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.
Real Steel (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | October 17, 2011 | 6 Comments
4.1 Stars
Real Steel is about Charlie Kenton, a retired boxer who now trains robots to box. Charlie abandoned his son Max when he was born, but now that Charlie’s wife is dead it’s his responsibility to either sign over custody papers to the boys aunt and uncle or to care for the boy himself. In the end Charlie decides to take Max for the summer, because Max’s uncle gives Charlie $50,000. Charlie buys a Japanese robot, but he loses in one of the robot boxing matches and the robot breaks down. In a junkyard Charlie and Max find an old and unused robot named Atom. Atom is more than he seems and Charlie and Max become winners. But will Charlie, Max and Atom be remembered forever as champions and will Charlie become a responsible father?
With just the right amount of action and drama, Real Steal is an enjoyable blockbuster. The cast is incredible. Hugh Jackman is great as the drunk and debt owing father Charlie Kenton and Dakota Goyo is believable as eleven year old Max. The director Shawn Levy is known for recent comedies such as Night at the Museum and The Pink Panther. However, this time Levy adds drama and subtracts most (not all) of the comedy. The boxing scenes aren’t very intense because the robots are the ones boxing not the humans, so you never think that the humans will get hurt. There is one scene though where Charlie and Max get beat up by some other men. The CGI robots all have different personalities and they all box in different ways. Real Steel is an entertaining film that is satisfying but not classic.
My favorite character is Charlie Kenton, because even though at the beginning of the film he is irresponsible, by the end of the film he is redeemed and he becomes a loving father.
My favorite scene is when Atom boxes for the first time at the zoo, because it showed that Charlie and Max had a chance at winning even though nobody thought they could.
Real Steel is rated PG-13 and I agree.
Directed by: Shawn Levy
Produced by: Shawn Levy,Susan Montford,Don Murphy and Robert Zemeckis
Written by: John Gatins
Cast:
Hugh Jackman: Charlie Kenton
Dakota Goyo:Max Kenton
Evangeline Lilly: Bailey Tallet
Anthony Mackie: Finn
Kevin Durand: Ricky
Hope Davis: Aunt Debra
James Rebhorn: Marvin
Marco Ruggeri: Cliff
Karl Yune: Tak Mashido
Olga Fonda: Farra Lemkova
John Gatins: Kingpin
Sophie Levy: Big Sister
Tess Levy: Little Sister
Charlie Levy: Littlest Sister
Gregory Sims: Bill Panner
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.
The Lion King 3D (Flick’s Reivew)
Posted on | October 3, 2011 | Add Comments
5.0 stars
The Lion King 3-D is about Simba, a young lion cub who lives with his father, mother and a number of other animals. Simba’s father (Mufasa) is the king. Simba’s uncle (Scar) wants to be king so he kills Mufasa. However Scar kills Mufasa by telling his hyena friends to scare a herd of antelope which causes a stampede. Simba gets stuck in the stampede so Mufasa comes to save him. Mufasa saves Simba but as they climb up a mountain to safety Scar pushes Mufasa back down the mountain when Simba is not looking. Mufasa is dead. Scar blames Simba for Mufasa’s death and tells him to run away. Simb runs away. But when his childhood friend comes looking for help (because Scar is starving the lions and hyenas) he must choose what he believes in.
The Lion King is one of my favorite Disney films. It’s tied with Beauty and the Beast. A few years ago a movie theater showed Beauty and the Beast. It was the Sing Along Song version where they put the words from the songs on the screen when the characters sang. But for The Lion King 3-D Disney has actually converted the whole film into 3-D. Don’t’ worry you can still see it in 2D. I saw it in 3D to see what it was like. The 3-D isn’t great because the film is drawn. Disney fails to make the drawings better by making them 3-D so I recommend you see it in 2D. However the story is why its so good. In my opinion it’s roughly based on Hamlet. For the most part its very original The jokes are hilarious, the voices are great, the songs are catchy, and the characters are unique. Every thing’s perfect (except for the 3D). Whether you see it in 2D or 3-D at the theaters or at your house, today or thirty years from now, it’s a feel good family film that you won’t want to miss.
My favorite character is Simba because despite his father’s death and his evil unable he does the right thing.
My favorite scene is Hakuna Matata because it’s not only a great song, it also shows how Simba changes.
The Lion King 3-D is rated G. I think it should be PG for brief action.
Directed by: Roger Allers and Rob Minkof
Produced by: Don Hahn
Written by: Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts
Cast:
Matthew Broderick: Adult Simba (voice)
Niketa Calame: Young Nala (voice)
Jim Cummings: Ed (voice)
James Earl Jones: Mufasa (voice)
Nathan Lane: Timon (voice)
Ernie Sabella: Pumbaa (voice)
Jeremy Irons: Scar (voice)
Robert Guillaume: Rafiki (voice)
Rowan Atkinson: Zazu (voice)
Moira Kelly: Adult Nala (voice)
Whoopi Goldberg: Shenzi (voice)
Zoe Leader:Sarafina (voice)
Cheech Marin: Banzai (voice)
Madge Sinclair: Sarabi (voice)
Jonathan Taylor Thomas: Young Simba (voice)
Avatar (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | September 21, 2011 | 8 Comments
4.3 stars/reels
Avatar is about Jake Sully whose brother has recently died. Jake was a Marine, but now the Army wants him to take his brother’s job, which was being a scientist and studying the Na’vi, a species of blue creatures. Jake, Na’vi experts/scientists Grace and Norman and a group of Marines travel to Pandora the home of the Na’vi. But Jake doesn’t know that the Marines want to kill the Na’vi and steal the minerals so that they can make lots of money. Jake must choose: will he help Marines kill the Na’vi or will he fight the Marines to keep the Na’vi alive.
With visually stunning CG, Avatar looks amazing but it’s moral has been retold in different ways more than once. From the Planet of the Apes saga to the Harry Potter saga, the moral “everyone should be treated equally” has been done before. It’s good to do it again, but the original part of the story is a little too simple. And then just when the story is getting complex the action sequences become the focus. The middle is slow but it develops the story and the CG animators show their skill. The film doesn’t feel like it’s three hours until the overlong climax. There were some unnecessary zoom ins and zoom outs. There’s also the debate about if Avatar really deserved to be a Best Picture nominee. Is it that good? Or is it just another special effects filled blockbuster? In my opinion it’s both. The climax was too long, the cinematography wasn’t great, the moral wasn’t new and the story was simple but the special effects are excellent, the characters were unique and although its simple the story was interesting.
My favorite character is Jake Sully because he, despite his injury and the tough choice he had to make, kept going.
My favorite scene is when Neytiri shows Jake, Pandora.
Avatar is rated PG-13 and I agree.
Directed by:
James Cameron
Produced by: James Cameron and Jon Landau
Written by:
James Cameron
Produced by:
James Cameron
Jon Landau
Cast:
Sam Worthington: Jake Sully
Zoe Saldana: Neytiri
Sigourney Weaver: Grace
Stephen Lang: Colonel Miles Quaritch
Michelle Rodriguez: Trudy Chacon
Giovanni Ribisi: Parker Selfridge
Joel David Moore: Norm Spellman
CCH Poundermc: Mo’at
Wes Studi: Eytukan
Laz Alonso: Tsu’tey
Dileep Rao: Dr. Max Patel
Matt Gerald: Corporal Lyle Wainfleet
Sean Anthony Moran: Private Fike
Jason Whyte: Cryo Vault Med Tech
Scott Lawrence: Venture Star Crew Chief
Citizen Kane (Flick’s Review)
Posted on | September 17, 2011 | 2 Comments
5.0 stars/reels
Citizen Kane is a great movie. In fact it’s not just a great movie it’s a perfect one. I don’t think it’s the best movie of all time but it’s definitely in my Top 10 films of all time (maybe even my Top 5). It has a great story that is interesting, sophisticated and clever. The life of Charles Foster Kane is the focus of the film. His life is intriguingly unique. Kane is a complex and witty character played to perfection by Orson Welles. It’s surprising that Welles so excellently directs, writes, produces and stars in Citizen Kane because he was only 25 and it was his first film. I can’t wait to see if Welles’ other films are as good as Citizen Kane. At 119 minutes the film is the perfect length. The suspense of who or what Rosebud is adds to the story. By the end of the film, you’ll feel as if you’ve known Charles Foster Kane all your life.
Citizen Kane is about a group of filmmakers who make a newsreel about the life and death of Charles Foster Kane. They send one of their men to find out more about Kane’s last word: Rosebud. The filmmaker asks Kane’s friends and past wives about who or what Rosebud was while doing this he learns about Kane himself.
My favorite character is Charles Foster Kane because as I said before he is interesting and it’s a joy to learn about his life.
My favorite scene is when Kane wrecks his room because the character of Kane is shown in this scene unlike any of the other scenes.
Citizen Kane is rated PG and I agree.
Directed by: Orson Welles
Produced by: Orson Welles
Written by:
Herman J. Mankiewicz (original screenplay) and
Orson Welles (original screenplay)
Cast (in credits order):
Joseph Cotten: Jedediah Leland
Dorothy Comingore : Susan Alexander Kane
Agnes Moorehead: Mary Kane
Ruth Warrick: Emily Monroe Norton Kane
Ray Collins:James W. Gettys
Erskine Sanford: Herbert Carter
Everett Sloane: Mr. Bernstein
William Alland: Jerry Thompson
Paul Stewart: Raymond
George Coulouris: Walter Parks Thatcher
Fortunio Bonanova: Matiste
Gus Schilling: The Headwaiter
Philip Van Zandt: Mr. Rawlston
Georgia Backus: Miss Anderson
Harry Shannon: Kane’s Father
Sonny Bupp: Kane III
Buddy Swan: Kane – Age Eight
Orson Welles: Kane
The Bicycle Thief (Flack’s Review)
Posted on | September 6, 2011 | Add Comments
The Bicycle Thief (Flack’s Review): 5 out of 5 reels
This film is unlike anything else and is simply amazing. The Bicycle Thief is about Antonio, a poor man with two kids and a wife. He gets a job but needs a bicycle so he gets one. But then it is stolen. Along with his friends and family he looks for his bike. Why? Because he can’t do his job without it…….
This film is a masterpiece of cinema. The story is well developed, interesting, mysterious, sad, brilliant and simple all at the same time. The film is in Italian and was made in Italy, but you can watch it with subtitles or dubbed in English. I think the film would be just as powerful as a silent movie. All the actors are great especially Lamberto Maggiorani (who wrote the book the film was based on) as Antonio, and Enzo Staiola as his son, Bruno and the black and white is beautiful. But the best thing about the film is how real it is. For example in one scene when they are chasing the thief there is no big action packed music, it just is how it would be in real life. When you watch this film you won’t think “wow they made it seem real” because this film makes you feel like you are in the story.
My favorite characters are Antonio and Bruno because Lamberto Maggiorani and Enzo Staiola are excellent actors and the characters are interesting.
My favorite scene is the last one because it is powerful.
This movie is sad. It’s real. It’s interesting, well acted, and excellent. This movie is The Bicycle Thief.
Note: I like the U.S. title Bicycle Thieves because it reflects the ending. If you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about, but if you haven’t, I don’t want to spoil it.
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