Throughout the history of mankind, there have been many great men. There have been those who have changed the world and those who have improved the quality of life for everyone around them. Leonardo da Vinci was one such individual and his work as an artist and his revolutionary ideas and inventions have left a significant mark on the world. His life and creations have been examined before but the new documentary Inside the Mind of Leonardo takes it one step further, not only by having talented actor Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) portray DaVinci but the film is available in 3D. With such an innovative format in which to view the film, audiences are certainly in for a different take on the man’s life, though not a stellar take.
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Saving My Tomorrow
The main purpose of a documentary is a two-pronged one: to educate, as well as to entertain. If a documentary can pull off both of those missions, then that documentary has fulfilled its purpose. The new HBO doc Saving My Tomorrow is a powerful statement about the Earth and protecting the environment at all costs. Told through song, art, and the voices of deeply passionate children, the film delivers an extremely important message in a way that is fun, easy to digest, and suitable for the entire family.
Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks
The adventures of the elderly are unfortunately rarely captured on film. With so much experience and a strong sense of wisdom, older people can provide some of the more entertaining films out there. Gena Rowlands is an actress whose been around a while and once the camera go on, she lights up like a bright star. With so many credits to her name, she is arguably a film legend. Her latest film Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks is yet another example of the actress’ immense talent and though this is a film that will probably not get a lot of attention, it is an adorable little dramedy that will either find its way on the Hallmark Channel, your heart, or both.
The Captive
Films about abducted children often yield the strongest results. One of the great fears a parent has is that his or her child might go missing. This is a very real fear and films have been exploring that fear time and time again. In the new Canadian thriller The Captive, the missing child premise is presented in its usual bleak and highly disturbing manner. The film features a strong cast, breathtaking visuals, and tight direction from a filmmaker who has impressed in the past with his subtle style and thought-provoking subjects. Atom Egoyan is that filmmaker and The Captive is another of man’s probing works.
Top Five
Chris Rock’s name has been synonymous with comedy ever since his early days of stand-up in the 1980s, his years at Saturday Night Live, and his following highly successful film career. His path to success was a steady one and he certainly made some smart moves. He is unapologetic in his routines and he takes stabs at pretty much everyone, with a sharp wit and an intelligent commentary on American society. His new film Top Five (which he wrote, directed, and stars in) is a surprisingly weak entry in the talented comedian’s body of work but it does feature strong scenes and some over-the-top dialogue. Filled with an impressive roster of A-list comedians in cameo roles, it isn’t a total waste.
Murder of a Cat
Murder mysteries have sort have disappeared from movie theaters in recent times. Gone are the days of pulpy film noirs with shadowy characters and anti-heroes tempted by sexy and morally-ambiguous femme fatales. The new oddball comedy Murder of a Cat attempts to travel back to the era of film noir, using a feline as the murder victim and a slacker man-child as the private dick investigating the crime. It is a film that tries to be cute and succeeds here and there but it ultimately falls flat and offers nothing new or special. The film’s saving grace would simply have to be the performances, which while funny, can’t save this picture from mediocrity.
The Interview
When one thinks of Seth Rogen/James Franco-headlined comedies, one normally doesn’t think of international controversy. The new comedy The Interview has been under the microscope in recent months, not because it is clever and ridiculously funny but because it’s premise is one that has offended and caused some much heated debate. The film focuses on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and two American journalists sent to the Supreme Leader’s home country to assassinate him. It is a simple film with lots of laughs but the subject matter isn’t for all tastes especially with Sony Pictures Entertainment (the studio responsible for releasing the film) falling victim to a recent internet hack. North Korea denied involvement with the hack and the film was released to smaller art house theaters to avoid further problems such as a potential terrorist attack.
Unbroken
Every December, movie theaters across the globe experience a strong influx of critically and commercially successful films, all vying for the same thing: awards. It is a time in which stars and filmmakers offer their very best in the desperate hopes that they will eventually end up with some statues. This year, Angelina Jolie has directed Unbroken, a true story of epic proportions. It is her second time directing (the first being 2011’s In the Land of Blood and Honey) and while the film is a bit cliché and overly optimistic, it works on a few levels. It is also beautifully shot and features a relatively strong performance from young star on the rise Jack O’Connell (Starred Up, Skins, This is England).
Big Eyes
The business of art can be a tricky enterprise to take on. Creativity needs to be commended and credited properly. Plagiarism and fraud can damage a piece’s reputation and the consequences can be disastrous. This scenario is at the forefront in Tim Burton’s latest offbeat dramedy Big Eyes, an unbelievably true story that doesn’t seem true at all. The film has all the makings of a fantastical tale conjured up by imaginative screenwriters and realized visually by one of Hollywood’s most well-known and respected auteurs. It is a fun little movie with excellent performances, a smart script and some of the more subdued elements of Mr. Tim Burton’s signature quirky style.
Wild
Well, it’s time of the year again: award season, a time where movie studios both big and small push out some of their strongest films and there is no doubt that we are in for some really special works of cinema. Hot off of his Oscar-winning tour de force Dallas Buyers Club, director Jean-Marc Vallee has teamed up with Oscar-winner herself Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line) to bring the story of hiker/memoirist Cheryl Strayed to the big screen. Wild is equal parts adventure and equal parts gritty drama and the results are truly, truly great.
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