Movie Review | Kill Your Darlings

Kill Your Darlings tells the true story of love, obsession, poetry, and murder. Allen Ginsberg’s first year at Columbia University is turned upside down when he meets modern-minded Lucien Carr. Lucien introduces Allen to his group of rag-tag friends; thus, the Beat generation is formed. But as Allen and Lucien’s relationship deepens, things become more complicated: rebellion, liberation, and murder become their way of living. Kill Your Darlings is the story of the beginning of The Beats and the boy who brought them together.

Well, what can I say? I have sat patiently for months, twiddling my thumbs, waiting for the day that I could see this film. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint one bit. Kill Your Darlings is breathtakingly beautiful. From the direction to the story to the cast, this film is pure brilliance. It’s gripping, captivating, inspiring, and beautiful. It’s quite simply, a piece of poetry.

Let’s start with the director, John Krokidas. Kill Your Darlings is Krokidas’ first motion picture, yet he directs like it’s his hundredth. What I love most about films is the visual aspect of them. With a film, I need to be captivated from the moment the opening credits appear. I need to have an emotional connection with what I see on that screen as well as the characters and story. It needs to appeal to me as much visually as it does in every other aspect. Krokidas did that. I was completely enchanted throughout the whole film.

I was absolutely floored by every aspect of this film. I’m a sucker for simplicity when it comes to direction; I don’t need flashy new camera angles or innovative digital techniques. It’s the job of the director to tell the story, to show the characters, and place the audience into a new world. And, oh boy, did Krokidas do that. From the moment the film opened, I was a part of this story. His direction was beautiful. Krokidas combines the smoothness of jazz with the chaos of adolescents to tell the perfect story. He created an environment in this film that is worthy of the rebellious Beats. He created a visual world that accurately depicts the artist’s lifestyle. Within the span of 100 minutes, Krokidas quickly became my new favorite director; I cannot wait to see more from him.

I must say, the script was absolutely gripping. From the moment the film opened to the minute to closed, I was captivated and enthralled by this compelling story. I hung on to every word with batted breath. It didn’t lose my attention once. What I loved most about this script was it focused on the character rather than the actual murder. Rather than 100 minutes of a murder story, we got 100 minutes of character development, which I feel was the best way to tell this story. Krokidas and Austin Bunn brought to life the relationships and ideas of these extraordinary human beings. With the nature of the story, it was important for the audience to grasp these people. True, the story wasn't focused on their revolution of literature, which is what the Beats are known for, but it focused on Allen moving from an adolescent to an adult (a task which I think Radcliffe performed brilliantly). We were granted the opportunity to understand these character, and even their motives.

I was connected to this world, these people, and this situation. I was there with them. John Krokidas and Austin BunnIt wrote a script that had a beautiful concoction of words—the script itself was written like the poetry and writings of the authors they were portraying. (I mean, it was so compelling that I have been sitting on Wikipedia for the past three hours reading all about the Beats, Lucien Carr, the murder, and subjects alike simply because of the impact this story had on me.) 

The cast of this film was impeccable. Each cast member gave truly inspiring performances. Firstly, let’s talk about my favorite person on this planet, Daniel Radcliffe. I am so proud of my little Daniel. His performance blew me away. This performance has defined Daniel as an actor. He isn’t just a star who got lucky as a kid anymore; he has proven himself to be a fine, articulate actor. He is a true actor with the talent and passion to continue on this path for a long time. We have watched Daniel grow as an actor, and he has now reached a point where is proving he is a seasoned professional. As for character development, Radcliffe does a fantastic job showing the change within Allen. Allen moves from being a naïve, “first time” freshmen to a repressed, tortured soul within the span of his friendship with Carr. Radcliffe’s blank stares and emotionless expressions helped to portray the growing dissatisfaction Allen has in this stuffy society.

But as much I love and adore Daniel, I must admit that Dane DeHaan stole the show. I have always respected Dane as a performer. He has a raw talent that you don’t find too often. His performance as Lucien was incredible. He is manipulative and dangerous, yet charming and irresistible. He creates a sense of ease when he wants to lure you in, but its chaos once he had you. He allows the dialogue to flow naturally, yet still allows the audience to believe he is just as poetic as the other authors in the room. I loved the chemistry between Dane and Dan; they created a bond between Allen and Lucien that was both toxic yet romantic. Dane, Dan, and John work wonderfully as a team; hopefully we'll see this dynamic duo work together again soon.

Kill Your Darlings is definitely one of my new favorite films. With flawless direction, a gripping script, and fantastic cast, I give Kill Your Darlings 9 out of 10 stars. 

Photo Credit: nerdlocker.com, hollywoodreporter.com, loyoalaphoenix.com, loftcinema.com,dailyrecord.co.uk, rodgermoormovienation.com, eugeneweekly.com, aceshowbiz.com,

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Movie Review | August: Osage County

August: Osage County tells the story of the lives of the Weston family. After the disappearance of their father, the Weston sisters are summoned back to their dark childhood home to console their drug addict, unstable mother. This time of crisis brings together these strong-willed women, as they look back on their dysfunctional past. 

It has been quite some time since I did a movie review. I feel like I have been slacking a bit in this area! I actually saw this film last month, but between all those Sherlock reviews, I figured you all had enough reviews! I mentioned in my Film Anticipation for 2013 post that I was looking forward to seeing this film, and it definitely was worth the wait.

I really enjoyed this film. I have read a lot of reviews saying that the movie didn’t live up to the brilliance of the play, but I have never seen the play, nor have I read it, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. Tracy Letts, who won the Pulitzer Prize for penning the play, reprised his role as author and wrote the screenplay. Before I went to see this movie I did a bad thing though…. I read the plot synopsis. It was a terrible thing to do, I know. I just can’t help it; I have to know what happens in a story… It’s like a disease. Anyways, even though I was very badly spoiled to the plot twist in the story, I found the story to be very captivating. Beside my love for character stories, I love dramas. Everyone can relate to this story. Okay, maybe your father didn’t commit suicide, your mother a drug addict, nor is your husband sleeping with a younger women. But August: Osage County is the story of a family, a family trying to survive the darkness and cruelty of life, and most people can relate to that. I don’t want to say too much and give the story away, but the events of this drama will leave quite an impression.

Obviously, the most interesting aspect of this story is the characters. There is something very special about each character in this story. Each character represents a different walk of life, which helps to connect to a different member of the audience. Barbara represents the person who wants to leave their past behind, escape into a better life, but keeps getting dragged back in, all the while battling her own problems. Violet is for the mothers trying to keep their family together, but is really tearing them apart. Each character is faced with their own demons that will some way transcend into the viewers’s life. I saw this film twice, once by myself and once with my mom. When I first saw the film, I had a strong connection with Little Charles (And, no. It was not because he was played by Benedict…  I can’t help it that he plays all the good characters…). He voiced the fears that I had within myself: never succeeding at anything in life, being the failure of the family, never finding a person to love. Being a loser. When I saw it with my mom, she developed a strong connection with Violet. Violet’s a strong woman who had to work hard to not live in poverty. She was distant from her children, but did what she believed would help her family survive. August: Osage County has a fantastic array of characters, which is what makes the story so attractive. You want everything to work out in the end; you want these characters to succeed and be happy. But like life, it’s not that simple. This is a story that everyone can relate to, whether you’re an aging mother, a free spirited teen, or a maturing twenty something.

I was very pleased with the production, as well. I thought John Wells' direction was great. He found the perfect setting to tell this story, as well as the perfect house that plays just as much of a pivotal role in the story. I also very much enjoyed the score and soundtrack to the film; it fit the western, country theme well. 

Now, you can’t mention August: Osage County without mentioning its outstanding cast. This film has such a fantastic cast of brilliant actors. From Abigail Breslin to Ewan McGregor to Sam Shepard, every single actor in this cast deserves to be there. Each actor is just a marvel to watch on screen, making the family dinner scene absolutely iconic. Obviously, the two standouts in this film were Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, both gaining Oscar nominations for their roles. We all know Meryl is the Queen of acting, but, for me, this is one of her best performances. I don’t think anyone else could have played this role as well as she did. She had just the perfect amount of dramatic without making Violet a joke. What really convinces me as audience member is when an actor acts through every inch of their body, especially their eyes. Meryl creates a very hard exterior for Violet; she is a tough woman who doesn’t need help from anyone. But, a whole different story is told in her eyes. She is lost and scared, the world has beaten her down, and she needs saving. When an actor can portray that much character development just through their eyes, you know their good at their job. As an actor myself, it is always a joy to watch Meryl perform. She completely submerges herself into the role leaving the audience captivated and fully in belief that she is her character. 

The same applies with Julia Roberts. Barbara is who Violet was when she was younger: strong, proud, and won’t let anyone push her around. Julia does a fantastic job of showing the progression of Barbara’s mental stability throughout the film. The longer she is with her wacked mother, the more she loses control. She arrives with her estranged husband and daughter, who she is trying to reconnect with, and ends the film with no one. Drugs are ruining Violet’s life, but Violet is ruining Barbara’s. Julia really captures the anger and hatred Barbara has her mother, and she does so with a full force of emotion. (I must say the ending scene with Ivy and Violet and the fish is just brilliant. If you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about. Julia is just so good in that scene.)

I absolutely loved this film. The cast, the screenplay, and everything in between really brought together a soulful story of family. I give August: Osage County 8 out of 10 stars.

Photo Credit: chicagonow.com, washingtonpost.com, blog.pe.com, timeout.com, contactmusic.com, movies.msn.com, cinesnatch.blogspot.com

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Movie Review | 12 Years a Slave

12 Years a Slave is the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man, who is captured and sold into slavery. Based off Solomon’s memoir, this film follows Northup from his unlawful kidnapping in Washington, D.C. to his life as a slave working on plantations for 12 years until his release.

12 Years a Slave is the epitome of cinema. It’s more than a film, but a piece of art. 12 Years a Slave is an absolutely stunning film that, in my opinion, is headed for Best Picture this year.

Steve McQueen created a film that is breathtaking. I’m a huge fan of Steve McQueen; he is one of my favorite directors. What is a constant throughout all of McQueen’s movies is the raw realism he brings to his stories. McQueen brings the real world on to the screen; he doesn’t sugar coat the story of the sake of cinema, but lays it all bear of the audience to see. He doesn’t hide anything or shy away. 12 Years a Slave is no exception to McQueen’s brilliance. Slavery is a “hot topic” is the cinema world, what with last year’s Lincoln and Django Unchained, but McQueen brought a fresh, raw, emotional new view to this horrid topic. He creates empathy, disgust, anger, and sorrow within the audience; a broad range of emotions that fully connects you to the story. 

From the opening shot, McQueen's directing grabs and compels you to the story. Lingering pauses force the audience to see and experience these shameful circumstances. Nothing is left to the imagination in this film. Aside from his glorious storytelling, McQueen made a film that is frankly artful. Every frame is a picture, and every movement is imperative. Nothing is underrated with McQueen. He takes special care to make sure everything is significant. Sean Bobbitt’s glorious cinematography helps to transcend McQueen’s vision. On a technical standpoint, the pacing in 12 Years a Slave was on point. The flow of a movie is very important; it’s what keeps the audience’s attention. Not once did the film lose my attention nor did I find myself distracted. Without McQueen’s stunning directing, Solomon’s story would not have gotten the justice it deserves.  

Solomon Northup’s story was intriguing, yet saddening. The story is an unflinching brutal reflection on our history. With terms like “mortgage” and “ownership,” you are reminded of the plague slavery was on our society. We can look at William Ford (BenedictCumberbatch), the “gracious” first owner of Solomon, and say “well, he was kind,” yet we must remember he’s still a slave owner; he still takes part in this sickening and revolting act. John Ridley uses Solomon’s story to show the true brutality of slavery; you can never be a rightful person when you hold the “mortgage” to another human being. Ridley’s script is filled with beautiful language that is performed equally beautifully by the actors. Slavery was a dark spot in our history, and we should be reminded of our cruelty.

Hans Zimmer composed the fantastic score of 12 Years a Slave. The music was powerful, and furthered the emotion of the story. The additional musical elements, Solomon’s violin playing and the work songs, create the 1800’s plantation feel, fitting perfectly into the context of the story. The costumes were stunning as well, blending perfectly with the time period.

The cast of 12 Years a Slave was outstanding. For a drama of this caliber, skilled actors were needed. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon was phenomenal. He lays himself bare, and connects with the audience. He creates a performance that you are unable to look away from, even in its most distressing moments. He creates strength within Solomon, but doesn’t let us forget the daily torture he is living. Equally as impressive were Michael Fassbender as cruel slave owner Edwin Epps and Lupita Nyong’o as fellow slave Patsey. Fassbender makes Epps so detestable and hated. He portrays a strong facade, but, with Fassbender’s fantastic acting, you can see the weakness of his character. He is a disgusting man in all ways imaginable. Fassbender gives a superb performance equally on par with Ejiofor. Lupita Nyong’o offers an unquestionably heartbreaking performance as Patsey. It was absolutely devastating to watch her treatment, and you wanted nothing more than the best for her, but knew that was not possible. Nayong’o pulls at the heartstrings of every person in the audience. Every member of the cast was an absolute asset to this fantastic film.

       

12 Years a Slave is powerful, evoking film with superb directing and acting, as well as a gripping story. I give 12 Years a Slave a 10 out of 10. 

Photo Courtesy: mubi.com, dailyprincetonian.com, indiewire.com, nydailynews.com, christanpost.com, nypost.com, thesource.com, filmlinc.com, patheos.com, eonline.com

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Movie Review | The Fifth Estate

The Fifth Estate is a dramatized depiction of Julian Assange and his website WikiLeaks from its first major story in 2007 to the leak of the Afghan War Logs in 2010. Out to destroy lies and secrets, WikiLeaks is an organization for whistle-blowers to reveal the corruption of governments and political figures alike.   

Firstly, the directing. On the positive side, the cinematography and camera handle was excellent. I personal love a bit of a in-motion camera. I think it adds depth to an intense scene, placing you in the action itself. I also appreciated Bill Condon’s choices of location. The gritty German setting brought a lot to Julian and Daniel’s characters, allowing the viewer to be transported into their chaotic, grim lifestyle. From the clubs to the house where Collateral Murder was released, Condon had a good grasp on atmosphere these people surrounded themselves with. Having Julian appear in different locations throughout the film, from Kenya to London to Germany, permitted the viewer to see Julian as a true nomad; he never settles, and is always on the move. 

Unfortunately, now for the negative. I was not a fan of the text used in this movie. A scene that really put me on edge was with Julian and Daniel talking through a chat room. Not wanting to speak about the information he had, Julian persuaded Daniel only to talk to him in the safety of the WikiLeaks chat. Obviously, a whole scene can’t be spent with the main characters just typing away to each other, so Condon compensated by adding on scene text and narration. This did not turn out well. It quickly became very awkward with the text splattered on the screen, overarching dialogue, and a new scene panning out. I can appreciate why Condon felt strongly as to have the text, because Julian and Daniel spent most of the relationship in chat rooms, but from a movie stand point, it did not translate well. The “techy” editing and montages were also used to convey the importance of technology, but regrettably was poorly executed.

Next, the screenplay. I’m not going to lie, I was very confused watching this movie. Too much was happening to quickly. The first hour or so was spent cramming everything WikiLeaks has done down the viewers throat. As the average viewer, with the basic knowledge of WikiLeaks, I was having a hard time keeping up. There was never a chance to breath. I never got a chance to process one piece of information before they threw another at me. The release of Collateral Murder was when the plot really began to fall into place for me. At this point I really got intrigued, the pace began to slow, the tension built, and I could finally follow what was happening. Subsequently because of the massive plot, there wasn’t much room for character development. A lot of Daniel Burg’s personal story was told (obviously because the creative team had direct access to Daniel), and he serves as the moral center of the organization; he's not blinded by hatred like Julian is. Julian was evidently the center of attention with this story; the crazy, blonde haired genius bringing down governments and exposing corruption through a website. We got small glances into Julian’s personal life, something he keeps very guarded from the world. Could this personal information be why Julian has such a vendetta against the film? Because he wants to keep his secrets hidden, as alluded to in the film.

But, the rest of the WikiLeak members were left in the dark. What drew me to this film and this topic in general, was the people. I wanted to know more about the people involved in this institution, their thinking, and the part they served in these events. Instead we got a lot of plot that left me confused and disjointed. But I must say, I very much enjoyed the last scene. Personally, one of the best endings to any movie I've seen. It was very cheeky!

I was very pleased with the production of The Fifth Estate. I loved the locations and sets used. Like I said, the atmosphere was very gritty and tense. The locations gave great life to the story and to the characters. I also loved the costumes and makeup. They dressed Benedict perfectly as Julian; the cargo pants, loose shirts, and parka with the multiple backpacks helped to bring Julian to life even more. Plus, I didn’t think the wig looked bad at all; I actually quite liked the blonde. 

I was also in love with makeup, or should I say lack of. Today in Hollywood, movie stars are plastered with makeup to look flawless on camera. What I loved about this movie was the actors were very natural, especially the men. There was no perfectly dewy skin or flawlessly sculpted cheekbones, but there were under eye bags and uneven skin tone. The makeup artist didn’t try to hide the actor’s blemishes, but let them be free; let them be human. It made the characters feel real, which is what a movie is supposed to achieve, am I wrong? I must say I was not a fan of the score. I loathed it actually. The rock music soundtrack fit well, but the soothing instrumental was out of place and distracting.

Last, but most definitely not least, the acting: the real reason I was so very excited for this movie. Wow! Benedict Cumberbatch is an acting god. Benedict becomes a chameleon when he acts, leaving all traces of himself behind.  His Julian was intriguing, and he never wavered in his performance. Benedict has gone on the record saying that Julian’s letter to him before filming played a big part in how he interpreted Julian. After reading the letter from Julian, you can definitely see what Ben means. His Julian is selfish, controlling, and paranoid, but he’s also caring and protective of his organization. He truly does want to help the world and do what he thinks is best for the greater good, even though he does falter and crash because of some questionable actions. Benedict understands Julian perfectly. His accent and body language were on point, and even the smallest action, from his laugh to rubbing of his lips, illustrates Julian. The final scene in particular really caught me off guard; Benedict’s acting was so great that I truly thought it was Julian on screen. An Oscar nomination better be in Benedict’s future.

Overall, I rate The Fifth Estate 5.5 out of 10. Some questionable decisions regarding directing and screenplay is saved by the fantastic cast. 

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