Film Review: "Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom" (2015).

"The next generation of revolution" is here with Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom (Зима у вогні: Боротьба України за свободу). This documentary film co-produced and directed by Evgeny Afineevsky. Over 93 days in Ukraine, what started as peaceful student demonstrations became a violent revolution and full-fledged civil rights movement.

Ukraine had always been a nation wedged between the east and west. Similar forms of what constitutes the current territorial borders of Ukraine have existed in the past, but, in 1991, they achieved independence from the Soviet Union which had collapsed. Despite their independence, the country was never fully free from the grasp of the Kremlin. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Ukrainian politics was a no-brainer contest between the powerful former Communist party elites and the hapless intellectuals/Ukrainian freedom fighters. In the 2004 elections, Yanukovych was fraudulently declared the winner which resulted in peaceful protests at the Maidan (Independence Square in Kyiv). This led to the changing of the guard in an event also known as The Orange Revolution. After the Viktor Yushchenko/Yulia Tymoshenko coalition was sworn in, Ukraine had a very difficult time finding its feet. This led to a poor-performing economy but most importantly, bickering between the new President and Prime Minister. In 2010, Yanukovych narrowly defeated Tymoshenko in a bitterly-contested election cycle and after he took office, he began to settle scores with his political enemies. Most notable was the former Prime Minister being handed a prison sentence on corruption charges.

By 2013, discontent with Yanukovych and his cronies had grown (they had stolen a substantial amount of Ukraine's national assets for their personal gain). When the President did a u-turn on his election promise to have closer ties with the European Union by rejecting an E.U. Association Agreement in favour of joining the Customs Union with Russia, the Ukrainian people took to the streets in a peaceful protest to demonstrate their desire to join the western world. This resulted in the Yanukovych Administration reacting in a violent manner by sending the Berkut to brutally suppress the protestors. What would later follow was a prolonged period of bloodshed over the brutal winter with more than seven-hundred deaths and thousands injured. After President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia, a more pro-western government was formed and many stated that the Ukrainian nation went through a process of rebirth. The joys of ousting an extremely corrupt group of elites would not last long as the Crimean peninsula was annexed by Russia and pro-Russian separatist forces sparked a deadly war in the Donbass, Eastern Ukraine. The latter has been called Europe's forgotten war with more than thirteen-thousand deaths and more than a million displaced. Currently, the pro-Russian forces occupy approximately 7% of Ukraine's territory.

Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom is an eloquent, agitating and profoundly moving chronicle of Euromaidan and its participants. It provides historical context, tracking the conflict from Ukraine to the confrontations between resistance groups and the oppressive Russian Imperialists, all leading to the ultimate fight for independence.

Simon says Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom receives:

Film Review: "Pan" (2015).

The tagline of the film reads "Every legend has a beginning" and Pan tells that story. This British-American fantasy adventure film directed by Joe Wright and written by Jason Fuchs, and is a prequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan. The film follows 12-year-old orphan Peter as he is spirited away to the magical world of Neverland, where he finds both fun and dangers, and ultimately discovers his destiny - to become the hero who will be forever known as Peter Pan.

The story of Peter Pan is a timeless classic that has taken many forms of various adaptions. But this film brought us a unique version of a well-known story, and it was no easy task for the filmmakers. Even though Wright came on board after the first draft was completed, the screenplay was featured in the 2013 Blacklist of the "most liked" unmade scripts of the year. But Wright persevered, as he saw Pan as an opportunity to go back to the pure fantasy of his childhood. As a child growing up in England, Wright's parents ran a puppet theatre. For casting, in January 2014, Garrett Hedlund was first to be cast as a younger version of Captain Hook. As well as Jackman as the pirate Blackbeard. In February, a casting call was issued for the role of Peter Pan. To find the right actor to play Peter, the filmmakers looked at thousands of kids in the UK, the United States, Canada, and Australia before finding newcomer Levi Miller. The casting of actress Rooney Mara as the Native American character of Tiger Lily proved to be controversial. Even so far as to having an online petition that urged Warner Bros to stop casting Caucasian actors to play people of color. The casting was accused of whitewashing and the petition originally hoped for 5000 signatures. However, more than 20,000 signatures have supported the accusation. By April 2014, Principle Photography was underway, but the vast scope and imagination of Wright's vision could not be accommodated by any of the large soundstages in England, therefore the filmmakers had to extend and expand the Leavesden Studios and Cardington Studios stages outside London. Additional filming took place in Buckingham, South and West Kensington and Serbia. Filming may have proven to be a difficult flight, but Post Production was no laughing matter either. The film was originally scheduled for a July 24, 2015 release, but due to post-production issues and Joe Wright's change of composers, from Dario Marianelli to John Powell, led to the film's release being changed to October 9, 2015.

The film stars Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara, and introduces Levi Miller as the boy who would never grow up. The performances gave terrific performances despite early skepticism, especially to Jackman and Miller.

With its striking imagination, Pan is something that the kids will love. However, the major flaw of the film was its inability to completely re-imagine the material, to find something original and fresh with the Peter Pan myth. In the end, Wright should have simply remade the original story, straight, for today's generation.

Simon says Pan receives:

Also, see my review for Anna Karenina.

Film Review: "Attack on Titan Part 2" ("進撃の巨人") (2015).

"To rise above monsters, you must become one" in Attack on Titan Part 2 (進撃の巨人). This Japanese post-apocalyptic action film directed by Shinji Higuchi, adapted by Yūsuke Watanabe and Tomohiro Machiyama and based on the manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama. As the battle between the Titans and the humans continues, Eren uncovers a secret that leaves the entire regiment confused. They must unravel its mystery and find a way to stop the Titans.

In October 2011, the film was announced with a planned 2013 release date. In December, it was announced that it would be a live-action film with Tetsuya Nakashima hired to direct. However, in December 2012, it was announced that Nakashima had left the project due to creative differences. In December 2013, Higuchi was hired to direct and Watanabe was hired to pen the adaptation. Originally, the filmmakers wanted to make the film very faithful to the source material, but Isayama suggested numerous changes (such as introducing new and different characters, and changing the setting to Japan) to make the films standalone, because "the story has already been told", while also introducing new elements that would later be used in the manga. Moreover, several character's personalities have been changed due to the Isayama's request, such as Eren becoming scared of the titans and is paralysed in fear when he first sees one instead of having the 'I must kill them all' attitude in the anime/manga. Mikasa's romantic interest in Eren is shown to a greater degree. Furthermore, the uniforms have been changed from the manga and anime. No longer does the military issue the half jacket and slacks. Now each branch has a distinct uniform. The garrison resembles WW2 Japanese military uniforms and the military police wear black leather trench coats. The scouts retain the original design and the training corps have been dissolved. Finally, despite the mostly European influences in the Manga and Anime, most of the European elements have been removed from this live-action version, due to the fact that Japanese movie budgets are only a fraction compared to Hollywood movie budgets. The 1966 Tokusatsu film The War of the Gargantuas served as a major influence for the film. Principal photography took place in Tsukuba-Mirai, Ibaraki, Japan and was originally scheduled to commence in 2014 but ultimately filming commenced in 2015.

The film stars Haruma Miura, Kiko Mizuhara, Hiroki Hasegawa, Kanata Hongō, Nanami Sakuraba, Shu Watanabe, Ayame Misaki, Rina Takeda, Pierre Taki, Satomi Ishihara and Jun Kunimura. The cast retained the general aspects of the characters from both the manga and the anime, although they almost completely excluded the interesting and appealing aspects of their characters.

Higuchi retained the pulpy atmosphere of both the manga and the anime, although he almost completely excluded the philosophical aspects and many of violent ones as well. A pity that Higuchi's direction is once again too workaday to fashion such strong material into a truly engaging visual experience.

Simon says Attack on Titan Part 2 (進撃の巨人) receives:

Also, see my review for Attack on Titan Part 1 (進撃の巨人).

Film Review: "The Visit" (2015).

The tagline of the film may read "No one loves you like your grandparents". But things may not be what they seem with The Visit. This found footage horror comedy film written, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, and co-produced by Jason Blum. Two children are sent to their grandparents house to spend a week with their grandparents while their single mom goes on a relaxing vacation with her boyfriend. One of the kids, Becca, decides to film a documentary about her grandparents in order to help her mom reconnect with her parents and also find out some things about her parents as well. While filming the documentary, however, Becca and her little brother, Tyler, discover a dark secret about their grandparents.

The return of M Night Shyamalan began on February 24, 2014, filming started, under the preliminary title Sundowning, at different locations in Pennsylvania, including Royersford, Chester Springs and Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. This was the the director's lowest budget studio feature film. Shyamalan used his fee from After Earth (2013) to self-produce the film in question. In his own words, this was "an attempt to regain artistic control" after his recent movies had been denied final cut, and were even taken away from him in post-production. Shyamalan's Blinding Edge Pictures produced the film, with Shyamalan and Marc Bienstock credited as producers. Later, producer Jason Blum and his company Blumhouse Productions were included in the credits. Shyamalan admitted that he had trouble keeping the tone for the film consistent during the editing phase, telling Bloody Disgusting that the first cut of the film resembled an art house film more so than a horror film. A second cut of the film went in the opposite direction and the film became a comedy. Shyamalan eventually struck a middle balance and cut the film as a thriller, which, according to him, helped tie the different elements together as they "could stay in service of the movie".

The film stars Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan, Peter McRobbie and Kathryn Hahn. The cast gave excellent performances and they all elevated the film in terms of its goal to make you laugh and make you jump in your theatre seats. One of the best performances came from DeJonge, who was cast after Shyamalan watched her audition tape. Apparently, Shyamalan was so besotted with DeJonge after her first audition he said he'd found his star. He did the second audition just to see what she could do with a particular scene.

The Visit proves that Shyamalan's directing talents have not disappeared in vain with this unique found-footage horror film, drawing strong performances from the excellent cast and bringing his trademark terrifying imagery to the screen. Shyamalan reemerges triumphant in this disturbing chiller. The film might not be one of Shymalan's best films, due to the film's unbearable 'shaky-cam' cinematography and bizarre premise, but it's definitely his best film in years. However I do have to ask the very important question: What took you so long, Mr. Shyamalan? In the end, it is a twisted, morally ambiguous and terrifying thriller.

Simon says The Visit receives:

Film Review: "The Martian" (2015).

"Every human being has a basic instinct: to help each other out. If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception." This quote is the soul of The Martian. This science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and written by Drew Goddard. Based on Andy Weir's 2011 novel of the same name. During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return.

Andy Weir, the son of a particle physicist, has a background in computer science. He began writing the book in 2009, researching related material so that it would be as realistic as possible and based on existing technology. Weir studied orbital mechanics, astronomy, and the history of manned spaceflight. Having been rebuffed by literary agents when trying to get prior books published, Weir decided to put the book online in serial format one chapter at a time for free at his website. At the request of fans, he made an Amazon Kindle version available for 99 cents. The Kindle edition rose to the top of Amazon's list of best-selling science-fiction titles, where it sold 35,000 copies in three months, more than had been previously downloaded free. This garnered the attention of publishers: Podium Publishing, an audiobook publisher, signed for the audiobook rights in January 2013. Weir sold the print rights to Crown in March 2013 for over US$100,000. The book debuted on the New York Times Best Seller list on March 2, 2014 in the hardcover fiction category at twelfth position and went on to become a bestseller.

20th Century Fox optioned the novel in March 2013, and producer Simon Kinberg was attached to develop the novel into a film. In the following May, Goddard entered negotiations with the studio to write and direct the film. Goddard wrote a screenplay for the film, and Matt Damon expressed interest in starring under Goddard's direction. Goddard then pursued an opportunity to direct Sinister Six, a comic book film about a team of super villains. Kinberg then brought the book to Ridley Scott's attention. In May 2014, Scott entered negotiations with the studio to direct the film with Damon cast as the film's stranded astronaut. Following Scott's commitment, the project picked up the pace and was quickly approved. Filming began in November 2014 and lasted approximately 70 days. The film first shot at Korda Studios (in Hungarian: Korda Filmstúdió) 26 km west of Budapest, Hungary, one of the largest in the world. About 20 sets were constructed, which isn't many in comparison to other films, but they were much more "technical". To put that in perspective to other Ridley Scott films, he used 70 on Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) and over 100 on American Gangster (2007). The practical backdrop for Mars was filmed in Wadi Rum, which is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Jordan. Wadi Rum had been used as a location for other films set on Mars, including Mission to Mars (2000), Red Planet (2000), and The Last Days on Mars (2013). Weir, who developed a relationship with NASA after publishing the novel, involved the space program in working with Scott to accurately depict the film's science and technology. NASA was consulted in order to get aspects of space and space travel, specifically in relation to Mars, with the most accuracy. NASA is federally funded, yet charges no one, including private for-profit organizations, any fees for use of and access to its archives and consultancy. The mission to Mars in the film emulates actual missions that NASA is planning for the future.

The film stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sean Bean, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The performances in the film were out-of-this-world and astounding. The film features an ensemble that each gave their own unique flavours into the mix. Damon's unflappable performance, in particular, is perhaps the film's biggest asset. Despite the brilliant cast, unfortunately though I felt that the secondary characters were underdeveloped and underused, and missed out during the critical moments in the film.

Sharp, funny and thrilling, The Martian packs just the right amount. Terrific stuff, a thrilling sic-fi survival story indeed. It is a fun, tense sci-fi thriller that's masterfully directed and visually stunning. Scott laces the technical details and the humour from the book enough to satisfy hard science lovers and science fiction fans alike. It's a huge and technically dazzling film and that the film's panoramas of an astronaut journey across the vast landscapes of mars and space station exteriors are at once informative and lovely. It is the best pure sci-fi film since Gravity (2013). The film restores a sense of wonder, terror and possibility to the big screen that should inspire awe among critics and audiences worldwide. A geeky yet impressive comeback for Scott. The 3-D effects, added in post-production, provide their own extraterrestrial startle: a hailstorm of debris hurtles at you, as do a space traveler's thoughts at the realization of being truly alone in the universe. However, the film stumbles with its pacing and secondary characters. In the end, the film will leave you as breathless as if you'd been dropped on the Martian surface without a suit. It's more than a movie. It's some kind of miracle.

Simon says The Martian receives:

Also, see my review for Exodus: Gods and Kings.

St. Matthew's Chamber Orchestra Concert.

Conductor James Tennant.

Soloist Catherine Kwak.

Film Review: "Sicario" (2015).

The tagline of the film reads "The border is just another line to cross." This is at the heart of Sicario. This crime thriller film directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Taylor Sheridan. Set in the lawless border area stretching between the U.S. and Mexico, the film centres on an idealistic FBI agent, Kate Macer, enlisted by a elite government task force official to aid in the escalating war against drugs. Led by an enigmatic consultant with a questionable past, the team sets out on a clandestine journey forcing Kate to question everything that she believes in order to survive.

"Sicario NMF /Si.'Ka.Rjo/. (Asesino A Sueldo) used to describe Assassins or Hired Killers in Jerusalem that killed Roman soldiers; In Mexico, Sicario means Hitman". In December 2013, it was announced that Villeneuve would be directing a Mexican border drama, scripted by Sheridan, and Black Label Media would finance and co-produce with Thunder Road Pictures. Basil Iwanyk would produce the film along with Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill. In May 2014, Lionsgate acquired the U.S. rights to the film, while Lionsgate International would handle the foreign sales. Emily Blunt signed on to the film in April 2014, shortly followed by Benicio del Toro. Jon Bernthal and Josh Brolin joined the film in May. Daniel Kaluuya, Maximiliano Hernández, and Jeffrey Donovan were then cast. Principal photography began on June 30, 2014 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

The film stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin. The cast gave outstanding performances, especially for Blunt and del Toro. Not since The Young Victoria, in 2009, has Blunt appeared so emotionally exposed on screen. It is an exceptional, Oscar-worthy performance. Del Toro's performance was also truly compelling and subtly layered.

With Sicario, Villeneuve has dramatically opened a wider dialogue, helping to make the inarguable into the debatable. It is an eye-opener - a motion picture that asks difficult questions, presents well-developed characters, and keeps us white-knuckled throughout. It is the best in crime/thriller traditions, but goes deeper into a reflection of one of the greatest moral dilemmas in modern society, choosing to not only be memorable, but to matter. It’s Villeneuve's most difficult film. This is a filmmaker operating at his peak - an exceptionally made, provocative and vital film for our times. However, the film's intellectual pursuit, it is little more than a pretty prism through which superficial American guilt and generalized Mexican stereotypes are made to look like the product of serious soul-searching. Villeneuve's treatment of the film's dense and complicated subject matter can be summed up as Mexicans want their homeland back, and the Americans want to endlessly control it. In the end, we have to ask, Do we need another handsome, well-assembled, entertaining movie to prove that we are all victims and monsters?

Simon says Sicario receives:

Also, see my review for Enemy.