Ender's Game - 8 stars out of 10

Ender's Game - 8 stars out of 10

When “Ender’s Game” was written in 1985, it was light years ahead of the video game technology that most kids have on their cell phones today.  Director Gavin Hood uses modern special effects to allow us to see this story as it was originally intended.  Amidst the recent wave of dystopian films, “Ender’s Game” holds up well with the likes of “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent” as it shares many similar elements even though its story precedes the others by decades.  Its futuristic store is a good match for our modern video game culture.  The cast is very strong with a who’s who among teen actors including Asa Butterfield (Hugo), Hailee Steinfeld (Oscar nominee for True Grit), and Abigail Bresnan (Oscar nominee for Little Miss Sunshine).  This is on top of an adult cast rounded out by Harrison Ford (Oscar nominee), Viola Davis (Oscar nominee), and Ben Kingsley (Oscar winner).  You can never be sure what quality of acting you will find in a sci-fi film but these actors live up to their reputations.  The story has a good momentum flow as it moves between training simulations, social situations, and the grooming of the world’s next galactic hero.  This film is a good reminder that every epic story doesn’t have to be told in three parts (with the third part being unnecessarily split in two).  Rather than using an entire movie to develop the characters, they are introduced and developed sporadically throughout the first half of the film so that they have depth as once they become important.  One thing that this movie really gets right is the details.  Everything from the laser guns to the armor and the concept of gravity is well thought and executed in a believable way.  The only real issue is that the twist is fairly predictable and the ending is a little it cheesy (though I give it credit for having a very original ending).  While the story won’t blow your mind, “Ender’s Game” is an entertaining space film that is full of thrills and easy enough to follow that you could comfortably watch it with your children.

[Pictured: Great acting, interesting story, and breathtaking special effects]

Bedazzled (2000) - 5 stars out of 10

Bedazzled (2000) - 5 stars out of 10

From “Damn Yankees” to “The Devil’s Advocate,” the Faust legend has been interpreted many different ways.  “Bedazzled” departs from the dark tone of this legend with this comical spin on the idea of selling one’s soul to the devil.  The script is far from being theologically sound as it thrives on situational irony and tongue-in-cheek jabs at society.  If you enjoy staring at Elizabeth Hurley, you will love watching her she-devil character.  If you enjoy staring at Brendan Fraser, you would probably prefer George of the Jungle.  I get that it's a comedy and I shouldn't read too deeply into it, but I was bothered by the shallowness of the plot. No situation has any bearing on the real world. It's like a series of dreams without consequences instead of a progression of these wishes altering his life.  Even Aladdin got that part right.  Moreover, the movie begins to feel pretty repetitive as each ironic situation fails to teach us anything new.  I’m not sure if the writers felt constrained by the original story, but this remake missed out on its potential.  Outside of the script, the acting is fine and I was impressed by some of the artistry.  I was surprised because I don’t approach comedies with an expectation of creative visual moments like the cool time-lapse effects.  Some of the green screen effects though, that’s a different story.  “Bedazzled” is worth watching, but maybe just as background noise instead of a date-night feature.

[Pictured: Hurley and Fraser make a good comedic pair]

The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz - 5 stars out of 10

The Real Story: Escape from Alcatraz - 5 stars out of 10

Alcatraz is one of the most famous prisons in the world, known for both its isolation in San Francisco Bay and also for the infamous escape from this inescapable prison.  But this documentary tells a side of the Alcatraz escape that we have never heard.  In June 1962, three prisoners were found to be missing from their cells and later on, the remnants of a raft made of raincoats was discovered on the shore of San Francisco.  The bodies were never found and they were never heard from again, so these prisoners almost serve as ghosts whose fate will never be known.  The Smithsonian Channel seeks to chronicle the events of the escape, question whether the mastermind of the plan ever got out, and test if it was possible for these escapees to make it to land.  “Escape from Alcatraz” provides a more nonfictional approach to these events than the 1979 Clint Eastwood movie with the same title.

[Pictured: Was "The Rock" truly inescapable?]

The Big Lebowski - 2 stars out of 10

The Big Lebowski - 2 stars out of 10

I tried to see the charm in “The Big Lebowski” but just couldn’t find it.  This movie is just way too bizarre.  I understand that the Coen Brothers are “The Coen Brothers” because of their unique style, but the mindless rambling of this script feels like a waste of time when compared with the Oscar-winning script of “Fargo” a year earlier.  It is unfortunate to see a quality cast that includes Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, and Philip Seymour Hoffman used to create such a mediocre result.  They also introduce great characters like John Turturro’s Jesus and Sam Elliot’s “The Stranger,” only to disappear with less than 5 minutes of screentime.  There isn’t anything wrong with the acting; rather, this is a script issue.  There is nothing wrong with a screenwriter using to profanity to create realism in a scene but this is a prime example of swearing for the sake of swearing, to the point that we become desensitized to the meaning of the words.  Several segments in this film have no purpose other than the glorification of crudeness.  If they eliminated all of the unnecessary dialogue, the constant flow of profanity, and the random departures from the plot, this film would be 8 minutes long.  I actually found the story to be pretty interesting, ridiculous as it may be, but its presentation was too bizarre to make any connection to these characters.  It is a shame because the rambling of the script distracted from a genuinely inspired performance by Bridges.  You might enjoy this film if you adore the work of the Cohen brothers; otherwise, “The Big Lebowski” will leave you disappointed, confused, and annoyed.

[Pictured: This sums up where I believe that this movie belongs]

Nova: Ground Zero Supertower - 6 stars out of 10

Nova: Ground Zero Supertower - 6 stars out of 10

Nova digs into the darkest chapter in American history to show and amazing story of perseverance.  “Ground Zero Supertower” chronicles the 9/11 Tragedy, the argument about what should be done with the land, and the engineering challenges facing the crew that built the tallest building in the United States.  From the bathtub-like foundation to the Subway restaurant suspended a thousand feet in the air, the construction of this building is far from conventional.  The greatest part of this documentary is the homage paid to the victims of the terrorist attack through the segment on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.  The thing that elevates this documentary is the emotions on the faces of the curators who put together this museum.  “Ground Zero Supertower” is a good reminder of our country’s past tragedies but, more importantly, the ability to persevere and grow stronger.

[Pictured: A fitting memorial for our powerful nation]

The Search for General Tso - 6 stars out of 10

The Search for General Tso - 6 stars out of 10

Who knew that there was so much history behind General Tso’s Chicken!  Whether you like Chinese food or not, you can’t help but be interested by the many misconceptions of who General Tso was and, more importantly, our Americanized misconception of what General Tso’s Chicken actually is.  The most interesting section of this film examines Chinese immigrations by tracing the roots of the Chinese restaurant in America and its spread throughout the United States.  It also explains why “Chinese food” doesn’t actually taste like Chinese food.  “The Search for General Tso” won’t completely blow your mind but it is definitely informative, clever, and brings a greater knowledge base to something that we have all encountered in our lives.

[Pictured: He found General Tso!  Well, not exactly.]

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - 7 stars out of 10

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit - 7 stars out of 10

“Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” is a new take on the classic character from Tom Clancy’s novels.  Unlike previous movies that feature the Jack Ryan character like “Patriot Games” and “The Sum of All Fears,” this story was not adapted from a novel.  Ryan is brought into modern times and portrayed at a younger age compared to when Harrison Ford played the role.  Chris Pine does a fine job as Ryan with charisma and intrigue, but the real highlight of this film is Kenneth Branagh.  Not only did he direct the film, but he also turns in the best performance as the film’s villain.  From an Oscar-nominated role as Henry V 25+ years ago to a Russian villain, Branagh reminds us of his ability to adapt to any role (while directing!)  Keira Knightley also turns in a nice performance, showing the refinement that has developed in her acting since the days of “Pirates of the Caribbean.”  My favorite scene of the entire movie is her rouse that allows Ryan enough time to hack the system.  My main issue with this film is that the complexity of the story isn’t tempered with an easily understood explanation.  Even when Kevin Costner asks him to explain it like he’s an idiot, I still had to rewind it to make sure that I understood the plot correctly!  It has its slow moments and implausible moments but still created a nice blend of action and psychological excitement.  Probably the biggest surprise was the lack of a surprise.  I expect a big perspective-changing twist from films like this but there was none.  There is nothing wrong with a straightforward action film, but once you add this level of intrigue you expect some sort of twist.  “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit” isn’t my favorite of the Jack Ryan films, but it does justice to the character and takes you on a wild ride, even if there isn’t a twist.

[Pictured: Pine and Branagh are a perfect match]