Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (SPOILER) Review

     I was not able to go very in-depth in my non-spoilers review but luckily we have this separate post to get down to the nitty gritty of the newest addition to the Star Wars franchise. So if you have not seen the film then I highly recommend you click the back button and go to your local theatre now... Then come back and read this! Although you're more then welcome to read my Rogue One Non-Spoiler Review here.
     Often times when I see a new movie, and tell a friend that I've seen it they understandably get defensive and say, "Don't tell me anything about it!" In which I always sarcastically respond with, "Everyone dies!" Well, I've had to refrain from doing so with Rogue One because all of our characters actually do not make it out alive this time. What I really admired about this ending was how our main crew all received a valiant, hero's death. They all boldly went out fighting for a cause they deeply were immersed in. This ending was also incredibly fitting for the continuity of Star Wars because these Rebels are no where to be found in Episode IV-VI. It would have felt unsettling just to have them escape from Scarif.

     The continuity of this film is something that truly puts it over the edge. Since this lands right before Episode IV in the Star Wars timeline, it would have been a missed opportunity not to have previous characters such as Tarkin or Vader. Although the CGI in which we Tarkin is not perfected, I think its a bold step that needed to be taken considering how close this is to New Hope and how it would have felt weird to re-cast the role. It is a bit jarring at times but it's crazy to see how far this facial CGI technology has come in the past five years. I think there is still some work to be done especially near the eyes but I found it very fitting for the movie. Leia's moment is very short lived so I don't believe it's fair to really say if the CGI really delivered or not but it definitely fit within the timeline and story.
     Although seeing Leia was cool, the third act is heavily constructed with fantastic moments. The space battle over the beach planet Scarif is amazingly well shot and a visual spectacle. What I love about this movie is how it gets better and better as it goes on. The climax of the movie is arguably the best of any Star Wars film. We get a full space battle and an incredible land battle. It's a dream come true for any fan of the franchise.
     The highlight of the third act is Darth Vader though. Vader doesn't get a whole lot of screentime in this movie which is a smart move due to the focus on Director Orson Krennic and Grand Moff Tarkin. However, watching Vader ignite his lightsaber and cutting down Rebel soldiers is a thing of beauty. It's like watching Michael Jordan in his prime. It took all the willpower within me not to applaud every moment within this scene upon viewing it in the theater.

     Although the title is Star Wars, there has not really been a real war film within the franchise. Sure we had a CGI clone vs droid army in Episode II, but we were in no way attached to those characters. Rogue One changes that. Director Gareth Edwards does a miraculous job of bringing the grittiness of war within this universe. From the beginning, when Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) are sent by the Rebellion to find Saw Gerrera (Forrest Whitaker), we learn that Saw was dismissed by the Rebellion because his actions being too extreme. This is very reminiscent of Apocalypse Now and creates for an intriguing dynamic between Jyn and him due to the fact she was raised by Saw.
     Another reason I greatly enjoyed this film was due to the fact I read James Luceno's novel, Catalyst. This book is the lead up to Rogue One and helps to bridge some of the gaps especially between the relationship of Galen and Krennic. It's not necessary to read but I highly suggest doing so then giving the film another view.
     I covered my complaints within the non-spoiler review (link at the top) and gave a rating there, as well. If you have not checked that out then I highly recommend doing so! I am sure there are more spoilers I could get into but these are just what came to the top of my head. Please feel free to let me know of anything I am missing that you would like to discuss!

   

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Non-Spoiler) Review

     Well it's the most magical time of the year once again. No, I am not talking about Christmas! I am talking about Star Wars! Although, this year is a tad bit different when it comes to the beloved franchise. Instead of a main episodic film, audiences got Rogue One: A Star Wars Story which is its own stand alone film that takes place right before Episode IV: A New Hope.
     This is a non-spoiler review so I will tread very lightly within this review. Rogue One focuses on a group of rebels that upon figuring about an Empirical, planet killing, space station known as the Death Star, will do whatever it takes to steal the plans to this weapon of mass destruction.
     The greatest quality about this movie is how well it ties into Episode IV. Without getting into spoilers, this movie does a fantastic amount of fan service without beating you overhead. There are certain aspects of this film that are incredibly necessary given its point within the Star Wars timeline. They took some bold steps that I believe ultimately paid off. This helps contribute to a wonderful third act of the film that'll have audiences mesmerized by the attention to detail and the sheer grittiness. The films does not focus on the Jedi and is ultimately a war film that gives off a very Apocalypse Now vibe.

     Since this is ultimately a war film, it's probably the one Star Wars film that is geared more towards adults. This film shows that the Rebellion is not perfect by anything stretch of the imagination. These two sides, the Rebellion and Empire, are not as black and white when it comes to their morals. I also really admired how much diversity this film exhibits. Much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this film displays great diversity in a Hollywood blockbuster which is something more big budget films should do. All the performances in this were well executed even though this movie highly emphasizes story over characters. The stand out performances come from the sarcastic droid, K2-SO (Alan Tudyk) and many others.
     There are some issues within the film though. When watching Star Wars, the score is often like its own character. The music helps to move or sweep audiences off their feet. The score for Rogue One does not do so. There are rumors that composer Michael Giacchino only had four weeks to write this score so you cannot blame him too much but it ultimately did not work within this movie.
     Another issue with this film is how long it takes to get the wheels in motion. The first half hour or so is a lot of set up and jumping around. It takes a little bit before this movie finds its direction. This movie does not have an opening crawl like the episodic films and I believe it could have benefited from one instead of jumping around so much. Overall though, the pay off within the third act is very much worth it so you cannot criticize it too much.
     Last year I loved the Force Awakens but I've seen Rogue One twice now and I believe it to be the better movie, solely because of its attention to story. This is a fantastic tie in with the original trilogy and I immediately wanted to re-watch A New Hope after seeing this.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10

FALL MOVIE REVIEWS

Howdy everyone! Unfortunately this has been an incredibly busy semester for me. Trying to balance my classes, an internship, a social life, and this blog has been more difficult then I ever expected. However, this semester I have seen quite a few films and I just wanted to update you guys on all my thoughts and feelings towards these films. So without further ado:

The Magnificent Seven (2016):
This film is a re-make to the 1960 classic, however, it is quite enjoyable and does a lot of service to the original. Although the villain is a very stereotypical and under developed, the team chemistry ultimately turns this film into a fun blockbuster.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10

The Accountant:
The latest action movie was from Warrior director, Gavin Hood, is quite enjoyable. The on-screen chemistry between lead character, Christian Wolff, played by Ben Affleck and Dana Cummings, played by Anna Kendrick is really well done. One complaint with the film is it tends to drag a little, especially towards the final act but it's enjoyable action flick nonetheless.
Rating: 7 out of 10

Doctor Strange:
The highly anticipated addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe does not let down. It's not the greatest film of the shared universe but adds a nice and refreshing touch, especially with fight choreography and visualization. Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton are fantastic together and it'll be interesting to see where Marvel goes with the character further down the road.
Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Hacksaw Ridge:
Say what you want about director, Mel Gibson, and his personal life, but if you judge Hacksaw Ridge by the work of art and not the artist then you will love this film. Geared by amazing performances from Andrew Garfield and many others, this film captures the true heroism of a soldier that ran into battle without a gun. The battle scenes are very reminiscent of Saving Private Ryan and incredibly well directed. This snuck into my Top 5 of the year and is well worth the watch.
Rating: 9.6 out of 10

Arrival:
If you go into this movie expecting a guns blazing, sci-fi action movie then you will surely be disappointed. The latest film from Sicario director, Denis Villeneuve, is a first contact story but fantastically written. The more time I've had to ponder this movie, the more I love it. The writing takes a great, unexpected direction and it's so refreshing to see an intellectual sci-fi movie instead of just another action flick. This also managed to land in my Top 5 of the year and it's a very intriguing watch!
Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them:
Besides Star Wars, the Harry Potter series is probably my biggest devotion of fanhood. I grew up with the books and original films so I was pretty excited going into this. Although there are some story and dialogue problems, it's such a fun time returning to the wizarding world. The main four cast members of this movie work very well together and it was unique to see the wizarding world that is at hand in America. I had a lot of fun with this movie and it's a great watch for the whole family.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Edge of Seventeen:
Going into this movie I was really concerned if the coming of age story for a high school girl would only appeal to that demographic. However, this film most definitely proved me wrong. The characters of this movie are incredibly well fleshed out that appeals to people of all ages or gender. What really makes this movie great though is wonderful performances by Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, and Blake Jenner. It's a fantastic movie for anyone who has been in high school and remembers the difficulties that come with it.
Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Moana:
This is the newest film from Disney Animation and I ended up really loving this movie. It's close between this and Zootopia for my favorite animated film of 2016 but this is definitely a fun watch. The music written by Lin Manuel Miranda is incredibly well done and the voice acting between newcomer, Auli'i Cravalho, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is great. I never knew The Rock could sing so well but his solo song might have stole the show. You can definitely see this film getting some Oscar nominations within the near future.
Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Well that does it for all the films I've missed out on with reviews! Let me know in the comments which films you guys have seen this Fall and which of them was favorite! Thanks!

Top 10 Movies of 2016 (So Far)

   
     2016 has definitely had its ups and downs when it comes to movies. Although this summer fell short in some aspects, there are still some shining moments. Although I have not seen two of three, The Conjuring 2, Lights Out, and Don't Breathe solidified a great summer for horror fans. Unfortunately I am a wimp and will just wait till they come out on Blu Ray. There have definitely been some good movies outside of the summer though. So I have compiled a Top 10 list for you guys. Although we have not got into the heat of Oscar season, there have definitely been some great films so far. I'd also like to state this list is my PERSONAL favorite. It's not necessarily what I think is the best made movie of the year. It's what I consider my favorite. So let's get into it!

10) Coming in that 10 spot is one of the more recent films, War Dogs. Although the film is very formulaic and predictable, the character performances from Miles Teller and Jonah Hill help make this film a lot of fun. It definitely is Wolf of Wall Street meets gun smuggling but the films is still very intriguing.

9) Next up on the list sliding into the number 9 spot is 10 Cloverfield Lane. What I loved about this film is the small, indie feel it had to it. It feels like an isolated thriller much like the original Alien. The core three actors, John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. are fantastic in this. It falls apart a little towards the third act but is still greatly suspenseful.

8) The number 8 movie is Zootopia. 2016 has had quite a few animated hits. However, Zootopia is my favorite that I've seen so far. The best animated films are not only the ones that speak to kids but adults are entranced as well. Zootopia tells a fantastic story and has some spectacular undertones to it. Plus the voice acting of it is just phenomenal.

7) The number 7 spot has been claimed by the Merc. with the Mouth. We finally got to see Deadpool after nearly ten years of development and boy was the wait worth it. This might be the funniest of film of 2016 so far. However, the most surprising part of this film was the heart it has to it. Ryan Reynolds and Morena Baccarin have such a great chemistry. This film is such a refreshing take on the superhero genre.

6) The number 6 spot is occupied by Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some. What I love about Linklater is his ability to capture realism. This film follows a college baseball team in Texas and follows their shenanigans the week before classes starts. I had such an awesome time watching this and the characters are so well flushed out. Although the story is not anything crazy, it's nice to get a movie that captures life in college so beautifully.

5) The summer blockbuster season kicked off with Captain America: Civil War and it definitely deserves the number 5 spot. Looking at the task at hand with this film, there are so many characters the Russo Brothers had to fit in and they executed it so well. There's an airport scene that is one of the best action scenes that has been done in awhile. The character development of Cap and Iron-Man is so well captured in this. It's an awesomely fun movie.

4) Number 4 on the list is The Jungle Book. When you see the behind the scenes of this movie, it's crazy to think how well it was done. Neel Sethi who plays Mowgli, was the only actor on set. All the animals were done with CGI and the movie is absolutely stunning. The voice talent is phenomenal and Jon Favreau's direction is breathtaking. It's very difficult not to appreciate the movie.

3) My most recent review is number 3 on the list and that's Hell or High Water. With standout performances from Chris Pine, Ben Foster, and Jeff Bridges, this film is one of the more thrilling and well told stories of any film this year. Every scene has significance and character oriented story is such a breath of fresh air this day in age. The cinematography enhances the story by capturing the barren majority of west Texas as well.

2)  When people criticized that there are not enough original movies these days, I generally scream at them to go see this if they have not already. Number 2 on my list is The Nice Guys. What I love about Shane Black's films is his ability to capture great humor with a very intriguing story to co-align with it. Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe feed off each other so well to help make this movie such a fun time. I also love it when directors make the setting feel like its own character and Shane Black does that with 1970's Los Angeles. Unfortunately it didn't make as much at the box office as it should.

1) The prestigious number 1 spot goes to...Sing Street! This is an independent film that came out in March but it's still my favorite of the year. It tells the story about a kid who transfers to a rougher, inner city school set in Dublin, Ireland when his troubled family has to make cuts in spending. He eventually meets a girl and starts a band to impress her. What I loved so much about this movie is the family aspect. This ultimately a movie for brothers and it ultimately made me tear up (in a good way). The film takes place in the 80's and the soundtrack is phenomenal. It includes original songs and other famous hits of 80's. All the kids in this act beautifully and John Carney's direction helps to bring this film into my number 1 spot.

Alright everyone, well that's it. There are still some movies this year that I have yet to see but these are all great films that I recommend you see!

Hell or High Water Review

     Often times independent movies go unnoticed by the general audience. Usually they do not have a big market release and you can only see them in big cities. However, this does not diminish from the quality of them. It is very much refreshing to see independent films sometimes because there is not as much studio interference which helps to really let the story run its course. One particular independent movie that has been creating a buzz lately with critics is Hell or High Water directed by David Mackenzie. I had the privilege of seeing it last week and the film really delivers. Hell or High Water is such a grounded and well told story, that it could be a real contender when award season comes around.
     The film tells the story of the Howard brothers. One is an a crazy ex-con named Tanner (Ben Foster) and a struggling divorcee named Toby (Chris Pine). When both are struggle to make ends meet, they will take up the crime of bank robbing. Hitting up almost every bank in West Texas seems ideal but when local Chief of Police, Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) is hot on their tail, they will have to up their strategy.

     What makes this film work so brilliantly is the character dynamics. Pine has always been an actor to me that really shine but audiences do not get to seem enough in non-blockbuster roles. He is phenomenal in this. One reason that his performance is so fantastic is because of his co-actor. Pine and Foster feed off each so well. There is never a dull moment with their scenes. I would not be surprised to see Ben Foster get a Supporting Actor nomination when award season rolls around. The humor in this movie is so honest and the dialogue is beautifully crafted. They are not the only incredible performances in this film though. Jeff Bridges as rough, Texas Ranger is a marvelous pick. His co-officer is played by Gil Birmingham and their relationship is so exceptional. Character dynamics and dialogue gives this movie so much value.
     Great directors are able to use the setting of their movie to their advantage. David Mackenzie does just that with this. Mackenzie uses the west Texas landscape to add suspense. Mackenzie almost makes Texas feel like its own character since it's so wonderfully constructed. The music and editing help to add suspense as well. The pacing in this movie is incredible.
     There is only a minor complaint and its a nitpick so it really does not count. There's one scene in particular that's a little predictable. However, the set up and suspense is so good that it does not take away much from the movie.
     I cannot recommend this film enough. So often people complain about how we get too many reboots and remakes yet they will not go support original ideas in theaters. So go see Hell or High Water because it is absolutely excellent.

Rating: 9.9 out of 10

War Dogs Review

    There is Jonah Hill, weapon smuggling, and endless Scarface references. War Dogs should have it all, right? Although it has comedic elements, it's primarily a drama and is a good next step for director Todd Phillips. This movie has gotten very mixed reviews which makes the viewing experience appealing. Although War Dogs has some problems, it is ultimately a well directed story with very solid performances.
     War Dogs is based on the true story of two weapon smugglers named David Packouz (Miles Teller) and Efraim Diveroli (Jonah Hill). When the duo scores a $300 million contract from the Pentagon, they soon realize that the weapon smuggling business is a crazy ride.

     The directing of this film is something that very much stands out. Phillips style of directing is very reminiscent of Adam McKay's style with The Big Short. Both come from a comedic directing background and their style is very similar. The movie includes lots of freeze frames and jump cuts. The tone and structure is very much like The Wolf of Wall Street that really works for this film. Todd Phillips also directs in a way that exhibits good performances from his actors.
     The actor that stood out the most to me was Miles Teller. When this kids picks the right roles, he really shines. Audiences need him to do more films like Whiplash and War Dogs. His character was the best developed in this entire movie. Jonah Hill very much plays the same character from The Wolf of Wall Street. He does it very well though. Although the character's writing had some problems.
     Jonah Hill's character Efraim is often times very over the top. He does this weird chuckle that is humorous at the beginning but then loses its lust when it's over done. You knew exactly what this character was all about because we've seen it done in film over and over again
     The story for this movie is well directed. However, it is also very predictable at times. Without getting into spoilers, there are often times when you can tell exactly what the character's motivations are going to be. It is very formulaic and just goes through the beats. Even the soundtrack has songs that are constantly overused in films.
     The pacing of this story overall is pretty good. It only has a runtime of 2 hours and 2 minutes. However, the first hour feels like two. It takes awhile to gain momentum. Overall though, I had a fun time with this movie. The story had me entertained and very pleasantly surprised.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Sausage Party Review

     When most people flock to animated movies they are generally hoping to see a fun, family movie that are mainly aimed at the demographic of young children. Well, Sausage Party is the complete opposite of that. The rated R, animated comedy uses the most of its rating in as many different ways as possible.
     Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, Sausage Party tells the story of a sausage named Frank (Seth Rogen) who seeks the be purchased at the local grocery store due to his belief in "The Great Beyond". When Frank and his buddies discover "The Great Beyond" may just be a lie to keep the groceries in line, they will go through great obstacles to discover the real truth.

      The positives of this comedy are very much evident. The opening scene of this movie slowly escalates into hilarious vulgarity. The first act of this movie is really entertaining and there is tremendous voice talent at work. With talent such as Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Danny McBride, and much more, the comedy almost always hit. Rogen and Goldberg definitely display their abilities to push the boundaries. This film touches on multiple jokes in the realm religion, race, and sex. After watching it, I felt like I needed to attend church.
     What also is admiring about the movie is the direction that the story takes. Without getting into spoilers, this movie definitely took me by surprise by where the film is primarily located. There are a lot more moving parts then anticipated.
     The shining moment of this movie though is the last 20 minutes. There is a certain montage without getting into spoilers that steals the show. It will not only make audiences super uncomfortable but will also have them rolling on the floor laughing. The first and third act of this movie are what really carry the film.
     The biggest struggle with this movie is the second act. There are often jokes that do not quite fall with the audiences and its set up for the third act takes awhile. The jokes often times getting very repetitive and it loses a bit of its taste. There is a taco played by Selma Hayek that almost felt unnecessary to the story. They pretty much played on the same joke with the character over and over again.
     Although Sausage Party is not the best work from Rogen and Goldberg, it definitely has its outstanding moments.  It not the greatest comedy but it's definitely a fun movie. I would recommend seeing it in theaters, especially with a big audience.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10