The Clouds of Sils Maria

     An intense  character study of women, art, celebrity and aging. This drama was a hit at Cannes. It features strong performances from it's three leads, Juliette Binoche, Kristen Stewart and Chole Grace Moritz. Ms. Binoche, in particular, is mesmerizing as the aging star grappling with  her latest role.  Ms. Stewart gives her finest performance to date as Ms. Binoche's  harried personal assistant and confidant  (she won the French Oscar for supporting actress).

     The story borrows elements from "All About Eve" when Ms. Binoche's character is asked to  play the older woman against the younger role she played 20 years earlier. Ms. Grace Moritz is the actress cast as the younger woman in a battle of wills against her aging boss. 

       It's a play within a film. Art imitating life, imitating art and can be terribly confusing at times, especially in the many scenes when Ms. Binoche and Ms. Stewart run lines that blend into their reality. It's a dialog heavy film that ruminates about life on many levels. Don't expect a linear A to B story. Writer/director Oliver Assasyas has no interest in a straight line. He figuratively drops you into this world for a two hour voyeuristic journey and then it's over. The story meanders going nowhere. Even when a major character literally disappears late in the film, no explanation is given.

        The scenery of Sils Maria, Switzerland is breathtaking.  The clouds of the title form an unusual formation through the valley known as "the Snake" and it's the metaphor of the film.  It's beautiful to watch but eventually evaporates.

Mad Max:Fury Road

      Writer director George Miller continues the story of Mad Max, the character he created in 1979 with Mel Gibson. The new film stars Tom Hardy as Max and it is an over the top visual masterpiece. However, as good as it is visually, the story is paper thin and only co-star Charlize Theron does anything close to real acting.

         Less a reboot and more of a continuation, "Fury Road" takes place in the same desert landscape as "The Road Warrior"  and like that film is basically a two hour chase scene. Ms. Theron plays Furiosa, a warrior woman more than capable of handling herself in the male dominated world. When she "kidnaps" five women used for breeding purposes, the evil despot, Immortan Joe sets out with his army of albino maniacs to kill her and bring back the missing women. Reluctant at first, Max ends up helping her escape.

            That's the story in a nutshell. Aside from Furiosa and some other warrior women who show up later, all the women in the film are either used for breeding or for harvesting their milk. It's pretty misogynistic but I suppose Ms. Theron's character more than equalizes things.  The title character really plays co-star to Furiosa. Mr. Hardy doesn't even have much dialog. Max is just a device to keep the action moving. Ms. Theron easily steals the picture.

             The real star, however, is the non-stop action. Nicholas Hoult plays Nuxx, the albino that starts out with Max as his human blood bag. He starts things in motion from the very beginning and the action never lets up. The violence, mayhem and road rage are an assault on the senses but actually a lot of fun in a very cartoonish sense.  It is far removed from any reality and quite a blast to watch. Just when the redundancy starts to bother you, Mr. Miller throws up another ridiculous stunt that amps up the wow factor. 

               If you are a fan of the series, you certainly won't be disappointed but this is definitely not a film for everyone.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron

    If you enjoyed the first film, then by all means run to your closest theater and revel in all things Avengers. If you had no interest in the first one or you are completely in the dark when comes to Marvel mythology,  then you are walking into the wrong theater.

     Age of Ultron picks up just where the first film left off and even had a prologue on last week's "Agents of Shield" TV show. A very clever tie-in, indeed. The film starts loud, never lets up and is an absolute assault on the senses (especially in Imax 3D). Of course if you are a fan, it's just what you want as the characters come to life, perfectly sprung from their comic book pages.  The returning stars slip into their characters  easily and James Spader is the perfect choice as the voice of Ultron.

     Writer/director Joss Whedon is the most powerful Avenger of all, charged with overseeing the continuous growth of this mighty franchise.  While he does mess with true Marvel mythology to better serve the story (this purist was indeed bothered by Ultron's film origin), he still knows how to satisfy his audience with plenty of action, great one-liners, cameos galore, and evenly split screen time for all our heroes (even Hawkeye).  When your villain is a cold blooded robot, Mr. Whedon feels it's necessary to include warm-hearted subplots but they slow things down and don't really add anything to characters we already know so well.

      The big finale, while exciting enough, is a rehash of the first film substituting killer robots for an invading alien army but it's forgiven since this is ultimately just another chapter in a very long story. More familiar characters from the books are also introduced to broaden the Avengers universe and yes, further promise of Thanos awaits.

Ex Machina

      A  literate sci-fi thriller that's long on dialogue, short on action but  still compelling due in large part to it's terrific cast and stylized visuals.

       Oscar Isaac stars as a billionaire computer genius who designs an artificially intelligent robot in female form, he names Ava. He brings Domhnall Gleeson, one of his employees and a computer genius himself, to his home to test the self awareness of Ava. Breaking the film into "sessions" the story progresses into a game of cat and mouse between the two men with Ava as the catalyst.

        The script is filled with discussion and questions of humanity and self awareness but dissolves into a predictable final act that distracts from the literate mind games that precede it. The acting is first rate though and Mr. Isaac continues to raise the bar with each of his new films. Alicia Vikander co-stars as Ava and is an exciting new talent. As the two men square off, Ava raises the stakes, turning the increasingly intense sessions into a game of survival.

        The camera holds the viewer in the claustrophobic atmosphere of the film, heightening the building tension between the characters  but the dialogue heavy script eventually collapses under it's own weight until all that is left is "the twist" that most will see coming.

Wild Tales

   An Academy Award nominee from Argentina, this dark comedy is an outrageous look at revenge told through six unconnected short stories.

    The first story hits a little too close to reality after certain events in the news but the film makers could not have anticipated art imitating life in this particular instance. After that, things get nastier but filled with much dark humor.

     The film is in subtitles but visually rich. The cinematography is outstanding and a lot of the camerawork is  shot from unusual angles and beautifully framed.

      The film was written and directed by Damon Szifron and while there is some inconsistency in the story telling, overall the film is very entertaining and he definitely leaves the best story for last.

White God

            A remarkable Hungarian foreign film featuring a cast of real dogs (no CGI) that will tear at your heart and leave you speechless with an astonishing final frame. 

             Before I go any further, know that there is a disclaimer right at the start that all the dogs in the film came from animal shelters and after the film was done, they were all adopted out. Furthermore, at the end it states rather boldly that no animals were harmed during the making of the film. All violence is simulated and the local Humane Society monitored all filming very closely.

              Lili is a young teenage girl with divorced parents. At the start of the film, she goes to live with her father for three months and brings her dog Hagen with her.  After trying to cope with a dog he really doesn't want, her father leaves Hagen in the street and drives away with Lili crying in the back seat. From this point the film navigates back and forth between Lili  and Hagen, both trying to survive in their own way.

                Hagen is played by two brothers, Luke and Body and it's hard to tell them apart. They are beautiful animals, very expressive and incredibly trained.  After of series of heartbreaking adventures, Hagen ends up in an animal shelter with 250 other dogs and the last third of the film takes an unexpected twist unlike anything you have ever seen.

                  If you love dogs, be warned that even though it's all simulated, the on screen violence is hard to watch. This is not a Disney film. There is a 16 minute documentary on Youtube about the making of "White God". I recommend it first to prepare yourself for this amazing film.

Furious 7

      The franchise ups the ante with outrageous stunts, non-stop action and serves as an emotional tribute to star Paul Walker, who died ironically in a car crash before filming ended.

       Director James Wan pulls off impossible action sequences with the help of unsung hero stunt men and women and more than a little CGI work. The extended bus chase and rescue is a mini movie in itself. Fans know what to expect by the seventh film in this series and they will not be disappointed. The script piles on the non-stop action so much that by the final sequence, it's become mind numbing, completely over the top, and almost too much.

       The original cast is back, led by Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Michele Rodriguez. Tyrese Gibbons and Ludicris are also along for the ride providing comic relief. Actually most of the best one-liners belong to Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson who also co-stars but only has scenes book ending the film. Kurt Russell joins the franchise as a shadowy government official. The film is so loaded that one villain is not enough. Jason Statham is the main adversary but Djimon Hounsou also plays a key role as the secondary villain.

       Possibly the best CGI work in the film is keeping Mr. Walker's memory alive throughout the film. Utilizing his two brothers as stand-ins and movie magic, Mr. Walker truly appears to exist throughout the entire movie. A short video montage of scenes from his past films in the series complete a moving tribute at the end.

      Being the "comic book" action film that it is, despite all the fighting, shooting and explosions, people barely bleed or break a sweat, let alone bones but reality is not what this franchise is about. It's about entertainment in the action adventure genre and in that respect, it fully delivers.

While We're Young

         The newest film from writer/director Noah Baumbauch is a smart, biting comedy about the state of our culture today. It's a generational clash of Millennials and Generation X with a few Babyboomers thrown in for good measure.

          Ben Stiller (who defined a generation with "Reality Bites") and Naomi Watts are a married childless couple in their 40's who befriend a young "hipster" couple played by Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver.  The new relationship invigorates the older couple and confuses friends of their own age including Mr. Stiller's best friend played by Adam Horovitz. Charles Grodin plays Ms. Watts father, a famous documentarian.

          The film is similar in style and structure to the best of Woody Allen's "Smart " comedies. A lot of the humor is observational and there are many stinging one-liners. Mr. Stiller is perfectly cast (he can do this type of character in his sleep) and here has good chemistry with Ms. Watts. Mr. Driver's character is not far off the mark from "Adam", the character he plays on "Girls". While I'm a fan of his work, I'm still waiting to see the full extent of his range. Mr. Grodin still has the wonderful dry sense of humor he's always been famous for.  Of all the leading characters, only Ms. Seyfried seems underwritten with little to do.

           As a Babyboomer, I found myself feeling old watching "Young" as it is a true reflection of our times. It's enjoyable enough but in a strange way, also a bit scary.

'71

             Belfast Ireland, 1971. British troops have been brought in to keep the peace during this violent time in Ireland's history between the Catholic and Protestant  Irish. This is the story of Gary Hook, a British soldier played by Jack O'Connell,  separated from his unit during a riot and trying to survive one long night in hostile surroundings.

              Mr. O'Donnell recently starred in "Unbroken" and here once again, he is a solider behind enemy lines battered, bruised and trying to stay alive. As an actor, Mr. O'Connell is a glutton for punishment but to his credit, he leaves it all out on the screen in a raw, visceral performance.

               Director Yann DeMange ratchets up the tension in every scene. The film plays like a horror movie except the danger is not some supernatural threat but rather working class people engaged in a  political, religious, and violent conflict. Not knowing who to trust, danger lurks around every corner for Hook and death can occur at anytime, often quickly without warning. His disorientation and fear is absorbed by the viewer, heightened by an intense score and terrific camera work.

               The film doesn't take sides or try to make a political statement. Even if you know nothing about the Irish "Troubles" of the period, this intense thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat.

It Follows

   What starts out as a conventional teen horror film soon swerves into new territory with the help of an unusual evil, atmospheric music, and a cast that sells the concept.

    Jay, a 19 year old girl has  sex with the wrong boy. She contracts, not a STD but rather an unstoppable creature bent on killing her. The creature can assume any human form and only be seen by the intended victim or earlier targets that have survived by passing the curse along through sexual contact. It sounds like an outrageous concept but the young cast acts with conviction and really sells the idea.

      The film has an eerie quality throughout heightened by a terrific horror score, the best since the original "Halloween".  Writer/director David Robert Mitchell  does an outstanding job with his actors, including Maika Monroe and Keir Gilchrist. 

      The creature, as seen in various human forms, simply walks slowly advancing on it's target. It enters a scene in unassuming ways making it all the more terrifying as it draws closer, it's intent very clear.

        Mr. Mitchell is not interested in blood and gore, of which there is very little, but rather scaring his audience in unconventional ways. Leaving the theater unnerved, I would say he succeeds.

Two Days, One Night

           This is a polarizing film as you either are absorbed by the simplicity of the story or you are bored to tears. Either way, one thing all can agree on is that Marion Cotillard shines in this working class drama.

           The Dardenne Brothers have written and directed a fascinating story of a woman faced with an unenviable problem. The factory where she works has seventeen workers and its been decided by management and a vote by all that she will be laid off or no one will get their annual bonus.  Ms. Cotillard convinces her boss to do another ballot unbiased by the supervisor.  She has the weekend to visit each co-worker individually to get them to vote for her to keep her job.

               The film is fascinating in it's  simplicity. Each visit is a microcosm of emotion and politics.  It is a film devoid of sex, violence or big action scenes. It resonates in the nuanced little moments of each visit. It is also a very realistic story that stays true to itself to the very end.

                Ms. Cotillard carries the film on her back and her performance justifies her Oscar nomination for Best Actress. She inhabits her role like a second skin without a false note and as with most of her films, she is just a pleasure to watch.

Kingsman: The Secret Service

      Director Matthew Vaughn continues his winning ways of successful graphic novel/comic adaptations bringing "Kingsman" to life on the big screen. One part James Bond adventure and one part spoof of the genre, "KIngsman" is an action packed, fun popcorn flick.

       Starring as the suave proper British spy, Harry Hart, Colin Firth inhabits a role unlike anything he has ever done.  He's a great deal of fun to watch, especially in a massive brawl that takes place in a church. The fight choreography is fantastic in this well staged scene of mayhem and Mr. Firth is at the center of it. Actually, all of the stunt work and fight scenes are pretty terrific throughout the film.

       Mr.Firth's protege is Taron Egerton in his first major role. Mr. Egerton has the good looks and personality to take him far in his acting career. He is clearly having fun in his role as Kingsman's newest recruit. Speaking of fun, Samuel L. Jackson is also having a blast as the over the top villain with his own schemes for world domination. And his henchwoman, Giselle, makes for a unique but classic opponent for our heroes. If you've seen the trailer or posters for the film, you will recognize her unique features immediately and the CGI and stunt work for her character is stunning.

        Rounding out a perfect cast is Michael Caine as the head of The Kingsmen, who always adds a touch of class to any film and Mark Strong as "Merlin", the tactical agent usually behind the scenes but here gets into the thick of it as well.

        There is lots of action and self effacing humor but the film does tend to overstay its welcome. Fifteen or twenty minutes of editing would have kept the pace fast and loose without some dead spots. Overall, though, it's a fun romp for a winter's day.

Jupiter Ascending

       From the wild and crazy Wachowski siblings ("The Matrix") comes this new science fiction disaster. They manage to rip off plot points from "Star Wars", "Dune", "The Fifth Element", "The Wizard of Oz" and almost every sci-fi film ever made. It is unoriginal, boring, has no cohesiveness to the visuals and will go down as one of the worst films of the year, if not the decade. 

        I can't imagine what Channing Tatum was thinking? Pointy ears, a strange haircut, boots that make me roller skate in space, cheesy dialogue....yeah, sign me up for that. And poor Eddie Redmayne, following up a wonderful film like "The Theory of Everything" with this embarrassment, you really have to feel for the guy. And of course the "star" of the film, Jupiter herself, Mila Kunis, has found a way to take bad acting to a new low level. 

        There are only two scenes in the film that will hold your attention (and thankfully there is no dialog). A chase high above the city of Chicago and the climactic battle are actually exciting and will wake you from the nap you've been taking for two hours

          Ms. Kunis spends a great deal of time cleaning toilets in the film. If she makes more films like this, she will be ready for her new career.

Black Sea

             Jude Law stars as the captain of a salvage submarine looking for lost Nazi gold at the bottom of the Black Sea. World War Two submarine movies have always been fascinating and exciting but a film about a ragtag team of Russian and British mercenaries looking for a big score lacks the gravitas of "Das Boot" or  "Run Silent, Run Deep".

             The only real enemy here is the paranoia and jealousy between the men themselves. It's only a matter of time, given the confined space and working conditions that stress cracks begin to show. Who will crack first and to what extreme? What will be the ripple effect on the rest of the crew? The answers come slowly at first and build to a fairly exciting climax.

               Mr. Law does his best to be the tough but fair captain but the lure of the gold eventually affects him as well. The film has it's moments of suspense but there too many dead spots and obvious plot points. It's a solid B cable movie that will probably sink pretty quickly at the box office.

Paddington

Guest Critic- Master Duncan "Donut" Sanford

  “Paddington” was really funny.  He made me laugh a lot during the movie.  He got into trouble a lot, but he didn't mean to. Sometimes that made people mad.  Some of the parts that made me laugh a lot were when he flooded the bathroom, and rode down the stairs in a bathtub!  

    Paddington traveled from Peru to London, to try to find a family. He found a temporary family, but made the dad mad a lot. The mom and kids were trying to help Paddington find a family, but they really wanted him to live with them. 

    The movie was sometimes sad because Paddington’s home in Peru was getting destroyed by an earthquake and his uncle died. Paddington snuck onto a boat to go to London all by himself which was sad, but also was funny because he ate a lot of orange marmalade and it made his tummy really big.

    Paddington liked to hide a sandwich in his hat, which ended up saving the day. But I won’t tell you how, so that you can go see the movie and find out for yourself.

    I didn't want to see this movie at first because there was a gross toothbrush scene, but I’m really happy that I saw it, because it’s really funny. 

Human Capital

    This is an interesting new Italian drama that charts a collision of classes from different perspectives. A traffic accident late at night involving a motorist and a cyclist sets things in motion.

     The story is broken into chapters that present events from the perspective of Dino, a middle-class Realtor, his daughter Serena, and Carla, the wife of a rich businessman. Carla's son Massi is dating Serena and when her father drops her off at Massi's palatial estate their lives become entwined in unforeseen ways.

     Changing perspectives is an intriguing plot device that has been used before in many films dating back to Rashomon. The drama unfolds like a mystery with more elements revealed in each chapter. The acting is good, particularly Valeria Bruni Tedeschi as Carla and Fabrizio Bentivogolio as Dino.

       It's a nice change of pace from the usual Hollywood winter "deadwood" this time of year.

Cake

      Jennifer Aniston gets serious in this dour, depressing story of a woman struggling with depression and chronic pain after a devastating accident. There is a missed opportunity with the script however, that could have examined issues facing the debilitating emotional and physical aspects of chronic pain sufferers in a much richer and informative way. Instead we have Claire, a character that is hard to like and have any sympathy for as she alienates everyone around her.

       Besides her constant physical pain, Claire is deeply troubled by emotional issues that are not revealed until midway through the film. Once exposed, the intention is to see the character in a different light but the opportunity misses the mark. 

       The film co-stars Adriana Barraza, Anna Kendrick, Chris Messina, Sam Worthington and Felicity Huffman. But this is clearly a showpiece for Ms. Aniston. She does an admirable job in a difficult role delivering a understated performance that is unlike anything she has done before. Ms. Barraza is also excellent as Claire's Mexican housekeeper/aide who remains faithful to a woman who clearly doesn't deserve it.

      Credit the film for exploring difficult subject matter. Unfortunately it is crushed beneath the weight of it's heavy handed presentation.

Blackhat

  My how the mighty have fallen. Director Michael Mann (The Insider, Heat, Miami Vice) has made an absolute waste of time (probably why it was released in the movie graveyard they call January). I can't begin to count the ways this movie fails.

     The star is Chris Hemsworth as a convicted "Blackhat", known for his computer hacking skills. He is released from prison to help stop an international hacker who's intentions aren't very clear until late in the film. Mr. Hemsworth is a terrific action star but is miscast here as a cerebral computer expert.  Making matters worth, the ridiculous script puts him front and center of the police action so he can fight and shoot the various bad guys protecting the hacker.

      Co-starring is Viola Davis, who tries to add some serious credibility to the story and Wei Tang, an Asian actress in her first English starring role. Besides the fact her English is not very good, her character exists solely to fall in love at first sight with Mr. Hemsworth and not very much else. Leehom Wang, another Asian star does add authenticity to his role as does John Ortiz in a small role as Ms. Davis's superior.

        The sound mix is poor and the cinematography is dark so it's not always easy to hear or see what's happening clearly. The soundtrack and overall atmosphere seems lifted from an old episode of Miami Vice. While there are a few (and I mean few) of the old Michael Mann flourishes, the film is a major letdown in what could have been a solid cyber thriller.

A Most Violent Year

  Writer/director J.C. Chandor evokes the gritty '70's style of New York films so brilliantly done by Sidney Lumet, with this new crime drama. This is Mr. Chandor's third film and each has been completely different, except for a common theme of what is the measure of a man?

   The violent year referred to in the title is 1981 in New York City. A year on record as the most violent in the city's history. The fictional story revolves around Abel Morales, an oil company owner trying to run his business legally without succumbing to all the illegal activity around him. The film is brilliantly acted by Oscar Isaac as Abel and Jessica Chastain as his wife Anna. They have great chemistry between them and Mr. Isaac, in particular, is riveting. Ms. Chastain never fails to disappoint and her role here as a modern day Lady Macbeth is chilling at times.

   Co-starring is Albert Brooks as Abel's lawyer and he is finding a great new career as a character actor (although he is saddled here with a terrible hairpiece). David Oyelowo also co-stars as the DA investigating Mr. Morales and his company.

   The cinematography sets a perfect tone for the story with natural light and muted colors. At times, it is a bit too dark but it serves the story well. The dialog is terrific with many a memorable line. The songs and score also help to set the tone as well as some terrific period costumes and makeup. Mr. Isaac's coat is almost a character by itself.

    January is not usually known for quality films so "Violent Year" is quite the surprise. 

Mr. Turner

   Writer/director Mike Leigh has crafted a beautiful period drama abut the later years of famed British artist J.M.W.Turner. Timothy Spall, who has worked before with Mr. Leigh, gives an extraordinary performance as Turner.

      The film is as visually enthralling as one of Mr. Turner's landscapes. Mr. Leigh and his cinematographer, Dick Pope paint a visual masterpiece in almost every scene. The landscapes of England and Wales provide a gorgeous backdrop for the story.

       The film co-stars Dorothy Atkinson as his love lorn housekeeper, Hanna Danby. It is a raw and heartbreaking performance. Marion Bailey is also excellent as his last companion and love, Sophia Booth. Leslie Manville and Paul Jesson also lead a fine supporting cast of British actors and actresses.

        The story is episodic and not fluid as it moves through Mr. Turner's life. It's as though you are walking through a gallery and observing all the art even though the pieces may not be connected. Nothing of consequence really happens but you can still appreciate the acting and the visuals. I did leave the film eager to learn more about Turner and his art so I can genuinely say it's an affecting work and one of Mr. Leigh's best.

The Interview

         James Franco and Seth Rogan have great chemistry in this sophomoric comedy that doesn't warrant all the attention it has been getting. The premise of the CIA involving a TV journalist and his producer in an assassination plot to kill Kim Jong-un is a clever one but also an easy target to set off the North Korean government.

          Kim Jong-un is portrayed as such a buffoon that it's easy to see why North Korea  would become incensed by the movie.  We can only guess what kind of man he really is but Mr. Rogan's script, written with partner Evan Goldberg, really goes over the top. I give credit for the actor Randall Park to have the courage to play the part. Lizzy Kaplan also shows a bit of courage, slumming from her fine work in Showtimes's "Masters of Sex" to co-star as the CIA handler overseeing the assassination attempt.

           And speaking of over the top, Mr. Franco's character Dave  Skylark sets a new standard. He is actually very funny until his shtick gets old. His repartee, however, with Mr. Rogan as his straight man, is hilarious. The first half of the film had me laughing out loud much of the time.  The second half drags however, until an obligatory action finale.  

             Much of the dialog and visual gags are very low brow and raunchy. There are some very funny sequences, however, buried in what amounts to one long joke. If you were a fan of "Pineapple Express", or "This is the End", this film is for you. If you plan on seeing it just to express your freedom to do so, good for you... just don't expect too much.

Best/Worst of 2014

Movies that were fun, exciting, challenging and most of all, entertaining-

Best of 2014

1 Whiplash- Old story told in a fresh and exciting way. Great acting and great music.

2 Guardians of the Galaxy- Pure fun start to finish

3 Boyhood- An incredible piece of art. A true original

4 Snowpiercer- Wild Sci-fi ride. Fun and thought provoking.

5 The Babadook- Scares the crap out of you without spilling a lot of blood.

6 The Imitation Game- Excellent acting. Fascinating story

7 The Grand Budapest Hotel- Another original. Very clever and fun.

8 Birdman- Great ensemble cast. Intense and intelligent. Unique direction.

9 Love is Strange- Terrific chemistry between Alfred Molina and John Lithgow. Smart, touching and affecting.

10 Into the Woods- Another great ensemble. Amazing Sondheim songs and a terrific story from James Lapine. Excellent movie adaptation.

Honorable Mention-

Selma- History comes alive.

We Are the Best- teenage girls form punk rock band. Anarchy in Norway.

Nightcrawler- Tied for creepiest movie of the year.

Foxcatcher- Tied for creepiest movie of the year.

American Sniper- Tremendous job by Bradley Cooper.

Force Majeure- Insightful family drama/comedy.

Worst of 2014

1 Sex Tape- Embarrassing for everyone involved.

2 Godzilla- Leave the old boy to rest.

3 Noah- What were they thinking?

4 The Equalizer- Too violent with no reason, even for me.

5 The Monuments Men- Nice idea. Boring outcome.

6 The Judge- Old story, old way. Boring and predictable.

7 Wish I Was Here- No I didn't.

8 This is where I Leave You- Imitation “August: Osage County”

9 Top Five- Self indulgent and not that funny

10 Lucy- violent with a ridiculous premise.

Unbroken

          Angelina Jolie directs the film adaptation of the best selling true story of Louis Zamperini. It is a remarkable tale of survival during World War II. The book by author Laura Hillenbrand was an amazing read and truly inspirational. The film version certainly captures the horrors of war and the exhilaration of triumph but somehow misses the soul and spirit of the story.

           Four screenwriters are credited with the story and I think it's a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the meal. Whether its the screenplay or Ms. Jolie's direction, the film covers the physical aspects very well but overshoots the metaphysical features so prominent in the book.

Visually the film is very striking, and Ms. Jolie doesn't shy away from Mr. Zamperini's brutal torture at the hands of the sadistic Japanese soldier that runs the POW camp. She also is intent on sharing every aspect of the 45 days adrift at sea after Mr. Zamperini's plane crashes. She shows us the worst in order to appreciate the endurance and survival even more.

           Jack O'Connell stars as Louis Zamperini and he endures every hardship admirably. He is joined by Domnhall Gleeson, Finn Whitrock and Garrett Hedlund as his fellow soldiers. Japanese rock star, Miyavi co-stars as the sadistic "Bird".

            "Unbroken" joins the long list of  "a true story" films this holiday season and it's a film worth seeing but if you want to really experience the true essence of the story, read the book.

Selma

     A remarkable time in America is well represented in this recreation of Dr. Martin Luther King's civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery Alabama. Director Ava DuVernay does a great job, not only sending us back in time to the tumultuous '60's but her direction of star David Oyelowo, humanizes Dr. King and the script by Paul Webb, provides us a complete picture of the man.

       I can't say enough good things about Mr. Oyelowo. Not only is their a physical resemblance to Dr. King, but Mr. Oyelowo captures the speech patterns and body language perfectly. He honors the man with an outstanding performance. Carmen Ejogo co-stars at Coretta Scott King and also does an admirable job. For two very important roles, Ms. DuVernay makes an odd casting choice, picking two high caliber British actors, Tom Wilkinson to portray President Lyndon Baines  Johnson and Tim Roth to portray Alabama Governor, George Wallace. They don't quite disappear into their parts like Mr. Oyelowo but they do manage to convey their character's traits convincingly enough.

      There are a host of other great character actors, including Wendell Pierce, Cuba Gooding Jr., Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Andre Holland and even Oprah Winfrey (also a producer), among others, that round out the cast. It's a wonderful ensemble behind Mr. Oyelowo.

      Weaving actual footage of the march towards the end really enhances the film. Art and life blend together to strengthen the impact. What could have easily been thought of as a Lifetime TV movie of the week becomes so much more.  It's such an important time in our history and it's clear Ms. DuVernay and her cast worked hard to get it right.

Ida

         This new foreign film takes place in 1960's Poland and has a thin bare plot that is both unusual and very emotional. Anna is a orphan raised in a convent who is about to take her vows to become a nun when she learns of a living relative. Her Mother Superior sends her off to meet her aunt and it is then she learns her real name is Ida and that she was born Jewish.

          Anna/Ida and her aunt set off to learn the fate of her parents, killed in World War Two. The road trip taken by the two completely opposite women leads them down an emotional path that is both solemn and stark. The film is beautifully shot in black & white creating visual poetry in every frame.

          Agata Kulesza plays Anna/Ida and she conveys so much with very little dialog. Agata Trzebuchowska plays her aunt with heartbreaking resolve. It is a story of discovery and lost innocence, sad and humble yet somewhat remarkable in tender little moments.

Big Eyes

     Tis the season for films "based on a true story" and if you aren't old enough to remember the paintings of children with big soulful eyes, you may not be interested in this story. It is, however, a film worth seeing for the over the top performance by Christoph Waltz and the heart breaking performance by Amy Adams.

        Directed without his usual bombastic panache, Tim Burton offers up a very human story that covers many themes over the course of the 10 year marriage of Margaret and Walter Keane. The story takes place starting in the fifties. Margaret is a divorced artist with a young daughter. She is swept off her feet by the charismatic Walter who soon convinces her to let him take credit for her art. What starts out as an accident soon turns into a profit machine with the world convinced Walter is the artist behind the "Big Eyes" paintings. 

          Mr. Burton shoots the film in a bright colorful palette and has only one signature Burton moment but he captures Walter's blowhard charisma and Margaret's pathos perfectly.  Ms. Adams is always a delight to watch and Mr. Waltz makes a perfect villain as Walter, convinced to the end, he has done nothing wrong. The film co-stars Krysten Ritter as Deeann, Margaret's apparently only friend, Danny Houston as  Dick Nolan, a San Francisco gossip columnist who "discovers" the Keanes, and Jason Schwartzman as a snobby gallery owner.

            It's a fascinating story that makes for an entertaining film. Stay through the credits for photos of the real Walter and Margaret Keane along with a fitting coda.

American Sniper

       Director Clint Eastwood is in top form telling the true story of Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history and a Navy Seal war hero. After "Jersey Boys", I was afraid Mr. Eastwood had lost his touch but at age 82, he is still going strong and with material close to his heart, in a setting he knows well, his direction is smart, crisp and to the point.

        The film opens with a tension filled situation. With his eye on a potential threat, will Chief Kyle shoot or stand down? We will learn the answer eventually but in that moment, we flashback to the beginning of Chief Kyle's story and the introduction of Bradley Cooper as the adult Chris Kyle. Mr. Cooper has worked hard to hone his craft and this film is his best screen performance to date. He is mesmerizing as Kyle in a role that becomes increasingly more complex. As his worried wife at home, Sienna Miller is excellent, trying to keep her family and her sanity together with her husband fighting half a world away.

         Chief Kyle did four tours of duty during the second Iraq war. We watch as his personality changes with each return home. War is hell and I can't even imagine how it changes a a person, let alone a successful sniper. The battle scenes are very realistic and harrowing but it is the scenes back home that are truly heartbreaking. 

          While the film is based on the true story, I do take some exception to Mr. Eastwood's depiction of Chris Kyle as a "saint".  Everyone has their flaws but Mr. Eastwood's vision is narrow and Chief Kyle can do no wrong. "God, country and family" is his motto and he lives it without any blemish everyday. I am in awe of how this man lived his life and what he accomplished but watching his story, I couldn't help feeling he was too perfect. I would have appreciated the man more, flaws and all.

            That aside, it's an important and patriotic story that people should see and Mr. Cooper should be proud of the performance that honors the man as well as the rest of the men and women who defend this country.

Inherent Vice

        An extremely offbeat detective story based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon, this film is both noir and stoner comedy rolled into one.  Many people said the book was too complex to work as a film but writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson has found a way to make it work. It reminded me a great deal of Robert Altman's version of "The Long Goodbye" starring Elliot Gould as Phillip Marlowe. It seems like a definite influence.

        On the surface, you have a stoned out private investigator, "Doc" Sportello, played brilliantly by Joaquin Phoenix helping his ex-girlfriend, Shasta, played by Katherine Waterston but below the surface, there is much more. 

         The story takes place in 1970 in the fictitious coastal town of Gordita Beach Ca. It is still a time of hippies, free love and lots and lots of marijuana. Doc is frequently stoned and the deliberate pace of the film is seemingly stoned right along with him. During the course of his investigation, Doc encounters a host of crazy characters giving actors like Martin Short, Eric Roberts, Benico del Toro, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jenna Malone and Maya Rudolph lots of room to play in Mr. Pynchon's world as seen through the eyes of Mr. Anderson. The closest actor you would consider a true co-star is Josh Brolin, who plays a straight laced detective nicknamed "Bigfoot".  He is both a friend and nemesis for Doc and Mr. Brolin is terrific.

         The film runs well over two hours and concerns itself less about an actual plot and more about all of Doc's episodic encounters. Mr. Phoenix is in almost every scene and carries the film. The script is complex and the dialog very smart.  There are numerous funny lines and situations. It's a slow, fuzzy, fun ride but when the high wears off, you will ultimately ask yourself, what just happened?

Into The Woods

       "Be careful what you wish for".  If you are familiar with the Broadway show, this film is based on, then you know what to expect. If not, be warned, this is not your typical fairy tale. I don't particular like musical versions of Broadway shows. Singing a story works better live but in this case, as he did so well with Chicago, director Rob Marshall pulls it off.

          The real stars of the film are the the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and the screenplay by James Lapine. In a very smart script, they take well known fairy tales, mash them together in a connecting story but twist the outcome. The song lyrics are so smart and clever, as is much of the dialog that it is hard not to appreciate this adult reality check of a fairy tale.

           Bringing life to the songs and dialog is a wonderful cast. Meryl Streep is obviously having a blast hamming it up as the witch that sets things in motion. I completely forgive her for "Mamma Mia". Johnny Depp is terrific as the wolf in what amounts, unfortunately, to just a cameo. Emily Blunt and James Corden are very good as the baker and his wife. Anna Kendrick makes a wonderful Cinderella and Chris Pine spoofs his own image as a pompous Prince Charming. Even the kids,  Daniel Huddlestone and Lillia Crawford are perfect as Jack and Little Red Riding Hood. Tracy Ullman is fun as Jack's mother and Christine Baranski also hams it up as Cinderella's evil stepmother. I could go right down the line with the rest of the cast. Everyone fits their roles perfectly.

              The first half of the film is the lighter side and more traditional of a fairy tale but just when you think the you've seen the happy ending, things grow very grim indeed. It is here where the script throws our characters a reality curve ball. The film goes down a dark path where characters die and life is not all happily ever after. It's a daring move for any musical and it may very well turn off much of it's audience (especially released as a holiday film) but if you really think about the brilliance of the structure and message, you will be glad you went "into the woods".

Top Five

    This is Chris Rock's version of Woody Allen's "Stardust Memories". He asks the same question. "What happens when a comedian wants to be taken seriously?" Unfortunately this film comes off smug and self indulgent. You never get the sense there is any acting going on.

     Mr. Rock makes great use of New York City as a backdrop and has a fine time casting his famous friends in cameos but it all seems worthless. Just watching him go about his daily business, complaining to a NY Times reporter, "played" by Rosario Dawson isn't enough to be satisfying to the viewer. I enjoy Mr. Rock as a stand-up comedian but as a filmmaker, he has yet to really make an impact. I'm sure his real legion of fans will consider this film his "Citizen Kane", a great leap forward in his career but they will be blinded by their loyalty.

       All the good jokes are in the trailer and fall flat if you already know them.  The film is far from "hilarious" and only at times mildly amusing. Mr. Rock's outcome with Ms. Dawson is inevitable and even the twist is pretty obvious. I will admit his satirical portrait of reality stars does hit the mark and is the smartest thing about the film. Gabrielle Union is actually very good as the reality star fiancee to Mr. Rock's character and she nails her one scene of honest emotion.

          I give Mr. Rock credit for examining his life at this apparent crossroad of his career but I don't need to pay to watch him work out his therapy on screen. And what Top Five rap list is complete without KRS-One?

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

          The title says it all, this is basically a two hour plus battle for "The Lonely Mountain". If you have no idea what I'm referring to, you have no business going to see this film. Otherwise, Peter Jackson has made pretty damn sure you are committed to seeing the climactic third film in "The Hobbit" film trilogy. The original story was a single book but Mr. Jackson has stretched the story into three films to appease the studio gods, reaping in the gold like Smaug basking in his treasure filled vaults.  

           The "big" names in the cast, including Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, Hugo Weaving and Christopher Lee are all back in smaller but still significant roles. Also returning are Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Richard Armitage, all the fine actors playing the band of dwarves and of course, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, the heart and soul of the film.

            The earlier films have firmly established these characters so for this final outing, much of the character development has been sacrificed for the action. The two standouts, besides Mr. Freeman, are Luke Evans and Richard Armitage.  Mr. Evans gets a good amount of screen time as the heroic "Bard the Bowman" and is quite the dashing figure. But it is Mr. Armitage that steals the film with a wonderfully layered performance as Prince Thorin.

  

            The fight sequences themselves are once again wonderfully rendered in CGI by Mr. Jackson and his team but our heroes cut through the "powerful" orcs like a hot knife through butter and there is never any sense of danger in the large battle scenes. The small, more intimate fight scenes are more exciting and have a sense of dread that the outcome can go either way.

              The story picks up directly from the end of the previous one with Smaug destroying Lake Town. It's a terrific opening sequence that sets the stage for what's to come. The film itself is bloated and has its flaws but its still a thrill ride and a satisfying close to the story.

The Imitation Game

       Based on a true story but taking cinematic license with some of the facts, "The Imitation Game" is still an absorbing untold story of World War Two. And while it is wartime, the story takes place entirely in England and is the story of Alan Turing, the man credited with breaking the German "Enigma" code.

        Enigma was the secret code used by Germany for all radio transmissions and was deemed unbreakable by all the allied forces. The British Secret Service recruited a small team of code breakers including Turing, who eventually did manage to break the code and turn the tide of war against Germany. How they break the code is the central plot but what really holds the audience enthralled is Turing himself. He was a brilliant mathematician with no social skills and a secret of his own. Bringing him to life is the remarkable performance of Benedict Cumberbatch.

         Mr. Cumberbatch's acting is flawless and easily the best role of his career to date. He is surrounded by a strong supporting cast including Kiera Knightly, Charles Dance, Matthew Goode, and Mark Strong. Allen Leetch and Rory Kinnear also co-star in small but significant roles.

           Screenwriter Graham Moore and director Morten Tyldum keep things interesting by moving around in multiple timelines, starting in the '50's when there is a break-in at Turing's house. When the detective in charge begins to probe deeper into Turning's life, things begin to unravel. We also see Turing at school as a awkward young man, on a path that will change his life forever. At the center is the team racing the clock to solve the Enigma puzzle.  

             The film is smart, exciting, dramatic, clever and heartbreaking as well. It may well be about breaking Enigma, but it's heart and soul is the story of a complicated man that deserved to be called a hero and instead ended up vilified by the very nation he helped save.

Wild

  Based on the best selling true story of Cheryl Strayed, the film stars Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl, a self destructive woman who takes a 1000 mile walk of self discovery.

   The film moves back and forth between Cheryl's walk along the Pacific Coast Trail and flashbacks of her life and the events that led to her decision. Ms. Witherspoon is also the producer of the film and you can tell it's a labor of love. She easily does some of her best acting here as she painstakingly recreates Ms. Strayed's original walk.

     Seen in flashbacks, Laura Dern plays her mother, Gabby Hoffman, her best friend and Thomas Sadoski, her ex-husband. These scenes are very emotional and effective since they have a direct link to Cheryl's self destructive path. Once on the trail, Ms. Witherspoon is alone for most of the time but does have a variety of interactions with people both friendly and threatening.

      The cinematography beautifully captures the natural landscapes of California and Oregon. While an interesting story and well acted, it does tend to get repetitive at times. Credit Ms. Witherspoon's strong acting in driving the story forward, keeping the audience rooting for her to complete her journey, both physically and spiritually.

The Babadook

      Australian writer/director Jennifer Kent has made one of the best films of the year that you probably won't want to see. It is an old fashioned horror thriller that will scare the daylights out of you without excessive blood and gore. In fact, there is very little blood at all but the suspense factor is first rate.

      Amelia is a widow trying to raise her troubled young son on her own. The boy is fearful of almost everything and clings to his mother obsessively. While she loves her son dearly, Samuel often drives her close to a breaking point by his actions. At night she reads to him before bed to calm him down and on one particular night, he pulls "Mister Babadook" off the bookshelf.

       The book is a pop up book filled with progressively horrible images and Amelia quickly closes it and finds something else to read. However, the boy becomes obsessed with the Babadook and thinks its coming to kill them both. It is here that the slow build of terror starts to snowball. 

        Essie Davis stars as Amelia and it is a powerhouse performance. Is the Babadook real and has he possessed her or is she just losing her mind? Ms. Kent tosses us small tasty morsels of dread that get bigger and scarier as the film goes on. The horror of the Babadook starts slow with only a glimpse of what's to come.  As Samuel loses control, so does Amelia but the smart script never makes it clear if the Babadook is real or imagined. Either way, the danger is real and the audience is filled with unease and panic at every dark turn.

          The camerawork, music and the wonderful acting by both mother and son (Noah Wiseman is fantastic and I only hope the film has not scarred him for life) all combine to completely unnerve us by the film's climax. The ending is a little too neat but what leads up to it is a brilliantly scary thriller.