American Sniper
I'm torn on this one. My first instinct was to grade this slightly higher for what is a gripping, well-acted war movie that explores the toll relentless killing takes on a soldier. However, the politics of this thing make me uneasy. That the film offers an overly simplified, patriotic American view of the Iraq war is bad enough — but it's so hard for me to love/recommend a film that celebrates the "deadliest marksman" ever in U.S. military history as a hero. Perhaps the PTSD angle should have been developed further to destabilize the rah-rah patriotism of it all. Still, this is one of Bradley Cooper's very best performances.
Grade: B
Birdman
Another must-see, my friends. From Alejandro G. Iñárritu (one of my favourite filmmakers), this film brilliantly explores what it means to be an artist and what it takes to maintain hope when life gets tough. Superb performances by Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, and Emma Stone. And, of course, the masterful cinematography (by my favourite DP Emmanuel Lubezki) and editing made to look like one single, unbroken take. Even with such masterful craft, the technique never becomes a mere gimmick — at all times, the camerawork and editing are in service of character and theme. I want to see this one again. And again.
Grade: A
Foxcatcher
Superb performances by its male trio, especially Channing Tatum. Exquisite cinematography by the brilliant Greig Fraser. Fascinating exploration of the entitlement, disconnectedness, and psychological decay of the super-rich. Still, I never found myself fully engrossed in this one. It's a film I admire and respect more than I love. Plus, at 134 minutes, it's somewhat overlong and, at times, repetitive.
Grade: B+
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Nobody directs battle scenes better than Peter Jackson. Very satisfying ending to a very good trilogy. Ultimately, the novel doesn't really contain enough story to warrant an epic LOTR-style trilogy, but these are still masterfully made, entertaining, immersive films. Martin Freeman is the best Bilbo imaginable.
Grade: B+
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
This continues to be one of the very best film franchises out there. Excellent, lived-in performances by Lawrence, Hutcherson, and Banks. Extraordinary production design. Fantastic grasp of theme and tone. Can't wait for Part 2.
Grade: B+
The Imitation Game
This is the definition of a mainstream, crowd-pleasing Oscar film, the kind of film your mailman, coworkers, and grandmother will all agree is good. I too was appropriately roused. This, more than something like The Theory of Everything, is the kind of biopic I connect with — a story that focuses on a particular moment or theme in someone's life, rather than a Wikipedia-style greatest-hits portrait. It's handsomely made all around, and well acted by the whole cast. Solidly above average. It's just not, you know, something I'll necessarily remember six months from now.
Grade: B
Nightcrawler
Perhaps Jake Gyllenhaal's greatest performance ever. Excellent work as well by Riz Ahmed and Rene Russo (welcome back!). Thrillingly edited, creepy as hell. Questionable score, though. And — as entertaining as this character study is — I can't help but wish for a bit more thematic depth. Still, this is highly recommended.
Grade: B+
Selma
This is without question a Very Important Film. It's also, sadly, a very dull one. Its major problem is that it has far too many supporting characters, all of whom are underdeveloped — unless you go into the film already an expert in MLK's life and the people involved in the civil rights movement, these characters come across as interchangeable. So, when, in scene after scene, underwritten characters engage in urgent and passionate political discussion, it's difficult to care, since they all seem to have the same goals and agenda. Still, there are rousing and poignant moments, and David Oyelowo gives a powerful performance. Bradford Young's gorgeous cinematography also impresses.
Grade: C+
Still Alice
Enormously moving without ever becoming saccharine or manipulative. Staggering performance by Julianne Moore, who charts the cognitive deterioration of a woman who is slowly losing herself, one layer at a time. Kristen Stewart also impresses. Great, understated filmmaking. Superb score.
Grade: B+
The Theory of Everything
Extraordinary performances from Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones elevate this Stephen Hawking biopic, but the time jumps and episodic structure inherent to the genre always make this kind of movie feel like a film adaptation of a Wikipedia page. Still, it's more artfully shot than you'd expect, and I was impressed by the film's willingness to explore the messiness and complexity of the central relationship.
Grade: B-
Whiplash
Excellent performances by Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons (terrifying, utterly compelling) anchor this exploration of what it takes and what it costs to achieve greatness. But the real achievement here is the sensational editing, especially during the heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat climax.
Grade: A-
Wild
Featuring Reese Witherspoon's best performance in nine years, the latest film by Québécois director Jean-Marc Vallée offers an emotionally resonant story about one woman's journey of healing and redemption. Despite a concept that can easily veer into cheesy, saccharine territory in the wrong hands, this impressively never does. Boasts some of the most remarkable film editing of the year, experienced as a series of splintered memories, along with emotional and haunting sound design.
Grade: B+
