Anniversary/Underdog Celluloid- Ed Wood (1994)

Ed Wood still speaks volumes to struggling actors, writers & directors 25 years later.  Tim Burton masterfully captured the angora clad genius of “The Worst Director of All Time”. The film worked because of the great ensemble including Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Bill Murray & Vincent D’Onofrio.

However, the rapport between Ed Wood (played by Johnny Depp) and Bela Lugosi (portrayed by the late Martin Landau) elevated the story to new heights.  Landau won the 1995 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Boris Karloff hating Lugosi.  He wore the masterful makeup of Rick Baker (who captured a 1995 Oscar for this project).

It remains One of Burton’s Best & Most Underrated Films of his long career.  However, this was the second film with Depp (previous was Edward Scissorhands) and would lead to other collaborations including Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland.  Yet, this is One of Johnny Depp’s Funniest and Most Enduring Roles.

So, get ready to be inspired and enjoy this piece of schlock.  What did you expect Karloff to steal Lugosi’s thunder?  Never!!!

Cautionary Celluloid- War Dogs (2016)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hercial Austin (@notthatherschel)

WCW True One of a Kind Celluloid- Amy Adams in Big Eyes (2014)

Big Eyes is the true story of pop artist Margaret Keane.  The film follows her after she left Frank Ulbrich, her first husband, because of marital troubles.  She fled to San Francisco and made a living doing paintings and sketches with big eyes.

Her art and person fetched the attention and affection of Walter Keane.  After her divorce, she married Walter Keane. The marriage seems great at first. However, art is nothing like it appears to be.

Tim Burton, lifelong fan of Margaret Keane, directs and produces a brilliant tribute to her artistry.  Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski (Ed Wood and The People vs. Larry Flynt) have captured this amazing story with great detail.

Amy Adams shines as Margaret Keane.  Christoph Waltz is menacing as Walter Keane. This movie appeals to artists and art lovers alike. Big Eyes will leave viewers gazing in awe long after the credits roll.

(This review was originally written on May 20, 2015)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Adams

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Keane

MCM True Rebel Celluloid- Matthew McConaughey in Free State of Jones (2016)

Free State of Jones is a true story.  Newton Knight (Matthew McCounaughey) fought for the Mississippi 7th Battalion and was a nurse.  However, his loyalty changed once Daniel, his son was drafted. Also, Newton’s 10% of property (including Daniel) was seized by the Confederate forces. His son’s death would change his loyalty.  However, it was just the beginning of his personal revolution.  Yet, he wasn’t the one Rebel that was against slavery.  He would become an unlikely hero.

Also, the film fast forwards to the 20th Century to the trial of Davis Knight.  Davis was the great-grandson of Newton Knight.  His race and heritage were being called into question.

What happened next wasn’t taught in any American History course?

Free State of Jones is directed and co-written by Gary Ross (The Hunger Games). Matthew McConaughey is terrific as Newton.  Ross doesn’t shy away from the true cost of freedom and war.  The film is graphic but true to life.  At the screening I attended, one female viewer walked out after the opening battle and didn’t return.

This is a timely film considering how often race and other attributes are being drudged up in an election year.

Free State proves that this has been ongoing before The Civil War and long afterwards.  America has come a long way, but we still have a ways to go.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_Knight

https://renegadesouth.wordpress.com/2009/04/08/the-life-and-death-of-davis-knight-after-state-vs-knight/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_McConaughey

 

Road Trip Celluloid- A Walk in the Woods (2015)

Bill Bryson (Robert Redford) is suddenly stuck after the loss of a neighbor. However, a trip to an Appalachian Trail marker ,near Hanover, NH, sparks an idea. He decides to hike the entire trail.  One problem:  He’s a reporter and not a hiker. Kathryn Bryson (Emma Thompson) tries to discourage him with death reports and bear attack literature.  Her actions make Bill want to attain this goal even more than before.

He decides to call most of his friends for a hiking buddy.  All of them have an excuse and/or they think he’s crazy.  Yet, it changes with a random call from an old colleague.  Stephen Katz (Nick Nolte) is interested in making the journey.  Katz has two bum knees and is not on best terms with Bill.  It doesn’t matter to him.  He wants someone to accompany him on the trek.

Will Bill and Stephan make it from GA to ME in one piece?  Will they maul each other like angry bears?  What happens when we get to our destination.

A Walk in the Woods is based on Bill Bryson’s book.  The book was originally published in 1998.  However, the studio decided to set the film in 2015.  Despite this fact, the film works on numerous levels.  Redford and Nolte play terrifically off of each other.  Redford’s class as Bryson contradicts Nolte’s crass as Katz.  It shows the differences between varying generations during the journey.  Katz & Bryson are continually frustrated by the younger hikers but they still persevere.  The younger hikers helped them along their journey but not the entire way.  Yet, it’s the older generation that provides the most solace during the trek.

Take this humorous,heartfelt walk and hike the trail with a friend or companion.  It is always nice to take the path less traveled on occasion.  Remember, Watch For Bears!

 

MCM True Ensemble Celluloid- The Big Short (2015)

Four men saw an opportunity in the U.S. real estate market and decided to gamble.  The risk would be just a footnote.

The Big Short is the Wall Street of the 21st Century. It details the faulty, realty investments that lead to the 2008 financial collapse.

Short features a great ensemble including Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, & Christian Bale. It is based on Michael Lewis’ book and slickly directed/co-written by Adam McKay. The film was nominated for five 2016 Oscars including Best Picture & Best Director.  

However, the Academy snubbed Barry Ackroyd for his sharp, documentary style of cinematography. The film is a must see. It beautifully captures the infinitely cyclical trend of greed.

Adam McKay & Charles Randolph earned a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar at the 2016 Oscars.

(This review was originally written on February 5, 2016)

 

True One of a Kind Celluloid- Miles Ahead (2016)

Miles Ahead chronicled the unlikely pairing of Dave Braden (Ewan McGregor), Rolling Stone reporter, and Miles Davis (Don Cheadle), music legend.  Davis was not seen performing after 1975 in Tokyo.  He was taking a breather.  However, Columbia Records was in his craw over a new album.  They presumed it was a “comeback album” but Davis saw it differently.  Braden entered his life with a cold call that resulted in a Miles cold cock..  However, things unraveled when Braden drove Davis to Columbia.  The head of A & R didn’t set up an interview with Rolling Stone.   A sour note like no other was struck.  The result was a violent outburst from Davis and Columbia demanded the tape for the $20k rights upfront.

Would Davis get the master tape to Columbia?  Would Braden survive a stint with “The Howard Hughes of Music”?  Bitches Brew would be the least volatile drink from Davis to Braden.

Miles Ahead is produced, directed, co-written, additionally composed, and starring Don Cheadle.  Cheadle is the man to beat for Best Actor at the 2017 Oscars.  He captures Davis like no other and even learned the trumpet for the role.  However, he did play the saxophone in high school.

He joined by a great supporting cast including Ewan McGregor, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Theron Brown.  McGregor is a terrific balance to Cheadle’s Davis.  He provides some of the unlikely moments of the film.  However, Emayatzy Corinealdi is an early contender for Best Supporting Actress as Frances Taylor.  She stands toe-to-toe with Cheadle without backing down.  Theron Brown is terrific as an upstart jazz musician named Herbie Hancock.

Miles Ahead is one of 2016’s 10 Best Films.  This will silence all the “Oscars Be So Lily White!” haters.  Don Cheadle will be one of several Oscar nominated black actors, actresses, producers, directors, and/or writers at the 2017 Oscars.  Here’s to Miles Davis, a truly, original musician.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Davis

True LGBT Celluloid- The Danish Girl (2015)

The Danish Girl followed the lives of artists Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander) and Einar Wegener (Eddie Redmayne).  However, their lives were changed one day.  Gerda didn’t have a female model and decided to have Einar substitute.  She was inspired beyond words and he was in a new world.  The paintings were a huge success and everyone became curious about the model’s identity.

Einar became Lili Elbe, Einar’s cousin, for appearances with Gerda.  However, the appearances began to take on a different life.  Lili was becoming a regular fixture and Einar slowly faded into the canvas.  As with all art, it has an immeasurable price one’s existence.  He began to struggle with his own gender.  However, Gerda felt strained between the husband she loved and the model that she painted.

How would Einar become Lili?  Would she live up to his expectations?  What would Gerda do once she lost her husband?  Does the female form truly represent the model?

The Danish Girl is based on David Eberschoff’s novel.  It is loosely based on the live of Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe.  Lili Elbe was one of the first recorded cases of sexual reassignment surgery.  Tom Hooper directed this challenging film.  He is blessed with two great leads in Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander.

Redmayne shows us that his Oscar for portraying Stephen Hawking wasn’t a fluke. He provides a deep, multi-faceted performance as Einar/Lili and earned a 2016 Best Actor nomination.  However,  Alicia Vikander delivers a beautiful portrayal of wife torn between the man she loves and the woman trapped within him.  She earned a well deserved 2016 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

The film delves into territory that Ishmael Merchant & James Ivory never dared.  They did deal with gay issues in some of their films.  However, they would’ve had a game changer with this one.

The Danish Girl is difficult to watch at times.  Yet, viewers must considered it a drop in the ocean in comparison to the struggles of transgender individuals.  It is astonishing how views of this community have changed since the early 20th Century until now.  Although, the world still has a long way to go.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lili_Elbe

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerda_Wegener

http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/danish-girl/

https://community.pflag.org/transgender

http://www.tghelp.org/

http://www.glaad.org/transgender/resources

 

True Resolve Celluloid- Eddie The Eagle (2016)

Eddie the Eagle is the true story of Eddie Edwards. He grew up as a working class child with dodgy knees. Ultimately, he always dreamed of being in the Olympics.

However, his clumsy tendencies wore on his father, a drywaller. Yet, Eddie (Taron Egerton) had a revelation while working with his dad. It was training for the Winter Olympics instead of the summer.

He excelled in skiing but lacked the poise that the British Olympic Committee desired. So, they shunned him. Did that stop Eddie? No Way!

He left Britain to train like an Olympian in Germany? Yes, Germany. Who would reluctantly befriend a dodgy klutz? Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman) would.

Would they attain their individual goals? Would Eddie qualify for Calgary? Damn Straight!

Eddie the Eagle soars high and inspires. It is one of 2016’s Ten Best Films. Egerton & Jackman are perfectly cast as this unlikely dream athlete & fallen champion.

George Richmond’s cinematography is mesmerizing. He puts viewers in Eddie’s skis with beautiful detail. Matthew Margeson’s score would perfectly accompany any Olympic ceremony/event.

Look for this film in the Best Picture Category at the 2017 Oscars.

 

True Country Celluloid- I Saw The Light (2016)

I Saw The Light chronicles the life of country music legend, Hank Williams.  The film begins with the marriage of Hiram King “Hank” Williams (Tom Hiddleston) to Aubrey Sheppard (Elizabeth Olsen) in 1944.  After their marriage, we see him performing at a local bar.  However, he oversleeps for his Montgomery radio show at WSFA.  The station manager grows sick of his alcoholism and tardiness.  Yet, he still tolerates Hank’s actions to an extent.  However, he still yearns for the Grand Ole Opry and fame.  His impatience is frowned upon by the Opry establishment. He’s told to schedule an audition like everyone else and wait.  This doesn’t bode well for the troubled singer.  He feels that everyone deserves to hear his voice and watch him perform.

Would he make it to the big time?  Would he receive the acclaim and fame?  Would he find and lose love/lust along the way?  The answer to those questions is yes.

I Saw The Light is based upon Hank Williams:  The Biography by Collin Escott, George Merritt, and William MacKewn.  The book is adapted and directed by Marc Abraham.  He is best known for producing such films as Children of Men and Dawn of the Dead.  Abraham doesn’t sugar coat Williams’ life.  Lifelong and casual fans will already know that.

However, the highlight of the film is Tom Hiddleston.  He breaks free from his Thor/The Avengers role of Loki.  Hiddleston learned to play the guitar and sing for this role.  He has the look, voice, and body language down pat.  His performance is bound to be awarded with an Oscar, a Grammy, and/or a CMA nomination.

Does the film have a few short comings?  Yes.

However, film goers shouldn’t walk in expecting Million Dollar Quartet or Walk The Line.  They will find themselves in an anthology of Williams’ greatest hits.  The film sheds light on the pain behind the twang.  We see that fame has a high price. Our society tends to put blinders on this.  I Saw The Light reminds us to follow our dreams cautiously and remember that they can end just as quickly.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Williams