X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2014) review #2
written by: Simon Kinberg (screenplay/story); Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman (story)
produced by: Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg & Hutch Parker
directed by: Bryan Singer
rating: PG-13 (for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some suggestive material, nudity and language)
runtime: 131 min.
U.S. release date: May 23, 2014
Let me say this upfront: “X-Men Days of Future Past” is emblematic of the worst extremes of digital movie making. Colors are overly strong to the point of being unnatural (a certain blue character looks more like a Na’vi than Rebecca Romjin’s version), while the rest of the image is washed out and dark. Due to an apparent creative misstep with the shutter speed (if you have any other theories, I’d love to hear them), motion has become a smidgen too quick and un-life like, looking like a less extreme version of the controversial high frame rate we saw on the Hobbit movies. “X-Men” and “X2: X-Men United” are full of beautiful filmic images, and there’s a stylish panache to the visual throughout each. So why does Days of Future Past look closer to a behind the scenes video reel than a 200 million dollar tentpole? Key scenes felt robbed of a majesty they otherwise would have had, and although the average audience member might not consciously notice these problems, they can certainly feel them. Thankfully it didn’t stop “X-Men: Days of Future Past” from being one of the most enjoyable films to hit this summer.
X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2014) review #1
written by: Simon Kinberg (screenplay/story); Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman (story)
produced by: Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg & Hutch Parker
directed by: Bryan Singer
rating: PG-13 (for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some suggestive material, nudity and language)
runtime: 131 min.
U.S. release date: May 23, 2014
Well, it took some retconning, some time-traveling as well as some rebooting and time-portal jumping (whew!), but “X-Men: Days of Future Past” does indeed return the X-Men movies to the grit, grandeur and vigor of 2000’s “X-Men” and 2003’s “X2: X-Men United”. That’s due to the clear and deliberate choice to emphasize what worked best in the past fourteen years of X-movies, which means a restorative focus on the drama (and humor) that comes with solid characterization (plot and continuity flaws and all), along with the suspense that comes when an entire race faces pending extinction. Considering that, let’s quickly bone-up on some X-history in order to but “Days of Future Past” into context.
The 2014 Chicago Critics Film Festival
Film enthusiasts in Chicago have much to be excited for this week. The 2nd annual Chicago Critics Film Festival, or CCFF, runs from May 9th through May 15th at the beautiful Music Box Theatre. It’s the only film festival created by film critics. So, unlike other film festivals out there, you’re not going to find that random dud you were at one point excited for or curious about. These films were hand-picked by select members of the Chicago Film Critic Association, in an effort to bring the best of what they’ve seen to viewers as passionate as they are.
Top Five Most Anticipated Films of Summer 2014
Anticipation is funny. It can really let you down or surpass your expectations. I’ve experienced that at the end of each summer, having either been let down by a film I was really looking forward to – or, on the flip side – been blown away by a film I only had a mild curiosity for. That will definitely happen again this summer. It’s easy to look at this summer and feel like we’re getting more of the same, with the expecting sequels, raunchy comedies and animated fare overshadowing sleeper hits and indie favorites. While some of them will indeed feel like a rinse-and-repeat formula, there were assuredly be others that rise about the rest. My fellow film enthusiasts here at Keeping It Reel have joined me in compiling our own select five “Most Anticipated Film” that’ll hit theaters this summer.
CHILD’S POSE (2013) review
written by: Răzvan Rădulescu and Călin Peter Netzer
produced by: Ada Solomon
directed by: Călin Peter Netzer
rating: unrated
runtime: 112 min.
U.S. release date: February 19, 2014 & April 25, 2014 (limited)
Parents often feel responsible for their child’s reprehensible actions or despicable behavior. They may feel it reflects poorly on their own character and will go out of their way to fix a situation, make it all better. Certainly not all parents, but definitely the mother we meet in “Child’s Pose”, a Romanian film from last year that is finally getting released here in the States. It’s a fascinating film centered on a controlling and manipulative mother who will confound audiences with her own questionable behavior and blunt demeanor, leaving them to ponder whether or not her concern and emotional responses are genuine or come from a place of self-preservation.
THE RAID 2: BERANDAL (2014) review
written by: Gareth Evans
produced by: Ario Sagantoro, Nate Bolotin and Aram Tertzakian
directed by: Gareth Evans
rating: R (for sequences of strong bloody
runtime: 150 min.
U.S. release date: April 4, 2014
Two years ago, the Indonesian film, “The Raid: Redemption”, smacked action movie fans upside the head. To briefly sum it up, it was nuts. The straight-forward plot took a backseat to some amazing stunt work, an insane amount of creative choreography and in-your-face violence. There’s no need to worry about the sequel not living up to the original with this film, since the highly-anticipated “The Raid 2: Berandal” is bigger and faster and even offers an indepth story to wrap your brain around – which getting hit upside the head once again.
TRANSCENDENCE (2014) review
written by: Jack Paglen
produced by: Broderick Johnson, Andrew A. Kosorve, Kare Cohen, Marisa Polvino, Annie Marter, David Valdes & Aaron Ryder
directed by: Wally Pfister
rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi action and violence, some bloody images, brief strong language and sensuality)
runtime: 119 min.
U. S. release date: April 18, 2014
Count me among those who have been anticipating the directorial debut of Wally Pfister. The long-time cinematographer for Christopher Nolan has had plenty of experience behind the camera, but “Transcendence” is the Chicagoan’s first shot at directing a film. One would think that such a director would offer some absorbing visuals at least, but unfortunately there’s nothing outstanding to look at here.
CHEAP THRILLS (2014) review
written by: Trent Haaga and David Chirchillo
produced by: Gabriel Cowan, Travis Stevens and John Suits
directed by: E.L. Katz
rating: not rated
runtime: 85 min.
U.S. release date: March 21, 2014 and April 11, 2014 (also available on Amazon and iTunes)
“Cheap Thrills” is a case study in human desperation and depravity. It’s a sick and twisted film, but it goes about it in a most absorbing albeit uncomfortable way. It’s one of those films that forces the viewer to place themselves in the protagonist’s unpredictable position, asking a question like, “What would you do for money?” Once you do it, what else are you willing to do for more and then, “How far is too far?”
UNDER THE SKIN (2014) review
written by: Walter Campbell and Jonathan Glazer
produced by: James Wilson and Nick Wechlser
directed by: Jonathan Glazer
rating: R (for graphic nudity, sexual content, some violence and language)
runtime: 108 min.
U.S. release date: April 11, 2014 (limited)
A decade ago, director Jonathan Glazer (2000’s “Sexy Beast”) released his last film, “Birth”, starring Nicole Kidman, which received mixed reviews – initially. The film would eventually earn some respect after additional viewings, generating something of a cult status. I predict the same fate for his latest film, “Under the Skin”, a psychological sci-fi thriller starring Scarlett Johansson. Although an extraordinary original film, one that both respects and challenges its audience, there will be some who will be too perplexed and frustrated to fully appreciate it. At first.
CLASSICS: Aliens (1986)
written by: James Cameron
produced by: Gale Anne Hurd
directed by: James Cameron
rating: R (for monster violence and for language)
runtime: 137 min.
U.S. release date: July 18, 1986
If “Alien” is the quintessential sci-fi horror film, “Aliens” is the quintessential sci-fi actioner. James Cameron is writing and directing instead of Ridley Scott, and the plot jumps 50 years into the future. Ripley has been found by chance after years hibernating in a space pod, and she’s heartbroken to learn her daughter, unmentioned in “Alien”, died several years before. Her grief is personified by her utter isolation—she’s stuck on a corporate space station orbiting Earth, disconnected from her beloved planet, home. Ripley was shocked to learn, as I was on my first viewing, that LV-426 (the satellite moon orbiting the planet Calpamos) is now inhabited. Not only that, but it has been commissioned as one of the sites fit for terraforming, the lengthy process of reshaping a planet’s atmosphere to make it livable.
