Friday, November 28, 2008

Hancock



This summer was the best movie summer that I can remember in a long time. It was so good that I neglected Springfield's best and coolest movie theater The Moxie. The Moxie is now open at their new location, which is bigger and better than ever! The summer movies came to a screeching halt with the preview of Hancock. The trailer told me I could wait to see it. I love the idea of a mean homeless looking drunk with superpowers, but what the trailers were showing me just wasn't enough. Time went on and I just figured that the King of July 4th had another Wild Wild West under his belt. This week Hancock was released on DVD, so I went by the ole Redbox to see what I was missing. It turns out that Hancock wasn't all that bad, but it wasn't that great either. The powerful alcoholic and clumsy John Hancock is the most hated person in Los Angeles, and in the process protecting L.A and saving lives; he also destroys properties causing high cost to the city to fix his damages. When he saves the life of public relations agent Ray Embrey from a train, the executive feels in debt to Hancock and wants to help change his image.

I love the idea of a superhero dealing with the consequences of the real world. Hancock truly is a bull in a china shop when it comes to fighting crime, and the city won't stand for it. It is those moments in the film that Will Smith truly shines as the title character.

Sadly the movie does have a pivotal twist that I can't mention at all. This twist is an interesting story device, but the outcome made for a very weak final act in the film. Hancock could make for an interesting franchise.

It's a C+ for Hancock! Enjoy!!! ~Caleb

The real Twilight



To see Twilight or not to see Twilight, that is the question, and the answer is, nope. Before my claws come out, let’s get one thing clear, I understand the whole point and draw of the film. Do I agree, absolutely not? In my research and talking to friends, I have found some laughable and inexcusable things. Concerning the subject of vampires and what myth Stephenie Meyer created. I love vampire movies and there are rules that you do not mess with, period. Tons of films and novels have had different takes on what a vamp can or cant do, creatures of the night that can eat garlic and wear crosses is fine, but day walking and reflections in mirrors is going too far. In the novel and movie Twilight, why even call them vampires? If the so-called vampires can walk around during the day, why call your novel/movie Twilight? I'm going to take a wild guess and say that Stephenie Meyer's favorite books are the Harry Potter series, and that her favorite movies are Underworld and Underworld 2.

If you like the Twilight books and movie may I politely recommend something that has a love story with real vampires?
That's right kids, Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Except no substitutes, trust me and buy or rent seasons 1-3 and you will start to forget about Twilight. The two lovebirds in Twilight have nothing on Buffy and Angel.

~Caleb

Bolt


I am not one of those thirty something film geeks that has always loved animated movies. I can't even remember the last animated movie I saw as a kid in a theater. It might have been an American Tail; the majority of my cartoon film watching was on home video. As a teenager I had some bad luck with Disney movies. I saw Aladdin and Lion King in high school; it was only then when I thought, okay time to see one of these in the theater. Bad move, Pocahontas anyone? So time went on and Toy Story was amazing, Shrek was genius, then Shrek 2 bit the big one, and finally The Incredibles reminded me what is was like to be a kid again. Pixar's latest film Wall-e will show Hollywood and moviegoers that an animated film can win a Best Picture Oscar.

Bolt is not Pixar but Walt Disney's latest animation tour de force. Bolt is the canine star of a fictional sci-fi action show. Bolt has always thought that his powers are real. Separated from his owner, Bolt embarks on a cross-country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real.

The previews to this movie really didn't do much for me. When I saw that it was going to be presented in 3-D, I became more interested. Like I figured it would, the 3-D only made the animation pop more, a feature not worth an extra $2.00. The movie is actually quite entertaining. Like Kung-Fu Panda, gone are silly pop culture references that are really played out in animated movies today. The story in Bolt is kids stuff, but has enough substance for adults to be entertained, and all in all makes for a good family fun film. Bolt gets a B! Enjoy!!

~Caleb

P.S. The hamster is awesome!!!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Quantum of Solace


First of all no post in over a month is very sad, on behalf of Catchafick, I would personally like to apologize for the lack of blogs. My poor pity excuses is that I have no computer at my place of residence, and also because I am very lazy as of late. The computer deliria may be taken care of this Christmas, and if not by then, next spring may work out as well. I know the other half of Catchaflick would love to blog all day long about movies and such, but he has a lot on his plate, so I take full responsibility on the poor management of this blog.

Last night I saw one of the best Bond films ever, and my second favorite Bond movie of the 21st Century. Quantum of Solace has been receiving some bad national reviews. Do not believe them, which a lot of moviegoers don't, thank goodness. I do not read reviews of movies until I have seen the movie first. I have only read a couple so far and from what I can already gather, the critics’ distaste is that QS has no plot.

Plot   /plot/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [plot] Show IPA Pronunciation
noun, verb, plotted, plotting.
–noun 1. a secret plan or scheme to accomplish some purpose, esp. a hostile, unlawful, or evil purpose: a plot to overthrow the government.
2. Also called storyline. the plan, scheme, or main story of a literary or dramatic work, as a play, novel, or short story.

Are you ready for this big surprise? Quantum of Solace is about, (drum roll) James Bond seeking revenge for the death of his love, and in the process sets out to stop an environmentalist from taking control of a country's water supply.

Sounds like a plot to me, a great one at that. My love for Bond movies is not that great, so this is not an OO7 fan boy review. In my early 20's, my taste for Bond movies had gone bad. I didn't care anymore for gadgets and over the top super villains; however, I still loved a hot Bond girl. I just no longer became the audience for an OO7 movie anymore. Die Another Day was the last Pierce Brosnan Bond picture, and what I thought was going to be the last Bond movie period. Hollywood's most famous super spy needed an extreme makeover. Casino Royale in my honest opinion is what the 20-picture franchise needed. This movie fan now cares about James Bond again.

QUANTUM OF SOLACE is a gritty Bond film that puts one character in focus. Everything is about Bond getting the answers he wants, but in the process finds out about an secret organization and gets in the way (the only way Bond know how) of a slimy environmentalist. Not only does the title of this 22nd installment sound cool, it speaks volumes by the end of the movie. Daniel Craig's Bond (the second best and my favorite) has some unfinished business, and watching him piece it together is what makes Quantum of Solace my favorite Bond film of the 21st Century! Enjoy!!!

A+

~Caleb