The Divergent Series: Insurgent - 3 stars out of 10

The Divergent Series: Insurgent - 3 stars out of 10

“Insurgent” was a rather disappointing follow-up to the inspired dystopian thriller, “Divergent.”  The first  film was on par with “The Hunger Games” series but this installment plods along with less action and a storyline that lacks direction.  The first half of the film prepares us for war but the second half focuses on something totally different.  The issues in this film are not acting or editing related; instead, the story just isn’t as good.  The characters don’t really develop at all over the course of this film and there is very little plot for a 2-hour runtime.  Even though the box reveals the huge twist that we’ve been waiting for, they spend so much time trying to open it that we don’t even care by the end.  Not to mention, the twist would’ve been more effective if they hadn’t stolen it “The Maze Runner,” though the final scene still ended up being an incredible shocker.  One of the biggest strengths of this series was its use of Chicago landmarks to make the world seem more relatable and realistic than other films in this genre, but they completely lost sight of that in this sequel.  The strengths of this film are the same as “Divergent”: good acting from Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, and now Naomi Watts, and the uninhibited bravery of the Dauntless.  Unfortunately, “Insurgent” has a lot of weaknesses and I don’t know that it was good enough to get me out to see its two-part finale in 2016 and 2017.

[Pictured: Pay attention to this image, because it's basically half of the movie]

The Walt Disney World Vacation Planner (1993) - 9 stars out of 10

The Walt Disney World Vacation Planner (1993) - 9 stars out of 10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlwcZ6oeH2k

For a truly nostalgic look at retro Disney World, the 45-minute long vacation planner from 1993 perfectly preserves the original purpose of each park.  I enjoyed watching this because it was shot in the year when I first visited Disney World (1992) so the entire thing literally captures my first Disney memories, but more important is the exploration of EPCOT Center and MGM Studios in their original forms.  While Disney successfully adapts to meet public demand, the ideals of these two parks have been lost throughout the years.  How much fun would it be to visit Epcot if every ride still utilized the cutting edge of technology and displayed the possibilities of the future?  It seems as if the future has caught up with Future World and the attractions show an outdated vision of the present.  Also, it is amazing to see how MGM Studios used to transport people into I Love Lucy with “Superstar Television” and demonstrate the process of creating sound fx with “The Monster Sound Show.”  Even the concept of showing the movie-making process has been diminished by the progressive demise of the Studio Backlot Tour.  This park’s theme has shifted from the making of movies to a celebration of our favorite movies (plus assorted thrill rides), but this is a great reminder of how these parks started.  The Magic Kingdom continues to operate in perfection (with the exception of "Stitch's Great Escape"), but I please with Disney to bring back Spectromagic.  I got choked up just hearing a few seconds of that trumpet fanfare.  This video was also made during the influx of new Disney resorts and gives us a chance to see Dixie Landings before it became Port Orleans Riverside, The Disney Village before it became Saratoga Springs, and The Disney Inn before it became Shades of Green.  I wish that each resort was explored in more detail, but that’s because I am a Disney nerd and not your average 1993 adult looking to plan a Disney vacation.  Whether you’ve visited Disney World one time or a complete Disney addict, “The Walt Disney World Vacation Planner” from 1993 is sure to make you want to go back!

[Pictured: I wish that we still got to see these characters on the rides!]

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 8 stars out of 10

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 8 stars out of 10

I am not a Lord of the Rings fan and I spent the better part of 11 years avoiding this movie.  Friends sat me down to watch the first two (typically ending in me falling asleep) and a student even gave me a copy of the film in 2010 so that I wouldn’t have an excuse.  Eleven Oscars do not lie – “The Return of the King” is an epic journey that brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world to life. The editing is a marvel, special effects were groundbreaking, and it was definitely the best movie of 2003.  Even though it had been nearly 10 years since I saw “The Two Towers,” the movie is so long that you can easily forge strong attachments to the characters during this installment.  I didn’t even remember Pippin when I started the film but he was one of my favorites by the end.  Viggo and McKellen are strong from start to finish, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin are fantastic as Frodo and Sam, and I inexplicably cried at the beginning of the “ending.”  I do have to take a moment to complain about the editing at the end of the film.  They drag out the ending for like 20 minutes and keep fading out, only to reveal one false ending after another.  Even once it said "The End," I was skeptical for a minute before turning it off.  No wonder this movie is 3 1/2 hours long!  I’m sure that LOTR fanatics eat it up, but my emotions were unengaged by the actual end of this film.  Still, the length of these films is no secret so we shouldn’t be surprised when the film simply won’t end.  The entire series is a rather genius way to explore the world of Middle Earth through the events of this journey.   This installment is particularly filled with action and the editors prevented it from becoming monotonous.  The acting of Andy Serkis to bring Gollum to life is truly admirable, and the special effects were definitely advanced for their time.  I understand why the film was not nominated in any acting categories, but all of the acting is still very good.  This film hasn’t made me a LOTR fan, but it has certainly redeemed the series for me, in spite of the unreasonably long lengths.  “The Return of the King” is still a big cumbersome to endure in one watch, but don’t be afraid to pause it in order to stretch your legs or go make some food – the characters will still be there when you finish and it doesn’t take much to draw you right back in.

[Pictured; A truly amazing story of friendship]

Pitch Perfect 2 - 6 stars out of 10

Pitch Perfect 2 - 6 stars out of 10

“Pitch Perfect 2” is a letdown after the original set the bar so high with its comedy, unique plot, and a cappella perfection.  The only way to follow up an iconic film is by reinventing its concept in a familiar way, but this attempt felt uninspired.  As the film opens with Fat Amy swinging from the ceiling while singing Wrecking Ball, it becomes clear that the writers didn’t know how to continue the story of the Bellas.  I understand that this sets up the main theme of the Bella’s needing to find their sound, but instead it feels like the entire franchise has lost its direction.  Also, this unnecessarily crude scene makes me uncomfortable recommending this film to anyone, especially teenagers.  That being said, the treatment of a cappella in the film is breathtaking.  From the moment that Das Sound Machine begin singing Uprising by Muse, I knew that the music of this film would surpass the music of the original.  I could listen to them all day.  The mash-ups are clever as they blend the classics with modern pop music, and Flashlight is destined to become a bigger hit than the cup song.  The music definitely makes the film worth watching once you’ve accepted that the plot isn’t going anywhere.  I appreciated the cameo by Pentatonix but I think that they were underutilized and deserved more screentime.  They are leading the a cappella revolution in the real world and it would’ve been nice to see them at least get their own song or be worked into the plot a little more.  So much of this film is based on cheap laughs instead of clever comedy.  Sometimes, it feels like they’re telling the same joke over and over again while the wit of the first film is missing.  Anna Kendrick continues to get better with every role that she takes and it was nice to see the majority of the cast return.  There was way too much focus on Fat Amy’s love story but it’s a pretty clear case of “Give the people what they want.”  I like the addition of Chrissie Fit’s character, though I feel like she took away from the potential to make Hana Mae Lee as funny as in the original.  I can nitpick “Pitch Perfect 2” all day but there is really just one thing that you need to know: the music is so good that its worth enduring this disheveled plot to hear these awesome a cappella covers.

[Pictured: The music is even better than ever, even if the plot falls apart]

The Age of Adaline - 7 stars out of 10

The Age of Adaline - 7 stars out of 10

“The Age of Adaline” is one of those movies that is exactly what you expect while still managing to break the mold of the typical chick flick.  While comparisons to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” are inevitable, the concept is the only similarity.  Adaline is forced to stay detached from generations of friends and family as they grow old throughout the decades.  The key to the film is Blake Lively, whose timeless look is perfect for this role.  She fits into the 1920’s, 50’s, 80’s and modern styles without ever appearing to be out of place.  Her acting progresses the character through compounding emotions that permeate her consistent appearance.  I was not familiar with Lively before this film but I am now anxious to see her over and over again on the big screen.  Another reason to see this film: Harrison Ford.  He has been pretty hit or miss in recent years, but he’s definitely a hit in this one.  There’s a little plot twist that is slightly disturbing and we all have to decide to just look the other way, but the emotion and chemistry between Ford and Lively make this film worth watching.  The story is not without fault.  I am very good at suspending my disbelief, even at some of the most unrealistic concepts out there, but I had to roll my eyes at the “frozen heart defibrillated by lightning,” as well as the predictable ending.  The film breaks the mold of the chick flick, but it is still predictable.  If you are searching for a life-changing drama, look elsewhere; however, if you are looking for a unique chick flick with great acting, “The Age of Adaline” will quickly grow on you.

[Pictured: Blake Lively’s timeless appearance fits every era with perfection]

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]