The Spectacular Now

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The End of the Tour

by MCDaveJuly 25, 2015

I’ve never been an avid reader, so it’s safe to assume that I haven’t wrapped my brain around David Foster Wallace’s groundbreaking 1,079 page 1996 novel, Infinite Jest. Having very little prior knowledge of this unusual author who’s known for always wearing his trademark bandanna, even though the idea of this personal choice representing some preconceived “fashion statement” would have ran maddening circles around his mind until it nearly exploded, I was intrigued to learn more about Wallace through a very impressive team of collaborators. Filmmaker James Ponsoldt’s early work is impressive all on its own, but he emerged onto the scene in a big way with his most recent success, The Spectacular Now. And once you add two narrow, yet immense, acting talents like Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel into the mix, The End of the Tour becomes an indie drama I wouldn’t think to miss.

Upon hearing news of David Foster Wallace’s (Segel) tragic suicide in 2008, David Lipsky (Eisenberg) fishes through his closet and listens to some old cassette tapes. These conversations transport Lipsky back to 1996 where the one time Rolling Stone reporter embarked on a five-day journey with the lonely, albeit it brilliant, critically acclaimed author. As these two free-thinkers travel around the final dates of Wallace’s book tour together, their interactions break down barriers and evolve into philosophical discussions surrounding society, fame and addiction. Conversations that Lipsky and the rest of the world will cherish long after the sad loss of this progressive writer.

James Ponsoldt’s The End of the Tour is a captivating and highly personal examination of the human psyche. Brought to life through the transcending performances of its two leading stars, the film’s rich dialogue is both existential and enthralling. Jason Segel is an absolute revelation who embraces his portrayal of David Foster Wallace with an obvious sense of passion and respect. To experience The End of the Tour is to discover avenues of life and existence that often go ignored and become lost in the mundane patterns of every day behaviors. The film delivers an exuberance and awareness to one’s cognitive being that’s utterly refreshing. Ponsoldt places his audience into the unique perspective of Wallace’s forward-thinking mind and shows how terrifying and lonely it can be to find enlightenment.

For all of the movie’s remarkable dialogue-heavy interactions and sharp mental expansion, The End of the Tour is an extremely unconventional piece of work. The film circumvents any real story or plot.. Instead, it serves an homage of sorts to David Foster Wallace and the artistic genius we lost far too young. And despite an occasional sluggish pace, The End of the Tour presses on with its convictions and shapes a delicate piece of liberating art. One that leaves a rare imprint and will stick with me forever.

Some films tell magnificent and grand stories that dazzle and excite. Others search for something deeper and more profound. It’s safe to say that The End of the Tour is the latter. David Foster Wallace believed that all different forms of entertainment can become mind-numbing and hypnotic to the point where people fail to exercise life’s greatest gift, the ability to think for yourself. That’s a valuable lesson and one that everyone deserves to hear. Thank you to James Ponsoldt, Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel for sharing it with me.

GRADE: 4/5

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Geekscape Sundance Reviews: Whiplash

by MCDaveJanuary 17, 2014

The 2014 Sundance Film Festival kicked off with a bang. In fact, it kicked off with a whole lot of them. Damien Chazelle’s Opening Night selection, Whiplash, is a surprisingly provocative examination of “greatness” and a desire for perfection. Being the best at any facet of life requires dedication, sacrifice and a reasonable amount of obsession. And Whiplash brilliantly tackles this dynamic through the inconceivable backdrop of Jazz music. Implanted firmly in our nation’s roots, Jazz music has become a forgotten treasure that’s about as American as apple pie.

Andrew (played by Miles Teller) attends the finest music school in the country for one reason, and one reason only, he has every intention of being the greatest Jazz drummer of all-time. And with the guidance of the most skilled and feared instructor on the planet, Terrence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons), there’s no limit to Andrew’s success. That is, if his body and mind can handle the abuse.

Whiplash is a brutally realistic character study that succeeds on the shoulders of a pair of fine performances. This time last year, the young and impressive Miles Teller was virtually an unknown. But following the renowned critical success from 2013 Sundance selection, The Spectacular Now, we’re all very aware of his capabilities. Even more remarkable is how easily Teller stands toe-to-toe with the always overlooked and always sensational J.K. Simmons. While some may shortchange Simmons’ character by calling the film’s primary antagonist devious or even a bully, there’s far more depth to him than that. To the point where Whiplash transcends pure entertainment value and raises intellectual debates, such as whether or not this harmfully influential instructor is in the wrong. The way I see it, there’s a price you must pay to achieve greatness. Even if it means abruptly halting a relationship with the girl of your dreams, or spilling your blood to improve your hand speed. Our character’s darkly obsession leaves him fully capable of anything, and that’s the scariest part of all.

For as emotionally and physically draining as Whiplash is, there’s an equal amount of humor circulating throughout the screenplay. It isn’t your typical happy-go-lucky comedy, but these offensive and abrasive one-liners certainly do the trick. And whenever the continuous loud banging around starts to test your patience, Simmons is quick to crack a joke, simply reinforcing the wide spectrum of emotions that Whiplash forces you to encounter. It’s a unique story delivered in a compelling manner, all the way through to its bitterly prolonged finale.

You couldn’t have asked for a better way to kick off the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. I laughed, I cringed and I empathized. Already scooped up by Sony Pictures Worldwide, this definitely won’t be the last we’ve heard of Whiplash. Music fans everywhere, rejoice!

GRADE: 4/5

In Case You Missed It – January 2014

by MCDaveJanuary 4, 2014

Although the DVD and Video-On-Demand selections have been weak the past few months (December’s picks), January makes up for it in a big way. This month is loaded with some of my favorite films of the year, as well as a couple Oscar-possibilities. It was difficult to narrow down my top three picks of the month with a long list of worthy releases, but here’s what I came up with.

#1. Rush

Until the December release of David O. Russell’s Academy Award Best Picture contender, American Hustle, Ron Howard’s Rush spent a large portion of 2013 atop my favorite movies of the year. One could argue it was low the expectations I had upon entering the theatre, but in actuality it has everything to do with a dynamite performance from Oscar-hopeful, Daniel Bruhl, and a thrilling sports story superbly executed by its director. Formula 1 racing captured the attention of the entire world during the 1970s, and two of the fiercest drivers on the planet, James Hunt (played by Chris Hemsworth) and Niki Lauda (Bruhl), embarked on a legendary rivalry. Rush is far more than a high-octane racing movie, it has layers and depth that enable it to stand on its own as one of the finest sports dramas in years. It’s an absolute Must-See feature. (January 28th)

#2. Short Term 12

One of the year’s most tender, yet heartbreaking, films comes in the form of Destin Cretton’s directorial debut, Short Term 12. This unknown indie drama packs an enormous amount of emotion thanks to a genuine script and an unbelievable performance from Brie Larson. The gifted young actress is more than deserving of Oscar-notoriety, however, she appears to be on the outside looking in. Larson is far from the lone shining star in the film, the cast is flooded from top to bottom with authentic performances. In fact, supporting star John Gallagher Jr. even landed on my year’s Most Underrated Performances list. Watch as these twenty-somethings spend their workdays consoling and molding youth at a foster-care facility for at-risk children. It’s an eye-opening journey into the lives of our forgotten youth. (January 14th)

#3. Captain Phillips

The major consensus is Tom Hanks will find his way into the Best Actor race for his showing in this year’s true-story action adventure, Captain Phillips. This would mark the 6th time Hanks has been handed an Oscar Nomination, and he truly earns it once again. Captain Phillips follows a cargo vessel taken under siege by a band of Somali pirates. Through the guidance of their tactical captain, the vessel’s crew must work together to survive the ordeal. Director Paul Greengrass is best known as the visionary behind the second and third installment of the Bourne franchise, and here the action is equally as effective. Well paced and highly compelling, Captain Phillips is another strong effort from one of the greatest actors the world has ever seen. (January 21st)

Honorable Mention: There’s no shortage of other sensational selections finding their way to DVD this month. Two Sundance Film Festival entries that are both worthy of checking out are The Spectacular Now (1/14) and the gut-wrenching true-story of Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station (1/14). As for some Oscar-Caliber movies, Cate Blanchett is a frontrunner in the Best Actress category for her fine role in Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine (1/21) and there’s a few fringe players fighting to make the Oscar cut from Lee Daniels’ The Butler (1/14). Another rising Oscar contender comes in the form of a potential posthumous nomination for the late-great James Gandolfini in the romantic-comedy Enough Said (1/14). Horror fans have some interesting options arriving on DVD in January, Carrie (1/14) and the buzzed-about You’re Next (1/14) are available this month as well.

Geekscape Movie Reviews: The Spectacular Now

by MCDaveSeptember 5, 2013

It’s official, you should probably get used to hearing the name “James Ponsoldt”. The young director has swarmed onto the scene with impressionable debut and sophomore works such as Off the Black and Smashed (both are worth checking out if you haven’t already). But in 2013, just one year after his previous release, Ponsoldt returns with what many are calling his best picture to date, The Spectacular Now.

Sutter Keely (played by Miles Teller) is a fun and energetic senior in high school who fails to take anything seriously. But after a misunderstanding leads to a breakup with his current girlfriend, the budding alcoholic responds the only way he knows how to … with a rowdy night of binge drinking. The following morning a bright and shy senior named Aimee Finecky (Shailene Woodley) stumbles across Sutter’s passed out body on a random front lawn. The two teenagers end up spending the day together and that begins their unlikely and presumably doomed relationship.

The Spectacular Now shines by riding a wave of emotions on the shoulders of its endearing lead characters. Proving to be the role of a lifetime for Miles Teller, the convincing young actor embraces the opportunity by delivering a multidimensional character with legitimate struggles that lure the audience in with ease. Perhaps the greatest achievement regarding The Spectacular Now is the authenticity of its characters. Each and every individual you encounter in the film has their own set of flaws. No one is all knowing or perfectly content with their situation, and that feels like a rarity in movies these days. Along with screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber who collaborated to adapt the screenplay from a Tim Tharp novel of the same name, director James Ponsoldt utilizes his leads in a unique way. Sutter and Aimee are very different people who complement one another quite well. As their relationship blossoms, the teenagers are able to break from their shells and face the world in front of them. Therefore, The Spectacular Now is a gratifying film that examines the transition from youth to adulthood in a bold and honest light.

The third feature from Ponsoldt rarely moves along without a hitch. The initial roadblock comes in the form of Sutter’s obvious drinking problem. The ease at which he can obtain alcohol and weasel his way into bars seems all too unbelievable. The film could have simply avoided such a contrived subplot by offering a more plausible personal struggle. There’s rarely a scene without Sutter sipping from a flask or mixing a cocktail, and it becomes a bit too overbearing. But despite flaws with a few secondary and minor aspects of the feature, The Spectacular Now hurdles these obstacles and wins over its audience.

As yet another winning effort from this year’s crop of Sundance Film Festival selections, James Ponsoldt’s The Spectacular Now is both compelling and forthright. While it lacks credibility in certain areas and the ending was about one scene too long in my opinion, The Spectacular Now is another strong film from a very promising up-and-coming director. Check it out in select theatres now.

GRADE: 4/5

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