Rabbit Hole: Movie Review

Rabbit Hole filmed by John Cameron Mitchell is an adapted broadway play written by David Lindsay-Abaire which  was first commissioned in 2005 by South Coast Repertory.  Soon after, Rabbit Hole was produced  at Manhattan Theatre Club in New York City. The exemplary achievements of Rabbit Hole also paved the way for Cynthia Nixon, who played Beca in the broadway show which won her Best Actress for her performance in the 2006 Tony Awards. Four years later, the emotionally intense and  cognitively sensitive  broadway play is now available on the big cinema screen led by a flawless team-- Nicole Kidman (Beca) and Aaron Eckhart (Howie).

The film is a depiction of contrasting human spirit, grief, and hope due to the loss of a child. Nicole Kidman (Beca), played an emotionally tormented mother who could not cope with the loss of her son who died in a car accident right in front of their house. In bereavement, the once happy and lively Kidman shifted to a bitter, faithless, hopeless, and demised individual. While, on a contrary, Aaron Eckhart (Howie), played as  Beca’s husband portrayed the role of a laconic, phlegmatic  father who silently tried to look at life through a brighter lens regardless of their loss.

The dramatic sequence of the film was heavy. However, the effortless acting styles of both Kidman and Eckhart alleviated the weight , and thus lifted the strong emotional burden of the film. Kidman’s approach in the film reminded me of  Cindy Sheehan,  a mother who lost her son in Iraq--  illustrating an extremely painful grief, which later escalated with  loosing her husband. Though, the film did not go thru such extremes as Sheehan, the juxtaposition of maternal dolefulness  between Sheehan and Kidman was clear.

The incandescent and emotionally moving part of the film for me was the relationship between Kidman and the young adolescent boy who killed Kidman’s son.  The scene was shot at the park bench where the young adolescent boy was showing Kidman his comic books and telling her his future plans, while very mournful about what happened. Meanwhile, Kidman was assuring the young man not to blame himself for the accident; which for me was a starting sign of her  acceptance. But I will not spoil the film and definitely not tell you the rest.

There were so many touching moments in the film; no wonder critics view this film as one of the best films of the year and a very strong contender for  an array of film awards coming 2011. Highly recommended. Piece of advice: bring tissues; unless you have a heart of stone. For  this film I give 3 ½ stars.

Movie Review: Narnia, The Voyage of the Dream Treader

While the penultimate film  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows received an upsetting reviews from the critics, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is indeed tailing Harry Potter.  Michael Apted, who according to the New York Times “ established his rapport with wee ones years ago with  7 Up!”, did try to spice up the new film from the last Narnia , however, it oddly dropped immensely compared to the first one. Furthermore, Apted brings this new film in 3D and a minor idiosyncrasies with Narnia's newest member--Eustace Scrubb played by Will Poulter.  Eustace, a loquacious, irritating, displeasing, pessimistic, cousin of Edmund and Lucy can effectively turn your emotions to a roller coaster ride--from hate to love. It was a very smart move from Apted to include such a remarkable actor in the picture, who was first seen in the independent film Son of Rambow.

The film started by digitally turning an archaic looking picture into a massive, gnawing, violent, wild ocean as an escape from London to the magical world of Narnia. While the three main characters (Edmund, Lucy and Eustace) were fighting the violent waves, Prince Caspian who was manning the Dawn Treader came to the rescue and welcomed the Majesties of Narnia, including the shocked Eustace who came to explore and discover Narnia for the very first time.

The story line was not that impressive, compared to the previous installment films of Narnia. There were not enough fight scenes, unimaginable characters, and exciting frames,  of which the first Narnia film had provided. When I think of Narnia, I instantly think of magic. Unfortunately, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader did not give me a magical feeling to call it a worth-while film. However, Prince Caspian maintained his magical appeal to me; and for sure for other girls or boys out there as well.

The interesting part of the plot was when Eustace turned into a dragon. The dragon did not just portray a typical untamed, emotionless beast, but rather a very compassionate, emotional, and anthropomorphic  giant creature—I was personally  moved when the dragon shed a tear.

On the bright side, there are countless moral lessons one can take home from this film. Truly, kids would pick up some tips on why they need to behave and be kind. Otherwise, the spell might turn them into another hideous creature. Since it is a holiday season, I think the film offers a message of love, giving, and compassion. For this film I give 2 ½ stars.

Movie Review: Disney's Tangled

Disney once again has proven its spot in Hollywood stardom with Tangled.  Unlike  its predecessors (Cinderella,  Sleeping Beauty and the 90’s renaissance Aladin, Beauty and the Beast, and more), Disney’s structure of Grimm Brother’s Rapunzelculminated the film with “coming to age”, “right of passage” tenor as its core. Though, at some point, I see the plot similar to Little Mermaid--heroine’s thirst for the outside world and ultimately disobeyed her father’s wish. However, Tangled, illustrated a more true-to-life experience to that of a teenager undergoing young adolescence period; not to mention, Rapunzel is indeed human; and not half-man half-fish heroine; therefore, audience can relate easily. More so, brilliantly, a wise critic even personified "Rapunzel" to that of Aung San Suu Kyi which i find absolutely wise and creative.

The story started when the beloved ,pregnant, Queen got illed; and the only thing that can rescue her from the near death situation is the magical plant-- hidden and protected by Gothel, a vicious witch who was obssessed with eternal youth. Nonetheless, the magical plant was given to the Queen, and she gave birth to a beautiful, golden haired princess, and named her Rapunzel.

Of course,  like most Disney movies, the witch or a villain has to stir some drama to the story. The angry, megalomaniac, witch stole the princess;  hid her at the top of the tower; raised her; injected growing Rapunzel with lies about the outside world to infuse fear; and kept Rapunzel’s hair  grew, reaching 70 feet long--the only thing that keeps Gothel’s eternal youth.

While Gothel was away, a rouged, yet handsome stranger, Flynn Ryder, stumbled in the heart of the forest; facilitated  Rapunzel ‘s escape; introduced her to the world she curiously admired from her window; and eventually fell in love with each other—a classic Disney movie theme.

 Song writers and lyricists, Allan Menken and Glenn Slater, successfully collaborated and created songs for Tangled that Oscar Awards cannot just ignore coming 2011 awards night. More so, I bet Tangled will be turned into another musical broadway sensation like “The Lion King”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid”; especially, the characters capable of talking in the film are all humans.

The best part of the movie for me was the nocturnal flying lantern scene; where the young couple were being engulfed by numerous, colorful, and enchanting floating lanterns in the middle of the lake/sea while Disney’s original ballad song “ I See the Light “ was being played. For me, this was the pinnacle of the virtual pallete of the film.

Though there were some disconnect in the film,--the dialogue of “Hey , Blondie” in times of Medieval Period-- Overall, Disney’s attempt to mix modern and traditional themes  was indeed a success. Flynn Ryder, who epitomized Robin Hood was another wise twist in the film. Not only that Robin Hood a.k.a. Flynn Ryder stole money from the rich, but also stole Rapunzel’s heart and virginity. What a wise thief! For this film I give 3 ½  stars.

Movie Review: Black Swan, supreme and imaginatively disturbing!

Black Swan is one of the conspicuous movie contenders for 2011 Oscar Awards. The psycho-sexual thriller movie depicts the struggle of a principal ballerina to separate reality and stage character from each other. Nina, played by Natalie Portman, was a perfectionist, dream achiever, and an ambitious ballerina who suffered from mental derangement resulting in paranoia and hallucination; and eventually, ended up in a horrific death, a classic melodrama tantamount to Shakespearean tragedies:  Macbeth, Othello’s Desdemona and more. However, most critics compared "Black Swan" to Roman Polanski’s Repulsion and other schizophrenic films such as Sybil, Benny and June, A Beautiful Mind, Twelve Monkeys, Fight Club, and more.

Impressively, director Darren Aronofsky, director of The Wrestler, wisely projected an extreme characterization of each actor in the film; which in my opinion, the reason why Portman is considered for the best actress coming 2011 Oscar. Portman, though not an authentic ballerina, did an astounding performance playing ballerina with a matrix of heavy, intense, emotional characterization; while Barbara Hershey, played as Portman’s over protective mother, rendered an impeccable acting in support to our lunatic heroine.

While the setting was a fictional ballet company located at Lincoln Center, the collective illustration of the ballet world was exaggerated with some non-fictional theme; particularly, the lecherous character of the head director, which in my opinion, was absolutely Hollywood. How could a reputable and paramount ballet company allow such a behavior?However, that is debatable and one may argue the opposite. That said, balletomanes might raise their eyebrows on that note.Nevertheless, kudos to director Aronofsky who took an extra mile to depict and capture the real dance sequence and choreography of the “Tchaikovsky” warhorse’s Swan Lake”in the film.

Overall, Black Swan is a dark, intense, and mentally challenging film that offers a highly subjective approach to the fate of a ballerina from being perfect to psychologically demented. Though the film is psychologically disturbing, it is sound; an irony analogous to Portman's bilateral persona of a virginal, placid girl but consumed by dubious and psychotic alter-ego. I promise you, you would not want to leave your chair. So, grab your popcorns and take care of any restroom activities. For this film, I give 4 stars!

The Tourist, Movie Review

Many critics have provided movie goers with their critical analyses about the faux-Hitchcockian guessing-game film, The Tourist, even before it was shown to the public. The scrutiny from the so-called film experts mostly described the film boring, unappealing, uninteresting, substanceless film, and many more negative remarks. The unfavorable criticisms took a different toll on me; ergo, picked my curiosity even more, and the I decided to watch it and see it with my own eye. I came to the theatre with an insensate, and  minimal expectations for the film to avoid any bias.

The film opened with Elise ( Angelina Jolie) who portrays a less evocative Audrey Hepburn, walking out of a prestigious hotel in Paris, wearing a monochromatic ensemble while sipping coffee on a sidewalk café.  Meanwhile, CIA agents were eyeing her from the distance; watching her every move to get some clues and information about her supposed lover Alexander Pierce—a man who stole millions of dollars from a British business tycoon.

On a train ride, Elise met with Frank Tupelo (Johhny Depp), a mathematics teacher from America who is supposedly a tourist exploring Europe.The storyline continued with a chasing; puzzle-like plot, where Elise’s was summoned through letters from Alexander;  Elise’s elegant wardrobes; and panoramic  European  locations. Finally, the two fell in love. Elise, who once in love with Alexander, and has been trying to protect him from the British officials, gave up and decided to give Alexander to the British authorities.

After watching the film, I looked back at the critic’s voice, and I understood why they felt the film extremely boring. Critics were looking for an Angelina-type of movie where she was expected to jump off the building, chase and wreck some cars, and operate a state-of-the-art, high powered, automatic weapon. Sadly, this film will not treat you with those kinds of action stunts. The film, though it seems like an action movie, frankly, is not. While the film is not a psychological thriller, ironically, the film is comparable to that of  Matt Damons’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. To pick your curiosity, I will not tell you why I compared it to Anthony Minghella’s film in 1999—The Talented Mr. Ripley. Find out for yourself.

The German director Florian Henckle von Donnersmarck, whose debut film, The Lives of Others, won the Oscars a few years back, did an amazing job, in my opinion, in bringing out the working chemistry from the two prominent actors in Hollywood.  Don’t expect Salt-like plot, or Mr and Mrs. Smith action, rather expect a nice, entertaining, smart, and full of climatic sequence storyline. Jolie and Depp, indeed created a well- balanced partnership regardless of their off-screen personalities. Unlike, Jolie’s previous films, where she was being typecasted with action films, The Tourist, on a contrary, is a twist from a current crime thriller genre that surely calmed down Jolie’s femme-fatale character ; but maintaining her old, diva, Hollywood glamor appeal on the screen.

Finally, I do not agree with most of the critics about their negative remarks. Just a good ole reminder, come watch the film without expectations and leave your perceptions from Jolie’s and Depp’s previous films, and you will not be dissapointed. Movies are meant to have different characters, settings, acting styles,  and plots; so why expect the same drama, acting, character from your favorite stars? For this film I give 3 stars.