Movie Review: Hail, Caesar!

At first glance, "Hail, Caesar!" is a movie about making movies and the crazy circus that goes on behind set doors. Told in a colorful comedic satire, set in 1950's Hollywood, from four-time Oscar-winning filmakers Joel and Ethan Coen's "Hail, Caesar!" is one of a kind, delivering hilarious screens from veteran actors and actresses, all the while keeping an unspeakable political secret right in the heart of Hollywood. 

Josh Brolin is Eddie Manix, a Hollywood 'fixer' tasked to make sure production is on schedule and that the studio's stars stay away from scandalous headlines. It is interesting to note that there was a real Eddie Manix who was an American film studio and executive producer. Like his on-screen persona, the real-life Mannix disguised details of the star's private life to maintain a clean public image, remember this was 1950 and they were definitely no Kardashians here.  

Hail, Caesar! Is a colorful comedy with a dash of Golden Age Hollywood Razzle-Dazzle, complete with a singing and tap-dancing, sailor clad Channing Tatum, a mermaid Queen Scarlett Johanssen, an over-the-top cowboy in Alden Ehrenreich (you might have seen him last in "Beautiful Creatures") and of course, the eponymous Caesar himself, the studio's biggest star, the impressionable Baird Whitlock, played by George Clooney. 

The film opens with a 'day in the life' of Eddie Mannix as he goes around Capitol Pictures, solving one crisis after the other, but probably the most challenging one is when Baird Whitlock is abducted by a mysterious group called 'The Future'.  

Now it falls on the 'Hollywood Fixer's' shoulders to make sure Baird returns safety, all the while escaping the clutches of gossip columnists and identical twin sisters (as if dealing with one isn't enough) Thora and Thessaly Thacker, both played by Tilda Swinton. 

I really enjoyed the set production, the costumes and the song and dance numbers in the film. Kudos to the respective departments handling these, it was authentic and really gave the feel of 1950's Hollywood. I know that there has been many changes over the years, with the rise of Public Relations handling the news worthy and/or gossip surrounding today's celebrities and it was nice to be acquainted with a more conservative Hollywood. Its also surprising to know how much studios get involved in the personal lives of their prized stars. 

You might get confused, (I was at first) about the underlying political themes in the movie. I was only able to grasp at what was going on due to my knowledge of the upcoming movie Trumbo's plot. So you guys might want to read up on that first before seeing the movie. 

While I was really impressed with the set design, the costumes and the production numbers, I felt that the comedy was a little flat, don't get me wrong I did laugh in a number of scenes but not as much as I thought that I would. 

7 out of 10 Stars. Hail, Caesar! is still a Coen Brothers experience you should catch in the cinema. Although it did lack the humor it initially marketed, the impressive, interesting and colorful characters make up for it. With an all-star ensemble portraying characters they normally wouldn't- (over-paid, spoiled celebrities), Hail Caesar! is an interesting historical and socio-political film, which you don't have to take too seriously. That's where the genius of the Coen Brothers comes in, they find humor in what could be dark themes. You leave the cinema feeling light and happy but you have also stumbled on a film rich in topics your teachers would have you writing a paper about. 

"Hail, Ceasar!" cinexclusively shows in SM Cinema on March 16 onward. For ticket inquiries or more information log on to www.smcinema.com  

Black Butler Movie Review

Before I go on with this movie review I'll go ahead and say it - I have not seen the anime nor have I read the Manga. So this review will be from the eyes and perspective of an Otaku who will be seeing this franchise first through the live action movie. 

And in this day and age of all sorts of adaptations you have to start somewhere right? 

So here are my INITIAL thoughts of the movie - the adaptation was really well made, it was not cheap, the sets were very elaborate from breathtaking gardens, to colorful night carnivals. The fight scenes were well executed, none of the corny predictable trying hard martial arts bit. I have to admit though that the movie got a bit draggy during the climax, like they really squeezed every bit of what they could. It was still an enjoyable movie even for someone who's not really familiar with the franchise. 

Set in a world ruled by two kingdoms- The East and The West, which looks like a modern Victorian England littered with mobs, arms dealers, human traffickers and drug lords. 

Shiori/Kiyoharu Genpo (Ayame Gouriki) is a descendant of the noble family Phantomhive in England, runs the prestigious Funtom corporation but aside from his CEOish duties he also has a double life as a Queen's watchdog. Which means going on fun missions such as investigating a mysterious series of mummified murders of high ranking members of the government. 

More than just tea: As a butler Sebastian can bring you everything your heart desires - for a price. 

Kiyoharu investigates and brings along his faithful butler who can defeat a whole gang of armed mobsters just with a butter knife and he also gets up after being shot in the head oh-did I forget to mention that he is no ordinary butler as he is the devil himself.  

As a young child, Kiyoharu's parents (who are all but royalty) are murdered in front of him. In order to seek revenge, he makes a pact with the devil, who will serve him (as a butler no less) but the service goes beyond normal butler duties and involves pretty much being his personal army. The price? Of course - Kiyoharu's soul, once he is able to extract revenge on those who killed his parents. While Kiyoharu and Sebastian infiltrate private clubs and break in Laboratories, they don't realize that the true danger is actually closer than they think.  

Who is behind all the gruesome murders? Will Kiyoharu get his revenge? Will Sebastian consume his soul? These are just some of the burning questions that go on in the movie - and you'll just have to watch to find out :P 

Along with the impressive sets the movie also showcases great talent and acting from Ayame Gouriki as the deadpan Kiyoharu and Hiro Mizushima as the devilish butler Sebastian. 

Hiro Mizushima as Sebastian.
I wouldn't want to use that butter knife with my bread. 

Although riddled with cliches and as mentioned earlier, the climax got too draggy, as they tried to insert thought provoking themes on the goodness and evil of humans (as often seen in Anime) but I think that given it was a movie and not a 24 series anime, there really was not that much time to squeeze in all those deep questions and realizations on the nature of humans. 

Guns and Gothic Lolita. Mizuki Yamamoto as the Maid Rin

Whether you're a fan of the anime or you just want to check out the movie, it will be a fun treat with a date or maybe with friends. :)