FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM [2016]

After a rather dull outing with Tarzan, director David Yates wisely returns to J.K. Rowling's cinematic Wizardry World with the first part of a prequel series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Inspired by Rowling's fictional Wizardry school textbook, set in the 1920's, the film follows a British wizard in New York City who accidentally lets loose a suitcase full of magical beasties of all shapes and sizes.
The film doesn't require you to know anything about the previous Hogwart's stories so it's easy to enjoy on it's own.  Though none of the characters aren't as instantly as memorable as the Harry Potter gang none of them are as irksome as some were either.  The plot hits a couple speedbumps in favor of dazzling you with bizarre creatures and their antics but when it's moving it really impresses with dazzling set-pieces and imagination.  It's not perfect but it makes me eager to see what worlds the expanded universe takes us to.

3½ No-Maj's out of 5

My Week with Marilyn (2011)

MWwM is based on autobiographical works by writer and filmmaker Colin Clark (here portrayed by Eddie Redmayne) who, in his early twenties, spent time with then thirty-year-old Marilyn Monroe while she was in London shooting The Prince and the Showgirl (1957). It starts out a lighthearted melodrama with a vibrant pace but seamlessly transitions into something that delves into the very heart of its subject without ever diminishing her appeal.
Michelle Williams is amazing as the blonde bombshell, giving a sympathetic portrayal that communicates the sadness and self-doubts that can accompany a life lived in two halves. In one she's an innocently destructive lost soul, whereas in the other she's a powerhouse of movie stardom for whom all others must bend over backwards to please. It's the more fragile former state that gives Dir. Simon Curtis' film its most powerful moments.

4 helpful dailies out of 5

THE DANISH GIRL [2015]

Director Tom Hooper delivers a dramatic portrayal of transgender operation patient pioneer Lili Elbe in the biographical drama The Danish Girl.
Set in the 1920's in Copenhagen, the film follows Elbe's and his wife's journey through the change from man to women and all the personal & physical complications it brings into their lives.
Despite it's wonderful performances (particularly Alicia Vikander), the film feels like it's a bit afraid to tackle it's subject matter and opts for a more safer route by merely scratching the surface.  There are moments of slight intimacy that feel a bit personal but it doesn't seem like it knows how to handle it with enough bravery.  Apart from it's beautiful photography and actors, The Danish Girl seems like it held back in order to play it safe come awards season.

3 scarves out of 5

JUPITER ASCENDING [2015]

The Wachowski's latest beautiful mess comes in the form of the ambitious space opera Jupiter Ascending.
Mila Kunis stars as the chosen one who learns the Earth is not what it seems and she's fallen smack in the middle of an intergalactic battle for the control of the industrial harvesting of the human race.  It's interesting to see Kunis take the role of what is usually male but unfortunately she still needs to love and be saved by Channing Tatum in his hilarious 60's Star Trek make-up.  It's jam-packed with beyond gorgeous visuals, imaginative easy-to-follow action sequences, a wonderful musical score from Michael Giacchino and great dedication to the genre.  However it's bogged down by flat-lining characters with tired performances, a muddy script, jokes that make George Lucas & Peter Jackson look like comedy geniuses and terribly wonky pacing which includes an overly long tribute to Terry Gilliam's Brazil that would have made one of the best deleted scenes ever due to it's punchline.

3 wings out of 5

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING [2014]

Eddie Redmayne's mesmerizing and powerful performance as English theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is easily the main reason why I would recommend seeing director James Marsh's biographical drama The Theory Of Everything.
It follows Hawking's days at Cambridge University in the 1960's as he is diagnosed with motor neuron disease while he's falling in love with his future wife and coming up with some of his own soon-to-be revolutionary theories on time & space.  Aided by some fantastic supporting performances, particularly Felicity Jones, the film is lifted higher than it's actual writing which doesn't quite explore everything about the man it could have.  Fortunately it's acting, precise direction & photography and moving score from Jóhann Jóhannsson make it feel well worth the time invested in it.

3½ American accents out of 5

HICK [2011]

It's unfortunate when actors give strong performances for weak films.
Eddie Redmayne & Blake Lively do just that for director Derick Martini's road movie Hick, based on Andrea Portes' novel of the same name.
Chloë Grace Moretz pulls off a pretty impressive job as a runaway teen who meets a gaggle of folks who seem fun at first but as she gets to know them better it becomes apparent they're all nothing but trouble.   It's overly gritty, terribly uneven and the whole thing feels pretty pointless.  If not for the amazing acting I would have turned it off after about 30 minutes of this trashy dribble.

2 fluffy god-damned delicious eggs out of 5

LES MISERABLES [2012]

The King's Speech director Tom Hooper succeeds in adapting a spectacular film version of  Claude-Michel Schönberg & Alain Boublil's musical butchering of Victor Hugo's epic novel, Les Misérables.

It's filled with beautiful set-pieces, colorful photography and strong performances, particularly Hugh Jackman and the all too brief appearances of Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter & Sacha Baron Cohen.  Sadly, the stage musical itself is a poor adaptation of Hugo's novel, being as it only covers about 1/3 of the actual story, therefore loses most of it's purpose and complete emotional punch.  Still, the film itself is quite the spectacle that's filled with passion and dedication.  

3½ empty chairs at empty tables out of 5

BLACK DEATH [2010]

Severance director Christopher Smith paints a grim look across his face for the medieval mystery thriller Black Death.

Going into this film I was expecting something historically inaccurate in unforgiving ways and large setpieces that offer nothing more than an explosive CGI death.  Instead, I was pleasantly surprised with a rather intimate film that never resorts to large choral battle scenes or tragic hero melodrama.  It allows you to explore your own morals and questions that leave neither the Christians or the pagans looking the "good guys".

3½ infected armpits out of 5