Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway Director: Tim Burton Writers: Linda Woolverton (screenplay) and Lewis Carroll (books)
Plot: From Walt Disney Pictures and visionary director Tim Burton comes an epic 3D fantasy adventure “Alice in Wonderland,” a magical and imaginative twist on some of the most beloved stories of all time. Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska as 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, reuniting with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter. Alice embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen’s reign of terror.
Opinion: Many morals and metaphors can be contrived from the story as with the original Disney animated version. Personally I recognized metaphors relating to drugs, politics, and society’s norms. However, nothing is ever mentioned about these topics outright, so interpretation is left to the viewer’s own point of reference. The only obvious lesson one can infer from the plot is that being creative and odd is not a sin and should not be viewed as wrong. Many of us take the path that everyone tells us is correct without analyzing it for ourselves. My favorite line from the film is reiterated twice. “Am I mad?” Another character replies, “Yes, you’re bonkers but all the best ones are.”
I do not think this movie is suitable for children due to some life like violence.
Cast: Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Ellen Barkin, Wesley Snipes Director: Antoine Fuqua Writer: Michael C. Martin Plot: In the course of one chaotic week, the lives of three conflicted New York City police officers are dramatically transformed by their involvement in a massive drug operation in Brooklyn’s Finest, a… In the course of one chaotic week, the lives of three conflicted New York City police officers are dramatically transformed by their involvement in a massive drug operation in Brooklyn’s Finest, a searing new crime drama from acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day). Read the rest of this entry »
Being a movie buff, I love the fact that somebody actually built this chart, but it leaves me with a few questions and also a few disputes. Read the rest of this entry »
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Hugo Weaving, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt Director: Joe Johnston Writers: Andrew Kevin Walker, David Self Plot: Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman, is lured back to his family estate by his brother’s fiancee, Gwen Conliffe, after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father, Talbot sets out to find his brother and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline has come to investigate.
Cast: Mel Gibson, Ray Winstone, Danny Huston, Bojana Novakovic, Shawn Roberts
Synopsis: CASINO ROYALE filmmaker Martin Campbell directs a remake of his own BBC miniseries with this thriller. Mel Gibson stars as Thomas Craven, a man who has spent years as a detective in Boston. When his own daughter is killed near the door of his home, Craven realizes that her death is only one piece of a puzzle filled with corruption and conspiracy, and it falls to him to discover who is behind the crime. Written by Oscar-winner William Monahan (THE DEPARTED) and screenwriter Andrew Bovell (LANTANA), EDGE OF DARKNESS also stars Ray Winstone and Danny Huston.
Director: Nancy Meyers Writer: Nancy Meyers Cast: Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, Alec Baldwin, John Krasinski, Lake Bell Synopsis: Jane (Streep) is the mother of three grown kids, owns a thriving Santa Barbara bakery and has–after a decade of divorce–an amicable relationship with her ex-husband, attorney Jake (Baldwin). But when Jane and Jake find themselves out of town for their son’s college graduation, things start to get complicated. An innocent meal together turns into the unimaginable–an affair. With Jake remarried to the much younger Agness (Lake Bell), Jane is now, of all things, the other woman.
Caught in the middle of their renewed romance is Adam (Steve Martin), an architect hired to remodel Jane’s kitchen. Healing from a divorce of his own, Adam starts to fall for Jane, but soon realizes he’s become part of a love triangle.
Should Jane and Jake move on with their lives, or is love truly lovelier the second time around? It’s…complicated. Read the rest of this entry »
Director: Jason Reitman Writer: Jason Reitman Cast: George Clooney, Jason Bateman, Vera Farmiga Synopsis: George Clooney stars as Ryan Bingham, a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams. Life is changing against his will and out of his control. How will he handle it?
Pros: George Clooney plays George Clooney (as always) as a character at the top of his career game, however flawed personally. Reitman is brave enough to depart from the typical predictable Hollywood story arc, and delivers a funny, tragic, real look at interpersonal relationships. For Vera Farmiga this is likely her most desirable character since Meet Joe Black (then opposite Brad Pitt).
Cons: Not too much to report in terms of cons. Anna Kendrick as rising corporate star Natalie Keener plays the part adequately except her breakdown scene in which she’s caused to cry. It didn’t play well. Other than that…
Overall: This was an enjoyable film from beginning to end. The performances of Clooney, Farmiga, and Bateman are as believable as the characters they portray. There is enough humor to balance the bitter realities of the story which makes for an all around win. Put this film on your list to see. You’ll be having discussions about real life topics for days after.
Director: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes Writer: Gary Whitta Cast: Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Ray Stevenson, Jennifer Beals, Evan Jones Synopsis:Eli (Denzel Washington) has been on a journey, walking across America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a barren wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization where people must kill or be killed. Eli is a peaceful man, intent on completing his intended task, delivering his precious cargo into the right hands. Eli guards the book with his life, and others will stop at nothing to obtain it.
Pros: Denzel Washington dispatching scores of villains. Denzel Washington at the top of is acting game still. Two cool fight scenes and one cool shootout. Story has a good message, and interesting main character. Every shot of him in this character is hopeful for the audience that something worthy will happen.
Cons: Everything else. This is the story that doesn’t move. There are a few nice moments, all of which appear in the trailers. The pacing of the story is long and slow. Doesn’t know if it wants to be an action film or a philosophical message. As a result it doesn’t do either well.
Overall: The Book of Eli was on my list of films to look forward to. I wanted to like it. Denzel is the man, and Denzel with a SWORD had the potential to be AWESOME. Unfortunately this movie played out like watching a pretty cool painting mounted on the wall. It looked nice but didn’t go anywhere. All of the potential of this adventure was front loaded and simply went downhill, or dragged on from there. Even if you’re a huge Denzel fan, I’d say wait for the DVD. He’ll still make money on that.
Initial Twitter Review: “The Book of Eli” was very Biblical, VERY Masonic, likely very personal to Denzel, but unfortunately very un-entertaining.
Sherlock Holmes, starring Robert Downey jr in the title role and Jude Law as Dr. Watson, was fun, explosive, and smart action-mystery film. We’re seeing a newly redefined Holmes/Watson pairing that updates both characters and adds a much needed further depth to the Watson role, and a playfully obsessive nature to the worlds most famous detective.
Pros: GREAT fight scenes. The chemistry in dialog between Downey and Law played well on screen. Several beautifully shot scenes and an explosion scene (you’ll know it when you see it) was well done, perhaps the best I’ve seen. Potential for a sequel. Fun and smart story.
Cons: Guy Ritchie’s brilliance shines brightest on films he’s written and directed as opposed to simply directing as in the case of this film. With the expectation of seeing a “Ritchie Film” ala Snatch, Lock stock, or Rock n’ Rolla, seeing Holmes could be a let down. It’s like seeing the Mona Lisa smiling in a Coca-cola commercial. The art of character development we’re accustomed to seeing attached to Ritchie’s name is missing.
Overall: This movie was a lot of good fun. It was reminiscent of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, and was a wonderful surprise in the theater. Hopefully this franchise (if sequels are planned) will not disappoint as in the Pirates franchise. Check it out in the matinee or turn up the stereo at home when the dvd comes out. You’ll be talking about it for days after.
This has been the topic of discussion in just about every family or social gathering since it came out. So… What was YOUR take on Precious?
Good to show the “reality” of hard urban living, or more depressing fodder?
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