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My new tattoo! travelling is one of my loves along with Star Wars so it only seemed fitting to combine the two. Hoping to add on some more elements and stamps in the future! Done by the talented Zandra at the Painted Lady Was lucky enough to have a very nice blurb written about it for Nerdists Inked Wednesday http://nerdist.com/inked-wednesday-83-star-wars-travel-the-joker-and-more/
David Bowie ... True Artist
#DavidBowie... A True Artist
David Bowie passed away monday at the age of 69 and the world lost a true artist, a man who was a legend in every sense of the word. Tributes have been pouring in from all over the world, but none sends chills down my spine like this video of people singing Starman in his hometown of Brixton.
It just shows how loved he was that a…
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Casting is an art form. Finding the right actor to inhabit a role is never easy; get it wrong and you have a Katie Holmes Batman Begins situation, get it right and you have a Harrison Ford IS Han Solo one. In this addition of Armchair Casting we take a look at upcoming Steven Spielberg Project Ready Player One to offer up suggestions for some key roles.
Beware this article contains spoilers for Ready Player One...You have been warned
Synopsis:
In 2044 Wade Watts is an orphan living a miserable life with his aunt and her abusive boyfriend in a trailer park known as the Stacks. His only escape is the OASIS a completely immersive virtual reality experience that was created by a man named James Halliday. Almost everything is done in the OASIS, shopping, school, quests, adventures; the OASIS is full of worlds not just realistic ones, and allows its users to escape their bleak real lives.
Upon his death Halliday leaves a digital will that reveals he has left 3 keys that will unlock 3 gates inside OASIS, upon unlocking the 3rd gate the winner will inherit Halliday’s entire fortune and control over the OASIS (which only has a one time .25cent user fee).
5 years after his death not a single key has been found until egg hunter (Gunter) Wade Watts manages to find the first key setting off a dangerous race to be the first to reach Halliday’s fortune.
Expected Release Date: Dec 15, 2017
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Script writers: Zak Penn, Eric Eason
Characters
Wade Watts / Parzival
An orphan living with his aunt and her abusive boyfriend in a trailer park known as the Stacks, Wade uses the Oasis as his only escape from reality spending most of his time learning everything he can about Halliday’s quest. At first Wade is described as an out of shape loner; after moving out of the stacks Wade begins to train becoming an inshape isolated loner. Oh yah as part of this new regime he shaves off ALL of his bodyhair, eyebrows included.
Wade races to collect the keys and stay one step ahead of Nolen Sorrento and the IOI Sixer Army who will do anything to get there first.
Suggestion: Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton has proven in Kingsman he has no problem with stunts and action scenes. In that film he also proved he has some acting chops. The upcoming Eddie the Eagle shows that he also has no problem playing socially awkward, less physically impressive. Egerton is a chameleon and for a role that requires such shifts in character; physically and mentally, in the real world and the OASIS, being a chameleon is a necessity.
James Halliday
The mad genius Steve Jobs-esque creator of the OASIS. Halliday is the one who hid the Keys in the Oasis and left a series of Easter Eggs to find them. In his video will Halliday states that the first person to find all three keys and solve the puzzles to unlock the corresponding gates will inherit his entire MASSIVE fortune, including control of the OASIS. Solving the clues would require an immense knowledge of Halliday’s passion for the 80s.
Halliday is described as an eccentric loner, who died at 67 a friendless bachelor who drove away everyone around him with his need for control. Even after death Halliday lives on in the OASIS in the form of his Avatar a wizard named Anorak whom Wade encounters on several occasions.
Suggestion: Jeff Bridges
Oscar winning actor Jeff Bridges would be a great Halliday, he has that air of aloofness needed, and could dive into the more eccentric and isolating traits. The role of Halliday needs to be played by someone who makes an impact in the few scenes he is in, and more importantly makes you believe he is someone that could inspire so many people even after his death.
Helen Harris /Aech
Aech is an interesting role to cast. Parzival’s best friend in the OASIS, Aech’s avatar is that of a tall white male while it is later revealed that Aech is actually Helen Harris an African American female who travels around in her solar powered RV. There is no way to have one person play both roles so two actors are going to have to inhabit the same role ensuring that no matter who we see, Aech or Helen, its always going to feel at its core like the same person. The character is just as devoted as Wade to the hunt, and is a loyal friend even when Wade begins to ignore their friendship to chase after Art3mis.
Suggestions: Dylan O’Brian and Gabourey Sidibe
Dylan O’Brien fits the physical description of Aech, beyond that he’s also capable of playing the best friend and supporter. He can also make the character memorable which is important since Aech isn’t around for a significant chunk of the book. Gabourey Sidibe is a great actress and has the smile and personality that would make the audience instantly love Helen even after the reveal she is the real Aech. While O’Brien and Sidibe seem like an odd match, they both are gregarious people and would match up well together creating a cohesive character.
Ogden Morrow
Ogden Morrow is Wozniak to Halliday’s Steve Jobs. Together they create an empire and ultimately OASIS with Morrow concentrating on the business side allowing Halliday to work his creative magic. The two have a falling out after the woman they both like, chooses Og over Halliday. Og has moved away from the OASIS and focused his attention on educational software but still maintains a hand in Halliday’s Easter Egg Hunt.
Suggestion: Jonathan Frakes
I am by no means a Trek fan, Star Wars was always more my thing, but I did watch quite a bit of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Will Riker was always one of my favourite characters. Frakes has moved more behind the camera recently directing episodes of various TV shows including Castle and Agents of SHIELD, but I think he would make a great Ogden. Besides being the right age, Frakes was always great at playing authority figures, he has the gravitas to pull off Ogden. The key to Ogden is he has a bit of mystery around him, and yet he is extremely likeable,plus I like the idea of casting someone who has been out of the spotlight for awhile much like Og.
Daito/Akihide Karatsu and Shoto/Toshiro Yoshiaki
Two gunters that are hot on the heels of Wade and Art3mis after the discovery of the first key. In the OASIS they present themselves as brothers however its revealed they are not actually related. Both characters are from Japan and at times become allies of Wade when necessary.
Suggestions: Yûya Yagira and Ryan Potter
Here’s hoping that for Ready Player One they cast actual Japanese actors as Daito and Shoto. Ryan Potter is technically Japanese American, but he spent much of his childhood in Tokyo. You may not recognize his face but Potter was the voice of Hiro Hamada in Big Hero 6 and has the martial arts chops to play a kickass young samurai gunter.
Yûya Yagira may not be a familiar name to you but in 2004 at the age of 14 he won the Best Actor award at Cannes for his role in Nobody Knows. Yagira has been acting steadily ever since in Japan, gaining more experience. This could be a breakout role in Hollwood for an established Japanese actor and Yagira has proven he has the talent.
Two of the key roles in Ready Player One have already been cast.
Nolan Sorrento – Ben Mendelsohn
The book and films protagonist, Nolan is a high ranking member of Innovative Online Industries and the head of the Sixers a vast army recruited to ensure IOI are the first to Halliday’s final prize. Nolan is ruthless in his quest to gain control over the OASIS, resorting to blackmail, threats and murder pitting him against the films hero Wade Watts. Mendelsohn is in early negotiations for the role, and as an actor who proves he can do villainous and powerful, he’s sure to bring this character out of standard villain and make him memorable.
Samantha Evelyn Cook/Art3mis – Olivia Cooke
Art3mis is an online crush and, at first reluctant, ally of Wade’s in the search for Halliday’s keys. In real life Art3mis is Sam a Canadian blogger dedicated to her search for the eggs. Cautious and fiercely independent, Art3mis is determined to hunt solo; regardless of her own feelings she tries to remain focused on the task at hand. Art3mis support and competition play a major role in Wade’s arc throughout the novel. The first role cast for the movie, Art3mis will be played by Olivia Cooke best known for her role on Bate’s Motel.
Some fantasy casting for #Spielbergs #ReadyPlayerOne #NotmyWadeWatts #Jeff Bridges Casting is an art form. Finding the right actor to inhabit a role is never easy; get it wrong and you have a Katie Holmes Batman Begins situation, get it right and you have a Harrison Ford IS Han Solo one.
Shortlist for Han Solo Spinoff Revealed
Shortlist for Han Solo actors revealed...Find out who they are here. #HanSolo #StarWarsSpinoff
According to Variety the shortlist of actors being considered to take on the role of Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars spin-off has been revealed.
At first glance, none of the names seem like obvious candidates and one or two seem quite out there. Variety does not reveal all of the names, stating about a dozen have made the list, revealing only Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Dave Franco, Jack…
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The Art of the Movie Trailer
TheArt of Movie Trailers #movietrailers #GoTG #TheRevenant #PrideandPrejudice #TheHatefulEight
Movie Trailers. To some people they’re those things that grant you a few extra minutes to go to the bathroom and/or grab snacks before a film, to others movie trailers are an event, something to get excited about, to pour over and to relish until the films release. I for one am an admitted fan of the movie trailer. I love settling into my seat in the theatre, having the lights dim, and being…
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Off the Cuff - Golden Globe Impression
Off the Cuff #GoldenGlobes impressions TVchoices surprising/ film #safeandboring #RickyGervais
The 2016 Golden Globes have just ended and it looks like The Revenant is gaining momentum heading into the Oscars. Before we turn our heads to the Academy Awards, here are some quick thoughts on this years Golden Globes which featured some great, and not so great moments.
Host Ricky Gervais
Did not disappoint coming out with gloves swinging. The best thing about Ricky Gervais is he’s determined…
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Film Crawl - Wine On!
Film Crawl – Wine On!
Film Crawl – Wine On!
A Pub Crawl is the act of one or more people drinking in multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally travelling by foot or public transport to each destination and occasionally by cycle.
A film crawl features three films with a connecting thread that can be watched all in one day or spaced out, preferably with other people so that discussion and experiences can be…
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Does Harrison Ford Deserve an Oscar Nomination? J J Abrams Hints He Does
An Oscar Nod for Harrison Ford? #TheForceAwakens #RacetotheOscars #Oscars2016 #HanSolo
JJ Abrams is currently promoting his new TV endeavor , a mini series adaptation of Stephen King’s 11.22.63 at this years Television Critics Association’s press tour. But you have to know that the highest grossing domestic film of all time was going to be brought up.
According to EW.comJJ Abrams strongly hinted that he thinks Harrison Ford deserves some Oscar love. Diplomatically he refused to…
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Golden Globe Predictions
#GoldenGlobe predictions. But the real winner is us because #RickyGervais is hosting! #HFPA
The Golden Globes are upon us once again! This Sunday film and tv come together to get drunk and have a good time while the good people at home watch to see what crazy shenanigans go down. With this years ceremony being presided over by Ricky Gervais, who isn’t one to pull any punches especially when it comes to Hollywood, one can only hope that shit gets real; or at least slightly uncomfortable…
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Beyond having a first name that is just fun to say, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actor whose work deserves more attention. I predict that within a few years this fantastic woman will be nominated for a major award and whose name will be significantly more well known. And if not a major award, there are some serious rumours about her being cast in Star Wars VIII, a film guaranteed to catapult her to a higher level of exposure. Currently she’s staring alongside Will Smith in the film Concussion. To that end it seemed fitting that she be the focus of this weeks Crash Course, so that you can be hipster cool and tell people how you were a fan before she hit it huge.
The Basics
Name: Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Born: Oxford, England
Fun Fact: Performed the role of Ophelia on Broadway opposite Jude Law’s Hamlet in 2009
3 Films to Check Out
#1 Belle – Belle
No not that Belle. This Belle is Dido Elizabeth Belle, a real woman, the biracial child of a Navy Admiral raised in 18th century England by her father’s aristocratic family. While Dido was a real woman, this film is only loosely based on her life and is filmed more like a Jane Austen adaptation with the gowns, manors, and strict rules of propriety. Rising above the typical period piece however is the stunning performance by Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Dido, embodying the angst and emotion that comes from being a free black woman in 18th century England, raised among a white family. The social conscious aspect of the film is underplayed in favor of the Austen-esque marriage/love plots but there isn’t a moment where Mbatha-Raw doesn’t shine.
#2 Noni – Beyond the Lights
From 18th century aristocrat to 21st century pop star, Beyond the Lights is the story of a Rhianna type pop star facing the pressures of fame and sexualization that have come to define her while longing to be a more authentic performer freed from the shackles of a stage mom and predefined notions of what she should be. This film was one of the most surprising films I saw last year. I expected a pop star meets cop, fame gets in the way, they end up together story. Not to say that isn’t part of what happens, but man this film actually has some layers to it and much of that is thanks to the fantastic performance by Mbatha-Raw who inhabits the character of Noni and makes her pain palpable. This film has serious heart. If you check out only one film on this list, make it this one and you’ll understand why Mbatha-Raw is someone to watch.
#3 Prema Mutiso – Concussion
In this film Mbatha-Raw plays the wife of Will Smith’s Dr. Omalu, a man who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), brain damage caused by repeated concussions in football players. Will Smith is clearly the star of this movie but Mbatha-Raw more than holds her own against the larger than life star and helps keep the film grounded. Mbatha-Raw takes what could have been a stock wife role and imbues it with a warmth and strength that proves she is an actress capable of even greater things
Upcoming Roles:
Beauty and The Beast – Plumette (aka the Feather Duster)
Free State of Jones – Rachel, in a Matthew McConaughey film about a Mississippi farmer leading a group of rebels against the Confederate Army
The Whole Truth – A courtroom drama starring Keanu Reeves and Renee Zellweger
Star Wars VIII – Rumours from highly respectable sources say she’s been cast or is very close to being cast in a lead role.
CrashCourse on Gugu Mbatha-Raw #GuguMbathaRaw #Belle #BeyondtheLights #Concussion #CrashCourse Beyond having a first name that is just fun to say, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actor whose work deserves more attention.
Striking Scenes - Children of Men
Striking Scenes - Children of Men Car Scene #ChildrenofMen #AlfonsoCuaron #Longtake #Oner
This series focuses on a specific scene from a movie that is particularly exceptional in various ways and attempts to offer up a few words about what it is that elevates it to notable status. Needless to say the following scene contains spoilers. Beware.
The first scene picked for this series is the brilliantly directed oner (or more accurately edited to appear to be a oner) about a third of the…
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Release Date: August 14, 2015
Dir: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander
Sometimes when I go to a movie I want to be moved emotionally, I want to come out of the theatre with questions about life and the world. Othertimes I just want to be straight up entertained. To this end one of my favourite movies in 2015 was Guy Ritchie’s criminally underrated The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
When I use the word entertained I don’t mean I want to spend 2 hours watching a movie that feels as though it’s treating its audience like a bunch of prepubescent boys. To me an entertaining movie is one that when I finish watching it I have a smile on my face, I don’t regret having spent two hours watching it, and I know it will be one I re-watch when I want to watch something fun. Fun is not a bad word when it comes to movies, but it’s often treated like it. Fun movies are not the films many critics put on their best of lists, which is fine, they’re working off a different criteria, but a movie being amusing escapism is not a bad thing when done well (done well being the key).
The Man From U.N.C.L.E is a remake of a TV show that aired from 1964-1968 and the movie keeps the base of that story. Henry Cavill stars as James Bond-esque American Spy Napoleon Solo (I love that name) forced to team up with his Russian Counterpart played by Armie Hammer; beast of a man (that’s a compliment). One of the most exciting up and coming actors of the last year Alicia Vikander costars as Gabby the East German Mechanic they are working with to stop a nuclear disaster. Got it? Good.
The best decision Ritchie made was to keep the story in the 60s and not attempt to go the current route of “gritty”. A big part of this film’s appeal was that it felt and looked so different from many of the other action/blockbuster type films in the theatre. There is a real effort in this film to evoke the style of the 60s in every way possible from the retro subtitles to the modish jazz inspired score by Daniel Pemberton, to the impeccable fashion of all the characters.
The entire film has a sexy snappy appeal to it and evokes the Italian films of Federico Fellini (the Italian setting helps). There are two cleverly edited scenes that add a dynamic vibe to the overall effort, a well-shot action scene where the focus is instead on a man eating a sandwich and listening to the radio, and a scene of a SWAT style invasion featuring split screens, and cross cuts. Everyone has seen the action shoot em up scene done to death, I appreciated an attempt to do something different.
However this movie would fail if it didn’t have a great cast. All three of the main stars embrace their roles and its apparent they had a great time filming. Henry Cavill is especially charming and rakish in a role that allows him to channel his inner James Bond (original James Bond, not gritty new Bond) and his line delivery of the heightened dialogue is perfect. Armie Hammer was born to play a Russian Giant (again, a compliment); his Ilya Kuryakin is a typical stoic Russian but when he gets angry…tables get FLIPPED. Impressively so.
His relationship with Vikander is sweet and I appreciated that their was no attempt to turn it into some sort of love triangle, or even make it a focus of the story. Which brings us to Vikander, who has been in some great serious movies lately, and here gets to let loose and have a bit of fun; a highlight being her drunken dance moves and subsequent wrestling match with Hammer. Gabby could have been a typical damsel in distress but Vikander plays her as a smart capable woman who has her own secrets and agenda that doesn’t rely on being saved or protected by either man.
Are there issues with this film? Sure? The third act seems a bit rushed, and the villain’s comeuppance was a bit of a letdown.As well, like most of these movies, the plot is less about being realistic and more about moving the characters through exciting set pieces. This is a film mostly about style, not too much substance, so if that’s what you’re in the mood for its best to look elsewhere.
Yet if you’re looking for something that you can just sit down and enjoy give this film a shot. Ritchie has created a kinetic, clever, stylish movie that highlights his actors strengths and creates its own unique world very different from many of the widely released films of last year. Sadly the film didn’t perform extraordinarily well at the box office, but I can hold out hope that one day somehow someway we’ll get a sequel because this is one group I’d love to be entertained by again. The Man From U.N.C.L.E is popcorn entertainment in the best way, and it had been a long time since I walked out of a theatre with a smile on my face and feeling so delighted. Give this film a chance, it might just surprise you.
Oh and if you’re curious they explain the meaning of the acronym U.N.C.L.E as the credits begin. But really its not that important.
Rating: B
Review The Man From UNCLE #TheManFromUNCLE #HenryCavill #ArmieHammer #Alicia Vikander #Ritchie Release Date: August 14, 2015 Dir: Guy Ritchie Starring: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander Sometimes when I go to a movie I want to be moved emotionally, I want to come out of the theatre with questions about life and the world.
Anticipation 2016!
Movies I'm looking forward to in 2016 #2016 #Movies #Anticipation #Deadpool #Doctor Strange
Anticipation 2016!
A brief look at some of the films I’m most excited/curious/hopeful for this upcoming year.
(more…)
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Film Crawl -Courtroom Dramas
check out the first #filmcrawl movies and drinks! #pubcrawl #cocktails #TequilaMockingbird
A Pub Crawl is the act of one or more people drinking in multiple pubs or bars in a single night, normally travelling by foot or public transport to each destination and occasionally by cycle.
A film crawl features three films with a connecting thread that can be watched all in one day or spaced out preferably with other people so that discussion and experiences can be shared. For each movie I’ve…
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Release Date: May 15, 2015
Dir. George Miller
Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult
What can be written about Mad Max: Fury Road that hasn’t already been written? There are articles espousing its (it is 2015 right?) refreshing presentation of female characters, not only in action films but films in general. Fury Road has been praised as a visual masterpiece, an example of a sequel that transcends its predecessors while also maintaining their same appealing qualities, a modern day epic. Quentin Tarantino named Fury Road his favourite film of 2015, and its found itself on numerous best of 2015 lists including those of AFI, The National Board of Review and The Online Film Critics Society. The point being,what is the point of elaborating on what has already been said. So rather than a think piece on a particular angle of the film, I will instead try to lay out some of the reasons why this film worked for me on a personal level and as a fan of cinema.
Full disclosure, I have only seen bits and pieces of the previous Mad Max films. I’ve always meant to watch them, it just never happened, a failing on my part I completely understand.
For me there were 3 hooks that convinced me to go see this film in the theatre when it was released;
A deep and ridiculous film crush on the man that is Tom Hardy who first came to my attention in Warrior (go see it now) who I’ve since made a point of seeing in anything and everything
Early word of mouth and whisperings that the movie was surprisingly progressive on the gender front (yes I’m a feminist, yes I think woman are underutilized and underrepresented in movies ESPECIALLY action movies. Have a problem with that? Take it to the comments section where I can ignore you).
Lastly the mind blowing trailers. Trailers are one of my favourite parts of going to the theatre (Check out my article on the highs and lows of movie trailers next week). The Mad Max trailers were some of the most insane, visually manic, attention grabbing images I can remember seeing in a long time. The trailers didn’t give away the ending, didn’t tell me much, and yet still I was intrigued enough to drop my money to see this on the big screen
I have seen Fury Road several times now but nothing will compare to my first screening in a dark theatre on the big screen. This film is why theatres are still an important part of the movie going experience; yes this film is still incredibly effective on a TV or Computer, but Fury Road is a spectacle, a visual assault, in the best way possible that was made to be seen on the silver screen. Fury Road is a film that deserves nothing less than a 40ft screen so that every detail, every explosion, every (rarely) uttered word can live up to that size and scope. This movie is meant to be experienced, not just watched, and a significant part of that experience is the incredible stunts and action sequences that make up the Chase and Race scenes that are the bulk of the film.
There is something about seeing real stunts, real people and real explosions on the big screen that has a way of sticking with a person. One of the reasons that Fury Road works so well for me is that knowledge that what I’m seeing is so very real. There has been a resurgence of late centred on a return to practical effects that I for one am glad for. There is a sense of connection that is created between an audience and a film when things are really there, when the danger is palpably real, that is impossible for CGI effects to recreate (one of the many reasons the Star Wars Prequels suck balls). Practical effects also create a sense of how did they do that!? They create engagement with an audience, a sense of awe and concern for characters that I find sorely lacking in many CGI laden modern action blockbusters. This film works precisely because there is no question that what is being seen is real. One of the best things about watching action films is seeing absolutely mind blowing-would-never-occur-in-real-life-but-holy-shit-how-amazing stunts and knowing that someone DID that!
No conversation about Fury Road would be complete without talking about Furiosa and females in action films. Yes the Wives are ridiculously good looking as per usual for cinema and Furiosa is played by the goddess that is Charlize Theron, but there is so much more to them than their physical appearances. Each of the wives has a personality and a sense that they are whole beings with their own thoughts, feelings, desires, and hopes beyond the confines of this particular story. These are women who are not just looking for their soulmate or being damsels in distress standing aside (or locked in a tower) as they are rescued. True Furiosa organizes the escape but the wives play active roles throughout the film.
Furiosa herself is such a welcome character, and between her and Rey from Star Wars The Force Awakens, its been a banner year for leading female characters who transcend the typical one note performance found in these blockbuster films.
Furiosa is bad ass, tough, vulnerable; she rescues the wives not necessarily because of their circumstances but because she wants revenge against Immortan Joe, to hurt the person who hurt her. And I love the relationship that grows between Furiosa and Max throughout the film, going from a brutal smackdown to a literal sharing of blood. There is a sense of respect between these two damaged and desperate characters without any hints of romantic undertones, another unique and welcome dynamic George Miller has so brilliantly brought to life.
Fury Road takes advantage of the fact that movies are a visual medium, it seems so many films forget that what is shown on the screen can be just as important, or even more important, than the dialogue. I guarantee you Fury Road could be watched by non-English speakers without subtitles and still heartily enjoyed and understood thanks to George Miller’s embrace of imagery and spectacle wrapped up in a casing of authenticity. Fury Road works precisely because it tells a simple story in a grand way, its an opera on celluloid, a simple story wrapped in crazy trappings that dares to be bold, dares to be different, and dares to be really entertaining.
Rating: A+
Mad Max: Fury Road Review Release Date: May 15, 2015 Dir. George Miller Starring: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult What can be written about Mad Max: Fury Road that hasn't already been written?
I probably don’t need to tell you who Oscar Isaac is. The man has been taking over Tumblr and the rest of the Internet (Here, Here, and Here), and killing it as bad ass X-Wing Pilot in one of the biggest movies ever (do I really need to even bother naming it?)
However Isaac has been around for some time now and has some great roles under his belt that may have gone unnoticed, or maybe you know them in which case…you have good taste! With all the recent attention thanks to that certain movie, he seemed like the perfect choice for kicking off the Focus On Series.
The Basics
Name: Oscar Isaac
Born: Guatemala, but raised in South Florida
Fun Fact: Attended Julliard with fellow awesome actor Jessica Chastain
Alberto E Rodriguez / Getty Images
Alberto E Rodriguez / Getty Images
3 Films To Check Out
#1 – Joseph in The Nativity Story
I am not religious. Lets get that out of the way, however I can appreciate parts of the bible as interesting literary creations. This retelling of the birth of Jesus directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) does a great job of humanizing the story and making it about what it has always been about, a teenage girl in a scary situation. Oscar Isaac does a fantastic job of taking the role of Joseph, who is rarely thought of beyond that dude who raised the Son of God, and making him a character you empathize with and who you LIKE. In Isaac’s hands Joseph becomes a fully rounded human being just trying to do the right thing in a pretty difficult scenario.
#2 – Nathan in Ex Machina
I feel like the above GIF really says it all, but in case it doesn’t Ex Machina is brilliant, go see it. As Nathan the isolated billionaire tech genius Isaac is mesmerizing; at turns jovial and bro-ish, before revealing himself to be disturbed and dangerous; or is he? this whole movie is a mind game and when it’s over you’ll want to immediately watch it again. Ex Machina is a movie that is going to be around for a very long time, its destined to be a classic of the sci-fi genre, so check it out now.
#3 Llewyn Davis – Inside Llewyn Davis
I debated about adding this film to the list because this is really the movie that launched Oscar Isaac into the spotlight; however this movie is fucking brilliant so its here. Llewyn Davis is NOT a likeable character and yet at the end of the movie I found myself liking him and feeling his pain, that’s a testament both to the genius of the Coen Brothers and the performance of Oscar Isaac who is in every scene of this film. In an interview with Rolling Stone Isaac said he tried not to show any warmth by traditional means, Llewyn never smiles in the movie, never even cries; and yet we know exactly what he is feeling in every scene, that my friends is talented acting. and oh yah the dude is a fantastic musican/singer too.
Other Noteable Films:
Star Wars The Force Awakens – as the best damn pilot in the galaxy Poe Dameron
A Most Violent Year – As Abel Morales a man trying to keep his hands clean in a city that’s increasingly corrupt and dangerous
Won’t Back Down – Michael Perry a gifted teacher who helps Maggie Gyllenhaal try and improve the US school system
Upcoming Roles:
X-Men: Apocalypse – Playing uber villian Apocalypse, in an X-Men film, what more do you need to know?
The Promise – Michael a medical student dealing with love and other trials during the last days of the Ottoman Empire
Focus On . . . Oscar Isaac I probably don't need to tell you who Oscar Isaac is. The man has been taking over Tumblr and the rest of the Internet (