Rogue One (2016) ***

Rogue One is an offshoot of the main Star Wars plot. It is part of the large anthology we can expect to continue and grow well past our lifetime. The standalone story of this film chronologically intersects with the larger events; just before the Star Wars film A New Hope. It tells the story of Jyn, daughter of a scientist who unwillingly builds the Empire’s infamous Death Star, and how she ultimately plays a small yet critical role in its destruction. The problem is that Rogue One falls short in feeling meaningful. It is a side story that plays as no more than a footnote.

Doctor Strange (****) 2016

Based on the Strange Tales comics from the 1960’s, Doctor Strange, the film, can be described as House, the character from the TV series; your brilliant yet arrogant doctor, meeting Master Shifu of Kung Fu Panda. The plot is thin and consists of our bright surgeon i.e. Dr. Stephen Strange, experiencing a car accidents that ends up his career. The mishap sets him up on a quest that leads him to meet the Ancient One; a master who would instruct him in the mystic arts of the East, so that he could ultimately save the world. And if this sounds a little like Star Wars, it is because the story elements, though much simplified, are the same. Only that the evil that Doctor Strange must face is quite corny and disappointing in lack of originality.

Hacksaw Ridge (2016) ****

A realistic anti-violence war film, Hacksaw Ridge is both appealing and appalling. Directed by Mel Gibson to a screenplay by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond Doss; a Seventh-day Adventist believer, who swore off violence due to his faith as well as early childhood traumas. Yet, despite Doss’ position as a conscientious objector, when his brother and others in community enlist to fight in WWII, Doss follows suit. What ensues is a fascinating tale of persistence, resilience and courage.

Come Hell or High Water (2016) ***

Directed by David Mackenzie to a screenplay by Taylor Sheridan, Come Hell or High Water is a Western-style crime action thriller, with an undertone of social commentary related to the 2008 recession. Come Hell or High Water is not a bad film, but I am afraid it is not the hype some critics made it to be. I did like that this film used the recession as the backdrop for the plot, and it handles it in its own very original manner.

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) *****

Kudus to Kubo, or, more precisely, to the storytellers behind this fine piece of animation. What sets Kubo and the Two Strings apart, aside of its extraordinary animation, is its story; a tale that feels at once ancient and original. While one will find in the film’s plot familiar elements that range from King Arthur to Indiana Jones’ Raiders of the Lost Ark, the subliminal context includes concepts pertaining to Eastern philosophy, and, of course, plenty of references to the Japanese culture, whereof the fable takes place.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016, New Zealand) *****

Spiced with plenty of humor and lots of heart, Hunt for the Wilderpeople helped restore some of my faith, that the art of storytelling via film is not yet all but lost. Two people, one a troubled city kid (Julian Dennison) who had been moved from one foster home to another, the other a wilder grieving man (Sam Neill), find themselves running together from the law, and subject to a national manhunt. These two outcasts who cannot stand each other, not so surprisingly, would learn to enjoy each other’s company. And while this outcome is somewhat predictable as it is desired, it is the road they take them there, that makes their journey worth seeing.