Paul Thomas Anderson is something of an enigma. His films explore dark themes and highlight the very worst of human behavior. From Boogie Nights to The Master, he places well known actors in his films which pushes the envelope a bit and they deliver performances that are certainly outside of their comfort zones. The new crime dramedy Inherent Vice continues Anderson’s trend of placing characters in precarious situations and squeezing awkward tension and off kilter humor out of many of the scenes. His latest offering isn’t exactly a classic and it tells a rather confusing film noir-esque story. Serious fans of Anderson and star Joaquin Phoenix should check this film out but even they might be detracted from the picture’s ridiculously complicated plot.
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Still Alice
Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Memory loss is a major symptom and it is quite common among middle-aged to elderly people. The new film Still Alice takes a deeply personal look at a woman who has recently been diagnosed with the disease and is now trying to adapt (along with her concerned family) to the illness and how it is changing her life. Julianne Moore gives the performance of her career and it is a film that will probably hit home with many people, especially those affected by the illness.
The World Made Straight
The Civil War is rarely referenced in feature length films nowadays. The extremely violent war seems to be brought to screen only if it’s in a documentary. The new independent drama The World Made Straight manages to bring The Civil War into the mix but only as something referenced by the main characters. It is however cleverly mentioned so as not to overwhelm the film’s story but provides for a rather interesting piece of history setting the tone for the film’s 1970s world. It is a decent film with some excellent performances but other than that, the story is tired and the action, sort of a letdown.
A Most Violent Year
The line between right and wrong can be blurred from time to time. Morality can be questioned by seemingly good people and this in turn may produce some rather nasty results. The new dramatic thriller A Most Violent Year explores this paradox in adequate detail and while the direction and acting are both top notch, the film itself suffers from a severe case of the lulls. The action is limited and many of the scenes meander, establishing a tone that is neither tense nor very interesting. Talented lead actor Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, Drive) and the beautiful Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, The Help) do provide excellent performances but sadly, even their brilliance can’t save this boring and rather pointless film.
Interview with the Cast and Director of ‘Loitering with Intent’
The new independent dramedy Loitering with Intent focuses on two friends (Ivan Martin and Michael Godere), who are tasked with writing a screenplay in just 10 days. During their writing period, they are met with distractions, from an old flame (Marisa Tomei), a potential new flame (Isabelle McNally), and slightly unstable individuals (Sam Rockwell and Brian Geraghty). I recently had the amazing opportunity to interview Marisa Tomei, Sam Rockwell, Ivan Martin, Michael Godere, and director Adam Rapp. It was a lovely discussion as the stars and director spoke about the film’s origins and the different themes explored. Ms. Tomei and Mr. Rockwell also spoke about their favorite roles from the past and potential future projects. All in all, it was a truly wonderful interview. Loitering With Intent will be released January 16, 2015.
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Loitering with Intent
The independent dramedy is one of filmdom’s most interesting and reliable genres. With stories and actors that are grounded very much in reality, movies that fall under this genre provide for the most honest pieces of cinema to ever come to fruition. Loitering with Intent is one such film and while it has two notable stars headlining it, it feels like any other indie production, not flashy or anything huge. It is a bittersweet tale that features some very talented people and it is a movie that everyone should get around to seeing at some point.
Predestination
The great thing about science fiction films is that they can pretty much take you anywhere. From action-adventures to romantic comedies, sci-fi can serve as the perfect backdrop for truly riveting cinema. The new Ethan Hawke film Predestination is science fiction for sure but it also has a bunch of other genres that it falls under and sadly this mishmash of genres creates some confusion as to what the true identity of the film is. Is it a big budget production and one of its leading actors turns in a superb performance but the film suffers from a severe lack of direction. Audiences may leave the theater scratching their heads and eventually forget this average sci-fi picture.
Paddington
In 1958, English author Michael Bond introduced the world to Paddington Bear, a kind-hearted young bear who speaks, wears a slightly oversized hat, has a taste for marmalade as well as a penchant for adventure. Paddington has appeared in numerous books, animated programs, toys, and for purposes for this review, a feature-length film. Paddington is a charming movie that showcases the beloved bear and tells his story in an intelligent, fun, and visually-striking way. It is a film for the whole family and the perfect way to start off 2015.
The Joe Show
Power can be achieved one of two ways. It can be achieved through hard work and honesty or it can be achieved by intimidation and tons of publicity. Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has made a name for himself through the latter technique and with a career spanning over half a century, he is a force to be reckoned with, mostly because he knows how to work a camera and engage his audience. The new documentary The Joe Show focuses on the camera-happy sheriff and it is an honest, sometimes cringe-worthy look at a man who either doesn’t seem to know the impact he’s causing or knows all too well. The results are documentary filmmaking at its best and shine even more light on a man who has all the lights on him already.
The Babadook
The horror film genre has been on the decline in recent years. Sure, the Paranormal Activity series and various demon possession flicks grace the cineplex every now and then but they are simply the same premise recycled over and over again. Originality is a rarity these days and that is a real shame. That is of course until a film like the Australian psychological fright fest The Babadook comes along and turns the genre right on its head. A random scary movie which seems to be making a powerful impact, it is a film that relies on old fashioned storytelling, superb performances, a tight script, and even tighter direction. This is one horror film destined to become a genre classic.
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