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Review: ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — 1 Comment ↓

The expansion of the Star Wars universe is off to an outstanding start at Disney and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story just changed the entire game. The first stand-alone film in the planned anthology series, director Gareth Edwards’ war story centering around the legend of the rebel team that stole the plans to the Death Star is a tale many Star Wars fans have clamored to see and the director has delivered a unique, entertaining and satisfying film that will win over hardcore fans and novice alike.

Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) has been on the run since she was a young child. Her father, research scientist Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen), was forced to return to the Empire to complete the design of the Death Star by Imperial Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) which, in turn, sent Jyn into hiding with the help of her father’s friend Saw Gerrera (Forest Whitaker). Fifteen years has passed and the memory of her father still haunts young Jyn. An imperial pilot named Bodhi Rook (Riz Ahmed) has defected and smuggle a message to the Rebel Alliance with information crucial to their cause. The rebel forces have located Jyn with the hopes of recruiting her to help find her father and discover the secrets of the monstrous weapon. Rebel Officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) accompany Jyn on a mission to retrieve the message from Bodhi Rook on the planet Jedha.

After an encounter with imperial troops, the trio are aided by warrior Chirrut Îmwe (Donnie Yen) and mercenary Baze Malbus (Wen Jiang) who join the cause to help Jyn retrieve her father. Quickly the mission becomes more about the preservation of the galaxy and the team set their sights on stealing the plans to the Death Star at the high-security base on the planet Scarif. The time is now for the rebels to take their stand, to secure the safety of the galaxy and destroy the most valuable weapon in the Empire’s arsenal, the Death Star.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is a near perfect cinematic experience. Director Gareth Edwards and cinematographer Greig Fraser elected for a raw, gritty feel to the film and the tone plays to the subject matter perfectly. The script by Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy is smart and engaging and doesn’t over complicate the objective of telling this war story. Each frame of the film was envisioned with excitement and respect for the Star Wars franchise and the filmmakers have created an outstanding compliment film to the original trilogy. Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Donnie Yen, Riz Ahmed and Wen Jiang, the members of the Rogue One team, were perfectly cast in their respective roles. The voice of Alan Tudyk for K-2SO added just enough comedic relief necessary in the right places. Mads Mikkelsen, in his limited screen time, helped enrich the emotional journey for Jones’ Jyn and provide the redemption factor we all come to know in the Star Wars universe. The stand out star in the film to me was Ben Mendelsohn. His menacing performance as the main protagonist never fell into cliche’s and provided a satisfying character arc.

Overall, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is an exceptional movie to be enjoyed on the biggest screen you can find. The journey never wearies and it will enrich your love for the franchise a little bit more. Next up…Episode VIII!!

4 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Trailer:

Review: ‘La La Land’ dances to Oscar contention

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

It’s been 14 years since a musical has won the top prize at the Academy Awards and La La Land is vying to end that streak with this enchanting tale of love in the City of Angels. Director Damien Chazelle (Whiplash) returns hungry for Oscar gold and brings with him a powerfully memorizing cast with catchy songs and a beautifully crafted story that will transport you out of the uncertainty of the real world and into a reality of hope and creativity where dreams are within the grasp of the dreamer and the skies the limit for the few that chose to believe. Transport yourself to La La Land.

Mia (Emma Stone) is an on-studio barista and aspiring actress looking for her big break. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a pianist who sees the world closing in around him to suffocate the one thing he loves above all, Jazz. Chance has crossed their paths on several occasions, but for Sebastian, his focus of his perfect future sees right through what’s facing his present. But chance won’t be denied. The two meet again with each doing their best to dismiss the obvious, that there is clearly chemistry between them. One day, Sebastian finds Mia at work and, after a declaration of her dislike for jazz, decides to take her to a jazz bar. He opens up to Mia about his passion for jazz and his aspirations of running his own jazz bar, they discuss Mia’s trials and tribulations of being an actress and Sebastian helps reinforce her passion for her craft. The two face the inevitable truth that the future is brighter with each one beside the other.

Mia decides to write a personal single-actress play, “So Long, Boulder City,” hoping it will propel her to stardom, and Sebastian becomes a keyboardist in his jazz band, The Messengers, with long time friend Keith (John Legend), which takes him on tour and away from Mia. Facing the inevitability of change, the star crossed lovers tackle their new projects head on. As they forge on to keep their love alive, Mia faces a hard road that has her question the choices she’s made and looks to change her future. Sebastian’s future plans have altered now because of the bands success and in the process, they find themselves on different paths. Now is it the dreamers, coming full circle to face the truth about their choices, or do they have one final act in which to create their happy ending?

La La Land is nothing short of extraordinary. A timeless tale of love and aspiration of two lovers facing the hard realities of life. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are the perfect pair to bring Mia and Sebastian to life. Having worked together before as a couple on screen, the trust that each other has in the abilities of the other to bring out the best in their performances creates beautifully crafted emotional scenes and moments of pure joy. Unlike many musicals before, the choreography by Mandy Moore and the music of Justin Hurwitz are never overpowering and act only as a compliment to the surrounding story. The cinematography by Linus Sandgren is bright and vibrant and director Damien Chazelle’s vision culminated in a movie that will be cherished for generations to come.

Overall, La La Land is destined to compete for best picture during award season and rightfully so. It’s a film destined to steal your heart and yearn for a time when you dreamed an impossible dream. Be sure to leave the real world at the door and allow yourself the pleasure of this treasure.

Stars:

4 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

None

Trailer:

Review: ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’- A Trip into the Wizarding World Worth Waiting For

Posted on November 15, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — 1 Comment ↓

When Warner Bros released the spectacular Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011, many believed this to be the conclusion of the wizarding world of J.K. Rowling, but here we are just five years later and we’re heading back into the Harry Potter universe with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a prequel of sorts which expands the magical realm to 1920’s New York City. David Yates continues his tenure as director as he did for the final four films in the Harry Potter franchise and is tasked with helming all five films in this new series. Can this new wizarding tale hold up to the high standards of the boy who lived epic? Let’s begin…accio review!

Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) is your normal run of the mill Hufflepuff, hard working, friendly and loyal to a fault. Passionate about magical creatures from an early age, he traveled the world observing beasts and their behavior in the wild, which is what brings him to New York City. After a niffler escapes his suitcase, Newt searches for the pesky creature in a local bank where he encounters Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) a “no maj”, or non wizard folk, who witnesses Newt’s magical powers and fantastic creatures. Unbeknownst to Newt, another wizard, Porpentina Goldstein (Katherine Waterston) has spotted the young wizard and witnesses his reckless actions. As an employee of the Magical Congress of the United States of America, Porpentina must report Newt to the authorities for carrying his magical creatures into the city; only one problem…the suitcase has been mistakenly switched! Faced with the notion that a no maj is in possession of a suitcase full of magical creatures, Tina and Newt head out to find Jacob in hopes to stop him from accidentally setting the creatures free.

But the creatures aren’t the only thing threatening the wizards. Percival Graves (Colin Farrell), a high-ranking Auror and the Director of Magical Security for MACUSA, is in charge of the protection of wizards and set with the task of tracking down Newt. There is also the growing concern of The New Salem Philanthropic Society, an extremist group lead by Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton) who is trying to rally the citizens of New York behind her cause to “out” the members of the wizarding community and rid the world of their unusual powers. She is aided by her adopted son Credence Barebone (Ezra Miller) and a legion of young children looking to assemble an army to their cause. If that wasn’t enough, there’s Gellert Grindelwald, a dark wizard who has caused growing concern after recent attacks on the wizarding community and could reappear at any moment. Newt and Tina must rush against friend and foe to complete their mission before time runs out.

The mind of J.K. Rowling will never cease to amaze me. To take a companion text book about magical creatures that she wrote under the pseudonym of the fictitious author Newt Scamander and turn it into a new film franchise that is exciting and carefully connected to the Harry Potter universe is an exceptional feat. David Yates has become an integral part of the creative process of the wizarding world and his dedication to J.K. Rowling’s source material cannot be duplicated. After successfully navigated the dark storylines of the final books in the Harry Potter series, Yates now brings Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and these new wonderful characters to audiences that are faced with uncharted waters, a film series with no source material to reference! But the film plays out like an old, trusted, well read novel that we, of course, have known all along thanks to both Rowling and Yates.

Eddie Redmayne is outstanding as Newt Scamander, a role he most certainly was destined to play. Accompanied by the lovely and talented actresses Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol and the lovable no maj Dan Fogler, this team of unlikely heroes is perfectly cast and are the cornerstones in this new tale. Their story is just beginning and fans will be eager to see where the adventures takes them.

Overall, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an exceptional introduction into this new expansion of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. Keep your eyes and ears peeled to the screen for easter eggs and references to the Harry Potter universe and enjoy the adventure, it is worth the trip.

Stars:

4 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

None

Trailer

Review: ‘Arrival’

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

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.

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.

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.

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

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

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.

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.

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.

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:

Review: ‘Hacksaw Ridge’- How far would you go to stand up for your convictions?

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

How far would you go to stand up for your convictions? This is question to ponder as you watch Hacksaw Ridge, a story based around a young man of faith going off to war to do what’s right. Director Mel Gibson returns behind the camera to tell this incredible true story of heroism in the face of adversity and in the process brings us one of the most memorable stories of war ever brought to screen.

Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield) is a young Virginian boy, whose life on the family farm has been plagued by a father distraught with guilt after coming home from WWI and a childhood accident that almost caused the death of his brother Hal. Desmond takes solace in a new belief that no man should take up arms and kill another man and devotes his life to the Lord. A chance meeting with Dorothy (Teresa Palmer), a young hospital nurse, leads the young boy to the conclusion that he is destined to one day marry her. After Hal joins the army to fight against the Japanese in WWII, Desmond begins to think he must also go off to war to protect all that he loves.

Upon arrival to boot camp, it becomes abundantly clear to Doss that his beliefs will soon be tested. Sergeant Howell (Vincent Vaughn), isn’t amused by the revelation that Doss won’t fire a weapon and aims to make an example of him. Desmond makes every attempt to prove his worth in the company, but still refuses to yield to the pressure. Company Captain Glover (Sam Worthington) recommends that Doss be dishonorably discharged from the army, but Doss ultimately wins the right to fight the war on his terms, as a medical officer. The company ships off to Okinawa, where Doss will find out first hand what his choices have lead him to.

This powerful film looks at war through the eyes of a young man who chooses to use his faith, not a gun, as a weapon to save lives instead of taking them. Andrew Garfield turns in the performance of a lifetime bringing Desmond Doss to life on the screen. Garfield is compelling and portrays Doss’ emotional journey from star crossed lover to war time hero with perfection. Each step thru the battle of Hacksaw Ridge provides a clear understanding what it means to believe in the power of faith and what it takes to trust that your every action is predetermined by a higher power. Doss left no doubt that he is one of the world’s greatest heroes, Garfield leaves no doubt that he is one of Hollywood’s rising stars.

Overall, Hacksaw Ridge is a marvelous film destined for a strong run into award season.

Stars:

4 out of 5

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Review: ‘Inferno’- An unfaithful adaptation but the best film of the trilogy

Posted on October 26, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

A decade has past since Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) hit the screen for his first adventure in the Da Vinci Code and he now returns for another go in the adaptation Inferno. From director Ron Howard based on the Dan Brown novel, “Inferno”, the fourth book in the series (yes, they skipped “The Lost Symbol”), is an exciting and intricate race against time that kept you intrigued throughout the pages, question is, can the movie adaptation match the cleverness?

Robert Langdon awakens in a hospital room in Florence, Italy, with no memory of what has transpired over the last few days and unexplained visions of human suffering. Dr. Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones), the attending physician, tells him that he is suffering from amnesia as a result of a bullet wound to his head and asks if he can remember anything that might help them understand what happened. Langdon has little time to process his thoughts as an assassin arrives to complete her mission. Sienna helps Langdon escape and the chase begins. The two arrive in Sienna’s apartment where they find Faraday pointer among Langdon’s personal belongings with projection of Botticelli’s Map of Hell.

They discover that the map is part of a mystery left by billionaire geneticist Bertrand Zobrist (Ben Foster), who believes that the world is destined for over population and the extinction of the human race. Discovering that Zobrist had recently killed himself, Langdon concludes that there is a reason for this map to be in his possession and the two find a hidden message within. Langdon’s knowledge of Dante’s work allows the two to follow clues thru Florence and Venice, while evading the assassin and the authorities, including the WHO, whom have a keen interest in Langdon. Sienna and Langdon have less than 24 hours to decipher friend from foe and collect all the information they need to help them stop a global event that will change the human race forever.

Inferno is a fun movie with beautiful cinematography, but the film version falls short of the excitement that made the book so enjoyable, opting for unimaginative plot changes which will leave fans shaking their heads. Tom Hanks isn’t as crisp and confident in his portrayal of Langdon this go around, but the added vulnerability to the character allows Hanks to explore a more emotional side to his character which keeps this version of Langdon from feeling like a retread of the previous films. Felicity Jones’ Sienna Brooks is a far cry from the book version which had so many wonderful layers to her. Jones isn’t to blame for this, but what she is provided isn’t very interesting nor is her chemistry with Hanks. Most of the blame for the character development falls strictly on screenwriter David Koepp and director Ron Howard who ultimately opted for this watered down version of a film.

Overall, Inferno is a struggle for fans of the novel, but a fun movie that will entertain. If nothing else, the film will allow fans of the franchise to see their favorite professor in action one more time, which is worth the price of admission.

Stars:

3 out of 5

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Review: ‘The Edge of Seventeen’- The Perfect Coming of Age Movie for a New Generation

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

From director Kelly Fremon Craig comes The Edge of Seventeen, a story centered around a young high school girl named Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) and the trials and tribulations known simply as, “her life.” This coming of age movie provides a comedic, yet brutally honest look at what it’s like to be different and face the daily struggle of growing up. Like many films that have come before and spoken to a generation that yearns to be seen for their individualism, this film screams for millennials in a way no other could.

High school junior Nadine leads a complicated existence. Between her awkwardness, dealing with a family tragedy, and a mother (Kyra Sedgwick) trying to understand how to connect with her, life hasn’t exactly worked out the way she planned. Nadine has navigated most of her life with best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson), her only friend who has helped curb her feelings of being an outcast and stands as the lone bright light in her dark world. All of that changes when Krista begins to date Nadine’s older brother Darian (Blake Jenner), which leads to a total meltdown mentally for Nadine. Faced with the unknown of her life once again, Nadine turns to her teacher and reluctant mentor Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson) for words of wisdom to help her face the world that she now faces, but it’s an unexpected friendship with Erwin (Hayden Szeto), an equally as awkward student who might be the one to show her that things aren’t that terrible after all.

This film connects with the psyche of every person who ever felt out of place in a big world where nothing makes sense. Hailee Steinfeld is quirky and wonderful as the unpredictable Nadine. She embodies the essence of being an awkward outcast with perfection. Woody Harrelson is wonderfully cast in the role of Mr Bruner and offers a raw, carefully restrained voice of reason for Nadine which, at times, seems to speak directly to the audience to provide some free therapy for our own lives. The stand out star of the film is Hayden Szeto whose thoughtful, awkward Erwin shows Nadine that it’s OK to be live by different rules and not allow it to exist as a negative in your life.

Overall, The Edge of Seventeen is the perfect coming of age film for this generation and stands as a reminder to us all to take a look inside and remember what it’s like to grow up.

Stars:

4 out of 5

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Review: ‘Oasis: Supersonic’- A look into one of Britain’s greatest rock bands

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — 2 Comments ↓

From award-winning director Mat Whitecross (Amy), comes an in depth look into one of Britain’s greatest bands, Oasis, in their own words, raw and very much rock ‘n’ roll. The film, featuring never before scene footage of the band in their early years, charts the meteoric rise of Liam and Noel Gallagher, the driving force behind Oasis, whose relationship from the council estates of Manchester to the worlds biggest stage is part of the lore behind what makes this band one of the most talked about and analyzed bands of our lifetimes. Their journey from unknown act to headlining star in just three years is the framework for this exceptional documentary with new interviews with Noel and Liam, as well as, their mother Peggy Gallagher, founder of Creation Records, Alan McGee, and members of the band and road crew; each person providing insight into the formation of the band and how they attempted to control the juggernaut that became Oasis.

Although the documentary is only a snapshot and not a complete picture of the career of the band, this doesn’t take away from how informative and important this documentary is to fans and music lovers alike. The two hour journey keeps you knee deep into the workings of a band determined to conquer the world and change the landscape of music forever and never takes it foot off the pedal. Noel and Liam, on the surface, are brothers by birth, their relationship has always been volatile and makes for great tabloid fodder, but it’s the music that keeps them connected on a completely different level. This film will give you a glimpse into each brother that is rarely seen in the public eye, it will give you clarity into what makes each brother tick and it will even have you forgive some of their more public outbursts, but most importantly it will have you love this band more than you ever thought possible.

Stars:

4 out of 5

Trailer:

Get your tickets for the one night only event at http://supersonic-movie.com/

Review: ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Tom Cruise returns to action as ex-military man Jack Reacher, a drifter who’s out to protect the innocent in the sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Based on the 2013 Jack Reacher novel, Never Go Back by Lee Child and directed by Edward Zwick, the film picks up four years after the original film and finds Reacher back in the thick of things with a new set of bad guys and a mission to save a friend, but an unexpected bombshell might change everything for the hero.

Jack Reacher sets out to take down a human trafficking ring when he comes in contact with Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders), head of the military police who helps him get out of a sticky situation. The two continue to communicate through the months that follow which leads to Reacher making his way back to Washington DC where he intends to meet his new friend, but upon arrival he is met with shocking news that Major Turner has been arrested for espionage. Believing that his instincts about Major Turner are correct, Reacher decides to find out the truth behind what’s really happening. In the process of his investigation, Reacher discovers that he may have a teenage daughter (Danika Yarosh) he never knew existed about which complicates his investigation.

As he begins to piece together the plot against Turner, Reacher himself comes under suspicion of murder and finds himself on the run from not only the authorities, but the organization that wants Turner eliminated. The race is on to discover the truth behind who really framed them for crimes they didn’t commit.

Tom Cruise is great as the titular character which plays more like a toned down version of one of his other iconic characters, Ethan Hunt. The main attraction to this character is his unconventional stature in the world as a drifter looking to replace his past of military service with a new life of service by his own rules. Cobie Smulders continues to come into her own in the action genre and gives her a strong female character to develop. Smulders never tries to over think the role and fleshes out the strengths of the character and never takes a back seat to her male lead.

Overall, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back is a non stop action thrill ride and a fun popcorn movie that doesn’t reinvent the action genre, but continues the long tradition of making a fun movie for the sake of nothing more than to entertain.

Stars:

3 out of 5

After credit scene?

Trailer:

Review: Suicide Squad

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Warner Brothers are off to a rough start in creating their DC Cinematic Universe with the overwhelmingly negative reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but they’re hedging their bets that David Ayer’s Suicide Squad can right the ship. With movie superstar Will Smith, the live action debut of beloved character Harley Quinn and the return of the Joker, this movie is set up to be a home run, but with early screening responses trending negative and word of back stage issues, could we possibly be seeing strike two for the movie studio or will fans embrace this rouge group of bad guys doing good and usher in a new successful comic book franchise to the ever growing genre.

It is a world post Superman and Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is a government official who doesn’t plan on sitting back and waiting for an apocalyptic event to occur. Her plan is to assemble a task force consisting of a group of dangerous criminals with the intent of controlling them to do her bidding if a threat to this nation arises. She receives the approval to move forward and, along with military man Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), and samurai Katana (Karen Fukuhara) she selects her team consisting of Deadshot (Will Smith), the deadliest hitman on Earth, Harley Quinn (Margo Robbie), former psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum and current crazed super-villain who happens to be the love of The Joker’s life, Boomerang (Jai Courtney), a rugged, unpredictable and mouthy criminal who utilizes deadly boomerangs, Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), a super-villain with the features of a crocodile, and El Diablo (Jay Hernandez), a gang member who has powers that allow him to summon flames.

Together they must take on Enchantress (Cara Delevingne), an ancient evil force that awakens to find a world where she once ruled has adopted new gods to worship. Enchantress beings to assemble a machine that will destroy the city, but it’s the Suicide Squad that is activated to take on the threat, but Enchantress isn’t the only threat to these anti-heroes. Harley Quinn’s boyfriend, The Joker (Jared Leto), the biggest criminal in Gotham is out to get his girl back and he’ll stop at nothing to get her back. Around each corner, a new threat lurks, can this team find a way to coexist or will the deeds from their past hinder their chances of success?

Director David Ayer creates a chaotic world in which to drop his suicide squad into and sets them off like a time bomb. Much like DC’s animated movie Batman: Assault on Arkham, this is very much a search and destroy film taking from recent video game plots, mixing it all into Ayer’s world and relying on the strength of the actors to make the simplistic plot as intersting as possible for the audience. Viola Davis is amazing and embodies Amanda Waller with the exact amount of venom needed to bring this “take no crap” character to the screen. Will Smith brings his star power to the film and ultimately becomes a focal point of the movie. Deadshot’s back story and character arc embrace the human side of his character while attempting to prove that even bad guys can be good. Margo Robbie’s Harley Quinn is the other focal point and her portrayal of Quinn is perfection. Robbie adds sex appeal to Quinn’s bad ass persona and brings to life one of the most beloved characters with pure class. Jared Leto unearthed the clown prince and brought the the screen a new take on the Joker. Leto’s is a perfect companion to Robbie’s Harley Quinn and one that will be highly anticipated to watch as the character makes his way thru the DCU. My only wish is that the character was given a bit more screen time. The rest of the cast including Cara Delevingne, Joel Kinnaman and Jai Courtney were serviceable at best and really didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Overall, Suicide Squad is a highly enjoyable action film that will surely entertain fans of the comics. Will audiences embrace this movie? That’s a question for another time, but one thing’s for sure, form your own opinion and make sure not to allow the negative critical reaction from allowing yourself to see the film.

Stars:

3 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Yes. Mid Credit

Trailer:

Review: ‘The BFG’

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Family films rarely get much bigger than The BFG, based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl and directed by Steven Spielberg. The story of an orphan girl who befriends a giant and accompanies him on the adventure of a lifetime is heartwarming and family friendly with an amazing cast lead by Oscar winner Mark Rylance and newcomer Ruby Barnhill. Come on a journey into giant country and experience the wonder of The BFG.

Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) is a young orphan girl in London who longs for adventure. Telling the story of frightful things lurking in the shadows of the night, she encounters her own in the form of a massive giant who takes young Sophie from her bed and races back to his home in giant country. Initially afraid of what’s to come, she is introduced to her captor, The BFG (Mark Rylance), an endearingly dim-witted giant with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell. The BFG, or Big Friendly Giant, is nothing like the other inhabitants of giant country you see. He keeps to himself and fancies to feed himself snozzcumber and frobscottle as opposed to his giant brethren Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) who prefer to eat humans.

The BFG spends most of his time in dream country where he collects dreams and then takes them to children all around the country, teaching Sophie all about the magic and mystery of dreams. Everything is wonderful between the two new best friends until Sophie’s presence is detected by the other giants, putting her in danger. Sophie and the BFG must head to London to convince Queen Victoria (Penelope Wilton) to help with the impending giant attacks, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they must all come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.

Legendary director Steve Spielberg does not disappoint with his creation of this wonderful Roald Dahl classic. This is a rare film when visuals take a back seat to performance. Mark Rylance is outstanding as the BFG and you truly immerse yourself into his performance that you forget he is a CGI giant. Ruby Barnhill is wonderfully feisty and a true joy to watch. The two of them have a chemistry that works right from moment one. The visuals are spectacular and should be applauded. They subtly blend into the outstanding storytelling and lend the perfect mix to this awe inspiring film.

Overall, The BFG is this summers perfect family film and should not be missed!

Stars:

4 out of 5

After credit scene?

Trailer:

Review: ‘The Shallows’

Posted on June 25, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy it than to eat some popcorn and engross yourself with a cheesy shark attack movie!…except The Shallows isn’t that movie. Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Run All Night) and starring Blake Lively, The Shallows is a B-movie snooze fest with impressive cinematography and a few jumps but very little else.

Medical student Nancy Adams (Blake Lively) is on the search for a secluded beach once visited by her late mother after finding out she was pregnant with Nancy many years before. Nancy finds a local named Carlos (Óscar Jaenada), who is familiar with the beach and agrees to take her to her destination. Upon her arrival, Nancy meets a couple of young surfers and the three spend the afternoon surfing and enjoying the beautiful surroundings, something Nancy desperately needed. Since taking a break from medical school, Nancy has traveled the world in search of the answer to her future, but her sister Chloe (Sedona Legge) and father (Brett Cullen) are worried about where her journey might take her.

As the sunset arrives, the young surfers head in, but Nancy is determined to catch one more wave. Nancy notices something very strange out beyond the break and begins to worry that she is within the grasp of danger. As Nancy decides to turn in, she is attacked by a shark and marooned on an isolated rock sticking out of the lagoon several hundred yards from shore. Determined to survive her predicament, Nancy must face the reality that she is alone, injured and without many options, but she must find a way to get to get to shore.

The Shallows works to build the tension of a normal shark attack film, but the reality is, it’s not that interesting. Shark movies thrive on suspense, ala Open Water or Jaws, preying on our fear of the unknown ocean and its creatures, which this film attempts to achieve, but it winds up trying to emulate the latter Jaws films where shock trumps originality. Blake Lively does her best to provide an ample amount of emotion to sell the impending doom, but you spend most of the time feeling that we’ve “been there, done that” and there’s nothing truly special connecting you to her character. Also, the ending that we’re sold as being as a “twist” ends up being nothing more than goofy and far fetched that you can’t help but laugh.

Overall, The Shallows could be nothing or exactly what you thought it would be; either way, it’s not worth the price of admission.

Stars:

2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Trailer:

Review: ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Exit Tim Burton and enter James Bobin (The Muppets) as Disney looks to venture back to Wonderland with a new Alice sequel based on “Through the Looking-Glass” by Lewis Carroll. All the original cast returns including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter to lead this second go around, but can this stellar cast keep this franchise afloat for another successful run down the rabbit hole?

Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska) has taken to the high seas as a captain of her late father’s ship. The return from Wonderland has given young Alice the thirst for adventure and she refuses to spill one drop of it. After returning from China, Alice is faced with a difficult decision which will alter the course of her life. Determined to continue her adventures, Alice finds her self at a cross roads, but a visit from Absolem leads her to a magical looking glass and a return to Wonderland once more.

Alice discovers her friend the Hatter (Johnny Depp) has been consumed by guilty and sorrow from the loss of his family which has driven him to be madder than usual. Desperate to see her friend return to normal, Alice confronts Time himself (Sacha Baron Cohen) in search of the answer on how to change the past and save the Hatter’s family. Alice, realizing she must take matters into her own hands, borrows the Chronosphere, a time traveling device that takes her to through the past to find answers to help save her friend, but a familiar foe, the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) wants the Chronosphere for herself and will stop at nothing to get it.

James Bobin’s vision for Alice Through the Looking Glass is not far off from Burton’s original in spectacle and storytelling and allows the audience to immerse itself back into the visual awe of Wonderland with ease. All the familiar characters take their places for a fun filled romp for children to OD on with little more than a tiresome story and hit or miss performances. Johnny Depp continues to rule the Disney cinematic universe as the real reason why audiences will flock back to the theaters for this unnecessary sequel, but the actor seems to enjoy still playing the character, albeit no doubt for the hefty paycheck and not the storytelling. Mia Wasikowska and Helena Bonham Carter continue their wonderful performances in this franchise as Alice and the Red Queen and each are marvelous. Sacha Baron Cohen is a wonderful addition to this film and brings a nice mixture of menace and comedy to his character Time.

Overall, Alice Through the Looking Glass is nothing more than a visual spectacle, which means your kids will love it. A fun summer popcorn movie, but don’t expect too much.

Stars

2 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

None

Trailer

Review: ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Bryan Singer returns to direct X-Men: Apocalypse, the third film in the young X-Men storyline and the 6th film in the franchise (Singer directing 4 of them). Looking to capitalize on the success of 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past, Apocalypse looks to take a giant leap forward by bringing in younger versions of fan favorite characters as well as pit the X-Men against their biggest foe yet, the first and most powerful mutant, En Sabah Nur, also known as “Apocalypse”. Can Singer keep the momentum or will their latest installment fall to the enormous pressure of the new Marvel cinematic world.

Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) has awoken after a thousand years to find the world he once knew has changed. Disgusted by what he sees, Apocalypse assembles his four horsemen, Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Angel (Ben Hardy), Psylocke (Olivia Munn) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender), to help him with this task of destroying humanity to right the wrongs of the new world and bring forth a better one. Meanwhile, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) continues to rebuild the image of the mutant community after the events of Days of Future Past. His School for the Gifted is now thriving with young mutants all looking for help to harness their powers and become accepted into society. Along with colleague Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult), Xavier hopes the school will act as haven for the oppressed with hopes that one day humans and mutants alike can attend the school in harmony.

Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) has returned to enlist the help of her former allies after news that Magneto had resurfaced. Xavier, in hopes to locate Magneto, encounters the power of Apocalypse first hand and realizes that this foe will take more to battle than anything they’ve faced before. Four young mutants, Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), Quicksilver (Evan Peters), Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and Scott Summers (Ty Sheridan) join the fight as the X-Men prepare for a battle that will decide the fate of the world. Will this young team be enough to stop the powerful force that is upon them?

X-Men: Apocalypse doesn’t steer much away from the X-Men formula of late, and that’s both to its advantage and its downfall. Each of the last two films focused heavily on the redemption of Mystique and Magneto and, where it worked magnificently in Days of Future Past, it tends to feel like a rehash in this film. The continuing evolution of the X-Men characters has been exciting as they add new blood like Scott Summers and Jean Grey, X-Men royalty to comic book fans, into the mix. Both Ty Sheridan and Sophia Turner were cast perfectly and I am excited to see where their cinematic storyline flourishes. Kodi Smit-McPhee was also just as wonderful as Nightcrawler, a character brought to life so perfectly by Alan Cummings in X2: X-Men United. Oliva Munn, Ben Hardy and Alexandra Shipp look to have a bright future in this every growing universe, I just wish they were given more time to flush out their characters on screen in this one. Oscar Isaac is the essential piece to this film as the antagonist Apocalypse. Isaac embodies the elegance of the character while revealing his true sinister nature when needed making him the best villain to date in the X-Men franchise.

The returning cast is there to provide the necessary steps forward for the newcomers. I’m amazed at how well James McAvoy is settling in as Charles Xavier. With each film I have the continued belief that he is the perfect cornerstone to build this franchise on. Michael Fassbender’s emotionally charged Magneto nicely shapes the character as the constant anti-hero. You can’t help but want him to find that peace that will help him channel the rage that consumes him. Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult and Evan Peters all provide essential parts to the present and future success of this franchise. Lawrence has the most questionable character re-imagining, but I am very intrigued to see it to it’s conclusion.

Overall, X-Men: Apocalypse isn’t the high water mark we were all hoping it would be, but it’s far from X-Men: Last Stand. In a summer of Civil Wars and Dawns of Justice, this film will find an audience somewhere in the middle of those films. A fun summer popcorn movie, and sometimes that’s all you need.

Stars:

3 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Yes

Trailer:

Review: ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

To say Warner Bros. has had a hard time getting their DC Movie Universe off the ground would be an understatement. Failed projects like Green Lantern and underwhelming resurrections like Man of Steel have put the movie studio behind the eight ball as they continue to watch their rivals over at Marvel succeed, but things are about to change, or so they hope, as director Zack Snyder brings two of the biggest comic book heroes to the screen in a head to head battle in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Can bringing these two iconic heroes (well, three actually when you add Wonder Woman) put Warner and DC back on the right track and truly bring the dawn of a new cinematic universe to fruition?

We begin where Man of Steel ends, at the battle of Metropolis. Superman (Henry Cavill) is in the midst of a furious battle with General Zod (Michael Shannon) and the chaos that ensues from the two combatants leads to much loss of life and the wrath of one billionaire vigilante, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). The world begins to question the existence of Superman and his unchecked powers; the government demands there be regulations regarding Superman’s unchecked heroics and the general public is has a mixed view on his actions. As Superman continues his crusade, his actions bring consequences that lead men like Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) to look for a solution to stop the man of steel, but Luthor’s plans are much more sinister than just doing the right thing for mankind.

Luthor is not the only one looking for a solution to stop Superman. Bruce Wayne’s mixed emotions regarding Superman bring him to the realization that he must prepare himself for battle if that moment arises. The Batman must stand against the coming storm with everything at his disposal and he will let no one stand in his way of accomplishing his goal. Wayne, convinced that Luthor may have vital information that he needs, decides to infiltrate the tech genius’ files to find a suitable answer, but Diana Prince (Gal Gadot), a mysterious woman who is also looking for answers of her own, crosses path with Wayne and leads the billionaire to a much larger discovery. As the time line accelerates, Batman and Superman must come face to face, but will their battle lead to an understanding as a larger threat rears its ugly head?

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, on the surface, seems like a can’t lose film, but looks can be deceiving. Director Zack Snyder learns very little from his short comings with Man of Steel and continues to wrap chaotic action sequences around poorly written dialogue and tries to sell it to audiences as a complete film. The first half of the movie is a jumbled mess with too many side stories jam packed into an hour and a half. The premise is there and you can see that there is a really good story there somewhere, but Snyder proves that he is not the director to bring it out.The second half picks up and brings some amazing action sequences, but the damage is already done and you’re left trying to piece the film together on your own.

Each of the stars battled fan boy anger over their casting and knocked their roles out of the park. Ben Affleck is fantastic as Batman and brings the darkest version of the character to the screen to date. Gal Gadot is breathtaking as Wonder Woman. She is elegant and powerful and a perfect casting for the Amazon princess. Henry Cavill‘s performance is a bit hollow, but I believe that has more to do with his character arc and less to do with the actor himself. Jesse Eisenberg was fantastic as the menacing Lex Luthor. His portrayal is very different from previous incarnations of the character and he creates a perfect version for this new dark cinematic universe. The one low point in the cast is Amy Adams as Lois Lane. Her sole purpose in the film was to show up and be rescued and denied this wonderful actress a chance to help move the story forward. This is a far cry from the character we were give in Man of Steel.

Overall, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a good film, but not a great film. There are elements of an epic movie underneath the chaos and that’s unfortunate because the actors were giving it their all. Should you see the film? Absolutely. Draw your own conclusions as we will all experience the film differently, but for this comic book lover, I was left wanting more.

Stars:

3 out of 5

After credit scene?

None

Trailer:

Review: ‘Eddie the Eagle’

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Dreams do come true for those who strive to achieve them, that’s the message of Eddie the Eagle, an inspiring tale of a young man who wouldn’t stop until he reached his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete. The film stars Taron Egerton as Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, a British skier who in 1988 became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping, but it’s the story of how he got there that is most extraordinary.

Eddie isn’t your normal determined athlete; as a matter of fact, Eddie isn’t what you would call an athlete at all. From an early age, young Eddie Edwards had a dream to become an Olympic athlete and he didn’t care what sport it was, he just wanted to represent his country. He tried his luck at training for all sorts of events throughout his younger years, but nothing seemed to be the right fit. It became apparent to Eddie that he was looking into the wrong sort of sports as his limitations were holding him back, but a revelation came to him and he decided that skiing seemed the more logical choice to help him make the games. He became a good downhill skier, but he was told that he would never make the team. More determined than ever, he found his way to ski jumping. Why ski jumping? There were no other British ski jumpers with whom to compete for a place!

And this is where Eddie’s story takes flight. Against his parents better judgement, Eddie takes off for Germany to train at an Olympic ski jumping facility, but the sport is tougher than he thought. Enter Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), a disgraced former ski jumper turned slope maintenance guy who sees Eddie’s determination but little in the way of talent. Bronson, not looking to reunite with the sport that shunned him, initially deflects Eddie’s call for help, but ultimately decides to help him. The two unlikely allies begin a rough journey that they hope will land them on the slopes of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Director Dexter Fletcher tells Eddie’s wonderful story perfectly with minimal cliche’s and a ton of heart. Taron Egerton shows why he is one of the brightest stars in Hollywood today with his brilliant depiction of the titular character. Hugh Jackman works perfectly with Egerton and their chemistry is the reason the film works so perfectly. Eddie the Eagle is a fantastic story of strong will and determination that will have you standing on your chair and flapping your arms like an eagle. A true testament to the human spirit and a story that will resonate with anyone who’s ever chased a dream.

Stars:

4 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

None

Trailer:

Review: ‘Deadpool’

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — 1 Comment ↓

Actor Ryan Reynolds has been passionate about bringing Marvel icon Deadpool to the big screen ever since his failed portrayal as Wade Wilson in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine and, after much demand, Reynolds got his wish. The actor, along with director Tim Miller, have created one of the most faithful adaptations of a comic book hero ever to grace the silver screen. Get your chimichanga’s ready cause the “Merc with the Mouth” is about to blow your mind.

Ryan Reynolds plays Wade Wilson, a mercenary who spends most of his time extorting bad people and hanging out with Vanessa (Morena Baccarin), a call girl and the love of his life. After finding out he’s been diagnosed with cancer, Wade consents to a top secret program run by Ajax (Ed Skein), a deranged scientist who uses torture to unearth the dormant mutant gene in his human subjects, a gene in which he hopes to cure Wade’s cancer and turn him into a super soldier. The experiment ultimately leave Wilson with accelerated healing powers, but also leaves him badly scarred in the process. In an attempt to right the wrong that has been done to him, Wilson becomes the anti-hero known as Deadpool and unleashes his brand of justice on all of those associated with the program. When Ajax makes things even more personal and goes after Vanessa, Deadpool enlists the help of his best friend Weasel (T.J. Miller) and X-Men Colossus (Stefan Kapičić) and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) to rescue Vanessa and hurt a lot of people…really, really bad.

Deadpool is a labor of love and you can tell that everyone involved truly gave everything they have to make this a near perfect action comedy. Director Tim Miller sits back and manages the filming and trusts his actors to bring out the absolute best in their characters. Ryan Reynolds is absolutely superb as the titular character. Reynolds quick delivery and dry sense of humor make him perfect for the role and he delivers a portrayal of Deadpool that fans will embrace with roaring applause. The supporting cast of T.J. Miller, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skein, Brianna Hildebrand and others are each rather enjoyable, but let’s be honest here, this is Reynolds’ movie and the film lives and dies with his performance.

Overall, Deadpool is not a film for everyone, especially not for children! The language and violence and graphic nudity will make it a hard sell for some as well, but the film is an absolute blast and one that will entertain those who are not easily offended. I can honestly say, as a Deadpool comic fan, that this is the film fans have been waiting for and they won’t be disappointed.

Stars:

4 1/2 out of 5

After credit scene?

Yes! 2 of them, so stay thru the credits til the lights come up!

Trailer:

Michael’s Top Movies of 2015

Posted on January 5, 2016 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

2015 has come and gone, but it has left us with some films that will stay with us forever. Here are a few of my favorite films from the past year:

10- The Martian

9- Sicario

8- Trumbo

7- Room

Check out Liz’s review: http://reelnewsdaily.com/2015/10/16/review-room-is-gut-wrenching-and-extraordinary/

6- The Big Short

Check out my review: http://reelnewsdaily.com/2015/12/03/review-the-big-short-delivers-big/

5- The Hateful Eight

Check out Melissa’s review: http://reelnewsdaily.com/2015/12/23/christmas-day-must-see-the-hateful-eight-keeps-you-in-the-dark-while-in-a-bright-white-blizzard/

4- Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Check out my review: http://reelnewsdaily.com/2015/12/22/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens-minor-plot-spoilers/

3- Spotlight

2- Mad Max: Fury Road

1- The Revenant

Check out my review: http://reelnewsdaily.com/2015/12/05/review-the-revenant-is-dicaprios-journey-to-oscar-gold/

Honorable mentions:

Creed
’71
Slow West
Straight Outta Compton
Ex Machina
It Follows
Bridge of Spies
Dope

Review: ‘Concussion’ Tackles the Growing Problem of Head Injuries in The NFL

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Michael Petrelli — Leave a reply

Director Peter Landesman (Kill The Messenger) tackles the story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the forensic pathologist who fought against efforts by National Football League to suppress his research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players. Omalu, is portrayed by Will Smith in this powerful drama that will leave you angered, speechless and saddened by the treatment of the players who have made the game of football so beloved in this country.

Will Smith stars in Columbia Pictures’ “Concussion.”

Dr. Bennet Omalu is a well educated African man who came to this country with a dream of making a difference in this world. Settling in the city of Pittsburgh, Omalu works as a forensic pathologist for the city and has come face to face with an epidemic that has no name. After the tragic death of Steeler legend Mike Webster (David Morse), Omalu discovers that his death maybe caused by trauma to the brain. CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) as it comes to be known, has been left undetected and hidden from the public and players in the NFL, but it might be the exact thing that is killing so many young men after their careers are over. After several attempts by the NFL to deny the problem and to disparage the doctor, Omalu gets an unlikely ally in this fight from Dr. Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin), former Steelers team doctor, who believes what Omalu is saying is true. As the two take on the most powerful corporation in this country, their wills will be tested and their careers in jeopardy, but the truth must come out to speak for those who have been left behind to this deadly disease.

Alec Baldwin , left, and Will Smith star in Columbia Pictures’ “Concussion.”

Written by director Peter Landesman, based on the 2009 GQ exposé Game Brain by Jeanne Marie Laskas, Concussion is a powerful story of corporate cover-up and hits directly at the heart of the National Football League. Will Smith is fantastic in his portrayal of Doctor Bennet Omalu. The determination and will to do right of Omalu shines thru in Smith’s performance and helps the audience, who may not know who Omalu is, understand his importance to the medical field and the players of the NFL. Alec Baldwin delivers a sobering look at the inside actions of the medical doctors employed by the NFL and, along with Albert Brooks, lend credence to the authenticity of Smith’s performance. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is a calming figure that helps lead Smith’s character thru the toughest of times and helps to keep him focused on the importance of his task.

Concussion is a eye opening look at the violence of football and a spotlight on the corporation that brings it into our homes six months a year. It is a film not to be missed.

Stars:

3 1/2 out of 5

After Credit Scene?

Trailer:

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