The Adventures of Tintin (Flack’s Review)

Posted on | December 30, 2011 | Add Comments

4 stars
The Adventures of Tintin tells the story of a boy reporter named Tintin. He goes on a journey with the drunken Captain Haddock and together they must find a lost ship called the Unicorn. Out to stop them is Sakharine and a gang of criminals. They travel around the globe and go from a massive cargo ship to a burning airplane. But will they unlock the secret of the Unicorn?

Steven Spielberg directs this Indiana Jones-ish animated family film. Compared to War Horse this is nothing. Compared to Alvin and the Chipmunks this is Oscar-worthy. The movie does not have much of a story and one scene involving a pirate battle flashback goes on forever. Even though the scene is essential to the plot it could have been cut shorter. However with the brilliant motion capture animation and some of the funniest scenes of the year, this is a movie you won’t want to miss. The action scenes are dizzingly exciting and the CG is very realistic. Jamie Bell as Tintin isn’t nearly as iconic as Harrison Ford, but he does an O.K. job. Andy Serkis, the master of mo-cap (motion-capture) is memorable as Captain Haddock. Other action movie actors lending their voices to characters include Daniel Craig and Toby Jones.

The animation is some of the best I’ve ever seen and the pace is so relentless that you won’t care that you don’t ever get emotionally attached to any of the characters. The battle scenes are awesome and the mo-cap is miles better than the 2009 Disney A Christmas Carol‘s video game-ish style.

My favorite character is Tintin because he is the classic adventure hero. It’s also cool when he swings into your face in 3-D.

My favorite scene is when Tintin and Captain Haddock battle the bad guys on the boat because it’s one of the most exciting battle scenes of the year. It’s also just very fun to watch in 3-D.

The Adventures of Tintin is exciting and it has great CG mo-cap Animation. It’s a must see in 3-D and there’s a great John Williams score. Sure, it’s nowhere as good as E.T.but it’s still loads of fun. The story’s not great or emotional, but if you think about it Raiders of the Lost Ark’s story wasn’t amazing either. However this movie copies Indiana Jones a little and none of the actors are as iconic as Harrison Ford which means it’s not as great as Indy 1. But if you want an animated movie then this a good one. However early hopes of being nominated for the Best Picture Oscar will soon be diminished. I do think that Spielberg has crafted a movie good enough to definetly win the Best Animated Movie Oscar. Thrilling, hilarious, gorgeous, and with a great opening credits sequence, this a movie that’s fun for the whole family. All those people begging for a Indy sequel that’s as good as the first can watch this movie and have a great time even if this time Spielberg makes the action that’s not gory a bit more important than the story.

Category: 3-D, action, adventure, animation, books to film, comedy, great movie, new releases, posts by flack, reviews

War Horse (Flack’s Review)

Posted on | December 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

War Horse (Flack’s Review)
5 Stars

War Horse is about Albert and his beloved horse named Joey. Joey is taken off to World War 1 but sadly,Albert is too young to join. Many lives are touched as the miraculous horse goes through various yet kind owners. Eventually Albert is allowed too enlist but amidst the horrors of war the two wonder if they’ll ever see each other again.

The latest film from Steven Spielberg came out yesterday and it will be a classic that won’t be forgotten. I had high expectations. I’d read the great book by Micheal Morpurgo and I’d seen the Tony- winning Broadway play. However nothing can prepare you for the stunning ride Spielberg takes you on. Both visually dazzling and emotionally powerful, this movie is excellent. This is the first non fantasy or action movie directed by Steven Spielberg I’ve ever seen. And boy, is it just wonderful.

Although it will definitely be remembered as a modern classic it seems as though the movie could have been made in the 50′s. One of the final shots looks just like Lawrence of Arabia and the epic battle scenes seem nicely old fashioned. Jeremy Irvine in his big screen debut is only in about less than half the film yet still delivers an Oscar worthy turn. Everyone else is great especially Tom Hiddelston. He was rather mediocre as Loki, the villain in Thor but makes you really care for him when he plays Captain Nicholls here. The score by John Williams is his best since the Jurrassic Park theme, back in 1993,19 years ago. Januz Kaminski’s cinematography especially captures the war battle scenes nicely.

Many of the scenes are very memorable including a long battle scene involving gas bombs and No Man’s Land. I would however be lying if I didn’t say that the middle was a bit too long but I do disagree with most other critics who thought that the beginning was boring. The scenes in which Albert and Joey must work together to plow the field is exciting,suspenseful, and eventually very cheerful. In fact, the only part of the film that should be cut out is when Joey is pulling the tanks, a sequence that comes two quarters of the way through. Other than that however I couldn’t have wished for a more Spielbergianly emotional movie that has both jump out of your seat and cheer parts as well as sad and gloomy yet epic war sequences.

My favorite scene is at the end of the film(SPOILER-FREE!!!) It involves a hospital and I absolutely love it because it’s one of those times when you want to just scream yay.

My favorite character is Joey because of how compassionate he is. I also think the horses playing him is pretty brave.

This movie is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for intense sequences of war violence and I definitely agree. It’s good for kids ten and up.

If this movie wins the Best Picture Oscar (which I hope and think it will) it will be the second time in the row that I’ve seen the winner, after The King’s Speech in 2010. This movie is a must-see. You’ll walk out of the movie theater with a smile on your face, a tear in your eye, and the feeling in your heart that Steven Spielberg has created a masterpiece.

Category: adventure, books to film, drama, great movie, new releases, posts by flack, reviews, war

War Horse (Flick’s Review)

Posted on | December 26, 2011 | 2 Comments

5 out of 5 stars

Albert, a farm boy lives with his no nonsense mother and drunken father. When his father buys a horse for thirty shillings the family’s farm is at stake. The family really needs a farm horse to plow their fields. Joey, the horse is not trained to plow and it will take time for him to learn. Just after Albert and Joey start bonding and Joey is trained World War I starts. Joey is sold off by Albert’s father. Joey becomes a captain’s horse. After the captain dies Joey is taken by two horse loving brothers. Joey is passed down from owner to owner mainly because his owners are killed.

The story of War Horse is excellent. I have now read or watched the plot unfold three times. I have read the 1982 novel, seen the Broadway play and as of today I saw Steven Spielberg’s film. I’m not quite sure which interpretation is my favorite because they are all so good. Each version tells the story in an entirely different way. The book as all books do lets you imagine the story. The play tells you the story in a very limited amount of space. The film tells the story with effective effects in a very unlimited amount of space. The horse is real and I think Spielberg’s decision of using a real horse is a much better choice than using a CG horse. I can imagine in this world full of computerized characters many directors would have gone with the wind. Wait no not the wind, the CG. If the horses were CG the war scenes would look fake and the idea of aliens attacking would reach your brain pretty soon. In the film the war scenes are very real. In one scene Albert is in a trench with other solders. Bombs are going off all around them. When the solders charge the result is grueling. Although the scene is not extremely bloody or gory it is very intense. The manner in which Spielberg articulates this scene is astounding. The replacement of blood is taken by intensity. Jansuz Kaminski’s cinematography is astounding.

Every actor in the film is great. Yes I mean every one of them. Yes I mean Jeremy Irvine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Peter Mullan, Tom Hiddelston, Niels Arestup, Bennedict Cumberlatch, Celine Buckens and many, many more. I have not heard a John Williams score that I have disliked yet and this definitely keeps the record going. Williams is known for using brass as the lead instrument. In War Horse he uses flutes and strings as the lead in songs such as Dartmoor 1912 and Seeding, and Horse vs. Car. He also uses the piano as a lead instrument which is rare. Alright those are the reasons I give War Horse five stars. Add them together and a masterpiece is born. And now draw swords and charge to the Oscars.

My favorite character is a tie between Albert and Joey because their friendship is unbreakable. They’re like Han Solo and Chewbacca. They go together. To say which one I like better is impossible.

My favorite scene is when Albert is in the trench with Gunther, David and the other British troops because the cinematography is brilliant and the actors act as if they really are battling in World War I. The bombs that explode all around them are very real.

War Horse is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of war violence. I agree with the rating.

Category: action, adventure, drama, new releases, posts by flick, reviews, war

The Holidays of Spielberg

Posted on | December 24, 2011 | Add Comments

Over the years he’s proved his worth and now he’s come back to prove it to us more. Steven Spielberg has currently directed over twenty feature films. He already has two more planned for the next two years (Lincoln, an Abraham Lincoln biopic staring Daniel Day Lewis as the big man himself being released 2012, and Robocalypse, a sci-fi epic based on the novel entitled the same being released 2013). If one word could describe the man it would be unpredictable; he’s directed films ranging from war epics to action manifestos. This month he gives us both.

Let’s start with the action film. Based on on Herge’s French comic book series, The Adventures of Tintin could have been titled Indiana Jones in 3-D, digitally animated and based on a book from another country. Tintin, an intrepid reporter is on the case of a mystery. Red Rackham, a long dead pirate’s ship’s model is found by Tintin in a market. But Tintin is not the only one is interested in the model. The game is afoot. Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, and Andy Serkis will be playing motion capture characters. In case you haven’t heard of motion capture here is a quick definition: it’s a way of making CG animation look more real. The actors wear suits with little balls that look like golf balls. The animators animate the characters before hand so that they are ready. Special computers read the suits and the characters on the computers move the same way the actors do. When on screen the characters move more realistically. I’ve read a few of the books including the three the film is based on which are The Crab with the Golden Claws, The Secret of the Unicorn and Red Rackhams Treasure. Although Spielberg has never directed a fully CG film it’s no surprise that the animation looks great because Peter Jackson who directed The Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong is producing and Andy Serkis, the master of Mocap acting is playing Captain Haddock. Serkis has collaborated with Jackson many times before including on The Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong. And then there’s the 3-D. I will definitely be seeing the film in this format. Before you continue reading watch the official Tintin trailer.

Originally I was going to break down the two trailers but that would take the fun out of having your own opinion. My breakdown of the trailer could become persuasive and after all this a news article not persuasive text. The action in the trailer is so intense that you literally forget where you are and are instantly sucked into Tinin’s world. John William’s score sounds like Raiders of the Lost Ark’s and I mean this as a good thing. The score is very orchestral and rhythmic. The last fifteen seconds of the trailer are the most jaw dropping because of the quick editing. There is not much shown here but action however I am expecting quirky characters because the book is full of them.

The war epic, War Horse is certainly epic. According to the news Spielberg has chosen to replace gritty war violence with subtle yet disturbing takes on war. I guess you could say it’s not exactly original: based on the book, which became a Broadway play, but that doesn’t mean Spielberg can’t strike gold. In fact I predict it will be nominated for the Oscar nomination of all Oscar nominations: Best Picture. The book is sad, horrifying and brilliant all at the same time. The play also fits those descriptions. However the best part about the play is the way Joey, the war horse is presented: when he is young , he is made out of fabric and other material and when he is older he is made out of the same materials and is large, actors stood inside it at all times. The plot is simple, yet complex. Albert, a farm boy, lives with his to the point mother (in the play) and drunken father. Not long after they get Joey “the horse”, he is sent off to the war, becoming a war horse. Joey goes from owner to owner. By the end he has seen everything. Before you continue reading watch the official War Horse trailer.The opening shots of the trailer hint at very sad,somber themes. John William’s score is melancholy, yet by listening to samples of other songs from the film on iTunes there are definitely lighter tunes probably played during scenes with Albert riding Joey. The war scenes showed are very realistic yet as I said before there is no gore. Another notable key feature is the cinematography which is aided by the lighting. Take the last shot for example: Joey looks out onto the sunset. The sky is bright orange and the camera is still. The camera doesn’t do much here but the lighting is extraordinary. If you want mouth watering cinematography look at Joey jumping onto a tank and then jumping onto the muddy ground. If the cinematography wasn’t filmed in this way the shot could easily have become a waste of film.

Now that you’ve read the news go see the movies. Tintin was released on the 21st and War Horse is coming out tomorrow. You can also look forward to my reviews of at least one of these films. Happy Holidays!

Category: 3-D, animation, books to film, directors, new releases, news, oscars, posts by flick

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

Category: 3-D, books to film, new releases, posts by flick, reviews

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.

Category: 3-D, books to film, new releases, posts by flack, Preview Screening, reviews

Moneyball (Flack’s Review)

Posted on | October 11, 2011 | 3 Comments

Moneyball is about Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. When they lose the World Series and their three best players are traded, it means they have to rebuild the team. But then Billy meets Peter Brand. Peter has a game-changing idea about how to play baseball. His idea is that the best players are not the ones that bat the most but the those that get on base the most. Together Peter and Billy create a team of usually ignored (but actually very good) players. But will Billy overcome his personal problems, is his team actually any good, and will they make it to the World Series??? It is based on a book.

Moneyball is an absolutely perfect film. Brad Pitt is excellent as Billy Beane and he makes the move entertaining, very believable, and incredibly sad all at the same time. Jonah Hill is funny and serious. Hill was hilarious in Night at the Museum:Battle of the Smithsonian, but now he’s toned it down for his first dramatic role. Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the angry coach, Art Howe, Chris Pratt as an injured yet excellent new player ,Scott Hattenberg, Kerris Dorsey as Billy’s daughter, Stephen Bishop as older player, David Justin, and Robin Wright Penn as Billy’s divorced wife, all give terrific supporting role performances.

I thought the decision was interesting to not show much of the actual baseball games because Billy Beane didn’t watch them. However I do think it was necessary to show a bunch of their big winning game. By doing that it gave the scene a higher emotional impact. Meanwhile Bennet Miller makes everything flow magnificently and directs the actors to perfection.

The music by Mychael Danna is good at keeping the story going and stay for the credits to listen to it by itself. Aaron Sorkin doesn’t make the dialogue fast paced, as people said he did for The Social Network. Instead he teams up with Steve Zaillian and writes some excellent yet considerably slow dialogue (although it’s not the standout thing of the movie.)

The story is very emotional and you may be surprised by the ending, which is not the usual Hollywood kind. I am glad the filmmakers stuck to the real story instead of glamorizing it and ruining the movie. I think this film is one of the best of the year. The story is emotional, the acting is stunning, the directing is spot on, and Brad Pitt gives a sure to be Oscar nominated performance. You have to go see it, even if (like me) you don’t like baseball.

My favorite character is Billy Beane because Brad Pitt is amazing and he makes the character the heart and soul of the film.

My favorite scene is when (SPOILER ALERT EVEN THOUGH IT’S A TRUE STORY) the Oakland Athletics beat the record of winning game streaks with 20 games, because it’s a cheerful happy, moment that makes you root for the team (even though you probably already were).

The movie is rated PG-13 for brief language, but if you can handle those words, it’s o.k. for younger kids.

I give the film 5 stars. Look out during Oscar season.

Here is the link to IMDB.

Category: awards, books to film, new releases, posts by flack, reviews