Even as a little movie that most aren't going to see, let along hear of, "'71" enters my scorecard as the first great film of 2015. This is one is going to get remembered all year on this website. It will make the half-way "Best of 2015 (so far)" list in late June and will hang around until the year-end. Like my fervent love of "Whiplash," I may have found another hidden gem to stump for.
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American Westerns have become a lost art and a dying breed. So much has been done that it's hard to find a fresh take. If you have felt that loss and need a jolt, an extremely taut and good homage to the American Western has emerged in "The Salvation," playing now in limited release and Video on Demand, from Danish filmmaker Kristian Levring. Headlined by Mads Mikkelsen, Eva Green, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Jonathan Pryce, the film moved the needle a bit during the 2014 film festival circuit, including a pair of screenings at the 50th Chicago International Film Festival last October (where yours truly caught the ride).
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The title robot at the center of "Chappie," the latest science fiction film from Neill Blomkamp ("District 9" and "Elysium") lacks the qualities to become anywhere close to one of the best movie robots of all time. Both the film and the robot lack impact, presence, purpose, distinction, and, worst of all, uniqueness. It's a shame too because there were some intriguing "big ideas" floating around in "Chappie" that could have developed into something that had the chance to be impactful, purposeful, distinct, unique, and resonating.
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Normally ever year, there's a few more movies during the spring season to sink our teeth into that the winter season before it. Normally, there's little more buzz and hype because the slow opening of the year is over, the awards season is done, and summer is around the corner. This year, I don't think that can be said. Read on and see if you can find something to spark your interest.
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