Another Lousy Day In Paradise

Movie Review: War Dance

Lars Hindsley — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:45:36 -0400

From the moment I decided to screen this film I knew my emotions were going to be overwhelmed. And there is good reason this film has won almost twenty-awards to date.

War Dance is about three children in war displacement camp in Africa (Patongo). Over 60,000 people live in this camp, and it is under constant military protection from rebels. This true documentary takes a look into the escape that a dance competition offers these children in the face of a hopeless future.

The pace is slow at first, soaking in the understanding that without war, this world they live in would be beautiful. We learn the brutal truth of how they live with the loss of their parents by rebel soldiers. Unlike children here in America where 7 times out of 10 some glimpse of hope exist for a child, these children live in silent prisons of trauma knowing the parents and world they had before the war will never return. On this note alone you understand their despair and how a dance competition is something they eagerly embrace and believe in because they will appreciate even a moment of solace from the reality they live in; a camp with thousands of people that don't know them and on a whole shows no signs of ever ending.

The first story told was not only gruesome, it was one that made you doubt humanity.

Movie Review: The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela

Lars Hindsley — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:14:50 -0400

Written and directed by Olaf de Fleur, The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela lacks identity like the nature of it's feature performer whom is transsexual. Is it a documentary? A drama? A docudrama? Somehow it manages to be all and none of these. Imagine how the Blair Witch Project was a put up documentary. There are other films to take this tack and it can work. The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela is shot in the same style less the camera shake and even then points in the film seem disjointed perhaps due to bad editing or intent to look like a real documentary but it doesn't sell.

But what of the story? Thirty years ago this film would have been offensive. Twenty years ago it would have been daring, but in this modern era of actual documentaries this subject matter strangely as it may read, deserves an actual documentary not a pseudo docu-drama.

The film begins in semi-grainy black and white with radio reports of Regan era news indicating our lead Raquela was confused as a young boy and grew to become a transsexual male. Raquela played by Raquela then appears to be directly interviewed stating this is a true accounting of her life. But is it?

With slow pacing and meaningless visuals of Raquela thinking or talking to people in her life that have no real impact we are meant to get the impression she has a life she is at peace with but has serious struggles because of his/her decision to live the life of a transsexual. The term ladyboy is used through-out filming however research shows that actual transsexuals find this term demeaning. The director claims to be sympathetic to the transsexuals plight so why allow a known term so offensive to transsexuals to be used throughout ...

Batman The Dark Knight Review - The realism paradox is achieved

Lars Hindsley — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:20:40 -0400

The title The Dark Knight is very important. The first re-boot of Batman released in 2005 featuring Christian Bale as Batman laid foundation for what was to come in the new franchise through it's gritty realism in the style of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. Frank Miller wrote The Dark Knight Returns storyline in 1986 with absolute acclaim by readers and critics everywhere. It was more of a 'mature' audience read than other Batman comics. For many avid Batman readers the Dark Knight series marked the harshest version of Batman that could be read. This 2008 movie The Dark Knight is not at all the based on the 1986 Frank Miller story. The similarities end with the style, but are none-the-less every reason for the Batman we know today. The Batman we see now in both Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are a brave step by DC to represent Batman at his most real and most serious.

What is it that makes the character Batman appealing in the first place? When it comes to graphic novel (comic book) characters or heroic characters in general it comes down to him having no super-powers. None, nada, neinte, ZERO. So how do you make a super-hero movie with a super-hero that has no super powers? The answer is everything must be as close to plausible as possible in order for the movie goer to suspend disbelief. This is the foundation of director Chris Nolan's approach to re-starting the Batman franchise on the big screen.

The Dark Knight is perhaps the best superhero movie made to date, yet it does have flaws. Maggie Gyllenhaal is perhaps one. While Gyllenhaal is a more realistic choice and less distracting assistant District Attorney she is only an acceptable love interest because the character is a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne's. Gyllenhaal has great acting ability of course, I loved her in Secretary but she is not a starlet I see as a love interest worthy of Batman.

Not so many years ago Batman's Bruce Wayne character was played with the best edge by of all people comedian Michael Keaton. Perhaps Val Kilmer was the best tragically wounded Batman, yet Christian Bale has met all sides of Batman with a quality few others will match. If there is any criticism I have of Christian Bale's Batman it is how he speaks as Batman in his horse angry tone. His Dark Knight is only dark and one dimensional. I don't get a sense of feeling other than anger when Batman speaks.

Meanwhile the late Heath Ledger tapped into Mark Hammel's animated Joker with the true character of the Joker that comic book readers have been waiting to see on screen for years. Heath Ledger's Joker is stellar on every level. It is not that Heath Ledger brought something to the Joker character as much as he plays the character in the manner in which he truly is throughout the graphic novel versions that Batman readers know. The Joker is a genius psychotic. Ledger's Joker will have you laughing and horrified within seconds. Ledger's timing is impeccable as he interacts with other characters in the Gotham underworld. Only once during the film (and this was during my second screening) did I try and see through the acting to the actor and that was only because the hype prior to the films release of Ledger's death had me thinking about it. Another realistic feature of this Batman film is that they don't kill off key villains. True to the real Batman he catches them and sends them to Arkham. With the continuation of the Joker, Heath Ledger will be sorely missed. One day when another Joker makes a play... there will be wild speculation of who can fill Heath Ledger's shoes. There will be great anticipation if anyone can pull it off.

Movie Review: Speed Racer - Great for Kids, but not Grown Kids

Lars Hindsley — Wed, 14 May 2008 11:15:49 -0400

Speed Racer was a popular Japanese animated cartoon for kids that came out in 1967. In the early 1970's it was still going strong and among shows I watched were the animated Spider-Man series, the campy live action Batman, Ultra Man, and the cartoon Speed Racer. I knew the Speed Racer world well. It was just something every kid watched and loved.

The premise was great for kids. It was about a teenage boy living in a race car oriented family where he steps out of the shadow of his older brother races all over the world. His older brother left home and changed his identity to Racer X and the brothers race each other many times over while Speed helps fight racing crime bosses along the way. Speed's large family presence is strong and there is a deep sense of comfort and safety built into this dangerous lifestyle because of it. Of course the best part is that Speed Drives an advanced car with gadgets that he gets to use in most every episode.

So as an adult; knowing a live action cgi version was coming... I wanted to think this would be a good film to take my own kids. And for what it is worth, my own kids already knew the Speed Racer world well as they had been watching my original series Speed Racer on DVD at home for years.

Last evening my son's and I went to see Speed Racer. I had prejudice towards not being rewarded with a good experience in the trailers I had previewed previously.

While Speed Racer is family safe, it is not safe from my criticism.

In short, if you are a fan of the late 1960's Speed Racer animations then you too may expect some more. Perhaps a lot more. Otherwise ...

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - detailed review

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:48:34 -0500

Sweeney Todd is a tragedy in every sense of the word. Don’t see it because you expect a classic horror piece, unlike the novel it is a classic revenge tale set as a musical. It is a haunting nightmare experienced awake. However you should be able to stomach blood, otherwise you will find it horrifically overplayed.

I have decided not to write a traditional movie review of Sweeney Todd. My original interest in this movie was all the buzz from the theatrical performance and novel. I now know I must to attend the Stephen Sondhiem musical as part of my own collection of life experiences. This screen version doesn't feel at all like stage and works perfectly, so to get yet another feel for this illicit story is something I will not miss.

What is compelling about this sad and tragic story is the love story behind it despite Sweeney Todd’s nefarious lifestyle. Where this stands on its own is that it gives Sweeney Todd a motive to kill that you accept as a moviegoer. Perhaps you must personally have some romantic tragedy in your life to appreciate this story (not the killing). I understood the sting of what happened to Benjamin Barker from my own life’s sudden tragedies. In that I mean the story begins with a character being “naive” and paying a terrible price for having done no wrong.

The story of Sweeney Todd is a intensely dark tale. The title character is brooding at his most optimistic moments. Sweeney Todd is portrayed here by Johnny Depp and filmed in the same surreal dark artistic manner Tim Burton first made a name for himself with in his own trademark stylized Edward Scissorhands, Batman and Beetlejuice movies. Yet I was drawn to it more as a musical.

I thought ...

Unaccompanied Minors movie review - Kid safe for all ages, strictly for kids

Lars Hindsley — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:33:33 -0400

Last night a group of us sat down to watch Unaccompanied Minors on DVD. For adults this story started off with some hope but quickly lost its appeal. The kids did sit through the whole movie and it was truly kid safe. For children ages 4 to 10, it kept their attention and was fun. My four year old had some laugh out loud moments too.

Now for the review on a grown up level. If you are looking for something to rent for the kids, this will be safe and friendly rental. But for us grown-ups, be aware that this movie is about 20 minutes longer than your patience.

While I love Lewis Black (went to see him in concert a couple years ago) as a comedian, he has yet to really show his stuff on film. He does a great job as a likeable and unlikable protagonist to a group of children caught in an airport during a snowstorm ...without any adult supervision. It was a bit of a downer as the kids explained how they got there and their lives were not so great because of divorced parents, but more and more it seems this is the norm in our society. So it only made sense that a rag tag group of unlikely friends would think of each other as family by the end of the film. The plot was essentially one young man is separated from his sister whom is at a lodge right next to the airport on Christmas Eve and he wants to get her a doll from Santa before the night is out so her belief in the holiday is not destroyed. While trying to escape the Passenger Relations Manager Oliver Porter played by Lewis Black they all learn about each other and eventually get the best of their adversary.

Wilmer Valderrama of That 70's Show gets to play ...

Stardust Movie Review - Neil Gaiman's 1998 graphic novel destined to be a modern classic fairy tale for adults

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:15:32 -0400

How many of us can sit through a movie for children and be glad we did? Stardust achieves this because in short is a fairy tale for grown-ups. Like most great fantasy stories that are not remakes or Hollywood adaptations from classic novels, Stardust is brought to the big screen via the world of graphic novels, a.k.a. comic books. Written by Neil Gaiman (DC Comics, The Sandman), Stardust is not quite a period piece, where the village of “Wall” (England) shares a walled border with a magical Kingdom of Stormhold. Note that Neil Gaiman is far from just a hero to adult comic book readers, he has penned American God’s making him a serious novelist as well. Some even say that J.K. Rowling stole great ideas for her Harry Potter books from Neil’s work. True or not, the point I’m making is that for those of you that don’t understand the value of comic books (graphic novels), you are missing out on some of the best stories and writers.

There are adult concepts that very young children won’t grasp, and although I needed to lean over and explain some things to my four year old, the characters, visuals and action were balanced enough as to keep him happy in his seat. But as I mentioned, this is an adult fairy tale, which if you think about it ...consider Grimm’s fairy tales; they had some grim situations and outcomes that can make a mom or dad squirm when read to a child. This story is PG but as acceptable as any of Grimm’s fairy tales.

Unlike most fantasy fairy tales, this one quickly departs from prince rescues princess concept immediately despite there being a ...

Transformers - Kids stuff that holds a parents attention

Lars Hindsley — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 17:55:14 -0400

What a fun ride! Even while the first 30 to 45 minutes established the plot and characters there was enough action for the kids to stay interested. But when the action began in earnest, the action fan in me was intensely rewarded with extended action scenes, excellent detail and realistic dialogue for a completely unrealistic story. And in a nutshell that is what we are dealing with here. An extravagant story, with no plausability but a fun family ride none-the-less. It's juvenile in every way but still works as a family friendly action movie.

Once again Director Michael Bay (my age born in 65) does it big, I mean real big like his movies The Rock Armageddon, Pearl Harbor and Bad Boys. What I mean is the attention to action scenes. They are completely detailed and roll on long enough for you to feel like there is action, not just a cut scene in a video game. If you want an action movie this one is high octane joy ride. The CGI (computer generated imagery) was honestly flawless; I give the nod to Industrial Light and Magic on this one.

Without spoiling the story, the concept here is that sentient robots from another world are brought to earth by a fated past. The twist is that the robots can identify a mechanical device around them and transform into it which are a vehicle, but mostly cars. They also choose to be aircraft. As the movie reaches the two-thirds mark the back story and current story are tied together. There are a couple disposable characters in this movie which could have trimmed down the length of the film from 2 hours and 44 minutes for those of us that don't like long movies.

The robots of course are based on ...

Spider-Man 3 Movie Review - Wrapped up in a nice bow

Lars Hindsley — Thu, 10 May 2007 10:17:47 -0400

My boys and I saw Spider-Man 3 on opening day. We were unaffected by any other movie review and I went in to see this movie without having watched every trailer or having read spoilers prior. My reaction was simply, nice ending, they wrapped up everything in a bow. So in case you never see another Spider-Man story the Harry Osborn story, the love story between Mary Jane and Peter Parker's coming into his own as Spider-Man are all complete.

What some movie goers and critics are having a hard time embracing is the fact that Spider-Man at its heart is an action based movie, it is not a drama. To view it as such is a mistake. This latest installment of Spider-Man ups the action a lot and this may put you off, so if you don't like action movies then this movie may test your attention.

Now for the details. Anyone that says the story is too all over the place is forgetting this is a movie experience based on an action hero of comic books. It's based on a comic book. Comic books are busy, and hardly ever based on reality. Having said this, what makes the Spider-Man franchise on the big screen work so well is the emphasis on characters and our ability to identify with them, understand the good guys motives and the bad guys motives alike. What we all loved about Spider-Man coming to the big screen was identifying with a human having superhuman powers we all wish we had. Swinging from tall buildings, climbing up the side of buildings and such. Who wouldn't want to be able to jump off the side of a building without fear? To watch Spider-Man do this is us projecting ourselves onto the screen as him. Personally I loved ...

Night At The Museum - Movie Review

Lars Hindsley — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:09:36 -0400

How many family films are actually family friendly at all levels? Night At The Museum is. If you watch this film knowing that it was built for kids in mind, you will be very happy with the experience. I watched this film with my four year old son and ten year old son. I realized early on that the adult characters were not portrayed as dim and the this held my attention more than anything. But let's get to the plot...

Ben Stiller (Larry) plays a divorced father with visitation of his ten year old son. He is coming to terms with not being a business mogul or standout success in life and takes a job as security guard simply because he must have a job as to not let his son down. So you have a guy that is wanted to be great accepting a job that is not so great. What happens is he finds that as another character in the movie says, "Some are born great, others have greatness thrust upon them". And there is lies the plot without giving away the story.

I don't want to spoil the fun, and you must know that from the trailers or even the box cover, that in the museum where Larry works every exhibit comes to life at night. The cause of this effect I'll leave you to learn from watching the story for yourself. But if you are prone to allowing your self to suspend disbelief during movie experiences, this one is easy to accept.

Ben deals with a lot of chaos in a logical and sensible manner. The special effects are perfect as they pretty much go un-noticed. I mean for instance a prehistoric T-Rex (only the bones) meanders around and never once did I ...

Shooter - Movie Review

Lars Hindsley — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:18:46 -0400

This is a classic revenge movie. My favorite line had me laugh out loud, "You don't understand, they killed my dog." For the amazing kill count, the one that mattered most to the anti-hero Bob Lee Swagger played by Mark Wahlberg, was his dog. Mark plays an ex-Marine sniper that is still and idealist. After losing a close friend in combat, he becomes seclusive and removed from society. Years later he's recruited to game out how a possible hit on the president can be avoided. He's implied in the assassination and once that's done, it's payback time. And why? Because they killed his dog. :)

As much as I've let out, I can tell you there is enough here to keep you busy, but the story is predictable. It is what it is, a revenge action suspense flick. With a little romance along the way, and an anti-hero on the run Bourne Identity feel to it, you hope the pay off is worth while. And here is where the movie comes up short. Small problems with continuity don't help either. In one scene the President arrives from Baltimore from Camden... Uh... right. Drive south to come from the south? Then there were the "hills of Philadelphia" car chase scenes. No hills in Philly, but hey... it's a movie.

But all these things did annoy enough that when you get to the end and want a decent payoff, something plausible, it isn't there. At least not after you see films like Bourne Identity or the first Mission Impossible where the people in the wrong that were supposed to be on the side of "right" make sense in their warped decisions and positions.

The action is great. The shooting is fun to watch, but some of the gratuitous face shots ...

300 movie review - Gerard Butler is perfect in Frank Miller's masterpiece

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 22:17:08 -0500

300 is the second Frank Miller Graphic novel to make it to the big screen and like 300's predecessor Sin City it has a stunning graphic novel feel where reality is clearly not sought after but believability is dead on. 300 is loosely based on the historical Battle of Thermopylae. There the King of the Spartan’s assembled roughly 300 men whom stood up to Xerxes and his vast Persian Army by holding a narrow passage. For those of you unaware, Persia is now known as Iran and spread as far as Iraq and through-out the middle east. At this battle King Leonidas (played by Gerard Butler) fought side by side with his Spartan warriors to the death. This battle inspired what is now considered the country of Greece to stand up to the Persian empire.

Because 300 is based on a graphic novel (which to those of you unaware a graphic novel is better known as a comic book) there are many freedoms in fantasy applied to the story. Normally fantasy requires some plausibility to suspend disbelief when watching a movie involving fantasy. Because of the nature of filming, there is a clear intent to make the movie feel like a comic book page. The lighting is abnormal the colors are saturated; everything is exaggerated to a point you easily accept this world for what it is.

The acting is great for many reasons. The actors shed their egos or perhaps blew them up in order to achieve the macho persona needed to be such great Spartan warriors. Gerald Butler in particular is almost completely transformed from his good looking model looks into Leonidas, King of Sparta. If you are not familiar with Gerald Butler he’s been in a slew of movies in the past few years and one of his most prominent is that of the Phantom in the movie version, Phantom of the Opera.

Although this is one of the first movies done with complete CGI (filmed entirely in Montreal, Quebec, Canada) and no location shooting what-so-ever, what really carries this movie is Gerard Butler’s utter command of the screen. He looks wise, he looks tough and ever fiber of him is convincing as a King. He nails this role so well that you have to see him coming on strong from here as a very busy actor. One reason Gerard is so believable as a King is that he that he sells the idea of being a Spartan so well. Spartans are a unique social class in all of history, because the are purest to fighting, taught never to retreat or surrender the Spartan is a warrior unlike any other known in history. Gerard Butler takes the screen as Leonidas King of the Spartans and through his strength and charisma holds draws you in to a fantastic story that really has no business being believed.

The fight scenes are busy but actually depart somewhat from the normal clash and kill moves you may have seen in any other battle fight scene. Legs are cut off after an adversary passes a Spartan for instance.

300 is a guy’s movie undoubtedly. However 300 appeals to both genders in the manner in which it celebrates both men and women as worthy and noble fighters standing up for right over wrong and overcoming evil. Both male and female leads standing up for freedom and both making their own sacrifices for the good of others.

This is rated R movie and for good reason. Not only is it over the top in graphic carnage, such as multiple beheadings and dismembered bodies, there is a explicit sexual content. The eroticism is almost pornographic and to some it may be just that. But children should not attend. You won’t just be able to cover their eyes when you see the scenes coming you’d have to cover their ears and it’s just not worth embarrassing yourself or your children among other reasons. Don’t take them for all the any of the reasons above. The content just is not suitable for any child and I think the age limit of 18 is most likely just right under the circumstances.

As a movie going experience I give 300 a rare 10 out of 10 for hitting every note. From acting, to story, special effects, originality and more. The only reason not to see this movie is if you don’t like action movies with violence or gore. As a story it works very well with the right pauses and high-notes and even the over the top violence is not dolled out without reason or purpose and in fact, not over done.

Bridge To Terabithia - Movie Review

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:28:34 -0500

Bridge to Terabithia is classified a fantasy adventure based on a very popular childrens book, but it is an adventure that never leaves reality while the adventure is in your mind.

How many family films have you been stuck in where you get the typical 10 minutes of character development and then the main characters leave on a journey ...

The Best Romantic Movies ever made and not just for Valentine's Day

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 13:19:03 -0500

I present to you the definitive short list of all time best romantic movies.

What makes a truly romantic movie? What are the best romantic films of all time? None are if you don’t get romance. A true romantic comes in various types. Lonely and yearning to content and appreciative; a romantic person can be ...

The Last King of Scottland: Review by Lars Hindsley

Lars Hindsley — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:12:05 -0500

The last King of Scotland is a period piece thriller which tells of a dark time in history. Based on the book, it is a period piece set in Uganda in the 1970’s. The time is perhaps the only real accurate historical telling is of the shrouded evil which was Idi Amin. Idi Amin ruled from 1971 to 1979. ...

Sweetland is a peaceful romance where love endures and is never defeated

Lars Hindsley — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:55:38 -0500

Sweetland is for adults that believe in love. It is for lovers that understand love is built on patience. I've always said love is about forgiveness, (being able to forgive the one you love daily for little things and big), however Sweetland makes the case for love that people have to work hard for love. Love doesn't come easy and ...

It's All About Love - Movie Review

Lars Hindsley — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 22:19:03 -0400

So many critics of It's All About Love have discussed the obvious. The script has issues etc... What I found most bothersome was that after all the main characters go through; there is no real pay-off for you the viewer staying with the story. You get to a point where you wonder what is the plot? Is it really ...

Homer's Troy gets modern touch and appealing Characters

Lars Hindsley — Sat, 15 May 2004 08:16:57 -0400

Two ancient societies go to battle in Troy when the most beautiful woman (Helen) in Sparta (Greece) is willfully taken by one of two young princes (Paris and Hector) from the city of Troy (now Turkey). This instantly ignites a war between the two powers. How this comes about is easy to understand however there are many players in the story and with each having their own agenda the story becomes a power of wills off the battlefield as much as it is on. This may be the single best reason for success of this movie.

Troy delivers on all fronts including great characters, yet you find it hard to decide who you should be behind. All are victims of pride and don't always follow the rules of the day as they relate to honor among men and on the battle field.

The end goes against Hollywood tradition. There are many characters that are keenly understood by the movie goer and you easily understand the motivation of each character thanks to good script writing, dialog and acting.

In Homer’s version Greek Gods play a role in the story. Here in today's modern world many of us don't see God having much an impact in our daily life and this modern day mentality is carried over into this updated version of the Iliad by way of leaving the God's out of the story.

Brad Pitt as Achilles is entirely convincing. You feel that everyman honestly respects and fears him. Eric Bana as Hector is a man you want to relate to because he represents all that is real from having a wife and son he wants to be a father to; and Hectors level headed respect for the world around him. Without spoiling the story there are many other supporting players in the story which don't leave you guessing much about where the story is going but you appreciate them none-the-less. There are no sudden curveballs in the movie Troy, you can guess the end quickly but can't help but hope for the ending that would put things right all along.

The Passion of Christ

Lars Hindsley — Wed, 25 Feb 2004 23:40:37 -0500

I was invited by my neighbor to see this movie. And a long time ago I was a God fearing ...