PassionForMovies

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" (2009)

What made me happiest about Michael Jackson's "This Is It" is that you could still see his indomitable spirit, never-ending talent, passion for his music and performance, and love for his fans.  It is quite clear that he was excited about the tour and having a wonderful time putting together a perfect production (oh, and it is quite clear from the movie that he was a perfectionist).  With the help of Director & Co-Creator Kenny Ortega, MJ was putting together a show that people would not only love, but remember forever, as something special, something that had never been done before (i.e. elaborate sets, tremendous pyrotechnics, amazing VFX), and something with a message about peace, oneness, love, and about taking care of our planet.

My favorite performance was "Smooth Criminal" with the (spoiler alert) integration of MJ with old B&W movie clips with Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson.  The seamless integration of digital shoot footage with live dance on set, with amazing lighting and all with live musicians on stage, can only be summed up with one word... wow!  Each and every song in the show was performed beautifully with great - no stunning - visual effects and artistic direction but this one stood out for me enough that I had to get out of my seat and start dancing.  The only other song I found myself moving to other than this one was "Beat It".  The soon about saving Mother Earth before it's too late (one of many causes MJ supported and donated generously to) was well executed and I'll let you watch it rather than tell you about it... Last but not least is a 3D version of "Thriller" that was shot to play on screen during the shows before Michael Jackson and his dancers would arrive on stage to perform one of the most successful singles of all time.

At times he seemed tired and frail, wanting to preserve his voice, at times he was a tough and demanding boss (guiding his musical director on how to play one of his specific songs), and often he was playful with his crew... he was human, genius, and larger than life... all at once!

One thing is for sure... he was, is, and always shall be "The King of Pop".  An innovator of sound, beat, and movement... a true legend.  Not only a must-watch, this DVD is a must-own, a memorable keepsake.  Rest in peace, MJ... you will live on forever!

The Wolfman (2010) - Benicio del Toro

Back in the '30s and ’40s, Universal Studios was the studio for horror films, putting out classics such as “Frankenstein,” “Dracula”, "The Mummy" and of course "The Wolf Man".  Given the profitability of this genre in the movie business, it is clear why these movies have been re-made time and time again. This being a remake of the 1941 Lon Chaney Jr. classic.

It is great to see Benicio Del Toro back on the big screen and that too alongside Anthony Hopkins, Hugo Weaving, and Emily Blunt.

Benicio plays Lawrence Talbot, a famous actor, touring England as Hamlet when he hears that his brother has disappeared. He dutifully visits their ancestral mansion where he is greeted by his estranged father played by Anthony Hopkins.  While hunting the murderous beast who killed his bro, Lawrence is bitten but survives, thus becoming a Wolfman himself. "Who is the other one?"

Compared to “The Mummy” franchise (Universal's most successful remake), this film is a lot darker and somber and by that fact alone will not reach the success level of "The Mummy" (as Indiana Jones-like entertainment with action and humor tend to do far better than the more serious horror films), the film is worthy of viewing once.

Although the film is receiving C/C- ratings from critics and B/B+ ratings from viewers, if you are a Benicio del Toro fan ("Traffic", "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas"), you are sure to enjoy.  There were some issues in consistency of the actors and the director was replaced, the movie though not great, is worth watching once, especially for fans of this genre.  (B-)

AVATAR

James Cameron's Avatar, is a science-fiction / fantasy epic opening in theaters December 16, 2009.  There is much hype that this film will surpass the #1 spot held by his previous film "Titanic."  The film is co-produced by 20th Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment and focused on an epic conflict on the planet Pandora.  The film will be released in both 2D and 3D formats along with IMAX 3D being the real way to enjoy what this film has to offer (but get ready to shell out $18/ticket for that experience).

Pandora's biosphere is filled with incredible life forms, some beautiful, many terrifying. Pandora is also home to the Na’vi, a sentient humanoid race, who are considered primitive, yet are more physically capable than humans. They have a glistening blue skin, long tails, and stand 10 feet (3 meters) tall and most importantly live as one with their environment... Until the humans come encroaching into their forests, their homes in search of natural resources.  The message of being green, conserving, being one with the planet we occupy, and sharing resouces fairly with other creatures is the primary motif of the film.

The cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Giovanni Ribisi, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, among others.  Music is composed by James Horner.  The film cost approximately $237MM to make and runs 2 hours and 41 minutes long.  The film reminds me of several Ursula Leguin sci-fi novels I read as a kid (i.e. if you enjoy the film, check out her novels).  This film should be amazing as James Cameron rarely disappoints!

 

 

THE INFORMANT (MATT DAMON)

“The Informant” is a dark comedy about how Mark Whitacre (played by Matt Damon) is a rising star at Archer Daniels Midland Corporation during the early 1990’s and winds up blowing the whistle on the  price-fixing tactics of the company.  Director Steven Soderbergh deals with drama, suspense, crime, comedy, all together in this spectacular and off-beat film based on journalist Kurt Eicenwald’s novel with the same title.

 

The Warner Bros. production received generally positive reviews from critics. And although Matt Damon had to gain 20+ pounds of weight to do the role and put in a good performance, it wasn’t good enough to grab a Golden Globe nomination (let’s hope he has better luck with the Oscar nominations).  The film opened at #2 at the box office and has grossed over $33MM worldwide.

 

Other than Matt Damon, who puts on an amazing performance, the cast includes Scott Bakula, Joel McHale, Melanie Lynskey.  The film was shot in May 2008 and most of the scenes were shot on location in Decatur, Illinois.  It was also filmed at the former Whitacre mansion, which is located in Moweaqua, Illinois which is twenty miles from Decatur.  Some of the exterior shots of the movie were also shot in Mesa, Arizona.

It is definitely worth the watch given the quality of performances and direction and to see the story about the highest ranked executive to ever turn whistleblower against a corporation and help the FBI and government crackdown on a very unethical management team.

2012

I got dragged into watching "2012" even though I really didn't want to... and realized that my first instinct was correct. Emmerich has gone over the top on this one (as if The Day After Tomorrow's running from the ice wasn't enough)... I miss those days of Independence Day when at least it held your attention and didn't kill your suspension of disbelief for a couple of hours (oh by the way it is a really long movie). 

The first half hour was bearable and after that I found myself wanting to text my friends or play a game on my DROID and I literally walked out of the movie theater a few minutes before the movie ended cause I just couldn't take it any more. The dialogue was cheesy and thus even with a decent cast, the acting was sub par. The only thing interseting (I won't even use the word 'good') about the film was some impressive special effects (tidal waves, massive earthquakes etc.).  Just learned another little tid-bit -- it was the most pirated film of 2009 (see IMDb).

ANGELS & DEMONS

I was feeling guilty for buying Dan Brown's "Angels & Demons" at the airport but never finishing it once off my flight.  However, after watching the movie I'm rather glad I didn't as it would have taken the fun out of watching the film.  I can understand reading Jhumpa Lahiri's "Namesake" or Khaled Hosseini's "Kite Runner" prior to watching the respective films but just not suspense filled thrillers like "Angels & Demons". 

Anyways, now I will enjoy reading "Angels & Demons" and probably even plan a trip to Rome / The Vatican City soon (although Ron Howard and producers did not get permission to shoot in The Eternal City, they did a great job simulating it with other Italian cities and computer generated imagery).

The film's pacing was fantastic.  Twists and turns in the storyline came on coming and never stopped.  Tom Hanks was Tom Hanks.  Israeli actress Ayelet Zurer, who played Hanks' sidekick/co-sleuth, was both stunning and nuanced in her acting (expect to see her in a few more Hollywood blockbusters).  The cast was near perfect!

Casting = A
Script = A+
Acting = A 
Direction & Editing = B+
Music/Sound = B
Marketing = C+

Far better than "The Da Vinci Code" which lacked clarity and pacing, this story stresses on the coexistence of science and religion and deals with the persecution of Galileo by the Church during the 17th century.  The film unfolds under the power struggle for the Papcy and accompanying Hanks are three other wonderful 'character' actors who must be given due credit for their great performances along-side Hanks... Ewan McGregor (Star Wars & Trainspotting), Stellan Skarsgard (Good Will Hunting & Mamma Mia!), and Armin Mueller-Stahl (The Game & The International).

It's worth making the trip to the theaters, especially if you like thrillers or Tom Hanks.