The 2015 Best Picture Race

Now I know this post will seem really random due to the fact that I haven't posted anything in a year. That being said, I'm just going to jump right into it. I spent most of last year oblivious to much of my surroundings and that included the wonderful world of film. It struck people as odd that I would seemingly abandon a world that is arguably my first true love. Fortunately, my thirst for it has only grown stronger in the time that I took to refocus my life. So, I attended the AMC's Best Picture Showcase in an effort to reacquaint myself with both my love for film and with my passion to write about it. Below, are just my brief reactions to the 6 of the 8 nominees this year...

Whiplash is a malady of morose musicians whose ego's are based in poorly managed talent. In essence, it's a cinematic vivisection of jazz musicality and the supreme effort that it takes to be the best. It was gripping, emotional, and well acted. Sadly, it perpetuates a system of bullying and narcissism that I cannot condone. The only lesson that is learned in the film is to never surrender, never give up on your dreams...but at what point does the cost outweigh the outcome? The film starts to draw that line and then obliterates it with by allowing us (the audience) to believe that talent & will power will triumph over all obstacles. Sadly, that is not how the [music] industry or the world works.

The Imitation Game is a film about intellectual solidarity in a time of great need. Alan Turing is the creator of the first computer and was persecuted and condemned for his differences. World War II ravaged our planet and the many unsung heroes of that period may never be recognized for their valor. Furthermore, the film demonstrates how horrid our civilization has been toward individuals that are uniquely and unequivocally DIFFERENT. The persecution of those with higher intellect, of those who are attracted to the same sex, of women, and more is unforgivable. As people we must strive to do better, to think of each other as equals. Sadly, this is unlikely to happen within our lifetimes or the lifetimes of the generations to come.

American Sniper is the embodiment of what is wrong with the modern war machine. The brave individuals that go out there to fight for our country and their beliefs often return to a life they no longer fit in. The sad truth is that our country epically fails those individuals and their families by not providing the necessary mental help they need to deal with their PTSD. Aside from that, the film is the weakest in line-up so far. It was pure propaganda made worse by an obviously plastic baby. I couldn't stop laughing at the damn baby. The end

Selma is a movie in a league of its own. This is the kind of movie that EVERY human being needs to see. The story of how Black Americans gained the right to vote is a tale that seems to have been forgotten. With our nation's [the U.S.] first black president preparing to finish his second consecutive term in office, our black voting trends in America have been on the decline. It is no longer popular to vote. The youth were stimulated into taking a unified action nearly 8 years ago by the desire to make history and break the cycle. Sadly, because of the shallow nature of that decision the black influence that forced out the incumbent Republican regime has diminished. Selma serves as a socio-political reminder that drastic change is hard won and must continuously be fought. There is ALWAYS another barrier to break and another hurdle to overcome. The basis of the story is that change can only happen when the people that want it educate themselves and become the change that is necessary. Our system of government is broken and has been for some time, the only way it will ever change is to get the knowledge out there and make the sacrifices necessary to be the difference. Selma is the embodiment of that and should serve as a permanent reminder that complacency is the highest form of disrespect to our country and our forefathers.

The Theory of Everything. Never before has a film elicited such an emotional response from me. It is simply one of the most beautifully crafted films I've ever seen. The story of Stephen Hawking meteoric climb to academic celebrity is only dwarfed by the cataclysm that attacks his very life. From the moment the we become aware of his degenerative condition, the film races a a break neck pace through the ups and downs of knowing and loving some one with neurodegenerative disease otherwise known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. Many tears were shed at each of Hawking's professional triumphs and personal downfalls during the course of this aggressive and equally empathetic film. There is no villain here, save the incurable disease that ravages the lives of everyone it touches. What sets this story aside is the remarkable strength shown by all the people involved in Hawking's life. It is a testimony of perseverance in the face of innumerable odds. 

Birdman, it is a statement piece about how true art in Hollywood is being murdered by the masses that crave Michale Bay-esque cinematography and superhero movies. It is a debate that honestly requires a post all to itself. Aside from that, Birdman also touches on why many actors tend to stay away from the superhero-trope. Birdman also dives into the broken psyches of actors that struggle with maintaining relevance in an industry that requires gross amounts of self validation. It's a fun movie but underwhelming and fails to really address any of the points it brings up.

Boyhood, a film that truly shows the rippling effects of bad parenting and poor decisions over time. While the film is pitched as a chronicle of what it is like to grow as a young adolescent in the 21st century; it is actually more a portrait of the dysfunction and despair that ravages families across America. Inadequate access to birth control, a lack of access to higher education for impoverished families, and the drastic state of domestic abuse and violence are all central points in this chronicle of "Boyhood". It would almost be poignant if it weren't so pathetic. The film has all the right elements of something great, but loses it by floundering back and forth with useless pop culture references and a contrived plot vehicle. The film should however be commended for it's fantastic supporting cast and screenplay. Piecing together a film made over 12 long years is no easy task and it is this merit alone that earned Boyhood it's undeserving place amongst the year's best picture nominees.

I chose not to write Grand Budapest Hotel for many reasons. Grand Budapest is a lovely film with oodles of personality and artistic flair. Unfortunately, it is undone by a senselessly tragic ending that really doesn't mesh well with the whimsy of the film overall.
Each of these films are great for different reasons and I purposely avoided discussing cast performance and cinematography. The greatest asset the best picture nominees have this year are their compelling stories. Discussing anything else about them at this juncture would be a moot point for me. I suppose I should say that Selma is my prediction for best picture, or rather it is the film I feel is most deserving. Regardless of the outcome, it is the touching stories that will linger on long after the golden statues will be given out and it is those stories that I feel matter most.

The Butler

     In the brief history of the United States of America, many people from several cultures suffered at the hands of racism and ignorance while trying make better lives for themselves and their families. Most famously, the American Black community suffered injustices of a grand scale and endured humiliation of a level that no other race can attest to.
      In Lee Daniels' new film "The Butler" (PG-13) follows the often tragic life of Cecil Gaines (Forest Whitaker). We watch as he painstakingly works his way from the cotton fields and eventually to The White House where he works as a butler under eight presidents, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War.
      This film succeeds on multiple levels, but most importantly in its deft transitions between the changes in American Society and its effects on Cecil's family and life. Stunning portrayals of intimate encounters within and outside The White House create on screen tensions on a level I have not seen depicted in a decade of film.
     From John Cusack's Richard Nixon to Jane Fonda's Nancy Reagan, "The Butler" soars with accurate character acting and lethal undertones woven into a complex and meticulous script. Oprah Winfrey shines as Gloria Gaines, the oft withdrawn alcoholic housewife that struggles with her and her husband's demons all whilst raising two boys during one of the most turbulent time periods in American history. It is easy to say that this is one of the first truly great movies of the year so far and will go down as an instant American classic.

Rating: 5 Stars (Maximum of 5)

Books & Adaptations

     I've been going through a lot of posts from an old blog I used to maintain. While reviewing a lot of these sometimes awkward and grammatically challenged posts, I discovered a creative jewel that I have long forgotten. The post detailed a letter I wrote to my favorite author at the time in regards to adapting one of his series into films. I also mention "The Golden Compass", which at the time had not been released as a film. While The Golden Compass had immense potential, it was dragged down and destroyed by the narrow-minded and unimaginative members of the American religious community. The backlash of negative press resulted in the studio (New Line) pulling the plug on future projects. To make matters even worse, major plot lines were intentionally omitted from the film due to studio censorship. It's ridiculous that people would boycott a fantasy film because of it's over arching themes, but would still allow trash like Borat, Jackass 2, and even The Paranormal Activity series to thrive. Alas, I have digressed.  I hope you enjoy this blast from the past and feel encouraged to post comments. Thanks!

  I recently wrote a letter to my favorite author of all time (at the moment) to bounce some thoughts off of his head and generally get some off of mine. I am posting that very same letter here as well for the opinions of my friends, family and dedicated readers. Please feel free to respond with thoughts, advice or commentary.


Dear Garth Nix,

     Mr. Nix I am an avid reader and an aspiring writer in the US. I'm writing this to share with you some of my thoughts and propose a few questions. At this current time you are my favorite author. Overall, I love the energy and flow of all of your books. Your literature has helped me write several short stories and has furthered my own dreams to become an accomplished filmmaker. You are fiercely imaginative and you have yet to release a book or story that is less than riveting. It has been a dream of mine to adapt "The Abhorsen Trilogy" into three separate powerful screenplays for film. Of course yours is not the only one, but the most pressing. I initially fell in love with Sabriel long before I knew it was a trilogy. I have since written a screenplay based on it for a school project. The world of the Abhorsen is so complex and imaginative that I feel like it can spawn a generation of followers via films and mini-series. While I am sure that you are in current discussions and/or negotiations with many people about bringing your many works to life. I wanted to be sure that unlike some authors, that this is done in the most accurate way possible. For example, I love Philip Pullman and my dream of bringing the "His Dark Materials Trilogy" to life is now dead. Alas, all I can do is hope that Mr. Pullman had more than a hand in the adaptation of a very complicated book (The Golden Compass) than other authors have had in theirs. A fine example would be what I consider to be the travesty of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Mrs. Rowling has accomplished what many writers dare to achieve. She started with nothing and ended with a cultural phenomenon. As she wrote, her books became more complex and progressively more stylized and powerful. In essence, she got better as she went along. Unlike her writing, the films have done just the opposite. I may be over exaggerating, but I could have publicly executed David Yates (the director) for the most recent film (Order of the Phoenix). I do not wish for this to happen to any of your films, or to others whom I admire. I feel that as an author you have to be just as fiercely dedicated to your own works of literary art as you were during their initial editing process.
     I am sure that you are well aware of all of this. Then again this is an open forum so I am also writing this for all those who wish to read and respond. So in final words, I wish to say that I pray for your continuing success and hope that like myself your passion for great writing will translate into great films. I look forward to your response (as well as anyone else) and bid you adieu.

Anonymous

     As of late, I haven't been feeling entirely certain of myself. I feel as if I have lost some of confidence. I can't explain why or how this has happened. The important part is that it did and I need to figure out how to undo it. It didn't happen all at once either, it sort of occurred slowly and not unexpectedly. I don't really know who I am or who I want to be. Is it an identity crisis? Maybe... I get up everyday and I go through my day completing various tasks that I know must be done. I try my best to maintain a decent level of living and project an image of a person I've meticulously crafted over the years. The problem is, when I look into a mirror, or am left to my own devices for too long, I begin to question the decisions I have made. I start doubting the person that I have led most people to believe that I am. At what point does the facade stop being a facade and become reality? Once a shroud has woven itself within very fibers of your being, can it still be cast off? And if so, what would be left behind?

     Alas, I did not intend on discussing the tempest of thoughts that have been vexing me. My intentions were to merely allude to how easily a person can be forced into circumstances that inevitably lead to great personal misgivings. Anonymous is a highly imaginative film that toys with the notion that William Shakespeare did not write any of his plays, poems, or sonnets. Primarily set in the time of Queen Elizabeth 1, Anonymous is a riveting political thriller involving forbidden love, attempts to succeed the crown, and suppression of free speech. Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill & Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1), Vanessa Redgrave, and David Thewlis (Harry Potter) all lead an ensemble cast through complex English politics and how the greatest playwright to have ever put pen to paper came to be. It is a perilous time for writers and politicians alike.

     The film opens with a brilliant prologue performed by Derek Jacobi. He literally sets the stage for a great tale that even I would love to see performed in a theater or opera house. It rapidly progresses from the prologue to a series of elaborate set pieces and time jumps. At first the timelines are a little confusing, but as the film progresses it entrenches you in a battle of wits and subterfuge that spans decades.

     The central plot of Anonymous surrounds the Earl of Oxford and his personal identity crisis. He struggles with his great imagination and fails to balance it with even a modicum of pragmatism. The choices he makes are merely to satisfy those around him. When he attempts to make decisions for himself, they lead him to great tragedy and sorrow. What is a life worth living if you have not been allowed to live the life you like? I must applaud director Roland Emmerich and writer John Orloff for putting together this unbelievably creative film. From beginning to the very bitter end, you have sit in awe of the fantastic tale that was woven to spark debate and conversations across the globe.

Rating: 4 (Maximum of 5) - Anonymous is a captivating emotional thrill ride that will leave you salivating for more.

A Jarring Remake... Straw Dogs

     It is not often that a film can emotionally shake me to my core. In recent memory the last film to affect me to the point where I had to leave the theater was Precious a film based of of the novel "Push" by Sapphire. It's difficult for me to discuss why films whose prominent themes center on abuse and rape. Abuse and rape are touchy topics, and often difficult to film without crossing boundaries and/or offending people. In my opinion, the acts of physically invading a person's body and battering their mind is a capital offense. Being subject to any form of abuse can mar a person for years. Often altering their social & physical development beyond repair. Speaking from experience, it can take monumental events or years of therapy in order for a person to recover from any form of abuse. Even a once in a lifetime opportunity to speak candidly with a positive role model is all it takes for a person to shed their dark cloak of pain and move on with their life (See my Reflections post).
     Things like rape and abuse can often be avoided. Fear, cowardice, naivety, selfishness, and lack of foresight all play a role in creating bad situations for yourself and others. These are also some of the main themes in Straw Dogs. Straw Dogs is a remake of 1971's dramatic thriller that starred Dustin Hoffman. The remake is helmed by James Marsden (X-Men Trilogy), Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), and Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood). Unlike the original, Straw Dogs (2011) is set in the deep American south and the professions of the protagonists are changed and vastly improved. The story is essentially about a writer and his wife that move from L.A. to her hometown. Once there they face conflict with the locals, which culminate in a violent showdown of unparalleled intensity.
    James Marsden is perfect as a naive L.A. screenwriter David Sumner. Accustomed to the hustle and bustle of city life and the luxuries afforded by city living is the inevitable downfall of this shortsighted writer. Overly confident in the moral fortitude of his new neighbors, David allows himself and his wife to become targets of advantageous hounds disguised as old friends and honest townsfolk. Kate Bosworth's Amy Sumner is guilty of the same shortsightedness. Only Mrs. Sumner chooses to agitate the situation with her brash actions and immaturity. Together these characters lead us knowingly and painfully to an event that is both graphic and terrible. As biblical references are tossed around, good faith between men become nothing more than an elaborate rouse. Seduction, rape, murder, and even racism bring this film to a terrifying close. Not a single moment is wasted in this gripping portrayal of human indecency.
    

Rating: 4 (Maximum of 5) - Straw Dogs is a well cast, well written, beautifully set menagerie of bigotry and evil deeds.

Crime, Will-Power, and a Green Lantern

Lately, residents of Chicago may have noticed an increase in petty and violent crimes all across the city and in very public areas. Like many of the people who reside within the city, I viewed the crimes as distant and unfortunate to those who had to experience them. Like most, I held the assumption that I would not be affected. How naive we can be sometimes... A few nights ago, en route to a house-warming party, I bore witness to a violent crime on the Sox-35th Red Line platform. While waiting for the northbound Red Line train, I noticed a young male of Latin/Hispanic origin being chased by a young African American female wielding a bread knife. Uncertain of what I was seeing, it became increasingly clear that the man was genuinely in trouble. Frozen in a state of shock, I watched as the woman proceeded to stab the man repeatedly along the side of his torso. I watched, along with everyone else on the platform in disbelief at what we all were witnessing. 

Within seconds of seeing what I had only read about in the paper, I was on my phone dialing 911. The funny thing about calling the police when in a state of shock is that it's not as easy as one would like to believe. Three simple numbers that we have been trained to recognize and interpret for help could never have been more difficult to execute, especially when in the time of need. The sudden rush of adrenaline caused by fear can paralyze the body and make basic movements like pressing three digits on a touch-screen keypad seem nearly impossible. At long last, after two failed attempts to dial the numbers properly, I managed to regain full dexterity and call the cops.

I was greeted by a calm feminine voice, "9-1-1 Emergency Assistance...," did the voice say anything after that? I cannot be certain. Everything was happening so quickly, that it is difficult to recall. What I do remember is that I quickly detailed what was happening, and where I was located. As this process took place, the young woman fled the scene, running south on the platform toward the 33rd Street exit. The voice on the other end of the phone asked for my name and phone number. I distinctly remember thinking, "Why is that important?! Did I not just tell you everything you need to know?" I realized that it was probably necessary, in case they needed to contact me as a potential witness. The voice on the phone assured me that the police were being dispatched and would be arriving shortly. At that point I disconnected the call, and informed everyone on the platform that the police were on their way. As soon as I made this announcement, a panicked expression flickered across the face of the man who was now visibly bleeding through his over-sized white t-shirt. Within moments, he swore out loud and actually managed to run! I couldn't believe it! Where in hell was he going??? And why was he running in the same direction as the knife-wielding woman??? I was only baffled by this astonishing turn of events for a mere moment before a voice inside my head said that he probably did something to deserve being stabbed by that woman. Slightly puzzled, I shrugged and made a jarring observation; I was the only person to call the police.

        We all hear stories about violent acts being committed in public spaces and how the bystanders only watch... or in some cases pull out their phones to record video of the incident, only to upload it to Facebook or YouTube later. Being faced with the option to act or stand by and watch, you would hope that people would choose to act. Imagine yourself being put into the position of the person who needs help, and no one had the courage or will power to offer you the assistance that you clearly need. The power of will and courage are all it takes to overcome fear and that is the overarching theme of the "Green Lantern".

As an avid comic fan-boy, it is incredibly difficult for me to remain objective when reviewing the increasing number of comic to film adaptations. That being said, I must address the film at hand: "The Green Lantern". Directed by acclaimed director Martin Campbell, The Green Lantern is the story of Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a test pilot that receives a ring that grants it's possessor the power to conjure anything that his/her mind can conceive; and is charged with protecting the universe from evil.

Aside from the ingenious casting within this film, the only positive thing that can be said is that nearly 200 million in CGI (computer-generated imagery) looks phenomenal in 3D. This is a film that's all pomp & circumstance, with none of the hard work. The story of Hal Jordan is pitched to us (as viewers) as one where will-power and courage are all that is needed to triumph. Unfortunately, the film does nothing to show us that Hal Jordan lacks anything except a desire to make long term commitments.

Although the film lacks strong foundations, it is redeemed by the graceful Blake Lively who excels in portraying a woman of social and economic power. Her role as a test pilot may not have been believable, but I found it immensely entertaining to watch Lively try in earnest to sell us the fighter pilot image she was forced to pander. Entertaining... is all I can say about the film in the best and worst ways. It was laughable to see how serious the movie tried to present itself to be, but also endearing. My advice to anyone watching The Green Lantern is to do the same thing the people on the platform did on the night of the stabbing. Simply watch and be amazed at the spectacle.

Rating: 2 Stars (Maximum of 5)

On the "Yellow Brick Road"

    Rarely am I drawn to horror films. Typically, I find them to be perverse and unimaginative. My personal understanding of the cinematic experience is that we are embarking on a journey into the imagination of the writers & the directors. The cinematic experience is best described by the song "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. When this vision comes across to the viewers, the translation from mind, to paper, then finally to the screen, it can become muddled and trite. This is obviously what happened with Yellow Brick Road.
    Written and directed by Jesse Holland and Andy Mitton, Yellow Brick Road tries in earnest to tell the story of how the entire population Friar, New Hampshire marched to their deaths and an aspiring writer's journey to document the truth of what really happened. A great premise, but not executed to it's fullest extent. The movie starts off feeling a lot like The Blair Witch Project, and similarly amounts to nothing but creepy circumstance and unexplainable phenomenon.  The film delivers no real reason to care about the characters and even less to answer the many questions that it presents.
    I still can not fully understand how a completely classified event could simply be discovered by a simple writer of no extraordinary background or merit. I am even further baffled by the ease at which the official records for the "classified" event were obtained! I'm fairly certain that classified documents don't just get handed over to random people! I get really upset when incredibly illogical events occur in cinema... If it doesn't make sense then it should never leave the cutting room floor!!! There isn't too much more for me to say about this film. Had it been edited properly it would have been better released as C-Level made for tv mystery and not classified as a horror film.

Rating: 1 Star (maximum of five)

Super 8

    Alas, it has been a few months since my last entry and my only explanation is that life happens. Since my last post, I have moved into a new apartment, started a new job away from the restaurant industry, and attended my graduation ceremony from Le Cordon Bleu Chicago. My job new is special perk, because it allows me the flexibility to schedule multiple events around it, in addition to being able to write more often!
    Now getting to the task at hand, J. J. Abrams's Sci-Fi/Adventure "Super 8". The film is essentially the story of a group of kids in small town 1970's America that are attempting to make an amateur horror film for a contest. On the first night of filming the scripted version (of their film), they bear witness to a horrible accident that leads to their lives (and the lives of everyone in their community) being torn apart by military personnel, missing dogs, and a rampaging creature. Abrams & team do their best to portray a classic tale of child heroism, love, humor, and horror. Reminiscent of film classics "The Goonies" & "E.T.", Abrams manages to channel the creative genius that mad Steven Spielberg who he is today.
    The best aspects of "Super 8" are the emotional depths you are taken to throughout the film. Dealing with adult decisions as child and facing hardships such as untimely death, and unrequited love. An emotional roller-coaster that you will be glad to be on, where the highs lie within subtle humor and youthful cliches. As an added bonus, if you sit through the credits Abrams treats us the final product of the amateur horror film. A truly beautiful homage to classic early 80's Sci-Fi cinema, "Super 8" is the first great PG-13 film of the 2011 cinematic year.

Rating: 5 Stars (maximum of 5)

Adapt or Die...

    As I stated in my post for "Sucker Punch", there is an on-gong trend for female empowerment in the film industry as of late. Films where the heroine is fighting for the survival of herself, and/or her family. Women can be as loving and caring as they can be malevolent. "Hanna" is no exception.

   
    "Hanna" starring Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones, and the upcoming film "The Hobbit), Eric Bana (Star Trek, and The Hulk), and Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) is an epic film about a young girl who is raised in the wilderness by her father, and embarks on a journey across Europe, while being pursued by Intelligence Agents.
    First, Saoirse Ronan plays the role of Hanna, a painfully socially ignorant girl, that has spent her entire life (thus far) training for the day that she can leave the metaphorical nest. While the film does very little to address the exact nature of her mission, it is clear from the first moments that she is on screen, that survival is key.
   Her father Erik (Eric Bana) has been preparing her to face life in the same fashion a predator in the wild would do for it's cub. He is ruthless and methodical in his zeal to ensure her safety. Combat training, intensive foreign language studies, memory recall techniques, and foraging are all part of his daily regimen for her. The theme is survival of the fittest, kill or be killed, adapt or die...
    Cate Blanchett's Marissa, is cold, calculating, and prideful. A woman that executes every task with a maniacal drive for perfection. She alone aims to capture Hanna, and kill Erik, Hanna's father, and will not allow anyone to derail her from her path.
    Now honestly, I have to say that this film is impressive. It gives very little information and allows us to discover what we need to know as Hanna discovers what it's like to truly live. While we are led through remote locations where Hanna is forced to adapt to social situations and experiencing things she has only read about; we are given a forced perspective of the harrowing journey for life. How would one deal with being marked for death at the whim of a government agent. How would you cope with knowing you were 'different' from EVERY other human being. As a parent, how far would you go to ensure that your child could fend for themselves. This movie presents us with all these questions in fantastic form, as only director Joe Wright can provide.
    "Hanna" is eccentric, action packed, dramatic, and emotional. A film worth a thousand words, with a sound track perfectly matched with it's gritty cinematography and intimate camera work. More films should strive to be as individualistic as this and offer just as much, if not more.

Rating: 4.5 (maximum is 5)

An "Insidious"(ly) Good Day

    Hot off the presses! I had an amazing day! For the first time since 2010, I got off work early! Such a rare occasion was begging to be taken advantage of. So, I rushed home, and immediately started to plan my afternoon. When suddenly, a small package sitting on my coffee table caught my eye! Eying this mysterious shipment with curiosity and scrutiny, I noticed that it was from LCB (The Le Cordon Bleu Schools of America)! Naturally, I tore it open, and within my hands, held for the very first time, my diploma and certificate of completion from the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Associates Program!!!
    In addition to receiving my diploma, I was also informed that I would be attending Rihanna's Chicago concert which takes place at the United Center on June 15th at 7:30pm!!! To top that off, I will also be going to see Britney Spears, the reigning Queen of Pop in concert at the United Center on July 8th as well!!! Continuing with the good vibes for the day, I felt it necessary to check my e-mail before heading out to run my afternoon errands. Had I not, I would have completely missed out on a time sensitive message inviting me to attend the private screening of a film by the name of "Insidious"! Now, to address the film....
    "Insidious" is a fantasy/horror/thriller from the makers of "Paranormal Activity" and directed by James Wan. The story follows a family and their struggle to find a way to save their son and prevent a disaster after he becomes trapped in another realm referred to as 'The Further'. At first glance, this film can easily be passed off as yet another shock value film that fails to impress, but do not be discouraged. James Wan presents us with a solid story that is genuine terrifying in nature. Demonic possession, astral projection, haunting, psychics, and ghost hunters are all topics that have been played out and done to death. But thanks to actress Rose Byrne (who also plays Dr. Moira MacTaggert in the upcoming X-Men film) we are provided solid performance of a woman who is genuine terrified for her life and for her family.
     Now, I know this sounds A LOT like "Paranormal Activity", but it really isn't. PA failed to actually terrify most audiences until the very end of the film. PA was also plagued with the replays of what was "recorded" and relied solely on that to scare audiences with the mystery of it all. "Insidious" allows us to experience that fear first hand as we get to observe the terrifying nature of what is occurring on screen with very little warning and little to no anticipation of what will happen next. Don't misunderstand me, it's not the greatest movie in the world, but it most certainly takes many strides in right direction.
    At 102 min, "Insidious" takes us along for a ride that's bone chilling and occasionally humorous. Wan manages to lighten up the mood by inserting characters that could only be seen as satire or gimmicks, but are instantly seen as serious. I found myself laughing at moments, only to be petrified immediately afterward. It was as if I were an eight year old boy again trying deperately to watch a movie I knew would give me nightmares. I even held my hands up to my face and watched the film through the cracks between my fingers just in case an unpredictiable moment occurred. I literally sat in my chair cringing in fear, from the sheer possibility that evil had finally arrived. Three cheers and one girlie scream for "Insidious" for showing us what a true horror film should be.

Rating: 4 Stars (maximum is five)

"Sucker Punch"

    Lately, going to the movies has been a little difficult for me. I work mornings & early evenings at an organic restaurant by the name of Nana. Since my return from my amazing Bahamas vacation, the business at the restaurant has maintained a busy and steady pace. As a direct result, my hours there had increased to the point where seeing and accurately criticizing a film would have been impractical (not that I'm complaining). The week following my return from the Bahamas included filming for Food Network's Diners, Drives, & Dives (DDD) with television celebrity Chef Guy Fieri. While this will inevitably do wonders for business at the restaurant, I deeply disagree with our restaurant being included on the that particular show. Nana, is neither a diner, a drive, or a dive and I slightly resent having our fine dining establishment included on a show that highlights places like Chicago's White Palace Grill... Nevertheless, we filmed what should be a great segment to a future episode and plowed directly onto Localicious (an exclusive party featuring Chicago Restaurants that buy and feature locally grown organic produce) and Chicago Chef's Week (a week in which prix fixe menus are available at select restaurants with seasonal menus). Needless to say, we were swamped and I was exhausted for 2 consecutive weeks.
    Now getting to the most important matter, my synopsis of "Sucker Punch".

    "Sucker Punch" is a PG-13 rated action/adventure/fantasy/drama or epic fantasy from the mind of Zack Snyder. The film follows a young girl by the name of Baby Doll (Emily Browning) who is institutionalized by her abusive stepfather after the death of her mother. Once imprisoned, we are plunged into a fantastic realm of sex and heroism as she struggles to cope with her harsh reality, and the decisions she must make in order to obtain her freedom. Along the way, we are introduced to cast of characters that are menacing, memorable, and beautifully reticent.
    Make no mistake, while "Sucker Punch" seems to be aimed at teenage action fan-boys, this film manages to stir up enough emotional content to dissuade those seeking only visual titillation. The concepts driven hardest by the film are tough life questions that many of us ponder, but are rarely afforded the chance to actualize. What will it take to survive? Am I strong enough to persevere this? How far will you go to save the life of someone you hardly know? The movie poses these questions and more, and does very little to actually answer them. Through a series of journeys through Baby Doll's imagination we are exposed to myriad of environments that act as pop culture references. "Black Swan", "Kill Bill", "Inception", "Lord of the Rings" (or "The Hobbit"), "Repo: The Genetic Opera", and many more can be seen within the 109 minutes that "Sucker Punch" is.
    It can be said that the overall arching theme of many films released over the last year has been a woman's fight for survival (see "Black Swan" and "Winter's Bone"). Emily Browning's Baby Doll, fights for her life in this visually fantastic adventure that crosses the lines of three separate realms of reality. A round of applause for Zack Snyder who also co-wrote the film. Could it have been better? Most certainly. But this is not a film that was meant to answer questions. It is only a tool with which one should use to inspire conversation and provoke thought.

Rating: 3.5 Stars (maximum of 5)

Inaugural Post

    I'm not entirely sure if this is the proper way to start a blog, but I imagine that someone that eventually reads this will let me know what they think. That being stated, I've never written a blog before. In all honesty, I haven't written anything of importance in almost 4 years now. I tend to be a heavily opinionated person, and I love to share my thoughts with others. I suppose I assimilated this habit by watching far too much bad TV and virtually idolizing Roger Ebert doesn't help either. I can be very wordy, and I occasionally take a little too long to get to "the point" (not unlike most of Stephen King's published works). By the way, I love Stephen King, and if he ever reads this I hope he knows that he completely consumed nearly two years of my life as attempted to read everything he has ever published. Now getting to the point, I sincerely hope that this blog, not only helps readers avoid films that could be potentially hazardous to the psyche, but I hope it helps me improve my ability to write, and focus.
    That being said, I would like my first frontal lobotomy by discussing the film "Beastly". For those of you who don't know, "Beastly" is a CBS Production that stars Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) and Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical). The film is based off of a book of the same title written by Alex Flinn. It is a attempted reinvention of the classic tale from Beauty and the Beast. The problem of remaking classic tales, is being compared to a formula that we already know and has worked in the past. This movie falls incredibly short of any classic fairytale, and all of it's incarnations over time. While the lead actors most certainly fulfill the physical requirements for the roles, the fall incredibly short with talent. Alex Pettyfer plays Kyle, a high school heartthrob that is revered by his classmates because of his physical appearance and his father's fame. As Kyle, Pettyfer has to exert no real effort to portray a stuck up, self indulgent, alpha male with daddy issues (see his role in "I Am Number Four"). His shortcomings with this role are in his mild attempts to be sincere with his advances toward the young Lindy (Hudgens).
     In this film, Hudgens needs only to walk around looking pretty to fill the shoes Lindy. Lindy is a scholarship student with daddy issues, but she remains distant from the "cool kids" simply because she doesn't care to be one of them. Now, I can't say that Hudgens did a particularly bad job, just that she did the best with the material in which she was provided.
     But all is not lost with this film. There are surprising moments of humor and sincerity which is provided by Neil Patrick Harris. Harris plays Will, a blind tutor that is eventually hired by Kyle's (Pettyfer) father to educate him while in his urban isolation. Will (Harris) remains this film only shining star. This character offers comedic relief with style and ease that comes only to someone with the credibility of Harris. Aside from him, the rest of the cast remains lost in a sea of cliche dialogue.
     I suppose Mary-Kate Olson's return to the silver screen is warranted with her role as Kendra, the brooding goth girl who happens to be an all powerful witch that lives in the heart of New York City. Same as with Hudgens, Olson's Kendra only a mere shell of what she could have been. Kendra struts around with presence and ferocity, but the overall effect leaves us wondering if the emo movement really died out with the band Good Charlotte.
    In the end, I can't say it was God awful, but it most certainly could have been much better. All I managed to learn here, is to simply be nicer to the ugly people of the world. Save your money, and either buy Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" now on Diamond Edition Blu-Ray DVD release, or rent "The Beautician and the Beast", because even Fran Drescher's laugh is better than this.

Rating: ** (system is based on a maximum of 5 stars)