Movie Review: Jack the Giant Slayer

The latest in Hollywood's trend of "re-vamping" classic fairy tales, Jack the Giant Slayer was probably the most ambiguous in terms of both reception and plot line. According to IMDB, the 200 million dollar film made just in the vicinity of 30 million dollars in its opening weekend, a low gross by any standard. From my perspective, the storyline also fell somewhat flat. The typical fairy tale ingredients were all there: the reluctant hero, the captured princess, the scheming adviser, all that good stuff, but they weren't always utilized very effectively. Overall, I'd say about about 40-50% of the movie followed the typical fairy tale (for lack of a better term) cliche.

On the other hand, there were several elements of the film that were not only original (as far as they have never been used in any version of the story I know of), but they added a degree of sophistication and subtlety to the plot line that was completely unexpected. During the introductory portion of the film, for example, the legend of the giants and their conflict with the human realm was recounted (simultaneously via alternating shots and dialogue) to farm boy Jack and Princess Isabelle in remarkably poetic verse. Accompanied by 3-D graphics and a well-crafted back story,  this eloquent prose gave the opening sequence a degree of class and intrigue not usually seen in fairy-tale stories, especially ones intended for younger audiences.

Moving onto the beanstalk itself (in some ways the real star of the show), the initial climb by Jack and the King's men to rescue the princess, and the travails they encountered while doing so, could easily be compared to climbing Mt. Everest: the physical exhaustion, violent weather and constant danger of falling to your death (the last of which happened to several unfortunates) were all laid out with a gritty realism that made the journey seem all the more epic.

 

With regard to the human characters, both Jack and Princess Isabelle displayed some unique traits. Aside from both of them being very clever and resourceful (sometimes in completely unexpected and bizarre ways), Jack was portrayed more realistically than I had ever seen before. Although enthralled with fantasy and adventure stories, he was certainly not ignorant of the world around him. For example, when Princess Isabelle ran away from home and happened to show up on Jack's doorstep on a stormy night, he was in no way fooled by her disguise and had a bit of fun at her expense before revealing that fact. Princess Isabelle, as well, displayed traits atypical of the usual fairy-tale princess. Aside from an independent and "call-no-man-master" personality (not exactly new in this day and age but still refreshing to see, nonetheless), she was no pushover when it came to combat, either. Although not directly involved in the melee, she donned armor, was entrusted with a critical task at the height of the battle and, with Jack's help, managed to take down a giant without even drawing a weapon.

All of this aside, the most intriguing aspect of the film for me was something I could never have imagined. One of the centerpieces of the film was an ancient crown that could give whoever wore it complete control over the giants. After Jack used it to defeat them in battle (and eventually became king himself), the crown was altered over successive generations. There was a whole sequence towards the end of the film where the crown was shown being polished, re-sized and expanded upon with jewels, fine cloth, precious metals and other additions over a period of hundreds of years, eventually becoming the centerpiece if the modern British Crown Jewels (fitting, since this story originated in the British Isles). This was accompanied by a multitude of voices, each one reciting a different segment of the "Jack and the Beanstalk/Jack the Giant Killer" story, some of which would be  immediately recognizable to any child today. This sequence reminded me of an important fact about myths and folk-tales. Historically speaking, most prominent and enduring stories (including Greek myths, tales of King Arthur and even Robin Hood) rarely spring from a single source. Regardless their origins, they tend grow and evolve over hundreds and sometimes thousands of years, acquiring new characters and plot lines depending on the time and place in which they are told, as well as who is telling the story. The sequence with the crown at the end of Jack the Giant Slayer was an absolutely perfect metaphor to demonstrate this concept; I doubt even Joseph Campbell could have done it better.

Although several elements of this film did adhere (sometimes irritatingly so) to the typical cliches of fairy-tale stories, the multiple attempts to bring in fresh takes and understandings to a beloved story definitely paid off in the end, and made desirous to the see the film again (unfortunately, that never happened, so I wait with patience for the DVD- available two days after my birthday!)

Movie Review: Cloud Atlas

If this movie could be summed up in one simple phrase, I would go with "Babel on steroids". Like the 2005 film, Cloud Atlas consisted of a series of interconnecting plot lines that come together to create a single story. Those plot lines were sometimes set hundreds of years apart (from the 19th all the way to at least the 22nd century) and featured locations from around the globe.

Unlike Babel, however, structuring the film in such a way worked significantly to Atlas' disadvantage. Not only were the plot lines larger in number, but the the themes and material being dealt with had immense philosophical, sociopolitical and sometimes metaphysical undertones, so it was quite a lot to take and difficult to follow. This difficulty was further compounded by the fact that each actor (the cast was superb) played at least half a dozen parts throughout the various plot lines. This was not a bad idea in-and-of-itself, but here I think they took it a little too far. Another issue was that some of the characters spoke in such heavy/unusual accents (and sometimes not even in proper English) that a good part of the dialogue was hard to understand.

 
On a more positive note, the photography and visual effects of the film were excellent. The audience is treated to sweeping vistas of the Pacific islands, high-speed car chases on the streets of futuristic Seoul and beautiful views of pre-War Britain. The costuming and make-up were also superb. In many cases they were so good that I didn't know which actors were playing which parts until they were revealed in the closing credits (some actors played characters of both sexes).

As far as the overarching storyline goes, I detected subtle hints of Buddhist philosophy: all life- whether past, present or future- is connected and that there is always a desire to obtain truth and inner peace, no matter how high the cost.

NYCC Live Streaming from IGN Theater

New York Comic Con is completely sold out. But if you can’t be there, NYCC will live streaming  their biggest panels from IGN Theater, on their website via Twitch TV.  Panels so far confirmed to be live streamed are as follows:

Friday

Comic Book Men 2:45pm - 3:45pm,
Silent Hill Revolution 3D 4pm - 5pm
Robot Chicken  6:30pm-7:30pm

Saturday

Haven 10:30am - 12pm
The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2! 12:15-1:15pm
The Conjuring 1:30pm - 2:00pm
The Bay 2:15pm - 2:45pm
Beautiful Creatures 3pm - 3:30pm
Carrie 3:45pm -4:15pm
Evil Dead 4:15pm - 4:45pm
Walking Dead 5pm - 6pm
Firefly: 10th Anniversary Special Event 6:15pm - 7:15pm

Sunday

Arrow 11am-12pm

It’s not clear though, that any exclusive footage shown at these panels, will see shown on the live stream. These panels will also streamed live on big screen in queue hall for the IGN theater. So if you are at NYCC and get stuck line waiting outside,  you should still be able to watch, most of the panel.

Guillermo Del Toro Attending New York Comic Con

Prolific television and movie director and producer, Guillermo Del Toro will be a New York Comic Con this week, at Jacob Javits Center. He will be signing at the Legendary Entertainment booth from 2pm to 3pm on Friday, Oct, 12. Then he will appear on the Legendary Comics Panel, from 5:15pm to 6:15pm in room 1E07, to discuss upcoming projects, with special surprise guests. Del Toro, will also be signing at Dark Horse Comics booth for“The Strain” from 2pm to 3pm.

Guillermo last appeared at New York Comic Con in 2008, to present “Hellboy”. Since the than he has directed Hellboy 2: Golden Army and Pan's Labyrinth. He also been involved in production of many other films, including Splice, Afraid of the Dark, and  His next directorial debut will be the big-budget sci-fi action film Pacific Rim, coming out next summer. No word yet if Guillermo will discuss or present any footage from Pacific Rim. He also just recently secured a deal with FX network, to produce new tv series based on his critically acclaimed novel “The Strain”.

Stay tuned for more New York Comic Con news and information, later today.

Sources:  Legendary Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics

Movie Review/Book Comparison: The Hunger Games

Well, after much deliberation, I took the proverbial plunge and treated myself to what is probably the hottest media franchise so far this year. The much-lauded adaptation of the first novel in Suzanne Collins' trilogy, although less impressive than it would be on the big/IMAX screen (do I regret not seeing it in theaters?), certainly delivered not only an accurate adaption of the original material but more than a healthy dose of action, drama and true human emotion.

As far as accuracy goes, I would give The Hunger Games a solid 85% for staying faithful to the book. All the major players were on the stage and delivered their lines beautifully. The most notable, or rather the most consistent, change was what I would call "trimming". In the book, there are significant stretches where the plot line becomes stilted/monotonous and action is at a minimum. Strictly speaking, however, this is probably a true reflection of how the characters actually felt during the competition; alone in the silent wilderness for hours or days at a time, sleeping with one eye open (cliche, I know, but very apt) while physically and emotionally exhausted, constantly on the watch in every direction with minimal food and water; its enough to make anyone anxious. In the movie, much of that slow-moving narrative, as well as sizable portions of general description and Katniss Everdeen's personal musings (the whole book was told in first person), were eliminated. While not seriously affecting the powerful emotional edge of the story, it did remove a good deal of the back story surrounding various characters, especially the more minor competitors. In this sense, if I had not read the book beforehand, I would have had a much more difficult time following the plot.

Another area of alteration that jumped out at me involved the aesthetics of the film (particularly the food, clothing/physical appearances and various physical settings, which Collins describes in precise detail), but this aspect was a bit more ambiguous than the alterations to the actual storyline. Although various aesthetic elements were altered from the book descriptions, the impact of those elements was still just as impressive (my personal favorite was the parade of the tributes, when Katniss and Peeta came blazing in wearing black leather with blue and orange flames streaming from their backs).

The accompanying music was either dramatic or intimate (sometimes both) when the situation required it, and lent a powerful feeling to the already stunning visuals and emotional plot line.

All in all, I believe that The Hunger Games certainly lives up to its monumental pop culture reputation, but I would recommend reading the original book first, if for no other reason than to fully appreciate Collins' skillful mastery of the hero's journey narrative.

SEE MY REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL BOOK

Oz: The Great and Powerful Trailer

Katy Perry Part Of Me 3D

This movie is based on the life of one of my favorite performers Katy Perry. She is a great dancer and great singer and her costumes are great. I saw the movie with my mom as a part of my birthday week.
Can't wait to have it on dvd real soon.






by Justin Stenzler

Third Tralier for The Dark Knight Rises

Fans around the world. participating in a viral campaign for the film, unlocked a new trailer for the Dark Knight Rises on Monday. Which hits theaters in July  Like the past two trailers this trailer seems to be bit grim and builds alot of tension. However, more action scenes are shown. Including a bridge explosion, a fight between Batman and Bane, and Batman fighting thugs alongside Catwoman! What do you think of the trailer?

War Horse: Movie/Play Comparison

After seeing a moving performance of the original War Horse (see my review) at Lincoln Center last month, I was curious to see how Steven Spielberg's feature film stacked up. Now that I have viewed both, I think I can safely say that, despite their differences, both are fine pieces of work in their own rights.

In terms of plot line, both the play and the film are essentially the same. Various elements were altered, added or omitted (ect..., ect...) throughout the film, but most of these were relatively minor, and didn't take away from the main message of the story. On the plus side, several distinctive scenes from the play (plowing the field, English and Germans working together to release the star- that would be the horse, Joey- from a trap of barbed wire, and the first appearance of a tank the the battlefield) were beautifully preserved in the film, retaining the spirit and passion seen in the live performance.

In one respect, the film actually out-performed the play. Throughout the story, the horse Joey passed through the care of many different people, French and Germans as well as English. Despite the searing conflict of WWI that served as a backdrop for the story, and no doubt the bitter feelings between these nations, Joey had the ability to bring out the finest qualities in whoever he met (the barbed wire scene referenced above is a perfect example). This theme was visible in the play as well, but Spielberg's abilities brought it further to the main, strengthening the all-powerful theme of hope present in both play and film.

Overall, I would say that Spielberg has done an excellent job preserving the vision, scope and, above all, the spirit of the original War Horse. For anyone unable to see the live performance, his film would be a fine substitute. Go and enjoy.
 

Movie Review: Mad Love

Most people have heard of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of England's infamous King Henry VIII. Fewer people, perhaps, have heard the story of Juana, Katherine's older sister and wife of Duke Philip of Burgundy. The third daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Juana's erratic behavior and bouts of hysteria earned her the moniker Juana la Loca ("Joan the Mad"). Spain's official entry for the 2002 Academy Awards, Mad Love captures Juana's story in a powerful and dramatic rendition.

I know very little about Juana's life (although I recently purchased a dual biography of her and Katherine that I plan on reading when able [link]), so cannot fully vouch for the historical accuracy of the film. One thing I can vouch for, however, is the power of performance. Juana (played by Pilar López de Ayala), despite her husband's many infidelities and his attempts to usurp her political power, remains fiercely devoted to him and refuses to let anything stand in her way maintaining both her marriage and her rule. Even at her most erratic moments, de Ayala brings nothing less than pure passion to her portrayal of this vastly misunderstood and powerful woman.

In addition to great performances, the film is superbly costumed, photographed and scored. The only drawback is the narration- every time the narrator describes a scene or plot point, it usually is set several years later along the time line of the film than his previous one, which makes the various sections of the film feel slightly disconnected from each other. Nonetheless, the storyline and powerful performances make the film a must-see for anyone interested in Spanish history

Studio 54

Studio 54 is a movie that was released in 1998. It is a based on a real life story of Steve Rubell  played by one of my favorite actors Mike Myers. Ryan Phillipe who plays Shane who waiting to get into the club then becomes a bus boy and then becomes a bartender who made a lot of money. Selma Hayek who plays a singer in Studio 54 and Neve Campbell who plays a actress. That movie tells a great story about club and features great disco music.

by Justin Stenzler

Movie Review: Marco Polo

 

I first came upon this film without the faintest idea of the brilliance in store. It was August 8th 2008, mere hours before the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympics was set to begin. I was browsing the "Free Movies on Demand" channel with my father and this title came up. Interested, we set it to play, and I was awed as I rarely have been in my entire life.

The film chronicles the incredible story of the Venetian trader who, at barely twenty years of age, traversed practically the entire breadth of the Asian continent and spent over a decade in service of the legendary Mongol emperor of China, Kublai Khan. Facing danger at every turn, both inside and outside the confines of the palace, young Marco saw wonders that most other Europeans would not behold for centuries and wrote perhaps the world's most famous travel guide, which (according to the ending scene of the film) has never been out of print since its first publication nearly 800 years ago.

In films like this, the issue of historical accuracy is always a prominent one. I don't claim to be an expert on the period, yet I had my doubts about certain aspects portrayed in the film; some seemed to have been created merely as romanticizing elements to further the story, yet others have proven, based on my recent research and observations, to be surprisingly correct. Regardless of specific inaccuracies, one thing the film did exceptionally well was show the contrasts between Europe and China (culturally, technologically and intellectually) which, at this time (13th century), were very significant.

The film was not big on special effects by any means (if anything there was a noticeable lack of them), but that was hardly an issue. I did have some qualms-perhaps not initially but after wards- about the casting choices (namely Ian Somerhalder and Brian Dennehy, an American and Irishman, respectively, playing famous Italian and Chinese historical figures), but lavish sets, costumes and cinematography, coupled with dramatic storytelling and fascinating characters affected me in ways that few other movies ever have. So much so, that I re-watched the movie about a dozen more times over the following two weeks and got my hands on the DVD (which contained a lot of extra footage) at the first opportunity. 

Movie Review: The Woman in Black

Ever since I stumbled upon the decidedly creepy trailer for this movie last summer, I have been keen to see it (and not just because it was Daniel Radcliffe's first major post-Potter role, the plot line looked intriguing in-and-of-itself).




Radcliffe stars as Arthur Kipps, a young widower lawyer living in Edwardian-era London. Still reeling from the death of his wife four years earlier, Kipps is given a last chance to retain his job at the firm. He is sent to a remote coastal village to settle the estate of a recently deceased client. Unbeknownst to Kipps, however, he is walking straight into a crockpot of unsettling mysteries. The village has been plagued by mysterious deaths of most of its children, and nearly everyone is convinced that the ghost of Kipps' client is behind it all (although considering the woman’s circumstances, she did have reason to exact revenge on the town that scorned her).


I wasn’t fully sure what to expect from this movie, but it was without a doubt the scariest film I have seen in a long time. The individual elements of that fear (ghostly shadows/faces, creaking noises, demonic-looking toys/dolls ect…) were not very scary in-and-of themselves, but combined with brilliant camera work, stunning visuals and heart-stopping music, all the small parts combined to create a darkly beautiful tapestry of spine-tingling thrills (at one point, a woman in the theater let out a very audible scream- the first time I’ve ever heard one during a movie).  
 

The World Of Disney

I used to watch Disney movies when I was younger. Each one to me tells a story. It's amazing watch Disney movies again. My favorites have and always will be Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia, Dumbo, Cinderella, Alice In Wonderland, Peter Pan, 101 Dalmations, Mary Poppins, The Aristocats, Oliver and Company, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and The Beast my most favorite along with Aladdin, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Mulan, Toy Story, Bolt, The Muppets, and Cars. All these movies mean to me that you are never to old relive the past the present and the future.

by Justin Stenzler

Teaser Trailer for Prometheus

The Dark Knight Rises Second Trailer

101 Dalmatians 1961 Trailer

by Justin Stenzler

Shakespearean Tragedies return to the Big Screen

With 2004's the "The Merchant of Venice" and last year's "The Tempest" Shakespeare's comedies have become done more often than his critically acclaimed tragedies. "Hamlet" has been performed on camera many times in addition to it's numerous stage production. In 1948, Sir Laurence Olivier's portrayal of the classic tale was the only Shakespeare movie to win best picture, unless you count "West Side Story," which is loosely based on "Romeo and Juliet."

In 2012, we will see young Oscar nominee for "True Grit," Hailee Steinfeld portray Juliet in a new version of "Romeo and Juliet" also starring academy award winner, Holly Hunter as the nurse. But before the classics are done again, this Friday comes Coriolanus. The buzz here is that Ralph Fiennes, a well known British stage and film actor, is on his way to becoming a legendary Shakespearean director, much like Sir Olivier and Kenneth Branagh, who in 1996 did a four hour film adaptation of "Hamlet", my personal favorite version.

"Coriolanus" was originally a Roman epic, but has been re-imagined in modern times and filmed Serbia. Ralph Fiennes spent three years working with "Gladiator" screenwriter John Logan on perfecting the adaptation. As someone who has written feature length screenplays in one semester for classes, I find it amazing the challenges faced in bringing Shakespeare to the screen. All Shakespeare's plays are dialogue heavy with little stage directions, unlike screenplays.

The trailer for "Coriolanus" makes an epic appearance. Mr. Fiennes says that he plans to do "Antony and Cleopatra" next, which will have to compete with another "Cleopatra" movie starring Angelina Jolie, whom I think of as a modern Elizabeth Taylor. The success of Coriolanus will determine the outcome of Shakespeare's continued box office success. It opens this friday in New York and Los Angeles and expands nationwide on January 12th. I can't wait to see. "Make you a blockbuster of Shakespeare."

Ratatouille Trailer

by Justin Stenzler

Walt Disney Films - Fantasia 2000 (2000)

by Justin Stenzler