The story of Cinderella is one of mankind’s most enduring fairy tales. It is a tale of romance, dreams and accepting one for who they truly are. Over time, the story has been adapted many times, the most notable one being the animated feature film in 1950. Thanks to Walt Disney and his crack team of animators, Cinderella was brought to “life”. This movie was the start of something very special and now in 2015, Disney has taken it one step further and made Cinderella live-action. Renowned Shakespearan film director Kenneth Branagh has provided his reliable services in capturing the magic of the girl with the glass slipper and the results aren’t only good but downright magical.
Category Archives: Review
My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
The path an artist takes can be a long, hard and sometimes painful journey. To perfect and to constantly rework something can be a source of immense stress. Like all artists, filmmakers are especially prone to self-criticism and extreme doubt. Danish “auteur” Nicolas Winding Refn is a prime example of this and while his films aren’t always great works of art, he is a man who cares about his craft. The new documentary My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn attempts to present the man’s life and work process in a casual and honest way. It isn’t the most illuminating of documentaries but it does shine a rather bright light on ambition and self-gratification.
Walter
It’s tough being the son of God. There are lots of decisions to be made like who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hell. Walter is this person and the responsibility can be quite stressful. The offbeat independent dramedy Walter follows the titular character as he not only judges those on Earth but tries to survive the trappings of young adulthood. It is a funny film with some rather serious themes but the tone, for the most part, is pretty light. Not all audiences will appreciate the humor and certain scenes might detract but this is a really sweet movie that will hopefully garner a cult following in the near future.
Road Hard
Stand up comedy is a tough profession to find success in. Many brave souls have tried and many have failed. For many, it’s just a job but for some, it’s a career and those who can find success in it, well all the more power to them. Adam Carolla is one such individual and he has been in the game for over two decades now. In addition to his stand up, he has had numerous television shows including The Man Show and Loveline. He has made it big on radio and in podcasting. He’s even authored a few books. But for purposes of this review, we will be focusing on his new film Road Hard, which isn’t a straight up autobiopic but a bittersweet look at the lifestyle of many stand up comedians. It is a film that doesn’t just present comics in a goofy light but strips away the fame and money to reveal a more personal and humanistic story.
Champs
Boxing is probably the most dangerous sport there is. It is an activity in which two individuals establish their dominance through sweaty and bloody competition. Many men (and women) have engaged in the sport and their personal stories often contribute to their punch for punch quest for glory. Not only are they fighting for a title but they are fighting for freedom, liberation from oppression and poor living conditions. The new documentary Champs is an exceptionally well-crafted film that highlights the struggles and the triumphs of boxers. Three of the greatest fighters to ever compete tell their stories and make for one very compelling documentary. It’s not just a film about the sport but a film showcasing the very best in humanity.
Black Sea
The great thing about submarine films is that they usually evoke a strong sense of tension (Das Boot, The Hunt for Red October), mostly motivated by claustrophobia and/or paranoia. The setting is so tight that those onboard may begin to lose it, unravel, and the results can be pretty gripping. The new thriller Black Sea is a perfect example of this and with a brilliant cast led by charismatic leading man Jude Law plus expert direction from Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, One Day in September), it is a film that will definitely leave a profound impact on audiences. It’s just a fun film and almost everything about it clicks.
Bypass
Trouble often comes in threes. It can sometimes comes in more increments than that and it can come fast and it can come furiously. It especially can come to those who are good deep down, people who have nothing but the best interests of their friends and families in mind. The new British thriller Bypass presents this dilemma to its viewers and it is a bleak and sobering look at the limits one man will go to provide for those he loves. Director Duane Hopkins, who gave us another depressing look at the British middle class in 2008’s Better Things, continues to provide a dark outlook in his premise and a story which is full of constant misery.
I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story
In 1969, the world was rocked by something so great, so monumental and so important that it is considered one of humanity’s greatest modern achievements. No, I’m not talking about man landing on the moon. I’m talking about Sesame Street, a show which revolutionized children’s TV programming forever. The highly popular program combined education and entertainment seamlessly through song, humor and lots of furry creatures. These creatures were puppets manipulated by a crack team of individuals who certainly knew what they were doing. One of these individuals was (and still is) Caroll Spinney, a man who has been a working member of Sesame Street since its inception. He is better known as Big Bird and he’s even responsible for giving life and voice to Oscar the Grouch. The documentary I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story shines a spotlight on the man inside the bird suit and it’s really quite moving.
Everly
There is really something truly great about female action heroes. Hot chicks with guns who kick ass provide for some of the more entertaining cinematic fare. Women scorned who get revenge on predominantly male oppressors has been a crowd-pleasing formula for decades. From the Pam Grier blaxploitation flicks of the 1970s to Sigourney Weaver in the Alien franchise to Jennifer Lawrence in the more recent The Hunger Games films, let’s face it, audiences like to see strong women on film strike back against evil. The new Salma Hayek actioner Everly is just what the people want and it is certainly a bloody good time. Sure, it bears a striking resemblance to Kill Bill but that’s okay because it delivers the goods and then some.
Out of the Dark
Ghosts on film provide for some of the more creepy modes of storytelling. Shadowy creatures combined with creaking floors and a fear of the unknown often make the moviegoing experience a genuinely scary one. The new B-movie thriller Out of the Dark has more of these elements and then some and while it isn’t of the utmost quality, it does offer some rather decent shocks and some pretty solid performances from it lead actors. Set and filmed in Colombia, it is an average spookfest that is good for a momentary chill but other than that, it’s just low grade thriller that doesn’t have much to offer other than fine acting.
Unger the Radar 