The Film Chronicles

Treacherous Beauties, 1994, Romance
Plot: Another film based on the Harlequin novels, this movie follows a Pulitzer Prize winning woman to Devil’s Gorge when she finds out that her brother has been killed and foul play may be involved.

Thoughts: This is one of the more sentimental Harlequins because it was the first one I watched with my girlfriend Sami. It was funny from the get go up until the final awkward scene of the newborn horse watching the protagonist make-out with some guy. I can watch this movie over and over and never get tired of it because it’s that entertaining. A great rainy afternoon watch.

Real Movie: 2.4
Harlequin Rating: 4.6/5

Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder, 2009, Comedy
Plot: A group of aliens scam the entire Earth population out of their own planet and Planet Express has to solve the problem.

Thoughts: Another solid Futurama film excites me. The creators are consistently creative and never talk down to their audience (which is done way too much these days). Bender was hilarious in this film and I really enjoyed the cheesiness they gave to all of the characters that reminded you why they liked them so much. Really entertaing made-for-TV movie.

3.8/5

The Pluto Files, 2011, Documentary
Plot: Neil DeGrasse Tyson seeks to explain his role in the removal of Pluto from “planet status”.

Thoughts: This was hard to watch because I really want Pluto to be a planet, but alas Dr. Tyson has a point in saying that it isn’t. I feel bad for the founder of Pluto’s (the guy who discovered it) town’s pride, which was obviously hurt by the degradation. Our little planet, will always be a planet to me (I sound like an old person).

2.7/5

Bowling for Columbine, 2002, Documentary
Plot: Michael Moore looks at the social and political atmosphere surrounding the massacre at Columbine High School as well as examining the lax gun control laws in the United States.

Thoughts: This was a powerful documentary and really got me thinking about how gun control is hardly controlled at all. As always, it was sad to see more video of the high school students and teachers being ruthlessly killed, but it was a very strong emotional pull that Moore calculated to help strengthen his argument. This film is great for awareness, but as seen now (nearly 10 years later) we are not heeding this message, but instead tightening security on the innocent.

3.8/5

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, 2010, Action
Plot: Based on the video game of the same name, this movie follows Dastan as he tries to prevent the deaths of his closest friends and family members using the sands of time.

Thoughts: It was pretty annoying that Gyllenhaal had the wrong English accent the entire movie, but eventually I got over it. The movie was what you expected it to be, thought it had potential to be so much more. This was a Disney movie that wasn’t animated, so I didn’t expect greatness. It was good though. The story was easy to follow, yet still had the needed complexity to keep you interested. The ending was kind of dull and the entire last ten minutes were of Gyllenhall being a know-it-all. It was still a decent movie and worth a watch for the visual effects.

2.9/5

The Last Airbender, 2010, Action
Plot: This follows Book 1 of the popular Nickelodeon cartoon “Avatar: The Last Airbender” about a young child who is destined to save the world by learning various forms of karate and controlling the four elements.

Thoughts: I went into this movie thinking that it would suck and came out very surprised that it barely missed that mark. It was entertaining and the special effects/ animation was out of this world. Fortunately, I watched the series because if I hadn’t I would have been sorely lost during the movie. Shyamalan really rushed through the story, so hopefully it means that the next two will be more character based. I look forward to the sequels but am disappointed in this installment.

1.9/5

Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam, 2010, Action
Plot: The story of how DC’s Captain Marvel gained his powers and has to fight alongside Superman to defeat Black Adam.

Thoughts: Great animation, though this was only about a 26 minute short since it was part of a series of comic book- based heroes, this was a solidly built story. I didn’t enjoy the voice acting too much, but it was well worth a watch. The other shorts in the collection are also well done. Great for watching something while on hold with the Financial Aid Department.

3.8/5

Scarface, 1983, Drama
Plot: The rise and fall of cocaine- addicted drug-lord Tony Montana.

Thoughts: A great movie that really captures the joys and pains of living a life of crime. Pacino really does it with his trademark “crazy eyes” and the strange choices of cuts and music make this movie very creepy. At times you even think that Tony will jump out from the screen and kill you. Good movie and story that’s been told often, but this one had a more organic feel to it.

4.2/5

The Science of Sex Appeal, 2009, Documentary
Plot: A look at the scientific aspects of sex appeal.

Thoughts: Interesting documentary that really broke down this elaborate science. Not much more to say other than that ;).

3.4/5

The Godfather Part II, 1974, Drama