A Night at the Movies (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | March 15, 2012 | 3 Comments
5 Stars
A dark theater. Two big TV screens. A clip from the sci-fi George Lucas 1977 blockbuster Star Wars is shown. And then the orchestra starts. That’s what the movie music magic performed by conductor, Kurt Bestor, singer Jennifer Beth Glick, and a full sized orchestra is like.
From a through the decades history to a special tribute to John Williams, it’s a spectacular experience that I won’t forget anytime soon.
It’s great for both movie buffs and music fans, and was performed by the Cape Cod Symphony in Cape Cod, MA.
Starting with A Night at the Movies overture that terrifically sets the bar high. The performance continued not to disappoint. Next up was the decade overview. Charlie Chaplin (20′s), Gone with the Wind (30′s), Red Pony (40′s), Vertigo and Psycho (50′s), The Pink Panther (60′s), Star Wars (70′s), Hoosiers (80′s), and a medley of the top 5 super hero movies ever were given magnificent renditions. All the film scores were also accompanied by film clips which added to the excitement. The top 5 super hero movies were (from 5 – 1) Batman (1989), Superman Returns (2006), X2 (2003), Batman Begins (2005), and Spider-Man (2002).
Then there was an intermission when I had a chocolate chip cookie and talked about the show with my family. And then back to the theater!!!!!!
After the intermission a scene from the Imax movie The Great American West was shown. The orchestra then did some Beethoven music to accompany the clip. After they did Stalling’s version (a guy known for Bugs Bunny, Looney Tunes, and Warner Brothers music). The scene showed a man fighting a bear on land, in the water, and inside a hole in the ground. After the way too serious Beethoven rendition and the way too silly Stalling version was the host of the show, Kurt Bestor’s version (he actually composed the real movie score too). Obviously Bestor’s version was best mixing action, comedy, drama, a dark tone, and light moments to great effect.
Then Jennifer Beth Glick was welcomed onto the stage to sing two Oscar winning songs: Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s and My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. Glick was a good singer but what was up next was even better.
For the fantastic finale Kurt Bestor conducted a tribute to John Williams. E.T., Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and more were all performed magnificently.
This was a fantastic show. My favorite part was when they did Star Wars during the Through the Decades segment. I liked it because it was very lighthearted yet extremely exciting. They played a song from Star Wars which is equally as riveting and classic as the Star Wars theme and the Imperial March. Sadly the show I went to was the last in Cape Cod, or at least for now. But with such a great host there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to go to this show. In fact the only bad parts were that I wish they showed more of the movie clips and had one gigantic movie theater-like screen. (I also have to complain that the show actually stopped.) A Night at the Movies was an experience full of movies, magic and more!!!!!!
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | March 13, 2012 | Add Comments
2 1/2 stars
Jedis Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent on a mission to negotiate with the Trade Federation who have mysteriously blockaded the peaceful planet of Naboo. When the two Jedi learn of a dangerous plot that involves the Trade Federation and the evil Sith, the Jedi must team up with the Naboo people, the Gungan people and a little boy named Anakin who just might turn out to be the chosen one.
The idea of re-releasing the Star Wars franchise does sound enticing. What would those spaceship dogfights up in the air and those enthralling lightsaber duels down on the ground look like? Imagine: the mind of George Lucas poured into the multiplex theaters in 3-D. That is just what is happening: in the heyday of 3-D, now is the perfect time for Lucas to go all out nuts with the new technology. It looks great. Although the film obviously had to be converted to 3-D instead of shot in 3-D, this is probably one of the greatest 3-D films I’ve seen. The Adventures of Tintin might be the best, but Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace is the best converted to 3-D film…yet.
Despite, my fondness for this film’s look (it’s the first of the prequels and a great way to bring the look of the originals to a new generation) almost all of the new characters are very poorly written and acted. The big one being Jar Jar Binks. Binks, a Gungan is unreasonably clumsy and ridiculous in all conversations. Lucas doesn’t change gears and turn the movie into a discovering who you are story, instead he uses Binks as a comic relief. This does not work. A few minutes after I met Binks I already knew I wanted to um …cut him out of the film. Another character that I dislike is Anakin who unfortunately gets a fair amount of screen time. It was necessary for the young Anakin to be shown, but from watching the character as Darth Vader in the originals I didn’t picture this. Lucas scripts Anakin with lines that seem to be jokes. Jokes like “Are you an angel?” in the Star Wars franchise? Oh my. The performance that Jake Lloyd gives as Anakin is very, very different from James Earl Jones and Hayden Christensen’s performances as the character at different points in his life. This is fine with me because the character of Anakin Skywalker goes through many different stages of behavior, thoughts, etc. But Lloyd gives a performance showcasing sarcasm, which is not what I think the character would act like when he is younger. There’s a million other problems that a Star Wars fanatic could have with this film, but my critiques are based on “what movie would be the best to see if I could only see one or two this weekend?”.
Unfortunately, Phantom Menace will be out of theaters soon because it has been in theaters for over a month and a half. Although, I wouldn’t recommend anybody to see it if you are looking for a film to rival the quality of the first, the 3-D is wonderful. The visuals are breathtaking but the characters are poorly scripted. If only the script was completely rewritten, Phantom Menace could be a much more enjoyable installment in the saga.
The Lorax (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | March 11, 2012 | 1 Comment
The Lorax (Flack’s Review)
4 Stars
The Lorax is loosely based on the classic Dr. Seuss book by the same name. It is about a young boy named Ted who sets out on a journey to find a tree for Audrey (which is also the name of Dr. Seuss’s wife) who he is in love with. He meets the Oncler who tells him the story of the Lorax and helps on his adventure. Along with his grandmother, his mom, and others, he embarks on a quest to find a non-plastic tree in his all plastic world, guarded by evil businessmen. However, if he doesn’t believe in his mission a lot he just won’t make it, he will not!!!!!
The Lorax is a surprisingly good family film with so-so songs, a great voice cast, and creative animation!!!!! Walking into the theatre I had pretty low expectations. Expecting to give it two stars, I was also wondering how the film would live up to the book. But in the end I was happily surprised. The movie is a musical. When comparing the songs to those of another recent family-friendly movie musical, The Muppets, the Lorax’s songs are just okay. “How Bad Can I Possibly Be” isn’t really that bad and “Let It Grow” is delightfully cheerful. But the show stopping opener has been done better and has been done before. None of them are as great as “Life’s A Happy Song” and the Oscar-winning “Man Or Muppet,” but they are okay.
Compared to the mega-popular blockbuster, Despicable Me (made by both the same studio and directed by the same directors) this is way better. Despite The Lorax‘s massive opening weekend at the box-office, I’m afraid that bathroom jokes and annoying minions will live on longer than the movie form of tree-choppers and furry orange animals. The Lorax does have some joyful jokes and great gags. My favorite? The part in which the Lorax robs the Oncler’s bed and all the tree animals start singing the Mission:Impossible theme song. I also loved the beautiful animation, even though at times it is a bit too candy colored. The 3-D is okay. It doesn’t even come close to Hugo, which I think is the best 3-D ever (I haven’t seen Avatar in the format of 3-D). But, hey it’s still always cool to see things go fly right up in to your face. After watching this I want to go back and rewatch Dr. Seuss’s Horton Hears a Who, from 2008.
My favorite scene is when the Lorax and the tree animals sing the Mission:Impossible theme song because it is hilarious and a neat and funny reference.
My favorite character is the Lorax because of Danny DeVito’s Robin Williams as the Genie in Aladdinish voice acting.
The movie is rated PG by the MPAA for brief mild language. The movie is rated G by Flack because there is nothing that inappropriate about it and so that more younger kids could see it and because I think they would like it.
With a great voice cast including Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, and Ed Helms, as well as the fabulously funny Betty White and Danny DeVito plus a great moralistic message, this a great movie. It’s even better than Cars 2 (the worst Pixar movie ever). And beneath the movie’s so-so songs, candy colored animation and okay 3-D it is a terrific tribute to Dr. Seuss.
2012 Providence Children’s Film Festival: Soul Boy
Posted on | February 20, 2012 | Add Comments
Flack interviews Chris and Josh about Soul Boy on Day 4 of 2012 PCFF.
2012 Providence Children’s Film Festival: Man on a Mission
Posted on | February 20, 2012 | Add Comments
Flick interviews Rich about Man on a Mission on Day 3 of 2012 PCFF.
2012 Providence Children’s Film Festival: The Secret Letter
Posted on | February 18, 2012 | Add Comments
Flick interviews Faye about The Secret Letter on Day 2 of 2012 PCFF.
Flick interviews Abigail about The Secret Letter on Day 2 of 2012 PCFF.
Flick interviews kids about The Secret Letter on Day 4 of 2012 PCFF.
Flick interviews kids about The Secret Letter on Day 4 of 2012 PCFF.
Flick interviews kids about The Secret Letter on Day 4 of 2012 PCFF.
2012 Providence Children’s Film Festival: I am Kalam
Posted on | February 18, 2012 | Add Comments
Flack interviews Rich about I am Kalam on Day 2 of 2012 PCFF.
Flick interviews John about I am Kalam on Day 2 of 2012 PCFF.
The Tree of Life (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | January 22, 2012 | 1 Comment
5 Stars
The Tree of Life is about a man who has just gotten the news that his brother died. The man, named Jack remembers and reflects on his childhood. When he was a boy he lived in Texas in the 50′s with a mom, a dad, and two younger brothers. The mother says early on in the movie that there are two ways of life: the way of nature and the way of grace. Jack thinks about his memories including his rough relationship with his father, his mother’s niceness, his attitude towards his brothers, and his desire to fit into the world.
If you’re thinking this sounds like your average drama it’s not. The family flashbacks are interspersed with sequences involving dinosaurs, jellyfish, outer space, and the formation of Earth. These breathtaking moments are magical and quite obviously intended to be seen on the big screen. However it’s testament to the power of the director Terrence Malick’s vision that when I watched the movie on an iPad in a bumpy car that I was still completely wowed by, for example, a scene in which the entire universe is created. But although the film could be the most epic independent movie ever made I’ll pause from raving about the special effects for a minute and talk about the actual story.
I was very connected to all the characters because of how great the actors all were. A startlingly mature Brad Pitt and the angel-like Jessica Chaisten are equally fantastic at respectively embodying nature and grace. I was also amazed by the stunning Hunter McCracken in his debut role as the young Jack. There are scenes that are very sad including one in which the Father loses his temper. Pitt is very different than he was in Moneyball. In Moneyball he was a good person in tough situations, but in this film he’s a troubled person in touch situations. I disagree with others that there are scenes that ramble on and I was surprised that I never got bored because I was so fascinated with the story.
I can understand when critics say that they think Malick has made this movie for himself rather than an audience (says ABC radio) but this is the kind of movie that is meant to be discussed and debated. But seriously what is Mike Ward (of Richmond.com) talking about when he says “I admire The Tree of Life – in the same way I admire the white-haired lady in the Guinness Book of World Records with 28-foot fingernails.” With a story this intensely emotional however I found it completleey impossible not to be hooked by this tale of love, family, space, life, and death.
It is very interesting how Malick displays his thoughts bout god and the universe. I think that all the characters are in some way trying to fit in the world or understand what life is about. The reason that Malick has decided to include scenes of dinosaurs is because he shows how different people have different thoughts in different situations for example when the dinosaur decides not to kill the other dinosaur, it’s an example of grace. Both ways of life come with consequences, because nature can make you lonely because you are the only person who has everything they want and grace could make you disappointed that even though you are helping many others you don’t have what you wished. The director’s point is not to decide which is necessarily the right way, but rather for others to decide and form their own opinions.
Amidst all the shots of stars and space is a very personal story about life and death. I suspect this film will become a classic. Many people will have different ideas about it, but when I was done watching it, the idea that was most in my head was this was a truly great film.
My favorite scene is near the end of the movie so I won’t spoil it. It involves people talking about a gun. I like it because of the great performances from Hunter McCracken and Laramie Epler and the scene is also very moving and emotional.
I am not sure who my favorite character is because I didn’t fully agree with any of their beliefs. Also the actors are all equally great so it really is hard to pick. I think Sean Penn was kind of wasted because he didn’t really do anything. I would like to point out that the rising star Jessica Chaisten was good and very different than how she was as Celia Foote in The Help. I also thought Brad Pitt was good and different than how he normally is. I also am guessing McCracken will soon become very popular.
The Tree of Life is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for some thematic material, and I agree.
This is one for the best movies of 2011 and it’s truly unlike anything you’ve ever seen. I suggest you see it right away because the cast is great, and the special effects are stunning. This is magical movie making at it’s most magical.
The Tree of Life (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | January 22, 2012 | 1 Comment
41/2 stars
A religious family of five must deal with the pains of life after they lose one of their sons. One of the boys, Jack grows up to become a highly successful architect. But Jack is not happy with his life, and feels as if he is trapped in his work. Jack wonders if he has made the right decisions in his life… and what god thinks of him.
Terrence Malick’s idea, that life has a meaning is abstractly shown in his delightfully artistic film, The Tree of Life. I think Malick believes in a god. Malick just wants to show people, to tell the world what he believes in. The culmintion that Malick’s vision results in is something of beauty. The scenes in which Malick films the creation of the universe use special effects in a very real way. The effects are used to create malick, I mean magic. It is evident that the effects would have to be used in a way that seems real, after all the creation of the universe is anything but fake.
Brad Pitt’s performance rivals his in Moneyball and in the end is better. The relationship that Pitt’s character, Mr. O’Brien has with his son, the character Hunter McCracken has is the key to the film. To understand the film you must understand their relationship. The complexity of their friendship is deeply moving and emotional. Not often are two characters portrayed on screen with such strong performances upholding such strong characters. Pitt and McCracken are not the only actors with performances that are unbelievably good. The two other young boys, Larmie Epler and Tye Sheirdan also give unforgettable performances. The art of Sean Penn’s performance is created by facial expressions; Penn uses little to no dialogue to play the adult Jack. Then there’s Jessica Chastain who starred in over five films last year, ranging from The Debt to Coriolanus to The Help to Take Shelter and more. Chastain’s character, Mrs. O’Brien is deeply admired by all of the other characters in the film. It seems to me as if Malick wants Mrs. O’Brien to resemble an angel.
My favorite character is Jack because of the way he deals with situations. Once Jack grows up he starts to wonder if he has lived life to the fullest.
My favorite scene is when Mr. O’Brien teaches his three sons to fight because it shows the different sides to the O’Brien family.
The Tree of Life is rated PG-13 for thematic material. The film deals with some very intense situations making it not very family friendly.
The Tree of Life is an indelible experience. It balances so many different ideas on so many different levels resulting in bold cinematic storytelling.
Midnight in Paris (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | January 8, 2012 | 4 Comments
4 Stars
Midnight in Paris is set in 2010 and is about Gil Penders, a Hollywood screenwriter who longs to write a great novel. When he travels to Paris with his girlfriend, Inez and is bored with all the parties and dancing, he decides to take a stroll. The clock strikes midnight and Gil is escorted to Paris in the 1920′s and there he meets F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso and more. But as his writing career falters and he realizes he doesn’t have much in common with Inez, he wonders what will happen.
This is the first Woody Allen movie I have ever seen and it’s very entertaining. Owen Wilson leads a great cast and the supporting actors are delightful. Before I saw this movie I read a New York Times article about the famous people Gil meets in the film, so I understood the movie better. If you don’t know anything about Picasso or Fitzgerald you might be a bit bored… But if you do you’ll have a great time! Charming and witty at the sometime, this is a great film.
The story is fun and magical. Woody Allen directs magnificently. In some scenes you really feel like you are in the 1920′s with Gil in Paris. The film has some nice twists and turns and the music is perfect. There is not much depth to the character and it would be interesting if the conversations between Gil and the other writers and artists, were longer but the movie is still a lot of fun. Also it’s interesting to learn about all the famous people.
My favorite character is Gil because it’s interesting when he gets advice from writers. Also Owen Wilson is great at switching from seriousness to silliness effortlessly.
My favorite scene is when Gil talks to Adriana (Marion Cottilard) and tells her the only thing he has in common with his girlfriend, Inez, is that they both like pita bread, and my other favorite is when Gil talks to Salvador Dali (Adrian Brody). I love those scenes because they are both funny.
This movie is rated PG-13 for smoking, drinking, kissing and some romance.
Midnight in Paris is a wonderful movie. Even though its not that complex, it still has a great cast, a marvelous story, excellent music, fun scenes, super direction, nice shots of Paris and hilarious moments.
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