The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - 8 stars out of 10

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio - 8 stars out of 10

"The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" has one of the clunkiest names but one of the most fascinating true stories.  If the story of Evelyn Ryan was fictional, it would seem a bit mundane.  But as soon as the words "based on a true story" appear, this becomes a heroic tale of an anything-but-mundane housewife.  I expected to half-watch this film as I did work but I was immediately taken by its unique style.  It feels so 50's, from the video slideshow flashback to the jingle singers mingling with the real world.  The style is complimented by excellent performances by Julianne Moore and Woody Harrelson.  Moore's layered performance expresses her disappointment with her husband while maintaining a stiff upper lip to hold her family together.  Her face does not always reflect her feelings, and yet we know.  Woody does the opposite with dynamic acting that brings a true sense of intimidation to his character while still breaking to show his insecurity.  The most wild thing is the unconditional love of Evelyn.  In most movies, she would have left her husband or had him arrested, but in real life she was able to immediately forgive his abusive and irresponsible actions because of the hardships that he faced. She redefines the word "selfless."  The expertly written script builds the tension between the two of them, first starting with an almost comical scene and then slowly revealing the seriousness as the film progresses.  I was also very impressed with Ellary Porterfield as Tuff but wanted to see more of Laura Dern.  Since this script is based on the memoir of Tuff Ryan, I'm sure that the characters of Kelly and Ray the Milkman are negatively exaggerated, but that is part of what makes this story so fascinating.  We get to see it from the perspective of an adult reflecting on her childhood.  "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" is the complete package with a family that you can root for, a constant source of conflict, and an amazing story of perseverance that is enhanced by a revealing of the successes of this family's lineage.

[Pictured: The shopping spree scene is one of my favorites]

Antarctica: A Year on Ice - 8 stars out of 10

Antarctica: A Year on Ice - 8 stars out of 10

“Antarctica: A Year on Ice” is an informative documentary that explores the unseen mysteries of Antarctica and the people who live there.  Using a series of interviews and stunning time-lapse photography, it follows a year in the life of the small international population that works on Antarctica (less than 700 people in the winter) and shows how they must adapt to the elements.  It is hard to imagine going 4 months without seeing the sun or spending 4 months in constant daylight.  Even more fascinating is the T3 Syndrome that alters brain function as the body assigns the T3 hormone to protecting different muscle groups from the extreme cold.  It’ll also make you sad as these workers encounter distressed wildlife but must let nature take its course.  There are some great shots of penguins but even that part of the story has a sad twist.  The biggest draw of this film is the compilation of time-lapse sequences, some of the most incredible that I have ever seen.  Any one of these sequences could blow your mind and it is overwhelming to watch one after the other.  I was particularly moved by the shot that follows the sun’s rotation for an entire day as it never dips below the horizon and the movement of snow moving in the wind.  I love the format of this film, starting at the beginning of summer with a large group of workers, showing their departure for 6 months while a few remain to endure the isolation of winter, and concluding as the summer crew arrives again.  It makes it feel more like a story than an informational video and helps to give direction and meaning to the incredible visuals.  “Antarctica: A Year on Ice” will open your eyes to the sacrifices made by the people who endure -120 degree temperatures with winds the speed of a Category 5 storm… and likely take away your desire to ever visit.

[Pictured: Can't complain about 90 minutes of this!]

And the Oscar Goes To... - 10 stars out of 10

And the Oscar Goes To... - 10 stars out of 10

“And the Oscar Goes To…” is a celebration of Hollywood, the film industry, and the biggest night of the year.  This documentary gathers the perspectives of Hollywood’s greatest stars to tell the history of the Oscars, show what happens backstage, and educate us on the different categories.  The film is worth watching for the unprecedented amount of classic movie clips and the greatest acceptance speeches, but there is a lot more at the heart of it.  It sheds light on a lot of things that we never think about, like the blacklisting of many actors and writers during the Cold War.  I gained a new perspective when the film pointed out that, each time a person wins an award, there are four more losers bitterly sitting in the audience.  I also never considered how devastating it must be for the films that receive a lot of nominations and then watch another film sweep the entire ceremony.  Just imagine receiving 11 nominations for “The Color Purple” and then sitting in the audience as “Out of Africa” received 7 Oscars and you received none, or receiving 7 nominations for “Seabiscuit” and watching “The Return of the King” receive Oscars in all of its nominated categories while you didn’t get a single one.  This documentary is the complete package and will either help you better appreciate the Oscars or reaffirm your love of cinema.  Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, George Clooney, Helen Mirren, Tom Hanks, Cher, and Jennifer Hudson are just a handful of the celebrities that bring Hollywood to life as the film progresses.  “And the Oscar Goes To…” is a must for any movie fan and will inspire you to revisit all of your favorite Hollywood classics over and over again.

[Pictured; Moments like Dustin Hoffman's "Kramer vs. Kramer" acceptance speech are preserved through this documentary]

A Simple Plan - 8 stars out of 10

A Simple Plan - 8 stars out of 10

As the title suggests, “A Simple Plan” is a thriller that shows how one simple lie can snowball into a complex series of tragedies.  I don’t typically associate director Sam Raimi with this sort of film but his telling of the story is very successful.  Be prepared for a total downer when you watch this one.  We have all considered how effective our moral compass would be if we stumbled upon $4 million, but the film shows why we should be content with what we have instead of being selfish.  This film is most notable for Billy Bob Thornton’s performance as the mentally unstable Jacob Mitchell.  The role is reminiscent of his character in “Sling Blade” and it is no surprise that he received Oscar nominations for both of these roles.  While the story is riveting and will keep you on edge, I feel that the film would have been more successful without Bill Paxton in the lead role.  His performance is very average and didn’t capture the emotional conflict that drives Hank’s motivations.  I did love Brent Briscoe as Lou, the drunken friend.  He could easily be overlooked but he really helped to drive the plot.  While it is completely depressing, the film arrives at a perfect conclusion.  Any other ending would have been infuriating but the writers managed to tie up each loose end and teach each character an important moral lesson.  Be emotionally prepared before you start “A Simple Plan” because this crime thriller is unrelenting.

[Pictured: Unquestionably Thornton's second-best performance ever]

Hoodwinked (2005) - 4 stars out of 10

Hoodwinked (2005) - 4 stars out of 10

“Hoodwinked” is a family-focused computer animated film that came out as “Shrek” made the fairy tale genre in vogue.  Do not be misled by this low rating - the film far exceeded my expectations.  Like the critics, I enjoyed the storytelling concept that was out of the box for a family film but had trouble getting over the animation.  This film was produced on a low budget and it really shows through the outsourced Philippines animation that resembles plastic stop-motion animation more than realistic CGI.  Even as short clips played during the DVD selection menu, a tone of “cheesy kids movie” was set.  Compared to edgier family movies like “Shrek,” this one is squeaky clean but creates interest through its non-linear storytelling technique.  The story is told by each of the four main characters (Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, the Woodsman, and Granny) with new details shifting our perspective with each telling.  It is a rather fun way to tell the story, especially once you discover which character is the villain, and there are good comedic moments.  Everything ends up being explained, from the Granny mask to the seemingly random appearance of the Woodsman.  There are also some overly cheesy departures, particularly the extreme sports aspect that will excite kids but make adults roll their eyes.  I appreciated the cast of voice actors, particularly Anne Hathaway as Red and Patrick Warburton as the Wolf - Warburton is hilarious regardless of the character or circumstance.  Other big names dot the cast but it actually hurts the film, creating a disconnect between the expectation of a major studio film and the disappointing appearance.  “Hoodwinked” was not written for adults but will keep them entertained through its unique storytelling.

[Pictured; Terrible computer animation, fresh storytelling]

Lilo & Stitch - 7 stars out of 10

Lilo & Stitch - 7 stars out of 10

“Lilo & Stitch” is a very unconventional Disney film.  It has all of the beauty of the Disney classics as the animators bring Hawaii to life through the unique appearance of the characters and the highlighting of Hawaiian culture; and yet, the main character is a fugitive alien who belches and develops an affinity for the music of Elvis Presley.  It is interesting to look back at the advertising campaign for this film, which focused on how Stitch is unlike any other Disney character.  Four teaser trailers placed him into different Disney films with mischievous results.  The theatrical trailer drew attention to him not fitting into the Disney stereotype.  Even the film poster focused solely on Stitch, showing all of the classic Disney characters looking at him with the headline “There’s one in every family.”  But I believe that Stitch has been completely misrepresented.  This film is drawn together by one important theme: Ohana.  “Ohana means family.  Family means nobody gets left behind.”  Both Lilo and Stitch act out because of their broken family situations but this film goes beyond their defiant actions.  We should remember the Stitch that cries out “I’m lost” when he reads The Ugly Duckling, not the one in the “Stitch’s Great Escape” ride at Disney World.  He isn’t any different than Simba when he runs away or Elsa when she isolates herself.  It’s true that the constant stream of jokes and mischief makes the story feel more like a Saturday morning cartoon than a Disney classic, but the tandem journey of the main characters to find themselves supersedes any of the slapstick comedy.  Like all of the entries in the Disney animated canon from 1999-2008, this film would have been better as a musical.  Several Elvis songs and another called “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” cannot compare to “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea.”  Alan Silvestri’s score captures the important emotional moments for the main characters, but it just doesn’t feel like Disney without those musical numbers.  In the end, you’ll love the jokes (especially anything involving mosquitoes), be amazed by the animation, and your heart will melt once Stitch calms down and reminds you of your favorite pet.  “Lilo & Stitch” may be completely unconventional on the surface but the heart of its story captures the Disney essence.

[Pictured: This is the Stitch that we should remember]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding - 8 stars out of 10

My Big Fat Greek Wedding - 8 stars out of 10

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” is everything that you want from a comedy.  Goofy characters, situational irony, slapstick humor, and a loud, dysfunctional family punctuate the Oscar-nominated script written by Nia Vardalos.  Every joke in the script is delivered to perfection.  Since the script is based on Vardalos’ family and marriage to a non-Greek man, she was the obvious choice to play the lead and does so with absolute sincerity.  A good movie transports you into its setting, but a great movie convinces you that it is truth.  The jokes are fantastic from the main character’s perpetually Greek upbringing to the father’s excessive use of Windex as a household remedy.  Laughing out loud is not an option with this over-the-top cast.  Under the many layers of comedy, the film carries the important themes of embracing family (no matter how weird they are and being proud of where you came from.  I love the tribute to “That Thing You Do,” another film produced by Tom Hanks, by using and arrangement of the song “All My Only Dreams” for the first dance.  It is no surprise that “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” is one of the highest grossing romantic comedies of all time and should be approached with the expectation of “extreme giddiness.”

[Pictured: The timing and execution of the physical comedy is spot on]