KANSAS CITY, Mo —
1. GET ON UP (PG-13)
Universal Pictures
RUSS
Chadwick Boseman gives an energetic performance in “Get On Up,” the story of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown.The unusual biopic doesn’t follow a linear narrative, but jumps back and forth in time in an attempt to give us an overview of the life of the hardest working man in show business, a complicated artist who could be kind and cruel in equal measure. That choppy approach works against it, preventing “Get On Up” from achieving the real emotional punch it was aiming for.
SHAWN
“Get On Up” was the most under appreciated movie last year. Chadwick Boseman was dynamite. The narrative had soul. and the music numbers were the best in a movie since “Purple Rain.” Yes, it had an unconventional flow but so what. Loved that creativity. loved that the filmmakers presented something different, daring and bold.
RUSS
The film is well produced, the music is great and Boseman shines even when working through some unconvincing old age makeup.
SHAWN
Chadwick Boseman is flat out great and so is the entire cast and the story is tremendously interesting. At times beeter than “Ray.” The real treat is the bonus material. The best I’ve seen in a long time. You get
‘Long Journey to the Screen’ where producers Mick Jagger and Brian Grazer talk about spending 14 years bringing “Get On Up” to the screen and ‘On Stage with the Hardest Working Man’ which compares the film’s depiction of Brown’s performances in Vietnam, at the TAMI Show and the Apollo with the real thing using archival footage of the actual events.
RUSS: 3 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 4 Popcorn Bags
- BOYHOOD (R)
IFC Films
RUSS
In one of the boldest cinematic gambles in recent memory, writer director Richard Linklater took 12 years to film an involving coming-of-age story. “Boyhood” chronicles the life Mason, played by Ellar Coltrane, from age 5 to 18. The result is more than just a gimmick. It’s a surprisingly moving experience.
SHAWN
I respect the technique. Making any movie is extremely difficult. Spending 12 years on a project is insane. But at the end of the day this is one of the most boring movies I’ve ever watched. Nothing happens and I didn’t care about any of the characters. Was like watching a collection of home videos from a family you don’t know.
RUSS
Rather than a plot, we’re offered a series of seemingly unrelated scenes from Mason’s life. Some may find this a dull and slow moving exercise, but patient viewers will be rewarded. It may not be the masterpiece that many critics have claimed it to be, but “Boyhood” is an impressive achievement nonetheless.
SHAWN
I need a plot. Can’t sit up and praise a movie which has no plot, no story arch or no character development. If this was a conventional movie it would have been slaughtered. It only gets a pass because of the technique. Also wish the extras were better. The Q&A with director Richard Linklater and the cast is interesting. But I wanted more about the overall process and 12 year journey. You get a bit about the journey. Wanted more.
RUSS: 4 Popcorn Bags
SHAWN: 3 Popcorn Bags
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