12 Years a Slave

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This film is based off the 1853 memoir, Twelve Years a Slave, written by Solomon Northup. Solomon Northup, a skiller carpenter and fiddle player, finds himself a captive slave in the antebellum part of the United States. Having is identity mistaken for a man named Platt, Northup is forced to endure harsh abuse in the hopes of finding his way back to his family.

This film was directed by Steve McQueen. Naturally, this film is purely looked at as a slave film, and the emotions entangled with that moment in history remain. Some believe that this film conveys white guilt above all else. The historical elements have been questioned in both the original memoir and in the film's retelling. It is believed that there is some dramatization added to give more empathy to the story. However, the story does depict an actual truth to the abuse done to slaves during that era. This film also gives a negative depiction of Christianity in that era, because it gave reason to this abuse. Unfortunately, since the film is focused on the survival of a single man it does not fully show the continued suffering of others. It does present an image of the complicated relationships during that time. This film also shows the suffering of African American slave women. Since this present the true acts of slavery and its failures, the film is very hard for people to re-watch a second time. A lot of the emotion remains hidden within the eyes, because it was the only way a slave could express his true emotions without getting into trouble. Chiwetel Ejiofor played the role of Solomon Northup. He was great in this leading role. He created a highly sympathetic character that audiences could root for. Lupita Nyong'o played the role of Patsy. She was great supporting Ejiofor, and creating the harsh emotions for the film. Adepero Oduye played the role of Eliza. She was good in her limited role.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This is a great dramatical film depicting slavery in the South. The great acting gives this film its true power.

Answer to last blog: Actor Josh Brolin, Oldboy, played the role of George W. Bush for the film W.

Que: What other film did actor Chiwetel Ejiofor star in?

Inglorious Bastards

X-Men: Origins: Wolverine

He's Just Not That Into You

2012

Oldboy (2013)

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This film is an American remake of Park Chan-wook's 2003 cult film of the same name, and is based off manga, with the same title, written by Garon Tsuchiya and illustrated by Nobuaki Minegishi. Joe Doucett, a neglectful and drunken father, is strangely kidnapped and held captive in a single room for 20 years. After being released, he sets out to get revenge on those who kidnapped and locate his lost daughter.

This film was directed by Spike Lee. For those who are fans of the original cult film, this will be a disappointment. It retells the same story, but with a safer American perspective. The shocking images that plagued the original, and made it a cult film, have been removed. Much of the dark humor was also removed. However, this film is still very grim and very bloody. The highlights of the story remain mostly intact. There is also plenty of violence in this film, and its not the over the top violence that foreign films generate. There is also some sexual content, but it's not as freely expressed in this film as it was in the foreign film. Josh Brolin played the role of Joe Doucett. He was great starting the role, but fell short on creating the full soul shattering emotions towards the end of the film. Elizabeth Olsen played the role of Marie Sebastian. She did not stand out much in the film; which is unfortunate because she plays a major part in the scheme of the story. Samuel L. Jackson played the role of Chaney. He was played his usual over the top role, but added hints of darkness to it. Michael Imperioli played the role of Chucky. He was impressive to listen to on screen, but physically his character was stagnant. 

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a decent film for surprising new audiences, but fails to surpass the original. 

Answer to last blog: Actress Julie Andrews played the role of Mary Poppins in the 1964 film.

Que: Which president did actor Josh Brolin act as for a film?

John F. Kennedy

George W. Bush

Richard Nixon

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Saving Mr. Banks

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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This biographical drama follows the story of entrepreneur Walt Disney and author P.L. Travers. In 1961, Walt Disney has created it his life mission to receive the rights to the Mary Poppins stories from author P.L. Travers. to use them for a film. However, Travers spent 20 avoiding selling the right until she has reached a financial breaking point. P.L. Travers finally travels to Las Angeles to speak with Walt Disney and take a deeper consideration into selling the rights. However, Travers will not make it an easy conquest.

This film is directed by John Lee Hancock. This film is a historical drama without any accuracy to it. This film Diney-fy's the real life persons to create a more heartfelt story with a cheerful conclusion. The story contains as much drama as it does humor, and both appear in the most unexpected places. The story, even though its based in a reality setting, is pretty good for family viewing. There is a very dark undertone that carries in this film. This film can feel like an extended commercial for the Disney company and for a recently re-released classic. However, the small insights to the creation of the film are great for fans of the classic. Also present is the viewing of Disney's creation creation machine. Like all Disney films there's a hidden message that anyone can overcome their dilemma's. The acting truly brings the film alive. Emma Thompson played the role of P.L. Travers/Helen Goff. She was amazing in this film. She managed to make a very unlikable character lovable. Her characters conflicted emotions are carried through her voice and actions. Tom Hanks played the role of Walt Disney. He was also amazing, and did great opposing Thompson. He created the shrewd business man with charisma and humor. Colin Farrell played the role of Travers Goff. Watching him on screen was like watching the hidden sorrow behind a child's heart.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This is a great family film even with its dark undertone, and fictionalized recreations of its real life persons. 

Answer to last blog: Actor Jodi Foster, Elysium, starred in the film Panic Room.

Que: Who was the actress that eventually portrayed Mary Poppins in the 1964 film?

Audrey Hepburn

Julie Andrews

Doris Day

Lila Kedrova

Elysium

Caution: This Might Contain Spoilers!

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In the year 2154, the wealthy live in space station called Elysium and the poor are trapped on a ruined Earth. After a work accident, Max, decides to fight his way onto Elysium to use their technology to heal his dying body. To earn his ticket he steals information that could destroy Elysium and save the people of Earth.

This film was directed by Neil Blomkamp. He has become a forerunner in science fiction that reflects real world dilemma's. This film follows the current human condition of the rich wanting to elusively live in control while the poor are left to suffer. The story is simple, but it falls apart by following its single objective. The story also falls in that the hero generally fight to save himself until it is hopeless for himself and then saves the world. However, the story does have a great emotional factor, and suits the needs of the film. The computer animated effects were great on screen. The gore was over the top. Even though the gore only shows for a fraction of a minute, it is still overplayed for this modern age. Matt Damon played the role of Max. He was good, but he tended to overplay his character's emotions. Jodi Foster played the role of Delacourt. She was decent for the role, but her there wasn't enough to make her character hatable. The accent she created was too much for the film.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It had a lot of potential, but is overplayed. 

Answer to last blog: Actor/Director George Clooney, The Monuments Men, directed the film Leatherheads.

Que: What other film has Jodi Foster stared in?

About a Boy

Panic Room

Catch Me If You Can
Talk to Her