Hail, Caesar! - Fun escapades of Hollywood Golden Age.
So you have the expected Coen alumni mixing with some big name talents to bring out a wacky satire of the old big studio days. The joy and fun part of the film is watching everyone overacting to reflect the stiff and pretentious form of performances coming from that period. As if everyone dials up to 11, sadly the film lacks focus in the plotline. Basically, you ask yourself at the end..."It's that it?????". The silver lining is discovering Alden Ehrenreich, who in my opinion could be the next big thing and able to do a Coen's character justice.

Under the Shadow - A pretty watchable adult drama/horror flick.

As a horror movie, it's not breaking any new ground. Story wise it shows a side of Iran that we've not seen before. Performance and film direction on point to tell a somewhat decent horror flick. Tonally it reminds me of a slower Babadook that plays with maternal angst in dealing with their kid/children. So the slow burn treatment justifying whether it's happening in her mind or not. Can't help it to feel it didn't end the movie clean enough for me. If The Witch is your kind of thing, no harm to give this a watch. It's on US Netflix right now.

Hell or Highwater - That hidden gem amidst the mindless blockbusters.

The star of the film is the shining script of Taylor Sheridan. It's the delicate character building balance with a burst of reality violence. Jeff Bridges and Ben Forster got totally lost in their roles while Chris Pine foregoing the blockbuster leading man status to narrate a reimagining of a western movie in the modern era. It's not just a straight crime caper but also an effective social commentary on the less fortunate falling prey to a debt dependent loop fueled by corporate banks. Instead of magnifying the pitch idea of robbing banks to avoid foreclosure on their property, it focus on the terrific character study with a satisfying story narrative. Can't wait to see where Taylor Sheridan would go next.

Loving - Expect to see more of this type of stories for the next coming 4 years.

Do not be overlooked by the melodrama nature of this type of movies. The timing and powerful performances couldn't come at a better time when the most powerful man come next year is allowing the idea of rolling time back to a period for divisiveness and discrimination. The context may be different but it doesn't mean it's irrelevant. Ruth Negga is amazing while Joel Edgerton does his continuing effort to play someone we haven't seen from him before. Nick Kroll successfully migrate to a dramatic actor given his meal ticket is comedy. Oscar race is on.
The funny thing is that a whole year of disappointing mainstream popcorn junks....the heavy hitters of Oscar movies are really abundant. Manchester by the sea, Arrival, Lalaland, Jackie, Silence, Moonlight...

The autopsy of Jane Doe - A good horror movie that does not sacrifice acting.

Beside the bland jump scare crap that in horror flicks nowaday, most of the actors just cashing in their paychecks by giving run of the mill performance. Here Brian Cox elevated the whole movie with equally strong effort from Emille Hirsch. The set-up of the first two acts are very good with each revelations tightening the tension. It has that gritty dirty look of 70's horror movies and abundant of hairy inducing scares. Like most horror movie tropes, the third act dissipate the thrill when you know the reason for what is going on. Don't bother for local movie screening cause the nudity and organ dissection scenes are very graphic.

Nocturnal Animals - A psychological thriller directed by a fashion icon.

On the surface, I was expecting a 2 hour movie masquerading as perfume commercial with lush visual cues. 10 minutes in I was literally surprised that it's a legit movie that blends stylistic choice of David Lynch and the depth of Coen brother story type. Great performances all around from the A-list celebrities with Michael Shannon doing his "best supporting role" thing and Aaron Taylor Johnson is convincing as the creepy guy who terrorizes Jake Gyllenhaal. Now Tom Ford really blinks on my radar as a film director to watch out although he is the bane of my existence. You gotta thank him when your wife or ex-girlfriend who wanted that piece of Gucci swags.

Elle - Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

Paul Verhoeven really did one of those unconventional story that challenge your perception. It's easy to call this a dark thriller but it isn't. The first 5 minutes will direct you to look at the movie in one direction like the sexual assault portion but it's much more than that. It became a character study of an unlikable lead with not just humanizing her so we can shed empathy toward her. As a matter of fact, her unlikability is the strongest attraction to keep watching how the story unfolds and there's that moment you will believe what she had done justifiable warranted. It does open up a lot of questions with no easy answers. Be warned as a Verhoeven film, it's sexual and perverse at the same time. Amazing lead actress and a great film.

La La Land - Calling it the best movie of 2016

My exposure to musical movies only extends to Grease or West Side Story. Not even fond of this genre to begin with, who cares...this one just transcend to an almost magical experience for me. The song, the choreography, the visual, the editing, the performances and the story just compliment each other beautifully. At the core of it still the same story as Whiplash but without the violent obsession to achieve your dream. This time around it took a look at the same narrative from the optimistic viewpoint. It balances out the message where there's a point you need to go all in to pursue your dream and also a point you need to pull back. No amount of writing or review can describe the joy of watching this must see film. Emma Stone quite easily the one to watch out at Oscar and no problem with this one clinching best director or best movie.

This post has been edited by 6so: Jan 4 2017, 09:51 PM

Moonlight - Powerful. La La Land you are down to #2 spot!

Screener courtesy of Jack Sparrow. Was really eager to watch this cause all the highly reputable critics (I don't mean the youtube kind) waxing lyrical poem of this freaking amazing film. It's not a misery porn or brokeback mountain clone, it's so much more than that. The formula is like Boyhood but with a proper story behind it and jaw dropping performances packaged with great cinematography. In many ways it's a coming of age archetype, but exploring topics we have seldom seen portrayed in a film before. Mahershala Ali brief appearance just cemented his ascension to the serious actor A-list club and a heartbreaking performance by Naomie Harris that question your faith in hope at all. The journey of seeing how the boy becoming the man is beautifully structured and powerfully realized. It's like watching a new auteur reinventing a wheel who just not nailed the journey payoff, but a destination that's worth the effort to reach.

Not that it's saucy or anything of that kind, just don't see the tuan-tuan at LPF willing to greenlight it to screen locally. Imagine humanizing those drug dealers in "the Wire" to tell a beautiful gay story.
Psst!!! not that I swing the other direction...the storytelling and crafting won me over with an ending that was earned and not like those freely preached in a fairy tale romance. If those don't get this movie so be ready to hear stupid rhetoric like "too gay" or would rather "watch paint dry" kinda knee-jerk response. Just a little preamble when we know that many still not that open-minded.

In a way yes...but deeper and more gratifying!

Yup my wife was drooling over him.

If you are adventurous, give Sing Street a try....guarantee will give you a giddy good feeling. It's a really nice movie that does not get enough love.

Manchester by the Sea - It's either Cassey or Denzel!
It's a misery porn that does not go full depression mode. Watch this for the performances while the story is somewhat familiar. The newcomer actor can hold his ground against Cassey Affleck which is quite unexpected in a very good way. The brief appearance and the final scene of Michelle Williams just hits like a truck. Cassey Affleck drop his mic in that one scene alone and the whole point watching this flick.

Hackshaw Ridge - He still got it!
All I can say be patient to stick through the first hour. When the boots on the ground begins, get ready to be vowed by symphony of carnage expertly orchestrated. Granted some janky cgi but the brutal battle is as good as it gonna gets. It make me realized how inadequate of Michael Bay as a film director. Mel Gibson is doing all the Bayhem signature moves that not shy of slomo, things that go kaboom, bloated patriotism and even corny boy meets girl. It's day and night who is better at engaging audience. The only criticsm I had is the first hour very by the book and very rooted in made for TV quality but all the money they had being put into the hardcore stuffs of people shooting each other. So beware of cuts when this hits local cinemas.
Edge of Seventeen - More of dramedy than comedy.
Always thought Hailee Steinfeld gonna be the next big time child actor after her impressive debut in True Grit. Here you still can see that glimpse of good acting chop in her. Her sparring with Woody Harrelson is a joy to watch while the movie on a whole still your typical coming of age story. The perky and awkward dork will charm you over with her quest to discover herself. The trailer again mislead everyone thinking this is a Seth Rogen type of sex comedy but it's more grounded with a heart that does not forego harsh reality.

Paterson - A very "zen" film.

If you are into Jim Jamursh films, there are plenty to like otherwise you will be a little lost with what the hell is going on. There's no specific plotline per say, just capturing moments to moments. The basic idea of observing day to day conversations that inspire a bus driver to write poetry. It sounds lame but Jim Jarmush makes it a rich cinematic soothing experience with enough smart humor to get things interesting. The dialogues are rich and the poetry scenes have a therapeutic quality to it. Marvin is one awesome bulldog that keep stealing scenes from Adam Driver over and over. It's a soul enriching film that you least expected. One of the best films of last year in my book.

Nope....his next project is The Irishman with no production date yet. A reunion of his heavy hitter gangster actors. Robert DeNiro, Harvey Keitel, Joe Pesci and somewhat new to the crowd...Al Pacino. On top of that another DiCaprio lead The Devil in the White City about a true life serial killer who killed his victims in his hotel.
Also a rumored script that suppose to pair DiCaprio with DeNiro.

Jackie and The Crown
Both are the same genre about royalty figures in modern history. Jackie give you perspective of the event right after JFK assassination. How she comes into playing a key role in preserving a legacy that stood before time. It's her determination to define her self worth in the reality of no longer having a safe bubble provided by her POTUS husband. So it gives you context to a fragile flower vase that more than meets the eye. It will take a while to adjust to Natalie Portman's accent and it will grow on you as you dwell deeper into her personality. I appreciate the look and feel of the movie more than the story itself.
Netflix's The Crown is the more powerful and deeper dissection on the life of the Queen. The lavish production really gives meaning to epic drama moniker. The acting and behind the scene mind games are the gripping stuffs that keep you wanted to press next episode button when the end credits fade into screen. Right now I just can't stop thinking of Claire Foy...what an amazing actress she is and basically seeing all the british actors playing high society prickish roles that are intriguing to watch. Lithgow's Churchill role is the best he's in for a long time. It may not be as hip as House of Cards but here the keyword is the classy performances with a gripping story to binge watch.

This post has been edited by 6so: Feb 7 2017, 03:10 PM

The positives about the witch is the discovery of Anya Taylor Joy and the atmospheric cinematography. As narrative goes it's very basic with not enough complexity to my taste. The Wailing is more my type of superbly crafted horror tale.

It does not mean I can not appreciate basic premise with on point execution. The Witch just did not do that for me. Maybe it's the different expectation cause I'm looking for nuances like those artsy european horror flicks. Let the right one in/Goodnight Mommy/Martyrs/etc...
The Wailing felt like a full 8 course meal while The Witch stops at the 4th dish for me personally.
I can't really say whether you will like The Wailing or not cause to each their own.
Hope A Cure For Wellness able to deliver come next week. Still dug Gore Verbinski eyes for his visual style and there's a slight chance of it being good.

This post has been edited by 6so: Feb 8 2017, 09:07 AM