MOVIE REVIEW: SHE SAID

 

The New York Times journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor publish a report that exposes sexual abuse allegations against powerful Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The shocking story also serves as a launching pad for the #MeToo movement, shattering decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault and harassment.

Director: Maria Schrader

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan, Patricia Clarkson, Andre Braugher, Jennifer Ehle, Samantha Morton, Ashley Judd

Release Date: November 18, 2022

Genre: Drama, History

Rated R for language and descriptions of sexual assault.

Runtime: 2h 15m 

She Said is a smartly written and well acted journalistic thriller joining the ranks of Spotlight, The Post and All The President's Men.  Maria Schrader's film has a focused immediacy to the proceedings which makes the film engaging even during some of it's dryer stretches.  Its subject matter is well known so there aren't many surprises in store but it smartly focuses on the individual women's stories as the two reporters peel back the layers of the abuse.  Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan carry the film with relative ease while giving their characters a solid amount of depth to make you care about their journey which becomes more personal as it goes along.  Mulligan is a strong and forceful while Kazan is more demure but no less determined and motivated with the film perking up noticeably when they share the screen.  Patricia Clarkson and Andre Braugher have small but important supporting roles as no nonsense editors.  Jennifer Ehle, Samantha Morton and Ashley Judd have impactful scenes as victims recounting their experiences.  Additionally, the film uses a real recording of Weinstein berating a victim to chilling effect.  She Said is the type of film that's built on a series of conversations and its ability make it engaging with a predetermined finale is truly impressive.

A

MOVIE REVIEW: FANTASTIC BEAST AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

This spin-off of the Harry Potter franchise jumps back in time to explore the wizarding world of 1926 New York, which is being threatened by both mystical acts of destruction and a group of extremist No-Majs (the American term for Muggles, i.e. those unable to use magic). Author Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) arrives in the city as part of a global study of fantastic beasts, but he gets caught up in this conflict when some of the magical creatures in his care are accidentally released. Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell, Ezra Miller, and Johnny Depp co-star in this fantasy adventure, which was directed by David Yates (who helmed four of the Harry Potter films) and adapted for the screen by J.K. Rowling from her own book. ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi

Director: David Yates     

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton.

Release Date: Nov 18, 2016     

Rated PG-13 for Some Fantasy/Action Violence 

    

Runtime: 2 hr. 13 min.     

Genres: Action/Adventure, Family, Sci-Fi/Fantasy    

Review:

Fantastic Beast and Where to Find Them is charming entry into Potterverse.  Kicking off a series of prequel films can be a difficult task but director David Yates pulls it off with ease thanks to some strong turns from his cast.  Eddie Redmayne leads the cast with his Newt Scamander.  It’s an understated performance but engaging enough to keep you invested throughout even if some of the plot seems scattered and unfocused.  The film is at best when Redmayne is paired with Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol.  You can feel the energy in the film pick up with the quartet is assembled.  As for the story itself, it’s a tad busy which can make it feel like it’s hitting multiple stops with no clear destination in mind.  It’s a shame the film didn’t make better use of Colin Farrell.  Instead he’s given a generic villain who’s not nearly as interesting as he could be.  Ezra Miller suffers from a similar situation but he does manage to elevate it a bit with some nifty acting.  That being said it’s a hard film not to like, there’s an inherit charm built into the story which makes it a good start for the series.

B+