May
04

The Avengers

One of the most anticipated films of 2012 has hit theaters near you. So many of you have been anxiously waiting for this latest film from Marvel Pictures. A film that has taken the making of several films for the individual avengers themselves to make. Who knows how long ago Marvel came up with this idea, but it was a massive one. When you combine four of Marvel’s most popular heroes to work together, you are dealing with a massive idea. The secret to achieving success on the big screen would be how this massive idea would be created in a film. Considering that you do not have five hours of film to present, there was something that had to give in terms of having the audience become familiar with each of the heroes. The list is a bit long to list here, but some of these characters have had at least two films about them; while others have had just one, such as Thor and Captain America. Which leads to the bigger picture that is this film, The Avengers.

As great as the anticipation and excitement surrounding this film has been, the stakes could not be any higher for the film makers and Marvel Pictures. There should be the expectation that the audience will want more out of this arrangement of heroes than just this film. The idea is too big for it to take place in just one film. It is almost as if the best actors of a particular genre would be put together to be part of a film. Something so rare and special is worthy of at least one blockbuster film. The best example of this is Sylvester Stallone’s directorial work with the film The Expendables. This is a film that already has a sequel ready to be released this summer. While that is to be determined with this film, you have to believe that the expectation for it is there; not only would the audience want it, but Marvel should want it as well. The question then becomes what aspects of this film would be as massive as the idea of putting these super heroes together, compared to others? The truth is that it is a task that is very difficult to accomplish. To have the right blend of action, suspense, a great story, and even humor. After all, the key to the success of this type of film is how much fun the audience should have watching it.

Before you can appreciate and enjoy the action and special effects of the film, there has to be a strong effort to come up with a great story. While putting all of these popular super heroes together in one film creates enough excitement for an audience, it is not enough to simply put them on screen to have a great film. Given that this film deals with several protagonists, there is a familiarity that the audience must have with each of the characters. Each of the heroes has their own unique story. Each one brings a strength that the others do not have, but in the name of saving the world we live in, they share the love for this country. Given that each of their stories are long and extensive, it shows the need for this film to have established a smooth transition from all of the films that have lead up to it, to the film itself. Once again, it is important to recognize the negative influence of time. Given more time, so many movies could simply be great, but unfortunately, that is not how it works. Each of these characters deserves the screen time devoted to them for us to understand where they are coming from. Based on how their individual films ended, there is still a lot to be told. Unfortunately this is something that is often times sacrificed because of the effort to have the audience focus on the action and special effects of the current film. It is also sacrificed to not expose the audience  to moments in films that simply lack life. You can have massive explosions, and incredible action sequences, but sometimes there is something missing that does not allow you to appreciate the film completely. This emptiness is the lack of putting together a story that is well executed.

The challenge that this film would ultimately face is how it would manage to keep the audience entertained. It is obvious that with this type of film, you are going to have a great deal of action scenes. If the action scenes deliver for the audience, then the film has already begun to exceed the expectations of Marvel and the audience. Each film director brings to the table a particular aspect of the film that should be the cherry on top so to speak. For this film, it is humor. The importance of humor cannot be stressed enough. There is an abundance of humor in comedy, but that is to be expected. However, when you have humor that contributes to the great viewing experience of a film, it helps the film to be more enjoyable, and more importantly, to withstand the test of time. This is the biggest aspect of a fim that can often times be overlooked. Regardless of the generations of the audience watching it, if the film can be remembered, and still be entertaining a few years later, then it is a film that will always be appreciated for what it put together.

So the question now is, what is next? This was a massive idea for Marvel Pictures to put together, and now, this adventure needs a follow up. What is certain is that some of these heroes will have other films devoted to them. While this will allow the audience to become even more familiar with these heroes, it was something that was sacrificed in this film for the sake of putting them on the same team together. But for those of you that are dying to hit the theaters any day now to see this movie, it is a film that will entertain you on a variety of levels. This is why these types of films are made. To give the audience the opportunity to be in awe of seeing their favorite childhood heroes fighting together. With good laughs and some impressive action sequences, there is nothing S.H.I.E.L.D. would want you do more than to watch this film this weekend.

 

May
03

Melancholia

If there are any obsessions in the film industry right now, it is doing apocalyptic films. As popular belief has long spread around the world, the end of the world is believed to be some time this year in 2012. This is not a moment that should anxiously be waited for; much less believed. However, the anxiety, fear, and drama of something of that magnitude  happening is captured incredibly in this film by Lars von Trier. We all react differently to fear, but it is an emotion that keeps your interest in films unlike any other. Films can do a wonderful job of building your excitement as they approach their heart-stopping finales; but it is the fear of what will happen, or fear of the inevitable that keeps your attention and interest throughout the film.

Regardless of what your beliefs may be in terms of the predictions surrounding 2012, there is an inevitable end for us all. While that is certain, it is how we live our lives in reaction to that, that certainly makes our life journey memorable or depressing. You have heard the expressions that time is short, or things will happen when the time is right. It is all about how you take the obstacles and accomplishments in life, and respond to them. Perhaps you would not have these types of thoughts if there would not be such speculation of the world ending. However, it is great to stop and think about where you are, and where you are going in life once in awhile. You are the director of your own life: you call the shots, the stunts, and hopefully do the right editing of scenes. There is no turning back. Certain things can be repaired, but that is as far as you can go. This makes every experience in your life, be it positive or negative, a learning experience. At the end of the day, only you can judge the success of your own film. You must learn to make the most of what you have in front of you to make it a blockbuster.

There is a lot that goes into your every day life: family, friends, education, work, and your goals and ambitions. In the grand scheme of things, they are all great, but they cannot help make life better or easier for you if you do not build a relationship with them. This may sound like a lot of work, but if you have not noticed yet, there are no handouts or free passes. If you ever get a free pass, you had to have done something to earn it. There is a price for everything that we do, and it is worth the cost if you value and appreciate what it is worth. At the end of the day, It is the small, detailed things that truly have the most meaning and impact on our success.

There are not many films today that will provoke and challenge your state of mind. Any great film will do just that. It is the same reason why many of you pick up a book. You have these ideals and values, but there is a lot to be learned from that which presents entirely different views. If after watching a film you do not feel the desire to ask yourself what I learned, then the film did not fulfill its purpose. Movie watching is a conversational experience. The film is talking directly to you through its cast and story, and it is the hope that you listen to the film and share its story with the rest of the world. Whether your experience watching it was pleasant or not, you were hoping for a great experience. So you express your frustration with others. Ultimately, they will decide if they see it or not, but the message of this film is still being delivered. This is a film that gracefully adds itself to that list of movies that will challenge you to speak. The cold, dark, and grave tone that it presents will keep you thinking about what the future holds in the film.

Easily one of the best films 2011 had to offer, Melancholia has some incredible photography and visual effects that will amaze you. In a role much deeper than any that she has done in the past, Kirsten Dunst is incredible in her lead performance. She is joined by an amazing supporting cast that includes Kiefer Sutherland, John Hurt, and Charlotte Gainsbourg. An amazing piece of film making, and a film that is worth watching for any generation.

 

Apr
19

Shame

How often do you come across a film that is as human as you are? Do you ever look at the films you love as having human characteristics because of their character, and breath-taking narrative? Films have an incredible way of talking directly to you. Perhaps it can be a harsh wake-up call, a slap in the face, or a reminder that there is still hope. While a film cannot be your best friend, or loyal companion, or even talked to, it can certainly speak to you through its music, its characters, and story telling. Depending on the vision and intention of directors, there are some films that are extremely dedicated to being a messenger and so much more. They thrust you into their world, and once you are in, there is really no way out. You feel mentally and emotionally connected with its story, and at that point, curiosity takes over because you have no idea where you are heading. You have trust in the film; which is important. However, there is a bit of fear that strikes you because you cannot see where the story will take you.

At first glance, you may look at this film as a documentary or an indie film. However, it is quite deserving of national exposure because its character is very well presented. There are many films that feature characters in their weakest, and most vulnerable states. Every once in awhile, though, you come across characters who have an addiction. How the film intendes to showcase that addiction is the mind-boggling question to be asked. With a different rating from the MPAA, the breadth and vision of this film can take an interesting turn. It certainly would not affect the performances of its stars, but the story alone can leave you with a very different state of mind. From a strictly dramatic perspective, it is entertaining to present a character that has an addiction, and as such, reveals that addiction to the audience in very strong and intimidating ways. Notice that entertaining and addiction are in the same sentence there. There is nothing entertaining about addiction, in any form, for those of us that are looking from the outside. It is not entertaining for those who are addicted either. It simply becomes a way of life. It is a relentless habit that can range from mild indulgence to extreme obsession. The war is won by how well control can be sustained. What is entertaining about presenting characters with obsessions is the ability of those actors to perform things that are far beyond who the really are in their every day life. Perhaps they share things of the past with those characters that they portray, but sometimes, there are performances that are done so well, that you are simply in awe of how these actors bring to life the physical, mental, and emotional demands of those roles.

What is truly remarkable to witness in films like this one is when you have those same characters who simply have much more to them than their obsessions. This is where you can truly value and respect the dedication the film has to tell a powerful story about human character. Make no mistake about it. This is a film with a powerful story. A powerful story that is worthy of being told because you simply never know how hard a film can impact a person’s life. You may not talk or interact with a film in the same way that you would with a person, but films have a way of leaving you feeling good about yourself. We are all moved and impacted in different ways, but the best way to overcome the dark aspects of your life is by admitting that the problem exists.The secret to the success of films like this one is not to show a man with an obsession, and how that obsession runs and ruins his life with a very piercing affect. It is about how these characters sustain control; or in some cases, struggle to have the control that they believed they had. Even beyond the control, or lack of it, there are characters who have much more to them than we think. This is where characters with obsessions in films become characters who are human, and are trying to find light at the end of the tunnel.

If you have seen mob and gangster films, then you know what the outcomes are like for those characters. More often than not, they are killed, and things do not go as well as they had planned. There is such a drive for having money and power that characters forget about the true meaning of life; and they are more than willing to sacrifice innocent and all lives to get there. How does the life of a character change when you have a film that presents a character with a sexual addiction? Regardless of the level of addiction that a person may have, or what they are obsessed with, there is pain that they will experience because obsessions are much more damaging than gratifying. So the most intriguing aspect of these films becomes the fear of what will happen to these characters. How far must these characters go to find a cure for their obsession? This fear is one of the strongest aspects of this film that cannot be overlooked. It adds so much to the dramatic aspects of the film that you not only feel for Brandon’s struggles, but you also feel enormous fear for what lies ahead for him.

Dark, incredibly profound, and provocative, this is a film unlike any others that you have seen. It is lead by mesmerizing performances by its two lead actors, Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan. Completely dedicated to his character, Fassbender is simply amazing in his portrayal of a sexually-obsessed man that, above all, needs true love in his life. Mulligan plays as his sister who has more impact on his life than he wishes to recognize. A film that will blow you away based on its portrayal of the value of human life and so much more, this is the film that you have been waiting to see but have not realized it until now.

Apr
13

The Hunter

If pictures mean a thousand words, what do movie titles mean? One of the most underrated characteristics of movie success, a movie title can say a lot to an audience. Simple, and to the point- The Hunter is a title that features exactly what it conveys. Sometimes the best movies are those which approach audiences with a very simple story. While they may have a simple story, your emotions and reactions to these films are far from simple. Movie titles such as these are open invitations to you to sit back, and imagine being part of the film.

The beauty about these types of films is that there is always a twist in the plot that throws you off. The element of surprise is what helps to exceed your expectations of movies. It can make the difference between a good movie and a great one. If you have seen a ton of movies over the years, it becomes much more difficult for anything to be surprising. However, as similar as two movies of the same genre can be, there is always something new or different that you can take from each one. If you watch movies critically, it is not the quality of action scenes in these types of films that make them great; it is the element of surprise. How far are the producers and film makers willing to go to make the movie standout? There are many who may say that they have seen many films just like this one. However, if you think about it, whether it is an original film, prequel, sequel, or a modern adaptation, there are always parts of the film that standout; for better or worse.

In this instance, you have to argue that this is a film that is great on a variety of levels. For starters, the cast is wonderfully put together. When you have minimal characters with a lot of dialogue, it is the best way for the film’s director to establish character development. There is a reason why we all have a particular preference for certain movies. Perhaps, that reason is the characters in those movies. Sometimes we see ourselves in those characters, and understand what the movie is trying to tell us. There is always a message, and a well assembled cast plays a big role in delivering that message. The cast gives a face to the story, and that can leave a very lasting impression. If you do not hesitate to watch a movie again, the cast is one of the reasons for that. If nothing else, you feel connected to the characters they portray, and that connection is simply unbreakable.

This is a film that you may never hear about, unless you read this review or read about it on other sites, or hear of it from friends, family, and so forth. It may not reach huge, commercialized-blockbuster success, but that could very well be a good thing. The best films are not always those that the whole world knows about. Sometimes they are those that like hunted prey, you must run into the wilderness and find on your own. It is not about entertaining millions of fans, and exhibiting films in thousands of theaters. If just one person is blown away by watching a film, that love will spread like wild fire. They will tell others about the film, and soon enough, there are many who are watching and loving that film. It becomes one of those films that you add to your collection of favorites, and you enjoy watching it again and again.

One of those films that you simply have not had the pleasure of seeing yet is waiting for you. Willem Dafoe delivers an outstanding performance as a very driven, fearless, and passionate man. Sam Neill is brilliant in his supporting role, but the person that will simply blow you away is Morgana Davies. She is someone to lookout for in the years to come. Join the hunt, and be a part of this great adventure that is The Hunter.

 

Mar
23

The Hunger Games

Today, for any film that consists of a group of young actors and actresses, action, adventure, survival, and a love story, it is difficult to not be compared to the Harry Potter franchise. Percy Jackson and The Olympians is another recent film that fell under that assumption. Perhaps many did not know this, but the director of the film, Chris Columbus, also directed the first two films in the Potter series. Needless to say, people could not help but assume that it is a very similar Harry Potter film with a Greek mythology twist. The Twilight series is a different story. For quite some time, it was a box office rival. If you notice, they were never showing in theaters at the same time. Both franchises have an enormous amount of fans, and their protagonists are now very, very popular. Which brings us to The Hunger Games. There has been a lot of buzz surrounding this film; both positive and negative. Of course, if you have read the books, you already have the knowledge of the story, characters, and plot. For those that have not read the books, the approach of many has been that this is another film that is like the Harry Potter films. There is not much of an incentive to boost their motivation to see the film. However, from  a strictly theatrical perspective, it is good to approach this film with the desire to be entertained.

What the title of this film accomplishes very well is presenting the defining story line: a gripping and emotional story about survival. Earlier this year, The Grey impressed audiences at the box office as the survival movie that you have not seen in a long time. Of course, the concept of survival between that film and The Hunger Games is quite different. Still, regardless of the approach, survival films bring great success to the box office because more than anything, their stories are very deep and appealing. There is much more to those films than simply putting characters on the screen to perform the most breath-taking stunts. There is a tremendous amount of effort placed on the quality of dialogue between the characters because the expectation is for the audience to relate to these characters. In almost every scene imaginable, they are between life and death. So they learn to appreciate what they have even more, and who they would sacrifice their own lives for.  Very difficult to achieve, and often overlooked, you rarely see films that highlight the stress, fear, and anxiety of their characters in the most extreme situations that they find themselves in.

It is easy to imagine how that is accomplished in the book trilogy that this film is based on. Every narrative detail is included, and there is nothing that is left missing. Of course, there will always be people who love or hate the books as well. This just reassures that it is almost impossible to please everyone. However, one of the things that works incredibly well for this film is its young cast. More often than not, the well known stars in these types of films have supporting roles. There is a specific reason why this is done, and it is to let these young stars shine. While inexperienced in film, this is primarily a young cast that had tremendous 0n-screen chemistry. It is one of the characteristics that all of the great films have in common. The lead actors deliver strong performances as they are expected, but they are also backed up by great supporting role characters. Then you have the ever-so important role of dialogue between those characters.

When you have films like these, the dilemma that the directors always face is how much of the film will be dedicated to the dialogue, and how much will be dedicated to the action sequences. The ideal scenario would be to have an equal balance of both, but that is very difficult to achieve and master. The few films that have accomplished this also had amazing success in the other cinematic elements of the film. Clearly it is not impossible to achieve, but when you have films that are based on books, it is quite a challenge to overcome. The idea is to be very devoted to the books, but as we all know, there is not enough time to do that. So there are always sacrifices to be made. While these types of films are based on books, the truth is that they are theatrical narratives of their own. They will always be judged based on how devoted they are to the books or not, but from a movie standpoint, if there is an overall acceptance of what has been done, then the producers and filmmakers can smile.

What makes us all happy is the idea or the hope of a sequel. There are films that provide subtle hints of that possibility, while others have an amazing way of finishing their story in their specific running time. But when you watch a movie that really leaves an impact on you, you want the story to continue. You want to see where the film can take your curiosities and imagination even further. This is a film that grants your wish to see more with ease and elegance. With strong lead performances by Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson, and strong supporting roles from Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, and Stanley Tucci, fulfill your hunger to succeed and be victorious by watching The Hunger Games this weekend.

Mar
14

Shakespeare in Love

No matter what your movie preference may be, it is difficult to not be a fan of the love stories in film. They simply inspire you, and make you feel good. What more can you ask for? Whether you believe the fantasy of them in the films is one thing, but it is another to realize that love can make miracles happen. It does make life easier for you; as easy as that may seem. In many ways, it is the one thing that is missing in a character’s life. A character can have wealth, charm, and power, but none of that seems to matter if they are not loved by that special person. You see this type of storyline many times with the villain’s in films. We know that they often want to destroy what is in their path, yet they do feel the need to have a companion by their side. It just demonstrates how strong the power of love truly is. At the heart of this romantic drama is a very passionate love story. One that many have heard before, but perhaps have never experienced it like this.

When you think of William Shakespeare, you probably think of the infamous line, to be or not to be, that is the question. Many, if not all of you also think about his other work including Hamlet, MacBeth, and Othello to name a few. However, the one play that always comes to mind when you think of Shakespeare is the classic love story of Romeo and Juliet. An impossible love that became real because of their love for one another. As tragic as the ending may be, the truth is that if you truly love someone, you will do anything for them. Even if it means losing your life, you always sacrifice your happiness for theirs. It is a selfless act that continues to inspire in films, and it is no different in this film. Sometimes, it takes a modern approach to tell Shakespeare’s classic love story to really appreciate the timeliness of its message. No matter what generation you are from, this is a love story that can be told again and again because of its universal message.

Many of you may remember the last film to bring this love story to the big screen in 1996- Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo Di Caprio and Claire Danes. While the original dialogue may have been kept in this film, there was something missing. Something that kept this film from being great. Perhaps that missing ingredient for success was presenting the story behind its creation. As well known as this story may be, the curiosity about what inspired Shakespeare to write this play has always been there. While you can look at many different films that have a love story as the center of its production, perhaps many got their inspiration from the story of Romeo and Juliet. A love story that seemed impossible, but became real despite the obstacles that they faced. Unless you do the research, you never really hear about what Shakespeare’s true inspiration was to write this work. That is what makes this film original. A unique perspective on how this story came about, and why it continues to be told today. Even if it has been centuries since it was created.

To understand how the writer of this classic story felt is truly remarkable, and it helps to appreciate the artistry of the work. Perhaps Shakespeare was a hopeless romantic, and never really found a significant other, but the idea of seeing him fall in love is a powerful story line alone. Love inspires us all to do many things; but when you truly feel this type of love, and you create what is arguably the greatest love story of all-time on paper, then it is a truly astonishing accomplishment. An accomplishment that is worth seeing on the big screen. If there is one thing that makes people fans of love stories in film, it is originality. Everyone is familiar with the concept of how there is always a girl that characters fall for; and that love is what gives the film a heart and it inspires all audiences across the world. While all of these characters fall in love, the movie and the story make them all different. It is all about the adventure to find that love that makes us all want to see films like this over and over.

Directed by John Madden, Shakespeare in Love is the 2004 winner of the Best Picture award, and it will entertain you from start to finish. If you believe that the love story of Romeo and Juliet is dull and boring, you must give yourself the opportunity to see it as a modern film. You will not be disappointed with the performances in the film led by Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow, and  the supporting roles of Geoffrey Rush and Ben Affleck. Watch this film, and allow yourself to be swept off you feet once more.

Feb
20

Taken

There are times when you watch films to watch the stars you love in them. But there are also times when the star you love is in the film, and the story is very intriguing. Perhaps few actors like Liam Neeson come to mind when it comes to action films. He is an actor with great range and versatility, but his most recent work has been dedicated to revamping the action genre; and he’s done a great job with it. Starring in other recent action films including The A-Team, Unknown, and earlier this year, The Grey, Neeson has taken the demands for an action hero to a whole new level. While it is essential to display a physically imposing and strong character in these films, Neeson has proven that having great intellect and an emotional side can also add to the impact of the character on the film. When you combine all of those characteristics, the success of the film depends greatly on the performance of that main character because as the audience, you can relate to their pain and suffering, but you can also share the joy of accomplishment. In 2008′s Taken, Neeson delivers another strong and convincing performance to remember.

What are you willing to do when you are pushed to the limit? What are you willing to do when your family is put in danger? While you may very likely place your own life in danger when trying to save those you love, it seems as though there is not enough time to develop a plan. You feel up against the wall because you do not have what the kidnappers want, and you may not have the skills and abilities to battle with one or many of them at the same time to not only save your family, but save your own life as well. It is the worst feeling when your family or loved ones are taken from you, and there is nothing you can do about it at that moment. That is the striking, and long-lasting effect that this film has on you see because it is painful to experience, but it makes Neeson’s heroics that much more appealing and worthy of admiration. It does not seem to matter how experienced or unexperienced you may be in fighting crime, but when you are up against the clock, the pressure is intense, and you simply cannot stop because it may be too late.

There are few films that come to mind where it is the father, and not the mother, who is the most loving one, and the one who would do anything for their children. What makes these films even more memorable is when the father gives up so much knowing that the relationship that he can gain with his children is that much more important. When your family values are at the top of your priorities, this is an easy decision to make. But it is amazing to see how characters in these films will give up their life of the past, or start a whole new life to simply get closer to their children because they never had the opportunity before. When you have a film that touches the hearts of every member of the family, you have one of those rare films that is truly a must-see for the whole family. There are movies that advertise that message all the time, but more often than not, it is not the case. This is a film that teaches you to appreciate the loved ones and family that you have around you. Even if the love and peace may not be there, life is much easier when everyone works together in the name of love.

Some films have a bad habit of dragging out the story, and going on much longer than they should. Those films that do not fall under that category can thank those who were responsible for the film’s writing and screenplay. It is better to have a film that is action-packed, emotionally-appealing, thrilling, and relatively short, compared to a longer film that you wish were shorter. You know you have a great film when you tell yourself, wow, what a movie! Even if you want to see more, that is still a great attribute of a great film. This all has to do with you initial judgements or expectations of movies. Once you have been surprised, and are settled in, the movie does the rest. This is where pace and story also come into play and are either loved or hated depending on the outcome of the final scenes of the movie. At times, it seems like not enough credit is given to the endings of films. The beginning and the end are very key to the film’s success. If the beginning sets the tone, it is up to the ending to determine your final take.

There is a different between action films and action thrillers. Taken inserts itself into the action thriller category with ease and elegance. Once again, Liam Neeson delivers the strong performance that we have grown to love over the years. Joining him are a great supporting cast including Maggie Grace and Famke Janssen who deliver their own great performances. A great action thriller that you will not hesitate to watch again and again. Do not waste another minute, and enjoy this amazing action thriller that is Taken! 

Feb
08

The Prestige

Whether you admit it or not, there is some level of competition in you. If there was no existence of competition, winners and losers would not exist. There is nothing worse than losing, but there is always something that you learn or take from losing. Before you can really celebrate victory on a big scale, you have to experience loss and defeat. There are times when people simply do things better than you. Does that mean that you should stop or give up? Who judges those abilities? It may depend on the situation you are in, but you always strive for the best because you should not settle for anything less. What you do after losing matters more than what you do when you win. Winning is just the beginning. You never really stop trying to win because everyone wants to win. The battle continues, and it becomes even harder to win the next time, and every time after that. Once you experience a loss, you can continue the awful streak by believing that you cannot win, or you can take the approach of doing better next time. Sometimes it feels as though next time is highly unlikely, but if you put in your best effort and lose, that is much better than not trying at all. Competition could not be risen to higher scale than between two rival magicians. In The Prestige, Christopher Nolan works his directorial magic once again.

There isn’t a better metafor for movies than magic. It is an act of magic to put a great story, amazing cast, stunning visual and sound effects, and incredible music all together for you to enjoy. There is so much work that goes into it that perhaps you feel like you have seen it all. Perhaps you feel as though you have seen every trick in the book, and there is nothing on Earth that can make you applaud its trick or performance. Then again, it is not the fact that you have seen the work of magic many times before; it is the fact that you have not seen who does that work of magic the best. You are the judge of that; but there is always someone who can perform magic better than their competition. That is why you have established what you like or love when it comes to movies. It is not that the stars, directors, or film genres are not good; you simply get blown away by the movie magicians that know how to fool you every time. So you stick to them and never look back. Every once in awhile, you venture off and try to see some new movies that are beyond your normal preferences. Whether you eventually like them or not is not the question; it is the fact that you watched something new that expanded your viewing experience.When you think that you know the secret, you are amused and surprised when you see that your expectations have been met.

When it comes to making movie magic, Christopher Nolan is simply one of the best magicians out there. For every magical act that he has done, including Inception, The Dark Knight, Memento, and Following, he never ceases to work your mind. Do not interpret this as having a headache at the end of his movies because you did not understand them.The misunderstanding that you may have at the end of movies is really is a good thing. When you really love a movie, you do not hesitate, nor does it bother you to see the movie again. The idea of wanting to see a movie again to understand its magic is because you have enjoyed it enough to experience it once more. Nolan’s films have that characteristic, and they leave you on the edge of your seat because you are always thinking about the future while enjoy the moment right now. It is quite an enchantment to appreciate what you see now in his films, yet be so curious about what will happen later. Few directors have that ability to lure you into their films and keep you interested in them from start to finish and beyond. Your mind is left thinking about what fooled you in this magical act that you thought you have seen so many times, yet are flattered by the fact that you want to see it again.

Magicians have the amazing ability to make the ordinary look extraordinary. On paper, the story of this film may seem ordinary, but if you have seen Nolan’s films, then its story and cinematography are far from ordinary. If you have a film that involves magic or magicians, then it is to be expected to see that magic. However, the truly great film magicians add a lot more to those magic tricks. You will look at competition with different eyes after you see this film. Perhaps you will become more competitive, or perhaps you will take competition to a new level. When you have a great story, and present competition in a way that leaves you wanting more, it is truly remarkable to achieve. This all goes back to the metafor of magic for movies. You may think that you have seen all the magic tricks, and there is nothing that can truly surprise you, but it is all about which movie magician fools you the easiest. It may be the same old trick, but if you are fooled, you cannot help but want to see it again, and try to understand how you were fooled.

Like many of the great films that he has done, Christopher Nolan delivers another brilliant film with a cast that leaves you wanting more magic. If you thought you knew Christian Bale’s acting range, you have to his stunning performance in this film as a rival magician to the work of Hugh Jackman. Perhaps you only see Jackman as Wolverine in the X-Men films, but he also delivers a solid performance to add to his repertoire as an actor. Joining them are Michael Caine, who once again, is charming and compelling, and Scarlett Johansson, who is graceful and strong in her performance as well. The music in this film will help prepare you witness magic like you’ve never seen before because quite honestly, you haven’t seen magic in film like this!

Feb
06

The Grey

Films about survival are great and compelling stories. What is great about them is that it is a broad film genre, but it can be done with so many different angles and story lines. Perhaps the strongest characteristic and appeal of these movies is the courage and adrenaline rush you feel as the characters fight between life and death until the end. It is when we are at our weakest and most vulnerable condition that bravery, intelligence, and will empowers us to do the unthinkable. It is such a devastating physical and internal battle because mentally, these movie characters need and want to fight to survive, but physically, they cannot help but feel like giving up. That is when their physical strength is even more important. So there is nothing like telling a survival story based on the arctic climates of Alaska, where a group of men must survive being hunted by a ferocious pack of wolves.

Many have heard of the saying, expect the unexpected. This could not be more relevant and true than in this film. Obviously there are a range of situations that you can find yourselves in unexpectedly, but imagine having to be in a situation where you must fight for your survival with nothing but your own knowledge and strength, and the help of others. It does not matter if you are in Alaska or in California; the situation does not get any easier because life could be over with an unfortunate misstep. The physical conditions of Alaska just make this battle for survival more complicated than you would expect. You have no choice but to create warmth and heat for yourself before you freeze to death; this is much easier said than done when you think about your mental strength and knowledge of your surroundings. You can look at this as an improvisational act of survival; you may have a plan, but if things go wrong, you have to keep trying new or different things. Giving up in this situation is the worst decision that you can make.

This is a film that easily adds itself to a great list of survival films because its story focuses on the intense and complicated relationship between us humans and the world we live in. Whether we love or hate it at times, the world we live in can be our biggest ally. We cannot afford to take what it offers us for granted. In fact, it is the different changes and challenges that we face on a daily basis that should make us stronger. Perhaps now more than ever, we rely on the timeliness and fast operation of technology. If you find yourself fighting for survival in the middle of nowhere in Alaska, technology virtually becomes useless. This is where you must face your fears with all that you have in you to see tomorrow. Before you think about the promise and bright future of tomorrow, you have to accept the world around you; its blessings and its downfalls. The more you think about it, this is a world that is made for hunters; even if you do not hunt animals for a living. It is a life made for hunters because nothing is personally given to us. When you are born, you are raised, taken care of, and provided for. However, once you have the ability to use your mind to think and reason, it is almost as if you are on your own. If you want something, you must work to earn it or get it. You cannot afford to be relaxed about this because there are others who are also fighting for what you want.

Survival of the fittest. If you think about it, that is the story of our lives. If you find yourself fighting for survival, there are also many battles taking place from within your mind. You are battling nature and the world around you, and your beliefs of the people around you; you are even battling your views of life and death. It is painful to think about falling down a tree or a mountain trying to avoid a man-eating wolf; but it can happen. So the thoughts of what happens to you if and after you fall can consume your mind as well. You are battling animals for the dominant species. Animals possess these physical advantages that are admirable, and have these innate survival skills, but we also have a sense of reason and will that can empower us to do great things. Most importantly, we are battling ourselves to be the fittest that we can be. It is easy to become complacent and accepting of what we have, or have accomplished. There is always room for improvement and growth. In order to be the fittest, you have to use your strengths to overcome your weaknesses.

One of the best visual representations of arctic lands in films, The Grey is a chilling, mesmerizing and powerful survival movie that will hit you hard. Its cast is led by Liam Neeson, who delivers an outstanding performance as the leader of a group of men fighting to survive. Dermot Mulroney and Frank Grillo also deliver great performances in their supporting roles. Wonderfully written, with an amazing story, and visual and sound effects and editing, it is the action survival film that you have been waiting to see for a long time. Do not wait for its release on DVD, and experience the journey on the big screen!

Jan
31

Amores Perros

What would you do for love? Love is such a classic story tale in film that it never grows old or boring. These stories can be told in so many different ways because they are subject to many forms of interpretation. This is why it is so great to have a passion for movies; love them or hate them, everyone’s point of view is important and insightful. When it comes to love, or in some cases, the lack of it, movies have a way of connecting us all through love. They have a way of speaking directly to you. In the name of love, you may feel the rush to do anything once you see a film that really moves you emotionally in more ways than you can imagine. For a film that offers a different outlook on this amazing feeling, there isn’t a film quite like Amores Perros to tell you about this classic storyline.

With great films including Biutiful, Babel, and 21 Grams to his credit, director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu is one of the most talented, visionary, and brilliant directors in film. His dedication to the story and screenplay are amazing, and this film is another great addition to his success. It is difficult for a filmmaker to take the topic of love, and produce a film with a different outlook on it. There are so many angles to storytelling about love that it actually becomes a broad topic. A film that revolves around a love story between two characters seems repetitive. While they never fail to entertain, there is always the longing for a film that shows that not all is fine and beautiful in the name of love. It is the films that present the devastating struggles that characters fight to overcome in the name of love that challenge, move, and provoke you. If a movie does not provoke you in any way, perhaps it was a mistake to produce it. It is easy to go through life on a daily basis without challenges or struggles. But there comes a time when a wake-up call is necessary; when you have to fight for what you want because otherwise, you will fail.  It is great to come across films that offer a different perspective than your own. Movies that challenge you to step out of the ordinary.

How often do you see movies within a movie? The narrative, screenplay, and storytelling through the different stories in this film are exceptional. It is an incredible ability to blend stories with different messages together, and still remind the audience that you are watching one film. If there is one thing that stands out tremendously in this film, it is its storytelling. It just may be the single, most important element of a movie. Without the central story, or the many supporting stories that a director wants to tell, there is no message to share with the idea. As they said when we were all children reading a book, the moral of the story is? You cannot simply put characters on screen who blow each other away with cannons and rifles, or characters who strike fear in each other, and kill each other. The action and suspense cannot make up for the lack of a good or genuine story. As an audience, it is easy to pick this up because once the movie is over, you tell yourself, yeah, it was good but..That little reluctancy to describe the movie as great is because something was missing. Perhaps you wanted to see more action? The action scenes are a big part of the story, but they do not make it up entirely. If you want a great movie, you have to put the pieces of the puzzle together, and it starts with a great story.

One of the things that a lot of movies lack is great character development. There are some cases where having curiosity about a character is a good thing, but when films appear to rush through without really revealing important details about the characters, it becomes difficult to have a connection with the film. The type of connection that leads you to love it, and have the desire to watch it again when it has finished. The characters become the storytellers on screen, so how well or little you know them has an influence on your eventual thoughts of the movie. Gael Garcia Bernal may be the most well known actor in the cast, but he delivers a very strong performance as a man who has interesting ways of showing the love he feels for others. He is also joined by strong performances from Goya Toledo, and Emilio Echevarria who play characters with touching stories of their own. Everyone needs love in this life, so treat yourself to watching this provocative, yet touching film on how far you should go in the name of love.