The Water Horse is a beautiful flowing film with many small stories woven into one full tale. Set primarily during World War II, the central storyline centers around a melancholy young boy, Angus MacMarrow. The film opens with Angus sitting on the banks of the a loch near his village, lamenting the fact that his father has left to fight the war. Early in the film an artillery unit of the Royal Army takes over his home and a new handyman moves into his father's workshop. These events turn young Angus' world upside down.
Angus is much too young to be so sad and serious. Slowly his sadness lifts as he cares for the mysterious animal that he finds on the shores of the Loch. Throughout the story, the Water Horse creates many a problem for Angus, his sister, and their new friend. Through these problems happiness creeps into Angus' life.
There are beautiful panoramic scenes showing the amazing countryside of Scotland, (which I think is actually New Zealand - where the film was shot), this is what makes this a must see on the big screen. I simply do not think a home television will do this cinematography justice.
The only criticism that I have of this film is of the people whom were cast as the twenty something American tourists. Fortunately, they are rarely seen in the film. Their acting appears to be very forced and incredibly unnatural - they will make you you wonder who's mother/father got them their jobs.
Anyone who has ever had a friend or pet who loved them unconditionally, will thoroughly enjoy this movie.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
JUNO
What a delightful surprise this movie was for me to watch. Based on the previews I had determined that this was going to be at the most - a matinee movie but a friend of mine wanted to see it - so I hit the Friday afternoon matinee with her. I knew enjoying this film was going to be a hard stretch for me - a movie about teenage pregnancy that was funny. OH MY GOSH this movie was friggin' hilarious.
Before I go any further, let me give this disclaimer.... this movie takes a very serious subject and creates a dark comedy. There is nothing funny about teenage pregnancy and it is a very serious social problem and unlike this movie, most teenage pregnancies don't have happy ever afters.
Juno is all about one very smart, incredibly sarcastic, wise beyond her years, 16 year old girl, Juno MacGruff, (Ellen Page), and her life during her very unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. What makes this film so damn funny is the the incredible writing of Diablo Cody. Cody's words conveyed by the amazingly talented Ellen Page definitely make this film a contended for the Oscars.
Here's a brief synopsis: Juno has sex with her best friend Bleeker and gets pregnant. After much thought and a brief conversation with her parents, Juno finds an adoptive family - the Loring's (Jennifer Garner & Jason Bateman). Here the synopsis will end as not to spoil the film and its ending for you but I leave you with one phrase in the movie that made me laugh and still makes me giggle when I think about it .... "Pork Swords."
The Golden Globes are January 13th and Juno is nominated for best comedy, Ellen Page for best actress in a Comedy and Diablo Cody for best screen play. All three nominations are warranted and if the awards are given each would be well deserved.
This is a fantastic film - one I want to see again.
Before I go any further, let me give this disclaimer.... this movie takes a very serious subject and creates a dark comedy. There is nothing funny about teenage pregnancy and it is a very serious social problem and unlike this movie, most teenage pregnancies don't have happy ever afters.
Juno is all about one very smart, incredibly sarcastic, wise beyond her years, 16 year old girl, Juno MacGruff, (Ellen Page), and her life during her very unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. What makes this film so damn funny is the the incredible writing of Diablo Cody. Cody's words conveyed by the amazingly talented Ellen Page definitely make this film a contended for the Oscars.
Here's a brief synopsis: Juno has sex with her best friend Bleeker and gets pregnant. After much thought and a brief conversation with her parents, Juno finds an adoptive family - the Loring's (Jennifer Garner & Jason Bateman). Here the synopsis will end as not to spoil the film and its ending for you but I leave you with one phrase in the movie that made me laugh and still makes me giggle when I think about it .... "Pork Swords."
The Golden Globes are January 13th and Juno is nominated for best comedy, Ellen Page for best actress in a Comedy and Diablo Cody for best screen play. All three nominations are warranted and if the awards are given each would be well deserved.
This is a fantastic film - one I want to see again.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Red Box Movie Rental
Oh do I have a new favorite thing! Here in Louisville, Kentucky our McDonald's Restaurants have these wonderful little gadgets - they are called the Red Box. They are a self service movie rental store. Stored inside of each of these boxes is a plethora of movie choices. The greatest thing about the Red Box is the rental price for each movie.....$1.00 per movie. The movies are recent rental releases and they are cheaper than the pay per view on the satellite.
I really hope you have a Red Box in your neighborhood!
I really hope you have a Red Box in your neighborhood!
Dan In Real Life
I first saw Dan In Real Life opening weekend (Halloween), however I have had a difficult time writing my review of this movie.
The movie plot is pretty simple, easy to follow and relatively predictable. Is this an Oscar winner - no way! But let me say Steve Carrell could very easily win a people's choice award for best actor for his portrayal of a widowed single dad raising three daughters. This role really demonstrates Steve's vast acting talent. We have seen him as the moronic Michael Scott (The Office), the depressed eccentric gay professor (Little Miss Sunshine), and Andy Stitzer in the 40 Year Old Virgin (no character description needed). But here we have Dan Burns just a normal everyday man living a normal everyday life and is absolutely believable.
Steve Carrell is the best thing about Dan In Real Life. Overall, the movie is cute, entertaining and predictable. It is the perfect example of the romantic comedy/drama hybrid.
It is a good matinee or discount theatre movie, but it will be a better home rental.
The movie plot is pretty simple, easy to follow and relatively predictable. Is this an Oscar winner - no way! But let me say Steve Carrell could very easily win a people's choice award for best actor for his portrayal of a widowed single dad raising three daughters. This role really demonstrates Steve's vast acting talent. We have seen him as the moronic Michael Scott (The Office), the depressed eccentric gay professor (Little Miss Sunshine), and Andy Stitzer in the 40 Year Old Virgin (no character description needed). But here we have Dan Burns just a normal everyday man living a normal everyday life and is absolutely believable.
Steve Carrell is the best thing about Dan In Real Life. Overall, the movie is cute, entertaining and predictable. It is the perfect example of the romantic comedy/drama hybrid.
It is a good matinee or discount theatre movie, but it will be a better home rental.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
Let me preface my following opinion of this movie with this disclaimer....I am sick, was sick when I went to the movies, and to make my movie watching experience even more miserable I had three young men (I use the word men lightly) sitting behind me that would not shut up after I asked them to do so.
I loved the first National Treasure (NT1), even though I thought the scenes that take place in Philadelphia dragged on far too long. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (NTBS) is an all right sequel, however there are many elements of the plot that were left undeveloped and not explained very well. My largest complaint of the film (besides the three yappers behind me), is the main story line of Ben Gates proving his great grandfather was not involved with Abraham Lincoln's assassination was very undeveloped. Ben Gates (Nick Cage) nemesis in the movie is Mitch Wilkinson, (Ed Harris). Unlike NT1 in which was very clear what Ian Howe's (Sean Bean) motivation was in chasing Ben Gates, it is not clear as to the motivations of Mitch Wilkinson in smearing Great Grandpa Gates good name. Another example of poor plot development is why is the love interest of Ben Gates, Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) is so upset with him and why she has kicked them out of their amazingly ostentatious home.
I hope that when National Treasure 3 comes out (which there are hints in NTBS) the writers do a more complete plot development than National Treasure Book of Secrets.
The big movie screen and surround sound is nice for the amazing cinematography but if you have a big screen tv at home, I personally would wait for this film to be released on video.
Happy New Year!
I loved the first National Treasure (NT1), even though I thought the scenes that take place in Philadelphia dragged on far too long. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (NTBS) is an all right sequel, however there are many elements of the plot that were left undeveloped and not explained very well. My largest complaint of the film (besides the three yappers behind me), is the main story line of Ben Gates proving his great grandfather was not involved with Abraham Lincoln's assassination was very undeveloped. Ben Gates (Nick Cage) nemesis in the movie is Mitch Wilkinson, (Ed Harris). Unlike NT1 in which was very clear what Ian Howe's (Sean Bean) motivation was in chasing Ben Gates, it is not clear as to the motivations of Mitch Wilkinson in smearing Great Grandpa Gates good name. Another example of poor plot development is why is the love interest of Ben Gates, Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger) is so upset with him and why she has kicked them out of their amazingly ostentatious home.
I hope that when National Treasure 3 comes out (which there are hints in NTBS) the writers do a more complete plot development than National Treasure Book of Secrets.
The big movie screen and surround sound is nice for the amazing cinematography but if you have a big screen tv at home, I personally would wait for this film to be released on video.
Happy New Year!
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Love the Christmas movie season. There is always such a plethora of choices from comedies to dramas. My Christmas movie watching marathon began with Alvin & the Chipmunks, which I blogged about a few weeks ago. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story was next on my list. This film stars John C. Reilly, who was recently seen in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), as Cal Naughton, Jr.
If you go to see Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story, don't expect to the constant slapstick humor as was seen in Talladega Nights. Walk Hard is a satirical movie focusing on the evolution of Rock & Roll from the 1950's to present day, and all of the paparazzisized negative elements involved with being famous. The movie does an excellent job of blending comedy and drama into a complete story with no possibility of a sequel. The writers overemphasize the rock & roll scene elements such as drug use, sex, temperamental behavior, and of course REHAB. It is during these scenes that you will find the most laughs.
John C. Reilly is headliner of this film, however it is with the mega talent and brilliant acting of Jenna Fischer that really makes this movie shine. Jenna and John have great chemistry!
The thing I found most interesting about this movie is the underlying theme that runs throughout the film. The constant theme of no matter how badly you screw up your life - you can always fix the problems with hard work and the love and support of good friends.
Be aware, if you go to see Dewey Cox there is a scene that contains full male and full female nudity. The nudity, especially the frontal male nudity, in this scene really serves no purpose other than to shock the audience.
Is this a full price movie - I really don't think so, but is worth seeing in full theatre, you know laughter breeds laughter. However, what I can say is that this is a very well written movie and the acting is excellent. Is it an Oscar winner - I think not.
If you go to see Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story, don't expect to the constant slapstick humor as was seen in Talladega Nights. Walk Hard is a satirical movie focusing on the evolution of Rock & Roll from the 1950's to present day, and all of the paparazzisized negative elements involved with being famous. The movie does an excellent job of blending comedy and drama into a complete story with no possibility of a sequel. The writers overemphasize the rock & roll scene elements such as drug use, sex, temperamental behavior, and of course REHAB. It is during these scenes that you will find the most laughs.
John C. Reilly is headliner of this film, however it is with the mega talent and brilliant acting of Jenna Fischer that really makes this movie shine. Jenna and John have great chemistry!
The thing I found most interesting about this movie is the underlying theme that runs throughout the film. The constant theme of no matter how badly you screw up your life - you can always fix the problems with hard work and the love and support of good friends.
Be aware, if you go to see Dewey Cox there is a scene that contains full male and full female nudity. The nudity, especially the frontal male nudity, in this scene really serves no purpose other than to shock the audience.
Is this a full price movie - I really don't think so, but is worth seeing in full theatre, you know laughter breeds laughter. However, what I can say is that this is a very well written movie and the acting is excellent. Is it an Oscar winner - I think not.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Alvin & The Chipmunks
When I was a child, one of my fondest memories was the evenings at Christmas time, making cookies, and dad playing his LP Albums of Christmas music. They consisted of Johnny Mathis, The Platters, some awful choir album and of course Alvin and the Chipmunks. I would quietly suffer through his albums, to patiently wait to hear "I just want a Hoo - La - Hoop". So when I saw that Alvin, Simon & the ever adorable Theodore were hitting the silver screen, I had to see it opening weekend!
If you are looking for a non offensive, simple humor that is relatively well written, Alvin & the Chipmunks is the movie for you. It is a feel good funny movie that is sure to become a holiday favorite. Will it be a classic - no it is certainly not Christmas Vacation or Christmas Story, but it is a great family film and a wonderful escape from from the the hustle and bustel of the holiday stress.
Alvin & the Chipmunks is definitely a great buy for a matinee. If you are looking to get the kids out of the house one evening so that Christmas preparations taken care of, it is definitley a good choice for a full price evening movie. However, I must issue a warning. The Chipmunks are so cute the kids (or yourself) will want to take one home with you and let the snuggle up next you while you sleep.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
If you are looking for a non offensive, simple humor that is relatively well written, Alvin & the Chipmunks is the movie for you. It is a feel good funny movie that is sure to become a holiday favorite. Will it be a classic - no it is certainly not Christmas Vacation or Christmas Story, but it is a great family film and a wonderful escape from from the the hustle and bustel of the holiday stress.
Alvin & the Chipmunks is definitely a great buy for a matinee. If you are looking to get the kids out of the house one evening so that Christmas preparations taken care of, it is definitley a good choice for a full price evening movie. However, I must issue a warning. The Chipmunks are so cute the kids (or yourself) will want to take one home with you and let the snuggle up next you while you sleep.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
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