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Whiplash Review

25 Oct

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“There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job’.”

The above encapsulates the mindset of Terence Fletcher, a sadistic, uncompromising, drill sergeant-like music instructor, an imposing presence laced with an increasingly appalling dark wit. The image of a simple black t-shirt around a muscular frame creates a physicality that is matched by very few, and Fletcher utilizes both that physical presence and his biting words to rip apart his students psychologically, to push them to the very limits of their abilities. This movie, as a result, becomes 1 hour and 45 minutes of sheer intensity that rivals the very best thrillers.

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Gone Girl Review

5 Oct

Gone-Girl-2014-film-poster “What have we done to each other?”

This is the question Nick Dunne poses to the world in the first minute of Gone Girl, and it hangs over every single plot development and over every ounce of characterization in the remainder of the David Fincher-Gillian Flynn film. It’s a mesmerizing ride, a two hour-plus piece of glorious filmmaking and pure entertainment that immerses you in an atmosphere that never lets go of its frenetic pace, that never ceases to be compelling.

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R.I.P., Robin Williams.

11 Aug

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Robin Williams died today at 63 years old. He was a comedic force, a charismatic individual who brought a smile to your face every time he appeared on screen. His career wasn’t perfect, but the one constant was his love and appreciation for the world of comedy, for the joy he could bring to people even as he was struggling. He had an infectious energy he brought to every comedic role, and his dramatic abilities shone through when needed. Whether you remember him for his Oscar-winning role in Good Will Hunting or for his role as a genie in Aladdin or for his underrated performance in The Fisher King or for his classic John Keating in Dead Poets Society or for the character of Mrs. Doubtfire or for his recent turn on Louie–an episode even more devastating in hindsight–there is no doubt that with the passing of Robin Williams, a light has flickered out forever. He seemed like he’d be around for another 100 years.

He will undoubtedly live on in our memories, though, and in countless films that many have yet to enjoy. Please enjoy them, and please talk to someone if you’re battling depression like he was.

Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys, and make your lives extraordinary.

Photo credit: mirror.co.uk

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Sharknado 2: The Second One Review

30 Jul

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Sharknado 2: The Second One opens with a fifteen-minute sequence that is a masterpiece of directing, an emotional whirlwind that sends you slipping, sliding, and screaming through the sharp teeth of danger, through the very real fear of limbs being lost to vicious flying sharks. It is an environment of pulverization and decapitation, but all you can do is soldier on; brain matter is splattered all around you, but you must not forget that the brain you have inside your own head is more powerful than the jaws of a shark. Perseverance trumps sheer power until the shark eats you.

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Review

12 Jul

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes was about a regular ape who grew into a leader, inspiring others to rebel and to break the shackles binding them to the human race. The sequel is about what happens when the memories of those shackles linger on not only in that specific ape’s mind, but also in the minds of apes unwilling to move on and forget.

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The Top 25 Films of 2013

17 Feb

321227Well, we’re finally at my last End of Year installment: The Top 25 films of 2013. Thanks for reading along, and yes, I do know it’s already the middle of February.

25. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE: A marked improvement over the first installment is carried by the brilliant performance of Jennifer Lawrence.

24. BLUE JASMINE: In a surprisingly hard-hitting film, Woody Allen crafts a small tale of heartbreak and unfulfillment anchored by Cate Blanchett’s performance.

23. ALL IS LOST: It’s just Robert Redford and a boat, and the film still manages to be intense and exciting; Redford’s fantastic, as is the direction.

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RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. You were one of the greats.

2 Feb

gty_philip_seymour_hoffman_nt_130531_wgThe world has taken from us the best actor of his generation.

When I first saw this news, it took me a while to believe it wasn’t a hoax. It took a while for the cold, hard truth to set in; yet, it was confirmed that he was found dead in his apartment from an apparent drug overdose. I am at a loss right now, and this has cast a shadow over the rest of the day, if not the rest of my journey through film.

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The Top 20 Film Scenes of 2013

20 Jan

Gravity-Scene1Welcome to the third installment of my year end lists. Today, we’re taking a look at the top 20 film scenes of 2013. This list is unranked.

THE FIGHT, “BEFORE MIDNIGHT”: This is easily one of the best-acted, most devastating scenes of the year. It starts out fine, then progresses into a small argument that later becomes a full-blown, ugly verbal war. It’s not cliche at all, and it’s the pinnacle of a fantastic movie.

BELFORT VS. DENHAM, “THE WOLF OF WALL STREET”: When Jordan Belfort invites FBI Agent Patrick Denham to his yacht, what results is a lengthy verbal showdown between the two. The undertones, the veiled threats, the fake cheeriness…what a fantastic scene for DiCaprio and Chandler.

THE ENDING, “CAPTAIN PHILLIPS”: This scene, by itself, elevates this movie to a whole other level. It’s a cathartic, devastating scene that showcases Hanks at his best, and it’s not the kind of ending you’d expect from a thriller.

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The Top 20 Film Performances of 2013

17 Jan

2014-oscar-predictions-best-actor-actress-1252013-124706Hey, everyone. Welcome to the first installment of my 2013 Year-End Lists, which will be doled out over the next few weeks. I never understood the reasoning behind doing these halfway through December, so I’m starting out now. Enjoy. Today, we’ll be looking at the Top 20 Film Performances of 2013. Note: This list is unranked; I have no idea how I’d rank these performances.

See my top 15 television performances of 2013 list here: https://polarbearstv.com/2014/01/19/the-top-15-television-performances-of-2013/

*Yes, there are 21 performances on this list, and technically 22. I just couldn’t take anyone off.

CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, “12 YEARS A SLAVE”: Ejiofor’s portrayal of Solomon Northup in “12 Years A Slave” is one for the ages. Whether we’re watching him play a violin, take a beating, or ruminate by himself, we always feel connected to his character, connected to his journey down a dark and unflinching road.

SCARLETT JOHANSSON, “HER”: Sadly, she’s viewed as “ineligible” for many awards, which is a damn shame; with just her voice, she conveys heartbreak, seduction, and genuine emotion, and her work is absolutely brilliant. Samantha seems like she’s truly human.

BRIE LARSON, “SHORT TERM 12”: Larson is absolutely magnificent here, delivering a heartfelt performance that helps us sympathize with her in every scene. She perfectly captures the need to maintain a tough exterior while a whirlwind of emotions are bubbling up inside, and Grace’s relationship with Kaitlyn Dever’s Jayden is beautiful.

LUPITA NYONG’O, “12 YEARS A SLAVE”: In a film of truly excellent performances, Nyong’o plays a young slave named Patsey subjected to the beatings and sexual abuse of her master, Epps (played by the fantastic Michael Fassbender). It’s a layered and complex performance that showcases an actress who we’ll hear a lot about over the coming years.

ROBERT REDFORD, “ALL IS LOST”: In a one-man film, Redford is impeccable, delivering a performance almost completely devoid of dialogue; we see his story through his mannerisms and emotions expressed on his face, as well as in his body language.

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The Wolf of Wall Street Review

4 Jan

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET

Jordan Belfort, high out of his mind on Quaaludes, crawls out of a country club; he’s foaming at the mouth, flopping around like a dying fish, and mumbling incoherently. He lives less than a mile away, but he can barely get the door of his Lamborghini open. Yet, he somehow makes it home perfectly fine. The thing is, the trip home plays out very differently in his mind; it’s later revealed that not only is his car busted up, but he’s caused a large amount of property damage.

That right there is the essence of the film. On the one hand, it’s a hilarious, brilliantly acted setpiece that we can laugh at. On the other hand, it emphasizes the delusions of a man high off drugs, women, money, and power. We can’t forget that this story is told through Belfort’s point of view, and Jordan Belfort isn’t a good guy at all. He has no regard for the law, he destroys all his relationships, and he manipulates those around him, whether he calls them “friends” or not. He can spew out a seemingly deep, emotional tale about the “rags to riches” backstory of one of his brokers, but in reality, she’s just an investment. He can try and save his buddy’s skin with a message on a napkin, but he’ll be the one ratted out at the end; he has no friends.

Of course, that brings us to the questions: Why did Scorsese and Winter essentially just remake the book? Why not explore the victims of Belfort’s heinous crimes, the innocent people swindled out of a hell of a lot of cash by a callous maniac? Why not come right out and condemn this behavior? What’s with all the collaboration with the actual Belfort?

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