Next War? Send Politicians!

     The latest film from director Peter Berg is "Lone Survivor", a true tale based on the book of the same name.  This film is an all too realistic and up close look at war and the ultimate sacrifices paid by many.  As such, it is a gut wrenching roller coaster ride from which there is no escape.  In the opening credits actual footage of Navy Seal recruits going through basic training is shown.  In a voice over, the title character Marcus Luttrel (Mark Wahlberg), describes what is happening, and why these men subject themselves beyond the breaking point.  Unfortunately for me, Wahlberg comes from the mumbling school of acting.  I found myself straining to understand what he was saying.  I do have some hearing loss so that doesn't help.(other mumblers include Brando, DeNiro, and Duvall)  
     The story is the recounting of an ill fated mission in Afghanistan, undertaken by four Navy Seals, called Operation Red Wings.  The goal is to capture or kill a notorious Taliban leader; Armad Shah.  As a "war" movie there are a lot of scenes that seem familiar; and why not?  The "war movie" genre has been a staple since WWI.  (The Big Parade 1926, All Quiet on the Western Front 1930).  Usually about half the running time is spent developing the characters.  For a film to have a true impact it is necessary for viewers to care about at least one of the characters.  Unfortunately scant time is spent on developing the characters of "Lone Survivor".  Not to say that I didn't care about our boys in uniform.  I just think that my emotions could have been heightened with the proper set up.  The more people you care about in a movie the more visceral your reaction to the film. Make no mistake, "Lone Survivor" is as visceral a film as you will ever want to see.  Once they come under attack "Lone Survivor" is as unrelenting and dire as any movie ever made.  The violence is sickening but the part that is really disgusting is that it is very real.  Unlike the cartoonish violence of say a Tarrentino film, all the action in this film is depicted as accurately as possible.  The director used autopsy records and incident reports from the Seals, as well as hiring Luttrel for technical advice to insure accuracy.  The result is the most accurate and realistic warfare scenes since the storming of Normandy in "Saving Private Ryan".  
     I did not realize it but Afghanistan has terrain which looks very similar to the North Cascades of Washington State.  It is on wooded mountain slopes and over cliffs that the fight takes place.  This really ratchets up the tension level.  The sound editing and stunts are pretty incredible.  You feel as though you are crawling through the underbrush with limited visibility. Suddenly you hear twigs break, branches crackle, and bullets whizzing by your head.  The action happens so fast it barely gives one time to think.  Only watch and experience.   Like "Saving Private Ryan" or "Schindler's List"  there is some difficult viewing here.  Still it is worth watching and I would even say necessary.  Only when we all see the horrors of war can we truly appreciate our service men and women.  And hopefully motivate the powers that be to avoid war at all costs.
This is probably not a good date movie.
I give this film a grade of: B+

Leo Is Off The Hook!

   
     "The Wolf of Wall Street", the latest film from iconic director Martin Scorsese, had it's highly anticipated opening Christmas Day.  It is a bio/pic based on the Jordan Belfort memoir of the same name.  Belfort's entry into the work force begins honestly, but after losing his position at a large firm, he decides to change paths.  First he opens his own brokerage firm in an empty auto body shop.  Next he recruits a sales team culled from his stoner/dirtball friends.  They specialize in selling penny stocks and manipulating the price, cashing in, and leaving their clients in the loss column. Soon all sorts of illegal activity ensues. 
 The behavior of Belfort and his cohorts is so depraved in excess of sexual perversion, rampant drug use, and avarice that they seem ridiculous and yet.....it really happened.  
     Leonardo DiCaprio will be nominated for his portrayal of Jordan Belfort.   Belfort is unlike any character he has ever played. He is a fast talking, sleezy, pill popping, cocaine snorting, white collar crook who will only be stopped by jail.  DiCaprio plays him so broadly it becomes farcical.  At three hours I never felt the film drag.  It's hard to describe because the characters and everything they do is so disgusting.  Is this what entertainment is?  I found myself laughing at the stupidity of people taking drugs.  OK, a little bit?  Actually a lot.  People are falling down, slobbering, rolling down stairs, I couldn't contain myself.  This film is rated a hard R but it could have easily been rated NC 17.  The humor is extremely crude, lewd, and rude.  Everything about this film is over the top so be forewarned.  I think in the final analysis "The Wolf of Wall Street" is a very good movie.  I expect it to garner award nominations but I don't expect it to win any. Recommended for film buffs.
I give the movie a grade: A-

Ensemble Cast Delivers A Contender

     With "American Hustle", David O. Russell is emerging as the best American film maker of the 21st century.  "I Heart Huckabees" in 2004, "The Fighter" in 2008, and "Silver Linings Playbook" last year are all very divergent films.  Russell can tackle a sports bio-pic one time, and the next time, as with "Silver Linings Playbook", shift gears and make a rom/com/drama.  All the while piling up critical acclaim and awards for his casts.  
     "American Hustle" is no exception and may win the Oscar for best film.  I fully expect it to be nominated for Best Film, Screenplay, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress.  "American Hustle" has already been honored by the New York Film Critics Circle for best film of the year, best screenplay, and best supporting actress (Jennifer Lawrence).  In case you might have been wondering, Jennifer Lawrence is the real deal.  I think there is a distinct possibility she could be nominated for two roles this year.  Best Actress for "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and Supporting Actress for "American Hustle".  Her acting from film to film displays a range and maturity that is far beyond her years.  All the major players ply their craft with elegance and charm.  Let's now delve into the plot.
     "American Hustle" is loosely based on the FBI "Abscam" sting operation of the late seventies and early eighties.  This was the first video taped sting operation.  It ended up catching, a US Senator, six US congressmen, and various other politicians taking bribes.  At first blush, "American Hustle" is a crime drama but it is also a con game movie, a love story, and a true character study! "American Hustle" has characters who are fascinating to watch and whose quirks are quite humorous.  I am telling ya, ya just can't take your eyes off of them.  Bradley Cooper plays Richie DiMaso, an FBI agent who dreams of becoming a major player in the Bureau.  When he comes into contact with the brilliant con artist, Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), and his partner, Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) he sees a real opportunity.  Once he arrests the pair for running a real estate con he then offers them immunity if they help set up a sting to ensnare corrupt politicians.  However, as the plot unfolds ethical questions come to the forefront.  The line between the good guys and the bad guys blur.  I began to wonder if criminals were being caught or is entrapment happening here?  Enter Jennifer Lawrence who plays Irving Rosenfelds' ex-wife Rosalyn with a loudmouth  charm.  Rosalyn has problems with substances, with her phobias, with social situations, and in the process steals the show. Sounds serious, and is, but there are plenty of laughs along the way.  Soon it is hard to tell who is conning who.  There are twists and turns and an unpredictability that keeps you guessing.  This is a great film in so many ways.  "American Hustle" has a look and feel that should carry it all the way to the awards season.  
This is a good date movie.
I give this film a grade of: A

As Classy As Ever

          With Christmas only a week away we are now entering the vortex of the holiday movie season.  Studios hold back films all year, then release them now hoping they will garner critical acclaim, gain the legs to become blockbusters, or both. During this time of year students are on break, holiday shoppers WANT a break, and so the cinema is a perfect place for a quick respite.  Typically, films released between now and the end of the year, get the most attention from the glitterati. And too, attention from the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences, aka. the Oscars. 
     Why am I telling you this?  Obviously Anchorman 2 will NOT win any academy awards this year.  (now watch as Will Ferrell is nominated!)  I relate these bits of information hopefully to reveal something you may not have known before.  Thereby fulfilling one goal in writing these reviews and displaying my depth of knowledge within the milieu of the cinema.  I have been wanting to use the word milieu ever since college.  Better yet, I think the context is correct.  I digress, as I so often do.     
     "Anchorman 2" is so obviously the sequel to "Anchorman" that I won't even mention it.  Oops, sorry, I just did. And a rip roaring great sequel it is too.  All the cast is here to reprise the roles that were made so memorable in the first film.  Many of the actors have become stars since the first film.  Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Will Farrell, round out the news team.  One unlike any you have ever seen.  Unless of course you saw Anchorman, then they are like a bunch of old friends from college who never quite grew up.  
     I had no idea how popular Anchorman had become.  I attended a double feature of both films last night.  Before the screening of Anchorman an emcee asked the audience how many people had seen the movie more than ten times.  Probably thirty hands shot up.  In the middle of the screening the sound cut out.  The audience did not skip a beat and began quoting lines from the film.  That is what I call the definition of a "cult film".  One crucial question is if Anchorman 2 can, match, exceed, or even come close to the beloved original.  I think the jury is out and time will tell. These things can be measured by box office and profits. 
     However, for me, Anchorman 2 not only matches the original laugh for laugh and gag for gag, it's a better movie.  There is a fine line between ridiculous silliness and truly inspired satire.   Anchorman 2 examines how pop culture has become meaningless.  This film is filled with so many funny moments, that to try to mention any specific gags would not due them justice.  I guess you had to be there.  The good news is: Anchorman 2 opens today so you still can. Not to worry, this film has it all. Cursing, rudeness, silly lines, raunchy humor, and cameo appearances (15) by famous stars. Just as we've come to expect from a Judd Apatow film.  This time he delivers a little more and I'm loving it!
     Is this a good date movie?  Mmm.  Well for guys: they will like the bawdy, rauncy, silly, craziness.  Most men think the same things are funny now that they did in Junior High.  For women I think it depends.  There was no shortage of women at the screening I attended.  Most were young like twenty or thirty somethings.  My parents would hate this movie, my son would love it, as did I. 
I give this film a grade of: A-

Isn't it rich.....aren't we a pair?

     HBO Documentaries tonight, premiers "Six By Sondheim", a look at the life of America's greatest living composer and lyricist for the musical theater.  By focusing on six songs from his career we travel back to his early days and proceed right up to the present.  Rare archival footage from the original casts of many of his shows are presented.  This is fantastic stuff.  His inspirations are revealed.  The 83 year old Sondheim is secretive by nature and so I learned much about the man while really enjoying the film.    
     When Steven was a teenager he was struggling with adolescence and his mother and father were basically lukewarm parents at best.  I'm not judging his parents but if you see this film you will come to appreciate the obstacles Sondheim overcame to achieve his success.  Living in the neighborhood, perhaps next door,  was the Oscar Hammerstein family.  And so they became his surrogate family and Oscar his mentor. I had no idea!!  When Leonard Bernstein was composing the music for West Side Story it was decided to bring in Sondheim to write the lyrics.  I did not know that he wrote the lyrics.   As the timeline proceeds from his early days, interviews from corresponding times in the past are shown, to give us a real sense of history.  There are many revelations and I don't want to give away too much.  
     Some of the best parts of this film is when he talks about composing music and how difficult it is for theater.  Present day performances of his six songs are also shown as well as a gem of a performance by Sondheim himself.  "Six By Sondheim" is a great documentary about one of the most enigmatic composers of our time.  For persons who like Steven Sondheim, musicals, or are interested in music and how a real savant works their craft; you will really like "Six By Sondheim"  For the rest of you, please ......
Send in the clowns.
Depending on the person, this could be a good date movie.
I give this film a grade of B+

Catching Fire! Burns up the silver screen.

      Opening today in wide release is "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" the much anticipated sequel to 2012's blockbuster smash "The Hunger Games".  It basically picks up where the original film left off.  In case you haven't seen it yet I will give you a quick run down of the basic premise.  The setting is in the future, and the world is one of disparity and oppression.  The country of Panem is divided into 12 districts which are ruled by the dictatorial President Snow.  An annual lottery or "reaping" is held in each district to chose one male and female between the ages of 12 and 18 to compete in "The Hunger Games".  These Tributes as they are called, are placed into an arena, and compelled to fight to the death until one survivor emerges.  The survivors are known as Victors.                                                  Now, if one looks back at the pantheon of science fiction plots there really is nothing all that new about this story line.  An original "Star Trek" episode, the Japanese film "Battle Royale", and even "Gladiator" is very similar. But it is the writing, acting, and execution of plot that has "Catching Fire" garnering some of the best reviews this year.  It has already been announced the third installment of Collins hunger games trilogy, "Mockingjay",  will be spit in two with part one premiering in November 2014 and part two in November 2015.   

       So now on to the movie.  The problem most sequels have is the difficulty in building upon what was established in the first picture.  Not so with "Catching Fire".  This may be due to the fact these films are adapted from a trilogy of extremely successful young adult novels. How successful you might wonder?  NPR ranked the "The Hunger Games" books second only to the "Harry Potter" series. In addition the film series is placed on the same shelf as the Lord of the Rings, Twilight, and Harry Potter.  Does the praise get any higher?  I think not.                                                           I attended a special double feature screening of "The Hunger Games" and "Catching Fire" last night.  This gave me a unique opportunity to view and compare the movies side by side.  I found the story of "Catching Fire" much deeper and layered than the original.  I liked the direction and cinematography better in the first.  I think that seeing "The Hunger Games" for the first time was a journey into the unknown.  I had no idea what it was going to be about so it was all new to me.  With "Catching Fire", there is less mystery because we already have some idea of what Panem is like.  BUT, the plot goes much deeper.  Jennifer Lawrence, fresh off her Oscar win last spring, is back again as Katniss Everdeen.  Her acting is astounding.  In both films she creates a continuity for her character that shows a growth arc.  The emotions she feels can be seen in her eyes.  A lot of the time she is on screen she has no dialogue but carries the load with her facial features. One scene in particular resonated with me and revealed her acting talent.  In the scene she is saying good bye to someone and hugging them.  For a brief moment I could swear I saw her shaking. WOW! Then it stopped so I thought maybe I was mistaken.  But then she started doing it again!  It was as though her character was quivering with fear.  It looked so natural, I couldn't believe I was watching someone so young.  In the first film, all the Tributes are just trying to survive, and hopefully win.  In this second film the social structure is starting to crumble.  This is the 75th annual Hunger Games or the third quarter quell which occurs every 25 years. So it is decided by President Snow that the rules will be changed.  This time all the participants will be past winners.  The past winners are none to happy because having won once before should guarantee each Victor a lifetime of wealth and safety.  Social unrest, social disobedience, post traumatic stress, the morality of killing, are but a few concepts touched upon in this film.  A movie with real meaning and not just eye popping special effects is rare these days.  If you have both in the same film then you've got something very special indeed. "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" has both, deep underlying meaning, and great special effects liberally applied.

     This film is a great date movie, if you want to score points tell your date she reminds you of Katniss.  

I give this film a grade of: A-

NEBRASKA: a Star Turn for Bruce Dern!

          Being a huge Bruce Dern fan I'm delighted with the recognition he is receiving from his latest starring role in "Nebraska".  From director Alexander Payne of "Sideways, The Descendants, and About Schmidt", "Nebraska" has already earned Dern the best actor award at this years Cannes film festival.  Obviously making him a favorite, not only for the Oscar, but every other award out there.  Although "Nebraska" has yet to open in the Puget Sound region I was able to attend the first US screening of this film last week.  I am actually getting invited to a lot more screenings before the openings so I promise to do my best to get these reviews posted in a timely manner.  Read on my friends for the low down.
     "Nebraska" is a slightly off beat comedy/character study with Woody Grant (Dern) as the central character. A special note here: this film is shot in a luscious black and white.  The effect makes the landscapes barren and stark. The pacing, which is deliberate to begin with, is like watching honey rolling off flapjacks.                                                          The movie begins with Woody at home in Billings, Montana.  Putting on his winter coat and heavy boots, he shuffles out the front door and down the street. He moves with an imbalance that makes the viewer worry he might fall.  And he keeps shuffling and shuffling until finally he reaches the outskirts of town.  When a police officer stops to help the old timer we find out where Woody is headed.  From his jacket pocket he pulls out an "Official Publishers Clearing House" type letter informing him that he has won a million dollars! He just needs to get to Omaha to collect it.  Of course everyone in his family keep trying to tell him it's a scam.  That there is no million dollars, but Woody will hear none of it.  "If it wasn't true they couldn't put it in a letter" says Woody.  Finally his son David, played by Will Forte of SNL fame, agrees to drive his dad to Omaha.  And so begins a meandering road trip with father and son rolling across the flat lands of our great nation.  Of course it's what happens during the trip that really is the meat of the movie.  We all know what is going to happen when Woody tries to collect on his million dollars.    
     The surrounding characters fill in the spaces in very substantial ways. Most are in their seventies and act accordingly which means they are kind of boring.  And funny as all get out.  It is mesmerizing in it's own way. Woody's wife is the only character I had a problem with as I felt she took "cantankerous" to a new level.  Over the top and amateurish acting in my estimation.  Then ten minutes later she has one of the most astonishing scenes in the movie. All with no dialogue.  So I may be harsh. Otherwise it's ensemble acting at it's best.  Stacey Keach turns up for a few choice, dark scenes.  David's brother is played by Bob Odenkirk (Saul from Breaking Bad) who is a self absorbed news anchor on local TV.  Dern may be the center but it is Forte who holds the family together.  This is a very good movie and I recommend this bittersweet comedy which is more sweet than bitter.  Can't we all use a little more sweetness in our lives?
This would be a good date movie.
I give "Nebraska"  a grade of A-