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Steve Jobs (2015)
Fassbender, Boyle, and Sorkin deliver big!
I think it's important to mention that this movie is not a biopic. The film takes place behind the scenes of three different product launches and therefore is set up beautifully as a three act film. The direction of this movie is fantastic and is one of Danny Boyle's best in years. He decided to shoot the first act in 16mm, the second in 35mm, and the third digitally so the film looks better and better as you flow through time. Boyle does a great job of not making himself too noticeable as a director and lets the performances and script shine through his direction.
Michael Fassbender delivers an outstanding performance and I genuinely think he is Oscar worthy here. He absolutely disappears into this character and makes you forget that you're watching an actor. The entire cast is truly magnificent though. Seth Rogen probably gives the best performance of his career alongside Jeff Daniels and Kate Winslet who round out the excellent supporting cast.
This is a dialogue driven movie. The whole movie is conversations, so I can see a lot of people thinking it's boring, but I didn't feel that way at all. Aaron Sorkin's script is amazing and keeps you locked to the screen with the brilliant dialogue and flow of the story which is elevated by Boyle's direction. Sorkin has continuously proved he's one of the best writers in the business and this script is no different.
Literally the only problem I have with this film is my lack of emotional investment in the characters. I think this comes from the film being a three act product launch instead of a biopic. Due to this method, you don't really get to know these characters as much as I would've liked to (with the exception of Jobs). With that being said, you do see excellent character arcs and progression in their lives, but I could've had a bigger emotional pull to them. However, I don't think that could have been fixed unless this was a biopic which I didn't want it to be. To me, this is a very minor flaw in an otherwise flawless film.
I give Steve Jobs 9/10 or an A.
Shame (2011)
Beautifully Uncomfortable
This movie just helps show that Michael Fassbender is one of the best actors working today. It's always a task for an actor to give a great performance with little dialogue and Fassbender does just that. Some of his best moments in this film come from his facial expressions. Steve McQueen also does an outstanding job directing this film using long takes and making us feel like we're involved in this uncomfortable reality he creates for us. The cinematography is also outstanding and every shot is composed so well and can make us feel so dirty. The thing that really sets this movie into greatness is the score. The score for this film is wonderful and it builds and builds until we are suffering with these characters. The only problem I have with Shame is that it seems to drag just a tad towards the beginning. If you haven't seen it then check it out. I would give it an A (9/10).
It's Kind of a Funny Story (2010)
It never seems to click.
I watched this film out of boredom one evening with high hopes considering my love for coming of age type films. Well after 40 minutes I found myself wondering, "When is something going to happen?" I was waiting for something to connect to me emotionally and make me feel for the characters. However, all I received was a boring story that leads to a predictable ending leaving me feeling nothing. Keir Gilchrist was boring in his role, although I don't believe he had a lot to work with. I kept expecting the story to dive more into Zach Galifianakis' character and give the actor a chance to show off his true acting abilities. The film never goes there. It addresses his condition and his relationship with his daughter very lightly, but not enough to make the audience care. In fact, the film fails to make the audience care for any of the characters. Emma Roberts does a fine acting job although the chemistry between her and Keir Gilchrist is non existent (which I don't blame on her). If you are ever looking for time to kill then perhaps you can give this movie a shot, but I wouldn't spend any money on it. I was very disappointed.