The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 Review

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Donald Sutherland, Natalie Dormer, Sam Claflin

The epic franchise of The Hunger Games concludes this fall with Mockingjay- Part 2. The choice to split the last book of the YA fiction series is debated, but I think it paid off in the end. Many people consider Mockingjay to be the worst book in the series. I disagreed, and thought it was the best. It's fitting that I feel that the final film is undoubtedly the best of the four films. I was not a huge fan of the first part released last year, for the same reason many hate the book. It had no action, and felt like a cop out that was solely setting up the finale. I was rewarded with this incredible movie. I saw this film at Universal Studios Orlando, in an AMC IMAX theater. Maybe the IMAX contributed to my reaction, but I think it's outstanding, and is worth your time.

I think all of the actors are at their peak in the franchise in this movie. Jennifer Lawrence has never been better as Katniss Everdeen. She perfectly plays the tragic heroine written by Suzanne Collins. She's completely grown as a character since The Hunger Games in 2012, and that is completely because of Lawrence's knowledge of the character, and her ability to create an emotional bond with the characters and audience. Katniss is the "Mockingjay" of the rebellion against the wicked Capitol, and she symbolizes how certain figures are simply thrust into leadership. She owns the movie, but she's willing to give some scenes to Donald Sutherland, who expertly plays the villainous President Snow. Snow has also changed in the course of the series. He's weakening as his country has now fully turned against him. While Snow is weakening, President Coin (Moore), the leader of the revolution is stronger than ever. Lawrence and Moore have a very nuanced conflict that reveals itself in the film's third act. Readers of the book know exactly what I mean, but if you haven't, it comes as a complete shock. But the seeds are sewn early on. Coin wants control when Snow is killed, and Katniss is starting to see that ushering in a new government might not give everyone freedom. After all this time, she still doesn't feel any closer to being free. It's also noted that Hutcherson, Harrelson, and Dormer also give great performances. Hutcherson in particular finally made Peeta a mature character in my opinion. He has an arc, and has been forced to grow up.

In IMAX, this film was amazing. The sound completely surrounds you, and the pictures look crystal clear. The director includes many face shots. There is often a scene that is just Katniss' face, or Snow's face. There's even a nice shot of Effie as she says farewell to Katniss. The camera focuses on her facial expressions, and it has stuck with me days after. The only issue I had with the movie was the ending. I know from the book that there is an epilogue, and the movie used it as its closing shots. I just felt like there were a number of places it could have ended. I felt like it was over, only to be surprised with another shot. This made the film's ending 20 minutes drag on and on for me.

 I also have to address Philip Seymour Hoffman. This is his last film, and he was digitally inserted into the film's final scenes as he died tragically before it could be completed. Hoffman was such an incredible actor. In this movie, he has less of a role than he did in the two previous ones, but he nails his scenes. The last shot of him, showing him simply smiling at what Katniss chooses in the end, says a lot. Hoffman truly is a tragic loss to film, and I encourage you to watch his earlier movies.

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Spectre Review

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes

Spectre marks Daniel Craig's fourth appearance as Agent 007, in one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. James Bond has always been able to get a good amount of interest, but now the stakes are even higher. Skyfall is an incredible act to follow. The 2012 Bond outing made over $1 billion worldwide, produced a hit single from Adele, and won an Oscar. Skyfall was so different from any James Bond movie before it, and reinvigorated an aging franchise. Now there's a new villain, and a new M, and Spectre has a lot to live up to. I can soundly assure you that if you're a 007 fan, this movie will satisfy all of your needs. It doesn't take many, if any, of the risks that Skyfall took. It instead is set up like a classic Bond espionage thriller, that reminds one of the Connery films.

Spectre is about James Bond attempting to find a criminal organization of the same name. After he's put on house arrest, he skips town and goes rogue to try and find and put a stop to the massive corrupt organization that is trying to take over the world. It's classic Bond. You may recall that Skyfall didn't really have a Bond girl. The one they teased in the trailers ended up being killed almost instantly in a twist, and the other one ended up being Eve Moneypenny, Bond's sidekick that had yet to appear in Craig's films. Spectre has a couple of sex scenes for Bond, but Madeleine Swann (Seydoux) definitely makes an impression as the definitive Bond girl of the film. She is a sexist trope at times, but she's also able to transcend that fight with the guys. The villain is Christoph Waltz, who is always amazing. I can't spoil his character, but if you're a fan you'll see it coming. Waltz is unlike the Bond villains of recent films. He's solely a malevolent force, and nothing more. This truly channels the campy old movies, but connects it with the new. He's not a fleshed out character at all, but he's still very dark.

Here's what I don't like about Spectre. There isn't much, I really enjoyed this movie. First, it is far too long. I can't say that I hate long movies, I've sat through a couple that I truly believe could not be shortened. But Spectre could have been 30 minutes shorter, and it would have made the movie seem more compact. Early scenes seem forced and unneeded when the final plans of Waltz's villain are revealed. And it takes away from the really good scenes. I also criticize the Bond franchise for not doing more with the leaps and bounds that Skyfall achieved. Skyfall truly crossed over into a new medium, and I wish Spectre continued with that momentum.

 I do admire director Sam Mendes attempt at making a classic Bond film, but I think audiences my age will not enjoy it. The sexism and cookie-cutter bad guys are fun for the old fans and the cinephiles, but I have a hard time believing Spectre will do nearly as well as Skyfall. Look at the box-office, and you can see it opened millions below, and isn't even faring well overseas. It's a shame, because it is a nice and entertaining film. I just don't think audiences will be talking about it for long.

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Bridge of Spies Review

Starring: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Amy Ryan, Alan Alda

Two-time Oscar winner Steven Spielberg (Schindler's List, Saving Private Ryan), directs two-time Oscar winner  Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump) in a historical drama written by two-time Academy Award winners Joel & Ethan Coen (Fargo, No Country for Old Men). Is there any possibility of that being the setup for a bad, or even mediocre movie? Bridge of Spies certainly has the talent behind it, and everyone succeeds. The untold true story of Rudolf Abel (Rylance) is a fantastic one, and one that desperately needs to be recognized. Rudolf Abel was the name of a Russian spy seized from his home in New York. The whole country wanted to see him burn in hell, as these events took place at the height of the Red Scare and Cold War. An insurance lawyer, James Donavan (Hanks) was assigned his case. Donovan faced the hatred of his peers and the entire country to give this man the fair trial that every man deserves. In his pursuit of justice for Abel, he discovers the bigotry of America, and ends up learning more from this supposed "monster" than he thought possible. Bridge of Spies is a slow burn, but the story is one that is very important.

The best thing about this movie is undoubtedly its acting. Tom Hanks gives his usual, which is a fantastically layered performance. Hanks proves that he can do just about anything, and cements a place in my book as one of the greatest actors not just of his time, but of all time. The greatness of his acting really shines in his ability to give a scene to Mark Rylance, who plays the spy in question. Rylance is an older actor who's spent most of his career in theater, so he's a new face to most viewers. Yet he appears to steal every scene from Hanks, or is it that Hanks is giving them to him? I'll be surprised come February if Rylance doesn't win Best Supporting Actor. His performance is so nuanced. He says very little, but whenever he does, it suddenly grabs your attention, and pulls at your emotions. A fantastic screenplay by the Coen brothers really drives home Spielberg's message.

This is a shorter review, because I know people who like this type of movie will see it or have seen it, and that it's hard to convince others. If you're looking for a spy movie, this is not James Bond. This is the real deal. If you enjoy historical dramas, this is deeply rooted in fact. Also, I was surprised at how much Bridge of Spies delves into German history with the Berlin Wall construction, as well as a lot about nationalism and what makes us all Americans. The one flaw of Bridge of Spies is its terribly slow pacing. While it's not one of Spielberg's best movies, there's no doubt it's a great movie.

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The Martian Review

Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor

There's been an attempt at a space movie every fall since 2013. Gravity succeeded immensely, winning the most Oscars, and garnering the most critical acclaim out of any movie released that year. It also made a ridiculous amount of money and held up well for many weeks. Last year's Interstellar tried to copy that success and flopped. It was still financially successful (and not terrible, in my opinion) but came nowhere close. This year, The Martian, starring Matt Damon as an astronaut left by his crew on Mars, attempts the same feat. I saw it three weeks into its run, so I can tell you it has succeeded. It opened with about the same amount of money as Gravity, and has a 93% average on RottenTomatoes. It doesn't quite have the same awards traction, but it is very deserving. The Martian is one of my favorite movies of the year so far, and there are a number of reasons why.

First, viewers be warned: this is a horribly long movie. It seems to go on forever, and it's at times very slow. But never once, is it ever boring. It's incredibly hard to pull this off when your subject is one guy talking to himself alone on a deserted planet. Somehow, the movie does pull it off. I found myself more fascinated with the scenes without Mark Watney (Damon), instead focusing on what was happening at NASA's mission control, and with the rest of his crew. Watney, a botanist growing potatoes with his own feces is an incredibly interesting storyline, but the inner workings of NASA interested me more. There is a huge ensemble cast, and they all give really good work. Chiwetel Ejiofor, who you might remember from 2013's Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave is very good in a key supporting role. And Kristen Wiig gives a performance that surprisingly lacks any sort of comedy. Jeff Daniels is also a standout. The real kudos go to Jessica Chastain and Matt Damon. Damon gives one of his best performances I've seen, and most of the movie falls on his shoulders. He does great. Jessica Chastain proves she can hold her own, and probably is the strongest character in the movie. She's the Commander living with the guilt that she left one of her men behind, and she expertly displays these emotions. It's not as showy as her nominated roles in The Help and Zero Dark Thirty, but in a movie that could go in a number of directions, she grounds it.

Besides the acting, the movie also has some great technical features, and a really amazing script. The script is probably the strongest part about the movie. Matt Damon has some really amazing lines, that mix a lot of comedy into the movie. You'll laugh a loud more than you expect. I've never read the book upon which this film is based, but I've heard it's a very faithful adaptation. It blends just the right amount of science with action. It's neither too reliant on science nobody understands (which Interstellar suffered from), or too reliant on explosions. There is both, and they blend pretty well. For the most part, I understood the science, which means that it is pretty simple to understand. I saw The Martian in 3D, and it definitely elevated the experience, but I wouldn't say it's necessary. It didn't do anything new with the technology, it just made some of the scenery really stand out. The directing is also strong. If you know the director Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Thelma & Louise, Alien, Black Hawk Down), you might also know he's having a bit of a dry spell after his early success. This movie definitely puts him back on the map, and proves he's still got it.

I recommend The Martian because it has something for everybody. If you like action, there is a good amount of action. If you like great acting, you get a lot of solid performances. If you like science and science fiction there is a little of both. But most of all, The Martian is just a movie that tries a lot, and all of it works. Throughout the movie's long duration, I was always on the edge of my seat. It's just a fascinating story about the will to survive, and one that is executed perfectly. I haven't given five stars to a movie I can really get behind in a long while. This movie deserves it.

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Black Mass Review

Starring: Johnny Depp, Joel Edgerton, Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Jesse Plemmons

It's been a rough stretch for  Johnny Depp fans. Johnny Depp has become a bit of a parody of himself, taking on ludicrous roles seen in Mortdecai, Alice in Wonderland, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. While I loved him in the first Pirates of the Caribbean, that role has become a joke that is simply no longer funny. For those who have hoped Depp would one day come back, your wait is over. Johnny Depp turns in possibly his best performance ever as gangster Whitey Bulger in Black Mass. Unrecognizable, Johnny Depp is able to bring to life the fantastic true story of Bulger and how he avoided the FBI. I'd love to say the movie is as good as Depp's performance, but I'm afraid it sinks about halfway through. The writing falls a little flat and the story feels lagging. Depp never falters in his terrifying portrayal of the criminal mastermind known as the most dangerous mobster in American history.

The story of Whitey Bulger (without spoiling) goes like this. Bulger ran the Winter Hill gang, a mob that terrorized a part of Boston. Bulger became an informant to the FBI in order to give information on the rival gangs and claim Boston, and ultimately Massachusetts as his own. His brother, played by an always excellent Benedict Cumberbatch, was State Senate, and his childhood friend was his liaison into the FBI. Both protected him and granted him immunity. And back then, nobody had a problem with it as long as some criminals were going behind bars. The story is one of the things I thought would work the best in film form. However, I think the story weighed the movie down. Johnny Depp is doing his own thing and that's great. But whenever he and Joel Edgerton are not onscreen, the movie feels 75% slower. There is so much exposition in each scene, the middle feels like a tedious activity. I believe that is because the writers wrote the movie around Depp's Whitey Bulger, so whenever he isn't there it just doesn't work.

The acting here is really great across the board. Joel Edgerton is the supporting actor with the best scenes. He nails every line he delivers. I've seen him in some good, but not great, roles in the past, and I hope Black Mass can help get him the parts he deserves. Benedict Cumberbatch is always good, and I was surprised by his ability to play someone other than a lost genius (i.e. Sherlock, The Imitation Game, every other role) and I enjoyed his character. Kevin Bacon is also good as the FBI head trying to nail Bulger.  However, it is Depp's movie. While I said the story brought the movie down, the dialogue is incredible. Johnny Depp has some scenes where he just disappears into this horrible monster. The complexity of his character's decision to inform the FBI is brilliantly displayed. Bulger becomes the rat, who is the type of man he's killed so many times. He's actually chilling to watch. I had to keep reminding myself this is Captain Jack Sparrow. It's truly a magnificent role.

While I think Black Mass is a good movie, I don't think it nearly reaches its full potential. Mob movies have set a pretty high bar with Goodfellas and The Departed, and Black Mass can't quite reach those heights. Both films had great ensemble casts, and that's where Black Mass stops. It doesn't have the story to really propel it into the next level. That being said, if you're a Johnny Depp fan, you really have to see this movie to believe it. There's an Oscar nomination, and possible win on the way.

Rating: 3.5/5

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Review

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Alec Baldwin

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is the fifth film in a long series. I haven't seen all of the films in the series, but this is the best from what I've seen. Rogue Nation is just such an excellent action movie, presented with absolute perfection. There was a lot of media attention over the plane scene (pictured above). Guess what? That is the opening, before the credits even roll! Most of what was shown in the theater was completely new material not shown in the trailers. The exhilaration begins in minute one and it never goes away.  If you've lost faith in Tom Cruise, he definitely brings his A-game, and proves he can hold his own as a movie star. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is just such a fun movie, but it's also very well made. I just can't say enough positive things about this movie.

From the opening with the plane, to the final frame, this movie never slows down. Tom Cruise and his team are known for doing their own stunts, and I think it makes the movie seem more believable. And it's hard to make people hanging off of planes and engaging in motorcycle chases in busy cities seem like a believable occurrence. But the strength isn't just in the action sequences. The acting is also very good. Tom Cruise brings a lot to this franchise, and he doesn't disappoint here. He's 53 years old, and somehow I still buy him as an action movie star, so he must be doing something right. While Cruise is the headliner, he is supported by an incredible cast. This might be one of the best supporting casts in an action movie that I can recall. Jeremy Renner and Simon Pegg reprise their roles as part of Ethan Hunt's team, and Ving Rhames returns for a fifth time in his iconic role. Newcomer Rebecca Ferguson holds her own as the double (or triple?) agent playing both sides. I completely bought into her performance, and I never truly knew what side she was on or what she would do next. Alec Baldwin also brings a lot to the movie as the stereotypical government official trying to shut down the spies, except he actually breaks the stereotype! His scenes arguing with Jeremy Renner are some of my favorites. And finally, the villain. Every spy movie needs a great villain. Solomon Lane, played brilliantly by Sean Harris is the perfect villain. His voice is eerie, and his demeanor frightening.

The real success of Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is its ability to capitalize on one of the most popular themes right now: the idea of an evil corporation within the "good guys". Yes, Rogue Nation is about "The Syndicate", a chapter of Britain's MI6 who went rogue and became terrorists. We've seen this kind of story numerous times before, most recently with Captain America: The Winter Soldier with S.H.I.E.L.D. being compromised by Hydra. And later this year, we'll see S.P.E.C.T.R.E take over MI6 in the newest James Bond film Spectre. These all are good (or expected to be good) examples, but believe me, it's been done in bad movies too. Rogue Nation makes the idea seem new. And for a franchise that basically repeats the same scenes over and over, like the "This message will self destruct", the movie is remarkably able to feel like a breath of fresh air in a summer filled with by-the-numbers action movies. This is one of my favorite movies of the year, I hope you check it out!

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Trainwreck Review

Starring: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton, John Cena, LeBron James

Amy Schumer's had a pretty solid year so far. Last year, she was known only by the diehard fans of her little-known comedy sketch series Inside Amy Schumer on Comedy Central. Early this year, she got the MTV Movie Awards hosting gig, and then the third series of her show became one of the most talked about shows on television. The sketches went viral, she got celebrity guest stars, and she got an Emmy nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy this summer. Her rise to fame is one of the most interesting ones I've seen. Her drive to market herself and her brand of comedy is one that deserves recognition. But can she pull off a movie? Trainwreck stars Schumer as Amy Townshend, a writer for a men's magazine in NYC who drinks, smokes, and has many one night stands even though she has a boyfriend. She begins to have a relationship with a surgeon she's writing about, and starts to fall apart as she realizes she's changing and leaving behind her carefree nature. Trainwreck is directed by Judd Apatow (The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Bridesmaids) and is written by Schumer herself. Trainwreck is a great spin on the classic comedy/romance, and is expertly crafted.

Yes, that's right. Trainwreck is anything but an actual trainwreck. I've seen a lot of comedies, and after a little while they all start blending together (I'm talking about you, Adam Sandler), and Schumer and Apatow have created a comedy that switches everything upside down. The woman, Amy, acts like the stereotypical man. She drinks heavily, only cares about casual sex, and doesn't want to be tied down. What ends up being hilarious is that every male acts like a stereotypical woman in a rom-com. LeBron James waits eagerly by the phone as his friend talks to a girl, demanding a play by play. John Cena, an otherwise scary looking guy, is instead a sensitive, loving man who just wants to be romantic. Both of them were my favorite parts of the movie besides Schumer. Amy meets Dr. Aaron Conners, and falls in love. Except she can't handle monogamy. She begins a course of self-destruction that is sometimes sad and hard to laugh at, but is very endearing in the end. Trainwreck is surprisingly serious. For about 30 minutes it is actually very, very sad. In the end, Amy Schumer is able to prove she stands out as a talented writer whose expert timing shows in this film.

Viewers beware: Trainwreck is incredibly awkward. While it's hilarious and I laughed alot, it is very raunchy and sometimes it doesn't always work. Very often she goes into territory that is meant to shock, and it detracts from the movie. If you've ever seen Schumer's TV show, this is an uncensored version where she can dish out whatever she wants. It's also good to keep in mind that this is a movie written by, produced, and starring Amy Schumer. So if you're not a fan of her or her brand of comedy, you're probably not going to enjoy Trainwreck. I'm a fan and I really liked it. I hope you'll check it out before it leaves!

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