Written & Directed by: Spike Jonze
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson (voice)
Synopsis: A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need.

[/info]

DIRECTION

With movies such as Adaptation, Being John Malkovich, and Where the Wild Things Are in his rear view mirror, Spike Jonze continues to create and invent genre-bending films with Her, a movie about a guy in the not-so-distant-future who installs an “operating system” which he ends up falling in love with. The philosophical implications of the synopsis alone will generate discussion, but once having viewed this wonderful little film, it will be much more difficult to ignore the plausibility of such a fantasy coming true. Yes, artificial intelligence has a long way to go to get to where Theodore lives, but it’s not an impossible dream (or nightmare depending on your stance on the matter). Regarding the direction alone, Jonze puts Joaquin Phoenix’s talents on display with perfection, and not since Walk The Line has Phoenix seemed so masterful. The creativity involved in the visual intrigue alone would be enough for this film to be special, as Jonze really knows how to match color with feeling, and setting with atmospheric tone. Jonze is one of the great artists alive today, and this might be his best film to date.

Grade: A+

[divider]

SCRIPT

The depth of the narrative drifts in and out of the techno-romantic fantastic, but overall the film entertains while still remaining provocative. Some cliche dialogue between primary characters holds the screenplay back from being the best of the year, but that is a very minor flaw in what is one of the most original and daring films of the year. The creative decisions to use voices without ever giving them faces, darkness without light, and retro set dress brings memories of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Philosophically, the films aren’t so different, and I don’t think it’s an injustice to compare the two. The consequences of our growing need for technology are becoming more apparent now than ever, and as we have all fallen in love with our favorite devices, Jonze uses that cultural reflection as the motivation behind the themes explored in Her. The challenges and rewards of a girlfriend in the cloud are acknowledged, and while Jonze may not have gone far enough into these for some, it was more intriguing to include many of them rather than extending far into a singular area. If this story doesn’t get you talking after the movie, nothing will.

Grade: A+

[divider]

PERFORMANCES

Joaquin Phoenix is perceived by many as a Hollywood outcast of sorts, being somewhat reclusive and unpredictable in almost all aspects of socializing and promoting a film. With that said, perhaps his acting genius might be infected with boring mediocrity if he ever did try to fit in. I’ve never genuinely liked a character more than Theodore, a socially awkward and lonely writer who possesses a way with words. The way Phoenix speaks, moves, and stands in awe of the gigantic world before him resonates with the viewer, and alongside wonderful cinematography allows for us to get lost in the moment with Theodore. Charming, witty, and hopeful to a fault, Theodore provides a very accessible pathway to understanding how one might indeed fall in love with a computer. Speaking of Samantha, Scarlett Johansson’s voice acting might seem a bit normal at first, but the exercises she is put through deserve special recognition, and Johansson herself has always been undervalued as an actor due to her physical features. Other noteworthy performances are given by Amy Adams, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Rooney Mara, and a hilarious voice cameo by Kristen Wiig as Sexy Kitten. This is a full cast and they all add their own personal touches to what is one of my favorite films of the year.

Grade: A+

[divider]

SCORE

Arcade Fire’s score for Her was one of my favorite, and feels as retro-futuristic as the rest of the film. Supersymmetry in particular is one of my favorite tracks in any trailer from this year. Karen O also provides some music for the film which appears in a trailer as well. I sincerely love this score.

Grade: A+

[divider]

Final Thoughts:

Her is one of the most magnificent and stylized films of the year, and while some may be perturbed by the basic idea of this story, this is not a movie to skip this year–especially for those of us addicted to our devices (which is everyone nowadays, right?).

Overall Grade: A+

Directed by: Alexander Payne
Written by: Bob Nelson
Starring: Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb
Synopsis: An aging, booze-addled father makes the trip from Montana to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million-dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize.

[/info]

DIRECTION

Alexander Payne journeys into the world of light & dark for what is the tale of a rural American family that focuses on father-son dynamics and the repercussions of aging. Alongside Sideways and The Descendants, Nebraska marks only the 3rd feature film directed by Payne in a decade. Payne is a man in touch with the world around him as well as humanity in general, capturing so many true feelings of the individuals and groups living in America in the 21st century. The film focuses on Woody Grant, a retired and exhausted old man who grew up in Hawthorne, Nebraska but wishes to travel to Lincoln to pick up his million dollar prize winnings in person after receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail. His son indulges his wishes and decides to let him live out his dreams of becoming a millionaire, and what we get is a heartbreaking and touching film that explores family relationships as well as the changing world around us. Woody’s journey to Lincoln is interrupted by a medical emergency which detours him into his hometown of Hawthorne, leading to many classic scenes of a rural American family in 2013. The sometimes comedic, sometimes traumatic scenes in which Payne presents to us are filled with the harshness of reality and come across quite well without the use of any melodrama or contrived emotion. The only trouble I had with the film was that June Squibb’s character felt a bit cartoonish because of the length of screen-time her repetitive lines were given. While hilarious, she could have been edited a little for a more sharp delivery of the character overall. The technique in which Payne directs and oversees the film is consistent and incredibly effective for the most part, with special attention going to the look and feel of Hawthorne and the cast. Payne pulls out the best from the cast in Nebraska, which alongside the composition and framing of this beautiful narrative makes for one of the best films of 2013.

Grade: A-

[divider]

SCRIPT

On its own, the screenplay here is quite strong, delivering an exploration of the aforementioned plot elements, but also including comedy and entertainment which add up to a very accessible storyline. The Woody Grant character is especially well-written, however I also thought that his son David was exceptionally developed. Ed Pegram, the arch nemesis of the Grant family was also well-written and slaps a character on screen in which we all can relate to someone in our real lives. The incredible depiction of what it means to be a good father and a good son stick out from everything else here, but the filling out of the script with comedy and additional characters is what makes this screenplay easy to work with.

Grade: A

[divider]

PERFORMANCES

Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and June Squibb all give well-balanced performances as the Grant family, although I do think a lot of the credit must go to Payne and Nelson for their script and direction. The trio holds the film together, and without their veteran expertise and emphasis on perfection, Nebraska wouldn’t have been what it was. Other impressive performances were given by Bob Odenkirk, another of Woody’s sons, and Devin Ratray (whom viewers might recognize as Kevin McAllister’s big brother Buzz from John Hughes’ holiday classic Home Alone) as one of Woody’s extended family members.

Grade: A

[divider]

SCORE

Mark Orton’s score for Nebraska provides a lightness to the film, while reflecting back on a life lived out west, and reviving the horns of old Westerns at times. The atmospheric tone of the composition’s allows room for Payne to work with, since the sounds we hear keeps our minds right at home with the film’s slow, rural setting. Personally, this was one of my favorites of the year.

Grade: A+

[divider]

Final Thoughts:

While Alexander Payne doesn’t often come to mind when I think of great American directors, his work on a movie titled with the state he was born into reminds us all of his ability to capture the feeling and look of America as poetically and accurately as anyone working today. Ultimately, Nebraska transcends Payne’s previous work when it indulges into the relationship between Woody and David, but it never falters and is quite the quirky, affectionate adventure.

Overall Grade: A

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writers: Terence Winter (screenplay), Jordan Belfort (book)
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie

Synopsis: Based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, from his rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life to his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.

[/info]

DIRECTION
Martin Scorsese is in top form in The Wolf of Wall Street, which re-tells the story of Jordan Belfort, who scammed his way to the top on Wall Street in the 1990’s. The movie is very meta and only from the perspective of Belfort, which Scorsese uses tremendously well to tell the story. There are many party scenes that display drug use and infidelity on a level that only these type of characters can provide, and many of them are shot really well. Scorsese uses a lot of slow motion to capture the richness these characters live in and the kind of lifestyle that defines these characters. There are just as many office “meetings” that are depicted in a similar fashion that reveal the same things about what’s going on. This film is about style. The story is fairly simple and Scoreses doesn’t focus on the numbers much. It’s about the extravagant parties, the wild chaos and the pride that eventually ruined these guys and it’s evident that’s what Scorsese was going for. And because of that, The Wolf of Wall Street is entertaining and is absolutely gripping. The big knock, and this is no surprise, is the length of the film. You got to give Scorsese for wanting to give depth, and in some cases, 180 minutes in necessary, but not here. Many of the scenes are the same, abrasive partying with different props that don’t add anything to the story or the characters. Overall though, Scorsese is great and it’s a film that is sure to entertain you, despite the despicable characters.

Grade: A-

[divider]

SCRIPT
The story follows the real-life story of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), who defrauded all of his clients in a massive securities scheme, among many other things. It’s a story we’ve all seen before, meaning, this film is about style. It’s the “how” he got there that matters and, boy, it’s a doozy. As mentioned, it’s all from Belfort’s perspective so we never see any consequences for anyone else and only Belfort speaks to the audience. In the beginning, Belfort seemed happy with his wife and in a humble place. That is, until he learns how to be a penny stock broker and how that brings him millions. This brings us a drug-induced coma that features many orgies and hangovers that is hard to keep count of after awhile. The film is important in the way that it shines light on a problem that seems to be a constant nag and seems to be something we continue to hear in the news all the time still. It also depicts how pride and selfish choices always lead to negative consequences, regardless of how much money you have. There is little to like about the characters with almost zero redemption as well. But the script is highly entertaining, especially given the characters we have to deal with. Overall though, there’s not much new here in terms of content. It’s all about whether or not you like the style it has.

Grade: B+

[divider]

MOVIE REVIEW: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is a great adventure!

[divider]

PERFORMANCES
Leonardo DiCaprio is in top form as Belfort and absolutely captivates you in his performance. It takes a certain skill to bring us a character that has almost no likablity to him, at least morally, but still make it as engaging as it was. Sure, the rich lifestyle can make anyone envious, but there’s much more going on beneath the surface. DiCaprio brings all of that out, layer by layer, as the film progresses and we see one party scene after another. Depending on how you sit on the fence though, you’ll either love him more or hate him more. Either way, DiCaprio nails hit. Johan Hill is also on his “A” game. This is arguably a better performance than his Oscar nominated performance in Money Ball. The chemistry he has with DiCaprio is crucial and leads to many great scenes in the film with the two. Margot Robbie is amazing good and is crucial DiCaprio’s character. She plays his wife and the fallout between them matters on many levels and she plays it gorgeously. There are many, many other fantastic supporting roles as well including Jon Favreau, Rob Reiner, and Kyle Chandler. But holy Lord, when Matthew McConaughey is on screen, he is absolutely magnetic and hilarious. He’s not there much but still has a nice punch (or beat to the chest).

Grade: A+

[divider]

SCORE
There is no original score here but a pretty good soundtrack that includes tracks from Jimmy Castor, 7Horse, The Cannonball Adderley Quintet among several others as well. Many of the music choices were solid and added some nice touches to the film. However, they aren’t going to necessarily going to elevate the scenes that much. The camera work and performances do that enough on their own, and while some of the songs were really great, most of them are nothing more than good backdrop music. For Scorsese, this makes sense though.

Grade: B+

[divider]

FINAL THOUGHTS
The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the year’s best movies for sure, although it’s sure to alienate some people. The film doesn’t offer anything new in terms of story or content but it makes up for it in entertaining characters, despite them being morally ignorant. It’s about style. And what Scorsese, DiCaprio and Hill bring to the table has tons of it. In the end, you will end up not liking their choices but it showcases a problem that many people have and delivers a final product that answers the age old question: does money really solve your problems? As you could guess, it only adds to it. But the meta-style works and it’s a film that will surly entertain you.

Overall Grade: A-

Director: Ben Stiller
Writers: Steve Conrad (screenplay), James Thurber (based on the short story by)
Stars: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, Jon Daly, Patton Oswalt, Sean Penn

Synopsis: A day-dreamer escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker are threatened, he takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined.

[/info]

DIRECTION
I simply cannot agree with the top critics’ general consensus of Ben Stiller’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Stiller does a wonderful job taking us on an adventure of that blends fantasy with reality in a way that is sure to spin your wheels. It would of been easy with this premise where imaginations over imposes on the story but Stiller does a nice job of bringing it back when needed to keep the film pretty fluid. There is a sense of commercialization that can be distracting but it’s kind of silly given that there is so much else more going on. Stiller uses some really creative camera work, especially in transitions and sometimes even for a little humor. In one instance, he uses the x-ray machine as a perspective as his character is traveling through an airport and it was pretty funny the way it was executed. Stiller even brings a pretty creative action sequence that was shot really well. The big thing with Walter Mitty however, is that you have to suspend reality a little bit for the film to work. Some scenes are very contrived and only work when you are in their world and not trying to put these characters in the real world. If you can do that, you’ll have a lot of fun with this movie.

Grade: A-

[divider]

SCRIPT
The story follows Walter Mitty, who is the Negative Assets Manager for Life Magazine, and is someone who loses himself in daydreams frequently. Mitty is kind of lonely and shy, who’s put work and family as his main priorities in life leaving him single with only his fantasies. When Life Magazine is bought out and is downsizing to become an online company only, Mitty is in charge of delivering the final cover image, which was shot by the famous Sean O’Connell. However, when Mitty and his partner can’t find the image, Mitty sets himself on an adventure to find the mysterious image. All while this is going on, Mitty is in pursuit of a co-worker, Cheryl, whom he kinda likes. And in doing so, he creates an E-Harmony page to learn more about Cheryl, but in turn, he ends up developing a funny relationship with one of the customer service employees. The story goes back and forth from imagination to reality (again, a term I use loosely) really well and in some fun and creative ways. While the relationship and E-Harmony subplots aren’t 100% necessary, it gave Mitty some character and it wasn’t too overbearing in screen time. What makes this story work is the fight within Mitty himself to live this adventure and creating a meaning for his life, even when things aren’t going his way. Even though the real world is more of a simulation, the heart of the story is still there and it works great. It’s inspirational and something that will be relatable do all the daydreamers out there looking for more in life.

Grade: B+

[divider]

MOVIE REVIEW: American Hustle is wildly entertaining!

[divider]

PERFORMANCES
Ben Stiller is genuine as Walter Mitty and gives a refreshing performance. While he does bring some comedic timing to this role, it’s more serious and he sells the daydreams. As a character who loses himself in thought, Stiller had sell his “zoning out” which he does beautifully. And it’s always great to see an actor go against the grain of his usual performances to give you something more and Stiller does that well here. Kristen Wiig doesn’t have as much to do, but when she’s on screen, she’s great and had good chemistry with Stiller. All of the supporting roles are limited, but when they are on screen, they get the job done. I especially enjoyed the short cameos of Sean Penn and Patton Oswalt. Adam Scott’s performance was a little over-the-top and not as believable in this world comparatively but given the goal of the character, it still works.

Grade: A-

[divider]

SCORE
What an absolute beautiful and outstanding score by Theodore Shapiro. It’s powerful and moving when needed to be, especially as Mitty is traveling though gorgeous landscapes that needed gripping music to lift the scene. The action moments even have some intense music that would leave Jason Bourne a little jealous. And the soundtrack? Absolutely incredible. Music lead by Jose Gonzalez among others that will end up being one of the best soundtracks of the year. And Stiller used the music perfectly to enhance the film.

Grade: A+

[divider]

FINAL THOUGHTS
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is really fun and one of Stiller best works, if not his best. While some subplots and the commercialization can be a side track, none of it should be. There’s so much more to this film. Mitty is an intriguing character that everyone can relate with in some ways. He just wants life to be an adventure and for it to become something more, which is a premise most people I think would want. The story takes off in some creative ways and is really charming that is for sure to be enjoyable. Again, lay down realism and forget the product placements and you’ll enjoy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Overall Grade: A-

Director: Justin Chadwick
Writers: William Nicholson (screenplay), Nelson Mandela (autobiography)
Stars: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Terry Pheto

Synopsis: A chronicle of Nelson Mandela’s life journey from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected president of South Africa.

[/info]

DIRECTION
Justin Chadwick certainly, and quite unfortunately, had good timing with the release of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom which will put this movie, maybe unfairly, right into the path of prominence given Mandela’s recent death. However for Chadwick, while he brings us a great representation, there are some pieces missing that ultimately leave you a little hungry still. The aesthetic of South Africa was captured beautifully but also arduous at the same time. The death scenes and massacres were shot (horribly) well but somehow feels a bit local. We don’t see the grander scale nor the kind of bigger implications it would have until later on in the film. However, the main essence of Mandela is here with layers of a leader that is for sure one to look up to.

Grade: B+

[divider]

SCRIPT
The script here is mostly through the eyes of Mandela himself and as a script coming from his biography, it makes sense that would be the case. The big problem with that however, is that we don’t see the big picture in really what makes Mandela’s story so great and powerful. We see some things about him, that may not be honoring or respectful, but could be true to the real person which is what the film needed too. There’s an interesting story arch that involves Mandela and his inner circle that helps motivate the anti-apartheied movement which was pretty engaging. Most of the other characters lack depth, but when they are screen are pretty intense giving you the sense of the consequences to them personally. One of the bigger controversies is how Mandela’s wife, played by Naomie Harris, is portrayed as it can be a little controversial depending on your take on it. She certainly has more hatred but later on we see some of her motivations that drive her but she does have this balancing act that is mostly successful. The story overall could of been a little more tightened and, if given, a bigger scale, would of given the viewers a bigger understanding of what Mandela did. This script mostly assumes you know the details leaving it not very accessible. But this is a story that needs to be told and it’s one of a man whose legacy will live on forever.

Grade: B

[divider]

MOVIE REVIEW: American Hustle is wildly entertaining!

[divider]

PERFORMANCES
Holy good God is Idris Elba is incredible. This is the performance of a lifetime for Elba and perhaps may (and should) have awards implications as the year comes to a close. He absolutely carries the film, and where the script lacks, he is captivating on every level which will keep you engaged. He brings Mandela to life on screen, and for those who aren’t familiar with the details, Elba gives us a sense of what it was life for Mandela on some levels (I’m sure it was way worse in real life). He’s strong in every sense and, in a simple sense, he was absolutely compelling. As mentioned, Naomie Harris was incredible too as Mandela’s wife and in some ways, her performance was just as crucial to the film. The dynamics she brings to the consequences of her character are pretty magnetic. Most of the other supporting actors were good and added some nice touches, although they don’t have as much to do. This is the Idris Elba show and he delivers big time.

Grade: A+

[divider]

SCORE
Wow, what an amazing score by Alex Heffes. This was unexpected for a film like this but this score is pretty intense when it needs to be but also subtle and heartbreaking when it needs to be. It’s all over the map but in all the best ways possible. The music lifts the intensity, which was really great and it absolutely adds some great layers to the movie. It’s a score that I would recommend outside the film too, it’s actually a good listen to. Not too mention, the song Ordinary Love by U2 is really great and a fun song.

Grade: A-

[divider]

FINAL THOUGHTS
The story is pretty slow in some areas and does draw out some areas that weren’t necessary. The story of Mandela is an amazing one, and while, we get to see the character well here, we do miss out on some of the grandness that makes his story so compelling. There are some scenes here that are very powerful though and it’s one worth seeing, if only for Elba’s performance. He was absolutely incredible and an actor I hope to see more in roles like this.

Overall Grade: B+

Directed by: David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter, Three Kings)
Written by: Eric Singer (The International), David O. Russell
Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner
Synopsis:A con man, Irving Rosenfeld, along with his seductive British partner, Sydney Prosser, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent, Richie DiMaso. DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.