Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

          Cashing in on a familiar character, author Tom Clancy's  hero is rebooted back to his roots in this new spy thriller. Many notable actors have already worn Jack Ryan's shoes and now it's Chris Pine's turn. This time out he is joined by Kevin Costner as his CIA recruiter  and Keira Knightly as his love interest. Kenneth Branagh does double duty as the lead villain and the film's director.

            Even before the opening credits, the film jumps ahead 4 times through various time periods and then settles in for a fairly boring hour with much exposition to explain the plot. There is one exciting fight sequence to keep the audience involved. In the second hour, the action intensifies and builds to a fairly exciting finale.

           Mr Pine does an admirably job moving from analyst to operative and it's good to see Mr. Costner back on screen comfortable in a supporting role. Ms. Knightly struggles hard to keep her American accent but does have chemistry with Mr. Pine. 

           This is a perfectly serviceable espionage film but it definitely has that post holiday "let's throw it out there in January" feel to it.

Lone Survivor

     The title kind of gives it away but this film is about the journey, not the destination. Based on a true memoir of a combat mission gone horribly wrong, this is a very realistic recreation of that mission.

      When a 4 man team consisting of actors Mark Wahlberg, Ben Foster,  Emile Hirsch and Taylor Kitsch are dropped on a mountainside in Afghanistan to find a Taliban terrorist leader, their mission is compromised and they end up fighting their way out. Once the battle starts you will completely forget you are watching actors and get caught up in the life and death struggle of four Navy Seals.

      Director Peter Berg gets the details right using the surviving Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell, as his consultant. His cast of testosterone filled actors faithfully recreate every cut, bruise, bullet and break for almost two hours. It is not an easy film to watch but it serves as a fitting memory to the men who lived and died on the mission.

       It is a heartbreaking but important film. It provides a safe glimpse into a war zone, we civilians can only imagine. 

Best and Worst of 2013

Best of 2013-
1) American Hustle-Simply great film on every level. Smart, funny, and brilliantly acted.
2) Nebraska- Beautifully shot in black & white, with wonderful performances.
3) 12 Years a Slave- Powerhouse performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor as a free man Kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre-civil war south. An important story that needs to be seen.
4) The Dallas Buyer's Club- Devastating performances from Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto in this fact based movie about the early days of the AIDS epidemic.
5) All is Lost- Robert Redford in a tour de force solo act struggling to stay alive on a crippled sailboat. Riveting.
6) Gravity- Spectacular and breathtaking. A totally immerse experience.
7) Her- Terrific performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Scarlett Johannsen sell this concept of modern love in the 21st century.
8) Blue Jasmine- Another hit from Woody Allen. This drama features an outstanding performance from Cate Blanchet.
9) Prisoners- A creepy thriller with excellent performances and surprising twists.
10) Captain Phillips- Tom Hanks is amazing (especially in the second half) in this true story of piracy on the high seas.

Honorable Mention-
The Conjuring- A throwback to "Poltergeist" style horror. A scary film that actually scares.
Rush- Terrific Ron Howard direction of this true story of the rivalry between race drivers Nikki Lauda and James Hunt.
Saving Mr. Banks- Emma Thompson is simply glorious as P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins. fighting with a great Tom Hanks as Walt Disney over movie rights to her book.
Deceptive Practices: Mysteries and Mentors of Ricky Jay- Best Documentary of the year about the Sleight of Hand master, Ricky Jay and the great magicians who influenced him.
Short Term 12-  An Indie drama that will sneak up on you in a good way with a breakout performance from Brie Larson.

Worst of 2013-
1) Only God Forgives- And he will be the only one who does regarding this mess.
2) A Good Day to Die Hard- Dies easy
3) White House Down- Worst White House disaster since Nixon
4) Now You See Me- Ridiculous story of hocus pocus with a very un-magical flat ending.
5) 47 Ronin- A lifeless "action" movie starring the appropriate Keanu Reeves
6) Man of Steel- Tries for a dark serious mood ala "Dark Knight" but fails on all accounts. Noisy and boring.
7) Oblivion- A Tom Cruise snooze fest of stolen plot ideas.
8) Gangster Squad- No depth but some good action scenes. Embarrassing for the actors though.
9) Oz, The Great and Powerful- Anything but...James Franco should be ashamed.
10) Trance- interesting premise from Danny Boyle but too clever for its own good.

The Wolf of Wall Street

      Director Martin Scorsese channels his inner Brian DePalma and creates his own "Scarface" minus the guns. This new parable of greed and excess is based on the true story of Jordan Belfort, a stock broker who made millions off other people's money. 

        Mr. Scorsese piles on the drugs, sex, depravity, greed and white collar criminal behavior until you think you've seen enough and then piles on more. The film runs for three hours and never lets up for a second. Leonardo DiCaprio plays Belfort and he is electric. He's in almost every scene and fuels the film from start to finish.

         The film co-stars Jonah Hill as Mr. Belfort's eventually partner, Donnie Azoff and Margot Robbie as his trophy wife, Naomi. Both are very good. The only other developed character is FBI Agent Denham, played by Kyle Chandler. Everyone else is the film is basically a cartoon. There is a cameo by Matthew McConaughey that is brilliant and it's unfortunate that his character disappears soon after.

          There are flourishes of Scorsese greatness throughout the film and the first hour is fantastic. As the money and drugs start to flow, things keep spiraling out of control and as an audience, we get it but the excess just keeps coming which is obviously Mr. Scorsese's and screenwriter Terrance Winter's intent. There is a great two hour movie wrapped inside this three hour circus but unfortunately we are bombarded with every aspect of Mr. Belfort's life.

           The morale of the story is greed is good and so is the movie. But sadly it could have been great.

August: Osage County

     Director John Wells adapts Tracy Letts' Pulitzer prize winning play for the big screen with an all star cast and a screenplay by Mr. Letts. Live on Broadway, this tale of the very dysfunctional Westin family was an emotional powerhouse but on screen it loses some of that punch. If you've seen the play, you won't feel as involved with the characters on film but you may feel differently if this is your first time.

       Meryl Streep stars as Violet Westin, the pill popping matriarch of the family and she delivers the emotional fireworks in a typically amazing Streep performance. When circumstances bring the immediate family together, every secret and dysfunction in this family's closet comes pouring out, especially during the centerpiece of the film, the dinner scene.

         Violet's three daughters are played by Julia Roberts as Barbara, Julianne Nicholson as Ivy, and Juliette Lewis as Karen. Ms. Roberts carries most of the burden as the eldest daughter who spars with her mother throughout the film. The men in the film are played by Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Dermot Mulroney, and Benedict Cumberbatch. All are very good in their respective roles but as written, they are support players to the women. The film also stars Abigail Breslin as Barbara's daughter, Misty Upham as Violet's caretaker Johnna and the ubiquitous Margo Martindale as Mattie Fae, Violet's sister. 

           The majority of the story takes place in the Westin home with the camera opening up a bit to the Oklahoma landscapes. The film is a dark comedy. There are many great lines and funny moments but at it's core, it can be difficult to watch. It's not exactly the feel-good movie of the year but it does have a lot to offer, especially the performances of Ms. Streep and Ms. Roberts.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

     Ben Stiller directs and stars in this re-imagined version of James Thurber's short story. It's the perfect film for the holidays and one the whole family can appreciate. It's upbeat, fun and a genuine "feel good" movie.

     Mr. Stiller does a fine job of directing himself and a versatile cast. Kristen Wiig is his love interest and it's her most natural part to date. She even does a decent version of David Bowie's "Space Oddity". The villain (so to speak) is played by Adam Scott and Walter's mother is played by the still remarkable, Shirley MacLaine. Kathryn Hahn plays Walter's sister. Patton Oswalt plays Todd, a voice on the phone for much of the film. And while Sean Penn's role is integral to the story, his screen time is little more than a cameo. 

      The CGI is kept to a minimum in the fantasy sequences and never distracts the audience from the heart of the story. The photography is beautiful, especially in the Iceland and Himalayan scenes. Mr. Stiller and screenwriter Steve Conrad take the original story and build on it, adding a layer of realism that drives home a very positive message.

        Mr. Stiller has come full circle now as a director. In this film, Reality doesn't bite (except maybe in one scene). 

47 Ronin

        Another attempt at Hollywood to remake a Japanese classic that ultimately disappoints. First time director, Carl Rinsch fails to give this dour film any real life or punch. The story is a true classic that deserves a big budget action filled adventure but the budget here must have gone to Keanu Reeves's salary.

          Mr. Reeves is the "name" draw for American audiences but the real star of the film is Japanese actor, Hiroyuki Sanada who plays Oishi, the disgraced Samurai out for revenge against the man who murdered his lord. Mr. Reeves gets most of the high profile fighting scenes but it is Mr. Sanada who is the heart and soul of the film (and he gets his share of fights as well).

            The CGI effects are effective but underwhelming as are the action sequences themselves. A poster for the film depicts a port city in flames, when in actuality, one dock burns. Another character who looks promising on the same poster has about five seconds of actual screen time. The battles scenes are fun but not the spectacle you would expect. It's possible a better film ended up on the cutting room floor but this end result would honor the audience best by committing Seppuku.

The Past

    Writer/director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation) returns with his second film about marital discord. This time the film is set in a city outside Paris where an estranged couple is about to finalize their divorce, but like his previous film, the story grows more complicated as it goes on.

      The wife, Marie (Berenice Bejo), meets Ahmad ( Ali Mosaffa) who has just arrived to sign their divorce papers so she can marry Samir (Tarhar Rahim). Marie has two daughters from an even earlier marriage and also cares for Samir's young son. Early on, Mr. Farhadi build tension as secrets are revealed and plot complications begin to pile up. You wonder just where the story is going but I was ultimately disappointed by where it ends up.

         There is a lot of dialogue that captures your interest at first but halfway through the film, everything slows to a crawl and any interest at this point deflates and leaves the story to go out on a quiet note with unresolved issues. 

          There is quite a buzz around this domestic drama and while "A Separation" left you with one question at the end, this film leaves you asking many questions. As one character says "Why did you drag me into this mess?" That's the biggest question of all.

Her

        Writer/director Spike Jonze asks the question "what is love" in this unusual new film. It's a love story for the modern age that also wants to know "how" we love as well. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Theodore Twombly, an introverted man who falls in love with his computer's operating system. Yes, it's a strange premise that you either accept or not but something wonderful happens as you keep watching...it does work and you are drawn into this odd relationship thanks to the clever script and heartfelt acting.

         When Theodore turns on his new OS 1 computer and asks for a female voice, he meets Samantha, with vocals by Scarlett Johansson. Ms. Johansson is never seen as she is just an OS but this story, set in the not to distant future, gives her the ability to be self aware and intuitive.  Theodore and Samantha begin a real relationship that seems ridiculous at first but grows into something tender and believable. Credit the remarkable acting by Mr. Phoenix and the terrific vocal display by Ms. Johansson to bring this relationship to life. 

          The film also stars Rooney Mara as Catherine, Theodore's soon to be ex-wife and Amy Adams as his close friend, Amy. Each plays a significant part as Mr. Jonze explores the ruminations of love from multiple perspectives.

           The cinematography and visuals create a futuristic Los Angeles without resorting to science fiction that sets a perfect tone for Theodore's world. While a love story, the film is also a parable for the dangers of technology and the isolationist environment we continue to embrace with every new upgrade.

Saving Mr. Banks

       The film is based on the true story of how Walt Disney convinced author P L Travers to give him the film rights for "Mary Poppins". On the surface it doesn't sound that inviting but thanks to a first rate script, beautiful direction and a superb cast, the film will surprise and captivate you.

        Director John Lee Handcock deftly moves between Los Angeles in the early '60's and in flashbacks, the Australian wilderness of the early 1900's. We learn the inspiration for the beloved story from the author's own childhood, and her motivation for initially not wanting it turned into a film by Mr. Disney.

         Emma Thompson is simply glorious as T L Travers. There is not a false note anywhere in a remarkable performance. Tom Hanks is the embodiment of Walt Disney and the two actors have great chemistry between them. Paul Giamatti is Ralph, the limo driver assigned to Mrs. Travers. While a small part, Mr. Giamatti gives subtle performance that becomes important to the story. The film also stars Colin Farrell and Ruth Wilson ( both terrific)  as Mrs. Travers parents seen in the flashback sequences. A wonderful child actress, Annie Rose Buckley plays the young Mrs. Travers and she is a delight, wise beyond her years.

         Bradley Whitford is "Mary Poppins" Screenwriter Don DeGradi and Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak play the Sherman brothers who wrote the music and lyrics for "Mary Poppins". Ms. Thompson elevates everyone's acting in every scene she's in, particularly in the rehearsal scenes with this trio. It's also good to see Kathy Baker and Rachel Griffiths in supporting roles.

          This is not necessarily a film for children as it deals with adult themes and some serious moments. There is very little of "Mary Poppins" in the film but it's a fascinating background story of how "she" came to life on the screen.

American Hustle

         Screenwriter/director David O. Russell continues his winning streak with his best film yet. Highly anticipated, "American Hustle" will not disappoint. The story is loosely based (love the disclaimer at the beginning) on the Abscam FBI sting of the late seventies. It's smart, funny and incredibly entertaining. Give Mr. Russell credit for a great script and masterful direction of an amazing cast.

          It all starts with Christian Bale, who once again transforms himself physically and disappears completely into his character, Irving Rosenfeld. He is simply remarkable in every film, good or bad, and never has a false note. Here he is joined by Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner and all of them are terrific. Mr. Cooper improves with each film and continues to develop into a fine actor. Amy Adams shows a darker side from the characters she usually plays but there is still a comic tone to her performance. Jeremy Renner, as the Mayor of Camden New Jersey shines as the only character with a conscience. The biggest surprise is a wonderful Jennifer Lawrence as Mr. Bale's wife, Roselyn. There is a new maturity here with excellent comic timing. She almost steals the film except for the fact everyone is so good.

          In support, there is Louis C.K. as Mr. Cooper's FBI supervisor, Michael Pena as a Mexican Arab (it will make sense), and Jack Huston as a Miami gangster. There is also an unbilled cameo from an actor perfectly cast.

           Mr. Russell reminds me here of Martin Scorsese at his best with rapid fire dialog, great sets, wardrobe, hair and makeup, and a soundtrack of great songs that integrate so well into the story. Enough said...just go see it. It's easily one of the best films of the year. 

Kill Your Darlings

   Strictly for the literary set or fans of Daniel Radcliffe, this new Indie drama is based on the life of poet Allen Ginsberg. The film centers on Mr. Radcliffe as Allen Ginsberg during his formative years at Columbia University. It is there in 1944 that he meets William Burroughs ( a fantastic Ben Foster), Jack Kerouac ( Jack Huston) and Lucian Carr ( an hypnotic Dane DeHaan). The four become fast friends until tragedy strikes.

        Mr. Radcliffe has completely shed his Harry Potter shadow and emerges here in a complex and daring role. Mr. Foster is a chameleon who successfully disappears into every role and here even bears a resemblance to the real Mr. Burroughs. Mr. Huston is best known for his role on "Boardwalk Empire" and its good to see him in a different light. Lucian Carr is the central character here, the one who draws Mr. Ginsberg into a new world and helps to spark the "Beat Generation" to come. Mr. DeHaan has a magnetic charm that pulls you in and captivates you. If he is portraying Mr. Carr the way he truly was, then it's easy to see how Mr. Ginsberg fell under his spell.

         The film also stars Michael C. Hall in a pivotal role, Elizabeth Olsen as Mr. Kerouac's girlfriend and Jennifer Jason Leigh and David Cross as Mr. Ginsberg's parents. It's quite an impressive cast doing very good work in a film not for everyone. The subject matter does not have the appeal for a wide audience but it's an interesting story none the less.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

   Parts of this review are from my review of the first Hobbit movie as much of it still holds true.

        It's great fun to return to Middle Earth but the awe and magic of "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy is gone. Director Peter Jackson and his team of writers, so anxious to film the prequel and satisfy millions of fans have overstuffed a wonderful tale with unnecessary sound and fury. They have super-sized the enchanting story so much that it was necessary to split it into three films. And now we have part two...

          The CGI work and the New Zealand landscapes are remarkable. At times, it's hard to tell the real actors from the computer images...and that's still not a good thing. Only Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and Thorin, the dwarf King have any personality. Some of the other characters are better defined as we move through part two but for now, it's all a noisy set up for what's to come. It's basically run, fight, repeat but with more imagination.

          Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Wizard and he hasn't missed a beat. He wears his wizard hat proudly. Thorin is played by Richard Armitage and he smolders beautifully. Our reluctant Hobbit hero, Bilbo is played by Martin Freeman and he is perfectly cast in the role (although he is basically playing the same part he played in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy" albeit with bigger feet). A fun aside is that the voice of Smaug the dragon is done by Benedict Cumberbatch, Mr. Freeman's Watson to his Sherlock Holmes (on BBC). It's that dragon thats really impressive in this episode with fantastic CGI work. Of course you would expect nothing less from Mr. Jackson for such an important part of the film although in other fight sequences the CGI suffers.

             A familiar face appears in this installment (although he was never in the book) in the elfin form of Legolas, played with heroic abandon by Orlando Bloom (amazing how many Orcs he can kill without getting a scratch on himself). And the fresh face in the cast is the female elf, Tauriel played by Evangeline Lilly. This character is completely new but fits in nicely as a fierce woman warrior.

         See it in Imax 3D for the best experience as it looks and sounds great. As for the overall film, you can't really review this as a finished work since we are only two thirds into the story. It is certainly exciting though and does it's job setting up the big finale, next year.

Out of The Furnace

     Writer/director Scott Cooper must have been listening to a lot of Bruce Springsteen while formulating this movie in his head. We have the mill closing down, a disheartened war vet, ties that bind and just "a meanness in this world" in this flat, melodramatic, blue collar disappointment.

      A first rate cast is wasted in this grim tale of poverty and revenge. Christian Bale stars as Russell,  the factory worker just trying to get by in a dying town and Casey Affleck is his younger brother Rodney, the war vet reduced to illegal bare fist fighting to make a buck. Woody Harrelson is the villain, DeGroat a psycho drug dealer who fixes fights on the side. Willem Dafoe is a fight promoter that sets things in motion.  Zoe Saldana co-stars as Mr. Bale's girlfriend and Forest Whitaker is the town cop. All of them stereotyped characters with hardly any development. Only Mr. Bale rises above the material with his usual intensity. Why he decided to star in this mess we'll probably never know.

       About the only thing that works in the film is the bookend of Pearl Jam's "Release" at the start and end of the film. The music sets a tone at the start that has such promise only to end up a disappointment. But as a coda to the story, it is perfect as a reprise.  

        Unfortunately there are no surprises here except for an anti-climatic ending which is so dull and unsatisfying, I felt like asking for my money back. Save your money and wait for "American Hustle", a film that appears to have Mr. Bale atoning for this sin. 

Oldboy

       An American interpretation of the 2003 Korean classic thriller, "Oldboy" is a twisted tale of revenge in any language. Spike Lee directs this English version. When Mr. Lee directs a film that is a personal project, it's known as "A Spike Lee Joint", when he signs on to a film within the Hollywood machine, it becomes "A Spike Lee Film". The finished work is distinctively different but no less interesting. As he did with "Inside Man" (also a Spike Lee film), he leaves a mark with his signature style but here he doesn't really bring anything new to the story (although he does increase the body count in one memorable scene). 

          The film stars Josh Brolin as Joe Doucett, an unappealing drunk who is kidnapped and mysteriously imprisoned for 20 years. When he is finally freed, again for unknown reasons, he emerges a changed man but still out for revenge on the people responsible. The film co-stars Samuel L. Jackson, Sharlto Copley and Elizabeth Olsen in roles I won't spoil for you. Needless to say, they are crucial to the story which takes crazy twists and turns as answers are revealed. Michael Imperiloli also has a role as an old friend of Joe's who tries to help him put the pieces together.

            The final reveal is a nasty piece of business that may turn a stomach or two and along the way, there are scenes of graphic torture and violence so be certainly warned, this is not a film for everyone. It is, however, well acted (especially by Mr. Brolin) and directed with flair by Mr. Lee. And while the endgame is disturbing, the puzzle of the plot is intriguing enough to keep you engaged. Just watch out for those box-cutters and hammers.

Nebraska

    The new film from director Alexander Payne takes us back on the road as Woody and his son, David travel from Billings Montana to Lincoln Nebraska in search of a million dollar prize Woody thinks he has won. It is a family drama laced with quite a bit of low key humor.

     Bruce Dern plays Woody and Will Forte is David. Mr. Dern is excellent as a man who knows his best days are behind him but holds onto one last dream.  Mr. Forte finds his own zone against the veteran actor and the two men play off each other brilliantly. Co-starring is June Squibb as Woody's wife, Kate and she pretty much steals the film. In a smaller role, Woody and Kate's other son is played by Bob Odenkirk (fresh off "Breaking Bad" as the devious lawyer, Saul Goodman).

      Mr. Payne makes a wonderful choice to shoot the film in black and white. The cinematography is outstanding. Devoid of color, the landscapes look bleaker as do the faces of the weather worn cast but there is beauty in almost every shot. When Woody and David make a pit stop in Woody's hometown, we meet a bevy of interesting characters, friends and family members, who all take an interest in Woody's alleged winnings. The stark black and white images in many of these scenes are remarkable. 

       Watching this unlikely pair bond in a subtle but realistic way makes the journey more interesting than the destination. Its a memorable film both for the acting and the resonating beauty of it's visuals.

Thor: The Dark World

         The Marvel movie machine rumbles on with this enjoyable sequel.  It will definitely help if you have previously seen the first Thor film and also "The Avengers" as this new film follows a specific continuity firmly planted in the Marvel universe. But of course movies like this have a built in audience and there is enough exposition by the characters to bring everyone else up to speed.

           The original cast returns and pick up where they have left off. Chris Hemsworth embodies the Marvel version of Thor very well. Natalie Portman is his mortal girlfriend, Jane Foster. Anthony Hopkins hams it up as Odin and thankfully Tom Hiddleston returns as Loki raising the quality of the film every time he's on screen. Idris Elba also returns as Heimdall and is given more to do this time than just play Asgardian doorman. The villain this time is played by Christopher Ecclston barely recognizable under tons of makeup. 

             The story concerns Malekith, lord of the Dark Elves trying to destroy the nine realms with a dark force called the ether but the rambling plot is just an excuse for Thor to swing his mighty hammer and save the day. For the purist, the characters are drawn from the Marvel comics (with some minor tweaks and exceptions) and there is a deliberate bridge to the next Marvel film waiting for us during the credits. There is also a clever cameo, played for laughs like much of the movie itself.

               The film doesn't have the gravitas of The Batman Franchise. It is, however, a fun romp that passes the time well until the next Marvel superhero saves the day.

Dallas Buyers Club

       Based on a true story, this is not an easy film to watch but it chronicles an important time in our history and has two of the best performances on film this year.

      This is the story of Ron Woodruff, a macho electrician and rodeo cowboy who finds out he is HIV positive in 1985.  He is given 30 days to live but once he accepts the truth, he dedicates the time he has left to find drugs that will keep him alive. Matthew McConaughey plays Woodruff and he is devastatingly good. He inhabits the role inside and out (having lost a shocking amount of weight to play the part) and is brilliant in every scene.

      Ron finds out about AZT and does everything he can to get the drug legally from his doctors but soon turns to illegal means to keep himself alive. The early results on AZT were  not great (until lower doses proved more effective) and Ron finds other alternatives from a doctor in Mexico, played by Griffin Dunne. When he starts to respond to the new therapy, he devises a way to get rich and keep himself and others alive at the same time. Thus, The Dallas Buyers Club is born. He gives the drugs away for "free" with a paid membership creating a loophole around the FDA.

       In a strange twist, this "macho", firmly anti-gay Texan ends up befriending an HIV positive transsexual named Rayon who eventually becomes his business partner. Rayon is played by Jared Leto and he is simply remarkable.  Both he and Mr. McConaughey have Oscars in their future. Also co-starring are Jennifer Garner and Dennis O'Hare as a sympathetic doctor and her doctor supervisor who first diagnose Mr. Woodruff. 

      The film is heartbreaking and powerful but probably could have been a bit shorter with the same impact. While certain scenes become repetitive, the performances are riveting and keep you engaged.  While the drugs have gotten better and more people live longer HIV positive, AIDS is still a world wide major concern. Mr. Woodruff's story serves to remind us just how devastating this disease remains today.

12 Years a Slave

   Oscar buzz has been building lately for this year's best actor prize. Tom Hanks and Robert Redford are sure to be nominated but the biggest surprise will be the nomination (and if there is any justice, the win) for Chiwetel Ejiofor.  Mr. Ejiofor gives a towering, masterful and heartbreaking performance as Solomon Northup, a free African American living in Saratoga NY who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the pre-Civil War south.

    The story is based on true events and the source material is the book Mr. Northup eventually wrote about the 12 darkest years of his life. Directed with a clear, uncompromising vision by Steve McQueen, this important film is not to be missed. This is a raw visceral look at slavery and it contains scenes of cruelty and violence that may be hard to watch but it is remarkable in it's honesty and emotional impact.  

     The film contains many recognizable names in supporting roles, some not more than a cameo. Besides Mr. Ejiofor, the actors with the most screen time are Michael Fassbender as a heartless slave owner and Sarah Paulson as his equally brutal wife. Benedict Cumberbatch (turning up everywhere these days) is a kinder slave owner who is forced to "sell" Mr. Ejiofor to Mr. Fassbender. Also appearing in minor but important roles are Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Alfie Woodward and in a memorable debut,  Lupita Nyong'o as Patsy, another slave on Mr. Fassbender's plantation.

       As difficult it may be to watch, Mr. Ejiofor's quiet dignity and will to survive will keep you enthralled. This story is a small but important part of our nation's history and credit Mr. McQueen, his creative team and his actors for bringing it to life.

Captain Phillips

     The new "based on a true story" thriller from director Paul Greengrass stars Tom Hanks as  the real life Captain Phillips. By now most of the world has repeated seen the trailer for the film and know that in 2009, his freighter was boarded by Somali pirates. What you don't see from the trailer is any hint of the second half of the film when it turns from a very good film to a great film.

        Mr. Hanks is terrific as the stoic Phillips who is wary of a pirate threat from the minute he boards the ship. The true mark of a great actor is when they disappear so deeply into a role that you forget you are watching the actor. That's what happens during the course of this film.

        Without revealing too much, know that Mr. Hanks is simply remarkable in the later half of the film. His vulnerability, humanity and fear are simultaneously etched on his face as he finds himself in claustrophobic close quarters with his panicked captors. Even as his situation grows more desperate, the camera catches him calculating a plan, fearing for his life, and trying to negotiate a peaceful end all with minimal dialog. Mr. Hanks continues to show us his best work with every role. If you have any doubt this is a masterful performance, watch the infirmary scene closely.

          Matching him in intensity is the Somali pirate leader, Muse, played by first time actor, Barkhad Abdi.  Even if you have seen the trailer many times, it's still a chilling moment when he confronts Phillips and says "I'm the Captain now".

            Mr. Greengrass is a master of close up camera direction and always puts his audience in the center of the action, moving things along at a brisk pace. He never wastes a shot although the opening establishing scenes are a bit contrived. His camerawork combined with a great score keep you on the edge as the story plays out between the pirates, the Captain, and the U.S. Navy.

             This fall, Hollywood seems obsessed with protagonists in survival mode and "Captain Phillips" may lead the pack only because this one really happened.