Project Almanac

THE PITCH

Project Almanac - HD Trailer from Nueplex Cinemas on Vimeo.

WORTH

n/a

THE VIEWING

"To fix the past, would you risk your future?"

   So... I fell asleep.  Not only can I NOT grade this movie but I can't even give a McGuffin for "worth".  One thing I can tell you is that the movie was pretty good before I slipped into my coma. That's important to know because by no means do I want to imply the movie was boring.  It was just one of those nights where we were forced to see the last showing at 10:10 pm and for some bizarre reason my theater does not serve coffee. 

   I saw enough to know "I" liked it and will, as soon as possible, see it again even if that means rental.  Kind of looked like "Chronicle" to me in a lot of ways but with time travel and without the telekinesis.

Mmmmph, sorry about that.

I will wager that it is worth watching though.

letter grade:  n/a

SELMA

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$$

THE VIEWING

"We will not wait any longer!"



             It took a while but I finally saw the 2015 Oscar nominated film SELMA. What makes this story different from all other civil right movement pictures is that this story forensically focuses on the 1965 voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, all the while keeping it’s affect on the world in the viewfinder.  The way it came across the screen was fascinating and very easy to watch. Exemplary directing and even better acting along with the merits mentioned earlier makes this film an instant classic.

     “Easy to watch” was said with a few side notes in mind like:

• ‘Easy’ doesn’t mean that there won’t be moments that are hard to look at
• Like a good book, once you are engaged there’s no disengaging. [buckle up!]

     David Oyelowo portrayed Dr.King beautifully. I’ve heard complaints ranging from inauthentic cadence to not being ‘passionate’ enough… I didn’t find that while watching.  Honestly any casting director can find a good ‘imitator’ but a true Actor brings alive the script the way the it was meant to once the red light comes on.  Thanks to an extremely well written script and even better direction from director Ava DuVernay, David Oyelowo becomes Dr. King distinctly for the entirety of the film.  I thought he did a wonderful job.

    Carmen Ejogo deserves just as much praise. Unlike David, Carmen morphed all the way into her character, Coretta Scott King. Both David and Carmen left no trace of their British accent, or their former physiognomy.  Dare I say if we were ignorant to all prior info of who played whom, I doubt vigorously that you would know the actor/actress behind the main characters.  Both of their performances where THAT good. Neither one is up for an Oscar but they should be.

    Just an impressive film all the way around.  It took me a while and I will admit to some stalling while thinking it was yet another film about MLK/civil rights, I’ve seen it all before right??  Unn Uhh, I have never saw this story told so vividly well .

Worth Watching.

letter grade:   A

American Sniper

 

PITCH

WORTH

$$$$$

THE VIEWING

" I'm willing to meet my Creator and answer for every shot that I took."

"The thing that... haunts me are all the guys that I couldn't save."

               Clint Eastwood has a reputation for relentlessness grit both in acting and as a director.  His watermark is definitely visible in this cinematic portrait of American patriotism. Hardly any score music in the action scenes which enables every shot to leave a scar in your memory. Dilemmas about certain choices Chris Kyle had to make were masterfully written and performed.  Being unfamiliar with this story I was even more reeled in not knowing what would happen next.  I thought this film had great direction.  

    This was a  different Bradley Cooper. More than his usual mercurial onscreen performances that we’ve grown use to.  His fierceness is his brand and he did not wager that for being inanimate behind that sniper rifle. The “eye in the scope” was just as intense as it was kind. Little small nuances that can’t be taught in acting school separates Bradley from most A-list actors…. Needless to say I really enjoyed his performance.

    This is definitely worth your money and especially your time. Personally, I hope to see more of these bio-pics of patriot heroism… I can’t stop thinking about Pat Tillman, hopefully he gets a turn.

    letter grade:  A

Foxcatcher (2014)

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING

"Coach is the father. Coach is a mentor. Coach has great power on athlete's life."

     Based on a real-life events Foxcatcher not only catches me off guard but completely impresses.  From a known funny actor seamlessly taking on a very serious role, to a borderline actor whom historically can NOT act, putting on a performance of a lifetime.  And through all of that being completely ignorant of this story, at first.  Near the end of the film I barely remembered some of scenes in the real news, it was then that I became genuinely intrigued.

   Steve Carell’s performance as John du Pont was scary, as in scary good.  One may not have recognized the actor, which was amazing to me.  His execution was that good.  Which also can be said for Tatum.  From his brawler’s countenance to his posture, Channing’s performance was so impressive that I just had to research the preparation of becoming Mark Shultz.  I found out both Mark and Tatum went through a whole lot.  Just one of many interesting facts, according to imdb.com:   In the mirror bashing scene Channing Tatum actually broke the mirror, which was not in the script. However, he got so into his role that it led him to act with such intensity. The cut to his forehead was genuine.

     My dad was a wrestler so seeing these guys perform all the right moves were just jaw dropping good.  There’s no way to really write here just how impressed I was.  If you are not a fan of the sport I am very confident the story of these two brothers will intrigue/fascinate you at the very least.

    This movie isn’t nominated for best picture and it SHOULD.  Yet, another reason why Birdman should of been left off the nominee list.  This film’s on-screen talent runs LAPS, well… maybe one lap, around the very good performances in Birdman!  

    Okay, enough! Foxcatcher is definitely worth watching!

letter grade: A

Unbroken

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING

    True story that I had no knowledge of before the film.  Intriguing. Loved that they gave a slideshow account of the real life of Louis "Louie" Zamperini after the film.  My only wish is that Angelena Jolie (director) would have focused 'more' on his unwavering faith in God during that ordeal.   Very inspiring and almost too much to believe.  Incredible.
Very much worth watching.   
letter grade: A-

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$$$

THE VIEWING

 A glorious cap to a superior adventure odyssey. This completed voyage is paramount in the adventure genre next to the Indiana Jones campaign. A franchise that I put slightly above LOTR's simply because it is more iconic and they didn't have the CGI tech that they have now, but that is a great debate for a different day.
I can't wait to own the complete set.  No movie library is complete without it.

Worth Watching and buying.

letter grade: A+ 

Annie

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$

THE VIEWING



    I know this movie received a lot of backlash but don't feel all of it was deserved. I will say that I wish it was more.... powerful.  The music needed an orchestra instead of a studio.  One scene supplied that and it was the best scene of the show.
Marginally worth watching.

letter grade: B-

Penguins of Madagascar

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$

THE VIEWING

Ironically I fell asleep on this one too.  It was cute and I remember chuckling but ultimately... I fell asleep.

letter grade:  N/A (not available)

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$

THE VIEWING

Fell asleep.  I briefly dozed off near the 3 quarter mark, not because it was boring but I had a long day.  I will say, however, that this isn't the first Hunger Games movie that I've fell asleep in.  People that know me know sleeping in the theater is a rarity. I will have to watch it again before I give a review.

letter grade: N/A (not available)

Interstellar

SHOTGUN MODE REVIEW

(trying to catch up)

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING


Deep, moving, profound, and condensed.
      This film had a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time to do it in.  Somethings, as well as events, would of been better detailed.  However these points and events were 'skimmed' over in order to get the film completed in an "acceptable" time.
 I liked it still. 
 Had a problem with a couple of events but they are both debatable.  It maybe me. Definitely worth watching.


letter grade: B