Movie Review: Dear John

Dear John

http://www.dearjohn-movie.com/

Release Date: February 5th, 2010

Rated PG-13 some sensuality and violence.

Running time: 102 minutes

Lasse Hallström (dir.)

Jamie Linden (screenwriter)

Based on the book Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Deborah Lurie (music)

Channing Tatum as John Tyree

Amanda Seyfried as Savannah Lynn Curtis

Henry Thomas as Tim Wheddon

Scott Porter as Randy

Richard Jenkins as Mr. Tyree

(l to r) Braeden Reed, Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum star in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

Our reviews below:

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Dear John Review By John C.

**1/2 (out of 4)

Richard Jenkins plays a man with Asperger’s syndrome in Dear John. He is brilliant in every scene he’s in. The problem is, he’s not the focus of the story. The main plot of Dear John just happens to be an average, melodramatic and very predictable romance.

John (Channing Tatum) is a soldier going back to war in two weeks. When vacationing with his father, he spends lots of time at the beach. This is mainly just so that the audience can see him surfing. When he sees a bag get knocked into the water, he jumps in to rescue it. Turns out, it belongs to Savannah (Amanda Seyfried), a visiting student. Naturally, they fall in love. And naturally their relationship has to be kept going through the use of “Dear John” letters.

John has a rocky relationship with his father, wonderfully played by the aforementioned Richard Jenkins. The singular moment that rings most true in the film is a scene between John and his dad. It’s touching and beautiful. Some may argue against this scene, but it’s the one thing that holds an otherwise average movie together. Every time Richard Jenkins was on screen, I saw the movie that this could have been.

The combat scenes are well shot, but more played for melodrama rather than true suspense. I predicted nearly every plot-point. That’s not really a complaint, more just an observation. In these kind of letter movies one side always burns all their letters.

Though I’m sure it will be very popular around Valentine’s day, and it is worth seeing for Richard Jenkins, I think Dear John will play just as well on DVD. And that’s more where my recommendation would lie.

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Dear John Review By Erin V.

***1/4 (out of 4)

Based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, Dear John is a romantic story of two people who fall in love with each other over two weeks together while on break. They are John, (Channing Tatum), and Savannah, (Amanda Seyfried). Unfortunately, Savannah has to go back to college, and John is only on a temporary leave from the army. Still, they vow to write each other as often as possible, in order to stay close while so far apart.

I found the romantic storyline in this movie to be fairly average as far as these kinds of movies go, but the part that really upped the movie for me was not the relationship between John and Savannah so much as the relationships between them and John’s father, who is a coin collector with Asperger's syndrome. He is played very well by Richard Jenkins - one of the most accurate portrayals of an individual with Aspergers’ in a movie I’ve seen. It is neither under, nor overplayed.

It was his elements in the story that I found created some of the most real and touching moments. It was these scenes that felt especially real, and it was interesting to see his relationship with his son John, and John’s relationship with him.

I have not read the book, although I am now interested to. I think that says something about a film to actually interest you enough to want to look at the source material. Both autism and Aspergers’ were represented well in the film, and that is one of the reasons that I’d really like to read the book.

I enjoyed the film, although it felt slightly long in a few parts. Still, overall, a good effort on the part of all those involved, and for the audience that’s actually going to buy a ticket to this film, I think they are going to really enjoy it.

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Dear John Review By Nicole

*** (out of four)

Dear John is a nice low-key romantic movie. Based on the book by Nicholas Sparks, the story relays the often long distance love between Savannah and John. From the day Savannah meets, John, they fall in love in only two weeks. When John, who is a soldier in the US army goes over seas, he expects to be back soon. But 911 happens, so John goes over to Afghanistan. While overseas, John and Savannah correspond through a series of letters.

I really liked the romance between Savannah and John. But some of my favourite scenes involve John’s father, who is suggested to have Asperger’s syndrome. He shares his love of mule coins with the people he cares for. The bond between John and his father is sweet and believable. Richard Jenkins is perfectly as an undiagnosed Aspie.

Another side plot involving autism depicts Savannah’s neighbour, Tim and his son Alan, who has mild autism. Both Brandon Reed, (7 year old Alan), and Luke Benward, (14 year old Alan), are very believable as a young autist.

I really liked Dear John. The story, while sad at times, is also very sweet. The acting is really good throughout. This movie will appeal to teens and adults of all ages.

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Dear John Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

Dear John is a touching romance based on the novel Dear John by Nicholas Sparks. As a Nicholas Sparks fan I was pleased with this movie adaptation.

The story follows the lead characters John Tyree (Channing Tatum) and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) as they continue their initial two week spring break romance through a series of letters. Savannah is a college student and John is in the army. When 9/11 happens John’s stay in the army is extended and their love further tested.

Much of the plot is predictable in terms of romantic highs and lows. However Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried are really nice to watch in their roles as John and Savannah. The high point in Dear John is John’s relationship with his father, a quiet man who collects coins and has undiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome. The father, Mr. Tyree is played beautifully by Richard Jenkins (from the movie The Visitor). Jenkins’ portrayal of Aspergers’ Syndrome is touching and accurate. Also portrayed accurately is Savannah’s young neighbour, Allan who has autism. There are some interesting plot twists involving Allan and his autism.

Overall Dear John is a really nice movie. Be warned there is more than one “keep the tissues handy” scene. However Dear John never descends into melodrama.

Dear John is a good movie choice as Valentine’s Day approaches for those of us who love a good romance story.

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Dear John Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Dear John is a sweet romance based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. In 2000, John Tyree (Channing Tatum) meets Savannah Curtis (Amanda Seyfried) while he is on leave from service in the Special Forces, and she is on spring break. Falling in love after two weeks, they promise to keep in touch by letters over the next year until John can come home for good. Just before finishing his tour in the Balkans, the 9/11 attack happens and his unit volunteers for active service in the Middle East. The succeeding several years apart threaten their relationship. What lifts the story from the ordinary is the theme of autism. John’s retired father (Richard Jenkins) is socially awkward, bound by routine and constantly tending his coin collection, i.e. an Aspie. Savannah’s family friend Tim (Henry Thomas, who was Elliot in E.T.) has an autistic son, so she recognizes the Asperger traits in John’s father. When she points this out to John he is at first defensive, unaware that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Savannah is then inspired to specialise in autism for her education degree and start up a horse camp for special needs kids after graduation.

Being totally inoffensive, Dear John can be enjoyed by the whole family, young and old, which may lead some to dismiss it as a Hallmark film in all but name. However, the autism theme, the attractive leads and strong supporting cast, particularly Richard Jenkins, raise it to a slightly higher level.

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Channing Tatum stars in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

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Consensus: Dear John is a nice romantic movie to see around Valentine's Day. While the storyline is fairly average in terms of a love story like this, Richard Jenkins' portrayal of Aspergers', makes this one worth seeing. It is a fine film that succeeds in what it was trying to be. *** (Out of 4)

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Richard Jenkins stars in DEAR JOHN, an Alliance Films release.

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince

http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthehalf-bloodprince/

Release Date: July 15th, 2009

Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language, and mild sensuality.

Running time: 153 minutes

David Yates (dir.)

David Heyman (prod.)

Steve Kloves (Screenwriter)

Based on the books by J.K. Rowling

Nicholas Hooper (music)

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter

Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

Jim Broadbent as Professor Horace Slughorn

Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange

Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid

MIchael Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore

Alan Rickman as Professor Serverus Snape

Maggie Smith as Professor Minerva McGonagall

Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy

Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood

Bonnie Wright as Ginny Weasley

Jesse Cave as Lavender Brown

Hero Fiennes Tiffen as 11-year-old Tom Riddle

Frank Dillane as teenage Tom Riddle

DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Our reviews below:

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

The sixth installment in the excellent Harry Potter film saga is an incredible film. As you probably already know, it follows the story of Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), as they go through their second-last year at Hogwarts. This time, not only must Harry deal with digging deeper into the mystery of “he who shall not be named” (Dark Lord Voldemort), he also has to deal with his own feelings of love, as well as dealing with his friends as they fall in love around him.

There are some very dark moments in the film, but it’s also easily the funniest of the six films. The bickering between students about who’s “snogging” who is quite hilarious, it at times felt like a romantic-comedy. It’s darker moments, like the ones between Harry and Dumbledore and the flashback scenes, are mature and suitably atmospheric and creepy.

Every scene of the film is visually arresting. The darker scenes with their grey undertones, are particularly stunning. The opening 12 minutes should be amazing in IMAX 3D, when the film opens in the IMAX format in two weeks. The musical score by Nicholas Hooper is excellent, adding in pre-existing John Williams’ themes from the first film.

This is the best live-action blockbuster to come out all year, and is sure to get some nominations in at least the visual effects categories come Oscar time. At just over 2-and-a-half hours the film never drags. From the opening scene I was entranced and stayed that way until the end of the credits.

As a fan of the Harry Potter films, I found this one to be right up there with numbers one-through-three. Numbers four and five are good, but more just serve as a bridge. This is certainly visually the best film in the franchise. Watching all the films practically back-to-back, it’s interesting to see how these actors have grown up with their roles, and how perfect they really are as the characters. Even some of the smaller characters from the other films make appearances here, and what’s most impressive is that they’re still the same actors.

The movies are also very close adaptations of the books, although those who haven’t read the books won’t feel left out. On screen, these are fully developed characters that we really come to care about. HP 6 has been receiving many rave reviews. It currently stands at 95 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes which makes it the only Potter film to receive a score in the nineties. It even got a positive review from the Vatican’s newspaper.

After the last scene, as the credits started to roll, I took my notebook from my pocket and wrote these words, “A stunning achievement, a near masterpiece”. Enough said, I stand by my words.

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Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

Briefly, this newest installment in the franchise sees Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their sixth year at Hogwarts. Professor Dumbledore brings back a former Hogwarts teacher, Professor Slughorn, as he taught Tom Riddle, (now Voldemort), back when he had attended the school. It is Dumbledore’s hope that his memories of Voldemort as a child will reveal a weakness that they can use to defeat him. I won’t go into much detail, considering the fact that the majority of people probably already know the gist of it. Despite the fact that this could be considered one of the darkest films near the end, it is also one of the funniest in the middle. After a few rather intense opening scenes we go to Hogwarts, where the feel is lighter, and, considering their ages, there is romance is in the air. Thanks to love potions, the actors get to act very comedic. Towards the end, things grow more serious again as we lead up to the climax that sets us right up for the next (and final) two installments. HP7, part 1, is currently set for release in November 2010, and HP7, part 2, for Summer 2011.

Now, what I really want to talk about in this film is the way that everything worked together so brilliantly. Come Oscar time, I am sure that we will see some nominations - if not wins. Despite the seeming length of the following, please bear with me, I just wish to highlight a few points...

1. Cinematography: from the opening scene, (sure to be stunning in IMAX 3D), we know that this is going to have really amazing shots. The camera swoops through the air, at the right moments settling for wide landscape/establishing shots. The use of these with the right amount of close-up’s worked well throughout the whole film.

2. Editing: part of the brilliance of the cameras was the way that it was all put together in the post-production process. During intense scenes, the close-cut editing is also particularly effective, as well as in dialogue scenes where we are able to see exactly the reaction shots needed, while not becoming a distraction with too much cutting back and forth.

3. Special Effects: Where do I even begin? The opening scene, the Quidditch match, all of the odd creatures, the fight scenes, all amazing! Also, of particular note, a scene near the end in a huge cavern was built mostly virtually for example, yet the crystal formations manage to refract what little (virtual) light in the room with amazing precision.

4. Lighting: the colour palette in this film really helps set the mood for certain scenes. We open on greyish-greenish undertones which make everything seem bleak and ominous. Even once we arrive at Hogwarts, the palette seems more drained than usually. Once romance starts to be in the air though, the colour warms up to a more inviting golden light. At the end, the greyish tones are back, but without seeing this usage for yourself, it is almost impossible to describe.

5. Music: the score to this film by Nicholas Hooper is stronger than his last outing for the franchise, HP5. He seems more comfortable in this position now, combining the original John Williams themes and new music with a greater ease. Like the lighting, the score is whimsical and fun at points, yet appropriately ominous at times.

6. Acting: the actors/actresses in the Harry Potter films are impeccably cast as usual. The main actors, most of whom have been with the series since the beginning, have grown with the roles in order to bring the mature performances needed for the characters. It would take too long to try to credit even five of them properly, so I will leave it by saying, great job to everyone.

7. And last, but certainly not least, Directing: David Yates, like Nicholas Hooper also worked on HP5. Again, like Mr. Hooper, his work on this film seems much more comfortable in the material. He seems to do a great job at getting good performances out of everyone involved. He is at the helm again for the last two, and I can’t wait to see how he handles things for those outings.

I could go through a complete checklist of things in this film, but I do not have the space here. So, this being said, I will mention quickly, screenwriter Steve Kloves does a wonderful job again in the adaptation for screen - not once during the 2h, 33m, does this film drag. Also a special mention to the costume designers and makeup artists, who also did a great job on this film. The set designers as well, succeed again in making the locations believable. I know I have not begun to cover everyone on this film. Maybe I should have done an article series instead... Anyway, see this film in theatres. That is the way it is so obviously meant to be seen, and as I thought just as it ended in theatres, this film was awesome in everyway!

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Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

The newest Harry Potter film is fun and exciting. In this newest installment, we see a mix of both funny and terrifying things. The Death Eaters, frightening tornado type creatures, terrorize both London and the wizard universe. Dumbledore brings Harry back to Hogwarts, introducing him to Horace Slughorn, a friendly potions teacher, who knows secrets about Tom Riddle/Voldemort’s past. The potions textbook that Harry receives belonged to the mysterious Half-Blood Prince, who may not be good, and whose identity is surprising. We also see the Malfoy family play a bigger, and badder role than before.

However, this movie is not all that dark. Much of the film is a comedy. The characters, now 16 year olds, are starting to have romantic feelings. Ron Weasley, after a particularly good Quidditch game, gets noticed by a pretty blonde girl named Lavender Brown. When he starts dating her, Hermione, who likes Ron, gets jealous. To get back at Ron, Hermione goes out with the school jock. Will Hermione and Ron ever get together? Meanwhile, Harry develops feelings for Ron’s sister, Ginny, who is dating someone else. The funniest point in the movie is when Ron finds a box of love potion spiked chocolates. Seeing Ron with a stoned and infatuated look on his face was just hilarious.

The film gets very exciting toward the end. The scene with Harry and Dumbledore in an old cavern, has some great jump moments, as well as heart stopping suspense. The very end of the movie, where the Half Blood Prince’s identity is discovered, has surprising and tragic results. (This is in no way graphically depicted.) The very ending leads right into the next story. I can’t wait to see the next film.

This film is one of the best this summer. The casting and acting is superb. The visual effects are stunning, the story is excellent, and the score by Nicholas Hooper is absolutely amazing. See this movie in theatres this summer. This is one movie you don’t want to miss.

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review By Maureen

**** (out of 4)

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a really well made, exciting, suspenseful, visually beautiful and often very funny blockbuster of a movie. I loved this film from start to finish. As a newcomer to the series (never read the books and only recently watched the first five movies) I wasn’t sure what to expect. The result was an amazing just over two and a half hours theatre experience.

From what I’ve been told, the storyline in this latest installment remains faithful to the storyline in the book. The film starts on a darker note with the death-eaters terrorizing modern day England. The opening scenes are shot in a greyish tone that visually sets the mood for the darker events that Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) must face as he assists headmaster Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) in his quest to protect Hogwarts from dark forces. Harry also faces figuring out the Half-Blood Prince’s true identity and the tragic consequence of that discovery.

This film isn’t all darkness however. With all the principal characters well into their teenage years it makes sense that budding romances (assisted with love potions at times) would play a big part in this movie. Some of the funniest scenes involve Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and his love potion enhanced infatuation. Hermione, (Emma Watson), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright) and of course Harry also have their brushes with romance.

The cast for this movie is excellent as always. The acting is strong all around and it’s interesting to see the character development that takes place from one movie to the next. There are new characters in this story and they are also fun to watch.

Everything about this movie worked for me. The visuals and special effects are really good. The scenes with Harry and Dumbledore in the cavern are some of the best in this movie. The music score (Nicholas Hooper) enhances the many moods of this movie perfectly. My only complaint was that it was all over before I knew it. Whether you’re a long-time Harry Potter fan or a newcomer like me, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince is a must see this summer. Yes, it’ll be on DVD eventually but the theatre experience is amazing. Go see it.

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Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince Review By Tony

**** (out of 4)

Never having read the books or seen any previous Harry Potter films, we recently watched the first five films on DVDs for the first time in order to prepare to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the sixth in the franchise. It is a fine film in anticipation of the final installment of the saga to come in two parts over the next two years or so.

We assume that the films have followed the books reasonably well, so fans will know what to expect and others won’t care, so I will not try to outline the plot too much here. Consistent with the coming of age of the main characters, we are treated here to various scenes of romantic comedy among them, with a bit of “snogging” (making out) here and there. Rupert Grint as Ron is particularly amusing at this, while Emma Watson as Hermione is left sulking in the background. Despite his friendships with Hermione and Luna Lovegood and a growing attraction to Ron’s sister Ginny, Harry is distracted by his greater mission with Dumbledore to defeat Voldemort, who has chosen the increasingly alienated Draco for his murderous plans. Draco’s mother and evil aunt Bellatrix have gotten Snape to take an Unbreakable Vow to protect Draco and do what he must to ensure his success. The appearance of Professor Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) is particularly charming. Despite the light tone of many scenes, there is some scary action. For example, the film opens with terrorist Death Eater attacks on the Millennium Bridge and other landmarks (sure to be awesome in IMAX 3D), and the Quidditch matches are more exciting than ever.

As with the other films, the rest of the cast and all aspects of the production are first-rate, though some may miss some of the more whimsical touches of the early installments–no ghostly head-tipping John Cleese for example. The musical score by Nicholas Hooper is particularly effective, adding much to the original John Williams material.

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RUPERT GRINT as Ron Weasley, DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Harry Potter and EMMA WATSON as Hermione Granger in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Consensus: This stands up as one of the best Harry Potter films yet. This is a must-see-in-theatres Summer blockbuster. Congratulations to the whole team behind this one. **** (Out of 4)

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(L-r) EMMA WATSON as Hermione Granger, RUPERT GRINT as Ron Weasley, and DANIEL RADCLIFFE as Harry Potter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy adventure “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

The Stone of Destiny DVD Review

The Stone of Destiny - An Alliance Films’ Release

On DVD: June 30th, 2009

Rated PG for coarse language, and language may offend.

Running time: 97 minutes

Charles Martin Smith (dir.)

Charles Martin Smith (screenplay)

Based on the Book ‘The Taking of The Stone of Destiny” by Ian Hamilton Q.C.

Mychael Danna (music)

Charlie Cox as Ian Hamilton

Kate Mara as Kay Matheson

Stephen McCole as Gavin Vernon

Ciaron Kelly as Alan Stuart

Billy Boyd as Bill Craig

Robert Carlyle as John MacCormick

Special Features: Taking and Making The Stone Of Destiny, Director’s Audio Commentary.

Charlie Cox and Billy Boyd star in The Stone of Destiny, in an Alliance Films’ release.

© 2008 Destiny Films, Inc. / The Mob Film Company (Stone) Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Distributed exclusively in Canada by Alliance Films. All Rights Reserved.

Our reviews below:

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The Stone of Destiny DVD Review By John C.

***1/2 (out of 4)

Stone of Destiny is a low-key but sometimes suspenseful and exciting heist film that is based on a true story, and told on film in a very believable way. 23 year old Scottish man Ian Hamilton decides to steal the ancient Stone of Destiny from Westminster Abbey, in London, and bring it back to Scotland, as a symbol of national pride for the Scottish people.

Because of the time it takes place in, the heist sequence is very low-tech. But the filmmakers still manage to have an incredibly cool, suspense filled sequence, without any alarm systems blaring, or shoot-outs in the street. The sheer irony of some of the scenes, also make it very funny and immensely enjoyable.

The DVD has a very interesting 25 minute feature titled The Making and Taking of The Stone Of Destiny, and audio commentary with the director, Charles Martin Smith.

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The Stone of Destiny DVD Review By Erin V.

***1/2 (out of 4)

The Stone of Destiny, known as the Stone of Scone, (pronounce “scoon”) looks like an ordinary slab of red sandstone. More than just it’s physical appearance, the stone’s importance lies in the meaning it carries for Scotland. After hundreds of years belonging to the Scots, in 1296 the stone was stolen from them by Edward I, and taken to Westminster Abbey, where it remained until it was taken back in 1950 by four Scottish students who were determined to get this symbol back for their country.

Based on the book ‘The Taking of The Stone of Destiny’ by Ian Hamilton - written mere months after the event while the facts were still hot in his mind - this is a story that was destined for the big (and little) screen since it happened. Ian Hamilton mentioned in the press notes for the film that “a screenplay would arrive at least once a year since then”. But it wasn’t until Charles Martin Smith’s script that he felt the story would be done justice. He also mentioned that there was a previous TV account of the events on the BBC. As he put it, it was an “atrocious production”.

While this is a ‘heist movie’ of sorts, since it took place in 1950, it is not one filled with gadgets to get past security alarms, and all those kinds of things. Thinking it over, it’s a good thing they got the stone out of there when they could, for when this happened, they had only a nightwatchman to contend with, and no cameras silently watching their every move, automatically sending the police within two minutes. No, hard as it was back then, it would be practically impossible to do what they did nowadays.

Despite all of this, the suspense does build up considerably. Be it just missing each other as one goes in one door, and another goes out another, losing the keys to their getaway car, and getting almost caught, this movie is very well paced. The quiet, non-violent rebellion that these young college students staged, was remarkable to say the least. Armed with the naiveté (that many young people have) to not know how impossible it would be to actually carry out their ambitious plan, they were not deterred from actually trying it. With visits to the Abbey, sketches of the floor plans etc., the students, led by Ian Hamilton tried to plan everything out as closely as they could. There were still surprises though, and estimates that were off, e.g., the stone, which weighs nearly 152 kg, or about 335 lbs, was heavier than they had expected it to be, when they actually went in to try to drag out of the Abbey.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this movie. The acting is good, as is the cinematography, and music. Canadian Mychael Danna’s score coupled with traditional Scottish music really added to the feel of this movie. The Stone of Destiny was shot on location in Glasgow, Scotland, London, England, and Vancouver, Canada. The sweeping shots of Scotland are beautiful to look at - it was nice to hear that the producers felt so strongly that parts of the film had to be shot in Scotland. There is no replacing the value that was added for that. The 25 minute bonus feature included on the DVD, entitled, ‘The Taking and Making of The Stone of Destiny’ covers some of these decisions, while talking to the cast and crew, as well as the real Ian Hamilton. After seeing the movie, it really is a good watch.

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The Stone of Destiny DVD Review By Nicole

***1/2 (out of 4)

Stone of Destiny is a beautifully shot film following four college students and their quest to bring the Stone of Destiny back to Scotland. The stone was used in the coronation of Scottish kings and queens, until Scotland became part of Great Britain, in 1296. The stone was brought to Westminster Abbey, and used for British coronations. In 1951 however, one bold university student, Ian Hamilton, wants to steal the stone from Westminster Abbey and bring it back to Scotland. He recruits three other students to help him liberate the stone. It is decided that the heist will take place on Christmas Eve, when everyone else is busy. The heist is both exciting and suspense filled. The amazing thing about this movie is that it is based entirely on a true story.

The scenery in this film is spectacular, the acting is great, and the story is exciting and fun. We really root for these four, as their act frees the hearts of the Scottish people. Mychael Danna's score is beautiful, capturing the beauty of Scotland. This low key film is a pleasure to watch.

The DVD contains a commentary track, and an excellent featurette entitled "The taking and making of the Stone of Destiny". Here we have interviews with the actors and director. talking both about their experiences filming, and the history behind the film. The real Ian Hamilton is also interviewed, and has a cameo in the film.

Buy this DVD. You will want to see it more than once.

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The Stone of Destiny DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Stone of Destiny is an enjoyable, low key adventure story. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it all the more appealing.

Set in Scotland in 1950, the story revolves around four Scottish students who take it upon themselves to break into Westminster Abbey Christmas Eve and bring back the famous ‘Stone of Destiny’ and symbolically free Scotland.

Watching the four pull off this daring heist is a lot of fun. The fact that all this really happened is incredible to think about.

The strength in Stone of Destiny is the excellent acting, the beautiful scenery and the lovely musical score and of course the amazing story itself.

The DVD has a “Taking and Making The Stone of Destiny” feature that is excellent. It was especially interesting seeing and hearing Ian Hamilton, the man who actually organized and carried out this daring heist.

Stone of Destiny is worth checking out especially if you have Scottish roots.

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The Stone of Destiny DVD Review By Tony

***1/2 (out of 4)

Based on the recent book by Ian Hamilton (Charlie Cox), Stone of Destiny tells how he and three other Glasgow university students raided Westminster Abbey to retrieve the Stone of Destiny on Christmas eve in 1950. Originally a coronation seat for Scottish kings, it was taken out of Scotland in 1296 and placed under the coronation throne of English and subsequently British monarchs. After World War II, Scottish nationalism was far from the minds of most Scots, save for some activists encouraged by the university head John MacCormick (Robert Carlyle). Retrieving the Stone could rekindle it–failure to do so could result in long prison terms and ruin the lives of the perpetrators. Without giving anything away, I will simply say that Scotland eventually got a measure of self rule with its own parliament in 1998.

The exuberance of the good young cast in this Scottish/Canadian coproduction under American director Charles Martin Smith keeps the film lighthearted. While there is some suspense, the pace is much more leisurely than we are used to with today’s sophisticated security systems. Canadian composer Mychael Danna’s powerful score incorporates Scottish tunes in both full orchestral and traditional arrangements. Though I am of neither Scottish nor Irish heritage, I felt the same kind of vicarious nationalistic stick-it-to-the-English enjoyment that I got a few years back from the charming Irish film Hear My Song.

The DVD includes a moving featurette that, with spoilers, should be seen after the film. We meet the real Ian Hamilton, now in his 80s, who was always around to provide essential details, and was delighted with the results. As an actor himself, Charles Martin Smith was very supportive of the young cast, and they bonded quickly. They were further inspired by the actual locations used whenever possible.

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Consensus: Based on the remarkable true story, The Stone of Destiny is a film worth seeing. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

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Robert Carlyle stars in The Stone of Destiny, an Alliance Films’ release.

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The Soloist Review

The Soloist - A Paramount Release

http://www.soloistmovie.com/

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez-skidrow-nathaniel-series,0,1456093.special

Opens: April 24th, 2009

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use, and language.

Running time: 109 minutes

Joe Wright (dir.)

Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. as Steve Lopez

Catherine Keener as Mary Weston

Tom Hollander as Graham Claydon

Lisagay Hamilton as Jennifer Ayers-Moore

Our reviews below:

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The Soloist Review By John C.

***1/4 (out of 4)

The Soloist is the story of Steve Lopez, a journalist for the LA Times, who goes out to look for a story. What he finds is someone in need of a friend. Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr. is a mentally ill homeless man, who sits on the streets playing a two-stringed Violin. The film is based on a book, which is based on a true story. I have been told that the movie serves as a much condensed version of the story compared to the book. Having not read the book, I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Now I look forward to reading the book.

The acting by Jamie Foxx, as Nathaniel, is superb. Convincingly playing him, saying things that seem to just pop into his head and sometimes just losing it. Foxx is very believable playing someone with a mental illness, never going over the top. The film was originally going to be released in November, presumably for Oscar consideration. I honestly don’t think it would have been nominated for Best Picture, but some acting noms could have been in the mix.

Although it is at times heartbreaking with it’s images of some of the 90,000 homeless people in LA, it is also uplifting with it’s message that sometimes all people need is a friend. While the film has some minor flaws and it leaves out a lot of the events that happened in real life, sometimes due to timing, sometimes due to it being to hard to film. Problems aside, the characters are unique and believable, if not always likable and the acting is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and it is quite worth seeing. Go out and see it, it will make you think and lift you up.

I liked this film a lot, but not quite enough to warrant a rating of 3 and a half stars, so I am giving it a strong rating of 3 and a quarter.

On a side note, whoever had the idea to play the Angels & Demons trailer before the film should be fired. Angels & Demons is a totally contradictory film to The Soloist, and audiences seeing a human drama may not like being welcomed by a trailer for a violent and disturbing thriller. The two films don’t even share a studio, The Soloist is Paramount and Angels & Demons is Sony.

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The Soloist Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

The Soloist is the story of LA Times columnist Steve Lopez who, while on the look out for a new column idea, hears music in the park. Following the sound, he finds a homeless man, playing a two-stringed violin. When the piece stops, he introduces himself, and finds out that this man, who’s name is Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Jr., claims that he was formally a Juilliard School of Music student. Intrigued to know if this is true, Mr. Lopez rushes back to the LA Times building to call Juilliard to confirm. As he gets to know Nathaniel more, he finds out that the instrument he was trained on was cello, not violin. A column develops and finally goes to print called, “Violinist Has the World on 2 Strings”. The column soon catches the attention of many, and a cello is donated for Mr. Ayers. Anxious to get him off the streets, and afraid that the cello will make him a target for theft, Mr. Lopez says that he can play the cello, but only at a shelter called LAMP. For Mr. Ayers, a talented musician, music is his life, and soon the lure of the cello brings him towards shelter.

The Soloist is a true story, the book being written by Steve Lopez himself. (We have included a link to his original articles as well, underneath the movie website address at the top.) Before seeing the movie adaptation of The Soloist, I had read the first 8-10 chapters or so of the book it is based on, (also called The Soloist). The movie is fairly similar to the book, or at least the parts that I have read so far. Unfortunately, the book seems fuller. In the movie, du to time constraints, it seems rushed. For example, it seems as though Mr. Lopez has only known Mr. Ayers for a few weeks by the time he gives him the donated cello that he can only play at LAMP, thus he comes across as more blunt and bossy. In the book, it didn’t seem so much this way, as they had already established a relationship by that point, having known each other for months rather than a mere few weeks.

I would definitely recommend going to see The Soloist. I think those who have not read the book will probably enjoy it slightly more, but should definitely read the book afterwards. Although it could have been done better, possibly by better choices of what to include and what to not, this is a good movie that anyone interested in music will want to see.

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The Soloist Review By Nicole

*** (out of 4)

Based on the nonfiction book by Steve Lopez. The Soloist tells the story of an unlikely friendship between journalist Steve Lopez and homeless prodigy Nathaniel Ayers Jr. The movie begins when Steve Lopez is injured after falling off his bike. He is stressed out, and is looking for a fresh idea for his column in The Los Angeles Times. Just when he thinks he is out of ideas, Steve Lopez stumbles across a mysterious homeless man playing a a violin with only 2 strings. The man introduces himself as Nathaniel Ayers Jr., and tells Steve Lopez that he went to Juilliard: He also tells Steve Lopez that he used to play a cello, but now plays a violin, as it is easier to carry. Steve Lopez now has a story, which he entitles “Man has the world on 2 strings”.

Nathaniel’s story touches readers, and one elderly woman donates her cello to Nathaniel. Steve Lopez gives Nathaniel the cello, but only allows him to play it at LAMP, a drop-in/transitional housing unit for homeless people. Nathaniel at first refuses, but later reluctantly follows when bribed with lessons from a cello instructor. Nathaniel’s many struggles, as well as triumphs, make for a thought provoking and uplifting story. We hear of Nathaniel's childhood through flashbacks, and find out what led him to the street. But what struck me the most was how Nathaniel, when he would play music, would become lost in the music. As a musician myself, I found this to be very believable. I really liked the scene where Nathaniel gets so enraptured in listening to a concert, he closes his eyes, and experiences the music synaesthstetacally. (There is no mention to Nathaniel experiencing synaesthsesia in the book.)

I really enjoyed this movie, as the music was beautiful, as was Nathaniel’s devotion to music, particularly Beethoven music. That being said, however, I could only give this movie 3 stars out of 4, because the book was better. In the movie, Steve Lopez is a rather bossy man, who is estranged from his wife and son. In the book, however, Steve Lopez is a happily married man who lives with his 2 year old daughter. He is strict with Nathaniel, but more in a friendly, and parental way. In the movie, we don’t really get a sense of the heartwarming friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers Jr., because the story is really condensed. That being said, this film really brings to light the often forgotten realities of mental illness, and homelessness that affect people in our cities. Watch the movie, and when you have seen it, read the book.

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The Soloist Review By Maureen

*** (out of 4)

I enjoyed watching ‘The Soloist’. Having read the original book ‘The Soloist’ I was a little disappointed that the movie couldn’t do more to give the viewer a sense of the depth of the friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers, Jr. The disadvantage of a movie portrayal is that due to time constraints a movie can’t fill in the background and little details the way a book can. None the less, this is a really nice story.

The Soloist is based on Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez’ articles about a homeless, schizophrenic man, Nathaniel Ayers, Jr. who was a gifted cellist. Steve Lopez discovers Nathaniel among L.A.’s homeless community and is fascinated by Nathaniel playing a two-stringed violin beautifully. Lopez writes the articles, public support floods in and he is able to provide Nathaniel with a cello to play. Over time Nathaniel grows to trust Steve Lopez and a mutual friendship evolves. Steve Lopez helps Nathaniel get into LAMP, a supportive housing unit for individuals struggling with mental illness.

The movie does well showing the difficulties of living with a mental illness and the lack of adequate support for the homeless population in a big city. The movie doesn’t try to come up with pat answers to the issues of mental illness or homelessness. Rather, you come away with the understanding that friendship is what moves us all forward in this life.

I found Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Nathaniel very believable and very moving. Robert Downey Jr. also gave a good performance as Steve Lopez. I’m glad I saw ‘The Soloist’. It moved me and made me think. This movie is worth checking out as is the book.

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The Soloist Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Nathaniel A. Ayers (Jamie Foxx) is a busker in Los Angeles who has been written about in the L.A. Times columns and book of Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) upon which The Soloist is more or less based. The columns Lopez wrote, about how the homeless Ayers had dropped out of Juilliard due to schizophrenia and moved to L.A. because it was warmer than his hometown Cleveland, were well received. The cello sent to Ayers by an old woman in the film was only one of a number of donated instruments that replaced the two-string fiddle he was found with. Lopez introduced Ayers to the L.A. Philharmonic conductor E.P. Salonen (seen in the film) and he was invited as a fellow musician to attend concert rehearsals and eventually concerts when he was ready. The evangelical cellist played by British actor Tom Hollander is a fictional counterpart to the real mentor, Ben Hong, that Lopez introduced to Ayers. Hong recorded the cello music for the film, and coached Jamie Foxx (a trained classical pianist) to appear authentic on the cello. Lopez also arranged supported housing for Ayers with the Lamp Community and reunited him with his sister. A major conflict arose when Lopez questioned the gentle group counseling approach of Lamp to its people’s mental problems, insisting that aggressive drug therapy was the answer. Fortunately Lopez lost that battle, since despite his challenges Ayers is now doing reasonably well.

The Soloist is the first American film by the British realist director Joe Wright, supported by a largely British creative team. Like Danny Boyle in India, Wright insisted on spending time on Skid Row and a number of its people appear in the film. The Skid Row of 2005 was recreated on an empty lot and the mayor’s “Safer City” attempt to clean it up was reenacted, as it must have seemed to the inhabitants, as a sort of pogrom. Both Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. spent time with their real-life counterparts to get the essence of their characters without trying to impersonate them. The music by Dario Marianelli consists mostly of arrangements of Beethoven, from his 3rd & 9th symphonies, the triple concerto, and the late quartets, where the cello is prominent.

As a lifetime music listener, I really enjoyed this film. Without falling into sentimentality, it celebrates the transcendent power of music despite the real challenges faced by both principal characters. One of my favorite scenes, excerpted on Apple Trailers, shows the donated cello filmed from a camera mounted on a mail cart as it moves through the (actual) L.A. Times editorial offices. Then, when Ayers first takes the cello in his hands, he plays an excerpt from a late quartet that resonates brilliantly in the underpass as pigeons fly up, their flapping wings like applause, as the camera (on a 100 foot crane) soars up with the music through an opening into the air above the birds.

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Consensus: Although the book The Soloist, by Steve Lopez, is more well rounded, this movie is still worth seeing, especially for those into music. If you haven’t already, you should definitely read the book as well. *** (Out of 4)