Preston Barta // Editor
DOCTOR STRANGE
Rated PG-13, 115 minutes.
Directed by: Scott Derrickson
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton
As conventional as Marvel Studios films have become, they can still deliver thoroughly exciting big screen entertainment, and DOCTOR STRANGE continues Marvel’s victorious streak with wondrous central character and top-tier visuals.
Benedict Cumberbatch hangs up his Sherlock Holmes duster and deerstalker cap to sport a fancy red cape (a character of its own) and garner skills too incredible to fully comprehend. In Strange’s origin story, director Scott Derrickson (SINISTER) explores the genesis of the titular former neurosurgeon and how he grows to literally bend time and space.
While Doctor Strange suffers from a few typical superhero cliches, what remains works so well and is so invigorating that it’s easy to look past some of these minor issues and enjoy this vivid spectacle.
Extras: DOCTOR STRANGE, like all Disney’s home releases, comes with a slew of extras, tackling the stunning visuals, character concepts and the score. It also includes deleted scenes, a gag reel, and audio commentary with director Scott Derrickson, and a special look at the team behind the upcoming Thor sequel.
MOONLIGHT
Rated R, 111 minutes.
Director: Barry Jenkins
Cast: Trevante Rhodes, Mahershala Ali, Andre’ Holland, Ashton Sanders, Naomi Harris, Alex Hibbert and Janelle Monae
Carefully directed by Barry Jenkins, MOONLIGHT is divided into three parts, chronicling the struggles of a young man named Chiron (played by Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes). Never has a film been so bold to explore the notion of sexual identity and black life outside the times of slavery or civil rights, yet MOONLIGHT dares to go the distance and give us the hauntingly beautiful story that America needs.
Extras: A highly informative audio commentary with Jenkins on his filmmaking process and choices throughout production, a 20-minute making-of, a 9-minute examination of the musical score, and a special featurette on filming in Miami.
ALLIED
Rated R, 124 minutes.
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris, August Diehl, Lizzy Caplan and Simon McBurney
Considering the magnitude and long-lasting effects of the Second World War, there are millions of different stories waiting to be told. This week, we have Robert Zemeckis’ ALLIED — a romantic drama about an intelligence officer (a stiffer-than-normal Brad Pitt) and a French Resistance fighter (Marion Cotillard) who become entangled in a romance and possible treason. It’s one of those “who can you really trust?” type of movies, but set against a Nazi backdrop to arouse curiosity. The story is admittedly compelling and Cotillard gives a heartfelt performance, but Zemeckis holds the film back from its award-worthy potential by embracing an overly Hollywood approach.
Extras: The combo pack contains more than an hour of bonus content, focusing on all areas of the production — including the story, production design, direction, costumes, cast, visual effects, music and overall look.
RULES DON’T APPLY
Rated PG-13, 127 minutes.
Director: Warren Beatty
Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Lily Collins, Matthew Broderick, Haley Bennett, Taissa Farmiga, Annette Bening and Warren Beatty
Hollywood legend Warren Beatty takes on the later years of Howard Hughes (remember Leo from THE AVIATOR?) and inserts a fictional love story involving a contract actress (Lily Collins) and her driver (Alden Ehrenreich). This ’50s-set comedic drama explores the right areas (conflicting sects and the mythology of Hughes), but Beatty doesn’t deepen our understanding or present the film in the most skillful manner. The worst film editing of 2016 doesn’t do it many favors either.
Extras: A making-of, music video (“The Rules Don’t Apply,” performed by Lily Collins) and photo gallery.
Also available on DVD and streaming: ALL WE HAD, CONTRACT TO KILL, OFFICER DOWNE (read Courtney Howard’s review) and SHUT IN.
