Kevin Durand stars as Robin Longstrife in this action packed movie. Fighting, fighting, and more fighting, with all the old time sword and bow combat you'd think this movie would keep any viewer in tune... and yet, there was something about this particular movie that made me wish I were in biology... BIOLOGY! The story followed the classic tale of a king dieing in battle, only to have the crown givin to his younger sibling, by our protaganist, Robin. However he runs into a small trench in the trees with dead bodies sprawled over the ground. He talks to the one still alive... Robin Longstrife.... with Robin's dieing breath, he asks Robin to bring Robins sword to his father Walter, a retired and decorated knight, though not so honored. Robin makes a promice with Robin and after delivering the crown to the younger brother, posing as Robin(now dead). Turns out however, the new king is mean, blah blah, Walter asks Robin to pose as Robin, blah. The Merry group forms and saves people... you may be thinking, "wow, im not gunna waste my time with this movie." Or perhaps, "Then What?" Well if you wanna know what happened next, I fell alseep for the remaining 15 min. of class. I could tell you how it ended but, i'll not ruin it for you. I will say, there are two things and only two that I like in this movie. Those are that it shows power in unity and trust, as well as give a motivational quote, which goes as such, "Rise and rise again, until lambs become lions." You think about it.
***Pros***
Classic tale
Motivational
Perfect for sleeping to
***Cons***
Annoying music
A little confusing
Fast and slow at the same time
***Rating***
**/*****
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Simpson Movie Parodies ___________
1) The Inconveniant Truth
2) Spiderman
3) Harry Potter
3) Tom & Jerry
4) Green Latern
5) Family Guy
2) Spiderman
3) Harry Potter
3) Tom & Jerry
4) Green Latern
5) Family Guy
My Film studies Movie list- Joe Heinecke
1) V for Vendetta
2) Ben_Hur
3) The Graduate
4) Cinema Paradiso
5) Simpsons Movie
6) Taken
7) Slum Dog Millionair
8) Psycho
9) The Great Debaters
10) Robin Hood
11) Citizen Kane
12) Gone with the Wind
Ordered by favorite
2) Ben_Hur
3) The Graduate
4) Cinema Paradiso
5) Simpsons Movie
6) Taken
7) Slum Dog Millionair
8) Psycho
9) The Great Debaters
10) Robin Hood
11) Citizen Kane
12) Gone with the Wind
Ordered by favorite
Film Studies Rating List - Cole Buchanan
The lower the number, the better the movie.
1) Taken
2) Slumdog Millionare
3) Simpson's Movie
4) V for Vendetta
5) Robin Hood
6) Cinema Paradiso
7) The Great Debaters
8) The Graduate
9) Ben Hur
10) Psycho
11) Citizen Kane
12) Gone With the Wind
1) Taken
2) Slumdog Millionare
3) Simpson's Movie
4) V for Vendetta
5) Robin Hood
6) Cinema Paradiso
7) The Great Debaters
8) The Graduate
9) Ben Hur
10) Psycho
11) Citizen Kane
12) Gone With the Wind
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Taken - Review
As a fantastic surprise, we get a fantastic movie thrown into the midst of the movies we have been reviewing of late, as part of our student powered voting system. It is a nice change of pace in comparison to the other movies, which kind of emanated a certain "I'm in school" vibe, as the movies we watched seemed to normally be something most people wouldn't watch on their own time. Well, with that out of the way, on to the review.
To start off, the movie's plot is as simple as it's title. A man who used to work for the government as a self proclaimed "preventer", who simply prevents bad things from happening, has his daughter kidnapped in Paris while she is on a vacation with a friend. Now, the plot is of course a BIT deeper than that, but we'll leave it at that. Even with the simple plot line, this movie packs a major punch, as it's filled with action, detective works, sly spy-like tricks, and even a little parkour.
There were not many main characters in the movie, but Liam Neeson, who portrays the main character, Bryan, did a fantastic job bringing action to the movie, while being an all-together collective, and seemingly average guy. With a surreal car chase, dozens of hand-to-hand fighting scenes, and even a few shootouts, this movie definitely brings the action that we desired to the screen, and even a star that we aspire to be a little closer to reality than most. The other main actors, Kim (Maggie Grace), Lenore (Famke Janssen), Amanda (Katie Cassidy), etc. all played less major roles in the film, but still presented themselves in an adequate fashion on screen when their parts required it.
The music was all too unnoticed while watching the action occur during the movie, leaving it hard to rate, unlike the special effects, which were also hard to notice being fake, as you immersed yourself into the movie's action.
To conclude, this movie is a definite RENT, as it's got some good action, a few good hints of comedy, and the explosions we know you love!
***Rating***
****/*****
Action: *****/*****
Acting: **** /*****
Music: ? /*****
Plot: **** /*****
To start off, the movie's plot is as simple as it's title. A man who used to work for the government as a self proclaimed "preventer", who simply prevents bad things from happening, has his daughter kidnapped in Paris while she is on a vacation with a friend. Now, the plot is of course a BIT deeper than that, but we'll leave it at that. Even with the simple plot line, this movie packs a major punch, as it's filled with action, detective works, sly spy-like tricks, and even a little parkour.
There were not many main characters in the movie, but Liam Neeson, who portrays the main character, Bryan, did a fantastic job bringing action to the movie, while being an all-together collective, and seemingly average guy. With a surreal car chase, dozens of hand-to-hand fighting scenes, and even a few shootouts, this movie definitely brings the action that we desired to the screen, and even a star that we aspire to be a little closer to reality than most. The other main actors, Kim (Maggie Grace), Lenore (Famke Janssen), Amanda (Katie Cassidy), etc. all played less major roles in the film, but still presented themselves in an adequate fashion on screen when their parts required it.
The music was all too unnoticed while watching the action occur during the movie, leaving it hard to rate, unlike the special effects, which were also hard to notice being fake, as you immersed yourself into the movie's action.
To conclude, this movie is a definite RENT, as it's got some good action, a few good hints of comedy, and the explosions we know you love!
***Rating***
****/*****
Action: *****/*****
Acting: **** /*****
Music: ? /*****
Plot: **** /*****
Monday, November 15, 2010
Top 10 Films - Joe Heinecke and Cole Buchanan Compare
Joe Heinecke and Cole Buchanan here to talk about our top 10 favorite films of all time!
I, Joe will go first.
1) V For Vendetta
2) Inception
3) Big Daddy
4) My Best Friends Girl
5) Rush Hour 2
6) Rush Hour
7) G.I. Joe
8) Aladdin
9) Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
10) Ace Ventura
And now Cole.
1) Scott Pilgrim v.s. The World
2) Tales of Vesperia: First Strike
3) Juno
4) Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
5) Superbad
6) Yes, Man
7) Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
8) The Truman Show
9) Liar, Liar
10) Ace Ventura
I, Joe will go first.
1) V For Vendetta
2) Inception
3) Big Daddy
4) My Best Friends Girl
5) Rush Hour 2
6) Rush Hour
7) G.I. Joe
8) Aladdin
9) Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
10) Ace Ventura
And now Cole.
1) Scott Pilgrim v.s. The World
2) Tales of Vesperia: First Strike
3) Juno
4) Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children
5) Superbad
6) Yes, Man
7) Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie
8) The Truman Show
9) Liar, Liar
10) Ace Ventura
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
V for Vendetta - A reView
Well Cole and I, Joe certainly disagree on our ratings for this movie, so I... Vacated him from the team (relax he's out sick). Well, while he thought the story was to Vague, I thought it was simply wonderful, and guess what, he's not here. I've seen this movie enough times to notice those little things that you miss the first Viewing. I will personally say that this film deserves the raVe reViews it's gotten. The actors play there parts near perfectly, a few haVings, but nothing serious. The use of iambic pentameter was well placed, esspecially at the Very beggining, after V saVed the distraught EV. They were also clever in using BeethoVen's 5th symphony in accordence to "Remember Remember the 5th of NoVember." I'm glad to say that all of V's efforts were not in Vain, as the reVolution came about and a new, braVe, and united Brita' came about, and peace was reViVed. This was truly a movie of Vast messages and thought, I loVed it.
***Pros***
Plot
Music
Underlying Messages
Action
Twists
Acting
Character DeVelopment
***Cons***
(for the sake of Cole)Need more info about V's life, who is he(Ironic to ask a man in a mask, who he is, isn't it)
***Rating***
*****/***** (fiVe/fiVe)
***Pros***
Plot
Music
Underlying Messages
Action
Twists
Acting
Character DeVelopment
***Cons***
(for the sake of Cole)Need more info about V's life, who is he(Ironic to ask a man in a mask, who he is, isn't it)
***Rating***
*****/***** (fiVe/fiVe)
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Graduate - THE Review
In the movie “The Graduate”, Dustin Hoffman stars as our uncoordinated, Benjamin Braddock, who is confused about his future, and ends up having an affair with one of his parent's friends, Mrs. Robinson, and then falling in love with her daughter, Elaine. On the way, Ben has a number of spontaneous decisions that normally lead to comedic outcomes, and ultimately end up with Ben running off with Elaine, unsure of where the wind will take them.
***Plot***
Cole - The plot of “The Graduate” really had me unhooked. It was all about Ben trying to get Elaine, after first sleeping with her mother numerous times. Sure, it had its comedic moments, but they didn't compensate for the movies dull and slow atmosphere. The music used was all done by Simon & Garfunkel, who did an amazing job of capturing the movie's persona, but the movie's persona beforehand was to my displeasure.
Joe - The plot was certainly interesting, the kind that made you wonder who’s thinking what and why, but all in all it was a good story of loved and lost, then card flip in a romantic race against time for Ben to stop Elaine from marrying Carl. Over all the character development was very good, they did great in turning Ben into a nervous wreck, Mrs. Robinson into a… well….As well as Ben parents as goofs. Over all it had its ups and down, like any movie, but I personally liked it.
***Acting***Cole - Most of the actors did an astounding job playing their parts, but there were some misgivings. Mrs. Robinson, for example, does a very good job of playing a sleazy woman at first, but as the story goes on, she becomes sort of a mentally unstable woman, with almost no correlation to the plot itself, other than just as a stand-in.
Joe -I think that Dustin Hoffman get 2 thumbs up once again, he is and excellent actor all his own, but to add to the greatness all the actors played there parts just fine, Mrs. R a wahore, Mr. Braddick a goof. It was all well done.
***Music***
Cole - The music in The Graduate was done by the band Simon & Garfunkel, who played some stereotypical hippie music, which was suiting for the movie itself, but was not in my taste. Therefore I think it is a positive for the movie in itself, not my musical preference that decides this.
Joe - I personally love the music, I've always liked "The Sound of Silence", and it was well placed to fit the mood and the situation.
***Conclusion***
Cole - The movie was sort of interesting at first, and had some decent comedic moments, but the "comedy" really didn't give all that it had promised. The acting was also good AT FIRST, but crumbled as the story went on. Speaking of degrading, the plot really did give away as well as the rest of the movie, as it turned into a love story with little comedy, and with some unbelievable actions that no normal person would do. The music was the only thing that stayed moderately the same throughout the movie, which isn't necessarily a good thing.
Joe - Though the conclusion was romantic and humorous, with the running to the church and swinging the cross, but it was very open ended. I was disappointed.
***Pros***
Cole - Music, beginning of the movie
Joe - Humor, music
***Cons***
Cole - Lack of humor, film degraded
Joe - Racy
***Overall***
***/*****
Psycho - Review
A distressed woman, who steals $40,000. A creepy motel owner. The motel owner's mother. Add all of that, and you get the 2 main characters of the movie. What? It doesn't add up? Then you obviously haven't seen the 1960 classic, Psycho.
In the movie Psycho, you follow the character of Marion Crane as she flees to her boyfriend Sam Loomis' home, after stealing $40,000. Along the way, she is continually freaked out by the slightest movement, and inevitably dies at the hands of ...
****************(Spoiler)****************
Norman Bates (Mother)
**************(End Spoiler)**************
The movie had a great plot, and some good twists, which set the standard for most modern movies. However, most modern movies could probably do better when it comes to the graphic effects like blood. Graphically, the movie uses black and white in order to heighten the suspense, and to improve the drama in the movie. It is a good decision for the most part, but to some, color would have improved the movie, but who knows. The camera work was quite good as well, where if you notice the camera's specific movements, it would seem near impossible to do them in one take.
Unfortunately, the music in the movie was kind of repetitive, and they used basically two pieces throughout the movie; one for intense scares, and one for the build-up. The build-up music was fairly good, but the scary music was a simple, shrill noise, which was sudden, and kind of annoying.
The actors in the movie were mostly unnoticeable, as there were only about 4 main characters, who all did adequately in their roles. However, the actor portraying Norman Bates stuck out in the movie, as a very good actor for his role, and let his character's personality shine through.
Overall, the movie had its ups and downs, like all movies, but had its own noticeable features, and set its own milestone, which many movies would later attempt to achieve.
***Pros***
Interesting plot
Good acting
Black and white?
***Cons***
Repetitive/Annoying music
Old timey effects
Black and white?
***Overall***
**/*****
In the movie Psycho, you follow the character of Marion Crane as she flees to her boyfriend Sam Loomis' home, after stealing $40,000. Along the way, she is continually freaked out by the slightest movement, and inevitably dies at the hands of ...
****************(Spoiler)****************
Norman Bates (Mother)
**************(End Spoiler)**************
The movie had a great plot, and some good twists, which set the standard for most modern movies. However, most modern movies could probably do better when it comes to the graphic effects like blood. Graphically, the movie uses black and white in order to heighten the suspense, and to improve the drama in the movie. It is a good decision for the most part, but to some, color would have improved the movie, but who knows. The camera work was quite good as well, where if you notice the camera's specific movements, it would seem near impossible to do them in one take.
Unfortunately, the music in the movie was kind of repetitive, and they used basically two pieces throughout the movie; one for intense scares, and one for the build-up. The build-up music was fairly good, but the scary music was a simple, shrill noise, which was sudden, and kind of annoying.
The actors in the movie were mostly unnoticeable, as there were only about 4 main characters, who all did adequately in their roles. However, the actor portraying Norman Bates stuck out in the movie, as a very good actor for his role, and let his character's personality shine through.
Overall, the movie had its ups and downs, like all movies, but had its own noticeable features, and set its own milestone, which many movies would later attempt to achieve.
***Pros***
Interesting plot
Good acting
Black and white?
***Cons***
Repetitive/Annoying music
Old timey effects
Black and white?
***Overall***
**/*****
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Citizen Kane - The Review
Emily: Really Charles, people will think-
Kane: -what I tell them to think!
Unfortunately if you told us to give this movie a *****/*****, that wouldn't work Mr. Kane, and for a good reason too.
The movie "Citizen Kane" is one man's quest to ascertain the meaning of the newspaper god, Charles Foster Kane's, last word. "Rosebud". Just what is Rosebud? Watch the last 5 seconds of the movie to find out. Anyways, the movie is basically a visual biography of Kane's life, with intermissions following the adventure of a reporter trying to find out what Rosebud is. The parts about Kane's life skip around quite a bit, sometimes leaving you dizzy, but you get snapped back to reality when you start to dream that the movie is amazing, only to remember that it is an adequate production. Which brings us back to the fact that the movie was filmed in black and white. It was done so to enunciate the drama, and the lighting in the movie, which we must agree, has done its part. Maybe CFK wanted it black and white because of the whole "gagged with a silver spoon" incident.
Speaking of good lighting/drama, the music is fitted well onto each scene, making spooky noises when showing the castle of Xanadu, and playing a fluttery tune to Kane getting laughed at by Susan when he gets drenched in "mud". The main actor (who was also the director apparently) did an astounding job, portraying a man who has experienced many hardships throughout his life. The actor playing Jed Leland also made a good impression with his laughable attitude as a young editor, and as a senile old man. The actors themselves, however, could not have helped the plot that was written out for the movie. It was decent at best, but it was slow, and didn't capture our attention. In the end, we were utterly disappointed with where the movie had dropped us off, especially after such a ride.
***Pros***
Good acting
Lighting complimented by black and white
Fitting music
Deep plot
***Cons***
Slow moving
Black and white takes away from overall experience
Plot is deep, yet hard to follow
Actors speak rapidly, sometimes illegible
***Overall***
***/*****
Kane: -what I tell them to think!
Unfortunately if you told us to give this movie a *****/*****, that wouldn't work Mr. Kane, and for a good reason too.
The movie "Citizen Kane" is one man's quest to ascertain the meaning of the newspaper god, Charles Foster Kane's, last word. "Rosebud". Just what is Rosebud? Watch the last 5 seconds of the movie to find out. Anyways, the movie is basically a visual biography of Kane's life, with intermissions following the adventure of a reporter trying to find out what Rosebud is. The parts about Kane's life skip around quite a bit, sometimes leaving you dizzy, but you get snapped back to reality when you start to dream that the movie is amazing, only to remember that it is an adequate production. Which brings us back to the fact that the movie was filmed in black and white. It was done so to enunciate the drama, and the lighting in the movie, which we must agree, has done its part. Maybe CFK wanted it black and white because of the whole "gagged with a silver spoon" incident.
Speaking of good lighting/drama, the music is fitted well onto each scene, making spooky noises when showing the castle of Xanadu, and playing a fluttery tune to Kane getting laughed at by Susan when he gets drenched in "mud". The main actor (who was also the director apparently) did an astounding job, portraying a man who has experienced many hardships throughout his life. The actor playing Jed Leland also made a good impression with his laughable attitude as a young editor, and as a senile old man. The actors themselves, however, could not have helped the plot that was written out for the movie. It was decent at best, but it was slow, and didn't capture our attention. In the end, we were utterly disappointed with where the movie had dropped us off, especially after such a ride.
***Pros***
Good acting
Lighting complimented by black and white
Fitting music
Deep plot
***Cons***
Slow moving
Black and white takes away from overall experience
Plot is deep, yet hard to follow
Actors speak rapidly, sometimes illegible
***Overall***
***/*****
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Gone With the Wind - A Review
"Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn about this movie." - Joe Heinecke
This quote is all too agreeable in our minds, as the movie "Gone With the Wind" gives us an eyesore we'll never forget. It honestly makes us wish that we could get the hours that were wasted on the movie back, and thus this review is born. A precaution to those of the same social beliefs, to make sure to steer clear of this 1939 movie, that should stay in the time period it was created.
The movie "Gone With the Wind", is a 1939 classic drama/romance, that follows the character Scarlet O'Hara/Hamilton/Kennedy/Butler... Who every man is after. Every man, except for Ashley, the man she "loves". Scarlet endures many hardships including the death of her mother, her father, her best friend, her first husband, her daughter, and more throughout the war, and sheer stupidity. Scarlet is constantly vieing for the love of Ashley, and eventually falls in love with Rhett Butler (the only enjoyable character in the movie), marrying him, and having a child, who dies, and Scarlet simply leaves, vieing for more than just love, but an altogether brighter future.
Setting the mood throughout the movie, like all movies, is the music in the background. Gone With the Wind takes a bit too much pride in the work that is done with the music, having an overture before, and midway through the movie. The "special effects" in the movie are that of an old movie, which this surely is, and are easy to spot, making it feel like a cheap, fan made movie. Example: when Rhett Butler and Scarlet take a carriage out of town, the background during the ride is completely different than that of the movie itself. Talking about the movie itself, the length of the movie is about 4 gut-renching hours, filled with the dialect, and stupidity of a time we all wish we could forget about. The scenery ranges from the inside of prestigious houses and hospitals, to war torn buildings and scarred land, giving the perception of a dark atmosphere, in a movie that is supposed to emanate in deepness, and bubbly feelings.
All in all, the movie had a good set of actors, a well thought out plot, and was marvelous in its time, but as its time passed, the pedestal it once stood on has crumbled.
***Pros***
Good actors
Well thought out plot
***Cons***
Long, is easily drawn out
Music is overdramatic, seems old
Scenery is dull
Special effects are shabby
Gives off a different mood than it wants
***Overall***
**/*****
This quote is all too agreeable in our minds, as the movie "Gone With the Wind" gives us an eyesore we'll never forget. It honestly makes us wish that we could get the hours that were wasted on the movie back, and thus this review is born. A precaution to those of the same social beliefs, to make sure to steer clear of this 1939 movie, that should stay in the time period it was created.
The movie "Gone With the Wind", is a 1939 classic drama/romance, that follows the character Scarlet O'Hara/Hamilton/Kennedy/Butler... Who every man is after. Every man, except for Ashley, the man she "loves". Scarlet endures many hardships including the death of her mother, her father, her best friend, her first husband, her daughter, and more throughout the war, and sheer stupidity. Scarlet is constantly vieing for the love of Ashley, and eventually falls in love with Rhett Butler (the only enjoyable character in the movie), marrying him, and having a child, who dies, and Scarlet simply leaves, vieing for more than just love, but an altogether brighter future.
Setting the mood throughout the movie, like all movies, is the music in the background. Gone With the Wind takes a bit too much pride in the work that is done with the music, having an overture before, and midway through the movie. The "special effects" in the movie are that of an old movie, which this surely is, and are easy to spot, making it feel like a cheap, fan made movie. Example: when Rhett Butler and Scarlet take a carriage out of town, the background during the ride is completely different than that of the movie itself. Talking about the movie itself, the length of the movie is about 4 gut-renching hours, filled with the dialect, and stupidity of a time we all wish we could forget about. The scenery ranges from the inside of prestigious houses and hospitals, to war torn buildings and scarred land, giving the perception of a dark atmosphere, in a movie that is supposed to emanate in deepness, and bubbly feelings.
All in all, the movie had a good set of actors, a well thought out plot, and was marvelous in its time, but as its time passed, the pedestal it once stood on has crumbled.
***Pros***
Good actors
Well thought out plot
***Cons***
Long, is easily drawn out
Music is overdramatic, seems old
Scenery is dull
Special effects are shabby
Gives off a different mood than it wants
***Overall***
**/*****