Testament of Youth

If Director James Kent’s Testament of Youth doesn’t give you an appreciation for the horror and futility of war, at least it will give you an appreciation for the outstanding talent of Alicia Vikander, who plays the starring role of author Vera Brittain.

Ms. Vikander vaults herself into the pantheon of the greats with her clean and true performance.  It’s her genuineness that is the mark of a great actor.  Ex Machina was just a preview of her ability.

Given that adaption of a story that takes place over a span of 4 years is difficult, Writer Julliette Towhidi has done an admirable job, but, again, this film wouldn’t have the impact it does without Alicia Vikander’s brilliance.

The story is of a headstrong young woman, who succeeds in getting into Oxford right before the start of World War I, but turns to becoming a nurse of wounded soldiers, eventually, at the Front in France.

Be aware that some of the scenes are harrowing with Cinematographer Rob Hardy, at one point, echoing the chilling scene of the wounded in Gone With the Wind.

The cast is superb, especially Taron Egerton (Kingsmen: The Secret Service), who plays Vera’s brother and Kit Harington (Game of Thrones), who plays her eventual fiancé.   

I give Testament of Youth a 4 out of 5.

Spy

Writer/Director Paul Feig’s Spy is a must-see for everyone who wants to laugh and have a good time.

And, not only is it hilarious, it’s, also, a good thriller.  

Starting out with a James Bond opening and credits, Feig adds in shades of Leslie Nielsen’s Naked Gun series along the way.   (Be sure to watch out for the comic bits that are happening on the fringe of  the camera’s focus.)

In comedy, timing is everything and Melissa McCarthy’s timing is impecable.  Her interaction with the beautiful villainess played by Rose Byrne is perfection, as it is with her boss played by Allison Janney and her sidekick played by Miranda Hart. 

And, who knew tough guy Jason Statham could play a comic, bumbling idiot?

Have a good time and treat yourself to Spy.  I give it a 4+ out of 5.

Aloha

Let me start off by saying I enjoyed Writer/Producer/Director Cameron Crowe’s Aloha…despite its problems.

Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper, John Krasinski, Bill Murray, Danny McBride, Alec Baldwin, Danielle Rose Russell and the rest of the supporting cast all give excellent performances.

But, there’s a problem with the script.  Not that the writing is bad.  In fact, there are some really funny and charming scenes.  The issue is the focus.

 

The film starts off with photos of Hawaiian history…native history juxtaposed with our military history on the islands.  An expansive story.  However, this is, primarily, a romantic comedy with the more expansive story kept in the background and, therefore, lessened.  So, in some sense, we’re confused and feel cheated.

Then, there’s Bradley Cooper’s character Brian Gilchrist.  He’s loved by two smart women and is respected by the Hawaiian native elders, yet he, basically, acts like a jerk.  So, what are we to feel about him?  Again, we’re confused.

Yet, the biggest problem is the lack of scope.  Cinematographer Eric Gautier did not or was not allowed to show us the breadth of the subject matter…the islands, the planes, the skies.  Everything feels cramped.  The screen size is too small.  A potential epic has been squeezed into a confining box.  Again, we feel cheated.  Here’s a situation in which more budget or better talent was needed.

All that being said, Aloha is still worth a view.  It's just that it could have been and should have been better.  I give it a 3+ out of 5.

Tomorrowland

I had a lot of high hopes for Writer/Producer/Director Brad Bird’s Tomorrowland, but I was, initially, frightened by the cutish opening sequences.  They were too Disney. Everything was too neat and clean. 

But thanks to the engaging Britt Robertson as the can-do main character and the absolutely adorable Raffey Cassidy as an amazing A.I., things picked up considerably and, when Georg Clooney entered the action, the film got better and better until, I must admit, I choked up at the lovely conclusion.

It’s a story about optimism versus pessimism and a call for creating a new type of society before humanity destroys the Earth.  

Production Designer Scott Chambliss has created a fabulous view of the potential future and created intricacies of the Eiffel Tower that will surprise even the most jaded audience members. 

 

I give Tomorrowland a 4 out of 5. 

Poltergeist

The only scary thing about Director Gil Kenan’s remake of the 1982 classic Poltergeist is that he and Writer David Lindsay-Abaire think they’ve created something scary.

This film is pabulum compared to just about any horror film I’ve seen since the laughable Paranormal Activity 4 in 2012.  Not that this one is laughable. It’s more sad that better use could not have been made of the usually wonderful Rosemarie DeWitt and Sam Rockwell.  And it’s a dishonor to the excellent story originally created by Steven Spielberg.

Skip this and see the 1982 version.

I give this Poltergeist a 2 out of 5.