I know, it’s been WAY too long since
I’ve updated this thing. But as most of you know, it was a pretty rough year.
Plus, I kind of got tired of doing reviews for a while. Anyway, I started a new
job back in May so things are finally starting to look up. I’m also at a point
now where I want to start reviewing movies again, especially with a lot of
great movies coming out in the coming months (Thor, Hunger Games, etc.)
So I figured what better way to mark
my return to the blogging world than to give you my review of this year’s Film
Columbia. I had a blast this year, as I always do. I ended up seeing eleven
movies in the span of 6 days. It was exhausting to say the least but it was
totally worth it. As I say every year with this, because these movies haven’t
been released theatrically yet I’m only going to give very brief summaries of
what I thought and my rating. I’ll do my best to keep them spoiler free. Enjoy J
Philomena:
Judi Dench
can do no wrong in my opinion. In this movie she plays an Irish woman searching
for the son she was forced to give up for adoption fifty years ago. Very
touching and at times funny as well. Could’ve been a bit longer and maybe
developed some of the characters/side plots a bit more. But other than that I
enjoyed the movie. Great way to kick off the festival. My Rating: 8/10.
Nebraska:
This was
such a charming, funny movie. Directed by Alexander Payne (Sideways, The
Descendants) and shot in black and white, which I thought was a bit odd at
first since it’s set in the present day but by the end I understood why he
chose to do it that way. It’s the story of a father and son relationship. Bruce
Dern plays the father. I think he could very well get an Oscar nomination for
his performance. The actor who really surprised me was Will Forte. I had only
ever seen him on SNL and wasn’t sure how he’d do in a role like this. But he
did a great job. The movie did drag a little at times though. My Rating: 8/10
When I
Walk:
This moving documentary
is about filmmaker Jason DaSilva, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 25.
Very difficult to watch at times, but that just shows you how well made it is.
I believe it’s going to be airing on PBS sometime in the next few months so be
sure to check it out. My Rating: 8.5/10
How I
Live Now:
A very odd
film based on a book released in 2004. It stars Soairse Ronan as a teen from
NYC who is sent to England for the summer to stay with relatives. While there,
a nuclear bomb goes off. It’s one of those post-apocalyptic survival movies. It
wasn’t bad or anything. It’s just been done many times before and way better.
Still worth a watch if you’re into these types of movies. My Rating: 6.5/10
Mandela:
Long Walk to Freedom:
Probably one
of my favorite movies at the festival. It’s about the incredible life of former
South Africa president Nelson Mandela. Idris Elba was fantastic in the role.
The movie was two and a half hours long but it didn’t feel like it. It kept me engaged
the whole time. Beautiful cinematography and musical score (other one to add to
my iPod). My Rating: 10/10
Like
Father, Like Son:
A very
touching Japanese film about two families who discover that their six year old
sons were switched at birth. The actors did a great job. I really hope they don’t
do an American remake like I heard they might. So unnecessary. My Rating: 9/10
Inside
Llewyn Davis:
Another
movie from the Cohen brothers. While I liked some of their previous work, I
have to say I wasn’t really crazy about this one. I mean I liked the music and
thought John Goodman was good in the small role he had. But other than that I
just couldn’t get into it. My Rating: 6/10
The
Invisible Woman:
A
beautifully shot movie directed by Ralph Fiennes (who also plays the role of
Charles Dickens). It’s about Dickens and his long affair with actress Nelly
Ternan (Felicity Jones) whom he met when she was just seventeen. The pacing
seemed very slow at times, but I liked this movie overall. Plus I’m a big Ralph
Fiennes fan and enjoy almost anything he’s in. My Rating: 8.5/10
Dallas
Buyers Club:
This was the
Saturday night sneak movie and unlike this year, I was not disappointed. It
takes place in the 80’s during the AIDS epidemic and tells the true story of
Texas electrician Ron Woodroof, played unbelievably by Matthew McConaughey. He
lost about fifty pounds in order to play an AIDS patient. Anyway, Ron gets
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given only thirty days to live. He refuses to
accept this and searches for alternative treatments, eventually smuggling in
medication in from other countries and helping other people with the disease
get the drugs they need. Very moving to watch (even funny at times) and I
especially found myself cheering during the scenes where Ron was taking on the
doctors or the FDA. Jared Leto plays a transgender woman named Rayon whom he
encounters along the way. I was blown away by his very realistic performance.
His character is the heart of the movie. They might as well just give him the
Best Supporting Actor Oscar now. The movie opens this Friday and I highly recommended
everyone go see it. My Rating: 10/10
The Book
Thief:
Based on the
popular book. It takes place in Germany during World War II and tells the story
of young Liesel (Sophie Meminger) who’s adopted by a couple (Geoffrey Rush
& Emily Watson). She finds comfort in stealing books and sharing the
stories with others. They eventually take a young Jewish man into their home,
keeping him hidden in the basement. Strong performances by all. My biggest
complaint is that the ending felt really rushed. My Rating: 7.5/10
August:
Osage County:
What a
wonderful movie to close the festival. An all-star cast including Meryl Streep
(who will probably get another Oscar nomination for her role), Julia Roberts,
Sam Shepard, Chris Cooper, Ewan McGregor, Benedict Cumberbatch, and many more.
They play a strong willed, dysfunctional family, led by Meryl Streep’s
character Violet, who comes together during a crisis. Based on a play of the
same name. Very sweet and moving at the same time. I think a lot of people can
relate to it. A perfect blend of comedy and drama. My Rating: 9/10
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