MOVIE REVIEW: Loving Vincent

The filmmakers promised Loving Vincent to be nothing you’ve ever seen put to film and they were not lying. The sheer artistry is miraculous where even folded shirts look as dramatic as emoting faces. To call the biographical drama a work of art and astonishing technical achievement would be shameless understatements. The best part of all is the massive wellspring of creativity was thankfully applied to an engaged narrative worthy of the artistry and the legend cast by Vincent Van Gogh

2017, 5 STARS, Independent Film, Foreign Film, MOVIE REVIEWDon ShanahanOctober 18, 2017Landmark Century Centre Cinemas2017, 2017 Fall Movies, animated films, Best Animated Feature, Loving Vincent, Vincent Van Gogh, Canon D20 camera, Robert Gulaczyk, Auvers-sur-Oise, Dr. Paul Gachet, Jerome Flynn, Saoirse Ronan, Marguerite, Marguerite Gachet, Chris O'Dowd, Douglas Booth, Romeo & Juliet, Lukasz Zal, Ida, Tristan Oliver, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Justyna Wierszynska, Dorota Kobiela, Clint Mansell, The Fountain, Hugh Welchman, Jacek Dehnel, poet laureate, film critic, movie critic, movie review, film review, CIFCC, movie commentary, film commentary, life lessons from animated films, life lessons, life lessons from movies, life lessons from film, life lessons from films, Donald Shanahan, Don Shanahan, Every Movie Has a Lesson, Lara BogenreifComment

MOVIE REVIEW: The Program

Creating entertaining biopics about a universally disgraced figure are a hard sell under that key word of "entertaining." If they attempt to create sympathy, a duel of alienation and bias can arise. A good, thought-provoking movie has to fearlessly dig deeper. As Van der Rohe is attributed to saying, "the devil is in the details." Exposing the sordid and untold details of what led to the subject's defamation is where your film gets interesting. The rise and fall of champion cyclist Lance Armstrong is fertile ground and a fresh wound that has yet to be solved. "The Program," directed "Philomena" and "The Queen" Oscar nominee Stephen Frears, pedals uphill in attempting to shine a light on the dark details.

MOVIE REVIEW: St. Vincent

Bill Murray, at his age and at this end of his career reinvention as a serious actor over the last two decades, has reached the point where he is unarguably great in everything he touches, right down to silly cameos and web videos. In his new film, “St. Vincent” his powers of talent and charm have merged and reached a new peak.

MOVIE REVIEW: Calvary

The ominous meaning of the film's title soaks in quite well. The overwhelming sense of an impending showdown is excellent dramatic fuel to keep this journey taut and interesting. Filmed in County Sligo on the northwestern coast of Ireland, the raw landscape adds to the feeling of isolation and the intimate dynamics of a small, tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. With that crafted tone, McDonagh's film feels like a religious-tinged western and a good one too. The slow build is excellent and the pay off resonates. If you can find this little film in limited release or on Video On Demand, you'll be well-challenged.