Blog Archives
Flash Movie Review: August Rush
What do you call that feeling, where you have no reason to believe something is true; yet, in your heart, you know it to be true? Is it deja vu, a sixth sense, or a connection that was made early on? Regardless, this film is a magical and musical urban fairy tale, that will strike a chord with the viewer. Being raised in a family of music lovers, the variety of music genres performed was in synch with my musical tastes. A young orphan and musical prodigy, August Rush played by Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Finding Neverland), believes his parents are alive. He has no reason to believe this is true; but, feels he can hear them and if he can simply perform the music he hears, they will come and get him. As young as Freddie is, he has some soulful facial expressions and was a joy to watch. His birth mom, Lyla Novacek played by Keri Russell (Bedtime Stories, Felicity-TV), was a concert cellist and that is all I wish to tell you about this film, wanting you to experience the magic of this movie for yourself. The story was written to pull at your heart strings–so what? Let the music carry you through this sweet, tender movie as you learn to trust the voice you carry inside of yourself.
3 stars — DVD
Flash Movie Review: Carnage
What I have always said about being in a love relationship is this: it is not the things you love that keep you together, that is the easy part; it is the things you do not like. If you can handle the tough aspects of your significant other, then it is true love. At least that is what I have found to be true. Watching these characters in the movie, I was not really clear on why they were still married to each other. But no matter, I did laugh at them throughout the film. The script undulated from sad moments to happy ones to pure lunacy, as the actors were all convincing in their roles. The movie takes place within a short span of time; when two sets of parents agree to meet, to discuss the fight their sons had earlier, where one of the boys was injured. The female leads, Jodie Foster (Panic Room, The Silence of the Lambs) and Kate Winslet (Finding Neverland, Titanic) were stronger on screen than the 2 male leads, John C. Reilly (Step Brothers, Chicago) and Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds, The Three Musketeers). For me, the two actresses’ characters were the power behind the story. The movie started out strong with tight, perfectly framed scenes from the director, Roman Polanski (The Pianist, Chinatown). However, the story petered out as it got towards the end. I felt all the energy was used up in the 1st half of the movie. Maybe with all the energy coming early on, everyone just got tired by the end.
3 stars
moviejoltz 