MOONRISE KINGDOM
Another contribution to the film world by the incomparable, Wes Anderson. Typical for Wes, this features lighthearted moments with extremely quirky characters. It is a story about two young lovers who flee their New England town and cause a search party to find them. If you don't appreciate Wes' films (Royal Tenenbaums, Rushmore and the Fantastic Mr Fox among others), don't even bother with this one. If however, you appreciate the appearance of aforementioned quirky characters, wonderful writing and pure enjoyment of being enveloped into a fictional world, by all means enjoy yourself.
Between Edward Norton, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton, I'm not sure who was funnier. Bruce Willis and Bill Murray were OK too. Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward as Sam and Suzy, the young lovers were good but overshadowed by their adult counterparts.
I enjoyed myself but am unsure that I would want to watch it over and over so I give this a one thumb pointing to the moon which guides us every night.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
THE IMPOSSIBLE
The tag line is "Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit." That also summarizes this story of a couple and their three sons who while on vacation in Thailand, get swept away by a horrific Tsunami. This is based on the real life account of a real family.
Naomi Watts is nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of the matriarch, Maria. She is a good actress who really took over her role. Ewan McGregor is a good actor (and nice on the eyes too) but I liked him better in Moulin Rouge and have heard good things about Salmon Fishing in the Yeman. The real stand out is the young actor, Tom Holland, who plays the oldest son, Lucas. He was amazing as the young son who feels unappreciated by his parents for all his help raising his younger brothers, shows toughness to those brothers and then vulnerability during the storm returning once again to being strong and mature for his young age.
Some of the extras on the film were actual survivors from the Tsunami which is hard for me to comprehend living through that event in real time and then fictionally while filming a movie. This truly does show that there is nothing more powerful than the human spirit and when you walk out of the theater, you will feel wet, exhausted and grateful for being alive and safe.
I give this two thumbs up pointing to my belief in a higher power that allows me to still be here enjoying wonderful movies like this and the love of my family and friends.
The tag line is "Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit." That also summarizes this story of a couple and their three sons who while on vacation in Thailand, get swept away by a horrific Tsunami. This is based on the real life account of a real family.
Naomi Watts is nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of the matriarch, Maria. She is a good actress who really took over her role. Ewan McGregor is a good actor (and nice on the eyes too) but I liked him better in Moulin Rouge and have heard good things about Salmon Fishing in the Yeman. The real stand out is the young actor, Tom Holland, who plays the oldest son, Lucas. He was amazing as the young son who feels unappreciated by his parents for all his help raising his younger brothers, shows toughness to those brothers and then vulnerability during the storm returning once again to being strong and mature for his young age.
Some of the extras on the film were actual survivors from the Tsunami which is hard for me to comprehend living through that event in real time and then fictionally while filming a movie. This truly does show that there is nothing more powerful than the human spirit and when you walk out of the theater, you will feel wet, exhausted and grateful for being alive and safe.
I give this two thumbs up pointing to my belief in a higher power that allows me to still be here enjoying wonderful movies like this and the love of my family and friends.
LIFE OF PI
I have not read the book...YET. When I see a movie that is based on a book, I hope that I've already read it but if not, I hope that the movie intrigues me enough to make me want to read it. This has succeeded immensely and I hope to some day read the book of the same name by Yann Martel.
A young man survives a disaster at sea and then is sent on a journey of adventure. While on this journey, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor, Richard Parker, who is a fearsome Bengal tiger. Through adventure, soul-searching, grief and a tad bit of humor, we come out at the end of the movie with an uplifting view and sense of accomplishment. I have heard from people who have read the book that this is thankfully true to the book including the ending.
The movie was good on its own without any actors standing above and beyond the movie. The movie made the actors instead of the actors improving the movie. I would give this two thumbs up hanging onto my raft of life.
I have not read the book...YET. When I see a movie that is based on a book, I hope that I've already read it but if not, I hope that the movie intrigues me enough to make me want to read it. This has succeeded immensely and I hope to some day read the book of the same name by Yann Martel.
A young man survives a disaster at sea and then is sent on a journey of adventure. While on this journey, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor, Richard Parker, who is a fearsome Bengal tiger. Through adventure, soul-searching, grief and a tad bit of humor, we come out at the end of the movie with an uplifting view and sense of accomplishment. I have heard from people who have read the book that this is thankfully true to the book including the ending.
The movie was good on its own without any actors standing above and beyond the movie. The movie made the actors instead of the actors improving the movie. I would give this two thumbs up hanging onto my raft of life.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
THE SESSIONS
At first glance at the title, I thought this would be about a musical group. OMG, was I wrong! This is based on the true-life story of poet Mark O'Brien's (John Hawkes) life alternating between a gurney and an iron lung due to his polio. He is writing an article about sex among the disabled and decided at 38 years old, it is time he loses his virginity. Being a devout Catholic, he asks his priest (William H Macy) permission. He gets it and hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt).
The acting is wonderful among the 3 main characters and even the supporting actors, specifically Moon Bloodgood, Adam Arkin, Rhea Perlman and Jennifer Kumiyama contribute nicely. Ben Lewin wrote and directed the movie get the most accommodations however as it was tastefully filmed and beautifully written.
This movie spoke to me as a writer and human being. His poem Breathing was breathtaking (pardon the pun) and his love poem to no one in particular was amazing. One line about letting his words be your base reminded me about a line in one of my own poems about "using my words as your tissue" and gave me goosebumps in that the line was somewhat similar.
I give this movie two strong thumbs up which will surely be holding a book of Mark O'Briens poetry hopefully soon.
At first glance at the title, I thought this would be about a musical group. OMG, was I wrong! This is based on the true-life story of poet Mark O'Brien's (John Hawkes) life alternating between a gurney and an iron lung due to his polio. He is writing an article about sex among the disabled and decided at 38 years old, it is time he loses his virginity. Being a devout Catholic, he asks his priest (William H Macy) permission. He gets it and hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt).
The acting is wonderful among the 3 main characters and even the supporting actors, specifically Moon Bloodgood, Adam Arkin, Rhea Perlman and Jennifer Kumiyama contribute nicely. Ben Lewin wrote and directed the movie get the most accommodations however as it was tastefully filmed and beautifully written.
This movie spoke to me as a writer and human being. His poem Breathing was breathtaking (pardon the pun) and his love poem to no one in particular was amazing. One line about letting his words be your base reminded me about a line in one of my own poems about "using my words as your tissue" and gave me goosebumps in that the line was somewhat similar.
I give this movie two strong thumbs up which will surely be holding a book of Mark O'Briens poetry hopefully soon.
HITCHCOCK
This film depicts the love story of Alfred Hitchcock and
his wife Alma Reville during the brief period of the making of Psycho.
Besides making this non-horror film watcher want to actually see a
Hitchcock film; at least Psycho if not others, this beautifully shows
the devoted loving relationship between two people committed to each
other through the stresses of vintage Hollywood.
Funny yet risque line was when Alfred prefers to be called Hitch and responds "just Hitch, hold the cock."
Anthony Hopkins is a wonderful actor
who became Alfred Hitchcock but possibly more through make-up than acting as
sometimes it felt more like an impression or characterization. Helen Mirren is her usual amazing self as she carries the movie by playing Alma as strong yet supportive and content to live in the shadow of her husband's popularity while still craving and achieving her own version of independence. Scarlett Johansson was also quite good as Janet Leigh.
I give this two surprised thumbs up for the beautiful love story but holding tight to one another in case Hitchcock tries to scare me with his horror.
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