Two great 2016 movies that deserve more attention

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 10:34am

Eye in the Sky, with a starry cast headed by Helen Mirren at the top of her game, is an exceptionally intelligent and well made movie.  At once an edge of your seat thriller and a superb Shavian debate about the costs of innocent lives in drone strikes.  With standout performances from Aaron Paul and in his final role, Alan Rickman, who in an ideal world would be getting major oscar buzz.

Indignation, powerful, moving and beautifully made adaptation of Philip Roth's story, well directed by James Schamus, with fine performances by Sarah Gadon, Tracy Letts and Danny Burstein and brilliant ones from Logan Lerman and (notwithstanding a noticeably inconsistent accent) the magnificent Linda Emond.

Updated On: 9/2/16 at 10:34 AM

[hork]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 11:46am

Both good movies. That big scene with Lerman and Letts is my favorite scene of the year.

[LarryD2]

Posted: 9/2/16 at 12:09pm

Have not seen Indignation yet, but watched Eye in the Sky last weekend and was rapt throughout. A taut, yet subtle, thriller and exploration of our moral duties. 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 9/5/16 at 5:53pm

Both were legitimate adult movies done with taste and pedigree. Both could have packed more of a punch with a more surprising conclusion, though I liked where the coda/framing device in Indignation took us. Both were full of some top-drawer acting from great theater actors (Tracey Letts in Indignation, and the late Alan Rickman in his last role in Eye in the Sky.) Both had superb design looks. 

One movie I've seen since that leaps to the top of my 2016 best list is HELL OR HIGH WATER. Ditto all of the above but with a powerhouse script and directorial touch that puts this in a class by itself.

Updated On: 9/5/16 at 05:53 PM

[Auggie27]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 10:42am

Indie Wire has Mirren likely up for Oscar consideration.  It's a remarkably good film, one that would've gotten more attention had it been released in October instead of in the no man's land of late winter/early spring. (Maybe -- look at "Truth," which tanked with Blanchett last fall.) 

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 11:36am

To be fair, I think that TRUTH tanked because it wasn't a particularly good film. It also doesn't hurt that it opened mere days before the infinitely-better SPOTLIGHT.

EYE IN THE SKY is a remarkable film, and I hope that Mirren earns some recognition. I agree that the early-year release is troubling, but it could be offset by an aggressive marketing campaign.

I just saw INDIGNATION yesterday and it struck me as a film where everything is done perfectly right but never catches a spark. It's respectable and well-done but not particularly memorable. Linda Emond manages to turn in a remarkable performance though, navigating her character away from the stereotype of a castrating Jewish mother. And Logan Lerman shows that he continues to grow as an actor.

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 12:40pm

AC126748 said: " . . .  Linda Emond manages to turn in a remarkable performance though, navigating her character away from the stereotype of a castrating Jewish mother. . . . "

I don't want to diminish Emond's contribution which I thought was Oscar-worthy, but I think credit for her performance should be shared with the screenwriter (James Schamus) and Roth for the source material.  This mother was never written to be played in the demeaning way we often see on the screen.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 1:35pm

Eye came and went in the blink of an eye. Missed it but did see Indignation.Film was excellent and is well worth your time.

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 1:42pm

Rumpelstiltskin said: "AC126748 said: " . . .  Linda Emond manages to turn in a remarkable performance though, navigating her character away from the stereotype of a castrating Jewish mother. . . . "

I don't want to diminish Emond's contribution which I thought was Oscar-worthy, but I think credit for her performance should be shared with the screenwriter (James Schamus) and Roth for the source material.  This mother was never written to be played in the demeaning way we often see on the screen.

 

"

I disagree, at least regarding Roth's contribution. I've read the novel and I don't think the character comes across as humanely on the page. To me it's the work of Emond and, to a lesser degree (because I don't find the script especially strong), Schamus.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Posted: 9/6/16 at 2:30pm

AC126748 said: "I disagree, at least regarding Roth's contribution. I've read the novel and I don't think the character comes across as humanely on the page. To me it's the work of Emond and, to a lesser degree (because I don't find the script especially strong), Schamus."

Full disclosure . . . It's been many years.  I'm probably remembering the portrayal I wish he had written.  Thanks for the reality check.

[madbrian]

Posted: 9/13/16 at 1:39pm

I watched Eye in the Sky the other day, and really liked it.  Highly recommended.  Incredible tension throughout.