The Film Chronicles

Planet 51

Planet 51, 2009, Comedy
Plot: An astronaut from Earth lands on a planet inhabited by a bunch of green, sea-monkey-like humanoids who live their lives like it’s the 1950s.

Thoughts: This was a decent film that gave an interesting look at how humans would be viewed by another race (especially with those creepy astronaut get-ups). This film had some familiar names like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Gary Oldman, Jessica Biel, and Sean William Scott. The art direction in this film is also another thing that shows the creativity and originality of the movie. It’s kind of sad that this was not a Dreamworks or Pixar produced film but it’s also nice that Sony is throwing its hat in the ring to be considered as one of the premier powers in animation.

2.7/5

The Da Vinci Code

The Da Vinci Code, 2006, Thriller
Plot: A Harvard symbologist is roped into a murder mystery/ thriller that goes all the way up to the Vatican. It is based on the novel of the same name by Dan Brown.

Thoughts: This was a well adapted film. I decided to read the novel before watching the film and found that they were both comparable and that it wasn’t “the book is better than the movie” type of deal. The one thing that irked me was the changing of the ending, I didn’t feel the need for the added drama and what not, but I suppose the novel’s ending was just as cheesy. Also: I was bothered in both the book and film that they kept referring to Leonardo as “Da Vinci”, which hardly any scholar who knows the least bit about Art History would do. Just a credibility thing, though.

The film was well cast and attracted many different people. The DVD I had scratched a lot (which sucked). I look forward to watching Angels & Demons to see what gets cooked up next.

4.1/5

Objectified

Objectified, 2009, Documentary
Plot: This documentary takes a look at the art of design and the top designers of our time.

Thoughts: This was a very intriguing and interesting film. I watched it during my “Issues in Contemporary Design” class so much of this information directly related to what I have been learning this semester. Of course you have your Eric Dyson and Karim Rashid who are both design gurus.

Looking back I wish I would have utilized my university’s industrial design program to its fullest potential. It is so interesting how something you think of as simple takes so much thought and planning. Handles on kitchen utensils were not really effective for people with arthritis but one simple change of the handle to the size and consistency of a bicycle handle, and voila: you have a masterpiece.

Look more around you next time you go shopping and see how design works in our world.

4.1/5

Aaah! Zombies!!

Aaah! Zombies!!, 2007, Satire
Plot: 4 friends end up turning into zombies, but they don’t realize it. They have to ward off the military in order to survive.

Thoughts: This was a fantastic and creative movie. It was interesting to see the eyes through a Zombie. One way to look at this film is like a drunk person who doesn’t realize that he’s drunk so every thing around him seems normal. I really loved the comparisons between reality and “Zombie-vision” where we saw what the people saw.

This film was believable (aside from the zombie part) and very entertaining. Some of the shots were awkward but the storyline and plot were good as well as the acting. I think I’ll watch this one again for kicks.

4.2/5

American Graffiti

American Graffiti, 1973, Comedy
Plot: In the summer of 1962, two friends come to the realization that they will have to part ways when one gets accepted to a university that is across the country.

Thoughts: This film takes place over the period of one evening as recent high school grads look for love and to rekindle their friendship as they prepare for college. One of the things that I noticed about this film as I was just thinking about this film was that it was “Superbad” straight up and down: two friends who party all night and one is trying to hook up with a girl. This really devalues Judd Apatow’s talent even more, in my opinion.

The film starred Ron Howard (back in his acting days), Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford (wearing a stupid cowboy hat). It was George Lucas’s comeback film after the THX 1138 debacle of a film. It was also Lucas’s final film that had nothing to do with Star Wars. It was pretty entertaing, but nothing to right home about.

2.7/5

Harlequin Romance Series: Loving Evangeline

Harlequin Romance Series: Loving Evangeline, 1998, Romance
Plot: A businessman’s brother is killed in a suspicious boating incident. He goes there to check it out and finds out that there’s more to a story than he originally thought as he investigates alongside the proprietor of the local boat rental, Evangeline.

Thoughts: I know what you’re thinking: Brandon? Watching this? …Well let me explain, occasionally me and my gal watch films from the series to get a good laugh. It’s borderline ridiculous how the stories pan out, the horrible wiritng and acting. These movies are comedic gold! So here it is:

The lead part was about 50 and walked like a hired goon, which was kind of weird that everyone in the movie looked like they were getting the senior discount at Luby’s. The acting was very cheesy as well and I can’t even imagine why someone thought that this was a great idea to turn into a film but I want to thank them for it.

The plot was lame as were the characters. I laughed the whole time

2 ratings:

As a real film: 0.7/5
As a Harlequin: 3.6/5

Semi-Pro

Semi-Pro, 2008, Comedy
Plot: Will Ferrell stars as Jackie Moon, the owner of a dying American Basketball Association franchise the Flint Tropics as they attempt to become one of the teams assimilated from the ABA to the NBA.

Thoughts: This film was a typical Will Ferrell movie and contained many other great actors such as Woody Harrelson. Simply the idea of the film is hilarious in and of itself, and the film’s theme song had me singing solo to it for a full week later. The first time I watched this film I didn’t find it as funny as I did this time around.

I enjoyed the appearances of Andre 3000 and Will Arnett. This isn’t a movie to watch for its Oscar-like presentation, but it is hilarious.

3.8/5

Nature: Birds of the Gods

Nature, Birds of the Gods, 2011, Documentary
Plot: This documentary examined birds in New Guinea referred to as the “Birds of Paradise”.

Thoughts: A decent documentary that showed some interesting facts about different birds. It was a little surprising that in nearly all of the birds covered, the males were the most attractive and colorful. On top of that they had to do the most to mate with the females. The film even showed rare dances that some of the male birds performed that were pretty unique.

3.1/5

Good Will Hunting

Good Will Hunting, 1997, Drama
Plot: A Boston custodian with the IQ of an Oxford professor is finally realized for the genius that he is whem he begins to solve various complex math problems.

Thoughts: This is a great film written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Robin Williams continues to be one of my favorite actors in terms of consistency and I enjoyed the performance by Ben Affleck as well (which is a very rare occurrence). Matt Damon also shows his stripes and should really get more credit for his versatility.

In regards to the film, I really enjoyed the reality of the writing. Matt Damon’s character was just coming into his own and had the celebrity thrust upon him too suddenly. My favorite scene in the film was the final on between he and Affleck. Those are the exact words that a friend would say and I can appreciate the genuineness of the dialogue.

4.3/5

Machete

Machete, 2010, Action
Plot: A Mexican federal is set-up and seeks revenge on the people who killed his family and threaten the Hispanic population as a whole.

Thoughts: Machete was very much a Robert Rodriguez film. It had a great mix of plot and action. Danny Trejo is always great and the line “Machete don’t text” should be scribbled in on the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. This film was on the same lines as Black Dynamite and I am grateful for that.

Bobby DeNiro did his thing, as did Steven Seagal and Michelle Rodriguez. I really enjoyed this movie and look forward to more from the UT alumnus.

4.1/5