At the end of this year, the evenings are perfect for heading to the cinema, and movie releases are feeling very festive. Two major epics are taking center stage in theaters: the first concludes the legendary Middle-earth cycle, while the second follows Moses in his fierce struggle for the liberation of the Hebrew people.
For you, dear reader, we attended several very different screenings, always with the goal of finding the best productions currently in theaters. Some films have been out for a while, but if you’re lucky enough to still find a screening nearby, we highly recommend you go and enjoy them.
Happy reading, and above all, enjoy the show.
Interstellar
Eugénie’s review : A must-see! Another beautiful performance by Matthew McConaughey, both funny and touching. Interstellar lives up to its aesthetic promise with a beautiful vision of space; there’s no need for 3D, as Christopher Nolan masters the images and multidimensional spaces.
Set in space, one might imagine the film would tip into fantasy or even pure imagination. Perhaps a little, but a measured imagination, meted out sparingly.
Beyond the space theme and gravitational issues, much like Wes Ball with the production of The Maze Runner, Nolan touches on questions regarding the future of Earth and the human species. Against the backdrop of a realistic planetary crisis, you don’t leave feeling indifferent, and that’s a good thing!
in theaters since November 5, 2014
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The Drop
It’s the story of a bartender, in his thirties, a lone wolf, and a helpless witness to a redundant scenario: mafia money laundering. A system has been put in place: the “drop bars.” Each evening, a bar is designated as the “drop bar” for the night where the collected money will be deposited.
Eugénie’s review: The screenplay is well-crafted, and the tension is palpable throughout the film, but I was left wanting more. A brutal ending, caught between laughter and drama, you don’t really know how to judge it. Somewhat disappointed by the content, as the promise of the script wasn’t kept in my opinion.
However, the acting is well-executed, and the character played by Tom Hardy is touching. His solitude and devotion to his peers is palpable.
in theaters since November 12
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Nightcrawler
Lou Bloom, a deranged man on the fringes of society, lives off odd jobs and theft. Determined to do anything to get into the system, he finds himself, somewhat by chance, in the world of “nightcrawlers”: freelance cameramen selling shocking and brutal footage to TV channels.
One night, he happens upon the scene of a car accident. Freelance cameras are there to capture as much shocking footage as possible. The race for sensational videos is on; the one who brings back the best exclusive on a news event wins the jackpot.
Lou adapts very quickly and integrates with disconcerting ease into the inner workings of the trade and the means required to stand out from other freelancers and make himself indispensable to local TV channels.
Corruption, manipulation of the weak, cheap labor—we are faced with a character hungry for revenge against a self-serving system that thinks only of profit.
Eugénie’s review: In the aesthetic vein of Drive, Nightcrawler sets itself apart through its action and its stance on denouncing the wrongdoings of a society that shapes or forces individuals to bend to its rules to make a place for themselves. Beyond the criticism of a system, the American media is presented in its worst light by Dan Gilroy.
Here, journalistic values are pushed aside, neglected by the protagonists. Profit and ratings are the laws that govern the behavior of characters like Lou and Nina, the editor-in-chief of the News department—individuals who have no limits when it comes to maintaining their social and professional status.
You leave a bit shaken by this thriller that encourages reflection, even for those who are savvy and aware of the dark side of the economic and social system.
in theaters since November 26, 2014
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Once in a Lifetime
A 10th-grade class at the Léon Blum high school in Créteil: insolent students, at risk of dropping out, and a passionate history teacher ready to do anything to capture the attention and motivation of her students. Mrs. Gueguen, a history-geography teacher, makes the crazy bet of entering her 10th-grade class—one of the weakest in the school—in the national contest on the Resistance and Deportation.
Eugénie’s review: Based on a true story, this adaptation revisits a major, sensitive, and complex theme of the World War. The teenagers’ questions flood in, and the director touches on the confusion of adolescents from different cultures and backgrounds.
This production is carried by the remarkable performance of Ariane Ascaride, who plays a passionate teacher who confronts the limits imposed by the school system and surpasses them. An adaptation to see, moving and full of hope for the youth, although the reality of adolescence seemed a bit embellished at times.
Young actor and screenwriter Ahmed Dramé co-wrote this film, having lived through this story and victory himself as part of that 10th-grade class. Discreet on screen, he soberly captures this memory that marked his 10th-grade year at the Léon Blum high school.
This film might remind you of a teacher who left a mark on you during your own schooling. The scene where the students meet Léon Zyguel is particularly touching and reminds us of the importance of the duty of remembrance.
in theaters since December 3, 2014
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, a journey concludes…
It is time to say goodbye to the creatures of Middle-earth, now part of cinematic legend thanks to J.R.R Tolkien‘s biggest fan, Peter Jackson.
Armed with patience and exemplary persuasive power, the New Zealand director delighted the greatest purists by presenting his vision of “The Lord of the Rings” to the world. A huge success, which would lead it to be considered one of the greatest sagas in film history alongside “Star Wars” and other “Indiana Jones” or a little wizard named “Harry Potter.” A major tour de force that led to the adaptation of another monument of Tolkien literature: “The Hobbit.”
Julie’s review: After an “Unexpected Journey” in “Fellowship of the Ring” mode and a very uneven “Desolation of Smaug,” he puts an end to the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and his merry band of Dwarves in their reconquest of the lost Kingdom of Erebor.
Smaug the Dragon has left behind the priceless treasure under the Lonely Mountain to attack the village of Lake-town. The dwarves reinvest the premises, led by a Thorin who has gone mad in the face of such riches and is obsessed with his search for the Arkenstone, a stone of priceless value that will earn him the title of king of kings. Unfortunately, he is not the only one coveting this treasure (otherwise it would be too easy, right?) Five peoples from all corners of Middle-earth are then preparing to go to war.
It was difficult for Peter Jackson to close more than ten years of success. A heavy responsibility, because like his dwarf heroes, we must admit that “The Hobbit” suffers from a size problem. Minor compared to the imposing juggernaut “Lord of the Rings,” whose epic breath persists in memories 13 years after the release of the first installment.
We must not forget that “The Hobbit” was a story for children, a prelude to the great masterpiece of the English author. Making three episodes of the adventures of the little Hobbit was risky, and this third installment confirms the uselessness of making it a trilogy.
The film accumulates profoundly insipid scenes that do a disservice to the story. The elves Legolas and Tauriel are the main protagonists of these filler sequences, which came straight from the imagination of Peter Jackson, and not from the pen of Tolkien.
Despite the beauty of the battle scenes, the inventive nods to the previous trilogy, and the perfect acting of its cast (led by Martin Freeman, who plays a perfect Bilbo Baggins), one feels that this conclusion is clumsily tangling its own feet. The awkward directing betrays Jackson’s inability to manage his own scriptwriting delusions and his realization that he wanted to do too much.
“The Battle of the Five Armies” will nevertheless delight fans of heroic fantasy and lovers of Christmas sagas, but it will annoy addicts of the first trilogy who won’t be able to help but see the flaws of this slightly messy “Return of the King.” A pleasant bridge nonetheless, but one that makes you want to turn the page to the next chapter more than ever.
Table of Contents
By Peter Jackson, with Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Evangeline Lilly, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom
Duration: 2h24
in theaters since December 9, 2014
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Nuit de la Glisse
With Addicted to Life, Thierry Donard signs his seventh documentary on extreme sports for the Nuit de la Glisse, featuring riders ready to do anything to live out their passion, their love for the extreme and for boardsports. It is a hymn to life, an invitation to dare.
A breath of vitality and hope! You leave this screening full of energy, with the desire to push your limits, to travel, and to start your “second life.”
Whether you’re an extreme sports fan or not, you must see this film!
Thank you to Thierry Donard, his team, and the riders for offering us privileged moments of this kind. To be shared with the people you love!
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The Shortest Day
The fourth edition of The Shortest Day, the short film festival initiated by the National Centre for Cinema and the Moving Image, returns this year for 3 days, on December 19, 20, and 21. I have actually been reporting on this very friendly event on the blog since the very first edition, and I am very proud of it.
This operation aims to promote diversity (both professional and amateur practices) and the creativity (all genres and all lengths) of the short film to the general public.
It is a unifying and participatory celebration that wishes to foster access to culture and spark vocations in a fun and joyful way by offering collective screenings that are very often free! Numerous sessions are organized in many cities across France and in about forty other countries.
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Exodus: Gods and Kings, Ridley Scott in the Holy Land…
What could be more logical than seeing the release of a film inspired by a Bible episode on Christmas Eve? And not just any, the flight from Egypt, where Moses leads his people to the Promised Land. A chapter of the Old Testament that has been put on film many times (“The Ten Commandments,” “The Prince of Egypt”) or even parodied by the zany Mel Brooks in “History of the World, Part I.” It is not surprising, therefore, that the master of the historical epic, Ridley Scott, would take on the subject.
This time, Moses (alias Christian Bale) plays the role of a converted atheist, but one who religiously doubts the acts of God and the legitimacy of the mission entrusted to him. A very modern vision that could offend, but one that has the audacity to push boundaries to make the prophet a resolutely human being, wary of God’s influence on his convictions.
Julie’s review: Here, Moses remains on the sidelines, taking the side of the slaves, waiting quietly in a corner for God to unleash His powerful wrath on the people of Egypt. Ridley Scott attempts to humanize God through the features of a child, abandoning the idea of a serious, celestial voice coming from the branches of a burning bush. An interesting paradox: innocence inflicting 10 deadly plagues on the people of the Pharaoh.
One thinks of the youthful figure of Satan used in Mel Gibson‘s “The Passion of the Christ.” The director tries more than ever to demystify the legend and offer it a human face, with God slipping delicately to the side of mortals.
Playing the spectacular card, Ridley Scott struggles to give depth to his characters. Where emotion overflowed everywhere in his cult classic “Gladiator,” “Exodus” locks itself into facility and lets the protagonists suffer the events instead of mastering them.
The relationship between Moses and Ramses is reduced to an anecdote, serving only as a starting point for the film’s major asset: God’s vengeance on the arrogance of Ramses. Perfectly mastered from start to finish, the 10 plagues of Egypt literally explode before our eyes, thanks to 3D—for once justified—whose depth reaches its climax in the famous Red Sea scene.
The director once again imposes his Cartesian point of view, with the passage to the Promised Land arriving at just the right time and unexpectedly. A powerful pursuit through the waters that justifies going to the cinemas on its own. A modern biblical fable, “Exodus” doesn’t thrill, but it captivates with its audacity and its relevant nods to current events.
By Ridley Scott, with Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro, Ben Kingsley, Aaron Paul
Duration: 2h31
National release December 24, 2014
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Far from Men
Monday evening, I saw a preview of this film directed by David Oelhoffen, who was on stage with actors Viggo Mortensen and Reda Kateb. It was truly a beautiful meeting and a very good moment.
The story:
We are in the early 50s in the heart of the Algerian Atlas, where two men: Daru, a reclusive schoolteacher, must escort Mohamed, a peasant accused of murdering his cousin. Pursued by villagers demanding blood law and by vengeful colonists, the two men revolt. Together they will fight to regain their freedom.
Cathy’s review:
This film, loosely inspired by the short story “The Guest” by Albert Camus, is wonderfully well filmed and well interpreted by the two lead actors. Note also that the natural scenery is sublime. As I told you in the introduction, the director and the two actors came on stage after the screening for a quality Masterclass. This allowed us to learn more about the filming.
For logistical reasons, the film was shot in Morocco where infrastructures are much more accessible and the landscapes identical. The director highlighted the actors’ gazes that replaced dialogue. It was the talent of each of them that made the very long shots of their faces possible.
The choice of Viggo Mortensen, who grew up in Argentina, lives in Spain, all while being American and Danish, naturally imposed itself on the director who wanted to choose a foreign actor to embody Daru. The actor got even more involved in the project by becoming a co-producer.
To conclude, it is a film that speaks of brotherhood and will mark the beginning of 2015. Note also that it has already received many awards during its presentation at prestigious film festivals.
National release January 14, 2015
article written by Eugénie Faivre, Cathy, Julie Brando and Melle Bon Plan
