Interstellar 70mm IMAX (2014)

One hundred and sixty-nine minutes to tell us E = mc Love? NO! I knew my theory was a long shot, but that didn’t prevent my mind from exploring the possibility that this advanced screening was a hoax. That those of us in the theater were being subjected to an alternative version, a rough cut that had since been altered to resemble something genius. As the end credits rolled, the lights would come up prematurely and Nolan himself would emerge from behind the screen with a smirk on his face and a logical explanation on his breath. I found myself searching the faces amongst me for possible plants who were watching us and our reactions rather than the 6 story high image that shawn impossibly brightly before us. All the faces looked forward though, some in awe, others confused and more than a few as annoyed as myself. (more…)

Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)

It’s time to enjoy something new, something different and refreshing, yet nostalgic and reflective all the same. It’s time to take in the ultra-meta and pop referential film that is sure to become part of the modern day zeitgeist as a reference point for years to come. Birdman marks not only the return of the dearly missed Michael Keaton, but also a piece of work that takes honest and albeit harsh and biting jabs at the state of current entertainment, both screen and stage alike. Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of the ultra gloomy 21 Grams, Babel as well as the under appreciated  Amores Perros, has created a true masterpiece with this darkly comedic character study. (more…)

Frank (2014)

Reviewed Frank in nearly real time this week on the Film Vault. Came directly from the screening, perched myself in front of a mic across from my shiney headed co-host and attempted to explain what I had just witnessed. This is not the first time that our schedule has dictated such a short turn around and in most cases it’s not much of an issue. Frank turns out not to be most cases and trying to speak about this haunting film before it had a chance to churn about my troubled mind was a mistake. I butchered it, didn’t give this subtle, thought provoking and quite possibly most mindful film of 2014 thus far, a fair shake. I’ll now attempt to do that here. (more…)

Boyhood (2014)

So very slow, but never boring. Linklater seamlessly transitions from one year to the next for 12 straight years, giving us a peek into one family’s mutation, adaption and drama along the way.  Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette lend their comfortable and familiar performances to help it along and seeing those two morph into who they are today is fascinating in itself. It’s not often that you one can say they’ve seen something completely new on screen, but once you’ve seen Boyhood you can. (more…)

Rules of Reduction Teaser

After months of talk and speculation, my first short of the six of seven I plan to shoot by January is pretty much complete. Above is the first minute of Rules of Reduction, the one  I’ve been going on about since this January. Would love to post the entire thing, but festival rules dictate that I keep it under wraps for the time being. This is not a trailer, but the entire cold open. Gives one the idea of what the ridiculous subject is as well as a peek at the production value. The entire absurd short will be available eventually.

God save Billy,

Anderson

Snowpiercer (2013)

It’s 2031 and Earth is frozen over. The powers that be have introduced a chemical agent into the atmosphere to counteract global warming and the results were less than amenable to the levels needed to support life on the planet. Fear not! There is a super train, that’s right, a locomotive that is both ever moving forward and self-sustaining in it’s annual journey around our globe. What is also more than fortunate is the fact that all of civilization now resides within it’s multi-car class-system that, you guessed it, has the lowest of the low (evidently comprised of multiple faceless white people, a number of Asians and one black woman and her kid) forced to reside in the caboose! (more…)

Code Black (2014)

This is not a popcorn movie. Don’t plan on munching on bits of buttered kernel goodness while watching this graphic doc about the ER at LA County Hospital. Do not fret though, Ryan McGarry, Senior Resident Physician and writer/director of this very film, makes up for the ghastly factor of sutures and massive chest cracking trauma with his dreamy qualities. McGarry and his counterparts walk us through the ins and outs of the busiest ER in the world where more people have lost their lives per square foot than anywhere in the US and where the same can be said as for lives saved. Words cannot describe the chaos that abounds in this birthplace of the modern day Emergency Room . Moving images are needed to illustrate the true nature of the turmoil and lucky for us, Code Black provides just that, as well as a fascinating look at the history of this storied County Hospital. (more…)

Blue Ruin (2013)

A revenge flick of the highest order. The story is straight forward and to the point, but that’s not evident until after the first few scenes unfold with a severe lack of dialogue and a mounting cache of visual hints that draw you in. Ultimately and not long after these beautifully shot establishing scenes does it become apparent that this a Appalachian Mountain/Virginia family vengeance tale, that is to say, an ugly and violent dispute that will not end until one or both sides have paid a violent and bloody price. (more…)

Chef (2014)

Been meaning to get to this one for awhile, but dread the thought of bitching about a movie with so much going for it. Short, sweet and to the point is the my aim for this write up. Short, sweet and to the point also describes the second half of John Favreau’s follow up to Cowboys and Aliens, with an emphasis on the sweet and not enough on the short. The first half of the film is a beautiful thing. Favreau plays the head chef in an upscale bistro. There is strife and (more…)

Million Dollar Arm (2014)

If you’re anything like me, live action movies that are slathered in the Disney brand are a huge red flag. Especially when sports are involved. You don’t need to look farther than Miracle  (a great story, but a soft delivery) or Invincible (good story, no punch) to find prime examples of where my concern derives from. If Disney live action sports movies where a race of people, I’d be a proud bigot. (more…)