The premise of the aging actor falling from grace has been documented on film all too well. A once great performer who has fallen on hard times can serve as a very probing and interesting picture. This story is the basic skeleton of this lackluster drama The Humbling, a movie starring the legendary Al Pacino which has many parallels to reality. Pacino is an aging star in his own right and this film feels all too familiar. This type of story seems to be all the rage these days especially with Michael Keaton’s comeback performance in last year’s Birdman. Al Pacino’s movie here is a disappointing cinematic experience to say the least and with a depressing plot peppered with solid performances, there really isn’t much to marvel at in The Humbling.
Northern Borders
Bruce Dern is one of cinema history’s most treasured actors. With a career spanning more than half a century, he has given the world some very random and some very offbeat performances. In 2013, his career saw new life injected into it with the bittersweet drama Nebraska and he continued to ride that gravy train with another picture, Northern Borders, a story of pain, resentment, and growing. His crusty old coot persona continues with this film and while it may not be for everyone, it is an honest performance full of many layers and varying emotions present not just in cranky seniors but in all people. Northern Borders may be a difficult film to digest but it is certainly an interesting one to watch.
American Sniper
War on film is almost always a surefire way to fill theater seats. Not only can the action sequences be intense and thrilling but the element of human drama is heightened in a way that can leave many breathless and wanting more. The new Clint Eastwood-directed soldier drama American Sniper is not only a powerful picture of epic proportions but it is based on a profound true story, that of United States Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, a sharpshooter with 160 confirmed kills who is considered to be the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. Talented actor Bradley Cooper portrays the legendary marksman and it is one of the actor’s most brilliant performances to date.
Little Accidents
Independent dramas are a dime a dozen these days. Many notable actors tend to gravitate to smaller films mostly for artistic reasons. The stories are generally more interesting as is the acting skill. Since the budgets are low, up and coming writers and directors take advantage of this and use the indie film as a way to break into the entertainment business. Pretty much anyone with a camera can become a filmmaker and in some instances, this is the perfect platform for said filmmakers to strut they stuff and show exactly what they’re made of. The new drama Little Accidents is one such film and while there are some big names in the cast, the film itself isn’t exactly the greatest movie of all time.
Supremacy
Unfortunately, racism is something that has existed and will probably continue to exist for quite some time. Throughout history, judgment and violence against a race that is not one’s own has caused wars, crime, and pretty much the very worst of humanity. The new thriller Supremacy focuses on a white supremacist and his upward battle not only with black people but with himself. It is a harsh movie with a bleak plot and eerily realistic performances. With such intense themes of racism and paranoia, Supremacy is a film that will certainly keep you on the edge of you seat.
Still Life
Obviously, death is an important topic. It is something man has dwelled on and lamented upon since the beginning of human life on Earth. Questions of why we’re here and what happens when we depart are things everyone is curious about. Film delves into the topic of death quite extensively but in the new dramedy Still Life, we get a unique perspective on death and the effects it has on loved ones. It is a movie with powerful themes, subtle beauty, and an understated and rather genius performance from British actor Eddie Marsan (Happy-Go-Lucky, The World’s End). Though a smart and thoughtful film, Still Life will almost certainly fall through the cracks and into the depths of obscurity.
Inherent Vice
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.
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.
Unger the Radar 