By Giovanni Wong and Nick McCann
La La Land
Giovanni:
For music, dance and Broadway lovers, this movie is perfect for you! Since I enjoy all three, I may be a little bit biased in my review. “La La Land” is a realistic, heartbreaking romance-musical, with wonderful performances by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.
The songs in the movie are amazingly made and they have been lingering in my mind since seeing the movie. It is rare to see musical movies nowadays, so I was really excited to watch this movie. To prove how amazing the movie is, it won seven Golden Globes!
Nick:
This film, from the writer/director of 2014’s “Whiplash”, impresses on many fronts. Movie-goers not even fully “into” musicals should give this one a watch as the music sequences are seamlessly woven in from scene to scene without feeling abrupt upon entrance.
It’s also brought to us in the same vein as an old Hollywood musical, giving it an innocent and retro feel. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is the driving force of the movie.
Just like with “Crazy, Stupid Love” and “Gangster Squad” before them, these two actors bring the Hollywood magic full circle with their banter and many dance numbers. “La La Land” is easily one of the year’s best movies and should be seen by anybody, regardless of taste in musicals.
Assassin’s Creed
Giovanni:
For someone who doesn’t play video games in general, including “Assassin’s Creed”, this movie is okay. Since I don’t play the game, I can’t really compare whether the movie or the game is better or similar.
The storyline is okay, but the story itself just moves back and forth from reality to fantasy and it can get a little bit boring. The action in the movie increases the excitement, but it soon dissolves after the scene changes. There are lots of violence and conversations about revenge in this movie, so I wouldn’t recommend children to watch this.
I would recommend this to those who are interested or those who are big fans of the game, but I think there are far better sci-fi/action movies to watch.
Nick:
The film’s primary strengths lie in its cast and visuals. Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Jeremy Irons and other noteworthy actors all do the most solid job possible despite playing characters with little depth. The overall look of the film also reflects that of the games to a great degree.
Even the action sequences are done well enough. Although most of the scenes of fighting and chasing beg for longer, wider shots to further sell the great stunt work and choreography.
Furthermore, the soundtrack is a cool listen with brilliant action cues and subtle background tracks outside the fighting.
As for the story, it slowly takes on a more confusing narrative as it progresses. Sure, it moves steadily enough but you won’t have a good enough clue as to what’s being accomplished.
“Assassin’s Creed” is a flawed but good enough action film to kick back and watch some cool fights and chases. That said, it lacks strong depth to make it fully respectable to its source material. An average film but not a go-to option.