tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44974020689611048992024-02-06T21:14:03.115-06:00Movie Boy Reviewstake a look around. read some reviews and please leave a comment or two.J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-66024451705377727172012-02-13T14:34:00.002-06:002012-02-13T17:29:44.252-06:00Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace (1999)<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETdXXi3bQBM-De9tn0HpSEGNglwsaFmsEEsGNwlTTSTphP9tct7S5Nb9Aky3eD9lk6RJPa5xTy_vC9_Z98d_J1TnPWcfkj-XGVxLp6ADpfzUOYi8QDjsVRD5q4xlODBpyVeOigbqaM50/s1600/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-movie-poster-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETdXXi3bQBM-De9tn0HpSEGNglwsaFmsEEsGNwlTTSTphP9tct7S5Nb9Aky3eD9lk6RJPa5xTy_vC9_Z98d_J1TnPWcfkj-XGVxLp6ADpfzUOYi8QDjsVRD5q4xlODBpyVeOigbqaM50/s320/star-wars-the-phantom-menace-movie-poster-01.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I was in fifth grade when Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace came out. I was already a pretty big Star Wars fan at that point. I remember having Return of the Jedi taped off of TV and watching it often. That was until the original trilogy came out again in 1997. My dad took me to see those when they came out and my Star Wars fandom was cemented forever. I remember seeing The Phantom Menace in theaters three times. I was absolutely in love with the movie. I was in fifth grade. If I reviewed The Phantom Menace when I was in fifth grade, I think there would have been a lot of exclamation points, a high usage of the word ‘awesome,’ and little substance. I’m glad they are releasing all the movies in theaters again. It gives me the opportunity to review them as an adult, or at least as close to an adult as I’ll probably get. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first Star Wars prequel, Episode I: The Phantom Menace has become one of the most derided and criticized movie ever. There is a LOT wrong with the movie. Most of which has to do with the involvement of George Lucas. He wrote, directed and executively produced this movie. He was effectively in complete control over the entire production, and it shows. The plot of the movie serves only to move us to the next thing that has to happen. We already know that the focus of the prequel movies is going to be the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader.) Why that requires an extended storyline that focuses on galactic politics, I don’t know. Politics is boring, VERY boring. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very important. You should be aware of local, state, and national politics because well, they affect you very closely. However, trade sanctions and taxation in Star Wars? Really? This is science fantasy! Taxation and politics is a little too mundane for it to be the driving force of the story line here. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3N6iuxQ0Iizpnc7-iKpoQ4Gx065QHPbeJSFChBHxaLYMl-3drMVga4wfGJbdqnrysN7SetV8THabQNiRn-7Az6PoRjAwZT8dlebqQ-__44DBJY2pZmz_Zt02coAedMfJawFXZmkY7g/s1600/Episode-I-The-Phantom-Menace-The-hangar-doors-slide-away-and-reveal-Darth-Maul-waiting%252CS-5-94325-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HtXIVDtbbWD0ri-O84V9xsB0Cb6KMtamdHgkftfr7UuvLxgy4rfVcqW4lxWHwuneWae0DpTtU-2KOZnTDuy6nQ_lal6-5IrS43BuAIrIV1HQEHZ06Kzku55TFEbg7-7QEBePlfo10ps/s1600/gungan_sacred_place04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HtXIVDtbbWD0ri-O84V9xsB0Cb6KMtamdHgkftfr7UuvLxgy4rfVcqW4lxWHwuneWae0DpTtU-2KOZnTDuy6nQ_lal6-5IrS43BuAIrIV1HQEHZ06Kzku55TFEbg7-7QEBePlfo10ps/s200/gungan_sacred_place04.jpg" width="200" /></a>Anyways, I should probably tell you about the storyline. I’ll try and do it quickly and get it over with. Jedi master and padawan (intern/apprentice) Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) and Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) are dispatched by the Galactic Senate to negotiate a settlement by mega-corporate Trade Federation and the peaceful planet of Naboo led by popularly elected teenage Queen Amidala (Natalie Portman.) Trade Federation tries to kill Jedi, Jedi flee to Naboo. Jedi meet frogman, frogman takes Jedi to frogmen. Frogmen send Jedi to Queen. Jedi rescue Queen. Jedi and Queen try and go to Coruscant (galactic Washington D.C.) but can’t cause Trade Federation shot their engine. They go to Tatooine to get parts, only person that has parts can’t be Jedi mind tricked. Jedi meet annoying slave kid Anakin Skywalker. Anakin builds stuff, builds <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3N6iuxQ0Iizpnc7-iKpoQ4Gx065QHPbeJSFChBHxaLYMl-3drMVga4wfGJbdqnrysN7SetV8THabQNiRn-7Az6PoRjAwZT8dlebqQ-__44DBJY2pZmz_Zt02coAedMfJawFXZmkY7g/s1600/Episode-I-The-Phantom-Menace-The-hangar-doors-slide-away-and-reveal-Darth-Maul-waiting%252CS-5-94325-13.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3N6iuxQ0Iizpnc7-iKpoQ4Gx065QHPbeJSFChBHxaLYMl-3drMVga4wfGJbdqnrysN7SetV8THabQNiRn-7Az6PoRjAwZT8dlebqQ-__44DBJY2pZmz_Zt02coAedMfJawFXZmkY7g/s320/Episode-I-The-Phantom-Menace-The-hangar-doors-slide-away-and-reveal-Darth-Maul-waiting%252CS-5-94325-13.jpg" width="320" /></a>podracer, races in the Tatooine 300 and wins. Jedi get parts and Anakin. Jedi takes Queen and Anakin to Coruscant, nothing happens. Jedi, Queen and Anakin go back to Naboo to try and deal with it <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3N6iuxQ0Iizpnc7-iKpoQ4Gx065QHPbeJSFChBHxaLYMl-3drMVga4wfGJbdqnrysN7SetV8THabQNiRn-7Az6PoRjAwZT8dlebqQ-__44DBJY2pZmz_Zt02coAedMfJawFXZmkY7g/s1600/Episode-I-The-Phantom-Menace-The-hangar-doors-slide-away-and-reveal-Darth-Maul-waiting%252CS-5-94325-13.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>themselves. They do. Jedi fight horned tattooed Sith (bad guy). Sith kills Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan kills Sith. Anakin blows up mothership. Queen coerces a settlement with Trade Federation. *deep breath* <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieU3N6iuxQ0Iizpnc7-iKpoQ4Gx065QHPbeJSFChBHxaLYMl-3drMVga4wfGJbdqnrysN7SetV8THabQNiRn-7Az6PoRjAwZT8dlebqQ-__44DBJY2pZmz_Zt02coAedMfJawFXZmkY7g/s1600/Episode-I-The-Phantom-Menace-The-hangar-doors-slide-away-and-reveal-Darth-Maul-waiting%252CS-5-94325-13.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Apart from the very disappointing plot, the dialogue also suffers. I can’t blame the actors for the lameness of the acting because they were most likely doing the very best anyone could do with what they were given. It’s hard working with such a lame plot. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Despite how hard I am being on this movie, and please understand, it deserves it, I still enjoy watching the movie. It’s probably mostly because I’m a Star Wars fan, but it’s also because, despite the disappointing story and lack of plot and emotion, there are a couple scenes that are pretty amazing and fantastic. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxGBnJGCc2ouG8bgjCRpaF9phXH5jecnAUt18gqofqQ6UpyV1WaqmwD9fx4Fp9_LHQ_14pVxh0y5lrAhLzN_ZfxwNuyv8yL8NfLT01EEg9WKjBLDMfmboeaSoB8-IgG3rRba0CnEWB2E/s1600/podrace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxGBnJGCc2ouG8bgjCRpaF9phXH5jecnAUt18gqofqQ6UpyV1WaqmwD9fx4Fp9_LHQ_14pVxh0y5lrAhLzN_ZfxwNuyv8yL8NfLT01EEg9WKjBLDMfmboeaSoB8-IgG3rRba0CnEWB2E/s320/podrace.jpg" width="320" /></a>Great Scene #1: Podracing. This is a pretty intense and exciting sequence. I think that if they had extended this sequence and made it a little longer and less monotonous, it would have made the movie a lot more memorable and exciting. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEYVx92OBVa06Lxn3He__4YpsMKwd-UrHaqgAqBiFjBzroQ9Bvk8XA-MzVDU2KBIzwa_oZHZsHM2cAUw0gzy9pCQfiRKVdgGrsBSE4Jst4m8f7MliFq04fc8_jTFNJ96NIz993BtElSo/s1600/1571_swport05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEYVx92OBVa06Lxn3He__4YpsMKwd-UrHaqgAqBiFjBzroQ9Bvk8XA-MzVDU2KBIzwa_oZHZsHM2cAUw0gzy9pCQfiRKVdgGrsBSE4Jst4m8f7MliFq04fc8_jTFNJ96NIz993BtElSo/s320/1571_swport05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Great Scene #2: Duel of the Fates. Ok so, when I was in fifth grade and even now, I loved the double sided lightsaber. It was awesome. Three incredibly powerful fighters in their prime fighting each other with lightsabers was probably the most exciting scenes of the movie. Make this scene more gritty and exhausting (to the characters not the audience) and it would have been a lot better. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In addition to these specific scenes, the general use of CGI and special effects when not overdone, made for a beautiful and awe inspiring experience on the big screen that harkened back to the original Star Wars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYGkaitxsWn7vvTMPsPyxHjCjqyjEIP7G90ktUcClicpS0sJBmyY8R6UeBLnVtWgX3qRcGetH58k_hpkqBTZz8puJLyaGRFKmDJAE8w5jmHOdSmea5VI4inhtN-HeqtWUgl-8VqFY7w4/s1600/220px-The_Phantom_Menace_(Ultimate_Edition)_ost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYGkaitxsWn7vvTMPsPyxHjCjqyjEIP7G90ktUcClicpS0sJBmyY8R6UeBLnVtWgX3qRcGetH58k_hpkqBTZz8puJLyaGRFKmDJAE8w5jmHOdSmea5VI4inhtN-HeqtWUgl-8VqFY7w4/s1600/220px-The_Phantom_Menace_(Ultimate_Edition)_ost.jpg" /></a>Lucas did do something right when he got John Williams to come back and compose the soundtrack for The Phantom Menace. The soundtrack is better than the movie. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I suppose I should mention something about the 3D. It was ok. I feel like moviegoers should stop expecting in-your-face 3D sequences from your Hollywood movies. It appears to me that the best use of 3D these days is the subtle use. The use where you might actually forget it’s in 3D. It’s an added dimension to the picture literally and figuratively. It’s the next step in movies. I don’t think it’s going anywhere, and as long as they can make movies in 3D without ruining quality and sharpness of the picture, then it’s ok by me. If this is the only way we’ll be able to experience some great movies again on the big screen, then so be it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">All in all, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace fails under the weight of its writer/director/producer. The sheer number of missed opportunities and unrealized potential leaves one wondering, “Did this story really need to be told?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a movie: 4/10 <br />
As a Star Wars movie: 5<sup>th</sup> out of 6</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-69906325277559962722011-02-26T22:55:00.000-06:002011-02-26T22:55:00.470-06:00Toy Story 3 (2010)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA474f7y8lAfCKeZi1NdSdgtdBMzP4GPGIFm3WsipcO4yA46VaI4IkZJa_ljWXAky_95lrCypoiV7flNoO8y55B-EkXvzDvJ7nkvCXLSPo8PfapGU3UOo7D8dmN3e7tPPQ_VCl9_VfD0/s1600/New-Toy-Story-3-Cast-6-4-10-kc-550x370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA474f7y8lAfCKeZi1NdSdgtdBMzP4GPGIFm3WsipcO4yA46VaI4IkZJa_ljWXAky_95lrCypoiV7flNoO8y55B-EkXvzDvJ7nkvCXLSPo8PfapGU3UOo7D8dmN3e7tPPQ_VCl9_VfD0/s320/New-Toy-Story-3-Cast-6-4-10-kc-550x370.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN">Oh, to be a kid again. I was 8 when the original Toy Story came out. At the time, Toy Story was a breakthrough in animation. A completely computer generated animated film had rarely if ever been seen before. Now, they're everywhere. Now, you're lucky if you get the chance to see a new traditionally animated film. This is all to say that there's really not much more to be said about animation these days. It looks great, has for a long time. This is the third Toy Story, that we've been given, so again, nothing new about the animation. That leaves, the story. It is here that I see Toy Story 3's biggest issue. Or, it's simply my biggest issue. I have no idea what Toy Story 3 wants to be, and I transfer that confusion onto the movie itself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbh5ufZlw5NmUcNmhyad4esr1rs5O4ecMzUjEzbeRxv11bulV1-lZ4MM5wr7-AdnyFesIrH3y3ISp7BS5QeadLnKKH8QXe2LLWBuN2uo_fvYkxTJXzbdvP456uJWTNWs7qtYsUaRvtxc/s1600/toy_story_3_andy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdbh5ufZlw5NmUcNmhyad4esr1rs5O4ecMzUjEzbeRxv11bulV1-lZ4MM5wr7-AdnyFesIrH3y3ISp7BS5QeadLnKKH8QXe2LLWBuN2uo_fvYkxTJXzbdvP456uJWTNWs7qtYsUaRvtxc/s400/toy_story_3_andy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Toy Story 3 kind of picks up where the second one left off, except it's about 10 years later. Andy hasn't played with any of his toys in years. One by one they've been thrown away, sold, or given away. The group of toys in Andy's room has gotten noticeably smaller. Despite all the lessons they've learned during the first two movies however, most of Andy's toys are still constantly worried that they're not wanted and that they're going to be forgotten and/or thrown away. This, of course, would be one of the only real worries a toy could possibly have, that and being given to someone younger than your age recommendation. (More on that later.) Andy's mom tells Andy, who's going off to college, that he has to decide what he wants to do with his toys. He has to decide whether he wants to bring them with him to college, throw them away, donate them to the local daycare, or put them in storage. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ls6rFG2L2qlQDIy9ltAgACwk6cFg1Lv29VNlY-wj90Z-f737JHEaWJ-bXNSjLZ_3C0HkTBhRqbyFGSqpUlp9Dv1hCh7aI2zqS3-n0Z0BAprBJRpUFpNM4YIecA57u8G5bR9828iF1Co/s1600/toy-story-3-20100505061252877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ls6rFG2L2qlQDIy9ltAgACwk6cFg1Lv29VNlY-wj90Z-f737JHEaWJ-bXNSjLZ_3C0HkTBhRqbyFGSqpUlp9Dv1hCh7aI2zqS3-n0Z0BAprBJRpUFpNM4YIecA57u8G5bR9828iF1Co/s320/toy-story-3-20100505061252877.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">One thing leads to another; Andy decides to put all the toys but for Woody up into the attic for storage. However, his mom mistakes the black garbage back full of his toys that Andy leaves below the attic, for garbage and brings the bag out. The toys, not realizing that they were in fact destined for the attic, believe that Andy has left them for the garbage, so once Woody rescues them from the garbage man, one of many stressful sequences for the toys, they decide that they'd rather go to Sunnyside day care and be played with all the time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">When the toys find themselves at Sunnyside, they're greeted by a seemingly generous and genial cuddly bear named Lotso. At first, Sunnyside seems like a godsend to the toys. However, they quickly realize that the heavenly environment they're shown isn't where they'll be spending their time. Instead of the 6 and 7 year olds that play rather nicely with their toys, Andy's toys are put in the toddlers section where toys aren't played with, they're tortured and abused. When Buzz goes to talk to Lotso, the cuddly bear is gone, and a fascist dictator is found instead. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrnFZuL0MVB1NauTBc-mahNV46wqWDk46Eic03WhtM5jGNSV4MEK8GQMYIiUYBIKJuO0kW_w8jYbhx6xGeALf9iv2eU_EhXvX0CnYldZFzjvph1z97pUd_0HVRI3vvodqn74g-nMGPas/s1600/toy_story_3_poster111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrnFZuL0MVB1NauTBc-mahNV46wqWDk46Eic03WhtM5jGNSV4MEK8GQMYIiUYBIKJuO0kW_w8jYbhx6xGeALf9iv2eU_EhXvX0CnYldZFzjvph1z97pUd_0HVRI3vvodqn74g-nMGPas/s320/toy_story_3_poster111.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN">The rest of the movie includes nods toward an array of different movie plots from a lot of great movies. An elaborate prison break scene, a touching and painful flashback explaining Lotso's horrible detachment towards owners, and a rather terrifying trip down a garbage incinerator that seemed incredibly out of place for a kids movie. Everything leads up to the toys finding their way back to Andy, and Andy passing on his toys to the next generation in a very touching scene that honestly may have drawn a tear or two from this reviewer. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">There's really no saying that this movie wasn't good. It was. Considering that it's all about toys, the movie's ability to elicit anxiety, fear, love, and hatred from the audience is amazing. However, that's not something new we saw that in the first two Toy Stories. What makes many of the original Disney/Pixar cartoon movies so successful was the fact that they of course catered to children while still having subtle hints towards adult humor. You have to keep the parents interested too. Toy Story 3, on the other hand takes this nod for adults and absolutely runs with it. I'd say half of the movie or more was directed more towards the parents and/or the college age students who were kids for the first one. Maybe that's who it was meant for. IF it was, that's unfortunate. The best thing about Toy Story and its sequel, was that they were both first and foremost kids movies. The fact that adults could enjoy them just as the kids was a great addition. It seems that Toy Story 3 will be best enjoyed after you've graduated high school at least. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx09zB_mu7Cl3CSWjH8rF9H29luW6P7cXZzlSkkUMqbIC7SljMJxN6scRPP-Sc266eZggtH_lWs-X3lwKq1EUHqkJW4nvOL_qYO85bTrk6wP7Jju2v54w8XAW_BhaYHatvxP3-LkdFN8/s1600/Toy-Story-3-Lotso-Tour-580x408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpx09zB_mu7Cl3CSWjH8rF9H29luW6P7cXZzlSkkUMqbIC7SljMJxN6scRPP-Sc266eZggtH_lWs-X3lwKq1EUHqkJW4nvOL_qYO85bTrk6wP7Jju2v54w8XAW_BhaYHatvxP3-LkdFN8/s320/Toy-Story-3-Lotso-Tour-580x408.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Like I said before, it's most certainly a good movie. If it was a little bit more original, I feel like it could have been a great movie. What happened to keeping your childhood toys to give to your children and your grandchildren? I think they writers missed an opportunity here. Can you imagine a Toy Story 3 where the toys spent the time in the attic? It would be like a less terrifying more interesting Sid's room. Seems like they lost a lot when Andy gave his toys to the little girl. Yes the girl will play with them, but she's not Andy, she's not even related to Andy. The toys should learn to wait, that family is family, and that we trust our family and eventually they will be played with again, by Andy's son/daughter. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-TyyO3eFAwXim1f9s8CazC4bROE9EpYY8jL51dHx2Lq9w-BDT19Q7ySWb2TUmtu2CXPMDedU86JmnHn1qWDF0aHNiCZmWdU29c2JAE_vRPGRAnruWsg-GCfFduJH1A1KjSoh6Zeyc0o/s1600/toy3story12328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-TyyO3eFAwXim1f9s8CazC4bROE9EpYY8jL51dHx2Lq9w-BDT19Q7ySWb2TUmtu2CXPMDedU86JmnHn1qWDF0aHNiCZmWdU29c2JAE_vRPGRAnruWsg-GCfFduJH1A1KjSoh6Zeyc0o/s400/toy3story12328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Again, it's a good movie. A very good movie. I just think that when you're talking about Toy Story, it should be a great movie. This wasn't a great movie. There was no real <i>human</i> commentary, like there was in the first two. It's not all the time that you get a decent third movie in a trilogy, but it seems Toy Story has done just that. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">7/10</span></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-62626721534762270462011-02-22T18:42:00.001-06:002011-02-22T18:47:46.171-06:00Jordan Award WinnersHere they are:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Makeup: Alice in Wonderland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddVTfHm5gdaAShyphenhyphen91GXmn-JWmou0SeZdL-Z1gC3ojfi1iKFHlA2JUSZcz-mD-EkF_4a_4m6t55kyOtDl_twXuMffc5yS4f9PEaMWXgQB-iJrY3s6XGLFPTZQxNi7Db1UwlRYmn0yCOsc/s1600/YSL_RedQueen_butterboom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddVTfHm5gdaAShyphenhyphen91GXmn-JWmou0SeZdL-Z1gC3ojfi1iKFHlA2JUSZcz-mD-EkF_4a_4m6t55kyOtDl_twXuMffc5yS4f9PEaMWXgQB-iJrY3s6XGLFPTZQxNi7Db1UwlRYmn0yCOsc/s400/YSL_RedQueen_butterboom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Visual Effects: Tron: Legacy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTKOwhn1vZl24KvZlcWhtt28HXv0P9Z6eG7ALEM2XphaCVAqDaCfkL9kLkTSmT1VYKKsjB1C5xW4jXeb-439QTCL7eyDOLYyHUTTJ3aT4QrDDmdBgkL_q4yJOcmEN4FxQoCLcg7AMtRk/s1600/TRON-Legacy3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTKOwhn1vZl24KvZlcWhtt28HXv0P9Z6eG7ALEM2XphaCVAqDaCfkL9kLkTSmT1VYKKsjB1C5xW4jXeb-439QTCL7eyDOLYyHUTTJ3aT4QrDDmdBgkL_q4yJOcmEN4FxQoCLcg7AMtRk/s400/TRON-Legacy3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Costume Design: The Tempest</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPWivrJGp4ZpBoEmT8Fdrn9OMw7HimrZk05xAcvzwgw6dqL0el5rJhJ3YUKtlXZYR2scZEJTEWIycuaPqY7z33F-O6kHfnKwYRFQdhyTjvFV2FfrcP3nIsC140Wt7fZk6YJsHfh9vZBY/s1600/oscar_inside_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYZynKezwiHKAOzLJlQB75utsBm78LZYZZ4D-WjgeqURpykzikHTPeiAl24yefwyUsdw6rJCVJ9bqsSJhuGy4NulPQXMz1ZvHFGtX7ulAEqdLuDQAAFDi7yE3ErNIInV94oKyY1AcYKM/s1600/WK-AW033_Movie__G_20101118155851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yDCQY_CdpfitYPGZAdmr-X-f-nVulJz_iJvSSlKy_RyPM2lwKpqZR6tCNnNBiiSUsqYUJnVyoEETQHrxtm3R88uklMMwU6gsXGXtm_7Bf8nF8wqpYp5f0FPLMga1_C8-tuJBRCo1l4U/s1600/WK-AW033_Movie__G_20101118155851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yDCQY_CdpfitYPGZAdmr-X-f-nVulJz_iJvSSlKy_RyPM2lwKpqZR6tCNnNBiiSUsqYUJnVyoEETQHrxtm3R88uklMMwU6gsXGXtm_7Bf8nF8wqpYp5f0FPLMga1_C8-tuJBRCo1l4U/s640/WK-AW033_Movie__G_20101118155851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Original Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross- The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin - The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler - The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Animated Picture: Tangled</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPmhdjT_4NZ-Qh0ZkHKjTgfliylCE33PybJ64gUQiA_rOqAdeOt8gyms9li5gzRR4APABGvg6-K3EAqpIdS0Y0X6T2SPi-Xjrxb9Dsjopp7KQqfGgRydtFUGiVqwOAs4MR-xlLrMTN8k/s1600/tangled-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPmhdjT_4NZ-Qh0ZkHKjTgfliylCE33PybJ64gUQiA_rOqAdeOt8gyms9li5gzRR4APABGvg6-K3EAqpIdS0Y0X6T2SPi-Xjrxb9Dsjopp7KQqfGgRydtFUGiVqwOAs4MR-xlLrMTN8k/s400/tangled-movie-poster.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Supporting Actress: Rooney Mara- The Social Network</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTo2jlblzySqwbTHXchR2yMRWkSZYNFDwRlm-0NeKdvtuvM5TUyw3RCQZwJOf6msJ70BSJI25zzwuCO8XK3Tce3HLcInrukOd6KHxrGuug9o1H3-J6AzkCRCdMOhqaGn-YcMOXcYmR5Q/s1600/vlcsnap-2011-02-22-18h05m32s209.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTo2jlblzySqwbTHXchR2yMRWkSZYNFDwRlm-0NeKdvtuvM5TUyw3RCQZwJOf6msJ70BSJI25zzwuCO8XK3Tce3HLcInrukOd6KHxrGuug9o1H3-J6AzkCRCdMOhqaGn-YcMOXcYmR5Q/s640/vlcsnap-2011-02-22-18h05m32s209.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Supporting Actor: Matt Damon- True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDEMt5SfzE8bCXmpFqYWcbzBanw85Q0z6yO5XoMmLQi2xpMVuVHra8KqDZWhnvo55Eo-bQtfkK5x4S1WLuOf5lDuzDEyAy0k5A-RYrAmrcr1ocyjOSE72rq4tCslfzoS8Lb4mKkt4PGY/s1600/Matt_Damon+2True_Grit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDEMt5SfzE8bCXmpFqYWcbzBanw85Q0z6yO5XoMmLQi2xpMVuVHra8KqDZWhnvo55Eo-bQtfkK5x4S1WLuOf5lDuzDEyAy0k5A-RYrAmrcr1ocyjOSE72rq4tCslfzoS8Lb4mKkt4PGY/s640/Matt_Damon+2True_Grit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Actress: Jennifer Lawrence - Winter's Bone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv8eeqk2tzhAMp6tYzk-wZjXtqkMdTsufaUusLyfltDFQOd8YsWpfXye-Gqn6Zh5eNK2apNVTLoSu4_pUnwnA9P1MQqGDmKReuOzX8ivdN95HuY8Al2cqrpXdphF1C699cPwF8i49JS0/s1600/wintersbone-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBv8eeqk2tzhAMp6tYzk-wZjXtqkMdTsufaUusLyfltDFQOd8YsWpfXye-Gqn6Zh5eNK2apNVTLoSu4_pUnwnA9P1MQqGDmKReuOzX8ivdN95HuY8Al2cqrpXdphF1C699cPwF8i49JS0/s640/wintersbone-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Actor: James Franco - 127 Hours</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMRVv-jZR7ur7GT2U9q7WWu0dn12GEt5nS72sc2we8btr97VxVLdDHGpofKoFmRJdgFI1Ff-eR0UbBUkJ12pCUKpNlyYKj0AqnV6Jfwxqm8iu_pe3lo_CDu8gAaWPVg1XEseVh6xyb1E/s1600/franco_127hours_500-thumb-500xauto-19319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMRVv-jZR7ur7GT2U9q7WWu0dn12GEt5nS72sc2we8btr97VxVLdDHGpofKoFmRJdgFI1Ff-eR0UbBUkJ12pCUKpNlyYKj0AqnV6Jfwxqm8iu_pe3lo_CDu8gAaWPVg1XEseVh6xyb1E/s640/franco_127hours_500-thumb-500xauto-19319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Director: Joel and Ethan Coen - True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PH2A0-zfaLIameFG733dHH8Fzw7NkUQAPs4xE7gxDkZU0s7mJjTpt929x2w0-bXDSp2ewHA17J9M3knlFjKY5HwGiSmc9r5m0tLEgJ7W5kkFUR_Sk7nwsqfuGOAsWKyACEftJssMA7g/s1600/cohen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3PH2A0-zfaLIameFG733dHH8Fzw7NkUQAPs4xE7gxDkZU0s7mJjTpt929x2w0-bXDSp2ewHA17J9M3knlFjKY5HwGiSmc9r5m0tLEgJ7W5kkFUR_Sk7nwsqfuGOAsWKyACEftJssMA7g/s640/cohen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Breakthrough Female Performance: Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nCVfVQmZApvhddz9_Dl_8A0qD1zmUn2FdSIP1F4dvWSgHq7CV9_ItS_l9P7nc4HN-ooQRWGAQmB8SgUzak4kmtL-7ER_LYe8KXGycFhpBiXqCovPeFIteM7Mz_kIWm_4_YwBh2Wf_MI/s1600/Hailee-Steinfeld-TrueGrit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nCVfVQmZApvhddz9_Dl_8A0qD1zmUn2FdSIP1F4dvWSgHq7CV9_ItS_l9P7nc4HN-ooQRWGAQmB8SgUzak4kmtL-7ER_LYe8KXGycFhpBiXqCovPeFIteM7Mz_kIWm_4_YwBh2Wf_MI/s640/Hailee-Steinfeld-TrueGrit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Breakthrough Male Performance: Andrew Garfield - The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCkcp0KVupTiYw0Vb36B0zIRQ3WLuX2siIubuJ6So1bs6E92NC1W0_OeOY2vWf-xLI3IEG1iyenojMhjhzaY1_DPNqwxGSIi2I2vhDJCC3ADZ70nlCb3rP5tBRf7ArFeQwYTwtMUUM3E/s1600/social-network-andrew-garfield-pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCkcp0KVupTiYw0Vb36B0zIRQ3WLuX2siIubuJ6So1bs6E92NC1W0_OeOY2vWf-xLI3IEG1iyenojMhjhzaY1_DPNqwxGSIi2I2vhDJCC3ADZ70nlCb3rP5tBRf7ArFeQwYTwtMUUM3E/s640/social-network-andrew-garfield-pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Best Picture: The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xb4Hy2T2_SXOqtBHF_aSrfYkj6tkRGIHUIQdinncq1ezapMpBnS4r0-jO9hO9LllCo-UPeiNMb3BgNdQdW6cFqPBEvHRIfn7tZhH3VNNPiYt69Y_d_fSVRYI40tN2V7Sz_COX5MpK38/s1600/Social-Network-The-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xb4Hy2T2_SXOqtBHF_aSrfYkj6tkRGIHUIQdinncq1ezapMpBnS4r0-jO9hO9LllCo-UPeiNMb3BgNdQdW6cFqPBEvHRIfn7tZhH3VNNPiYt69Y_d_fSVRYI40tN2V7Sz_COX5MpK38/s640/Social-Network-The-poster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-50856854019258740002011-02-05T21:42:00.001-06:002011-02-06T22:58:30.206-06:00The Fighter (2010)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsW5N9i9ZqJgjGHOOqfHJW5OqjXSGltDJ1u7zTeEjdpO0Y4np49YvC8JGVmwBUZB1FqJ1n_FscwAYH51HbEZFe50dhnRt7HrNO9XkIjBqvJzCHKR7ivsxhB-IVZL63h2IMEvQzSw1a-U/s1600/The-Fighter-2010-%25E2%2580%2593-Hollywood-Movie-Watch-Online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsW5N9i9ZqJgjGHOOqfHJW5OqjXSGltDJ1u7zTeEjdpO0Y4np49YvC8JGVmwBUZB1FqJ1n_FscwAYH51HbEZFe50dhnRt7HrNO9XkIjBqvJzCHKR7ivsxhB-IVZL63h2IMEvQzSw1a-U/s320/The-Fighter-2010-%25E2%2580%2593-Hollywood-Movie-Watch-Online.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">What exactly is a family? For many people it's who you grow up with, those people that live with you. For me, my family is my father, my mother, my sister, my brother, my brother-in-law, and my girlfriend. I know that those people love me. I love those people. They are my family. They won't give me advice that will help them at my expense. This does not seem to be the case in David O. Russel's “The Fighter,” where nearly the entire family is more worried about loyalty and their own self-interest than the well-being of the one member of the family that can possibly help them. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is nothing really new or groundbreaking about “The Fighter.” The story circles around a pair of brothers. One, a crack addict former boxer, named Dicky (Christian Bale), who constantly reminds himself and others that he once was good and knocked Sugar Ray Leonard down in a bout. The other a current boxer, Mickey (Mark Wahlberg), who's trying his best to break out and start winning some matches. We also see Dicky and Mickey's mom, Alice (Melissa Leo), who seems to know what's best for everyone. It seems that Dicky and his mom serve as Mickey's manager, and they're really not that good at it. They let Mickey fight a man 20 pounds heavier and Mickey gets his butt kicked. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KiEZSWAoUFdn0iYK-7zUmPPk2bV7FlUH2ciPIhU-7A8d30CKRjpXx5DDXeRZE8JA0QKk0YxxPTLCySoJ5KqsBiEEDQndnRIO9zK2uEmjS-n952TDpcZbD4v7a2F8BfaAqHt4oKx8vGI/s1600/the_fighter35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KiEZSWAoUFdn0iYK-7zUmPPk2bV7FlUH2ciPIhU-7A8d30CKRjpXx5DDXeRZE8JA0QKk0YxxPTLCySoJ5KqsBiEEDQndnRIO9zK2uEmjS-n952TDpcZbD4v7a2F8BfaAqHt4oKx8vGI/s320/the_fighter35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Mickey meets a smart bartender, Charlene (Amy Adams), who questions the intentions of his brother and mother. She wonders if they have the best for Mickey in mind. Of course, Charlene comes into conflict with Mickey's family rather quickly, and the conflict remains throughout much of the movie. The question that is constantly being asked, is who's looking out for who. Somebody needs to look out for Mickey because he's the one being punched in the face for a living. The problem is, Mickey doesn't seem to want that responsibility either. Whether it's his mom, his brother, or Charlene, somebody seems to take control of Mickey. Why can't Mickey make his own decisions? The movie never really answers that. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4F0qf2ojsYlblv0_D0Dxz14LuoyWfhucrF8E4PHsYHB8mhgo0XoG7JsPvG5wCaukSK7L-sy1vapK4YLR_LvK-vShfCwG8vCjyvU7A9T-q2ZY2geiy5oaCouqlVIg26coGguA1mjxLqw/s1600/The+Fighter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4F0qf2ojsYlblv0_D0Dxz14LuoyWfhucrF8E4PHsYHB8mhgo0XoG7JsPvG5wCaukSK7L-sy1vapK4YLR_LvK-vShfCwG8vCjyvU7A9T-q2ZY2geiy5oaCouqlVIg26coGguA1mjxLqw/s320/The+Fighter+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Watching the movie, I wonder if living in the family he did, if Mickey was naturally that passive outside of the ring, or if the personalities that he grew up with squelched his own personality. The family is an interesting one, Dicky and Mickey have different fathers, and I think everyone's on positive terms with everyone else. They live in a poor neighborhood so of course they surround whatever opportunity for prosperity they can. It used to be Dicky, he screwed that up. Now it's Mickey. However, Dicky is still family, and here, family comes first. Family always comes first, even before the wellbeing of their prize-fighter. Charlene convinces Mickey that he needs to make a change. He eventually and grudgingly does. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f1MF_DiePnSIPQ2ZNzNTx2J_JeF48IQDFxlE6RKbd0R7Rt0Y5E3inDheXoTW11U7uG0MqUsPLYMLuQNJFIrp4qkUUUKv_ELFIekpx7KMvtQCb-vihGWtPPyC-cgObTq4KGFNLTPq8lo/s1600/the-fighter-2010-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9f1MF_DiePnSIPQ2ZNzNTx2J_JeF48IQDFxlE6RKbd0R7Rt0Y5E3inDheXoTW11U7uG0MqUsPLYMLuQNJFIrp4qkUUUKv_ELFIekpx7KMvtQCb-vihGWtPPyC-cgObTq4KGFNLTPq8lo/s320/the-fighter-2010-movie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Like I said, this movie doesn't really do anything new. But, it does what it has to to make a rather compelling and interesting movie, if not exciting and original. The movie is based on a true story so there may not be as much room for creativity and originality, but that's ok. The movie is good, not great. The acting is great. Well, the supporting acting is great. Wahlberg kind of has to take a back seat to all the other characters, because well, that's the character he's playing. Each of the other characters has such a strong personality that they require strong performances. The closest to over-the-top acting comes from Bale, and yet, I can't exactly fault him for it, because it seems as though it's exactly how Dicky would act. Mellissa Leo and Amy Adams seem to work very well against each other, because they seem so similar to each other. They both love Mickey, they both think they want and are doing what's best for Mickey. It's just much clearer to the audience that Charlene is right, and mom is wrong. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It's hard to change tradition, especially family tradition. When your entire life is based on family first and loyalty above all, it becomes incredibly difficult to make a decision against the advice of family. Sometimes you have to though. Family is not always right. There has to come a time in every person's life when you start making your own decisions apart from one's family. Otherwise, you can never be your own person. You can never create your own family, and you can never leave home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Maybe you don't want to leave home. That's ok. But there's a whole world out there, and you'll never see that if you never leave home. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">7/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-70176887419891776592011-02-02T20:01:00.002-06:002011-02-02T20:08:06.655-06:00Inception (2010)<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBb-AQnm5gAioVWDKetlHGKu8fNfXf3wqCXaNgj0BNkI6xEv4iaCT-GFJiyfxPjooaQUz8H1c1MFmxlX2KPSYFcmfzz-rnsp811T679QZDvoSKHn9PN_RDNwOEWf8erLwjSU1l7ro6as/s1600/1282402313_inception2010.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBBb-AQnm5gAioVWDKetlHGKu8fNfXf3wqCXaNgj0BNkI6xEv4iaCT-GFJiyfxPjooaQUz8H1c1MFmxlX2KPSYFcmfzz-rnsp811T679QZDvoSKHn9PN_RDNwOEWf8erLwjSU1l7ro6as/s320/1282402313_inception2010.jpg" width="216" /></a>Honestly, who has never, at one time or another, wished to view their dreams as if they were a movie. The idea of being that much more aware and conscious during a dream seems, at least to me, to be pretty cool. Then again, I have no real idea of the power behind dreams. I understand that in many cases the dreamer has quite a bit of power to change things in their dreams. Then again often times dreams get away from the dreamer and into some pretty weird crap. I've heard it's the subconcious that does a lot of the construction in dreams. The subconcious is buried deep for a reason, it can be pretty messed up. Christopher Nolan's newest film, “Inception” he takes a unique and interesting look at dreams. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The story follows Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a corporate spy who, along with his partner, Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), steals valuable information from the very minds of the information holders. The movie starts out with Cobb and Arthur rather successfully stealing information from a Japanese business man, Saito (Ken Watanabe). Saito turns out to have been testing the pair and seeing if they are skilled enough to complete a reportedly impossible task called “inception.” Instead of finding and taking information out of someone's dreams, inception requires the placing of an idea or information in the person's mind and have them take it as their own. This is a very difficult task. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBgTpbxe498ALPbehy89CY725S9o4yiiTFT2YapGF6TlU-4t5x-GNY0kVn8ntPSxYHMWcwULUlsBN6VaxDDJk9dmNHIY8WpNyYDjuKDkpxpR6NHdAiSKM5v0EbJjgmkr5uCj9OWlWmz8/s1600/Inception+2010+Leonardo+DiCaprio+Ellen+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBgTpbxe498ALPbehy89CY725S9o4yiiTFT2YapGF6TlU-4t5x-GNY0kVn8ntPSxYHMWcwULUlsBN6VaxDDJk9dmNHIY8WpNyYDjuKDkpxpR6NHdAiSKM5v0EbJjgmkr5uCj9OWlWmz8/s320/Inception+2010+Leonardo+DiCaprio+Ellen+Page.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">To do this Cobb and Arthur need to recruit a team including a forger (Tom Hardy), a sleep drug expert (Dileep Rao), and an architect (Ellen Page), someone to actually build the worlds in which they will be going through. The target of the job is a man (Cillian Murphy) who's recently inherited his father's huge corporation. There's a lot of explanation and exposition that I'm going to leave out of here. Needless to say, it's complicated but simple for those who know what's going on, namely the people in the movie, and maybe Christopher Nolan. If you haven't seen this movie yet, go see it. You won't get any more of the story from me. Suffice it to say that Cobb's got some baggage (Marion Cotillard), and when you're going into dreams, baggage can be very dangerous. The story's really not the driving force of the movie.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO0Ql-KLy0-1bUxCfJEKdTBdP5fknf49iurnyUi_GqpBJcCuaWzjNoXnBjMigCJUO4pUNnJDGgowwS6sq7UuCTOPJMmiYeWfTtMl9KNJcFt9h8bE92hZV0udP898W-IC5dUt6ftRkwoc/s1600/010INC-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO0Ql-KLy0-1bUxCfJEKdTBdP5fknf49iurnyUi_GqpBJcCuaWzjNoXnBjMigCJUO4pUNnJDGgowwS6sq7UuCTOPJMmiYeWfTtMl9KNJcFt9h8bE92hZV0udP898W-IC5dUt6ftRkwoc/s320/010INC-Joseph-Gordon-Levitt-002.jpg" width="320" /></a>The driving force of the movie is the visual aspect. The idea of having the majority of a movie taking place within a dreamscape demands some spectacular visuals, and “Inception” does not disappoint. One of the main aspects of this movie is that the settings are created. That is why Cobb recruits architecture students. Nowhere else can someone build exactly what they draw on a page or think of in a daydream. This movie boasts a city that turns in on itself. Whole cities slowly falling into the see. One of the greatest <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnSU0LOkH8">scenes of visual effects</a> was done without computer generated images. Christopher Nolan thinks big with his movies and bigger every time. This movie is a spectacle to watch. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iZTlIThacsJ0ioU15LMJ5UA8ZmWIpURvSVNtij5fxuTppz1iamFA6jwB9nYElypY5DyFvMVy6ZTpoUTk9wL-SODjW0NPgyNR1O6WM6Sm1IpZigWh7ICkao6qlH2SSEPhwVRpfDI5-Mo/s1600/124406_joseph-gordon-levitt-and-leonardo-dicaprio-make-their-move-in-inception.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iZTlIThacsJ0ioU15LMJ5UA8ZmWIpURvSVNtij5fxuTppz1iamFA6jwB9nYElypY5DyFvMVy6ZTpoUTk9wL-SODjW0NPgyNR1O6WM6Sm1IpZigWh7ICkao6qlH2SSEPhwVRpfDI5-Mo/s320/124406_joseph-gordon-levitt-and-leonardo-dicaprio-make-their-move-in-inception.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The only real problems with this movie is how dishonestly it looks at dreams. Like I said, the subconcious is a crazy and messed up place, yet in the movie the most dangerous thing is a crazy wife and thoughts with machine guns. Yes, Cobb's memories often make their way into the dreams he's working in, however, I feel that a movie that truly wants to look at the power of dreams needs to give those who mess with them a lot less control. Dreams are crazy, dangerous, and oftentimes scary places. We see no terror in this movie. The dreams in “Inception” do not seem to be anything like a normal person's dreams. The concept of dreams here are more likely for architects than anything else. That being said, that is a small problem and does not take too much away from the movie. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">8/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-45060390704107358852011-02-02T17:21:00.000-06:002011-02-02T17:21:52.211-06:00The Blind Side (2009)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vSMyRdcZsvwcQWTz0zE1DxdzTC0sCSLAiXCwqZCKpK16IQ_yZp70ZuaJ_8ATl0tBKLkBAXlpGc8ApQOLAciPdlEXoq7itoUh4H2iCky36ZnzOjrvmoSqe6EM3k7ZcdDDvwYFtAC_VRs/s1600/The_Blind_Side_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vSMyRdcZsvwcQWTz0zE1DxdzTC0sCSLAiXCwqZCKpK16IQ_yZp70ZuaJ_8ATl0tBKLkBAXlpGc8ApQOLAciPdlEXoq7itoUh4H2iCky36ZnzOjrvmoSqe6EM3k7ZcdDDvwYFtAC_VRs/s320/The_Blind_Side_poster.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">“The Blind Side” was without a doubt the runaway hit of 2009. It came out of nowhere and it would appear that everyone went to go see it, many people saw it twice. Directed by John Lee Hancock, “The Blind Side” is adapted from the book by Michael Lewis. Nominated for a number of Academy Awards including Best Picture. I guess I understood why it was so popular. On the surface it's a feel-good movie that seems to hit all the right notes. I wanted to hate the movie when I saw it. In fact, I was excited to write a bad review of it. While I watched it I couldn't help but like the movie. However, I quickly realized that what I liked about it was actually a veneer. Like the fake town in “Blazing Saddles” it looks good at first glance, but there's not substance, no backbone to it. It's lacking. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVKrOGFcgytOcRtQZs0o49NLrve2IysfiolOQrByMTUpdkTo3qEqtQKDhvMkZ1zzY1DWrq4_eRauiRjkp4XKieakb9vTQYU73-iIRSIYHt-e__sEIBbhBbVNNvry5KnKTciusLUc3PA/s1600/The+Blind+Side+movie+image+Sandra+Bullock+and+Tim+McGraw+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdVKrOGFcgytOcRtQZs0o49NLrve2IysfiolOQrByMTUpdkTo3qEqtQKDhvMkZ1zzY1DWrq4_eRauiRjkp4XKieakb9vTQYU73-iIRSIYHt-e__sEIBbhBbVNNvry5KnKTciusLUc3PA/s320/The+Blind+Side+movie+image+Sandra+Bullock+and+Tim+McGraw+%25281%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a>The movie follows Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron), a homeless teenager who grew up in the Memphis projects who just happens to be black and huge. Asked by a friend's father to help enroll Michael at the local private Christian school, football coach Cotton (Ray McKinnon) takes one look at the boy and agrees. It doesn't take long for Michael to realize that he doesn't belong there, and he's most certainly not comfortable there. Plus, he's still homeless. Enter Leigh Ann Tuohy (Sandra Bullock), who sees Michael walking home in the rain at night. She tells her husband (Tim McGraw) to pick him up, and they, along with their two kids Collins (Lily Collins) and S.J. (Jae Head) bring Michael home with them, at first just for the night. Eventually it becomes a permanent thing as the Tuohy's adopt Michael.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They hire a tutor (Kathy Bates) to help Michael with his studies, and Mrs. Tuohy even takes over coaching him in football once or twice. Michael turns out to be an excellent football player for the high school and soon everybody likes Michael. Michael eventually gets so good at football that he can pretty much choose wherever he wants to go to college for free. Of course he chooses the Tuohy's alma mater which is also his tutor's alma mater. The only real conflict in this movie comes towards the end when the Tuohy's are investigated for inappropriate recruiting, and for an hour or two Michael wonders if the Tuohy's actually love him or not. Mrs. Tuohy comes back and reassures him they do. Everything is wrapped up nicely and Michael goes to college and is eventually drafted into the NFL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J4e8Ch6XGIfib6nuZYVxutE9SnBcu2hj3d3bKpxhGgaMG99gRYlj0wKOU6zx2PqgJggqbVawuoUj1Vb-UglihaUIDGFjEBCLkAsvmFYfoc-5pEb-QSOlwrtXyINE6jL48bYHDhW3Z7s/s1600/MV5BMTQzOTkzMjU1N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI2NzQ5Mg%2540%2540._V1._SX640_SY427_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_J4e8Ch6XGIfib6nuZYVxutE9SnBcu2hj3d3bKpxhGgaMG99gRYlj0wKOU6zx2PqgJggqbVawuoUj1Vb-UglihaUIDGFjEBCLkAsvmFYfoc-5pEb-QSOlwrtXyINE6jL48bYHDhW3Z7s/s320/MV5BMTQzOTkzMjU1N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMzI2NzQ5Mg%2540%2540._V1._SX640_SY427_.jpg" width="320" /></a>I get what this movie is trying to be. I mean it IS based on a true story. There really was a young homeless black boy named Michael Oher that was housed and later adopted by a wealthy, Christian white family. All of this happened. However, this movie tells a story that is supposed to be redemptive and give us hope. This is where, after really looking at the movie, I disconnect. Yes, this movie has a happy ending. That does not mean it is redemptive. For a story to be redemptive, there has to be despair. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If the movie is about Michael, then there is only a modicum of despair. Yes, we see that he is homeless, although he doesn't seem unhappy about it, he's not being abused, he's obviously not starving. We also see where he came from and where is mom is living. It was a bad place, and if he had still lived there it would have been a very different life for Michael. That isn't despair. He had already left the projects. However, I do not think this movie is about Michael. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEnSPV8nm7IWcvQv_a-mpLnCpnf2Z6awsUJr_D5BAITTGXefN0Ez_zpgtTd2jCFdUE7cq2h1aIo1G30lTmZotGhCeraRTxQ6HM6Yn4-qrcBF3UUqAtLKqCRGXcFfy4XamRw7NtMc4rqM/s1600/Film-Review-The-Blind-Side__1258659813_7613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEnSPV8nm7IWcvQv_a-mpLnCpnf2Z6awsUJr_D5BAITTGXefN0Ez_zpgtTd2jCFdUE7cq2h1aIo1G30lTmZotGhCeraRTxQ6HM6Yn4-qrcBF3UUqAtLKqCRGXcFfy4XamRw7NtMc4rqM/s400/Film-Review-The-Blind-Side__1258659813_7613.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">No, this movie is about Leigh Ann Tuohy. In this respect we see absolutely no despair. There was not a single moment where we see Mrs. Tuohy as anything but saintly. There is no real change in Mrs. Tuohy. It's interesting, in the movie there is an exchange between Mrs. Tuohy and one of her society friends where they tell her that she's changing that boys life. To which she, of course responds, “No, he's changed mine.” No he hasn't. From the very beginning she wanted to help him. We never see what she was like before. We never see any change.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A movie where nothing changes and it's only a happy ending is not a redemptive movie. It's a happy movie. We see no real struggle, no despair, no depravity in any of our characters. It would seem, nobody in this movie required redemption, and if that's the case, why watch it. Unfortunately, I think many people will watch this because they feel like by watching it and enjoying it, they're doing something good. In this regard this movie can be dangerous., especially considering the very shallow use of Christianity in the movie.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Again, I enjoyed this movie. It's nearly impossible not to. However, not all that glitters is gold. “The Blind Side” is not gold. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">5/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-2658029051147200142011-02-02T15:39:00.001-06:002011-02-02T15:44:15.228-06:00Gulliver's Travels (2010)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGnFth95ZWSyuxeFBpvGPFCIbqhC_hzyo6ofu9o9uycxbvGg6Bn6tmcvXNBcW8KfCeUOVdOgE_X1egf5U9Py9FkQXML9PrWWtwpC29qWGT41KJHw_NRPUbtzJ3q_eIaWoIsDXFg1Hl1w/s1600/Gullivers-Travel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGnFth95ZWSyuxeFBpvGPFCIbqhC_hzyo6ofu9o9uycxbvGg6Bn6tmcvXNBcW8KfCeUOVdOgE_X1egf5U9Py9FkQXML9PrWWtwpC29qWGT41KJHw_NRPUbtzJ3q_eIaWoIsDXFg1Hl1w/s320/Gullivers-Travel.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Jonathan Swift was and is still one of the most biting, brilliant, and widely read satirist the English language has ever known. <u>Gulliver's Travels</u>, widely regarded as Swift's masterpiece, at once satirizes European government, differences in religion, the corruptibility of man, and the battle between ancients and moderns. He does this while maintaining an exciting and incredibly interesting travel-story. Rob Letterman's “Gulliver's Travels” starring Jack Black is a far cry from Swift. So far in fact, I don't remember seeing his name credited in the end credits. I see it there on IMDb although not without clicking past the main page. This should definitely had a different title. This is an incredibly loose adaptation if an adaptation it is. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The story follows Lemuel Gulliver (Black), a slacker 30-something that still works in the mail room of a NYC newspaper. He has a desperate crush on the Travel editor Darcy (Amanda Peet). After he is passed up for a promotion by someone there only a day, Lemuel decides to talk to Darcy and, after lying about his travel experiences takes on an assignment to write about a trip to the Bermuda triangle. Nothing really unexpected happens when he does make it to the triangle, at least nothing unexpected for a movie that includes the Bermuda Triangle. Lemuel and his boat are swept into a huge water cyclone and transported to what appears to be another world. Washing up on the shore he is surprised and slightly terrified to realize he's the prisoner of an army of very tiny people: Lilliputians. Discovering a society like Lilliput is a big deal. Swift's Lemuel was an academic. Black's Lemuel is an idiot. You can imagine what a Lemuel like Jack Black might do in a situation like this. Pretty much what you'd expect is what happens. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CSk9qbb3mYBkcf5tjxJylo1MHjdaE3FYLmjRM3LCwnG7J_nDH0rguzfG38-CX18jlcIQNpNHFeBmk8SHMpOdORLePknwfenwIKGHVx67Ekq0ZU3FHhwMr_QSmuI-3gy_xmREqvBUApM/s1600/gullivers_travels_2010_a_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CSk9qbb3mYBkcf5tjxJylo1MHjdaE3FYLmjRM3LCwnG7J_nDH0rguzfG38-CX18jlcIQNpNHFeBmk8SHMpOdORLePknwfenwIKGHVx67Ekq0ZU3FHhwMr_QSmuI-3gy_xmREqvBUApM/s400/gullivers_travels_2010_a_l.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I usually write more of a synopsis of the movies that I review. However, I honestly feel like I'm betraying my English major writing any more about the story of this rape of literature. True, there are funny moments in the movie, however they are few and far between. <u>Gulliver's Travels</u> is an excellent story because of the meaning behind the adventures. There is so much that Swift says between the words in his stories that to adequately adapt it into film would require a subtle and intelligent touch, neither of which are apparent in this film. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb_5PRrPP1lQOxR6jOB9sFWV-BACJEffQMkH9O__zHdV5RZHMrj4dN6tptHLbaMGT447YzvXDuWq6dO3zBPM-EYD_vcYVsrAG8c4iS-paG4zFkMzeZGcd4Sx2sWwUFECyRN04M5wvgm0/s1600/2010_gullivers_travels_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVb_5PRrPP1lQOxR6jOB9sFWV-BACJEffQMkH9O__zHdV5RZHMrj4dN6tptHLbaMGT447YzvXDuWq6dO3zBPM-EYD_vcYVsrAG8c4iS-paG4zFkMzeZGcd4Sx2sWwUFECyRN04M5wvgm0/s320/2010_gullivers_travels_004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Whenever I watch a movie based off of a book, I try my very hardest to separate the book from the movie and look at the movie on its own terms. With that in mind, “Gulliver's Travels” is boring, childish, and predictable. The fact that they use such a source as Swift only highlights the childishness. Any kind of smart satirical comment on anything would have been a positive addition to the movie Unless the movie itself is a comment on the direction Hollywood is taking by rummaging through classics both in literature and film, there is little to redeem this movie. I like Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, and I hope this movie does little to hurt their career. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The only hope I have for this movie is that someone might want to read Swift's original after watching it. However, I have little hope for that. Unfortunately it is slightly entertaining, and I wasn't entirely depressed that I had seen it, however, there are a LOT of better movies out there to see. Also, if you want to see a good adaptation of Gulliver, check out the 1996 miniseries starring Ted Danson. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">3/10</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-63867012935003422232011-01-30T23:59:00.000-06:002011-01-31T08:11:39.004-06:00True Grit (2010)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSuoJrZmOSFGl6rwc0i77WgnzOoFUzdKn2mRI5YHTzbiFoYPZfhFaExUnXUGNthyTsEBB4SrW4ExfcavjRUOUs8aGZQ2p4SHTvmetaFxPjSSGlFwZF8dcHGZm2u-HeXmOsQirVFYpbEU/s1600/true-grit-2010-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSuoJrZmOSFGl6rwc0i77WgnzOoFUzdKn2mRI5YHTzbiFoYPZfhFaExUnXUGNthyTsEBB4SrW4ExfcavjRUOUs8aGZQ2p4SHTvmetaFxPjSSGlFwZF8dcHGZm2u-HeXmOsQirVFYpbEU/s400/true-grit-2010-big.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">In American history, the “wild west” era, characterized by gunfights, duels, train robberies and general lawlessness lasted only about twenty years. Twenty years in a nearly 340 year history of America, why is it that we devote so much thought and glamor to the wild west? Why has American cinema from the very beginning produced so many Westerns for our consumption. The truth of the matter is, the wild west was incredibly interesting and undeniably exciting. For twenty years starting a short time after the Civil War, there was little to no law in the West. Honor and bravery only got you so far until some black hat picked you off from atop a hill as you walked into town. There was little that was fair back then. You survived either by being fast and aware, or by sidling up with someone who was. It is in this era that Clint Portis wrote the book “True Grit.” In 1969 it was adapted into a movie starring John Wayne. At the time Wayne said it would be his last movie. He won an Academy Award for, many people believe, his lifetime of unawarded work, instead of his work specifically for “True Grit.” I have not seen that movie. This is a not a review for that movie. This is a review for the relatively new Coen Brother's film based not off of Wayne's “Grit” but directly back to the Portis original source. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN9YHuP3TlfewbK-J2LfFwcdfaBR7LPDzbOpm-ir5ffi_56ftjkkkn1Egn73kL7s5H29uxuPP8xqbyPqblG-dlNIpk2oiB7uMGMYGL4TuIJbxTvxCYNHHnuHFDPlthlvjV4AIqzyZ4Gk/s1600/true-grit-2010-20101209113109889_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqN9YHuP3TlfewbK-J2LfFwcdfaBR7LPDzbOpm-ir5ffi_56ftjkkkn1Egn73kL7s5H29uxuPP8xqbyPqblG-dlNIpk2oiB7uMGMYGL4TuIJbxTvxCYNHHnuHFDPlthlvjV4AIqzyZ4Gk/s320/true-grit-2010-20101209113109889_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The story starts out with our heroine, Mattie Ross (Hattie Steinfeld). She's a determined young lady whose father has recently been murdered. She knows who killed her father, heck the sheriff knows who killed her father: Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). However, there's nobody that will go running after Chaney into Indian territory. Mattie goes looking to hire a marshal to find Chaney and bring him back to hang. She finds a sour, drunk, and trigger happy marshal by the name of Reuben “Rooster” Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) who has only one working eye. She's been told he has true grit, so she hires him. Along for the ride is LaBoeuf (pronounced la beef, played by Matt Damon), a cocky and overly loquacious Texas Ranger who often gets under Cogburn's skin. Mattie proves her own determination and grit throughout the journey even though Cogburn is slow to realize it. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBEStLzw8b6r_w61DJd5MkzGk9zWFkGMRgGRnV0vr3EnF4_ZAhUhsLxY0bSVvBDSvzwCn2klKE4xwJyhaXVexbxopReTjVLoTs1W9UbN6qspm03w7-WP14JyLLnfZAtGhQDztnEt5Nig/s1600/true-grit-2010-movie-screenshot-495px.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBEStLzw8b6r_w61DJd5MkzGk9zWFkGMRgGRnV0vr3EnF4_ZAhUhsLxY0bSVvBDSvzwCn2klKE4xwJyhaXVexbxopReTjVLoTs1W9UbN6qspm03w7-WP14JyLLnfZAtGhQDztnEt5Nig/s320/true-grit-2010-movie-screenshot-495px.png" width="320" /></a>Whenever you shoot a Western you're guaranteed at least a few breathtaking landscapes to work with. “True Grit” does not disappoint in this regard. This movie really is beautiful. The score seems to use only one tune throughout. However, this works incredibly well for the movie, and apart from noticing the same tune here and there, it really does not detract from the movie at all. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The trio finally catch up with Chaney, when Mattie, while filling a water pail, accidentally sneaks up on Chaney. She shoots him, but doesn't kill him and he takes her with her to his gang led by another wanted man, Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper). Cogburn and LaBoeuf split up with LaBoeuf going after Tom and Mattie and Cogburn going after Ned and his gang. I won't give away anymore of the movie. You really should go see it. This is what movies are supposed to be, this movie would have been great 10, 20, or 50 years ago. This movie is an instant classic. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v4u9-dlAT_Nl-obEErCIsUz-gsPBGgwJrNsxyvzxIUNeczOiW-TraP_ICDZUntwziBYm9Rwf4sJJ5zWDYhmIOLulSawdh560AK0wIloxu3MmEqrAUlKhbz6j1D4kRnBRNG52P6ZjywU/s1600/true-grit-2010-20101209113033984_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v4u9-dlAT_Nl-obEErCIsUz-gsPBGgwJrNsxyvzxIUNeczOiW-TraP_ICDZUntwziBYm9Rwf4sJJ5zWDYhmIOLulSawdh560AK0wIloxu3MmEqrAUlKhbz6j1D4kRnBRNG52P6ZjywU/s320/true-grit-2010-20101209113033984_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">There are some people who say that the Academy were too soon in giving Jeff Bridges an Oscar last year for “Crazy Heart.” While I don't think he should get the Oscar this year, I will most certainly not wonder why if he does. This movie is well acted throughout, and there is not a lacking in the entire cast. I was incredibly impressed by the 14 year old newcommer Hattie Steinfeld. She held her own amongst two academy award winners in Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon. There are many times in which she steals the entire movie. I hope this isn't the last we see of Steinfeld. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I haven't seen the original movie all the way through. I'm not entirely sure it matters if I have or not. I plan to. All I know is that this movie is incredibly well made. It is pure story telling through and through. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">10/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-80445492268623495632011-01-29T23:04:00.000-06:002011-01-29T23:04:29.530-06:00127 Hours (2010)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2elCR549OzosctAJK3ismbDSF5LVQkdWwB7yjEOnQ-EcYKeaqiJGptbd4xRSNuaH4ezquFIPxabH3YWbL0mszwpFIKv_z7LbzsWm5lZp87wozQLuRp4sSWqVDXu4excTySEpYctfplN0/s1600/127+Hours+Film.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2elCR549OzosctAJK3ismbDSF5LVQkdWwB7yjEOnQ-EcYKeaqiJGptbd4xRSNuaH4ezquFIPxabH3YWbL0mszwpFIKv_z7LbzsWm5lZp87wozQLuRp4sSWqVDXu4excTySEpYctfplN0/s320/127+Hours+Film.jpg" width="320" /></a>Allow me to begin this review with some of the best advice I can give you: do NOT go rock-climbing and/or mountaineering without telling anyone. That is a BAD idea. Aron Ralston did that nearly 8 years ago, and you all know what happened to him. If you don't, and you're still considering going out to those canyons alone and without telling anyone, do yourself a favor, watch “127 Hours.” Directed by “Slumdog Millionaire”s Danny Boyle and based on Ralston's memoirs, “127 Hours” chronicles the hours leading up to the incident as well as the aftermath and subsequent rescue. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We meet Aron (James Franco) early in the morning as he gets ready to go out for a day of biking, rock climbing and mountaineering. We see him doing everything he should do for a day of strenuous activity out in the sun: packing food and lots of fluids. The one thing that he seemingly can't get his hands on is his pocket knife, something that will obviously prove to be very unfortunate. On his trip he met two young women (Kate Mara and Amber Tamblyn) who were also hiking through Blue John Canyon. He guides them to an underground pool where they spend a good part of the day just hanging out and having fun. It's clear from the beginning that Aron loves adventure, and it would appear from the reactions and attitudes of the two women he befriends, that love of adventure is contagious. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn8epsUsHFVjp0IPWSh7ytLFzjdUqPI-eSznETTX80WQSKJ9zsd0dQgWEW4tVi2qB5DpwUvbQ3PJ2tv-GKZK9stXbeTtk5AG-mJ2TlUae_VP4Y_C_QonI9fmUN5iW2CVAZQI1VYY5wqo/s1600/127-hours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLn8epsUsHFVjp0IPWSh7ytLFzjdUqPI-eSznETTX80WQSKJ9zsd0dQgWEW4tVi2qB5DpwUvbQ3PJ2tv-GKZK9stXbeTtk5AG-mJ2TlUae_VP4Y_C_QonI9fmUN5iW2CVAZQI1VYY5wqo/s320/127-hours.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">After he bids his friends adieu, Aron goes off by himself to continue on his hike. It is here where, while<span> </span>trying to jump down 20 feet to the canyon floor, Aron dislodges an 800 pound chock stone and falls. The stone also falls and pins Aron's right arm against the side of the canyon at the wrist. At first, Aron tries to pull his arm out, then he tries to move the stone. Obviously none of these work. After a couple days of waiting for rescue, he runs out of water and we see him slowly deteriorate into hallucinations. The hallucinations include a darkly humorous talk-show type interchange between Aron and himself. He knows his mistake was not only putting too much pressure on that chock stone but more importantly not telling anybody where he was going. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIu9dJV-7Bk0unmQeByaubInsPI_iS6SL34y9iN-jKScP6TwCDn-DPWd7RoOdIpiUkCpZEATIa4xfNLvczckmtCEbUAKWQ-Yjz6zPzNaY1czeOu8Lobk_jLpZF10ijftY78HHksd8A6g/s1600/127-hours-tlr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIu9dJV-7Bk0unmQeByaubInsPI_iS6SL34y9iN-jKScP6TwCDn-DPWd7RoOdIpiUkCpZEATIa4xfNLvczckmtCEbUAKWQ-Yjz6zPzNaY1czeOu8Lobk_jLpZF10ijftY78HHksd8A6g/s320/127-hours-tlr.jpg" width="320" /></a>The amputation scene is graphic and pretty intense. I would be remiss not to mention the various reports of people fainting and throwing up during screenings of this movie. It was NOT that bad. The editing made it so that you will squirm and jump at the most painful moments. I actually thought that was a brilliant movie. Boyle was able to reflect pain not only through the visuals which audiences have become desensitized to, but through sound. It's a very creative move, that works quite well</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before the amputation Aron begins to hallucinate seeing his entire family. Aplogizing to him he sees a young child that he's never seen before. He realizes that it's his unborn son. This more than anything else gives him the will to cut off his arm with a dull blade. Once detached from the canyon, Aron makes his way out. After meandering through the rest of the canyons he happens upon a Dutch family. The mother and son run ahead and direct the rescue party to where Aron was. The music by Boyle buddy A.R Rahmann is used to great effect at the most emotional of scenes and, I'm not gonna lie the rescue scene brought a tear or two due mostly to the score. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3HErboWq6S0lEUDJ3vUdpDP_Vf_p1-zuzBTDKjgc8Gj4U695ihk5ReECVGIWz2bnBU_iXg9V2Wcv2_IGUeA9oCa8hhdcVW4EQDKqvoSU7U2ZJh3JVzkXI8KVnHgejpGzc8cUG12uUSQ/s1600/127-hours-trailer-7-10-10-kc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3HErboWq6S0lEUDJ3vUdpDP_Vf_p1-zuzBTDKjgc8Gj4U695ihk5ReECVGIWz2bnBU_iXg9V2Wcv2_IGUeA9oCa8hhdcVW4EQDKqvoSU7U2ZJh3JVzkXI8KVnHgejpGzc8cUG12uUSQ/s320/127-hours-trailer-7-10-10-kc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">James Franco most certainly carries this movie. Of course, it's just him for the majority of it, and it's definitely a tribute to Franco and Boyle that this movie doesn't fail just on that account. The story is most certainly of the cautionary variety. The little I've read of “Between a Rock and a Hard Place,” Ralston's memoirs, it's clear that Ralston had a history of rash and dangerous decisions. I wouldn't go so far as to say he deserved what happened to him, nobody deserves to have an 800 pound boulder fuse<span> </span>their arm to a canyon, but it was the epitome of stupid to go out alone without telling anyone where he was. That being said, Aron Ralston never gave up. His will to live and survive was incredible. I hope I have a fraction of his bravery and determination. This story shows that when someone finds something to live for, they will do ANYTHING to survive. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is a very good movie. It's not for everyone; many will find it boring and slow. Give it a chance and see it for yourself. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">7.5/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-33076371578237348392011-01-28T22:59:00.002-06:002011-01-28T23:00:54.520-06:00The King's Speech (2010)<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtwtXFEpu1GJbVgkn8VJR9iWWLj2BNPAWRHNLJZ4yY_Nu73eHR1yDcK-Ntp0lzJQgYUK9cA3-OuuHFcbVpS0hagBbQPkCCjzbVys7RZ0g6hn5Mgk585q_UxALrORDzdQoaPAZ1O4OdMs/s1600/the-kings-speech-poster-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtwtXFEpu1GJbVgkn8VJR9iWWLj2BNPAWRHNLJZ4yY_Nu73eHR1yDcK-Ntp0lzJQgYUK9cA3-OuuHFcbVpS0hagBbQPkCCjzbVys7RZ0g6hn5Mgk585q_UxALrORDzdQoaPAZ1O4OdMs/s320/the-kings-speech-poster-2.jpg" width="218" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">In a little over a week, the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II will have reigned over the United Kingdom for 59 years. For many of us, she's the only British monarch we've ever known. Within the next decade or two we will most likely see a new king take the British throne. In Tom Hooper's critically acclaimed, “The King's Speech,” we take a look at the struggles of Elizabeth's father, King George VI. Born Albert Frederick Arthur George, “Bertie,” as he was called by his wife and those closest to him, had a very severe stuttering problem. In an age of radio, and at a time when his country was about to be thrust into another world conflict, this speech impediment posed a rather large problem for a man who was never meant to be king.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being born the second son of King George V(Michael Gambon), Albert was never meant to be king. His older brother Edward (Guy Pearce), was a much better speaker. However, less than a year after his father's death, King Edward abdicated the throne to marry the American Wallis Simpson, thus making Albert, King George VI. It didn't seem as though Albert's speech impediment was a national secret. As a royal prince, he had had to make public appearances and speeches, and the movie shows one or two of them. They are painful to watch and listen to. Speech impediments are often some of the most pitiable ailments to me. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5az-c738SRgy6cVux6yTDXKVvU1zZFNscnXea3AVt28OSpP9sgZPCozl7JKB80_V27yDr80HVfvBbHZi6YZ65Xa07NCE4LFN6epoNtBtq08EXO8amUv6DxhNjaGuXqP7-pdM-RgrT-U0/s1600/colin-firth-the-kings-speech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5az-c738SRgy6cVux6yTDXKVvU1zZFNscnXea3AVt28OSpP9sgZPCozl7JKB80_V27yDr80HVfvBbHZi6YZ65Xa07NCE4LFN6epoNtBtq08EXO8amUv6DxhNjaGuXqP7-pdM-RgrT-U0/s320/colin-firth-the-kings-speech.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">The story of course focuses on the relationship between Albert(Colin Firth) and Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue(Geoffrey Rush). Grudgingly brought to Logue's office by his wife, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (Helena Bonham Carter), Albert does not believe that Logue holds any real answers. After listening to a recording of himself reciting Hamlet while listening to loud music, he realizes that perhaps Logue's methods can indeed help. Logue decidedly treats Albert just like any other person, even going so far as to calling him by his nickname. As it often happens, Albert's speech impediment while curable also has a psychological foundation which needs to be dealt with. While trying to get at those deeper issues, Lionel comes up with some humorous and apparently effective techniques with which to combat the stuttering. One interesting method concerns the use of many different expletives as a way to focus the speaker. The many uses of the f-word although in a therapeutic context, is the only thing that led to the 'R' rating. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3MVPxNRgsAhL9LTGvZ-d7UlaXqBEatkivAhbWQ1UqMTS9M49GJCMqkAv58FNbY-PevSzJdtcv03-Uy-X3wxivze0G4XSChEMRGgMzfAAkIXSjbuzqNv8j_QZlMW4pBuhF5VCtdOvqXA/s1600/The-Kings-Speech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3MVPxNRgsAhL9LTGvZ-d7UlaXqBEatkivAhbWQ1UqMTS9M49GJCMqkAv58FNbY-PevSzJdtcv03-Uy-X3wxivze0G4XSChEMRGgMzfAAkIXSjbuzqNv8j_QZlMW4pBuhF5VCtdOvqXA/s400/The-Kings-Speech.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The movie follows Logue's work with Albert up to and through the coronation, and the climax comes when Albert is required to give a radio message to his subjects concerning England's entrance into the second World War. One of the most fascinating features of British government, the King holds no real power and and yet serves as the one uniting figure for the entire kingdom. To have that kind of pressure while on the brink of war with Germany, there's no question that the speech is very important. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">All of his life, Albert lived in the shadow of his older brother. It was not only the speech impediment that got in the way of finding his voice. A king needs to be able to rouse his people to action. History tells us that of course Albert found his voice, and indeed he roused his people to action. England faced nearly daily bombings from Germany during WWII, and their survival and general morale remained intact due, I'm sure in no small way by the leadership of King George VI. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwlLfwDVpat-kKNUnH3VhJ5-xp3aT-sKL6Liuzn8LM10s6JMrXF9h6hKJElKYzXrjmqOFUlVk9PQBwqxislDawOw5ySE1_dDf7ruYYNDJOvZTeZfOoNHoWuKsXbfxE-B_CRrMxK1kyE4/s1600/kings-speech-firth-helena2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwlLfwDVpat-kKNUnH3VhJ5-xp3aT-sKL6Liuzn8LM10s6JMrXF9h6hKJElKYzXrjmqOFUlVk9PQBwqxislDawOw5ySE1_dDf7ruYYNDJOvZTeZfOoNHoWuKsXbfxE-B_CRrMxK1kyE4/s320/kings-speech-firth-helena2.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's true that I'm a sucker for the British monarchy. Recently a string of incredibly well made films about female British monarchs have come out in “Elizabeth”(1998), “Elizabeth: The Golden Age”(2007), “The Young Victoria”(2009), and “The Queen”(2006). All of those movies were excellent in my opinion. This movie both extends this tradition and serves as a uniquely excellent addition to it. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's actually kind of difficult to write a review about a movie like this without reverting too much to the actual history behind it. The fact is, I'm sure the real story behind this movie is just as impelling as the movie itself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think it's very safe to say that this movie is quite possibly the best of 2010. The acting is superb, the story is excellent. There is not much wrong with this movie other than the fact that many will probably find it boring. “The King's Speech,” is about the power of words and of finding ones voice. Colin Firth should win an Oscar for his performance, and the movie should win an Oscar for Best picture. I will be very disappointed if either of them fail to do so. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">10/10</span></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-74085723982783076672011-01-27T23:27:00.000-06:002011-01-27T23:27:20.575-06:00An Education (2009)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v38BVSZHLunsekHXIo81K3v53SvyXSeD9HsIMNhoYZSJhApoY-uELKNRJbKbOO6RYUBvaLzK0_zQnDnlANqQjJfJLPqflWnlZng8C6nRh_QbZ9t6eChrHhdBkYULcQmFVqo-yeXGMa4/s1600/Quad_An-Education-1-512x384.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8v38BVSZHLunsekHXIo81K3v53SvyXSeD9HsIMNhoYZSJhApoY-uELKNRJbKbOO6RYUBvaLzK0_zQnDnlANqQjJfJLPqflWnlZng8C6nRh_QbZ9t6eChrHhdBkYULcQmFVqo-yeXGMa4/s320/Quad_An-Education-1-512x384.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-PmOr7iuZOmeyOkEFCQrWN34BvtDu0opQqKmnEPK02F76XdnZP9deR1i8yk3EL7bb9in7BMC8ksxWnMn4KrHj-o5yFxFL6EWDGo5xakzaCaQXWoVf4lLFljqlW7Fv2hPZ4L_FokoBvc/s1600/An_Eucation-promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Why do we go to school? Is it to learn everything we can? Is it so that we can be a more effective member of society? Is it so that we can simply have a better life for ourself? This question and others are asked and answered in Lone Sherfig's “An Education.” Based on Lynn Barber's memoir's “An Education” follows Jenny (Carey Mulligan), a teenage girl in her last year before college who wants to know what it's all about. When she doesn't get any real answers from her teachers, she seeks it outside of school in the form of David (Peter Sarsgaard), a thirty something charmer. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkF3FPJa8UIGuC3uVqUH5Pa9NKr4drMUfeW10eP-d4zKitaOZKROcEHjoLvmCeWWt9T0zT8elOWSukc7rzkV7703lsAHNEWvxj6YDOqfpxpBJ3iT25TPoUV3OsVjgDQZoKmbOiMl1tnk/s1600/Sundance09-AnEducation-1bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkF3FPJa8UIGuC3uVqUH5Pa9NKr4drMUfeW10eP-d4zKitaOZKROcEHjoLvmCeWWt9T0zT8elOWSukc7rzkV7703lsAHNEWvxj6YDOqfpxpBJ3iT25TPoUV3OsVjgDQZoKmbOiMl1tnk/s320/Sundance09-AnEducation-1bg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jenny is a very smart young girl in 1960s London. One of her biggest dreams is to visit Paris, maybe even live there for a while. She loves art, good music and “being cool” as most young people do. Jenny is on track to be accepted to Oxford, which would very much please her parents, especially her father(Alfred Molina). Then comes David, a mysterious man that innocuously enough offers to give, not Jenny, a ride home, but because it's raining he offers her a ride for her cello. This is the first we see of how very calculated and self aware David is. He knows exactly what he's doing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jenny thinks she knows what she's doing, and maybe she does. When David lies to her parents so that she can hang out with him and his friends over night, she goes along with it. She's knows it's wrong, but, afterall they're only going to see a violin performance. She desperately wants to act and indeed be older than she is. This is very dangers for a girl who believes herself to be much more experienced in life than she is. David IS older than she is, and he offers Jenny exactly that experience that she so naively wishes for. However, that experience soon becomes more than she's comfortable with. She's soon left to deal with the consequences of her decisions. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QkxZ1mBsvhClvDzyfuaENbnTf5HnLnD3Gk3MvAyhq8q-kGh1UGIc_k_kDyjyiljsfdR7SjCUcCOYSjxSsi0cj6hI-OBM5TEDV8vRfkzRrYACndT9UaMZqs8b6Mx2p8_3DnGkkSUO6qc/s1600/An_Education_03_gallery__600x398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QkxZ1mBsvhClvDzyfuaENbnTf5HnLnD3Gk3MvAyhq8q-kGh1UGIc_k_kDyjyiljsfdR7SjCUcCOYSjxSsi0cj6hI-OBM5TEDV8vRfkzRrYACndT9UaMZqs8b6Mx2p8_3DnGkkSUO6qc/s320/An_Education_03_gallery__600x398.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal">It's called “An Education,” it would seem, for two reasons. One, because Jenny quickly learns many lessons about what it's like to be an adult, and having to face real adult situations and make adult decisions. Society tries to guard the young against having to deal with that for a reason. Two, because the movie looks at the reasons why girls were educated in the 1960's. From the very beginning of the movie, Jenny's father pushes her to stay on top of her studies so that she can go to Oxford. He's the stereotypical stickler of a father. That is, until David proposes to Jenny. With the prospect of having found a future husband, according to her father, there really is no reason to have to go to Oxford anymore. If I wasn't sure that stuff like this actually happened (happens), I'd laugh it off as a ridiculous joke. Long story short, stay in school boys and girls. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyG1Vau7E0VUoUZE9pnNGOhTINsmcWi98aGHANTL3D62DFiK_n24IQ_WSUkcybThyrNHtnamwy6HnDCHrVtb5HBV6vTeIQar7E2lhFPrfPA_zDV3gEo3remTjNjXoiEyUI0ak86OURc0/s1600/education-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyG1Vau7E0VUoUZE9pnNGOhTINsmcWi98aGHANTL3D62DFiK_n24IQ_WSUkcybThyrNHtnamwy6HnDCHrVtb5HBV6vTeIQar7E2lhFPrfPA_zDV3gEo3remTjNjXoiEyUI0ak86OURc0/s320/education-9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">This movie is very well acted. Carey Mulligan was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Jenny and I most certainly believed she earned it. However, like Jenny, I was at first taken in and rather mesmerized by this movie.<span> </span>Looking at it again, I see that it takes an overly simplistic look at the whole situation. In the movie, Jenny asks her teachers why her and her classmates are in school, why are they learning. It's a fair question. Why should they care about their learning if they are never told why they should? In the movie, the answer comes down on two sides, it's either to find a suitable mate, or to allow yourself to live without a mate. This might be an oversimplification, but I feel it's a failing of the movie, as is the quick tacked on happy ending. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The movie is very good despite its shortcomings. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture when they opened up the field to 10 pictures, and I agree with its inclusion. It's not a perfect movie, but it definitely starts the conversation.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">7.5/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-82703911793827991402011-01-26T19:57:00.001-06:002011-01-26T19:59:02.346-06:00Up in the Air (2009)<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66rzgTbB5mv4vyTK75BJeF5azMujFI97gF-395fO4xdIFBqdilUAIHjQLb75nKFBbUdjzfEdUs0mo1z3izNSFlbsLGbY5WWKMEAKqKQyraRepbg5tiBx0Q-nNARrW1g907zop7qtmv6I/s1600/up_in_the_air-749257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66rzgTbB5mv4vyTK75BJeF5azMujFI97gF-395fO4xdIFBqdilUAIHjQLb75nKFBbUdjzfEdUs0mo1z3izNSFlbsLGbY5WWKMEAKqKQyraRepbg5tiBx0Q-nNARrW1g907zop7qtmv6I/s320/up_in_the_air-749257.jpg" width="320" /></a>Some people say that home is where the heart it, others say it's where you hang your hat, others where you lay your head. For small children, home, is in the arms of a parent For adolescents, it's where they go when they have to stop having fun. For college students, home is a concept that is in constant fluctuation. Home is where one belongs, wherever that is. For Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), the main character in Jason Reitman's “Up in the Air,” home is almost exclusively 39,000 feet above the ground. That is where he feels he belongs. That's where he feels at home.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV8V-7w_Cg6vpGMCxhjFkAcbdkIsFl22Q3xHvpjlZBr_2_E7VytmONPhLklRM8g5VRxNv5hFMzgFbLzLbRcp21h13eNbmI0gXcFsWT1vxe3NblumS8FPIBJr21_NKCoFh43CC3CqH3uY/s1600/up-in-the-air-20090911053518799_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV8V-7w_Cg6vpGMCxhjFkAcbdkIsFl22Q3xHvpjlZBr_2_E7VytmONPhLklRM8g5VRxNv5hFMzgFbLzLbRcp21h13eNbmI0gXcFsWT1vxe3NblumS8FPIBJr21_NKCoFh43CC3CqH3uY/s320/up-in-the-air-20090911053518799_640w.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ryan is incredibly comfortable in his life. That says a lot as he works for a company that travels across the country firing people for other companies. He literally makes a living on taking people's livings away from them. He is asked more than once how he lives with himself. I think a lot of it is due to the fact that he never really has much time to think about it, he's always moving, always going to the next place, the next airport, the next downsizing company. That is, until two different women come into his life. One comes out of his life in the air, and one threatens to destroy it. Enter Alex Goran (Vera Farmiga) and Natalie Keener (Anna Kendrick). Alex is the perfect match for Ryan. One scene shows them both emptying their various frequent flyer cards and valued membership cards and compare them. They're both impressed with each other and this leads itself into the bedroom. They both make it clear that they're not looking for anything serious, like the food and drinks on a plane these rendevous are meant to be single serving, no commitment. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dMFpyp943S3hBhS60zoGkV1TWC1npbRjwJFPH9VfcLTyduofXUgGQ_6cX2jOLx7rzlU4i9aqWhZMdsApBztCgzY_tC3iUM_w8Slth4IIyRYLDGuIgo6qz5IyQH0xLF1mINez9owJn0/s1600/AnnaKendrickUpInTheAir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8dMFpyp943S3hBhS60zoGkV1TWC1npbRjwJFPH9VfcLTyduofXUgGQ_6cX2jOLx7rzlU4i9aqWhZMdsApBztCgzY_tC3iUM_w8Slth4IIyRYLDGuIgo6qz5IyQH0xLF1mINez9owJn0/s320/AnnaKendrickUpInTheAir.jpg" width="320" /></a>Natalie seeks to destroy Ryan's lifestyle. Not directly. Natalie is a recent graduate who enters the company<br />
with new ideas. She wants to make the whole job termination experience virtual. Instead of sending agents around the world, the company would be centered in one building and have their agents fire people over computers. This would ground Ryan indefinitely. So, the boss (Jason Bateman) decides to send Natalie with Ryan to learn the ins and outs of firing people. Ryan does not respect Natalie, of course, because Natalie has never technically fired anybody. She doesn't know what it's like to effectively ruin someones life. She simply is seeking to make the process even that much more impersonal. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyms98IBCPH1Mdf8KbLRIhIid_2McSB4BLttlaSk1KLT0i1luW-wz4jG4MfmTi6Spj40mEhVjUU6uRFvw27JQly-m7PuiZbMnp9ohE3-xpDMw_8DibR_Q44uhSed7jCfpWNpER8g_D2gE/s1600/up-in-the-air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyms98IBCPH1Mdf8KbLRIhIid_2McSB4BLttlaSk1KLT0i1luW-wz4jG4MfmTi6Spj40mEhVjUU6uRFvw27JQly-m7PuiZbMnp9ohE3-xpDMw_8DibR_Q44uhSed7jCfpWNpER8g_D2gE/s320/up-in-the-air.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ryan brings Alex to his sister's wedding where he is more a regular guest than a brother of the bride. We see him here beginning to fall for Alex and we also see him slowly begin to realize that home is where you find the people you love. The problem is, he doesn't really have anybody like that, maybe Alex can be that for him. She can't. Once he realizes that, he quickly understands that a life lived with no home, is not really a life, it's the postponement of life. He begins to live. We see transformation in Natalie as well. Throughout the movie she is trying to prove to everybody and herself that she can change the way things are done for the better. What she doesn't understand and what she eventually realizes is that firing people is hard. It might make it easier for the people doing the firing if it's done over webcam, but there is a lot of pain and anguish that goes into losing a job. Once she realizes that that's what she's making a living in, she quickly exits. She was not quite comfortable with who she was yet, and if you're not comfortable with who you are, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell someone else that they are no longer needed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is a LOT going on in “Up in the Air.” A lot can be said, a lot can be written. I began writing about this movie about a year ago, and it was difficult then, just as difficult now. I still do NOT have a good grasp on this movie. All I am sure of is that was very good. The acting was superb, the writing was excellent it was just an all around great movie. I feel as though this movie needs to not be summarized or quickly analyzed, it needs to be discussed, and often and for a while. I don't think I'll ever be satisfied with anything I write for this movie so I'm giving you what I got. “Up in the Air”- Good movie. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">8/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-89047699888413059742011-01-25T21:51:00.006-06:002011-01-27T21:43:09.861-06:00Rabbit Hole (2010)<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJoDo41UCsOL5Qqc20h21uSe0X7OIIJrJo9zMf3ScQk7hBpaU5ccH5FWw96kvm0Y6RKhRZ4OU1dWeaCFjkdz5GgL7SxwY2oWH5i7s5UGzxFP9vO3MmqHsXAvkUkUTZgzAMwommeArNgQ/s1600/rabbit-hole-movie-poster-best-movies-ever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcJoDo41UCsOL5Qqc20h21uSe0X7OIIJrJo9zMf3ScQk7hBpaU5ccH5FWw96kvm0Y6RKhRZ4OU1dWeaCFjkdz5GgL7SxwY2oWH5i7s5UGzxFP9vO3MmqHsXAvkUkUTZgzAMwommeArNgQ/s320/rabbit-hole-movie-poster-best-movies-ever.jpg" width="277" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">There are so many horrible things that cause pain for a human being. Many of them are physical, many of them are emotional. One event that always transcends those types of pain: the death of a young child. Becoming parents is in many ways creating a legacy. Having a child means being able to pass on wisdom and values. Nobody can know the effects of having that legacy tragically cut short, unless they experience it. In John Cameron Mitchell's “Rabbit Hole” we see a fraction of those effects. Based on David Lindsay-Albaire play, “Rabbit Hole” takes an insider's look at the destructive effects of losing a young child. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The story is simple. Married couple Becca and Howie (Nichole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) have recently lost their young son to a tragic car accident. Their dog ran out into the street and their son ran out after him and was struck by a car driven by a teenager. The teenager wasn't drunk or speeding. It was simply one of those things that you can't always guard against unless you leash both dog and child. Nobody is really to blame, although, there is a lot of blaming. Each parent blames themselves. Becca admits that she should have locked the gate on the dog cage, Howie knows that it was actually him who left the gate unlocked, and if they hadn't gotten the dog he loves, then nothing of this would have happened, etc. Isn't it funny as human beings, when a tragedy occurs, we always have to find somebody to blame, even if it has to be ourselves? We search for some kind of force, somebody or something that caused it; who can right the wrong. What happens when there is nobody to blame?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_enrPTit1WTTFDJysMeA6rLEK6hctpIsQGjDYmTXAytmVq73lbWL5bLUnI9g4wd9F5l-CA0g0Z6S-bQTLCNc4mE1Jv3sjhsQ5e6hUgQSkRWAJjmOl3cvCuiqP6VRrPdgxzVEv-7Yf0M/s1600/Rabbit-Hole-Trailer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_enrPTit1WTTFDJysMeA6rLEK6hctpIsQGjDYmTXAytmVq73lbWL5bLUnI9g4wd9F5l-CA0g0Z6S-bQTLCNc4mE1Jv3sjhsQ5e6hUgQSkRWAJjmOl3cvCuiqP6VRrPdgxzVEv-7Yf0M/s320/Rabbit-Hole-Trailer.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Becca and Howie try and cope with their grief in different and opposing ways. Becca, who stays at home most of the day sees her son everywhere, in the fingerprints on the door jamb, in the clothes still left in the drawer, or the dog that her son loved and eventually led him to his death. Howie, who leaves the house for work, cherishes these things that remind him of his son. He loves his dog, he loves seeing the remnants of his son, he finds comfort in them. There is no right or wrong here, there is only difference and unfortunately so. Where can you go to be understood, if you can't understand your husband or your wife?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">They try to go to group therapy. Becca doesn't come back after the first meeting. Howie continues to go, but soon realizes he best finds comfort and relief in a relaxing toke and new conversation. Becca finds comfort and relief by befriending the teenager whose mere act of driving down a street, killed her son. Again, it wasn't his fault, she knows that. He apologizes, we know he's very sorry. He, even tries to blame himself like they did. She finds comfort in the connection she made at the moment another was lost. There's no right or wrong here. Becca's mother (Diane Wiest) also lost a son, albeit at 30 years of age and by less innocent means, and wants to empathize, to show Becca that she knows what she's going through. Becca resents that. There is no right or wrong, there is no similarity. How do you continue living when you reach a seemingly unresolvable tragedy? Becca and Howie try living one day and see how it goes from there. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi8VjQINZ8sVFAuv_jZ9xYxE3BqEVyKUfvfhiNND1hske1s_EKkjL_aXS9HbXt2MTMIpM34Gm9E9Cilv1QCalDFS1-efFUxx1nvqJVOTNQsnDxZBgMINrgUjVjX3KWBdzI6xVzY8bzlM/s1600/rabbit-hole-movie-photos-07-550x365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi8VjQINZ8sVFAuv_jZ9xYxE3BqEVyKUfvfhiNND1hske1s_EKkjL_aXS9HbXt2MTMIpM34Gm9E9Cilv1QCalDFS1-efFUxx1nvqJVOTNQsnDxZBgMINrgUjVjX3KWBdzI6xVzY8bzlM/s320/rabbit-hole-movie-photos-07-550x365.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">The acting drives the story. Kidman and Eckhart perform brilliantly. There is such range required in a movie like this. Alternating quiet subtlety and explosive clarity; whispering and yelling, sorrow and joy. Wiest brings a scarred wisdom that is required as a look at how loss can really hurt a person not only physically but emotionally. Even Miles Teller, the unfortunate teenage driver of the car that killed the son, gives exactly the performance required for this movie. “Rabbit Hole” is a powerful movie that doesn't give any answers as to how to deal with the death of a child, because honestly, there really aren't any answers like that. Each instance is vastly different. A child is so incredibly personal to a parent that to lose one is to lose a part of oneself, and nobody can really understand exactly how that feels. Only those who experience that loss can come close, but no one can ever truly know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">8/10</span></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-55328070251229797382011-01-24T14:51:00.001-06:002011-01-24T14:51:14.954-06:00Jordan Award Nominations<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>Best Picture: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Winter's Bone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Inception</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The Fighter</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Black Swan</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">127 Hours</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Shutter Island</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The Town</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Director:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Joel and Ethan Coen - True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Christopher Nolan - Inception</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Danny Boyle - 127 Hours</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Darren Aronofsky - Black Swan</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Tom Hooper- The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Actor: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Ryan Gosling- Blue Valentine</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Collin Firth- The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">James Franco- 127 Hours</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Jeff Bridges- True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Jesse Eisenberg- The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Actress: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Natalie Portman- Black Swan</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Jennifer Lawrence- Winter's Bone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Noomi Rapace- The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Michelle Williams- Blue Valentine </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Hailee Steinfeld- True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Supporting Actor:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Matt Damon- True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Geoffrey Rush- The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Andrew Garfield- The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Michael Douglas- Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">John Hawkes- Winter's Bone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Supporting Actress:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Rooney Mara- The Social Network</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Dale Dickey- Winter's Bone</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Helena Bonham Carter- The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Rebecca Hall- The Town</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Marian Cotillard- Inception</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Ensemble Cast:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Inception<br />
True Grit<br />
Winter's Bone<br />
The King's Speech<br />
The Town</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Animated Picture: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Toy Story 3</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Megamind</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">How to Train Your Dragon</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Tangled</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Despicable Me</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>Best Original Screenplay: </b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Black Swan- Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John J McLaughlin<br />
Inception- Christopher Nolan<br />
The King's Speech- David Seidler<br />
The Fighter- Scott Silver, Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, Keith Dorrington<br />
Blue Valentine- Derek Cianfrance, Joey Curtis, Cami Delavigne</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>Best Adapted Screenplay:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">True Grit- Joel Coen and Ethan Coen<br />
The Social Network- Aaron Sorkin<br />
127 Hours- Danny Boyle and Simon Beaufoy<br />
Winter's Bone- Anne Rosellini, Debra Granik<br />
Shutter Island- Laeta Kalogidis</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><b>Best Original Score-</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Tron: Legacy- Daft Punk<br />
The Social Network- Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross<br />
True Grit- Carter Burwell<br />
The King's Speech- Alexandre Desplat<br />
Inception- Hans Zimmer</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Costume Design:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Alice in Wonderland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The King's Speech</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Black Swan</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">True Grit</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">The Tempest</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Visual Effects:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Inception</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Alice in Wonderland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Tron: Legacy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Clash of the Titans</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><b>Best Makeup:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Alice in Wonderland</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Jonah Hex</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">Black Swan</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Awards with single nominee/winner to be announced with the rest:</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Best Male Breakthrough Performance <br />
Best Female Breakthrough Performance</b></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-21831967794283461722011-01-24T14:09:00.003-06:002011-01-29T23:10:51.359-06:00Tron: Legacy (2010)<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4nL-MN0yxjAOK2nacMVDI0HAG85hKts4hM_hNRAHPLmgGm2JhLGOa3mVZrE050i8l8gBQzbz429sxzSJq3sRbBxFlqz1fJA9HFRCncHkujJqshumbCsRyaQoB7hCYc46n3NsqzRcr58/s1600/tron-legacy-400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4nL-MN0yxjAOK2nacMVDI0HAG85hKts4hM_hNRAHPLmgGm2JhLGOa3mVZrE050i8l8gBQzbz429sxzSJq3sRbBxFlqz1fJA9HFRCncHkujJqshumbCsRyaQoB7hCYc46n3NsqzRcr58/s400/tron-legacy-400.jpg" width="270" /></a>28 years went by from the first Tron and this sequel. At the time, the original Tron changed the way technology and computers were used in movies. Tron did things with computers that nobody had done before in cinema; it was a game changer. A movie like Tron had to be made, it had to move the industry along, like Star Wars did, and Avatar. That was 28 years ago. What do we do with a new Tron today? Is there really a technological achievement that hasn't been made that can be made? Tron: Legacy doesn't change the game. I don't think it seeks to either. I don't know why Disney thought they needed a sequel and why so late to make one, but I'm glad they did. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tron: Legacy is a more fuller embodiment of what I believe Tron was trying to be. With computers and technology these days, I feel that it had to be much easier to create the environment needed for the story. The story, though, is what's lacking. We meet the protagonist, Sam Flynn (Garret Hedlund), son of computer and game whiz Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). Papa Flynn has been missing for a long time, and Sam has dealt with it the best he can. This includes trying his best to sabotage his father's (now his) company. You see, the Flynn's company, ENCOM, has been taken over by very greedy individuals who seek to sell the same software with a different name for more money. Sam doesn't like this. Why he doesn't vote it down and actually take control of his company, I'm not sure. Regardless, Sam reverts to corporate espionage against his own corporation. Once he's told by a family friend that Papa Flynn supposedly paged him from the shut-down Flynn Arcade, we never again hear about the shady dealings at ENCOM. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDFqIrDvSZyOVJWCXhsYMWoskUC81Ao7gAFgXqL3D0baTVDmmsbP-AEdx7HLrl0uKjzggsEgSCO15aMgWyk_KXu5JLbh0pzal6Globhr9hyphenhyphenM5I5F965qjiG1lpkU7rT_9WEU9KDECyeA/s1600/tron_legacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDFqIrDvSZyOVJWCXhsYMWoskUC81Ao7gAFgXqL3D0baTVDmmsbP-AEdx7HLrl0uKjzggsEgSCO15aMgWyk_KXu5JLbh0pzal6Globhr9hyphenhyphenM5I5F965qjiG1lpkU7rT_9WEU9KDECyeA/s320/tron_legacy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Sam is curious and decides to go check out the Arcade himself. He finds the secret entrance to his father's secret office/laboratory, and like anyone else would do, he starts punching buttons and turning stuff on, including a laser-like device that dissolves Sam's physical body and transports it into the digital world known as the Grid. I think the director knew that the Grid was far more interesting and epic than the real world is and he wanted to get there as soon as he could. Confused, Sam wanders around until he is snatched up by the Digital Gestapo and forced to compete in the digital gladiator games. Except, unlike his competitors who, when defeated simply fall apart in pixel cubes, Sam bleeds when he's hurt. Other than showing the crowd and the leaders that Sam is in fact not a program but a user (human) we never come back to whether or not it's real blood or just zero's and one's made to look like blood. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb1QC8HkThD2S7jOHsUqbzWYwmrBTolUGGEhAChrifXUfAr3ezAr0YBl8bYWwLjYwPXAaPfAVUiirBUPdXGoDRcatU_YuE3VIVCRUWC1-DB00CnKxcPRfZJ5qqyw5X2XbHqrlqt58V8w/s1600/1221-tron-legacy-cgi_full_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmb1QC8HkThD2S7jOHsUqbzWYwmrBTolUGGEhAChrifXUfAr3ezAr0YBl8bYWwLjYwPXAaPfAVUiirBUPdXGoDRcatU_YuE3VIVCRUWC1-DB00CnKxcPRfZJ5qqyw5X2XbHqrlqt58V8w/s320/1221-tron-legacy-cgi_full_600.jpg" width="320" /></a>Users aren't welcome in the Grid, so Sam is brought before the leader who at first appears to be his father Kevin. It looks exactly like him, but it isn't. This is a bad guy. They send him back into the arena and after some impressive light cycle action he escapes with the help of another program, the enigmatic Quorra (Olivia Wilde). Quorra brings Sam to the outskirts of the Grid and Sam is reunited with his father. From there you learn more about the Grid and the people/programs within (the leader who looked like Papa Flynn? His name is CLU and Flynn created him to help him build the Grid, but that didn't work out too well for Flynn.) Eventually it becomes a race to get out of the Grid for Sam, Kevin, and Quorra. I won't ruin the movie for you, but I'll just say it's very interesting and elicits some good questions about what computer programs are and what humans are in relation to those programs. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7Wh54qD-RUtitQkPrmsL7Nk9pqjw0oCJW1gll-ZqWwFpW4ADkFFGLhpgSFF5HjJPsUhp6_IcAAMPsh9_gPmd88WWHco2IVysLhT9MKi31yD12S77rFhitYLyITxKzFhg_q5_aHMqjus/s1600/Tron-Legacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7Wh54qD-RUtitQkPrmsL7Nk9pqjw0oCJW1gll-ZqWwFpW4ADkFFGLhpgSFF5HjJPsUhp6_IcAAMPsh9_gPmd88WWHco2IVysLhT9MKi31yD12S77rFhitYLyITxKzFhg_q5_aHMqjus/s400/Tron-Legacy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I see no lack in the acting in this movie. I was very pleased with most everyone involved. Michael Sheen plays a bizarre program of whose purpose I'm not entirely sure. No, there's no problem with the acting (Jeff Bridges, with the help of computers and technology effectively plays three characters, young Kevin, old Keven and CLU). There's also no problem with the soundtrack, it was fantastic and well suited to the movie. The visuals were impressive, if a bit dark and dreary. I saw it in 3-D and I've always thought when 3-D is done right you don't lose brightness, you gain clarity, and in this case it was true.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UNznGf81MN9faVV9tWdKmd73NQPoMZnFwpvA20bY5SrLcxzA73pDh1tD04zLE27tJ8WIlDDwHtX2gZW7XcZ8eB1QSe49dz1kQAaUACH8you0Mn-yqwfgzPr2G2nXFaUUSe73wWIh-qs/s1600/tron-legacy-jeff-bridges-2-2-10-kc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UNznGf81MN9faVV9tWdKmd73NQPoMZnFwpvA20bY5SrLcxzA73pDh1tD04zLE27tJ8WIlDDwHtX2gZW7XcZ8eB1QSe49dz1kQAaUACH8you0Mn-yqwfgzPr2G2nXFaUUSe73wWIh-qs/s320/tron-legacy-jeff-bridges-2-2-10-kc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>No, the problem was with the storyline. Maybe it's just me, but it felt very hasty, especially considering it took 28 years to finally make it. I saw a HUGE missed opportunity when the story did not stick with the use of freeware and online peer to peer communities to share software. That is relevant to today, so why do we not see the same connection between the Grid and the real world as we did in the original Tron? I felt as though the story could have been a lot better, though much like the original Tron, Tron: Legacy seemed more focus on the spectacle and not on the substance. All in all it was an entertaining and engrossing movie. More visually pleasing than the original. It would have been excellent had the script been more relevant and given the actors more to work with. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">6/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-88499446608475763152011-01-22T18:19:00.001-06:002011-01-29T23:11:35.126-06:00The Kids are All Right<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhaGriFtvxNp7iQQW3RC81kIS4mqL2X1Q_HzqL0v-djTCooToD5bYWzCAgk8_ou-5LNQJVvp8Pw4cDjoGzYuCp_wokIDlabJlVBERog-Ztu1kHFQgn9BmcDtANubw8a8n4wCDC7MgWjE/s1600/The_Kids_Are_All_Right_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhaGriFtvxNp7iQQW3RC81kIS4mqL2X1Q_HzqL0v-djTCooToD5bYWzCAgk8_ou-5LNQJVvp8Pw4cDjoGzYuCp_wokIDlabJlVBERog-Ztu1kHFQgn9BmcDtANubw8a8n4wCDC7MgWjE/s320/The_Kids_Are_All_Right_5.jpg" width="207" /></a>What's the difference between a traditional family, and a family with homosexual parents? Not as much as you'd think, at least according to Lisa Cholodenko's “The Kids are All Right.” The family in this movie parented by lesbian partners Nic (Annette Bening), and Jules (Julianne Moore) seem to have many of the same problems as traditional parents. Their children seem to be normal children: 18 year old Joni (Mia Wasikowska) is about to move out of the house and into college dorms, and 15 year old Laser (Josh Hutcherson) has to deal with both his fluctuating identity and who he really wants as his friend. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Joni and Laser are half-siblings, they both have the same sperm donor. Nic had Joni, and Jules had Laser. I don't know whether or not they told their children which of them had which child, though it's pretty obvious and it comes up here and there. The parents, Nic and Jules are very different it would seem. Nic is a perfectionist doctor who, like many people, desire control in her relationships. Jules is much more of a free spirit. Always trying to start up a new business (this time it's a landscaping venture), and seemingly always never really finishing it, Jules often gets under Nic's skin. This is the most basic and underlying marital squabble in the movie and it's rather cliché, but we have to set up the family is imperfect somehow right?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6dJSTzmEUSe7giTreE-C25xTiHp3Md5PdVNVJf4T07ieoRCeUDMDYZ15VfNH_JvAlyXo5biTm9QQaAAi59IPupEBSd5VdPsjYyaYkcIIgSldYY2NB2YaQqtiurP_NWCRIBj3FyHmPns/s1600/the-kids-are-all-right-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6dJSTzmEUSe7giTreE-C25xTiHp3Md5PdVNVJf4T07ieoRCeUDMDYZ15VfNH_JvAlyXo5biTm9QQaAAi59IPupEBSd5VdPsjYyaYkcIIgSldYY2NB2YaQqtiurP_NWCRIBj3FyHmPns/s320/the-kids-are-all-right-2.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The issues really start to flare up when Laser convinces Joni to contact their biological father because he can't and she's old enough to do it. She obliges and they meet Paul (Mark Ruffalo). Paul made his donation when he was 19, he's now at least (does math in head... 19 + 18=) 37, a little too old to still be finding himself, though it seems that's exactly what he's doing. From the beginning Joni is obviously much more interested in Paul, for some reason Laser keeps him at a distance (is he trying to protect his sister? His mothers? Himself?) After an awkward scene where Jules and Nic walk in on Laser and his friend watching their (the mother's) male gay pornography (weird? Idk), Jules and Nic sit Laser down and have a talk. Thinking they know about Paul, he admits to his and Joni's meeting with their father, Jules and Nic just thought (hoped?) he may have been gay.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZFS_rshyphenhyphenTQBUdq5VBoZMJLBZtUfHIX16olMTCQD595hxuIhS4Zl0lidJOJJYEcOsBdDfj-yXJ7-sUmasfuglVbAUYibcVRqJfyynUkcYWH8tWidOPHWHyJ_uEn_gBxq1mCpajjhshRs/s1600/kids-are-all-right-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZFS_rshyphenhyphenTQBUdq5VBoZMJLBZtUfHIX16olMTCQD595hxuIhS4Zl0lidJOJJYEcOsBdDfj-yXJ7-sUmasfuglVbAUYibcVRqJfyynUkcYWH8tWidOPHWHyJ_uEn_gBxq1mCpajjhshRs/s320/kids-are-all-right-header.jpg" width="320" /></a>The rest is rather typical, and only interesting because it includes the different aspect of having a same sex couple at the head of the family. Paul is the endlessly friendly and amicable guy who just happens to end up having an affair with Jules. Nic eventually finds out (as they always seem to do), and there is a falling out. Paul tries to convince Jules to run away with him with the kids and Jules flatly refuses, she still loves Nic. The movie ends with the family coming together (without Paul) and sending Joni off to college. We see at the end that of course there is still hope for Nic and Jules. It wasn't all so bad.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2P9uL8ftt7Wzk7RuBDWUyQ998j1i9h3DE9GlZD2PKtSBKJI8MoJZ2uppXFnDHmQI14ui-ZiVeNKzImvykE8uAjNrYHfLyzT2H4px2j-8y7QLzEdiC8t-kkd-7Jt_hEf0o7QF88QEJlY/s1600/kids-are-all-right-bening-moore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2P9uL8ftt7Wzk7RuBDWUyQ998j1i9h3DE9GlZD2PKtSBKJI8MoJZ2uppXFnDHmQI14ui-ZiVeNKzImvykE8uAjNrYHfLyzT2H4px2j-8y7QLzEdiC8t-kkd-7Jt_hEf0o7QF88QEJlY/s320/kids-are-all-right-bening-moore.jpg" width="320" /></a>I had a problem with this movie. I don't have a problem with the aspect of homosexuality, other than apart from it, this movie would have been just another domestic romance and nobody would really be talking about. No, my problem with it is that none of it seems real. We don't see why Nic loves Jules, or why Jules loves Nic. They're obviously attracted to each other, but we don't really ever see their personalities working together. Perhaps the director simply wanted the audience to assume that aspect. Would I have assumed it had it been a heterosexual couple? Probably not. Also, the whole thing seems to be under a time crunch. Everything has to be resolved by the time they drop Joni off at college. Yeah, that'd be nice, but I can't believe that it works like that in real life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The homosexual aspect of the story does elicit some interesting questions, though the movie never seems to want to answer them. Are we supposed to? I guess so, though I don't really want to know about the psychology that drives a lesbian to passionately desire the man who donated the sperm that fathered her child. I'm sure somebody does though. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The acting is OK, nothing special. It's not the acting that will draw you into the movie, it's the story, and the story is better than the acting though not good enough to merit the praise it's getting. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">5/10</div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-19958916382723789252011-01-15T13:25:00.001-06:002011-02-22T19:19:30.562-06:00The Social Network (2010)<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Facebook is the epicenter of social interaction in this society. Notice, I didn't say "virtual social interaction." It most certainly is that, but it's eclipsed pretty much every other hub of social togetherness. I can't think of another movie that has done what David Fincher has done with "The Social Network." Maybe there wasn't really as much drama surrounding the beginning of the internet, or of the invention of the cell phone, the television, the radio or the original telephone. Then again, I'm not entirely sure the timeliness of this movie is what makes it good. What makes "The Social Network" excellent, is that the story, true or not, is absolutely Shakespearian. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX7ubzK8AcJeJgpWV8wvjFZyzDRmX_zV1rp-JBs1mnGnCnr_NyKYARZvw5RIALCLu69g513VMGXo7ChIVl_ctllvDIE0tNPfac6S1qwynjxk5fGG9x2ZGD4PkKvrp0o0wgQTzIjw2wws/s1600/the-social-network-jesse-eisenberg-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX7ubzK8AcJeJgpWV8wvjFZyzDRmX_zV1rp-JBs1mnGnCnr_NyKYARZvw5RIALCLu69g513VMGXo7ChIVl_ctllvDIE0tNPfac6S1qwynjxk5fGG9x2ZGD4PkKvrp0o0wgQTzIjw2wws/s320/the-social-network-jesse-eisenberg-review.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> When i was student teaching, one of the classes I taught was Mass Media. After I saw "The Social Network," I thought that it would be a great idea to take my Mass Media class on a field trip to go see it. For whatever reason, a field trip never materialized and I'm not sure that's a bad thing. The themes present in "The Social Network" are more apt for a World Mythology field trip than one focused on the effects of Facebook on society. Themes in this movie include greed, revenge, friendship, loyalty, ambition, and morality.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">The movie opens on a conversation in a darkened college bar. Aaron Sorkin's writing is immediately apparent in the quick choppy and seemingly natural style of dialogue. We're introduced to Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg in a role it seems he was born to fill,) as the main protagonist of the film. Or is he the antagonist? Well whatever he ends up being, he's the main character. We quickly find out that he's particularly inept at social interaction. He understands too much about humans and understands very little about people. He's incredibly smart but lacks any sort of real emotion. That is until he gets drunk after being dumped by his girlfriend. Then we see emotion, kind of.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw-Jy1IfhlJ-TFf6wM_MCjKzaaNFgns9FrLVXmNnYG370jEKXX8l-IMpAu5GSXphaUhtGYp7F7EOnZG6_MOz7YgpyjE7lqdqR8dC1_7g0SlSpARpdcwL46MD9xiHLPKtNLl-j3Hv5L2Y/s1600/The-Social-Network-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdw-Jy1IfhlJ-TFf6wM_MCjKzaaNFgns9FrLVXmNnYG370jEKXX8l-IMpAu5GSXphaUhtGYp7F7EOnZG6_MOz7YgpyjE7lqdqR8dC1_7g0SlSpARpdcwL46MD9xiHLPKtNLl-j3Hv5L2Y/s320/The-Social-Network-movie.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN"> I said that Zuckerberg is the main character of the movie. I suppose that's true. However, the main storyline follows that of the relationship (was it ever a friendship?) between Zuckerberg and his partner (again never really a friend), Edwardo Savarin (Andrew Garfield.) Whether or not Savarin really believed Mark to have been his friend, the audience quickly becomes aware that Mark Zuckerberg considers people only in-so-much as how they can help him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> The more successful Facebook gets, the more distant Zuckerberg gets to Savarin. Afterall, he doesn't really need Savarin anymore, and isn't he, Zuckerberg really the author and architect of it all? It all comes to head when Savarin is notified that given some creative contracting he's been demoted from a 33% stake to a .33% stake. That sucks.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6eWN9ehzzgqwQ9WKr_vDwUqkkLzOQKSvWpfp0iRD-5lsHlGPLdiS3QMRlEm1yJ9SxGSTGf_64VjM4BGISJbzVA3CG7pkbeacipxP8lJbyG4Q24eTLGOTTCQ2Jn47BuaCI63rmZi891c/s1600/social-network-movie-review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6eWN9ehzzgqwQ9WKr_vDwUqkkLzOQKSvWpfp0iRD-5lsHlGPLdiS3QMRlEm1yJ9SxGSTGf_64VjM4BGISJbzVA3CG7pkbeacipxP8lJbyG4Q24eTLGOTTCQ2Jn47BuaCI63rmZi891c/s320/social-network-movie-review.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN"> Justin Timberlake surprises in his performance of Napster founder, Sean Parker, who weasels himself into the Facebook inner circle and in the end forces Savarin out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> I'm hesitant to call Zuckerberg a tragic anti-hero, I feel as though it gives him too much credit. Then again it's hard to call a real living person any kind of literary term because then we must think of who the author is. As for the movie, whose author is Sorkin, I believe Zuckerberg's character is very tragic. I don't believe he means to hurt people. The story of Facebook is tragic and ironic in that by trying to be popular through being successful, he had to destroy a great number of friendships and relationships. I don't know if the real Zuckerberg is happy. I hope he is. I am, that I've seen this movie.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">The movie is excellent. The writing is superb, (I would be surprised if Sorkin didn't win an Oscar). The acting is spot on (who knew Timberlake could act?) The editing is flawless, and the soundtrack is timely and perfect. This movie is not an epic, although the themes and emotions that are presented in it are those that are in every epic. This movie represents a trend in our media consuming society where everything is getting smaller, closer and more intimate. We sit at our desks, on our couches, in our beds and fellowship through computers. We stay in our houses yet we travel across the world. Epic can be found in the most domestic of things these days. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9EkTEul6SbKe7lOw3ZXSUhUYyVIru4lNBjuIKfag9_gBlW1-MC_7ZyYGWu44V-4LVeYmkhCC-gmPr4YEefaFpAbH1WIuvMYxZdMPw6wrFRKdOCzR6XDGkr_zsfxNu9Pn-Qe94XnieIc/s1600/the-social-network-poster_368x578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9EkTEul6SbKe7lOw3ZXSUhUYyVIru4lNBjuIKfag9_gBlW1-MC_7ZyYGWu44V-4LVeYmkhCC-gmPr4YEefaFpAbH1WIuvMYxZdMPw6wrFRKdOCzR6XDGkr_zsfxNu9Pn-Qe94XnieIc/s320/the-social-network-poster_368x578.jpg" width="203" /></a><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">I have no idea if the story of "The Social Network" is true. It probably isn't entirely accurate. However, whether or not it's true, "The Social Network," is real. Whether or not what happened in the movie happened in real life, I have no problem believing that it could have. Everybody has issues. I don't think that Mark Zuckerberg is a unique and particular bad guy in society. I think that society is just harder to forgive faults in people who have created something that we rely on. I wouldn't worry too much about the real Savarin, I've heard that the settlement from his lawsuit has gotten him enough money to forget about what happened. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Again, and finally, the movie is very well made and entertaining. What more can you ask for?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">10/10 </span></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-35966431972522396312010-02-20T00:40:00.006-06:002011-01-26T20:03:59.236-06:00Shutter Island (2010)<div style="text-align: center;"><span xmlns=""></span></div><span xmlns="">"The Nazis used the Jews, the Soviets used prisoners in their own gulags, and here in America we tested patients on Shutter Island."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwRKrbLnwtJFGXqMOPKItjuAGMDg2BA40Y-QrzYme4-PcjBWLYWfm2Y56ChPW1PSeVQMz-I9co9i0I6wKGWrTYcyhMUsOvIke0oWtgIlMMjk7D0-Hqk2fv9QOu1yexgwhHIu0gHZD1yI/s1600-h/shutter_island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwRKrbLnwtJFGXqMOPKItjuAGMDg2BA40Y-QrzYme4-PcjBWLYWfm2Y56ChPW1PSeVQMz-I9co9i0I6wKGWrTYcyhMUsOvIke0oWtgIlMMjk7D0-Hqk2fv9QOu1yexgwhHIu0gHZD1yI/s400/shutter_island.jpg" width="265" /></a><span xmlns=""><i>Shutter Island</i>, the newest offering by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, is a methodical journey into the underbelly of psychology, paranoia and insanity in the early 1950s. Every scene, ever moment in this film is deliberate and calculated. I'm sure many who see this film will mistake that carefulness with simple boredom and slowness. That is unfortunate. This is not a happy movie. It is a movie that is a part of the film noir genre reminiscent of the time in which it takes place, when detectives chain-smoked and drank, and it was just a part of the job. It's a dark film played in shadows and moonlight. It's unlike anything Scorsese has ever done, and he has proven his dynamism yet again. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">Martin Scorsese has never really been defined by the stories he tells but this one is worth a description, sans spoilers. The movie opens up on a boat. U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his new partner Marshall Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are on their way to a federal institution for the criminally insane. This institution called Ashecliffe, is located on Shutter Island, a former Civil War military fort. It's 1954 which means that Daniels and his partner are decked out in film noir essentials: fedoras, trench-coats, and a lit cigarette smoldering between their lips. <br />
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<span xmlns="">They've been assigned a case involving an escaped prisoner: a woman who murdered her three children. According to the chief medical director of the institution (Ben Kingsley), it seems she had simply "evaporated through the walls." A little detective work shows that, of course, things are not as they seem. For film noir, they never are. <i>Shutter Island</i> is no different. The story, like much of the rest of the film, is told in layers. Daniels discovers hidden conspiracies, while at the same time Daniels himself holds his own secrets, for instance, the fact that Daniels had done independent research on Shutter Island and its inhabitants even before the case of the missing murderer was sent to the U.S. Marshall's Office. It doesn't take long for the audience to realize that nobody in this movie can be trusted. So many secrets, so much deception. In an ironic touch, the only really straightforward character in the whole movie is a patient housed in Ward C, the ward with the highest security. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWT4XqqsMnAtpFQ-EwgFj9c3ZlO5MOvxIg7koJfk3m9wWj8FeOH7uCWSneFpZDNtMC_PbEcRwBj-Npx58KrZFavR3XKkL6PjI8lub1Hk7pX9aKV2LV0EdD1m3xgtcckrDrcJsxpyYl4/s1600-h/DiCaprioShutterIsland2_gallery_primary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWT4XqqsMnAtpFQ-EwgFj9c3ZlO5MOvxIg7koJfk3m9wWj8FeOH7uCWSneFpZDNtMC_PbEcRwBj-Npx58KrZFavR3XKkL6PjI8lub1Hk7pX9aKV2LV0EdD1m3xgtcckrDrcJsxpyYl4/s320/DiCaprioShutterIsland2_gallery_primary.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span xmlns=""><span id="goog_1266648186716"></span><span id="goog_1266648186717"></span><br />
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<span xmlns="">I won't ruin the climactic last 45 minutes of the movie, which isn't spectacular, but it didn't have to be. It was satisfying, minus the last five or so minutes. Now I haven't seen every Scorsese film. I've seen the first, and now, his most recent, with several in between. With that in mind, I can't think of an ending to one of his movies that is anywhere near as ambiguous as this one. That's definitely not to say it's a bad ending. It's not, it's just not what I expected from Scorsese, which, I wouldn't doubt, might very well have been his intention. <br />
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<span xmlns="">The ending might not be classic Scorsese, but the rest of the film is. <i>Shutter Island</i> is simply Martin Scorsese doing film noir. The formula is there, all the puzzle pieces fit together. In the film noir genre, <i>Shutter Island </i>is a decent addition, nothing spectacular. What makes it so utterly Scorsese, and brilliant? It's the spaces in between the puzzle pieces that we see the brilliance of Scorsese. The flashes that interrupt the scenes, both of light, as well as photos and memories, glimpses and glances. This is where we see the director at work. We also see him in every scene in that we never see a scene where the camera itself isn't moving. Even in the long straight shots of a patient being interviewed: take a look at the corner of the screen and you'll notice even then, the camera is moving in. They say a fixed shot with no camera movement makes the audience observers, objective and judging, while a moving camera, even a subtly moving camera makes the audience into participants, subjective and collaborating. Maybe that's why this film engrossed me so much. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqeFIqw8UKOUS8124bHv2osiTESJTx9z4x0TC9y8vJYXBOZltneNO9gWC1HMEhlc3sFbvfVJl9LX97wi73eczlHV3irzWSn7RxKNTHIcehFSeJCFgRiAH8VW2aWHlB5wTcSKYuwIZfic/s1600-h/shutter-island-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqeFIqw8UKOUS8124bHv2osiTESJTx9z4x0TC9y8vJYXBOZltneNO9gWC1HMEhlc3sFbvfVJl9LX97wi73eczlHV3irzWSn7RxKNTHIcehFSeJCFgRiAH8VW2aWHlB5wTcSKYuwIZfic/s400/shutter-island-3.jpg" width="400" /></a><span xmlns="">The pacing was pitch perfect. Never did I wonder what time it was, or how much was left. Never did I think that the story needed to speed up or slow down. If watching <i>Shutter Island</i> wasn't necessarily a comfortable experience (it is a suspenseful movie, you <i>will</i> jump), then it was the right experience the most apt experience for the story it told. </span><br />
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<span xmlns="">The film calls for great acting, and that is just what it got. DiCaprio and Ruffalo are cast perfectly as the jaded and flawed U.S. Marshall, while Kingsley alongside film veteran Max Von Sydow are also perfectly placed as the infinitely suspicious institution administrators. However, I believe the best cast decision by the director was to employ Ted Levine as the sadistic Warden of the institution. The short amount of screen time Levine has only increases the mystery and creepiness of his character. <br />
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<span xmlns="">I said earlier that Scorsese has never been defined by the stories he works with. That's because he is defined by the ways in which he tells the stories. <i>Shutter Island<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></i>proves this. There is little to link this movie to Scorsese's other films, and yet, it is so completely Scorsese. <br />
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<span xmlns="">I'd like to end this review with the last lines of the movie, which, I believe, sum up nicely the philosophy that undergirds this film:<br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Is it better to live as a monster or die as a good man?</span></span><br />
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<span xmlns=""><span style="font-size: 12pt;">8/10<br />
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<span xmlns=""></span>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-78010991099220407942010-02-14T18:19:00.006-06:002011-01-27T08:47:05.593-06:00Avatar (2009)<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB2H9p7EdeMA7Wc6XNrNtigH0wdfE7Q1rp9d-Tu91XEKqrNHrTkE1hUBialXcxvKvs6vWPV1S-S2yhxfBQa3K5Mb5nDKcg2QkRV3K1NK-Fm9xNSkpxVHhryCmGjZrrU00cRzXuu4EAaI/s1600-h/avatar-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmB2H9p7EdeMA7Wc6XNrNtigH0wdfE7Q1rp9d-Tu91XEKqrNHrTkE1hUBialXcxvKvs6vWPV1S-S2yhxfBQa3K5Mb5nDKcg2QkRV3K1NK-Fm9xNSkpxVHhryCmGjZrrU00cRzXuu4EAaI/s320/avatar-movie-poster.jpg" /></a><span xmlns="">James Cameron has waited over a decade to accomplish <i>Avatar</i>. There is a lot to be said about this movie. Cameron has accomplished what George Lucas admirably attempted more than thirty years ago in <i>Star Wars</i>, and what Peter Jackson tried to translate from literature earlier this decade in Tolkien's <i>Lord of the Rings</i>. Cameron has seamlessly created for himself a fully realized world, right down to the language and religion that permeates the story. It's as fully realized a world as can be made for the big screen. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span xmlns=""><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span xmlns="">Apart from what Cameron has created, this movie is a technological achievement that puts it head and shoulders above any movie ever created, and if it does not get an Oscar for special effects, it will be the biggest snub in history. I saw it in 3D and it was the sharpest 3D experience I have ever seen. Often you lose brightness and clarity when you put those glasses on, however the opposite is the case here. This was the sharpest and clearest picture I have ever experienced in a movie theater. I would normally credit this to the theater; however, it's clear that it was the filmmaker's brilliance that made this kind of clarity possible on the big screen. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd3T7neUDXIb9UIC499ezk_mGhwomKz1kmeI0HG_t09-xcXHUCuDkdV_zvOfi7CJhaoLEhziy5xZ0hrXdLlYCVOAiA4undDat2k0X7tMF_a6PGiWmB1ZhwaSyKHVri0KmB_98tXku8qE/s1600-h/300.Avatar.Saldana.Worthington.lc.121409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd3T7neUDXIb9UIC499ezk_mGhwomKz1kmeI0HG_t09-xcXHUCuDkdV_zvOfi7CJhaoLEhziy5xZ0hrXdLlYCVOAiA4undDat2k0X7tMF_a6PGiWmB1ZhwaSyKHVri0KmB_98tXku8qE/s320/300.Avatar.Saldana.Worthington.lc.121409.jpg" /></a><span xmlns="">The story of <i>Avatar </i>is a good one. Many people see it as unoriginal, they say it's a story they've seen before. Of course you've seen it before, it's a good story. Good stories are told often and in many different ways. <i>Avatar</i>'s story is provocative, timely, engaging, and just plain good. There are countless other summaries of the plot, so I won't waste time writing about it here. It's a long movie, to be sure, however, it has to be long to tell the story it wants to tell. There might be some superfluous scenes; however, the viewer is so engrossed in the gorgeous visuals they don't mind. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span xmlns=""><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span xmlns="">I saw no memorable failures when it came to the acting, human and Na'vi alike. It's a very well put together cast. Sam Worthington as the protagonist, Sigourney Weaver as the cautious and defensive head scientist, Zoe Saldana in a great physical performance as the Na'vi princess, and Giovanni Ribisi as the greedy administration type, and Stephen Lang as the blood hungry Colonel. Specifically, I'd like to mention the performances of those actors tied to the CG Na'vi creatures. We don't get to see their actual faces, but they were no less a part of this movie. It's exciting when an actor's performance can be so completely and accurately realized in an exotically modeled CG creature. Makeup can only take you so far. What Cameron has perfected is a technique that will redefine what Hollywood believes is possible in filmmaking. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu1gGH1AHc71SsFPRr_bQ0tb0x2PU7_e5twJzTA7nxVzZU6zWzMAMa58qu_B7h-uGYKYdUIlTlHYfmqPmeg8Sq7kx8h3SJoId4wEUKA8c1AQR1twJdKW2pT2nWu8V-24HwRSosKUc5g8/s1600/avatar-movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXu1gGH1AHc71SsFPRr_bQ0tb0x2PU7_e5twJzTA7nxVzZU6zWzMAMa58qu_B7h-uGYKYdUIlTlHYfmqPmeg8Sq7kx8h3SJoId4wEUKA8c1AQR1twJdKW2pT2nWu8V-24HwRSosKUc5g8/s400/avatar-movie.jpg" width="400" /></a><span xmlns=""><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span xmlns=""><i>Avatar, </i>is the <i>Star Wars</i> of this generation. It has taken what was thought impossible, and made it into something that is visually spectacular. It's easy to find flaws when you're looking for them. There are many in <i>Avatar</i> if you want to go and find them be my guest. However, if you want to go to fundamentally entertaining and enjoyable movie, go, with an open mind and a big bucket of popcorn to go see <i>Avatar</i>. 8/10</span><br />
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<span xmlns="">P.S. Avatar has been nominated for 9 Academy Awards including: Best Picture, Best Director, </span>Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects.</div><span xmlns=""></span>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-21794354780557045132010-02-06T19:52:00.003-06:002011-01-27T08:49:14.498-06:00Who's That Knocking at My Door (1967)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3T2hFem49Msgj2LduxOivljtzIwQ2r_eCapnlhZZQJ2xwZDDpljiN0hq9lrzPzQRb4U_sEnTa3X6ebZ7ufwOKORYKGMPP1mslIFcPJdBZKop8IvaWgNQAJMWfCqe0BdyEBEEbpVT2fU/s1600-h/Knocking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3T2hFem49Msgj2LduxOivljtzIwQ2r_eCapnlhZZQJ2xwZDDpljiN0hq9lrzPzQRb4U_sEnTa3X6ebZ7ufwOKORYKGMPP1mslIFcPJdBZKop8IvaWgNQAJMWfCqe0BdyEBEEbpVT2fU/s320/Knocking.jpg" width="320" /></a><i>Who’s That Knocking at My Door</i> is director Martin Scorsese’s first widely released film. Originally titled <i>I Call First</i> the film contains two distinct story lines that Scorsese competently combines into a product that is greater than the sum of its parts. Both stories follow a young Italian-American in Little Italy. One story documents his interactions with his friends, the other, a beautiful young lady.<br />
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The young man, named J.R. played by a young Harvey Keitel, is quite content with the lazy life he lives with his friends. He doesn’t have a job, and when he’s not with his girlfriend played by Zina Bethune, he’s screwing around with his violent and immature friends. Most of the screen time dedicated to J.R. and his friends is spent with them yelling at each other, fighting with each other, or drinking with each other. One particular scene comes to mind as particularly disturbing. The leader of the group of friends pulls out a gun. J.R. and his friends start laughing and screwing around. The scene turns slow motion to highlight the terror that is on the face of the young man caught in a strangle hold with a gun pointed at his face. The viewer’s never quite sure if this is all a joke. Most of the characters onscreen either don’t care, or aren’t sure themselves. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_069m-B_dTjHSP4DBeLtrf5DGxpsedCAl__wmN9iLjIt0jw7jGhGh7oWUFP3f1I2XsKgO6OvEHAGiT9CRv1sXkqREbkza8fQBKInjfBoiqHZIAN9ILlEGXm9ibqipMzdqTVqmOvblXIs/s1600-h/Who's%25201.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_069m-B_dTjHSP4DBeLtrf5DGxpsedCAl__wmN9iLjIt0jw7jGhGh7oWUFP3f1I2XsKgO6OvEHAGiT9CRv1sXkqREbkza8fQBKInjfBoiqHZIAN9ILlEGXm9ibqipMzdqTVqmOvblXIs/s320/Who's%25201.bmp" width="320" /></a>Often times I asked myself “why are these guys friends.” I can’t imagine Scorsese wrote this for reasons other than the fact that that’s just how it was. J.R. seems to be a representation of Scorsese himself. Scorsese also grew up in Little Italy, and they both have a strong interest and passion for movies. The character of J.R. is the product of this environment. These scenes construct the violent, chauvinistic, and immature character of J.R. so that when we see him in the scenes with The Girl(we never find out her name), the differences are highlighted. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><br />
</div>The first scene with J.R. and the Girl is a charming one. It’s early on in the film so we’re not sure if he really is the kind of guy he is with his friends or if this charming man chatting up a young lady about John Wayne in a French Magazine is who J.R. really is. For most of the movie, the scenes between J.R. and the Girl are very charming and enjoyable. Even their make-out scene on the bed made me believe that this was what real love and passion looks like. It was both sweet and sensuous. But again, it seems that the dynamics between J.R. and the Girl early on in the film serves as a foil to how things end up between them. It’s in his relationship with the Girl that we find what the movie is about. The emotional climax of the movie comes when the Girl confesses to J.R. that she’s not a virgin, that she was raped before they met. <br />
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This is something that J.R. can’t deal with. An earlier scene reveals J.R.’s attitudes toward women. There are girls and there are broads. Girls are virgins, broads are whores. You can’t marry a broad. The imagery throughout the film dictates a deep rooted Catholicism. The first scene of the film is one of a statuette of the Virgin Mary and there are many references throughout. He puts his girlfriend on a pedestal as the innocent virginal young woman that he believes he can marry. When his image of her is shattered he feels like he’s been betrayed and calls her liar. When he can’t forgive her into marrying him, (he believes she’s done something wrong) he outright calls her a whore. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAeETYDvCDlZRffJRR7QWHvCtlh8cZ3z7m6DJy-dozEuUehRA7rAEt37SmApi81vuzenOmD3Jd2zWl3Ce9BsRc5_opqBBq6Pt9pk6eiIEt_JC7ykoRSsRvw9XIkJwyNmpe9jHMfhy69o/s1600-h/I_Call_First.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAeETYDvCDlZRffJRR7QWHvCtlh8cZ3z7m6DJy-dozEuUehRA7rAEt37SmApi81vuzenOmD3Jd2zWl3Ce9BsRc5_opqBBq6Pt9pk6eiIEt_JC7ykoRSsRvw9XIkJwyNmpe9jHMfhy69o/s320/I_Call_First.jpg" width="225" /></a>The film is about guilt, Catholic guilt. Catholicism has led J.R. to see women as either the Virgin Mary or whores. Since no woman can possibly live up to that, all women in J.R.’s life are whores, and he treats them as such. He disrespects all real women and that is his greatest flaw and it’s one that he’ll never get over. <br />
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This film was shot in black and white and the camera work often includes long uninterrupted shots. This leads to a definite sense of realism that doesn’t shy away from awkwardness. This means that much relies on the abilities of the actors, and in this the movie does not disappoint. The acting is sound and never over the top. When a character yells a response to every muttering of his friend, it’s not because he’s overacting, it’s because his character would do that.<br />
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This film is Scorcese’s first film and I would say it was clear even then that Scorsese was going to be a force in filmmaking. This is not to say that the film was perfect, it wasn’t. Choppy editing made for a less than smooth viewing, however it doesn’t distract the viewer too much. Another detriment to the movie, a gratuitous scene representing J.R.s sexual fantasies, was required by producers to release the movie in America. Scorsese filmed it and put it in. It’s clearly a separate entity to the rest of the film. Despite any shortcomings, this film shows that Martin Scorsese has the ability to make a movie so purposefully and which such conviction that the viewer can understand exactly what the director is trying to say.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0pt;">It’s a good film and a great first film. 7/10<span style="font-family: "; font-size: 10;"></span></div>J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4497402068961104899.post-55043236480333276492009-12-28T00:36:00.005-06:002011-01-29T23:11:08.960-06:00Sherlock Holmes (2009)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tim7wRvm38nvUYDz2yLmrlsp7Uiygneo477BazZyeK3L92kMyStgyKiGw_eR6e6CUuxDwXsX8-pDeguky5efbF2oq6kIFqmT6byDcvT59t9Bmb4iA-By1LoCEeiRHLvmS-OIPHO4F9Q/s1600-h/robert-downey-guy-ritchie-sherlock-holmes-2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tim7wRvm38nvUYDz2yLmrlsp7Uiygneo477BazZyeK3L92kMyStgyKiGw_eR6e6CUuxDwXsX8-pDeguky5efbF2oq6kIFqmT6byDcvT59t9Bmb4iA-By1LoCEeiRHLvmS-OIPHO4F9Q/s400/robert-downey-guy-ritchie-sherlock-holmes-2009.jpg" width="260" /></a>The new <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005363/">Guy Ritchie</a> film, <i>Sherlock Holmes</i> opened up this past week on Christmas Day. I saw it the day after, and suffice it to say the theater was packed. While I was watching it, there was one thought that I couldn’t shake. “I’d seen this movie before.” Not literally of course, it was a new movie. But I couldn’t get past this feeling that the elements of the movie were familiar. Let’s look at some aspects of the movie. The setting of the vast dinginess and enormity of turn of the century London was something I recall from Tim Burton’s <i>Sweeney Todd</i>. The setting is used very well in both movies. It’s very nice to look at and see a fully realized 1890 London. The characters of Holmes and Watson, the way they engage* with one another reminds me of another entertaining <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000136/">Johnny Depp</a> film <i>Pirates of the Caribbean</i>. Although <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000375/">Robert Downey Jr.</a>’s portrayal of Holmes is notably much more intelligent and much less flamboyant he shares with Sparrow the same love of using ten words with six of them alliterative, when four will do. <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000179/">Jude Law</a>’s Watson also reminds me of <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0089217/">Orlando Bloom</a>'s Will Turner, though again more intelligent and much more loyal. If those two weren’t enough to make you think of the <i>Pirates </i>movies, simply listen to the music: it was scored by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001877/">Hans Zimmer</a> who makes similar use of a fiddled violin as he does in <i>Pirates</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58VezxcJInr43-kUQic9IkTpsrYiDO9z-tXYcjLUKM15cgyU6iSaHsVDK8HOUfEBon91epoieKx-qEOW2cAQirfnks2T2dVsjtIHyZcI-pen5ewbHwuhw4MldYfok3W0bUByW5b5yaA0/s1600/sherlockholmes_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kkWzd70CpswrD2lHL1w3ckKaqEZTNWIXYuR0haktinYbo1wZF4eSH5dMU97rz3QF3_SrarQL5QMfRmsTaZZzJYiq3lR5LqhSeyEJhxR0yc22gd2atKP2WWTiWnLqqMDwFdtOfS-JngM/s1600-h/sherlock_holmes_2009_xl_01-film-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kkWzd70CpswrD2lHL1w3ckKaqEZTNWIXYuR0haktinYbo1wZF4eSH5dMU97rz3QF3_SrarQL5QMfRmsTaZZzJYiq3lR5LqhSeyEJhxR0yc22gd2atKP2WWTiWnLqqMDwFdtOfS-JngM/s320/sherlock_holmes_2009_xl_01-film-a.jpg" width="320" /></a>These connections to other films do not detract from this film. I don’t believe this film was ever meant to be a game changer when it comes to its approach to filmmaking. Even the story line has been done before: secret society being taken over by a powerful and sinister member who was thought to be too radical trying to take over the world. Though the way in which this particular villain, played by <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0835016/">Mark Strong</a>, attempts to accomplish his totalitarian feat lies in line with the scientific and logical tradition for which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories were popular, even if the rest of the story does not. Ritchie has taken positive aspects from these movies and has successfully integrated them into what I believe is an entertaining, if not at all original, film. Secret societies are interesting and engaging to the imagination.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58VezxcJInr43-kUQic9IkTpsrYiDO9z-tXYcjLUKM15cgyU6iSaHsVDK8HOUfEBon91epoieKx-qEOW2cAQirfnks2T2dVsjtIHyZcI-pen5ewbHwuhw4MldYfok3W0bUByW5b5yaA0/s1600/sherlockholmes_3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58VezxcJInr43-kUQic9IkTpsrYiDO9z-tXYcjLUKM15cgyU6iSaHsVDK8HOUfEBon91epoieKx-qEOW2cAQirfnks2T2dVsjtIHyZcI-pen5ewbHwuhw4MldYfok3W0bUByW5b5yaA0/s320/sherlockholmes_3.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The wit and sarcasm with which Holmes and Watson and in some cases Holmes romantic interest Irene Adler (played by the always lovely <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1046097/">Rachel McAdams</a>) converse with each other is fun and funny. The music is fantastic; Hans Zimmer seems to do no wrong these days. He correctly characterizes through his music the paradox that is the Ritchie Sherlock Holmes who is both drunken boxer and genius detective and in two specific instances both at the same time.<br />
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This is, if nothing else, an entertaining movie. If you want an enjoyable movie experience go see it, if you want original storytelling, take a pass on <i>Sherlock Holmes</i>. Either way, the game is most definitely afoot. 5/10J. Michael Scholtenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15443204575928570958noreply@blogger.com0