2016 Awards Season: Feature Film Highlights

The 2016 Academy Awards will be held on February 28, 2016.  Take some time out to catch up on some of the nominated films up for awards! (best picture, directing, acting, editing, writing, music, visual effects, sound editing and mixing, production and/or costume design).  A number of these movies are still playing on extended run at your local theaters. 

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/2016-awards-season-feature-film-highlights/

Here are some of the highlights:

"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.  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 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."   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.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Bridge of Spies"

In 1957, a New York insurance lawyer, James Donovan (Tom Hanks, "Saving Mr. Banks"), gets pulled back into criminal law, called to represent an accused Soviet spy, Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance).  James, an honest, principled man finds that justice can be relative, even as America showing to the world that we provide due process and capable defense for everyone.  A skilled negotiator, James intuitively understands his opponents and pushes the right buttons to make things happen in tricky political waters and hostile climate.  This is a story about doing the right thing even when it doesn't suit your purpose and having respect for people for doing their job honorably for their country even when you don't agree with what they do.  Not as tension-filled as one might think, it's a serious slow-burn, surprisingly sprinkled with mordant humor. Based on real events and helmed by Steven Spielberg ("Lincoln"), "Bridge of Spies" is classily crafted, directed and acted.  Steady, measured and assured historical Cold War drama.  Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

"Cinderella"

It's every little girl's fantasy. Being a princess. And among all the princesses, Cinderella is arguably the fairest of them all.  Unlike the reinvention of the last several adaptations, which edges on the darker side or leans towards modern feminism, "Cinderella” is a straightforward retelling of the classic, although it's not without surprising gems.  The fairy magic does wonders. It's magical to see Cinderella transform, twirl and glow in the shimmery ball gown and sparkling glass slippers. And the rest is a delightful treat because of the gradual transmutations where you can still see partial semblance to the original forms. From pumpkin turning carriage, mice into horses, goose into coachman, lizards into footmen, and back to their origins.  For an old-fashioned story, it ends with an empowering message to speak your mind, stay true to yourself and have the courage to do the right thing.  Lushly gorgeous and opulently vibrant, “Cinderella” is so earnest and charming that you'll be swept away in the dreamy fairy-tale romance and magic of happily ever-after.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"The Danish Girl"

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.  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.  The film has a soft-focus feel with colorful palette, postcard-perfect scenery, impeccable interior and luxurious costume design.  While Redmayne bravely steps into a unique role, it is Gerda's perpective and Vikander's acting that stand out.   Perchance "The Danish Girl" is not about Einar Wegener/Lili Elbe, but a story about the 'other' Danish girl, Gerda Wegener.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Ex-Machina"

A young coder, Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson), wins an office prize for a weeklong retreat with Nathan (Oscar Isaac), the company's reclusive CEO and inventor of the world's most popular search engine. Nathan has been working on a secret project, artificial intelligence in the form of humanoid-robot named Ava (Alicia Vikander).  You'd feel things are not what they seem and something sinister is going to surface, but you don't know what, when or how. It's tantalizingly thrilling. Vikander is a wonder, walking a fine line between human and machine. Her Ava, partially translucent with wires and circuits and partially covered in human skin, is both mechanically perfect and surrealistically human. The reveals come in pieces and they boggle the mind. Ethical quandaries of identity, humanity, freedom, life and mortality. If you could create a machine with human consciousness, would you... just because you could? What if artificial intelligence goes beyond artificial? Does it have the right to exist? How would it be integrated to society? What are the implications? What will become of mankind?  Strikingly compelling, cerebrally cool and eerily suspenseful, “Ex Machina” delivers on the futuristic visual and philosophical level and ceases with an ending that lingers in your mind.  Check out the full review and trailer here.  

***

"The Martian"

During an exploration in Mars, a fierce sandstorm forces a team of astronauts, led by commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain, "Zero Dark Thirty," "The Debt") to abort their mission and evacuate the base.  Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon, "Elysium," "The Adjustment Bureau") is impaled by a satellite antenna, left stranded and presumed dead.  In a hostile, arid planet and encased in solitude, Mark uses his expertise as a botanist and resourcefulness to generate oxygen, create heat, produce water, grow crops and ration his limited food.  And perhaps just as important, not losing his sense of optimism and wry humor to keep his sanity and spirit alive.  On Earth, a lively group of really smart, passionate people working together tirelessly to develop solutions to rescue Mark.  Drawing upon science, intelligence, collaboration and imagination, it shows how the brightest minds can accomplish great things together.  "The Martian" is a crowdpleaser, hopefully one that may inspire the next generation of space explorations.  Check out the full review and trailer here.

***

"Spotlight"

The film takes us back to 2001 for a behind-the-scene look at "Spotlight, " a team of professional journalists working tirelessly to uncover the truth, unravel and assemble information piece by piece, yielding chilling revelations that rock one of the oldest and most esteemed institutions, the Catholic Church.  Their year-long investigative work and news story won them a Pulitzer award.  This is more than chasing a story,  making a mark or generating money for the publication.  While it's an explosive expose, it is not sensationalized.  This is a hard-hitting storytelling, conducted with sensibility and acted with remarkable realism.  The film also shows the power of the press.  That when a focus of a story is carefully selected, thoroughly investigated, responsibly corroborated, persistently followed through and timed well for publishing can make a far-reaching and lasting difference.  "Spotlight" not only demonstrates investigative journalism at its finest, but perhaps more importantly, it shines a spotlight on a previously untouchable story.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Steve Jobs"

"Musicians play the instruments.  I play the orchestra," said Steve Jobs (Michael Fassbender, "X-Men" series, "Prometheus") in response to a question why he gets all the glory since he's not an engineer or designer, and that he takes all the credit for the brilliant and tireless work from the people who devote themselves to him.  The Danny Boyle-directed "Steve Jobs" is uniquely structured like a play, a three-act play before three key product launches; Macintosh, NeXT and iMac.  A paradox, Steve Jobs is out-of-the-box thinker, yet out-of-touch with human connection.  The backstage drama is a cacophony filled with farcical facades about product features, room preparations, and intense confrontations about relationships where each act ends with a phenomenal, cult-like mania when the man of the hour seizes the stage.  The rapid-fire dialogue, razor-sharp script, deft direction and fast-paced editing will keep you fixated onto the screen.  The stakes are elevated and emotions are running at a fever pitch.  "Steve Jobs" is masterfully orchestrated like a spectacular theatrical play in a grand opera house, complete with orchestral music.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

***

"Trumbo"

"Trumbo" chronicles the life of Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), one of Tinseltown's most successful and highest paid screenwriters in the 1940s and 1950s.  It's a dark time in Hollywood and American history; the Red Scare period post-World War II where thousands and thousands of people suspected for or believed in communism are targeted unjustly.  Even branded as a traitor, Dalton never lets darkness dims his survivor spirit.  Dalton starts ghostwriting for other writers, working for a fraction of his fees for B-rated producers producing movies starring A-list stars.  Even more fascinating, he establishes a homebased screenwriting business, working with other unemployed screenwriters and cranking out script after script.  The shenanigan eventually pays off, with films like "The Roman Holiday," "The Brave One," "The Exodus" and "Spartacus" grace the silver screen, furtively netting Dalton two Oscars.  "Trumbo" is oddly delightful.   If you're into the movies scene, politics and civil liberties, you'll enjoy the film's history lesson, old-fashioned Hollywood feel, witty wordsmithery and joie de vivre spirit.  Check out the full review and trailer here. 

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Upcoming Movies: May 2016

[Originally posted on 4/28/16]

May 6

"Captain America: Civil War" (http://marvel.com/captainamerica) - Political interference in the Avengers' activities causes a rift between former allies Captain America and Iron Man.

"A Bigger Splash" - The vacation of a famous rock star and a filmmaker is disrupted by the unexpected visit of an old friend and his daughter.

May 13

"Money Monster" - In the real-time, high stakes thriller Money Monster, financial TV host Lee Gates (George Clooney) and his producer Patty (Julia Roberts) are put in an explosive situation when an irate investor (Jack O'Connell) takes over their studio.

"The Lobster" (http://www.lobsterfilm.co.uk) - In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods.

May 20

"The Angry Birds Movie" (http://www.angrybirds-movie.com/en/) - Find out why the birds are so angry. When an island populated by happy, flightless birds is visited by mysterious green piggies, it's up to three unlikely outcasts - Red, Chuck and Bomb - to figure out what the pigs are up to.

"The Nice Guys" - A private eye investigates the apparent suicide of a fading porn star in 1970s Los Angeles and uncovers a conspiracy.

May 27

"X-Men: Apocalypse" (http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/x-men-apocalypse) - With the emergence of the world's first mutant, Apocalypse, the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan.

"Alice Through the Looking Glass" (http://movies.disney.com/alice-through-the-looking-glass) - Alice returns to the whimsical world of Wonderland and travels back in time to save the Mad Hatter.

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Win a Trip to San Diego Comic-Con 2016!

[Originally posted on 5/04/16]

In partnership with the Her Universe Fashion Show, Comic-Con HQ wants to send you to the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con!

Sweepstakes will begin Saturday, May 7 at 12:01 a.m. PT and end Friday, May 13 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Each person who signs up for Comic-Con HQ Beta during this time period will receive one (1) entry into the Sweepstakes.  There will be one (1) winner + 3 guest.

The trip will include flights, hotel accommodations, SDCC badges, and VIP seats at the Her Universe Fashion Show for up to four (4) people.

Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/comicconhqheruniverse

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Free Comic Book Day: May 7, 2016

[Originally posted on 5/01/16]

If you love comics, don't forget to grab your FREE comics at a participating store near you next Saturday, May 7, 2016 on Free Comic Book Day!

http://www.freecomicbookday.com

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"Hail, Caesar!"

It's more like Hail, Hollywood.

The title of the movie puts an emphasis on the star of a biblical ancient Rome epic (a movie within the movie), "Hail, Caesar!," Baird Whitlock (George Clooney, "The Monuments Men," "The Ides of March," "The Descendant").  Clooney plays a buffoon of a leading man.

But the film is actually centered around Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin, "Oldboy"), Capitol Pictures Studio's head of production and all-around Hollywood fixer in the 1950s.  It's a ludicrous lens into a day in his shoes.

Like holding an animated focus group of religious leaders to gain their opinions to ensure that a movie script would not offend reasonable Americans with varied faith and creed.

Or cooking up unorthodox methods to protect the reputation of a rising starlet (Scarlett Johansson, the "Avengers" series, "Captain America: Winter Soldier," "Her").  The icon of innocence, seen here playing a beloved mermaid, finds herself pregnant out of wedlock.  Something that would create a scandal back then.

And dealing with a perturbed director (Ralph Fiennes, "Skyfall") when the studio makes a decision to take a befuddled cowboy actor (Alden Ehrenreich) and suddenly drops him in a high-society drama film.  The actor, whose sole experience is starring in Western movies, is also urged to make fast friends with the lead actress in public for image purposes.

Not to mention fending off twin-columnist, hungry gossipmongers (both portrayed by Tilda Swinton, "Michael Clayton"), sniffing for salacious exclusives.

As if Eddie's fires couldn't grow any bigger, Baird, in his drunken stupor, is kidnapped by a group of communist film writers.  They demand a $100K ransom in exchange of the release.  They find it a justified sum, as the studio makes the big bucks and none of them received any shares of the profit.  It gets more bizarre from there, as the money may be intended for another end goal.  It is up to Eddie to gather the cash and get his star back in time to resume the big-budget production.

Channing Tatum ("White House Down," "Side Effects," "Haywire") makes a surprisingly amusing appearance as a forlorn sailor, leading a song-and-tap dance number.

All in a day's work.  The work is trying and hours long.  It's not that Eddie doesn't have any other choice, however.  As a matter of fact, Lockheed Martin, an aviation giant, is wooing him with an attractive proposal to work for them and be in the 'serious' business of the future.

There is really no plot or character arc (see "Trumbo" instead), but by golly, it's chock-full of chuckles and the cinematography is sumptuous.

Parodying the rich and famous in the Golden Age, "Hail, Caesar!" is an entertaining satire and love note to Hollywood.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-hail-caesar/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/hailcaesardvd

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"London Has Fallen"

[Originally posted on 3/05/16]

"Olympus Has Fallen" takes full advantage of the R-rating by having the highest body count and headshots ever seen in an action movie. The stabbings are brutal and gunfire roars almost nonstop. "London Has Fallen" follows in the similar, no-brainer footsteps.

This time in London, where world leaders on their way to the funeral of the British prime minister are assassinated in mass-coordinated attacks. While the first movie focuses the action inside confinement of the White House, it ups the scale here with dogged chopper and car pursuits.  It is up to the head of the presidential security detail to know who to trust, protect, find escape routes, and eventually extract and rescue the leader of the free world from being publicly executed in front of the world.

In addition to a typical inside job, there's a surprise element here (implausible as it may be) with the Pakistan-based terrorists having embedded themselves in a network of police, military and emergency personnel.

Not much of a story, it's lean, violent and filled with explosions, enough to satisfy action fans.

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/londonhasfallendvd

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Upcoming Movies: April 2016

[Originally posted on 3/30/16]

April 8
"Hardcore Henry" - A first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.

"Demolition" (http://www.foxsearchlight.com/demolition/) - A successful investment banker struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash.

April 15
"The Jungle Book" (http://movies.disney.com/the-jungle-book-2016) - An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.

"Criminal" (http://www.criminal.movie/) - The memories & skills of a deceased CIA agent are implanted into an unpredictable and dangerous convict.

April 22
"The Huntsman's: Winter's War"(http://www.thehuntsmanmovie.com) - As two evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; two renegades - Eric the Huntsman - who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them.

"A Hologram for the King" - A failed American businessman looks to recoup his losses by traveling to Saudi Arabia and selling his idea to a wealthy monarch.

April 29
"Mother's Day" - Intersecting stories with different moms collide on Mother's Day.

"A Beautiful Planet" - An exploration of Earth and beyond as seen from outer space.

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"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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2016 Movies Preview Mashup

Happy New Year!

2016 movies in 2:04 minutes:

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"Trumbo"

"Are you or have you ever been a member of the communist party?"

That was the question asked by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) at congressional hearings.  And the question doesn't stop there.  They want names; they want people subpoenaed to name names.

"Trumbo" chronicles the life of Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), one of Tinseltown's most successful and highest paid screenwriters in the 1940s and 1950s.  It's a dark time in Hollywood and American history; the Red Scare period post-World War II where thousands and thousands of people suspected for or believed in communism are targeted unjustly.  Some jailed for not committing any crime, but simply for holding such political ideology.  Dalton Trumbo is one of them.

The hostile air blows wide, fanned by an influential gossip columnist, Hedda Hopper, wickedly played by dramatically dressed Helen Mirren ("RED," "The Debt").  With powerful connections, Hedda makes certain that Dalton and his colleagues are fired from and blacklisted by studios, which means that they would never be able to work again as screenwriters.

Lives are in shambles.  Destroyed careers, broken families, ruined friendships and shunned by the paranoid society.  Dalton, for his part of refusing to testify at the hearing, is hauled to jail in contempt of Congress, along with a number of producers, directors and writers.  They're dubbed as the Hollywood Ten.  One particular scene in prison is so disgraceful that it makes your heart stop in disbelief.

After serving 10 months in federal prison, Dalton is released.  Back in the world, life is never the same.  While he's fortunate to have his family intact, he realizes he has to earn a living.  So why not doing the one thing he loves to do most?  Writing. Dalton knows he can write; he just can't put his name on paper or publicly gets paid for it.

Even branded as a traitor, Dalton never lets darkness dims his survivor spirit.  He has a perpetual sense of optimism and idealism, even when the systems or the people fail him.  And he has the smarts to reinvent himself and navigates his way around.

Dalton starts ghostwriting for other writers, working for a fraction of his fees for B-rated producers (John Goodman, Roger Bart) producing movies starring A-list stars.  Even more fascinating, he establishes a homebased screenwriting business, working with other unemployed screenwriters and cranking out script after script.

With the  help of his wife, Cleo (Diane Lane, "Man of Steel," "Under the Tuscan Sun") Dalton operates under multiple pseudonyms and delivers scripts discreetly.  His oldest daughter, Niki (Elle Fanning, "Maleficent," "Super 8"), stands out as the one who pushes him back into the spotlight.  And thankfully, his wife, while loyal, is no wallflower herself.  The family scenes, even with squabbles, are heartwarming.

The shenanigan eventually pays off, with films like "The Roman Holiday," "The Brave One," "The Exodus" and "Spartacus" grace the silver screen, furtively netting Dalton two Oscars.  Whilst the golden statues are undoubtedly a validation of his talent, more importantly, there's an illuminating light at the end of the warped tunnel.   When a famous actor and director back him up, there's no more hiding.

Cranston lifts the film with his performance. One may think that with such a heavy subject, "Trumbo" is a drab movie.  On the contrary, it is oddly delightful.  Dalton Trumbo could have appeared as a caricature had it not been portrayed skillfully and sprightly.  Like the bathtub scenes, where the chain-smoking writer props up a wooden table over the tub and types away, digging in for booze and pills from time to time.

"Trumbo" is a movie about Hollywood, but the importance can never be understated.  A blemished chapter in the American history, it is astonishing how un-American the entire racket was.  The land of the free repressing the freedom of expression and infringing upon its citizens' constitutional rights.  The news reel throughout the picture help transport us back to the era.  Stay through the credit and watch a clip of the real Dalton Trumbo's interview.

If you're into the movies scene, politics and civil liberties, you'll enjoy the film's history lesson, old-fashioned Hollywood feel, witty wordsmithery and joie de vivre spirit.

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-trumbo/

DVD: http://tinyurl.com/trumbodvd
Book: http://tinyurl.com/trumbobook

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"Spotlight"

"You want to sue the Catholic Church?"

That was the implication when the Boston Globe newspaper would like to file a motion to unseal court documents containing allegations of child sexual abuse cases by pedophile priests.  And that is, if the paper trails exist at all. 

The film takes us back to 2001 for a behind-the-scene look at "Spotlight, " a team of professional journalists working tirelessly to uncover the truth, unravel and assemble information piece by piece, yielding chilling revelations that rock one of the oldest and most esteemed institutions, the Catholic Church.  Their year-long investigative work and news story won them a Pulitzer award in 2003. 

The tenacious team, led by Walter 'Robby' Robinson (Michael Keaton), consists of three reporters - Mike  Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo, "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "The Avengers"). Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams, "Sherlock Holmes") and Matt Carroll (Brian d'Arcy James) - reporting to deputy managing editor Ben Bradley Jr. (John Slattery) and the new managing editor, Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber, "Pawn Sacrifice," "X-Men Origins: Wolverine"). 

Nobody wants to touch the topic.  The victims are typically vulnerable kids from broken homes, poor families or bad neighborhood, preyed upon by a trusted figure they believe might be sent from God.  Filled with shame and guilt, and discouraged by others, they are reluctant to come forward.  And when they do, its tales are told behind closed doors, in hushed whispers or agonizing tears.  And then covered up, swept under a maze of red tapes and under-the-table settlements with lawyers (Stanley Tucci, Billy Crudup).  Many of those kids, robbed of their innocence, turn to bottles, needles or suicides.

Some, perhaps, refuse to believe that evils lurk behind the holy masks.  53% of the readers of the newspaper are Catholic and the influential religion does a lot of charity work for the city.  But everyone knew.  It's a horrific, systematic pattern hidden by a broad network of  religious figures, law enforcement authorities and the legal system at the highest level.  The priestly predators, instead of facing justice, are simply moved from one parish to another, with the full knowledge of the Archbishop and Cardinal (Len Cariou). 

This is more than chasing a story,  making a mark or generating money for the publication.  While it's an explosive expose, it is not sensationalized.  This is a hard-hitting storytelling, conducted with sensibility and acted with remarkable realism.  The film also shows the power of the press.  That when a focus of a story is carefully selected, thoroughly investigated, responsibly corroborated, persistently followed through and timed well for publishing can make a far-reaching and lasting difference.  Parts of the in-depth investigation takes place in the shadow of 9/11 and timing crosses over Christmas.  There's a talk about when the scandalous news should break.

Directed by Tom McCarthy and jointly written with Josh Singer, "Spotlight" not only demonstrates investigative journalism at its finest, but perhaps more importantly, it shines a spotlight on a previously untouchable story.  As the credit rolls, scrolling through a massive list of  cases will send shiver down your spine. 

"Steve Jobs" is one of the best films of 2015.  "Spotlight," not only one of the best, but quite possibly the most important film of the year. 

Book: http://tinyurl.com/spotlightbook

http://www.sdentertainer.com/movies/movie-review-spotlight/

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