Today's Movie: Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

I wasn't 100% sure what to expect going into this one. I had seen some trailers but didn't look into the movie much ahead of time. In fact, if you would've asked me a few months ago to gauge my excitement for this movie, I probably would have said something to the effect of "It looks like a typical WWII movie, but I'll probably check it out". It's safe to say that I was pleasantly surprised.

The film is based on the true story of a 'conscientious objector' named Desmond Doss (played by Andrew Garfield) who enlists in the Army because he sees it as his duty to serve despite not only refusing to kill, but to even carry a weapon. He instead becomes a medic and, armed with only courage, determination, and his faith in God, he bravely saves the lives of 75 injured soldiers. All the acting, from Andrew Garfield, to Vince Vaughn, to Sam Worthington, to Teresa Palmer is solid throughout and I found the story really compelling.

Overall, if you want to see something that is well acted, well written, well directed, inspirational, with intense battlefield scenes, and really good cinematography then you need to see Hacksaw Ridge. Unfortunately, because it's directed by Mel Gibson this one probably won't get the award recognition it deserves, but it really is a fantastic movie. Once we get to the end of the year I plan to write a "10 Best Film of 2016" list, and this one is likely to make that list.

I give this one a 5 out of 5.
Go check it out, you won't be disappointed.


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Today's Movie: Killing Reagan (2016)

Based on the book Killing Reagan, which I admittedly have not read, this TV movie is one of a few films based on the successful series of books by Bill O’Reilly (the other film adaptations being being ‘Killing Lincoln’, ‘Killing Jesus’, and ‘Killing Kennedy’).

The film, as you’d probably expect, is centered around the attempted assassination of former President Ronald Reagan rather than his entire presidency. Within this framework the movie focuses on three things; Reagan being elected in 1980, a look at the motivations of John Hinckley, and the immediate aftermath of Reagan being shot.

There’s not anything groundbreaking here, it is a historical TV movie, but I did enjoy it for what it was. I thought Tim Matheson as Ronald Reagan and Cynthia Nixon as Nancy Reagan were both solid, and Kyle S. More as John Hinckley was ok. There are a few points where it drags on a bit, but overall I found it pretty entertaining.

I give this one a 3 out of 5.

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10 Tom Hanks Movies Everyone Should See

Here it is, my latest ’10 Movies Everyone Should See’ List. This one is a look at the quintessential everyman of modern American cinema, Tom Hanks. Like all previous entries this isn’t necessarily a ‘Top 10’ list but rather a list of films that best represent the person’s career.

1)      Forrest Gump -1994

It’s the story of a kind of dumb guy with a heart of gold that accomplishes more than any regular guy ever would. Tom Hanks would go on to win his 2^nd Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in this film and it’s a nice blend of comedy, drama.

2)      Cast Away -2000

It's still kind of surprising how good this movie is. 2hrs of Tom Hanks alone on an island, talking to volleyball doesn't sound all that great, but 'Cast Away' is enjoyable start to finish. It says a lot about Hanks’ ability to single-handedly carry a film.

3)      Apollo 13 -1995

After an oxygen tank explosion, the Apollo 13 astronauts soon find that their spacecraft is low oxygen, experiencing power failure, and the mission is no longer to land on the moon but to make it back to Earth alive. This movie is tense, exciting, and one of Tom Hanks’ best performances.

4)      Big -1988

A kid wants to be an adult and by way of a magical fortune teller machine his wish comes true and hilarity ensues. This could've been a really dumb movie, but instead it turned out to be one of Tom Hanks' best.

5)      Bridge of Spies -2015

The 4^th pairing of Director Steven Spielberg and Actor Tom Hanks (the previous three films being ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Catch Me If You Can’ and ‘The Terminal’) may actually be there best. It’s a pretty outstanding Cold War, espionage movie.

6)      Road to Perdition – 2002

Tom Hanks stars alongside screen legend Paul Newman in this exciting crime film set in the 1930’s. In addition to Tom Hanks’ solid performance, the cinematography in this film is great, and this would also end up being one of Paul Newman’s final big-screen roles.

7)      Toy Story -1995

Every so often a movie comes along that is a complete game-changer for the industry. This is one of those films. Tom Hanks voices a toy cowboy named Woody who is jealous of new toy, Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen) in this computer animated, comedy. Pretty much every animated movie since has strived to be the next ’Toy Story’.

8)      Splash -1984

Over the years Tom Hanks has been in some great and memorable movies. So it's easy to forget the one where he falls in love with a mermaid... It's not great or his best, but it is fun, light-hearted entertainment.

9)      Philadelphia -1993

Up until this film Tom Hanks had best been known for his comedic roles in film like ‘Big’, ‘Bachelor Party’, ‘The Money Pit’, etc. However, this movie about HIV, homosexuality, and homophobia proved that Hanks could tackle some heavy dramatic roles too.

10)   Saving Mr. Banks -2013

The film is about Walt Disney’s desire to obtain the film rights ‘Mary Poppins’ from author P.L. Travers. The dynamic between Tom Hanks (Disney) and Emma Thompson (Travers) is really entertaining. Also, Paul Giamatti is in the film, so that’s a plus.

Honorable Mentions: Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Green Mile (1999), Catch Me If You Can (2002)

For more like this one, I’ve also previously posted ’10 Movies Everyone Should See’ lists focusing on the films of Sean Connery, John Travolta, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alfred Hitchcock and Chuck Norris.

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Today's Movie: Parkland (2013)

Based on real events, this film takes place in Dallas, Texas on the day of the JFK assassination, as well as, the days following. The film follows the events of those few days from the perspective of a couple different people that were affected, including Robert Oswald the brother of Lee Harvey Oswald.

Early on we meet Abraham Zapruder (played by Paul Giamatti) who was filming the President’s motorcade when the assassination happened. As you’d probably expect, much of the film deals with the secret service and FBI.  Ron Livingston I thought was particularly good as FBI agent James P. Hosty. On the other hand, you have Billy Bob Thornton playing a secret service agent and his performance is pretty forgettable.

In addition to Giamatti, Livingston, and Thornton the film also stars Zac Efron, who plays a doctor at the Parkland Hospital where the recently shot President Kennedy is taken and later pronounced dead. Nothing against Zac Efron, but I just don’t buy him as a medical professional. He seems a little out of place in the film.

Overall, the film is a mixed bag. There are a couple of good performances, and though the film is about a memorable event in American history there really isn’t anything in the film that you haven’t seen before. It’s a pretty cut and dry retelling of events.

Not an awful movie, but nothing special either.

I give this one a 2.5 out of 5.

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A Look Back At American History X (1998)

Tonight's movie stars Edward Norton and Edward Furlong and centers around a neo-Nazi movement in Los Angeles, California.

It's a gritty, and incredibly compelling movie.

Derek (played by Edward Norton) has just been released from prison only to find that his younger brother Danny (Edward Furlong) has been getting mixed up with the same white supremacist group that he was a part of before being locked up.

We also see, via flashbacks, the circumstances that lead to Derek's incarceration as well as his time in prison and how this has changed his perception of everything. Derek convinces Danny that he needs to change his ways, but it's too little too late.

Norton is especially good in the film, and it's arguably the best performance of his career to date.

I highly recommend this one.

4.5 out of 5

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