While some franchises, especially those surrounding monsters or killers, dry up and stop producing entertaining films after the first film, “Underworld” has seemingly avoided this pitfall.
“Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” is the third installment in the “Underworld” series and is a prequel to the films starring Kate Beckinsale.
The prequel story traces the origins of the centuries-old blood feud between the aristocratic vampires and their onetime slaves, the Lycans (werewolves, for those unfamiliar with monster terminology).
In the Dark Ages, a Lycan named Lucian (Michael Sheen) emerges as a powerful leader who rallies the werewolves to rise up against vampire king who enslaved them, Viktor (Bill Nighy).
Lucian and his secret lover, Sonja (Rhona Mitra), who also happens to be Viktor’s daughter, try to escape the kingdom and live happily every after — or as happily ever after as vampires and werewolves can live.
Sheen, who has portrayed a slew of clean-shaven gentlemen, fit surprisingly well into the role of the werewolf leader and all around hard case who is a master of swords and crossbows.
Mitra also does her part in easyily filling Beckinsale’s shoes as the butt-kicking vampire who could kill with her looks if she needed too.
The real star of the film is Nighy. The veteran actor can pull off prim and proper as well as Sheen, but can fit the role of cruel vampire king like he was born to play the part. His speech and look serve to deliver a terrifying villain.
The film isn’t memorable in the sense of having a great plot or even having great action. It has its “ooh” moments and a few good battle scenes, but for the most part the film is average.
There are only so many times you can watch a werewolf get stabbed or a vampire get his head bitten off before getting an overwhelming sense of repetition. However, there are moments when the filmmakers mix it up by adding a giant crossbow shooting spears, which perks up the audience and grabs their attention.
It fits well in the “Underworld series, and — unlike most prequels — delivers the same thing “Underworld” fans have grown to love — hot vampires and cool fight scenes.
Many prequels will try to take a new twist on a working formula, which usually ends with a huge black mark on the entire franchise.
“Underworld” isn’t a huge franchise by any means, but it is something to be respected among the other films surrounding similar storylines.
Another issue with prequels is having established certain people live and certain people die and there is no way to change the ending.
The nit-picky side of me has a problem with the various liberties the filmmakers took in changing the story, but nothing too drastic was changed, which kept the integrity of the film intact.
I didn’t hate the film or love it. It fell right in the middle of enjoyable for a cold Saturday night where I could either see something starring Brendan Fraser or a film I may enjoy. Fraser never wins in this equation.
Fans of the monster genre will enjoy the film and a few general audiences may also appreciate the story, but if you aren’t sure if you will have an enjoyable time, you should rent the first two films. It will give you a good idea what is in store for you.
Remember, friends don’t let friends see movies with Brendan Fraser.
Starring: Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy
Rated R for bloody violence and some sexuality
Rating: 2 stars
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Defiance review
I have to admit I am a sucker for biopic films and WWII stories so I never stood a chance against “Defiance.”
I thought I had the film pegged as just another WWII survivor movie. I thought I had heard all the stories there were to hear and I was hoping this was going to be different.
My wish came true.
The movie tells the true story of the Bielski brothers whose families were killed by the Nazis in 1941.
Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) and his brothers Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell) hide in the forest they played in as children.
As they travel through the forest, they find more Jews seeking refuge and take them under their wing. Soon, Tuvia goes on missions to find more Jews to bring to the forest for protection.
Zus, more fueled by revenge than grief at the death of his family decides to go on murderous rampages — killing any Nazis he can find.
With the number of people in the forest reaching the hundreds, the group begins to make the forest their home by building shelter, going on food missions and holding weddings.
The group faces many challenges including winter with little food, sickness and Nazis.
The film could be classified as an edge-of-your-seat thriller. It may be a thriller, but it is also one of the most inspiring films I have seen in years.
It is easy not to think about the individuals in the Holocaust when it is lumped into the term “six million people,” but when you are connected through a story or film such as this one, the terror of the event becomes clear.
There were several scenes which brought tears to my eyes. A rabbi asking God to choose another people to call his own so they would no longer have to suffer, or a group of angry Jews yelling out the names and ages of those they lost at the hands of the evil Nazi regime were more gut-wrenching then any violence in the film.
There were also moments of inspiration which caused a lump in my throat. Although it may have been a bit much to have Craig’s character literally riding a white horse, his speech about living being the revenge they took out on the Nazis was fascinating and awe-inspiring.
The greatest factors of the movie were the story and the characters, but the action also brought a lot to the table.
Watching the group of forest-dwelling Jews fighting off the Nazis was not only inspiring — it brought excitement to the table as well.
I was on the edge of my seat in every moment of action awaiting the outcome of who might live and who might die in the fight to save the small home these people had made for themselves.
Craig, Schreiber and Bell are the main characters in the film and not one of them did a terrible job requiring the others to pick up the slack and slowing the movie down.
Craig may be known for being a pretty face, but this film should prove to any non-believers he can act as well. His piercing blue eyes are great for showing his agony and suffering during his time as leader in the forest.
At several points throughout the film, he is required to convey a message without speaking and he does it to perfection.
It isn’t one of the greatest performances of all time, but it is good enough to keep a great film from falling to the “just good” category because of horrendous acting skills.
Schreiber has never been a leading man in films, but he could play a second-lead character with his hands tied behind his back and blindfolded. A veteran of the gloomy character, Schreiber is great as a brother fueled by revenge and not in the least bit by helping those in need — leading to clashes with Craig.
Although they look nothing alike, he and Craig are convincing as the brothers they are portraying. The two share glances anyone with a sibling can recognize and have a competition anyone with a brother can relate with.
I am also a sucker for films about brothers (“A River Runs Through It”, “Legends of the Fall”). This film may be a story of inspiration because of the group of people who defied the odds and survived in a forest for several years, but it is also an inspiring story about a family coming together.
I connected to the story between the brothers played by Craig and Schreiber, but Bell also held his own — even as the more whiny brother who has to find his spine through this harrowing adventure. I can tell Bell is a talented actor because he plays what would normally be an annoying character and makes him both endearing and likeable.
You never fault him for being afraid because he has every right to be afraid and he convinces you of that throughout the film.
It isn’t much to say it is my favorite film of the year because it is only January. However, it is one of the best war movies I have seen in several years, one of the most inspirational films I have seen in several years and one of the best family (brother) films I have seen in several years.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell and Liev Schreiber
Rated R for violence and language.
Rating: 4 stars
I thought I had the film pegged as just another WWII survivor movie. I thought I had heard all the stories there were to hear and I was hoping this was going to be different.
My wish came true.
The movie tells the true story of the Bielski brothers whose families were killed by the Nazis in 1941.
Tuvia Bielski (Daniel Craig) and his brothers Zus (Liev Schreiber) and Asael (Jamie Bell) hide in the forest they played in as children.
As they travel through the forest, they find more Jews seeking refuge and take them under their wing. Soon, Tuvia goes on missions to find more Jews to bring to the forest for protection.
Zus, more fueled by revenge than grief at the death of his family decides to go on murderous rampages — killing any Nazis he can find.
With the number of people in the forest reaching the hundreds, the group begins to make the forest their home by building shelter, going on food missions and holding weddings.
The group faces many challenges including winter with little food, sickness and Nazis.
The film could be classified as an edge-of-your-seat thriller. It may be a thriller, but it is also one of the most inspiring films I have seen in years.
It is easy not to think about the individuals in the Holocaust when it is lumped into the term “six million people,” but when you are connected through a story or film such as this one, the terror of the event becomes clear.
There were several scenes which brought tears to my eyes. A rabbi asking God to choose another people to call his own so they would no longer have to suffer, or a group of angry Jews yelling out the names and ages of those they lost at the hands of the evil Nazi regime were more gut-wrenching then any violence in the film.
There were also moments of inspiration which caused a lump in my throat. Although it may have been a bit much to have Craig’s character literally riding a white horse, his speech about living being the revenge they took out on the Nazis was fascinating and awe-inspiring.
The greatest factors of the movie were the story and the characters, but the action also brought a lot to the table.
Watching the group of forest-dwelling Jews fighting off the Nazis was not only inspiring — it brought excitement to the table as well.
I was on the edge of my seat in every moment of action awaiting the outcome of who might live and who might die in the fight to save the small home these people had made for themselves.
Craig, Schreiber and Bell are the main characters in the film and not one of them did a terrible job requiring the others to pick up the slack and slowing the movie down.
Craig may be known for being a pretty face, but this film should prove to any non-believers he can act as well. His piercing blue eyes are great for showing his agony and suffering during his time as leader in the forest.
At several points throughout the film, he is required to convey a message without speaking and he does it to perfection.
It isn’t one of the greatest performances of all time, but it is good enough to keep a great film from falling to the “just good” category because of horrendous acting skills.
Schreiber has never been a leading man in films, but he could play a second-lead character with his hands tied behind his back and blindfolded. A veteran of the gloomy character, Schreiber is great as a brother fueled by revenge and not in the least bit by helping those in need — leading to clashes with Craig.
Although they look nothing alike, he and Craig are convincing as the brothers they are portraying. The two share glances anyone with a sibling can recognize and have a competition anyone with a brother can relate with.
I am also a sucker for films about brothers (“A River Runs Through It”, “Legends of the Fall”). This film may be a story of inspiration because of the group of people who defied the odds and survived in a forest for several years, but it is also an inspiring story about a family coming together.
I connected to the story between the brothers played by Craig and Schreiber, but Bell also held his own — even as the more whiny brother who has to find his spine through this harrowing adventure. I can tell Bell is a talented actor because he plays what would normally be an annoying character and makes him both endearing and likeable.
You never fault him for being afraid because he has every right to be afraid and he convinces you of that throughout the film.
It isn’t much to say it is my favorite film of the year because it is only January. However, it is one of the best war movies I have seen in several years, one of the most inspirational films I have seen in several years and one of the best family (brother) films I have seen in several years.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Jamie Bell and Liev Schreiber
Rated R for violence and language.
Rating: 4 stars
Monday, January 19, 2009
The Unborn Review
The newest craze in horror films is creepy children.
I don’t care who you are, creepy children is scary 9 times out of 10, but there is always one which is just so terrible, you wonder how it made it past the cutting room floor.
“The Unborn” is one of those films.
The remake of a Japanese horror film is a supernatural thriller that draws upon the legend of a dybbuk, a malevolent spirit that refuses to leave the human world and inhabits the body of a person.
Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) is plagued by nightmares involving visions of scary-looking dogs and an evil child with bright blue eyes.
After being hit with a mirror by her neighbor’s son (yet another creepy child in the film), Casey’s eyes begin to change color and she learns she had a twin brother who died in the womb.
Casey discovers the spirit haunting her is the soul of her dead twin, being possessed by a dybbuk, wanting to be born so it can transfer to the world of the living.
Beldon goes to Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman), to help her perform a Jewish exorcism to remove the dybbuk, which leads to destruction, mayhem and death.
Normally, it would just be an average horror movie with a few scares here and there to at least make the film worth the money the audience spent to watch it.
Yustman’s acting brings down the entire film and she isn’t even required to act most of the film. She could just stand there and look pretty and get away with it, but no — she has to try to evoke emotion.
If I didn’t know any better, I would say her previous acting jobs included the time she was begging to stay out past curfew and told her parents her “life would be over” if they didn’t let her have it her way. She displays just about the same caliber of acting in this film.
Acting, even in horror films, should be somewhat realistic.
Actors should find a way to connect to the audience so they are involved in the film and care about whoever is being haunted by the ghost of their dead twin.
Yustman managed to get me involved in the film to the point where I wanted her to get taken over by the evil spirit so I wouldn’t have to deal with her whining anymore.
Meagan Good plays Yustman’s friend Romy, and also drove me insane through the film. She hopped from being a smart-alecky sidekick to terrified best friend every five minutes.
Oldman, a veteran actor, couldn’t even save the film. He is only in the movie for around 15 minutes, but he does his part well, as expected.
When I see a talented actor in a film like this I always want to write a letter asking if the money was just too good to be true or if they actually thought the film was going to be a step forward in their career.
I will give credit where credit is due in the film.
There were moments of real fright while I watched the 90-minute excuse for a horror movie. A few boo! moments here and there and a small amount scenes which crawl under your skin and creep you out. It is the best kind of scare — unfortunately there wasn’t enough to save this film from amounting to more than a wasted use of film.
It is my strong belief there are only a few good horror movies with a PG-13 rating. If the filmmakers are going to scare people, they have to employ some amount of gore. Horror also invokes reactions in people which don’t make them scream “Gee golly!” Dumbing down the fear factor dumbs down the movie.
You can’t expect a lot from a January film because this month is reserved as the time when the good films from Oscar season say goodbye. Do yourself a favor, stay at home and rent a good horror film.
Starring:Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman and Meagan Good
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images, thematic material and language including some sexual references.
Rating: One Star
I don’t care who you are, creepy children is scary 9 times out of 10, but there is always one which is just so terrible, you wonder how it made it past the cutting room floor.
“The Unborn” is one of those films.
The remake of a Japanese horror film is a supernatural thriller that draws upon the legend of a dybbuk, a malevolent spirit that refuses to leave the human world and inhabits the body of a person.
Casey Beldon (Odette Yustman) is plagued by nightmares involving visions of scary-looking dogs and an evil child with bright blue eyes.
After being hit with a mirror by her neighbor’s son (yet another creepy child in the film), Casey’s eyes begin to change color and she learns she had a twin brother who died in the womb.
Casey discovers the spirit haunting her is the soul of her dead twin, being possessed by a dybbuk, wanting to be born so it can transfer to the world of the living.
Beldon goes to Rabbi Sendak (Gary Oldman), to help her perform a Jewish exorcism to remove the dybbuk, which leads to destruction, mayhem and death.
Normally, it would just be an average horror movie with a few scares here and there to at least make the film worth the money the audience spent to watch it.
Yustman’s acting brings down the entire film and she isn’t even required to act most of the film. She could just stand there and look pretty and get away with it, but no — she has to try to evoke emotion.
If I didn’t know any better, I would say her previous acting jobs included the time she was begging to stay out past curfew and told her parents her “life would be over” if they didn’t let her have it her way. She displays just about the same caliber of acting in this film.
Acting, even in horror films, should be somewhat realistic.
Actors should find a way to connect to the audience so they are involved in the film and care about whoever is being haunted by the ghost of their dead twin.
Yustman managed to get me involved in the film to the point where I wanted her to get taken over by the evil spirit so I wouldn’t have to deal with her whining anymore.
Meagan Good plays Yustman’s friend Romy, and also drove me insane through the film. She hopped from being a smart-alecky sidekick to terrified best friend every five minutes.
Oldman, a veteran actor, couldn’t even save the film. He is only in the movie for around 15 minutes, but he does his part well, as expected.
When I see a talented actor in a film like this I always want to write a letter asking if the money was just too good to be true or if they actually thought the film was going to be a step forward in their career.
I will give credit where credit is due in the film.
There were moments of real fright while I watched the 90-minute excuse for a horror movie. A few boo! moments here and there and a small amount scenes which crawl under your skin and creep you out. It is the best kind of scare — unfortunately there wasn’t enough to save this film from amounting to more than a wasted use of film.
It is my strong belief there are only a few good horror movies with a PG-13 rating. If the filmmakers are going to scare people, they have to employ some amount of gore. Horror also invokes reactions in people which don’t make them scream “Gee golly!” Dumbing down the fear factor dumbs down the movie.
You can’t expect a lot from a January film because this month is reserved as the time when the good films from Oscar season say goodbye. Do yourself a favor, stay at home and rent a good horror film.
Starring:Odette Yustman, Gary Oldman and Meagan Good
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and terror, disturbing images, thematic material and language including some sexual references.
Rating: One Star
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Wrestler Review
One of my father’s favorite movies is “Rocky” starring Sylvester Stallone.
While I couldn’t understand what he was talking about at a young age, he would always tell me the film wasn’t about boxing — it was about Stallone overcoming obstacles and following his dream.
In the same vein, “The Wrestler” isn’t about wrestling — it’s about a an old, beat up man who realizes he is in his twilight years and he has nothing and no one to share it with.
Mickey Rourke plays the lead of Randy “The Ram” in the film. The film wasn’t written for Rourke, but the part fits him like a glove.
In his early career, Rourke was likened to Marlon Brando and James Dean. However, Rourke was a veritable train-wreck with emotional problems and a rock star attitude. He decided many years ago he wanted to be an amateur boxer instead of staying in the acting business.
His career in boxing didn’t go far and it ruined a face which earned him more than a few film roles as a heart throb.
A few years ago, Rourke decided to give the acting thing a try once again. His parts were small, but no one could deny he had talent.
“The Wrestler” is his first lead in a movie in several years and he delivers one of the top two performances of the year.
His character seems like Rourke in some alternate dimension where he decided to wrestle instead of act.
Randy “The Ram” lives in a broken down trailer, or his van when he doesn’t have money to pay the rent.
His walls and van are decorated with pictures and action figures of himself from his glory days nearly 20 years ago.
The old wrestler is forced to perform gigs at community centers and schools for next to no money, and the money he does get goes to booze, body enhancing drugs and strippers.
One particular stripper, Cassidy (Marissa Tomei) has also learned she is no longer in her prime after she no longer receives good tips and men don’t look at her twice.
Cassidy and Rourke are both broken down and tired in two entirely different walks of life, but find friendship and love with each other.
Rourke will get most of the credit for his performance in the film because it is both brilliant and heartbreakingkly real. The audience doesn’t feel like they are watching Rourke play a part in a film, they feel the actor is letting the world into his broken soul for two hours and showing how the pain of loneliness feels.
One of the most powerful things about Rourke’s performance is his subtle desperation.
It is obvious how much “The Ram” wants someone to love and someone to love him, which is shown in a number of heartbreaking scenes throughout the film.
Tomei delivers a powerful performance as Rourke’s female counterpart. The film focuses on Rourke’s loneliness and life, but Tomei does a fantastic job of reflecting a quieter sadness and fear. The film never delves deeply into her problems, but reminded the audience the film isn’t about wrestling, it’s about people and their inner battles.
Even Rachel Wood makes an appearance as Rourke’s daughter. I’m not a big fan of Wood or her previous work and she evoked no emotion from me one way or the other in this film.
Bruce Springsteen’s Golden Globe winning song, “The Wrestler,” which The Boss wrote specifically for the film, doesn’t appear until the credits role, but it’s a powerful ballad. Every emotion evoked from the film is wrapped into the song and tugs at the heartstrings of the audience.
The film is titled “The Wrestler” and the plot does touch on the sport from time to time. Watching wrestlers choreograph their matches with an opponent beforehand can be entertaining, but there are some surprisingly violent scenes.
In one instance, “The Ram” performs in an underground wresting gig and is thrown into real barbed wire and stapled with a staple gun. Almost too brutal to watch, but hard to look away from, the scene plays out like a car wreck on the side of the road.
Easily one of the best films of the year, but not the best.
Rourke won the Golden Globe for best actor and an Academy Award could follow, but he will be in the company of giants like Sean Penn and Frank Langella who gave powerhouse performances this year.
It is a great movie with wonderful performances and a touching story. However, saying this movie is about wrestling is like saying Rocky is about boxing — which steals both films of their true beauty and that is just wrong.
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood
Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.
Rating: 3 and a half stars
While I couldn’t understand what he was talking about at a young age, he would always tell me the film wasn’t about boxing — it was about Stallone overcoming obstacles and following his dream.
In the same vein, “The Wrestler” isn’t about wrestling — it’s about a an old, beat up man who realizes he is in his twilight years and he has nothing and no one to share it with.
Mickey Rourke plays the lead of Randy “The Ram” in the film. The film wasn’t written for Rourke, but the part fits him like a glove.
In his early career, Rourke was likened to Marlon Brando and James Dean. However, Rourke was a veritable train-wreck with emotional problems and a rock star attitude. He decided many years ago he wanted to be an amateur boxer instead of staying in the acting business.
His career in boxing didn’t go far and it ruined a face which earned him more than a few film roles as a heart throb.
A few years ago, Rourke decided to give the acting thing a try once again. His parts were small, but no one could deny he had talent.
“The Wrestler” is his first lead in a movie in several years and he delivers one of the top two performances of the year.
His character seems like Rourke in some alternate dimension where he decided to wrestle instead of act.
Randy “The Ram” lives in a broken down trailer, or his van when he doesn’t have money to pay the rent.
His walls and van are decorated with pictures and action figures of himself from his glory days nearly 20 years ago.
The old wrestler is forced to perform gigs at community centers and schools for next to no money, and the money he does get goes to booze, body enhancing drugs and strippers.
One particular stripper, Cassidy (Marissa Tomei) has also learned she is no longer in her prime after she no longer receives good tips and men don’t look at her twice.
Cassidy and Rourke are both broken down and tired in two entirely different walks of life, but find friendship and love with each other.
Rourke will get most of the credit for his performance in the film because it is both brilliant and heartbreakingkly real. The audience doesn’t feel like they are watching Rourke play a part in a film, they feel the actor is letting the world into his broken soul for two hours and showing how the pain of loneliness feels.
One of the most powerful things about Rourke’s performance is his subtle desperation.
It is obvious how much “The Ram” wants someone to love and someone to love him, which is shown in a number of heartbreaking scenes throughout the film.
Tomei delivers a powerful performance as Rourke’s female counterpart. The film focuses on Rourke’s loneliness and life, but Tomei does a fantastic job of reflecting a quieter sadness and fear. The film never delves deeply into her problems, but reminded the audience the film isn’t about wrestling, it’s about people and their inner battles.
Even Rachel Wood makes an appearance as Rourke’s daughter. I’m not a big fan of Wood or her previous work and she evoked no emotion from me one way or the other in this film.
Bruce Springsteen’s Golden Globe winning song, “The Wrestler,” which The Boss wrote specifically for the film, doesn’t appear until the credits role, but it’s a powerful ballad. Every emotion evoked from the film is wrapped into the song and tugs at the heartstrings of the audience.
The film is titled “The Wrestler” and the plot does touch on the sport from time to time. Watching wrestlers choreograph their matches with an opponent beforehand can be entertaining, but there are some surprisingly violent scenes.
In one instance, “The Ram” performs in an underground wresting gig and is thrown into real barbed wire and stapled with a staple gun. Almost too brutal to watch, but hard to look away from, the scene plays out like a car wreck on the side of the road.
Easily one of the best films of the year, but not the best.
Rourke won the Golden Globe for best actor and an Academy Award could follow, but he will be in the company of giants like Sean Penn and Frank Langella who gave powerhouse performances this year.
It is a great movie with wonderful performances and a touching story. However, saying this movie is about wrestling is like saying Rocky is about boxing — which steals both films of their true beauty and that is just wrong.
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei and Evan Rachel Wood
Rated R for violence, sexuality/nudity, language and some drug use.
Rating: 3 and a half stars
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Gran Torino Review
There have been rumors swirling whether Clint Eastwood may retire from acting and only work behind the camera.
If “Gran Torino” is his last film role, he couldn’t have done a better job. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an old, recently widowed man stuck in the 50s.
He thinks children are disrespectful, America should only be for whites and there is no God. Needless to say, he isn’t pleased with the fact his neighborhood has an almost 100% Chinese population.
As a veteran of the Korean War, he doesn’t get along with his neighbors and prefers to spout racist remarks towards them rather than saying hello.
Eastwood is introduced to his neighbors when the teenage boy next door, Thao (Bee Vang), is pressured by a local gang to steal Eastwood’s prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino.
After Eastwood fires a warning shot at the teens head, he flees and the gang learns of his failed attempt and decides to drag Thao to another initiation.
A fight breaks out and Eastwood takes matters into his own hand by pointing his rifle at the gang leader and growling at them to leave.
When the gang leaves, the neighborhood views Eastwood as a hero and begin bringing him gifts.
At first he resists, but after befriending Thao’s older sister, Sue (Ahney Her), starts becoming close to the family.
Eastwood decides to teach Thao how to be a man and all the responsibilities which come with the title.
The relationship between the two unfolds in a hilarious but touching way. Eastwood refuses to change the way he talks about other races, but Thao and Sue love him anyway and give it right back to him.
Unfortunately, Her and Vang are terrible actors.
When trying to perform any emotion besides calm, they come across as flat and unconvincing. Several scenes are almost ruined because of their poor acting.
Luckily for them, Eastwood is on his A-game and easily carries the film on his rough and gruff shoulders. On most people, his voice/growl would come across as over-the-top or cheesy, but he makes it fit the character.
While his character should be neither sympathetic or likeable, Eastwood makes him both for the audience. You want to be his friend despite his mean demeanor.
Like most Eastwood films, it is shot in a simple manor, but comes across as powerful because of the strong story.
The sets aren’t gorgeous, but they look like a neighborhood you might know someone in, which draws in those watching the film.
Had the two supporting actors been good actors the movie and would have been terrific. I still enjoyed it immensely, would recommend it to anyone and watch it again, but part of the reality which makes the film great is lost on Her and Vang.
The film is a must see for the holiday season and a definite awards contender for Best Actor and possibly Best Picture (if the rest of the Academy can get beyond the supporting cast).
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang and Ahney Her
Rated R for language and some violence.
Rating: Three and a half stars
If “Gran Torino” is his last film role, he couldn’t have done a better job. Eastwood plays Walt Kowalski, an old, recently widowed man stuck in the 50s.
He thinks children are disrespectful, America should only be for whites and there is no God. Needless to say, he isn’t pleased with the fact his neighborhood has an almost 100% Chinese population.
As a veteran of the Korean War, he doesn’t get along with his neighbors and prefers to spout racist remarks towards them rather than saying hello.
Eastwood is introduced to his neighbors when the teenage boy next door, Thao (Bee Vang), is pressured by a local gang to steal Eastwood’s prized possession, a 1972 Gran Torino.
After Eastwood fires a warning shot at the teens head, he flees and the gang learns of his failed attempt and decides to drag Thao to another initiation.
A fight breaks out and Eastwood takes matters into his own hand by pointing his rifle at the gang leader and growling at them to leave.
When the gang leaves, the neighborhood views Eastwood as a hero and begin bringing him gifts.
At first he resists, but after befriending Thao’s older sister, Sue (Ahney Her), starts becoming close to the family.
Eastwood decides to teach Thao how to be a man and all the responsibilities which come with the title.
The relationship between the two unfolds in a hilarious but touching way. Eastwood refuses to change the way he talks about other races, but Thao and Sue love him anyway and give it right back to him.
Unfortunately, Her and Vang are terrible actors.
When trying to perform any emotion besides calm, they come across as flat and unconvincing. Several scenes are almost ruined because of their poor acting.
Luckily for them, Eastwood is on his A-game and easily carries the film on his rough and gruff shoulders. On most people, his voice/growl would come across as over-the-top or cheesy, but he makes it fit the character.
While his character should be neither sympathetic or likeable, Eastwood makes him both for the audience. You want to be his friend despite his mean demeanor.
Like most Eastwood films, it is shot in a simple manor, but comes across as powerful because of the strong story.
The sets aren’t gorgeous, but they look like a neighborhood you might know someone in, which draws in those watching the film.
Had the two supporting actors been good actors the movie and would have been terrific. I still enjoyed it immensely, would recommend it to anyone and watch it again, but part of the reality which makes the film great is lost on Her and Vang.
The film is a must see for the holiday season and a definite awards contender for Best Actor and possibly Best Picture (if the rest of the Academy can get beyond the supporting cast).
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang and Ahney Her
Rated R for language and some violence.
Rating: Three and a half stars
Top 10 Films of the Year
At the end of every year, I look back and reflect on the films I have seen to determine what will be recognized during the Academy Awards.
Last year was not a good year for movies. While some shined through the darkness, most films just faded into oblivion. Some films had high quality, but in small quantities.
In 2008, there was a large number of films with high quality. Superheroes and comedies reigned supreme, while most dramas fell by the wayside. But that’s OK with me because I like superheroes and I like to laugh.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to see some of the films I feel will end up being my favorites, but I will give you my top 10 for 2008 with the warning I may be replacing a few choices in the coming weeks.
10. Kung Fu Panda — Much of the country fell in love with a cute and cuddly robot this summer, but my heart went out to a clumsy, fat panda.
The story of Po (Jack Black), a panda meant for greatness, but held back by other people’s perceptions, is both a hilarious cartoon and a strong film. Po’s journey can make adults and children alike laugh at his antics, feel his hurt and triumph with him in his victories. A must-see for anyone who has ever felt like an oddball or different (this includes everyone in the world.)
9. Pineapple Express — James Franco’s turn as a pot-head drug dealer on the run with Seth Rogan is one of the funniest films this year. At first glance, “Pineapple Express” might seem like a typical stoner movie, but in reality it is one of the best buddy comedy’s in the past several years.
Rogan has established himself as a comedy icon in the past two years, but Franco blows him out of the water with his performance as the simple-minded drug dealer who just wants to be friends with everyone. I can only hope and pray that Franco will continue to dig into his comedy roots and take more roles like this one.
I knew how good the movie was when my wife had to tell me to stop quoting the movie she hadn’t seen every day and pointed out I would just occasionally laugh to myself and mutter a line or two from the film. The sign of a truly great comedy.
8. Iron Man — A dream come true for action lovers and comic book geeks alike. This was a close second to the best comic book film this year. In fact, it is one of the best comic book films to come out in the past several years.
Not only did it mark the beginning of a phenomenal comeback for Robert Downey Jr., it also re-ignited the general audience’s interest in costumed superheroes.
As action packed as it is character driven, “Iron Man” makes it hard not to like for anyone.
7. — In Bruges- This film was only in limited release this year, but had a deep impact on my when I was finally able to watch it.
The movie is marketed as a comedy and has its moments of hilarity, but is more extesential than anything else. I am not normally someone to rave about a film because it is extesential — in fact most of the time if the film makes it a focal point it ends up being a bad movie — but “In Bruges” was poignant in a way which struck me deeply.
I don’t know if everyone would have a similar experience, but I found myself laughing out loud one moment, and pondering life the next.
6. Austrailia- I love a good epic. While a three hour running time is long no matter who you are, the time flies by while watching “Australia.”
If it isn’t the stunning visuals, it is the gripping storyline keeping the audience sucked into every moment of the film. Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world and Luhrmann makes sure to tap into that beauty and make the audience feel like they are surrounded by the rocks of the “down under” instead of chairs and popcorn.
Besides shooting the scenery, director Baz Luhrmann can take a simple shot of a person riding a horse and shoot it from an angle sure to steal the audiences breath away.
5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- My favorite comedy of the year far and away. I had looked forward to the film long before I was actually able to sit down and enjoy it, but when I did it was just as wonderful as I had imagined.
Jason Segel is great a front-man, and even better as a writer.
Obviously, it is easier for Segal to make his own words funny, but the entire cast also orchestrates Segel’s words into a beautiful comedic symphony.
Since I first saw the film, I have watched it numerous times and instead of finding the jokes to be stale, I find new things which I hadn’t noticed before and still roll from the things I laughed at the first time I enjoyed the experience.
4. The Dark Knight- I don’t know how anyone could argue this is the best comic book movie to be made in several years.
There are several reasons this film will go down in history as a classic film. One, of course, is Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance as the Joker. Ledger’s tragic and untimely death came at the peak of his career. His shoes will never be filled in this series or by anyone who attempts to play this character ever again.
The new Batman films also explore the dark side of the hero. The film shows even superheroes are people with issues. Batman’s human vunerablity makes the film easier to enjoy because it draws the audience in and connects them with a character as opposed to just having them watch someone or something they could never relate too.
3. Milk — Sean Penn will definitely be nominated for his portrayal as one of the first openly gay politicians in the 70s. Director Gus Van Sant is a stickler for authenticity in his films and his use of camera angles, sets and costumes truly make this biopic a better experience.
It isn’t the best film of the year, but it is close. A cast can make or break a film and, while the story is interesting and fascinating, Penn takes the cake for reasons to watch this film. His transformation into Milk is uncanny and worthy of any recognition he gets.
In a time of change and empowerment, this film stands out as a soapbox for many people to shout their views, but behind the politics is the story of one man trying to make a difference. Anyone can relate to that, no matter what choices they make in life.
2. Slumdog Millionaire- This gripping tale from director Danny Boyle ( “28 Days Later”, “Trainspotting”) tells the story of a young boy who grew up in the slums of India. The boy finds his way onto the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and makes a run for one of the highest prizes ever awarded on the show.
His story is told through the questions asked of him on the game show. Dev Patel is great as the lead role of Jamal and his co-star and love interest Freida Pinto is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screens this year.
This story of life and love has every aspect a good film should have: comedy, drama, love and loss.
It is a close second for my favorite film of the year.
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- It is fitting one of the best films of the year opened on one of the best days of the year.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a frontrunner for several Academy Awards including Best Picture.
If Pitt’s performance in the film is not the best of his career, I don’t know what is. His portrayal of a young boy in a old man’s body and a wise, old man inside the body of a young man show a range of talent rarely seen and remarkable to watch.
Three of the films actors should be nominated for Academy Awards. Pitt for Best Actor, alongside Blanchett for Best Actress and Taraji P. Henson for Best Supporting Actress.
Henson shines as Pitt’s adoptive mother, a southern women who claims Button as her own. Henson should have been nominated as her turn as a single-mother prostitute with a heart of gold in “Hustle and Flow,” and re-enforces her label of a truly good actress in “Button.”
The film will almost assuredly win “Best Adapted Screenplay” for the gripping script. Taking Fitzgerald’s story and turning it into an epic is not a deed which should go unnoticed.
I may be a sucker for epic films, but I always believe if a movie can grip you for three hours and involve you in the story deserves recognition — like Best Picture.
David Fincher’s work may also be recognized under the umbrella of “Best Director” and —although I’m not an expert — I believe costumes and art director might also have a chance for walking away with an award or two.
I haven’t seen many films this year which hold a candle to “Button.” I haven’t seen everything which came out in 2008, but — currently — this holds the number one slot in my opinion — a must see picture for the holiday season.
Last year was not a good year for movies. While some shined through the darkness, most films just faded into oblivion. Some films had high quality, but in small quantities.
In 2008, there was a large number of films with high quality. Superheroes and comedies reigned supreme, while most dramas fell by the wayside. But that’s OK with me because I like superheroes and I like to laugh.
Unfortunately, I have been unable to see some of the films I feel will end up being my favorites, but I will give you my top 10 for 2008 with the warning I may be replacing a few choices in the coming weeks.
10. Kung Fu Panda — Much of the country fell in love with a cute and cuddly robot this summer, but my heart went out to a clumsy, fat panda.
The story of Po (Jack Black), a panda meant for greatness, but held back by other people’s perceptions, is both a hilarious cartoon and a strong film. Po’s journey can make adults and children alike laugh at his antics, feel his hurt and triumph with him in his victories. A must-see for anyone who has ever felt like an oddball or different (this includes everyone in the world.)
9. Pineapple Express — James Franco’s turn as a pot-head drug dealer on the run with Seth Rogan is one of the funniest films this year. At first glance, “Pineapple Express” might seem like a typical stoner movie, but in reality it is one of the best buddy comedy’s in the past several years.
Rogan has established himself as a comedy icon in the past two years, but Franco blows him out of the water with his performance as the simple-minded drug dealer who just wants to be friends with everyone. I can only hope and pray that Franco will continue to dig into his comedy roots and take more roles like this one.
I knew how good the movie was when my wife had to tell me to stop quoting the movie she hadn’t seen every day and pointed out I would just occasionally laugh to myself and mutter a line or two from the film. The sign of a truly great comedy.
8. Iron Man — A dream come true for action lovers and comic book geeks alike. This was a close second to the best comic book film this year. In fact, it is one of the best comic book films to come out in the past several years.
Not only did it mark the beginning of a phenomenal comeback for Robert Downey Jr., it also re-ignited the general audience’s interest in costumed superheroes.
As action packed as it is character driven, “Iron Man” makes it hard not to like for anyone.
7. — In Bruges- This film was only in limited release this year, but had a deep impact on my when I was finally able to watch it.
The movie is marketed as a comedy and has its moments of hilarity, but is more extesential than anything else. I am not normally someone to rave about a film because it is extesential — in fact most of the time if the film makes it a focal point it ends up being a bad movie — but “In Bruges” was poignant in a way which struck me deeply.
I don’t know if everyone would have a similar experience, but I found myself laughing out loud one moment, and pondering life the next.
6. Austrailia- I love a good epic. While a three hour running time is long no matter who you are, the time flies by while watching “Australia.”
If it isn’t the stunning visuals, it is the gripping storyline keeping the audience sucked into every moment of the film. Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world and Luhrmann makes sure to tap into that beauty and make the audience feel like they are surrounded by the rocks of the “down under” instead of chairs and popcorn.
Besides shooting the scenery, director Baz Luhrmann can take a simple shot of a person riding a horse and shoot it from an angle sure to steal the audiences breath away.
5. Forgetting Sarah Marshall- My favorite comedy of the year far and away. I had looked forward to the film long before I was actually able to sit down and enjoy it, but when I did it was just as wonderful as I had imagined.
Jason Segel is great a front-man, and even better as a writer.
Obviously, it is easier for Segal to make his own words funny, but the entire cast also orchestrates Segel’s words into a beautiful comedic symphony.
Since I first saw the film, I have watched it numerous times and instead of finding the jokes to be stale, I find new things which I hadn’t noticed before and still roll from the things I laughed at the first time I enjoyed the experience.
4. The Dark Knight- I don’t know how anyone could argue this is the best comic book movie to be made in several years.
There are several reasons this film will go down in history as a classic film. One, of course, is Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance as the Joker. Ledger’s tragic and untimely death came at the peak of his career. His shoes will never be filled in this series or by anyone who attempts to play this character ever again.
The new Batman films also explore the dark side of the hero. The film shows even superheroes are people with issues. Batman’s human vunerablity makes the film easier to enjoy because it draws the audience in and connects them with a character as opposed to just having them watch someone or something they could never relate too.
3. Milk — Sean Penn will definitely be nominated for his portrayal as one of the first openly gay politicians in the 70s. Director Gus Van Sant is a stickler for authenticity in his films and his use of camera angles, sets and costumes truly make this biopic a better experience.
It isn’t the best film of the year, but it is close. A cast can make or break a film and, while the story is interesting and fascinating, Penn takes the cake for reasons to watch this film. His transformation into Milk is uncanny and worthy of any recognition he gets.
In a time of change and empowerment, this film stands out as a soapbox for many people to shout their views, but behind the politics is the story of one man trying to make a difference. Anyone can relate to that, no matter what choices they make in life.
2. Slumdog Millionaire- This gripping tale from director Danny Boyle ( “28 Days Later”, “Trainspotting”) tells the story of a young boy who grew up in the slums of India. The boy finds his way onto the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” and makes a run for one of the highest prizes ever awarded on the show.
His story is told through the questions asked of him on the game show. Dev Patel is great as the lead role of Jamal and his co-star and love interest Freida Pinto is one of the most beautiful women to grace the screens this year.
This story of life and love has every aspect a good film should have: comedy, drama, love and loss.
It is a close second for my favorite film of the year.
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button- It is fitting one of the best films of the year opened on one of the best days of the year.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a frontrunner for several Academy Awards including Best Picture.
If Pitt’s performance in the film is not the best of his career, I don’t know what is. His portrayal of a young boy in a old man’s body and a wise, old man inside the body of a young man show a range of talent rarely seen and remarkable to watch.
Three of the films actors should be nominated for Academy Awards. Pitt for Best Actor, alongside Blanchett for Best Actress and Taraji P. Henson for Best Supporting Actress.
Henson shines as Pitt’s adoptive mother, a southern women who claims Button as her own. Henson should have been nominated as her turn as a single-mother prostitute with a heart of gold in “Hustle and Flow,” and re-enforces her label of a truly good actress in “Button.”
The film will almost assuredly win “Best Adapted Screenplay” for the gripping script. Taking Fitzgerald’s story and turning it into an epic is not a deed which should go unnoticed.
I may be a sucker for epic films, but I always believe if a movie can grip you for three hours and involve you in the story deserves recognition — like Best Picture.
David Fincher’s work may also be recognized under the umbrella of “Best Director” and —although I’m not an expert — I believe costumes and art director might also have a chance for walking away with an award or two.
I haven’t seen many films this year which hold a candle to “Button.” I haven’t seen everything which came out in 2008, but — currently — this holds the number one slot in my opinion — a must see picture for the holiday season.
New Year Competition
I hate New Year’s resolutions.
I never make them because I know I will just end up not following through with them. I believe most people find themselves in a simalair situation.
However, my wife, Sarah, made a New Year’s resolution for me. She calls it dieting and I call it giving up all of my favorite foods and drinks while wasting away to nothingness.
Then I visited my parents house and saw pictures of myself from two years ago when I had a decent looking figure. I was no Brad Pitt, but I could hold my own in a “he’s-not-so-bad” contest.
I still wasn’t keen on the idea of making a New Year’s resolution having to do with weight because it is often the most common resolution and the most failed.
Then Sarah proposed a wager. She proposed we both go on a diet and whoever has lost the most weight by May wins the others spending money.
Bringing money into the equation changed things for me. I thought of all the DVD’s and Blu-ray’s I could buy with this extra spending money.
I also know my wife is already skinny and if she loses much more weight she will float away on a strong gust of wind. I on the other hand, could easily lose 20 pounds resulting in someone asking me if I have had a haircut.
Therefore, in the spirit of winning money, not a resolution, I have dedicated to lose more weight than Sarah.
I have already begun the journey and it is not simple. I have had to give up some of my favorite things, including Cokes. I could drink seven Cokes in one day without batting an eye, and now I must limit myself to one Diet Coke everyday. It is hard, but I will have to learn to like drinking water.
I never drank water before because I figured my body is made up of somewhere around 75% of water. It doesn’t need anymore. It wants flavor.
I must also hold back on my favorite dish, Tyson’s buffalo style chicken tenders (even writing this is wreaking havoc on my mind and body).
The journey will be long and hard, but the end result will be worth it. I don’t know if she doesn’t believe I can do it or if it just an elaborate trick to have me fit into my back-in-my-college-day-jeans, but either way, I am going to be spending her money come May.
I ask for the prayers and support of the community as I take on the task of trouncing my wife in this competition. I will keep you up to date with weigh ins and picture progress.
I never make them because I know I will just end up not following through with them. I believe most people find themselves in a simalair situation.
However, my wife, Sarah, made a New Year’s resolution for me. She calls it dieting and I call it giving up all of my favorite foods and drinks while wasting away to nothingness.
Then I visited my parents house and saw pictures of myself from two years ago when I had a decent looking figure. I was no Brad Pitt, but I could hold my own in a “he’s-not-so-bad” contest.
I still wasn’t keen on the idea of making a New Year’s resolution having to do with weight because it is often the most common resolution and the most failed.
Then Sarah proposed a wager. She proposed we both go on a diet and whoever has lost the most weight by May wins the others spending money.
Bringing money into the equation changed things for me. I thought of all the DVD’s and Blu-ray’s I could buy with this extra spending money.
I also know my wife is already skinny and if she loses much more weight she will float away on a strong gust of wind. I on the other hand, could easily lose 20 pounds resulting in someone asking me if I have had a haircut.
Therefore, in the spirit of winning money, not a resolution, I have dedicated to lose more weight than Sarah.
I have already begun the journey and it is not simple. I have had to give up some of my favorite things, including Cokes. I could drink seven Cokes in one day without batting an eye, and now I must limit myself to one Diet Coke everyday. It is hard, but I will have to learn to like drinking water.
I never drank water before because I figured my body is made up of somewhere around 75% of water. It doesn’t need anymore. It wants flavor.
I must also hold back on my favorite dish, Tyson’s buffalo style chicken tenders (even writing this is wreaking havoc on my mind and body).
The journey will be long and hard, but the end result will be worth it. I don’t know if she doesn’t believe I can do it or if it just an elaborate trick to have me fit into my back-in-my-college-day-jeans, but either way, I am going to be spending her money come May.
I ask for the prayers and support of the community as I take on the task of trouncing my wife in this competition. I will keep you up to date with weigh ins and picture progress.
Christmas Memories
As with most people, this time of year comes with a flood of memories for me.
One of the best things about the holidays is sitting around with family and sharing memories of Christmas past. With my family, the sharing usually consists of embarrassing or funny stories.
For instance, there was the year it was my turn to hang the angel on the Christmas tree.
Every year we have an angel on top of our family tree instead of the traditional star.
There are pictures of my little sister on my dad’s back stretching to reach the top of the tree to place the angel in its rightful place.
There is no picture with me stretching to place the angel on the tree. This is because when it was my year, I felt the necessity to keep the angel with me at all times.
This meant, I walked around with the angel, ate with the angel and, you guessed it, went to the bathroom with the angel.
My memory is fuzzy how it happened but somehow, an attempt to escape from me or a desire to go for a swim caused the angel to leap from my hands and land in the toilet bowl.
There was no angel on the Christmas tree that year and for several years my father was my surrogate angel placer. I don’t remember how old I was when it happened, but I know I couldn’t have been older than 17.
There was also the year the coveted toy for my little sister was the board game “Don’t Wake Daddy.”
She would tear open each present hoping to see those words on every box.
Finally, when the magical moment happened where she opened the box to reveal the game she began jumping up and down yelling “Don’t wake Daddy! Don’t wake —.”
The pause was the moment she became so overwhelmed with joy she released the contents of her stomach all over her game and the presents surrounding it.
This led to my brother and I to almost lose the content of our stomachs from laughing so hard — we were good brothers, I know.
One particular Christmas memory is something my parents and siblings love to remind me of whenever we are opening gifts.
I was a persistent child and when I heard the word “no” I took it to mean, “ask me again in five minutes.” During one Christmas, my parents had placed a few Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve before Santa could visit that evening.
I begged and begged my parents to allow us to open just one gift on Christmas Eve. Sticklers for tradition, my parents refused.
However, I had the special ability of endurance, which they did not possess.
I asked several times throughout the night and finally wore them down to allow one gift on Christmas Eve. I was thrilled and ran to grab the first present I could with my name on it.
Because I was the annoying one, I was told I could open mine third. I impatiently waited for my brother and sister to open their gifts.
I don’t remember what they got, but I remember them liking it.
After a lecture on how I shouldn’t get a turn because I had pestered my parents so much, I tore into my gift.
Inside, I found a package of undershirts — which had been wrapped as a Christmas gift by mistake.
My family rolled on the floor with laughter. The one thing I had begged and begged for all day had been a package of undershirts.
To this day, every Christmas I can find a set of undershirts underneath the Christmas tree with my name on them. We were allowed to open one gift every Christmas Eve after that year, but my mother picked out which ones we could open and mine usually ended up being socks or undershirts. One year she went all out and got me a package of batteries.
I love my family.
I love talking about Christmas memories because no matter what is happening in your life, you can remember the happy times you spent with your family.
While my little sister may not be making the best decisions with her life and infuriating me as a big brother, she is still my little sister. She is still the little girl throwing up all over her present because she is so overcome with excitement because of a board game.
Thank God for Christmas memories. I hope all of you make great ones with your family every year. Merry Christmas.
One of the best things about the holidays is sitting around with family and sharing memories of Christmas past. With my family, the sharing usually consists of embarrassing or funny stories.
For instance, there was the year it was my turn to hang the angel on the Christmas tree.
Every year we have an angel on top of our family tree instead of the traditional star.
There are pictures of my little sister on my dad’s back stretching to reach the top of the tree to place the angel in its rightful place.
There is no picture with me stretching to place the angel on the tree. This is because when it was my year, I felt the necessity to keep the angel with me at all times.
This meant, I walked around with the angel, ate with the angel and, you guessed it, went to the bathroom with the angel.
My memory is fuzzy how it happened but somehow, an attempt to escape from me or a desire to go for a swim caused the angel to leap from my hands and land in the toilet bowl.
There was no angel on the Christmas tree that year and for several years my father was my surrogate angel placer. I don’t remember how old I was when it happened, but I know I couldn’t have been older than 17.
There was also the year the coveted toy for my little sister was the board game “Don’t Wake Daddy.”
She would tear open each present hoping to see those words on every box.
Finally, when the magical moment happened where she opened the box to reveal the game she began jumping up and down yelling “Don’t wake Daddy! Don’t wake —.”
The pause was the moment she became so overwhelmed with joy she released the contents of her stomach all over her game and the presents surrounding it.
This led to my brother and I to almost lose the content of our stomachs from laughing so hard — we were good brothers, I know.
One particular Christmas memory is something my parents and siblings love to remind me of whenever we are opening gifts.
I was a persistent child and when I heard the word “no” I took it to mean, “ask me again in five minutes.” During one Christmas, my parents had placed a few Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve before Santa could visit that evening.
I begged and begged my parents to allow us to open just one gift on Christmas Eve. Sticklers for tradition, my parents refused.
However, I had the special ability of endurance, which they did not possess.
I asked several times throughout the night and finally wore them down to allow one gift on Christmas Eve. I was thrilled and ran to grab the first present I could with my name on it.
Because I was the annoying one, I was told I could open mine third. I impatiently waited for my brother and sister to open their gifts.
I don’t remember what they got, but I remember them liking it.
After a lecture on how I shouldn’t get a turn because I had pestered my parents so much, I tore into my gift.
Inside, I found a package of undershirts — which had been wrapped as a Christmas gift by mistake.
My family rolled on the floor with laughter. The one thing I had begged and begged for all day had been a package of undershirts.
To this day, every Christmas I can find a set of undershirts underneath the Christmas tree with my name on them. We were allowed to open one gift every Christmas Eve after that year, but my mother picked out which ones we could open and mine usually ended up being socks or undershirts. One year she went all out and got me a package of batteries.
I love my family.
I love talking about Christmas memories because no matter what is happening in your life, you can remember the happy times you spent with your family.
While my little sister may not be making the best decisions with her life and infuriating me as a big brother, she is still my little sister. She is still the little girl throwing up all over her present because she is so overcome with excitement because of a board game.
Thank God for Christmas memories. I hope all of you make great ones with your family every year. Merry Christmas.
Doubt Movie Review
Many plays may find it hard to cross over to film because a stage production thrives off its characters more than visuals, which audiences can find “boring.”
“Doubt” a pulitzer-award winning production, does not have this problem.
The film’s incredible ensemble cast of Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman make the film an edge-of-your-seat thriller without firing a single gun or involving themselves with any sort of government espionage.
A charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Hoffman), is trying to upend a Catholic schools’ strict customs in 1964, which have long been guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), the iron-gloved principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline.
The school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller, but when Sister James (Adams), a wide-eyed nun, shares with Aloysius her suspicion Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Miller, Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to remove Flynn from the school and the priesthood.
As a play adapted for the screen, most of the film takes place on a small number of sets, including a classroom and Aloysius’ office. The film relys entirely on the cast’s ability to draw the audience into the conflict, making them doubt what is truth and what is gossip.
It goes without saying Streep, Adams and Hoffman are gifted actors. Adams an Acadamey-Award nominee, Streep a two-time winner and Hoffman a Best Actor winner are all on their A-game for the film and will all likely see another nomination come from the film.
Streep immediately commands respect from the audience when she first appears on screen as the evil Aloyisius.
Adams immediately gives the audience a feeling of trust and warmth and Hoffman immediately gives off an air of doubt and suspicion as to his true nature.
The climactic scene in the film involves Streep and Hoffman engaged in a battle of the wills in her office. Both strong characters and strong actors, the scene grabs the audience by the collar and yanks them toward the screen, anxiously awaiting to see which side will give in to the other.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has its work cut out for it in the awards season facing these acting giants and the script, could rob “Button” of the Best Adapted Screenplay award.
Another awards contender is Viola Davis as Miller’s mother. Davis only shares 12 minutes of screen time, but her powerful performance puts her in the running for the award season as well.
I don’t see her beating Adams, however, who is pitch-perfect in her niche role as a naive sweetheart who wants only to believe in the good in people. Most of the film is just wanting to hug her, but at moments it seems more appropriate to shake her for being so naive.
There are many films which have great acting, but an average plot, which makes the experience less enjoyable for the audience. “Doubt” is both intriguing and exciting and the acting propels it to being one of the greatest films this year.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams
Rated PG-13 for thematic material and language.
Rating: Three and one half stars
“Doubt” a pulitzer-award winning production, does not have this problem.
The film’s incredible ensemble cast of Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Philip Seymour Hoffman make the film an edge-of-your-seat thriller without firing a single gun or involving themselves with any sort of government espionage.
A charismatic priest, Father Flynn (Hoffman), is trying to upend a Catholic schools’ strict customs in 1964, which have long been guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier (Streep), the iron-gloved principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline.
The school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller, but when Sister James (Adams), a wide-eyed nun, shares with Aloysius her suspicion Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Miller, Aloysius sets off on a personal crusade to unearth the truth and to remove Flynn from the school and the priesthood.
As a play adapted for the screen, most of the film takes place on a small number of sets, including a classroom and Aloysius’ office. The film relys entirely on the cast’s ability to draw the audience into the conflict, making them doubt what is truth and what is gossip.
It goes without saying Streep, Adams and Hoffman are gifted actors. Adams an Acadamey-Award nominee, Streep a two-time winner and Hoffman a Best Actor winner are all on their A-game for the film and will all likely see another nomination come from the film.
Streep immediately commands respect from the audience when she first appears on screen as the evil Aloyisius.
Adams immediately gives the audience a feeling of trust and warmth and Hoffman immediately gives off an air of doubt and suspicion as to his true nature.
The climactic scene in the film involves Streep and Hoffman engaged in a battle of the wills in her office. Both strong characters and strong actors, the scene grabs the audience by the collar and yanks them toward the screen, anxiously awaiting to see which side will give in to the other.
“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has its work cut out for it in the awards season facing these acting giants and the script, could rob “Button” of the Best Adapted Screenplay award.
Another awards contender is Viola Davis as Miller’s mother. Davis only shares 12 minutes of screen time, but her powerful performance puts her in the running for the award season as well.
I don’t see her beating Adams, however, who is pitch-perfect in her niche role as a naive sweetheart who wants only to believe in the good in people. Most of the film is just wanting to hug her, but at moments it seems more appropriate to shake her for being so naive.
There are many films which have great acting, but an average plot, which makes the experience less enjoyable for the audience. “Doubt” is both intriguing and exciting and the acting propels it to being one of the greatest films this year.
Starring: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams
Rated PG-13 for thematic material and language.
Rating: Three and one half stars
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