When "Life" Goes Wrong...

by Nathaniel R

Stop me if you've heard this one before: a group of scientists are tasked with bringing samples of life back from outer space. Soon they are trapped in a nightmarish monster movie, as the alien life force picks them off one by one.

Life, the latest monster movie set in space, does a lot of things right despite its familiarity. Let's give credit where it's due. It hired capable involving actors in all the underwritten roles including Jake Gyllenhaal who we'll follow anywhere, even into deep space for a Alien ripoff. It's very handsomely lensed by prestigious cinematographer Seamus McGarvey. The direction by Daniel Espinosa (Child 44, Safe House) makes repeated smart use of the zero gravity setting, with well staged setpieces and even some unexpectedly beautiful compositions; the earliest casualty among the crew prompts the movie's eeriest morbidly pretty image. Apart from one confusing action sequence near the climax, the filmmakers seem to have a complete handle on the material.

So why then, is it unsatisfying? 

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Would kissing Andrew Garfield make you feel better about losing a "Best Actor" prize?

🔲  Yes.
🔲  No.
🔲  Depends on who I lost it to.

(From the photographic evidence, nobody enjoyed this best actor losing kiss more than Mrs Ryan Reynolds herself Blake Lively.) 

more Globes

Golden Globe Winners | Jimmy Fallon La La Land Opening | Golden tweeting
 Emma vs. Isabelle | "Pink with stars on it" |  Best Dressed Men 

The Oscar Week

In this weekly feature from Murtada we will follow the Oscar contenders and examine how their many interviews and appearances impact their chances. This week we check in with Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Ryan Reynolds, and Michelle Williams.

Emma Stone
It seems every week there is some event or interview with one of the stars of La La Land. That campaign is going on full throttle to maintain the film’s frontrunner status...

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Ten Little Linkies

Coming Soon Lin-Manuel Miranda composing an original musical for Sony Animation? Who at Disney lost their grip on him? Mistake!
MNPP Chris Pratt got all banged up
NY Post emotional advice $2
/Film a La La Land scene recreated in Austin Texas

IndieWire reviews Cate Blanchett in Manifesto, a new art film installation 
Variety Ryan Reynolds gets his star on the Walk of Fame and talks about the Green Lantern valley before the Deadpool peak 

List-Mania
Daily Beast Jen Yamato is apparently feeling some rage. Her super violent top ten includes Green Room, The Witch, and Train to Busan
Tracking Board best of everything with lots of Lin-Manuel Miranda and blockbuster hits
Variety names worst movies of the year including right-wing fact-free propaganda "documentaries" and movies you forgot came out this year like The Brothers Grimsby and Nina -- unfortunately they also slam Tate Donovan right and left for his direction of Girl on the Train. Leave Tate Donovan alone, Variety. He doesn't direct and he's in Manchester by the Sea this year, not that thriller. Editor? Anyone?
AP's top ten has the usual suspects La La Land and Moonlight, a few documentaries but mixes it up with The Edge of Seventeen

Team Experience: Golden Globe Snubs & "WTF?"s

We polled Team Experience on the Golden Globe nominations this morning. Here is part one in which we dispense  quick thoughts about the most head scratching nominations and the 'I know they di't' dismissals (I know we're not supposed to call them snubs anymore but the word is such convenient shorthand). 

WHAT'S THE SNUB THAT MAKES YOU THE CRAZIEST?

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