The Projectionist

One Man’s Oscar Picks…

2012-02-21T10:20:00.000-08:00

To make your own Oscar picks and enter for a chance to win 12 movie tickets, download this entry form and turn it in to your theater box office!

By Hans Eskelsen

The red carpet is being rolled out, the glamour with thousands of stars, wear millions of jewels and priceless smiles fill the Kodak theatre to the premier and lustrous award show on earth. These are the Oscars! YES, Billy Crystal is back as well!

It is the one award show that changes lives, breaks hearts, and remembers the greats. The winners are remembered, even if people disagree with the picks. It is a fun filled event that last 3 ½ hours to ultimately remember the love and passion we have for the movies. Here are my picks for who will win, who should win, and who will be the dark horse of the competition.

Best Movie

Will Win: The Artist

The Artist has been sweeping the best picture movies in the Orange Awards and screen guild. It is the hottest movie in the rankings, and has a sure win.

Should Win: Hugo

Hugo was a brilliant film. It had a magical story with an ‘ode to old classic films.’ It was so beautiful in every aspect. For me, it is the best overall film of the year.

Dark Horse: Midnight in Paris

This is my favorite Woody Allen film that I have seen. I know there are many that still say that Annie Hall is his best. I think Woody Allen is like a fine wine in film making. The older he gets, the better his films are getting. I can see Midnight in Paris surprise the night with a win.

Best Director

Will Win: Michael Hazanvicius -The Artist

Usually the best director is almost a sure win for best movie….most of the time. To do a silent film is a very risk, especially in this day and age. However it was pulled off brilliantly, it can only mean Oscar is in Michael’s favorite.

Should Win: Martin Scorsese-Hugo

Hugo is one of the most vibrant and beautifully filmed movies I have even seen. Scorsese took 3D to a new meaning and level. He used it as an art form, which I can say hasn’t been seen before. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Scorsese pull out the win.

Dark horse: Terrence Malick-The Tree of Life

Terrence Malick isn’t your typical director. He reminds me of the modern day Stanley Kubrick. Tree of Life isn’t about pleasing the viewer, but for him to tell his story. He does that in some of the most symbolic and interesting directing that I have seen in some time.

Best Actor

Will Win: Jean Dujardin- The Artist

It has been a long time since we have seen a silent feature length film. His acting ability reminds me of Duck Soup or of the famous Charlie Chaplin. He has been the favorite and the winner like the movie, sweeping all of the awards.

Should Win: George Clooney -The Descendants

This should be George Clooney’s year. He should’ve won over Jeff Bridges in the movie ‘Up in the Air.” He definitely was the favorite till The Artist started winning all the rewards in others; it gives the momentum to Dujardin. Don’t count Clooney out, he did such a great performance, I can see him take home Uncle Oscar.

Dark Horse: Gary Oldman -Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Gary Oldman is such a great actor, and has done so much in the movie making business. His role in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was brilliant. I can see him being called. Like Clooney, I felt that they performances were a cut above the rest, and there is a reason why they are nominated. His performance with Colin Firth is one of the best that I have seen on film.

Best Actress

Will Win: Meryl Streep -The Iron Lady

Meryl Streep has won an Oscar in 1982 for Sophies Choice. She leads a record breaking 14 times being nominated in this category. She has been the sure win in the other award ceremonies, and I can see it come with no surprise to her another Oscar.

Should Win: Rooney Mara -The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Rooney Mara has her breakout role as Lisbeth Salander that is one of the most intense and complicated roles I have seen on film. She pulled off a unique style and lasting performance, that intrigues you to know more. I thought her performance was one of grit. It will be a good win, if she gets the nod.

Dark Horse: Glenn Close -Albert Nobbs

Don’t count out Glenn Close. She has been nominated (between actress and supporting) 6 times. She is brilliant in all that she does, and I can see her take the Oscar. Her performance was great, and one that can’t be forgotten.

Best Supporting Actor

Will Win: Christopher Plummer –Beginners

His performance was unbelievable. He or Nick Nolte should win.

Should Win: Nick Nolte –Warrior

Warrior was my surprise film that I enjoyed immensely. It was due to the great supporting role of Nick Nolte. For me, it will be a tossup between Christopher Plummer and Nolte.

Dark Horse: Kenneth Branagh “My Week with Marilyn”

Branagh is a brilliant actor and director. He is one actor that cannot go unnoticed.

Best Supporting Actress

Will Win: Octavia Spencer -The Help

Should Win: Octavia Spencer -The Help

Octavia’s role in this film made The Help become such a success. Her role not only hit you with a sassy mouth woman from the south, but her soul and strong supporting role was one that deserves all the praise. She should and will win.

Dark Horse: Bernice Bejo-The Artist

For some reason, anything associated with The Artist has gotten a lot of praise. She did great, but I cannot see her triumphing over Octavia’s performance.

Best Animated Feature

Will Win: Rango

Should Win: Rango

When I saw this film, it is one of my favorite movies of the year. It was like bringing Spaghetti Western back with old western in an animated film. The story is fun and rigged, yet has a beautiful place for remembering the old west. Out of all the animated, they Rango should take it and deserves it.

Dark Horse: Chico & Rita

There has been a lot of buzz over the Chico & Rita. It is a wonderful animated film, but I don’t see it mounting up to Rango. It is a true Dark Horse and for me would be the upset! So how long has it been since Pixar wasn’t in the running?

Cinematography

Will Win: War Horse

What made the movie so impressive are cinematography and the beautiful shots throughout the film. You won’t see more gorgeous scenes anywhere. The scenery wants me want to jump on a horse and go to the English countryside.

Should Win: The Tree of Life

The shots alone in the film, made the film. It is so beautiful and the cinematic shots in this film are like another character in the film.

Dark Horse: Hugo

Again, this is one of Scorsese best films, and it isn’t out of the realm of being a dark horse, especially in this category. In fact, I think this group will be close call between.

Film Editing

Will Win: Hugo

Should Win: Hugo

The film is so beautiful from beginning to end; I don’t see why any film can compete with it, other than The Artist.

Dark Horse: The Artist

Writing (original Screenplay)

Will Win: Midnight in Paris

Should Win: Midnight in Paris

Woody Allen writing piece is so majestic and knows how to bring this fantasy, and metaphorical writing to life. It is Woody Allen’s best piece of work. I can see if he wins anything this year, it will be for his script of Midnight in Paris.

Dark Horse: Margin Call

This movie is masterfully written, and is one of those intense docu-movies since Michael Mann’s Insider.

Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

Will Win: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Should Win: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

This film is so well crafted. I wished it go more praise than it has gotten domestically. This will be an edge to win over The Descendents.

Dark Horse: The Descendents

Like it was mentioned before, The Descendents is going to give Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy a run for its money. Either one that wins deserves the Oscar, but the edge goes to Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

If you agree or disagree with my picks, tell me why and let me know who you think should win. I think the best film wasn’t nominated this year, however, that’s Hollywood. If you want to hear my comments, (some probably just to entertain) I will be on twitter during the Oscars, and you can find me at @heskelsen

See you at the movies!

-Hans

Top 10 Movies of 2011

2012-02-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

By Hans Eskelsen

10. Hanna

This movie was overlooked in 2011. It came out earlier in the year, and the symphonic movement of the movie was just breath taking. The movie Hanna makes me want to be nice…

9. Warhorse

Steven Spielberg really has gone back to his ‘Color me Purple’ and ‘Amistad’ roots on this movie. The stories were unique and brilliantly shot. I must admit that I didn’t want to see this movie. After seeing Warhorse, I regarded not seeing it earlier. It is a historical journey.

8. Buck

This documentary was one I would require anyone who owns a horse to see. This documentary really goes into a deep circle of love and understanding between animal and human. Buck also shows that despite our history, it is our choice what we do with it.

7. Rango

I am so glad this movie is being recognized. It brought the dyeing genre of western to kids. It was a great western tale for both parents and children alike. It really sets home on regardless who you are, it is who you become.

6. The Help

I must admit, this movie brought me to tears. This movie brought the power of courage everyone should and can possess. The help doesn’t hold back, and that is what made the movie so good. It was powerful and movie that is just as powerful as The Color Purple.

5. Warrior

This was my surprise movie this year. Warrior is movie about two brothers who haven’t seen each other in years having to face each other again. They grew up in a dysfunctional family and seeing the desperate need of union. This movie is much more than a MMA fight, it is the modern Rocky.

4. Midnight in Paris

This must be my favorite Woody Allen film. I loved his other ones, but this one had a unique charm to it. It was creative, witty, and a great story telling. This movie makes me want to go to Paris and gives use the sci-fi effect of parallel universes.

3. Tree of Life

Even though this wasn’t Malick best film, tree of life is its own masterpiece. This movie was far from traditional, and yet the artistic message of beauty, life, and death brings this movie to new heights.

2. Hugo

Martin Scorsese film is the ‘Ode to all films.’ With its vibrant colors, and beautiful story, I could watch this movie again and again. The movie really captures some of the vintage films, and helps us remember the beauty when films began.

1. Drive

This movie is the most underrated movie of the year. It is also my #1 movie of the year. This movie was an old to the old driving movies, and when heroism wasn’t about the law, but doing what’s right. Drive is gritty, and yet had that John Hughes 80’s type of love mix in it.

Honorable Mentions:

The Players – A great silent film. It is nice to see a movie that this in theatres

Adventures of Tin Tin – Fun and exciting film Hardy Boy’s type of a film

X-Men First Class – Such good chemistry and beautifully told story

50/50 – A very unique film about dealing with tragic news which can’t be control.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

2012-01-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by Hans Eskelsen

I remember going to see my first Alfred Hitchcock film. It was the Psycho, were we see the unfortunate shower stabbing scene that leaves you haunted of being stabbed. Even though we don’t see the actual penetration of the knife, we only imagine what Alfred Hitchcock wanted to us to think. In the Girl of the Dragon Tattoo, the actual intensity and realism of the film equaled up to a Hitchcock film.

Directed by David Fincher, who in my mind directed one of the best movies of last year, Social Network and has done extraordinary work with Seven, Fight Club, and Zodiac. He brings to life a popular book series that has been on the top sellers list for a long time, and brings his own style to the mix.

The movie is based on a couple different stories that come together in the middle of the film. The movie starts about an indictment of journalist Mikael Blomkvist played by Daniel Craig (James Bond himself). With the media pouncing on him like a cat on a bird, he gets hired by a Henrik Vanger played by Bill Plummer (Inside Man, The Station) who owns one of the largest businesses in Europe. He wanted Mikael to investigate a murder that happened 35 years ago of his niece that happened during a family reunion. Now this isn’t your typical family. This family has Nazi’s, crazies, and more junk in the closet than your typical dysfunctional family.

At the same we follow the sad story of Lisbeth Salander played by Rooney Mara (Social Network, Youth in Revolt). He has been hired by an organization to investigate about various people, and she is good at what she does. At the same time she is in the social services program, being abused by the people in the system. In fact, she is treated so badly that it is shameful just to see what happens. As the research on the murder goes on, and when we get to know our characters, the movie goes into a suspenseful and dark place.

What I liked about this film are the characters in the film. Fincher does such a great job of helping us relate to each of the characters. I loved to see how we starting caring for the most nonrelatable woman, and the interest in solving this case. The intensity and the revenge factor is bliss. However it came at a price. You hear about abuse with certain men in power, and there are two scenes in the film that are just disturbing and make anyone feel dirty. I was surprised that due to these parts and the amount of sex in the film, it didn’t get an NC-17 rating. That is what was hard to get through this film. It brings back the Hitchcock style. I think Fincher is the modern age Hitchcock.

If you have the stomach for some of the adult like situations, then see this, if not, stay away, far away. I have gotten asked “should I see this film?” It is a great film if you can stomach the 2 raping parts and the sexual innuendo, but if you don’t like it or wants to see it, then this film will gross you out, and you will be likely to leave the film.

Grade: B-

If you like this film, I recommend:

Zodiac

Taxi Driver

Rear Window

The Goat Rodeo Sessions

2012-01-26T15:16:00.000-08:00

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer and Stuart Duncan Bring Groundbreaking “The Goat Rodeo Sessions” Live from Boston to Bainbridge Cinemas for a Big Screen Performance

Tuesday, January 31 at 8:00 PM

An ensemble of tremendous musical talent is coming together for The Goat Rodeo Sessions LIVE featuring Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, Stuart Duncan and guest vocalist Aoife O’Donovan, an exclusive in-theater concert event on Tuesday, January 31 at 8:00 p.m. The four string virtuosos will be performing songs off their collaborative album, The Goat Rodeo Sessions, at the House of Blues® in Boston, which will be broadcast live to an audience at Bainbridge & Anacortes Cinemas.

The title of the record, The Goat Rodeo Sessions, is a nod to the expression “goat rodeo,” which is often used to describe a situation in which a thousand things must go right in order for something to work. The trailer for the event can be viewed here.

Tickets for The Goat Rodeo Sessions are $13 and available now at the Bainbridge Cinemas or Anacortes Cinemas box office.

“I have always loved live performances for the joy and immediacy it brings. The fact that, with the aid of technology, it can now be shared in an intimate and communal way in locations around the nation is more than thrilling. To me, The Goat Rodeo Sessions, drawn from so many traditions and inspirations, is quintessentially American. I’m looking forward to January 31, when we can celebrate together the joy of music making!” says cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

While each artist is a prominent figure in his own music sphere, the group came together as a unified ensemble on a most remarkable and organic cross-genre project. The Goat Rodeo Sessions is an 11-song recording of original compositions that has been dubbed “genre proof” by the group. The music feels both new and familiar—it’s composed and improvised, uptown and down home, funky and pastoral, and above all, uniquely American.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma’s multi-faceted career is testament to his continual search for new ways to communicate with audiences, and to his personal desire for artistic growth and renewal. Whether performing new or familiar works from the cello repertoire, coming together with colleagues for chamber music or exploring cultures and musical forms outside the Western classical tradition, Mr. Ma strives to find connections that stimulate the imagination.

Fiddler Stuart Duncan’s music has been enjoyed by millions of Country, Americana and Bluegrass music fans for over 40 years via the recording studio and on tour. Even with his distinctive, identifiable style, no two pieces Duncan creates ever sound alike.

Bassist Edgar Meyer’s unparalleled technique and musicianship in combination with his gift for composition have brought him to the forefront of a wide variety of musical styles, where he is appreciated by a vast, varied audience.

Mandolinist Chris Thile of the Punch Brothers has changed the mandolin forever, elevating it from its origins as a relatively simple folk and bluegrass instrument to the sophistication and brilliance of the finest jazz improvisation and classical performance. For more than 15 years, Thile played in the wildly popular band Nickel Creek.

Vocalist Aoife O’Donovan grew up in a musical family, immersed in folk music. She studied contemporary improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music in her hometown of Boston and has performed and recorded with many famous artists.

This one-night event celebrates the possibilities of stellar musicians throwing out the rules and embarking on an open-ended journey together.

War Horse

2012-01-26T15:08:00.000-08:00

By Hans Eskelsen

If I ask you a question such as what movie comes to mind when I say Classic movie? What about traditional scenic movie? Whenever I hear those words, I think of beautiful scenery in Lawrence of Arabia or the integrate story of Sound of Music. I wonder how big these films would’ve been if they came out in today’s circumstances, such as cable, internet, and gaming. I believe that War Horse gives us that answer.

This is directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, one of the most legendary filmmakers. Spielberg takes off his sci-fi hat and puts back on his epic journey hat that he has worn making “The Color Purple,” and “Amistad.” He brings the story based out off a play in London that is one to see if you have a chance.

The movie is based on a journey of a horse that is born in

Scotland

. A drunk named Ted overpaid for the thoroughbred Colt, that we end up knowing as Joey, in Devon

England

rather than a Clydesdale to plow there farm fields. The drunken family man Ted felt that there was something special about this horse, and got into a bidding war against his landlord and overpaid by 3 times the value. After confronting his error to his wife and son Albert, played by Jeremy Irvine, creates a bond with Joey, trains him, and grows a brotherly bond between horse and man.

When the WWI started against the Germans, and a desperate need for money, the father Ted took Joey without telling his son to lease out to Captain Nicholas from the English Calvary. Joey ends up in

France

fighting against the Germans. Joey gains friendship with another horse, who was his companion throughout the war. The story takes you on various other stories that are both sad and incredible.

This genre/old style film making hasn’t been made in a long time. I think that we get too wrapped up in the modernistic views and sci-fi that we tend to forget the old style films we fell in love with. Now I am not saying I don’t like the modernistic or sci-fi, I am actually a geek in those types of films. However it is nice to see that the art form isn’t being forgotten.

Warhorse is a journey. There are no twists, or have shocking scenes to make us cringe. I loved the cinematic views in it. In the final scene, the sunlight brings this beautiful transcendent yellow which gave me the sense of fulfillment.

On a tangent, my brother Peter, who is also in the movie business for Warner’s had a long debated discussion about this film. We talked about not just the story, but how it was shot, and the different techniques. It was like talking about Terrence Malick film, like his masterpiece “A Thin Red Line.”

I must admit I had a hard time wanting to see this film. I was a little hesitant because the basis of the film sounded basic, a boy in love with a horse. I whole heartedly admit that I broke my own rule. My number one rule, which is doesn’t judge a movie by its poster or what it seems in a movie trailer. I am so frustrated with myself because I almost missed this movie experience. See this movie.

Grade: A

Click here to see where War Horse is playing

If you like this film, I recommend:

Black Beauty (1994)

Man from Snowy River (1982)

Buck (2011)

Mission Impossible 4

2012-01-03T09:49:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by Hans Eskelsen

Ernest Hemmingway said a good story confirms grace under fire. It has been 5 years since the last mission impossible film has braced the theatres. In the attempt to revamp the franchise, actor, and now being a producer of the fourth film (Tom Cruise), comes yet another franchise that has gone to the fourth film, like Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Twilight, Rocky, and Potter Franchise…can it sustain for another, or will it be the final mission?

This fourth series is directed by the critically acclaimed director Brad Bird. Bird directed Ratatouille, The Incredibles, and the Iron Giant. In Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol he takes on his first live action film. The story starts were Ethan Hunt played by Tom Cruise, locked away in a Russian Prison for a murder crime he had committed. The story started quickly like an action movie typically does. Benji played by Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Star Trek) who is accompanied by the lovely Jane played by Paula Patton (Just Wright, Precious) assist Ethan in escaping prison. Things go south quickly as the impossible team becomes exposed as does their head man played by Tom Wilkinson (The Debt, Michael Clayton). The head has an assistant named Brandt played by Jeremy Renner (Hurt Locker, The Town). After some unexpected circumstances, Brandt, Ethan, Benji and Jane are on Ghost protocol which means they are on disbanded and by going against protocol, and follow a hunch to save the world from nuclear war.

The movie cinematography is just astounding. It was done by a man named Robert Elswit, who has won an Oscar from “There might be Blood and The Town. The shots in Dubai and across the globe are amazing, especially on the IMAX screen. The pictured flowed beautifully, and even in the sand storm chase scene was incredible.

What really lacked was the storyline. The story line was like watching Nikita on the CW TV. In fact the storyline on Nikita is much better. This movie played it way to traditional and safe. The images were stunning and some of the action scenes were interesting to watch, but all in all, the simplicity, and choppy multi story lines that had interest, made the movie implausible for even the most stunning villains, but the movie felt longer than it needed to be.

So we learn something from MI4. A movie can have the greatest special effects, a stunning director and cast, but without a great script, you are only as good as the next episode on a miniseries. I just saw the movie ‘Midnight in Paris,’ a romantic comedy, where the budget of MI4 is $125 million compared to Midnight in Paris’ $17 million budget, the key to one movie’s success is the story line.

Grade: C

If you liked this film, I recommend:

The adventures of Tin Tin

The Incredibles

Silverado

Click here to see where Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is playing

Hans’ Top 5 Christmas Movies

2011-12-23T16:09:00.000-08:00

Hello, my name is Hans and I am addicted to Christmas movies. That is what I would say at a holiday AA meeting if one existed. There is something about the Christmas season that I just love, the warm Hot Chocolate, the smell of Christmas trees in the air, and the glowing multi colored lights that brighten each neighborhood. Everyone wants to give, and everyone is in a mood to help one another, and make sure everyone has a gift, on Christmas Day.

Almost on a daily basis, the TV is on with a holiday special and watching a million versions of the Christmas Carol, it is my time of year! I like the lead up to Christmas as much as the day of Christmas. There are some movies that I have to see on a yearly basis. With Arthur Christmas that just came out, I thought it’s time to share my top 5 movies of all time:

5. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

This is one of the classic Christmas movies of all times. Getting a year worth of Jam….Anyways, this is one that will always be entertaining throughout the ages, and is an instant Christmas classic.

4. The Muppets Christmas Carroll

There are hundreds of Christmas Carroll versions out there. For me, The Muppets pulled it off, so it isn’t too scary, but it isn’t too cheesy either. It is one for all ages to see and love to watch.

3. Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer

I love the puppetry, and the various stories to redeem Rudolf. If I was a dentist, I know who my hero would be after this film. It is really old, but it brings you back to what it was like celebrating Christmas as a child.

2. It’s a Wonderful Life

This movie is one of those movies that are required by everyone to see at least once. This movie can talk to you to the core. Even though it is Black and White, this movie shows a mastery of story-telling and the importance of the true meaning of Christmas.

1. A Christmas Story

“Don’t shoot your eye out kid,” bunny suit, eating Chinese on Christmas and a leg that shines like a star in the front winter. A Christmas Story is so close to home, it takes number one on my list. The reality of the Christmas events holds true year to year, and one that we love to watch over again and again.

It has been a wonderful year of writing movies, to all those who read my reviews, thank you, and Merry Christmas!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

2011-12-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

Reviewed by: Hans Eskelsen

When a movie comes out with a sequel, especially when the first movie was very successful, there are added expectations and criticism on how the second one will be before it even hits the theatres. The lack of a possibility for it to be given a fair and reasonable chance is already a disadvantage. Will the second Sherlock unlock the clues to being a successful movie sequel?

The Game of Shadows started off quickly following the first Sherlock film. Direct Guy Richie keeps with the same feel as the last, and you are immediately sucked into trying to figure out why Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr.) is up to dressed up in a disguise. The feeling of the fun and quirky yet manic Holmes suddenly takes a twist when Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) takes stage. Moriarty is a clever mathematical professor who is beloved by all, yet Sherlock has his conspiracy that Moriarty is involved in a master evil plan. Watson (Jude Law), who is getting married gets sucked into the wild adventure, while Sherlock tries to solve the evil plot and protect his closest friends from harm.

The first thing that I noticed walking into this film is that the actors were more emerged in their characters. What I mean is that they took it up a notch from before and had fun being the character. I enjoyed the ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’ relationship that Sherlock and Watson have. It got better and better as the movie went along. Though this is an action film, the humor in this film keeps the audience entertained till the bitter end. The humor reminds me of the humor you see in the Indiana Jones films, where there are some oddities, but it got the point across.

Jared Harris who played Moriarty was a huge addition to the movie. The rumblings of who is going to be Professor Moriarty, Jared Harris who has played in the TV series Fringe and Mad Men took the role and brought the frustration level to Holmes that we have never seen.

Guy Ritchie's cinematic presentation is breathless. I am a sucker for movies that have some artistic illustration, like we see in the movie Tree of Life. Though the biggest weakness of this film is the complexity of trying to understand what the movie is about! We see that Sherlock is following Moriarty, but for what? The plot became known as the movie went on. I finally understood what was going near the ending and I thought that the movie makers are crafty, because I had to see it twice to follow along on the mindset of Sherlock Holmes.

This movie was fun, exciting, and at times very serious. It gives the whole package this time as now, the expectation for a 3^rd one is rumored to be coming.

Grade: B+

If you liked this movie, I recommend:

Indiana Jones & the last crusade

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

The First Sherlock Holmes

Click here to see where it's playing

The Ying/Yang of franchise of November Movies

2011-12-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

By Hans Eskelsen

The Yin (The dark side with the white dot AKA the movie of emptiness but with a glimmer of hope)

Breaking Dawn Part I

It is amazing to see how much expectation and excitement was for Breaking Dawn part 1. I had a mandated order to see it, and I would be lying if I wasn’t interested myself... With so much hype, why then this movie left a bad taste in my mouth, but wanting to see more? It was the ultimate Yin/yang movie of the season.

The tale of hot vampires (2^nd best to the vampires on HBO’s True Blood:) and shirtless werewolves, of this movie franchise ,this segment is the better installment of the twilight series. The acting from Robert Pattinson as Edward and Kristen Stewart as Bella finally starts to be watchable. They finally get married, in a beautiful forest in the cascades in Forks Washington, and quickly set off on their honeymoon off the coast of Brazil in Rio. It is where the drama starts. Yes, the fact that we don’t need to see the “rough” love making between the two, but after they destroy there place, Bella has the impossible happen to her…she is pregnant by Edward… and the pregnancy is abnormal which also creates treaty issues with the wolves.

Stewart delivers her best performance. In the first couple of films, I could’ve sworn she was a zombie by the lack of emotion and poor talent. She has grown into her role and she plays it well. The supporting cast, such as Bella’s father played by Billy Burke does a great job being out of the loop, but understanding to the complex world that he has no idea about.

What really hurt this film is that they stretched and dragged it on and on….and on…. that I looked at my watch a couple of times to see when this movie would be over. I understand that they want to make two films out of this(which means more $$), when the plot is simple, it really makes it tough to sit through a movie without much activity or story to it.

What I anticipate is that part 1 is the calm before the storm, and hopefully the series will end with a great Hollywood ending.

Grade: C-

The Yang (The white side with dark dot AKA the entertaining movie with a dark side)

The Muppets

Growing up in a big family, with one television with only 5 channels, there were a few shows that we would all want to watch, and the Muppets was one of those shows. Since there show went off the air, it has been a while since we have actually seen the Muppets in the way that I remember them. Was this one going to meet up to my childhood memories or be shattered like the Smurf movie did?

The Muppets starts off with watching Gary and his Muppet brother Walter grow up together in a small American town. Walter didn’t fit in, but his brother Gary played by Jason Segel always stood by him and gave him the most support possible. As Gary and Walter were growing up, Walter’s favorite show and icons were the Muppets. As adults, Gary and Mary played by Amy Adams decide to take Walter to Hollywood to see Muppet studios. To their disappointment the studio was run down, and all the Muppets were no longer together.

Walter snuck off into Kermit’s old office where he overheard an oil tycoon played by Chris Cooper who wanted to tear down the Muppet studios to pump oil that sits under the studios. Gary, Mary, and Walter were on a quest to get Kermit and the crew back together and try to save the studios!

This is a kid’s movie; however I realized that the adults in the theatre enjoyed it more than the kids. It was witty and fun. From those who watched the Muppets in the 70’s up to the early 90’s to the children watching them for the first time had a great time following a story that wasn’t just corny with laughs but were involved with the story and having fun. The muppets had serious moments with a true reality events and a great message of friendship.

It was fun seeing all the cameos, from Dave Groh from the Foo Fighters and Nirvana, to Zach Galifianakis, to Alan Arkin, Selena Gomez, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Black, Jim Parsons, Emily Blunt, Neil Patrick Harris and more! The Muppets was a true fun filled movie for the whole family. The plot was simple, and even though it isn’t one to win an Oscar, it is fun, jazzy, and a good time for every one! I would definitely go see it!

Grade: A

Click here to see where these movies are playing

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED BOLSHOI BALLET BRINGS ‘THE SLEEPING BEAUTY’ TO BAINBRIDGE CINEMAS

2011-11-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

LIVE from Moscow on Sunday, November 20 at 1:30 PM

NCM Fathom and Emerging Pictures will bring world-class ballet to the big screen with a LIVE HD performance of Tchaikovsky’s “The Sleeping Beauty”. Broadcast LIVE from Moscow’s renowned Bolshoi Ballet, “The Sleeping Beauty” will be shown at Bainbridge Cinemas on Sunday, November 20 at 1:30 p.m.

“The Sleeping Beauty” performance will mark the debut of David Hallberg on the Bolshoi stage – the first American dancer in history to join the Bolshoi as a principal dancer.

Tickets for Bolshoi Ballet Presents The Sleeping Beauty are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors and children and are available at the Bainbridge Cinemas box office—403 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

Created for the Mariinsky Theatre of St. Petersburg, “The Sleeping Beauty” premiered in January 1890, and quickly became a huge success around the world. Choreographed by Marius Petipa, “The Sleeping Beauty” emerged as his masterpiece, with the ballet’s brilliant soloist among the most accomplished pieces in the classical repertoire. This new (1973) choreographic version is from Yuri Grigorovich and stars Svetlana Zakharova as Princess Aurora and, as Prince Désiré, international ballet sensation David Hallberg in his

debut performance with the Bolshoi.

At the christening of Princess Aurora, the evil fairy Carabosse throws a terrible curse upon her: on her 16th birthday she will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy lessens the curse: Aurora will sleep deeply for a hundred years but be awakened by a prince’s kiss. When the fateful birthday arrives, Aurora accidentally pricks her finger, faints and dies. The evil spell is mitigated with one that puts all in the kingdom asleep for a

hundred years. A century passes and while hunting, Prince Désiré sees a vision of Aurora summoned by the Lilac Fairy. He kisses Aurora, breaking the evil spell. Aurora and all the people of the kingdom awake. A wedding celebration marked by music and dances performed by famous fairy-tale characters concludes “The Sleeping Beauty.”

“Fathom continues to expand its performing arts line-up with ballet from Moscow’s renowned Bolshoi Ballet with ‘The Sleeping Beauty’,” said Dan Diamond, senior vice president of NCM Fathom. “The opportunity to experience this historic dance troupe perform live from Moscow is a definite must-see for fans of all ages.

Clickhere to view a trailer of the Bolshoi Ballet Sleeping Beauty.

Additional special events coming to Bainbridge Cinemas include:

Saturday, November 19

TheMetropolitan Opera: Satyagraha

9:55 AM – 2:10 PM

Tickets: $22 Adult, $20 Senior, $18 Child – Bainbridge

Saturday, December 3

TheMetropolitan Opera: Rodelinda

9:30 AM – 1:45 PM

Tickets: $22 Adult, $20 Senior, $18 Child

Saturday, December 10

TheMetropolitan Opera: Faust

9:55 AM – 2:20 PM

Tickets: $22 Adult, $20 Senior, $18 Child

Tuesday, December 13

NYCBallet Presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker Live

7:30 – 9:30 PM

Tickets: $18 Adult, $14 Senior & Child

Thursday, December 15

ChicagoThe Band Presents an Evening of Holiday Music and Greatest Hits

7:00 – 8:30 PM

Tickets: $12.50

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly….3 Movie Reviews from Hans

2011-11-10T09:36:00.000-08:00

With the merge of the holiday season, the time from when kids go back to school till Halloween ends, it is the calm before the next storm of movies to come out. From the past two months, here is a good movie review, a bad one, and one that was just nasty.

The Good – The Ides of March

If this movie came out when it was expected to come out back during the Presidential elections, it would’ve been a movie that could’ve changed the election. How many movies can you say that? How often are there movies that take all of what you hope and want, and yet it is torn to shreds with utter corruption and lies. Ides of March is one of those movies and it reminds me of the change that Michael in the Godfather goes through when he learns the reality of the family business.

Directed and starred in the film George Clooney takes a presidential candidate for the Democratic Party that fuels society with belief of change and for the better good. His two campaign managers who ultimately run the show, Stephen played by Ryan Gosling and Paul played by Philip Seymour Hoffman are his best chances of getting elected. He is dealing with tough competition that is being run by Tom Duffy, played by Paul Giamatti. The film takes you through a dark twist of a political game that by the end, it makes you think what change really means.

I recommend this film. It speaks about issues that happens in politics and the impacts that it has between a true friend relationship and a business relationship.

Grade: A-

The Bad – Real Steel

What happens when a self centered, greedy, lying SOB only cares for himself and no one else? You get Hugh Jackman in Real Steel. This futuristic film about a man who is in debt by loosing and cheating out of so many bets of being a robotic boxer, ends up finding out that he has a 11 year old son that was just orphaned, played by Dakota Goyo. He makes a deal with his son’s Uncle that want to take custody, but only does it at a price…you see, a real loser.

The son finds a robot through stealing parts in a dump that changes to success. The movie portrayed Jackman character so bad, when something terrible happens to him; I felt he deserved it, and probably more. I had a hard time rooting for his character. It isn’t all terribly done. Some of the cinematic shots were pretty neat, and the robots were pretty cool to watch fight each other. This movie had some potential, but went about it not in the most inspiring light.

I don’t recommend this film. The message of loving someone due to their successes and storyline, it isn’t worth ones time.

Grade: D

The Ugly –A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas

Ugly doesn’t mean that the movie was really bad; it just means it was very obscene and over the top…it was downright dirty and ugly. This is the 3^rd Harold and Kumar in the trilogy and it is a Christmas special! No really, it focused around Christmas, and I don’t know why it came out right after Halloween. I think for revenue wise it would’ve done better if it came out a month later…

Anyway, in this series, Harold and Kumar have grown apart from each other, living two separate lives. Harold is trying to please his new father in law played by Danny Trujo, Machete himself. Obviously this isn’t going well, especially since nothing he does is what the father in-law wants. Kumar is living off of weed and Chinese food. His girlfriend had left him, and then finds out he is going to be a father, and then a mysterious package arrives for Harold at Kumar’s apartment. Once it reached this part, it was like going on a roller coaster ride that the ride is going up the rails and had slowed down, and you feel that anticipation for what will be the crazy turns and feeling to vomit while going upside down.

This film is no different. Though it was very offensive and at times I just shook my head of the obscenity, I did laugh at times in the film. It kept the entertainment factor alive and regardless of the corniness and the amount of drug use in the film, it was ugly, but had a message that came through teaching a message that we tend to forget at Christmas. I would like to warn that this movie is very blasphemous. There are parts that remind me of the blasphemous on some religious portions that are even worse than some scenes in Stanley Kubrick’s Clockwork Orange.

If you like shock type of humor, and want to let your guilty pleasure go, then go see it. If you are offended by off color humor, then stay away…

Grade: C

Click here for current movies and times

Real Steel

2011-10-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

When I see a film, there usually is a common theme in all films. There is a hero, a villain or a conflict to challenge the main character(s). There are even some films where the main character is the villain like Clockwork Orange or in the film Heat and yet we still have some kind of connection with the character. The film Reel Steel brings a futuristic view of robot boxing…however can it bring the emotion that is needed to this film?

This film, directed by Shawn Levy who did the hilarious Date Night, and Night of the Museum, brings another unique film placed in the future where boxing is done by Robots who are controlled by humans. The story is based off a self centered low life named Charlie played by Hugh Jackman (The Prestige, X-men). Charlie is down on his luck and ultimately finds himself owing lots of people lots of money.

In the middle of his self centered ways he finds out that an ex-girlfriend who had his child had passed away and he has to take on his 11 year old son named Maxed, played by Dakota Goyo (Thor, Defender). Max’s mom’s sister and husband want to adopt Max, but being greedy Charlie bribes them for money and takes on the kid for the summer.

In this self loathing of a character, Charlie is down on his luck yet again and takes Max to a junk yard to find parts to build a new Robot. Max finds Atom, a 2^nd Generation Robot and starts on a road of success.

I had a hard time with this film. Typically the lead character, even with flaws or a troubling side has some qualities or redemption aspects that you would want to root for. Hugh Jackman’s character had none. The only time he starts bonding with his son is when his son brings him success. Even the times were you are supposed to feel sorry for Charlie, I kept thinking “he got what he deserved.”

The next thing is that I wished we got to learn more about Atom. We go through this film only seeing the relationship between Charlie and his son. Where did Atom come from and why is he so special over the new latest and greatest robots? If they had focused more on Atom, it would’ve been a better film.

I must admit that the final scenes of this film were very good. It brought me back to seeing Rocky the first time and the emotion rooting for Atom, like rooting for David over Goliath. This is a rental. It has potential but falls short.

Grade: C-

If you liked this film, I recommend:

Rocky I & Rocky IV

The Natural

The Fighter

Click here to see where Real Steel is playing

Moneyball

2011-10-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

Whenever I hear about traditions or the breaking oftraditions, I always have the song from Fiddler on the Roof about ‘Tradition’ringing into my head when Tevy is singing to his cows and goats in rage thathis daughter is breaking tradition. Moneyball brings to the same light, but the philosophy of breakingtradition in the summer past time of baseball.

Moneyball is directed by Bennett Miller, who did unratedwork in Capote, and tells the story of the GM of the Oakland Athletics, BillyBeane played by Brad Pitt (Ocean 11, Legends of the Fall). Billy is given a really unfair advantage onrunning one of the poorest teams in the Major Leagues and have to compete andhave retain expectations to contend against the Seattle Mariners, New YorkYankees and The Red Sox’s. Beane loseshis three best players from the year before and has to start from scratch. The problem is that his scouting team stilllooks at players like they did 150 years ago, and the system just is so archaicthat it doesn’t even make sense which the film jumps back and forth between hisfailure as a professional baseball player and current events.

Beane falls upon sports analyst Peter Brand played by JonahHill (Mega mind, Super bad) that has a cutting edge way to find players who canplay, and the statistics prove the number. Beane shoots for the opportunity, putting his entire career on the linefor the systematic approach known as Moneyball.

I must admit it going to a movie for me to root for a teamthat I have hated growing up as a Seattle Mariners fan doesn’t help. So I had to take a step back from my biasapproach to the movie. Money ball workedon some levels, and frustrated me on others.

What worked for me is that Brad Pitt. He played a Howard Hughes type roll, wereBeane is borderline insane. This wasJonah Hill's best performance as an actor as well. Both should see Oscar nod’s this year. I loved how they mixed in actual documentaryfootage mixed with Beane’s past to display a real life picture of life of Beaneand why he does what he does.

What I didn’t like is some of the scripting was sloppy. What I mean is that they talked about thingsthat either didn’t exist or wasn’t around in 2002 as it is today. Just simple things that should’ve beenfiltered in the script writing that didn't translate to the screen. Also in that time period, the Oakland A’s had one of thebest pitching rotations in baseball at that time, yet it goes without anycredit to any of the team’s success. Itbrought the “Hollywood” story into this movieand left me with an empty taste in my mouth.

This movie is good movie. It is very unconventional and has a great star studded cast. I felt like the movie was missing at theend.

Grade: B

If you liked this film, I recommend

Aviator (2004)

Friday Night Lights (2004)

Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

Click here to see where Moneyball is playing

Drive

2011-09-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

When the movie Drive first started to make an appearance in trailers, at the theatres,and on TV, the main thought was a racing movie or a movie about cars. Though it makes sense that fast cars would bein the movie (hence the title Drive), it brings back a completely differentemotion and cinematic experience that has been missing in films recently.

Directed by a Danish Director, Nicolas Winding Refn, who hasdone Valhalla Riding and Bronson. He wasactually pursued by Ryan Gosling to direct the film. Ryan Gosling, who plays the main role of “TheDriver” which we don’t know his name throughout the film, plays a guy who is adriver for criminals at night and by day he is a Hollywood stunt man and anauto mechanic for Shannon played by BryanCranston (Malcolm in the Middle series, Little Miss Sunshine, BreakingBad).

Now Shannon is the one whohired “The Driver” for both the day and night time employment. He is a wiz mechanic who has gotten involvedwith the wrong guys named Bernie played by Albert Brooks (Finding Nemo, TaxiDriver) and Nino played by Ron Perlman (Hell Boy, Sons of Anarchy) who run mobrelated joints in Los Angeles.

While The Driver lived alone, he had John Hughes(16 Candles)type crush on the girl named Irene played by Carey Mulligan (An Education, Pride& Prejudice) even though she had a son and a husband who was in jail. He would help them out with the car repairsor the groceries, till the husband named Standard played by Oscar Isaac (RobinHood, Sucker Punch) got out of jail. Standard had some issues with the guys who protected him in jail, andThe Driver, due to his love for the Irene and the boy, decided to try to helpStandard out.

Now this movie isn’t for the faint in heart. It is extreme violent and graphic attimes. After saying that, it is an arthouse of a movie. It reminded me oftaking in all the genres of car movies like Bullitt with Steve McQueen mixedwith Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry, where Gosling ‘s character is a hero in asober yet deeply emotional way. Youdon’t know much of “The Driver,” but it actually works in this film. I have only seen it one other time were themain character doesn’t have a name yet pulls it off, and that was ClintEastwood in Fistful of Dollars and the Good, Bad, and the Ugly.

What this movie missed for me was some emotional continuitythroughout the film. It did seem ratherrealistic, but I felt that some of the scenes stalled. Now I am not saying that this ruins the movie,but in fact, in some ways it helps with the build up the tension and suspensein the film.

In some sense, this movie brings Gosling even more into aremarkable actor. In my last review ofCrazy, Stupid, Love, my comments were that he was the best part of thismovie. After seeing Drive, Ryan Goslingis the Clint Eastwood of our days. He isthat good. He was able to take acharacter with no background and make him into something we want to know about,and yet have a sense of who he is, or what his values and priorities are in hislife.

This movie is one of a kind. I can understand that there are people who will see it and hate it. It isn’t like Fast and the Furious or Gone in60 Seconds, but rather like Transporter mixed with the realism of MichaelMann’s Collateral and Heat. For thosewho love art house movies, it is a definite must see.

Click here to see where Drive is playing

Grade: A

If you like this film, I recommend:

Bullitt (1968)

Collateral (2004)

The Transporter (2002)

Dirty Harry (1971)

JANE GOODALL LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN AT BAINBRIDGE CINEMAS

2011-09-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

With special appearances by Dave Matthews, AngelinaJolie and Pierce Brosnan

Tuesday, September 27 at 8 p.m.

Commemoratinga half century since she first journeyed to Africa to study the behavior ofwild chimpanzees, iconic research pioneer Jane Goodall will appear atBainbridge Cinemas via satellite broadcast live from Los Angeles on Tuesday,September 27 at 8:00 p.m.

JaneGoodall Live,a one-night event taking place in theaters across the nation, will featurespecial guests including Dave Matthews. Goodall will share her incredible life’sjourney during this unique live event, which will highlight not only thedecades of her most extraordinary study of the wild chimpanzees in Tanzania,but will also provide audiences with a rare look into the life of one of theworld’s most exceptional people.

Thenational premiere of the cinematic biography Jane’s Journey withappearances by Angelina Jolie and Pierce Brosnan will also be featured duringthe event. This fascinating over-the-shoulder look takes audiences with Goodallduring diverse days across three continents, viewing chimpanzees in the jungleand hippos in steamy pools in Tanzania; calving glaciers in Greenland; andmeeting challenged youth on the Pine Ridge Native American Reservation in SouthDakota.

Thespecial event will also unveil never-before-seen 45-year-old 8mm film footageshot during Goodall’s first years in the African forest which was recentlydiscovered in her home in Britain.

Duringthe event, Goodall and Matthews will talk about their experiences in the fieldtogether. Live from the studio with Goodall, other celebrity friends will sharea look at her first day ever in the forbidding jungle as a 26-year-old. Goodalland friends will interact with the national audience and, in this intimatesetting, provide an inside look at the fun and playful person few get to see.

About JaneGoodall

Goodallis one of the world’s most universally respected figures. Her power has comefrom her unique vision and strong values and at age 77, her amazing body ofwork and accomplishments spanning 50 years. Goodall, PhD, DBE and UnitedNations Messenger of Peace, began her landmark study of chimpanzees in what isnow Tanzania under the mentorship of famed anthropologist and paleontologistDr. Louis Leakey. Her work at Gombe Stream became the foundation of futureprimatological research and redefine the relationship between humans andanimals.

In1977, Goodall established the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), which continues theGombe research and is a global leader in the effort to protect chimpanzees andtheir habitats. Today, the Institute is widely recognized for establishinginnovative, community-centered conservation and development programs in Africa,and Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, a global environmental and humanitarian youthnetwork, which has groups in more than 120 countries.

Goodalltravels an average 300 days per year, speaking about the threats facingchimpanzees, other environmental crises and her reasons for hope that humankindwill solve the problems it has imposed on our planet. She urges her audiencesto recognize their personal responsibility and ability to effect change.Goodall has received more than 40 honorary degrees and more than 100 honors andawards from around the world. Her scientific studies with animals areconsidered to be among the most important of the past 100 years.

Ticketsfor this special event are $15 and are available at the Bainbridge Cinemas boxoffice in the Pavilion at 403 Madison Avenue North. Click hereto watch the trailer.

Manhattan Short Film Festival

2011-09-19T12:29:00.000-07:00

Ten Films Played Worldwide, You Vote for the Winner!

Saturday, September 24 at The Historic Admiral Theater, West Seattle – 7 pm

Sunday, September 25 at The Historic Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Island – 4:30 pm

Unite with an audience of over 100,000 film buffs in over 250 cities across 6 continents at the Manhattan Short Film Festival on Saturday, September 24 at 7 p.m. at the Historic Admiral Theater in West Seattle and Sunday, September 25 at the Lynwood Theatre on Bainbridge Island at 4:30 p.m.

YOU BE THE JUDGE - VOTE FOR THE WINNER! Ten short films have been narrowed down from 598 entries by professional producers, directors and actors but ultimately the screen audience will choose the winner.

The festival will screen worldwide September 23 – October 2 and audiences at each venue will be handed a voting card and asked to pick the best film. Votes will be tallied at Manhattan Short’s headquarters and the winner will be announced Sunday, October 2 at 10 p.m. and will be posted at ManhattanShort.com.

This is an opportunity to see the next generation of filmmakers from around the world.

Tickets will be on sale on Friday, September 23 for $8 at the Admiral Theater.

Tickets are $9.75 for adults and $7.75 for Seniors and Children at the Lynwood Theatre.

Click here for more information.

The FINALISTS of 2011

This year the Festival received 598 Entries from 48 Countries selected 10 Finalists You can read detailed interviews with the filmmakers and see the trailers of their films by clicking on the links below:

INCIDENT BY A BANK
Director: Ruben Ostlund
Run Time: 9:30
Country: Sweden
Synopsis: Shot using a single camera, 90 people meticulously recreate a failed bank robbery that took place in Stockholm in June 2006

DIK
Director: Christopher Stollery
Run Time: 9:30
Country: Australia
Synopsis: A six -year-old boy brings home piece of schoolwork that prvokes his parents to question his sexual orientation

MAK
Director: Geraldine Zosso
Run Time: 18:00
Country: Switzerland
Synopsis: Ilinka is 14 years old. She has been living in Switzerland for a year with her Moldavian Mother and Aunt. Ilinka just gave birth to a boy. Ilinka's mother has heard about a box where unwanted babies can be deposited.

I LOVE LUCI
Director: Colin Kennedy
Run Time: 11:00
Country: Scotland
Synopsis: A comedy of missing teeth, unrequited love and one dog's potential to shape the fortunes of a couple destined never to be together.

The LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM
Directors: Jerome Sable & Eli Batalion
Run Time: 12:00
Country: Canada
Synopsis: A campfire song awakens an evil monster and now it’s up to nerdy Danny Zigwitz to save his fellow campers from a bloody massacre. Heads will rock n’ roll!

SEXTING
Director: Neil LaBute
Run Time: 8:00
Country: USA
Synopsis: Fed up with her relationship with a married man, a young woman decides to meet his wife for coffee.

THE FOREST
Director: Kárpáti György Mór
Run Time: 12:00
Country: Hungary
Synopsis: Murder is committed in the forest. A young man becomes caught up in the events, and this experience has an increasingly unsettling effect on him.

A DOCTOR'S JOB
Director: Julio Ramos
Run Time: 10:30
Country: Peru
Synopsis: Doctor Ramon Moran supplements his income by driving a taxi in order to financially support his mentally ill mother. While driving the taxi, Ramon becomes involved in a crime that tests his pride and work ethic.

DAVID & GOLIATH
Director: George Zaverdas
Run Time: 12:00
Country: USA
Synopsis: The true story of a man, a dog and the Holocaust.

MARTYR FRIDAY
Director: Abu Bakr Shawky
Run Time: 10:00
Country: Egypt
Synopsis: An inside look at the events surrounding the 2011 uprising in Cairo.
Click here to read the interview with Abu Bakr Shawky on the making of the film

Contagion

2011-09-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

Do you ever think with the busy lives’ we live in, and follow our habitual day to day routines but to only have an illness or a disaster make you wish you didn’t take your day to day activities for granted? Contagion will do that.

Director Steven Soderbergh who is famous for the Oceans 11, 12 & 13 films and won his Oscar for his film, Traffic brings a horrifying account of a deadly disease that causes an international crisis. The movie starts with Day 2 of the disease. It starts with the story of Beth played by Gwyneth Paltrow (Shakespeare in Love, Shallow Hal) just returned from a trip from Japan ill, as if she has a bad cold and flu. Her husband Mitch played by Matt Damon (Bourne Trilogy, The Departed) takes her to the hospital only to see the worst possible scenario happen to his wife. At the same time, others across the world were getting sick the same way and dying in dramatic form.

Immediately, Dr. Ellis Cheever played by Laurence Fishburne (Matrix, Apocalypse Now) who starts narrating the plans to control the outbreak from stage one. He sends Kate Winslet (The Reader, Titanic) to handle the case up were outbreak was exposed up in Minnesota. Also, the CDC and the World who are in works with Dr. Ellis sends Dr. Leonora Orantes played by Marion Cotillard (Inception, La Vie En Rose) to start an investigation to follow the clues back to the original origin to help find a cure.

With the social world we live in, a famous blogger Alan Krumwiede played by Jude Law (Sherlock Holmes, A.I) catches wind of the epidemic of this virus and starts the social media frenzy. There are so many different stories happening all at the same time. Once you start following the film, even with the multiple stories, it all makes complete sense. Soderbergh does such a great job keeping the whole story in order, without overwhelming you. This movie is a realistic horror film mixed with a thriller mystery to find out where did the disease comes from and how to save the human race.

What really worked was how Soderbergh orchestrates the sequences of the movie. It seemed so real and yet it made sense how a breakout could be possible. Even if the process that was done by the CDC isn’t like it was in the movie, it seem so logical and real, that it made complete sense on the matter. Obviously with me going to the theatre with a cold wasn’t a good idea on my part because the symptoms followed close to what I felt... It made me think how can my family and I be prepared if an epidemic happens, or even a catastrophe like an earthquake, am I prepared?

What didn’t really work for me is that none of the stories really ended or gave a sense of an ending. It left a lot of open ended stories that I wanted to see…but that is okay. It was like observing how the human race in a primitive world. How fear itself is worse than the actual disease and how life goes on.

I do recommend this film to see. It was a hard shape reality of what can happened or what happened in the time of the small Pox or Spanish Flu. The acting in the film was superb and this film will be my top ten this year. See it!

Grade: B+

If you like this film, I recommend:

Traffic (2001)

Outbreak (1995)

The Seventh Seal (1957)

Click here to see where Contagion is playing

Click here to watch Inside Bainbridge's Two Teens and a Movie Review

Crazy, Stupid, Love

2011-09-09T10:40:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

A comedy can be a hit or it can be a bust. When getting A-list actors involved in a comedy, especially a dark comedy like Crazy, Stupid Love, does it spark the laughter with crazy romance, stupid humor and interesting love tangles? In all actuality, it depressed the hell out of me.

Crazy, Stupid, Love is directed by both Glenn Ficarra & John Requa who have only directed “I Love you Phillip Morris.” The premise of the movie starts simplistic as Cal played by Steve Carell (Get Smart, Date Night) and Emily played by Julianne Moore (The Kids are All Right, A Single Man) were at dinner and Emily decides that she wants a divorce and that she has been having an affair with David Lindhagen played by Kevin Bacon. On the way home from dinner, Cal goes into a major shock, not believing what has just happened and ultimately leaving the house. In the meantime Cal ends up at a bar where he meets Jacob played by Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine, The Notebook). Jacob hangs out at the same bar and gets with any beautiful woman who comes through the bar. He decides to teach Cal the tricks of picking up woman, and make him a “man,” and gives him a makeover.

In the mix with the chaos of this film, Gosling’s character gets rejected which causes him to fall in love with Emma Stones character. Marisa Tomei’s character shows up and gives Steve Carell a new low, and at the end of the mess, not even including the horrid love mess with Carrell’s son in the movie and the babysitter, it blows up into a movie that makes this a shock comedy.

What frustrated me with this movie is that the writers (who are also the directors) over cooked this film. There were too many scenarios, and all of them are something that would be seen on a TV sitcom. One of my biggest pet peeves is how can there be only one bar with so many attractive woman that Gosling’s character can be with, and yet no consequences or nothing comes to bite him yet it only takes Carrel’s character one time for a something to come bite him later. So predictable…. After the movie, I felt there was so many inconsistent, standard basic story telling that gets old…fast.

What really worked though was Ryan Gosling’s character. It is very strange for me to say this, but this film actually worked for him. If the film didn’t have Gosling in it, it would be unwatchable. Gosling will be the next superstar in films. Just wait and see.

I admit I did laugh at times in the film. The story was poorly written and I thought was only trying to use shock comedy. The movie is very dark in humor, a disaster in logical thinking, and overall with the cast, I would skip this movie.

Grade: D+

If you liked this film, I recommend:

Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

The Philadelphia Story (1940)

Date Night (2010)

The Help

2011-09-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Hans Eskelsen

Have you ever seen a movie that struck you to the core, because you can relate to the movie in a way that maybe your friend sitting next to you doesn’t comprehend? This is one of those movies for me. Sitting there seeing maids who make less than minimum wage, treated as the modern day slaves, and yet are afraid to talk about it due to job security? I haven’t even gotten into the movie, but this review is dedicated to Maria Elvia Beltran, where in Los Angeles, California, this is her life. This movie takes us into the lives of the maids of the 50’s with a story that will stir your soul and realize how much love one has to offer with courage and mite.

The movie is directed by Tate Taylor; where this is his second film in his portfolio. The movie is set in a southern town were the racism exist as broad daylight in the 50’s. The extreme sense and is over exaggerated reasoning of why there is separation between the blacks and whites are common. The scenario is centered on Aibileen Clark played by Viola Davis (Doubt, Solaris) who is a maid for Elizabeth. Abileen starts telling her story, about raising and spent time with white children than her own. The story starts off with Hilly Holbrook played by Bryce Howard (Hereafter, Twilights: Eclipse) as the head of a woman’s society, and has determined that there needs to be a separation between bathrooms blacks can use and whites can use. Holbrook has a determination to make it law and even the ladies like Cecilia follow suit to build an outhouse for their black helpers.

A lady named Skeeter played by Emma Stone (Easy A, Zombieland) comes back from college as an inspired writer, and finally realizes the racism and devilish nonsense that her friends she grew up with were conspiring to degrade the maids. Skeeter decides to anomalously take the maids stories and write a book from the perspective from the maids.

I must admit, there were parts in this movie that made my eyes water. I really hit home how the maids nurtured and grew up the kids as if they were their own, and yet these parents have no clue that their kids are and really abusing their children with neglect. My favorite character in the film is Minny Jackson (Seven Pounds, Spiderman) played by Octavia Spencer. She goes through being humiliated by Holbrook and then gets her revenge in a way that shakes your head with a grin…

What didn’t work for me was how slow at times this movie went. This wasn’t a major problem, because it adds to the style of the times. Even though there are pauses in the film, there isn’t a time when one breathes in this film. It is intense from beginning to end.

Now some call this film controversial. However by looking at the definition of controversial, it means to dispute, argue, or debate one concerning a matter. This movie tells it how it is, and when will we finally realize what happened in those times or even now is wrong? I strongly recommend this film, and this movie should be recognized by the Academy Awards. It is a must see!

Grade: A

If you like this film, I recommend:

Mississippi Burning (1988)

A Time to Kill (1996)

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Click here to see where The Help is playing

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011-08-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by: Jordon Vargas

Edited by: Hans Eskelsen

From a long list of recent remakes and prequels, comes Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Directed by Rupert Wyatt, directing only his fourth movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes tells the story behind how the apes became intelligent and gives the back-story behind all the other Planet of the Apes films. Whether you are a fan of the previous Planet of the Apes films or watching this series for the first time, this film has something to offer you.

The movie stars Will Rodman (James Franco: 127 Hours, Spider-Man) who is a geneticist working on a new drug aimed to cure Alzheimer’s. Motivated to find a cure to heal his ailing father (John Lithgow), Will is on the verge of a breakthrough drug, which is producing amazing results in tests on chimpanzees. When his prized test subject “Bright Eyes” (those of you familiar with the original series will recognize this reference) suddenly without reason becomes uncontrollably violent, Will is ordered to stop his testing on chimps, along with putting them down, and goes back to the drawing board.

In an act of compassion, Will takes home and saves a baby chimp, which he names Caesar (Andy Serkis: Lord of the Rings). It doesn’t take long for Will to realize just how special and intelligent Caesar really is. Throughout the years of teaching and learning, Caesar is truly becoming the biggest breakthrough in science. Though along with the increased intelligence, Caesar is finding it harder and harder to find his place in the world which brings on a new set of problems for him and for Will.

What really stood out in this film for me is the fantastic special effects and CGI. Done by the same special effects company that was responsible for Avatar, they certainly did not disappoint in this film. The most influence this has on the viewer is just how humanized Caesar becomes as he grows and becomes more intelligent. It is also important to point out that the man behind Caesar, Andy Serkis, is not new to the CGI behind a character. Mr. Serkis also plays Gollum in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy along with King Kong. He is truly at the top of his craft right now. I even heard this quote on Twitter about Andy Serkis and Caesar: “Is it possible for a chimp to win an Oscar?” While this may be pushing it a little bit, it shows you just how impressive this performance really is.

What surprised me during this film was the fact that I found myself liking Caesar in this movie. I expected this to be a Humans Vs Apes movie but it really gave me insight from both perspectives which helped me empathize with the apes more so than in previous Planet of the Apes films. I definitely recommend seeing it in theaters.

I give it a B+.

Click here to see where this film is playing.

Other Films You Might Enjoy

The Matrix (1999)

Avatar (2009)

Cowboys and Aliens

2011-08-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

How many times can I say that I am going to see a movie with the Indiana Jones, James Bond, and very sexy 13 from the sitcom House while mixing two great genres of western with Sci-fi? I would only imagine an action packed film full of entertainment. Does it meet my expectations or does if fall short.

Going into this film, I really didn’t go into it with a lot of expectations because of the title “Cowboy’s and Aliens.” I knew it isn’t going to be an Oscar winner, but I did know that I expected it to be fun from beginning to the credits…and that is just what it did.

Cowboys and Aliens is directed by John Favreau, who himself became famous as an actor alongside Vince Vaughn in Swingers, and breaking out on his own by directing Iron Man, and establishing how comic book movies are being filmed. Favreau takes a screenplay that is adapted from a graphic novel, portrays a cowboy played by Daniel Craig who wakes up in the middle of a desert in the Midwest. He has no clue where he is or who he is and has a rare metal bracelet on his wrist. He ends up in a small town that the Woodrow Dolarhyde played by Harrison Ford runs the town due to his wealth and rigidness as a cattle owner.

Dolarhyde has a son played by Paul Dano who was a spoiled and ruthless adolescent who finally went too far. While this drama between Dano, Craig, and Ford, something they have never seen or ever heard of comes from the sky and starts snatching a lot of the people, and whatever drama that was between the towns people ended due to this mysterious and space ships that attacked on them.

Many of the townspeople saddle up with Ford who wants to find his son that was taken by the aliens. Craig ends up joining them, and kept on being pestered by Ella played by Olivia Wilde. Ella knew why Craig’s character couldn’t remember the past and knew he would be the key to finding the aliens.

This movie definitely brought it. Regardless of the basic plot, the actors in the movie were having fun with their characters. How often do you see that? The chemistry was great, which even extended to the supporting characters, such as Sam Rockwell, Clancy Brown, and Adam Beach. Rockwell especially stood out and added that cherry on top of the sundae. His presence helped bring the chemistry between Ford, Craig and Wilde together.

Ford and Craig definitely brought it and showed why they are superstars. You didn’t want to stop watching what they brought. The story was ok. I wished that the aliens showed more communication with each other, and then act like the aliens in Independence Day.

This movie was a risk to make. Mixing the oldest genre with the newest, but in my book it worked, and I would like to see it again. My favorite line that came to be the focal point of the film was ‘Didn’t matter who you were or were you were going, it matters who you are now.’ It made me think, what would I do if something unexpected happens? The second question came to mind what would you do for those you love?

I must admit, I did read the book before this movie, and the movie was better than the book. See it!

Grade: B+

If you liked this film, I recommend

Independence Day (1996)

Return of the Jedi (1983)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

FREEDOM

2011-08-04T11:25:00.000-07:00

‘Freedom’ and the North American Clean Energy Tour Coming to the Historic Admiral and Lynwood Theatre

Filmmakers available for a Q&A after the film

The Admiral Theater, West Seattle - Saturday, Aug 6 at 7:00 PM

The Historic Lynwood Theatre, Bainbridge Island - Sunday, Aug 7 at 5:00 PM

From the filmmakers of the Sundance award winning film ‘Fuel’, comes ‘Freedom’ a documentary made in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill by filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell that takes a hard look at America’s perilous and unsustainable addiction to foreign oil. The film will show one time only at the Historic Admiral Theater in West Seattle and at the Historic Lynwood Theatre on Bainbridge Island.

Tickets are $10 and available via Brown Paper Tickets for the Admiral's show and at the Lynwood Theatre box office, 4569 Lynwood Center Road, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

The documentary which focuses on a surprising solution to America’s oil dependence is simultaneously debuting both theatrically and on DVD. In a move that harkens back to the grand old days of showmanship, the husband and wife filmmaking team of Josh and Rebecca Tickell will embark on a three month, 30+ city North American Clean Energy Tour in a fully customized Freedom Bus, a “green” constructed, highly energy efficient vehicle that will park at movie theatres playing the film. The Freedom Bus will be open to the public for free and will showcase the latest biofuel-efficient, advance fuels and wind, solar and water technology.

Freedom features an eclectic array of personalities, including former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former NATO commander Wesley Clark, singer/songwriter Jason Mraz, (who scored the film), international author Deepak Chopra and such “green” actors as Ed Begley, Jr., Amy Smart and Michelle Rodriguez.

Additionally, in a most unexpected and emotional segment, co-director Rebecca Tickell reveals an extraordinary predicament that is both touching and illuminating.

Freedom invites audiences to not just get mad, but to get motivated, offering serious fuel for thought for empowering people with knowledge and inspiring social change. The film explores the role that Ethanol plays as a homegrown alternative that will boost the domestic economy, create jobs and reduce our need to rely on dangerous and unstable parts of the world for our fuel. There is widespread agreement that America needs to wean itself off oil yet Ethanol has become a lightning rod of controversy. An anti Ethanol coalition made up of both big oil and radical environmentalists stokes the fires of that controversy every day. Debate rages on the pros and cons of Ethanol but what is the truth? Both Josh and Rebecca Tickell will be available after the film for an audience Q&A.

Freedom is a Green Planet Productions release. More information on Freedom, its theatrical release, its DVD release and the North American Clean Energy Tour may be found at www.thefreedomfilm.com.

The Smurfs

2011-08-03T13:56:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

It is crazy how many movies in the last few years that I grew up with as a child that are now made into motion pictures. When I saw that this movie was being made, only one thing came to my mind…Who had the smurfing idea to make a movie about smurfs going through a worm hole to New York City??? It reminds me of the old saying, “If I had a nickel for every time I hear that…I would be a rich man.”

When going to give an hour and a half of my life to watch the smurfs, I took my five year old daughter, so I can see what she liked and didn’t like. The movie’s basis started off following the original TV series, of Gargamel played by Hank Azaria finally figures out where Smurf village is and tries catching the smurfs. This led off with a chase to be uncertain circumstances let them to a portal that was connected with New York… Gargamel and his cat followed the smurfs to New York. Now apparently in this film, people in New York are already used to tiny blue people and old deranged men in what looks like a black dress with a cat.

The smurfs cross paths due to Clumsy being Clumsily with Patrick Winslow played by Neil Patrick Harris and his wife Grace played by Jayma Mays. He is in the middle of crossroads in his career where he only has two day to come up with the best marketing plan for Odile played by the beautiful Sofia Vergara and now must deal with the smurfs.

Usually when a parody of a movie is done, like with the Twilight series the parody Vampires Suck is done, or any John Wayne westerns, there is Blazing Saddles, the make fun of the original movie. Though when a movie about Smurfs is made and they make fun of themselves, it doesn’t make sense, especially since the younger crowd isn’t familiar with them like those who grew up with them. There was way too many double cross messages in the film that were inappropriate at times for the younger audience. The worst part is that the movie had too many inconsistencies. They would plan to accomplish something, and then show as if there was no point or even no plan. It felt like the whole movie was written as a joke and somehow got made.

Granted, Hank Azaria who plays Gargamel does a great job. He played the character very well, and as always is very entertaining to watch in his movies or even listen to when he does the voices on the iconic show, The Simpsons. The voices done on the smurfs were also very disappointing. The only one that was sort of done close to the original smurfs was Smurfette (Katy Perry did the voice). When hearing George Lopez and Jeff Foxworthy as smurf’s and it is recognizable as them, it just adds salt to the wounds.

When the Smurfs came out on TV, there was some enjoyment and creativity that was created and brought to the TV screens and there was a reason why the Smurfs are so popular. However, this movie is a disgrace to Peyo’s creation of the smurf’s and he is probably rolling in his grave of those who smurfed up his legacy with this trash. Instead of seeing this movie, I recommend renting or buying the original TV series that are out on DVD and let your kids enjoy the smurf’s like they are suppose to.

BTW, my daughter’s only part she said she liked was Smurfette, she didn’t care for the rest…

Grade: F

If you liked this film, I'd recommend:

Enchanted (2007)

The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Scooby Doo (2002)

The Tree of Life

2011-08-01T15:18:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

In the cinemas, there are a handful of directors that don’t make a bunch of films, but when they do, you make sure that you stop and watch them, because you don’t know what kind of cinematic and often poetic event will take place.

In the last forty years, Terrance Malick has written and directed 7 films. His films are not your traditional films, because he does something in which I wish we would see more. Which is bringing more of an artistic and metaphorical presence into the film. Terrance Malick’s masterpiece, with even taking in this film would still be ‘The Thin Red Line’ from 1998. Only Malick and the late Stanley Kubrick who has done Dr. Strangelove, 2001, Space Odyssey, and Clockwork Orange really make movies that stay with you, even after you see it, digest it, and find the beautiful deep message inside of the cinematic experience.

Tree of Life has gotten a lot of buzz this year, because it of the originality which has torn the movie goers opinions to either loving this film, or hating it. This movie is one that stretches your brain, like a parable in the Bible or one of those 3D puzzles. There are three stories happening all at the same time, periodically throughout the film. They are the course of evolution from the volcanic eruption in space to forming a world and species, to a small family in Texas, to the future were one of the kids of that family in Texas is successful but troubled with his past.

By taking evolution, faith and nature all into account, it really was an interesting way of integrating all into a beautiful message of ultimately following either nature or grace. Brad Pitt plays a father of three boys, who is very stern in teaching his boys to act on the nature part of it. If they do hard work, and nurture the seeds, then you can see your results. The wife of Pitt played by Jessica Chastain demonstrates by teaching the boys grace. The three boys are torn between the two teachings and trying to find what one to follow as they grow up in a small town in Texas.

Early on in the film, we know that one of the boy dies, though we don’t see how or actually what one for the most of it. This was one of the first times in the film were knowing what happened to which one actually didn’t matter. It was the reaction of the death and comparing it to the rest of the story being told to better comprehend what Malick’s message was. Talking with a Hollywood producer after the film, he stated “With a Malick film, there is the main enlightenment that you receive, but there is so much more that pertains to the individual inside.”

Sean Penn plays a successful businessman, assuming an architect that was remembering the pain of losing his brother and his fawn memories growing up whether good or bad.

What really worked in the film was the story about the boys growing up and Penn’s part. Sean Penn really knows how to bring emotion and an artistic presence to the film. For Brad Pitt, this was one of his better roles in his acting career. In fact, the story of the family in Texas and Penn’s role would’ve made it a great film without the evolution portion.

What didn’t work was that towards the end of the film, it felt like the movie was fizzling out. It was almost as if Malick wanted to fit some much at the end, it kept going like the energizer bunny. I am not saying it is horrible. For most films it was great. I just would’ve recommended it more of a tighter ending. Saying that…that’s why Malick does what he does.

Again, I don’t say that this is his best film done. A Thin Red Line, is his best. However this film leaves you thinking, something it does wear on your patience, but overall it is a beautiful symmetry and at times thought provoking type of a film. This movie will definitely be on my must see only once.

Click here to watch the trailer.

Grade: A

If you liked this film, I recommend:

2001 Space Odyssey 1968

Stand By Me 1986

The Fountain 2006

Harry Potter 7 Part 2

2011-07-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

Review by Hans Eskelsen:

When I was waiting for the screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, I was talking with an 18 year old who stated “My childhood is dead when I go see the last one.” At first I thought that was a little corny, but then I realized, that 18 year old kid actually grew up for the majority of his life with Harry Potter. After over a decade of reading and then watching the theatrical adaptation of Harry Potter, this is the final one, and will it end well?

The ending of this eight movie saga was definitely more enjoyable to see than when it started. The characters really come to life and you can see that it wasn’t just the end of a saga for us the viewer, but it was the end of a saga for actors playing the characters. Directed by David Yates, who also had directed the last three Harry Potter films, the film takes on the final battle between Harry and Voldemort.

The movie begins with Voldemort’s, played by the legendary Ralph Fiennes, army on the rise of world dominance, and the hope in the Order of the Phoenix is dying off. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were looking for the Horcruxes which are parts of Voldemort's soul to find a way to kill off the Dark Lord.

With the twist and crazy adventure that goes along in this film, there isn’t a dull moment. Even being one who read the books, I was entertained and was satisfied with the outcome. Now, off tangent I do need to address a major point about watching a book adaptation to a movie, they are not supposed to be identical. It is like an artist painting a picture, and then expecting another creative artist to paint it the exact same way? Why? What’s the point??? Movies are a perspective and artistry of the director and producers.

What I thought really worked were two characters. The first one is Neville Longbottom played by Mathew Lewis who really shines in this film. He really brings the character Neville out. The second character would be Professor Severus Snape played by another legendary actor, Alan Rickman. These two characters are what brought the final film to a better ending and not leave it up to the main characters of the film.

What didn’t work for me is the self induced Harry Potter. It feels like almost every ten minutes it seems like Harry says how it is his fault Voldemort is killing everyone. When there is a major dictator, he would rule with or without the super hero. I wish that they would go away from that constant line.

This is a film I do recommend to see in the theatre. This one would be good in either 3D or 2D. If you haven’t seen the others, then it isn’t for you. If you have followed any of the movies or books, go see this. It will be worth the ticket price.

Grade: B+

If you liked this film, I recommend:

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Movie Review: Horrible Bosses

2011-07-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Reviewed By: Hans Eskelsen
Edited By: Jordon Vargas

There are times when we get in situations at work that feels like the end of the world. Whether it is dealing with a co worker or a “boss” who seems to threaten and act like they own you. Caution: This movie is not an example on how to handle this situation. (By the way, this doesn’t have anything to do with “going postal).

The movie Horrible Bosses takes scene of three close boyhood friends who each ironically have major problems with their bosses. The “Evil Bosses” are played by Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell. These three are the most manipulative, egotistical bosses that seem like their only job is to get what they want and to manipulate their employees to do whatever they want.

The movie breaks it down in the three scenarios. The first is with Jason Bateman who is trying to get a promotion from his boss Kevin Spacey, by coming into work early and working late and on weekends, only to be treated like dirt and pissed upon every chance that Spacey gets.

The second is Jason Sudekis character, who is supposedly loved by everyone and the owner of the chemical plant he works for, except for the bosses son played by Colin Farrell, who is only wants to milk the company of everything, and get rid of it.

The third scenario is Charles Day’s Character who is a dental hygienist assistant to Jennifer Aniston. The problem here is Aniston is trying to become the Mrs. Robinson of the dental world, and tries to blackmail Day to sleep with her but he doesn’t want to and is engaged.

The only solution that they could come up with was to have their bosses killed off to bring peace to the workplaces and to their lives. Could they have thought about getting a new job or doing something about it other than murder? Well, it could’ve been more of a success if they had and then we wouldn’t really have a movie. The blunders that were Bateman, Day, and Sudekis, only increased while they seek a murder consultant played by Jamie Foxx.

What worked really well for this film were the ‘horrible bosses.’ Each of them went to the extreme and made the film hilarious and at times rooting for them as the bosses. It was nice to see Spacey play a corporate guy who is so over demanding and so evil. This was my favorite film that Aniston has done. I think by having a role were she was able to have fun, and not having to play the loveable lady, she played it well, and I hope to see her do more films as more of a villainous roles. Even Colin Farrell, who is one of the most underrated actors of our times didn’t let us down either.

What didn’t work in this film were the three friends who wanted to kill their bosses. They were funny, and they played great as characters to be bullied, however it wasn’t believable that these guys would go to the extreme to kill someone. It didn’t seem logical that any of them would even think about it. I wished we got to see more of their work hell. The majority of the time was seeing them scheme.

Horrible Bosses does come with a good message for bosses and managers, that if you treat your employees unfavorable, it gives a perspective of what they think of you out of the work place. It has some good laughs. It kept you interested to see what will be the next scenario. See it if you want to have some good chuckles, if not, don’t worry, it will be a good rental.

Grade: C

If you liked this film, I recommend:

Gross Pointe Blank (1997)

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

Cars 2

2011-06-28T17:07:00.000-07:00

Reviewed by Hans Eskelsen

I think Jack Black said it best at the Oscars two years ago when he said “I make millions making an animated film for dream works, and then put it all down that Pixar will win the Oscar.” For years now, since Toy Story and Finding Nemo, Pixar has been the giant of animated features. They have always lived up to the expectations that critics like me and children like my 5 year old put on their movies, with feeling and experiencing a magical journey.

So now, with Cars 2 coming to theatres, it is the second Pixar sequel to come out. Toy Story 2 came out better than the original, but does Cars 2 match up with the other film?

Cars 2 is a continuance of the first one, where Lightening McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) has become the most successful race car, winning the Piston Cup 4 times over. McQueen goes back to Radiator Springs to his friends including his best friend Mater (voice of Larry the Cable Guy). They end up going on a world tour put together by a famed billionaire who discovered an alternative fuel that would replace gasoline. All the fastest racecars across the world are competing in this tournament in celebration of this new fuel. However, there is an evil organization that is trying to stop the alternative fuel since they are sitting on the largest oil reserve.

With new characters like Finn McMissle (Voice of Michael Caine) who is the equivalent of Agent 007 (James Bond) is on a mission to stop the bad guys. Intermixed with all this chaos and how Mater and McQueen gets involved, the relationship between Mater and McQueen are put at the test of their relationship.

This is probably the weakest of all the Pixar films to this date. It almost felt like Pixar really wanted to make a James Bond movie, and was almost able to do so with using Cars. It really isn’t for children. A lot of it will go over children’s heads. It isn’t like the content is bad, but it is things that are in an adult nature, but in car’s bodies…

This is one film is good, but not great. Pixar’s competitor DreamWorks may take the top stop in best animated film this year.

Grade B-

If you liked this film, I recommend

Cars (2006)

Golden Eye (1995)

Get Smart (2008)

Green Lantern

2011-06-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

It is amazing just how many movies are coming out this year so far that are based on comic books! In the year of the comic book, where does the The Green Lantern rank among the cluster of comic book movies this year? Does it make the cut as a heroic movie or does it fall into the villainous disaster?

Directed by Martin Campbell who resurrected the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale and brought to life the movie franchise of Zorro, he tries his next large leap of Green Lantern. With a budget around $200 million, can this movie work?

The Green Lantern is about an irresponsible man named Hal Jordan played by Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal, Smokin Aces) who is in his mid 20’s still scarred from his father’s death when he was young. Hal follows his father’s footsteps and becomes a reckless test pilot who only thinks about himself. It was to the point where he neglected everything even the girl who is madly in love with him named Carol Ferris played by Blake Lively (The Town, New York, I love You). At the same time the Green Lanterns, who are the protectors of all of the worlds in the universe are being attacked by an evil force of fear. One of the Green Lantern elites called Abin Sur played by Temuera Morrision (Couples Retreat, Star Wars III) barely escapes the enemy and crash lands on earth. There the “force” of the Green Lantern picks Hal Jordan to become his replacement. He then becomes an instant superhero with “green” powers. The Lantern recharges the ring of power that gives him his new power. Hal isn’t well liked by the leader of the Green Lanterns who is Sinestro played by Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood) because Hal is the first human to join the ranks of the Green Lanterns because how weak humans are…according to the rest of the universe.

While Hal Gordon is sporting off his new powers, the Government finds Abin Sur’s body, as proof of Alien’s existence. They then get Doctor Hector Hammond played by Peter Sarsgaard (An Education, Shattered Glass) to examine and research the body and in the process he gets infected in which he becomes the evil villain. Ironically enough Hal, Hector and the Carol all grew up together, and then becomes arch enemies.

The movie didn’t have it from the beginning for me. For a power that can let you create anything your mind can imagine, the lack of imagination just shocks me. The fact that an ignorant and irresponsible adult that cares less for anything else but his own self can all of a sudden carry the weight of the fate of earth is not believable. Everything that transpired in this movie has already been seen before in Spiderman, Superman, and unfortunately Dare Devil. With all the money spent, it was a complete disaster with a monotonous story line and not so good special effects.

What is interesting is that this movie shows that could be more to follow. That didn’t stop the Transformer franchise even though the last movie stank. However with a budget of $200 million, and on opening weekend worldwide only made $70 million, if a movie isn’t profitable, it won’t be made into a second one. We shall see. I would skip this movie. Though it isn’t as bad as the Green Hornet, it is definitely one to skip.

Grade: C-

If you like this film, I recommend:

Dare Devil (2003)

Spiderman 2 (2004)

Hulk (2002)

Super 8

2011-06-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

When going into check out the film Super 8, I had no clue what it was about, nor could I really find out any information due to the fact that JJ Abrams and Steven Spielberg intended it to be that way. Their sole purpose was to give that surprise and feeling of an intense thriller and the ultimate theatre experience.

JJ Abrams who has directed most recently successful Star Trek film and the critically acclaim TV Series Lost, takes us back to the 70’s were a group of kids who are fascinated in making a zombie film for the Cleveland film festival. In the mix of kids who are filming this zombie film is Joel Courtney, in his first film, whose mother died in a steel mill accident was struggling understand the pain of his loss and having a rocky relationship with his father. His father Jackson Lamb is a deputy in town played by Kyle Chandler (which he was one of my favorite characters in the film and is also known for his work the TV series Friday Night Lights.)

The kids decide to sneak out one night so they can do a night scene in there film by the train tracks. Then all the sudden they witness a major train crash….and as a movie critic, it would be more harm to talk about what happens next.

When watching the film, it felt like I was watching a film from the 70’s, 80’s time period, even the filming had that feel with the vintage filming technique. It really gave me the vibe of an ET/Sandlot feel, where you have a core of kids that have great chemistry and takes presence on a film similar to a John Hughes film.

The one problem I did have with the film is that it was so clique with certain pretenses. It did feel like the type of film it becomes was more of a tribute to the original films of Steven Spielberg. I don’t think that is a big problem, it just was a story that could’ve done with a little bit less of it.

This isn’t a perfect film…but I don’t think it was ever intended to be. If you loved the mystery thriller sci-fi type movies from the 70’s and 80’s, then this is one to see in the theatre. In fact, I think this movie would be more enjoyable in the theatres, with a bunch of people eating popcorn, and go along for the ride.

Grade: B

If you liked this film:

District 9 (2009)

ET (1982)

Close Encounters of the 3^rd Kind (1977)

X-Men: First Class

2011-06-03T12:02:00.000-07:00

By Hans Eskelsen

Making a prequel to an already successful franchise is a gamble within itself. There are already expectations to what is expected and a preconceived notion on what a character will do that includes the storyline to back up there basis. It can pay off greatly like did Batman Begins & James Bond Casino Royale or it could tank like the Phantom Menace in Star Wars. Is X-Men First Class going to live up to expectation? Not only is the risk higher by taking on a less experience director, Matthew Vaughn that has only directed 3 other movies, such as Kick Ass, Stardust and Layer Cake. So is the risk on a new edgier director being that good???

The movie is centered around two different stories that ultimately merge into one. It starts with the life of Charles Xavier played by James McAvoy (Wanted, Atonement) who was educated and smart with his ability to read minds and learn the importance of mutation. Then you have the second story which is more dark yet more intriguing to follow of Erick Lehnsherr who is also known as Magneto played by Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Bastards, 300) and learning about his horrible experience in the concentration camps during World War 2 and seeking his revenge on the Nazi leader who was played by Kevin Bacon (Apollo 13, Mystic River) who manipulated his power through anger and hardship which ultimately Erik was seeking revenge for something’s I will let you find out by watching the movie.

The movie goes towards unraveling a plot that Sebastian (Bacon’s character) has to try to start World War 3 by instigating the tension in the cold war between the Soviets and America to ultimately gain control of the world. The problem was that Sebastian has already recruited some mutants as the seed of his army which was helping him succeed his goal and fight off the newly found X-Men who each have their own personal conquest and goal in mind.

The companionship between Fassbender and McAvoy was very special and neat to watch. It isn’t common to see on the screen such great chemistry between actors. This dual which we know later on equal on opposite sides is one of the best I have seen since Miami Vice with Colin Farrell and Jaime Fox companionship or a common bond but differences like Pacino and DeNiro in Heat. It was that tight and that good. Though they had different ideas and convictions, they really brought the spark and interest to the next level for the X-men series.

I really enjoyed the fact that they took the cold war and intermingled there story within it, and yet had fun with even having a cameo of wolverine which was one of the funniest cameos I have seen in a while. What really surprised me in this film is that it gives an excusable sense and understanding of Magneto’s hatred towards the human race and his reasons for it. This is one of the first prequels that made the other movies in the series better. For those who have asked if it is on the same pedestal of The Dark Knight, I would say no. Dark Knight is on its own level, and will be hard for any superhero movie to match the Dark Knight. Though, I really hope that they come out with another one with this same core group. It is fun, witty, and we better understand the concept of the X-Men. It is a must see.

Grade: A+

If you liked this film, I recommend:

Batman Begins(2005)

Silverado (1985)

Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (2002)