Review: Film: Crimson Peak, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 4

            The film, Crimson Peak is a spectacular classical gothic horror tale, along similar lines as Edgar Allan Poe’s tales and poetry. The cinematography fortunately does not take on the rather dark hues of predecessors of gothic films, but rather the movie can be seen, and it plays with the light to create a dramatic effect, keeping in step with the gothic elements of the movie. It is a sweeping cinematographers dream, the landscape is romantic yet gothic, and the costume designs are rich in color. I will not be surprised when this film walks away with at least one Oscar for its brilliant cinematography, set and costume designs, and screenplay. The screenplay is original, something not done in decades, and done in the traditional gothic genre, yet adding new gothic elements that are much to my liking. During the season of October, this movie is a must see; for all you ghosts and goblins out there, who want a ghoulish gothic tale of drama, mystery and intrigue; a whodunit by a great cast of Goths. The cast were exceptional, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver. In order to pull the audience into the intrigue the performances had to be and were convincing, Jessica Chastain did a spectacular job in her role. What is not to enjoy about this film?

Review: Film: Sicario, by Julie Renee Phelan

Thumps from 1 to 5: Thumps of 4.5

           The movie, Sicario, which means hit-man, release date of 2015 is well worth the watch and thoughts, and is without a doubt a game of back and forth, cat and mouse, as the writer's and director bat the ball between the hands of a boy sitting at a table, the opponents on a soccer field, the FBI and CIA, the drug lords in Mexico and Colombia, the United States and Mexico, and North and South America. The play of the ball was a metaphor blatantly pursued by the writers and directors. The film is about a violent ruthless Mexican drug lord, and a former Colombian drug lord who for personal reason assists the United States CIA. The movie adds an additional dimension to the already told story by providing personal insights and vantage points, and the purposeful selection of the less of two evil drug lords by the United States government. The movie stars Emily Blunt, Benicio del Toro, and Josh Brolin. Without a doubt Emily Blunt will be nominated for an Oscar, and depending upon the field may walk away with the Oscar for Best Actress. I believe Benicio del Toro will be nominated as well. It was interesting to listen to Benicio del Toro, who is in real life originally from Puerto Rico, speak Mexican, but in this movie was supposed to be from Colombia. He was speaking Mexican, but was not Colombian. Indeed Colombian and Mexican are both Spanish, but they have different accents, and they use different nouns for the same object. For that reason, I do not believe Benicio del Toro will walk away with the Oscar, but his performance was appropriately raw and outstanding.