Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (Movie Review)

I watched ‘Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax’ in a movie theater full of kids ranging from 3-10 years of age, which gave me the perfect audience with a mix of adults to get the right movie experience for this film. This movie exudes cuteness and the right amount of singing, the bits of comedy it has just made me smile and a couple of children laugh. There was no crying or chattering in the audience, which tells me the film’s 94 minutes are the perfect amount of entertainment for its target audience. The brilliant colors and clever shapes and storyline were even more fantastic in IMAX 3D, although ‘Horton Hears a Who’ achieved the same visual greatness without IMAX 3D.

The film begins by explaining in singing our setting, Thneedville, which is a city, made of plastic entirely, there’s no nature; trees are made in a factory and the most powerful man in town and the villain, Mr. O’Hare (Rob Riggle) made his millions by selling air. A 12 year old boy, Ted (Zac Efron) who is in love with a high schooler, Audrey (Taylor Swift) who dreams of seeing a real tree; decides to go on a quest to win the girl’s affection by getting her what she wants. He travels outside of the “capsule” that is his city to the contaminated world beyond in search of The Once-ler (Ed Helms) who according to his grandma Norma (Betty White) is the only person that can lead him to the free oxygen producing trees.

Here is when we being to discover the story of The Lorax (Danny DeVito) who speaks for the trees and cares for nature. What Ted finds in his journey not only changes his life but that of the whole town and the main message of the movie comes across, that each and single one of us makes a difference and we all need to care for our planet.

DeVito’s voice is perfect with that of the furry chubby Lorax, he’s a like a wise joke cracking grandpa that teaches just in the right tone. Efron is laid back and curious just the right amount to depict a 12 year old. White is the best character, the crazy grandma that is always covering for her grandchildren. Every voice created the characters depicted on the screen and together created a very pleasant movie to watch.

The environmentalist message of the film and the dangers of industrialism are very clear; that it takes one person to care so that we can come together as a whole to save the planet and the beauty it offers. I personally didn’t care for the “love story” in the film, but it was easy to over look it, with all the other more important stuff happening, even if it was what pushed the storyline. A children’s movie that has such an inspiring and important message with enough entertainment and color is a nice treat to both parents and children to see.

Project X (Movie Review)

Think of the wildest party you’ve ever been to and imagine it 10x wilder, that’s ‘Project X’. If you’ve seen the trailer and expect anything more from the movie then you will be disappointed but if you are up for having mindless fun then this is it. Most of the dialogue in the movie comes in the form of vulgar jokes about sex, which is fair seeing we are dealing with horny teens. What keeps you entertained is the shocking funny moments that top each other and the music blasting from the screen.

 

The whole movie is done in “found footage†style and focuses on throwing a 17^th birthday party for Thomas (Thomas Mann) that he will never forget while his parents are out of town. Thomas is the mature mind of the group but he’s not strong enough to stick to what he thinks is right, especially with the influence of his friends and hot girls. His best friend, Costa (Oliver Cooper) is the mastermind behind it all. His whole party plan is inviting as many girls as he can to ensure the boys will have sex and will also become popular. JB (Jonathan Daniel Brown) is the passive friend that shyly follows along and slowly comes out of his shell. Their cameraman, Dax (Dax Flame) is this creepy guy they invite along their journey and becomes their silent partner. Thanks to these four teens Pasadena, California will have a night it will never forget.

 

There’s not much to say about the acting, it’s not hard to put a bunch of people together to act like they are having fun in the craziest party of their life. Instead the ideas of director, Nima Nourizadeh are what makes the movie, his simple premise – a teen party that spirals out of control was enough to bring upon this insane movie. The “found footage†technique with the handheld cameras was a brilliant idea, although dizzying at times it brings the audience inside the party.

 

I have to admit some of the language and scenes are disturbing and offensive at times, but with the fast pace of the film you will be disgusted one second then laughing the next. This film is a semi-tamed version of ‘The Hangover’, no wonder since producer Todd Phillips is involved. I would warn parents that this is a bad influence on kids seeing how carelessly these teens drink, have sex and use drugs; it will probably make parents paranoid. But perhaps instead we can all just live vicariously through this movie for a short night. One thing is for sure; this movie makes a police riot and being chased by a drug dealer look like a lot of fun. It certainly put me in the mood to go running to the next house party I’m invited to.

‘Act of Valor’ Fights Hard for #1 Spot

The film based in true events of active- duty Navy SEALs, ‘Act of Valor’ premiered at number one in the box office with $27.7 million dollars. The video game like combat scenes takes the audience into the secretive world of a highly trained group of warriors.

Another movie by Tyler Perry, ‘Good Deeds’ took the second spot earning $16 million dollars, this is surprising seeing that Perry’s movies are predictable and he carries the whole movie on his shoulders being the director, star and screenwriter.

‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ jumps from number 4 last week to the 3^rd spot adding $13.5 million dollars to the $20.1 million from last week.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Act of Valor – $24.7 mil

2. Good Deeds – $16 mil

3. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – $13.5 mil

4. Safe House – $11.4 mil

5. The Vow – $10 mil

6. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – $8.8 mil

7. This Means War – $8.5 mil

8. Wanderlust – $6.6 mil

9. Gone – $5 mil

10. The Secret World of Arrietty – $4.5 mil

‘Safe House’ takes the #1 spot at box office

Just as we predicted last week, ‘Safe House’ takes the number one spot for the third week of February 2012 earning $24 million dollars. Denzel Washington’s action thriller not only delivers but it’s way more entertaining than the movies released in the past week.

Last week’s number one spot film, ‘The Vow’ falls to second place adding $23.6 million dollars to its earnings. The romantic movie has been the highest box office hit for Screen Gems and it was certainly popular this past Valentine’s Day week.

A sequel, ‘Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance’ premieres in third place with $22 million dollars. Despite of the awful reviews this one and the first chapter of the tale received seems like many moviegoers still decided to give this one a chance.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Safe House – $24 mil

2. The Vow -$23.6 mil

3. Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance -$22 mil

4. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island – $20. 1 mil

5. This Means War – $17.6 mil

6. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 3D – $7.9 mil

7. Chronicle – $7.5 mil

8. The Woman in Black – $6.6 mil

9. The Secret World of Arrietty – $6.4 mil

10. The Grey – $ 3 mil   

‘The Vow’ is #1 at the box office

This pre-Valentine’s day weekend put the romantic drama, ‘The Vow’ in the first place with $ 41.7 million. It seems like this predictable romance with Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum will stick it through post the romantic holiday.

The upbeat action thriller ‘Safe House’ earned $39.3 million dollars at the second spot. This one might fight for first place soon, since many are excited to have Denzel Washington doing what he does best.

Dwayne Johnson’s family movie, ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ took third place with $27.6 million dollars. It is followed by ‘Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace 3D’.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. The Vow- $41.7 million dollars  

2. Safe House -$39.3 million

3. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island -$27.6 million

4. Star Wars: Episode I- The Phantom Menace 3D – $23 million

5. Chronicle – $12. 3 million dollars

6. The Woman in Black -$10.3 million

7. The Grey – $5.1 million

8. Big Miracle -$3.9 million

9. The Descendants – $3.5 million

10. Underworld: Awakening – $2.5 million dollars

‘Chronicle’ fights hard for the #1 spot

Surprisingly ‘Chronicle’ and ‘The Woman in Black’ went head to head for the number one spot and weren’t that far off from one another. But the sci-fi thriller about 3 young men that unexpectedly get superpowers, ‘Chronicle’ placed itself there with $22 million dollars.

‘The Woman in Black’ a movie of a whole other genre, horror, came second with $21 million. Daniel Radcliffe has a strong following which might help keep it on the top three long enough to make up for the $14million spent in advertising alone.

‘The Grey’, Liam Nesson’s action film dropped to the third spot with $9.5 million dollars. The family film ‘Big Miracle’ and the horror action film ‘Underworld Awakening’ follow it.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. Chronicle – $22 million dollars

2. The Woman in Black -$21 million

3. The Grey -$9.5 million

4. Big Miracle -$8.5 million

5. Underworld Awakening -$5.6 million

6. One for the Money -$5.2 million

7. Red Tails -$5 million

8. The Descendants -$4.6 million

9. Man on a Ledge -$4.5 million

10. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close -$3.9 million 

Chronicle (Movie Review)

‘Chronicle’ makes great use of the “found footage” technique many movies have used such as ‘Cloverfield’ did, this makes the public feel like part of this crazy journey. So, there’s mainly just a handheld camera that’s used, but the use of security cameras as well give it a nice twist. This isn’t just a movie about super powers, but also about friendship and self-growth. We see what power does to people and how easily the lines between right and wrong are crossed when there’s nothing to stop you. Despite of the fact that this is an action/Sci-fi film, there’s a genuineness to it that makes aspects of the film, such as having superpowers almost seem possible.

Our main cameraman is Andrew (Dane Dehaan), a senior in high school who’s basically an outcast, there’s bullies coming at him not only in school, but also in the streets and even at home. For whatever reason he decides to start documenting his life and the camera becomes witness to everything he goes through. His only friend is Matt (Alex Russell) who has his own quirkiness but yet the aura of a cool guy. Unexpectedly, Steve (Michael B. Jordan) one of the most popular guys in school enters the picture and the three of them find a suspicious cave that not only gives them superpowers but also forms a strong bond between them. Their friendship starts growing as they explore their newly given powers, which for some of them are too much to take to the point that all their lives spin out of control.

Dehaan is for sure the biggest asset to the movie, not only because he’s the main character, but also because he’s able to go through every single emotion throughout the film naturally. One of the things the film does best is combine a mundane life like the one of Andrew, with a special event without loosing grip on reality, although it manages to lose this element a bit towards the end. The fact that the audience is able to go through most of the journey step by step with them makes it more believable.     

‘Chronicle’ is a spin on superhero movies, this is more like: what would an everyday person do if they suddenly had superpowers? Throughout the film you are waiting for something to happen, seeing the boys play around with their telekinetic powers is interesting but it starts dragging and when the big boom happens it scales too quickly and makes it a little too over the top. The ending doesn’t leave much to be desired, it’s like we experienced a car crash and then we are expected to go home like nothing happened. Perhaps this is the way of putting the audience back on the ground and reminding us that after all it was just a film.

Great ‘The Grey’ is #1!

‘The Grey’ starring Liam Neeson turned up at number one this weekend with $20 million dollars. This movie deserves its position for the reasons we give in our film review.

Another movie that’s great follows it, ‘Underworld Awakening’ that even though it went down to second place it continues to collect money such as the $12.5 million from this time around.

The box office surprises us with the other spots, in third place is ‘One for the Money’ which collected $11.7 million. Another big surprise, thanks to the Oscars is ‘The Descendants’ in seventh place, obviously those who hadn’t seen it became curious with all the buzz.

The Top 10 in the Box Office are:

1. The Grey -$20 million

2. Underworld Awakening -$12.5 million

3. One for the Money – $11.7 million

4. Red Tails -$10.4 million

5. Man on a Ledge -$8.3 million

6. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close -$7.1 million

7. The Descendants -$6.5 million

8. Contraband -$6.5 million

9. Beauty and the Beast 3D -$5.3 million

10. Haywire -$4 million