Shailene Woodley is something of a phenomenon. She basically appeared out of nowhere and stepped right into the spotlight with her fantastic performance as George Clooney’s outspoken daughter in 2011’s The Descendants. Since then, she has been quickly moving up the Hollywood stardom ladder. At 22 year of age, she has shown a strong command of the dramatic arts and displayed a wide range in every role she chooses. Her latest film White Bird in a Blizzard continues to show audiences that she is more than just a pretty face and can tackle some very heavy material.
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Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain
On December 2nd, 1984, a truly horrific event took place in Bhopal, India. The Bhopal disaster was an industrial gas leak, considered to be the worst manmade disaster in history. More than 10,000 people were killed in one night as a result of it and people are still feeling effects to this day. A semi-fictional feature film has been made to shed light on the disaster with a strong cast and exquisite direction. Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain is a dramatic depiction of the Bhopal disaster complete with a handful of interesting character backstories as well as some rather beautiful film visuals.
The Theory of Everything
Very few people in the world are worthy of the moniker “genius”. To make groundbreaking discoveries that affect humanity and make a significant impact on the way people see the universe, well that’s very rare. Renowned English physicist Stephen Hawking is one such individual to achieve this and his life and work are the stuff of absolute legends. His research and theories questioned the very nature of time and space and shook the foundation of modern science. The new biographical film The Theory of Everything shines a light on the scientist’s personal life from when he was a young college student up until the present.
Felony
The line between good and bad can at times, be rather grey. With crime, this distinction comes up a lot and whether you are right or wrong, the road getting to that truth can be pretty bumpy. The latest Australian export Felony explores moral ambiguity and during the course of the film, the main character’s motives are explored and his moral compass, seriously tested. It isn’t a very good film but it does tackle an issue that can be very important. A human drama through and through, it does have a noble purpose and that, like most films, is to entertain. Unfortunately, this film doesn’t rank too high on the fun-o-meter.
#Stuck
Romantic comedies aren’t exactly thriving these days. Attractive leading actors can only take an empty soulless story so far. Fortunately, there are the occasional instances when original ideas grace the silver screen and talented actors utter sharp and witty dialogue thus making for an enjoyable film. The latest bit of raunchy cinema comes in the form of #Stuck and despite its overly hip title; it is actually a rather pleasant and smart comedy that will most likely, hold your interest during its brief but strong 83-minute runtime.
The Pact 2
Typically, sequels are not very good. To continue in the vein of an original work of art is usually pretty unoriginal. Horror films seem to suffer from this “sequel syndrome” and it is really quite unfortunate. Sure, sometimes studios get lucky with Saw or Paranormal Activity but even then, those films begin to lose their luster and fall deep into obscurity. One recent example of this is The Pact 2, a sequel to a film that didn’t really need a sequel to begin with but then again, what horror films do these days?
Listen Up Philip
Writers are an interesting breed. They see the world in a way that is contrary to most non-creative types. To put together a piece of work that elicits powerful emotion and invites the reader to think, well that is just what knowledge and the pursuit of all things good is all about. The latest independent drama Listen Up Philip is a film that puts writers under the microscope and examines their place in society. With a strong cast and a dry, witty script, this is a film that won’t draw in mass audiences but it will leave an impression on the artsy crowd hungry for eccentric characters with realistic problems.
Extraterrestrial
The whole “cabin in the woods” scenario has been done to death in horror movies. Basically, take a handful of young idiots, put them in a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, add a hostile supernatural element and enjoy. This perfectly sums up Extraterrestrial, an independent horror flick which combines elements of both science fiction and slasher films. There is also a small amount of comedy to help lighten the mood in between deaths. All in all, it’s not a terrible film. It just isn’t a very good one either.
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (Blu-ray)
Every once in a while, an animated film comes along that isn’t just beautiful visually but contains a message and story that is truly mesmerizing and utterly out of this world. Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart is one such film and it is a French export which will certainly touch your heart. Now out on Blu-ray and DVD, this film is yours to own and to marvel at in gorgeous high definition. Not only does it look great but it sounds great as well with an absolutely brilliant soundtrack by French rock band Dionysos. With all of these elements firmly in place, Jack is one animated film you won’t want to miss.
Horns
Daniel Radcliffe is a man of many talents. He made a name for himself playing the child wizard Harry Potter and since then, he has picked a number of roles that showcase his impressive range as an actor. Films like The Woman in Black, Kill Your Darlings and this year’s What If are all excellent examples of this. But audiences will certainly shed the last bit of Hogwarts from their memory with Radcliffe’s latest acting challenge, the quirky horror comedy Horns. It is a strong departure for the young actor and has been released just in time for Halloween.
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