Big update this time since I didn't last week...



8/10 - It is tough to watch Jaws for the first time in 2016, I admit. Yet, it is still a great film. It has become a little dated, has been copied to a great extent since its release, and has become some quotable it has practically spoiled the film for first time viewers. Yet, it is still great. This is truly a testament to the film's quality and its ability to entertain to this day. A film that really ushered in the era of blockbusters, Jaws is still near the very top when considering the quality of summer blockbuster fare. The acting is solid, the story is engrossing, and the film never ceases to thrill and create scares thanks to a phenomenal score from John Williams and great direction from Steven Spielberg. Jaws is a classic, through and through. It may be a bit dated now, but its entertainment value shows no wear and tear at all.



9/10 - Lone Star is an absolutely brilliant film that totally snuck up on me. I expected your typical crime mystery film, but I did not get that. Instead, I get a beautiful film that examines divisions, parental relationships, and the complexity of the individual. Incredibly written and directed by John Sayles, Lone Star is poetry in motion with numerous intertwining subplots that all connect and unite at one point: the death of the old sheriff. This death reveals many things and leads to changes for the town residents who must solve the mysteries of the past to fix themselves. With a terrific leading performance from Chris Cooper, the film has an incredibly strong supporting cast that really add to the feel of this Texas border town. Lone Star is so poetic and cinematic that even its setting reveals more of the film's thematic elements and really plays into what the film is attempting to communicate. Overall, Lone Star is far more than a crime film. Instead, it is a brilliantly poetic and moving examination of life, the past, and the future.

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8/10 - The Man Who Knew Too Much may not be as acclaimed historically as other Alfred Hitchcock films, but it certainly should be. Masterfully made and incredibly engrossing, The Man Who Knew Too Much features all of the master director's trademarks while also showing his mastery of the thriller genre. Never failing to create suspense and thrills as you watch the story unfold, the film really wraps you into the proceedings and keeps you invested in the outcome. Honestly, nobody does thrillers and suspense like Hitchcock.



9/10 - Slumdog Millionaire is an incredible film from director Danny Boyle. A sprawling look at a boy going from rags to riches from the slums to the a popular game show, Slumdog Millionaire is heartbreaking and revolutionary. It not just entertains, but moves and tells a phenomenal story of this young man's life and how he became he who is and how he got into the position he is now. Dev Patel does not have to do much as much of the film is told through flashback, but he does do a good job, as does the rest of the cast. The film can be incredibly hard to watch at times, but it shoulders those scenes with fun and endearing moments that really reveal the character of this man. Also standing as an epic romance type of film, it does become unbelievable at times, but ma oh man if this one is not heartwarming, then what is? This is powerhouse of a film from director Danny Boyle that will make you think, will make you cry, and will make you laugh. What else can you ask for?



8/10 - Blue Jasmine is an absolutely beautiful film from director Woody Allen. Standing amongst his best work undoubtedly, Blue Jasmine really hit home at times and was an incredibly moving film. Cate Blanchett was absolutely stunning here, as were Sally Hawkins and Bobby Cannavale. All of them really outdid themselves and turned in phenomenal performances. As with all Allen films, it is more-or-less a slice of life kind of film, so it will only appeal to you if that is up your alley. Fortunately, for me, it is. I am fine with not being told everything and not getting all the answers in return for fantastic characters. Blue Jasmine delivers that in spades with real human beings left-and-right who are multi-dimensional and, as a result, their problems become endlessly relatable and touching. Blue Jasmine is a film that could very reasonably cause the tears to flow. Overall, this character-driven comedy-drama is a force to be reckoned with.



8/10 - A Time to Kill may be quite typical in spots, it is also an incredibly well crafted and great film at others. In particular, the writing is spectacular, particularly at the end with Matthew McConaughey's final monologue. Passionate and beautiful, the writing in that scene really sweeps you up and elevates the whole picture. Additionally, the film manages to thrill at all turns as you attempt to figure out what the jury will decide in this landmark and racially divisive case. Can a black man receive a fair trial in Mississippi? Should he be guilty regardless? A morally difficult film about vigiliantism, the film can be quite one sided and not all of the characters are well put together, but the acting and dialogue more than fix these problems. McConaughey is terrific and Samuel L. Jackson is great with a passionate and typically fiery performance as the father who exacted revenge on the men who raped his daughter. A tough watch at times, A Time to Kill showcases how the courtroom drama type of film can be done right and can be incredibly thrilling and thought provoking. Though typical, A Time to Kill has more than enough going for it to overcome those problems.



8/10 - These new age Planet of the Apes films continue to deeply impress with me with equal parts brawn, brain, and beauty. Smart and impeccably well crafted, this installment's first half is a little weak at times, but the second half is unmatched in recent times from war films. Honestly, this and its first installment have to be some of the best war films of this decade and up there for this century as a whole. Director Matt Reeves picks up where Rupert Wyatt left off with a beautifully poetic and stunningly crafted film about Caesar and the apes. Mirroring foreign politics on the brink of war in real life, all of those same problems and confusions are represented here with a deeply human and moving film the result. Neither side is good, neither side is bad. Instead, it is one big shade of gray with plenty of confusion on both sides. The cinematography and score are once more incredible. The special effects are fantastic and the fight choreography incredibly impressive. Many modern day blockbusters lack weight and an air of importance and "epicness". This one has it all in spades with a truly incredible film that packs a true emotional punch due to the trauma that can come from misunderstandings. Once again, the modern day Planet of the Apes delivers.



8/10 - A sweet and melodic film, An Education is endlessly charming film that accurately captures the angst and desire to grow older over night held by many a teenager. Romantic, heartbreaking, and endlessly relatable, An Education rides on a stellar performance from Carey Mulligan who is positively magnetic in the lead role and has delicious chemistry with Peter Sarsgaard. As a romance between an older man and a teenager, the film really feels authentic with the right amount of charisma and energy brought by Sarsgaard, as well as the proper amount of mystery and intrigue surrounding him and his work. As with all of his films, Nick Hornby crafts realistic characters and creates a film that is endlessly watchable and pleasant and wholly character driven. Romantic, relatable, and delightful, An Education is a coming of age film for the misunderstood, the rebellious, and those who are old souls trapped in young bodies.



6/10 - Dogma can be really, really stupid. It can also be very, very funny. It can also be very, very thought provoking and interesting when it comes to religion. It can also be all over-the-map. Actually, it's just all over-the-map. A smattering of humor, philosophy, and silly Kevin Smith antics, Dogma is Kevin Smith at his most Kevin Smith. Rife with sexual jokes, immature humor, Jay and Silent Bob antics, and interesting takes on life, Dogma is simply too inconsistent. As a comedy, it can be really funny, just not often enough. Far too many jokes are either too over-the-top or just not funny enough. Fortunately, the funny outnumber the unfunny, but the unfunny still take a noticeable place in the film. The acting is poor at times, though solid at others. The religious content is interesting at times, but just plain dumb at others. Essentially what I am saying is that Dogma is highly inconsistent on all fronts. If it had more of the good and less of the bad, it would be better. If only there was one less monster made of poop or if the logic in the film had continuity, or if the plot had continuity or if the logic had continuity, Dogma would be a solid film. As it stands, it is the remains of what could have been and even then, it is entertaining and well worth a watch.



6/10 - Nothing but the Truth is a decidedly captivating film with a killer lead performance from Kate Beckinsale, but as it reveals more and more about itself, the worse you begin to look at the film. While not inherently bad, it does wind up being nothing more than slightly above average due to the ending. One part political thriller, one part journalistic thriller, and another part prison drama, Nothing but the Truth is a film that really makes you think and makes you question how you would respond to the same situation. It is taut and well crafted, thrilling you to the very end as you wait to see how the twists and turns play out. Unfortunately, the pay-off is beyond dumb and makes you realize the entire internal debate you had about character motivations was a waste of your time. This is highly unfortunate, but luckily, the proceeding hour and a half is quite good and really engaging, so I can overlook a terrible ending slightly.



8/10 - About Schmidt is a terrific film with a killer lead performance from Jack Nicholson. As with all of Alexander Payne's films, this one is one that really resonates with the human condition. A film about aging and loss, About Schmidt is truly beautiful at times in his musings on life and also quite funny at times, as is typical with Payne's works. Well-written and well crafted, this melancholy little comedy-drama has a unique approach to its topic that separates it from similar films, while also never becoming boring. Excellently paced, I thought it was possible it could slack of at times, but it luckily never did and kept the feels and laughs coming from beginning to end. Overall, About Schmidt is yet another great addition to Payne's filmography.



7/10 - Certainly a unique and interesting film, The Purple Rose of Cairo features a terrific performance from Jeff Daniels and Mia Farrow, who have terrific chemistry with one another. Strongly written, lively, funny, and enjoyable, Woody Allen is as good as ever in this film as writer/director. However, the film feels incredibly slight. It just feels like a diversion more than anything else, instead of a truly engaging Woody Allen film. This may be because it is so short at just an hour and twenty minutes. It does not get a chance to really sink too deeply into its characters and is quite skin deep in its characterizations. Though that portion is well done, I do wish it was longer and allowed me to follow these characters longer to truly figure out more than one-dimension of them. That said, this film is enjoyable and incredibly well done. Often cited as one of his best films, I do not necessarily agree, though I do really like the film.



6/10 - Beasts of the Southern Wild is a very, very interesting film. It can be great and powerful, but it can also be incredibly meandering and overly confusing. For the most part, these elements are divided between the two halves of the film. The first half is slow, unfocused, and hard to grasp. The second half is powerful, down to earth, and a moving look at this girl in her crazy town. Though the townsfolk can be deeply annoying and overtly alcoholic, their encounters are still unique and crazy enough to be oddly endearing. Quvenzhané Wallis made me want to smack her at times for being so damn annoying, but at other times, she was a brilliant actress with incredible nuance. There is a happy medium somewhere, but luckily, her performance was still quite good, even if annoying at times. The film is an interesting blend of fantasy and drama, while being set in post-Katrina Louisiana that is still under constant threat of hurricanes. Sadly, the film's unwillingness to teach the audience about its setting and its characters beyond little exposition is really unfortunate and holds the film back.



8/10 - Woody Allen is at his most neurotic and chaotic in Manhattan Murder Mystery with a fast paced, witty, and incredibly engaging crime mystery. Though the film's plot can be quite straight forward and require some logical leaps, it does demonstrate Allen's adeptness while working in the crime-comedy genre. The film is even quite thrilling at times as the characters put themselves in peril at the sake of the mystery. Though there are little stakes as it is a comedy, these moments do provide thrills. Additionally, is quite good, especially from Alan Alda and Diane Keaton. Both are great in this witty detective-type film that also exists as an interesting commentary on romance and marriage as you age. Overall, this is a well nuanced and smart film from Woody Allen.



9/10 - "Pues cuando ardió la pérdida, reverdecieron sus maizales", which translates to "For when the loss burned, their cornfields became green again" is the perfect dedication for this beautifully moving look at death and its effects on three previously unconnected people. From the masterful mind of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, this phenomenal film may truly be his magnum opus. A poetic and stirring look at death with truly breathtaking performances from Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, and Benicio del Toro, this film brought me to tears so many times, I lost count. The non-linear narrative can be a bit of a challenge, but when you see the whole thing, the power of it all truly brings you to your knees. The characters are brilliantly developed and express emotions and pain the way a real person would. Their writing is so strong that their pain becomes your pain as the film invokes a consistent feeling of empathy for all three of the characters, regardless of their transgressions and personal faults. 21 Grams is a stunning work that will leave you in ruins.



7/10 - Brothers is an emotionally stirring film that really packs a punch when it comes to its examination of PTSD and war. Certainly not pro-military, Brothers thankfully does not go rah rah when it comes to America, instead showcasing how everyone is not necessarily a hero, because you never know what they went through. Even if you think they are, they may vehemently disagree. It's all relative. As someone who is very skeptical when it comes to the military, I greatly appreciated this element. That said, I am not sure I am buying Tobey Maguire as a tough as nails major with his whiny voice. Fortunately, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman are good enough to overcome that miscasting and really do fit their roles, but the writing is never quite satisfying. Though the story is well told, the film feels too short and the characters not nearly well fleshed out enough, with very little in the way of character development. Gyllenhaal's character completes a 180 without reason and very little explanation as to how, which is problematic. That said, the film's power and sharp acting performances from Gyllenhaal and Portman elevate Brothers into a more than satisfactory look at the darkside of war.



4/10 - Vicky Cristina Barcelona is a film that thinks so little of its audience, it has a narrator that explains every character action and motivation to you, in order for you to be able to understand its high brow philosophizing on love and its unattainable nature. Set in Europe, the film has a real stuffy feel and though it attempts to showcase the pretentiousness of its characters at times, the film itself winds up having this air of self-importance. Unfunny and lacking any sense of charm, the film has awful character development for a Woody Allen film, largely due to the horrendous decision to rely so much on a narrator. The result of the narrator is a truly stunted story that turns the film into a vignette of loosely connected scenes that somehow advance some sort of plot that the audience could care less about, due to the film's unwillingness to let us in. A misfire from Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is evidence that he needs to focus more on actual comedies instead of stuffy attempts at European romantic drama art films.



3/10 - I like George Clooney, but Leatherheads sucks. The story is horribly written, the characters are one-dimensional stereotypes, and the film is too torn between being a cliche sports film or a cliche rom-com. However, the worst part of all that is the story. Just dumb and it never worked. It felt like an entirely dull experience that just never clicked or could get out of its own way. The jokes all fall flat and feel entirely forced. So forced, in fact, I kept waiting for a laugh track. Leatherheads honestly felt like a bad SNL skit or a bad skit on a late night television show that went on for two hours. If you know anything about how bad those skits can get, then you know how bad Leatherheads can be. The only redeeming part here is Clooney himself who turns in a characteristically charismatic performance in the lead role. Unfortunately, that is the only nice thing I can say. Bad writing, direction, and unfunny "jokes" derail Leatherheads into a very bad film.



6/10 - He Got Game is an alright to pretty good film. Denzel Washington is at his best as a convict who has to convince his son to go to the governor's favorite school in order to get out of jail early. Ray Allen also turns in a shockingly good performance in Spike Lee's film that is very interesting. It is a very compelling look at the real life issues recruits face and what gifts they are tempted with in order to go to certain schools. That said, the film does have a few problems that are quite major. First off, it is too long. At nearly two hours and twenty minutes, He Got Game overstays its welcome by a little bit. The story is over-the-top and Lee's flair for theatrics is ever present here and he can never help himself but indulge in sillier and sillier plot points (really, the premise is a bit far fetched to begin with). Additionally, character motivations are deeply unclear, namely Ray Allen's. Things occur unnaturally and is a very movie type of way, in that they occur because they have to in order for Lee to try and make a point and for the plot to move along. Though the film can be quite interesting and is an enjoyable experience, He Got Game is a cheesy sports movie with a father-son element that occurs very unnaturally.



7/10 - Jesse Eisenberg is born to play the Woody Allen character in Woody Allen films. Neurotic, frantic, and deeply awkward, Eisenberg fits the role to a tee and plays it to perfection in Cafe Society. As with all of Allen's films, it explores the nature of love and philosophy, makes fun of those who philosophize, offers social commentary on Judaism, and rubs shoulders with the upper crust of society. As with most of his films, it is certainly laced with witty dialogue, fun characters, and great acting. Led by Eisenberg, he once more shows that he has terrific chemistry with Kristen Stewart. At this point, the duo is like the less attractive, less charismatic version of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone with the frequency of their collaborations. The rest of the cast is quite good as well, especially Steve Carell and Blake Lively. Additionally, the cinematography is phenomenal and gives the film this dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly captures the similarities (despite perceived differences) between Los Angeles and New York. As always, Woody Allen is still witty and great at creating realistic and touching romances, while blending in religion and social commentary. Though not rising to the quality of his best films, Cafe Society is a sweet, seductive, and charming little romantic comedy that may be a bit slight, but remains thoroughly entertaining.