The Princess and the Frog (Review)

The Princess and the Frog

Directed By: Ron Clements & John Musker
Starring the Voice Talents Of: Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Jim Cummings, John Goodman, Oprah Winfrey, Jenifer Lewis , Jennifer Cody


What’s It About

Tiana’s dream is to one day open up a big fancy restaurant hoping to fulfill a dream her father could not. She spends her time overworking herself without giving any thought to having someone share all her hard work with. That’s when Prince Naveen comes in and through a series of events, the two are sent down the bayou in a whimsical adventure that will test Tiana’s heart and Naveen’s understanding of what true love is. “It’s not enough to just wish on a star. You have to help it along with some hard work of your own.”

Thoughts

So… this is Disney’s “big” comeback to classic animation. Since the release of 1999’s Tarzan, audiences have been waiting patiently for Disney to get back on track with what they’ve always done best, classic fairy tales. In fact, have you ever noticed that for the most part, whenever Disney makes an animated feature NOT based on an already well established story, chances are it will tank? With The Princess and the Frog, Disney gets it half right with taking a classic fairy tale story but then messes with a winning formula by changing everything else to fit it’s “modern” take on an old favorite. You would think that after Treasure Planet they would know better… oh well.

It’s not to say that the Princess and the Frog is a bad movie, per se. A lot of what doesn’t sit well with me is in the setting. Why the 1920’s and not some timeless place? Why some “prince” that has apparently been around the block one too many times with the ladies and not someone that is honorable? Lastly, why does the film have to throw in all this modern mumbo jumbo to stay “relevant” to today’s modernistic ways? Why can’t wishing on a star just be wishing on a star?

To be fair, I did still enjoy Disney’s 49th animated feature. While I wasn’t too fond of Prince Neveen and his assistant Lawrence, the rest of the cast did a wonderful job at keeping everyone smiling and humming along with every musical piece. And speaking of the cast, special notice should be given to Doctor Facilier a.k.a. Shadowman who was just such a fun villain that you would wish more time were spent on him. The song and dance numbers never felt forced and were very catchy thanks to the great work of Randy Newman.

This wasn’t the triumphant return to classic animation from Disney that I was expecting. There are those films that you watch and you immediately know they will hold a place in your collective memory bank as something special, then there are the ones you watch, you like, and you go on. This one falls in the latter of the two.

Memorable Moment

Louis, the jazz trumpet playing alligator, recalls a moment in his life when in an attempt to be part of a jazz playing quartet, he jumps in the middle of a jam session with trumpet in hand only to freak out the group and get shot at as he jumps off the boat! LOL

FYI

Princess Tiana is the first black character to enter the line of Disney Princesses.

Score

7 out of 10

The Men Who Stare at Goats (Review)

The Men Who Stare At Goats

Directed By: Grant Heslov
Starring: George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Spacey


What’s It About

Things aren't going so well for reporter Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor). Recently divorced because his wife has decided to shack it up with his Editor, Bob decides to go to Iraq, but ends up in Kuwait, in an attempt to find some sort of purpose, a good story, and a way to impress his now ex wife. During this journey, Bob meets special operations officer Lyn Cassidy (George Clooney). Lyn is on a mission and is willing to take Bob along with him. Did I mention that Lyn is a “Jedi Warrior” for the United States Army? Yeah… things aren’t going so well for Bob.

Thoughts

“What’s a Jedi Warrior?” Apparently our Army’s fascination with Star Wars back in the 70’s went just a bit too far. Within the narrative of the main story, the genesis of the “New Earth Army”, a program started by our nation’s army to produce super soldiers that could vanquish the enemy through psychic methods which were not limited to running through walls, is told by Lyn Cassidy. Lyn also recounts his initiation into this program through a series of flashbacks. I honestly did not know what to expect from this smartly written adaption of Jon Ronson’s book, but once the lights turned off, my questions were answered right away with a soldier starring vigorously at a wall.

“You think you can’t dance, because someone once told you that you can’t!” Funny is the word to use when describing The Men Who Stare at Goats. George Clooney and gang will have you laughing and having a great time with all the craziness that unfolds before your eyes. Scenes that “showcase” George Clooney’s hippie dancing skills is worth a ticket price alone. Jeff Bridges as Bill Django, the father of the “New Earth Army” was a riot! I always enjoy his work and this is no exception. Stephen Root’s cameo as Gus Lacey, a man who believes he could kill hamsters by just starring at them, reminded me of his role in Office Space as Milton! Ewan McGregor and Kevin Spacey were also wonderful in their respective roles. I just wish Spacey would have had more time on screen since he really seemed to enjoy his role.

Sporting a great ensemble cast, a great script and carefully directed by Grant Heslov, The Men Who Stare at Goats is a psychic powered comedy that should not be missed!

Memorable Moment

Lyn’s big revelation to Bob is he’s a Jedi. Bob has no idea what a Jedi is! If you've seen the Star Wars prequels with Ewan McGregor, you will be on the floor LYAO!

FYI

According to Paul Lister (one the film’s producers), the US Army did not offer their help in any way shape or form. I wonder why…?

Score

7 out of 10

Red Cliff (Review)

Red Cliff
(Scheduled to be released November 18, 2009.)

Directed by: John Woo
Starring: Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Zhang Fengyi


What’s It About

Cao Cao’s leads a massive army with the intent of wiping out rebel forces and taking over their lands. Knowing that without uniting with other neighboring armies, they are sitting ducks, Zhuge Liang sets off to build an alliance with other forces in order to stand a chance against Cao’s men. Once the stage is set, both sides go to war.

Thoughts

What do you get when you combine a turtle and thousands of soldiers in a field? One of the most spectacular action sequences in recent cinema history! John Woo’s latest film, Red Cliff, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. After a number of changes to its cast, plagued production, injuries on the set, and having to trim down more than half of his film to please western audiences, we finally have the end result… and it’s GOOOOD!

Having used thousands of extras to generate the massive battles that take place, a number of ships that could rival those seen in Troy, and a budget that has allowed this film’s special effects and CGI teams to enhance the visuals splendor, Red Cliff boasts one of the best productions seen on the screen in some time! Watching a labyrinth like attack by the allies on Cao Cao’s men had me lifting up my jaw from the floor! When ships lit on fire were used as battering rams against an enemy fleet, I kept thinking this is why we go to the movies. Even with all the action though, it is Red Cliff’s story about honor, loyalty and friendship that truly drives the film. I was relieved to see that the western cut wasn’t completely butchered in a way that would make Red Cliff seem primarily like an action film (As is the case sometimes when Asian films are brought over to the US.) In addition to everything else, Lu Yue’s cinematography work is just compelling. You will fly by beautiful blue rivers, reach the peaks of China’s mountains and be amazed as you walk through military fortresses all thanks to Yue’s keen eye for detail. Makes one wonder why a film of this caliber could not be made in the US without having to spend over 200 million when this film was made for just 80 million.

The cast was just pitch perfect. Ken Watanabe and Chow Yun-Fat’s last minute departure from the film must have added pressure on the production since their names would have helped to sell the film to a western audience, but thankfully their replacements not only give solid performances, they make their roles memorable. Tony Leung (Hero, Infernal Affairs Trilogy, Lust/ Caution) takes charge as military strategist, Zhou Yu. A traditionalist in fighting techniques, Yu believes that art and war are one and the same. Leung is a ball of talent and I hope this film helps him get attention in the same manner that Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon helped Chow Yun-Fat and Michelle Yeoh’s career here in America. Zhang Fengyi (Farewell My Concubine) plays warlord Cao Cao as a ruthless man who will stop at nothing to eliminate the allied forces. Fengyi played the character of Cao in such a convincing manner that whenever he showed a lighter side of him, it almost gave me the creeps. Strategist and scholar, Zhuge Liang, was played by Takeshi Kaneshiro (House of Flying Daggers) and was by far my favorite character. One of the best scenes involved Liang tricking the enemy camp into shooting arrows into boats he constructed from straw in order for the allies to gain more arrows. He spends the whole time in one of the straw boats drinking tea while waves of arrows fly right past him!

John Woo has created his magnum opus with Red Cliff. Too few words can describe the sheer beauty that unfolded before my eyes during its two and a half hour running time. I would almost dare to compare this work to one of Akira Kurosawa’s gems because in my humble opinion, it’s just that good. And with that, I think I just gave Mr. Woo’s epic the biggest compliment it could have gotten.

Memorable Moment

When Zhou Yu sends a messenger dove out to Cao Cao’s fort, the camera tracks the bird's flight for 3 minutes, uncut, all the way through. Though the bird and parts of the scenery are CGI, it is still an impressive sight.

FYI

The original uncut version of Red Cliff was split into two separate films and had a total running time of 280 minutes. The western cut of the film which combines both films runs for 148 minutes.

Score

9 out of 10

Where The Wild Things Are (Review)

Where The Wild Things Are

Directed By: Spike Jonzes
Starring: Max Records, Catherine Kenner
Voices By: James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Forest Whitaker, Chris Cooper, Catherine O’ Hara


What’s It About

The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind, and another, his mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” He then ran away, got in a boat and sailed off through night and day to where the wild things are. And when he came to where the wild things are they roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws till Max said “BE STILL!” They then declared him the king of the wild things. “And now,” cried Max,”let the EMO rumpus start!”

Thoughts

I never thought I would see Max and his wild things on the big screen. I mean, how do you make a film based on a book which only contains nine to ten sentences? Thankfully Spike Jonzes and company had a bigger imagination when adapting this well received and beloved children’s book into a 101 minute feature. While Where The Wild Things Are comes off more emotionally charged than anyone would have expected, it is an achievement in giving us a real mature, heartfelt story that, given the opportunity, could be enjoyed by adults as well as older children.

Max has issues. His dad is out of the picture, mom can’t give him the attention he needs due to her own problems, older sis ignores him, and he has no friends. Max reacts to all this by being bad… really bad! When sis doesn’t stand up for him after his igloo is destroyed with him in it, he goes into her room and TEARS it apart! Mom is dating again and Max doesn’t like the boyfriend so what does he do? He becomes loud and obnoxious to the point where he ends up biting his mom, runs away into a boat and sails off! Upon reaching an island inhabited by monsters, he witnesses one of them going berserk and immediately has a connection with him. When we are finally introduced to all these creatures, we realize that they each embody one of Max’s emotions. So Carol for example, represents Max’s anger while Bull represents his loneliness. It’s at this point that Where The Wild Things Are may lose some of its audience. I’m talking about the ones who were expecting a lighthearted kid’s fare complete with song and dance numbers and lovable, huggable and colorful monsters. This is a story about a little boy learning to deal with real emotions and issues through these creatures. There are parts in this flic that are going to be really scary and somewhat violent.

The performances were just fantastic! Max Records did a phenomenal job as Max, the boy who needs to see a shrink! I balled up when he came out of his snow fortress crying after it was destroyed with him in it and I was scared for him when one of the wild things wanted to harm him. He really gets to you, especially if you’re a parent. I was very satisfied with some of the wild things voices. James Gandolfini (The Sopranos) was warm and scary as Carol, Max’s confidant. Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) plays KW, a female that doubts whether to stay with her group of wild things due to Carols outbreaks. She’s the window to Max’s mom’s world and she helps Max understand what mom has to deal with. The rest of the cast did a great job and as a side comment, I’m glad the filmmakers decided to go with actual costumes instead of CGI for the wild things. It just helps you believe in their world that much more.

Though I don’t think this film is for everyone, it is definitely for those who want something more than just a typical happy go lucky kid’s film. It’s a great story with some fine performances, especially from Max Records. I took my eight year old son with me to a showing and he absolutely loved it. In fact, he understood the message and we ended up talking about it for hours! Spike Jonzes showed respect to Maurice Sendak’s original story all while adding his own vision which worked great for a film like this. I can honestly say I ate this film up, I loved it so!

Memorable Moment

During the rumpus, the wild things decide to all pile up on Max. Afterwards, instead of getting off of him, they fall asleep.

FYI

Back in the 80’s, Where The Wild Things Are was being adapted into an animated film by Disney. That idea got dropped after unsuccessful screen tests.

Score

8 out of 10

The Damned United (Review)

The Damned United

Directed by: Tom Hopper
Starring: Michael Sheen, Timothy Spall, Colm Meany, Jim Broadbent


What’s It About

This is a fictionalized take on a real event that focuses on Brian Clough’s short lived time as United Leed’s manager and his relationship with his assistant Peter Taylor during the early seventies. Your probably trying to figure out who these people are and what or who the United Leeds are. Well, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor are considered in Europe as the best Manager and Manager Assistant Dou to ever to grace the field with a European Soccer League and the United Leeds were Europe’s best soccer team around that time.

Thoughts

If The Damned United was based on fictional characters and situations, it would still be a highly recommended film. I want to say this from the start because some people might be turned off at the thought of not knowing ANYTHING about these people. Trust me, it does not matter. Oh, and it’s not a sports film a la Remember the Titans or Hoosier. It’s more along the lines of Rocky in that it concentrates on the study of characters, not the sport itself. TDU asks, “What happens when you go from managing the worst soccer team in the entire league one day, to managing the absolute best team the next? What can it do to your ego? How would that change your treatment towards those around you? How much of your success can be credited to you?”

Michael Sheen (Frost/Nixon) steps into the shoes of Brian Clough, and sharing the screen as his assistant and best friend, Peter Taylor, is Timothy Spall (Enchanted, The Last Samurai, Harry Potter films). Describing their performance together as magnificent is really an understatement. There is an organic chemistry between the two that makes their onscreen bromance real (and not in a Brokeback Mountain kind of way). Also joining them are Colm Meany as Coughs rival, Don Revie, who is such a jerk to Clough without him even saying a word to him. When Revie shows up with his team to play against Cloughs team and you see all the work Clough put into making sure Revie and his boys had a good welcome, just to have Revie completely ignore him upon entering the gates of the stadium, your blood will boil. Stephen Graham (Public Enemies) also shows up in a minor role as the Leeds captain, Billy Bremmer, a character I wish would have had more time to develop since he helps create some of the mess you see.

Along with the great cinematography,which takes advantage of the murky gray scapes of England, one other aspect in TDU that was neat is how it jumps back and forth in its timeline. When Clough talks about how much he hates Don Revie, former manager of the United Leeds, it’s not enough for us to just know that. The screen goes black, a year clock counts down to the year the rivalry started, and then you are thrown into that storyline. It does this A LOT, but it never gets old and in fact, it makes for better storytelling! You won’t be left wondering who was who and why that and this did or did not occur.

Boy, I really enjoyed The Damned United. Peter Morgan, whose works include The Queen, The Last King of Scotland and last year’s Frost/Nixon, has once again turned in a script that is sure to garner some recognition come awards season. It’s a smart drama film with great funny moments and even if you don’t know who the people this movie is based on are, it won’t matter. It’s just a great film, period.

Memorable Moment

During one game, Brian Clough spends the whole time in his office which is lit only by the sunlight that comes in through his window. As he paces back and forth, nervous about what the outcome might be, the light is blocked and a loud noise follows. When he turns his head towards the window, he sees the shadows of fans standing to their feet celebrating.

FYI

This is Michael Sheen's seventh film in which he is portraying a real life character.

Score

9 out of 10

An Education (Review)

An Education
(Scheduled to be released October 16, 2009.)

Directed By: Lone Sherfig
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Peter Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Dominic Cooper, Emma Thompson


What’s It About

Jenny (Mulligan) is a young girl who has a lot going for her academically until she meets an older man named David (Sarsgaard). They begin a romance that allows Jenny to see the world in a whole new light. She ditches her chance at Oxford to travel, eat at fine restaurants, and dance the night away, all thanks to the clever ways of David. Having the opportunities that neither her parents nor teachers ever had, she begins to question,” What’s an education worth if you’re not living?”

Thoughts

There is no reason why anyone should skip An Education. Like the old saying goes, “They don’t make them like this anymore!” Director Lone Scherfig (Italian for Beginners) has crafted a smart film based in the 60’s that will seduce its audience just as the main character becomes entangled in the lifestyle that many of us could only dream of having. Since we are seeing the world through Jenny’s point of view, we are only allowed to know as much as she knows and to feel only what she feels. This is done through tight story telling that really doesn’t allow for any leaks.

Carey Mulligan is wonderful in this film. She plays Jenny with an innocent ignorance that can easily translate over to any young free spirited girl, who is too eager to grow up when in love. It wouldn’t be farfetched to say that Carey could very well be the Audrey Hepburn of our generation. Just looking at the pics should give you an indication of her strong resemblance to the late great actress. This was a great performance from someone who we will be seeing a lot more of.

Aside from Carey, the rest of the cast does a fantastic job. It is always a treat to see Alfred Molina onscreen. He plays Jenny’s weak minded, high tempered father in a role that will both have you laughing and feeling sorry for the old man. Peter Sarsgaard as David was hypnotizing. He charms his way through every scene he’s in and you’re just as charmed by him as Jenny is. Dominic Cooper and Rosamund Pike are great together as Danny and Helen, David and Jenny’s close friends and there is a performance by Emma Thompson that’s short but descent.

The cinematography for the most part is kept at arm’s length of the characters so you have this sense that you’re hanging out with them as everything is unfolding. That doesn’t mean that there are no beautiful scenes to be seen, there are, but part of what works for a film like this is feeling close to the characters and the camera work helps keep that illusion.

There is a lot I would like to say in respect to the storyline, but a big part of this journey is experiencing everything at the exact same time as our main character. An Education has won awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and has been receiving critical acclaim from critics. Do you really need another reason to go see this opening day?

Memorable Moment

Montage of a day in Paris with David and Jenny.

FYI

Carey Mulligan and Rosamund Pike both starred together in the film adaption of Pride and Prejudice. Emma Thompson, Olivia Williams, Sally Hawkins, and Dominic Cooper all played roles in films based on Jane Austen’s literary works.

Score

8 out of 10

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (Review)

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

Directed By: Stephen Sommers
Starring: Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans, Sienna Miller, Ray Park, Dennis Quaid


What’s It About

A military program called M.A.R.S has built a missile that will revolutionize the way wars are fought. Two soldiers, Duke (Tatum) and Ripcord (Wayans) are given the task of getting the missiles to a safe location, but when their convoy is attacked by an unknown terrorist organization, (Oh please, don’t act like you didn’t know this was coming!), their rescue comes from a group of super soldiers known as the G.I Joes. Hell bent on finishing their task and finding out who was behind the attack, Duke and Ripcord eventually join this elite group of men…err, and women.

Thoughts

Did these “Real American Heroes” ever have a chance of having a really good film made about them? Let’s think about this for a second. Here are some of the characters names: Snake Eyes, the Baroness, Storm Shadow, Heavy Duty, and Cobra Commander. The name of the agency is G.I Joe. This was a toy line first, then a cartoon which was more like a 30 minute commercial for the toy line. On top of all of this, once the movie was green lit, the studio decides to hire the man responsible for “The Mummy” franchise to direct this. Have I burst a couple of bubbles?

Watching G.I Joe is like watching the cut scenes for a video game. The cut scenes are just there to justify the action. With that, the storyline in Joe only serves to get you from one action sequence to the next. Now, if you grew up playing with the figures and watching the cartoons, then you should know what to expect. I say this because last time I checked; little boys don’t make up intricate storylines while playing with their Joes and the cartoon never inspired to dig deep. Neither does this film and the couple of times that it tries to, it fails.

Though it may sound as if this film is horrible, truth is, it isn't. When you look at Joe for what it is trying to be, you begin to have fun with it. It wants to be campy, silly, and cool, but most importantly, it wants to entertain, and during the 118 minute run time, you will be. Much like the Transformers films, as long as you go in knowing what to expect, you’ll be fine. Oh yeah, and don’t worry about there being a lack of actions scenes here. Joe is chock full of them! From the convoy attack in the U.S., to the chase in Paris, all the way to the Arctic for the final showdown, the Joes and the Cobras know how to tear it up! To top it off, performances are decent all the way around, and there is a great opening for a sequel.

For the casual guy… or gal, who just wants to watch a fun action flick that doesn’t require much thinking, or for anyone who grew up watching or playing with these Joes, this really isn’t such a bad movie, if anything it’s a fun trip. Just remember, it wasn’t meant to be serious or bigger than what it is. And knowing that is half the battle!

Memorable Moment

The chase scene in Paris. Marlon Wayans is funny in it.

FYI

Brendan Fraser makes a guest appearance as Sgt. Stone!

Score

5 out of 10

Public Enemies (Review)

Public Enemies

Directed By: Michael Mann
Starring: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard


What’s It About

During the Great Depression, John Dillinger was known as Public Enemy number one to law men and Robin Hood to the victims of the times. Public Enemies chronicles his last year of his criminal career.

Thoughts

If you want a Depression Era film, you won’t find it here. In Dillinger’s world, life is good. He goes to nice clubs, bets on horse races, eats at upscale restaurants, wears nice suits and drives very nice cars. The film then is seen within that world. The only time you see anything concerning the Depression is in the beginning of the picture, in the form of a text.

Public Enemies begins with a jailbreak that will leave you in shock. From there, you’ll witness Dillinger’s gang rob banks, have shootouts with the Feds, go into hiding, and in between all that there’s Melvin Pervus (Christian Bale) and his G-Men on the hunt for the gang. Shootouts are insane and will satisfy any gangster film fan. One of the best scenes comes halfway in the film when the Dillinger Gang goes at it with the G-Men in a hotel in the forest. The main draw though, occurs once Dillinger sets his eyes on Billie Frechette and that’s where the strength lies in Public Enemies.

Johnny Depp is superb as Public Enemy number one. I don’t think anyone else could have brought all the charisma, confidence, and brutality to Dillinger quite like Depp. Christian Bale was good here too, though I do wish more time were spent on his personal life, just to flesh his character out a bit more. The surprise performance though, came from Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) as Dillingers girl, Billie Frechette. She loved Dillinger, and you feel the pain she goes thru both emotionally and physically because of him. I looked forward to every scene she was in and I hope to see her in many more big roles after this. Two smaller but great performances came from Billy Crudup as the Director of the F.B.I., J. Edgar Hoover and Stephen Graham as Lester Gillis a.k.a Baby Face Nelson. Graham in particular, reminded me of a young Joe Pesci in Goodfellas.

The camera work on this film is tight. There are hardly any panoramic vistas in this picture. The intent of the filmmakers was to have you there, next to the characters, almost as if you’re ease dropping on what’s going on. While it works for the most part, I really which they would have pulled the camera back more times to allowing for some sets to be exposed, this is a period piece after all. Part of the charm in these movies is getting sucked in the environments. While we’re on the subject of cinematography, allow me to give my two cents on the use HD cameras on this picture. While it made the night scenes stand out beautifully, the day time scenes would have worked better if shot with film. It’s not that they looked bad; on the contrary, it was too clean. By using film, it would have given the picture a grittiness that is normally associated with gangster films.

Before you go in to see Public Enemies, do some reading on Dillinger and his associates. If you don’t, you will be confused about who’s who until about halfway in the film. Director Michael Mann shot this period piece expecting its audience to know who the players are and does not attempt to tell any back stories to help us become emotionally attached. It’s kinda like walking in the middle of a discussion and having to play catch up, only to finally understand the who, what, where and when, but by the time you do, the story is over. That is not to say that Public Enemies is a bad film by any means though. You’ll most likely walk out of this film wanting to get more information on the life of Dillinger, his associates and the men who tracked them down. Maybe that was the intent of the filmmakers all along. While this may not be the gangster film to top them all, it’s a well made big budget attempt.

Memorable Moment

The forest shootout. It brought back memories of Heat.

FYI

Diana Krall makes a cameo in the club scene.

Score

7 out of 10

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Review)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Directed By: Michael Bay
Starring: Shia Le Beouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro


What’s It About

Let me give it a shot. So apparently Transformers have always lived among us. In 17,000 B.C., a group of evil Primes built a machine that was then incased within the pyramids, which when activated with the Matrix of Leadership key, would drain the suns power and destroy the Earth but would create Energons which are then used to give power to the All Spark. A battled started among them, the key was hidden, and the world was safe… until 2009. A Decepticon known as The Fallen is back and wants to kill Sam Witwicky (Shia Le Beouf) because he holds the key to get to the Matrix of Leadership and… ahh forget it! I know you don’t care about the storyline. It’s about a bunch of cool looking robots fighting each other, and stuff blowing up! There!

Thoughts

Forget about trying to understand the plot. If you’re going to watch this film, you know you’re only going because you want to see cool automobiles that transform and go at it with other machines. If you go with that intention, you will have a good time. I realized early on that I had to let go of any expectations involving the story. Once I did, I found myself enjoying this flick.

This Transformers sequel is on robotic steroids! There are well over forty robots, ranging from cars, motorcycles, RC’s, aircrafts, construction vehicles, trucks, SUV’s, and humans. Yes, you read correctly, humans! Apparently, Terminators live in the same universe as Transformers! While this was the only major gripe I had with the robotic characters, (I mean come on! If they have the ability to transform into humans, then why the need to be vehicles?), everyone else kicked major butt! Some of my favorite bots were Arcee, the female motorcycle Autobot, and Sideswipe, a Stingray Corvette. Though they have minor roles, the few scenes they’re in look cool. By the way, I was relieved to see Megatron and Starscream’s relationship going back to the days of the cartoon and comic book series.

Michael Bay is the man when it comes to high caliber action sequences and with ROTF, he must have felt like a kid in a candy store! He blows up everything! A factory in China, BOOM! The Eiffel Tower, KAPOW! The Egyptian pyramids, KERPLUNK! Oh, and the robot fights are more brutal and bad ass this time around. There was one scene where a head was literally ripped to shreds by an Autobots hands. Bay took full advantage of the salary he was allowed to have for this sequel because every CGI effect or character mixes in perfectly with all the live action shots and if you thought the first one had amazing fight sequences, you haven’t seen anything until you witness the forest battle between Optimus Prime and three Decepticons! On a side note, I read in other reviews about how it’s hard to tell who’s who during battle sequences. I honestly didn't have that problem. The camera is better paced this time around and it allows for the audience to see the robot mayhem in all its glory.

While ROTF is fun to watch, there are many sour points that do not allow it to excel beyond its predecessor. Besides a plot that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever, you also have two bots (Mudflaps and Skids) who have already begun to stir controversy over their portrayal, too many sexual references (You should be more responsible in what you put in a movie if you’re going to have a toy line which is obviously aimed at kids.), and characters which you don’t really care about. There are plot lines that get built up only to go nowhere. One example is the Witwicky parents being kidnapped to use as bait to lure Sam, yet you could almost swear that the Decepticons took the parents to keep them safe because they just hand the parents over to Sam! Why go through all the trouble tearing down Paris to find the parents, if all you’re going to do is hand the parents over without some elaborate scheme? It seems that all the effort was put into the action because that is pretty much the ONLY aspect of ROTF that worked well.

Do not expect this to be an epic Transformers masterpiece. The first one was better because it was the story about a boy and his car, which is a concept most boys can relate to. This sequel has nothing for us to gravitate to other than the metal on metal action. There isn’t more than meets the eye in this flick.

Memorable Moment

Optimus Prime’s battle in the forest against three Decepticons! It comes halfway in the film and it is by far the best fight sequence. It almost reminded me of the King Kong fight against the T-Rexes.

FYI

Sam injuring his hand and wearing a bandage over it was written in last minute to protect Le Beouf’s hand which had just gone through surgery due to a car accident.

Score
6 out of 10

The Soloist (Review)

The Soloist

Directed By: Joe Wright
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jamie Foxx


What’s It About

Steve Lopez, a writer for the LA Times, is desperate to find his next story. One sunny day while walking through LA, he runs into Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician who Lopez finds out through their conversation, was once a promising student at Juilliard School. An unlikely friendship begins and Lopez soon finds that his story has not only struck a chord in the lives of those who have read his column, but the scattered notes in his own life begin to align themselves to help him become a more complete melody.

Thoughts

When adapting a true story to the big screen, many liberties must be taken in order to hold the audience’s attention. This is done because, let’s face it, life really isn’t that exciting, or at least exciting enough to merit a whole film. Screenwriters normally throw away all the boring stuff and infuse the script with dramatic pieces that while they don’t hold true to the real events, they do normally cause the story to elevate enough to take us through the motions. Unfortunately for The Soloist, we have the opposite effect with screenwriters disregarding Nathaniel Ayers violent outbursts towards his colleagues and teachers while at Juilliard, and how shock therapy affected him, moments in his life that would have lifted the story as a whole and instead they add a fictional relationship between Lopez and his ex wife and a small performance that Ayers almost gives at Disney Hall.

While I enjoyed Joe Wright’s work on Pride and Prejudice and Atonement, here he just seems to be out of place. He tries to infuse artistic shots here and there, like his previous films, but what we get are just weird moments. There was one scene in particular where were transported into Ayers mind and “see” how the music plays out in his head, but what we get is something more like an acid trip of colors that stays on the screen for too long. There also seems to be a lack of direction when it comes to the style of the film. One moment it wants to be an indie film and the next a big Hollywood film, and then an artsy film, never finding a balance.

There are good points to talk about. Downey and Foxx do a great job portraying Lopez and Ayers. These are two actors that know how to carry a scene and when you feel desperate to want to help Ayers and frustrated when you don’t see positive results, that’s all thanks to their talent of knowing how to make you believe in their characters. Foxx in particular was so good in fact, that I wish more time were spent on him. I was also pleasantly surprised to see Tom Hollander make an appearance as a character not donning a period piece costume like in most of his other films. Also, to be quite honest, even though it sounds like I’ve been bashing the film for the most part, I did enjoy myself. It’s just that walking away from this, I knew that it could have been so much more.

It’s really unfortunate that The Soloist did not stick to just the facts, because in a film of this nature, the facts was all this film needed.

Memorable Moment

Lopez is desperately trying to get Ayers to go to the Disney Music Hall but Ayers refuses to leave his cart with junk alone. In the next scene, Lopez’s ex wife is looking out the window, only to find Lopez running up the ramp that leads to Disney Hall all while pushing the cart!

FYI

Real homeless people were used as extras for the skid row scenes.

Score

5 out of 10

Only You (Review)

Only You

Directed By: Norman Jewison
Starring: Marisa Tomei, Robert Downey Jr., Bonnie Hunt
Year of Release: 1994


What’s It About

Through a game on a Ouija board and a Gypsy, Faith (played by the lovely Marisa Tomei) discovers that she is meant to spend the rest of her life with a man by the name of Damon Bradley. Life goes on, Faith is engaged and ten days before her wedding, she receives a phone call from… you guessed it, Damon himself! He’s on his way to Italy, so she… you guessed it, goes after him!

Thoughts

I was thirteen when I saw this film. It was the first romantic comedy I had ever seen and like so many other males, this was the film that made me fall in love with Marisa Tomei! Fifteen years later my wife and I decided to rent it, though I was hesitant. I mean, it’s been fifteen years! Certain films age horribly in that time (I still cringe when I remember going back recently to watch Face Off. I should’ve left the good memories I had of this crappy film alone…). Well, while the first five minutes where Faith is eleven look pretty dated, and kind of cheesy, everything after that works wonderfully.

A lot of the charm in Only You is in Italy itself. Cinematographer Sven Nykvist (who’s noted for working with director Ingmar Bergman) paints a simple Italy, showcasing small details like alleys, fountains, all while still retaining the romance that comes with the country. That is not to say that there aren’t moments where were swept away by the vistas of the countryside, or that we don’t get panned out shots of the city, we do. But what makes this trip so special are the small details, the details that take us into the film to the point where, by the end, we could almost swear we were there ourselves.

This movie wouldn’t be what it is without the great performances by Robert Downey Jr. and… of course, Marisa Tomei. There is not a moment that you’re not rooting for them, and even if Downey’s character uses sleazy methods to try to get to the girl, you can’t help but to cheer for his efforts! Adding to the mix is Bonnie Hunt as Faith’s sister in law and best friend Kate. She played a similar role to this in Jerry Maguire and it’s a role she knows how to do well. My only gripe is Stephen Fisher who plays Kates husband. He annoyed me since he seemed to come on too strong in his few scenes, almost throwing away the feel Only You was trying to go for.

You can’t go wrong with Only You. It’s a perfect companion for a Date Night at the house. It will also motivate you to want to see Italy, trust me; my wife has been taking about going since!

Memorable Moment

As Faith is running to find Damon Bradley, one of her shoes comes off, a la Cinderella, Downey’s character grabs the shoe, finds her and that’s when she gets the surprise of her life!

FYI

Apparently, Downey and Tomei were an item during filming. Must be nice Downey!

Score

8 out of 10

Up (Review)

Up

Directed By: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Starring the Voices Talents Of: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai


What’s It About

Senior citizen Carl Fredricksen is about to lose his home when he decides that instead of giving it up, he will embark in the adventure of a lifetime… and he’s taking his house along for the ride!

Thoughts

I love Pixar films. Besides the fact that they’re just so entertaining, they’re the only animated films that put story before a quick laugh. This is the secret that unfortunately, other animated studios (Dreamworks, Sony Animation) can’t seem to get right. While these studios go for the quick laugh, Pixar goes for the heart. They want their films to hold a special place in all of us, and with their tenth film Up, they do not plan on changing that strategy any time soon.

What makes Up so great is how they utilize each and every character. Without trying to spoil anything, one of the characters, Ellie, only has ten minutes of screen time, yet we became so attached to her that before you knew it, her performance had us in tears! That’s right, tears! Now, normally I don’t like to see films that have the “mandatory” child sidekick, but Russell was different. He never got annoying, in fact, he had me feeling sorry for him. There were moments that I wanted to leap from my seat to just give him a hug! I know that when making Up, Pixar was challenged in making a senior citizen that could be appealing to kids and adults. Using the late Spencer Tracy as a reference was just perfect because it helped to elevate Carl Fredricksen’s performance!

The animation in Up is gorgeous! The vistas in South America are so breathtaking that I wouldn’t be surprised if this movie alone helps boost tourism in those parts of the country! I’ve always enjoyed the character designs in all of Pixar’s movies and this one is no exception! I love the squared look they gave Carl and the Egg shaped look of Russell, or the little details like the material in Carl’s jacket and Russell’s Wilderness Explorer patches. There is just so much detail in everything that it will take a couple of visits to truly appreciate all the work that was put into this flick.

Something I did not expect was the adult themes in the film. Normally, if a child in the story is being raised by one parent, it’s because the other parent died. Not here. In Up, the parents are divorced! Other areas covered in the film are infertility and death. Now before you start thinking that this is not a suitable film for the kids, just know that Pixar handled these areas with a lot of dignity and class.

Up really is a special film that, like all Pixar films, needs to be seen. The artwork, story, and characters make the $50.00 that you will spend on a trip to the theatres for a family of four worth it! And parents, you WILL love this film. After all, this isn’t a Dreamworks production!

Memorable Moment

The story of Carl and Ellie.

FYI

John Ratzenberger (the mailman in Cheers) has voiced a character in every Pixar film to date. Try to see who he voices in Up!

Score

9 out of 10

Terminator Salvation (Review)

Terminator Salvation

Directed by: Mc G
Starting: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Helena Bonham Carter


What’s It About

Remember the scenes in the Terminator films where they would show glimpses of the future? Remember how badly you wanted the series to get to that point? Well, it took 25 years to get there, but as of midnight, May 21st, that wish has finally been granted. The question does remain though, was it worth the wait? Cue the Terminator soundtrack!


Thoughts

I grew up watching the Terminator films. I do consider myself a fan and yes, I thought the 3rd one was horrible! As I sat in my seat at my local theatre, I realized that this is the 2nd Terminator flick that is being attempted without the creator, James Cameron. In fact, this installment is being handled by McG! He directed CHARLIE’S ANGELS and a bunch of MUSIC VIDEOS! “Oh no… just breath, easy does it.” “Why would a studio put a franchise that is well respected and loved by so many, in the hands of this man?" The lights dimmed, and I soon got my answer…

This is nothing like the older Terminator films. There are no tender scenes, no deep storylines, no “Hasta la vista, baby” moments, and no Arnold (well…). What you have here is life after Judgment Day. Resistance fighters have no time to joke around and laugh it up. They live to defeat the machines. This is that story. There really is no room for the Terminator formula to work. What Salvation brings is a gritty, desolate, washed out world, and I for one am glad that they chose to do it this way! Salvation is a new series that while it’s in the same universe as the previous films; it cannot live by the same standards.

The action in Salvation is relentless! Some purists have argued that they have a problem with this being the first Terminator that’s not rated R. Trust me, you won’t know the difference! For every 6 or 10 minutes of dialogue, you get 20 minutes or so of no hold barred action! McG has an eye for camera tricks and they are used to good effect on Salvation. In a scene where a chopper goes down, you will feel as if you’re in the chopper, plummeting to the floor! This is war, and you’re going to feel like you’re in it!

Christian Bale stars as the savior of mankind, John Connor. His performance was pretty solid except for the occasional Batman growl that he apparently hasn’t been able to shake off yet. The best performance though, goes to the machine Marcus Wright, played by Sam Worthington. Even though he’s machine, he is the most human out of the rest of the cast. I was very surprised by Anton Yelchin’s portrayal of a young Kyle Reese. This boy did his homework and it paid off! If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve sworn they put Michael Biehn in a time portal and send him back in time to portray a young version of himself! Common and Moon Bloodgood do what they can with the little time they have onscreen, but to be honest, they don’t bring anything to the table.

There is no reason why Terminator Salvation should be missed. It’s a welcome entry into the Terminator franchise; it’s got great action, wonderful SFX and a story that can be further developed in if they continue to make more. And if they make more, I’ll Be Back!

Memorable Moment

The last 30 minutes. I’m not allowed to say more than that.

FYI

There are a load of references to the older Terminator flicks. I caught 6 of them.

Score

8 out of 10

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Review)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Directed by: Gavin Hood
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Ryan Reynolds, will.i.am


What’s It About

The origin story of Marvel’s most beloved character. Read on…

Thoughts

Dear 20th Century Fox- When it was announced that Wolverine would be receiving his own origin story, I (like many other fanboys) almost wet my pants. “I’m sure they’ll take the Nolan route (Batman Begins and Dark Knight. Have you ever heard of these two films?) and make it dark and serious.” I thought. You then announced that Gavin Hood, the man behind the Academy Award winning Tsotsi, signed on as the director of this project. “Fox is taking this project seriously!” I kept telling everyone. Then I heard you were making Mr. Hood angry by telling him how to make this movie. You kept butting in as you felt you had the right to make as many changes as you wanted to just because you own the rights to the property. I still had faith the size of a mustard seed; even after reading all the negative reviews a couple of days before the release of Origins. Well, I just finished watching your film.

While watching Origins, you get the feeling that it was directed by two different directors. On one side, you have the director who is trying to tell an engaging story about a man who was thrust into the life he leads, until in a moment of clarity, he walks away to turn his life around only to be thrown back in due to circumstances, but this time he fights for what he believes in (I’m going to assume those parts were Gavin Hood’s scenes.). On the other side, you have some inexperienced kid who watched way too many early 90’s action flicks, has no idea that having lines like,”Look what the cat dragged in.” have been used to death, and feels that there needs to be as many Marvel Universe characters in there as possible because that would be cool (That kid would be you, Fox.).

There are many problems with the CGI. It’s bad enough that the last battle sequence is staged in an obvious CGI set piece, but when little things like Wolverine pulling out his adamantium claws in the bathroom and the claws look unfinished, it makes one think that there was no love in the making of Origins at all. So with that, why should we be asked to care?

Hugh Jackman has been in Wolverines claws now for three films, so coming on board to reprise his role seems to have become like a walk on the park for this Aussie. Joining him for his origin story is Liev Schreiber as his half brother, Victor Creed, a.k.a, Sabertooth. Those two, along with decent short performances by Ryan Reynolds as Wilson Wade and Taylor Kitsch as Gambit , are the only reason why Origins gets any positive points.

It’s a real shame that a film like this was given no respect given the potential it had to becomes this summer’s biggest blockbuster. It’s even a bigger shame that you, Fox, don’t care. Everyone knows you’re all about making a buck and not making something that someone can take with them. So my blame is not on the actors, nor the director. It’s on you Fox. Shame on you for ruining what could have been a wonderful trip to the movies.- Will

Memorable Moment

Wade Wilson’s attack on the drug lord’s henchmen. Sweet!

FYI

There are multiple secret endings for this film depending on what theatre you go to.

Score

4 out of 10

Love Story (Review)

Love Story

Directed By: Arthur Hiller
Starring: Ali McGraw & Ryan O’Neal
Year of Release: 1970


Whats It About

A Harvard Student who comes from a very wealthy family falls in love with a working class girl. Though this causes a fallout between the young man and his father, there is no stoping the love between the two. Setting out to make it on their own without the wealth of the family, the two soon discover what love is really about. Love means never having to say you’re sorry.

Thoughts

I came across this film by complete coincidence. I went to go visit my mom for Mother’s Day and she was watching it on her big screen. Now, my mom is not the kind of person who watches artsy films, so I knew this movie had to be special, it was.

The first thing that grabs you is the performance by the stars of the film. Ali McGraw and Ryan O’Neal bring a purity that is not normally seen in other films of its kind and pour so much emotion into what they’re going through, that if you have ever fought for the one you love, you will be moved to tears. There is a reason why both of them were nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor and Actress in a Leading Role.

Though I thought that a couple of the shots were edited in a sloppy manner, for the most part, they are beautiful. There is a scene where Oliver (O’Neal) takes Jennifer (McGraw) go visit his parents. The way the film switches between the meeting and the drive back home just makes that whole scene come alive in a way that puts a lot of modern day films to shame. Also, the cinematography is romantic one moment, and raw, the next. It accomplishes the task with ease and really sets the tone for how you should be feeling while you’re watching.

A special notice should be given to the soundtrack. The theme song “(Where Do I Begin?) Love Song” will be instantly recognizable the minute you hear it. This soundtrack has been played in numerous other films, TV commercials, and has been covered by dozens of other artists. It is gorgeous.

This film really caught me off guard in terms of its beauty, its emotional message, and its powerful soundtrack. I highly recommend this to anyone who is involved in a relationship. You could always afford to learn a thing or two. I did.

Memorable Moment

The trademark line for this film was, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”. Without spoiling anything, it’s the moment that leads up to Jennifer saying that line.

FYI

There was a sequel to this called Oliver’s Story. Don’t watch it.

Score

7 out of 10

Dragonball Evolution (Review)

Dragonball Evolution

Directed By: James Wong
Starring: Justin Chatwin, James Marsters, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung, Chow Yun Fat


What’s It About

Eighteen year old Goku, along with his trusty companions, must find the sacred 7 dragonballs before the evil alien known as Piccolo does. You see, Piccolo is planning on using the balls to summon a mystical dragon that will grant him his wish of destroying the world! Will Goku have enough balls to foil Piccolo’s plans? Will Piccolo get to go all ballistic with his balls? This is a ballsy situation indeed…

Thoughts

First off, I’m no expert in the Dragonball world, though I do like to casually watch the Z series on DVD with my son. That being said, I went into this film with the basics on what this series is about. Oh yeah, almost forgot! No, I was not expecting much from this film. With that, all I want to say is, my heart goes out to all the fans of the series. America has destroyed Dragonball.

In an age where CGI should look pretty realistic, there is no excuse for the mess that is displayed on screen. I had no idea what Goku and team were fighting in the volano area. It looked like fuzzy goo. The fireballs that are projected from the fighters were laughable. But then came Goku’s transformation. I almost cried. If you cannot afford to do even a decent job on a CGI piece… DON'T DO IT!

As far as the cast, the only two who I feel did a decent job with what they were given were Justin Chatwin as Goku and James Marsters as Piccolo. Justin, to me, felt more like Goku as the movie progressed. He carried some of that same lightheartedness that the character carried in the anime series. It’s too bad that Piccolo was only given 7 minutes of screen time because James portrayed him with a menace! Even though they butchered his look, he made up for it in his performance! Everyone else overplayed their roles. I don’t feel like going through them because it’s just not worth my time, but then again, here I am taking the time to actually write this thing!

Story wise, there was absolutely nothing unique to take home and brag about. Every plot, line, and twist was more predictable as the movie moved forward. I mean, this could have very well been another Power Rangers episode, easily.

It’s too bad. Seriously.

Memorable Moment

When one of the characters reveals her name to Goku. Her name is Chi Chi.

FYI

In the anime and manga series, Goku had a tail that allowed him to transform into the giant ape known as Oozaro until it was cut off. He doesn't have a tail in the film adaption.

Score

2 out of 10

Fast and Furious (Review)

Fast and Furious

Directed by: Justin Lin
Starring: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jordana Brewster, Michelle Rodriguez


What’s It About

A heart felt drama about a man seeking revenge all while trying to right his own wrongs. Oh yeah, it’s also about tricked out cars, girls making out, reggaeton , extremely cheesy one liners, and Paul Walker, really trying to act.

Thoughts

Basically, the storyline is used to move you from one action piece to the next. While the moments with action are decent, the filler time is… well, not. There is not enough good meat in the script to make you want to care for these characters when their not putting their foot on the pedal. I felt as if the writers felt they had to throw in what they thought were “cool” lines into the dialogue, not realizing that no one says things like, “Valla con Dios.” or , “I like my women to be 20 percent angel, 80 percent devil.”. In fact, the second time that one of the characters said, “Valla con Dios.”, in the movie, the theatre erupted in laughter. Yes, that bad.

Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez (who’s only in this flick for like 10 minutes at the most) do a decent job with what there given. Jordana Brewster pouts pretty much the entire time. Then there’s Mr. Paul, why do you keep giving this guy roles if you KNOW he could not act if his own mothers life depended on it, Walker. There were times when I could almost swear he was looking at a monitor, telling him what to say, when to look mean, when to look sad, or when to give a money shot like pose. Nothing was natural about him. He really needs to quit his day job… seriously.

Memorable Moment

The opening scene. That was the ONLY good thing about this flick. Honestly, it was kick @$$.

FYI

Chronologically speaking, this takes place before Toyko Drift.

Score

3 out of 10