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!

The Lego Movie (2014)

As the first movie that I saw of 2014 the Lego Movie holds a special place. It was a fantastic start to this year of movies and I can honestly say that watching the Lego Movie was one of the most pleasantly surprising cinematic experiences I have ever had.

I am going to refrain from giving a plot synopsis of this film because I honestly feel that viewers should go into this as in the dark as possible. All I will say is that it is truly a Lego Movie. The cast here is fantastic. It includes Chis Pratt, Will Ferrell, Liam Neeson, Will Arnett, and Morgan Freeman. If that sounds like a fun cast to you than you would be right. You just get the feeling that all of these actors were just having a blast making this movie and it shows. The humor in this film is razor sharp and will go far over the heads of many kids who see this film. In fact I would say that adults may actually find more to enjoy in the Lego Movie than their children will. That's not to say that there isn't plenty for the younger ones to enjoy, there is, but this film is really almost geared towards an older audience.

The best thing about the Lego Movie is its storytelling and its originality. There are so many films these days trying to be like Pixar that it was refreshing to see a movie not trying to follow that mold. The Lego Movie feels unique and exciting in a way that animated movies quite frankly haven't for a couple of years. The cast and the humor in this film work on many levels and the whole experience will leave you smiling as the credits roll. I would recommend wholeheartedly seeing it for yourself because quite frankly the Lego Movie is awesome, period. 5/5!

Oscar Watch: The Wolf of Wall Street Review

Martin Scorsese is a living legend among directors. His work has spanned decades and has garnered praise from critics and audiences alike. He will certainly go down in history as one of the great directors, sharing his company with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Howard Hawkes, Billy Wilder, Ernst Lubitsch etc. It is always a pleasure to go into a movie and know that you are witnessing the work of a living legend like Scorsese. The Wolf of Wall Street is a very entertaining film, feverishly directed with the energy that one would come to expect from the director of Goodfellas. Despite the artistry behind the camera the Wolff of Wall Street fails to completely overcome a script that doesn't quite earn its debauchery.

That script is by writer Terrence Winter who is famous as the head writer on the show Boardwalk Empire. Like that show there are many great scenes woven into this script about an extravagant stock broker but these scenes are only glimpses of brilliance in a script that fails to really do justice to the story. What I mean by this is that while the script shows many entertaining scenes of Jordan Belfort's excess it fails to show nearly any of the consequences of his actions. There is barely even a glimpse of the financial ruin that a man like Belfort caused. In fact while the script says that Belfort's actions as stock broker were illegal it never explains the reasoning behind this so the viewer is left feeling that Belfort was merely a guy who partied too hard and got caught. In many ways the film is the epitome of three hours of excess, entertaining excess at that, but still excess without much real substance. The one other positive about the script besides its entertainment value is the way that it manages to keep this long movie moving at a decent clip. So many outrageous things happen that we barely have time to internalize them and this is what makes the movie work reasonably well despite its flaws.

The reason I spent so much time on the script is that I feel like the script's lack of consequence was really the only thing burdening this movie. Mr. Scorsese is at the top of his game in terms of directing and several of the sequences feature incredible style. The acting is top notch because the cast is so meticulously chosen. DiCaprio deserves praise for his exuberance and believability in the role and Jonah Hill delivers another incredible supporting actor performance. Hill is one of the best comedic character actors in modern film when he is given the right character and here he shines just as he did in Moneyball. The soundtrack is well chosen as always and several of the sequences are laugh out loud funny. In fact I would say that Wolf was one of the funniest movies I saw this year and its a testament to the cast and director that this film was so entertaining. For some this movie will be too edgy but for others the lack of consequence in the script will not bother them in the least. Wolf could have been great but because of that one factor it fell to good and that's really more a testament to its legendary director that it wasn't any worse. 3.5/5

Oscar Watch: American Hustle Review

From the opening of the film there is no doubt that David O Russell's American Hustle is an excursive in style. The film begins with great confidence in media res not giving the audience any background about what's happening and expecting us to instead focus on the characters and their interactions. This is a bold move in what turns out to be quite a bold movie: one that has glamorous stars and which appears to have a glamorous plot line but one which is inevitably far more about characters and their relationships than one might expect. American Hustle is a complex and highly stylish film which defies expectations to the point where I almost feel like it requires a second viewing.

The truth is that the plot is very complex. Much of it is actually purposefully shady and left for the end of the film but when watching it for the first time one does not know that. This film builds upon this complex tale of con men, politicians, and FBI agents with many character studies. The film really cares more about the people involved and less about explaining exactly what's going on. This may be frustrating to some viewers who went to the film expected a tightly plotted film like Argo. There is a plot and when it reaches its conclusion it makes sense but it is a little more complex than the average plot of a Hollywood film.

The acting is where this film really shines. Christian Bale completely transformed himself for the role of Irving and he truly embodies the character. It is hard to believe that this is the same actor who played the Dark Knight. Amy Adams gives a really fantastic performance as well, showing the weaknesses and vitality of character in subtle ways that help to illustrate who Sydney is. Bradley Cooper does a fine job as the FBI agent. Jeremy Renner really does a remarkable thing in making this targeted politician one whom we actually sympathize with. And Jennifer Lawrence managed to not only hold her own  in this cast but give one of the very best supporting screen performances this reviewer has ever seen. Her energy and the realism she brings to the role fill the movie with so much energy that you want to applaud when her scene has finished. There are some great cameos as well but to spoil those would be to ruin the fun and there is much fun to be had.

American Hustle is directed with incredible style. Russell infuses this film with both a glamorous style (reminiscent of Goodfellas) and his own particular style as seen in his other films. This movie has glamorous stars playing con games and a well chosen musical score to match but in the end it works because of the acting and the characters of the film. Russell understands this and does not let the style get ahead of him. He is a great actors' director because he plays to their performances. This film really has two styles and plays to both of them. The first style is one that is broad and extravagant with flowing camera movies and soaring seventies music. The second style is more intimate and character driven  with the camera closer to the actors and the music subdued. because of this there is a lot going on in American Hustle and it really is difficult to take it all in. I have not yet had the ability to view it a second time but if I did I think that I would have an even greater appreciation for it. As it stands this film has actors and a director at the top of his/their games and that's reason enough to see it. 4.5/5

Oscar Watch: Saving Mr. Banks Review

After a winter break hiatus, I am now returning to this blog to write reviews in anticipation of the Academy awards. These reviews will focus on both the films themselves and their chances of winning Oscar gold and will conclude with my personal year in review.

Saving Mr. Banks had a very strong chance of ending up as a special feature on some Mary Poppins Blu-Ray someday. The idea of making an entire movie about the making of a beloved film classic was a risk because there was a chance that it could have no personality of its own. Thankfully for moviegoers Saving Mr. Banks not only has its own personality but is a truly fine film in its own right.

Saving Mr. Banks tells the story of PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins;. We see scenes of her childhood and inspiration for the book as well as scenes of the older Ms. Travers working and fighting with the Disney company over the rights to her beloved characters. What makes this plot work is that it does well by the woman herself. By deciding to focus very much on her storyline this film becomes more than a making of documentary. We watch as the director slowly unfolds the character of this woman before our eyes and as he does so we slowly come to understand her.

Much credit for this must be given to Emma Thompson who brings Travers to life with a sense of realism that helps us to believe that this is a real person and also a real enigma. This is essential for the film to work the way it does and the acting job of Ms. Thompson helps give the film its life. Tom Hanks also give s a very good performance as Walt Disney. His character is far less of an enigma; he's a good salesman, and as an audience we feel immediately taken in by Hanks' presence. The film manages to both focus on Travers but also focus on the making of this classic film. When the film is at its best it combines these two goals in sequences that work on more than one level.

It isn't perfect though. It is quite a sentimental film and that may not be to everybody's liking and many of the developments that occur are not really unforeseen. There are certainly elements of the story that have been trod on again and again in these types of films and some may protest that it is not all entirely true to what actually happened.

Despite these minor quibbles this movie exceeded my expectations in that it was not just a love letter to Mary Poppins but a good film in its own right. It also made me want to revisit Mary Poppins. I would actually suggest that to get the most out of the film one should view the classic first because there are many nods in this that will be lost if you have not recently seen it. Overall I found this to be an entertaining film that is perfect for the winter season. I don't think it will be nominated for best picture but I do believe that Ms. Thompson deserves at least a nomination as best actress for her performance. 4/5

Holiday Films: Holiday Inn (1942)

In my opinion there may be no more personal movie preference than Christmas Movies. Many people have more connection to the Christmas films they grew up with than any other films. I preface this review with that because I realize that there may be some that will very much disagree with what I am about to write. I would remind those who find this review unappealing that just as they have films that they cherish and grew up with I also have my own attachments.

With that out of the way I will say that I think the 1942 film Holiday inn is a criminally underseen film. This probably has a lot to do with the larger amount of publicity that its semi-remake White Christmas gets. I first saw Holiday Inn and only watched White Christmas after having already made Holiday Inn a holiday season tradition. I have tried to be as objective in my assessment as possible and I can honestly say that Holiday Inn is far superior. While White Christmas is probably a good film if that is the only version you've seen In my opinion it pales in comparison to the original in many ways. While it may be in "color" and "VistaVision" White Christmas does not have the same charm as the original.

There are several reasons for this. Firstly while White Christmas has Bing Crosby, Holiday Inn has both Bing Crosby AND Fred Astaire. Fred Astaire is truly one of the greatest talents of the movie musical and paired with Crosby it is pure magic. (No offense Danny Kaye but your not quite Fred Astaire). It's a shame that too few people ever knew the two collaborated because for many this is a Movie Musical dream. Secondly Holiday Inn is the premiere of the song "White Christmas". Many people don't know this and the song has never felt more fresh or been as integral to a movie as it was in this original rendition. It was this and not the later film that caused sales of that song to go crazy. Finally Holiday Inn has a lot of good songs by Irving Berlin that are comparable to the quality of the title track and there are some really cool dance numbers to match. Holiday Inn was also the premiere of the nearly as popular song "Easter Parade" which was later turned into its own Astaire vehicle. All of these add up to make Holiday in a fresher and more complete film than the semi-sequal.

One thing that must be mentioned is that there is a number in Holiday Inn which by today's standards is very politically incorrect. while this scene may be offensive, I do not believe that it should make people not see the film. I also don't believe it detracts from the quality of the rest of the film. I do not think that it is completely fair for us to apply our presentist beliefs to a film made at the start of 1942. This sequence is not as far as I can tell malicious in intent and it is an isolated incident in the film. There are several other such scenes in musicals of the era which are still acclaimed by critics (Notable Swing Time with Astaire and Rogers which has a scene that seems even more offensive)

Overall, Holiday Inn continues to be the best holiday musical and one of my favorite musicals period. This is a type of film that really isn't made any more and the premiere of "White Christmas" is one of the great moments in film. The cast and the dance numbers are almost pitch perfect and there is a wonderful undercurrent of humor. This is the complete package and a holiday delight! 4.5/5

Holiday Films: The Bishop's Wife (1947)

It's that time again, the Christmas film season. There are so many beloved holiday films tat it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many people have there own set of perennial favorites and I've always felt that people take their favorite Christmas movies more personally than any other type of film. The films that I will review with this header will be my personal favorites. That does not mean these are the definitive holiday films but are instead the movies that to me best express the Christmas spirit.

The Bishop's Wife is probably the ultimate feel-good Christmas movie. As a film it's not a masterpiece but as a warm bit of holiday cheer it's hard to beat. I mean who wouldn't want Cary Grant as their guardian angel? The film centers around a bishop and his attempt to build a cathedral. In the process of doing this he becomes less aware of the parts of life that truly matter and Cary Grant is sent as his angel to give him a little more perspective. The situation is really a very relatable one, especially around the holiday season when many people are so worried about things that don't really matter. It is this that the Bishop's Wife captures best of all. Cary Grant brings youth and joy to the household and demonstrates why we really love Christmas. This film also is more directly tied to the religious aspects of Christmas than most which I actually find refreshing. The film has great lessons and it's a lot of fun along the way.

The only complaint I might have is that it is a little bit too long but there are so many fun characters and sequences (especially one involving ice skating) that I really can't dock it that much. If you're looking for some holiday cheer then you can't do much better than this classic with it's superb cast. Along with Grant, David Niven plays the bishop and Loretta Young plays his wife. The film is also filled with the great character actors you could only find in classic Hollywood. I you haven't seen this gem my recommendation would be to pick it up, It's a fantastic film that works like a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy day, 4.5/5