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Sunday, October 14, 2018

"First Man"


"That's one step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

"First Man" film takes place during the age of the space race, chronicling Neil Armstrong's (Ryan Gosling; "Blade Runner 2049," "La La Land," "The Big Short" "The Ides of March," "Drive") life from being a civilian test pilot to a NASA astronaut and the first man landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.

It is more of a character study and the story is seen from the lens of one man, Neil.  It also zooms into his family life.  When Neil loses his daughter, a mere two year old, to brain tumor, a part of him dies too.  It steely steers him towards NASA and put him on a sole path towards space.

The film gives a realistic look into the gruelingly dizzying training of astronauts.  It's truly a feat of physical endurance, as well as intellectual and mental capacity.  The training introduces Neil to his superiors, Deke Slayton (Kyle Chandler, "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Argo,"  "Super 8") and Robert Gilruth (Ciaran Hinds, "The Debt"), and colleagues such as Buzz Aldrin (Corey Stoll, "Ant-Man"), Ed White (Jason Clarke, "Everest"), David Scott (Christopher Abbott), Pete Conrad (Ethan Embry) and Elliott See (Patrick Fugit).

While not all the astronauts survive the test missions and Neil personally feels the impact of the losses, it doesn't deter him from dedicating himself to his hazardous work and eventual goal of going to the moon.  It does take a toll on his relationships with his wife, Janet (Claire Foy), and their young children - from cohesive and supportive to apprehensive and cold.

At one point, his wife puts her foot down and insists on Neil explaining to their boys that he may never return alive from his moon mission.  Stoically, Neil explains the highly risky situation to them matter-of-factly, like speaking at a press conference.  Meanwhile, outside of NASA and his family, there are press and politics to deal with.  Not everyone is onboard with space explorations; they cost lives and money and the outcome is unknown.

All these elements provide a human perspective into space travel.  But nothing compares to the way "First Man" is filmed when it comes to traveling to and being in space.  Space travel has typically been portrayed in movies as an alluring adventure, almost with a mystique to it.  Filmed from a distance, astronauts coolly stroll in, then a rocket soaring into the skies and gliding gracefully in space.  While "First Man" has these depictions, it shatters the over the moon image.

Director Damien Chazelle ("La La Land") takes a decidedly different approach.  "First Man" is the closest you can feel to being strapped inside a spacecraft.  Many closeups of Neil's face in a helmet show his internal emotions of severe disorientation, fear, relief, calm and awe.  Gosling excels in portraying a wide range of expressions with minimalism.

There's nothing glamorous about being inside a rocket cockpit; it's cramped chamber and a potential death trap.  And wait until it's airborne - it shakes, rattles, rolls and spins so turbulently.  You'll feel the terrorizing intensity, velocity, vibration and sound.  It's a wonder how the human body could survive such perilous voyage.

In space,  the sight of a sliver of light and earth surface provide needed respite and tranquility.  When the spacecraft finally hovers over the lunar landscape and Neil steps foot on the powdery surface, it's a hard-earned triumph.  The lone human figure and silver moonscape mesmerizingly stand out against the backdrop of the black vastness of the space.  The awe-inspiring music that accompanies the journey stops in stark contrast to the soundless of the deep space.

"First Man" is an immersive experience, a technical marvel with a poignant payoff.

https://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-first-man/

Video: https://tinyurl.com/firstmanvideo
Book: https://tinyurl.com/firstmanbook

Friday, October 12, 2018

Upcoming Movies: February 2019


[Originally posted on 02/01/19]

February 1
"Miss Bala" - One woman finds a power she never knew she had when she is drawn into a dangerous world of cross-border crime. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength.

"Artic" (https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/arctic) - A man stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive.

February 8
"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" (http://www.thelegomovie.com) - It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a new threat, invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.

"Cold Pursuit" (https://www.coldpursuit.movie) - A snowplow driver seeks revenge against the drug dealers he thinks killed his son.

February 15
Happy Death Day 2U (https://www.happydeathday.com) - A young woman discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead.

"Alita: Battle Angel" (https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/alita-battle-angel) - A young woman's journey to discover the truth of who she is and her fight to change the world.

February 22
"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" (https://www.dragonshiddenworld.com) - When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek 'The Hidden World,' a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named finds it first.

"The Rhytm Section" - A woman seeks revenge against those who orchestrated a plane crash that killed her family.

Sunday, October 7, 2018

"A Star is Born"


In “A Star Is Born,” an Academy Award-nominated actor (Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper,” “American Hustle,” “Limitless”) and a singer superstar (Lady Gaga) come together to make music.

Grizzled country rock star Jack (Cooper) stumbles drunk into a bar and discovers an aspiring artist, Ally (Gaga), belting out a classic tune.  The two connect on the spot and at one point end up in a parking lot of a grocery store, learning a bit about each other and start singing in the quiet of the night.

For all his success, Jack is a drug addict and alcoholic, growing up with a damaged childhood.  Ally is a waitress and singer-songwriter, hiding herself behind self-doubt on the music front, insecure about her looks and abilities.  Beyond talent, showbiz is also about persona and what people want to see.  The glitzy dress, daring hair and bold makeup, blaring lights and choreographed dancers.

Smitten by Ally, Jack rolls out the red carpet by flying her to his concert and providing her with a backstage pass.  When Jack sees Ally, he compels her to join him for a duet.  Mousey Ally surprises herself and everyone when she sings her heart out on stage.  In this age of social media, her performance goes viral.  Soon she's scooped up by a producer, gets jazzed up and becomes a sensation.

While Ally's star is soaring, Jack's spiraling downward.  Even so, their emotional, co-dependent relationship keeps them together through the highest and lowest times.  Ally makes excuses for him, cares for but desperately wants him to clean up his messes, and eventually realizes even her love can't save him from himself.

Gaga and Cooper have authentic screen presence.  Gaga for appearing in such a non-Gaga like image and acting so wholeheartedly.  She's totally unassuming with her natural look and vulnerability.  Cooper for singing with his own voice in a rock star facade.  Also, as the film director, he directs the movie with taut frames, creating closeup portraits of Jack and Ally's relationship.  A quibble is Ally's transformation from good ol' Ally to worldly performer goes in a flash, but it doesn't lessen the heartfelt performance.  Both Gaga and Cooper are a revelation.

In “A Star Is Born," two stars and love songs shine. 

Soundtrack: https://tinyurl.com/astarisbornsoundtrack