Into The Woods

The Sun movie review: ‘Into the Woods’ is a magical trip

Monday February 23, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |

Four suns.

“Once Upon a time in a far off kingdom” ... and so it begins. “Into the Woods” they go to reverse a bitter witch’s curse. What a musical fantasy delight this movie is; A story that works on several levels jam-packed with life lessons for adults and children alike.

The songs weave a spell of intrigue. The characters – all from different fairy tales – converge in a clever plot, which involves coming together for a common good. Of course, as they meet in the woods, conflict and peril unfolds everywhere.

The plot is set in motion when a baker and his wife are visited by their neighbor, an angry witch who has been cursed with ugliness by her mother due to past deeds involving a garden, the baker’s father and other dark secrets. In retaliation, she has rendered the couple childless. They never knew of this wicked spell. Due to the actions of the baker’s absent father, the witch stole the baker’s baby sister and raised her. He did not know he had a sister – Rapunzel.

As the story unfolds, Cinderella, her stepmother and stepsisters, two Prince Charmings, Little Red Riding Hood, her granny and the wolf, Jack of the bean stalk and two furious giants fill out the cast of characters to take the audience on an exciting and haunting journey. The goal is to reverse the curse and bring on a “happily ever after” ending for everybody, including the witch.

Well, we get that happy ending in the middle of the movie! But wait – you know the old saying “Be careful what you wish for?” The second half of the story deals with discontent and payback. Having upset the tranquility of the giant’s kingdom, Jack is wanted as retribution. So, back into the woods this collection of fairy tale characters go to hide young Jack and plot their defense against the angry giant. The scenes of blame and accusation, of hurt and loss, of sweet lessons learned, are wondrous.

Directed by Academy Award winner, Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), Into the Woods has his stamp of luscious visuals and wit. The cast is perfect. What a treat to have a musical where everyone can actually sing. No talk-singing or trick techy nonsense to disguise a star’s lack of musicality. Meryl Streep as the witch is a revelation. We all know what a great actress she is. Her singing in “Mama Mia” didn’t even hint at the tremendous power and dramatic force she delivers in song. Also outstanding is Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone as Jack. Surprising in their own right are performances by Emily Blunt, Chris Pine and James Corden.

Broadway’s genius composer Stephen Sondheim has never been properly served in movies – until now. His philosophy, humor and humanity displayed in his clever lyrics, plus his beautifully unique melodies, have had a difficult time in past transfers to film. This time, they got it right.

“Into the Woods “is currently in theaters.

http://www.thesunnews.net/news/383-'Into_the_Woods'_is_a_magical_trip.html

Annie

The Sun movie review: Updated ‘Annie’ falls flat

Thursday February 5, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |

One Sun

Little Orphan Annie, Daddy Warbucks and Sandy the dog started out as comic strip characters in the Great Depression. Vastly popular, this comic strip brought optimism to a bleak period in our history. Annie, the eternal optimist with the big round eyes and big red hair has never left us. She has seen the lights of Broadway in what has become a classic musical. Filmed in 1982 with a star-studded cast and then again as a television special, also with a star-studded cast, Annie and friends continued to gain admirers.

Now, a newly reimagined “Annie” has hit the silver screen with a thud. This lackluster production has subtracted everything from the original that was charming and relevant. Not only have the characters been changed and renamed – except for Annie, of course – but the classic score has been so altered that the songs are unrecognizable. I am not a purist, but this is ridiculous.

The updated plot revolves around Annie who, in this version, is no longer an orphan. She is now a foster child. Annie pines for her biological parents, as in the original. She shares a cramped bedroom with several other foster children – all girls under the supervision of mean Miss Hannigan, dreadfully played by Cameron Diaz. On her daily excursions in looking for her parents, she encounters Mr. Stacks, a cell phone tycoon with political aspirations. For some stupid reason, he takes our little waif into his home for media coverage, in hopes it will soften his public image and get him elected as mayor. Annie goes from Hannigan’s dreary New York City tenement to Stacks’ high-tech penthouse. Of course, the predictable happens, as lovable Annie melts Mr. Stack’s cold heart. Along the way, we are assaulted with the worst musical numbers I have ever witnessed on screen. Lacking production value and with the most awkward staging, the songs fall as flat as the performances.

The cast appears clueless. The performances are so weak as to be nonexistent. To be fair, the actors, all good in other movies, have apparently been left to their own devices without any direction. Produced, written and directed by Will Gluck, this vanity production is so wrongheaded. What a missed opportunity to bring this delightful musical to a new generation. Jamie Foxx seems to be sleepwalking through his part. Rose Byrne, as his assistant and long suffering secret admirer, is zombie-like, in this flattened-out film.

The usually wonderful Bobby Cannaval is awful as a crooked opportunist. Quvenzshane Wallis as Annie has energy to spare and too many smiles to bare. She’s cute, is the kindest thing I can say for her performance.

With songs like the iconic “Tomorrow” plus “Hard Knock Life” and “Maybe” so unrecognizable in their updated treatments, one wonders why Gluck and company were inspired to remake “Annie.” Did they think they could improve on an already good thing with newly written, extremely inferior songs? Or did they believe they could make it better by adding a superfluous car chase?

To see “Annie” at her best, check out the 1982 film version, directed by the great John Huston starring Carol Burnett and Albert Finney, or the 1999 TV film directed by Rob Marshall starring Cathy Bates. These are available on cable and streaming on syndication services.

There is also a national tour of the stage play coming our way this year. All three options are better bets, to see “Annie” in all her rightful glory.

“Annie” is currently in theaters.

http://www.thesunnews.net/scene/516-The_Sun_movie_review_Updated_'Annie_falls_flat.html

The Imitation Game

‘The Imitation Game’ is second to none

Friday January 23, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |

Four Suns.

“The Imitation Game” is a true story about an unsung hero starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Fans of PBS’s stylish delight, “Sherlock Holmes” will be familiar with the quirky Cumberbatch. He couldn’t be more perfect as Alan Turing, the young genius mathematician who, with a support team, was instrumental in ending World War II. Over a span of two painstaking years, this dedicated team worked to crack the Nazi code “Enigma.”

This well-crafted movie takes us through this process in a most entertaining way. It is more than a tale of code-breaking. It is a dramatic look at teamwork and love. But mostly, it is a character study of a genius misunderstood and egregiously underappreciated. Turing performed heroic work in decoding the Nazi machine and saving thousands of lives. It has been estimated that breaking this code shortened the war by two years. This decoding allowed Britain to know Germany’s tactical moves. It should also be said that Turing actually laid the foundation for the modern day computer. He truly was an extraordinary mind.

So why was Alan Turing not celebrated or decorated? Why did he receive such punishing treatment from England? The main reason was because Turing was gay. This brilliant young man’s contribution has been buried away from history books and school curriculum for 50 years. England finally recognized his achievement in 2012 – too late to alter the devastating outcome of a life sadly abused by a harsh society.

Director Morten Tyldum has gathered an impressive ensemble of actors. Keira Knightley is charming as the only woman on this team who shares a strong bond with Turing. Charles Dance and Matthew Goode also turn in strong performances as Turing’s commander and teammate. However, it is Cumberbatch that steals the show. He has become adept at portraying outsiders and superior intellects with such humanity and charisma.

The Imitation Game works on so many levels. It is a spy thriller. It is suspenseful. It is a love story. It is a social document. It is history. First-time screenwriter Graham Moore and the creative team deserve accolades. The history of the world is filled with untold truths and unsung heroes. Race, gender, sexuality and religious taboos have kept the facts hidden, in many cases. The Imitation Game is a step in the right direction. Due to the appalling neglect of such an important historical episode, The Imitation Game – movie and book – should be required viewing and reading until the time comes when Turing’s story is justly included in our history books and lessons.

 The Imitation Game is currently in theaters.

http://www.thesunnews.net/scene/533-'The_Imitation_Game_is_second_to_none.html

The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

Hobbit is an epic masterpiece

Saturday January 3, 2015 | By:Tony Baksa |

Four Suns.

The genius director Peter Jackson is back to conclude The Hobbit trilogy. The tale of unassuming Hobbit hero Bilbo Baggins has spread out over three blockbuster movies. This final episode, “Battle of the Five Armies” does not disappoint.

Rich with adventure, drama, a pinch of comedy and loads of thrills, “The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies” stays true to the nature of filmmaking – special visual effects, amazing scope, otherworldly sound, set design of monumental proportions – the score, the costumes, the make-up – a wholly improbable yet believable world created to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy masterpiece to life.

The characters are all there to bring us to the end of Bilbo’s first adventure. Don’t forget – we meet him again in “Lord of the Rings.” Middle Earth is once again abundant with monsters and villains, good guys and heroes, elves and dwarves, ogres and wizards, kings and fools and one fabulous dragon! And, of course, that precious gold ring is there to haunt Bilbo.

This last Hobbit film picks up where “The Desolation of Smaug” left off. Bilbo’s chilling words, “What have we done,” at that movie’s conclusion was hardcore enticement to return to this final film to see just that. The dragon Smaug has threatened annihilation on the city of humans nearby his lair. As the movie begins, Smaug is keeping his threatening promise flying over Lake-town, destroying everything in his way, as he swoops over the city spitting fire. Bilbo and the dwarves must complete their mission to take back the mountain, home of the dwarves and reclaim Smaug’s wealth. Matters are complicated by the greed of Thorin the dwarf king and outside forces, such as the evil Orcs, as well as the noble elves.

All of this leads up to the film’s centerpiece, the battle of the five armies. The pitch of excitement is high as the amazing war explodes on the screen. All the factions battle for the mountain and the enormous treasure it holds. Here in these battles is the stuff of pure cinematic drama. The battles don’t stop the film. The stories, unfold as all the characters fight for survival.

Peter Jackson has created three gorgeous masterpieces of fantasy. This final installment is not to be missed. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” can be \ enjoyed on its own without having knowledge of the two preceding films. It can be viewed in 2-D, 3-D and IMAX. I saw it in 3-D, which provided detail, texture and extraordinary clarity to Jackson’s visually striking canvas. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is currently in theaters. I believe it will be in theaters for quite some time.

http://www.thesunnews.net/news/778-Hobbit_is_an_epic_masterpiece.html

Birdman

‘Birdman’ is a soaring film with Keaton

Thursday December 18, 2014 | By:Tony Baksa |

http://www.thesunnews.net/scene/289-'Birdman_is_a_soaring_film_with_Keaton.html

Birdman – movie review by Tony Baksa 11/25/2014

RATING – 4 Suns

Somehow it seems personal for Michael Keaton. His performance in “Birdman” has an uncanny authenticity one rarely sees in mainstream films. I say, just give him the Oscar now. It is difficult to imagine another performance that will best Keaton’s Birdman.

Produced, directed and co-written by the visionary Alejandro González Inarritu, “Birdman” makes a powerful statement. Inarritu uses Show Business as a metaphor for survival. It is a good metaphor. “Birdman” is the story of a fading Hollywood star’s last ditch effort to reclaim his career. He takes on Broadway with his last penny and his last nerve. In the process he is confronted with a regretful life - a failed marriage, a neglected daughter and a lifetime of bad choices. This is a man with loads of talent but none for life outside his art. 

This great movie takes us inside his head and his heart with surreal flourishes and a fluidity of movement that is astonishing. Director Inarritu moves his floating camera in a way that provides us with a rare perspective. We see what Keaton sees. We also feel what he feels. Our sympathies are tied firmly to Keaton as we travel along with him to his decent into madness.

Riggan Thomas (Keaton) has optioned a controversial play for him to star in opposite method actor Mike (Edward Norton) a volatile actor/ star known for his antics on and off the screen. They are quite the pair in their daily altercations. The rehearsals become fodder for the gossip columns and TV entertainment news shows. This, of course, turns the play into a must see even before it has opened. Ticket buyers line the sidewalks around the theater just to catch the previews. As Riggan and Mike rehearse and fight verbally as well as physically, it is apparent that the success of this venture is the only option for Riggan. Will audiences still line up for a badly reviewed play? Can Riggan’s former fame as the Birdman in a screen trilogy much like Batman keep the box office busy?   Adding to the fire is Emma Stone as Keaton’s needy truth telling daughter who loves her father with a scalding passion. Throw in an ex-wife and a bitter theater critic, a nervous manager and fabulous periphery New York theater types and “Birdman” provides a rich tapestry of unrelenting emotion.

“Birdman” is, indeed, a very emotional experience. Baring his soul like never before, Michael Keaton gives the performance of his career.  He will never be better! It his heartbreaking yet thrilling to witness Keaton in a variety of outlandish scenes that are sometimes funny, other times chilling. We are asked to question reality as we witness Keaton and his flights of fancy.  Emma Stone as his willful daughter brings a surprising authority that belies her youth and experience. She is a great actress. Also outstanding is Lindsay Duncan as the number one make or break theater critic. Edward Norton brings balance to the proceedings with humor.

Director Inarritu’s literate script co-written with Nicolás Giacobone provides a classic brilliance that was once the rule rather than the exception in the golden age of film. It is a thing of beauty. We are treated to emotional outbursts and thrilling monologues that are even rare in the current theater. Make no mistake; this is very much a movie – cinematic in all its aspects. Inarritu sees to that. Although the playing field is the theater, “Birdman” is far from stage bound as well as earth bound. It literally takes flight across the emotional terrain of a man’s heart and soul.

“Birdman” is currently in theaters

John Wick

                                                         

John Wick – movie review by Tony Baksa 11/13/2014
Hamburg Sun

Rating – 4 Suns

Take one part Quentin Tarantino, one part Kung Fu and one part Clint Eastwood and you will have “John Wick”.  On their own, each is entertaining to their target audience. Mixed thoroughly and you have a superior entertainment for everyone.

Keanu Reeves stars as a retired high level hit man who encounters a trio of thugs hell bent on stealing his snazzy car. In the process they beat him violently and to top it off kill his adorable dog before they speed off with his Mustang. Their big mistake was not knowing who he is. He’s John Wick famous assassin – formerly known as “The Boogeyman” – an unstoppable force. Their bigger mistake was not knowing that Wick was a “colleague” of the father of the trio’s leader. Their biggest mistake was killing John Wick’s dog. You see, our beloved hit man recently lost his beautiful wife to a terminal illness. The dog was her parting gift to him. We are treated to scenes of Wick lavishing affection on the dog as he grieves.  With brief flashbacks of his deceased wife, there is a sense that he gave up his life of crime for her and the decency she represented. Therefore, this dog is everything to him – EVERYTHING.

Well, that is all you need to know of the movie’s plot. The remainder of the movie is all revenge played out in some of the most exciting action you will encounter. This is not an overstatement. Directed by David Leitch and Chad Stahelski we are treated to wildly enthralling fights and shoot outs that are brilliant in their execution. The directors know their material all too well. They are former stunt doubles for the film’s star, Keanu Reeves. What is even more interesting and, frankly astonishing, is that “John Wick” is the first film directed by Leitch and Stahelski. They must have been paying attention as stunt men on the many movies they worked. I am guessing they have also watched a lot of Kung Fu movies as well. “John Wick” plays like Kung Fu with guns instead of flying feet and fists.

The amazing fight choreography especially the shoot outs are unequalled in recent memory. Inspired by martial arts movies, it is fast and furious like a runaway train. The all-important editing in such a film cannot be denied. I am predicting an Oscar nomination for film editing.

As for the cast, they are fine especially John Leguizamo in a tiny cameo that is, nevertheless memorable. But it is all Reeves. He is so strong in presence. As a loner of few words - relentless for vengeance, he will surely bring to mind the revenge seeking Clint Eastwood in his younger days. Keanu Reeves has had a string of bombs in the last few years. As the title character he states in a confrontational prelude to his rampage, “I’m thinking I’m back!” Yes, Keanu, you are and welcome back.

The look of the film is strangely beautiful for this genre. With New York City as the backdrop, the choreographed violence is mesmerizing and, above all, exciting. It’s not real and we know it. It’s fun. It’s iconic movie making. It’s cowboys and gangsters – good guys and bad guys - Gary Cooper in “High Noon”, Spencer Tracy in “Bad Day at Black Rock”.  It’s classic. It’s movie time – popcorn and candy.  We leave the theater exhilarated and satisfied.

“John Wick” is currently in theaters.                                         

Men, Women & Children

Men, Women & Children - Movie Review by Tony Baksa

10/23/2014

Rating - 4 Suns

The internet, social media and all the modern day devices like Ipads, androids and IPhones provide us with great connectivity - or does it? Yes, we email and prolifically post on Facebook, Instagram, twitter, blogs and YouTube. We may feel involved in each other’s lives and to some degree we are. But to what degree? Have all these platforms for social discourse and self-expression actually made us less connected? That’s the irony presented to us by producer, director and screenwriter Jason Reitman in his cautionary tale, "Men, Women & Children.”

It is a powerfully sad film about private lives and enormous secrets. With a strong ensemble cast, "Men, Women &Children" pulls no punches in its frank story of the harm technology does to society - more accurately, the abuse of technology.

The large cast of characters includes teenagers with their constant texting - often times sending messages to friends who occupy their very same space. It should be funny but it is not. Then there are the adults surfing the web for companionship outside their marriages. With so much available on the internet from an abundance of news, games, gossip to misinformation and the illicit, a sort of worldwide obsession seems to have taken hold. 

A major theme is played out in the story of a suicidal teen believing that nothing matters. The earth viewed from the perspective of the entire universe, he feels, is an insignificant dot.  Ansel Elgort as Tim Mooney has latched on to this theory after reading Carl Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space”. Tim should be enjoying his high school years. He is the star football player and admired by the student body as well as the faculty. Yet, he has gotten this notion into his head how unimportant football is and therefore winning is especially meaningless. Tim has come to hate football. So, he has decided to quit the team to everyone’s dismay including his father. All he seems to care about anymore is computer games – bloody war games – hours spent on this one lonely endeavor.  His only connection to his absent mother is through Facebook where, unknown to her, he reads her postings.

Another teen, full of innocence, is pushed into sudden maturity by circumstances she is ill equipped to understand. Rude awakenings and unlikely outcomes abound for all these innocents – young and old alike. All this technology has produced a world of people leading lives of quiet desperation. Misunderstandings and alienation are the order of the day.

Adan Sandler as suburban husband and father Don Truby heads the best ensemble cast of the year. Yes, Adam Sandler! Rarely associated with serious social drama, Sandler has probably the best written and most effective scene in the film that sums up everything Reitman wants to say. It is classic in style and chilling as Don (Sandler) responds to his wife after secrets and lies are confronted. I was shocked by his authority in the scene. I hope to see more of this caliber of work from him in the future.

Also outstanding is Elena Kampouris as a doe eyed waif disillusioned by her big crush. She is heartbreaking. Olivia Crocicchia as an aspiring model/actress and her conspiratorial mother (Judy Greer) bring a new twist to the stage mother myth. Dean Norris as a middle aged man searching for true love is also commanding. I was especially taken with Jennifer Garner as an obsessed helicopter mom tracking her daughter’s every move through a collection of devices. Garner gives an Oscar worthy performance. The fact is, the entire cast is extraordinary.

"Men, Women & Children" is a bold film. It is among the most compelling movies you will see this fall. The narration by Emma Thompson adds an offbeat and eerie quality to the proceedings. With her cool demeanor and British accent, Thompson's off screen commentary adds to the disconnect. It is a brilliant stroke.

With solid and compassionate direction, Reitman delivers the best movie to date on the dark side of computers, cell phones and the internet - truly a cautionary tale.

"Men, Women & Children" is coming soon to an area theater.

http://www.thesunnews.net/scene/973-Men_Women__Children_is_a_bold_cautionary_tale.html