The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part I

The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Pt I
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson
My Opinion: It's a good ride!

I can’t say I’m particularly impressed with The Hunger Games movies, but I have found myself looking forward to the annual red box release. I stopped reading the books after the first, yet I’m as intrigued by Jennifer Lawrence as I am by Katniss’s plight.

Mocking Jay lacks a solid structure, and is more of a chapter than it is it’s own story. Regardless, I was enthralled. Catching Fire, with all its thrilling darkness, might still be my favorite, but I’m once again anxious for the next installment.

The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything
Directed by James Marsh
Starring Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones,
My Opinion: mushy and boring, but great performances

I stopped writing on this blog for a long time because each of my reviews read like broken records. Yet after seeing The Theory of Everything, I feel the need to re-express my grievances over the films that are perpetually oozing out of Hollywood.

Why is every film tailored for a simple-minded audience? Are we so stupid that we can’t comprehend a script that doesn’t swivel around an affair? Surely I am exaggerating, but the fact is we have a film that chronicles the life one of the most brilliant men in history, and it’s rather stupid. After seeing this film, I’m left with little more than the impression of wonderful performances. Our glimpse into Hawking’s life seems less factual then embellished and decorated with dramatic occurrences.

The Theory of Everything gives us little of Hawking’s own mind, of his struggle, of the developments of his theories – a retelling that offers little examination. It’s my fault for wanting an updated film as profound as My Left Foot, but it’s Hollywood who has done a disservice to Stephen Hawking. If it wasn’t for the stunning performances and the subject manner, I’m not sure there’d be a reason to see this film.

Obvious Child

Obvious Child
Directed by Gillian Robespierre
Starring Jenny Slate, Gabby Hoffman, Jake Lacy
My Opinion: Grounded in realism, heartfelt, brilliantly witty.

It's not often that I watch a romantic comedy gleefully. While Obvious Child is undoubtedly in that category, I hadn't heard of it until last I was home and my father handed me the Netflix envelope. "I've been saving this one for you," he said. As of late, my favorite films star strong women, sometimes American and others not, who fighting against the vulnerability that the harsh world demands of them until finally exposing themselves to their reality and ultimately prevailing, in the words of the pop goddess, "stronger than yesterday." In Obvious Child, Donna Stern (Jenny Slate) is like a young Liz Lemon, just a tad more comfortable in her own skin and getting laid more. 

Donna is a comedian, who spends her days working at a doomed bookstore and her nights opening the door to her personal life for a crowd of strangers at a comedy club. Her jokes are raw and crude: my favorite being the opening sequences which she describes day old underwear as something that looks like it has army crawled out of a tub of cream cheese. Fed up with the nightly exposé on their relationship, Donna's boyfriend dumps her. Soon, Donna finds herself pregnant from a one-night-stand and jobless, the walls of adulthood closing in to suffocate her

Obvious Child stands out from the plethora of mediocrity that descended on theaters in 2014. It's intelligent and wry, yet brash and wholly realistic. Without exposing the touching ending, I'll only share that it is essentially the adult's antithesis to Juno without a precious soundtrack. Hollywood needs more strong female leads like Slate if it's going to survive in the modern age. Feminists are watching movies too.

Inside Llewyn Davis

Inside Llewyn Davis
Directer by Joel & Ethan Coen
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman
My Opinion: Brilliantly grim

Llewyn Davis is a folk singer, struggling to get his career back on track after the tragic loss of his partner. Charmingly set in 1961, just before Bob Dylan and Peter, Paul and Mary met their fame, the film follows Llewyn as he stumbles over his stagnant career.

Garnished with the Coen's signature sardonic humor and studded with a colorful cast of characters, Llewyn Davis is not without it's charms. But it's probably the most depressing movie that I've seen this year. In fact, as you sit back and let it all sink in, it will only weigh heavier. It's not one of those so-depressing-you-want-to-die movies, like how I imagined Sophie's Choice though I've never seen it, rather it's swift and delightful with a giddy and addictive soundtrack and gorgeous gray-toned cinematography. Some people are going to dislike Llewyn as a person, while others will adore him. Regardless, the character is absolutely fascinating and the story is worth your attention.

American Hustle

Brilliant conman Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) partners with equally intelligent ex-stripper Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) in love and crime. During the day, the duo sell empty investments and stolen art. At night, Irving returns to Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence), his beautiful time bomb of a wife, and Danny, his adopted son. Eventually, Irving and Sydney are busted by a FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), who pushes them into entrapping a slew of politicians and mobsters in order to make a name for himself. This new world is filled with enchanting dangers that may have the con-couple in over their heads. Based on a true American scandal.

American Hustle
Directed by David O Russell
Starring Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence
My Opinion: funny and morally confusing. What's not to like?

This movie is fantastic. It's hilarious, vibrant, fast-paced and aglow with the incredibly talented ensemble. While each actor paints a bold and detailed picture of their respective character, it's hard not to favorite Jennifer Lawrence. The movie is hers.

The most fascinating element of the movie is the dynamic between good and evil ornamented with fifty shades of gray. Aside from Stoddard Thorsen, DiMaso's level headed boss (Louis C.K.) there are is no cemented moral standing. Irving, Sydney and the others are all doing what they feel that they need to in order to survive. Some would say that all of the characters are downright despicable, but how they still manage to remain so likable is beyond me.

I will close by reminding you that I really did not like Silver Linings Playbook. This film shares the same director and two of the leads, but the content is radically different. Rather than a film that involves Bradley Cooper whining during its entirety, this one presents an array of politically and sexually charged conflicts laced with deceit and savvy. I dig it.

Blackfish

BlackfishDirected by Gabriela Cowperthwaite 
My Opinion: mesmerizing

Black Fish tells the story of Tilikum, a male killer whale who has killed several people during his years in captivity. The film compiles emotional interviews and shocking footage that chronicles the blemished history of sea world, the cruel life of an orca in captivity and the stories behind the trainers who lost their lives.

This is one of those highly-critical documentaries that surfs the wave of liberal ideology and stirs up the nation. As it forms its poignant argument, the film fascinates with insight into what we know about orca's and how much remains a mystery. The highly-informative film moves very quickly, with the pacing of a psychological thriller rather than a documentary. The most harrowing moments involve a former whale-hunter's traumatized recollection of capturing calves forty years ago. Tilikum's own story isn't easy to watch either.

Unfortunately, Blackfish is about as black and white as the whales themselves. I think that the lack of opposition hurt the film, but with Sea World's refusal to grant any interviews, what could they have done? This is Sea World's letter in response to the documentary. I find it rather vague and wish they could speak on the specific points raised by this film, especially in regards to the human lives that have been taken.

Overall, this film is informative and engrossing. You'll be happy you saw it.

Drinking Buddies

Buddies Luke and Kate work alongside each other at Revolution Brewery in Chicago, specifically the Logan Square neighborhood (can I get a shout from my homies?). The two have an intimate relationship made up of beer-fueled discussions and familiar flirtations. You would think they were an item that just has a weird brother-sister thing going on, but no: the two are simply drinking buddies and nothing more. Their fiery chemistry is contained by their own romantic relationships, but as the plot moves forward the obstacles seem to sway.

Drinking Buddies
Directed by Joe Swanberg
Starring: Olivia Wilde Jake Johnson, Anna Kendrick
My Opinion: a 95 minute trip to blue balls town

I'm not sure if I've ever seen a movie that is so sexual frustrating. In a frame of mind normally reserved for suspense, I found myself wanting to scream, "Just fuck already!" Yet, at the same time, there was something captivating about their stasis. Each had their own way of expressing their repressed feelings, which adds up to a series of uncomfortable moments. Just saying, skinny dipping on a beach with you "drinking buddy"? With all that sexy moonlight, cool water and nakedness, you might as well be having sex.

Beyond the mild anxiety I experienced, the film itself is so-so. The script is standing on wobbly legs and the direction follows a "snippet of life" style of narrative that lacks a focused plot. It mostly kept my attention, while straining at times, but wasn't all that cohesive at the end of the day. It seems to really lean on Olivia Wilde and Anna Kendrick. I wouldn't watch it again, but if you're looking for the most awkward date movie of the year, this is it.