Indie Movie Preview: November 2014

It may be because awards season is starting to peek out from around the corner, but the movies are kicking it into high gear this month. For the first time in awhile, I’ve gone through the roster of upcoming releases and not only been amazed at the sheer number of them, but have found something genuinely compelling about each one and have wanted to include everything here.

But since that would defeat the purpose of making this a curated list, I’m picking the handful that stood out most (note that while I am bouncing off the walls in anticipation for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I, releasing November 21, it will not be a part of this roundup in the interest of keeping things slightly off the commercial path. It’s clearly doing well enough for itself in the promotions department anyway). It’s going to be a good November at the theaters.

Elsa & Fred

Release Date: November 7

Director: Michael Radford

Starring: Christopher Plummer, Shirley MacLaine, Marcia Gay Harden

What’s the story? The remake of a 2005 Argentinian film. Fred is a soft-spoken widower who has lost direction after the death of his wife. But when he meets the spunky Elsa, a hopeless romantic who dreams of her own Fellini-esque love story of La Dolce Vita proportions, they both learn that life—even in its twilight years—can be full of surprises.

My take: I highly doubt this film is going to come with some profound message we haven’t heard before. But who said every movie has to be a cerebral mind-twister to be considered good? And it’s Captain Von Trapp, you guys! Aside from the fact that no film he does will make me think of him as anyone other than the pitch-perfect patriarch, I have faith that he and Maclaine can at least take it back to old fashioned romance here, rather than the melodramatic teenage stuff we’ve been subject to of late.* I’m pegging it as this month’s feel-good factor.

Rosewater

Release Date: November 14

Director: Jon Stewart

Starring: Gael Garcia Bernal, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Claire Foy

What’s the story? Television host, modern muckraker, and all-around funnyman Jon Stewart turns writer/director with his debut feature, an adaptation of Iranian journalist Maziar Bahari’s book retelling his own arrest, interrogation, and 118-day imprisonment while covering the nation’s 2009 presidential elections.

My take: Stewart’s passion for both comedy and politics collide in this at-times lighthearted, at-times intense portrait of one man’s solitary confinement—and according to feedback, his unique blend of satirical reporting is both the film’s strength and it’s flaw.  While audience and critic responses have been inconsistent, Rosewater nonetheless seems like an earnest endeavor to celebrate the spirit of honest journalism, and to highlight the volatile energy of Iran’s changing social landscape. Plus, I never have to be arm-twisted into seeing anything Stewart or Bernal do. Team them up, and they’re sure to be worth a watch.

Foxcatcher

Release Date: November 14

Director: Bennet Miller

Starring: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo

What’s the story? The biography of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz, whose desire to break out from under his older brother’s athletic shadow leads him to pursue training under multi-millionaire coach John Du Pont, with harrowing and irreversible consequences.

My take: I know, I know. A film that includes three A-listers can hardly be considered “off the beaten path.” But the buzz around this movie has been deafening for months, and it would be plain foolish to brush of a film that nabbed Miller the Best Director award at Cannes and was a nominee for the zenithal Palme d’Or honor simply because of its blingy starcast. Stories based on real-life sports figures are seldom unwatchable, the best of them tapping into to the corners of our psyche where competitiveness and morality converge. I’m not just intrigued to witness Steve Carell’s embodying of a downright disturbing character, but also legitimately excited to see how Tatum takes on the part of a young sportsman careening down a spiral of misplaced ambition–without a doubt, his most demanding, substantial role to date (no, a striptease to the tune of “It’s Raining Men” did not count).

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

Release Date: November 21

Director: Ana Lily Amirpour

Starring: Sheila Vand, Arash Marandi, Marshall Manesh

What’s the story? Director Ana Lily Amirpour’s feature debut centers on the dark and dismal ghost town of Bad City in Iran, in which residents are unknowingly being stalked by a vampire.

My take: Given my previous experience with the genre, never in a million years did I think I’d ever go around actually recommending a vampire romance. But favorable reviews for it across the board have me thinking that this one may just be different; not least because of the director’s apparent focus not so much on plot as on auras and aesthetics (if that sounds too loopy for you, I don’t blame you—but give it a shot anyway). Throw in the fact that it’s set in Iran, and is (very randomly) produced by Elijah Wood, and there are just too many unlikely elements coming together here to not be curious.

The Imitation Game

Release Date: November 28

Director: Morten Tyldum

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley

What’s the story? Another cinematic take on a biography, this time with a computer scientist rather than a wrestler at its center. The Imitation Game reflects on the life and achievements Alan Turing leading up to and throughout his critical involvement in the decrypting of Nazi Germany’s Enigma code during World War II, as well as the prosecutions that followed surrounding his homosexuality.

My take: Two words: Benedict Cumberbatch. I should think that’s explanation enough, but for those of you who aren’t quite as captivated by the inimitable specimen that he is, there are other reasons to look forward to The Imitation Game, whether its Keira Knightley marking her promising return to her comfort zone of period films, or writer Graham Moore’s exalted, four-years-in-the-making screenplay. The combination of British talent, a wartime setting, and a hero who is an intellectual genius but a social underdog tend to work with viewers (most recent case in point: The King’s Speech), an assumption further validated by the seven Audience Choice awards its swept up during its festival circuit. There’s no reason not to believe the hype.

Before I Disappear

Release Date: November 28

Director: Shawn Christensen

Starring: Emmy Rossum, Ron Perlman, Paul Wesley, Fatima Ptacek

What’s the story? Troubled 20-something Richie is minutes away from attempting suicide when his sister calls, desperate for him to look after her pre-teen daughter that evening. The babysitting job turns into a wild nighttime ride as Richie and his niece traverse from one end of Manhattan to the other, creating unexpected bonds through their unlikely shared experiences.

My take: The feature-length version of Christensen’s Oscar-winning short, “Curfew,” Before I Disappear seems to be more of what its 2012 precursor offered, and from the praise I’ve heard so far, that’s not entirely a bad thing. Admittedly, suicide isn’t the most uplifting of topics, but I’m keen to see how Christensen has developed Richie’s emotional journey, especially with an eleven-year-old girl beside him. Apparently, in between shots set in quintessential New York locations, we can expect glimpses of magical realism and even a choreographed dance sequence (and yet, it’s not Bollywood!). Sounds like something I can get on board with.

*Fully aware of how ancient that sentence makes me sound, but I’ve long since made peace with many of my medieval traits.

Indie Movie Preview: October 2014

After a brief, end-of-summer hiatus in September, it's time to gear up for the films hitting theaters this fall! We're smack in the middle of festival season, and that means a whole new spread of exciting indies to feast on--or, if you're not careful, the risk of drowning in the sheer excess of mediocre content also floating around in the mix. As always, my goal is to help sift out the gems from the junk. Sadly, not all of them get released where I live, so if you happen to watch any of them, do comment below with your own reviews and I'll live vicariously through you. That said, here are my picks for must-see October releases...

Gone Girl

Release Date: October 3

Director: David Fincher

Starring: Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry

What’s the story? When Nick Dunne’s wife Amy vanishes on their fifth wedding anniversary, he initiates a town-wide search party and enlists the help of detectives.  But when the details surrounding her disappearance grow increasingly murky, speculations of murder grow, with Nick himself becoming the prime suspect.

My take: Whatever the term is for the movie equivalent of a book that you just can’t put down, that’s what Gone Girl needs to be, no questions asked. Taking on Gillian Flynn’s 2012 international best seller (8.5 million copies is no joke) that captivated even the thriller-averse likes of me, director David Fincher had his work cut out for him to convert the gripping page-turner into an equally enthralling film.  I confess, I initially resented the casting choice of Ben Affleck as the leading role (really, couldn't they have gone with someone less mainstream?), but on subsequent reflection, he’s actually pretty perfect for the clean-cut, morally ambiguous, husband-in-distress whom you want desperately to trust. After months of anticipation for the film, I’m in equal parts nervous and psyched to see if Fincher's version can satisfy a story so many of us have long visualized in our own minds. 

Whiplash

Release Date: October 10

Director:

Starring: Miles Teller, J.K Simmons, Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist

What’s the story? Determined not to succumb to the mediocre career that was his father’s fate, talented young drummer Andrew Neyman enrolls in a prestigious music school to hone his craft. But, mentored by an instructor whose merciless teaching methods often spill into abuse, Andrew finds himself pushed to the edge of the deep end, straddling the line between perfectionism and insanity.

My take: Thanks to my interest level in the Divergent series (read: nonexistent) in which he recently had a part, my only exposure to Miles Teller thus far has been his turn as Ren MacCormack’s goofy sidekick Willard in 2011’s Footloose. While that was fun and all, I’m looking forward to seeing him reveal his range as a laser-focused drumming prodigy here, a leading role that’s earned him resounding praise at Whiplash’s showings at Sundance and Cannes earlier this year.  Watching him berated & bullied, even slapped, in the trailer by a cutthroat J.K Simmons, is enough to make one wince in both sympathy and horror. With its fairly straightforward story, Whiplash’s success seems to rest on its impact as a performance-driven film depicting the ugly side of ambition.

Dear White People

Release Date: October 17

Director: Justin Simien

Starring: Tyler James Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon P Bell

What’s the story? Student activist Samantha takes to her campus radio show to call out racial stereotypes. As she broadcasts her views against the diversification of a traditionally all-black dorm, her life intersects with three other individuals on campus navigating, criticizing, even exploiting the culture of university race relations.

My take: Judging from the steady flow of snarky quips dished out by lead character Samantha in the trailer (i.e. “the minimum requirement of black friends needed to not seem racist has just been raised to two. Sorry, your weed man Tyrone doesn’t count”), debutant director Justin Simien’s feature comedy is primed to simultaneously shock, amuse, and make us think. And judging from its “Audience Award” at the San Francisco International Film Festival and “Breakthrough Talent Award” at Sundance, among others, Simien’s no-holds-barred satire of the politics of race has evidently struck a chord with viewers. I love the idea of a film that’s brave enough to take an often sensitive and polarizing issue and uses its volatile energy to appeal to our collective senses of humor. I’ll be watching this both as entertainment and as a study on one brave individual’s unique approach to address a 21^st century society in which racial prejudice and stereotyping is still far from obsolete.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Release Date: October 17

Director: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu

Starring: Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Zach Galifianakis, Naomi Watts, Amy Ryan

What’s the story? Adapted from Raymond Carver’s stage play What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, Birdman follows an aging, has-been celebrity once celebrated as a on-screen superhero, as he attempts to reclaim his fame, career, and dissolving family by starring in a Broadway play.

My take: I admit, the oversized CGI birds in the trailer make me nervous as to just how bizarre things are going to get in this film. However, Birdman, for all its hints at being some sort of enigmatic and supernatural satire, nonetheless looks to be a fascinating critique of the fickle and unforgiving film industry, as well as a poignant story of one man’s battle to remain relevant in a world that seems to have moved on. Plus, there is just no way I’m not watching a movie that’s earned a 9.0 rating on IMDB, is made by the guy who gave us Babel, is already vibrating with Oscar buzz, and has Emma Stone and Edward Norton and Zach Galafianakis in it. Lots to look forward to here.

Men, Women & Children

Director: Jason Reitman

Release Date: October 17

Starring: Rosemarie DeWitt, Jennifer Garner, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, Adam Sandler, Ansel Elgort, Kaitlyn Dever

What’s the story? High school teens and adults struggle to maintain their relationships, both with others and themselves, in the face of the Internet’s ever-expanding power and contemporary society’s alarming tendency to live out most of our lives online.

My take: Like many, I was automatically intrigued by Men, Women & Children’s trailer: a dialogue-free, no-voiceover compilation of scenes contextualized only by mysterious, sometimes suggestive text messages exchanged by the characters. While unusual for a preview, it’s a clever way for director Jason Reitman to set the tone of this novel-turned-film. Tapping into a phenomenon that has become commonplace in our everyday lives, he shines a glaring light in the promo itself onto the irony of our increased digital interactions resulting in diluted real-life intimacy and a greater sense of loneliness. If so much can be established in a two-minute trailer, imagine how it all plays out in the full-fledged feature. We’ve seen cinematic explorations of hitting a technology saturation point in films like Her and Transcendence, but Jason Reitman’s unique way of infusing humor with darkness—not to mention the eclectic ensemble cast he’s assembled—will hopefully lend Men, Women & Children a compelling perspective.

Indie Movie Preview: August 2014

So far so good with my promise to keep up with my monthly movie preview series! (Let’s just ignore the minor detail that that means pretty much nothing, considering that this is only the second one).  We’re heading into the prime of the “dog days of summer;” and while there aren’t a whole lot of options at the theater this August to help beat the heat, I’m looking forward to five releases that may provide some respite. Here are the indies* lighting up the marquees this month!

First time here? Check out my July 2014 preview for an introduction to this series, wherein I also clarify what I consider to be “indie.”

What If

Release Date: August 1

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Adam Driver, Rafe Spall

What’s the story? The Boy Who Lived becomes the Man Who Loved as Daniel Radcliffe swoops into straight-up romcom territory in this story of a fellow who falls for his best friend, though she happens to be seeing someone else.

My take:  If the plot sounds predictable to you, I can’t disagree. But I’m looking forward to Radcliffe taking on a more “normal” post-Potter role in which he’s not blinding horses or being accused of murder. After graduating from the wizarding world of Harry Potter, he has stripped on stage in Equus, sprouted Satanic prongs in Horns, and dabbled in hipster-era debauchery in Kill Your Darlings; in short, he’s (only partly successfully) done everything in his power to render his wand-wielding days a distant memory. If you’re anything like me, you still find it challenging to see him as anyone other than Harry, even three years after the final film. But along with the character, the loyalty he inspired from me in that beloved series has also carried over since he said goodbye to Hogwarts. And so, whether I’m convinced by his performance in this film or not, I’ll be watching and rooting for it anyway.

The Trip to Italy

Release Date: August 15

Starring: Steve Coogan, Rob Brydon, Rosie Fellner

What’s the story? Four years ago, Steve invited Rob to join him on a journey through northern England to review the country’s finest dining establishments. This time, they’re taking their volatile bromance on the road again, driving and dining their way from Liguria to Tuscany in an exploration of Italy’s culinary and cultural treasures. 

My take: I haven’t yet seen The Trip, the much-loved 2010 precursor to this movie—though I’ve had it on my Netflix queue for the last two years, so my intentions are good! Yet, from the looks of it, that isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying the leading duo’s second excursion. Films focused on travel, food and friendship never really fail that miserably to begin with, and anything involving Steven Coogan (last seen in the extremely likeable Philomena) is probably worth watching. Couple that with his natural chemistry with Brydon, their shared gift for comedic timing, and the promise of many close-up shots of pasta, and I’m guessing The Trip to Italy will be one to remember.  

Frank

Release Date: August 22

Starring: Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Domhnall Gleeson

What’s the story? Aspiring musician Jon thinks he’s on his way to stardom when he joins a pop band. When he realizes that the group’s lead singer is a man who insists on permanently wearing an oversized, paper mache head, he begins having second thoughts. But at that point, he may be way too in over his own head to back out.

My take: The last time I saw Michael Fassbender on screen, he was ruthlessly whipping slaves into bloody submission as plantation owner Edwin Epps in 12 Years a Slave. I think it’s safe to say that Frank, with its kooky plot and deadpan humor, is a bit of a departure from that. Most intriguing is how, with that giant mask obstructing his facial expressions—which I would think are essential to effective acting— Fassbender might use other tools to deliver a convincing performance. If he can pull this off, it’ll be yet more proof of his limitless talent.  And from the film’s positive reception at this year’s Sundance and SXSW festivals, it looks like he can rest his case on that point. I’ve got to see this.

Love is Strange
Release Date: August 22

Starring: John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei

What’s the story? After over 40 years together, Ben and George finally get married. But their plans for happily ever are quickly botched after George loses his job; the couple is forced to sell their apartment and live separately until they can find a new home, all the while struggling with the adjustments of their host families and the woes of being apart.

My take:  Be it the ever-so-relatable “unforgiving New York real estate” angle, the unique handling of concepts like long-distance love and intergenerational family dynamics, or the rare focus on an elderly gay couple, there are plenty of reasons to be taken by the looks of this film. Known for stories that are less plot-driven than they are character sketches, director Ira Sachs has ably handled subjects like the hardships of marriage and homosexuality in previous films such as Married Life and Keep the Lights On. He therefore seems firmly in his comfort zone here, while seasoned actors like Lithgow, Molina and Tomei look poised to do those characters justice. From where I stand, this looks like a sensitive, reflective, and gently humorous look at love story gone slightly askew.

The Congress

Release Date: August 29

Starring: Robin Wright, Paul Giamatti, Harvey Keitel, Jon Hamm

What’s the story? A has-been actress, on the verge of becoming completely obsolete agrees to do one last job, but things become way more complicated than she anticipated when the project presents life-altering repercussions.

My take: My desire to see The Congress comes, more than anything, from the fact that I am utterly baffled by it. The trailer comprises a bewildering amalgamation of nostalgic references, futuristic effects, post-apocalyptic worlds, a dash of inexplicable animation, and some very blurred lines between fantasy and real-life. I wish I had a more cohesive explanation for it all. Considering that this movie is made by Ari Folman, the same man who gave us 2008’s Oscar-nominated documentary Waltz With Bashir, I’ll just trust that there’s surely a greater meaning behind all the enigmatic madness. The curiosity to discover it is enough reason to watch the film—well, that, and the fact that Jon Hamm is supposed to be lurking around somewhere in there.

Bollywood Movie Preview: July 2014

When school’s out, work is slow, and everyone's dawdling under that sluggish, summer-induced lethargy, I’m seeking protection from the blistering heat with the best form of sunscreen: the cinema!

In what I hope will become a regular series on Reel Simple, I’m taking a look at movies hitting your multiplexes this month, with my takes on what to see, what to skip, and what to delegate to the DVD department.

Here’s what’s on the Bollywood slate this July….

Bobby Jasoos

Release Date: July 4

Starring: Vidya Balan, Ali Fazal, Kiran Kumar, Supriya Pathak

What’s the story? A small-town gal with lofty dreams and a penchant for espionage aspires to become Hyderabad’s leading detective, despite naysayers and skeptics who doubt her potential.

See it or skip it? The trailer of Bobby Jasoon shows Vidya bumbling her way through her investigative endeavors in various disguises, giving this highly anticipated film a lighthearted vibe of Harriet the Spy meets Sherlock Holmes. With the prospect of Vidya trying her hand at some physical comedy, plus the picturization of “Tu”—the gorgeous tune I’ve been hooked onto since the movie’s audio release—I’ll be queuing outside the theater for this one!

Lekar Hum Deewana Dil

Release Date: July 4

Starring: Armaan Jain, Deeksha Seth, Rohini Hattangadi

What’s the story? Sick of her father’s nagging to get married, a young woman decides to escape on a road trip with her best friend, who happens to be a fun-loving young man {insert predictable ending here}.

See it or skip it? I’ll be honest: this movie was nowhere near my radar until about ten minutes ago, when I did a frantic Google search to be able to write this very blurb. Turns out, it might be kind of a big deal. Sure, the cast list isn’t twinkling with A-listed starlets; however, co-produced by Saif Ali Khan, directed by Imtiaz Ali’s little bro Arif Ali, and scored by A.R Rahman, I’ll be watching Lekar Hum Deewana Dil out of involuntary curiosity—albeit probably on DVD a few months from now rather than in the cinema this weekend.

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya

Release Date: July 11

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt

What’s the story? When rich girl Kavya Singh from Ambala visits Delhi to shop for her wedding and meets Punjabi munda Rakesh “Humpty” Sharma, it’s hate-at-first-sight, eventually turning into an opposites-attract scenario.

See it or skip it? The second big-ticket release this month after Bobby Jasoos, the on-screen reunion of Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt bears a few vague similarities to their 2012 Student of the Year debut: Alia’s cast in a similar rich-girl role, the glitzy “Saturday” dance number is set in a nightclub much like SOTY’s “Vele,” and producer Karan Johar’s influence inevitably gives the trailer a glossy, bubble-gum feel. Yet, Humpty Sharma seems to feature less frothy flouncing around, more witty banter, and significantly fewer gratuitous shots of Varun’s well-oiled abs. Plus, any film that makes DDLJ references scores points in my book. While it doesn’t promise to be a groundbreaking cinematic accomplishment, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya sure looks like a whole lot of fun—who’d say no to that?

Pizza 3D

Release Date: July 18

Starring: Akshay Oberoi, Parvathy Omanakuttan, Dipannita Sharma

What’s the story? A pizza boy’s day goes from humdrum to hair-raising when he makes a delivery to a house that’s haunted, and becomes ensnared in the secrets and supernatural threats that loom inside.

See it or skip it? If director Akshay Akkineni thought he could spook up a title and a premise as lame as this one (I’ve made student films in middle school with more sophisticated plotlines) by tacking on the 3D element, I’m convinced he’s grossly mistaken. The only thing scary about looking at melted mozzarella in enhanced depth is that it’ll probably tempt me into calling in for a personal stuffed-crust pie. No need for those goofy stereoscopic glasses to see a clear verdict here: save your waistlines—and your brain cells; skip this one. 

Hate Story 2

Release Date: July 18

Starring: Surveen Chawla, Sushant Singh, Jay Bhanushali

What’s the story? I don’t know, guys. It’s an erotic thriller. Do those have stories?

See it or skip it? I’m scratching my head as to why, after the hot mess that was the original Hate Story back in 2012, producer Vikram Bhatt thought that a part 2 would be a good idea. Hate Story 2 then shoots itself further in the foot even before its release by claiming to be inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill series—way to set your bar unattainably high, Vikram. Even trying to keep an open mind with the whole “erotic thriller” thing, I’m at a loss for reasons to watch this. If you come up with any, I’m all ears.

Kick

Release Date: July 25

Starring: Salman Khan, Jaqueline Fernandez, Randeep Hooda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui

What’s the story? Salman Khan stars as a he-man with a mysterious profession that involves a lot of helicopters and death-defying feats, and an inexplicable obsession with what gives life its “kick.”

See it or skip it? Given that Salman Khan has the most loyal fans in all the world, I’ll probably face serious backlash after saying this but, like most of his films, Kick looks to be just another rendition of his tried-and-tested formula: a confused but oddly effective mix of highly risky, highly improbable action sequences; melodramatic yet meaningless dialogue; and a romantic subplot featuring Sallu’s latest inappropriately young flame haphazardly thrown in. Worth the price of popcorn and soda? I’m still on the fence.