Our publication schedule precluded writing about these on a timely basis, but nonetheless, it’s rare that I see two films in a row I can actually recommend. It’s possible by now you’ve seen these; if not catch them while you can.
La La Land
La La Land
Entertainment Rating: ★★★
Rating: PG-13: three scattered profanities
Possible Oscar Nominations: Best Movie, Best Actor, Ryan Gosling; Best Actress, Emma Stone, Any Number of Musical Awards, Justin Hurwitz; Cinematography, Linus Sandgren, Film Editing, Tom Cross; Art Direction, Austin Gorg; Set Decoration, Sandy Reynolds-Wasco
The Chicago Tribune’s critic said, ”La La Land is the year’s most seriously pleasurable entertainment.” Another said, “This is the new Singing in the Rain.” While I can’t completely endorse those comments, I will say this is an exceptional effort by the producers to give us an old fashioned song and dance musical, the first I can recall since Momma Mia. This, by the way, is a far better movie than Momma Mia. (The stage production, however, was sensational – I saw it four times.) There are any number of great song and dance routines throughout, all of them artfully staged, backed by first class music and musicians.
Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling play Mia and Sebastian. She is an aspiring actress, and he is a talented musician, both seeking to break into show business, grinding their way through endless auditions and gigs. They meet by chance and the story takes us through their relationship and their efforts to succeed. I will tell you that the first third of the movie is a little slow, the second third is pretty good, and the last third is outstanding, well worth your time and effort. I’ll add that both Emma and Ryan are mediocre singers, but their dancing scenes were absolutely great.
This is probably the most authentic and original film out this year, an exception to its competition, which is why it will likely win a number of Golden Globe and Oscar awards.
Passengers
Passengers
Entertainment Rating: ★★★
Rating: PG-13, action, adventure, one minor profanity and several (relatively modest) love scenes.
Possible Oscar Nominations: Cinematography, Rodrigo Prieto; Film Editing, Maryann Brandon; Production Design, Guy Hendrix Dyas; Art Direction, a cast of hundreds.
This is a fascinating space odyssey. The Starship Avalon exceeds any space vehicle you may have seen in previous films. The creativity and innovations alone are worth your time and trouble. Hurtling through space at half the speed of light, with a destination 100 years out, the ship is equipped for just about anything, including the housing of over 5,000 passengers, all of whom are hibernating for the duration, awaiting the arrival on a new planet. Until, that is, one of the hibernation pods malfunctions and one poor passenger is awakened ninety years away from the landing. Chris Pratt plays Jim Preston, the “lone wolf,” and does more than a credible job of acting.
This is also a love story for the ages. Jennifer Lawrence plays Aurora Lane and she becomes the second awakened passenger aboard. She also gives us a great performance. Needless to say they are eventually drawn to one another, and the slow, methodical progression of their relationship is a treat to watch.
Finally, there is plenty of adventure. Their problem is unlike astronaut Matt Damon’s in The Martian. Damon was stranded only 33 million miles from Earth, the Starship Avalon travels 8 billion miles a day, and is already ten years out when our story begins. Their efforts to not only survive, but also to reconcile their problem, leads to some interesting and eventually exciting moments.
Thomas Newsome provides a fabulous musical score to back the film. I can recommend this as a satisfying evening’s entertainment.
