Saturday, June 1, 2013

After Earth: I wanna work with mom

Columbia Pictures
After Earth is essentially a creature feature film with depth, involving the basic human emotion of fear. Fear is powerful, and can be debilitating, and when facing a monster, fear can prevent you from slaying that monster, whether that monster be drug addiction, weight loss, depression, or confessing feelings to the object of one's affection. But in Kitai Raige's (Jaden Smith) case, he had to eventually fight an actual giant monster, that can literally smell his fear. These types of films ordinarily feature plenty action, and while there was action in this film, it was not over the top. I would describe After Earth as calm, suspenseful, and engaging, but with a production budget of $130 million, there could have been a little more action, but in now way was this film a disappointment. Shyamalan's trademark of  steady suspense gave the film an ineffable distinct texture, minus the plot twist. 

Will smith plays, a stoic, and emotionally managed father, and I must say, quite convincingly, alongside his son, who skillfully acted  a realistic expression of fear. There was  a role reversal,where the son was a hero to the father, something possibly every father hopes for. 

Columbia Pictures
Overall, the film was entertaining, well directed and produced, and  the utility of the film, is worthy of mention, as it can be interpreted as motivational, to inspire people to elevate above fear, and overcome obstacles to achieve their goals.  Solid. I'll give it an 80.




 










Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Fast and Furious 6: Letty

Universal Pictures
This latest release was just as good as the previous release. Dom's crew had a very formidable adversary that was well organized, and had far reaching connections, including the FBI. Despite their adversary's commendable organization, Dom's crew had the upper hand through strong familial ties, and improvisation. Letty's re-introduction was well crafted, and plausible, but still heart breaking somewhat because of her condition, but  Dom's strong commitment to family made Letty's re-introduction worthwhile. Action, there was plenty of it. This time it was nice to Diesel and Rock team up against a rather large man that occupied the space of three people. The scene on the highway was very well directed, and the pace of the film was just right, no lag. 



Universal Pictures
Although the highway scene made my heart race, I really liked the  final scene of the movie with the cargo plane. There was so much going on in that scene. There was about three fights happening at the same time on the plane. Outside of the plane, the rest of the crew was trying to prevent it from taking off, all while Dom and Hobbs and everyone else was inside the plane. This was a great blockbuster, that definitely did not dissapoint. I can't wait to see what Jason Statham is going to bring to the next one. I'll give it an 89. Stay tuned, movieporium.blogspot.com .



 



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Joneses

Echo Lake Productions
How much of our human bonds are based on the goods and services that we have in common? Do some people become friends because they enjoy Pizza Hut instead of  Papa John's? Or do we befriend certain people because they are trendy and fashionable? The items that we purchase are not simply goods that are necessities for subsistence; the goods that we purchase are indicators of lifestyle.  The opulent class buy goods that indicate their stratum in the economic hierarchy, and the same applies for the not so opulent class. Regardless of class, what we buy sends signals to the rest of society, as to what our hobbies are, our favorite sports team, and whether we are punk rock or hip-hop. The Joneses makes the point how the fascination with material items can compromise the integrity of  the bonds people form, and jeopardize the formation new bonds.    

 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Batman Vs. Wolverine

BatInTheSun
Perhaps it is part of our evolutionary penchant to witness hero archetypes contend for supremacy in strength, for strength means advantage for a species to claim resources for survival. The human instinct, or drive to see boxers, wrestlers, and super heroes in this case, fight, ostensibly satisfies the yearning to witness a skillful display of strength on a basal primitive level that acknowledges ruthlessness as fundamental for advantage. In a tribal setting, if Batman was a leader of a tribe marching into battle, and if Wolverine was the leader of  the opposing tribe, who would be the better leader  or the likely victor ? 

BatInTheSun
Comic book fans will recognize Batman's ability to stratergize, fight, and think critically, which indeed are great leadership qualities. Batman's achellie's heal is that he is absolutely humanWolverine is temperamental, near indestructible, and also knows how to fight. Both heroes seem to have suitable qualities for survival, but which hero would have the advantage in securing resources for his tribe to survive and thrive  


       

Friday, May 17, 2013

Star Trek: Into Darkness

Paramount Pictures
If the aim of  Star Trek is to boldly go where no one has gone before, then it has failedStar Trek: Into Darkness, like its previous release, has gone into the category of great action adventure films that must be revisited, simply to  relive the suspense, the humor, and scenarios that seem to guarantee certain death  for our beloved Star Trek heroes, but somehow fate allows them the contrary

There was no lag, and the plot did not suffer from attention deficit disorder. It was focused, and it stayed the course. In simpler terms, the pace of the film flowed with minor obstruction. 

Paramount Pictures
Amidst  the complex action scenes, and all the suspense, the film managed to showcase how much the crew really cared about each other, exalting sacrifice, commitment, loyalty, and love, as indelible, and  praiseworthy virtues that creates strong bonds, despite the differences of race and species  
  
Beautifully directed, produced, and written, Star Trek: Into Darkness is jammed packed with action from the begining to end, but the highlight of the film is Mr. Spock showing is human sideAwesome. I'll give it a 92. Stay tuned. Movieporium.blogspot.com.