Fences

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland




















Michael's Movie Grade: A+

Review: Why, no seriously why can't we see more films like this in theaters (art-house theaters not included)? Movies that aren't afraid to take their time. That aren't afraid to make us think or have complex characters, that are not just cardboard cut outs. In other words this is an incredibly good movie.

On of the best things about this movie is the main character. He is both very well written and acted (shocker a character played by Denzel Washington  is well acted). This is a very complex and fascinating character. At times we don't know whether to admire him, or hate him. Because of this he is extremely fascinating and hard not to get caught up in him. Because the character is so fascinating, the story around him is much more interesting. The main character isn't the only great character his wife is also a fantastic character, as well as his kids. The scenes revolving around his mentally ill brother are extremely touching and profound. He is almost equally fascinating and real. In fact all the characters are so real that at times I had to remind myself this wasn't based off a true story because it felt so real. Screenwriter August Wilson (who also wrote the play this was based off of), and director (and star) Denzel Washington are obviously so passionate about the film and characters that it is hard for us not to be passionate about it as well.     

Despite this being such a dialogue heavy movie, it remains visually interesting. Charlotte Bruus Christensen's cinematography and David Gropman's design work are both absolutely fantastic. The whole film looks like the time period it takes place in, and because of this the film also stands out among most of the films coming out today.

The pacing in this movie is also amazing. The pace is much slower than your average modern movie, and this works perfectly for the story. Unlike too many other modern movies it takes enough time for us to become fully invested in the story and characters.

This is one of the best movies of this year and a must watch for all fans of great movies and all of those who want alternatives to most movies being put out today. It is beautiful, profound and extremely well done.

-Michael J. Ruhland   

Sing

Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland


















Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: An excellent film. With this and The Secret Life of Pets, things are really looking up for Illumination.

One of the best things about this movie is the design work of Eric Guillon. Guillon also did the amazing design work for The Secret Life of Pets and he successeds just as well here. The whole film is just a joy to look at. While the animation may not be up to the standards of Disney or DreamWorks, this great look is so appealing, you may not care.

Important for a movie about a singing completion, the voice artists all have great voices. Many of you probably already know that Seth McFarland has a really good voice (though it probably surprised you at first as well), and as a fan of the old crooner type of music his singing Pennies From Heaven and My Way is a definite highlight to me. However just as great is Torri Kelly's beautiful vocal performance of Leonard Cohen's Halleluiah. In fact all of the voices are great. The song selection is very varied and though there are quite a few instances of songs I don't like, there were just as many that I did like.

The story is good but predictable. You could see just what was coming too often. Also there were too many side stories for the film's running time. Because of this we are not always given the time to appreciate or get sucked into them. However we do care enough about these characters for moment of these stories to work. The main story however is given enough time to be quite fleshed out, and while it is predictable it works surprisingly well.

I am looking forward to what the Illumination will bring us in the future.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Review Written By Michael J. Ruhland


















Michael's Movie Grade:F

Review: Pure and utter boredom, easily the worst Star Wars movie and yes I am including the prequels in that.

The biggest problem with this film is the characters. All of them are completely devoid of any personality. This is especially true of our two main protagonists. After watching the movie, I still can't tell you what their personalities are, because they don't have any. The side characters though are not much better.

As I've stated in previous reviews, if I don't like the characters, the action scenes are extremely boring. This is even worse in this film, because the action scenes are the slowest, and longest seeming scenes in the movie. In fact the pacing in this film is awful. I like Star Wars movies for the atmosphere more than anything else. However with the exception of the action scenes, the film jumps around from place to place and character to character much too quickly. This allows us no time to soak in what is the best part of these movies, despite making us sit through some of the most boring action scenes imaginable.

The only things good I can say about this movie is that I liked a very brief scene involving Darth Vader, and the score wasn't bad. That is it though. Everything else in this movie is awful and a pain to sit through. I sat through it all because I heard the movie gets better as it goes along. Well it didn't at all.

Since this takes place before episode 4, we know all that is going to happen. Combined with the boredom of the characters and action scenes. This gives me nothing to even care about.

To say this movie is a disappointment, is being kind to this horrible movie.

-Michael J. Ruhland

La La Land

Review Written by Michael J. Ruhland



















Michael's Movie Grade:A+

Review: Pure movie magic. Probably my favorite film of this year.

This is an incredibly passionate love letter to 1940's and 50's Hollywood movies (particularly the musicals), and to just the beauty of music and art. What makes this film so great is that you can tell writer/director Damiem Chazelle is truly passionate about what he is paying tribute to. The last musical number, a scene in a museum and quite a bit more of the movie captures nearly perfectly the art of an old movie musical. While there may be clichés in the story, these never feel like they are here because they are expected, but because Chazelle truly loves this type of film and wants to make a film close to the spirit of the classics, and due to his passion he actually captures it. Also very important to this movie being so good is that Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are perfect in these roles. The perform the serious and the fun scenes with an equally commitment and excellence. Their performances of the musical numbers are especially excellent. As this film is a tribute to classic movie musicals, it looks fantastic. Color here is used much better than it is in most current movies. We are so used to color in movies that we take it for granted. However this movie doesn't it truly uses color to it's full advantage.

One of the best musical films in years a must watch for all movie lovers.

By the way the ending, while I won't give it away really made me cry.

-Michael J. Ruhland