Page 4 June 4, 2015 Film Review Mad Max: Fury Road is a Towering Feat in Blockbuster Filmmaking Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road. Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures By Nelson Tracey for CINEMACY Early into the film, Nux (Nicholas Hoult) screams the film’s tagline with cultish insanity: “What a Lovely Day!” Indeed, there isn’t a better way to summarize the visceral, unconventional, deranged journey that unfolds over the course of two jampacked hours in Mad Max: Fury Road. An important note for potential viewers of this film is that despite the fact that it is a reboot of an existing character and world, Mad Max: Fury Road requires no preface or introduction. This is a film meant to be seen by new audiences, in direct contrast to so many of the reboots which are more a ploy of nostalgia for fanboys prior to 1990. The visionary George Miller, who has directed every film in the series, is back to tell more Max stories for an entirely new audience. And he doesn’t hold back. Without a second to waste, we enter the world of Max Rockatansky (Tom Hardy) and it’s a nasty, fully realized post-apocalypse. Dystopias are all the rage in the wake of The Hunger Games, but none of them have nearly the level of detail and sophisticated madness that Fury Road displays. A major point of praise is that so much of the story is displayed through the visuals. The same goes for characters, plot points, you name it; this is an exercise in using dialogue to a bare minimum in favor of visual spectacle. The level of detail sets the bar extremely high for any future film trying to capture a futuristic world. Nothing is easy to digest about Fury Road: it is a wild ride of nonstop mayhem. In other words, it is an absolute blast. One of the most exciting elements of the film is the stunt work. According to the director, 80% of what is onscreen is practical effects. Seeing some of the ludicrous stunts that are pulled off so magnificently is an incredible treat. The pacing of the film, while still remaining a nonstop thrill ride, builds nicely as it continues to get progressively bigger without losing its genuine feeling. From time to time the film cuts to black to break up the sequences, and I found myself catching my breath each time. When it comes to big-budget blockbusters, this is what we should be asking for. With the amount of money that gets poured into these movies, seeing Mad Max is a reminder of the insanely good results that can be produced. It’s just as relevant to mention how well utilized the principal cast is. This isn’t a movie grounded in flashy performances, but every character manages to say so much with so little. Tom Hardy may be my favorite working actor today, choosing such a wide range of daring projects and bringing so much poise to each one. There is an interesting parallel between this film and Locke, Hardy’s film from last year in which he is the only actor on screen, and the entire runtime he is driving in a car talking on the phone. This time around, Hardy is once again driving a majority of the time, and dealing with similar themes of chaos and control. But this isn’t just his movie. Charlize Theron is just as much the lead this time around as Imperator Furiosa, and true to form, she is the toughest female lead you could possibly conjure. Pinning the two together creates a dynamic that is top tier. The film goes at you very fast, and because the story is so richly detailed, it’s hard to capture everything the first time around. I found myself wanting to watch the film again. Incredible CGI-minimal action sequences, top-notch production design, conventiondefying structure and story– if you haven’t already gathered, this is not just another film, it is a towering feat in blockbuster filmmaking and a reminder of what movies aim to be. Mad Max: Fury Road is now playing at ArcLight Cinemas. • Marrying Over Fifty By R. Christine Brown, southbayelderlaw. com Coming together at 50-plus is different from getting married in your 20s, particularly when it comes to money. “You’ve had a lifetime of solidifying your money beliefs” and behaviors, says Janet Stanzak, president of the Financial Planning Association. These are some ways to smooth the transition if you’re tying the knot this summer. It’s true, marriage at 50 looks a lot different than marriage at 25. And no, we aren’t talking about the latest wedding fashions or honeymoon destinations. Financially, there is much to consider when getting married past 50. AARP Magazine published an article titled “4 Smart Money Moves If You Marry After 50” last summer (http://www.aarp.org/money/ budgeting-saving/info-2014/marriage-moneymatters. html) that did a great job of discussing some reminders before saying “I do” after you turn age 50. These reminders will work for you if you are walking down the aisle this June, July, or August. Talk about prior obligations. With age comes various obligations like support payments and debts. Share your credit reports and scores, and review previous divorce agreements for details about cash flow, assets and debts. Don’t forget your adult children. Although you may have considered what you’d like to do for them financially, and they’ve probably have some ideas about what they may one day inherit, a later-in-life marriage changes this. It also complicates your estate planning, so speak with an experienced estate planning lawyer about the changes. The article advises that you discuss your decisions with your new spouse and adult kids to hopefully decrease or eliminate the amount of controversy down the line. You can also formalize these plans in a prenuptial agreement. In addition to a prenup, revisit your estate plan with a qualified estate planning attorney, in addition to your beneficiary designations. Wills finish second to legal titles to real estate or beneficiary designations on financial accounts, as well as retirement plans and insurance policies. Make any changes in writing, and be careful with Social Security, the article cautions. On last thing: if you’re close to 62 and want to apply for a former spouse’s Social Security benefit, you shouldn’t remarry, as you must be single at the time you apply. For more information and articles on estate planning and elder law topics, please visit our website and sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter. You can also friend our law practice’s Facebook page (R Christine Brown) •. Classifieds The deadline for Classified Ad submission and payment is Noon on Tuesday to appear in Thursday’s paper. Advertisements must be submitted in writing by mail, fax or email. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card (Visa or M/C over the phone). Errors: Please check your advertisements immediately. Any corrections and/or changes in an ad must be requested prior to the following Tuesday deadline in order to receive a credit. A credit will be issued for only the first time the error appears. Multiple runs will only be credited for the first time the error appears. No credit will be issued for an amount greater than the cost of the advertisement. Beware: Employment offers that suggest guaranteed out-of-state or overseas positions may be deceptive or unethical in nature. If you have any doubts about the nature of a company, contact the local office of the Better Business Bureau, (213) 251-9696. Herald Publications does not guarantee that the advertiser’s claims are true nor does it take responsibility for those claims. Employment Management Analyst for textile co. in Torrance. Mail resume to Textile Unlimited Corporation, 20917 Higgins Ct., Torrance, CA 90501 Garage Sale Sat. 6/6 820 Bungalow Dr. ES. Huge! Multi-family to benefit Women’s Chorus. 8-12. No early birds! Garage Sale Sat, June 6th, 8am. 314 W. Maple Ave. A little bit of everything! Garage Sale Sat. 6/6 9am-5pm. 518 Richmond St.- ALLEY ONLY! Couches, Fridge, TV’s, Bikes, Tables + more! House for Rent 3bd/3ba. ES home, ocean view, large bonus room, fenced yard, two car garage, 2500 sq. ft. Avail. 7/1/15, no smoking. $3975. (310) 322-5849. House for Rent 2BD/1BA completely refurbished, hardwood floors, W/D hookups, small patio, 2 car garage. Center of town. $2800/month. 310-322-3151 Private Lesons P r i v a t e L e s s o n s G u i t a r, P i a n o , & m o r e All Levels, Styles, & Ages! In home / at studio / online For more info - www.elsegundomusic. com / or call Edwin at (305)582-2645 Tutoring Services Summer tutoring for grades Special Education/General Education. Kourtney Alarcon 818.523.8958. kourtneyla@gmail.com El Segundo Public Library Events Summer 2015 AUTHOR FAIR 2015 SUMMER READING PROGRAM Registration begins June 11th, 9:00a.m. El Segundo Public Library Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library 41 Authors for Adults and Children • Author Panels • Author Signings • Raffle Prizes • Storytellers • Live Music & Entertainment Sunday, June 7th 11:30a.m. – 4:30p.m. 111 West Mariposa at Main Str eet • 310-524-2722
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