"Everest"

Everest.  A name that invokes majesty of nature and human accomplishment for those who have conquered it.

But human beings are not meant to survive at the cruising altitude of a 747.  Some have made it. Some others, not so lucky.  "Everest" is based on a true story, a 1996 expedition where eight climbers died, caught in a deadly blizzard on the descend down the 29,020-feet mountain.  Unpredictable harsh weather and human errors make a fatal combination.

It's a big ensemble, so except for a few characters, you don't really get to know them and invest in them, which makes the movie far less impactful.  It's often hard to tell who's who underneath the bulked-up mountain gears.

Best seen in IMAX 3-D, the movie takes full advantage of the format, showcasing the wondrous rock-and-ice covered landscape and extreme elements.  Whipping winds and fierce snow flurries battering frail bodies.   Sudden glacier movement putting lives at risk.  You'll feel the freeze in the air and deterioration of the human condition.   Unfortunate reality aside, it is a spectacle absolutely meant to be seen on the big screen.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/everestvideo

"Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials"

Just like the first one in the series, "Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials" is better than it looks.  Director Wes Ball brings back Thomas (Dylan O'Brien) and his Glader friends (Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster) for another awesome adventure in the post-apocalyptic world.

Following their escape from the Glade and the Maze and mysterious organization called W.K.C.D. (read: wicked), the Gladers are initially grateful for having been rescued.  They're taken by their rescuers to a heavily guarded facility and meet the other escapees, provided shower, clean clothes, food and bed.  Amidst the secured environment and assurance by the head of the facility (Aiden Gillen), something is off, however.

A loner, Aris (Jacob Lofland) flags Thomas and together they make an unsavory discovery.  They are not safe after all.  The kids are being kept alive temporarily for a reason.  The Gladers, joined Ares and a few new kids (Dexter Draden, Alexander Flores) make a run for the outside world in the nick of time.

That outside world is the scorch, a ruined city surrounded and partially immersed in sands.  The group seeks shelter in a dark and dilapidated structure.  They scour the building for things they could equip themselves to make their desolate trek to the mountains in the hopes of joining the Right Arm, a resistance movement, and finding a safe haven.  The light switches on, but before they could breathe a sigh of relief, some things are coming out of the woodwork.  The undead.  If "The Maze Runner" has Grievers, "The Scorch Trials" has Cranks, which are just as terrifying.  They escape, but not without one of their own infected with the Flare virus.

Daylight breaks and the Gladers make their perilous journey across an arid, then unpredictably stormy desert.  They run into a compound filled with another cluster of survivors, find themselves in another trouble, make allies (Rosa Salazar, Giancario Esposito) and barely make it out alive after the compound is attacked.  The group gets separated before eventually reunited.  But not without more trials and twists, physically and emotionally.

The set pieces are vast and varied.  Actions relentless.  Sprinting, sliding, falling, climbing, leaping and dangling for dear lives, navigating rubbles and tunnels.  Not to mention getting bitten, shot at and strung up.  There's one particularly thrilling sequence involving a pursuit and struggle with a Crank on a precarious glass piece of a crumbled skyscraper hundreds of feet in the air.  Another one is the vines-covered Cranks.  The jump scares are used effectively.

O'Brien shows charisma and commitment to the role.  Thomas is smart, curious and quick on his feet.  A natural-born leader with a combination of instinct and ferocity.  Even as he's unsure of  what's to come, he moves forward with determination.

While "Scorch Trials" is mostly an action movie, it maintains the underlying theme of clash of ideals.  In the first installment, between safety and comfort versus risk and freedom.  Here we're faced with a moral dilemma as well.  At what point human sacrifice is no longer worth it?  What about if you truly believe it's for the greater good?

I look forward to the next round of scares and thrills.  The third installment in the trilogy, "The Death Cure" will be released on February 17, 2017.  It should be worth the long wait.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-maze-runner-the-scorch-trials/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/scorchtrialsvideo
Book: http://tinyurl.com/mazerunnerbook

Upcoming Movies: December 2015

[Originally posted on 11/29/15]

December 4
"Macbeth" (http://www.macbeth-movie.com/) - Macbeth, a Thane of Scotland, receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland. Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders his king and takes the throne for himself.

"Youth" - A retired orchestra conductor is on holiday with his daughter and his film director best friend in the Alps when he receives an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to perform for Prince Philip's birthday.

December 11
"In the Heart of the Sea" (http://www.intheheartoftheseamovie.com/) - Based on the 1820 event, a whaling ship is preyed upon by a sperm whale, stranding its crew at sea for 90 days, thousands of miles from home.

"The Big Short" (http://www.thebigshortmovie.com/) - Four outsiders in the world of high-finance who predicted the credit and housing bubble collapse of the mid-2000s decide to take on the big banks for their lack of foresight and greed.

December 18
"Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens" (http://www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens/) - A continuation of the saga created by George Lucas and set thirty years after Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).

December 25 
"Joy" - Joy is the story of a family across four generations and the woman who rises to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.

"Point Break" (http://pointbreakmovie.com/) - A young FBI agent infiltrates an extraordinary team of extreme sports athletes he suspects of masterminding a string of unprecedented, sophisticated corporate heists. "Point Break" is inspired by the classic 1991 hit.

"The Revenant" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-revenanthttp://www.foxmovies.com/movies/the-revenant) - In the 1820s, a frontiersman, Hugh Glass, sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead after a bear mauling.

"Pawn Sacrifice"

From 9/09/15 press screening: 
(The Coast News 9/25/15 print edition)

I dig biopics.  They inform, inspire, enlighten and entertain.  And they put actors to the test and boast some of the best acting.  Consider in recent years, "The Imitation Game" (father of modern computing Alan Turing), "The Theory of Everything" (astrophysicist Stephen Hawking), "The Wolf of Wall Street" (stockbroker Jordan Belfort), "Rush" (Formula One race car drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauda), "Lincoln" (President Abraham Lincoln), "The King's Speech" (King George VI).   "Pawn Sacrifice," directed by Edward Zwick, is no different.

A paranoid Bobby Fischer (Tobey Maguire, "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Great Gatsby") is shown frantically tearing his room apart for bugs, fearing that he's being watched and listened to by the Soviets.  Flashing back to his boyhood, we see a troubled kid from Brooklyn with a hostile relationship with his mother, Regina (Robin Weigert).  A single confrontation so intense reveals a deep-seated anger for being kept in the dark about the identity of his father.  His childhood scenes also show his neurotic tendencies, including being severely bothered by the slightest noise.  Every sound is grandly amplified.  

Singularly obsessed with chess, Bobby is self-taught.  He continues to play and beats his rivals in one  match after another, gaining prominence by becoming the youngest U.S. chess champion at the age of 14.  A child prodigy,  he pretty much raises himself.  He maintains an arm's-length relationship with his sister, Joan (Lily Rabe).

With his star rising, Bobby attracts the attention of a big-name lawyer, Paul Marshall (Michael Stuhlbarg), who offers his services pro-bono so that he could help Bobby navigating terms for competitions around the world.  A priest who once beat Bobby, Father Bill Lombardy (Peter Saarsgard), tags along to provide mental support and assist in strategic preparations prior to each match  With each movement, there are so many possibilities and risks.  

Paul and Father Bill both play a role in keeping Bobby, often manic with paranoia and delusions, focused and in check.  Although it's inevitable that when Bobby's behavior grows more erratic and demands more outrageous, they become more of an enabler, particularly Paul.  At one point he has the toughest task of all, making sure that Bobby actually shows up for a high-profile match.  Highly volatile and combustible, Bobby has no qualm of pulling out at the last minute or walking out of a match.  

Facing the press and the cameras, there's narcissistic sarcasm in Bobby's responses, as far as his perception about himself and his opponents.  Humorous as they may sound, he truly believes those twisted views as reality.  

Bobby eventually faces Boris Spassky (Liev Schreiber), the Russian grandmaster, first in California and later in Iceland.  In contrast with his hot-mess and anxious persona, Boris sports a cool look and silent confidence.  A man of a few words, he's always surrounded by an entourage and gets the best amenities, to the utter dismay of Bobby.  

The world championship in 1972 in Iceland is the focus of all championships and it is as tense as it can get.  The scenes are optimally shot, zooming in on the chess clock, maneuvers of pieces on the board, facial reactions and body gestures of the actors.  News footage from the past are interspersed with the games.  You don't necessarily need to know the rules of the game in order to become absorbed in the film.  Maguire personifies the polarizing figure and does it in spades.  And kudos to the filmmaker, as chess, unlike a physical sport, is not easy to translate to the big screen,

The championship is held at a time where America needs a public boost the most, amidst the Cold War, Vietnam and Watergate.  Bobby delivers that and chess mania sweeps the nation and the world.  As controversial as he is, he becomes an idol.  

The closing scenes show the real Bobby onscreen and flashes of his life events, deteriorating post winning.   In the end,  the greatest opponent of the greatest chess player in history is not Spassky or any other grandmaster.  It's Bobby Fischer himself.  He's a pawn of his own inner demon.  

Brisk and blistering, "Pawn Sacrifice" is a captivating character study about a prodigy, player,  champion and pawn.  

Comic-Con 2015: Fall TV Pilots

[Updated 9/13/15]

[For a blast from the past, check out:

http://sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/p/comiccon-wondercon.html]

[For 2015 feature film highlights, check out:

http://www.sdmoviemaven.blogspot.com/2015/07/comic-con-2015-feature-film-highlights.html]

Daytime excitement continued through the night.  Like the inaugural year in 2014, DC Entertainment put on a grand show for fans. 

Ian Somerhalder emceed the superhero panels.  Last year's emcee and star of "Arrow," Stephen Amell, stole the stage by appearing the Arrow himself, in a newly tweaked costume for season 4.  The costume has more of an 'armored' look, more in line with the Green Arrow outfit in the comics  The show that catapulted CW into superhero stratosphere is still going strong after three years.  Next up was "The Flash."  The highest-rated CW show will return for a sophomore year.  I was awestruck last year by the premiere and am psyched to see it continue this fall.  Another show premiering last year that got renewed was "Gotham." Cast and crew from the shows appeared on their respective panel, talking about their characters and developments for the upcoming season.

If Marvel has the Avengers on the movie front, CW will showcase a superhero ensemble show with "Legends of Tomorrow." Rip Hunter, a time-traveler who has seen the future, assembles a legendary team consisting of an eclectic mix or heroes and anti-heroes - Dr. Martin Stein (the other half of Firestorm), Atom, White Canary (resurrected from Black Canary), Jay Jackson, Hawkgirl, Hawkman, Heat Wave and Captain Cold.   Several of them have appeared in either "Arrow" or "The Flash").  It would be interesting to see how the stories might intertwine in the CW multi-verse.  In its debut, the team's first order of business is to stop Vandall Savage, a 6,000-year old immortal, from dominating the world. 

Last but not least, the highly anticipated new show, "Supergirl" soared with a lovely pilot. 

"Supergirl" (CBS; October 26, 2015)

Making a show about Supergirl carries an inherent challenge, which is how to create stories that do away with her famous cousin, Superman/Kal-El.  The show's solution is to mention him as a distant background story and have him appear in a shadow as an acknowledgement of his existence.  But this is clearly a Supergirl/Kara Zor-El story. 

Right before Krypton imploded, 12-year old Kara was sent to Earth following baby Kal-El's pod to help care for  him in the new planet.  The explosion sent Kara's pod off course and had her trapped in the Phantom Zone for years.  By the time she arrived, Kal-El has grown up and no longer needs her care.  He placed her with a scientist family, the Danvers, so that she could grow up with a normal childhood as he did. 

Kara did, along with her adopted sister, Alex.  For as long as she could remember, Kara has always tried her best to suppress her superpowers and blended in as an ordinary girl, if not socially awkward and quirky.  Now 24, Kara works as a personal assistant for a media mogul, a Devil-Wears-Prada figure like.  A completely unassuming life, having a demanding boss and dealing with a crush from a colleague and crushing on a new co-worker, James Olsen (the Jimmy Olsen from the Daily Planet). 

When Alex's plane is in danger of crashing, Kara makes a major life-saving decision (an outstanding action sequence) and shows her true color to the world.  A mysterious female hero is born and capturing the interest of the public and the media.

Melissa Benoist is adorably on point with the scenes following her emergence as an involuntary, yet enthusiastic newly minted superhero.  There are supporters and doubters in her inner circle.  Riddled with doubt and enthusiasm, Kara is both strong and exposed. With an honest desire to help people, she's learning to utilize her powers and embrace her higher purpose in life. 

Kara's life becomes more complicated when her movement is tracked by DEO (Department of Extra-Normal Operations), an organization that keeps tabs on extraterrestrial forces.  At the same time, an enemy that followed her from the Phantom Zone, made himself known.  And he's not alone. Kara will have her hands full in no time.

If "Arrow" is dark and gritty and "The Flash" flashy and light (although not without dramatic  moments), "Supergirl" is a league of its own, brimming with bright optimism and mirth, featuring a big-hearted superhero that emanates innocent charm and wholesome goodness.  Somehow, the cheery, comedy aspect works.      

The year of "The Flash" went fast and fabulous.  I hope "Supergirl" will fly high and I look forward to it being on my weekly viewing schedule. 

***

"Blindspot" (NBC; September 21, 2015)

Stepping out of superhero central, I was pretty enthralled with "Blind Spot," a primetime pilot of mystery, crime procedural drama and action. 

The opening scene is nothing short of intriguing.  A naked amnesiac found inside of a duffle bag in the middle of Times Square.  Her whole body is covered in fresh tattoos, including a tattoo of a name of an FBI agent on her back. Mind erased, her body is full of clues.  Images, numbers, symbols and words as puzzle pieces that would help the FBI to map their steps to solve crimes, or perhaps lead them to something bigger. 

What makes it the more intriguing is the mysterious woman herself.  Naturally looking and feeling lost, scared and vulnerable, it's quickly revealed through a series of incidents that Jane Doe is a force to be reckoned with.  Strong, sharp, determined with surprising capabilities that would make her a treasured asset to the agency.  Her burgeoning connection to the FBI agent in question merits further exploration.  A glimpse of her backstory ends the pilot on a curious note that would make you wanting more. 

There's a lot to be explored and discovered here, which should earn "Blindspot" a regular viewing spot.  Hopefully the show can maintain the intrigue and momentum by balancing crime-of-the-week episodes with its underlying mystery.   

***

Another show I'm excited about is "Limitless" (CBS, September 22, 2015).  The story revolves around one man who gains the full capacity of his brain and extends his capabilities beyond imagination. Yep, it's based on the thrilling "Limitless" movie (what would it be like to become the perfect version of ourselves?) in 2011 and co-produced by its star, Bradley Cooper.

It's going to be an amazing autumn!

http://www.sdentertainer.com/tv/from-comic-con-2015-preview-of-fall-tv-pilots/

[click to enlarge pictures]