Lincoln

 

Steven Spielberg’s resume extends for decades. He has given us some of the most memorable moments in film and movie making history. His latest film, “Lincoln” focuses on the political state of the 19th century at a time when the United States was at war with itself. President Abraham Lincoln was in office during this very trying time in history. The film is a lot more of a political focus than it is a focus on the actual Civil War. President Lincoln faces opposition in his effort to find peace within the county. He is set on abolishing slavery and has to gain support from the Democratic party to pass the 13th Amendment, which we now know of course, was passed.

This is a really touching, really human piece by Mr. Spielberg. He has that element in really every film he has done. A great deal of my movie watching memories are credited to Spielberg films. “E.T.” still draws emotion out of me every time, and this is because of the care he puts into character development. When a character is developed as well as in his films, the story is automatically enriched. Daniel Day-Lewis’ portrayal of President Lincoln is nothing short of amazing. It is great to see the family man aside from the office he holds, although his family was far from perfect. His wife Mary, played by Sally Field was a troubled individual. The death of one of their sons had a tremendous impact on her. When their son Robert (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) prepares to go to war, she essentially tells her husband to put her in the crazy house, because she could not handle losing another one of her children. There is tension in their relationship because of traumatic things that have happened, and the stress of the Presidency. But there are some moments between the two that show the good of their relationship as well.

This film is not for everyone. It has a 150-minute run time, but it feels like a solid three hours. It is very long, and very dry, but it is a very good film, and one that should be watched in my opinion. This covers a time in the history of the United States when change was needed. The abolishing of slavery was one of the key moments in our history, and President Lincoln was key to the success of the 13th Amendment.

This is a beautifully shot film, and one of Spielberg’s best in recent memory. This is well worth 150 minutes of your time, especially if you have any kind of interest in history, and learning about the evolution of our wonderful country.

 

-David B. Harrington

Life of Pi

  The holiday season brings with it some great films. This year has some promising titles. Ang Lee, the acclaimed Director of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” and “Brokeback Mountain” adds to the season with his latest film “Life of Pi“, a truly phenomenal story based off the book by Yann Martel. I have read the book, and therefore had a good amount of expectations when coming into the theater to see this. I have to say, this film delivers!

The story follows Pi Patel who lives with his family in India. His father owns a zoo, and so he is constantly exposed to animals. Pi is curious about religion and in discovering God in his life, so he explores many religions. His father warns him about being a part of more than one religion, and even religion in general, stating that science has shown humankind more than religion has. This is not good enough for Pi as he continues his exploration of religion. Later, his family comes across hard times and they are forced to sell their zoo. They bring the animals aboard a ship that they are taking to Canada, where they are moving. They are going to sell all the animals. Once on board the ship, a very large storm hits, and the ship sinks. Pi gets aboard a small boat off the side of the ship. The only problem is that there are animals on the boat with him, including an adult tiger. What ensues is a journey of self-discovery and a story that will “make you believe in God.” This film worked on so many levels for me. It is absolutely gorgeous to watch. Ang Lee has a true gift in the way that he visually presents his stories. This whole journey we go on with Pi is really brought to life by the images we see on the screen. The colors are very rich, and the whole film seems like a dream sequence, as there are some pretty fantastic moments. But that really is the basis of the story he tells, a story that is hard to believe. But I love that the film (and the book of course) don’t give any definite answers as to what really did or didn’t happen. It allows for the viewer (or the reader) to discover for themselves what really happened.

It is interesting to see the evolution of Pi’s character as he continues in his time of desperation to search for God. I really feel like he finds Him in his journey. The tiger whom he calls Richard Parker (it’s funny how that name came to be) allows for Pi to face his fears. He breaks down the fear that was built up through experience with what is seen as “dangerous”. Back at the zoo, Pi almost gets his arm ripped off by Richard Parker. His father teaches him a lesson by forcing his son to watch Richard Parker attack a goat. He tells his son that the tiger is not his friend. But the bond that they develop on the boat really does break down the walls of fear, and allows for discovery of friendship in the most unlikely of places and situations.

This film really caused me to take a step back again, just as I did when I read the book, and ask myself some pretty important questions, such as where my relationship is with God and how I “believe”. This film should not be missed.

 

-David B. Harrington

Killing Them Softly

 

It has been quite a while since I can say that there is a Brad Pitt movie that I really enjoy. The streak continues with “Killing them Softly” which focuses on the mob scene. After a Markie Trattman (Ray Liotta) robs his own mob-protected high-dollar card game, he is warned that if it should happen again, he will pay. Then, a couple of smart-guy rookies decide to perform a robbery on a card game Markie is hosting, because they think the mob will automatically blame him for it due to his recent past. So, the two rookies go in and collect all of the money, with dish washing gloves on their hands, nets over their heads, and a sawn off shotgun that is cut a little too short. They escape, but not for long. The mob brings in Jackie (Brad Pitt) to fix the situation. A couple of errand boys for the mob beat up Markie pretty bad, and then later, Jackie finishes the job. The two original robbers from the second hit on Markie’s place don’t get away for too long before Jackie catches up with them.

Some films work really well with a slower pace, but it was a really grueling task to be patient with this film as it had little to no pay off. I felt like the pace only slowed rather than picked up. It would spike in a few (very few) moments, and then go right back to tough-guy mob dialogue that really has more bark than bite. It is really tough listening to Frankie (Scoot McNairy) talk. He has this really whiny tone whenever he opens his mouth. But, on a another level, he does play the rookie robber really well, in fact, he comes off as a rookie actor as well. The other supporting cast including James Gandolfini (“The Sopranos”) and Richard Jenkins (“Let Me In”) don’t offer much either.

I am no stranger to mob or gangster movies. I have seen my fair share. That being said, there are movies like this that come along, and I can’t help but feel that there are simply trying to be as “cool” as the others that have done really well. Don’t get me wrong, there are worse movies out there, but this is not going to find itself on any lists of must see-movies, even within its own genre.

This was a film I was looking forward to seeing, but unfortunately, I can’t make any recommendations here. I’m not even sure if this is worth the slide of a card at the local Red Box for movie night.

 

-David B. Harrington

Wreck-It Ralph

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Disney has produced some of the most beloved animated classics of all time. I remember growing up with “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “The Rescuers”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “The Lion King”, just to name a few. Some of my greatest movie-watching memories are credited to this great company. However, over the last decade or so, Disney has been more miss than hit (not to be confused with the Disney-Pixar films) with films like “Atlantis: The Lost Empire”, “Home on the Range”, “Chicken Little”, and “Meet the Robinsons”. That being said, there have been some bright spots with “Brother Bear”, “The Princess and the Frog”, “Tangled” and the beloved “Winnie the Pooh”. Now we come to the latest entry in the collection of animated films now stretching 75 years. “Wreck-It Ralph” brings a lot of fun for a wide range of ages. It does a really good job of pulling in the 8-bit generation with a lot of retro video game material.

Wreck-It Ralph (John C. Reilly) is a character in the popular “Fix-It Felix Jr.” which features Fix-It Felix (John McBrayer) who is loved by all the characters in the game. As time goes by Wreck-It Ralph realizes that he doesn’t want to be a bad guy any longer, but would rather be good. He is told that he is a bad guy and can never be good. So, he goes on a journey for a medal (which he is told aren’t awarded to bad guys) and does so by entering the “Heroe’s Duty” game. He ends up finding his way to “Sugar Rush”, a racing game where he befriends Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) who is a glitch in her game, and therefore not accepted by those in her game. With this common ground, the two become good friends. What ensues is a journey of self-discovery and friendship, and that good old warm Disney feeling.

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I really enjoyed this movie. I went with my wife, dad, and my four boys who all enjoyed it. There were a lot of funny moments, and spots where you would laugh if you “got” the video game references, including cameos by a lot of memorable characters. Disney does a really good job of developing characters that we really care about. Wreck-It Ralph and Venellope are a good on-screen duo, and really do develop that genuine emotion with the viewer.

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I found the soundtrack to be another feature of this movie that really added a lot to the whole experience of what they were trying to communicate. It had a retro video feel as well as an instrumental mix that added to the quality of the film. I appreciate when styles are able to be mixed (i.e. mixing retro with modern) in a really effective way.

The holiday season comes complete with quality time spent with family. We always enjoying watching good movies together in my family. This is a film well worth spending a couple hours with the family to see. Point goes to Disney on this one.

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-David B. Harrigton

App Review: Angry Birds Star Wars (iOS)

Apple has a lot of great apps to offer in their very popular App Store. I have played a wide range of games, and have really narrowed my favorites down to a select few in each app category. In the case of games, “Angry Birds” is right at the top. Rovio’s newest Birds release brings us into the world of Star Wars, which we are all very familiar with. What I loved about “Angry Birds” from the beginning was that it is a very fun, and very simple game to navigate. That being said, there are a lot of very challenging levels. It’s one of those games like “Super Mario Bros.” that looks innocent, and then as you make your way deeper into the game, you want to throw your iPhone (or console) across the room because the game is so tough. So, the challenge factor definitely exists, even for hardcore gamers.

They do a very good job on bringing the world of Star Wars to iOS. I appreciate how creative they got in assigning the Birds and Pigs we are used to playing with, to different Star Wars characters. Above, we see Luke Skywalker as the bird that we start out with in the game. Aside from Luke, we have really every character that should be in the game. We have Luke, Han, Leia, Chewy, C-3PO, R2-D2, and then on the dark side we have Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Tie Fighters, X-Wings, and we get to play in various locations such as Tatooine, the Death Star, and soon they will be updating the app to bring us the ice planet of Hoth.

 

One aspect that I find challenging that we do also find in the Space version of “Angry Birds” is where you are slinging the birds into different bubbles that carry their own gravity. You really have to aim just right to get the job done. It can get frustrating, but that is part of the challenge of the game that users enjoy.

I have always enjoyed the design of the characters as well. These are what I would call “time waster” games, but they are very addicting. So, user beware! It is also a big battery drainer. I have taken my battery down from full charge to 50% in one sitting of playing this game. Ya, it is that fun. And this latest installment is not exception.

 

It’s fun to see all the different ways Star Wars manifests itself in the retail market. It seems that Star Wars products are available in every direction we look. This game is a great addition to the vast collection of Star Wars related material, and should be downloaded without hesitation, even for the most casual of gamer.

 

-David B. Harrington

Skyfall

We have now enjoyed 50 years of James Bond, and I have to say, they celebrated in the right way! There are a lot of reasons I go to see movies. And the fact is that James Bond films (this one included) are just plain fun! I remember when I first started collecting films almost 15 years ago, I watched “Thunderball” with Sean Connery. I was really taken in, and started watching other Bond films. To be honest, I really stuck with the Connery films, and have only broken outside of that to see the Daniel Craig films, and one or two with Pierce Brosnon.

“Skyfall” finds James Bond tracking down  Raoul Silva  (Javier Bardem) who wants revenge against M for betraying him years earlier. Raoul plots his revenge by attempting to take down M-16, where M’s office is located. After an explosion occurs at the building, and it is identified as an act of terrorism, Bond does all he can to keep M safe, including taking her to Skyfall, which is a location that is owned by the Bond family. They are attacked by Raoul and those employed by him, and M must face him face to face. Bardem plays his character really well. He has a creepy air about him that follows him from role to role. “No Country For Old Men”, one of my favorites flaunts a very creepy Javier Bardem, who is a lot more quiet and ruthless than this film, but he still brings a lot to the plate here.

I will keep from spoilers in this review, and just say that the film is worth watching, even if it is just to see the ending. This does also bring an end to Judi Dench as a part of the cast. She has been in several Bond films now, and will be missed. She is a character we have gotten used to, and has that certain quality to her that offers a lot to the Bond films. Bond is ready for more at the end of the film, as he reports ready for duty, which is great in the sense that we have more Bond films coming, which probably anyone could have guessed. I hope it continues with Daniel Craig, as he is a great fit for the character.

This might be the best movie in the long-running tradition of the Bond series, or at least it gives any other entry a run for its money. My personal favorite is “Goldfinger” which was a lot of fun to watch, and really pulled me in to want to watch more Bond Films, which I definitely look forward to even past “Skyfall”.

-David B. Harrington

Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2

 

The wildly popular “Twilight” series by Stephanie Meyer really ignited the visibility of vampires in pop culture. We see them in film and TV more than we have in a long time. Abraham Lincoln is even slaying some Vampires of his own. I can’t say that I am sad to see this particular series coming to an end, because I’m not. That being said, this series is what it is. There is some good story, but that is coupled with some really horrible acting at more than a few points. This series would never win any awards, and you will never find its synopsis in a film history class textbook years down the road. But, with some popcorn and a drink, and maybe a box of Sour Patch Kids, these movies aren’t a complete waste of a couple hours.

In the final installment of the series we find Edward and Bella with their daughter Renesmee (I know…weird name, right?) with the rest of the Cullen family, and of course Jacob. The main plot point in this film is the Volturi pursuing the Cullen family for the birth of Renesmee, as she is thought to be immortal, when in fact she is not, because Bella was pregnant and gave birth to her when she was still human. For Edward and Bella to have had their child when they were both Vampires would have been a sin punishable by death of their child. So, the Voluturi are notified of this child, and come to deliver justice.

The Cullen family go all over the world to gather together some of their greatest Vampire friends. Jacob also gets the wolf pack together to help defend them. Now, before I get into what happens after this, there is a really strange plot point that left me shaking my head. Jacob imprints on Renesmee, meaning that he has chosen her as a mate. So, Jacob couldn’t make it with Bella, so he pairs up with her daughter. Creepy. Now, back to the story. After the Cullens gather together the troops, they go to the meeting place where they are to confront the Volturi.

**Spoiler Alert**

There is a battle that ensues even after the Volturi discover that Renesmee is not immortal. People are killed, including Carlisle and Jasper. And then, we come back to before the battle happened, because what was actually happening was Alice was showing Aro his future if he were to pursue battle with them. In that vision he is one that dies. So, they leave, and all is well.

Again, I am not a huge fan of the series, but it does have its elements, and its moments that I find enjoyable. That being said, this was not the ending to the series that I was expecting. I should mention I did read all of the books except for “Breaking Dawn”. So, I didn’t know what was coming. Die hard fans of the series might find the ending enjoyable which is a flashback montage of Edward and Bella, and all they have been through together, and then the end credits show all of the characters from the full series over music. For me, the cheese is too heavy, but for fans of the series, I would check this film out.

 

-David B. Harrington

Flight

 

Denzel Washington (“Training Day”) and Robert Zemeckis (“Cast Away”) team up in bringing a really interesting story to the big screen. The previews for this film had a different feel than what was actually delivered. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Washington plays Whip Whitaker, a pilot who is piloting a commercial aircraft from Orlando to Atlanta. What ensues is a mechanical failure of the plane. Whip has to think on the fly (no pun intended) and land the plane. There are over 100 people on board, and through some kind of miracle, he lands the plane in a field, although the plane splits in half, and one of the wings snaps. Only 6 people on board (2 crew and 4 passengers) die. Whip is looked at as a hero, but what follows is a long road for Whip. He is brought to trial for his condition when flying the plane. He has a long history of alcoholism, and is found to have been drunk when flying the plane. The film looks in depth on the impact that Whip’s alcoholism has had on his life, and the impact it could have on his future, and in the context of the plane crash, whether his issues had an impact on the lives lost on the plane.

I most certainly saw this film going a different direction than it ended up going. That being said, I think Denzel Washington delivered a great performance as a human struggling to get past his addictions. What he did on the aircraft was most definitely miraculous. At one point, he had the plane upside down to buy himself some more time to land. But that really is beside the point here. He was drunk when he boarded the aircraft he would be piloting, and that was the bottom line. But the real focus here is how Whip struggles to own up to the mistakes he has made, and the true impact that his alcoholism has had on his life. He is divorced, with a son who acknowledges him as a drunk, and wants nothing to do with him.

**Spoiler Alert**

I really enjoyed the evolution of Whip’s character, and the realization that he comes to that he does need to own up to his actions. He sees the impact he is having on the most important people around him. And as he says, he feels like he hit his limit of lies in his life, and he simply couldn’t lie any more. So, he tells the board that is questioning him that he was drunk when he flew the plane, and that he is an alcoholic. For this, he goes to prison. His son visits him and brings a recorder, because he is completing college entrance essays. He asks his dad who he is, and proceeds to record him. This is where the film ends.

This film brings to question the conduct of human beings and what we see as acceptable and unacceptable. The tricky thing in this situation is that Whip did save a lot of lives, but there was also the issue of his condition upon entering the plane. I feel like everybody has their dark secrets, their secret addictions or issues that they suppress. To own up to those things is sometimes the hardest thing. In this case, we have a person who took a step back in the heat of the moment (being questioned) and saw where he fell short. And he knew what he needed to do. He had to clear his conscience, because he could no longer live under the dark cloud of his addictions.

I like what Robert Zemeckis did here. He really does well with human stories. I think back to “Cast Away” and the profound impact that film had on me, that tomorrow is another day, and that “the sun will rise”. The end of this film had the same impact on me. We all have the ability to own up to who we are and how we conduct ourselves, and that that conduct does not only impact us, but those closest to us as well.

 

-David B. Harrington

Reboot vs Remake

We can always look at our calendars on Friday, and know that there are movies that will be hitting theaters. The question I have is regarding those movies that are reboots and remakes. Now, let me differentiate here. A reboot is taking a movie and redesigning the characters and the story, and the overall world that they exist in. It is a Director taking a project, and saying “I can make this better” or, “I can give more back story to the original film, and make it my own”. A remake is more of a lateral move with little change to the original film. The question is, do you prefer a reboot or a remake?

I am one who appreciates originality, but there are some instances where a reboot or a remake work out quite well. I personally prefer a Director who can make a film their own. I don’t have as much interest in the remakes. Christopher Nolan is a great example of a Director who has intense originality (“Inception”) but who can also take a very well known character and world and make it his own, and do a damn good job of it (Batman)!

What are your thoughts? Do you prefer reboots or remakes? Or, do you prefer complete originality all the way through?

 

-David B. Harrington

The Man With the Iron Fists

 

I went into this film not knowing what to expect. This isn’t typically my genre, but I wanted to give it a shot, and broaden my scope a little bit. I can’t say it paid off. “The Man With the Iron Fists” is a strange film. The bottom line here is that there is a treasure that is being sought after in China. There are a few different groups of bandits and warriors and a soldier (played by Russell Crowe) who want to get their hands on it.

Jack Knife (Crowe), the Blacksmith (played by RZA, the Director) and Zen-Yi, the X-Blade (played by Rick Yune) all join together to stop the bandit forces from taking the treasure. The Blacksmith is our man with the iron fists. He is brutally handled by the group of bandits knows as “The Lions” by having his arms chopped off. So, being the extraordinary Blacksmith that he is, he enlists the aid of Jack Knife to make a new pair of arms made out of iron. By centering himself and his inner chi, he is able to control the iron arms/hands as normal. The X-Blade’s father was killed, and so he is pursuing the bandits as well. One by one, the three take out the bandits.

This film really hailed back to the old Kung Fu films with the cheesy dialogue and the excessive violence. We definitely get all of that here. For someone who enjoys this genre, which requires a very specific taste, then maybe this film is worth it for you, but for me, it was a miss all the way around. The dialogue was very hard to handle for an hour and a half, and even when they were trying to be funny, I just gritted my teeth. The violence was definitely over-the-top, with arms and heads being cut off, and blood spraying farther than most can throw a baseball. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but it was bad.

I can’t offer a recommendation here, even for a Redbox rental. As a Directorial debut for RZA, I can’t say that I am anxiously awaiting his next film. Sorry dude!

 

-David B. Harrington