WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

SUMMARY: This epic imaginative tale is based on the picture book by Maurice Sendak. A recreation of a fond memory was aimed to please and hit its mark. I refuse to even give up a sliver of real information in hopes that you'll see it. The journey of this boy will be remembered for lifetimes.

ACTING: The main character, A little bad ass kid named Max, is played so well for his age. The connection your able to form with Max, brings you to feel like you know him, understand him, and start to care about him. The monsters he encounters, the monsters inside himself, also have there very own specific personalities, allowing for each character to stand out and be noticed.

SCRIPT: Since the movie was first a picture book. There wasn't very much of a script to go off of, just a story. Yet, what was written to fill in the blanks from the book only enhanced and enriched the story ten fold. The speech was so natural for such an unnatural tale, that some of the one-liners will certainly become classic. The symbolism in this movie would definitely be more enjoyed by psychologist and not children.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: I cant express how important the way this movie needed to be filmed. To bring back the feelings of childhood and imagination, there were certain angles that needed to be captured. Spike Jonze, the director, had a vision that was pertinent in seizing the feeling we all longed for.

RE-WATCHABILITY: WHO COULD EVER GET TIRED OF THIS? If my day was good, if my day was bad, I could inject this DVD in the player, and only increase my "happiness level". For people who weren't read the book as a child or do not remember as vividly the story, this movie will not have the same effect. But, for people like me, who could recite the whole thing, you can only pray that your soul doesn't explode with love.

PLOT: This timeless story is like nothing ever published. Its great for children (confusing for them) and adults (also confusing), but because of the feeling you get after watching you feel like you understand. Like an abstract painting, it's not the image on the screen, but the one in your heart. You begin the movie highly interested and leave satisfied. Thats all the plot you really need...

Bonus: MUSIC: The soundtrack for this movie, again, can only be described as abstract. Wild chanting, upbeat sounds and rhythm, you find yourself smiling for no reason. Since this is such an original story its only right that the music be the same way.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃☃ because you can't rate love.

WATCHMEN

SUMMARY: WHY ARE MOVIES GETTING SO GOOD??!? This  director, Zach Snyder, captured the dark side of superhero movies and comics perfectly.  When life doesn't have happy endings and the truth is hard to see.  Touching on the topics of whose right is it to judge and if you have the power to do something, anything, should you use it?  Powerful stuff.

ACTING: A lot of people rate The Dark Knight as the top superhero movie because of the incredible acting done by Heath Ledger (RIP).  Yet, I argue this tops it because of the amazing acting done the whole crew.  Everyone goes all out on this movie and the emotions can be felt.  Each superhero is given his/hers own background that intertwines with the others.

SCRIPT: The same type of monologue like in 300, Sin City, and The Spirt let you know this is still a comic book. The superhero Rorschach likes to talk to himself, lucky we can listen. Letting you inside the main characters head, and letting the viewer think he/she is seeing everything... but the main character can get tricked.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:  In the beginning credits there is a slow moving camera shot that I have never seen for a long period of time.  A type of still shot that must have only lasted for 5 seconds or less, but because of the slow moving shot it takes on a longer scene.  Taking you through the years of the superhero and how when the world evolves, so do the heros.  It gave a brief history of real events and fake ones but that were related to the movie.

RE-WATCHABILITY: Is a long movie no doubt but I reeeeeeally want to see it again. So what does that say?

PLOT: The setting of the movie was set during Nixon, Carter, and Reagan during the time of tension between the United States and Soviet Union.  Although, in the actual movie Nixon is president for 5 terms.  It gives a alternative perspective on history about wars. Yet, I think what offsets this movie from not only any other comic movie, but any movie in general, is the humor.  This movie is a pitch black dark comedy, that is sad but funny.  It takes you into the psychology of people, and what the human race really is.  It holds a mirror to your face without you even noticing it, and has you look upon yourself.  Life is a cruel joke, but try and be the last one laughing.

Bonus:FIGHT SCENES: No kung fu movies have come out in America in a while. So its nice to see some fight sequences done correctly.  With the sound effects done at full throttle and made amazing your almost grimacing at every sound of a face punched in.  Along with special effects, there is no nice fighting happening in this movie. Graphic novel would be the correct term with out a doubt.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃

THE INTERNATIONAL

SUMMARY: The International is an Action/Thriller about a bank that uses its clients money for their own uses.  Its a fictional movie but has a slight real twist to it. Clive Owen is an Agent working on trying to take down the bank and bring in justice. He has the skills to succeed but has to overcome all obstacles made by the bank and that are with in himself.

ACTING: Clive Owen is always good at these action roles, playing the cool but not calm action hero is his thing.  Yet, something about his roles are some what repetitive so of course predictable.  Naomi Watts was great as his "side kick" and played a good cop role but noting extravagant.  There isn't much background to the characters and it feels like your thrown in the movie half way through.

SCRIPT: With some random one liners and normal dialogue, the movie moves write along.  The story is almost monotone and unless your really slow you can usually guess where the story is heading.  No major deep conversations but there are enough entertaining lines to keep you awake.

CINEMATOGRAPHY: There are different camera angles for one shot, giving different view points.  Interesting enough, its the most impressive part of the movie.  Very huge camera angles as well as an interesting way the movie starts off, really sets the tone for the film.  The movie seemed to be more focused on expensive camera's and equipment, then better scripts and developing characters.

RE-WATCHABILITY: Absolute zero.  There are many better action films that should be watched over instead of this one.  Once the plot is fully figured out there is no amazement, and the abrupt ending of the film doesn't leave you wanting more, it just leaves you feeling slightly confused.

PLOT:  Using a bank was a good strategy  on relating to all audiences around the world.  Yet, while wanting to relate to the people, you still have to make a good movie.  Thinking about your money being used for something besides what you want might be on many peoples minds, but to use the good concept I would have liked to see more put into the acting and script.  The movie was full of action and special effects that were very good but still were not enough to develop a good story and make a good movie.

RATING: ☃☃

AKIRA

SUMMARY: In 1988, Tokyo, Japan is destroyed by a nuclear explosion that leads to the start of World War III. The story takes place, 31 years later in Neo-Tokyo , a futuristic metropolis built on an artificial island in Tokyo Bay; a city troubled by political strife and gang violence.

ACTING/ANIMATION: The animation in this film is unmatched. The authentic facial expressions on all characters, let the film communicate not only verbally but also non verbally. The movements are carefully chosen and bring life to the character's actions. All aspects of the animation are very realistic and have changed the Anime world forever.

SCRIPT: The voices (even though dubbed to English) are surprisingly very well adapted to the animation. The voices also go with the characters, so that the face goes with the voice coming from it.

CINEMATOGRAPHY/BACKGROUND: Perfect scenery and a background of beautiful artwork. Amazing visuals that in itself are master pieces that would be widely sought out.

RE-WATCHABILITY: Easily a classic, can be rewound and watched over and over again. This is a movie that shows new things every time it's played.

PLOT: Deep concept that takes time to decipher. Between inferiority complex's and telekinesis powers, this sometimes confusing story line creates a very intense conflict between the protagonist and antagonist in the movie.

RATING: ☃☃☃☃☃