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Heaven Is for Real (2014)
Believing isn't always seeing...
Approaching Easter, the Holy Week in which Christ died for our sins and rose on the third day, it is very meaningful to see a movie that is based on the simple fact that sometimes seeing isn't just believing.
Heaven is for Real is a movie based on true events that unfolded in the summer of 2003 when a young boy named Colton went to heaven. Colton was four years old at the time and was suffering from a ruptured appendix. During the time the surgery was being performed, Colton lifted out of his body and saw things - incredible things. When he awoke from surgery, Colton did not share his experiences right away, but with time began to open up to his father.
Greg Kinnear leads a stellar cast in the story, bringing Todd Burpo to life on film. Todd is a pastor and has been most of his life, leading a small church in Nebraska. His wife Sonja Burpo, played by Kelly Riley, leads her women's choir group and is the ever faithful church wife. Along with Thomas Haden Church, Margo Martindale, and Conor Corum (Colton) rounding out the cast. When events put their son into the hospital they are forced to make a choice: believe that God can bring their son back or fall into despair. As Todd struggles with this question in the chapel he gets angry with God while his wife Sonja calls the church family for prayer - an image that Colton sees as he walks with Jesus.
Many other stories unfold about Colton's visit to heaven. He sees images of family members that have passed away, visions of what heaven looks like, and even Jesus' appearance which is not like the pictures he has seen in Sunday School books. Many people in the small town do not want to believe this, finding it too scary to believe or struggling with the fact that maybe there truly is a heaven. One fact remains - a young boy visited heaven and he believes it. Scripture says that we must come to Jesus as children and Colton certainly did that.
There has been much criticism about the book and now the movie, debating theological doctrine, actual medical reports that Colton did not really die at any point, and that there are holes around the story biblically. However, the idea remains: it's an imperfect story for an imperfect world. Jesus came to a little boy and revealed Himself in a way that Colton would understand. The truth is, Jesus does that for us each and every day. We are all imperfect and undeserving of His love, and yet He gives it freely. So I ask, what is so wrong with believing that He could hold the hand of a four year old and take him on a walk? He desires to do that with each one of us, if only we would believe and let Him.
Veronica Mars (2014)
She thought she was out...
When a show is cancelled way before it should be, what is one to do? You begin a kick starter and raise enough money, and then some, from your fans to fund the making of your movie. Oh, and did I mention that you also do this in 12 hours? Thus, the movie became available through AMC theaters and any type of On Demand screening. I was lucky enough to be able to see the film at a local Independent movie theater since there are no AMC theaters where I live.
The movie gives a great recap of what the TV series was all about, so if you had never seen an episode of the show you wouldn't be completely lost. However it could have used a little more explaining of who is who. Kristen Bell reprises her role as Veronica Mars but this time she isn't the crime solving detective that she once was. Nine years later, Veronica in her own words, is living in New York City with her boyfriend Piz and about to embark on her first "real" job as a lawyer. Veronica hears a TV news story about one of her high school peers, Bonnie DeVille, who is now a pop singer, who has been murdered and the prime suspect is her boyfriend, Logan Echolls, Veronica's one true love. Cue the call that Logan makes to Veronica for a "favor". As Veronica returns to Neptune to try and help her old friend Logan find a lawyer, she is once again pulled back into her old world, quite quickly I might add. Attending her 10 year high school reunion, one she vowed she would never attend, provides some real entertainment.
All the gang is back. Wallace and Mac are back as her trusty sidekicks; also Dick Casablancas, Weville, Leo (Max Greenfield), and Keith Mars, just to name a few. There are great cameo appearances from James Franco, as well as Dax Shepard, my favorite!
As the story unfolds we hear the traditional Veronica narration throughout the story. It's not hard for Veronica to fall back into her private investigating ways, as she tries to put the pieces of the story together. How could Logan kill Bonnie when that was against everything that she had ever known about him? What other people could have been involved? Was it a conspiracy? Could it have been a jealous fan? Or another lover? Veronica knows that Logan is not capable of murder but how is she going to prove it?
It's pretty much a 100 minute episode and a little funnier than I remember the show being: great chemistry and just what fans have been waiting for. It did not let me down. I know that all Veronica Mars fans will be seeing this movie but I would encourage those of you who haven't seen one episode to give it a try. It has fantastic one liners plus fast, quick dialogue. If you are a Kristen Bell fan it's worth seeing as well. " After all life is tough, but she's tougher!"
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The best is yet to come...
Oh Marvel, how I love thee...let me count the ways. I start by saying that Captain America isn't my favorite Avenger. I like him, but out of Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Hawkeye, and the Black Widow, the Captain is not my first choice. I enjoyed the first film and it was quite a bit more "human" than any other Marvel film. However, this film has completely changed my mind. To say that it was amazing does not even come close to describe my feelings about it. As the set up goes - Thor, The Dark World, and Iron Man 3 are all leading up to Avengers 2: Age of Ultron, with Captain America : The Winter Soldier setting it up the best!
Captain America ( Chris Evans) aka Steve, picks up right where we left off, with him attempting to find a place in an ever advancing world. Where he would choose a simpler life, he is forced to find satisfaction in the one that he is in. Being an agent for S.H.I.E.L.D, he continues to complete missions that are assigned by Director Fury ( Samuel L Jackson) alongside The Black Widow/ Natasha (Scarlett Johansson). When the Captain's world is turned upside down with revelations that things are not what they appear to be, he is forced to make a stand. He fights enemies that he thought were friends and faces on old enemy.
Along with returning faces, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L Jackson, Cobie Smulders, and Haley Atwell, we get new characters in Robert Redford as Alexander Pierce, Anthony Mackel as Sam Wilson, aka Falcon. And of course we can't forget our beloved Stan Lee who makes his appearance; I'm not telling where so be on the look out - it's funny as always! Everyone brings their A-game to the film with superb acting. It is 136 minutes of non-stop action and pure enjoyment. Quite a bit of hand to hand combat occurs with the fighting scenes that are beautifully choreographed - fighting that only Captain America can do with his shield at his side. The film also has quite a bit of comedy which has become a staple of the Marvel films as well. There's everything from one liners to Natasha attempting to set Steve up on a date.
Not giving much away, because even if you are not a fan of Marvel (which you should be ashamed if you aren't :-) ) if you like movies it is worth every penny. You will not be bored and you will find yourself wanting more. Make sure that you stay until the end, because as is true with every Marvel film you don't want to miss the surprise scenes, and yes there are multiple. At the end I dare you to not want to join S.H.E.I.L.D yourself, or at least go home and watch all the other Marvel films. It's a great movie, one of the best so far this year! Can't wait for Avengers: Age of Ultron: 2015 can't come soon enough!!!!
Muppets Most Wanted (2014)
Re-Vist your Childhood
I remember seeing the Muppets when I was a child; I believe my first Muppet movie was The Muppets Take Manhattan. Soon after that I fell deeply in love with The Muppets Christmas Carol. Since then I have grown up and really forgotten about them. I didn't see the recent release of The Muppets from 2011 with Amy Adams and Jason Segel but in my mind thought it was for adults with children. After seeing all the press about the new Muppet film, I thought that I would give it a try and see what all the fuss is about. I am so happy I did. It was the best 112 minutes I have spent in a while - laugh out loud funny.
The opening scene sets up the story that the Muppets are making a sequel - cue the first song and dance of the film. Kermit getting the news from the studio along with Fozzie Bear who is extremely excited and trying to pitch a whole bunch of ideas to Kermit along with Gonzo, and of course the beautiful Ms. Piggy insisting that she sing a least 5 solo songs a night. We are quickly introduced to Dominic played by Rickey Gervais and soon find out he is indeed a bad guy.
If you have seen any of the marketing for this film, you are quite aware that there is a bad Kermit, Constantine, who switches places with our true Kermit and tries to take over the world by using our wonderful and beloved Muppet's. As the Muppets embark on a world tour to promote their comeback, they visit some very interesting places where certain possessions can be "stolen" conveniently. They travel to Russia (where Constantine takes the place of Kermit), Madrid, and London. Our sweet Kermit is mistaken for Constantine and put into the Gulag in Germany.
The film does a great job switching back from the 3 central story lines: the first being Constantine and The Muppets on their world tour; secondly Kermit being held prisoner in the Gulag in Germany; and lastly the CIA and Interpool trying to figure out who is stealing priceless artifacts. Just as you are getting invested in one, it switches to another so you don't get bored and are continually entertained. With our Muppets being the main characters, there is a pretty good amount of human love as well.
Tina Fey plays Nadya, the Gulag warden that has a secret love for Kermit, Rickey Gervais (mentioned above) as Dominic, and Ty Burrell plays Jean Pierre, the Interpool agent assigned to find the thief. Additionally, there are a multitude of cameo appearances including Tony Bennett, Hugh Boneville, Zack Galaifnakis, Salma Hayek, Tom Hiddleston, Ray Liotta, Fran Langella, and Celine Dion, who plays Ms. Piggy's fairy godmother.
This is a great film, full of fun, laughter, music, and mostly pure entertainment, a great time for kids and adults alike. If you are like me and have forgotten about the Muppets, take this time to re-visit your childhood and be thoroughly entertained.
" 2 Frogs, 1 Pig, epic Mayhem."
The Monuments Men (2014)
Okay, but wanted more
I went to see this movie a few weeks ago and have been thinking about writing this review. I was struck by a number of things and wanted to make sure I got it right when talking about it. So often we hear about war, the lives that are sacrificed and the horrible conditions, among other things. The picture that this film paints is very different from other war films. It's about what makes up people's history and culture: beautiful pieces of art work collected and preserved during World War II.
The film is based on a true story about a platoon that is tasked with rescuing art work that has been stolen by the German army at Hitler's demand. Seven men are given this task by FDR - to go behind enemy lines and find these treasures. The art work had been confiscated from museums to home collections, pieces that include the Mona Lisa, the Madonna and Child, and several other works of art. As the war is coming to a close these men must go into very dangerous places, knowing Hitler has given the order to destroy everything if something were to happen to him or if the Nazis lose the war. So they are running against the clock.
George Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murry, John Goodman. Jean, Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville, and Bob Balaban are the seven Monuments Men. They are in no way skilled military men, but rather museum directors, curators, and art historians. In order for them to be "enlisted" into the military they must attend basic training, and that in itself is hysterical. But these are men that love art and risk everything to get it back to the rightful owners. Cate Blanchett rounds out a very male driven cast, playing Clare Simon, a woman working in a office run by the German army but part of the resistance.
The screen play written by George Clooney and Grant Heslov (Argo) is decent; I would have enjoyed a little more character development. Were this supposed to be driven around the characters and the sacrifice they made, I am not completely invested in any of the characters.They are really one dimensional and to be honest don't leave any lasting impression. The acting is good, you would expect no less. Not a lot is shown of the German army / Nazis and when they are on screen they are portrayed more laughable then soldiers. This is a story that has a lot of heart and sacrifice that could have been told a little better. It's a movie worth seeing, just not in the theater.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
Everyone deserves to live...
This is my second favorite of film the year, so far. It's a story based on true events about a man who is born free and then through horrible circumstances is sold into slavery and for 12 years must makes the decision to survive the cards that he has been dealt. The film is told through the eyes and voice of Solomon Northup.
Solomon Norhtup ( Chiwetel Ejiofor) is born in New York City in 1800's as a free man. He is a skilled musician and craftsman who meets two seemingly nice gentlemen who offer him a job playing his fiddle for a two week engagement in Washington D.C. Solomon accepts their offer and embarks on a journey that will forever change his life. After playing he spends an evening with both gentlemen and has a little too much to drink and can't really remember what happens after that. He soon wakes with the very confusing reality of being chained to a dirty concrete floor when two men walk in and accuse him of being a "run away" from Georgia. Solomon professes that he is a free man and his name is Solomon Northup, but they believe him to be Platt, a slave.
Solomon soon finds himself aboard a boat bound for New Orleans in the dead of night. After being beaten several times for his "lack of respect" he is soon sold to a plantation owner William Ford (Benedict Cumberbatch). We believe Master Ford to be a kind gentleman who soon takes a liking to Solomon and gives him a fiddle. However, Master Ford's plantation manager John Tibeats does not feel the same way.Tibeats and Solomon have a huge fight and Solomon ends up beating Tibeats. Seeking retribution, Tibeats and his friends attempt to hang Solomon. When he is left there for hours until Master Ford can return and cut him down, he tried to plead his case that he is a free man. Knowing that Solomon is not safe at the plantation anymore, Ford transfers the debt and ownership of Solomon to Edwin Epps.
Epps (Michael Fassbender) believes that it is his right to do whatever he chooses to his "property" - his plantation, his cotton fields, and his slaves. He beats them, whips them, verbally abuses them, and humiliates them more times than you can count. Epps takes a liking to Patsey ( Lupita Nyong'o ) who is extremely hard working, picking 500 pounds of cotton every day - more than any man. Epps especially likes her late at night when he gets drunk and proceeds to rape Patsey. His wife Mistress Epps (Sarah Paulson) does not take to kindly to this either. Mistress Epps views herself as higher bred than anyone around and has a distinct hate for Patsey, whom she abuses by throwing glass bottles and cutting her face. When Patsey takes an unapproved trip to get soap to wash with from Mistress Epps she suffers a lashing so brutal it is extremely hard to watch on screen.
Solomon begins to build a gazebo with a Canadian laborer named Bass (Brad Pitt) who believes everything is wrong with slavery. Bass gives a rather compelling argument that slaves are not property that they are people, God's people, and there will be a reckoning and price to pay when actions must be accounted for. When Solomon finds himself alone he is convinced by Bass to tell his story. Solomon makes one last effort to ask for help to write back to the north and ask for someone that can verify that he is indeed a free man. Bass tells Solomon the he is fearful of the consequences if he writes this letter, but also knows that it is his duty to do what he can.
To see how Solomon's story turns out you'll have to go see the film. I encourage you to do so while it's still in theaters. The performances are amazing. Michael Fassbender and Chiwetel Ejiofor deliver in every respect and the rest of the cast is truly brilliant. It is an epically heartbreaking story of ones man's journey and courage to not just survive, but in fact to live.
Gone with the Wind (1939)
A Love Story for the Ages...
Winning best picture in 1939, Gone with the Wind takes a huge leap from where movies had been telling stories for years. Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable bring a tale of southern love during the Civil War under the direction of Victor Fleming , who also directed The Wizard of Oz which was nominated for best picture that year as well. As the audience we see a story unfold for a total of four hours where we are never bored. Everything on the screen is beautiful, due mostly to Ernest Heller, the wonderful cinematographer who captured the beauty of the South. The costumes were breathtakingly designed by Walter Plunkett with my personal favorite being the emerald green curtain dress.
Vivian Leigh plays the beautiful Scarlett O'Hara, a true southern belle. She was the envy of every woman and the desire of every man. She is in love with Ashley played by Leslie Howard, who falls for Melanie (his cousin) and chooses to marry her instead of Scarlett. Because Scarlett does not get the man that she believes she deserves, in anger she marries Melanie's brother.
Enter Clark Gable...swoon...who plays Rhett Butler. He is your ""bad boy" with a somewhat shady reputation, making money on the war and favoring no side. We fall in love with Rhett and know he's the man for Scarlett long before she does. Eventually realizing Scarlett is still too in love with her delusion of marrying Ashley to give him a chance, Rhett decides to fight for the South even though the war is almost over.
Scarlett being born into a very prestigious family had everything at her fingertips until the war began and she lost everything. All of the men, including Ashley left for war for a short time but it becomes years. Scarlett must assume responsibilities she never wanted and is even forced to leave her beloved plantation, Tara, in order to survive.
After everything is in ruins from the war Scarlett returns to Tara to keep her family together, while still pining for Ashley and waiting for him to return from war. She makes a vow that she will never be hungry or poor again, which prompts her to marry her sister's beau so she can get the money she needs to save Tara. Soon after becoming a widow for a second time, she is reunited with Rhett who convinces her to marry him. We all keep waiting for her to realize Rhett is her true love and forget wimpy Ashley. How long will Rhett put up with her rejection?
To understand and get the entire story you'll have to watch the film. It is a story of love, loss, war, family, and drama: great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. It has won several awards, been on must see lists, and has the number one quoted line in film history. It is a beautiful story that stands the test of time. I promise you will fall in love with these characters and their story, and if you don't... "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."
Dallas Buyers Club (2013)
Dare to Live
Nominated for a well deserved 6 Academy Awards this season, including Best Picture, Best Lead and Supporting Actor, and Best Hair and Makeup(which only had a $250.00 budget), this film is truly a fearless performance given both by Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto.
The story is partly based on the true life of Ron Woodroof, a man diagnosed with HIV virus in the 80's. This was about the time Rock Hudson came clean about having the disease himself and finally revealing he was a gay man. No one in the medical field understood what the disease was or how to help patients with it, let alone have a cure for it - which in turn made normal everyday individuals panic when around someone diagnosed with HIV. Fearing that it would be caught airborne and not virally, people would disassociate themselves with individuals that had it and not take time to understand the disease or the person.
Ron is a hard talking, drug fueled, womanizer: an electrician by day and in his spare time a rider of bulls who cons betting men out of money. Through a series of events he winds up in the hospital and has his blood tested, finding out that he is HIV positive. Not wanting to hear the news that he has been given an "expiration" date of 30 days, he storms out of the hospital and proceeds to live his life the way he always has, hard and fast. Once giving the news to his friends, he soon finds himself an outcast with nowhere to turn. When he hears that there is an experimental drug called AZT holding clinical trials, he is determined to get his hands on it. Ron does not seem to be getting any better even though he is taking this drug, illegally I might add; so he makes a trip to Mexico where his life is drastically changed. Ron is taught that what you put in your body can dramatically change the course you are on.
Ron soon meets the ever charming Rayon ( Jared Leto) who is a man dressed in women's clothes. She stands for everything that Ron hates. Both being diagnosed with HIV, they decide to embark on a crazy idea: bring the medicine that will really work to the people that really need it - so they form a Buyers Club. For a monthly fee, patients will be given access to medicine that will help with pain and their life expectancy. However it is illegal and the FDA does not look favorably on this type of club since they are the main supporter of the drug AZT.
As the audience, we get to see Ron, not change who he is, but adapt to his circumstance. He grows to understand people and not be so hard and hateful. He learns that sometimes the people that we keep around are not our true friends, but the people that are around us when we are at our worst are the true friends. Jennifer Garner, Denis O'Hare, Steve Zahn, and Michael O'Neill round out this stunning cast.
The movie is quite graphic with strong language, drug use and nudity. McConaughey drastically lost 45 pounds for this role and at times appears quite emaciated. This is a movie to watch when children are not present for sure. My only complaint about the film would be that I would have liked to see the story delve a little further into the later part of Ron's life showing how he learned to cope with the disease. I highly recommend seeing this film if anything to understand that the epidemic of drug companies out to make money has existed for a long time and continues on today. All in all it's a great story and deserving of every award given this season. Shouldn't we all "Dare to Live"?
Winter's Tale (2014)
A Love Story, but not what you'd expect
The story is told with 2 different time lines: New York 2014 and New York in 1915. We meet Peter Lake (Colin Farrell) a drifter who makes his money stealing from others to survive. His life is intertwined with Pearly (Russel Crowe) an unscrupulous man who enjoys the pain of others. Deciding to flee because of choices made, Peter attempts to make one more steal. While breaking into an elegant home he meets Beverly ( Jessica Brown of Downton Abbey), a privileged young woman suffering with consumption, a fatal, wasting-away disease. However, she is not what you may think: staring death in the face Beverly has chosen to live her life rather than wait to die. She believes everything is connected by light; that we are all part of a beautiful large dance and everyone has a part to play.
This movie is a story full of miracles, star crossed lovers, and the timeless battle of good and evil. We see how a decision made can effect future generations to come; how a love can be so strong that you can love someone so completely that they cannot die. Consistent themes of good and evil, light and darkness, and God vs. Lucifer are evident throughout the movie.
The story is a little confusing and at times hard to follow. The audience begins the story in 2014, present day New York, but we are quickly transformed to the past in 1915. We are introduced to a slew of characters rather quickly and must make our own hypothesis on where they actually fit. Even understanding that New York was and is a melting pot for immigrants and diversity, the audience is not clear on where everyone comes from; there are a few different accents to decipher, as well. Since this is a book that has been made into a movie, I imagine the storyline in the book is rather extensive, and they attempted to include as much detail as possible without making the film into a 4+ hour long movie. I would have to say that I would recommend this for rental rather than seeing in the theater. It is quite beautiful and the cinematography is wonderful. The direction is good from Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind, The Da Vinci Code, iRobot). However, in my opinion, it could have been communicated a little better.
After all that being said, it is a rather romantic movie about two people that love each other so much and so purely that nothing can separate them. As for being an epic love story, this one falls a little short, but still fills the need for the romanticism.