Underworld Awakens With Vengence
Once again Kate Beckinsale dons the now familiar tight leather armor of Death Dealer Selene in the fourth installment of the epic Underworld film series. When last we saw Selene it was at the end of Underworld: Evolution in which she and Michael fight against the two Corvinas brothers. Twelve years after being captured and separated from Michael during the human purge of vampires and lycans, Selene is rescued by a mysterious “subject two” and finds herself searching for this unknown individual. Selene takes out her vengeance on her captors finding that she must once more fight for survival. Soon she finds that the “subject” who freed her is a young girl (played by India Eisley)and makes a discovery that gives her renewed hope in being reunited with her beloved Michael.
Underworld: Awakening is chock full of everything fans of the Underworld films have come to expect. Spectacular fight scenes, displays of supernatural strength and ability and a blessed amount of good old explosions (everyone loves things that go boom right?). Amidst the battles and escapes from certain death, Selene finds that she has more enemies than friends 
especially while protecting the young girl who rescued her. For some reason, the lycans are hunting the girl and the other vampires are loath to harbor her. Sorry, no spoilers here. See the movie to unravel the mystery of the girl and what she represents.
For those unfamiliar with the Underworld films, the first ten minutes or so brings the story up to date, including the events that separate Selene and Michael. That said, it may be a good idea to at least watch Underworld and Underworld: Evolution to understand the relationship between Selene and Michael, because it is that relationship that sets the stage for the events of Awakening and gives the film an emotional connection. Also, fans of the series will also better understand the history that exists within the world that is Underworld. For example: the importance of Michael being a descendant of Alexander Corvinas, and why Selene can walk in the sunlight despite being a vampire. Otherwise, the film can be enjoyed for what it is; a great fantasy action film or just to watch Kate Beckinsale kick werewolf butt.
Hugo Is The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
There is a certain magic in the air when going to the movies. The smell of popcorn, a feeling of anticipation as the lights dim, then the audience is transported to other worlds, the past, a fictional present or become a silent observer on a journey. When this happens, then the film has accomplished its purpose and the film maker’s theirs.
The film Hugo directed by Martin Scorsese, takes us on an exquisite journey of discovery and wonder. The intrepid adventurer in this story is a boy named Hugo, who winds the clocks at the train station in Paris, France. Hugo is attempting to unlock the secret of an autonomous man made of clockworks and in doing so he becomes friends with Isabelle, the daughter of the toy maker named Papa George.
While uncovering the secrets of the clockwork man, the two children make a discovery so wondrous and delightful that revealing it would only ruin the magic. Suffice it to say that they learn there is more to Papa George than meets the eye. Hugo also finds a strength within himself he did not know he had.
The beauty and majesty of Martin Scorsese’s film is not only in its presentation—the 3D effects are impeccable—but in it endearing story and how that tale is brought to life through the loveable characters of which this film is about. Asa Butterfield plays Hugo so splendidly that he is captivating. Chloe Grace Moretz fills Isabelle with a wonder and curiosity that seems almost tangible, and Ben Kingsley as always, delivers a magnificent performance as Papa George.
Through the inspired direction of Martin Scorsese and the dedication of the films cast (including Sascha Baron Cohen as the Station Inspector) Hugo captures the magic of story-telling through the medium of film and reminds us that it is the “stuff dreams are made of”. Whether you are a child, adult, film enthusiast, or simply a person who enjoys a good story; Hugo is not a film to be missed.
Breaking Dawn: Part 1 Review
Finally, a film many have greatly anticipated has graced the silver screen: Breaking Dawn: Part 1. For some, the concept of Twilight is trivial at best due to the nature of Stephanie Meyer’s vampires—which sparkle in the sunlight instead of bursting into flames—these are not your traditional undead after all. Despite the naysayers, both the series of books and the last three films have done exceptionally well.
Breaking Dawn is another example of just how successful this franchise is. According to the website Rotten Tomatoes; Breaking Dawn: Part 1 has already grossed $139.5 million in its first weekend. The film is also currently number one in the United States remaining consistent with the success rate of the last three films. Once again, fans line up to see Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner and Kristen Stewart play the parts they have made famous. Not for the last time, but close.
The film begins at perhaps the most anticipated moment in recent film history—Edward and Bella’s wedding. From the few scenes leading up to the grand event including the walk down the aisle, we see the reluctance in Bella that has plagued her romance with Edward throughout the series. A feeling that is quickly abated once she lays eyes on the man she loves with all her soul.
After the ceremonies, Edward and Bella go on their honeymoon where they consummate their marriage. After a few weeks they learn that Bella has become pregnant; a thing which was believed to be impossible. From that point on, the film illustrates the dangers of such a pregnancy and also how it affects not only the Cullens, but Jacob and the rest of the wolf pack.
In short, Breaking Dawn: Part 1 is the build-up, the foreshadowing prior to an exciting, if not dramatic climax. There is no doubt that this film heightens the anticipation for the final chapter in the Twilight film franchise, a film well worth seeing. Especially for Twilight fans.
“In Time” Isn’t a Waste of Time
Imagine a world where you stop aging at twenty-five, a literal biological clock counts down your final year, then you die when the clock counts to zero—unless you earn more time and time is the currency. 
Such is the world in which Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) lives day to day, working to add minutes; days to his clock in order to prolong his life. So far, he has managed to live three more years, but in a world where everything is paid for out of the time you have, only the rich can afford to have enough time and live for millennia. For the poor, each day could be their last. While the poor have time to lose and must live minute to minute, day by day and often run; the rich have more than enough time to spare and take life for granted, they have no need to run.
Life takes a turn for the unexpected for Will when he rescues a man with a century on his clock from being robbed. He learns that the man has already lived for more than a hundred years and has become tired of living at the expense of others. The man explains that “For a few to live forever, many must die.” He continues, saying that the rich control the time and regulate how much time everything costs. In short, those with the all the time in the world ensure that the poor will run out and the rich gain more. Will awakens the following morning to find that the man timed out his own clock, giving his century to Will leaving the simple message: “Don’t waste my time.”
After his encounter with the man and an unforeseeable tragedy, Will Silas decides to turn the tides on the rich who he believes have created a world of injustice. Using his newly gained wealth, he enters the time zone where the chronologically abundant reside. He is invited to a party after winning a high stakes poker game and meets Sylvia Weiz—played by Amanda Seyfried—the daughter of mogul Phillip Weiz. Will and Sylvia join together and become a kind of Bonnie and Clyde meets Robin Hood duo, attempting to fix the world’s broken society. All the while they are closely pursued by Raymond Leon ( Cillian Murphy) a time keeper—a type of cop —who is determined to keep them from committing the crime more dangerous than taking time away—that of giving it away.
After seeing the film it is evident that the message In Time seeks to convey is not that the rich get richer while the poor get poorer, but that time is precious to all of us regardless of our 
station in life. Depicting a world in which our time on earth is so absolute that it becomes the most valuable resource, brings to light the deepest of all mankind’s desires; to have eternal life and live forever, reminding us that our time is not to be horded or squandered, but given freely so that we might live forever in the hearts and memories of those we leave behind.
This film is certainly not a waste of time and is worth seeing if only for the interesting premise. The characters are believable and the plot is solid. Others appearing in the film are Olivia Wilde, Johnny Galecki, and Alex Pettyfer. So, take the time to see if Will and Sylvia succeed in their effort to change the world.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: A Prequel. Not a Remake
In my review of Rise of the Planet of The Apes on Examiner.com I state that the film is “a prequel to the original Planet of the Apes (1968) and tells the story of how the apes became intelligent.” In other words, it is not a remake. Instead, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a coming of age story for Caesar. Before I get ahead of myself, allow me to explain my statement with a bit of film history. Be forewarned, there are spoilers ahead for readers who have not seen the original five films.
Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter and Roddy McDowell in Planet of the Apes (1968)
The original Planet of the Apes (1968) that starred Charlton Heston only mentions Caesar as being an ancient leader of the apes who lead them to enlightenment. Little is said about how that happens. We don’t see anything of Caesar until Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) where Cornelius and Zira end up on twentieth century Earth after escaping the destruction of the planet at the end of Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970). Trapped in a time when humans are still the dominant species, Cornelius and Zira attempt to integrate and Zira gives birth to a male chimpanzee who they name Caesar. Sadly, their son is orphaned after the parents are killed.
Caesar’s story is told in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) and Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973). Conquest depicts Earth twenty years after Escape from the Planet of the Apes; taking place in 1991. In this alternate time line, Apes are kept as either pets or slaves. This troubles Caesar, because he believes their intelligence makes them equal to humans. He eventually leads the apes in a revolt. The ape revolution leads to a war between those who believe apes should be free, and those that believe—like Caesar—that humans and apes can coexist. The story of that war is told in Battle for the Planet of the Apes.
Zira with the baby Caesar in Escape From Planet of the Apes
While some might say that Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a remake of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes. It is a fallacy to think so. The Caesar in Conquest is the son of Cornelius and Zira, who are intelligent apes descended from the original Caesar mentioned in Planet of the Apes. In Rise, Caesar inherits his intelligence from a drug developed by Dr. Rodman meant to be a cure for Alzheimer’s allowing the brain to repair itself. The drug had been given to Caesar’s mother whose intelligence increased due to the drug and passed the drug through her DNA to Caesar who surpasses his mother in heightened intelligence. Thus, the difference in origin is what sets the two Caesars apart. Therefore, the Caesar in Rise could only be the original Caesar mentioned in Planet of the Apes.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an incredible movie both visually and in scope. The premise alludes to the idea that the oppressed will always rise against the oppressors. The cast is superb and Andy Serkis gives the performance of his life as Caesar. James Franco stars as Dr. Will Rodman and John Lithgow stars as Rodman’s father Charles. Also check out the original five movies which are available on DVD and Blu Ray.
Harry Potter 7.2: When Light Stands before Darkness
In just three days Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two has raked in over $162 million dollars, largely in part to enormous amount of people who viewed the midnight release. Once again, the beloved franchise breaks its own records and makes a few new ones, including the worldwide opening weekend record according to Box Office Mojo.
The film begins where Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One ended: Voldemort is in possession of the Elder Wand and our heroes Harry, Ron and Hermione have just buried Dobby, the House Elf who helped them escape the clutches of Bellatrix LeStrange. In many ways the situation is grim and the odds are overwhelming, but Harry and his two friends know that there are only three of the cursed items left. With their goal to stop Voldemort still in sight the trio carry’s on; determined to see it through to the end.
This time the search takes them to Gringott’s bank and Hogwart’s. When the three of them return to the school, they learn that Sevurus Snape is the new Headmaster. Harry does not hesitate to confront the man responsible for Albus Dumbeldore’s death. After a brief altercation between Snape and Professor McGonnagle, the new Headmaster flees the school. By then however, Voldemort has gathered an army and comes knocking at the doorstep of the castle in search of Harry, completely aware of where Harry’s search for the horcruxes will take the young man. Thus, Hogwart’s becomes the final battlefield in this war between good and evil.
With little time to spare, Harry, Ron and Hermione race to destroy the final horcruxes so that they may end Voldemort’s campaign of terror. Amidst the battle, new heroes emerge while others meet their end. Yet even amongst death and destruction, love is reaffirmed and in one case, finally requited.
Harry learns that he will need to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save everyone else. As he bravely goes on alone to face the very man who seeks his destruction, Harry finds that in addition to his love for Ginny, his two best friends and schoolmates and their love of him; the love of his departed family members has always been with him. Armored with the strength he draws from this knowledge, Harry takes a stand against evil though it may cost him his life.
A magnificent end to what has been one of the most popular franchises since Star Wars. Stellar performances by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes and Alan Rickman. Surely the Harry Potter movies will be loved for generations to come. Those generations will learn the message that the rest of the world has been shown these past ten years: Love is the most powerful of all magic and they will also come to know that when light stands before darkness, it is light that prevails.
Transformers: Dark of the Moon Review
According to Box Office Mojo, Transformers: Dark Side of The Moon has already made $97.4 million since its opening day on Tuesday, June 28. As a matter of fact, the film made $35 million in sales just that one day for midnight showings. The movie is also said to be the best of the three Transformers films.
I certainly agree. The quality of this film is superb and it has a great story.
We are reunited with Sam Witwicky and the Autobots about four years after the events of Transformers: Revenge of The Fallen. Sam has graduated from college and the Autobots are functioning as a Spec Ops unit for the American government. All are waiting for the Decepticons to strike. Sam especially feels the need for action as he struggles to cope with feelings of inadequacy that are only exacerbated by the fact that he cannot find a job and his new girlfriend’s boss, Dylan–played by Patrick Dempsey–has a tendency to dote on her, which grates on Sam’s sense of confidence in himself. But, this is a Transformers movie, and the Decepticons waste no time rearing their massive, ugly heads.
After an attack on the Autobots and Colonel Lennox(Josh Duhamel), it is discovered that the Decepticons are searching for an Autobot ship that escaped from Cybertron and crash landed on the moon sometime during the nineteen sixties. Optimus Prime reveals that the precious cargo is none other than an old Autobot leader; Sentinel Prime. After Optimus Prime and Ratchet retrieve Sentinel Prime and revive him, they learn that Sentinel had invented a space bridge which could be used to transport resources through time and space. Sentinel warns the humans and the Autobots that if the space bridge falls into Decepticon possession, they could transport an army of Decepticons to Earth and accomplish their quest for domination.
The film stars Shia LaBeouf as Sam Whitwicky, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Sam’s girlfriend Carly and Leonard Nimoy as Sentinel. John Malkovich, Ken Jeong also join the cast.
Transformers 3 is ultimately a story about fighting for the things that are good in our lives be it a significant other or the simple ideal of freedom for all mankind. Do yourself a favor and see it on IMAX. You’ll not regret the price. There is plenty of action, near-death escapes and as much heart as the first Transformers movie.
Green Lantern Review
The Green Lantern movie is an origin story. We are first introduced to Hal Leonard the cocky test pilot, who risks his life and nearly loses it after pushing the limits of his plane and the newly designed planes he is flying against. This is a hero with a chip on his shoulder because of a fear he hides.
Fear, and its ability to disable us is not the central theme of the film, but it is a major undercurrent in the story and inevitably leads us to the main point: Fear is something that should be overcome. Never embraced. For if we embrace it, we become faced with a power that can render us utterly helpless and then our true potential can never be reached.
Hal Leonard must learn to overcome his fear and rise above it so that he may be fearless in the face of evil. For that is what it means to be a Green Lantern–fearless in the presence of evil.
While Green Lantern has really great visual effects and a good plot, the film suffers in its ability to give the audience a sense of pending doom. In fact, it is the opinion of this author that the ending was rushed and because of that, there is not
a significant sense of peril. Even with two villains in the film, there is not any reason to doubt that Hal will rise to the occasion and become a Green Lantern worthy of the name.
The other item that could have been better was the 3D conversion. Go see it in regular 2D. Your wallet will thank you later anyhow.
Despite those two negatives, Green Lantern is a great film and fun to watch. Ryan Reynolds is wonderful as Hal Leonard/Green Lantern, ad Blake Lively is commanding and sensitive in her role as Carol Ferris. Ultimately, the film is worth watching if one is looking for a film with plenty of special effects and a simple storyline.
Super 8 is Cinema Gold
When the credits rolled at the end of Super 8; I wanted to stand up and clap. I wanted to shout for joy in expression of my complete and utter enjoyment of a beautifully made film. The reason is simple. Super 8 captured my heart. After seeing the film, I felt the way I did after seeing E.T. or Goonies–elated and full of wonderment. That is an emotion that very few movies in recent years have been able to cause. There have been numerous entertaining ones, which have earned a place in my personal collection, but none of these match Super 8. What makes this film so different?
In a word, Super 8 is what other critics and film reviewers might call Spielbergian. However, labeling this film as Spielbergian, or saying it is a throwback to E.T., Goonies or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, sells the film short to a degree. Certainly, the J.J. Abrams directed–and Spielberg produced–film has a similar feel as those three movies, but it isn’t a cookie cutter film by any means. This tale has a magic all its own .
I saw a glimmer of this magic when we are first introduced to Joe Lamb( Joel Courtney)and his friends in the somber setting of Joe’s Mother’s funeral. Joe is outside, sitting on a swing staring at a locket and his friends are inside talking. What seemed magical to me was the pacing of the boys’ conversation. It wasn’t hurried or seem to slow the scene down. Instead, it subtly moved the plot forward and complimented the mood of the setting.
Another moment came a little later in the film, not long before the story changes to an adventure ,instead of the average coming of age spin. We arrive at this point in the film after learning that Joe’s friend Charlie (Riley Griffiths) is a budding filmmaker who is making a zombie movie called “The Case” and hopes to enter the film in the local film festival. Seeing the need to have characters that an audience can connect with, Charlie recruits Alice Dainard (Elle Fanning) to play the wife of his films hero. Before rehearsing the scene, Charlie instructs Alice that she has to cry. It is that moment in which the magic happens. As Alice recited her lines, I could sense the change in her as she connected with the emotions and feelings of her character, and thought that this is what film making is all about–capturing that moment.
I could write another two pages about the subtleties and nuances of the film, so I will just say that Super 8 is the sort of 
film that weaves a spell on the audience. It is clever, enticing, bitter-sweet, inspiring; literally igniting the imagination. The young cast are superb in their acting, not wooden as some child actors can be, and the adult actors deliver with dedication and realism.
In the end, Super 8 is a story about how Joe Lamb and his friends set out to make their mark in film history and end up having the adventure of a lifetime. Along the way, Joe finds a way to fill the hole left behind through the loss of his mother, and his Father, Jackson Lamb(Kyle Chandler); learns to forgive and realizes that knowing his son is more important than his job as Deputy. The town of Lillian has an experience they will never forget.
Don’t take my word for it. Experience this magic for yourself, with a loved-one, or a group of friends. Might I also suggest using the restroom before the movie, you’ll thank me later.
X-Men:First Class Review
The steady procession of super hero movies continues with the release of X-Men:First Class. It is an origin story of sorts as the film tells the story of how the X-Men came to be. More specifically, it weaves the tale of how Magneto and Professor X–otherwise known as Erik Leshner (Michael Fassbender) and Charles Xavier (James McAvoy)–came to be friends and within that story shows us the events that sparked their rivalry.
Set in the 1960’s around the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis; X-Men: First Class centers on the two future leaders of the X-Men and The Brotherhood: Professor X and Magneto. For those unfamiliar with the comic book mythology, The Brotherhood is Magneto’s group of mutants who are constantly warring with the X-Men except in tim
es when their purposes are identical.
From the beginning of the film there is evidence of a bitter contrast between the young life of Erik Leshner and that of Charles Xavier. While Charles grows up with comfort and luxury in a New England mansion, Erik is taken from his parents and treated like a lab rat by the Nazis. Because of these differences in upbringing, Charles learns to hope for an integration between humans and the more evolved mutants. Erik instead learns that non-mutants will fear mutant-kind and seek to eradicate them from existence.
These opposing viewpoints become a theme throughout the film as the other mutants are brought together and relate their experiences to one another. Each expressing how they struggle to be accepted by humans. For Mystique and Hank McCoy, they appear to bond over their fight to accept themselves since they both have physical mutations.
Erik and Charles are unified at first in bringing mutant kind together. They do so under the ever watchful eye of the United States government who recruit them to assemble a team of mutants to stop a man named Sebastian Shaw from starting a nuclear war between Russia and The United States. The dilemma, is that Shaw has his own mutants helping him. Hence the need for the “first class” of X-Men.
One thing the film does really well is illustrate the humanity of the mutants. These are unlike the traditional superheroes like Superman, Thor, Spiderman or The Incredible Hulk who are either from another world or develop superhuman powers after a freak accident. The “superheroes” in the X-Men universe are normal humans whose DNA contain a specific gene that causes a mutation in their body giving them extraordinary abilities. Because of this they deal with a whole different type of prejudice and the film hits the mark in how each character copes with their abilities.
The action is riveting and the visual effects are stunning. It is refreshing to see that Marvel refrained from converting the movie to 3D which would have been a distraction.
X-Men:First Class may be a comic book based film, but it is mainly a film that tackles the issue of the very human need for acceptance by peers, society and especially oneself and that desire for unity, because that is what the story of the X-Men has always been about. The pursuit of unity.
Go see it so that you can experience a great film whether you’re a fan of X-Men or not.
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