The Monuments Men

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This film is based off the novel The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History written by Robert M. Edsei. Frank Stokes decides to begin a military campaign to protect and recover great works of art from the Nazi invaders during WWII. 

This film was directed and written by George Clooney. This dramatic-comedy film is focused on the MFAA (the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives) group. However, it fails to follow their story with historical accuracy. Much of the important facts were tossed aside to five room for other story. This film does tend to jump between being dramatic and being comedic-making it uncertain which tone the film is trying to create. The story, though, is great to watch on screen. It does present a lot of characters that aren't given enough on screen time to connect with most audiences. But, it does present an war era where everything was uncertain. The cinematography is great to watch. It truly creates an image of the chaos during WWII. George Clooney played the role of Frank Stokes. As far as I can tell, he was meant to be the central character of the film. He was great in his role, especially providing that he was in charge of this entire film-including its narrative. He gave the film some light heart and purpose.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a good film to watch-even if it isn't highly accurate. A lot of its faults can be overlooked with enough patience.

Answer to last blog: Actor Jonah Hill and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, The Lego Movie, also worked together on the film 21 Jumpstreet.

Que: What other film has George Clooney directed?

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Doubt

The Hurt Locker

Leatherheads

The Lego Movie

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This stop-motion film is based on the Lego line construction toys. Emmet Brickowoski is your average unimpressive construction worker who lives by following the instructions. After meeting Wyldstyle, and finding the Piece of Resistance, Emmet is thrown into an unexpected adventure where he might just become the most interesting man alive.

This film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. This follows familiar hard hitting arguments like the merits of creativity, finding your individuality, or about following the lego's construction instructions. This film's thoughtful story is full of satires and random comical guises. The laughable gags are good for bringing in both adult and children audiences alike. The film is very fast paced and does not stay in a single place for too long. This film also pokes fun at big corporations even though it is apart of one. This film is also another form of advertisement for the lego company. However, it proves that a film can be an advertisement and still be unique. This film is full of imagination and great stop motion animation. It provides a new face to the recent animated world. So, yes, there will be a sequel. Chris Pratt did the voice of Emmet Brickowoski. He managed to keep his character uninteresting and humorous to watch. Elizabeth Banks did the voice of Wyldstyle/Lucy. She was a great supporting actress to Pratt. Will Ferrell did the voices for of Lord Business/President Business/The Man Upstairs. He created a great villain that was humorous and troublesome.  

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is one of those animated films that is so stupid that it is great to watch. 

Answer to last blog: Director Paul Greengrass, Captain Philips, directed the film the Bourne Ultimatum.

Que: This film does briefly feature the voice of Jonah Hill. In what other did directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller also work with Jonah Hill?

The Watch

The Sitter

21 Jumpstreet

Megamind

Captain Philips

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This film is based on the true story of the 2009 Maersk Alabama ship hijacking by Somali pirates. Richard Philips is the captain of the Maersk Alabama container ship that is traveling from Port of Salalah in Oman and through the Gulf of Aden to Mombasa (around the horn of Africa).

This film was directed by Paul Greengrass. Many of the crew members complain that the film's portrayal of Captain Philips and the events that happened were unrealistic. However, the film follows as much of the facts that were made public as it could. The good thing about this story is that its already dramatized enough so that it needed to be "Hollywoodized" for the big screen. This film's story follows Captain Philips as he attempts to the best in a bad situation. This biopic film provides sympathy in all the chaos for each of the characters. It presents a picture of desperation in real world countries. There is some action in this film, but it mostly relies on building upon the dramatic tension between the characters. The cinematography adds the feeling of claustrophobia to increase this tension. There is some violence in this film. What truly gives the film its soul is the acting. Tom hanks played the role of Captain Richard Philips. Hanks was amazing in this film. He gave his character a multilayered character that is trying to survive. Barkhad Abdi played the role of Abduwali Muse (the pirate leader). He was also an amazing actor that was great at opposing Hanks.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This film is great dramatic film that depicts realistic events.

Answer to last blog: Actor Asa Butterfield, Ender's Game, starred in the film The Boy in the Stripped Pajama's.

Que: What other film did director Paul Greengrass direct?

The Bourne Legacy
The Bourne Ultimatum
The Bourne Identity
The Bourne Supremacy

Ender's Game

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This film is based off novel, of the same name, written by Orson Scott Card. The world was once attacked by an alien race known as the Formics. To keep the Earth protected, they have begun recruiting children to train as future soldiers. Ender Wiggin is an usual gifted child with a head for battle. Ender becomes recruited into a program for Battle School.
 

This is directed by Gavin Hood. This film isn't as detailed, or as deep, as the  original novel. It is unable to, because their is a lot of story to follow and explain. However, this film does follow the story of the novel on hyper speed. It goes through the events so fast that it is hard to keep up with the secondary characters. It raises the question of how a war should be operated; with fear and hatred or compassion? It is interesting to watch a battle entirely rom the commander's perspective. Unfortunately, if you really pay attention there are no surprises. Which makes it predictable. There isn't a lot of explanation provided for the Formics. Which is disappointing but works for the film. The backdrops are simple with some technology added into it. The animated computer technology is impressive to watch on screen. Asa Butterfield played the role of Ender Wiggin. He was good in his role, but was a little stiff on screen. He was able to provide the appropriate emotions, but could not create a deep impact on screen. Harrison Ford played the role of Colonel Graff. He gave the film its leery feeling.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a great science fiction film for children and adults. However, it feels like it goes through the story too fast and is predictable.

Answer to last blog: Director, Jon Turteltaub, Last Vegas, directed 5 live action Disney films.

Que: What other film has actor Asa Butterfield starred in?

After Earth
The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas

Diary of a Whimpy Kid
The Odd Life off Timothy Green

Last Vegas

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Billy is about to get married, and his friends decide to through him a bachelor party in Las Vegas. Now Paddy, Archie, Sam, and Billy are in for a life changing experience that will teach them how to live again.

This film was directed by Jon Turteltaub. Naturally, this film has been compared to a redefined variation of the Hangover. Only this has much more story and heart in it. The character are also much more believable in their actions. There is plenty of light humor mixed in with a little raunchiness. The story also shows the difference between age generations. It definitely made for adults, but it's all right for some children. Unfortunately, the film is also very predictable. This film's story does continue to express the feeling that anything can happen in Vegas. Strangely, it also feels like an advertisement for Cirque Du Soleil's show Zarkana, and the Aria hotel. The actors were great, but highly familiar. Michael Douglas played the role of Billy. He did great creating the familiar male in middle age crisis archetype. He kept the character highly familiar while giving it some heart. Robert De Niro played the role of Paddy. He was good in his familiar role of the ornery old man. Morgan Freeman played the role of Archie. Kevin Kline played the role of Sam. These two were a great supporting cast presenting other complications for people their age.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great film an older audience, and for some younger audiences.

Answer to last blog: Director lee Daniels', The Butler, directed the film Precious.

Que: How many live action Disney films has Jon Turteltaub directed?

1
5
2
6

Lee Daniels' The Butler

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This film is loosely based on the life of Eugene Allen. Cecil Gaines becomes a butler after leaving the cotton field where he was born. Gaines quickly learns the skills to become an impressive butler in white only establishments. Eventually, Gaines becomes a butler for the White House, and works for 34 years serving the presidents of the United States. In that time several major events transpire; civil rights movement, Vietnam War, and assassinations.

This film was directed by Lee Daniels. This film was also definitely made to be a civil rights film. Even with all of its other history mentioned, it keeps attention on one issue. It does a great job in reminding its audience how far African Americans have progressed through the years. This film has a complicated story in that it follows the story of both the man and of United States historical moments. Naturally, this film had to choose which to represent and it chose to be mainly historical. Because of that the families melodrama troubles do not feel important.This also makes the narrative feel uneven at times.There are several obvious moments made to enforce its message of equal rights, but it does work to give the film its power. One issue was that more could have been done to make the actors look more like their iconic counterparts. I will add this in, because it is my personal opinion. Having Jane Fonda appear as the president's wife was a terrible choice. She is the most unpatriotic woman I know of still living in the United States.Forest Whitaker played the role of Cecil Gaines. He was amazing in this role. He managed to create a fully believable image of a butler and a concerned father. Oprah Winfrey played the role of Gloria Gaines. She did good in creating  hopeless character. Unfortunately, the film's script made her character highly unlikable. David Oyelowo played the role of Louis Gaines. He was great in creating a very driven character. The script did make his character too obvious a point about the development of civil rights. Isaac White played the role of Charlie Gaines.He was good in his very limited role. A little more focus could have presented the troubles with the war during that time.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! The acting is so powerfully performed that it makes audiences over look any of its flaws.

Answer to last blog: Writer Cormac McCarthy, The Road, wrote the stage play for The Sunset Limited. (Which later became a film.)

Que: What other film did Lee Daniels' direct?

The White Ribbon
The Blind Side
Precious
The Hurt Locker

The Road (2009)

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This film is based off the novel, of the same name, written by Cormac McCarthy. A father and son attempt to survive in a post-apocalyptic future. They travel down a grim road to reach the coast in hopes of a better future. This future has killed most plant and animal life, and turned humans into cannibals.

This film is directed by John Hillcoat. This film, unlike modern apocalyptic films, is not an action film. It is an intense dramatic film that follows a more realistic variation of the apocalypse. The few lines spoken in this film are well written and well placed. This goth story questions the behavior of humanity in the end, and does provide a small comfort in hope. The lack of information that caused the ending of the world leaves a lingering questions from the beginning. The characters not having names, or a lot of speaking, makes them appear detached on screen. It feels too much like an invading look into these two lives. The goth look fits the story very well, and adds to the dismal feel of it. Viggo Mortensen played the role of Man. He brought an amazing fearful presence to this character that told more than words could have. Kodi Smit-McPhee played the role of Boy. He was good creating the emotional hope for the film. However, it was hard to watch his character do nothing except be a burden. Charlize Theron played the role of Woman. She brought such emotional hopelessness to her character. Even though her scenes were very limited. Robert Duvall played the role of Old Man. He was amazing to watch in his small role.

I give this film 5 stars out of 5! This bleak post-apocalyptic film is worth a watch. The story is limited in its telling, but is spoken through the actors.

Answer to last blog: Director Anurag Basu, Kites, did not direct the film Fanaa.

Que: What other film is based off a play written by Cormac McCarthy?

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy

The Sunset Limited

The Tree of Life
The Artist

Kites (2010)

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Jay Ray is a scam artist living in Las Vegas. He comes facing his biggest scam, marrying into one of the wealthiest and violent families of Vegas. However, he finds himself falling in love with Linda (known to the everyone as Natasha). A woman he married, so that she could become a citizen. Unable to deny their feelings for one another, they run with the family chasing them to Mexico. 

This film was directed by Anurag Basu. Yes, this is a foreign film from Bollywood (India). Okay, this film gets a lot more praise in America because it is a foreign film, and is not expected to be perfect. This film follows a lot of the guidelines of a Bollywood film; having sexy leads, various dance and singing numbers, over the top theatrics, and an intermission. There are at least three languages being spoken at any given time; Hindu, Spanish, and English. This film provides a high spirited chase film with great chemistry between the leads. The supporting cast is full of bad actors that are merely there to be there. The action is good for a television soap opera, but it is highly over the top. The films ending is also highly unclear, and left to much speculation. Hrithik Roshan played the role of Jay Ray. He was great in creating a sexy and humorous male lead. He brought a lot of over the top dramatic energy to his character. Barbara Mori played the role of Linda/Natasha.She was great playing a fiery sexy lead to work with Roshan.

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! It has a great basis, but it is hindered by its own over the top directive.

Answer to last blog: Director Roland Emmerich, White House Down, directed the film Stargate.

Que: Which film did director Anurag Basu not direct?

Barfi

Gangster

Life in a Metro

fanaa

White House Down

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Capitol policemen Cale, goes on a White House tour with his daughter on the day that it gets attacked by a paramilitary group. Cale decides to fight against the group to save his daughter and protect the president of the united states.

This film was directed by Roland Emmerich. This one of two films that came out dealing with an attack to the White House. This film's story isn't unique, and is based purely on its action and character humor. It is filled with familiar action cliches making it predictable. The film's action follows the characters abilities and gives them more of a personality. However, it is not the greatest action film of last year. The character's humor between each other was great on screen. It made it even more apparent that they had great chemistry on set. This film does speak to those who have lost their families in the war effort. Channing Tatum played the role of Cale. Naturally, he was great being the sympathetic action star in this film. His character could have been given a little more personality to set him apart from other action hero's. Jaime Foxx played the role of President Sawyer. He was great providing the comedic humor. He also managed to keep a presence while being a damsel. James Woods played the role of Walker. He made an excellent villain to oppose Tatum and Foxx. Joey King played the role of Emily Cale. It was great watching a child, in an action film, that was not completely useless or over whiny. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! This film is not unique, but the cast were great together on screen.

Answer to last blog: Actress Gemma Arterton, Hansel and Gretel, starred in the film Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

Que: What other film did Roland Emmerich direct?

Forrest Gump

Stargate

The Shawshank Redemption

Speed