Malawski's Movie Mania: 12/30/17

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Lady Bird (2017)

Home is where the heart is, and for Christine McPhearson aka "Lady Bird", that is not in her native home of Sacramento, California. "Lady Bird" is the self-given nickname for her and she only wants to be known by that name. What's in a name anyway? This film chronicles the rebellious teenager as she struggles with her family life, friends and personal identity. I haven't seen this good of a coming-of-age film since 2014' s "Boyhood". Though this film didn't take nearly as long to film, it's very similar to that film, when it comes to the subject. This film is an amazing, highly rare film of the indie genre that goes unrecognized at times.

Job well done Ms. Gerwig! Making her sensational directorial debut, Greta Gerwig, uses heart at the center of this emotionally charged film. It's also a film that has the usual teenage, adolenscent, drama that insues for what feels like an eternity, but it isn't. There is an ocassional slip of dry humor but, overall, dull. This film is mainly a drama. But can also be labeled as a Dramedy-(Dramatic Comedy).

The performances in this stunningly, relatable film, are absolutely jaw-dropping. Starring as the self-titled nickname, Saoirse Ronan plays a very convincing teenager, in reality Ronan is much older than 17. Ronan plays "LB" in a gracefully combative way. Her character is the pinnacle of this film. She is immense in her rebelliousness and it's extremely well performed. Also, making a shine at it, is Laurie Metcalf. She plays LB's mother in a protective, overbearing way and it may just well be one of the best performances of the year for actresses. Same goes for Ronan.

The film does have wonderful performances, but it also has amazing stories and dramatic efforts too. It plays out on screen playfully among the other characters seen in the film. This film is a whirlwind of drama.

She's bold. She's fierce. And she's determined. For "LB" life as a teenager was rough. She has wanted to make a pathway of her own. This is one film, along with other films possessing similar quailities this film must be seen by teens everywhere-(Not because I'm telling you too. But because you can relate to this film on all it talks about. I have no doubt in my mind I will be rooting this on and it's creator and performers during this award season.

Rate: A+

Director: Greta Gerwig

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracey Letts, Beanie Feldstein, with Lucas Hedges and Timothee Chalamet

MPAA Rating: R-(for language, sexual content, brief graphic nudity and teen partying)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

Synopsis: In Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig reveals herself to be a bold new cinematic voice with her directorial debut, excavating both the humor and pathos in the turbulent bond between a mother and her teenage daughter. Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) fights against but is exactly like her wildly loving, deeply opinionated and strong-willed mom (Laurie Metcalf), a nurse working tirelessly to keep her family afloat after Lady Bird's father (Tracy Letts) loses his job. Set in Sacramento, California in 2002, amidst a rapidly shifting American economic landscape, Lady Bird is an affecting look at the relationships that shape us, the beliefs that define us, and the unmatched beauty of a place called home.

Malawski’s Movie Rating System

A+ = Exceptional, One of a Kind, Masterpiece. Definite award season contender
A= Pure enjoyment, happy feeling. Satisfaction
A- = One to remember. Unforgettable
B+ = Can get a little over the top. But, it makes out as a good film.
B= This film has the potential to be better. Lacks in consistency
B- = Watches occasionally
C+ = Guilty pleasure territory
C= Causes viewer frustration due to lack of depth in the story
C-= Meh
D+ = I hated this movie. Some parts were good. Overall, the film was garbage
D= Very few to no good parts about this movie
D- = Minimal qualities of excellence

F= Don’t even bother watching it. It’s that bad.

Coco (2017)

Pixars line of movies consists of this: What if Toys had feelings, What if Bugs had feelings, Cars, Feelings have feelings, and last: What if the dead had feelings? Pixars latest tackles the annual Mexican holiday Dia De Muertos aka "Day of the Dead". This festive celebration is when ancestors who have died go back to see their living relatives. Now if you ask me, this holiday sounds like it's a bunch of voodoo, but that's how I see it. Once I saw this film, I knew I'd get an education on this holiday, celebrated by millions.

This film may not have comedy, maybe a little, but, this film is a beautiful, colorful and detailed piece of work. Perhaps it is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen this year. What makes this film so colorful, is the detail and all that the film shows. It's truly something that is spectacular.

Director Lee Unkrich, works his way in this film gracefully and so authentically, that those who didn't know what this holiday is, like I did before watching this, you will know. The nature of this film is dark, but it's presented in way that isn't too dark. only colorful. So colorful, that you 'll be wanting to go to the "Land of The Dead" just like our main character.

Veteran Pixar composer, Michael Giacchino, makes a festive, upbeat sound for the film. It goes hand-in-hand with the original songs in the film as well, which are also just as good as the score.

Our main character, Miguel, an aspiring musician, tries to participate in a show in his local town in Mexico, his family harps on his dreams to do so because the family is "cursed". His "great-great grandfather" a popular singer and musician Hector, has talents so big, that his double great grandson mistook him for another popular singer and musician. Anthony Gonzalez, plays Miguel. He does a really good job at capturing the essence of what the human experience yearns for. Goals. Dreams. Ambition. Destiny.

The only main problem I have with this film really, is that it seems to me that "Disney/Pixar" likes to include characters so dim witted that it's almost insulting to those real individuals who may have developmental disabilities. This all started with last years "Finding Dory" with Gerald, a dim-witted sea lion who just wants to be accepted. This film, uses a dog, named Dante. It's one of the only beefs I have with this film, because of the recurring pattern here, and it needs to stop.

Are you ready for a cultural shock? Hang on, because you're about to experience an adventure unlike anything you've seen in cinema this year. The films mantra is "Seize Your Moment". This means you should take after anything you desire, even though others will try and stop you from being yourself and doing what you love. Pixars latest is a remarkable achievement, even if it suffers mildly for the mockery of the intellectually disabled. So, are you going to "Seize Your Moment"?

Rate: B+

Director: Lee Unkrich

Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Gael Garcia-Bernal, with Renee Victor and Alanna Ubach

MPAA Rating: PG-(for thematic elements)

Synopsis: The story follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel Rivera who is accidentally transported to the land of the dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family among the living.

Runtime: 1 Hour & 50 Minutes

Photo: Disney/Pixar

Malawski’s Movie Rating System

A+ = Exceptional, One of a Kind, Masterpiece. Definite award season contender
A= Pure enjoyment, happy feeling. Satisfaction
A- = One to remember. Unforgettable
B+ = Can get a little over the top. But, it makes out as a good film.
B= This film has the potential to be better. Lacks in consistency
B- = Watches occasionally
C+ = Guilty pleasure territory
C= Causes viewer frustration due to lack of depth in the story
C-= Meh
D+ = I hated this movie. Some parts were good. Overall, the film was garbage
D= Very few to no good parts about this movie
D- = Minimal qualities of excellence
F= Don’t even bother watching it. It’s that bad.

The Case For Christ (2017)

In 1980's Chicago, investigative journalist for the "Chicago Tribune", Lee Strobel wrestles with God. He is an Athiest, turned Christian. He spent a few years desparately trying to debunk Christianity and God. He realizes that there is indeed a God and that he now has faith. Hollywood hasn't been real good at depicting Christ in a must have, inclusive way. Like it does with other groups of people. This film sets a precedent over all films trying to depict God, but fail to do it in a original way.

This is one of 2017's most touching films. Granted that other films like: "God's Not Dead" and "Son of God" are Christ-centered films, they didn't reach an emotional impact on those who may be struggling with their faith. This film is a wonderful depiction of how God reaches the Lost.

Actor Mike Vogel did an amazing and powerful performance of the acclaimed journalist turned pastor and professor. He presents Strobel as a major skeptic of Christ. And it's very alarming. You see the impact he makes on screen with his wife Leslie, who is a devout Christian. Their marriage crumbles at the helm of Lee because of his beliefs and work life also.

The studio Pure Flix does an amazing job with this film. They present a way how one can find faith in Christ. It's amazing to see, even as a christ follower, the impact is immense.

WE BELIEVE! Oh wait that's from a different christ-centered film, but it still pertains to this and anything really. This film is a staple into those films based on faith. The faith-based film genre hasn't sat well with Hollywood in regards to the idea of this genre becoming mainstream. It's very refreshing to see a film that sets the standard for that genre.

Rate: A-

Director: Jon Gunn

Starring: Mike Vogel , Erika Christiansen, Robert Forester, Faye Dunaway and L. Scott Cadwell

MPAA Rating: PG

Runtime: 2 Hours

Synopsis: In 1980, former atheist and award-winning investigative journalist Lee Strobel applies his journalistic and legal skills to attempt to disprove his wife Leslie's newfound Christian faith, which causes problems within his marriage. After completing a thorough investigation for almost two years he finds the historical evidence for Jesus, and then finds a new faith in Christ.

Photo: Pure Flix