The Shape Of Water Movie Review

The story of a romance between a human female and a non human or super human male is not new to readers or audiences.  This basic narrative has been rebooted many times over in many different ways for generations. The question is, can the writer or writers make their narrative stand out from similar narratives?

The new film, The Shape Of Water, takes place in 1962 Baltimore. Elisa (Sally Hawkins) is a mute woman who works for a government facility in the janitorial department. She spends her time with her co-worker and friend (who talks enough for both of them),  Zelda (Octavia Spencer) and her middle-aged bachelor neighbor, Giles (Richard Jenkins). One day, a new classified experiment arrives the facility under the control of Richard Strickland (Michael Shannon). Elisa and Zelda are told to keep their time in the laboratory short, but Elisa’s curiosity gets the best of her.

The experiment is an Amphibian Man (Doug Jones), who Mr. Strickland would like to kill and experiment on. But Dr. Robert Hoffstetler (Michael Stuhlbarg) has a conscious and a secret reason for keeping the creature alive. Can Elisa save this creature and how will that forever change them both?

Using a fairy tale, Beauty and The Beast motif, this film is one of my favorite in 2017. I loved the basic fairy tale narrative blended with life in the early 60’s. Both The Cold War and The Civil Rights Movement are so seamlessly blended into the plot that the audience forgets about the history lesson they are receiving. I would not be surprised if this film did well come awards season.

I recommend it.

The Shape Of Water is presently in theaters. 

 

 

Something Super About Superman- Man Of Steel Review

What can I say about Man Of Steel? Other than its brillant and every comic super hero film from now on should have Christopher Nolan invovled with the production.

Man Of Steel completely reboots the Superman myth, starting with the last days of Krypton and the confrontation between Jor-El (Russell Crowe) and General Zod (Michael Shannon). The film then takes the audience to Earth with Clark Kent/Superman (Henry Cavill) having flash backs of his childhood while attempting anonimity. Daily Planet reporter, Lois Lane (Amy Adams) is investigating a series of UFO related incidents and the myth that this mysterious man has been helping people in their hour of need.

The movie is very good. Cavill as Superman/Clark Kent is a breath of fresh air, revitalizing the Superman mythos with renewed energy. Adams as Lois Lane is both traditional and modern in her portrayl of Superman’s other half. Rounding out the cast is Laurence Fisbourne as Perry White with Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Martha and Jonathan Kent, Clark’s human adopted parents.

My only critique is that the fight scenes could have been cut down by a few minutes. Other than that, the movie was incredible and I hope to see a sequel in the next few years.