Category Archives: Fantasy/Sci-Fi
Flash Movie Review: Chronicle
Have you ever imagined yourself with a special power? When I was a little boy, I used to dream I had the ability to fly, but only 6 feet off the ground. I did not know anyone who was that tall back then. In this movie, three high school friends discover they suddenly have superpowers. Within minutes of their realization, I was hooked into watching the guys as they goofed around with their new talent, just like typical high schoolers. What some refer to as the “found footage” movie genre, example being The Blair Witch Project or Cloverfield, it was put to good use here, creating a more stylish film. The audience is watching the movie, in a sense, through the lens of someone’s video camera. I was just glad the camera was steady in this case. As the friends Steve Montgomery, played by Michael B. Jordan (Hard Ball, Friday Night Lights-TV), Andrew Detmer, played by Dane DeHaan (The Front, The Layla Project) and Matt Garetty, played by Alex Russell (Almost Kings, Wasted on the Young) test their abilities, it does not take them long to explore just how far their power can be pushed. For me, this film played more like a documentary; that is how real the actors seemed to me as teenagers playing off of each other. In addition, the script was intelligent, without sinking into bland bantering, thanks to Max Landis (son of John Landis). I do not feel the trailer does justice to this movie; it really is more than a pseudo X-Men prequel type of movie.
2 3/4 stars
Flash Movie Review: Real Steel
This movie threw me a sucker punch! For me, everything about it appeared to be a nondescript science fiction movie. Then how come by the end of it, I was cheering with a tear in my eye? Let me start with Hugh Jackman (X-Men franchise, Australia) playing deadbeat dad Charlie Kenton, a former boxer. Hugh is such an affable guy, even having rotten to nonexistent parenting skills, one cannot help but like him. When his son’s mother dies, the mother’s sister and husband want to take custody of the boy Max, played by Dakota Goyo (Thor, Resurrecting the Champ). Charlie cuts a deal with the husband to take the boy for the summer, for a lump sum of cash, before turning him over to the couple. Max knows his father was paid and from that point on, a hate/love tug of war ensues, as their love of boxing robots is the only common denominator between them. There is nothing great nor nothing sour about this film. It is a simple story that cannot help but give a little tug at your heart. A movie that is good for the whole family. And for those of you who remember, you may want to pull out the old Rock em Sock Em Robots that are stored up in your attic.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Penelope
When you look at couples who are together, do you ever wonder, what was it that each of them saw in the other? What was the initial attraction: looks, personality, heart? For me, I have always said what is on the outside is only rented, changing every day. What a person has inside of themselves is what nourishes my heart. This movie could be called a modern day fairy tale of “Beauty and the Beast,” but it is something more. I felt a kinship with Penelope, played wonderfully by Christina Ricci (Monster, The Addams Family). Born into a high society, wealthy family, Penelope came into the world bearing the family curse. Horrified, her mother keeps her hidden away within the family’s estate, determined to find a way to break this dreaded curse. And the only way to destroy it, is for Penelope to find true love. Once she is of age, Penelope’s mother begins a constant stream of possible suitors for her daughter’s affections. However, each of them leave in horror or disgust until one interesting gentleman arrives, played by James McAvoy (Atonement, X-Men: First Class). Part comedy, part fantasy, this movie will offer you a sweet treat of movie time.
2 2/3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Adjustment Bureau
If you believe there are no accidents, that there is a reason for everything; then this movie will intrigue you. What if there were forces outside of us, keeping watch on our every move–how would you feel? David Norris played by Matt Damon (Inside Job, Green Zone) was a promising politician. By chance or was it by chance he meets Elise Sellas, played by Emily Blunt (The Wolfman, The Jane Austen Book Club), who has an immediate effect on him. This movie presented a different spin on what it means to experience deja vu. It was thrilling without a single gun being fired or setting off a fiery explosion. And it was a romance, like the kind Tony and Maria felt for each other in West Side Story. Matt is such an affable actor, so believable in this movie. Pairing him up with Emily was the perfect choice for the roles needed in this film. My major criticism of the movie was it petered out towards the end. I felt the writers had so much going on, that they did not know how to end the story. And that was a disappointment for me.
2 3/4 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Another Earth
What if there was another you somewhere in space? Would you want to meet them? I was fascinated with the concept as I viewed this DVD. On the day a new planet is discovered, Rhoda Williams played by Brit Marling (Sound of My Voice, Political Disasters) was the cause of a horrific car accident. You can say, there is this common theme that with death there comes birth through the movie. I loved this motion picture: the way it was filmed made it more believable for me, the parallel story of a romance, the cerebral mindset; added a fresh, some may say twisted, take on the story line. William Mapother (The Grudge, In the Bedroom) as John Burroughs did a believable job as a man in pain. This is not your typical science fiction movie, could easily be classified as a romance. Either way, I feel the viewer will either love this movie or hate it. If one is able to keep an open mind, I feel this movie will be a worthwhile watch for you.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: The Adventures of Tintin
Alas, my adventures were ruined by a drunken captain. Within several minutes of the character Captain Haddock played by Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Lord of the Rings franchise) appearing on screen, I became tired of the role. For me, he was the Jar Jar Binks of this film. All I will say about the story is that it has to do with a treasure hunt, with the sinister Sakharine played by Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Defiance) trying to beat out Haddock and Tintin, played by Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot, Jumper), to find a hidden treasure. The action was overpowering–fast paced with scenes flying by one after another. I had thought with the pairing of Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson they would have produced exhilarating, motion picture magic. There were some well done and exciting scenes; but I have to tell you, the majority of the action scenes reminded me of the Indiana Jones movies, but without the fuel to make them pop out at the viewer. If the film studio has hopes of making this a long running franchise; I seriously hope, they consider a whole new team to bring on board, to make a worthwhile movie.
2 1/3 stars
Flash Movie Review: Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
Why is it I can still sit down and watch an “old style” cartoon such as Bugs Bunny or Woody Woodpecker and be amused by it? I find the humor to be fun with a touch of sophistication. And I think that is the issue I had with this movie. This trend of taking cartoon characters and building a movie around them is just a cheap way to milk more money out of them, in my opinion. The movie felt like a reality show to me–fluff with no substance. Thank heavens the chipmunks and chipettes are underage; I could not imagine if they were doing shots! I was bored for a majority of this cartoonish film, as Alvin and his furry friends went from one scene to another, filled with either chaos or humorless jokes. To tell you the truth, I would rather they had just ran a string of music videos of what the chipmunks were singing. Due to Alvin disobeying Dave (Jason Lee), the chipettes and chipmunks got stranded from their cruise ship. Until the last 30 minutes did we get any action and excitement out of this tired story. Would children like this movie? I suppose so, maybe just to hear the high pitched voiced chipmunks and see their antics. Unfortunately, the parents would have to put on their happy faces and endure this film.
1 1/2 stars
Flash Movie Review: Moon
A new standard in his acting career, the role of Sam Bell played by Sam Rockwell (Frost/Nixon, Iron Man 2) was a subtle, mesmerizing performance. An astronaut who is the lone worker on a moon base, Sam is nearing his 3 year contract, when he begins to hear and see something unusual. His only companion on the base is Gertie, a robot voiced by Kevin Spacey (Horrible Bosses, American Beauty)–think an updated version of Hal from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The story captivated me, holding my attention as I marveled at the way the tension was being built up. It is funny, when I hear a movie is a thriller, the first thing that flashes through my mind, is a fast paced movie, filled with action. And here, this movie was exactly opposite but was just as much a thriller as, let us say, Independence Day. This BAFTA winner is a mind bender of a movie that is worth adding to your must see list.
3 1/2 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Super 8
If you take the wonder from E.T., mix it with the excitement from Jaws, you would then get this exciting movie. What a simple, pure filmed movie that is fun to watch. For me, this film showed Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment production company coming full circle, in creating a story driven movie with innocent kids becoming involved in extraordinary events. A group of friends, making a movie by the local train station, happen to catch a horrific train crash on film and discover something is not right. Have I piqued your interest? I hope so. Another revelation was seeing Elle Fanning acting and looking the part so well. I believe she will have a long career in the movies. And I have to admit, I found it cute having her character being the female lead for the group’s film. When you want to just sit back and watch a movie for the sheer joy of it, this is one movie you certainly want to experience.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Arthur Christmas
With this movie, we finally see how Santa delivers presents to every household in one single night: a massive underground, hi-tech, quasi-military operation, headed by his eldest son, Steve. Looking the part of a military commander, Steve is tall, handsome and muscular. His younger brother, Arthur, is the exact opposite: clumsy, non-muscular and goofy in appearance. He has been placed in the mail room to answer Santa’s letters and stay out of trouble. So, we have the dynamics of the family set up with the prodigal 1st son and the disappointing 2nd son. We all are familiar with this scenario, nothing new here, except these are Santa’s children. The base story line is the dilemma of what to do when a little girl’s house is accidently passed over, during the delivery of presents. This movie had a little of everything–some slapstick, some jokes, some action, some humor. I had a bit of difficultly understanding some of the accented, rapid fire speech and found the story predictable. For children over 7 years old, maybe it would be more of a fun movie. And as an exrra bonus, before the movie, they show Justin Bieber’s holiday video of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” What more do you need for the holidays?
2 1/2 stars
