The 2016 Take2Review Top Ten Movies of the Year

Everyone always asks me – what is the best movie this year?  Well this year, the answer is La La Land.  Stellar cast – beautiful cinematography and the film brings us something new and different. But being the best doesn't always make you my favorite. 

Without further ado – the Take2Revew Top Ten Movies of 2016:

Honorable Mention -   Everybody Wants Some

Richard Linklater always delivers - and this time he took me on a trip in time to the early 80s.  The soundtrack, the cars, the clothes, THE HAIR!  Everything was styled to perfection. Everybody Wants Some is quite nostalgic, pretty hilarious – and deserves my honorable mention.

 10.  American Honey

One of the best metrics on which I judge movies is simple.  Did it stick with me?  Did I think of it over the next few days?  With American Honey the answer was a resounding yes.  Maybe it was the backdrop of Kansas City in some of the shots, maybe it was my complete love for the characters brought to life in the film, or maybe it is the wanderlust who lives deep inside my soul.  All I can say is I loved this weird little film and could watch it over and over again.

9.  Lion

I have always been a Dev Patel fan, which explains why I stuck with Lion even though it was VERY slow to start.  Most moviegoers may be turned off by the subtitles in the beginning of Lion, but I promise you the movie is totally worth it.  It is a beautiful movie with fantastic acting.  You won't be disappointed. (side note - Dev held the door for me at the Critics Choice Awards and he looks and smells DIVINE)

8.  La La Land

The feel good movie of the year, La La Land is one musical I could get behind.  It is breathtakingly beautiful and showcases Los Angeles at it's very best.  I really, really enjoyed this one.

7.  Audrie & Daisy

Audrie & Daisy is the only documentary that made my Top Ten list this year.  This movie will infuriate you.  And I hope it inspires you.  Everyone should watch it and everyone should be talking about it.  We must keep these terrible things from happening with our youth. 

6.  Nocturnal Animals

Another film that haunted me for weeks after the screening was Nocturnal Animals.  It also stars Amy Adams, the only actress to find her way into my Top Ten in two different movies.  This film was a big surprise to me. The trailer doesn't really give away the movie, and that's a very good thing.  It is a dark story, but I loved it. 

5. Manchester By The Sea

Manchester By The Sea is a gutwrenching film with the best acting of this awards season.  Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges all deserve serious consideration and, in my opinion, wins.  These characters show us people at their worst, and at their very best.  At times it was hard to tell the difference.  Brutal film.  But worth the pain. 

4.  Captain Fantastic

Captain Fantastic is one of those films that makes you question everything about the way you live your life.  It's about family, unconditional love, mental illness and so much more.  Viggo Mortensen was absolutely amazing in this film.  The actors who portrayed his children;  I am sure we will be seeing much more of for years to come.  I Highly HIGHLY recommend. 

3.  Arrival

No one is more surprised by a science fiction movie landing as my second favorite film than I am, but Arrival blew my mind.  I was completely shocked by the twist in the movie; I didn't see it coming at all.  I cried and cried.  Amy Adams gives the performance of a lifetime.  Brilliant,  beautiful, this movie is everything. 




2.  Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures is the movie we all needed in 2016.  A reminder of how far we have come, and how far we still have to go.  Uplifting, beautifully acted and historical - Hidden Figures was a quiet surprise that snuck up on me at the last minute.  I would love to see Hidden Figures win Best Picture.

1.  Hello My Name is Doris

My favorite movie of 2016 was an easy one for me, and also includes the best movie line of the year:   "It's not IMPOSSIBLE, it's I'M POSSIBLE!"  Hello, My Name is Doris is so charming and lovely I have shared it with all my friends and family and I have watched it multiple times this year.  Sally Field is at the top of her game in this one.  I can't say enough wonderful things.  I absolutely adored it.

2017 Critics Choice Awards

Jay and I traveled to Santa Monica earlier this month for the 2017 Critics Choice Awards.  We clean up pretty nice, don't you think?\\

We had a wonderful evening, but I couldn't take my eyes off of Jay long enough to take any pics with the actors and actresses who were in the house. 


Here are the winners from the awards show held at Barker Hangar.

BEST PICTURE
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
La La Land *WINNER* Lion
Loving
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
Sully
                                      

BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea *WINNER* Joel Edgerton – Loving
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling – La La Land
Tom Hanks – Sully
Denzel Washington – Fences

                                      

BEST ACTRESS
Amy Adams – Arrival
Annette Bening – 20th Century Women
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Ruth Negga – Loving
Natalie Portman – Jackie *WINNER* Emma Stone – La La Land

                                       

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight *WINNER* Jeff Bridges – Hell or High Water
Ben Foster – Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel – Lion
Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis – Fences *WINNER*
Greta Gerwig – 20th Century Women
Naomie Harris – Moonlight
Nicole Kidman – Lion
Janelle Monáe – Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams – Manchester by the Sea

B

EST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea *WINNER* Alex R. Hibbert – Moonlight
Lewis MacDougall – A Monster Calls
Madina Nalwanga – Queen of Katwe
Sunny Pawar — Lion
Hailee Steinfeld – The Edge of Seventeen

BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
20th Century Women
Fences
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight *WINNER*

                                       

BEST DIRECTOR
Damien Chazelle – La La Land *WINNER* Mel Gibson – Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins – Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
David Mackenzie – Hell or High Water
Denis Villeneuve – Arrival
Denzel Washington – Fences

                                      

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Damien Chazelle – La La Land *WINNER* Barry Jenkins — Moonlight
Yorgos Lanthimos/Efthimis Filippou – The Lobster
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea *WINNER* Jeff Nichols – Loving
Taylor Sheridan – Hell or High Water

                                      

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Luke Davies – Lion
Tom Ford – Nocturnal Animals
Eric Heisserer – Arrival *WINNER* Todd Komarnicki – Sully
Allison Schroeder/Theodore Melfi – Hidden Figures
August Wilson – Fences

                                      

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Stéphane Fontaine – Jackie
James Laxton – Moonlight
Seamus McGarvey – Nocturnal Animals
Linus Sandgren – La La Land *WINNER* Bradford Young – Arrival

                                      

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Arrival – Patrice Vermette, Paul Hotte/André Valade
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Stuart Craig/James Hambridge, Anna Pinnock
Jackie – Jean Rabasse, Véronique Melery
La La Land – David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco *WINNER* Live by Night – Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh

                                      

BEST EDITING
Tom Cross – La La Land *WINNER* John Gilbert – Hacksaw Ridge
Blu Murray – Sully
Nat Sanders/Joi McMillon — Moonlight
Joe Walker – Arrival

                                       

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Colleen Atwood – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Consolata Boyle – Florence Foster Jenkins
Madeline Fontaine – Jackie *WINNER* Joanna Johnston – Allied
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh – Love & Friendship
Mary Zophres – La La Land

                                      

BEST HAIR & MAKEUP
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Hacksaw Ridge
Jackie *WINNER*
Star Trek Beyond

                                      

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
A Monster Calls
Arrival
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The Jungle Book *WINNER*

                                      

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Finding Dory
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
The Red Turtle
Trolls
Zootopia *WINNER*

BEST ACTION MOVIE
Captain America: Civil War
Deadpool
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge *WINNER*
Jason Bourne

                                      

BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange
Matt Damon – Jason Bourne
Chris Evans – Captain America: Civil War
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge *WINNER* Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

                                      

BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE Gal Gadot – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Scarlett Johansson – Captain America: Civil War
Margot Robbie – Suicide Squad *WINNER* Tilda Swinton – Doctor Strange

                                       

BEST COMEDY Central Intelligence
Deadpool *WINNER*
Don’t Think Twice
The Edge of Seventeen
Hail, Caesar!
The Nice Guys

                                      

BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ryan Gosling – The Nice Guys
Hugh Grant – Florence Foster Jenkins
Dwayne Johnson – Central Intelligence
Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic
Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool *WINNER*

                                      

BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Kate Beckinsale – Love & Friendship
Sally Field – Hello, My Name Is Doris
Kate McKinnon – Ghostbusters
Hailee Steinfeld – The Edge of Seventeen
Meryl Streep – Florence Foster Jenkins *WINNER*

                                      

BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE 10 Cloverfield Lane
Arrival *WINNER*
Doctor Strange
Don’t Breathe
Star Trek Beyond
The Witch

                                      

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Elle *WINNER*
The Handmaiden
Julieta
Neruda
The Salesman
Toni Erdmann

                                      

BEST SONG
“Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” – La La Land
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Trolls
“City of Stars” – La La Land *WINNER*
“Drive It Like You Stole It” – Sing Street
“How Far I’ll Go” — Moana
“The Rules Don’t Apply” – Rules Don’t Apply

                                      

BEST SCORE
Nicholas Britell – Moonlight
Jóhann Jóhannsson – Arrival
Justin Hurwitz – La La Land  *WINNER* Micachu – Jackie
Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka – Lion

2016 Critics Choice Ballot

Movie Awards

BEST PICTURE
Arrival
Fences
Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
La La Land
Lion
Loving
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight
Sully


BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea
Joel Edgerton – Loving
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Gosling – La La Land
Tom Hanks – Sully
Denzel Washington – Fences


BEST ACTRESS
Amy Adams – Arrival
Annette Bening – 20th Century Women
Isabelle Huppert – Elle
Ruth Negga – Loving
Natalie Portman – Jackie
Emma Stone – La La Land


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Mahershala Ali – Moonlight
Jeff Bridges – Hell or High Water
Ben Foster – Hell or High Water
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea
Dev Patel – Lion
Michael Shannon – Nocturnal Animals


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Viola Davis – Fences
Greta Gerwig – 20th Century Women
Naomie Harris – Moonlight
Nicole Kidman – Lion
Janelle Monáe – Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams – Manchester by the Sea


BEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea
Alex R. Hibbert – Moonlight
Lewis MacDougall – A Monster Calls
Madina Nalwanga – Queen of Katwe
Sunny Pawar — Lion
Hailee Steinfeld – The Edge of Seventeen


BEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
20th Century Women
Fences
Hell or High Water
Hidden Figures
Manchester by the Sea
Moonlight


BEST DIRECTOR
Damien Chazelle – La La  Land
Mel Gibson – Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins – Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
David Mackenzie – Hell or High Water
Denis Villeneuve – Arrival
Denzel Washington – Fences


BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Damien Chazelle – La La Land
Barry Jenkins — Moonlight
Yorgos Lanthimos/Efthimis Filippou – The Lobster
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea
Jeff Nichols – Loving
Taylor Sheridan – Hell or High Water


BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Luke Davies – Lion
Tom Ford – Nocturnal Animals
Eric Heisserer – Arrival
Todd Komarnicki – Sully
Allison Schroeder/Theodore Melfi – Hidden Figures
August Wilson – Fences


BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Stéphane Fontaine – Jackie
James Laxton – Moonlight
Seamus McGarvey – Nocturnal Animals
Linus Sandgren – La La Land
Bradford Young – Arrival


BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Arrival – Patrice Vermette, Paul Hotte/André Valade
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Stuart Craig/James Hambridge, Anna Pinnock
Jackie – Jean Rabasse, Véronique Melery
La La Land – David Wasco, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco
Live by Night – Jess Gonchor, Nancy Haigh


BEST EDITING
Tom Cross – La La Land
John Gilbert – Hacksaw Ridge
Blu Murray – Sully
Nat Sanders/Joi McMillon — Moonlight
Joe Walker – Arrival


BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Colleen Atwood – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Consolata Boyle – Florence Foster Jenkins
Madeline Fontaine – Jackie
Joanna Johnston – Allied
Eimer Ni Mhaoldomhnaigh – Love & Friendship
Mary Zophres – La La Land


BEST HAIR & MAKEUP
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Hacksaw Ridge
Jackie
Star Trek Beyond


BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
A Monster Calls
Arrival
Doctor Strange
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
The Jungle Book


BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
Finding Dory
Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
The Red Turtle
Trolls
Zootopia


BEST ACTION MOVIE
Captain America: Civil War
Deadpool
Doctor Strange
Hacksaw Ridge
Jason Bourne


BEST ACTOR IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange
Matt Damon – Jason Bourne
Chris Evans – Captain America: Civil War
Andrew Garfield – Hacksaw Ridge
Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool


BEST ACTRESS IN AN ACTION MOVIE
Gal Gadot – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Scarlett Johansson – Captain America: Civil War
Margot Robbie – Suicide Squad
Tilda Swinton – Doctor Strange


BEST COMEDY
Central Intelligence
Deadpool
Don’t Think Twice
The Edge of Seventeen
Hail, Caesar!
The Nice Guys


BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Ryan Gosling – The Nice Guys
Hugh Grant – Florence Foster Jenkins
Dwayne Johnson – Central Intelligence
Viggo Mortensen – Captain Fantastic
Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool


BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Kate Beckinsale – Love & Friendship
Sally Field – Hello, My Name Is Doris
Kate McKinnon – Ghostbusters
Hailee Steinfeld – The Edge of Seventeen
Meryl Streep – Florence Foster Jenkins


BEST SCI-FI/HORROR MOVIE
10 Cloverfield Lane
Arrival
Doctor Strange
Don’t Breathe
Star Trek Beyond
The Witch


BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
Elle
The Handmaiden
Julieta
Neruda
The Salesman
Toni Erdmann


BEST SONG
“Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” – La La Land
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” – Trolls
“City of Stars” – La La Land
“Drive It Like You Stole It” – Sing Street
“How Far I’ll Go” — Moana
“The Rules Don’t Apply” – Rules Don’t Apply


BEST SCORE
Nicholas Britell – Moonlight
Jóhann Jóhannsson – Arrival
Justin Hurwitz – La La Land
Micachu – Jackie
Dustin O’Halloran, Hauschka – Lion


TV Nominees


BEST DRAMA SERIES
Better Call Saul – AMC
Game of Thrones – HBO
Mr. Robot – USA Network
Stranger Things – Netflix
The Crown – Netflix
This Is Us – NBC
Westworld – HBO


BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Sam Heughan – Outlander – Starz
Rami Malek – Mr. Robot – USA Network
Bob Odenkirk – Better Call Saul – AMC
Matthew Rhys – The Americans – FX
Liev Schreiber – Ray Donovan – Showtime
Kevin Spacey – House of Cards – Netflix


BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Caitriona Balfe – Outlander – Starz
Viola Davis – How to Get Away with Murder – ABC
Tatiana Maslany – Orphan Black – BBC America
Keri Russell – The Americans – FX
Evan Rachel Wood – Westworld – HBO
Robin Wright – House of Cards – Netflix


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Peter Dinklage – Game of Thrones – HBO
Kit Harington – Game of Thrones – HBO
John Lithgow – The Crown – Netflix
Mandy Patinkin – Homeland – Showtime
Christian Slater – Mr. Robot – USA Network
Jon Voight – Ray Donovan – Showtime


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Christine Baranski – The Good Wife – CBS
Emilia Clarke – Game of Thrones – HBO
Lena Headey – Game of Thrones – HBO
Thandie Newton – Westworld – HBO
Maura Tierney – The Affair – Showtime
Constance Zimmer – UnREAL – Lifetime


BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Mahershala Ali – House of Cards – Netflix
Lisa Bonet – Ray Donovan – Showtime
Ellen Burstyn – House of Cards – Netflix
Michael J. Fox – The Good Wife – CBS
Jared Harris – The Crown – Netflix
Jeffrey Dean Morgan – The Walking Dead – AMC


BEST COMEDY SERIES
Atlanta – FX
Black-ish – ABC
Fleabag – Amazon
Modern Family – ABC
Silicon Valley – HBO
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
Veep – HBO


BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Ellie Kemper – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
Julia Louis-Dreyfus – Veep – HBO
Kate McKinnon – Saturday Night Live – NBC
Tracee Ellis Ross – Black-ish – ABC
Phoebe Waller-Bridge – Fleabag – Amazon
Constance Wu – Fresh Off the Boat – ABC


BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Anthony Anderson – Black-ish – ABC
Will Forte – The Last Man on Earth – FOX
Donald Glover – Atlanta – FX
Bill Hader – Documentary Now! – IFC
Patrick Stewart – Blunt Talk – Starz
Jeffrey Tambor – Transparent – Amazon


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Julie Bowen – Modern Family – ABC
Anna Chlumsky – Veep – HBO
Allison Janney – Mom – CBS
Jane Krakowski – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
Judith Light – Transparent – Amazon
Allison Williams – Girls – HBO


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Louie Anderson – Baskets – FX
Andre Braugher – Brooklyn Nine-Nine – FOX
Tituss Burgess – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
Ty Burrell – Modern Family – ABC
Tony Hale – Veep – HBO
T.J. Miller – Silicon Valley – HBO


BEST GUEST PERFORMER IN A COMEDY SERIES
Alec Baldwin – Saturday Night Live – NBC
Christine Baranski – The Big Bang Theory – CBS
Larry David – Saturday Night Live – NBC
Lisa Kudrow – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – Netflix
Liam Neeson – Inside Amy Schumer – Comedy Central


BEST ANIMATED SERIES
Archer – FX
Bob’s Burgers – FOX
BoJack Horseman – Netflix
Son of Zorn – FOX
South Park – Comedy Central
The Simpsons – FOX


BEST REALITY COMPETITION SERIES
America’s Got Talent – NBC
MasterChef Junior – FOX
RuPaul’s Drag Race – Logo
Skin Wars – GSN
The Amazing Race – CBS
The Voice – NBC


BEST STRUCTURED REALITY SERIES
Chopped – Food Network
Inside The Actors Studio – Bravo
Penn & Teller: Fool Us – The CW
Project Runway – Lifetime
Shark Tank – ABC
Undercover Boss – CBS


BEST UNSTRUCTURED REALITY SERIES
Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – CNN
Chrisley Knows Best – USA Network
Deadliest Catch – Discovery
Ice Road Truckers – History
Intervention – A&E
Naked and Afraid – Discovery


BEST TALK SHOW
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee – TBS
Jimmy Kimmel Live! – ABC
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver – HBO
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Comedy Central
The Late Late Show with James Corden – CBS
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – NBC


BEST REALITY SHOW HOST
Ted Allen – Chopped – Food Network
Tom Bergeron – Dancing with the Stars – ABC
Anthony Bourdain – Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – CNN
Nick Cannon – America’s Got Talent – NBC
Carson Daly – The Voice – NBC
RuPaul – RuPaul’s Drag Race – Logo


BEST MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
All the Way – HBO
Confirmation – HBO
Killing Reagan – National Geographic
Roots – History
The Night Manager – AMC
The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX


BEST ACTOR IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Bryan Cranston – All the Way – HBO
Benedict Cumberbatch – Sherlock: The Abominable Bride – PBS
Cuba Gooding Jr. – The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX
Tom Hiddleston – The Night Manager – AMC
Tim Matheson – Killing Reagan – National Geographic
Courtney B. Vance – The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX


BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Sterling K. Brown – The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX
Lane Garrison – Roots – History
Frank Langella – All the Way – HBO
Hugh Laurie – The Night Manager – AMC
John Travolta – The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX
Forest Whitaker – Roots – History


BEST ACTRESS IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Olivia Colman – The Night Manager – AMC
Felicity Huffman – American Crime – ABC
Cynthia Nixon – Killing Reagan – National Geographic
Sarah Paulson – The People v. O.J. Simpson – FX
Lili Taylor – American Crime – ABC
Kerry Washington – Confirmation – HBO


BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MOVIE MADE FOR TELEVISION OR LIMITED SERIES
Elizabeth Debicki – The Night Manager – AMC
Regina King – American Crime – ABC
Sarah Lancashire – The Dresser – Starz
Melissa Leo – All the Way – HBO
Anna Paquin – Roots – History
Emily Watson – The Dresser – Starz

Hello My Name Is Doris, Audrie&Daisy, Outlaw Film Festival & August Movie Club

I found my favorite movie of 2016 so far, and her name is Doris.  Click on this link for my review.

 

#HelloMyNameIsDoris is available on DVD and streaming and is HILARIOUS.  You do not want to miss it!

I also want to plug #OutlawFilmFest2016 which is right around the corner.  This 4 day festival kicks off 11/2/16 in downtown St. Joseph.  On 11/4/16 the festival will hold a screening of the #Netflix documentary #Audrie&Daisy with proceeds being donated to the St. Joseph YWCA.  Daisy Coleman and her family will be in attendance for panel discussions. 

 



For more information about our film festival, follow @outlawfilmfest on facebook & twitter, and check out all the events at www.outlawfilmfest.com

I also want to invite local movie lovers to our August Movie Club - August 30 - we are meeting at Chili's in St. Joe at 6pm and then heading over to Hollywood Regal 10 to catch War Dogs & Pete's Dragon.  You can get all the details @take2review on facebook.

Happy Weekend everyone!!

Movie Club - August 30, 2016

Hi Movie Clubbers!!

Here are the three movies we are voting on for our August 30 event.  Watch the trailers below and make your decision, then head back over to our facebook event and vote in our poll.

I will announce which movie we all voted for Monday evening.

Thanks!



WAR DOGS

PETE'S DRAGON

SAUSAGE PARTY

Movie Review: The Legend of Tarzan - A Swing and A Hit

"John Clayton following his parents' death in Africa would be raised by an ape and would be known by the name Tarzan, would leave Africa and go to his parents's home in England along with woman he fell in love with and married, Jane Porter. He would be asked by Belgian King Leopold to go to Africa to see what he has done there to help the country. Initially he refuses. But an American, George Washington Williams wants him to accept so he can accompany him. He says that Leopold might be committing all sorts of atrocities to achieve his goal like slavery. He needs to prove it. Clayton agrees and his wife insists that she accompany him because she misses Africa. They go and when they arrive a man named Rom who works for Leopold attacks the village they are at and captures Tarzan and Jane. With Washington's help he escapes and sets out to rescue Jane by going across the jungle and Washington joins him despite being told that he might not make it." - IMDB

The first story of Tarzan appeared in written form in 1912.  It is quite amazing this legend continues to swing into the lives of each new generation, always with something new to offer.  

On the left is the first 1912 story, on the right is Burroughs 1914 version

This years “The Legend of Tarzan” doesn’t disappoint.

Alexander Skarsgard is perfectly cast, and not only in the eye candy department.  This guy can act.  

Margot Robbie is fantastic as Jane as well.  Samuel L. Jackson’s character was a clever addition to the cast and kept things light with some well written one liners.

But it was Christoph Waltz as the evil Leon Rom who was a bit disappointing. He has been cast as the “bad guy” so often lately, that we had him figured out the minute he walked onto the screen.

The CGI animal work with spectacular – even more so if you are lucky enough to catch this in 3D iMax, which we did.

Fun for the whole family – there is violence, but without all the blood and core.

The Legend of Tarzan is Rated PG-13

Finding Dory - Just Keeping Swimming Even the World Outside Is A Mess

I didn’t expect anything less than kindness, happiness, and joy in a film voiced by the one and only Ellen DeGeneres.

"Finding Dory" reunites the friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish, Dory, with her loved ones.  Along this beautiful journey, everyone learns a few things about the true meaning of family.

 

 

A star studded cast including Ty Burrell, Idris Elba, Diane Keaton & Ed O’Neill add laughs as Dory travels the big blue ocean in search of her parents.

If you really want to appreciate how hard voice acting is, check out this clip from Finding Dory:

Just like 2003’s Finding Nemo, the writers accomplish something amazing – they leave out the villains and bad guys and instead focus on the goodness that still exists in this world.  What an amazing thing – to be able to take our families to the movies and remind each other – especially in our current state of affairs – that kindness matters and we should never be afraid to ask our neighbors for help.

For reasons I can’t quite figure out, Finding Dory is rated PG

 

 

 

Movie Review: Maggie's Plan

Maggie 's plan to have a baby on her own is derailed when she falls in love with John (played by Ethan Hawke), a married man, destroying his volatile marriage to the brilliant and impossible Georgette (played by the always lovely Julianne Moore) But one daughter and three years later, Maggie is out of love and in a quandary: what do you do when you suspect your new husband and his ex wife are actually perfect for each other?

Fans of Greta Gerwig will most definitely enjoy Maggie’s Plan – it is her movie for sure.  But for the rest of us, we are left feeling a bit disappointed.  I found myself waiting patiently for the BIG MOMENT of the movie..and when it finally comes, it is the final thirty seconds of the film.  I would have much rather seen the next 15 minutes of that storyline unfold.

The shining performance for me wasn’t the big names mentioned above, but actually the character of Guy played to perfection by Travis Fimmel.  I only wish his storyline was a bigger part of the film.

Maggie's Plan is now playing in select theaters ( you can catch in Kansas City) and is rated R.

Movie Review: Me Before You

Fans of romance author JoJo Moyes, will be delighted she wrote the screenplay for her best seller, Me Before you.

For those of you who didn’t read the book, the story is of young and quirky Louisa Clark (played by Game of Thrones Queen Emilia Clarke) who moves from one job to the next to help her family make ends meet. Her cheerful attitude is put to the test when she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker left paralyzed from an accident two years earlier. Will's cynical outlook starts to change when Louisa shows him that life is worth living. As their bond deepens, their lives and hearts change in ways neither one could have imagined.

Be sure and bring your tissues – this is a real tearjerker – and pretty funny at times.  It touches on several issues that go far deeper than your normal “chick flick”, and the film gets a bit uncomfortable at times, but overall it’s a nice romantic movie perfect for an evening out with the girls.

Me Before You is Rated PG 13

TMNT - Please go back to the shadows!

Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo, and Raphael return to theaters this summer to battle bigger, badder villains in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.

These unlikely superheroes bicker, eat pizza, wear bandanas, all while living in the New York City sewer system.   For some reason (still unbeknownst to me), the turtles occasionally save the world from destruction. 

Actors jumping into the sewer for this one include Megan Fox, Will Arnett and even Tyler Perry.  (Hard to believe he is in this movie and it wasn’t retitled “Tyler Perry helps Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…you know where I am going here. ) I also have to wonder what possessed three time Oscar nominee Laura Linney to jump on the turte train..…

It’s noisy and chaotic, and I am sure the young ones will like this one, but for this critic, these turtles just need to go back into the shadows.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows is rated PG-13

Movie Review: Mothers Day - Not that Great of a Gift

As much as I wanted to love Mothers Day, it just didn't work.  They tried too hard for the laughs, and I was sadly disappointed.  Watch my full review here. 

 

 

Mothers Day is Rated Pg-13

You Must Accept "The Invitation"

Unfolding over one dark evening in the Hollywood Hills, The Invitation blurs the lines of  paranoia, mystery, and horror until neither the characters or the audience know what threats are real or imagined. 

From the moment he arrives at his ex-wife’s dinner party, Will struggles with memories of living in this beautiful home,  where their young son died in a tragic accident.  The film does a clever dance between paranoia on Will’s part (are Eden’s new friends part of an evil cult?) & friends gathering – both new and old – to try and bury the past enjoying wine, prescription drugs and perhaps some mutual affection…

While watching The Invitation, the audience is never really sure if Will has a true grip on reality.   Director Karyn Kusama, takes us on a terrifying rollercoaster of emotion. Though  there is plenty of gore and violence for fans of such films as “The Purge”, it’s the slow and steady climb that really makes The Invitation a  "Must Watch."

The Invitation is Rated R.

Follow BFCA Movie Critic Lisa Erdman on all social media @take2review for more movie reviews and news.  

Everybody Wants Richard Linklater - Movie Review: Everybody Wants Some

Every college kid from the 80s is sure to love “Everybody Wants Some”, Richard Linklater’s latest film.   Just as “Dazed & Confused” was a nod to the director’s high school experience, “Everybody Wants Some” is a summation of his college years.

The opening scene takes us to a fictional Texas campus as seen through the eyes of the film’s main star, Jake – a freshman baseball player.   Within minutes we have met the rest of the team, and it’s a cast of characters we won’t soon forget.  It wouldn’t be easy to handle such an ensemble cast, but Linklater is the man for the job.

The soundtrack alone is enough to send everyone on a trip back in time.  The cars, the clothes, the hair – everything is styled to perfection. 

Everybody Wants Some in hilarious – and quite nostalgic.  It’s also one of the best movies I have seen so far this year. 

 I had the chance to meet three of the actors from the movie a couple of weeks ago at the Kansas City premier.  Super nice guys.

L-R Glen Powell, Myself, J. Quinton Johnson & Wyatt Russell

Everybody Wants Some is Rated R.

Be Inspired this weekend with Miracles From Heaven - the true story of the Beam family's miracle.

With Easter just around the corner, we see quite a few inspirational movies hitting the theaters.  This year, Jennifer Garner stars in MIRACLES FROM HEAVEN, a film based on the incredible true story of the Beam family.  

Their world is turned completely upside down when 10 year old Anna Beam is diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease.  Just like any family would, the Beams fight for research & answers for Anna.  After exhausting all their resources and accepting her illness as incurable, Anna has a freak accident & something unbelievable happens leaving her doctors in shock & the entire country inspired. 

The first few minutes of Miracles from Heaven had me rolling my eyes and feeling disappointed in the movie. A little too much cheesiness for my taste.  Luckily the cheesiness didn’t last long and I settled into a very solid, very emotional movie. 

If you need a little inspiration in your life, a break from all the negativity (& politics) being served to us on a daily basis – I suggest you check this one out.

Miracles from Heaven is rated PG. 

Irrational Man: A Movie Review

IRRATIONAL MAN is about a tormented philosophy professor who finds a will to live when he commits an existential act. Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) is at rock bottom emotionally, unable to find any meaning or joy in life.  Soon after arriving at his new job, Abe gets involved with two women: Rita Richards (Parker Posey), a lonely professor who wants him to rescue her from her unhappy marriage; and Jill Pollard (Emma Stone), his best student, who becomes his closest friend. While Jill loves her boyfriend Roy (Jamie Blackley), she finds Abe's tortured, artistic personality and exotic past irresistible. Even as Abe displays signs of mental imbalance, Jill's fascination with him only grows. Still, when she tries to make their relationship a romantic one, he rebuffs her.Pure chance changes everything when Abe and Jill overhear a stranger's conversation and become drawn in."  www.sonyclassics.com/irrationalman

I love movie trailers as much as the next guy, but sometimes they show the best parts of the movie, or at least predict the outcome.  Trust me on this, Irrational Man is not the movie you think it will be.  

The chemistry between Emma Stone and Joaquin Phoenix is fantastic - and if you are a fellow Phoenix fan like me, you will not be disappointed.  He portrays vulnerability like no other actor in his time, & somehow makes every woman want him.  

There is much to be said for just "getting by" in life  - losing the desire to go beyond our comfort levels.  I see it all the time when I talk with people about being a dream chaser.  They look at me a bit lost, I can see them thinking "what is she talking about?"  While few people would go to the lengths Abe Lucas goes, most people do daydream about changing their path.  This movie does a brilliant job of showing us just how far some will go, the risks we are willing to take, and what we are capable of doing to keep our secrets safe and sound.

While "Irrational Man" may not have been a hit with the box office, it was a hit with me. 

Irrational man is rated R & is now streaming online, or available on DVD or Blu-Ray.

Will it be Spotlight or The Revenant? It's Oscar Sunday and I am ready to make my predictions!

Yes, I have been stalling on posting my predictions because I can't commit!  Now the day is upon us, so I am out of time.  Without further ado....

Best Picture:  Spotlight

The race for Best Picture is the closest in recent history, and I can see why.  While some people say it comes down to three movies - Spotlight, The Big Short or The Revenant - for me it's only two.  If The Big Short wins, I will be disappointed.  Give the Oscar to The Revenant or Spotlight, and I will be a happy girl.  Since I can only pick one movie, I am going to choose Spotlight because it has a great cast, screenplay and a very important story. Tom McCarthy completely won my adoration with the care he took with Spotlight.

Best Actor:  Leonardo DiCaprio

Everyone knows it's Leo's year.  He proved his acting chops long ago, but in The Revenant he took it to a whole new level. His work in this movie will be talked about for years to come.  I can't wait to hear his name called tonight.

Best Actress:  Brie Larson

The nominees in this category are all amazing and gave such wonderful performances, I can't imagine how it will feel to be Brie Larson this evening.  

Best Supporting Actor:  Sylvester Stallone

This is the one category I am most nervous about. This award could go to any one of the actors and I wouldn't have much of an argument.  So this "prediction" is really more about who I WANT to win.  Let's hand the gold to Rocky.

Best Supporting Actress:  Kate Winslet

This is the most confusing prediction I had to make.   While I agree Kate Winslet was brilliant in Steve Jobs, I wasn't a fan of the movie in general.  Close on her heels is Alicia Vikander for her beautiful role in The Danish Girl. I would much prefer to predict her as the winner.  If there were to be a major upset in the winners tonight, seeing Jennifer Jason Leigh winning Best Supporting Actress would be fantastic - and well deserved.

Best Director:  Alejandro Inarritu

I also think George Miller is quite deserving, having received his first ever nomination for the incredible Mad Max Fury Road.  But I just don't see that happening.  The Revenant was spectacularly beautiful while being horrifically violent and that is not an easy schtick to sell. I was completely blown away.  

Animated Feature Film: Inside Out

While Anomalisa is a masterpiece, I don't think it can beat Pixar's sweet movie Inside Out.  

Cinematography:  The Revenant

Tonight, Emmanuel Lubezki could make history in this category, winning for a third time in a row.  He won two years ago for Gravity, and last year for Birdman.  That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Mad Max Fury Road wins this one.  It's a close, close race.

Costume Design:  Mad Max Fury Road (Jenny Beavan)

Sandy Powell received two nominations this year, for her work on Cinderella and Carol. You would think this would make her a sure win, wouldn't you?  Not so fast.  With tough competition, I think her two nominations will split her votes, and Mad Max will sneak in for the win.

Documentary Feature:  Amy

Cartel Land or The Look of Silence are serious competition, but I think Amy will win.

Film Editing:  Mad Max Fury Road

Brilliant, freaky and incredible.  For the win.

Foreign Language Film:  Mustang

This is the another category where I am following my heart.  Mustang was a beautiful film and I want to see it win.  (But it very well could be Son of Saul)

Makeup and Hairstyling:  Mad Max Fury Road

Those War Boys though...

Original Score:  The Hateful Eight

Original Song:  Til It Happens to You 

We love you Lady Gaga!

Production Design: Mad Max Fury Road

Sound Editing & Sound Mixing:  The Revenant

I will never forget how moved I was by the sound effects while watching The Revenant. It is the experience of a lifetime.

Visual Effects:  The Revenant

I am going with The Revenant, although everyone seems to think Star Wars:  The Force Awakens will win.  It's all about the bear scene for me.

Adapted Screenplay:  The Big Short

Original Screenplay: Spotlight

I have said it a million times, but I am saying it one more time.  The way this story was told was so so important.  The faith was protected, the victims were not sensationalized.  I am so impressed by this film.  I loved it.