Battle:Los Angeles The Few. The Proud
Battle:LA is a war movie. The main difference between it and other war movies is the enemy is not human, but from another planet and they have come to exterminate the human race.
Some might try to compare the film to other alien invasion movies, like War of The Worlds or Independence Day. Let them. They are missing the point.
What those individuals aren’t seeing is that Battle:LA salutes the armed forces of the United States of America. Most particularly the Marines.
Aaron Eckhart is SSGT (Staff Sergeant) Nantz who is preparing for retirement. When the enemy strikes he is called to battle one last time. Though soldiers in his new squad question his ability to lead because of an incident in Iraq where two men under his command were killed, he does his duty and does it well. Proving that he is a capable leader.
The mission is to locate civilians and bring them to safety before a scheduled bomb drop on the city. The Marines are met with ever increasing odds even after they are joined by an Air Force Tech Sergeant (Michelle Rodriguez). Still, the soldiers continue on. Determined to defeat the advancing alien threat.
In the end the film has one clear message: if ever the world were invaded by hostile aliens our military will fight to the death to protect their families, country and way of life because they are the few and the proud and they do it for us everyday.
Rango
Rango is a one of a kind film. In fact it is such a special addition to modern cinema, that assuming it is just another computer animated movie is a fallacy. The reason is because Rango isn’t the kind of animated production that is tailored to make us laugh-though there are quite a few moments that are funny. It is simply a vehicle for telling a story. This particular story happens to be about a lizard who becomes the legendary Rango.
When first we meet Rango, there is no evidence of anything but a lonely lizard who has nothing to keep him company except his frequent day dreams.
This all changes when his terrarium is flung from the back of a car and smashes to bits. Now a free lizard, Rango is told by an old armadillo that he must find the city of Dirt before he can find his destiny. Rango
arrives in Dirt after he hitches a ride with one of the locals. Rango discovers a town that is so behind that it is still in the Old West. Within the first few hours of his arrival, Rango establishes himself as a hero who killed seven outlaws with only one bullet. The tall tale earns him the admiration of the townsfolk and after he manages to dispose of a hawk that preyed on the inhabitants of Dirt he is made Sheriff.
The newly appointed law enforcement officer soon realizes that Dirt isn’t just in a drought, but doesn’t have any water at all. Determined to be the hero that he has convinced everyone he is Rango sets out to solve the water problem. Along the way he learns what a true hero is and the sacrifices he must make to be that man…or lizard.
There are a number of reasons to see Rango. One may be to hear the superb voice acting of Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Bill Nighy and Timothy Olyphant to name a few. Another is two view the incredibly photo realistic CGI. Whatever your reasons, Rango is the film to see because it tells the tale of how an otherwise self absorbed individual can become the selfless hero willing to protect the weak and innocent at any cost.
I Am Number Four:A Refugees Tale
If any of us were
a young girl or boy far from a home we barely remember, had powers beyond our imagination and a mysterious, yet noble destiny to fulfill while being hunted by a ruthless evil intent on destroying us, what would we do? Would we stand and fight, or run away as we have for the last eighteen years?
That is the question that lies within the story of Dreamworks new film, I Am Number Four. A film in which the hero, John- played by Alex Pettyfer– is the fourth of nine children being tracked down and killed by a brutal enemy because of the powers they possess and he is the next target. For most of John’s childhood he and his protector, Henri (Timothy Olyphant) must move from one state to another to avoid being found.
When they arrive in Paradise, Ohio,John discovers the powers that were passed to him from his parents while at the same time adjusting to a new school. This makes fitting in a little difficult for John. Nevertheless, he manages to spark the interest of a local girl named Sarah (Dianna Agron) who has a passion for photography.
As the foe that hunts him draws near, John is faced with a decision. Stay and fight? Or run, and live an
other day?
I Am Number Four is more than just another science fiction film with great special effects and exhilarating action. It is a movie which tells the tale of a young man ripped from the home to which he belonged and must rise to meet his destiny head on without fear in order to protect his new home. Proving that home is not where the heart is, but where we make it or, just where all the best people are.
Megamind is Mega Fun!
Getting straight to the point. Megamind is full of fun, laughs and even romance. There is also plenty of action. The film featurs the voices of Will Ferrell (Megamind), Brad Pitt (Metro Man) Tina Fey (Roxanne Ritchi), David Cross (Minion), and Jonah Hill (Hal/Tighten). While it appears to be merely a vehicle of entertainment, the motion picture gives the audience plenty of reason to be entertained with its outstanding visuals, animation and spectacular action sequences. However, the story on the screen has more than what is at its surface. Which is nearly always the case with a Dreamworks animated release.
Amidst the jokes and action is the story of a person trying to find their place or purpose in the world. In the beginning of the film, Megamind believes he has discovered that purpose as he and Metro Man consistently fight each other. Megamind is on the side of evil and Metro Man is on the side of good. All is right with the world as far as Megamind is concerned and nothing ever could; or should change.
To Megamind’s eventual dismay, things do change and he once again struggles to find his place or purpose in this world as he did while in his childhood. Being the genius that he is, Megamind comes up with a plan which unfortunately turns sour rather quickly and our misguided and somewhat reluctant hero, must decide whether to remain on the dark side so to speak, or step out into the light and be something greater than he ever dreamed of being.
In the end, Megamind is a wonderfully crafted film that entertains in a mega-fantastic way and presents us with a story of how a person can rise up out of the darkness and become a better version of themselves when faced with insurmountable odds. Go see this movie. Even if it’s to have something to do or simply to laugh. You will not be disappointed.
CinemaPeek 