Water For Elephants

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This is based off the historical novel written by Sara Gruen. An old man visits a recent circus that is closed for the night, and instead of being sent to a nursing home he tells his life story to the circus' owner. A Polish American, named Jacob Jankowski, is about to finish his Cornell University exam to become a veterinarian, but is interrupted with the tragic news of his parents death. This leaves Jacob with nothing to his name except for some cloths that he takes to travel with. He follows the railroad, and finds himself hoping a train to rest his feet. He wakes up to surprise of it being a traveling circus called the Benzini Brothers: Most Spectacular Show on Earth. He agrees to work for August Rosenbluth as the circus' personal veterinarian after some convincing. He meets the boss' wife, Marlena Rosenbluth, and falls in love. Their connection to animals makes their connection stronger. However, August Rosenbluth and his goonies remain dangerously in the way. 

Francis Lawrence directed this film, who has taken a new turn in his directional pursuits. While watching this film I was reminded of the film Moulin Rouge directed by Baz Luhrmann. It is a good film with a unique story.  Using a traveling circus as the medium for the backdrop of the story was a great idea. It added to the stories idea of illusion and elegance. I also enjoyed the hidden use od historical events, such as the depression or the prohibition, during the coarse of the story, and how it pushed characters to react in certain ways. I also enjoyed the variety of animals used in this film. It presents viewers with the old dilemma's that animals faced in circus'. This might upset some animal activists. There is a type of hidden realism to this story that is uncommon in most romantic stories. 

The acting is good individually, but there is a lack of chemistry. I will admit, I never saw Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon as on on screen couple. They have a ten year difference between them, but it does fit with the story. Robert Pattinson played the role of Jacob Jankowski. He applies the same amount of passion as he did to his role in Twilight, Edward. He gives his character heart, and sympathetic. Reese Witherspoon is good in her role, Marlena Rosenbluth, as an individual. However, she doesn't appear to love Jacob in anyway. She spends so much of her time being snide to him, and not enough deep love sequences. Christoph Waltz played the role of August Rosenbluth. He is great in this role. He plays a man distraught by love and finical ruin.

I give this film a 4 out of 5 stars! It's a great story, but the connection between the actors isn't as strong as it could've been. It is a great romantic story with unique ideas tied in with historical events. It's a good film to enjoy with friends. 

Answer to last blog: Directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders also both directed the film Lilo and Stitch (and the film How To Train Your Dragon). 

Que: What other film did actors Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson both star in?

Little Ashes

How Do You Know

Vanity Fair

P.S. I Love You

P.S. Happy New Years! Happy 2012!

How To Train Your Dragon

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This loosely based adaptation, from the children's book series of the same title written by Cressida Cowell, follows Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III in a mythical viking island called Berk. The greatest threat to Berk is the pests-the dragon's. Hiccup aspires to be like his the dad, Stoick the Vast-the leader of the village, and defeat dragons. He manages to take down the dreaded Night Fury. When he is face with a decision to kill the dragon, or release it, he chooses to release it. He names the dragon Toothless, and this begins their strange friendship surrounded by a society that views dragons as dangerous enemies.

This film was directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders. I can't say how close this film is, or isn't, to the children's novels because I haven't read them. This animated film has great animated effects. It's still being used to show television improvements with high definition. Using various elements, fire, air, water, to create the powers of the dragon's was brilliant. It made the dragon's much more believable. The story is the basic idea of a rebel fighting for what he believe's in. It's predictable, but it's still heartfelt. The main character, Hiccup, and his father, Stoick, have a great relationship that carries the movie very well. They had several species of dragons used, and some that were mentioned but not used. Using all these highly individualized dragons adds to the unique feel of the film. Watching this film in 3D really made the background stand out beautifully.

The voice acting in this film is great. Although, watching the bonus features the actors really let their looks go during the voicing of the character. Jay Baruchel's hair was insane. Anyway, Jay Baruchel played the leading role of Hiccup. He was great in creating this rebellious character full of heart. Gerard Butler played the voice of Stoick the Vast. He is great voicing this character with so much power and the viking accent. He was almost unrecognizable in this role. Craig Ferguson, Gobber the Belch, is great in this larger than life character. He adds in lots of humour. America Ferrera, Astrid Hofferson, was great in this general role of the female sidekick. She gives Hiccup his courage during this film.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This story is somewhat predictable, but it's full of heart. It's a great family film that celebrates individuality.


Answer to last blog: Steven Lisberger directed the original TRON film in 1982.

Que: What other film did directors Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders direct together?

Mulan
Shrek
Kung Fu Panda
Lilo and Stitch

TRON: Legacy (2010)

 Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This film is the sequel to the Disney original film TRON. Sam Flynn, the son of Encom's founder Kevin Flynn, has spent his life not achieving much after his father's mysterious disappearance. One night Alan Bradley, Kevin Flynn's friend, receives a strange page from his father's old arcade. Sam decides to investigate the source of the page. Sam finds himself digitally placed into the world of the arcade game TRON. In this world he meets all the characters that his father told him in stories as a young child, Clu, Tron, and meets a new friend named Quorra. Sam's one chance of escape is through the distant portal before it closes.

This film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, as his first major film. The original was loved for its tribute to science fiction, and dazzling specials effects created for an 1982 film. However, the downfalls of the original were its lack of story and heartfelt characters. This sequel sought to solve the problems of the original, but maintain the dazzling special effects of the original. Both pushed the boundaries of which computers are capable in various ways. As an audience we've become spoiled by story and special effects. When I saw this in IMAX 3D-I was no different. I enjoyed the effects of making Jeff Bridges appears as his old age from the old film. In IMAX 3D the technology, being new, still had a few small bugs that made his face look like rubber most of the time. A lot of the effects are great, and for can become overpowering if that's all you focus on. It is visually lovely, but it's all done in tones of orange, white, blue, and light green. It creates another world full of adventure, and hidden treasures. The interesting part is how close most of the technology is to becoming real. The story is highly unique, but a lot of it lies in technology and philosophical thought. There is a lot subtle tribute given to the original TRON. The techno music was great creating the feel of the world. The costumes were also well done, but I felt bad for Beau Garrett, Gem. Her costume was so tight that she had trouble breathing most of the time.

Garrett Hedlund, Sam Flynn, was great in his hellion role. He creates a character that is uses his intelligence to outsmart his enemies, and does not fight against them without using it. It is interesting to see a nerdy character being the action hero in modern cinema. Jeff Bridges, played multiple roles, Kevin Flynn and Clu. When he's Kevin Flynn there are moments of 'The Dude' character from The Big Lebowski being full of zen. He's good in hi role creating a character with heart and a strange understanding of this computer world around him. As Clu he's great being the sympathetic villain. Olivia Wilde, Quorra, become well known to popular film audience's in this film. She showed she could hold her own in an action film with talented actors. Michael Sheen, Castor, was a unique insanity. The more guilt he felt the more he amplified his insanity-which was a great touch.


I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! It's a great film that solves the problems of the original TRON film, and is a great film to enjoy. It's visually unique, and musically fun.


Answer to last blog: The age difference between actress Noomi Rapage and Rooney Mara, both played the role of Lisbeth Salander in different version of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is 6 years.

Que: Who was the writer and director for the first TRON in 1982?

Steven Lisberger
Ken Finkleman
John Huston
Ridley Scott

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers! This Also Contains Adult Content!

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This film is based off the novel by Stieg Larsson with the same name (as part of the Millenium Series) and off the 2009 Swedish film of the same title directed by Niels Arden Oplev. The story follows the two characters Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. Mikael and Lisbeth lead two very different lives. Lisbeth is a hellion adult who has forcibly become a ward of the government. She was given an assignment, from Milton security, to follow Mikael after he suffered some major blows from Wennerstorm. Mikael published an article that was surprisingly false. However, after settling some business with her new ward, Nils Bjurman, she finds her Mikael at her doorstep requesting for her aid in solving a 36 year old missing case. It doesn't take long for the two to become lost in the question of what happened to Harriet Vanger. 

This film was directed by David Fincher... well he directed the actor's. Much of this film is alike to the Swedish film in 2009. There are subtle difference's between the two, but this film used the Swedish film as their primary source, and the novel as their second source. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but it does make audience's-who've followed this series from book to the two films-think. Anyway, this film on its own is good, and it is very true to the novel by Larsson, and the idea behind it. Now, this film is dark and sinister, and if you take true pleasure in watching this film then your a pure sadist. This film openly presents audience's with dark ideals and concepts that allow audience's to rate how sadistic they are by seeing how they respond to the film's graphic scene's. That being said this film features a lot of scene's of rape, and speaks often of violent murder, so please don't take your children to this. The cinematogrophery is essentially the same the Swedish film, which is good. The opening credit sequence was awesome, and featured moments of Lisbeth and Mikael in a loud violent way. However, it was so random, and it ruined the feel of the film in its entirety. I did enjoy the awesome rock song though. If you've followed the story from the beginning its easy to pick up on all the small details, and the fast pacedness of the film. However, just coming into the film it might take a while to fully pick up on everything that happened in the film.

This film, unlike the Swedish films, presents these characters with much more depth. This humanized the character much more, and it opened them up to audiences. For fans of the story and the films, it is impossible not to compare Daniel Craig with Michael Nyqivst, and Noomi Rapace with Rooney Mara. Each of them brought out different aspects of the characters in different ways. Daniel Craig is phenomenal in the role of Mikael Blomkvist. He brings out the respect and innocence of his character in a way that keeps audience's enthralled by his character.  Rooney Mara is great in her role as Lisbeth Salander. She brings out that victim/fighter side of the character, as well as her dislike of society. It is a downfall that she mumbles a lot during the film, so it can be hard to understand what she's saying. It's also her interactions with Mikael that make her character stand out so much better in this version. Christopher Plummer plays the role of Henrik Vanger, the man who leads Mikael into this mystery. He's great in this role creating the character who has this strange gentle allure to him, and he brings out the character's honesty. Yorick Van Wageningen, Nils Bjjurman, is great being the character that you want to see suffer. Stellan Skarsgard, Martin Vanger, was great in this role. He, like Daniel Craig, played a very different role than what they had previously performed.

I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! It's very dark, and definitely not for children, but it has a great story. It fully accomplishes in delivering the message that the author wanted to deliver.

Answer to last blog: Direct Chris Gorak was the Art Director for the film Fight Club in 1999.

Que: What is the age difference between the two actress', Rooney Mara and Noomi Rapage?

1 year
15 years
6 years
10 years

The Darkest Hour

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This story follows two young men, Sean and Ben, as they travel to Mosco Russia to present a revolutionary new idea for finding women in bars. However, Skyler, steals the idea from them forcing the two young men to find the nearest club to drink and find a woman Ben met through his blog. They met, and do some casual flirting with Natalie and her friend, Anne, before all the electrical power suddenly stops. Every human, including, Sean, Ben, Natalie, and Anne, go outside to see a brilliant glowing golden light in the outside sky. Mysterious golden lights slowly float down towards the ground and disappear. It is quickly revealed that these golden lights aren't friendly, and Sean, Ben, Natalie, Anne, and Skyler must struggle to survive.


This is director Chris Gorak's second film to direct. It's got a great story, a very imaginative unique idea, but if your an electrician this film will probably drive you crazy. The effects involving the aliens were amazing. It's simple, and done very well. The design for the aliens was unique-they looked like evil babies, or evil pieces of charcoal with a large swishy tail. The effect of destroying the living was unique, and non-gory! The effect is still there, but there isn't any blood at all. This film also does not feature explicit sex, or narcotic drugs, but it does show alcohol consumption. This film focus's purely on survival for the five people involved, and for the human race. The reason this film is bad for electric professionals is because it plays off a theory of a lethal electrical armor, and that they see pure electricity. The problem is knowing what material is a conductor, and which material blocks electricity. Brass is the number blocker of electricity, but metal and copper is not. Which makes a metal suit non effective in this way-plus the idea that it'd probably burn your skin if your not wearing leather, or some other thick material underneath. The characters that propel the story are unique in a sense that someone is actually intelligent, and uses this intelligence to learn how to fight these aliens. There is of course that one person who gets someone else killed as is usual in these situations. If you see some magical ball of light fall from the sky and disappear what do you do? As a police officer showed, you use your long stick to poke it. Watching this film in 3D was great. As a film in hole it doesn't need to be in 3D-it just gives it additional effect. The opening credits were amazing to watch in 3D, and the ending sequence of the submarine floating away on the water was serenely beautiful. The dog dying was saddening, but the house cat covered in flexible copper wiring was funny adorable. Using Mosco as a backdrop was great for this film. It adds to the chaos surrounding the survivors-being in a strange land with strange people while aliens are destroying the world.

This film has a great cast of actors who create unique characters. Emile Hirsch plays the role of Sean. He has starred in several unique films and this is no different. He is the slacker nerd friend of Ben. He is the man who always looks to the bright side, and in the end uses a level head to find a way to be victorious. He is good in this role standing out especially during his humanity speeches. Max Minghelia plays the role of Ben. In this film he is a nerd who tries to help keep his friends alive. He is good in this role, but he doesn't achieve a character that stands out. He's the average nice guy hero. Olivia Thirlby plays the role of Natalie. She's good as the female sidekick who falls in love with the hero. Audience's will sympathize with her plight. Rachael Taylor plays the role of Anne. She is the friend who accompanies Natalie in the bar. She's good being the character who panics all the time. Joel Kinnaman plays the role of Skyler who is the odd man out from the beginning. He's good as the prick who begins to learn more about himself as the world is ending. Veronika Ozerova, Vika, is great to watch as the bad ass girl. Dato Bakhtadze, Sergei, is highly memorable in his craziness.

I give this film a 4 out of 5. It's a great idea, and often times visually beautiful. There idea is great, but it wasn't fully thought through. Most of the cast was great in this general alien invasion film. So, fear the power outages! :P

Answer to last blog: Mike players performed multiple roles in the film Austin Powers.

Que: What film did director Chris Gorak Art Direct in 1999?

Being John Malkovich
Fight Club
American Beauty
The Matrix

Waiting in theaters for the tattoo to start. Some woman is complaing about how dark it is & says Chipwrecked is a real film!

About to watch Girl w/ the Dragon Tattoo.

gonna watch the darkest hour-review soon

So I Married An Axe Murderer

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This 1993 film, follows Charlie Mackenzie who becomes paranoid, ends relationships, and writes a poem about the failed attempt. While out buying haggis for a visit to his parents house, Charlie meets Harriet Michaels. There is an instant attraction. Charlie goes back to meet her once again on a busy day, and helps her at the shop. They decide to take their mutual friendship a step further and begin dating. It doesn't take long until they begin living together, and Charlie begins to suspect that Harriet is Mrs. X, a brutal axe murderess who murders her husbands on their honeymoon.

This film was directed by Thomas Schlamme, who is mostly known more for his television directing. A lot of films that combine multiple genres, this one combines murder mystery, romance, and comedy, don't commonly do well in theaters. However, before this Mike Meyers was mostly known for Wayne's World. This film really opened up his acting career for different films. This film is more of a guilty pleasure. It's hidden charm comes from the characters hearts. The backdrop of San Francisco was good, but it probably shouldn't have premiered at a Francisco Film benefit. It's a satire of the murder mystery genre, and of the detective genre.

Mike Meyers, plays the innocent suspicious Charlie MacKenzie, but also doubles as his Scottish father Stuart MacKenzie. This opened up Meyers for his character roles. He's got so much charm and heart in this film, that it's hard to ignore. Nancy Travis plays the role of Harriet Michaels. She's the lady in red who could possibly be Mrs. X. She's great in this role. She gets to experiment with this character in humorous ways. Anthony LaPaglia, Tony Giardino, is Charlie's best friend and detective. He is the beat cop who wants to be like the characters from Starsky and Hutch. Amanda Plummer, Rose, is Harriet's sister and closest friend. She's an interesting character in this film. She keeps distant from Charlie most of the time, and seems to behave abnormally.

I give this film a 3 out of 5. It has a unique story, and has characters full of heart.

Answers to last blog: Ed Tolputt played the role of the Anonymous Man in Sherlock Holmes (2009). Actress Noomi Rapace performed the role of Lisbeth Salander in the foreign film The Girl with the Dragon Tatto.

Que: What popular role featured Mike Meyers in multiple character roles?

Bowfinger
Austin Powers
The Nutty Professor
Tropic Thunder

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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Based off the novel by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with the same title; this film follows a few months after the first the film. Dr. John Watson has given up his life of crime solving with detective Sherlock Holmes in order to enjoy marriage with his new wife Mary. However, Holmes is on the verge of solving one of his most sinister crimes, and defeat his greatest foe, Profesor James Moriarty. Holmes decides to continue playing this deadly game with Moriarty, and places Dr. Watson, and his new wife, in trouble. Dr. Watson agree's during his honeymoon to assist Holmes on this case. They follow Madame Simza Heron, a gypsy fortune teller, whose life is placed in immediate danger by Moriarty. Together they begin unraveling the mysteries of Moriarty, and his sinister plans.

This film was directed by Guy Ritchie, the director of the first one in 2009. All new, and fewer, writers worked together to make this film different (Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney). This film features much of what was loved from the first one, but improves on its faults. This film has small connections to the first that you have to pay attention to undertand. The story is great, but I would've thought that Moriarty's motive's wouldn't have been so cliche. There is also a lot of small details that you don't realize until you see the final result. There were several times where the film backtracks to show what Holmes had done to achieve a result. It's a definite watch more than once film to get a full understanding. A lot of this film appears much more chaotic, but that is because it's meant to keep Sherlock's mind a mystery. It also places a big reminder that these stories about Holmes is told from the perspective of Dr. Watson. In its opening and closing it is apparent that Dr. Watson is telling the story. My thinking is that the first film took place in the present, and hints at Dr. Watson's future publications. This film really brings out all the things that can go wrong with Holmes' well thought out plans. He has one successful montage of pre-planning fighting thought, but then all the others fail due to surprises of other people around him. The final scene between Holmes and Moriarty where they both ended up thinking of ways to fight one another was odd. It was good cinematically, but it become highly odd and appeared as if they were telepathically speaking to one another. There wasn't as much humour in this one, but it has plenty of moments of levity. The backdrops were amazing and extravagant. The weapons used were slightly out of place, because of the time frame. However, it is safe to assume that this is fiction, and that these weapons are technically still being manufactured.

The character, namely Holmes, are much more humanized. It shows the strong relationships between the characters, even if its through subtle gestures. Robert Downey Jr. returned to his role as the neurotic Sherlock Holmes. He is great in this role that appears to have been made just for him. This really plays to his acting strengths in that he can go insanely neurotic, and yet be the hero audience's cheer for. He does a lot of subtle gestures to show the humanizing characteristics of Holmes. Jude Law also returns to his role as Dr. John Watson. He is great in this role showing a great friend, and assistant, for Holmes. He leads this film mainly, because its presented from his perspective. This makes Holmes decisions appear more chaotic, but also shows Watson's trust in Holmes. Noomi Rapace plays the role of Madame Simza Heron. She's an actress beginning to open her career to popular film audiences. Sadly, it again comes to an idea of which female heroine was preferred-mostly a choice decision. Did you prefer watching Irene Adler, Rachel McAdams, or Madame Sizma Heron? Apart from that she's great in this role. Creating a highly sympathetic character that is pulled into this mystery. Stephen Fry plays the role of Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's brother. He adds an unexpected humour to this film. He's the laid back politician who aids Holmes on occasion. Jared Harris plays the role of Professor Moriarty. Once he comes out of the shadows he fails to have the sauve impact that he had in the shadows. He's good in this role, but he keeps the insanity too well mannered.

After much deduction, I have concluded that this film should receive a 5 out of 5 stars! It really does improve on the faults of the first one, and opens up the characters in new ways.

Answer to last blog: Director Peyton Reed, of The Break-Up, also directed the film Bring It On.

Que: Who played the Anonymous Man, Professor Moriarty, in the original Sherlock Holmes in 2009?

Tom Taylor
Vincent D'Onofrio
Michael lugenbuehl
Ed Tolputt

A quick bonus question: What other popular role did actress Noomi Rapace perform?


Dr. Watson: What have you done to Gladstone now?

The Break-Up

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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A few years after beginning their relationship, from a meeting at a ball game, Gary and Brooke begin to realize that their differences aren't working out. After a heated argument Brooke breaks up with Gary. They decide to continue living in their condo and try to get the other out. A friend finally manages to convince them to sell, but that doesn't mean the battle is over.

This film was directed by Peyton Reed. This film labeled under romantic comedy, but it really isn't a romantic comedy. It plays off the idea of the anti-romance. The story showcases what goes wrong in most relationships. Which makes it more honest than any other romantic comedy in the market, but it's not something popular audience's expect to find. There is some unique drama surrounding this film in that the two leading actors were dating in real life, and ended up breaking up around the same time this film was released. The situations continue to get crazier as the film goes on. The scheme's remain true to the characters. The ending was unexpected, because it actually didn't feature the familiar happy-ever after. At least not in the usual sense. The ending does leave it ambiguous. The alternate ending was awkward and strange, so the actual ending was much better. I did enjoy the tour bus idea, it gave the film a location in the city of Chicago.

Vince Vaughn played the role Gary Grobowski. He's the typical male character who does everything he wants to do. He is good in this role playing a similar character to other roles. He does offer this character more of a hidden heart which is good. Jennifer Aniston played the role of Brooke Meyers. She changes her acting style slightly turning the girl next door into the confused and broken girlfriend. She gives her character a ton of emotion as is usual for her roles. She is always a joy to watch. Watching Justin Long as Christopher was different. He has completely changed his character type to show he can do various roles.

I give this film a 4 out of 5 stars! It's got a unique story to the genre, and a unique cast. It's an anti-romantic comedy labeled as a romantic comedy.

Answer to last blog: Ruben Fleischer directed the film Zombieland which stared actor Jesse Eisenberg.

Que: What other film has Peyton Reed directed?

Wedding Crashers
He's Just Not That Into You
Bring It On
Something's Gotta Give

30 Minutes or Less

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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Dwayne and Travis decide to go on the criminal side by hiring a hitman to murder Dwayne's father, after some convincing by a stripper named Juicy. They kidnapped Nick, a pizza delivery guy, and strap a bomb to his chest to force him to rob a bank. Nick enlists the help of his friend Chet, a school teacher. This leads them all down a slippery slope of chaos spurred by naivete.

This film was directed by Ruben Fleischer. He directed one other popular comedy with the same actor Jesse Eisenberg. This film resembles a real life incident, involving Brian Douglas Wells, that only the film's writers admit to briefly knowing about it. This film takes what could've been a dramatic story and turns it into a comedy. It works well for the idea. There are moments when it causes audience's to chuckle because of the character's cluelessness. It doesn't have you bent over laughing hysterically though. The further along the film the more you want the villains, Dwayne and Travis to suffer. The narrative is confusing, because it two groups of people caught on opposite ends of the story. The basic effects in the film were good, it was cool watching the flamethrower in use.

The acting in this film was good. The fast paced read lines were good, and added a lot to the characters. Their cluelessness lead to a lot of the physical humour which allowed them a chance to react. Jesse Eisenberg played the role of Nick, the pizza delivery boy coerced into robbing a bank. He's good in this role. He gives this character the humorous in his patethicness aspect, but doesn't really make you feel sympathetic to his character. Danny McBride played the role of Dwayne, the wanna be criminal who wanted the money to murder his millionaire father. He just plays this character so well that you want him to suffer. It's similar to his other roles, and there really isn't anything new to this character. Aziz Ansari, Chet, is Nick's best friend. This role is great for establishing himself as an actor who can hold his own in a major film. Nick Swardson, Travis, plays Dwayne's best friend. He's the character who mostly blindly follows his best friend. He's really beginning to build-up his career for bigger roles, but he still needs to get out of the same type style roles.

I give this film a 3 out of 5 stars! It's good to watch every once in a while, but it's not something that you want to watch over and over again. It has its moments of humour, but it fails to deliver extreme laughs. The characters aren't made to be sympathetic.

Answer to last blog: Actress Viola Davis played the role of Ellen in the film Madea Goes to Jail.

Que: What film did director Ruben Fleischer, and actor Jesse Eisenberg, work together in?

Adventureland
Your Highness
Zombieland
Get Him To The Greek

The Help

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This is the film adaptation based off the novel by Kathryn Stockett of the same name. Jackson, Mississippi the early 1960's was an entirely  different world. As Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan discovers when she decides to go on a daring journey to interview african american maids about their real life experiences has being maids for white households. She begins by interviewing Aibileen Clark, and begins to learn more than she realized about life in Jackson. Minny Jackson decides to assist after being fired from her former household. Together they find themselves facing the racial issues facing the time along with the social problems faced by women.

Tate Taylor wrote and directed this film. This is his first major film production to hit major theaters. I can't say how truthful it is to the novel it's based off, but I've read that it lacks certain inspirational aspects that the book possessed. The story is very unique storyline. It has some deep drama in it, but there are plenty of moments of unexpected levity. This film does feature the stereotypical mammy roles. However, in a film like this it's impossible not to. It also gives these characters power that never existed before in films. Now this isn't based of actual historical fact, if it had been I doubted it would've ended on such a cheerful note. It's been argued that it fails to portray a true picture of what was faced in Jackson, Mississippi, and that it underplays racial attacks from the white community. In some ways it does, and in others it doesn't. To put it simple, a film like this is going to push various buttons, and that's how it goes. Apart from these notes, the story is great. It has a deep story full of heart.

The acting is amazing in this film. Emma Stone plays the role of Skeeter. She's the main focus for the stories plot. She is good in her role creating a sympathetic character with style. Her unusual manner of being a 1960's working girl (instead of a housewife), and compassionate to the help, makes her stand out as a character. Viola Davis played the role of Aibileen Clark. She opens up, and closes the film, with her narrations of her life and the impact on it because of Skeeter and her novel. She uses a deep passion to create this character that isn't overplayed. She creates an amazing strong african american woman that audience's feel compassionate for. Octavia Spencer, Minny Jackson, was great in her firecracker role. She could easily pull off moments of hot and cold with ease. Bryce Dallas Howard played the bitchy Hilly Holbrook. She is coming a long way in her acting career, and this will definitely add to it. She is great in this role creating such a vicious woman.

I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! It has a great story, and great actors. It does have sensitive material that creates a lot of controversy.

Answer to last blog: Mick Garris directed the television miniseries The Shining based off the Stephen King novel.

Que: What character did actress Viola Davis play in Madea Goes to Jail?

Cora
Donna
Linda
Ellen 

Stephen King's Bag of Bones

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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"Beware the lake." This is the tv miniseries, on A&E, based from the Stephen King novel of the same name. Mike Nooonan is a famous author who writes for his wife, Jo Noonan. During a meet the author Jo gets hit by an oncoming bus, and dies from the impact. Mike learns that his wife had discovered she was pregnant at her time of death, and begins to suspect her of wrong doing. To relive tension, and find writing inspiration, he travels to their inherited lake house in Dark Score Lake in Western Maine. He quickly discovers that there is a dark secret haunting his lake house that involves Dark Score Lake spring fair in 1939, and a blue's singer named Sara Tidwell, and a little girl named Kyra Devore.

"Lie still bag of bones." This miniseries was directed by Mick Garris, a director who has experience working with Stephen King in the past. This was done in two parts instead of the usual three parts, one that would be shown once per week instead of two in days. I haven't read the novel this was based off, so I can't say how loyal it is to the book. From tid bits that I'd read it's moderately faithful only rushed. The three event miniseries had great build-up, and really introduced the characters. Since this was a two part miniseries-each episode being 2 hours-can only present so much information. Part one had a decent back story, but it failed to pull audience's in like former miniseries events had accomplished. The town gives off a highly dark creepy feel to it. There is a curiosity that is set in place with part 1. Part 1 also gives off a lot of hints that make the ending fairly predictable. Part 2 has a deeper story line that really isn't explored to it's greatest depths. The climax comes off as random, and is only placed there to make an end for the show. There were several moments of entirely random events that weren't fully explored. I really enjoyed the idea of everything being a family curse. Visually its stunningly dark. The ghosts were well done. The hauntings were too sporadic, and happened way too early in part 1.

Pierce Brosnan played the leading role of Mike Noonan. He's good in this role, but the character is a bit too carefree. It is obvious when he's experiencing sadness, and anger, but the emotions aren't as deep as they should be. Annabeth Gish, Jo Noonan, was great for the few minutes that she was onscreen. She really made her character stand out, first in having a dark secret and then second as a protector. Melissa George, Mattie, is the character who pulls Mike back into life with a new love. She portrays the character as a naive girl who has a major crush, but does not present any real seduction for Mike. Caitlin Carmichael, Kyra Devore, is the little girl who pulls Mike into the mystery of the Devore family. She is cute, and spends most of the film crying. Anika Noni Rose, Sara Tidwell, was great in her role of the villainous ghost. She performs her role with great passion.

I give this a 3 out of 5 stars! It's got a great story, but it wasn't fully explored in depth. The acting was good, but the characters were oddly portrayed.

Answer to last blog: Actor Patrick Wilson starred in the dark film Hard Candy.

Que: What other miniseries event did Mick Garris direct based from a Stephen King novel?

The Shining
Rose Red
The Storm of the Century
Salem's Lot

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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This is the film remake of Andrew Lloyd Webber's 1986 Broadway musical which was based off the novel Le Fantome De L'Opera by Gaston Leroux. The story follows Christine who, after her father died, was taken to live in the opera house in Paris. She is taken under the wing of the Angel of Music as a protege. She learns to be a brilliant soprano, and as new managers, Firmin and Andre, take over the theater she is able to show her talent. She quickly finds herself as lead in the newest production replacing Carlotta, the stage diva. This opens her to The Phantom and to Raoul. Both love her, but she must make a dark choice of who to share her life with.

This film was directed by Joel Schumancher. At the time of this film he was mostly known for the unusual rendition of Batman. I've seen bits of the stage production, but not the entire thing, so I can not say how entirely faithful it is. It seems to follow the story fairly decently. The backdrop sets are elaborately expressive, and add to a dreamlike feel for the Phantom's world. The theater is big, but it remains within the realms of a theater. I really enjoyed how the cast was always performing, like they were on a stage, even when they were delivering their stage lines. The effects were well done. I really enjoyed the segments of Raoul's present being in black and white while his past was in color. The fading into color was brilliantly done. The songs were well performed, and the dance's were well choreographed. They was the constant feeling of being in a love nightmare.

Emmy Rossum played the leading soprano Christine. She is great in this role. She really portryas the character's conflict of love and desire. Gerard Butler played the role of The Phantom. This was a surprise to several people. It was even more surprising to see his transformation for this role. The make-up effects for his face were well done. Kept minimum to make it believable. Patrick Wilson played the role of Raoul. He is good in this role creating the innocent hero to contrast the Phantom's dark desires. Miranda Richardson, Madame Giry, was good but her accent would often times become too thick. The accent oddly doesn't pass onto her daughter, Meg Giry performed by Jennifer Ellison. Minnie Driver was an amazing actress in the role of the Diva Carlotta. She played such a maniac diva without going too cheesy with it. 

Without further ado, I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! I believe this to be a great film adaptation from the Broadway musical. It has great music, and great dances.

Answer to last blog: The major film that established Sigourney Weaver's acting career was Alien in 1979.

Question: What dark film did Patrick Wilson star in?

I Spit On Your Grave
The Crazies
The Last House On The Left
Dark Candy

Alien: Resurrection (Special Edition)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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200 years after the third film (making this the fourth installment to the Alien franchise), Lt. Ripley wakes up on a new ship vessel; the USM Auriga. She has been cloned from the old Lt. Ripley's blood along with the alien queen inside of her chest. The science lab manages to surgically remove the alien from her chest, and decides to keep Lt. Ripley to see what she will become. As the alien queen begins breeding, Lt. Ripley faces her demons once again.


This fourth installment was directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He has directed several unique films. Okay, this one started out great, but it ended on such an awful note. The beginning remains true to the original alien in killing style, and movements. The CGI in creating the alien is great in this film. The alien hybrid was just plain wrong. The film is good until it's reaches it's climax where the alien hybrid was. The idea of Ripley having alien DNA mixed with hers makes sense, but having her mate with the alien queen was disturbing and ruined the film's story. This film does up the gore compared to the previous films. The effects were great. This 1997 film created the world of new world of alien where Weyland-Yutani was brought out by Wal-Mart. It also used some of the basic issues that were being faced by the modern world to formulate this future one. It was cool watching the aliens using more intellect to set more elaborate traps for it's human victims. It's hard to say if the alien species was intelligent, because of the shared DNA with Ripley or if it was just a director's new take on the species.

Sigourney Weaver returned in her final reprisal of Lt. Ripley. She was great in this role. She really portrayed the new version of Ripley with such a heart. It is easy to see her human former human side mingled with the alien DNA. Winona Ryder played the role of Annalee Call. She's is great contrasting Weaver in this film. She has an understanding of Ripley's problems. She creates a more humanizing aspect to the film. Ron Perlman played the role of Johner. It's hard not to notice him in this film. He comes out as his usual sarcastic prick, but he portrays it with great humour. Leland Orser plays Larry Purvis. He's one of the victims brought onto this by the crew of the Betty, and is used as a victim to host the alien babies. He reminds the audience that there are real people facing something dangerous, and not necessarily just the monsters.

I give this film a 2 out of 5 stars! It's got a great opener for a story, but it's climax ruins the film. It takes the alien films to odd territory. The acting is good for this film's story. The special effects are great for creating the new atmosphere, and the alien species.

Answer to last blog question: Lt. Ripley's first name in the alien franchise is Ellen.

Que: What major film established Sigourney Weaver's name to popular film audience's?

Ghostbusters
Alien
The Year of Living Dangerously
Gorilla's in the Mist

Alien 3 (Director's Cut)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!


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This film is the third part to the Alien franchise. It picks up where the second left off, as Lt. Ripley, Newt, Bishop, and CPL. Hicks have made their escape in the Sulaco, but there is a violent fire that forces the ship to make an emergency escape. The pod lands on an isolated planet that is used as a penal colony called Fiorina 'Fury' 161. It doesn't take long for Ripley to know that something isn't right. Something has followed her.

This 1992 film was directed by David Fincher. This film was his first major debut as a popular film director. This film has a good story. It plays off the idea of 'why are only the good punished-shouldn't the bad be punished to?' It isn't as deep as the previous films, but it has its moments. It is sad that everyone except Ripley died, but this is a horror film. Pretty much none of the characters are meant to live in future sequels-except for Ripley's cat Jonesy (who would've died of old age). Seeing the person to survive was rather surprising. However, there are major plot holes in this story. There is never a decent explanation as to how their ship became infected with two alien pod eggs, and how Ripley found herself impregnated with a queen alien. There is no way the former queen could've laid an egg in the Sulaco if you really watch the ending of the second film (Aliens). There is also a plot hole if you place Alien vs. Predator into the mix of this series. Bishop being human in this film some thousand years in the future doesn't fit with him being in AVP placed several years in the past. However, I did like how they experimented with the alien by having it birthed from something that wasn't human-in this edition it was an ox, in the original it was dog. The alien in this film was creepy in that it actually laghed as it made it's way to freedom. This film also more CGI to make this alien appear alive, and have more movements. For the time it was decent CGI, but there were several moments where the alien would become too green in color, and its movements were very rigid and not fluid. It was interesting to watch how stubborn this alien born of animal was intent on killing everyone first.

Sigourney Weaver came back to her role of Lt. Ripley. She was good in this film. Her character was much more distant in this film, because she was facing down this alien for a third time in a prison full of angry men. Her character was slightly different from the previous films in that she becomes more bold among people-even if that meant getting hurt later. She is still a great actress in this role though. Charles Dance played the role of Clemens, the medical doctor on the planet. He is a great sympathetic character that aids Ripley in all ways possible (*wink). If there was any character audience's could relate to it would be him. He is great in this role turning a possibly bad character into someone with heart. Charles S. Dutton plays the role of Dillon. He's the leader of most of the men there spiritually, and morally. He keeps everyone working together in harmony, and tries to keep Ripley from being a disturbance. He is fairly popular actor, and this cemented his popularity among audiences. Paul McGann played the role of Golic, one of the inmates. His character gave the awesome quote: "In an insane world, a sane man must appear insane". He was great in this role of the totally insane inmate who could murder you without a second thought. Ralph Brown played the role of Aaron, or 85. He plays the role of the commander's sidekick. He-even with limited intelligence-fights to survive, and is also forced to make a choice between the company and what is morally right.

Okay, I give this film an 3 out of 5 stars! It has a good story, but it lacks any real heart in it. The CGI effects are ancient, but could've been better done in moderation.

Answer to last blog: The alien race given to the alien species in this film is called Xenomorph's.

Que: What is Lt. Ripley's first name in the film franchise?

Shelly
Helen
Janice
Ellen

Aliens (Director's Cut)

Caution: This might contain Spoilers!


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This film is the sequel to Alien, and follows the story of the only survivor, Ripley. 57 years later, her small escape pod was discovered floating in empty space. She gives her statement to the Weyland-Yutani company, and they choose not to openly believe her. She is later offered a chance to return to the planet where the source of the SOS, warning, was sent from. A colony full of families were established to try and make the planet livable. begrudgingly, Ripley accepts the offer, and follows a group of trained military soldiers to find out what happened to the colony.

This film was directed by James Cameron in 1986 (remade in 1990). This film holds a much more complex story than the previous film had, and it also is told from a military perspective. It is easy to see Cameron's distrust of big corporations greed, and the dark seeds of human nature that reoccur in another big budget film featuring an alien species (Avatar). The story uses military professionals to fight off hordes of aliens, whereas the other films tend to make the characters into pure victims. The story goes deeper into telling the backstory of Ripley by revealing she had a daughter who died of old age. There is also more story development with the characters that are involved. There are some mistakes that come from the plot. Having space dust appear in Ripley's ship as its being discovered is laughable, and unbelievable. How can you get dust from space? The ending's hole is that the alien is disposed of in the vacuum of space. There is a great dramatic scene where the alien is clinging onto Ripley's foot. She pushed the button, and it gets pulled out into space. Only problem, if there is a hole in the ship, humans would die. Without a special suit humans would die as soon as the hold opened in the ship. This film doesn't have the same build-up the first film had. instead it's more of a roller coaster containing lost of action sequences. It still remains a staple for the genre.

Sigourney Weaver reappears in the leading role of Lt. Ripley. She is great reprising this role. She really explores the new depths of the character making it her plight much more believable. Carrie Henn starred in her only film role as Rebecca 'Newt' Chambers or Jorden (not sure which is the last name). She was great in this role, and created a very sympathetic character. Jenette Goldstein played the bad-ass role of Pvt. Vasquez. She is the bad-ass military woman full of sarcastic personality. She is great to watch in this film. Lance Henriksen played the role of Bishop. The android sent on the ship to assist the crew. He really pulls out a sympathetic character for an android. Paul Reiser played the role of Carter Bruke. He plays the spineless villain sent by the company. He's great in his role. He makes the audience want him dead.

I give this film a 5 out of 5 stars! I really enjoyed watching this more complex take in the alien franchise. There was a few small problems, but nothing major.

Answer to last blog: The Nostromo was the name of the ship featured in the first Alien movie.

Que: What is the name given to the alien race featured in this franchise?

Xanorph
Xenomorph
Xanter
Xendter

Alien (Director's Cut)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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A commercial ship is told to explore the unusual call from a strange planet, on an alien ship, without fully knowing it's meaning. During their exploration Kane, one of the crew, comes across an area full of eggs that appear to contain some form of life. The egg opens, and something latches itself onto his face. It forces something down his throat while keeping his barely alive. He is impregnated with the alien species. The remaining crew must fight to survive this new life.

This film was directed by Producer/Director Ridley Scott in 1979. This film introduced several new elements to film that had never been seen in the thriller/horror science fiction films. Although this film also has a cheesy tagline "In space no-one can hear you scream". This film really places with its genre's, but it does it in the right places. It makes use of building-up suspense, and the character's personalities, so that audience's feel for the characters. The more an audience feels for the characters then the more thrills the movie sends. It's pacing placed it in history as the only great horror science fiction film. It also contains several aspects that horror movie audiences love to see. It attacks men's fears instead of only women, women are portrayed as strong willed survivors, it has enough suspense to make it a thriller, it has gore, and the will of humans to survive. This film also created a lot without using computer animation, even if it was cheesy at times but that's the time this film was made, and it used it limited materials very well. This very different world is created with simple effects. It is also amazing how the alien appeared for only a few minutes of film, but yet left a terrifying impression. The puppetry behind it was well done. There isn't much to say negatively about the film, because so much was placed into it. The only bad part is that it now exists to a certain audience who either grew up with the films, have an appreciation for such films, or just like to get scared. It is an older film that much of the younger generation does not know about it.

Sigourney Weaver played the leading role of Ripley. She created a strong female character that took control to fight for her survival. She really pulled audience's into the story. Tom Skerritt played the role of Dallas. He was captain of the team who is forced into an unimaginable situation. He is great in this role. He shows the character's fears and the character's desire to remain calm to keep everyone alive. John Hurt played the role of Kane (an oddly fitting name). His character isn't fully explored, because he discovers the alien species first, and is impregnated with it; thus causing his death. Veronica Cartwright (Lambert), Yaphet Kotto (Parker), Harry Dean Stanton (Brett) are the remaining cast to make up the crew. They are great in playing their individual roles, but they're characters are limited to what is available to the time allotted. Ian Holm plays the last role of Ash. He is the representation of the Weyland-Yutani company, and its not good. The company wants to do more research into the alien species without any consideration to the lives of the crew. He is great creating this heartless character forced to enforce the companies wishes.

I give this film a 5 out 5 stars! It is a really great story, and, with the year it was made, it was uniquely done. This film has left a staple for all science fiction horror films.

Answer to last blog: Actors Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis both starred in the television show It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. 

Que: What was the name of the ship featured in Alien?

LV-426
Sulaco
USM Auriga
Nostromo