Movies, Phantasy
The Hunger Games is a real surprise. Who would have thought that a film effortly makes connections between the Roman empire (bread and games), Thomas Hobbes’ life in a state of nature, George Orwell’s 1984 nightmare of total government control, and our age’s infatuation with reality TV shows such as “Survivor.” After having seen this amazing film, I am not surprised that the author of the story sold millions of copies. I am not going to say more about the film. See The Hunger Games if you are hungry for a different movie experience.The Hunger Games
Movies, Phantasy
When I read that Brad Bird (who made the wonderful Pixar films The Incredibles and Ratatouille) was recruited to direct Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol and that he gave it a special touch, I could not resist to watch this improbably action adventure. Bird did not write the script and hence was rather confined what he could do with film. The entire series could be called “Mission Improbable”. But if you are willing to suspend your critical faculties and just enjoy the fast paced, often surprising action sequences and amazing technological feats, this cloak and dagger secret service film will not disappoint you. If, however, you have not seen The Incredibles or Ratatouille, make sure that watch them first because they are even better.Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
Movies, Phantasy
The criticism that I and others have leveled against Woody Allen’s recent work seems to have stung. When Allen moved his camera to London a few years ago, got the same stories transplanted from New York to London. The difference in language seems to have freed Allen. Midnight in Paris only feels a bit repetitive of his previous work. Mostly it is a very clever and cute adaptation of the idea of time travelling. Allen’s alter ego, a writer (Luke Wilson) who feels more comfortable in the past than present suddenly finds himself in the 1920s meeting the great artists of the time. Luke Wilson gives spectacular performance. Taken this 2-hour trip to Paris is worth the price of the movie ticket. Apparently there is a good new documentary on Woody Allen’s work showing this weekend on PBS.Midnight in Paris
Movies, Phantasy
The book on which the film is based was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and was nominated by Time magazine as the best novel of 2005. Every basic ethics discussions ponders the question whether it is moral to take organs of one person to save a few other persons. The film is sophomoric, disgusting and sad.Never Let Me Go
Movies, Phantasy
The sequel to Twilight is a big disappointment for the adult mind. Only teenage girls with a crush on Robert Pattison will enjoy this film. Nothing new happens. Bella’s vampire boyfriend, Edward (Robert Pattison), leaves her so she can be safe. Bella is crushed and becomes depressed. She spends a lot of time with Jake, who develops a big crush on her and now competes with Edward for Bella’s love. Jake also moonlights as a werewolf. Edward, believing that Bella died, wants to commit suicide. But Bella finds him in Italy just in time to prevent his suicide. They promise each other to stay together forever. The End. We are ready for the next episode, Eclipse, coming out in June.New Moon
Movies, Phantasy
It is difficult not to repeat myself in reviewing Pixar movies. Once again the studio has made a superb film. Unlike many sequel franchises that tend go downhill pretty quickly, Pixar’s line of films is one wonder after another. Like all the other Pixar films, UP works for young and old. This time even the very old. See this movie with the entire family and embark on a marvelous adventure to South America.UP
Movies, Phantasy
What a stunner! Turn the clock back 200 years. Not even the photograph has been invented. Here you are minding your business, strolling into your local pub. After your first beer with friends and family the room is magically transformed into a modern-day 3-D theatre, and you are treated to the visual beauty of James Cameron’s Avatar. Grandpa and grandma would probably have a heart attack. They could not fathom that such a lifelike motion picture was possible. Are my eyes fooling me? Is the devil playing a trick on me? No, you are in a time machine, taking you 200 years into the future, and witnessing a major event in the history of motion pictures. Marrying animation with new 3-D camera technology, James Cameron has taken film-making to a whole new level. Unlike Titanic, where Cameron used simple characters, this sci-fi adventure is populated by a wide range of interesting characters. Foremost, of course, are the avatars.Avatar
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