"Okja"

"Okja" Movie Review

"Okja"

Posted June 30, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post  

Okja (2017)

We see a woman, Lucy (Tilda Swinton) being made up with several people making a big fuss over her. She then starts walking down the stairs of an old factory. She tells us about her grandfather who started the company, Mirando, that she is CEO of, stating, “We all know that he was a terrible man.” She ends up standing upon a platform in front of an audience. She pledges that she is changing the company, and it will be filled with core values that care about the “environment and love.”

She then talks about how different she is from her sister Nancy, that she, Lucy has vision. She then talks about how the world is overpopulated and how so many people, including 30 million in America go hungry every day. She tells the crowd “The World is running out of food, and we aren’t talking about it!”

She then shows the audience a picture of what she calls a “Super Pig.” They found this super pig in Chile and brought it back to the United States, where they in an “Eco-Friendly, natural and non-gmo” way bred 26 super piglets. She explains that they have sent the 26 super piglets to 26 different farmers around the world. The pigs will be raised in each culture’s traditional farming ways. The piglets will be the ancestors of a whole new species that can feed the world. Her company is having a contest for the farmer who raises “the most special super pig.” She announces to a very excited crowd that Dr. Johnny Wilcox (Jake Gyllenhaal), a veterinarian that hosts a popular animal program “Magical Animals” on TV, will be the face of the company and be the judge who picks the “Super Pig.” She announces that the contest will be judged in ten years. The pigs will be big, beautiful and leave a minimal footprint on the environment. The “Super Pig” will be a godsend for a hungry world.

We travel to Korea, where out in the country, a young girl, Mija (Seo-Hyun Ahn) is playing with a flower on a hillside. Suddenly from out of the forest behind her, a gigantic animal lumbers toward the girl. This ‘Super Pig” is massive, bigger than a hippo, with long ears, big elephant-like legs, a huge face and expressive eyes. He moves up next to Mija and gives her a gentle nudge. We instantly know that these two are great friends and are about to go on a trip. A trip that will change both of their lives.

You are going to fall in love with a pig but not just any pig, a pig named Okja that will stumble into your heart and may never leave. It’s a magical film that at times is funny, other times quite grave and dark. I want to warn you that this film is not for kids. Even though the lead is played by a kid, the film deals with subjects like industrial farming, animal cruelty, corporate greed, and can get very graphic and disturbing. However, this movie isn’t all dark. There is quite a bit of humor in this film showing up at odd or dark times due to the absurdity of the situation or the weird and wild cast of characters. There are some sweet moments between Okja and Mija as they have an incredible bond where one can’t live without the other.

The film, written and directed by Joon-ho Bong, covers just about every genre that there is. It has touches of comedy, the warmth, and feeling of a family film, the chase sequences of an action film, the thrills of a suspense movie, and the intensity of a drama. Throw in a bit of horror and a bunch of biting satire, and you have this film. The story-line is moving, funny and scary, sometimes in the matter of minutes of each other. It’s a film that has a definite social message. Bong has done a fantastic job moving between these different genres, and I love how rapidly you hate Tilda Swinton’s character, the nasty CEO Lucy and how quickly you fall in love with Mija and her super pig Okja. The CGI that creates Okja is amazing, even on a smaller screen. It’s key to believing that Okja is a living animal and right from the first scene we see her in. The detail of her skin and eyes is incredible and lets us see her as Mija’s special friend. The chase sequences, especially in a Seoul shopping center are dazzling and sensationally done.

The cast is outstanding in the film with Paul Dano playing the head of underground animal rights organization and Steven Yeun, Daniel Henshall and Lily Collins playing the faithful followers. Seo-Hyun Ahn is excellent as Mija. Her scenes with Okja are genuinely moving and filled with love. And she’s quite good at the action sequences, especially a rather scary mountaintop scene. Tilda Swinton doesn’t disappoint as the narcissistic CEO, who only cares about money and her legacy playing her with relish. Jake Gyllenhaal is almost unrecognizable as Dr. Johnny Wilcox, as a vet that has his own TV show. Gyllenhaal is hysterical as this over the top, self-centered host (think an over-caffeinated Steve Irwin with a little Richard Simmons mixed in).

It’s a strange mix of humor and darkness that works extremely well. . Ultimately, you will want to go on this journey with Mija and Okja.     My Rating: Full Price  

Note: this film is not in theatres but available on Netflix. 

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

Okja Website

"Past Life"

'Past Life' Movie Review

'Past Life'

Posted on June 20, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Past Life (2016)

 

We follow two women as they cross a rainy street into a concert hall. The two women sit down as a choir, accompanied by an orchestra, is singing a complex musical score. We see Sephi (Joy Riefer) singing a solo. Her singing is beautifully stirring.

A young man, Thomas Zielinski (Rafael Stachowiak) is enraptured by Sephi’s gilded voice. What appears to be his mother, takes the program out of his hands and proceeds to look up the young woman’s name, Sephi Milch.

At the reception afterwards, Sephi is with a friend, making fun of the young men that are trying to catch her eye. It turns out that Sephi’s chorale group is from Israel and they are visiting Germany in a cultural exchange. As Sephi and her choir friend continue to talk, the older woman from earlier walks across the room toward Sephi. Sephi doesn’t pay any attention until the older woman is in front of her. The woman asks if Sephi is the daughter of Dr. Baruch Milch. When she responds yes, the old woman grabs Sephi’s arm so hard that she yelps out in pain. The woman then yells at her in German and has to be pulled off of Sephi by several people. Her son comes over to apologize. Sephi asks what his mother had screamed at her. Ever so hesitantly, the son says his mother went through tough times in the war. When pressed harder for more details, he reluctantly tells her his mother said, “Your father is a murderer. Baruch Milch is a murderer.” Sephi is shaken over the event. Sephi and family are about to go on a journey of discovery that could tear them apart.

Writer/director Avi Nesher brings us a moving tale of sibling rivalry, a past that could destroy a family and the determination of Sephi to find the truth; while she struggles to survive in an environment that is trying to get her to quit her dreams. Sephi still lives at home, in a house where her father rules with a cold, iron hand. A man who is haunted by his past. His wife is afraid all the time as if the past is going to come roaring back to life to destroy what little peace this family has. Nana is full of fire, willing to argue her point at a moment’s notice. Unhappily married to her editor, Nana holds the world accountable, including her sister, who she considers weak and sponging off their parents. When Sephi comes home from her trip and tells her sister Nana (Nelly Tagar) what happened, they both decide it’s time to gather information from their father on why this woman would accuse him of such a horrendous act.

Visually, the film feels slightly claustrophobic, as the movie almost chokes on the darkness that fills the Milch’s life. Cinematographer Michel Abramowicz creates a visual look that is muted and somewhat cold. The only time we have breathing room is the moments of singing, which seems to pull the film out of its depressive haze.

The three central performances are what makes this film work so well. Both Tagar and Reiger give powerful, multilayered performances. Tagar always brings her anger to the forefront, while Reiger gives her character a quiet restraint. Reiger is the catalyst in this film, the person who keeps pushing the other characters for truth, especially her Father, even when he resists. It’s a sublime performance, one that you cannot take your eyes off – especially when Reiger is on the screen. Doron Tavory has the thankless task of giving the cold, almost heartless, Doctor life in this film.

After Life is full of strong-willed performances with a storyline that has plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. It’s a tale of the horrors of war that follow people throughout their lives, that the nightmares don’t end when the war does.    My Rating: Full Price

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

Past Life Website

The film is playing exclusively at Regal Tara Cinemas 4,

"Paris Can Wait"

'Paris Can Wait' Movie Review

'Paris Can Wait'

Posted on June 16, 2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

‘Paris Can Wait’  (2016)

Anne (Diane Lane) is looking wistfully on the beautiful French seaside resort from her balcony as breakfast is laid out in front of her on a table. We can hear her husband, Michael (Alec Baldwin) talking business over the phone. Waiting for her husband, she pulls out a small camera and starts to take pictures of her breakfast. We see the pictures that she has taken, and they look like they belong in the pages of Bon Appétit magazine.

She gets up and puts the final piece of clothing into her bag. Michael tells her she is going to love their next destination, but he can’t go into any detail because he gets another call. The way the two react to each other, you know that this couple has been together for a while. Anne looks as she is used to the non-stop phone calls and being left to deal with the bags and the porters.

She meets her husband in the front of the hotel, and they get into a town car for the ride to the airport. Michael ignores his wife and talks shop with a man in the front seat, a colleague named Jacques (Arnaud Viard), discussing budgets and other movie-making items. Jacques has the car stopped, and he quickly gets out of the car, disappearing into a bank of shops. Anne and Michael have no idea what is going on until Jacques gets back in the car with bread and cheese, which all three begin partaking of. Anne complains that she has an earache. Jacques has the driver stop, and he gets out, returning with ear drops for Anne. They travel for a bit and then Jacques has the driver stop once more, this time at an outdoor market. Jacques leaves again, with Michael worrying about getting to his next destination. Jacques gets back into the car with the most amazing looking strawberries. Anne quickly takes one but Michael, acting perturbed, takes a bit of coaching before eating one.

They finally arrive at the airport, with a jet waiting in the hanger for them. Anne decides that she won’t be able to tolerate the air pressure with her ear ache and tells her husband that she isn’t going to their next destination but will take a train to Paris to wait for Michael there. Michael wants her to come with him, but he understands that flying might be painful for her.

Jaques tells both of them that he is driving to Paris and would be glad to take Anne there. After a bit of a protest, Anne agrees to go with Jacques, believing that they will be in Paris by nightfall. What she doesn’t know is Jaques plans to take the leisurely, scenic route to Paris, with plenty of food and drink stops. It’s a trip that could change Anne’s life forever.

Writer/director Eleanor Coppola (wife of legendary director Francis Coppola) has brought us a road picture that emphasizes food as the perfect travel companion, at least when you are driving through the French countryside. Jacques, who drives a beaten down Peugeot that needs water every few hours, smoke cigarettes like they are free, and has an eye for good food and even better wine, feels that life is to be savored and explored. Anne used to her American ways, and the lifestyle of a wealthy executive’s wife isn’t quite on board at first with Jacques leisurely travel plans. Jacques has made this trip many times because he seemingly knows every restaurant in France and every chef personally. Not only is he Anne’s personal Yelp, but he is also her travel guide, knowing everything about each historical building in every town. I wish those travel guides shows on PBS were as knowledgeable as Jacques.

While foodies and especially lovers of French food will enjoy the beautiful variety of food that is featured in this film (and beautifully shot by Anne), the film feels lacking in any substance. While watching this film, I kept thinking about The Trip, road-trip film that Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon go on, eating their way across northern England. What made that movie work was two incredibly complicated people who were discussing life while enjoying their food/trip. The emphasis was on the two men, but in this film, Coppola seems to concentrate on the food and the countryside, which means that the characters suffer, becoming very simple, one-dimensional people that aren’t extremely interesting. Diane Lane is wasted in the role of Anne. She is never allowed to do more than gush over the food and make sideways glances at Arnaud Viard’s Jacques. Anne is a passenger on this journey, and it’s very telling that she does nothing more than sitting on the passenger seat, letting Jacques decide everything for her. Viard doesn’t come off much better as his Jacques is all about the long game with Anne, knowing that his French wiles will wear down Anne by the end of the trip because that’s what French men do (at least according to Jacques).

Paris Can Wait is much like those fancy restaurants that serve very tiny portions. The meal looks beautiful but just never fills you up.   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

Paris Can Wait Website

"Wakefield"

'Wakefield' Movie Review

'Wakefield'

Posted on June 16,2017 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Wakefield (2016)

 

When we first meet Howard Wakefield (Bryan Cranston), he is dressed in a business suit, overcoat and is carrying a briefcase as he navigates the streets of New York City. He is headed for Grand Central Station to catch a train home. It’s obvious from his appearance and walk that he has done this many times. In fact, it looks as it’s wearing him down. He follows what must be routine, buying water at a shop, boarding the train and dictating some sort of brief on a recording device. He stops wearily in almost mid-sentence with his correspondence and stops the recording, a look of exhaustion on his face.

As he sits there staring out of the train window, he gets a call from his wife. He looks at his phone and decides to ignore the call; it’s obvious that he doesn’t want to talk to her. As the train rounds a bend, it loses power, with the lights on the car shutting off and the train comes to a halt. We next see Howard and the rest of the passengers walking down the tracks in the dark. The look on Howard’s face says that this is just part of the bad day that Howard is having.

Howard begins talking to us via voice-over talking about how when things like a power outage happen, you can see how civilization is crumbling. Howard walks through his neighborhood, filled with storefronts and houses that are dark and foreboding. He arrives at his house and can see his wife, Diana (Jennifer Garner) and his twin daughters in the kitchen, surrounded by lit candles. Howard notices that a raccoon is in front of his garage door. He yells at the animal but its unfazed. Frustrated by the day, he slings his briefcase at the raccoon, who promptly heads through an open door to the garage. Howard curses beneath his breath and begins to head for his house. He then stops, turns to look at the garage, and then defeated, he goes into the garage to evict the raccoon.

Howard goes inside, tries the light switch, but the power is still out. He uses his phone to look around the garage but can’t locate the raccoon. He heads upstairs to the garage attic. There is the usual accumulation of boxes and odd furniture that you find in storage from a family of four. After a bit of a search, he finds the raccoon and is successful in getting the animal to leave.

Howard looks out of a window in the attic to see that his family is still in the kitchen. Just then, the lights come back on, and his family begins to move around the kitchen. We see his wife phone him again, which he just ignores again. It turns out that they have been having a long-standing fight, and Howard has no desire to talk to his wife. Howard sits down in a big chair that is positioned in front of the window. Howard is about to make a decision that will change his and his family’s life.

Writer/director Robin Swicord brings us a strange tale of a man who decides to go off the grid and watch his family from a garage attic window to see how they will do without him. It’s a film that makes you feel like a voyeur, as we see the world only through the eyes of Howard. As he looks down on his family, he is amused at how they react to his disappearance. It’s an experiment that goes farther than Howard ever intended. Instead of avoiding a fight with his wife, Howard avoids living in the real world. The film tells the story in present day and flashbacks as Howard reflects on his courtship and then marriage to Diana. The flashbacks tell us a story of how they met (he stole her from a good friend who Howard was willing to double cross to get Diana), their dating life and their early years when things were going well. Howard also flashbacks to rougher times; fights with his wife, his kids ignoring him and his determination to value his job over his family.

Bryan Cranston and Jennifer Garner are the reasons to see this film. Cranston gives a touching, multi-layered performance, appearing in every scene in the movie. Cranston brings the part of Howard to life as he slowly descends into madness, driven by his guilt, self-doubt and his willingness to commit to this life off the grid, going as far as eating from trash cans and wearing clothes that haven’t been washed for months. It’s a powerful performance that is at times maddening and other times deeply moving. Garner is even better than Cranston, giving a performance that is stunning, especially since half of her scenes are done in silence, as Howard observes her from afar in his attic window. It’s a beautiful and natural performance that gives us more information from her body language than we could ever get if we could hear what her character is saying.

Robin Swicord has given us a unique look at what it means to truly check out of life, abandoning family and civilization for an experiment in isolation and reflection. Are Howard and his family better off without each other or is that connection between a man and a woman more important than individuality? It’s a question that Wakefield just might answer for you.   My Rating: Full Price

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

Wakefield Website