Movie of the Week – A Most Violent Year
Writer/Director JC Chandor continues his impressive run, following Margin Call and All is Lost with A Most Violent Year, his most accomplished piece yet. Set in 1981, New York’s most dangerous year of the modern era, the film follows an ambitious immigrant (Oscar Isaac) as he chases the American dream, equal parts hindered and aided by his waspy American wife (Jessica Chastain). Isaac is becoming one of the most interesting actors around and this might be his best performance yet.
Ex Machina
Isaac also appears in another movie this week – sci-fi thriller Ex Machina. Like an extended Outer Limits episode, the film comments on today’s technology but adopts a retro aesthetic more in common with ’70s sci-fi. Swedish actress Alicia Vikander (who seems to be in everything this year) steals the show as a robot who may have gotten a little too human.
The Gambler
The first remake of the year arrives in the form of The Gambler, with Mark Wahlberg taking over the role so brilliantly portrayed by James Caan in the 1974 original. This new version is a dumbed down dud that can’t seem to decide whether it’s a thriller or a drama, and fails at both.
Beyond Clueless is a new documentary that looks at the teen movie phenomenon of the ’90s and ’00s. It’s not very insightful but if you’re curious, the director will be giving a Q+A in the Lighthouse on Sunday afternoon, where you can also see a screening of the ’90s teen horror The Craft.
If you missed Gone Girl on its original run, you can catch it on Monday evening at the Lighthouse.
By Eric Hillis
