The Intern

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content and brief strong language
Run Time: 121 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today my wife and I saw Warner Brothers' The Intern starring Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) and Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook).  The film tells the story of 70 year old Ben Whittaker who decides to come out of retirement and intern at an online fashion site.  While there, he becomes the personal intern to the company's founder Jules Ostin, who find out that even though she is a successful businesswoman, she still has a lot that she can learn about life.
So I absolutely loved this film.  It is full of heart, has a fantastic script, and has incredible acting. The film definitely knows its target audience and it is tailor made for them.  It feels like all those involved had a blast making this film and even though it won't be a huge blockbuster, the film deserves a lot of credit. One of the best things about this film is its script.  It is hilarious and very inventive. Though there were some moments in the film that I wished would have gone differently, overall, the script does a great job and has some pretty incredible moments.  The script and film are only magnified by the amazing acting by the film's stars. Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro work so well together and I hope that they will do another film soon.  They have impeccable chemistry and give the film their all.  This is probably one of my favorite films for both of these actors.  They are hilarious in this film and I just couldn't get enough of them.
Overall, I loved this film.  There is honestly nothing bad that I can say about this film.  I would definitely recommend this film to anyone.  This is a fantastic comedy with a lot of heart.  This is definitely one of the best films out right now and possibly of the year.  If there is one comedy that you need to see this year, this is it.  I promise you will not regret it!!!

Thanks again for reading!!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Everest

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense peril and disturbing images
Run Time: 121 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
So today I saw Universal Pictures and Walden Media's Everest starring Jake Gyllenhaal (Southpaw), Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty), John Hawkes (Lincoln), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Josh Brolin (True Grit), Emily Watson (The Theory of Everything), and Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game). The film tells the true story of a group of climbers in 1996 who begin their summit up Mount Everest. However, with very little warning, they are hit with a massive storm that forces the climbers to face one of the fiercest blizzards in history.  With this unbearable obstacle before them, the climbers must fight for their lives in order to survive against nearly impossible odds.
So I absolutely loved this film.  From it's opening credits, I was hooked.  In my opinion, this is one of the most thrilling and exciting movies that has been made in a long time.  The film has so many positive aspects.  One of its greatest aspects comes from the incredible cast.  Every actor brings so much power and raw emotion to their performances that within minutes of meeting them you already are cheering for them and feel connected to them.  Another great thing about this film is its incredible story.  For the most part you know exactly what is going to happen by the end of the film, but for some reason my heart was still beating out of my chest throughout the entire film.  I couldn't believe it.  Finally, the film's greatest feat is the incredible cinematography.  The camera angle and the beautiful scenery definitely brings the thrill and excitement to the film.  Seeing the characters at the brink of death in some of the harshest conditions imaginable is truly stunning to see.  I personally believe that the cinematographer deserves much praise for his work.  It is truly incredible.
Though I absolutely loved the film, its biggest flaw (which really isn't that big) is the pace of the film. For the most part, the film moves at a pretty slow pace in order to set up the story so the film seems a lot longer than it is.  For me it wasn't a huge deal, but I did hear a lot of people in my audience complain that it felt too long.
Overall, I loved this film.  This is a fantastic adventure that I think everyone will love.  There are some disturbing images that might frighten some younger audiences, so I would caution bringing younger kids.  This is one of the best films in theaters right now and I hope that you take the opportunity to see it because you will not regret it!!!

Thanks again for reading!!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for extended sequences of violence and action, some thematic elements, substance use and language
Run Time: 132 Minutes
My Rating: 4/5
So today my wife and I saw 20th Century Fox's Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, the second movie in the planned trilogy and based on the bestselling book by James Dashner.  The film brings back the same cast as the first one and adds the incredible talents of Jacob Lofland (Mud), Patricia Clarkson (Shutter Island), Giancarlo Esposito (ABC's Once Upon A Time), and Lili Taylor (The Conjuring). The film continues exactly where the first one left off with Thomas and his friends having escaped the maze and being rescued from WCKD.  However, not everything is as it seems when they are forced to travel through the desolate landscape known as the Scorch in order to uncover the truth behind WCKD and its plan for all of them.
So, I was really excited to see this film.  I loved the first movie and I loved the books, so I had high hopes going into this film. Thankfully this movie did not disappoint.  From the very first moment that I started reading this series I knew that this was a unique and fresh-take on the Young Adult genre and that uniqueness makes for a great movie franchise. One of the things I loved about this movie (and probably one of the things that may turn a lot of people off from this film) is how it has embraced the more horror aspects of the books and did not shy away from them.  There were some pretty good scares in this film, but don't expect to be terrified in this film.  Though it does have horror aspects, this is still a Young Adult, Sci-fi film that won't keep your young kids up at night. Another thing I loved about this film is the new cast additions.  If you can recall, one of the reasons I was so impressed with the first movie was the strength of its young cast.  They worked so well together and provided some of the best acting, in my opinion, of the Young Adult genre.  With that being said, the new cast additions jumped right into it and maintained that same great chemistry that was present in the first film.  Finally, the film was visually stunning.  The set this time around is so expansive and it truly brings the book to life.  It is exactly how I pictured it while I was reading and seeing it on the screen was amazing.
This film is spectacular, but unfortunately its biggest flaw comes not from the film itself, but from its story.  Like most trilogies, the middle entry is mainly there to keep the story moving, but not to really drop any huge bits of information.  It is there to keep audiences entertained, but keep them wanting more from that final conclusion.  This film unfortunately falls in that same category.  The story itself is spectacular, but compared to the first film and the eventual conclusion, it just kind of stands there to keep people interested and to set up the final film.  It does a great job at what it is supposed to do, but if you were expecting major progression in the story you will be disappointed.
Overall, I thought this film was great.  As a film itself, it is visually stunning, has a great cast, and is bold with its content.  However, it does fail in comparison to its predecessor.  With that being said, I would still recommend those that enjoyed the first one to see this film.  It is still a very entertaining and action-packed film that will keep you on the edge of your see the entire time.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!

Understanding Legal Issues in Film Part 4: After Filming

Disclaimer
I am a law student and therefore have no legal right to provide actual legal advice.  With that being said, I know that the process of making a film, especially for young, new filmmakers, can be daunting.  I mean other than focusing on what to actually film, the legal process for filmmakers is quite extensive.  Due to this, I wish to help you young filmmakers understand what legal issues you will be facing during your creative process. This is the last of four articles that I will provide regarding these issues.  The first one dealt with legal issues while drafting the script, the second one dealt with legal issues after the writing process but before filming, the third dealt with legal issues during the filming process, and finally this fourth one will deal with the legal issues after filming is completed.  I hope that you enjoy and find this helpful.  Once again before I begin, this should not be considered legal advice, but should be issues that you should discuss with a licensed lawyer.

Hey y'all, sorry it has taken so long to finally write my next installment in my Understanding Legal Issues in Film Series.  This is part 4 and the final part in the series and will talk about what legal issues you young filmmakers will face after the filming process.  So I hope you enjoy and find this helpful.

Copyrights
Once again, one of the biggest issues you will have to face deals with copyrights.  However, in this portion of the filming process you don't have to worry about infringing on people's copyrights, this is the time where you make sure that no one infringes on your copyrights. You can do this by filing a PA form at the U.S. Copyright Office.  You should also make sure that you register the script.  One thing that you should make be aware of is that when you register the script to the U.S. Copyright Office, you need to make sure that after the writers put copyright protections on the script, they need to sign a certificate that indicates that the producers have the right to make the film.  Along with that you need to make sure that the U.S. Copyright Office knows about this signed certificate along with the producers putting copyright protection on the film and script as well.  For more information on this please visit http://www.copyright.gov/

Insurance
The next and final legal issue that you young filmmakers will face is getting Errors & Omissions Insurance or O&E.  This insurance will protect you from legal issues and will usually cover the costs of attorneys and court proceedings if any claims were to arise.  This is essential for all filmmakers for their films and something that you definitely need to talk to your attorney about.  However, if you want more information on this type of insurance, please read this incredible article.

Well that is it for what legal issues you will face and have to take care of after filming commences.  This stuff, though it may seem like busy work, is crucial to the safety and protection of your film.  With that being said, this is the end of my Understanding Legal Issues in Film series.  I hope this series has helped you and has provided you some useful information about what issues to you are likely to face while you are creating your work. Let me know if you have any questions, I am more than willing to answer them.  

Captive

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic elements involving violence and substance abuse
Run Time: 97 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So today I saw Paramount Pictures' Captive starring Kate Mara (Netflix's House of Cards), David Oyelowo (Selma), and Michael Kenneth Williams (12 Years A Slave).  The film tells the incredible true story of Ashley Smith, a single mother struggling with a drug addiction, whose life turns upside-down when she is randomly taken hostage in her own house one night by convicted rapist and now murderer, Brian Nichols.  However, as the night goes on and the two get to know each other, they soon realize that this event might have changed both of their lives for the better.
So I thought this film was great and definitely one that I would see again.  With that being said, the film has some major flaws, but with the help of its incredible cast and their performances this film is a great treat to watch. For the most part, the films script lacks some depth, but Kate Mara and David Oyelowo definitely make up for it.  They both bring these people to life and make you care and feel for them. Another great thing about this film is its simplicity.  This film doesn't have any big sets or huge spectacles, instead, it focuses purely on the emotion of its characters and the influence they have on each other's lives.
However, even with an incredible cast and pure simplicity, the film has some major flaws.  As mentioned above, the script lacks in depth.  Also, another big flaw comes from the film's marketing. The film is trying to sell itself as the next Christian sensation, but most of the Christian-values that it is trying to represent are pushed to the side and only come to light for maybe a total of 5 minutes out of the entire 97 minute film.  In my opinion, this is very disappointing and with that brings the audience confusion as to what actually happened between these two people.  Personally, I feel that both the film and the script would have been better if these Christian-values that the film promised were more prominent in the film.  It would make the film flow better and provide a better product for its audiences.
Overall, I thought that the film was great.  Even through its flaws, the film's story is very powerful and the actors give fantastic performances.  This is a great film for all audiences and is one that I would definitely recommend.  This is an incredible story and this film does an amazing job at telling it.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!

Black Mass

MPAA Rating: R for brutal violence, language throughout, some sexual references and brief drug use
Run Time: 122 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So today my wife and I saw Warner Brothers' Black Mass starring Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise), Joel Edgerton (The Gift), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Kevin Bacon (Apollo 13), Jesse Plemons (NBC's Friday Night Lights), and Adam Scott (NBC's Parks and Recreation). The film tells the true story of crime lord James "Whitey" Bulger, the most infamous and violent criminal in the history of South Boston.  It details his rise in crime and how he eventually became an FBI informant in order to take down the mafia that was invading his turf.  However, with the FBI on his side, his behavior begins to spiral out of control, leading to murders, drug dealing, racketeering, indictments and eventually ending up on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.
This film was spectacular and probably one of the better movies I have seen all year.  One thing I love about this time of year "Awards Season", is that the theaters are not only crowded with beautifully made films, but fun family-entertainment as well.  This is definitely the first film of the season to deserve awards buzz, not only for the great directing, but for the incredible performances that the cast provides.  The person receiving the biggest buzz right now is Johnny Depp, which he definitely deserves.  For the past couple of years, Johnny Depp has been in kind of a slump (even though I personally loved his turn in The Lone Ranger), but this film proves those doubters wrong.  Johnny Depp is absolutely amazing in this film deserves all the praise he is getting.  This performance is definitely Oscar-worthy and I hope that he is recognized for it.  Though Johnny Depp is absolutely amazing, I personally believe he is not the only one that should be receiving all of the buzz.  The entire cast does a spectacular job and really anyone of them deserve to be in the running for Best Supporting Actor, especially Joel Edgerton.  This is a great year for him and I hope the Academy can recognize his great work this year.  Besides the cast, the film is beautifully made with wonderful directing from Scott Cooper.  He does an incredible job at incorporating Boston's great city as well as create an engaging and riveting gangster/character drama.
With all that being said, the only reason this film did not receive a perfect score is because I went in expecting one type of film, but came out watching a completely different one.  I do have to admit my expectations were quite high for this film (especially because I was told it was the next Godfather), so the fact that it still received 4.5/5 is quite impressive in my book.  Just so you know (especially so that you don't go in with the same expectations as I did) this film is not a true gangster movie, but rather an compelling character-drama into the life of one of the most psychopathic person in American history.  I am not saying that this is an bad thing, it is actually quite good, but I just wasn't expecting it.
Overall, I loved this movie.  I would definitely recommend this film to anyone and everyone.  If you are interested in a fantastic true story of one of America's most violent criminals, this is the film for you.  This film has a great cast, who give incredible performances, and is an all-around great film. This film is incredible and in my opinion, if this is the first film if the so-called "Awards Season", then we are looking at an incredible few months at the movies.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!

The Perfect Guy

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, menace, sexuality and brief strong language
Run Time: 100 Minutes
My Rating: 3.5/5
So today my wife and I saw Screen Gems' The Perfect Guy starring Sanaa Lathan (The Best Man Holiday), Michael Ealy (Think Like A Man Too), and Morris Chestnut (The Best Man Holiday).  The film tells the story of Leah Vaughn, a successful lobbyist, who after a painful breakup begins a passionate relationship with Carter, a charming stranger, who appears to be the perfect guy. However, after Leah witnesses a confrontation between Carter and a stranger, Leah realizes that Carter may not be as perfect as she once thought.
So I thought that this film was really good and quite entertaining. There were very intense moments and it was very captivating. The reason why this film is so good though is the strength of its cast. They all do a great job, but probably the biggest surprise comes from Michael Ealy.  In the past couple of years, Michael Ealy has mostly been known as the charming boyfriend in multiple romantic comedies, but this is his first time playing the villain and he is fantastic.  One of the main reasons I wanted to see this film is to see him play the villain and he did not disappoint.  I was a little skeptical at first, but I am completely impressed now.  His demeanor and charm make him the perfect villain.  I would love to see him in this type of role again because he is truly terrifying.
Though the cast does an excellent job, the true problem with this film is that it is too formulaic.  The genre has been played out so much that it is truly difficult to bring something new to the table. Unfortunately, this film falls victim to the same genre tactics as its predecessors.  The film is way too predictable and doesn't bring anything new to the genre.
Overall, I thought this film was good and quite entertaining.  Though it suffers from being too familiar, the cast, especially Michael Ealy, does a great job at making the film interesting and captivating.  If you like these kinds of thrillers, than you will enjoy this film as well.  This is definitely one of the more entertaining films in theaters right now and if you have a chance you should see it.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!!!

The Visit

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including terror, violence and some nudity, and for brief language
Run Time: 94 Minutes
My Rating: 4.5/5
So today I saw Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions' The Visit starring Olivia DeJonge (The Sisterhood of Night), Ed Oxenbould (Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day), Deanna Dunagan (CBS's Unforgettable), Peter McRobbie (Netflix's Daredevil), and Kathryn Hahn (NBC's Parks and Recreation).  The film was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense).  The film tells the story of Becca and Tyler, young kids, who decidelk to meet their grandparents and stay with them for a week while their mother goes on vacation with her boyfriend. However, not everything is as it seems when they realize that their grandparents do creepy and weird things when the sun goes down.
So personally, I loved this film.  This is M. Night Shyamalan at his best and a return to greatness after many years of giving us disappointment after disappointment.  In my opinion this is his best film since Signs and it reminds us why we fell in love with his movies in the first place.  This is a completely original horror comedy film that not only brings M. Night Shyamalan back to greatness, but brings a breath of fresh air into the horror genre.  With impeccable performances all around and an eerie tension throughout the film, there is no reason why not to like this film.  Probably the greatest thing that this film does though is completely disregard a musical score entirely.  Usually in horror films the music gives the audience clues as to what to expect, but this film has no such clues. In fact, this great tactic creates a sense of suspense throughout the entire film because you never know what is going to happen next.  Finally, as audiences have come to expect from M. Night Shyamalan films, their is a twist in this film and in my opinion, it is probably his best twist since The Sixth Sense.
The only real problem with this film is the pacing of the film.  It takes a while for the true horror to arrive and the film relies on too much comedy and not enough horror.  Though it wasn't a huge deal with me, I can see how a lot of horror fans who see this film could be turned off for the first half of the film.
Overall, I thought the film was great.  I definitely will see this film again and would recommend this film to anyone.  Though this won't appeal to the mass audiences for the most part, I do think that this is one of the best films in theaters right now.  This is M. Night Shyamalan at his best and if you have been turned off by his latest films, I guarantee you that you owe yourself to give this film a try.

Thanks again for reading!!!  If you have any questions comments, or ideas just let me know!!

War Room

MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements throughout
Run Time: 120 Minutes
My Rating: 5/5
Hey everyone, sorry I haven't been posting as much anymore. With the new baby and school starting I am finding it hard to find time to see movies now.  I know it is very heartbreaking, but I will try to do better.  I plan on seeing a few films in the next couple days so hopefully I can get back on track. With that being said, this past week my wife and I had the opportunity to see Affirm Films' War Room starring T.C. Stallings (Courageous), Karen Abercrombie (CW's The Vampire Diaries), and newcomer Priscilla C. Shirer.  The film tells the story of the Jordan family, a couple who seemingly have it all.  They have a beautiful daughter, great jobs, and a dream home.  However, their lives and their marriage are falling apart as they spend more time arguing with each other than anything else. Then one day while working, Elizabeth Jordan meets Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman, who begins to tell Elizabeth how the power of prayer and the power of God can save her marriage.  With this newly energized faith, Elizabeth begins to see her life and her family's life transform into the kind of family she always dreamed of having.
This film is spectacular and is one that I would definitely recommend everyone to see.  It is by far one of the most inspirational films I have seen all year and one that really resonates to the right kind of audience.  In fact, during the middle of my screening, the audience was already clapping and cheering.  It was so moving to me to see an audience react so well to a film.  Another thing that I loved about this film is the acting.  Though most of the cast are relatively newcomers to the big screen, they all appeared to be veterans.  Sadly, most of these performances will be glossed over by the Academy, I personally believe that each actor gives award winning performances and should at least be recognized by this critic.  Finally, the best thing about this film is the power that it has.  In all reality, this film came to theaters without anyone really knowing that it existed, but in the past two weeks it has taken the country by storm.  In fact, last weekend it was able to beat out Straight Outta Compton, something that most people never would have predicted.  If nothing else, it shows you that this film is spectacular and it is a film that audiences want to see.
This film was amazing and it would be one that I think everyone should see.  This is a family movie with some great lessons to be learned.  If you need some inspiration in your life, War Room will provide just that.  This will be a film that many people will be talking about and will resonate deeply in their lives.

Thanks again for reading!!  If you have any questions, comments, or ideas just let me know!!