Scorsese’s impressive (and long) adaptation of Grann’s non-fiction account is an engaging crime story that highlights an insidious historical injustice and encourages reflection. A stronger focus on the Osage people as something other than victims and some toned down cameo performances would be welcome, but this is still a fantastic epic drama.
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Martin Scorsese’s impressive adaptation of Grann’s non-fiction account feels very much in line with the director’s family crime stories of the past while highlighting an insidious historical injustice that encourages reflection. A+ acting work from Lily, Leo, and Bob carry this complex character drama and Prieto’s photography is mesmerizing. The length and patient pacing will be a challenge for some and it’s a shame that the Osage characters weren’t established a little more deeply, but despite some nit picks this is still upper tier work from the legendary director.
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Music: Upbeat Party – Scott Holmes Music
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It’s new turtles for a new generation, with some twists on origin stories as well for both friends and foe. These teenagers act, talk, and look their age more than they ever have before and a dynamic but raw sketch-like art style makes for a visually interesting cinematic experience. There’s plenty of action and jokes to go around and we’re glad to report that this is one reboot we’re completely onboard for.
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Rounding out three weeks in a row of mission madness, we dig into the newest entry in Tom Cruise’s blockbuster action spy series. Narratively, this time around we’ve got some notes, and overall feel it missed the depth that some of franchise’s most chilling human villains provided. But even with some issues, the spectacle in incredibly entertaining and the pacing absolutely perfect, resulting in such an exciting and fun experience that we can find ourselves able to forgive this for not quite reaching the Ethan Hunt Hall of Fame.
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Continuing our immersion in the MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE franchise over a few weeks, we have a conversation about the franchise’s sixth entry, one that shines for its overall balance of high quality elements. We talk about the addition of Ilsa Faust as a mysterious friend/foe and subtle love interest, how great of an antagonist Solomon Lane and The Syndicate are, and why Ethan’s relationship with his teammates will always make this series special. Plus more, of course, because there are always crazy stunts and intricate set pieces to ooh and aah over, as well.
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We’re going back to the beginning (of the movies at least) to start off three weeks of celebrating this outstanding spy series. Tom Cruise instantly becomes the iconic IMF agent Ethan Hunt, we learn about the power of masks, get to see exploding gum, and kick-off a world in which practically everyone goes rogue at some point. This is a very 90s and very De Palma entry in the franchise, but remains one of our most favorites.
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Optimus Prime and Optimus Primal, together, fighting to keep Earth safe along some unlikely human heroes. We dug Steven Caple Jr.’s transportation of the franchise into the 90s for the first time and thought the action, the humor, and the heart were all very solid and helped deliver one of the better films featuring the robots in disguise so far. We question whether there was enough use of the Maximals, discuss the surprise at the end, and try to think through what a perfect Transformers movie would even look like, plus so much more.
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LESSON #1: THIS IS WHAT CUTTING ONE’S LOSSES LOOKS LIKE— This sweeping social distancing (and so to be full sheltering orders) due to the COVID-19 virus has studios buckling on what to do with their current and upcoming movie releases. Most that were slated for theaters are “delayed” or “postponed” for the time being, but the question becomes how long can they wait or hold. Rumor has it Warner Bros. is considering a streaming release for Wonder Woman 1984. Could Black Widow be far behind from Disney? As for the current movies that have been frozen by closed theaters, studios are dropping them on streaming and VOD platforms early, as is the case with Onward, The Invisible Man, Emma, and The Hunt. Being released already, trying to squeeze some VOD rental money is their best chance. Price point will be the challenge, but you know those families of four would likely be OK spending $20 for a night at home versus the full theater trip for $9+ tickets and concessions. We’ll see how these tests of marketing and head honcho hubris patience turn out.
LESSON #2: LEARN WHAT THE PARAMOUNT DECREES WERE— I’ll put my school teacher hat on since I’m stuck at home without a classroom for the foreseeable future. Here’s a quick dose of movie history that faded in November with implications that could loom large with a shuttered theater system right now. There was something called the Paramount Decrees. Back in 1948 in the case of United States v. Paramount Pictures, a decision was made that “studios couldn’t withhold films from certain theaters while granting exclusive rights to others or outright buy theaters of their own.” That has kept top-to-bottom control away from studios. Far forward to now with the AMCs and Regals of the world closing their doors indefinitely without business. I hinted at this last week in WWLTW. Imagine a scenario where Disney buys/builds their own movie theaters to exclusively release their products. That would create an outlet arms race and likely kill indie cinema getting theater space. With weakened theater chains, this kind of turn is possible. Stay tuned to how we recover or don’t from this time period.
LESSON #3: BRING BACK DRIVE-INS– In an effort to avoid the possible bacteria cesspools that are crowded and sticky movie theater seats (don’t lie, we’ve all had our “ewww” moments at a movie theater), could old school drive-in movie theaters (and the dirtiness of our own cars, again, don’t lie) be a new alternative in the post-social distancing era? I think so and it’s a lovely thought. There was a great optimistic read this week published by The Los Angeles Times on the topic that talks optimism and relief. Build some big screens, bring your own concessions, fill the seats, and pipe the sound through the Bose-powered infotainment systems in some of our modern cars and you’ve got a renewed and joyous movie experience.
LESSON #4: EXPAND YOUR HOME VIEWING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS— I love the news of Netflix’s new Netflix Party extension. Turning shared movies into chat room opportunities with friends you’re separated from sounds like a blast. I think we need a Netflix Party with our Feelers ASAP. Let’s get on that, fellow admins.
LESSON #5: SOME STARS END UP BEING GENUINELY NICE PEOPLE— As a school teacher, I can speak to this new hurdler of at-home “e-learning” and the challenges of not just planning it, but delivering it to my students and also my own children as a parent. Everyone I see in my professional community is doing their part, and I’m loving those outside of it that are coming to help. And it’s as easy as reading a book for others to hear. What started with Frozen star Josh Gad nightly on Twitter has expanded to dozens of celebrities chipping in to connect and entertain. Grab a device, bring the kids together on the couch or at bedtime, and enjoy a hearty tale from a familiar and kind face.
DON SHANAHAN is a Chicago-based and Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic writing on his website Every Movie Has a Lesson. His movie review work is also published on 25YL (25 Years Later) and also on Medium.com for the MovieTime Guru publication. As an educator by day, Don writes his movie reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. He is a proud director and one of the founders of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle and a member of the nationally-recognized Online Film Critics Society. As a contributor here on Feelin’ Film now for over two years, he’s going to expand those lessons to current movie news and trends while chipping in with guest spots and co-hosting duties, including the previous “Connecting with Classics” podcasts. Find “Every Movie Has a Lesson” on Facebook, Twitter, and Medium to follow his work. (#126)
LESSON #1: FOR AT LEAST ONE FILM, DEFENDING OF INTEGRITY STILL EXISTS— I absolutely love Paramount Pictures’ statement of support for Darren Aronofsky’s mother! after its low box office debut and an “F” CinemaScore. Here it is:
This movie is very audacious and brave. You are talking about a director at the top of his game, and an actress at the top her game. They made a movie that was intended to be bold. Everyone wants original filmmaking, and everyone celebrates Netflix when they tell a story no one else wants to tell. This is our version. We don’t want all movies to be safe. And it’s okay if some people don’t like it.
Other studios in other situations could have gotten in the bus driver’s seat, made up excuses, or assigned blame to everyone but themselves. Love or hate the film (and plenty feel both), mother! deserves its chance for success and an audience no matter how large or small those results add up to be. Bravo to the balls on Paramount brass! That’s as forward an example of integrity as you’re going to see in a profit-driven business where art is secondary.
LESSON #2: BARRING HUGE UPHEAVAL, YOU CAN LOCK IN THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI AS ONE OF THE NOMINEES FOR BEST PICTURE AT THE UPCOMING 90TH ACADEMY AWARDS— Every year since 2008, the winner of the Grolsch People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival has gone on to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. Three eventual Best Picture winners since 2006 were TIFF champs. Go ahead and write in permanent marker the title of Martin McDonagh’s newest film to the field. I think you’ll also see star Francis McDormand’s name on the Best Actress short list as well. Any and all Oscar buzz will float through this column all season.
LESSON #3: STRONGER IS THE BOSTON MOVIE WE DESERVED MORE THAN PATRIOTS DAY A YEAR AGO— The resonance surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing has always been more about the people than the bravura. We deserved the real thing, not an overly convenient composite character in a Mark Wahlberg glamour project. The most and maybe only genuine portion of Peter Berg’s film came in its extended epilogue of testimonials given by the actual citizens and participants. Real respect and passion showed up after two hours of exploitative action. David Gordon Green’s Stronger flips that ratio to deliver and demonstrate true dignity and tribute. His film is outstanding.
LESSON #4: RESPECT WOMEN, PERIOD— On the heels of the metaphorical misogyny found in mother! arrives a debate-filled dramedy of a real-life climate of misogyny in Battle of the Sexes. The Emma Stone/Steve Carell duel is an unabashed crowd-pleaser and stand-up message film that inspires and challenges gender equality then and now. Someday, a time will come when the blazed trails of women like Billie Jean King will lead to a true level field. Until then, every measure of respect paid to women is a step toward an acceptance and understanding that should be commonplace. Make a greater effort, period. If you’re part of the problem, change your ways. Teach not only our daughters better, but our sons as well. The old Lauren Barnholdt axiom says “you have to give respect to get respect.” Women have been giving of themselves for far too long. It’s time to pay the respect back.
DON SHANAHAN is a Chicago-based film critic writing on his website Every Movie Has a Lesson. He is also one of the founders and the current directors of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle. As an elementary educator by day, Don writes his movie reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. As a contributor here on Feelin’ Film, he’s going to expand those lessons to current movie news and trends. Find “Every Movie Has a Lesson” on Facebook, Twitter, Medium, and Creators Media.
LESSON #1: THE FIRST STEP TO FIXING A PROBLEM IS RECOGNIZING YOU HAVE ONE— True to the quoted mantra of this lesson, a major movie studio did something I don’t think I’ve ever seen in recent memory. They cited and accepted blame on an actual fault that the rest of us in the general public have known for months and could have told them the first moment it began. After a dismal third place finish at the box office and parallel to the horribly tone-deaf Pepsi advertisement this week, Paramount Pictures exec Kyle Davies admitted that the “conversation regarding casting impacted the reviews” for “Ghost in the Shell.” He wasn’t going to call it “whitewashing,” but we can read between the lines. Maybe “Ghost in the Shell” becomes the public blemish example that pushes studios to change the way they do business. One can only hope, but it was going to take a showy financial loser that stung someone’s bottom line before anyone noticed.
LESSON #2: HAVE A SCRIPT BEFORE YOU MAKE A MOVIE— Two little news nuggets about stories and screenplays pinged on my radar this week. One was positive, in my opinion, and one was negative. On the plus side, renowned and polarizing filmmaker Terrance Malick stated in an interview that he is “backing away from that style” of making movies without scripts. He elaborated that “there’s a lot of strain when working without a script because you can lose track of where you are.” You don’t say?! Anyone who has seen “The Tree of Life,” “To the Wonder,” “Knight of Cups,” and “Song to Song” knows what I’m talking about. As beautiful and experiential as those films are, they are absolute disorganized messes. On the other end, “Transformers” steward Michael Bay revealed that 14 (yes, 14!) future “Transformers” movies already written. Compared to Malick, way to be prepared. Still, can someone light that shoebox of cocktail napkins written in crayon on fire and save us the future misery?
LESSON #3: THE MTV MOVIE AWARDS ARE STILL A JOKE AND WILL ALWAYS BE A JOKE— This year, MTV is merging their TV and movie award shows together into shared categories. Here is the complete list of categories and nominees. What’s the result of that? All I see is compressed crap. I think TV and film are two entirely different mediums of artistry and performance that shouldn’t be compared together, but what would I know? I’m over the age of 24, have a full-time job, and don’t have a man-bun. There’s a place for fan-centered awards, certainly, but stay fun and don’t pretend to be important. The Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards get it right. I’m more shocked that the MTV Movie and TV Awards actually have a Best Documentary category than their usual silly categories like Best Kiss. I know I’m stepping to #getoffmylawn territory, but 90% of the Millennials watching MTV haven’t seen a single one of those nominees. Stop already. Shows like this feel like a slap in the face to recognizing real talent and real quality.
DON SHANAHAN is a Chicago-based film critic writing on his website Every Movie Has a Lesson. He is also one of the founders and the current President of the Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle. As an elementary educator by day, Don writes his movie reviews with life lessons in mind, from the serious to the farcical. As a contributor here on Feelin’ Film, he’s going to expand those lessons to current movie news and trends. Find “Every Movie Has a Lesson” on Facebook, Twitter, Medium, and Creators Media.
