Hugo (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | November 22, 2011 | 2 Comments
4 stars out of 5 stars
A boy named Hugo Cabret maintains clocks in a train station in Paris. His father is dead and he is all alone. But when he meets a young girl named Isabelle and her godparents, George Méliès and Mama Jeanne, his life is changed forever. Hugo is trying to fix an automaton that his father found in a museum where he worked. Mysteries, prisons, filmmakers, and friends await Hugo.
Hugo is an experience. The acting is superb, the cinematography splendid, the sets lavish and the music graceful. Ben Kingsley’s performance is Oscar worthy. Asa Butterfield and Chloë Grace Moretz’s performances are also great. The only actor in the film that I didn’t like was Sacha Baron Cohen as the station inspector. None of the jokes in the film worked and almost all of them revolved around him. The character of the station inspector is supposed to be a threat to Hugo therefore making him a menacing character so to have him being involved in the most jokes doesn’t help. Other then Kingsley the best part about this film is the combination of the cinematography and the 3-D which is enchanting, especially when the camera zooms through the train station or when you see Hugo in the clocks.
I have read the original book The Invention of Hugo Cabret and I think the film is not as dark as the book, which is suprising, because the film is directed by Martin Scorsesse who is known for such critically acclaimed films as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull. Yes, I know that Scorsesse wants kids to see this film, but would it hurt to make the film as dark as the book? Despite my opinion there is one scene where Hugo comes out of a dream only to find himself in yet another dream where he finds himself turning into a machine that is even more disturbing than the first.
This is probably one of my top five favorite films of the year. This is my first Scorsese film (I don’t think I’ll be seeing another one anytime soon). I found it interesting that Scorsese chose to show clips from old and silent films. I hope the masses of people that see this film will be intrigued to these silent films. This is not a perfect film, but it’s pretty close.
My favorite character is Hugo because I think it is interesting that at the beginning of the film he is a thief and is all alone but at the end of the film, he has made several friends and has learned many lessons.
My favorite scene is when George Méliès tells the story of his life because it demonstrates the power of Kingsley’s performance and also taught me more about Méliès’ films.
Hugo is rated PG and I agree.
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Produced by: Johnny Depp, Tim Headington and Graham King
Written by: John Logan
Cast:
Ben Kingsley: Georges Méliès
Sacha Baron Cohen: Station inspector
Asa Butterfield: Hugo Cabret
Chloë Grace Moretz: Isabelle
Ray Winstone: Uncle Claude
Emily Mortimer: Lisette
Christopher Lee: Monsieur Labisse
Helen McCrory: Mama Jeanne
Hugo (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | November 21, 2011 | 1 Comment
Hugo – 5.0 Stars
Hugo is a movie about movies. It tells the story of a boy named Hugo Cabret and his friendship with a girl named Isabelle. They discover a mystery involving clocks, forgotten pasts, and films themselves, all in the setting of a train station. Together they find out the history of Isabelle’s godfather and go on an adventure unlike any other.
This is an example of the excellent visual style and 3-D greatness.
Martin Scorsese’s latest picture is the first of his films I’ve seen. The use of 3D is excellent and brings you deeply into the world of Paris in the 1930′s. It starts out slow, yet smartly used the 3D strongly at the beginning because it wears off later on, as in all films. It’s not that it’s boring at the beginning, it’s just not exciting. However, movies don’t need to be and so that’s why Hugo is not like most kid’s movies. It almost has the charm of a silent film. Although some of the scenes with Sacha Baron Cohen (as the station inspector) are unnecessarily silly, they do add to the films tribute to movies because they remind you of Charlie Chaplin. Asa Butterfield, as Hugo, gives a star making turn and does an excellent job, because he makes you want to tell Isabelle’s godfather about the automaton and he makes you sad when his father dies (it happens at the beginning so don’t tell me I spoiled the movie). Chloë Grace Moretz, as Isabelle, is also great as portraying the character as a friendly nice person you’d like to meet. The movie is also a great tribute to movies. The montage of old film classics is terrific, and the movie teaches you a great deal about special effects from a long time ago. Although you might think that a 3D kid’s movie wouldn’t be very emotional, the last scene made me cry. Ben Kingsley also is impressive because of the way he portrays his character as a man who on the outside seems like a grouchy old man, but on the inside is really a thoughtful loving person, making him the heart of the film. Because I have read the book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick there were a few parts that I missed such as the character, Etienne. However it is impossible to recreate the beauty of the book so changes must be made. It would be foolish if the filmmakers attempted to use the same drawings and pictures (in the film it would have been animation and live action) but the film attempts and definitely succeeds at having it’s own visual style. The movie is technically dazzling. The cuts and editing are terrific and I loved how the cinematography focused on one thing and then another (in one scenes the focus moves from Hugo’s face to a key). The 3D works well to serve the story, although it could have been a disastrous distraction. The film is a must see and I’m sure it will be Oscar nominated.
My favorite scene is at the end, when it was sad and made me cry, but I don’t want to give it away.
My favorite character is Hugo, because Asa Butterfield does a very good job at playing him and is very convincing and relateable.
Three Notes:
1. This film is produced by Johnny Depp, which surprised me, even though he can do whatever he wants because he’s a mega-billion, trillion movie star.
2. The reason I’m posting it now is because we saw it at a preview screening for critics. We got reserved seats in the middle of the theater at Providence Place Mall and I was very happy.
3. The author of the book on which the film is based on has a brief cameo in the film as an eager student.
This film should be seen on the big screen because not only is it about movies, but it has an epic scale that is at the same time very human. I suggest that it should be seen in 3D, although other members of my family do not. This film is one of the best of the year.
Frankenstein (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | November 15, 2011 | 2 Comments
5 Stars
A young scientist, Henry Frankenstein, tries to bring a dead man back to life by putting a brain into his head. By mistake Frankenstein’s servant gets an abnormal brain. Frankenstein’s creation is a large monster who doesn’t understand the difference between right and wrong. After murdering several people, the monster is wanted by the townspeople. Frankenstein realizes he has created something he cannot control.
James Whale has created a masterpiece. But it is almost unfair to describe the film’s excellence by mentioning only one man. Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, and Mae Clark lead a cast full of expressive actors. I cannot compare Frankenstein to other horror films, because I haven’t seen them. The film is not focused on blood and guts flying everywhere, instead Frankenstein contains a lively tale about love lost, treachery, villainy, misunderstanding, and dead people. You will not forget this film.
My favorite character is Henry Frankenstein, because the way the character has a light and a dar side, I found very interesting.
My favorite scene is when you first see the monster, because the pacing is so well done, that the scene becomes suspenseful and terrifying.
Frankenstein is rated PG and I agree.
Director: James Whale
Produced: Carl Laemmle Jr.
Written by: Garrett Fort and Francis Edward Faragoh
Cast:
Colin Clive: Henry Frankenstein
Mae Clarke: Elizabeth
John Boles: Victor Moritz
Boris Karloff: The Monster
Edward Van Sloan: Dr. Waldman
Frederick Kerr: Baron Frankenstein
Dwight Frye: Fritz
Lionel Belmor: The Burgomaster
Marilyn Harris: Little Maria
Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Dracula (Flack’s Triple Movie Halloween Special Review)
Posted on | November 2, 2011 | 5 Comments
This is a tiny bit late for Halloween, but hope you enjoy my takes on these classic Universal horror movies from the 1930's. Frankenstein in based on a book by Mary Shelley, portrayed by Elsa Lanchester, the actress who also plays the Bride. Dracula is based on a book by Bram Stoker. We can't wait to see the other horror films from that time, including: Wolf Man, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and The Invisible Man.
Frankenstein is a movie about a man named Henry Frankenstein. One day Henry creates a monster and lots of things go wrong. The monster is nice but misunderstood (which means he kills people, because others haven't taught him any better). But will Frankenstein be stopped and taught any better and will he ever stop killing people?
Bride of Frankenstein continues the tale, as a man named Dr. Pretorius lures Henry into trying to create a bride for the monster. Meanwhile, the monster gets smarter, but will others treat him nicely, will he love his bride, and will she love him?
Dracula tells the story of a vampire named Count Dracula, a lady name Mina, and the people who try to stop the Count, including Van Helsing and Jonathan Harker. When Mina is tortured by Dracula and possibly turned into a vampire, it's up to Jonathan, Van Helsing, and Mina's Dad to stop the Count.
All of these films are well done, not half baked, and Universal Studios can certainly make a good horror movie. The question is which one is the best. And now I shall tell you. Boris Karloff is terrific as Frankenstein in both the original and the sequel and Bela Lugosi is haunting as Dracula. Frankenstein is very fascinating, yet like all three of these films could do with just a tad bit more depth. The actresses do a pretty good job especially Helen Chandler as Mina (however none of them can scream as well as Fay Wray in King Kong (1933). Una O'Connor from The Adventures of Robin Hood is very funny as Minny. The look of Bride of Frankenstein is absolutely stunning, it's as if the lab from a scientific documentary was crossed with a sci-fi movie's sets. Frankenstein's gothic style is well done. Dracula is much slower than the other two films and could use some better pacing and flair but the second half of the movie is simply entertaining (as well as a bit simple.) The special effects in Bride of Frankenstein are spectacular spectacle at it's best, especially the explosion in the grand finale. All the movies have their iconic moments. The scene when the Count says "My name is Draaaaaaaacuuula". The Bride of Frankenstein being revealed. And best of all, Henry Frankenstein screaming "It's alive!!! ITTTTT'SSSSS ALLLLIVVVVEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" All of these films are classic, but there could have been an added fifty minutes so instead of seventy minutes, they would be 120, adding a bit more depth to the story. However one of the greatest charms of the films is that they are enjoyably entertaining. If they were any longer the fun creepiness might drown out.. These films are all about equal, except for Dracula, which has slower pacing and plot. But the best is Bride of Frankenstein, even though the original is very entertaining. These movies are good to watch anytime, but especially during Halloween.
My favorite scenes in Frankenstein are the climax and the "It's Alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" line because they're scary, classic, and action packed. My favorite characters are the Monster, because he's iconic and his makeup is cool. I also like Colin Clive as Henry Frankenstein because he portrays the character of a truly, mad, mad scientist. Both of these characters have become classics.
My favorite scene in The Bride of Frankenstein is the climactic final sequence. I love it because it's stylish and the set designs are amazingly awesome. My favorite character is the Monster, because Karloff is even better than in the first one, mainly because he talks and does a good job in the scene with the blind man.
My favorite scene in Dracula is finding out the secret about Mina. It's mysteriously thrilling. My favorite character is Dracula, because Bela Lugosi is very good at being quietly scary and using mounting tension to do so.
These movies are not rated, but I think they should be PG, for intense sequences of action, very brief torture, smoking, and some scary scenes and screams.
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