SUCKER PUNCH: BE SURE TO DUCK

I have no idea where to start with flashy looking, music video with words movie. This is the kind of movie that people either love or hate. It could very well turn into a cult classic.It borderlines on pornographic; pedophiles dream come true. A cast of scantily clad, kick-ass babes who for the most part look like they're all under 18, running around copying moves from all of the best choreographed films; Kill Bill, The Matrix, Wanted, and so on. This is a fantasy world where all the men are bad, and or abusive. So, when institutionalized, our main heroine Baby Doll,can't stand the reality of living in an institution and so she transports herself into another fantasy world. However, that world is also terrible enough that she needs to transport herself into yet another fantasy world. Symbolically, this is where she and her captive friends, all scantily clad, fight for their freedom. You might say it's like Inception on acid. Generally speaking, I like films where the women kick ass. However, these girls looked like they were just playing the part. It was an interesting film, that I can't say that I quite enjoyed it. I will have to admit that I did fast forward through bits of the fantasy fight sequence. Not quite my cup of tea.    

ALICE IN WONDERLAND... WHAT A WONDER INDEED

Alice Kingsley: This is impossible.

The Mad Hatter: Only if you believe it is.

This is not your father's Alice in Wonderland.  Tim Burton haters do not need to read any further. I can't understand why critics slammed this film so hard knowing what a twist Burton provides to everything he does. I loved this film. It was like watching a totally new story, only slightly resembling the previous movies that have been made. Burton brought on his A game, creating a bizarro world full of good and evil, so visually amazing and enjoyable. Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is a young woman now, not a girl, and she is rebelling against the norm of the day, getting married to a man she hardly knows and doesn't love. Of course she falls through the rabbit hole and is taken to a far different world, strange yet compelling. Like in a dream, elements of Alice's real life are brought in to Wonderland, only under much more bizarre participants. In this world, she is made to fight her demons. Literally. Of course the biggest stir was Johnny Depp playing the Mad Hatter. I hated the way he looked, but loved him in character, especially his lapse into a deep Scottish brogue.  Wasikowska was adorable and was able to show Alice's transformation. She did a great job with a most gratifying battle scene toward the end. The CGI effects in this are incredible. Almost everything was shot on a green screen and to think that actors have to pretend in the first place, nonetheless pretend with nothing around to put them in character, I'd say they did a spectacular job. This is not a movie for everyone. In a world where the Bounty Hunter is a number one rental, I question the majority's taste. I may be the only one, but I though this film was lovely and enchanting. Be sure to watch the bonus features to see how they created Wonderland and the odd looking assorted inhabitants. Thanks Tim!

THE FALL

THE FALL CONQUERS GREAT HEIGHTS

Luigi: [reading from Evelyn's locket] My dearest daughter, never marry for money, fame, power or security. Always follow your heart.

Your ever loving father

Blue Bandit: It says all that on that little locket?

Luigi: Si

If you see one movie this year, I would ask that you chose this one. This is a golden fairy tale, along the likes of The Princess Bride with more sarcasm, dry humor more blood and death. The story follows an oh so sweet and heartbreaking little girl, Alexandria (Cantinca Untaru) , who is stuck in a hospital while waiting for her broken arm to heal. Curious as a bug, she wanders around, taking in all that she sees with her wide saucer-like eyes. She comes across a man, Roy Walker (Lee Pace) a stunt man who was injured while filming a movie. Thing is, his heart also broke and leaves him suicidal confused man. The two make a perfect odd combination. He tells her an adventure story, which introduces us to other characters, most having a place in the girl's real world, much like Wizard of Oz. The tale of the Blue Bandit begins, however, he makes her bring him things (like Morphine) so that he might be able to kill himself. It is cruel and so selfish of him, but she does not understand his ulterior motives and plays along to get more story. This film is magic. It is as visually stunning as it is full of life and adventure and love. It is NOT a predictable film and even makes light of that during the story telling. I was so enthralled by this film that I watched it again before returning it, which I rarely do. You will laugh and cry and hold your breath as I did toward the ending. The Fall covers a lot of territory and there are many ways the title fits the situations, as diverse as they are. A beautiful film; both visually and emotionally.

Big PICK: What a wondrous world this can be; to old and young alike. This movie broke my heart and reminded me how magical films can be.

SON OF RAMBOW

SON OF RAMBOW "Make Believe. Not War."

I suppose it's not considered a good review when the first sentence contains the words, 'I wanted to like this film...'
This film is a story about friendships and the imaginable forces that lurk from behind a young boys wide eyes. I wanted it to make me feel something; something other than bored. There were several spots here and there where it was cute or heartwarming, but not enough from start to finish. My biggest compliment is to the film's musical content; a huge bonus for us 80-somethings. Aside from not meeting my high expectations, this is a friendly film with moments of poignancy and wonder.

PICK: Although not a great film, it is entertaining and worth the time.

THE SECRET

THE SECRET IS A GOOD ONE TO SHARE

Almost all ages can remember one version or the other of Freaky Friday, the story of a woman and daughter who "switch" bodies and have to literally walk in the other's shoes. Here we have another Freaky Friday of sorts. This one is a dramatic one. Hannah Marris (Lili Taylor) and her daughter Samantha (Olivia Thrilby) have hit the normal progression in time when a teenager doesn't want her mother (or father) so close anymore. It's not cool to love your parents, so 'Sam' acts accordingly. They end up in a serious car accident; enter Dr. Benjamin Marris (David Duchovny) who finds himself standing between the two hospital beds containing his wife and daughter. His wife dies. It gets 'freaky' when his daughter regains consciousness and seems possessed by the spirit of Hannah. This could have gone so many different bad ways, but it didn't. Like the similar movie of years back, Birth staring Nicole Kidman, the implications hang above our heads waiting to "go there" but this one doesn't. It is amazing to be put in this sort of situation, for the most part, Dr. Marris. How do you treat your 'wife' when she is inhabiting the body of your daughter. Hello, Dr. Freud?! They cover a normal range of emotions and limitations in this situation for which there is no president, but they are covered well and believably. A very odd film, but oh, so well done. Trilby inhabits Taylor which in her first role, is awesome.

PICK: Different situation makes for an interesting film.

THE GOLDEN COMPASS

THE GOLDEN COMPASS DOESN'T KNOW WHICH WAY IS UP
This is a pretty film. It is very, very, very, very pretty. There are some neato CGI effects. They are really, really, really, really neato. Oh, and Nicole Kidman is in this for, about 17 minutes of film, along with Daniel Craig. This film is a combination of Harry Potter meets Narnia, meets Lord of the Rings, meets Star Wars meets the Matrix. Serafina Pekkala: "There are many universes and many Earths parallel to each other. Worlds like yours, where people's souls live inside their bodies, and worlds like mine, where they walk beside us, as animal spirits we call daemons." Blah, blah, blah, blah... Obviously it is an adventure movie with little bits of all the other films tossed in. There is no motivation for the characters. The girl, Lyra, is a young girl, but acts and thinks like a 35 year old. I think they took a life-sized cardboard cutout of Nicole Kidman and just moved it around here and there.

It is a long movie... no, it just seems like a long movie, so much should have been edited. Then there's the ending. As their sky-boat rides into the sunset, Lyra ends with this... "We'll set things right. We will. You, and me, and Iorek, and Serafina Pekkala, and Mr. Scoresby. And my father. We'll set it right, Pan. Just let them try to stop us." That, of course, leads us in to the other films to come, but unlike the referenced films, there is no feeling of closure. A good film should be able to stand alone no matter how many prequels or sequels there are. This was a very, very, very, very terrible film.
NOT a pick: Save your time, not a good plot or characters. Total waste of time.

STARDUST

STARDUST IS PURE MAGIC
Once upon a time, there was an incredibly well done fairy tale for adults. It was a magical and glorious story about the quest for power, the innocent versus the evil but above all, love. Although, as with every fairy tale for adults, there was tragedy. The worst most unthinkable tragedy possible; no one knew it was there. This spell of invisibility may have been cast by a misleading film trailer or simply a jaded, bitter world where only the raunchy and unclever humor resides. The film begins in a simple country village where a young man, curious for what lie in other villages escapes a well guarded wall only to find a land of enchantment and mystery he never fathomed. Later, this man's son, Tristan (so well pulled off by relatively unknown but well cast Charlie Cox) has the same inkling, but this time he vows to escape the wall to earn his love interest Victoria, so vapidly portrayed by Sienna Miller. What he sets off to find is not what he discovers, not only the "prize" for his Victoria, but real love and a place for himself in this magical world. The star-power in this film is amazing (pun intended). Ian McKellan narrates our journey in the proper way a fairy tale should be told. Michelle Pfieffer, Peter O'Toole, Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais and the list goes on. All were fantastic and strong performances, except for two outstanding actors. Claire Danes was enchanting as Yvaine. In a role that could have made her look terribly silly, she embraced the comical and added spirit and an angelic aura. She was believable in an unbelievable world. The second most distinguished performance was by Robert De Niro as Captain Shakespeare. I wish you to discover for yourself how this tough guy, the evil Max Cady in Cape Fear, shows a new side to the viewer. Words fail me except that it was priceless. A combination of the Princess Bride, Witches of Eastwick, Tales of Narnia and all else in the film world that is precious and sincere. I loved this film.
Rating: A magical and adventurous fairy tale about love with an all star cast. Not to miss.