"The Finest Hours"

"We all live or we all die."

It's the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history.  During a raging nor'easter in 1952 off the coast of Cape Cod, four coast guards get on a motorboat and set out to rough seas to reach seafarers onboard of a wrecked oil tanker, SS Pendleton.  The storm is so ferocious that it splits two tankers in half.  Meanwhile, the coast guard station is undermanned.  The other crew members have already headed out to rescue the first tanker, SS Fort Mercer, only to find out belatedly that there's a second one stranded and in jeopardy.

The four-man team is led by a reserved, rule-abider Bennie Webber (Chris Pine, "Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit," "Unstoppable"), following an order to attempt what's akin to a suicide mission.  What they're experiencing is staggering.  Freezing rain, violent wind and monstrous waves smash and toss the boat around and into the air.  Incredibly, there are times when the boat, engulfed by the perilous waves, is completely submerged under water, only to come up to the surface and ride the surge.  With no compass, lost in the storm, Bernie steers the boat skillfully and somehow finds the sinking vessel.

Aboard the oil tanker, there's a lot of action and friction.  Whether to take the lifeboat and try to paddle to shore.  Or decide on methods to move the ship in ways that minimize the impact of the damage.  The captain, along with several other sailors, went down with the other half of the ship. Ultimately, leadership falls on Ray Sybert (Casey Affleck, "Gone Baby Gone"), a level-headed engineer, whose strategy to keep the ship afloat and then anchor it down proves to be crucial to the survival of the 30+ sailors.  All hands on deck, it takes precise measurements and coordinated chain of communication to execute the maneuvers.

It's not smooth-sailing once Bernie and crew encounter the ravaged tanker, however.  There's no easy way for the survivors to get down from the lofty ship to the motorboat except descending a flimsy ladder amidst the whirlwind storm. Some plunge down to sea and have to swim towards the boat.

All in all, 32 survivors are onboard the rescue boat with a capacity of 12.  Bernie, the man who always walks the straight line, and the one doubted by others because his last rescue effort wasn't successful, has to make a decision that determines the fate of all those men.  Battling severe frigidity and fatigue, he has to navigate his way back to shore and bring them home safely.

"Disneyesque" romance is integrated into the story.  Bernie's backstory, from his first meeting with his forward fiancee, Miriam (Holliday Grainger, "Cinderella").  The drama of it is a bit much in a daring seafaring actioner like this, and at the expense of other characters, the mariners on the ship.  I would have liked to know more about Ray, the de facto captain, since he's such an instrumental figure.

The ending is such a welcome sight in a snowy night, with headlights beaconing hometown heroes and survivors.  Based on a heroic true story, "The Finest Hours" is realistically terrifying (thanks to impressive special effects and score), but also a miraculous feat that warms the heart.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-the-finest-hours/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/thefinesthoursdvd

Book: http://tinyurl.com/thefinesthoursbook

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Golden Globes 2016

If some nominees were nervous, it might not only be because whether they would win, but also because Ricky Gervais was back.  After a three-year run, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler hang up the hosting mantle duties.  Gervais has been invited back to host the 73rd Golden Globes show.  In his last show in 2012, some of the cheeky host's jokes were considered too off-color for some.

With a glass of beer on hand, Gervais started off by saying that he had changed (although not as changed as Bruce Jenner/Caitlyn Jenner) and would try to be nice this time.

Gervais put NBC, the network that aired the show this year, front and center.  He quipped that it was only appropriate for the network to air it because it’s the only network with no nominations.

To introduce a speech from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Gervais mentioned that the Golden Globes didn’t have an “In Memoriam” section to make everyone depressed (the HFPA speech would be it).

Hollywood stars became an easy target in general. Recognizing that some stars might be nervous for fear of being made fun of, he didn't think it would be enough for them to stay away from the chance of winning a Golden Globe, especially if the film companies had already paid for it.  He took a swipe at the meaning of winning the award, reminding that it’s only important to the stars and nobody else.

On equal pay topic, Gervais confessed that he was paid the same amount as Fey and Poehler – together – last year.  Highlighting the deportation topic from presidential candidate Donald Trump, Eva Longoria and America Ferrera were picked as those who could be deported.

Gervais played nice with Mel Gibson, whom he made fun of years ago for being drunk.  Gervais stated that he would rather have a drink with Gibson than Bill Cosby.  Gibson dished out that he loved seeing Gervais every three years as it reminded him to get a colonoscopy.

Tom Hanks presented the Cecil B. DeMille lifetime achievement award to Denzel Washington. He was pretty much speechless, admitting that he forgot his speech and needing glasses to read it.  It was nice to see he brought his family onto the stage with him to accept the award.

The first award of the night, Best Supporting Actress, Motion Picture Drama, went to a visibly shocked Kate Winslet for her role in “Steve Jobs.”  She mentioned the insane amount of dialogue in the script, which wasn’t easy to do.  And that script, which made the movie one of the very best, earned Aaron Sorkin Best Screenplay gold.  On the lead actress category, Brie Larson brought home Best Actress award for “Room,” graciously recognizing that half of the award went to her young co-star, Jacob Tremblay.  Sylvester Stallone scored Best Supporting Actor for “Creed.”  He walked onto the stage among standing ovation.  His last nomination for a Golden Globe was 39 years ago.

On the musical and comedy side, Best Actor statue went to Matt Damon for his performance in “The Martian,” a great movie perplexingly categorized as a comedy.  Matt Damon was said to be the only person Ben Affleck, his best buddy, hadn't been unfaithful to.  The movie went on to win Best Motion Picture in this category.  The ever-popular Jennifer Lawrence nabbed Best Supporting Actress for “Joy.”

Best Original Score winner was initially announced as going to “Straight Outta Compton,” with the actual winner being “The Hateful Eight.”  The misannouncement was done on purpose, drawing parallel to the recent controversies at the Miss Universe Pageant, where the wrong winner was announced.  Best Original Song went to “Spectre.”

Best Animated Motion Picture went to frontrunner “Inside Out.”

Alejandro Inarritu, who made waves last year with “Birdman,” made a name for himself again this year by winning Best Director, Motion Picture Drama with “The Revenant.”  The movie was the big winner for the night, also winning Leonardo DiCaprio Best Actor, and taking home Best Motion Picture.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/golden-globes-2016/

And the Golden Globe goes to…

Best Motion Picture, Drama
"The Revenant"

Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
 "The Martian"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Brie Larson, "Room"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Jennifer Lawrence, "Joy"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Leonardo DiCaprio, "The Revenant"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Sylvester Stallone, "Creed"

Best Performance by Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
Kate Winslet, "Steve Jobs"

Best Director, Motion Picture, Drama
Alejandro González Iñárritu, "The Revenant"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Matt Damon, "The Martian"

Best Screenplay, Motion Picture, Drama
Aaron Sorkin, "Steve Jobs"

Best Original Score, Motion Picture
Ennio Morricone, "The Hateful Eight"

Best Motion Picture, Animated
 "Inside Out"

Best Original Song, Motion Picture
"Writing's on the Wall," "Spectre"

For a full list of winners, visit the official website.

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"The Danish Girl"

"The fact is I believe that I'm a woman."

Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe (Eddie Redmayne, "The Theory of Everything," "Les Miserables," "My Week with Marilyn") is documented as one of the first persons to receive a sex reassignment surgery.

In 1920, Copenhagen, Einar and Gerda Wegener (Alicia Vikander, "Ex-Machina," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E") are like any other young, married couple, in love.  Einar is a successful landscape artist and Gerda a portrait painter.  When a model fails to show up for painting, Gerda jovially persuades her husband to stand in with a women's clothing.

It is at this moment that Einar feels... something.  Something indescribable that makes him feel closer to his true self, which he believes that he's woman. What begins as one portrait turns to another, and to their delight, the portraits are high demand.  And what continues to be a game of pretend, like having Einar show up at party to fool everyone as a woman, Lili, turns into a an unsettling reality. It grows more thorny when a man (Ben Whishaw, "Skyfall," "Cloud Atlas") shows an interest in Einar/Lili and a childhood friend (Matthias Schoenaerts) comes into the fold.

The film, directed by Tom Hooper  ("The King's Speech"), has a soft-focus feel with colorful palette, postcard-perfect scenery, impeccable interior and luxurious costume design.  But it would have connected deeper on an emotional level had it focused on Einar and his inner exploration.  Beyond the pretty makeup, dresses and poses, perhaps a flashback to his childhood, growing up shy and awkward, gradual struggles of self-identity, and self-awakening transition in a society that treats transgender as mentally ill.

While Redmayne bravely steps into a unique role, it is Gerda's perpective and Vikander's acting that stand out. She's a complex character dealt with an unprecedented fate.  Strong-willed, loyal and playful, she's pained and desperate, yet remains unconditionally supportive of Einar's desires to fully become a woman, knowing that she would forever lose the love of her life.

Perchance "The Danish Girl" is not about Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe, but a story about the 'other' Danish girl, Gerda Wegener.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-the-danish-girl/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/thedanishgirldvd

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/thedanishgirlbluray

Book: http://tinyurl.com/thedanishgirlbook

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"The Big Short"

Mortgage-backed securities.  Subprime loans.  Adjustable rate mortgage.  Credit default swaps.  Collateralized debt obligation.  How do you think a movie tackling such dry and difficult topics fare?  Dull?  Cumbersome?  Incomprehensible?  Not even close.

Director and co-writer Adam McKay and screenwriter Charles Randolph have inherent challenges in presenting complex terms and making them more palatable to mainstream audience.  By most accounts, they've succeeded.

Dr. Michael Burry (Christian Bale, "American Hustle," "Batman" trilogy), an idiosyncratic doctor-turned-money manager, foresees a historic event that no one sees coming - the 2007-2008 economic meltdown.  A curious, opportunistic financial wizard, Dr. Burry studies the market and bets against the banks.

Real estate agents oversells the American dream of home ownership to anyone and everyone.  Lenders are making boatload of loans like there is no tomorrow.  No income and no job?  No problem.  Bad credit score?  That's okay.  You're not who you say you are?  No big deal.  These homeowners are signing into loans with adjustable rates and when those rates kick in, they won't be able to pay back.

Furthermore, loans are stretched and slapped the highest ratings, sold and re-sold in unrecognizable packages to unsuspecting public.  Mortgage brokers, banks, credit-rating agencies and government regulators are either asleep at the wheel, turn a blind eye or in bed with one another.  As long as the hefty fees continue to pour in, there's no conflict of interest or check and balance.  Greed breeds more greed.

Bale is accompanied by a strong set of actors.  A smarmy trader, Jared Vennett (Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March," "Drive") catches wind of Dr. Burry's discovery and connects with a morally-torn fund manager, Mark Baum (Steve Carell) and his team.  Along with a couple other young traders, Jamie Shipley (Finn Wittrock) and Charlie Geller (John Magaro), and their retired banker-mentor, Ben Rickert (Brat Pitt, "World War Z"), these opportunists smell a fortune like no other, make an educated guess, place their bets and score big in a rigged system that is doomed to fail.

There's no one to root for here... not really.  There are a lot of losers in this twisted scheme that even the majority of winners do not feel like winning.  Millions of people lose their jobs and their homes.  Century-old companies shut down.  The world economy collapses.  But virtually no one goes to jail. The institutions are too big to fail and they would eventually get bailed out.

The filmmakers craftily executes the film.  To avoid monotone exposition, concepts and occasions are illustrated in a variety of ways.  Songs and news and characters facing and speaking directly to viewers.  And most ingeniously, comically utilizing actress Margot Robbie, chef Anthony Bourdain and singer Selena Gomez, who all make cameos as themselves.

With such serious subject, surprisingly, "The Big Short" is not short on jocularity.  The jargon-filled docudrama does feel long, but the madcap pace, akin to the award-nominated "The Wolf of Wall Street" (albeit without the gratuitous shots or glamorous sheen), helps make it entertaining.  The film is an enlightening companion piece to the award-winning documentary, "Inside Job."  For a micro-perspective on the Great Recession, also check out "99 Homes."

The ending will make you think about whether the whole economic apocalypse could happen all over again.  Ingloriously funny, fiery and frightening, "The Big Short" is no small feat.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-the-big-short/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/thebigshortdvd

DVD (blu-ray): http://tinyurl.com/thebigshortbluray
Book: http://tinyurl.com/thebigshortbook

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Upcoming Movies: March 2016

[Originally posted on 2/26/16]

March 4
"London Has Fallen" (http://www.londonhasfallen.com/) - In London for the Prime Minister's funeral, a secret service agent discovers a plot to assassinate all attending world leaders.

"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" (http://www.whiskeytangofoxtrotthemovie.com/) - A journalist recounts her wartime coverage in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

March 11
"10 Cloverfield Lane" (http://www.10cloverfieldlane.com/) - Waking up from a car accident, a young woman finds herself in the basement of a man who says he's saved her life from a chemical attack that has left the outside uninhabitable.

"Creative Control" - In the near future, an ad executive uses a new Augmented Reality technology to conduct an affair with his best friend's girlfriend.

March 18
"The Divergent Series: Allegiant" (http://www.thedivergentseries.com) - Beatrice Prior and Tobias Eaton venture into the world outside of the fence and are taken into protective custody by a mysterious agency known as the Bureau of Genetic Welfare.

"Midnight Special" - A father and son go on the run after the dad learns his son possesses special powers.

March 25
"Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (http://www.batmanvsupermandawnofjustice.com) - Fearing the actions of Superman are left unchecked, Batman takes on Superman, while the world wrestles with what kind of a hero it really needs. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor creates a new threat, Doomsday. It's up to Superman and Batman to set aside their differences, along with Wonder Woman, to stop the enemy from destroying Metropolis.

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" - After spending most time focusing on their troubling teenage daughter, a couple are facing marital problems while also having to deal with yet another Greek wedding - even bigger and fatter.

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