Thoughts on Pacific Rim
When I was a very young boy, my father was a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. At that time we were stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Because there was only one channel of American television-neither cable, satellite TV or the internet existed then-my brother and I would often switch to the Japanese programming. It didn’t really matter to us that we couldn’t understand the language, we really only watched for the action and thrill. We watched Ultraman battle giant monsters and other shows involving giant robots battling giant monsters.
While watching Pacific Rim, I was instantly transported back to those days and also remembered Godzilla reruns I had and have seen over the years: The colossal creature from the sea smashing through buildings like they were nothing more than paper mache, droves of people running for their lives. Then, a savior appears. Also massive in appearance; taller than the highest skyscraper. The two become locked in battle. Mountains are leveled, entire city blocks reduced to rubble. Who will be the victor? Thankfully the mechanical golem of steel and the very best in human ingenuity, combined with the bravery and skill of it’s human pilots arise victorious from the epic battle and live to fight another day.
That is the idea behind a film like Pacific Rim and Director Guillermo Del Toro does a fantastic job. The only draw back for me was that a majority of the battles take place in the ocean. I really would have loved to see one of the Kaiju get thrown through a hillside, pulverizing it into level ground, but that’s just the fan boy in me.
Pacific Rim is entertaining at the very least and I believe it opens the door-widely-for some Anime franchises such as Gundam, Robotech and Neon Genesis Evangelion to get the live action treatment. If you’re in the mood for a film where enormously gigantic monsters threaten the existence of the human race and all that stands between them and our extinction are a small band of pilots in mechas that make make the robot in Real Steel look like a toy; then Pacific Rim is precisely the movie for you
Star Trek: Into Darkness Review
Star Trek: Into Darkness reunites us with J.J. Abrams‘ incarnation of the famous Starship Enterprise crew about a year after the events of Abrams’ first venture with the franchise. It also puts Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg; Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin and John Cho back in their respective roles as cinemas most famous starship crew.
The action begins on an Alien world with red plants instead of green. Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy are fleeing from the indigenous species of the planet. While the Captain and the Doctor run for their lives, we are shown that the crew of the Enterprise work so well together, they can accomplish what appears to be impossible while at the same time, come dangerously close to failing. In order to succeed and save a single life, Kirk makes a decision that puts the Enterprise and the entire crew at risk. It is this decision that results in some dire consequences for Kirk and sets the mood of the film.
As the story progresses, we are introduced to John Harrison, who aids a family on the brink of losing their daughter to disease, in exchange for the destruction of a top-secret Star Fleet installation. Star Fleet brands him a terrorist and conduct a meeting with the senior officers of the Enterprise, Bradbury and other starships present. During the supposed classified meeting, the group is attacked and suffer a devastating loss.
In retaliation for the loss of a peer, Kirk asks Admiral Marcus to send the Enterprise to apprehend the fugitive. Marcus agrees and sends the Enterprise with a payload of newly developed and highly powered photon torpedoes that have an unknown power source. They must ask the questions: Is Marcus hiding something? Why was the development of such weapons so secret? What purpose do they serve?
While in pursuit of John Harrison, they learn that there is much more going on than what appears on the surface and that the criminal could turn out to be much more dangerous than originally believed. Once again pitted against insurmountable odds, Kirk and crew are tested in matters of morality, sacrifice and loss. Captain Kirk himself finds that he must choose between the needs of the many and the needs of the few.
All in all, J.J. Abrams does it again with masterful skill and tells a story that is thrilling and emotionally powerful. There are moments where Star Trek history is literally flipped over in a most surprising, yet brilliant way. Most definitely worth the watch.
Oblivion: A Sci Fi Mystery
Jack Harper is a technician living sixty four years in the future. Earth is now a wasteland following a war in which an alien invader destroyed the moon causing earthquakes and tidal waves. Surviving humans have evacuated Earth for Titan, one of Saturn’s moons. Jack and his partner Victoria, are responsible for maintaining and repairing drones used to protect giant hydro collectors taking Earth’s water for use on Titan.
Everything has gone smoothly for the team with only two weeks left before they are able to join the rest of the humans living in an enormous space station orbiting the planet awaiting departure to Titan. Their daily routine is interrupted when a spacecraft crashes down not far from their station. Jack investigates and discovers a female survivor. The woman’s arrival and the impossible fact that she knows Jack’s name set in motion events that changes his view of Earth’s fate and reveals a past he had forgotten.
Oblivion stars Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman, Andrea Riseborough and Olga Kurylenko. The film provides some breath taking visuals and the story is very intriguing, though it could use a little more tension. However, this is not a thriller or an “all guns blazing” action-the action bits are done very well-Oblivion is in fact, an adventure about how the past can be of such great value, that without it we cannot hope to have a better and brighter future.
Jack the Giant Slayer: Simple Fairytale or Legend?
There are countless adults and children who know the story of Jack and the Beanstalk and others who know the story of Jack the Giant Killer, but are any of us positive that the two stories are just two different perceptions of a much larger event? The new film Jack the Giant Slayer seeks to answer that exact question.
By blending the English tale Jack and the Beanstalk and the Cornish tale Jack the Giant Killer with Hollywood storytelling, the result is a fantastic legend of heroism and bravery centered on a farm boy who is anything but simple. Yet it is the simplicity of the film that makes it so enjoyable. 
Here we have a story about a boy sent to do an errand for his Uncle and disappoints him only to rise–literally–to new heights and stature by facing the very Giants that had faded into legend in order to rescue the Princess.
The most endearing thing about the story of Jack the Giant Slayer is that Jack faces insurmountable odds, his own fears and rises above his status to save and protect a girl. The implications of that are tremendous. If we could all be so brave and selfless, everyone of us could be heroes to someone let alone an entire kingdom, or even a multitude of future generations. For that very reason Jack the Giant Slayer is far more than a simple fairytale. It is, in fact, legend.
The film stars Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Ian McShane and Stanley Tucci. It is rated PG-13 fantasy action violence, some scary scenes and brief language.
“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.
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides Indeed
This weekend, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides reunites us with the best Pirate there ever was: Captain Jack Sparrow and we find him as he was when we were first introduced to him in Curse of the Black Pearl. Without a ship.
As a matter of fact, we find the Captain in London going about the business of rescuing a trusted colleague and friend…himself. He also learns of a rumor that he is in London to procure a ship and a crew. Interestingly enough, it is these two events that set the film in motion, because once Jack investigates the origin of the rumor, he finds himself–yes his real self–face to face with an ex lover and eventually ends up getting shanghaied on to another pirates ship by that same ex beau. Confused? Let us make things more clear.
At the beginning of the film we are shown that the Spaniards have found the location of Ponce De Leon’s long-lost ship. Such a discovery is significant because Ponce De Leon famously claimed to have found the illusive fountain of youth. King George (Richard Griffiths) discovers Spain’s efforts to locate the fountain and attempts to lure Captain Jack Sparrow into the employ of the crown by allying him with a privateer. Naturally, Jack refuses and escapes royal custody in his own unique fashion. To quote a previous POTC movie: “Does he plan it all out, make it up as he goes along?”
Jack then arrives at a pub where he learns that someone is actually impersonating him and looking for a crew. He confronts the imposter and makes a pretty shocking discovery. An old flame of his is in town. Angelica (Penelope Cruz).
He is reunited with her only to become victim to the woman’s deviousness. She is a pirate after all. What’s worse is that poor Jack finds himself as part of the crew on another pirates ship. The one pirate all pirates fear. Edward Teach aka Blackbeard(Ian McShane). A pirate who is historically listed as the most notorious pirate of the Spanish Main during that time period.
While on Blackbeard’s ship Jack learns that the Captain of Queen Anne’s Revenge is also after the fountain of youth, though for much darker reasons than Sparrow himself. 
Thus, we the audience are taken on yet another wild, exciting, and strange Pirates of the Caribbean adventure. Johnny Depp is spectacular as always in his role as Captain Jack Sparrow. Kevin McNally returns as Gibbs as does Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa.
It may already have been said, but Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides has to be the best Pirates film ever. It helps that the story is not too complex and there is more focus on Jack Sparrow; a benefit of the central plot not being the romance between a young blacksmith and the Governor’s daughter. There is a small amount of romance, but it serves as a contrast to Blackbeard’s evil. Another noticeable difference is a decidedly small amount CGI which really allows for the more human elements to play out.
In short. Go see Pirates of the Caribbean:On Stranger Tides. It is most certainly worth it. Oh and it has mermaids in it.
Thor Hammers The Competition
As of yesterday, May 9, Thor is the number one movie in the box office after being in theaters for only four days. Not surprising for a superhero movie, but still, very good for an untested franchise.
Granted, Thor has the benefit of having been a comic book hero for the last four decades and the character has been seen on TV. Thor appears in The Incredible Hulk Returns (1988) and in numerous Marvel cartoons, such as Hulk Vs. Thor. Thus, the character has a relatively large fan base which has been waiting for a Thor movie for a long while.
The wait is over. Thor can be seen across the country in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D. The latter is well worth the money if you can afford it.
Director Kenneth Branagh–yes, that Kenneth Branagh–gives us an origin story that tells us how Thor comes to be on Earth and through trial and tribulation becomes the hero–and God–that fans are familiar with. While on Earth, he meets Jane, who becomes his love interest and stands up to a powerful threat in order to protect her and his friends. The resulting consequence is spectacular at the very least and pays homage to another kind of hero that most 
Christians are familiar with. Though, one may want to see the movie in order to understand what is meant by thatparticular sentence. Apologies for the vagueness.
The acting in Thor is superb. Little wonder, as two of the actors are Academy Award winners Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman, who brought their characters to life the way they would have in any other film each has ever worked on. Chris Hemsworth is certainly no slouch either, portraying Thor in a way that looked so natural and realistic. It was as if the character seen in comics had come to life.
The final thing that makes Thor such a great movie, is the design of the sets. Magnificent! That’s really the best word for them. Magnificent in every way. They are truly a sight to behold. Azgard; the home of Thor, Odin and Loke is wonderous certainly as majestic as one would picture the home of the Gods. These sets spark the imagination and look as if they lept out of the comics and onto the screen. Marvelous.
If you are looking for a great movie to see with just the right amount of humor, action, romance, intrigue and fantasy fun, then Thor is abso-positively the film you should see.
Hanna: Adapt or Die
Let’s make this brief. Hanna warrants the attention of ardent cinephiles and average movie goers alike. Not because the film is intelligently made or because it has some intense action sequences, but because the film tells the story of a young girl trying to find herself amidst the turmoil of her life so eloquently, that the experience washes over you as does the intricacies of a work of art.
Hanna is exactly that. A work of art. In a brilliant re imagining of the classic fairytale, director Joe Wright brings us an spy-action odyssey as ScreenRant calls it in their review.
We follow Hanna on her journey from isolation to civilization and join her as she discovers friendship, is crushed by betrayal and ultimately uses all of her resources and training to fight the wolves who would keep her from being a part of the world which she has only recently become a part of. A world that had only existed in Hanna’s imagination and is now a reality she never wants to depart from. To survive, Hanna must do what her father taught. Adapt or die.
Eric Bana stars as Hanna’s father, Erik Heller. Cate Blanchett is Marissa, a federal agent bent on destroying Hanna and Erik. Saoirse Ronan embodies Hanna so completely, that Hanna becomes more than just a figure on the screen, but a real person. That is the true accomplishment of this film and all who made it. The story and characters are so real that it changes from just a tale to an experience.
Sucker Punch: Pure Escapism
Sucker Punch is every sci-fi, fantasy, action, and anime fans dream movie. There is not a film out today that has four women dressed like they came out of an anime movie from Japan fighting Nazi zombies, robots, a dragon, and three giant samurai warriors. This shot from the original trailer where Baby Doll aggressively attacks one of those giant samurai is an excellent example of the kind of imagery seen throughout the film.
The fact that Baby Doll is flying through the air in an offensive against her enormous foe with naught but a katana and a 9mm, dressed in a Japanese schoolgirl outfit, is an incredible vision in itself. Does Sucker Punch offer more than intense action sequences, eye popping visual effects and a mind-bending storyline?
There is a definite understanding from those who have and have not seen the film that Emily Browning’s character, Baby Doll is admitted to a mental institution and intends to escape. It is also evident that she turns to her imagined world to circumvent the reality she is living. To that end there are three layers to the story. Baby Doll’s reality, her perception of that reality and the fantasy world she has created.
To Baby Doll, the mental institution is a gentleman’s club where she and Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Amber (Jamie Chung), and Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) are the entertainment who not only dance for the patrons of the establishment, but also perform other “favors” for the gentlemen who visit. This is unacceptable and Baby Doll enlists the others to help plan for their escape. In order for the escape to succeed they must retrieve five elements: A map, a lighter, a knife and key with the fifth item being a mystery.
The women treat each goal as a mission with Baby Doll serving as decoy because she is the most alluring and seductive dancer of the group. Whenever Baby Doll is required to dance, she escapes into her fantasy world and envisions how the missions are carried out. Each mission finds them in a different world environment. In the first, they are in World War I. The second puts them in a medieval world. The third mission has the women on another planet. In each of the environments the map, lighter, and knife are uniquely represented.
Sucker Punch is certainly a one-of-a-kind movie and is a most ambitious undertaking by director Zack Snyder. However, the real underlying story might not be starkly evident to the unseasoned moviegoer.
What some might miss, among the layers of reality and fantasy, is that Sucker Punch is a story of a young woman crushed by the tragic events in her life, yet finds the strength to fight the darkness within her.
Sucker Punch could use a few more ties to the reality that Baby Doll is experiencing, if only in support of the notion that her fantasy world is where she finds the courage to cope with the events that have occurred in her life.
Nevertheless, Sucker Punch is a movie that should not be missed. While it may seem like a crazy graphic novel come to life–in true Zack Snyder fashion—at the films core, there is a deeper human story.
CinemaPeek 