The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk is full of action scenes that don't hold up all that well. You can easily see how far Marvel has come in the last ten years in terms of special effects and explosions in battle scenes. They've mastered the art. It's the Marvel Cinematic Universe's tenth anniversary and they're all back in theaters this week in IMAX. This is the only one I've never seen and I'm an AMC A-List member now, so why not?

The Hateful Eight (2015)

I think the perfect word to describe this movie is self-indulgent. For one, it is way too long, clocking around three hours. And when your movie is so long, it can't be so slow--I kind of fell asleep a little in the middle. The story is told in several distinct chapters, which enhances the epic grandeur that Tarantino tries to evoke. And I understand that the first few set up the story, but they are too long for just setup.  There is the usual gratuitous amount of hyperbolic graphic violence and lots of inappropriate language. I'm all for free speech, but Tarantino  is a little too comfortable using the N-word. The most problematic aspect of the movie: no likable characters.

That being said the movie does some things very well. The storytelling is strong. I am surprised that Tarantino wasn't nominated for his screenplay. The story is mostly told linearly, but there is one chapter of flashback to make a crucial revelation that totally turns the story on its head. The last half of the movie is significantly better than the first. Most of the movie takes place in a single room, and we change perspectives in this one room. Some chapters also use narration, which is out of place since it is only present in some chapters, but it somehow works. The cinematography is also pretty incredible. The white snow is expansive and there is a great shot that is half pure white and half pure blue sky. But the very best aspect of this movie is Ennio Morricone's score. It is quintessentially western. 

Selma (2014)

Ava Duvernay's paints a vivid picture of the 1965 voting rights marches in Selma, Alabama.  She does not shirk away from violence or hatred, beginning the film with an unexpected, very graphic "BANG!"  The audience sees and hears the billy club wielding policemen brutally beating and teargassing nonviolent protesters.  There is a great shot that follows Oprah's character Annie Lee Cooper head on falling backwards to the concrete.  But amid all the violence there is hope.  This film is a testament to the idea that people of all backgrounds can come together to bring about change in society.  This message is especially important in our society today, when we are reminded of the protests in Ferguson or in Hong Kong.

It is important to be reminded that these are real people being portrayed on screen.  The characters, even supporting characters, are all actual historical figures.  A lot of research was done for this film. For the unknowing viewer, the epilogue credits give proof that the people depicted are real, some still living today.  We also see black-and-white historical footage of the march to Montgomery with the hordes of people crossing the bridge.

One interesting fact about the screenplay is that all of the speeches made by Oyelowo as King are made up.  The filmmaker did not have permission to use the text from his actual speeches. Interestingly though, the speeches in the film actually sound like things King might have said.  The cadence, the content, and even the figurative language are all reminiscent of King's words.  Oyelowo does an excellent job as King, portraying him in public and private life.  The FBI was always suspicious of King, and constantly kept him under surveillance.  We are subtly reminded of this at the end of each scene with typewriter text appearing on the screen recording the FBI's logs.  This stylistic choice of Duvernay keeps the FBI ominously lurking in the background as they actually did.

And finally, I love "Glory," the song at the end credits by Common and John Legend. Its message, rhythm and chorus resonate with the audience for an uplifting ending