Zero Dark 30
Directed by Kathryn Bigelow
Starring Jessica Chastain, Joel Edgerton, Chris Pratt
Rating: A
Upon first viewing the trailer for Zero Dark 30 months ago, I thought the movie would be a bore fest. I couldn't tell what the movie was really about other than war. As time went on, the trailers got longer and more detailed and my interest grew. By the time I went to see the movie I was excited. Critics were loving the film and Jessica Chastain. I was not disappointed. The movie tells the clear story of the hunt for Osama bin Laden. The movie was written based on firsthand accounts from people who were actually in the situations. The storyline follows Maya, who was recruited for the CIA job right out of high school. Chastain's performance is inspired; her skills were really tested as her character shows great depth. As a former news producer I am familiar with the details on all of the terror attacks depicted in the movie, so it made me nervous to watch parts of the movie when I could tell what was going to happen.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Movie Review: ParaNorman
ParaNorman
Directed by Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Starring (voice): Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick
Rating:C+
This movie is rated PG, which means parental guidance, but that guideline is not always followed. Many times movies that are PG are understood to be very kid friendly, and this is not necessarily the case for ParaNorman. The movie can be a bit intense for the younger crowd with zombie chase scenes, a swirling cauldron of a sky, and a screaming witch that seems hell bent on destroying the town. The thing nightmares are made of! I would not recommend this movie for anyone under the age 10. The decision on whether to watch should never be left up to a child's discretion because they often want to appear tough, like they can handle most situations, however that is often not the case.
Otherwise, this movie has a clever concept that has not been dealt with much in the past. The star can see and hear dead people. They mostly do him no harm, except create social embarrassment and irk the ire of his parents. In the end, Norman and his gift save the day. Not a spoiler, right? You would expect no less of a "kids" movie.
Directed by Chris Butler, Sam Fell
Starring (voice): Kodi Smit-McPhee, Anna Kendrick
Rating:C+
This movie is rated PG, which means parental guidance, but that guideline is not always followed. Many times movies that are PG are understood to be very kid friendly, and this is not necessarily the case for ParaNorman. The movie can be a bit intense for the younger crowd with zombie chase scenes, a swirling cauldron of a sky, and a screaming witch that seems hell bent on destroying the town. The thing nightmares are made of! I would not recommend this movie for anyone under the age 10. The decision on whether to watch should never be left up to a child's discretion because they often want to appear tough, like they can handle most situations, however that is often not the case.
Otherwise, this movie has a clever concept that has not been dealt with much in the past. The star can see and hear dead people. They mostly do him no harm, except create social embarrassment and irk the ire of his parents. In the end, Norman and his gift save the day. Not a spoiler, right? You would expect no less of a "kids" movie.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Movie Review: Beasts of the Southern Wild
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry
Rating: A
This riveting movie takes the viewer into a fictitious land that is eerily similar to a situation that could occur in present day America. The main actress in the story is young and lacks a complete understanding of her situation and looks to her father for guidance despite their sometimes tumultuous relationship. As the film progresses he is less able to help her, but continues to let her think they are a team and that he is never leaving her. Although, at the end she has to face her beasts and all of the troubles in her life as her father's illness renders him unable to care for her at all. Much of the movie speaks in metaphors and the symbolism is strong. Breaking ice shelves and raging mythical beasts foreshadow events and help tell the story. The scenery and cinematography help tell the emotional story that is definitely worthy of its Academy Awards Best Picture nomination.
Directed by Benh Zeitlin
Starring Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry
Rating: A
This riveting movie takes the viewer into a fictitious land that is eerily similar to a situation that could occur in present day America. The main actress in the story is young and lacks a complete understanding of her situation and looks to her father for guidance despite their sometimes tumultuous relationship. As the film progresses he is less able to help her, but continues to let her think they are a team and that he is never leaving her. Although, at the end she has to face her beasts and all of the troubles in her life as her father's illness renders him unable to care for her at all. Much of the movie speaks in metaphors and the symbolism is strong. Breaking ice shelves and raging mythical beasts foreshadow events and help tell the story. The scenery and cinematography help tell the emotional story that is definitely worthy of its Academy Awards Best Picture nomination.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Movie Review: Les Misérables
Les Misérables
Directed by Tom Hooper
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Rating: A
This is a beautiful movie with excellent set design and costuming. There was a lot of production that went into such an elaborate period piece and it was all done well. The direction was pleasing as all elements of the story came together in execution. The casting was exceptional, except for Amanda Seyfried. The decision to cast her as Cosette is the only negative critique I have. She is one dimensional and lacks ability to show emotion. She only plays characters that are supposed to be cute, ruddy faced girls who smile a lot. Her presence bothers me and I was joyed when I realized she would be absent from several scenes in a row. Anne Hathaway was terrific in the role of Fantine. She has a marvelous voice and her emotional delivery of "I Dreamed a Dream" was breath taking. Hathaway's character did not monopolize screen time; she was around only for a short time in the beginning of the film and very briefly at the end. Still, her performance was very memorable. Before seeing this movie, I read a critique of Russell Crowe that his singing was laughable. I do not agree with this assessment. I feel Crowe held his own among a cast of great singers. His voice was not the best in the film, but it was very fitting for his character. It was refreshing to hear such great voices from Hollywood actresses and actors. Les Misérables met all expectations and is worth watching. It is the best cinematic interpretation of the story yet.
Directed by Tom Hooper
Starring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Rating: A
This is a beautiful movie with excellent set design and costuming. There was a lot of production that went into such an elaborate period piece and it was all done well. The direction was pleasing as all elements of the story came together in execution. The casting was exceptional, except for Amanda Seyfried. The decision to cast her as Cosette is the only negative critique I have. She is one dimensional and lacks ability to show emotion. She only plays characters that are supposed to be cute, ruddy faced girls who smile a lot. Her presence bothers me and I was joyed when I realized she would be absent from several scenes in a row. Anne Hathaway was terrific in the role of Fantine. She has a marvelous voice and her emotional delivery of "I Dreamed a Dream" was breath taking. Hathaway's character did not monopolize screen time; she was around only for a short time in the beginning of the film and very briefly at the end. Still, her performance was very memorable. Before seeing this movie, I read a critique of Russell Crowe that his singing was laughable. I do not agree with this assessment. I feel Crowe held his own among a cast of great singers. His voice was not the best in the film, but it was very fitting for his character. It was refreshing to hear such great voices from Hollywood actresses and actors. Les Misérables met all expectations and is worth watching. It is the best cinematic interpretation of the story yet.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Movie Review: Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Directed by Josh Radnor
Starring Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Zac Efron
Rating: C+
This is a plain and simple movie with no great revelations or emotional upheavals. Still, it is enjoyable. An admissions councilor returns to his alma mater to visit his favorite professor for his retirement party. Along the way he meets a co-ed who is 16 years his junior. They fall for each other and he grapples with the inappropriateness of their age difference. The movie doesn't end as expected as the story is more about the admissions professor and his journey toward personal growth than it is about his encounters with the young lady. The surprising path the man takes is refreshing and surprising. It added a bit of depth to an otherwise predictable movie.
Directed by Josh Radnor
Starring Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Zac Efron
Rating: C+
This is a plain and simple movie with no great revelations or emotional upheavals. Still, it is enjoyable. An admissions councilor returns to his alma mater to visit his favorite professor for his retirement party. Along the way he meets a co-ed who is 16 years his junior. They fall for each other and he grapples with the inappropriateness of their age difference. The movie doesn't end as expected as the story is more about the admissions professor and his journey toward personal growth than it is about his encounters with the young lady. The surprising path the man takes is refreshing and surprising. It added a bit of depth to an otherwise predictable movie.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Movie Review: Django Unchained
Django Unchained
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
Rating: A
Django Unchained is very entertaining story told in an exciting manner. I went into the theater with an open mind and high expectations. Quentin Tarantino always delivers and always comes through with his signature blood and body matter splatter. It wouldn't be a Tarantino movie without such graphic content and dramatics. His personal style is what makes his movies so memorable. The movie also gave us noteworthy performances with excellent acting from Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. Django Unchained has mystery, deception, violence, charm, loyalty, and struggle.
Directed by Quentin Tarantino
Starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
Rating: A
Django Unchained is very entertaining story told in an exciting manner. I went into the theater with an open mind and high expectations. Quentin Tarantino always delivers and always comes through with his signature blood and body matter splatter. It wouldn't be a Tarantino movie without such graphic content and dramatics. His personal style is what makes his movies so memorable. The movie also gave us noteworthy performances with excellent acting from Jamie Foxx and Leonardo DiCaprio. Django Unchained has mystery, deception, violence, charm, loyalty, and struggle.
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