Rogue One (2016)

Rogue One is the latest entry into the Star Wars canon.  It begins with the story of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), daughter of Imperial scientist Galen Erso (Mads Mikkelsen).  Imperial forces appear at the Erso home to coerce Galen into continuing his work on the Death Star.  Jyn escapes and is sent into hiding, watched over by Galen's trusted friend, Saw Gererra (Forest Whitaker).   Years later, she is rescued from Imperial arrest by Captain Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and K-2SO (voiced by Alan Tudyk), a reprogrammed Imperial droid.  Jyn is taken to meet the rest of the Rebellion soldiers, but doesn't want to get involved.  If she is able to find Saw Gererra, who is now a dangerous political extremist, the Rebellion will consider the debt repaid.  This leads Jyn to a fateful meeting with Saw, in which she discovers her father was, in fact, a Rebel sympathizer, and has built a flaw into the Death Star, the new super weapon of the Galactic Empire.  Banding together with a few other Imperial deserters and outcasts, the new team disobeys Rebellion orders and follows this trail to the planet Scarif, where they begin a guerilla operation to steal the Death Star plans and make sure the Rebellion has them before it's too late for the galaxy.  

One of the notable elements of Rogue One is that it doesn't begin with the standard Star Wars prologue text crawl.  I think this is appropriate, as Rogue One a different sort of movie.  It has much more in common with a classic war movie than any chapter of the Star Wars saga.  The presence of the Death Star throughout the movie reinforces the feeling that no one is safe, and that the Empire has the upper hand in the situation.  Even as a fan, knowing how things would eventually end up, watching Rogue One was an emotional experience.  The characters are all likable in different ways, and it's almost difficult to watch certain scenes, as you don't want to see any of them harmed. 

Each member of the cast brings their own interestingly distinct character to life on screen.  Felicity Jones does very well in the role of Jyn Erso, a woman struggling to trust others, as well as come to terms with her father's actions.  Forest Whitaker is also very memorable as the mercurial and dangerous Saw Gererra.  In addition the the great heroes Rogue One provides, there are also the classic villains of the Star Wars franchise.  James Earl Jones returns as Darth Vader, but I was most impressed with another returning character.  In an astounding feat of movie magic, effects team ILM brought Grand Moff Tarkin (the late Peter Cushing) back to the screen.  While some have complained about this use of effects, I initially thought it was an incredible makeup job rather than CGI effects.  Of course, Tarkin has always been one of my favourite minor Star Wars characters, so perhaps I'm biased.  The next down the Imperial chain of command is new character Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn).  I found his character a little puzzling.  While Krennic does show anger and a thirst for power, he doesn't really cut an impressive figure next to the likes of Darth Vader or even Tarkin.  At times, Krennic looks rather incompetent, although, perhaps that's the whole point.  In any case, it's a minor complaint and doesn't spoil the film for me.

Rogue One is big and exciting, like any Star Wars movie.  The difference is in the serious atmosphere the story creates.  The Jedi mysticism we've seen before is not visible here, replaced by the blood and smoke of warfare.  While it may not be for everyone, I found Rogue One to be a welcome departure from the familiar structure Star Wars has built.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the long awaited film expansion of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter universe.  The film takes us back to New York City in the 1920s, where we meet Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), who is something of a magical Doctor Dolittle.  When a small mix-up happens at a bank, regular citizen Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler) finds himself in possession of Newt's magical briefcase, which contains all of the creatures he's collected in his travels.  To add to Newt's troubles, there is also a strongly anti-magic organization stirring up protests around New York.  Naturally, almost all of the magical beasts get loose.  With the help of sisters Tina (Katherine Waterston) and Queenie Goldstein (Alison Sudol), they set about to recapture all of the missing creatures.  Unfortunately, the Magical Congress of the United States Of America (America's version of the Ministry of Magic) is out to capture Newt Scamander for their own reasons.
For the most part, I found this movie quite enjoyable, with the exception of a few small items.  One issue this film has is the size of the cast.  There are just a few too many characters to give everyone equal screen time, and at times, the plot becomes a touch muddled because of it.  For instance, I think there was far too much time spent focusing on Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton) and her clan of disturbed children for what was essentially a one-note plot point.  Also, there are some barriers for those unfamiliar with the original books (and the Harry Potter source material).  I found myself especially puzzled with Percival Graves (Colin Farrell).  I had very little idea of his exact position within his organization, much less what his title of auror meant, if anything.
Despite these minor complaints, Fantastic Beasts is a lot of fun to watch.  The film takes every advantage when it comes to 3D technology, and doesn't spend it all in the opening moments of the film, like many others have.  The depth of detail and imaginative creature design is wonderful to witness, and adds that extra touch of magic needed for a story as grand as this.  Sadly, I feel that the non-3D version may not feel half as engaging, considering there is such heavy use of effects.  As I mentioned before, I am only familiar with the Harry Potter film franchise, but according to my wife, there are plenty of references, both large and small, for Potter fans to talk about.  As a film-only fan, I did pick up on a handful, but the majority were lost on me.  Interestingly, these references never felt obvious or overdone to me, which is refreshing for a movie that takes place in such a well known world.  Contrast this with the constant name-dropping seen in the Marvel movies, and you'll begin to see what I mean.  Then again, I haven't read the books, so you can judge for yourself.
The cast is solid all around.  Eddie Redmayne is charmingly inquisitive, in spite of his social awkwardness.  Katherine Waterston's Tina provides the perfect match for Newt with her sharp wit and determined attitude.  While Colin Farrell is competent as Graves, Newt's authoritarian adversary, the true show stealers are Kowalski and Queenie.  You can't help but love Dan Fogler as the simple, working man who becomes fascinated with Newt's magical world.  Alison Sudol plays Queenie with an infectious enthusiasm as well as a spark of mischief.  The two play off of each other wonderfully, and exhibit more on-screen chemistry than the main characters, in my opinion.
Fantastic Beasts is an exciting film, full of visual wonders.  A certain level of depth will be lost on those unfamiliar with the Harry Potter universe, but it is still very accessible to any movie goer.  With several sequels in development, now is the time to watch if you want to follow this series!

Home Alone (1990)

For those of us who grew up in the 90s, Home Alone needs no introduction.  It was the film that launched Macaulay Culkin to superstar status, and has since been shown on television every Christmas to this day.  Also, Home Alone was responsible for the brief fad of kids carrying around pocket tape recorders, but that's really neither here nor there.
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin), the youngest of his large family, often ignored and bullied.  When Kevin's family leaves for a Paris vacation for the holiday season, Kevin is left behind and is forced to look after himself.  At first, Kevin has fun doing everything he's not supposed to do, but soon loneliness makes things scary for the eight year old.  Meanwhile, Kevin's family, realizing they've forgotten him, make efforts to return home on Christmas Eve.  It's at this point that Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), a pair of two-bit burglars enter the picture.  When Kevin realizes they plan to break in and rob his house, he designs a set of elaborate traps to stop the bumbling thieves in their tracks.  The results are hilarious and heartwarming, making for an enduring Christmas classic.
Naturally, we all remember the crazy pranks and slapstick comedy of Home Alone.  What most don't remember is that it was written by John Hughes, the man responsible for such teen classics as Ferris Bueller's Day Off and The Breakfast Club.  This shows in the early scenes especially.  It's easy to imagine Kevin as a very young Ferris Bueller, even down to the creative mannequin usage.  As well, Kevin has a few amusingly grown up moments, such as buying groceries for himself and considering which toothbrush is right for him.  The John Hughes style is evident in the true story Home Alone tells.  When you strip away the comedy antics, Home Alone is a story about trust and kindness.  From almost the very beginning of the film, we are introduced to Kevin's salt shovelling neighbor Marley (Roberts Blossom), who he is irrationally terrified of.  As the film progresses, Kevin learns that he is actually friendly, and nobody to be afraid of, and is ultimately rewarded for taking that first step of trust.  This deftly handled emotional story is what sets Home Alone apart from other films like it, and it is because of the great writing of John Hughes.
Another thing many people forget about Home Alone is that its score was nominated for an Academy Award.  Composed by John Williams, the iconic music reminds the audience of Christmas, childhood fun, and even the fears of being alone as a young child.  If not for the impressive list of John Williams film scores, it's quite likely Home Alone would get more recognition for its music today.
The pure comedy that Stern and Pesci bring to the table added to the sharp performance of Macaulay Culkin make this film a winner from scene one.  The score and brilliant writing solidify these elements into one of the most memorable Christmas films of the past several decades.  

Die Hard (1988)

November is a strange time for a movie viewer.  Halloween has passed, so it doesn't feel quite right to watch horror films.  On the other hand, it's a little to early to watch the traditional Christmas films.  What I like to do during this time is watch movies that are set during Christmas, but don't have a direct connection to the holiday season.  For me, no movie better exemplifies this idea than Die Hard.
In Die Hard, we are introduced to John McClane (Bruce Willis).  John is a hard working NYPD cop, and is visiting Los Angeles to see his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia), who has signed on with the Nakatomi Corporation.  The night John arrives, Nakatomi is holding their Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza, their new (and partially unfinished) office building.  Before John can have a proper discussion and reconcile with his wife, Nakatomi Plaza is taken over by a group of German terrorists led by the cold and calculating Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman).  Interestingly, this isn't a typical hostage situation.  Gruber and his team are really after the valuable contents of Nakatomi's vault.  When he's left separated from the hostages, John McClane does his best to stop the terrorists while the LAPD sits on their thumbs and media crews scramble to get the story.  McClane does have a little help from the outside in the form of beat cop Al Powell (Reginald VelJohnson), the only cop who believes John isn't a threat.  Unlike many other action films, Die Hard is smartly written, and has its share of insightful dramatic dialogue in between the explosive action (and there's certainly plenty of it!).  This is an important reason why it's such a memorable movie, and why John McClane is such a memorable character.
Die Hard was such a popular movie that it spawned multiple sequels, and is still very well liked today.  So, what is it that sets John McClane apart from so many other action heroes?  It's that he's an average person like you or me.  John McClane isn't a crack shot like Rambo, and doesn't have any superhuman abilities like the Terminator.  Even though he has an extraordinary amount of confidence, he's just as terrified of the situation as any of the hostages involved.  He can't fire a machine gun expertly, he gets injured often, and he has to do all of this without shoes!  Bruce Willis uses these elements to create a brilliantly memorable hero.  Every heroic feat John McClane achieves feels that much more dramatic and exciting for the simple fact that he is like one of us.
As good as Bruce Willis is, he would be nothing without a great villain to play against.  Thankfully, Alan Rickman brings exactly the menace required to portray Hans Gruber.  From the moment he is on screen, Hans Gruber has a commanding presence.  Even before we know his motives, we know Gruber means business, and will never take no for an answer.  Gruber is a man who wants control, and as John McClane begins to alter the situation, he begins to lose control over his own reactions.  Alan Rickman plays out these tightly wound emotions beautifully.  We get a real sense of Gruber's frustration and boiling anger underneath his cool exterior.
Is Die Hard a good movie?  Absolutely.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?  It's entirely up to you!  

Doctor Strange (2016)

The latest in Marvel's ever-expanding film universe, Doctor Strange explores the magical side of the Marvel universe.  Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a gifted surgeon, but has an attitude on par with someone like Dr. Gregory House.  His only concern is maintaining his own renown in medicine and keeping up with his lavish lifestyle.  After his hands are badly damaged in a car accident, Strange is forced to search for alternatives to medicine to cure his ailment.  This search leads him to Nepal, where he learn the secrets of magic and mysticism under a mysterious woman known as The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton).  Meanwhile, Keacilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a former student of The Ancient One, has discovered forbidden knowledge and is acting on it in the most dangerous way.  Together with his teachers, and some clever manipulation of time and space, Doctor Strange must fight the forces of chaos in order to protect the Earth from the destructive entity known as Dormammu.
For comics fans and newcomers alike, Doctor Strange is a great entry in the Marvel filmography.  The story follows the fairly traditional path of classic Samurai films, with a bit of the fantastic added to the mix.  The plot may feel familiar to some, but it's so well done, only the most jaded of movie fans will feel bored by it.  Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange very well.  Over the course of the film, we see him change from arrogant to angry, and finally to a man in command and control of himself.  His personal transformation is believable, and it's what drives this film forward.  In particular, his scenes with Rachel McAdams (as love interest Christine Palmer) illustrate this change of character fully.  During the scenes of Strange's training, Tilda Swinton also has some good moments as the wise master figure.
This film has a lot of very cleverly done visuals.  The 3D effects are particularly well executed, with many kaleidoscopic transformations of ordinary settings.  I'm not certain how well these effects translate to non-3D, but they were impressive in the format I saw them in.  One of the things I appreciated most as a comics fan was the film's depiction of Dormammu and his chaotic dimension.  They are shown in an abstract way, yet the evil they represent is made very clear.
Doctor Strange is a breath of fresh air for the Marvel movies, showing the audience something a little different than the usual super-science or simple fist-fighting heroes.  It will be interesting to see how Doctor Strange will fit into a team setting, although one of the post-credits scenes hints at a possible ally.  If you're a fan of the comics, or just bored with traditional superhero films, Doctor Strange is a great way to see a new side of the superhero genre.

Mascots (2016)

Christopher Guest's Mascots premiered at TIFF earlier this year, but is now available to stream exclusively on Netflix.  This time around, Guest takes takes aim at the subculture of mascot performers, with the action focused around the annual 'Golden Fluffy' competition for excellence in the mascot field.  For those unfamiliar with the Christopher Guest style, the film takes the form of satirical documentary (or 'mockumentary', as it's commonly known), following the various characters through their journey in the competition.  If the film can be said to have a main character, it would be Owen Golly, Jr. (Tom Bennet), a British soccer mascot who is desperately trying to get out of the shadow of his father, who used to perform the same character.  In addition, we are introduced to people like Cindi Babineaux (Parker Posey), a woman who takes what can only be described as a unique approach to being a mascot.  Various others round out the cast, but the story, such as it is, focuses mainly on these two.
As mentioned above, this film is more a series of amusing, semi-improvised events than a true story of any kind.  In a purely comedy driven sense, this works well, but those expecting more in the way of story may be disappointed.  That being said, the cast works well with what they're given.  Past Christopher Guest veterans Euguene Levy and Hank Azaria are sadly not included in this outing, although many others (Bob Balaban, Jane Lynch, Chris O'Dowd) are present, mixing with newcomers such as Zach Woods (formerly Gabe on The Office) and Sarah Baker.  For me, these two provided many of the laughs as a dysfunctional couple who both work as mascots, resulting in a disastrous performance at the competition.  Strangely, some of the most amusing things about this film are purely incidental, throw-away moments.  Things like fully dressed mascots working out the logistics of using the bathroom, or outlandish looking characters playing cards to pass the time.
Not every joke or character in Mascots is perfect, but it's a very enjoyable, funny movie.  I don't feel it quite reaches the heights of Best In Show or This Is Spinal Tap, but it's certainly worth a watch, especially for Christopher Guest fans.

Read This! - Letter 44 (Vol. 1)

Read This! is made possible by The Gauntlet Comics and Games

Published by Oni Press, Letter 44 is tells the intriguing story of President Stephen Blades.  Shortly after his inauguration, he finds a mysterious letter in the Oval Office.  The letter, written by the previous president, tells Blades about a secret government space mission.  This mission has had next to no contact with Earth for the past several years.  While Blades goes about taking the steps to contact and learn more about the team of soldiers and scientists, the crew of the Clarke has more immediate things to deal with.  The discovery of a gigantic alien vessel complicates things, as does the pregnancy of a key member of the team.  Meanwhile, certain groups are aiming to keep the president in the dark about what's going on, and are taking drastic measures to make sure the public doesn't know.
Charles Soule (current writer of Daredevil) does a great job with this story.  It's well balanced between the space exploration and the political cloak-and-dagger tale.  Soule has a knack for tension and keeping the reader guessing.  As a reader, you're never quite certain you have everything figured out.  When you feel as though you have a handle on the situation, something completely unexpected will happen, leaving you to puzzle over how these new events fit into the bigger picture.  The art style of Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque fits quite well with the story.  Each character design is distinctive, so it's always clear who's who, which is very important with the sizable cast Alburquerque has to work with.  As well, his attention to facial expression helps to humanize the characters.  The art of the space scenes is especially well done, and communicates the feeling of zero gravity better than any space comic I've read in a while.
If you or someone you know is into science fiction and/or political thrillers, this is exactly the book you're looking for.  There are a few other volumes in this series as well, so now's a great time to get that Christmas present for the comics fan on your list!  The Gauntlet Comics and Games has got what you need.  Tell them Dave sent you!