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HOBBIT Part 3: The battle of the five armies

January 4, 2015October 25, 20152 Comments

Think what you will about Peter Jackson and the Hobbitization of our current Middle Earth. He has Tolkeinized, making the author a current household name. His final final installment is so very…full. Mr. Jackson has been carrying the Ring for quite a while now, and all viewers, no matter how devout, can see that it’s begun to overtake him. It’s become a bit too precious to him and he…how can I say it delicately?…he Jar Jar’d the last Hobbit. It hasn’t been so terribly long since Hobbit the 2nd, and I kept wondering why Gandalf was caged like he was in Rings and how he got there and when the eagles would show up to save him. How much did we miss that there was suddenly “real love” between the dwarf and Kate from Lost? Why is Bilbo never hungry? And why didn’t we “desolate” Smaug in the 2nd by that title rather than pick up with the grimacing dragonslaying dad in prison and the town on fire. In the last year, I’ve had time to forgive Benedict Cumberbach. Sure, he played a mean Kahn, but he did win the 2nd world war with his math skills. Wait…

Despite the anticlimactic opener and Jackson’s forgivable faux pas(s), the wonderment and fantasy remained. The harmony of nature- it’s beasts of the realm and the dominion of Elves and Dwarves and Men. All rage and thirst and crave. All wield and sway and fight with proper swagger. All align forces to dispell and dissuade the Orc evils and their foes.

One of my students recently told me he has trouble ending his stories. My mother can never wait out the suspense; she reads the endings first. All stories must come to an end. And, Peter Jackson is a man who loves endings and resolve so much that he often offers twelve or more. You will feel the need to dust off the old LOTR extended editions.

Stories like Tolkein’s Hobbit allow each of us to become a dragonslayer in our own right. I want to live a good story and write stories with worthy endings. I like to think that all endings deserve the poetic excitement that Peter Jackson is so very famous for. If you saw the others, you must finish the saga which Jackson attempted to wrap up with a bow of Elvish rope carried atop a reindeer steed…just in time for Christmas.

MOCKINGJAY PART ONE (2014) movie review

December 8, 2014October 25, 2015Leave a comment

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, as the truism states. I’m starting to understand the genius and momentum of the Hunger Games series. Suzanne Collins’s art does imitate life in that the reign of the Capital and it’s king mimics most historically dogmatic despotic dictatorships. “Moves and counter moves.” I’ve been told that her stroke of brilliance in the books was her use of first person narrative. Every reader’s point of view is through the eyes of Katniss making each reader the hero or heroine of the story. She is the symbol as Mockingjay, but is she savior or pawn? Well titled, well layered, well played. James Newton Howard’s score in this sets the tone, pacing it out to steady build and crescendo. Effie’s delightfully upbeat ignorance mirrors Haymitch’s comical cynicism – both necessary relief in a film about a holocaust which leads to civil war. Once again, these are not lightweight kid flicks. Children should not see them. No one should feel comfortable in theater seats as witness to mind control and murder. The scenes with Peeta are shocking and heartbreaking.This film is a mere echo of true historical events. Life, and art’s echo. No character demonstrates this more beautifully than Plutarch, played by Philip Seymor Hoffman, who has posthumously released a succession of brilliant performances. His premature death reeks of tragedy. Hoffman’s talent was a gift. He is uniquely comfortable on screen. Immersed in his broken characters, he always stole the stage, so to speak. The people he brought to life in his performances were so often weighed down by choice, response, and duty. Yet, watching his characters, you feel he has dice in his hand. At any moment he could throw and redirect course. He is flawed, unsafe, and somehow paradoxically both calculated and flippant. And Katniss, (and subsequently the audience) is caught in the balance of his imbalance. In Mockingjay, he plays cupbearer, navigator, first mate to the President of the future Panem, Julianne Moore. Is she untrustworthy? Perhaps. Unstoppable? No doubt. The stage is finally set. The first two arenas were literally child’s play. The Capital is the true arena, and the real game is afoot.

POMPEII (2014) movie review

November 3, 2014October 25, 20151 Comment

My ritual theater attendance has been hindered by life events and lack of interesting plots of late, so I offer a shredding of a recent rental: Pompeii.

If the sci-fi network and the movie Gladiator had a love child it would be Pompeii 2014. It is the exact story set in a new location. Perhaps plagiarism is excused when hot people reenact epic film moments. Not really.

This film stars many models who try to act and Kiefer Sutherland as …well Jack Bauer dressed like Julius Caesar. You’ll also recognize Moriarty from the RDJ Sherlock 2 & Mr. Eko from the show Lost. Some have British accents, and many have 8-pack ab muscles...if these abs could speak.

Tons of killing…but no blood. Well, okay a little blood. The city of Pompeii burns at the height of its power and glory. And they never saw it coming…despite the ash falling from the sky and constant earthquakes throughout. Also, despite the lava flow. The giant volcano erupted …out of nowhere, destroyed everything …literally everything.

If there is nothing left to watch. If it’s this or Sharknado 3. It’s still a tough call.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014) movie review

August 22, 2014October 25, 20153 Comments

This comedic 80s mix tape romp through a new Marvel universe takes on the big dogs by standing strong beside the Avengers series. It paints the Avatar honey green, suffers classic daddy issues, gives Lee Pace a full body makeover, and offers Kirk from Gilmore Girls more face time than he even got on the show. Written and directed by his brother, James Gunn, perhaps Kirk (Sean Gunn) had more to do with the success of this hit hero flick than we think.While Bradley Cooper continues to make his acting career more about his quirk than his face as the voice of Racoon Rocket, Vin diesel gets to make one line count as the new Chewbacca Groot. Yes, the quintessential Star Wars comparisons must be made, but I believe this new universe created a name for itself and a life of its own.

Chris Pratt takes center stage and owns every scene as the relatable, flawed, likable hero, still quirky like the kid from Parks & Rec. With more Star battles yet to come, we can expect Pratt to keep the physique for yet another season.

TRANSFORMERS 4 Age of Extinction (2014) movie review

July 10, 2014October 25, 20153 Comments

a sonnet in 14 lines

The world may cry for Michael Bay to pay
For this atrocity Transformers 4
Explosive robot action sets the stage
For Autobots, Decepticons at war.

Mark Wahlberg plays the poor inventor dad
Who fights to rescue Optimus, the Prime.
Resenting daughter’s favorite Irish lad,
She cries, explaining all with “Dad, he drives.”

Your expectations low, you may survive.
No story. Endless end-of-world type threats.
The power swords bring dinobots to life
And oddly that’s when Stanley Tucci sweats.

Three hours of my life I can’t get back,
The age of MY extinction come to pass.

EDGE OF TOMORROW (2014) movie review

June 30, 2014October 25, 20152 Comments

Groundhog Day gets an action makeover with Tom Cruise. It’s about time a sci-fi alien-fighting action film got its epic day in eternity. This film is pure action, but paced well. It’s never Cruise ad nauseam.

Emily Blunt, no longer the frail secretary from Devil Wears Prada (2006), has turned in her stilettos for a pair of army boots and a hard to maneuver 100 lb metal weapons suit. The suit is much smaller than those circa Avatar (2009) and Matrix 3 (2003), but a little more throwback to Sigourney Weaver’s in Aliens (1986).

Tom gives his character the necessary arc beginning as the cowardly recruiter with no field experience and ending as…well as Tom Cruise. Audiences will love the mirror throwback moments ala Top Gun, Cocktail, Jerry Maguire. Less shake it crazy on Oprah’s couch, more show-me-the-money.

Very violent, but not a ton of blood. Though summer has just begun, I will dare to call Edge of Tomorrow the best action film of the summer.

DIVERGENT (2014) movie review

June 23, 2014October 25, 20154 Comments

One of my favorite people from my old clutch and brake days, Ellie, said of this movie’s book starter, “On a scale of Twilight to Harry Potter, it’s a Hunger Games.” – E.R.

Having seen the tween-focused trailer, I went into this film hesitantly with expectations of overplayed high school romance and war game whimsy. To my surprise, the story works, the actors act, the romance is underplayed, and I got sucked in by it all. I should’ve known that I could expect A-games from this cast. Ashley Judd and Kate Winslet don’t really make movies now unless they want to. They’re no slouches. In my opinion, they can wait to play great parts in potentially epic films with heart. Shailene Woodley first impressed the world as the anxty teen with Daddy Issues in The Descendants (2011). She’s not so far from that role in this film, but she starts soft and gains intensity as her character attempts to blend into a group that she was not born into. If actors in these films believe in the story enough, we believe in them. Then, voila’. Audience hooked.

Spielberg set us up with his film Minority Report (2002) to believe that the future is blue. This film caps the blue hue almost to colorlessness. Daunting as battle may be for a girl raised to be empathetic, her blood runs to courageous team Dauntless and therefore daily beatings and senseless seeming violence become routine. Take the hint. This film is too violent for children.

The army sector, though bold, does not allow for the bravery of critical thinking or selflessness. Once again, the post-apocalyptic scenario cannot seem to factor in faith. Why, with all of the Districts laid out by the Capital and the Factions divided by virtues and allegiance can writers never quite add more than the threat of the “human spirit?” Even the poverty laden and less civilized portions of our world nominate or relegate to a higher power either by choice or tradition. The set of “virtues” that each Faction bows to in this fictional fantasy are not enough to maintain allegiance. One group will seek the domination and worship of the rest. It is inevitable.So, a hero must rise up, mustn’t she? She begins as underdog, but fights to fit in and finally to find freedom. That is the essence of story. I see this story paralleled so often in the Bible as David fights Goliath and becomes King, as Daniel faces the lions and gains position in the kingdom, as Joseph is sold into slavery and eventually becomes second to the Pharaoh. I am always challenged when I read the Bible.

I am a Christian. By choice. And, it is not always a popular choice. At the heart of Divergent is the desire we all share: to be known and appreciated for our uniquenesses. Yet, culture too often demands elements of uniformity. The divergent is dangerous to the despotic. When humans are forced to agree and to lose anonymity, choice, diversity, we must recognize the potential for the power-hungry to abuse their power using fear as a weapon. Then, watch for the retaliation of inevitable revolt from those who value individuality. It is, as always, A Tale of Two Cities.

XMEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2014) movie review

May 26, 2014October 25, 20154 Comments

X1 & 2 Director, Bryan Singer redeems the time in his new origins film: Future Past. String theories aside, this virtual Delorean skims through time like a stone over lake waters rushing back to meet favorites Fassbender, McAvoy, & Lawrence, once again 70’s clad and dejected. Merging screen time with the greats: Stewart & McKellen proved seamless. Hugh Jackman, post Pilates and pre-adamanium, reveals all then mediates the mediums while hoping the future-clueless superhuman mutant leaders won’t shoot the messenger.

Not one character played scene stealer romancing the camera for a few seconds of personal glory, at least no more than deserved. It felt unified, cause-driven.

Perhaps Singer wasn’t the only player seeking redemption since X-Future Past screenwriter Simon Kinberg also wrote X3 (2006), a film which made me stand in the theater and beg for the 2 hours of my life back. All past is forgiven. We look to the future.

Back to moral basics, this premise pleads the value of all life. It reinforces a “live together die alone” higher concept. It seeks the return of all prodigals. …all while meeting my Dad’s requirements for kicking, explosions, robot-foes, and sic-fi joy.

BRICK MANSIONS (2014) movie review

May 19, 2014October 25, 2015Leave a comment

Each year around my birthday, a new Fast & Furious franchise film hits big screens to my deep joy. In no other films do lack of plot and surf culture dialogue marry special effects lighting on, in, and around fast cars…until now. Paul Walker’s last film, dedicated to his memory, is a screen gem to keep on the shelf next to his F&F series.

As an intentional movie viewer, it’s refreshing at times to take off the hat of a serious critic and replace it with the cap of zero expectation.

Brick Mansions features a parkour expert for the whole first hour, thrilling audiences with hurdles over unlocked doors. Doorknobs are for sissies who can’t handle the inner city life. His indistinguishable French accent ceases to be a problem as soon as he teams up with Paul Walker, who refuses to explain that he’s an undercover cop working with not against the man they all call “Frenchie.” They fight it out like so many battling brothers only to treat the streets like Channing Tatum would, with choreographed Step Up-esque moves, heavy brick throwing, and jumping action. The team has to rescue the girl who wears her school-girl uniform to her waitress job. Turns out she has moves too, and can take out the brute squad cat fem fatale in mini leather shorts and uncomfortable looking bustier.
The girl fight is far too weapon-enhanced and gruesome, but somehow they walk away unscathed. Herein lies the beauty of these game-to-life films: 9 lives, stolen rockets, briefcase bomb threats, and dirty politicians. But don’t worry, the ultimate bad guy drug lord eats his veggies and will run for Mayor in the end.

Two words that this wonder film lacked: Vin Diesel. Guess we’ll have to wait for FF7.

Thank you, Paul Walker. These words are not enough for the yearly joy you brought into my life and to so many others. You, your work, and your philanthropy will not be forgotten.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 2 (2014) movie review

May 15, 2014October 25, 20152 Comments

Worth the $12 ticket, director Marc Webb hosts an amazing team of A-list actors and special effects crews to bring audiences a stellar sequel. I’m not usually in love with sequels, but the pacing of Spidey’s action to exposition ratio feels equal here. I have no complaints. Build + action = symphonic and explosive art. These actors belong on screen, a delight to watch. A well cast team gives the film believability and validity.It helps that I’m an Andrew Garfield fan. He makes a viewer comfortable with his levels of felt emotion. He makes us hurt with him. Even the new Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), bitter rich kid with inner angst, reminded me of a young Leo DiCaprio. Very similar bravado. I’m wondering why serious actors have to make desperately vicious or perverse films to be considered for their craft. The residents of Osage county screamed over a dinner table and earned Oscar noms, but not the character actors stunting on primary colored backdrops. The Emma Stones have to break up with their Spider-Man boyfriends believably in front of uber critical distract able teen audiences. Is that not award worthy? Plus, if you haven’t seen Emma Stone’s lip sync battle with Jimmy Fallon yet, you are in for a treat. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLBSoC_2IY8)

Jamie Foxx is an incredible actor. He won the Oscar in 2005 for his performance in Ray (2004) . I was fortunate enough to catch the Ebony Magazine premier of the film Ray in LA, and his portrayal was indeed awe-inspiring. Pained, drug-addicted, cheating, and sorrowful but awe-inspiring nonetheless. Yet, the seemingly simple and fun-to-play character role of bumbling Max Dillon turned Electro in Spider-man 2 was brilliant. He provided the development of character necessary to incite pity. Pure Frankenstein.

This film allowed us time to understand the monster and to evaluate the hero’s role in that moral dilemma. That’s no child’s play.

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