A Reel Review - EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

Sir Ridley Scott’s adaptation of the biblical Book of Exodus is very much done in the spirit of the Golden Age of Cinema; where thousands upon thousands of extras inhabited gigantic setpieces which are set in even gigantic-er landscapes…topped off with big-name actors, rousing scores, and jaw-dropping visuals. That is the leap-off point of Scott’s version of the story, EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS. 

Moses (Christian Bale) is raised as a brother alongside the future Pharaoh Ramses (Joel Edgerton) in ancient Egypt. When Moses learns of his true lineage, he rises up against Ramses in an attempt to free the 400,000 Hebrew slaves from Egypt. 

Everything about EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS is done on a HUGE scale. Massive cities and sprawling landscapes are always front and center, along with the behemoth task of getting tens of thousands of people out of bondage and across tens of thousands of miles of desert to their homeland. With such a big canvas to work from, the human focus of GODS AND KINGS naturally goes to Moses. This is truly his story as his faith is constantly put to the test as he tries to pull off a task he himself is not sure can be done. 

While a lot of time is spent with Moses and his struggles to believe, Ridley Scott winds up making a very dull film. Despite how much is going on with Moses, his step-brother, his real family, and the mystical elements surrounding and attacking everything, GODS AND KINGS doesn’t have much of a heartbeat to it and no real vision. Other than some startling visuals, Scott doesn’t put any personal touch on the characters or the story, and the result is very underwhelming. 

While the characters get lost and the story slogs along, Scott puts a lot of effort in keeping the mystical elements grounded. The messages from God to Moses come via a creepy little boy who vanishes at will, and some of the deadly plagues are actually grounded in realism; a practical reason is given for the fantastical happenings as Scott doesn’t seem interested in just holy magic. For the most part it works, but Scott doesn’t fully commit to the idea. Only some of the plagues get the grounded treatment, while the others just seem to happen on their own. One gets the feeling that there are some things cut out of the film for time (more on that later), because the imbalance is very up-front. 

While Scott is creating a head-scratching ho-hummer, he still manages to display one of the most jaw-dropping and visually stunning films of his career. Landscapes and cityscapes are breathtaking, and he deadly plagues, especially the locusts and the frogs…are chillingly creepy. Scott’s stark photography and eye for framing the perfect shot is always on display, and there is never a moment when GODS AND KINGS is visually dull. 

Acting is far from god-like. Christian Bale seems confused as to when to keep his odd accent, and Joel Edgerton seems lost in all the spectacle. Aaron Paul (TV’s BREAKING BAD) also gets lost in it all, and Sir Ben Kingsley only shows up to tell everyone what’s going on. Sigourney Weaver pops in a few times to speak about 12 words total (again, feeling like a victim of the cutting room), and John Turturro just can’t be taken seriously as an Egyptian Pharaoh. 

After a rousing and incredible parting of the Red Sea sequence towards the finale, GODS AND KINGS slogs down into a very anti-climatic wrap. The story takes several time-jumps and blows by decades of happenings, and only briefly touches upon some of the more well-known aspects of the story. It does feel like a lot of scenes are missing and that a complete version of the film has yet to be seen, but until then this is all we can react to. GODS AND KINGS winds up being a frustrating watch because it is visually arresting, but lacks the substance to make it worthwhile. There is no mighty message from the heavens to be seen here.

BOTTOM LINE: Fuck it

Reel Facts & Opinions: Everything You Need to Know About EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

One of the more interesting films of 2014 comes down off the cinematic mountain this weekend. Here is everything you need to know about EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS

What is this about? – EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS is a biblically inspired epic. It is an interpretation of the exodus of the Hebrews from Egypt by Moses as told in the Book of Exodus.

 

Who is directing? – GODS AND KINGS is directed by Sir Ridley Scott, whose impressive resume includes the Best Picture winner GLADIATOR (2000), along with ALIEN (1979), BLADE RUNNER (1982), BLACK HAWK DOWN (2001), KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (2005), and AMERICAN GANGSTER (2007). 

Who stars in this? – In this version of the classic biblical story, Moses is played by Oscar-winner Christian Bale (THE DARK KNIGHT), and Ramesses II is played by Joel Edgerton (WARRIOR). Also along for the ride are John Turturro, Aaron Paul, Ben Mendelsohn, Ben Kingsley, and Sigourney Weaver. 

Random stuff – GODS AND KINGS has several credited writers, with the biggest name being Steven Zaillian, who won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 1992 for Steven Spielberg’s SCHINDLER’S LIST. Zaillian was also nominated for AWAKENINGS (1990), and GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002) * This is the first collaboration between Oscar winners Christian Bale and Ben Kingsley * Bale has previously played another biblical figure; he played Jesus of Nazareth in the 1999 TV movie, MOTHER OF JESUS * This is Scott’s second biblical film after GLADIATOR * As explored by Reel Speak HERE, controversy has surrounded this film concerning the casting. 

What to expect? – Starting from the bottom and working our way up, having an Oscar-winning screenwriter in your corner certainly helps, and the cast looks very strong; you can always count on Bale and Edgerton to bring their best to the fight every time out. The story of the Exodus is grand in nature and demands some impressive visuals, something that Ridley Scott has always done well in his career. And although Scott has done well in the sword-and-sandal epic before (GLADIATOR, KINGDOM OF HEAVEN), his output over the past decade has been far from god-like. Recently his films have ranged from ho-hum (ROBIN HOOD), to stupid (PROMETHEUS) to outright disaster (THE COUNSELLOR). Hopefully the Good Ridley will show up this time, and bury the Bad Ridley out in the desert. 

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EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS arrives December 12^th. 

A Reel 40: THE GODFATHER PART II

“Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

This month marks the 40^th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s THE GODFATHER PART II. 

An American crime epic which is often regarded as superior to the 1972, Oscar-winning THE GODFATHER, PART II would serve as a prequel and sequel to that original film; its two parallel dramas involving the 1958 storyline of Michael Corleone, and the prequel portion covering the journey of his father, Vito, from immigrant to the head of one of the most powerful crime families in America. 

Director Francis Ford Coppola would re-team with writer Mario Puzo, who wrote the first GODFATHER, to write the screenplay. Also returning would be Al Pacino in the lead role, and he would be joined again by Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton, John Cazale, and Talia Shire. Newcomers included Lee Strasberg, Michael V. Gazzo, G.D. Spradlin, and Robert De Niro as the young Vito. James Caan would reprise his role as Sonny in a brief cameo. Marlon Brando, who played Vito in the original film, initially agreed to return, but failed to show up for his single day’s shooting. Coppola re-wrote the scene that same day and PART II would run without him. 

The film would be the first major motion picture to use “PART II” in the title, and would open the door for decades of franchised sequels in cinema. It would be nominated for nine Oscars that year, winning six; which included Best Picture, Director, Actor in a Supporting Role (DeNiro), Best Screenplay, Music, and Art Direction-Set Decoration. It appears on several of the American Film Institute’s All-time lists, and is often argued as not only the best sequel ever made, but as one of the best films ever. In 1993 THE GODFATHER PART II was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry. 

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Each year, this Blogger revisits the GODFATHER saga in November, just before Thanksgiving, and each year, walks away with a different impression of the film. It’s dual narratives builds a multi-layered  film; loaded with memories, family, betrayal, life, and love…and it is the perfect example of what film can do. As a sequel, it succeeds not only in going bigger, but by going deeper; exploring characters and the human condition fully. During this year’s viewing, this Blogger had a revelation when realizing that the film begins and ends the same way; with the death of a brother. Even after countless viewings over the years, this angle didn’t come apparent until this year’s viewing, and that speaks to the endless amount of discovery that THE GODFATHER PART II will always hold. It is timeless, and a true landmark in cinema. 

“I know it was you, Fredo…”

Reel Facts & Opinions: The Year In Film 2014, Episode XI

December is a packed month as the big push for Awards Season enters its big shove. Here are the notable films for the final month of the year. 

It all hits the road with….

WILD – Reese Witherspoon (WALK THE LINE) stars in this true-story about a woman who hikes more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Coast Trail alone to cope with loss. Directed by Jean-Marc Vallee (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB). 

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS – Sir Ridley Scott (GLADIATOR) brings his version of the Bible story to the big screen. Christian Bale (THE DARK KNIGHT) is Moses, and Joel Edgerton (WARRIOR) is Ramses. Co-stars Aaron Paul, John Turturro, and Sigourney Weaver. 

INHERENT VICE – Paul Thomas Anderson (THERE WILL BE BLOOD) adapts the novel of the same name in which a stoner/private detective (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend. Co-stars Josh Brolin, Owen Wilson, Katherine Waterston, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio Del Toro, Jena Malone, Maya Rudolph, and Martin Short. 

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES – Peter Jackson (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) brings the Middle-Earth saga to a close. Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, and Richard Armitage return. 

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB – Ben Stiller and the late great Robin Williams return for a third adventure. Shawn Levy, who directed the first two films, also returns. 

ANNIE – This latest big-screen version of the beloved musical stars Jamie Foxx as the Daddy Warbucks stand-in, and Quvenzhane Wallis (BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD) is Annie. Co-stars Cameron Diaz and Rose Byrne. 

MR. TURNER – Timothy Spall (Wormtail from HARRY POTTER) stars in this biopic of famed British painter JMW Turner. 

THE GAMBLER – This remake of the 1974 film stars Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, John Goodman, and Jessica Lange. Directed by Rupert Wyatt (RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES). 

INTO THE WOODS – This Disney production is an adaptation of the famed Stephen Sondheim musical. Stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Lilla Crawford, Tracey Ullman, and Johnny Depp. Directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO). 

UNBROKEN – Angelina Jolie directs this true story of Louis “Louie” Zamperini; an Olympic athlete who in WWII spent two years in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. Stars Jack O’Connell, Garrett Hedlund, and Domhnall Gleeson. 

STILL ALICE - In this emotional powerhouse, Julianne Moore stars as a mother diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Co-stars Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, and Kate Bosworth. 

BIG EYES – Tim Burton (BEETLEJUICE), returns to the world of the living in this true story about artist Margaret Keane, whose work was fraudulently claimed by her husband. Stars Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz, Danny Huston, Terence Stamp, and Jason Schwartzman. 

AMERICAN SNIPER – Clint Eastwood is back behind the camera in this biographical film about Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in U.S. military history. Stars Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller. 

SELMA – David Oyelowo stars as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and he is joined by an ensemble cast which includes Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., Giovanni Ribisi, Jeremy Strong, Dylan Baker, and Martin Sheen. 

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Next month, Episode I looks at the first month of 2015. 

Reel Facts & Opinions: STAR WARS in December

 

With the STAR WARS franchise making headlines again and the holiday season bearing down on us, now seems like a fine time to explore an issue fans of that far away galaxy have been concerned with; a STAR WARS film being released in December.

STAR WARS EPISODE VII (subtitled THE FORCE AWAKENS) was originally scheduled for a May 2015 release. This date was true to the tradition of a STAR WARS film always being released in May; a tradition begun in 1977 with the first film and continued with the next five. One thing led to another, and THE FORCE AWAKENS was eventually shifted to December. Why is this a big deal? For many fans, these movies belong in May. The nature of STAR WARS, with its science-fiction/fantasy roots, spectacular visuals, and action scenes screams Summer blockbuster; and May tends to serve as the kickoff to the fun and furious Summer movie season. Genre fans, especially those invested in STAR WARS, can be easily irked, and taking STAR WARS out of May to them can bea deadly sin, and it simply does not belong in December.

Or does it?

As many of you loyal readers know, this Blogger has been a first-generation STAR WARS fan his whole life, having been introduced to that galaxy in the spring of 1977. And in that year, December and Christmastime always meant receiving new STAR WARS toys. 

 The franchise was one of the first, if not the first to market itself on the toy market. With a universe filled with likeable heroes and spaceships, it practically sold itself and it changed the toy industry forever. From action figures to playsets to books to read-along records, Christmas meant STAR WARS every year. Even during years when there was no new film in theatres, there was still that hope of finding a new planet, hero, or spaceship under the tree. Christmas means toys to wee-lads, and no other toy in the galaxy came close to the fascination that a STAR WARS toy would bring. For millions of Padawans out there, Christmastime meant STAR WARS-time, and to this day this Blogger’s family still manages to sneak in at least one STAR WARS-themed gift every year. 

But the firm foothold the franchise has in the holiday season isn’t limited to just marketing and selling toys. Cable stations began running marathons of the first three movies over 20 years ago during the holidays, and would eventually add the second trilogy to their programming. STAR WARS-themed decorations and greeting cards are easy to find, and John Williams’ magnificent music has a whimsical, holiday feel to it. Even the very early days of the franchise knew it had a holiday connection; the well-intentioned, yet ill-fated STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL aired on TV in 1978.

So in a way, STAR WARS is truly coming home when THE FORCE AWAKENS lands in December. For the first generation of fans, there will certainly be an asteroid-field’s worth of childhood memories to fly through; memories of new toys on a Christmas morning which would inspire their imaginations to revisit their favorite scenes or to create new ones. The term, “let’s play Star Wars” became a battle-cry for youth, and the young are what STAR WARS is all about. After all, on the original production notes for STAR WARS (1977), series creator George Lucas quoted from the preface Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote for his non-Holmes novel, THE LOST WORLD:

I have wrought my simple plan

If I give one hour of joy

To the boy who’s half a man

Or the man who’s half a boy.

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STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS arrives to our planet on December 17th with evening showings, and in full on the 18th.  It is directed by JJ Abrams and stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels,  Domnhall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Max von Sydow, Kenny Baker, and Lupita Nyong’o.