The Imitation Game (2014) Review

The Imitation Game is a prime example of a “Hollywood” biopic.  These films are movies that use as their subject a famous person, generally a hero, who is played by a popular and respected actor. In this case it is Alan Turing played by Benedict Cumberbatch. These films take historical events and turn them into classic narrative formulas (i.e. beating the odds, rise and fall). They are generally well directed and they have an agenda that they wish to promote. These assertions about the Imitation Game are neither positive nor negative but rather simply stating the formula which it follows. Luckily for viewers, the Imitation game follows this formula very well.

This story of the genius who helped crack the German coding machine is a narrative of highs and lows. We have scenes of great accomplishment as well as scenes of great despair. It all centers on Alan Turing, a man whose life was seemingly full of these moments of exhilaration and despair. Events from his childhood up until his tragic death are intercut to form this story and I was surprised at some of the skill with which the intercutting was done. What was most surprising to me was the amount of humor and wit laced throughout the script. It really helps to bring the audience into the story, which is something that is necessary for a film like this to work.

Another key to the success of a “Hollywood” biopic is the acting. Cumberbatch carries the film with his wonderful performance. There are certainly shades of Sherlock here but he makes Turing his own. The rest of cast does well but their characters are not as “fleshed-out” as Cumberbatch’s. This is one of my complaints about the film: some of its characters are simply uninteresting. These people act like people in a movie and thus are predictable. Turing is the only one that seems real, while the others feel like plot devices.

The direction of the film is quite good and brings across the message quite well. This message is brought through with a power that never borders on preaching. The Imitation Game is a good film and a perfect example of a formulaic biopic but due to its stock characters it does not surpass the formula. For most however, it won’t have to. 4/5

12 Years a Slave Review

Some films are great because they are entertaining (here's looking at you Raiders of the Lost Ark). Other films are great because they are visually spectacular (Star Wars, Gravity, etc.). Still some films are great because they are important, not just artistically, but historically. After finally seeing the much-praised 12 Years A Slave I believe it falls into that last category.

12 Years a Slave tells the story of Solomon. He is a free man who is captured and sold as a slave. This about all you need to know going in. The film uses this simple and perfect plot to help show the horrific nature of the institution itself. By using Solomon, a real person, as an outsider the director is able to bring us into this horrible world as Solomon is being introduced to it. This makes Solomon a character we can identify with, which helps us to better put ourselves in his situation. It is this that helps the director give the film such impact on the viewer. As Solomon is seeing and being oppressed by the injustice for the first time, we , as viewers, are as well.

Make no mistake, this is not Django Unchained. Not to malign that film but it used this backdrop relatively realistically as a way to provide context for its rather pulpy storyline. 12 Years a Slave is about pulling no punches. Some scenes are so hard to watch they will make you cringe. This cringing does not come from the gore on screen but from the acts themselves and sometimes the mere elapse of time. There is a point in the film where the director allows events to elapse in real time and this mere device makes that scene so hard to watch. In that moment I was not witnessing history from afar but living it.  I was very happy that the film made sure to be real and not over-or under-play any aspects as to, in some way, glorify the proceedings. The film felt real and raw.

The acting helped to bring this realism to the forefront as well. Ejiofor gives a perfect performance. He brings Solomon to life. Fasbender Is also incredibly well cast in this film and he creates a truly horrifyingly realistic slave-owner. Benedict Cumberbatch also makes a welcome appearance and does well with his screen time. The directing in this film is top-notch. Steve McQueen knows how to work the audience to incredible levels (as in the scene mentioned above) The film is one of the most recent epics to come out of Hollywood that one could actually call great.

Some might find that comparing 12 years a Slave to the Hollywood epics of old is insulting. They may feel that by making this comparison I am ignoring the films realism and true purpose. The Idea people have about the classic epics is that they are romantic and this film is certainly not. The comparison comes into play because like a great epic of old this film has a fantastic ensemble and well constructed story. Also like a classic epic this film takes a broad topic or period of history and makes a film that perfectly  captures it. It is important to note that while those two points put 12 Years a Slave in the category of a Hollywood epic there are several points in the film in which McQueen purposefully tones down these qualities. The specific shot that told me this was the shot of the boat with the slaves going down the river. The interesting fact is that there is no full shot of the boat on the river. The shot is instead of the propulsion of the boat and the water. This choice gives the film a distinct lack of romanticism that does a film of such serious subject matter credit. This film should be honored with  best picture and it was honestly the best film of the year. 5/5!

Star Trek Into Darkness Review!

Here's My Video Review of Star Trek Into Darkness!! Don't forget to subscribe!

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Directed by J. J. Abrams
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pine, and Zachary Quinto with Simon Pegg and Zoe Saldala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkUw39ZKRr8