This weekend there are no major releases that I am interested in seeing. I haven't watched a Resident Evil movie since the second one, the controversy behind A Dog's Purpose will keep me from seeing it and Gold just doesn't look good. Because there is nothing new to see, I will be catching up on two movies that were released last weekend, Split and xXx: Return of Xander Cage.
Split: This is the latest release from M. Night Shyamalan. Lately Shyamalan has not made very good movies, in fact I haven't seen one of his movies since Lady in the Water in 2006. I really enjoyed his earlier work, especially Signs. So far I've heard that Split is good to very good and that the twist at the end is incredible. Those two things alone have me excited to see Split. I am also looking forward to James McAvoy's performance. In the trailers he looks absolutely stunning. I am also looking forward to seeing Anya Taylor-Joy (The Witch) and Haley Lu Richardson (The Edge of Seventeen).
xXx: Return of Xander Cage: My expectations for this one are extremely low. The only reason I am going to see this is for its mindless action sequence. I don't remember anything that happened in the previous two xXx movies but I have feeling that won't affect what happens in this movie. The one thing I actually am looking forward to is seeing Donnie Yen in another movie. He was one of my favorite parts of Rogue One. I am basically going into this movie expecting to laugh at how ridiculous the action is.
Saturday, January 28, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
Weekend Expectations: Jan 13-16
For this weeks Weekend Expectations I am picking four movies even though I technically will only see two during the weekend. I hope to see Patriots Day and Live by Night early next week so I decided to include them.
Elle
Elle is one of those movies where I don't know too much about. What I do know is that it has won a few Best Foreign Language Film awards, including last week at the Golden Globes. Also at the Golden Globes, actress Isabelle Huppert won Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. It also has appeared on numerous best films of 2016 lists. Given all those accolades you would assume that my expectations should be high, but I have also heard there is a little bit of controversy with Elle. I don't know the entire details of the controversy but I will look into it once I have seen the movie. Because of this, I will have moderate expectations for Elle.
Jackie
Jackie is another movie where I have heard tons of good things about it. I have heard it is beautiful to look at and that Natalie Portman gives a great performance. But I have also heard some negative things saying it doesn't live up to peoples expectations. Just like my expectations for Elle, I have moderate expectations for Jackie.
Patriots Day
I'm not sure what to think of Patriots Day. The cast looks spectacular, it has Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon and one of my favorite actresses Michelle Monaghan. Most of the reviews I have seen for Patriots Day have been very, very good. I'm not sure how I feel about having a film already being made about such a tragic event that happened only three plus years ago. Given director Peter Berg's recent filmography, Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon, I know that this movie will be emotional, graphic and extremely patriotic. Lone Survivor exceeded expectations but Deepwater Horizon was a bit of a disappointment for me. I should probably have high expectations for this one, but I am once again going in with moderate expectations.
Live by Night
Oh look, another movie directed by Ben Affleck. I really enjoyed Gone Baby Gone and Argo, but don't really remember anything about The Town. Reviews for Live by Night have been pretty bad and the trailers haven't really impressed me. Given those two factors, my expectations for Live by Night are pretty low.
Elle
Elle is one of those movies where I don't know too much about. What I do know is that it has won a few Best Foreign Language Film awards, including last week at the Golden Globes. Also at the Golden Globes, actress Isabelle Huppert won Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. It also has appeared on numerous best films of 2016 lists. Given all those accolades you would assume that my expectations should be high, but I have also heard there is a little bit of controversy with Elle. I don't know the entire details of the controversy but I will look into it once I have seen the movie. Because of this, I will have moderate expectations for Elle.
Jackie
Jackie is another movie where I have heard tons of good things about it. I have heard it is beautiful to look at and that Natalie Portman gives a great performance. But I have also heard some negative things saying it doesn't live up to peoples expectations. Just like my expectations for Elle, I have moderate expectations for Jackie.
Patriots Day
I'm not sure what to think of Patriots Day. The cast looks spectacular, it has Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon and one of my favorite actresses Michelle Monaghan. Most of the reviews I have seen for Patriots Day have been very, very good. I'm not sure how I feel about having a film already being made about such a tragic event that happened only three plus years ago. Given director Peter Berg's recent filmography, Lone Survivor and Deepwater Horizon, I know that this movie will be emotional, graphic and extremely patriotic. Lone Survivor exceeded expectations but Deepwater Horizon was a bit of a disappointment for me. I should probably have high expectations for this one, but I am once again going in with moderate expectations.
Live by Night
Oh look, another movie directed by Ben Affleck. I really enjoyed Gone Baby Gone and Argo, but don't really remember anything about The Town. Reviews for Live by Night have been pretty bad and the trailers haven't really impressed me. Given those two factors, my expectations for Live by Night are pretty low.
A Monster Calls Review
A Monster Calls is a movie based on a book by the same name and is about a young boy named Conor (Lewis MacDougal) whose mother (Felicity Jones) is terminally ill. Conor has a vivid imagination and spends a lot of his time drawing. One night while drawing, a tree (voiced by Liam Neeson) in the cemetery near his house comes alive and tells Connor he will visit him each night and tell him a story and on the fourth night, Connor must tell the tree a true story. Other characters in the movie are Conor's grandmother (Sigourney Weaver) and his father (Toby Kebbell).
The first thing one must know about A Monster Calls is that it is extremely emotional, as one would expect when one of the main characters is terminally ill. This is one of the few movies that has got me to cry "ugly" tears. You know, the type of crying where it is hard to breath cause your throat is dry and swelling and tears are running down your face non-stop. This also isn't a movie where just the ending is emotional, there are multiple moments throughout the movie where I was in tears.
Another thing that must be known is how visually stunning this movie is. The tree monster effects are great and you feel like he is actually interacting with Conor in real life. Also when the tree monster is telling Conor the stories, the movie changes to this watercolor animation that beautifully shows these stories. I also found the set design to be fantastic, especially when Conor was with the tree monster in the cemetery. If you have seen the trailer, you would have seen these scenes where the ground in the cemetery is collapsing as well as the church there. I just loved the way these scenes looked.
I found the performances in this movie to be great. Lewis MacDougal does a wonderful job as Conor. During most of the movie Lewis must act along side a tree monster that is obviously not on set with him and he does a great job of convincing you that the monster is actually there. I can't imagine how hard it would to cry and yell at something that you can't actually see and Lewis does this in spectacular fashion. Felicity Jones is stunning as Conor's mother. Throughout the movie her character gets worse and worse and Felicity does a great job both physically and emotionally portraying those various stages. Initially you would think Sigourney Weaver's character would just be the evil grandmother, but Sigourney also brings this heartbreak to the character since it is her daughter that is dealing with this illness.
If I had to pick something I didn't like about A Monster Calls, it would have to be that there are a few things that Conor does that go unpunished and it kind of takes you out of the film. I found myself having a hard time believing that if someone were to actually do the things he does that they would not get a way with it. In the movie he just gets away with it because people know that he is going through a rough time with his mom.
I found A Monster Calls to be a beautiful movie. It is emotionally intense, looks fantastic and is wonderfully acted. A Monster Calls need to be seen and should be seen on the big screen, just remember to bring the kleenex.
4 out of 5 Stars
Expectations met? YES!
The first thing one must know about A Monster Calls is that it is extremely emotional, as one would expect when one of the main characters is terminally ill. This is one of the few movies that has got me to cry "ugly" tears. You know, the type of crying where it is hard to breath cause your throat is dry and swelling and tears are running down your face non-stop. This also isn't a movie where just the ending is emotional, there are multiple moments throughout the movie where I was in tears.
Another thing that must be known is how visually stunning this movie is. The tree monster effects are great and you feel like he is actually interacting with Conor in real life. Also when the tree monster is telling Conor the stories, the movie changes to this watercolor animation that beautifully shows these stories. I also found the set design to be fantastic, especially when Conor was with the tree monster in the cemetery. If you have seen the trailer, you would have seen these scenes where the ground in the cemetery is collapsing as well as the church there. I just loved the way these scenes looked.
I found the performances in this movie to be great. Lewis MacDougal does a wonderful job as Conor. During most of the movie Lewis must act along side a tree monster that is obviously not on set with him and he does a great job of convincing you that the monster is actually there. I can't imagine how hard it would to cry and yell at something that you can't actually see and Lewis does this in spectacular fashion. Felicity Jones is stunning as Conor's mother. Throughout the movie her character gets worse and worse and Felicity does a great job both physically and emotionally portraying those various stages. Initially you would think Sigourney Weaver's character would just be the evil grandmother, but Sigourney also brings this heartbreak to the character since it is her daughter that is dealing with this illness.
If I had to pick something I didn't like about A Monster Calls, it would have to be that there are a few things that Conor does that go unpunished and it kind of takes you out of the film. I found myself having a hard time believing that if someone were to actually do the things he does that they would not get a way with it. In the movie he just gets away with it because people know that he is going through a rough time with his mom.
I found A Monster Calls to be a beautiful movie. It is emotionally intense, looks fantastic and is wonderfully acted. A Monster Calls need to be seen and should be seen on the big screen, just remember to bring the kleenex.
4 out of 5 Stars
Expectations met? YES!
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Weekend Expectations: Jan 6-8
Expectations will almost always affect the way you feel about something. I found that to be the case often when seeing movies. I have decided to start writing down my expectations before I go see movies each weekend. Then when I review the movie, I will post a star rating as well as whether or not expectations were met or even exceeded. The movies I plan on seeing this weekend are A Monster Calls and Hidden Figures.
A Monster Calls:
The main expectation I have for this movie is tears, lots and lots of tears. I've heard this movie is extremely emotional. I am also expecting some incredible visuals. The director J.A. Boyona has made some visually stunning movies with The Orphanage and The Impossible. Boyona is also set to direct the sequel to Jurassic World, so I am looking forward to how seeing this helps set up what to expect from that movie.
Hidden Figures:
I really enjoy movies about NASA and space. Hidden Figures may not take place in space but it deals with the space race with Russia and I'm interested in learning more about how that went down. I am also interested in learning more about how things were done before we had computers and how it was a group of African-American women that were an important part of NASA. Being an engineer I am also looking forward to the nerdy math stuff. After seeing Janelle Monae in Moonlight and I am looking forward to seeing her in Hidden Figures. I have been a fan of her music for a while now so I am interested in how she continues to do acting.
Expectations for both movies this weekend are relatively high. From what I have heard so far, they should both live up to those expectations. Check back later for reviews on both films (hopefully).
A Monster Calls:
The main expectation I have for this movie is tears, lots and lots of tears. I've heard this movie is extremely emotional. I am also expecting some incredible visuals. The director J.A. Boyona has made some visually stunning movies with The Orphanage and The Impossible. Boyona is also set to direct the sequel to Jurassic World, so I am looking forward to how seeing this helps set up what to expect from that movie.
Hidden Figures:
I really enjoy movies about NASA and space. Hidden Figures may not take place in space but it deals with the space race with Russia and I'm interested in learning more about how that went down. I am also interested in learning more about how things were done before we had computers and how it was a group of African-American women that were an important part of NASA. Being an engineer I am also looking forward to the nerdy math stuff. After seeing Janelle Monae in Moonlight and I am looking forward to seeing her in Hidden Figures. I have been a fan of her music for a while now so I am interested in how she continues to do acting.
Expectations for both movies this weekend are relatively high. From what I have heard so far, they should both live up to those expectations. Check back later for reviews on both films (hopefully).
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
74th Annual Golden Globe Awards Predictions (Film Categories Only)
Below you will find the nominees and my choices for who I think should win. I only picked the film categories since I don't really watch any television shows. The 74th Golden Globe Awards take place on Sunday, January 8th on NBC.
Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
I can’t imagine La La Land losing this one. I would love it if Sing Street one, but La La Land has been winning pretty much every other best picture award this year (along with Moonlight).
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
I haven’t seen Jackie yet, but from everything I have heard, Natalie Portman is spectacular in it so I have a feeling she will win this. Isabelle Huppert has also won a lot of awards for her performance so she could win as well.
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
Mahershalla Ali has been been winning award after award after award for his performance in Moonlight and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I’m surprised to see Simon Helberg nominated. For me, he was the worst part of Florence Foster Jenkins.
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Best Director - Motion Picture
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
Best Motion Picture - Animated
My heart says go with Kubo and The Two Strings because I absolutely loved that movie, but I feel like Zootopia is going to win this one. I’ve never even heard of My Life as a Zucchini.
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Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
-Nicholas Britell - Moonlight
-Justin Hurwitz - La La Land (My Choice)
-Johann Johannsson - Arrival
-Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka - Lion
-Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, Benjamin Wallfisch - Hidden Figures
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
This is a tough one, but I’m going to go with City of Stars. I could see How Far I’ll Go winning but I prefer City of Stars. I must say that I’m disappointed that none of the songs from Sing Street got nominated. I tried to find Gold to give it a listen, but it isn't available on Spotify.
Best Motion Picture - Drama
-Hell or High Water
-Lion
-Manchester By The Sea (My Choice)
-Moonlight
-Hacksaw Ridge
This category is pretty much down to just two movies, Manchester by the Sea and Moonlight. Personally I enjoyed Manchester by the Sea a lot more than I did Moonlight, so my pick for this one is Manchester by the Sea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
-20th Century Women
-Deadpool
-Florence Foster Jenkins
-La La Land (My Choice)
-Sing Street
I can’t imagine La La Land losing this one. I would love it if Sing Street one, but La La Land has been winning pretty much every other best picture award this year (along with Moonlight).
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Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama
-Amy Adams - Arrival
-Jessica Chastain - Miss Sloane
-Isabelle Huppert - Elle
-Ruth Negga - Loving
-Natalie Portman - Jackie (My Choice)
I haven’t seen Jackie yet, but from everything I have heard, Natalie Portman is spectacular in it so I have a feeling she will win this. Isabelle Huppert has also won a lot of awards for her performance so she could win as well.
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Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama
-Casey Affleck - Manchester by the Sea (My Choice)
-Joel Edgerton - Loving
-Andrew Garfield - Hacksaw Ridge
-Viggo Mortensen - Captain Fantastic
-Denzel Washington - Fences
Casey Affleck is the heavy favorite in this category. Denzel is a strong contender, but I don’t see him winning given how many awards Affleck has one this award season.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
-Annette Bening - 20th Century Women
-Lily Collins - Rules Don’t Apply
-Hailee Steinfeld - The Edge of Seventeen
-Emma Stone - La La Land (My Choice)
-Meryl Streep - Florence Foster Jenkins
From what I have seen Emma Stone has got this in the bag. I have heard good things about Bening’s performance but I haven’t seen 20th Century Women yet. I really hope Streep doesn’t win.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
-Colin Farrell - The Lobster
-Ryan Gosling - La La Land (My Choice)
-Hugh Grant - Florence Foster Jenkins
-Jonah Hill - War Dogs
-Ryan Reynolds - Deadpool
My choice would be Ryan Gosling, but wouldn’t be surprised if Ryan Reynolds won. I’m really glad that Colin Farrell got nominated because I really enjoyed The Lobster, but I don’t see him winning this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
-Naomie Harris - Moonlight
-Nicole Kidman - Lion
-Octavia Spencer - Hidden Figures
-Michelle Williams - Manchester by the Sea
-Viola Davis - Fences (My Choice)
Viola Davis’ performance in Fences is spectacular and there is no way she doesn’t win this award.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture
-Mahershalla Ali - Moonlight (My Choice)
-Jeff Bridges - Hell or High Water
-Simon Helberg - Florence Foster Jenkins
-Dev Patel - Lion
-Aaron Taylor-Johnson - Nocturnal Animals
Mahershalla Ali has been been winning award after award after award for his performance in Moonlight and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. I’m surprised to see Simon Helberg nominated. For me, he was the worst part of Florence Foster Jenkins.
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Best Director - Motion Picture
-Damien Chazelle - La La Land (My Choice)
-Tom Ford - Nocturnal Animals
-Mel Gibson - Hacksaw Ridge
-Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
-Kenneth Longergan - Manchester by the Sea
I feel like this one is between Damien Chazelle and Barry Jenkins. Like I previously stated, Moonlight didn’t really do it for me, so I’m going with Damien Chazelle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Screenplay - Motion Picture
-Damien Chazelle - La La Land
-Tom Ford - Nocturnal Animals
-Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
-Kenneth Lonergan - Manchester by the Sea (My Choice)
-Taylor Sheridan - Hell or High Water
Manchester by the Sea is a devastatingly beautiful movie, I don’t see how Kenneth Lonergan could lose this one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Motion Picture - Animated
-Moana
-My Life As A Zucchini
-Sing
-Zootopia (My Choice)
-Kubo and The Two Strings
My heart says go with Kubo and The Two Strings because I absolutely loved that movie, but I feel like Zootopia is going to win this one. I’ve never even heard of My Life as a Zucchini.
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Best Motion Picture - Foreign Language
-Divines - France
-Elle - France
-Neruda - Chile
-The Salesman - Iran, France
-Toni Erdmann - Germany (My Choice)
I haven’t seen any of these movies so I am just going off what I’ve heard other people say and going with Toni Erdmann. I wouldn’t be surprised if Elle won though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Original Score - Motion Picture
-Nicholas Britell - Moonlight
-Justin Hurwitz - La La Land (My Choice)
-Johann Johannsson - Arrival
-Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka - Lion
-Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, Benjamin Wallfisch - Hidden Figures
The music in La La Land is spectacular, I think it’s got this one all wrapped up. I would love it if Arrival won though.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best Original Song - Motion Picture
-Can’t Stop the Feeling - Trolls
-City of Stars - La La Land (My Choice)
-Faith - Sing
-Gold - Gold
-How Far I’ll Go - Moana
This is a tough one, but I’m going to go with City of Stars. I could see How Far I’ll Go winning but I prefer City of Stars. I must say that I’m disappointed that none of the songs from Sing Street got nominated. I tried to find Gold to give it a listen, but it isn't available on Spotify.
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