Highly acclaimed director James Cameron (Titanic) is back with his passion project "Avatar". After vigorous years of non-stop work for this film, what did Cameron achieve? A masterpiece. Having not only directed this film but also writing it, this is simply Cameron's unbelievable vision. The world that he created, Pandora, is both beautiful and absolutely vulnerable. You immediately fall in love with this place, as your eyes completely take it in and absorb its aweness. Before I get too out of hand about how gorgeous this film is, let me describe the look of this movie with one word: Revolutionary. Has anyone gone this far with today's endless technology? Nope. But then again, Cameron spent $300 million to make this film. And fortunately for everyone, every bit of that money seemed to be worth it. Watch this movie and buy into the magic. You won't regret it. What you see will blow your mind.
A "retired" marine named Jake Sully is sent on a unique mission in the prementioned planet of Pandora after his brother dies. He becomes this creature referred to as an Avatar, a blue alien possessed by a human. He is to learn all he can about the people living over there, better known as the Na'vi. As time progresses, he seemingly finds himself more at home there than at his home planet, Earth. Obviously falling in love with Pandora, its people, and the beautiful Neytiri (played with precision by Zoe Saldana), Sully is stuck between two places. With the strict and ego-driven Colonel Miles Quaritch breathing down his neck, the decision becomes even tougher. See what happens. It's amazing.
The cast is brilliant, especially with the great performances by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Stephen Lang. Worthington plays a struggling marine with bad legs who is under the stress of choosing between his world or their world. Stephen Lang plays a mean and not very likeable character at all. His performance leads to the audience hating his character. I hated him, that's for sure. And finally, the tremendously pretty Zoe Saldana. You might know her from "Star Trek", but her performance here is sublimal. She loses herself in the character and totally nails it. Very good performances all around.
This is a great movie. You watch this and you wonder if this film could've been made 5 years ago, or even last year. The answer is probably not. Thank GOD James Cameron had the patience to wait for this year. Cameron knew what he wanted, and there was simply nothing that could hold him back. James Cameron has created a movie of astonishing beauty that is easily regarded as revolutionary. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. Your eyes will thank you. You will thank James Cameron. He has made a great film that is impossible to forget. An amazing feat.
Rating: 4 out of 4
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
"Invictus" review
Clint Eastwood is almost 80 years old and yet he's one of the best directors working today. Why? Because he consistently makes quality movies like this one. "Invictus", based on a true story, is an uplifting and inspirational film about the tremendous Nelson Mandela and his plan to use Rugby as a tool to put an end to Apartheid and make peace with the Afrikaners. With a great cast and an emotionally strong script, Eastwood has crafted another great movie.
Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa, perfectly. He never misses a beat or ever overreacts. Instead he acts with a definite coolness. Freeman shows Mandlea as a somewhat gentle, sophisticated, and hugely couragous man. And who else in the world can play Nelson Mandela other than Morgan Freeman? No one. Everyone knows that this means only one thing. Oscars. And he will definitley recieve a nomination and be in serious contention for the award. Matt Damon, on the other hand, is not so bad either. In fact, he is very good as Farncois Pienaar, the captain of the South Africa Rugby team Springboks. Damon makes him a certified leader, playing him with the type of confidence that the best player on any team would have. With this said, Damon takes it down one notch when he meets with Mandela. He knows of Madnela's higher authority and gives him utmost respect. With these two giving tremendous, oscar-worthy performances, the supporting cast isn't so bad either.
The year is 1995 and the South Africa Springboks are a nearly hopeless team. They start off losing their first couple of games and are undoubtedly one of the worst teams. Mandela sees this but, being the type of man that he is, doesn't give up hope. Instead, he sees potential and the chance of being great. Though most realize that the chances are slim, the optimistic Nelson Mandela recognizes it as an opportunity. He decides to meet with the Springboks captain Francois Pienaar and challenges him to go beyond their highest expectations. Obviously not wanting to let the president down, Pienaar equips himself with a resilient type of focus. With the always inspiring Nelson Mandela and the 43 million people of South Africa, Pienaar lifts his team off the ground to accomplish what Mandela had told him to do. Go beyond expectations. The road to get there is both rigorous and rewarding.
Hugley entertaining from beginning to end, this isn't your typical sports movie. This is more about the srength of the human spirit and the seemingly insurmountable challenges one wouold undertake to achieve what is needed. Clint Eastwood seems to never forget his audience. And though this may not be his finest film, it is definitely one of his great ones. After watching this movie, I didn't quite get a grasp on the rules of Rugby. But what I did get a grasp on was the power of inspiration. It led to a unified country and an uplifted audience. You can't help but cheer.
Rating: 31/2 out of 4
Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa, perfectly. He never misses a beat or ever overreacts. Instead he acts with a definite coolness. Freeman shows Mandlea as a somewhat gentle, sophisticated, and hugely couragous man. And who else in the world can play Nelson Mandela other than Morgan Freeman? No one. Everyone knows that this means only one thing. Oscars. And he will definitley recieve a nomination and be in serious contention for the award. Matt Damon, on the other hand, is not so bad either. In fact, he is very good as Farncois Pienaar, the captain of the South Africa Rugby team Springboks. Damon makes him a certified leader, playing him with the type of confidence that the best player on any team would have. With this said, Damon takes it down one notch when he meets with Mandela. He knows of Madnela's higher authority and gives him utmost respect. With these two giving tremendous, oscar-worthy performances, the supporting cast isn't so bad either.
The year is 1995 and the South Africa Springboks are a nearly hopeless team. They start off losing their first couple of games and are undoubtedly one of the worst teams. Mandela sees this but, being the type of man that he is, doesn't give up hope. Instead, he sees potential and the chance of being great. Though most realize that the chances are slim, the optimistic Nelson Mandela recognizes it as an opportunity. He decides to meet with the Springboks captain Francois Pienaar and challenges him to go beyond their highest expectations. Obviously not wanting to let the president down, Pienaar equips himself with a resilient type of focus. With the always inspiring Nelson Mandela and the 43 million people of South Africa, Pienaar lifts his team off the ground to accomplish what Mandela had told him to do. Go beyond expectations. The road to get there is both rigorous and rewarding.
Hugley entertaining from beginning to end, this isn't your typical sports movie. This is more about the srength of the human spirit and the seemingly insurmountable challenges one wouold undertake to achieve what is needed. Clint Eastwood seems to never forget his audience. And though this may not be his finest film, it is definitely one of his great ones. After watching this movie, I didn't quite get a grasp on the rules of Rugby. But what I did get a grasp on was the power of inspiration. It led to a unified country and an uplifted audience. You can't help but cheer.
Rating: 31/2 out of 4
Saturday, December 5, 2009
"Precious" review
To call this film beautifully disturbing is a terrible understatement. Based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, it's solidly dark and depressing, yet "Precious" gains its title as one of the most uplifting movies in years. When you see the life that Claireece "Precious" Jones has to endure every single day of her life, you start to empathize. Growing up against incorrigible odds in Harlem, you start to wonder if this girl can be successful in the world. Director Lee Daniels does a terrific job in making us somehow feel like we are always at her side, as if we"got her back". You will root and cheer for her, but probably most of all worry for her. I cannot truly express my admiration for this film. You simply have to see it to understand. Once this film grabs you, you are stuck. "Precious" super-glues your mind to the powerful emotions to the characters and it's impossible to escape. With Oscar-worthy performances across the board and an intense but touching script, this is easily one of the best films of the year.
Claireece "Precious" Jones is a rather large African-American who is pregnant for the second time with her father. She's only 16. Precious is also only in jr. high school. Her mother hates her with a passion because she feels as if she stole her boyfriend from her. It's not at all surprising that Precious doesn't feel loved, seemingly lost in the world. Not to mention all the scrutiny she is receiving because of her weight. What Precious finds out is spectacular. Love is out there somewhere. If it means searching far and wide into the depths of the city then so be it. But Precious finds love, and it lifts her up from the ground. Director Lee Daniels brings hope to a hopeless situation. It's astounding.
The cast of the film is certainly one of the best ensemble casts of the year. Gabourey Sidibe is the breakout performance of the year, no doubt. Simply a tour de force, as she gives Precious a relentless side but also gives her some powerful resistence. With solid performances by the supporting cast like Mariah Carey and Paula Patton, the most electrifying of them all is Mo'nique. She plays Mary, Precious's mother. I don't have a problem at all by calling her performance the best of the year. She is so real and authentic, it's frightening. Mo'nique makes the character so unpredictable, that at the times it's hard to even watch her. Expect Oscar-nominations coming this film's way not only in best picture, but a couple of performance nominations. While being led by the jobs done by Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'nique, the entire cast scores as well.
"Precious" is gritty, dark, depressing, mentally intense, and definitely remorseful. But look into the eyes of Claireece "Precious" Jones. You see pain, hardship, abuse, sadness, and hatred. But despite all of these, you see something more prominent. You see hope.
Rating: 31/2 out of 4
Claireece "Precious" Jones is a rather large African-American who is pregnant for the second time with her father. She's only 16. Precious is also only in jr. high school. Her mother hates her with a passion because she feels as if she stole her boyfriend from her. It's not at all surprising that Precious doesn't feel loved, seemingly lost in the world. Not to mention all the scrutiny she is receiving because of her weight. What Precious finds out is spectacular. Love is out there somewhere. If it means searching far and wide into the depths of the city then so be it. But Precious finds love, and it lifts her up from the ground. Director Lee Daniels brings hope to a hopeless situation. It's astounding.
The cast of the film is certainly one of the best ensemble casts of the year. Gabourey Sidibe is the breakout performance of the year, no doubt. Simply a tour de force, as she gives Precious a relentless side but also gives her some powerful resistence. With solid performances by the supporting cast like Mariah Carey and Paula Patton, the most electrifying of them all is Mo'nique. She plays Mary, Precious's mother. I don't have a problem at all by calling her performance the best of the year. She is so real and authentic, it's frightening. Mo'nique makes the character so unpredictable, that at the times it's hard to even watch her. Expect Oscar-nominations coming this film's way not only in best picture, but a couple of performance nominations. While being led by the jobs done by Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'nique, the entire cast scores as well.
"Precious" is gritty, dark, depressing, mentally intense, and definitely remorseful. But look into the eyes of Claireece "Precious" Jones. You see pain, hardship, abuse, sadness, and hatred. But despite all of these, you see something more prominent. You see hope.
Rating: 31/2 out of 4
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