"2015 Oscar Nominated Animated and Live Action Shorts"

My review of the "2015 Oscar Nominated Animated and Live Action Short Films"

"2015 Oscar Nominated Animated and Live Action Short Films"

Posted on Jan. 30, 2015  on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

We are in the midst of my favorite time of the year; the motion picture award season. The AcademyAwards are Feb. 22nd, and that means its time for the Oscar nominated short films to come totheatres. By the way, the Atlanta Film Festival has been an Oscar qualifier for both the live actionand the animated short films. The live-action shorts are often springboards to feature film careers,and a number of short films have later been turned into full feature films. The animated shorts are adelight to watch and can run the gamut of traditional animation to incredible groundbreakingtechniques.

Just this week it was announced that they will be only one of fourteen film festivals in the US thatwill be a qualifier for three different categories, as they have added the documentary shorts to thequalification. This year two of the films from last year’s Atlanta Film Festival made the Oscarnominations, the live action short “Butter Lamp” and the animated short “The Dam Keeper.”

I had a chance to see the Animated and Live Action shorts programs and here are my thoughts onthe films:

Short Films (Live Action):

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Butter Lamp” (2013)

An amusing film about a young photographer and his assistant as they photograph various Tibetannomads in front of large canvas backgrounds. It’s an inventive film as the camera stays in one placethroughout the film. We get to see everyone from a couple celebrating their impending marriage to alarge family get their pictures taken in front of backgrounds such as the great wall or Disneyland.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Boogaloo and Graham” (2014)

The story of two young Belfast boys given two baby chicks by their father in 1978. The boys jumpheadfirst into raising the chickens, much to the distress of their mother. It’s an entertaining film withplenty of heartwarming moments.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Parvanah” (2012)

A young Afghan woman, working in Germany, travels to the city in order to send money to her sickfather. Brigitte Beveler gives a touching performance as the girl trying to survive in the big, harshworld.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“The Phone Call” (2013)

A shy woman (Sally Hawkins) works in a crisis center when she gets the phone call that everysocial worker dreads. A man (Jim Broadbent has taken pills in an attempt to commit suicide andwon’t give out his real name or address. This is probably the most moving film of the bunch andfeatures a wonderfully subtle performance by Sally Hawkins.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Aya” (2012)

This is the best film of the live-action shorts. After a chance encounter at a busy airport, a womanunder false pretenses gives a music researcher a ride to Jerusalem. The film is unafraid to explorethose quiet moments between to people trying to get to know each other. There is great chemistrybetween Sarah Adler and Ulrich Thomsen, and the film is beautifully shot. It’s a wonderful film thatperfectly fits the short genre.

Short Films (Animated)

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Me and My Moulton” (2014)

The story is about the middle child of a family of five and her quest to get a bike. Theunconventional family lives in an ultra-modern house that is decorated as if it were a museum. Theanimation is bright and flowing in this lovely tale of appreciating the uniqueness of your own family.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“A Single Life” (2014)

Pia is about to sit down to enjoy a pizza when she receives a gift of a vinyl record. She discoversthat as she plays the song, she can time travel throughout her life. This is the funniest of the Oscarnominated films and has an imaginative and surprising ending.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“The Bigger Picture” (2014)

The tale of two brothers, one responsible and hard working. The other brother is a playboy whocan’t keep a job. Their love for their elderly mother is what unites them. This is the most creative ofthe five films nominated. The animation is outstanding as the characters are drawn life size on wallsin a live action set. The combination of the drawn and live action animation is simply amazing.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“Feast” (2014)

This is Walt Disney’s entry and was shown before last year’s Big Hero Six. An unseen man finds apuppy on the streets and adopts it. The dog’s first love is food that joyfully devours everythingplaced before him. We see the love life of the man through the eyes of the dog. Considering thatDisney has produced some of the great animated shorts in the past, this film is a little disappointing.It’s just not as innovating as their films in the past, and the storyline is one of the weakest of recentyears.

Photo courtesy of ShortsHD and Magnolia Pictures

“The Dam Keeper” (2014)

A young pig is in command of the town’s windmill, which keeps out pollution from coming into thetown. The young pig is looked down by the other students of the school they attend. The pig’s worldis changed when a new student arrives. This is the best of the bunch, an incredibly beautiful filmthat dazzles with both its animation and its storyline. “The Dam Keeper” is a highly creative film thatis a joy to watch.

The Oscar Nominated Short Films 2015, both Live Action and Animated is now playing exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema

2015 Oscar Nominated Shorts Website

"Song of the Sea"

My Review of the animated film  "Song of the Sea" starring David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Lisa Hannigan .

"Song of the Sea"

Posted on Jan. 23, 2015 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of GKids

“Song of the Sea”  (2014)

Ben (voice by David Rawle) and his younger sister Saoirse (voice by Lucy O’Connell) live by the sea in a lighthouse operated by their widower father Conor (voice by Brendan Gleeson). Saoirse, even though she is six years old, has never uttered a word. It doesn’t seem to bother her, but she does bother her older brother, who is given the responsibility to make sure that Saoirse doesn’t get into any trouble. Saoirse is drawn to the sea and the seals that litter their lighthouse shore. Ben is fascinated by his late mother’s folk tales of witches, fairies and selkies that he illustrates in notebooks and on his walls. Saoirse is fascinated by a musical sea shell that used to be her mothers.

Their grandmother (voice by Fionnula Flanagan) from the city comes to visit the family. Her intention is taking the children back to the city where it is safe, against the wishes of Conor, who feels that the children need to be near where their late mother lived and loved. Things come to head when in the middle of the night Saoirse listens to the call of the sea and goes swimming with the seals. There is something magical about her as she effortlessly swims about in the ocean. When she is discovered by the grandmother sleeping on the beach in the morning, it gives the old lady an excuse to take the children from their father and move them to the city. Both children are miserable in the city and want to return to the lighthouse. Ben longs for his father and his best friend, his dog. Saoirse is pulled to get back to the sea. So, they set out to find their way back, but there are forces out the in the world that will try to keep Saoirse from her beloved sea.

Photo courtesy of Gkids

The film is based on old Celtic myths and is directed by the Academy Award nominated Tomm Moore who brought us the incredible “The Secret of Kells.” It is a beautiful old fashioned animated film that is just amazing to watch. The animation is breathtaking and highly creative. Scenes magically flow together, and the story reveals itself to us in perfect timing. The film is about magical creatures and uses the animation to bring them to life right before our eyes. It’s a film like this that makes me miss the traditional form of animated film. There is something warm and almost spiritual in the animation that makes this film such a joy to watch. The score by Bruno Coulais perfectly accompanies the animation and helps illustrate this magical world.

The story-line, written by Will Collins and director Moore, is incredibly strong in character and meaning, mixing the old world fairy tales with the modern world. The film is about believing in yourself, and that emotions are not something to bury but bring out for the world to see. This film has a timelessness to it that makes it an instant classic and one that should be part of every family’s collection to be enjoyed over and over.  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

“Song of the Sea” Website

"The Humbling"

My Review of "The Humbling" starring  Al Pacino, Greta Gerwig, Nina Arianda.

"The Humbling"

Posted on Jan. 23, 2015 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

 

Photo courtesy of Millennium Entertainment

“The Humbling”  (2014)

When we first meet Simon Axler (Al Pacino) he is talking to himself in the mirror. He is going over the odd Shakespeare line as he debates with himself on whether he is going to give his best with his performance that night. As he applies makeup, it is obvious that he is having trouble and is having some sort of crisis. He heads for the stage but gets lost / locked out and now is desperately trying to find a way to get to the stage. Just as he is about to have the panic attack of all time, he awakens and realizes that it has all been a bad dream. As he heads for the stage, he is still struggling with the panic attack that was in his dream, worried that he has missed his cue. He makes it in time to the stage and begins his performance.

Photo courtesy of Millennium Entertainment

We then see Axler near the end of the play, in the center front of the stage. He gives a speech and jumps head-first into the empty orchestra pit below. Having been taken to the hospital, there is something deeply wrong with Simon as he tries out moaning in pain, asking the nurse taking down the hallway if his performance is believable. After several dark weeks, home from the hospital, he thinks about suicide and then decides to check himself into a mental hospital. Having spent some time in the hospital, he tells his manager (Charles Grodin) that his acting career is over. That’s when Simon Axler’s life is changed as Pegeen Mike Stapleford (Greta Gerwig) knocks on his door and invites herself in. Pegeen knew Simon when she was a child, having a huge crush on him when she was younger. There is instant chemistry between the two and Simon knows he is now in big time trouble. How can he be attracted to a girl who is so much younger than him, and she is a lesbian to boot?

Photo courtesy of Millennium Entertainment

Based on a novel by Philip Roth, the film is an exploration of a very flawed man who feels that his art, his talent has left him. The screenplay, by Buck Henry and Michal Zebede, explores the loss of purpose, and if it’s enough to immerse yourself in someone else as an escape from confronting your own follies. The dialog moves at a quick pace though some of Simon’s monologues get a little longwinded. The film is at its best when the conversations are between Pegeen and Simon. They’re back and forth works as they seem to feed off each other’s thoughts and feelings.

This is Pacino’s movie and director Barry Levinson allows him be front and center, letting him dominate as Al Pacino can do. Very few actors could chew up scenery and still give a great performance. It is tough to know where Simon Axler leaves off, and Al Pacino begins. I think that is why Pacino took this role as Simon’s career seems to mirror Pacino, an incredible film actor who is known to give great performances on the stage as well. Greta Gerwig works incredibly well with Pacino on the screen, holding her own in her unique way. Gerwig has those qualities on screen, where no matter how quirky the role; we still fall in love with her. We just can’t help it.

Photo courtesy of Millennium Entertainment

Levinson lets the story steadily develop as we go on a journey of a man slowly losing his mind. While the film is overall very dark and sometimes hard to know if what is happening is real or in Simon’s mind. The film also can be funny at times, and Levinson exploits Pacino’s incredible timing to its full effect. The movie is an interesting character study, where Pacino, the actor, gets to explore the insecurities of an actor on the brink of a breakdown. It’s a role that Pacino was made for, and you won’t be disappointed in his performance.  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

“The Humbling” Website

“The Humbling” is now playing in theatres nationwide, including the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta.

 

"American Sniper"

My review of "American Sniper" starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner.

"American Sniper"

Posted on Jan. 16, 2015 on CWAtlanta.cbslocal.com

Wayback Machine Archive Post

Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

American Sniper  (2014)

When we first meet Chris Kyle (Bradley Cooper), a U.S. Navy Seal sniper, he is on top of a rooftop protecting the lives of American soldiers on the ground below him. Chris must make the agonizing decision on whether to shoot a woman on the street that is moving menacingly toward U.S. troops on the road below. If he shoots an unarmed woman, who is with her son, it could mean the end of his career. If he doesn’t shoot her, and she ends up with a bomb that kills American soldiers, Chris will never be able to live with himself. This is Chris’s job, and he is the best sniper that America has ever had but that doesn’t make it any easier to make the right call.

While Chris is making his decision, we get flashbacks to see how Chris got to this point in his life. At one-point Chris wanted to be a cowboy, going from one small-town rodeo to another. Chris’s life changes when 9/11 happens and he decides, along with his brother to join the military. Not only does Chris join the military, but he joins one of the toughest branches of the military, the Navy Seals. It’s soon discovered that Chris is one of the best shots in the Navy, and he is promoted to sniper. It’s a job he will excel at but one that will cost him.

This Clint Eastwood directed film is based on a true story of Chris Kyle, a sniper who had more than 300 kills during his career. I liked this film, but I felt that it’s not Eastwood’s best effort. It seems more workmanlike, where each shot is set up for the broadest coverage, with not a lot of creativity in shot placement. After the opening sequence with Chris trying to decide to kill the woman or not, which is brilliant filmmaking, the movie moves more into a slow, deliberate pace. I will say this, this is Eastwood’s most graphic film. The war is depicted very realistically with lots of sweat, blood and body parts. Eastwood has made sure we know that war is hell and incredibly tough on the soldiers who fight it. There is a scene with a warlord killing off a villager that is so graphic it’s very hard to watch and extremely moving. The action sequences are well done and incredibly realistic. The trend lately has been for the big action films to feel like giant video games, but Eastwood does make us believe that this is a real war with dire consequences. But too often the film drags a bit and starts to feel like something out of the superhero genre, as Chris spends a good part of the second half of the film trying to catch and kill an enemy sniper who is causing almost as much damage as Chris does for the enemy. It makes the film feel a little unreal, something that was the strong point of the first half of the film.

The center of this film is Bradley Cooper, who gives one of his finest performances to date as the heroic and tortured solider, whose love of country drives everything he does. Cooper is magnificent in the role, whether he is in the war itself or dealing with its ramifications during his time back in America. This is Cooper’s film; he is on the screen almost the whole film, and he shows that he can carry the weight. There is an incredibly moving scene near the end of the film as Cooper expresses over a satellite phone with his wife, his need to get out of the service and come home. It has an unbelievable impact, and I am sure that many in the audience will shed a tear or two at that point. Cooper has incredible chemistry with Sienna Miller, who plays his wife in the film. Their scenes, especially the early ones when they first meet and start dating are brilliant as they start to know each other, deciding if this person is the one for them. I loved the two of them together on the screen, and felt a little cheated when the storyline didn’t explore in detail their lives after Chris got out of the military.

“American Sniper” is worthy of seeing because of Bradley Cooper but I don’t think this is Eastwood’s best and certainly not worthy of a Directors Oscar. If the film had kept of the tension and the creativity of its opening scenes, it could have been a great film but in my eyes, it doesn’t sustain the quality or the tension of those early scenes. It’s a film, that with a better script, would have been worthy of its subject.  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

“American Sniper” Website