Star Wars The Force Awakens (Teaser)

I finally saw the Star Wars Teaser and on the big screen. Here is my review of it. Which is silly because it’s only a teaser; but in my excitement for Episode 7, or officially known as The Force Awakens, I feel like I have to say something about it. If a teaser’s job is to get you excited about a film then this does exactly that. As soon as the Millennium Falcon appears, you know it’s really happening—a new Star Wars film. When it ended the smile on my face was proof enough that LucasFilm succeeded at pumping up my already inflated enthusiasm. Yet it is really short and I would have loved a couple better moments to splice in there. Here’s a breakdown. The voice over: it’s well-written and well-executed. I found it a better choice than using text. It fits the mood of the teaser perfectly. The opening shot: the desert sands and suddenly John Boyega pops up with intense concern. It’s a really great immediate shot that succeeds to jump starting the teaser. Next shot: the ball-like droid rolling across the screen. Yes, I like it. It’s a cool bot and it gives a sense of playfulness that I hope the film makers don’t forget about. Then we have the Stormtroopers awaiting in a flickering light about to jump out of an airship. This is a horrible shot and the moment where I got really worried. Of all their footage, they picked to use this? I guess they’re trying to build suspense but it’s just a pointless reminder that we have Stormtroopers (as if Boyega wearing one didn’t do that already). And the camera work is shaky, and that has me worried too, really worried. Then we cut to Daisy Ridley jumping on a large very-cool-looking speeder and speeding away into the desert. Does this film actually take place in space or is it all going to happen on a desert world like Tatooine? Then we cut to Oscar Isaac flying an X-Wing across water. I wouldn’t call this moment a spectacular one but it’s kind of cool. Again I keep scratching my head. I remember one of the things I didn’t like about Star Trek In Darkness (directed by J.J. Abrams) is that so much of it happened on Earth. Please let there be some actually space in this new Star Wars story. Then we have a great shot as we follow behind a figure stomping through a dark forest. We don’t see their face but know as they ignite their three bladed lightsaber that this guy’s probably not good. Oh yeah, I’m really intrigued now and holding my breath. My hope that this film will be good just rebounded. And then bam! The Millennium Falcon flies through the clouds (again no stars anywhere) taking us on a spin as it dodges blasts from two approaching Tie Fighters; the Star Wars music erupts with celebration and then when it goes black and the title fades in. Thank you cinema gods, we are blessed. Again it’s not a masterpiece but it does what it’s supposed to do and for that I applaud LucasFilm. I like that it didn’t really show any of the characters we know like Han or Luke and instead introduced us to the unknowns. It was especially a smart move to hold back until the end to give us the Millennium Falcon. While I can’t wait to see more, as someone who dislikes trailers for showing too much, I might just stop here. It will be hard but the truth is if there ever was a film that didn’t even need a trailer it’s Star Wars. Everyone will see it regardless. Grade: A-

Interstellar (2014)

At last, a science fiction film that’s made with real physics in mind. At last we get to experience the way speed and gravitational forces can affect time. What director Christopher Nolan has done with this ambitious and tremendous work of speculative cinema is wondrous to behold. Fortunately I was able to experience this as it was meant to be seen and that was in an IMAX theater (a true IMAX theater with the 4 story tall screen). The word ‘awesome’ is overused a lot but here I really felt in awe. The special effects are bigger than life. The music my Hans Zimmer feels holy as if resonating inside a great cathedral. I really loved this film. If not for Birdman this would be an automatic best film of the year for me; it’s truly wonderful. The story follows an ex-astronaut named Cooper living on a farm in the near future, a future that no longer desires to explore space (or so it’s believed) and that’s going through an environmental crisis that could risk the lives of everyone on the planet. Cooper and his daughter will uncover a secret NASA base that is about to send a team to a wormhole near Saturn which will take them to a distant galaxy where there are three possible planets that can sustain human life. Now they need Cooper to pilot the space ship. Yet it’s a long mission that could last many years and Coopers daughter doesn’t want him to go. But he sees no other choice but to leave this family to save humanity. This father and daughter relationship is the center piece of the film and is beautiful and exciting to witness. And ultimately what makes this drama so rewarding is that it’s not about explosions and killer robots (the robots here are actually good and geometrically square and scene stealing characters) but about the human heart and the demand to explore beyond what we know and can see. It is a long film so for those who hate films being longer than two hours, be warned. I never once felt bored watching it and could have actually watched more. The end for example felt a bit rushed, as if Nolan could sense that it was going long and didn’t want to test his audience anymore. I think this was a mistake, a very minor one of course. There was some closure at the end that could have been elaborated. Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain and Michael Cain star and all give fine performances. Maybe this film will inspire some people to read some Kip Thorne or Brian Greene. Maybe this film will inspire a world to look up with curiosity and joy. The universe is a big scary place but that should never stop us from braving to explore it. Regardless how long it might take, it’s an important quest that will take many generations to face. Let us hope we embrace the challenge. If not we’re doomed to someday blink out of existence sooner than I think we are capable. Grade: A

Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis

I’m not sure what I thought of this third Narnia story. A boy named Shasta escapes a harsh Calormene adopted father with a talking horse named Bree on a journey to Narnia. They meet up with Aravis, a Calormene girl fleeing a marriage proposal from Ahoshta, and another talking horse named Hwin. They find themselves entwined in a battle, with the Tisrac’s son, Rabadash, leaving to invade his neighbors and conquer Narnia. It has some good moments but is certainly not as satisfying as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I will say that it ends well. I just wish the element of adventure was more consistent. Grade: B+

Rush (2013)

I don’t know anything about Formula One racing and until this film came along I could care less if I ever did learn something. But with Peter Morgan writing the script and Ron Howard directing, I’ve been introduced to one of the greatest rivalries in racing history. James Hunt and Niki Lauda are two egotistical racing masters who went head to head during the ‘70s. This is their story and it’s a very entertaining one. James Hunt is the playboy party animal and Niki the over-confident loner. No wonder they clashed. Car racing is kind of boring when you think of it, cars just zipping along a course. But with Ron Howard he made every turn as exciting as it is for those behind the wheel. You really feel how intense and crazy this kind of high-end racing is like. I have a new respect for these guys for sure. Sadly this film didn’t do that well which is a shame. I really enjoyed the fun of not knowing who to root for. Grade: A-

Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance] (2014)

This is my favorite film by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, a backstage look into the making of a Broadway play produced, written, directed and starring Hollywood actor-- wanting some respect and to be taken seriously as an artist--Riggan Thomson, played by the amazing Michael Keaton, who gives his best performance in his career, the kind of performance that attracts Oscar buzz (Let’s cross our fingers). And of course Riggan has superpowers, why? Because he’s famous for playing a superhero named, you guessed it, Birdman. (Think Batman but as bird, which is ironic since Keaton played Batman.) Or maybe he’s losing his mind from all the mounting pressures. His actress-girlfriend says she’s pregnant with his child. His teenage daughter, played by the scene-stealing Emma Stone, from a previous marriage is there working as an assistant so he can keep her out of rehab. He has a brilliant actor with intense method techniques, played by super impressive Ed Norton, giving him a hard time. And on top of all of that, the most important theater critic in town hates him. With drums as a sound track,Iñárritu takes us on a manic ride through the mind of a man wanting immortality and the various characters around him trying to just be on Broadway. It’s a comedy, it’s a trippy drama, it’s a character study and it’s impossible to describe in a review so just see it. I think so far it’s the best film I saw this year. I would be shocked if it doesn’t get nominated for best picture. Grade: A