The Film Chronicles

A Huey P. Newton Story

A Huey P. Newton, 2001, Documentary/ Adapted Stage Play

Plot: Black Panther co-founder Huey P. Newton speaks about his thoughts on life and other topics. It is directed by Spike Lee and based on the play by Roger Guenveur Smith (who also plays the role of Huey P. Newton).

Thoughts: This film is well done as Lee mashes together real clips with excellent acting. Smith does a very good impression of Huey P. Newton, but at times it was difficult to understand him. He also smoked for the entire 90+ minutes, which looked pretty cool, but was annoying at times.

I watched this to celebrate the last day of Black History Month and was not too disappointed . Decent film that could have been better if it included more footage.

2.7/5

Chaos Theory

Chaos Theory, 2007, Romantic Comedy/ Drama;

Plot: An OCD efficiency expert who is obsessed with being on time has his world turned upside down when his wife sets their clocks forward.

Thoughts: This film was not what I thought it was going to be, which was a welcomed surprise. The cinematography was a little strange, but it wasn’t bad. I liked the twists, even though they were pretty predictable.

Ryan Reynolds does a decent job of dramatic acting (usually he’s the comedian in the film). The filming was very independent-esque, so that was a plus.

3.2/5

M.A.S.H.

M.A.S.H., 1970, Comedy

Plot: This film is based during the Viet…err I mean Korean War and follows a troop of doctors who aid those injured in battle.

Thoughts: This movie was really interesting and there was much experimentation going on (overdubbing primarily). I enjoyed it but it was a serious and dark comedy. The overtones that screamed VIETNAM were ever present and the characters were well thought out and their arcs well done.

Good ol’ Bobby Duvall

I think the movie went slightly longer than it should have (the entire football scene seemed pointless to me) but it didn’t get too unbearable. I also liked the theme song for the movie “Suicide is Painless.”

3.7/5

Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa

Fullmetal Alchemist the Movie: Conqueror of Shamballa, 2006, Anime

Plot: Following the original series, this movie continues to show the struggle of Ed and Alphonse Elric (brothers) to be united after a long time apart from each other.

Thoughts: I may sound like an anime freak, but this movie was really well done. I thoroughly enjoyed how they kept the feel of the series and transferred it effortlessly to film length. The cheesiness was used tactfully to balance out the serious tone.

The story takes place directly after WWI, so there are many anti-Semitic views expressed (through the characters not the creators). I love how the story was weaved with real history in a modernist way that combined history with fiction.

If you enjoyed the series then you will really love this film.

4.3/5

Sabah/ The Cove

Sabah: A Love Story, Romantic, 2005

Plot: A 40-year old Muslim woman falls in love with a non-Muslim and lives a double life to keep him and her family apart.

Thoughts: This movie was designed to start a dialog between various beliefs and make an argument that we can all get along and be happy. It’s a feel good movie that has decent character development in the secondary characters.

The film quality is pretty bad, but I won’t allow that to judge how I feel overall, seems a little nit picky and elitist to me.

2.9/5

The Cove, Documentary, 2009 viewed: 1/29/2011
Plot: A powerful documentary that speaks on the whaling/ dolphin hunting industry and focuses primarily on a secret cove in Japan where hundreds of dolphins are slaughtered annually.

Thoughts: This movie was very deep and an eye opening experience. It delves into the rise of the popularity of dolphins. Flipper’s old handler/ trainer is the leader of a covert operation to explore what goes on in the Cove.

It gets pretty graphic and it is hard to watch these innocent and intelligent creatures getting slain.

Watch this and it will take you to the point of wanting to actually make a difference in the world.

4.4/5

The Bounty Hunter/ Valhalla Rising

The Bounty Hunter, 2010, Romantic Comedy,
Plot: A divorced couple run into dangers as husband Milo (Gerard Butler) attempts to take his wife Nicole (Aniston) into custody for skipping bail.

Thoughts: Aniston and Butler had decent screen chemistry and their banter wasn’t too unbelievable. Maybe it’s just me, but I still have a hard time seeing Butler as anyone other than Leonidas. He’s got some pretty legit gigs under his belt now, but every time I see him I want to kick somebody into a well.

The writers really should have rewritten his part. He doesn’t have very good delivery so what I could tell were really good jokes, ended up falling a little flat. He wasn’t awful, but I’m sure some other actor could have done better.

Decent movie for a date, it was very well written and I could tell that everything was done right in the pre-production.

3.2/5

Valhalla Rising, Action? Drama?, 2009 viewed: 1/28/2011
Plot: A Norse slave/ warrior runs into a band of newly converted Christians so he can finally return home.

Thoughts: The only redeeming qualities of the film are the cinematography (which captured the vast landscapes beautifully) and the realism/ sense of historical accuracy.

The rest of the movie was boring and awful. I regret watching it and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone but people that enjoy this style. The director was the same from Bronson (a film that I’ll review later).

Maybe I’ll try this film again and see if maybe I was being too pretentious earlier.

0.4/5 (and that’s being generous)

Un Chien Andalou/ Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade

Un Chien Andalou, 1929, Surrealism
Plot: Salvador Dali makes his mark in the world of surrealism by creating a very strange film about a woman and a strange man.

This scene made my eye hurt.

Thoughts: This movie was very strange and completely showed the surrealists vision. I’m not a huge fan of the art genre, but seeing moving pictures of what that group of artists were aiming for, it is not difficult to see how they came up with their ideas.

Interesting and even stranger film.

2.1/5

Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade, 1994, Short Film viewed: 1/27/2011

Plot: A man convicted of murder and later sent to a psychiatric hospital is on the verge of being released, he recounts his story to a reporter.

Thoughts: This was a great short film and also Billy Bob Thornton’s directorial debut. The acting was very well done and the cinematography reflected his vision. Thornton’s character was done very honestly and you felt bad for his predicament as he tells the sad story that is his wife.

This is a good movie to watch and is only about 25 minutes. Watch it if you ever have the chance.

4.1/5

Hero/ Exam

Hero, Action/ Drama, 2002
Plot: The story of a brave warrior from the Qin dynasty gains access to the King after killing 3 of the largest threats to the King.

Thoughts: I’ve seen this movie multiple times and every time is just as good, if not better, than the last. I really enjoy Jet Li as an actor because he’s not just a martial artist playing a role, he’s an actor that happens to be a martial artist (at least that’s how it feels in some films).

The most notable thing about this film was the cinematography. Christopher Doyle did an excellent job of not allowing the vast amount of color to over saturate the screen. The various hues fight perfectly with the mood and were a character all themselves. This is a film with an interesting story and I highly recommend it.

3.9/5

Exam, Thriller, 2009 viewed: 1/25/2011

Plot: A group of 8 candidates fight for a highly desired position.

Thoughts: This movie was very well done. It reminded me of how I would direct a film. Low budget, good acting, and a simple concept told beautifully (I’ll admit that it inspired the beginning for my short film.)

The entire film takes place in one room and we see the emotional strain that it brings on everyone. Watch this movie if you’re a fan of non-blockbuster movies!

4.6/5!

David Cross: Bigger & Blackerer/ Copacabana

David Cross: Bigger & Blackerer, 2010, Comedy
Plot: Stand-up routine of actor, writer, and comedian David Cross.

Thoughts: Relatively funny movie. Had its dry moments but it was solid. I loved Cross as Tobias on the show Arrested Development (the greatest show you’ve never heard of). His acting ability surpass his stand-up.

3.1/5

Copacabana, Comedy, 1947 viewed: 1/24/2011
Plot: Agent Lionel Devereaux (Groucho Marx) and his singing client Carmen Miranda (played by herself) pull a fast one to get her two shows in the infamous club, “Copacabana”.

Thoughts: HILARIOUS film. Some of the jokes are a bit dated, but if you enjoy clean jokes that don’t revolve around body parts, then this is a film you need to see. Marx’s knack for comedy is unmatched and there are few comedians that could cross over generations like he did.

I plan on watching this movie again very soon. I’m smiling thinking about it lol.

4.5/5

Easy Rider/ Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Ballon)

Easy Rider, 1969, Cult Classic
Plot: The tagline says it all “A man went searching for America but he couldn’t find it anywhere”. Biker Wyatt aka Captain America (Peter Fonda) and his partner Billy (Dennis Hopper) take a road trip from Los Angeles to Mardi Gras on their motorcycles, discovering extreme sides of America.

Thoughts: This film was really interesting. Done with a budget of less than $500k it is probably the best film of such a small budget. The acting was decent (superb in Jack Nicholson’s case). This was the second time I had seen the film and like most films, I caught more things with the second go around.

This film gave a great view of the hopeless hippies to the right-wing deep southerners. My favorite scene in the whole movie is the acid scene. It was very surreal and at times it felt like you were taking a hardcore drug. See this movie, if not for the film itself, do it for the social aspects of the tense late 60s.

4.2/5

Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon), 1956, Short Film viewed: 1/23/2011
Plot: A Parisian boy finds a balloon that becomes attached to him.

Thoughts: This film was short (it was a short film) and it really captivated me. The balloon was anthropomorphic and seemed to have a personality of its own. the ending was something to behold. In moments you actually catch yourself rooting for the balloon as if its a sentient being.

Great film. Check it out.

4.7/5