Mini Reviews


For the film critic on the GO! 


Mini Review # 1- The Playground Chronicles

“The Playground Chronicles”  (85 mins). Drawn from the author’s childhood memories of growing up in the Arab ghetto of Paris in the 1980’s. We follow around ten year old Brahim as he lives the daily life for a Moroccan family on the verge of losing their livelihood.  Set to the sounds of Moroccan music and 1980’s pop this film tackles the subject of racial tension and division in a very subtle and eloquent way. It insists on focusing not on the trials and tribulations, but the strength and passion the family has for one another. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this film.


Mini Review #2- Killing Them Softly
“Killing Them Softly” (100 mins) When an illegal card game is turned over, the mob calls in Jackie Cogan (Brad Pitt) to set things straight and heal the collapsing criminal economy. Working around the executives of modern day “corporate crime” and the dimwits on the streets, Jackie takes matter into his own hands to restore order to the system he has been a part of for so long. An all-star cast surrounds this story featuring old mob-flick favorites such as James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta. It’s a cool new take on the mobster film with stunning cinematography and direction from Andrew Dominik.  

Mini Review #3 – Mud

            This year was the year of the southern fairy tale at the Cannes Film Festival and director Jeff Nichols was just the man to deliver us an outstandingly touching tale of young love and old fears. Mud takes place in rural Arkansas, when two young boys find a man hiding out on an island in the middle of the river. Trying to win his long lost love back the two boys set out to help him repair an old boat and along the way they repair pieces of themselves. This coming of age story very reminiscent of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn struck a cord with audiences at the festival with it’s blue collar charm and clean cinematography it is sure to see wide commercial success.

Cast and Credits:
Director: Jeff Nichols
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Tye Sheridan and Jacobo Lofland.





Mini Review #4 - Moonrise Kingdom

            Set in a small island town off the coast of New England, Wes Anderson’s new film Moonrise Kingdom tells the sweet tale of two young 12 year olds who find love with each other and plot to escape away together in the woody around their community. Told in Anderson’s colorful and simplistically campy style, Moonrise utilizes all of the best Anderson has to offer through carefully thought out shots, clean lines and a color pallet of pastels and vibrant yellows; as well as several new tricks including his two lead actors new comers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward. Told through the eyes of a child Moonrise is upbeat, joyful, and lacking a single mean bone in its entire body.

Crew:
Director: Wes Anderson
Screenplay: Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola

Cast:
Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Jared Gilman, Kara Hayward

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