Depp digs deep in “Black Mass”

 

Scott Cooper’s “Black Mass,” a gripping, entertaining film from first frame to last, chronicles the criminal’s rise to power, told by those who knew him best — his colleagues, his enemies and those he manipulated like so many toys at his disposal. Based on the book by Dick Lehr and Gerard O’Neill, the film has a familiar narrative arc. What makes it stand out in a sea of gangster epics are the brilliant performances from the veteran cast that’s been assembled, especially the two leads — Johnny Depp and Joel Edgerton — who bring life to a pair of men who were more alike than appearances would indicate.

“Black Mass” proves to be an engrossing examination of the corrupting influence of not only power but of personality as Bulger’s aura was such that he was able to tempt weaker men with the promise of the sort of life he had, all the while making it seem glamorous and justifiable. What those such as Connolly failed to realize was that in order to succeed as Bulger did, they had to be void of conscience, a quality that thankfully few men truly possess.

For a full review, go to: http://www.news-gazette.com/arts-entertainment/local/2015-09-17/chuck-koplinski-true-depth-depp.html

A Grimm, wondrous trip “Into the Woods”

Often I wonder where all of the money being spent on big-budget franchise films goes. You go to see them and the reaction at times is, “That’s all there is?” With Rob Marshall’s adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, the reaction is the opposite. Sporting a relatively modest budget of $50 million, the movie is a rich, immersive experience that transports the viewer into a magical forest where characters from various Grimm’s Fairy Tales collide. Not only is the production design top-notch, but the assembled cast would be hard to equal. Veteran stars and up-and-coming performers combine their talents to deliver a version of this play that should delight fans of Sondheim’s work and newcomers as well.

Sondheim’s light and dark approach to these stories is a wonderful approach, causing us to reevaluate their meaning, as well as the purpose of these tales. That we are treated to exceptional singing, witty dialogue and wondrous sights along the way makes Woods not only a complete entertainment but a delightful one as well.