Movie Rewind: THE SQUARE (2013)

THE SQUARE (2013)
Director: Jehane Noujaim
Starring:Khalid Abdalla,Ahmed Hassan,Magdy Ashour

I must say, I am really learning a lot about current events after watching some of this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Documentary. First Dirty Wars and now The Square which brings us right into the forefront of what has been all over the headlines in the past few years. You’re supposed to learn about the news through movies, right? What a splendid idea as I am not up to date on what has been happening on CNN or what’s printed in my local paper. In 2011, a revolution was starting in Cairo, Egypt to overthrow President Mubarak from power. Local citizens flocked to Tahrir Square in the heart of the city for protests, demonstrations, and sit-ins for their voice to be heard. The people came together as one unit without any division of religion in order to obtain freedom from the regime. On February 11, 2011, fireworks went off as the people won their fight when President Mubarak stepped down as their leader.

Unfortunately for them, that was only the first step in a struggle spanning the years since Mubarak left. Despite leaving power, his regime was still in place and the Armed Forces took over without any chance of change occurring. The same revolutionaries marched back into Tahrir Square knowing their work was long from over. Thousands of protestors were arrested and put on trial. One woman states, “The army consistently lied, tortured us.” Even after President Morsi took power, the situation only grew worse. The number of citizens demanding change went from the first few hundreds in the Square at the beginning toward the millions that marched on the one year anniversary of President Morsi’s win.

Director Jehane Noujaim is an Egyptian American herself and brings an inside look at what is happening in the country where she was raised. She interviews six revolutionaries, including actor Khalid Abdalla (The Kite Runner, United 93), young storyteller Ahmed Hassan, and singer/songwriter Ramy Essam and follows their journeys and fights for freedom against Egyptian rule. Noujaim offers a frontline view taking the audience deep into the action as she shoots the majority of footage inside the middle of Tahrir Square. There are some horrific images as people are left injured and even dead after the their own police and army stepped in and turned it into a war. On the contrary, the aerial shots of the swarms of people gathered in the streets are jaw-dropping and inspiring to see that sort of drive, ambition, and sense of community. It should be noted that the majority of the film is in the native language of Egyptian Arabic with English subtitles shown below.

According to Ahmed, there was injustice and indignity and no hope for a better future. When you watch the cable news programs covering events like this, you don't always get that personal connection. You typically get an outsider's perspective looking in and reporting from afar. Noujaim's probing look and personal accounts with her subjects are thought provoking and insightful as you are in the middle of the action yourself. I would not consider this my favorite of the four nominees I have seen as 20 Feet from Stardom still holds that title. Each one has been enlightening and is a testimony to the strength of this genre. Sometimes you watch a documentary and you just feel pelted and beaten over the head with the same point being driven home over and over again. I'm looking at you, Food, Inc.. Luckily the four nominees I have covered so far offer us a variety of topics in an insightful manner with food for thought to ponder over for days to come afterward. Who knows, maybe I will start to pay more attention to the news to keep abreast of these situations. I should probably expand my focus past the pop culture section.

Is it worth your trip to the movies? YES.

RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Movie Rewind: 20 FEET FROM STARDOM (2013)

20 FEET FROM STARDOM (2013)
Director: Morgan Neville
Starring: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Judith Hill, Tata Vega, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, Bette Midler

When you were watching a talk show or attending a recent concert, you may you have noticed the three or four singers standing in the background swaying or dancing along while singing the “oohs”, “aaahs”, or part of the vocal line. It may look easy, which is why it is unfortunate that most people probably take back-up singers for granted. When you start to think about it, some of the best songs ever recorded have background vocals. Sometimes they take a simple song and elevate it to a whole new level. In his new film 20 Feet from Stardom, documentarian Morgan Neville takes a look at the history and art of what it means to be a back-up singer.

The film follows the careers of Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Táta Vega, Lisa Fischer, The Waters Family, and Judith Hill who have all made their careers by lending their powerhouse voices to some of the greatest performers in the industry including Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, Better Midler, just to name a few. It is great to see some of these well-known legends discuss the importance of background vocals to their work and how vital these artists are to the industry. It should come as no surprise that many of these artists come from a history of singing in their church when they were younger. A few of them mention being the pastor or minister’s daughter and learning how to blend and harmonize as part of the church choir. Bruce Springsteen states, “They bring a world with them.”

In the very early years, background singers merely sang what was written on the page. This idea shifted around the time of The Blossoms when singers like Darlene Love started adding guts and a playful attitude to the music. There is a fascinating story about how Phil Spector used Darlene and The Blossoms as lead vocals on a few songs like “He’s a Rebel”, but it was credited under The Crystals without any acknowledgment that it was Love’s voice that was front and center. She could only tolerate those “ghost recordings” for so long despite Spector’s demands. The film also highlights the fact that the music industry is not a fair or just business. Just because you have talent doesn’t mean you will automatically get a record deal or have huge success. Lisa Fischer was perfectly happy remaining a back-up singer. She has been working for decades and states, “Singing is about sharing, it’s not a competition.” She had a passion for singing and had no interest in becoming famous. Some of the other women have different opinions and envisioned their careers taking a different spin once they were offered a solo recording contract.

Even if you are not the biggest fan of this style of music, it would be hard not to acknowledge and appreciate the vital impact these singers have had on the music industry. The film serves as a celebration of music and shines a light by putting a name and face to so many voices we may have heard but did not know their story and history. It also charts the evolution of using background vocals in the music industry and where the need for that sound came from. As the film points out, it is a shame that this need started to die down in the ‘90s. As technology shifted, producers could mix and reshape the sound without needing to pay all of these vocalists for their work.

20 Feet from Stardom is one of the five nominees for Best Documentary for the 86th Academy Awards. This was the fourth film I watched, and by far my favorite. Some of the other nominees cover such heavy material, and this documentary proves that films in this genre don’t need to be these groundbreaking, earth shattering pieces trying to uncover some hidden truth or conspiracy. I am kicking myself that I never took the opportunity to see it in theaters. The music is so rich and vibrant that you can't help but start singing along when you recognize one of the classic tunes mentioned.

Is it worth your trip to the movies? Yes. You will most likely find yourself singing along with these ladies.

RATING: **** 1/2 (4.5 out of 5 stars)

AND THE OSCAR FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG GOES TO...

AND THE OSCAR FOR BEST ORIGINAL SONG GOES TO...

Here are the nominees for best original song from a motion picture.

"Happy" from DESPICABLE ME 2
Music and Lyric by Pharrell Williams
performed by: Pharrell



"Let It Go" from FROZEN
Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
performed by: Idina Menzel



"The Moon Song" from HER
Music by Karen O
Lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze
Performed by: Karen O



"Ordinary Love" from MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
Music by Paul Hewson, Dave Evans, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen
Lyric by Paul Hewson
performed by: U2



You may notice that this category is one nominee short of its usual five nominees. When the nominations were announced, heads turned in disbelief when "Alone Yet Not Alone" from the film of same name was nominated. Most people had never heard of this song or movie due to an extremely limited release, so how did it stand out and get nominated? The Academy decided to disqualify the song and pull the nomination after finding that composer Bruce Broughton, who is a current member of the music branch, emailed and promoted the song to voters outside of the rules and regulations regarding campaigning for a nomination.

Which one of these four great songs will win? My vote is going toward "Let It Go" from Frozen. The movie was a massive hit for Disney and the song has had just as big of an impact as the movie did. There are countless YouTube videos and Buzzfeed pages devoted to it with many young fans singing their versions of it. I am so happy to hear that powerhouse Idina Menzel will sing it live during the ceremony. I think the only song that could come in its way is "Ordinary Love" by U2. They are gaining a little momentum after their Golden Globe win and acoustic performance on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon".

Who would you like to win? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below!

DEAR READERS

DEAR READERS,

This weekend brings a few more releases that you may find a bit lackluster. I was not able to attending any screenings of 3 Days to Kill starring Kevin Costner or Pompeii starring "Game of Thrones" hunk Kit Harington, so I cannot report whether they are worth your time, effort, and hard earned money. The Oscars are less than 10 days away, so it is time to get scrambling if you are feeling behind. There are some documentaries and foreign films I still need to check out. Check back for reviews of those to come soon! If you are feeling behind, I would like to recommend the AMC Best Picture Showcase. I am in no way affiliated with AMC, so this is basically free marketing for them. I can only attest for the numerous times I have gone to the all day marathon.

AMC presents all nine best picture nominees shown over two Saturdays or, if you are up for it, a 24 hour marathon blitz. As you may recall from my reviews or my Oscar Watch 2014 page, I have already seen all nine nominees. You may be wondering why I would spend two full Saturdays hunkering into a plush movie theater seat for nine movies I have already seen. It should come as no surprise that I love watching movies over and over again. Truth be told, this will be my third time seeing Nebraska and American Hustle. When films are this good, there is usually something different I take away with each viewing. Maybe I watch a different actor or focus on the script or the cinematography. The idea behind seeing them back to back really let's you put them into perspective. Which film really does stand out as the Best Picture of the Year? If I had seen them before, which holds up on its second viewing? Which gets better with age? I have a feeling I will enjoy The Wolf of Wall Street even more this time around. If you are an AMC Stubs member, you get $5 Stubs bucks per day on your member card to use at the concession stand. Mini breaks are offered in between each movie with trivia and prizes and a longer dinner break occurs later in the day. Plus, you get a nifty collectible lanyard.

Here's the rundown of each day:

Saturday, February 22
Philomena
Dallas Buyers Club
The Wolf of Wall Street
12 Years a Slave

Saturday, March 1
Nebraska
Captain Phillips
Her
American Hustle
Gravity

I am thrilled to have a group of friends join us this year. I plan on live tweeting throughout so check my Twitter page for my random thoughts throughout the marathon. I should preface with the fact that it all depends on if Sprint and my iPhone will cooperate with me at the theater. The last time I was there, I could not get a darn internet connection to save my soul! FIRST WORLD PROBLEM, I KNOW!  Here's to a fun couple of Oscar filled Saturdays coming up!

Thanks for reading,
PAUL

Movie Rewind: DIRTY WARS (2013)

DIRTY WARS (2013)
Director: Rick Rowley
Starring: Jeremy Scahill

American journalist and investigator Jeremy Scahill presents a very different view of the American involvement in the war overseas. His mission was to bring light and awareness to the "seen and unseen" things that may be hidden in plain sight or covered up by our military personnel. His first center of focus is on the military raids in Afghanistan. He defies his own safety by going past the certain safe zones NATO has mapped out while risking his life from being caught by Taliban forces. He states that the night belongs to the Taliban. He interviews local citizens about the American raid that killed innocent civilians including two pregnant women in Gardez. These raids were all part of a cover-up by the military and government. A local woman states, "They committed no sin and had no enemies."

The images and stories of these innocent people being gunned down for no apparent reason leaves haunting reminders in Scahill's mind about what may be happening behind closed doors. He sets out to uncover who was behind these raids as the information is not easily accessible. Scahill spends time tacking pictures to his wall, connecting the dots, and researching the faces of the men photographed from the raid. Scahill unmasks these men as being part of a covert ops group called JSOC, the Joint Special Operations Command, which at the time was not a household name. They were also in charge of airstrikes and killings in Yemen. The American soldiers and members of NATO went to extreme lengths to cover the casualties of their work, which also included U.S. citizens. The film takes an interesting spin when they reveal that JSOC was the group behind the capture of Osama bin Laden.

Scahill provides an upfront and close look on the global war on terror that he feels is spinning out of control. You do not see many American made movies that take this angle on our involvement in the war. Many films like Zero Dark Thirty or Lone Survivor provide a heroic look at our involvement in some of the various missions that have taken place. Scahill doesn't discredit the act of valor some of our troops go through, but wants to open our eyes to what is not being portrayed in the media. He is able to interview numerous individuals from the citizens of Gardez, members of the military, and pretty much anyone in between that has knowledge of some of the cover-up being done to hide the fact that innocent people are getting killed as part of our involvement on the war on terror.

Dirty Wars is the second of the five nominees for Best Documentary at the 2013 Academy Awards I have watched. Scahill based the film on his own book "Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield". I applaud him for his probing and dangerous look into these dirty and secretive operations. He often puts himself in severely dangerous territory in order to interview civilians and get a first hand look at some of the destruction some of our missions have had on them. The film may be a bit hard to watch for some as there are images and videos of the some of the dead bodies of the subjects involved. He makes some pretty strong and blunt claims against the President and the decisions made by the White House and other military officials. Scahill's accounts are eye-opening to say the least and will spark controversy and debate. It makes you wonder how much the general public does or does not know about what really is going on behind closed doors.

RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

Movie Rewind: CUTIE AND THE BOXER (2013)

CUTIE AND THE BOXER (2013)
Director: Zachary Heinzerling
Starring: Ushio Shinohara, Noriko Shinohara, Alex Shinohara

The Academy Award nominations have been announced and four of the five nominees for Best Documentary are currently streaming on Netflix. As an artist married to an artist, I was drawn to the story of Cutie and the Boxer. Ushio Shinohara is celebrating his 80th birthday. He came to New York as a young artist from Japan and received acclaim for his sculpture work and paintings. At the age of 41, he met Noriko who was only 19 at the time. She was instantly impressed by his work as she had never seen anything like it. Six months later she was pregnant with their son, Alex. He continued his artwork while living life on the wild side, eventually becoming an alcoholic. Noriko felt forced to put her career on the back burner in order to raise their son and take care of their family due to his lack of responsibility and maturity.

In the present day, they are facing huge money troubles and cannot pay the rent that is due. Ushio opens a new exhibit featuring his boxing glove paintings with a representative from the Guggenheim interested in his work. Noriko has spent her life feeling inferior to him as if he has treated her like his assistant. She believes Alex struggles with a drinking problem and blames Ushio and knows they did not give him a proper environment to grow up in. She decides to let her creative nature come alive again with new illustrations about a girl named "Cutie" and her husband "Bullie". The illustrations begin outlining their relationship to which Ushio dismisses them despite the positive feedback she receives after showing it in their joint exhibition.

As the film begins, you think you may be watching this story about an elderly artist still working hard at what he loves and will not let age, health, or money stop him from continuing his passion. I am sure Ushio wants you to believe this is his story and that he is the artist of the family. The truth and heart of the story belongs with Noriko as we watch her finally come into her own after a long marriage of feeling like she and her art took the back burner compared to Ushio's lifestyle. There is a sadness and heartbreak to her story as you wish he had been more supportive and that she didn't have these feelings throughout their marriage. At the same time, I do not believe they have a terrible marriage as Noriko still loves Ushio and their love is evident.

Cutie and the Boxer is another prime example of a film I probably would not have paid too much attention to as I strolled through the Netflix Streaming options, but I am so glad I gave it a watch. If the title throws you off, do not worry as they are merely nicknames for Ushio (Boxer) and Noriko (Cutie). As an artist, it is easy to understand the trials and tribulations of putting yourself and your work out there to get judged and critiqued by others. When it is your passion, you do not let anyone or anything get in your way. The power art has over us is undeniable. Ushio and Noriko have never given up on their passion no matter how small and cramped their apartment is, no matter how little money they have, and no matter how the public or critics respond to it. Their love for each other and their art grows and molds around each other. They may have disagreements and bicker. There is jealousy and frustrations along the way, but it is inspiring and moving to know their deep internal love prevails and makes them each better people.

RATING: **** (4 out of 5 stars)

PAUL PREDICTS THE OSCAR NOMINEES

PAUL PREDICTS THE OSCAR NOMINEES

I have participated in Oscar predictions contests in the past and have had some succeed. Back in 2006, I entered a contest at a local movie theater and won three free months of movies. I have been watching the Oscars dating back to 1993, so I feel like I have a pretty good knack at determining who will or will not get nominated and then win in any given year. My predictions are not always perfect as the Academy does like to throw in some wild card picks each year. This year I am participating in a contest with fellow LAMB Member Shane over at his website Film Actually. Here are my picks on who may receive that golden phone call on Thursday, January 16 in the categories Shane has picked out.

BEST PICTURE
1. 12 Years a Slave
2. American Hustle
3. Blue Jasmine
4. Captain Phillips
5. Dallas Buyers Club
6. Gravity
7. Her
8. Nebraska
9. Saving Mr. Banks
10. The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST DIRECTOR
1. Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity
2. Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips
3. Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
4. David O. Russell, American Hustle
5. Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street

*WILD CARD: Spike Jonze, Her

BEST ACTOR
1. Bruce Dern, Nebraska
2. Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
3. Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
4. Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
5. Robert Redford, All is Lost

*WILD CARD: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ACTRESS
1. Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
2. Sandra Bullock, Gravity
3. Judi Dench, Philomena
4. Meryl Streep, August: Osage County
5. Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks

*WILD CARD: Amy Adams, American Hustle

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
1. Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
2. Daniel Bruhl, Rush
3. Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
4. Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
5. Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

*WILD CARD: Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
1. Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
2. Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
3. Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
4. June Squibb, Nebraska
5. Oprah Winfrey, Lee Daniels' The Butler

*WILD CARD: Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

BEST EDITING
1. Joe Walker, 12 Years a Slave
2. Christopher Rouse, Captain Phillips
3. Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger, Gravity
4. Daniel P. Hanley and Mike Hill, Rush
5. Thelma Shoonmaker and The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
1. Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell, American Hustle
2. Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine
3. Joel and Ethan Coen, Inside Llewyn Davis
4. Spike Jonze, Her
5. Bob Nelson, Nebraska

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
1. Tracy Letts, August: Osage County
2. Richard Linklater and Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
3. Billy Ray, Captain Phillips
4. Steve Coogan and Jeff Pope, Philomena
5. Terence Winter, The Wolf of Wall Street

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
1. The Broken Circle Breakdown, Belgium
2. The Grandmaster, Hong Kong
3. The Great Beauty, Italy
4. The Hunt, Denmark
5. Omar, Palestine

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
1. Sean Bobbitt, 12 Years a Slave
2. Bruno Delbonnel, Inside Llewyn Davis
3. Emmanuel Lubezki, Gravity
4. Phedon Papamichael, Nebraska
5. Roger Deakins, Prisoners

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
1. Adam Stochausen and Alice Baker, 12 Years a Slave
2. Catherine Martin and Beverly Dunn, The Great Gatsby
3. Andy Nicholson and Rosie Goodwin, Gravity
4. Michael Corenblith and Susan Benjamin, Saving Mr. Banks
5. Dan Hennah and Ra Vincent, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug

BEST SOUND MIXING
1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Gravity
3. Inside Llewyn Davis
4. Lone Survivor
5. Rush

BEST SOUND EDITING
1. All is Lost
2. Captain Phillips
3. Gravity
4. Lone Survivor
5. Rush

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
1. Patricia Norris, 12 Years a Slave
2. Michael Wilkinson, American Hustle
3. Catherine Martin, The Great Gatsby
4. Michael O'Connor, The Invisible Woman
5. Michael Orlandi, Saving Mr. Banks

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
1. Hans Zimmer, 12 Years a Slave
2. Alex Ebert, All is Lost
3. John Williams, The Book Thief
4. Steven Price, Gravity
5. Thomas Newman, Saving Mr. Banks

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
1. The Act of Killing
2. The Armstrong Lie
3. Blackfish
4. God Loves Uganda
5. 20 Feet from Stardom

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
1. The Croods
2. Despicable Me 2
3. Frozen
4. Monsters University
5. The Wind Rises

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
1. Gravity
2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
3. Star Trek Into Darkness
4. Pacific Rim
5. World War Z

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
1. American Hustle
2. Dallas Buyers Club
3. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

BEST ORIGINAL SONG
1. "Let It Go" from Frozen
2. "Young and Beautiful" from The Great Gatsby
3. "Atlas" from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
4. "The Moon Song" from Her
5. "Ordinary Love" from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Movie Review: GRAVITY

GRAVITY
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris

Be ready to be blown away by one of the best movies you will see all year. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) and experienced astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) are doing their routine checks aboard their space shuttle floating around space like it is no big deal. It's all just part of their job. After seeing Gravity, that is a job I never ever want. I can barely climb up a ladder without my fear of falling kicking in. They receive communication from their command station (Ed Harris!) that a chain reaction of debris is heading their way, and they must abort their mission.

There was no way of preventing it as the debris collides with the shuttle. Communication has been lost, the shuttle has been destroyed, and Dr. Stone and Kowalski are left tethered together floating in the abyss of space. They are the lone survivors of their crew now facing the eternal idea that they may never see home again. Their only hope lies in the International Space Station if they can successfully navigate themselves over to it.

I first became aware of director Alfonso Cuarón over a decade ago. I rented his 2001 hit Y Tu Mamá También and loved it. That was not his first film, but it was the one that got me hooked to him as a filmmaker. He upped the ante with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by proving those films could be more than just fun movies for kids. This is his first film since 2006's Children of Men. I would say that if it takes him this long in between projects, but the end result is Gravity, I respect that time. Not only does he direct the film, but he wrote the intelligent screenplay with his son, Jonas Cuarón. You may be surprised, yet relieved, to hear there is a sense of humor that comes with some of the dialogue. The film is so intense and anxiety ridden that you need those moments of humor to balance that tense state of being. I do not want to give too much away about the characters and their state of mind throughout this, but the script allows them to have the appropriate reactions and emotional sense regarding the situation they are in. Once you see it, you will understand what I am talking about. It does not get bogged down in a “woe is me” type tone.

Throughout the film, I realized how casting these two leads was vital in making this movie work. You need two powerhouse actors, especially the one playing Dr. Stone, that not only can carry a movie but make it stay interesting, edge of your seat, and captivating for ninety minutes. These survival stories can go south quickly if left in the wrong hands. Clooney and Bullock are exactly the kind of actors the film needed to make the tone work. These are two very smart actors that know how to stay in control of every scene and know exactly what is needed to keep the film moving. Bullock is given a small but vital back story, and in turn, delivers a powerful performance that will most likely garner another Best Actress nomination. She brings a maternal warmth and sense of humor that help elevate this story and make it a personal journey instead of just some movie about two astronauts in space.

EVERYTHING about this film is breathtaking and magical. Between the visual effects, cinematography, and sound design, I never once felt like I was watching these two actors act against a green screen. I never worried and wondered about what contraption they were wearing to capture and create the special effects. This is a crowning achievement in film making that captures what going to the movies is all about. Cuarón has given the audience the ability to go outside of themselves to go to a place beyond our everyday life. I am the kind of film buff that loves the special features and behind the scenes documentaries. I want to get in on that process and learn all about what it takes to bring the stories I love to life to the big screen. Gravity is a different story. At this time after my first viewing, I do not want to know. I do not want to lose that magical place I was sent to for ninety minutes. I do not want to know about the technicalities that went in to making this film happen. I do not want to know how they were able to make Clooney and Bullock appear to spend the entire film in zero gravity.

Like 2001: A Space Odyssey some forty-five years ago, Gravity is one of the best achievements in the sci-fi genre. I would hope that it will be remembered as one of the greats. It may inspire young kids who envision themselves to be the next great filmmaker or it may inspire a new love of space and the vast universe we cannot begin to comprehend. It is one of those cinematic adventures that is best left to experience yourself as any review will simply not do it justice. You may be skeptical about 3D (I hear you on that one!), but rest assured here. Films like Gravity are the kind that 3D is meant for over some action flick converted in post-production. It is not some gimmicky ploy to rob the audience of an extra $3. It sucks you into the world and enhances that feeling of getting lost in space. I recommend viewing it on the biggest screen with the best sound system. You might as well fully immerse yourself into it to fully ejoy the experience.

RATING: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

Movie Review: BLUE JASMINE

BLUE JASMINE
Writer/Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Sally Hawkins, Andrew Dice Clay, Louis C.K., Bobby Cannavale, Peter Sarsgaard, Michael Stuhlbarg

Cate Blanchett. Cate Blanchett. Cate Blanchett. She has portrayed Elizabeth I, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Dylan, Galadriel the Elf, and was the object of Judi Dench's affection. All fantastic performances, yet one of the most riveting portrayals comes in Woody Allen's latest, Blue Jasmine. Jasmine (Blanchett) is trying to start a new life. She leaves New York and moves to San Francisco to live with her sister, Ginger (Hawkins). They are both adopted and could not be any more different. Ginger believes Jasmine was always the favorite daughter as she was the pretty one.

Jasmine's life has been turned upside down. Her husband Hal (Baldwin) was a wealthy businessman who was caught in embezzlement and fraud. Hal and Jasmine had more money than they knew what to do with, but it was dirty money that was not really theirs in the first place. Jasmine, of course, was oblivious to what was really going on. She was a socialite that had all of the designer clothes, numerous houses, and had all the time in the world for dinner parties, yoga, and pilates classes. It all came crashing down leaving Hal in jail and Jasmine left with “nothing” so she claims. Ginger quickly points out the fact that she still has her collection of Louis Vitton luggage and somehow flew first class to get to San Francisco.

Ginger lives a much simpler and cheaper life. She bags groceries for a living and has two sons from her ex-husband Augie (Dice Clay). Always one to be dating and flirting, she is now dating a younger brutish guy named Chili (Cannavale). It doesn't take long for Chili to come to Ginger's defense and question Jasmine's motives. She had practically ignored her sister and now that she is broke she swoops in to live with her and ask for her help. Jasmine needs all the help she can get as she has suffered a nervous breakdown and has begun talking to herself due to the fall of her marriage and lifestyle.

I would like to think of myself as a pretty big Woody Allen fan. I own a majority of his work and Annie Hall sits at #7 on my Top 10 list. Not many writer/directors, outside of say Tyler Perry, pop out a new film every year. I do admit that he does have his faults and some of his movies are not great. That’s what happens after fifty years in the business. Not all of them can be cinematic masterpieces. When you meet a Woody Allen fan, they will have their favorite decade or set of themes. I am more likely to pop in one of his more physical comedies of the ‘70s any day of the week before the majority of the ones that came in the 2000s era. Some love his more existential films of the ‘80s. Lately when his movies work, they really work like Midnight in Paris. If they flop, they really flop. Blue Jasmine really works on so many levels.

Allen’s script is one of the most well-rounded, dimensional, thought-proving pieces he has written in quite some time. There is no denying that there are parallels between this and “A Streetcar Named Desire” and the fall of Bernie Madoff. Many of his films lately have only seen the characters as they are in the short time frame of that story. We see the characters of Blue Jasmine throughout an extended period of time as the film shifts between Jasmine’s current life in San Francisco and the extravagant life she led in New York. It reminded me of Annie Hall in its non-linear approach. We get inside the turmoil and frustration that the fall of Hal had on all of our characters, not just Jasmine. How long can you stay happy in a delusional world? What happens when the truth is exposed and it all comes crashing down on you?

Allen has created some fantastic characters over the years leading to great material for many of his actors. Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine, Mira Sorvino, Diane Keaton, and Penelope Cruz have all won Oscars playing some of Woody's characters. Blue Jasmine is no exception. The whole cast is fantastic. I have heard that his direction is simple with very few takes, but he gets such rich performances out of his actors. Is that the writing, directing, or the actors giving it all their own on their own doing? I guess it is a mix of each. There is not one phoned in performance with each actor giving their A-game. Allen has given each one of them moments to shine. Andrew Dice Clay is known more for his stand-up routine, but I hope he is given more acting opportunities after this. He gives a very real and honest performance that is completely reigned in and far different than you would expect from his comedic persona. I am slightly embarrassed to say that I have not seen enough of Sally Hawkins' work before. Cate Blanchett may be getting all of the attention for her performance, but Hawkins is just as heartbreaking, genuine, and flawed. Can we start mentioning how great Hawkins is at the same time we talk about how great Blanchett is?

I would be highly surprised if Blanchett is not nominated for an Oscar for her work here. I've been throwing around the "O" word quite a bit lately in my reviews. I guess we are getting into that season. Every moment Blanchett is on screen, she is captivating. I could not stop watching every little move or vocal choice she made. I was enamored whenever Jasmine would talk out loud to herself or carry on conversations with full strangers. I have witnessed many people doing this throughout my years of working downtown. She makes so many specific and intricate choices to showcase the wide range of Jasmine between high socialite to post nervous breakdown to her trying to get better and make better choices. The film has another "A Streetcar Named Desire" connection as Blanchett has played Blanche DuBois on stage. You know how they always show a scene from a movie when they announce each nominee? There are plenty of scenes to choose from as the "Oscar telecast" scene to show off her brilliant performance.

There are plenty of people who have written off Woody Allen saying he is past his prime or they cannot put aside his personal life. I think the naysayers would be surprised and pleased with his latest. It is one of his strongest films in quite some time. It is not a straight up comedy with the typically Woody Allen neurotic banter, but the film is still funny at times at how shockingly delusional these characters can be. The humor is mixed in to off-set the sadness and uncomfortable moments that come with Jasmine's pain. Blue Jasmine has the depth that many Allen films of late have been missing.

RATING: **** 1/2 (4.5 out of 5 stars)

Movie Review: FRUITVALE STATION

FRUITVALE STATION
Writer/Director: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Melonie Diaz, Octavia Spencer, Chad Michael Murray

Alright, members of the Academy, pay attention to young actor Michael B. Jordan. He is simply incredible as Oscar Grant III. The film is based on a true story, and the tone of the movie is set right away as we watch footage from a cell phone camera of the policy brutality against the real life Grant and his friends by the Bay Area Rapid Transit officers. If you have heard anything about the story of Oscar Grant III, you know the outcome of that evening left a mark on history.

The majority of the story takes place in the twenty-four hours leading up to the incident at Fruitvale station. Oscar has had a bit of a troubled past but is trying to refocus his life and get it back in order. He spent time jail but has since been released. He used to work at a grocery store but got fired for showing up late too often. He begs his manager for his job back, but to no avail. He has dealt marijuana before but is leery of getting back into that web of trouble. Oscar is not your average stereotype of someone you may think of in this type of lifestyle. He is a devout family man who loves his girlfriend Sophina (Diaz) and daughter more than anything else in life. Oscar also seems to be the crutch of the family as his sister tries to borrow money from him which he does not have. Of course, he takes on the burden to help her out. He plans and organizes a birthday party for his mom Wanda (Spencer) who has been a backbone for him. She is strong, tough, and keeps him accountable for his actions and the consequences that follow. Upon his mother’s advice, Oscar and Sophina take a train into town after the party to meet up with friends. She assumed that the train would be safer and did not want there to be any issues with drinking and driving. There is no way she could have predicted the events that followed at Fruitvale station.

I think we as a society assume have come a long way, but when you see instances like the Oscar Grant travesty or the Trayvon Martin case, you can’t help but feel like we have taken a step back. The audience knows at the beginning of the film how it is going to end, but there is that internal hope we have that everything will be fine, but it is not. Coogler draws you into Oscar’s life without shying away from any of the negative aspects. Some directors or storytellers may have sugar coated him or completely showed him as an innocent victim in the wrong spot at the wrong time. While that is true, the film’s tagline “Every step brings you closer to the edge” also rings true. Oscar is continually struggling with the concept that all of the choices he has made in life, whether they are good or bad, have an impact on his future. You may not think about it on a day to day basis, but our future is continually molded by the choices we have made no matter how big or inconsequential they are. There are so many things leading up to the incident that may or may not have caused the outcome. It really is hard to watch the police brutality and know that this is a very real story and one that continues to happen. You see how Oscar made some bad choices in his past but has come around to making his life better for his family. He was not your average, stereotypical gang member that these officers thought he was.

If you have watched “The Wire”, “Friday Night Lights”, or “Parenthood” you are familiar with the fabulous young talent that is Michael B. Jordan. His performance is remarkable and heartbreaking as Oscar Grant III. He perfectly nails down the various attitudes, demeanors, and language he has towards the various people in his life. At the same time, he carries around that underlying built in aggression that he previously let loose which got him into trouble. A flashback scene involving Jordan and Spencer when he is in jail really showcases how quickly he can go between light conversations with his mother to the rage he has against the guards. I really hope The Academy takes notice of this film and Jordan’s performance. Speaking of the Oscars, previous Oscar winner Octavia Spencer proves she does not have the Supporting Actor curse after this strong performance. There is more restraint and control in how she deals with the incident than I would have expected.

First time director Ryan Coogler packs a wallop of a punch. It is hard to describe the emotional gut response this film brings. It is not an easy film to watch, but it is a very important story to tell for years to come. It is by far one of the best of the year. Are you listening Oscar voters?

RATING: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)

Movie Rewind: DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)

DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944)
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson, Tom Powers



“You got the wrong guy…I killed Dietrichson.” Those are the words of insurance salesman Walter Neff (MacMurray). Sweat pours down his face as he confesses into a Dictaphone machine directing his message to his boss, Walter Keyes (Robinson). What would a film noir be if a little murder and intrigue wasn't involved!



Walter narrates the story as the he flashes back to how the story began. He approaches the Dietrichson residence to discuss the renewal of their car insurance policy. Mr. Dietrichson (Powers) is not home, but luckily for him his wife, Phyllis(Stanwyck), is home and is very easy on the eyes. Her perfume and ankle bracelet are just a few of her touches that leave a lasting impression. A return appointment to the Dietrichson home turns from quick renewal talk to accident protection talk. Phyllis is just so worried that something could happen to him while working in the oil fields. The cagey aspect of the situation is that she does not want her husband knowing about said policy. Walter reads into this as her confessing she wants to kill her husband. A confrontation between the two of them occurs but she denies this shocking allegation.



Days pass but Phyllis is still keen on her true motive. She lays right into his flirtation and surprises him at his home to discuss things further. “He keeps me on a leash so tight I can’t breathe.” She explains to Walter that he would never divorce her so that is out of the question. Walter cannot bear to have anything abusive happen to her, so he agrees that he will help her hill her husband. After all, he is the right man for the job. He knows all the tricks and loopholes about insurances policies and comes up with just the right way for him to die in order for her to get the most out of the policy. He informs her of the “double indemnity” clause where if someone were to have an accidental death, the insurance company would pay double to the deceased’s widow. Plus, there is money and a new romance he can get out of it.



Discrete public meetings, coded telephone calls, alibis, and calculated movements are imperative for Walter to carry out the act of causing Dietrichson’s "accidental" death. The plan, which involves some mistaken identity, is carried off without a hitch. It is only time before suspicion grows. Lola, Mr. Dietrichson’s daughter from a previous marriage, along with Keyes cannot seem to make sense of how Mr. Dietrichson died. They know it is no coincidence that an insurance claim was taken out just days before his death.



Double Indemnity is considered a classic in the film noir genre. All of the key ingredients for this stylized genre are present. The film starts off with a confession of murder and a narration follows describing the circumstances around it. Stanwyck’s blonde femme fatale seems innocent at first glance, but she is manipulative and untrustworthy. Cinematographer John F. Seitz’s use of light and shadow along with the haunting score by Miklós Rózsa play into the conspiracy and demeanor of our central characters and their plot to stay under the radar.



The screenplay offers many twists and curve balls to keep the pace going. The suspense and anticipation builds as the cards are turned to reveal certain truths about these characters. The film keeps you guessing until the very end as these characters cannot be taken for granted. While the audience knows that Walter is involved in the murder, the others involved in the story have no reason to suspect him. It is easy to suspect Phyllis, but why would anyone question the insurance man? Wilder directed the film and wrote the screenplay with Raymond Chandler, who later wrote The Big Sleep and Strangers on a Train. The film came early in both of their careers. You can tell by the style and sharpness of the film that this would be the beginning of the exceptional careers they would both have. Double Indemnity came before Wilder’s future hits and Oscar wins with Sunset Boulevard, The Lost Weekend, Sabrina, The Apartment, and Some Like It Hot.



The film garnered acclaim from audience and critics. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including nominations for Stanwyck, Chandler, and two for Wilder. Unfortunately, they all went home empty handed that night losing to the Bing Crosby film, Going My Way. The American Film Institute has included the film in many of their Top Films Lists including Stanwyck at #8 on the Top Villians list, and it landed the #29 spot on the Tenth Anniversary Top 100 Films of All Time list. From the very beginning, it is clearly evident why the film has stayed a favorite throughout the last sixty-nine years. I was immediately drawn into the mystery and intrigue in the relationship between the Phyllis and Walter characters. Throughout the film, I kept wondering why he is now confessing. What is motivating him to give up this potential future he has with Phyllis? Whenever I am given the ending of the film at the beginning, I am always trying to put the pieces together throughout the rest of the movie. Double Indemnity successfully kept me guessing and gasping every time a new wrench is thrown into the mix. If you are new or unfamiliar with film noir, this is a great entry to get you started in this genre. You may just be inspired to give it multiple viewings afterwards as you will have a whole different perspective on it. There are bound to be clues Wilder left behind that you will pick up on the second or third time around.

RATING: ***** (5 out of 5 stars)