The novel “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel is one of those rare types of books that keeps you glued to the pages. The story itself is one of the most unique that I have read, and the writer’s use of imagery brought even the most simplistic moments to life. So, I was curious how they would be able to translate these images to the big screen, since it could never quite equal what I had pictured inside my own head. But Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” is about as close as you can get. It is a near perfect adaptation of one of the greatest modern novels. Continue Reading »

Movies can sometimes remind us of a very human quality: that even in the darkest of times, there are still laughs to be had. “Argo,” the latest film directed by Ben Affleck, does just that. Taking place during the Iran Hostage Crisis, the movie also manages to poke fun at Hollywood and at film-making in general. Affleck has come a long way, even since his first film “Gone Baby Gone” in 2007. “Argo” is, in no uncertain terms, a great movie; and could easily be one of the top runners for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Continue Reading »

The first time I saw “The Avengers,” the experience is not quite what I had hoped for. The movie was not in 3-D, the surround sound was a bit unbalanced, and the theater we went to didn’t even have stadium seating. Though I enjoyed parts of the film nonetheless, I knew that I had to go back, in order to get the full experience. So, a couple days later, I went again, this time to a different theater. This time, we sat front and center, and not only did we see it in 3D, but it was also in an IMAX theater. And I have to say, it was worth every penny. From the beginning of the film, to the final scene after the credits, I was nothing less than ecstatic. So the first thing you must remember, if you are going to see this movie, is this: don’t worry about the added expense. This is the film to see on a big screen, and in the 3-D format. Continue Reading »

When people ask me what my favorite movie is, I usually respond with “Vertigo,” the classic suspenseful film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. But one time somebody asked me a follow-up question: What is your favorite modern film? I really hadn’t put too much thought to this question. But the first film that immediately came to mind was Guillermo del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth.” Something about this film, whether its haunting soundtrack, its fantastical setting, or its absolutely breathtaking imagery, just seems to leave a deep impression on me whenever I watch it. I would honestly consider it among the greatest movies ever made. When it came out, in 2007, the reception of the film by critics was much the same as my own. Although a film produced in Mexico, and with dialogue entirely in the Spanish language, it was nominated for 6 Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Foreign Language Film. It eventually won the awards for the first three categories. To even the smallest fan of movies or other art forms, I would highly recommend it. Continue Reading »

“So which one was better, the book or the movie?” It is a question that I am often asked when I see a film adaptation of a popular novel. But it is not one that is easily answered. You might as well ask- Which is a better experience: reading a book or watching a movie? Though they may be based on the same subject, and have the same character names and basic plot-lines, the book and the movie based on it really are different works. And the act of reading versus watching a film are entirely different experiences. The best state of mind is to see both the book and the movie as capable of standing on their own. It is this perspective that I tried to keep when I went to see “The Hunger Games,”  the recent film directed by Gary Ross and based on the novel by Suzanne Collins. The movie has managed to create a huge following, and has broken several box office records on its opening weekend alone, including the record for highest midnight gross ever for a non-sequel film and highest single day gross in the same category. Having just finished the novel a couple days before, I was hopeful for the film. And, like the book, I was not disappointed. Continue Reading »

A modern, electronic version of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” plays amidst a montage of disturbing images, including melting faces dripping in metallic liquid, flying insects, and endlessly snaking wires. These are the first images presented in David Fincher’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” the latest film adaptation of the novel written by Stieg Larsson. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including: Best Actress for Rooney Mara, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. It eventually won the award for Best Film Editing. This film is not even remotely close to what I expected it to be, based on the hype and the popularity of both the Swedish version of the film and the book from which it originated. However, I found myself quite enthralled throughout, and could not turn away from the screen. I highly recommend it to people in need of a good thriller or mystery film. Continue Reading »

With a name like “Drive,” the first image that comes to mind is that of your average summer blockbuster film; complete with high-speed car chases, shoot-outs, and the usual good guys vs. bad guys plot-line. But “Drive,” the latest film by Nicolas Winding Refn, based on the novel “Drive” by James Sallis, delivers something completely unexpected.  Simultaneously extreme, yet slow-paced, violent, yet full of heart, “Drive” is not a film that is easy to categorize. It was also nominated for Best Sound Editing at the Academy Awards, but lost to “Hugo.” Definitely not intended for people just looking for their Saturday-evening thriller, “Drive” has a tendency to confuse you, clench your stomach, and tug at the back of your mind for many hours following, like an uncomfortable dream that won’t fade away. It is not for the faint of heart. Continue Reading »

Today is Sunday, February 26, 2012. At 7:00 this evening, the 84th Academy Awards will finally be presented. As of today, I have reviewed all 9 of the films nominated for Best Picture. Based on my analysis of these films, and others that I have seen that I have not reviewed yet, as well as the general chatter online concerning the ceremony, I am going to try to predict the outcome of the major awards. I will exclude a few categories where I don’t feel that I could make the best judgment, since I haven’t seen most or all of the films, including the Animated Feature Film, Foreign Language Film, Documentary, or Short Film categories. Continue Reading »

The silhouette of a horse is framed against a a background of hazy mist and moonlight as it speeds across a battlefield. Bullets whiz past, while cannonballs rain down from above, narrowly missing it. Fast-paced music is heard in the background while the horse races on, with no clear destination in mind. Such an image is one of many in the film “War Horse,” written by Richard Curtis and Lee Hall, based on the book “War Horse” by Michael Morpurgo; and directed by Steven Spielberg. The movie has received positive reviews, and was nominated for 6 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. Entertaining and riveting, the movie was enjoyable to watch. Spielberg, at the age of 65, is still able to create a compelling film, which manages to entertain the audience while also conveying a deeper meaning. Continue Reading »

A tiny orange flame is illuminated against a dark background. The light flickers for a moment, then dies out. A quote from the Book of Job appears: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth … when the morning stars sang together?” So begins “The Tree of Life,” the latest film written and directed by Terrence Malick. The movie has managed to stir up a controversy within the film industry. Some critics call it a masterpiece, while others call it overblown and outlandish. Yet, it was still nominated for 3 Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Cinematography. 2012 has been an extraordinary year for film, with many landmark achievements. “The Tree of Life” stands out among them. It is a film unlike anything I have ever seen.
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