"Mike's Top Fifteen Films of 2014"

"Mike's Top Fifteen Films of 2014"

Posted on Dec. 31, 2014  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Post Archive

Photo courtesy of IFC Films

1). “Boyhood” (2014)

My film of the year and the one that changed my view on conventional filmmaking. Fifteen minutes into this movie I knew I was seeing something unique and special. Richard Linklater shot this film over a twelve-year period, with the principal actors aging naturally during the length of the film. It’s a simple story of a family dealing with the separation of the husband (Ethan Hawke) and wife (Patricia Arquette), seen mostly through the eyes of their two children (Ellar Coltrane and Lorelei Linklater). It’s an amazing film that was so effortless and enjoyable to watch that it doesn’t seem it’s almost three-hour length. Mike’s “Boyhood” Review

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

2). “Whiplash” (2014)

A drama that is part horror film is the best way to describe this movie about a young drummer (Miles Teller) who joins a top-flight band of a music conservatory. His world is turned upside down by the leader of the band, played by J.K. Simmons. Both leads give amazing, unbelievable performances that are both gut wrenching and sometimes terrifying. Mike’s “Whiplash” Review

Photo courtesy of A24

3). “ Locke” (2014)

This was my favorite film of the year, mostly because it took me by surprise. I saw this film at the 2014 Atlanta Film Festival and enjoyed it so much that I had to see it again when it came out in the theaters. Tom Hardy gives a performance of a lifetime. The whole film is Hardy driving in his car. It sounds boring, but it’s one of the most compelling and moving performances of the year with plenty of suspense. Credit Hardy and writer / director Steven Knight into creating a truly memorable cinema experience. Mike’s “Locke” Review

Photo courtesy of Raduis/TMC 

4). “Blue Ruin” (2014)

Macon Blair was magnificent in the role of a homeless man who goes back home to get revenge for the killing of his parents. The film, written and directed by Jeremy Saulnier, takes an unconventional hero and puts him into a situation that looks un-winnable. It’s a remarkable performance by Blair, who is on screen for almost the whole film. Mike’s “Blue Ruin” Review

Photo courtesy of Music Box Films

5). “Ida” (2014)

This Polish film is on the short list for the Academy Awards Best Foreign Language Film and in my eyes, is the front-runner to win it. Set in 1960’s communist Poland, Anna (Agata Trzebuchowska) is a young novitiate nun, happily preparing to take her vows. She discovers that her past isn’t what she thought it was and goes on a trip to discover why that is so. Shot in black and white, this mesmerizing film does a masterful job of portraying what it was like to live in the starkness of Communism. Trzebuchowska is an actress who continually draws your eye to her. As Anna struggles to learn the truth about her past, she begins to understand that it’s a world that holds onto its secrets with a firm grip. Mike’s “Ida” Review

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

6). ”The Lego Movie” (2014)

This is the film that I enjoyed the most in 2014 and surprisingly, had one of the best scripts of the year. From the very start, this film just puts a smile on your face. I especially enjoyed Chris Pratt as the “every man” Emmett, who learns that he might be the key to saving the world. However, it was Will Arnett who steals the show as the voice of the slightly ego-maniacal Batman. This film proves Hollywood can make an animated film that both parents and kids will enjoy…that everything can be awesome! Mike’s “The Lego Movie” Review

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

7). “Foxcatcher” (2014)

In a film filled with great performances, it was Channing Tatum, as the dumb, younger wrestler, who on his own makes one bad choice after another. Steve Carell gives it his all as the creepy wealthy DuPont heir who takes Tatum’s character under his care. Not to be outdone, Mark Ruffalo is equally compelling as the older and wiser of the two wrestling brothers. It’s a fascinating movie that slowly builds its tension to the final tragic outcome. Mike’s “Foxcatcher” Review

Photo courtesy of Open Road Films

8). “Nightcrawler” (2014)

Jake Gyllenhaal gives an outstanding performance as one of the most despicable characters on screen this year. He plays a young man who stumbles upon the rough and tumble world of free-lance news reporting, following the police around to crime scenes and wrecks, where the bloodier the scene the better. He screws over anyone he can to get the shot that will pay the big bucks. Rene Russo lights up the screen as a desperate news producer who is willing to do almost anything for ratings. Mike’s “Nightcrawler” Review

Photo courtesy of Radius/TWC 

9). “Keep On Keepin’ On” (2014)

This incredibly moving documentary is about the friendship of two musicians; a promising young blind jazz pianist named Justin Kauflin and jazz legend Clark Terry. Both men are going through some of their toughest times and their friendship, cemented of the love of jazz, gives each man strength to “Keep On Keepin’ On.” Mike’s “Keep On Keepin’ On” Review

Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox

10). “Gone Girl” (2014)

This is a film that is filled with people you won’t really like and takes so many twists and turns you almost feel like you need a scoreboard to keep up. This is a film that is funny and yet in many parts is dark and depressing. It’s a tale that about how fast the media can turn a hero into a villain and how quickly we make judgments about people. Mike’s “Gone Girl” Review

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

11). “Top Five” (2014)

Chris Rock wrote and directed this funny, at times raunchy film that is smart and full of heart. Rock plays a comedian who is getting ready to marry a reality star and is having his film (a drama) released on the same weekend. Rosario Dawson plays a reporter who shadows him for the day. They have great chemistry together, and that makes this film a delight to watch. Mike’s “Top Five” Review

Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures

12). “Life Itself” (2014)

Incredibly moving documentary about the inspiring life of film critic Roger Ebert. The film covers his life warts and all, as you see his highs (winning the Pulitzer Prize) and the sorrow of watching Roger slowly give up the fight with his many ailments. It’s a film that will stay with you for a long time. Mike’s “Life Itself” Review

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

13). “Birdman” (2014)

This fascinating film is part comedy, part satire. Michael Keaton plays an actor whose better days are behind him. He is attempting to mount a comeback on Broadway but may lose his mind in the process. While I enjoyed Keaton in the title role, I thought Emma Stone, playing his troubled daughter and Edward Norton, playing a Hollywood star to into method acting were the highlights of the film. My only objection to the film was that I did not like the ending to the film. Mike’s “Birdman” Review

Photo courtesy of Marvel

14). “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014)

Chris Pratt is so much fun in this film as Peter Quill, a thief who prefers the name Star Lord. Quill gets way in over his head attempting to steal an orb that apparently everyone in the galaxy wants. The film is just a blast to watch and keeps moving right from the start. It’s hard to understand that everyone in the world would fall in love with a tree-like creature named Groot. Mike’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” Review

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

15). “The Grand Budapest Hotel” (2014)

An absolute joyride of a film that takes this Wes Anderson film and combines it with a Marx Brothers film. Ralph Fiennes plays Gustave H, one of the best concierges in the world who gets involved in a very complex world of intrigue and espionage. There were times that I thought I was watching one of the old Roadrunner cartoons when the action scenes unfold. “The Grand Budapest Hotel” is Anderson at his best and is one of the most enjoyable films of the year. Mike’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” Review

Honorable mention:  “Dear White People”, “The Way He Looks”, ”Kill the Messenger”, “Begin Again”, “Obvious Child”, “The Lunchbox”,   “We Are the Best”, “The Past”, “Force Majeure”, “Snowpiercer”, “Love is Strange”, “Finding Vivian Maier”, “The Babadook”, “Chef”, “Frozen”. “Selma”

Check out Mike’s Bottom Ten Films of 2014

"Into the Woods" Movie Review

My review of "Into the Woods" starring Anna Kendrick, Meryl Streep, Chris Pine.

"Into the Woods"

Posted on Dec. 25, 2014  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Walt Disney

“Into The Woods”  (2014)

The Witch (Meryl Streep) visits the Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt). She tells them that they are victims of a curse that made them childless. If they ever want to have a family and break the spell, they must go into the woods and find four objects. They go on an adventure that will change not only their lives, but also the people who live in their village.

Set in the world of the Grimm fairy tales, this adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim Tony award-winning musical doesn’t hit on all cylinders, though it has some wonderful performances. The film blends together the stories of “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Cinderella,” and “Rapunzel.” The center of the film focus is on the childless couple’s quest and their interaction among the characters from the other stories. This isn’t your normal happy Disney fairy tale film. It’s full of dark moments, intrigue, double-crosses, infidelity and even shocking deaths. I think fans of the Broadway musical will be slightly disappointed in this performance. There isn’t the flow of energy that you get from the live show, and the film seems to stop and start too many times.

I enjoyed the first half of this film, as it introduces characters at a fast and amusing pace. We meet Jack (Daniel Huttlestone), who loves his cow and clearly is a little OCD, and his mother (Tracey Ullman), who is constantly disappointed in her son’s choices. Cinderella (Anna Kendrick) is a attempting to make it to the ball, and her step-mother (Christine Baranski) is determined to keep her doing household chores. And Rapunzel (Mackenzie Mauzy), while stuck in her castle is often visited by her Prince (Billy Magnussen). Even Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), who has a serious sweet tooth, is about to encounter the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp) on her way to Grandmas.

Corden as the Baker and Blunt as his wife are outstanding as the husband and wife team trying desperately to fulfill their end of the bargain with the Witch. Corden has a wonderful singing voice, perfectly suited with both the comedic and dramatic aspects of the role. He has incredible chemistry with Blunt and their scenes together are some of the best of the film. Blunt has a beautiful way with a song, and she just lights up the screen with her energy and screen presence. She sings an incredibly moving song near that end of the film that was one of the highlights of the whole “Into the Woods” experience.

Other standouts in the film are Chris Pine as the self-centered Prince, who tries to find Cinderella and Anna Kendrick, who shines as the girl he is destined for. Meryl Streep is brilliant as the Witch, who needs the Baker and his wife to find the objects. Streep is a whirlwind on screen and her songs “Stay With Me” and “Last Midnight” are some of the best of the film.

The low point of the film is the appearance of Johnny Depp as The Big Bad Wolf. His song to Red Riding Hood is incredibly creepy and bordering on outright wrong. Depp, once one of the preeminent actors of his generation, has become a caricature of himself, and he can’t help himself from hamming it up for the camera.

I wanted to love this film but, unfortunately, I only like it. The last third of the film feels as if Sondheim and director Rob Marshall wanted to shock the audience with the dark tone of final scenes. The film at no time fulfills its promise, and it never quite meets its full potential. A big word of warning, I wouldn’t take kids to see this film, they won’t enjoy it and might be disappointed by its not so rosy, fairy-tale ending.   My Rating:  Bargain Matinee

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“Into The Woods” is playing at a theatre near you.

“Into The Woods” Website

 

 

"Top Five" Movie Review

My review of "Top Five" starring Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union.

"Top Five"

Posted on Dec. 12, 2014 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

“Top Five” (2014)

Andre Allen (Chris Rock) looks to be on top of the world. He has fame and fortune as a world-famous stand-up comedian who has made the transition to films. He has a big Hollywood movie being released. He is marrying a beautiful girl this weekend. But looks can be deceiving. Andre is an alcoholic who struggles every day to remain sober. His life has become one big media event as his fiancée, Erica Long (Gabrielle Union) is a reality star who lives by the mantra “that if it doesn’t happen in front of the cameras, it doesn’t happen.” Andre is attempting to be a serious actor but can’t escape the blockbuster, “Hammy the Bear,” an incredibly successful franchise where he was a machine-gun firing bear. On top of all that, Andre is about to be interviewed by Chelsea (Rosario Dawson) who works for The New York Times.  The Times seems bent on destroying his career with one bad review after another of his films.

Andre agrees to do the interview, but only if Chelsea follows him around as he does pre-wedding tasks and promises to be fair. It’s a decision that could change both of their lives. Andre juggles phone interviews about his movie, dealing with a constant stream of autograph seekers and dodging the questions of Chelsea. Chelsea starts to wear down Andre and they begin to realize that they have some things in common – including the fact that they are both in the program.

Chris Rock wrote and directed this film that is funny, raunchy at times, smart and has a great deal of heart. The film is full of very natural conversations between Chelsea and Andre as they become closer to each other as the movie goes on. There is great chemistry between Rock and Dawson, making their attraction believable. Rock gives a high-energy performance delivering lines right and left with incredible comic effect. Dawson gives a brilliant performance as the writer who can hold her own with the talented, lighting fast Andre. Dawson is an actress who lets her delight and joy show through her eyes, which light up in the scenes with Rock.

The highlight of this film is the supporting cast, with a number of cameos popping up at every turn. I don’t want to give away too much, but Cedric the Entertainer steals the show as Dee, a brash, over-the-top promoter who lavishes Andre with alcohol and women. His character is larger than life and tells everyone he is the most important man in the city. There is an incredibly funny scene involving some ladies of the night, Andre, Dee and a hotel room. Another standout scene is when, with Chelsea in tow, Andre goes back to his old neighborhood to visit family and friends. Tracy Morgan plays a relative of Andre, who is the butt of many of comedian’s best jokes. Gabrielle Union is amusing as the reality star fiancée who won’t kiss Andre unless it’s on camera. Other standouts in the casts include J.B. Smoove, as Andre’s security guard and lifelong friend, Kevin Hart, who plays Andre’s agent, and Sherri Shepherd as an ex of Andre.

Rock’s script is filled with smart, witty dialogue, though I do think that a number of scenes in the film were improvised due to all the comedians on screen at the time. While hysterical, the film also has a lot of heart, as Rock lets us see the vulnerability and insecurities of a man who is very worried about living up to his past successes. Rock shows us a man in Andre who is constantly being reminded of his past, as people on the streets of New York continuously yelling out “Hammy” at him. The film moves at a quick pace and Rock’s direction lets us experience the life of a celebrity in the Big Apple. The camera continuously follows Andre and Chelsea down the sidewalks, keeping us up close as they carry on their back and forth talks.

“Top Five” is one of the best comedies of the year, and Rock deserves a big thank you for bringing us a film is smart, funny, and has substance. Throughout the movie, Andre asks friends what their top five rap stars are, hence the title. My guess is Rock’s film will make a lot of film critics “top five” picks as well.     My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  

My movie rating system from Best to Worst:  1). I Would Pay to See it Again  2). Full Price  3). Bargain Matinee  4). Cable  5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“Top Five” Website

"Low Down" Movie Review

My review of "Low Down" starring John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close.

"Low Down"

Posted on Dec. 5, 2014  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Oscilloscope Pictures

“Low Down” (2014)

You know it’s going to be a long, hard ride when a film starts with a teenage daughter watching her father being arrested on the street from their seedy Hollywood apartment window. The relationship between the father, a noted jazz bebop pianist Joe Albany (John Hawkes) and his daughter, Amy-Jo (Elle Fanning) is complicated and maddening. Amy-Jo would rather be the adoring daughter but too often she has to play the adult in the relationship, especially when Joe has relapsed back into the world of heroin addiction.

Joe is a world-famous musician who has played with Charlie Parker and Lester Young. Joe has talent but is cursed by the times (it’s the early 70s, a time that jazz has lost most of its popularity) and by his addiction, despite numerous attempts to stay clean. Amy-Jo’s world is complicated by a mother, played by Lena Headey, who isn’t around most of the time, and when she is around, she is drunk. Amy-Jo and her father live in a one-room apartment that she must leave when her father wants to shoot up or have sex with his wife. She spends a great deal of her time in the hallway or the lobby, sometimes accompanied by the next-door neighbor kid, whose mother is a prostitute and a fellow addict. The only stability that Amy-Jo knows is her grandmother (Glen Close), who gives her a place to stay and a shoulder to cry on the times that her father is in jail, rehab or on tour. Joe is surrounded by friends who are fellow addicts. It’s a life filled with musicians, singers and actors, whom are all on their way down. Their neighbors  are people looking for their next score and willing to do just about anything to get it.

“Low Down” is a depressing, slow descent of addiction that is based on the memoir of Amy-Jo Albany, brought to the screen by director and co-writer Jeff Preiss. Preiss along with co-writer Topper Lilien, bring us into a world of desperation and depression, one that we only have the slightest hope that Amy-Jo can escape. Unfortunately, the script isn’t the tearjerker that you want it to be, with transitions abruptly cutting from scene to scene, making the whole film seeming disconnected. There are several emotional scenes in the film, but are just not enough. One especially moving scene is between Amy-Jo and her mother where they bare their souls. Unfortunately, the movie never quite gets up a head of steam, and it becomes frustrating to see the characters only react to their circumstances. We rarely see the reason behind their actions, leaving us with very little insight into the people that make up this downtrodden world. The film does have the feel of the 70’s Hollywood underworld, with cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt lighting the film with a hazy, almost orange glow that seems to continually have dust particles dancing across the screen. Costumer Jennifer Johnson and production designer Elliott Hostetter perfectly capture the depressing 70’s California scene with grubby apartments, dark bars and clubs that have seen better times.

The love of music seems to keep Amy-Jo and Joe close and the soundtrack, produced by Ohad Talmor, is a fantastic mix of jazz classics by Albany himself, along with Coleman Hawkins, Max Roach and Thelonious Monk with some newer recordings by Russ Johnson and Jacob Sacks.

The heart of this film and the reason to see it, is the cast’s performance. It starts with John Hawkes, who is his usual brilliant self. Hawkes makes us root for a character that is flawed and doomed to disappoint. Hawkes shows us a man who loves his daughter very much, but will never be able to be the man and father whom she needs. We see the joy in his face when he interacts with Amy-Jo, and we see the pain when he lets her down, time after time. Hawkes doesn’t just play his part; he inhabits them and makes you believe that he is a great jazz pianist and a man who is horribly addicted to a drug that will ruin him. Equally brilliant is Glen Close, playing the resilient mother of Joe, who knows that no matter what she says or does, he will continue to make mistakes based on his need for drugs. The love for her son and granddaughter is what drives her, and Close makes sure that we know it. Elle Fanning gives the greatest performance of her life. The film works best when we see what is happening through her eyes. She plays Amy-Jo with the naiveté of a teenager that continually hopes her father has turned the page with his addiction, only to be disappointed to the brink of despair. The supporting cast is filled out with a small role by Peter Dinklage as a neighbor who is an actor and a incredibly moving performance by Flea, as a musician who is in awe of Joe’s talent and happens to be an addict himself.

“Low Down” is a film filled with great performances, but is let down by a script that is long and never lets us fully relate to its characters. It’s a film that I just wish has listened to its own soundtrack and let the film flow instead of stopping and starting too many times.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee

My movie rating system from Best to Worst: 1). I Would Pay to See it Again 2). Full Price 3). Bargain Matinee 4). Cable 5). You Would Have to Pay Me to See it Again

“Low Down” Website

Playing exclusively in Atlanta at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema