I wasn’t alive for the days of segregation, but seeing it portrayed so well was inspiring and heartbreaking. It makes it real for a generation that was lucky enough to never experienced racism of this degree. 
The trailer makes it seem like the movie is all about the exploits of Seal Team 6. Instead 80% of the movie is the search for Bin Laden, and it is slow going. I would suggest brushing up on your Al Qaeda MVP's because I was pretty lost as they gloss over names and places of the middle east like they are common knowledge. Things pick up a bit about 45 minutes in as the lead analyst, Maya, gets closer. Then instead of interrogations we watch red tape bureaucracy with what appear to be popular high level officials, but I can't figure out who they are supposed to be. 
We got an invite to see a test screening of a movie called Safe Haven. I decided to go see it on my own and saw one of my friends in line. So I line hopped in next to her and she asks me, "So, are you a big Nicholas Sparks fan?" I had no idea who he was and she laughed as she told me he writes he writes books that get made into chick flicks. I was about ready to just turn around and go home, but I love Free Movies, so I stayed.
One thing about reviewing all of the Best Picture Nominations is that I am seeing films I would have never seen otherwise. In the case of Beasts of the Southern Wild it was unfortunate. In the case of Life of Pi (now available on Amazon) it is most fortunate! Forcing yourself to see movies not usually in your viewing habits is a great way to expand your horizons and get new insights into the human experience. I was speaking to a friend of another faith who said that seeing Life of Pi was a Spiritual experience for her, so I knew it had to be the next movie we review for you.
Our next picture in our 2012 Best Picture Nominee review series in Lincoln. On Christmas day we went to see Les Miserables. I was amazed that while our line did have a wait that led out of the theatre, Lincoln also had a queue that led out the door; even though the movie had been in out over a month! Today on Martin Luther King Day I am honored to share with you my review of where is all began.
Lincoln is an emotional and political drama. In 1865, as the American Civil War winds inexorably toward conclusion, Abraham Lincoln endeavors to achieve passage of the landmark constitutional amendment which will forever ban slavery from the United States. However, his task is a race against time, for peace may come at any time, and if it comes before the amendment is passed, the returning southern states will stop it before it can become law. Lincoln must, by almost any means possible, obtain enough votes from a recalcitrant Congress before peace arrives and it is too late. Yet the president is torn, as an early peace would save thousands of lives. As the nation confronts its conscience over the freedom of its entire population, Lincoln faces his own crisis of conscience; end slavery or end the war.  |
| The Many Faces of Daniel Day-Lewis |
The rest of the cast is immense, yet full of great actors. Household names like Sally Field, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader and a mass of others you might not remember the name of, but you know you have seen them in something else.
Most of Lincoln consists of conversation, speeches, and debate. Most the language is appropriate and the house debates scenes has some extremely clever insults. There are a few more coarse phrases used at time, including one F-word. Which I always call the "PG-13 Obligatory F-Bomb." The opening of the film is a very gritty battle that comes down to bayonets and bare handed fighting to the death. There are also two scenes that show the aftermath and human toll to such battles.
We see the world though 7 year old girl Hushpuppy, Quvenzhane Wallis. Her understanding of things is a bit skewed as her only point of reference is her alcoholic father, and the community school house teacher who teaches folk lore and myths. It reminded me a bit of The Water Boy. Quvenzhane does a fantastic job in her role. Most of the films dialogue is hers as she narrates the film. Most of the other characters are very one dimensional. I do not know if that is poor acting, or brilliant art direction as most children do see the world as black and white. 
Beasts of the Southern Wild is the same fare. The two main plot lines are Hushpuppy's Father's failing health and a Katina like Hurricane that comes through and devastates the community. The pacing is odd though as most of the plot elements are revealed though scenes that play out like montages. Quentin Tarantino could have edited the movie all out of order Pulp Fiction style and we really wouldn't have a clue.
Seeing as how Les Miserables came out yesterday, (now available on Amazon), you are either reading this as a fan of the musical who has most likely already seen the movie, or you want to see what all the hoopla is about. If you are of the latter camp I am going to say you are in for one of the most moving pieces of cinema of this generation. For those of you who love the musical and haven't seen the film yet I have one piece advice for you, forget everything you know about the musical!
My favorite character of the musical version was Javert. Russell Crowe's version of him does not command respect the same way the stage version does, but his scene of The Confrontation with Hugh Jackman was great feat of sing fighting. If they had added dancing, I think West Side Story would have been jealous. 
In this film version though Eddie Redmayne should have been top billing. One of those actors you know the face of, but can't name anything he has been in, this will be his breakout role! As a tenor myself this has always been the role I wanted to play. (That or the Army Officer at the Barricade.) As he sits alone at Empty Chairs at Empty Tables he makes you feel his sense of loss. As he stares into the camera with tears rolling down his face I'll admit it was the scene made them roll down mine.
Content:
As with a story about "The Miserable" the character encounter some depressing circumstances. The final act of the movie takes place during a revolution where many are killed. Although the deaths are not bloody or graphic, they do carry hard impact for the ones who come to be beloved characters. The innkeeper played by Sacha Baron Cohen is very entertaining (and the only character who actually has a French accent), but his Master of the House has the two obscenities and has shows two character having sex. One of them being Santa! It also features characters drinking, but not is positive light. There is also (Spoiler) a scene where Fantine submits herself to prostitution. Although there is no nudity in the movie, the scene is very disturbing. It is not graphic or profane, just 3 short thrusts shown from the shoulder up. But the emotional weight is very adult and would not be appropriate for younger audiences. 
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| Twilight Themed Snacks |
"Let me start with saying I love the Twilight book series. I swoon for books with a love story. My girlfriends and I were excited to hear there would be a movie for Twilight. We arranged a pre-party complete with décor and yummy themed treats. T-shirts were made. It was a blast despite the low budget and cheesiness. I love a good girl’s nights. By the third movie we decided to skip the party, but we were still going to the midnight showings. This year my dear girlfriend suggested we see it Friday while our kids were at school. It worked out perfectly. I was glad I was able to see the movie with four other ladies that I love while my kids were in school. And Mr. Media Reviews was nice to watch the baby and pick up our preschooler." (I'm a good husband like that.) |
| Me and my little Sister at our New Moon Party |
"As for the content I would be careful about taking teenagers. I am kind of conservative like that. For those of you who might not have read the book or seen the first part of Breaking Dawn, Bella and Edward, both immortal now, enjoy a blissful marriage relationship. It is tastefully done. But I think I could have been a shorter scene. Although I think it good for girls to know sex is wonderful and an important part of marriage, I would still like to limit the exposure to it. But I think seeing them kiss and lay down on the bed and fading away would still give you the idea that they were going to be intimate. There is nothing to worry about the language. In order to protect Edward and Bella's child, there is some fighting that occurs, but it very mild. Personally I don’t think my Elders Quorum President (why that makes sense) would want to see this movie, but I know his wife will, and she might just drag him along ;)" 
Titanic 3D is rated PG-13. It contains plenty of peril and disaster, with people drowing and freezing to death, falling off and down a ship, and being crushed (not graphic) by debris. It is unecessarily crass, with some language (including one f-word) and a raised middle finger. It also carries the implication of sex between its unmarried romantic leads as well as an extended scene of exposed female breasts during a sketching session. Parents should be warned.
