Joy (2015)

Directed by David O. Russell

Written by David O. Russell

Story by Ann Mumolo and David O. Russell

Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Nero, Edgar Ramírez and Bradley Cooper

When you view a trailer for the first time, you instantly get an expectation for a film. There is no avoiding it. That expectation can either help or hurt your opinion of the film in question, should you choose to buy a ticket or rent it when it’s released.

My exact expectation for David O. Russell’s “Joy” was that of familiarity. But not in a positive sense. I had loved his rock star cast of Bradley Cooper, Robert De Nero and Jennifer Lawrence in 2012’s “Silver Lining’s Playbook”. It had spoken to me in a way David O. Russell was unable to do with his previous films. Then when “American Hustle” came out one year later with the same rock star cast, I was left disappointed. But more importantly I was left with a major sense of annoyance and boredom. Somehow, Russell had failed to hit any mark that made “Silver Lining’s Playbook” a success in my mind. And no Oscar nomination was going to change my opinion of that.

So, six months ago, when I saw the first trailer for “Joy”, I just rolled my eyes. Same actors playing seemingly the same characters for the same director. Perhaps this initial thought ultimately helped me enjoy his third film with this rock star cast.

Joy tells the story of a single mother of two, who has found herself as the only financial and emotional support her family has. Unhappy with her life and feeling as if she is in a downward spiral, she begins pursuing the idea for an invention. Consumed by her new passion, she attempts to claw herself out of the rut life has thrown her into as everything around her tries to get in her way.

As I sat in the theater, waiting for the feature to begin, my expectation was to see a film much like “American Hustle”. A flat, uneventful, boring film with undoubtedly great acting. But ultimately a movie I would not enjoy, regardless of it’s quality performances. This is where poor expectations for a film can actually help.

What was presented to be instead was a story with significantly more character depth than initially anticipated and a story more relatable than I imagined after the short two minutes and change trailer. This was a story of strength and perseverance. A self made woman trying to reclaim her own life from those who had inadvertently taken control of it.

As always is the case with David O. Russell, in any of his films, good or bad, amazing performances drove this picture and added depth in unexpected places. Jennifer Lawrence, while more subdued and natural than her two previous films with the acclaimed director, proved to be a powerhouse that could carry the entire film.

While I would not go so far as to say that this is one of the best films of the year (although it could be nominated), and isn’t even in my personal top ten of 2015, this film exceeded my expectations. And caused me to utter three words that I rarely say regarding movies.

I was wrong.

My Rating: 7/10

The Wolfpack (2015)

Directed by Crystal Moselle
Starring the Angulo Family

Locked away from society in an apartment on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Angulo brothers learn about the outside world through the films that they watch. Nicknamed, 'The Wolfpack,' the brothers spend their childhood reenacting their favorite films using elaborate homemade props and costumes. Their world is shaken up when one of the brothers escapes and everything changes.

Never in my life have I seen a documentary that told a story so open-mindedly, so detached from the usual "GOTCHA!" journalism and so honest as the one Crystal Moselle has told in this documentary. Even with a story that is so one-sided and obvious as to what's right and what's wrong, she reveals the opinion of everyone involved without cutting and splicing what they say to fit her agenda.

The true power of movies is revealed with this family-- a group of sons that have no reason to enjoy life, yet discover themselves in the films they watch. It was truly inspiring to see the excitement they have for life and the world which is still very new to them.

I expected to find nothing but heart break and darkness in the lives of these young men. But rather, I was shown how their bond pushed them past the obstacles they faced together and gave them hope. This is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible stories ever told.

My Rating: 10/10

Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972)

Written and Directed by Werner Herzog

Starring Klaus Kinski, Del Negro, Ruy Guerra and Peter Berling

In the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.

A story of man's greed, both materialistic and spiritual, "Aguirre, the Wrath of God" is about more than just one man's selfishness. Through his acts of barbarianism and intimidation, the films protagonist also serves as a suitable antagonist, destroying anything and anyone that stands his way and crossing the line from the films opening.

In his first of a handful of collaborations with the infamous Klaus Kinski, Werner Herzog runs a production that is just as crazy and dangerous as the story of the films characters. Throughout the film, there is a sense of unease, hopelessness and aimlessness due to the way it was filmed. Whether it was intentional or unintentional, it certainly added to the suspense of a somewhat vacant plot.

As is the case with most, if not all of Werner Herzog's films, this is most certainly not for everyone. To the average movie goer, it could be seen as a long (despite an hour and a half running time) and boring story in which very little happens. But if you look at it with a slightly more studious eye, it is a brilliant allegory for the destruction Europeans brought on to the natives of the New World.

So if you do watch it, be sure to examine it and take it in for what it is. A Werner Herzog film.

My Rating: 8/10

Terminator Genisys (2015)

Directed by Alan Taylor
Written by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier, based on characters by James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd
Starring Arnold Schwartzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney and Jason Clarke

John Connor sends Kyle Reese back in time to protect Sarah Connor, but when he arrives in 1984, nothing is as he expected it to be.

While sitting in the theater, watching the story unfold, the same question kept repeating in my mind. How much better would this movie be if they didn't reveal one of the biggest plot points and surprises in the trailer? How much more emotionally invested would I be had I gone in not knowing that John Connor was turned into a cyborg, regenerative, terminator thing?

And that is possibly the biggest problem with this movie. Overall, it's a fun, action packed movie that is not as dark and brooding as the 2009 "Terminator Salvation". It doesn't take itself too seriously and is playful in it's action.

But seriously, how much better would it have been had I not known that the legend known as John Connor-- that little punk ass teenager in T2-- had I not known his fate because of a poorly planned marketing strategy, this movie could have been so much more.

It's the Terminator! You're not going to get any more butts in the seats why giving the whole plot away!  Not only that, but had the marketing team kept their mouths shut about that whole plot point, it could have blown people away and sold even more tickets due to word of mouth. It's a missed opportunity thanks to the new fad of showing the whole film in the trailer.

I'd turn evil too if I had to share screen time with Jai Courtney…

Despite, perhaps the worst marketing strategy known to mankind and terrible acting from everyone other than Jason Clarke and JK Simmons, "Terminator Genisys" turned out to be better than I expected.  While no match for T1 and T2 (obviously), it surpasses T3 and "Terminator Salvation". But it's no match to other action movies released this summer.

My Rating: 6/10

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)

Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Written by Jesse Andrews, based on his novel
Starring Thomas Mann, Olivia Cooke, RJ Cyler and Jon Bernthal

High schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.

A heartfelt and profound look into the mindset of a high school introvert and his interactions with his peers, the filmmaker takes a not so original concept and completely redesigns a genre with his style. The story unfolds with painfully honest performances from the young cast and the brilliantly unique cinematography.

I was transported back to my high school days through the similarities between the main characters life and my own. So perhaps the nostalgia I felt altered my opinion, but I'll be damned if this is not universally a great movie.

This is possible the first young adult/teenage drama that isn't overly melodramatic and sappy. The characters never sound off on pretentious rants of why they're smarter than the adults telling them to not do the things they should definitely not do and don't quote outdated philosophy or ideologies that don't make any sense (I'm looking at you "Paper Towns"!).

These teenage characters feel real. They feel as though they were written by someone who actually went to high school on planet Earth and aren't an alien posing as a human (John Green). And more importantly, the characters were likable (Unlike "The Fault in Our Stars"). I guess what I'm trying to say is that John Green could learn a thing or two from Jesse Andrews. Go see this movie!

My Rating: 10/10

Dope (2015)

Written and Directed by Rick Famuyiwa
Starring Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons and Blake Anderson

Life changes for Malcolm, a geek who's surviving life in a tough neighborhood, after a chance invitation to an underground party leads him and his friends into a Los Angeles adventure.

While thoroughly entertaining, funny and dope (I'm sorry), throughout most of the film I sat there wondering what, if anything the film was trying to say. I had heard that it was a "coming of age" movie unlike any other, but after an hour it still seemed like an average movie… But then they hit you with it.

Especially given the tragic events in South Carolina last week, this film seemed as if it had been made with the news in mind. Not only do they tackle racism between races, but also the stereotypes forced upon black people by others in their community.

Backed with an amazing soundtrack of 90s hip hop, modern hits, amazing originals and for some reason, Korn (not hat in', just saying'), the filmmaker knew exactly what he wanted to display and did so with flying colors. Presenting topical subjects and giving off a sense of nostalgia for people who grew up in the 90s, it's hard to really explain what makes this film great. Just check it out.

My Rating: 8/10

Inside Out (2015)

Directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen
Written by Pete Docter, Ronaldo Del Carmen, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley
Starring Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling and Richard Kind

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Welp… Pixar has done it again! After being forced to make several sequels with entertaining, but less emotional stories with important life lessons, they created a film that is as beautiful as it is funny.

Perfectly casted and brilliantly performed, the five emotions of the protagonists mind blend so well together, you almost forget that they represent polar opposite feelings.

The animator/performers perfectly captured the mannerisms of Lewis Black and the exaggerated mannerisms of Phyllis Smith to the point that it was easy to forget that these were artistic computer renderings. In a world where cheap, quick and cartoony computer generated images are the norm, "Inside Out" felt so real.

There is so much I would like to say about this film, but that would involve spoilers. But one thing is absolutely certain and that is the fact that Pixar is finally back to creating original, heart warming, heart breaking, fun, emotional roller coaster movies. And that brings me nothing but excitement.

My Rating: 9/10