Category: Stu’s Reviews

Genre: Film

Grade: A-
Notable People: Oscar Isaac, Jessica Chastain, Albert Brooks, David Oyelowo, Directed by J.C. Chandor
Title: A Most Violent Year

Review – I really liked this film. Gritty is the word. Set in NYC in 1981 (the year of Son of Sam) it’s an unusual story about one of the city’s underbellies- the home heating oil industry- which lies somewhere between mom and pop and mob influenced operations. Good vs. evil pervades the story and relative ethics abound. Isaac is wonderful in a very understated role (channeling Micheal Corleone throughout). Albert Brooks is unrecognizable and revelatory and Jessica Chastain goes way outside her bounds to portray a Brooklyn mob guy’s daughter married to a guy ostensibly trying to build the American Dream- while she cooks the books with his blind consent. She surpasses Amy Adams in this role from American Hustle and approaches Lorraine Bracco level from Good Fellas-which is saying something. The movie has Hassidic gangsters too- what’s not to like?

Genre: Film

Grade: B+
Notable People: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchet, Orlando Bloom and Sherlock. Directed by Peter Jackson
Title: The Hobbit- Battle of the Five Armies

Review –It’s hard not to appreciate the visual spectacular of these movies. Jackson is brilliant in his staging of the epic and the cast is always quite worthy. Freeman has really grown into the main character and how about his TV partner , Sherlock, as Smaug? All that said, I’ve probably had enough- got bored with the endless head rolling and black Orc blood. . I miss the days of the warm group aesthetic and camaraderie amongst thieves that permeated the books and early films . I’d say you should go and see this on the big screen, but enough is enough. .

Genre: Film

Grade: A
Notable People: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kiera Knightly, Matthew Goode, Martin Freeman, Directed by Morten Tyldem
Title: The Imitation Game

Review –Go, Sherlock, go. Cumberbatch is a wonder at the inventor of the first computer- done is response to the need to break Nazi code during the War. There have been a lot of movie and books about Bletchley Circle and the code breakers in recent years- but this one tells a pretty amazing story of courage, perseverance and the incredible difficulty of living in a world where you are different– in that era. Splendidly shot, perfectly acted and really well put together, this film is a coming out party for Cumberbatch; a tough and painful role that he masters as his own. It is also my favorite Knightly role- she is luminous. This film has some cliché to it- but it is so well done, who cares. Well worth the view as Sherlock and smug becomes a brilliant and tortured human being.

Genre: Film

Grade: B+
Notable People: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Tom Prior, Emma Watson, Directed by James Marsch
Title: Theory of Everything

Review –This an ok movie- but a wonderful story-incredibly inspirational…so an A for the story and a B for the movie gets the B+. Redmayne is a revelation as Stephen Hawking (even the droll Hawking gave him a two thumbs up). Tears seemed to come freely with this movie, and it is an Exceptional story. If you don’t know anything about Hawking’s life- there’s’ a lot to like here. And, by the way, Felicity Jones, as Jane Hawking (who wrote the book the film is based on) is a subtle but undeniable hottie. Very English, pretty slow moving, but definitely worth a Netflix look or discount movie house visit.

Genre: Film

Grade: A-/B+
Notable People: Micheal Keaton, Zack Garafalo, Naomi Watts, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu
Title: Birdman

Review –I gave this film a split score because it is just not for everybody. A washed up actor, famous for his role as “The Birdman” in the early 90’s tries to revive his career and his life with a serious Broadway play from a Raymond Carver book. This may be the best behind the scenes on Broadway reveal ever and the music- basically a drum score- is amazing. And the camera work…a masterpiece in angles and lighting. Keaton is a returning wonder (Beetlejuice lives!) and the supporting cast are fantastic- but the story moves very slow an seems a bit lost a times (like the characters). For serious movie student- this is a must see. More casual moviegoers may well not like this film.

Genre: Film

Grade: B+/B
Notable People: Jennifer Lawrence, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Stanley Tucci, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Julianne Moore, Directed by Francis Lawrence
Title: Mockingjay

Review –well- this is not a great movie. Some people feel it’s just a bridge to the final installment…making us wait another year. The dialog is rather basic, they go for all the possible clichés and the story seems drawn out. That said, it was still a pretty exciting movie. Lawrence is luminous and Hoffman, Banks, Tucci and Sutherland are really perfect for their roles. It also feature a who’s who of character actors you can see on the best HBO, Showtime and Netflix shows…and they’re all quite good- it’s worth seeing on the big screen as an event…maybe less so as a work of film art. Ergo the mixed rating. Needs more Woody Harrelson…

Genre: Film

Grade: B+
Notable People: Bill Murray, Melissa McCarthy, Naomi Watts, Directed by Theodore Melfi
Title: St. Vincent

Review –Bill Murray, Bill Murray, Bill Murray….enough said, right? Pretty predictable movie, no surprises here…just nothing to write home about…except Naomi Watts is hilarious as a tough nosed but warm hearted Russian hooker and then you have….Bill Murray, Bill Murray, Bill Murray… he’s too much…..I actually liked it a lot.