Jeffrey Wright

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Quantum of Solace’ Offers Action Ride, Average Blu-Ray

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:38:56 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Quantum of Solace,” the second Daniel Craig 007 movie after the earthquake to the franchise that was the brilliant “Casino Royale,” didn’t make quite the same waves in the action genre and left a few viewers dissatisfied but it still makes for a better-than-average action movie rental. Sadly, MGM continues to struggle a bit in the HD revolution, releasing a so-so Blu-Ray that won’t help the viewers who felt let down by the film in theaters.

If “Casino Royale” was the rock ‘n’ roll set that we knew this classic character was still capable of producing with the right star, script, and production team, “Quantum of Solace” is the encore. It may not be as purely satisfying, but it still rocks in its own way.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

“Quantum” is the first James Bond film to pick up immediately after the end of the film that came before it. Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) has died and James (Daniel Craig) is following the trail she left behind. It leads her to another sexy woman looking for vengeance named Camille (Olga Kurylenko) and into the path of the nefarious Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), the head of the Quantum organization.

The villain and the Bond girl aren’t as interesting as “Casino” and director Marc Forster doesn’t know how to handle this material as deftly as Martin Campbell, but is it fair to compare “Quantum of Solace” to arguably the best Bond film ever made (and, by extension, one of the best action movies overall)? No, “Quantum” isn’t as good as “Casino Royale,” but neither are most action movies.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

And “Quantum of Solace” IS better than at least three Pierce Brosnan Bond movies, both Timothy Dalton movies, and most of the Roger Moore missions. It’s a brutal action-fest that is missing something because it’s naturally all final act - being a continuation of the last film - but it’s still incredibly well-made. The first fifteen minutes alone make it worth a rental. For anyone who calls themselves a serious Bond fan, they make it worth a purchase.

As for the Blu-Ray, I’ve reviewed many in recent days - this is a crowded time of year - and MGM/Fox keep producing titles that look a little flatter than some of their competitors. There’s no problem with the detail, but the gorgeous scenery of “Quantum of Solace” doesn’t pop like you hope it would.

The audio is okay, but not as mind-blowing as it should be. Just before watching the opening scene of “Quantum of Solace,” I watched the “action” opening of “Bolt”. It sounded better mixed than this English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. That’s not right. It’s not that “QoS” sounds bad. It doesn’t. But it’s not going to blow you away like it should.

And the same “good enough” judgment extends to the special features. There’s a cool music video and two great featurettes - one on the locations and one about often-unheralded crew members - but no commentary and no deleted scenes. It reeks of material being held back for a special edition timed to the next theatrical Bond. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

Special features

Music Video: “Another Way to Die” by Jack White & Alicia Keys (4:30)

Hey, look, a music video. Are there any channels that still play these things? This is actually a great clip blending the style of the opening with Alicia and Jack kicking rock and roll ass. I know the theme song has been divisive. Personally, I dig the attempt to blend bluesy lyrics, solid guitar riffs, the classic Bond theme, and one of the best voices in soul. Unlike most music videos on Blu-Ray, I’ll probably watch this one again. If a channel like, oh I don’t know, MTV had actually played it, the song might have been a bigger hit.

Quantum of Solace will be released on Blu-Ray on March 24th, 2009.
Photo credit: MGM/Fox

“Bond On Location” (24:45)

That shots of Bond in the suit with the gun that became so associated with the film and is featured as its cover was actually shot in a Chilean desert. Bond movies, especially lately, don’t do much on-set. “Casino Royale” and “Quantum of Solace” have gorgeous photography around the world. Location is essential to this piece and this is a great featurette detailing why and the decisions that were made in picking them.

“Start of Shooting” (2:54)

A brief piece about pre-production, concept, and the start of shooting for “Quantum” in early 2008.

“On Location” (3:14)

Overkill after the “Bond On Location” featurette about moving locations in March.

“Olga Kurylenko and the Boat Chase” (2:14)

A self-explanatory look at one of the most crucial scenes in the film that was shot in April. It’s here that you realize that these mini-featurettes are merely chronological, brief, behind-the-scenes pieces that should have just been incorporated into one longer piece. Typical Fox/MGM in that there’s no Play All and they’re all too brief.

“Director Marc Forster” (2:45)

About bringing on the new guy. They’re all real proud of him.

“The Music” (2:36)

Self-explanatory bit about recording and conceiving the score with composer David Arnold.

“Crew Files” (45:30)

A stunning amount of material profiling individual crew members and their role on the film one at a time. Profiles include Michael G. Wilson, James Grant (Location Manager), Ana Endara (Extras Casting), Ben Cooke (Stuntman), and many, many more. This is actually a great feature that allows access to people who don’t often get the credit they deserve but are just as much a part of the fabric of the piece as those who do.

The set is rounded out by two trailers but no commentary or deleted scenes.

‘Quantum of Solace’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Video and stars Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Giancarlo Giannini, Jeffrey Wright, and Judi Dench. It was written by Paul Haggis and Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and directed by Marc Forster. It will be released on March 24th, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Cadillac Records’ With Beyonce Knowles a Greatest Hits Album of Blues Legends

BrianTT — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:58:31 -0600

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – There’s a lot to like about the individual parts of “Cadillac Records,” now on Blu-Ray, but they never come together to form a cohesive sum. A frustratingly episodic film, “Records” crams too many stories into one movie, ending up more like a greatest hits album than a creative vision of its very own.

If each individual story in “Cadillac Records” causes young viewers to go back and learn more about the early days of rock and roll and the music of Etta James, Chuck Berry, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Little Walter than the film will have done some good, but I’ll never understand the logic of trying to shove all their stories into a film under two hours long.

Cadillac Records was released on Blu-Ray on March 10th, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Video

The end result is a spotty music biopic. As soon as you get interested in one person’s story, writer/director Darnell Martin is sporadically moving on to another one. The first story arc in “Cadillac Records” is easily the best because of the incredible Jeffrey Wright, one of the more consistently interesting actors of his generation.

Cadillac Records was released on Blu-Ray on March 10th, 2009.
Photo credit: Sony Pictures Home Video

Wright plays Muddy Waters and the first act of the film details his meeting Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody) and their formation of Chess Records (nicknamed Cadillac Records because everyone who was on the label was successful enough to get a Caddy). “Cadillac Records” starts strong because of Wright’s typically riveting performance, the main reason to rent or buy the film on Blu-Ray.

It’s when the Chicago label expands and the rest of the band starts to get their solos that “Cadillac Records” gets choppy. First, Columbus Short feels forced as Little Walter, and, I’m sorry to be blunt, but I’m not buying what Beyonce Knowles tries to sell as Etta James. She’s got the voice, for sure, but she just doesn’t have the screen presence to play as big a personality as the pipes behind “At Last”.

Nearly every time that Wright is off-screen in “Cadillac Records,” it’s low-grade melodrama, the kind of thing we’ve seen a hundred times before, at least half of them done more believably. Everyone else in the movie is Wright’s backup band and they’re not very good. (With the slight exception of the perfectly cast Mos Def as Chuck Berry, but he falls victim to too big a personality with too little screen time.)

Ultimately, “Cadillac Records” is some good tunes and the beginning of some great stories. Dig deeper to learn more about Chess Records, but don’t expect to be too satisfied by what is essentially just a sampler disc.

The Sony Blu-Ray release of “Cadillac Records” is presented in 1080P with the film’s 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Special features include deleted scenes, “Playing Chess: The Making of Cadillac Records,” “Once Upon a Blues: Cadillac Records by Design,” a commentary by writer/director Darnell Martin, and the Blu-Ray Exclusive - The Chess Record Player, an interactive feature that allows you to create and share a list of songs featured in the movie.

The technical specs and special features work adequately to enhance the experience of “Cadillac Records”. It’s too bad that experience wasn’t what it could or should have been given the true stories and amazing music it chronicles.

‘Cadillac Records’ is released by Sony Pictures Home Video and stars Beyonce Knowles, Jeffrey Wright, Adrien Brody, Columbus Short, Gabrille Union, Eamonn Walker, and Mos Def. It was written and directed by Darnell Martin. It was released on March 10th, 2009. It is rated R.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: Oliver Stone’s ‘W.’ Disappointing Film, Great Blu-Ray

BrianTT — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 19:08:08 -0700

Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0

CHICAGO – What happened to Oliver Stone? Despite strong performances by Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, and Elizabeth Banks, “W.” is one of the most inert, middle-of-the-road movies that this once-controversial auteur has ever made, helped on the home market by an excellent Blu-Ray release but still a little “eh” as a film.

The previews and advertising campaign for “W.” made it out to be a satirical jab at the most openly ridiculed President in the history of the United States. The satirical use of “What a Wonderful World” over footage of the last eight years and the tagline on the great posters - “A life misunderestimated.” - promised a no-holds-barred skewering by one of the best filmmakers of the last quarter-century.

W. was released on Blu-Ray on February 17th, 2009.
Photo credit: Lionsgate

So why is “W.” so dull? The balance between the decisions that Stone and writer Stanley Weiser made that had a humorous angle - like recreating the infamous pretzel-choking incident - and the depressingly dramatic ones result in a film that too carefully walks the line. Stone and Weiser don’t find enough comedy in the story of the world leader who plunged a large section of the world into anarchy, but are clearly not interested in a straight-up drama either.

W. was released on Blu-Ray on February 17th, 2009.
Photo credit: Lionsgate

The dramatic inertness of “W.” makes for one of Stone’s least powerful films. It’s still a decent movie because of the stellar ensemble and highly underrated lead, but it should have been great.

The lack of a narrative through line - most of “W.” plays like a greatest hits album of Bush moments from his first term - leaves Stone with nowhere to focus his passion. Whether you love him or hate him, Oliver Stone’s best work has always been a passionate filmmaker.

Stone and Weiser focus most of their piece on the days leading up to the war, especially the construction of the “Axis of Evil” speech, intercut with the more compelling story of a little boy lost always trying to impress his daddy. His early years are sketched out as a man who jumped from job to job and saw his family name as a burden more than a gift.

The scenes between George Sr. (James Cromwell) and his controversial son are easily the best in the film. We’ve all seen most of the dramatic beats of the White House material in “W.” but scenes like the one where his parents try to talk him out of running for Governor feel more refreshingly new. They are easily the strongest in the film.

The modern era material feels surprisingly underdeveloped, like a press secretary hitting key talking points but missing the meat of the story. I never felt like I was actually watching Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and Condoleeza Rice, always remaining aware of the good impersonation by Richard Dreyfuss, better one by Jeffrey Wright, and downright awful one by Thandie Newton.

W. was released on Blu-Ray on February 17th, 2009.
Photo credit: Lionsgate

What is memorable about “W.” is in what Stone gets out of Josh Brolin and James Cromwell. These are two of the best performances of 2008 and it’s criminal how little Josh was mentioned in the Best Actor race. He’s better in this than Pitt in “Benjamin Button”. He gets underneath Bush’s skin, doing much more than an impression. A scene where he whines about his father giving him a gift because dad can only write kind words instead of saying them perfectly captures something about Dubya that hadn’t been before.

On one more positive note, master cinematographer Phedon Papamichael (“Walk the Line,” “Sideways”) shoots the film brilliantly. Like every Stone film, it looks great.

And it looks even better on Blu-Ray. Lionsgate is growing in the Blu-Ray market after releasing a few titles with excellent transfers including “The Midnight Meat Train” and “Saw V”. A studio that somewhat struggled last year in HD has moved to the forefront of the field with transfers that have very rich color palettes and crystal clear picture, even in the darker scenes.

“W.” is presented in 1080P with a perfect English 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio Track. A very good collection of special features include a commentary by Stone, “Dangerous Dynasty: The Bush Legacy,” “No Stranger to Controversy: Oliver Stone’s George W. Bush,” “W.” Filmmakers Research and Annotations Guide, deleted scenes with optional director commentary and the theatrical trailer.

A nearly flawless video and audio transfer and an excellent collection of special features. It’s starting to become a pattern with Lionsgate. If only the movie itself had lived up to expectations.

‘W.’ is released by Lionsgate Home Video and stars Josh Brolin, James Cromwell, Elizabeth Banks, Ellen Burstyn, Richard Dreyfuss, Scott Glenn, Toby Jones, Stacy Keach, Thandie Newton, and Jeffrey Wright. It was written by Stanley Weiser and directed by Oliver Stone. It was released on February 17th, 2009. It is rated PG-13
.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Chicago International Film Festival Announces 2007 Award Winners

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 17:20:45 -0600

CHICAGO – The Chicago International Film Festival on Oct. 14 announced its 2007 award winners.

Mexico, China, Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States took top honors in the festival’s 43rd iteration.

Chicago audiences selected from 102 feature films, 14 documentaries and 33 shorts and student films spanning 43 countries. Films showcased both well-known and promising new filmmakers.

The festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, which was coined after the mythological god of discovery. When perusing the awardees below, notice “Chicago 10” and “America the Beautiful,” which I mentioned back on Sept. 19.

Feature Film Competition

The Gold Hugo went to “Silent Light” (Mexico).
The Silver Hugo jury prize went to “Tuya’s Marriage” (China).
The Silver Hugo for direction went to Roy Anderson for “You, The Living” (Sweden).
The Silver Hugo for best actor went to Sam Riley for “Control” (U.K.).
The Silver Hugo for best actress went to Yu Nan for “Tuya’s Marriage” (China).
The Silver Hugo for best screenplay went to Matt Greenhalgh for “Control” (U.K).
The silver plaque went to Chico Teixeira for “Alice’s House” (Brazil).

The main feature-film jury included Rudi Dolezal (Austria), Mike Goodridge (Great Britain), Udo Kier (Germany), Juri Menzel (Czech Republic), Claude Nouchi (France) and Maryse Sistach (Mexico).

New Director’s Competition

The Gold Hugo went to “In Memory of Myself” (Italy).
The Silver Hugo went to “Not By Chance” (Brazil).

The new director’s jury included Bill Stamets (U.S.), Elizabeth Donius (U.S.), Phillip Bergson (U.K.) and Ron Falzone (U.S.).

Documentary Competition

The Gold Hugo for best documentary went to “Taxi to the Dark Side” (U.S.).
The Silver Hugo went to “Chicago 10” (U.S.).
The gold plaque in direction went to “America the Beautiful” (U.S.).
The gold plaque in photography went to “4 Elements” (Netherlands).
The silver plaque special jury prize went to “Operation Filmmaker” (U.S.) and “A Walk Into the Sea” (U.S.).

The documentary jury included Clayton Brown (Northwestern University; Evanston, Ill.), Peter Gilbert (Kartemquin Films, Chicago) and Lisa Nesselson (Variety, Paris).

Short Film Competition

The Gold Hugo for best short film went to “Hesitation” (France/U.K.).

Narrative Short Film Competition

The Silver Hugo went to “Partus” (Denmark).
The gold plaque went to “27,000 Days” (U.S.).
The silver plaque went to “Train Town” (U.S.).

Animated Short Film Competition

The Silver Hugo went to “Everything Will Be Ok” (U.S.).
The gold plaque went to “Yours Truly” (U.K.).
The silver plaque went to “Sleeping Betty” (Canada).

Experimental Short Film Competition

The gold plaque went to “The Delaware Project” (Canada).

Documentary Short Film Competition

The gold plaque went to “The Ladies” (U.S.).

The short film jury included Steve Prokopy (Ain’t It Cool News, Chicago), Justine Nagan (Kartemquin Films, Chicago) and Mike Gibisser (filmmaker, Chicago).

The Chicago Award

The festival says:

As part of the Chicago International Film Festival’s special section on local filmmakers, the Chicago Award is presented to a Chicago or Illinois artist for the best feature film, short film or documentary.

The award applauds and celebrates the tireless efforts of regional talents who are devotees to the art of cinema and for their contributions to the medium.

This year’s Chicago Award went to “Terra Incognita” (U.S.).

The jury included Mike McNamara (executive director, Midwest Independent Film Festival, Chicago); Malik Bader (filmmaker; 2006 Chicago Award winner for “Street Thief”); and Annie Porter (associate producer, “At the Movies With Ebert & Roeper,” Chicago).

Audience Choice Award

This award will be announced immediately following the completion of the festival after Oct. 17.

Special Tributes

On Oct. 4, 2007, Roger Ebert was presented with a Gold Hugo lifetime achievement award. The entire 2007 festival was dedicated to the legendary film critic.

On Oct. 12, 2007, John Cusack was presented with a career achievement award preceding the Chicago premiere of his “Grace is Gone” film.

On Oct. 13, 2007, Jeffrey Wright was presented with a career achievement award during the festival’s 11th black perspectives tribute.

The 2007 festival concludes on Oct. 17. The 2008 festival will be held one week later from Oct. 9 to 22, 2008.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com