Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Director Martin McDonagh

Genre Comedy | Crime | Drama

Cast Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage

Rating R

Release Date November 10th, 2017 (Limited)

“A mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder when they fail to catch the culprit.”

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (let's just call it Three Billboards for short) is a dark comedy-drama written and directed by Martin McDonagh. McDonagh may not be a big name in Hollywood, but he is a unique and talented writer and director. His best work so far would be In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths, both similar films in terms of the dark comedy-dramas. The cast for Three Billboards includes Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Peter Dinklage, and Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea).

With stellar performances from the entire cast and a relentlessly crude yet effective sense of humor, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is easily the best dark comedy since Fargo. This movie is a blast, plain and simple. As long as you aren’t easily offended you will thoroughly enjoy each and every second of this film. I went in to the theater with lofty expectations due to early critic feedback as this was initially a very limited release, and it met and actually exceeded those expectations. To this day Fargo is one of my favorite films and is considered to be a cult classic by many. It was actually adapted into a very good T.V. show on network television as well. More importantly, it still stands as one of the best films from accomplished writer/directors the Coen brothers. Three Billboards Director Martin McDonagh seems to share a similar appreciation for dark humor mixed with crime evidenced by the 2012 film Seven Psychopaths, which he also wrote and directed. McDonagh smartly nabbed former Fargo leading lady Francis McDormand and got to work on his next masterpiece with Three Billboards.

Similar to Fargo, and even Seven Psychopaths for that matter, this film lives and dies with the cast and the unique interactions they have throughout the film, triggering a messy and extremely entertaining cause and effect during the two-hour runtime. Luckily everything comes together seamlessly. I really enjoyed each character and I liked how they fit into this dynamic of small-town "politics", for lack of a better word. The writing is smart, edgy, and creative, and even though it could make some viewers feel somewhat uncomfortable (at least at first), I felt that McDonagh did a great job of ensuring everything comes across as artistic expression. I was also rather impressed by the fact that Three Billboards manages to maintain its comedic edge throughout the film while still tugging at the heart strings a little bit. From the writing, to the directing, to the acting, right down to the cinematography, I'm finding it hard to narrow down a weakness with this film, it's just that good.

The cast for Three Billboards is absolutely fantastic. Veteran actress Francis McDormand is a force to be reckoned with and her performance brought me right back to 1996 where she delivered an epic performance in Fargo. She plays a character that has a mean streak like no other and she is very intimidating. What I enjoyed most about her performance was her ability to develop unique chemistry which each different character which was huge in terms of developing the backstory and subsequent chain of events that made Three Billboards so much damn fun to watch. One of my all-time favorite actors Woody Harrelson is in uniform yet again (I feel like he plays some sort of law enforcement official 9 out of 10 roles), and he is absolutely fantastic. As the chief of police he has quite the crew of misfits on his payroll and he does an amazing job balancing out the insanity.

As hard as it is to pick a favorite amongst a stellar cast I feel like Sam Rockwell's performance stood out to me most. I am a Rockwell fan in general even though if you mention his name most people will have no idea who you are talking about until you show them a picture. A veteran actor with 99 credits according to his IMDb filmography, he is best known for Iron Man 2, Seven Psychopaths, and The Way Way Back, which is a fantastic coming-of-age indie drama. Rockwell is a dynamic actor with enough personality and charisma to single-handedly carry a movie. His character in Three Billboards is an absolute riot and I honestly couldn’t picture anyone else playing this role as well as he did. Caleb Landry Jones, who most recently played pivotal roles in Get Out and American Made, delivers yet another great performance in Three Billboards. He plays a character that is sort of the Switzerland (neutral party) as far as the storyline is concerned and he is a huge contributor to the overall effectiveness of the film as a whole. I could go on and on talking about this cast and how much I enjoyed each and every performance but it would take all day.  

Three Billboards is one of my favorite films of the year for a few different reasons but mostly because I really liked how it pushed the envelope, and I am also a huge fan of dark comedies. The entertainment value is through the roof from the opening scene and I never felt bored, not even for a second. This is a movie that will satisfy a well-rounded group of genre enthusiasts for years to come.  Ever since I left the theater I have been looking forward to seeing Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri again and you can bet that I will be purchasing the Blu-ray on release day. Highly recommended.

Coco

Director Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina

Genre Animation | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, Renee Victor, Anthony Gonzales

Rating PG

Release Date November 22nd, 2017

“Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family’s ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to work out the mystery.”

The latest from Disney/Pixar, Coco is an animated comedy about love and the importance of family. It is also about a young boy who is determined to follow his dream. Coco is directed by Lee Unkrich (Toy Story 3, who also co-wrote the script, and Adrian Molina, his directorial debut.  Coco is Pixar's very first animated musical, and is also Pixar's very first animated feature where the lead is a person of color.  The cast of voice actors includes Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Gael García Bernal, and Renee Victor.

Visually striking, hilarious, and genuinely uplifting, Coco strongly reinforces the value of family and preserving the memory of loved ones no longer with us. Even though this is a Disney-Pixar film, it is absolutely an experience meant for the entire family. The film’s premise is based on The Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday which translates to Día de Muertos in Spanish, and celebrates the lives of loved ones that have passed on. It takes place over multiple days and focuses on the gathering of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have passed, and to support their spiritual journey. I wouldn't consider myself to be a fanatic when it comes to animated films, but I do enjoy them and I tend to see as many as I can to break up the usual heavy dose of dramas, comedies, and thrillers. One of my favorite animated films in the last few years is Inside Out, mainly because I appreciated how deep the film was while still managing to be hilarious and entertaining throughout.

Coco is the only animated film as of late that I would put up next to Inside Out as it continues the trend of a powerful message and high entertainment value. Not only did Coco help to instill in me the true meaning of family, it also taught me about a fantastic and beautiful Mexican holiday and left me curious as to why we don't have something similar in the states. Perhaps we could develop our own variation of this popular holiday? As someone who has dealt with the loss of loved ones, I understand the importance of remembrance which at the end of the day is truly therapeutic, and the benefit is as much for those of us still on this earth as it is for those no longer with us. Coco is hilarious and will have you laughing out loud pretty much the entire time aside from those moments where the tears take you by surprise. I also really enjoyed the amazing visuals which were top notch. Coco is one of the most colorful and visually stimulating animated films I have ever experienced.

Coco has a stellar cast of voice actors who all come together to deliver one heck of a performance. Young actor Anthony Gonzalez is spectacular as main character Miguel. His performance ensures the character is truly brought to life. Veteran actor Gael García Bernal is fantastic as Héctor and develops genuine chemistry with Gonzalez. The chemistry they share contributes to the majority of the laugh out loud moments of the film. I also really enjoyed Benjamin Bratt as Ernesto de la Cruz and I felt like he was able to portray a somewhat complex character with ease.  Alanna Ubach is the boss of the house in her role as Mamá Imelda and you do NOT want to get on her bad side. Overall, the voice acting was stellar from top to bottom without a single flaw I can think of.

Aside from the 22-minute Frozen short which will no longer be shown after 12/7, Coco is easily one of the best animated films to hit the big-screen in the last few years. For me, Coco is more than just a movie, it’s a reminder to cherish the memories of those no longer with us, and it also manages to balance humor and a sense of drama effortlessly. As I mentioned before, this is easily my favorite animated film since Inside Out and I will definitely be adding it to my collection when the Blu-ray hits shelves. Highly recommended.

Thor: Ragnarok

Director Taika Waititi

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Kate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo

Rating PG-13

Release Date November 3rd, 2017

“Imprisoned, the mighty Thor finds himself in a lethal gladiatorial contest against the Hulk, his former ally. Thor must fight for survival and race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilization.”

From director Taika Waititi, the man behind What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: Ragnarok is the third entry in the franchise of solo Thor films. New Zealand native Waititi is quite the unique talent as he tends to play a role in some capacity in each of his films. In What We Do in the Shadows, the hilarious vampire spoof film, he plays one of the best characters in the film. In Hunt for the Wilderpeople, an amazing yet extremely underappreciated gem of a film, he plays a small but nonetheless hilarious character (if you have yet to see it I highly recommend it!). Waititi's career really began at Victoria University of Wellington, located in Wellington, New Zealand, where he met Flight of the Conchord's actor Jermaine Clement, and together they formed the comedic duo known as "The Humourbeasts," and well, the rest is history. Clearly humor is very important to Waititi when it comes to his films, and so far early critic feedback has pointed out the significant impact he has had on the Thor franchise. In Thor: Ragnarok, The God of Thunder finds himself imprisoned and thrown into the ring to face off against his former ally, The Hulk aka Bruce Banner, in a fight to the death. The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Kate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, and Rachel House.

Hilarious, light-hearted, and oozing with acting talent, not only is Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok arguably the most complete Marvel film to date, it is an absolute blast to experience. I was already psyched about the next Thor film as a fan of the Marvel franchise in general, but once I found out that one of my favorite up-and-coming directors would be leading the way, I was like a kid waiting for Christmas morning to finally arrive. I fell in love (it's not weird I promise) with Waititi as a director after watching last year's Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and after Chris Hemsworth himself raved about the film and suggested people go see it, it made sense that Waititi and Hemsworth would cross paths sooner or later. Well they crossed paths alright, and let's just say it was basically love at first sight. Thor: Ragnarok is amazing, and what I really liked is how much of the New Zealand vibe Waititi was able to bring to the film, from the soundtrack to the casting decisions, right down to his general directorial style, it is clear from the get go that this is a Taika Waititi film.

This very well may be the funniest Marvel movie I have ever seen, with Captain America: Civil War the only other film even in competition with it. Personally, I feel like Thor: Ragnarok deserves the nod considering the fact that Civil War had just about every single Marvel superhero at its disposal, and Ragnarok was able to essentially make a mountain out of a molehill (that is still a saying right?). In no way am I saying that this film lacks the level of talent Civil War had, it is just a smaller group of key players as opposed to the entire team sort of speak. It includes so many classic lines that during the ride home my girlfriend gave me the "I know, I watched the movie" response, complete with the piercing dirty look, as I continued to quote line after line during the ride home. She had a rough day so I let it slide, but it certainly didn’t stop me from continuing down that road- I couldn’t help myself! I am actually tempted to start writing about some of my favorite scenes but I can't break my promise of a spoiler-free review, so I will save it for another time. I wish I could narrow down what I enjoyed most about Thor: Ragnarok, but everything came together seamlessly to the point where it is very difficult to focus on just one positive aspect. The fact that I can't seem to think of anything negative also helps. I feel like Waititi's vision and directing style allowed the cast to truly become their characters and just have fun with the roles they were given, and it really shows. I browsed through a ton of photos that were taken during filming, many of which include Waititi engaging in conversation with the cast, and in each and every photo the actors are either laughing or smiling ear to ear. It just seems like he is a joy to work with and I am really glad he was given this opportunity, because it’s very well deserved.

Considering it lacks the majority of the fan favorites from the Marvel Universe, the cast in Thor: Ragnarok is basically a dream come true. I mean come on now, the combination of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Jeff Goldblum (every time I hear his name I think about Pineapple Express), Mark Ruffalo, Idris Elba, Tessa Thompson, and a scene-stealing role by director Taika Waititi, what's not to love?! As soon as it was officially announced that Waititi would be taking over directorial duties for Thor: Ragnarok, he was very open about the fact that he would be taking full advantage of what he called the extremely underutilized comedic talents of Hemsworth. And well, he was right! Hemsworth is an absolute riot and his comedic delivery is on point each and every time. For anyone who dismissed the all-female cast of the Ghostbusters remake out of sheer anger, you missed out on a classic Hemsworth performance proving that he is more than capable of getting well-deserved laughs out of an audience. Thor: Ragnarok reminds us why he was given this role in the first place. Tom Hiddleston is great and I really enjoyed the unique chemistry that has developed between him and Hemsworth over the years. So much has happened within this very complicated sibling rivalry, and this time around the audience gets a heavy dose of the hilarious back and forth.

Go ahead, chalk up the casting of Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster as yet another genius casting move for the Marvel franchise. Goldblum has that rare ability to always be entertaining when he is on-screen and he makes it seem so effortless. I hope he continues to make an appearance in the franchise going forward. New Zealand born actress Rachel House has perfect chemistry alongside Goldblum and I loved her as The Grandmaster's "right hand". Kate Blanchett was exceptional as the films villain and I once again really enjoyed Mark Ruffalo continuing his dominance as The Hulk/Bruce Banner. This is easily my favorite Ruffalo performance in a Marvel film. Director Taika Waititi is slowly becoming a household name, and if you are familiar with his previous films you know that he tends to take on supporting roles in all of his movies. I challenge you to try and watch any scene with Waititi's character without a smile on your face, it is literally impossible. His New Zealand accent brings true joy to my heart, and trust me when I say this is not an exaggeration. He is the epitome of a dual-threat and very well may be my favorite director who also takes on a role in his films. For fans of What We Do in the Shadows, it was recently announced that they are working on a TV version of the film which Waititi is directly involved in, so keep an eye out for that.

Thor: Ragnarok is an amazing addition to the vast collection of amazing Marvel films, and hardcore fans will surely be ecstatic. I also feel like viewers who maybe could care less about superhero films in general, or just simply have yet to see any of the other movies can still walk in to the theater and leave with a smile on their face. Thor: Ragnarok is a perfect example of pure filmmaking as it transcends the big-budget or the impressive CGI, and at the end of the day this is a beautiful work of art. As it stands right now, Thor: Ragnarok is the highest rated Marvel film, for good reason, and by early 2018 my guess is it will stand neck and neck with the next blockbuster of the franchise, Black Panther. I can't wait to see what Taika Waititi takes on for his next project. So do yourself a favor and get out to see Thor: Ragnarok as soon as possible, you can thank me later. I will be seeing it for a second time very soon and this will be added to my Blu-ray collection on release day. Highly recommended.

"All I've got is creativity, that’s it, that’s my job. At the moment I happen to be a filmmaker, but that’s not my job. My job is to express myself, and to share my ideas and my point of view. It happens to be I'm using filmmaking right now". – Taika Waititi

Blade Runner 2049

Director Denis Villeneuve

Genre Sci-Fi | Thriller

Cast Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford

Rating R

Release Date October 6th, 2017

“A young blade runner’s discovery of a long-buried secret leads him to track down former blade runner Rick Deckard, who’s been missing for thirty years.”

Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to the cult-classic Blade Runner that first released in 1982. The first film was directed by Ridley Scott, who did join this project as an executive producer, and director Denis Villeneuve takes the reigns for the sequel. With only 16 directing credits according to his IMDb filmography, Villeneuve has made quite a name for himself with films like Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario. He received a Best Achievement in Directing Academy Awards nomination in 2016 for the sci-fi thriller Arrival. The cast includes Ryan Gosling, Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Harrison Ford, Dave Bautista, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto.

Blade Runner 2049 is a dynamic Oscar contender, showcasing the unique talents of director Denis Villeneuve and lead Ryan Gosling in one of the best sci-fi thrillers in recent memory. The original Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott, released in 1982 and was poorly received by critics and users alike which resulted in dismal box-office numbers. This didn’t last long as the unique style of the film eventually caught on cementing Blade Runner as a cult classic that would remain a fan favorite for years to come. When it was announced they would be doing a sequel for Blade Runner the usual pundits spoke out stating Hollywood was yet again out of ideas and trying to butcher a classic. Granted this can often times be the case, but when I saw that Villeneuve would be directing and Gosling would be starring, my doubts became a distant memory. This was going to be a hit. I made it a point to see Blade Runner 2049 in the IMAX for obvious reasons, and I was blown away. One simple thing that stuck out to me was the fact that it would have been easy to turn this movie into a spectacle, overwhelming viewers with visuals and fancy special effects, but Blade Runner 2049 takes the high road offering substance over style, although it has plenty of both.

In my experience Denis Villeneuve has the ability to ground a film in such a way that it becomes the viewer's reality, ensuring each and every person watching the film becomes genuinely invested in what is unfolding right before their eyes. Villeneuve did that with last year's sci-fi thriller Arrival starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, and he does it again here. He is a master of his craft and I would be hard pressed to point out a director with a better feel for sci-fi thrillers, especially when referring to cinematography and score, two Villeneuve trademarks. Blade Runner 2049 includes a number of dialogue free scenes supported by nothing more than a powerful score, and somehow these scenes are just as powerful as any other scene in the entire film. I found myself so deeply involved in the story that I felt a release when I was finally able to have a discussion about some of the more symbolic moments. Going back to watch the first film or even watching it for the first time prior to seeing Blade Runner 2049 isn't a bad idea but I also wouldn’t say it is absolutely necessary. Even considering the strong connection to the first film in terms of the backstory, it still holds up on its own which is impressive. Bottom line, Blade Runner 2049 is beautifully shot and expertly acted, and includes a storyline that will have you discussing it well after the film ends.

As I touched on previously, the cast of Blade Runner 2049 is absolutely exceptional, and it goes beyond the star power providing a few surprise performances in pivotal supporting roles. Let me just say what everyone else is thinking, Ryan Gosling is the man. That is simply a fact. From 2004's The Notebook, which is a fan favorite of females the world over, to Drive, Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Place Beyond the Pines, The Nice Guys (underrated but amazing), and most recently the critically acclaimed La La Land (if you fancy a good musical), Ryan Gosling is a rare talent. Sure he has starred in his fair share of duds (Gangster Squad anyone?!) but who hasn't? Gosling delivers one of his best performances to date in Blade Runner 2049, playing a very complex character that required a great deal of raw emotion. A few times during this film I felt like I could look into Gosling's eyes and be able to feel exactly what he was feeling, now that is pretty damn impressive. If Gosling's name isn't tossed around come award season I will be writing a very strongly worded e-mail on his behalf (kidding about the e-mail, but I will be pissed). Former professional wrestler Dave Bautista has a small role but he was great in it and further proves he is a very solid actor. House of Cards actress Robin Wright brings her stern sense of power to the table and is a strong contributor to the success of the film. Jared Leto has very little screen-time but I felt like his character makes a strong statement nonetheless and I really did enjoyed his role.

Veteran actor Harrison Ford, who was the start of the 1982 original film, makes for one heck of a homecoming. Ford is able to develop fantastic chemistry with Gosling and the two talented actors form quite the duo. Relatively unknown actress Sylvia Hoeks is given a very important role and she was great. The entire time I felt like she had to be a big name actress that I just couldn’t quite put a finger on what else she was in. I looked over her IMDb filmography and the only movie I recognized is the limited release war film Renegades, so kudos to her. Cuba born actress Ana de Armas is a very pleasant surprise in a unique and important supporting role. Most viewers will recognize the gorgeous de Armas from the 2016 film War Dogs in which she played Miles Teller's girlfriend, but she also starred in the twisted limited release 2015 horror/thriller Knock Knock from the sick-minded Eli Roth. Prior to Blade Runner 2049, I will admit that I looked at de Armas as not much more than a pretty face who was serviceable in smaller roles, but boy did she prove me wrong. Not only is she a crucial centerpiece to the rather confined reality Gosling's character lives in, her character embodies the internal struggle for humanity that lies deep within the films underlying symbolism. In simpler terms, she crushes it.

Blade Runner 2049 is further proof that quality cinema is alive and well. Not only does it do the original justice, it is arguably a superior film not only because of the advancements in technology, but a deeply immersive story to go along with it. At this point and time I will see anything that Denis Villeneuve is directing or Ryan Gosling is starring, and if they are together on the same project I will be there on opening night. Blade Runner 2049 may scare away some viewers due to the 2 hour and 45 minute runtime which admittedly is long for a movie, but trust me when I say that you are only hurting yourself if you pass on seeing this fantastic film on the big-screen. Highly recommended.

It

Director Andrés Muschietti

Genre Drama | Horror

Cast Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor

Rating R

Release Date September 8th, 2017

“A group of bullied kids band together when a monster, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.”

From director Andrés Muschietti, IT is a remake of the successful 1990 miniseries, based on the best-selling Stephen King novel. The 2017 horror drama includes 3 writers contributing to the screenplay, who try to bring King's novel to life yet again. It has been proven time and time again that one thing we can count on as a society, is the inevitable fear of clowns. Officially known as coulrophobia and categorized as an anxiety disorder, it has been reigning havoc for as long I can remember, with my first experience coming thanks to the corny 1988 horror film Killer Clowns from Outer Space. Now that is a film with some remake potential (kidding, obviously). The cast for 2017's IT includes Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton.

Superbly casted, well-written, and genuinely creepy and disturbing throughout, IT is not only one of the absolute best Stephen King adaptations, it is one of the best horror films of 2017. After months of anticipation and 27 years since the miniseries, the day has finally come, and my excitement level was through the roof. Full disclosure, IT is the first horror movie since the original Paranormal Activity to actually give me legitimate chills. To me that is what makes a movie scary, to actually feel something within your body that you rarely experience. Paranormal Activity had the advantage of the element of surprise, because I honestly wasn't sure what to expect. But IT on the other hand lacked that benefit, and instead somehow managed to scare by utilizing creativity and sheer directorial talent combined with chilling cinematography.

Pennywise the clown is reintroduced to audiences in such a way that I felt proud to be a fan of the original film. I'm having a very difficult time deciding which epic scene was my favorite, which is obviously a good thing. The fear is unleashed in IT, and from every scene where Pennywise sprints at the screen like Usain Bolt off the starting line, the film doesn't pull any punches. Setting the horror aspect aside for a second, IT is unique in its ability to toe the line between scary and absolutely hilarious. I laughed a ton during this film, but rest assured that the 2 hours and 15 minute runtime allows for the perfect blending of the two genres. Viewers find themselves immersed in this clique of young adults known as "The Losers Club", and even though they raz each other at every opportunity much to the delight of the audience, IT is still very dark, even controversial at times similar to the source material, and absolutely earned the R-rating. This is what a remake or reimagining is supposed to be, taking full advantage of the tools available today, and in the process inevitably capturing an entirely new fan base to join those that have been avid fans for years. 

IT excels in a variety of categories but perhaps none more impactful than it's talented young cast. Before I get into the young cast I have to talk about the new Pennywise, played by relatively unknown actor Bill Skarsgård, brother of Alexander Skarsgård, the former star of HBO's hit series True Blood. Skarsgård is INCREDIBLE!! I mean I'm talking a damn near Heath Ledger playing Joker level performance in terms of commitment to his character, his use of dialogue, and his creepy as all hell mannerisms. I'll admit this is a different level and even though IT is dark, and it is very dark, it's still not quite on the level of The Dark Knight in that category but something tells me the next chapter will be. Skarsgård simply grabs ahold of the audience from his first scene and never lets go. Not for a second does he come across as cheesy, not even close. A huge credit is due to the director, the cinematographers, and the screenwriter, and of course King himself, but all of that talent would have been useless without the key ingredient of a committed and scary as hell Bill Skarsgård. The most recognizable of the young cast starring alongside Skarsgård includes Jaeden Lieberher, who starred alongside Bill Murray in St. Vincent, and Michael Shannon in Midnight Express, and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard. Both actors were incredible in IT and continue to make a name for themselves in a very, very difficult industry. Honorable mention is equally well deserved for Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillie, Javier Botet, and Nicholas Hamilton, rounding out a talented up-and-coming group of young actors. I’m interested to see who gets casted as the adult versions in Chapter 2 because they have some big shoes to fill.

The bottom line is this, IT is a damn good, dare I say brilliant horror movie that integrates several other elements to further increase its effectiveness. Whether you are a horror fan or not, if you can handle a good scare I absolutely recommend you experience IT while in theaters, you will NOT be disappointed. Now, I just can't wait for Chapter 2 to arrive, which was recently officially greenlit thanks to IT crashing the box office with huge numbers and many more to come. I'll probably see it at least one more time myself. Oh yeah and above all else just remember one thing, “you’ll float too”. Highly recommended.

Wind River

Director Taylor Sheridan

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, Jon Bernthal

Rating R

Release Date August 4th, 2017

“An FBI agent teams with a town’s veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.”

Wind River is a crime thriller from up-and-coming writer and director Taylor Sheridan, the man who penned the scripts for Sicario and Hell or High Water. Sheridan prides himself on bringing together some of the absolutes best aspects of a great film, including creative and original screenplays, top-tier casts, fantastic cinematography, and an unrelenting score. The cast for Wind River includes Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen, Graham Greene, and John Bernthal.

Perfectly acted with a bone chilling score, Wind River is an atmospheric crime thriller from the uber-talented Taylor Sheridan. My anticipation and level of excitement was at a boiling point by the time this film finally made its debut at a theater near me. Initially it opened as a limited release, and interestingly enough I was actually able to finally see it while on vacation in Alaska. It still has yet to make it to theaters back home in southern Maine, which is an absolute travesty. To say Wind River is worth driving a few cities over to a theater that has it would be an understatement, because this is an experience well worth the extra time and gas money. Sheridan is masterful behind the camera in his ability to immerse viewers in the frigid Wyoming conditions presented on-screen. Similar to Sheridan's recent writing credit Hell or High Water, Wind River is a genuinely intimate portrayal of an intense and complex thriller. Sheridan has made a seamless transition from acting to writing and directing, after playing a big role in the earlier seasons of the hit series Sons of Anarchy, and even played a small role in Hell or High Water. He is certainly a multifaceted talent to watch in Hollywood. The only contributing factor weighing as heavily on the success of Wind River next to the directing and the acting is the score, which to me is an underrated yet immensely powerful tool. The score sets the tone and magnifies the most powerful scenes Wind River has to offer, helping to keep viewers eyes glued to the screen. Sorry, but bathroom breaks will have to wait. The cinematography is amazing as well, and I found myself in awe of the beautiful Wyoming scenery. I would certainly prefer to avoid the brutal weather they contend with in that neck of the woods, but I still can't discount the undeniable appeal of the picturesque views and close knit feel of the community. As dark as Wind River is for the majority of the runtime just shy of 2 hours, it will still manage to get a few laughs out of you, which is pretty impressive. I honestly can't say enough great things about this film and if a legitimate flaw exists I must've missed it, because this is quality filmmaking at its finest.

Wind River is absolutely loaded with acting talent, bringing together a strong supporting cast as well as a few of Hollywood’s staples. The talented cast is lead by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olson, who develop masterful chemistry throughout the film. I am a huge Jeremy Renner fan and have been since his performance in The Hurt Locker, and Wind River is yet another opportunity for him to flex his acting muscles in a dramatic role. Many actors struggle with the ability to truly immerse themselves into a role, especially when playing a character with a complicated past, but Renner succeeds on all fronts. Elizabeth Olsen plays the role of a young FBI agent stumbling upon a situation she never could have anticipated to absolute perfection. I’m not sure if many people will share the same sentiment but Olsen was one of my favorite under-the-radar actresses well before she snagged a key role in the Marvel films. She seems to strive in dramatic roles, and Wind River fits her skill set perfectly. Veteran actor Graham Greene is amazing in a supporting role, and even considering the difficult subject matter of the film, he manages to lighten the mood at times offering a nice change of pace. Most viewers will recognize him but won’t know exactly what they’ve seen him in, but he is a great actor and gets it done here. I am a huge fan of Jon Bernthal, who most remember as Shane from The Walking Dead, and even though he plays a small part in this film, it is a damn crucial role. Bernthal comes in almost out of nowhere and has one of the most impactful performances in Wind River. The supporting cast was fantastic all around without a weak spot to speak of.

Wind River wraps up the crime thriller trilogy for writer and director Taylor Sheridan, rounding out the impressive duo of Sicario and Hell or High Water. It continues the epic run of top-notch storytelling, an a-list cast, and one of the most effective scores this year. If you've enjoyed Sheridan's first two films or simply have a genuine appreciation for a crime thriller that will stay with you well after you leave the theater, I can't recommend Wind River enough. Highly recommended.

Dunkirk

Director Christopher Nolan

Genre Action | Drama | History

Cast Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh

Rating PG-13

Release Date July 21st, 2017

“Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada and France are surrounded by the German army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.”

Written and directed by mastermind Christopher Nolan, the man responsible for hit films like Memento, Insomnia, Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Inception, and the list goes on and on. Bottom line, what this guy touches more often than not turns to gold. Dunkirk is a historical drama based on a fierce battle during World War II when Belgium, The British Empire, and France found themselves surrounded and under fire by the German army after they made the decision to retreat. The cast includes Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Barry Keoghan. 

Dunkirk is edge-of-your seat mayhem with a bone chilling score, and quite possibly the best historical war film I have ever seen. This is an absolute masterpiece, and it is hard to fathom the fact that this is Director Christopher Nolan’s first historical drama. German-born composer Hans Zimmer, who also worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception, and Interstellar, is an absolute genius and contributed greatly to the moments of intensity. I honestly can’t recall the last time a movie made me so nervous and anxious, and Dunkirk had me feeling that way pretty much the entire time. All kidding aside, I feel like this film took a few years off my life. Nolan is such an artist that he made me feel like I was attempting to flee the beaches at Dunkirk. What I thought was maybe the most impressive aspect of this film is how authentic it felt. It is widely known that Nolan is not a fan of using CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) with his films, and attempts to avoid it at all costs, and the authenticity absolutely pays off. Not once did I feel like I was watching anything that looked even remotely fake- if anything I had to remind myself that what I was watching wasn’t actual footage of the event that took place during WWII. Nolan went as far as using actual naval destroyers for the sea battles in the film, and even opted for cardboard cutouts of soldiers during the wide shot scenes instead of CGI to show the thousands of soldiers on the beach (don't worry, you can't tell). You will find yourself scanning the faces of the soldiers with a feeling of inspired curiosity- you really can see the pain and feeling of utter defeat in their facial expressions. I was able to see Dunkirk in the IMAX and I cannot stress this enough, if possible, see it in the IMAX!! The majority of the movie was specifically filmed for IMAX theaters, and every bomb dropped, gunshot fired, plane crash, and even the surreal wide shot peaceful scenes, need the big screen visuals and thunderous sound to be fully appreciated. After thinking long and hard about what I had just experienced, my only gripe with Dunkirk is the fact that it doesn’t end with a scene showing the U.S. military gearing up to go clean up this mess (kidding, sort of).

Dunkirk is a unique film in terms of the cast, mainly because it really doesn’t involve all that much dialogue. Christopher Nolan was actually quoted as saying he studied various silent films to use as inspiration for the many wide shot beach scenes. Nonetheless, the cast is fantastic from top to bottom. Tom Hardy plays his role to perfection as per usual. Cillian Murphy delivers a very strong and emotional role, putting everything he had into his character. I really enjoyed Mark Rylance’s character, and felt that he added a lot to the film in a supporting role. Inexperienced actors Fionn Whitehead and Aneurin Barnard are given quite a bit of screen time, and even though the amount of actual lines they have is limited, they both do a phenomenal job. Kenneth Branagh is superb in his role as a high ranking officer. And lastly, young actors Tom Glynn-Carney and Barry Keoghan deliver masterful performances, with their characters contributing to one of the more emotional scenes in the film. Musical artist Harry Styles, formerly of the band One Direction, makes his feature-film debut in Dunkirk. Even though his individual contribution is overshadowed by the sheer visual beauty like many other great performances in this film, he actually has a very solid debut. Now if he can somehow find himself on Nolan's speed dial, he may have a decent acting career to look forward to. I'm honestly not sure if anyone will get nominated come Oscar season because of the type of film this is, but at the very least some supporting role nominations would be well-deserved.

I consider myself to be a big fan of war inspired dramas, either based on historical events or not. Some of my favorites include The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty, Lone Survivor, Black Hawk Down (fun fact, this was actor Tom Hardy's very first film), Hacksaw Ridge, and Tropic Thunder, to name a few (just kidding about Tropic Thunder, obviously). I recently read Generation Kill, the book based on the recon Marines and their part in the Iraq Invasion, and I am now re-watching the HBO miniseries that is based on the book (it is amazing, by the way). I'm on a bit of a war kick lately. I think I am starting to get off topic, but the point I am trying to make is I fancy myself a good war flick- I enjoy the brutality, the intensity, and when they are fact based, the historical significance of it all. Not only did Dunkirk provide me an amazing experience and one of the best I have had in terms of a war film, it also afforded me insight into the events that took place at Dunkirk, that I had no idea about previously. I am excited to read up on it further to try and gain a little knowledge, and that is all thanks to Christopher Nolan. I can comfortably say that Nolan is without question the front runner for best director come award season, and it simply isn’t even close. Do yourself a favor and see this one sooner than later.

Baby Driver

Director Edgar Wright

Genre Action | Crime | Thriller

Cast Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm

Rating R

Release Date June 28th, 2017

“After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.”

Written and directed by the talented Edgar Wright, the man behind Shaun of the Dead, Hott Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and The World's End, Baby Driver is a crime thriller that is much more than meets the eye. Critics have been absolutely ecstatic ever since they were allowed pre-release screenings, which just enhanced the ridiculous amount of excitement I already had for this movie. The cast includes Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Jon Hamm, Jon Bernthal, Eiza González, and Lily James.

Taking full advantage of an epic soundtrack, Baby Driver is a rare combination of originality, smart writing, and sheer directorial talent. I can honestly say that my heart was beating right along with a few of the drum solos, and I felt the rush of adrenaline induced during each and every escape. My expectations going in were quite high, and I was truly impressed by the fact that even though I watched 3 or 4 high quality trailers prior to the release, I still felt like they were only a small glimpse of the full experience. So it is safe to say that my expectations were exceeded! Baby Driver shuns the conventional idea of a film falling easily into a certain genre, providing viewers a heist thriller that blends comedy, romance, growing pains, and above all else a big heart. As crazy as it gets at times, and it does get pretty wild, Baby Driver never strays too far from reality. I was actually a bit surprised by how gritty and violent it was at times, making it very clear why it earned the R-rating. Critics have been gushing about the film’s ability to sync the action with the soundtrack, and I was really interested to see how that played out, and man was it cool. A few of the more pivotal shootout scenes match up each gun blast with the beat, and it is downright exhilarating (as Jamie Foxx says in the movie, Tequila!). I also need to point out that Baby Driver has some of the best car chases in recent memory, giving films like Heat and The Bourne Identity a run for their money. I read that 95% of the stunts are genuinely performed, with only about 5% CGI used for some of the necessary touch-up.

Throughout Baby Driver you will notice various stylistic directing techniques utilized by Wright (he is a whiz behind the camera), so much so that I will need to watch this again soon just so I'm able to fully appreciate what he was able to accomplish here. The traditional old school romance that Wright is able to create for Baby (Elgort) and his love interest, played by Lily James, feels genuine and timeless, and also somehow effortless all at the same time. I read in an article that Wright worked hard to ensure that the romance was captivating for the audience, which was one of his primary goals with the film in terms of the overall backstory, and he certainly hit the nail on the head. I have a great deal of respect for Edgar Wright as a director, and I feel that he genuinely takes pride in his work. I actually met Wright 6 years or so ago in Kennebunkport, Maine. Full disclosure, I'm using the term "met" very loosely as I was a valet at the high end hotel he was staying at with actress and Maine native Anna Kendrick (they were an item at one point), and I assisted them with their luggage when they departed. Even though they only tipped me $10, it was still a pretty cool experience (I would have at least broken even with this movie if not for damn movie theater ticket price increases).

The cast that was assembled for Baby Driver is absolutely fantastic. Veteran actor Jamie Fox makes a huge impact in a supporting role. His Bats character is the epitome of what a sociopath looks like without the camouflage,- he wants people to know he's crazy. I loved every minute of his scenes. Jon Bernthal, who many remember as Shane from the earlier seasons of The Walking Dead, plays a brief but impactful role as well. Similar to Bats, he has quite a few screws loose, but the ability to trust or play well with others seems to be his most glaring weakness. Mad Men actor Jon Hamm is a man of many emotions, and I really enjoyed the complexity of his character. He is a truly talented actor and it shows. Kevin Spacey takes a break from House of Cards, and is great as always, taking command as the leader of the group. His character demands respect and he gets it. The sexy and ruthless Eiza González will undoubtedly steal a few hearts with her rebellious yet fun loving character, Darling. This was her first big role, and I think she handled it very, very well. One scene in particular has her going all kamikaze with two automatic weapons, and I can't seem to get this glorious image out of my head (this is a good thing by the way). Last but certainly not least, the star that anchors it all is The Fault in Our Stars actor Ansel Elgort. Unusually tall for an actor at around 6'3 or 6'4 (basically 4 times the size of Tom Cruise), Elgort delivers what I feel is a breakout role for him. He was amazing in The Fault in Our Stars, which I will fully admit was a tear-jerker, but the fact of the matter is only a certain segmented audience watched that film. Baby Driver should reach a much broader audience with the appeal of originality, as well as Edgar Wright's usual following, which will hopefully help significantly improve Elgort's fan base. The depth of his character is a unique experience in and of itself, and I think the audience will find themselves rooting for him to succeed very early on.

Baby Driver is an undeniably unique experience, fueled by humor and adrenaline. It feels almost like a music video transformed into a feature-length film, while somehow managing to combine pretty much everything viewers have an insatiable appetite for. The thing that blows my mind the mostabout Baby Driver is the fact that not only do so many different elements work extremely well, they come together seamlessly to create a final product that has to be seen to be appreciated. I understand that people tend to be he somewhat skeptical when critics universally rave about a film like they are with Baby Driver, but trust me when I say this is a work of art that each and every movie fan needs to experience. Highly recommended.

Wonder Woman

Director Patty Jenkins

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 2nd, 2017

“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.”

From director Patty Jenkins, who directed the 2003 drama Monster, Wonder Woman is the latest film in the DC Universe. Fans have been begging to have a female superhero on the forefront, and that time has come. Israeli actress and model Gal Gadot first appeared on screen as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman, but due to a thrashing from critics she didn’t receive a great deal of positive feedback. Gadot seems to have taken her role as Wonder Woman extremely seriously, as it is noted that she trained for 9 months and gained 17 pounds of pure muscle for the character. Now that is dedication! The cast includes Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen, Danny Huston, and David Thewlis.

Well-acted, funny, and genuinely entertaining, Wonder Woman is one heck of a film and a career defining performance for actress Gal Gadot. It's well documented that DC has had its troubles as of late, which is part of the reason why this film couldn't have come at a better time. I actually enjoyed Suicide Squad more than most critics, but I was definitely let down by Batman v Superman, also starring Gadot as Wonder Woman, which I felt lacked a much needed edge. With the new Justice League movie on the horizon, a powerful female superhero is here to save the day. I had high expectations for Wonder Woman after the early release praise from critics, and it did not disappoint. The collaboration of director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot seems to be a match made in heaven. Jenkins is far from a household name as she made her directorial debut with the 2003 drama Monster, which started Charlize Theron and Christina Ricci. Monster was a hit with critics but for one reason or another Jenkins focused on T.V. for a while, directing a couple episodes for The Killing and HBO's Entourage. With Wonder Woman, Jenkins proves she has an eye for great visuals, and she understands how to make a visually stunning film without sacrificing substance. I really enjoyed how Wonder Woman was able to toe the line between the superhero cinematic universe, and a very dark time when the world was truly at war. You get a glimpse at the harsh reality while still preserving your ability to be entertained. Wonder Woman is the rare superhero film that can hold its own up against some of the better action films of the past decade.

Wonder Woman brought together a fantastic and charismatic cast to ensure success of the film. I will admit that I had my reservations about Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, not because she isn't attractive or athletic enough, because we all know she has both in spades, I just wasn’t sure of her ability as an actress to carry a film in the lead role. Well let me just say, she impressed the you know what out of me! In her very first lead role, Gadot exuded confidence from the beginning and never looked back. Not once did I question her ability as an actress, and it was almost like she was born to play this role. Strong, determined, smart, and downright lethal, Gal Gadot is the Wonder Woman fans deserve. I read that she went through re-shoots for the film, including stunts, while she was 5 months pregnant! They had to utilize some green-screen magic on her baby bump. This performance may very well have landed Gadot a spot in my top 5 list of favorite actresses, for several reasons. This may or may not have something to do with the strange fascination I had with girls that could beat me up when I was little, but we won't dive too deep into that. Chris Pine was amazing as expected, and I was actually really impressed by the chemistry he developed with Gadot. The two played off each other really well and made sure there was never a dull moment. Accomplished actor David Thewlis was great in his role, but I will admit I couldn’t get the vision of him as V.M. Vargas in Fargo season 3 out of my head. His character in that show is absolutely incredible. The supporting cast was amazing as well, especially the crew that Pine convinces to join in on the adventure. Just a great cast all around!

Wonder Woman is a fantastic film, period. It gets so many things right that viewers will ignore any flaws that it may have. You feel the pain and the struggle of the World War I victims, and you see what things were like on the front lines. Wonder Woman exemplifies selflessness, and is more concerned with the well-being of those around her than her own. What I also found fascinating is the fact that even though she dealt with significant culture shock entering into a world entirely new to her, instead of judging what she saw as strange or different she embraced this new world and all of its flaws. I'm not going to sit here and say that this is a movie about women empowerment blah blah, because to be quite honest that's been said enough already (apologies if I seem insensitive). Wonder Woman is empowering for the human race as a whole, because she embodies compassion, strength, and understanding, and we could all learn a lot from her. Do yourself a favor and see this film before it leaves theaters, you won't regret it. I will definitely be adding this to my collection when the Blu-ray releases.

Get Out

Director Jordan Peele

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford

Rating R

Release Date February 24th, 2017

“A young African-American man visits his Caucasian girlfriend’s mysterious family estate.”

Get Out is a horror mystery written and directed by Jordan Peele, and is his directorial debut. Peele is well-known for his work on the hilarious Comedy Central skit show Key & Peele, and he has actually written quite a few episodes. His writing debut on the film side was last year's action comedy Keanu, which was very well received. Get Out began receiving substantial praise from critics who were allowed an early screening, setting the bar for expectations pretty high for Peele's debut. The cast includes Daniel Kaluuya (Sicario), Allison Williams (Girls), Catherine Keener (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Captain Phillips), and Bradley Whitford (Billy Madison, The Cabin in the Woods). 

Get Out is not only a game-changer for the horror genre, it is a potentially career altering debut for writer-director Jordan Peele. Rarely is a film capable of making you sit back in your seat in hopes of being able to take it all in, to truly absorb all that you just experienced. This is one of those films. Get Out has an identity all its own which it develops very early on, and builds on throughout. Officially considered a horror mystery, it has been referred to as some sort of genre hybrid, showcasing horror elements complete with jump scares, skin crawling tension, and a very fitting and impressive score, but also a potent dose of good old fashioned humor. All of this is true. How you ask? Well the trailers certainly highlight the latter, but the depth of the script, as well as the mounting tension, not only allows the humor to be effective and timely, it welcomes it. Each element of the film is smoothly transitioned, making sure that nothing feels forced. Personally I really appreciated that aspect of the making of this film. Get Out kept me guessing and had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the final act. I won't give anything away, but even if you generally have a difficult time with horror films, Get Out has the ability to appeal to a wide audience due to its blending of genre elements. I feel like it warrants mentioning that many critics are clinging to the racial undertones built into the premise, some of which going as far as to say the film needs to be seen because of how socially relevant it is in terms of the existence of racism in this country. Excuse me? I mean sure this is a fine example of intelligent writing, effectively mixing in societal elements sure to get a reaction out of the audience, but make no mistake, this is not a film about racial injustice that will be available in the history section of your local library. This is a good old fashioned horror flick- unnerving, violent, bloody, and unpredictable. Just what the doctor ordered (pun intended, you'll get it once you’ve seen the film). To say Jordan Peele made an impression as a director would be the biggest understatement of 2017. Not only did he display some serious skill behind the camera, he also wrote this amazing script to perfection. I enjoyed Keanu and I'm honestly really happy to see him find this level of success right out of the gate. I can't wait to see what he cooks up next.

Get Out boasts an extremely talented, yet underrated cast from top to bottom. Daniel Kaluuya was fantastic in the lead role, showcasing what I felt was an innate ability to display a wide range of emotions. His mannerisms and facial expressions really brought his character to life. His resume consists mostly of work in television so far, aside from a role in the cartel thriller Sicario, alongside Emily Blunt. It seems his career is beginning to take off having recently nabbed himself a role in marvel's Black Panther due out in 2018. I like him a lot as an actor and I think he has a great career ahead of him. Allison Williams is an actress of average talent, best known as of late for her role in the HBO series Girls, but she actually impressed me. She ditched that ditsy I think I'm smarter than I actually am attitude and it worked out for the best. One of my overall favorite characters in the film has one of the smallest roles, and that would be comedian turned actor Milton "Lil Rel" Howery, who now officially goes by LilRel. He had me laughing or at the very least smiling each time he was on-screen, and I feel like his presence and the dynamic he added really helped to bring the story together. Veterans Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford were great as well, and they effectively portrayed off-putting and mysterious characters. I feel like a significant amount of the credit for the success of the cast is owed to Peele and his ability to not only bring together a great group of actors and actresses, but also his ability to ensure he gets the most out of them. It seems he took a page out of Patriots’ coach Bill Belichick's handbook, instilling the simple yet effective mantra of "Do Your Job". Perhaps he also pushed the new mantra "No Day's Off", but I can't be sure as I am not familiar with the filming schedule.

Get Out was the horror movie I was waiting for, especially after that disaster of a money pit known as Rings (I am still waiting for an official apology from Paramount). My faith in the horror genre is officially reignited, and trust me when I say I needed the boost. My expectations were through the roof thanks to overwhelming positive early-release feedback, as well as my own personal anticipation for what I thought would be one of the best films of 2017. It did not disappoint. Not only am I having a very difficult time coming up with something I didn't like about this movie, I absolutely cannot wait to see it again. Do yourself a favor and Get Out (see what I did there?) to the theater and see this awesome movie, you deserve it! Can't find anyone to go with? Bite the bullet and see it by yourself if necessary, it's just that good. Highly recommended.