HANCOCK - REVIEW
HANCOCK (Running Time: 92 min; Rated: PG-13)
(2 OUT OF 5 STARS)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón
SAVE YOUR SELF FROM “HANCOCK”
Will Smith soars through the sky in this action-adventure fantasy, only to fall from grace.
John Hancock (WILL SMITH) is a cranky and foul-mouthed, drunken superhero. He has alienated the very public he means to protect by leaving behind a costly wake of destruction with each heroic rescue. The dysfunctional hero receives an image makeover from public relations expert Ray Embrey (JASON BATEMAN), who takes Hancock under his wing and into the home he shares with wife, Mary (CHARLIZE THERON) and son, Aaron (JAE HEAD). After spending time with Mary, Hancock uncovers her hidden secret, and a shared past.
Charlize Theron is captivating to watch as the beautiful and sensuous Mary. However, when Hancock confronts her about their undeniable attraction for each other, Mary reveals a vamped-out alter ego. Her eyes, once swollen with emotion, are now suddenly heavily outlined in harsh eyeliner. So begins the second half of this novel storyline, and so begins its downfall.
Ironically, Will Smith’s portrayal of a sardonic superhero does not charm nor endear the audience anywhere near as successfully done by Robert Downey Jr. in IRON MAN. Even Jason Bateman’s character, in HANCOCK, is more loveable.
But, what truly made this movie hard to watch, literally, was that all the action scenes were shot up close and in your face by the director of photography, Tobias A. Schliessler, (DREAMGIRLS, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, BAIT).
Directed by actor turned writer-producer-director Peter Berg, (THE KINGDOM, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS). Written by Vincent Ngo & Vince Gilligan. Produced by Akiva Goldsman, Michael Mann, (watch for both their cameos as business executives in the opening scene), James Lassiter and Will Smith. Executive produced by Ian Bryce, Jonathan Mostow and Richard Saperstein. Released by Columbia Pictures.
Will Smith and Charlize Theron
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Will Smith and Jason Bateman
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WALL-E REVIEW
WALL-E
Starring voices of: Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and Jeff Garlin,
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
Rated G
By John Delia
Brilliant is the only way to describe Wall-E. It has everything, action, romance, drama, adventure and comedy. Playing to all age levels, the animated feature proves great for the whole family. The computer animation by Disney’s PIXAR is truly amazing and the storyline fresh and new.
The story goes something like this. Planet Earth has been abandoned from years of abuse. Not being able to exist on the planet due to climate changes and loss of vegetation that keeps human life going, they now live inside Axiom, a huge spaceship. The last of the clean-up robots on Earth have run out of battery life except one, Wall-E, who continues on his daily work of piling up trash, stashing fun things he finds and parts from the other ‘dead’ robots in perpetuation of his own ‘life.’ In an attempt to find out whether green life has returned to the Earth after 700 years, the humans send out Eve (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) to check it out. Landing on the rubble riddled planet, Eve comes in contact with Wall-E and falls head over heels for the rusty little robot. When she discovers Wall-E’s green plant, the reason for her expedition, a spaceship comes down to whisk her away back to Axiom. When Wall-E sees her leaving he clutches a ride on the vessel. Arriving at Axiom, Wall-E causes a lot of chaotic disturbances on a quest to find his true love.
The characters in the film are fresh and new. Wall-E, for starters, is a robotic waste compactor who roams the trash-laden planet making skyscrapers out of the metal bundles he produces. His eyes are binocular-like lenses and his motoring device consists of caterpillar tractor tracks. He’s a very smart and lovable charmer who loves to watch an old musical on videotape. Eve on the other hand has a modern powerful pristine robotic body that has laser guns and hovering power. She’s determined to get her job done and won’t let anyone get in her way. The two opposite attract in some very cute moments. But the funniest characters in the film are the humans, depicted as people who have grown obese and lazy as they developed over the centuries in their huge luxury spa like space transporter. So huge are they that they can’t walk and sit on hover bots that have computer screens and drinks served to them at the touch of a button.
According to Wall-E we have a bleak future, one that maybe could be prevented and that’s the message that the film leaves with us. Maybe you can call the film an infomercial for ‘Greening’ the planet, but the kids won’t mind the bleak storyline, because the great characters that Pixar graphs should hold their attention throughout.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Wall-E’s a very enjoyable film that should entertain at all age levels. 5 of 5 stars.
CHICAGO 10 - REVIEW
CHICAGO 10
Starring: voices of Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Live Schreiber, and Jeffrey Wright
Directed by: Brett Morgen
Rated R for language, nudity and brief sexual images
By John Delia
The documentary Chicago 10 is a very good depiction of the historical late 60’s movement against the war in Vietnam and the subsequent affect it had on America’s viewpoints. The excellent use of actual footage and court records coupled with animation, allows for a smooth rollout of the facts as compiled by Director and Writer Brett Morgan. If you are a lover of historical events and believe in the right of speech, then the Chicago 10 is a must see.
In 1968 two major groups against the war in Vietnam, the Yippies and the National Mobilization Committee (and some smaller groups) banded together to picket the war at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The two groups comprised of thousands of war protesters set up their encampments in a park several miles from the convention. When they marched to the convention center they were met with resistance from the National Guard and the Chicago Police Department. It was this act that 10 so called leaders of the march were arrested and charged with conspiracy and violating Chicago’s Anti-Riot Act of 1968.
The film takes you to the courtroom and the trial of the infamous “Chicago 10,” Rennie Davis, David Dellinger, Thomas Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Lee Weiner, John Froines, Bobby Seale, Leonard Weinglass and William Kinstler and lays out the circumstances surrounding their decision to picket the Democratic Convention and the consequences of their actions.
Morgan does an amazing job of showing the historical event in this documentary. His use of archival film combined with animation of the actual trial provides his startling view of the mistreatment of the rights of Americans to speak out for what they believe.
I do believe, however, that the film does tend to be somewhat one sided, but the facts remain. 50 million people saw live accounts of the riots and some very brutal beatings by law enforcement, yet prosecution was given every liberty to try the case, while the defense was stagnated by courtroom jurisprudence.
In the end, the publicity from the riots and subsequent court case was the probable force behind America’s disfavor for the war in Vietnam. It seemed well worth the subjugation the Chicago 10 received for their efforts.
The film opens in the South Florida area on June 25th at the Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Please call 954-525-film for showtimes.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Run to see Chicago 10 when it comes to your local theatre, especially if you are a believer in just causes. 4 of 5 stars.
THE LOVE GURU - REVIEW
THE LOVE GURU (Running Time: 87 min; Rated: PG-13)
( 2 OUT OF 5 STARS)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón
DISENCHANTED BY “THE LOVE GURU”
Beloved comedian, Mike Myers introduces us to his newest character, Guru Pitka aka “The Love Guru”. THE LOVE GURU mixes part sports drama, part romantic comedy, and a dash of Bollywood to this satirical stew about the distraction of celebrity-hood. If you enjoy lowbrow humor, the clever wordplays and lewd defecation, urination and male genitalia jokes are hilarious. Otherwise, seek elsewhere for enlightening entertainment.
Branded as pop cultures’ second-best guru, Pikta (MIKE MYERS) is desperate to unseat his rival, Deepak Chopra, as the recognized spiritual leader of peace, love and enlightenment. His business manager (JOHN OLIVER) convinces “The Love Guru”, that only a guest spot on the highly-revered national television show, “Oprah”, can put him on the transcendental path towards this divine destiny.
Such an opportunity reveals its self, when Guru Pitka is contacted by Jane Bullard (JESSICA ALBA), owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, for his guidance. Her star player, Darren Roanoke (ROMANY MALCO) has led his team into a losing streak after his wife, Prudence (MEGAN GOOD), who he abandoned, starts dating the L.A. Kings’ legendary goalie, Jacques “Le Coq” Grande (JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE). Once “The Love Guru” reunites Darren and Prudence, thus locking up the Stanley Cup for the cursed Toronto Maple Leafs, a booked TV appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” is assured.
While the talents of the supporting cast, -famed British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili, Ben Kingsley and Troy Verner, are underplayed, Stephen Colbert brilliantly and hysterically portrays a drug-addicted, sex-crazed TV Sports-caster. There are also a number of fun, surprise cameos.
Mike Myers enlisted Graham Gordy to co-write the script and update Myers’ original character, Guru Pitka, for a “younger, hipper” audience. Obviously, they looked to Judd Apatow’s success with THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN. There are several similarities between these two films, ranging from the casting of Romany Malco as “the sensitive, but roaming boyfriend” to the musical finale celebrating the consummation of the romantic storyline.
The feature film, THE LOVE GURU, is Marco Schnabel’s directorial debut.
Schnabel was recruited by Mike Myers to direct “The Love Guru”, subsequent to working, under the guidance of Jay Roach, on all three films in the “Austin Powers” franchise.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK - Review
THE INCREDIBLE HULK - reviewed by Denise Castillon
Movie Rating: (3 OUT OF 5 STARS)
Selecting to draw on the fast-paced direction of Louis Leterrier (the French action filmmaker of The Transporter series, Unleashed), absolutely gives life to this saga, well-known as one of Marvel Comic's beloved superheroes and from the successful 70’s TV series, “The Incredible Hulk”, (starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno).
The opening title sequence cleverly provides the film’s prologue, where we’re quickly taken through a five-year time span, beginning with the scientist’s disastrous laboratory experiment to the fugitive’s hidden identity as a glass factory laborer in present-day
General “Thunderbolt” Ross (WILLIAM HURT), Banner’s obsessive nemesis, tracks him to his workplace refuge, where an exciting chase scene ensues as Banner is hunted by Gen. Ross’s special assault unit through the labyrinthine Brazilian quarter. This combative confrontation triggers an “incident” of rage that Banner, until then, had managed to suppress. Banner’s subsequent transformation into “The Hulk” takes the unprepared Special Ops team leader, Emil Blonsky (TIM ROTH), by surprise.
Banner escapes across Latin America and the
There’s plenty of comedic moments, terrific visual effects and pulse-pounding CGI-generated battles between “The Hulk” and “The Abomination” in this action adventure for super hero movie fans of all ages. Although, despite the French director’s claim that the love story between Bruce Banner and Betty Ross, “comes naturally to him”, their romance lacks passion that cannot be simply justified by Banner’s avoidance of extreme excitement. Then, there’s the curious casting of Roth, while great at portraying slimy villains, is unconvincing as the militant “bad ass” Blonsky. The difficulty acting with unseen CGI characters can only attempt to explain the one-dimensional performances of these otherwise exceptional lead actors.
SPOILIER ALERT! No need to wait through the end credits, as with Marvel Studio’s far superior IRON MAN, for the teaser alluding to the super hero movie franchise’s upcoming assembly of “The Avengers”. This arrives with THE INCREDIBLE HULK’s last film scene to deliver a more satisfying ending to the anti-climactic showdown between “The Hulk” and “The Abomination”.
The screen story and screenplay by ZAK PENN (X2, X-Men: The Last Stand). Directed by LOUIS LETERRIER (The Transporter series, Unleashed). Visual Effects supervised by KURT WILLIAMS, ( Fantastic Four and X-Men: The Last Stand). Director of Photography, PETER MENZIES, JR. (Shooter, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider). Executive produced by STAN LEE (Iron Man, Spider-Man series, X-Men series), and produced by DAVID MAISEL (Iron Man) and JIM VAN WYCK (Timeline, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events).
When Did You Last See Your Father - Review
Al McGhee and John Delia review "When Did You Last See Your Father"
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - REVIEW
Al McGhee, John Delia and Denise Castillon review the movie, "Standard Operating Procedure."
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