This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The best movie of 2014 has finally arrived in Utah.
"Selma" is a compelling, thoughtful and dynamic movie, a slice of American history that feels as fresh as the nightly news. Director Ava DuVernay chronicles the backstage politics and on-the-ground organization behind the famous 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King is played with passion and precision by the British actor David Oyelowo, who captures many different facets of the man — politician, tactician, flawed husband, and charismatic leader. With a strong supporting cast, including Oprah Winfrey, Common, and Tom Wilkinson as LBJ, "Selma" is a soaring achievement.
Also arriving this week is "Inherent Vice," director-writer Paul Thomas Anderson's trippy adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's drug-soaked detective noir. Joaquin Phoenix is note-perfect as Larry "Doc" Sportello, the consistently stoned private eye who investigates a case involving his ex (Katherine Waterston) and a motley cast of characters. Anderson nails the hangover vibe of Los Angeles, circa 1970, as well as the loopy trajectory of Pynchon's plot.
The other studio movie this week is "Taken 3," another chance for Liam Neeson to kick butt and talk tough. It's pretty stupid, and a full review will be posted online later today. (It was screened after deadline for Friday's Mix section.)
At the Tower this week is "The Search for General Tso," a foodie documentary that traces the roots of America's love of Chinese food through the story of the ubiquitous General Tso's Chicken. The movie is entertaining in spots, but doesn't have enough information to fill a feature-length movie.