Recliner Reviews | Definitely take in ‘Selma’ and ‘The Last Five Years’

“Selma”

By now, everyone should know this film and its actors got snubbed at the Oscars.

Director Ava DuVernay really does a top-notch job capturing the social upheaval of the equal voting rights movement in 1960s Alabama. For such an American topic, the movie is teeming with British actors giving phenomenal performances.

David Oyelowo rouses as Martin Luther King Jr. Carmen Ejogo offers an impressive and understated take on Coretta Scott King. Tom Wilkinson is a powerhouse as President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Tim Roth dives bravely in as history’s villain, Alabama Governor George Wallace.

And of course, producer Oprah Winfrey throws down on a supporting role.

DuVervay’s direction goes interesting places, and the script pulls no punches to shield King or LBJ’s reputations. There have been disputes about the accuracies of the film, but as far as entertainment and social relevance, it marches on – worth a watch.

“The Last Five Years”

Just when you thought Disney was the only studio making musicals, along comes this off-Broadway adaptation that’s wall-to-wall songs being belted out by Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan.

Written by playwright Jason Robert Brown and adapted by Richard LaGravenese, the script/songs take two trajectories – Kendrick begins at the end of a relationship and works back to meet Jordan, who sings the tale of how the two met and fell in love.

Both of the actors are in their comfort zones, but Kendrick really shines any time she’s called to sing and act. Most of the songs are performed live on camera, and a large percentage of them are damn catchy. There are some down scenes, but it’s refreshing to see another musical geared toward adults. It hasn’t been five years since the last one, but it’s been close – worth a watch.

“Fifty Shades of Grey”

It’s hard not to giggle at this film, but not for the reasons you’d think. No, the sex scenes are intense enough, even if the chemistry seems a little off between the two lead actors – Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.

The giggles mostly stem from issues that existed in E.L. James’ novel. The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny in this sinfully predictable drama. Even the characters names are just plain silly – Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey – come on, E.L. James.

Screenwriter Kelly Marcel (“Saving Mr. Banks”) should be ashamed for phoning in this script. Director Sam Taylor-Johnson does her best to make this tripe seem sleek and exciting, but mostly, it just feels like an over-produced skin flick.

With two sequels already announced, Hollywood is determined to make this a mommy-porn franchise. This is a rock-hard pass, but who are we kidding, you’ll probably watch it anyway.

This story was originally published May 9, 2015 at 12:31 PM with the headline "Recliner Reviews | Definitely take in ‘Selma’ and ‘The Last Five Years’."