Because I Believe!!!

If you're familiar Joseph Campbell, you are familiar with his well received book The Hero with 1,ooo Faces.  I myself have not read it, but I am familiar with Campbell's thorough exploration of the hero myth. In scanning the book, I have learned one or two ways in which the hero originates.  

Transformers 2, perhaps unlikely candidate to wax philosophy about heroes, showcases the hero as one reluctant to adopt his destiny.  Optimus Prime says something significant as the film's rising action starts to reach it's climax...

FATE RARELY MEETS US IN THE MOMENT OF OUR CHOOSING.

This theme is often mirrored in our tales we have seen throughout literature, later depicted on film.  Take for example Frodo of Lord of the Rings, in which Gandalf reassures Frodo that none of us wishes the fate we might be given, but what is important is what we do with the time that has been given us. Or examine Harry Potter. His life is more or less filled with more choices, though he chooses the more difficult path....which leads to struggle and sacrifice....

These elements are subtle in Transformers 2, but towards one scene, I was reeling because it made me wonder what it would be like if Michael Bay directed the last installment of Harry Potter! I mean come on!!! Battle at Hogwarts Castle!!!! Bring it on baby! Explosions and ....well, we all want to here Mrs Weasley yell, "Not my daughter, you bitch!" at Bellatrix Lestrange! That would totally rock....

But I've been digressing. Transformers 2 has great subtle lines that one might miss among the cluster&^%$ that is explosions and fighting splattering on the screen.  For instance, Tyson Beckford's character says as an aside, "They say God made us in his image; who made him?" when referring to Optimus Prime....

I always like to milk out some form of lesson from all the films I watch. I cannot say I learned much in the first 2/3rds but the last is enormously beautiful.  Sam must do something impossible and when his girlfriend asks him how he thinks it can be done, he simply says with great conviction: "Because I believe....I believe!"

I got sort of emotional, and it really was a great testament of faith in some respect.

For further comparisons of the hero myth, reanalyze The Matrix and then read The Gospel of the Matrix. I find you will be surprised how much our movies are peppered with so much references of resurrection and redemption. In the end, we are all heroes of our own destiny!

We only have to believe!

Up, up, and Away!!!!

A CLASSIC IN ITS OWN RIGHT....

There are elements to the film UP that I enjoy quite a lot.  A movie enthusiast, who has great appreciation for films such as Citizen Kane, The Little Tramp, and knowledge of the movie The Bicycle Thief, I feel some familiarity to these great classics whenever I watch Up..With these comparisons in mind, it is no surprise that I am willing to watch  Up repeatedly. There is a dynamic between the two character heroes Mr. Frederickson and Russell that reminds me of the aforementioned films. The nostalgia of childhood and realizing one's dream is fulfilled indirectly in Up, while the struggle to survive is noted in more hilarious and imaginative details compared to The Little Tramp and The Bicycle Thief.

The true lesson in this film are those of courage, and embracing life whatever the circumstances fate offers us.  When closing a door in one chapter in one's life, another chapter or book begins to unfurl. It encourages all of us to view life as an adventure. Unlike Citizen Kane, where the main protagonist's ambitions get the better of him, only to regret losing his innocence and reminisce of his little Rosebud, Mr. Frederickson embraces a whole new way of life, however reluctant and "grumpy" he initially started. Instead, he is no longer alone, but gains a life enriched with that of a young boy, a treasure that only keeps growing as he gets older. In addition, Mr. Frederickson gains a new pal in Doug, man's best friend, loyal to the end!

The house is symbolic as one might compare the bike in The Bicycle Thief.  In the latter film, the hero and his son have had their bike stolen. Their survival against poverty is dependent on getting their bike back, only to succumb to stealing another bike in the end. In contrast, unlike the need to gain something back, the  house in which one carries all their memories and hopes as does Mr. Frederickson, adding the burden to the young boy's shoulders, carries the house in the hopes of fulfilling a childhood dream. The energy of the young boy contrasts to Mr. Frederickson's in the beginning but his determination to fulfill Ellie's dream gives him the drive to keep on going...and ultimately LET GO....knowing he must move on with his life...

By letting go, ironically, he fulfills both of their wishes.  

To rate this film, I give this film more helium balloons than my hands can carry

It's very rare I'll rave about a movie as much as this film has made me want to dance (stay after the film for the upbeat credits dance overture.

First of all,  I'm a very visual and sound oriented individual. My senses become excited when these two are blended elegantly in the manner that director Danny Boyle films this movie. From the start of the film, you feel you're in the middle of the action. There are moments it feels like an anthology of music videos without being too pretentious.   And as an audience member, you root for the characters in every situation, namely our love birds Jamal and Latika.

The themes are so many yet are the kinds that keep coming up in nominated films for best picture. The poverty of the soul caused by revenge, suffering, and greed all overcome by the values of redemption, persistence, hope, and truth. Most importantly love. For Jamal, his undying committment to Latika brings his life towards a destiny to a better life he easily could have fallen into, like his brother.  If the book this is based from is as well written as this movie, you'll see me at a Border's sometime this week :) 

 Overall, I cannot describe how this film makes me feel inside. It is now up there on my list of favorites. I love how the movie opens with a multiple choice question and then ends the movie with the answer.  It's enough to make you cry (I cried in the beginning, during, and after the film was over...Heck I'm still crying).

I close this review with the following:

Should movie goers see this movie?

A. Maybe

B. Not a chance

C. Yes

D. See it more than once

I pick D.......... And that's my final answer :)

See this more than once...

After watching Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist last night, I was able to watch a borrowed DVD movie Once.  Between the two, the latter can be said to be the far superior movie hands down. Where the first film tries too hard to create romance between supposedly unfit for each other individuals, the second film is the adult version of a romance that can never be or has tried to be but both parties restrain themselves...And I respect that. In the end of the movie, Once gives the viewer a sense that these characters will never forget each other nor stop thinking what they've done for each other.  Both embark on an innocent affair-non-sexual but more spiritual, emotional all expressed with song. And being a romantic for music, this movie will always be on my "infinite playlist" if they had playlists for movies.

NOTED FEATURES THAT MAKE THIS ON MY FAVORITE LIST:

1. The riddle of love and how two try to find solutions to it

2. The music...my God, the music!

3. The authenticity of emotions

4. Emphasized the true meaning of the independent creative artist (e.g., film, musician, etc.)

5. The elements within the movie that remind me of myself-

     a. playing improvised piano

     b. jamming with a new friend

     c. doing recognizance in a music studio

     d. jamming in my bedroom

     e. the need to move on and follow my dreams, with validation from family

     f. the solace of the shore and the beach

     g. the isolation of airports

     h. composing new songs

There are some similar elements to the two movies above, such as friends packed in a car, music studios, and how music plays a major element in both movies. But where both lead male characters play guitar and make their own music, Once wins over with the female character able to keep up with the rest of the band...and sending the male character to potential musical success....And in that, she is the kind hearted one (see previous review). In a sense, the characters in Once are both kind to each other and their respective mates-whether estranged or separated.  But maybe its because they are adults and no longer have to play games.....

For life is too short to play them....

 and as said in the song Falling Slowly

..."and games that never amount to more than their meant

    will play themselves out...."

Beautiful movie. A must to watch over and over and over again :)

Where Is Fluffy?...And Who are They?

Music Makes Love Go 'Round

There are many who have passed scowls against this movie.  Perhaps my bias comes from my infatuation with my "ideal man" Michael Cera, particularly as Nick.  Focused on others vs. himself, I find that appealing. Unabashed at what others might think of him, he hangs with friends who happen to be gay and plays guitar as well as "synthetic" drums for them in their band. But as all heroes, we have our weaknesses. And his ex-girlfriend seems to warp his good natured self.  Until Norah becomes an accidental part of his life in just one night that changes them forever. They both find themselves better for having known each other.  The one scene I enjoy is where Norah talks about an aspect of Judaism that says the world is made up of broken pieces and its up to us to bring them together....to which Nick replies, "Maybe we're the pieces....Maybe we're the pieces." Nearly in tears, Norah is compelled by both the simplicity and profundity of this statement.  Love has blossomed in this moment! :)

The music is awesome. I will have to investigate the soundtrack.  As far as movie criticism, there are hints of old '80's teen romances, with dialogue such as when Nick says, "I don't like to wash my jeans. I like to keep the night on them." Corny? Perhaps. There is also this vibe of campiness similar to Adventures in Babysitting (which one has to admit was funny...), with the search for Caroline inside a Scooby -doo van of misfits that make up Nick and Norah's party.

I have to admit, on the Richter scale of comedy and laughs, the reading would have to be fair if not zero.  There are cute moments and you get a few guffaws and one major gross out executed all too well by a female no less.  But could it match the buzzworthiness of JUNO, on which this movie seems to ride its coattails? Maybe not.

But what this movie taught me is opening up again my heart to the possibilities of what life has to offer, and how certain decisions must be made...as in the end

"Are you sad that we missed it?" asks Norah.

"No," Nick quickly responds with a smile. "This is it."

And both of them ride the escalator in each other's arms kissing....

Yes, I'm a sappy romantic, even if it does seem outrageous and unbelieveable.

Dawning of the Knight

Initially I didn't know what to expect or feel when The Dark Knight hit the theaters.  So much buzz can soon become a buzzkill. And with the great chatter in the media about the late Heath Ledger's great performance, which has got some people thinking he'll be offered a posthumous Oscar nomination for his role in the latest Batman film, one watches with caution to make sure all the talk isn't hype.

Rest assured, Heath's performance is wonderful! But as a film in general, all aspects work well. Christopher Johnathan  James Nolan has unveiled the Dark Knight once again with the glory its comic legend deserves. Even though I'm not really a hard core graphic novel fan, it may be safe for me to say that no fan of the real Batman will be disappointed on how Nolan's Batman has evolved. Praise to Christian Bale for his performance as well.  Batman has many deep layers and though I feel that he keeps his emotions at bay, I still hunger and wonder if we'll ever see a tear come across the eyes of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego. But understatement must be his MO to be in character I suppose.

Technology is a plus here. The utilization of the advancement of cell phones and sonar capabilities has certainly upgraded Batman's artillery, allowing him to live up to his namesake, as bats navigate their surroundings in real life in similar ways through the use of bouncing sound waves.  I wish I could have batvision like in the movie...

But once again, I fall along amongst the crowd and have to praise Heath in another performance that people will refer back to years from now.  So much potential. I know lots have compared him to James Dean, and in some ways he matches the profile. But he was an individual in his own right, and in his acting that shines through.  His Joker is one you love to love, but you know you must hate because he is just diabolically insane! Testing the limits of good and evil, and pushing good to do evil...only an insane "genius" would think of that....

I love how Harvey Dent had evolved from being the White Knight and then suddenly deteriorated after losing the love of his life. What love must do to our way of thinking that it can tear our core and rip us inside out to the point that life is just left up to chance.  

And speaking of chance, leaving the fate of lives is extraordinary in this film.  I know I run heavy with spoilers here. But I will not ruin one scene here for you. Just remember that once you see it , you might start clapping at the end of it for it makes you still have faith in good. :)

Go rush into the night and watch this latest installment of Batman....It will keep you guessing what will be in store for future sequels...

FYI: Is it possible that Gordon's son could be the next Robin??? What is his name?...... Stay tuned:)

A Robot More Human Than We

This movie reminds me of a story idea I've been playing in my head for quite awhile.  It makes me think about how we as humans so attuned to our ways of commercialism have overfed their need for products which make them forget about their humanity. We sit in front of the tube and forget how to live our own lives.  We forget how to take care of our bodies leading them to unsafe diseases that may linger insidiously or present themselves more noticeably in preventable obesity.  We take for granted the waste that this commercialism produces or the excesses we create and how the world suffers in the end.

Enter WALL-E. I appreciate the above poster's byline: 700 years after doing what he was built for, he discovers what he was meant for....This speaks poetically about my own frustrations with life. Is life all "eat, work, sleep, repeat cycle"?...Isn't life more than that?  What is our TRUE purpose. I find that the intro, sans dialogue will divide movie going people from those who are hard on action and dialogue vs. the plain moving picture aspect with subtle emotions portrayed by character acting not heavily reliant on words.  I myself do not speak much and I find myself relating a lot to Wall-E with his routines and his treasures of sentiment (i.e., love for Hello Dolly and his longing for love). But his world is devoid of any contact with anyone or companion, with the exception of his pet cockroach. My life has become like this sense of symbolic complacency until .......WALL-E's routine is changed.

Prior to his "life changing" moment of meeting his true love Eve, he picks up a plant. This will drive the rest of the film, which on many levels is comical and serious depending on what plane of thought you wish to dwell on.  But I get ahead of myself. After a cute courtship between WALL-E and EVE, who by the way plays a wonderful game of playing hard to get (notice how many times WALL-E sheepishly tries to hold hands with EVE), WALL-E gives EVE the plant he kept as a token of affection...This sends off a remote alarm to EVE's ship which houses the newly colonized humans now vegging out in space.

It is a great commentary and warning as we see humans moving about in their personal bastardized versions of Segues that allow them to converse with people or watch tv non-stop while eating a meal in a cup!  In WALL-E's chase to find EVE back on her on home turf, WALL-E breaks the barriers that these humans are used to, allowing a couple to see their surroundings for the first time, one now enabled to see the beauty of the stars or finding out that they have a pool!  Even WALL-E brings back politeness as he teaches a robot how to say hello and goodbye with a simple wave.

Yes, there is a lot of heart to this movie ironically taught through robots.  Robots teaching humans to take better care of themselves and their home planet. Many others who watch this may or may not get this kind of proselytization, or even become convinced that there's more than meets the eye than just good entertainment.  What can be said is that movies still are able to make people think.

And I continue to do so until my own purpose is revealed :)

Ouch, that Smarts!

The beginning of the recent Steve Carrell feature film leaves one dry at first. Even the opening sequence left me thinking of my own ideas wishing the writers would have taken it to a further level (particularly since Mel Brooks was one of three consultants during the filming). The meeting of Anne Hathaway's character on first screen is a bit rushed without the believability that these two could have any tension between them...(but you'd be surprised...though the party scene is quite cute with Anne and Steve in a dance off).

Action wise, no room for disappointment, of course one must think how far can one go with stunts in a comedy before it becomes more cartoon vs. action film. The balance was good enough to make Steve look tough and competent. Watch him holding a gun, impressive! I wouldn't want Michael from the The Office hold a fire arm. That's something Dwight would probably tutor him on :) (nudge to The Office fans out there-smile).

Acting wise, well, one thinks whose vehicle is this? Steve's? Steve & Anne's? Well, though there are a lot of names Alan Arkin and Dwayne Johnson to name a few, who garner A+ grades for their performance required of their roles, I'd have to say as a whole ensemble, the acting team earned a B+. Sometimes I just felt there could have been better delivery of lines. Then again, I WAS the only one laughing at most of the film's dialogue, which might have been lost on the rest of the audience...Humor is really touch and go.

Overall, this wasn't a bad film, nor was it THAT funny enough to let me remember lines worthy of repeating. For fans with esoteric taste in comedy, however, this film may have enough fans to hope for a sequel....And that might not be a bad thing.

What Happened in the Happening...

This will be brief as this movie should have been. It felt like an overbudget film school project with a film student who had connections and just felt like writing producing and directing a movie with a thin and weak plot, if any at all. Over the top acting, even for Mark Wahlberg. Confused acting from Zooey Daschenel. A poor little girl in the midst of traumatizing scenes. A pun intended....overkill in every scene!...People against planet warning that the planet is out to get us?....Maybe better as a commentary that we'll end up killing ourselves in the end the way we treat the world, even each other....

This film may make you want to "kill yourself" for watching it. M. Night please, you need to make another Sixth Sense...I'm not Hayley Joel Osment, but the fact that "I see dead people" isn't adding anything to my experience to life after I walk out of the theater. In fact, I grew depressed....Oh no...it's happening....................Oh no.....It's..........>(died of senseless time wasted discussing movie that is senseless)