Concussion
Rated PG-13
Concussion is the
true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, an African immigrant forensic neuropathologist,
who discovered Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative brain
disease found in people who have a history of repetitive brain trauma. The film also chronicles the NFL’s
efforts to discredit Dr. Omalu and his findings.
Movies that combine art and education are often difficult to
do well. But when all of the
elements come together, like in Concussion,
the synergy produces a magnificent film.
Concussion is a must-see film!
Daddy’s Home
Rated PG-13
Just after Brad (Will Ferrell) won over his stepchildren’s
affections, their father Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) returns and throws the family
into chaos. Seeing Brad and Dusty
compete for the kids’ and their mother’s love is an adventure.
I went into Daddy’s
Home with pretty low expectations and didn’t think it would make it to the
blog. While it was childish and silly,
it was also sweet and touching. Daddy’s Home showed many different
facets of humanity-how we’re sometimes petty and envious but that we all do the
best we can. If you’re looking for
a light comedy, this is the movie for you!
The Hateful Eight
Rated R
The Hateful Eight
lives up to its name with eight completely despicable characters. Among them are two bounty hunters, a
captured fugitive who is en route to the hangman, and a southern renegade who
claims to be the new sheriff. Set
shortly after the civil war, the group is stranded at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a
stagecoach stop, while waiting for a blizzard to pass. But what fate awaits this unlikeable
group?
A typical Quentin Tarantino film, The Hateful Eight is macabre and violent. It’s also unpredictable and hilariously funny. If the sight of blood and the idea of
violence don’t bother you, this is a great film!
The Revenant
Rated R
A revenant is defined as a person who comes back from the
dead. This movie, however, is not
a zombie movie. The Revenant is based on the true story
of Hugh Glass, an explorer/guide who was mauled by a bear and then left for
dead by the other members of his party.
His fierce love for his family and his determination to exact revenge
helped him survive life threatening injuries, freezing conditions, and hostile
Native Americans. Will Glass
survive the wilderness or will he perish as expected?
The Revenant was
much more violent than I expected.
That said, if you can live through this film’s brutality (created both
by man and nature), this story is amazing. Witnessing Glass’s journey and seeing his will to live are
inspiring. There are good reasons
why this film won the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, Drama and why
Leonardo DiCaprio won the award for Best Actor, Drama.