you see for yourself why racism, and white supremacy is wrong. American History X painted the characters as real human beings with complex feelings and rational, capable of change. 

  In the end, while I really really like Imperium, and I found it highly entertaining, I wish it had been a little less preachy in areas, and let the remarkable story speak for itself. 7 out of 10 (Really Good)

The Light Between Oceans Review (2016)

The Light Between Oceans 

  Sigh. . . I'm not usually into romantic movies, but the The Light Between Oceans is quite something. 

  Director Derek Cianfrance has been on my radar for a while. I fell in love with him after watching Place Beyond The Pines and Blue Valentine (Now two of my favorite films). Something about the way he tells stories is deeply affecting in extremely layered ways. Every film he makes feels like his passion piece, and The Light Between Oceans is no different. 

  The cinematography for this movie (by Adam Arkapaw) blew me away. The wide sweeping shots of the ocean and the lighthouse . . . Ugh. Just stunning and moody, and romantic. 

  Then we have two of the best actors working today; Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender. The first act of this movie could have very easily been a sappy Nicholas Sparks disaster, but the chemistry between Fassbender and Vikander work so well. Maybe the fact that they're dating in real life helped with authenticity, maybe not. Either way, you are really rooting for these two through thick and thin. 

  One thing about Derek Cianfrance, is that his films tend to be kind of long. Because of this, he can come off a little self indulgent. If they had shaved off thirty minutes of the film, I wouldn't have been mad, but so much charisma and effort was put into all three acts that it never really ruins it. Overall, I was super taken by this movie, but I'm not too sure of it's re-watch-ability. 7 out of 10 (Very Good)

War Dogs Review (2016)

War Dogs

  Inspired by true events, War Dogs is the story of two young guys who win a 300 million dollar contract to arm the Afghan Military. 

  Let me start off by saying that I came out of this movie highly entertained. The pace was rapid, the directing and cinematography were solid, the jokes were on point. Jonah Hill killed it in this role of shady sleezebag. From his over the top, high pitched laugh, to his character's unreadable motives, he really was one of the best parts of this film.

  Miles Teller, (who I've been watching closely since Whiplash and The Spectacular Now) also does a great job in this more adult role. Never seeming too young, or miscast.

  While both character aren't exactly likeable, we're invested in them and their story the whole time.

  As far as negative things to say? I wish some of the consequences of the character's actions punched the audience a little more in the gut. In a way, a lot of what they did felt somewhat glamorized, cool, and adventurous. I wish they would have dug deeper into the lives affected by their foolishness and greed. 

  That said, War Dogs delivers on what the trailers say it will be. An extremely fun, charismatic, and often humorous look into the shady business of weapons trading. 7 out of 10 stars (Very Good)

Anthropoid Review (2016)

Anthropoid

  Honestly, summer of 2016 has been a pretty disappointing year for movies. That's exactly why I was so excited when I saw the trailer for Anthropoid (Featuring one of my favorite actors of all time, Cillian Murphy).

  This film is about the assassination of SS officer Reinhard Heydrich. From what I've heard, the true story is followed pretty accurately, and I really believe that this film did it justice. The acting is top notch, across the board, the cinematography is non-showy and simplistic, and they really take time to flesh out their characters without using exposition. This film shows the true horrors of war on a big and small scale, and really demonstrated the humanity of these soldiers who were put in charge of such a dangerous, controversial mission. I liked how every scene was intentional, even in the romance. Everything just felt necessary. 

  That said, while watching the movie I did feel acutely aware of the whole cinematic experience as a whole. It is grounded in that you can take it very seriously, but it is also very polished, perhaps to a fault.

  In the end, Anthropoid is a gripping, honorable look into the history of a fairly unknown mission. 8 out of 10 stars (I'd Buy It)

Suicide Squad Review (2016)

Suicide Squad

  *sighhhhh* My initial reaction after watching this movie was, "It's flawed, but it's not that bad." Then I thought about it a little more and honestly, it really is that bad. 

  If you are a fan of this film, you might want to leave, because I'm about to rip Suicide Squad to shreds. 

  There are soooo many places I could go with this review and so many things I could bash, but I'm going to start with the biggest problem, and that is plot. Oh wait, there is none. The whole first half of this movie is gathering all of these big bad villains to form a team in case a bad version of Superman ever graces the planet. These introductions to the characters are done with the longest, choppiest montage scene in movie history, filled with expository information, and a theme song for each individual character. Not only is this extremely lazy writing, but it's also extremely lazy writing. Not to mention, non of these people are really that evil. They try to get us to sympathize with the characters so much and humanize them, that they lose that sense of evil in the first place. If anything, they're more like anti-heroes, which kind of defeats the whole point of watching a movie about the baddest bad guys.

  Speaking of which, our main bad guy is Enchantress played by Cara Delevingne. Aka, the worst villain of all time. When I first saw her, I thought she looked pretty dang creepy, and I actually liked where they were going with her character. Then suddenly, they decided to go bigger and I guess badder, by turning her into some sort of CGI, half-naked, goddess. All Enchantress did the whole movie was create more CGI slaves and dance weirdly in place. Yeah, you heard me correctly. She belly dances while she creates these CGI slaves. Keep in mind, when I say CGI slaves, I mean, like 2002 bad CGI slaves. Honestly, some of the worst CGI I've seen in recent years. Absolutely horrendous on all accounts.

   If there is any saving grace to this film, it is definitely Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Both actors are charming and charismatic, but they have nothing at all to work with. Their characters are cartoony and their dialogue is ridiculously stupid. It was like their lines were written just to be put on a gif on tumbler. All of this shouldn't be surprising, considering the script was written in six months and then rushed into production. It is very obvious that the studio has little regard for quality, so long as they're making that green. And that's essentially what this film is. It was created to be marketed. They literally devoted more screen time to Harley Quinn's butt, than they did to developing any of the characters. I mean, come on! And don't even get me started on the awful, lazy costume designing.

  Before I end this rant, I will tell you my thoughts on the Joker. A lot of people wanted to see Suicide Squad just because of him, myself included. If that's the case, you'll be severely disappointed. The Joker is hardly in the movie and what we do see of Jared Leto's seemingly solid performance is tampered with by weird, unnecessary editing.

   I know that there are people who had a good time with this movie. To them I say, good for you. We all want different things out of our films. What disappoints me the most, is that Suicide Squad has everything going for it and still misses the mark by a long shot. They went too big where it wasn't necessary, took no time to develop their characters or story, and never raised the stakes high enough for me to care about the end result. 2 out of 10 stars. (Not Very Good)

The Invitation Review (2016)

The Invitation

 So I just found out about this movie recently. Apparently it came out in April as a limited release and was then sent straight to Netflix afterwards. Anyway, I heard some good things, decided to check it out, and I sure am glad I did.

  The Invitation is one of the best psychological thrillers I've seen since Joel Edgerton's The Gift. The film is about a man named Will (played by Logan Marshall-Green) who is invited to a dinner, reunion party with his ex-wife, her new husband, and some old friends. That's as far as I'll go into the story because I don't want to give away spoilers. The less you know the better.

  What was so great about this film was the way tension and paranoia was built. It's kind of a slow burner, but you always feel like you're on the verge of something horrifying happening.

  The pacing is perfect, the characters are interesting and layered. There wasn't a single second of this film where I felt bored. The Invitation is a skillfully executed film with a simplistic story, that is majorly effective. I give it a 9 out of 10 stars. (I'd Buy It On Blu-ray)

Jason Bourne Review (2016)

Jason Bourne

  Holy crap, I've been waiting for this movie to come out ever since the Bourne Ultimatum ended! I'm not one of those people who hated the Jeremy Renner Bourne movie, but I can't say I wasn't happy to see Matt Damon in the role again.

  So, what did I think? Well, this movie is definitely entertaining, fun, and cool, but it lacks one thing that the original trilogy had. That is cleverness. Nothing here feels new or fresh, and that was part of the big appeal of the other films. 

  I've never been a huge fan of Paul Greengrass's directing stylistically, but it never bothered me so much as it did in this film. The overuse of handheld camera in action scenes made it feel like they didn't have anything that good to shoot and so they went for the whole chaotic feel Gary Ross's Hunger Games had. Another thing, was the extreme closeups. It was unnecessary and took me out of the film instead of bringing me into it.

  I'm gonna talk now about some of the new cast; Alicia Vikander and Riz Ahmed. I've had my eye out for both of them after seeing Nightcrawler and Ex Machina. There is no doubt they can act. However, Alicia's accent was all over the place in this movie and Riz just seemed like his character didn't have much to do. 

  I know it sounds like I've been hating a lot on this movie, but in all honesty it isn't bad at all. There is a really cool car chase and some cool hand-to-hand combat. A lot of what they tried to do with the narrative, worked well and was effective on a small scale, but not so effective when they tried to go bigger. For me, I'd give Jason Bourne a 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

 

Swiss Army Man Review (2016)

Swiss Army Man

 

  *cough cough* well that was the weirdest movie I've ever seen...

  Swiss Army Man is the story of a young man (Paul Dano) stranded on an island and about to hang himself, when a dead body (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up ashore. Hallucinating from starvation, he befriends the corpse and tries to find his way home. 

  Swiss Army Man had quite the reaction at Sundance, half of the audience walking out before it even ended and the other half declaring it the best movie of the year. Obviously I had to see it and now that I have, the response totally makes sense.

  This movie is absolutely ridiculous, but it is also ridiculously self aware. It's whimsical, aesthetically pleasing, original, and charming, all the while exploring the concept of loneliness, madness, and love. The beautiful, quirky directing style and fantastic soundtrack, reminded me of a Spike Jonze film. THAT is never a bad thing.

  Paul Dano is one of the most underrated actors working today and he really gives a soulful performance in this film.  I kept thinking that he reminded me of a young Joaquin Phoenix, the way he can make almost any character sympathetic. 

  This movie isn't for everyone or even the majority of people, As I mentioned before, it's intentionally absurd, crude, and often times diverts to the lowest common denominator of humor. At times, Swiss Army Man's ambitious, unconventional storytelling packs a powerful punch, and other times it's quite heavy-handed and even a little pretentious. That said, I still found myself thoroughly engaged. If you see this movie, I suggest watching it alone so you can take it in for what it is without fear of being judged. 7 out of 10 (Very Good)

Finding Dory Revew (2016)

Finding Dory

 

  Ellen DeGeneres is back as one of the most endearing Disney fishes of all time in Finding Dory!

  I really liked this film for a lot of reasons. Not only was this a movie that kids and parents alike will love, but it really shined in areas of animation and voice acting. 

  There are funny moments, there are heartwarming moments, sad moments, and best of all, a charming quirkiness that is hard to forget.

  Unlike Finding Nemo, this film tends to play it a little safer in the areas of thrill. There are no scary sharks or deep sea angler fish, however they still manage to engage us emotionally and mentally. 

  If I were to say anything negative about this movie, it would be that they really make you wait for the payoff and a part of me was getting impatient. Because it was more geared for kids, it can also feel a little redundant. 

  In the end, Finding Dory is a good time for a family outing, but it doesn't quite reach the originality or emotional grandeur of Finding Nemo. 6 out of 10 stars (Worth Ticket Price)

The Conjuring 2 Review (2016)

The Conjuring 2

  The first Conjuring movie was one of the best horror movies I've ever seen. Not only was it relentlessly terrifying, but it also had a surprising amount of depth and character development. James Wan has a way of taking cliches in the horror genre and flipping them on their head. 

  As you can imagine, I was pretty stoked about The Conjuring 2 and from the trailer it looked even more scary than its predecessor. But was it?

  Yes and no. There were three different ghosts in this film and to me, only one of them worked really effectively with scares. The chilling cinematography and solid acting from the cast made the Conjuring 2 quite good, but there were also some really campy moments. Unfortunately, it was moments like these that took me out of the film and brought the scare factor down. I feel like if it had been more understated like the real life footage, then it would have stayed with the audience better. 

  Overall, The Conjuring 2 is better than your average horror movies, but its fault is that it thinks it's scarier than it actually is. 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

X-men: Apocalypse Review (2016)

X-men: Apocalypse 

  Days of Future Past was my favorite Marvel movie since Iron man 1. What does that mean? It means I was stoked for Apocalypse. 

  In this new instalment to the X-men series, we are introduced to several new characters. Storm, Arch Angel, Nightcrawler, Jean Grey, Cyclops, and of course Apocalypse, played by my man, Oscar Isaac. 

  What I really love about the X-men series is it's storytelling and the parallels between the mutants and humans to real life. Compared to the other marvel movies, X-men just seems more grounded in reality and more layered. 

  While Apocalypse started out good, it starts to feel a little underwhelming once Apocalypse starts collecting Mutants to be his four horsemen. The plot and the tone didn't add up from that point and everything seemed so much bigger than it felt.

  Despite this, I still found myself quite enjoying the film. Quicksilver had another awesome scene and a lot more screen time, which made me happy. Wolverine had a cameo, which made me happy. ANDDD we got to watch Magneto put in some work, which always makes me happy. 

  Can I also talk about how underrated James McAvoy is as an actor and to this series. Whenever he cries, all the sudden I'm a sympathetic crier. I also wanted to give a special mention to Tye Sheridan as Scott Summers. He seriously nailed that role so well that I thought for a moment James Marsden had returned to the screen a few decades younger. 

  Even though I'm a big Oscar Isaac fan, I found the way Apocalypse was written to be somewhat cliched. He simply wasn't menacing enough to go up against such an overflow mutant heroes. Unfortunately this brought the movie down a bit. It was ambitious, but couldn't quite grasp what it was reaching for. I give X-men: Apocalypse a 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

 

Captain America: Civil War Review (2016)

Captain America: Civil War

  Before I begin this review, I must admit that I'm not a Captain America fan and so my opinions on the movie are based on my personal feelings for the character. 

 That said, let's talk about the new additions to the Avengers.

  Chadwick Boseman as black Panther. Let me just say, that super suit was baaaad. (I mean that in a good way).

  I've been impressed with Tom Holland since 2012's disaster drama, The Impossible. If there was one thing motivating me to see this movie, it was definitely Spidey. Turns out, it was for good reason. Spidey was exactly how his character should be. Young, geeky, and with corney jokes. He was my favorite part of the film by far. I"m really looking forward to his solo movies.

  Let's continue to the plot. I like the way they set up both sides of the "war" and gave reasonable arguments. At some points in the movie you really don't know who's right or who to root for. This was cool because it engages the audience and they can actually partake in the story.

  My problem was with Bucky Barnes. I don't care if he's Cap's best friend, the length Cap went to defend him seemed ridiculous and frankly a little bit gay. There's a reason #givecapaboyfriend is going viral on twitter. At one point, Bucky even asks why he's doing this. Honestly, that what I wanted to know.

  As in every marvel movie, there are some funny quips and good actions, but also like other marvel movies, it's very shallow. Every film just feels like a long trailer for the next film and eventually they all start to blend together and feel like the same movie. 

  Am I saying it's bad? No. A lot of people enjoyed it as well as critics. However, if I never saw this movie again, I'd be okay. 4 out of 10 stars. (One Time See)

Jungle Book Review (2016)

Jungle Book

  Disney has done it again, bringing cartoons to life in their latest achievement, The Jungle Book. I'd seen versions of the Jungle Book as a kid, but I can't actually remember seeing the original cartoon. That said, I had no real remembrance of the story other than a kid in the jungle who talks to animals. 

  There was a lot of hype for this movie and I can see why because it is a visual feast. Not only are the animals beautiful and real looking, but the entire forest is made of CGI as well. Andy Serkis's motion capture studio takes us to a whole different world and it's gorgeous! 

  Another thing I really liked about the movie was the voice overs, especially Christopher Walker as King Louie, Idris Elba as Shere Khan, and Ben Kingsley as Bagheera. 

  The way they incorporated a couple of the songs into the film was really cool as well and gave it that Disney charm. In fact, I just loved the whole soundtrack in general and the way it added emotion to the scenes.

  As most of you know, I have a real hard time with child actors. Considering that the main character is a child, here's what I thought on the newcomer Neel Sethi. For his first film ever, going up against literally all green screen, I'd say that Sethi did quite a good job. However, there were times where the greenness of his performance took me out of the film.

  While I could go on nitpicking some of the minor things tone wise in the movie, we still have a very solid, heart-felt film that works on a lot of levels and is great fun for the whole family. I give Jungle Book a 6 out of 10 stars. (Worth Ticket Price)

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice Review (2016)

Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice

  Today I review one of the most anticipated movies of the year, Batman vs Superman. I know a lot of people had some concerns about Ben Affleck replacing Christian Bale, but I personally didn't share those concerns. Going in, I was confident that he would do a solid job and that if the movie failed, it wouldn't be because of him, but because of Zach Snyder. Unfortunately, my predictions were true. Ben Affleck did a solid job, but the messy screenplay and the mediocre directing is what failed us all. Following in the footsteps of Man of Steel, Zach Snyder opened his film with annoying shaky-cam, unnecessary close ups, and CGI galore. 

  The best and worst thing that ever happened to the DC universe was Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. They weren't just good superhero movies, they were good movies in general. The gritty, realism that Nolan used has gained popularity with all of the wrong heroes. The Amazing Spiderman first, and now Superman. While Batman lends itself to the sort of realism found in the Dark Knight trilogy, Superman is simply too campy of a character. From his glasses that disguise Clark Kent, to the endless powers he possesses, to the invincibility of his character with only the exception of kryptonite; Superman is a character better suited to kitsch, fun, summer action. Unfortunately, Zach Snyder doesn't go this route and isn't talented enough to give Superman even an ounce of the depth that The Dark Knight trilogy possessed. The script is filled with stupid comparisons to God and the devil, and biased, Athiest views on morality and goodness, all in the name of "profundity" and all delivered to us by Jessie Eisenberg, whom I've never wanted more to punch in the face. Generally I am a fan of Eisenberg's borderline annoying, fast talking, nerd characters, but casting him as Lex Luther was the biggest mistake the movie made. Luther's calculated, smarts are replaced by a skinny, psychotic, Heath Ledger-inspired punk.

  Another flaw of the movie, is the lack of dimension any of the characters have. I don't care about Superman, I don't care about Batman, I don't care about Lois, or Superwoman, or anyone. Batman vs Superman is a narrative mess with only a little more entertainment value than it's predecessor. 4 out of 10 stars. (One Time See)