Rise of the Guardians

Rise of the Guardians When I initially heard this movie featured Santa, The Easter Bunny and Tooth fairy (to name a few characters) I thought to myself, "skip". However this movie does some really fun things with these childhood fantasy figures that are original and compelling. And the entire movie is absolutely gorgeous to the eye. Muted, this movie would be worth watching simply for the beautiful animation. If this movie played on a loop in an electronics store, they would sell more big screen TVs. I'm just sayin'. We laughed, we cried, and everyone of us agreed that this was one of the most entertaining things we've seen in a while. And you'll have to take my word for it, but I know what good is. ;) - Customer Reviews

Synopsis: An epic adventure of a group of heroes with extraordinary abilities. When an evil spirit, Pitch, tries to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces to protect the hopes, beliefs and the imagination of children all over.
Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin
Supporting actors: Jude Law, Isla Fisher, Hugh Jackman
Directed by: Peter Ramsey
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Runtime: 1 hour 38 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Dreamworks Animation

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Being a near 60 year-old, I have been in love with Tolkien's Hobbit and Middle World fantasy for a long time--since my teenage years. I introduced the Fellowship of the Ring movie to my sons when it first came out and they became big fans too--seeing it repeatedly in the theaters and with great anticipation and a famished appetite, consumed the next two parts of the trilogy when they finally arrived in theaters. We bought the VCR and DVD versions and would have marathon watching sessions together often. They introduced it to my grandchildren so the tradition continues.

Even though I no longer enjoy going to see many movies in the theater, I decided that I wanted to see the Hobbit with a full screen and sound of a theater. I even went alone so I would not be distracted by conversation with anyone else. I was prepared to see the "slow parts" reviewers warned would be there. However, I didn't experience any scenes that were slow at all. It was a story that had me engaged the whole way through as well as having amazing cinematography and other qualities that are best experienced at least once in a theater. I have come to think that the reviewers lacked the understanding of how good conversation and narrations really give the heart and soul of a good story. This movie restores that quality to the mix better than any I have seen in decades, including the Lord of the Ring. Action scenes are there to enhance and illustrate the story more completely, but they should not be the foundation of it. If action and great cinematography is the foundation of the story in a movie, it lacks staying power and is hollow. This is a movie I will enjoy and get more out of it each time I watch it. This is a movie of great substance and balance that will also be wonderful to watch at home using any device we have available to see it. None of the artists who brought us this product were lacking. - Customer Reviews

Synopsis: The adventure follows Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim Erebor with the help of Gandalf the Grey and 13 Dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield.
Starring: Ian Mckellen, Martin Freeman
Supporting actors: Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis
Directed by: Peter Jackson
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
Runtime: 2 hours 50 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Warner Bros.
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images

Wreck-It Ralph

Wreck-It Ralph is living proof that there is still original ideas in Hollywood and, for me, it was the best animated movie of the year and one of the most original and clever films I've seen in a while.

The story follows Wreck-It Ralph, a "bad guy" who is tired of being the character who's only purpose is to wreck things in an arcade game called "Fix-It Felix Jr." Ralph dreams of being the hero, so he sets out to explore other games within the arcade to earn a highly-coveted medal, along with the respect he feels he deserves. The voice acting is top-notch here; John C. Reilly is great as the title character and Jack McBrayer is perfect as Felix Fix-It Jr. In fact, there isn't one member of the voice cast that is out of place. Even Sarah Silverman, whom I'm not much of a fan of, does a great job with her character, Vanellope von Schweetz. The story does have elements that are familiar, but sets itself apart by with the insertion of original jokes and clever references.

One of the things I loved most about the movie is the appeal it has for everyone, whether it be little kids, adults, video game enthusiasts, or grandparents; there's something here for everyone. Those who grew up playing classic games like Pac-Man and Tapper will be overjoyed with some of the references this movie contains. It's fantastic to see companies collaborate and allow their properties to come together, and I sincerely hope they make a sequel. I also thought it was great how the creative team incorporated various gaming elements into the movie. For example, in the same scene they will have highly modernized characters with fluid movement interacting with jittery characters in the old 8-bit style, something I'd never seen in a film.

As I said, this was the best animated film of the year for me and one of the most enjoyable I've seen in a long time. If you have nostalgia for old video games, you'll be sure to love this movie. I would highly recommend this to anyone.  - Customer Reviews

Synopsis: Ralph sets out to prove that he is a true hero with a big heart.
Starring: John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer
Supporting actors: Sarah Silverman, Jane Lynch
Directed by: Rich Moore
Runtime: 1 hour 42 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Life Of Pi

Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" is a masterpiece with some of the most beautiful and unforgettable images ever displayed on film. Not only did it give me an experience of the wonder in being alive while moving me to tears, but its story also encompassed a human life from childhood to mature age while dealing with pain and guilt that are part of the human experience.

Ang Lee isn't thought of as an Asian auteur in the class of Wong Kar-wai, Zhang Yimou or Lee Chang-dong. He's actually more of a commercial director than a personal artist, but what he does in transferring the "Life of Pi" from novel to screen is miraculous. Perhaps no director has ever captured the beauty and fear of the power of life, and when you look deep into the eyes of the tiger "Richard Parker", you see what Marlowe saw in Kurtz's eyes in Conrad's "The Heart of Darkness": a power so vast it dwarfs you with an awareness of your mortality, showing you your insignificance beside the powers of all life. What Ang Lee does here in this film will, I believe, remain his tour-de-force, and is a work of art I will come to many times in the future.

The acting is wonderful, primarily Infan Khan, one of India's greatest actors who plays the adult Pi. Khan provides an entire acting course just in the way he uses his face, displaying a smile in the film's climax that rivals the Mona Lisa's in its ambiguity. You see the world of pain, guilt, joy and sadness in his delicate expression.

The film is supremely spiritual in every frame, yet, if one is paying attention, it winds up as somewhat of a Trojan Horse in what it ultimate reveals about religion. I'm trying hard not to provide a spoiler here, but there are five words spoken by the adult Pi at the end of the film that viewers seem to miss that spell it out. But moving away from its theme, no film I have ever seen in my life comes close to "Life of Pi" in relating the sheer force of nature (making you experience the beauty and terror in the soul of a tiger) and the cosmic beauty of our world, both inner and outer. Using 3-D more brilliantly (and essentially) than any film to date, this film burned into my mind incredible visual sights impossible to find anywhere else, showing me beauty I will remember the rest of my life.

Highly recommended, and one that truly deserves to be seen in 3-D.

Synopsis: Embark on the adventure of a lifetime in this visual masterpiece from Oscar winner Ang Lee*, based on the best-selling novel. After a cataclysmic shipwreck, an Indian boy named Pi finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with a ferocious Bengal tiger. Together, they face nature's majestic grandeur and fury on an epic journey of discovery.
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan
Supporting actors: Tabu, Gérard Depardieu
Directed by: Ang Lee
Genre: Adventure, Drama
Runtime: 2 hours 7 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: English Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Fox
MPAA Rating: Rated PG for emotional thematic content throughout, and some scary action sequences and peril

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

I'm one of the guys who buys for 3d effects 1st-plot later.Every now and then a film offers the whole package,and this was one of them.Plenty of action on the island,giant insects,lizards,electric eels,birds,ect,all in real good 3d.The Rock is so good in this movie I was surprised that his acting skills and humor have really improved.Not a dull moment, this movie moves along quickly,is interesting and visual.I gave this movie 5 stars because I honestly couldn't find a reason not to.I would say this is a movie the whole family would enjoy.For 3d lovers this is a movie to add to your collection.

This movie is an adventure of imagination. The young boy bonds with his stepfather who is brilliant and fun and they go in search of a mystery island where his grandfather lives. The South Pacific is full of sights and smells that would rock anybody into a happy place. Fish that are magenta, purple pink and tropical blue are all on the dock. They hire a loopy young acting flyer and his daughter. He owns an adventure helicopter, rickety and old but it will be part of all the excitement they encounter. They find the shangrila island with big and small animals. The underwater world is breathtaking with masses of colors and plants. A mountain of gold stands out in the distance. The hiking thru the heart of the jungle holds more visual images that are full of what anybody creative would love to have. They are living out the Jules Verne book in a way but with there own special touches. There are whirlwind storms flying all around, sparkling lakes and streams filled with shiny plants and stones, green all over lush and beautiful, everything you would wish for on a secret island. There are bees that fly, the characters jump on their backs and zoom over the plankton and planet of abundance. There is a submarine they fire up with the help of an electrical eel. This movie is full of positive energy.

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Act of Valor

I had the unique opportunity to see this film 2 years before it's commercial release due to some Navy Duty I was tending to. Before all of the computer & TV images, digital type on the screen during scene changes, music and all the other "Hollywood" stuff was added. It was basically an action-packed film about possible current-day events and incorporating some true events that real SEALs have faced. When the movie ended, I was in awe. I had the opportunity to meet "Mouse" McKoy and listen to how this story was developed and how the SEALs had direct input on the Operations & story portrayed.

Since that time, I had been looking forward to the release of this film to the big screen. I took my family to see it and all were impressed. I was doubly-impressed after viewing it with the added graphics & soundtrack, etc. I was even more impressed by the audience at the end of the movie. There was no cheering or hooting & hollering. Instead, it was as if each one of them held a reverence for the everyday sacrifices that the SEALs and other Military men & women make for our country.

Critics are critics. Of course they'll find something to fault with the movie, that's their job. It doesn't surprise me that they don't like the acting... cuz these guys were the real deal. I'll take a dozen SEALs over 1 actor ANY DAY. C'est Livre. This is a great movie1 20x better than the false "Navy SEALs" of 1990 era. THAT was terrible acting and a crap movie. God Bless the SEALs for being able to do what they do and their families that support and wait for them.

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Mirror Mirror

I was lucky enough to see this movie on opening day, and I'm so glad I did! In brief, it's a modern "twist" on the classic Snow White story. (The main twist being that Snow White ends up saving the prince.) But there are plenty more... you will not get bored! :) One aspect I loved about this movie was that there is a "price for using magic," which the Queen keeps ignoring. Most movies that involve magic don't bother with the subject. Everything has a consequence, and magic is no exception. The dwarves are not what you'd expect, either. This is a refreshing twist. While their names still tell about their individual characters, they're almost nothing like the cartoon dwarves. An emotional aspect is brought into play during the story as well, where we learn why they act the way they do. (I don't want to give too much away, so just go see the movie!)

Overall, the movie was super funny, yet it still had serious themes interwoven throughout (such as Snow White's and the dwarves' backstories). There is a definite darkness always lurking in the background, but the humor does a wonderful job of lightening it to the point where you just "go along with it." We all know how the story goes anyway, right? (Well, a few things are turned around, but the basic gist is the same.) I know any parents and grandparents out there are wondering whether it's kid friendly. I would say yes, but maybe not for the really small kids. There aren't any bad words, no violence, and anything bad that happens-- for the most part-- is accompanied by laugh-out-loud antics. The reason I say not really little kids is only because they might not be able to follow the story very well; the movie gave a feel of being directed toward a more mature audience, even though it was clean enough to be a family movie. There's enough humor that the entire family should come out of it having some favorite scene which made them laugh aloud. (Mine involves some life-size puppets...) :) I end my review with an enthusiastic recommendation: if you've been tossing the idea around in your head whether or not to see this movie, GO SEE IT!!! It will be well worth your time!

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Wrath of the Titans

"Wrath Of The Titans" is pretty good. This is how the story goes: A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus - the demigod son of Zeus - is attempting to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades and Poseidon. The triumvirate had overthrown their powerful father long ago, leaving him to rot in the gloomy abyss of Tartarus, a dungeon that lies deep within the cavernous underworld. Perseus cannot ignore his true calling when Hades, along with Zeus' godly son, Ares, switch loyalties and make a deal with Kronos to capture Zeus. The Titans' strength grows stronger as Zeus' remaining godly powers are siphoned, and hell is unleashed on earth. Enlisting the help of the warrior Queen Andromeda, Poseidon's demigod son, Argenor, and fallen god Hephaestus, Perseus bravely embarks on a treacherous quest into the underworld to rescue Zeus, overthrow the Titans and save mankind.

The cast led by Sam Worthington (as Perseus) is pretty good. The directing by Jonathan Liebesman is pretty good. The story by Dan Mazeau, David Johnson & Greg Berlanti & the screenplay by Mazeau & Johnson is pretty good.

The music by Javier Navarrete is great. The cinematography by Ben Davis is great. The film editing by Martin Walsh is great. The casting by Jina Jay is great. The production design by Charles Wood is great. The art direction by Thomas Brown, Ray Chan, Jordan Crockett, Stuart Kearns, Mike Stallion & Mark Swain is great. The set decoration by Lee Sandales is great. The costume design by Jany Temime is great. The special effects supervised by Neil Corbould is great. The make-up effects designed by Paul Engelen is great.

This is a pretty good sequel to "Clash Of The Titans" (2010). It is a little bit better than the first movie. This is an action-packed ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat with your mind thinking and your heart racing at the same time.

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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

I loved the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories and I wound up loving the original Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes -- Sherlock was tougher, funnier and hilariously played by Robert Downey Junior. Unfortunately this sequel loses the entire point of a Sherlock Holmes story: he's supposed to use his idiosyncratically brilliant deductive powers to solve mind-bending mysteries. In this movie Sherlock is more of an action figure who fights all the time, pursues a sloppy plot of international intrigue blah blah blah, and never solves anything. It's pretty sad: it turns out that a Sherlock without a confounding murder mystery is just an irritating twit with a few mildly colorful sidekicks. In a word: avoid. See the BBC production instead, it's far more Sherlock.

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The Grey

There were a lot of things that felt like they were kept secret on purpose before sitting down and viewing The Grey for the first time. The trailer hints at the movie being nothing more than a survival thriller starring Liam Neeson as he struggles to survive not only the unrelenting cold elements, but also the ferocious wolves that inhabit his surroundings. The Grey is written and directed by Joe Carnahan, the man who brought us Smokin' Aces and The A-Team. The movie is also produced by Tony and Ridley Scott, which you think the marketing campaign would jump all over but doesn't even mention. Not only that, but there is quite a bit more to the movie than the trailer and TV spots let on.

As the movie begins, Ottway (Liam Neeson) narrates a letter he's writing to his wife. This segment just made me realize what my life is lacking most right now and that's a Liam Neeson voiceover for every thought that crosses my mind. Think about that. It'd be the most amazing thing ever. The trailer reveals a few major things: that Ottway is stranded in the middle of nowhere in the blistering cold thanks to a plane crash and that wolves stand in the way of him actually surviving this ordeal. The plane crash itself is one of the best executed in recent memory. The way it's filmed and edited is downright ruthless. It's as if you're on the plane as it goes down. The Grey doesn't just place you in this blizzard-ridden hell infested with wolves, it kicks your teeth down your throat, laughs in your face, and throws you into it with everything it has.

The movie gives new meaning to some of the simplest things. Seeing your breath in cold weather takes on an entirely new definition and the way The Grey deals with death just feels incredibly powerful. Ottway questions faith right from the start and takes matters into his own hands throughout the movie. The events that transpire take a toll on even the most religious plane crash survivors. Death is more of a relief than something worth distancing yourself from. Ottway describes it as being a warm sensation and thinking about the thing you love most in life before completely giving yourself into it. Many of the campfire conversations are entirely more impactful than they have any right to be. The conversation about faith in general hits you like a potato sack full of cinder blocks.

The Grey manages to shout its message even when there's nothing being said on-screen. One of the images that stuck with me long after the movie ended was the shot of blood flowing into the paw print of a wolf in the snow. There's a scene by the river that strictly relies on sound and the way you succumb to it is nothing more than brilliant. There's another shot at the end of the film where (and I'm trying to avoid spoilers the best I can) Ottway is arranging some objects in the snow. The way Liam Neeson's fat, sausage-like fingers delicately wrap themselves around these objects and the way his hands tremble as he does this illustrates not only what this man has been through, but also that he's at the end of his rope. Plus the movie will make you want to look over your shoulder the next time you consider relieving yourself out in nature somewhere.

That level of greatness The Grey eventually achieves isn't around at all times. Some lame dialogue does squeak through and characters manage to do really stupid things at times (John Diaz, played by Frank Grillo, especially), but that seems to help the movie more than anything. People, real people, occasionally do stupid things especially when they're scared. So this kind of made the characters feel more genuine and made it very clear that certain characters were caving under pressure.

There was a movie that came out back in 2000 that was called Vertical Limit. It was one of my most trying times at the movie theater. I fought vehemently to leave about halfway through because I hated it so much, but I was with people at the time who wanted to stay until the end. It was probably one of the worst experiences I've ever had to pay for. The Grey is basically everything I wanted that movie to be. The cast is fantastic, their actions are mostly believable, and there's this meaning to everything that really speaks to you.

The Grey is a grainy thriller that knocks the wind out of you on more than one occasion. In fact, it's rare that the movie actually allows you to catch your breath. Everything is such a raw, vicious, and brutal test of faith. It's fantastically violent and Liam Neeson is superb. If The Grey is anything to fall back on, then 2012 is going to be one hell of a year for movies.

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Legend of The Guardians The Owls of GaHoole

Create Soren (Jim Sturgess), listen to stories told by his legendary father is something that has never been boring. Legend of the guards that protect the owl from the race Purs who want to rule has always been an inspiration Soren who want to become one of the guards. Soren never know if what he had hoped it would become reality. But of course, be able to realize the dream that Soren has to fight tooth and nail.Unlike Soren Kludde (Ryan Kwanten), her brother had no interest in this epic tale. Create Kludde legend is just a dream. Once, when they push each other on the nest of the mark in the trees, and Soren Kludde captured by troops led Metalbeak Pure (Joel Edgerton) and Nyra (Helen Mirren)
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Soren Kludde and provide training of owls that will be used as soldiers to fight the guards. With the help (Emily Barclay) Gylfi, Soren managed to escape and went to the big tree Ga'Hoole, a hiding guards. On the way they met the Twilight (Anthony LaPaglia), Digger (David Wenham) and Mrs. Plithiver (Miriam Margolyes) and went together to the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. At the same time Kludde was persuaded to join the pure and soldiers against the guards.

LEGEND Given the guards: The owls GA'HOOLE this is the result of adaptations of fantasy books by Kathryn Lasky, there seems to be little problem in translating the book into a screenplay. At the very least, the version of his book devoted to children and has not been transmitted in a visual form that is also packed in this 3D version. It seems that the film is less precise consumed by children. The problem seems to be shades of violent scenes that made the movie. Perhaps even more appropriate that the film is consumed by those who have teenagers so clearly displayed on the official website aka PG Parental Guide logo, which means that this film can be consumed by people aged between 8-12 years. Although not directly compared to the 300, for example, but this movie actually provides two more or less the same shade.

Another problem encountered by the legend of the guards: The owls GA'HOOLE script is weak. It is quite understandable, because this film is actually a "summary" of the first three books in the series Guardians OF GA'HOOLE which consists of 15 series. Imagine! Consequently, many characters are not really dug deep enough. One gets the impression in a hurry because time is not allowed to linger in one place. Fortunately, this film helped by two things, first the load and the second voice is a stunning visual appearance. Rows of big names such as Jim Sturgess, Geoffrey Rush, Anthony LaPaglia, Ryan Kwanten, Helen Mirren, Sam Neill, Hugo Weaving and certainly not new in the world of art and the role of viewing this movie clearly can not be underestimated.

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