American Animals Advance Movie Screening

May 31, 2018 (updated May 31, 2018) Published by markdeli

Movie Screening Summary

The extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends living an ordinary existence who brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history. But not everything is as it seems, and as the daring theft unfolds through each of their perspectives, each of them start to question whether their attempts to inject excitement and purpose into their lives is simply a misguided attempt at achieving the American Dream.

AMERICAN ANIMALS
Release: June 8
Studio: The Orchard
Genre: Crime/Drama
Director: Bart Layton
Writer: Bart Layton
Cast: Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner, Jared Abrahamson, Ann Dowd, Udo Kier
Rating: R
Runtime: 116 min

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Advance Movie Screening For AMERICAN ANIMALS

Find your chance to receive special advance movie screening passes below.

Phoenix, Arizona

Advance Movie Screening Details

Movie Screening Date: Tuesday, June 5
Location: Harkins Tempe Marketplace
Movie Screening Time: 7:00pm
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Advance Movie Screening Information

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First Reformed Movie Review

May 25, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Okay. It starts slow but, if you’ve read my reviews before, you might know what I’m about to say… stick with it. It’s slow for a reason and that’s okay! You can’t rush art. ‘First Reformed’ is simply one of the best pictures of the year. It has been created for us for a reason. One of Hollywood’s best, Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver; American Gigolo; Affliction), has decided to make something quite exceptional that will last beyond his years. It’ll be memorable because he knew what he wanted to say and purposely set out to grab you and shake you up. You won’t soon forget what you see which, of course, is the point… he doesn’t want you to forget anything about it as it’s vital you don’t. It’s a narrative but holds so much truth and knowledge that you feel as if you’re getting schooled at the same time, but not so much so that you won’t feel the storyline that’s being playing out. Everything was well designed.

‘Will God Forgive Us?’ is a question that is posed in the film with regard to what man is doing to the environment. You don’t see this as the ultimate message coming at you when you’re first introduced to the character of Reverend Toller (Hawke) but when he agrees to counsel Michael (Ettinger) the husband of a young pregnant woman, Mary (Seyfried), Toller grows as a priest and as a man in ways he couldn’t avoid and the film changes. What Toller always knew to be true of institutions he holds in high regard comes crashing down around him when he, instead of talking, listens to what Michael is saying about man’s responsibilities toward the larger picture; Earth. Schrader set it up so you won’t miss it either.

Toller is the Reverend of a small church known more for its historical significance as being a stop along the Underground Railroad rather than its parishioners, so he finds himself salesman of its small store, more than Priest, and he’s rather bored. He journals and sips on what’s supposed to go in the chalice on Sunday’s. Counseling is an escape and he’s happy to do it but when suicide becomes Michael’s only answer to his extreme hate for living in such a cruel world, Toller picks up his cause.

Abundant Life, the larger church that keeps Toller’s afloat, is putting on a show to commemorate its being there for 250 years. Abundant Life is run by Pastor Jeffers, played exceptionally well by Cedric the Entertainer, who preaches the word of God but who cares more about what goes into the collection plate. When Toller looks into Michaels environmental research, he finds out that one of the biggest polluters of the planet sponsors Abundant Life, even the restoration of his own church, and he makes a vow to fix things. Feeling as if he failed the activist, he then becomes the activist and decides to do something for God and all mankind… as God would have wanted. Though Schrader doesn’t refer to Trump and what the head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, is doing to actually stop environmental causes, rather than increase or protect them, you can feel his concern for the near future of man as a species and he wants you to see what people are willing to do to save the only home we have. We all need to do more.

‘First Reformed’ is heavy on the religion but for a reason. Trust that Schrader must use this as a vehicle to get you to a certain destination… even though a few times you’re not sure where he’s going. Things go a might askew when Toller seems to be building a relationship with Mary, but it’s done in a way that, as an audience member, you can choose to see it or totally ignore it and stay within the spirit of the calculated directive. Ethan Hawke has you so mesmerized by the time you hit the halfway point that it’s easy to stay focused on the importance of the film’s objective.

On Chesil Beach Movie Review

May 25, 2018 (updated May 22, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

“On Chesil Beach” examines the idea that you can be truly, madly, deeply in love someone, yet you cannot make love to that someone. Ian McEwan, who had previously written the novel “Atonement”, takes this idea to a sad conclusion in his screenplay – based on his short novel of the same name. Set in the early sixties in England, a young couple is enamored with each other, yet a happy marriage is not to be. England is still closer to the Victorian Age than it is to the Free Love Swingin’ Sixties. At least, it is for these two…

Edward Mayhew (Billy Howle) is a young college graduate in 1962, and he is ready to take on the world. But he is looked on as a commoner, with a father who is school administrator and a mother who is not all there. His family is not rich and well-regarded. So when Edward meets Florence Ponting (Saoirse Ronan), he becomes smitten with her good looks and charm. She has family ties into money and prestige, but Florence is not concerned with such things. They have a long courting period to see if they are compatible in personality and demeanor.

The one thing that they did not check into is whether they had a problem with physical intimacy. It is not until after the marriage ceremony and at the honeymoon suite do they find troubled waters in the sea of love. Florence has always been uncomfortable with physical touch, and she might have been abused by her father. Edward is unsure of the proper rate with which he should take Florence into the tunnel of love, because his past experience is.. none. He is pretty reserved when it comes to sexuality, but Florence is a big, fat Frigidaire freezer.

They go to honeymoon at a nice hotel near Chesil Beach. After an awkward dinner the two lovebirds shoo away the waiters from the room. Then they get to the main business, of having major flashbacks to they story of them meeting, and the courtship and the final decision to marry. But when the time is right to do the horizontal mambo, neither one is prepared for the farce that is their attempt at making love. Florence becomes incredibly upset at Edward and storms out of the room. For Edward, nothing went right and his paratroopers missed the landing zone. His embarrassment and her shame take an event that should solidify the marriage and it gets turned to a gallows on which the marriage is taken out and hung.

The two are at odds from this point on, based on misunderstandings and lack of knowledge. He finds her out on Chesil Beach, where she has walked in an effort to get away. But neither one knows what the other is thinking. They just assume that the marriage will never have another chance to be consummated. They can find no possible way to put this one incident behind them, and it changes the direction of their lives.

Florence has a string quartet that she leads, and she will put all of her time into that. Edward will do whatever he can do to get by. But then some tacked-on ending which brings Edward and Florence out of 1962 and into 1975, and then into 2007 just changes the mood. It goes from being “On Chesil Beach” to a reverse mirror of “On Golden Pond”. But in this case, the old-age make-up looks awful and pulls you out of the touching, yet tragic, story that has just transpired.

This movie has created another vehicle in which Saoirse Ronan can use to display her incredible acting skills. Billy Howle is also top-notch in his performance, being an equal to Ronan. But the story has such a roundabout method of getting to the moment of truth that some audience members might walk away like Edward – unfulfilled.

In the Phoenix area. opens at the Camelview in Scottsdale

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Who Shot Biggie? ‘City of Lies’ – Trailer

May 22, 2018 (updated May 22, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

Based on the true story of one of the most notorious and unsolved cases in recent time, CITY OF LIES is a provocative thriller revealing a never-before-seen look at the infamous murder of The Notorious B.I.G. shortly following the death of Tupac. L.A.P.D. detective Russell Poole (Johnny Depp) has spent years trying to solve his biggest case, but after two decades, the investigation remains open.

“Jack” Jackson (Forest Whitaker), a reporter desperate to save his reputation and career, is determined to find out why. In search of the truth, the two team up and unravel a growing web of institutional corruption and lies. Relentless in their hunt, these two determined men threaten to uncover the conspiracy and crack the foundation of the L.A.P.D. and an entire city.

Cast: Johnny Depp, Forest Whitaker

Directed by: Brad Furman

Produced by: Miriam Segal

Written by: Christian Contreras, based on the novel by Randall Sullivan

Social Media:

#CityOfLies

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In Theaters September 7th

http://www.fandango.com

Beast Movie Review

May 18, 2018 (updated May 18, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

There’s a course tone running through ‘Beast’ that you can’t turn away from. It’s intriguing from the get-go as you look over the beautiful yet blustery and chilly island that is the home of our players in the drama. For his feature debut, television director, Michael Pearce, brings to life the story of a young woman yearning to be free of her mother and her rules by any means necessary, even if it means accepting the heart of a possible serial killer. There’s something alluring about a bad boy and, as most films do, Pearce and company take advantage of this. What will the characters learn from one another and how will it be different… if this is possible? Moll (Buckley) is frustrated that her family puts her last, even on her birthday, and hooks up with a mysterious stranger who sees her, touches her and stands up for her when she is having trouble breaking free of another man’s unwelcome advances.

Pascal (Flynn) wiggles his way into Moll’s heart by deeply, almost hypnotically staring into her eyes, penetrating the very core of her, something she’s clearly unfamiliar with. He approaches her slowly and lets her know he’ll accept her for who she is no matter who he might find.

Pascal isn’t the most hygienic of people, something her mother immediately disapproves of. Being used as babysitter for her niece and caregiver to her ill father, it’s time for Moll to fight for a little independence which she does. She invites him for dinner. During dinner, they discuss the murders of young girls that have been happening in the area. It’s not hard to tell at this point who the film is suggesting the murderer is. Pascal hunts rabbits and though you’re sure of who that the killer is, it’s in a scene where they go hunting together that the line between the two quite solidly blurs.
He’s told that Moll has been labeled the ‘wild one’ so he inquires as to exactly why. She confesses to him that she stabbed a student with scissors who had bullied her when she was in school and after had to be homeschooled. She has held onto the pain and stigma that came along with the incident ever since. His advice to her is to stop carrying the weight of her action and to move on. This releases her of a decade of guilt and shame and as her relationships with family members strain, she feels closer to him than she ever has to anyone.

Feeling compelled to help the community in some way, she joins volunteers to sweep for the body of the killers next victim. Similar to the guidance she was given by Pascal, this action helps cleanse her and we see that Moll begins to find her own identity. She has a choice, a voice and feels much freer. Ignoring signs of who he might be when the police come calling, she’s reluctant to speak to them. When they inquire as to both his and her whereabouts on a certain night, she’s headstrong and refuses to speak with them further. The people in town know she can finger him and her noncompliance sets off a chain reaction of overwhelming disgust toward her that she can’t escape no matter where she turns.

Why won’t she help with the investigation? Who is she? Who is Pascal? What happens next? Watch it to find out! Outside of a few times when the accents are too thick to understand and a poor bunny getting massacred, (Seriously, if you love animals, turn away!) ‘Beast’ is exhilarating and quite clever. Its pacing fits the storyline and on occasion, you’ll wonder if you’re not watching a horror film rather than a drama. If Intense and Well Done is your idea of entertainment, see it at a theatre near you this weekend.

In Phoenix, see this at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square!!!

Dark Crimes Movie Review

May 18, 2018 Published by Shari K. Green

‘Dark Crimes’ is a thriller by Alexandros Avranas a young director with only five credits to his name. With this and Carrey’s exceptional performance, those five will soon be a thing of the past. The film marks Jim Carrey’s return to the screen after the unremarkable, ‘Dumb and Dumber To’ received a collective thumbs down from audiences everywhere. Pulling away from the genre, ‘Dark Crimes’ is in no way similar to the comedic roles he’s known for. With this project Carrey has chosen for himself an incredibly persecuted soul in his character, Tadek, to show us that he’s more than just a jester here for our amusement.

Tadek wants to reopen an investigation into the sex crimes and unsolved murder of a businessman that he had previously been involved in. While learning what that investigation is about, the film gets sinister fast. It starts rather brutally in a world most believe, unfortunately, exists somewhere. One where young women are imprisoned, raped and tortured for men’s pleasure. This life goes on in the dark, in secret, behind thick walls and gates. This investigation takes us into what is known as ‘The Cage’ as he wanders through it. He’s sickened by the cold, dark, foul-smelling conditions the girls had been, until no longer desired, housed in.

‘The Cage’ has since been shut down but there are tapes the owner of the building has that come in useful. Tadek finds that not only are videotapes of the goings on in such a despicable place helpful but he stumbles across the details in a book by author Krystov Kozlow (Csokas) that exactly outline everything he is investigating… right down to how the body is tied up, information previously unreleased to the public.

His mission now? To link Kozlow to the murder that he’s certain he committed. Tadek listens to an author read audiobook every moment he can. In the book, Kozlow details what goes on in sex-clubs stating that there were no rules. You could beat the girl’s half to death if you wanted but you’re not to kill them because though the girls understood that rape was just a transaction, ‘Corpses didn’t look good in makeup.’

There’s a scene about halfway through the film where Tadek and Kozlow go head to head that reveals Carrey’s depth. The two are playing mind games, both eager to show the other that they’re the strongest bull in the pen. Through the introduction of Kasia (Gainsbourg), who is also Kozlow’s girlfriend, it’s exposed that Tadek has some inner demons he’s never let escape. It’s here where the audience is given a glimpse into, though he’s disgusted by Kozlow more and more, how similar the two men might be. Getting rid of Kozlow may bury his own personal hellion or will it unleash it?

In the end, we find that Tadek and the audience is played from several different directions. Though it’s slow and its lighting is as dark as the story, if you’re a fan of thrillers and of Carrey’s, it’s worth seeing. Pay close attention because instead of quickly paced three to five-second cuts, Avranas has you watch a story unfold using plenty of dialogue and close-ups. Often times it’s not exactly clear as to what’s going on so be sure your mind doesn’t wander and you’ll be able to keep up. I must also mention that ‘Dark Crimes’ has a great ending that, in fact, made me clap. Well done, Avranas. I’m looking forward to more of your work.

*In Phoenix, watch it exclusively at AMC Arizona Center and EVERYWHERE On Demand!

Anything Movie Review

May 18, 2018 (updated May 22, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

If you’re interested in a narrative that has layers and depth, you need to see ‘Anything,’ a film that represents anyone who has ever loved for any reason and who will give of themselves… anything. It’s a moving piece because we can all relate to the characters and their powerful emotions of love. I say this with certainty as we’ve all, for the most part, experienced a love where we have given and where we have received.

The characters in the film are complex and more intricate then one might think based on the pedestrian one-word title it was saddled with. However, that word, as you can tell based on what I’ve written so far, plays an important role in the overall message of the story.

The main character is Early Landry. He’s a middle-aged widower, played by character actor John Carroll Lynch of ‘Fargo,’ who easily manipulates the audience into seeing this individual as both the prey and the preyed upon. At the moment Early is introduced to us, we’re seeing him through the eyes of his overbearing sister, Laurette (Tierney). He’s depressed, suicidal and since the passing of his wife, needs some love and support, but not as much or the kind Laurette has in mind. Not really giving him much of a choice in the matter, she makes him aware of the fact that she wants him to move in with her so she can help him with his feelings of despair and with settling things from his old life in Mississippi to his new life with her in L.A. Early does move in with her. Though he doesn’t speak up for himself, it’s not hard to tell that he’s quickly growing tired of her. She speaks to him and treats him as if he were a child and it’s not long into his stay that he decides he has to move out and be on his own.

Without informing her, he gets himself a little apartment in an area of town she wouldn’t approve of. This is most likely done to keep her away. In a short time, he meets his transgender neighbor Freda Von Rhenburg (Bomer), who works the streets and often gets into trouble with men and when money gets tight. Being the gentleman that he is, he’s there for her, no matter what she needs and a hot and cold relationship develops. It doesn’t take long for them both to see what’s good about the other and how deeply they need what the other has to offer. Perhaps at first getting to know Freda just might be the right thing to agitate Laurette but if that’s what he had in mind then he was just as surprised by the materialization of their romance as we, the audience, are.
They’re an odd pairing but the performances both actors give to their roles accommodates the concept of their love and what the significance of a man from Mississippi being open-minded enough to accept the love of a man means today. I highly recommend this even though an obvious misstep is not casting a transgendered actress in the role of Freda. Regardless, Bomer is exceptional and deserves to be seen.

Opening in Phoenix at HARKINS VALLEY ART

Measure of a Man Movie Review

May 11, 2018 (updated November 16, 2018) Published by Shari K. Green

The film ‘Measure of a Man’ is an adaptation of the book ‘One Fat Summer’ by Robert Lipsyte. It’s directed by Jim Loach, whose father Ken Loach has been working in the film business for over fifty years. Seeing this movie makes me certain Jim will have the same kind of staying power. Jim had writer David Scearce write the screenplay and make some changes to it to create a more relatable world for him to work with. Doing this has made his twenty-second directing achievement a triumph. His casting choices also helped. Topping off a fabulous cast of young actors whom you may not know quite yet is Judy Greer, Luke Wilson and the crème de la crème, Donald Sutherland.

‘Measure of a Man’ is set in the 1970’s and is a story about an awkward teenager, Bobby Marks (Cooper), trying to fight bullies and his own lack of confidence to grow up and become a man. Depending on how one interprets that, what he wants to do is be helpful to those around him and be a good person but has so much anxiety, he can barely help himself. He’s overweight, uncomfortable in his own skin and outside of his mother (Greer) and sister Michelle (Liberato), is too nervous to talk to girls, save one, Joanie (Danielle Rose Russell), who he grew up knowing. He knows Joanie because his family gets together every year with hers after upstate travel for summer vacation brings them together for picnics, swimming and county fairs. The chubby kid certain that one day her acceptance of him over summer break will blossom into love.

However, this summer, things are different. A lot has changed. Bobby hasn’t changed but other things have and he’s even more uncomfortable. The people upstate have finally let the vacationers know what they think of their visitors, the locals are harsher and less tolerant of the mess they leave and find an easy target in Bobby to take it out on. Joanie frightens Bobby more than anything a thug could do to him. She has matured and is now taking off for a month and won’t explain to him why. Heartbroken, he gets a summer job helping Dr. Kahn (Sutherland) with his lawn and basic yard maintenance. It’s this relationship that becomes the turning point of the film. Kahn is a rich elite who you think is being severe but you come to realize, through his own experience, he’s guiding him into manhood. Kahn also accidentally stumbles onto a sort of friendship he wasn’t quite expecting.

The characters in the film are well thought out and the acting is convincing. Bobby and Michelle’s relationship as brother and sister is hateful yet compassionate and Cooper and Liberato’s performances are spot on. Loach is largely to thank for pulling performances out of his young cast that keep you both amused and captivated. When feeling for the poor youngster, you’ll also feel inflamed when he’s confronted with more than he can handle. I like the movie and believe you will, too. Jim Loach knows how to handle a story. This movie is potent and effective and one not to miss. Include ‘Measure of a Man’ in YOUR summer vacation films.

Playing in Phoenix Exclusively at *Harkins Camelview

READ MY INTERVIEW WITH JIM LOACH AND LIANA LIBERATO

Interview with Jim Loach and Liana Liberato from the film ‘Measure of a Man’

May 10, 2018 (updated July 8, 2019) Published by Shari K. Green

Following in his director father’s footsteps, Jim Loach has become an outstanding storyteller. His father is the well-known director, writer, producer Ken Loach, who directed last year’s impressive film ‘I, Daniel Blake’ among countless others. Read more

Disobedience Movie Review

May 4, 2018 (updated May 4, 2018) Published by JMcNaughton

The movie “Disobedience” is a deep dive into the inner workings of an Orthodox Jewish enclave located in London. The focus is on two women, and how the community reacts to the sexual attraction between them. The pacing of the story is slow and methodical, as the ramifications of their forbidden love spreads even deeper. Since one of the stars is Rachel McAdams, the shortcut title might be “The Notebook for Orthodox Jewish Lesbians”. All that is missing is the kiss in the pouring rain and the swans on the lake…

Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is the daughter of the main rabbi in a small London Jewish community. The elder rabbi is much respected, and Ronit is estranged from everyone in the Orthodox group. She has moved far away and does not communicate with anyone from back home. That is, until the rabbi dies suddenly. She is informed that he has passed away, and she decides to make a trip from New York back to her old community. That is, if anyone there will put up with her. There was some undefined incident that caused the falling out with her father and the rest of the people. But she comes back and stays with a childhood friend.

That friend is Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) who is a young man getting setup to be the new rabbi for the community. He is married to their childhood friend Esti (Rachel McAdams) who is the one that secretly contacted Ronit. Dovid is surprised to see Ronit return, because he thought that nothing would make her come back to the place that caused her so much pain. Esti is secretly pleased, because she and Ronit have a hidden past of passion and love. It was this relationship that caused Ronit to leave in the first place.

Passions get reignited and emotions get all tumbled when Esti and Ronit reconnect. The community around them start to get wind of the underground love affair that has rekindled. Dovid becomes very angry and at the same time confused. The things that Ronit assumed would be part of her father’s will that he would leave to her are instead being funneled to the synagogue. So, she left with nothing, and she is coming back for nothing. Only the subversive and illicit love between her and Esti will bring her anything resembles joy. Yet the passion that connected them is tearing apart the community in which they live.

The keys of this movie are ‘The Two Rachels’, Rachel Squared as it were. Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams are very enlightening as the two leads, Ronit and Esti. They pour a lot of talent into the lost and longing looks and steely gazes of the two characters. They are the reason that a very mediocre story line can be enhanced into a higher level of viewing. Also, Alessandro Nivola does a very fine job as the poor guy who gets stuck in the middle of something that he does not understand. Every other actor is well suited to be a typical Jewish community member. Perhaps a bit too stereotypically, in some of the cases.

This will, in most cases, be a must-see movie for a very small and select slice of the audience. It does have two strong female leads. They are in a very interesting situation where they rebel against a very traditional religion. But for a clear majority of people, it might be a little languid in the pacing of the movie. It might also be a little non-specific in the final resolutions. There are many loose ends, and many times an audience likes to see most of the situations wrapped up. There is not a huge excitement factor in the plot or the pacing. The movie simply exists to give ‘Rachel Squared’ a platform to give a very powerful pair of performances.

In Phoenix, playing exclusively at Harkins Camelview…

Tag: Drama