TRIPLE FRONTIER
Genre: Action; Drama.
Directed by: J. C. Chandor
Screenplay by: Mark Boal & J. C. Chandor
Starring: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal
Triple Frontier starts slowly, building its plot based on a solid premise and presenting us some interesting characters and their backgrounds. But what starts as a subtle study of five characters who are presented as "good", then you discover their darkest ambitions and their greed.
Ben Affleck emerges as the leading man (and he's good!) , but the movie truly belongs to Oscar Isaac and Charlie Hunnam, less famous actors, but far more intriguing acting performers than Affleck. Garrett Hedlund is testosterone-driven at his best and Pascal doesn't really have much to do, but he does his best quietly and nicely.
Memorable sequences in a mob boss' house, an unexpected plot twist and great work from the sound department, Triple Frontier isn't as impressive as J. C. Chandor's previous work, A Most Violent Year, but it is a nice ride and a better action movie than most you can watch these days!
RATING: 3,5 / 5
Oscar potential categories:
- Best Sound Editing
- Best Sound Mixing
GLORIA BELL
Genre: Comedy; Drama.
Directed by: Sebastián Lelio
Screenplay by: Alice Johnson Boher and Sebastián Lelio
Starring: Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Michael Cera, Brad Garrett and Holland Taylor
Sebastián Lelio brings us an English-language reimagining of his own movie, Gloria (2013) - the tale of a free-spirited divorced woman who falls in love again. The movie is not everyone's cup of tea, since it is a true character study and it values its star's performance over narrative. No matter what, Gloria Bell is a beautiful movie if you let Moore guide you through Gloria's personal journey!
Julianne Moore has never been better since 2014's Still Alice - and I would dare to say she's even better in Gloria Bell. It's a rare leading comedic performance from one of the best working actresses these days, something other movies only use her for supporting parts (like 2013's Don Jon or 2015's Maggie's Plan). Moore proves to be comedic gold and she hasn't lose her cinematic magnetism. Her performance, some beautiful lines and an incredible cinematography work elevate what could be just a boring movie about a woman - and kudos to Sebastián Lelio for being able to orchestrate these elements beautifully.
Lelio gives his own material a new life, a more joyful touch, and while I wouldn't dare to say Moore's turn is superior to Paulina García's in 2013 original movie, the actress delivers my favorite female performance of the year so far - an awards worthy performance.
RATING: 4 / 5
Oscar potential categories:
- Best Actress (Julianne Moore)
US
Genre: Horror; Thriller; Comedy.
Directed by: Jordan Peele
Written by: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex
Expectations were high for Jordan Peele's Us, specially considering the whole concept behind the movie, the director's previous work (Get Out, brilliant!) and the leading presence of Lupita Nyong'o. What I found wasn't bad, but it wasn't as brilliant as I was expecting. Us has intriguing ideas and strong performances, but in the end there are too many things left to explain.
The first third of the movie is very good: Peele presents the characters, we like the characters and we are intrigued by some details highlighted by the director. The second third of the movie is brilliant: we meet the sadistic doppelgängers, their motivations and what they try to do to Wilson family. The last third fails to put the cherry on the top of the cake - Us becomes overlong, there are unexplained plot holes and the [SPOILER] Adelaide V. Red final battle gets the "cliché" label [END OF SPOILER]. No matter what, the movie works as an acting showcase for Lupita Nyong'o, who embodies Adelaide and her doppelgänger's perversions beautifully à la Hannibal Lecter. (her moves, her voice, the look in her eyes - perfect!).
Most of the movie is very good... shame it fails to shine and to impress in the last 30 minutes. In the end you will ask yourself: Why bunnies? Who created them? A movie full of excelent ideas and nice execution, but there's something missing and I can't explain what.
RATING: 4 / 5
Oscar potential categories:
- Best Picture
- Best Actress (Lupita Nyong'o)
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Editing
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