Cinderella

From the very first shot of Kenneth's Branagh's live-action remake of "Cinderella," one thing is immediately clear--the following two hours are going to be full of gorgeous filmmaking. Branagh knows what aspects of film are a necessity when adapting one of Disney's most famous fairy tales. In terms of cinematography, the colors are vibrant, the scenery is bright, and the costuming is beautiful. These aspects could have easily allowed the film to feel over-the-top and cheesy, but the solid performances and heart-felt script make this another solid entry in the Disney live-action canon.

Since 2010's "Alice and Wonderland," the Mouse House has been cranking out live action remakes of some of their most famous animated films (in fact, "Alice" did so well that Disney hired Tim Burton to direct another remake for them, Dumbo in 2018/2019). "Cinderella" sets itself apart from these other remakes in a couple ways.

First, it doesn't suffer from the CGI overload that plagued "Alice" and "Maleficent." Instead, there are beautiful shots of sweeping countrysides and glistening ballrooms (where one of the film's greatest scenes takes place). And the film is all the better for it. It feels all the more real when a film is shot on location as opposed to a green screen warehouse. That being said however, when the film does take advantage of CGI, it is indeed magical. The sequence when the Fairy Godmother (a very fun performance by Helena Bonham Carter) transformers various objects and animals into the royal coach and coachmen for Cinderella (played by Downton Abby's Lily James) looks spectacular and is just another example of Branagh's excellent vision for this film. He knows to use visual effects sparingly, and that allows for those select sequences and shots to stand out.

Second, unlike the two other films previously mentioned, that sought to present a revisionist take on the original musicals, "Cinderella" does not deviate at all from the original. On paper this way seem like a drawback, but I consider it a strength. The film may not be refreshingly original, but it is refreshingly traditional. I don't want to see a "gritty" remake of Cinderella. I don't want to see how Lady Tremaine was actually the hero of the story (besides Cate Blanchett is much too delightfully evil in this film for me to want anything else). The story of Cinderella is a timeless fairy-tale, it's ok to have a remake that pays homage to that by keeping everything the same! Plus, its been 65 years since the Disney released the original "Cinderella." In today's Hollywood, that's plenty of time to justify a remake (especially when you have two Spider-Man remakes in five years).

But the film has more than great cinematography and directing. The cast performs wonderfully as well. The true scene-stealer is Blanchett, who seems to be having a ball playing the evil stepmother, Lady Termaine. Every line of vile dialogue is delivered in a cold, yet civilized way, and her way of carrying herself around each scene sets her high above anyone else in the room. Yet she is not just a throwaway villain. The film does humanize her to an extent and allow to audience to see why she has become so bitter towards the world. There isn't much of it, but there is just enough in a film as short as this (just over 90 minutes) for it to work.

In addition to Blanchett, Lily James and Richard Madden (making his big-screen debut after playing Rob Stark in HBO's "Game of Thrones") both do a fine job of leading the film. Both bring charm and passion to their characters and together they have great chemistry. As I briefly mentioned before, the scene in which Cinderella and the Prince share their first dance in the middle of the ballroom is one of the best moments in the film. It isn't rushed, there isn't anything complex or special about it, it is simply a three or four minute dance between the two main characters, and the result is an intimate, captivating moment.

I've praised Kenneth Branagh a lot in this review, but he deserves every bit of that praise. Disney could not have chosen a better director to bring the tale of "Cinderella" back to the screen for a new generation. Thanks to his vision for the film, the newest Disney remake is full of gorgeous cinematography, charming performances, romance, and most importantly...magic!

American Sniper

There was no murmuring while the credits rolled for "American Sniper." There was no sound of seats slamming backwards as people got up to leave. Instead, there was only silence; no one stirred for a few minutes. There was not even music that played during the credits, which created a metaphorical moment of silence in the theater. It is clear that director Clint Eastwood understands, and is passionate about, what he is doing here--paying tribute to an American hero in a gripping drama about the trials of war.

For those that don't know, "American Sniper" is a true story based on the memoir of Chris Kyle (played in the film by Bradley Cooper), the deadliest sniper in U.S. history. The film opens in the middle of Kyle's first tour, right before his first kill, but before we see the conflict play out, the film flashes back to Kyle before he enlists. It's here that we see how Kyle was brought up as a child, why he enlisted, and how he fell in love with his future wife, Taya (played by Sienna Miller). Eastwood certainly didn't have to devote time to these scenes (many other directors wouldn't), but by doing so the film is made so much better. The heart of the film is created in these scenes, primarily in the relationship between Kyle and his wife, as this will be the focus of much of the film later on. The rest of the film will follow Kyle through his four tours in Iraq as we see not only how he becomes the deadliest sniper in US history, but also how this title haunts him throughout the rest of his life. 

And that is what sets "American Sniper" apart from other war dramas from recent memory. The audience really gets to see inside the mind of Kyle as he becomes "The Legend," a nickname that other SEALs come to call him. We see how this affects him at home, how this affects his marriage, and how it affects his whole personality. Kyle never once positively reacts to being called, "The Legend." Instead it's almost as if the name is a burden to him, a constant reminder of what war has forced him to do, and also a reminder of what he could NOT do. While Kyle says that he does not regret the lives he took (as it saved the lives of many American soldiers), he is haunted by those he could not save. Even though he is incredibly good at what he does, he is kept up at night because he could not be perfect. 

All of this would not be so easily seen on screen if not for a gripping performance, but Bradley Cooper delivers in what may be his best job yet. Five years ago, when I first saw Cooper in "The Hangover," I would have not expected him to gather three Oscar nominations over the next several years, but he has proved himself to be an incredible actor capably of taking on a variety of roles. In this film he excellently portrays the tough, hardened exterior of Kyle. But more importantly, he nails the scenes when we see past the hard exterior, and into his tired and troubled mind. It is truly a performance deserving of an Oscar nomination. 

Comments have been made by certain people that "American Sniper" glorifies war and makes sniper shootings entertaining, and I cannot stress how wrong these claims are. There was never a cheer or applause when Kyle killed in the film. Instead there were only gasps, many gasps, as the theater was shocked to see the events on screen play out. The film is by no means meant to be an "action film," and it is not edited as such. Again, Eastwood knows what he is doing, and therefore he shoots and edits the film not to let us be entertained, but to provide a shocking glimpse at what these soldiers went through during the war. Kyle is haunted by the war for the rest of his life, and it greatly affects how he is even in the comfort of his own home. Does that "glorify war?" Definitely not. 

I, like so many others, walked silently out of theater that night. I was speechless after watching the story of these brave men and women, risking their lives to protect the country they loved, to protect the wives and husbands they loved, and to protect the children they loved. The incredible true story is brought to life on screen by an amazing performance by Cooper, tense cinematography and editing, and masterful directing by Clint Eastwood. Before the Oscars air next month, go see "American Sniper." You won't regret it. 

2015: The Year the Box Office Will Explode

It's here! It's finally here! The year that movie lovers have been waiting for has arrived. Over the next twelve months, we will be returning to a galaxy far far away, we will get to ride along on another top secret mission with 007, we will get to see Hulk smash, and so much more. 2014 was a good year for movies (in an earlier article I talked about how it was the best year for comic-book films since 2008), but 2015 just looks better in every way. Both classic and new movie franchises are returning to the big screen and if all goes according to Hollywood's plan, it could be the biggest year at the box office in a long time. What is making this a possibility is that there are potentially FOUR blockbusters being released this year that will gross over one billion dollars. Now in any given year, there isn't always a movie that reaches one billion. In fact, only nineteen movies have ever crossed that number (last year it was Transformers: Age of Extinction). So the idea that there are four or five films this year that could join the billion dollar club means that this could end up being the year when the box office explodes. So what are the big films coming out this year that will bring in the cash? Let's go in chronological order.

Cinderella (Billion Dollar Alert)!

Release Date: March 13th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent

In 2010, Disney began releasing it's line of "reimagined" fairy tales that are characterized mostly by bright visual effects and A-list actors stepping into classic Disney roles (Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie). Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland became the sixth film to cross the billion dollar mark back in 2010, but many could argue that this was aided by 3D still being a big new thing after Avatar's release a few months earlier. Last year's Maleficent didn't quite reach the heights of Alice, but it still came pretty close. This year we get Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, which actually seems to have quite a few differences between the other two films. First, judging by the trailers, it does not seem like this new film deviates much from the original Disney musical. It also seems that the CGI overload seen in Alice and Maleficent is toned down immensely and the film's two leads are largely unknown to those who don't watch the TV shows the two actors got their starts in. However, this is a live-action remake of Cinderella, arguably the most beloved Disney film of all time, and it will be huge because of that simple fact. However, to reach the billion dollar mark, the film has to be good, really good actually. If it is, Disney may have their first mega-hit of the year. Oh yeah, did I mention that of the four billion dollar potentials this year, Disney made three of them?

Furious 7
Release Date: April 3rd
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: The Fast and the Furious franchise

This film could very easily have been in the running for the billion dollar club, but I doubt if it can reach that number due to it being sandwiched in between two other blockbusters. However, Furious 7 will still likely make around $800,000 in its worldwide run. The franchise has made more money with each film (save for Tokyo Drift), and the series reached new heights with Fast Five when The Rock came on board to fight Vin Diesel. The newest entry is the biggest one yet. The Rock is returning for a third time, and this time we also get British badass Jason Statham as the villain and Kurt Russell in a mysterious role. Many will also come to see Paul Walker's final performance after his tragic death in a car crash in 2013. I didn't start watching these films until Fast Five (which many said was the first "good" film in the series) and I have thoroughly enjoyed the fifth and sixth installments, so I can't wait to see the seventh.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: May 3rd
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: The Avengers, all Marvel films since the Avengers

This is the big one folks. The sequel to the third highest grossing film of all time is just a few months away. All signs point to Age of Ultron being bigger and better than it's predecessor, and if it is truly better, than this film is a lock for grossing over a billion dollars. Looking back at Marvel films over the last three years, it's clear that all films after The Avengers were aided by the "Avengers effect." What the "Avengers effect" did was significantly increase the box office numbers of all their hero's solo films (Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2). Then, Guardians of the Galaxy was released and became the highest grossing film of 2014, and it became clear that Marvel is now a box office king drunk on his own power. Guardians proved that nothing can stop Marvel, and nothing is going to stop Age of Ultron from being one of the two highest grossing films of the year.

Jurassic World
Release Date: June 12th
Studio: Universal
Box Office Comparisons: Jurassic Park, Transformers, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 

The first Jurassic Park is a classic piece of Hollywood film making that never quite shared its greatness with the two sequels that followed it. Because of this, it's hard to say how Jurassic World will be received. The film stars Chris Pratt, who is still riding on the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, and this fourth entry to the series will finally allow viewers to see what it would look like if the dinosaur theme park actually opened for the public. Will this premise be enough to get viewers to come back for the newest entry? I would say so. It has been fourteen years since Jurassic Park III, more than enough time for viewers to be curious enough to revisit the world of dinosaurs. If the film follows the same trend of other sci-fi franchises with CGI characters (Transformers, Planet of the Apes), then it should have no trouble grossing between $600,000 and $700,000.

Terminator: Genisys
Release Date: July 1st
Studio: Skydance Productions
Box Office Comparisons: Terminator Salvation, Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow 

It has a terrible title, it has a pretty mediocre trailer, there hasn't been a good Terminator film in almost 25 years, honestly...this could be a terrible movie AND the big box office bomb of 2015. But on the other hand, the fifth film in the robot franchise could restore the series to its former glory. After all, Arnold is back, Alan Taylor, who as directed episodes of some of HBO's best shows, is directing, the cast includes the mother of dragons, Emile Clarke, as Sarah Conner. There's a lot to like about the new Terminator, it's just that the marketing campaign is making it really difficult to be optimistic so far.

Ant-Man
Release Date: July 17th
Studio: Marvel/Disney
Box Office Comparisons: Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

Again, it's a Marvel movie, people are going to see it. Even though it is unlikely that Ant-Man will reach the heights of Guardians of the Galaxy, it will still likely make the money that the Thor and Captain America films made, especially since everyone will want more Marvel after seeing Age of Ultron. Having Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas lead the film could also help draw in more of those who aren't as big on Marvel films, in addition to the film being called a "heist film" which would make it quite different from other super-hero films.

Spectre (Billion Dollar Alert)
Release Date: November 6th
Studio: MGM
Box Office Comparisons: Skyfall, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol 

James Bond is back after his last adventure, Skyfall, worked its way to the ninth highest grossing film of all time with $1.1 billion. Daniel Craig has had massive success with the 007 franchise and his return should continue to trend. Not much is known about the 24th installment, but we do know that the evil organization, Spectre, is coming back, along with a mysterious villain played by the wonderfully terrifying Christoph Waltz. Sam Mendez, the director of Skyfall, is returning to direct as well which holds promise since many considered the Skyfall to be one of the best entries in the Bond series. With nothing standing in its way for a couple weeks, the new entry has a great shot a grossing more than its predecessor. The only film that could stop this from happening is...

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2
Release Date: November 20th
Studio: Lionsgate
Box Office Comparison: The Hunger Games franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Like Furious 7, the final chapter in the Hunger Games saga has a chance at reaching the billion dollar mark, but will have a tough time doing so since its being released in between 007 and Star Wars. Also, none of the Hunger Games films have reached that number at the box office yet, though that doesn't necessarily mean anything. None of the Harry Potter films grossed over a billion until the final installment which is currently the 4th highest grossing film of all time. Of course, The Hunger Games isn't as big as Harry Potter, but it's still likely that a total of around $900,000 is a possible.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (Billion Dollar Alert)

Release Date: December 18th
Studio: Disney
Box Office Comparison: Avatar, Harry Potter, every major Hollywood franchise

There isn't just a billion dollar alert on this film, there is an all time record alert as well. Episode VI is one of the biggest movie events of the 21st century. The original three lead actors from the original trilogy are returning along with an incredible line-up of up and coming actors, and some inspired choices as well like Andy Serkis and Max von Sydow. Fans are jumping at every tiny detail that escapes the set of the film, but since JJ Abrams is directing, details have been quite scarce. The first teaser trailer provided ample amounts of questions and chills that make the new entry look incredibly promising, and it will be a great Christmas present to return to a galaxy far far away. Look to this film for being the highest grossing film of the year.

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 Review

The final book in the wildly popular Hunger Games trilogy received very mixed reactions upon its release. The ending in particular divided fans down the middle. Some were indifferent to it, some enjoyed it (I did), but many hated how the story wrapped up. Basically after Catching Fire, which is considered by most to be the best book in the trilogy, Mockingjay just could not live up to the expectations. And it seems that it may be the same case for the film series as well, especially since they are dragging out the final installment into two films. The first Hunger Games film was a good adaptation and entertaining film, but last year's Catching Fire blew it out of the water on all fronts, and I would probably rank it among some of the best sequels ever made. Consequently, the expectations for the first part of Mockingjay were very high. Does the adaptation live up to the hype? Or does the film follow the same trend of the book series?

The film opens with Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) confined to life in District 13, which serves as the headquarters for the rebellion against the Capitol and the cruelty of President Snow (Donald Sutherland). Her home, District 12, has been destroyed by the Capitol, her friend/lover Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) has been taken prisoner, and the head of District 13, President Coin (Julianne Moore) wants Katniss to be the symbol of the rebellion that the other districts can unite under. All of this, in addition to her fragile mental state caused by taking part in two Hunger Games, has Katniss in a really difficult place at the start of the film, and she will have to rely on her friends and mentors to help her see the right path to choose.

And that's about it, there isn't really much going on plot wise in part 1 of Mockingjay. In fact, roughly 75% of the film takes place inside the underground war bunker of District 13, and that scenery gets old fast. Even in the two scenes where Katniss ventures outside to other districts, both set pieces look almost identical and it makes you wonder if they just used to same props and put them in different spaces. The lack of colorful environments is really noticeable when compared to the past two films in the franchise. In Catching Fire, we followed Katniss from the desolate District 12, to the various (and different) districts, to the colorful and vibrant Capitol, and then into the tropical arena. Again, having to spend most of this film underground makes it drag, and makes it difficult to stay interested.

And the flawed plot-structure doesn't help the pacing of the film either. What's odd about the start of the film is that is really feels like we are coming into the middle of the film. It's almost as if we are picking up after a commercial break, and it feels awkward. And of course, since this is a two-part film, the ending is really still the middle as well. So instead of the basic, three-act structure, there is just a two hour "middle." What's really upsetting is the film really starts to gain momentum in the last fifteen minutes. Exciting things happen, new threats are introduced, Josh Hutcherson starts to showcase a haunting performance....but then it ends. And all that excitement fueled by those elements it unfortunately cut short.

And this leads to the main problem plaguing Mockingjay Part 1...that it is called PART ONE. It is obvious from watching this film this was not meant to be a two-part film. It makes sense that the final Harry Potter was two parts since the book is huge and has a lot of stuff happening. It makes sense that Avengers 3 will be two parts because it will feature every Marvel super hero known to man. I can even give the final Twilight film a pass for having a two part film adaption because the book has a large multi-narrative structure. The same isn't the case for Mockingjay, as there just isn't enough happening to justify two, two hour films. Unlike the previous two installments, this film feature only one brief action scene. Unlike the previous two installments, this film doesn't move it's characters storylines forward in any meaningful way (there were hints of this at the very end, but...it was the very end). And unlike the previous two installments, there was just a lack of excitement.

I have no doubt that Part 2 of Mockingjay will be a great conclusion to the series. The second half of the book is full of intense action, shocking character revelations, death, romance, and all the stuff you want to see in the finale of a blockbuster franchise. The filmmakers didn't have a lot to work with in the first half the Mockingjay, and they do little to try to add in any excitement. Aside: It's a shame that the three best scenes in the movie don't even feature Katniss. End of Aside. My advice, skip Part 1 and just wait for Part 2, you won't be missing out on much of anything, and any Hunger Games fan could easily fill you in on the very few important details while the trailers are showing before the film.

Big Hero 6 Review

Who are two of the most bankable Hollywood studios right now? Walt Disney Animation and Marvel Studios (who, don't ya know it, is owned by Disney). Both studios release films each year that are always critically and financially successful. So what would happen if the two brands came together? What would it look like if a film had the gorgeous animation and lighthearted feel of Frozen or Wreck-It Ralph combined with the large scale action of The Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy? That is what the latest animated hit, Big Hero 6, aims to show us. But is it successful in its task?

Based on the lesser-known and obscure Marvel comic, Big Hero 6 takes place in the futuristic, fictional city of San Fransokyo where we meet Hiro Hamada, a young teen with a big brain. Hiro loves to invent things, but he doesn't want to be a responsible "nerd" like his older brother, Tadashi. But that changes when Tadashi drags his younger brother along to visit his college, where Hiro becomes amazed at all the opportunities he could have if he went there (given his superior knowledge, he has already graduated high school at age 13).

Then, in typically Disney fashion, tragedy strikes and Tadashi is killed in an explosion at the college, sending Hiro into a state of anger and depression...until he meets Baymax. This loveable medical robot is the only part of his older brother that Hiro has left, and when the two discover a masked villain using one of Hiro's inventions to wreak havoc on the city, they must work together to find out who this mysterious person is, and how he can be stopped. But first...they need a team.

As I briefly hinted at above, the big problem with Big Hero 6  is that it is bound by typically plot devices that are very common in both Disney and Marvel films. Going into much detail would mean spoilers, but it is the same three-act structure that exists in pretty much every Marvel film, combined with the same messages and character models that make up Disney films. This means that the film is highly predictable, and so nothing should surprise the viewer. I remember predicting the identity of the bad guy near the very beginning of the film, and when I saw that I was right, I couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

However, the argument can be made, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Both the Disney and Marvel formulas have proven to be very successful in storytelling, and that success does carry over to Big Hero 6. Yes, it is a plot line we have seen before, but it is still very entertaining and fun to watch. And as usual for Disney, the greatest strength that bails this film out of being truly mediocre is the amount of heart that is packed into it. While the film may be much more action heavy than most other animated films in the past, it still never sacrifices character development and the story for explosions and fighting.

The heart of the film is Baymax, who has to be one of the most loveable animated characters I've ever seen. From the way he is drawn, to his sweet, reassuring words, chances are you will probably want to give the balloonish robot a big hug by the time the movie is over. And through his words the film finds its conscience. Throughout the film he is a mentor to a troubled Hiro, explaining to him the consequences and drawbacks to wanting revenge, and telling him why violence isn't the right response. He also is constantly reminding him of the importance of  with family and friends, especially in times of struggle and sadness. These kind of messages aren't really front and center in a Marvel superhero film (the one notable exception being this year's Guardians of the Galaxy, which  bears several other similarities to this film), and it is nice to see an action film take time to tackle these themes.

After watching this movie, I couldn't help but think of Pixar's The Incredibles, the only other animated super hero film that I can recall. Big Hero 6 might not come close to matching the greatness of that film, but then again, that's a really high bar to match. While the film may fall prey to some predictable story elements, it is still filled to the brim with heart, humor, and light-hearted adventure, and it is likely the best animated film that will be released this holiday season.

 

Interstellar Review

What would the world be like if mankind lost it's desire for discovery? What if we no longer wanted to be pioneers? What if we gave up hope on the world? This is the not-to-distant future that ex-NASA engineer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) lives in; a hopeless world ravaged by dust storms that has wiped out all major crops except corn. Earth is no longer fit to sustain life, but there is a greater problem...no one cares enough to find a solution. As Cooper says in the beginning of the film, "We used to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars, now we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt."

But there is still hope for mankind, and Cooper finds it when he and his daughter Murph (played by Mackenzie Fox and then Jessica Chastain as older Murph) stumble across an underground NASA facility led by Professor Brand (played by Christopher Nolan favorite Michael Caine). It is here that Cooper learns that NASA has secretly been searching for another planet that can support life by traveling through a wormhole to another galaxy. If Cooper and a small team of pilots, including Brand's daughter Amelia (Anne Hathaway), can travel to the few planets where they have received positive Intel and find a suitable replacement for Earth, then mankind will be able to survive. There is just one big catch: if Cooper embarks on this mission, then he may never see his son and daughter again, and even if he does, they could be older than he is. But in a gripping scene when Cooper is saying goodbye to his daughter, he assures her that they will see each other again. And it is this bond between father and daughter that holds Interstellar together. The idea that love is the only thing that "transcends time and space" is repeated several times throughout the movie.

People often complain nowadays that Hollywood is running out of new ideas, and it would be really difficult to disagree. Out of the thirty highest grossing films of 2014, only THREE of them are not considered a sequel, remake, or adapted screenplay. The filmmaking industry is running low on true visionary directors, but Christopher Nolan remains to be one of the best. And not just one of the best at crafting original stories, but at taking those stories and turning them into big budget epics that don't fall victim to blockbuster clichés. The sad truth is, Hollywood producers will never give a director a $165 budget for an original film with barely any action sequences and explosions. It just doesn't happen....unless your name is Christopher Nolan. And because studios will give him a budget to do anything, we can sit back and enjoy a kind of film that we don't see enough of anymore.

It's a film about space, but it doesn't have giant battles with hundreds of spaceships. It's a film about discovering other galaxies and planets, but it doesn't have CGI heavy aliens and environments. With a box office dominated by super heroes and giant robots, more and more studios are settling for CGI, action, and explosions over character development, original narratives, and most of all, heart! Interstellar is a film that is doing more than telling a story. It has a lesson it is teaching, and it has many greats points for discussion. Discussion about humanity, about love, about science, and about faith, and how they can all connect with one another.

And the film is led by a star studded cast that all give Oscar-worthy performances. Coming off an incredible 2013, Matthew McConaughey delivers yet another compelling performance that will likely score him his second Oscar nomination in a row. At his side is fellow award winner Anne Hathaway whose performance is made compelling by her gentle and calm persona that is trying to cover up a deep sense of emotion. Jessica Chastain and Michael Caine round out the lead cast and both are, as usual, wonderful in their roles. But what really gives life to these characters is that the actors and actresses portray them so naturally making them very relatable characters. Credit should also be given to Bill Irwin, who voices TARS, a unique robot programed to speak with 90% truth and 75% humor.

The film contains several other trademarks of a Christopher Nolan film. One is gorgeous cinematography. Whether we are watching characters race through vast cornfields or travel through a galactic wormhole, the camera work is expansive and beautiful, which can be attributed for Nolan's love for shooting his films with IMAX cameras. Another is unrelenting suspense. There is a great sequence near the end of the film that had my entire row reacting in some way. One person was grabbing their hair, another was rubbing their hands together, I had to lean forward on the edge of my seat; I'm not sure I have ever seen so much reaction to what's happening on screen before, which is a testament to Nolan's directing. Also back for another Nolan film, composer Hans Zimmer, who has become known for developing new and unique scores for Nolan's films in the past, Interstellar is no exception.

As I think about Interstellar, and all that can be taken away from it, I am reminded of Romans 8:38-39,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

 

Cooper is faced with numerous obstacles when he ventures out into space. He encounters worm holes, black holes, hostile environments, and many other dangers. Yet his love for his children is more powerful than any of these obstacles, and that love he has is what motivates him to conquer whatever challenge he faces. Though he his countless miles away and many years apart, Cooper and Murph are still connected, because, as Amelia says, "Love is the only thing that transcends time and space." Interstellar is a near three hour epic of though-provoking and emotionally rich film, complete with great performances, a powerful score, and deep questions about mankind. Yet as complex as the story is, at its heart is a simple message: love conquers all.

 

 

The Best Halloween Movies

October is quite an exciting time of the year complete with haunted houses, fall festivals, scary movies, candy everywhere, leaves changing color, etc. And all this excitment leads up to my favorite holiday of the year, HALLOWEEN! Now if you don't share my opinion on favorite holidays, that's ok, but hopefully you still enjoy the annual night of consuming unhealthy amounts of sweets and dressing up in costume. And if you do, chances are you also enjoy ending the night with a Halloween movie, of which there are many, many different kinds. Some make you scream, some make you laugh, some blow your mind, and some just confuse you. Not everyone likes "scary movies" and that's ok, because all Halloween movies aren't scary. So to help form some ideas for a good option to watch tonight, here is a list of ten the best Halloween movies of different genres.

The Black and White Film: Psycho 

If you are wanting to watch a true classic, then you best option is Alfred Hitchcock's thrilling masterpiece, "Psycho." Nearly 55 years after it was released, this old school slasher flick will still likely give you chills (and make you a little uneasy the next time you take a shower). The famous ending also inspired numerous other.

The Classic: Halloween

The 80s brought to life many iconic killers such as Freddy, Jason, and the Thing, but the best icon came first, and his name is Michael Myers. The unstoppable force of evil has been terrorizing victims in countless sub-par sequels and remakes for years, but the original 1979 "Halloween," which features a young Jamie Lee Curtis that still looks to old to be in high-school, is by far the best. If your group enjoys scary movies, this is one of your best options.

The One to Make You Laugh: Zombieland

If you want to go the comedic route, look no further than "Zombieland" With hilarious performances by Woody Harrelson, Jessie Eisenberg, and Emma Stone (and one of the best cameos ever), alongside some really fun action scenes and a surprisingly emotional story, this zombie-killing comedy will have you laughing during most of its 90 minute runtime.

The One for All Ages: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Disney's ghoulish musical may be about scary monsters, but it has a loveable main character and a heart-felt story that make it a great option for families or just for those who want to watch something a little different for Halloween. Of course if you don't get a chance to see this for Halloween, you can always pull it out again for Christmas.

The Thriller: The Silence of the Lambs

He might not wear a mask or posses any kind of dark powers, but Hannibal Lecter is one of the most frightening characters in the history of film. Don't count this film out because it's not strictly labeled a "horror movie," chances are that Lecter's escape scene will be more frightening then most other films you will ever see.

The One to Watch at 2:00 am: Killer Klownz From Outer Space

Giant clowns, cotton candy guns, a loud 80s soundtrack...have you not started watching it yet?

The Action/Adventure Film: Sleepy Hollow

Action, adventure, mystery, romance, and Johnny Depp: Tim Burton's version of Washington Irving's famous short story has a lot of things going for it. If you are looking for a movie with some scares but also is a little more on the fun side, "Sleepy Hollow" is a great option. Plus it's always fun to watch Christopher Walken act a little insane.

The Guilty Pleasure: Van Helsing

Say what you want, "Van Helsing" is one of the greatest Halloween movies ever made. It's over-the-top in every way but that's ok, because it never takes itself too seriously. Hugh Jackman leads this entertaining monster-mash-up that may be cheesy and a little ridiculous at times, but it's just so much damn fun that I don't care.

The Unique One: The Cabin in the Woods

Part horror film, part parody, this unique scary movie by Joss Whedon (The Avengers) and Drew Goddard turns the horror genre on its head and delivers a film where you may be screaming and laughing at the same time.

The Nightmare Waiting to Happen: The Conjuring

This is probably one of the scariest movies around today, but the greatness of "The Conjuring" doesn't stop at the jump scares. It also features a carefully crafted story, great performances, and clever dialogue. But let's be honest, it's Halloween and you want to be scared, and boy will this movie scare you. Don't watch it alone!