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Rogue One

Star Wars Doesn’t Offer Real Hope

January 3, 2017 by ScreenFish Staff 8 Comments

rogueone

An Editorial by Christine Ivy

Rogue One was great. My critique – as I sat there, moved by the story and impressed with many great strides this movie made socially – was with how violent it was. It wasn’t gory, it wasn’t graphic, but a lot of people died (no Bothans). It was about David vs. Goliath. It was about rebels vs. the empire. It was about terrorists vs. America (no?). It was a good ol’ fashioned glorious war movie.

It is the best our culture can do. The best we can do. It was a very human story.

War.

Superheroes.

FUN.

But if that’s all we have in our life, it’s woefully insufficient.

Christians, we have something to say in the face of death.

Our defining narrative isn’t popular culture, it is the Word of God. Jesus is the way, truth and life that – if actually true and “the” way and our very LIFE – such a belief offers hope in the face of death. Real hope that can stare real death in the face, because we are not afraid, because we have the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

Carrie Fisher died.

And that sucks.

But how remarkably sad if our only comfort is in “the force.” Because the force was invented by this guy:
lucas

Is it just a sign of the times? Post-religious society?

We all have a choice of religion. There is no opting out of what you worship; whatever fills your life is your religion.

For most people it’s consumerism and violence. It’s zombies. It’s Marvel’s Avengers and toys and MMA. It’s Disney Princesses and clothes and Keeping up with the Kardashians.

So we can either be shaped by the culture out there that wants men and women to be consumed (porn! violence!) and be consumers (porn! shopping!) creating addicting behaviours that numb the pain and deny the reality of our mortality,
or …

we can choose something that defeats death, heals blindness, sets captives free. We can choose the personal God who has already chosen us.

May your life have more in common with Jesus than Star Wars.

Amen.

This post was originally published at www.thisistemporary.wordpress.com. To read more of Christine’s thoughts, please visit her site!

Filed Under: Current Events, Editorial, Featured, Film Tagged With: Carrie Fisher, George Lucas, Jesus, Rogue One, Star Wars

Rogue One: So What’s Next?

December 21, 2016 by Arnaldo Reyes Leave a Comment

rebels

So now that you’ve seen Rogue One (maybe even several times by now), you are probably one of the overwhelming majority who left the theatre filled with pure joy and excitement. There are so many great aspects of the film that it can easily fill conversations for days. (It certainly has for us here at ScreenFish!)

So, what now’?

Rogue One was a huge risk that ended up paying off for the franchise. As a standalone film, it gives a separate view of the Star Wars universe and pushed the limits in story and action. The best part of it is that it took a very small excerpt from scrolling text and turned it into cinematic gold, introducing us to new characters and greater possibilities. At long last, the franchise no longer has to rely on Skywalkers or ‘Chosen Ones’ in order to be relevant. Side characters don’t have to be jettisoned to the nether regions of comics, novels or an animated series in order to resonate with the general audience. Whether you are a die hard Star Wars fan, or a casual moviegoer that enjoys the films, Rogue One has proven that the brand of  Star Wars is not only strong, but the king of its domain. This is a franchise that can survive without its original premises and take chances in telling good standalone stories. Even with the failure of the prequels, the fact that this film has been heralded as one of the best in the franchise speaks volumes to what can be done and, with Disney at the helm, we know good things are ahead.

So with all that said, here are a few ideas of what we would like to see, and what could be done moving forward.

jedi-order logoThe Next Trilogy

With the current trilogy set to release its next film next December, we are almost at the point of thinking about what can be done next. We can debate (as we have done here at Screenfish) about the timing of when that will happen, but surely Disney and Lucasfilm are already spouting ideas of where to go. Unlike Warner Bros. who scrambled for years looking for a Harry Potter replacement, only to come back to the franchise lore with Fantastic Beasts, Disney can plan ahead.  Now, for us, the most likely of solutions is going back in time. Although no longer in canon, Disney can use Knights of the Old Republic as inspiration for their next trilogy of films. However, why not go even further back and look at a trilogy revolving around the Jedi Origins and, more specifically, the early days of the Jedi and rise of the Sith. We can flesh out how Kyber Crystals came to be, how the force brings Jedi and these living crystals together and how the Sith corrupts them. It would most likely be a darker trilogy than those before, but Rogue One managed to accomplish this and keep it family friendly. And, lets face it, by giving the origins of the Light vs Dark and expounding on the faith element to trust the force, there’s no doubt it would amount to a successful trilogy (and think of the new toys).

ahsoka tano vs inquisitorMore Standalone Films

We know that this is already the plan, with the Han Solo film next in line. While there have been rumors of other films, nothing has been set in stone. Fans would love to see a Boba Fett film and the story of Yoda in his early years would make for a good standalone. Personally though, I would like to see the same risk taken with Rogue One now that their faith in it has been rewarded. In the long line of standalone films that could be made, I would like to go a little more grim and darker with a story that focuses on the Star Wars Inquisition (this falls in the timeline in-between Order 66 and the current animated series Star Wars Rebels.) It can also be the opportunity to bring another animated character from the Clone Wars to live action in Ahsoka Tano (which if you are a fan I highly recommend the book “Star Wars: Ahsoka” that briefly tells of one of her adventures during this time). Inquisition could be a film that focuses on Darth Vader and his Inquisitors as they seek out the remaining Jedi. For a standalone film, the most sense would be to ground it to a single Inquisitor (or two) and a single Jedi (Ahsoka). In the early stages of when she joined the rebellion, before her appearance on Star Wars Rebels, we can follow as she seeks to not only stay alive, but also to protect force sensitive younglings from the Inquisitors. Of course, it doesn’t have to be Ahsoka, and it can very well be a telling of where the Inquisitors come from, how they were trained by Vader, and their roles as Jedi hunters. This is a risk of a story, but I think if well told–like Rogue One–it could be well received and a great addition to the film franchise.

knightsHello, Netflix!

Disney already has a great relationship with Netflix, and there’s no better time to strike than while the iron is hot. Netflix and their original series have raised the bar for television and, considering what they have done with another Disney owned franchise (Marvel), there’s no better place for Disney and Lucasfilm to branch out. Given the fact that animated series like Clone Wars (6 seasons) and Rebels (in its 3rd season) have both been successful in a time where series like those often don’t make it past two, the interest of a binge worthy series on Netflix would certainly be high. I’m almost certain that Netflix would be willing to pay premium price to be able to work with Lucasfilm in developing a series exclusively for them. Here’s where you can take several ideas from above and expand on them. From the early stages of the rebellion, to their own version of Knights of the Old Republic, on Netflix. You have the luxury on Netflix to slow down and expand the universe introducing new characters and building on those.

Network TV

One would think that the House of Mouse would like to milk it as much as they can. With ownership of ABC and Freeform, this provides another avenue for them to explore. While I wouldn’t go as far as saying that a series that focuses on Jedi vs Sith would work well here, but life in the Old Republic, or even the New Republic after the fall of the empire may fit within the audiences they tend to have. With Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Inhumans on ABC, another action-packed series may be too much, but the opportunity to tell stories of ordinary citizens living in this time could be something that can be explored. The likelihood is that it would never see the time of day, but, you never know.

So what say you? Do you have any ideas that could work within any of these categories? Maybe you have a different avenue that can be explored. Let us know what you think of these and let us know what ideas you may have.

Filed Under: Editorial, Film Tagged With: Ahsoka Tano, Disney, Inquisitors, jyn erso, Knights of the Old Republic, Marvel, Netflix, Rogue One, Star Wars, Star Wars: Rogue One

3.7 Going ROGUE (ONE)

December 20, 2016 by Steve Norton Leave a Comment

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https://screenfish.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Rogue-One.mp3

This week, pastor and Jedi master Greg Banik and ScreenFish co-editor Jacob Sahms join forces with Steve to take on the evil Empire in ROGUE ONE! But does this movie know the difference between good and evil? They chat about the politics of war, changing views on religion and the nature of faith.

Want to continue to conversation at home?  Click the link below to download ‘Fishing for More’ — some small group questions for you to bring to those in your area.

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Special thanks to Greg Banik and Jacob Sahms for chatting with us!

Filed Under: Film, Podcast, Star Wars Tagged With: Dark Side, Darth Vader, Death Star, Felicity Jones, Force, Jedi, jyn erso, Krennic, Mads Mikkelson, Rogue One, Star Wars, Stormtrooper, war

Rogue One, A Star Wars Story: One With The Force

December 16, 2016 by Arnaldo Reyes 3 Comments

rogueonea
“Rebellions are built on HOPE.”

Words don’t ring truer than what Jyn Erso said. (Don’t worry it’s not a spoiler, it was in the trailers.) If you are familiar with Star Wars and the first film, A New Hope, you understand that for many of us, it all started there. When I think of Star Wars, I can’t help but think that George Lucas had no inkling what it would become (so much so that he gave us the horrible prequels). It is more than a phenomenon or something only seen and spoken of at Comic-Con. There is nothing like Star Wars because there is no entertainment franchise that has garnered the following that Star Wars has. Now, with the financial resources of Disney, Lucasfilm is ushering new stories, not just in the present (Force Awakens), but touching on the hope that fans will enjoy some standalone films that bring us to the past.

rogueonea2
Enter Rogue One, the first standalone film in the Star Wars franchise that aims to break the mold and carving its own name in the vast universe. If you are familiar with Star Wars: A New Hope, then you know how this film will end, but it’s the journey of the film and the characters that will definitely leave you at the edge of your seat for 2+ hours. We know from New Hope that the Rebel Alliance stole the plans of the infamous Death Star, and with those plans they were able to find the weakness and destroy it. Though briefly mentioned, Rogue One is the story of the brave group of rebels who went behind enemy lines and against all odds to bring hope to a near broken alliance. This is their story “DUN DUN” (sorry, Law & Order reference felt appropriate).

rogueone
Rogue One is a little of what we have loved of the Star Wars franchise while also being completely different. It is grand in scale, but yet grounded and centralized, and I think that is what makes it such a great film. If you heard that it’s the best Star Wars film since Empire Strikes Back, that is very accurate. Empire still ranks as my all-time favorite, but Rogue One is now a very close second. Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is a remarkable and strong character. In a franchise that very well pioneered the strong female heroine (make no bones about it, Leia was more than just a love-struck princess), Erso follows in the footsteps of Leia, Amidala, Ahsoka, and Rey in ushering a new hero that doesn’t require a love interest or to be sexualized (we’ll forgive slave Leia for now) to be popular. I think, much like Rey, that Jyn will become quite the popular heroine, and rightfully so. Throughout the film, she shows strength, vulnerability, compassion, leadership, and a bravery that outshines all.

As the latest droid entry (who by the way was a great and hilarious addition) K-2SO (Alan Tudyk) says, “Jyn Erso, your behavior continues to defy expectations” (I don’t quite remember exactly, but it was in those lines). This is what makes Jyn stand out, and why she can have people willing to follow her, and even disobey orders. She personified what the rebellion was all about, hope. She wasn’t a Jedi (they weren’t back yet) but she made a greater impact in this moment. Around her was a great cast that inspired you all the while you saw them develop into true heroes.

dartb
Rogue One is also very much filled with little (and some big) Easter eggs and cameos that will make any Star Wars fan excited to see. Whether you are a fan of just the movies, or a fan of some of the animated series (look out for a certain Rebels ship), you are sure to see something or someone that will put a smile on your face. Of course, there is no greater someone in the film than Lord Vader himself. Although brief, his appearance is nothing short of amazing. All of us in the theater in unison said, “WHOA!” at the same time and considering we’ve seen Vader before, that speaks volumes.

Star Wars has always been a great parallel to the gospel teachings of the Bible, light vs dark. Rogue One is no different, and what it shows is that even in the darkest of places, a little light can renew the spirit and hope. Once you see it, and you grasp it, and you cling to it, it will shine brighter. From how they were able to get the plans, to trusting in being “One with the Force”, Rogue One exemplifies that when we trust in “The Force” we can accomplish the unthinkable. But ultimately, it’s not just about that. It is about inspiring that hope in others and allowing it to spread where even the most harden of hearts filled with tragedy can see the light and embrace it.

Star Wars: Rogue One is a definite must watch. This is Star Wars for adults, and there is nothing wrong with that. A bold risk, but one that will pay off very well and open the doors for more standalone stories. I can think of one that I would love to see (and also be for adults), so Lucasfilm or Disney, need some ideas for another standalone risk, contact me because I have the film for you!

Filed Under: Film, Reviews Tagged With: Darth Vader, jyn erso, Rogue One, Star Wars, Star Wars: Rogue One

Rogue One, a Star Wars Story: What Would You Die For? (A Spoiler-Free Review)

December 16, 2016 by Jacob Sahms 3 Comments

rogueone
Rogue One 
is conspicuously “a Star Wars story,” not cut from the same mold as The Force Awakens. But from this lifetime Star Wars fan, that may in fact make it better than (some of) its predecessors. In fact, I found myself emotionally more connected to the story of Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) and her team of misfit castoffs than I did to any set of characters since… Return of the Jedi thirty-plus years ago.

[Editor’s note: this is about stealing the plans for the first Death Star. If that doesn’t make sense to you, you shouldn’t be reading this yet!]

Here, Jyn is the daughter of Galen Erso, research scientist for the Empire who designs the Death Star, and Lyra Erso (Valene Kane), whose one dying wish is that her daughter recognize the Force. While we have a typical Disney “orphaning” process in the first stanza, the next stage flips us forward fifteen years to the full-blown conflict between the Rebel Alliance in its fledgling, pre-New Hope success and the evil onslaught of “Lord” Vader and his evil Empire.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Director Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) Ph: Jonathan Olley �Lucasfilm LFL 2016.

In the present, Rebellian intelligence officer Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) makes Han Solo look like Snow White – Andor clearly shoots first, potentially having done worse work on behalf of freedom. Opposite Andor in capacity, but not necessarily in mentality, is Ben Mendelssohn’s Orson Krennic, whose Empire focus has him issue lines about how sometimes the presence of fear must predate freedom. [Who says this film doesn’t have a political feel? Oh, wait, the Alliance versus Empire saga has always had an eye to history. Check out the landing on Normandy played out in a galaxy far away by the end of the film… complete with WWII era helmets.]

rogueone2While Jyn struggles to figure out who she is, she’s joined by two former Jedi Temple guards, Chirrut Imwe (the great Donnie Chen), a blind Jedi follower, and his sidekick, Baze (Jiang Wen). The fact that their temple can no longer be guarded highlights that they have in fact failed – that some might see they have already lost. Thanks to their mentality and banter, they’ll provide the Force or no Force debate, with the blind man who can see better than the seeing serving up helpings of Yoda and Obi Won, while his mercenary friend believes (for much of the film) only in his blasters and brute strength. Rebellion or no, these two recognize the Empire as evil, and stand against it – but they recognize something different in Jyn. The human team is rounded out by The Night Before’s Riz Ahmed, who plays a defector from the Empire, Bodhi Rook, seeking his own set of redemption.

Jyn may be the one most likely catalyst to our story, thanks to a female protagonist with daddy issues, but she is hardly the last character in this film seeking redemption. To be clear, if you are a Star Wars fan, then watching the film is like watching Titanic – you know what is going to happen here, you know what the tragic future for many is, and yet, you’re gripped by the power of the Gareth Edwards-directed visuals and the story of true freedom fighters.

rogueone3This is only the second movie in 2016 to make me want to stand up and cheer at the end (the other, Hacksaw Ridge). This is the one that makes me want to highlight (again) for my children that in the end, the good guys always win … but that along the way, there are sacrifices made by brave men and women. Please don’t get me wrong: the movie made me laugh outloud (thank you, Alan Tudyk) and cry (here’s …looking… at you, Imwe) but it’s deeply provoking as it speaks to war, peace, justice, power, faith, and the practice of all of them. I’d say more – but I promised a spoiler-free review.

Just go see it. And then ask yourself, what do you believe in enough to die for? Are you willing to live for it, too?

Filed Under: Current Events, Editorial, Featured, Film, Reviews Tagged With: Alliance, Darth Vader, Empire, jyn erso, Return of the Jedi, Rogue One, Star Wars, The Force

The Best Films of 2016 (Updated)

December 15, 2016 by Jacob Sahms 1 Comment

deadpool
This year, there are no blockbusters, no Marvel superheroes, on my list of my favorite films. This year, the films that caught my eye – and held onto my imagination, days later – weren’t the ones with the biggest budgets, or even always the most-known cast and crew. This year, the films were films that captured my heart thanks to the power of their story, the visual presentation of their message, and the size of heart that that they conveyed.

Film criticism is a lot like politics in the media – everyone has an opinion, but they think they’re objective. [Seriously, Trolls holds a better Rotten Tomatoes score than Allied, Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them, and Collateral Beauty? C’mon, people. Trolls are just little plastic guys from a 1980s fad – or are we rating Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick?]

So, with apologies to Benedict Cumberbatch, and that unkillable antihero Deadpool, here are my top ten for 2016, trimmed down from the 135 films I saw. We won’t all agree, but we have to start somewhere.

hf

Hidden Figures is the best film I didn’t see coming. Thanks to solid performances and an incredibly bold story about faith, race, power, dreams, and engineering, it left me in tears – laughing and crying at the same time. When several women dream about breaking the glass ceiling of race and gender, they literally put a man on the moon. Octavia Spencer, Tariji B. Henson, and Janelle Monae provide a film that inspires and entertains.

 

unknowns

At Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb Guards or Sentinels keep watch over the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier twenty-four hours a day, 365 days of the year, regardless of weather. In Ethan Morse’s film, The Unknowns, we were treated to an inside look at how the men of The Old Guard, a select unit from the U.S. Army, serve. With simple interviews, ‘live’ shots of the work these men do in front of the public and behind closed doors, the film carries with it a reminder that our flag still waves thanks to the bravery of some whose names will never be known. Months later, I am still reminded of its beauty, both in pure patriotism but also in faith – faith that one day, war will end and all people will be free.

 

rogue-one-jyn-ersa-geared-up

Bumping The Accountant from the list, Rogue One, a Star Wars Story proved to be the best film I’ve seen from the Rebel Alliance in thirty years. While the field has been increased – we finally have a non-Skywalker family drama – the power of the Force remained strong. With ample banter about faith, a wildly diverse cast, and a story that squeaks in at Film #3.5, we had a prequel to A New Hope with plenty of time to spare.

 

kubo

Startling in its animation, thanks to the beauty of Laika’s stop-motion  capture, Kubo & the Two Strings spins a fantasy adventure around a one-eyed boy and his epic adventure to thwart his grandfather’s evil plan. Accompanied by a giant beetle (Matthew McConaughey) and a snow monkey (Charlize Theron), the young boy goes questing. With fewer laughs and more intensity than you might expect from a ‘kid’s cartoon,’ Kubo asks us to consider how we forgive, and what it means to care for our ancestors as they age. In a wonderful way, the fantastical road trip morphs into deeper explorations about life, death, and where we go from here.

 

birthofanation

While it was impossible to watch The Birth of a Nation without considering the allegations against the story’s creators, Nate Parker and Jean McGianni Celestin, it was equally impossible to watch the film blind to the racial unrest in the United States almost two hundred years after the Nat Turner rebellion. Powerful in its simplicity, poignant in its relational dynamics, and spiritual in its evaluation of the use of religion to control, direct, and comfort, Parker’s film is haunting in its violence, and its awareness of the latent power of racism. While Turner was himself a preacher, the film’s use of Scripture from both sides stirred and troubled my soul.

 

insanity

This year, two documentaries captured my attention, with The Insanity of God shining a light on the family of missionary Nik Ripken as he struggled with his faith after great tragedy. While this is Ripken’s story, it is also the story of others who bled and died for the gospel, told unflinchingly. I’ll never forget Ripken’s own admission, after interviewing others persecuted for their faith: “Now, I’m in deeper danger, because the Bible is coming alive. Satan had tricked me into believing that the Bible was an old book, with things that God used to do. And here I was experiencing the Bible in the present tense, with the things God did coming alive.” A movie that will surely ask you to consider what you believe, and what you would do to pursue your faith.

 

midnightspecial

What would you do to protect your child? What sacrifices would you make if you saw how beautiful, special, or powerful they were that no one else understood? Those are the questions that Midnight Special poses, thanks to writer/director Jeff Nichols’ emotionally wrestling with his own son’s mortality. In a stripped-down sci-fi exploration that would make Philip K. Dick or Steven Spielberg proud, the director of Loving gives us another chance to unpack our own humanity.

 

hellorhighwater

On the surface, Hell or High Water is a Jesse James/Butch Cassidy & Sundance kind of Western lark, set in the present. But thanks to Taylor Sheridan’s script, we explore the aging process of Jeff Bridges’ senior Texas Ranger and the us-against-the-system dynamics of two brothers, Toby and Tanner (Chris Pine and Ben Foster). [Ironically, I don’t always enjoy Foster’s movies, but he always impresses with his performance.] While there’s a bit of clever banter and action/adventure, the film’s heart is driving at the financial crisis of America and the futility for some when trying to improve themselves. Who is the villain here in this spiritual parable about love and grace? The bank and its overarching line of credit.

 

zootopia

It was a good year to be animated, and Zootopia was the crown jewel. I declared it a candidate for Best Film of the Year when I walked out of the debut, and it didn’t miss by much. Disney’s film about a ‘utopia’ where animals are divided into different boroughs, showed kids and adults alike what it meant to fight and get along. While the struggle was real, it also blended in some lessons about what it means to follow your dream – and be who you’re supposed to be even when others say you shouldn’t. In our bipartisan day and age, Zootopia asked us to consider whether we could love each other for what we brought to the table, rather than manipulating each other for what we could get out of it.

 

hacksawridge

My most anticipated film of the year – Hacksaw Ridge – did everything I hoped it would. Challenging patriotism, courage, and pacifism, the film asked us to consider the stances we take, and that others make, and how we respond to them. While faith was front and center, it still felt subtle – and somehow, more powerful. Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Desmond Doss tied the legend of the Medal of Honor winner to a story that felt real and grounded. Mel Gibson’s direction plus Terry Benedict’s research? This is one I hope to hear talked about next spring.

What did I miss? What do you need to see now? What criteria would you use instead? Post below and share your thoughts.

[Editor’s note: I still haven’t seen Collateral Beauty, Loving, Rogue One, or Sing as I write this. Edits pending?]

Filed Under: Current Events, DVD, Editorial, Featured, Film Tagged With: accountant, Birth of a Nation, Deadpool, Desmond Doss, Dr. Strange, Hacksaw Ridge, hell or high water, insanity of god, Jeff Bridges, kubo and the two strings, Marvel, Mel Gibson, Midnight Special, Moana, Rogue One, storks, the unknowns, Walt Disney, zootopia

The Night Of – When Murder Meets Perception

October 17, 2016 by Jacob Sahms Leave a Comment

nightof3

Naz Khan (Riz Ahmed, Jason Bourne, Rogue One), a Pakistani-American college student, takes his father’s taxicab to a party but he never makes it there. When a mysterious woman (Sofia Black D’Elia) gets into the cab at a stoplight, he finds himself engaged in a night of danger and seduction. And then the next morning, he finds that the woman is dead and he is the police’s chief suspect. But is he guilty of murder?

Luckily (or not) enough for Khan, beleaguered public defender John Stone (John Turturro) defends Khan in this critically acclaimed, eight-part miniseries. In fact, Stone is the one who proposes there’s something more going on here than something cut and dry. Of course, timing is everything, even in the real world, where HBO originally passed on the show, then picked it up again for James Gandolfini. Ultimately, HBO ended up pushing it through in 2016 where it may be even more appropriate. Written by Richard Price (Clockers) and Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Gangs of New York), it delivers a tense, disturbing look at how one night of ‘fun’ can go south quickly – and how the justice system is full of injustices (especially for people of color).

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From a story perspective, this is a murder investigation like several of the shows that have come before it (and occur simultaneously, like Secrets & Lies or How to Get Away with Murder). But while we don’t know immediately whether or not Khan is actually guilty of murdering the woman or not, we know that his life is irrevocably changed – especially after he ends up in prison under the watchful eye of fellow inmate, Freddy Knight (Michael Kenneth Williams). We watch Khan transform – and it’s not pretty.

And then there’s the justice issue. We are inclined to think that Naz Khan is a good (if not naive) man. He understands the words being said to him, by the arresting officer and then by Detective Dennis Box (Bill Camp, Minority Report), but he’s cast around by the system – he doesn’t know what his own rights are. When he does ask for a lawyer, he’s talked out of it – well after saying and doing things that don’t help his case in the premiere – and we’re reminded that this is set in a reality of #BlackLivesMatter and wrongful deaths of minorities at the hands of the police. Is this one-sided? Maybe, maybe not. But it’ll make you think about justice and assumptions – and disturb your sleep just a little bit.

Filed Under: Current Events, DVD, Featured, Reviews, SmallFish, Television Tagged With: Clockers, Jason Bourne, John Turturro, Richard Price, Riz Ahmed, Rogue One, Schindler's List, Steve Zaillian

Most Intriguing Films of Fall 2016

September 5, 2016 by Jacob Sahms 4 Comments

magnificentseven
Here’s my annual preview of my most anticipated films for the fall. The beauty of a list like this is that that everyone will agree – especially my cohorts here at ScreenFish! So check out my list, and consider what I’ve missed – and let us know.

deepwaterhorizon
In the disaster film category, there are two major options for your consideration: Sully (out Sep. 9) and Deepwater Horizon (out Sep. 30). The first stars the incomparable Tom Hanks as Chelsea Sullenberger, the airline pilot who safely landed his commercial plane in the Hudson River in 2009, and the second stars Mark Wahlberg as Mike Williams, a worker on the oil rig that caught fire in 2010. Of the two, Sully looks more intriguing based on the grand inquisition Sullenberger experienced after safely landing the plane.

storks

The first of two animated films that I have my eye on, Storks (Sep. 23) is a funny, family-oriented lark that captures more amusement than the trailer and asks us to consider how families work. [Editor’s note: I’m cheating a bit, because I’ve already seen that one.

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The other animated flick is Sing (Dec. 21) features a vocal ensemble aimed at small town’s American Idol-like competition. But it’s an animal town a la Zootopia, with the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Scarlett Johansson, John C. Reilly, Tori Kelly, Taron Egerton and Nick Kroll providing the voices. It’s all about finding your gift and following your call…

queenofkatwe

Speaking of finding your gift, The Queen of Katwe (Sep. 23) stars one of my favorite actors, David Oyelowo, as a missionary with the Sports Outreach Institute, alongside Lupita Nyong’o. Give me a sports story (yes, it’s about chess) and a strong cast any day.

birthofanation

There’s controversy surrounding Nate Parker, but his film, The Birth of a Nation (Oct. 7) is bound to make waves. I know that The Girl on the Train stars Emily Blunt and is the “buzz” movie of October, but I’ll take a film about Nat Turner named after a KKK promotional piece. That takes guts.

monster

On October 21, we’ll have our mandatory Liam Neeson sighting in A Monster Calls. Well, we’ll hear his voice as the monster, the visual realization of twelve-year-old Conor’s emotional state. There’s something spiritual about the imagination personified, and the film is shooting up my list of ‘must see’ films this fall. The rest of October, hello, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and Inferno, are entertaining, but not blowing my mind.

hacksaw ridge

For all of his problems, Mel Gibson makes good films. Hacksaw Ridge (November 4) is the real life story of a conscientious objector, Desmond Doss, who refused to take up a weapon but won the Medal of Honor for his efforts during World War II. The second Spiderman, Andy Garfield, stars as Doss, but Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, and Hugo Weaving guest star. This one smells like an award winner – and is the one I’m most excited about this fall. Yes, I said it.

doctorstrange

But I might have to pull a double feature that day because Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange arrives the same day. Benedict Cumberbatch plays another curmudgeon, only this time it’s one of Marvel’s heroes who is a surgeon-turned-magician with a big ego and damaged hands. Tilda Swinton guest stars, which of course, has caused a whole set of controversy because the Ancient One is supposed to be an old Asian dude.

fantasticbeasts

Can Harry Potter, er, J.K. Rowling’s, world make it in America? Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne will try and discover the answer in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (Nov. 11). It’ll be eye-popping, and probably well scripted.

thefounder

On December 16… The Founder comes out. You were expecting something else? Michael Keaton stars as the guy who gets credit for McDonald’s. There’s something going on there though – and it’s not just about how they make the fries so addictive.

rogueone

I’m actually more excited about this one, Rogue One, than I was about The Force Awakens. In some ways, that one made me a believer. Now, with an eclectic, diversely ethnic cast, behind a female lead, I think the Star Wars universe is going where no man has gone before. See what I did there? While The Space Between Us and Passengers may explore AI questions and bigger pictures, my money will most likely get spent in George Lucas’ universe.

spacebetweenus

Have I convinced you? I doubt it. So tell me what I got wrong!

Filed Under: Editorial, Featured, Film Tagged With: Benedict Cumberbatch, Birth of a Nation, David Oyelowo, Doctor Strange, Hacksaw Ridge, Katwe, Liam Neeson, Mark Wahlberg, Nate Parker, Rogue One

Star Wars Rebels: The Space In Between

August 30, 2016 by Jacob Sahms Leave a Comment

rebels1

For all of the parents who wish their kids would love Star Wars, and for all of the kids who want to see something more their speed, Star Wars Rebels exists. In the space between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, Star Wars Rebels explains how the Empire seeks to eradicate the Jedi and all who would stand with the Rebellion, while a small minority seeks to build strength against this corporate evil.

rebels2While the first season lay the groundwork for the main stories surrounding Ezra Bridger (Taylor Gray), a fifteen-year-old urchin who grows to understand his powers flowing from the Force, the second season builds the complexity of his ‘team’ and highlights newer (old to Star Wars fans) characters. From the first season, fans will recognize Chopper (the R2D2-like robot),  Zeb (Steve Blurn), the alien, the human Jedi survivor Caleb (Freddie Prinze Jr.), and the pilot/warrior Hera (Vanessa Marshall).

rebels3And then the list of familiar characters starts to roll in Season 2: Darth Vader. Lando Calrissian. Captain Rex (yes, Clone Wars). Princess Leia. And Darth Maul. Seriously, the second season closes the gap between the five years previous to New Hope – and the film itself. Hello, Rogue One, right?

Ultimately, this series has a bittersweet feeling because we know that most of these characters must’ve been wiped out by the time we reach the first/original film. Otherwise, we would’ve known about them. And there’s a significant evil lurking in the background: he’s big, black-cloaked, and breathes heavy.

But we do know that hope will rise.

rebels4

Filed Under: DVD, Featured, Reviews, SmallFish, Star Wars, Television Tagged With: Rebels, Rogue One, Star Wars

Is Disney Really Panicking Over Rogue One?

June 1, 2016 by Mark Sommer 1 Comment

rouge

When you have been reporting movie news for as long as I have, you learn to take “news” articles with a grain of salt. On Monday night, Page Six ran an article with the headline Disney execs in a panic over upcoming ‘Star Wars’ film. According to the report, Disney execs are dissatisfied with Rogue One, which has prompted “expensive reshoots.”  Between Monday night and Tuesday evening, myriads of websites have picked up the story, most of them parroting Page Six’s assessment Disney is in a panic. The “first cut” is being described in headlines as “so bad,” “a hot mess,” and “not the movie Disney is looking for.” Others are saying the production “might be in trouble,” or “in crisis.”

Are things really this bad? The teaser trailer, released in early April, looked so promising. (See video below.)

Before you panic, like the Disney execs have supposedly done, let’s examine the Page Six article, where the story originated.

First of all, the article quotes a “Hollywood source” as saying, “The execs at Disney are not happy with the movie, and Rogue One will have to go back into four weeks of expensive reshoots in July.” “Not happy” is not the same as “in a panic,” or as another site puts it, “freaking out.” The paragraph above this paraphrases what Page Six was told: “…bosses at Disney are not fully satisfied with the first cut from director Gareth Edwards.” That doesn’t sound like panic, either. It seems to me the headline was a a bit of click bait, and the other sites picking up the story just went with it. Near the end of the article, the “inside” source is again quoted, saying “Rogue One has fallen short of what J.J. Abrams did with Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens. So Disney has ordered reshoots.” Did anyone really expect Rogue One to match up to The Force Awakens?

The report ends with another quote, this time from not just an “inside source,” but a “Disney source.”

“The filmmaking team and the studio always anticipated additional shooting and second unit work to make the film the absolute best it can be, and the actors were aware there would be additional shooting. Coming off The Force Awakens, there’s an incredibly high bar for this movie and we have a responsibility to the franchise and to the fans to deliver the best possible movie we can.”

So, the reshoots had already been planned. It doesn’t sound to me like this was ever a case of panicking, just Disney going through the normal course of production.

Filed Under: Film, News, Trailers Tagged With: Disney, Rogue One, Star Wars

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