The Martian – 9/10 Potatoes

Based off of the critically acclaimed novel, and the Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy/Musical, the Martian tells the tale of a stranded astronaut and his struggle to survive in the barren wasteland of Mars. For those of you who are confused as to why the Martian won best Comedy/Musical, the rest of the world is with you. Though Mark Watney (Matt Damon) does crack some jokes, even in the face of death, this is not a comedic movie; The Martian at its heart is a combination of Cast Away and MacGyver in space. The cast features a powerhouse lineup starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain, both returning to space movies after their performances in Interstellar. The cast list makes every scene interesting: ranging from how potatoes are grown to the math of JPL. If you are watching the Martian hoping to have a good laugh, you will be sorely disappointed. If you want to see a movie that showcases a man’s will to survive no matter the odds who cracks an occasional joke, then the Martian is for you.

Oscars Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Sound Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, and Adapted Screenplay

Mad Max – 10/10 Flame Thrower Guitars

The term “reboot” is often met with groans and wails from fans and moviegoers alike. Walking into Mad Max, many people expected to watch an uninteresting cash grab from Hollywood executives trying to make money on the expiring rights to a movie. Contrary to their beliefs, everyone was quick to admit that they were dead wrong. Mad Max beats all expectations for both reboots and new franchises. The film is an insane two hour rollercoaster that never slows for a second. This film puts every action movie made in the past 10 years to shame using practical effects instead of intense CGI. The setting, the history, and the characters are unknown. People had no time to think about what they didn’t know, because the movie was always throwing a different explosion or Blind Flamethrower Guitar Player into the mix. The story is extremely dark, covering the moral breakdown of society, fascism, psychological issues, and the topic of sexual slavery. Unlike most films, Max is not characterized as a hero who saves women, rather the women stand on the same footing as Max, taking down as many enemies as Max. Mad Max rewrites the play book on action movies, and will not slow down no matter how much you beg it to.

Oscars Nominations: Best Picture, Directing, Costume Design, Makeup and Hair Styling, Sound Editing, Film Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, and Cinematography

The Revenant – 8.5/10 Bear Attacks

Following his Oscar wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Cinematography with Birdman, Alejandro González Iñárritu attempts to tell the story of Hugh Glass, the legendary frontiersmen. The key word, for most audiences, is “attempts” as The Revenant is not the typical big budget movie. Exiting the theater I heard many people say “The trailer was misleading” or “It was too long”, and those are valid points. Looking at the trailer, and Iñárritu’s previous film Birdman, one would expect a film that was fast paced and rarely slowing down, but this is not the case. The Revenant is an “art-house” film. It was not made to generate money but as a creative project for Iñárritu. Going into this film you must watch it as a novel not as a movie. What I mean by this, is The Revenant is a story full of metaphors and deep historical undertones, and one must analyze the film to experience the full effect. The Revenant is a beautifully shot movie, with some of the best cinematography and acting I have seen this year. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy both pull off Oscar worthy performances, even with dialogue not always being the driving force of their characters. The Revenant should not be viewed as an action film but primarily as a psychological drama.

Oscars Nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Directing, Costume Design, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound Editing, Film Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography

The Hateful 8 – 8/10 Number 8 Puns

With anger as its central theme, the Hateful 8 is a three hour “who done it film” set in the snowy mountains. Mostly taking place either in a carriage or in a small shack, the Hateful 8 tells the story of eight men snowed in together who would rather be anywhere else. Characters range from an old confederate General travelling to bury his son to a Mexican who makes the worst coffee on the mountain. Not too much can be said about the story without spoiling the movie, but I can say that the performance of Jennifer Leigh was one of the bests I have seen this year. The film made a wide release in regular format, but a smaller roadshow screening in 70mm film. I was fortunate enough to experience both showings, and both showings were superb. The smaller 70mm release offered the traditional movie going experience, with a full color program, intermission, and a 15 minute overture. The film was meant to be seen in the 70mm format, but it is still enjoyable in the regular format. The Hateful 8, like other Tarantino films, is meant to be enjoyed with the entire family for the full expirence.

Oscars Nominations: Best Supporting Actress, Original Score, and Cinematography