NYFF60 review: ‘BONES AND ALL’ is a cult classic in the making, boasting stellar performances, morbid humor, and visceral visuals.

BONES AND ALL

Lucky audiences at NYFF60 had the chance to experience BONES AND ALL, one of the buzziest films to come out of the Venice Film Festival, with its eight-and-a-half-minute standing ovation. At this point, it is hard to imagine that you haven’t heard about it. It is thoroughly accurate to describe it as the following: “A coming-of-age romantic cannibal road film” Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Bones and All comes from a screenplay by David Kajganich, based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Camille DeAngelis. It centers on Maren’s father abandoning her at age eighteen, leaving behind an audio tape as her only guidance and explanation. This narration is an overarching theme during Maren’s journey. Left to fend for herself after years of life on the run with her father, she stumbles across another “eater” named Sully. When he makes her uneasy, she runs again, only to bump into Lee on the road. The two form a bond based on survival and their need to consume flesh. As they travel cross country, the menace from other eaters proves to be the most spine-chilling aspect of their relationship. 

Part of this story features Maren tracking down the mother she’s never met. In what would essentially prove to be a brilliant monologue, Chloë Sevigny‘s brief screentime makes you sweat. Michael Stuhlbarg is incredibly unsettling as fellow drifter Jake. When you discover that he’s teaching a non-eater how to do what they do, it feels wrong and so very right. Stuhlbarg crushes every role. Here, it took me a few minutes to realize it was him. Jake is a dirty, overalls-wearing backwoods soul and proud of it. It’s scary good.

Mark Rylance, who I have had the privilege of seeing on Broadway in Twelfth Night (yes, I had the coveted seats onstage), is hands down the most uncomfortable aspect of Bones and All. His performance borders on caricature and yet somehow works like gangbusters. From his straggly ponytail and fedora to his flair-spangled jacket, Rylance will have you eating out of the palm of his hand, whether you want to or not. Pun intended.

Timothée Chalamet as Lee is nothing but charming. He oozes casual suave. It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows his work. Bones and All reconnects Chalamet with Luca Guadagnino. One could argue that Call Me By Your Name was Chalamet’s star vehicle at NYFFF55. Bones and All is just as bold. Chalamet brings a punk edge and a caring nature opposite Taylor Russell. As Maren, she’s measured and soft. Her approach to adults shows a curated maturity. It’s a perfect balance to Chalamet. Together, they capture the innocence of young love, even if they’re pulling the wool over people’s eyes for a meal.

Bones and All is one of the most visceral films in history. As a horror fan (one might even call me a fanatic), I have seen and heard it all. Bones and All had me squirming and gagging and utterly entranced. It gives new meaning to “a visual feast for the eyes.” It will not be a film for everyone. It is best to go into your viewing experience with little to no knowledge, but that may feel like a bait and switch to some viewers. You can find out if you have the stomach for BONES AND ALL when A24 releases it on November 18th. Bring an open mind, and leave the snacks at home.

Review: ‘Arrival’

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Denis Villeneuve (Sicario) is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s must see directors, with his unique vision of storytelling and character portrayal, Villeneuve is revolutionizing how we watch films. Based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by author Ted Chiang and written for the screen by Eric Heisserer, Arrival explores extraterrestrial contact in a fresh, new way which pays homage to Close Encounter of the 3rd Kind and other greats from the past by taking aspects of those films and using them to enhance this lively new experience. This is a film to be cherished for many decades to come.

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Linguist Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is approached by the military to help decipher an alien language upon the arrival of multiple mysterious extraterrestrial spacecraft around the globe. Assisting Banks are mathematician Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) and US Army Colonel Weber (Forest Whitaker) each pressured with the task of making contact with the new visitors and understanding their language and their intent. Tensions around the globe are running high as China and other foreign governments discuss the possibility of first strike if contact can’t be made. Banks and Donnelly head a team to enter the ship and use their expertise to find a common ground between our language and theirs to properly interpret the meaning of their arrival and stop global war, but the answer they receive may change everything they’ve come to know forever.

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The cinematography by Bradford Young is exceptional and sets the tone for the film. Director Denis Villeneuve uses these visuals as a supporting cast member as the camera work encapsulates you within the story and keeps you engaged throughout the duration of the film. Amy Adams‘s performance is crucial to the payoff and she is exceptional. Every step throughout this journey is commanded by Adams and, along with co-star Jeremy Renner, provide the human emotional element that drives each character to do whatever they must to complete their mission. Forest Whitaker stands strong as the moral center trying to keep the team on mission and the fate of the world in the front of his mind. The three are a perfect triangle of acting that play off one another to drive home the message.

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Overall, Arrival is a giant step forward for film making and awe inspiring experience like no other I’ve witnessed this year. A film that turns the science fiction genre on it’s head with an ending so unexpected that it will leave you speechless. This is the film to beat for 2016.

Stars:

4 1/2 out of 5

Trailer:

Review: ‘Doctor Strange’- A Mind-Blowing Journey into Marvel’s Multiverse

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The Sorcerer Supreme has arrived into the Marvel Cinematic Universe and everything you have come to know about comic book movies will be turned upside down. Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson (Deliver Us From Evil) is the fourteenth film in the MCU and the first to introduce audiences to Marvel’s multiverse, a collection of alternate universes that will open up storylines in future Marvel films to infinite heights. At the center of this is Doctor Stephen Strange, the protector of all universes within the multiverse, who takes center stage in this mind-bending story of self reflection and salvation that culminates into one of the most original films in recent memory.

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Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Doctor Strange, an acclaimed neurosurgeon who loses the use of his hands in a tragic car accident. Distraught by the notion that he may never reclaim his previous life as a surgeon, Strange begins the search for alternative practices to help him heal. This journey leads him to Kamar-Taj and an audience with The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who reveals to him the the astral plane and the open possibilities of her teachings. Reluctant to accept the arrogant Strange, The Ancient One agrees with persuasion from another sorcerer, Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who sees promise in Strange. Soon Strange begins his training and learns to harness the power of the multiverse to manipulate energy is ways he never thought possible. As his knowledge continues to expand, the sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his zealots arrive to  threaten the very existence of the reality world. Doctor Strange must rely on his abilities, and Karl Mordo, to help him protect the Earth from falling to the powerful Dormammu of the Dark Dimension.

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Director Scott Derrickson brings Doctor Strange, one of the most beloved comic book icons to screen like no other director could. His passion for the project and love for the source material shows in each cell of film and the screenplay, written together along with long time writing partner C. Robert Cargill, is smart and compelling. The visual effects are astonishing and add another level to the storytelling that is never overpowering and perfectly used to introduce the powers of this new expansion into the MCU. Benedict Cumberbatch embodies the Sorcerer Supreme like no other actor could. His acting style and presence bring the complicated Strange to life with his talent for expressing the exact emotional range the character needs throughout his journey.

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Overall, Doctor Strange is the most original comic book movie to date. It’s mind blowing visuals and detailed storytelling will keep you engaged and begging for the film to never end. This is the film to shake the Marvel universe to it’s core and change the landscape forever. The future is gonna be awesome and we have the Sorcerer Supreme to thank for it.

Stars:

4 out of 5

After credit scene?

Yes. 1 mid credit and 1 after credit

Trailer:

Marvel Studios and IMAX offer fans sneak peek at ‘Doctor Strange’

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Marvel Studios announces Marvel Studios’ Expand Your Mind: An IMAX® 3D Exclusive First Look, featuring approximately 15 minutes of exclusive footage from the highly anticipated, action-packed Doctor Strange. The sneak peek will be showcased in over 115 theater locations across North America on October 10, 2016, at 7p.m.

Select IMAX 3D theaters nationwide and 3D & IMAX 3D theaters internationally will offer the special screening of thrilling, never-before-seen 3D footage of the Scott Derrickson-directed movie, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016.

Commenting on the exclusive footage, director Scott Derrickson says, “As a movie fan, I am thrilled to take audiences along on the visual journey of ‘Doctor Strange’ and give them an early peek at what we’ve been working on.  The completed film will feature more than an hour of specially formatted IMAX sequences that will provide audiences with a totally immersive—and mind-blowing—film-going experience and I’m excited to share a taste of that with our fans on 10/10.”

Tickets to the October 10th Marvel Studios Expand Your Mind: An IMAX® 3D Exclusive First Look are free and will be distributed for U.S. and Canadian screenings on a first-come, first-serve basis starting today at noon/PDT. For more information and to download tickets, go to: http://www.seeitfirst.net/pin/131383

Fans who attend this exclusive sneak peek will also receive a limited-edition, collectible Doctor Strange IMAX poster.

 From Marvel Studios comes Doctor Strange, the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

Doctor Strange stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt and Scott Adkins, with Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton. Scott Derrickson is directing with Kevin Feige producing. Louis D’Esposito, Stephen Broussard, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth and Stan Lee serve as executive producers. Jon Spaihts and Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill wrote the screenplay. Join Strange on his dangerous, mystifying and totally mind-bending journey when Marvel Studios’ Doctor Strange opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016.

Production Begins of Marvel’s ‘Doctor Strange’ Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Doctor_Strange_LogoMarvel Studios announced today that production has begun on Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Black Mass, The Imitation Game), Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave, The Martian), Rachel McAdams (Southpaw, Sherlock Holmes) and Michael Stuhlbarg (Steve Jobs, A Serious Man)  with Mads Mikkelsen (Clash of the Titans, Casino Royale)  and Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton, The Grand Budapest Hotel).  The film, which opens in U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016, is directed by Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose). The film will be shot in several locations around the world, including London, New York, Hong Kong and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Doctor Strange follows the story of neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a horrific car accident, discovers the hidden world of magic and alternate dimensions.

Doctor Strange is the latest film in Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Phase 3’s goal—over the course of four years and nine films—is to introduce audiences to new heroes and continue the adventures of fan favorites.

Marvel’s Doctor Strange is produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Charles Newirth, Stephen Broussard and Stan Lee serving as executive producers.

Director Scott Derrickson’s creative team also includes director of photography Ben Davis, B.S.C. (Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy); production designer Charles Wood (Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy); costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy); editors Wyatt Smith (Into the Woods, Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World) and Sabrina Plisco, ACE (Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Charlotte’s Web); and visuals effects supervisor Stephane Ceretti (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy).

Based on the Marvel comic character who first appeared in “Strange Tales” Issue 110 published in July 1963, Marvel’s Doctor Strange continues the lineage of epic big-screen adventures chronicled in Marvel’s  Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Ant-Man and the upcoming Captain America: Civil War, (May 6, 2016), Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (May 5, 2017) and  Thor: Ragnarok (November 3, 2017).

Marvel Studios continued its unprecedented success this year with the May 1st release of Avengers: Age of Ultron, which recorded the second biggest opening weekend of all time with a $191.3 million box office. It has also been the #1 release in every country where it has opened and has grossed over $1.4 billion in global box office. On July 17, Marvel released Ant-Man, which has grossed to date over $518 million worldwide.

In 2014 Marvel Studios released Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy, the top-grossing domestic film of 2014 with $333.2 million and $772.8 million worldwide. Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which broke the opening record for an April release by earning $95 million in its first weekend, went on to gross more than $711 million worldwide.

In 2013 Marvel produced the megahits Thor: The Dark World and Iron Man 3. The two films have earned over $644 million and $1.2 billion worldwide, respectively, since their openings. In 2012 Marvel’s critically acclaimed The Avengers set an all-time, domestic three-day weekend box-office record at $207.4 million. The film went on to gross over $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming Disney’s highest-grossing global and domestic release of all time.

New York Film Festival Review: ‘STEVE JOBS’ The idol and the narcissist.

SteveJobs-NYFF53-fullSteve Jobs posterSteve Jobs: Humanity may recognize his face quicker than any religious leader, sports icon, historical figure… even Kardashian. The world knows this man. But, do they really?  Danny Boyle‘s new film, based upon the biography by Walter Isaacson, focuses on three specific moments in the life of Jobs; the launches of the Macintosh, Next, and the iMac. You may think you know the man that inspired the internet in your pocket, but truly you have no idea.stevejobs0004

The unmistakable dialogue from Aaron Sorkin breathes life into this film. Steve Jobs takes off running right out of the gate without a moment’s rest in it’s 122 minute run time. Each of the three sequences appearing in “real time” as they play out on screen. Sorkin admitted in the press conference following the screening that he has a bit of an obsession with time itself. The pacing is unreal. You have no idea how far you are into the movie at any given time as his dialogue is lush but never verbose. The entire cast nails each beat precisely.

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If you haven’t read Isaacson’s book, you may not have a clear picture of Jobs. While he was adored by those in the public and those closest to him, the man was no saint. Self obsessed, “my way or the highway attitude” and in total denial, each move in his career was 1000% calculated. Oftentimes, to the detriment of those personal relationships. This is another brilliant aspect that the film brings in its editing. Each of the three launches is inter-cut with a pivotal moment from the past in which a character had a confrontation with Steve. While the adoration remains, let it be known that everyone in his path at some point reached their emotional limit and let him know it. I would be remiss to ignore the look and feel of each era, including wardrobe, music, and sporadic text visuals that serve to quietly highlight it’s excellence. Michael Stuhlbarg, Michael Fassbender, Kate Winslet Steve Jobs

This cast is beyond perfection. Michael Fassbender, who admits he looks nothing like Jobs, did his actor’s due diligence studying YouTube clips of Steve. The rhythm and timbre of his voice and his physicality. Kate Winslet plays Joanna Hoffman, Job’s head of marketing and perhaps closest female friend ever, with a delicious ease. The leftover Polish accent of Hoffman is perfectly captured on Winslet’s lips. Seth Rogen is the ever forgotten genius Steve Wozniak. Rogen’s performance should not be overlooked in this year’s awards nominations. His quiet power does not go unnoticed and the scenes between he and Fassbender are spellbinding. Jeff Daniels, who perhaps has the most experience with Sorkin’s writing with his work on The Newsroom, gives us a knockout performance as Apple CEO John Sculley. Butting heads with Jobs but revealing a while boat load of truth in the process, Daniels also deserves accolades for this role. The cast is rounded out by exceptional portrayals of Crisann Brennan, Jobs’ thrown to the wind ex and mother of his first child, by Katherine Waterston. The emotional torture this woman endured is evident in each scene. Finally, Michael Stuhlbarg is Andy Hertzfeld, Mac software system designer, who often argued with Steve about his closed source software (the reason Mac is incompatible with anything other than Mac, which was probably his most calculated decision ever). Stuhlbarg, like the majority of the cast, spent time with his real life counterpart, getting to know the true ins and outs of who they were to  Steve and who they were as individual innovators. Seth Rogen Steve JobsSTEVE JOBS is both a pretty picture and a not so pretty picture of a man the world still worships. It will take you by surprise in every way possible. A triumph from start to finish, look for, at the very least, massive nominations for all involved come award season. STEVE JOBS comes to theaters in limited release Friday, October 3rd, followed by it’s nationwide release Friday, October 23rd. Stay tuned to Reel News Daily for the latest updates.

  • Directed By Danny Boyle
  • 2015
  • USA
  • DCP

Anyone going to this provocative and wildly entertaining film expecting a straight biopic of Steve Jobs is in for a shock. Working from Walter Isaacson’s biography, writer Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Charlie Wilson’s War) and director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours) joined forces to create this dynamically character-driven portrait of the brilliant man at the epicenter of the digital revolution, weaving the multiple threads of their protagonist’s life into three daringly extended backstage scenes, as he prepares to launch the first Macintosh, the NeXT work station and the iMac. We get a dazzlingly executed cross-hatched portrait of a complex and contradictory man, set against the changing fortunes and circumstances of the home-computer industry and the ascendancy of branding, of products, and of oneself. The stellar cast includes Michael Fassbender in the title role, Kate Winslet as Joanna Hoffman, Seth Rogen as Steve Wozniak, Jeff Daniels as John Sculley, Katherine Waterston as Chrisann Brennan and Michael Stuhlbarg as Andy Hertzfeld. A Universal Pictures release.

The New Steve Jobs Trailer is Here!

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Universal Pictures and Legendary Pictures have released the new Steve Jobs trailer and we have it for you below!

Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Steve Jobs is directed by Academy Award® winner Danny Boyle and written by Academy Award® winner Aaron Sorkin, working from Walter Isaacson’s best-selling biography of the Apple founder. The producers are Mark Gordon, Guymon Casady of Film 360, Scott Rudin, Boyle and Academy Award®winner Christian Colson.

Michael Fassbender plays Steve Jobs, the pioneering founder of Apple, with Academy Award®-winning actress Kate Winslet starring as Joanna Hoffman, former marketing chief of Macintosh. Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple, is played by Seth Rogen, and Jeff Daniels stars as former Apple CEO John Sculley. The film also stars Katherine Waterston as Chrisann Brennan, Jobs’ ex-girlfriend, and Michael Stuhlbarg as Andy Hertzfeld, one of the original members of the Apple Macintosh development team.

The film is scheduled for release on Friday, October 9.