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Reviews
Joyeux Noël (2005)
Christmas/History Classic
If you are looking for a film this Christmas that captures the spirit of the holiday without all the commercial glitz and jazz that is our modern Christmas this is the film for you.
Joyeux Noel is a breath of fresh air. It encompasses the reality and brutality that was trench warfare while still showing us that Christmas isn't about the presents we buy and the decorations we put up in our homes. Based on a true story this movie does not accurately portray the historical event with perfect precision but that isn't really an issue for me. The film is based on a true story and does take artistic liberty like any "based on a true story" film would. I won't discredit a wonderfully movie film that exhibits the reality of the human condition because the historical accuracy isn't perfect.
I consider this a great family film for the holidays but if you are watching it with those who don't enjoy subtitles you may have a problem. The German and French soldiers speak in their native languages. While this lend to the realism of the film it does cause a problem for those who don't like reading subtitles. Overall this is a wonderful addition to the holiday films I watch every year and I recommend it to anyone looking for a warmhearted film around the holidays.
Star Trek: Voyager (1995)
By Far the Best Star Trek
Throughout all of the star trek incarnations none stand out as much as Voyager. Now many may disagree and there is always a sense of nostalgia with any given star trek series this one stand out in the crowd.
Voyager took a new crew into a completely new galaxy. New villains and situations brought a breath of fresh air into a series that could easily have been considered overkill.
The cast of Voyager brought a new crew into homes across America and allowed for us to fall in love with Star Trek all over again. The first female captain also brought a whole new outlook on the star trek universe bringing out a more feminine side and adding a new spin on moral dilemmas that were already exhausted.
The Blue and the Gray (1982)
New Vision to and Old Tale
The Blue and the Gray took an already exhausted topic and gave it a new spin. The idea of one brother torn between two sides of a conflict it intriguing on any level but to add the turmoil of a country split in two add to the pull of this film.
Despite the lack of big name actors present in this film the acting is wonderful. Given the right amount of publicity and introduction the blue and the gray could become one of the nations leading civil war films.
The Blue and the Gray does not in any way compare visually to films like Gettysburg and Gods and Generals but the plot and characters make up for the lack of that big budget film feel.
Lonesome Dove (1989)
Best Mini-Series Ever
This is and will remain on of the best mini-series to ever be produced for television. It even rivals many of todays best films. Superb acting and directing give this series a charm that cannot be denied.
Duvall and Jones are both amazing in their roles. They portray their characters wonderfully. The emotion or lack there of in some cases shown by these actors draws the viewer in and makes them feel a direct emotional connection to McCrae and Call.
The directing and cinematography shown in this series should be what film makers aspire to. This series takes the dry land of Texas and the wide open spaces of the west and brings out their true beauty.
This series is a must see for any movie fan. Even those who say they hate westerns will love this film. It is much more than cattle, horses, and cowboys.
Across the Universe (2007)
A Little Disappointed
I went into this film with hight expectations. I had heard only good things about it and came out a little disappointed.
Although the cinematography and overall visual of the film was edgy the plot left much to be desired. It was the typical 1960s struggle and din't bring anything new to the table.
The music was what kept intrigued throughout the film. Without it I don't think this film would have been a success at all. The singing and choreography was wonderful but did not do enough to keep me fully intrigued.
It was definitely a good film to watch on a snowy afternoon but It isn't something I would watch over and over again. The cookie cutter plot did not do enough to warrant a second or third watching.
Definitely, Maybe (2008)
Surprisingly Entertaining
This movie may be a "date movie" but it did more for me than most date movies do.
A wonderful cast pushed along a story that took an interesting turn compared to most date movies. Not knowing exactly what was going to happen is wonderful change to the typical date movie storyline. Experiencing the story unfold with the daughter also added some charm to the film.
I would recommend this movie for anyone looking for a entertaining afternoon without having to delve to deep into the psyche of the human mind.
Made of Honor (2008)
Satisfying Date Movie
This is what I would consider a cookie cutter date film. The story is entertaining throughout but horribly predictable. Going in you can anticipate what is going to happen each step of the way.
Surprisingly I did enjoy the film despite its predictability. The crude humor is at times a little over the top but something was needed to please the younger audience. I was astonished by the amount of Scottish tradition thrown into the film. Most films focus on kilts and a funny accent, but the mention of Highland games, the short history behind the family home, and the mention of Robert Burns really drew me deeper into the film. As a person of Scottish heritage I was pleased throughout.
This films is definitely a date movie that you only watch once or twice but it isn't a horrible film to sit through either.
The Other Boleyn Girl (2008)
Entertaining despite the historical inaccuracy
Many criticize this film for its lack of historical accuracy but to judge this film on that fact alone is to do in an injustice. The Other Boleyn Girl is first and foremost based on a novel by Philippa Gregory and that novel is specifically stated as historical fiction.
I thought this was an aesthetically pleasing film and was well acted throughout. The dynamic between Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson is captivating throughout. Many films focus only on the life of Anne and leave Mary in the shadows. Well this film did no such thing. The interesting approach to the sibling rivalry gave the film a much more intense vibe. The sibling rivalry being the main focus of the film prevented it from becoming an overdone telling of the life of Henry VIII. Eric Bana does a passable job as Henry. Bana may be aesthetically pleasing which the real Henry lacked but that does not make up for the lack of character development withing the character. The lack of character development is in no way due to a lack of acting. Better writing would have helped the character. But this film focuses on the Boleyn girls not the king.
The costumes, set, and props all were true to that of Tudor England and therefore added to the draw of this film. Although it may lack historical accuracy in the true sense the costumes and set do not.
The main draw to this film is its ability to please the mass audience. If you are looking for a film filled with historical fact and period language this is not the film for you. This film is intended to introduce the common audience to parts of world history they may not be aware of while still entertaining them at the same time.
Overall this was a pleasing film and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a pleasant night of entertainment. Will I recommend this film to fellow historians as an accurate film I think not, but I wouldn't condemn it to the back shelves of rental stores throughout the country either.
Sin City (2005)
Genius
I personally loved this movie, but the guy I went to she it with did not enjoy it. I loved the use of black and white just as it was used in the novel. The use of color really emphasizes the emotion and drama tied it with the given event or item. I thought that the choice of actors and actresses really played well to Miller's characters. The only reason the guy I went to see it was didn't like is was because he felt that the stories jumped around to much and I times could be confusing. This is one of those movies that you either love it or hate it, there really isn't any in between. This is also the kind of movie that you just have to sit down and watch. My mother tried to watch while she was cooking dinner and hated it. The next weekend we sat down together and watched it and she really enjoyed it. I think that much of this movies strengths are in the visual attributes and the great work done by the films producers to really capture the feel of the Frank Miller original. I am really looking forward to the release of the next film and hopefully more to come.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
A true master piece
I would have to say that this is by far one of the best movies of 2007. Being that I am both a Johnny Depp and a Time Burton fan I was predisposed to liking it, but I have to say that this film will please even the harshest of critics. To start the cast was wonderful. Although many of them were not trained in singing (although some were) they do an amazing job with one of the toughest scores on Broadway. Their voices may not be the best out there but the flavor that they bring to an already wonderful score is wonderful. Both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter bring new life to character that have been portrayed so differently in the stage version. The art direction and costumes in this film were well worth the academy awards nominations and wins. The costumes are so beautifully done that they capture the essence of the character while still remaining true to the time period. The set and art direction bring you into a world you could never imagine. The dreary colors show the true emotion of the story and the set allows you to feel as if you are sitting there with the characters and you were part of the story If you are a fan of the Broadway musical and are looking to capture what has been portrayed on stage you may want to rethink your approach to this musical. It is not a duplicate of what has been done on stage. It is a whole new vision that should be appreciated for its uniqueness. Props to Tim Burton and the entire cast and crew of this film. You did a wonderful job at taking something already wonderful and making it that much better!