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.