La La Land

            In 2014, Damien Chazelle gave us the film, “Whiplash,” and it was among my top 3 favorite films of that year. Going from a short film to a major motion picture was definitely a big step in the right direction for this guy, and it made me interested for what he would be bringing forth next as his follow up. Although, considering the kind of triumph that “Whiplash” was, it’d be hard to top it. Now as we wrap up our look at the top three Oscar frontrunners of this season, we end it all with “La La Land.”

            The film tells the story of two people: Sebastian Wilder and Mia Dolan. Mia is a struggling actress trying to get picked up, while Sebastian is a traditional jazz pianist trying to start up his own club. After a few encounters, the duo hit it off and try to help each other achieve what they want most.

            When I first saw the trailers for this film, I thought it looked good, but I didn’t think I was going to impress me that much. But as further trailers popped up, that’s when I got the indication that this was a Hollywood musical. Not a film based on a Broadway musical, nor was it a jukebox musical, or an animated film with songs in it. A fresh new Hollywood movie with songs written specifically for the silver screen. I got a friend of mine to join me for New Year’s Eve, and I sat down thinking, “Come on, Damien Chazelle. Show me what you’re really capable of.”

Literally from the opening number, I was hooked. The songs, composed and orchestrated by Justin Hurwitz and written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, were absolutely hypnotic. They had me wrapped in this familiar spell that I was caught it when I first saw films like “An American in Paris,” “Holiday Inn,” and “Singing in the Rain.” Matched up with the choreography by Mandy Moore, the editing by Tom Cross, and the cinematography, and you have easily a film that will go down in history with  those films. With how nostalgic it felt listening to tunes like “Someone in the Crowd” and “A Lovely Night,” it made me happy to a point where I felt myself close to crying. That shows you how damn good a film can be.

I also love watching the story between Mia and Sebastian unfold. Of course, they don’t like each other at first, especially when their first few encounters leave Sebastian in a relatively bad mood. But as they get to know each other better, you see these two get used to the things that one loves yet the other hates, and help each other find that spark that they need to really bring themselves to that goal, whether for the better or worse. Originally, the duo was planned to be Miles Teller and Emma Watson, but I feel like Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone were a better fit. With this being the third film that they’ve collaborated on as a couple, the other two being “Crazy Stupid Love” and “Gangster Squad,” they really have left a place in cinema history as the modern day Hollywood couple, in the same vein as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

A true major selling point that I loved about the movie was how it takes risky moves with the clichéd love story musical, especially with its ending. Despite it being a bit down, I came out completely satisfied with it. It gave me this feeling of reassurance that I hadn’t felt all year, and I was extremely happy. I think that’s something a film should be applauded for, is leaving you with that true moment of satisfaction that sticks even after leaving.

If you have yet to see “La La Land,” what are you doing reading this for then? Go out and see this damn movie right now! It’s getting major buzz at the Oscars for Best Picture, and they’re right to declare that. From its acting, to its story, its choreography, and fantastic music, it’s a film that deserves to be applauded for its love letter to the Old Hollywood musicals of yesterday.

Rating: 10/10

Also, if you’re reading this now, thank you so much for sticking with me to the very end of this year, because it fills me with some form of satisfaction that somebody or some people take time out of their day to read what I have to say about a movie. Whether it’s good or bad, it feels me with such a rewarding feeling that I’m proud. I’ve been doing these reviews for over five years straight now, and I don’t regret it. I’ve come out liking films that I would have never known existed, or even considered my cup of tea, but they managed to leave such a big impression on me. And as someone who thrives to become a film maker one day, I see it as lessons of what works about this film right now, and what little things can I notice that would be important to know.

Whatever the future may hold, good or bad, I just want you to know that I love you all and thank you for reading this. If you would, please leave a comment, so I know who the best people are, and I wish you a Happy New Year!

Next Time: The Best and Worst Films of 2016

Manchester by the Sea

            Continuing off of last time, where we discussed one of the three major Oscar frontrunners, “Moonlight.” Now this time, we’ll be going over the second film, “Manchester by the sea.”

            Directed and co-written by Kenneth Lonergan, the film tells the story of Lee Chandler, a Boston janitor who returns to his hometown, after finding out that his brother had died. While there, he ends up becoming the caretaker of his nephew, Patrick, and the two try to reconcile after several years apart.

            A lot of the buzz for this movie has been centered on its cast, and rightfully so. Casey Affleck as Lee Chandler delivers his strongest performance to date. While the film starts off with him hearing the news of his brother, you see just how fucked up this guy’s life gets as the film goes on. Depression constantly clouds his mind, and thus, it leads to him dethatching himself from those close, in fear of making the same mistakes again. Affleck is currently the frontrunner for the Best Actor Oscar, and I get why he would be.

Lucas Hedges as Patrick, while is a bit of a bratty douche, does still make this character likable. Being at very young age to lose a dad and have a train-wreck mother not there, you get the feeling of him trying to hold back his emotions throughout the film. The scenes that Affleck and Hedges share are easily the best part of the movie, as neither one is happy with the decisions the other suggests, and the banter with them feels truly genuine. Hedges is also said to be a major nominee for Best Supporting, and I feel like it’s well deserved. The rest of the cast, consisting of Michelle Williams as Lee’s ex-wife, Kyle Chandler as Lee’s late-brother, Gretchen Mol as Patrick’s mom, Kara Hayward and Ana Baryshnikov as Patrick’s girlfriends, C.J. Wilson as Lee’s family friend, and even Matthew Broderick as Patrick’s future step-father, are all really good.

            So we have a cast that does exceptionally well, so are there any downfalls? Yes…VERY yes. On paper, the story is very relatable, but in terms of execution, it doesn't land. The film is about two hours and seventeen minutes, and you really feel every second of that. The pacing is dreadfully slow and takes forever to get through scenes, that I made a game to count all the scenes that could have easily been either cut down or cut entirely. If you had this film at a simple one hundred minutes, it would have been much easier to go through. The narrative flow also got a little distracting, as flashbacks are sewn in so abruptly, that there were times I was left confused on if we were in the past or present, and that took me out of the movie.

And if I had to be honest, it felt like this year’s “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” I mean, sure this isn’t AS bad as “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” but it still has the same feel of a Lifetime channel movie released in theaters, and does almost everything in its power to get Oscar recognition. Family member dies, so not-so-social family member comes back home, after family is a little broken up because other members died in the past, so he tries to put things back together with those troubled. It’s like, “Look at all our attempts to make you cry, Audience! Please, cry!” And considering it’s slow pace and off-putting flashback inserts mixed with it, it never really got me invested in these characters’ motives, despite the actors’ performances. That, and the audience I was with might have ruined it, with people forgetting to turn off their phones…seriously, why have I been having bad luck with audiences this year?! I think this is like the eighth or ninth film I’ve had audience trouble!

Overall, if you enjoyed “Manchester by the Sea,” more power to you. For me, this didn’t really sit well while watching it. Sure, it’s got some good cinematography and the performances by Affleck and Hedges are fantastic, but nothing else really felt that rewarding of an experience. I didn’t think the film was horrible, but I wouldn’t call it good either. As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the weaker Oscar frontrunners.

Rating: 5/10

Next review: "La La Land"

Moonlight

            So, it’s December again, which means two things: The Holidays are here, and just in time for Oscar films to reveal themselves to the public. However, this year has had quite a few films that not many people are making a definitive choice with what could be the definitive Best Picture frontrunner. So far, we’re down to three films that could take home the gold: “Moonlight,” “Manchester By the Sea,” and “La La Land.” Are these three worth all the hype? Well, let’s first discuss “Moonlight.”

            “Moonlight” tells the life story of a black kid, Chiron, as we see his life through his childhood, his adolescence, and his adulthood, and his interactions with his mother, a young couple that takes care of him, and his best friend who he has homosexual feelings for.

            At first glance, you’d assume the film was just a black version of Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” but when you sit through the whole film, you realize that it has a lot more to offer. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed “Boyhood,” but aside from the film’s gimmick of being filmed over the course of twelve years, and performances from Ethan Hawke and Patricia Arquette, it didn’t have much else going for it. My biggest problem with “Boyhood” is that the main character isn’t nearly as interesting as either his parents, and doesn’t really captivate me in what he’s going through.

This is where “Moonlight” differs. While it does have standout performances from its supporting cast, I felt investment with the protagonist, Chiron, and his struggles with how he should be defining himself in the kind of environment he lives in and the people surrounding him, both good and bad. The struggle of trying to fit into this world as a child, to puberty coming into play in his life, and how his life is in better check as an adult, is perfectly showcased through Barry Jenkins stellar directing, and the performances by all three actors that play Chiron. And the same is realized in through Chiron’s friend, Kevin. While he may not have as much of an in depth analysis as Chiron, you definitely feel like you have, every time he pops up on screen. He may have fallen down a different path, but similar feelings are felt within this character.

            I absolutely love the cast of this film, but there are two major standouts throughout the whole film. One is Mahershala Ali as Juan, a drug dealer that ends up being the male role model that Chiron has in his life. Every time he pops up on screen, he has such a welcoming and heartwarming approach to him that never escapes. While he may get funds for such foul jobs, it never seems like that, and makes you want to be around the guy, like he was a big brother to you. The other standout role is Naomie Harris as Chiron’s mom, who is a flat out bitch in this movie. Neglectful, abusive, addictive, and just an all-around terrible mother, but Chiron still has to deal with it, regardless. These two are frontrunners for the Best Supporting Oscars, but I feel like the major winner is going to be Ali, and well deserving of it.

            I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this film to be as good as it was, but I’m glad it was. “Moonlight” is a stand out film that is well deserving of its praise, and I’m wishing it the best this Oscar season. If you were disappointed with “Boyhood,” then give this film a watch and get the satisfaction that you were needing of.

Rating: 10/10

Next review: "Manchester by the Sea"