Tag: The Social Network

Geekscape Movie Review: The Trial of the Chicago 7

by MCDave

History has a way of repeating itself. And with his second directorial effort, Academy Award Winning screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network), transports us back in time to 1968, during the pinnacle of Vietnam protests where demonstrators and law enforcement clashed in an eruption of violence that mirrors the recorded imagery of present-day America. People were divided, political animosity had reached a boiling point, and a pivotal election was on the horizon. Ultimately, it was the result of that bitter 1968 election which set the stage for Sorkin’s latest film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, one that he demanded to be released by its distributor prior to election day 2020, with the hopes that maybe this time around history won’t repeat itself.

The Chicago 7 opens with a montage of footage regarding the assassinations of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy over a mere two-month span. Advocates for peace were being buried with bullet holes in their head, leaving anti-war groups with little hope that a non-violent approach would enact change and end the bloodshed abroad. Protest leaders like Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen), Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong) and David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch) attempted to obtain permits for peaceful protests in Lincoln Park, but were denied by the city’s mayor. After many days of protesting that included multiple violent encounters between law enforcement and protesters, disarray surrounding the Democratic party resulted in a loss of the election. Five months later, after Nixon took office as President of the United States, the surprising arrest of these protest organizers on federal charges of crossing state lines to incite violence sparked a controversial, months-long trial that placed the usage of America’s judicial system as a tool for political warfare under the public microscope.

The true story behind this iconic moment in United States history is unavoidably complex and detailed. Yet, the living wordsmith Aaron Sorkin delivers such a sleek and crisp script that unveils key components of these event in a purposeful and periodic non-chronological manner. Sorkin wastes very little time placing the audience inside the courtroom, where a majority of the film occurs and a setting that is a true comfort zone for the writer-director. And while The Chicago 7 never quite reaches the same heights as Sorkin’s legendary 1992 screenplay for A Few Good Men, there is still plenty to appreciate in this newest work. Humor and heaviness do a delicate dance between the pages of this script. The silliness of Sacha Baron Cohen’s and Jeremy Strong’s hippie figureheads make for exceptional comic relief when it’s so desperately needed. However, their hilarious quips and antics clearly take the backseat to a more serious and ominous tone that addresses themes of racism, politicizing our criminal justice system and violence at the hands of law enforcement.

The Chicago 7 is not only a brilliantly-penned screenplay, Sorkin also steps-up his game behind the camera as the direction here represents a stark and noticeable improvement over his debut film, Molly’s Game. Furthermore, it would be a grave injustice to avoid mentioning this star-studded cast and the outstanding onscreen performances given by this ensemble. Outside of the stellar and obvious lead performances from Redmayne, Strong and Sacha Baron Cohen, Oscar Winner Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) brings to life such a noble and naïve character as defense attorney William Kunstler, and Frank Langella will crawl under your skin as Judge Julius Hoffman, an unfair ruler of law. These performances, in conjunction with Sorkin’s writing, create a handful of unforgettable onscreen moments. Yet, the constant busyness of having to provide an abundance of details occasionally leaves the film feeling flat in between these masterful scenes. The Chicago 7 may not be Sorkin at his best, but Sorkin not at his best is still extremely worthwhile. You can catch this bona fide Best Picture contender streaming on Netflix right now.

Stars: 4/5

Geekscape Movie Reviews: Molly’s Game

by MCDave

Most successful individuals must work or train tirelessly to hone their craft, devoting a lifetime to reaching the pinnacles of their professions. Yet, somehow Aaron Sorkin appears to circumvent the norm with his seemingly effortless skills that have transformed the screenwriter and playwright into an Oscar-winning titan of the industry. Sorkin’s rare mastery of rapid dialogue interspersed with comedic undertones are staples in cinematic achievements such as A Few Good Men, The Social Network, Moneyball and countless others. But now Sorkin feels ready to embrace the next major challenge in his life, as the prestigious writer tackles his directorial debut with the unbelievable true story behind his new film, Molly’s Game.

After a crushing defeat ends the Olympic dreams of young skiing sensation Molly Bloom (Jessica Chastain), she ventures to California for a sunny retreat from intense training and a stressful upbringing at the behest of her father (Kevin Costner). While on the west coast, a series of odd jobs somehow navigates Molly into the underworld of high-stakes poker headlined by actors, athletes, politicians and all other kinds of celebrities. But as Molly’s thirst for expensive taste and her desperation to stay a part of the action crosses the line of legality, she’s forced to beg attorney Charlie Jaffey (Idris Elba) for his counsel after the U.S. government presses serious charges and confiscate all of her finances.

If you’re a fan of Aaron Sorkin’s past work, his trademark style is on full display once again in Molly’s Game. Told through a non-chronological approach, the audience is given a thorough glance into the mindset of a remarkably gifted woman who trades her intellectual and physical strengths for a dark and exhausting life of underground gambling. Molly is at the forefront of nearly every scene, paving the way for Jessica Chastain to grow an audacious and compelling character. Despite Molly’s crazy life story that manages to stay engaging even through a lofty 140-minute affair, Chastain’s performance is strong but not transcendent. Her work rings familiar to another recent turn Chastain delivered in John Madden’s Miss Sloane, and the similarities sour the experience a bit. Idris Elba and Kevin Costner provide stellar supporting performances as well, but the largest issue with Molly’s Game is the film’s inability to elevate the stakes. The story feels grossly repetitious at times and its dramatic conclusion is regrettably flat. However, Sorkin’s usage of heavy dialogue is executed to his typical standards, keeping a comfortable beat and tempo that’s constantly moving and never bores. Molly’s Game is a decent effort and a fine directorial debut for Sorkin despite the movie’s lack of necessary escalation.

GRADE: 3/5

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Founder

by MCDave

“If my competitor were drowning, I’d stick a hose in his mouth and turn the water on”. And that’s all you need to know about Ray Kroc and the manner in which he transformed McDonald’s from a successful family-run restaurant into a global fast-food chain. Earning the biopic treatment, John Lee Hancock – director of The Blind Side and Saving Mr. Banks – teams with Michael Keaton to deliver a compelling examination of capitalism’s cutthroat nature in The Founder.

Once struggling milkshake-machine salesman Ray Kroc (Keaton) learns the ins and outs of the small California-based burger shop, McDonald’s, he envisions a golden opportunity for growth and expansion. Not look after, Kroc weasels his way into a limited partnership with sibling owners, Mac and Dick McDonald (John Carroll Lynch and Nick Offerman). But as this trio of business partners fails to see eye-to-eye on key issues, Kroc must take any means necessary to make his vision become a reality.

As a ruthless depiction of the American dream modestly tempered by well-scripted moments of humor, John Lee Hancock’s The Founder mirrors a hybrid of recent biopics such as The Social Network and The Wolf of Wall Street. Ray Kroc’s character becomes more and more interesting as we see his hunger for success grow wildly out of control, to the point where he gladly takes whatever he wants. Michael Keaton is the main attraction here, as he breathes a sinful likability into the real-life persona of an American entrepreneur. The film’s entertaining screenplay, which is wonderfully assisted by Keaton’s performance, crafts a complex character that the audience hates to love. There are a few deficiencies within the film, like its failure to break any new ground from a cinematic and storytelling standpoint, which creates a rather limited ceiling of achievement. But, if nothing else, The Founder stands as a smoothly-paced and enlightening watch, highlighted by a gifted lead actor and a realistic journey into the world of big business.

GRADE: 3.5/5

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Geekscape Movie Reviews: Gone Girl

by MCDave

There aren’t many directors floating around Hollywood who can churn out high quality films at an expedited rate like the great David Fincher. Although this master of dark-natured cinema has only found himself at the big dance twice, nominated for The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Fincher has branded himself as one of the premier filmmakers in the industry with gritty works like Se7en, Fight Club and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And to be perfectly clear, the director’s latest addition to his overflowing portfolio, the adapted mystery Gone Girl, manages to stack up pretty well against any of his other previous hits.

When Nick Dunne (played by Ben Affleck) returns home on the morning of his 5th wedding anniversary, signs of a struggle and no word from his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), prompt him to alert the authorities. As Nick battles to process this chain of events, all signs of the investigation slowly begin to point to him. With the world turning against him, thanks to an onslaught of media-driven finger-pointing, Nick will stop at nothing to prove his innocence. But one haunting question still remains … did he do it?

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This year’s latest blockbuster release, Gone Girl, is an entertainingly wild affair filled with twists and turns at every corner. Nothing is ever what it seems, and all of the suspense and mystery boils down to an edge of your seat thrill ride that proves to be utterly unpredictable. Ben Affleck gives one of the strongest performances of his career, but still happens to be overshadowed by the onscreen brilliance of his counterpart, Rosamund Pike. Move over all you Hollywood starlets, Pike has officially “arrived” and her jockeyed position in the Best Actress race feels all but assured. I think it’s safe to say we can all expect to see a lot more of Pike in the upcoming years. In addition to a pair of leads who do an exceptional job of carrying the film, director David Fincher manages to get the most out of his secondary characters with noteworthy turns from Carrie Coon, Tyler Perry and Kim Dickens as well. Gone Girl‘s performances and unforeseen story help catapult the film into one of the best pictures of the year.

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Despite the movie’s impressively eerie tone, something Fincher always tends to capture well, a few mitigating factors are apparent. With a sluggish third act that could admittedly go on forever, Gone Girl‘s nearly 150-minute running time doesn’t go unnoticed. However, each and every shocking surprise you encounter makes it worth the ride. Furthermore, it’s impossible to ignore the unrealistic manner in which some of the police and hospital procedures are conducted. Although it’s mostly meant for dramatic effect, ignoring standard protocol lessens the authenticity to some extent. Yet, all of Gone Girl‘s shortcomings eventually fade to the background and allow the audience to be consumed by a whirlwind of intrigue and anticipation.

With a screenplay written by author Gillian Flynn herself, fans of the best-selling novel are guaranteed to appreciate David Fincher’s brilliantly directed adaptation. And for everyone who never read the book, much like myself, you will also be impressed. From top to bottom Gone Girl is a stellar piece of filmmaking that sets the bar high for countless other late-year releases. Make sure you get to the movie theatre and enjoy one of 2014’s finest features.

GRADE: 4.5/5

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