I Confess - 8 stars out of 10

I Confess - 8 stars out of 10

"I Confess" is a great suspense film in true Hitchcockian style.  Montgomery Clift and Anne Baxter are amazing as they play opposite of each other in this film.  His attractiveness and her classiness make each perfect for his/her role.  Hitchcock used so many creative camera angles that have become standard in thrillers today.  Some of my favorites in this movie include the view from behind Baxter's chair during her phone conversation where we just see part of her head leaning against her hand with the phone and hearing her sad voice.  Also, when Clift and Baxter are on the ferry and suspicious that there are cops on board and the music booms each time the camera cuts to a different person.  The concept of this movie is fantastic.  It would be good if we had to wonder whether the priest would reveal what was told to him in confession.  But it is GREAT when he would have to do so in order to prove his own innocence.  All of the actors display great talent in this film, as every emotion can be seen each time Hitchcock shows a close-up of their eyes.  You will feel frustration, uneasiness, and angst as you are left to anticipate the final resolution of this film.

30 Minutes or Less - 2 stars out of 10

30 Minutes or Less - 2 stars out of 10

"30 Minutes or Less" is an enormous dose of "Who cares?"  The characters, the conflict, and the story were all inconsequential to me from start to finish.  I like Jesse Eisenberg but appearing in this film was a mistake (along with "Adventureland").  His interactions with Aziz Ansari were entertaining and some of the circumstances were comical, but the story was so pointless that it felt like shock-value language and annoying characters.  The deceptively good preview was enough to draw theater audiences (and me) into this spiderweb of poor scriptwriting, but hopefully this film has developed enough of a bad reputation that people won't waste their time watching it.  After experiencing the pizza-boy-must-rob-a-bank-when-he-has-a-bomb-strpped-to-his-chest plot, I wish that this terrible film would have taken a cue from its title and lasted for 30 minutes or less.

Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas - 3 stars out of 10

Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas - 3 stars out of 10

Wow, who knew that "The Lion King" was so true!  "Eternal Enemies" is a fairly brutal look at the battle between lions and hyenas in the wild.  From the start, it is obvious that these cameramen were lurking in the foliage to get these shots, catching nature at work.  Although the majority of the action takes place at night, the night vision isn't bothersome.  You do need to be prepared for a lot of graphic imagery as the cameras show exactly how much these animals hate each other.  If dead baby lion cubs and a hyena abandoned by her underlings will upset you, it might be smart to skip this one.

Finding Nemo 3D - 10 stars out of 10

Finding Nemo 3D - 10 stars out of 10

Nemo was meant to be seen in 3D.  The underwater atmosphere lends itself perfectly to the depth created by this third dimension.  These Pacific waters come to life with vivid colors, motion, and incredible underwater animation that will make you forget that these creatures aren't actually underwater.  I have always loved the refraction of the sunlight through the water and it just gains even more depth with the 3D glasses.  The film avoids hokey "stuff popping out of the screen" effects in favor of using the animation as an artistic form.  I hope that Disney continues to re-release their classic films in 3D.  These new effects add a freshness to these films and they are worth seeing, simply to experience them on the big screen again (or for the first time)!

For my review of the film (and not just the 3D enhancement), see:
http://jonnysdailymoviereview.blogspot.com/2012/09/finding-nemo-10-stars-out-of-10.html

Finding Nemo - 10 stars out of 10

Finding Nemo - 10 stars out of 10

"Finding Nemo" is a heart-warming family film that is a lot deeper than it appears.  While there are plenty of cute characters and jokes to keep kids happy, the thematic overtones of unconditional love between this father and son will surely bring tears to your eyes.  The script is crafted around these emotional moments, from Nemo's "I hate you" to the look in his eyes when he finds out the incredible journey that his father has endured to save him.  Even though this is "only a cartoon," Marlin's journey is as epic as any "Gladiator-esque" adventure story.  The focus of the film is family, but it also makes some bold statements about friendship as Dory selflessly helps Marlin and the fish tank crew tries to plan Nemo's escape.  Both sides of the story emphasize the importance of trust.  Outside of the themes, we meet great characters like Crush, Bruce, Nigel, Gill, and [insert "Psycho" music here] DARLA!  With big name voice actors like Willem Dafoe, Ellen, Geoffrey Rush, Brad Garrett, and John Ratzenberger (in a hilarious cameo as a pantomiming school of fish), you know that you are in for a treat.  I also love the little tributes to other movies (The Shining, Toy Story, most importantly 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) that appear throughout the film.  And yet, this film is probably best known for its incredible visual atmosphere.  Pixar again proves themselves to be the kings of computer animation as it brings the Australian ocean to life.  The realistic water and movements of the fish are incomprehensible.  From the colorful characters to the underwater atmosphere and laugh-out-loud lines, "Finding Nemo" continues the tradition of Pixar films that make us shake our heads and smile at their excellence.