So's Reel Thoughts: Films 2016

Showing posts with label Films 2016. Show all posts

Year: 2016

Director: David Yates

Writer: J.K. Rowling

Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell

Country of Origin: UK | US

Rating: PG-13

Time: 133 Min.

I wouldn't say that I'm a Potterhead but I can say with full confidence that as an avid fan of the potterverse, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them did not do justice to the beloved series. This film is J.K. Rowling's screenwriting debut which is inspired by the book of the same name. Back in 2001, Rowling came out with the textbook under the pen name of Newt Scamander where it chronicles the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. We get a dose of breathtaking mystical creatures as well as a deep look into the magical world in the U.S.

As much as J.K. Rowling is an phenomenal novelist, when it comes to screenplays, the cohesive story structure is simply not there. I'm hoping for the next films that she will co-write with someone else. David Yates returns yet again as the director and he provides enough laughs and thrills for us fans who have been so famished for more stories of the wizarding world! There will be 4 more films in the Fantastic Beasts series where it will lead up to the much anticipated and epic battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. If only, Johnny Depp wasn't in it.

Year: 2016

Director: Park Chan-wook

Writer: Seo-Kyung Chung & Park Chan-wook. Novel by Sarah Waters

Cinematography: Chung Chung-hoon

Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Jo Jin-woong

Country of Origin: South Korea

Rating: NR

Time: 144 Min.

Park Chan-wook is back and he's better than ever! The Handmaiden is a decadent dessert that is luscious, super kinky, and full of deceit! Adapted from Sarah Water's novel, Fingersmith, Park takes the essential elements and transports the setting to the 1930's Korea when it was under Japanese colonialism. A con man hires an orphaned pickpocket named Sook-hee played by fresh-faced, Kim Tae-ri, to become the maid to heiress Lady Hideko in attempt to steal her wealth. The plan goes array when Lady Hideko falls in love with Sook-hee. I'm getting all hot and bothers here just writing the premise!

After the divisive reception of Stoker (See Review), I'm glad Park Chan-wook went back to making a Korean-language film that not only tantalized native Koreans but everyone else as well. Park was shocked to discover that some of the Americans that watched the film were so taken back by its provocative display of lesbian sex, contrary to his belief that most Americans are more "liberal". The Handmaiden is classic Park Chan-wook but with a more dense structure and erotic storyline that aims to beguile as well as seduce you! Once again, Park never lets me down and let's hope he never does. :D

- Other Poster -

Year: 2016

Director: Andrea Arnold

Writer: Andrea Arnold

Cinematography: Robbie Ryan

Cast: Sasha Lane, Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keough, Arielle Holmes,

Country of Origin: UK / USA

Rating: R

Time: 163 Mins.

Andrea Arnold's American Honey has been my most anticipated films of 2016 and let me say, it is one of the most finest films of this year! American Honey follows a free spirited teenage girl, Star, who leaves her troubled home in the midwest and hits the road with the mag crew--a group of outcasts who sell magazines door to door. They work hard and play even harder! Star meets the hardworking and charismatic Jake, played by Shia LaBeouf and falls madly in love with him. As expected, it's an audacious and bold social realism film that'll have you pin to the screen and grooving in your seat!

Andrea Arnold is one of my favorite filmmakers because her films portray life in all its beautiful chaos showcasing raw intimacy and electrifying performances. Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf's undeniable chemistry is an indulgence of pure ecstasy and dangerous passion. With a streamline of the hottest hip-hop songs from start to finish, American Honey not only shows a daring portrait about the socioeconomic landscape of America but also focuses the various people occupying it. It's no wonder Arnold won her third Jury Prize Award at Cannes this year with the film. It's explosive and engrossing, you HAVE to go see this film!

Time for another live-stream video! I've always wanted to do a Film Favorites video considering that they one for every genre on YouTube besides for film so I did one! There were so many incredible films that came out in June but the ones that left me LOLing, bat-shit terrified, and wholly polarized was Taika Waititi's Hunt for Wilderpeople, Na Hong-jin's The Wailing, & Nicholas Winding Refn's The Neon Demon, respectively. All three of these films came from an auteur with a strong vision that continuously dares to challenge us as spectators and as human beings. Let me know what your June film favorites were & if I missed anything!

Year: 2016

Director: Justin Lin

Writer: Simon Pegg & Doug Jung

Cinematographer: Stephen F. Windon

Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba, Sofia Boutella

Country of Origin: USA

Rating: PG-13

Time: 120 mins.

For skeptical Star Trek fans that were scared that Justin Lin would ruin their favorite franchise, have no fear, Star Trek Beyond is out of this world! A surprise attack in outer space forces the Enterprise to land on a foreign world. Lizard-like dictator Krall needs an ancient and valuable artifact from the ship and so the crew must now battle a deadly alien species while trying to find a way off their hostile planet! This film was one of my most anticipated film of the summer and it did not disappoint!

With the old writers out and Simon Pegg and Doug Jung in, they take us back to the roots of Star Trek which foundation was built on the message of unity, diversity, and discovery. It's one exhilarating ride that seamlessly blends a story with palpable emotional weight, inventive action sequences, and a kickass score! I'm so glad that Lin was able to make this film his own while continuing the tone, essence, and general fun of the franchise that we all love so much. Without a doubt, Star Trek Beyond is the summer blockbuster of this year!

Year: 2016

Director: Jeremy Saulnier

Writer: Jeremy Saulnier

Cinematographer: Sean Porter

Cast: Anton Yelchin, Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, Callum Turner, Patrick Stewart, Imogen Poots, Macon Blair

Country of Origin: USA

Rating: R
Time: 95 mins.

Jeremy Saulnier's Green Room has been my most anticipated film of 2016 since it premiered at TIFF last year and it's finally here! Saulnier has a knack for creating engrossing and gripping stories surrounding the theme of vengeance as seen in his previous film, Blue Ruin. Green Room centers on a punk-rock group who's just ending their not-so-fantastic tour when they book an unexpected gig in an abandoned warehouse. After witnessing a murder, the band is forced to fight to the death against the group of maniacal neo-nazis who runs the place. Sounds like my worst nightmare is just about to come true. Yikez!

If anyone could make you shiver in your boots and gag with fear, it's Jeremy Saulnier. When talking about the vicious cycle of vengeance, Saulnier is a master on covering all side of the spectrum whether his characters are on the right or wrong side of the situation. It also hones on the ethos of being a punk rocker in all it's DGAF and vagabond lifestyle. The story seamlessly ties everything together to tell one unforgettable story that is grounded in realism and is powerful in execution and style. Saulnier never lets me down and Green Room is undoubtedly one of the best films of 2016. Get your weapons ready because this film is one hell of a ride!

Year: 2016

Director: Karyn Kusama
Writer: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi

Cinematographer: Bobby Shore

Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Emayatzy Corinealdi, John Carroll Lynch, Michiel Huisman, Tammy Blanchard

Country of Origin: USA

Time: 100 min.

Crome Yellow and I went to Beyond Fest and one of our favorite films was Karyn Kusama's The Invitation! While attending a dinner party and his former home, Will (Marshall-Green) thinks his ex-wife Eden (Blanchard) and her new husband (Huisman) have other sinister intentions for him and the guests. I have been a huge fan of Kusama's earlier works like Girlfight and Jennifer's Body but The Invitation is by far her most masterful work yet! She crafts this suffocatingly tense thriller with such precision and artistry, the results will make you completely rethink dinner parties for good! Drafthouse Films is releasing the film next April which cannot come soon enough!

- Trailer & Poster -

This post was originally posted 12/9/15

Year: 2016

Director: Dan Trachtenberg

Writer: Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, Damian Chazelle

Cinematographer: Jeff Cutter

Cast: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr.

Country of Origin: USA

Rating: PG-13
Time: 103 mins.

Just when we didn't think we needed another sequel, 10 Cloverfield Lane proves that another rendition of the same material can work with a razor-sharp script and powerhouse performances. I had not watch the first Cloverfield film but as I've heard, 10 Cloverfield Lane is more like a cousin film rather than a sequel. Set in the same realm, Michelle (Winstead) wakes up after surviving a horrible accident, to find herself trapped in a cellar by a doomsday prepper (Goodman) who insists that he saved her life from the apocalyptic catastrophe that is occurring outside. It's a true nightmare when you have to decide which version of the a nightmare is more bearable, the human or extraterrestrial form?

10 Cloverfield Lane is one hell of a directorial debut feature by Dan Trachtenberg who utilizes his knit-tight and well-paced script to its full potential. It's clever, grounded, and one exhilarating ride that keeps you guessing till the very end! It's been a while since I've left a theater thinking "What a fantastic and well-done movie!". You have never seen John Goodman this good and he will seriously scare the pants off of you! And of course, the lovely Mary Elizabeth Winstead is incredible to watch as she commands every scene to escape this very dangerous situation by any means possible! (She's my hero!) This is one of the better films to have come out in 2016 and I can't wait to see what Trachtenberg does next!

This may be the most obvious statement of this year but Jeremy Saulnier is one of the most promising and visionary upcoming American filmmakers today. There's no denying his masterful and innovative storytelling chops especially after seeing his gritty and slow-burning thriller, Blue Ruin (See review). Now he's back with his third feature film, Green Room which is about a young punk rock band who find themselves trapped in a secluded roadhouse after witnessing a horrific act of violence committed by murderous white supremacists. And yeah, Patrick Stewart is their neo-nazi ring leader! Hold on tight, cause this trailer is a bumpy one!

This film basically has all the qualities of a film that I would DIIIIIIIIE for! A punk rock band (check), hotties Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Alia Shawkat (check), a death fight against a terrifying neo-nazi gang out to drink your blood while you're completely secluded in an abandoned warehouse?! (CHECK!). As expected, it seems like Saulnier has crafted another brilliantly suspenseful thriller that'll have me gnawing my whole hand off by the looks of the trailer. I'm always down for premises that channel some The Raid: Redemption vibes so bring it on! A24 (love u) is releasing Green Room on April 1st. I'll be there with my bat in hand.