"Miles Ahead" reaches high with its subject matter and genre subversion. However, the catharsis never comes. The sense that Davis is this revolutionary genius is never truly felt; the audience is constantly reminded of his greatness by other characters onscreen, but the sense of his artistic importance is glimpsed over in a few performances. People that are familiar with the artist will undoubtedly connect with the narrative, but those unfamiliar will come away wondering what the hype was all about.
Watching "Son of Saul" is a grueling experience on many levels. Through the subject matter (the Sonderkommando forced to aid in the extermination of their own people), the style of the film and its painful plot, the film never shies away from aims to portray the holocaust as an act of animalistic brutality and evil. Unlike other films on the subject, there is no hope at the end of the line and any glimmer of it ultimately proves false.
"Steve Jobs" is not your traditional biopic but instead an operatic "backstage" look at the life of man well-known for his work in front of the proscenium. Those looking for "historical accuracy" might as well turn to the languid "cradle to grave" "Jobs" which stars Ashton Kutcher. This film however, in its pace, its inventiveness and dynamism, is far more true to the spirit of one of the most exciting geniuses of our time.
All of the pieces of "Bridge of Spies" amount to a disjointed film that seems rather intent on its message at the cost of palpable suspense or drama. Some might be attracted to the feel-good vibes and optimism of the narrative, yet there is a lot left to desire about Spielberg and company's decision to gloss over the details in the search for explicit ideology.
The concept of the video game movie is in dire peril. For years, the franchise languished becoming the black sheep of the industry. Where once many saw opportunity, now everyone watches on with dread. And who could blame them. After seeing so many critically disparaged renditions of "Resident Evil" and other guffawed films by Uwe Boll, it seems a natural reaction. And let's not even bring up that 90's "Super Mario Bros."
Some might claim that "Carol's" poignancy and power comes from its social context and jubilation of recent events. Yet does not all art rely on its social context for its power on some level? However "Carol" is strengthened by its attachment to another time. A time when the dream of that equality was nowhere to be found and survived instead on the strength of the people willing to commit to it. That is the beauty of "Carol." Love always wins.
Link is one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Everything from his blond hair and his silence in "The Legend of Zelda" movies has become a signature in the video game community.
All in all, "The Walk" is entertaining though hardly revelatory. The shift in tone could be disconcerting for some viewers though those willing to take the film as a modern day fairy tale will find a lot of enjoyment to take away.
Hayden Christensen was making huge headlines back in 2001 when he was first cast for "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones" and he continued to be everywhere in media until just after 2006 when his work as Anakin Skywalker in the prequel films came to an end.
"Black Mass" is exactly what you expect from a gangster film. Violent and filled with a great deal of moral questioning. This film is not afraid to throw the viewer into a world where everyone is corrupt; there is simply no one to provide a moral heading or hope. This might challenge audiences, but certainly elevates the material in many respects. Depp's performance in particular is the standout while the film's propulsive pace helps keep the story organized and clear.
"Zelda" is quite possibly in some ways video game myth of the past generation, setting up archetypes and constantly morphing them throughout installments. The familiar characters as well as the franchise's penchant for world building make this franchise one that seems to be a lock for a motion picture.
Yet there are some challenges with turning the world of Hyrule into a movie. Here is a rundown of a few.
