I didn’t like Youth as much as the critics, but it is an interesting film. Starring Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel as two longtime friends, it is very well acted but light on story. The two are vacationing at a ritzy hotel in Europe, full of quirky, almost Wes Anderson-style inhabitants. Caine’s character is a famous composer trying to ignore and be ignored by everyone else, and Keitel as a movie director is trying to put together his last great film. The film takes them in very different directions from what you expect in the opening. The plot is a bit light, but there is no arguing that Caine in particular hasn’t lost a step at all.
On the other hand, I liked In the Heart of the Sea much more than the critics. I found it compelling and captivating. Fairly straight forward with no hidden plot elements, it is the “true” story of Moby Dick, told as a story given to Herman Melville by an aging member of the original crew that ran into the historic whale. Chris Hemsworth plays the ship’s first mate and defacto leader, as an experienced whaler in the early 19th century. When the whaling ship comes across the great white whale though, business becomes survival. I thought the movie was well told, well directed (Ron Howard), and well acted all around.
Not much to say about Creed. Anyone that follows movies knows it is the newest Rocky movie, following yet another “new” generation as the last few movies have. This one however finally sets the franchise in a good direction. Michael B Jordan plays Adonis “Donny” Creed, Apollo’s son. He wants to be fighter but doesn’t want to ride his father’s legacy, wanting instead to find his own path. He finally begs Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky to train him for a big match. Rocky film lovers enjoy this one, I thought it was good but not ground-breaking. Worthy of a single viewing for sure, and Stallone was deserving of the praise he received for this film.
The Peanuts Movie is just what is sounds like. Growing up in the 80’s, I remember reruns of the classic Charlie Brown movies well, and for people of my generation and older, you’ll probably watch this movie with a lot of nostalgia. All of the original charm is there, and the old jokes and gags are brought back right in front of you. Nothing really new brought to the table, but it is a nice walk down memory lane. I’m not sure young children would get as much from this film, it doesn’t have the pizzazz or thrills that today’s children movies do, but it is heartfelt and charming.
Legend is one of those films where the acting outshines the plot, and not by a small margin. Tom Hardy plays both of the Kray twins, a pair of gangsters in 60’s London (based on a true story). I’m a huge fan of Hardy’s, and this movie upholds my thoughts of his work. The Kray brothers are similar in appearance but far different in demeanor, and Hardy does so well you almost forget it is the same person playing both. Ronnie is clinically insane but freed from the asylum by Reggie’s under-the-desk dealings. Reggie is also quite crazy and prone to extreme violence. The two butt heads by stay true to family. They spend most of the movie bribing and staying just ahead of the police. Not too deep of a film, but again, Hardy is worth the price of admission.
Jons Movie Takes 