Fences

Fences is Denzel Washington's passion project and the love he has for the story is clearly evident on the screen. It's Denzel's fourth time behind the camera and he's gotten better every time he's sat in the director's chair and Fences is his best by far. I think that may be due to his overwhelming familiarity with the source material since Denzel played Troy Maxson on Broadway. Originally a play by the genius that is August Wilson, I will be forever grateful to Denzel for putting this in a format I can keep and watch whenever I like once it becomes available because Fences may just be the best film of the year.

As stated earlier, Denzel played the titular role on stage and he wears Troy Maxson as if the character were a comfortable pair of shoes that have been broken in just right. He stomps through the chief set in the film, his house as if he were a giant. Everything about Troy seems larger than life and everything around him appears small and insignificant and that includes his wife, sons, and friends. Troy is a bitter ex-ballplayer who feels he never caught a fair shake because of the color of his skin. His wife Rose Maxson, played by the phenomenally talented Viola Davis, does her best to cut through Troy's anger with compassion and humor but it's not enough to keep Troy from trying to drink his pain away.

Fences is a beautifully shot film by Charlotte Bruus Christensen and with the talented cast assembled she had a lot to work with. Outside of Denzel and Viola the cast also included Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Saniyya Sydney, and Mykelti Williamson who does his best to steal every scene he's in. Most will see this film and not get it, I understand that but the clarity this movie offers regarding what Black men deal with in this country is astounding. Fences a film I feel every Black man should see because it just may start the inward and outward healing process we so desperately need and deserve.  That being said I give Fences four and a half buckets of Killer Korn and I'll see you at the theater.

Rogue One (non spoiler review)

This is a spoiler free review for all of you that haven't seen the movie yet. Far be it for little old me to fucking ruin it all for you. That would make me a penis and who wants to be a penis? Not this guy. What I'll do instead is state that Rogue One is a high octane, gritty, and ridiculously entertaining movie. Director Gareth Edwards has helmed the best popcorn movie this year because this movie is unmercifully exciting. It's an actual war film with sacrifices for the greater good and casualties. There are literally bodies scattered on the beach. It's not in the vein of Saving Private Ryan but it easily could have been.

What else helps this movie along is the really nice diversity of the cast. Yes the lead in the movie is a white girl, Felicity Jones playing Jyn Orso, but her surrounding cast does NOT include a white man. Her right hand man, Cassian Andor is played by Diego Luna and the other two key actors in this movie are Asian men. The incredible Donnie Yen plays the blind Chirrut Imwe and Wen Jiang plays Baze Malbus, Chirrut's protector and best friend. And let's not forget the Oscar Award winning Forrest Whitaker who plays the righteous rebel Saw Gerrera. This has to be the most diverse cast ever seen in a Star Wars film.

M biggest beef with this film is not just the lack of any real emotional punch but the horrible score by Oscar winner (still don't know how that shit happened) Michael Giacchino was not just disappointing but upsetting. The music supplied for this film was basically background noise and for the first non John Williams score for a Star Wars film it should have blown the roof off the theater. That didn't happen at all. Now in fairness to him he only had between three and four weeks to score the film due to reshoots and scheduling but for a $200 million dollar budgeted film the music should have been better. That being said I give Rogue One a solid three buckets of Killer Korn out of five. Enjoy this offering and I'll see you at the theater.

 

Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange is the latest film from writer/director Scott Derrickson and honestly it's better than I thought it would be. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the egotistical, know-it-all Dr. Stephen Strange at times this movie telegraphs where it's going. Thankfully that doesn't happen enough to get annoying but there are no real surprises here. That doesn't keep it from being entertaining and the performances are all top notch.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Ben Wong, Mads Mikkelesen, and Tilda Swinton all turn in great performances. They do their best to convince a broken Stephen Strange to fight on the side of light while all he wants to do is go back to his previous life as the preeminent neurosurgeon in the country. A vicious car accident (that even a blind person could see coming) takes the doctor's hands from him and the quest begins on trying to get them back.

Along the way there's some witty humor that's sprinkled in certain places and some trippy special effects that take architecture to a level never before seen. My only issue with Doctor Strange is the atrocious score offered up by Oscar award winning composer Michael Giacchino. This movie definitely deserved better music. Since that and a certain casting decision are my biggest issues here I give Doctor Strange three buckets of Killer Korn.

Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War is the latest film from directors Joe and Anthony Russo, the duo behind the highly entertaining Captain America: Winter Soldier. Civil War isn't as good as Winter Soldier in my humble opinion but that doesn't mean it's not epic, which it is in every way. It's another feather in the cap for Marvel and it was an amazing jumping off point for Black Panther. I think I need to see it again but for now I give Captain America: Civil War four buckets of Killer Korn.












To start off, Chadwick Boseman is BADASS as T'Challa aka Black Panther. I just had to get that out. Now you should already know by now who the characters are and who they are to each other unless of course you've been living under a rock since 2011. I have to admit I didn't initially like Winter Soldier but after re-watching it I figure I must have either been in a bad place in my life at the time OR I expected a better plot. Whatever the case I have come to realize just how good Winter Soldier was so I was really looking forward to Civil War (I was really hoping it was going to be better than Batman v. Superman and it was...by a country mile). Chris Evans reprises his role of course as the star spangled super soldier and now the fiercest BFF anyone could ever hope to have, Steve Rogers. Robert Downey Jr. is once again Tony Stark and these two men are on the opposite end of an argument about government oversight on the Avengers after a series of mishaps while they were trying to save the world. This movie could have actually been the third Avengers film since only Nick Fury, the Hulk, and Thor were MIA.

While the USA and at least 17 other countries were seeking to have the Avengers sign the Sokovia Accords, which Rogers felt were unwarranted there was a plot underway to bring the Avengers down from within. The amazingly talented Daniel Bruhl plays Zemo, a determined man with a brilliant plan to end the Avengers. Written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Civil War had the first plot that didn't feel like it came from a comic book. The plot in this epic movie was all about the very human emotion of revenge. It was about who wanted it, who deserved it, and who passed on it which is something everyone can relate too even if you aren't a comic book fan. In both Avengers films there was building tension between Rogers and Stark and in Civil War that was built up with the use of Cap's old friend Bucky Barns. Zemo's plan almost comes to fruition but he didn't account for awakening Black Panther who tenuously sides with Iron Man and his crew against Cap and his team just so he can get his hands on and claws into Bucky. Ant Man shows up and shows you that he also has the ability to get big, REALLY big. Spider Man shows up as well and his sense of humor and sarcasm was perfect. All in all every character had a great showing of who they are and what they can do.

The reason I say I need to see Civil War again is because where Winter Soldier was a tautly wound film with amazing action sequences, Civil War comparatively felt all over the place. That may be because Winter Soldier took place in one location whereas Civil War globe hopped. My one complaint with Civil War, well two actually are #1: the score. Henry Jackman was brought in again to lend his talents to Civil War and to build upon what he created for Winter Soldier. This time the score was more grandiose but lacking punch. All the same themes were there from Winter Soldier but the poignancy and beauty were missing. Issue #2: this movie could have been twenty to thirty minutes shorter if they had chosen to get into Zemo's plot quicker and didn't drag out what happened to Stark's parents which they repeatedly did (it was almost as bad as watching Bruce Wayne's parents get shot three times in Batman v. Superman, we get it!). I enjoyed Captain America: Civil War and I look forward to the next Marvel installment. I'll see you at the theater.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, the latest film from director Zack Snyder is a film that could have been spectacular if it just had a little "pull back". Batman v. Superman is an over the top extravaganza that after a while tends to grate on your nerves (well MY nerves). The story had holes in the size of a wrecking ball. Because of all this and more I can't give BvS anything more than two buckets of Killer Korn.













Hey look everyone, Zack's found a hammer. It's a nice hammer, and an expensive one no doubt. Looks like he knows how to swing that hammer well too so watch out because Zack is going to beat you all upside your head with it until you scream mercy (and then he'll take one last shot or two just because that hammer cost so much money). That's what Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice was like to me. Now I have defended Zack and his movies in the past because they entertained me (except Sucker Punch). I enjoyed 300, Watchmen, and Man of Steel and that's a pretty solid number as far as directors go in my opinion. BvS however was just bad. My main issue was everything, and I mean EVERYTHING felt like a major event. There were none of those small moments that make a film charming and granted Christopher Nolan's Batman films didn't have many of those either. What Nolan's films did have though were rock solid plots (except the last one but by then he was mentally working on Intersteller). BvS seemed like Snyder threw everything at the wall and used whatever stuck. Written by the guy that wrote Argo, Chris Terrio and the guy that has written or had a hand in some amazing works and who wrote Man of Steel, David S. Goyer, you would think this story would have been sharp. Sadly that is not the case.

BvS is a droll film with a lot of uninspired dialogue and slow motion images (a Snyder crutch apparently) which I'm guessing was supposed to up the dramatic factor. It just became quickly annoying instead. And was there really a need to remind everyone yet again how Bruce Wayne's parents died? I think that moment is firmly cemented in comic book and super hero movie lore but yet not only do we see it once but TWICE in this movie. I cannot in good conscience see any of the upcoming DC slated movies if Snyder is at the helm because he seems lost. I really enjoyed Man of Steel which is why I saw BvS, but the deft touch he showed on MoS is missing here. Here he whacks you over the head time and time again it seemed like he felt the need to justify the $350 million dollar budget (that's production + marketing). The movie could have ended at least five different times instead Snyder continues to whack you in the head with that pretty hammer. The only saving grace in this film is Wonder Woman who is actually badass. She saves both Batman and Superman's bacon and looks like a force to reckon with. I don't know how her stand alone movie will be but if she's as ferocious as she was in BvS then that movie should be a hit.

The drawbacks on BvS are many and believe me, I didn't go into this movie looking for them. I really wanted this movie to be good. I seriously did, I swear it. But when you see a Batman without the nuance that Nolan's Batman brought to the screen then you see all the mistakes. I like Ben Affleck, but he looked like he was dressed in a costume that was two sizes too small for him. The Batmobile looked like an oversized dune buggy and we never find out what happened to his mansion which is a burned out husk (taking off from Nolan's Batman perhaps?). There is NO humor in this movie whatsoever and nothing endearing that would inspire repeat viewing and Jessie Eisenberg's Lex Luthor was a cross between his Mark Zuckerberg performance from social network and a wannabee Joker. There were some amazing moments in this movie but they were few and far between. The score by Hans Zimmer and Junkie XL was good but I would have loved if Hans used his Batman themes from Nolan's movies here. That would have sent me through the roof but that was missed opportunity. I wished I liked this movie more, I wished it were better but this is one super hero movie I have no desire to ever see again (along with every Fantastic Four and Ghost Rider film). I'll see you at the theater.

10 Cloverfield Lane

10 Cloverfield Lane is the debut feature length film from director Dan Trachtenberg and it was disappointing to put it mildly. Don't waste your money our your time on this two buckets of Killer Korn film, it doesn't titillate at all.













This movie was a big fucking mistake. Let me expound on that. Did you see Clovefield, the gem 'found footage' film directed by Matt Reeves that dropped back in 2008? It was a monster film set in NYC that centered around a break-up/moving away celebration/monster attack and it was highly entertaining. So when I came across the title 10 Cloverfield Lane and found out it was produced by J.J. Abrams production company Bad Robot, the company behind Cloverfield I became excited. That excitement was tempered when I saw the trailer but I still wanted to check it out. Like I said it was a big fucking mistake.


Starring John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Gallagher Jr. this movie should have been scrapped the second someone opened their mouths and spit out this premise. Three people living in a dated underground bunker where they play board games, finish puzzles, and watch movies on DVD and VHS tapes. Instead of making an all out monster movie that rivaled Godzilla or Pacific Rim where humans fight back against not an alien but monster invasion, it goes in the opposite direction. The movie is boring on so many levels until that last fifteen minutes when the character Michelle, played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead has had enough and wants out. She then becomes a one woman wrecking crew and wants to fight back against the invaders.


Where the original Cloverfield takes place in NYC, in 10 Cloverfield Lane you have no idea where this story is happening at. John Goodman's acting is exceptional and the man proves there's nothing he can't do as far as acting is concerned (except maybe play a Black woman). I am a big fan of The Newsroom's John Gallagher Jr. but he is utterly wasted in this film. The score by Battlestar Galactica's Bear McCreary is almost wall to wall and a bit overdone for the premise of the film. He did his best to add to the atmosphere, to give the film more heft but it fell flat in my opinion. This is the first film of Dan Trachtenberg's career and sadly it's off to a rocky start. Here's hoping his next film, whatever it may be is a better film than this  waste of time. I'll see you at the theater.

The Revenant

The Revenant, the latest film from accomplished director and writer Alejandro G. Inarritu is a breathtaking exhibit of talent and technology. The talent is obvious because the performances were beyond reproach and the technology is clearly visible even if you never noticed the intricacies of  camera work and lighting before. The Revenant is unlike anything I have ever seen before and because of that I give this amazing movie five buckets of Killer Korn.












Revenant - noun: A person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead.


The Revenant is as brutal a film as it is beautiful. Alejandro has shown us a world where everything is either life altering or life threatening. Starring two of the best actors today in Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, The Revenant is a story about loss, revenge, and redemption. It's told in a way that will leave you speechless afterwards as you try to process what it was you just witnessed. Now January has routinely been the month where studios dump there bad movies which still holds true in many respects, The Revenant however is the magnificent exception to that rule this year. I did not see Alejandro's acclaimed Birdman with Michael Keaton because I was not a fan of his previous work. I did not like his 21 Grams and I was frustrated by Babel. So my enthusiasm for The Revenant was tempered but I'm glad I saw it. It was extremely impressive work.

This may be the year people can stop wringing their hands about whether or not Leonardo will get his Oscar. If his performance in this movie doesn't win him the golden statue then nothing will because this is the best work he's ever done. As I stated earlier this movie is brutal and I can't imagine what the shoot was like nor do I want to. Some actors complained about Michael Mann's quest for authenticity in his Last of The Mohican's masterpiece so if no one threatened to walk off set during the making of this movie or was willing to incite mutiny, I would be shocked. The Revenant just looked like a logistical nightmare. Alejandro used natural lighting so that means waiting around until the light was right and the sun was in the right spot in the sky to continue shooting. There was body surfing in what had to be frigid waters along with scaling snow covered mountainous peaks. There was a bear attack that Leo's character Hugh Glass endures and it's relentlessly ferocious. That being said this film is an emotional binding one. The love Hugh has for his son Hawk, played by newcomer Forrest Goodluck is apparent from the start and it's his death along with the death of Hawk's mother that fuels Hugh's fight to live to exact his revenge.

The Revenant was immersive and intimate as it was vast. The vistas were beautiful to look at and served the purpose of showing just how alone Glass was on his journey back to "civilization". Alejandro did an excellent job of showing just who the savages were in this new frontier without stating the obvious and then pitting Glass up against the representation of that savagery. The movie was a marvel to behold and that was thanks to Oscar award winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki. The filming techniques employed truly put you squarely in the middle of the action and made you part of Glass' journey. I think Emmanuel may have to make room for another award very soon. The score by Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Bryce Dessner was pitch perfect. It filled you with a sense of longing while adding to the isolation of Glass. The three artists involved in crafting the score appeared to have worked seamlessly together to deliver an aural landscape that fit Alejandro's visual one to the letter, it was an exceptional fit. If you are a movie lover then I highly recommend The Revenant because it's unlike anything you've ever seen before and will probably ever see again and I'll see you at the theater.