2013 Best Picture Oscar Reviews, by a Mormon

   One of the reasons I started this blog was that I realized that what Hollywood or the Film Industry sees as great entertainment, does not always coincide with what Mormons might feel is great entertainment.  Over the years  with Best Picture nominations like Black Swan, The Reader, and Brokeback Mountain, (although they lost, they won in other categories) I thought maybe it would be good to start a review site that discuses movies based on the values we hold and the entertainment we seek.  You know, movies that are virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.

Django Unchained (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

One of the first westerns I ever saw was The Outlaw Josie Wales.  Ever since then I have been a pretty big fan.  I guess I am intrigued by the idea of dealing out Justice (and sometimes Revenge).  In The Fellowship of the Ring when Galdalf tells Frodo, "many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment."  I always think, "I could."  But I am a pretty judgmental person.  Speaking of Judgmental, some of you may be thinking, "wait, if this is a Mormon Review site, why is he reviewing an R Rated movie?"  Well, I spoke to that in a past blog post in more depth, but for not I will leave it at this.  If you choose not to see Django based on it's R Rating, then the MPAA has done it's job.  But if you choose not to see it based on the content I review for you, then i have done mine.

   Django (Jaime Foxx) is a slave recruited by Bounty Hunter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) to track down outlaws that only Django can identify as they were employed by his former master.  Dr. Schultz offers Django his freedom in return for his assistance as well as an offer to help him rescue his wife; who was sold to another plantation owner in retribution for the two falling in love and attempting to run away together.

   I think Quentin Tarantino is a brilliant film maker, as long as you can get past his exaggerated sense of history, need to edit out of order, and intentionally dated cinematography.  Luckily none of these issues get in the way in Django.  One story telling method that shines out right away is that this is a tale of a  Hero's Journey (Highlight for Possible Spoiler).  It was evident to be about the end of the first act, and Tarantino stick pretty close to the formula.  

     
   Although Jaime Foxx is the top billing, Christoph Waltz is star of this movie.  His characters are so endearing and likable, it made it hard to hate him as a Nazi in Inglorious Basterds.  In Django Unchained his Bounty Hunter looks for men wanted by the law for heinous crimes.  While his mandate is to take them Dead or Alive he most often goes with the former to make things easier for apprehension and to ensure swift justice is done.  His dialogue is so cleverly done you can't help but smile as he outsmarts and ridicules those he talks to, with out their even realizing it.  

  Django Unchained is probably Quentin Tarantino's best film to date.  It has his witty banter he is known for.  Like an scene where a lynch mob argues about how they cannot see out of their cowls, thus offending the man whose wife made them all.  It also brings to light the atrocities associated with slavery.  After having just reviewed Lincoln, the outcome of that movie just seems all the more sweet. 

Content:

  Django is a revenge movie and is very graphic in the way it portrays the offenses of the villains and the form or retribution by our hero.  On a visual scale the film is very bloody.  Every bullet fired seems to illicit a geyser of blood.  But what is more shocking in the mental imagery.  Leonard DiCaprio's character is vicious slave owner who deals with his property with extreme savagery. He employs his slaves in the most likely fictional Mandingo Fighting (barehanded fights to the death between slaves).  There are scenes of torture and mutilation of these slave, and while it often takes place out of frame, the sound and reaction of the characters troubling.  

  The language is crude with many uses of the F-Bomb and lower curses.  There is also a large amount of uses of the N-word, although it sometimes slips into it's hip hop variant and that was a little odd.  These is some quick nudity of a woman's breast as she is removed from place of detention and we see a man's butt as he hangs upside down.  There may have also been a frame or two of what seems to be a man's genitals, but they were very so fast it wasn't noticeable and I didn't care to go back and still frame it.  None of it is shown in a pornographic or alluring context, but it could have just as easily been out of frame and just implied.  But if this type of content isn't for you we completely respect that. Luckily for you, friend of the Blog, the Mormon Movie Guy, shared his list of 25 of the Greatest Family Friendly Westerns as an alternative!

Lincoln (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:
  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

   Daniel Day-Lewis is superb in his character acting.  Although I really have only seen photos of President Lincoln, his portrayal is everything I would imagine.  Thin wry voice, his gait and walk of someone uncomfortable with their exceeding height.  I did not see Daniel Day-Lewis, I saw Abraham Lincoln.  Lewis is fantastic at this transformation.  You take his biggest roles side by side and you almost cant tell they are the same person.  Heck you compare them to his actual picture and you would not think so. 
   
         






   Tommy Lee Jones is the anti-Day-Lewis.  If you want a gruff, straight shooter, is a soft spot in his heart that get revealed by the end of the movie you cast him!  If you made a montage of all his movies from the neck up, I'd challenge you to tell them all apart.  Except for maybe Batman Forever, that's what happens when he strays for what he is good at.  In Lincoln he is right in his wheelhouse.  As Lincoln tries to win votes from congressman with opinions all over the spectrum Jones plays Congressman Stevens, who not only wants abolition, but equality.  Struggle to hold to his ideals, yet temper them in the name of progress is enjoyable.   

   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.

   Part of this disguise comes from the brilliant costuming.  I am always impressed with the wardrobes of period films because you know that was probably all made for the movie.  The sets are the same way, with period lighting, decor, and furniture.  It was very easy to be immersed in the time setting.

   The unfolding of how votes are obtained was very interesting to see as some votes were not quite above board.  I did have a bit of trouble following the whole process.  There is a lot of monologue in Lincoln, and while moving, more explanation to the whole situation would have helped.  While the end does the resolve does seem to make sense, you may have to take that on faith in the beginning.    

   See Lincoln while it is still in theatres if you can.  It will be far worth it, but brush up on your history a bit so you don't get lost.  Although I haven't seen all the movies yet, I am starting to lean towards Lincoln for by best picture winner.

Content:
  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.

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

   With the upcoming Oscars we are reviewing each of this Year's Best Picture Nominees.  We have already reviewed Les Miserables from when it came out, but surprisingly I had not seen the other 8 movies.

   Going into Beasts of the Southern Wild totally blind as to what the plot was about was tough.  I couldn't figure out if it took place in some post apocalyptic world, or if this was how people actually lived in our day.  The story takes place in a community known as "The Bathtub."  It is on the wrong side of the levies that protect more the civilized part of the south.  Life in the Bathtub is harsh.  Homes are made of driftwood, corrugated aluminum, and whatever other scrap materials people can find and built on precarious stilts above the ground to prepare for frequent rising floor waters.


   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.  

   I try my best to rate movies for you based on the genre they belong.  For example, our recent review of Rise of the Guardians got 4 stars. Not because it was an amazing film in it's own right, but because as far as children's animated features go, it was very entertaining.  If I were to watch it again, it would be with my kids and not alone or with other adults.  


   I try to do the same when it comes to Independent Films.  I am for the most part, not a fan of Independent Film.  They are usually not very narrative driven when it comes to plot and usually leave me feeling uneasy and uncomfortable.   They are like the anti-romantic comedy.

   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.

   One thing that was amazing though was scenery.  I would never think that people lived in such squalor.  I served my mission in parts of the Ozarks and it was never this bad.  It really makes you reflect on the blessings you have.  It is amazing to think something that seems post apocalyptic to me is a reality for some.  I am not sure if this community was created for the movie or if it was shot on location.  It is extremely life like and should get credit as an additional character in the film.  Another thing that impressive was the sound editing.  There was always the light sound of wind and impending storm and while in any of the shanty town buildings there was constant creaking and moaning.  It made me unsettled and I think it helped transport me to Hushpuppy's world of always being in turmoil and unrest. 

Content:

   With a harsh environment live this comes character engaged in some hard livin'.  The language is crude with on probable and one definite F-Bomb.  There are also many feline related expletives.  Hushpuppy's father and many in the community are frequently inebriated and this is carries over to a theme of child abuse in the film.  Although these behaviors are not glorified, it is a gritty realization that places a lot on weight on the viewer.

Beasts of the Southern Wild is available now on iTunes and Amazon. 

The Best Movies of 2012

   As 2012 quick winds to a close I wanted to share with all of you what we felt were the best movies of 2012.  It was a hard choice to narrow down, and some of my favorite little gems didn't make it.  I used our Quality Rating and our Content Rating from when we reviewed the movie, as well as ticket sales per theatre opening weekend.  Then we considered weeks at those films were #1 in the box office.  To come to a conclusion on the 5 best I grabbed these 4 sources of data and combined them all to get an average score.  If you want more details on each movie, the link in the movie title will take you to our full review.  So here are our favorites!

#1 The Avengers: The top grossing movie of the year, and it broke several records.  With several Marvel build up movies, there is no wonder it was top of our list.  It was a major risk and undertaking, but it paid off!  We saw it twice in the theatres the week it came out.  Although it is an action movie, it has a lot of lighthearted moments of humor. One of my favorites comes from Captain America, Chris Evans. When warned that Thor, Chris Hemsworth, and Loki are basically Gods Captain America responds, "There's only one God ma'am, and he doesn't dress like that."  The Avengers is available from Amazon and iTunes. 

#2 The Hunger Games: I went into The Hunger Games pretty blind to the whole story, but afterward I went out and read all 3 books.  I am really excited for Catching Fire to come out.  One of the shining aspects of the movie was the strong supporting cast. Great actors like Stanley Tucci and Donald Sutherland who know better than to attach their names to something like "Twilight." They add credibility to the Film. But I must say the two surprises were Lenny Kravitz and Elizabeth Banks.  Getting attached them from the film made their characters even more enjoyable when reading the books.  The Hunger Games is available from Amazon and iTunes. 

#3 The Dark Knight Rises: Although I preferred The Dark Knight when he wasn't "Rising" it was a great conclusion to an epic trilogy.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays rookie cop John Blake. He is one of the few Gotham city police officers who still has faith in the Batman. When Bane's plan begins to unfold, it is Blake who comes to the forefront of the film rather than Wayne. He becomes the protagonist the audience identifies with and as such saves this movie. If Acts 1 and 2 were paced a little cleaner, I would give this film a solid 5 Stars, but with the strength of the supporting cast and 3rd Act I just couldn't downgrade it to 4.  The Dark Kight Rises is available from Amazon and iTunes. 

#4 The Hobbit: One of the most anticipated movies for me this year.  It didn't quite have the commercial draw of the other films with no Catwoman/Black Widow eye candy or romantic story of star crossed lovers like The Hunger Games.   I don't think there is much doubt though that The Hobbit is going to be one of those movies that stands the test of time. Not only is it visually stunning, but the themes of hope, honor, friendship are transcendent and meaningful to all of us. When pressed about his desire to undertake his mission Gandalf's response sums up the meaning of the movie. "Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps because I am afraid, and he gives me courage." The Hobbit is in Theatres now.

#5 Wreck-It Ralph: Our only entry that isn't part of a large franchise of films.  Wreck-It Ralph is smartly written, well acted, and beautifully animated. The world is truly an original idea where game characters travel through subway like surge protectors. John C. Riley's Ralph is endearing and lovable. He surrounded with other great character voices that really fit well. There are 3 main games the movie takes place in, and each one if stylized slightly different, yet all are amazing and immersive.  I am hopeful that there might be additional films where we can see more of the arcade games in the world.  Wreck-It Ralph is still in some Second Run Theatres and is available for pre-order on Amazon.

What were your favorites of 2012?  Where there any that didn't make our list?

Les Miserables (2012): Mormon Movie Review

Quality:

   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!

   Prisoner 24601, known as Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe). Set post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion.

   I posted a few weeks ago about how I [was] Starting to Worry About Les Miserables.  If you constantly compare the musical to the film you will be let down on a musicality standpoint as many of the actors are better known for that then for singing for a reason.  But that is merely one thread in the tapestry of the film version.  

   I wanted to highlight four scenes that were the best experiences for me, and I'd like to see if they were the same for you.  I immersed myself in Les Mis soundtrack, video clips, and stage recordings, and it was a bit of a mistake.  Although I did not love Hugh Jackman's musical performance, his acting carried over and help to move me.  Particularly in Val Jean's Soliloquy where is wrestles with his hatred for the world, and yet tried to reconcile himself to God.  The cinematography as he paces back and forth with the music away and toward the reliquary was masterful.  

   One of the best known and best loved songs of Les Miserables is I Dreamed a Dream sung by the character Fantine.  You may remember the sweet and triumphant version that help Susan Boyle raise to internet fame.  But with all the cheers of the audience you might miss the words and meaning of the song.  It is of despair and sorrow and Anne Hathaway makes you feel that.  Our theatre audience applauded at the end of it.    

  

   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. 

Conclusion: If I were to rate the transition from stage to screen I might drop a star for some changes that I'll highlight in a later posting, but as a standalone film it was a wonderful experience. There are themes of redemption, mercy, courage, comradeship, duty, fatherhood, and love unrequited. Anyone could find a character to associate with. If you haven't seen it yet, I would make plans to do so this weekend.

This post is sponsored by Amazon.com. If want to add a great movie to your DVD library, get your copy at Amazon today! If you already have it; here are some other ways you can help support us and keep the reviews coming!

Family Friendly Christmas Movies on Netflix

   This was a lot harder to make than I thought!  I wanted them all to be Netflix, but to be honest these isn't a ton of quality movies.  They have a bunch of cheesy, ABC Family, Hallmark Channel, mediocre TV Specials, but I searched and scoured and found these rare gems!

   If you aren't a Netflix subscriber yet, you can try it out with our free Christmas Trial Offer!  Try out these movies and if you didn't love them, just cancel.  Or check out some other family friendly films on Netflix.

   The Nightmare Before Christmas: Although it also doubles as one of my favorite Halloween movies.  The story of how Jack Skelington, tries to bring the joy and magic of Christmas to a land that has always known the fright of Halloween is heartwarming and enjoyable.

   Dreamworks Holiday Classics: Four Animated Shorts (about half hour each) that feature Christmas and Holiday stories about some of your favorite characters.  One of my favorite things Dreamworks has done for these is keep up the productions value.  The animations look just as great, and I am pretty all the original voice actors have returned.  I am still a little jaded from the sequels and specials Disney tried to pass off in my youth.  Return of Jafar was just shameful!


Kung Fu Panda Holiday: This film is along the lines as the other Dreamworks features.  The original cast is back too.  Some of the comments I saw seemed to take issue with the fact that they do not refer to it as Christmas, but as the Winter Holiday Feast.  I do feel like a lot of films are starting to stray from this, for take Christ out of Christmas.  But I am not really bothered here since story takes place is historic China.  A Christmas dinner would not be historically accurate.  Although some conspiracy theorists think Jesus did visit China.

   VeggieTales: St. Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving: I always love Veggie Tales movies because they don't often shy away from Judeo-Christian themes taught in their stories.  Very often they even reference the Bible verses the stories come from.  In this tale we learn about the tale of St. Nicholas and his desire to show charity to those in need.  It is a little kiddied up from the original story similar to how their episode of King George and the Ducky teaches the principles of King David and Bathsheba.

   White Christmas:  Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby are in true form.  Most of their lines together they just made up as they went.  It is a great classic that brings us back to a day when actors where true artists who sing and dance without auto tune, or a bunch of quick edit jumps.  

Honorable Mention: Polar Express
One of our most loyal fans on our Facebook Page suggested Polar Express.  I haven't seen it yet.  All I know about it is that the book is famous, some of the musical numbers that I sang with the Mormon Choral Organization, and that every adult character is voiced by Tom Hanks.  Also that everyone who has seen it, loved it.  It is going to be on my Instant Queue and it should be on yours too!