Author Archives: moviejoltz
Flash Movie Review: Mongol
As time goes on, historical figures can take on mythical proportions. For me, one of those figures would be Genghis Khan. In my mind he has grown to this brutal, larger than life figure. How else could I have looked at him for what he had achieved back in the early years of the 1200’s? So with that mindset, I was taken aback by this massive undertaking of a movie that focused on his early years, when he was simply known as Temudjin. At the age of 10 he had promised his future bride he would return to her and he kept that promise. It really said something about his character for keeping that promise while becoming orphaned, pursued and enslaved. Considering this background, it only fueled my fascination for the man who was to become known as Genghis Khan. Played masterfully by Tadanobu Asano (Thor, Ichi the Killer) as the adult Genghis, one can say this film was also part love story. With his wife Borte, played by newcomer Khulan Chuluun, they formed a bond that would be the foundation to his formable drive in taking what he felt he deserved. Visually the movie was beautifully filmed with massive panoramic scenes and huge battles. There was violence and several bloody parts. I do not know how much of this story was true, but I did not care. As far as I was concerned I was seeing how a man of below modest means started on his path in life, to become one of the most famous people in history. Mongolian with English subtitles.
3 1/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Jiro Dreams of Sushi
After a friend became grossly ill from eating sushi some years ago, I stopped eating or thinking about the food. How surprised I was after viewing this documentary, I was not only hungry, but I had a new appreciation for this delicacy. It was amazing to see master sushi chef Jiro Ono talk about his life’s work on attempting to make the perfect piece of sushi. Now you may be thinking what the big deal was about this one individual, surely there were many chefs who wanted to create the best piece of sushi. The difference was 85 year old Jiro was the first sushi chef ever to obtain a 3 star rating from the Michelin guide. Mr Ono’s 10 seat restaurant was underground by a Toyko subway station; where reservations had to be made months in advance. I was intrigued by the single focus he had his entire life, to devote himself to creating sushi. With two sons in the business, Jiro tried to instill his strict work ethic into his sons, though he had no plans on retiring. The filming of this movie was simple with an easy flow to it. We were witnesses to every aspect of Jiro’s daily life; from fish market to preparation, all the way to how he serves his guests. I was fascinated by the entire process. Though it is unlikely I will start consuming sushi, I certainly will wonder how much thought went into those pieces the next time my friends order it. Japanese with English subtitles.
3 1/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Mrs. Brown
From a simple title came a powerful actor driven movie. At the time, the most powerful woman in the world had secluded herself away from her subjects, still grief stricken over the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert. The woman I refer to was Queen Victoria and she was portrayed brilliantly by Judi Dench (Quantum of Solace, J. Edgar). Notice how she used her entire face, especially her eyes and her body to convey her feelings. When she became angry, her eyes would turn lethal with their fiery stare. Having been part of the staff of her late husband, Queen Victoria summoned John Brown to become her personal servant. This simple Scotsman, filled with admiration and love for his Queen, was wonderfully portrayed by Billy Connolly (Timeline, White Oleander). With stubbornness, determination and devotion to her, John had a profound effect on her royal majesty. From her deep sorrow, Queen Victoria slowly came back to life as the two grew to share a special bond. As I watched this film, I felt I was seeing a piece of history come to life; every detail of the Queen’s court, the protocol were easily created in this beautifully done film. Love was the healing force here and in this case, a country and world would benefit from it.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: American Reunion
It is amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do for a tired old movie franchise. Having only seen the first 2 American Pie movies when they started back in 1999, there was not much I remembered about them. This film was better than I expected. The humor had the same flavor as the original, filled with grossness, blatantly sexual references and overall crudeness. Jason Biggs (American Pie franchise, Eight Below) as Jim Levenstein not only looked the same, but even through married with a child, he still found himself getting into embarrassing situations. And then there was the Stifler, Steven Stifler played by Sean William Scott (Role Models, American Pie franchise). Though older, he was no more the wiser as he remained the ultimate crazy, party boy. Truthfully, it did not matter that I did not remember all the different connections or should I say hookups, within the group from their younger days. The story was adept in its way of tying up present day to the past. There were really no laugh out loud moments for me, more chuckles and smiles as I took a walk down nostalgia lane with the characters. If you were not a fan of the original movies, you may not care to see this movie. However, I have to say, there was something to be said for seeing all the East Great Falls, Michigan high school gang. That connection formed during those high school years never goes away, not with distance nor time. Overall, these former high schoolers turned out better than any one of us expected.
2 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Prodigal Sons
Returning to her Helena, Montana high school reunion, transgendered Kimberly Reed had no idea that this would be the easiest part of her trip. Kimberly in high school was Paul McKerrow, star quarterback of the football team. Maybe filmmaker Ms. Reed thought she was going to do a documentary about her class reunion; however, the bigger part of the film revolved around her attempts to reconcile with her adopted older brother, Marc. I was fascinated with the family dynamics as Kimberly and her siblings tried to interact under new definitions of themselves. But with each one coming home to their mother’s house, old rivalries and patterns crept up, making for high drama throughout this movie. I felt Kimberly did an excellent job of directing this movie, while starring in some hard, emotional scenes. One startling scene in particular was Marc discovering the name of his birth mother. Ultimately this well done film showed another example of sibling rivalry, but in a different light. No matter how far one buries issues inside of themselves, they always seem to find a way out.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: October Baby
This movie made me angry and it was not because of the politics of the story. I am going to do my best not to get into the controversy brewing around this film. The main and most important issue I had with the entire movie was that it was not a movie. It was one big marketing campaign. The acting was dreadful; at one point I felt it was striving so hard to be a classic tearjerker. With schmaltzy songs that were used as a bridge to the next scene; it was pitiful. And as for the script, it had no character development, was simplistic and I felt it was unabashedly manipulative. Shame on everyone involved with this movie for putting out this rubbish and calling it a movie. I was just about to write that this movie played like a made for TV movie, but that would be an insult to all the wonderful work studios do for the small screen. If you ask me, if the studio would have made this as a documentary I could see this story working. Here is the story: college freshman Hannah, played by relative newcomer Rachel Hendrix, discoverd she was adopted and a survivor of a failed abortion. Trying to find answers and reasons, she goes on a journey with her friend Jason, played by Jason Burkey (Losers, Take All), to find the woman who tried to abort her. For a film that tried to make the audience weep, the four women sitting in front of me laughing, were not buying it. And neither was I.
1 star
Flash Movie Review: Come Early Morning
It is so hard to break a pattern that was learned by example from a young age. First, to even be aware of the pattern and secondly, realizing it was not working for you is such a major accomplishment in one’s life. Lucy Fowler, played by Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy, Crossing Over), had come to a point in her life where the hard drinking, sleeping around, waking up early to sneak out from a stranger’s bed was no longer fulfilling a need in her. I have to say; watching Ashley in this part reminded me that with the proper direction, she can really deliver a convincing character. She was excellent in this performance. The development of her character really blossomed when she met Cal Perrell, played deftly by Jeffrey Donovan (Hitch, J. Edgar, Burn Notice-TV series), a recently transplanted resident to her small southern town. The relationship between these two came across in a real way as they began a rocky courtship. I enjoyed watching this movie, feeling as though I was really seeing a glimpse of small town life. And more imporatntly, I appreciated the way the story ended; it felt more true to life for me. Those learned habits really can be tough to overcome.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Sucker Punch
Everyone, please step aside and let this generation’s new Spice Girls take center stage. These young women, though dressed seductively, were all about the “girl power.” The only difference, or you may think there is no difference, was they could not sing or act. What a poor excuse for a movie; I felt I was watching a video game. The story, if you wish to call it that, was about an abusive step father who hauled off his step daughter to a mental institution, after her mother had died. To prevent her from telling authorities about what he had done to her and her sister, he paid off the warden or top administrator to have her lobotomized. Doesn’t this sound like a fun story? My favorite part of the story had to do with this unfortunate girl being dubbed Babydoll, played by Emily Browning (Sleeping Beauty, The Uninvited), who has a speical gift–when she dances, she can put people into a trance. While she dances her mind enters an unconscious, alternative world where she learns how to plot her escape. I do not believe you need any more information about the story; you get the idea I am sure. Among those joining her in this plan were Vanessa Hudgens (High School franchise, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island) as Blondie and Jena Malone (Into the Wild, Pride & Prejudice) as Rocket. Except for the art direction, this movie was simply wrong on so many levels. The CGI effects were not enough to keep me from being bored by the story. I believe this movie will interest a small range of people: young males.
1 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Kid With the Bike
There are some people who have an item in their home that reminds them of a deceased friend or family member. I, myself, have a ceramic vase that belonged to a close friend, who passed away some years ago. In an amazing feat of acting, I understood the ferocity Cyril Catoul, played by Thomas Doret, displayed in keeping the bicycle his father had given him. This is the same father who abandoned his young son to a state run youth home. The opening scene immediately pulled at one’s heart strings as Cyril kept dialing his father’s phone number, only to hear that it was disconnected. From this heart wrenching scene the viewer was a witness to Cyril’s desperate struggle to escape and reunite with hs father. For a relative newcomer, Thomas was outstanding in his portrayal of Cyril. The other incredible performance was from Cecile De France (Hereafter, Around the World in 80 Days) who played Samantha, the local hairdresser who somehow understood Cyril’s plight. From a chance meeting, she shortly agreed to foster home Cyril on the weekends. What we have here are two broken individuals who needed the other to become whole. The tension and the acting sustained a high level throught the first half of the movie. But in the second half, things began to lose their intensity and I felt let down, along with being disappointed in the ending of this movie. French with English subtitles.
2 2/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Miss Potter
There is nothing like watching a movie and it evokes a fond memory. This film did it for me; I remembered my brother gave me “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” for my birthday and how excited I was to read it. Some of you may have thought the title of this movie had to do with Harry Potter, but that would be incorrect. Miss Beatrix Potter, played by Renee Zellweger (Chicago, My One and Only) was the author of this famous children’s book and this movie was about her life. During a time when women were only considered to become wives and mothers, Beatrix was a trailblazer who freely spoke her mind. Believing in her ability to be a great author, Norman Warne played by Ewan McGregor (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Beginners), agreed to publish her book under her inflexible conditions. As meticulous as she was in the creation of her book, so were the creators of this beautifully done movie. Lush country scenery with an aesthetically pleasing layout of each scene, I was enchanted with the telling of this charming story. The small use of animating some of Miss Potter’s illustrations was a perfect accompaniment to the sweetness of this lovely movie. Now I only wish I knew what happened to that birthday gift I got so many years ago.
3 1/4 stars — DVD
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