I was hesitant to watch this movie when it first came out.It wasn’t my usual avoidance to subtitles, but my general disdain for fantasy.For some reason, I’ve never been able to get into worlds filled with trolls, fairies and other assorted magical creatures.So, even though everyone raved about the film, I passed it up.Then Matt put it on our list for movies to review and I put it at the top of my Netflix queue.Man, I hate to admit this, but Matt was so right to choose it.
In Pan’s Labyrinth we meet a charming young girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero) and her mother, Carmen (Ariadna Gil).They are on their way to join Carmen’s new husband, Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez).Carmen is pregnant and the pregnancy isn’t going well.The doctor had urged her not to travel, but her new husband is a tyrant and he wanted her to join him.Ofelia feels no love toward her cruel stepfather so she retreats into a world of books.
Upon arrival, we learn the extent of Vidal’s cruelties.The movie takes place in 1940’s Spain under the rule of fascism and there are rebel forces hiding in the mountains around Vidal’s home.It is his mission to eradicate every rebel.Vidal’s head servant, Mercedes (Maribel Verdu) is secretly aiding the rebels and she lives in constant fear of being discovered.
Mercedes has a soft spot for Ofeslia so she takes the young girl under her wing to protect her from her stepfather.Ofelia delves further into her fantasy world as her mother’s health deteriorates.She discovers Pan, who tells her she is the second coming of an immortal princess.If she passes several tests, she will be united with her father, the King.Ofelia embarks on these adventures in the hopes of leaving her dismal life with Captain Vidal behind.
When Carmen dies in childbirth, things get harder for Ofelia and she longs to finish her remaining quests and escape her circumstances.In the end Ofelia finds her father the King and the rebels prevail over the evil Captain Vidal.But there are steep prices to pay for these victories.This movie illustrates the extent of a child’s imagination and her determination to escape the evils of the world.
I give Pan’s Labyrinth the full five stars.This movie was excellent from start to finish.The acting was extraordinary, the cinematography was divine and the story was exquisitely written.This movie broke my heart, but it really made me FEEL and that’s always worth the heartbreak.I highly recommend Pan’s Labyrinth.
Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Torro pulls out all the stops in this allegorical tale of good versus evil.Enlisting the aid of Doug Jones, Sergi Lopez, Ivana Baquero, and Maribel Verdu; Del Torro breathes life into this captivating and inspiring foreign fairytale.In doing so, he creates a film that can only be described as Alice in Wonderland meets Valkyrie.
The film begins in earnest as mother and daughter are in route to their new home.Carmen (Ariadna Gil) tries to convince her headstrong daughter, Ofelia (Baquero), that the new man in their lives will keep them safe during this time of civil unrest.She requests that Ofelia calls him father; however, Ofelia refuses to obey her mother’s petition.
They soon arrive and are greeted by Ofelia’s new stepfather, Captain Vidal (Lopez), and a host of his underlings.As greetings are exchanged, Ofelia acknowledges the familiar stranger via his rank in the military and not as the head of her family.Vidal recognizes the intentional distinction and becomes incensed by the little interloper, which undoubtedly will not secure her wellbeing during this time of war.
As the film progresses, Vidal attempts to rid the surrounding area of rebels that are proving to be more than just a little elusive.In addition, his wife, Carmen, becomes extremely ill due to her pregnancy and must be placed on bed rest until she is ready to deliver the baby.Ofelia is forced to stay away from her mother during this time, per the Captain’s orders.So, she begins to explore her surroundings and discovers some new friends, both human and mythical.
Upon a cursory search of the grounds, Ofelia discovers an old maze, which is described as a labyrinth by her new best friend Mercedes (Verdu).She watches over Ofelia, but can’t help feeling that the child is in danger as long as her mother remains with the evil Captain.In the process of dealing with her grief over her mother and in opposition to Mercedes instructions, Ofelia ventures into the labyrinth and discovers an underground world, which is guarded by an ancient faun named Pan (Jones).
The faun describes in detail how Ofelia is the reincarnated princess of this underworld.He indicates that she must complete three tasks in order to reunite with her true father and reclaim her royal status.Ofelia begins her double life attempting to care for her ailing mother, while secretly trying to complete each task successfully.
Just as Ofelia believes her mother is going to recover, she goes into labor and delivers a healthy baby boy.However, during child birth, Ofelia’s mother passes away leaving only Mercedes and the faun to turn to in her time of need.After Mercedes failed attempt at escaping with the child, Ofelia turns to Pan for direction.Does he guide her down the correct path?Does she complete her tasks or will she forever be a slave to a tyrannical stepfather?I won’t ruin the ending for you, but you will need to watch the movie to uncover the mystery.
Even though this film had subtitles, I still found myself drawn into the story.The acting was on a different level, the cinematography was breathtaking, and the musical score only solidified the greatness of this film.I was always waiting to see what happened next and was surprised several different times as Del Torro managed to place a labyrinth of twists and turns into this film, which will keep you guessing right up until the end.I give Pan’s Labyrinth 4.5 stars.If you are interested in watching a war time movie with a bit of a twist, I would highly recommend winding your way through this one.
So, this is not my normal movie selection; however, I have to thank Mitzi for this review request. I most likely would never have stumbled across this lost treasure, if it had not been brought to my attention. Everyone should dial this movie up at least once, I don’t think you will regret it!
This Anatole Litvak directed piece stars Barbara Stanwick and Burt Lancaster. These two superstars are called upon to carry the film with acting prowess seldom seen in feature films of today. In addition, the film is entirely in black and white, which seems to add to the creepiness of the picture.
The film begins with Leona (Stanwick) in bed and trying to contact her husband, Henry (Lancaster), who some how seems to be eerily missing. She is frantically attempting to contact her husband because he was supposed to arrive home before her nurse left for the day. As time continues to pass, Leona begins to make a series of phone calls in order to track down her long lost mate. In the process, she is accidentally connected to a call where she overhears two men planning the murder of an unknown woman.
As she hangs up on the call, Leona begins her whirlwind attempt to track down the phone call and find her husband in the process. She has multiple flashbacks, which gives us a deeper understanding of her and the relationship with Henry. The two are as different as oil and water, yet they attempt to mix and hope for the best.
He comes from humble beginnings and she is a daughter of privilege. The two marry and Henry accepts a position in her father’s company. They move into dear old dad’s home and all is well. Uhm, not really…how many of you have moved in with the In-laws and all went well? That’s what I thought! Immediately, the resentment began to grow as Henry starts to feel that he is a kept man unable to provide for his wife or even himself. He wants to be a free spirit and strike out on his own only to have his wife nix the idea each and every time.
Not only is Leona a self-centered spoiled brat, but she is the ultimate daddy’s girl. Whatever Leona wants, Leona will get! The problem is that Leona continues to fight an illness, which leads to yet more issues for our bedridden hypochondriac. She becomes completely dependent on others for help.
The film continues with Leona making more calls as she slowly pieces together the disturbing phone call and her husbands recent disappearance. She begins to think that the unknown woman may be her. Could she be right or does she just have an overactive imagination, which perhaps may explain her illness as well? You will have to watch the film to find out! But, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised by the ending…I was!
This film was wonderfully produced, filmed, acted and written. I give Sorry, Wrong Number 4.5 stars. The actors were outstanding and Stanwick gives an amazing performance. The film has a creepy factor, which is enhanced with both the music and cinematography. The use of shadow and music is unbelievable and allows our imaginations to run wild. If you haven’t had a chance to see this film, I would recommend it highly even if you are not a fan of black and white pictures. Sorry, Wrong Number is right on target!
When I was younger I thought I didn’t like old movies.They just never seemed to appeal to me.But as I grow older, I have learned to appreciate older movies.The acting that once seemed wooden to me is now a study of another time and place.I’m always pleased to find an old black and white gem and Sorry, Wrong Number definitely qualifies as a gem.
In this movie we find Leona (Barbara Stanwyck) confined to her bed.She let her nurse have the evening off because her husband, Henry (Burt Lancaster) swore he would be home to care for her.Unfortunately, Henry did not come home and Leona is in need of assistance.She tries to call Henry and ends up overhearing a murder plot on the phone.Naturally, Leona is frightened by what she hears and calls the police.The police have no time to deal with her, so she uses the phone to follow clues about her husband and the murder plot.
As Leona digs deeper into the mysterious call, she discovers that a plot to murder a stranger, may actually be a plot to murder her.We learn in flashbacks that all is not well between Henry and Leona.Henry was dirt poor when he caught the eye of Leona, daughter of a wealthy businessman.Leona’s father gave Henry a job in the family business and the happy couple moved into Daddy’s mansion.
The confines of the marriage began to chafe Henry.He finds his wife annoying and comes to hate working for his father-in-law.He dreams of striking out on his own, but knows his wife will never support it.Does Henry decide to kill his wife?Is he having an affair with his old flame?Is Leona really an invalid?I would never ruin the suspense by telling you.
Sorry, Wrong Number earns four stars.The story is very well written and keeps you guessing until the very end.Barbara Stanwyck is riveting in this role and keeps you at the edge of your seat while she works to unravel the mysterious phone call.Sorry, Wrong Number may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy old movies, you are sure to be drawn into this movie.
OMG, I was stuck in chick-flick hell for almost two hours watching this movie.I was excited to see the movie at first because it had Robin Williams and I love him, but once the movie cranked up, I was just in pain.I am not a girly girl and never respond well to movies designed to tug at my heart-strings.
In What Dreams May Come, we are introduced to Christy (Robin Williams) and Annie (Annabella Sciorra).They meet while vacationing abroad and fall madly, completely, immediately in love.It surprises no one when they marry and have a family.This family is perfect; he’s a doctor, she’s an artist, they have the older son, the younger daughter, an awesome house, etc.Then one day perfection is shattered when the children die in a car crash.
Christy stoically learns to live with the loss and move on, but Annie is fragile and needs to be handled carefully.She struggles with the issue and is admitted to a mental hospital.Christy loves her, but needs her t move on.Miraculously, she pulls herself together and they continue their marriage.
On the anniversary of the day they decide to stay together, Christy witnesses a car crash and rushes to help.While standing near the wreckage, another car careens out of control and hits Christy.He dies.He lingers on earth, trying to make contact with his beloved, Annie, then decides to move on.When he decides to love on, he wakes in the midst of one of Annie’s paintings.
Once in the painting he discovers a guide who helps him learn to navigate his way around heaven.He is obsessed with Annie and longs to find his children.His guide (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) tells him it will all come in time.Once he is finally feeling comfortable in heaven, he learns that Annie has killed herself and that suicides go directly to hell … and stay there.
Christy cannot accept that he will be forever separated from Annie so he trots off to hell to get her back.I know we ladies say we want a man who will go to hell and back, but the symbolism here really beats you over the head.Is Christy able to save Annie?Are they both reunited with the children?Watch and find out (why should I be the only one to suffer).
I give What Dreams May Come two stars.The acting is good and the scenery is remarkable, but the story is so sappy and predictable that it made my head hurt.If you love chick flicks (and I know many of you do) then I’m sure you will feel differently about this movie, but if you are a hard-hearted chick like me, you may want to pass on What Dreams May Come.
This Vincent Ward directed film has a star studded cast featuring:Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr, and Annabella Sciorra.The film won an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, which is certainly well deserved.Ward takes his best artistic swipe at portraying heaven in this somewhat captivating movie.
The film begins with Chris (Williams) and Annie (Sciorra) meeting each other.As is the case in film, we are jettisoned forward into time as we come to rest just before a major tragedy, which involves the couple’s two children.The early demise of her kids sends Annie into an emotional tailspin, which Chris aides in pulling her through or so it would seem.
As Chris and Annie deal with the loss of their children, we are once again tossed into the future where we discover the love and compassion that Chris continues to shower on his emotionally fragile wife.The two are soul mates and destined to spend the rest of their lives together, which happens to be cut short with yet another untimely car accident that claims Chris’ life.
Chris is transported to heaven after coming to the realization that he is actually deceased.He is escorted into the afterlife by a mentoring angel named Albert (Gooding Jr.).Chris wakes up in his own version of heaven, which is heavily influenced by paint.According to Albert, the reason for the paint is because Chris finds it to be a comfort, which represents his wife’s passion in life.Chris explores heaven and soon realizes that he may be able to meet up with his children who had preceded him in death.
As would be expected, Annie does not do well with Chris’ early demise and decides to end her life as well.Chris is alerted to the tragedy and becomes overjoyed as he presumes she will be joining him shortly in heaven.Unfortunately, Albert indicates that people who commit suicide do not join the others in paradise.He states that they are forever trapped between worlds for the rest of eternity.Irate with that explanation, Chris decides to search out and find his true love.His journey is interesting and filled with self-discovery.He eventually finds his kids and his wife, but will he be able to reunite them for eternity?
This movie was exquisitely filmed and the special effects were absolutely outstanding.The theology behind the movie was weak; however, they were pandering to the viewing audience not the theologians preaching the Sunday morning service.Overall, I enjoyed the movie and gave it 4 stars.There are several very emotional parts to the film, so don’t forget to grab the tissue box.What Dreams May Come was a pleasant surprise!
The Hughes brothers attempt to bring a different edge to a post-apocalyptic America.In doing so, they are going to have to rely heavily on their all-star cast:Denzel Washington, Mila Kunis, Gary Oldman, and Jennifer Beals.The idea is captivating, but can they pull it all together to make the movie work?
The film begins with Eli (Washington) traversing the arid countryside.We come to quickly realize that he is no ordinary man.His fighting skills are quickly called into action as he is ambushed by an unsavory group.He dispatches of them in no time and does so in a most gruesome way.
He continues on his journey and ends up in a town that is run by Carnege (Oldman).Carnege runs the town with an iron fist and no one dares to challenge his power or authority without the fear of reprisal.The two will eventually become enemies over the book that Eli treasures above all else.
The book is The Bible, which Carnege desires more than anything.He believes that simply possessing the book will draw followers to him.He is so immersed in the concept of the book that he will go to any length to get it.He sends Claudia’s (Beals) daughter, Solara (Kunis), to Eli to try and seduce and earn his trust.As fate would have it, the two become friends and eventually find themselves on the run with Carnege giving chase.
Does Carnege get the book or does Eli deliver it safely to its destination?The answer is both, but you’ll have to see the end of the movie to find out how that is possible.The question is, “Do you want to spend your time watching this movie?”
This film did not impress me much other than the occasional fight scene that seemed too scattered throughout the film.This film gets 2.5 stars.The cinematography was very good, the acting ok, but the writing wondered all over the place.The pace of the movie never seemed to find a groove and felt disjointed.The other issue I had was with all the whispering…what the heck…talk up so we can hear the dialogue.Overall, I really didn’t care for the film and probably wouldn’t recommend it.The Book of Eli should probably remain on the shelf!
I heard lots of things about this movie before I saw it; most of them bad.I watched with an open mind because I love Denzel and Gary Oldman.I’m not sure what I was expecting from this movie, but I was surprised by it nonetheless.
In The Book of Eli, we notice immediately that we are in a post-apocalyptic world.Everything is brown, dry and dirty.We meet Eli (Denzel Washington) as he travels throughout the wastelands.He encounters a woman in distress and when he stops to help he realizes he has stepped into a trap.It becomes apparent that Eli is not your average traveler because he whips the asses of the thieves in short order.
Eli keeps moving on and discovers a village run by a strange and demented man, Carnegie (Gary Oldman).Eli hopes he can get some water and other supplies in the village, but is forced to fight and comes to the attention of Carnegie.Since Carnegie runs the town with an iron fist he is impressed with Eli’s fighting skills and looks to recruit him.
Additionally, Carnegie has spent years looking for a very valuable book and finds that his new guest is carrying a book.He sends a girl in the sleep with Eli, hoping she can find information on the book.Eli isn’t interested in sex, but he befriends the girl, Solara (Mila Kunis).Unfortunately, Carnegie learns Eli has the book and he sends some goons to grab it.
Eli and Solara take off and Carnegie and his gang chase them across the wastelands.What is the powerful book?It’s a Bible and it hasn’t been seen in years.Eli takes comfort from reading its pages and is willing to die to protect the book.Does he manage to keep the book from Carnegie?Watch the movie.
I give The Book of Eli three stars.I love post apocalyptic stuff, but there were too many holes in this plot to really satisfy me.Denzel was great and Mila Kunis was quite good, but I feel that Gary Oldman (one of my absolute favorites) falls into parody.The writing could have been MUCH better and the pacing was erratic.It’s not a horrible movie, but it’s certainly one I wouldn’t watch again.
Life Is Beautiful takes place during the years leading up to World War II through the end of the war.The movie takes place in Italy and chronicles the love affair between Guido (Roberto Benigni) and Dora (Nicoletta Braschi).Guido is a happy-go-lucky man who falls hard for a woman of wealth and privilege.He pursues her with vigor and determination and eventually she leaves her comfortable life to marry her humble prince.
The two establish a quiet and loving life with their son Giosue (Giorgio Cantarini) until one day the Nazis come to take Guido and Giosue away.When Dora finds them missing she tracks them to the rail yard where they are about to leave for the concentration camps.Dora is not Jewish so she is in no danger of being taken away, but she insists on joining her family and boards the train to the camps.
At the camps, Guido tried to keep Giosue calm by telling him they are playing a game and the person with the highest number of points will win a tank.The rules of the game require hiding from the guards, no complaining about hunger and staying calm.Guido engages in grueling work every day and sees horrors beyond compare, but stays upbeat when he comes back to his son.
In the end, the camp is liberated, but all of the family doesn’t make it out alive.I actually like that someone in the family dies at the end (I know it sounds bad), because it gives the film a sense of gravity that I felt it lacked.I understand Bignini’s attempt to show the Holocaust in a different light, but I just don’t feel all of the light hearted hijinks works in this movie.
I give Life Is Beautiful four stars.Even though I was bothered by some of the antics in the concentration camp, the movie is beautifully shot, acted and directed.I would definitely recommend Life Is Beautiful; grab a bowl of popcorn and enjoy.
Actor-director, Robert Benigni, captivates a movie genre unlike anyone else I have ever witnessed.He is not only charged with delivering a fresh cinematic take on WWII, but also has the added pressure of being the main character.Benigni is joined in his quest to differentiate his film with such names as:Giustino Durano, Nicoletta Braschi (Benigni’s real-life wife), Sergio Bini Bustric, and last but not least Giorgio Cantarini.Benigni’s classic was nominated for seven Academy Awards and walked away with an astonishing three victories, which included:Best Actor, Best Music Score, and Best Foreign Film.As impressive as this was, the big screen success also got a nod from the Academy for Best Motion Picture.For a foreign film to be nominated for Best Motion Picture is quite an amazing feet, unfortunately Benigni couldn’t quite get the Academy to award the top honor to his masterpiece.
This dramedy begins with a chance meeting between Guido (Benigni) and his soon to be love interest Dora (Braschi).Instant infatuation results as Dora captivates our happy-go-lucky traveler, who decides to give her the nickname of princess.As the film progresses, Guido has several more “chance” meetings with Dora and tries to win her heart.Unfortunately, Dora is engaged and about ready to announce her marriage to another man.Guido continues his uphill battle in order to win the heart of the woman he loves.To say he does it the traditional way is a horse of a different color (quite literally…I believe it was green), he crashes the wedding announcement party and carries her off to live happily ever after!
The two meet up with Guido’s Uncle (Durano), who happens to be Jewish, which is not a bad thing unless you are in Italy waiting for Hitler to invade your country.With a jump ahead of about five years, we catch a glimpse of Giosue (pronounced Joshua – I believe) (Cantarini) running and playing with his mother and father.Guido is always playing games with the boy and frequently takes him to work at the bookstore, which he owns.For me, the movie transitions from comedy/romance to drama right at this time.As Guido leaves his shop and closes the gate, a spray-painted message indicates it belongs to a Jewish business owner.Obviously, this is not a business endorsement during a pre-World War II environment.Even with the hateful message, Guido continues to show his son the brighter side of the world.He always has a glass half full mentality, which makes the rest of the film so believable.
As history has reported, those with Jewish background were rounded up and taken away via trains, busses, trucks, etc.In an apparent show of support, Dora shows up just before the train is to depart with her husband and son.She demands to be let on the train and the officer-in-charge grants her request.Our family travels for many hours and finally arrives at their destination, which is a concentration camp.The primary objective at this point is merely to survive what is sure to be the most trying time of their lives.
Guido quickly tells his son that they are playing a game with a tank as the grand prize (his son loves tanks).He lets Joshua know that if they play the best game possible then they will get to take the tank home.However, in order to win the tank he must be able to score points every day by managing to stay hidden and not ask for food.His son believes his father and does as he says; which in many cases turns into quite the comedy routine featuring the antics of Benigni.Even the men in the barracks with Guido play along to keep the child safe and believing that he one day will win his tank.
The only part of the movie that renders any kind of war-like imagery is when Guido accidentally stumbles across a mass burial site littered with hundreds of bodies.Even with this, the imagery is ghostly and not ghastly as all that can be seen are the outlines of the bodies and not the guts and gore that ultimately permeates our subconscious.This was a moving scene without a body exploding or blood oozing from an open wound.The message was clear and it was eerily painful to see as we witness the atrocity seemingly standing right beside the main character.
The time comes for the war to end and Guido kicks into high gear to make sure his family is able to get out alive.Do they make it?Well, let’s just say that Joshua gets his tank, but as with all prizes it comes with a cost.
This may be my all-time favorite movie.I have to say that the subtitles are a little tough to follow as they fly by in a hurry.However, as the movie goes along the pacing slows down.I would highly suggest seeing this picture with the subtitles as opposed to the dubbed version because I don’t believe they would do justice to the outstanding acting that Benigni brings to his character.This foreign film gets a solid 5 stars and is well worth your time to see.
The acting is sublime from each and every character.It seems at times that Benigni is over the top, but that’s what makes his character and persona so lovable.The cinematography, special effects, and music score simply add to the ambiance that is Life is Beautiful. The use of comedy and drama are wonderfully balanced and you begin your journey, with this film, laughing and end with an understandable sadness.If you haven’t had a chance to see this movie and I’m guessing most of you haven’t, pick it up and I’m sure you won’t regret it!
James Franco stars in director Danny Boyle’s true to life movie, 127 Hours, about Aron Ralston.As most of us can recall, Aron made national headlines when he went missing and was subsequently found after amputating his own arm while on a hiking expedition in the desert.I remember thinking that I could not fathom how I could come to that decision or even if I would have been capable of completing the task.After watching the movie, I certainly can see how the human spirit and the will to survive can drive a person to take extreme measures that would otherwise seem unimaginable.
Aron (Franco) begins by preparing for a day away to enjoy the beauty and wonder that only Mother Nature can provide.Unfortunately for him, he does not answer his own mother’s call before rushing out the door in seek of his next greatest adventure.With a great amount of enthusiasm, he drives deep into the desert canyon, hops on his mountain bike and begins the biggest journey of his life.
As our self-aloof thrill-seeker continues on, he runs across two young ladies who have apparently lost their way.Being the outgoing and helpful guy that he is, not to mention that the ladies are easy on the eyes, Aron volunteers to help them regain their bearings and takes them on a semi-guided tour.Once the fun has dissipated; Aron says au revoir to the dashing beauties and continues on his merry way.Once again, he misses the opportunity to reveal his plans to another human being.Unfazed by being alone, Aron presses on with thoughts of excitement and adrenaline rushes yet to come.
Aron moves nimbly along the earth, crevices, and boulders as though they have been life-long friends that knew each other’s inner-most thoughts.Perhaps he should have been communicating a little more clearly, because in a split second his world came crashing down around him.As he is maneuvering his way down a steep incline, a boulder rolls free and speeds up his descent.As though right out of a Hollywood movie, he is stopped in mid-air almost as though suspended by some magical force.To his chagrin, he realizes that his hand has become lodged between the canyon wall and the enormous boulder that would soon become his nemesis.
The next several days are nothing short of life altering as Aron deals with death, life, and hallucinations that seem all too real.He entertains himself with a camcorder that he has with him, which also acted as his last will and testament.During his entrapment, he reflects on his relationships and how they all seemed to fail because he was too busy worrying about his own happiness.He comes to realize that life is not all about the things we want, but the relationships that we cultivate over time.In a moment of weakness (perhaps it was strength), Aron has a premonition/hallucination of his first born son.Upon this stark revelation that he was to be a father, Aron makes it his priority to get out of his precarious situation by any means possible.He knew that there was only one way to escape and that would involve some of the most horrendous and excruciating pain known to man.
Did I like this movie?Yes, I did like the movie.The cinematography alone was breathtaking, but the acting was so amazing it goes beyond words.With all due respect to The King’s Speech, this film should have produced the Best Actor.This film earns 4 ½ stars for attempting something so difficult yet delivering a solid work of art.If you have not had a chance to see this movie, I highly recommend you put it on your must see list.You won’t be disappointed!
I remember when this true story was in the news; I could never imagine having the strength and courage to survive such a horrible ordeal.While I was mesmerized by the true story, I couldn’t imagine how they could make it into a movie.When I heard the movie was directed by Danny Boyle and got rave reviews I moved it to the top of my Netflix queue.It was a great deicion.
In 127 Hours we meet Aron (James Franco).From what we can tell, he seems to be living a pretty busy and fulfilling life.However, he is so focused on himself that he fails to make time to keep in touch with his family or friends.Since he has some time off, he heads out to do some hiking/climbing in the desert.He is an experienced hiker, and a bit arrogant, so he sees no problem with heading out alone.
While in the hiking, he runs into a couple of cute girls so he takes a detour to show them a couple of cool spots in the desert.After he departs from the girls, he falls into a canyon where he finds his hand trapped between a small boulder and the canyon wall.Since Aron couldn’t find time to talk to his family and friends, no one knows where he is.The girls are long gone and he’s stuck with only his mind to save him.
As the days pass (127 hour worth) he plots, plans, hallucinates, loses hope and then finally comes to a decision that is truly heroic.Knowing there is no other way out, Aron cuts off his hand and crawls, dehydrated and emaciated, to the surface.There he is rescued and flown to safety.
I gave 127 Hours five stars.Even though the main character is trapped in one place throughout the bulk of the movie, there always seems to be action based on the workings of Aron’s mind.The cinematography is phenomenal; you almost feel the heat of the desert in the gorgeous camera work.But the truly remarkable element is James Franco.He’s always been an intriguing young actor, but this role shot him to new heights.Watching 127 Hours is a must for any movie lover.
It is no secret that I prefer dark, moody movies to the sunny, life-affirming type.It is almost as if Winter’s Bone was written with me in mind.This movie is dark from beginning to end but there is no wondering why it was nominated in the Best Picture category of the Academy Awards.
In Winter’s Bone, we meet Ree (Jennifer Lawrence).Ree doesn’t have an easy life.She has grown up dirt poor with a severely depressed and mentally-absent mother and a hard living, physically-absent father.She doesn’t waste time with self-pity because there is just too much to do.Without her, the household (meager though it is) would crumble and she isn’t about to let her family down.
One day the Sheriff stops by to deliver the news that her father used the house as collateral for his bail.His trial is coming up and if he isn’t in court next week, the house will be seized to satisfy the bond.Ree really can’t catch a break, but she’s determined not to lose the house.Ree sets out to find her father before it’s too late.
Finding her father won’t be easy because Ree has no idea where he might be.She does know that he’s involved with the drug trade, so she dives into the underworld.Each time she follows a lead, she is threatened and ordered to stop her search.Ree is terrified, but she refuses to stop her search, she has too much to lose.
At one point she realizes that her father is probably dead, but if she isn’t able to prove it, the house will be gone.Ree pushes on, putting herself in grave danger.At times she needs to rely on her enemies for help so she never truly knows if she will make it home to care for her family.The tension in this movie is palpable, yet delightful.
Winter’s Bone earns four stars.This movie is very well done.Jennifer Lawrence is an incredible young actor, and the supporting cast also shines.The story is very interesting and the cinematography supports the dark theme.This movie isn’t for everyone, but for those, like me, who adore a creepy, psychological movie, Winter’s Bone is a keeper.
Welcome to the world of director Debra Granik and her icy look into the darkness of the human condition.I have to admit that I really wasn’t going to give this film much of a chance after the first five minutes, which I felt started way too slowly.However, Granik quickly used her directing abilities and talented cast, which included Jennifer Lawrence, Dale Dickey, John Hawkes, and Lauren Sweetser to regain my attention.Sadly, the film received a cold shoulder from the Academy and could not cash in on any of its four nominations.
Ree Dolly (Lawrence) opens the movie interacting with her brother and sister amidst the Ozark Mountains.The Dolly family is obviously dirt poor and relies heavily on the generosity of relatives and neighbors in order to survive.Although the matriarch of the family appears disabled, she represents the only parental figure to the children.The other half of the parenting unit is noticeably absent.
The plot quickly develops as we learn that Ree’s drug-dealing, meth-lab cooking, inattentive father has used the family home as bail in order to be released from custody.Almost immediately, Ree is notified that if her father fails to show up for his court hearing that the home will be repossessed.Determined to find her father and keep her family together, Ree begins her search in earnest.
She starts by visiting friends and relatives that kept tabs on her father and his whereabouts.As she begins to ask around, she realizes that his disappearance and location are a secret no one wants to discuss.Although only 17 years old, Ree continues to show guts, spunk and chutzpah by asking questions, which eventually leads to a serious altercation with Merab (Dale Dickey) a distant relative.Beaten almost to extinction, Ree realizes that imminent death is upon her.Luckily for our head-strong hillbilly maiden, her uncle, Teardrop (Hawkes), makes a last minute appearance to rescue her from death’s final call.
Does she prevail and find her father?You’ll need to watch the movie because if I tell you, I will surely ruin the ending, which had one of the creepiest scenes that I have ever witnessed.Did I mention creepy…uhm, yes, I believe I did….creepy!
Winter’s Bone gets four stars.I recommend this movie and would suggest you give it a chance as it starts out a little slow.The acting is phenomenal, the cinematography was simply outstanding, and the writing was spot on.If you are looking for a movie that is a little out of the ordinary, I would highly suggest this flick.Winter’s Bone will leave you frozen to your seat and begging for more!
This probably won’t be a surprise to those who know me well, but I tend to live my life governed by a set of strange, self-imposed rules.One of those rules states that I can’t watch a re-make of a movie without seeing the original first.Even though the Coen brothers don’t define True Grit as a remake of the John Wayne classic, but rather a re-telling of the novel by Charles Portis, I felt I needed to watch the 1969 film first.I’m glad I saw both versions because there were each lovely in their own ways.
In the 2010 version of True Grit, we meet Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), a young girl with a mature mind and well-honed sense of family loyalty.Learning her father was killed by a hired hand, Mattie travels to tend to her father’s body and his business dealings.Naturally, men of the old west gave her no respect and tried to swindle her in their dealings, but Mattie stood strong and proved herself in business.
With the her father’s affairs in order, Mattie turned her attention to seeking justice for his murder.Her goal was to see the scoundrel hanged and she began looking for a man to track him down.She chose to hire a man named Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges), who got results through questionable methods.But Rooster had his doubts about working for Mattie and she had to employ her iron will to convince him to take the job.
While preparing to track the scoundrel, Mattie also meets a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) who is looking for the same man, but for a different crime.He decides to join Cogburn on the hunt, and much to their surprise, Mattie plans to come along.Even though the men fight it, Mattie gets her way and the trio sets off in search of the murderer.
Those of you who saw the original will have a pretty good idea of what happens next.If you haven’t seen it, I don’t want to spoil all the thrills built into the movie.Let’s just say that Mattie is a force of nature, as is Rooster.When the two of them combine, sparks fly and tempers flare.
I give True Grit five stars.The writing is sharp and moves the plot along at a nice pace.You almost feel as if you are trotted along beside the main characters as they ride the trail in search of evil personified.The cinematography is spectacular and the acting is first rate.Both Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld were nominated for Academy Awards, though neither won.I highly recommend True Grit.If you loved the original, you won’t be disappointed in this adaptation.If you are new to the story, hang on tight because you are in for one heck of a ride.
This 2011 Oscar nominated film, directed by Ethan and Joel Coen, is a remake of the 1969 classic starring John Wayne.Unfortunately for me, I have not had the pleasure to see the original or to witness Wayne’s Oscar winning performance.I will rectify that problem within the foreseeable future.However, as for the Coen’s version of True Grit, the film gathered 10 Oscar nominations, which regrettably it was unable to tough out even a single victory.This amateur movie critic finds it mind-numbingly difficult to understand how a film can be nominated in that many categories and not come away with some kind of hardware.Be that as it may, this film does have its own character and charm.
Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) starts the movie off by narrating how a drifter, Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), cut short the life of her father.We then get to meet the spunky, intelligent, and extremely well spoken 14-year old as she arrives in the town in which her father was murdered.Mattie’s first order of business is to identify her father’s body, which rests with the local undertaker.After her encounter with the mortician, Mattie heads over to the owner of the horse stable where her father boarded his steed.She holds the man personally liable for the theft of the horse and demands restitution for her family’s loss of property. The exchange between the two is nothing short of comical, but in true Mattie style she persuades the gentleman that settling their dispute would be much easier than allowing a judge or jury to sort out the legalities of the situation.
After receiving her payment in full from the stable owner, Mattie sets out to find the best lawman that money can buy.Regrettably, she finds Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) who hits the bottle a little too heavily and allows his six-shooter the latitude afforded to Marines in the line of duty.He initially refuses her offer to find her father’s killer, but then decides to accept and begins his hunt in earnest.
Mattie learns that a Texas Ranger, LaBoeuf (pronounced LeBeef) (Matt Damon), has come to town seeking Chaney as well.LeBoeuf briefly explains his interest in Chaney and Mattie rebukes him by insisting that the criminal would have to face the charges for her father’s murder before returning to Texas.Obviously, this does not go over well with the ranger and he strikes up an alliance with Cogburn unbeknownst to our little heroine.The trio works together in an effort to bring the outlaw to justice.Do they get him?Is justice served?Well, there is only one way to find out!
This film was a little slow for me.The pacing of this movie could have been a little faster as I tended to lose interest during certain parts.The comedy portion of the film was enjoyable, but seemed too intermittent for my liking.The acting was good, but I didn’t feel like they hit a home run.Although Steinfeld and Bridges had shining moments, it felt like they over embellished at times.Overall, the cinematography was good, the writing ok and the acting was decent.True Grit didn’t quite live up to my expectation, but was an interesting viewing experience.I give this film three and a half stars.I would recommend putting this on your list of movies to see, but just not at the top of the list.
I have a confession to make.I had never seen any of the Toy Story movies before this.Don’t judge me; I don’t have kids so watching kids’ movies isn’t a top priority.I kept meaning to watch them, but never seemed to work it into my busy, adult schedule.So I carved out a Sunday and watched all three in a row.It was the most enjoyable Sunday I have had in weeks.
In Toy Story 3 we find the incredibly lovable toys bemoaning the fact that Andy, their owner is leaving for college and leaving his childhood, including his toys, behind.Even worse than being abandoned, is the prospect of being thrown away because the toy would no longer have a purpose.Toys, like people need to have a purpose in life.
Andy’s mother demands he clean out his room before leaving for school and asks him to divide his things into piles for trash and storage.Surprising no one, he decides to take Woody with him to college and puts all his other toys in a trash bag to be stored in the attic.Even though he is growing up, he isn’t ready to let go of his friends.
Through a series of misunderstandings, the toys end up being donated to a day care center.They are thrilled at the prospect of being loved and enjoyed by eager children.And they seem to be welcomed into the fraternity of toys at the center, but when they meet the children at the center, they realize that life has not improved.These are LITTLE kids who play a bit too rough.The toys try to transfer to the bigger kids’ room and find the day care center is run like a Nazi stalag by a scented teddy bear named Lotso.
Woody makes his way to the day care and manages to help his beleaguered friends.It’s a surprising dark movie and I wonder how little kids handle it.I won’t give away the ending, in case you haven’t seen it, but it’s exactly what you would expect from Pixar; it’s warm and life fulfilling.Normally, that stuff makes me gag, but I actually choked up at the ending.
I give Toy Story 3 four and a half stars.Even though it’s a kid’s movie, the writing is sharp and the tone is dark enough that it doesn’t seem “cutesy.”I loved the animation and was surprised by the level of character development.Even if you are a grown-up like me, I think will enjoy Toy Story 3.
Finally, a film that my family and I can watch together!Toy Story 3 completes, perhaps, the best animated trilogy in filmmaking history.This film was nominated for five Oscars and was able to apprehend two of the coveted golden statues.Albeit unable to capture Best Picture honors, Toy Story 3 did walk away with Best Animated Feature and Best Music Song.Although this movie was nominated for Best Picture, it is almost unheard of, if not impossible, for an animated child’s film to walk away with the top prize.However; director, Lee Unkrich, gave it his best shot.
Toy Story 3 begins with Andy preparing for his transition to college life.While Andy is busily packing for his upcoming departure, we reconnect with all of our toy friends from the previous years including:Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie the Cowgirl (Joan Cusack), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), and my personal favorite, the “inconceivable” (think Princess Bride) Rex the dinosaur (Wallace Shawn).The toys are discussing their future in the attic as Andy is preparing to store them away before he leaves for school.
In a misfortunate twist of fate, the toys end up in a garbage bag curbside awaiting their crushing fate via an oncoming sanitation vehicle.As luck may have it, our clever friends are able to escape the claws of the rocking-out garbage man.However, they are less than impressed that Andy would shepherd them to the roadside without saying goodbye.As they reach the safety of the garage and reunite with Woody, the toys spot a donation box that says Sunnyside Daycare.Angered by Andy’s apparent lack of interest, the toys decide to stow away and begin fresh with a new set of children.
All seems well as they first arrive at Sunnyside; however, it only takes a few moments for them to come to the realization that their perceived Shangri-La is actually a life sentence.The toys hastily attempt to devise a plan of escape only to be thwarted by the evil and sinister Lots-O-Hugs Bear (Ned Beatty).Lotso rules the daycare toys with the proverbial iron fist or in his case wooden walking stick.The twisted bear was accidentally left behind by his child one day.Upon returning home, he found that he had been replaced with an exact replica.Feeling unloved and jaded, Lotso became a dark and uncaring toy interested in only one thing, himself.
Woody, the only toy to escape Sunnyside, returns to aid in a jail-break.He puts a plan in motion and the toys set out on an adventure that is sure to rival any Alcatraz story.I’m not ruining the ending by letting you know that the toys successfully meander away from Sunnyside and find their way back to Andy.This, of course, is how it has to end as Andy decides to give his coveted possessions to a deserving little girl who will cherish them for many years to come.
As with the previous two Toy Stories, I really enjoyed this film.I have to say that I believe this may be my favorite of the three.Toy Story 3 delivers more true to life characters than the previous two with the introduction of Lots-O-Hugs Bear and his dark demeanor.The animation was top notch, story line is amazing, and entertainment value was through the roof.As a parent, it’s wonderful to be able to sit down and not watch “another” cartoon.This was just as entertaining for me as for my kids.Toy Story 3 gets a solid four stars!This film has something that will make you smile, laugh and yes, even cry (well maybe tear-up).Reach for the sky partner or at least for Toy Story 3.It will take you to infinity and beyond!
