White Heat: Review of Wind River

Wind River

Director: Taylor Sheridan

By Alex Watson

Beneath its snowy winter exterior, Taylor Sheridan's Wind River is a movie where secrets are lost on the wind. After grabbing an Oscar nomination for his fine screenplay for Sicario, Sheridan proves he is also a fine talent behind the lens as well. This crime drama is like a ticking time bomb of tensions and Sheridan makes full use of the desolate Wyoming backdrop. A pair of fine lead performances by Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen is a compliment to Sheridan's fine style.

Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner) is a local tracker and hunter who takes care of wildlife problems. One day while travelling by snowmobile he finds the bloody and frozen corpse of Natalie Hanson (Kelsey Chow) a Native American girl who was once friends with his daughter. FBI agent Jane Banner is called in to assist when it is suspected to be a homicide but finds herself unprepared for the harsh winter. After an autopsy reveals the victim was raped, a dangerous game of cat and mouse ensues.

Opening with a clearly terrified and barefoot Natalie running across a snow covered terrain, it is clear something has scared her to the core. Wind River is a slow cooker and Sheridan lets us see Cory in his quieter moments first. A man still mourning the tragic death of his daughter, he is simply trying to live with the pain he has. Sheridan makes us feel the icy cold of the surroundings and there is a sinister menace that mocks the residents on the breeze. Banner's arrival does shake up the locals as her 'strictly business' approach fails to endear her. Although Cory is not law enforcement, he and Jane are forced to work together as there is no better tracker around than him. At first, the pair does not bond well, but eventually, she comes to depend on his knowledge.

Sheridan is unafraid at showing us the ugly side of this drama, one visit by Jane to Martin Hanson (Gil Birmingham) reveals his wife's tragic breakdown. There are also moments of pure shock such as a botched raid on a shack full of drug addicts. Sheridan has the jump scare factor aced here and there are few minutes in this picture which inspire calm. Getting the tribal members to talk in this region is hard, especially since the majority of crimes against them go unnoticed. Police Chief Ben (Graham Greene) is attempting to keep order with minimal staff in an area 'the size of Rhode Island'. Wisely we are not given any real leads as to who the guilty person could be? The snow covered ground has covered a lot of tracks- though Cory as a tracker is an expert at spotting tiny details.

The third act of Wind River is where Sheridan's talent really shines. When the crime is revealed we are treated to a flashback that is so grotesque and uncomfortable it makes us feel ill. Think Hell or High Water meets Deliverance. The lengths people will go to protect others is horrifying and there is an intense paranoia all around. Possibly the tensest scene comes from when 10 people comprised of law enforcement, oil workers and Jane all decide to point guns at each other. It's a scene where things could get out of control fast and when everyone has itchy trigger fingers, it can only go south. This community has an 'eye for an eye' feel and there is a last act of revenge by Cory that continues this trend. Sheridan's movie is a rare beast and shows us that beneath the picturesque landscape, horror can be found everywhere.

Jeremy Renner showcases what a fine leading man he can be as Cory. Although a fascinating presence in The Hurt Locker, Arrival and The Town, Renner will mostly be remembered as The Avengers Hawkeye. The layers he adds to Cory are simply stunning and he gives the impression of a man holding on. His character possesses some good wits and is unafraid to get his hands dirty. Elizabeth Olsen is one of Hollywood's most underrated talents and as Jane, she shows just why she should be richly rewarded. At first a slightly obnoxious by-the-book agent, it becomes clear that she will need to go against her principles to get the desired result. Together Olsen and Renner make a good double act that ties the movie together nicely.

Wind River is a movie that will hopefully garner Sheridan some much-needed attention come award season. One of the best Hollywood writing talents now proves he has a director's eye to match.

Taking Sides: Review of Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War

Directors: Joe and Anthony Russo

By Alex Watson

There was a fear when Captain America: Civil War rolled around that too many cooks would spoil the broth. Joe and Anthony Russo do a marvellous job (no pun intended) of holding the show together amidst so many old and new Avenger additions. Unlike the previous installments, this one is made out to be simply a filler and it has a more morally complex feeling. The small acts of old and new films come ahead in this one and this sparks this summer's most enjoyable film.

After a mission in Nigeria goes disastrously wrong, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) and Natasha Romanov (Scarlett Johansson) find the Avengers have now been regulated by the U.N. Although the Cap refuses to sign, Iron Man chooses to and in doing so creates a divided group. Tensions will boil over when Rogers chooses to rescue his assassin friend Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan).

Captain America: Civil War might just be the finest entry in the Marvel cannon yet. The Russo Brother unashamedly play it for thrillers and throughout the entertainment factor never dips. There is also the first appearance by the new Spiderman (Tom Holland) and T'Chilla/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) whom already are getting us excited for this new chapter. Without the Hulk or Thor, this group still packs a mighty punch and the mutual hostility between the Captain and Stark is electrifying. The lines between enemy and ally are blurred in this one as Black Widow finds herself conflicted towards keeping peace and joining the fight. Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) is struggling with her powers and is at fault for causing mass casualty during their heroic Nigerian mission. When Sam Ross (William Hurt) reappears with a U.N sanction signed by 117 countries, this elite team is grounded.

There might be a distinct lack of a main villain asides from Daniel Bruhl's ambiguous former soldier Helmut Zemo, but even he still plays a vital role in dividing the numbers. Bucky is very much the catalyst in this piece and is still wrestling between his Soviet programming and becoming the man he used to be. After being framed for a bombing in Vienna, Bucky's mere presence earns him the wrath of the new King of Wakanda T'Chilla who vows to take him down. Rogers refused to give up on his former childhood friend and his decision leaves many angered and vengeful. Despite the nostalgia, old Bucky is still a dangerous weapon and still has blood on his hands. From here the once steadfast group takes sides and a mini war breaks out. One huge battle against an airport strip becomes a punch and explosion filled venting ground for each. The Russo Brothers make sure they throw in everything but the kitchen sink- this case Antman (Paul Rudd) makes literally the biggest appearance.

What sets Captain America: Civil War apart is its well-written script and heart grinding finale. Often in this series the makers fall into the same trap of unnecessary plot devices, lackluster villains and the same default final battle in the air. The Russo's are aware of what flaws there have been and refuse to fall into the same trap. During a gut-wrenching final act, some hard truths are reveal and people's agendas become blurred. All the way through there is the big notion of who the Avengers should answer to? Well, it appears that the answer is each other because Stark's hatred and suspicion of Bucky come full circle. Watching the two former comrades do battle is both thrilling and devastating and they both equally influence different key players to join their side. Now this is very much what you call an ultimate showdown- Synder take notes.

Chris Evans has grown into this role well, but in this installment, it feels like he goes deeper. Rogers in Civil War is a morally conflicted yet dutiful friend and he is aware of his wrongdoing but refuses to back away. Evans handles the physical side of his character well but this one demonstrates the talent he has behind the mask. Robert Downey Jr gives perhaps his most convincing turn yet as billionaire stark because in this one he has left his cocky side at home. Throughout he attempts to stamp down his authority but his attempts at safeguarding the cause he bankrolled only cause trouble. It's his emotional vulnerability during the impressive third act that impresses the most as Stark wrestles with his past demons along with his new found fury. Chadwick Boseman also deserves a mention for his frowntastic Black Panther. In limited screen time, we have a glimpse of what could be an authoritative and slick new addition- hurry up Ryan Coogler.

Forget any competition for the number one summer film, Captain America: Civil War succeeds where Dawn of Justice failed miserably. Finally, Marvel has found its new strongest link and now can look forward to one hell of an Avengers 3!

Brotherhood of Buccaneers: Review of Avengers: Age of Ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Director: Joss Whedon

By Alex Watson

Although a darker and less jokier flick than we might have expected, Joss Whedon is again consistent with Avengers: Age of Ultron. But unlike its gleeful predecessor, there is an air of warning and madness present from the start. Which culminates in a creation that truly loathes its creators. However, even though it scores highly on the thrill level, you can't help but feel that this franchise is beginning to wear a little thin!

Completing a dangerous mission against a HYDRA base, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) wish to great artificial intelligence creation that will be protector to humans. Only his creation that arrives, Ultron (James Spader) immediately comes to hate humanity and sets about on a mission to destroy it! Matched against an unstoppable being along with fellow experimental beings Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The Avengers have a hard mission ahead.

What perhaps sets Avengers: Age of Ultron apart is the fact that a great shadow of doubt has come across this once strong fraternity of superhero's. Captain America (Chris Evans) is starting to feel the strain of his role as protector, while Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) is beginning to have doubts over not only his relationship with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) but whether he can exist among humans at all? Even Tony Stark is cast is near villian mode as it is his meddling with the forces of AI that brings about one un-godly creation! But amidst the cracks appearing, this unit has learn to work as a team- just watch Thor (Chris Hemsworth) slam the Caps shield into a HYDRA man's face! 

Emerging like a more sinister Frankenstein's monster, Ultron is a living and vengeful being who decides the only way to save humanity, is to destroy the earth! Constantly slippery and evolving, Ultron provides the ultimate obstacle to the Avengers. But his brother and sister companions Wanda/Scarlet Witch and Pietro/Quicksliver make for fine lieutenants. Particularly as through her mind mangling abilities, Wanda brings their worst fears to life before their eyes. It is shown Iron Man his post New York trauma that will result in him behaving more irrationally than usual!

But although Whedon has now fitted the style of this group like a glove and his command of the action scenes is breathlessly executed- you can't escape the thought that Avengers:Age of Ultron is now all too familiar. The finale is once set in the air (now a Marvel staple it seems) and while thrilling and very unpredictable, it just doesn't give you the rousing feeling that you felt when this team was first together. His excellent use of characterization firmly keeps everything afloat and the new additions are being worked in nicely, even Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) gets his own part of the story after being drastically underused.

Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth are as usual fine in their customary roles, but unlike before they are not as memorable. These characters are beginning to feel like fresh with every appearance and even some neat changes doesn't completely change things. The real star turn goes to Mark Ruffalo who exhibits a fine inner conflict as Bruce Banner who for once is truly doubting his place in the world and fears for not only his own safety, but the rest of human kind! James Spader however makes for a magnificent Ultron! Like a bad seed done drastically wrong, his lament for humans is well felt and through his gravely yet commanding voice, one of the best Marvel villains is born!

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a still a great night of entertainment, and I understand that they are far from being done. But this Marvel universe is feel a little overcooked these days. The films will still come thick and fast (the two part Infinity War installment is due for 2018), but they will struggle to match the joy of old. But Whedon's darker take on events is still worth viewing, especially if you like the Hulk finally being unleashed!