Personal Film-Log: 2016
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- DirectorAlex GarlandStarsAlicia VikanderDomhnall GleesonOscar IsaacA young programmer is selected to participate in a ground-breaking experiment in synthetic intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid A.I.4.1.16
Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), a programmer working for a leading search engine, is selected by his reclusive boss Nathan (Oscar Isaac) to participate in an elaborate Turing test, examining his new AI Ava (Alicia Vikander). After a few sessions between the two Caleb starts falling for Ava and believes she's falling for him too; he starts to suspect Nathan's motives and decides to help Ava escape. Ava passes the Turing test with flying colors - using empathy and sexuality to manipulate Caleb into helping her escape, killing Nathan in the process and leaving Caleb for dead. A sci-fi drama that is talky and intelligent without ever sacrificing atmosphere or visuals. Visual effects are impressive, atmosphere is tense and acting is good all around (three leads plus Sonoya Mizuno as an older model of the AI who's now Nathan's personality-free, memory-free servant and concubine). One of the finest true speculative-fiction films of our time. - DirectorDan FogelmanStarsAl PacinoAnnette BeningJennifer GarnerAn aging rock star decides to change his life when he discovers a 40-year-old letter written to him by John Lennon.4.1.16
Danny Collins (Al Pacino) is an aging singer-songwriter turned sell-out pop singer. On his birthday he's given by his manager (Christopher Plummer) a letter sent to him years ago by John Lennon, which prompts him to reevaluate his life, start writing songs again, and reconnect with his estranged son (Bobby Cannavale), his wife (Jennifer Garner) and their daughter. Along the way he meets hotel manager Mary (Annette Bening). It ends on a bittersweet note as he remains a sell-out, but uses the money to support his family. A run-of-the-mill formula drama with good pacing and terrific performances all around. Pacino gives a wild, charismatic, scenery-chewing performance that brings back memories of Scarface and Scent of a Woman. - DirectorRichard DonnerStarsBill MurrayKaren AllenJohn ForsytheA selfish, cynical television executive is haunted by three spirits bearing lessons on Christmas Eve.14.1.16
A modernized version of A Christmas Carol; Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a cynical TV producer who forgot the true meaning of Christmas, and he's visited by the three ghosts to remind him. On the way he gets back with his old flame (Karen Allen), deals with a disgruntled, gun-toting ex-employee (John Forsythe) and becomes a better person. Bill Murray makes it an above average Christmas movie even for someone who isn't nostalgic about it, though the story is still extremely predictable. Acting is excellent and pacing is very good. - DirectorRajko GrlicStarsPredrag 'Miki' ManojlovicBojan NavojecDaria Lorenci FlatzNikola is a man who knows how to really enjoy life; he's even able to rouse sympathy for his sinful ways. His brother, Braco turns a blind eye to his philandering although, with a broken marriage behind him, he doesn't have a clear conscience, either. Is there anything positive to be said about infidelity, or does it simply deserve the utmost contempt, particularly when it's more premeditated than spontaneous?14.1.16
After their father dies, younger brother Braco (Bojan Navojec) moves into his house, but his older and married brother Nikola (Predrag Manojlovic) uses the place for his sexcapades, to which Braco turns a grudging blind eye. But Nikola isn't all bad - he also helps out Marta (Ksenija Marinkovic), a family friend, and her son, who's actually his child. Good acting in an otherwise pointless melodrama which talks a lot about human relations but doesn't say too much. Nikola and Marta make for interesting characters and they're played well but they don't really develop throughout. - DirectorJim SheridanStarsDaniel Day-LewisBrenda FrickerAlison WhelanChristy Brown, born with cerebral palsy, learns to paint and write with his only controllable limb - his left foot.17.1.16
Based on the autobiography of painter Christy Brown, who was born with cerebral palsy; from his early childhood (played by Hugh O'Conor) to adulthood (Daniel Day-Lewis), his breakout as a painter and the publication of his book and marriage. Day-Lewis is amazing, though O'Conor does a fantastic job too, and so do Brenda Fricker and Ray McAnally as his parents, and Fiona Shaw as the doctor who helps him learn to communicate. A pretty standard biopic elevated by fantastic acting, good pacing and beautiful cinematography. - 20121h 25mR5.8 (1.8K)45MetascoreDirectorBill JonesJeff SimpsonBen TimlettStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseTerry JonesAn animated, factually incorrect biography of Graham Arthur Chapman, one of the founding members of the comedy group Monty Python.22.1.16
A chaotic, nonlinear and mostly fictitious biography of Graham Chapman, using bits and pieces of himself narrating, and various styles of animation. It's a strangely fitting tribute to Chapman, but surprisingly slow-moving and un-entertaining for a Monty Python project. Some segments are very poignant (Graham wrestling himself while going cold turkey from alcohol), some are funny (his coming out party) and some just don't work at all (Cameron Diaz as Freud?) All in all an interesting document and a fitting addition to the Python catalog. - DirectorStéphane AubierVincent PatarBenjamin RennerStarsLambert WilsonPauline BrunnerAnne-Marie LoopThe story of an unlikely friendship between a bear, Ernest, and a young mouse named Celestine.25.1.16
Against all social conventions, a misfit bear and a misfit mouse become close friends, and they're accused by both communities of crimes they didn't commit. A gorgeous piece of classical animation which is so refreshing to see these days, beautifully rendered and with a lot of sensitivity. The storyline shows its allegories a bit too roughly and it becomes really heavy-handed in the last half hour which throws out words like 'prejudice' left and right. - DirectorJack CardiffStarsMarianne FaithfullAlain DelonRoger MuttonA married woman leaves her husband and zooms off on her motorcycle to see her lover.2.2.16
On a nightly basis, Rebecca (Marianne Faithfull) hops on her motorcycle to escape her intellectual, good natured husband Raymond (Roger Mutton) and meet her charismatic, free-spirited, self-absorbed lover Daniel (Alain Delon). Rebecca struggles with her conscience but can't stop meeting Daniel, eventually dying in a ridiculously over-the-top motorcycle accident. A pretty ludicrous artifact of the 60's with plenty of experimental psychedelic effects that look strained today. The cinematography is brilliant though, and along with Faithfull's charismatic, sexy presence they make the film a joy to the eyes. Delon gets top billing despite having a pretty flat and monotonic role, but Faithfull is the real star here and she scorches the screen in every scene. - DirectorAva DuVernayStarsDavid OyelowoCarmen EjogoOprah WinfreyA chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.9.2.16
David Oyelowo plays Martin Luther King in the events leading up to the march in Selma. A solid and very well made historical film, plays by all the rules of the game and never turning to cynicism, but avoids the pitfalls of a bio-pic by not depicting King's childhood or his assassination, rather focusing on a limited period of time and focusing on King's personality and humanity as well as the ideals he represented. Oyelowo is fantastic, both charismatic and very human, and some good supporting performances are delivered by Carmen Ejogo as his wife, Tim Roth as Alabama governor George Wallace, and Tom Wilkinson is excellent as LBJ, while Oprah delivers a pretty pointless cameo. Cinematography, editing and production design are straightforward but excellent. - DirectorJohn CrowleyStarsSaoirse RonanEmory CohenDomhnall GleesonAn Irish immigrant lands in 1950s Brooklyn, where she quickly falls into a romance with a local. When her past catches up with her, however, she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within.24.2.16
Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) gets an offer to come to America and work at a store. At first she's homesick and is having a hard time fitting in, but she begins to feel better when she falls in love with Tony (Emory Cohen). However when Eilis's sister dies, she goes to her mother in Ireland, and the mother tries manipulating her into staying, including fixing her up with local boy Jim (Domhnall Gleeson). Eventually she decides it's more important to do what's right for her and she moves back to Brooklyn. A simple, sweet story, predictable and forgettable but very well made, excellent acting from Ronan and the supporting cast, especially Julie Walters as the matriarch of the family Eilis is staying with. Beautiful cinematography and a great atmosphere. - DirectorPhil Alden RobinsonStarsRobin WilliamsMila KunisPeter DinklageA perpetually angry man is informed he has 90 minutes to live and promptly sets out to reconcile with his family and friends in the short time he has left.6.4.16
Henry (Robin Williams) is a depressed and angry lawyer, who is told by his depressed, pill-popping doctor (Mila Kunis) that he has 90 minutes to live. He runs around town trying to figure out what to do with his time, and trying to talk to his wife (Melissa Leo), son (Hamish Linklater), brother (Peter Dinklage) and childhood friend (Richard Kind), none of whom wants to talk to him. Meanwhile the doctor tries to locate him and get him to the hospital. Robin Williams is not at his best here, clearly already in a state of real depression, but some of his depressed moments are very powerful. Mila Kunis delivers a surprisingly good performance and steals the show from him. The film is predictable and doesn't go very deep but it's amusing and sad and worth a watch. - DirectorWerner HerzogStarsKlaus KinskiEva MattesWolfgang ReichmannFranz Woyzeck is a hapless, hopeless soldier, alone and powerless in society, assaulted from all sides by forces he can not control.9.5.16
Klaus Kinski is Woyzeck, a simple soldier who gets trampled on by everyone and everything in his life, including his commanding officer and his tramp of a wife (Eva Mattes). Eventually he snaps and murders his wife. A messy effort from Herzog that doesn't go anywhere and feels drawn out, a couple of scenes are very memorable (especially the murder scene which is all in slow motion) and Kinski and Mattes are both very good but the film feels drawn out. - DirectorJames PonsoldtStarsJason SegelJesse EisenbergAnna ChlumskyThe story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace, which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel, 'Infinite Jest.'11.5.16
Following several days in which a Rolling Stone journalist (Jesse Eisenberg) interviewed rising star author David Foster Wallas (Jason Segel) a few years before his suicide. I might have got more out of it if I knew more about Wallace to begin with, but I still enjoyed it plenty and I left with an urge to start reading his books, which is something. I always appreciate films that manage to say a lot about its characters with very little exposition or plot, and this one definitely did that. The screenplay is excellent, and the performance from two actors I don't usually consider very versatile or deep were a very pleasant surprise. - DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsPaul Le MatCandy ClarkBruce McGillThe interlaced stories of several characters in a small town united by their use of CB (citizen's band) radio.12.5.16
Several people in a small town are obsessed with amateur radio, and their stories intertwine. Spider (Paul Le Mat) is the self designated local enforcer of radio regulations, and he goes too far. His father (Roberts Blossom) is mean in real life but extremely pleasant and helpful on radio. Chrome Angel (Charles Napier) is hurt in an accident, helped by Hot Coffee (Alix Elias) and is found out to be a bigamist, and his two wives (Ann Wedgeworth and Marcia Rodd) come to a head. Ed Begley Jr. is a priest who uses the radio as a platform for his missionary work. The Hustler (Michael Mahler) is a kid who uses radio to stalk women. A trial run from a very young Jonathan Demme, Handle with Care AKA Citizens Band is an ambitious and experimental film that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't, but it's a commendable effort and when it works, it really works. There's an amateurish feel about the acting and the directorial work, but the script interweaves all the different storylines expertly and Demme does a very good job in some of the more difficult scenes. It's the kind of film where you're being forced to focus on what's going on and who's who rather than real character development, but it's fun and witty and a good little filmmaking exercise. - DirectorBennett MillerStarsTimothy 'Speed' LevitchTimothy "Speed" Levitch, an eccentric New York City tour bus guide, takes tourists around the island of Manhattan and shares an archive of beautifully distorted information about the city.12.5.16
A documentary about NYC bus tour guide Tim Levitch, who shares his daily routine, his love for the city and his life philosophy. I would have never even bothered with this one if it wasn't for Edward Norton listing it as his favorite film of all time so thank you, Ed. Directorial debut of Bennett Miller (Foxcatcher, Capote, Moneyball), it shows Miller's fascination with real life and the human condition in the very humble and simple documentary about a person society would normally glance over and look the other way, but who's remarkably happy with his choices in life and with his philosophy. This little documentary is sincere, very human and gorgeously shot in black and white, including some very haunting shots of the World Trade Center towers. - DirectorDavid ZuckerStarsLeslie NielsenPriscilla PresleyO.J. SimpsonIncompetent police Detective Frank Drebin must foil an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.13.5.16
Police officer Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) thwarts a plot to assassinate Queen Elizabeth who's visiting town, while trying to clear the name of his partner (OJ Simpson) and being seduced by Priscilla Presley, who works for the bad guys but ends up falling for him. This is technically a rewatch but it's been so long since I saw it last that it hardly counts. The Zucker Brothers are no Mel Brooks or Monty Python but in this day of Friedberg and Seltzer, more than ever, we should appreciate the Zuckers and their simple but fun and witty approach to parody. The Naked Gun and its sequels take cheap shots at genre conventions and combine these with a lot of slapstick, but they do it so well and precisely that it's impossible not to enjoy them. It's not particularly inventive, but it's so, so funny, and it's the only place after Airplane! where Leslie Nielsen's deadpan shtick really worked. - DirectorLawrence KasdanStarsTom BerengerGlenn CloseJeff GoldblumA group of seven former college friends gather for a weekend reunion at a South Carolina vacation home after the funeral of another of their college friends.14.5.16
Following a friend's suicide and funeral, a group of old friends spend the weekend together in one house, and a lot of old skeletons and demons are revealed. What can I say? I'm a sucker for this genre. Take a small, tight-knit groups of extremely talented actors, put them in a small space together, and let things roll. Let the viewer figure out who's who, what their histories are, who slept together and who's the black sheep. William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, Meg Tilly, JoBeth Williams and Mary Kay Place are all so good and so damn young, it's just a pleasure to behold, their dynamic is great and the script is top notch. I recommend watching this as a double feature with the British counterpart, Peter's Friends. - DirectorJim AbrahamsDavid ZuckerJerry ZuckerStarsVal KilmerOmar SharifJeremy KempAn American rock and roll singer is invited to a cultural festival in East Germany in order to distract from a plot to destroy NATO submarines, but he accidentally becomes involved in a resistance plot to rescue an imprisoned scientist.28.5.16
Val Kilmer is a teenage heartthrob singer is invited to perform in East Germany and is drawn into an espionage thriller. A lackluster parody of Elvis Presley movies, Kilmer is charismatic enough to keep the whole thing together and there are some good visual gags in best Abrahams, Zucker & Zucker tradition but it's not enough. The film just isn't funny and it feels like it drags on forever. - DirectorFielder CookStarsRobin WilliamsRichard B. ShullDavid BickfordTommy Wilhelm is a good honest man who's fallen on hard times after losing his job, but what really gets to Tommy is seeing both his friends and family turning their backs on him one after the other. He tries to seize the day - in vain.25.6.16
Robin Williams in a rare straight dramatic performance is Tommy Wilhelm, an aspiring actor and salesman in reality, who lost his job, his relationship with Olive (Glenne Headly) is on the rocks and his separated wife is bleeding him for everything he has while denying a divorce. His father (Joseph Wiseman) is reluctant to help him out and he turns to eccentric quack Dr. Tamkin (Jerry Stiller) who talks him into risking everything he has on the stock market. Good dialog and excellent acting by Williams and Stiller generally distract from the uninspired directing and poor, theatrical acting by the rest of the cast. Williams delivers a heart-felt and genuine performance in one of his few completely straight roles. - DirectorJonathan LiebesmanStarsMegan FoxWill ArnettWilliam FichtnerWhen a kingpin threatens New York City, a group of mutated turtle warriors must emerge from the shadows to protect their home.26.6.16
The Ninja Turtles emerge from the sewers after April O'Neil inadvertently reveals their existence to Shredder's number two (William Fichtner), and they must fight the Foot Clan who are terrorizing New York. Better than expected, the story is pretty dull but it serves as a fun introduction to the characters, and the action scenes are better directed than most Michael Bay affair and don't rely heavily on shaky cam. Megan Fox is a poor choice as April though, and Will Arnett is completely unnecessary as her sidekick Vern; Shredder is a dull non-character and Fichtner serves for a more interesting villain, while Shredder serves nothing but action. The dialog is good and the turtles are well constructed, though the effects aren't good enough and the design doesn't have the charm of the 1990 version. - DirectorArthur BormanStarsMichael RileyStephen RappaportTamara MelloA documentary on the making of a big budget Bible picture. This is a spoof that shows the inside action on a film set where everything that could possibly go wrong goes wrong3.7.16
Michael Riley and Stephen Rappaport are a B-movie and softcore porn production team trying to make a biblical opus; of course everything goes wrong. A cheap imitation of Christopher Guest mockumentaries, it has a few funny moments but the humor is low and uninspired. Some jabs at religion don't really make any significant point and the film doesn't make any statement. - DirectorDavid BreashearsStephen JudsonGreg MacGillivrayStarsLiam NeesonLhakpa DorjiDorje SherpaAn international team of climbers ascends Mt. Everest in the spring of 1996. The film depicts their lengthy preparations for the climb, their trek to the summit, and their successful return to Base Camp. It also shows many of the challenges the group faced, including avalanches, lack of oxygen, treacherous ice walls, and a deadly blizzard.10.7.16
Documenting a team of climbers on the Everest. Beautiful cinematography but a dull documentary, that was created solely for Imax and just isn't very interesting without it. - DirectorJay RoachStarsBryan CranstonDiane LaneHelen MirrenIn 1947, Dalton Trumbo was Hollywood's top screenwriter, until he and other artists were jailed and blacklisted for their political beliefs.13.7.16
Bryan Cranston plays Dalton Trumbo, celebrated screenwriter who was also a communist and one of the biggest targets of the witch hunt trial. A biopic that plays by all the rules, and doesn't really take any chances with directorial work or pacing, but Cranston does a terrific job and the film works as a solid period drama. Other standout performances by Michael Stuhlbarg as Edward G. Robinson, Diane Lane as Trumbo's wife, Elle Fanning as his daughter, Helen Mirren as a gossip columnist who brought down a lot of suspected communists, John Goodman as a studio head, and Louis C.K. as a fictional writer and Trumbo's close friend. - DirectorRoger AvaryStarsJames Van Der BeekIan SomerhalderShannyn SossamonThe incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate.14.7.16
Sean Bateman (James Van Der Beek) is a spoiled, sociopath and manipulative college student who falls for innocent virgin Lauren (Shannyn Sossamon) and is being obsessed over by bi-sexual Paul (Ian Somerhalder). A highly disturbing drama with dark comedy undertones about a bunch of self-centered, spoiled and vapid rich kids, with excellent fast-paced editing that is both entertaining and gimmicky, in early Tarantino tradition. The script is strong and atmosphere is dark and unsettling, and performances are mostly solid, especially from Sossamon. The film is notable for several disturbing and uncomfortable sex scenes, as well as one of the most realistic and harrowing suicide scenes ever made. - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroSharon StoneJoe PesciIn Las Vegas, two best friends - a casino executive and a mafia enforcer - compete for a gambling empire and a fast-living, fast-loving socialite.15.7.16
Ace (Robert De Niro), a no-nonsense casino manager, and Nicky (Joe Pesci), a violent mobster, are childhood friends, but their criminal life tears them apart, as does Ginger (Sharon Stone), Ace's wife, who's also a junkie hustler who's still working with her old lover/partner (James Woods). An impressive epic with fantastic cinematography and editing, in best Scorsese tradition, but it doesn't rank with one of his best, especially because of overused and uninspired narration throughout. All three leads are fantastic but the narration stops character development short.