Plot Summary for The Book of Eli (contains spoilers): Eli (Denzel Washington) has been on a journey for 30 years, walking west across America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a total wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization where people must kill or be killed. The barren roads belong to gangs of cutthroats who rob and kill for water, a pair of shoes, a lighter, or just for fun. Eli is a peaceful man who only acts in self defense, and becomes a warrior with unbelievable killing skills when he is challenged. After the war and the “Big Flash”, Eli was guided by a higher power to a hidden book and given the task of protecting the book and taking it to its final destination. Eli guards the book with his life, because he knows that the book is the only hope that humanity has for its future.
As I watched this movie I started out thinking “Kung-Fu (1972) starring David Carradine, which was also about a lone man searching for his inner peace. The first 10 minutes in the movie there is no dialogue and you are riveted to your seat as you learn about the world this movie takes place in. The scenery is bleak, almost black and white. As we all know Denzel Washington is a great actor, and when a great actor is given a good script, then you have the makings of a hit movie. What this movie needed was an over the top villain and we got that with Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Carnegie the ruler of a small town who has road gangs looking for a book. The acting that surprised me was that of Mila Kunis who played Solara in this movie. I was expecting Jackie from “That 70’s Show” and not much else from her, but was blown away when I saw her range in this movie.
The Hughes Brothers as directors made only one other movie I could recommend and that was their first movie “Menace II Society” (1993). The other movies they made were of the same cloth as that one. I only wanted to see this because the trailer looked good. I’m glad I did. I asked my family who went with me what they would give it and it ranged from 3 to 5, I was going to give it a 4 out of 5 anyway.
If you want to see a movie that not only makes you think, but also is fun to watch then this is the one to see right now. It is rated R for violence and profanity.
Plot Summary for “The Blind Side”: “The Blind Side” depicts the story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Tuohys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Tuohy’s lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle.
This movie is a true story and very well acted. As a true story, it got me to wondering how much was dramatized for the impact of the story and how much of it was real. After some research on the Tuohys and Michael Oher I can only say that this was the most realistic true story I have ever seen.
Sandra Bullock seems to channel Leigh Anne Tuohy. The portrayal is so riveting that I forgot I was watching Sandra Bullock and thought I was a fly on the Tuohy’s wall. All of the actors performances were unforgettable but I must make mention of Jea Head as S. J. Tuohy. I see alot of work coming for this freckle-faced actor. I was also very surprised at the acting ability of Country Music star Tim McGraw.
The director, John Lee Hancock, has a another true story under his belt of a person who overcomes diversity in their life.
In all, if you are looking for a good date movie then you can do no wrong taking your date to this movie at the theater, otherwise just wait for the DVD or BluRay release and watch it at home.
Plot Summary for “Avatar”: When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge’s intentions of driving off the native humanoid “Na’vi” in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na’vi people with the use of an “avatar” identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri, the restless Colonel moves forward with his ruthless extermination tactics, forcing the soldier to take a stand – and fight back in an epic battle for the fate of Pandora. Written by The Massie Twins
When I first heard that James Cameron was going to direct Avatar I thought to myself, “Great just what we need a live action version of an anime.” When I saw the teaser trailer in April I was glad it wasn’t what I thought. The trailer showed what looked like a good Science Fiction Movie. After going to a 1:30 AM showing of the movie The trailer did not do the movie justice.
What James Cameron has created is a throwback to what Science Fiction was in the beginning, in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature. This story is not only believable, but also beautifully shot. The opening shot a panorama of a lush green jungle sets you in the world of Pandora. What could have turned into a story preaching about the evils of deforestation and racial genocide, turned into a story of love and one man’s journey to find himself.
James Horner’s music just added to the whole feel of the film. He not only had the huge orchestrations and themes of an epic movie but also included the rhythmic chanting of an ancient tribe.
Stan Winston’s creatures were the best ever designed. My favorites have to be the Leonopteryx , a the king predator of the sky, striped scarlet, yellow and black, with an 80-foot wingspan and the Titanothere, the ferocious Hammerheaded rhinoceros-like herbivore with a bad attitude and a head like a sledgehammer. The effects were so wonderfully done that it wasn’t like it was created but someone truly visited Pandora and brought back notes.
The acting was superb.
Sam Worthington — Jake Sully
Zoe Saldana — Neytiri
Sigourney Weaver — Dr. Grace Augustine
Stephen Lang — Colonel Miles Quaritch
Michelle Rodriguez — Trudy Chacon
Giovanni Ribisi — Parker Selfridge
Joel David Moore — Norm Spellman
CCH Pounder — Moat
Wes Studi — Eytukan
Laz Alonso — Tsu’tey
Dileep Rao — Dr. Max Patel
In closing the best way to see this movie is in 3D and in the IMAX format if possible. I give this move 5 phantoms out of 5.
Plot Summary for The Book of Eli (contains spoilers): Eli (Denzel Washington) has been on a journey for 30 years, walking west across America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a total wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization where people must kill or be killed. The barren roads belong to gangs of cutthroats who rob and kill for water, a pair of shoes, a lighter, or just for fun. Eli is a peaceful man who only acts in self defense, and becomes a warrior with unbelievable killing skills when he is challenged. After the war and the “Big Flash”, Eli was guided by a higher power to a hidden book and given the task of protecting the book and taking it to its final destination. Eli guards the book with his life, because he knows that the book is the only hope that humanity has for its future.
