The Big Short

Film: The Big Short

Starring: Christian Bale (American Hustle), Ryan Gosling (Crazy, Stupid, Love) and Steve Carell (Foxcatcher)

Director: Adam McKay (Anchorman)

U.S. Release: December 23rd, 2015 (Rated R)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 130 minutes


With every new 2015 cinematic release, insiders and prognosticators are seeking a standout film to swoop in and take over the Best Picture race. In steps Adam McKay's potential contender, The Big Short, a star-studded examination of the United States' economic meltdown following the 2008 housing market collapse. But in a bit of a twist, McKay isn't known for his dramatic appeal. In fact, the director has built quite the reputation as a comedy guru following his synergetic film-partnership with Will Ferrell in collaborations such as Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers and The Other Guys. Yet, perhaps McKay's humerus touch could be exactly the spark needed to jump-start this Oscar tailspin.

Back in 2005 hedge fund manager Michael Burry (Christian Bale) recognized a dangerous trend in the United States housing market. And when he uses his full contractual authority to go against the wishes of his clients and bet against the power of the highly regarded banking system, word of his antics quietly spreads around Wall Street. While most insiders laugh off the possibility of a structural breakdown, other money managers and investors such as Mark Baum (Steve Carell), Jamie Shipley and Charlie Geller look beneath the surface of the markets and bravely follow in Burry's footsteps.

Adam McKay deserves copious amounts of respect as he achieves the remarkable feat of transforming dull and monotonous source material into a laugh-filled and enjoyable affair. The Big Short succeeds on many levels and, at its finest moments, uses unorthodox narrative techniques to capture the audience's attention and hold it firmly for two plus hours. Be on the lookout for hysterical cameos from rising star and Australian beauty Margot Robbie, Chef extraordinaire Anthony Bourdain and pop-sensation Selena Gomez, all of which cleverly address the film's nauseating banking and mortgage lingo in a spry and comical way. Furthermore, Steve Carell follows up his Oscar nominated turn in Foxcatcher with another exceptional performance. His cynical character is highlighted perfectly through the constant back and forth with bank trader, Jared Vennett, played by a typically charismatic Ryan Gosling. But through all of these impressive turns, it's Christian Bale's supporting work that stands out as the most likely to land in the awards season discussion. All in all The Big Short is a winning drama benefiting from outside-the box storytelling, a sturdy comical undertone and fine acting from its entire cast.

However, despite all of the film's glowing attributes and valiant attempts to withstand such boring source material, the inner workings of the financial and housing markets are an irrefutable turnoff. Industry verbiage and terminology prove to be inescapable as they bog down an otherwise hilarious screenplay and, to varying degrees, wear down the viewer. After repeatedly hearing phrases like "sub-prime mortgages" and "collateralized debt obligations (CDOs)" at nearly every turn for over two hours, disinterest inevitably settles in. Yet, just as The Big Short begins to test its audience's patience, the movie's self-aware director recognizes an urgency to wrap up the story. Hitting a wall is unavoidable, but McKay and company are able to withstand the film's own self-restricting limitations.

We all know a family or families impacted by the irresponsible actions of our banks and lenders during the economic collapse of 2008. The dark realities of this historical blunder are enough to warrant a dramatic retelling of such events. Adam McKay does an admirable job of oversimplifying a complicated situation and the result is an often hysterical and well-acted account of American greed. The Big Short is far from the Oscar frontrunner that many were desiring, but it's still a journey worth taking.


Stars: 3 stars out of 4

Grade: B

Rapid Reviews: Creed and The Night Before

Once again, Sylvester Stallone finds himself returning to the ring in the legendary roll of cinema's greatest underdog, Rocky Balboa. But this time around, he stays in the corner and never laces up the old gloves, I promise. Instead Rocky's assistance is needed when a new breed of boxing icon Apollo Creed shows up in his restaurant in Ryan Coogler's sophomore feature, Creed.

Michael B. Jordan stands front and center as Adonis Johnson, a child born from a mistress of Apollo who never met his father. And after his mother passes away unexpectedly, Adonis is bounced around the foster care system regularly punished for doing the only thing he knows how to, fighting. He's finally taken in by Apollo's longtime wife and raised with an opportunity to avoid the ring. Yet, his natural instincts can't be ignored as he seeks the guidance of Rocky Balboa to help mold him into a professional fighter.

There are a few spectacular moments peppered throughout Coogler's pet project. We're given an impressive and emotional performance by Stallone and it's a welcome return for the former champ. However, Creed swings and whiffs at its ineffective romance subplot and feels too preachy to land an impactful blow. Ironically, we're force-fed Adonis' repetitive and hollow desires to form his own legacy, all while the film relies on cheaply imitated pieces of the Rocky franchise's past.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C+





The last time Jonathan Levine made a movie with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Seth Rogen headlining its cast, he landed atop my best films of 2011 with the unforgettable comedy-drama, 50/50. Almost a handful of years later and the team have decided to sprinkle in some Anthony Mackie in what very well may be the buddy-buddy comedy of the year, The Night Before.

After tragically losing both of his parents on Christmas Eve several years earlier, Ethan (Gordon-Levitt) has relied on the debaucherous company of his best friends Isaac (Rogen) and Chris (Mackie) to help get him through the holiday. However, as they grow older their wild annual antics must come to a close in one final night to remember. Yet, as the trio of friends are individually forced to face the biggest obstacles in their lives, they rediscover their ability to handle anything as long as they have the help of each other.

As expected, The Night Before delivers plenty of laughs and a whimsical holiday cheer. And although the film is obviously plagued by unforgivable situational conveniences and poorly developed subplots. the comedy is stellar enough to sustain the movie's infectious energy. While The Night Before falls well short of Levine's most respected work, it will longtime be remembered for its seasonal appeal and entertaining jokes.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-

The Big Short (NEW) and Midnight Special Trailers

The latest trailer has dropped for Adam McKay's uptempo drama, The Big Short, and it captures the film very well. My review will be up shortly and, spoiler alert, I enjoyed the film. McKay does an excellent job of molding together his comedic nature with a true story of 2008's catastrophic housing market collapse. With an all-star cast of performers including Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, The Big Short has plenty of reasons worth watching.





Although he hasn't penetrated the mainstream yet, filmmaker Jeff Nichols has certainly caught my eye with a pair of recent string of successful offerings. The psychological thriller, Take Shelter, was absolutely hypnotic and the coming-of-age drama, Mud, left a lasting impression. Nichols returns with another early year title, the dramatic sci-fi Midnight Special. The trailer is admittedly odd and difficult to wrap your head around, however I'll give Nichols the benefit of the doubt until he lets me down. Check out the first look in the March 2016 release, Midnight Special, starring a Nichols' regular, Michael Shannon.

Rapid Reviews: Suffragette and Trumbo

Carey Mulligan is one of the most talented actresses in the industry that no one really talks about. While other leading ladies like Jennifer Lawrence, Emma Stone and Jessica Chastain tend to leave their mark on widely marketed features, Mulligan embraces the challenges of less publicized indie dramas. Her latest work is highlighted in Suffragette, filmmaker Sarah Gavron's depiction of the hardships endured by English women throughout their lengthy quest to achieve the right to vote.

Maud (Mulligan) works ungodly hours for unfair wages as a laundress in early 20th century England. After she discovers a coworker is a suffragette, Maud slowly becomes more involved in the feminist movement. She willingly defies her husband's wishes and Maud risks everything for the greater good of women's rights.

To Suffragette's discredit, the film screams a bias recollection of 1910s England. Both written and directed by women, the film unapologetically portrays every single male character in a negative light somehow. It's difficult to believe that these female warriors didn't receive support from at least a small faction of men. Either way, Carey Mulligan's Oscar-caliber performance and an engaging story do an admirable job of luring the audience. Suffragette hardly separates itself from other decent films of the year, but it's a worthwhile watch in its own right.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-





After an epic career as one of television's greatest characters, Breaking Bad's Walter White, Bryan Cranston tackles his first major leading role in a feature film. The remarkable life story of shunned Hollywood screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo, arrives on the big screen by an unlikely filmmaker, Jay Roach. The comedy guru is best known for Austin Powers and Meet the Parents, but he teams up with Cranston in an attempt to reinvent both of their careers.

Following the aftermath of World War II and the fear of communist Russia, Hollywood begins a witch hunt for political radicals working and living in the United States. Acclaimed screenwriter, Dalton Trumbo (Cranston), becomes one of 10 industry insiders held in contempt of congress during a publicized investigation and is forced to serve nearly a year in prison. Upon his release, Dalton and the others continue to be blacklisted by Hollywood until their talents are needed to rejuvenate a creatively inept industry.

Bryan Cranston gives a fully committed performance in Jay Roach's Trumbo, however an outstretched story and artificial drama dilute the experience. Co-star John Goodman injects a burst of energy into the film, as he tends to do, but it's not nearly enough to keep Trumbo from wearing thin. This undeserving Hollywood pariah is entitled to a feature worthy of his legacy, yet Jay Roach's attempt unfortunately falls short.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C

Ranking the Rocky Series

After 2006's Rocky Balboa, I never imagined the iconic southpaw underdog returning to the big screen. But to Sylvester Stallone's credit, it wasn't even his idea to continue milking the Rocky cow for whatever it has left. I remember sitting in the Ritz Five movie theater back in 2013 and a young first-time filmmaker named Ryan Coogler was participating in a Q&A following his Sundance winning drama, Fruitvale Station. Coogler was asked what he planned to work on next, and he energized the Philly crowd by announcing he wanted to make a spin-off of Rocky. Later this month Coogler's longtime vision becomes a reality with the release of Creed. Therefore, I'm using November's Movie List of the Month to rank the entire Rocky Series (October's List).

#6. Rocky V (1990)

After the fourth installment became the franchise's highest grossing film in 1985, nothing could stop Sylvester Stallone from lacing up his gloves for another go-around. Unfortunately, the result was a disaster of a film with a melodramatic father-son story that proved to be nothing more than financial exploitation of moviegoers. Thankfully, even before the internet's mainstream introduction, word of mouth spread and audiences refused to pay their hard-earned money see a franchise-worst, Rocky V.

#5. Rocky Balboa (2006)

Everyone would agree that Rocky V was no suitable way to end a series. And although it's a little head-scratching that Stallone waited 16 years to put a more proper finishing touch to his Rocky legacy (perhaps the previous film's theatrical flop played a major role as well), it's impossible to deny that Rocky Balboa was a massive step over its predecessor. Even with a ludicrous premise that placed an elderly fighter back in the ring for an exhibition bought against a younger and more finessed boxer, Rocky Balboa was still a worthy inclusion thanks to its humble storytelling and nostalgic appeal. 

#4. Rocky III (1982)

Where the first two installments painted an earnest picture of a strong-willed main character who went from a loan shark's thug to heavyweight champion of the world, Rocky III was more of a spectacle. Bringing in big-named celebrity power like Mr. T. and Hulk Hogan to raise the stakes, the franchise's third installment felt more animated and illegitimate. However, the audience remains engaged as Rocky's pride gets the best of him and, as we all know, sometimes you need to get knocked down in order to get back up again. 

#3. Rocky IV (1985)

In the midst of a Cold War with Soviet Russia, the franchise's fourth film pits Rocky against an unforgettable foe, the steroid creation Ivan Drago. In dramatic fashion we watch as the mammoth Russian fighter dismantles Apollo Creed in an exhibition fight, which ultimately sets up a bout with Rocky. But going against his wife's wishes, the Italian Stallion ventures to Russia and prepares for his toughest opponent yet. As an icon of my childhood and with an energizing 80s soundtrack, Rocky IV is a clear step below the first two films but, otherwise, the best of the rest. 

#2. Rocky II (1979)

All Rocky wanted to do in the series origin was go the distance with the world champion, Apollo Creed. But after a gutsy and prolific showdown with the champ, Rocky steps into the ring against his nemesis for another shot at the title. As a winning follow-up to the first installment, Rocky II continues to show its lead character in a very personable light. He tries to escape the brutality of the boxing, but finally recognizes that he belongs in the ring. Therefore, with his trainer Mickey by his side and with the blessing of his wife, Adrian, Rocky dedicates himself to the fight of a lifetime. One that will eventually set the stage for countless sequels.

#1. Rocky (1976)

Is it even a question? The undisputed champion of the series is 1976's Rocky. The legendary sports film cemented its place in history as a Best Picture winner that took home three statues from the Academy Awards. Perhaps the greatest underdog story ever told, Rocky is every bit as entertaining as it is inspiring. Sylvester Stallone crafts a lovable and good-natured character who effortlessly captures the respect and admiration of the viewer. Whether it's Rocky Balboa's terrible jokes or the up-tempo boxing scenes, this is a top-notch film straight across the board. And while I'm hoping for the best from Ryan Coogler's Creed later this month, Rocky is one champ it will never beat.

Rapid Reviews: Legend and The 33

Brian Helgeland cemented his legacy as a writer the moment he won a screenwriting Oscar for his 1997 crime drama, L.A. Confidential, but that never deterred him from trying to become an accomplished director as well. In 2013 Helgeland broke through with the successful critical and financial sports biopic, 42, which paved the way for his latest cinematic effort, Legend.

Set in London during the 1960s, Tom Hardy stars in a dual role as twin brothers, Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who climb from amateur boxers to notorious gangsters who take control of the city. But when Americans try to work with the Kray's to turn London into the Las Vegas of the Europe, the mental instability of Ronnie puts the sibling's growing empire in jeopardy.

No one can argue against the diverse and well-ranged performances from leading man Tom Hardy. The talented actors work has always stood for itself and he clearly continues to shine as the only real reason worth watching Legend. In a bit of a surprise, Helgeland's muddled story is simply a patchwork of disorganized events and under-developed characters. Emily Browning co-stars as Frances, the wife of the more level-headed twin, Reggie. As the narrator of the story you expect so much more from Frances' character, but in the end she reveals herself as merely a shell of a deeper and more interesting personality. With a celebrated writer in the director's chair, it's baffling to see Helgeland deliver a structurally plagued story. And by film's end, Legend can only stand a showcase for Tom Hardy's fine work.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4.

Grade: C+





Arriving in theaters this weekend is Patricia Riggen's The 33, a real life drama based on the trapped Chilean miners who faced enormous odds while trying to survive a deadly collapse. Starring Antonio Banderas, Juliette Binoche and Lou Diamond Phillips, the melodrama is unspeakably high with this latest true story adaptation.

Despite many safety requests to the company's owner, 33 miners find themselves faced with death after a gold and copper mine traps them 2,300 feet underground. Government officials step in to work as swiftly as possible to rescues these brave men, but their strength, courage and sanity start to waver as food and water begin to run out with each passing day.

I've always enjoyed the fine career work of both Antonio Banderas and Juliette Binoche. And in all fairness, each of these performers possess a few shining moments in Patricia Riggen's over-dramatized survival flick. However, the constant recycling of facing an obstacle and overcoming the odds only to face another issue, it becomes a very tiresome ordeal. As a result, The 33 massively overextends itself and its more powerful moments become diluted by stereotypical Hollywood dramatization. The film has unjustly received overwhelmingly harsh reviews and, while it's not an awful viewing experience, I must admit that its flaws clearly outweigh its positives.


Stars: 2 stars out of 4

Grade: C+

DVD Outlook: November 2015

Another month is upon us and that means there's a fresh new slate of movie titles available on DVD, Blu-Ray and multiple other viewing platforms. And although October's offerings marked the release of my favorite film of 2015 (so far), Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, November also unveils a strong collection of noteworthy movies. Here are my top picks for this month:




The Man from U.N.C.L.E. - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Renowned auteur Guy Ritchie returned earlier this year with the espionage action-comedy, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and the result was one of his most superior films to date. Set during the Cold War in the early 1960s, CIA agent Solo (Henry Cavill) must reluctantly join forces with a Russian KGB operative (Armie Hammer) in order to bring down a sinister organization hoping to mass produce nuclear weapons. Ritchie finds a winning formula as he successfully blends together swift car chases, immaculate fighting sequences and laugh out loud humor. A stellar, albeit it quasi-unoriginal, story is told through exceptional performances from the film's pair of leading men and co-star, Alicia Vikander, who has had herself quite the year. The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is the most fun I've had watching a movie in a long time, so check it out. (November 17th)




The End of the Tour - 3 stars out of 4 - (Read my full review here)

Every now and again you encounter a movie that strikes a chord with you on a personal level. There's obviously something profound and existential surrounding James Ponsoldt's wonderful drama, The End of the Tour. Adapted from writer David Lipsky's bestselling novel, the film follows Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) on his five-day traveling interview with acclaimed author, David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel), during the end of the book tour for Wallace's iconic literary masterpiece, Infinite Jest. To experience The End of the Tour is to take a personal journey of self discovery through the insight of deep-thinker, David Foster Wallace. Mainly a subtle examination of human interaction, the film's dialogue will send your mind into a glorious tailspin that sustains itself long after its conclusion. I'll admit that The End of the Tour isn't a movie experience for everyone, but it's the perfect experience for many. (November 3rd)




Inside Out - Not Yet Rated - (No review available)

It's very rare that I go out on a limb and recommend a movie I haven't seen yet, however Disney-Pixar's Inside Out circumvents the norm. With a finished product that's been so highly touted that even some Oscar prognosticators give the animated feature a fighting chance at a rare Best Picture nomination, this clearer puts Inside Out immediately on my radar. The movie follows a young girl named Riley who moves from the midwest to San Francisco and her inner emotions (each uniquely personified) struggle adjusting to a new life. With every intention of catching the movie as soon as I can, such overwhelmingly positive reviews should make Inside Out a film you go out of your way to watch. (November 3rd)


Honorable Mention: The highly marketed comedy Vacation (11/3) introduces Ed Helms as the patriarch of the newest faction of the Griswold family. The franchise continuing Terminator Genisys (11/10) is also available this month. Amy Schumer goes from stand-up to the big screen in comedy director Judd Apatow's latest, Trainwreck (11/10). Finally, a pair of standout independent films are released in November as well. Sir Ian McKellan stars as an elderly and retired Sherleck Holmes who returns for one more mystery in Mr. Holmes (11/10), and you can take a look at the controversial true story of The Stanford Prison Experiment (11/17).

Rapid Reviews: Spectre and The Peanuts Movie

*** Guest review courtesy of Reel True's Greg Rouleau

Sam Mendes’ first foray into the Bond franchise, Skyfall, drew comparisons to Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, with its dark and gritty take on a character with a once campy history, eliciting more emotion than laughs, and putting our hero and his allies in precarious scenarios at the hands of a psychopathic villain.  His follow-up to the hugely successful Skyfall removes some of the grim of the previous installment and sees Bond up to his old philandering ways, but making sure not to deprive us of the awe-inspiring action sequences we’ve grown accustomed to with the Daniel Craig series.  It’s worth noting that Craig is once again spectacular as 007, making the criticisms of his casting seem like a distant, foggy memory. 

At the start of Spectre, Bond finds himself in Mexico City celebrating the Day of the Dead as a guise for tracking down a nefarious criminal.  We learn his mission involved him going rogue without the permission of MI:6, but it’s a fruitful venture that leads Bond on the trail to discovering a criminal organization that ties together all of Bond’s previous foes.  At the head of the group known as Spectre, is the always compelling, Christoph Waltz.  After a great introduction to the villainous character Waltz portrays, we’re then left with one major head-scratcher, as he’s never seen again for what feels like an eternity.  In the meantime, an assassin, Mr. Hinx, who feels like Odd Job meets Bane, chases down Bond while he courts the lovely Madeleine Swann, all the while Ralph Fiennes’ M battles to keep the British Intelligence Agency alive.  By the time Waltz reappears the story has lost some major steam.  In the opening credits there’s a large group credited to writing the film, and one can easily assume having too many cooks in the kitchen led to an inconsistent story.  Spectre, in terms of tone, is more akin to the Mission: Impossible franchise, with a more breezy approach to the material, and although it’s an admirable effort by Mendes, it’s ultimately a step below of its predecessor.


Grade: B





As my childhood continues to renew itself with an inordinate amount of remakes and re-brandings, Steve Martino's The Peanuts Movie found its way into theaters this past weekend. Fans of the iconic Charlie Brown universe created by the masterful Charles M. Schulz should know that Martino's newest animated feature comes from the mind of Bryan Schulz, the creator's grandson. Long-lasting discussions occurred between the Schulz family and the film's studio, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, regarding the creative direction of the story prior to attaining the comic strip's rights, and it definitely shows.

The lovable accident-prone Charlie Brown returns to the big screen and we find him swooning over a pretty new redhead girl who moves into the neighborhood. As Charlie Brown makes multiple valiant attempts to capture her attention, as expected, unfortunate circumstances always seem to spoil his efforts. But with the help of his eclectic collection of friends and his loyal dog, Snoopy, perhaps Charlie Brown could actually win her over.

In the latest from the Schulz family, The Peanuts Movie does a fantastic job of staying loyal to its source material. With 2015 marking the 65th anniversary of the comic strip and the 50th of the TV special, A Charlie Brown Christmas, it's clear that authenticity was an essential part of the collaborative team's vision. But despite an enjoyable return to classic characters from my childhood, I was a bit disappointed that they refused to use hand-drawn animation. It should also be noted that, at nearly 90 minutes, the movie runs a little longer than necessary. Perhaps The Peanuts Movie  would have been better served as an hour-long made-for-TV event. However, all in all it was a commendable return for Charlie Brown and all of his friends.


Stars: 2 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B-

Rapid Reviews: Remember and Kilo Two Bravo

One of the rare gems hidden deep in the lineup of the 2015 Philadelphia Film Festival was Atom Egoyan's chilling drama, Remember. The film features a recent Oscar winner, 2013 Best Supporting Actor Christopher Plummer (Beginners), who delivers another superb and memorable performance.

After the recent passing of his wife, elderly dementia patient Zev Gutman (Plummer) is reminded by his friend and follow resident at the retirement home, Max Rosenbaum (Martin Landau), about a pact they made. Therefore, with the aid of Max, Zev escapes the facility and embarks on a vengeful mission of locating and murdering the former Nazi soldier who killed their families in Auschwitz during World War II.

Leading man Christopher Plummer gives a spellbinding performance as a befuddled dementia patient dead pressed on carrying out his plan of revenge. Although Zev's journey to identifying the Nazi soldier comes with its ups and downs, all in all Remember culminates with a gripping and tense finale that sticks with the audience long after the credits roll.


Stars: 3 stars out of 4

Grade: B





Another fine selection from this year's festival was the U.K. action-thriller, Kilo Two Bravo. The debut feature from Paul Katis marks an impressive showing from the budding filmmaker. He uses his modest resources wonderfully in this unforgettable heart-pounding war movie.

Set around the Kajaki Dam in Afghanistan during 2006, a trio of U.K. soldiers set off to engage Taliban forces and find themselves trapped in a mine field. After an explosion alerts them of their surroundings and takes the limbs from one of the soldiers, they rely on the assistance of their unit to help rescue them from this unstable environment where the slightest misstep could cost them their lives.

Easily matching the intensity of Kathryn Bigelow's Best Picture winner, The Hurt Locker, Katis' Kilo Two Bravo is a suspenseful edge of your seat thrill ride that never wavers. Relentless in its discomfort for the audience, this harrowing true story is both a tale of unfortunate sadness and remarkable bravery. Supported by a phenomenal turn from Game of Thrones' Mark Stanley, Kilo Two Bravo is an overlooked festival darling that warrants nationwide distribution.


Stars: 3 stars out of 4

Grade: B

The Best of the Philadelphia Film Festival 2015

Now that I've had some time to sit back and digest all of the 21 films I encountered during the 24th annual Philadelphia Film Festival, it's time for me to acknowledge the best of what the festival had to offer (here's a look back at 2014's festival). With some huge late additions into the festival lineup including two films expected to make an awards season splash, Spotlight and Suffragette, there were plenty of reasons for optimism. So here's a look at the movies, directors and performances that caught my eye during another successful year.

Note: I wasn't able to catch Suffragette, The 33 or Michael Moore's latest documentary, Where to Invade Next.

Best Supporting Actress

Honorable Mention: Cynthia Nixon (James White) and Rachel Weisz (Youth)

#3. Julie Walters (Brooklyn)

#2. Rooney Mara (Carol)

And the winner is ...

Joan Allen (Room)

It was an absolute winning performance in one of the year's finest films. Joan Allen gives an emotional turn that helps sustain the second half of Room. Although Rooney Mara is better positioned for an awards season run, I'll take Allen's performance any day.

Best Supporting Actor

Honorable Mention: Emory Cohen (Brooklyn), Harvey Keitel (Youth) and Stanley Tucci (Spotlight)

#3. Jacob Tremblay (Room)

#2. Michael Keaton (Spotlight)

And the winner is ...

Mark Ruffalo (Spotlight)

It's to be expected, but this year's Best Supporting Actor race is loaded with noteworthy performances and there are still two months left for films to qualify for the Oscars. After last year's close loss to Eddie Redmayne, it almost feels like the voters will give one to Michael Keaton for his brilliant turn in Spotlight. Keaton was clearly fantastic, but his co-star Mark Ruffalo shined even brighter. With every new performance Ruffalo continues to climb my list of respected actors.

Best Actress

Honorable Mention: Sarah Bolger (Emelie), Sandra Bullock (Our Brand is Crisis) and Charlotte Rampling (45 Years)

#3. Saoirse Ronan (Brooklyn)

#2. Cate Blanchett (Carol)

And the winner is ...

Brie Larson (Room)

I've been touting Brie Larson ever since her Oscar snub for 2013's indie drama, Short Term 12. Larson elevates her game even higher with a sure-fire performance that could land her a statue at the Academy Awards. Room is absolutely compelling and we have its superb leading star, Brie Larson, to thank for that.

Best Actor

Honorable Mention: Christopher Abbott (James White), Tom Courtenay (45 Years) and Ben Foster (The Program)

#3. Tom Hardy (Legend)

#2. Mark Stanley (Kilo Two Bravo)

And the winner is ...

Christopher Plummer (Remember)

Although there were many films I had the pleasure of enjoying during this year's festival, one of the most memorable was the impactful drama, Remember. Christopher Plummer provides an unforgettable turn as a dementia patient who ventures from the hospital to seek vengeance on the former Nazi soldier who killed his family during World War II. With an unusually short list of worthy Best Actor performances this year, I'm surprised more hasn't been about Plummer's work here.

Best Director

Honorable Mention: Lenny Abrahamson (Room), Atom Egoyan (Remember) and Charlie Kaufman (Anomalisa)

#3. Paul Katis (Kilo Two Bravo)

#2. John Crowley (Brooklyn)

And the winner is ...

Tom McCarthy (Spotlight)

As an outspoken fan of McCarthy's 2011 drama, Win Win, there aren't many people as happy as I am that the writer/director is receiving all this acclaim for his latest effort, Spotlight. As the current Oscar frontrunner, although it's awfully earlier to get excited, McCarthy and his cast are every bit as good as advertised. 

Best Picture

Honorable Mention: 45 Years, Anomalisa, Emelie, Our Brand Is Crisis and The Program

#5. Kilo Two Bravo

#4. Remember

#3. Brooklyn

#2. Spotlight

And the winner is ...

Room

This year's Philadelphia Film Festival delivered plenty of notable features, but none stood out as much as Lenny Abrahamson's adapted drama, Room. Brie Larson gives an unmatched performance as a prisoner held captive as a sex slave who eventually gives birth to her captor's son. Forced to raise him  exclusively in a tiny 10 x 10 foot shed, the boy has never experienced anything outside the walls of "room". The film lures in the audience with a constantly progressing story that allows each of its acting talents to build depth to their characters. Room is an absolute must-see and one of the year's best pictures.

*** Stay tuned for a complete recap of every film I encountered at this year's Philadelphia Film Festival

Spotlight

Film: Spotlight

Starring: Michael Keaton (Birdman), Mark Ruffalo (Foxcatcher) and Rachel McAdams (Southpaw)

Director: Tom McCathy (Win Win)

U.S. Release: November 6th, 2015 (Rated R)

Genre: Drama

Runtime: 128 minutes


I've always revered the overlooked work of screenwriter and director Tom McCarthy. More respected for his earnest screenplays filled with wonderful character development and light-hearted comedy, McCarthy quickly hops into the directors chair once again following a critical bashing of his previous well-documented dud, The Cobbler. But despite McCarthy's recent poor showing, he bounces back in notable form - as you would expect from any artist and visionary with his talents - delivering one of 2015's hottest titles, Spotlight.

When Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) is hired as the new editor of The Boston Globe in 2001, he assigns the paper's finest team of investigators (known as Spotlight) to look into a surprisingly disregarded case of sexual abuse allegations against a local Catholic priest. And as Spotlight digs deeper into the facts, they begin to uncover a massive conspiracy by the church to cover-up decades of known misconduct. But with the powerful institution pulling strings throughout the entire city of Boston, unveiling this shocking true story proves to be mighty difficult task.

Tom McCarthy's Spotlight unravels as one of the most compelling investigative dramas in decades. Tied to a national story that strikes a nerve in all of us, this entertaining fact-based tale commands the audience's attention with elite acting from its entire cast. Michael Keaton follows up his Oscar Nominated turn in last year's Birdman with another upper echelon performance that should return him to the big dance. Keaton not only finds stiff competition in the Supporting Actor race from Bridge of Spies' Mark Rylance, co-star Mark Ruffalo could quite possibly give Spotlight the first pair of actors nominated in the same category since Bugsy's Harvey Keitel and Ben Kingsley accomplished the rare feat in 1991. And while critics and insiders have touted Keaton's performance, there are moments throughout the film when the excellence of Mark Ruffalo dwarfs his co-star by comparison. In addition, Stanley Tucci continues to impress as one of the best character actors in the business. Spotlight's perfect blend of a hard-hitting story and an unmatched ensemble leave the film as a primed Best Picture contender.

Despite all of the feature's shining attributes, Spotlight is weighed down by a few glaring blemishes. The film does an adequate job of keeping the audience's attention throughout its more than two-hour running time, yet there are a few noticeable lulls the viewer is forced to push through. Generally, these poorly paced moments occur as a result of McCarthy and co-writer Josh Singer's quest for Hollywood dramatization. A collection of these scenes feel inauthentic and unnecessary to the progression of the film, which ultimately leave Spotlight as a flawed, albeit successful, title.

Considering the minuscule number of elite films in 2015, Spotlight positions itself nicely as one of the top tier entries. McCarthy relies on numerous fine performances to transition his gripping factual script to the big screen. If history is any indicator, for more than the last decade every Best Picture winner has debuted to audiences in some form prior to November. Therefore, there's a strong chance Spotlight could be a major player during this year's run to the Oscars, and it's definitely one you won't want to miss.


Stars: 3 and a half stars out of 4

Grade: B+