Prometheus

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% (Certified Fresh)
Overall Grade: B+

One of the biggest movies of the summer season and possibly the coolest trailer I have seen in recent memory, “Prometheus” delivers as one of the best films so far this season. I do warn anyone who goes and sees this movie, it is not one where the viewer can simply turn his or her brain off and enjoy the pretty colors. See a Michael Bay film if for that purpose. I feel “Prometheus” is a piece of art that may have to be viewed at a distance to appreciate the true beauty. The film is based inside the “Alien” universe and marks the return of legendary director Ridley Scott to the franchise. A group of archeologists discover evidence of extraterrestrial visitations in antiquity and use the information left behind to go and find them. It is all in an effort to discover the origins of mankind. However, once they reach their destinations things go from bad to worse rather quickly.

The film stars Noomi Rapace as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw. It also stars Michael Fassbender as an android named David. Let me start out by saying Fassbender absolutely killed his role. From his disconnect to humanity, to his stiff robotic motions, Fassbender makes a believer out of anyone that he is not human. The trailers don’t do him justice though, as he plays a much bigger role than I thought. The rest of the supporting cast, minus Charlize Theron and maybe Idris Elba is forgettable.

One thing I loved about this movie is the look. All the other “Alien” films are gritty, dully colored, and grungy. This movie is slick, colorful and unique to the franchise. Something Scott was going for. Another way this movie differs from the others is its writing. The movie is a stand alone prequel, but thanks to the work of Damon Lindelof this movie pays enough homage to the “Alien” universe for even the most diehard fan.

The only problem I had was that I left the theater with more questions than answers. At first this left me frustrated, but after chewing on what I witnessed for a while I began to develop my own ideas and plot turns. Realizing that might be more fun than actually knowing what happens made this movie an overall fun experience. Go see it, don’t be afraid to pay full price.

Immortals

Starring: Henry Cavill, Mickey Rourke, Stephen Dorff, Freida Pinto
Directed by: Tarsem Singh
Rotten Tomatoes: 36%
Overall Grade: D


I did not expect much from this movie going in and I’m glad because that was basically what I got. “Immortals” has a thin plot, mediocre acting and is overly stylistic.

I am a Greek Mythology nerd and know most of the popular stories, poems, and characters that make up the ethos. That is why I generally don’t care for Greek Mythology movies, because Hollywood enjoys getting things wrong. Names of characters, relationship and so on. However, in this movie that did not come up as much because to be honest, the gods of Olympus did not play that big of role.

The movie is loosely based on the epic poem of Theseus and the Minotaur. When I say loosely I mean it. Theseus is a peasant who is driven from his homeland when the evil King Hyperion, played by Mickey Rourke, invades while on a quest to find the Epirus Bow. With that bow he will unleash the Titans and take over Greece.

One thing I did like about this movie was the action sequences, especially in the beginning. Using cool side angles and nice choreography, it creates a unique shot by shot tale of the battle. Other than that the film is lacking.

The films leading lady is Freida Pinto who plays an oracle with the gift to see into the future. Despite the fact that she knows Thesus for less than 48 hours, she feels the super passion and desire to bang him. This is the forced sexual tension that I hate. It is not real and there is no need for it in the film.

Another place where the movie misses is the gods themselves. Though they play a small role they are there and whoever designed their costumes was clearly high on something. Lord Zeus threatens the gods that if they interfere with mankind’s struggles they will be punished. However, in my opinion he has been interfering for years disguised as an old man!

Rourke’s performance as Hyperion is also very forgettable. Monotone and showing little emotion does not seem to do a mad king justice. Redbox or Netflix this movie for sure. Do not pay full price to see it.

Men in Black III

Men in Black III

Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin
Directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld
Rotten Tomatoes: 69%
Overall Grade: C+

Men in Black III is the third installment based on the cult comic book and I kinda hope it is the last one. Though it delivers on some action and cool fictional technology, the pace of the movie is much slower than the first two and time travel always causes a number of plot holes.

The film stars Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones and Josh Brolin. Smith and Jones reprise their roles as agent J and agent K while Brolin steps in as the Young Agent K when (SPOILER ALERT IF YOU HAVENT SEEN THE TRAILERS) J is forced to travel back in time.

The film starts with Boris “The Animal” breaking out of a prison cell on the moon. He then travels back in time in an effort to kill agent K before he can arrest him and stop an alien invasion of earth.

I personally thought Jones’ age was showing in this film. He is his aggressive, dry, usual self, but there is a major sense of lacking. It was almost like he didn’t want to be there. If you like Will Smith then this movie is for you. It is full of him and he basically carries the movie until Brolin comes into play. He does an outstanding job in a very difficult role. Not only does he have to try and play a young Agent K, but in doing so he has to play a young Tommy Lee Jones.

As I said earlier the pace of this movie is much slower than its predecessors. That is due to the time travel and the constant explanation that the audience needs. Visually the movie is pleasing as they bring in a number of CGI aliens and vehicles. If I were you I would matinee this movie. And then hope they are done with this franchise.

Real Steel

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Rotten Tomatoes: 60%
Overall Grade: B

A movie that I finally got around to seeing “Real Steel” delivers as an entertaining movie. I don’t know what it was about this film, but I wanted to see it in theaters I just never got around to it.
The film stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a down on his luck former boxer, trying to scrape by while owing a number of people money. The interesting thing is that the supporting cast is not that well known. The main love interest is Bailey Tallet played by Evangeline Lilly. Besides a role in the upcoming Hobbit movies along with a stint on “Lost” and “The Hurt Locker” she has not done a whole lot else.

Jackman is reunited with his estranged son in this movie, played by Dakota Goyo. Another actor who does not have a lot of movies under his belt, but he actually does a very good job. The only thing I did not particularly care for in his character was his bloated sense of confidence. I can’t imagine a child his age pulling some of the stunts that he does in this movie.

The two together take a no name long shot fighting robot and turn him into a contender. The film takes place in the near future and you can tell technology has advanced, but nothing spectacular. I actually enjoyed the subtle uses of new technology as it help place the film. I also thought that the screen play did an excellent job tying together Jackman’s boxing past with a new future, through storytelling and reminiscing.

Believe it or not the soundtrack to this movie is very well done. Danny Elfman did most of the major scores, but it’s the songs by Eminem, 50 cent and Alexi Murdoch that really do the film justice. There were not many cool stylistic makes in this film. It is pretty straight forward director wise. But that is all it needs. I recommend checking this movie out; I believe it was worth paying to see.

- Adam St. Paul

The Hunger Games

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson
Directed by: Gary Ross
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Overall Grade: A

It has been too long since I last posted on this blog, but I just haven't got to a whole lot of movies. However, with the hype surrounding this movie "The Hunger Games" I not only had to see it, but I also had to read the book.

I recommend anyone interested in the movie read the book. Like most books turned into movies, the book provides not necessarily vital background information, but enough where your perspective on certain events may be better than others for having read the book.

The film is about the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. Formerly North America, the land is now split into 12 districts. Each year to remind the districts who's boss "The Capital", as it is only known, forces the districts to surrender children to fight to the death in The Hunger Games. That is where we meet Katniss Everdeen. The 16 year old heroine who, along with her District 12 sidekick Peeta Mellark, try to stay alive in a fight to the death.

The casting to this movie was superb. Each actor and actress could deliver real emotion when it called for it most, such as on the day of the "reaping" or later when subject matter becomes heavier. Though she's on the screen very little, Willow Shields who plays Primrose Everdeen gives a great performance of being scared and genuine love for her sister Katniss.

The use of close up shots and shaky camera work is a neat, stylish decision, but gets a little old fast and may be overused at least in the beginning. I also wish both the book and movie would have rounded more characters. You do not become vested in many characters because you know so little about them.

One thing I enjoyed about the film that the book did not have was giving a face to the Gamemakers. Mentioned very little in the book, the game maker is given a face and presence on screen that helps the viewer understand how the whole hunger game system works.

Also, me with my libertarian philosophies tend to relish in the idea that this is a great example of big government dominating the people. The capital has all the power and allows the districts to exist, rather than give them freedom. Clearly this film is not meant to be a jab at politics today, I just can't help reading into it.

The movie is jam packed with action, drama, and powerful human emotion. It is very much worth seeing and getting excited for the next two films in the series.

- Adam St. Paul

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Staring: James Franco, Andy Serkis
Directed by: Rupert Wyatt
Rotten Tomatoes grade: 82%
Overall Grade: C+


Another movie Hollywood simply doesn't need to make but they go ahead and do it anyway.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes goes where none of the previous six have gone and gives a glimpse into how exactly the backwards world Charlton Heston visited in the 1960 classic came to be.

Even though this one is a strong improvement on Tim Burton's 2001 attempt it still falls short in my eyes.  The film stars James Franco as Will Rodman who works for a major pharmaceutical company.  Because his father is plagued with Alzheimer's, Rodman's goal is to find a way to reverse the disease.  In doing so, he creates a virus which allows the brain to repair itself and tests it on chimps.  It comes to be that he takes in Cesar, a chimp played by Andy Serkis and becomes the leader of the apes.

First, I liked the motion capture job this film did.  Serkis mimicked a chimp's movements and facial expressions very well, simply proving that when it comes to motion capture acting, Serkis is in a whole new ballpark.  The action sequence at the end of the movie is cool as the apes begin to take over.  I will go no further as to not give the movie away.

However, the film fails more than it succeeds.  I felt it is somewhat slow moving and boring.  The main character, the ape Cesar, can't speak and has to use signs and grunts to communicate.  He does this a lot with  other apes, leading to silence in scenes and a lack of suspense.  Freida Pinto plays Caroline Aranha, Franko's vet love interest.  Her character is completely irrelevant and could have been eliminated.  I don't like when Hollywood forces a romance on screen because it looks false and takes me out of the moment.  Finally, the ending leaves things open for a sequel, but doesn't do a good enough job for me.  I feel they left way to many questions unanswered and you simply end up feeling a lack of accomplishment after sitting through it for two hours.

If you want to see this movie, I suggest seeing it at a matinee rather than paying full price for it.

- Adam St. Paul