La La Land

Release Date: Dec 09, 2016
Runtime: 2 hr. 7 min.
Director: Damien Chazelle
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt, J.K. Simmons.

Rarely has a film been so spellbinding, nostalgic and wondrously inspiriting than "La La Land," a melodic masterpiece destined for the stars. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle and composed by Justin Hurwitz, the duo delivers another knockout production of musical achievement. Whether you enjoy musicals or not, it's hard not to appreciate the gravitational pull of each magical number. Set against iconic landmarks of dreamy Los Angeles, the story of Sebastian and Mia unfolds in conducted succession. Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are the defining embodiment of old Hollywood, perfectly paired and evocative of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Where Gosling lacks in vocal strength, he makes up for in charm, while Stone is a bona-fide performer. Together they tackle the pitfalls of love, dreams and everything in between –  a cliched story of sorts if not for the score. Hurwitz's fusion of contemporary and jazz blends seamlessly with topnotch choreography and gorgeous cinematography. Whether it's the captivating melody of "Mia & Sebastian's Theme," the mellow duet of "City of Stars," or even the toe-tapping spectacle of "Someone In The Crowd," the film is not short of memorable tunes. Chazelle directs with effortless precision –  an admirable feat for someone so young. Following the success of "Whiplash" and now this second feature, it's suffice to say he has a promising road ahead. While most great films invoke thought and reflection, not all can quite linger like "La La Land."

 Rating: 5 stars 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Release Date:Nov 18, 2016
Runtime:2 hr. 13 min.
Director:David Yates
Cast:Eddie Redmayne, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton.

It's been 5 years since the conclusion of a beloved franchise, and 5 years since the loss of magical storytelling. But lo and behold, J.K. Rowling proves she still has something up her sleeve, igniting a series bred for a new generation. Preluding the birth of "Harry Potter," we embark on an unforeseen journey with remarkable creatures – "Fantastic Beasts" to be exact. Set in 1926 in New York City, we follow Newt Scamander, a zoologist on a mission to rescue these mythical beasts. Potterheads should be familiar with Newt thanks to the resourcefulness of Rowling, who not only wrote the screenplay but also the 'textbook' that inspired it. It's in this regard that "Beasts" conjures a pleasant familiarity, one only attainable with the help of the author. Eddie Redmayne takes the limelight of the autonomous hero, while Colin Farrell is implied as the underlying villain. Dan Fogler provides the comic relief as the inadvertent sidekick, whose role as No-Maj (muggle) is fortuitous in context. It's a change from trailing students at Hogwarts, moreover, relocating to America to discover a cultural diversity. But while incantations and levitations remain the same, that is where the similarities end. The plot, as a whole, is less thrilling than accustomed, and it's hard not to miss old familiar faces. Newt, while likable and honest in nature, is hard to picture in the long run as a strong protagonist. But hints of a character that's been long forgotten tells us there's more percolating beneath the surface. As protracted secrecy is J.K. Rowling's forte, it'll be interesting to see how this franchise unravels over the course of 5 films. Though "Beasts" is no match for the likes of "Harry Potter," it appears to at least have some budding potential. 

Rating: 3½ stars

Doctor Strange

Release Date:Nov 04, 2016
Runtime:1 hr. 55 min.
Director:Scott Derrickson
Cast:Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Rachel McAdams, 
Benedict Wong.

We've had weapon specialists and Asgardian gods, super soldiers and extraterrestrials, but the next Marvel adventure transports us beyond the psyche. Entering a world of mysticism and time manipulation, "Doctor Strange" is full of elaborate complexities. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the hero himself, it's a casting match made in heaven akin to Tony Stark. Sharing similar traits of arrogance and charm, Cumberbatch is a brilliant addition to the ever-growing roster. Once a gifted neurosurgeon with no care but his own, an accident leaves him debilitated and bitterly defeated. Following a chance encounter and discovery of a secret sanctum, he gains power unlike any he's had before. Like other Marvel endeavors, the film is thoroughly entertaining, balancing humor with action and onscreen chemistry. But where "Strange" excels is in its visual achievements, twisting worlds upon worlds in a mind-bending experience. Much of it is reminiscent of "Inception," save for the dream realm which is replaced here with teleportation. Tilda Swinton is a perfect gender swapped Ancient One, while Chiwetel Ejiofor adds compassion and ascertainable dimension. Mads Mikkelsen as the villain gets the short end of the stick, with little to no importance or intimidating prowess. As a result, the story is weak at times, though Cumberbatch duly makes up for it with his cocky charisma. In comparison, the score is beautifully crafted by Michael Giacchino, genuinely integral for a supporting role of its own. While "Doctor Strange" may just be another notch in the MCU, the music and visuals make it the most sensorial entry to date. As Phase III has only just begun, it's exciting to see some new life added to the mix.

Rating: 4 stars

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Suicide Squad

Release Date:Aug 05, 2016
Runtime:2 hr. 3 min.
Director:David Ayer
Cast:Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Viola Davis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Ike Barinholtz.

It's been an uphill battle for DC Comics, coming off of a lackluster "Batman v Superman" amidst a barrage of hype. And it's been no easy task of fending off Marvel, which has outdone itself in both Netflix and film. Yet "Suicide Squad" imbued a small inkling of hope, touting a power-stacked cast and a reputable director. Its marketing alone was effective to say the least, teasing and coaxing the inner fanboy. But optimism aside, it still wasn't enough to keep "Squad" from falling short of wayward expectations. To start with the positives, it's entertaining for the most part – envisioning characters, old and new, in a psychedelic universe. Embellished in graphics and maniacal in nature, the film veers in its own unique direction. Continuing from where "BvS" left off, a new task force is assembled, employing some of the world's most dangerous criminals. Led by intelligence operative Amanda Waller (Davis) and Colonel Rick Flag (Kinnaman), the team is assigned to battle powers unknown. Will Smith as 'Deadshot' is easily the most recognizable, using his Hollywood stature to domineer the film. As a result, he acquires the most character development, in comparison to others who fall wayside with limited exposure. Cara Delevingne, in particular, is the weak link of the group, as beauty undermines acting suitable for the role. On the flip-side, Jared Leto takes on the titular Joker, having undergone another ultra-dramatic transformation. Over-the-top and excessively unhinged, he's a polarizing rendition that we have seen thus far. Standing alongside the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, Leto is distinctive, if not unforgettable. Is he the best? Certainly not. But there's a humane side to him that feels new to the role. Margot Robbie, on the other hand, is rather underwhelming, as her wide-eyed lunacy comes off ditzy and superficial. The complexity of Harley Quinn is what makes her appealing and this, unfortunately, is not thoroughly conveyed. So much of the film seems like a missed opportunity and it's a shame, really, to knock it for its delivery. This could be attributed to the editing of the film, with rumors of Ayer being overlooked for a trailer production company. With so much time and effort being spent on visual integrity, the execution suffers greatly, whether ill-advised or intentionally. But if anything else, at least the soundtrack is enjoyable, and there's always those fun, abbreviated trailers. While DC still has a lot of catching up to do, the chance at success may lie near in the future. Next up to the plate: "Wonder Woman."

Rating: 2½ stars

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