There's been a resurgence of appreciation for this all time classic recently, even though of all films I never thought this one was lacking in the appropriate amount of appreciation. I mean, doesn't virtually everyone love this movie? Here's the new trailer for a crowd-funded documentary that remembers the impact and talks about the importance of Back to the Future, once again in the year of its 30th. It really is one of those movies that remains timeless, despite the fact that it made use of a lot of very specific dates and years.
Sarah Silverman Tries Her Hand at Drama With 'I Smile Back'
In a dramatic turn for her, Sarah Silverman goes all out for a gutsy performance as a drug addicted housewife in this new film coming out Oct. 23rd, and she looks pretty good! Kinda funny, both she and Josh Charles had guest arcs on Masters of Sex this year at the same time, so I guess they're pretty familiar with each other. This movie is showing at Toronto and played at Sundance earlier this year- even if it doesn't go anywhere, I think Silverman could have a definite career in drama if she wanted to.
Michael Moore Is Back With New Documentary 'Where to Invade Next'
So the erstwhile Michael Moore made his latest film, his first since 2009's Capitalism: A Love Story, basically in secret over the last few years, and suddenly announced he was premiering it at TIFF just weeks ago. It actually debuted last night, and while it got a warm reception and was said to be funny and provocative as always, it was also said that Moore seems to have lost the fiery passion and outrage that fueled the biggest docs of the filmmaker's career (coincidentally, they all came out during the Bush administration). Moore seems to be in a better mood these days, but this new movie still argues for America to adopt many policies of other western countries that do a lot of things better.
Monsters Attack in 'The Hallow' Trailer
Now for some more traditional horror, although I have no idea why this film is coming out November 6th instead of a week before, which would be in time for, you know, Halloween. The Hallow was a British-Irish co-production that played at Sundance to some very positive notices and it indeed looks pretty scary. Monsters in the woods are always an inherently creepy premise, but I like the Irish woodland creatures/fairies aspect to it. It's showing on VOD around the same time, so if you're in the mood for some true thrills, look out for this one.
Horror Comes For the Holidays in 'Krampus' Trailer
Okay, this looks...odd. It's from the director of 2007's Trick 'r Treat, which definitely had its fans, and I really like the cast here, from Adam Scott to Toni Collette and hey, is that Allison Tolman from Fargo? There might be something a little bit subversive about this. It's coming out Dec 4th, and for a weird comedy- horror movie, it doesn't look too bad. Of course, it depends on whether they pulled the tone off, but I'm getting a possible Shaun of the Dead vibe from it.
Chloe Grace Moretz Battles Aliens in 'The 5th Wave'
If it wasn't for the January 15th release date, I would say this doesn't look too bad- that is, for being based on a YA sci-fi novel. Low expectations for those. Aliens attack the earth in this one, leaving teen Chloe Moretz to fight them off as they inhabit the bodies of ordinary humans, so kind of an Invasion of the Body Snatchers thing. Again, I would say it doesn't look totally awful, but never trust a movie coming out in January.
Telluride 2015 Round-Up: 'Steve Jobs' Rises in the Oscar Race; Acting Contenders Emerge for 'Black Mass' and 'Suffragette'
The Telluride Festival has become the go-to destination for the Oscar race. Six of the past seven Best Picture winners screened at Telluride first before going on to Oscar glory, and the past five in a row. A pattern can always be broken, but if recent history is any indicator, the Best Picture of 2015 has already been seen by festival goers (of which there are many Academy members at this particular fest). So which one got the best reception?
First off we have Room, a harrowing independent film from Lenny Abrahamson, the director of Frank, starring Brie Larsen of Short Term 12, and the early word is that the performances in this film are everything. Larsen is incredible once again, and should be in the conversation for Best Actress (just like she should have been for Short Term 12 two years ago). It's a tough, dramatic performance about a kidnap victim and her young son, with Jacob Tremblay also receiving excellent reviews here, but we have to see if the tiny studio A24 can pull off a successful Oscar campaign, which it hasn't been able to yet. We'll see, but I'm a big Brie Larsen fan, so I'm definitely keeping an eye out for this one.
"'Room' has unforgettable, must-witness performances and its soulful mother and son narrative is one of the most touching dynamics you'll see in theaters this year." (The Playlist)
"Lenny Abrahamson guides Jacob Tremblay to the finest performance by a young actor since Quvenzhané Wallis in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild.'" (Hitfix)
Next we have Suffragette, which I mentioned a couple of days ago premiered to respectable reviews, but now that a few more are in, it appears that the reaction from critics and apparently festival goers was fairly muted. I'm guessing people didn't really want to dump on a movie made entirely by women and about such an important topic, but it doesn't look like the film overall will be too enthusiastically received. Its best shot is still Carey Mulligan in Best Actress, but we'll have to see how kind critics will be to this when it officially comes out.
"A picture whose politics prove rather more commendable than its artistry." (Variety)
"It's a tremendous, awards-worthy performance from Carey Mulligan." (Time Out)
"Screenwriter Abi Morgan isn't able to make the fictional Maud more interesting than her historical counterparts." (Hitfix)
Now we come to the big hit of the festival, Danny Boyle's Steve Jobs, which debuted to outstanding reviews and high enthusiasm, especially for Michael Fassbender's performance in the title role, but also for Aaron Sorkin's dazzling script. Described as a bold, operatic and unconventionally filmed and structured biopic about the American icon, it drew some comparisons to last year's Birdman (I guess in terms of its cinematography), and I think we're looking at a major, across-the-board contender from the sound of it. Picture, Actor, Director, Supporting Actress, Screenplay, the works. There are some divisive responses over how accessible it is, but that certainly didn't stop Birdman last year, did it? I'm predicting big things for this movie going forward. It comes out October 9th.
"Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who's written about America's Great Flawed Men with such fire and hyperarticulate pathos that he's threatened to become one himself, outdoes his work on 'The Social Network' with an even sharper and more savage script." (Time Out)
"An enthralling performance by Michael Fassbender fuels this brilliant, infuriating and richly unconventional take on the life of an American visionary." (Variety)
"Racing in high gear from start to finish, Danny Boyle’s electric direction temperamentally complements Sorkin’s highly theatrical three-act study." (Hollywood Reporter)
Finally, there's Johnny Depp's rumored comeback role (although he hasn't really gone anywhere, he's just made some bad movies lately) as the mob boss Whitey Bulger in Black Mass, which is hard to tell from the reaction whether it's a decent movie at all, or a good one but just not much of an awards play. Depp will for sure be in contention for Best Actor, and Joel Edgerton is receiving standout notices as well, but this seems to be a film that some really like a lot but others dismiss as slightly above average. We'll have to see where it lands with more critics and a mass audience (this one looks to be more commercial) which will be soon since it's coming out September 18th.
"Scott Cooper’s 'Black Mass' is a big, brash, horribly watchable gangster picture taken from an extraordinary true story and conceived on familiar generic lines." (The Guardian)
"This is Depp’s show all the way, featuring his best dramatic performance since another organized-crime movie, 1997’s “Donnie Brasco.” (The Wrap)
"As a movie, 'Black Mass' often drowns its dramatic potential in a dreary atmosphere and grisly violence used to dubious effect. Depp, however, operates on another level." (Indiewire)
If you ask me, I'd say the major contenders to emerge out of Telluride and Venice this year were Steve Jobs and Spotlight (the latter, left, played very well at Telluride, even better than it did at Venice, which is a very good sign). Keep an eye out for those as we plow forward, with Toronto set to start to tomorrow. TIFF's stock has dipped in recent years as far as Oscar potential goes, but they still have some significant movies to premiere (Our Brand is Crisis, The Martian), so stay tuned.
Brie Larsen Rescues Herself and Her Child in Trailer for 'Room'
As I mention in my Telluride roundup today, I really think Brie Larsen is insanely talented, so I can't wait to see this movie, but I have to admit it does look potentially wrenching to sit through. Apparently it's a tearjerker, but how could it not be considering the subject matter? This is pretty dark stuff, as was the novel it's based on. But I'm checking it out as soon as I can anyway.
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara Find Love in Full Trailer for 'Carol'
Finally, the official trailer for Carol is here, and it looks absolutely exquisite. I'm excited about this one because I really love Todd Haynes, who directed Far From Heaven and I'm Not There, so I'll pretty much see anything he does. The movie is expected to feature heavily in the Oscar season for the acting by Blanchett and Mara at least, although the film overall was received fairly mildly by crowds when it relaunched at Telluride. It could be that this is a movie that appeals more to critics than audiences, but so were Haynes's other films too, I guess. I'm looking forward to it.
Jake Gyllenhaal Pieces His Life Back Together in 'Demolition'
So, oddly, this movie was supposed to come out this year and was suddenly moved to 2016, usually indicating the studio doesn't think its strong enough for a fall release, yet I don't see anything particularly worrisome in this trailer. Actually it looks kind of interesting, and director Jean-Marc Vallee has been on a roll lately, what with Dallas Buyers Club and Wild, and if anything this one looks a little less conventional than those two. I also wonder why they seem to be all but hiding Naomi Watts in this, although she apparently has the leading female role, and not the Gyllenhaal character's late wife, as the trailer seem to imply. Strange.
Blu-Ray Pick of the Week: "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015)
This week I'm recommending the best action movie of the year and probably one of the best movies you'll see all year, so if you missed it this summer, now's your chance. Tom Hardy takes the reigns from Mel Gibson as the lone warrior Max, who this time teams up with a group of female escapees, led by a badass Charlize Theron, as they make their way through the apocalyptic hellscape and away from their crazed captors. This movie is bound to develop a cult following if it hasn't already (and it might have if the recent Mad Max-themed Uber rides here in Seattle are any indication). It's a thrilling jolt to the system, and I think it's safe to say that director George Miller has definitely still got what made 1981's The Road Warrior such an enduring classic.
Trailer:
Sandra Bullock Fixes Elections in 'Our Brand is Crisis'
I don't know if this is going to be pushed as an awards movie or not, but it looks pretty entertaining anyway. Sandra Bullock is a top campaign strategist battling Billy Bob Thornton as they duke out an election in Latin America- apparently this part was written for a man, but Bullock stepped in to take the role, and it looks absolutely perfect as a star vehicle for her, don't you think? This is premiering at Toronto next week, so we'll hear soon enough if it's any good, and it's coming out October 30th.
