Jun
15

Man of Steel

superman-man-of-steel

The time has finally come to see the newest film in the DC Comics Universe of Warner Bros. Pictures. We all know just how unsuccessful The Green Lantern was in theaters, so no need to discuss this further. Last year, we saw the ending to an incredible trilogy dedicated to Batman from the brilliant mind and vision of Christopher Nolan. It is only a matter of time before we find out how future films of the dark knight will be brought to life on the big screen again. However, in the mean time, we have anxiously waited for the newest film dedicated to Super Man. It is no surprise that disappointment summarizes what many felt about Bryan Singer’s Super Man Returns. Therefore, a new film dedicated to this iconic super hero with a different approach was inevitable. A solid film like this is what it will take to expand the number of films under DC Comics since the Batman franchise has been holding it on its shoulders for the last decade at least. When it comes to films in the super hero genre, Super Man always has a special place within that genre because he truly is the perfect example we have of a super hero in films.

To say that I was shocked to see the rotten rating this film received on Rotten Tomatoes, (57% currently), is an understatement. I truly believe that people are giving that rating much more value than what it really is. There is a strong point to be made when people really love and enjoy a “rotten” rated movie; and the same can be argued when people watch a “fresh” rated movie and simply hate it. If beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, the same should be said about films. As an art form, we should all see a movie for ourselves and make our own conclusions. How can we judge a film just based on the opinions and negative commentary of others? Furthermore, if you truly are a fan of this iconic super hero and the long-lasting history of his character in films, then you will make an effort to see the film regardless of what the critics and people are saying. The fact that this is a new film with a new approach should tell you that there is much more to come from this film even though the certainty of a sequel isn’t exactly understood. From an origins story perspective, this is in a similar league with Batman Begins. There are many answers at the conclusion, but there are also many questions that raise interest in what this caped-hero will do in the next film.

Are there flaws in this film? Yes. It is not the perfect film that we all were expecting for Super Man. However, that does not mean that it has no strengths that keep this from being another summer blockbuster hit at the movies. Behind all of the action, CGI, and effects, there is a heart that beats strongly in this film. There is no question that we know who Super Man is. The more pressing question to ask is what do we know of the man wearing the suit? I have to assume that there is a feeling of excitement and nervousness in an actor when you are given such an iconic role in a movie. From the public’s perspective, there is an enormous amount of pressure placed on that actor to deliver the goods that we have come to love from this Kryptonian hero. However, every actor that delivers such roles has his own agenda so to speak. It his job to take this character and bring him to life in his own way. Henry Cavill is the latest actor to play this iconic role, and he definitely left a very lasting impression. While his physical characteristics fit in the suit just fine, it is the personal aspect of his character that make him stand out most of all. It is a remarkable achievement when you can show the audience the human side of a man that is incredibly out of this world in terms of his strength and abilities. It is not the incredible feats of strength of these super heroes that impress, it is the small, heartfelt things that they do that make you cheer for their victories and feel their pains. There is no question that they do feel pain. It is the hope that they inspire in humanity that earns them their super hero title.

Perhaps it is a coincidence that Man of Steel is being released on Father’s Day weekend when there were such huge roles of father figures in this film. In contrast to Batman, who was devastated by the loss of his parents, Super Man had the fortune of having two fathers. Both of them had a tremendous influence in his life, and on the man that he would become. The casting of Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner was perfect. Aside from the similarity of being fathers, they are two characters that are very well developed in the film. The development of the story is done in such a way that you can appreciate how they played a role in the development of Super Man the hero of Earth. In stark contrast to the the warm, father figures in the film, the cold villain is played wonderfully by Michael Shannon. Even though it is his first time in a comic book film, he was very much a worthy adversary to Super Man’s size and strength. Not only did he look the part of a ruthless villain, but he possessed the right combination of physical and mental strength to challenge Super Man in a number of battles. This is one of the trademarks of great super hero films: a worthy adversary that is both strong and challenging.

You can’t say enough about the cast in this film, especially about the role of Lois Lane played by Amy Adams. She is much more than a damsel in distress as she plays a key role along side Super Man throughout the film. I would say that in addition to Cavill, she is another actress that should be kept for the sequel as she has great on-screen chemistry with him. It has been quite a long time since we were last able to appreciate a series of Super Man films; we have to go back to the times when he was played by Christopher Reeve. There is no question that Zack Snyder wanted to emphasize the action sequences as there are many throughout the movie, but going forward, you just have to wonder how much emphasis will be placed on the story and dialogue. It is very easy to assume that there is no heart in the film when there is so much action and CGI effects going on, but there is also a strong commitment to the emotional aspect of Super Man’s heroism. This is a great start to what I hope will be the process of releasing more films under DC Comics at Warner Bros. Studios. The promise of a Justice League films depends on how well this film is received. Regardless of the negativity you may have heard, this is a film that gives you a reason to believe in Super Man again!

 

May
30

Fast & Furious 6

fast and furious 6

Aside from the holiday season in the winter time, this is arguably my most favorite time of the year. People are going to theaters in masses to see the year’s best summer blockbusters. If you’re not going to barbecues or the beach, pretty sure you can find people in theaters around this time every year. Most of the people that make up a large percentage of the younger crowds are most likely out of school by now, so there is always something for everyone to see at the movies every summer. It is very difficult to top last year’s summer blockbusters The Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises, but the summer movie season is really starting to pick up its contagious momentum. I say contagious because it is an amazing feeling when there are so many movies you want to see, and they are being released in theaters in one week after another! This is what love for movies is all about. An opportunity to go outside of your normal, day-to-day routine, and enjoy some amazing film making on the big screen.

Whether you are a fan or a hater of this franchise from Universal Pictures, one thing that we cannot deny is that it has been a tremendous financial success for those studios. Regardless of the genre, it has long been believed that more than three films in a franchise is just dragging the story along. However, there is always an exception to everything, especially in film. There is a reason why the best film franchise in history celebrated its 50th anniversary. There is always a way to keep improving something, or keeping something classic as entertaining as ever. Yes, on the surface it may be difficult to look beyond the fast cars and street racing that have taken place in this franchise throughout the six films, but there is a lot more to it than that. If you have followed this series closely, ever since director Justin Lin took over the franchise for the third film, they have progressively gotten better with each next film. There are very few directors that have the amazing ability to do that with a series. It is already a tremendous challenge to outperform the first film, but to do that consistently with four films is quite a remarkable achievement; regardless of the genre of the series. I have never been a fan of seeing a director leave to have another director come in to finish a successful series. He will not return for the seventh film which is already in the works to happen. However, I can understand his reasoning behind tackling other film projects because you do not want to be known for just working on one particular series. It is your body of work that should matter more.

Consistency and creativity are perhaps two of the most overlooked traits that some directors in film have. It is consistency that has taken this franchise to six films, and taking it to a seventh film next year. Even though there are people out there who are adamant critics of this series, you cannot deny the fact that this is the type of entertainment that people will pay to see time and time again. No, this is not a reflection of a lack of good taste in people for films. If you have followed this series from the beginning, you can see and appreciate how far it has come from the first film in the series. It is amazing to see that the cast has been kept intact throughout all of these films. From a story perspective, it has been remarkable to see how the series has been able to maintain a level of freshness so to speak. Yes, you will see very fast cars, but it is not simply about that any more. With each new film, the stakes are higher, the risks are higher, and they incorporate more suspense, action, and humor. This is the reason why we are still watching these movies in theaters, and why Universal Pictures continues to make them. It has been a very lucrative franchise for the studio, and it will continue to be because it is starting to relate to a much wider audience.

What I love most about this film is its intensity. This is not one of those movies where you talk about hating the first half but loving the second half, or vice versa. This film is an intense car ride from the very beginning. There is never a time where I wish things would pick up the pace, or that certain parts of the film dragged along. The variety in the film is also top notch, which makes it one of the great summer blockbusters that you want to watch again and again. There is plenty of action, suspense, humor, and amazing effects that will keep you at the edge of your seat throughout the film. The movie has an amazing feeling of a finale to it, but we know that the story will continue in the next film. This is only fitting given the way that things have happened in recent films. As recent history suggests, just because it may be the seventh or eighth film in a franchise, it doesn’t mean that people will not come out in huge numbers to see the movie in theaters. This is a series that has been able to maintain elements of its beginning film, but it has also come a long way as far as adding things that keep it relevant with each new movie that is released.

I must tip my hat off to Justin Lin. He has a had a tremendous run of taking this series to heights that I did not think it would go. Since Rob Cohen did not come back to direct the sequel, I had the feeling that the sequel would be the end of it. It is difficult to keep a franchise successful when there are so many changes in the director’s position. However, Justin Lin changed that since directing The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift, and every film in the franchise since. The fact that he is not returning to direct the next film as he moves on to work on another project shows that Hollywood has seen his talents, and they are wanted. So I wish him the best in his future projects. The addition of Dwayne Johnson to this franchise has been a very valuable one. Since joining in the fifth movie, things have really stepped up in terms of the actions sequences done. He is a great compliment to the persona of Vin Diesel in this series since they both bring a lot of muscle to the fast and slick cars that we have seen throughout the series. You can really appreciate this series when you see that the cast has been maintained for so long. The character development has been great, and as I mentioned before, with each new film that has been released, it keeps getting better on a variety of levels. So fasten your seat belts and race to the theater soon to watch this film on the big screen!

 

Apr
30

The Place Beyond The Pines

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Other than the many sequels and super hero films that I am greatly anticipating to see, this is one of the films that was definitely on my must-see list for this year. As usual, this year has gone off to a very slow start. January and February hardly had anything exciting to see, and then it was time for the Academy Awards. Since then, there have been a few films here and there that have really piqued the interest of movie fans nationwide and internationally. Iron Man 3 already made more than $100 million dollars in the international box office, which is not surprising given that it will most likely achieve those numbers in the U.S. box office pretty quickly. It is not every day where you get to see two of Hollywood’s biggest stars at the moment, in Ryan Gosling and Bradley Cooper, together in the same film. Make no mistake about it, they are stars at the moment, and their stardom is just continuing to rise as we speak. There is always a strong interest in what films they will be in next, and this film was no different. It’s great to see that it is a film that is far from the super hero sequels that will most likely dominate this summer’s box office.

Despite having much more experience doing tv series documentaries, director Derek Cianfrance does quite the wonderful job with his directing abilities in this film. Perhaps the strongest message that you can take from the flow of the plot is that actions will always have consequences. Whether they are positive or negative, there will always be consequences for the actions that we have the complete freedom and liberty to do. These consequences couldn’t be stronger when they follow dangerous choices from the past. The past always seems to haunt the future; precisely because of the fact that what we do now always has a price later.  This is obviously not the most original story to present in a film, but depending on how the film is done, it can be a very gripping experience. These are the kind of films that will grab your interest from the start, and will never let go of it. When you have that kind of message, it is great for humanity to be reminded of the consequences of our actions. It is a message that never seems to grow old in Hollywood simply because there are so many ways of showing it in all kinds of films.

When you think about the character that is played by Ryan Gosling, talent is the word that comes to my mind now. Maybe talent is something that is developed and perfected over time, but I also think that we are all born with special talents. These talents are most appreciated when you share them with the rest of the world. It is not about the fear of others looking at your talents, and copying what you do to get credit for it. It is about sharing your greatness to inspire others to do the same. You just never now how the talents of others can motivate you to take your talents to a whole other level. What is important to recognize though, is that you cannot be selfish with your talent. You have got to put it to good use because otherwise, a person will be seen with the perception of what a waste of talent. There is not enough time in this world to let it go by without enjoying it to the fullest. That means that we should all take risks if that’s what it takes to get ahead in this life. However, you have to be the judge of those risks, and decide for yourself if they are worth taking for you, your family, and your friends. That is why you cannot be selfish with your talent. The impact of it is bigger than you, and it spreads to influence even those who are dear to you.

If there is one thing I would not do for a career, one of those jobs would be a police officer who serves in the field, risking their life for the safety of the community. As much as I despise having an every day desk job for 40 hours a week, I would be willing to serve my community as an officer with a desk job. I wouldn’t have the risk of losing my life in a hostile, and dangerous situation. Maybe that’s the motivation for some people to serve as cops in those situations to keep the rest of us out of harm. It has been said many times that there are good cops, and there are bad ones. However, when you think about how much they risk, including their own lives for our safety, you can’t help but feel appreciation for what the good ones do. Especially because there are decisions that they must make in the blink of an eye sometimes. That is a huge emotional load to deal with, and it is great to see that emotion brought to life very well in this film. There have been so many films with the presence of police in them, but very few have really been considered great because of the lack of a great story to go with the action and drama in them.

It was one of my most anticipated films of the year, and it did not disappoint. It is a terrible feeling when you have such high expectations for a film sometimes, but it doesn’t quite deliver the way you would have liked it to. This is a film that delivers in all the areas. Perhaps one area, that always seems to be overlooked is the music. It really adds to the mood and tone of the most dramatic and suspenseful scenes, so you can’t appreciate it enough. Director Derek Cianfrance is starting to get on a roll here. After directing a successful film in Blue Valentine, he has impressed audiences again with this film. So I am definitely curious to see what he has planned to direct next. I can’t say that I was impressed with the cast because I expected greatness, and they delivered. Bradley Cooper has really come a long way from his comedic work in The Hangover series. He is just coming off of an Academy Award nomination for best actor in a leading role. His performances in these last two films can tell you why. Ryan Gosling continues to improve with the roles that he chooses to do, and can only keep growing from here. As usual, Eva Mendes is lovely and charming in her performance, and Ray Liotta is the actor who just completes this good cast with his charism and talent. This is a film that you should definitely check out!

 

Apr
22

Olympus Has Fallen

Olympus has fallen movie

When a nation is in its most vulnerable state, that is when you can see how strong and united it really is. For years now, the United States has been seen as the most powerful country in the world. That is a reality that comes with a lot of responsibility. It also makes us the biggest target for terrorist organizations. The fact that we are the most powerful country does not necessarily mean that we are the most liked and respected country either. Other countries have tried to improve on things that what we are known for, and they have succeeded. Despite the struggles and differences that we live on a daily basis, we have proven to be united when we have been tested in extreme situations. Some of the greatest films in history are those that have shown the power of the human spirit. There is nothing greater than having a strong spirit to achieve what many think is impossible. Those films have demonstrated how anything is possible when you truly believe in your efforts, and everyone works towards a common goal. When I first saw the trailer for this film, I was immediately intrigued by the cast and story; despite the fact that it is not the most original film or story. This is the type of film that you can enjoy from an entertainment perspective, but it can also inspire the hero in you to do your best.

It is no surprise that this is a film that has not fared well with the critics. Despite the negative criticism that it has received, it has definitely delivered at the box office with decent earnings. Perhaps now more than ever, films are not getting enough credit for giving solid entertainment from beginning to end. This applies to all films, regardless of the genre they have. It doesn’t matter if the film is two hours or three hours, it is a tremendous achievement when it can keep you engaged, and at the tip of your toes from start to finish. That is when you appreciate the complete quality of work of the film, despite the flaws that it may have. I  have heard many talk about comparing this film to Die Hard movies. The fact of the matter is that in this particular genre, there have been very small indications of originality. There will be action scenes, and everyone is expecting them. How the action will intertwine with the plot and story as a whole depends on the director. Which is why the quality of action given on screen is the entertainment that most people are looking forward to seeing in an action thriller film. That is what people are paying to see. You only have to look at all the films released throughout the year to find similarities between many of them. The ones that stand apart are those that have captivated audiences with great stories and casts.

Perhaps best known for directing Training Day, Antoine Fuqua is one of those directors that simply knows how to make an entertaining action thriller. Of course, there is nothing entertaining about the subject matter of this film, but there isn’t a moment where you wish that the action or pace would pick up. You are taken for a ride from the very beginning, and that says a lot to me about the director of a film. I think they have the audience’s interest at heart when production starts, and they don’t want to waste a minute to get your attention and keep it throughout the film. There may not be anything remotely original about this film, but it is definitely worth watching. As far as the repetitiveness of having someone be the one that saves the day for all, it is a role that not everyone can do with grace and ease. I always think about Harrison Ford and Bruce Willis when I think of those roles, and most recently, Liam Neeson. Gerard Butler, who is a much younger actor, is more than capable of delivering in those types of roles. Not only does he perform well in the action scenes, but he is a very gifted and charismatic actor that can do well in the dramatic dialogue scenes as well. Looking forward to what he will be doing in his next films.

Given the tragedies that have happened in recent weeks, I think that this is a film that reminds us all that danger and enemies will always be out there. That is when we put egos and differences aside and work together for the peace of our own lives, and this country. That is why these types of films have a certain repetitive nature to them. Every so often, you can expect movies like this to be released because it is important to be reminded of how essential our unity as a country really is. Aside from the positive message to take from the film, there are some flaws worth bringing up, but I won’t go into detail about that. These are flaws that do not keep you from enjoying the film. It’s about acknowledging the fact that this is a film, and as such, this wouldn’t happen the way that it did as we speak. Channing Tatum will be soon be starring in White House Down. In terms of story, the two films couldn’t be more similar to each other. Which is why originality is not the biggest problem that action thrillers face. It’s about a focus on producing an effective plot and dialogue when it counts most, to be considered a great film in that genre. Otherwise, there would just be a focus and interest on the action itself, which is what people pay to see.

Despite the negative commentary that it has received from critics and movie fans, it is a film that will surely entertain you on the big screen, or at home if you decide to rent it when it’s available. As I stated earlier, Antonine Fuqua has quite the talent for directing action thrillers. I’m definitely curious to see what he will direct next. Beyond the suspense and intensity that was happening from start to finish, the cast for this film is great as well. There haven’t been many actors who have had the honor of portraying the president in films, but Aaron Eckhart’s performance as the president is a great one. He is an actor that can make films better with his supporting roles. You can’t say enough about the greatness of Morgan Freeman. Will he ever play a villain? Certainly capable of doing so, but there is so much appreciation for what he does as a protagonist. Angela Bassett, Dylan McDermott, Rick Yune, and Melissa Leo are the other big name actors contributing supporting roles to this film. Whenever you get the chance to see this film, enjoy it!

 

Apr
01

Oz The Great and Powerful

Oz-the-great-and-powerful

One thing is for sure in films, when all else fails, you can always turn to the classics to be modernized for today’s audiences. It seems as though no classic is safe anymore. If there isn’t a sequel being made, or a third film in a trilogy, or films based on true stories or best-selling books, a lot of films being made are adaptations of the classics. This is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, we get to see our favorite classics through today’s technology. I never saw this coming, but for a short period of time, Jurassic Park will be shown in theaters in 3-D. It is definitely something that I would be excited to see as it is one of my favorite films, but this is the trend that we have been witnessing in recent years. It wasn’t too long ago that I also heard that Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs would be in theaters again for a little while. While this film is a prequel to the musical classic that is The Wizard of Oz, you can see that the trend is being followed in terms of making a film which has a connection to a much earlier one. Which leads me to the negative effect that this trend has on films. You don’t see a lot of combinations of genres, or creativity and originality taken to a new level. Perhaps you can see this more often in independent films, or films with limited releases. As far as mainstream, Hollywood films though, I have been wanting to see a lot more of that.

In many ways, I would have liked to have seen the original version of this film to see how far it has come. My reaction to the film may have been different, but when there is an original version of a film, then I try my best to see it to fully understand the story. The magical world and free-spirited people in The Wizard of Oz are what piqued my interest in wanting to see this film, and I must admit that I was curious to see how Oz became the wizard of that great town in Emerald City. Needless to say, I had very high expectations. I was impressed with the visuals that I saw in the trailer, so I was already expecting to see great visuals and a great story. Sam Raimi’s work in the Spider-Man trilogy speaks for itself. The third film in the trilogy could have been improved, but overall, it was a great trilogy; something that not many contemporary film franchises can do successfully. Given the blockbuster year of films that we saw in 2012, I have very high expectations in 2013. As one of the first films I was curious to see this year, I definitely rushed to see this movie in theaters. It wasn’t too long after it was released that news began to spread about Disney wanting to do a sequel. I think that had to be expected when you release a modern remake of a prequel to a timeless classic.

It is the desire in the audience to see the story continue. Watching a movie for more than four hours in a theater would be a very long time. Even at three hours, sometimes films seem longer because of a very slow pace. The solution? Trilogies. More often than not, films that are revisited will have more than one film dedicated to its central story. The best thing that they can do is to showcase the passage of time. There will always be key parts that you do not want to lose from the original films. However, the fact that an older film is being revisited means that a significant part of it must be adapted to reflect today’s society. The great films are always those that regardless of when they were released, people of all generations appreciate them, and can relate to their stories. I guess you could say that they have a bit of magic in them, that allows you to enjoy them no matter how many times you do watch them. If there was one that was missing for a significant part of this film for me, it was magic. I am not referring to magic being done by Oz himself, or any of the witches. In this instance, I’m referring to a film’s ability to keep you interested in it from start to finish.  At times, character development can be slow, and as a result, it takes time for a film to get exciting as it approaches its ending. This shouldn’t be interpreted as rushed filming is best. Dialogue and character development are extremely important. Of course, I think you know what I’m talking about when you feel that things could use more energy.

In many instances, that can make or break a film’s success with the audience. The first part was boring, but it was better in the second part. How many times have we heard that expression before? The beauty of Hollywood is that there are so many directors. Each one has their own way of story-telling in films. The challenge however, is to keep audiences interested and engaged from start to finish. Do you stick to what works time after time, or do you experiment and sacrifice an outcome that’s not so good? You have to have the drive and creativity to explore with filmmaking, and discover what it is that works for audiences. It is fun to debate how things could have been better in a film after you have seen it. Given his work in the Spider-Man trilogy, he is definitely capable of doing that with this film if that is what will ultimately be done. Of course, this is a very different type of film. It is more focused on reaching out to all members of the family, and he wouldn’t be able to do similar fighting sequences like he did in the Spider-Man films. So he will have to resort to other ways to keep the audience in awe of the live-action scenes. There is no doubt that visually, this is a great film to watch. I just would have loved to have seen things go bold right from the beginning.

I have never been a fan of James Franco’s work, and my perception hasn’t changed. Although as the movie picked up in pace, so did his performance. On paper, Michelle Williams’ character may seem very boring, but she was the difference maker for me. She gave a very charming performance and simply looked beautiful throughout the film. The casting of Rachel Weisz was another great addition. It was difficult for me to see her in a villainous role here since I’m used to seeing her play good roles, but she was still very graceful and convincing. In terms of beauty, Mila Kunis was also a great fit in this cast. I just don’t see her as a villain like the Wicked Witch of the West. Definitely one of the most recognized witches in film, so there’s high expectations for that type of character. However, I can easily see Mila doing very well in the future with similar dark characters. Finally, what really makes this film a joy to see are the characters played by Zach Braff and Joey King. They play characters that you just love and never forget. After all, that’s what we remember about the great films. I expected to see more “magic” in this film, but I’m excited to see what will be done in the sequel that Disney is expecting to do.

Jan
16

Life of Pi

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Perhaps one of the biggest life lessons that we should take to heart is to expect the unexpected. Everything is fine and dandy when things go according to plan. In fact, that is the type of life style that I like to have. The ability to adapt to sudden or drastic changes is not a strength I have. In fact, it is something that all of us should work on. Especially if we find ourselves in a life-threatening situation. Throughout our childhood, our parents would always talk to us about them making sure that nothing would ever happen to us. The truth is, we all need to experience the combination of hi’s and low’s in life. We have not really lived if we cannot learn to adapt to situations, and through those experiences, know what is right and wrong. Parents will always try to teach that lesson, but the more you go through life’s experiences, you start to teach that to yourself. Every mind is in its own world. For two of them to come together through marriage is really quite special. Two people who share many things in common, but yet mentally, can be so far apart. However, they find ways to make the relationship work. Speaking of relationships, the one that we all have with God is an interesting one; if any of you have one with him at all.

Born and raised in the Catholic faith, it has come to be the biggest part of my life. The choices, actions, and decisions that I make are all influenced by the practicing Catholic faith that I have. So there is no doubt in my mind that he exists, but sometimes, we could all be reminded of how important faith in him really is. It is very easy for us to point fingers when things are not going well, or as planned. We even start to question his existence when tragedies occur, and why he allows them to happen. The truth of the matter is that we all have a free will, and if God were to prevent people from doing bad things, he would not be fulfilling the gift of free will that he gave us. Granted,  they will suffer consequences for their actions, but it is not up to us to enforce them. While it is very sad and tragic to leave this world because of gunshots, what is more important is where we go after this life. In other words, the after life is the most important thing to look forward to, not what happens here. Whether you believe in God or not, this is definitely a film that will remind you of the power of faith and belief, and that we really can’t do everything with our own power.

We never really know how much inner and physical strength we have until we are tested. It is the best way for you to see that you really have faith; not just in God but in general terms. It is a big part of our life. If we must have surgery done to repair something in our bodies, then we put our faith in the hands of the doctors who will be working on us to improve our quality of life. That takes an enormous amount of trust and faith. The ability to survive through any “storm” so to speak, and still be able to speak of your experience at the end of it is something remarkable. A great story is something that should be shared with the rest of the world. Cultural diversity is one of the biggest strengths we have in this society. No matter what that language being spoken is, there are things in this world that are meant to be shared, and interpreted in many ways. There is more than one way to reach the top, or to be successful. The truth is, we all need to be encouraged and inspired to have self-belief. This is a very difficult world to live in, but when you have strong self-belief, and believe in God’s will and power, life becomes an adventure that is worth living.

Just from a visual standpoint, this film is amazing to watch. I am not the biggest fan of films done in 3-D, but I did not have a choice. This is probably the last week that Life of Pi will be in theaters. By now, I am used to hearing how the 3-D can be a distraction for watching the movie. I am glad that I decided to put my hate for it aside, and enjoy this film to the fullest. The outstanding performance of the cast was a big part of it. The cast in this film may not have received a nomination for best ensemble cast, but it is important to recognize how well they did together throughout this film. These are actors that are not so well known, and yet the great pace of this film, and how well they work together really carry this film forward. Not to mention how wonderfully shot the film is, and how well the music adds to its dramatic moments. When you pick up and appreciate those key components of film making, you can understand why this film is one of the nominees for best picture at the Academy Awards. They’ve also received that nomination in other awards ceremonies. From top to bottom, it is an amazing body of work.

As far as director Ang Lee, he is already an Oscar-recipient. I am not too familiar with his work, given that his resume as a director is rather short, but there is no doubt that he did a fine piece of work with this film. It is a bit difficult to say what directors will do next, but I think it would be a real treat if he comes up with something that is just as good or better than what he has done here. Suraj Sharma was simply amazing in his role. I think there is a very bright future ahead for him. Irrfan Khan delivered a very nice and graceful performance as the older Pi. If I had seen this film last year, then it would have easily been within my best films of the year list. In fact, I will not have a problem adding it on. It is one of those films that you should encourage others to see in theaters. It may not be the type of film that everyone loves or appreciates, but you can definitely see the magic behind the great film making that went into producing this film. Just when you feel like movies like this are not made anymore, they sweep you off your feet when you do see them. Your faith in great film making, and your faith in all of life’s journeys are restored. It is a reminder of the ability to accomplish what you really desire. We may not always get what we want, but we have what we need. That is more than we can ask for.

Jan
15

Gangster Squad

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I had so much excitement and anticipation for this film when it was going to be released in theaters last year. You cannot help but think about the greats of the gangster genre, such as The Untouchables, L.A. Confidential, and Donnie Brasco to name a few. Those are greats that will always be remembered as the best of what Hollywood has to offer for mob and gangster films. In fact, I would be highly disappointed if in a few years time, we learn that there will be a modern adaptation or remake of any of those films. Yes, it is really all about producing the big bucks at the box office, but there are some films that are a part of history, and should be kept that way. Their ability to withstand the test of time, and to be considered great by many fans should tell you that it is a film that should not be disturbed. Why do I bring up the greats of the past of this genre? Well, quite frankly there are not as many great gangster movies being done currently, so when you are introduced to one that looks like it could have some good potential, if you are a fan of the genre, it is exciting to see. However, in this case, my high expectations of this film were not met.

When I think about gangster films, the expression of brains and brawn comes to mind. This mentality not only applies to the characters, but to the making of the film in general as well. For obvious reasons, gun shooting and violence is to be expected when you talk about a mob-gangster film. It is something that can very easily be done. It is very tragic and unfortunate for society to go through tragedies like the one in Connecticut not too long ago because of gun shooting. It shows that anyone can pick up a gun and be deadly with it. However, as it relates to film making, it takes a lot of skill to make gun shooting scenes with style. There is a big difference between overloading a film with gun-shooting scene, and leaving the audience with anticipation and curiosity for more. We all know that these types of scenes will create a lot of bang, explosions, action, and so forth. They have to potential to be very brawny, but at the same time, you have to ask yourself, what about the brains? To have one without the other would be a tremendous downfall. Ideally, you want to have an equal amount of both, but in this instance, there was too much brawn.

Regardless of the genre, character development is absolutely essential for a film’s success. The story is written on paper, and then it is up to the director and the actors to bring the story to life on the big screen. As talented and popular that an ensemble cast may be, there is only so much that they can do when they have a weak story to work with, and when their characters are not given the necessary time to develop. I like to think of it as three things that characters in a film need: past, present, and future. The audience needs to know their past in order to understand what these characters are doing now. As the film goes on, we start to develop curiosity for what will happen in the future for these characters. This is the type of intellectual and emotional connection that audiences should feel to the characters in films. Without those connections, you start to think more about how the film will end because you do not want to sit through it not caring about any of the characters. There are things that are sacrificed at times with ambitious film making, but character development is not one of those things that should be left out.

After watching this film, I think it is safe to say that not all directors have what it takes to succeed beyond the concentrations they have. Director Ruben Fleischer has had much more experience working on television series than films. That says a lot about the way this film turned out. I think it is admirable to see a director that is not so well-known in the film industry, to go bold with a film of this magnitude. When I say magnitude, I’m talking about the cast that he is working with. It is a very star-studded and popular cast. Not to mention that you are doing a film on the gangster genre that has a great collection of films in the past, and could use a great modern one to add to it. So I think the pressure is there from the fans that expect this film to be great. If you turn this film over to a director who has a great reputation for doing films under the gangster genre, then I think that this review would be going in an entirely different direction. While the presence of a villain, played by Sean Penn is clearly visible, there is still a strong lack of fear and intensity. Part of this has to do with the fact that the character development was not prioritized. With the great cast that Fleischer had to work with, it was a giant missed opportunity to do something great.

The stars were aligned for this film. Josh Brolin, who had the largest role of the cast, delivers a very convincing performance, but it is wasted by the lack of brains with this film. A smaller dedication to the brawn of this film, and everyone’s role in this film would be seen much differently. Sean Penn’s performance also comes up short because of the lack of depth in his character, and the film as a whole. For Ryan Gosling, he continues to do a good job of having variety with his roles. He has great potential to keep growing, and things can only keep going forward from here. The best part of this film, other than how visually splendid it looks, is the supporting cast. Nick Nolte, Robert Patrick, Michael Pena, Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony Mackie, and Emma Stone complete what is a very talented ensemble cast. Under the vision and direction of a different director, I think they would have all been used even better. Only time will tell if someone finds the motivation to work on another gangster genre film in the near future. If they can see the potential this film had to be good, then it may be sooner than later when someone tries to take a shot at this once again.

 

Jan
01

Django Unchained

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It is such a bittersweet feeling to say that this is the last review of 2012 on the site. There may be no time left to review films for this year, but we cannot deny that this has been an incredible year of movies! I could talk about my favorites all day, but that will come soon as I will post my best films of the year very shortly. As I look forward to 2013, it is hard to say that there will be another great year of movies quite like this one. It was a truly special year; in fact audiences set a new record of money earned at the box office this year. Over 10 films grossed over 200 million dollars. That just shows how many great films we had to choose from this year. I think that everyone has the expectation and excitement for films in 2013 to be even better than this year’s, but I trust that 2013 movies will be special in their own way. A lot of commentary has gone around about how not as many great films have been done in recent years, but this year’s films have definitely proved that statement wrong. Perhaps for the first time in a long time, I am anxious to get all the new releases that I watched in theaters on DVD. It is such a great feeling, and I cannot wait to see them again!

Given that Les Miserables and Django Unchained were released in theaters during the holiday season, I knew that I would be spending my time there! It would be difficult to make the time to see them and review them before the year is over, but I could not be happier that they would end this great year of films as we prepare for 2013. Despite the immediate award nominations that this film received for the Screen Actors Guild and Golden Globes award ceremonies, there was a bit of drama that was caused by comments made by director Spike Lee. He said that he found the film to be disrespectful to Black people, and that he had no intention of watching it. As a director himself, Lee may obviously have a different perspective of looking at Quentin Tarantino’s work in Django Unchained, but you really cannot judge a book by its cover so to speak. As it relates to movies, we cannot judge based on the trailers, synopsis, or reviews that we say. I have always said that films are a great visual art form that have a story to tell. So the best way to appreciate them is by watching them in their entirety, and commenting on them afterwards. Some may not like the films, others may love them. It is nearly impossible to please every single person, but we simply cannot judge a film before we have even seen it.

There was no doubt in my mind how much success this film would have in the minds of audiences and critics. Quentin Tarantino has already established himself as one of the best, and most respected directors in film. As the director of  great films such as the Kill Bill series, Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs, it seems pretty safe to believe that whatever Tarantino is directing will be very well done. This film is no different as it compares to the rest of his impressive work. What is most impressive is that he has been known to write and direct his films. It is already a difficult task to be recognized in film as one of the best directors out there, but to have the amazing ability to write the screenplay for a movie as well is even more admirable. Great writing is a gift that some people have been truly blessed to have. That is in reference to writing in general. Writing for films is a different story. When you think about the story that must be told, there is so much importance placed on how the story flows from the beginning to the end. So the writing should be clever and profound, but it should also be humorous when necessary. In this movie, Tarantino’s writing is all of that and more.

This is a film that can serve as a reminder of the role of slavery in this country. It definitely established the difference between superior and inferior people among races and classes, and it was around for a very long time. Tarantino deserves a lot of credit for the accurate portrayal of how people spoke, and how slaves were treated. They were far from being treated as equals to their owners, but once they were free, then their lives changed completely. Of course, how people went about seeking redemption back in those times is totally different from what is accepted in today’s society. If you think about it, it seems like it was a lot more common for people to carry a gun back then. Today, we are trying to come up with laws to establish gun control to strongly avoid tragedies such as those that happened in Connecticut from happening again. This is a topic that shows just how different life would really be for any of us if we lived our lives during the slave era before the Civil War began. Not only does it serve as a history lesson, but it also teaches us how far we have come to live a great lifestyle based on the hard work that we put in to live it.

It was not too long ago that Quentin Tarantino talked about retiring from the film industry that has seen him become one of the best at what he does. If that is the case, then this is a film that is an amazing reminder of the quality of work that he has done behind the cameras. We can only hope that we will continue to see more great films from him in the near future. The cast that he chose for this film is absolutely phenomenal. In the lead role, Jamie Foxx was simply outstanding. It is not a role that you see him doing, but his performance was so strong that you could almost believe that his performance was a very accurate portrayal of a real figure in history by the name of Django. Looking forward to seeing him in another film soon. Christoph Waltz was just as brilliant in his supporting role to Foxx. He may have been snubbed during the award ceremonies leading up to the Academy Awards, but his performance is definitely worthy of the recognition. I don’t think that I have ever seen Leonardo DiCaprio play the role of a villain, but was beyond convincing. Like his co-stars, his performance is also worthy of award recognition. Kerry Washington was simply beautiful and graceful in her role, and hopefully we will be seeing much more of her in other films. As usual, Samuel L. Jackson dazzled in his supporting role. He is the kind of actor that can be a cherry on top of great cast, which as you can see, was outstanding. As the last review of 2012, make no mistake, Django Unchained is also a movie you should go see in theaters now!

 

Dec
29

Les Miserables

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When I think of musicals, I think of classics such as The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and The Sound of Music. While the musical is not my favorite film genre, it is really hard not to appreciate its brilliance and art form on the big screen. Particularly when the cast is incredible, and the quality of the singing is phenomenal. The three musicals I mentioned before are considered great or classic because they have all withstood the test of time. They are fun to watch no matter how old you are, or when you see them. I think it is safe to say that they are films that you should watch at some point in your life. They all have that special family gathering feeling to them. As far as singing goes, the quality of it was taken to another level in this film. The voice is one of the strongest tools of expression that actors can use, and singing is another one. I would have loved to see this film done as a drama the way the most recent adaptation of the French novel was done in 1998. However, you can really appreciate the work of an actor even more when you hear them singing in a musical. The fact that so many adaptations of this story have been done in film and theater shows the importance of creativity and originality.

There are certain film franchises that never grow old in Hollywood. They are adapted and retold in different ways, and audiences will always show up at the theaters to see them on the big screen. One great example is the Batman franchise. This year we experienced the end of the amazing trilogy done by Christopher Nolan, but you can sense the excitement and expectation for more to come in the near future. You would think that you can only adapt a piece of work in so many ways, but when there is such fascination with a film’s story or characters, you like to see the story retold in film because of its message. If there is one reason why so many stories and novels are adapted to the screen, and adapted on so many occasions it is because of the everlasting message that they have to tell. Some may not think about this, but there is a reason why film adaptations and movies are released in theaters for the period of time that they can be seen. They simply will not be released for the sake of being seen. We are wrapping up the holiday season, so there is the hope that audiences can relate to the film’s message. A very heart-warming and beautiful message that may not be retold for awhile given the greatness of the film.

When you have such a strong ensemble cast like this film has, it may become easy to overlook the other aspects of the movie. However, the cinematography and music were absolutely incredible. Of course, the music is a very essential aspect when it comes to working on a musical, but it is good to acknowledge the great music that was presented throughout the film. Which leads to the important role of pace. From a director’s perspective, pace may be about whether they want the audience to wish that the film would continue, or to work with the pace within the time frame that has been done. Great pace in a musical is very important because you cannot count on the strength of a spoken performance by the actors. The film may not be done with the intent of making each musical piece better than the previous one, but there is always that expectation that everything will be great because the film is a musical. Not only was there great pace, but the singing was incredible from start to finish. This is one of those films where you are engaged in the film and you simply forget about time. You just want to enjoy the movie in its entirety, so as an audience, you cannot ask for more when that happens!

The most telling message that I take from this film is that it is not about how you start and live your life, it is about how you turn things around when it matters most. We live in a society that is very quick to judge others based on their first impressions or actions. As a result, trust, respect, and love is hard to earn and even harder to gain back when it is lost. There is also a constant belief that once someone does something that is out of order, they will continue to do those things for the rest of their life. While actions speak louder than words, this film also reminds us about how important it is to value the human spirit! When put to good use and for a good cause, there is nothing stronger than positive human spirit. There will always be challenges, hate, and opposition to overcome, but the human spirit can easily defeat all of that when you simply believe in yourself. The belief that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it is very true. We all attract what our mind thinks, it is that simple.

It has been said that Hugh Jackman had a three-hour audition for the role of Jean Valjean. After watching this film, you will see how this great Aussie actor was a great fit for the lead character.  I have heard of his success singing on Broadway, and I still remember his great musical performance that started the Academy Awards a few years ago. I hope to see Jackman among the actors nominated for best actor at the Oscar’s next year as he delivered such a brilliant and graceful performance. His supporting cast was nothing short of spectacular; beginning with Anne Hathaway. We all know that she is an amazing actress, but now I know that she has such an amazing for singing as well. I never would have imagined seeing Russell Crowe in a musical, but he definitely dazzled and surprised in his role. Like Jackman, he proved to be a perfect fit to play the role of Javert. The group of supporting actors that included Amanda Seyfried, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter and Eddie Redmayne added such great depth to an all ready star-studded cast. They were all directed by the brilliant, visionary work of Tom Hooper. It is his second consecutive film that will surely receive award recognition at the Oscar’s. As this year comes to an end, be sure to check out Les Miserables at the movie theater!

Dec
26

Moonrise Kingdom

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Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all! Watching this film last night reminded me of how little time we have left to watch this year’s films before it’s over next week. I’m already planning on seeing Les Miserables, Django Unchained, and Life of Pi this week. However, there are still some great films that I have not had the opportunity to see, such as Moonrise Kingdom. Despite the pressure I feel to watch all these films before the year is over, it is a very exhilarating feeling. How often can you say that you have five movies in the span of two days? Perhaps some of you can when the weather is not very cooperative, and you are stuck at home watching movies for most of the day. What I am talking about are new release movies though, so that makes it a little more difficult to do, but I am so up to the task. It makes my post of my top 10 films of the year that much more exciting. If you have ever made that list before, you know it is rather easy to list your top 15 or 20 movies, but when you pick your top 10, it can be more challenging, but rewarding to see your favorite films of the year. Moonrise Kingdom is a film that belongs on that list.

It is a beautiful feeling to watch a film that is different. There are so many movies that you may watch throughout the year, but every once in awhile, there is one that happens to strike your interest in a different way when you watch it. The outstanding praise and commentary that I have heard from others about this movie really had an influence on my decision to watch it last night. When the reviews and commentary are so positive, then the chances are that I will really enjoy the film. I sure did. A big reason for that is how it simply went above and beyond my expectations. That is the beauty of watching a movie that is very different from the rest that you have seen. Once you have seen a great number of films this year, then you understand what I mean about the film being different. Perhaps you have not seen anything like it, but if you have, you know that you have not seen that type of film making in some time. The combination of comedy and drama in the film may have something to do with the different perception of it. As simple as it sounds, it really does take great vision and directing to make that combination special.

The dialogue and pace of the film are the other two big factors. I have always thought that if those two aspects are done brilliantly, then it does not matter what the genre of film is. More often than not, it will be a movie that I will enjoy. I have not seen enough silent films to appreciate the other elements of film making on another level, but great pace and dialogue are what the best films have in common. It has a very intelligent script that provokes deep thought, but more importantly in terms of entertainment, it is funny. As an art form, films should be made to provoke thoughts and feelings in the audience. If they do not fulfill that purpose, then it only begs the question of why it was done? You may not be able to interact with a movie the way you can with stage actors, but the positive thoughts and feelings that are going through your mind make your experience watching the movie that much more enjoyable. Once again, to make a point that always seems to be true, laughter is important for a film’s success. Even the most dramatic films have instances where you may find yourself having a light laugh. Although it may be a light laugh, the fact that it provoked you enough to laugh is something that you never forget.

The strongest point that I can take from this beautiful film is its message about the power of free will. We all have that power in us to do what we choose. Of course, we must always be accountable and responsible for our actions, but it feels good to pursue what you desire without any fear or hesitation. If you have a plan, you have to do what you can to make sure that your plan works successfully. You do it because you have to follow what your heart and mind want, and it always helps to know that there is someone else who shares that same dream as you. There are many people who will tell you what is right and wrong, but ultimately, it is you who will make the decisions for yourself. The older we get, the tougher it becomes to live with the decisions that we have made. Life is simply too short to live if you do not challenge yourself and take risks that are not life threatening, but exciting to overcome. There is nothing worse than looking back on your life and feeling disappointed about something that you failed to do. So if you believe in your dreams, dream big and never let those dreams die because they can very well happen for you.

This is the first film that I have seen directed by Wes Anderson, and it was impressive work. So I’m very excited to see what other films he will direct in the near future. The actors chosen for the supporting roles were simply outstanding. Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, and Frances McDormand were all graceful and outstanding in their performances. Their collective work just leaves you with that feeling of wanting to see the film, or another one quite like it again. Having said that, the two stars who really stole the spotlight in this movie were Kara Hayward and Jared Gilman. It was the first film for both of these young actors that will surely be rising sooner than later. They were brilliant in their screen time together, but they also shined on screen individually. That is a very remarkable achievement given that it is the first movie that either of them have been in. It is good to see this new and young group of talented actors that are making their presence known in great films such as this one. There is no mistake about it. You must add Moonrise Kingdom to a must-see movie list that continues to grow!