Based on the life J. Edgar Hoover,director of the FBI from 1935 until his death in 1972,this movie is set for release in November.Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Leonardo Di Caprio as J. Edgar Hoover,this movie will probably be an Academy Award contender in several categories.
J. Edgar Hoover remained one one of the most powerful men in Washington throughout his career as FBI director.He is an enigma;credited on one hand with making the FBI a well respected and effective crime fighting agency while feared by many for his secret files on the politically powerful and other public figures of note.
I think this will be one of the most interesting and powerful films of the year.
Julie
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Sarah's Key
Directed by--Gilles Paquet-Brenner
Julia Jarmond--Kristin Scott-Thomas
Sarah (age 10)--Melusine Mayance
William Rainsferd--Aidan Quinn
Let me start this review with a warning.If you are looking for an easy viewing movie for simple entertainment then this is not the one.This is a very serious movie about a little known aspect of the Holocaust and it has a number of disturbing scenes.Although the characters are fictional,the historical event within which the story occurs was not.
This movie has a dual quest.Two time lines and two stories told in parallel, interlaced but related and ultimately blending to form the whole.
Young Sarah,a ten year old Jewish girl,lives in Nazi occupied Paris in 1942 with her parents and younger brother.The French police, willingly cooperating with the Nazis it seems,start a purge and roundup of Jews in Paris.They are removed from their homes and sent to camps.Ultimately they meet the same tragic fate as so many other Jews in World War II.
When the French police arrive at the home of Sarah's family,Sarah,intent on protecting her brother,locks him in a bedroom cupboard and keeps the key hidden.She is sure she will return witin three days to rescue him.Sarah's mother,reeling from the sudden arrival of the police,goes along with Sarah's lie.The French police have also lied,claiming the family will only be temporarily relocated for three days.
The film moves to 2009,where Julia Jarmond,an American born journalist and her French husband,an ambitious businessman, live and work in Paris.Julia is researching the tragic event of 1942 that forcibly removed 70,000 Jews from Paris and sent them to their deaths.She intends to write an article for her publication about the event.
The film shifts from the events of 1942 with Sarah;then back to Julia in 2009.The alternating story lines increasingly relate to each other,creating a complex montage of characters and events that reveal the fierce struggle of the two main characters of this film.Sarah's struggle to save her brother is symbolized by her key.Julia's struggle reveals her unequivocal devotion to the truth.
About half of the film is in French so be prepared for English subtitles.
Kristin Scott Thomas is wonderful as Julia and the young French actress,Melusine Mayance,is absolutely amazing as Sarah.The performance of all the cast members brilliantly contributes to this film.
This is a very complex film,filled with irony and intense emotion.The conclusion of the film is stunning.Bring tissue.
This film is rated PG-13.It could be really disturbing to some children.
I give this film an A.
Julie
Julia Jarmond--Kristin Scott-Thomas
Sarah (age 10)--Melusine Mayance
William Rainsferd--Aidan Quinn
Let me start this review with a warning.If you are looking for an easy viewing movie for simple entertainment then this is not the one.This is a very serious movie about a little known aspect of the Holocaust and it has a number of disturbing scenes.Although the characters are fictional,the historical event within which the story occurs was not.
This movie has a dual quest.Two time lines and two stories told in parallel, interlaced but related and ultimately blending to form the whole.
Young Sarah,a ten year old Jewish girl,lives in Nazi occupied Paris in 1942 with her parents and younger brother.The French police, willingly cooperating with the Nazis it seems,start a purge and roundup of Jews in Paris.They are removed from their homes and sent to camps.Ultimately they meet the same tragic fate as so many other Jews in World War II.
When the French police arrive at the home of Sarah's family,Sarah,intent on protecting her brother,locks him in a bedroom cupboard and keeps the key hidden.She is sure she will return witin three days to rescue him.Sarah's mother,reeling from the sudden arrival of the police,goes along with Sarah's lie.The French police have also lied,claiming the family will only be temporarily relocated for three days.
The film moves to 2009,where Julia Jarmond,an American born journalist and her French husband,an ambitious businessman, live and work in Paris.Julia is researching the tragic event of 1942 that forcibly removed 70,000 Jews from Paris and sent them to their deaths.She intends to write an article for her publication about the event.
The film shifts from the events of 1942 with Sarah;then back to Julia in 2009.The alternating story lines increasingly relate to each other,creating a complex montage of characters and events that reveal the fierce struggle of the two main characters of this film.Sarah's struggle to save her brother is symbolized by her key.Julia's struggle reveals her unequivocal devotion to the truth.
About half of the film is in French so be prepared for English subtitles.
Kristin Scott Thomas is wonderful as Julia and the young French actress,Melusine Mayance,is absolutely amazing as Sarah.The performance of all the cast members brilliantly contributes to this film.
This is a very complex film,filled with irony and intense emotion.The conclusion of the film is stunning.Bring tissue.
This film is rated PG-13.It could be really disturbing to some children.
I give this film an A.
Julie
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Formula for a good action movie
"Rescue the damsel in distress, kill the bad guys, save the world" --an actual line from one of the Mummy movies of around 1999-2001;spoken by Brendan Fraser.If you think about it,practically every good action movie has these basic elements.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
More Than One Drought
As everyone knows, there has been a shortage of rain here in Texas. I think that's not the only drought however. The big screen releases of the last few weeks offer precious little in any promising movie entertainment.The trailers I have seen when I was at some of the movies I have already reviewed showed little hope of a good movie evolving from their highlight scenes. I hope I can find an independent movie somewhere soon that would be a possible choice to see and review.
Julie
Julie
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Cowboys and Aliens
Directed by--Jon Favreau
Jake Lonergan--Daniel Craig
Col. Woodrow Dolarhyde--Harrison Ford
Ella--Olivia Wilde
Cowboys and Aliens is an interesting concept for a movie and when I first saw the trailer for this movie I knew I would go see it.Sometimes though the promise of the trailer does not develop into the movie we hope to see.This is the case with Cowboys and Aliens.
The mood of the Old West was nicely set in a haunting opening scene and we are captivated by the stranger who knows not his name or from where he came.He awakes with an unusual bracelet firmly attached to his arm and despite his loss of memory he is self assured and seemingly in full control of the powers of his magical bracelet.
Making his way into the town of Absolution,Arizona Territory circa the late 1800's,he is met with less than a friendly welcome.One woman,Ella, is very interested in his presense and his unusual arm bracelet.She crudely assists in his capture,assuring herself that he will stay in town.
The sheriff has other ideas and quickly arranges for Jake Lonergan (our stranger who has now been identified by a wanted poster) to be transported for trial for crimes he has committed with his gang of outlaws.Also being transported with Jake is Col. Woodrow Dolarhydes son who managed to shoot a citizen of the town while he was confronting Jake on his arrival into town.The rough hewn Col. Dolarhyde is none too pleased that his iron grip on the town is being challenged and his son has been placed in a paddy wagon to be transported for trial with Jake.
Suddenly the aliens arrive in strange flying craft,blasting town buildings and citizens with powerful light beams and lassoing some citizens to be hauled to their secret lair.Six shooters and rifles have little effect on the "demon" interlopers and it is only when Jake escapes the paddy wagon after a light beam blasts a hole in it that we see the true power of the bracelet as he takes aim with it,blasting alien craft from the sky.
The importance of Jake and his non-removable bracelet is instantly apparent to the townsfolk and to Col. Dolarhyde whose son has been lassoed by the "demons." Soon the townsfolk,Col. Dolarhyde and his men,Jake,and the mysterious loner Ella set off to locate the aliens and rescue their people.As you can see the story has already become quite complex and this seems to slow the pace of the movie.
The complexity grows as the group encounters Jake's old gang of outlaws and a tribe of Indians while enroute to their encounter with the aliens.They ultimately must work together to rid the world of these gruesome creatures.What have the creatures come for ? Ella knows and you will too if you see the movie.
I think that a significant weak point of the script is that the aliens have no apparent leader and they seem to be more like an ant colony than an alien civilization.I'll elaborate on this notion a bit and give an example of why an antagonistic face to the threat of an enemy coalesces story form.Think of the movie "Star Wars." What would The Empire be without Darth Vader ?
So our story moves toward conclusion, abeit slowly, having lost energy dragging around flashbacks and backstory like a literary ball and chain.A good start,a muddy middle and a somewhat lackluster end make this mega million effort less than it could have been.I give it a C.
Julie
Jake Lonergan--Daniel Craig
Col. Woodrow Dolarhyde--Harrison Ford
Ella--Olivia Wilde
Cowboys and Aliens is an interesting concept for a movie and when I first saw the trailer for this movie I knew I would go see it.Sometimes though the promise of the trailer does not develop into the movie we hope to see.This is the case with Cowboys and Aliens.
The mood of the Old West was nicely set in a haunting opening scene and we are captivated by the stranger who knows not his name or from where he came.He awakes with an unusual bracelet firmly attached to his arm and despite his loss of memory he is self assured and seemingly in full control of the powers of his magical bracelet.
Making his way into the town of Absolution,Arizona Territory circa the late 1800's,he is met with less than a friendly welcome.One woman,Ella, is very interested in his presense and his unusual arm bracelet.She crudely assists in his capture,assuring herself that he will stay in town.
The sheriff has other ideas and quickly arranges for Jake Lonergan (our stranger who has now been identified by a wanted poster) to be transported for trial for crimes he has committed with his gang of outlaws.Also being transported with Jake is Col. Woodrow Dolarhydes son who managed to shoot a citizen of the town while he was confronting Jake on his arrival into town.The rough hewn Col. Dolarhyde is none too pleased that his iron grip on the town is being challenged and his son has been placed in a paddy wagon to be transported for trial with Jake.
Suddenly the aliens arrive in strange flying craft,blasting town buildings and citizens with powerful light beams and lassoing some citizens to be hauled to their secret lair.Six shooters and rifles have little effect on the "demon" interlopers and it is only when Jake escapes the paddy wagon after a light beam blasts a hole in it that we see the true power of the bracelet as he takes aim with it,blasting alien craft from the sky.
The importance of Jake and his non-removable bracelet is instantly apparent to the townsfolk and to Col. Dolarhyde whose son has been lassoed by the "demons." Soon the townsfolk,Col. Dolarhyde and his men,Jake,and the mysterious loner Ella set off to locate the aliens and rescue their people.As you can see the story has already become quite complex and this seems to slow the pace of the movie.
The complexity grows as the group encounters Jake's old gang of outlaws and a tribe of Indians while enroute to their encounter with the aliens.They ultimately must work together to rid the world of these gruesome creatures.What have the creatures come for ? Ella knows and you will too if you see the movie.
I think that a significant weak point of the script is that the aliens have no apparent leader and they seem to be more like an ant colony than an alien civilization.I'll elaborate on this notion a bit and give an example of why an antagonistic face to the threat of an enemy coalesces story form.Think of the movie "Star Wars." What would The Empire be without Darth Vader ?
So our story moves toward conclusion, abeit slowly, having lost energy dragging around flashbacks and backstory like a literary ball and chain.A good start,a muddy middle and a somewhat lackluster end make this mega million effort less than it could have been.I give it a C.
Julie
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Captain America:The First Avenger
Directed by-Joe Johnston
Chris Evans--Steve Rogers/Captain America
Hayley Atwell--Peggy Carter
Tommy Lee Jones--Colonel Chester Phillips
Hugo Weaving--Johann Schmidt/Red Skull
Captain America shoots straight;both the character himself and the story line.Good and evil are clearly defined in this comic book inspired sci/fi,action film.I wondered how yet another film based on a comic book would be of any reasonable interest to movie goers but I must say I was pleasantly surprised.The story and characters are simple but the execution of the story maintains a pleasant and interesting pace that draws us into the quest of our characters and holds our interest.
This movie is a period piece that introduces us to the origin of Captain America.The conflict of World War II serves as the historic backdrop to produce soldiers of enhanced capability as America looks for an edge to win the war.A program to produce super soldiers is developed but of course intrigue beyond the mere implementation of the program leads to the singular being who is Captain America.
As the story unfolds,it is of course,inevitable that Captain America encounter a villain of capabilities to suitably challenge his presence.This is provided in the German counterpart of Captain America, Colonel Schmidt AKA Red Skull.
Despite initially being relegrated to the status of a recruitment tool,Captain America's sense of duty eventually must bring him into the ultimate confrontation with Red Skull and his minions of doom.
Romance with Peggy Carter and a bit of friction between Captain America and the commander of the disbanded super soldier program,Colonel Phillips,round out the story.
I saw this movie in 2D but it is obvious that some of the scenes were filmed for maximum 3D effect.The movie is available in 3D at many theaters.
The movie is rated PG-13 due to some scenes of violence but I think it is OK for most young people to see.The movie portrays America and Americans in a positive manner; a sentiment not often seen in many recent Hollywood offerings.
I give this movie a B.Pretty good for a movie based on a comic book character.
Julie
Chris Evans--Steve Rogers/Captain America
Hayley Atwell--Peggy Carter
Tommy Lee Jones--Colonel Chester Phillips
Hugo Weaving--Johann Schmidt/Red Skull
Captain America shoots straight;both the character himself and the story line.Good and evil are clearly defined in this comic book inspired sci/fi,action film.I wondered how yet another film based on a comic book would be of any reasonable interest to movie goers but I must say I was pleasantly surprised.The story and characters are simple but the execution of the story maintains a pleasant and interesting pace that draws us into the quest of our characters and holds our interest.
This movie is a period piece that introduces us to the origin of Captain America.The conflict of World War II serves as the historic backdrop to produce soldiers of enhanced capability as America looks for an edge to win the war.A program to produce super soldiers is developed but of course intrigue beyond the mere implementation of the program leads to the singular being who is Captain America.
As the story unfolds,it is of course,inevitable that Captain America encounter a villain of capabilities to suitably challenge his presence.This is provided in the German counterpart of Captain America, Colonel Schmidt AKA Red Skull.
Despite initially being relegrated to the status of a recruitment tool,Captain America's sense of duty eventually must bring him into the ultimate confrontation with Red Skull and his minions of doom.
Romance with Peggy Carter and a bit of friction between Captain America and the commander of the disbanded super soldier program,Colonel Phillips,round out the story.
I saw this movie in 2D but it is obvious that some of the scenes were filmed for maximum 3D effect.The movie is available in 3D at many theaters.
The movie is rated PG-13 due to some scenes of violence but I think it is OK for most young people to see.The movie portrays America and Americans in a positive manner; a sentiment not often seen in many recent Hollywood offerings.
I give this movie a B.Pretty good for a movie based on a comic book character.
Julie
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Upcoming movie reviews
Look for my reviews on "Captain America" and "Cowboys and Aliens" ; coming soon.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Comments on movie blog
I was just looking over my settings page on my blog when I found that the default setting to comment required the reader to be a member of google blogger.I have changed this so that any of my blog readers can now post a comment.Thanks.
Julie
Julie
Monday, July 18, 2011
Pirate Radio
This movie is a period piece set in the mid 1960's.The movie is about a pirate radio ship broadcasting 24/7 off the coast of England to eager listeners wanting to hear rock & roll music; music that the BBC of that time esentially ignored.
Starring Phillip Seymor Hoffman,as a good natured American DJ,and Kenneth Brannaugh,as the British government official intent on shutting down this percieved threat to English dignity,good taste and morality,the movie covers the antics,lives and loves of a motley band of intrepid broadcasters intent on providing the English public their daily dose of rock & roll.
The script meanders through multiple story lines as it interlaces a wonderful sound track of mid 60's top 40 style music.This is snapshot of the tone of the time both literally and metaphorically.If you lived through the history and music of this era, you will detect the shift from the harmonizing love,surf and car songs of the early to mid 60's to the more psychedelic and moody songs that somewhat lead to the approaching "metal sounds of the 70's and 80's.
This movie made a brief run at the big screen before being quietly moved to DVD and movie channels where it can be found today.Enjoy this movie for what it is; a light hearted look at our musical past.
I give this movie a C+.
Julie
Starring Phillip Seymor Hoffman,as a good natured American DJ,and Kenneth Brannaugh,as the British government official intent on shutting down this percieved threat to English dignity,good taste and morality,the movie covers the antics,lives and loves of a motley band of intrepid broadcasters intent on providing the English public their daily dose of rock & roll.
The script meanders through multiple story lines as it interlaces a wonderful sound track of mid 60's top 40 style music.This is snapshot of the tone of the time both literally and metaphorically.If you lived through the history and music of this era, you will detect the shift from the harmonizing love,surf and car songs of the early to mid 60's to the more psychedelic and moody songs that somewhat lead to the approaching "metal sounds of the 70's and 80's.
This movie made a brief run at the big screen before being quietly moved to DVD and movie channels where it can be found today.Enjoy this movie for what it is; a light hearted look at our musical past.
I give this movie a C+.
Julie
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Assassination Tango
This gritty piece is filmed primarily in Buenos Aires,Argentina.Tango is the backdrop along with the city of Buenos Aires itself for this movie.This film is written and directed by Robert Duvall.Duvall also plays the central character John J.Anderson.
Anderson leads a double life as assassin and businessman/father figure.Anderson is ready to end this dichotomy and settle comfortably with his new love,played by Kathy Baker and her daughter.His booking agent for his assassin jobs offers him one more very lucrative "3-day" hit in Argentina.He agrees to do it.
Three days turns into three weeks and Anderson discovers a Tango school connected with the boxing gym that is the front for his nefarious activities.He is smitten with the dance and his dance teacher and he interlaces his planning of the hit with dance lessons and an exploration of the Tango lifestyle.
The tension of the Tango in performance and style serves as metaphor for John Anderson and vice versa.Duvall as writer/director portrays an inner dichotomy of spirit that may be present to a greater or lesser degree in each of us.
To fully enjoy this movie,you must be open to the pace that a character study style as used here invokes to move the story.The frenetic pace of todays movies is not present in this film despite moments of tension.
I give this movie a C+.It is about 10 years old so you will have to search for it on DVD,Netflix or cable movie channels.
Anderson leads a double life as assassin and businessman/father figure.Anderson is ready to end this dichotomy and settle comfortably with his new love,played by Kathy Baker and her daughter.His booking agent for his assassin jobs offers him one more very lucrative "3-day" hit in Argentina.He agrees to do it.
Three days turns into three weeks and Anderson discovers a Tango school connected with the boxing gym that is the front for his nefarious activities.He is smitten with the dance and his dance teacher and he interlaces his planning of the hit with dance lessons and an exploration of the Tango lifestyle.
The tension of the Tango in performance and style serves as metaphor for John Anderson and vice versa.Duvall as writer/director portrays an inner dichotomy of spirit that may be present to a greater or lesser degree in each of us.
To fully enjoy this movie,you must be open to the pace that a character study style as used here invokes to move the story.The frenetic pace of todays movies is not present in this film despite moments of tension.
I give this movie a C+.It is about 10 years old so you will have to search for it on DVD,Netflix or cable movie channels.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Horrible Bosses
Risque to say the least; this comedy richly deserves it's R rating.This movie is dripping with sexual innuendo,direct sexual suggestion and language that would make a sailor blush.
Nick(Jason Bateman),Dale(Charlie Day) and Kurt( Jason Sudeikis) are good friends and drinking buddies who coincidentally have the same basic problem.They each have a really horrible boss.
Their worsening work environments are shared over drinks at their favorite bar and a collective boiling point occurs; beginning the mayhem and irony that fuels a non stop comic romp.Their bosses: Dave(Kevin Spacy),Dr. Julia(Jennifer Anniston) and Bobby(Colin Farrell) cause relentless grief for our hapless trio of friends.What to do?
There are numerous laughs as our characters hatch their plot and we roll towards resolution-- or not.
I thought this movie was funny but for sure it is raucous and racy so if you get uptight about things like this you better skip it.Definitely not for the kiddos.I give this one C+.
Julie
Nick(Jason Bateman),Dale(Charlie Day) and Kurt( Jason Sudeikis) are good friends and drinking buddies who coincidentally have the same basic problem.They each have a really horrible boss.
Their worsening work environments are shared over drinks at their favorite bar and a collective boiling point occurs; beginning the mayhem and irony that fuels a non stop comic romp.Their bosses: Dave(Kevin Spacy),Dr. Julia(Jennifer Anniston) and Bobby(Colin Farrell) cause relentless grief for our hapless trio of friends.What to do?
There are numerous laughs as our characters hatch their plot and we roll towards resolution-- or not.
I thought this movie was funny but for sure it is raucous and racy so if you get uptight about things like this you better skip it.Definitely not for the kiddos.I give this one C+.
Julie
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Midnight in Paris
This is the best movie I have seen so far this summer.Written and directed by Woody Allen and starring Owen Wilson,Rachel McAdams and the French Actress,Marion Cotillard as the central characters, we are given a tour of Paris that is most imaginative.Since Woody Allen is in my opinion one of the masters of ensemble film work there is of course no shortage of talent in support of our main characters.
Owen Wilson plays Gil Pender,a successful Hollywood screenwriter,in Paris on his future in-laws dime with his fiance Inez,played by Rachel McAdams.
Gils big dream is to write a novel and in fact he already has the majority of his manuscript ready.Inez,her parents and two friends, think Gil's desire to live and write in Paris is a hopeless delusion.The two friends by "happy coincidence" appear in Paris at the same time as Gil,Inez and her parents.
Not surprisingly,Gil does not fit in with the aforementioned group and begins a series of late night walks to lament his feeling that he has been "born too soon" and has missed the "Golden Age" of the 1920's where great writers,artists and poets commiserated in a fabulous time of great artistic achievement.Perhaps some of the magic will rub off on him.The clock strikes Midnight;the magic begins.
No special effects here-just pure imagination;a seamless progression of story in a most unusual way.Do you know of the artists and writers who have lived and worked in Paris?If you do,you will enjoy this movie all the more.
I give this movie an A-.I really enjoyed it !
Owen Wilson plays Gil Pender,a successful Hollywood screenwriter,in Paris on his future in-laws dime with his fiance Inez,played by Rachel McAdams.
Gils big dream is to write a novel and in fact he already has the majority of his manuscript ready.Inez,her parents and two friends, think Gil's desire to live and write in Paris is a hopeless delusion.The two friends by "happy coincidence" appear in Paris at the same time as Gil,Inez and her parents.
Not surprisingly,Gil does not fit in with the aforementioned group and begins a series of late night walks to lament his feeling that he has been "born too soon" and has missed the "Golden Age" of the 1920's where great writers,artists and poets commiserated in a fabulous time of great artistic achievement.Perhaps some of the magic will rub off on him.The clock strikes Midnight;the magic begins.
No special effects here-just pure imagination;a seamless progression of story in a most unusual way.Do you know of the artists and writers who have lived and worked in Paris?If you do,you will enjoy this movie all the more.
I give this movie an A-.I really enjoyed it !
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Favorite Directors--a work in progress
- Clint Eastwood
- Martin Scorsese
- Stanley Kubrick
- Billy Wilder
- Orson Welles
- Steven Speilberg
- Darren Aronofsky
- John Sayles
- Woody Allen
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Green Lantern
Spacy; In more ways than one.The story is about an elite intergalactic corps dedicated to fighting evil throughout the universe.The holes in the story,however, leave enough space to fit a galaxy or two.I suppose this is what can happen when you have multiple screenwriters adapting a screenplay from a comic book.
Ryan Reynolds plays Hal Jordan/Green Lantern,the reluctant hero who has been chosen by "the ring" to save not only earth but the entire universe.In his life prior to being chosen by "the ring" he is a highly talented but somewhat irresponsible test pilot.Then the ring thing happens and he finds he must act without fear to save the universe.
Blake Lively plays the daughter of Hal Jordans boss at the aeronautics company he works for and she is also a fellow pilot and love interest.
The story jumps back and forth in an intergalactic ping pong of story bits between earth and the gathering place of Green Lanterns.Hal Jordan eventually embraces his new skills making all well with the mess on earth and destroying the fear monster.
I did not see the 3D version so I probably missed the full impact of the glowing green suits and other video scenes meant to showcase 3D.
I would not recommend bringing small children to this movie.Some of the strange creatures and the intense scenes might give them nightmares.
This story has the basic elements of a screeenplay but they just don't connect in an effective way.
The best I can give this movie is a C-. If special effects are what you are looking for the 3D version may be your cup of tea but if you need a movie with more story you will go away hungry.
Julie
Ryan Reynolds plays Hal Jordan/Green Lantern,the reluctant hero who has been chosen by "the ring" to save not only earth but the entire universe.In his life prior to being chosen by "the ring" he is a highly talented but somewhat irresponsible test pilot.Then the ring thing happens and he finds he must act without fear to save the universe.
Blake Lively plays the daughter of Hal Jordans boss at the aeronautics company he works for and she is also a fellow pilot and love interest.
The story jumps back and forth in an intergalactic ping pong of story bits between earth and the gathering place of Green Lanterns.Hal Jordan eventually embraces his new skills making all well with the mess on earth and destroying the fear monster.
I did not see the 3D version so I probably missed the full impact of the glowing green suits and other video scenes meant to showcase 3D.
I would not recommend bringing small children to this movie.Some of the strange creatures and the intense scenes might give them nightmares.
This story has the basic elements of a screeenplay but they just don't connect in an effective way.
The best I can give this movie is a C-. If special effects are what you are looking for the 3D version may be your cup of tea but if you need a movie with more story you will go away hungry.
Julie
Monday, June 13, 2011
Super 8
Kids saving the world! Happens all the time-at least in Hollywood.
So here we go again but at least this time the kids do not have magical powers that allow them to wreak havoc on all manner of bizzare enemies out to take over the world.
Written and directed by J.J.Abrams, this sci fi / action film makes liberal use of special effects as it races to the final meltdown scenes.A story emerges from the rubble and ruin of contiguous catastrophe of a close knit band of filmaker kids who are at once immersed in the overall story while filming their own Super 8 masterpiece.
The essence of Steven Speilberg literally permeates this film.Think Alien meets Jurrassic Park meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind meets E T. OK,I don't think Speilberg did Alien but he is a producer on this one and if you have seen his films you will know his work.
Overall this is an enjoyable movie,a few bad words and some references to marijuana pushed the rating out to PG 13.
The young cast that form the central ensemble of this movie work well together, relegating the adult cast as just so much window dressing and back story to highlight their adventure.Enjoy the film ! I give it a C+.
Julie
So here we go again but at least this time the kids do not have magical powers that allow them to wreak havoc on all manner of bizzare enemies out to take over the world.
Written and directed by J.J.Abrams, this sci fi / action film makes liberal use of special effects as it races to the final meltdown scenes.A story emerges from the rubble and ruin of contiguous catastrophe of a close knit band of filmaker kids who are at once immersed in the overall story while filming their own Super 8 masterpiece.
The essence of Steven Speilberg literally permeates this film.Think Alien meets Jurrassic Park meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind meets E T. OK,I don't think Speilberg did Alien but he is a producer on this one and if you have seen his films you will know his work.
Overall this is an enjoyable movie,a few bad words and some references to marijuana pushed the rating out to PG 13.
The young cast that form the central ensemble of this movie work well together, relegating the adult cast as just so much window dressing and back story to highlight their adventure.Enjoy the film ! I give it a C+.
Julie
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Welcome to my Movie Blog
Hi Movie Fans !
Thanks for visiting my blog.I love movies and I want to share my movie experiences with you.I like movies on the big screen but I also like checking out movie classics on TV and DVD.
I'll review current box office choices,movies of the last decade or so and what I consider some of the true film classics.
I check out the trailers when I go to the movies and I only pick the ones that hold at least some reasonable promise of entertainment and story value as my next movie experience.
I will be posting on some recent films soon.
Rolling ! Action ! Julie
Thanks for visiting my blog.I love movies and I want to share my movie experiences with you.I like movies on the big screen but I also like checking out movie classics on TV and DVD.
I'll review current box office choices,movies of the last decade or so and what I consider some of the true film classics.
I check out the trailers when I go to the movies and I only pick the ones that hold at least some reasonable promise of entertainment and story value as my next movie experience.
I will be posting on some recent films soon.
Rolling ! Action ! Julie
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