Deepwater Horizon - 7 stars out of 10

Deepwater Horizon - 7 stars out of 10

"Deepwater Horizon" is a no-holds-barred look at the deepwater drilling rig explosion and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  It makes no attempt to help BP save face for this disaster as it directly blames them for the cutting of corners that resulted in the loss of life and pollution of the Gulf.  In the tradition of disaster films, "Deepwater Horizon" is one long series of visual effects but wow, it certainly is a stunning series of shots.  I had written it off as another action film without much substance but its visuals are reason enough to give it a shot.  I was initially surprised to see its Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects alongside films like “Rogue One” and “The Jungle Book,” but now there is no question in my mind that it deserves to be there.  I don’t think that it will win but hopefully this acknowledgement will encourage movie lovers to rent it and experience the stunning recreation of the rig and vividly realistic fire.  None of it looks like CGI and will have you wondering if they actually recreated this explosion.  It has a better chance of winning the Best Sound Editing Oscar as its sound effects are reminiscent of the loud, unique sound designs that typically take this category.  Beyond the technical effects, the story is substantial.  The script cleverly creates an understanding of the oil drilling process through diagrams and explanations that are woven into the framework of the story.  We develop a bond with the main character, gain a basic comprehension of the jobs that are being performed on the rig, and have our emotions engaged as we watch a hero emerge amidst the chaos.  The film is well-cast with Mark Wahlberg playing his “everyday man” role to easily gain our empathy, John Malkovich as the selfish BP company man, and a nearly indistinguishable Kurt Russell as the intense supervisor who stands up to the man.  Kate Hudson wasn’t utilized that well as Wahlberg’s wife but I was really struck by Trace Adkins’ cameo as a grieving father.  In less than two minutes of screen time, he managed to tap into some deep emotions and keep the families of the victims on our minds.  My main criticism of this film is that its ending feels very abrupt.  The bulk of the disaster sequence happens pretty quickly (which is fine as it keeps in line with the speed with which the situation developed) but it seems like they missed the potential to explore the court case or effects on the families of the victims.  Or maybe I’m just thinking about “Sully” and imagining how this story could have fit into that format.  Regardless, “Deepwater Horizon” is an interesting biopic disaster film that is most notable for its visual effects but also delivers a story filled with substance.

Here is a great article on the challenges of recreating the rig as a practical set and finding a balance between real and computer effects: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-0904-sneaks-deepwater-horizon-20160808-snap-story.html

[Pictured: The team effort of the set builders and visual effects artists resulted in a stunning depiction of this extinct oil rig]

Hell or High Water - 7 stars out of 10

Hell or High Water - 7 stars out of 10

"Hell or High Water" combines the action of a heist film with the slow development of a Western.  I love heist films and I’m not a huge fan of Westerns, so this has been a difficult film for me to assess.  The story is clever, the characters are dynamic, the acting is solid, and the cinematography is beautiful.  On the other hand, I believe that the film would benefit from a faster pace.  It wasn’t my favorite but I would argue that if this is the future of Westerns, we are headed in the right direction.  It has a “No Country for Old Men” feel to it from the very start.  It got to the point where I kept expecting Tommy Lee Jones to walk into each scene and couldn’t help but picture his face behind Jeff Bridges’ sunglasses and the brim of his hat.  Bridges offers a strong “old man” performance that combines the strong will of a weathered lawman with the tiredness of a near retiree.  It is memorable but I wouldn’t consider it to be a performance worthy of an Oscar nomination.  Chris Pine has some impressive moments and plays well off of Ben Foster, who finds the right balance between being despicable and likeable.  My favorite performance actually comes from Margaret Bowman as the old, sassy waitress.  The t-bone steak scene was probably my favorite part of the movie and a well-timed moment of comic relief.  The heist is well constructed from the selection of banks to the use of a casino for money laundering.  Visually, the interesting camera angles and filming locations perfectly capture the Western setting.  I don’t believe that “Hell of High Water” will win any Oscars (in fact, I believe that there were better candidates to have nominations in the categories of Film Editing and Supporting Actor) but its interesting bank robbery story and modern take on a Western are worth seeing.

[Pictured: This film is worth watching solely for this t-bone stteak scene]

Gravity is just a habit - 9 stars out of 10

Gravity is just a habit - 9 stars out of 10

"Gravity is just a habit" is a fascinating short subject documentary about the filming of OK Go's "Upside Down Inside Out" music video.  It is one of the coolest music videos that you will ever see but the story behind it is just as cool. As is always the case with this band, they take a decent song and elevate it through an innovative, imaginative music video that is sure to go viral.  I appreciate that the music video is usually related to the content of the song.  In this case, everything that happens on the airplane is upside down and inside out.  Even better, the song lyric "gravity is just a habit" is emphasized through this physics-defying imagery.  One would assume that this video was a one-take endeavor because of the expenses involved in pushing an airplane in zero-gravity over and over again but there was a lot to this process.  In addition to the nausea, paint on the camera, and the band showing up without a plan, we get to see the problem solving required when the band encountered issues with the length of each plane free fall and the length between dives.  All of OK Go's music videos are amazing (especially "The Writing's On the Wall," "This Too Shall Pass," and "The One Moment") but once you see "Upside Down Inside Out," you will have to know how it was done.  Thankfully, the band has put together "Gravity is just a habit" to give us a glimpse into the creative process behind their awe-inspiring music videos.

Watch the "Upside Down Inside Out" music video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGJA9i18Co&feature=youtu.be

[Pictured: The only thing cooler than seeing these tricks is finding out how they were done!]

Blue Streak - 3 stars out of 10

Blue Streak - 3 stars out of 10

Before you get your hopes up that “Blue Streak” might be a movie about a classic wooden rollercoaster, let me clarify that it is not.  It is a buddy cop comedy starring Martin Lawrence.  So… absolutely nothing like a classic rollercoaster.  The plot is actually rather clever as it forces a jewel thief to infiltrate a police station in order to recover a hidden diamond that he stashed in the ventilation shaft while the building was under construction.  The execution of this clever plot is exactly what you’d expect from a Martin Lawrence comedy.  It isn’t worthy of any awards but it delivers a few laughs when you need them.  The chemistry between Lawrence and Luke Wilson is unique since they are partners and enemies at the same time (without Wilson being aware).  The rest of the cast doesn’t offer much, particularly Dave Chappelle.  While his character necessitates an annoying performance, I found myself distracted during his scenes because I could not wait for him to go away.  My biggest disappointment with the film is that none of the characters have a transformation.  The resolution of the story is a bit of a stretch but gets the job done while the action makes up for the shortcomings in the film’s script.  “Blue Streak” is good for a few laughs but I’d recommend rewatching an early 90’s Adam Sandler comedy if you’re looking for mindless entertainment.

[Pictured: It seems like Lawrence makes this same face for 90% of this film]

Hidden Figures - 9 stars out of 10

Hidden Figures - 9 stars out of 10

“Hidden Figures” explores three themes that resonate well with modern audiences: Racial equality, women’s rights, and gender equality in the workplace.  It is no surprise that this film has received rave reviews but I like to think that its warm reception is a result of the solid execution of a true story, not just because of its statements on race and gender.  The story of Katherine Goble Johnson is nothing less than miraculous and is sure to inspire you.  The film sets the scene with the prodigious math skills of a young elementary student.  Her hopeful future is quickly blended with the challenges of racism and gender discrimination in 1960’s Virginia.  The trio of leading ladies, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe have the perfect combination of spunk and poise to take on these challenges and each win their own individual battle.  It is easy to see an Oscar nomination coming to one or more of them during tomorrow morning’s announcement.  The underrated performance in this film comes from Kevin Costner as the director of the Space Task Group.  His role in breaking down the barriers of segregation drives the plot just as much as the female leads.  The cast also includes Kirsten Dunst (who I barely even recognized after several years since her last role in a blockbuster), Jim Parsons (who provides the necessary levity in this otherwise harsh environment), and Mahershala Ali (who I love in “House of Cards” but left me unimpressed, especially in an Oscar season that has him as a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor in “Moonlight”).  While the film is dominated by the aforementioned themes, I was quite taken by its portrayal of technology replacing human jobs.  I’m sure that everyone else had the same epiphany when they realized that “computers” were initially referencing the human workers who compute numbers and then later referred to the machines that can now do that work.  “Hidden Figures” successfully tackles several issues related to racism and gender equality, but I love it for its impressive acting, well-written script, and success in transporting us back to this often untold moment in US history.  Oh yeah, and of course for the incredibly clever double meaning of its title!

[Pictured: There are parts when it is hard to believe that this story is actually true!  It is amazing to see the resiliency of these characters and their moments of retribution, like here where they meet John Glenn.]

Hacksaw Ridge - 10 stars out of 10

Hacksaw Ridge - 10 stars out of 10

"Hacksaw Ridge" is the best war film since "Saving Private Ryan."  Director Mel Gibson has captured the heart of this tale about a soldier whose patriotism led him to enlist, even though his religious beliefs prevented him from touching a weapon or fighting on the Sabbath.  I am probably most impressed that Hollywood allowed this film's strong Christian message to hit the mainstream without being mocked or criticized.  Granted, it's message could factor into the Oscar race but I hope that it will earn recognition through some much deserved nominations and wins.  The film does everything right from its acting and score to the limitation of special effects (to enhance the realism) and straightforward storytelling.  The story takes places in basically three different chapters.  It creates an immediate attachment to Desmond Doss with a cute love story, explores the complications of his convictions through the training sequences, and then shows his heroism on the battlefield.  The war scenes are pretty brutal and give a vivid insight into the treacherous conditions on Hacksaw Ridge.  Be prepared to see legs being blown off, bullets tearing holes through bodies, and men being set on fire with flame throwers.  It is difficult to watch but will also enhance your appreciation for the veterans who have served our country in battle.  The cinematography and script work hand in hand to create a visual depiction of the attacks that is easy to follow.  The score by Rupert Gregson-Williams works on multiple levels as it enhances the love story, facilitates the drama caused by Desmond's convictions, and paints the hopeless atmosphere of Hacksaw Ridge.  The thing that ties all of these details together is an Oscar-worthy performance by Andrew Garfield.  The combination of his accent, emotions, and dedication to the role will make you think that you are watching the real Desmond in a flashback.  He has a great supporting cast around him, including some great moments from Sam Worthington and a stunning performance by a nearly unrecognizable Hugo Weaving.  He brings an impressive amount of subtle emotions to the emotionless, shell shocked father that contrast the moments where his emotions must escalate.  Vince Vaughn seems like a horrible casting choice for a drill sergeant (we all wish that we could forget the "Psycho" remake) but he brings just the right amount of comedy to the role while transitioning into the serious character necessary for the war scenes.  Finally, Teresa Palmer has the perfect look for a 1940's love interest.  Our perception of Desmond hinges on the love story humanizing him at the beginning of the field and the chemistry between Garfield and Palmer is perfect.  "Hacksaw Ridge" is not easy to watch (mainly the second half) but it is worth enduring the blood and gore to get to the strong themes of religion and patriotism that permeate the bleak hopelessness of this battle.

[Pictured: Andrew Garfield delivers the best performance of his life to drive the intensity of this film]