[Review] Straight Outta Compton
Music biopics are tricky behemoths to tame because of the struggle to properly portray the cultural significance/relevance of the artist that necessitated the biopic's development in the first place. However, for better or worse, Straight Outta Compton comes at the perfect time when the acts of police brutality that inspired and led to the formation of N.W.A back in the '80s is front and center in the media today.
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Straight Outta Compton
Director: F. Gary Gray
Rating: R
Release Date: August 14, 2015
Straight Outta Compton begins in the mid-'80s just prior to the formation of N.W.A as the audience is introduced to Eazy-E (Jason Mitchell), Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson, Jr.), and Dr. Dre (Corey Hawkins) separately, eventually tying the three together alongside MC Ren (Aldis Hodge) and DJ Yella (Neil Brow, Jr.). From the mid-to-late '80s, the film depicts N.W.A's early success, their first tour with manager Jerry Heller (Paul Giamatti) calling the shots... with his and Eazy-E's best intentions in mind. The dynamic shifts, however, when Ice Cube and Heller clash over money, leading to Ice Cube's departure and the beginning of N.W.A's demise.
Before long, each member goes their own way as Ice Cube's solo career begins to take off and his transition to films, Dr. Dre's formation of Death Row Records with Suge Knight (R. Marcus Taylor) leads to his successful solo debut, The Chronic, and his collaborations with Snoop Dogg (Keith Stanfield) and Tupac Shakur (Marcc Rose), and Eazy-E's desperate attempts to keep his Ruthless Records alive while he begins to suffer from the early symptoms of HIV.
Straight Outta Compton works on multiple levels that will appeal to nearly everybody. Whether you're a fan of N.W.A, rap, or each rapper's careers, you'll appreciate the insight on N.W.A and the landscape of rap in the '80s. In saying that, the film deals with the not-so subtle attack on the music industry and its shady dealings that are just as prevalent nowadays as it was nearly 30 years ago.
More importantly, Straight Outta Compton doesn't censor itself or the acts of police violence that led to the inception of N.W.A. And as unfortunate as it may be, the film's depictions of said acts of police brutality are very reminiscent of what we as a country have been facing in recent years. There's one poignant scene in which Heller attempts to protect the group from racial profiling outside the studio, but must see first-hand the disrespect cops give to black people.
However, the entire film isn't entirely grim. There are legitimately funny scenes scattered throughout the film, typically involving the interplay between the actors. For a music biopic that deals with such a serious topic, it was good to see Straight Outta Compton embrace some fun moments to break the tone from time to time in an effective manner.
Straight Outta Compton is strongest when Jackson, Jr, Mitchell, and Hawkins can share screen time and build off of the interplay between one another. However, as they begin to go their separate ways, the film attempts to follow along with them individually, losing the chemistry that made them so appealing to begin with. Because of this, the film begins to lose focus as the final act begins.
With Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright, co-producing, Straight Outta Compton may be the most definitive look at N.W.A's early days and its eventual dissolution. F. Gary Gray was the perfect director to handle the film as he treats its subjects with reverence. Straight Outta Compton is Gray's return to grace following his latest films, 2009's middling Law Abiding Citizen and 2005's disappointing Be Cool.
Whether you're interested in the musical aspects of the film, its damning social commentary on police brutality, or just approaching with curiosity, Straight Outta Compton is worth an opening weekend trip. Despite a final act that loses its way, Straight Outta Compton is the music biopic the genre needed to elevate its level of quality. Make sure you don't miss it.
Watch Michael Fassbender as Steve Jobs in New Trailer
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Aaron Sorkin has made quite the name for himself in recent years thanks to the success of The Social Network, Moneyball, and The Newsroom, and can be characterized by his punchy dialogue. Danny Boyle has been a bit more quiet recently, but is known for his stylistic aesthetic in films like Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, 127 Hours, and Slumdog Millionaire. The combination of both Sorkin and Boyle's styles comes together in the upcoming Steve Jobs, a biopic on the Apple magnate that focuses on three of his product launches, culminating with 1998's iMac release.
Michael Fassbender (Frank, X-Men: Days of Future Past) portrays Steve Jobs alongside a star-studded cast that includes Seth Rogen (The Interview) as Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), and Jeff Daniels (The Martian, The Newsroom) as former Apple CEO John Sculley. While there are similarities to the Ashton Kutcher-led Jobs, the critical reception for that film has been terrible, with those portrayed in the film balking at their portrayals and the film's script.
However, with Boyle and Sorkin at the wheel, Steve Jobs looks to be a bigger, better beast than Jobs, and it has the talent and star power (sorry, Ashton) to be the de facto Steve Jobs biopic. Steve Jobs will be in theaters on October 9th.
[Trailer 2] Jobs
http://youtu.be/NoAJQ7bKDDU
The second trailer for the Steve Jobs biopic, Jobs, was released recently. The film, directed by Joshua Michael Stern (Swing Vote) and starring Ashton Kutcher (That 70's Show), focuses on Jobs' life between 1971 - 2010, illustrating the rise, fall, and rise again of Apple. This new trailer is meatier and more interesting than the first trailer, but there's no disconnect between Kutcher and Jobs with this film. I seriously see that being a huge problem when the film is released into theaters next week.
Steve Jobs revolutionized the world of electronics and built Apple to become one of the most iconic brand names in pop culture. Having an actor like Kutcher, whom I don't necessarily have a problem with, seems a bit... off. Like I mentioned in my write-up of the original trailer, the film wasn't well-received by critics at Sundance; could it have gained more favor if a different actor were in place? I guess we'll never know.
Jobs hits theaters on August 16th.
[Trailer] Lovelace
http://youtu.be/9vJADecKL-4
1972's Deep Throat was infamous for being one of the first pornographic feature films that at least attempted to introduce basic film elements like character and plot development along with the typical sex scenes. Despite facing a large number of obscenity charges, the film helped pave the way for "smarter" porn films and also brought stardom to the lead actress, Linda Lovelace.
Lovelace, co-directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman (Howl), is a biopic about Lovelace's rise to stardom during her 20s to her 30s. Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) stars as the titular Lovelace, and is accompanied by Peter Sarsgaard (Jarhead), James Franco (This is the End), Juno Temple (Killer Joe), Adam Brody (Gilmore Girls), Hank Azaria (The Simpsons), Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct), and more.
If dramatic biopics about porn stars turned anti-porn activists are the types of films you like, then you'll definitely want to catch Lovelace when it dances into theaters this August 9th.
[Trailer] Jobs
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Last year, when Ashton Kutcher was announced to portray the late Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs, many met the news with mixed reactions. After all, with Kutcher best known as a wayward ladies man in That 70's Show, it's no surprise that his attachment to the film wouldn't be well-received. With this first trailer released, Jobs is looking a bit iffy. Directed by Joshua Michael Stern, the film covers a four decade span of Jobs' life with a focus on some of the landmark achievements during his illustrious career.
Its Sundance premiere earlier didn't receive a great response, but there should still be appeal for the Apple crowd. I feel mixed about the film myself, especially given the mixed tone of the trailer that is desperate to leave an emotional mark on viewers. And while I have nothing against Kutcher, I just can't dive into this without being able to separate him from Steve Jobs, which is never a good sign for a film, biopic or otherwise.
We can all take a bite out of Jobs when it hits theaters on August 16th.
[via Yahoo]