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Comments
Absolutely.
I just returned from what is without a doubt the best film experience I’ve had this year. If you’re a fan of political drama like The Contender (2000) & The Ides of March (2011), corporate drama like Michael Clayton (2007), or reporter films like Spotlight (2015), then I imagine that you’ll love Miss Sloane. I certainly did!
This film follows the life of Elizabeth Sloane, the most formidable lobbyist in D.C., played to perfection by the always fascinating and watchable Jessica Chastain. Miss Sloane works for a high powered Washington Law Firm, but her politics aren’t to the lead partner’s liking. Ambitious, with an unyielding desire to ‘win’, Miss Sloane leaves the firm to join a smaller outfit and fight against the powerful gun lobby, which ironically is represented by her former employers. However, she may have picked an enemy that is too formidable even for her considerable talents. The film gives good insights into the political machinations of Washington. It's not a pretty sight. Equal parts "Newsroom" and equal parts "West Wing", the dialogue moves with a Sorkin-esque ease & pace.
I am now sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that Miss Chastain is one of the greatest working actresses alive today. She deserves to be held in the same esteem as Meryl Streep & Cate Blanchet imho. I was completely transfixed by her from her opening monologue and throughout the entire 2 hrs and 12 minutes of the film. Her character is somewhat despicable with questionable morals, but Chastain imbues her with a certain likeability. She’s just completely mesmerizing, and if there’s any justice, should at least receive an Oscar nomination (although I hope she wins). Of course, being a political junkie, I love the source material and that helps, but even if that wasn’t the case, I don’t think that one can deny that Chastain is brilliant in this movie. The supporting cast (Mark Strong, Alison Pill, Michael Stuhlbarg - who is showing up everywhere these days including in Arrival & Dr. Strange, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, John Lithgow and Sam Waterston) are all outstanding as well.
Highly Recommended
As good as Dirty Harry. Harry Callahan , America's answer to James Bond ?
1. Taxi Driver
2. After Hours
3. The King of Comedy
4. Cape Fear
5. The Aviator
6. Raging Bull
7. The Age of Innocence
8. Goodfellas
9. Hugo
10. Shutter Island
11. The Departed
12. Who's That Knocking at My Door
13. The Color of Money
14. Gangs of New York
15. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore
16. Bringing Out the Dead
17. Mean Streets
18. Casino
19. Kundun
20. The Wolf of Wall Street
21. Boxcar Bertha
22. The Last Temptation of Christ
I will update it once I've seen New York, New York (1977) and Silence (2016).
Call me delusional then; I really loved the film and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I've always claimed the first hour dragged a bit but even after three viewings, I'm still a fan.
Assassin's Creed (2016)
I was hyped for this film for months (since the 1st trailer), but I seriously lowered my expectations after seeing the extremely low critics score on RT (22%). Well, this afternoon I received a huge kick in the behind. What a super badass film. I only played the 1st 'Assassin's Creed' game a couple of times when it was released (years ago), so I must say I am not very familiar with the series and had a bit of a hard time understanding the plot. But, after 15/20 minutes, I was totally into it. The action scenes were highly entertaining, especially the long parkour chase and the huge battle in the end (which featured a very high body count). Fassbender was awesome and very badass as the lead character, Cotillard and Irons were very myterious, it was a joy to see Omar (from The Wire) again, Rampling was only in a couple of scenes but she was fantastic as always. The 1 hour and 48minutes runtime went by very fast, thanks to these awesome action scenes - the parkour chase is my favorite foot chase since the Sienna chase in QOS.
The plot is quite messy, but for action junkies like me, the badass action scenes really make up for it. The ending really asks for a sequel, I don't expect a 2nd film will be green-lighted, but the film I just saw satisfies me enough. Several awesome action scenes, a total badass of a lead star, and a huge body count. That's all I asked for, and the film delivered the goods.
This is the third different disk of the film I have bought and so far the best, I am a big fan of conspiracy thrillers and Capricorn One Is right up there with the best IMO. Jerry Goldsmiths score is superb.
It is intended to be a trilogy (according to Fassbender). But that is without taking into account how well the film does.
@bondjames, thanks for recommending 'Miss Sloane', as I find Jessica Chastain to be one of the best actresses in the business today. Next week I should watch 'The Founder', the Ray Kroc biopic with Michael Keaton - this time I get to recommend you a biopic, as you've seen plenty this past year (Snowden, Sully, Deepwater Horizon).
I first saw Chastain in a little known and recommended 2010 film called The Debt, and knew right away that I was looking at a future star. I felt the same way when I first saw Blanchett many years back in The Gift (2000). She's incredibly versatile and almost disappears into her roles. A few years later, I saw an interview that she did with Charlie Rose when she talked about what led her to acting. She had a great relationship with her grandmother, who used to ensure she got all sorts of learning experiences as a child. One such experience was the theatre. Apparently, when the young Chastain saw the performance, she knew right away "that's what I am!". Rose, surprised, asked her to clarify. It was a moment that stayed with me, because like Rose, I believe it's fantastic to find your calling early in life. Here's the clip:
Open Range (2003)
Been a while since I last saw this film. I was quickly reminded how much it's a fantastic film. Kevin Costner and Robert Duvall give powerhouse performances as old timer cowboys, out for revenge when their young proteges get attacked by some bad guys. And their on-screen chemistry is off the charts. Some splendid face-off scenes from Duvall and Costner, and along the way we meet the ever so lovely Annette Benning, and a chilling villain in the form of Michael Gambon. The huge shootout in the climax has nothing to envy from more recent examples like 'Collateral' and 'John Wick' - it starts by Costner delivering a stone-cold brutal bullet in the face of a goon, and then about 10/15 other people get killed by either Costner or Duvall. A great way to spend 2 hours in the company of these 2 great actors, with badass action scenes and great out-door landscapes.
Excellent film.........