The Revenant

“The Revenant” is extremely harsh and brutal, but it was executed brilliantly!!

Based on factual events, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) a fur tradesman who is out on a fur expedition with a team of men gets mauled by a bear. The story centers-around Hugh’s brave and sometimes perilous survival in the wilderness of the 1820’s. The story unfolds from there…

“The Revenant” is definitely not my type of movie, but I had to see it since its receiving so many raves. It’s nominated for several Golden Globes and there is massive Oscar buzz about it and Leonardo Dicaprio’s acting in it.

DiCaprio was brilliant and he deserves any Oscar nod he receives. The movie is harsh and unforgiving. The story is told in painstaking fashion. All action is driven by revenge. The cinematography and camera angles are excellent.

If you can stand the harshness and brutality “The Revenant” is worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

The Hateful Eight

Quentin Tarantino really hones his craft in “The Hateful Eight”.

This installment from Quentin Tarantino is a western set in the Abraham Lincoln era. The story could actually be told in about 20 minutes, but in a Quentin Tarantino production it takes hours, literally.

It’s the dead of winter in Wyoming. Traveling by stage coach, a Bounty Hunter, his prisoner and 2 other passengers find shelter in a cabin known as “Minnie’s Haberdashery”. There are several customers already comfortable in the cabin. Once the horses are put up and everyone is settled in, things start to unravel quickly. The story unfolds from there…

“The Hateful Eight” is viciously bloody and violent, but it’s really entertaining and moves quickly. It’s a long running time at 2:47, but it was over before I realized it.

This is a Quentin Tarantino production. If you have previously seen his movies, then you know what to expect. His movies are over-the-top, but he will keep you engaged and entertained. If you can stand the bloodiness “The Hateful Eight” is worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

The Big Short

Michael Lewis’ best-seller; The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine is the basis of the movie “The Big Short”.

“The Big Short” centers around four high-finance outsiders who predicted the credit and housing collapse of the 2000s and how they took on the big banks for their lack of foresight and intense greed. The story unfolds from there…

“The Big Short” is un-cut, unedited. You see everything in the raw. Execution at times is a bit slow, but none the less the movie is intriguing, eye-opening and worth a look.

“The Big Short” is open in limited-release around the country. Check it out in your city.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

BTW…I had planned to see “Point Break” the remake of the 1991 Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves movie, but the 2015 installment received such awful reviews I decided to pass.

JOY

“JOY” is based on factual information about a crazy family that crosses 4 generations. The anchor is the young woman who invents an innovative mop and goes on to create a dynasty. The movie is filled with Decent, Betrayal, Treachery and Heartache. All of this paves the way for “JOY”.

The absolute best element to “JOY” is Jennifer Lawrence. She turns in a strong performance. The movie is all over the map and then it’s not. The opening minutes do not make sense. Things finally calm down the last 45 minutes of the movie, but by then the damage is already done.

“JOY” does not turn out even close to what the previews lead you to believe. In fact almost all of the scenes you see in the trailers are the best scenes in the movie.

Unfortunately “JOY” does not bring joy this Holiday Season!

This is a 2 1/2 Star Movie!

Concussion

Based on a true story; “Concussion” is a solid movie that tells an important story. The subject matter is something not often thought about, but very important.

Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) is a Pathologist in Pittsburgh, PA who performs Autopsies. A retired NFL Football player commits suicide at the young age of 50. Dr. Omalu is tasked with performing the Autopsy. Some extensive tests are performed and it is uncovered that the deceased NFL player suffered many concussions during his career which lead to some other brain related problems. Dr. Omalu and his office face an uphill battle as they try to get to the true and make the public aware. The story unfolds from there…

Good execution, moving story. Will Smith does an excellent job as Dr. Bennet Omalu.

What keeps “Concussion” from being a 4 or 5 star movie is that it drags at times and the setting is a bit dark. “Concussion” is definitely worth a look.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – the 3D IMAX Experience

Star Wars is back with its seventh installment! This is the first of a Trilogy under the Walt Disney umbrella.

The events that occur started after the 1983 “Return of the Jedi” which was installment number six.
Its 30 years later and Luke Skywalker has disappeared. The First Order has risen and is out to eliminate Luke and destroy the Republic. The Resistance, a military force that is led by Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) Luke’s Sister, opposes the First Order while searching for Luke. The story unfolds from there…

There is never a dull moment in the movie. It’s entertaining, there is constant action, mayhem and a Sci-Fi extravaganza! The pick-up from the 1983 installment does an excellent job. You are duly reminded of what happened previously.

The cinematography is excellent, it’s definitely worth the 3D and IMAX Experience.
There is a nice lead-in to the next installment.

This is a 4 1/2 Star Movie!!

SPOTLIGHT

“SPOTLIGHT” is a Mystery/Suspense/Drama centered-around the true story of the Pulitzer Prize Winning Boston Globe’s investigation into the claims and allegations of child molestation and rape in the Boston Archdiocese.

Originally it was thought that there were around 18 or so boys that had been molested. During the investigation the Boston Globe reporters uncovered the fact that more than 90 boys had been molested. The story and events rocked the city to its core and caused a crisis in the Catholic Church. The story unfolds from there…

Excellent cast!! The movie is very well executed. Although the subject matter is a bit on the dark side, the movie is still riveting. I found it amazing that most of the cast perfected a Bostonian accent. “SPOTLIGHT” is truly about the power of the Press.

“SPOTLIGHT” has been open in Limited-Release since November 6th. Try and catch it in your city.

This is a 5 Star Movie!

Creed

What a nice addition to the Rocky Balboa Franchise!

Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) never knew his famous father Boxing Great Apollo Creed. From a young age Adonis had boxing in his blood. He quit his corporate job and relocated to Philadelphia, the city where his famous father fought one of his most famous boxing matches. Adonis hooks up with an aging Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Rocky sees the strength, determination and skill in Adonis.

Adonis starts to train under Balboa. Soon the word gets out and the current world champion wants to fight Adonis. It’s going to take a lot of skill, strength and hard work to prepare for this boxing match. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is excellent. It’s moving, emotional and entertaining. The camera angles used during the boxing matches are awesome! This is one of Sylvester Stallone’s best performances.

If you are a fan of the “Rocky” Franchise; “Creed” should not be missed.

This is a 5 Star Movie!

The Hunger Games: MockingJay Pt 2

At last the long awaited final installment in The Hunger Games Franchise has arrived!

This final installment picks up where the Mocking Jay Pt1 left off. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering from her injuries. She wants desperately to speak with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), but President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and others warn against it.

Once Katniss is well, the team is assembled. The goal is to go to the Capital and kill President Snow. Of Course the team runs into many obstacles, but this does not stop them. The story unfolds from there.

There is lots of action, special effects and mayhem. There are a lot of surprises. Jennifer Lawrence is flawless as Katniss Everdeen. It seems the role was made for her. She brings legitimacy to the story.
Sadly this is the last movie for Philip Seymour Hoffman. This franchise started off in 2012 with a bang, but now goes out quietly.

If you are a fan of “The Hunger Games” Franchise; this final installment should not be missed.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!

Secret In Their Eyes

“Secret in Their Eyes” is a “Spine Tingling Suspense Drama that doesn’t quite hit its mark”

A close knit group of FBI Investigators are torn apart when they find the daughter of one of the Investigators brutally murdered. Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor) one of the Investigators, spends years trying to unravel and solve the case. He finds new evidence so he goes back to his old office and tries to piece everything together. He visits his old teammates Jess (Julia Roberts), Claire (Nicole Kidman) and Bumpy (Dean Norris) to get them on-board. The story unfolds from there…

Julia Roberts is awesome as the grieving Mother Jess. Beyond that the movie is just ok. I was expecting more given the fact that the cast are heavy weight stars. There is some sort of sexual tension between Ray and Claire, but nothing ever comes to light.

The story skips around a lot and there is a lot of back and forth showing events that occurred in the past. I expected more intensity that never materializes and the movie ends a bit too soon. This is actually a remake of an Argentinian Oscar winner.

“Secret in Their Eyes” is just ok. It’s one of those movies where if you don’t have anything better to do, go see it. Otherwise it can wait for cable.

This is a 2 Star Movie!