Argo (2012)

Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1980.

Director: Ben Affleck
Writers: Chris Terrio (screenplay), Tony Mendez (based on a selection from "The Master of Disguise" by) (as Antonio J. Mendez) ,
Stars: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman |

Storyline

In 1979, the American embassy in Iran was invaded by Iranian revolutionaries and several Americans were taken hostage. However, six managed to escape to the official residence of the Canadian Ambassador and the CIA was ordered to get them out of the country. With few options, exfiltration expert Tony Mendez devised a daring plan: create a phony Canadian film project looking to shoot in Iran and smuggle the Americans out as its production crew. With the help of some trusted Hollywood contacts, Mendez created the ruse and proceeded to Iran as its associate producer. However, time was running out with the Iranian security forces closing in on the truth while both his charges and the White House had grave doubts about the operation themselves.

Movie  Reviews

I heard mixed reviews but I went ahead and watched it.I was very disappointed. I had to force myself to stay focused. Parts of the film reminded me of a documentary. Ben has made better films. I have to use a minimum of ten lines, so I'm going to stretch it out. I spoke with seven people who watched it and three thought it was overrated, two thought it was OK and the other two liked it. Two of my friends who did not like it are democrats and are very very liberal. So to get my ten lines in I repeat, I did not like this movie and I think it is Ben's worse film. I do not understand why the media is making it out to be great!

The Surface (I) (2014)

Two strangers, both at the end of their rope, suddenly meet in the middle of the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan.

Director: Gil Cates Jr.
Writer: Jeff Gendelman
Stars: Sean Astin, Mimi Rogers, Chris Mulkey |

Storyline

Two strangers, both at the end of their rope, suddenly meet in the middle of the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan.

Movie Reviews
Greetings again from the darkness. Survival movies come in many shapes and styles. There are classy ones like All is Lost (with Robert Redford) and Life of Pi (Academy Award nominee). There are thrilling ones like The Edge (with Alec Baldwin and Anthony Hopkins). And of course there are the kinda trashy ones that usually feature beautiful and clueless people stuck on an island somewhere like in Turistas (with Josh Duhamel).

What we rarely see are survival movies that just don't have much going on. Open Water is about the closest to this latest from director Gil Cates, Jr and writer Jeff Gendelman, but at least that one offered the constant threat of a shark attack.

Sad sack Mitch (Sean Astin) visits his Alzheimer's-stricken mom in the nursing home before heading out to the middle of Lake Michigan in what he plans as his final voyage in life. At the most inopportune time – given his goal – it's his boat that is rendered lifeless thanks to the scattered pieces of a plane crash. Mitch drags the survivor (Chris Mulkey) aboard and the two fellows proceed to prove that their philosophizing and reminiscing are no match for the conversational skills of a boy and his tiger (Life of Pi).

Flashbacks are the key to us understanding the reasons these two crossed paths in such an unusual manner. We see Mitch's guilt and inability to be a worthy partner in a relationship, and we see pilot Kelly's desperation in trying to making ends meet for his family and regaining his confidence as a man.

There are a couple of funny "guy" moments (the poet comment made me laugh), yet somehow the conversation of these two men in a life-threatening situation pales in comparison to the exchanges of two gents over a meal in My Dinner with Andre. Where is the danger? Where is the stress? Where is the soul-searching? It's unfortunate that the extended periods of two guys in a boat just don't have much to offer for the 86 minute run time, because the stage was set for much more than melodrama.

The Overnight (2015)

Alex, Emily, and their son, RJ, are new to Los Angeles. A chance meeting at the park introduces them to the mysterious Kurt, Charlotte, and Max. A family "playdate" becomes increasingly interesting as the night goes on.

Director: Patrick Brice
Writer: Patrick Brice
Stars: Adam Scott, Taylor Schilling, Jason Schwartzman |

Storyline

Alex, Emily, and their son, RJ, are new to Los Angeles. A chance meeting at the park introduces them to the mysterious Kurt, Charlotte, and Max. A family "playdate" becomes increasingly interesting as the night goes on.

User Reviews

Alex and Emily (Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling) are high school sweethearts who have just moved from Seattle to Los Angeles with their young son. With a mediocre sex life and an apprehension to making friends, the two are surprised to find themselves acquainted with Kurt and Charlotte (Jason Schwartzman and Judith Godrèche) almost immediately after moving into their home. Kurt and Charlotte are just a wee bit eclectic to say the least, with Kurt claiming to have made a large amount of money by providing a complex water-filtering system to third-world countries that turns water into sewage and Charlotte claiming to be infrequent actress. Nonetheless, the two couples and their children get together at Kurt and Charlotte's house for a night of drinks, marijuana, and lengthy conversations about nothing and everything.

Instantaneously, Patrick Brice's "The Overnight" reminds of two films. It bears a narrative resemblance to Noah Baumbach's "While We're Young," an immensely funny, overlooked comedy from earlier this year that worked to examine the relationships between a millennial couple and a middle-aged couple. In addition, the film echoes the sentiments of Roman Polanski's "Carnage" in that it pairs two unlikely couples together by circumstance that get along and argue based on the merits of their own personalities. "The Overnight" rolls both films into one package that works in spite of its notable shortcomings.

To get those out of the way, "The Overnight" has a funny way of being low-key in its comedy at times and too broad at others. Consider the absurdity and the looks on the faces of Alex and Emily when Kurt reveals to them that he bought a bulk package of bathrobes online. That's the quiet humor these kinds of independent, mumblecore-style comedies traditionally utilize. Now consider the scene where Kurt shows Alex his various paintings he calls "portals," which are stylized and heavily colored pictures of the anuses of many of his friends, even his wife. There's a notable divide in the humor on display here, with some jokes aiming to be too broad and far-reaching to be taken seriously when everything else in the film is uniformly realistic.

However, that's kind of the beauty in "The Overnight" - its ability to take characters that can function as caricatures with deep, contemplative human feelings is something that I don't think I've ever seen done before, and if so, not this competently executed. Brice is careful never to draw his characters in broadstrokes, but rather, some of their situations. He makes Alex and Emily the traditional couple, one that adheres to the principles of monogamy and becomes shocked when they realize that the desire to sleep with someone else is still present in both of their minds. Kurt and Charlotte exhibit a much more liberal sense of love, which is the whole reason they invited Alex and Emily over and the first place (the film doesn't really reveal why until the end, yet most moviegoers, seasoned or casual, will likely be able to pick up what's being put down from early on).

This contrast almost always makes for a film that's fiercely watchable and bitingly funny, which "The Overnight" often is. Its simultaneous absurdity in its situations and likable, relatable characters make this film fun and endearing. For the first time that I can remember, Adam Scott plays not only a likable character, but a believable one, not basking in the idiocy of several unlikable traits nor being the metaphorical dart board for other characters to gleefully jab at. Taylor Schilling also gets probably the most fun role she has yet to have, as she delivers her character's anxiety richly and believably. Finally, it almost goes without saying that Schwartzman is fun here, cocky as usual but almost annoyingly quaint, a character he has always been able to play to a tee, and when assisted by the perky Godrèche, he's only made better.

"The Overnight" is also something that will surprise the brave moviegoers that choose to seek it out in a season traditionally crowded with films, and this year being no exception. At only seventy-six minutes without credits, "The Overnight" gives audience more to think about than the typical lackluster romantic-comedy fare that frequently lasts an upwards of two hours. Its pervasive casualness and chill demeanor makes you forget that you're watching a very intriguing depiction and critique of modern romances, done with elements of caricatures and very realistic dialog. With this technically being Brice's first film (his other film "Creep" is available on iTunes at the moment and is one of my favorite films of the year), he shows incredible prose and talent for depicting modern relationships. These kinds of films have an impact that will last much longer than the end credits of other films of this same genre.

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

The group NWA emerges from the mean streets of Compton in Los Angeles, California, in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes Hip Hop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood.

Director: F. Gary Gray
Writers: Jonathan Herman (screenplay), Andrea Berloff (screenplay),
Stars: O'Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell

Storyline

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels-armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent-stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world's most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.

Movie  Reviews

Straight Outta Compton is a failed attempt to tell the story of NWA/Eazy E's story. A rap group of the late 80's through to the mid 90's. This came across more of a highlight reel, with facts thrown together, than a flowing film. I am not sure how a screenwriter could tackle the daunting task of telling this story without it losing something. The story and people are very complex.

I like NWA and I like their music. Having been there through the whole story, there isn't one thing in this movie that I didn't already know. Which was disappointing.

In the beginning it felt like I was watching theater more than a movie. Soon it would pick up pace and the music kicked in and it helped keep my interest. Without the music the film would have been terribly dull to watch.

O'Shea Jackson Jr. not only portrays his father, Ice Cube, superbly, but the depth of his acting was so on point he became the best part of the whole movie. He, in my opinion, is the star of this film.

If you are not aware of the story, go see this movie. But don't expect more than an encyclopedia insight into what really happened.

The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016)

Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.

Director:
Robert Schwentke
Writers:
Noah Oppenheim (screenplay), Veronica Roth (based on the novel by),
Stars:
Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Zoë Kravitz |

Storyline

Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.

The 5th Wave (2016)

Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother.

Director: J Blakeson
Writers: Susannah Grant (screenplay), Rick Yancey (novel)
Stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, Liev Schreiber, Maika Monroe |

Storyline

Four waves of increasingly deadly attacks have left most of Earth decimated. Against a backdrop of fear and distrust, Cassie is on the run, desperately trying to save her younger brother. As she prepares for the inevitable and lethal 5th wave, Cassie teams up with a young man who may become her final hope - if she can only trust him.

Sicario (2015)

An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Stars: Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin, Benicio Del Toro |

Storyline

An idealistic FBI agent is enlisted by an elected government task force to aid in the escalating war against drugs at the border area between the U.S. and Mexico.

Movie Reviews

"Sicario" describes, with surgical precision, the fatal and bloody desecration of Mexico as a result of its decades long cartel war. And it does so by compressing this almost endless tragedy into a two-hour tour-de-force of filmmaking.

At its center we find idealistic FBI-Agent Kate Macer (Emily Blunt), who is recruited to pursue a Mexican drug-baron. She is being guided by a seemingly untouchable covert assassin named Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro). Their investigation and methods are pushed further into unknown territory where justice and morality are no longer valid. The end not only justifies the means, it requires them.

Denis Villeneuve's masterful piece exemplifies not only filmmaking of the highest order, but carves out a place alongside the terrible news reports as a deeply regretful, angry and at times almost unbearable look into the abyss of a socio-political nightmare that is fueled by first world-habit and global economics.

Through the powerful performances by Blunt, Del Toro and Josh Brolin in the leads as well as the excellent supporting cast, do we get a sense of the human cost (physical and psychological), which the war on drugs has caused.

From an exploding prison population, to the destruction of Mexican agriculture, to refugees and a cycle of violence that is beyond barbarity; the pull that "Sicario" exerts over the viewer is undeniable and by skirting the limits of bearable tension, without ever becoming exploitive, it is never giving an inch concerning its subject matter.

Few movies this year will have such a clear and defined structure and unflinching approach towards a situation that appears to be beyond salvation, while showing at the same time that life nevertheless continues.

Taylor Sheridan's script doesn't miss a single beat and without sidestepping anything frees itself from beaten movie conventions by using them in an extremely skillful manner.

All these themes, stories and characters are captured through the lens of veteran Roger Deakins (Skyfall, No Country for Old Men) who lets us always know how the micro- and macro-particles of any conflict are inextricably intertwined. We share the vistas of beautiful sceneries while having to witness their downfall.

Whatever ideals the likes of Emilio Zapata once had, their land has now, as it is described in the movie, become „the country of wolves".

Fifteen years ago Steven Soderbergh's „Traffic" which earned numerous Oscars, not the least of which went to Benicio Del Toro, made a clear statement about the various strands the drug trafficking business touches. Now, all those years later we see in „Sicario" that even the faintest of hopes that „Traffic" held onto have been eviscerated.