On the brink of having to make a very important decision, Alice escapes to Wonderland where she must discover who she really is so that she can more effectively make the life changing decisions that await her.
Entertainment Value
Rating: B
Visually stunning, as most Tim Burton films are. The music was great, as usual with Danny Elfman. However, the story was a little slow and I didn’t care for Alice’s character; and even though named after her, Johnny Depp really stole the show as the Mad Hatter. It’s worth seeing at least once. Read more ›
Dr. Parnassus has made several deals with Mr. Nick (the devil), one of which includes the forfeiture of his daughter on her 16 birthday. Fortunately Tony joins the traveling circus and appears to have what it takes to save Dr. Parnassus’s daughter.
Entertainment Value
Rating: C
This show was very interesting and very confusing. If it weren’t for Wikipedia’s candid explanation of why Terry Gilliam put this together and what he was thinking, I would have thought a lot less of this film (not understanding it’s purpose of existence). Because the story was so confusing, it was hard to enjoy; and as my wife stated, “if you want to see what it feels like to be high, you’ll get it by watching this show” (not that she would know what to compare it to).
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate?
Rating: 4
The most intriguing part of the story happens within the Imaginarium, where peoples dreams become a reality. Read more ›
This review is coming only after one viewing of the movie, so I’m sure I’ll miss something. This is a show that has to be watched multiple times.
Synopsis
Cobb is an expert extractionist (stealing mentally kept secrets) who longs to return home to his children. He’s offered a chance to return if he can perform inception (implanting an idea) on the inheritor of a large energy business and get the inheritor to dissolve the company. Cobb is one of the few who knows inception can actually work, but he has some personal issues he must overcome for the plan to get pulled off.
Entertainment Value
Rating: A
This movie was amazing. This is what all directors should aspire to. Occasionally it is nice to be able to sit back and not have to think, but this is more than just a thinking movie; you get totally immersed in the film as if you were dreaming it yourself! Nolan has created a totally unique story so complex and deep that it begs for multiple views. Hans Zimmer does a wonderful job with the score as well. You have to see this in the theater.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate?
Rating: 5
I’ll try to avoid any spoilers, though there might be some minor ones (whether the movie ends happy or sad, so read on at your own risk).
The movie does a great job of illustrating a mindset that Elder David A. Bednar related in a youth fireside that was printed in the June 2010 Ensign entitled, “Things as They Really Are.” (You should read through this before you see the movie and it will really help it sink in). Basically Elder Bednar discusses his concern that we look more towards cyber experiences that distract us from real experiences; real life experiences that actually help us progress spiritually and emotionally far better than any online game or website can. In the movie we see people who choose to live their lives through dreams. Because their dreams become more interesting and exciting than their actual life, they get lost in multiple levels of subconscious dreaming, making them ultimately unable to tell what’s real life any more. Elder Bednar states,
“Sadly, some young men and young women in the Church today ignore ‘things as they really are’ and neglect eternal relationships for digital distractions, diversions, and detours that have no lasting value. My heart aches when a young couple—sealed together in the house of the Lord for time and for all eternity by the power of the holy priesthood—experiences marital difficulties because of the addicting effect of excessive video gaming or online socializing. A young man or woman may waste countless hours, postpone or forfeit vocational or academic achievement, and ultimately sacrifice cherished human relationships because of mind- and spirit-numbing video and online games. As the Lord declared, ‘Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment … : Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it may not be known’ (D&C 60:13).”
One of Cobb’s personal issues he is confronted with is a strong feeling of personal guilt for something he has done (revealed in the movie). He learns, through the help of a friend, that he has to forgive himself in order to move on. This forgiveness isn’t only important to Cobb’s personal progression, but for the well-being of those he’s working with. As he learns to confront his fears and realize what is real and what is a distraction, he’s able to continue on his mission with a brighter hope of being united with his children.
The love Cobb displays for his children (seen primarily through his dreams and discussion with others) is the love we should exhibit for our family at all times. It wouldn’t hurt to imagine yourself being in such a situation to realize how much you need your family and how much they need you.
The PG-13 rating is primarily for the intense scenes of action and violence (though nothing graphic is displayed). There are some profane references to deity, but little else. No sex or nudity.
Andy’s toys must try to avoid being thrown out before he goes off too college. When they end up donated to a day care, they then are faced with even more troubles from the head toys there. Through all their adventures and trials, Andy’s toys do everything to watch out for each other and stick together.
Entertainment Value
Rating: A
A lot of fun. As good or better than the other 2 movies. The music was good, especially the Gypsy King’s rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me”, but was a little over done in some of the intense scenes (one of the scenes was intense enough, it didn’t need any further help from the music).
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate?
Rating: 5
[Spoiler Alert]
Constantly throughout the movie the toys refer to each other as family. Though the toys weren’t all related, they lived and worked together as a family should, and most importantly they never left anyone behind. Woody had the chance to move on with Andy and leave everyone else behind, but in the end, he just couldn’t leave them.
When Andy’s toys get to Sunnyside we see how leadership through fear (Lotso) makes life miserable for everyone and only really caters to the stronger and more selfish toys. Once Lotso was gone, the toys at the day care were able to work better together and be happier overall.
One of my favorite parts of the movie was seeing Andy give all his toys to a little girl down the street and watch him show her how special they were to him. I don’t know that I ever had any special affinity for any of my toys growing up, but it kind of draws a comparison to familial love again and how important making good memories is for families.
R. P. McMurphy gets thrown into a mental institution for being purely lazy and rebelling against authority. He tries to lighten the spirits of the mental patients by playing cards, basketball, sneaking out of the asylum, etc. His attempt at creating a more enjoyable experience inside the place is constantly repressed by head nurse Ratched.
Entertainment Value – B
This was an alright show (if you like Cool Hand Luke, there’s a chance you’ll like this one). I don’t know why this got all the acclaim it has received, I didn’t think it was outstanding (I’m going to guess it has something to do with the cinematography like Citizen Kane). Jack Nicholson’s character doesn’t seem to change from one movie to another, maybe he just gets casted well. If you want to see this because it is highly acclaimed (like I did), you might be a little disappointed.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 2
[Spoiler Alert]
I thought some of the themes were very similar to Cool Hand Luke: A man gets imprisoned for not caring much, gains the affection of his inmates, gets broken, ends tragically.
Not sure why nurse Ratched is one of the most popular screen villains. She is extremely indifferent and cold, but you’d have to be in order to keep your sanity working in a mental institution. Her handling Billy at the end was awful; knowing his suicidal tendancies and then threatening to report him to his mother was a deathly mistake.
McMurphy and the other patient’s pressure to get Billy to sleep with McMurphy’s friend was completely childish and stupid. There are glimpses of McMurphy’s “good” side throughout the film and you think that he might turn out to be a blessing to the place, but ends up just a curse.
Chief Bromden (not sure if Chief is his first name) should not have killed McMurphy at the end. I know it was supposedly a good act, maybe could be considered euthanasia of some sort (for those who think euthanasia can be good). Chief didn’t want to leave seeing McMurphy in his broken condition. To Chief, McMurphy was a type of hero, and he imagined them escaping the place together. Since that was no longer possible in McMurphy’s condition, this act of “liberation” was symbolic of the two of them leaving together – possibly meant to be poetic, but I thought it was kind of twisted.
The one good thing that came out of McMurphy ending up in the asylum was his attempt to get all the patients in the place to pretend like they weren’t there. Anytime the nurses reminded them of their condition/location, McMurphy would rebel and end up lifting the spirits of those around him (a classic scene is the baseball game). McMurphy eventually ended up getting carried away and realized too late that he had gone too far. There are responsibilities that must be taken in our lives, especially when we interact with others and most importantly when they hold us in high regard. We are a light on a hill whether we want to be or not. Others look up to us, and most importantly God has high hopes that we will realize and fulfill our great potential as part of the human family.
A long-time hotel employee gets the chance to fight for a chance to run the hotel chain. During the process he learns what things in life bring him true happiness.
Entertainment Value – B
This was a great family film with original humor and a pretty good story line (the end was as ridiculous as Paul Blart’s ending, you’d be better off cutting it off beforehand). Surprisingly a quality Adam Sandler show that you can watch without any editing.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 4
[Spoiler Alert]
The show provided a positive message on realizing that happy endings don’t just belong in fairy tales. Happy endings tend to come to those who actually take charge of their lives and do good things of their own free will.
Throughout the whole story Skeeter (Adam Sandler) was waiting for others to tell him what to do (his father being the one telling the story, the kids being the ones that actually end up controlling his life to some extent, etc.). When Skeeter realizes that he has power to act himself instead of just being acted upon, he finds true happiness.
An irresponsible mother leaves her son with her two mysterious uncles with hopes that he will come across their supposed millions of dollars. While with his uncles, the boy learns the importance of belief and faith in things that the world generally scoffs at. In the end the boy must choose to continue the path his wayward mother leads him in or to stay and be raised by his uncles.
Entertainment Value – B
Great humor and fun story. Go out of your way to see this one at least once.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 4
The whole mother leaving her son bit was rather disappointing. Not that all stories need to be happy, and maybe the “dysfunctionality” of this family is actually a plug for families to stick together so their kids don’t get stuck with crazy old uncles (though the story actually seemed to say that this situation was better, so maybe it’s trying to encourage external family members to step up to the plate to help family members in need.)
Part of Hub’s manhood speech speaks volumes:
“Sometimes the things that may or may not be true are the things a man needs to believe in the most. That people are basically good; that honor, courage, and virtue mean everything; that power and money, money and power mean nothing; that good always triumphs over evil; and I want you to remember this, that love… true love never dies. You remember that, boy. You remember that. Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. You see, a man should believe in those things, because those are the things worth believing in.”
An adaptation of the Edmund Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac. Steve Martin plays the lead role as firefighter C.D. Bales who is beleaguered by his large nose. At the beautiful Roxanne’s request, C.D. consents to help Chris (one of his firefighters) muster up the courage to meet her. Chris’s debilitating nervousness causes him to resort to sending Roxanne letters which he asks C.D. to write for him due to his lack of skill with words. How long will C.D. be able to hide his true feelings for Roxanne behind the guise of being Chris’s mentor? (taken from an IMDb Synopsis)
Entertainment Value – B
This was a fun romantic-comedy, but definitely not for young audiences. The PG rating came before a PG-13 was widely used, and so quite a bit of language and innuendo end up here. I thought that C.D. working at a fire department was a nice addition to the story (the play actually had a war going on, but the fire department added a nice comic element to the movie).
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 3
This adaptation displayed a good message on looking past physical appearances when associating with people. The original play was a hundred times better for the following reasons:
In this version Christian was a shallow idiot who wanted nothing but to sleep with Roxanne and in the play he was actually a moral character who was going to tell Roxanne that the person writing the letters was really Cyrano De Bergerac (C.D.), but died before he got the chance.Steve Martin was the only true-to-script character.
In the original, Cyrano got Christian to get his first kiss, and in the movie C.D. actually got Roxanne to sleep with Chris! (A huge negative mark against the show). For someone who seemed to have high standards (well educated, somewhat resistant to letting her feelings get in the way with what’s right, etc.), Roxanne sure let herself get seduced quite easily, even after being grossly offended (though the offense couldn’t have hurt her that much).
The film shows that Roxanne acted too much by impulse on looks at first, but learned to love the inner person more than the outward appearances.
This is an adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s story. In this adaptation, Max has trouble getting the attention he demands at home. After throwing a fit he runs away and travels a distance to an island where the Wild Things live. After spending some time there and growing up a bit (emotionally) he realizes he needs to return home, and is ready to better contribute to his family life.
Entertainment Value – C
This was an OK show, with potential to be really good. For a kids show, the tone was rather depressing throughout, even the music did nothing to brighten up the film. The colors through out were a drab gray and brown, maybe a little too artsy for its good. The 5 year old behavior in an older kid was a little annoying. The Wild Things were not as wild as I thought they should be, no gnashing teeth or too terrible roars. I guess it is a children’s story and can’t afford to get too out of hand. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch this one. Save your self 96 minutes and read the book again.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 4
What a lonely life Max led! The movie did a decent job showing that the mom loved her son, but it was kind of odd she didn’t mention anything about calling the police or running out after him searching for hours in the rainy night. I liked the ending in the book a whole lot better, where Max never actually leaves his room, but when he “returns” he finds his dinner waiting for him and it’s still hot.
There is a lot of trying to “fit in.” Max tries to fit in with his sister’s friends; Carol tries to fit in with Judith and the other Wild Things; both end up stumbling over their lack of self-control and social skills.
Max really gets a good look at his own life when he becomes the person responsible for making all the Wild Things happy (the role he thought his mother owned back home). He realizes that it’s no party being in charge, that life is tough for everyone all around and you’ve just got to carry on. The strongest message I found in the film was in seeing Max realize that stepping outside of himself really helped him put his behavior in perspective; he began to understand that he was not the only person in the world, and that others deserve happiness as well, to which he needed to learn to contribute.
It was kind of cool how they mapped a lot of Max’s, Claire’s, and the Mom’s personalities in the different Wild Things. Obviously the place wasn’t real and was more a figment of Max’s imagination, but I think they did a good job representing his imaginative journey.
Two bickering co-workers (Van Johnson and Judy Garland) have secret penpals, from whom they keep any personal details. The tables turn when the true identity of their penpals are discovered.
Entertainment Value – A
This movie didn’t seem to have a whole lot to do with the summer time, in fact the only scenes in the summer time were the opening few minutes and the ending few minutes (the setting for the title song). Maybe it had to do with the fact that good things happen in the summer time and we need to wade patiently through the autumns and winters of life.
A lot of the scenes were identical to the Shop Around the Corner. The main difference is that the setting is a music store instead of a department store, and because of the setting a few songs are inserted into the story (or vice versa). There are also less mature themes presented in this version, making it a little more appropriate for young children (no suicide attempts or extramarital affairs). I may like the Shop Around the Corner better just because I really like Jimmy Stewart, though In the Good Old Summertime did a better job at developing the relationship between the two pen-pals. My all time favorite version, though, is You’ve Got Mail.
Moral Value – Failure to Communicate? – 3
The moral themes from Shop Around the Corner are pretty much repeated here. Because of the fewer serious themes, we’re given an entertaining show with a happy ending, and not a whole lot to discuss.
