50 Shades of Grey

It’s important to label the genre that ’50 Shades of Grey’ is:  Soft-core porn targeted for the female market edited down to achieve an ‘R’ rating.  In principle, I have nothing against this.  In fact, in higher principle, I highly encourage it, but this is so badly written, even for a full fledged pornographic film.  In fairness, I thought the film was better than the book, but I found the book to be low even by Harlequin Romance standards.  The sheer level of cheesiness and eye-rolling that permeates throughout this movie subtracts from any erotica it was trying to achieve. It doesn’t succeed as a thriller, a love story, or even as an introduction to bondage.  This film fails at all levels. Even the groups of women who went to see this for a ‘ladies night out’, could be heard muttering “That was horrible” as they left the theatre.  This is one of the worst movies I have seen in a long time.

I don’t want to spend an entire review berating a film, but I am having a hard time finding some redeeming value.  At its’ core, the leads were completely miscast.  Dakota Johnson (daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith), plays the virginal Anastasia Steele (yes that is the character’s name)who is led down the path of S&M and bondage by the mysterious young self-made billionaire (they aren’t all as nerdy as Mark Zuckerberg), Christian Grey (played by Irish model Jamie Dornan).  The chemistry and acting were as wooden as you would expect from a Calvin Klein model and a new actress.  Jamie Dornan was putting on his best American accent, but his Irish brogue slipped through often. 

The entire time I was watching this, I felt this film was trying to replicate the classic ‘9 1/2 Weeks’ starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger.  ‘9 1/2 Weeks’ was truly a film that pushed sexual boundaries and challenged sexual mores while being beautifully acted and well written. If only ’50 Shades of Grey’ was even a shadow of that (there is a pun there with ‘shadow’ and ’50 Shades’, but it escapes me at the moment).  It demonstrates that this genre can be done and be done effectively and artistically in the right hands.  ’50 Shades’ achieved none of that.

I know there was supposed to be a storyline, but it was lost on me as one ‘shocking’ scene leads to another.  I could tell when dialogue or scenes were meant to be shocking and provocative, but I found the execution rather dull.  Much like ‘9 1/2 Weeks’, the story follows the protagonist as she descends into a darkly sexual world until she realizes the harm that it is causing her.  I found Anastasia’s realization of her peril to come almost out of nowhere and her dismay at what she was participating in to be rather contrived.  There was no true exploration of the characters or what motivated them.

I realize the popularity of this book and the global phenomenon that it has become.  I’ll be the first to say, having tried to read the book,  that I don’t get it, so I am probably not the best qualified to critique this movie.  That being said, I am an avid movie fan and there are infinitely better ways to spend your movie dollar.  If you are just looking for porn, then try the internet. If you are looking for a great movie, then most of the Oscar movies are still out there.  I recommend any one of them.  Or better yet, stay home and catch up on something else you’ve been meaning to do.

I give this movie 1/2* 

(I think the lowest I’ve ever given, but my next review is ‘Jupiter Ascending’, so just wait)

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2636688921?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Whiplash

In my quest to see all the Oscar films before the actual event, I half heartedly went to see ‘Whiplash’ with no real expectations.  LOVED THIS MOVIE!  I found it to be a mesmerizing and unflinchingly intense film that leaves no doubt in my mind that JK Simmons will walk away with the Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor.  In fact, JK was so central to the film that I wondered if he shouldn’t have been considered the lead actor.  His performance was that powerful and central.  While I found many elements over-the-top and heavy handed, there is no denying the emotional intensity and hypnotic effect of this film.

Anyone who has ever gone to the movies, channel surfed on TV, or watched a Farmer’s Insurance commercial will probably recognize JK Simmons even if they don’t know his name.  He is one of those consistent character actors who, while respected, never got his due.  This film showcases his talent and illustrates a depth that one does not expect from a character actor. The role perfectly fits his penchant for playing cantankerous foils, yet he takes this to a whole different level.  His intensity and passion is palpable.

The story centers around an aspiring drummer named Andrew, who enrolls in a highly competitive music conservatory where he dreams of being mentored by Prof Fletcher (JK Simmons), a man who will stop at nothing to push students to their limits and beyond.  What starts out as a dream come true when Andrew is noticed by Fletcher quickly becomes a nightmare as Fletcher suddenly and explosively reveals how intense and borderline psychopathic a teacher he is in the classroom. Berating to the point of tears, Fletcher does not let up until he is able to break a student down.  He runs his classroom with military precision as everyone averts their eyes from his in fear of being singled out and torn down.  Students are granted favored status or cast out on a whim and Fletcher will let nothing go until he feels it has achieved perfection.

Andrew is driven and talented and determined to prove himself worthy.  He drives himself to the point of sacrificing all other aspects of his life (including his health) to achieve his dream.  While Fletcher’s tirades and megalomania break him down, Andrew pushes that much harder despite the cost to him personally.  The camera shots of Fletcher next to Andrew’s face create a tension that are so heightened by the minimalism of the scenes that no amount of CGI or special effects could ever compete.  It’s fascinating to watch Andrew’s deterioration even as he flourishes as a musician.

Fletcher is villainous to the point of satire, but his messages ring true in nurturing excellence.  As he states “The two most dangerous words in the English language are ‘Good Job’!”, you can sense his devotion to drive and perseverance in the quest for achievement.  Settling for “good enough” is not something that Fletcher understands or is interested in.  Greatness at all costs.

As I stated earlier, the minimalism of this film is what is so enthralling.  This could be done on Broadway as a two man show.  The tension (and sometimes fear) is palpable throughout the film.  This shows you don’t need big budgets or giant productions to make films that make an impact.  I highly recommend this film and anxiously await JK Simmons accepting his Academy Award.

I give this film **** stars

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=nv_sr_1

87th annual Oscars: Predictions

The 87th Oscars

Tad’s Predictions

      The time is here for my predictions of this year’s Oscar movies.  As always, I focus on my favorite categories of Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Director.

Best Picture:

• The Grand Budapest Hotel
• Boyhood
• American Sniper
• The Imitation Game
• Selma
• Theory of Everything
• Whiplash
• Birdman

The battle this year will be between Birdman and Boyhood.  I thought Birdman had the lock on it, but Boyhood has been getting a lot of buzz lately.  

Tad’s Prediction:  Birdman

Best Actor

• Steve Carrell
• Bradley Cooper
• Benedict Cumberbatch
• Michael Keaton
• Eddie Redmayne

This one will be between Michael Keaton for Birdman or Eddie Redmayne for Theory of Everything. I think after a long career, it is Keaton's time

Tad’s Prediction: Michael Keaton

Best Actress

• Marion Cottilard
• Felicity Jones
• Julliane Moore
• Rosemund Pike
• Reese Witherspoon

This one was a challenge for me.  Reese Witherspoon and Rosemund Pike are both strong contenders, but Julianne Moore is getting the buzz for Still Alice

Tad’s Prediction: Julianne Moore

Best Supporting Actor

• Robert Duvall
• Ethan Hawke
• Ed Norton
• Mark Ruffalo
• JK Simmons

No contest: JK Simmons for Whiplash

Tad’s Prediction: JK Simmons

Best Supporting Actress

• Meryl Streep
• Patricia Arquette
• Kiera Knightly
• Emma Stone
• Laura Dern

You can never discount Meryl Streep in an Academy race, but Boyhood will be recognized somehow this night.   

Tad’s Prediction:  Patrica Arquette

Best Director

• Alejandro G. Iñárritu
• Richard Linklater
• Bennett Miller
• Wes Anderson
• Morton Tyldum

This could go many ways, but Birdman was such a unique and talked about film, I think it is going to go that way

Tad’s Prediction: Alejandro G. Iñárritu

The Imitation Game

        During the most desperate days of WWII, the British scrambled to find a solution to the seemingly unbreakable code Enigma in which the Germans transmitted their troop movements.  They gathered the countries best linguists and cryptologists together in a race against the clock.  ‘The Imitation Game’ is the story of Alan Turing whose efforts to develop a machine to crack the code eventually laid the foundations for the modern day computer.  Undoubtedly a genius, but also eccentric, and probably burdened with undiagnosed autism and OCD, Alan Turning was both reviled, yet relied upon to solve this supposed insurmountable mystery.

I have many issues with biopics, not the least of which there is usually an agenda from the director and/or screenwriter.  We are given history through the prism of the person choosing ot tell the tale.  There is a desire to portray people as good or bad, victim or aggressor, where people rarely fall into such black and white categories.  The purveyor places too much spot light on some virtues while glossing over other uncomfortable facts or vice versa.  As far as a Hollywood biopic film goes, I feel the ‘Imitation Game’ did it’s best to show a balanced portrayal, but lacked any in-depth exploration of characters and their motivations.

This film falls squarely on the shoulders of another magnificent performance by Benedict Cumberbatch.  Very few people can make odd eccentricity appear as appealing as Cumberbatch.  He effortlessly captures the oddness of the character without making him overly sympathetic.  Of course every story seems to require a love interest and Keira Knightley gives a perfunctory performance as his lab assistant/fiancee Joan.  The character is rather two dimensional and other than impressing Turing during a mathematics test and acting as a beard to cover his homosexuality, I do not know what dimension she really brought to the story.  For a woman of that time period to be accepted to a Top Secret intelligence organization, I have to believe there is a more robust character that could have been explored other than accepting companion.

Artistically, I admired the film’s non-linear storyline that jumped between before, during, and after the war.  The transitions flowed smoothly and only enhanced the understanding of the overall narrative.  The theme that ‘Things we never imagine come from people we never imagine anything from’ resonates throughout the film, however there is little redemption for Allan’s in his oddities.  His life is one of exile, loneliness, and persecution.  His great achievement and the countless lives he probably saved did nothing to protect him from a society that deemed him deviant.  

I found his perceived deviance and persecution in a conservative post-war British society to be almost as interesting, if not more interesting, than the story of his cracking the Enigma code.  Genius comes in many forms and not always in the manner we wish it would.  The same oddness that obsessed him to the point of mania to crack the code are the same attributes which caused society to shun him.  We try to label people so that we may comfortably place them into good and bad categories, but people don’t fit easily into prescribed categories.  Celebrity and historical figures that we canonize often fall from the publics esteem due to scandal and human weakness, while people we consider monsters are also capable of acts of human kindness and compassion that don’t fit the image we have of them.  People are multidimensional and ‘The Imitation Game’ does an effective job at showing the price of non-conformity.

I’ll confess that I know very little of Allan Turing outside this film.  The movie accomplishes it’s goal of wanting me to learn more.  It’s an impressive film, but not one that I feel would have achieved Oscar level prominence had it not been for the power of Benedict Cumberbatch.  He’s a rising star that already shines more brightly than most of the established talent out there.  He’s already been nabbed for Marvel’s upcoming Dr Strange role, so we know he’s set for life, but I don’t think we have begun to see the great things that will be coming from him in the future. 

If you want to see a masterful performance in a pretty good film, then I recommend ‘The Imitation Game’

I give this film *** stars out of four

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi969255961?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_3

American Sniper

        On it’s way to a record January opening this weekend, ‘American Sniper’ (while snubbed by the Golden Globes) appears to be on the path to be the Oscar darling this year.  Whether that status is merited by Clint Eastwood’s latest endeavor is up to the viewer to decide, but I will say that as Clint Eastwood becomes firmly ensconced in his 80’s, he is producing some of the best work of his life.  I’ll go further to say that this is Bradley Cooper’s most powerful and skillful performance to date.  I think one of the reasons for this film’s success is that movie goers are not looking for an ambiguous message about our struggles in the Middle East.  With the challenges of ISIS and the recent Charlie Hebdo attacks, this film stands in stark contrast with a man laser focused on what he feels must be done with little regard to the complexities of the Middle East conflict at large.  Clint Eastwood takes ‘American Sniper’ to a surprising level of apoliticalness as it examines the life and psyche of America’s most lethal sniper; Chris Kyle.

Chris Kyle is credited with 160 official kills in Iraq.  Clint Eastwood paints the portrait of a cowboy and hunter from Texas who was so affected by 9/11 that he joined the Navy Seals at the relatively old age of 30.  Chris is the very portrait of a Texan good ole boy and has a basic, yet very clear view, of what he considers right and wrong.  Raised in a harsh, conservative household, Chris’s sense of duty and patriotism left him no choice than to go and serve his country.  Redneck to the point of parody, one must admire Chris Kyle’s love of country and sense of duty if nothing else.

What i found impressive about this film is that Eastwood spends little time wrestling with complex issues or even questions of the morality of Chris’s line of work.  Instead, it is a character study of the man and what drove him.  I marveled at the dichotomy of how a good natured country boy could also be a lethal killing machine and not seem to have any doubt about his calling.  The emotional baggage he carried home with him had more to do with the horrors he saw and the guilt that he couldn’t save more of his comrades than the amount of carnage he was responsible for.  

I am not a fan of biopics as I find their usual documentary style to be dull with the perspective slant of the story teller.  This is definitely true of ‘American Sniper’.  What I found impressive was the art of Eastward’s storytelling.  His use of long silences and close ups were hypnotic.  He often replaced action and explosions (not that there weren’t plenty of those) with vacuum and the results were more riveting than any fire fight could have portrayed.  His compare and contrast of the horror of war and Kyle’s life back home were stark.  Some of the most sobering scenes were when Chris was talking with family back home via satellite phone while the carnage and war was going on around him.

Sienna Miller plays Chris’s wife Taya.  This character was not developed near well enough and was used basically as someone to create emotional conflict and drama with Chris and allowed us to more empathize with him.  From interviews I’ve seen with her, I feel her role was much broader and would have been interesting to delve in more deeply.  This film was squarely about Chris and at 2.5 hours, I don’t think Eastwood could have fit in much more.

I think this film will be intense and powerful for everyone who watches.  The impact will be more significant if one is able to set aside their political prisms and view this from a character study point of view.  Eastwood illustrates the realities of what is happening in the Middle East without trying to rationalize or judge U.S. policies. I can see why this film is resonating in America right now as clarity can be attractive during complex times even if it is not always what we consider ‘correct’.  Whether you agree with him or not, Chris Kyle saw the world clearly from his perspective and never wavered from his values no matter what he saw or did.  Combine that with Bradley Cooper's incredibly emotional and powerful performance, the best of his career, and you have a film that will be buzzed about during the Oscars.

I give this film *** out of four stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi3484134937?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_14

Unbroken

       Sometimes, there are movies that you can admire and respect. Especially when you think it’s a story worth being told.  ‘Unbroken’ is a film that I think good things deserved to be said about it, but at the same time, I will say that I did not particularly enjoy this movie nor did I feel inspired, which is what I think the intention of the film was.  Angelina Jolie is known for her dark visions of human suffering in her films and this one is no exception.  It feels like she is trying to inspire people by illustrating survival in the most inhumane conditions, but instead of being inspiring and uplifting, the film drains the spirit and the payoff is not enough to compensate for a film that takes about 45 minutes too long dwelling on the suffering of a prisoner of war.

The story showcases the true story of Olympian Louis Zamperini (played by Jack O’Connell), who was shot down over the South Pacific in World War II.  After surviving 47 days afloat at sea, he is found by the Japanese who intern him in a Japanese concentration camp run by a sadistic commandant know to the prisoners as ‘The Bird’ (Takamasa Ishihara).  Jolie does a skillful job developing a portrait of the life of Zampernini, steeped in rich 1930’s Americana.  A troubled youth from an immigrant family who went on to represent our country in the Olympics, we invest ourselves emotionally in Louis as he represents the American spirit of yesteryear. The times spent exploring this part of his life was the most rewarding part of the film.  Unfortunately, the film dwells on his trials at sea and as a POW much longer than it should have.  I realize that the film is about the indomitable  human spirit and the ability of this extraordinary man to survive conditions that would break most, but as I stated earlier, it goes on way to long.  The extended scenes of physical and mental torture become an exercise in morbid voyeurism which eventually breaks the viewer.  By the time we are supposed to be relieved and uplifted, we have already been beaten down by the film’s gravitas.

There are many things to like about this film.  Jolie shows she has the ability to use film as a canvas and paint a powerful picture.  Jack O’Connell does a skillfully understated, yet powerful performance as Zamperini.  He captures the parlance of the times effortlessly as well paint a portrait of an ordinary person who is also exceptional.  I am undecided about Takamasa Ishihara portrayal of the sadistic Commandant.  Ishihara is obviously a skillful actor, but his portrayal lacked the true villainy needed to make him a truly fearsome character.

I am glad that Angelina Jolie is taking the reigns of making films.  Even though her visions are a bit morbid for my tastes, she tells stories that should be told.  However, from a movie going experience point of view, excessive dwelling on human suffering is not always the best way to capture the entertainment dollar, nor is it a way to inspire the masses.  I have nothing but respect for her international work with the UN and I believe her experience with human suffering is what spurs her into action, but if you are looking for escapism, this is not necessarily the venue for that.

I recommend going to see this film as it is a great story of an American hero and the survival of the human spirit.  Keep in mind that this is not a light hearted or uplifting holiday movie.  If you know what you are getting into it is fine for what it is.  

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1002549017?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_1

Top Five

         ‘Top Five’ is a film that if you like Chris Rock and his sense of humor then you will have a lot of fun.  It has a semi-autobiographical feel to it as he lampoons the state of modern celebrity and examines the fact that success doesn’t necessarily bring happiness. No one in modern entertainment is spared Rock’s critique (including himself) as he delves into everything from the stardom of talentless reality show stars to comedians who begin to take themselves to seriously through vanity projects.  One feels that Chris Rock is someone who did not find fulfillment with his success and fame and, if anything, had his fears and insecurities intensified with the public spot light upon him.  The lead character, Andre Allen is obviously fictional, but one cannot help but feel that Rock is drawing upon personal experience and the result is closer to reality than fiction.

The story opens with Rock’s character Andre Allen, a mega successful stand up comedian, trying to prove that he is a serious artist by releasing a movie that will probably alienate the majority of white audience.  During the stressful time of wondering how his movie will be received, Andre tries to juggle the public attention and constant filming of his upcoming wedding to reality star Erica Long (played in perfect Diva fashion by Gabrielle Union).  Andre is adored by millions, but feels his life is no longer in his control as he believes he is in danger of falling into irrelevancy.  Or as his agent ,played by Kevin Hart, says; “You are one step away from appearing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’!’.  What should be an exciting time in Andre’s life is fraught with stress and anxiety.

Andre agrees to do an interview with New York Times reporter, Chelsea Brown (played with an attractive girl next door vibe by Rosario Dawson).  Andre is cautious as the Times has been less than flattering with his movies in the past, but the spunky reporter appeals to him and he agrees to let her have access to him during his pre-wedding and pre-movie release chaos.  Chris Rock and Rosario Dawson have a good on screen chemistry and the questions are no holds barred even if the answers aren’t always as direct.  The two grow closer as they learn about each other even as their cynical wariness keeps a professional distance.  One senses (or maybe I project) that Chris Rock is trying to show that fame isn’t all its’ cracked up to be.  Chelsea also comes to realize there is more than just glitter behind the lights and starts to gain a sympathy which can be dangerous to a reporter trying to be objective.

Chris Rock has struggled to make his movie career match up to his stand up success.  The movies he has starred in to pay the bills have never been critically well received, but the movies he has written and directed have been very well received.  Unfortunately, they didn’t translate into big box office dollars.  It’s too bad, because I enjoy his films immensely and I believe he has a voice worth hearing.  

You know Rock must have a lot of friends in the industry because this movie is filled with many fun cameos.  I could list them, but I don’t want to spoil the fun when they pop up. The movie is also filled with Saturday Night Live performers, including present and alumni alike.  Each brings their unique comedic talents and only enhance the film.  It’s nice to see a talent like Rock not afraid to showcase other talents than himself.  

Like I said earlier, I don’t see this movie making a big splash, but if you are in the mood for a fun examination of Chris Rock’s observations and tribulations, then this is time well spent.  I’m going ot rate this film higher than it deserves strictly out of my entertainment value and appreciation of independent artistic expression.  It’s a fun time at the movies.

I give this film *** stars

http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1507569433?ref_=ttvi_vi_imdb_9