The Help

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

Movie: The Help (2011)

Studio : Dreamworks SKG

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 137 min

Website : thehelpmovie.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

On the brink of the civil rights movement in the south, a young college socialite named Skeeter (Emma Stone) asks Aibileen (Viola Davis), her friend’s African American maid, to share her life story after seeing her mistreated by the family. At first Aibileen is hesitant as the black culture frowned upon such association and speaking up at the time, but she bravely defies their advice and tells her tale. As her life unfolds before Skeeter, who transcribes it as she speaks, they become friends. And the revelations that are revealed by this woman and her outspoken friend (Octavia Spencer) ruffle the small Mississippi town’s perceptions on race and the treatment of humankind.

This period piece set in the South of the 60’s pulls no punches in describing what life was like back then, the racial divide between the white folk and the black folk. Even though slavery had been abolished one hundred years before, the prejudices are clearly defined in this film. But this is not a film that is meant to depress or look down on anyone, but to show the strength, the optimism, the power of these gracious women. Despite being mistreated, they were able to triumph against incredible odds and Aibileen’s story inspires not only the town, but the audience as well.

I can’t help but think back to Color Purple and how much of a groundbreaking film it was and this, I believe, this is the Color Purple of this generation. The talent of the African American women in defining just how it was back then, complete with the attitudes, the fears, the joys and the issues that abounded, is just spectacular. I could see Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer being up for an Academy Award for their portrayals. Bryce Dallas Howard proved her acting chops in playing Hilly, who starts out prejudice, but mellows as time goes on. Her conversion is handled quite well throughout. And Emma Stone is excellent as the socialite who wants to change perceptions as a writer and journalist.

It’s unfortunate that this film will be drowned out by other blockbusters that are out, but this is definitely a movie to see, especially if you like your films smart, subtle, dramatic, and even a bit lighthearted at times. It’s certainly a step away from the current fare that has ruled the box office as of late.

We give this movie a 4.9/5 and recommend it to everyone. All those in our group came out inspired and even a bit more educated, and that is really something. See it now and definitely look for it at this year’s Oscars.

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Movie: Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Studio : 20th Century Fox

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 105 min

Website : apeswillrise.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

In the prequel to Planet of the Apes, this film endeavors to reveal how man gave up it’s supremacy in the future to the intelligent apes that it created. In modern day San Francisco, Will Rodman (James Franco) is doing experiments on genetic engineering for the good of Alzheimer’s patients, which his father (John Lithgow) suffers from. But the serum he thinks is the answer has profound effects on the ape they test it on, making him as smart, if not smarter than humans, and able to speak. Enthused, he believes the same will happen in humans, but the genetic differences cause it to have a terrible effect on people, making them sick and die. Determined not to give up, he continues his work for years. But at one point, has to give up the creature who has become his confidante. The ape is taken to a primate reserve, where he uses his new found intelligence to train an army of his fellow apes, with the purpose of getting revenge for how animals and apes have been treated.

It’s only fair in this review to start with Caesar, the ape. When I heard he was voiced by Andy Serkis and was CGI, my heart sunk. How will they make a movie that hinges on this character with these two things going against them? Perhaps I’m being unfair to Serkis, but Gollum is one of my least favorite characters of all time and computer graphics are usually used for Smurfs and chipmunks than for heavy dramatic creatures. But all of my fears were belayed as I sat there watching this amazing creation by Weta Digital. They were able to portray every feeling in the most realistic manner possible. You couldn’t help but believe that this ape was completely real and how he interacted with his captor for lack of a better term was simply amazing. In fact, it made the live action actors in the old movies that wore masks seem downright stuffy. And Serkis was incredibly, using his voice to really put forth the necessary tones to make you really feel for him. I no longer doubt his ability.

James Franco was another reservation I had about this film. His recent movie choices haven’t been spectacular and after the disaster that was Your Highness, I couldn’t see him playing the other side of the duo, but he turns in a performance here which I think is Academy Award quality. The way he’s able to relate to Caesar and portray the emotional rollercoaster that the intelligent script requires works very well. I’d say that he really was a good choice in the end.

We haven’t seen too much of John Lithgow lately, but he was another one that should be considered for an Oscar. His tender, yet sad portrayal of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s really showed the horrors of the disease in its purest darkness. For those who have lived with the disease first hand, the recognition of his actions in the film really hit home.

Frieda Pinto, who emerges as the love interest over her shared caring for the research, but her presense doesn’t really do anything for the story. It’s almost as if studio execs said, “But it needs a woman.” She’s good at the part, it’s just the substory just seemed an unnecessary distraction.

Tom Felton (Draco Malfroy) who is in his first blockbuster since the Potter series, doesn’t stretch at all as the son of a scumbag (Brian Cox). He plays the character just as he did in his previous job. We hope to see him mature into other roles that don’t stereotype him later on.

The film really does have something for every taste, a masterpiece that comes together in just the right way to make it a favorite even among those that hated Planet of the Apes. The heart thumping action, the sensitive drama, the light hearted moments, and the terrific casting earn this film one of our highest scores, 4.8/5. Even though this is a prequel to the rebooted Planet of the Apes which wasn’t as hot, we certainly want to see more prequels that further explore the relationships between all these characters.

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Crazy, Stupid, Love

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Movie: Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011)

Studio : Warner Brothers

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 118 min

Website : Crazy, Stupid, Love

Rating : PG13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Seen as the perfect couple, Cal (Steve Carell) is shocked when his wife Emily (Julianne Moore) wants a divorce. Now he must face life as a single guy with a 13 year old son Robbie (Jonah Bobo). Cal doesn’t take the separation very well. He winds up in a bar where he meets professional bachelor Jacob (Ryan Gosling). Feeling pity for the older sap, Jacob takes him under his wing which he finds out is a bigger task than he expected. After all, Cal hasn’t dated in years, leaving his style, his pickup lines and his drinks even pretty dated. Meanwhile back at home, his son is crushing on his 17 year old babysitter, who has a crush on Cal to make matters even more complicated. Emily, the wife, is being hit up by David (Kevin Bacon) and Jacob, who is supposed to be training Cal might need some help of his own when he meets Hannah (Emma Stone).

The whole thing is like a soap opera with a lot of characters and a lot of different couple’s storylines. And from the description above, you would think the movie is just too crowded, but it’s not actually. The writer Dan Fogleman (Disney-Pixar’s Cars and Fred Claus) and directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa (both for I Love You Phillip Morris) have managed to pace their stories in such a way that it never seems to be too much. They are really able to transition between couples with little effort making it all so seamless and enjoyable to boot.

And as I’ve said before, sometimes romantic comedies shouldn’t be called comedies as they often wind up being too dramatic and sappy to be funny. And this movie starts out in a very dark place when Cal gets dumped and has to work through the pain. But even though he’s in a lot of hurt, the movie doesn’t sink so far as to turn off the audience. In fact, it gives him a sympathy that Carell is able to extract from the audience with his amazing portrayal in the fast paced film. And so when he begins his rise back to a force to be reckoned with, we are right there cheering him on. And unlike most romantic comedies, this one actually stays true to its concept. It is a comedy, hilarious and a feel good film that shows the genre in the best possible way.

While Carell really shows off his acting ability with both deep drama and comic genius, Ryan Gosling is just okay as Jacob. He plays the part of the stud well enough, but there is nothing really spectacular. Moore and Stone are equally as average in the story. But in all fairness to them, someone has to be the lesser of the cast in a script that has such wonderfully memorable characters such as Marisa Tomei as one of Cal’s transition women. She is perfect as the over the top, crazed, wild child, which she portrays so well. And Kevin Bacon gets points for the cunning charm that he puts into Emily’s love interest. Even the son, who pines over what he can’t have, is played with such honestly by Jonah Bobo, that maybe it’s hard to see them through the glare.

This movie is not Hangover funny, but it’s a touching and at a lot of times, hilarious look at the dating scene and we really loved it, guy and girl alike. It looks like Steve Carell’s decision to leave NBC’s Office and return to movies was a good idea. We give this movie a 4.7/5. We really enjoyed it and while it may not be cinematic history, it’s a great time and we left the theater a happy bunch and that in itself is worth the ticket price.

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Larry Crowne

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Movie: Larry Crowne (2011)

Studio : Universal Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 99 min

Website : larrycrowne.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) is a Navy veteran who winds up being employee of the month at a large retail outlet after his military stint, where he works with those much younger than himself. But when he’s laid off due to downsizing, he decides to take a friend’s advice and go back to earn the college degree he never got. But his time in retail makes him sort of the cool guy that is still young at heart even if he’s older in appearance. And that gets the attention of a fellow student (Roxana Ortega) who invites him to join her scooter gang, much to the chagrin of her boyfriend (Wilmer Valderrama). But Larry has other plans when he develops an interest in a disillusioned professor (Julia Roberts) that teaches a speech course.

Often in our fast paced world where things move at the speed of the light, it’s hard to sit back and smell the flowers. This movie is the cinematic equivalent of doing so. It is a calm, quiet, and sentimental story that is definitely targeted at those looking for an escape. It has no 3D, no action, and is even shot in a kind of old school 70’s sepia tone, which might be annoying to some of the newer generation who aren’t used to seeing movies in that format. But the choice is appropriate, given that the film tries to accentuate the attitudes and calmer way of life in the past.

People often expect romantic comedies to be hilarious and some of them are, but generally they are misnamed as comedies at all. This is certainly not an all out funny movie about an older guy’s college experience like Old School or Rodney Dangerfield’s Back to School, both of which featured guys that wound up more in love with the teachers. Instead it is a touching, yet lighthearted drama that has some chuckles, but is really about the tribulations of Hank’s character as he copes with his new reality of unemployment and getting tossed back into a world that he’s uncomfortable in.

Hanks plays the part of the sometimes naïve Larry with a charm that we can still remember from Forrest Gump. It makes him pleasurable to watch and someone we can root for. We can relate to some of the antics he gets involved in, like crashing through a table with his scooter. Something my own father did one time. He makes the character extremely appealing and that draws us in.

On the other hand, Julia Roberts is tasked at playing the often drinking teacher who is down on her job and her life, and she plays the part well, even hamming it up a bit. So we can’t fault her for the lack of chemistry. It seems inherent in the script. The two have worked very well together in the past, but they lack cohesion here. Perhaps it is because Ortega, who plays Hanks’ younger college friend, seems to clique with him much better than Roberts does. So much so, you want to see them get together instead of where he ultimately winds up. This makes the story a bit awkward at times and is really our only big complaint.

Wilmer Valderrama (Fez on 70’s Show) is entertaining as the boyfriend who is a bit jealous of Hanks and his girl’s interest in him as a friend and George Takei makes for a very flamboyant economics teacher that lightens things up when on screen.

All in all, the film isn’t bad for what it is, the charming story of a man’s journey though his midlife crisis. And for those looking to let the kids go to Transformers or Cars, while the adults find a nice quiet film to relax and escape in, then this one isn’t a bad bet. It won’t win any awards, but it lives up to its promise. And for that, we give it a 4/5 stars.

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Beginners

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Movie: Beginners (2011)

Studio : Olympus Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 105 min

Website : beginnersmovie.com

Rating : R

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

This is a tale of the relationship between a father Hal (Christopher Plummer) and his son Oliver (Ewan McGregor) and their strong bond that is broken when Hal dies of terminal cancer and Oliver is left to contemplate how life will go on without him. He relives the lives they shared, the good times and the bad, and the fact that his father was gay, even though he’d stayed married to his mother until she died. The loss had left him empty inside, but when he meets a French actress (Melanie Laurent), who has had just as much of a hard life, they use their shared tribulations to find new life in each other.

Oliver’s pain and joy are at the heart of this movie, as we see things through his eyes and his feelings. And those things can be very harsh. It should be said right up front that you may want to bring a box of hankies with you for this one. There were a lot of people that were moved to tears in some of the scenes. Mike Mills, who wrote and directed the film, is quite talented as being able to draw out the emotion in the audience through his characters and their stories, which is a sign of a true artist. We could literally feel what Oliver did, as if we were going through it ourselves and what results is a beautifully choreographed movie that mixes drama and humor together in a balance that is rarely seen.

With the above said, the movie is not a long wallow fest that the above would indicate. It does have some very funny and endearing parts that sucks up the sorrow at just the right times in the film. Mills’ unique talent for being able to pace a movie to keep it interesting, but remaining emotional is a sight to behold. The light hearted moments mostly come from Anna and Oliver, who find that getting together, given their demons, is less than perfect, but fun nonetheless. And we have to say that Christopher Plummer’s excitement over his first foray into the homosexual world at his age was fun to watch. The laughs were made extra special by the swing from the low points. We all know when someone makes you laugh when you are crying, the laugh is always more powerful.

McGregor and Plummer as actors seemed to have a wonderful bond between them from the start. They play very well off of each other and each shouldn’t be overlooked come Oscar time, although limited releases have a harder time getting nominated because of the power of Hollywood’s elite. That is a shame, because this one really does have that kind of potential.

This movie will make you cry. It will make you laugh. It will make you feel. And isn’t that what a good drama is supposed to do? We give this film a 4.7/5 for its honest and gripping portrayal of real life and the wonderful acting by its participants.

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Tree of Life

Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars

Movie: Tree of Life (2011)

Studio : Fox Searchlight

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 138 min

Website : foxsearchlight.com/thetreeoflife

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

A man (Brad Pitt) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) raise three boys in the 1950’s in this wonderful story about life and growing up, but it’s not all fun and laughter. He wants the boys to be strong, to be able to stand up on their own, but his methods to get them there aren’t always the most generous or kind. The tough love that he shows them in childhood goes on to haunt the eldest as an adult (Sean Penn) who seeks out the meaning of his own life in the outside world.

The movie is a heartwarming and sometimes disturbing look into a family from birth to death, following their wonderful triumphs and their darkest places. It’s an artistic film filled with abstract imagery and subtleties that will take one’s breath away. This long time project by director and writer Terrence Malick shows an incredible appreciation for the art of cinema with every scene just oozing with heavy drama that is sure to catch the attention of the Academy members come Oscar time.

Brad Pitt is as good as you’ve ever seen him as the tough father who is just trying to do the right thing by his kids, even if he goes about it the wrong way at times. Jessica Chastain’s devotion to the role is wonderful to watch. And Sean Penn, who’s had some doubts along the way about his acting, really shines as the child grown up and haunted by his past.

And if the emotion doesn’t get to you, the stunning visuals will. Every scene is like something out of a painting, which is pretty impressive considering the budget that he had to work with. The film looks like something with a much higher coin to spend, with attention to detail and imaginative imagery that helped the film incredibly. I wouldn’t doubt that the cinematographer would also be up for an award as well.

But here’s the rub, this is an amazing movie full of everything that is good about artistic cinema and those in our group that appreciate this sort of film were amazed by it and felt their lives were actually richer for the experience. I, on the other hand, who tends to be more grounded in my movie choices, had issues with the abstract concepts that made up a good part of the film and the heavy, heavy drama that would make an Academy member weep. Its two hour plus running time made it seem much longer than it needed to be IMO and I can’t see this one appealing to the large masses. BUT I do see the artistry in it and the quality that Malick was putting forth and I agree that the film is truly an achievement, it’s just not the kind of film that lends itself well to global appeal, which is probably why it’s being released in limited capacity.

And so in deference to those who really loved it as a film masterpiece, we are giving it 4.8/5 stars for the incredible acting, rich storyline, beautiful imagery. It’s a better artistic film than 96% of the ones out there, but it’s not a mass appeal film, so keep that in mind when seeing the 4.8 rating.

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Kung Fu Panda 2

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Studio : Dreamworks

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 90 min

Website : kungfupanda.com

Rating : PG

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

Po (Jack Black), the lovable panda who reached the goal of being Dragon Warrior in the first movie is happy in the Valley of Peace, protecting it from evil that is always out there. Course this is a pretty easy job when he has a whole group of friends to help him. There is Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogan), Crane (David Cross), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Tigress (Angelina Jolie). But when Po discovers that he is adopted, which shouldn’t come as a shock considering his father is a goose, he decides to go in search of his real parents. Meanwhile, Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), an evil peacock has his own parent issues and wants to wreak havoc on the Valley of Peace as a way to deal. Will Po be able to stop him and discover what family really means?

The story is heartbreaking at times, but funny at others, which skirts the line very carefully between a drama and a comedy, but what’s interesting is that it does so on an age level. Adults will no doubt feel more of the emotion of Po’s journey, while the kids will still love the fighting and fun of the characters. It really is a movie that works on all levels and thus should appeal to the children and to the parents that take them. Because of this wonderful balance, Kung Fu Panda 2 is much better than its predecessor in one of those rare times that the sequel outdoes it’s original.

Jack Black and the very talented cast slip back into their roles easily and their voice portrayals really bring life into these animated characters. In fact, we’d go as far as to say that the acting is so good, especially Black and Oldman, that it’s almost hard to forget it is an animated film while watching it. Usually in these movies there is the over-the-top, beat you over the head with the fact that it’s a cartoon, but in this one, the characters might be animals, but they are human to the point of familiarity, which we find refreshing. Black has not really been known for his heavy acting ability, but in this one, the tenderness in such scenes, as when he is with his adopted father, can tear the heart out of the strongest soul.

Of course, no review would be complete without the film’s visuals. The fighting is superb and it’s obvious they went through great lengths to make sure the moves were as realistic as possible, while still maintaining the special abilities of each character. This added so much action and life to scenes that might have fallen flat. Of course, they had some of the best martial arts experts on hand such as Chan and Jean-Claude Van Damme to help them work out the choreography. The film is typical DreamWorks and has bright scenery and colorful elements. And the 3D, while cool, is not really that used, which means that if you want to save some money, you aren’t losing by watching the 2D version. It seems like the 3D was an afterthought rather than being rendered with that in mind, although you would think a 3D computer generated film would be the easiest to convert.

Kung Fu Panda 2 is a fun movie and creates enjoyment on all levels and we give it a 4.7/5 for its wonderful story, superb acting from the cast, and all the fun of the first one and we are actually looking forward to Kung Fu Panda 3.

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Hesher

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Movie: Hesher (2011)

Studio : The Last Picture Company

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 106 min

Website : hesherthemovie.com

Rating : R

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

After Paul (Rainn Wilson) loses his wife and he and his son TJ (Devin Brochu) are grieving her death, a strange guy named Hesher (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) takes up refuge in their garage. He is long haired, tattooed and a wild child with a penchant for loud music and porn. But still they cannot see throwing him out, even though he wasn’t even invited. Why? Because this odd stranger may be just the angel they need to help them get their lives back together.

The film is about everything that is irreverent in society, through the eyes of the Levitt’s character. Beyond all the heavy metal analogies, however, is a guy who may be bad but does have a purpose. And wouldn’t we all like to know we have a purpose? The poignant, emotional, yet funny and crazy script by Spencer Susser, who also directed, just works on so many levels that it’s really hard to not find something to like in this odd portrayal of life turned upside down.

It’s a bit of shame that this film didn’t get more marketing. Even the marketing it did get, played it off as an independent film, something that you would see at a film festival, not at theaters against blockbusters like Thor. While it does have the hint of an indie undertaking, it also goes to great lengths to keep it out of that feel, which makes for an odd combination.

Levitt is excellent as Hesher. He plays the crazed, apathetic rebel to a tee and its fun just watching him get into the role. Rainn Wilson, known for his comedy on the Office, plays the part of the grieving father who has lost touch with what’s going on, with care and Brochu makes a good match for another star of the film, Natalie Portman. Portman shedded her glamour as she has had for Garden State to play just the plain girl next door that has problems like the rest of us, a far cry from the glitz of Black Swan. Her ability to play such a wide range is one of things we really like about her. Piper Laurie plays the “hip” grandmother who tries to keep the family together, with help and in spite of Hesher’s madness.

Honestly, some won’t like it. It’s a very dark comedy that gets sentimental at times. The subject matter, heavily inspired by what seems like a lyric from MegaDeath, keeps this film from ever getting boring, but may be too intense for some, especially those who find the genre downright Satanic. If this type of material doesn’t bother you, then you will get a kick out of it. We give it 4 stars out of 5. It’s an interesting movie, but not for everyone.

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Jumping the Broom

Rating: 3.2 out of 5 stars

Movie: Jumping the Broom (2011)

Studio : TriStar Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 112 min

Website : jumpingthebroom-movie.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

Sabrina (Paula Patton) and Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso), despite the differences in their financial stability and their upbringing, fall in love and want to get married. Seems easy enough, but because their decision is quick even though they’d been dating for five months, their families have not met their new in-laws. And so at their rehearsal is when the fireworks begin when Sabrina’s mom (Angela Bassett) who is very classy and rich meets the down-to-earth and sassy mother of Jason (Loretta Devine). Their fighting over where to have the wedding starts a whole slew of battles which makes the couple wonder if getting hitched is even the right thing to do. The whole thing is proving to also be a quite distressing assignment for wedding planner Amy (Julie Bowen from Modern Family), who is just trying to get through it all.

It should be said that this movie has a lot of stereotyping of the African-American culture. Its very title ‘Jumping the Broom’ is taken from a custom used by slaves who weren’t allowed to be married and so they would hop over the broom to signify their commitment to each other. There is also mention of slaves in the film, where Angela Bassett’s character blurts out how they weren’t slaves, but owned them. And so if you have an issue with such things, you should probably avoid this one.

The movie is a predictable drama from start to finish. You’ve seen it all before in movies such as Meet the Parents where it’s the families that get entangled in the drama while the couple just wants to start their life. And this one is no different. Anything that could be said about the plot will already be in your mind as you watch the film. It does, however, go off on in several unnecessary directions at times which I guess was an attempt to keep the story fresh. And I’ll admit it does at least keep the story from being completely cookie cutter.

The saving grace of this film though is definitely the cast who all play their parts to a tee and they do so very well. They are actually able to pull this script together and make the dramatic battle between these two clans actually entertaining. And there are enough light hearted moments mixed in to keep the drama from getting too heavy or boring, delivered in a very natural way. The film also stars Mike Epps (who is the comedy relief in the film as Taylor’s Uncle Willie Earl), Gary Dourdan as the exotic chef, Meagan Good as Blyth, and Romeo who has a crush on Sabrina’s older aunt (Tasha Smith).

You may not leave the theater refreshed as if you’d just seen a fantastic movie, but there is a good chance that you will enjoy the film, despite its tried and true method being played over and over in the past. We give it a 3.2/5. It was better than we expected, but it did have some issues.

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Something Borrowed

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Movie: Something Borrowed (2011)

Studio : Warner Brothers

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 103 min

Website : warnerbros.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

In this tale of love, betrayal, yearning, and relationships, Rachel (Ginnifer Goodwin) is alone at 30 years old. Sure she has a great career as a top New York lawyer, but her love life is a disaster. And it doesn’t help that her life long best friend Darcy, who is engaged to be married, is bugging her that the clock is ticking. But when she finally finds love in Dex (Colin Egglesfield), a past acquaintance from her law school, all is good until she finds out that he’s actually getting hitched to Darcy (Kate Hudson). Rachel must decide whether to tell her best friend and risk their long time relationship or dive into the love that she really wants.

Something Borrowed is based on the book by Emily Giffin by the same name and for those who have read the book, the conversion to the silver screen may be a far less of a surprise because they knew what to expect. In this case, the movie may actually work and may even be enjoyable because the viewer knows that it is a heavy drama with a lot of guilt and overbearing flashbacks into the characters’ past. The young women, who the book is written for, may be able to relate to the plot issues that the movie explores. To like the movie depends on this fact.

If you are a guy or a woman who can’t relate and were expecting a romantic comedy, you will be disappointed and a bit angered at the betrayal for your cash. Instead of getting a couple that you can root for that make it through their funny antics to get together, you instead get a journey through despair and agony over the decision. The act of choosing the love of your life or the friendship of your best bud that has been through the thick and thin in hurtful, not inspiring. The movie’s ambivalent moral compass makes it difficult for us to sympathize or even want this couple together and may even find some resentment against them for what they are doing. We wind up despising the characters which does not make the film appealing. Hudson’s Darcy may have gotten our support, but her role was written so annoyingly that we can’t find her character enticing either.

The only one that stands out is the Office’s John Krasinski as Ethan, a confidante of Goodwin’s Rachel, who has some good lines in the film. His inclusion does help the guys to have something to chuckle about while praying to fall asleep or find an excuse to leave. Unfortunately he’s used sparingly, sidelined only for some relief, but not enough of it to offset the dark plot.

We did have to note that the women in the theater that we were in were enamored with Colin Egglesfield, the two-timer. All he had to was anything sweet and the sighs of puppy love were very well heard in the auditorium. I thought the lady next to me was going to faint. They seemed to have cared more about how he looked than the fact that he was cheating on a woman who was engaged to. If it were them, they’d have showed him the door or worse.

Bottom line. Guys hated it and some in our group even felt a bit ill from all the sugar sweet female emotions and talk, but most of the women seemed to like it. We are still going to give it a 2.5/5 because while this may appeal to those that like that sort of drama, many will find it pain inducing drivel that could be used as a torture device in some circumstances.

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Prom

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Movie: Prom (2011)

Studio : Walt Disney Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 103 min

Website : http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/prom

Rating : PG

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

The big night is approaching for a group of high school seniors, each with their own trial and tribulations over the most important event of their lives. Prom is what Nova (Aimee Teegarten) has always dreamed about and she pictures the perfect night with the perfect guy. And she is determined as class president and head of the prom committee to make that happen, but when the guy she hopes will ask simply wants to carpool and not bring her to the dance, it turns her world upside down. All her planning may be for naught if she doesn’t even have a date. And to make matters worse, the principal assigns a trouble making, yet handsome loner Jesse (Thomas McDonell) who doesn’t believe in prom to help her or not graduate. Can this mismatched pair wind up finding happiness and will Nova get her happy ending? You’ll just have to see. Meanwhile other students are also getting ready for the dance of the year, but their quest is not without issues either. Mei (Yin Chang) and Tyler (De’Vaughn Nixon) find that there are revelations that are revealed that threaten their relationship. And of course, no movie about a dance would be complete without the one bumbling nerd like character Lucas (played this time by Nolan Sotillo) who will do anything to get a date at all.

The story really is a teenage soap opera in the purest sense of the word. Despite what the trailers would have you believe, the movie is not really a comedy, but a heavy drama about the life of teenagers faced with the big night. That’s not to say that it is without light hearted and even some funny moments, strategically sprinkled in to balance out the more emotional scenes. The scenes with Lucas and his antics to get a girl to go with him actually keep the movie from sinking into an emo fest. Some have compared this to a John Hughes comedy, like Breakfast Club, which I can see to a point.

The young actors could be the new Brat Pack with the ensemble cast really giving it their all in their portrayals of each teenager’s personalities. Aimee Teegarten and Thomas McDonell really have a great chemistry that pays off as the two opposites thrown together by fate. The entire cast’s attention to their characters really does give Prom a realistic feel to it.

The teenage girls that see this film will no doubt love it. It has everything that they are into, the dream of prom, the romance, the drama, the rooting for the dumped, etc. The guys will probably feel like they’ve been dragged into Twilight without the vampires. The movie is heavily geared toward the female persuasion, which may make some of the male viewers uncomfortable. Although there are some things to relate to like Lucas’ quest for a date and Jesse’s explanation of how prom is not exactly a guy’s big night.

Since the prom is all about the music, the pop soundtrack goes very well with the film, featuring songs from Allstar Weekend and Katy Perry, among others. If you are into top 40 radio offerings, then you will most likely enjoy how the music enhances the feel of the film. But if you aren’t, then you may find yourself holding your ears for the entire movie, as the music is very prevalent throughout.

We give this movie a 3.5/5 because while it’s a good movie for its target audience, we don’t feel it really has a good appeal to the general population and makes no attempts to try and bridge the gap for others to enjoy beyond the teenagers.

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Water For Elephants

Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars

Movie: Water for Elephants (2011)

Studio : 3 Arts Entertainment

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 122 min

Website : waterforelephants.com/

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

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Review:

Set during the Great Depression when circus was the top entertainment for people falling on hard times, a young veterinary school student, Jacob (Robert Pattinson), winds up joining a traveling circus not by choice and is put in charge of the animals’ health by their trainer, the mysterious August (Christoph Waltz). He also meets August’s beautiful wife Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) who is the show’s top act, a talented equestrian. But Jacob and Marlena’s common interest in a very ornery elephant that will not respond to any sort of training named Rosie attracts the two together until they fall in love, but must decide whether their love is worth fighting for, especially since her husband is a very dangerous man.

The movie, based on a novel by Sara Gruen with the same name, is very much a period piece with every attention to detail fully realized. The circus environment comes to life through excellent cinematography. While not in 3D, you can almost feel the dirt kick up off the tent floor. The sets are completely realistic to the time period. This one is definitely going to be a contender for an Oscar for best set direction and photography, and perhaps costume design. For the entire movie, we are drawn into the scenery and into the world of the big top.

As to the acting, there was a lot of pressure on Robert Pattinson, known as Twilight’s Edward Cullen, to show his chops in a more mainstream dramatic role and he nailed this one. He is very good at playing the very boy like student that falls hard for the star of the show. You almost feel like Witherspoon is robbing the cradle in finding interest in him. But beyond this, Witherspoon’s character is not very well developed through the course of the story. Marlena is sort of a shallow and bland woman who is very good on a horse, but for a woman capable of amazing stunts, she is very low key and almost boring. This makes it for a very hard character for Reese to play off of. So if she comes off bland in the portrayal, she seems like she’s just playing to the character as written. Christoph Waltz is definitely a highlight of the film, playing the determined, morally questionable August, who is hard on the animals and even harder on Pattinson’s character. Veteran actor Hal Holbrooke returns to the silver screen as the aged circus owner who misses the days of old.

The movie is in the end, an enjoyable tale that heralds the audience back to the circus’ classic era and into the world that is of a time gone by. It’s a very intense drama at times and is meant to be so. This is the kind of stuff the Academy loves and we are quite sure that it will be up for an Oscar when the time comes. We give this film a 4.6/5 for its wonderful story and photography, but can’t deny that there are some rough spots mixed in, but not enough to really off track the pleasure factor.

PS: Is it me or is it an odd coincidence that Pattinson’s next role would be named Jacob, his rival in Twilight? While it is actually a coincidence as the movie is based on a book with already established characters, we just found it interesting.

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African Cats

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Movie: African Cats (2011)

Studio : Disneynature

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 99 min

Website : disney.go.com/disneynature/africancats/

Rating : PG

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

On Earth Day, Disneynature presents African Cats, the real life documentary that is actually three separate stories in one. The first follows a little lion cub that wants to be like his mother. But when his mother is injured, Mara must learn to go it on his own. Then Layla, who is a cheetah mom with five young ones must fight to keep her cubs safe, while going out and hunting for food, leaving them behind, possibly in great danger. And Fang, in a story reminiscent of The Lion King, is the leader of his pride, but when he’s injured in a fight, his challengers for the position make their move. Fang must prove to the others that he still has what it takes to be the king.

Narrated by Samuel Jackson, who attaches names and human emotions to these cats through a caring voice over, the film is very human, despite being about lions and cheetahs. Now whether that is a good thing or a bad thing depends on your point of view in relation to the humanizing of animals. But if you can forgive that, there is a lot of heart in this movie and it’s obvious that the directors (Keith Scholey and Alastair Fothergill) really cared about portraying these three stories in such a way that it’s easy to relate to. And there is something for every age. Kids will enjoy watching the antics of Mara as he tries to grow up the best he can be. Moms and women will relate to the pain and sacrifice it takes to raise kids, the struggle and the worry, and the willingness to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. And dads and guys will no doubt relate to the fighting courage of Fang as he tries to maintain his position in this dangerous world.

Even though the movie is rated G, it should be noted that while there is no bloody, graphic violence, the movie goes deep into the lives of these animals, and that includes the good and the bad. There are death scenes, some heartbreaking, and this may upset some children. There are also scenes where the newly caught prey is also being eaten after the killing (which it does not show). Kids or adults squeamish about such scenes may find it disturbing as well. Parents may wish to be ready for questions the children may have or if your child is overly sensitive, you may want to keep that in mind.

The cinematography is stunning in the best tradition of a National Geographic film or Disney’s own True Life Adventures that aired on the Wonderful World of Disney. The camera work not only is responsible for some beautiful scenery being captured, but also is able to express the suspense, the danger, and the love of these fine creatures.

African Cats hitting theaters on Earth Day is no coincidence. The celebration is all about the planet and its creatures, and so what better way to do that then show some of it’s most majestic in their daily lives.

For those who love animals, documentaries, with a rich story, you’ll probably love this movie. And even the hardest person will probably melt by the sweetness and cute factor of this film’s lighter moments. The story will keep one interested, but as we said above, your opinion of such material at the start will matter a lot going in on whether you like it or not. With that said, we give this movie a 3.5/5 stars.

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Hanna

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Movie: Hanna (2011)

Studio : Focus Features/Sony

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 111 min

Website : hannathemovie.com

Rating : PG-13

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is a 16 year old who grew up unlike any other teenager in North Finland. She was trained by her father, including homeschooling, as not a carefree lady interested in shopping and boys, but as an assassin that he needs for a secret mission. Ex-CIA, her dad (Erik Bana) is bent on making sure she reaches her goal. But there are those in the intelligence agency that wish to see her stopped at all cost, led by Marissa (Cate Blanchett), who has a goal of her own. The girl must fight her way through Europe, avoiding those out to get her, in order to be successful and fulfill her father’s wishes.

The trailers and marketing for this film do not do it justice and are misleading at best. No doubt that the studios want to play up to the image of a teenage girl kicking serious butt as Hit Girl did in Kick Ass. But that’s not what this story is about at all. Yes, there is foreign intrigue and some serious battle scenes, but for the most part, it’s a coming of age story for a young lady who is thrust into a world that she’s not ready for. It’s all very deliberate and done with emotional thrill including some comedic parts, rather than explosions and such. In other words, it’s more Tarantino than Michael Bay.

Films that do well at Cannes are often this type of high brow art film for which this one fits. This is the kind of film that wins Academy Awards. The cinematography is superb and stunning, as if it was shot for an IMAX documentary, from the vastness of the desert to the glistening of a snow covered cottage. Wherever you are in the film, you feel as though you are there, which makes the scenes even more poignant and realistic.

The acting is very good in this film. Ronan plays the part of the unprepared, yet strong, driven character of Hanna with amazing skill for a young lady and should be a contender for the Oscars. The rest of the cast including Blanchett and Bana also play their parts quite well. The only gripe we had is not really in the portrayal by the actors, but what they had to work with in some scenes. The movie seemed a bit lax in development of these supporting characters, which made it difficult to see what they were all about and how that related to the girl.

The music is provided by the Chemical Brothers, who are a techno band. Their music is electronic, which seems like an odd choice for this film. And yet, like Ladyhawke, whose pop soundtrack didn’t seem appropriate for Medieval times and yet it worked, the synthesizers and dance music are equally effective in this one. The compositions are very supportive of the scenes, giving it that artsy feel, but at the same time complementing the action to the point of melting into it.

All in all, even though Tarantino had nothing to do with it, the movie is very reminiscent of his style, so if you like his movies, you’ll like this one. We have to say that we did enjoy it and give it 4.5/5 stars. The supporting roles could have been better developed, but that’s only a small complaint. The movie is funny at times, sad at times, and pulse racing at others. What more could you want?

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Soul Surfer

Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars

Movie: Soul Surfer (2011)

Studio : Sony Pictures

Info : Click Here

Runtime : 106 min

Website : soulsurferthemovie.com/

Rating : PG

Trailer :

Click here to view the embedded video.

Review:

Soul Surfer tells the amazing true story of a brave young lady who overcame incredible odds to continue her dream of being a championship surfer.

Bethany Hamilton was quite a child prodigy of the waves. By 13, she’d already won championships in the sport, gained a sponsor (Rip Curl) and began competing on the professional circuit. It seemed that she was headed for a fantastic career. But tragedy struck when a tiger shark attacked her during a morning surf, ripping off her left arm. The injury left her having to relearn just about everything she did and in most people, it would have spelled the end of her watery goal and lifestyle. But encouraged by her father, a surfer dude himself, she learned not only to live with a single upper appendage, but to reclaim her place on the board.

This film is well executed and those that like inspirational stories will find this the “feel good movie of the year” thus far. The adaptation of Hamilton’s own book and careful interviews with her family and friends make for a rich story that range from the darkest moments to the lightest triumphs.

AnnaSophia Robb (Bridge over Terabithia, Escape to Witch Mountain) seemed a bit cautious in her role. Playing someone that exists in real life is always a challenge and while she’s believable as Bethany, you can always tell that she’s a bit guarded in how she presents herself in the story. Fortunately for her, she didn’t have the play the role with one arm tied behind her back. Modern technology allowed her to wear a sleeve and glove which editors were able to take out of the film much like they do with the “invisible man”. Her parents, played by Helen Hunt (Twister), who we are glad to see return to the silver screen, and the ever popular and flamboyant Dennis Quaid, are much more comfortable and free in their own roles. We were also thrilled to see Craig T. Nelson (Coach) make an appearance as her doctor.

The big surprise of the movie, however, was Carrie Underwood (American Idol winner and country singer). This is her first movie role and she hit it out of the park as the church youth leader. Her acting was superb and truly believable. We normally don’t recommend that people quit their day jobs, but she could. And we look forward to seeing her appear in other films, as well as continuing her music of course.

The surfing scenes are sure to get any wave rider excited. In scenes reminiscent of some of the best surfing footage, the visuals really give you a feel of that world, the world of professional and amateur surfing. From the dangers of the sport to the joys of winning, each moment on the water is skillfully done.

There was a lot of concern in this movie from producers whether a film with a lot of religious undertones would play well on the big screen. They even tried to take out some of the references in order to appeal to a wider audience, but the Hamiltons would have none of it. And in the end, they wound up returning many that they had tried to cut. As such, some people may find the movie a bit preachy. But it’s the truth of what transpired in this young lady’s life. To tone it down or cut out scenes would be to gut the honesty and integrity of the film. Good for Hamilton for sticking up for that. What good is an inspirational story if you are going to strip it of what made it inspirational to begin with? Just for the record, however, we didn’t find it overly preachy at all.

All in all, the movie is a story that will warm your heart and fill your soul. With so many films out that really drag and sometimes burn, it’s good to see one rise for a change. We give it 4 out of 5 stars. Sure, it’s a bit documentary like and a bit afterschool special oriented, but it’s an uplifting tale that really left us believing that we can overcome anything if we try hard enough. And that was the point.

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