Kaylee's Blog

Moneyball

2011-09-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

“Moneyball” provides audiences with an engaging story, characters and performances that hits a going, going, gone homerun.

Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) is the General Manager for the Oakland A’s a team that is… well crap (his words not mine). To create a winning team on a budget that is a couple million less than most other teams Billy tries to reinvent the system. He hires Peter Brand (Jonah Hill) who uses statistics, computers and mathematical equations to develop the perfect winning team.

It seems to be a simple and logical step but Billy faces opposition from the top of the management, to the scouts, coaches and even the media. Both Billy and Peter believe in their system, they know it will work, but will anyone take the plunge with them?

Despite the simple plot screenwriters Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin (who also wrote “The Social Network” and won an Oscar for it) make the game that’s behind the game of baseball exciting. Audiences constantly wonder how Billy will pull it off this time and how he’s going to convince them the plan will work. Also how the characters will deal with defeat and what the next step will be.

Not only is “Moneyball” well-written as far as plot but the dialogue is fast and funny. Billy especially is a fast-talking, shrewd baseball manager and when he’s trading players he always makes people think they’re getting a good deal and in often humorous ways.

Pitt and Hill make a remarkable pair and their strong characters are supporting by strong acting. Hill often the star of comedy films like “Superbad” takes a surprising turn in this sports drama and he pulls it off. Hill stand-out performance of Peter shows the audience not only his insecurity in the baseball world but also his strong belief in the new system, the players and Billy.

Pitt also shows off his acting abilities by playing his character with honesty. Pitt allows the audience to see an unfiltered look at Billy and his emotions, whether he’s happy, sad or angry as well as his nostalgia of his days as a player. Also, Pitt accurately portrays the personality of his character, his business-like mentality, his desire to win, his strong-willed determination to make the new system work and make people believe in it. Essentially, Billy is the center of the film and Pitt carries the film and makes the protagonist into someone the audience can root for, instead of just the team.

“Moneyball” lets audiences see a behind the scenes view of the world of major league baseball and the money that drives the system. The film turns into an entertaining and stunning story made even better by a solid screenplay and performances by Pitt and Hill. “Moneyball” doesn’t strike out and is worth spending your money to see.

Contagion

2011-09-10T18:00:00.001-07:00

“Contagion” is a convincingly horrifying look at the deadly microscopic world of viruses and it tells a thrilling story through numerous people affected by an unknown disease revealing the dangers of not washing your hands and turning the most sensible audience member into a complete germaphobe.

“Contagion” contains many plot lines in the film that shifts back and forth. It starts out with Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) returning from a trip to Hong Kong feeling a little sick but just calls it “jetlag.” Soon her husband Mitch (Matt Damon) is taking her to the hospital after a seizure and his step-son Clark (Griffin Kane) is also feeling a little under the weather. At the hospital Beth dies from the mysterious disease and Mitch is quarantined but not sick… yet.

After more people in Hong Kong, London, Minneapolis and Chicago are getting sick it’s time to call the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Dr. Ellis Cheever (Laurence Fishburne) sends Dr. Mears (Kate Winslet) to Minneapolis, where Mitch and Beth live to try to contain the disease. When containment begins to fail they try to treat the disease as best as possible and Dr. Cheever gets a team to first identify the virus and then work on a vaccine, which proves to be more difficult than it appears.

The World Health Organization (WHO) also gets involved. They send Dr. Leonora Orantes (Marion Cotillard) to Hong Kong working with a Chinese man Sun Feng (Chin Han). Once again the task is not an easy one, after all how do you track something smaller than a grain of salt? The death toll rises in Hong Kong as well and Sun Feng’s mother and village are now affected and he will do anything to get them better.

The other piece to the puzzle is freelance blogger/journalist Alan Krumwiede (Jude Law) who lives in San Francisco. He sees a video of an infected bus man and knows something big is coming, but no one believes him. When more people get sick he weaves a web of conspiracy that the government is somehow behind it but they’re just letting people die. Then he contracts the disease and claims he has found the cure.

As the disease spreads all over the globe people stay inside, not making any physical contact and the world has turned into almost an apocalypse. Soon it’s not just a matter of surviving the disease it’s surviving the lack of food and desperate people. Essentially: if the disease doesn’t kill you, your neighbors will.

The plot hopping doesn’t slow down or confuse the audience, but tells a solid linear story. It shows the audience enough of each character that they grow to care for all of them. It also balances well and doesn’t show too much of one story over the other, at times it seems like the script has forgotten a character but then they show up again. Also by doing this it skips the least entertaining parts of each story. Best of all, the questions are answered at the end, often screenwriters don’t give audiences the courtesy of resolving untied ends but “Contagion” does.

“Contagion” also tells an exciting, fearfully entertaining story. At times it slows down but then the audience is hit with a new threat or danger and thrust back into the story again. Every character is put into life-threatening situations and the audience is always asking who will live and who will die.

Part of the intensity of “Contagion” is the realism of the film. Not only are the entire cast performances perfect in portraying the fear, sadness or the symptoms of the disease but also the medical aspect as well. “Contagion” was also accurate in the medical terminology used, the quarantine procedures and the lab work as well. It felt like it was right out of a chapter in The Hot Zone.

“Contagion” will take audiences on a terrifyingly gripping ride into the world of the smallest deadliest organisms. Also the authentic performances by Winslet, Law, Damon, Fishburne, Paltrow, Cotillard takes the film above and beyond most movies of the genre. However, be forewarned that after watching “Contagion” you will flock to the store to stock up on Costco size bottles of Germex and you will forever see other people as giant Petri dishes full of bacteria and viruses.

The Debt

2011-09-03T20:12:00.001-07:00

Despite the name, “The Debt” contains everything needed for a solid espionage thriller with plot, acting and characters; the IRS won’t need to audit this film.

“The Debt” bounces back and forth from 1997 to 1966 and the flashbacks aren’t always triggered by seeing a familiar face or object the way most films do. This, however, does not distract from the flow of the film. It still makes sense and is easy to follow.

The plot also contains many twists and turns as secrets are unraveled even until the end of the film there are still surprises around the corner. The surprises help keep audiences in their seats wondering what will happen next.

“The Debt” follows the story of three Mossad agents Rachel (Jessica Chastain and Helen Mirren), David (Sam Worthington and Ciaran Hinds) and Stephan (Marton Csokas and Tom Wilkinson) during their mission in 1966 and the after effects in 1997.

In 1997 Rachel’s daughter Sarah writes a book on the exploits of her mother along with David and Stephan who are ordered to bring back the Dieter Vogel “the surgeon of Birkenau” (Jesper Christensen). However, when the mission took place back in 1966 there was a slight hiccup in their perfect plan leading to a cover up. As the years go by and the book releases each character has to deal with their secret, and if I told it to you I’d have to kill you.

The entire cast gives a solid performance and their characters are so diverse it adds an exciting mix to “The Debt”. Rachel is afraid and eager to finish the mission and she begins to have romantic feeling for her fellow missioner her character works due to Chastain’s performance. The older Rachel struggles with how the secret will affect her daughter as well as the remorse and anger for her actions. Mirren gives her character the right balance of emotion but not going over the top.

David wants justice. He doesn’t want Vogel to just die he wants him to stand trial so the world will know what he did, which makes him the most impatient to say, “mission accomplished.” He also has the strongest motivations for getting Vogel making him the most P.O.ed when the mission hits a bump. Worthington portrays David’s passion with sincerity. Just like Rachel older David is also remorseful and he still wants to make things right. Hinds also makes the older David look so sad in not only his depressing facial expressions but his lonely bachelor beard that tells the audience he’s given up on everything.

Stephan is perhaps the most complicated character it’s hard to tell exactly what his motivation is other than just doing another job. However, Stephan is definitely in charge and he doesn’t take no for an answer. Csokas gives his character a slightly humorous spark but he performs the seriousness of Stephan naturally as well. It’s older Stephan that has the drive that young Stephan did not. He does not want the truth to get out and will do anything to stop it from doing so. Stephan’s anxiousness is well-portrayed by Wilkinson.

Perhaps the most Oscar-worthy performance in “The Debt” goes to the villainous Vogel. In his capture Vogel picks his captors’ brains like a neurologist. He plays with their emotions appears sympathetic and friendly by talking about his wife or apologizing for the suffering he caused. Then he angers them by talking about how uncourageous and weak the Jews were. The two-faced villain not only messes with the characters minds but the audience as well by toying with the audience’s pity which Christensen does beautifully.

The one flaw in “The Debt” is the fact that the old and new characters look absolutely nothing alike… at all. Sure it can be difficult people grow old, fat and whatnot and it will never be perfect but it could be done better. The way it was done makes it difficult for audiences to believe that these are the same people, and confusing when you find out they are. Besides has no one ever heard of prosthetics? Or make-up?

Essentially, “The Debt” is a labyrinth of plot and secrets that keep audiences in their seats focused on the screen. It also contains phenomenal performances that are keeping it real. “The Debt” earns three out of five stars and you owe it to yourself to see it.

Colombiana

2011-08-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

In “Colombiana” cold-hearted assassin Cataleya kills everything in her path, which unfortunately also includes the plot of her movie.

After witnessing her parents’ murder Cataleya (Zoe Saldana) grows up to be a vicious assassin. As she kills she sends messages to her parents’ murders telling them, “I’m coming.” The killings also gain the attention of law enforcements and F.B.I. agent Ross (Lennie James). However, Cataleya manages to escape their grasp every single time.

Other than that there is no plot. The movie just ambles on from killing to killing without much direction. The movie takes too long to get to the climax and there’s not much of an increase in suspense to get their either. Also all the gunk in the middle doesn’t always clearly relate to the revenge story.

Although the action in “Colombiana” proves to be exciting for the most part, the pacing is significantly less so. This makes the overall pace of the movie uneven half the time audiences are bored waiting for something to happen, then it tries to excite audiences with dazzling lights of explosions and gunfire.

Even with the action there’s not enough action to carry the movie. However, since there isn’t much of a plot to carry “Colombiana” just aimlessly floats around. Essentially, the plot has not point and thus is pointless in the direction it wants to take audiences.

Screenwriters Robert Mark Kamen and Luc Besson fail to focus on getting their protagonist from plot point one to the climax. They give Cataleya strong motivation for what she’s doing but they don’t provide her with a clear direction of where to go. It’s almost like they wanted to write a revenge movie but forgot about the revenge part until the last forty-five minutes. Then once it’s over they don’t know how to finish it.

“Colombiana”’s only saving aspect is Saldana’s performance. Cataleya is nearly emotionless she can’t even have a normal conversation with someone. Saldana plays this stoic role with excellent coldness. However when she does show emotion, especially when thinking back on her parents, Saldana gives it her all and unleashes a passion of emotion on to the audience and everyone in the theater feels it.

In spite of Saldana’s performance it fails to compensate or cover up the unsatisfactory plot. “Colombiana” provides audiences with a forgettable action movie that is just like the villains in it: dead.

The Help

2011-08-15T19:29:00.000-07:00

“The Help” this summer’s “feel-good” movie feels good due to convincing performances and characters as well as lots of laughs to make audiences feel even better.

Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan (Emma Stone) recently graduated from college comes back home to Jackson, Mississippi and starts work at The Jackson Journal writing a cleaning column. Needing help on her column and knowing nothing about the topic she asks help from a friend’s maid, Aibileen (Viola Davis).

While learning from Aibileen she also learns of the hardships of “the help”. She finally convinces Aibileen to share her stories so they can be published to make a change. Along the way other maids share their secrets as well, including Aibileen’s closest friend the tough and bold Minnie (Octavia Spencer). The group also makes enemies such as Hilly (Bryce Dallas Howard) who controls all the social circles in Jackson.

“The Help” brings a strong cast to the screen. The struggles that Aibileen and Minnie face because of their race and the courage they find to stand up are perfectly portrayed by Davis and Spencer. Also the sadness of Aibileen at the death of her son is heart-breaking for audiences to watch.

Stone also gives a strong performance as the no-nonsense Skeeter that also speaks her mind. Stone also manages to handle the emotional parts as her characters finds out what happened to her childhood maid while she was gone. Also the way her character deals with her pushy mother who is always trying to get her married and how their relationship changes is solidly performed by Stone.

Howard villainous character provides the audiences with a good bad guy to root against. Howard portrays Hilly’s hatred for Minnie (and other characters) along with her complete apathy for what happens to them are acted believably; particularly when her character comes completely enraged at Skeeter.

“The Help” also provides an adequate story and characters. The plot moves at a decent pace with obstacles for characters to overtake. The three main characters, Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie are well-developed and audiences get to know and care about the characters as the movie progresses.

However some characters are less-developed such as Stuart (Chris Lowell), Skeeter’s boy-friend who gets about three scenes and so their relationship is not as expanded as it needs to be. Same with Leroy, Minnie’s abusive husband who fails to even appear on screen but proves to be big factor for Minnie’s choices.

“The Help” is not focused on Civil Rights or racism as much as it concentrates on the bravery that Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie use to stand up to the social standards of Jackson. “The Help” also flawlessly blends the serious elements with comedy and balances each part in such a way that it’s not too funny or too serious. With strong characters and more importantly strong acting, “The Help” fails to need any.

Fast Five

2011-04-30T16:48:00.000-07:00

“Fast Five” doesn’t try to be more than an action movie, but that’s okay because it accomplishes the task well providing audiences with an action movie that is entertaining, thrilling and contains strong interaction between characters.

“Fast Five” picks up where the last movie left off, Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) broke Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) out of prison. Now the three are trying to avoid capture by authorities and are living in Rio de Janerio. Vince (Matt Schulze) convinces them to help with a job, so they steal some cars.

They discover that the cars they stole belong to the man in charge of Rio, Reyes (Joaquim De Almedia). They also figure out how they can steal $100 million from Reyes. So Dom calls in the old team.

However, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) a federal agent is after them and he always gets his man. Also, Reyes is still pretty peeved that his car was stolen so he sends his men after the team as well. So while they avoid capture from two different people they also have to plan the perfect job, which isn’t as easy as it sounds.

“Fast Five” is not part of the “Fast and the Furious” franchise for nothing, it is fast and the people are anything short of furious. Cars chases, explosions, gun fights, fist fights and street races plague the movie.

At times the action is a little far-fetched that seems to deny the laws of physics or appears to be too convenient. The movie at times has a little too much of the macho men flexing their muscles.

However, it’s not just the action that makes this movie engage the audience’s attention, but the plot itself. Audiences are not just worried about one bad guy, but two. So audiences try to guess how the characters will avoid capture after capture from villain after villain. Audiences also wonder how the team will pull off the job as they encounter obstacle after obstacle.

The acting in “Fast Five” is not necessarily exceptional for an action movie and sometimes the performances are flat. The characters are unique from other characters in the movie giving “Fast Five” a well-rounded list of characters. The characters also have excellent chemistry with each other.

The characters are supposed to be friends, and friends who have a long history with each other and it certainly feels that way through the performance. They laugh and joke with one another just like long-time friends would, and it makes the audience laugh along with them. The characters also care for each other, especially brother and sister Dom and Mia.

The characters also have good motivation for what they are doing. Dom, Mia and Brian all want the money so they disappear and start a new life without fearing the law. Other characters want the money to have their dreams. Hobbs wants to catch the criminals and Reyes wants to keep his money safe, get his car back and get the guys who did it. The drive of the characters also drives the plot.

If you want a deep, thought-provoking film, “Fast Five” isn’t your movie. However, if you want an action packed, fast-paced, entertaining movie filled with strong characters (and I’m not just talking about muscles) then “Fast Five” is the movie for you. Oh, by the way, if you do see “Fast Five” there is a special treat after the credits, don’t miss it!

Water for Elephants

2011-04-24T09:21:00.000-07:00

Despite what the title might suggest “Water for Elephants” is ultimately filled with a dry plot and performances, but some sprinkles of moisture appear throughout the film.

Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson) is about to graduate from Cornell to get his veterinary license when he is told that his parents have died in a car crash. The bank then takes his home and he is left with nothing.

Trying to figure out what to do next he hops on a train and finds himself with a circus and a job. He becomes the circus vet, then elephant trainer for a new act; all the while falling for Marlena (Reese Witherspoon), the star performer and wife of the circus leader, August (Christopher Waltz). August also happens to be the ultimate control freak, see the problem?

The story itself is predictable and as the plot continues on nothing comes as a surprise, which makes “Water for Elephants” boring at times. However, since it is the story of a circus, scenes of circus acts and performances brighten up the otherwise dull story and make it slightly more tolerable.

The supporting cast of circus characters also spices up the boring plot by giving the audience interesting characters to connect with. The supporting cast includes a man named Camel (Jim Norton) who always breaks prohibition laws by consuming alcohol and giving some to the elephant; along with a midget, Walter (Mark Povinelli) and his trained dog. These characters once again make the movie more interesting than it otherwise would be if the characters were no there.

Pattinson’s performance in “Water for Elephants” is not the greatest. He fails to give his character much emotion and his voice remains monotone like a… vampire throughout the whole movie. There are times where life seems to have entered his performance and therefore his character but then it dies again and all goes back to sullen.

Witherspoon is better since she gives her character more emotion, but still not enough to create a believable character. The character itself is confusing on whether or not she is a “good” girl or a “bad” girl and whether or not she’s always been a strong women under the control of a manic or if she has to find the strength to stand up to him. Perhaps Witherspoon portrays Marlena unconvincingly because the character isn’t convinced of who she is either.

Marlena isn’t the only one who has trouble convincing the audience, the “love” between Jacob and Marlena is displayed without conviction as well. Sure the characters tell each other “I love you,” however, it fails to convince the audience. Since the characters lack the emotional connection with each other, they lose the connection with the audience.

“Water for Elephants” does contain at least one solid performance and that from Waltz playing the villain. Waltz portrays August’s rage and controlling personality realistically from the way he sounds and acts it makes the audience believe. That also makes the audience absolutely despise him, which as bad as it sounds, is good.

Other positives from “Water for Elephants” include the cinematography (Rodrigo Prieto) which gives a breath-taking insight into the circus. From the train, to setting up the tents and the circus acts themselves the audience sweeps through beautifully. The music (James Newton Howard) fits the time period perfectly and also the setting giving a circus sound or a jazzy sound. It also fits the mood of the scene as well, the music is faster during intense moment and slower and softer during the quieter moments.

“Water for Elephants” is a movie that could’ve worked and it does try, but due to ineffective characters and the love they supposedly share, the movie falls apart. It did manage to get some things right, but not enough to completely redeem “Water for Elephants.”

Follow the Recipe

2011-04-10T14:15:00.001-07:00

This weekend I was making cookies for my 2-3rd grade Sunday School class. The recipe called for 2 1/2 cups of flour. I was using the 1/2 measuring cup so I wouldn't have more to clean up. I thought I had put in the full 2 1/2 cups of flour, but when the buzzer sounded and I looked at my "cookies" I realized that something was wrong. The cookies weren't cookies, they were puddled pancakes of gargantuan size. Yes, something was indeed wrong. That's when I realized that I failed to put the full amount of flour in the dough. So I added more flour and the next batch came out, still a little frazzled by the horrific events, but the nonetheless edible and more cookie like.
That's when I realized just how important it is to follow the recipe. If your anything like me, if you don't follow the recipe your cookies will end up... well just not the way a cookie should be. Even just straying from the recipe for just a cup can make all the difference between a delicious cookie and a doughy mess.
It reminds me just how much we need direction in life. We need a recipe for life. We have a recipe for life: the bible. The bible gives us the recipe to living a full life. However, many people fail to follow the recipe and instead of ending up with yummy cookie lives, their lives are puddlely, messy cookie-pancake hybrids that don't really look all that appetizing.
So in order to have a life that's fulfilling and delicious, you need to follow the recipe that the bible gives. Otherwise you'll end up with a life that is less than desirable. Following the recipe also makes the cookie look good and more appealing making others will want to follow the recipe.
The recipe is also written by the Master Baker. The one who knows everything there is to know about cookies. He knows what makes a good cookie, what ingredients to use and how to mix and bake so that cookies come out absolutely perfect. So his recipe for cookies (and life) is the best and perfect recipe we could ever follow.
Everybody wants to make good cookies, but you have to follow the recipe and everybody wants to have a good life, but you need to follow the recipe for that as well. The most perfect recipe written by the most amazing Baker in the world. Sounds like a pretty good cookie to me.

Hanna

2011-04-09T11:48:00.001-07:00

“Hanna” the story of teenage killer gives audiences a story and performances as deadly as Hanna herself.

Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) didn’t have a normal childhood. Instead of living in the comforts of modern technology spending her days playing with toys and reading children’s books, she spent her days learning how to kill, fight, how to speak different languages and reading through the encyclopedia. Hanna also lives in the article circle with her father (Eric Bana) away from technology and people.

Finally the time has come for Hanna to receive her mission: to kill Marissa Wiegler (Cate Blanchett). So Hana plans to leave her home and use all her years of training, always following her father’s motto, “adapt or die.”

The plot is fast-paced giving audiences thrill after thrill. It also keeps audiences guessing on how Hanna will avoid capture as Marissa seeks her out. Also Hanna tries to find answers about herself and the audience joins her on the quest for truth.

Part of what makes “Hanna” feel so fast-paced is the quick editing (Paul Tothill). During the action scenes the shots are quickly cut into short clips and move rapidly from one to the other. The quick cuts heightens the tension and makes the film feel like it’s moving faster.

The score by the Chemical Brothers also drives the pace of the film. The music has a fast, pulsing beat so when Hanna is running or beating up bad guys it quickly moves the film. The beats are also in sync with the editing cuts making it flow together beautifully.

The acting in the film is phenomenal, partly because the characters are such hard, cold people. Hanna never really shows her emotion, always observing her surroundings; she hardly ever lets her guard down. Hanna, also has never seen electricity, although she can recite the encyclopedia entry on it and when she finally sees it in real life she is mesmerized. Ronan displays the unemotional, monotone, Hanna and the awe-filled Hanna with realism.

Marissa is a cold-hearted CIA agent and she, like Hanna is not afraid to kill. She is also an obsessive-compulsive, neat-freak who just wants to “clean up the mess” that Hanna and her father have created. Blanchett gives the audience a good bad guy to hate. She’s scary, creepy and a killer and Blanchett’s performance is just a lethal as her character.

Erik, Hanna’s father, once again isn’t much of a softie when it comes to killing people or beating the pulp out of them. However, everything he does, including her rigorous, life-long training is to protect Hanna. Bana is able to show the audience he’s tough-guy side while still creating an emotional character that cares for his daughter.

The cinematography (Martin Kenzie and David Knox) in “Hanna” is also note-worthy. It contains different high and low angles and perspective angles that give the audience a deeper glimpse into the story from Hanna’s point-of-view. It also has some extreme close-up of characters. There is also one scene where the camera spins Hanna’s panicked face across the screen and it creates a unique effect for audiences to experience.

Although not many people will understand or appreciate some of “Hanna” technical aspects, “Hanna” also provides audiences with strong characters and actors give solid performances. The story keeps moving and keeps the audience’s attention and “Hanna” deserves it.

Source Code

2011-04-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

“Source Code” proves to be a smart, original thriller that keeps the twists and turns coming making audiences want to go back into the “Source Code” again and again.

Captain Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up on train. Most people wouldn’t find this unusual, however Colter does. He doesn’t know where he is, why he’s there or even why his reflection isn’t his reflection. Then it all blows up in his face, literally.

Colter wakes up in a different room, but he still has no idea what’s going on. He then discovers that he’s part of a program called the source code. Colter is able to live the last eight minutes of a man’s life in order to find a bomb and the person who planted it so he can prevent another attack. So he re-lives the eight minutes on the train over and over receiving more and more clues and starts a relationship with one of the passengers, Christina (Michelle Monaghan)

“Source Code” provides audiences with a gripping thriller. It always keeps audiences guessing on who did it, but more than that it keeps audiences guessing on what will happen to Colter and Christina. Each time in the source code Colter as well as the audience learns more and more that help both the audience and the character figure out what is going on.

The entire cast gives a solid performance but Gyllenhaal provides a strong foundation for the central character which helps to tie down the supporting actors as well as the plot. Gyllenhaal is also able to give his character lots of emotion as he tries to decipher the clues. Along with that he also tries to remember and learn what happen to him and why he is in the source code. Gyllenhaal portrays Colter’s drive for understanding with realism helping the audience to sympathize with the character.

As a supporting role, Monaghan gives support to Colter even though she doesn’t understand. Goodwin (Vera Farmiga) one of the people in charge of the source code also gives a solid performance as an unyielding Army official.

“Source Code” also contains incredible visuals as Colter enters and exits the source code. Images of clues and memories flash across the screen, making audiences feel that they are entering the source code with Colter. The visuals used for when the bomb explodes are also realistic as well as painful looking.

The score (written by Chris P. Bacon) for “Source Code” adds to the intensity of the film. It sounds almost spyish at times and it crescendos when moments becomes climatic. However, it also calms down during the tender moments of the film.

I could add more paragraphs explaining more reasons why “Source Code” is so good, but if I did it would ruin it. Besides it’ll be better if you just go out and see if for yourself. I’ll end with this, “Source Code” is a mesmerizing film with a plot that will constantly have you asking question. The acting by Gyllenhaal is an authentic portrayal of a desperate man seeking answers. Visuals and music also add to make this film a captivating story that shouldn’t be missed.

Winter's Bone

2011-03-31T14:48:00.003-07:00

“Winter’s Bone” with perfected acting, script and everything in between grabs the audience and with frozen realism keeps them in their seats. “Winter’s Bone” is available on DVD and Blu-ray by Lions Gate Films Home Entertainment.

Seventeen year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) takes care of everything, her two younger siblings Sonny (Isaiah Stone) and Ashlee (Ashlee Thompson) and her not-all-there mother. Then one day the “law” rides in and tells her that her father, a crystal meth maker, put all their property on his bail. If her Dad fails to show at court, they will lose it all. Ree then decides to look for her father.

However, this proves to be more difficult than it appears for as she asks around, she threatens to break the code of silence within her own family. In this family, the blood is thick, but the Dollys are not afraid to spill that blood to maintain the status quo.

“Winter’s Bone” is real and the acting is as well. The actors are not big flashy movie stars, they look and act like real people. The acting is strong and gritty and in this film that is the only way it can work.

The many members in the Dolly family are genuinely portrayed, even if most of them are unlikable characters. However, it is often confusing on who’s who and how everyone is related, but these are minor details that eventually work themselves out.

Ree’s uncle Teardrop (John Hawkes) has one of the best performances. He is tough and often hostile to Ree, but he acts that way so she won’t dig any further. When she does, he is there to help her, but his motives are often unclear. Audiences are unsure whether he is a “good guy” or a “bad guy”. All these are acted out perfectly by Hawkes who gives an undaunted, gripping and flawless performance.

Lawrence is especially stunning and strong. Her character is brave, unwavering in her fight for answers and her home and is smart in how she deals with her dangerous relations. Ree also has many burdens to carry in taking care of her siblings and mother and without a lot of money to do it with.

In one scene she begs her mother, with tears rolling down her face, to help her, but her mother just stares blankly off into space. Ree then realizes that she won’t receive any help. Lawrence displays these traits with an incomparable authenticity.

Due to Ree’s strength and courage also makes her connect well with the audience, who cheer her on. Audiences want her to win, and that desire keeps their interest in the film. The film is also moved by the perfected acting.

The script (Debra Granik and Anne Rosellini based on the book Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell) is also faultless with heavy, intense and relentless plot and dialogue that fails to shy away from the truths of the dark secrets of the Dolly life. It also fails to distract the audience with unnecessary violence and gore, but prefers to keep it real.

The cinematography and lighting (Michael McDonough and Alan Pierce) is also striking, showing audience not just the characters, but also the setting, the backwoods of the Ozarks. The lighting adds the drama in “Winter’s Bone” since it is often dark, only lit by refrigerator light or flashlight. The film is not big-budget in these areas, but that makes them fit all the better with the overall feel of the film.

“Winter’s Bone” also has an interesting score because it has none. Other than a song in the beginning, middle and end there is no music. Once again this only adds to the drama, since without a score, audiences don’t know what to think about certain situations without the music to direct their emotions. It also adds that feel of realism, since in real life there is no score.

“Winter’s Bone” is perfectly creates a sense that this is a real story. The people act and look like people in everyday life. The homes look like real homes that everyday people live in. It feels like someone plopped a camera in the middle of Ree’s life. “Winter’s Bone” also has a cold feeling, from both the feel of the film and also the characters. The cold sense reaches out to the audience and chills them to the bone.

The Dolly family reunion is not one that most people would want to be a part of; however, “Winter’s Bone” makes it one that is inescapable. From acting, script, cinematography it is all absolute perfection especially considering the film’s Oscar buzz. “Winter’s Bone” proves to be a film that is not one to miss this year.

Movie Theater Rules

2011-03-31T14:48:00.001-07:00

Due my job as film critic of The Pathfinder I go to movies a lot and as just a normal human, I go to movies a lot. In all my movie going experiences I have noticed some people don’t know (or don’t understand) proper movie attending behavior. In attempt to stop these horrible infractions I will explain the unwritten rules of movie theaters in hope the movie watching experience will be better for everyone involved.

The first thing that one does at the theater is buy the ticket. Most of the time this is not a problem, but I did have one experience where an elderly lady could not remember the title of what she wanted to watch. She then began to describe the film with the words, “the one that’s supposed to be real scary” and she was directed to the right movie (I think).

The problem with this is that, number one, when you don’t remember what movie you’re going to it holds up the line which doesn’t make people happy. Number two, it does make people question your intelligent or your capability to remember a simple movie title. Number three, when you describe the movie with adjectives such as, “the one that’s supposed to be real scary” be prepared to end watching the wrong “one that supposed to be scary.” To avoid all this is simple; remember what movie you want to see.

After purchasing their ticket most people buy popcorn, candy, pop or other sugary not-so-good-for-you treats. I have no problem with this, particularly because without it the theater would not be in existence. However, unlike what most people apparently think you can eat your popcorn quietly. I know it’s difficult to comprehend, but trust me, it is possible. The popcorn will digested at the same rate regardless if you chomp it with the same ferocity as a dinosaur or a chipmunk. I also understand that you want to get your money’s worth out of your sugary soft-drink but you when you noisily slurp up you can be certain that everyone in the theater is no longer thinking about the antagonist in the movie because you are now the enemy of the audience.

When you go to the local theater in Lewiston you have to keep in mind one thing, Lewiston is in Idaho. This is important because Idahoans have bubbles, and those bubbles are the size of the state itself. So when you are choosing your seats there has to be at least one empty seat in between you and the stranger next to you. This rule must be followed even if it means that instead of sitting in the first row you sit in the second. If you don’t follow this rule, the person next you will think you’re the craziest creeper in the world and quite possibly will move. However, this rule only applies to Idaho.

Cell phones have become a big issue with movies. The rule, turn it off or at least on silent. Oh, and vibrate is not silent. Silent doesn’t make a noise, vibrate does. When a goes off on vibrate, despite what you make think, the whole theater hears it. Then when you open your phone it gives a glow that says, “I’m the annoying person who doesn’t turn off his/her cell phone and now you all hate me don’t you?” The answer is yes and when you look up from your phone the audience will glaring viciously at you.

Theaters have been nice enough to tell the audience when to be quiet signaled by when the lights go down, a subtle way of telling people, “Shut up!” If only people took the hint. Now the first thing that comes when the lights goes down is the trailers. Personally I don’t mind talking, between trailers because when most people talk between or during the trailers, it’s something short along the lines of, “I want to see that movie.” That’s fine. What I don’t appreciate is when the trailers are playing and the movie is starting and your still talking about Uncle Harry’s colonoscopy, I came to watch and listen to a movie not your uncle’s medical history.

One cannot talk about the movies without discussing children. Here’s my take on kids; kids go to kid movies. Simple right? Eh, maybe not because I’ve discovered that for some reason people think that “Easy A” and “The Social Network” are kid’s movies, maybe it’s just my narrow-minded view on what kids can understand and enjoy. Here’s a tip on how to decide what’s appropriate for little Johnny.

There’s this cool thing called the MPAA rating system that classifies (although it can be flawed I’ll admit) movies based on how fitting the movie is for your kindergartener. G means it’s okay. PG means …eh maybe. PG-13 not for Johnny. R really we’re serious this ain’t for your kid. Oh and please, please, please don’t make the mistake of thinking that every animated movie is suitable for your child, there is no rule that says, “Thou shalt make all animated films children’s movies.”

This doesn’t mean you can’t watch the movie, it just means that Johnny shouldn’t. There are ways to watch movies not at movie theaters, like renting them from Redbox or Netflix, it’s cheaper and you can watch it when Johnny asleep.

Also, if you’re going to go to a kid’s movie on a Saturday afternoon, don’t complain about the kids. You’re at a movie for kids you better expect there will be kids, if you don’t like it, go at different time.

One last thing, be nice to the theater people. They work there, it’s their job I’m sure they would much rather be watching the movie with you or doing something else that is more fun than work, so don’t make it more miserable for them. Also if you need an opinion on a movie (other than reading The Pathfinder) ask them. They over-hear all the conversations as people leave the theater, including what people thought of the movie.

So next time you’re at the theater remember these rules so that other people can have a good time at the movies other than just you.

Unstoppable

2011-03-31T14:47:00.004-07:00

The plot is as fast as the runaway train, “Unstoppable” proves to be a movie that audiences won’t want to stop watching, just as the title suggests.

Will Colson (Chris Pine) receives more than he bargained for on his first day of work at a Pennsylvania railroad company. First of all, the relationship with him and his partner, engineer Frank Barnes (Denzel Washington) doesn’t start out well. Then due to an unfortunate human error an unmanned train at 70 miles an hour carrying combustible fuel and toxic chemicals is heading right toward them.

Barely escaping disaster, Frank decides to go after the train which is heading straight toward the highly populated city of Stanton. Will, reluctant at first, accompanies Frank to stop the seemingly unstoppable.

As soon as the initial credits start rolling, so does the plot in “Unstoppable”. It draws audiences in almost immediately and continues as the movie progresses.

The script (Mark Bomback) as a whole is suspenseful. Audiences are constantly sitting on the edge of their seats as plan after plan is executed to stop the train. The suspense in the movie is also laid out well; not ending too fast and not drawing the ending out too slow either.

The length of the scenes also fit the pace of the movie due to great editing (Robert Duffy and Chris Lebenzon). During more intense parts in the movie, the scenes, cut and shift fast. The transitions occur smoothly instead of giving the movie a choppy feel. There are also times where news reports are used to help show and tell the story, which provides audiences with a point of view other than the main characters.

The acting by Washington and Pine is adequate. A movie like “Unstoppable” doesn’t necessarily need incomparable acting because the plot drives the movie, not acting. However, the acting displayed in the movie, was good enough that audiences felt convinced of the actors fear and concern. In some movies like this, actors become real “shouty” trying to show their fear; however, actors in “Unstoppable” failed to do so. They displayed their emotion through their expressions and tone of voice which made “Unstoppable” seem a touch more real and less obnoxious.

There were also some funny and friendly interactions between Frank and Will that lightened up the tone of the movie. It also made it seem like they were two guys working together, rather than two actors shooting a movie.

“Unstoppable” also provided audiences with well-shot cinematography (Ben Seresin). The camera is constantly swooping over the runaway train, showing viewers the next target of the attack. It also gives a side perspective; audiences see flashes of the train through trees and houses, which demonstrates just how fast the train is moving.

The sound effects (Thomas Giordano, Shawn Holden and William B. Kaplan) are incredible. It’s loud, of course, due to noise of the trains but it sounds so real. The sounds makes it feel like audiences have left their seats and are standing next to tracks as the train whizzes past. At times, even the seats vibrate a little, which makes “Unstoppable” a great movie to see in theaters to get the full effect of the powerful sound.

“Unstoppable” contains a thrilling, fast-paced plot that will keep movie-goers attentions, especially added with thundering sounds of trains and explosions. “Unstoppable” proves to be a well-made —though not absolutely perfect— movie that will certainly entertain audiences.

Unknown

2011-03-31T14:47:00.003-07:00

Although, “Unknown” maintains the audience’s attention, as the plot twists and turns it ends up just being the most bizarre case of stolen identity.

Dr. Martin Harris (Liam Neeson) travels to Berlin for a biotechnology summit with his wife Liz (January Jones). When they arrive at the hotel Martin realizes that he left his briefcase at the airport. He hops into the nearest taxi to go back to the airport. On the way there he gets into a car accident and resulting in a head injury and a four day coma.

When he wakes up Martin wants to return to his wife but when he does she fails to recognize him, and without his papers he has no way of identifying himself. Liz is also with another man (Aidan Quinn) claiming to be Martin Harris. Left alone in a city that has forgotten him, Martin must find a way to prove his identity and also fight his own doubts of who he is.

The plot definitely grabs the audience’s attention as Martin runs around Berlin trying to piece together his life. The audience keeps guessing how it will piece together. There are also obstacles as men follow him around trying to kill him which results in many adrenalin rushing car chases.

The car chases (and a few on foot chases) fail to slow down the plot or even run too long like many car chases do. It helps keep the suspense and adds more questions for the audience and Martin and they both wonder, “Why is this happening?” Other action scenes have fist fights as Martin continuously tries not to be killed, which also adds rather than detracts to the plot.

The film stays true to the thriller-suspense genre and reveals a little at a time allowing the audience to solve the mystery only as fast as Martin can. It fails to reveal too much too fast. The ending comes timely not to soon but not too late.

However, the ending proves to also be the downfall of the movie. Although I cannot discuss it in detail, I will say that it was completely unexpected, in a not-good way. It is unrealistic to the point of being completely unbelievable and since it twists so fast, so unexpectedly with no clues throughout the rest of the movie that this was coming. It’s almost as if they mixed up the ending with another movie.

Although the ending for “Unknown” is unbelievable Neeson’s performance as Martin Harris is not. The characters determination and unswerving desire to find out what has happened is displayed by Neeson. He also gives the character emotion as well when Martin begins to doubt that he is Martin Harris. Neeson gives a good between action and emotion, both of which are necessary for his character.

Unfortunately, the rest of the cast is just mediocre. Many of the character are merely unexciting and unconvincing, especially since only Martin’s character is truly developed and the supporting characters are there for just that, support (and they fail to do that well also). However, perhaps a stronger foundation of characters would have helped “Unknown” not fall apart as much.

Part of the reason for the boring characters is due to most of the dialogue being dull and uninspiring, not to mention some pretty cheesy lines. Also, audiences may grow tired of Martin’s constant, “I am Dr. Martin Harris!”

Another, fault of the movie is that even though Martin is in Berlin and does not speak German, everyone he meets (that can help him in his identity search) conveniently speaks English. How nice.

“Unknown” has some strong points, but it also has some weak points and in this case it’s places where weakness is not good. However, it’s not a total disappointment. If anything the title is fitting because by the end of the movie it’s the plot that is unknown.

True Grit

2011-03-31T14:47:00.001-07:00

“True Grit” brings back the western to American theaters with perfect acting, flawless script and story that will keep audiences watching.

Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfield) is fourteen years-old when her father is killed by Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). Determined to see her father’s murderer brought to justice she employees a man of “true grit” to capture Chaney.

The man she chooses is Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), a one-eyed, whiskey-loving U.S. Marshall. Cogburn seeks help from LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) a Texas Ranger who’s been trailing Chaney since he shot a senator in Texas. When the two realize that Mattie is not only determined to have Chaney brought to justice but to travel with them so the three embark on the hunt.

From the second “True Grit” starts it draws in the audience’s attention and hold on to it for the whole film. The plot is never dragged out, or shortened. The action that is in the film helps tell the story instead of deterring from it.

Surprisingly the film is quite humorous as well. There is lots of comical exchanges between all the characters. In one scene Cogburn and LaBoeuf have a shooting competition after LaBoeuf doubts Cogburns aim due to his single eye. The humor helps the journey in the film to be more enjoyable, rather than keeping it dry and serious, the dialogue lightens the mood and entertains audiences.

The cast in “True Grit” fails to disappoint as well. Bridges, Damon and newcomer Steinfield perform their roles with believability and consistency. The actors disappear into their roles, making them unrecognizable, both visually and in character. The diversity of the characters also adds to the story by adding conflicting characters and ideals.

Mattie is a strong central character. She is unwavering in her decision to go after Chaney. She is also a shrewd, fast-taking business-woman who sticks with it until she either gets a good deal or gets what she wants. She refused to take no for an answer. All her characteristics are displayed perfectly by Steinfield not performing too strong or too light. Mattie’s characteristics combined with Steinfields acting make her character not only believable but likable. Mattie is a heroine that audiences enjoy rooting for.

Cogburn is a tough, gruff and “too old and fat” as he puts it. However, he is fearless and knows how to use a gun. At first he wants nothing to do with Mattie, but after her persistence (and money offer) he accepts. Bridges portrays Cogburn with honesty and is not afraid to show audiences Cogburn’s not-so-likable qualities.

LaBoeuf is proud to be a Texas Ranger and is almost as determined as Mattie to bring Chaney to justice. However, he wants Chaney to hang in Texas, not in Fort Smith. LaBoeuf has disagreements with Mattie, she doesn’t think he’s the right man to find Chaney, and he doesn’t want to bring a strong-headed girl on their trip. He also has issues with Cogburn who he thinks is a little too trigger-happy. Throughout the film displays his bravery and loyalty. Damon plays LaBoeuf with realism convincing audiences that he is LaBoeuf not Matt Damon.

“True Grit” also contains sweeping cinematography (Roger Deakins)that takes the audience through the setting. Along with a well-written score (Carter Burwell) that has a little country twang to it. Also the costumes (Mary Zophres) fit the time-period as well as the personalities of characters who wear them.

“True Grit” is a well-acted, well-scripted western that grabs audiences and pulls them into the story. There are no distractions and keeps a realistic feeling. “True Grit” is worth the time, and perhaps worth a few Oscars as well.

Tron Legacy

2011-03-31T14:46:00.005-07:00

“Tron Legacy” contains remarkable visuals, however the movie also had a plot that was hard to follow through the dazzling lights of the special effects.

Sam Flynn (Garret Hedlund) breaks into ENCOM International, the company his father Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) built before he mysteriously disappeared 20 years ago. Before the company gets the chance to unveil their new “secure” software Sam downloads the program on to the internet so people can get it for free as part of his annual practical joke on the board of directors.

Then Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner) one of Kevin’s friends and partners receives a page from Kevin. He tells Sam to go investigate and reluctantly Sam goes to his Dad’s old arcade. He finds a secret tunnel that leads to his Dad’s office where he worked on “the grid”. Without knowing what he’s doing, Sam transports himself into the digital world of the grid.

From there the plot gets a little sketchy. When Sam realizes he’s in the grid he gets mistaken for a program and is the sent to the “games”. Audiences don’t really understand what’s going on, but then neither does the main character. Sam is then rescued by Quorra (Olivia Wilde) who takes him to his father.

Then it’s get really confusing for audiences to understand what’s going on. Audiences know that Clu (Jeff Bridges) who is the digital, un-aged, bad guy version of Kevin Flynn is trying to get a master key from Kevin.

Personally, it was very hard to follow. I was trying to figure out what they were doing and why? Why couldn’t they do it this way? Why is this thing so important? And what is that thing? Is this guy a bad guy or a good guy? Then ultimately, what is the goal of these characters?

Perhaps I didn’t follow the plot well because my understanding of computers, computer programs and “Tron” is basic at best. So maybe people who are more tech-savvy than I can easily keep up with the plot of “Tron Legacy”.

Fortunately “Tron Legacy” contained exciting visuals so even though the plot was muddled, the movie still grasped audience’s attention by the spectacular special effects. The contrast between the light and dark of the setting and costuming is truly beautiful. The sound of “Tron Legacy” was incredible, filling the theater and shaking the seats.

Another stand out was the 3-D which made viewers feel like they were in the grid as well. The vehicles and dress was creative and futuristic but with some similarity to the real world.

However the animation of Clu didn’t look that believable. At times he looked like he came out of a video game, which didn’t fit with the other characters that had better CGI.

The acting in “Tron Legacy” was alright and in a movie that mostly depends on visuals doesn’t need Oscar-winning acting. However, the actors still managed to keep their characters constant and delivered their lines with the right tone without falling too flat.

If you are the type of person that needs to understand the plot of a movie in order to enjoy it, don’t go see “Tron Legacy”. However, if you can enjoy a movie without needing to fully comprehend the plot and can be easily entertained by visuals, then you won’t have a problem. However, if you do plan on seeing “Tron Legacy” go in theaters to get the full experience of the amazing sights, sounds and 3-D but don’t expect anything more.

The Social Network

2011-03-31T14:46:00.003-07:00

“The Social Network” tells an engaging film with an unconventional story and characters that keeps the audience’s undivided attention for two hours.

“The Social Network” follows the story of facebook’s creator Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). One night after a break up, Mark blogs and sets up a website in two hours that compares the hotness of Harvard’s female students, which receives 22,000. Not only does this gain the attention of Harvard’s internet security, but also twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (both played by Armie Hammer) and Divya Narendra (Max Minghella).

The three approach Mark about starting a new social network exclusive to Harvard. Mark agrees but starts his own network, thefacebook.com with his best friend Eduardo Saverin (Andrew Garfield).

After they expand to other campuses, the two met Sean Parker (Justin Timberlake) who founded Napster. Eduardo doesn’t trust Sean, but Mark takes Sean’s advice to the letter. Mark moves to California to continue growing facebook.com (dropping the “the” at Sean’s suggestion). However, as his network begins to expand, his relationships start falling apart.

The story is told in a unique way, switching back and forth from past events at the start of facebook, to the two different lawsuit proceedings. The story flips at appropriate times, for example an event will occur in the story; then it goes to the lawsuits as questions are asked about the event that the audience just saw.

“The Social Network” contains a well-written dramatic script (Aaron Sorkin and Ben Mezrich), and although the film fails to contain huge amounts of comic relief it still manages to entertain. The dialogue between characters is fast, and often times is confusing for people who do not have a high knowledge of computers or algorithms. The script also provides a variety of interesting, solid characters.

The adjective most used to describe Mark is unprintable, but jerk works just as well. He is arrogant, analytical, unemotional and takes advantages of almost everyone. He is often socially awkward and talks super fast with an incredibly large vocabulary. Eisenberg portrays all these characteristics exceptionally well with accuracy and honesty to his character.

Eduardo is a smart business man and has a variety of connections through his family. Surprisingly, he is friends with the difficult Mark but he constantly helps his friend. Even when Mark goes behind his back several times, he continually forgives him. The role of Eduardo is more emotionally driven with anger and betrayal, and Garfield plays those parts perfectly. He provides enough emotion to play it convincingly, but fails to over-act.

Sean is the least likeable of all the characters. He too is arrogant, stretching the facts to make him look better. He is also paranoid, thinking that people are trying to sabotage him and his ideas. Timberlake unexpectedly accurately portrays these qualities in his character. He also plays the conflict between his character and Eduardo thoroughly, as does Garfield.

“The Social Network” also provides audiences with good cinematography (Jeff Cronenweth). Viewers see long single shots that follow characters around the Harvard campus. Along with high angles shots behind buildings looking down on students walking around on campus, even low angles that look up at the tall sky-scrapers of New York City.

Although, “The Social Network” fails to tell the happiest of tales, it still manages to intrigue audiences and keep them in their seats. The diversity of characters proves to be a compelling element as it uncovers the complex story of the founding of facebook, now a billion dollar company.

“The Social Network” is truly a great film that provides a different look at human selfishness and conceit, as well as telling a captivating story, with well-acted and well-written characters. It is a film that should not be missed this year, especially since the film is already generating Oscar-buzz. However, it will make audiences think every time they log into facebook.

The King's Speech

2011-03-31T14:46:00.001-07:00

“The King’s Speech” is a film that speaks of courage and friendship and is complete with a script and a cast that all share their voice royally.

Fear of public speaking is a phobia that plagues many people. However, most can choose a profession that does not require it. Unfortunately, for George “Bertie” Duke of York (Colin Firth) who is in-line for the throne quitting is not an option. Bertie’s public speaking problems go further than just fear, he has a s-s-s-stammer, that he believes is incurable.

His wife Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter) has other ideas. She seeks help from Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush) a speech therapist and Bertie agrees to give it one more try.

As Lionel treats Bertie, King George V (Michael Gambon) dies giving the throne to David, Bertie older brother. David decides to marry a twice divorced woman, making him ineligible for the throne. So a reluctant Bertie takes the throne, while in Germany Hitler marches on bringing the threat of war.

The plot is captivating and holds audience’s attention. The audience wants to know what will happen next and ultimately if the King can ever speak without his stammer. The plot is carried well by a strong script and great performances by the cast.

The script (David Seidler) provides humorous dialogue between Lionel and Bertie. Lionel likes to use unconventional methods in helping Bertie, including a swearing spree when he discovers that when Bertie curses he doesn’t stammer.

Not only does the script gives audiences something to laugh at, but it also takes viewers deeper into the life a King, more specifically the life of Bertie. It shows the struggles he had as a child, the ridicule he faced for not being able to speak. Also, the insecurity he feels at becoming King, the fear that he won’t be able to lead his nation in the time of war.

The script is matched by the unparallel acting. Firth dissolves into the role of Bertie and plays the character with absolute authenticity. Every stammer, every angry outburst at not being able to speak properly feels real to audiences. Firth is also not afraid to display the King’s vulnerability, in one scene tears fall as he cries to his wife that he cannot be King, the scene moves the audience to sympathy for the character because of its genuineness.

Rush also delivers a flawless performance of Lionel. Lionel always believed in the King from the very beginning. His playful attitude and theatrics makes the character fun and funny. A friendship also develops between Lionel and Bertie, and Lionel is always there to encourage Bertie and help him find his courage to tackle his speech. Rush shows all the traits of Lionel with consistency and realness.

Another key performance is given by Bonham Carter. Her character also encourages the King. She is a faithful and loving wife, as well as strong, witty and takes matters into her own hands when her husband fails to do so. When Bertie breaks down after becoming King, she comforts him and reminds him that she loves him and that he “stutters beautifully”. Bonham Carter demonstrates her characters personality while still carrying herself like a Queen.

The cinematography (Danny Cohen) in “The King’s Speech” helps to show the characters emotions with close-ups during the emotional parts of the film and showing different angles. Costumes (Jenny Beavan) fit the time period giving audiences the feeling that they went back in time. The score (Alexandre Desplat) is beautifully written with a classical flair that fits the royal British feel.

“The King’s Speech” is a very British film, which makes it even more believable; but as Americans we don’t really know the story that well. However, it proves to be a moving story for anyone since we all have fears just like Bertie. It also helps that the script and acting is complete perfection. “The King’s Speech” is worth your time and money, and not to mention, worth twelve Oscar nominations.

Green Hornet

2011-03-31T14:45:00.005-07:00

The “going green” phenomena has now taken over our superheroes, with “The Green Hornet” however, the movie proves to be recycled material that fails to excite audiences.

Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is a spoiled, his father (Tom Wilkinson) publisher of The Sentinel newspaper, dies suddenly and leaves him in charge. Britt then meets Kato (Jay Chou) and they realize they can change the city.

Posing as criminals to defeat the villains they fight crime as the Green Hornet and his sidekick using a car called the Black Beauty that shoots bullets, beanbags, rockets and fire. However with the help of Britt’s secretary, Lenore Case, they learn that the head of all the gangs in Los Angeles, Chudnofsky (Christopher Waltz), wants them dead.

“The Green Hornet” is a fairly standard superhero plot, except that it is missing a lot of the classic superhero action. The plot mostly focuses around the humor, which tries really hard to be funny, but fails. If the humor worked it might be more acceptable, but a movie that centers around characters, action and dialogue that tries to be funny but in reality isn’t eventually becomes miserable to view (as well as boring). The plot also takes an excruciatingly painful time to arrive at the climax.

A superhero movie should provide lots of action, and some humor thrown in when appropriate. However, “The Green Hornet” forgets this and tries to make it a comedy, unsuccessfully.

Quite simply there isn’t enough action and so the plot stays stagnant, especially since the comedy fails to move it. When there is action, half the time Kato and Britt are fighting the bad guys and the other half they’re fighting each other.

There are also times where the movie tries to be serious, then in the next scene it’s almost laughing at itself. The inconsistency of whether or not it’s trying to be serious or not makes it confusing for viewers.

The screenplay (Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg) isn’t that fantastic either, they keep using the same gags, once again thinking they’re writing a comedy. Also there is a lot of cursing, which usually isn’t that bothersome but after so much it starts to become obnoxious. The words seem more like filler words than actually having any meaning. It begins to sound like people who swear to make themselves look cooler, but end up causing themselves look ridiculous.

The acting in “The Green Hornet” is a little over the top as well. There just a lot of yelling and rambling being overall unconvincing. Chou does a gives a good performance as Kato staying in character as a cool, calm material arts master. However, Rogen’s character is contradictory, whether or not he’s going to play the smart, courageous hero or the dumb, cowardly hero or even the smart, nice Britt or the dumb, jerk Britt. Sometimes he’s a likable character, other times he’s not. His motives for becoming the Green Hornet are also inconsistent at times it appears he does to entertain himself, show-off or help people.

The special effects in “The Green Hornet” are not that “special”, nothing hugely spectacular or unique. Also watching “The Green Hornet” in 3-D is not that remarkable either, unless it’s remarkably similar to watching a movie in 2-D. The only cool 3-D part in “The Green Hornet” was the ending credits.

All in all “The Green Hornet” is a good movie to watch if you want to see a Seth Rogen comedy (that’s not even funny). However, if you want a super-cool superhero movie, then just stay home and watch whatever “Batman”, “Spider-man” or “Superman” you already have instead of wasting your green at “The Green Hornet”.

Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

2011-03-31T14:45:00.003-07:00

“Voyage of the Dawn Treader” fails to make good use of its source material by adding nonsensical plot elements, but it still provides a charming, entertaining movie saved by the imaginative characters.

Edmund and Lucky Pevensie (Skandar Keynes and Georgie Henley) and their cousin Eustace Scrubb (Will Poulter) are whisked off to Narnia and join the crew of Caspain (Ben Barnes) and the Dawn Treader.

The journey starts as a search to find the seven lords of Narnia that escaped during Miraz’s reign (the bad guy of “Prince Caspian”). However, a green mist is descending upon Narnia and the goal of the voyage is changed. They must now find the swords of the seven Narnia lords and lay them at Aslan’s table to stop the mist from destroying Narnia.

The movie is based on a book in the series by C.S. Lewis, apparently I read a different “Voyage of the Dawn Treader”. In the book Caspian is trying to find the seven Narnia lords, but it’s easy to see why it changed from “lords” to “swords” a simple typo probably caused an entire plot change. This plot alteration not only makes absolutely no sense, but there was no need for it, the plot in the book was fine and easily transferable on to screen. This proves how much damage changing two letters can do to a fantastic story.

As already explained the swords need to be found to stop the mist, but the mist is never fully explained to the audience. It’s called a “temptation” and “pure evil” but it never explains just exactly what “it” is, where it came from, why it came, and what will happen if “it” is not destroyed.

The mist also brings new characters (not in the book), Rhince (Arthur Angel) and Gael (Arabella Morton) a father and his daughter trying to find his wife that was disappeared in the mist. However, these characters are undeveloped; audiences don’t know that much about them and therefore don’t develop much sympathy for them. They are also not given sufficient screen time to make their characters important enough, so it is questionable why they are even in the movie.

The plot additions also make the voyage speed up, which offsets the time lapse. The plot fast forwards to the islands to get to the action, then the plot moves on leaving hardly any in-between time. It also feels like the action on each island is resolved too quickly. The sequence of events compared to the book was also switched and swopped so dramatically hardly any of the events are in tune with the book, sometimes making it hard to follow.

However, there is good news for “Voyage of the Dawn Treader”, those unfamiliar with the books will smell nothing foul other than the never explained green mist. Those audiences will thoroughly enjoy the action (which is not in the slightest bit “kid friendly”) and the characters.

The cast of character which includes Lucy and Edmund are still the same Lucy and Edmund that audiences loved in “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”. Caspian also returns as King of Narnia and he also has the same personality as he did in “Prince Caspian”, making it feel as if these are the same people and nothing has changed since their last Narnian adventure.

Reepicheep (voiced by Simon Pegg) the mouse which in “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” proves to be even more likeable than when audiences first met him in “Prince Caspian”. He encourages people and is full of faith and courage. He also gives the audiences a lot to laugh at. Reepicheep provides the strongest performance and character.

One new comer for audiences is Eustace. Eustace is the kid that no one, not even his cousins, want to be stuck with. He is a whiny, selfish, know-it-all that keeps a diary of all his complaints. However, a certain circumstance occurs that changes his demeanor forever and gives the audience a good dynamic character to root for.

“Voyage of the Dawn Treader” also contains sweeping cinematography (Dante Spinotti) and a powerful score (David Arnold). The special effects (Brian Cox and Angus Bickerton) are also impressive of all the Narnia creatures and magic. Another element that helps the magic of Narnia is the hair and make-up (Isis Mussenden) that create real-looking characters like the Minotaurs and the Fauns.

Compared to the book “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” barely measures up to book fans’ expectations. However, they will be pleased that the key themes remain in the movie. As a movie by itself “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” gives audiences a story filled with adventure, magic and unforgettable characters, despite the unsolved plot holes.

Tangled

2011-03-31T14:45:00.001-07:00

Remember the good ol’ days of Disney with “Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King”? Well, the good ol’ Disney is back with creative story-telling, characters and fun music in “Tangled”.

“Tangled” is a twist of Rapunzel. The basic story is there; the princess Rapunzel (voiced by Mandy Moore) is captured by an old wicked woman named Mother Gothel (voiced by Donna Murphy) and kept in a tower. However, there are some new characters and aspects in “Tangled”.

Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) is a thief, who steals the not-so-well guarded princess crown. While running away from the palace guards, he stumbles across Rapunzel’s hidden tower. Rapunzel ties him up with her hair and makes him a deal, if he takes her out to see the mysterious lanterns that light up the sky every year on her birthday, she will give him back the stolen crown. Flynn reluctantly agrees and Rapunzel and her trusty pet chameleon, Pascal leave the tower and take an adventure in the outside world.

“Tangled” is a unique twist on the classic fairy-tale and while some stories twist a little too much, this film provides enough difference that it is fresh, but stays true to the original idea. The added elements actually make the story better for a full-length film. It also provides a good plot with action, romance and lots of humor.

The humor is “Tangled” with please both younger and older audiences. There is humorous dialogue as well as slapstick humor. The script (Dan Fogelman) provides a good balance of laughs between kids and adults making neither party bored with the film.

Much of the humor is due to the characters. Rapunzel is a cautious because of all her years living in confinement. She knows what she wants and she’s not going to let anyone get in her way. A little naïve at times, which receives a lot of laughs, her character is very much the soul of the film. Rapunzel is also perfectly voice-acted by Moore whose softer voice fits with her character’s personality.

Flynn on the other hand is confident, adventurous and fast-thinking. His dream is to be rich and he steals to fulfill that dream. He is the receiver of much of slapstick stunts, but at times he gives funny lines to Rapunzel (or “Blondie” as he calls her). His character is what moves the plot. Levi’s strong voice fits Flynn’s character and he delivers the comic lines flawlessly.

With the supporting cast, Mother Gothel is a wonderful villain that becomes more and more dislikable as the film progresses. Murphy voices her well by providing a harsh tone. Pascal plays the loyal animal of Rapunzel which makes kids especially laugh. Another key animal in the supporting area is Maximus a palace guard horse— although at times he acts like a dog—he and Flynn constantly fight each causing laughter due to the uncommonness of the situation. All characters are creative with different personalities and they help tell the story and make it funny and heart-warming.

Just like the classic Disney films, “Tangled” also entertains audiences with music (Alan Menken) and lyrics (Glenn Slater). The songs help audiences hear what the characters are thinking in a fun way. The up-beat songs have fast-paced words and clever rhymes. The slow songs have thoughtful lyrics and moving music.

All of the cast sing beautifully in their songs with no one coming up flat. “Tangled” fails to contain as many as songs as other Disney films since it has only four or five songs. So those who do not appreciate musicals will not be annoyed because most of the film is without singing. However, for those who do like singing, “Tangled” provides enough songs to please those audiences. Once again “Tangled” provides a balance that will make both types of audiences happy.

The animation (Kiran Bhakta Joshi and Steve Goldberg) is stunning. Rapunzel’s long, golden hair shines and the green of the forest or the blue of the water is vibrant with color. Also, none of the characters look the same; all are unique with their faces and body shape. However, the general animation stays true to the usual Disney animation, although it is a bit more modern.

In a world where many films lack a pulse, “Tangled” keeps a heart-beat and provide all ages with a film that has a heart. It also helps to have lively lyrics, classic comedy and artful animation. Audiences are more than happy to get tangled up in the story and characters of “Tangled”.

Red

2011-03-31T14:44:00.003-07:00

“Red” the action-comedy provides an adequate dose of each genre, and provides intriguing characters that are well-acted.

Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) used to be a top CIA agent, but age caught up with him and now he’s Red (Retired Extremely Dangerous). Adjusting to new life, he tries to start a relationship with Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker) a customer service agent.

However, adjustment proves to be difficult, especially after a team of assassins try to kill him. Frank, knowing the killers would have tapped his phone and overheard all his conversations with Sarah, travels to rescue her from the assassins.

Frank and Sarah try to uncover the reasons for the attempted murders and in the process they revisit Frank’s old friends (and a few enemies) that include Joe (Morgan Freeman), Marvin (John Malkovich) and Victoria (Helen Mirren).

“Red” contains a large variety of characters, Frank, as described by Victoria, is hard on the outside but gooey in the middle. Joe is charming, deadly and more than willingly to help his friend. Marvin is paranoid and a little too trigger happy. Victoria is one of the most dangerous due to her expert eye. Sarah soon learns to be quick and adapt in all her adventures, and after a few initial scares starts to enjoy the spy life.

The unique characters proved to be played thoroughly by all the cast. The difference in personalities causes lots of funny and exciting aspects to the movie. The cast as a whole is a dream come true for action-lovers with Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman and John Malkovich. Even Helen Mirren (not commonly associated with action) acts like she knows how to handle a gun, and has for quite some time.

One of the best performances in “Red” is provided by Malkovich. His character’s quirky personality and often child-like behavior always receives a laugh from the audience. Whether he is saying some off-the-wall comment, or just dying to kill something, he provides the majority of the comedy.

“Red” moves at the right pace for an Action-comedy. It fails to dawdle around waiting for an explosion or gun shot. The comedy is well-placed and fails to detract from the action. In fact, the action and comedy complement each other in the perfect balance, which is provided by the well-written script (Erich Hoeber and Jon Hoeber).

The script also gives some clever escapes for the characters. It keeps the audience guessing at who is responsible for the attempted assassinations. Along with trying to guess who the real “bad guys” even are.

However, at times the events are a little too unrealistic, which distracts from the movie. For example, when the assassins come to Frank’s house, they shoot so many bullets into the house that the whole front of the house is gone. Action movies are all about bullets and explosions, but in “Red” it was a little much.

With that said, “Red” contains a lot of gunfire and explosions. At times it can be a too overwhelming, but that’s what action movies are for. Nearly every scene ends in either something getting blown up or shot, right up to the credits.

If one wants gunfire, explosions, captures and escapes, then “Red” is the movie to see. Along with the perfect ensemble for action that provides unique and humorous characters. “Red” is entertaining, fun, even though at times it is too unrealistic even for an action movie.