What would you do if the beautiful Angelina Jolie approached you "randomly" on a train while you are in a foreign country? Probably double check to make sure it wasn't the Octo-Mom trying for another 15 minutes of fame for playing out a scene from Jolie's last flick. The Tourist is one of those films you wish you hadn't seem no matter how many reasons there were telling you to go. Yes it looked like it had potential of being something great. Yes it is a collaboration between some of the hottest stars in Hollywood. Yes you even would have believed that it could have been great. Unfortunately it turned out to be almost as disappointing as Skyline.
The Tourist should have been "the next big thing" and comparable to Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but other than the premise of the film (and a dance shared between our characters) there is very little that even came close. I wanted there to be passion, action and heavy gun fire. I wanted to see Depp give us some serious action. I wanted Jolie to be the action star we all thought she was. But none of that came. I don't know if it is age catching up (however if The Expenibles can pull it off so should Jolie and Depp) or if parenthood has just tripped them up a bit now that both leads are between big flicks. Even the amazing Paul Bettany (Legion and Creation)was a surprising bore.
The Tourist felt almost like a gentle nod to the classic Bond films. You know, the ones that today's film go-ers would fall asleep during (present party included while attempting to watch Goldfinger). Yes they are classics and nothing can touch them, but they are classics for a reason and should be left alone. When we are given something like The Tourist we have certain expectations. We want what could have been the perfect blend of Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets Salt. Instead we were given the grandparent of those films it moved at such a slow pace I almost thought time itself had slowed. Had I not been sitting in the middle of the theater I would have walked out in the hopes that I could use the remained of the night to actually get something (anything) accomplished.
Aside from the tease the film gives us with a quick glimpse of Rufus Sewell (Dark City), who should have been someone to the story but in fact left us confused and unsatisfied, there should have been something left for viewers to walk away from the film feeling. But it left me with nothing but an empty hole. The Tourist is a weak attempt at a "spy vs spy" film regardless of the talent and A-list names that have been dragged into leading roles. For this being the first time (and at this rate - hopefully the only time) we get to see Jolie and Depp together on the big screen it was as big a let down as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I have never before said that a Jolie or Depp film has been bad or lacking, but I will scream it from the top of the Empire State Building if I have to. You all have let down a great admirer of your work, and I am truly sorry to have wasted my time with you on this journey. Please spare us the next time you plan to work together as I would much rather watch you kick ass individually than be disappointed like this again.
Life. Evolution. A topic that has been debated over for hundreds of years. I remember a time while sitting in a junior high school science class and I first read about Darwin and his theory on evolution. Granted I have never been, nor do I ever intend to be a scholar. I was never a fan of classes that required actual work. I chose instead to take easier class that only focused on a small portion of topics so it was less that I needed to memorize. I opted to take environmental studies over physics and chemistry. I opted to take English and history courses that would not require a large research paper due at the end of the course, nor would it require a lot of papers during any portion of the course. Even in college I chose to take 101 courses that allowed for a quick escape if it was not something required for my major. I will admit that I know of Darwinism and of Charles Darwin, however I would not be able to rattle off information as though it was something that I retained from school. In a wide range of areas I would not consider myself the most intellectual, nor I would consider myself to have the most physical strength. However in my experiences I have witnessed and experienced many things that I would consider myself quite adaptable. I may not be the most promising, but according to Darwin's option of “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change” I think I fit in quite well.
Creation is an amazing story of a man I only know of by name and from a page or two from a science course and a psychology book I opened once or twice. I knew nothing, nor had I ever considered the hardship and toll that his research and writings had on him or his family. I know of the impact it has had on life and society because schools are now debating as to whether or not it is ok to teach evolution in the classroom. I went to a private catholic school when I was younger and to be honest with you I remember very little on the subject of science. Granted I was transferred to the public school system by grade 5, so maybe it is just that the earlier grades do not spend much time in the sciences. But when I finally reached the 9th grade and spent a little time with things that caused small explosions in the class room, and we read about the big bang theory, I made a slightly larger attempt to stay awake in class. At least long enough to say I remember hearing of Darwin and Jenny.
Creation is a powerful and moving film about life, love, family and science. It opens your eyes to one man that changed science and the world. It's touching and speaks volumes. No matter what your beliefs are, if you struggle with his science or not, Creation introduces you to the man behind the book. It opens your eyes to the love he had for his family, and the love they had for him in return as he went through his journey and his struggle to pen a book that would change things forever.
Paul Bettany's performance as Charles Darwin is unbelievable. I have always been a fan of his acting abilities, and found this particular role to be one of his finest pieces of work. Playing along side his real list wife, Jennifer Connelly, the two embody the Victorian era with remarkable grace. I could not take my eyes off the screen for a second. Creation takes you through every human emotion possible and Paul Bettany pulls you right there next to him as he spends time with Jenny, as he sits and laughs with his children, as he struggles to cope with the loss of his eldest daughter Anne, and his undying love for his wife even though they may not see eye to eye on the subject of his writings. If I had any voting power I would say that this film would be included in the Academy Awards I would nominate this film for Best Writing - Adapted Screenplay, and both Paul Bettany and Jennifer Connelly would be nominated for best actor/actress. Even the young and very talented new comer Martha West, who plays Darwin's eldest daughter Annie, I would recommend her for a best supporting actress nomination. Jon Amiel's directorial skills on this film are remarkable. I believe that the author of the biography of which this film is adapted from, who also happens to be the great-great-grandson of Charles Darwin, could not be happier from the final outcome of this piece. It was beautifully shot, and the story will touch everyone to their deepest core. I give this film a 5 out of 5.
Over the years I have watched more horror films than I can keep track of. Within my circle of friends I have acquired a reputation for watching just about anything, no matter how good or bad the film may be. I would even admit to owning some films that have shocked quite a number of people. I thoroughly enjoy the sexploitation films the feature Pam Grier, I seek out b-rated horror films and sometimes find a charm like The Trilogy of Terror, and I even brave those films that have been hidden behind other DVDs long enough to collect dust. Yes, I watch just about anything. However, over the past few years I have come to expect certain things out of specific films or directors of said films. Sometimes those expectations are met and others leave me sitting at a buffet table spattered in human remains feeling starved because what I though out be the beginning appetizer ended up being the entire feast.
I went out tonight expecting to be given an all you can eat horror feast from the new release Legion. What I was given was a few decent appetizers, an entree that looked delicious but had not flavor, and a desert that included freezer burnt ice cream. The film's marketing/PR team did one hell of a job getting the word out, but for the articles that I read regarding the film I did not get what I was being sold. I was pumped up and ready to go on the wild ride in the tiny dinner in the hopes to save mankind, but as I sat in the dark theater I had a hard time focusing on the action.
With this film being Scott Stewart's directorial debut, I felt slightly overwhelmed by some of his shooting choices. I looked forward to seeing what he would have in store for us, but the final product left me with a slightly empty feeling. It reminded me of what it felt like to watch Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds where I expected the film to be similar to his previous projects but was not given the blood and violence I have come to associate with Tarantino films. I expected to see certain things as they were described in detail in horror magazines, but the images they painted for me were none existant. Granted they may have just ended up on the cutting room floor, but for whatever reason I was not given what appeared to be a promising film. The only other thing I can think is that maybe it was his choice in shooting style and cast that limited things. Not only will you not think of angels in quite the same way, but you will never be able to hear an ice cream truck and feel that warm, joyous feeling knowing that the ice cream man is coming. Then again the ice cream man has never really been one of the friendliest people in my personal experience.
With a surprise in cast, you are left wondering why some of the actors were cast in their respective roles. Some should never be let into the horror genre again, as they were just not believable outside of their track record in ABC drama series. And even though I did love the 'darkness' of the film, I hoped for a little bit of light so that I could at least see some of the blood and violence that was taking place. With a large portion of the film taking place during the night or in a boarded up diner, the shadows hide the aspects of the film that made it so appealing. I wanted to be able to see what was going on, and not just witness a split second because it was mixed with the shadows and curtains. I know film is all about the power of illusion and the magic that happens behind the wizard's curtain, but this film's curtain was larger than was necessary. We were also teased with the promise of mass carnage, and then left hanging as the film quickly moved right from one thought to another.
Paul Bettany was by far the best part of the film. Michael was not only the most interesting character in the entire film, the most believable, but even as a "mortal" he kicked more ass than could have been expected. His introduction is where i felt a bit of a lack-luster. I wanted to witness his change from angel to mortal that Fangoria had promised us but it was nothing but shadows and dark clouds in the form of silhouettes. If only Bettany's influence had empowered the rest of the film. It wasn't until the battle between angles did we get another surge of hope for the film to turn around. The fight was fun, like any good fight should be. But the dialog was so painful the there was little that could be done for the film before it ended.
Legion showed a young director on his way of beginning his career. The writing was lacking, but the idea and concept was a nice take on a story that has been played in several different notes. The film is not horrible, but do not go in expecting more than what it is. If you take the film as just that you may get enough to enjoy it, otherwise it can just be written off as first film and we can look forward to hoping for a slightly better take during round two in Scott Stewart's next film Priest which is due to hit theaters later this year. I give this film a 2.5 out 5.
I have always struggled with history, feeling the majority of events I had read about drag like a text book, no matter how well written they may have been. That was until I came across one particular story in history that had so much juice to it that it became the one period in time that I found I could read and not get bored. That time period was the Elizabethan period, when Queen Elizabeth I ruled. I do not know for sure if it is just the ruthlessness of those that lived in that time or just the overly juicy affairs and murders that took place among the royals. Unfortunately I slowly lost interest in following up with English history after that period. That is of course, until I saw this historical documentary drama film, The Young Victoria. I still do not know too much about Queen Victoria and her rule, but this film has truly piqued my interest so much that the next book I am looking into reading will be about the queen responsible for the Victorian age.
The Young Victoria tells the story of the young princess, just before she is crowned, and into the early years of her reign. I found the story to be beautifully told. Maybe it is just because it tells of the strength of one woman who had so much stacked against her due to the period and her birth rights, but just like Elizabeth I, I found young Victoria to be awe inspiring. She stood up against the men that surrounded her, and proved that women have strength. It was with the help of her husband, Prince Albert, whose love and ideas inspired them to change the ways in which things had been run before she had claimed the thrown. I found the journey of their love had a strength of its own that inspired the young queen in ways that I can not even begin to imagine. Her personal strength, with the love and admiration of a man that truly loved her for her and not just because of what it would offer or even the ability to rule over the young woman in the way that some other women of the time period may have been, it is because of all of those variables that allowed her to be who she was.
Again I am only going by the information of her early years, and because of that I actually ended in an argument with my father, but I found the film to be brilliant. Prior to this film the only reference I had for the Victorian age was text books of gorgeous clothes, the introduction of hypnosis and other new and/or improved forms of entertainment within the arts, theater and music. Technology and engineering also greatly improved, as well as the revival of Gothic architecture. It is those things that form my reference point for the Victorian Era, and from that basis I find The Young Victoria a great representation for a time that consisted of so many great things. However, I also know that somewhere during her reign, Jack the Ripper was born, and that there are many other dark and dirty things that lurk in cobble stone alley ways far away from Buckingham Palace.
Directed by Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee, this film tells an amazing historical story. With Emily Blunt cast to play Victoria, who in interviews shared that she was able to read the actual diaries of Queen Victoria, she portrayed the young queen beautifully. With class and elegance that I was delightfully surprised to see after watching her play more comedic roles in films like The Devil Wears Prada, Sunshine Cleaning, Dan in Real Life, and others. Co-staring with Rupert Friend as Prince Albert, the wonderful Paul Bettany as Lord Melbourne, Miranda Richardson (Rita Skeeter in Harry Potter) as the Duchess of Kent and Victoria's mother, Jim Broadbent (Professor Slughorn in Harry Potter) as King William and so many other talented actors. On top of a great cast, amazing sets and locations to work with as well as brilliant costume design this film is a must see for any film and/or history lover. So take a trip back in time with this period piece and enjoy the vision Jean-Marc has laid out in order to tell this interesting story. The Young Victoria is a story that tells of strength in self and in love, as well as power to reign the country she was destined to rule. I give this film a 4.5 out of 5 and highly recommend this film to anyone interested in a little dirty history.
