NO ESCAPE (2015)
This is a film that I basically liked and felt that it presented a situation that is becoming all too familiar when you have to travel to certain parts of our world today. Owen Wilson, in a rare dramatic turn, does an excellent job as a husband presented with an unimaginable situation and doing the best he can in dealing with it. I often thought while viewing this film, if I myself would have acted any differently given the circumstances and that is a very good sign of a sto
AMERICAN ULTRA (2015)
A very interesting story that again unravels because of an over abuse of violence that tries to move the story along to the overall detriment of the film. This picture has a compelling cast headed by the always interesting Kristen Stewart, Jesse Eisenberg and Connie Britton (an American National Treasure if ever there was one). However, the filmmakers have resorted to an over abundance of extremely violent sequences which lend the film a kind of comic book quality, which I’m
HITMAN-AGENT 47 (2015)
This is a film with an excellent cast and a compelling story that unfortunately falls into the category of just being too violent for its’ own good sake. Basically a story delving into the science fiction genre, it self implodes because of an over abuse of CGI (computer graphics imagery) and lack of imagination. When the filmmakers have to pander to the lowest common demoninator despite an excellent cast and to the detriment of the story they fail in their efforts in good sto
THE MAN FROM UNCLE (2015)
This film based on the TV series of the same name is quite well done as anything directed by Guy Ritchie usually is. Though perhaps not as good as it might have been, I still enjoyed it with it’s beautiful locations and a compelling cast lead by Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Debicki. A good popcorn film if ever there was one.
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (2015)
This film directed by F. Gary Gray detailing the back story of the rap group N.W.A. which encompassed the artists Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Easy-E, DJ Yella, MC Ren and D.O.C. It is compelling story telling and opens up to many of us a life that is simply foreign to too many Americans. Though I felt that at 147 minutes this film could have been shaved by about 30 minutes, it never the less has some very fine performances namely by O’Shea Jackson Jr. who is playing his own father Ice
RICKI AND THE FLASH (2015)
Jonathan Demme’s film from a script by Diablo Cody (JUNO) is a wholly satisfying film experience in large part due to excellent writing and outstanding film performances particularly from Meryl Streep (Ricki Randazzo) and Mamie Gummer (Julie Brummel) both of should be nominated for Academy Awards. Ms. Streep learned to play the electric guitar for this film and plays as if she’d been doing it her whole life and sings all the songs live, not pre-recorded for the film. The char
THE GIFT (2015)
This most compelling film which was directed, written and starred in by the very talented Joel Edgerton is not what you are led to believe by viewing the previews, which is a relief. It isn’t easy to fool me but this film did, with expert and finely tuned performances also delivered by Rebecca Hall and Jason Bateman.