Primal Fear (1996)

Directed by Gregory Hoblit
Written by Steve Shagan and Ann Biderman, based on the novel by William Diehl
Starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton and John Mahoney

A controversial defense attorney takes on the case of a murder of an Archbishop allegedly committed by an alter boy, pro bono. After days of cross examination, new information comes forward that could hurt his case and causes him to question everything he believes about his morals, his career and the altar boy's story.

Overflowing with great performances, including the Oscar nominated role of Edward Norton, this film is a blood pumping thriller with many twists and turns. So many, in fact, that even though I had already knew how this film ended (from years of hearing about it from people who don't know the meaning of the word spoiler), I was still second guessing what I thought I already knew.

Edward Norton is remarkable in this movie. And unfortunately, there isn't much more I can say about it without giving key information away. Just take my word for it. It is an intense courtroom drama that will keep you at the edge of your seat.

Where other legal thrillers become slow and convoluted, this when excels at keeping it's pace and presenting the evidence of both sides in way that you're able to understand. As if you are the juror, every single bit of evidence makes sense. It feels like a real trial, making it that much more interesting.

My Rating: 7/10

Oscar Best Picture Nominee: Whiplash

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"Whiplash"
Written and Directed by Damien Chazelle
Starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Raul Reiser and Melissa Benoist

A promising young drummer enrolls in a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are are tested by a mentor who will stop at nothing to realize the full potential of his students.

An intense look at the lengths people will go to and the abuse they will take in order to obtain their dream, this film breaks down a mans hopes in order to build him up. It is superbly written, directed and acted and contains the role to define J.K. Simmons career.

Nominated for 5 Oscars, "Whiplash" is the film many think came out of nowhere. But it is films like that that define film making. A film that, if it weren't for it's quality would have never been heard of. Every other film nominated this year as some sort of hook, whether it be an A-list actor or even just a story based on actual events. This film gained notoriety for one reason. It's a damn great movie.

J.K. Simmons is unmatched this year in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role category. He brings force to his character that is believable yet commanding simultaneously. You want to hate him, but you just can't. The extremes his character goes to to bring the best out of his students cross the line, yet you find yourself understanding exactly why he's doing it.

Not Pictured: Miles Teller's urine soaked trousers.

The categories that it's nominated for alone tell the story of why this film is so fantastic. Best sound mixing, editing, adapted screenplay, actor in a supporting role and of course, best picture. All of these things are the very foundation in which unforgettable movies are based on.

This is the final Best Picture Nominee of this series, and while I did do them in alphabetical order, it is appropriate that my favorite of the eight films nominated is the last one I cover. While the chances of this movie winning are slim-to-none, this film has a caliber unmatched by "Selma", "American Sniper" and "The Theory of Everything". An intensity unequaled by "The Grand Budapest Hotel", "Boyhood" and "The Imitation Game". And a realism unmet by "Birdman". Those are the reasons why "Whiplash" is my favorite film of 2014.

And while I write this, J.K. Simmons appears as both the Yellow M&M in an M&M commercial and the spokesman of Farmers Insurance. A truly versatile actor.

And the Oscar goes to… Yellow! 

For "Russian Mob Ice Cream Commercial"!

My Rating: 10/10

Today, I will be watching all of the Best Picture Nominees at the AMC Loews Georgetown 14 in Washington, D.C. I'll be tweeting and posting pictures on Instagram throughout the day. Follow me!

Twitter: @MichaelDCHicks

Instagram: MDCHicks

Facebook: facebook.com/KeystoneFilmReview

Oscar Best Picture Nominee: The Imitation Game

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"The Imitation Game"
Directed by Morten Tyldum
Written by Graham Moore (Screenplay) and Andrew Hodges (Novel)
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode and Mark Strong

Based on the true story of Alan Turing and the invention of his machine that would break the enigma code that the German's used in WWII. The machine is widely considered to have helped a great deal in defeating the Nazi's by breaking their code.

Truly an incredible story of a world wide hero, this film has another, more humanitarian message. Alan Turing was openly homosexual and was for lack of a better word, betrayed by the country he worked for and saved with his life's work.

Accused of indecency for being homosexual and a teacher, Turing was given a choice. To be given hormones that would affect his health and chemically castrate him, or jail, where he would surely be beaten, raped and possibly killed for being homosexual.

Impeccably acted, scored, directed and written, "The Imitation Game" is a strong contender in this years Oscars. It is also, arguably one of the most important films nominated this year for it's civil rights subplot. It brings awareness to how poorly this man was treated. A man who saved millions of lives by breaking the German code and shortening the war significantly, chemically castrated and driven into a depression leading to his suicide for the inconsequential fact of his sexual orientation. It is truly a powerful film.

My Rating: 9/10

Oscar Best Picture Nominee: Boyhood

With the Oscars coming up in a little over a week, I decided I would take these next few days to discuss my opinions of the Best Picture Nominees.

"Boyhood"
Written and Directed by Richard Linklater
Starring Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke and Lorelei Linklater

Formally known as "The 12 Year Project", "Boyhood" is a groundbreaking film in which Richard Linklater told the story of a boy growing up by using the same actors and filming a little bit each year to show the highlights of his life at each age.

I'm not going to lie to you guys. Some of you will not like this movie. I could sit here and say it's because you won't understand it, but that's simply not true. I have heard from others that they felt this film was slow-moving and uneventful, and I completely see where they are coming from. But I have to disagree.

While the image above is the main reason why I believe this film deserves every bit of attention it is getting, I also believe that it is a story every single one of us can relate to. Man or woman. At the surface it doesn't feel like much, but when you really dig deep into your own past you can truly connect with Mason. His growth as a person, every single person reading this has dealt with that. The struggle to really find your identity and figure out who you want to become.

It gives us such an impressive and immersive look into how we are all in control of our own destiny. Every decision we make affects the outcome of our lives. And whether that gives you solace or anxiety is up to you. Personally, it gives me solace. And the three hours of this movie go by smoothly and seems like less time than that.

I will not promise to everyone that you will love this movie. I know for a fact some of you might not even get through it. What I can promise you is a film like nothing you have ever seen before. And while you might not be able to connect with every aspect of Mason's life, I guarantee that there is something in there that is a little piece of you. Watch this movie!

My Rating: 9.5/10