Film Review: Wind River (2017)

Directed by	Taylor Sheridan

Written by	Taylor Sheridan
Starring	Jeremy Renner Elizabeth Olsen

Wind River is the gripping story of the vast cold lands of Wyoming and the mysterious dark deeds that go unresolved in this land.  The third film written by Taylor Sheridan, the scribe behind Sicario and last years Hell or High Water, Wind River marks Sheridan's first crack as a director.  It is Sheridan's keen sense of his own script, what he wants to show the audience, what the message is, that drives this quiet, sprawling crime story.  

Led by Jeremy Renner (Avengers, Arrival) in one of his most passionately painful performances, the film broods and barks like the winter winds of Wyoming as the characters move throughout, trying to solve the murder of a teenage native american girl.  As an FBI agent dead set on finding the caulprit, Elizabeth Olsen (Avengers Age of Ultron, Ingrid Goes West) uses her now refined acting skills to move the story along with gravity but also with a sense of gathering information.  She doesn't know the land, doesn't know the people and Sheridan uses this character to bond with the audience, so that we learn as she does.

The story itself is ice cold and at it's most raw.  What I mean by this is that it makes no apologies for what you are watching, but instead continually reminds you of the animistic urges within man himself.  Sheridan's sharp dialogue and unique scenes make every shot memorable.  Every inch of the film is carefully vetted by Sheridan to instill the sort of awareness he is after (which is bringing awareness to native american female victims of assault).  His passion bleeds through the camera.

I can't express how amazing Renner was in this.  The guy dominates the background in the Avengers, but year by year he ends up in one of the top 10 films of the year.  This year is Wind River, which allows him to utilize his dramatic chops, but portray him also as a skilled hunter and tracker, which Renner seems born for.  His own inner torture wears on his face throughout, adding layers to his character without even adding a word.  When he does almost every line he utters is something to behold, especially as the movie spirals down it's third act.  By the end, his words are like ghosts that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

There is a sinister sort of shadow following this film as it plays out.  All the way to the bone it chills, helmed by a man willing to tell a real story without filling the film with fodder to appease action junkies or sex for the lustful ones.  This is a story worth telling, worth watching and then worth carrying with you into the world.  If nothing else, to help solve the world in the slightest, Wind River is arguably the strongest drama of 2017 and perhaps the best of Sheridan's work yet.

9 out of 10

Tyler Baker

Film Review : Thor Ragnarok

A film as well built as Thor: Ragnarok doesnt come around often in a modern time of quick hit blockbusters and small budget franchises.  Most of today is built on reboots, connected cinematic universes and microbudget indie films that have broad appeal.  Then you have director Taika Waititi, the director of such great recent indies as Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows, who comes in to an already established connected film world (the only success one so far) and redefines the genre with comedy, creativity and the willingness to kill the old world formula.  As a result, Thor Ragnarok is the thunder god franchise star film and perhaps the funniest film of the year.

Lets break it down quick.  The highlights is the comedy, sown together by random improv and carefully focusing the feel of it to the amazing cast strengths.  Goldblum is Goldblum, Hemsworth carries the very comedic aura throughout and then there is Korg.  Played by Waititi himself, Korg the stone gladiator is the funniest character in film since the Step Brothers.  His random causality brings a real rise over the plot and steals every scene hes in. The rest of the cast is well fitted for their parts, though some are only there to service the reinvention of Thor's story.

The big bad, Hela, played by Cate Blanchett, is by far the best villian in the MCU thus far and continues to prove Thor films as Marvel's only true villians (with Loki and that big Laser eye guy).  Hela is mischievous and unremorseful, having little patience for inferiors who do not bend the knee.  She elevates the areas that dont rely on comedy, but danger.  It fits perfectly to build the grandeur and scale of the quest of Thor.  The stripping of his pieces (hammer, hair, ext) allows us to bond to him like never before.  Add in the best version or Hulk seen yet and we have us a stew going.

The colors, the soundtrack, the story, the acting, the everything about Thor: Ragnarok makes this film in the top tier of not just the MCU, not just comicbook movies, but film in general.  A nonstop thrill ride, a matter buster for the silver screen, this is a must see film if only to make you laugh your ass off during a bad day.

9 of 10 Stars

Tyler Baker