He’s a Two-Bit Production Company. He’s the…
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Week of August 7, 2015
Post-Apocalyptic theme parks are a great family getaway.
First up…
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
The worst thing about living in a dystopian world is you’re
stuck with the same series of iPhone forever.
Mind you, the adolescent survivors in this sci-fi movie have
more life threatening matters to worry about.
When the head of the Erudite fraction, Jeanine (Kate
Winslet), gains possession of an enigmatic box that can only be opened by a
Divergent, she sends her death squad to round one up.
Unable to find a suitable subject she then turns to the
gifted rebel Tris’ (Shailene Woodley), and uses her Dauntless friends to gain
her surrender.
Now Tris must pass five virtual aptitude tests in order to
unlock the box’s secret.
The second installment in the questionable adaptation of the
popular YA series, Insurgent at least injects some action and motive into this
so-far pointless post-apocalyptic parable.
Incidentally, the only people looking forward to a
post-apocalyptic future besides teenagers, are militant loners. Yellow Light
Child 44
The reason everyone wanted to join the army during Stalin’s
regime was because dying was better than living under Stalin’s regime.
However, Stalin doesn’t scare the civil servant questioning
the State in this thriller.
As an agent of the Ministry of State Security, Leo (Tom
Hardy) learns of a number of gruesome murders suggesting there could be a
serial killer on the loose.
Unfortunately, General Nesterov (Gary Oldman) demises all
the evidence on grounds that communism could never create such a capitalistic
concept as a child killer.
For his blasphemy, Leo and his wife (Noomi Rapace) are
banished. But it doesn’t stop them from finding the night stalker.
While it touches on some interesting ideas, including Nazis
experiments with vampirism, this tedious adaptation of the novel spreads itself
thin with numerous confusing subplots and an overall dearth of suspense.
Besides, for a Commie, Stalin sure liked his Levis and
Coke. Red Light
True Story
If you plan to steal a print journalist’s identity make sure
you file for bankruptcy protection beforehand.
However, when it comes to the unscrupulous scribe in this
drama avoidance is best.
Recently disgraced New York Times writer Michael Finkel
(Jonah Hill) is shocked to discover a man accused of murdering his family,
Christian Longo (James Franco), has stolen his identity.
On meeting with Longo, Finkel becomes so enamored with him
he strikes a deal to tell his story in exchange for tutoring Longo in writing.
Looking for redemption in Longo’s memoir, Finkel ignores
glaring errors in his student’s admission that could possibly threaten his book
deal.
Based on the bizarre true story, True Story is a
straight-laced and keenly acted retelling of the circumstances surrounding
these horrific murders with little substance beyond that.
Furthermore, federal prisons already offer free online
courses for child killers looking to get their journalism degree. Yellow Light
Far From the Madding Crowd
Back in Victorian times it was highly illegal for an
unmarried woman to be a millionaire.
Unless, of course, she inherited her wealth, as does the
woman in this romantic movie.
Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is an impetuous young
girl whose uncle bequeaths her his farm.
Quick to shake up the countryside status quo with her
no-nonsense approach to both farmhands and her customers, it’s no surprise she
attracts three suitors: a soldier (Tom Sturridge), an aristocrat (Michael
Sheen) and her herdsman (Matthias Schoenaerts).
Unfortunately, her lure towards recklessness results in a
regrettable relationship one of them, while ostracizing her true love.
The latest adaption of Thomas Hardy’s 1874 love story, this
pastoral period piece is Victorian storytelling at its finest: a feisty female
lead, the bucking of social etiquette and unrequited love from multiple
sources.
Incidentally, falling madly in love with the wrong person
was a popular Victorian past time.
Green Light
***Infanticidal Maniac***
M
The only time it’s acceptable to kill a child is if they’re
crying uncontrollably while you’re in a restaurant, at a theater, or on an
airplane.
Unfortunately, the monster in this thriller committed his
crimes far from the tarmac.
When the law comes down on Berlin’s underworld due to a rash
of child killings, the criminals in turn conduct their own search for the
culprit (Peter Lorre) to clear their names and cool the heat.
Marked with the letter M while abducting another victim, the
kid killer is finally caught…but not by police.
Brought before gangland judges to answer for his crimes the
accused calls out the courts own morality.
Director Fritz Lang’s first talkie, M is masterfully shot
and marvelously performed by Peter Lorre, who magically embodies the creepy
persona of the repentant predator.
However, Germans wouldn’t be so adverse to the kid killings
if the blonde/blue-eyed ones were spared.
He’s Overly Kid Friendly. He’s the…
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