Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

— I missed this when it was in theatrical release but, with Tina Fey involved, figured it was worth checking out in home release. It’s the story of the rise and fall of a journalist embedded in Afghanistan. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the film—the script is pretty good and the actors are certainly decent, but the dark humor just isn’t dark enough, maybe because there’s a heavy dose of feminist feeling throughout or maybe because Fey’s trying to emphasize her dramatic over her comedic talents (no need since she’s obviously talented in both areas and then some). Others seem to have liked this more than I, but it seemed a little flat to me. [DVD]

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[2016. 112 min. Directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. Starring Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, Alfred Molina, Christopher Abbott, and Billy Bob Thornton.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/whiskey-tango-foxtrot-2016

The Beatles: Eight Days a Week—The Touring Years

— Ron Howard’s baby boomer bit of nostalgia uses footage and interviews to document The Beatles' 250 concerts between 1963 and 1966. I found myself in a theater where before film chitchat was about remembering The Beatles’ first appearance on Ed Sullivan or seeing one of their concerts live. I liked the film and had fun, but it would have been hard to displease an audience that was itching to fondly remember a remarkable time in music. Luckily Ron Howard loves the fab four too (I learned a new word that could describe Howard as a result: “hagiographic”), and he did a good job not just of including plenty of music, but of giving us a feel for their hectic touring schedule. They really were paving new ground as the crowds exceeded anything seen before during pretty turbulent times in the U.S. Of course, this was done with everyone’s cooperation and encouragement, and Howard’s version is definitely a clean, lovable, boy band story. The “more popular than Jesus” incident and one mention of marijuana are about the only smudges on their characters; they’re depicted as sharp, talented, and pure. In theaters, after the film’s credits, the 30-minute Shea Stadium concert (8/15/1965) is shown—it’s a 4K restoration from the original 35mm film with sound remastering done at Abbey Road Studios. It is also worth noting that the film premiered theatrically in a somewhat unlikely group of theaters and was made available the next day for streaming on Hulu. Traditionally most theaters won’t show films that open simultaneously in theaters and on VOD, so releasing a film by a director of Ron Howard’s stature in this manner may be a harbinger. It's also showing in enough theaters so it can be eligible for awards!

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[2016. 137 min. Directed by Ron Howard. With John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.]
http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-beatles-eight-days-a-week---the-touring-years-2016

Snowden

— I’m a fan of Oliver Stone and have been since “Platoon”. “Snowden” is his latest bit of liberal storytelling based on facts and focusing on a disillusioned “patriot”. It’s a mostly well done story and Joseph Gordon-Levitt does an excellent job—he may be more believable in the role than Edward Snowden himself! I worry that, with news reporting having morphed into opinion and with personal opinion now given a wide and gullible audience thanks to social media, viewers are more likely to miss the distinction between documentary and fiction and between fact and perspective, as well as to believe in black and white instead of gray. The best part of Stone’s films are that they make you consider where truth lies and when ends justify means. It’s a good film, toned down enough that it won't enrage anyone, but it should get you thinking about our technological reality and the faded line between privacy and safety. Check it out.

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[2016. 134 min. Directed by Oliver Stone. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, and Rhys Ifans.]
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/16/movies/snowden-review-oliver-stone-joseph-gordon-levitt.html

Sully

— I always enjoy a film that just works well without tricks or surprises, without over-the-top characters or complicated symbols. “Sully” is just that and I tip my hat at Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks for nailing it. We all know the story of Flight 1549 losing both engines and of “Sully” Sullenberger landing on the Hudson River with all 155 passengers saved. The film focuses more on the days following the crash and the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation than on the crash itself, but that’s still not a lot of story line. It’s Eastwood’s directorial savvy and Hanks’ quiet, common man portrayal that makes this film so satisfying—and a bit of a tear jerker too. It reminds me of a classic Hollywood movie with an ordinary man just trying to do his job in an extraordinary situation. I liked it and I hope it’s the start of good films to come in the last quarter of the year.

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[2016. 96 min. Directed by Clint Eastwood. Starring Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, and Laura Linney.]
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/09/movies/sully-review.html

Hell or High Water

— This neo-Western moves at a seemingly lazy pace, giving its actors room to shine and its script room to unfold into a wonderful film. Two brothers seem to be small-time and not-too-bright bank robbers as the film begins. As they move through the stark but beautiful west Texas landscape, stopping at sleepy towns in varying states of economic decline, their more complicated plan and their more complicated backstory are revealed. Along the way, a Texas Ranger who is about to retire focuses on catching them. It’s a subtle but beautiful dance among characters who may be the last of a breed, living in a dusty world that’s been exploited by banks and big businesses, until nothing is black or white—only gray remains. Most of the stoic townspeople have a vague look of resignation but, while their children may be heading elsewhere for a better life, they remain in west Texas, some with a bit of pioneer spirit still dimly burning. Jeff Bridges shines with every glance, grunt, and gesture to say nothing of his dialogue, and both Chris Pine and Ben Foster are incredible as well. There are also some very funny lines throughout and two waitresses who are nothing alike but both steal their respective scenes. This film, along with “Florence Foster Jenkins,” marks the end of summer with all its action films, kid films, and teen films. I liked “Hell or High Water” a lot and left the theater hopeful the fall will bring more films of this caliber.

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[2016. 102 min. Directed by David Mackenzie. Starring Jeff Bridges, Chris Pine, and Ben Foster.]
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/hell-high-water-cannes-review-893095