It’s a pretty fantastic week for new movies this first weekend of November as four new films land in theaters across the land. We’ve got Marvel’s latest effort, Doctor Strange, the true story that should be hearing its name repeatedly when Oscar nods are announced, Loving, the animated charmer Trolls and Mel Gibson’s return to the director’s chair… Hacksaw Ridge.
For my full length review of all four movies, don’t miss my participation in the weekly Screen Picks movie podcast below. Here are my snapshot reviews and my grades for this week’s flicks.
Doctor Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch could not be a more perfect choice to inhabit the supernaturally gifted hero from the Marvel Comics world. He makes his first leap to the silver screen in a mind-blowing, visual masterpiece that shows once again why the famed comic book studio is impeccable when it comes to crafting compelling origin stories.
Rachel McAdams also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton.
The mythology is rich in Asian culture and the chi that binds us all together. Director Scott Derrickson does an impeccable job with the pacing of the film that feels like Inception on Marvel induced steroids. Ejiofor is terrific, McAdams is underused and Cumberbatch continues his hot streak into the realm of Hollywood blockbuster that should continue as this series continues.
All the elements are there to make this film truly great… except one. The issue with this movie is the changing of the character that Swinton plays from an old Asian soul to a female person descending from the British Empire. It makes absolutely no sense why they would do this. When more and more studios (and Marvel and its owners, Disney, are one) are trying to market to the Asian market (particularly China), why on earth would they change a character that could have been played by an Asian actor (or actress if you wanted to change the gender) to someone who is white? You want a name? Sorry, I love Swinton, but she is hardly a box office draw. What possibly could be the reason for this? Frankly, there is one… except perhaps a term no on likes to throw around – whitewashing.
Grade: B (should have been an A without the whitewashing)
Loving: Oscar will be calling for this beautiful love story that could not have had a better title if it tried. Fate is a funny thing and the fact that the lead characters’ last name is Loving certain made this star-crossed love story something truly special. The tale is told by Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special), who wrote and directed this masterpiece. It is the story of Richard and Ruth Loving, played by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga. The interracial couple married in Washington, D.C. because it was illegal in their 1960s home of Virginia. In the middle of the night, when local authorities found it, their house was raided and they were arrested. Their fight went all the way to the Supreme Court.
The film is powerful, emotional and above all else, the gentlest of stories in how it’s told. It’s mesmerizing in all ways.
Grade: A+
Trolls: Trolls is a shocker at how delightful it is. It is an animated story that is mostly geared towards the younger audiences, but it also has plenty for their parents as well. If nothing else, you won’t see a more colorful, glitter-rific movie in all of 2016. The 80s characters come to life in a story that stars a who’s-who of voice talent, from Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Russell Brand, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Zooey Deschanel, Gwen Stefani, James Corden and many more.
The world of the trolls has been safe for two decades, but that’s about to change. Timberlake’s Branch has been preparing for their world to end, but no one ever believed him in the everything’s rainbows and sparkles world. They must band together and find a way to fight back the evil Bergens.
Oh, and the soundtrack might just be a cure for road rage.
Grade: B+
Hacksaw Ridge: Mel Gibson is back and in a big way as a director. Hacksaw Ridge tells the stunning true story of Desmond Dobbs, the first conscientious objector to receive the Medal of Honor for his stunning bravery in saving 70+ lives in the field of battle during the Battle of Okinawa.
Andrew Garfield stuns as Dobbs and the entire cast brings their A-game, from Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn, Luke Bracey and Teresa Palmer. The film has some of the most incredible battle sequences ever filmed since Saving Private Ryan and also brings the heart as the audience truly pulls for Dobbs to do his duty, and still keep his non-violent convictions.
Grade: A
Check out my full-length thoughts on all of this week’s movies on the Podcast below!