Tomorrowland - 8 stars out of 10

Tomorrowland - 8 stars out of 10

Don’t listen to the critics when it comes to “Tomorrowland.”  Maybe my perspective is skewed after developing a low expectation from so many negative reviews, but I can’t find anything glaringly wrong with this movie.  In fact, I loved it.  It has action, imagination, an interesting story, a good message, and indescribably amazing visual effects.  One of the largest criticisms is the film’s “too preachy” message that “urges humanity to end war and save the environment.”  These critics could not be farther from the actual message.  This story is about looking for the inherent good in the world and how focusing on wars and environmental issues will make the problem WORSE.  If you can get past the critics, you will find a script that delivers everything that we hoped for from the first teaser trailer.  I love the backstory of Tomorrowland, the tribute to the 1964 World’s Fair, and the perfectly placed comic relief.  This film is full of Disney references without being overtly Disney.  They include the song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” from the Carousel of Progress, you can see Space Mountain in the skyline, and they even called the robots “Audio-Animatronics.”  There are some cheesy moments (like the opening narration), but the story can be enjoyed and understood by all age groups.  The action may be too intense for the youngest Disney fanatics (particularly the disintegration of humans) but I don’t find it to be any more extreme than the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” films that define the childhood of the last generation.  The balance between the world that we know and Tomorrowland makes the futuristic land believable to younger viewers, which will provide this generation with some amazing Disney World memories.  The acting is better than what I expect from a typical family film.  George Clooney and Hugh Laurie are good, but I was particularly impressed by Raffey Cassidy as Athena.  She has amazing facial expressions and made me love her character, even when we are skeptical of her integrity.  Additionally, Britt Robinson plays the character of Casey in a way that makes her a likeable heroine, even before she does anything important.  It was fun to watch her act and I hope that this is the first of many roles for her.  The biggest draw of this film is the special effects.  From the vivid CGI world and realistic new technologies to portals and robotic facial glitches, you can’t help but believe every frame of this fantasy adventure.  Even if you aren’t a Disney park fanatic or a family film fan, you have to see this one for its visual mastery.  In spite of its creative story and landmark special effects, the negative reviews will turn “Tomorrowland” into a box office flop… but don’t let that stop you from experiencing its message of hope and a great, big, beautiful tomorrow.

[Pictured: One of the most interesting fantasy settings that I have ever seen!]

Waking Life - 7 stars out of 10

Waking Life - 7 stars out of 10

Take “Before Sunset,” subtract love story, convert all conversation topics to existentialism, spread conversations between hundreds of characters in minute-long vignettes, add trippy animation, and voila: You have “Waking Life”!  This surrealist animated film for adults seems more like a philosophy course than an actual movie.  In director Richard Linklater’s signature style, the story is told through a series of conversations between two characters in order to explore various topics and educate viewers. This film’s topics include existentialism, lucid dreams, and the meaning of life.  The various vignettes are connected by a protagonist who experiences the conversations by meeting people in the street, seeing scenes on tv, speaking with friends, and through out-of-body experiences, all of which occur within a long dream.  This film requires a lot of focus in order to wrap your mind around its high-brow philosophical concepts, especially since there is basically no reprieve from the constant flow of ideas.  It is a bit challenging to get through the first 45 minutes but once you start to understand the overarching storyline, it becomes a fascinating presentation of philosophical principals. The only reason that I had any interest in the film was because Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy play their characters from “Before Sunrise” in a scene, but there is so much more to it than that. It is unlike any other film you have ever seen, both in its classroom-like analysis of topics that requires higher-level thinking and its visual design. The animation style is unique, created by artists who rotoscoped completely overtop of live footage. The lack of stability in the shapes of the characters and their surroundings further emphasizes the surrealist theme of the story. The odd tango soundtrack lines up well with the imagery. The thing that may have had me the most perplexed is the fact that Linklater directed this film then directed “School of Rock” two years later. “Waking Life” is more of an experience than it is entertainment and at the conclusion of the film, you will probably feel more like you sat through a mind-blowing college lecture than a movie.  I will say that I had a greater appreciation for the film the second time around.  With so many surreal philosophical concepts, “Waking Life” makes it difficult to be sure about anything… lest one thing: This movie is entirely unlike any other that you will ever see.

[Pictured: Every frame is a work of art.  The rotoscoping technique allowed animators to create a surrealist dreamscape that becomes the pallette for Linklater’s philosophical lecture]

Last Action Hero - 5 stars out of 10

Last Action Hero - 5 stars out of 10

“Last Action Hero” is an interesting play (and partial spoof) on the stereotypical action film.  It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger alongside a young movie fan who is transported into an action film to help him bust the bad guys.  It is full of great movie references including “Amadeus,” E.T.” a black-and-white Humphrey Bogart, and even “Terminator 2”!  While the film isn’t anything amazing, it is worth watching for the movie jokes and is a must for movie buffs.  Seriously, the whole Salieri thing is hysterical.  In a sense, it becomes the ultimate action film because they purposefully filled it with every sort of shootout and chase scene imaginable.  Even though it is tongue-in-cheek, the action is still awesome.  Things go a bit south toward the end.  When you’re using a gimmick, 2+ hours becomes way too long and they just couldn’t keep it fresh.  “Last Action Hero” probably won’t appear on most people’s list of favorite action films (including mine), but it’s definitely worth watching for the action sequences, movie references, and unique concept.

[Pictured: Everything that you expect from Schwarzenegger and more!]

The Rocketeer - 6 stars out of 10

The Rocketeer - 6 stars out of 10

“The Rocketeer” could have easily been a forgettable movie.  The special effects pale in comparison with modern superhero movies (or even “Terminator 2,” which came out the same year) and the origin story isn’t too thought-provoking.  But the setting is what makes this movie memorable. The 1930's gangster culture and the contrast between Hollywood society and aviators make for several interesting dynamics.  There is just something magical about a man with a jet pack flying through Golden Age Hollywood.  Or perhaps it is the musical score by James Horner, saturating the film with heroism.  Whatever the reason, this edgy Disney film became a cult classic.  From the moment that Horner’s Rocketeer theme (one of my favorites) plays during the opening credits, you know that it is going to be a classic.  The acting of Billy Campbell and Alan Arkin is decent, and it’s interesting to see 21-year-old Jennifer Connelly.  But for me, the highlight is Timothy Dalton as Neville Sinclair.  He gives this character so much depth with that Bond-like smoothness.  “The Rocketeer” doesn’t have the greatest special effects and the story is a bit too coincidental, but it is full of great action sequences and will leave you feeling nostalgic.

[Pictured: He isn't the most memorable hero, but that jet pack is iconic!]

Mr. Nobody - 8 stars out of 10

Mr. Nobody - 8 stars out of 10

“Mr. Nobody” is a complete mindbender that will have you thinking for days after you finish watching.  On the surface, this is a simple story of an old man reflecting on his life.  But deep down, it is a fascinating examination of how the effects of a single decision can radically change one’s life.  I love films that explore the effects of a decision through the many-worlds interpretation style and this one is on a higher level than the rest.  Movies like “Atonement” and “Back to the Future” use one event to show two possible futures.  “The Butterfly Effect” follows one timeline and shows how the choices of the different characters alter the timeline.  But “Mr. Nobody” follows an ever-growing number of possible futures that continually branch off of each timeline with each decision that the character makes and presents the different storylines in a nonlinear narrative style so that we see approximately 9 different versions of Nemo’s life at once.  Additionally, the story begins at the end of Nemo’s life so that we do not know which version of his life is the truth.  Many actors have impressed us by playing multiple characters in one film, but Jared Leto breaks convention by playing several versions of the same character and interpreting each with different characteristics.  I spent a lot of the film wondering if he played the 118-year-old version of Nemo because the voice is so different.  The script is pretty clever, purposely confusing us but giving us enough explanation to follow along until the truth is revealed at the end.  I don’t know how anybody even conceptualized this story, and Jaco van Dormael must be a genius for being able to keep track of these alternate universes and blend one into the next.  “Mr. Nobody” is not for those who are easily confused… but if you are willing to watch it twice or do some research during the final credits to fully digest its content, this is the sort of film that can change the way that you look at the world.

[Pictured: One decision can change a lifetime]

Red Dawn (2012) - 2 stars out of 10

Red Dawn (2012) - 2 stars out of 10

The production team of “Red Dawn” has somehow managed to take an already far-fetched concept and blow the top off of it.  The opening credits bring this story into modern times by establishing our current political climate and showing North Korea as a worldwide threat.  It is all downhill from there.  If you aren’t rolling your eyes at North Korea’s sudden occupation of the United States, the group of teenagers who train in the woods in order to fight back, or their convenient access to weapons, ammo, and explosives, the frequent (and extreme) cheesy moments will certainly ruin it for you.  It is almost comical as the teens represent themselves with their high school mascot, the Marines act so impressed, and the brothers share a moment.  The dialogue is rough although the action sequences are pretty cool.  I do applaud the writers for not being afraid to kill off some of the main characters.  That is probably the most realistic part of this teenagers-turned-soldiers story.  Chris Hemsworth must have owed someone a favor when he agreed to star in this film amidst his success with “Thor” and “The Avengers.”  My best advice is that, unless you owe someone a favor yourself, don’t let anybody talk you into this one.

[Pictured: The access to advanced weaponry is quite convenient under the circumstances]

As Good As It Gets - 8 stars out of 10

As Good As It Gets - 8 stars out of 10

“As Good As It Gets” is really good, but certainly not as good as it gets.  The story is unique and interesting, complete with Oscar-winning performances by Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt, but I found a lot of the comedy to lie in an awkward area between serious social issues and ironic dark humor.  I don’t know if it is the fault of the writers or the difficulty of writing a racist, homophobic, OCD character, but the tone of the film seems inappropriate at times.  Still, there cannot be enough praise given to the acting.  Nicholson and Hunt are magical together, to the point where the creepiness of their extreme age difference is barely an afterthought as the story progresses.  Hunt has a great crying scene, Nicholson flips out on a bunch of people, and that’s what we really want out of this film.  Their chemistry is everything that you would expect from these great actors, but Greg Kinnear is a great surprise.  His emotional and unfortunate existence earned him an Oscar nomination (which will also probably be his last, due to his sour grapes toward not winning).  The film contains one of my favorite lines of all time: “You make me want to be a better man.”  It might not seem like much out of context, but its simplicity is perfectly matched with Nicholson’s delivery in the film.  It isn’t my favorite film and definitely did not deserve to beat “Titanic” in the 1998 Academy Awards, but “As Good As It Gets” is one of those films that has become a staple in the repertoire and everybody needs to see it at least once.

[Pictured: Three Oscar nominees, a perfect motley crew]