One Movie, Five Views Archive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: One Movie, Five Views Expands Onto an Exciting New Platform

2010-03-24T00:00:00.010-04:00

Toronto, ON (March 24, 2010) – After nearly two years on Blogger and incredible success, One Movie, Five Views has taken the next step forward and opened up into a full website. The content and writers will be the same, but the look and capabilities of the site will be much more advanced. For easier navigation, there will now be a menu bar to sort through all of the interesting and exciting content, including sections for Movies, DVDs, Books, Music, Articles and Interviews.

One Movie, Five Views has also added an updated "about us" page, and it now includes a brief history and description of the website, as well as short bios for each of the writers. There is also now easier access to all of the general contact info, Twitter page, contests, and a more detailed look at the 4-star rating system.

The new home of One Movie, Five Views can be found at www.onemoviefiveviews.com. Please take the time to check out the new website, and do not hesitate to give your feedback.

www.onemoviefiveviews.blogspot.com will still be accessible, but will not be updated and just remain there for archival and nostalgic purposes.

"One Movie, Five Views hopes for many more years of success in offering opinions and criticism on all things movies. We hope that our new platform will be just as popular with all of our pre-existing fans." - One Movie, Five Views staff

About One Movie, Five Views

One Movie, Five Views was originally launched on June 20th, 2008, with a review of Get Smart. What makes the website unique, and stand out from other websites, is that five people will each watch the same movie, and each write a review. The idea behind the website is five different opinions about the same movie. One Movie, Five Views is based in Toronto.

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The Blind Side Now on DVD/BluRay

2010-03-23T14:03:00.005-04:00

Today, Warner Home Video released the Oscar nominated film The Blind Side on Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack.

Worthy of it’s surprise coveted Best Picture nom, this is a truly inspiring tale brought effectively to the big screen. It is definitely one worth owning.

When we reviewed the film when it opened in theatres on October 16th, our consensus was:

“The Blind Side is a really good movie. Based on a true story, it is not overly dramatized and is carried well, thanks to an excellent cast. ***1/2 (Out of 4)”

About the disc:

The BluRay Combo Pack contains the following special features (exclusive to the Blu-Ray disc:

• Michael Oher Exclusive Interview - Rare Interview with the Pro

Footballer Whose Life the Movie Depicts

• Sidelines: Conversations on The Blind Side - Sandra Bullock and Leigh

Anne Tuohy Go One-on-One

• Acting Coaches: Behind The Blind Side - When Six Legendary SEC

College Football Coaches Come Together, Competition Steps Up Both On

and Off the Screen

• The story of Big Quinton - Neophyte Actor Quinton Aaron’s Moving Life

Story Has Much in Common with the Football Star He Portrays

• Plus, Additional Scenes

The Blind Side is 128 minutes and is rated PG.

Link to our original reviews here.

- Erin V.

DVD Review: Brothers

2010-03-23T00:00:00.020-04:00

Brothers - An Alliance Films Release

http://www.brothersfilm.com/

DVD Release Date: March 23rd, 2010

Rated 14A for coarse language, violence, and disturbing content.

Running time: 105 minutes

Jim Sheridan (dir.)

David Benioff (screenplay)

Susanne Bier (motion picture “Brødre”)

Anders Thomas Jensen (motion picture “Brødre”)

Thomas Newman (music)

“Winter” performed by U2

Tobey Maguire as Capt. Sam Cahill

Jake Gyllenhaal as Tommy Cahill

Natalie Portman as Grace Cahill

Sam Shepard as Hank Cahill

Clifton Collins, Jr. as Major Cavazos

Mare Winningham as Elsie Cahill

Bailee Madison as Isabelle Cahill

Taylor Geare as Maggie Cahill

Patrick Flueger as Private Joe Willis

Carey Mulligan as Cassie Willis

Program Content and Package Artwork: © 2009 Brothers Productions, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Package Design and Summary: © MMX Lions Gate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved. Distributed Exclusively by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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Brothers DVD Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

If The Hurt Locker was the story of war as a drug, than Brothers is the story of war as murder. It’s about, even if we come out of a battle physically alive, the scars that remain with us for life. The death of our previous selves.

Tobye Maguire plays Sam, a soldier enlisting for another stint in Afghanistan, leaving behind his wife, (Natalie Portman), his two daughters, and his brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has recently been released from jail. When Sam is presumed dead, Tommy starts to take care of his wife and kids.

The film is centred on three excellent performances, and a brilliant supporting cast. Tobey Maguire is amazing in his portrayal of someone with PTSD. This is a family drama, as well as a war movie, and it succeeds as both - an excellent film.

The film’s major flaw comes not from the movie itself, but from the advertising. Way too much of the plot was given away in the trailers, so it doesn’t quite have the same emotionally draining effect, if you’ve previously seen the trailer.

The DVD includes audio commentary with director Jim Sheridan, a featurette on Brothers and the Danish film on which it was based, and a featurette on Sheridan.

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Brothers DVD Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

Based on the 2004 Danish film Brødres, Brothers, tells the story of two brothers. One, Capt. Sam Cahill, is a marine embarking on his fourth tour of Afghanistan, and the other, Tommy, is an ex-convict just out of jail. Tommy is slightly estranged from the family, except for with Sam, and when Sam is presumed dead after a chopper crash, Tommy steps up to help his wife and two kids he left behind.

The alternating scenes between the US and Afghanistan really create a balance here that keeps the film moving forward quite well. This film is both a drama and a war film, and really succeeds in showing how the war overseas doesn't stay there, as the people at home and those who come back from it, are haunted by both the memories and realities of war.

I don't want to reveal too much, since I found that the one thing that made this film less enjoyable for me, was the fact that I had seen the trailer. The trailer tells far more than it should.

The strongest part of this film is definitely the acting. Tobey Maguire is excellent as Sam, his performance real and intense, and Jake Gylenhaal is also very believable as Tommy. Sam's wife Grace is played very well by Natalie Portman, and their two daughters are played very realistically by Bailee Madison, and Taylor Geare. The rest of the supporting cast as well, all do a great job.

Thomas Newman's score also fits well, since his style of music can play quite nicely to this kind of film. The song over the closing credits, Winter, performed by U2, is also very fitting.

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Brothers DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Brothers is a low key, believable drama about the hardships of a military family. Tobey Maguire is excellent as Sam, a military dad of two young daughters. His brother, Tommy, has just been released from prison, and is trying to get his life back on track. When Sam is deployed to Afghanistan, he finds himself in a terrible situation, and is forced to do something unthinkable. Meanwhile, back home, he is presumed dead. His wife, Grace, and Tommy help care for the kids, who are grieving this apparent loss of their father. When Sam eventually does come back, however, he has completely changed.

While a hard film to watch at times, Brothers is very compelling. I really liked how the film is edited, to show the contrast between human brutality and childhood innocence. The violence in this film is shown in an honest, but restrained and bloodless way. All of the actors in this film did an amazing performance. I am actually surprised that Brothers wasn’t up for any Oscars. Brothers is a thought provoking film that is worth owning on DVD.

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Brothers DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Brothers is a powerfully delivered story of two brothers each dealing with the after effects of the war in Afghanistan on their family. Capt. Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire) goes missing in Afghanistan leaving his wife and two daughters at home in the U.S. presuming him dead. Sam’s brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just gotten out of prison in the U.S. and is around to help Sam’s wife, Grace (Natalie Portman) and her two young daughters pick up the pieces of their lives. When Sam does return home he has trouble adjusting to the changed dynamics at home.

The strength of brothers is in the emotionally charged performances by the three lead actors. Tobey Maguire is particularly strong as the emotionally fragile Capt. Sam Cahill. The transformation from the pre-duty Cahill to the damaged man that returns home is entirely believable and powerful to watch. Jake Gyllenhaal as Tommy and Natalie Portman as Grace also give superb performances.

Brothers is a really strong movie that while difficult to watch at certain scenes is worth watching for the solid performances, especially Tobey Maguire. Buy it or rent it.

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Brothers DVD Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Brothers is an American adaptation of the 2004 Danish film Brødre. As the film opens, marine captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), on leave from Afghanistan, is bringing his brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) out of prison after serving time for robbing a bank. Sam’s wife Grace (Natalie Portman), two young daughters and stepmother welcome Tommy, but their father, ex-marine ‘Nam veteran Hank (Sam Shepard) makes his disappointment in Tommy as clear as his pride in Sam. Back in Afghanistan, Sam is shot down and presumed dead, but he has been captured and brutally treated. Meanwhile back home Tommy does what he can to keep out of trouble and support his brother’s family, renovating their kitchen and spending time with Grace and the girls. Just as feelings between Tommy and Grace start to develop further, Sam is rescued and brought home with severe PTSD and survivor guilt, leading to alienation of his kids and an obsessive suspicion about Grace and Tommy that could end tragically.

Despite some brutal moments, the sensitive script and excellent performances make Brothers a very satisfying life-affirming film.

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Consensus: Brothers is a powerfully acted film about the relationship between two brothers. ***3/4 (Out of 4)

DVD Review: Astro Boy

2010-03-23T00:00:00.017-04:00

Astro Boy – An E1 Films’ Release

http://www.astroboy-themovie.com/

DVD Release Date: March 16th, 2010

Rated PG for some action and peril, and brief mild language.

Running time: 94 minutes

David Bowers (dir.)

Osamu Tezuka (comic series)

Timothy Harris (screenplay)

David Bowers (screenplay)

John Ottman (music)

Nicolas Cage as Dr. Tenma (voice)

Kristen Bell as Cora (voice)

Samuel L. Jackson as Zog (voice)

Bill Nighy as Dr. Elefun (voice)

Freddie Highmore as Astro Boy (voice)

Donald Sutherland as President Stone (voice)

Nathan Lane as Ham Egg (voice)

Eugene Levy as Orrin (voice)

Our reviews below:

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Astro Boy DVD Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Astro Boy is based on a popular Japanese anime series. It is the story of a scientist whose son is killed, and he deals with the guilt by building a robotic copy of his son, Toby. Astro Boy must deal with his father’s resentment, as he fights crime and comes to terms with being a robot. If you can get past the slightly strange subject matter, it’s actually pretty good.

Though it’s nowhere near as good as Robots or Meet the Robinsons, and isn’t even mentionable in the same sentence as Pixar’s masterpiece WALL•E, three films that it takes more than a little inspiration from, it is still inventive in its own way. It has enough good parts, especially the stuff with the robots, to make it worth watching, especially for kids.

The DVD includes several featurettes, and some bonus animation.

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Astro Boy DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

The story of Astro Boy begins in Metro City, a floating city above the trash-covered earth. The whole city is full of robots that help run the town, under the command of humans. After losing his genius son, Toby, in a freak accident, Dr. Tenma, the scientist that designed most of the technology for the whole city, uses Toby's DNA to make a robot version of him. His new 'son' is Astro Boy. The first part of the movie seemed kind of mediocre to me, but I started to really like the film more, once Astro ends up accidentally crash landing back down on ground-level Earth.

Once on the surface, he meets a group of 'street kids', and for the first time realizes that there are those who live outside the 'perfect' world of Metro City. He also meets a rag-tag group of robots that are part of what they call the RRF, or Robot Revolutionary Front. They are trying to up rise against the injustices of robot slavery, and the fact that when they break down, they are just discarded by being thrown down to the surface. He also finds himself in the middle of robot gladiatorial games that take place in this 'new world' he's found. Eventually though, he has to return to Metro City to save it from 'The Peacekeeper', which is a robot controlled by a corrupt president seeking reelection, as it is now destroying the town.

By the end of the movie, the film has turned out to be actually quite an enjoyable ride, and while not really as enjoyable outside the 6-12 market as other films, both that group, and fans of the original Astro Boy comics and shows, will want to see this one. Depending on where you fall in the target groups, either rent or buy this one.

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Astro Boy DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Based on the Japanese cartoon of the same name, Astro Boy is a fun kid’s film that is inventive and funny enough for adults. Reminiscent of WALL•E, the story begins in Metro City, a floating community that sits above a trash filled Earth. Dr Tenma, a brilliant scientist, is proud of his genius son, Toby. When Toby is killed in a terrible accident, Dr. Tenma creates a robotic clone of him out of Toby’s memories, and a positive energy known as “blue energy.” The robotic child ends up on the land below, and meets up with a group of street kids, various robots, a robot repair guy, and a hilarious trio of Monty Pythonesque robots known as the RRF. The boy becomes known as Astro Boy, spreading a message of peace.

Astro Boy is a good film for families. The voice cast is good, and the storyline, while similar to other films such as Robots, is still very original. The underlying messages in this film are good too. Astro Boy is worth owning on DVD, especially if you have children in the 6-12 range.

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Astro Boy DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Astro Boy is a fun and exciting animated adventure about a Pinocchio kind of hero. Toby/Astro Boy (voiced by Freddie Highmore) has to discover his strengths and weaknesses and figure out what’s right and wrong to save both people and robots on futuristic Earth’s Metro City.

While the story starts out rather slowly the pace and fun picks up when Astro Boy heads back to Earth. There he meets up with a group of street kids and an interesting assortment of robots. The robots in this movie are what make it appealing. I especially liked Eugene Levy’s submissive servant robot and the RRF (Robot Revolutionary Front) robots. They are all quirky and fun to watch they reminded me of both WALL•E and Robots.

The animation in Astro Boy is well done and the voice acting features an all-star cast. The adventurous story along with the appealing robots make this a very watchable movie. Though Astro Boy will appeal more to the six to ten year old demographic adults and older kids will also find this fun. If you have kids who like to watch a movie more than once, than Astro Boy is worth the purchase price. Otherwise this would make a good weekend rental for the family.

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Astro Boy DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Astro Boy is based on an amime series that I was unfamiliar with. From accounts of fans of the series, it is a faithful rendering of the original, including the rather dark back story of how Astro, fitted out with all the powers of an Iron Man, was a robot copy of the scientist Dr. Tenma’s genius son, killed by a super robot commissioned by the corrupt president Stone.

Produced in Hong Kong by Imaji Animation Studios, Astro Boy is not in the same league as Pixar or Dreamworks, but I enjoyed it more than some other recent features such as Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and way more than Planet 51. Its rather conventional plot is enriched by inspired casting, notably the title character (Freddie Highmore). Dr. Tenma (Nicholas Cage), the “tricky Dick” president (Donald Sutherland), the grovelling robot servant (Eugene Levy), the rogue robot repairman (an amimated version of Nathan Lane), and the pythonesque schtick from a trio of cockney junkyard robot protesters.

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Consensus: Though not in the same league as some other animated films, Astro Boy is a surprisingly fun and inventive animated film, especially for kids. *** (Out of 4)

DVD Review: The Twilight Saga: New Moon

2010-03-19T19:30:00.009-04:00

The Twilight Saga: New Moon – An E1 Films’ Release

http://www.newmoonthemovie.com/

DVD Release Date: March 20th, 2010

Rated PG for violence and frightening scenes

Running time: 130 minutes

Chris Weitz (dir.)

Melissa Rosenberg (screenplay)

Stephenie Meyer (novel)

Marcus Miller (music)

Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan

Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black

Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen

Anna Kendrick as Jessica

Michael Sheen as Aro

Dakota Fanning as Jane

*Read our thoughts on Twilight here!*

Our reviews below:

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New Moon Review By John C.

**1/2 (out of 4)

In The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Bella (played by the usual one-note Kristen Stewart) has a tough choice to make. She has to choose between suicidal vampire Edward (Robert Pattinson - still not sure he's much of an actor, but he gets points for trying), and wolfman Jacob (Taylor Lautner - who is topless in the majority of his scenes). Jacob is the obvious better choice, but I think we all know where Bella's "priorities" lie.

New Moon is arguably a bit better than the first Twilight in terms of better special effects, but it is arguably worse in terms of pacing. Neither one is a bad movie, but they aren't exactly great either. They're both just kind of average, though in my opinion, Twilight was a better film. Either way, I still don't quite get the mass appeal.

The film's major flaw, besides soliciting some unintentional laughs, is that it is about 30 minutes too long. It clocks in at a grandiose 130 minutes. Not much actually happens, and the scenes that should be “tense” just look silly. Ultimately, New Moon is worth renting if you're curious, but worth buying if you're a "Twihard."

The DVD includes audio commentary with Director Chris Weitz and Editor Peter Lambert, a 6-part behind the scenes documentary, and a few music videos. The approximate running time of the bonus features is 78 minutes.

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New Moon DVD Review By Erin V.

**1/2 (out of 4)

Well, the wolf's out of the bag - in New Moon, Bella's officially crazy, and not just crazy in love with Edward. Why does she stick with him?

In this sequel to Twilight, Bella Swan is still swooning over, and then becoming more depressed over vampire Edward Cullen. But why is Bella so crazy? Well, she does a lot of crazy things, since the Cullen’s leave Forks at the beginning of the movie because people are starting to notice that they never age... So, the only way to see Edward, (in a vision), is to do reckless things that cause near death experiences. She's too fixated on Edward in my opinion.

This movie though, also shows more of her relationship with her childhood friend in Forks, Jacob Black. Jacob just happens to turn into a wolf when becoming angry or protective. But, even as a wolf, he seems more appealing than Edward.

You see, she could just be with Jacob, and try to get past the whole Edward fiasco. But, I guess she has trouble picking between the two opposite guys she loves. Edward as a vampire has ice-cold skin, while Jacob as a half-wolf is warmer than usual for example. Wow, when picking a boyfriend that must be a hard choice. Why snuggle up with a wolf, when you could be with a vampire... I don't know, safety maybe? The wolf option seems far safer to me.

The real question though, is why on Earth would Bella put herself through all of this craziness? Because it writes a good story. If the character was a reality, she would certainly be in therapy (you'd hope) - not crashing motorcycles or jumping off cliffs to see visions of her undead boyfriend.

If you ask me, I don't see why Edward would appeal more than Jacob. It's not a believable choice. As for comparing this movie to the first movie, Twilight, it's pretty close for me. The action scenes at the end of the first one had slightly more of a danger feel, while at the end of this one were just a lot of laughable whooshing special effects. Although, the technical elements of the special effects were way better in this one - especially with the CGI wolves - the tenseness wasn't really there. I liked some parts of the middle of this one better, since Taylor Lautner's definitely a better actor than Robert Pattinson, but in neither is Kristen Stewart a standout - she seems to always have the same expression on her face.

Both films could have had shorter running lengths. Looking over my review, I think this movie both bored and annoyed me enough to cause a bit of a character analysis rant... Eclipse, the next one in the series, comes out in June. Will the series ever get any better? One could only hope.

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New Moon DVD Review By Nicole

**1/2 (out of 4)

Following where Twilight left off, New Moon further develops the characters from Twilight. Now, it is Bella's 18th birthday, and she is becoming aware that while she ages, Edward doesn't. The fact that the Cullens don't age means that they must move often.

After a near disaster at Bella's birthday party that is like the shark scene in Finding Nemo, Edward, now depresses at the prospect of having to leave Bella, goes on a suicidal trip to the Volturi, a secret group of vampires in Italy, who will destroy any vampire who reveals himself to the world.

Meanwhile, back in Forks, Jacob develops feelings for Bella. He also realizes that he, like a few others in his tribe, has the ability to transform into a wolf the size of a Shetland Pony. The pack of young, horse-size wolves, exists to protect humans from man-eating vampires. (As an wildlife artist with a fondness for wolves, I was pleased that the wolves, while ridiculously larger than life, look and move accurately.)

Jacob saves Bella from some of the dangerous hobbies that she engages in (Edward appears to Bella if her life is in danger.) Jacob feels, that as a living creature, Bella would be better with someone big, warm, and fuzzy, as opposed to someone cold and undead. But Bella's heart is with Edward, and she will do anything to get him back.

The special effects in this movie are better than in the first film. The acting is decent enough, and the score by Alexandre Desplat is hauntingly beautiful. At 130 minutes, however, it is a little long. The Twilight Saga is also not without controversy. Some Christian groups have expressed concern about the prospect of losing one's soul to become a vampire, as well as this film's romantic portrayal of reckless behaviour. However, if viewed as a fantasy, fans of the saga will be entertained by this film.

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New Moon DVD Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

Some people might say that New Moon, the second instalment in Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, has gone to the dogs. In fact the first half of the movie focuses on Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) and his deepening friendship with Bella and his emerging protector werewolf side. With Edward gone in his attempt to keep Bella safe, Bella comes to rely on Jacob. Bella in her anguished attempts to have glimpses of Edward engages in reckless activities that keep her in peril and call Edward and Jacob to the rescue.

It is only in the second half of the movie that we see much in the way of vampire activity with most of the activity taking place in Italy with the Volturi clan. Unfortunately the vampire scenes lack the energy and intensity of the first Twilight movie.

The real shining light in New Moon is Taylor Lautner. His role as Jacob is believable and strong. The same can't be said for Kristan Stewart's Bella and Robert Pattinson's Edward. The score by Alexandre Desplat is absolutely beautiful and one of the few highlights in the film.

I really preferred the first half of New Moon and found the first Twilight to be a way more entertaining movie. However true Twilight fans will want to add New Moon to their DVD collection for continuity purposes and for the extras.

Those who are merely curious about New Moon can rent the DVD. Despite New Moon's disappointing efforts compared to Twilight, I am looking forward to the next installment, Eclipse, in theatres this June.

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New Moon DVD Review By Tony

**1/2 (out of 4)

Twilight New Moon is the second feature of the saga. It will surely please the fans while providing the rest of us with moderate entertainment value and a few unintentional laughs along the way. Just as Edward the vampire attempts to simplify Bella’s life by leaving town, things become more complicated when Victoria comes back hungry and Jacob and his werewolf clan come to her defense. When Edward thinks Bella has died, he tries to get himself executed in Italy by the vampire enforcers known as Volturi.

Now directed by Chris Weitz with a much bigger budget, New Moon is technically better than the first installment but it still is too long with the same brooding atmosphere and gratuitous slow motion whenever Edward walks or Laurent’s dreads are waving. The corny dialogue within the triangle that shapes up between Bella, Edward and Jacob is at least commensurate with their performances. Despite enough action to keep us mildly interested I didn’t experience the same suspense as in the first film. At least there were a few amusing cameos from Anna Kendrick as Bella’s valspeaking shopping companion, Michael Sheen as the Volturi capo and Dakota Fanning as one of his red- eyed minions, and a decent score by Alexandre Desplat.

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Consensus: Though the special effects are technically stronger, in terms of pacing, New Moon is not as good as Twilight. It is simply too long at 130 minutes. Still, it is worth a rental if you're curious, although "Twihards" will want to buy this one. **1/2 (Out of 4)

Bandslam Now Available on DVD

2010-03-17T12:45:00.001-04:00

After an unprecedented 7 months, E1 Films is finally releasing one of the nicest surprises of last summer, Bandslam, on DVD today. I remember going into the theatre not expecting much, and leaving very pleasantly surprised. This is a very good, smart little film.

We reviewed the film when it opened on August 14th, we all highly recommended it. Our consensus was:

“A surprisingly good movie, with great music, humour, and heart. Bandslam is one that you really should check out this Summer. It's a lot of fun. ***1/2 (Out of 4)”

With that said, it still plays just as well on DVD. The DVD includes audio commentary with the director and cast, deleted scenes, a making-of featurette, and 2 music videos.

-John C.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

2010-03-17T00:00:00.002-04:00

One Movie, Five Views would like to wish all our readers a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The Princess and the Frog on DVD Today

2010-03-16T23:00:00.001-04:00

Walt Disney Pictures return to hand-drawn animation is available on DVD today. I fondly remember seeing this film in theatres - I had a huge smile on my face for the entire running time, except for the few moments when I had to wipe a tear from my eye. This is a great film, an instant classic, one of the very best of last year.

We reviewed it when it opened in theatres on December 11th. We all loved it, our consensus was:

“The Princess and the Frog is an instant Disney classic, filled with lovable characters and a great soundtrack. With exquisite animation, this is one to bring the whole family to see on the big screen. **** (Out of 4)”

It is available as a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo-pack. This is one film to add to your collection.

-John C.

Clash of The Titans (1981) Now Available on Blu•Ray

2010-03-16T00:26:00.006-04:00

On April 2nd, Warner Bros. is releasing a new Clash of The Titans re-make theatrically. To coincide, Warner Home Video is releasing the original 1981 film as a Blu•Ray/book.

The case itself is a little Blu•Ray sized hardcover book with the disc at the back. The book includes a bit of history of the film, bios for the cast and characters, as well as some info about the special effects, trivia, and an image of the original theatrical poster.

Also included in the package is a little advertising booklet about the new, (judging by the trailers, considerably amped-up), version of Titans coming out next month.

For fans of the original film, this will be a fun disc/book to get. Also, it’s worth checking out if you’ve never seen the film, but are curious about the original the new one is based on.

- Erin V.

DVD Review: Good Hair

2010-03-16T00:00:00.015-04:00

Good Hair - An Alliance Films’ Release

http://www.goodhairdvd.com/

DVD Release Date: March 9th, 2010

Rated PG

Running time: 94 minutes

Jeff Stilson (dir.)

Chris Rock, Jeff Stilson,

Lance Crouther, and Chuck Sklar (writers)

Marcus Miller (music)

Special Features: Audio Commentary with Co-Writer and Executive Producer, Chris Rock and Executive Producer Nelson George; Featurette: “Afro to Jheri Curl”, Deleted Scenes, “Andre Harrell’s Greatest Hits”, “Civil Rights Barber”

Program Content and Package Artwork: © 2009 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Package Design and Summary: © MMX Lions Gate Films Inc. All Rights Reserved. Key Art Design: © MMIX Roadside Attractions LLC. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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Good Hair Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Hosted by Chris Rock, Good Hair is a funny and entertaining documentary, that tackles deeper issues, like self-esteem among African-American’s, particularly over not having “good” hair. This makes for some interesting interviews and set pieces, like a trip to India showing where the add on hair pieces, “weaves”, actually come from.

My only real complaint is that the film is a little long, and could have been edited by about 15 minutes. But this isn’t as much a complaint about this film, as it’s rare to see a documentary that isn’t a little long. Good Hair is an engaging, funny, and well made documentary, that’s worth seeing on DVD.

The DVD includes audio commentary with Chris Rock, and producer Nelson George.

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Good Hair DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of four)

For those that aren’t familiar with the whole industry of trying to achieve ‘good hair’ among some African Americans, this documentary is a real window into that world. Formed around the question ‘Why don’t I have good hair,’ put forth to writer Chris Rock, by his young daughter, this film really looks at some of societies views on beauty today.

The interesting thing is about this whole branch of the hair industry is that while the upkeep of the expensive hairpieces and such is often done by African Americans themselves, the real benefitors of the industry financially, are Asians, for it is their straight/wavy black hair that is sold for most of the weaves. A visit by Chris Rock to India poses some interesting questions in itself.

So, what makes supposedly “Good Hair”? For some, it is putting harsh chemicals on their heads in order to make their hair straighter, or wearing a ‘weave’, which is hair pieces woven over your own netted hair, in order to wear a more stable kind of wig. The question is, why in our society are there only certain types of hair that’s ‘good’? I think, what you’re born with is what matches you best, and learning how to embrace it will bring out more beauty than covering it up ever will.

This is definitely a worth watching documentary, at least once. I’d say rent it or buy it. It’s quite interesting, and made in an entertaining way too.

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Good Hair DVD Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

When Chris Rock’s three year old daughter came up and asked him “Why don‘t I have good hair?”, he was inspired to create a documentary about hair and self esteem in the African-American community. Chris Rock interviews various celebrities, asking them what they do about their hair. Rock visits a hair salon, and finds out that some women (and some men) are not pleased with their African-American crinkly hair, and will go to great lengths to get rid of their “black” hair. Several straighten out their hair with sodium hydroxide, a chemical hair relaxer which can melt soda cans, burn skin, and cause lung damage. Some of the women interviewed also wear weaves, natural hair extensions that are tied onto the individuals own hair. The hair for weaves comes from Hindus in India who shave their heads for religious rituals. People pay thousands of dollars on weaves, just so they can have bouncy hair.

Rock also visits a hair styling show for African-Americans, where the main stylist is white. Here, only a few of the participants wear their hair natural. Most want hair that is smooth and shiny. What Chris Rock realizes, in our body image obsessed society, is that few people are happy with who they really are. This funny documentary takes a critical look at self esteem, fashion, and cultural identity.

While some of the language and sexual content makes this documentary unsuitable for elementary schools, this documentary has a good message and would be a good choice for a high school class. Chris Rock is hilarious throughout the entire film, keeping a fun, fast-pace for 95 minutes. This DVD is worth checking out.

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Good Hair DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Good Hair is a highly entertaining and informative documentary about the culture and history of hair care for black people. narrated and written by Chris Rock, he was inspired to create this film when his young daughter asked him “Daddy, how come I don’t have good hair?”

Through visits to beauty salons, hair care shows, laboratories, and Indian Temples he uncovers the secrets, expense, and great lengths many African-American woman, and some men, will go to for smooth, shiny hair opposite of its natural texture.

Chris Rock uses his talent as a comic to keep viewers interested in the technical side of hair relaxers (a rather scary chemical called sodium hydroxide), and the ins and outs of hair weaves. He certainly manages to get his point across that in our image obsessed world, people will risk their health and finances to achieve a different look rather than embrace and be proud of their own natural beauty.

I learned a lot about the culture of African-American hair care in Good Hair and laughed out loud throughout. Chris Rock fans will want to check this one out as well as will those interested in fashion and beauty. Good Hair is a real eye-opener or should I say hair-raiser.

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Good Hair DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Good Hair refers to the hair of African Americans, mainly women, that has been “relaxed” to take out the kinks, or hidden by “weaves” of expensive hairpieces imported from south or east Asia. As the proud father of two little girls, Chris Rock has produced and hosted this documentary in an attempt to counter the overwhelming public pressure on African Americans to reject the beauty they were born with and buy into the hype. The film focuses on the huge Atlanta trade show for African American hair care with its flashy competition for four salon superstars. Between trade show segments the film travels extensively. A factory for relaxing cream reveals the active ingredient as sodium hydroxide (aka lye or caustic soda), used among other things as a drain cleaner, whose application must be strictly controlled to avoid hair loss or worse. In a visit to India, the best hair is collected from pilgrims having their hair “tonsured” or ritually shaved as a show of penance or gratitude to the gods. For me the best part of the film is the interviews, ranging from girls as young as four, through high school, to young women and the older generation of Maya Angelou and Al Sharpton.

With few exceptions, the women and some men are resigned to a life of very painful chemical treatments or unaffordable weaves. Ironically, men interviewed in a barber shop are not that supportive, admitting they are often intimidated by good hair women whose weaves portend a life of high maintenance and untouchability from the forehead up. As expected, there is always humour. For example, weaves that escape salon doors are shown blowing around black neighbourhoods like tumbleweed. Finally, Chris Rock trying to sell a bag of African hair to Asian American dealers is met with predictable incredulity.

I can only hope that Good Hair has the desired effect of getting black women off the treadmill of pain or penury that the hair care industry has them in. I share the opinion of the barber shop guys that it is really not worth it, but then I have always preferred natural beauty, such as the “before” pictures in eye makeup ads.

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Consensus: Good Hair is an interesting look at the ideas of beauty and an industry that is booming because of it. Chris Rock makes it funny and entertaining to watch, and although it’s still a bit long, this one is definitely worth a rental. ***1/4 (Out of 4)

DVD Review: Wonderful World

2010-03-16T00:00:00.014-04:00

Wonderful World - A Mongrel Media Release

http://www.wonderfulworldfilm.com/

DVD Release Date: March 16th, 2010

Rated 14A

Running time: 95 minutes

Joshua Goldin (dir.)

Joshua Goldin (writer)

Craig Richey (music)

Matthew Broderick as Ben Singer

Sanaa Lathan as Khadi

Michael Kenneth Williams as Ibu

Philip Baker Hall as The Man

Our reviews below:

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Wonderful World Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is a close-minded cynic. But then again, his life isn’t exactly exciting. He lives in a small apartment with his roommate, Ibu (Michael Kenneth Williams), he only sees his daughter on weekends, and his job security may not be as secure as he thought. Then the unthinkable happens. Ibu ends up in a diabetic coma. The chemistry between Matthew Broderick and Sanaa Lathan is undeniable and believable, and the scenes with Ibu are very nice.

The film draws obvious comparisons to such great films as The Visitor and Goodbye Solo. Though it is not in the same league as those great films, it is still worth seeing. Despite a few moments that don’t quite gel with the rest of the movie, overall Wonderful World is a good film, with a few moments of near-greatness. If the film had ended a few scenes earlier, though, with a scene vaguely reminiscent of Magnolia, then perhaps it would have had more of a profound, lasting effect.

The DVD includes a couple of featurettes on the characters and making-of the movie.

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Wonderful World DVD Review By Erin V.

*** (out of four)

Wonderful World tells the story of Ben, a cynical man who seems to have lost the ability to see the beauty in the world around him. He used to play music, but has all but abandoned this, and being divorced, barely sees his 11 year old daughter who finds some of his remarks too depressing. His roommate, Ibu, from Senegal is the opposite of him in many ways though, always trying to get him to see the lighter side of things. But when Ibu becomes sick, Ben has to figure some things out for himself.

Wonderful World is a good movie that's worth a rental, but there were parts of it that kept it from becoming something more. There is a scene near the end, that could have been the last scene in the film, leaving a more emotional effect, but then the film continues on for a good five minutes more. That scene was one of my favourite scenes in the film, and if you want to know what scene I mean (perhaps after seeing the film), you can get a clue by looking up the word 'gleb' in this book.

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Wonderful World DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Wonderful World is a sweet, low key film about friendship. Ben, (believably played by Matthew Broderick), is a depressed man, who lives with his Senegalese roommate, Ibu. Ben, who used to be a children’s folk singer, is now a cynical, divorced individual who only sees his daughter on weekends. Ibu is Ben’s only friend, who tries to help Ben see a positive view of the world. But when Ben finds Ibu in a diabetic coma, Ibu’s sister, Khadi, comes over from Senegal to take care of both of them. Ben begins to fall in love with Khadi. She brings Ben to a new perspective on what is really important in life.

While the DVD package describes Wonderful World as a dark comedy, it is more of a drama along the lines of Goodbye Solo or The Visitor. With good acting, an interesting, quiet score, and a good storyline, Wonderful World is worth checking out.

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Wonderful World DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Ben’s (Matthew Broderick) life would be described as anything but wonderful. His job is uninspiring, his relationship with his daughter is strained, he is a weekends-only Dad, he lives in a small place with a Senegalese roommate, Ibu, and his parking lot neighbour is a jerk. Ben is not a happy guy.

When Ibu (Michael Kenneth Williams) has a medical emergency, Ibu’s sister Khadi (Sanaa Lathan) arrives to lend a hand. The unexpected turn of events turn out to be a turning point for Ben. Maybe Ben does’t have to remain pessimistic.

Wonderful World is optimistically low-key. Matthew Broderick is completely believable as the pessimistic, stick it to the man, Ben. The rest of the performances by the other actors are also believable and heartwarming. The music score by Craig Richey is really nice and matches the movie’s mood nicely.

I enjoyed Wonderful World. It has a nice even pace and comes to a nicely, believable conclusion without being sentimental. Wonderful World is worth checking out.

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Wonderful World DVD Review By Tony

**1/2 (out of 4)

Ben Singer (Matthew Broderick) is going through a cynical and depressed midlife, seen through a haze of pot smoke in a flat shared with Senegalese immigrant Ibu (Michael K. Williams), an entry level proofreading job he has held for eight years, and weekend visits to his preteen daughter. Having been stung once, he doesn’t see a way out without giving in to “The Man” (personified by actor Philip Baker Hall, appearing to him several times like a ghost). When Ibu is hospitalized in a diabetic coma, his very attractive sister Khadi (Sanaa Lathan) comes to help out, sharing the flat with predicable and not so predictable consequences. Despite setbacks, the film ends on a hopeful note once Ben realizes what is really important.

Not as good as The Visitor and Goodbye Solo, Wonderful World deals like those films with an uptight American enriched by contact with a third world roommate. Unlike their previous counterparts, the immigrants here are played by American born actors. Though the film is somewhat brooding and confused at times, Matthew Broderick has enough residual charm to carry us through it.

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Consensus: Wonderful World is a fine film, though there are a few scenes that could have been cut. Although it is not in the same league as The Visitor or Goodbye Solo, it is still a well-acted, worth checking out drama. *** (Out of 4)

DVD Review: The Brothers Warner

2010-03-16T00:00:00.013-04:00

The Brother Warner - A Warner Home Video Release

A Warner Sisters Production

http://www.thebrotherswarner.com/

http://www.warnersisters.com/

DVD Release Date: March 9th, 2010

Rated PG

Running time: 94 minutes

Cass Warner Sperling (dir./writer)

Kate Amend A.C.E (editor)

Stephen Malik (co-editior)

Arlene Donnelly Johnson (dir. of photography)

David Campbell (music)

Our reviews below:

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The Brothers Warner Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

The Brothers Warner is the untold story of the bond and betrayal between the four brothers that started Warner Bros. Pictures. Though interesting, this film more has the feel of an added bonus on a DVD collection, rather than a standalone feature.

It will draw some comparisons to The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story, but as a movie, is nowhere near as good as that excellent documentary. With The Boys, something truly special was brought to the screen, here, with The Brothers Warner, the feel is pretty cut-and-dry documentary.

The DVD includes no bonus features.

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The Brothers Warner DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of four)

As illustrated by director Cass Warner Sperling at the beginning of this film, when you ask people about who the actual Warner brothers are, most can’t tell you, and some aren’t even sure there really was a group of brothers. This documentary clears that up, telling the interesting story of the making of a company and the rivalries between siblings that came with it.

Unlike The Boys, about the Sherman brothers, The Brothers Warner doesn’t pack the same emotion, due in part to the fact that it is slightly further removed. The Boys was made by one son from each brother, and the brothers were featured themselves in the film, while The Brothers Warner was made by the granddaughter of one of the brothers, and only can feature the brothers in old footage.

Still, this is an interesting documentary that for those looking to know the history, and social roots of Warner Bros. Studios, is a really well made documentary. Feeling like something you’d see on TV, a shorter 60 minute cut of the film has aired on PBS. It’s definitely worth checking this one out.

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The Brothers Warner DVD Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

The Brothers Warner is an interesting family portrait of one famous family. This documentary tells the rags to riches story of the Warner Broters, Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack. Cass Warner Sperling, Harry's granddaughter, retells how the brothers revolutionized film, by mainstreaming "talkies" (films with sound), and creating social commentary films. While not as personal a documentary as The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story, The Brothers Warner is a decent film that is worth checking out.

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The Brothers Warner DVD Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

The Warner Brothers label is familiar to many people. What most people don't know is the story behind the Warner Brothers studio. The Brothers Warner is an interesting documentary by Cass Warner Sperling. As the granddaughter of one of the founders, Harry Warner, Sperling provides an inside look at the origins of the Warner Brothers studio. Told through black and white archival photos and footage and many interviews the documentary reveals the evolution of the relationship between the four brothers. Those interested in film history will want to check this one out.

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The Brothers Warner DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

The Brothers Warner is a fine documentary on the four sons of Polish Jewish immigrants who went from a storefront theatre with a used projector, a screen made from a hanging sheet and chairs borrowed from an undertaker to build one of the greatest Hollywood studios. As in all families, they each had different strengths, which they used to their advantage. The eldest Harry was the strong head, “gentle giant” Albert was a loyal executive mediating between Harry and the gregarious but volatile Jack. It was Sam’s technical expertise which helped them build out the studio and theatre chain to support it, and produce the first sound film The Jazz Singer at considerable risk, before he died tragically young in 1931.

Produced by Cass Warner Sperling, the maternal granddaughter of Harry, with extensive interviews from her mother and other family members as well as various industry personalities, it puts Harry in a particularly good light, largely to counteract the revisionist memoirs of the last surviving brother Jack who never lost an opportunity to take credit for everything. From extensive archival footage going back over a century we are given an excellent overview of the history of American film and the impact the Warners had on it. For example, besides bringing in sound, which met fierce resistance from rival studios, they were the first studio to boycott the lucrative German market in the 1930s as Hitler rose to power, and were known for films of social conscience and many of the best film noir titles.

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Consensus: The Brothers Warner is an interesting documentary for those wanting to know more about the beginning of the famous studio. *** (Out of 4)

Bindi Irwin, star of 'Free Willy 4: Escape from Pirate's Cove' talks to Students at Toronto Zoo

2010-03-15T14:31:00.012-04:00

This week, March break events are in full swing at the Toronto Zoo, although for a group of Bendale PS students, the real excitement was last Tuesday, when they were treated to a special screening of the straight-to-DVD sequel Free Willy 4: Escape from Pirate’s Cove, and a Q & A with star Bindi Irwin. At the event, all of the kids were given little plush orca whales, and 10 kids were selected to ask her questions.

“It was so different making a feature movie,” Bindi told the class in answer to their first question. “Usually, I just have done documentaries, where there is a crew of only about 3 people - this time there were over 100!” Talking about her favourite part of making the film she mentioned doing a scene where she gets really angry. “That was so unlike me,” she said laughing “my mom said she’d never seen me that angry - and neither had I.”

She said that it was really great as a young first time movie actor to work with someone as experienced as Beau Bridges, who plays her grandfather in the film. And she talked about what an experience it was to be filming on location. “The whole thing took 7 weeks to film, which was fun, since we got to stay in Africa” she said. “There, along with the penguins on set, I also got to meet wild penguins on a beach while collecting shells. It was really funny, since we went to play in the water, and when we turned around, the penguins had taken our shells. One of them was sitting on them! Eventually he lost interest though, and we got them back.”

Then, asked about her favourite animal, she named one that the students may not have heard about before. The echidna. “I love crocs and snakes,” she said, “but the echidna is my favourite.” Along with the platypus, the echidna is one of only two egg-laying mammals, she went on to explain to the kids in the room. “It’s called a monotreme.”

When asked how she related to the character Kirra in the movie, Bindi replied, “I think I relate to her, because she cares about animals like me. She was trying so hard to save the orca. In real life, I am trying to save the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve.” Asking the students for their help she said, “As kids, we’re the next decision makers of the future. We should be speaking out for what we believe in.” She explained that it’s good to write to governments about things like this. “And, there’s a petition you can sign at www.australianzoo.com.au”

Her favourite place in the world she said next, is Bali. “I used to go there with my dad when he would film documentaries there. The people and places are so nice there, and it brings back a lot of memories for me.”

The last two questions asked her about who she depends on the most and who’s her hero. “The two people I depend on the most,” she said, “are my mom and my brother, I love them, and they’re like my best friends. And my hero would have to be my dad. He taught me so much about conservation and I love him so much. Actually, when I found out that I would be doing this movie, one of the reasons I was really looking forward to it, is because he made a movie as well, called The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course, so I really liked the idea that I was making one as well.”

At the end of the Q & A, Bindi was given a huge round of applause from the kids. She is a great thoughtful young speaker and assured this event will be a field trip the students there will never forget. Before she left, the students also got a group picture with her.

The DVD of Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove will be available in stores on April 20th from Warner Home Video.

- Erin V.

Trailer Watch: Shrek Forever After

2010-03-12T17:13:00.004-05:00

Yahoo! Movies now features a second trailer for the fourth installment in Dreamworks Animation’s Shrek series.

I quite enjoyed the first three films, but I’m not entirely sold on this one yet. Although I’m going to reserve judgment until I’ve actually seen the film. One thing’s for sure, the side characters, Donkey, Puss in Boots, and Gingy, will all steal the show. It opens in theatres on May 14th.

-John C.

Trailer Watch: Iron Man 2 + Tron Legacy

2010-03-10T15:39:00.004-05:00

Apple now has new trailers for both Iron Man 2 and Tron Legacy. Iron Man 2 is Jon Favreau’s much anticipated follow-up to his 2008 smash-hit, Iron Man. The new film looks to be another visually-arresting, incredibly entertaining superhero film. It opens on May 7th.

Tron Legacy is the much anticipated follow-up to the 1982 Disney cult-classic. The first Tron, though dated, is still cool and was groundbreaking at the time. The new film is a much updated version. I remember speaking to the producer of the film, Justin Springer, at last year’s Fan Expo - he seemed like a very cool guy. Tron Legacy opens on December 17th.

Both films look incredibly awesome.

-John C.

DVD Review: Capitalism: A Love Story

2010-03-09T00:00:00.016-05:00

Capitalism: A Love Story - An Alliance Films Release

http://www.capitalismalovestory.com/

DVD Release Date: March 6th, 2010

Rated PG for coarse language, and a mature theme.

Running time: 127 minutes

Michael Moore (dir.)

Michael Moore (writer)

Jeff Gibbs (music)

© 2009 Overture Films, LLC and Paramount Vantage, a division of Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved.Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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Capitalism: A Love Story Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Michael Moore documentaries are always thought provoking and entertaining. His latest, Capitalism: A Love Story, his fifth feature documentary, is no exception.

Capitalism may jokingly be called a love story, but it is one filled heartbreak. It’s thought-provoking, terrifying, and strictly as a movie, if a little too long, actually entertaining.

Moore’s distinctive style shines through, and this is one of his finest achievements. It could perhaps even make Gordon Gekko rethink his motto. An excellent, powerful documentary, that is a must see.

The DVD includes a bunch of bonus features, all written and directed by Michael Moore.
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Capitalism: A Love Story DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of four)

Michael Moore makes the subject of foreclosure and capitalism actually watchable, as he goes about his shtick of trying to get the money back from the banks in an armoured truck, arrest their board members, and close their buildings off like a crime scene. The documentary is also full of little videos that talk about the subject in a humorous way, while actually getting you to listen to the point he’s making. He also speaks to people who have been closely affected by the banks and about the large gap between rich and poor. He shows how the people who are sidelined, when standing together, can make change. It’s his balance in the film between humour and reality that make it keep holding your attention.

It’s a good film and my only real complaint is that at 2 hours and 7 minutes, it is a little bit long. Cut by 15-20, it would have held my interest that much more, but still this one is worth watching.

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Capitalism: A Love Story DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Once again, Michael Moore has created a thought provoking, funny, and informative documentary. This time, Michael Moore takes on capitalism. We are introduced to several people who have been hurt by financial greed. They include families who have been kicked out of their foreclosed homes, children who have been locked up in a shady private prison for trivial offences, airline pilots who are paid less than minimum wage, and shady companies that care more for money than people.

Michael Moore also interviews two Catholic priests and a bishop, asking the question "What would Jesus do?"

Told through interviews, spliced with arresting images of people losing everything they've got, as well as news clips, and clips of old films, Capitalism: A Love Story is fast moving and seldom drags. This documentary doesn't just depict the negative, but offers hope for the future. Moore shows us some of the brave individuals who have stood up against oppression and won. Capitalism: A Love Story calls everyone to create a world where everyone is treated equally fair. In our "me" society, this is an incredibly important film to see.

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Capitalism: A Love Story DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Only Michael Moore could take topics like foreclosures, evictions, and layoffs and turn them into a highly entertaining and though provoking, hold nothing back documentary. Capitalism: A Love Story is brilliant. Narrated by Michael Moore, he uses interviews, footage of families being evicted, old film footage from the 1950's and humour to get his message across about the downfalls of capitalism. Essentially the film exposes how as big corporations and financial institutions get richer, the middle class disappears and the gap between rich and poor widens.

I like how Michael Moore explores the issue of capitalism from a religious point of view asking the philosophical question 'Is capitalism evil?' It's not often in this politically correct world that a film-maker dares to bring God into the equation.

Overall there is a sense of hope in Capitalism: A Love Story. Michael Moore's goal is to increase awareness and incite people towards a change in attitude.

Change comes from Knowledge. This would be a good choice for secondary and post-secondary students. Watching Capitalism: A Love Story is a great way to learn and be entertained for two hours.

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Capitalism: A Love Story DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Capitalism: a Love Story is the latest documentary by Michael Moore. Rather than focusing on a specific issue such as guns or health care, it ambitiously challenges the very basis on which the American economy has been increasingly based over the last 40 years or so. The postwar prosperity due to American industrial dominance free from the competition of war-ravaged Europe and Japan supported a strong middle class of unionized workers producing goods for a comfortable lifestyle. As industries started to decline in the 1970s, the brightest young adults were attracted away from industry and into the financial sector where corporate greed led ultimately to such egregious practices as derivatives (sheltering executive bonuses on the backs of small investors), condo vultures (flipping foreclosed homes at enormous profit), “dead peasant” insurance policies (leaving the families of dead employees with massive medical bills while their employers collect on their life insurance), and subprime mortgages (luring high-risk borrowers into mortgages with temporarily low interest rates). The overall result has been an increasing gulf between rich and poor, gutting the middle class. A proposed worker’s bill of rights by FDR died with him and when Jimmy Carter preached against the consequences of corporate greed he was met with the same public indifference as the biblical prophets, replaced by the eager embrace of the glib optimism of Reagan and later Clinton, who doesn’t fare much better in Moore’s view. The systematic deregulation of financial institutions by successive financial cabinet secretaries taken from the executive ranks of the biggest banks helped inflate the bubble which finally burst within weeks of the 2008 election when, all facing the polls, the congress was railroaded into passing the huge bailout. There is some guarded optimism at the end of the film where some little people begin to fight back, with token encouragement from the new president.

Capitalism: a Love Story is an effective look at how capitalism has trumped democracy in recent years. Interspersed with the usual hard luck cases of foreclosed families and laid off workers is footage from vintage educational films on the values of capitalism and the decline of the Roman empire, as well as Moore home movies from happier times. In an amusing sequence taken from a cheesy biblical epic, the doctrine of capitalism overdubs the voice of Jesus. Though a bit long at just over two hours, the film doesn’t drag, though we could have done without the typical Moore stunt at the end where he drives up to corporate offices in an armoured truck to take back the money and make a citizen’s arrest of the executives, to be met as usual only by bemused security guards. However, the final shot where he surrounds the big Wall Street buildings with yellow police tape leaves a memorable image.
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Consensus: Capitalism: A Love Story, though perhaps a bit too long, is another interesting and entertaining documentary from Michael Moore. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

DVD Review: Planet 51

2010-03-09T00:00:00.009-05:00

Planet 51 - An Alliance Films Release

http://www.sonypictures.com/sonywonder/planet51/

DVD Release Date: March 6th, 2010

Rated G for violence, and frightening scenes.

Running time: 97 minutes

Jorge Blanco (dir.)

Javier Abad (co-dir.)

Marcos Martinez (co-dir.)

Joe Stillman (writer)

James Seymore Brett (music)

Dwayne Johnson as Captain Charles T. Baker

Seann William Scott as Skiff

Jessica Biel as Neera

Justin Long as Lem

Gary Oldman as General Grawl

John Cleese as Professor Kipple

Our reviews below:

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Planet 51 DVD Review By John C.

*1/2 (out of 4)

Planet 51 is a new animated comedy. No wait, it’s animated, that’s for sure. Is it a comedy? Yes, in the sense that it tries to make us laugh. But I can’t call it a comedy, because I didn’t actually laugh. Will kids like it? Sure. But for older kids and adults, it’s pretty lame.

It’s the story of a dumb human astronaut who lands on a planet that is inhabited by strange green aliens, who inexplicably speak English. But to them, he’s the alien! Brilliant premise, huh? Oh yeah, and the aliens spend their time listening to records from the 1950’s and ‘60’s. This is a fact that I actually didn’t mind, because if you close your eyes as they blare on the soundtrack, you can just pretend that you’re actually watching a good period piece.

The jokes are lazy and crude, and the timing is pretty sloppy. There is ample discussion of, I kid you not, plugging a certain orifice with a cork. I’m sure I’m not the only one that duly noted every time the aliens had their backs to the screen that they indeed have nowhere to stick the said cork.

Am I the only one that thought the weird grey alien dog with the strange tongue, no eyes and acid urine, was just plain creepy? Rover the robot, who does nothing more than just rip-off WALL•E, is kinda cute, but really nowhere near as adorable as WALL•E. When the film tries its hand at pondering deep thoughts, it just seems sort of cynical.

The voice acting is average at best, and a talent like John Cleese is completely wasted. Though I must say that Jessica Biel’s wooden voice acting is marginally better than in her shrill performance in the schlocky Valentine’s Day.

In an age of CGI masterpieces like Up, and even the not great, but good Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Planet 51 really falls flat. Despite good intentions and some nice animation, the film ultimately plays like a pile of rocks that Rover would hoard into his compartment, and the script is like a pile of litter that WALL•E would recycle in his compactor.

The DVD includes games, exteneded scenes, and a bunch of featurettes.

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Planet 51 DVD Review By Erin V.

** (out of four)

In terms of films that are animated these days, such a high bar has been set by the major studios that - especially last year, a film like Planet 51 couldn’t even come close.

The story is an ok premise that could have gone somewhere, but was not executed into anything special. Teenager Lem, who lives on ‘Planet 51’, has his world turned upside down when an ‘alien’ spaceship lands to plant the American flag. It’s Astronaut Chuck Baker, who to the audience looks like a weird cross between some sort of guy for an animated toothpaste ad and Mr. Clean, but to the aliens is a big scary monster that has a laser in his helmet and will turn them all to zombies. Oh yeah, and he’s voiced by Dwayne Johnson. Kind of strange really.

Anyway, the best parts of this movie actually come from the WALL•E copy robot who shovels rocks (not trash - you see? It’s different!), into his little chest compartment. This is mostly due to the fact that he doesn’t have the capacity to say any badly written dialogue, and is the most visually appealing character. Actually, he’s the only thing in this movie that’s kind of cute.

I guess kids are going to have fun with this film, but there are so many better films to watch that they’d also probably really enjoy. Still, if you have a 7 or 8 year old having a birthday party, this is worth renting for a bunch of hyper kids.

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Planet 51 DVD Review By Nicole

**1/2 ([*** for it’s intended audience of 4-12] out of 4)

Parodying the idea of alien invasion, Planet 51 tells a story of what happens when a human visits another inhabited planet. When dimwitted astronaut Charles T. Baker visits Planet 51, a world that is still in our late 1950’s-early 1960’s era, the locals think Baker is a menace that will turn them into zombies. But one of the residents, a teenager named Lem, who works at the local planetarium, befriends Baker. So when military dictator General Grawl and Professor Kipple try to destroy Baker, it is up to Lem and his friends to get the astronaut back home safely.

This movie could have been really clever and original. Instead, it simply recycles plots and characters from other films For example, Baker’s pet robot Rover, while incredibly appealing, is nothing more than a blatant ripoff of WALL•E. And the humour, which often contains anal probe jokes, is absurd when the aliens don’t even need pants.

However, I am not the target audience for this film. When I saw it in theatres, young viewers in the 6-10 range seemed to love the movie. Personally, I found it entertaining enough for adults, and great for young children. If you are a parent or grandparent with young children, then Planet 51 is worth adding to your collection.

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Planet 51 DVD Review By Maureen

** (out of 4)

The odd plastic looking green creatures that live on Planet 51 are living a happy 1950's America meets the Jetsons existence until an unexpected visitor turns their world upside down. Dwayne Johnson voices the arrogant blond astronaut who lands on Planet 51 hoping to quickly plant a flag and return to earth.

The nod to 1950's America in a futuristic kind of way is mildly amusing and the 50's type of music fun to listen to. However the dialogue and action in the movie are geared mainly to the 6 to 9 year boy demographic. For the rest of us, the jokes fall flat and the storyline predictable. There are a few cute moments in Planet 51 thanks to a WALL•E type robot called Rover. The similarities to other movies is none too subtle. Unfortunately there's not a lot of originality or cute appeal to Planet 51.

Planet 51 is the kind of DVD you can put on for kids in the 6 to 9 age range and it will keep them entertained for an hour and a half. If that's what you are looking for, than go ahead and rent it.

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Planet 51 DVD Review By Tony

*1/2 (out of 4)

No doubt Ilion Studio is the pride of Spain. With an in-house crew of hundreds they are clearly competent in the production of animation that can look good. Too bad that their first international feature Planet 51 is so uninspired that its appeal should be limited to the single-digit age group. It is interesting how trailers can sometimes be misleading. Another film we recently saw, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, was also not so good, but turned out to be somewhat better than the trailer suggested, redeemed by its clever spoof of disaster films in the last act. Compared to its trailer however, Planet 51 was disappointing from beginning to end, totally derivative and predictable at best and at worst just dumb. What might have been a decent premise of a human astronaut striking fear among the somewhat humanoid inhabitants of a 1950s suburban style planet is largely wasted. For example, the astronaut is a vain moron, and his robotic rover is an obvious Wall-E derivative, though it admittedly has a bit of canine charm with its wagging antenna. I haven’t seen so many lame gags since Old Dogs. Save this one for grade-school parties if you insist, but there is so much better to choose from.

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Consensus: Planet 51 will entertain younger kids, but not many others. It is certainly not on par with most of the animated films released theatrically last year. Still, for 6 - 9 year olds, it's worth a rental. ** (Out of 4)

Thoughts on the Oscars

2010-03-08T00:21:00.014-05:00

The Hurt Locker wins Best Picture. James Cameron never got a chance to get up on stage, the King has been replaced with a Queen. There were ten very deserving nominees for Best Picture, any one of them could have taken home the gold. The Hurt Locker is a great movie, and fits in perfectly with the 81 other films that have won Best Picture.

I predicted 17 out of 24 categories correctly, same as last year. Some great speeches, some surprises. I’m very disappointed that Up in the Air went home empty handed.

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin were both very funny, but the best joke of the night has to go to Tyler Perry, who said, “People keep coming up to me saying ‘I loved you in The Blind Side’, uh, no, that wasn’t me.” There were the predicted dance numbers, and they were all pretty good, except for the moment when they started robot dancing to the beautiful score of Up...

Very happy for both of Up’s wins, score and Best Animated. Pete Docter and Michael Giacchino were both wearing Grape Soda bottle caps - I wore mine as well.
There was a good tribute to horror films - some good, some otherwise. Wait, is New Moon a horror film? Was I the only one that saw that brief clip?

I loved the tribute to John Hughes, and the In Memoriam segment. James Taylor was amazing. Touching. moving and beautiful. So many great talents lost - may they rest in peace.

Overall, it’s been a great night. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners. You can see my full thoughts on all the winners here.

-John C.

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Oddly, the same as last year, I again predicted 16 out of 24 correctly - 2/3 of the categories. That is the same percentage, approx. 67%, as wins-to-noms for the winner The Hurt Locker tonight. I guess I'll try to hit 20, or approx 83% next year...

Overall, I am happy with most of the awards, although was kind of surprised to see Avatar win Cinematography. I am really happy with both of the music winners, The Weary Kind for Best Song, and Up for Best Score. Both categories had great contenders in them, although out of the Best Score, I think Avatar was my least favourite - it just wasn't memorable to me. It was interesting to see Avatar go home with only 3 awards, speaking of which, I have tallied the percentages of awards won by each film that picked Oscars up tonight below:

In the main categories where most films garner more than one nomination, the winner percentages are as follows (their percentage rankings are to the left of the winners name):

Tied for 1. The Hurt Locker - 6/9 - 67%

Tied for 5. Avatar - 3/9 - 33%

Tied for 5. Precious - 2/6 - 33%

4. Up - 2/5 - 40%

Tied for 1. Crazy Heart - 2/3 - 67%

9. Inglourious Basterds - 1/8 - 12.5%

8. Star Trek - 1/4 - 25%

Tied for 5. The Young Victoria - 1/3 - 33%

3. The Blind Side - 1/2 - 50%

Percentage wise, they are ranked quite differently as you can see. Congratulations to Crazy Heart for winning the same percentage of nominations as The Hurt Locker. ;)

The Hurt Locker was clearly the winner of the night, and Avatar has to share 5th place, for percentage of noms won, with two other films... And I suppose my over-catergorizeation is getting rather obsessive right now, so I shall save you the rest of my different ways of ordering the films... Interesting line-up though. And to think in all 43 films were nominated... Wow.

And in the categories that usually have films only nominated once, so they win 1/1…

Tied for 1. Foreign Language - El Sevreto de Sus Ojos - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Documentary Feature - The Cove - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Documentary Short - Music by Prudence - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Short Film Live Action - The New Tenants - 1/1 - 100%

Tied for 1. Short Film Animated - Logorama - 1/1 - 100%

There's really no fun ordering the percentages there... They all tied out at 1.

And that just about wraps up the season for another year. Hope you all enjoyed it, and I'll probably update this post in the morning with a few more thoughts, since it's kind of late now. Good night!

- Erin V.

Live Coverage of The 82nd Annual Academy Awards!

2010-03-07T18:40:00.025-05:00

The 82nd Annual Academy Awards are on tonight. It’s been a great Oscar-season, and it is hard to believe it’s almost over.

The telecast starts at 8:00 PM EST, on CTV and ABC, the actual awards ceremony starts at 8:30. We will be having live updates during the telecast, so keep it tuned to One Movie, Five Views.

Get a full list of nominees here. We will be updating this post with the nominees as they are announced, winners will be in bold. I will also be including my commentary on the wins and losses.

I hope you’ll all be watching the Oscars. After all, the only thing more exciting than watching the Oscars on TV is actually being in attendance. The only thing more exciting than that is being called up on stage!

-John C.

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Nominees and winners for The 82nd Annual Academy Awards!

1 - Actor in a Supporting Role:

Matt Damon-Invictus

Woody Harrelson-The Messenger

Christopher Plummer-The Last Station

Stanley Tucci-The Lovely Bones

Christoph Waltz-Inglourious Basterds
-It's a bingo!

2 - Animated Feature Film:

Coraline

Fantastic Mr. Fox

The Princess and the Frog

The Secret of Kells

Up
-Great win. Gonna be hard to top Pete Docter's acceptance speech. Loved the video of all the nominees.

3 - Music (Original Song):

Almost There-The Princess and the Frog

Down in New Orleans-The Princess and the Frog

Loin de Paname-Paris 36

Take It All-Nine

The Weary Kind-Crazy Heart
-Great movie, great song.

4 - Writing (Original Screenplay):

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The Messenger

A Serious Man

Up
-First win for The Hurt Locker, en route to probable Best Picture.

5 - Short Film (Animated):

French Roast

Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty

The Lady and the Reaper (La Dama y la Muerte)

Logorama

A Matter of Loaf and Death

6 - Documentary Short:

China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Teaars of Sichuan Province

The Last Campaign of Governor Booth Gardner

The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Music by Prudence

Rabbit à la Berlin

7 - Short Film (Live Action):

The Door

Instead of Abracadabra

Kavi

Miracle Fish

The New Tenants

8 - Makeup

Il Divo

Star Trek

The Young Victoria
-Star Trek had great make-up - but presenter Ben Stiller's Na'Vi costume was amazing.

9 - Writing (Adapted Screenplay):

District 9

An Education

In the Loop

Precious

Up in the Air
-First surprise of the night. Hopefully Up in the Air doesn't go home empty handed.

10 - Actress in a Supporting Role:

Penélope Cruz-Nine

Vera Fermiga-Up in the Air

Maggie Gyllenhaal-Crazy Heart

Anna Kendrick-Up in the Air

Mo’Nique-Precious
-Five very deserving contenders, but alas, Mo'Nique was destined to win. Great acceptance speech.

11 - Art Direction:

Avatar

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

Sherlock Holmes

The Young Victoria
-Avatar's first win - of the night.

12 - Costume Design:

Bright Star

Coco Before Chanel

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Nine

The Young Victoria
-Another period piece wins in this category - loved the acceptance speech.

13 - Sound Editing:

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Up

-Very deserving - The Hurt Locker's 2nd win. Love the description of both sound categories.

14 - Sound Mixing:

Avatar

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Star Trek

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
-Very deserving - The Hurt Locker's 3rd win.

15 - Cinematography:

Avatar

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

The White Ribbon
-Avatar's 2nd win. Touching acceptance speech.

16 - Music (Original Score):

James Horner-Avatar

Alexandre Desplat-Fantastic Mr. Fox

Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders-The Hurt Locker

Hans Zimmer-Sherlock Holmes

Michael Giacchino-Up
-Michael Giacchino - one of the best composers working today - has finally been recognized with a much deserved Oscar. Both Michael and Pete were both wearing Grape Soda bottle caps - so am I.

17 - Visual Effects:

Avatar

District 9

Star Trek
-Avatar wins. Three very deserving nominees, but best on a budget has to go to District 9.

18 - Documentary Feature:

Burma VJ

The Cove

The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers

Food, Inc.

Which Way Home
-A powerful, important film. Maybe now everyone will hear what the filmmakers had to say.

19 - Film Editing:

Avatar

District 9

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious
-The masterful editing made for a powerful experience.

20 - Foriegn Language Film:

Ajami

El Sevreto de Sus Ojos

The Milk of Sorrow

Un Prophète

The White Ribbon
-El Sevreto de Sus Ojos pulls an upset over Un Prophète and The White Ribbon.

21 - Actor in a Leading role:
Jeff Bridges-Crazy Heart
George Clooney-Up in the Air
Colin Firth-A Single Man
Morgan Freeman-Invictus
Jeremy Renner-The Hurt Locker
-The Dude abides! - Jeff Bridges wins Best Actor. Very deserved - great acceptance speech. So glad he didn't get cut off.

22 - Actress in a Leading Role:

Sandra Bullock-The Blind Side

Helen Mirren-The Last Station

Carey Mulligan-An Education

Gabourey Sidebe-Precious

Meryl Streep-Julie & Julia
-The first person ever to win an Oscar and Razzie on the same weekend. She's very deserving of both awards. She gave an amazing speech.

23 - Best Director:

James Cameron-Avatar

Kathryn Bigelow-The Hurt Locker

Quentin Tarantino-Inglourious Basterds

Lee Daniels-Precious

Jason Reitman-Up in the Air
-The first woman ever to win a Best Director Oscar.

24 - Best Picture:

Avatar

The Blind Side

District 9

An Education

The Hurt Locker

Inglourious Basterds

Precious: Based on the novel Push by Sapphire

A Serious Man

Up

Up in the Air
-Ten very good films - one very deserving winner.

Predictions for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards

2010-03-06T19:00:00.007-05:00

Below are two of our writers predictions for what will win at the Oscars on March 7th. Come back tomorrow night for live coverage of the telecast.

Last year I correctly predicted 17 of the 24 categories at the 81st Academy Awards. Below are my predictions for what will win tomorrow night at the 82nd Academy Awards. Some are educated guesses, and some are just that, guesses.

The Best Picture race is between Avatar and The Hurt Locker, and I think The Hurt Locker will end up winning. It is definitely the stronger of the two, and a downright excellent movie, but I still think it would be great if Up in the Air won. Kathryn Bigelow should and will win Best Director, becoming the first woman ever to do so.

-John C.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading role - Jeff Bridges-Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz-Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock-The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo’Nique-Precious

Animated Feature Film - Up

Art Direction - Avatar

Cinematography - Avatar

Costume Design - Bright Star

Directing - Kathryn Bigelow-The Hurt Locker

Documentary Feature - The Cove

Documentary Short - The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing - The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon

Makeup - Star Trek

Music (Original Score) - Michael Giacchino-Up

Music (Original Song) - The Weary King-Crazy Heart

Short Film (Animated) - A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action) - Miracle Fish

Sound Editing - Star Trek

Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects - Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay) - Inglourious Basterds

Here is my ranking of the Best Picture nominees:

I have organized the 10 Best Picture nominees into order of my personal preference. Though I must add that these are ten very deserving films. Any one of them could be the winner - and I’d be okay with it. My top 3 are all practically on the same level, but my number one is elevated just above the top, because of one particular sequence...

-John C.

10 - Precious - ***1/2 - Excellent, with some great performances, but overrated.

9 - Inglourious Basterds - ***1/2 - Another very good film from Quentin Tarantino.

8 - The Blind Side - ***1/2 - An uplifting sports movie, with some very good performances.

7 - Avatar - ***3/4 - Though far from perfect, and not the best movie of last year, as a piece of entertainment, I loved it.

6 - District 9 - **** - A thought-provoking piece of contemporary sci-fi.

5 - An Education - **** - A wonderful film.

4 - A Serious Man - **** - A serious masterpiece.

3 - The Hurt Locker - **** - This comes in a very close third. An amazingly tense and powerful achievement.

2 - Up in the Air - **** - This comes in a very close second. The acting, writing, and performances are all impeccable. Jason Reitman’s third-great film.

1 - Up - **** - Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Not only was it my favourite movie going memory of ‘09, but nothing in any of the Best Picture nominees was quite as emotionally powerful as that opening montage.

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Last year I guessed 16 out of 24 correctly. I am hoping for 20 this year. Below are my guesses for each of the categories.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

Actor in a Leading role - Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart

Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz - Inglourious Basterds

Actress in a Leading Role - Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

Actress in a Supporting Role - Mo’Nique - Precious

Animated Feature Film - Up

Art Direction - Avatar

Cinematography - Inglourious Basterds

Costume Design - The Young Victoria

Directing - Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker

Documentary Feature - The Cove

Documentary Short - The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant

Film Editing - The Hurt Locker

Foreign Language Film - The White Ribbon

Makeup - Star Trek

Music (Original Score) - Michael Giacchino - Up

Music (Original Song) - The Weary King - Crazy Heart

Short Film (Animated) - A Matter of Loaf and Death

Short Film (Live Action) - Miracle Fish

Sound Editing - Up

Sound Mixing - The Hurt Locker

Visual Effects - Avatar

Writing (Adapted Screenplay) - Up in the Air

Writing (Original Screenplay) - Up

And next are my ranking of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture.

10. Precious - ***3/4 - The more I think back on this film, I think of it as closer to 3 1/2 stars now. I guess it deserves it's spot on the list, but it's not one of my top ten of the year.
9. An Education - ***3/4 - A nice quiet film, although I didn't like it quite as much as I had hoped. The acting by was what carried this film.
8. Inglourious Basterds - ***1/2 - More of a set piece than a historical film, but it was made with a love of cinema and has it's moments that make it worth checking out.
7. Avatar - ***2/3 - Slightly over hyped, and compared to Cameron's last film, Titanic, this film is not even close. As a blockbuster though, loads of fun.
6. District 9 - **** - Not one you'd watch over and over again, but one I am glad to have seen at least once. It really made me feel for it's characters.
5. The Blind Side - ***3/4 - A feel-good film that tells an inspiring true story. I put it just above District 9 as it is one that I would be more likely to want to sit through again.
/3. The Hurt Locker - **** - A brilliantly suspenseful film. A truly emotional look at war.
\3. A Serious Man - **** - A darkly funny look at a man trying to live a serious life.
2. Up in the Air - **** - An important film for a time of recession.
1. Up - **** - One of Pixar's masterpieces. And one of the most well-rounded and emotional films of the year.

- Erin V.

The Best Movies I Saw in 2009

2010-03-06T11:45:00.011-05:00

By John C.

There were many great movies released last year. 2 Months ago, I published my list of the top 11 worst movies I saw in 2009, and it came to my attention that I still haven’t formally published what I thought the best movies of last year were. I saw many great ones, animated and live-action, and I know what my favourites were. But why is it always so much easier to assemble a formal list of bad movies? I could rethink this list, or wait until I see another small gem of last year on DVD, but as of now - Oscar weekend, these are the films that have stuck with me throughout the 2009 movie-going season.

It breaks my heart to leave off such fine films as Brothers, Crazy Heart, Everybody’s Fine, Goodbye Solo, The Hangover, Victoria Day, and 9, not to mention Best Picture nominees The Blind Side, Inglourious Basterds and Precious, to name but only a few of the other movies I quite enjoyed.

But alas, the making of a list is always heartbreaking. These 20 films I have picked are perhaps the ones that I am most looking forward to watching again, or perhaps the ones that have left the longest lasting impression after only one viewing.

Tomorrow, the Academy will announce their pick for the best movie of ‘09, so without further adieu, here are the top 20 movies I saw last year + an honourable mention for best achievement from a new director. But still, this is only scratching the surface of the so many great films released last year. They are organized in alphabetical order.

(500) Days of Summer - One of the best rom-com’s in recent memory.

Avatar - Though far from perfect, and not the best movie of last year, as a piece of entertainment, I loved it.

The Boys: The Sherman Brother’s Story - A heartfelt, moving look at the famed Disney songwriters.

The Brothers Bloom - Quite simply a masterpiece.

Coraline - An incredibly well-crafted stop motion film.

A Christmas Carol - A great adaptation of a classic story - an animated masterpiece.

Departures - An emotional masterwork.

An Education - A wonderful film.

Fantastic Mr. Fox - A lovingly-crafted stop motion film from director Wes Anderson.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - A stunning achievement, a near masterpiece.

The Hurt Locker - An amazingly tense and powerful achievement.

The Informant! - A brilliantly written and acted film from director Steven Soderbergh.

Is Anybody There? - A touching film, with an excellent performance from Michael Caine.

One Week - A Canadian masterpiece.

The Princess and the Frog - An instant classic, with an awesome soundtrack.

A Serious Man - A serious masterpiece.

Star Trek - Tons of fun.

Up in the Air - Jason Reitman’s third, great film.

Up - Pixar’s latest masterpiece. Not only was it my favourite movie going memory of ‘09, but nothing beat that opening montage.

Where the Wild Things Are - Great movie.

Honourable mention for best achievement from a new director:

District 9 - A thought-provoking piece of contemporary sci-fi. It just doesn’t make my list, perhaps because of the graphic-grossness, but it was one of the finer achievements of last year. It’s hard to believe it was only director Neil Blomkamp’s first feature film, and it was a stunning debut.

Book Review: Alice In Wonderland - The Visual Guide

2010-03-05T03:05:00.004-05:00

Released January 26th, 2010

Page count: 72 pages

Size: 9.25” x 6.25”

Disney’s Alice In Wonderland - The Visual Guide

Written By Jo Casey & Laura Gilbert

Published By Dorling Kindersley

http://www.dk.com/

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Alice In Wonderland Visual Guide Book Review By Erin V.

As they do so often for family oriented movies, Dorling Kindersley has released another wonderful visual guide - this one for Disney’s new Alice in Wonderland.

As a visual guide, each page is filled with pristine pictures and information on the various characters, locations, and world of the film. This is a great accompaniment to this film in particular, as the strange world needs a bit of explanation at times. Of particular note, this book contains a glossary at the back for some of the commonly used words in Outlandish that are used in the film, such as ‘gallymoggers --> crazy’, or ‘klotchyn --> pay attention’. I did use many of these words in my review of the film [link], so if you have this book you may even come to understand that better.

If you love the new Alice In Wonderland film, you will definitely want to get this tie-in book. It is a great fun read.

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To find out more about the Alice In Wonderland, or other books, visit DK's website here.

Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland

2010-03-05T00:00:00.021-05:00

Alice in Wonderland - A Walt Disney Pictures’ Release

http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/

Release Date: March 5th

Rated PG for fantasy action/violence involving scary images and situations, and a smoking caterpillar

Running time: 108 minutes

Tim Burton (dir.)

Linda Voolverton (writer)

Lewis Carroll (books)

Danny Elfman (music)

Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter

Mia Wasikowska as Alice

Helena Bonham Carter as Red Queen

Anne Hathaway as White Queen

Crispin Glover as Stayne – Knave of Hearts

Matt Lucas as Tweedledee / Tweedledum

Stephen Fry as Cheshire Cat

Michael Sheen as White Rabbit

Alan Rickman as Blue Caterpillar

Our reviews below:

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Alice in Wonderland Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

I am sitting at my raven as I write this, with my feet firmly resting on a warm pig belly.

Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland is a deliriously twisted and bizarre take on Lewis Carroll’s deliriously twisted and bizarre piece of literature. And Burton has found the story’s muchness. This is a sequel of sorts to the original books, with a now-19 Alice, (played wonderfully by Mia Wasikowska), escaping a forced engagement and following the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole.

In Underland, which could be misinterpreted as Wonderland, she meets a strange, yet strangely endearing cast of characters. Including the Mad Hatter, who is truly mad and played wonderfully by Johnny Depp, the Mad March Hare, also truly mad, The Red Queen, (Helena Bonham Carter, with an enlarged, bulbous head), and her sister The White Queen (Anne Hathaway). She is chased by a Bandersnatch, and has to battle the evil Jabberwocky. But my favourite character has to be the Chesire Cat.

Not your cup of tea poured through a smashed tea cup? Well then you obviously aren’t familiar with the source material. Though being a sequel, it draws much inspiration from the pages of the books.

Despite having both names on the poster, this is more Tim Burton than Disney, and parents should see this as a warning. While it will be immensely enjoyed by older kids and adults, this is not a film for young kids. Some scenes are quite creepy. But they’re also scenes that are just off the wall, like when an obviously CGI Mad Hatter dances the Futterwacken.

The look of Underland is a cross between darkly beautiful, beautifully dark and wonderfully bizarre, as every scene grows curiouser and curiouser. Although there are a few arguably uninspired moments, like a CGI battle that could have perhaps used a touch more wonder, the visuals of the film are spectacular.

My biggest complaint is that, while adding a nice sense of depth to the entire movie, the 3D in the opening sequence really dulls the picture. Despite this technical flaw, Alice in Wonderland is another great collaboration between Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. One of the very best movies of the year so far, this is definitely one worth going out to see.

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Alice in Wonderland Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

As you read the following, klotchyn, some words may not make much sense...

As the story begins, we meet Alice once again who has grown into a young lady of 19. She is to have an arranged proposal (that everyone but her knows about) with the uppity Lord Ascot, who has absolutely no imagination.

Needing a moment to think once this is presented to her, she runs off and falls back into 'Underland' on Gribling Day after following the familiar white rabbit, McTwisp. Turns out they have been waiting for her, as she is destined to slay the slurvish Red Queen's Jabberwocky in the Tulgey Wood on Frabjous Day, in order to restore power to the White Queen for the first time since it was taken from her on Horunvendush Day. Once that has been done, the Hatter may finally be able to futterwacken once again... Downal wyth Bluddy Behg Hid!

And I do understand how that last paragraph must have sounded absolutely gallymoggers to you, and for that I apologize, but nunz - I have more to say.

I absolutely loved the artistic style of this film, which is very close to the original drawings. The colours are stunning, and the cinematography beautiful. I found Alice in Wonderland to be paced well, and the characters appealing. A few of my favourites are the Cheshire Cat and the Mad March Hare. The costume design was also very good, as was the editing, and musical score. I also really liked the messages in this film about trusting yourself.

This film is very close to a four star film for me, but not in 3D. It worked very well and I enjoyed the sense of depth it gave, if only it weren't so dark. I hope they find a way soon to make the glasses not dim the picture by approx. 30%. This was particularly apparent in some of the opening scenes, parts of which I watched with my glasses off. I'd be interested to see this one in 2D to get a better feel for it. Judging from the pictures from the film, I would love to see it in it's full colourful glory. And I don't even know why I would add this, but I would have loved to have seen Underland on Gleb, the day when the sky rained fish for no apparent reason.

Fairfarren. Thanks for reading all of this slightly nonsensical review, which made spellcheck go gallymoggers... Oh, and for explanations of all of those Outlandish words, you might want to seek out this book... Review here.

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Alice in Wonderland Review By Nicole

**** (out of four)

“Twas brillig, and the slithy toves.” So goes the first line of The Jabberwocky, a poem that appeared in Through the Looking Glass, and which has become the basis of Tim Burton’s latest masterpiece. Combining characters from both of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books, and drawing inspiration from John Tenniel’s illustrations, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland takes off where the two original books left off. In the film, Alice is now 19, and is expected to marry stuck up Hamish Ascot. She doesn’t want to be stuck with him. So when Alice spots a familiar white rabbit, she follows him, falling once again into a large hole. Back in “Underland,” (Alice thought it was called “Wonderland”), Alice finds things out of sorts. The cruel Red Queen has taken control of Underland away from the gentle White Queen. The only way to defeat the Red Queen is to slay her guard dragon, known as a “Jabberwocky,” on “Frabjous Day.” According to the Oraculam, a prophetic scroll that catalogs every day in the past, present and future, Alice is the one who is to slay the Jabberwocky with a Vorpal sword. Alice, being a gentle individual, is not sure if she is right for the task.

Tim Burton has proven himself to be the right one to adapt Lewis Carroll’s classic Jabberwocky poem into a film. Many of Carroll’s famous characters and inventions are here, including the White Rabbit, Dormouse, Mad hatter, (brilliantly played by Johnny Depp), the Dodo, Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, and Queen of Hearts (Red Queen - from Alice in Wonderland), and Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the talking flowers, the Looking Glass Insects, the White Queen, the Bandersnatch, and the Jungle Bird from Through the Looking Glass.

This is the darkest, and one of the most imaginative adaptations of the original books. Although quite different from the original, this film captures the feel of the original perfectly. The visuals are incredible, dark, but with a magic that rivals the Harry Potter films. The acting is amazing, and the score by Danny Elfman has a magical, haunting quality to it. Alice is a likable and strong, inspiring female character. As a fan of the original books, I was pleased with this film. Just leave young children at home.

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Alice in Wonderland Review By Maureen

***3/4 (out of 4)

Tm Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is a deliciously dark visual treat. This story is a sequel with Alice, now 19, falling down the rabbit hole as she runs off to avoid becoming engaged to the dreadfully boring Lord Hamish Ascot. It turns out that the inhabitants of Underland (the proper name) have been waiting for Alice to return and save them from the heartless Red Queen of Hearts.

Back in Underland Alice meets up again with White Rabbit, March Hare, Dormouse, Tweedledum, Tweedledee, Cheshire Cat, and of course Mad Hatter played with brilliant madness by Johnny Depp. The crazy cast of characters must convince Alice that it is her destiny to slay the Red Queen’s Jabberwocky and restore control to the much nicer White Queen, played beautifully by a very pale Anne Hathaway.

The cast of characters stay close to the original books. The spectacular visuals and special effects that bring the characters to life are uniquely Tim Burton. This is a stunning movie to watch. The fight scenes between the Red Queen’s and White Queen’s armies have a medieval and gothic feel to them. There are a lot of dark images and scary scenes throughout the movie. This is not a little kids’ Alice in Wonderland.

This Alice in Wonderland has an excellent acting cast, (especially newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice), beautifully original visuals, and a perfect Danny Elfman score to match the overall mood. The closing credits include an original song by Avril Lavigne.

My only complaint would be about the 3D. While it was amazing in most scenes, particularly with my favourite, the Cheshire Cat, the 3D dulled the colour in the opening segments before Alice fell down the rabbit hole. It will be interesting to see it again in 2D.

Alice in Wonderland is a must-see for older kids, teens and adults. This one’s a real treat and is destined to be a classic.

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Alice in Wonderland Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton and 3D–it’s all we can expect and more. It is actually a sequel with the 19 year old Alice revisiting the Wonderland largely forgotten since her last visit 12 years prior. She discovers her destiny as the champion of the White Queen is to battle the jabberwocky, the dragon champion of the tyrannical Red Queen. Those coming to her aid will include the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, Caterpillar, Bandersnatch (a sort of terrible snow leopard) and Bayard the faithful dog. I don’t want to spoil the fun by providing too much detail, but be warned that Alice in Wonderland has disturbing images that may not be for small children, such as the Red Queen’s castle moat filled with severed heads.

The 3D and special effects work perfectly as human and non-human characters interact seamlessly together–a tribute to the director and actors that often worked to a blank screen with minimal cues. As expected, the cast is brilliant, with Australian Mia Wasikowska in the title role, Johnny Depp (inevitably) as the Mad Hatter, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway as the Red & White queens, Crispin Glover as the Knave of Hearts, and classic British talent voicing the various creatures. The score by Burton’s house composer Danny Elfman is brilliant as always. Perhaps Tim Burton has some clout with the Disney Studio since the good closing song was not sung by someone named Cyrus or Jonas, but by Avril Lavigne.

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Consensus: Alice in Wonderland is a visually stunning achievement from Tim Burton. Though it will be too dark for young kids, this is a dark delight for teens and adults. Hugely enjoyable and tons of fun from beginning to end. ***7/8 (Out of 4) [Sorry for the Gallymoggers 7/8 stars, we must really be bonkers - all the best people are]

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Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Up in the Air (10 of 10)

2010-03-05T00:00:00.011-05:00

Up in the Air was released in theatres on December 4th, and is coming to DVD on March 9th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Up in the Air Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

On the surface, audiences might see this film is an enjoyable romantic-comedy. The truth is, it is funny. On the flip side, though, it’s a thought provoking, powerful and moving meditation on our times.

Real people lose their jobs, and what may be harder to remember is that the people firing them are also human. They do what they do for a living, and shelter themselves from the real world perhaps because they aren’t proud of being the bearers of bad news. Ryan takes comfort in the world of loyalty programs and one night stands, almost afraid to connect, because he knows best of all that with one surprise trip to the office it can all be over. The false loyalty of the airports won’t go away, as long as he continues to fly. He’s constantly connecting with people, but never actually making connections.

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Up in the Air Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I loved the movie Up In The Air. It is a very powerful film that gives you something real and important to think about. It was nice to see that some of the people in the movie playing those who've lost their job are people that actually have gone through downsizing. All of the acting in the film is great, and the music fits well, as do the songs, (which are unfortunately not eligible for Best Song at the Oscars). All three of Jason Reitman's directed films thus far, (Thank You For Smoking, Juno, and Up In The Air), I have really liked. They all are shot in a quiet, subtle, and touching way.

Up In The Air is high up on my top 10 list of this year, and I hope to see it pick up some awards at the Oscars. Everything about this movie makes it worth seeing.

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Up in the Air Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Up in the Air is a funny and touching movie with a good message about relationships.

I really liked Up in the Air. Everything about this movie worked for me. The acting, the score, the screenwriting, and the cinematography all fit together perfectly. The story is timely, in a world of recession, where greed and personal gain is rampant.

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Up in the Air Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Up in the Air is an intelligent and funny movie with a heart. The scenes where clients are being layed off are touching and believable. Director Jason Reitman has taken a difficult and timely topic and brought it to our attention in a light-hearted yet serious manner.

Having gone through a corporate downsizing many years ago, Up in the Air had meaning for me. What makes this film so likable is the witty dialogue and the excellent cast.

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Up in the Air Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Up In The Air is Jason Reitman’s third and best film to date. Like his other movies, it handles a dark subject with great wit and charm, exemplified by George Clooney and the rest of the cast. So many brilliant elements make it a strong contender for the year’s best film.

The inspired decision in the firing scenes to enrich the scripted professional cast with a number of really fired people improvising their actual responses provided some of the most moving moments in the film.

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Consensus: From the acting, directing and writing, Up in the Air is an impeccable film. Though it is sadly no longer the front runner for Best Picture, it will likely win a very deserved Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Up (9 of 10)

2010-03-05T00:00:00.010-05:00

Up was released in theatres on May 29th, and is came to DVD on November 10th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Up Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

One of the main themes in Up is, sometimes you have to let go of your past, in order to make new memories. In one of the films most touching scenes, Carl reads the scrapbook that Ellie had made when she was a kid. The scene is emotional and heartbreaking, yet full of love and hope. One of my favorite images in the film is a shot of two chairs standing up beside each other. It's an animated film, but it moved me to tears, and will likely be the most touching film to come out this year.

Up is perhaps Pixar’s most affecting work to date, both emotionally and comically. There is never a false note in this film.

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Up Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I absolutely loved this movie. At it’s core, this movie has emotional heart, and that is the true beauty of Pixar.

Pixar does not let us down with this latest effort. Everything about this movie works. The voice acting is all spot on, with great performances from Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, newcomer Jordan Nagai, and Bob Peterson in the main roles. Michael Giacchino's score is also absolutely beautiful to listen to, and the animation, as always from Pixar, is breathtakingly gorgeous to look at. A beautiful movie about love, loss, knowing when to letting go, and the adventure of our everyday lives. One of Pixar’s most emotional and mature outings to date, Up is destined to become a classic.

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Up Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

Up is an exciting , and very touching film about two unlikely friends on an adventure. Up is a great action-adventure film with a lot of heart. Despite how the film is being advertised, Up is not just a kids movie about cute talking dogs.

The story is both whimsical and sweet, the animation is great, and the score by Michael Giacchino fits every emotion in this film perfectly. Up is one movie that the whole family, especially grandparents, will enjoy.

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Up Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Up is an absolute gem from Pixar. This movie is heartwarming, touching, exciting and funny from start to finish. The movie wraps up with a satisfying and touching ending. I had tears in my eyes when Carl realizes that sometimes you have to let go to move on.

The animation is excellent in Up. The voice acting is great and I especially enjoyed Michael Giacchino’s score throughout the movie. Up is a must see for the young and old alike.

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Up Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Pitched merely as a comedy, Up is really a sweet story that will leave much of the audience in joyful tears. Like all their others, Pixar’s 10th feature is much more than a vehicle for lucrative tie-ins with Disney toys and collectibles.

My greatest joy came in the Michael Giacchino musical score. In action sequences it reminded me of Mussorgsky, while its main motto theme, reminiscent of the best Nino Rota scores for Fellini films, was a waltz tune that underwent numerous transformations, such as a lightening of texture down to a single slow piano line as Ellie’s last days are remembered.

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Consensus: Up is Pixar’s latest masterpiece, and an incredibly moving and entertaining film. Only the second animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, Up is not going to win, but its nomination is very deserved. **** (Out of 4)

Revisit some Oscar nominated films...

2010-03-05T00:00:00.009-05:00

Well, Oscar weekend is once again upon us, and this past Tuesday, just in time, Alliance Films released two double feature DVD’s of Oscar nominated films.

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The first set includes No Country For Old Men (2007), and Gone Baby Gone (2007).

No Country For Old Men was nominated for 9 Academy Awards, and won for Best Supporting Actor (Javier Bardem), Directing (Joel & Ethan Coen), Best Adapted Screenplay (Joel & Ethan Coen), and the coveted Best Picture.

Gone Baby Gone was nominated for 1 Academy Award.

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The second set includes Brokeback Mountain (2005), and Milk (2008).

Brokeback Mountain was nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and won for Directing (Ang Lee), Music - Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Larry McMurtry & Diana Ossana).

Milk was nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, and won for Best Actor (Sean Penn), and Best Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black). You can read our Milk DVD reviews from last year here.

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So, now’s the time to catch up on some previous winners/nominees in the spirit of the Oscar season. Enjoy!

- Erin V.

Trailer Watch: Legend of the Guardians

2010-03-04T15:19:00.002-05:00

Originally titled Guardians of Ga’Hoole, and based on the books by Kathryn Lasky, Legend of the Guardians is an upcoming CGI film from Watchmen and 300 director Zack Snyder. Yahoo! now has the first trailer. It looks really good, and the animation is beautiful - I can’t wait to see it in 3D. It opens in theatres on September 24th.

Photo courtesy of USAToday.

-John C.

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee A Serious Man (8 of 10)

2010-03-04T00:00:00.009-05:00

A Serious Man was released in theatres on October 16th, and came to DVD on February 9th. You can read our full DVD reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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A Serious Man Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

A Serious Man is brilliantly comedic, and darkly brilliant. Both overtly religious and profoundly poetic, it’s rare to see a film of such subject matter even get a semi-mainstream release. Some may find the last scene to be annoying or confusing, but I thought it was brilliant genius.

Very deserving of its Best Picture nomination - A Serious Man is a serious masterpiece.

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A Serious Man Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

This is one of the best films of last year, a fact that was recognized by the Academy with a well deserved Best Picture nomination. The acting is all solid, the music fits really well, and the story is executed with classic Coen style. I would definitely recommend you checking this one out. It’s a dark comedy, and not everyone will enjoy it as much as I did, but it is well worth at least checking out for yourself.

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A Serious Man Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Coen Brothers have returned with this quirky and funny comedy. With a hilarious story, great writing, and lots of quirky characters, it’s no wonder this comedy has been nominated for Best Picture.

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A Serious Man Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

What works for A Serious Man is the low key, quirky humour. Each of the characters are so well written and really fun to watch. The acting is top notch. A Serious Man was fun to watch in the theatre but is the kind of movie that you can watch more than once and always get more out of it each time. It’s not surprising A Serious Man is nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

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A Serious Man Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

With a brilliant script, excellent mainly Jewish cast and every detail of 1960s suburbia lovingly reproduced, A Serious Man is full of wit and a joy to watch, another triumph from its quirky writer/directors.

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Consensus: A Serious Man is another great dark-comedy from the Coen brothers. Though it’s not actually going to win, it’s very deserving of its Oscar nomination for Best Picture. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire (7 of 10)

2010-03-04T00:00:00.008-05:00

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire was released in theatres on November 20th, and is coming to DVD on March 9th. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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Precious Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

The amazing performances and powerful storyline, keep the film grounded in it’s harsh reality. It’s hard to watch, but it’s also sometimes hard to look away. It's at times quite disturbing, but it's also not devoid of all hope, and that's what keeps us watching.

Though I’m not sure if it’s because of the film’s limited budget, or just a stylistic choice, the shifting camera angles, constant close-ups, and shaky cam served as a bit of a distraction.

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Precious Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

The movie Precious: Based on the Book Push by Sapphire, is a powerful movie indeed. What it isn't though, is this years Slumdog Millionaire - at least for me.

Overall, this is a very good movie. The importance of literacy as a path to freedom, as shown in this film, ring very true in the real world. While parts of it are hard to watch, it is worth seeing.

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Precious Review By Nicole

***3/4 (out of 4)

Precious is a powerful film. While often hard to watch, I couldn't pull myself away form this film. The acting in this film is extremely believable. Newcomer Gabourey Sidebe is amazing as Precious. The other actors are just as good. Precious is a movie that, while telling such a dark tale, offers hope to all those who survive poverty and abuse.

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Precious Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Precious is a powerful film that is very difficult to watch, but even more difficult to ignore.

If you can get past the emotionally difficult subject matter, then this is a must see film. There is excellent acting throughout and a really powerful story in Precious.

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Precious Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

With brilliant performances directed by Lee Daniels in a relentless documentary style, it is a disturbing portrayal of life at its worst, from which there can still come some hope. Most will find it appropriately disturbing, if not put off by the rough language.

Precious came out at about the same time as The Blind Side. With its feel good success story, the latter film has already suffered in comparison, unjustly in my opinion, since it is much more accessible and based on a true story, while watching Precious, a fictional composite of the worst cases the author encountered in her work with inner city youth, felt like an obligation–much harder to take, like medicine. Both films in their own ways are highly recommended.

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Consensus: Precious is a very well acted, if difficult to watch and mildly overrated, drama. Though it was at one point the front runner, Precious simply did not gain enough momentum. It is unlikely that it will actually win Best Picture. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

Where The Wild Things Are now on DVD/BluRay

2010-03-03T13:13:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, Warner Home Video released the wonderful film Where The Wild Things Are as a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack. This is a great film that is definitely worth buying. It would make a great gift for older kids especially.

We reviewed the film when it opened in theatres on October 16th.

Our consensus was:

“Where The Wild Things Are is an interesting film, albiet a very dark one. This is a drama worth seeing for much older kids, teenagers and adults. ***1/2 (Out of 4)”

The BluRay Combo Pack contains more than an hour of special features, including:

• Higgelty Piggelty Pop! - An all new short featureing the voices of Meryl Streep and Forest Whitaker

• HBO First Look

• 8 Webisodes

The DVD contains:

• 4 webisodes

The film itself is 101 minutes and is rated PG. The discs include English, French, Latin Spanish, and Portuguese (BD only). Subtitling is in ESDH, French, and Latin Spanish.

Link to our original reviews here.

- Erin V.

Two re-releases from Warner Home Video

2010-03-03T13:12:00.009-05:00

The Music Man BluRay Re-release

Last month on February 2nd, Warner Home Video re-released Meredith Willson’s 1961 film The Music Man on BluRay, making this classic now available to you in hi-def. A great film for all ages, this is one worth owning.

TCM Greatest Films Collection: The Marx Brothers

This collection of four classic Marx Brothers movies was available on DVD starting Feb. 2nd. The DVD includes A Day at the Races, Room Service, A Night in Casablanca, and At the Circus. This is a fun collection that would make a great gift.

- Erin V.

Movie Reivew: Best Picture Nominee Inglourious Basterds (6 of 10)

2010-03-03T00:00:00.020-05:00

Inglourious Basterds was released in thetres on August 21st, and came to DVD on December 15th. We have not previously published reviews of this title.

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Inglourious Basterds Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Quentin Tarantino once said, “When people ask me whether I went to film school I answer no, I went to films.” And his love of cinema is clearly evidenced in Inglourious Basterds - His ultra-violent WWII revenge-fantasy.

The film is staged in 5 chapters, and the last chapter where everything goes to hell in a hand basket, is perhaps the best. The image of a burning movie screen is an iconic one. Though it’s unlikely that it will win Best Picture, Inglourious Basterds is a well made, well acted and masterfully scripted film.

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Inglourious Basterds Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

If I arranged the 10 Best Picture nominees with '1' being my favourite, Inglourious Basterds would be in the second half of my list. Still, out of 10, that's not all that bad. Actually, it's quite a well made film. Almost done as a whole set piece with kind of a quirky sense of self, the film is told in 5 'chapters', each one averaging about 90% talk, 10% [quite graphic] violence. There is no doubt this film earned it's 18A rating.

This is not going to be the winner Sunday night, but that's ok. It's up there on the list, and it's an interesting choice to round out the group. The award this film will probably take home though, is Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz. The whole film is well acted, is made with good execution and a matching score. It probably won't be enjoyed by those expecting historical accuracy though. Inglourious Basterds has it's own version to tell.

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Inglourious Basterds Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: Though unlikely to actually win Best Picture, Inglourious Basterds is a well made, well written and well acted film. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee The Hurt Locker (5 of 10)

2010-03-03T00:00:00.009-05:00

The Hurt Locker was released in theatres on July 10th, and came to DVD on January 12th. We have not previously published reviews of this title.

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The Hurt Locker Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

The Hurt Locker is one of the front runners for Best Picture, and it’s hard to believe anyone voting for Avatar instead of this film. The suspense and acting make for a powerful, unforgettable experience.

Though arguably not the most fully rounded of “the ten” in terms of overall character development and plot, Kathryn Bigelow’s tension-filled, Iraq-based, action-drama, is not only one of the best movies of last year, The Hurt Locker was one of the defining achievements of the past decade.

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The Hurt Locker Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

Out of the 10 nominees, the Best Picture race seems to be between The Hurt Locker and Avatar. Which one should win? Hands down, I think, The Hurt Locker. This is a gripping and powerful film about the realities that are faced by some every day.

Written by Mark Boal, (who is nominated for screenplay) and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (nominated for director), The Hurt Locker deserves to be seen by more now that it's out on DVD. The suspense built up in this film is astounding, even though a lot of the scenes aren't all that different from the last. I think out of all the films nominated, this one is one that will be looked back on years from now as the underdog masterpiece in this race that r0se to the top.

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The Hurt Locker Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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The Hurt Locker Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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The Hurt Locker Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: The Hurt Locker is the front runner for Best Picture, along with Avatar. It could likely win, and it certainly would deserve it. A powerful, tension-filled film. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee An Education (4 of 10)

2010-03-02T00:00:00.011-05:00

Each day this week, we will be having capsule reviews of 2 of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture. They will be featured in the official, alpabetical order.

An Education was released in theatres on October 23rd, and is coming to DVD on March 30th. We have not previously published reviews of this title.

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An Education Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

An Education is quite simply a wonderful film. Peter Sarsgaard plays an older man who seduces a teenage girl with the world of high culture. Sarsgaard gives such a great performance, that even the audience is at first fooled, though we clearly know something’s not right. The story is smart and funny, and has a great twist that I didn’t see coming.

Carey Mulligan gives an excellent, breakout performance as Jenny. At just 24 years old, the young actress is able to seamlessly make the transition from pretty schoolgirl to beautiful young lady, without ever missing a beat. Alfred Molina plays her father, and perhaps the best scene in the film comes from one between them, though they are separated by a closed door.

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An Education Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

I didn't like this film as much as some did, but it's enjoyable nonetheless. Of particular note, the film rides on the brilliant performance of Carey Mulligan as Jenny, a role that's landed her a coveted Best Actress nomination.

The film is slightly slow-moving I found, but still paced pretty well. I would recommend seeing it mostly for the acting (strong on all fronts), but also because it is in one of the 10 spots. I think it deserves to be there, but I don't see it as ever having a chance at winning.

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An Education Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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An Education Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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An Education Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: Though a wonderful film, An Education has just not been able to hold its own as the season progressed. Very deserving of its nomination, but it is not actually going to win. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee District 9 (3 of 10)

2010-03-02T00:00:00.010-05:00

Each day this week, we will be having capsule reviews of 2 of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture. They will be featured in the official, alpabetical order.

District 9 was released in theatres on August 14th, and came to DVD on December 29th. We have not previously published reviews of this title.

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District 9 Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

District 9 is made in the gritty, realistic style of a documentary, and serves as a harsh metaphor for South Africa during the Apartheid era. As a film, it is immensely satisfying, right down to the bittersweet and heartbreaking final image.

Despite the graphic-grossness of some of the scenes, District 9 is a thought-provoking and incredibly entertaining piece of contemporary science-fiction. It’s hard to believe this is only director Neil Blomkamp’s first feature film.

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District 9 Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I found District 9 to be a very thought provoking film, and an even better one than I had expected. The aliens, though not appealing look-wise actually become characters that you care about, making the story not just one that you watch, but one that you are invested in. From the opening scene to the last shot, this film had a story to tell. In some ways, it actually reminded me of Avatar, although I found it to be far stronger in it's execution.

District 9 is a great film from a first time director, which makes me definitely interested to see what he does next. Though the gross graphicness will be a reason for some to not want to see it, for those who can handle it, this film is well worth it. Deserving of it's spot in the '10'.

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District 9 Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: An incredibly entertaining sci-fi film, and an amazing achievement from first-time director Neil Blomkamp. Though District 9 is not going to win Best Picture, it is certainly very deserving of its nomination. **** (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee The Blind Side (2 of 10)

2010-03-01T15:30:00.012-05:00

Each day this week, we will be having capsule reviews of 2 of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture. They will be featured in the official, alpabetical order.

The Blind Side was released in theatres on November 18th, and is coming to DVD on March 23rd. You can read our full reviews here, below are excerpts of our reviews.

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The Blind Side Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

What worked for me about this film is that it never felt sappy or contrived. It’s sweet, but it’s also straight up and to the point, as it is largely based on a true story.

The Blind Side is the kind of film that will either work, or it won’t. And thankfully, this film really works. It’s an inspirational crowd-pleaser, it’s a tear-jerker drama, and it’s also a classic sports movie. This is one of the nicest surprises of the year.

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The Blind Side Review By Erin V.

***3/4 (out of 4)

What I really liked about The Blind Side is the fact that first and foremost, this is not so much a movie about football, as it is about family. It is a touching true story that is not made to be overly dramatized, or played that way, for the theatre.

I think most people will really like this movie - football fans or not. This is one that you really should go see with the family - that is those about 10 and up. When it comes out on DVD, this is one I would gladly watch again.

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The Blind Side Review By Nicole

***3/4 (out of 4)

I really liked The Blind Side. Sandra Bullock is believable as protective mother Leigh Anne Tuohy, as is Tim McGraw as father Sean Tuohy. The young actors seem really natural. Jae Head is hilarious as S.J., and Quinton Aaron plays the innocent role of Michael.

The Blind Side is a very sweet movie. It is never cloying, and has just the right balance between drama and heart. I would recommend The Blind Side to anyone ages 10 to 100.

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The Blind Side Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

The Blind Side could have gone over the top with drama and sentimentality. There are certainly enough story elements that could have pushed it in that direction. Fortunately this movie delivers an uplifting, often funny and very satisfying story.

The subject matter is too mature for younger children but fine for teens and adults. The Blind Side is a wonderful story of what can go right in this world with the power of love.

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The Blind Side Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Directed by John Lee Hancock, The Blind Side manages to be inspirational while avoiding the trap of cloying sentimentality. Sports fans (myself not included) will particularly enjoy the football footage and cameos of various college recruiters and other sports celebrities playing themselves.

As seen from images of the real people in the closing credits and website interviews, the strong cast was faithful to all of the folks they were portraying.

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Consensus: The Blind Side is a well acted, feel good, classic sports movie. This is the contender for the audiences. Though not likely to actually win Best Picture, The Blind Side deserves its spot as one of "the ten." ***1/2 (Out of 4)

Movie Review: Best Picture Nominee Avatar (1 of 10)

2010-03-01T15:30:00.010-05:00

Each day this week, we will be having capsule reviews of 2 of the 10 films nominated for Best Picture. They will be featured in the official, alpabetical order.

Avatar was released in theatres on December 18th, and is slated to come to DVD in May. We have not previously published reviews of this title.

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Avatar Review By John C.

***3/4 (out of 4)

As a piece of entertainment, I loved it. It’s visually stunning, with a few moments of absolute greatness. At 163 minutes, it never dragged and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Though I can’t quite give it 4 stars, because I honestly think there was room for improvement. It simply isn’t perfect.

The film falls short several times due to cheesy dialogue, and the fact that the nearly unobtainable mineral the humans are after is named “Unobtainium”. The new age elements are also a little weird. The overall story just isn’t quite up to the level of the groundbreaking, breathtaking special effects. Though a very good one, it is not the best movie I saw last year.

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Avatar Review By Erin V.

***2/3 (out of 4)

When I saw Avatar, there was not a doubt in my mind that I had seen a visually stunning film. But, I was not fully blown away, as some have been with the film, when I walked out of the theatre. I really liked the film, but other than the effects, I didn't find it to be totally solid all the way through. A lot of the dialogue sounded kind of fake, and I don't just mean the parts in Na'vi. The acting by some of the actors, Steven Lang and Michelle Rodriguez in particular, was stereotyped and over the top I found, and the music while technically good, was not all that memorable like that of other huge blockbusters that make history. I also found some of the film a bit too pushy and strange, like their link to the tree, but on the other hand, the storyline overall was pretty standard, and I wish that it had been something more unique.

On it's side though, at over 2 1/2 hours it kept me interested and like I said, the scenes - including the battle sequence at the end of course - were quite stunning look-wise. Don't get me wrong with a lot of what I have said though. I did really like the film, but also think that it has been over hyped by many. Was it the best film of last year? In my mind, no. Is it going to go down in film history? Yes, and I must say for it's achievements, deservedly so.

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Avatar Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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Avatar Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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Avatar Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: Avatar is incredibly entertaining and the special effects are groundbreaking, but there were things that could have been improved. Though at this point it is the front runner for Best Picture, along with The Hurt Locker, it is not the best movie of last year. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

IFMCA 2009 Winners Announced

2010-03-01T14:39:00.005-05:00

Michael Giacchino, who won the IFMCA’s first ever Best Score of the Year for The Incredibles back in 2004, wins 4 of his 9 nominations. These are Film Score of the Year for Up, Film Composer of the Year, Best Score for Sci-Fi (Star Trek), and Best Score for Animation (Up).

Interestingly enough, Avatar wins none of it's 4 nominations. Best Score for Comedy goes to Marvin Hamlisch for The Informant!, Best Score for Action/Adventure goes to James Peterson for The Red Canvas, who also took home Breakout Composer of the Year, and Best Score for Drama went to Abel Korzeniowski for A Single Man. Below I have listed all of the film award winners.

Not listed below, but also of note, is the win for Alan Silvestri’s Back To The Future scores, which were finally re-released this past year as a collection, in the Best New/Re-Release category.

You can also read the full list of winners at the IFMCA’s official site: 2009 Winners

2009 Film Award Winners

Film Score of the Year

Up, music by Michael Giacchino

Film Composer of the Year

Michael Giacchino

Breakout Composer of the Year

James Paterson

Best Original Score for a Drama Film

A Single Man, music by Abel Korzeniowski

Best Original Score for a Comedy Film

The Informant!, music by Marvin Hamlisch

Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure Film

The Red Canvas, music by James Peterson

Best Original for a Fantasy/Science Fiction Film

Star Trek, music by Michael Giacchino

Best Original Score for a Horror/Thriller Film

Drag Me To Hell, music by Christopher Young

Best Original Score for an Animated Feature

Up, music by Michael Giacchino

Best Original Score of a Documentary Feature

Home, music by Armand Amar

Film Music Composition of the Year

Drag Me To Hell – “Concerto to Hell,” music by Christopher Young

I think these are all great choices, although what surprised me the most was Christopher Young's win for Concerto to Hell (Drag Me To Hell) in the category for Film Music Composition of the Year. I had suspected Giacchino may have taken that one for either Enterprising Young Men (Star Trek), or Married Life (Up). Still, a strong list. You can read my post of the nominees here.

- E. Corrado

Genie Award Nominations Announced

2010-03-01T13:44:00.003-05:00

The nominations for the 30th annual Genie Awards, honouring achievements in Canadian film, have been announced. The five films nominated for Best Picture are:

3 Saisons

Before Tomorrow

Fifty Dead Men Walking

Nurse.Fighter.Boy

Polytechnique

Three of the best Canadian films I saw last year, One Week, Adoration and Victoria Day, have each gotten at least one nomination.

One Week has been nominated for:

Best Actor - Joshua Jackson

Best Supporting Actress - Lianne Balaban

Adoration has been nominated for:

Best Supporting Actor - Scott Speedman

Best Original Screenplay - Atom Egoyan

Victoria Day has been nominated for:

Best Original Screenplay - David Bezmozgis

I had expected David Bezmozgis to be nominated for his wonderful screenplay for Victoria Day, but it’s really too bad that the Canadian masterpiece One Week has not been nominated for Best Picture.

The awards will be presented on April 12th, get the full list of nominees here.

-John C.

Interview with Deborah Lurie, composer of the music for ‘Dear John’

2010-02-27T00:22:00.008-05:00

By E. Corrado

Back on February 5th, we reviewed the film Dear John, which is based on the Nicholas Sparks novel of the same name.

Below is a short interview about the scoring process for the film, with composer Deborah Lurie.

Enjoy!

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When did you find out that you would be doing the score for Dear John? It was shortly after I completed my score for 9, actually. I had just flown back from the 9 sessions in London, and before I knew it, I was back on a plane to meet with Dear John's director Lasse Hallstrom in New York.

Have you seen the finished film? Absolutely! And they give you free popcorn at the premiere - it's awesome.

Were there any challenges that you felt you faced while working on Dear John? It was MUCH different scoring an entire film via email with the director. The director was actually in Sweden during the time I scored the film, so communication was much more difficult than in past movies.

Where was the score for Dear John recorded? In Los Angeles, at the Eastwood Scoring Stage on the Warner Brothers Backlot.

Were there any instruments that you wanted to focus on for Dear John? Yes! I wanted the guitar to play out over the orchestra. This was a sweeping, but modern love story. I wanted that to come across in my score.

Did you play any of the instruments? The synths!

What was your favorite part of doing the music for Dear John? The people. The team was full of characters - and since it was a New York - based project, the team was completely new to me. Getting to know everyone was incredibly fun and rewarding.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming projects that you are working on? Sorry. Top secret.

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A big thank you to Deborah Lurie for taking the time out to answer these questions. You can also read a previous interview with her from September for the animated film 9, here.

Unloading the Backpack: Why Up and Up in the Air are Two of the Most Important Films of 2009 (Part 5 of 5)

2010-02-26T00:00:00.004-05:00

By John C.

It’s been an Oscar season like February 2nd in Groundhog Day. It’s one of the longest in recent memory, and just keeps going on and on and on. But in just over a week, it will be over. Though Avatar and The Hurt Locker are the ones to watch, Up and Up in the Air are the two films that I keep thinking about. Their themes transcending their genre’s and mediums, creating universal meditations on our relationships, and who we choose to spend our lives with. Make no mistakes, these are two of the films that impacted me the most.

Up is only the second animated film to ever be nominated for Best Picture, and Up in the Air is Jason Reitman’s third film, and his second to be nominated for Best Picture.

In Up in the Air, frequent business traveler Ryan Bingham asks us to weigh our lives by how well they would fit into a metaphorical backpack. First he asks us to load up all our material possessions, until finally we get to the people we know. “Our relationships are the heaviest components in our lives” is what he warns us. True, they are the heaviest, but they are also the most complex and important. If you pack light than you may lose nothing should the rug be pulled out from under you, but you’ll also be alone.

Logically, when packing a backpack, what’s heaviest should be at the bottom, but rightfully what’s most important should be at the top. So if what’s most important is also the heaviest, than leave out what you don’t need, and the weight will even out.

Bingham’s character late realizes that “Everyone needs a co-pilot”. Should something happen to the flight, then your co-pilot will always be there to help you back up.

In Up, Carl Fredrickson always dreamed of an adventure. But once his beloved wife, Ellie, passed away, the adventure they always wanted to take would never happen. When his house is at risk of being bulldozed, he takes it to the skies, with the help of millions of balloons, not wanting to lose any of the objects that he shared with his late wife.

Our relationships do weigh us down, but just enough so we’re kept grounded. It is at the moment when we are finally able to say “It’s just a house” that we are able to keep our memories, but let go of our past. Carl and Ellie’s life together may have kept them from literally going “up in the air”, but it became the adventure they could have never dreamed of. The objects ended up weighing him down, yes, but make no mistakes it was through his relationships that he was truly able to go up. We should not get rid of our backpacks, like Bingham suggests at the beginning of Up in the Air but later realizes this is not the solution, but we should certainly reconsider what we put in.

In an Oscar season like this, we’ve really got to ask ourselves, what is the most important film to carry with us in our backpacks?

Up is nominated for 5 Oscars.

Up in the Air is nominated for 6 Oscars.

(Part 1) Avatar so Popular, that other Contenders are Blind Sided

(Part 2) Voters are Educated, but these Contenders are Relegated to the 9th District

(Part 3) The Basterds’ Hurt by the Locker’s Lock

(Part 4) Contenders both Precious and Serious

Contenders both Precious and Serious (Part 4 of 5)

2010-02-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

By John C.

Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire was the front runner for a little while, but it proved to just not be strong enough to hold its own as Best Picture, as the season went on.

The film will be honoured with a very deserving win for Mo’Nique come Oscar night. The speech that her character gives at the end of the film is solid proof at how disturbingly good a performance it was.

Precious is nominated for 6 Oscars.

A Serious Man is the Coen brothers’ brilliantly philosophical tragi-comedy. Though in the eyes of the Academy, it doesn’t have the same grand-scale tone as their Oscar-winning No Country for Old Men, and that’s why it’s not one of the front runners for Best Picture.

Though it won’t actually win any Academy Awards, (small chance it could be a dark horse for Best Original Screenplay, but not likely), A Serious Man is a great film, Oscars or not.

A Serious Man is nominated for 2 Oscars.

(Part 1) Avatar so Popular, that other Contenders are Blind Sided

(Part 2) Voters are Educated, but these Contenders are Relegated to the 9th District

(Part 3) The Basterds’ Hurt by the Locker’s Lock

The Basterds’ Hurt by the Locker’s Lock (Part 3 of 5)

2010-02-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

By John C.

The Hurt Locker opened last July to critical raves, but meager box office revenue. Now it seems audiences are finally taking the time to see the film on DVD.

Though Kathryn Bigelow will more than likely win Best Director, becoming the first woman ever to do so, The Hurt Locker is neck-in-neck with Avatar to win Best Picture come Oscar night. Which film will take home the gold is anyone’s guess, but it seems mainstream audiences and critics are pretty evenly split on opinions of which film should win.

The Hurt Locker is nominated for 9 Oscars.

Inglourious Basterds opened at the end of last summer, and sort of took a back seat during the majority of the season. Only after a few other contenders fell flat, did this film start getting some serious talk. But after all, this is a Tarantino film, and was in the running all along.

Though it will only win Best Picture if the number 1 votes get split between Avatar and The Hurt Locker, and this is the most popular 2nd-or-3rd choice, Quentin Tarantino may very well end up taking home another Oscar for his masterful screenwriting.

Inglourious Basterds is nominated for 8 Oscars.

(Part 1) Avatar so Popular, that other Contenders are Blind Sided

(Part 2) Voters are Educated, but these Contenders are Relegated to the 9th District

Voters are Educated, but these Contenders are Relegated to the 9th District (Part 2 of 5)

2010-02-23T00:00:00.035-05:00

By John C.

District 9 is a gritty little sci-fi film from first-time director Neil Blomkamp. It serves as a harsh metaphor for South Africa during the Apartheid era, and that is surely what attracted voters to the film, despite the graphic violence.

Though the film doesn’t really have a shot at winning Best Picture, Blomkamp should be proud of this nomination. After all, this is only his first film. One can only imagine what he will come out with next.

District 9 is nominated for 4 Oscars.

An Education is a wonderful film. But it’s modest setting and story are not up to facing one of the bigger, “more important” titles. While its scope may not be that of an actual Best Picture winner, I’ll always fondly remember it as one of the nominees.

At one point, Carey Mulligan was the predicted winner of Best Actress, but that’s a race that also includes once-front runner Gabourey Sidibe, Meryl Streep, and predicted-winner Sandra Bullock.

An Education is nominated for 3 Oscars.

(Part 1) Avatar so Popular, that other Contenders are Blind Sided

DVD Review: The Informant!

2010-02-23T00:00:00.032-05:00

The Informant! - A Warner Bros. Home Video Release
http://theinformantmovie.warnerbros.com/

DVD Release Date: February 23rd, 2010

Rated 14A for language.

Running time: 108 minutes

Steven Soderbergh (dir.)

Scott Z. Burns (screenplay)

Based on the book by Kurt Eichenwald

Marvin Hamlisch (music)
(click on his name for a brief interview from Jan. 16th, '10)

Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre

Scott Bakula as Brian Shepard

Joel McHale as FBI Special Agent Bob Herndon

Melanie Lynskey as Ginger Whitacre

BluRay image © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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The Informant! DVD Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

Last year, three films directed by Steven Soderbergh were released. An epic bio-pic - Che, a small, experimental film about the life of a call girl - The Girlfriend Experience, and The Informant! , perhaps the finest of those fine films.

This is the true story of Mark Whitacre. A corporate whistle-blower who was trying to expose the price fixing schemes of a corn processing company. Whitacre is brilliantly played by Matt Damon. The way his random, but brilliant and hilarious inner thoughts narrate the story, was one of my favourite things about the film.

From the genius of the writing to the lively jazz score by Marvin Hamlisch, this is unique, classic, film making in every sense of the word. What’s un-believ-able about this film is just how great and entertaining it really is.

It is available to buy as a Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo-pack. The only special feature included on the Blu-Ray is audio commentary with director Steven Soderbergh and screenwriter Scott Z. Burns.

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The Informant! DVD Review By Erin V.

**** (out of four)

In 1992, 35 year old Mark Whitacre became the highest ranking corporate whistleblower in US history. Working as a VP at ADM, he worked for over 2 1/2 years along with the FBI to uncover a price-fixing scheme involving millions of dollars. Wearing a wire for that long - something actual trained agents never do for more than a few months because of the difficulty of lying for that long - was taxing to his mental health, since unlike agents, he wasn’t even getting regular psychological exams during his espionage work.

I really liked this movie. It was entertaining and very interesting to watch, especially being based on a true story. Garnering mixed reviews from some, one of the complaints I’ve heard are that the music and voice over narration don’t work. These were two things that I found really did.

The quirky jazz score illuminated the fact that it seemed Mark Whitacre’s idea of the whole FBI thing wasn’t as serious as it should have been at the time. Receiving a Golden Globe nomination for this role, Matt Damon does an excellent job here, with his voice-over really illustrating the very rapid paced - oftentimes seemingly off topic - mindset Mark Whitacre was living in.

I really got the sense that in his grandiosity of the time, it was as though he was so caught up in tons of other ideas and thoughts that until it was too late, he didn’t see what he was actually getting himself into. These kinds of rapid-fire distracted thoughts are not uncommon for anyone with bipolar, ADHD, etc., and eventually Mark was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but not until after everything had gone severely downhill.

Considered a hero by many for the espionage work he did to help bring down ADM, here are a couple of interesting articles with the real Mark Whitacre, who is now the COO of Cypress Systems. They are here, and here. The original interview he did with Fortune in 1995, is here. Please note that as all of these speak about the true story, many parts in the movie are revealed.

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The Informant! DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The Informant! is a quirky corporate comedy about the real life story of a man, the FBI, and a shady company. Mark Whitacre, (wonderfully played by Matt Damon), is a hyperactive biochemist who works for a sleazy corn processing plant. When the company he works for is accused of price fixing, Whitacre teams up with the FBI to uncover any evidence. However, his impulsivity, which is later revealed to be a result of bipolar disorder, gets him into more trouble than he started out with.

The Informant! is an entertaining movie. One thing that really worked was the narration of Whitacre’s random thoughts. I also really liked Marvin Hamlisch’s witty score. Both these elements added a light feel to this film, portraying Whitacre’s manic mood well. The Informant! is a funny and exciting movie that is worth adding to your collection.

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The Informant! DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

The Informant! is an intelligent, witty and suspenseful tale of illegal corporate activity and FBI espionage, based on the true story of Mark Whitacre, a brilliant biochemist who becomes involved as an informant for the FBI against his employer.

Matt Damon is really fun to watch as the equally naive, brilliant, and manic Mark Whitacre. His inner dialogue which is voiced over throughout the film is amusing to hear and shows his random and racing thoughts.

Along with the excellent acting and writing, I really liked the soundtrack by Marvin Hamlisch. It sets the tone perfectly for the quick paced and witty action and dialogue in this film.

The Informant! is one of those films that benefits from subsequent viewings. The action and dialogue is so quick that it’s easy to miss some of it the first time. Matt Damon’s performance and Marvin Hamlisch’s score make The Informant! worth owning on DVD/BluRay.

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The Informant! DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

The Informant! is a “tattle-tale” based on the true story of Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon), a brilliant engineer and executive at agri-business ADM in Decatur IL, who in the 1990s exposed a worldwide price-fixing scheme. Wearing a wire over a period of three years, he provided his FBI contact Brian Shepard (Scott Bakula) with enough evidence to convict the company. However, since even trained agents typically could not go undercover for more than a year, the stress was too much for Whitacre to take, especially since he was found to be bipolar.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film has a light-hearted quality, largely due to the background score by Marvin Hamlisch which reminded me of the jazzy pop music behind 1960s comedies, and the voiceover musings of Mark Whitacre, which were usually irrelevant and quirky. As a result, he is hard to take seriously, particularly as over time his manic grandiosity takes over, and we are left wondering how much of his story is true, and how much he is implicated himself, as evidence of his own embezzlement surfaces. As a result, the somewhat tragic story has a constant comedic feel to it, which although incongruous, is very entertaining.

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Consensus: The Informant! is an entertaining and interesting look at one of the highest ranking corporate whistleblowers in US history - Mark Whitacre. Everything from the quirky jazz score to the voice-over narration work really well here. Another great job by director Steven Soderbergh, and an excellent performance by Matt Damon. ***3/4 (Out of 4)