PRESTIGE MAGAZINE #1
Writer : Mo Buck
Ranking every film for each
round so far.
Round 1
3- Dracula Origins
Despite Oscar Isaac's
greatness, it is difficult to detect anything special that would make this film
stand out from the bunch. Still it gives us a refreshing look at one of the
oldest horror character of all-time, but Dracula Origins is a movie that doesn't
really stand out compared to the other two he's up against. The ending suggests
a sequel and one will probably be made after the huge chunk of money this one
pulled up.
2- Rasputin
Love him or hate him,
Johnny Depp remains one of cinema's biggest draw, proved once again by his
performance in the titular role of Rasputin, in what may be his best
performance since we first saw Captain Jack Sparrow on our screens. Director
Rodrigo Garcia crafted a captivating that can feel boring at some point, but
highly captivating a
second later.
1- Green River
This is the seventh time
we've seen Ted Bundy portrayed on screen and Robert Downey Jr.'s performance of
the monster is the greatest we've seen, a flawless performance that deserves to
be showered with trophies. A movie that centers so much around a character can
be boring and uninteresting when he's on screen, but the rest of the cast put
up by director Vadim Perelman captivate us, but everyone of them is struggling
when compared to Downey Jr.'s tour de force as Bundy.
Round 2
3- Invisible Monsters
The overly complicated plot
and the overall weirdness of the movie doesn't make a pleasant viewing. Ryan
Murphy, who showed great potential on American Horror Story, struggles to make
the plot understandable for the audience and wastes a great cast, especially
the always excellent Elisabeth Moss, who often seems lost on screen.
2- The Cry of the Owl
I never particularly enjoy
an actor who directs itself, but the unproven Chris Evans surprised with a
serious effort in a tense drama. It is easy to feel connected to his
character's story, thanks to the tight directing and the well written
screenplay. This movie is good enough to get noticed, but nothing that will set
the world on fire.
1- The Dead Zone
This one is a little biased,
Stephen King being one of my favorite authors, it is really hard for me not to
enjoy an adaptation of one of his books. Joel Edgerton shines in the lead role
and his surrounded by a competent supporting cast. The director Natale did a
nice job bringing the book's vision to the screen, thanks largely to Phil
Dolan's script.
Round 3
3- Hunt
An uninspired screenplay
often leads to an unpleasant movie and this is exactly what Hunt suffers from.
Despite boasting a nice cast, director Chan-wook Park was unable to create any
tension that was profoundly missed in Mo Buck's screenplay.
2-Birth of Frankenstein
Everyone knows the
Frankenstein story and this is why I was sceptical whena new Frankenstein
movie was announced by Last Resort Films. However, I was happily surprised by
the quality of the movie crafted by J.A. Bayona and the nice performances by
the cast help the movie to stand out from other adaptations. One of the finest
entry in the Monster Universe.
1- Jonestown
One of the most twisted
mind of the 20th century is brought to life by Josh Brolin in the exceptional
Oliver Stone movie. Brolin anchors the movie with the finest performance of his
career, exceptionally portraying the charisma of Jim Jones. The rest of the
cast also delivers. Like a puzzle, after everything is put together,
Jonestown becomes the best movie we've seen so far by Last Resort Films.
Round 4
3- Sherwood
I don't think anyone can
argue with me after I say that I've seen this story before. The cast seems to
enjoy themselves, but a movie can't be good if you just want it to be good.
Director Robert Schwentke looked lost and the movie suffers from it, never able
to create a real identity that will separate the movie to other Robin Hood
films.
2- Maria
It was a big gamble to
adapt an obscure 100 year-old French Canadian book into a film,
but Jean-Marc Vallee did it
with Last Resort Films backing. The plot doesn't derivate from the source
material, with writer Mo Buck not taking initiatives. Backed by a solid cast,
Maria may not be the best movie around, but still a solid entry.
1- Creature from the Black
Lagoon
The biggest hit so far for
Last Resort Films is also one of the best film they've released. With a more
than capable cast and an exceptional production design, Creature from the Black
Lagoon is one of the most visually impressive released so far by the studio. It
may drag a little bit, but the Reeves-Serkis duo strike gold with their latest
collaboration.
Round 5
3- The Raven in the Night
This one proves that
attaching a world-class director and an all-star cast to a weak and uninspired
movie doesn't necessarily work. The movie itself isn't bad and the cast makes
the best with what they've given, but the viewer is left wanting much more and
that's why it's ranked at the third place.
2- Libra
I could be a little biased
with this one, because I'm really far from a Shia LeBoeuf fan. David Fincher
assembled a great ensemble cast and crafted a tight film that left me ashamed
of hating LeBoeuf, but something about the film seemed odd, or simply didn't
clicked for me.
1- Paradise Lost
It's hard a sell a
religious-heavy themed movie nowadays, but that's exactly what Last Resort
Films did and Dolan struck gold. I was unfamiliar with the director's style,
but the visual identity of the film, combined with its great ensemble cast,
provide for a refreshing viewing. The heavy budget comes into play with the
visual effects and the production design is simply outstanding. Paradise Lost
gets the number one spot for Round 5.
Round 6
3- Roanoke
A movie about the Roanoke
colony has so much potential and is so open to interpretation that the Mo
Buck's Writers Association was in the process of submitting a script to the
studios when the news broke out that a movie based on the events will come out.
Director Brad Anderson delivered a well crafted film for the first part, but it
soon falls in a generic supernatural movie full of cliches.
2- Halo
This movie has received a
lot of bad critics and is currently rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, but in fact,
Alexander Skarsgard and Gareth Edwards did their very best to bring a visually
interesting product to the world and a movie that every Halo fan should see.
Edwards proves once again that he has a rare talent for directing mainstream
action flicks with a tremendous budget and he nails it once again with Halo.
1- Every Secret Thing
Mark Romanek took a big
gamble in creating a biography with mostly untested talent, but Daisy Ridley
really shone in her role as Patty Hearst. Mostly everything about this movie is
interesting and worth noticing and all of its elements combined create a nice
piece of work.
Round 7
3- XIII
It's always risky to adapt
a foreign material for American audiences, just like what happened to Besson's Valerian.
Director DJ Caruso directed a visually interesting movie with nice performances
by the vast majority of the cast, but all of this isn't supported by a strong
screenplay. The story is derivative, hard to follow and doesn't make for an
enjoyable experience.
2- Jack the Ripper
Despite having tons of
potentiel with its renowned director and its all-star cast, Jack the Ripper
ended up to be a huge disappointment and will not be remembered for its generic
plot that doesn't add anything we already know about the infamous murderer. Tom
Hooper looked like he didn't want to make the movie, but the film is saved by
its terrific cast, lead by Ralph Fiennes with his bone-chilling performance as
Jack the Ripper.
1- The Mummy
I was sceptical when a
Mummy movie was announced and ended up to be more than surprised when I
realised that this movie was far more superior than what we previously saw in
other Mummy movies. Rami Malek works wonders alongside his supporting cast. The
production values are beyond the roof and the film is really a pleasure to look
at. The Monster Universe concludes its run in the first season with a huge
hit.
Round 8
3- The Osterman Weekend
It's become a habit for
Matt Damon to work on Ludlum adaptations, but maybe he will reconsider the next
time he'll be contacted to star in an adaptation of Ludlum's work, thanks to
this train-wreck of a movie. Critically panned and a box-office bomb are words
that could hurt his status with Last Resort Films, thanks to George Nolfi's
uninspired film carried by an incomprehensible plot and amateurish directing.
2- Lancelot
In what could have been a
mixed bag of old and new material, Lancelot offers a bit of fresh air to the
dying Arthurian tales adaptation market, after Guy Ritchie's King Arthur flopped.
Kit Harington is a likeable hero in this epic scaled movie with Alan Taylor's
careful directing work. The casting of Grainger worked well and it is a return
to form for Russell Crowe.
1- A View from the Bridge
Francis Ford Coppola hasn't
been in the spotlight for a while now, but he's brought back into our lives
with poignant adaptation of Arthur Miller. Andy Garcia and Marisa Tomei, just
like their director, offer their best work in years and are strongly supported
by an extraordinary ensemble cast. Coppola tight directing combined with great
performances carry this film to be crowned of the best Last Resort Films has
produced so far.
Round 9
3- The Job
Much as already been said
about the disastrous Guy Ritchie dark heist movie, but all of what's been
criticized is really truly bad. Scott Eastwood is an unlikable protagonist and
every other actor offered pedestrian performances. This film lacked something
that Ritchie and Eastwood couldn't offer and I'm deadly certain that with
another director and another star, this movie could have been good.
2- The Associate
I already voiced my dislike
for Shia LeBoeuf in Libra, but even after is tour de force in Fincher's film, I
can help but wonder why Last Resort Films chose him in the leading role of this
John Grisham adaptation. Not that he's bad, but I think the role could have
been offered to someone else. The film itself is weakened by Ponsoldt's
uninspired directing, but still offers a nice viewing.
1- The Last of Us
I'll start this one with a
bol statement : This movie breaks the video game adaptation curse and it's
true. Last Resort Films gambled by giving the lead roles to mostly unknown
stars, but that's what's been the most surprising about the movie. Mount and
Foy deliver poignant performances that will surely get noticed. The final
product delivered by the more than capable Rupert Wyatt exceeded everyone's
expectations and will likely be remembered in the future.
Round 10
3- Skin Tight
It's not that Skin Tight is
a bad movie, but the competition in this round is really stiff. Vince Vaughn is
currently slowly reviving his career with great performances in mostly similar
roles in Hacksaw Ridge, Brawl in Cell Block 99 and now with Skin Tight. However,
the movie visits to many genres to consolidate its identity and for this
reason, he’s ranked in the third place in Round 10.
2- Hiroshima
Steven Spielberg and Tom
Hanks always bring their A-game when they’re working together, and Hiroshima
makes no exception to that unwritten rule. The supporting cast all add
something to the movie. The film’s lack of action was criticized and that’s
exactly why it’s ranked at #2 in Round 10. Hiroshima is still a great movie and
let me be clear, I strongly disagree with people saying Spielberg should stop
making more serious movies and go back to the summer blockbusters. Spielberg is
a legend and he should do whatever he wants, he doesn’t have to prove himself
anymore.
1- White Jazz
This choice might be difficult to justify, but hear me out. Andrew
Dominik is one of the best director working today, even if he’s only made a
handful of movies. His pairings with Brad Pitt always work and he’s always able
to create visually interesting films with a lot of nuances. The story lets
itself carried by Dominik’s excellent directing and Brad Pitt charisma adds up
to the overall greatness of the movie.
3 Ups and 3 Downs from Season 1
Downs
3- Outside Hires
Mo Buck’s Writers Association scripts were often critically panned and
being the only scripts not written in-house by Last Resort Films, things are
not looking great for the Association. When joined for comment, Mo Buck,
claimed that the upcoming scripts they will submit will be more fletched out and
should be better. It remains to be seen if Last Resort Films will buy scripts
from other talents outside the Association and if the outside hires will deliver
better scripts next season.
2- Over-Reliance on Certain Stars
This one is purely personal, but I was irritated when I learned that
Shia LeBeouf, Josh Brolin, Rami Malek, Oscar Isaac and many more actors had two
starring roles in the same season. All of them are really talented actors, but
LeBeouf really add to star in the two award grabber movies in the same season.
He was terrific in Libra, but I’m pretty sure someone else could have easily
make The Associate is own and that could have been a star-making performance.
Oscar Isaac is a damn fine actor and one of my personal favorites, but I think his
role in Paradise Lost could have been given to someone. This one is purely personal,
and I know many will disagree with me and it’s fine, after all it’s just an opinion.
1- A Tough End of
Season
The end of Season 1 was financially difficult for the Studio with
several movies flopping, more particularly The Job, The Associate, The Osterman
Weekend and Skin Tight. These bad performances at the box office cast a dark shadow
and leave a bad impression after the overall box office results.
Ups
3- Box Office Success
Even if the end of the season was particularly rough for the studio, the
overall box office results can be considered as satisfying, with several movies
bringing in big bucks that will most likely bring to more big budget productions
for Last Resort Films.
2- The Talent Involved
Last Resort Films is relatively young, but it still managed to attract
several big names to its production. Legendary directors like Martin Scorsese,
Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg directed and stars like Robert Downey
Jr., Johnny Depp, Bradley Cooper, Joaquin Phoenix, Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks are
among the big names attached to Last Resort Films productions.
1- The Monster Universe
Clearly the biggest highlight for the first season of Last Resort Films is
the Monster Universe. With all the movies performing well at the box-office and
all of them critically acclaimed, the Monster Universe was instrumental in Last
Resort Films rise in the movie industry. Only the future will tell if the
studio is able to replicate the success for its second season.
The 3 Most Anticipated Movie from Season 2
3- Salem's Lot
With Stephen King adaptations coming out every year, every time a King fan sees one can't help to anticipate the release. With Dead Zone being a pleasant surprise in Season 1, the anticipation is real for the adaptation.
2- Splinter Cell
With The Last of Us setting the new bar for video game adaptations last season, the pressure lies on Tom Cruise to reach the new standard. After being in development hell for a number of years, Splinter Cell was bought by Last Resort Films and every fan of the franchise is waiting for the Hollywood adaptation.
1- Share
After most of the scripts bought by Last Resort Films from Mo Buck's Writers Association ultimately disappointed, the pressure is on Jack Ryder, who penned Share, to reverse the tide. Ryder, the first screenwriter hired by LRF who's not member of the Association, has all eyes on him to see if a screenplay bought from a freelance, can actually be good and carry on to box-office success.