Super/Anti-Hero Celluloid- Logan (2017)

The year is 2029.  Mutants are nearly extinct.  However, James “Logan” Howlett (aka Wolverine) doesn’t resemble the Weapon X of Days of Future Past.  He’s a chauffeur by day and occasional liberator by night.  Also, he’s semi-retired in Mexico with an old mentor, Charles Xavier.  Charles isn’t as he once was but still has his moments.  They live together in some twisted form of solitude.  Logan works to get medication for him.  However, their lives are about to change with one phone call and a “normal” girl named Laura.

Who is Laura?  What will happen to Professor X?  Will Logan ever be invincible again?

Logan was directed and co-written by James Mangold (The Wolverine).  Mangold has crafted a film with humor, brutality, social commentary and heart.  Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart were brilliant and hilarious together on-screen. However , Dafne Keen has the breakthrough performance as Laura.  She spent the majority of the film in virtual silence but had some unexpected violent outbursts.

It was one of 2017’s Best Films and The Best X-Men Film Ever.  Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart should be Oscar-nominated for their roles as Logan and Charles Xavier.  Viewers will be left talking long after the credits.

 

Best & Worst of 2016- Op Ed

It is that time again for the picks for the 10 Best Films of 2016 and The Worst Films as Well.

Top 10 Best Films

1.  The Edge Of Seventeen is the coming of age dramedy that showed audiences that being awkward doesn’t end at high school.  Kelly Fremon Craig (writer/director) showcased teen & adult angst and life lessons in an unfiltered light.  Hailee Steinfeld gave one of the year’s best performances as Nadine.  It is one of three films (Moonlight, Arrival) on the list that captured life in 2016.
2. Moonlight captured a side of lower class urban life unseen on film until now.  Barry Jenkins wrote, produced and directed this atypical coming of age film.  He focused on Little aka Chiron, an articulate, young, & gay black boy.  Chiron was shunned by his mother to a large extent and raised by Leon, a drug dealer.  This film was moving and inspirational.  Jenkins accomplished something that Spike Lee and John Singleton have never fathomed.  He became a new voice in Black Cinema by focusing much needed attention on the lower class LGBT community.
3.  Arrival showed viewers what would really happen if Earth was invaded by aliens.  The military would have to quell the mass hysteria while trying to solve an unfamiliar code.  Yet, the real solution could be with a physicist and a linguistic professor.  Amy Adams gave her best performance as Louise.  She was equal parts Ellie from Contact and Roy from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  Dennis Villeneuve made the aliens and this closest encounter the most emotional one to date.
4. Nocturnal Animals was a story of Susan, an insomniac pop artist whose ex-husband sent a novel.  The ex’s reasons for sending the manuscript were vague and a potential, reconciliation opportunity.  Yet,she read the novel whilst reflecting on her current life, past life, and the fictional life simultaneously.  Tom Ford adapted Austin Wright’s Tom and Susan masterfully.  Amy Adams gave her other great performance of 2016 as Susan.  Yet, Michael Shannon had the boldest role as a Texas Ranger.  Ford has filmed a love letter to David Cronenberg with this piece of celluloid.
5. Sing Street was writer/director John Carney’s musical gem.  He captured Top of the Pops and MTV (yes, They Used To Play Music Videos) culture to a tee.  The film showcased the art of songwriting, love and friendship while life was being lived by one’s own tune.  Carney did a great favor to film fans.  He gave us the biggest what if…What if John Hughes made a teenage version of The Commitments?  It would’ve looked and sounded like Sing Street.
6. The Infiltrator was the previously untold story of Robert Mazur.  Mazur was a U.S. Customs Special Agent during the 1980’s.  He would become the most unlikely hero in bringing down Pablo Escobar.  Bryan Cranston gave another Oscar worthy performance as Mazur.  It is the Best True Crime Film of 2016.  Fans of Netflix’s Narcos will enjoy the insight into the Medellin Cartel.
7. Miles Ahead was the biopic of jazz legend, Miles Davis.  Davis was known as a cool cat and knew how to get his way.  Don Cheadle was brilliant as Davis.  He directed, produced, starred, co-wrote and co-composed this film.  Cheadle’s performance was one of the ballsiest of 2016.  He outshone every other actor with this no nonsense portrayal.
8. The Lobster was a story of David, a divorced man.  He felt lonely after his wife left.  However, he wasn’t alone because he had Bob, a dog who was his brother.  Bob went to a resort to find a mate.  The conditions of check-in were atypical that included a set number of days to pair up and picking out an animal to become (if not chosen).  David’s brother didn’t find a mate and came home as a dog.  Yet, they journeyed together to the resort.  At check-in, he decided on the lobster.  The lobster has a long life and remained virile into old age.  Yorgos Lanthimos co-wrote and directed this twisted, modern fable.  Colin Farrell gave one of his best performances to date.  The ending of this film left audiences talking.
9. Elle was the story of Michele Leblanc.  She was raped at her home but didn’t contact the authorities.  Instead, she went on about daily routine.  Yet, her life was rocked even further with threatening texts and harassing e-mails.  Would she portray the victim or enact sweet revenge?  Paul Verhoeven directed this erotic thriller.  He was given a great lead actress in Isabelle Huppert.  She made Catherine Tramell (from Basic Instinct) timid by comparison.  The film gave audiences varied insights and twists.  This is his best foreign film since Black Book.
10. Free State of Jones told the true story of Newton Knight, a Confederate deserter.  He served for the Mississippi 7th Cavalry until Daniel, his son, was drafted.  Newton had a huge change of heart especially after Daniel was killed in battle.  The events that followed were untold in American history until now.  Gary Ross co-wrote and directed the film.  He didn’t shy away from discussing racial inequality during The Civil War.  Also, he reflected how it still affects Americans today in an unbiased, unexpected manner.  Matthew McConaughey gave an outstanding performance as Knight.

Honorable Mentions for 2016:  Deadpool, Dead Tongues, Eye in the Sky, Sausage Party, Captain Fantastic, Me Before You, Don’t Breathe, Eddie The Eagle, Moana, The Nice Guys

Worst Films of 2016:

1.   The Brothers Grimsby was equal parts espionage, stupidity and elephant spunk.  Sacha Baron Cohen should reexamine his comic styling and consider taking supporting roles for the unforeseeable future.
2.   Blair Witch was the third film in the snotty and blood laden horror franchise.  This was a waste of time and effort.  How many times can the same family and friends get lost in Maryland?
3.  Norm of the North was a film that this blogger didn’t see and has no intent of watching.  A polar bear and three gassy lemmings have to save the ice caps.  Well, we finally have the reason that led to Waterworld.
4.  Independence Day: Resurgence was an unnecessary sequel that bombed.  Will Smith would be the only reason to have seen the film but he his character died in the original.  Hausdex did have a suggestion on how they could reincorporated him.  However, his legal counsel has prevented the details from being disclosed.
5. Gods of Egypt was another film that this blogger won’t see.  Where is the market for turning hieroglyphs into super heroes?  The upside of this flop was the Egyptian and Middle Eastern actors didn’t take parts.  Ridley Scott (didn’t make this P.O.S. btw) has taken another huge leap in diverse ensembles.

Best Miscellaneous Awards:

Best Brawl:  The Boss (Darnell’s Darlings vs. The Dandelions)

Best Fight:  The Nice Guys (Russell Crowe vs. Keith David–It’s the closest viewers will get to seeing a Roddy Piper again.  You’re welcome.)

Best One Man Fight:  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Donnie Yuen vs. Twenty Stormtroopers–A blind, Jedi monk has better tactical skills than the Imperial forces.)

Best One Man Tactical Unit:  The Accountant (Ben Affleck should have a shoot off with Bradley Cooper in an upcoming project.)

Best One Woman Fighter:  Jennifer Aniston in Office Christmas Party, Gal Gadot in Dawn of Justice (tie)  (Anniston used Krav Maga and Russian language against mob members.; Wonder Woman saved the planet by owning Batman and Superman.)

Best Melee:  Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Hollows vs. Skeltons was classic battle in true Harryhausen style.)

Best Comedic Actor:  Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Central Intelligence, Moana)

Best Comedic Actress:  Kate McKinnon (Ghostbusters, Office Christmas Party)

Best Young Actor:  Oakes Fegley (Pete’s Dragon)

Best Young Actress:  Lulu Wilson (Ouija:  Origin of Evil)

Best Dramatic Actor:  Don Cheadle (Miles Ahead)

Best Dramatic Actress:  Amy Adams (Arrival, Nocturnal Animals)

Best Overlooked Comedy:  Popstar:  Never Stop, Never Stopping

Best Overlooked Drama:  Miles Ahead, Eye in the Sky (tie)

Best Family Film:  Moana

Best Family Adventure:  The Jungle Book

Best Family Comedy:  The Secret Life of Pets

Best Family Drama:  Pete’s Dragon

Best Horror Film:  Don’t Breathe

Best Comic Book Film:  Deadpool

Best Communal Film:  Me Before You; Eye in the Sky (tie)

Best Hero/Heroine:  Wonder Woman in Dawn of Justice

Best Antihero:  Deadpool; The Blind Man from Don’t Breathe (tie)

Best Villain:  A Literally, Raging Douche from Sausage Party