2013: The Year in Film: "Fruitvale Station" Review

Yet another movie review that's at least a few weeks late, sigh.

Unfortunately, it's all-to common for people of color, young men especially, to face harassment and harm from the police forces that ostensibly exist to serve and protect us. There are a number of socioeconomic, racial and cultural issues at play in this, but the fact remains that if an unarmed person is killed by police in the United States of America, there's an overwhelming likelihood that the victim was a black man. Tragically, it just happened again. One such victim in a widely publicized case was Oscar Grant, a 22 year old man who was tragically killed in the early morning hours of New Years' Day, 2009 by BART officers in Oakland. 

The film purports to put a human face on this news story by dramatizing and depicting the last day of Oscar Grant's life. Written and directed by Oakland native and first-time director Ryan Coogler and starring rapidly rising star Michael B. Jordan (who most memorably played Wallace on season 1 of the Wire and quarterback Vince Howard on seasons 4 and 5 of Friday Night Lights) Fruitvale Station features some promising young talent, so how is it?

The Good: Jordan, as you know if you're at all familiar with his work is incredibly likable and really brings charm and humanity to a role that required all of his significant talents. Considering that 90% or more of the film takes place with him directly on screen, if the lead actor isn't up to the task, this is a project that's going to fail, quickly. Luckily, Jordan proves up to the challenge and then some, proving the type of chops that only a few actors working today readily display, and showing why this 26 year old is one of the rising stars I'm watching most closely. In addition to Jordan, Octavia Spencer and Melonie Diaz do fine work as Oscar's mother and girlfriend. First time writer-director Ryan Coogler shows a great eye, and demonstrates the kind of talent that could keep him working for a long time. Additionally, despite the fact that everyone knows how this one is going to end, the story moves briskly, interweaving changes of scenery, other characters, flashbacks and a great use of natural sound and techniques to give the film a small, intimate feel. This film sets out to humanize a tragic event, and does so masterfully, if occasionally in a manipulative fashion, making it so you'd have to be the world's biggest curmudgeon to root against this guy. A lot of this is due to Jordan's portrayal, but there is something to be said for a story that inspires the kind of passion that Grant's has.


The Bad: Oscar Grant was a drug dealer and had spent time in prison, and while that in and of itself doesn't make someone a bad person, obviously, the true picture of Oscar most likely had more shades of grey than the film's rosy portrayal offers. I feel that Jordan is a good enough actor that a more nuanced version of Grant could have still won audiences over, but this is a relatively minor complaint, as everyone is going to come up rosy in the eyes of their loved ones, who were likely Coogler's primary sources for his picture.

In all, this is a touching, artfully crafted, and ultimately devastating look at the human cost of tragedy and social injustice with one of the year's great performances (thus far) at its heart.  Well worth a watch, even if you're likely going to be feeling down in the dumps for a bit afterwards and find yourself reading a bit more Slate.com than usual. These aren't bad things! One of the year's best, so far.

8.5/10.

2012: The Year in Film: "Chronicle" Review

First, a couple of thoughts about the Oscars. Why doesn't Tom Hanks just host? He's so naturally likable and funny and does an extended solo presentation every year.. so isn't hosting the natural first step? You're telling me the world wouldn't rather see Tom Hanks than cornball, botoxed, hair dyed Billy Crystal? He looked like Glen Close playing Billy Crystal. Second, the right flick one. The Artist certainly deserves its accolades, and while it's not going to go down as one of the all-time greats, in a down year? It absolutely deserved everything it got. Lastly, I'm surprised Gary Oldman didn't get more love for his performance in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.. it was subdued, understated, nuanced, with a lot of pain, competence, duty and pride in there.. all while saying as little as possible. Very English.. very great. But let's talk about "Chronicle", shall we?

I actually saw "Chronicle" on Friday, but "weekend", so we aren't getting to it until today. Also, the theater was full of young people, who are officially the most annoying people on the planet... which was obnoxious. So I really had no desire to see this one, but it's been getting solid reviews (84% on RT..), and Wallace (!!) is involved, so what the hell, worth a look, right? I'm no fan of the "found footage" gimmick, but I fully recognize that it allows filmmakers to make a flick for very, very cheap that probably wouldn't have been made otherwise, and also allows for some interesting narrative techniques and a certain illusion of authenticity. And that being said, Chronicle isn't a TRUE "found-footage" anyway, they deviate when appropriate. So here we go.

Andrew (oh! That's my name! (played by Dane DeHaan - who looks a LOT like a young "Basketball Diaries"-era Leo)) is a loner, who lives with his alcoholic former firefighter father and a mother dying of some unnamed respiratory condition. He has no friends other than his cousin, Matt, and spends his days avoiding bullying at school and at home, and filming his life. After Matt (Alex Russell) drags him to a party, Matt, Andrew and the most popular kid at school, Steve (Michael B. "Wallace" Jordan) find a mysterious hole in a field that they OF COURSE explore. Strange happenings ensue, and the boys find themselves suddenly in possession of strange powers resembling telekinesis. Before long they are spending ALL of their time together and exploring what their powers have to offer. I don't have to tell you that eventually things go VERY wrong.



There is a lot that this movie does well. First, by using a gimmick allowed by the boys' powers, they successfully are able to remove themselves from the limitations of true "found footage" a la Cloverfield or the like. Second, the interactions of the main characters are VERY believable. This is how high school boys are and would be. They're wasting a LOT of time and trying VERY hard to get laid.. this flick recognizes that and treats its characters appropriately. The escalation of the boys' powers and the progression in their use is quite believable, compelling and becomes disturbing.. but it all feels very natural. Nothing is forced here.

Plus:
But in all seriousness, this flick is very well done, and uses surveillance and other footage to supplement the handheld camera when needed. The characters are likable and believable, and this flick seemlessly transitions from fun to disturbing when needed. You really believe that these kids like each other, and their natural chemistry adds a much-needed heft to the goings-on. If the story has a weak spot, it's Andrew's home life.. which just doesn't carry its weight the way that the interactions of the boys does. These are kids first, extraordinary people second.. and this flick doesn't lose sight of that.

So for a smart screenplay, effective gimmick, believable and likable characters, effective acting and a story worth telling I'm giving this one a thumbs-up.

7.5/10.