Serena (2014)

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This film is based off the novel with the same title written by Ron Rash. George Pemberton falls in love, and marries, Serena. Together they work to improve production within their timber business in the 1930's. However, the tragedy that befalls them causes a dangerous rift in their relationship.

This film was directed by Susanne Bier. The plot of this story (a love gone terribly wrong), and its subplot, attempts to take a lot of cue's from literary tactics; such a symbolism. However, it lacked the time to fully generate the full emotional scope it needed. The two leading characters aren't given much time to break from their insanity or cliches to garner likability. Now there are some plot twists that occur rather suddenly, but it works itself out. In the cinematography are several breathtaking open shots of the forest. This film reunites two familiar actors together playing insane love roles. As good as they are together, it could become predictably too familiar. Jennifer Lawrence played the role of Serena Pemberton (Nee Shaw).  She is gorgeous in this film-even her unfaltering hair. Her performance makes this film interesting to watch. Bradley Cooper played the role of George Pemberton. He is a great supporting actor for Lawrence.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! This film has a lot of raw potential to be a great deadly love story, but it just falls off the mark in some spots.

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Rob Cohen, The Boy Next Door, directed the film DragonHeart.

Que: How many films have actors Jennifer Lawrence and actor Bradley Cooper starred together in?

2

3

5

1

The Boy Next Door (2015)

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Claire Peterson, in moment of weakness, sleeps with the young man who recently moved in next door to her, Noah Sandborn. After their night, Noah begins obsessing over his former lover and threatens to tear her broken family apart. Claire uncovers the deadly secrets of Noah's past while trying to protect herself and her family.

This film was directed by Rob Cohen. I do give this film props for not being based off another's work. I think this film is more about bringing Jennifer Lopez out of the dark than anything else. It's plot and story are very predictable. Fortunately, it offers some familiarity to fans of this genre type. Sadly there are no actual thrill scares in this film. There is just a dark romance, a dark past, and then a few murders. Nothing is set-up to truly frighten, or tense, its audience. The romance between an older woman and a younger man is slightly refreshing (since its commonly the reverse) to watch. It was also refreshing viewing the troubles that some older women face in life. Jennifer Lopez played the role of Claire Peterson. Her performance kept the film watchable. Even though she makes a horrible hero, her emotion gave the film its life. Ryan Guzman played the role of Noah Sandborn. I think many of the female audience members will be to busy staring at his body to notice anything else about him. While it was great watching a dangerous intellectual teenager on screen, he wasn't able to pull of the frightening persona that the film needed.

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars! It has a good actress to pull through the mud, but it doesn't offer any originality or tension.

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Pete Docter, Inside Out, directed the film Up.

Que: What other film has director Rob Cohen directed?

Fargo
Scream
Mission: Impossible
DragonHeart

Inside Out/Lava

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After Riley's move to San Francisco, her emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust) conflict on how to aid her through this transition.

This film was directed by Pete Docter and Ronaldo Del Carmen. Opening so close to the opening of Jurassic World did not hurt this film in anyway. This film's story is heavily within the psychological field of emotions and how the brain operates. The full impact of the story might go over children audiences head, but will be great of adults. There is enough general story with humor and heartfelt sadness that children audiences can still enjoy the film. In many ways this is a perfect film for families facing life challenges and find it difficult to communicate. Even though Riley is the main human character, the story actually follows the five primary emotions that are working inside her head. The transitional conflict story, and how the emotions work to handle it, is a very unique plot that is full of humor, sadness, and some dark moments. (None of it is too frightening though) Seeing Riley's thoughts offered a great perspective; however, temporarily viewing the parents emotions during an argument was a bit much (even though it worked for the film). But, that is not to say that I didn't enjoy the ending credits sequence. I think its a great film that offers audiences some psychological questions about themselves. I also enjoyed the jokes about future transitions. There is a lot of creative measures used in this film that range from abstract to imaginary. Amy Poehler voiced that character Joy. What made this character unique is that even though she was primarily Joy, she was adaptable to different emotions and situations. The story follows her learning alongside Riley. I even found the character more interesting that she is the only non-solid color emotion in this film. Phyllis Smith voiced the character Sadness. In another unique turn, Sadness is not seen as bad. Even if she might be difficult to watch, she is still treated as important to life. Kaitlyn Dias voiced the character Riley. She was great at presenting these emotions as they arose.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! This is a unique film that'll open families to new perspectives.

This film can be seen in theaters!

Pixar's opening short, for this film, was Lava. This is one of the few, if not the first, original to have its story told through music. It was surprisingly emotional. It also looked lovely on screen.

I give this this short 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great love story to open for the main feature.

Answer to last blog: Actor Colin Firth and Actress Nicole Kidnman, Before I go to Sleep, worked together on the film the Railway Man.

Que: What other Pixar film did director Pete Docter direct?

Up
Wall-E
Cars
Toy Story 3

Before I Go To Sleep

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This film is based off the novel, with the same title, written by S. J. Watson. Christian, an amnesiac, decides to seek a new treatment to retrieve her missing memories. After she is instructed to keep a video diary, she begins to learn the dark truths of her past.

This film was directed by Rowan Joffe. This film has a lot of cliches within its story that it becomes kind of predictable. It becomes quickly obvious who the villain is. However, there is still a thrill element in wondering if she will learn the truth out fast enough to save herself. The morbid backstory was great to learn with the main character. It kept audiences questioning what they thought they knew. Unfortunately, it heavily reminded me of a darker version of the film 50 Fist Dates. There isn't a lot of gore, and there isn't a lot of nudity in this film. Nicole Kidman played the role of Christine. This was a role to bring her back in popular film. Her fragile performance made the film enjoyable. Colin Firth played the role of Ben. His performance could've been a little more mysterious, but it was dark enough to give the film its tension. Mark Strong played the role of Doctor Nasch. He played a general sympathetic role that didn't make him stand out.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! It is a decent thriller film that is well acted.

This film can be seen on Netflix Instant Que.

Answer to last blog: Actor David Oyelowo, Selma, starred in the film Lee Daniel's The Butler.

Que: What other film has Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman star in?

The Railway Man

Queen of the Desert

Magic in the Moonlight

Brighton Rock

The Imitation Game

Selma

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This film is based on the 1965 Alabama march. Martin Luther King Jr., James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and John Lewis decide to orchestrate a protest march from Selma to Montgomery to raise awareness for equal voting rights in1965.

This film was directed by Ava DuVernay. This films shows the terrible act of violence committed against African American protestors with compassion and understanding. Its powerful opening instantly pulls audiences into the dramatic tension. Naturally, this film had changed certain historical aspects (mainly the relationship between President Johnson and King) to pull in as much drama as it could. However, the main incident remains painfully emotional to watch; which is good history lesson for modern times. The story does show King as a powerful, intelligent, and religious man but it also shows that he had some flaws. Most of the script feels like its written in grand speeches from nearly every character. There were a few unexpected moments in the film that kept it exciting to watch. It was also great to see different sides of the freedom movement. The FBI tracking notes were a good statement about government, but it felt more like watching a summery commentary on the scenes you just watched. The classic film style used quickly transports audiences to the another era, it just feels more like the 1950's instead of the 1960's. David Oyelowo played the role of Martin Luther King Jr. His performance was amazing in this film. He brought King's speaking power into play while keeping King emotionally charged.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great historical film, even with its inaccuracies. 

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Jurassic Park (the first in the series) was released in 1993.

Que: What other film has actor Daivd Oyelowo starred in?

12 Years A Slave

Lee Daniel's The Butler

American Sniper

American Gangster

Jurassic World

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This film is loosely based off the novel entitled Jurassic Park written by (John) Michael Crichton, and is the fourth installment to the Jurassic Park film series. Twenty-two years after the Jurassic Park incident, Isla Nublar finally contains a functioning jurassic themed amusement park. Ten years into this park's success and visitor ratings are declining. The park's management decides to create a new lethal attraction to re-ignite visitor interest.

This film was directed by Colin Trevorrow. All that development hell paid off, because this film has already broken several opening box office sales records. Naturally, this being the fourth sequel means the film can't be inventive or as impactful. Initially, I was worried when I saw that this film had PG-13 rating, because that has become a modern death sentence to thriller and horror films. However, this film stuck to its roots and held some gore amongst its tense terror and light humor. The story contains some great scientific philosophical views and sociological outlook like the original. This film allows several references to the original film that gives it an even creepier edge. You even get to see the return of a secondary character from the original. However, with all these references to the original, I wonder how the other two sequels fit into this story. You'd think InGen would've learned after trying to open a park in California. I also enjoyed how the children played more of a survival role instead of just screaming for help all the time. There was also another dumbass that arrives to destroy the park with a great cost. The taming of the velociraptors was highly unusual, because they are always meant to be the ultimate monsters. They were the epitome of terrifying. Now, they're like bobcats-dangerous and adorable. Fortunately, this film does replace their ultimate monster with an over the top fictional predator. Even though it is over the top, it is no less frightening. The use of cinematography kept the creatures visible but terrifying. The puppets were a great throwback, even if they didn't look perfect. The computer animation looked great under the right lighting. As a side note, there were several complaints because this film ignored recent scientific discoveries to keep the familiar reptile appearance and behavior of the dinosaurs. The script did a clever slide around this by claiming that using other animals DNA to fill in the gaps they will never look like the true dinosaurs; which is true. There is a potential for future sequels.

Chris Pratt played the role of Owen Grady. For those fans of Robert Muldoon, here is your replacement. His performance was just the right amount of tense and humorous to keep the film great. Bryce-Dallas Howard played the role of Claire Dearing. Its hard to believe that spent this entire film running in heels. She is the perfect representative of how neglectful management could ruin the world. Ty Simpkins played the role of Gray Mitchell. His performance was typical of a male child, but he kept the film emotional. Nick Robinson played the role of Zach Mitchell. He was the typical rebellious teenager and protective brother. His character did become annoying from time to time. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great sequel to a popular franchise. It also harkens back to the original that audiences fervently enjoyed.

This film can be seen in theaters.

Answer to last blog: Actor Jaime Dornan, Fifty Shades of Grey, starred in the television series Once Upon A Time.

Que: When was the original Jurassic park released?

1992

1997

1995

1993

Fifty Shades of Grey

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This film is based off the novel, with the same title, written by E. L. James (which is loosely based off Twilight). Anastasia Steele is a literature student whose life changes after she interviews the famous billionaire Christian Grey. Grey pursues Steele for his unusual romantic enjoyment.

This film was directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Let me start by saying that I did not watch the unrated version. Okay, at this point of the game there is no question about this film's content. It's all about sex, sex, bondage, stalking, and more sex! Fortunately, that's all it needed to ride out the success of the novels. It is comical that a porn company wanted to make an even more heated version of this film, and that the studio's claimed that it would poison the public's perception of the film. That aside, this film's story does remain true to its novel counterpart. Now, in general romance stories are hard to film. They're even harder to make great. In the novels some of the best parts were just witnessing the corruption of an innocent virgin; which this film cannot really show. Through that corruption and curiosity came most of the stories sensuality. This film could on represent the heated romance and bondage aspect of the story. Now, the script writing is as bad as the novel but that is because most of the story happens in the head and not through verbal speaking. The plot remains highly predictable with predictable characters in this type of genre. The only thing that makes this stand out from the familiarity is the bondage. The over obsessed stalking can be easily seen in other films (just to a smaller degree). 

Of course, with this films and novels high popularity, there has been a lot of controversy-even though this is not the first film to feature soft core porn. I did find it surprising that it landed an R rating for the united states. I think that just means that something expected to produce money can  supersede any downfall the ratings system holds against films. Obviously religious groups have an outstanding hatred for it. The other issue is the manner in which the relationship is depicted; controlling and abusive. It also makes the true act of bondage look more evil than it actually is. Sure it is, but it is also supposed to be a fantasy. Like all other romance films this is not reality, and we ought to stop treating it as such. Of course, with all this popularity and controversy the sequels will also be brought to the big screen. 

The acting in this film fell flat until it came to the sex scenes. Sadly, there are really only two characters in this film. The secondary characters were so seldom used that they didn't really exist. Dakota Johnson played the role of Anastasia Steele. Her portrayal of the character was true to the novels; however there was no real emotional pull. Jaime Dornan played the role of Christian Grey. He was the handsome actor the female audience demanded. He was decent at creating the characters masochist side, and his over the top obsession, but did never playfully intimidating. I imagine a lot of audiences held some disappoint in that we don't see a full monty.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! This film serves it purpose in entertaining its female audiences. Apart from that, it falls short.

This film can be found on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Director Karel Reisz directed the 1974 film The Gambler.

Que: What television show did actor Jaime Dornan star in?

Hannibal

Ben and Kate

Once Upon A Time

The River

The Gambler (2014)

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This is based off the 1974 film of the same title. Literary professor and gambler Jim Bennett decides to gamble with his life after his father's death. During this process, he begins to discover reasons to live.

This film was directed by Rupert Wyatt. I did not see the original, so I cannot compare the two. The story of this film remains very secretive. The film shows the characters behavior and actions without explaining any of them. All explanations are assumed; which makes this film had to relate to. There are several long moments where nothing happens, and the main character just talks about how miserable to world is. Although, I did find it interesting that the main character feels like the villain of the story. However, there are a few moments of unexpected humor. This is a very adult film. Mark Wahlberg played the role of Jim Bennett. His acting was great for the character, but the character himself remains unlikable during the entire film. Jessica Lange played the role of Roberta. Her performance in this film was familiar but amazing. Her acting made the film worth watching. John Goodman played the role of Frank. Be prepared, he is shirtless during most of this film. His performance was typical of this kind of character. While being good, he did not stand out from the crowd. 

I give this film 2 out of 5 stars!  It has a lot of potential, but fails with its lack of story momentum. 

This film can be seen on DVD.

Answer to last blog: Actor Hugh Keays-Byrne, Mad Max: Fury world, played the role of Toecutter in the original Mad Max film.

Que: Who directed the 1974 The Gambler?

Roman Polanski

Karel Reisz

John Guillermin

Joseph Sargent

Mad Max: Fury Road

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This film is the fourth installment to the Mad Max franchise. Following the nuclear war, the world has become a desert wasteland where civilization has become nothing more than tribes fighting for resources. Max Rockatansky is captured by tyrannical Immortan Joe's War Boys. Through unexpected circumstances, Max finds himself helping Imperator Furiosa with transporting Immortan Joe's wives to her homeland.

This film was directed by George Miller. This is definitely a film designed for longtime fans of the original franchise. This film is visually weird, full of eccentric characters, awesome one liners, and just full over the top action. However, this film manages to make it work by making it an exciting watch for modern audiences. There is some story buried within the action, but is kept from being a main point of the film. The film tends to cut the story segments to make room for more action, so it is difficult to truly develop any feelings for the characters or the situations. It does help to have seen the previous three film, because there are frequent references. While this survival film does present women in a more powerful light, it is not a film that presents a feminist agenda. There is no act of sex, but there is nudity and lots of close to nude. The way the cinematography presents the action is kind of dizzying, because you are everywhere at once. The greatest action sequence happens at the beginning of the film. What could've been one of the best action parts, and the moment that makes Max look look like a full on badass, happens off screen. For those fans, there is a definite promise of an upcoming sequel with the same director. Tom Hardy played the role of (Mad) Max Rockatansky. Not having seen the original, I can't compare his performance to Mel Gibson. That aside, his silent and rough performance worked for the film. He kept the character dark without taking away his likability. Charlize Theron played the role of Imperator Furiosa. She was a good supporting actress, but failed to portray both the character's femininity and masculinity. Nicholas Hult played the role of (War Boy) Nux. He was a great secondary character that made the film a unique watch. Hugh Keays-Byrne played the role of Immortan Joe. He was great hateful villain on screen. There was one attempt to make him into something more than just hateful, but it got ruined very quickly.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It has some faults, but the film manages to turn those faults into action gems.

This film can be seen in theaters.

Answer to last blog: Director Jorge Michel Grau directed the foreign film We Are What We Are.

Que: What character did Hugh Keays-Byrne play in the original Mad Max?

Fifi
Toecutter
Mudguts
Jim Goose