Phil sees ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY in 3D from Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures - December 16, 2016

With the release of last year's holiday blockbuster STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, Lucasfilm and Disney revitalized the STAR WARS franchise and showed that there was a new generation of fans out there who may have never seen any of the movies before. While Episodes VIII and XI are scheduling to be released in 2017 and 2019 respectively, between these installments are special stand alone movies that focus on a particular story set between the much beloved episodic entries. The first one out of the gate was the recently released ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY in 3D and yours truly was there for the opening night screening.

The film's official synopsis: This prequel to the very first Star Wars movie tells the thrilling story of how a ragtag band of freedom fighters -- including a former soldier-turned-prisoner (Felicity Jones), a Rebel Alliance insider (Diego Luna), a Jedi (Donnie Yen), and a sentient robot (voiced by Alan Tudyk) -- worked together to steal the Death Star's secret blueprints. Ben Mendelsohn, Forest Whitaker, Riz Ahmed, Mads Mikkelsen, and Jimmy Smits co-star.

Expanding on the mythos of the STAR WARS saga, the film is a very much welcomed story that really shines a light of the untold story of this band of brave rebels, who against all odds, must complete this very important mission the could shift the tide towards the burgeoning Rebel Alliance. But while it looks and feels like a STAR WARS film, it's actually a war movie, and it's one of the best war movies I've seen in a long time.

Filmmaker Gareth Edwards does a phenomenal job directing this incredible and moving film. His style has gradually matured since his two previous films: his 2010 debut MONSTERS indicated that he was going to someone important, while 2014 GODZILLA really pushed him into the spotlight. His set-ups, compositions, sweeping camera pans and his intimate close-ups really brings forth the characteristics of our lead protagonists and the beauty and ugliness of war. Truth be told, Edwards gave us fans the prequel we've been waiting for since 1999. Credit also goes to writers Chris Weitz, Tony Gilroy, John Knoll and Gary Whitta for delivering a smart and emotional script that deals war, belief and fighting for what's right. It is both political and social commentary story that is very poignant in today's world.

The entire cast was fantastic in the movie! First props to Felicity Jones' intense performance as our heroine Jon Eros. She's just amazing to watch up on the screen as she battles with the film's main antagonist and all around evil Orson Krennic, played by Ben Mendelssohn. Alan Tudyk's K-2SO is my new favorite droid in the STAR WARS franchise as he had the best and funniest lines in the whole movie. Martial artists and Hong Kong action superstar Donnie Yen (from the IP MAN franchise) portrays Chirrut Îmwe, who single handily created a new catchphrase with his, "I am one with the Force. The Force is with me." So far I've seen several T-shirts with this one them already. My only real complaint is that I wish we had more of Forest Whitaker's character Saw Gerrera. His character ties to the computer animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series and I wanted to see more of his story and where has he been since then.

Another aspect I really enjoyed about the film is the use of real locations, practical special effects and sets that had to be built from the ground up. It looks more closely to the original trilogy rather than George Lucas' overblown, CGI heavy, prequel trilogy. Now there comes a time when CGI is used correctly and the final battle scene between the Rebellion versus the Empire looks spectacular! The space battle as well as the battleground on the surface, the quick editing, the musical score creates a magical third act that will thrill STAR WARS fans worldwide!

By now, the whole world knows about the CGI inclusion of Grand Moff Tarkin, which was played by the late, great Peter Cushing from the original 1977 film. I really enjoyed seeing the inclusion of this iconic villain and it serves the film purposely, as it connects directly with A NEW HOPE. And with the CGI Princess Lea, it really ties into the original film.

And last, but not least, the return of Darth Vader to the silver screen. Fans of this legendary character were really pissed off at the way Lucas had him at the end of REVENGE OF THE SITH. Now, he's a bad ass again. An evil, vicious, ruthless bad ass! Basically, we got our Darth Vader back!!

ROUGE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is one of the greatest STAR WARS films of all time, one of the greatest science fiction films of all time and one of the greatest war films of all time!! This is, without question, the prequel film fans have been waiting for period! And I for one cannot wait to see it again!! 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

ROUGE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is currently playing at a theater near you. Check your local listings to see where it's playing in your area.

Thanks for reading, and my the Force be with you!

Phil sees ZERO DARK THIRTY at the Century 20 Oakridge-January 7, 2013

Today's review is about a film that has been billed as "the story of history's greatest manhunt for the world's most dangerous man." It has received wide critical acclaim and has already earned four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film has also received a great deal of controversy for its "allegedly pro-torture stance and for allegedly obtaining improper access to classified materials." However, all this aside, director Kathryn Bigelow's latest film ZERO DARK THIRTY is one of the most astounding films to be released in 2013 thus far!!

The movie's official synopsis: Maya (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA operative whose first experience is in the interrogation of prisoners following the Al Qaeda attacks against the U.S. on the 11th September 2001. She is a reluctant participant in extreme duress applied to the detainees, but believes that the truth may only be obtained through such tactics. For several years, she is single-minded in her pursuit of leads to uncover the whereabouts of Al Qaeda's leader, Osama Bin Laden. Finally, in 2011, it appears that her work will pay off, and a U.S. Navy SEAL team is sent to kill or capture Bin Laden. But only Maya is confident Bin Laden is where she says he is.

First off, let me tell you something about the beginning of the film. Now what I am about to tell you isn't a spoiler or anything. In fact, consider this a warning. In the first hour of the film, there are several scenes that feature the brutality of torture. Now if this makes you at all squeamish, then you'd might want to skip this movie. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the film because of the allege pro-torture stance. This will divide the audience and as a result, some will say yes it does, others will disagree. Too be honest, I'm still on the fence about this topic myself.

However, controversy aside, Bigelow shows us once again just how talented she is as a director. While I thought it would hard to surpass her last film, the Academy Award winning film THE HURT LOCKER, she does the impossible and creates a stunning, tense, procedural drama that cannot be classified as an action thriller, a war film, or in this a war drama. Bigelow is one of the few directors that makes films for just sheer entertainment; her films go beyond the term genre and transcend into the realm of art. Like her previous film, Bigelow crafts this picture with precision, clarity, and structure with moments of humor to release the tensions that it builds.

Bigelow and her writer Mark Boal (a former journalist) were working on a screenplay that was about the Battle of Tora Bora, where bin Laden was once believed to be hiding. However, once the news broke the news broke that bin Laden had been killed, they immediately shelved that idea and started from scratch. Originally filmed as For God and Country, the title was changed to ZERO DARK THIRTY, which according to Bigelow means that, "it's a military term for 30 minutes after midnight, and it refers also to the darkness and secrecy that cloaked the entire decade-long mission."

Actress Jessica Chastain did a fabulous job at portraying our main protagonist Maya. Head strong, confident, and resilient in her pursuit in locating the whereabouts of our antagonist Osama Bin Laden. Chastain appeared last year's THE TREE OF LIFE and THE HELP. Here she continues to play interesting, flawed, and relentless characters that are unique, thoughtful, and complex.

ZERO DARK THIRTY is one enriching, compelling, masterpiece of cinema that dares to be seen. Not for everyone's taste; it's slow pace builds up speed for the climatic ending; an ending we already know about. But in Bigelow's hands, this review found himself sitting on the edge of his seat. 5 out of 5 stars!! Highly recommended!!

ZERO DARK THIRTY is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the Century Theaters here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at http://cinemark.com.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!

Phil sees RED TAILS at the Camera 12- January 21, 2012

The fourth film I saw at the Camera 12 was the new film produced by George Lucas and his Lucasfilm LTD. Staring an all black cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Bryan Cranston, Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Cliff Smith, Kevin Phillips, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan, Jazmine Sullivan, Edwina Finley, Daniela Ruah, Stacie Davis and Gerald McRaney, RED TAILS tells a forgotten, overlooked and important chapter of World War II.

Theatrical Movie Poster (2012)

Set in 1944 as World War II rages, the African American pilots of the experimental Tuskegee training program are facing and fighting two very different wars at once: one against the Axis powers overseas, and racial discrimination within their own Army. However as the war in Europe continues to take its toll on the Allied forces, these brave men are finally called into duty under the guidance of Col. A.J. Bullard (Howard) and Major Emanuelle Stance (Gooding Jr.). After several successful missions, these brave men now known as The Red Tails embark on their most important mission: escort American bombardiers deep into Germany while fighting off their new jet fighter planes.

The film was the directorial debut of Anthony Hemingway, who is mostly know for directing TV episodes on shows such as Fringe, CSI: NY, The Closer, and Treme. He as also been second unit director or assistant director on films such as ALI, CHANGING LANES, and THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE.

Lucas originally began developing the film around 1988 but was unable to secure funding because the major film studios balked at the idea of financing and marketing a film with an "all-black" cast and "no major white roles." As a result of Hollowood's short sightedness, Lucas ended up funding the project with his own money, investing $58 million into the production of the film, and a further $35 million towards marketing. In March of 2010, after principle photography wrapped, Lucas took over directing the film's reshoots for Hemingway, who was already committed to filming the first season of Treme.

Now being that this was Hemingway's first film, I'll be going lenient. I know what's it like trying to direct your first film. However, his directing in the film could have been more smother and polished. At times I couldn't tell if he was trying to direct the film as a 1940s film or trying to be modern. Another item I didn't care for was the transitions between scenes. Many of these dissolves were unnecessary and some were cases, they dissolved way too fast. Also the script could have been more detailed because the characters seemed to me too one dimensional. There really was no real depth to these characters. However, the film does show us the racial discrimination that these men had to face and in the end finally given the respect that they deserve was important to see.

Of course this being a Lucas film, one would expect the special effects to be nothing less but spectacular and they are! The dog fights in the air, the bombing of German bases, the exploding German ships, these CGI effects are top notch! Great combat fighting is required in these types of films and Lucas and his team have once again done an incredible job.

RED TAILS is a flawed film, but still entertaining and also one that teaches us that adversity can be overcome. What these brave men did in WWII paved the way for equality in the Armed Forces. History was made back then, and now a whole new generation of people can now see how it was made before their very eyes. 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

RED TAILS is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including at the Camera Cinemas here in the Bay Area. To view showtimes, visit their website at www.cameracinemas.com

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!