Predestination (2014)

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This film is based off the short story "All You Zombies" written by Robert A. Heinlein. While on his final assignment, a time traveling temporal agent faces the past that constructed his present. He also struggles to stop the "Fizzle Bomber" before he attacks again.

This film was directed by Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig (The Spierig Brothers). Now, this is a very unique time traveling science fiction story. It isn't based on action, but rather its mystery. The story is really driven through the secretive nature of its main character and the realizations that he endures. Even if the logic can be flawed, the story is entrancing but kind of disturbing. There is some issues with its usage of transgenderism (which stems from the short story). In truth, it feels more like a question of personal identity and the search for a reason to live (which is more of a psychological issue). What is really enjoyable is that the film feels futuristic while keeping the actual time in perspective. Ethan Hawke played the role of the temporal agent. His mysterious and silent nature carried the film's story. Sarah Snook played the role of The Unmarried Mother. Her emotional performance made it a compelling watch.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great science fiction that doesn't rely solely on its action. Its story toys with the emotions of its audience instead.

This film can be found on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Amma Asante, Belle, directed the film A Way of Life.

Que: What other science fiction film is based off the works of Robert A. Heinlein?

RoboCop

Starship Troopers

Tron

The Abyss

Belle (2013)

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This film is based off the 1779 painting with Dido Elizabeth Belle and her cousin Lady Elizabeth Murray. It is also based on evidence that she was raised at Kenwood House. In the eighteenth century England, Dido was unexpectedly born of a mixed heritage. She was later taken by her Royal Navy Admiral father to be raised by her aristocratic great uncle William Murray (1st Earl of Mansfield). Dido struggles against the stereotypes of a slave driven economy.

This film was directed by Amma Asante. Since there isn't there much known information about Belle, this film can be seen for its historical accuracy. There are several moments when the history was altered to better fit the film's genre. This film has an obvious message against slavery and for empowering women. It also has all the struggles that people fighting for stature and wealth. However, the ending pulls the story together in a cheerful matter; which is unlike most films presented within this era of history. It is great to watch the central character mature and stand for something. The backdrops are beautiful, and the costume design is a delight to watch. Gugu (Gugulethu) Mbatha-Raw played the role of Dido Elizabeth Belle. Her performance was stunning on screen. She subtly created a strong female character with all the posh one would expect form a woman in the era. Sam Reid played the role of John Davinier. He was great supporting Gugu on screen. Tom Wilkinson played the role of Lord Mansfield. He was another great supporting actor for the film.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great period piece film that certain audiences will enjoy. 

This film can be found through DVD.

Answer to last blog: Actor Cole Konis played the role of young Chris Kyle in American Sniper.

Que: What other film has director Amma Asante directed?

Beyond the Lights

Tigers

Felony

A Way of Life

American Sniper

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This film is based off the biography novel American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History that was written by Chris Kyle with Scott McEwen and Jim DeFelice. Chris Kyle joins the military to fight for his country against terrorists, and finds himself become one of the Navy SEAL's best snipers. However, during his return trips home he realizes that he can't leave the war behind.

This film was directed by Clint Eastwood. There were a lot of controversies surrounding this film. One of which was its negative depiction of Iraqi people and perspective on the Iraqi war. Admittedly, this film does not offer them any favors, but it is fully told from the perspective of a soldier. Often soldiers need to dehumanize their enemies to continue working. The dehumanization ends once they return home; which this film shows. That being said, the film does feel like a crusade against evil doers (anyone that attacks, or threatens, our country). It was meant to be a statement against war, but it feels more like its supporting the idea, because that's how modern hero's are made. However, it does succeed in presenting audiences with the neglect veteran's face upon their return. It also succeeds in presenting the mental damage that is inflected to our soldiers. The film is unique in that it show a vulnerable and strong soldier that is infused with a hero complex. Much of the focus is kept on the combat sequences, so that you feel like you're in the war. During the war sequences there is a primary villain, but he is so nonexistent on screen that even he feels one dimensional. The few home sequences remind us about his humanity. This very tense and dramatic film doesn't allow for any secondary characters to stand out. What is interesting about this film is that there really isn'y any music for it. Bradley Cooper played the role of Chris Kyle. He was great at carrying this film with very few lines. 

I give this film 5 our of 5 stars! It is a great dramatic and tense story that questions how war affects those involved.

This film can be found in theaters.

Answer to last blog: Chad Stahelski did act as Keanu Reeves stunt double in the film The Matrix Revolutions.

Que: Who played the child version of Chris Kyle?

C. J. Valleroy

Cole Konis

Luke Sunshine

John D'Leo

John Wick (2014)

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While grieving for his deceased wife, Iosef Tarasov (son of Viggo Tarasov; a mobster leader) attacks him to steal his car and murder his newly acquired puppy. Trapped in his moment of grief, he sets out to get revenge against Iosef Tarasov. In doing so, he returns to his dark past.

This film was directed by Chad Stahelski (and David Leitch). For sequel maniacs, don't worry, this film will come with a sequel. Nothing good remains a single film anymore. The story actively creates a unique world of assassins, and keeps the main character mysterious. The story offers a twist on a familiar return to the past origin story. Although it is humorous that everyone who is anyone knows who he is, except for one dumb kid. In many ways, it kind of feels that this story should not have happened, but it did. The weak plot is mended through its fast paced short-em up action. (Head shots everywhere) This film took a lot of influences from various actions films-including impressive one liners. The cinematography and the backdrop offers a stylish perspective for the film that makes it stand out. Keanu Reeves stared as John Wick. This was a great action film that allowed him to make his great come-back. He was great at creating the bad-ass anti-hero, but could've done better to pull off the emotions that drove him back to slaughter. Alfie Allen played the role of Iosef Tarasov. This character is the driving force of the plot, but is nothing else. He barely stands out from the rest of the cast. Michael Nyqvist played the role of Viggo Tarasov. He was a villain that you often felt sympathetic for. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a great and stylish action film with a weak story.

This film can be found on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Darren Aronofsky, Noah, did not direct the film The Fighter.

Que: In which Matrix film was Chad Stahelski not Keanu Reeves stunt double?

The Matrix

The Matrix Reloaded

The Matrix Revolutions

He was a stunt double in all three

Noah (2014)

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This film is based off the Biblical story of Noah's Ark (Book of Genesis). Noah is given a vision, from the Creator, to build an ark that would house two of every kind of animal species. As Noah embarks on this mission, he witnesses the horror and goodness of humanity. From what he witnesses, Noah must make a decision to rescue humanity, or destroy it.

This film was directed by Darren Aronofsky. Okay, I will start by saying that this film was made for a wider, more artistic, audience than a highly religious audience. Director Aronofsky took a lot of liberties with this film by adding in his artistic flair, creatures, an epic battle, magic, philosophy, and a villain. These additions were made to give depth to a short portion of the Bible. In many ways it works as an introduction to younger generations about Christianity. That being said, there was a lot of opinions surrounding this film. One of those being that it goes against the Islamic teachings, so it got banned. There weren't any ethnic people present within the film. Which I can't argue, because Noah is like the ninth descendant of Adam. I don't think that allowed for a lot of time to change skin color, nor would it have allowed a massive population growth (evil or good). The angels could not have given Cain so much aid to populate an entire planet. Another issue that people seem to have is that they view this film as a propaganda for environmentalism. I can see that, but what other form of life is there at that time. You can be evil and consume meat, or be good and live off nature. It also angered some audience's because 'God' is never referred to as such. However, many enjoyed the thought of stories being used as an explanation for their beliefs.

The use of magic can be believable in that this story is fairly magical and could not be believed without it. Albeit, it might've been overdone to the point where it made the family appear cultish. The fallen angels, which are great on-screen creatures, are oddly placed into this film. With all that taken into account, the story itself is largely philosophical. The major question is were humans meant to survive the great flood? Was it the goodness in Noah that made God want them to survive? Why did God go through so much trouble to show Noah the wickedness of the times? How much of Noah, himself, was evil? I think the film's ending saved it from being throughly despised by all Christians, because goodness appeared to have prevailed. Russell Crowe played the role of Noah. He created the perfect revision of Noah. He gave this familiar fatherly character a very dark persona that make people question him. Ray Winstone played the role of Tubal-cain. He is present as a villain to distort the preachings of God. He also does a great job at making Noah look tame in comparison.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a great retelling of a familiar tale that non-religious audiences could actually enjoy.

This film can be found through Netflix DVD.

Answer to last blog: Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, The Interview, worked together on the film This Is The End.

Que: What film has Darren Aronofsky not directed?

Black Swan
The Wrestler
The Fighter
The Fountain

The Interview (2014)

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This film is based off a story by Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Dan Sterling. Aaron Rapaport works for Dave Skylark who interviews celebrities for television. Dave decides to interview Kim Jong-un in a more serious interview to keep Aaron from leaving. Shortly after accepting the interview, the CIA contacts them and requests their assistance in assassinating the dictator. However, Kim Jong-un is working to gain favor from Dave before the interview.

This film was directed by Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan. Okay, let's face it, the only reason this film got its release is because of the names attached to the project. This just proves that companies will bow to high marketing celebrities-even if the idea is ridiculous and from a stoner. Naturally, since this film is very openly about their dictator of choice (unlike The Dictator), and features his execution, there was a lot of controversy surrounding this film. Now, it was taken out of theaters and brought back to pretty much become an instant release so that anyone can watch it. The story is a typical Seth Rogan comedy full of sex, homosexual innuendos, and drugs. But, it is no way a political satire. It is more of a satire on modern media than anything else. The small amounts of comedy come from the heartfelt and idiotic leading characters. Unfortunately, unless your a fan of Rogen the comedy isn't side-splitting enjoyment. The ending does pull it all together with some chuckles. Seth Rogen played the role of Aaron Rapaport. He played another very familiar role; the kindhearted nerd trying to find some meaning in his life. So, if you like his other performances you'll like this. James Franco played the role of Dave Skylark. He played the lovable idiot in this film. He was entertaining to watch, but got tiring after a while. Randall Park played the role of Kim Jong-un. He was great in his role making a dictator both hate worthy and likable.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It was a decent comedy film, that fans of Seth Rogen will enjoy. This film, riddled with controversial, isn't a great satire.

This film can be found on youtube and Netflix instant que.

Answer to last blog: The recently released film Big Driver was based off a Stephen King story written in the 'Full Dark, No Stars' novella collection.

Que: What other film did Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg direct together on?

This Is The End

Pineapple Express

Superbad

The Watch

(Stephen King) A Good Marriage

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This film is based off novella, with the same title, written by Stephen King. After twenty-five years of a happy marriage, Darcy discovers that her husband is the Beadie serial killer. Darcy forces herself to continue living with this knowledge (in secret), but remains terrified that he will murder again.

This film was directed by Peter Askin. This is not the greatest Stephen King adaptation to be brought to life. It is full of the 'good family' cliches, especially in the beginning. The story itself creates an interesting portrait of a serial killer; he's a man who really does love his family and his wife, is an outstanding employee, but just kills people on the side. In some ways, the story is meant to make you question who the murderer actually is. Since the killer remains so ordinary, and there isn't enough built tension, there is no real thriller aspect within the film. The plot has a great basis, but its execution falls flat. Through time there are very small hints of what is happening within the character's mind. Without viewing the entire picture of the mental distress it is hard to fully comprehend the main character's ending motives. Which sadly makes the ending feel very random and conflicting. There is also a sick detective, who feels like he should be important, but is just pointless. Joan Allen played the role of Darcy Anderson. She was good in the role, but the story failed to complete her character's depth. Anthony LaPaglia played the role of Bob Anderson/Beadie. He was good at playing the typical all good father, but it was difficult to see that hidden killer within him. 

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! There is a great base plan for a fantastic film, but its execution plummets it success. 

This film is available through Instant Stream on Netflix.

Answer to last blog: Actor Russell Crow was originally intended to play the role of Robert McCall in the film The Equalizer. 

Que: A Good Marriage novella is part of a collection of stories entitled 'Full Dark, No Stars'. What other film was inspired from the collection?

Carrie

Big Driver

The Mist

Cat's Eye