Genre: History, Drama

Year: 2014

Country: UK, USA, France

Rating:

Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Jim France, Trinity Simone, Mikeria Howard

Director: Ava DuVernay

My Review: Screenplay by Paul Webb. Directed by Ava DuVernay. Starring David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth and others. Finally a movie about the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. rather than the tragedy of his assassination. Here is a dramatic biopic which chronicles his efforts to secure voting rights for African Americans, and his participation in the equal rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965. Vigilantes and Klansmen ran rampant across the south in the 60s. Justice was hard to come by, and equal rights was a thing that many Americans just dreamed about. This movie focuses on one man's fight against the social injustice perpetuated by a corrupt system of prejudice and hate. While King participated in non-violent marches, the local red-necks (The Chief of Police, State Governor and other prominent citizens) did everything they could to discourage and disrupt these marches. Murder and lynchings were common. Montgomery, Alabama was a dangerous place if your skin color was slightly darker than lily white. The writing was outstanding and the acting superb (Especially that of David Oyelowo in the lead role). The story is a harrowing tale of perseverance and courage. I give this movie a 4 out of 5.

Summary: The unforgettable true story chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay's "Selma" tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.

Genre: Comedy

Year: 2015

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Vince Vaughn, Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco, Sienna Miller, June Diane Raphael

Director: Ken Scott

My Review: Written by Steve Conrad. Directed by Ken Scott (Starbuck, Delivery Man). Starring Vince Vaughn, Dave Franco, Tom Wilkinson and others. Vince Vaughn stars as Dan Trunkman alongside Dave Franco (playing Mike Pancake - Yes, like the breakfast food) and Tom Wilkinson (playing Timothy McWinters) in this no-holds barred competitive comedy. Vince quits his job at a big-time business in order to go it alone as an independent business owner. His small company is on the rocks with bills piling up, but they've just landed a huge account - Or have they? When they travel to Germany to sign the deal, they find an unexpected challenge. The big time company that he left is competing for his deal. The movie is 'Off the Rails' in more way than one. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll are all used to win over the client. The trailer makes it look far better than it is. Vince Vaughn is very good, working hard for the laughs, but the writing is a bit stale - We've seen all these shenanigans before. The only part that shines in this story is the briefest sentiment to family values hidden away amongst the raunchy stunts and forgettable pranks. I give this movie a 3 out of 5.

Summary: A hard-working small business owner (Vince Vaughn) and his two associates (Tom Wilkinson, Dave Franco) travel to Europe to close the most important deal of their lives. But what began as a routine business trip goes off the rails in every way imaginable - and unimaginable.

Genre: Adventure

Year: 2000

Country: USA

Rating:

Starring: Leonid Citer, David Allen Brooks, Velena Papovic, Valentina Ananyina, Semion Suradikov

Director: Robert Zemeckis

My Review: Written by William Broyles Jr. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Romancing the Stone, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Forrest Gump, Contact, The Polar Express). Starring Tom Hanks, Helen Hunt, Paul Sanchez and a few others. Tom Hanks stars as (Chuck Noland) in this movie about a man stranded alone on a remote island in the pacific. Chuck is a FedEx executive. He lives a very frantic life, he's important, he's essential, he's critical to the operations of a multi-million dollar business, he keeps the engines of industry running, and his life is a series of rushing from meeting to meeting, making important business decisions, and neglecting commitments to his family. One day, while he was flying from one important meeting to another, the unexpected happened. It all stopped! The plane crashed, and he found himself alone on the shore of a remote and uninhabited tropical island. Now he must do battle with the forces of nature, isolation and his own sanity. Can he survive without the conveniences of the modern world? Will he ever be rescued? Who will chair the next quarterly meeting! Tom Hanks delivers an outstanding performance in this singular movie. We focus our attention on him and only him for the duration of this 143 minute film. I give it a 5 out of 5.

Summary: A FedEx executive must transform himself physically and emotionally to survive a crash landing on a deserted island.