Film: Creed

GENRE: Drama

RATING: PG-13 for boxing violence and some langauge
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 13 minutes

STARRING: Michael B Jordan (Friday Night Lights, Fruitvale Station)

Sylvester Stallone (Rocky); Tessa Thompson (Selma, Veronica Mars)

DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler (Fruitvale Station, upcoming Black Panther)

WRITERS: Aaron Covington (newcomer) & Coogler (Fruitvale Station)

PLOT: Rocky Balboa trains and mentor’s Apollo Creed’s son where both have to build up courage for the fight of their lives.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I’ve only seen the original Rocky and only parts of Rocky III & IV.

STORY STUFF: I found this to be a very clever way of continuing a franchise. By shifting the focus from Rocky to a new fighter, you really get the best of both worlds. I thought the story was engaging although a bit predictable. Who doesn’t love a good underdog plot?

ACTING STUFF: One of the reasons I watched this film was to check out the performances of Stallone and Jordan. Stallone’s Supporting Actor nomination is well deserved. He effortlessly steals every scene he is in. Jordan is a great actor but I’ve seen him in this type of role time and time again. He pulled off similar arrogance and humility in the series Friday Night Lights. It’s for that reason, I am fine with him not receiving a Oscar nomination despite the category being so white. It was nice to see Phylicia Rashad (Cosby Show) in her small role.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Some nice shots, especially during the boxing match. The one thing that made me giggle was the music. I know it was an homage to the original Rocky with its “Gonna Fly Now”-ishness but it just took me out of the film at times. I’m sure those who are die hard Rocky fans had tears of nostalgia in their eyes though.

VERDICT: Three

SEE IT IF: You love Rocky or haven’t seen Michael B Jordan’s skills

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Deadpool; Zoolander 2

Film: The Revenant

GENRE: Drama, Thriller

RATING: R for intense violence mostly
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 36 minutes

STARRING: Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Inception, Aviator, Departed)

Tom Hardy (Inception); Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars VII, Brooklyn)

DIRECTOR: Alejandro G. Inarritu (Birdman, Babel)

WRITERS: Mark Smith (newcomer) & Inarritu (Birdman)

PLOT: A fur trader is left for dead after being mauled by a bear.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Mostly saw it because it’s the last movie on my Oscar Best Picture nominee list.  

STORY STUFF: The survival story is kind of interesting. The vengeance story, not so much. It’s amazing how unlucky someone can be. Also wish the film was thirty minutes shorter.

ACTING STUFF: Leo is pretty remarkable in this film. He nails the primal aspect of his character. And while he went through a lot of pain to make this movie, I think he deserves the Oscar for one of his earlier films instead of this one. (I think he's finally going to get his Oscar though.) I did appreciate the way he breathes while acting; taking a page from the always wonderful Daniel Day-Lewis. Hardy is also awesome in this film. He is despicable and got himself a well-earned Oscar nomination for Supporting Actor.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Stellar cinematography. Alberta and BC sure look beautiful in the snow. Loved the epic landscapes, the cold palette, and the religious imagery throughout. Great angles too. The bear mauling scene is pretty intense and well CG’d.

VERDICT: Three

SEE IT IF: You want to enjoy the Oscars more or like frontier justice

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Deadpool; Zoolander 2

Film: Brooklyn

GENRE: Drama, Romance

RATING: PG-13 for one sexual scene and a strong word
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 51 minutes

STARRING: Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, Hanna, Grand Budapest Hotel)

Emory Cohen (Smash); Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars VII, Revenant)

DIRECTOR: John Crowley (Closed Circuit)

WRITER: Nick Hornby (Fever Pitch, An Education, Wild)

PLOT: An Irish immigrant comes to Brooklyn, falls in love, returns home and must decide to stay or go.

FULL DISCLOSURE: It’s one of the two movies I need to see to have seen all the Oscar Best Picture nominees this year.

STORY STUFF: The story is interesting enough with its look at how it feels to immigrate to a new country on your own. I found the pacing pretty slow but it felt fitting for the story. After realizing the screenwriter also wrote An Education, it makes a bit more sense.

ACTING STUFF: Ronan does a fabulous job; a simple look conveys so much. I can see why she got an Oscar nomination. Also enjoyed Cohen as the Italian suitor. It was great to see Jessica Pare (Mad Men) in a small role and Julie Walters (Harry Potter series) as the strict boarding house matron.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Loved the pyrotechnics and the CG dragons. Just kidding, none of that is in the film. I found myself enjoying the costumes and the fact that characters re-wore articles which seems fitting considering their financial status.

VERDICT: Three

SEE IT IF: You want a date movie and don’t mind slow moving drama
UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Revenant

Golden Globes 2016 Wrap Up

A more boring show than previous years. Ricky Gervais had some fun one-liners here and there but I got really tired of his ‘This award means nothing’ and ‘this show is so long’ schtick. Did like that he called out The show for putting The Martian in the comedy category. Thank goodness I don’t put money on this show, I got 14 out 25 correct again this year. I did pretty good with the movies, but the television show winners were a gong show. Mozart in the Jungle? Really? And how is Lady Gaga better than Kirsten Dunst in Fargo? And how does Fargo not win anything? Boo. I did like seeing Sylvester Stallone winning. Also liked the Denzel tribute. Anyway, here are the winners (if you care a bit more than Ricky Gervais)

Best Motion Picture – Drama

The Revenant

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama

Brie Larson (Room) (wanted)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant) (predicted & wanted)

Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

The Martian (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

Jennifer Lawrence (Joy) (predicted)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical

Matt Damon (The Martian) (predicted & wanted)

Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Kate Winslet (Steve Jobs)

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Sylvester Stallone (Creed) (predicted & wanted)

Best Animated Feature Film

Inside Out (predicted & wanted)

Best Foreign Language Film

Son of Saul (Hungary) (predicted & wanted)

Best Director – Motion Picture

Alejandro G Inarritu (The Revenant)

Best Screenplay – Motion Picture

Aaron Sorkin (Steve Jobs) (wanted)

Best Original Score – Motion Picture

Ennio Morricone (The Hateful Eight) (wanted)

Best Original Song – Motion Picture

“Writing’s On the Wall” (Spectre – Sam Smith)

Best Television Series – Drama

Mr. Robot (predicted & wanted)

Best Actress In A Television Series – Drama

Taraji P Henson (Empire) (predicted)

Best Actor In A Television Series – Drama

Jon Hamm (Mad Men) (predicted)

Best Television Series – Comedy

Mozart in the Jungle

Best Actress In A Television Series – Comedy

Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend)

Best Actor In A Television Series – Comedy

Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle)

Best Limited Series or TV Movie

Wolf Hall

Best Actress In a Limited Series or TV Movie

Lady Gaga (American Horror Story: Hotel)

Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie

Oscar Isaac (Show Me a Hero)

Best Supporting Actress in a Series or TV Movie

Maura Tierney (The Affair) (wanted)

Best Supporting Actor in a Series or TV Movie

Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) 

Golden Globes 2016 Predictions

The Golden Globes are on this Sunday so it’s time for the Golden Globes guessing game. Last year I got a lousy 54%. With less than 100 members voting, it’s pretty much a crapshoot. But at least they honour comedies, the winners are pretty tipsy, and Ricky Gervais is back to host.  Here’s who I think will win and want to win.

BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
Carol | Mad Max: Fury Road | The Revenant | Room | Spotlight
Will Win: Spotlight
Want to Win: Room

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Bryan Cranston [Trumbo] | Leonardo DiCaprio [The Revenant] | Michael Fassbender [Steve Jobs] | Eddie Redmayne [The Danish Girl] | Will Smith [Concussion]

Will Win: Leonardo DiCaprio [The Revenant]

Want to Win: Leonardo DiCaprio [The Revenant]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Cate Blanchett [Carol] | Brie Larson [Room] | Rooney Mara [Carol] | Saoirse Ronan [Brooklyn] | Alicia Vikander [The Danish Girl]

Will Win: Cate Blanchett [Carol]

Want to Win: Brie Larson [Room]

BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY

The Big Short | Joy | The Martian | Spy | Trainwreck

Will Win: The Martian

Want to Win: The Martian

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY

Christian Bale [The Big Short] | Steve Carell [The Big Short] | Matt Damon [The Martian] | Al Pacino [Danny Collins] | Mark Ruffalo [Infinitely Polar Bear]

Will Win: Matt Damon [The Martian]

Want to Win: Matt Damon [The Martian]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY

Jennifer Lawrence [Joy] | Melissa McCarthy [Spy] | Amy Schumer [Trainwreck] | Maggie Smith [The Lady in the Van] | Lily Tomlin [Grandma]

Will Win: Jennifer Lawrence [Joy]

Want to Win: Amy Schumer [Trainwreck]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - FILM

Paul Dano [Love & Mercy] | Idris Elba [Beasts of No Nation] | Mark Rylance [Bridge of Spies] | Michael Shannon [99 Homes] | Sylvester Stallone [Creed]

Will Win: Sylvester Stallone [Creed]

Want to Win: Sylvester Stallone [Creed]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - FILM

Jane Fonda [Youth] | Jennifer Jason Leigh [The Hateful Eight] | Helen Mirren [Trumbo] | Alicia Vikander [Ex Machina] | Kate Winslet [Steve Jobs]

Will Win: Alicia Vikander [Ex Machina]

Want to Win: Alicia Vikander [Ex Machina]

BEST DIRECTOR

Todd Haynes [Carol] | Alejandro G Inarritu [The Revenant] | Tom McCarthy [Spotlight] | George Miller [Mad Max: Fury Road] | Ridley Scott [The Martian]

Will Win: George Miller [Mad Max: Fury Road]

Want to Win: Ridley Scott [The Martian]

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM

Anomalisa | The Good Dinosaur | Inside Out | The Peanuts Movie | Shaun the Sheep Movie

Will Win: Inside Out

Want to Win: Inside Out

BEST FOREGIN LANGUAGE FILM

The Brand New Testament [Belgium] | The Club [Chile] | The Fencer [Finland] | Mustang [France] | Son of Saul [Hungary]

Will Win: Son of Saul [Hungary]

Want to Win: Son of Saul [Hungary]

BEST SCREENPLAY

Emma Donoghue [Room] | Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer [Spotlight] | Charles Randolph, Adam McKay [The Big Short] | Aaron Sorkin [Steve Jobs] | Quentin Tarantino [The Hateful Eight]

Will Win: Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer [Spotlight]

Want to Win: Aaron Sorkin [Steve Jobs]

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Carter Burwell [Carol] | Alexandre Desplat [The Danish Girl] | Ennio Morricone [The Hateful Eight] | Daniel Pemberton [Steve Jobs] | Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alva Noto [The Revenant]

Will Win: Alexandre Desplay [The Danish Girl]

Want to Win: Ennio Morricone [The Hateful Eight]

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

“Love Me Like You Do” [Fifty Shades of Grey] | “One Kind of Love” [Love & Mercy] | “See You Again” [Furious 7] | “Simple Song #3” [Youth] | “Writing’s On the Wall” [Spectre]

Will Win: “One Kind of Love” [Love & Mercy]

Want to Win: “See You Again” [Furious 7]

BEST TV SERIES – DRAMA

Empire | Game of Thrones | Mr. Robot | Narcos | Outlander

Will Win: Mr. Robot

Want to Win: Mr. Robot

BEST ACTOR – DRAMA

Jon Hamm [Mad Men] | Rami Malek [Mr. Robot] | Wagner Moura [Narcos] | Bob Odenkirk [Better Call Saul] | Liew Schreiber [Ray Donovan]

Will Win: Jon Hamm [Mad Men]

Want to Win: Rami Malek [Mr. Robot]

BEST ACTRESS – DRAMA

Caitriona Balfe [Outlander] | Viola Davis [How to Get Away with Murder] | Eva Green [Penny Dreadful] | Taraji P Henson [Empire] | Robin Wright [House of Cards]

Will Win: Taraji P Henson [Empire]

Want to Win: Robin Wright [House of Cards]

BEST TV SERIES – COMEDY
Casual | Mozart in the Jungle | Orange is the New Black | Silicon Valley | Transparent | Veep

Will Win: Transparent

Want to Win: Silicon Valley

BEST ACTOR – COMEDY

Aziz Ansari [Master of None] | Gael Garcia Bernal [Mozart in the Jungle] | Rob Lowe [The Grinder] | Patrick Stewart [Blunt Talk] | Jeffrey Tambor [Transparent]

Will Win: Jeffrey Tambor [Transparent]

Want to Win: Rob Lowe [The Grinder]

BEST ACTRESS – COMEDY

Rachel Bloom [Crazy Ex-Girlfriend] | Jamie Lee Curtis [Scream Queens] | Julia Louis-Dreyfus [Veep] | Gina Rodriguez [Jane the Virgin] | Lily Tomlin [Grace and Frankie]

Will Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus [Veep]

Want to Win: Julia Louis-Dreyfus [Veep]

BEST LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE
American Crime | American Horror Story: Hotel | Fargo | Flesh & Bone | Wolf Hall

Will Win: Fargo

Want to Win: Fargo

BEST ACTOR – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Idris Elba [Luther] | Oscar Isaac [Show Me a Hero] | David Oyelowo [Nightingale] | Mark Rylance [Wolf Hall] | Patrick Wilson [Fargo]

Will Win: Idris Elba [Luther]

Want to Win: Patrick Wilson [Fargo]

BEST ACTRESS – LIMITED SERIES/TV MOVIE

Kirsten Dunst [Fargo] | Lady Gaga [American Horror Story: Hotel] | Sarah Hay [Flesh & Bone] | Felicity Huffman [American Crime] | Queen Latifah [Bessie]

Will Win: Kirsten Dunst [Fargo]

Want to Win: Kirsten Dunst [Fargo]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - TELEVISION

Alan Cumming [The Good Wife] | Damian Lewis [Wolf Hall] | Ben Mendelsohn [Bloodline] | Tobias Menzies [Outlander] | Christian Slater [Mr. Robot]

Will Win: Ben Mendelsohn [Bloodline]

Want to Win: Ben Mendelsohn [Bloodline]

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – TELEVISION

Uzo Aduba [Orange is the New Black] | Joanne Froggatt [Downton Abbey] | Regina King [American Crime] | Judith Light [Transparent] | Maura Tierney [The Affair]

Will Win: Judith Light [Transparent]

Want to Win: Maura Tierney [The Affair]

Let’s see how I do this year. 

2016 Movie Preview

Here’s what looks interesting at a glance for the new year. Again, I am basing a lot of my picks on the people involved, familiarity, or an interesting plot description. Keep in mind that most these dates are flexible (some might get pushed into 2017). Here they are in release date order:

1. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Feb.5)

Based on the book that mixes Jane Austen with zombie killing. Sounds fun.

2. Deadpool (Feb.12)

A potty-mouthed violent superhero. The trailers are pretty funny.

3. Zoolander 2 (Feb.12)

I loved the first one, so I’ll give this one a shot.

4. Zootopia (Mar.4)

Would have probably ignored the film but the sloths clip is awesome.

5. Allegiant (Mar.18)

I followed Tris and Four this far, might as well go the distance.

6. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (Mar.25)

Let’s see if it is able to live up to the all the hype.

7. Captain America: Civil War (May.6)

Never thought the Captain America series would be the best one. Wow.

8. Alice Through the Looking Glass (May.27)

I’ll join Depp’s Mad Hatter for another round. Sad Tim Burton’s not directing.

9. Finding Dory (Jun.17)

Apparently Ellen can wish movies into existence. Can’t go wrong with Pixar.

10. Ghostbusters (Jul.15)

Let’s see if the female version works. I do like the comediennes involved.

11. Star Trek Beyond (Jul.22)

No JJ Abrams, but Simon Pegg helped write it so it should be awesome.

12. Bourne 5 (Jul.29)

Don’t know the official name but Matt Damon & Paul Greengrass are back.

13. Suicide Squad (Aug.5)

The bad guys take charge, including Jared Leto’s Joker. Looks dark.

14. Gambit (Oct.7)

More interested in Doug Liman’s directing than Channing Tatum starring.

15. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (Oct.21)

I always like a good Tom Cruise flick. Thought the first one was decent.

16. Doctor Strange (Nov.4)

Marvel and Benedict Cumberbatch, together at last.

17. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Nov.18)

I’m down for a Harry Potter prequel. I like Eddie Redmayne.

18. Star Wars: Rogue One (Dec.16)

A one-off Star Wars prequel. Sounds interesting enough.

19. Assassin’s Creed (Dec.21)

It’s one of the only video games I play. Hope it’s not Prince of Persia-like.

20. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Dec.25)

Tim Burton’s directing this. Sure.

For those who like to plan ahead

Upcoming in 2017: Star Wars VIII; Guardians of the Galaxy 2; Justice League: Part 1; Despicable Me 3; Pirates of the Caribbean 5; Thor 3; Avatar 2, Lego Batman, Bad Boys III, Cars 3

2016 Television Preview

Wondering when your shows are returning? Here’s when my shows are returning, as well as a few new shows to check out this winter. Enjoy.

(Green = New Series, Grey=New Season, Blue=Continuing Season from Fall)

Sherlock: Special Episode (Jan.1)

The Simpsons (Jan.3)

Downton Abbey: Season 6 begins (Jan.3)

New Girl: Season 5 begins (Jan.5)

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Jan.5) – new day

The Grinder (Jan.5)

Limitless (Jan.5)

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Season 7 begins (Jan.6)

Modern Family (Jan.6)

The Big Bang Theory (Jan.7)

Masterchef Junior (Jan.8)

iZombie (Jan.12)

Saturday Night Live (Jan.16)

Angie Tribeca premieres Jan.17 on TBS

Rashida Jones (The Office) in a police satire by Steve Carell (10 eps)

Billions premieres Jan.17 on SHOWTIME

Paul Giamatti & Damian Lewis (Homeland) square off in high finance (12 eps)

Marvel’s Agent Carter: Season 2 begins (Jan.19)

The Flash (Jan.19)

Baskets premieres Jan.21 on FX

Zach Galifianakis (Hangover) dreams of being a professional clown (10 eps)

The X-Files: 6 episode mini-series begins (Jan.24)

Suits (Jan.27)

The Muppets (Feb.2)

The People Vs. OJ Simpsons premieres Feb.2 on FX

Big name actors re-enact the OJ trial. An entertaining gong show (10 eps)

Scandal (Feb.11)

The Amazing Race (Feb.12)

The Walking Dead (Feb.14)

Vinyl premieres Feb.14 on HBO

Boardwalk Empire creators take on the music industry. (10 eps)

11/22/63 premieres Feb.15 on HULU

James Franco thriller based on Stephen King’s book (8 eps)

Better Call Saul: Season 2 begins (Feb.15)

Togetherness: Season 2 begins (Feb.21)

Fuller House premieres Feb.26 on NETFLIX

Full House continues with an older DJ raising kids (13 eps)

Gotham (Feb.29)

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Season 3 begins (Feb)

House of Cards: Season 4 begins (Mar.4)

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Mar.8)

Bates Motel: Season 4 begins (Mar.7)

The Americans: Season 4 begins (Mar)

The Odd Couple: Season 2 begins (Apr.7)
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 2 begins (Apr. 15)

Game of Thrones: Season 6 begins (Apr.24)

Veep: Season 5 begins (Apr.24)

Silicon Valley: Season 3 begins (Apr.24)

Orphan Black: Season 4 begins (Apr)

Last Man on Earth (Spring 2016)

House of Lies: Season 5 begins Spring 2015

Episodes: Season 5 begins Spring 2015

UPCOMING REVIEWS: 2016 Film Preview