F39: American Sniper-Directed by Clint Eastwood

"It puts lightning in your bones and makes it hard to hold onto anything else."

I am not sure there will be a more talked about movie this year than American Sniper starring Bradly Cooper. This film is polarizing and has plenty of talking points, but let's start with a few words about the latest film by Mr. Eastwood. First of all, Bradly Cooper plays a solid, not spectacular role as Chris Kyle, Navy Seal. Watching the film you are convinced that the four tours that Chris went on over in Iraq did impact him greatly. Chris's PTSD forces a struggle in acclimating back to civilian life and Cooper plays out this part of his role really well.  However, the acting around his character is sub par and I feel really short-circuits of much of the anticipated drama of the plot. Personally, I found the pace of the movie sluggish and American Sniper is missing a spark that is always the hallmark of a great war film (Hurt Locker/Lone Survivor). There was nothing I loved about the film, although I was entertained for most of it.

The real intrigue around this film is the dynamics with how the film is being seen. People came out in record droves and smashed box office records to watch a film that celebrates the most prolific sniper U.S. Navy's history. Of all the cinematic achievements in story telling ever created, a movie about a sniper now holds more than a dozen attendance records. About a sniper. Sniper's kill. A lot. Death. Shooting. Usually hidden from view. I'm amazed how even the subject has gotten people to the leave their homes and make it to the theater for the sake of being entertained. And while I do have a great deal of respect of what our armed forces do to protect everyday life in America, this film circles the wagons back to the question of what was really achieved fighting a war in Iraq in the first place. Several of the soldiers in the film clearly question their purpose abroad, but not the main character. 

I've read that many people have labeled this film as propaganda although I stopped short of taking it that way. In fact, I am still not exactly sure how I take this film on a level above entertainment. In that regard I guess it is a unique cinematic experience. During the ending credits the theater was silent and the air was thick with a deep sentiment that I haven't ever experienced before at a movie house. I did see the film with a British friend who commented after the film "You Americans love your heroes. The patriotism in that film, I have never seen anything like it." He was not being snippy but rather made some good points. American Sniper will strike a nerve with many different types of people and their reactions will all differ greatly. I applaud Clint Eastwood for creating something to talk about and shining the spotlight on a topic that the public can wrestle over. Like it or not, see this film and decide for yourself. 'Merica, F-ya!

Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/americansniper/

F38: Exodus: God and Kings-Directed by Ridley Scott

"You sleep so well boy, because you are so loved."

The story of the Exodus is one of the greatest stories ever told and Ridley Scott does a handsome job of bringing it to life with a modern slant that I am sure angered many. While the actual story of Moses and Ramses is well trodden and steeped in Biblical lore, Ridley develops the plot around the combustibly enduring relationship between the two brothers. We know the outcome, but this movie takes us all for a ride that we have not been on before, and it starts with Moses.

Gone is the staff. The bushy beard. The archaic preaching and striped robes. In their wake is a much more military minded Moses that we soon discover is devoid of any faith, Hebrew or Egyptian. While exiled, Moses suffers a head injury tending to his flock and begins to see God, who appears to him in the shape of a 10 year old boy. The kid is a curious approach by Scott, but ultimately I feel a very successful one. Israel literally translates into "he who wrestles with God" and Moses could be the poster child for this concept, constantly questioning what he is instructed to do. Even as the movie is drawing to a close we can feel this inner struggle with Moses over not just his life's purpose, but the legacy that he is leaving behind. I liked how this version focused more on how a single man can spark a revolution with his people and carry out arguably the largest migration of people in human history, rather than centering the plot around the mysticism of the plagues. Which, interestingly enough, were presented in an a logical order, pressing the issue of scientific possibility onto the screen.

Overall, I really enjoyed this film and recommend it to anyone who loves ancient history. I simply found the scope of what Egypt could have been like 4,000 years ago to be intoxicating and Ridley Scott did an incredible job of bringing the pages of history to life. Staying historical, this movie did have its shortcomings but breathes new life into an old epic tale and I feel is worth seeing.

Trailer: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/exodusgodsandkings/

B22: Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage-By Haruki Murakami

"The past became a long, razor sharp skewer that stabbed right through his heart. Silent silver pain shot through him, transforming his spine to a pillar of ice. The pain remained, unabated."

Another sterling read by sensei Murakami. If you have never picked up one of his works, you are really missing out. Murakami has an effortless style of writing that is both minimal and cognitively layered. His words create a clean yet searing image of the world around his characters, ultimately leading them down some version of the proverbial rabbit hole. This newest work is no exception. It is masterly written and unfolds like a forgotten memory. More so than any of his other books I have read, Colorless features a new empathetic protagonist, Tsukuru Tazaki that anybody who has experienced strong friendships during their high school years will be able to identify with.

The plot is about friendship and the perpetual craters that they form along the ridge of a person's existence. Some are shallow, but other's can be much deeper and of much greater consequence. Tsukuru's group consists of two other boys and two girl. Five friends, emotionally connected who shared everything. At a time in their lives when personalities are galvanized and life path's are forged, the five friends were inseparable, each contributing to the group in their own way. As the reality of college drifts closer and closer, the group suddenly and inexplicably exiles Tsukuru, severing all contact. Tsukuru, fractured, is set a foot in a dark forest of uncertainty and wavers between extinction and reconstruction. He does manage to find his way out and years later meets a woman who refuses to progress their romance unless Tsukuru explores the painful reasons behind his expulsion. 

I really cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. We have all had friendships that have dissipated or morphed into something that we could never have conceived possible and this story is a simple reminder that life is ever changing. Relationships shift, flow and ebb and the only constant is that unforeseeable way that they will end up. But, that is have the fun of the game of life; not ever knowing what is next. Pick this book up and when done, pass it on to a friend. You will be glad you did. 

F37: Fury-Directed by David Ayer

"Ideals are peaceful, but history is violent."

 History is without a doubt violent, as is this movie. But, boy was it awesome. I highly recommend seeing this new release starring the Pittster as a war hardened sergeant during WWII. For all the movies that have come out on the subject, it is really amazing how every year it seems, there is a new take or new glimpse into those dark years on the planet Earth. This movie packs a wallop as any good war movie should, with plenty explosions and mud and guns and grenades and body parts flying across the screen. It does do something different though that we have not seen, it profiles one of the most important tools that was used during the effort: The Sherman Tank. 

WarDaddy (Pitt) is the commander of a group of misfits fighting hard to end the war. They have crossed over into Germany territory only to have one of their mainstays torn to shreds. His replacement comes in the form of an fresh out-of-training greenhorn, played expertly by Logan Lerman. The plot is pretty straightforward from there, with WarDaddy taking the new gunner under his wing and doing everything he can to toughen him up for survival's sake. This movie reminded me of a favorite book of mine All Quiet on the Western Front, which was written in 1929. It follows the path of a group of youthful soldiers, not unlike our tank pals from Fury and how they would actually prefer to stay together in harms way on the front line versus return home and go their separate ways. If anything, this film reminds us of the incredibly thick, elastic relationships soldiers share and how, despite the abhorrent nature of circumstances surrounding them, they would make any sacrifice asked of them. 

See this movie. The shear scope of what you watch will blow you away. Brad Pitt's role teeter's on improbable, but the rest of the cast is marvelous. The tank on tank action scene is epic and I wouldn't be shocked to see Fury bag several awards. MACHINE!

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2713180/

F36: St. Vincent-Directed by Theodore Melfi

"And you, my good sir can go f$#% yourself!"

I loved this new Bill Murray flick. Dark comedies are hard to find these days, but when you see a good one, they are definitely worth noting. Finding humor in tragedy is tough to do, but nobody does is better than Mr. Murray. Like a gobstopper, his character in this new release is ever changing. Is he a drunk? A down and out gamble-holic? A fatally loyal husband? A well respected war hero? The pieces of who Vincent truly is slowly shift into focus as his relationship with a new young neighbor begins to unfold.

12 year old Oliver and his mother, Maggie (played by Melissa McCarthy), have just moved to Brooklyn. They are fleeing from the toxic relationship with Maggie's ex husband and looking for a fresh start. Oliver one day gets locked out of his house and is forced to ask Vin for help. The two start to form and unlikely bond, with Vincent leading Oliver around town. Our dynamic duo hit the race track, the bar scene and the nursing hospital where Vincent's wife is living. Vincent teaches young Oliver how to throw a punch and the worst curse words imaginable. He is far from a perfect role model, but at his core, Vin teaches Oliver the true meaning of compassion for others. I strongly suggest going to see this movie, it is much more than advertised. If anything go see it to pay homage to one of our greatest actors, Bill Murray. He is in his element with this role and truly shines with the help of a fantastic soundtrack. You will laugh, maybe cry but ultimately marvel at the talent of Mr. Bill Murray.

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2170593/

F35: Gone Girl-Directed by David Fincher

"I'd love to just unspool her brain and find out what she is thinking."

I have a hard time saying no to anything that Mr. Fincher works on and this new rendition of the popular book is a great example of his brilliance. His artistic way of storytelling is distinct and the lighting and brooding undertones are evident. As is my apparent appetite for this newest work. It was awesome. Like riding a long wave, there are plenty of curious moments and unexpected plunges in the story line. Not too mention the ending which will undoubtedly leave you buffaloed.

Nick and Amy seem to be the dream couple. Both are well educated, witty and full of charm. They meet at a party and quickly fall in love, ultimately getting hitched soon there after. Fast forward several years and our happy little couple is suddenly oh not so happy. They are forced to deal with issues that are common in marriages, resulting in the splintering of their core relationship. Fincher directs the action by weaving past and present time lines, teasing the story out as he goes. Suddenly, Amy (played exquisitely by former Bond girl Rosamund Pike) has gone missing and all leads inexplicably begin to shade in the direction of her husband Nick (Ben Affleck). Hairpiece or not, Affleck plays the alluring role of misunderstood-but am I really-maybe I killed her-maybe I didn't husband to a tee. His likable character is an achievement due to all the layers coating Nick's persona and how expertly his makes you believe that he is not acting and that Nick could be a real person. Amy on the other hand, is a few clicks away from likable, but I will let you make your own assumptions about her character. 

Overall, I highly recommend seeing this flick, it was great. Nice to hit a home run considering the last trip to the box office was months ago.  Scored by Trent Reznor, this movie has some truly haunting undertones and is well worth your time. 

Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2583211289

F34: Godzilla- Directed by Gareth Edwards

"We deserve to know what is happening here."

I will tell you what is happening here. Godzilla is about to doggy paddle across the ocean and start ripping through cities in his quest for total monster domination. I really liked this reboot of the Godzilla franchise and was not disappointed. While the plot may be a little on the shaky side, who cares. It's Godzilla, King of the Monsters. I am not interested in crafty dialogue or character development; I'm here for the carnage. I loved these old pulp movies when I was a kid and still love them today. This version definitely has a old school feel to it and director Gareth Edwards' attention to detail is obvious and I appreciate how he did not just roll out some weak, lame version of our beloved monster (see, or rather do not see Godzilla 2000). Godzilla is big and bad and makes the same iconic piercing cry that we all loved in the originals. The epic budget for this movie is conservatively estimated at 160+ million and it does not take long for you to see why. Mostly shot in CGI, the effects are fiercely ridiculous and to quote the great Chazz Michael Michaels, some of the scenes are flat out "mind bottling". 

A team of miners in the Philippians have been hard at work digging away looking for plutonium, when they make an unusual discovery. Two 4 story building sized fossilized eggs are buried deep underground and after an "accidental earthquake" at a nuclear reactor in Japan, one of the eggs is nurtured to term. Leave it to mankind to help the actual hatching of a giant rampaging, prehistoric creatures that needs to be stopped. The eggs are not those of Godzilla and conversely become his foes later on in the movie. I am pretty sure the monsters were inspired by different versions of the cult classics that G himself used to battle, but I digress. So, these new monsters hatch and start romping around the South Pacific, snatching up submarines and leaving a wake of utter destruction behind them. Before long, our old friend Godzilla emerges from the pits of the ocean to help restore "balance" to the universe, as only the ultimate apex predator could. 

Godzilla is without a doubt worth seeing, especially in the movie house on the big screen. This modern update does a really good job of portraying Godzilla as he was intended and by the movie's end you will be rooting for him. I have read that due to the early success of the film, part 2 is already in early development stages and we can only hope that Edwards stays on to direct the project. I would say that my only complaint about the film is its length. It is understandable why it is so long though, as it must be hard to 86 scenes that cost several millions of dollars to make. Overall though, I strongly suggest seeing it. Also, love the shout out to BART and how the three main locations chosen for destruction all have personal significance to me; Japan, Hawaii and San Francisco. Cue the Blue Oyster Cult and commence utter destruction.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjKO10hKtYw