Rating: ««« out of 4

Running Time: 140 min.

I’ll admit that I can be somewhat dismissive of remakes and reboots from time to time. More often than not, they don’t hold up nearly as well as the films they are attempting to emulate. There are, however, exceptions, like the redo of the Planet of the Apes series. Unlike most summer flicks, these films provide thrills as well as plenty of deeper themes and ideas to digest. War for the Planet of the Apes is no different and finishes this series on a strong note.

Set some time after the events of the previous film, Caesar (Andy Serkis) and the apes have found themselves battling human military forces and suffering great losses. None more so than a tragic attack at the hands of a cruel and extremist Colonel (Woody Harrelson), who wants to wipe apes off the face of the planet for good. Battle-hardened and filled with a desire for vengeance, Caesar develops tunnel-vision and decides to leave his clan and kill his nemesis. Traveling with a few close simian friends, the group head out on a suicidal mission that doesn’t go according to plan.

While the movie’s title may conjure thoughts of elaborate, full-scale battles between the two groups, this is actually a smaller and more intimate film in many respects. In fact, a lot of the film is played on the base in a prison camp... kind of a simian take on Spartacus. Caesar has plenty to grapple with, including grief, loss and rage as well as hanging guilt from the previous episode over causing the death of a compatriot - which has resulted in splinters among his kind. This chimp is dealing with a lot of personal strife, resulting in a more somber and grim tone (further emphasized by a locale switch move to a snowy cold mountain where the military outfit are set up).

Harrelson is also solid as the icy Colonel. This guy is particularly unpleasant, expressing some radical ideas based on his own fears and anger issues. The character even forces captured apes to labor to their deaths building a great wall for his compound and employs gorillas who have left Caesar’s lead to do menial tasks for the soldiers. It’s another new and interesting wrinkle to the formula.

What’s most remarkable about this feature is the work of Serkis and the other cast members playing apes. Using motion capture, these characters are essentially created digitally. While the previous films boasted some incredible effects, they’re even further developed this time out, allowing numerous close-ups and facial expressions that look flawless in execution. In a story with so much dark material, the emotional heft still translates through the CGI characters to the audience. It’s a remarkable accomplishment, really.

Don’t worry, though, the film isn’t completely without some lightness. One chimp referred to as Bad Ape (Steve Zahn) offers a few moments of comedy to the proceedings. And on a purely visual level, one gets a lot of amusement out of his costume. This is an ape who feels the chill and insists on wearing a human winter vest and hat. It isn’t deep, but he does provide a chuckle or two. As for fans of the entire Apes series, they may also enjoy plenty of small nods to the original 1968 film. Admittedly, the movie doesn’t go out of its way to connect them in an explicit way, but there are some subtle links.

War of the Planet of the Apes isn’t the lightest movie at theaters right now, but it aspires to be a great deal more than your average forgettable summer blockbuster and hits the right notes most of the time. If you’ve liked any of the previous installments, this finale provides an appropriate and fitting close.

Visit: cinemastance.com

By Glenn Kay
For the Sun

The film crew for “Mud” (Hashtł’ishnii) wrapped up their three-day production Sept. 11.

The film crew shot their production in three separate locations in Gallup.  Other scenes were in Lupton, Arizona and in Black Hat, N.M., at a convenience store.

A challenging scene was filmed in a Chevy pickup truck while in motion on U.S. Route 491 and State Highway 264.

“Filming in Gallup and on the Navajo Nation was a great experience for us,” said Shaandiin Tome, writer and director of Mud. “We had the best team I have ever worked with on a production.”

Members of the film crew are from Grand Rapids, Mich., to Los Angeles, Calif.  Other members are from Taos, Santa Fé, and Albuquerque, N.M.

Mud was one of two selectees at this year’s Sundance Institute’s Native Filmmaker Lab the renowned organization backed.

“Our story is about Ruby, a mother who is mending her relationship with her son,” Tome said, “which is hindered by alcoholism.”

Ruby is played by Trini King, who from a theater background. Her acting credits includes Edge of America, a 2003 drama.

Forrest Goodluck, an actor and a fellow Native American filmmaker, plays the part of Joseph. He is known for his role as “Hawk” in the acclaimed “The Revenant” in 2015, with Leonardo DiCarpio.

Ruby’s cousin Harold is played by Ernest Tsosie III, an actor and comedian best known for “Legends from the Sky” in 2015, Drunktown’s Finest in 2014, and Turquoise Rose in 2007.

“This is resonate of the energy we beheld the entire time,” during filming, Tome said.  “Our characters did a phenomenal job in their roles. We want to tell a human story that will provoke thought as much as it sheds light on the challenges of alcohol.  Isolation is often overlooked, yet it is a huge factor of individuals who consume excessively.”

Although Tome grew up in Fairfax, Va., Denver, Colo., and Albuquerque, N.M., she spent time in Houck, Ariz., Red Valley, Ariz., and Manuelito Canyon, N.M.

“Many of my relatives succumb to alcohol,” Tome said. “I see them as I do all others, as people with a different set of challenges. I love them.”

Tome explained that in the film, Ruby is the generous and loving mother.

“Our desire is to tell the story that people can relate to,” she said. “Behind the statistics, there are unheard voices.  While Ruby is a fictional character, we believe, she is the gateway for those voices to be heard.”

Mud was filmed on a tight schedule.  There were some 22 members of the film crew.

“We wanted quality,” said Aroonsri Khamsamran, the film’s producer. “We painstakingly used 16 mm film to accomplish this end.”

Khamsamran, from Taos, N.M., enjoys challenges.

“All good work requires depth, extraordinary effort and talent,” she said.  “It’s why we carefully put together the best team and went after actors who will best tell our story. Everyone we encountered while shooting Mud were endearing. When we finished our production, we were relieved from our exhaustion working long hours. We were also sad to see everyone leave.”

While Mud Films production has received enormous support even with a public financing campaign, cost overruns have left production in a financial challenge.

“We spent nearly four times the amount we budgeted for insurance,” she said. “We were required to cover our crew and most especially our talent.”

A film’s biggest challenge is the role of an executive producer—raising money.

“Continue to like us on Facebook, share the word,” said Khamsamran.  “Every dollar we receive is an investment in production quality. We are proud to have a Native American express her perspective and represent her culture.”

“It was a pleasure working on the Navajo Nation.”

Visit: www.mudfilm.com

Staff Reports

The 3^rd Annual ‘Fall into Fashion Show’ was held at the Rio West Mall’s center court Sept. 16. The fashion show called on the mall’s local businesses to come out and display their clothing apparel.

There were a variety of unique, junior, young, and matured models that volunteered their time to show off clothing lines.

There wasn’t an empty seat in the house at this year’s show. The organizers kept the audience busy with music by DJ Kirk, emcee Sarah Piano, and the most entertaining were the prizes given away to the audience who were in attendance.

Businesses that advertised their clothing line and/or merchandise were Fallas, Journeys, JC Penney, rue21, A-Team Cheer, Metro Barber Shop, JCPenney Salon, and Hot Topic.

It took a couple of months of team work to assemble the fashion show.

“I was pleased with this year’s turnout. It brought the community together,” General Manager Anita Artalejo said.

Several of the business managers were very impressed with the professional and positive attitudes among the event.

“Today’s fashion show is a success for all the businesses involved. It was really welcoming to get together as a community,” rue21’s Kimberly Sage said

Story and photos by Duane Haven

Sun Correspondent

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The Navajo Police Department Window Rock District received a call on Oct. 30 about 1 pm reporting a disturbance at a Navajo Nation employee housing located on Tribal Hill Drive, which was confirmed to be the residence of Navajo Nation Council Speaker, Seth Damon.

Responding officers observed property damage to the residence and apparent blood from the door entrance, prompting officers to secure the area and enter the residence to search for any injured persons. During the walkthrough of the residence, officers did meet a small child and found an intoxicated woman sleeping next to the child.

Emergency medical services were contacted for the woman, however, she refused medical treatment. The child was not harmed and was released to a family member who came to the scene.

Speaker Damon was not at the residence when the incident occurred. The woman was taken into custody on tribal charges of criminal nuisance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

“The Navajo Police Department remains committed to being as transparent as we can regarding incidents that our patrol officers respond to on the Navajo Nation. The release of information greatly depends on the information available for release and we strive to provide that information to the public and our media partners,” Chief Phillip Francisco said.