Giving Thanks for Martians, Spies and Lies!
This past month marked a slight lull in cinematic offerings.
We are that point before award season competition is in full swing and the holiday season box office blockbusters hit theatres. That said, we were treated to some of the best mainstream title to come down the road in a while. Bridge of Spies, The Martian, and Truth deliver smartly crafted stories with mass appeal.
Steven Spielberg’s delivers one of his best movies in years with Bridge of Spies, an old school cold war drama staring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance. Ridley Scott’s The Martian is 2015’s must-see movie on the big screen. It’s a suspenseful, riveting and thrilling crowd pleaser. After Robert Redford took his ‘grumpy old men’ walk in the woods, he teamed up with Cate Blanchett in Truth.
The news drama tells the story of the making of the “60 Minutes” news segment which questioned George W. Bush’s military record, and ultimately lead to Dan Rather’s retirement. And Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak is no Pan’s Labyrinth, but it’s worthwhile for those seeking a more chilling thrill.
Though we had not reviewed it by press time, we have it on good authority that Jobs is not run of the mill bio pic fare and that Michael Fassbender will likely be a contender this award season for his portrayal of Apple founder Steve Jobs.
But of course with the good also comes some bad. The good Professor Kaufmann was terribly disappointed and downright disturbed by Joe Wright’s Peter Pan prequel story Pan. And Bill Murray’s Rock the Kasbah sadly failed to rock anyone’s world.
November may be a month for dishing up turkey, but not at the movie theatre.
On November 6 it’s 007 vs Peanuts. We’re pretty sure that Daniel Craig’s fourth turn as James Bond will turn a gold finger at the box, but everyone’s favorite beagle and that blockhead Charlie Brown will likely fare pretty well too.
On November 20 The Hunger Games franchise comes to a close with its final installment Mockingjay Part 2. Hollywood bean counters should be filled with gratitude by Thanksgiving.
Rest assured there’s something for everyone this month and the usual array of off the beaten path offerings from the Asheville Film Society, and the Hendersonville Film Society.
Until next time, enjoy the show and Happy Thanksgiving!