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
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
