The Escapist (2009) NR - 4 Stars

There's a lot going on in this movie and I suggest turning the close caption or subtitles on as it's hard to understand the low foreign voices thus missing out on meaningful dialog. It's the type of movie you probably have to see again to fully understand. It can get confusing with the direction flashing back and forth so make sure your in the mood to really watch it. Great realism with the cinematography showing the dank areas of this London prison. With a lot of character building at the beginning, the film eventually involves you with the inmates. Excellent acting by everyone which helps make the movie very suspenseful and thrilling but I also found it sad and depressing. The ending is not what you expect and somewhat disappointing unless you accept that imagination is everything.

Frank (Brian Cox), is serving a life in prison sentence with no chance of parole. Having admitted his own quilt, he's accepted being away from his wife and young daughter and has found life to be very comfortable behind bars. Frank receives a letter informing him his daughter is extremely sick from an overdose. His only thought is to escape and get to her as soon as possible. But this is too large of a task for Frank alone so he enlists the help of fellow inmates Lenny Drake (Joseph Fiennes), Brodie (Liam Cunningham), and Viv Batista (Seu Jorge).

But some pretty low life inmates Rizza (Damian Lewis), the prison bullie and his brother Tony (Steven Mackintosh) almost ruin the plans when Tony sexually assualts new inmate Lacey (Dominic Cooper). Frank will have to become the man he once was to carry it through.

ThinkFilm, IFC Films
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Writers: Daniel Hardy, Rupert Wyatt
Producers: Alan Moloney, Adrian Sturges

I viewed 2/10

The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition (2000) G - 4 Stars

Based on the book by Caroline Alexander, this documentary tells the survival of 28 men aboard the Endurance. In 1914, Ernest Shackleton set out to be the first man to ever cross the continent of Antarctic. He placed an honest ad stating the "low wages and miserable conditions," and the fact they may not return at all. Over 5,000 men answered the call.

Yes it feels like an episode from the History Channel but I really enjoyed this film showing the spirit of human survival. Taken from journals and actual footage by cameraman Frank Hurley, director George Butler shifts between his retracing of the voyage to that of Ernest Shackleton's in 1914, blending back and forth from B&W to modern day. With Liam Neeson narrating, the film gives an eerie depiction of men facing treacherous conditions, freezing temperatures, starvation and the ice floes that consumed their ship. And when you think their luck can't get any worse, the crew faces nothing but more obstacles. Very sad to see the pack dogs that had to be shot in order to survive, with some even eaten. Once they had lost their ship, the men were forced to march onward pulling as much as they could along with them. As the ice cracked below their feet, the men were the forced to seek refuge in the only three tiny life boats that were salvaged. As they nearly escape their frozen death, the tiny life boats are tossed into a violent ocean with the only solid land close enough being Elephant Island. The men rejoice thinking they've been saved but with it's high cliffs and limited shelter, the men could not survive much longer. Shackleton and two others set sail on a course of 800 miles set to South Georgia Island. With primitive navigation methods these men could not afford to go off course. As they land on South Georgia Island, they are on the wrong side of the whaling community and now must cross by land over ice packed cliffs in order to get to the other side. Once these three were rescued, their attempts took over 4 months to be able to approach Elephant Island and rescue the other men. Despite every odd against them, the courage of their "boss," turned out to be enough to keep their spirits just above desperation. 28 men would set sail aboard the Endurance that day and almost 2 years later, 28 returned.

Awards Include:

2001 - Chicago Film Critics Association - Best Documentary
2001 - National Board of Review - Best Documentary

White Mountain Films, Nova Entertainment, Cowboy Pictures
Director: George Butler
Writer: Joseph Dorman
Producer: George Butler

I viewed 4/10

Clash of the Titans (2010) - 4 Stars

These 3D movies are growing on me and had to make sure I saw this one opening Easter weekend. The original Clash of the Titans is one of my very favorite all time movies so I was interested in seeing what could become of it today. The movie has great entertainment, action with my biggest complaint of why show Bobu, the mechanical owl, if you're not going to take it on their quest. I didn't care for the witches makeup, as I feel it could have been done a whole lot creepier. For me, the battle with the scorpions was filmed too close up. I suppose that was for the 3d surround effects but made it hard to stay focused on the battle. I loved Medusa but where was the two headed creature that protected her entrance. I feel the suspense of that scene wasn't there and way more intense in the original. While I feel the director should have stayed closer to the original story, it's still definitely an enjoyable and entertaining remake. I think seeing it in 2D is the way to go.

Perseus (Sam Worthington), the son of Zeus (Liam Neeson), survives the banishment of he and his mother from the Heavens. Cast away to earth, and raised by man, Perseus is considered the Demigod with the power to defeat the underworld God, Hades (Ralph Fiennes), before he unleashes his wrath of hell on earth.

It seems man has become too independent with little need for prayer thus weakening the God's strength as prayers gives them their power. Hades convinces Zeus to instill the fear back into man by unleashing the Kraken and destroying the City of Argos. Princess Andromeda (Alexa Davalos), will be sacrificed unless Perseus can defeat the Kraken sending Hades back to his hellish underworld. But in order to defeat such a great power, Perseus must survive a maze of challenges and learn to except the gifts of the Gods.

Thunder Road Pictures, Legendary Pictures, Inc., Warner Bros. Pictures
Directors: Steve Norrington, Louis Leterrier
Writers: Travis Beacham, Matt Manfredi, Phil Hay
Producers: Kevin de la Noy, Basil Iwanyk

I viewed 4/10

Brothers (2009) R - 3½ Stars

Very strong emotional movie on the effects war has on families. Good performances by Maquire and Gyllenhaal, you feel for both brothers and try to put yourself in their shoes. Maquire does a great job of showing the torment war has instilled upon him. It makes you think about how much more is going on behind the scenes of war you didn't realise.

Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), has just received orders to ship out for a tour of duty in Afghanistan. His supportive wife Grace (Natalie Portman), is apprehensive to see him go knowing the dangers he faces ahead. The couple has two small children leaving Grace uneasy about their separation. Hank (Sam Shepard), is very proud of his sons devotion to duty and considers him a hero. On the other hand Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), Sam's older brother has just been released from a prison for robbing a bank. In Hank's eyes his son Tommy has become the black sheep of the family but they try to sit for one last meal before Sam ships out.

Grace never cared for Tommy, mainly due to the behavior that landed him in jail, but she welcomes his help in stepping up as Uncle Tommy while Sam is away. But when the family gets news that Sam's helicopter has been shot down and Sam killed, he takes on an even bigger role comforting Grace. The two become very close and on the verge of a relationship when suddenly Sam returns from the grave. Having endured a major mental shock in Afghanistan, Sam returns in body with his brain scrambled and confused. He accuses Tommy and Grace of having an affair, becomes a mean father and must make the choice of returning to Afghanistan or mending his soul for the sack of his family.

Sony Pictures Releasing, Lionsgate
Director: Jim Sheridan
Writer: David Benioff
Producers: Joni Sighvatsson, Michael De Luca, Ryan Kavanaugh

I viewed 4/10

Sherlock Holmes (2009) PG13 - 4 Stars

Never watch a movie when you are cranky, tired and irritable. That's what happened when I viewed Sherlock Holmes the first time. I was bored instantly, paid little attention and fell fast asleep. But I'm so glad I decided to re watch it once awake in a different frame of mind. Never being big into the Sherlock Holmes series, I still knew of the legendary detective. Whom, in a moments glance of a room, could uncover the slightest detail, giving insight into the cases resolve. Planing precisely his every move in advance, while never missing a beat, I think Downey Jr. had the unique quirkiness to make a perfect Holmes. But I've heard fans of the detective think his character was changed too much. For example, Rachel McAdams looks great in her Indiana Jones portrayal of mystery and suspense, but if Holmes and Watson were on their own originally, I'm not sure they needed to bring a female on board to romanticize the moment. However, I really enjoyed her presence as I felt she's just the thing to enhance Holmes true personality. Judd Law was great and both couldn't have been better hand picked for their roles. Complimenting each so well, they make the ideal inquisitive duo you want to root for. Mark Strong, with his cold villainous stare, reminded me of the old Dracula movies with Bela Lugosi lurking in the darkness. The costume and set design make you feel you're back in the day of playing a game of clue. A good action/adventure movie perhaps better viewed with closed captions to allow full enjoyment of the vocalized banter. This playful film leaves an opening for a sequel which I would certainly see.

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.), and Dr. Watson (Jude Law), are back together again, involved in stopping the evil Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), from claiming another life. Once behind bars and scheduled for hanging, Holmes goes back to his solitary existence of never ending Inquisitions. That is until Watson must bring Holmes back to reality to grant Blackwood's last request. After hung and laid to rest, Blackwood arises from the dead to carry on his killing streak. Holmes dives back on the case trying to entice Watson to join him. But Watson is eager to start a new life with Mary (Kelly Reilly), and leave the detective days behind and along comes past love Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams),throwing yet another wrench into Holmes plans.

Awards Include:
2009 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution
Directors: Guy Ritchie, Neil Marshall
Writers: Michael Robert Johnson, Guy Ritchie, Michael Johnson
Producers: Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Dan Lin

I viewed 4/10

Blindness (2008) R - 2 Stars

Giving this two stars because Danny Glover is in it and I love Danny Glover. But Danny, what the heck are you doing in this one? What seems weird to me is I stayed with the entire movie all the way to the end. It had a way of attaching me to it maybe because I was waiting for something exciting to happen. Well, I'm still waiting and the ending is horrible. They never tell you why everyone went blind and why one lady is the only one who can see. I guess the dark drab cinematography is to make you blinded yourself and perhaps claustrophobic.

One person (Yusuke Iseya), suddenly becomes blind seeing everything white instead of black. He is helped out from behind his drivers seat while another man takes over to avoid a traffic jam. When he returns home to his wife (Yoshino Kimura ), he's missing his eyesight, car and keys. They see the doctor as well as the man who stole his car, who also can not see now. The doctor (Mark Ruffalo ), has never heard of anything like this and starts to research into it further. The doc returns home to his wife (Julianne Moore), and suddenly the doctor is blind too along with everyone who's been in contact with him and so on and so on The entire city, possibly the entire world as no one ever explains, is blind except for the doctors wife who fakes it to be allowed to stay with her husband. They are driven to a holding area and quarantined since it appears to be a contagious virus. But the government treats them as if they have the plague, locks them away where they must fend for themselves to stay alive.

Rhombus Media, Inc., O2 Filmes, Bee Vine Pictures, Miramax Films
Director: Fernando Meirelles
Writer: Don McKellar
Producers: Niv Fichman, Andrea Barata Ribeiro, Sonoko Sakai

I viewed 4/10

Bigger, Stronger, Faster* (2008) PG13 - 3 Stars

This was a simple yet great documentary on the use of performance enhancing drugs; steroids. Directed by Christopher Bell, it accounts the life of himself and his two brothers who went from overweight boys, to muscle thriving men. The boys grew up watching their heroes like Hulk Hogan, in wrestling matches, striving to be just like them. As they take extreme measure of religious work outs, they find themselves unable of achieving "greatness." Two of the brothers Mark "Smelly" Bell, and Mike "Mad Dog" Bell, turn to steroids to enhance their performance. Christopher Bell, believing the usage of the drugs is just like cheating, does a good objective job researching into anabolic steroid use and where do we draw the line of what's fair and not fair.

The film focuses on the hypocrisy in our American culture as we strive for perfection. If you don't compare to the man or woman on the magazine cover, you're nothing. The movie gives a fair comparison between both sides of the debate including clips of the political congressional hearings on the subject of steroids in all Sports including the Olympics. America's need to win mentality can tend to overlook the obvious until it's exposed as a bad thing. Bell gives us a small look into athletes lives such as Barry Bond, Lyle Alzado, Hulk Hogan, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Lewis heroes to he and his brothers while growing up. Society looks up to these iconic stars as the greatest in the world trying to ignore the facts on how they got there. I liked the analogy of Tiger Woods having eye surgery to enhance his vision to 20/15 and why is this not looked upon as the same type of advantage. Should this be considered cheating as well? There are many legal substances such as creatine, and protein, that enhance performance but not giving the same attachment.

Magnolia Pictures
Director: Christopher Bell
Writers: Christopher Bell, Tamsin Rawady, Alexander Buono
Producers: Alexander Buono, Tamsin Rawady, Jim Czarnecki

I viewed 4/10

Southern Comfort (2001) NR - 4 Stars

I'm really big on documentaries that explore and enlighten me to situations I wouldn't really think about. This tragic story, laced with empathy and compassion, touches gently into the world of trans sexuality. Despite your opinion of it's right or wrongness, Southern Comfort offers an inside peek into a handful of close knit friends who excel in unconditional love, acceptance, and support. I think what I love most about this movie is it takes place on a secluded farm in Toaccoa, Georgia and not on the streets of West Hollywood. For the average person, it may be hard to look at transsexuals with anything other than contempt. I think most of my circle of friends would have no desire to see this film putting labeling into a freak category. But this movie is full of compassion, love and acceptance and I really felt for Robert's story.

Take a small but sad journey into one man's life who's dying of ovarian cancer due to his body being female. For him, the intimacy he shares with other transsexuals touches far beyond the bond some have shared with their genetic families.

Robert Eads (female to male) has one final wish, to have the strength to attend and speak at the annual Southern Comfort conference, to support and show love for small circle of friends in the transsexual community. He meets and falls in love with Lola Cola, (male to female), being a Zola I must say I do love her name, and along with some of their closest friends like Maxwell Scott Anderson, they open up a small portion of their constant struggles of acceptance living as transgendered.

Awards Include:
2000 - Sundance Film Festival - Documentary Grand Jury Prize


HBO Documentary Films, Q-Ball Productions
Director: Kate Davis
Producers: Kate Davis, Elizabeth Adams

I viewed 4/10

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) - 3 Stars

This is the type of movie you almost need to see twice to pick up all the subtle messages that piece together. Even with subtitles on, there's so much to absorb it's hard to stay with the plot which does finally take shape. The biggest problem though, it takes so long to take shape and the direction is all over the place. Along the way you're at least entertained as you discover another great actor taking center stage. Seriously, for such a nutty plot, I wonder how this movie managed to get such a great list of performers. For me, it's the cast that makes it fun and bearable. I love the part when they hit the rock after cloud bursting. No it's not a laugh out loud movie but if you can stay with it, it's fun and definitely unusual.

Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor), is trying to discover what he really wants to be in life after his wife dumps him for another man. He's a reporter and desperately wants to get into IRAQ and write a piece that will launch him to fame, proving his worth to the world. Lately his assignments have been interviewing seemingly quaky psychics he considers insane as they tell their stories. Determined to get to the next level in journalism he sets out for IRAQ only to be held up in cheap motels and lying to others about his first hand accounts on the front line. By chance he meets a man named Lyn Cassady (George Clooney), a name he remembers from his last physic interview. That interview mentioned Lyn Cassady as the ultimate physic and here he sits in right in front of Bob.

Seemingly more than a coincidence, Bob immediately tries to make contact with Lyn. After he explains how he knows of his name Lyn tells Bob of an experimental U.S. military unit; the New Earth Army. He comes up with preposterous stories of the Jedi force, a legion of "Warrior Monks," who have the ability to kill a goat just by staring at it. Their psychic powers can pass through walls and read the enemy's thoughts. at it. The small legion of men are led by Bill Django (Jeff Bridges), who's practice involve winning the war in a nonviolent approach. Bob becomes fascinated by all the secretiveness of the movement and begs Lyn to allow him to tag along into Iraq on his latest mission. It is there he will also meet another top player of the movement Larry Hooper (Kevin Spacey), whose jealousy of Lyn's abilities will actually cause the group to end.

Smoke House, BBC Films, Overture Films
Director: Grant Heslov
Writer: Peter Straughan
Producers: Paul Lister, George Clooney, Grant Heslov

I viewed 4/10

The Stepfather (2009) PG13 - 3½ Stars

I'm not big into the -I want to hunt you down and kill you movies- as they're usually full of blood causing me to shut my eyes a lot. But I thought this movie had some pretty good suspense to it with all the bloody gore. It kept me attached to my seat throughout the entire movie with no potty breaks. Even the acting was pretty good which helped make the story more believable. It's not a bad thriller at all.

Susan Harding (Sela Ward), has been divorced for a while now raising her two young children Beth (Skyler Samuels), and Sean (Braeden Lemasters), on her own. Her oldest son Michael Harding (Penn Badgley), has just returned home after being sent away to boarding school. But there's been some changes at home since Michael has been gone. David Harris (Dylan Walsh), has moved in claiming he wants to make the family whole again by marrying Susan and becoming the children's stepfather. Michael was never close with his real father and is very skeptical of David trying to become his friend. When he over hears Mrs. Cutter (Nancy Linehan Charles), the little old lady from across the street, tell Susan she watched an episode of "America's Most Wanted," she thinks she saw a sketch looking a lot like David. Michael constantly discusses his reservations about his new stepfather with his girlfriend Kelly Porter (Amber Heard), who usually makes him realise he is letting his mind wander. But when Mrs. Cutter is suddenly found dead, Michael does a little investigating of his own.

Imprint Entertainment, Granada, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Director: Nelson McCormick
Writer: J.S. Cardone
Producers: Mark Morgan, Greg Mooradian

I viewed 3/10

The Cove (2008) PG13 - 4 Stars

I had a real hard time watching this documentary movie. I'm sure if I watched a film about the slaughtering of cows, turkeys, chicken, pigs or anything else I consume, it would probably make a vegetarian out of me right after viewing. But it's the way of our land and humans have become accustomed to buying the pretty packages in the store and accepting it. The difference is, the meat we eat is raised specifically for our consumption and in no shortage. And while we would be in an uproar if we found inhuman treatment of our food table, it's regulated, loosely inspected and widely accepted. But the slaughter of these intelligent marine creatures will not be tolerated and must be stopped.

Dolphins, and other ocean mammals, are growing smaller in numbers due to overfishing of our oceans. Humans do not have the right to dictate any species future. When dolphin meat is bitter, not an enjoyable taste, and mercury laden from their rank in the food chain, how can we as a human race continue to allow this slaughter to happen in Taiji or anywhere else. The dolphins don't stand a chance once hoarded together and brutally carved while alive, turning the once calm waters into a sea of blood. Even the Japanese seem immune to what's happening in their own backyard. The Japanese people use dolphins and other marine animals, as we do here, holding them hostage to perform for profit and entertainment. While these creatures captivate the crowds, around the corner in a tiny cove not many have heard of and most are unaware, continues the slaughter of these sensitive serene creatures.

I've gone on a few whale watching expeditions and the highlight for me is always when I am surrounded by dolphins playfully swimming along side the boat. For me, it makes me want to jump in along side of them, envying their free spirit. Our guide told us a dolphin can look up on us on deck and tell if we are female, male, pregnant, children or adults. Having almost felt their spirit, as they engulfed our ship, "The Cove" makes it that much more difficult for me to view their tragic demise. What I found so great is that the one person who made dolphins so famous in our lives by capturing and training the dolphins used in the Flipper television series, is now the same animal activist deeply against keeping these sensitive and highly intelligent creatures in captivity. In an almost a redemption for his 1960's work, Richard O'Barry sets off to expose the secrets of a brutal fishing industry that lies to it's people while trying to camouflage it's effects.

In the small town of Taiji, along the Japanese coast, lies a multi million dollar industry of the worst kind. The abusive fisherman who hunt and kill dolphins to support their economy. Richard O'Barry is not welcomed in this part of the land and this film is his attempt to expose and stop herding these dolphins to their own slaughter in a secluded cove away from public view. Please visit The Cove Movie web site to do your part to help.

Nominated for 1 Oscar - Awards include:

2009 - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - Best Documentary Feature
2009 - Toronto Film Critics Association - Best Documentary
2009 - National Board of Review - Best Documentary


Roadside Attractions
Director: Louie Psihoyos
Writer: Mark Monroe
Producers: Olivia Ahneman, Paula DuPre Pesman, Fisher Stevens

I viewed 4/10