Tom Cruise is Oblivion. Oblivion was one of those movies that the trailers had intrigued and therefore you wanted to see what it was about. As my friend Trish (my often movie goer companion) and I sat there watching Oblivion unfold, I found myself thinking, this has to move faster, then in later reflection I realized that it did not have too much emotion in it, so therefore for me, something was missing. My friend thought it was great! People respond to movies in different way. For me, I thought the movie moved slowly.
You have to give Oblivion credit for the surprise within the movie. In fact I blurted out the awareness, as soon as it was obvious, I was that enthralled at that moment. The storyline is interesting. Future earth has been demolished as we would know it, and Tom Cruise's character Jack Harper is one of the last few drone repairman stationed on Earth, and is due to go to Titan where supposedly everyone has gone. He keeps having dreams about another woman, other than the one he is with in his overseeing station. Then an event occurs with the arrival of an older spaceship with some human bodies in it, one of them being the woman he keeps dreaming about. This changes everything, as he begins to question who she is and how she got there, he gets to meet the Scavs, which the drones he repairs go after. Once the second girl is introduced and he meets the Scavs, the movie then begins to move quickly and I enjoyed that part. The ending leaves one with a 'good' feeling that 'alls well that ends well' and once again Humans survive and replenish Earth.
Noting that the director, Joseph Kosinski, was also the director of Tron: Legacy, another movie that I thought lacked emotional content, makes sense. I don't think he has the ability as a director to bring out that subtle emotional content, many of us want. Mind you he is redeemed in that he produced the Rise of the Planet of the Apes, which was a phenomenal emotional movie. He was thoughtful in that he did not direct.
Oblivion is a movie you may like to see if you like sci-fi movies and/or interesting twists, and especially both.
I give it 3 out of 5. It would have gotten more if there was a bit more emotional content especially in the first half - although I realize why, due to the story content it did not have.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Saturday, April 13, 2013
42 - Movie Review
It is not often you sit in a movie and feel you have been entertained, learned some history and feel satisfied with the performance and story when you leave. This is what 42 does. The true life story of baseball player Jackie Robinson played aptly by Chadwick Boseman who was the first player to break Major League baseball's color barrier when he was signed to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He eventually went on to play in six world series.
The person who I think will be given an academy nod is Harrison Ford. He is brilliant as the man who orchestrated Jackie Robinson's admission into the major league. Words cannot say how well he plays the role. He is not the Harrison Ford we know. He is the character he is playing. I also enjoyed seeing TR Knight (George from Grey's Anatomy) doing well in his role. In fact there are many T.V. stars in this movie in different roles. You will recognize them as the movie unfolds.
This movie totally worth seeing, not only for the historical content, but for how we have evolved and how important people are who play a part in this evolution. There is one scene when people are shouting abuse at Jackie Robertson, and all of a sudden a young man (about 14) begins yelling what his father was saying. In that scene alone you can see how racism is perpetrated. The young following the old without thought of what they are saying. One powerful scene.
Well worth seeing for the various levels it portrays besides the baseball.
I give this movie 5 out of 5
The person who I think will be given an academy nod is Harrison Ford. He is brilliant as the man who orchestrated Jackie Robinson's admission into the major league. Words cannot say how well he plays the role. He is not the Harrison Ford we know. He is the character he is playing. I also enjoyed seeing TR Knight (George from Grey's Anatomy) doing well in his role. In fact there are many T.V. stars in this movie in different roles. You will recognize them as the movie unfolds.
This movie totally worth seeing, not only for the historical content, but for how we have evolved and how important people are who play a part in this evolution. There is one scene when people are shouting abuse at Jackie Robertson, and all of a sudden a young man (about 14) begins yelling what his father was saying. In that scene alone you can see how racism is perpetrated. The young following the old without thought of what they are saying. One powerful scene.
Well worth seeing for the various levels it portrays besides the baseball.
I give this movie 5 out of 5
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Movie Review
When G.I. Joe; Retaliation came I was once more looking forward to the over the top action and enjoyment and I was not disappointed. The sad thing within the movie was Channing Tatum gets killed early. What a shame he will no longer be part of the G.I. Joe franchise, but I presume his career is such he doesn't do support roles any more. Sadly. Regardless, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis, Adrianne Palicki and Arnold Vosloo keep the audience entertained. Some of the stunts I thought were spectacular, especially when they were running along the cliffs on wires, and the tanks near the end. Definitely great entertainment and can't wait for the next one to come along.
Really what can you say, if you want to see things being blown up, and everyone doing their part to take down the enemy, you can't beat G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
3 1/2 out of 5.
After seeing Olympus has Fallen (see previous review) I was glad to sit and watch a regular action, blow 'em up, movie. I'm still upset about Olympus - and now there is another movie coming out relating to the White House. I'm almost scared to go see it, but I will. Watch how I write about that one - oh yes Chaning Tatum is in it with Jamie Fox.
Really what can you say, if you want to see things being blown up, and everyone doing their part to take down the enemy, you can't beat G.I. Joe: Retaliation.
3 1/2 out of 5.
After seeing Olympus has Fallen (see previous review) I was glad to sit and watch a regular action, blow 'em up, movie. I'm still upset about Olympus - and now there is another movie coming out relating to the White House. I'm almost scared to go see it, but I will. Watch how I write about that one - oh yes Chaning Tatum is in it with Jamie Fox.
The Host - movie review
While I was in Toronto I took the opportunity to see The Host. I had read the book and I was curious as to how they would be able to film this story effectively. Then I had seen some previews in which everything looked very sterile and white and I was even more concerned. The story itself has so many levels to it and I wanted it to work. It did! It was brilliant. The story unfolded and how they handled the two beings inside one body was extremely believable and workable.
Saoirse Ronan (pronounced Seersha who is from Ireland) was great/wonderful and did the job extremely well. She was able to convey the conflict as when the alien's come into the body they human personality is supposed to be suppressed. Supposed to be is the question. The story is the struggle between these two within one body, while the human Melanie will not stop being a presence and the Wanderer who becomes Wanda, when they rejoin the resistance.
Then the fun begins as Melanie's love Jared played by Max Ions and Wenda's new love Ian played by Jake Abel creates even more tension. William Hurt plays Melanie's Uncle and is the leader of the resistance. Everyone carries their roles really well. Naturally, the ending makes everything work out. The book goes much more into details than the movie. If you want to see a well done sci-fi movie, which is quite believable, then this is one which you will enjoy. If you can, read the book. The Host is definitely a movie to see.
I left the theatre with the feeling of "good job, well done".
4 out of 5.
Saoirse Ronan (pronounced Seersha who is from Ireland) was great/wonderful and did the job extremely well. She was able to convey the conflict as when the alien's come into the body they human personality is supposed to be suppressed. Supposed to be is the question. The story is the struggle between these two within one body, while the human Melanie will not stop being a presence and the Wanderer who becomes Wanda, when they rejoin the resistance.
Then the fun begins as Melanie's love Jared played by Max Ions and Wenda's new love Ian played by Jake Abel creates even more tension. William Hurt plays Melanie's Uncle and is the leader of the resistance. Everyone carries their roles really well. Naturally, the ending makes everything work out. The book goes much more into details than the movie. If you want to see a well done sci-fi movie, which is quite believable, then this is one which you will enjoy. If you can, read the book. The Host is definitely a movie to see.
I left the theatre with the feeling of "good job, well done".
4 out of 5.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Olympus Has Fallen - Movie Review
If you want to see lots of people die, lots of explosions and lots of hand to hand combat, then this is the movie to see. It reminded me of the war movies we used to watch, where people just got mowed down. This was a bit more up front and personal. Seeing people shot in the head is not my usual taste, fighting, and things blowing up - yes I don't mind that at all, but this was .... wow ... a lot of killing for an action movie.
Now after saying all that Olympus Has Fallen, with Gerard Butler as the main character was good if you like action movies. Yes the killing was more than usual to say the least, the theory behind it was interesting. A terrorist group taking the White House and getting the President, played aptly by Aaron Eckhart, and other higher up officials to give them important, secret codes was an interesting concept. I found myself wondering, would it be that easy to take down what is described as the most secure house in the world.
One line of the movie the terrorist says to the President "it takes your army to get here in 15 minutes and we took this in 13". What are they saying to the world. Do not movie makers have some responsibility to what they tell the many terrorists out there. I felt like a plan was being delivered to someone, somewhere. I'm not sure if this was a book out there or if this was a screen play, but somehow it seemed like Homeland Security needed to be a little more involved when movies show the security bits and pieces of a place like the White House.
Morgan Freeman, plays the Speaker of the House, who takes over when both the President and the Vice President is in the bunker held hostage by the Terrorists. Then then is Gerard Butler, Mike, the man of the hour, coming to rescue the day. He was good. He is worth going to see. Saving the son, killing a lot of terrorists and finding his way to say the day. At one point near the end I'm thinking, Rocky in action.
Now I think a really good movie does not have you thinking about security of the White House or Rocky while you are watching it. You are supposed to be fully engaged, so this movie although worth seeing if you like killing, blowing up and a hero in action. I give it 3 out of 5, but nearly gave it a 2 1/2 because of the over abundance of violence. Defiantly not for the youngsters, please do not let your children see this, they see enough violence on TV and Video games. Adults only. Oh yes, here I am sitting in the first showing of the day with ---- wait ---- two other women. Yes, three women came to see the thriller (we were all over 50 I would say). Interesting, eh?
3 out of 5 with caution
Now after saying all that Olympus Has Fallen, with Gerard Butler as the main character was good if you like action movies. Yes the killing was more than usual to say the least, the theory behind it was interesting. A terrorist group taking the White House and getting the President, played aptly by Aaron Eckhart, and other higher up officials to give them important, secret codes was an interesting concept. I found myself wondering, would it be that easy to take down what is described as the most secure house in the world.
One line of the movie the terrorist says to the President "it takes your army to get here in 15 minutes and we took this in 13". What are they saying to the world. Do not movie makers have some responsibility to what they tell the many terrorists out there. I felt like a plan was being delivered to someone, somewhere. I'm not sure if this was a book out there or if this was a screen play, but somehow it seemed like Homeland Security needed to be a little more involved when movies show the security bits and pieces of a place like the White House.
Morgan Freeman, plays the Speaker of the House, who takes over when both the President and the Vice President is in the bunker held hostage by the Terrorists. Then then is Gerard Butler, Mike, the man of the hour, coming to rescue the day. He was good. He is worth going to see. Saving the son, killing a lot of terrorists and finding his way to say the day. At one point near the end I'm thinking, Rocky in action.
Now I think a really good movie does not have you thinking about security of the White House or Rocky while you are watching it. You are supposed to be fully engaged, so this movie although worth seeing if you like killing, blowing up and a hero in action. I give it 3 out of 5, but nearly gave it a 2 1/2 because of the over abundance of violence. Defiantly not for the youngsters, please do not let your children see this, they see enough violence on TV and Video games. Adults only. Oh yes, here I am sitting in the first showing of the day with ---- wait ---- two other women. Yes, three women came to see the thriller (we were all over 50 I would say). Interesting, eh?
3 out of 5 with caution
Monday, March 11, 2013
Snitch - Movie Review
I'm a bit late getting my movie review of Snitch typed up. Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson plays the lead of a father who goes into the 'drug' business in order to stop his son going to prison for 10 years. The story is based on an actual story. A young man does his friend a favor and then his friend turns on him and he is found with drugs. The mandatory jail term is 10 years. (more than first time rape and other serious crimes). Dwayne as the Dad, remarried with another child, running a successful trucking business, gets one of his employees to put him in contact with a drug dealer, stating he can 'ship' drugs (in his trucks). By stating he needs money in this down turned economy, they go on trial run and then the fun really begins.
Dwayne has set up a 'deal' with the District Attorney, played by Susan Saradan, if he can get the main people behind the drug deals his son could go free. Once Dwayne is in, the truck, the gangs and money, lots of money, come to play the deal gets changed a bit. Benjamin Pratt plays the big drug lord who sets up Dwayne to go across the line into Mexico with millions of dollars. Dwayne, not being stupid, knows if he goes over there he will be killed, so in one of the best big truck driving scenes I've seen (I don't think I took a breath for several seconds at one point) he wins the day. Not without some nervous moments though and then at the end the son is released and they are all going into protective custody. (Of course you don't see what happens with that story, although I'm sure there is one - protective custody can't be much fun after running a successful business, but then again putting that against your child being in prison for 10 years - no contest).
I enjoyed this movie, fast paced, had a motive, and again the good guys won in the end. The stunts were great, and looked natural, like they could happen. Yes, Snitch was worth seeing. 3 out of 5.
Dwayne has set up a 'deal' with the District Attorney, played by Susan Saradan, if he can get the main people behind the drug deals his son could go free. Once Dwayne is in, the truck, the gangs and money, lots of money, come to play the deal gets changed a bit. Benjamin Pratt plays the big drug lord who sets up Dwayne to go across the line into Mexico with millions of dollars. Dwayne, not being stupid, knows if he goes over there he will be killed, so in one of the best big truck driving scenes I've seen (I don't think I took a breath for several seconds at one point) he wins the day. Not without some nervous moments though and then at the end the son is released and they are all going into protective custody. (Of course you don't see what happens with that story, although I'm sure there is one - protective custody can't be much fun after running a successful business, but then again putting that against your child being in prison for 10 years - no contest).
I enjoyed this movie, fast paced, had a motive, and again the good guys won in the end. The stunts were great, and looked natural, like they could happen. Yes, Snitch was worth seeing. 3 out of 5.
Oz: The Great & Powerful
First of all, if you are planning to take any small children to see this movie - DON'T!! Even in my adult age I screamed, closed my eyes and was slightly terrified - but then it doesn't take too much for me to do that. But this is not a movie for little kids.
Now in saying that, if you want color, you want enjoyment, laughter (at times) and just plain entertainment then as an adult go see this movie. It begins the same way as the original movie in black and white and then James Franco, a marvellous Oz: The Great & Powerful, gets carried away to the magical land of Oz. Here the 3D color comes in. I was mesmerized by the colors portrayed in this movie. Sometimes to the point of watching the flowers or the jewels unfolding before me and not the actors. James Franco is great in this role. His devilish grin, yet somehow pure heart shows through. Rachel Weisz and Mila Kuntis as the wicked witches do a wonderful job, especially when Mila is all green and nasty. Michelle Williams as Glenda the good witch is her usual 'nice' self. I totally loved the china doll and the flying monkey. The flying monkey gives the comic relief to what sometimes gets quite tense.
We all know the story of Oz, how the wicked witch has to be done in, and although it has been years since I've since Dorothy and her red shoes, the story is different although basically the same. Oz makes a wonderful fairy tale come true before your eyes. Good over evil, isn't that we all want. The bad guy made good, the good witch getting the kingdom (and the man). What more could one want. Oh yes, the gold and jewels. Everyone's fantasy made real in 3D. Was it worth seeing. Oh yes....even if only to enjoy the wonderful colors.
3 1/2 out of 5.
Now in saying that, if you want color, you want enjoyment, laughter (at times) and just plain entertainment then as an adult go see this movie. It begins the same way as the original movie in black and white and then James Franco, a marvellous Oz: The Great & Powerful, gets carried away to the magical land of Oz. Here the 3D color comes in. I was mesmerized by the colors portrayed in this movie. Sometimes to the point of watching the flowers or the jewels unfolding before me and not the actors. James Franco is great in this role. His devilish grin, yet somehow pure heart shows through. Rachel Weisz and Mila Kuntis as the wicked witches do a wonderful job, especially when Mila is all green and nasty. Michelle Williams as Glenda the good witch is her usual 'nice' self. I totally loved the china doll and the flying monkey. The flying monkey gives the comic relief to what sometimes gets quite tense.
We all know the story of Oz, how the wicked witch has to be done in, and although it has been years since I've since Dorothy and her red shoes, the story is different although basically the same. Oz makes a wonderful fairy tale come true before your eyes. Good over evil, isn't that we all want. The bad guy made good, the good witch getting the kingdom (and the man). What more could one want. Oh yes, the gold and jewels. Everyone's fantasy made real in 3D. Was it worth seeing. Oh yes....even if only to enjoy the wonderful colors.
3 1/2 out of 5.
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