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Transient-Orca
Reviews
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
A timeless classic.
I never really watched Indiana Jones as a kid. I always saw bits and pieces when it was on TV and my Grandmother or mother watched it (big fans by the way). When I watched Rugrats as a small child, they re-enacted the whole beginning nearly. I always saw people impressioning the nervous switching of two objects, one valuable one not. I knew the music, I knew the title, I had an idea of who he was. But what was the big fuss? I mean as far as I knew it was just some treasure hunter.
But it wasn't until later that I started to like the idea. Then I heard they were making a fourth, and decided I needed to see them for myself. So my mom, bought every one for me. "You'll love them!" she said. I sat down and watched the Raiders of the Lost Ark, right after school ended, and was at the edge of my seat the whole way. I realized "this is what all the fuss is about!". I was hooked from then on. He wasn't just some treasure hunter, he was more dynamic than that. He seemed like the average person, who happened to be in WAY over his head, and still found a way to get out.
I always told myself that the movies I want my kids to see were Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and now Indiana Jones. I have not met a person yet, who does not like Indiana Jones, he is either very much liked, or Loved to death. And the one person who said he didn;t like Indiana Jones, suddenly realized, he had been watching an Indiana Jones movie his whole life, but it was recorded on an unlabeled tape, so he never knew what it was called. (He later said "I NEED TO BY THE WHOLE TRILOGY!!) Even my one friend who I was sure would be one of those who didn't like the movie, jumped up and down in excitement with the mere mention of the fourth.
I wish to not explain the movie, the whole excitement is being surprised by this movie. But one thing I would like to say is that I encourage anyone who grew up with this movie to sit down their kids (or grandkids) and have them watch it. If you have one of those kids who does not like older movies because of the lack of fancy computerized special effects, then simply let them know they have no idea what they are missing. I miss the days where they used real actors, with real explosions, and real danger, just more realism. I look at movies today and see great special effects, great editing, wonderful music, but barely a heart. It is movies like Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark that make me wish I was teenager when my mom was, because her times have seen more great movies then I will ever dream of. I can only pray that my kids, and my grandkids will look back at this and love it as much if not more than my mom, and I do.
Amazing Grace (2006)
One of the most underrated movies of the year
When I saw the first trailer for Amazing Grace, I was sure it was to be a brilliant movie. I never was religious, and provided I don't usually like movies with certain kinds of Religious elements, but I was pleasantly surprised by this.
For one, the inspiring story of Willaim Wilberforce will leave you stunned and wondering why you never heard of him before. This man, though born with a gift, struggled through so many hardships. He struggled with whether being a man speaking for the word of god, or changing the world, by getting rid of Slavery.
During a time where slavery was widely accepted across the world, and England being the major Empire at this time, to stand up against slavery, was like admitting being a traitor to your country, for all of the world "depended" on slavery.
William Wilberforce and his small group of abolitionists, went all over the country, handing out petitions, encouraging protest against sugar and other "slave made" products. But when war brews, he must admit defeat, for the moment anyway.
Amazing Grace, incorporates some of the greatest performances, by Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, and Michael Gambon. But by far (in my opinion, at least) the best performance of this whole movie, was done by Albert Finney. His portrayal of John Newton, the Sailor turned priest, will surely send shivers down your spine. His story and why he wrote Amazing Grace, only drives Ioan Gruffudd's character, William, to rid the world of slavery, and most of all to want to make the world a better place, and only pushes him farther and farther to better make those changes. And Michael Gambon's Character Lord Charles Fox, provides more of a comic relief to the story, of a man who was once against William, to a man who decided to side with Willaim. And in the end, he gives a wonderful speech, for Willaim, praising him, and his peaceful efforts.
As for people who are concerned about "Religious Elements", I tell you to care not. For the elements in this film, are ever so crucial to the story, and will help you understand the characters a lot more, especially William Wilberforce. But even I, who claims to not be religious, find myself more encouraged to say I am. For this film, does not shove it down your throat, nor does it make you feel guilty about your life. But I say, it more inspires you, and it truly shows the greatest side of Christianity.
I highly recommend this movie for schools too. For classes on: William Wilberforce - Afterall the movie is about him John Newton - The story behind the man who wrote Amazing Grace, what made him write it, and the skeletons he hid from.
The History of Slavery - Has some great details about what was done, how it was done, what were the major reasons for having slaves, details behind some of the slaves stories, ships and how they were used in slavery, what were people's thoughts in England about slavery, and what was done in england to get rid of it.
The History of the Abolition of Slavery - I would say William was one of the greatest unsung hero's of abolition of slavery. I think if I were to write a book about slavery, or black history, I would defiantly mention William Wilberforce.
English Parliament - Much of this is demonstrated throughout the movie, and in quite good detail. You get a really good idea of how decisions were made.
Overall, great movie, inspiring. In my mind the most underrated movie of the whole year. I highly recommend you go see it.
Free Willy (1994)
Imagine Captian Planet, But, more Focus on the Ocean
Growing up as an innocent, whale-hugging, environmentally concerned little girl at age 5, had it's perks in the early 90's.
In the early to mid 90's we seemed to have a sudden wave of child based cartoon shows that focused on teaching children about environmental issues. These shows, though corny in every sense of the word, actually seem more educational than the crap I see today, that tries to get the attention of the same age group.
Two of these shows I watched all the time, was "Captian Planet and the Planeteers" and "Free Willy". Though "Captian Planet" was more educational, "Free Willy" was the basic idea only in the ocean, and a little more up beat.
Though, I have very little memory of the whole TV show, I do remember episodes that talked about the issue of oil spills, captive animals doing shows for people, ocean pollution and the marine animals themselves. These were episodes that sometimes portrayed humans in a pretty dark way. Many of the villains being either half human half machine, or being derived from machines.
This ends up dividing good people from bad, and how the innocent animals and environment end up being hurt, all because of people. But Willy and Jesse always ended up saving the day, and though not really teaching children in a direct way such as "Captian Planet", children still get the basic idea, that humans are harming the environment and the animals in it.
This show is actually, overall, very cute and very fun for children, as long as you don't look to deeply into the messages as I do now. In fact this show tends to inspire children, more than teach them.
Unidentified (2006)
Don't be fooled by the title.
My mom and I, rented this movie. I mean, we love those type of Sci-Fi flicks, whether they be big Hollywood flicks or Indy flicks.
But oh, we were fooled!! Two journalists are investigating a UFO abduction in a small city in Texas. Halfway through, all the sudden things get all christain on us. My mom and I believe in god and Jesus and the Devil, but the way this movie was preaching it, made it annoying. All I really have to say, is that we are Christian, but even we like to have fun. So don't blame christians as a whole, just blame the christians who need to suck the fun out of this movie.
In fact you can clearly understand the directors stance on UFO's, and that is that he believes it is all demonic. Now, i could say some words, but I will not. All I will say is, that DO NOT WATCH this movie, unless you feel like being preached. In fact many times it states that we must be perfect in order to enter heaven. Well, last time I checked, the only perfect person died on a cross.
Godzilla: The Series (1998)
Brilliant, better than the movie but with original zing
I grew up watching this show every saterday morning. I loved the first movie, but always hated the originals. But one thing I have noticed is that people who liked the originals actually like this series,and the people who loved the newer series love it more.
It keeps the new Godzilla (1998) but adds more of the classical aspects from the originals. I even enjoyed this show, to this day.
Some monsters I didn't like, like the huge insects, but most were pretty cool, and amazing.
The characters we actually pretty developed, and Godzilla was more like the original, meaning he could be violent and rampaging at times, but in the end he was sort of on the good side. He was an unpredictable creature that could be on your side or the other. ANd his decision would make or break you.
Really I enjoyed this series, its to bad it had to end because of the lame Digimon and Pokemon wars that ensued at this time.
Godzilla (1998)
The American Godzilla
I saw this movie when I was 7 years old. And I loved it. I just absolutely loved this movie.
Now I am 15 years old, and I still very much love it. I am tired of hearing people say how horrible it is, and that it didn't follow the original Godzilla. To tell you the truth, I hated the originals. Even when I was 7 years old, I hated the originals.
I don't like the original Godzilla. Mainly because he is shown as an evil monster that destroys buildings on purpose, and is just out to kill everyone. He was a basic mindless monster that could breath fire and was just huge. Too me, that is not entertainment. Really I thought it was kind of lame. On top of that, the story was too far fetched, what with huge moth-things and other movie monsters, that really are just kind of weird. Don't get me wrong, the originals will always have a place in amercian and Japanese pop culture, but really I didn't get it.
I like the new "American" Godzilla, because he seems just a tad-bit more real. Meaning that he was a victim of human carelessness, and he became a new species of animal, just trying to survive like all other creatures on earth. But he was too big in a world too small. He seemed almost kind of gentle and curious, but he was just too big for humans to coexist with him, just him finding food was enough to destroy half of New York.
Really I think it should be OK, for someone to make a different "kind' of Godzilla. I like the Godzilla who was more of a victim, than a mindless monster.
Elizabethtown (2005)
If you keep watching it, it seems to get better.
I am not afraid to admit that when I went to go see this movie, it was only because Orlando Bloom was in it. I don't normally do that, but I made an exception, I had nothing else to do that weekend.
It wasn't that I thought it was terrible, or great. It was mixed. Clare (Kirstin Dunst) was a little irritating. It seemed like Cameron Crowe tried to hard to make people like her. She seemed more like my goofy friends, than someone that Drew (Orlando Bloom) would take seriously. In fact there were many faults in the movie, all of which would take forever to explain.
But that is the beauty of it!! I still watch that movie, even after I told myself that it wasn't a great film. But as I kept watching it, I kept loving it, more and more. It's one of those movies that suck, but you wonder why you love it so much. Maybe thats why they call them chick-flicks, movies that suck, but you love them.
Here is what made it so good: The Music, and just the simplicity of it. It wasn't trying to be a good film, it wasn't trying to break box office records, it was just a film made by the wonderful Cameron Crowe, was it brilliant in every aspects. No, but still, if you watch it over and over, you actually begin to grow on it.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
A movie you can't really compare to the Original
I was so excited when I first saw the trailer for this movie about 6 months ago, I think it was. I was such a die-hard fan of the first one.
Now after having seen it, I am a little mixed on how good it was. In it's own self, It was very good. But compared to the first, it was so different, and not comparable to the first.
Although, if you did not see the first one, you will be totally lost in the second one. The only problem with the second one is that Verbinski (director) not only thinks you have seen the first one, but have scrutinized every little detail of the movie. Now, I am not afraid to admit that I have done that, so I saw every little "inside" joke that was out there.
Another thing I did not like, was in the trailer and some other reviews they made the movie almost cheery and fun, but no. The film is much darker than the first. More gruesome and far darker. Although in it's darkness, come the funniest Jokes that you will laugh out loud to, and pretty hard in some scenes.
The greatest thing was that the characters of Elizabeth and William are far more developed, or so it seems to me. What really surprised me was that William Turner had a bigger part in this movie, and you got to see a darker side of him. It gave much more depth to his character than before. Elizabeth also shows some of her dark side. Now I can't give to much away or I will ruin the biggest surprise at the ending. All I am going to say is, There is going to be hell to pay in the third movie.
I thought Captian Jack Sparrow was a total ass in the second, even more so than in the first one. Compare the first and second, Jack was a noble hero almost compared to him in the second!!! There were many times I just wanted to slap him and yet, I just could't help but laugh, and enjoy all of his antics. You defiantly see a side of these characters you never thought existed. I was surprised, but not totally.
When you go to see the second movie, try not to compare how good or bad it is to the first. But keep it in mind, instead. You may really enjoy it.
Boo (2005)
It was OK. Had some good parts and bad.
I have gotten through the stage of being scared of scary movies. Most movies don't scare me anymore. For some reason though, this one really got me. Maybe because it had all the things that really scare me, like seeing forms moving in windows, sudden loud scary music, and that jerky movement thing. What I did like from it was that it had some story behind it. For some reason, I kind of enjoyed the characters. They were entertaining enough for me. The thing that really ticks me off in scary movies is blood and gore. I hate it when all you see is blood and gore. Thats not really scary, it has no scare factor too me. What I did like from this movie was that it had a moderate level of gore. This is compared to all the movies I have seen. From a different point of view, like say someone with a weak stomach and new at watching scary movies, it came across a little strong, OK very strong.
Overall, it was alright. Not something I would watch over and over again. If you have nothing else to do and are in the mood for something kind of scary, and you don't have high expectations for movies, this is the one for you. I am total opposite, though. I have high expectations for movies and can't stand it when a movie has mediocre everything. Although this movie is mediocre, I enjoyed it.
Balto (1995)
Wonderful Movie
Personally I thought this movie was wonderful. It captured the essence of what really happened. Although many parts we're exaggerated, I still found the story heart warming. If you are into history like me, this story closely follows the introduction of the Diptheria epidemic that hit Nome, Alaska. It also shows that neither plane, nor boat could get through. The train was only able to get from Anchorage to Nanana, Alaska and needed sled dogs to go across six hundred miles. It was able to follow history most of the time, but I am glad they were able to get the "feeling" of of the story across even though they had to make up a few parts. I recommend this movie for Kids, and for animal lovers and for any one who loves a good tale.