An Inconvenient Truth

When I heard about Al Gore's documentary about global warming, I was scared to watch it. I thought it would freak me out over what is happening to the planet. Although there is some eye-popping statistics, overall, it is a moving documentary. It explains what has and still is happening with the environmental topics including: pollution, coral reef decay, glaciers melting, polar ice caps melting, poplulation growth. I fully admit that the small mention of the 2000 election scandal was not necessary in this documentary and could have been edited out. However, anyone who concentrates on this small aspect of the documentary instead of the more global picture needs to look into a mirror and ask themselves if they live there life to help or hinder the planet. An Inconvenient Truth should make you want to perform even a small gesture to help to slow down the decay we have all caused. If you combine all of our small steps, perhaps we can take back our planet and work together globally. Melissa Etheridge's song "I need to Wake Up" was extremely well-written and beautifully sung. It was a perfect way to end the movie intermixed with messages of small things that each of us can do to help. I recommend this movie to be purchased and shared with as many people as possible especially those people with children. Because we all should want to leave this place better than we found it. Two more-knowledgable and inspired green thumbs up!

Pirates of the Carribean 2

The anxiously awaited sequel to the funny , romantic adventure starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley. Nominated for visual effects, it lives up to its billing. As far as story goes, it was too long and slow in parts. The action scenes were fun to watch but I did not feel a connection this time in romance. Johnny Depp didn't seem to be the focal point and it further seemed to me like he was a bit tired of the role. The ending was the most disappointing .......SPOILER alert..... there was no real ending, it implied that Pirates 3 is coming out next. Arrgh (I know like a pirate) now I will have to watch it just to find out how it ends. Thumb bored after almost 2 1/2 hours without a conclusion......stick with the original.

Last King of Scotland

Even though, you have to wait almost a half hour before you see his face, Forest Whitaker dominates the screen on-screen or off in his portrayal of the late dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin. To put it plainly, he scares the living daylights out of you. He puts the mean in Amin. James Mcavoy also is good as Nicholas the scottish physician but this is Forest's movie. It is an interestingly filmed movie. A little dark sometimes and graphic in others but as you are leaving the theatre, 2 thoughts are in your mind: WOW, Forest Whitaker was amazing and no matter what your view of politics is, you must be thanking the forces that be that we have a democracy and not a dictatorship in America. Thumbs up in fear because I don't want the ghost of Idi Amin to come after me.

Epic Movie

Although not an oscar nominated-movie (duh), this is a funny movie if you just feel like mindless laughter. This movie is a parody of Chronicles of Narnia, Willy Wonka, Nacho Libre, Wolverine, Da Vinci Code, Harry Potter, Borat, Pirates of the Carribean 2, Star Wars, Talledega Nights, Casino Royale and probably other movies that I am forgetting. No real plot other than to have fun via making fun of other movies but enjoyable nonetheless. Thumb not worthy enough to even go up or down--just rent it for fun.

Flags of Our Fathers

Based on the moving book from James Bradley of the same name, this movie depicts the battle of Iwo Jima and more importantly how one picture can affect a battle, country and all the lives within them. James Bradley's father, John Bradley, was one of the six flag-raisers of the infamous picture of Iwo Jima. They are from Wisconsin which is the same state as this reviewer and therefore adds another layer of emotion to her enjoyment of the film. The movie jumped around between each of the six flag-raisers and the war. The movie jumped around even more because like most movies based on books, there has to be portions eliminated from the film. The viewer doesn't get as strong of a sense of connection between each man due to this eliminated information. This was a better film for me because I watched Letter's From Iwo Jima earlier in the day as part of a double feature. Flags of Our Fathers was a little more violent and a lot more jumpy in the flow of the picture. It was good and elicited tears from this viewer but could have been great as a mini-series so as to allow more of a connection between the viewer and the six flag-raisers. I give this a thumbs up but would recommend passing on the thumb for your fingers to turn the pages of the actual book.....at your local library or bookseller now!