Rules Don't Apply

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Warren Beatty

Cast: Warren Beatty, Alden Ehrenreich, Matthew Broderick, Martin Sheen, Lily Collins, Annette Bening, Candice Bergin, Oliver Platt and Alec Baldwin.

Rating: Average.

Academy Award Winner Warren Beatty, directs, writes and acts in another film 18 years after “Bulworth” in 1998 and brings “Rules Don’t Apply” and the film could have been much better.

The movie tells the story of Frank Forbes (Alden Ehrenreich) a driver who meets the aspiring actress Marla Mabrey (Lily Collins) who wants to meet the excentric millionaire Howard Hughes (Warren Beatty).

In the moment that both Frank and Marla meet there is a connection. The main problem is when Marla meets Howard Hughes and they both have a passionate encounter.

Now Marla will have to decide if she wants to continue her career in Hollywood and be with the millionaire or she is willing to be with Frank who happens to be Howard Hughe’s employer and right hand man.

The reason why I mentioned that “Rules Don’t Apply” could have been a better film is because it was to slow and in terms of story there were elements that they weren’t needed or required.

In the other hand the film is very well acted by the cast, specially Warren Beatty who gives a good performance on Howard Hughes. Although I do think that Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator” that also tells the story of the filmmaker and founder of the airline “TWA” is more deep and more real than this film.

“Rules Don’t Apply” has an amazing cast and like I mentioned before the movie needed work.

It’s a delight to see Warren Beatty direct and to see him act in this kind of roles that bring so much charisma and charm to his characters, which are brands that Beatty has been known through all his career.

The cinematography and the use of music cues of the film work at all levels. The contrast when Hughes is in the dark and the moments that he is outside his room with Frank work and that is one of the things I liked of the film.

Alden Ehrenreich, who we saw in the Coen Brother’s film “Hail Caesar” this year gives another good performance and hopefully we can see from him more in the future.

There were moments on the film that were too much and I was not convinced with Lilly Colins performance. I do think she can be a talented actress but hercharacter I never believed it was suited for her.

I admit that I had big expectations for this film for the cast and this type of movies that are period pieces,  I do enjoy watching them but this film is to slow and I was not a big fan of some elements like the ending and there were moments where the character of Howard Hughes was getting on my nerves.

With that being said I was expecting a better result on a big comeback from Warren Beatty and I give a slight recommendation to “Rules Don’t Apply” which again was entertaining  but I was not at all convinced with the result and I insist that the movie had potential to be a great film but it wasn’t the case. 

Manchester By The Sea

          By Emilio Frenk

          Director: Kenneth Lonergan

Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, C.J. Wilson, Lucas Hedges, Gretchen Mol and Matthew Broderick.

Rating: Excellent.

Writer/Director Kenneth Lonergan, who made “You Can Count on Me” and “Margaret” brings “Manchester by the Sea”, a dramatic film that works at all levels and I was blown away.

The movie tells the story of Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) a handyman from the area of Quincy in Boston, Massachussets, that one day he receives a devastating news that his brother Joe (Kyle Chandler) has passed away.

Lee travels to Manchester where now he has to deal with the fact that he has been asked by his brother to be his legal guardian of his troubled teenage nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges). At the beginning this represents a conflict for Lee but eventually he will be given the opportunity to spend more time with his nephew and know him better.

Not only he has to deal with his nephew now he encounters with his ex wife Randi (Michelle Williams) which will give them a chance to forgive each other and redeem themselves.

Kenneth Lonergan is a director that in his films prior to this one, he gets deep inside into the character and he is a director that shows the inner conflict that all of the characters are showing, their vulnerabilities and with “Manchester by the Sea” was not the exception.

The narrative in this movie works at all levels and the use of flashbacks by Lee’s point of view when he is remembering the support that he received from his brother after a tragedy that he suffered with his then wife and also how the character enjoyed life while he was married. 

Kenneth Lonergan not only wrote and crafted a beautiful screenplay with “Manchester by the Sea” but directed true performances and powerful perfomances.

Casey Affleck’s performance  is without a doubt the best of his career and Michelle Williams gives a wonderful performance as well.

Lucas Hedges who plays Affleck’s nephew is a young actor with a bright future and he might score an Academy Award Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in next year’s awards ceremony for his wonderful performance.  Also both Affleck and Williams can score nominations for both Best Actor and Supporting Actress in next year’s awards.

This is the first time that I didn’t see an element of the film that didn’t work since everything worked at all levels.

This film reminds me of Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People” since it deals with a family tragedy. Although it’s both different and similar at the same time due to the theme and in Redford’s film the use of flashbacks was used properly.

The main problem with the use of flashbacks lately is that the writers use it to justify an excuse from a character and it’s not the way to do it.

The way to do it is like in “Manchester by the Sea” where we see a struggling man and rememebers when he cherished his brother and marriage and we get deep inside his head as an audience member.

This is a movie that you cannot miss and when you arrive to the movie theater bring yourself a good pack of tissues since you will need them. You will be moved and you will cry with the film.

“Manchester by the Sea” is one of the years best films and I think that is going to get many nominations in the next award season and Igive a huge recommendation and it’s  so far my favorite film of 2016. 

Nocturnal Animals

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Tom Ford

Cast: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer, Michael Sheen, Karl Glusman, Robert Aramayo and Laura Linney.

Rating: Excellent.

Filmmaker and Fashion Designer Tom Ford, makes his second directorial film after the critical success he received with “A Single Man” in 2009 and he does it with “Nocturnal Animals”.  And again I was surprised with the style of Tom Ford.

The movie centers on Susan Morrow (Amy Adams) a wealthy gallerist from Los Angeles, that one day she receives a manuscript from her ex husband Edward Sheffield (Jake Gyllenhaal)  titled “Nocturnal Animals”.

She begins to read the novel where tells the story of Tony Hastings (Jake Gyllenhaal) who suffers an encounter with Ray Marcus (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who with his friends Lou (Kart Glusman) and Turk (Robert Aramayo) in the highway at nightthe three of them kidnap Tony’s wife and daughter which will eventually lead them to their rape and murder.

When Susan begins to read the novel she also remembers her relationship with Edward and the way she hurted him.

Now that she finishes reading the book she begins to interpret the novel as a threat and a symbolic revenge tale.

Tom Ford does it again and he gets deeper and deeper to the minds of the main characters of the film, both Susan and Edward.

The narrative that he applied with “Nocturnal Animals” works at all levels and Ford plays really well with the point of view of Susan while she is reading the transcript and when she is remembering the relantionship she had with Edward.

Again the use offlashbacks in this type of films is totally justified and it does work at all levels.

The only part I don’t think was necessary was the inclussion of Laura Linney’s character who plays Adam’s mother in the film. Linney is a fantastic actress but since we saw in one of the flashbacks where Adam’s character mentions the backstory it wasn’t required.

Other than that the film is brilliantly crafted and Ford directed remarkable performances of all the cast.

Michael Shannon is one of the best performances I’ve seenand he is fantastic and terryfying as playing the cop who is in the case of Tony’s murdered family.

The film has one of the most unexpected and surprising endings I’ve seen in a while and does work.

Tom Ford again delivers and I am very impressed with his work and the two movies his has done in his career are a blessing to see.

“Nocturnal Animals” not only is fantastic drama film but it’s a frightning thriller and is one of the years best.

I give it a huge recommendation and I hope we can see more movies from Tom Ford in the future.

Bleed For This

          By Emilio Frenk

Director: Ben Younger

Cast: Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal, Ciarán Hinds, Christine Evans, Amanda Clayton and Ted Levine.

Rating: Excellent.

Ben Younger, writer/director of “Boiler Room” brings “Bleed for This” and once again he delivers.

Based on true events, “Bleed for This” tells the story of boxer Vinny Pazienza (Miles Teller) who suffers a major car crash accident that almost left him paralyzed.

Now Vinnie is with his family and trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) who is helping him with his rehabilitation now that Vinnie is wearing a halo that protects his neck and spine.

A desperate Vinnie is not willing to give up and submits himselfwith the help of Ronney to a training that could cost his life and makes one of the biggest comebacks in boxing history squaring off against Roberto “Hands of Stone” Durán, making it one of the greatest matches in boxing history. 

“Bleed for This” is one of the best boxing movies of this year because it doesn’t have any cliché moments and the story line is straight forward.

Ben Younger wrote a brilliant screenplay and directedthe movie with so much precistion that the result was a great movie. This is so far one of the best performances of Miles Teller, who had his breakthrough role and received critical acclaimed for 2014 “Whiplash”.

He has been getting better and better with this type of performances. The chemistry between Teller and Eckhart who previously worked in the 2010 drama “The Rabbit Hole” gives great results and Eckhart makes a huge comeback portraying Kevin Rooney with so much realism. 

The only thing that I was hesitant with “Bleed for This” was the use of one flashbacks that were used during the third act of the film. Other than that the movie is brilliantly acted and has a wonderful screenplay.

Hopefully we can see both Teller and Eckhart score Academy Award Nominations for Best Actor and Supporting Actor.

This is a moving and inspiring story with a deep message on not giving up. And this can be a huge example of people who are struggling and I encourage you to watch this inspirational film.

“Bleed for This” is one of the year’s best films and I give a huge recommendation and is in the level of movies like “Rocky”, “The Fighter” and “Warrior”.

The Edge of Seventeen

          By Emilio Frenk.

Director: Kelly Fremon Craig

Cast: Hailee Steinfield, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Hayden Szeto, Erick Keenleyside, Kyra Sedgwick and Woody Harrelson.

Rating: Excellent.

Kelly Fremon Craig makes her directorial debut and teams up with Academy Award Winner James L. Brooks with “The Edge of Seventeen” and this is a sweet, funny andtouching film.

The story centers in Nadine (Hailee Steinfield) a seventeen year old high school girl who is in the verge of a nervous breakdown and constantly seeks advice from his high school teacher Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson).

To make things even worse, her best friend Krista(Haley Lu Richardson) begins to date Nadine’s brother Darian (Blake Jenner). She feels furious about this and ends her frienship with Krista.

Now Nadine’s journey will be in accepting others and learn how to give and be happy for herself and others before it’s too late.

I define “The Edge of Seventeen” as a feel good movie due to the theme and the message of the film. 

Kelly Fremon Craig’s debut couldn’t start better and not only she directed a fun and entertaing film but wrote a brilliant screenplay.

The screenplay was written so much detail and fun that immediately you feel a connection towards the characters. The direction of Fremon Craig was precise and she knew to get the best of her cast and all of them gave memorable perfromances.

Every moment of the film works and the use of flashbacks, which by the way there was only one and itworked; it doesn’t make the movie predictable and is enjoying experience.

Hailee Steinfield is at the top of her game and gives another memorable performance in this sweet film.

I can tell that the movie has a little bit the touch of James L. Brooks, who produced the film but has the style of envolving characters who have inner conflicts and external towards the whole world and here was no different.

This movie by momentsreminded me of “As Good as it Gets”, which Brooks directed and scored Two Academy Awards for Best Actress Helen Hunt and Best Actor Jack Nicholson.

“The Edge of Seventeen” is one of the year’s best films and I guarantee you that you will have a very good time enjoying this sweet and funny film.

Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them

          By Emilio Frenk

Director: David Yates

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Samantha Morton, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Ezra miller, Carmen Ejogo, Colin Farrell and Jon Voight.

Rating: Excellent.

Acclaimed writer J.K. Rowling, comes back with another magical adventure and teams up once again with director David Yates in “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them” and I was very surprised and pleased with the result.

Set before the Harry Potter era, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” tells the story of Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) a magizoologist and writer  who arrives to New York after World War I with a mysterious briefcase that contains magical creatures in form of animals. 

In the story he will meet Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) an aspiring baker who accidentally swiches his briefcase with Newt’s; he opens it and all the animals in Newt’s case will be released.

Now Newt will be try to recover the animals with the help of Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) who works at the Magical Congress of the United States of America,  her sister Queen Goldstein (Alison Sudol) and Jacob. 

When all the animals are released it will draw the attention of Percival Graves (Colin Farrell) a powerful Auror who will try to put an end to Newt’s creatures and to him as well.

Now Newt not only has to recover the animals but he has to battle an evil spirit that threatens to destroy the city. Now he has to hurry up before it’s too late.

What I like of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is despite of being a fantasy film and is related to the Harry Potter franchise, you don’t have to watch the movies from the franchise to understand it.

It gives the viewer some information about the other characters of the succesful franchise but is really straight forward.

J.K. Rowling who created Harry Potter makes her feature screenplay debut with this film and I was really impressed of the wonderful and crafted script she created.

It also helps that David Yates, who directed the last Harry Potter films since “The Half Blood Prince” knows Rowling’s work and again he delivered.

Yates is a director that is common in making movies that have brilliant visual effects and spectacular imagery. Not only that was worth seeing but the characters of the film have a lot of heart and you feel identified with them immediately.

Eddie Redmayne’s performance again is a winner and is such a delight seeing this young actor. He portrays Newt Scamander with so much realism and wit  that is so fun to see and has very funny moments.

Colin Farrell plays a great villain in Percival Graves and he does it again with so much realism and you immediately feel terrified and intimidated by his performance.

The thing that I have to mention is that the film is slow paced and you have to be prepared and patient .  I understand the reason why it had this length but still there were scenes that were in the third act that they weren’t necessary.

I´m not a big follower of this kind of films since most of them have been more focused in the look of the film and not in story. There are exceptions and this was the case here. Not only is a fantastic visual experience but is a great piece of narrative as well.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a entertaining, smart and engaging.  I highly recommend it and I can guarantee you that you will not be dissapointed.

Arrival

         By Emilio Frenk.

          Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker, Michael Stuhlbarg, Abigail Pniowsky and Tzi Ma.

Rating: Excellent.

Denis Villenueve, director of “Sicario” and “Prisoners” brings “Arrival”, a drama sci-fi that again, Villeneuve delivers.

The movie centers on Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) a linguist whosuffered a terrible tragedy in the past.

Eventually, she will berecruited by Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker) who tells her that an unidentified flying object has arrived to earth. 

Banks agrees on helping with the mission and shewill be working with physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) and both will try to establish alien communications even if it means to put their lives and the rest of humanity at stake.

“Arrival” is not the typical science fiction film that aliens attack earth and there is battle between humans and the creatures; this is more than that and is a movie that has a profound and deep message that I was really captivated and moved by it.

Denis Villeneuve is a director that knows how to portray the external conflict with the characters and has became a trademark in all of his films.

His direction has constantly surprised me and it has become a tradition that since “Prisoners” back in 2013, he has released a movie each year and every single one of them gets better and better.

The script written by Eric Heisserer, who wrote this year’s “Lights Out” which I consider one of the revelations this year in the horror genre, wrote a complete different script that is not precisely a horror film and it’s a complete genre and it work. It´s admirable when a writer makes something new that is not in their genre and Heisserer took a shot on writing a movie that not only deals with aliens but deals with themes personal themes.

This is so far, Villeneuve’s most ambitious movie due to the amount of visual effects that the movie carried on and the cast was more ambtious since there are two Academy Award Nominees (Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner) and a winner (Forest Whitaker) and again the three of them gave interesting performances.

The cinematography, which thist time was not by Roger Deakins, who works regularly with Villeneuve  and now he collaborated with Bradford Young, who’s work are movie like “Selma” and “A Most Violent Year” did a really great job. The lighting used played a very good contrast with the scenes were they were with the aliens and also without them.

The score by Jóhan Jóhannson, who did the score for “The Theory of Everything” was outstandingand the cues he used for the scenes where we see most of the conflict of the characters works at all levels.

I´ve mentioned before that I´m not in favor in using flashbacks in storytelling but here this element was used properly and it really worked since it’s part of the main conflict with Amy Adam’s character.

“Arrival” I consider it a special movie and more than a sci-fi film is a drama and I give it a huge recommendation.

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Ang Lee

Cast: Joe Alwyn, Garrett Hedlund, Chris Tucker, Kristen Stewart, Makenzie Leigh, Vin Diesel, Tim Blake Nelson and Steve Martin

Rating: Average

Two time Academy Award Winning director Ang Lee, comes back four years after the release of “Life of Pi” with “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” and again he brought a stunning visual experience to the big screen but it had many flaws as well.

Based on the novel by Ben Fountain, the movie centers in 19 year old Billy Lynn, who decides to fight for his country in Iraq.

He comes back to America for touring and we see through flashbacks and from Billy’s point of view the life he lived during the war and before the war where his sister Kathryn (Kristen Stewart) show solidarity and love towards his brother and later in the film tries to convince him to stay home and not to continue with the war.

Another incentive in Billy’s life will came when he meets the cheerleader Faison (Makenzie Leigh) , during the Thanksgiving Day football game in Dallas, Texas.

Now Billy must decide to go back to Iraq andfight or stay home with his family after being recognized as a hero for his country.

Like I mentioned before, Ang Lee without a doubt is one of the most visual directors in Hollywood and every movie he makes is a unique, different and personal ride and with “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk” was not the exception.

I admire Lee for the fact that innovates new technology for every single one of his films and this time this movie is also screened in 4K resolution with 120 fps (frames per second). This was a unique ride and for a movie like this it made total sense and wanted to make something new.

Where the movie has the major flaw was in terms of narrative. The script written by Jean-Christophe Castelli who collaborated with Lee before in movies like “The Ice Storm” and “Life of Pi” made his screenwriting debut but the script needed more work.

The major problem was dialogue that became to cheezy and the actions to predictable that you knew from the moment it started until it ended what was going to happen.

On the positive note of this ride I did like the inner conflict that Billy Lynn has during the movie but some of the flashbacks were not necessary.

If the movie would have been told with a conventional narrative and this is a straight line script this is when he wants to enrole, what he lives in the war and when he is touring it could have been a better film.

Two performances that I really liked and I was impressed were from both Vin Diesel who plays a commander in Lynn’s platoon and becames a mentor to him and Steve Martin who plays the Jerry Jones type (owner of the Dallas Cowboys) who wants to invest money on making a movie of the bravo squad, which Billy  representsis really interesting and is always a privilege to see Martin who I consider one of the most respected comedians in Hollywood, although this time his role was more serious.

If the screenplay would have had more work the movie would be a great one, but everyone including Lee who is a very smart director on chosing his material properly were more concerned on trying to make the movie look good.

With that being said I give a slight recommendation to “Billy Lynn’s Long Hafltime Walk”.

Almost Christmas

          By Emilio Frenk

Director: David E. Talbert

Cast: Danny Glover, Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Mo’Nique, Romany Malco, Nicole Ari Parker, J.B. Smoove, Jessie T. Usher, Gabrielle Union and John Michael Higgins.

Rating: Average

Comedy director David E. Talbert brings “Almost Christmas” another movie from the genre that has some funny moments.

The movie centers in Walter (Danny Glover) a widowed man from Alabama  who lost his wife recently.

Now he will try to reunite with his disfunctional family to spend Christmas and both his kids and him will try to cherish the celebration and will learn the meaning to stand up together and support each other as a family and this will lead the whole family to self acceptance and to others as well.

Like many comedies, “Almost Christmas” has many touching moments and many other elements that are related to values. The problem that I saw in this film is that it became to predictable and we knew exactly what was going to happen in most of the movie.

The direction of  Davie E. Talbert was an interesting take although the script had many major flaws, like the ones I mentioned previoulsy.

I do admit that elements of the movie do really work and I liked the profound message that the movie has of acceptance to others and support each other. The meaning of what family and that’s one of the major roles this movie plays.

I laughed most of the film but the script could have been worked in a better level and it would be as good as 2013’s “The Best Man Holliday” that shows similar values as well.

The one character thatI enjoyed seeing is the clumsy Uncle Lonnie portrayed by J.B. Smoove who plays it with so much charisma and wit that is a very enjoyable character.

The inner and external conflicts of most of the characters could needed work but the movie at least serves  it’s purpose which was to make laugh and you will be moved as well.

The use of the score in the most touching moments of the film do work and seeing Danny Glover in this kind of roles is so much fun  and he delivers some funny moments that reminded me of his character of Roger Murtaugh in “Lethal Weapon” like I`m to old for this… which was his signature phrase for his character in the franchise.

“Almost Christmas” I give it a slight recommendation and this is because of the script that could have worked better and to the lack of identification with characters. 

Shut In

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Farren Blackburn

Cast: Naomi Watts, Charlie Heaton, Jacob Tremblay, David Cubitt, Crystal Balint and Oliver Platt.

Rating: Poor.

Another thriller hits the theaters and it’s “Shut In” and unfortunately the results are not fulfilling.

The movie tells the story of Mary Portman (Naomi Watts) a child psychologist who ends up being a widow after her husband dies in a car accident which involves his stepson Stephen (Charlie Heaton) who ends up paralyzed.

Now she lives in an isolated New England home with his stepson who she know takes care of him. Everything will change for Mary when she knows Tom (Jacob Tremblay) a mute boy who has dark secrets.

She decides to invite him home but a serious of strange events begin to happen with the presence of Tom which will lead her to believe that someone is trying to harm her.

Now she will try to find out the origins of what is going on in her house before it’s too late. 

For being a thriller, “Shut In” is a very slow film and for this type of genres you need to have a solid pace. It over explains and gives ton of information to the audience that I felt alienated by moments.

The direction by Farren Blackburn, who’s most notable work is in Television Series that include Netflix’s “Daredevil”, “Doctor Who” and “Luther” but this time his directing didn’t work and the film was poorly executed.

The script by newcomer Christina Hodson was too predictable, cheezy and  there were moments were I saw Naomi Watts performance to over the top and I didn’t believe her at any moment.

I felt the movie was a complete carbon copy of “The Shining”, one of the greatest horror masterpieces of all time but this was not even close.

I understand that as filmmakers we are inspired but at the same time there is a tendency of copying movies that cannot be executed and this was the case here.

This film had the potiential of being an interesting psychological thriller but the main problems were the writing and the directing that didn’t work at any level possible.

I have an enourmous respect to Naomi Watts who has given memorable performances in movies like “21 Grams” and “The Impossible” where she scored Academy Award Nominations in both performances but her performance here I didn’t buy it.

In a positive note it was really good seeing Jacob Tremblay, who gave a memorable performance in last year’s “Room” which literally launched his career and hopefully we can see from him more in the future. 

Hope this can be a learning lesson from both Farren Blackburn and Christina Hodson and hopefully their next project can turn into a better result.

“Shut In” is one of the worst thrillers I’ve seen this year and in a while and I cannot recommend it for the elements that were previously mentioned. 

Hacksaw Ridge

           By Emilio Frenk.

           Director: Mel Gibson

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Rachel Griffiths, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Luke Bracey and Vince Vaughn.

Rating: Excellent.

Academy Award Winning Director Mel Gibson is back 10 years after “Apocalypto” with “Hacksaw Ridge” and is one of the best movies of a battle that happened during World War II.

Based on real life events and shot completely in Australia, “Hacksaw Ridge” tells the story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) a young religious man from Virginia who enlists in the army as a combat medic.

During his training he refuses to carry a weapon due to his religious beliefs; at the beginning this will lead him to trouble that goes to a court trial. But the army lets him go to enemy lines without a rifle.

During the battle in Okinawa, Japan, Doss will save the lives of many of his comrades, making him one of the braviest men who served in the war and also becoming the first Conscientous Objetor in American History to be awarded with the Medal of Honor.

“Hacksaw Ridge” besides being a movie that takes place during World War II, it’s a movie that is well directed by Mel Gibson, who’s directing in his movies makes you feel part of the characters. We saw this in “Braveheart” with the character that of William Wallace, which he portrayed.

Also Gibson I consider him a visual storyteller and “Hacksaw Ridge” is beutifully shot by Simon Duggan who knew how to play with the contrasts of the movie in both before the war and during the war.

The screenplay written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan was crafted with so much detail and you can tell that both writers did the work in terms of the research and told a story that immediately as members of the audience we felt identified.

I’m very happy on seeing Mel Gibson in his prime and once again he has proved to be as one of Hollywood’s most talented filmmakers and directed fantastic performances, specially by Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer and Hugo Weaving.

“Hacksaw Ridge” is at the same level of movies like Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” and Clint Eastwood’s “Letters from Iwo Jima” since both movies take place during World War II.

Not only “Hacksaw Ridge” is a war drama, but it’s a movie that has a strong message on courage and perseverance and I was really moved by the movie and touched at all times.

Mel Gibson is at his best and directed another winner film and we might be seeing him with a third Academy Award in his career.  As for Garfield he might be nailing an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actor for his magnificent performance which is so far the best of his career.

The movie is really violent and hard to watch and is very important to keep this in mind and be prepared at all levels before you watch it since it is impacting as well.

 “Hacksaw Ridge”  is without a doubt one of the year’s best movies and I highly recommend it fot it’s directing, realism and top of the notch performances.

Loving

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Joel Edgerton, Ruth Negga, Will Dalton, Marton Csokas, Nick Kroll, Jon Bass and Michael Shannon.

Rating: Excellent.

Jeff Nichols, director of movies like “Mud” and this year´s “Midnight Special” brings “Loving” andmakes it another winner for Nichols.

Based on real life events and set up in the late 1950´s early 60´s, “Loving” tells the story of Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) a hard working man who fells in love and marries Mildred (Ruth Negga) a colored woman.

They both decide to get married in Washington D.C. so they can avoid having problems in Virginia where they are both from.

The main conflict starts when the ruthless Sheriff Brooks (Marton Csokas) comes in the middle of the night and arrests both Richard and Mildred.

Now the couple is about to be sentenced in prison for getting married but they will fight for their rights and will take the case to the Supreme Court of Justice and will make it one of the biggest cases of interracial couples in history.

Since he started his career with movies like “Shotgun Stories” and “Take Shelter”, Jeff Nichols is a visual storyteller and writes his characters with such detail and with “Loving” was no different.

One of the things that makes Nichols unique in the genre is the fact that he knows how to write characters with both internal and external conflicts but at the same time you feel identified with them.

The direction of Nichols is also precise and detailed at all levels and he knew how to get the best out of his cast and both Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga delivered incredible and touchy performances.

The movie is being released in a great moment now that the Presidential Elections are coming up this Tuesday and the movie knows how to get into detailwith themes  like discrimination and rascism.

The cinematography by Adam Stone who has worked in all five movies Jeff Nichols directed was againbeautifully crafted and the score by David Wingo will impact you with the cues that he delivers in the scenes that are the most touching which are the majority and you will feel identified with the story of both Richard and Mildred Loving.

This is so far Jeff Nichols most ambitious movie and realistic film due to the thematic that is involved.

This movie can also be a huge contender for the awards season which is coming up soon and we can see potential nominations by both Edgerton and Negga.

“Loving” is one of the years best films and I recommend it all levels. I guarantee that you will not be dissapointed and bring yourself a good pack of tissues since you will need them.

Doctor Strange

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Scott Derrickson

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton. 

Rating: Excellent.

Scott Derrickson, director of “Deliver us from evil” and “Sinister” brings an adaptation from Marvel Comics: “Doctor Strange” and so far this is one of the best and original  superhero movies that I’ve seen recently.

The movie tells the story of Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) a succesful and arrogant New York neurosurgeon who suffers a car crash accident that will cause severe damage to his hands.

A desperate Strange tries to find all the solutions and decides to embark a journey to Kathmandu, Nepal where he will seek the help ofKarl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejofor), a Master of the Mystic Arts and the Sorcecer “Ancient One” (Tilda Swinton).

Both Mordo and Ancient One prepare Strange and make him see that he has a special gift and will help them fight against the evil sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his zealots and preventing that they take total control of the planet.

“Doctor Strange” besides being a movie that is pure entertainment, it manages a very interesting concept that has never been seen before in a movie based on Marvel Comics characters. 

The direction by Scott Derrickson, who happens to be one  of the co-writers with Jon Spaihts and C. Robert Cargill was very detailed and made also a movie thatvisually astonishing.

Performances are rarely mentioned in this kind of films but here theall the cast was really good and you feel huge simpathy towards Doctor Strange even though at the beginning of the film he is very arrogant but at the same has his charm and wit, which are elements that we immediately feel a connection with.

Another great performance was from danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, who again played a very good villain with Kaecilius and he is terryfing like his character of “Le Chiffre” in the James Bond movie “Casino Royale” of 2006.

The script is very well written and the fact that manages space time continuum reminded me a little bit to Christopher Nolan’s Inception but at the same time both movies have a different approach.

I really liked Benedict Cumberbatch portraying a superhero which is not often for him to play  this kind of roles but he takes his portrayal of Doctor Strange to another level.

The visual effects like most of the movies of this genre are outstanding and I am impressed with the quality of movies that Marvel Comics offerend  in the last years.

Not only they know how to take care of the visuals in every single one of their movies, but they do care about story and that’s one of the reasons why movies from Marvel have been very succesful and they have surpassed the DC Comic franchise who has been goind downhill  recently with the last  projects.

The action sequences from Doctor Strange are really well shot and the climax is one of the most original I`ve seen in a comic book adaptation.

With that being said “Doctor Strange” is one of the biggest surprises of this year and I give it a huge recommendation. 

Trolls

          By Emilio Frenk

           Directors: Mike Mitchell and Walt Dohrm

Cast (Voice): Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Baranski, Russell Brand, Gwen Stefani, John Cleese, James Corden and Jeffrey Tambor.

Rating: Excellent.

Dreamworks Animation brings “Trolls” and I really enjoyed this animated feature film.

Based on the “Good Luck Trolls” dolls created by Thomas Dam,  “Trolls” tells the story of Poppy (Anna Kendrick) a happy troll who is about to become the queen of the happy creatures; like Poppy, the rest of the trolls are usually singing, dancing and laughing and always have a positive attitude except Branch (Justin Timberlake) who happens to be the grumpy one who constantly warns the trolls that other creatures in shape of monsters called The Bergens are trying to make a move.

One day everything will change for the Trolls when of the Bergens find their hideout and kidnaps most of the trolls  except Poppy and now she is trying to seek the help of Branch.

He finally agrees and both trolls wlll try to rescue their friends before they are eaten by the Bergens and avoid been extinct.

Like I mentioned before this has been a fantastic year for the animation genre and with “Trolls” was no different; the story itself is intriguing and engaging and you kind of feel happy like the creatures and identify with them immediately. 

The Screnplay written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger combines the necessary elements for this film whichare humour and sweetness and the voice over cast was excellent in all the characters even for Justin Timberlake who I´m not exactly a fan of his but I give him credit on portraying Branch.

He has some funny moments in the film as well as Anna Kendrick who besides of being a great actress she is a goodsinger as well.

The direction by Walt Dohrm who made his feature film debut and Mike Mitchell could not have been better and the quality of the animation of Dreamworks speaks for itself.

The score of the film features songs from Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani and many other is a great one specially for pop lovers.

I would not discard this movie as a serious contender for next awards season since this yearthe genre has offered many good movies and both Disney and Pixar could have a big surprise.

“Trolls” is one of the year’s biggest surprises and I recommend it at all levels and I guarantee you that you will have a smile in the movie from the minute it starts until the end .

Inferno

          By Emilio Frenk

          Director: Ron Howard

Cast: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Omar Sy, Irrfan Khan, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ana Ularu and Ben Foster.

Rating: Poor

Academy Award Winners Ron Howard and Tom Hanks team up again for this third installment “Inferno” based on the series of novels written by Dan Brown and it’s from expected.

Proffesor Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) suffers from amnesia after being kidnapped in Italy. He wakes up in a hospital where he will be helped by Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicty Jones) and she will try to help him recover his memory.

At the beginning Langdon doesn’t remember where he is but slowly he will put the pieces in the puzzle together.

He will then realize that there is a plot that could end the world and is based on “Dante’s Inferno”, which eventually is revealed as a prophecy.  Now both Langdon and Brooks will run on the clock around Europe and will try to prevent a global outbreak before it’s too late.

The main problem with this part of the trilogy is the fact the screenplay was too weak, predicatable and eventually it turned into a movie that became slow in rythym and pacing.

This is the second script of the installment written by David Koepp and it has many flaws and one of them is the abuse of unnecessary flashbacks and the movie has the same clichés over and over again.  Although some of those elements worked but it became a constant tool.

Although I was really surprised with the third act of the film and it’s the only thing that I felt intrigued withñ  The suspense that it was built in the final confrontation in Istanbul, Turkey when the virus is about to be released it was very well made and beautifuly shot and edited.

The score composed by Academy Award Winner Hans Zimmer, who’s most notorious work is in movie like “The Lion King” (which he won the award for) and most of the Ridley Scott films played a huge factor in most of the movie and it’s one of the few things that I enjoyed.

I have an enourmous respect towards Ron Howard who I consider a very important director and a great one but this is the second movie in a row that his directing doesn’s work. This happened with last year’s “In the Heart of the Sea” making the movie really slow and honestly I couldn’t care less about the characters.

This respect is also towards Tom Hanks, who I consider one of the most charismatic actors in the business and a talented, but his third performance as Robert Langdon didn’t transmit any emotion at all.

On a positive note about the trilogy is that this third installment is the one that I enjoyed the most since it does have some interesting elements. The previous two were moreslower and boring than this one, making them forgettable films

The movie had potential to be a good thriller but the problem is that it gave tons of information to the viewer and by moments I felt alienated.

“Inferno” is one of the biggest dissapointments of the year. If you have read all the books by Dan Brown you might differ with me which is totally fine and respectful but this is an honest reflection of what I saw on thescreen and the only thing that works like I mentioned before is the climax of the film. 

American Pastoral

          By Emilio Frenk

Director: Ewan McGregor.

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Jennifer Connelly, Dakota Fanning, Peter Riegert, Rupert Evans, Uzo Aduba, Molly Parker, Samantha Mathis and David Strathairn.

Rating: Poor.

Actor Ewan McGregor, makes his directorial debut with “American Pastoral” and I was expecting a higher effort from McGregor but this wasn’t the case.

Based on the novel by Phillip Roth,  “American Pastoral” is based in the late 1960’s close to the Vietnam War and tells the story of Swede Levov (Ewan McGregor) the town’s most popular guy who fells in love and gets married to Dawn Levov (Jennifer Connelly) a former Miss New Jersey Pageant Model.

Everything in the life of the Levov’s is doing just fine and their daughter Merry is born but the problem is that she has a speech impediment making her stutter constantly.

Eventually a grown up Merry (Dakota Fanning) has a different point of view towards the regime of then president Lyndon B. Johnson and her view towards “The Vietnam War”. This transfortion andpolitical ideals of Merry begin to upset her parents.

Later she will be a suspect for a bombing that took place in their town and is wanted by the local police and the FBI.

Now Swede will try to find her daughter and try to keep the family together before it’s too late.

The major problem with “American Pastoral” was  in narrative. The screenplay written by John Romano makes it by moments confussing and I really didn’t understand the presence of David Strathairn in this film. The main character is supposed to be Swede Levov but the problem is that the movie shifts on different directions and makes it a complete mess.

Ewan McGregor is one of the most talented actors that this industry has but his directorial debut was very unfortunate and the performances lacked of credibility and realism.

The movie should have been told from the point of view of McGregor’s character but the inclusion of a third party who narrate the story didn’t work and it should have been more straight forward.

The movie had a potential cast and a director who had everything to deliver but this wasn’t the case here. The stuttering on the character of Dakota Fanning was too much and less convincing. I felt tired on hearing her stutter constantly during the picture. I understand that is part of the character but it was too much.

The positive note that I have is that I liked that was the setup during the late 60’s and when they illustrate the rascist attacks is the only thing that worked.

The ending was very lame and weak making the film predictable from beginning to end.

I hope this is a huge learning  lesson for Ewan McGregor and I hope he gets a second chance behind the camera in the future.

With all being said “American Pastoral” is one big dissapointments of this year  and this is an example of how a talented cast is wasted without a clear direction.  

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back

           By Emilio Frenk.    

           Director: Edward Zwick

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Aldis Hodge, Danika Yarosh, Patrick Heusinger and Holt McCallany.

Rating: Average

Tom Cruise is back in portraying ex major “Jack Reacher” in the sequel “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back”. This time the movie is directed by Edward Zwick, who’s most notable work are movies like “Glory”, “Legends of the Fall”, “Blood Diamond” and last year’s “Pawn Sacrifice” and this second part entertains.

Jack Reacher, goes back to Washington D.C but to find out that her friend Major Turner (Cobie Smulders) is under arrest for conspiracy of murder of two marine soldiers who were killed in combat in Afganistan.

At the same time, Reacher is wanted for the murder. Now both Reacher and Turner now are fugitives and will try to clear their names at any costs even if it means to put their lives in danger.

This second part of Jack Reacher like I previously mentioned it does keep the pace and entertains and I consider it a good action thriller film.

The script written also by Edward Zwick and Richard Wenk, who recently wrote “The Magnificent Seven”  has some flaws and it becomes to predictable.

The major problem is the narrative by moments was too weak and Cruise´s portrayal of Reacher leads by moments to boredom.

There were other elements of the film that in my opinion didn´t work like the inclusion of a third character which is Samantha, portrayed by Danika Yarosh. I was never convinced with her performance and there could have been a better element in terms of narrative to make it work. An alternative it should have been a much darker past from Reacher.

In this sequel I also observed a major error in continuity and this is when one of the soldiers gets beat up by Jack Reacher in the following scene after he gets beat up he appears with one eye closed and in the following sequence his eye was as good as new. Let´s face it when you receive a punch in the eye it doesn´t heal that quickly.

The first Jack Reacher film was totally the opposite and not only was not predictable but the level of suspense was elevated on higer terms and the levels of progressive complications on the main character were marked. Most of the resolutions for Reacher’s character in this second part were very easy and I never saw a hard obstacle he couldn’t resolve.

I did like the chemistry between Crusie and Smulders which I think it does work and the action sequences were very well shot as well as all the fights that were envolved.

The opening of the movie were Jack Reacher is being arrested after a fight he has in a diner and two deputies arrest him is really well made and it was written with so much wit and humour that is one of the few scenes that works.

I was engaged and the movie entertained me, but at the same time I was expecting better things for “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back” since the first film I enjoyed it even more than this second part but still I give a slight recommendation due to the problems that had on screen and some of the directing. 

Moonlight

          By Emilio Frenk. 

          Director: Barry Jenkins

Cast: Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, Naomie Harris, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, Alex R. Hibbert and André Holland.

Rating: Excellent.

Writer/Director Barry Jenkins makes his feature film debut with “Moonlight” and I was not only pleased but the movie but amazed of the film itself.

The movie tells the chronological story of Little  (Alex R. Hibbert), Chiron (Ashton Sanders) and Black (Trevante Rhodes); overall this are the titles of the exact character by the name of “Chiron” at different ages and phases of his life from being a kid to an adult.

The movie takes place in Miami and it´s the story of Chiron and his struggles in growing up in a tough environment that will lead him to a journey of self acceptance and truth.

Barry Jenkin’s career couldn´t start better and he directed what I called a masterpiece.  He didn´t get into cliches and to much melodramatic elements which is very common in this type of movies and in “Moonlight” he directed a movie that is true in all aspects.

The script written by Jenkins not only has a strong thematic but the approach on topics like bullying and racism are told in a way that has never been reached at that level and this is one of the things that makes the movie a worth to watch.

The characters of the film you immediately find a connection with them no matter what they do for a living;  the dialogue written in the screenplay was top of the notch and I was impressed by it.

The way in how Jenkins tells the story of Chiron in all the phases of his life works at all levels and I was very impressed by the quality of storytelling here.

The only thing that I was a little hesitant was the dream sequences which at the begining I felt that didn´t work but then I understood Jenkin’s approach on this and eventually everything made sense.

The flashforwards in this movie work and Jenkins was very smart in using this tool properly since it can lead to constant repetitions and redundance in storytelling. Here was not the case.

Most of the cast of this film are the new blood in Hollywood and we are going to hear from them a lot in the next years.

For this film be prepared to bring youself a packet of tissues since you will need them. This movie will touch you´re heart and you will be moved in every aspect of it.

“Moonlight” is one of the year’s best films of and I hope you enjoyed even more as I did and I can guarantee you that you will. 

Ouija: The Origin of Evil

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Mike Flanagan

Cast: Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso, Parker Mack, Doug Jones, Michael Weaver and Henry Thomas.

Rating: Good.

Mike Flanagan, director of “Oculus” and “Hush” brings another horror movie  this Halloween season with “Ouija: The Origin of Evil” and I was surprised with the result.

Set up in Los Angeles, during the 1960´s, the movie tells the story of Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) a widowed mother who has two daughters: Lina (Annalise Basso) and Doris (Lulu Wilson) who make their living doing readings like tarot and palm hand; in reality everything is a scam so they can make money and pay their bills and mortgage.

Everything will change for Alice when she goes to the store and see’s a Ouija board which she buys.

The one that uses the board the most is Doris and claims that she is talking to her father in the afterlife. Eventually Doris’s behavior will change thanks to the hours that she spends with the board and begins to affect both her mother and her sister.

The family seeks the help of Father Tom (Henry Thomas) who also notices Doris’s behavior and tries to save her by performing an exorcism.

Now the family must be together to bring Doris to reality and get rid of the Ouija board before it’s too late.

I have been really impressed by the horror genre this year, since I´m not a big a follower but the quality of the work I´ve seen lately has really surprised me and with “Ouija: The Origin of Evil” was not the exception.

The directing by Mike Flannagan was clever, smart and knew how to manage the tension in the scenes and that’s realkey factor for this genre. The timing is essential and he knew how to manage it correctly.

The script written by Jeff Howard and Flanagan was very smart written and you can tell they both did their research about the origins of the Ouija board and they managed it pretty well.

The visual effects and cinematography played a big role here as well, and portrayed how the family lives in a dark and isolated environment and the transformation of the character of Doris when she is having the effects of the Ouija board are frightning and work at all levels,  despite of sometimes they can look a little comedic.

I liked the fact that this movie is kind of a homage to one of the most frightning films of all time: “The Exorcist” and this due to the thematic of the film, but with all do respect this movie is not even close. 

Although the movie could have been better and by moments the major flaw was that it became to predictable and that could have been avoided. By moments I felt the movie gave to much information and as an audience member I anticipated some moments that were coming and did came.

The ending was another flaw and I don’t think it really worked. I think there should have been another element of suspense but again there were elements that were revealed to early..

Movies like “Lights Out” and “Don’t Breathe” have been the biggest surprises of this year in the genre and I add “Ouija:The Origin of Evil” as another big surprise.

Despite of the movie’s flaws I give “Ouija:The Origin of Evil” a big recommendation and for horror fans and I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. 

Keeping up With the Joneses

          By Emilio Frenk. 

Director: Greg Mottola

Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm, Gal Gadot, Matt Walsh, Maribeth Monroe and Patton Oswalt.

Rating: Poor

Greg Mottola, director of “Superbad” brings “Keeping up with the Joneses” and this comedy is not even close to Mottola’s previous work.

The movie centers the life of Jeff Gaffney (Zach Galifianakis) and his wife Karen (Isla Fisher), a suburban couple who one day they meet their new neighbors: Tim Jones (Jon Hamm) and his wife Natalie (Gal Gadot).

The four of them begin an interesting friendship but everything will change when Karen begins to notice that Natalie is a spy and Jeff begins to notice the same thing towards Tim.

Now that they know the truth about the Joneses, now both the Gaffney’s and the Joneses need to be together too stay alive at all costs before it’s too late.

The major problem that I saw in “Keeping up with the Joneses” was the fact that the movie had bits of humour; but at the end became to predictable and less funny.

One of the things that this genre is too generous is that you can be be predictable but of course there are limits and this was to excesive.

The script written by Michael LeSieur, who wrote comedies like “You, Me and Dupree” and “The Maiden Heist” had the goods but they were not shown on the film.

Greg Mottola know’s how to direct this type of movies. For instance “Superbad” was  a really good, funny and sweet film and has memorable characters like Mclovin, played by Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Here the main problem is that once the second act of the film began everything stopped being funny.

I was excited when I saw the name of Greg Mottola as a director of this film since I loved “Superbad” and “Adventureland” but this was’nt even close.

The premise of the film was very interesting and had a lot of potential for not only to be funny, but at the same time to have characters that you would remember in the comedy genre. Also the movie had four talented actors like Zach Galifianakis, who I previously mentioned is one of the funniest men in comedy, Isla Fisher, Jon Hamm who by moments I saw the same performance as Don Draper in the show “Mad Men” which catapulted his career and Gal Gadot who had very funny moments in this movie, despite being her first comedic role.

I hope this is a huge learning lesson for Greg Mottola and I want to see more of his movies since I consider him, Nicholas Stoller and Judd Apatow the  best comedy directors in the industry. 

With that being said “Keeping up with the Joneses” is one of the worst movies and comodies of this year due to the direction, performance and lack of jokes the movie offers.