12 Years a Slave

Movie: 12 Years a Slave

Major Actors: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Taran Killam, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Michael Fassbender, Sarah Paulson, Lupita Nyong'o, Brad Pitt

Rating: R

Best Audience: Adults only

Review:

The film "12 Years a Slave" is obviously a huge Oscar contender this year, and for good reason. It depicts the true story of a free man living in New York who gets abducted and sold into slavery. Historically, what happened to Solomon Northup happened to many others. The difference is that Solomon was able to escape and write a book about his journey.

One thing I liked about this movie was that it showed an accurate depiction of slavery void of sensationalism. As a matter of fact, director Steve Mcqueen did not even skim the surface of the horrors done to enslaved humans in that time period. The film shows beatings/whippings, rape, division of families, murder/lynching, and humiliation. It does not show the more sadistic forms of torture, which I won't even begin to list, due to my own inability to stomach those things.

The reason that I think Steve McQueen overlooked the more sadistic side: That was not the point of the film. The film focused more on the psychological struggle humans experience during slavery. If McQueen added a scene where a slave gets boiled alive (which happened), that would have taken the focus away from Solomon's internal struggle. Solomon had to constantly decide whether to keep his head down and do what he was told or fight for what he wanted. He was faced with that decision every day of his enslaved life, and he did not always make the same decision. Sometimes he fought; sometimes he knuckled down. One of the best quotes in this film was "I don't want to survive, I want to live." I felt like that line summed up the whole film.

I also appreciate the fact that this film does not perpetuate division between "whites" and "blacks." It emphasizes the oneness of humanity. Steve McQueen is certainly a directorial artist. The casting was excellent. So many good actors! Chiwetel Ejiofor carried the film. Michael Fassbender and Sarah Paulson were excellent villains. Paul Dano's character will absolutely make your skin crawl, and Lupita Nyong'o will break your heart.

You may want to emotionally prepare yourself before going to see this film, due to the intensity of the subject matter.

The Heat

Movie:  The Heat
Major Actors: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Jane Curtin, Taran Killam, Michael McDonald
Rating: R
Best Audience: Adults only

Review:

The best thing about the Heat is the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy.  Both are individually so talented.  Both have a history of comedic brilliance.  Together, they play off each other's strengths as actors and really make the funny lines and physical comedy feel natural. 

I also loved the fact that Marlon Wayans is playing it "straight" in this movie. He usually plays silly, comedic roles, and in this film, he is the "straight man." 

The only downside to this movie is that the "big twist" of who the real bad guy is ends up being quite predictable.  However, this is a comedy, so that doesn't matter much.  The main thing is that this movie is FUNNY.  I also love the fact that it has two women as the lead actors in movie roles that are usually played by men. 

This movie has a lot of strong language.  So be wary of that before you see it.