The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones

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This film is based off the first book in the Mortal Instruments series written by Cassandra Clare. Clary Fray learns upon having visions of symbols, she learns that she can see things that other people can't. After her mother is kidnapped, Clary discovers that she is a Shadow Hunter (a half angel who hunts demons). She teams up with others like her to rescue her mother, and find the mortal instrument.

This film was directed by Harald Zwart. This film, like most every modern teenage supernatural film, has been compared to Twilight. This unfair comparison is made unjustly. However, this film story has a lot to explain and character relationships to build. Unfortunately, more time was spent trying to create a love story making less time for explanation. This film doesn't have a love triangle. There is a twist ending that will break most teen hearts though. The story also finds a balance between drama and humor in odd moments. It does allow enough time for fast paced action sequences. So, this film can be easily by both male and female audiences. There is some gore in this film, but not enough to make it overly violent. There isn't much to be afraid of in this film-only a few jump moments. If you haven't read all the books then there will be some spoilers from the film. There is a lot computer animation in this film. Some of the demons appear kind of nasty looking, and over the top. The army of demons created from smoke and fire were great on screen. The acting was good for the film. Lily Collins played the role of Clary Fray. Her acting was good for the films character, but it didn't allow her stand out emotionally. Jamie Campbell Bower played the role of Jace. He was good at creating a rebellious love interest. But more could have been done to give his character more definition. Robert Sheehan played the role of Simon. He created a great personality for the film, and offered a lot of comedic relief.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! This film is great for modern teenage audiences. The story needed a little more direction. But its got some good action and some good plot twists.

Answer to last blog: Actor Frank Langella, Robot and Frank, also starred in the film The Box.

Que: What other film has actor Robert Sheehan starred in?

Drive

A Midnight in Paris

Shame

Season of the Witch

Robot and Frank

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Set in the near future, Frank is an ex-jewelry thief living alone. Hunter, Frank's son, gives him a robot butler. Frank grows fond of Robot, and decides to use him in his next heist. 

This film was directed by Jake Schreier. This is the first film for director Schreier. It has a very unique story that combines aging with future technology. With the current evolution of robot technology, it is more believable than most modern action science fiction films. The story doesn't challenge audiences to over think future technology. It instead tells an warm hearted story of a person could come to love a robot. It does however, present a possible future of digitalization and robot butlers. The design of the robot, taken from modern real life designs, was really well thought out. It kept the robot from looking too human, but made him feel important. It is good to see a return to a classic technique-a human in a robotic suit. The lack of computer animation kept the film feeling more realistic. This film's cinematography has a classic and simple feel to it. This film was really pulled along by its great acting. Frank Langella played the role of Frank. He created the perfect image of man trying to find meaning in his life. Peter Sarsgaar voiced acted the Robot. He did great at keeping his voice neutral through the film. It made him more believable as a machine.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great film that creates a new depiction of the rise of technology.

Answer to last blog: Actor Tom Hardy, Lawless, also played the role Eames from Inception.

Que: What other film has actor Frank Langella starred in?

Up
The Box
A Serious Man
The White Ribbon

Lawless

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This film is based off the novel The Wettest County in the World written by Matt Bondurant. This film is set in Depression-Era Franklin County, Virginia. Forrest, Howard, and Jack Bondurant are bootlegger. Charlie Rakes arrives as a new deputy wanting to set law and order to Franklin County by stopping all bootleggers.

This film was directed by John Hillcoat. This film attempts to become a blood soaked epic. However, the story lacks enough emotion to connect with the audience on a personal level. The film remains dull until action happens. It keeps the film feeling too choreographed. The story is familiar to people who enjoyed gangster films. This film being set in Franklin brings that gangster film feel to Franklin County, Virginia. It has great cinematography. There is a lot of violence, but the gore remains only hinted at. There are small amounts of nudity. There is some great folk/country music used for this film. This film has some great acting in it, but not much time was given for character development. Shia LaBeouf played the role of Jack Bondurant. He was great in this role. He had the most life out of the characters. Tom Hardy played the role of Forrest Bondurant. He was amazing in this film. He created a character with a lot of power onscreen. But not much time was spent on creating a personality for his character. Jason Clarke played the role of Howard Bondurant. His character did not have enough time on screen to feel highly important. Guy Pearce played the role of Charlie Rakes. He was great creating the typical over zealous villain.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is worth a watch for its good acting and good filming. However much great action is in the film, there isn't enough dramatic story to pull audiences in.

Answer to last blog: Director Darren Aronofsky, The Fountain, also directed the film The Wrestler.

Que: What other role has actor Tom Hardy played?

FDR Foster (This Means War)

Eames (Inception) 

Peddy Conlon (Warrior)
Bill Haydon (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy)

The Fountain

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This film is tells three different stories simultaneously. All stories revolve around Tom Creo. Tom Creo is a scientist who is struggling to find a cure to save his wife Izzy Creo from a disease. In the time she has left, Izzy writes a story about the Spanish Inquisition. Queen Isabel commissions her betrothed Conquistador Thomas Verde to find the tree of life as she loses territory to the Inquisition. In the future, Tommy is a space traveler. He travels in a biosphere that contains the tree of life. Tommy envisions the past of Tom Creo and the story of Queen Isabel and Tomas Verne.

This film was directed by Darren Aronofsky. This film is unique and highly confusing. The story is told through match-cut and visual motifs. The three stories are never explained properly, but just are there. It takes place over five centuries. The oddest of the stories being the space traveler in 2500. Apart from being one of the most beautifully shot sequences, there is no full reason for his being there. The story combines various religious beliefs-Buddhist, Taoist, Christianity, and New Age into a single story, Overall, its made to explain that death is all right. It strange how the film is pieced together, never going in one consecutive line. The rapid transitional changes of tone can be much. The story remains highly ambiguous without any true grounding. There are several great visual effects used in this film. The use of a blinding light might be over done, but it is worth it to see the visual effects. Hugh Jackman played the roles of Tom Creo, Tomas Verne, and Tommy. He was great in his multiple roles-never being fully recognizable. Rachel Weisz played the roles of Queen Isabel and Izzi Creo. She did great in her dual roles. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a film that is worth a look for its complexity and its stunning visual design. However, so much is jumbled that it can confound most audiences and become a giant mess of information.

Answer to last blog: Actress Alexandria Daddario, Percy Jackson & The Lightening Thief, also starred in the film Texas Chainsaw 3D.

Que: What other film has Darren Aronofsky directed?

The Wrestler
Taken
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Reader

Percy Jackson & The Lightening Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief)

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This film is loosely based off the novel Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightening Thief. Percy Jackson discovers that he is not an ordinary teenager in New York city. Percy is the demigod son of Poseidon. He follows his friend Grover, a Satyr, to camp half blood where he meets Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena. Together they set off on an adventure to rescue Percy's mother from Hades and discover the thief of Zeus' lightening bolt.

This film was directed by Chris Columbus. This film's story, apart from being based on Rick Riordan's novel, is based off the popular Greek mythology of Perseus. This film takes a modern age look at popular Greek mythology, and spins it for young adults. The story is fast paced, but simple and effective. It follows three teenagers who journey in hope of a rescue. It does feel familiar to the Harry Potter franchise. There is some computer animation used to create the magic and the monsters. Most of the animation is simple. The creatures are impressive to watch. The cast worked good together. Logan Lerman played the role of Percy Jackson. He created the image of a teenage hero. Brandon T. Jackson played the role of Grover. He provided much of the humorous relief for the film. Alexandra Daddario played the role of Annabeth Chase. She was good at being a heroic sidekick. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This is a great action film for young adults. It creates a new image for mythology.

Answer to last blog: Actress Rinko Kikcuhi, Pacific Rim, also starred in the film The Brother's Bloom.

Que: What other film has actress Alexandria Daddario starred in?

Texas Chainsaw 3D
Evil Dead
Spring Breakers
Man of Steel

Pacific Rim

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Aliens, the Kaiju's, have arisen from beneath the ocean through a wormhole. Jaegers, giant mechanical robots, were created to fight these giant aliens. The Jaegers were designed to operate off two pilots, so that the neural load could be manageable. In it memories are shared with both the co-pilots. Raleigh Becket left the Jaeger after he lost his brother and co-pilot. After five years, Raleigh was pulled back into the Jaeger program to rescue humanity from the aliens.

This film was directed by Guillermo Del Toro. This is mainly designed for science fiction, video game, and 'otaku' nerds. There is a lot of story used to create this world, but not much used for characterization. The story is carried by standard tragedy of the main characters. There is various moments of comedy used to lighten the mood of the film. Sometimes not in the best moments. Most of the films story was told through its action sequences. The story plot carries out like a video game plot, but it works for the film. It is also familiar with anime nerds who know of Mechanical beings and their pilots. There is a lot of computer animation in this film. It can be a bit much, but it was well done. The Del Toro's visual style is apparent. The acting was good for the film. But the secondary cast outdid the leading cast. Charlie Hunnam played the role of Raleigh Becket. What his character lacked in personality was made up in his story. Rinko Kikuchi played the role of Mako Mori. She was good, but failed to make her character stand out from the others. Idris Elba played the role of Stacker Pentecost. All his emotions were told through subtle gestures that suited his role. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a great summer action science fiction film. This film has great visual style and action, but lacks in story.

Answer to last blog: Actress Mia Wasikowska, Stoker, starred as the popular writer Jane Eyre.

Que: What other film has actress Rinko Kikuchi starred in?

The Reader
Gran Torino
Burn After Reading
The Brother's Bloom

Stoker

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India Stoker's father mysteriously dies leaving her and her unstable mother alone. Charlie, an uncle India never knew existed, arrives to change their lives. However, India suspects that something darker hides behind his charming nature.

This film was directed by Chan-wook Park. This film takes a very unique perspective. It is very different from the film Oldboy, but the art direction is familiar. There is a heavy influence from Hitchcock's Shadow of a Doubt with the storytelling motifs, themes, and plot devices. For those unfamiliar with Park's work, or Hitchcock's work, will find this film odd. The story is more told through its cinematography than its script. A lot of the script keeps its characters a mystery. There are several turns in the film that changes the image of the characters. The artistic cinematography and background makes it feel like a darkened fairytale. This film keeps a calm but creepy feeling. There is some sexual references, but little gore. This film only hints at the violence. It doesn't throw it in your face like modern films do. Together the cast created a chilling portrait of insanity. Mia Wasikowska played the role of India Stoker. She created an image of a girl lost to her families darkness. Matthew Goode played the role of Charles Stoker. He was the perfect image of the charming antihero. Nicole Kidman played the role of Evelyn Stoker. Her character was kept too far hidden in the shadows to be understood, but it worked for the film. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! This is a great psychological film, but it doesn't contain the intense dramatic storytelling of Park's earlier works.

Answer to last blog: Actress Berenice Bejo, The Artist, also starred in the film A Knight's Tale.

Que: What popular writer did actress Mia Wasikowska star as?

Jane Austen
Mary Shelley
Mary Wollstonecraft
Jane Eyre

The Artist (2011)

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In the early years of Hollywood silent films, George Valentin is a legend. George meets Peppy Miller, a young up and coming dancer/actress. With the introduction of talking films their careers go into very different directions. 

This film is directed by Michel Hazanavicius. This film is set in the time frame of 1927 to 1932 during the decline of the silent film era, and the introduction of the talkies. This film is unique among modern films because it's entirely in black and white and is (for the most part) silent. It is awkward since there appears to be a lot of conversation missed through the film. Only a handful of speech cards to highlight important moments. The music for this film is great. But this has created controversy, since one of the songs used was the love theme from the film Vertigo. This film was designed as an homage to the classic film style. Familiar segments can be spotted for movie buffs. The story is charmingly simple. Two actors meet at varied moments in their careers, they watch their careers go into separate directions, and all the while falling in love with one another. There is an awesome use of sound manipulation. The silence in the film is a tone for the character. The use of sound indicates the characters emotions. The acting was great for the silent film. It had to be more over the top, and more directed, to show emotions instead of telling emotions. Jean Dujardin played the role of George Valentin. He was great in his role of complete silence. He was able to show all his emotions through his physical actions. Berenice Bejo played the role of Peppy Miller. It was good seeing her as the love interest. James Cromwell played the role of Clifton. He was good in a small role. John Goodman played the role of Al Zimmer. He was the best comic relief in this film-even if it was only slight. Uggie as Jack the dog was adorable. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a unique perspective that harkens back to the silent film era. Its creative outlook makes it worth a watch.

Answer to last blog: Director Steven Soderbergh, Side Effects, also directed the film Contagion.

Que: What other film has actress Berenice Bejo starred in?

Moulin Rouge
Amelie
Mulholland Drive
A Knight's Tale

Side Effects (2013)

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After a suicide attempt, Emily Taylor meets a psychologist, Dr. Jonathan Banks. She is prescribed various types of antidepressant drugs to cure her of her depression. After being prescribed a mixture of medications, Emily Taylor faces the consequences of the side effects.

This film is directed by Steven Soderbergh. This film's story feels directly like a classic Hitchcock film. It reminiscences classic psychological thrillers with a modern twist. It plays of very recent fears of not knowing how much control we have with various psychological drugs. It also plays on the fear of how much control patients and doctors have. This film does keep a dry tone though out the film that works. It also feels like it need san intermission. It begins one way with one character, and that radically changes to a new character and seemingly a new storyline. This change creates a unexpected twist. The story does become a little far fetched once it reaches the climax of the twist, but its effective. There is some gore, but not too much. There are also no jump thrills, or fast paced action. Its thrills rely purely from the script. This film also does a great job with visual manipulation to keep the plot twist as surprising as possible. The cast was great in this film. The acting was very subtle. Rooney Mara played the role of Emily Taylor. She was great in her role. She truly gave the film its twist. However, it would still be better if it were easier to hear on screen. Jude Law played the role of Dr. Jonathan Banks. He was great as the doctor. Unfortunately, under either light it is hard to feel wholly sympathetic for his character. Channing Tatum played the role of Martin Taylor. He was good, but his character needed more definition. Catherine Zeta-Jones played the role of Dr. Victoria Siebert. She was great in her limited role. Her small time on the screen works for the film.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It has a great suspense story that keeps you unaware of its future surprises.

Answer to last blog: Actress Famke Janssen, Taken 2, starred in the role of Jean Grey in the X-men series.

Que: What other film did director Steven Soderbergh direct?

Fast Five
Contagion
Drive
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo