The Film Chronicles

The Fighter

The Fighter, 2010, Drama
Plot: This story follows the true lives of boxer Micky Ward and his brother Dicky as Micky makes a comeback and enters the prime of his career at the age of 40.

Thoughts: Honestly, I have no clue how this film didn’t win the Academy Award. Everything was spot on: the acting, the directing, the writing, the costumes, everything. I really enjoyed this movie eventhough going in I had no clue that this was about Micky Ward (need to do more pre research lol). It was a period piece, taking place in the early 90s, and shoutout to Mark Bridges who really gave the characters the look of that era.

Christian Bale was by far the best actor in the film but everyone was terrific. I think this was Mark Walhberg’s best role (which isn’t too surprising after looking at his list of acting credits). The story was like Rocky except better and with more heart. I loved how they stayed true to the real story and keep it as honest as the big screen would allow. I also loved how they used HBO to film the actual boxing matches, that was clever and creative. A really great movie.

4.6/5

Crash

Crash, 2005, Drama
Plot: A look at race relations in Los Angeles in a 24 hour time span.

Thoughts: This movie was very critically acclaimed and I must say that it keeps you captivated. I still don’t think it lives up to the hype, however. The characters seemed pretty flat (aside from a few) and throughout the entire movie the only message I got from it was, “white people are rascist, even if they’re not”. I thought the acting was good and the story really intertwined the lives (I kind of saw this as an excuse to be stagnant on plot development.

There was so much going on that it reminded me of the 6 degrees of separation. This was a good film and I always enjoy it everytime I watch it.

4.1/5

Shrek

Shrek, 2001, Comedy
Plot: An ogre is sent on a quest to save a princess and is tagged along by a talkative donkey.

Thoughts: Re-watching this movie made me appreciate it again. The jokes weren’t as funny as they were whn I was a middle school kid, but the memories associated with the film are what made it fun again. This is the film that really began the movement towards animated films having an adult theme and as well as also being for the kids.

Michael Myers is a really underestimated actor; his ability to play roles within roles is unmatched. Murphy was a good compliment and provided a lot of humor that formed the backbone of the dialogue. I really enjoyed the movie and the excellent script writing and direction. Everything was fresh for that time (though many of the sequels are poorly done).

4.5/5

What’s the Next Big Thing?

What’s the Next Big Thing?, 2011, Documentary
Plot: A look at the latest technology that will change how the (near) future will be affected.

Thoughts: I know you haven’t gotten this far without looking at the title and saying “That’s what she said” or some other innuendo. So now that that’s out of your system we can continue (DON’T, I know what you’re thinking!)

This was boring x7 and I barely even want to review it. It basically showed us a creepy robot that can make conversation, cars with minds of their own (the only cool thing in the documentary), and a Richtor scale on steroids. The entire time it felt like I was being beaten with a walking stick made up of useless knowledge.

1.7/5 (that’s what she said)

Gorilla Murders

Gorilla Murders, 2008, Documentary
Plot: This documentary examined the dangers that Gorillas in the central Africa face from rebel forces and how the park rangers seek to protect them.

Thoughts: This doc started and continued the same for the next 49 minutes. I thought they would at least speak about the Gorillas but all they talk about it how they are getting killed for little reason and how it is near impossible to stop especially with the illegal charcoal trade going on as well. It was a quick glimpse of what’s going on but we never get closure nor receive a connection.

1.8/5

Blades of Glory

Blades of Glory, 2007, Comedy
Plot: A sex addicted figure skater pairs with a bratty counterpart who are forced to become the first male-male to skate for the doubles championship after being kicked out of single’s competition.

Thoughts: Will Ferrell is one of my favorite comedians but this film disappointed me a bit. His character was hilarious, but everyone around him kinda fell flat. The story was original and clever but much of the comedy really didn’t go over smoothly.

I recommend watching it if you’re a Ferrell fan, but not much else to say about it.

3.1/5

Can We Make it to Mars?

Can We Make it To Mars?, 2011, Documentary
Plot: A look at just how close our astronauts and technology are to allowing us to make a journey to Earth’s red sister.

Thoughts: This was the best of the series to me. Space has always interested me and this film just strengthened my interest. Even with NASA’s space program deteriorating, it was nice to see that the employees weren’t slacking off and would be ready for whenever the green light on the program was back up.

The documentary looked at different aspects of potential dangers and showed the remedies that were already ready to take on the challenges. The most intriguing thing in the doc was the engine that ran on plasma (the stuff that the suns composed of). Very good documentary and look at space travel.

4.1/5

Searching for Bobby Fischer

Searching for Bobby Fischer, 1993, Drama

Plot: A young boy becomes a chess prodigy akin to Bobby Fischer and seeks to become the best child chess player in the nation.

Thoughts: At first I thought that this movie was a documentary about Chess champion Bobby Fischer, but I got a fiction movie instead. It wasn’t bad but it had the 90s feel to it and the cheesiness was on another level. The theme is straightforward throughout the movie “just be yourself and don’t try to live up to the pressures that others put on you”.

The acting was well done and the storyline was compelling enough to really get involved with the characters. This movie was slightly above average, but still good enough to watch (plus his little sister was an adorable little girl).

3.1/5

The Runaways

The Runaways, 2010, Drama
Plot: This film serves as the shorthand of the beginning and demise of the all-girl rockband “The Runaways”.

Thoughts: This movie really surprised me, I really didn’t think that I would like it as much as I did. I watched this film very late at night and expected to start falling asleep during it but I couldn’t turn it off and it felt like I took a 5-hour energy drink. Fanning was okay, but Stewart was very well cast and really outshined everyone else.

This movie has the same formula as every movie about music groups: the form, are successfull, and then have a falling out. There was just something different about it to me that really held on to my attention. The characters were so realistic that I could see myself rooting for them even knowing what would happen to them eventually.

Pretty good movie that had above average storytelling, I just wish they had delved into the other characters a little more.

4.1/5

Pressure Cooker

Pressure Cooker, 2008, Documentary
Plot: This film follows a culinary class in a Philadelphia high school through a cooking competition for scholarships.

Thoughts: A really heartwarming movie that was very emotional and feel-good. The class is taught by Wilma Stephenson, a very “real” and tough minded individual who speaks what’s on her mind and is not afraid to back down to anyone. She really cares for her students and it shows. Everyone should have an instructor like her if they really want to be real with themselves and grow as an individual.

It is amazing what anyone can do when they put their minds to something and have a great support system. The movie goes through their entire year of high school (many of the characters are seniors) and it shows how they have grown over the year. Great movie.

4.6/5