Academy Awards 2017

The 89th Academy Awards show opened with a rousing entrance from Justin Timberlake, walking through the aisles, dancing and singing “Can’t Stop This Feeling.”

By the time Jimmy Kimmel showed up on the black-and-gold stage as host, he had got a captive audience, on their feet and having a good time, in which he humorously took credit for.  Despite hosting the Oscars for the first time, Kimmel looked like he was right at home, as if the comedian was there for his late night show, “Jimmy Kimmel Live.”

Diving right into politics, Kimmel commented that the Oscars would be watched by 225 countries who hate us.  He pointed out that we could almost guarantee we would see some of the speeches from tonight appear on the 5 a.m. tweets by President Trump.  He also asked if there was anyone in the room working for CNN, L.A. Times, New York Times or any publication ending with the word ‘Times’ (such as Medieval Times) to leave the building, as we would not tolerate “fake news.”

Kimmel went on to invite Meryl Streep, whose political-laden speech at the recent Golden Globe Awards was both praised and lambasted by different parties, to stand up and for everyone to give her an “undeserved applause.”  Mimicking Trump, he called her “overrated.”  He even went further by taunting Trump with a tweet, #Merylsayhi.

Referring to last year’s controversies #OscarSoWhite, Kimmel noted that things had changed this year.  “Black people saved NASA, white people saved jazz” (in reference to “Hidden Figures” and “La La Land”).  On a serious note, it was great to see Katherine Johnson (age 98), one of the pioneers from the NASA Space Program in 1960s brought onto the stage on a wheelchair as the guest of honor.  Her historic accomplishments can be seen in “Hidden Figures,” one of the best films of the year.

With Kimmel as host, the sarcastic jab about long-time frenemy Matt Damon was to be expected and quite funny.  Among the jabs, he remarked that Damon, who was typically selfish, did an unselfish thing with “Manchester by the Sea.”  He remained as producer and let the brother of his childhood friend, Casey Affleck, did the acting.

The first award of the night, Best Supporting Actor, went to Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”).  “Moonlight” also scored Best Original Screenplay.  Viola Davis won Best Supporting Actress (“Fences.”).  Davis gave a tearful speech and a nod to the profession as one that celebrates what it means to have a life.  Casey Affleck’s heartbreaking performance in “Manchester by the Sea” earned him BestActor award.  Emma Stone, who tapped and twirled through “La La Land” and was fittingly dressed in gold here, brought home the gold statue as Best Actress.

The Academy spread the love across the board, awarding awards in various categories to multiple films; Best Original Screenplay to “Manchester by the Sea,” Best Makeup and Hairstyling to “Suicide Squad,” Best Costume Design to “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” Best Sound Editing to “Arrival,” and Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing to “Hackshaw Ridge.”  The winners looked incredibly surprised, as most expected Hollywood favorite “La La Land” to sweep the awards.  Best Visual Effects was given to “The Jungle Book,” besting sci-fi and superhero movies vying for the award.

“La La Land” did win a number of awards; Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score and Best Original Song, including the prestigious Best Directing award for its director, Damien Chazelle.  Chazelle, at age 32, became the youngest director winning the award in Oscars history.

The brilliant “Zootopia” deservingly won Best Animated Feature.  The acceptance speech mentioned it being a story of tolerance, which is more powerful than fear of the other.  The other animation, “Moana,” had its song, “How Far I’ll Go,” beautifully sung by Auli’I Cravlho, the voice behind the brave teenage girl in the movie.

Stunts on the show involved candies, cookies and donuts, as well as tourists.  Candies, cookies and donuts wrapped inside tiny parachute packages were dropped gently from the ceilings.  Lucky, thrilled tourists from a tour bus, thinking they were walking into an exhibit, were ushered into the front of the room, coming face to face with the stars. The show also had a bunch of stars hilariously read a series of “mean tweets” sent to them.

A dreamlike segment on the show was performed by John Legend, playing the piano and singing, “City of Stars,” against the backdrop of starry skies and surrounded by graceful dancers.

The show ended with a shocker, never-before-happened in the history of the Oscars. “La La Land” was mistakenly announced as winner of Best Picture, by presenters Warren Betty and Faye Dunaway. The whole cast of the romantic musical already gathered onstage when the error had to be corrected. Not fake news or alternative fact, folks, “Moonlight” was the real winner.

Kimmel lightheartedly concluded the show by blurting out that he knew he would screw up the show and that he promised never to come back. What a night!

For a full list of the winners, check out the Academy Awards website here.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/academy-awards-2017/

And the Oscar goes to...

Best Film - Moonlight

Best Animated Film - Byron Howard, Rich Moore and Clark Spencer (Zootopia)

Best Director - Damien Chazelle (La La Land)

Best Actor - Casey Affleck (Manchester By The Sea)

Best Supporting Actor - Mahershala Ali (Moonlight)

Best Actress - Emma Stone (La La Land)

Best Supporting Actress - Viola Davis (Fences)

Best Original Screenplay - Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By The Sea)

Best Adapted Screenplay - Barry Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight)

Best Original Score - Justin Hurwitz (La La Land)

Best Original Song - Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (La La Land)

Best Sound Editing - Sylvain Bellemare (Arrival)

Best Sound Mixing - Kevin O'Connell, Andy Wright, Robert Mackenzie and Peter Grace (Hacksaw Ridge)

Best Cinematography - Linus Sandgren (La La Land)

Best Film Editing - John Gilbert (Hacksaw Ridge)

Best Production Design - David Wasco and Sandy Reynolds Wasco (La La Land)

Best Visual Effects - Robert Legato, Adam Valdez, Andrew R. Jones and Dan Lemmon (The Jungle Book)

Best Makeup and Hairstyling - Alessandro Bertolazzi, Giorgio Gregorini and Christopher Nelson (Suicide Squad)

Best Costume Design - Colleen Atwood (Fantastic Beast and Where To Find Them)

Upcoming Movies: September 2017

[Originally posted on 8/28/17]

September 8
"It" (http://itthemovie.com/) - A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.

"Home Again" (http://homeagain-movie.com/) - Life for a single mom in Los Angeles takes an unexpected turn when she allows three young guys to move in with her.

September 15
"Mother" - A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

"American Assassin" - A story centered on a counterterrorism agent.

September 22
"Kingsman: The Golden Circle" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/kingsman-the-golden-circle) - When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman's journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the U.S. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.

"The Lego Ninjago Movie" (http://www.legoninjagomovie.com/) - Six young ninjas are tasked with defending their island home, called Ninjago. By night, they're gifted warriors, using their skills and awesome fleet of vehicles to fight villains and monsters. By day, ordinary teens struggling against their greatest enemy, high school.

September 29
"American Made" (http://www.americanmademovie.net/) - A pilot lands work for the CIA and as a drug runner in the south during the 1980s.

"Flatliners" - Five medical students, obsessed by what lies beyond the confines of life, embark on a daring experiment: by stopping their hearts for short periods, each triggers a near-death experience - giving them a firsthand account of the afterlife.

2017 Awards Season: Feature Film Highlights

Get ready for the Oscars! (February 26, 2017)  Check your local theaters to see if they run a viewing package for films that are nominated for best picture. 

Here are some of the films nominated in various categories: (best picture, leading actor, leading actress, supporting actor, supporting actress,  directing, writing, cinematography, costume design, film editing, production design, sound design/editing/mixing, music and visual effects)

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/2017-awards-season-feature-film-highlights/

Below are some of the highlights:

"Allied"

Old-fashioned espionage, romance and Casablanca.  In 1942, Canadian intelligence officer Max Vatan (Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button") locks eyes and lips with a  French resistance fighter, Marianne Beausejour (Marion Cotillard; "The Dark Knight Rises," "Inception").  Their mission is to attain an invitation to an event where a Nazi ambassador will be attending.  A ticking clock counts down to a diversion, the duo executes the assassination with precision and make their exit.  Max and Marianne move to London, get married and have a baby daughter.   It's domestic bliss until Max is notified by his superiors that Marianne might be a German spy.  Max refuses to believe that Marianne is not who she says she is and goes to great length outside of the official channel to prove her innocence.  It's a conflict between duty to his country and love for his family.  "Allied" plays like a beautiful montage with sumptuous sets, luxe lighting, impeccable costumes and glamorous stars.  It's a glossy spies-in-love war drama, old-Hollywood style.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Arrival"

A dozen alien spaceships have descended on various locations around the world.  Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams, "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," "American Hustle," "Leap Year") is an expert linguist recruited to help decode the language of aliens.  Language is the basis of civilization.  It's how we understand and communicate with the world around us.  And therefore, our brain is wired to comprehend certain elements of life in definite ways, such as the notion of time.  However, since we may not be alone in this universe, our understanding may not necessarily be-all and end-all.  It would behoove us to keep an open mind, observe, listen, learn to seek meaning and understanding, including a principle or practice that may differ from our normal perception, and do our best to communicate with one another.  The ingenuity of the film lies in the overarching premise, pieces that come in the form of the past, present and future that connect a life story to the overall theme.  An enlightening tale about the human mind, communication and perception, "Arrival" is thoughtful and thought-provoking.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Doctor Strange"

Superhero meets sorcery.  Dr.  Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, "The Imitation Game") is a brilliant neurosurgeon, who is also self-centered and an all-around jerk.  His glorious career ends when he suffers nerve damage from a car wreck.  He discovers the existence of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton, "Hail, Caesar!"), the guru of mystical and martial arts.  Dr. Strange magically transforms into a master sorcerer; from forming a glowing weapon with his disfigured hands to floating from one dimension portal to another, casting spells and manipulating energy, space and time.  He violates the natural law of time in order to gain the upper hand and preserve humanity.  Everything is not in the clear, however. There's an inherent order of things, including life and death, and they balance humanity.  It's a visually impressive spectacle.  Skyscrapers, walls and floors are twisting, turning, shifting, shaping, folding and collapsing.  Ruins rebuilt.  The parallel realms are a kaleidoscope of colors, fire, light and darkness.  Blending fantasy and magic with superhero action and humor, "Doctor Strange" is a fresh, entrancing entrance into the ever-expanding Marvel Universe.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Hidden Figures"

“Hidden Figures” is a remarkable story about three African-American women who worked at NASA in the age of space race as the 'human computers.'  While it tells a weighty story, it is filmed with a lighthearted tone and has a breezy pace.  Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughn (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) work at a segregated research center.  Racism and sexism permeate every fabric of the severely prejudiced society.  Not only relegated to the back of the bus, there are 'colored' sections for everything - work area, restroom, cafetaria.  Memorable scenes pack emotional and inspirational punch, powered by great acting.   These women march on every day with dedication, diligence, persistence, resilience and determination.  It's a fine balance between knowing their place, stepping back and showing deference to their peers and supervisors, and at the same time, being resourceful, assertive and confident in themselves in seizing opportunities, moving towards achieving their dreams, and being a part of history.  And if history has taught us anything, there's always a first in everything.  "Hidden Figures" is phenomenally uplifting and life-affirming.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"La La Land"

An aspiring actress (Emma Stone, "The Amazing Spider-Man") and an idealist jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling; "The Big Short," "The Ides of March," "Drive") fall in love and work through their ambitions to make it in the city of dreamers and movie stars.  The charming leads sing, tap and twirl through their meet-cutes and rocky relationship.  The road to achieve one's dreams is not without crushed hopes and personal sacrifice.  Los Angeles is aesthetically filmed, awash with a pastel palette and accentuated with pops of bright colors.  Dreamlike cityscapes and streets in daylight, twilight and illuminated night.  Flared dresses in blood red, royal blue, emerald green and canary yellow.  Melodious song-and-dance numbers include memorable sequences such as a real freeway traffic jam, whimsical tap-dancing on the hill in the dusk, magical floating among the stars in the planetarium, among others.  There's also a melancholic duet on the original song for the movie, "City of Stars."  A romantic musical that blends Old Hollywood fantasy with modern reality, it's a lovely movie to end or start the year.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Manchester by the Sea"

A mournful loner, handyman named Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck; "The Finest Hours," "Gone Baby Gone") rushes to his hometown upon hearing the news about his brother's condition in the hospital.  After his brother, Joe (Kyle Chandler; "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Argo"), dies, he is appointed guardian of Joe's teenage son, Patrick (Lucas Hedges).  Returning home is one of the hardest things for Lee, who faces reminders of his painful past, including his ex-wife, Randi (Michelle Williams; "My Week with Marilyn," "Shutter Island"), and the working class community that whispers behind his back.  Lee was a happy-go-lucky guy with a loving family and friends.  An unfathomable tragedy broke him and drove him out of town.  "Manchester by the Sea" is exquisitely shot, with the winter seaside town as an integral part of the film.  Snowy streets, gray skies, cold seas and fishing trips.  It pulls you in gently and it's soberly absorbing.  It feels like real life, with messiness and setbacks.  Not everything broken can be made whole again.  A simple slice of life story, yet a complicated one.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Passangers"

Jim Preston (Chris Pratt, "Jurassic World," "Guardians of the Galaxy"), is aboard a spaceship transporting over 5,000 passengers to a new planet.  All passengers are in cyrosleep during the planned 120-year interstellar trip.  Jim's pod has malfunctioned, awakening him 90 years too soon.  A second passenger, Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence; "The Hunger Games" series, "X-Men" series, "American Hustle"), is also awakened later.  Eventually Jim and Aurora realize they are onboard of a sinking spaceship.  The movie's got very cool visual effects.  A super sleek spacecraft with expansive exterior and interior design that looks futuristically real.  A viewing deck for a luminous cosmic show.  An infinity pool at the edge of deep space.  While it's easy to judge Jim's morally questionable actions, none of us will likely never know what it truly feels like being the last person alive.  The movie touches on an existential and morality issues.  It may be easy to dismiss "Passengers" as a Titanic in space with a Hollywood ending, but it's more than that.  "Passengers" offers a sci-fi romance with a thought-provoking twist.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Sully"

On January 15, 2009, a flight took off to the clear winter skies under the command of Captain Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger (Tom Hanks; "Bridge of Spies," "Saving Mr. Banks," "Captain Phillips," "Cloud Atlas").  Shortly after, bird strikes damaged both engines and disabled the aircraft.  After a distressed exchange with the air traffic controller and rapidly evaluating his options, the veteran captain made a split-second decision to glide his plane onto the Hudson River.  That decision proved to be crucial in saving the lives of all 155 people onboard.  Sully is heralded as a hero by the press and public, yet facing intense investigations from NTSB.  Clint Eastwood successfully stages realistic-looking crash and rescue scenes. Chills fill the air when passengers shiver out in the open, sliding down the rafts, lining up the wings or plunging into the frigid river.  Flying may be a routine experience these days.  Until it isn't.  You'll come out with a greater respect and appreciation for the fine men and women that help keep our skies friendly.  "Sully" is an unassumingly riveting docudrama with a heart and a touch of miracle.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Zootopia"

It's not another animation.  "Zootopia" zestily deals with complex issues, such as racism, sexism, discrimination, segregation, bullying, stereotyping, nature vs. nurture.  It cleverly camouflages them behind cute animation mirrors, making them are surprisingly engaging and entertaining. Not to mention shrewdly humorous.  An ambitious little bunny grows up a in farm, becomes a cop, and moves to Zootopia.  In this vibrantly rendered, diverse utopia, preys and predators exist harmoniously.  But reality is complicated.  Through a series of unfortunate incidents, the bunny reluctantly teams up with a sly fox with a traumatic past.  They work on an intricate investigation, uncovering the whereabouts of missing mammals. City hall politics are involved, fear campaigns and peace rallies.  Blame game and misdirection abound.   In the end, there is no perfect world.  We all make mistakes.  We don't always get along.  But we also can try to do our best to make a difference, and in the process, we can make the world a better place.  Imaginatively fresh and very grown-up, "Zootopia" is quite possibly the most brilliant, best animation of all time!  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

Upcoming Movies: May 2017

[Originally posted on 4/29/17]

May 5
"Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2" (https://marvel.com/guardians) - The team of space misfits continues with their adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage.

"The Dinner" (https://thedinner.film/) - A look from the dinner table at how far parents will go to protect their children.

May 12
"King Arthur: Legend of the Sword" - Robbed of his birthright, Arthur comes up the hard way in the back alleys of the city. But once he pulls the sword from the stone, he is forced to acknowledge his true legacy, whether he likes it or not.

"Paris Can Wait" (http://sonyclassics.com/pariscanwait/) - Anne is at a crossroads in her life. Long married to a successful, driven but inattentive movie producer, she unexpectedly finds herself taking a car trip from Cannes to Paris with a business associate of her husband. What should be a seven-hour drive turns into a carefree two-day adventure replete with diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food and wine, humor, wisdom and romance, reawakening Anne's senses.

May 19
"Alien: Covenant" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alien-covenant) - The crew of the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy, discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise. When they uncover a threat beyond their imagination, they must attempt a harrowing escape.

"Everything, Everything" (http://everythingeverythingmovie.com/) - A teenager who's lived a sheltered life because she's allergic to everything, falls for the boy who moves in next door.

May 26
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" (http://pirates.disney.com/pirates-of-the-caribbean-dead-men-tell-no-tales) - Captain Jack Sparrow searches for the trident of Poseidon.

"Baywatch" (http://www.thebaywatchmovie.com/) - Devoted lifeguard butts heads with a brash new recruit. Together they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.

Free Comic Book Day: May 6, 2017

[Originally published on 4/29/17]

For those of you comic fans, Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday, May 6, 2017.  Check this out for participating stores near you: http://www.freecomicbookday.com/

Upcoming Movies: June 2017

[Originally posted on 5/21/17]

June 2
"Wonder Woman" (http://wonderwomanfilm.com/) - Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true destiny.

"Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/captain-underpants-the-first-epic-movie) - Two overly imaginative pranksters hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero.

June 9
"The Mummy" (http://www.themummy.com/) - An ancient princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

"Megan Leavey" (http://www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com/meganleavey) - Based on the true life story of a young Marine Corporal whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.

June 16
"Cars 3" (http://movies.disney.com/cars-3) - Lightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he's still the best race car in the world.

"47 Meters Down" - Two sisters vacationing in Mexico are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean. With less than an hour of oxygen left and great white sharks circling nearby, they must fight to survive.

June 23
"Transformers: The Last Knight" (http://www.transformersmovie.com/) - Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth.

June 30
"Despicable Me 3" (http://www.despicable.me/) - Gru meets his twin brother Dru he never knew about.

Upcoming Movies: April 2017

[Originally posted on 3/26/17]

April 7
"Smurfs: The Lost Village (http://www.smurfsmovie.com/) - A mysterious map sets Smurfette and her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting race through the Forbidden Forest, leading to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history.

"Colossal" (http://www.voltagepictures.com/default.aspx) - A woman discovers that severe catastrophic events are somehow connected to the mental breakdown from which she's suffering.

April 14
"The Fate of the Furious" (http://www.fastandfurious.com/) - When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of crime and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.

"The Lost City of Z" (http://thelostcityofzfilm.com/) - A true-life drama, centering on British explorer Col. Percival Fawcett, who disappeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920s.

April 21
"The Promise" (http://www.survivalpictures.org/the-promise/) - Set during the last days of the Ottoman Empire, The Promise follows a love triangle between a brilliant medical student, a beautiful and sophisticated woman, and a renowned American journalist based in Paris.

"Leap!" (http://www.ballerinafilm.co.uk/) - An orphan girl dreams of becoming a ballerina and flees her rural town for Paris, where she passes for someone else and accedes to the position of pupil at the Grand Opera house.

April 28 
"The Circle" (http://thecircle.movie/) - A young woman lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called, only to uncover a nefarious agenda that will affect the lives of her friends, family and that of humanity.

"Sleight" - A young street magician is left to care for his sister after their parents passing and turns to illegal activities to keep a roof over their heads. When he gets in too deep, his sister is kidnapped and he is forced to use his magic to save her.

Upcoming Movies: March 2017

[Originally posted on 2/25/17]

March 3
"Logan" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/logan) - In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

"Before I Fall" - February 12 is just another day in a girl's charmed life until it turns out to be her last. Stuck reliving her last day over one inexplicable week, she untangles the mystery around her death and discovers everything she's in danger of losing.

"Table 19" - An ex-maid of honor, having been relieved of her duties after being unceremoniously dumped by the best man via text, decides to attend the wedding anyway only to find herself seated with 5 "random" guests at the dreaded Table 19.

March 10
"Kong: Skull Island" (http://kongskullislandmovie.com/) - A team of explorers and soldiers travel to an uncharted island in the Pacific, unaware that they are crossing into the domain of monsters, including the mythic Kong.

March 17
"Beauty and the Beast" (http://movies.disney.com/beauty-and-the-beast-2017) - An adaptation of the Disney fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love.

March 24
"Power Rangers" (http://www.powerrangers.movie/) - A group of high-school kids, who are infused with unique superpowers, harness their abilities in order to save the world.

"Life" (http://www.lifemovie.com/) - An international space crew discovers life on Mars.

March 31
"Ghost in Shell" (https://www.facebook.com/GhostInTheShellMovie) - A cyborg policewoman attempts to bring down a nefarious computer hacker.

"The Boss Baby (http://www.dreamworksanimation.com/the-boss-baby/) - A suit-wearing briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his seven-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co.