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Up is a film enjoyable for children and adults. The previews lead one to believe that this will be a simple, humor-driven; however, the film is so much more than this. Up is a sentimental story of love, loss, and friendship. The characters are lovable and with some dimension to their personalities all through the tale.

The beginning of the film presents viewers with a poignant love story of Carl, a balloon vendor, and his wife “Scout.” In time the film shifts focus to Carl’s desire to carry through with his promise to his wife when they were children and sets off on an action-filled adventure, with an accidental child companion.

This film offers great 3-D effects, substance, and unpredictability throughout. This is one children’s film everyone should see, whether you have children or not. After seeing Pixar’s latest film, you will understand why Up made history when it became the first animated movie ever to open the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is one of the best and hardest films you will ever watch. The film is based on the novel by John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This is the story of a young boy who finds friendship in the most unlikely and prohibited place.

Bruno, an eight-year-old German boy, and Schmuel, an eight-year-old Jewish child become friends through an electric fence that divides them. After observing cruelty perpetrated against Jews he considers kind and good people, he begins to question the Nazi dogma. The film portrays Bruno’s loss of innocence in such a way that you too feel the confusion, pain, and horror as it happens within his young life. Through the eyes of a child we observe so much that you cannot in other Holocaust films.

The film would be scarcely as good or as harrowing if other than Asa Butterfield and Jack Scanlon had been chosen for the roles of Bruno and Schmuel, respectively. These two played their roles brilliantly. Because of their incredible work and the extraordinary story, it is impossible not to become attached to Bruno and Schmuel by the end of the film. The excruciating climax of the film because of this and all it represents will very likely leave you struck speechless long after the credits roll.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is extremely effective in its portrayal, on a micro level, of this disturbing and atrocious genocide. While there are many films out there that focus on the Holocaust, this one is markedly different. Viewers will be left to consider humanity’s potential for hatred, denial [even in the direst of times], and still too love. See this film and you will not regret it.

Image via Wikipedia

Last night I watched 12 Angry Men.  Filmed in 1957, 12 Angry Men is the story of a jury asked to decide the fate of an 18 year old, but more concerned about getting on with their day.  The film stars Henry Fonda, playing the one juror who seeks the truth.

12 Angry Men is ultimately a judgment upon the legal system, noticeable from one of the very first scene as the judge shows absolute apathy during his speech to the jury.  The majority of the scenes take place in just one room, the jury room.  Twelve men discuss, shout, and bicker amongst themselves as they determine if the defendant is guilty and confront their own prejudices and selfish ambitions.

If there is going to be a film shown in a law class this should be the one.  The film is masterful at portraying the value of and the dangers within the jury system.  The impact human nature has upon verdicts is illustrated fantastically in 12 Angry Men.  Henry Fonda serves the film well as both character and conscience.

There is no doubt why 12 Angry Men is listed on both AFI’s 100 Most Heart-Pounding Movies list and AFI’s 100 Most Inspiring Movies list.  This is truly a classic and a must-see.

David, originally uploaded by Jay8085.

This evening I watched the documentary “Private Dicks: Men Exposed.” The documentary interviews men of all ages and races and sexual persuasions about their penises. It was very interesting to me, who does not after all have a penis of my own.

Evidently men have performance anxiety quite a lot and size concerns are common. Men interviewed were quite open about masturbation: they do it copiously. The taboos surrounding the penis were discussed somewhat. Familial openness about sexuality, or lack thereof, was very impacting to those interviewed, more so than I suppose I had considered previously.

It was interesting to see the difference age made to men’s view of sexuality. The penis seems to have become less of the main event and more an instrument to pleasure with a partner, sex becomes more about love with another than a mark on the bedpost to men as they get older.

If you want to understand men a little more, or at least their relationship with the penis, do view this documentary. It is available on Netflix as a “Watch Instantly” option currently.

Coraline y La Puerta Secreta Poster, originally uploaded by Cine Fanatico.

This weekend I saw Coraline in 3-D. Coraline is a phenomenal film directed by Henry Selick and based upon a book by Neil Gaiman. Voice actors include Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, and Teri Hatcher. They Might Be Giants contributed to the original music.

The story follows a little girl named Coraline who discovers an alternate reality where her mother and father are very different (and she thinks better). She learns through her adventure to appreciate what she already has instead of wishing for something else and taking for granted the blessings in her own life.

It is a well-told story with fantastic characters, incredible imagery, and wonderful excitement. This is a film that would be fun for a child of eight just as it is a great story for an adult. I encourage you to see this on the big screen.

[The film is definitely worth seeing as a 3-D film. If you are in the St. Louis area, it is viewable 3-D in Fenton].

Image via Wikipedia

I saw Quantum of Solace, the newest James Bond film, this weekend. Daniel Craig reprised his role as James Bond and was fantastic as Bond once again.  The film was action-packed from the first scene to the last.  The characters were multi-faceted – complicated, cool, and still coarse.

Craig is now officially my favorite Bond:  sexy, smart, scrappy, and strong.  Daniel Craig is effective at demonstrating stoicism and soul as the scene calls for it.  I believe Daniel Craig may be the best Bond.  Stephanie Zacharek, of Salon states it perfectly:  “Craig is a much finer actor than Connery was during his term as Bond: Connery became a great actor later. But Craig is good now.”

The “Bond girl,” Camille, in Quantum of Solace was stunning and sexy as all Bond girls have been.  She had spunk and matched Daniel Craig’s Bond well.  As sexy as she is you would think that she and Craig would have had some hot sex scenes, but both characters were so caught up in their own missions that they couldn’t be bothered to seduce one another.

The film did lack the exceptional dialogue that left audiences drooling over Daniel Craig in Casino Royale.  The intrigue was lost in favor of unceasing action sequences instead.  This is my one real disappointment with the film:  I want Craig’s wit and wickedness back. I crave the cerebral more than the weaponry.  Of course, I also wish Quantum of Solace had included a shot of Craig in a bathing suit.

Definitely do see the film, but don’t expect it to be Casino Royale.

I recently saw the film Religulous, featuring Bill Maher.  The film is a documentary focused on the religions of the world and the impact these religions have and have had on the world’s affairs.   Maher is open about his doubt and asks pointed questions of believers of many faiths.  Believers’ responses to his frankness and skepticism were quite telling and somewhat unsettling, though not unexpected, across the board.  By contrast, the believers’ ignorance concerning their own faiths was astonishing and disturbing.

Not many who hold religious beliefs will probably take the time to see this film, unfortunately.   I challenge those reading this review that hold religious beliefs to try to do so, however.  I do not subscribe to any organized religion at this point, but do tend to believe a higher power exists and I found those facts expressed in the film very surprising and interesting.

Admittedly, Maher may take his questions a bit far and come off as disrespectful more than inquisitive.  I tend to believe that this is more Director Larry Charles’ influence.  Larry Charles, also Director of Borat, tends to push the envelope in his work and this film very much does this.  In spite of the extreme fashion in which the film depicts religion, the film has some provocative points to make.

Not all reviews of this film have been positive, unsurprisingly.  One review stated that the film would have been fairer to religion if he had selected “learned theologian[s]” for his interviews (Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor).  It seems to me that Maher, or perhaps Larry Charles, selected the individuals he did to show the average folk across the religious spectrum.  The majority of those in the world, after all, do not fit into the “learned theologian” category and yet have such a large impact upon the world.

I actually found Religulous to be hilarious, witty, and worthwhile.  If you enjoy Maher’s usual comedic style, tend toward skepticism, or welcome challenges to your belief system, I encourage you to see the film.

Friday evening I went to see The Dark Knight, the newest Batman film. The Batman films have never impressed or appealed to me terribly, so I was not initially intent upon seeing The Dark Knight in the theaters. The trailers and the mass accolades changed my mind, though, and I made the time to see it at the Chase. I was not remotely disappointed.

The cast was outstanding, including Christian Bale as Batman (my favorite Batman to date), Michael Caine as Alfred the butler, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Batman’s love interest, and of course the late Heath Ledger as the Joker. The cast worked extraordinarily well together and all played their parts incredibly, from those in minor roles to those in main roles.

Many have said that Heath Ledger ought to receive the Oscar for Best Actor posthumously for his portrayal of the Joker. Until I saw the film I presumed people were simply being quick to honor him due to his untimely death. I am now absolutely sure he deserves the Oscar, dead or alive, for his brilliant acting and exceptional interpretation of the role. Heath played the role of the Joker fantastically. I truly doubt that any can do the character quite like he or Jack Nicholson have done.

The cinematography was excellent. Scenes were complete with choice dialogue, and wicked action sequences. The profound darkness of the film was striking; due in small part to Heath’s somewhat still recent death, I am sure, but also due to The Dark Knight’s inspired makeup, set, and costuming.

If you have not yet seen The Dark Knight, do go and see it. You will not be disappointed.

This weekend I saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the newest Indiana Jones film. It was wonderfully action-packed, as all Indiana Jones films have been in the past. Steven Spielberg seems to have lost his muse, however. I see no purpose or value to adding animatronic prairie dogs to beginning scenes (think Caddyshack’s gopher and you got it).

(Spoilers ahead)

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I finally saw Sweeney Todd this weekend.  The film is everything fans have come to expect from a Tim Burton film: macabre violence, exceptional cinematography, and dark and deviant characters. Johnny Depp plays the starring role, as he has in all Tim Burton films (to my knowledge).  Depp plays dark and deviant well, with this film being no exception to that.

Tim Burton fans and Broadway fans should most definitely see this film.  Others, who appreciate the macabre, ought to consider seeing Sweeney Todd as well.