CALIFICACIÓN PERSONAL: 4.5 / 10

Título Original: Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac

Año: 2023

Duración: 112 min

País: Japón

Dirección: Tomasz Bagiński

Guion: Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, Kiel Murray. Manga: Masami Kurumada

Música: Yoshihiro Ike

Fotografía: Tomasz Naumiuk

Reparto: Mackenyu Arata, Madison Iseman, Famke Janssen, Diego Tinoco, Sean Bean, Mark Dacascos, Nick Stahl, David Torok

Productora: Coproducción Japón-Estados Unidos-Hungría; Toei Animation, Sony Pictures, Toei, Sola Entertainment, Hero Squared, Stage 6 Films

Género: Action; Adeventure; Drama

TRAILER:

吳宇森執導美版《喋血雙雄》 《閃亮人生》影帝Omar Sy擔演

環球影業昨日宣佈，89年經典港產片《喋血雙雄》將拍成美國版，並由原版導演吳宇森執導！周潤發和李修賢主演的《喋血雙雄》是經典港產警匪片，新版主角則由44歲法籍黑人男星Omar Sy演出，但未知他會演周潤發的殺手角色，還是李修賢的警察角色。Omar憑2011年法國片《閃亮人生》打響名堂，翌年勇奪東京國際電影節及法國凱撒獎影帝，去年演出劇集《俠盜羅蘋》亦大獲好評。

美版《喋血雙雄》將於明年在美國串流平台Peacock上架，港版故事是講述職業殺手小莊在執行任務時，不小心誤傷年輕夜總會歌手Jennie，導致她雙眼失明，小莊為此再接任務籌錢治療Jennie，卻遭僱主背叛。未知美版故事會否加入新情節，但吳宇森將與長期夥伴、曾合作《赤壁》的製作人Lori Tilkin一同監製，《末世街10號》Matthew Stuecken及Josh Campbell、《黑界線》Eran Creevy和曾獲奧斯卡最佳改編劇本獎的Brian Helgeland齊參與撰寫劇本。

10 Cloverfield Lane, 2016

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

ESE: 95/100

50 +5 for Mary Elizabeth Winstead -10 for car accident +10 for John Goodman +10 for extra awesome little bunker +5 for saving someone’s life -5 for lacking in immediate explanation +10 for questioning whether the story is true -10 for “awkward family dinner” +5 for sneaky key-stealing +10 for getaway attempt -5 because -oops- lady exhibits effects of possible fallout +5 for Howard not killing her for the whole way dinner went down +5 for stitching the injury you caused -5 for letting fear stop you from doing something you love +10 for the settling in montage -10 for killing Emmett +10 for tipping the acid over on Howard +5 for making it out +5 for no fallout +5 for interesting new monsters -10 because of the research you need to do to have any clue how this movie relates in any way to the original Cloverfield

Horizon Line will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 16 via Universal Pictures. The 2020 thriller is executive produced by Jaume Collet-Serra (Orphan, The Shallows).

Mikael Marcimain (Call Girl) directs from a script by Josh Campbell & Matthew Stuecken (10 Cloverfield Lane). Allison Williams, Alexander Dreymon, and Keith David star.

Special features are listed below, where you can also watch the trailer.

Special features:

Deleted scenes

Horizon Line is a thrilling survival story about two former lovers, Sara (Allison Williams) and Jackson (Alexander Dreymon), who discover new altitudes of fear aboard a single-engine Cessna plane. It was supposed to be a routine and casual 99-minute flight to their friend’s tropical island wedding. But within minutes after takeoff, their pilot suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving Sara and Jackson with no idea where they are, no comms, and no clue how to land the plane. With nothing but miles of ocean and sky in every direction, and a terrifying storm that’s about to envelop them, Sara and Jackson have only one shot – and there’s no going back.

Pre-order Horizon Line on Blu-ray and DVD from Amazon.

Notorious Nick Starring Cody Christian Review

Notorious Nick Starring Cody Christian Review

Director: Aaron LeongWriting: Josh Campbell, Darrin Reed, Matthew StueckenStarring: Cody Christian, Elisabeth Rohm, Kevin PollakPlot: Nick Newell, a one-armed MMA fighter gets a rare chance to fight for the lightweight championship. He strives to win for himself and all the other people in the world with physical challenges. “If you don’t believe in yourself, why would anyone else?” Nick faces…

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The Forever Maps from Michael Lagace, Todor Hristov, and Scout Comics, is Being Developed as a Film

The Forever Maps from Michael Lagace, Todor Hristov, and Scout Comics, is Being Developed as a Film #Comics #ComicBooks

Scout Comics & Entertainment has announced that The Forever Maps by Michael Lagace and Todor Hristov is in development as a feature film with Josh Campbell and Matthew Stuecken adapting.  Matthew Goldberg, Igor De Laurentiis, Ira Napoliello, Lit Entertainment, and Scout Comics are attached to produce. When you follow the Forever Maps, you don’t get hungry, you don’t get tired, and you don’t get…

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Horizon Line (2020) preview of planemare survival thriller

Horizon Line (2020) preview of planemare survival thriller

‘Fly or die’

Horizon Line is a 2020 American survival thriller about a couple flying on a small plane to attend a tropical island wedding. Unfortunately, they must fight for their lives after their pilot suffers a heart attack.

Directed by Swedish filmmaker Mikael Marcimain (Gentlemen; Call Girl) from a screenplay co-written by Josh Campbell and Matthew Stuecken, the movie stars Allison…

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10 Cloverfield Lane, 2016

MG Awards 2016 | Original Screenplay 10 Cloverfield Lane Josh Campbell, Damien Chazelle, Matthew Stuecken The Lobster Efthimis Filippou, Yorgos Lanthimos Manchester by the Sea Kenneth Lonergan Spotlight Josh Singer, Tom McCarthy The VVitch Robert Eggers Zootopia Jared Bush, Phil Johnston

10 Cloverfield Lane - Walking Dead Ad (2016) - Paramount Pictures

10 Cloverfield Lane – Walking Dead Ad (2016) – Paramount Pictures

Watch the movie trailer for 10 Cloverfield Lane, a new film from Bad Robot. 10 Cloverfield Lane is coming to theatres March 11th.

Director: Dan Trachtenberg Starring: John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr. Writers: Josh Campbell & Matthew Stuecken

Official Movie Site: http://www.10CloverfieldLane.com Facebook: ht…

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10 Cloverfield Lane: dieci cose che non sai sul film

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10 Cloverfield Lane: dieci cose che non sai sul film

10 Cloverfield Lane: dieci cose che non sai sul film

10 Cloverfield Lane: dieci cose che non sai sul film

10 Cloverfield Lane è il secondo capitolo del franchise di Cloverfield, degno erede del suo predecessore e in grado di affascinare lo spettatore alla stessa maniera. Questo film, uscito nel 2016 e scritto da Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken e Damien Chazelle, ha avuto molti riscontri positivi sia riguardo regia e sceneggiatura, sia circa le interpretazioni degli attori protagonisti. Ecco, allora, dieci cose da sapere su 10 Cloverfield Lane.

10 Cloverfield Lane film

1. C’è un riferimento introdotto da J. J. Abrams. Il nome della stazione di servizio in cui Michelle di ferma a fare rifornimento, si chiama Kelvin. Questo è un Easter Egg introdotto dal produttore J. J. Abrams: in tutti i suoi progetti, egli cerca di fare tributo a suo nonno materno Henry Kelvin, proprietario di una società di elettronica e che ha influenzato Abrams da ragazzo.

2. C’è un Easter Egg particolare. Emmett (John Gallagher Jr.) gestisce una cassetta VHS con il film fittizio Cannibal Airlines. Questo è un chiaro riferimento ad una serie di collane satiriche VHS  create da Writer Rob Schrab e usate come decorazioni all’ufficio di produzione Bad Robot di J. J. Abrams.

3. Il trailer del film è uscito tardi. Il trailer del film è stato diffuso prima delle proiezione del film 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Bengazi (2016), in sintesi, pubblicato e diffuso solo due mesi prima dell’uscita del film nelle sale americane. Ciò è un tempo insolitamente breve che è stato dedicato alla pubblicità del film, soprattutto se si considera che è stato prodotto da una società importante.

10 Cloverfield Lane streaming

4. Il film è disponibile in streaming digitale. Chi volesse vedere o rivedere 10 Cloverfield Lane, è possibile farlo grazie alla sua disponibilità sui vari siti di streaming digitale legale come Rakuten Tv, Chili, Google Play, Infinity e iTunes.

10 Cloverfield Lane trailer

5. Un trailer da brividi. Prima di vedere il film, è consigliabile dare un occhio al trailer e rendersi conto se il film sia adatto ai propri gusti.

10 Cloverfield Lane trama

6. Una fuga potenzialmente suicida. Una giovane donna, Michelle, si trova in un rifugio misterioso, dopo essere stata coinvolta in un incidente stradale, e condivide il tempo insieme a due uomini, uno dei quali le dice di averle salvato la vita. A Michelle viene detto che il mondo esterno è diventato invivibile a causa di un attacco chimico-batteriologico ma, nonostante questo, lei è decisa a voler fuggire.

10 Cloverfield Lane cast

7. Mary Elizabeth Winstead è a piedi nudi. Se ci si fa caso, in tutto il film l’attrice sempre scalza, e ciò è un fatto abbastanza inusuale. Inoltre, l’attrice ha dichiarato che molti dei primi piani non mostrano i piedi e in quei momenti lei indossava delle scarpe aperte o delle infradito.

8. John Goodman è stato elogiato. 10 Cloverfield Lane è un film ha ricevuto molte critiche positive e che è stato ben accolto dagli spettatori. Tra i vari membri del cast, chi ha ricevuto più critiche positive è stato John Goodman. L’attore, infatti, è stato elogiato più volte per la sua interpretazione.

10 Cloverfield Lane sequel

9. Il film ha dato vita ad un sequel. Questo film è il secondo capitolo del franchise di Cloverfield, iniziato nel 2008 con il film omonimo che ha dato vita alla saga. In seguito a questo, il 5 febbraio 2018 è stato rilasciato su Netflix il terzo capitolo, intitolato The Cloverfield Paradox.

10. Mary Elizabeth Winstead vorrebbe tornare in un sequel. L’attrice ha ammesso che desidererebbe tornare in quel mondo e di poter continuare la storia del suo personaggio: “So che a me e Dan – Trachtenberg, regista del film – piacerebbe continuare questa storia. La serie antologica è la direzione verso cui stanno andando ora, per cui non so e si tornerà mai alla storia di Michelle, non sono sicura. Ma so che Dan aveva molto di più in mente, quindi mi piacerebbe avere l’opportunità di esplorare queste idee”.

Fonti: IMDb, Indiewire

Cinefilos.it – Da chi il cinema lo ama.

10 Cloverfield Lane: dieci cose che non sai sul film

10 Cloverfield Lane è il secondo capitolo del franchise di Cloverfield, degno erede del suo predecessore e in grado di affascinare lo spettatore alla stessa maniera. Questo film, uscito nel 2016 e scritto da Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken e Damien Chazelle, ha avuto molti riscontri positivi sia riguardo regia e sceneggiatura, sia circa le interpretazioni […]

Cinefilos.it – Da chi il cinema lo ama.

Mara Siviero

#50 - 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

roteiro:  Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken | direção: Dan Trachtenberg

Uma jovem, Michelle (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), sofre um grave acidente de carro e acorda no porão de um desconhecido. O homem, Howard (John Goodman), diz ter salvado sua vida de um ataque químico que deixou o mundo inabitável, motivo pelo qual eles devem permanecer protegidos no local. Desconfiada da história, ela tenta descobrir um modo de se libertar — sob o risco de descobrir uma verdade muito mais perigosa do que seguir trancafiada no bunker.  (fonte: adorocinema.com)

Quem reparar na referência contida no título, certamente verá o filme sob uma óptica diferente de quem não perceber - ou não tiver a referência, se por acaso não a conhecer.

Quem não “pescar” a referência vai encarar a trama inicialmente como um filme de refém, desconfiando - junto com a protagonista - da história contada por Howard. Afinal, até certo ponto da narrativa a única coisa que confirma o tal ataque é a palavra de Howard. Convenhamos, a versão dele é bem difícil de acreditar.

* SPOILER ALERT*

Quem sacar a referência a Cloverfield, logo fará a correlação do tal ataque químico com o monstro do filme de 2008. Mas ainda assim, mesmo desfalcado de um elemento importante da narrativa - a suspeita sobre o motivo de Michelle estar sendo mantida ali - o roteiro consegue prender o espectador, já que nem tudo é o que parece.

Top 10 favorite movies

1. Whiplash

2014

A promising young drummer enrolls at a cut-throat music conservatory where his dreams of greatness are mentored by an instructor who will stop at nothing to realize a student's potential.

Dir. and Writ. by Damien Chapelle

http://www.sonyclassics.com/awards-information/whiplash_screenplay.pdf

I believe Whiplash is one of the most well done films of all time. Whiplash has very simple and straightforward plot, however it’s very well paced and entertaining. I absolutely loved the message of the movie, and I believe it does an excellent job illustrating both sides of the argument. Even though the characters aren’t necessarily likable, their motivations where so powerful that we couldn’t help but relate. JK Simons provides a stellar and memorable performance as the film’s antagonist. Lastly, the music was absolutely phenomenal.

2. Toy Story 3

2010

The toys are mistakenly delivered to a day-care center instead of the attic right before Andy leaves for college, and it's up to Woody to convince the other toys that they weren't abandoned and to return home.

Dir. by Lee Unkrich

Writ. by Michael Arndt

I’m always a sucker for Pixar films. I think Toy Story 3 might be my most favorite of their films. I believe Toy Story 3 did an excellent job wrapping up the trilogy. Pixar has always been the champion of doing emotional scenes, and honestly, the last scene of the movie is so emotional and memorable that it earned the spot of one of my favorite animated movies of all time.

3. Interstellar

2014

A team of explorers travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival.

Dir. by Christopher Nolan

Writ. by Jonathan and Christopher Nolan

Interstellar is a movie that changed me and my outlook of human existence. Interstellar is a very complex movie with so much substance and messages. A movie with so much content is, without a doubt, going to have it’s flaws. However I believe what it does right, it really gets right. The plot is very captivating. The characters are likable. It has a very profound message. The performances are amazing, The music is emotional. Overall, an excellent film.

4. 12 Angry Men

1957

A jury holdout attempts to prevent a miscarriage of justice by forcing his colleagues to reconsider the evidence.

Dir. by Sidney Lumet

Writ. by Reginald Rose 

I loved the suspense in this movie. One thing I applaud this movie for the most is the fact that the entire movie basically took place in one entire room, yet the suspense was so powerful that it kept our attention the entire time. The movie is essentially just one long argument, but it creates great character development. It’s overall just a really solid movie.

5. Rope

1948

Two young men strangle their "inferior" classmate, hide his body in their apartment, and invite his friends and family to a dinner party as a means to challenge the "perfection" of their crime.

Dir. by Alfred Hitchcock

Writ. by Arthur Laurents

Speaking of suspense, I believe Alfred Hitchcock is still the master at it. It was hard to pick which Hitchcock film was my favorite, but Rope really stands out to me. I loved the cinematography of the film. The long shots make it seem like film is more natural. I believe it humanizes the film, since we are witnessing everything in real time. Also I absolutely love the suspense in this movie. The plot carries you through the entire film with you on the edge of your seat. I believe it’s a great film that demonstrates Hitchcock’s talents.  

6. Wall-E

2008

In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Dir. by Andrew Stanton

Writ. by Andrew Stanton and Jim Reardon

Wall-E is definitely, in my opinion, one of Pixar’s better films. This film is Pixar at it’s best. The characters are extremely likable and are easily memorable. The plot is very solid. It has a good heart and a great message. It also does most of the storytelling visually, which I love. The exposition is kept to a minimum and it helps us relate to the emotions of the robots.

7. 10 Cloverfield Lane

2016

After getting in a car accident, a woman is held in a shelter with two men, who claim the outside world is affected by a widespread chemical attack.

Dir. by Dan Trachtenberg

Writ. by Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken, and Damien Chazelle

This film is also a a great suspense film. Much like 12 Angry men and rope, the whole film basically takes place in one room. Yet the plot is so suspenseful and the situations and characters get very intense. I also love the slight bit of mystery to the film. This is definitely a film that you leave thinking about it for the next couple of days.

8. Inside Out

2015

After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.

Dir. by Pete Doctor

Writ. by Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, and Josh Cooley

Like previously mentioned, I absolutely love the way Pixar does emotion. It’s their emotional scenes that are the bread and butter of Pixar films. Inside Out is a film all about emotion. This film does a great job explaining why our emotions are all important and that its important to embrace them, even the negative ones. The message of the film is that it’s ok to be sad sometimes. Being sad is what makes us human. I think that is an important lesson for children and adults alike. 

9. Iron Giant

1999

A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.

Dir. by Brad Bird

Writ. by Tim McCanlies

Honestly, I just love the animation in this movie. I love 2D animation, especially when its done very well. Not only is the animation pretty spectacular, but the story is also heartwarming. This is an overall pleasant film to watch that leaves the viewer in a good mood! 

10. The Simpsons Movie

2007 

After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpson family are declared fugitives.

Dir. by David Silverman

Writ. by James L. Brooks, Matt Groening, Al Jean, Ian Maxtone-Graham, George Meyer, David Mirkin, Mike Reiss, Mike Scully, Matt Selman, John Swartzwelder, and Jon Vitti

Growing up, I’ve always loved The Simpsons. The earlier episodes are definitely my favorite. I think this movie is an excellent incarnation of the TV show. It has everything any simpsons fan could want. The characters are great. The jokes are funny. The story is captivating and solid. It also has heart. This movie reminds us what made The Simpsons so iconic in the first place! 

10) 10 CLOVERFIELD LANE Who would have though a sequel to Cloverfield would not only surpass the original, but leave it completely in the dust? The fact this found footage monster movie even had a sequel in the first play was a surprise. But it’s a miracle that it turned out as thrilling as this film. With the exception of having giant monsters and the word Cloverfield, these two films couldn’t be more different. 10 Cloverfield Lane not only does away with the found footage style, but it also it does away with the monster movie genre in favour of a paranoid thriller. It may not be epic, but writers Josh Campbell, Matthew Stuecken and Damien Chazelle and director Dan Trachtenberg more than make up for it with pure tension, gripping performances and an unsettling environment. The film makes the bold move of having the most of the film take place in a bomb shelter. What a setting it was. With cinderblock walls and low hanging lights both creates a sense of claustrophobia and recalls the atomic age. Then there’s the living room, which tries to create the illusion of perfect Norman Rockwell-esque homestead. These don’t hide the cinderblock walls. But what really brings in the tension is John Goodman’s performance. Goodman is a rare actor who elevates every scene he’s in, but he really brings his A game as Howard. He presents himself as a gentleman to our heroine (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), taking her in and fixing her broken leg. Like Annie Wilkes from Misery, there’s something unsetting about his manners. He is so intense that a chuckle can set him off, as one uncomfortable dinner proves. He is such a paranoid lunatic that for all we know, he could be making up the chemical warfare in the outside world. Sure, the ending leans too much into conventional action scene, but the earlier scenes are still excellent. 9) JACKIE Natalie Portman’s has a great chance of getting her second Best Actress Oscar. She practically vanishes within the role of Jackie Kennedy, capturing her look and voice to perfection. But the true strength of her performance was how she conveys power within Jackie’s pleasant persona. Without ever raising her pleasant voice, Jackie takes command of every situation, determined to ensure the legacy of both her husband and herself. But her demeanor’s put to the test when her husband’s assassinated. Though she tries to maintain a dignified power during funeral plans, her voice can’t hide her traumatic grief. In a powerful scene, Jackie tearfully wipes the blood off her face, and then returns to a dignified manner to face the press. Though Portman’s sure to get all of the attention, director Pablo Larrain, cinematographer Stephane Fontaine and writer Noah Oppenheim deserve equal acclaim. Oppenheim portrays the events around the assassination in disjointed manner, connecting them all through Jackie’s interview with a journalist (Billy Crudup). Fontaine uses a classic fuzzy camera style to create the feeling of nostalgia. Putting it all together, Larrain captures a Guinevere recalling a time when she had her Camelot. 8) HELL OR HIGH WATER Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton (Jeff Bridges) investigates a series of bank robberies committed by brothers. That’s the plot in the nutshell. As he has done with Sicario, screenwriter brings complexity into a simple plot, creating a relevant character study disguised as a mix between a modern western and a heist movie. Not since Bonnie and Clyde has a crime drama so perfectly captured the frustrations of its time. Toby (Chris Pine) and Tanner Howard (Ben Foster) are among many desperate people screwed over by the banks. Throughout the film, both Hamilton and the brothers encounter people struggling to make ends meet. Hamilton has a hard time investigating the crime when locals are rooting for the robbers. With their towns full of foreclosures, you can’t blame them. Adding to the layers are the complex performances. Pine portrays Toby as an intelligent yet desperate measure with an intricate plan to save the family farm. Bridges brings depth into a caricatured stoic lawman, portraying him as an old guard starting to realize how out of touch he is in a digital world. He’s sure to get the most attention, but it’s Foster who steals the show. In sharp contrast to his brother, Tanner is an unhinged ex-con looking for a thrill. He’s restraining himself for his brother sake, but he’d rather go out with guns ablazing. It would have been so easy for any actor to chew the scenery, but Foster keeps the character grounded enough to be sympathetic. In the end, this film is a portrayal of desperate people struggling for relevance and security in a world running out of both. And it does so while bringing us some kickass robbery scenes and car chases. 7) MOONLIGHT Theatres in Edmonton seemed to be very determined to make people see this indie sleeper. Since its premiere at the Edmonton International Film Festival, Landmark cinemas had it show in two theatres; a luxury usually reserved for Marvel movies. Right now, the Garneau Theatre has been showing this over and over throughout late December and early January. In some days, it will be the only film shown there. What makes Moonlight so special? Well, it is a beautiful, sensitive portrayal of the life of a gay, black man in Miami. In his childhood, he is Little (Alex R. Hibbert), a bullied little boy who finds a reluctant in Juan (Mahershala Ali), a drug dealer. In the second part, he is Chiron (Ashton Sanders), a bitter teenager whose emerging homosexuality makes him a target of more hostile bullying. As an adult, he is Black (Tervante Rhodes), a man who decides to reunite with Kevin (Andre Holland), a longtime friend who betrayed him as an adult. At the centre of this film is how Chiron’s environment affects him…or doesn’t. Throughout the film, we see people like Juan, his girlfriend Teresa (Janelle Monae) to Kevin offering him some form of guidance. But their advice is undermined by the complexities of their circumstances. Juan’s appalled by Chiron’s mom’s drug addiction, until she points out the crack comes from him. Kevin tries to get Chiron to stand up for himself, but Kevin himself is not above peer pressure. Writer/director Barry Jenkins doesn’t demonize these people for their flaws. He portrays their flaws with great empathy. The visuals are as beautiful as the character’s depth. Cinematographer James Laxton brings out the sunny setting of the Miami suburbs. Though he shoots most of the film in a realistic setting, once in a while, once in a while, he will present a stylistic shot, like the neon pink lights through Paula’s bedroom door or an overhead shot of Chiron walking down a road while being tormented by his bullies. Jenkins combines this to create a beautiful portrayal of humanity. 6) WEINER We’ve seen documentaries about political scandals, but rarely do we get the scandals from the politician’s point of view. Directors Josh Kriegman & Elyse Steinberg accidently got this rare opportunity while filming Anthony Weiner’s 2012 New York mayor campaign. As the film starts, the film shows us how respected this New York congressman was before the scandal. He was revered as a crusader who wasn’t afraid to get loud and mean for the sake of the people, as we see from live debates. But then he gets busted for sexting and his reputation goes downhill. After resigning, he launches a comeback through his campaign for Mayor. At first, it works perfectly with him gaining the majority lead. Yet when you hear supporters appraising Anthony Weiner, you can’t let go of the awareness of what’s going to happen Of course, he tweets a photo of …himself to Sydney Leathers and it all goes downhill for “Carlos Danger.” Again. This film started out as an underdog story of a politician’s redemption but this scandal takes this documentary to a new level. It’s rare you get to see a political campaign react to a scandal. We see the Weiner team attempt to keep voters on their side as Weiner and his campaign leaders discuss strategies to save their reputation. When Leathers leads a media mob in a march to confront Weiner, we get a scene of the campaign strategizing a plan to lead their leader out of a hotel without being confronted. Of course, their candidate isn’t helping matters by pulling one boner after another. With all of these screw ups, the filmmakers outright ask him why he’s letting them film all this. With yet another sexting scandal in 2016, you’re left to wonder how a guy as smart as he is could do such stupid things. 5) ART OF THE PRANK When I read an NPR article about Jestin Coler, a democrat creating fake right wing news sites in order to “infiltrate the echo chamber of the alt right[1],” this documentary popped up in my head. Known as the Godfather of the Media Hoax, Joey Skaggs has been baiting the media with fake projects since the 60s. Whether he’s playing the owner of a “brothel for dogs” or donning a priest robe and carrying a confession booth on his bicycle, major news items always lap it up. And now he plans to try his hand at pranking film festivals with a fake documentary about regrowing teeth using shark DNA. It’s a shame this documentary’s getting so little attention. With high concerns about fake news, nowhere is there a more perfect time for this documentary to be released. Through his elaborate media hoaxes, Skaggs exposes the failure of news media to fact check their stories, choosing sensationalism over journalism. No matter the persona Skaggs portrays, it’s incredibly easy for him to get a platform to weave his pythonesque spider web. Tragically, nothing seems to have changed. With rejections from of the shark DNA “documentary”, there’s some sign of hope, but you can’t be too sure about that. 4) LA LA LAND Old cinema fantasy clashes with new cinema reality in this visual delight of a musical. In nearly every way, writer/director Damien Chazelle blends these two styles with grace. The graceful choreography and beautiful imagery captures the magical feeling of the golden age musicals. Unafraid to use fantastical elements in their numbers, this film even has one dance number where our heroes float atop the roof of a planetarium. Cinematographer Linus Sandgren brings out the neon colours of the L.A. environment, complimenting Justin Hurwitz’s jazzy music. Outside of the musical numbers, Sandberg and Chazelle contrast the dazzling imagery with a grounded, realistic look at L.A. The visuals aren’t just here for eye candy. They match the internal conflict the dreams and reality of our heroes. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) try to work hard to achieve their dreams, but they are constantly confronted by harsh reality. Sebastian’s obsession for jazz has a hard time fitting in the modern world. Mia has it the worst, dealing with one failed audition after another. When one finds success, it only emphasizes the failure for the other. Even their romance is fragile. Through these characters, Chazelle celebrates the dreams of artists and their failures. 3) MIDNIGHT SPECIAL Is there anything Jeff Nichols can’t do? Since Shotgun Stories, this writer/director has delivered one extraordinary film after another. This year, he brings two films; Loving; a biopic about the Loving family, the loving couple who made interracial marriage a constitutional right and Midnight Special; a supernatural road movie about a father trying to protect his son. The film hits the ground running with Roy (Michael Shannon) and his friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) on the run from the law while Roy’s son Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) reads comics in the backseat. Alton has some extraordinary powers, which not only attracts the attention of government agents (among them Adam Driver) but a religious cult (led by Sam Shepard). Throughout the trip, Roy and Lucas try to keep the boy in hiding while they can help him achieve his destiny. But they don’t know what destiny awaits Alton when they reach their destination? The film begins with a lot of questions about Alton? Why do his eyes glow blue? What does the cult want with him? Why does he have to be shielded from sunlight? The ambiguity creates a sense of mystery which builds a sense of intrigue throughout the film. At its core, it’s a film about father’s need to protect his son. Shannon gives a heartfelt performance as a desperate father who doesn’t know what lies ahead for his son, but knows he must fulfill his destiny. At the same time, he fears this destiny may require him to let go of his son. There are other great performances, from Kirsten Dunst as Alton’s mother to Sam Shepard as the manic, yet charismatic cult leader. The ending to this film is one of the most beautiful scenes of the year. It left me in awe. 2) ARRIVAL It takes a great director to create suspense out of language translation. It takes a daring writer to put it at the centre of a science fiction film about aliens arriving on earth. It takes a great actress to hook the audience into a linguist’s fascination with understanding alien language. All three gather to create this haunting beautiful film. While Denis Villeneuve gets a lot of praise for his directing, Eric Heisserer deserves equal praise for creating a screenplay that defies sci-fi tropes. Based on Ted Chang’s “Story of Your Life,” Arrival tells the story of Louise Banks (Amy Adams), a linguist who’s hired by the military to interpret alien language after 12 spaceships land across the planet. First of all, it’s refreshing to have a sci fi film where the first reaction to alien arrival isn’t to shoot them down. Instead, we see world leaders try to work together to understand the meaning behind the circles. Heisserer creates a sense of mystery around the translation, which may reveal the alien’s intent for earth. Heisserer also uses the loss of Bank’s daughter to build on themes of grief, memories and fear. Arrival brings Heisserer’s script to life with awe-inspiring visuals. The floating giant spaceship alone is a sight to behold, but when Louise floats into a gravity-defying dark hallway to the giant white window, you feel like you’re transported into a different world. Adams certainly helps by bringing the audience into Banks’ fascination with this unique language and need for meaning. I haven’t even scratched the surface of the layers this film has. But that would give too much away. 1) I, DANIEL BLAKE I got to see the preview of this film at the Edmonton International Film Festival, and I blew me away. A Palme D’or winner at the Cannes Film Festival, I, Daniel Blake is Ken Loach’s unflinching neorealist comedy of working class struggles. When we first meet Daniel Blake (Dave Johns), he’s applying for Employment and Support Allowance after suffering a heart attack. His application’s rejected due to a mix up and he’s deemed able to work, even though Daniel’s doctor says working at this state could be fatal. In his struggle, he meets Katie (Hayley Squires), a struggling single mother desperate for work. But with an uncaring system and little means of survival, both of them are forced to take desperate measures. Writer/director Ken Loach brings us yet another brutally honest masterpiece of neorealism. Since Kes, he has always portrayed the working class with a lot of empathy. This time, he looks at the working class frustrations in the times of recession. Throughout the film, he tries to appeal for his benefits, but is met with frustration from overly-complicated policies and indifferent social workers who care more about maintaining orders than helping people. When a welfare worker does show any compassion, he gets punished for it. These make any chance of an appeal seem unlikely. This leads to a very powerful scene where Daniel graffiti his demands in front of a welfare office. Katie has it the worst. She is one of many working class people who are losing their means of financial security. As single mother, the only work she can find doesn’t give her enough to feed her children and heat up her home. As a result, she’s forced to live in hostels and depend on a food bank. She gets her benefits rejected because she was unable to get to the welfare office on time. Hayley Squires deserves Oscar consideration for her devastating performance, conveying Katie’s attempt to hide her desperation around her children. Despite the brutal portrayal of these character’s struggles, the film is also very funny. When Daniel has never used a computer in his life, which proves a problem in a world where applications are online. There are a lot of jokes at the expense of his cluelessness on a computer, like thinking he needs to move the mouse on the computer screen. There are also jokes aimed at everyday frustrations. After some practice, Daniel finally completes an online application…only for the computer to freeze just as he’s about to hit the apply button. This film’s getting a limited release this year and hopefully it will get wider recognition. [1] He and other writers tried writing fake news for liberals, but they never seem to take the bait.