The Magnificent Seven

 
Film Review by Kam Williams

Denzel Reunites with Fuqua in Worthy Overhaul of Kurosawa Classic

Directed by the legendary Akira Kurosawa in 1954, Seven Samurai was a groundbreaking film which had a profound influence on the evolution of cinema for generations to come. Superficially, that seminal work merely reads like a martial arts epic set in 16th Century Japan. Yet, over the years, it has spawned a cottage industry of knockoffs trading in the picture's novel narrative revolving around a rag-tag team of selfless heroes recruited in service of some lofty goal. 
 
In 1960, Seven Samurai was remade as The Magnificent Seven, a sprawling Western co-starring Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach, Robert Vaughn and James Coburn. Today, that classic has been refreshed by Antoine Fuqua in an outing reuniting the director with Denzel Washington following successful collaborations on The Equalizer (2014) and Training Day (2001) for which the latter won an Academy Award. 
 
This incarnation of The Magnificent Seven does feature a few variations on the theme. For example, the picture's dastardly bad guy is now an avaricious white man intent on seizing a mining town's gold instead of a Mexican bandito simply staging a series of border raids. And the good guys enlisted to engage the greedy gringo are a politically-correct, rainbow coalition reflecting every ethnicity. 
 
Otherwise, the essence of the original plot remains intact. As the film unfolds, we find the folks in the frontier settlement of Rose Creek living in fear of Bartholomew Bogue and his gang of marauders. Bogue is your stereotypical, bloodthirsty villain, straight out of central casting, played to perfection by Peter Sarsgaard. 
 
It is established early on just how low the diabolical Bogue will stoop to achieve his evil ends, between murdering an innocent woman and burning the church to the ground. That makes the arrival of bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Washington) all the more welcome by the time the exasperated and intimidated local yokels are at their collective wit's end. 
 
They also have no idea that Chisolm isn't merely motivated by altruism but has his own revenge-fueled reason to tangle with Bogue. Regardless, once deputized, the gunslinger proceeds to assemble a motley crew composed of a Civil War vet suffering from shell shock (Ethan Hawke), a hard-drinking bombmaker (Chris Pratt), a gruff mountain man (Vincent D'Onofrio), a Chicano outlaw (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a crack Comanche archer (Martin Sensmeier) and a knife-throwing, Asian assassin (Byung-hun Lee). 
 
Don't expect any deeply-developed characters and you won't be disappointed. It's all about the inexorable march to the big showdown during which the heroes will obviously even the score, and then some. The Wild, Wild West revisited as an ethnically-diverse fantasy land Hollywood has never imagined before!


Excellent (4 stars)
Rated PG-13 for intense violence, smoking, profanity and suggestive material
Running time: 132 minutes
Distributor: Sony Pictures

To see a trailer for The Magnificent Seven, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RBA0xoaWU

Top Ten DVD List for 9-20-16

by Kam Williams

This Week’s DVD Releases

Empire: The Complete Second Season

Colliding Dreams

Wedding Doll

Beauty and the Beast: 25th Anniversary Edition

Pretty Dead: 10 Horror Films

Bill & Ted's Most Excellent Collection

The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story

Midsomer Murders: Series 18

Free State of Jones

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising

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Honorable Mention

Dangerous Attractions: 10 Killer Thrillers

Mitt

Enter the Faun

Barbie: Star Light Adventure

Elephant Kingdom

Mai-Chan's Daily Life

Thomas & Friends: The Great Race - The Movie

Labyrinth: 30th Anniversary Edition

Defying the Nazis: The Sharps' War

Frontline: Policing the Police

Coach: Seasons One & Two

Kate and Mim-Mim: The Mimiloo Zoo

Back on Board: Greg Louganis

Friday Night Lights: The First Season

Friday Night Lights: The Second Season

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Free State of Jones

 
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Review 
by Kam Williams



Matthew McConaughey Stars as Rebel Soldier-Turned-Slave Revolt Leader


While the slave raids led by Nat Turner and John Brown have been well documented in the annals of American history, the relatively-successful exploits of another notorious abolitionist insurrectionist have somehow slipped through the cracks. At least until now. 
 
Newton Knight (Matthew McConaughey) was born and raised in Jones County, Mississippi, the grandson of a slave owner, making him, at first blush, a very unlikely figure to mount a revolt. He even served as a medic in the Confederate army during the Civil War, but was disheartened to learn how the sons of large plantation owners had been exempted from the military draft. And he was further demoralized the day a fresh young recruit (Jacob Lofland) from his hometown who had just joined his unit perished in battle upon reaching the front lines. 
 
No longer seeing any sense in poor people fighting to preserve the privileges of the very rich, Newt impulsively went AWOL, the dead boy's body in tow. He returned to Jones where he is quickly identified as a deserter. After being abandoned by his wife (Keri Russell) and having his farm confiscated by the Confederacy, he flees for his life, finding sanctuary in a swamp deep in the woods inhabited by a handful of escaped slaves.
 
There, he befriends Moses (Mahershala Ali), a runaway bothered by an iron collar that had been soldered around his neck by a sadistic slave master. Newt, a blacksmith by trade, gains the group's trust by freeing the beleaguered black man from the torturous contraption.

He soon emerges as its very charismatic, spiritual leader, founding the Free State of Jones on a quartet of core principles promoting racial equality. Gradually, its ranks swell to over 250, with both ex-slaves and disaffected Rebels joining.

In this oasis of racial harmony, Newt proceeds to fall in love with Rachel (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a beautiful black woman who bears him a son. Thus unfolds Free State of Jones, a reverential biopic written and directed by four-time Oscar-nominee Gary Ross.

Matthew McConaughey shines from beginning to end in a star vehicle where the virtuous protagonist is never allowed to exhibit a flaw. This costume drama proves compelling enough, primarily because nobody knew such a scenario could possibly have unfolded in a Southern state like Mississippi supposedly marked by segregation and intolerance.

An overdue history lesson about an important chapter in America's long march to freedom.


Very Good (3 stars)
Rated R for brutal battle scenes, an ethnic slur and disturbing images
Running time: 139 minutes
Distributor: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Extra: The History of Jones County

To see a trailer for Free State of Jones, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_38WdArR20

To order a copy of the Free State of Jones Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack, visit:

Kam's Kapsules for movies Opening 9-23-16

 

Weekly Previews That Make Choosing a Film Fun

by Kam Williams

OPENING THIS WEEK

BIG BUDGET FILMS

The Magnificent Seven (PG-13 for intense violence, smoking, profanity and suggestive material) Remake of the 1960 classic Western revolving around a rag-tag team of gunslingers recruited by a desperate widow (Haley Bennett) to defend her tiny frontier town from a ruthless gang of outlaws. Co-starring Denzel Washington, Peter Sarsgaard, Ethan Hawke, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo.

Storks (PG for mild action and mature themes) Animated comedy about a flock of storks that abandons its traditional mission to deliver packages for a global corporate giant. Plot thickens when a rising star (Andy Samberg) risks a promotion promised by his boss (Kelsey Grammer) by attempting to make his first ever baby drop after accidentally manufacturing an adorable, little bundle of joy. Voice cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, Keegan-Michael key, Jordan Peele and Danny Trejo.

INDEPENDENT & FOREIGN FILMS

Chronic (R for nudity and profanity) Poignant character study starring Tim Roth in the title role as a caregiver for the terminally-ill who apparently needs his patients as much as they need him. Support cast includes Michael Cristofer, Elizabeth Tulloch and Tate Ellington.

Closet Monster (Unrated) Homoerotic drama, set in Newfoundland, about a gay teen (Connor Jessup) who hides his sexual preference from his intolerant, short-tempered father (Aaron Abrams) after witnessing a hate crime, until he falls in love with a handsome co-worker (Aliocha Schneider). With Isabella Rossellini, Joanne Kelly and Jinji Dawson.

Dirty 30 (PG-13 for sexuality, drug use and debauchery) Female empowerment adventure about a couple of jaded women (Grace Helbig and Hannah Hart) who throw a bawdy birthday party to lift the sagging spirits of a lifelong friend turning 30 (Mamrie Hart), only to see the soiree spiral out of control. Featuring Adam Lustick, Anna Akana and Annie Sertich.

The Dressmaker (R for brief profanity and a scene of violence) Kate Winslet handles the title role in this Prodigal Daughter drama, set in 1926, as a fashion designer who falls in love with a local hunk with a heart of gold (Liam Hemsworth) and transforms her hometown upon returning to Australia to care for her ailing, long-estranged mom (Judy Davis). Cast includes Hugo Weaving, Kerry Fox and Sarah Snook.

Generation Startup (Unrated) Millennials are the focus of this documentary revolving around the entrepreneurial efforts of a half-dozen college grads building businesses in Detroit.

I.T. (Unrated) Cat-and-mouse crime thriller about a successful businessman (Pierce Brosnan) who turns vigilante when his most trusted confidante (James Frecheville) starts sabotaging the company, stalking his teenage daughter (Stefanie Scott) and threatening his family. With Anna Friel, Austin Swift and Michael Nyqvist.

The Lovers and the Despot (Unrated) Bamboo Curtain documentary about a successful South Korean director (Shin Sang-ok) who was kidnapped with his wife/actress (Choi Eun-hee) and delivered to dictator Kim Jong-Il to serve as the North Korean dictator's personal filmmakers. (In Korean, Japanese and English with subtitles)

Made in France (Unrated) Jihadist thriller about an investigative journalist (Malik Zili) who infiltrates a cell of disaffected Islamic youth planning a terrorist attack on Paris. With Dimitri Storoge, Francois Civil and Nassim Si Ahmed. (In French with subtitles)

Queen of Katwe (PG for an accident scene, mature themes and suggestive material) Madina Malwanga portrays the title character of this uplifting biopic, Phionsa Mutesi, the Ugandan chess prodigy who overcomes poverty and misogyny to become a grandmaster with the help of a volunteer (David Oyelowo) who organizes a chess club in her humble village. With Lupita N'yongo, Martin Kabanza and Taryn Kyaze.

The Ruins of Lifta (Unrated) Middle East documentary about a Palestinian village which was abandoned during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War but never repopulated after the founding of the Jewish State.

Seed: The Untold Story (Unrated) Eco-documentary chronicling the David vs. Goliath effort of indigenous peoples and family farmers to preserve thousands of varieties of seeds being destroyed and/or appropriated by agribusiness and chemical conglomerates. (In English, Spanish and Hindi with subtitles)

Snowden

 
Film Review by Kam Williams


Joseph Gordon-Levitt Plays Infamous Whistleblower in Reverential, Cloak-and-Dagger Drama



Earlier this year, the film Citizenfour won the Academy Award in the Best Documentary category. But given how the movie made less than $4 million worldwide, one might reasonably conclude that the details of Edward Snowden's (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) dump of National Security Agency documents remains substantially unknown. 
 
This is ostensibly the thinking of three-time Oscar-winner Oliver Stone (for Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July) in turning the story into a cloak-and-dagger drama about the NSA whistleblower-turned-fugitive's leak of classified information before going into hiding from the U.S. government. The movie unfolds in June of 2013 in the Hong Kong hotel room where Snowden met with journalists Glenn Greenwald (Zachary Quinto) and Ewen Macaskill (Tom Wilkinson) along with Laura Poitras (Melissa Leo), the eventual director of Citizenfour. 
 
We learn that following four days of interviews, Greenwald published his first story in the British daily newspaper, The Guardian. The Pulitzer Prize-winning series related in stunning detail the extent of NSA surveillance of American citizens in direct contradiction of a recent denial uttered under oath to Congress by James Clapper, the nation's Director of National Intelligence.

Because the articles identified Snowden as the source of the information, he immediately became the subject of an intense international manhunt. He somehow managed to slip through the dragnet and boarded a commercial airliner bound for Moscow, despite the fact that his passport had been revoked and the U.S. had requested his extradition from Hong Kong.
 
Upon landing in Russia, Edward was awarded temporary asylum and he has languished there ever since. Lucky for him, this movie has revived interest in his case, inspiring him to recently make a public appeal for clemency.

But a presidential pardon is unlikely to be forthcoming, even though President Obama considered the apprehension of the "29 year old-hacker" a very low priority back in June of '13. So today, Snowden remains a fugitive from justice charged in absentia with theft, espionage and conversion of government property. 
 
Via a variety of empathetic flashbacks, we are informed by the film that Edward was a high school dropout who suffers from epilepsy. He also enjoys a very loving, enduring relationship with Lindsay Mills (Shailene Woodley), the loyal girlfriend who followed him from Virginia to Hawaii to Moscow. More importantly, the movie establishes Edward as so patriotic he was willing to jeopardize his future to sound the alarm about the surreptitious NSA's widespread violations of our Constitutional rights. 
 
Congrats to Oliver Stone for crafting a reverential biopic which convincingly repositions a supposed traitor as an altruistic hero of the highest order.



Excellent (3.5 stars)
Rated R for profanity, sexuality and nudity
in English and Russian with subtitles
Running time: 138 minutes
Distributor: Open Road Films


To see a trailer for Snowden, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlSAiI3xMh4

Mr. Church

Film Review by Kam Williams

Eddie Murphy Portrays Selfless Chef in Poignant Period Piece 

 

Marie Brody (Natascha McElhone) was told she only had half-a-year to live when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1965. But, not wanting to upset her daughter, she initially hid the fact that she was terminally-ill from 10 year-old Charlotte (Natalie Coughlin).

Marie's recently-deceased boyfriend did her a big favor by providing in his will for a chef (Eddie Murphy) who'd prepare all of her meals until the day she she died. So, you can imagine Charlie's shock the day a mysterious black man knocks on the door and announces he's their new full-time cook.

Initially, Marie balks at the intrusion, given how Mr. Church never bothers to measure his ingredients or use utensils besides a fork and knife while at work in the kitchen. Plus, some of his exotic dishes, like hominy grits, certainly take a little getting used to.
Church nevertheless attempts to ingratiate himself by extending his daily duties beyond the culinary, happily serving as a surrogate father to Charlie and as a home health aide to her mom. 

Marie gradually warms to the stranger when he whets her thirst for knowledge by bringing over classic books by literary greats like Shakespeare, Thomas Hardy and Edith Wharton. More importantly, Marie proceeds to outlive her doctor's death sentence, and a term of employment that was supposed to last merely for months stretches into the next decade.

That is the poignant premise of Mr. Church, a bittersweet period piece directed by two-time Oscar-nominee Bruce Beresford (for Tender Mercies and Breaker Morant). The picture's semi-autobiographical screenplay was inspired by the life of its scriptwriter, Susan McMartin.

The film works to the extent one is able to scale a couple of high hurdles placed in your path. First, you have to buy into the idea of perennial funnyman Eddie Murphy playing a serious role. Second, one must be willing to stomach yet another, stereotypical "Magical Negro" character, meaning a selfless, African-American more concerned with the welfare of a white person than with his or her own needs.

Additionally, a few of the plot developments are a little farfetched. For instance, have you ever heard of anybody saving up enough money to pay for college by clipping coupons? Neither have I. 
 
Overall, a mildly-recommended period piece, provided you're prepared to take seriously the same Eddie Murphy who kept you in stitches as Buckwheat in that hilarious Saturday Night Live skit. Otay?



Good (2 stars)Rated PG-13 for mature themes
Running time: 105 minutes
Distributor: Cinelou Releasing



To see a trailer for Mr. Church, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT3bzXXKtrs

Craig Robinson

The “Morris from America” Interview

with Kam Williams

Chewing the Fat with Craig from Chicago!

Beginning as a stand-up comedian, Craig Robinson first made his mark on the comedy circuit at the 1998 Montreal "Just for Laughs" Festival. Now headlining venues and festivals across the country, he does both solo acts as well as full-band sets with his band, “The Nasty Delicious.”

Before deciding to pursue his comedy career full time, Craig was a K-8 teacher in the Chicago Public School System. He earned his undergraduate degree from Illinois State and his Masters of Education from St. Xavier University.

It was while studying Education that he also discovered a love of acting and comedy when he joined the famed Second City Theatre. Craig is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Darryl Philban on the TV series “The Office,” but he's also starred in such movies as Knocked Up, This Is the End, Hot Tub Time Machine, Hot Tub Time Machine 2 and Sausage Party, as well as his very own TV sitcom, “Mr. Robinson.”

Here, Craig talks about his latest film, Morris from America.

Kam Williams: Hi Craig, thanks for another opportunity to chat with you. How're you doing?

Craig Robinson: I'm good, Kam, how about yourself?

KW: I'm doing fine, thanks. I really enjoyed Morris from America, which represents a bit of a departure for you, being a dramatic role. What interested you in the project?

KB: I liked the way that my character talked. I liked the way that Curtis and his son kinda got through to each other... the way they rolled through the little stuff to get to what's really important.And I just felt that he was layered.

KW: I think that chemistry between Curtis and Morris was critical to the success of the film. How long did you get to know and to practice with Markees Christmas prior to shooting?

CR: We only got to meet once to say hello to each other before he flew over to Germany. He was already there about three or four weeks before I arrived. We had one rehearsal the night I arrived, and then we were shooting the next day. Yeah, that's about how much time we had, but we still had very good chemistry.

KW: Yeah. Your characters feel a little isolated as newcomers to Germany. Did you feel alienated there in real-life also?

CR: [Chuckles] No, when I'm traveling, I tend to keep my mind open, because I'm on the lookout for what I'm going to learn about myself. So, I didn't feel isolated or alienated. We had a good time, and we were in Heidelberg and Berlin, two completely different places. Heidelberg is quaint and sweet, while Berlin is just sexy.

KW: I've heard that Berlin is very cosmopolitan and that most people speak English there.

CR: Yes, it's very easy to get around in Berlin. And they have Uber.

KW: Did you perform any of the songs on the Morris from America soundtrack?

CR: I don't know if it made the soundtrack, but that was me doing Biggie's "It Was All a Dream" in the scene in the bedroom with the girl.

KW: Did you have any hesitation about signing on to do a film set in Germany that was being directed by Chad Hartigan, a guy born in Cyprus and raised in the U.S.

CR: No, I really, really liked the script and the the main characters' relationship. I felt like it was something I could sink my teeth into. I also liked the challenge of making an indie movie which I felt could expand my horizons. It was all very exciting to me, including doing it in Germany. And remember, Chad was taking a chance on me, as well. I'm grateful to director David Gordon Green [Pineapple express] for highly recommending me.

KW: Did you ever study German?

CR: In the third grade, I had a German music teacher who taught us a few German folk songs like O Tannenbaum. No, I never really studied German. For this film, I learned to speak my dialogue phonetically.

KW: I think you did a great job.

CR: Thanks, man.

KW: Besides you and Markees, I also think Lina Keller was great as his love interest.

CR: Yeah, she killed it! She really stands out because you kinda don't where she's coming from, but she feels genuine. She played it perfectly. She's something else! And Carla Juri was great, too.

KW: I also enjoyed Sausage Party, your other movie that's currently in theaters. I interviewed Seth Rogen for that one. How does he manage to assemble such great ensemble casts for his pictures?

CR: Trust! He puts out quality movies. He's fun to work with. and you know that you're going to be allowed to improvise and be presented in your best light. If he calls, I'm like, "Let's go! Yeah, let's do it!"

KW: What would you say was the message of Sausage Party?

CR: I'd say it's about everybody coming together for a common cause.

KW: And what would you say was the message of Morris from America?

CR: Being able to get through stuff and grow.

KW: What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

CR: You want me to just admit that for the public?

KW: Yeah, then I could tweet it to the world.

CR: Getting into comedy, thinking I could actually be successful at it.

KW: The Dana Perino question: What keeps you up at night?

CR: Sleep apnea. [Chuckles]

KW: Would you mind giving me a good generic question I could ask other celebrities?

CR: Sure, what's the last thing you dreamt about?

KW: That's very good! thanks.

CR: You're welcome.

KW: And thanks again for the time, Craig, and best of luck with both films.

CR: Thanks, Kam, always a pleasure. Take care.

To see a trailer for Morris from America, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKhFNgFdbDk