Friday, September 27, 2019
Thursday, September 26, 2019
The Roundup with Jeff Stockton (Season 13 Round 3)
She really stretched herself as an actress, perhaps too far at times, in Zoe Maye. She hasn't had a really difficult role for the studio since her Best Supporting Actress nomination all the way back in Season 1 for A View from the Bridge.
2. Halo 5
The Halo series keeps churning along under the tutledge of writer Mo Buck, and it still hasn't gotten stale. It's really pretty impressive, the staying power the franchise has had, and frankly it doesn't sound like it's slowing down at all anytime soon.
1. The Crucible
I really enjoyed The Crucible. I was vaguely familiar with the story going in, but I still found myself surprised by some of the events, as well as the excellent casting and performances (Affleck, Steinfeld, Mara, Pearce, Foy, Laurie, Lewis, etc.).
If I had to say something bad about this solid film, it would be that it felt needlessly complicated at times. It was a solid film though, so I'm definitely nit-picking here.
2. Zac Efron
Zac Efron definitely feels like too much of a "bro" to pull off his prudish role in Zoe Maye. He's a better actor than he used to be, but his range isn't exactly limitless. His performance grew on me a bit by the end though.
1. Zoe Maye
This was a very solid round of films, but I have to come up with a bottom 3, and Zoe Maye as a film ended up on it despite being a decent film. The descent into bondage felt gratutious and exploitative and made for too much of a tonal shift. It took me out of the movie for a bit.
On Location (Season 13 Round 3)
- Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Halo 5
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The Crucible
- Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Release: The Crucible
Genre: Drama/Historical
Director: David Lowery
Writer: Lon Charles
Based on the play by Arthur Miller
Cast: Casey Affleck, Hailee Steinfeld, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Damian Lewis, Michael Gambon, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Bill Camp, Amandla Stenberg, Mackenzie Foy
Budget: $40,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $51,659,347
Foreign Box Office: $30,281,472
Total Profit: $1,603,715
Reaction: Historical films rarely set the box office on fire unless they have a huge A-List star or have action to sell the film with, so this film managing to break even is appreciated.
"Director David Lowery and writer Lon Charles keep things fairly faithful to Arthur Miller's classic play, but they do add a few of their own personal touches to the once again timely film." - Jeremy Raren, RottenTomatoes.com
"With its great opening sequence and strong acting performances, especially from Affleck, Mara and Steinfeld, The Crucible has set itself up as an early awards contender." - Clark Davis, JoBlo.com
"The film starts off really strong, and stays that way for the most part, but it does start to waver by the end. It loses a lot of steam by the end, which doesn't feel as impactful as it should." - Perry Manson, CinemaBlend.com
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In Development
The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger: Noah Schnapp (ID, Revolution) and Ray Winstone (Spawn 2: Payback, Life on Mars) have signed on to join the cast of the upcoming Dark Tower adaptation from writer Matt Parker and director Matt Reeves. Schnapp will a play a boy from New York who finds himself in the middle of an otherworldly wasteland, while Winstone will play the mentor of the gunslinger played by Christian Bale.
Blind Faith: The new film from director Ari Aster has added Macon Blair (American Woman, Hold the Dark), Merritt Wever (Welcome to Marwen, The Last Face) and Lukas Haas (Widows, First Man) to its cast. Blair will play a police officer, while Wever and Haas will play a married couple in the religious themed thriller penned by Chad Taylor.
Teslin, Yukon: The small town drama from director Stephen Dunn and writer James Morgan has added Allison Tolman (Hunter, Stained), William Fichtner ("Gauntlet", Maple Leaf), William H. Macy ("Shameless", Spawn 2: Payback) and Mickey Rourke (Mass Effect: The Shadow Broker, Mona Lisa) to its cast. Tolman will play a management worker who helps the workers of a local paper mill, Fichtner will play the mill's drunk and incompetent manager, while Macy and Rourke will play a couple of the workers at the paper mill.
The William Hung Story: In seemingly unnecessary biopic news, writer Alex Conn (The Virgin Suicides, The Vegan Movie) has penned a dramatic film about American Idol laughing stock, William Hung. Nico Santos (Crazy Rich Asians, "Superstore") will play the title role, with Margaret Cho (Bright, Tooken) and Ken Jeong ("Dr. Ken", "Community") signing on to play Hung's parents. Jon M. Chu (Peter and the Starcatchers, Crazy Rich Asians) has signed on to direct the film.
God of War: Kratos: The Season 9 film, God of War, was a huge hit at the box office, but critics were not kind to the big budget fantasy film. That in part led to a new writer, Roy Horne ("Miami Vice", Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic), signing on to take over the series and try to right the ship. Tom Hardy (Mass Effect 3 - Part 2, Kingmaker Chronicles) will return to the role of Kratos in this soft-reboot. He will be joined by Marton Csokas (Dark Crimes, "Into the Badlands") as Ares and Tatiana Maslany (Batman: Caped Crusader, Maple Leaf) as Athena, taking over roles played by Sean Bean and Claire Foy in the first film, respectively. The director of the first film, Duncan Jones, has been replaced by Baltasar Kormakur (Everest, 2 Guns).
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Now Showing: The Crucible
Genre: Drama/Historical
Director: David Lowery
Writer: Lon Charles
Based on the play by Arthur Miller
Cast: Casey Affleck, Hailee Steinfeld, Rooney Mara, Guy Pearce, Damian Lewis, Michael Gambon, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Hugh Laurie, Amandla Stenberg, Mackenzie Foy
Plot: 1692 - Salem, Massachusetts. Abigail Williams (Hailee Steinfeld) dances sensuously around a campfire in the woods outside of town. She is joined by her cousin Betty Parris (Mackenzie Foy) and the Parris family's slave, Tituba (Jurnee Smollett-Bell). Abigail begins kissing Tituba while Betty watches. Tituba then brings out a cage with a chicken in it. Abigail takes the chicken and slits its throat, pouring blood into her mouth before kissing Tituba some more. While they are in the midst of their blood-soaking tonguing, Betty drinks some of the chicken's blood herself. Abigail then audibly wishes for Elizabeth Proctor to die before drinking some more of the chicken's blood. In the morning, the three young women are found asleep around the burnt-out fire, Abigail and Tituba both naked, by Reverend Samuel Parris (Guy Pearce), Abigail's uncle and Betty's father. Parris wakes the three young women up. They get up and start running away, but Betty falls over unconscious before she makes it far.
In the Parris family home, Rev. Parris sits over Betty's bed. She has become gravely ill and the town doctor has no answers for the ailment. Reverend John Hale (Damian Lewis) has come to the home at Parris' request to investigate Betty's suspicious illness. Abigail and Tituba return to the Parris family home where Parris and Hale question them about what happened that night in the woods. Hale suspects them of witchcraft. Abigail admits to dancing in the woods that night, but will not admit to any kind of witchcraft. Their neighbor Mr. Thomas Putnam (Hugh Laurie) arrives at the Parris home to tell them that there are rumors that Betty was seen flying over a barn and that there are rumors that Salem is being invaded by demons and witches alike. After being pressured by Parris and Hale, Abigail claims that Tituba was working with the devil. Parris whips Tituba until she confesses about everything that has happened. Tituba, after several lashes with the whip, confesses to being a witch.
Rumors run around town of who could be under the influence of witchcraft. Putnam believes that a local farmer, John Proctor (Casey Affleck), must be under a spell since he has not attended church recently. Putnam and Parris have Proctor come to the church for a meeting. When pressed about why hasn't attended services lately, Proctor simply claims there is no need for attendance since all Parris ever preaches about are finances. Parris warns Proctor that there must be obedience or the church will burn like hell. Proctor asks Parris if he can even manage going one minute without mentioning hell.
That night after the meeting at the church, Proctor stops by the Parris home where Abigail has been ordered not to leave until Hale's investigation has ended. He talks to Abigail at the back door. Abigail speaks tenderly to him and confesses that she still loves him even after he broke off their affair. Proctor tells her that he just wanted to check on her, but that he would cut off his hand before ever continuing their affair. As they hear Rev. Parris return, Abigail insists that Proctor still loves her as well. Just then Betty lets out a scream. Abigail and Parris both run into the house from opposite sides, while Proctor sneaks off the property.
Hale interrogates Abigail again the next day. She blames Tituba, telling him that she forced she and Betty to drink the blood. When Putnam hears of this he demands that Tituba be hanged at once in the town square. Upon interrogation, Tituba confesses to being a witch, but insists that she is not alone and that there are several others like her in Salem.
Proctor returns home and greets his wife Elizabeth (Rooney Mara). They make small talk about dinner and the crops, but Elizabeth is suspicious and accuses Proctor of seeing Elizabeth again. He admits that he did go to see her, but not to resume his affair, but rather to try to help dispel the rumors of witchcraft going around town. Just then their servant Mary Warren (Amandla Stenberg) enters the house. She announces that she had been at the courthouse accusing people of witchcraft, insisting she is now a court official. Proctor questions why she would accuse people of being witches without any proof, but Mary simply questions why Proctor questions the importance of her work at the court that day. Proctor forbids Mary to go back to court. Mary reveals that she saved Elizabeth's life in court after Elizabeth was accused of being a witch. Proctor orders Mary to go to bed.
Proctor and Elizabeth are arguing about his affair with Abigail, a common trend in the home in the seven months since Proctor broke off his relationship with Abigail, when Hale arrives at their house. Hale tells them that Elizabeth's name was mentioned in court, while other women have been formally charged. Hale questions Proctor on his churchgoing habits, and Proctor claims that he prays at home and criticizes Parris for his wasteful spending habits in church. Hale asks Proctor to state the Ten Commandments. He names nine of them, but needs Elizabeth to remind him of the tenth: adultery. Proctor says that between the two of them they know all of the Commandments, so that should suffice. Proctor says there is no witchcraft happening in town and that the proverbial "witch hunt" needs to come to an end before any innocent lives are taken. Hale claims that is nonsense, as so many have confessed, but Proctor says that anyone would confess if they will be hanged for denying it. Hale asks if Proctor will testify to this in court, and asks if he believes in witches. Proctor answers that he does not believe that there are witches in Salem, but Elizabeth denies any belief in witches at all. When Hale asks Elizabeth if she questions the gospel, she retorts that he should question Abigail Williams about the gospel and not her.
At the court house, Abigail is telling Judge Thomas Danforth (Michael Gambon) about how Elizabeth is a witch. The next day, Rev. Hale comes back to the Proctor residence with the police to formally charge Elizabeth with witchcraft. Elizabeth, when she is told that Abigail is the one who accused her, calls Abigail a murderer who needs to pay for her sins. Proctor tears up the arrest warrant. After Hale takes Elizabeth away, Proctor demands that Mary come with him to the court house to charge murder against Abigail, but Mary begins crying that she can't go against Abigail.
The witch hunt is in full force throughout Salem with several women charged with witchcraft soon enough. Proctor and Mary enter the cout room. Parris warns Judge Danforth that Proctor is up to no good. Proctor announces to Danforth and the rest of the court that Mary never saw any spirits despite what she may have previously said to the courts and has a signed deposition to assert this. Parris thinks that Proctor has come to overthrow the court. Mary admits to Danforth that she lied before and that there are no witches. Danforth questions Proctor, wondering if he has any hidden pretense to undermine the court. Hale tells Danforth about how Proctor ripped up the warrant for Elizabeth's arrest, but Proctor says that it was only out of temper. Proctor asks Danforth if it strikes him odd that the women who have been accused have lived so long with an upright reputation only to be suddenly accused. Danforth asks Proctor if he knows that his wife is pregnant. Proctor tells him that he did not know this, but that Elizabeth never lies. Danforth agrees to let Elizabeth live another month so that she may show signs of pregnancy, and if she is pregnant she will live another year so that she may deliver.
Proctor uses this time to go throughout Salem, getting 91 citizens to attest to their good opinion of the women on trial, including his wife. When Proctor submits this, Parris demands that all 91 citizens be summoned for questioning. Just then, Abigail enters the court room. Proctor claims that he believes Abigail means to use the trial to murder his wife, and orders Mary to tell Danforth about how the girls would all dance in the woods naked. Parris insists to Danforth that he never found anybody naked when he found the girls. Abigail begins to threaten Danforth, claiming that the powers of hell may affect him soon. She then starts to pretend that she feels a sharp wind threatening her. Proctor grabs Abigail and calls her a whore. He admits in front of the entire court to his affair with Abigail. Danforth admits that this would give Abigail a motivation to be lying to the courts about Elizabeth Proctor. Proctor, believing Elizabeth would never tell a lie to a court of law asks for the judge to question her. Danforth questions Elizabeth, but she has too much pride to admit that her husband cheated on her with Abigail.
When Proctor is informed that his wife denied knowing of any affair with Abigail, Proctor tells the judge that his wife must have meant only to save his reputation in town. Hale believes Proctor and asks for a stop to the trial before another person is condemned. Abigail then claims she sees Mary's spirit as a bird trying to hurt her. Mary, who is present in the court, begins crying, saying she is just sitting in court like everyone else. When Abigail refuses to stop her charade, she breaks down and begins speaking gibberish and hyperventilating. Mayhem breaks out in the court. Parris demands that Proctor admit to being in league with the devil. Danforth demands that Proctor is arrested and adjourns the court for the day.
Weeks later, Proctor has been condemned to die. Parris informs Danforth that Abigail has disappeared, leaving town and stealing his safe, leaving him penniless. Parris suggests postponing the remaining hangings due to Proctor being a respected member of the community whose execution may not go over well with the town. Danfroth refuses postponement, as it would show weakness on the part of him and the court.
Danforth summons Elizabeth Proctor to his chambers to meet with Hale and himself. Hale tells Elizabeth that he does not want Proctor to die as he would then consider himself a murderer. Elizabeth asks to speak with her husband. The guards bring Proctor into the chambers, who is now bearded and filthy. Proctor asks about Elizabeth's unborn child. Proctor asks Elizabeth what she would think if he confessed, but Elizabeth says that she cannot judge him. She says that she will have him do what he wishes, but she does want him alive. Proctor announces to Danforth and Hale that he will confess to the charges against him if it will keep his wife and unborn child out of their crosshairs. When they demand a written confession, Proctor asks why he must sign. Danforth says it is for the good instruction of the village. Danforth demands that Proctor prove the purity of his soul by accusing others in his place, but Hale advises that it is enough that he confess himself. Parris, silent up until now, agrees, but Danforth once again demands that Proctor sign the document. Proctor says that he has confessed to God, and that is enough. Proctor wishes to keep only his name, and Danforth thus refuses to accept his confession. Danforth orders Proctor to be hanged. Hale begs Elizabeth to plead with Proctor to sign a confession, but Elizabeth states that Proctor has his goodness now, and God forbid she take it from him.
Release: Halo 5
Genre: Action/Sci-Fi
Director: Gareth Edwards
Writer: Mo Buck
Based on the video game series
Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Sarah Gadon, Robin Wright, Ben Foster, Milla Jovovich, Kevin Durand, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Morris Chestnut, Uzo Aduba, Sophie Turner, Allen Leech, Vincent D'Onofrio, James Spader, Dan Castellaneta (voice)
Budget: $250,000,000
Domestic Box Office: $481,557,382
Foreign Box Office: $600,115,098
Total Profit: $402,448,192
Reaction: Excellent numbers for the fifth film in the main Halo series (and the eighth film overall in the franchise). The box office has steadily climbed throughout the run of the series. The profits were due lower for this film, even though the box office was higher, due to the studio sparing no expense in marketing the film to audiences (the marketing budget alone for the film was well over $100 million).
"As can be said of most of the films in the series, the film is at its best when it centered around the unique relationship between Master Chief and Cortana, expertly played by Alexander Skarsgard and Sarah Gadon, respectively." - Clark Haverford, Nerdist
"There were so many moving pieces in this film that I honestly didn't know what the characters were supposed to be doing half the time. Don't get me wrong, the action was clearly well-done and often exciting, but I found myself lost in it." - Ken Decker, Denver Post
"You would think that by the eighth film in the series it would start feeling pretty stale, but the writing from Mo Buck and direction from Gareth Edwards certainly hasn't gotten old yet. They both clearly have a strong sense of the world of the series." - Sandy Glavine, Atlanta Constitution-Journal
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Rated PG-13 for frenetic sci-fi action warfare and some intense images
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