| by Dr. Sandra Eckard
I’ve always wondered about Stephenie Meyer’s book jackets featuring metaphorical art work. I mean, on the cover of her fourth installment of the Twilight Saga’s Breaking Dawn, it simply features a chess piece. That’s it.
So, as I was watching the film version–highly anticipated by teens (and teen girls of all ages, really)–I think this was one of the thoughts that must have been in the back of my mind.
You’ll find a literal chess match going on in the film first. After Edward concludes that his strength is too dangerous for Bella on their honeymoon, he decides that they will have a chaste relationship. Instead of enjoying the usual newly-married pursuits, Edward fills their vacation time with other activities such as hiking, swimming, and, yes, chess.
Interestingly, this is the first step in their relationship’s chess game. Edward makes a move (no sex) and Bella makes her own, dressing up in sexy lingerie (often to comic effect). However, when the film becomes more serious, Bella embarks on her own life-or-death move to defy Edward and keep the baby that may, literally, kill her.
This is an interesting twist for the series, as up to now, Bella has been gaga for Edward, loving him and forgiving him unconditionally. She has always wanted him no matter what, but there is a scene which shows that she is now willing to choose something else over Edward. What might be my favorite scene, Bella is standing, in shock, as Edward hurriedly packs their suitcases to head back to Forks. He makes a comment about getting “that thing” out of Bella before it can do her harm. Bella, left alone, contemplates Edward’s fears, and you can see the variety of emotions she is feeling as she works through them. Touching her stomach, all she has to say is one word: “Thing?” This is the first time she has ever defied Edward, and it is now a more deadly chess match that she is willing to play now to save her baby. She is willing to risk Edward’s favor, the werewolf pack’s tenuous treaty with the Cullen clan, and her own life to bring this baby into the world.
This isn’t an action film, though there are a few tense battle scenes as Jacob strives to keep Bella safe. Instead, this is a solid coming-of-age film that attempts to show that a more mature Bella, like any mother, would be willing to risk everything to protect her child. Now that’s a chess game.
Come see Breaking Dawn at the Pocono Community Theater and chat about the film over a cup of yummy cocoa or a brownie in the cafe afterwards. Oh, and don’t forget: there’s a little “Easter Egg” at the end of the credits, a hidden teaser for the upcoming chess game that will be the focus of the next film. Enjoy!
|
Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
The Ultimate Chess Game: A Review
Saturday, November 19th, 2011A Summer Recipe for Fun—Cowboys & Aliens
Thursday, August 11th, 2011by Dr. Sandra Eckard
1 cup old-fashioned western
1 cup classic sci-fi
1 pinch of comedy
1 dash of a modern woman
2 favorite action heroes
Directions: Blend all of the ingredients together with crisp writing and awesome special effects. Chill for the perfect summer treat.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, Cowboys & Aliens takes summer fun seriously. It starts and ends with a traditional Western motif: an unknown stranger/outsider comes to town and ends up helping to dispense justice. While it pays homage well to the formula of westerns from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly to Unforgiven, what makes this film unique is that the western is just the foundation for the film.
Add in now the next part—a classic alien invasion. While the concept of angry aliens who want to take over the planet isn’t a new idea, the idea of aliens as “demons” to a society that hasn’t even seen electricity yet is quite interesting. As they grapple with their views of the world around them, we see that this mixture of the western and the sci-fi tale work hand-in-hand to craft the moral: we might have our differences and we might bicker, but when it comes to a bigger threat, we are in this together. Watching the “good guys,” the “bad guys,” the “cowboys,” the “Indians” –and all those in-between, including an adorable dog—come together to battle evil aliens yields not only some comedic moments, but also a climax that is compelling and involving.
What’s interesting, too, is that this film really plays with women’s roles, creating an interesting female lead with Ella. She’s a literal contrast, wearing a floral, flowing dress with a massive gun belt around her hip. I think I missed this in John Wayne films. Although there is the obligatory half-naked scene that’s been shown in all the previews, Olivia Wilde (from House) really does her best to make her emotionally layered, too. Why is she so taken with our hero? Does she have a secret past as well? Ella is not a damsel in distress, a refreshing change from some of the other summer blockbusters like Transformers.
While this film, like the cult favorite Firefly, may just be a bit too strange to appeal to everyone, I suggest you give it a try. My mom—I still can’t believe she went on this family outing—declared this one of the funnier movies this summer. My dad enjoyed the action and western swagger. I enjoyed just about everything: a gruff Harrison Ford, a very buff Daniel Craig, a taut script, a female lead who surprises, and a dog named “Dog” that I wanted to adopt. Just like summer drinks that are even better in the blender, this mix just might be a taste you’ll love.
Independent Films and PCT
Wednesday, June 1st, 2011Republished from the PCT email newsletter on January 21, 2011.
I had a horrifying dream last night that I was back in college and had to write a paper on the decline of independent cinema and its related causes. No joke! When I woke up, I decided that it was time for us to have the talk. I’ve been procrastinating this talk for months now, but as part of my mantra of growth for this year I know I have to face it. It’s time to talk about independent cinema and Pocono Community Theater.
I don’t believe independent cinema is dead, but I do think that it has changed in the past 10 to 15 years. The mid-90s, when the Yetters first opened Pocono Cinema, was the indie golden years. Movies like My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which may not have been picked up by a studio 10 years earlier, enjoyed the kind of success usually retained by blockbuster studio films. Now most of the independent studios that cropped up during that time have either been dismantled or merged into large studios.
Today, more and more independent films are actually studio films. And the truly independent films that are being made, like Paranormal Activity and half the list of films on the IFC’s Winter Indie Film Preview, aren’t films that our patrons would trudge out to see. (And, yes, I am as surprised as you to see Nicholas Cage’s recent bomb, Season of the Witch, on that list. But do note that The Way Back, which opens today at PCT, made the list, too!)
The bottom line is that we do show as many “independent” films as we possibly can. (Think back to Cairo Time and Winter’s Bone.) The sad thing is that they are limited engagement films, which means they come and go quickly. Our goal at PCT is to keep at least one theater for an independent film every week, but an independent film doesn’t come out every week. Even if there is a sudden plethora of independent films, we cannot pick and choose what we get. Studios control the life of a film very strictly and our attendance cannot compete with larger markets. (See the Tropic Cinema for a good explanation of how films are booked.)
So what can you do? Become a member. If we had 3,000 active members, we’d be in a better position to bring in the smaller films you want to see that won’t make much money because we won’t rely on them to stay open.
Already a member? Great! You know the additional benefits to which a PCT membership entitles you, and you’re helping us stay alive. Keep seeing films at PCT, keep checking our website for new films, and keep telling your friends, family, neighbors, and grocers about us. Every bit helps. And every bit brings us closer to realizing our main goal: evolving into the art-house theater you (and I) dream of AND staying open. Together, we can do it.
See you at the movies,
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides review
Sunday, May 22nd, 2011Reviewed by Dr. Sandra Eckard
Crafting a sequel that has some of the same spirit as the original is always a difficult–and sometimes impossible–feat. Sometimes, the magic that was captured with the first film is a one-time-only event. And, add to that the money-hungry studios who see films as formulas for youngsters to spend their disposable cash, and sequels can be major let-downs. So, being the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, this film had several obstacles to overcome:
1. The loss of Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner
2. Jack Sparrow overload
3. New mythology development
First, as those of you know who have seen the trilogy, Elizabeth and Will have their own version of a happily ever after as a result of At World’s End. It is a huge obstacle to consider crafting new characters to replace two of the three protagonists. What On Stranger Tides does do well is wait to introduce additional characters, folding them in gently to the cake batter recipe of humor, sword fights, and adventure that is the familiar Pirates recipe. You get the “Jack cocktail” before you realize that two new characters–a missionary and a mermaid–are the fated lovers to root for.
Second, another potential problem is that you could get too much “Jack.” Remember, what we loved as Jack was the comic relief; he was a protagonist, sure, but he’s also self-serving, ambiguous, and even ruthless in his pursuits of his own needs. If he’s going to be center stage (not evenly sharing with the more wholesome Will and Elizabeth), then it’s a fine line to blend his tried-and-true personality with that of the hero of the tale. But the film does do this well, by giving him a romantic foil–Angelica, a pirate who might just know Jack better than he knows himself. She’s a perfect match for Jack, equalling him in schemes and manipulation.
Last, one of my biggest complaints with the second two sequels is that the actual plot–you know, the part for grown ups over 8–seemed a bit silly and/or convoluted at times. What might help this script is that the screenplay is based on a book by fantasy author Tim Powers called, aptly, On Stranger Tides. While I haven’t yet read it to see what was stretched to fit in the Pirates world, I did like the film enough to look up the book at Amazon. While the film does have the usual one-liners, special effects, and adventurous sword fights, this script has a grown-up moral that, if you’re looking for it, you can find clearly woven throughout. What is real love? What would you do for someone you love? More importantly, what would you give up? While kiddies can easily just enjoy the first layer of pirates and physical humor (of which there’s plenty), there is more than enough actual plot to chew on for adults to enjoy as well.
Tie all of this in with breathtaking scenery (courtesy of Hawaii) and the wonders of the awesome Johnny Depp, and you’ve got a film that’s actually a pretty darn good movie–not just a good sequel. Have a little vacation and enjoy a high seas adventure!
Water for Elephants
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011Grandiose, colorful, and filled with life lessons, Water for Elephants is a terrific and moving film in the tradition of Titanic. Much like Titanic, this film is framed by a story that is told to promote change and reveal deeper meaning. At first, we meet an old man wandering around the now-deserted circus grounds. After attempts to contact his nursing home go awry, the manager becomes enthralled by his story of the Benzini Brothers’ circus–and the disaster of 1931 that led to the circus’s demise.
The old man’s story centers on his own experiences with the circus. As his story unfolds, we meet young Jacob, played by heartthrob Robert Pattinson. If he weren’t already a superstar because of his role as Edward in the Twilight Saga films, he would have become one because of this role! This is his film, and he surprisingly holds his own as an actor–from the emotional scenes to the romantic ones. All of the degrees of his emotions are mirrored in his eyes, which, most of the time, gaze up the lovely Reese Witherspoon, who plays Marlena, his first crush and the wife of the circus owner.
However, the star of the film is Rosie, the elephant that Jacob not only befriends but also carries water for (hence the film’s name). If it were possible to give an animal billing, she would deserve it! Her role is crucial in understanding the film’s central themes, all of which are presented in a moving, but understated fashion: love, compassion, heartbreak, discrimination, ageism, and happiness.
What happens to the Benzini Brothers Circus?
Will Marlena return Jacob’s affections?
Will Rosie survive?
Come see Water for Elephants at the Pocono Community Theater. You won’t be disappointed–you’ll laugh and cry and remember this film long after the credits roll. And, if you love the story, join us for our May Book Club on the novel by Sara Gruen.
The PCT Book Club will meet on May 22, 2011 at 2 pm in the PCT Cafe.
The Adjustment Bureau
Tuesday, March 8th, 2011Reviewed by Dr. Sandy Eckard
Science fiction films aren’t usually mainstream fare, with the exception of the recent hit, Inception. If you ask most people, they see sci-fi as one of two models: shoot-em-ups in space, like Star Wars, or dead maniacs who refuse to stay dead, like Friday the 13th. While I’d actually argue that the latter is horror and not science fiction, this is what many audience members see as the “highlight” of science fiction. As an avid reader of classic science fiction novels like War of the Worlds or Invasion of the Body Snatchers (which is in my top twenty favorite books of all time) and a fan of both the cheesy and magnificent sci-fi films, my experiences have tied all of these various forms together with one thread: good science fiction isn’t about aliens or monsters; it shows the depth of the human spirit when set in seemingly impossible circumstances.
Science fiction films, then, aren’t to me about the costumes or the lingo that you have to learn to understand. At the center of any good sci-fi film is a person, a character who must make decisions that he or she never thought possible. This is the simple delight in The Adjustment Bureau. The premise is, actually, easy. Do we have free will? And, what would we do to have true love? The obstacles in the path of this true love are the members of the Adjustment Team, men who spend their lifetime watching the paths that we should take and helping us, in seemingly coincidental ways, stay on the yellow brick road that we are meant to travel. At the center of this story are David, a young politician, and Elise, a free-spirited dancer. David meets Elise by chance–or so he thinks. Yet, while the Adjustment Team may or may not have orchestrated this whirlwind encounter, David soon learns that he can’t pursue a relationship with Elise because that would mess up “the plan.”
Part love story, part journey to self discovery, this film blends chase scenes, touching moments, and what actually feels like a genuine attraction into a memorable film. What’s really great is that the film leaves you with questions: What would you do? How far would you go to be with The One you need in your life? Would you risk everything?
And, in the end, this isn’t just a science fiction film; it’s a human one. So, whether you like supernatural elements in your movies or not, I think you’ll find something to enjoy in The Adjustment Bureau. You’ll have much to talk about afterwards, even if you never thought you’d want to chat about a sci-fi film!
Copies of the Phillip K. Dick short story “The Adjustment Team” are available in the PCT Cafe. Please join us on March 20, 2011 @ 2 pm for one of our FREE Book & Film Chats!
Oscar Shorts!
Tuesday, February 8th, 2011Please note that the ad in the paper and the PCT News was incorrect. The documentary programs are not running at PCT. We apologize for this error.
Below is a detailed list of all the shorts that will be playing for a limited-engagement run next week.
Oscar Shorts: Animated
(85 min)
Fri: 7:30
Sat: 1:30, 7:30
Sun: 4:30
Mon-Thurs: 7:30
Featuring the following films:
“Madagascar, Carnet de Voyage”
This film is a journey diary that redraws the trip of a European traveller confronted with Famadihana customs. As pages of a diary turn, colorful pencil sketches come to life, revealing the majestic rolling landscapes of Madagascar, and acquainting the audience to the people of the Malagasy culture.
“Let’s Pollute”
In the spirit of 50′s & 60′s educational films, ‘Let’s Pollute’ is a modern satire on how pollution is our heritage and keeps our economy growing strong, while instructing us how to be better polluters for a better blighted tomorrow.
“The Gruffalo”
The magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk through the woods in search of a nut. Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him a fox, an owl and a snake the plucky mouse has to use his wits to survive, creating an imaginary monster who then turns out to be only too real.
“The Lost Thing”
A boy discovers a bizarre looking creature while out collecting bottle tops at the beach. Realising it is lost, he tries to find out who owns it or where it belongs, but is met with indifference from everyone else, who barely notice its presence, each unwilling to entertain this uninvited interruption to their day to day lives. For reasons he does not explain, the boy empathises with the creature, and sets out to find a ‘place’ for it.
“Day & Night”
When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other’s unique qualities – and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world – the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.
The two films below will also screen with the Animated Nominees. Both were on the Oscar nominations short list.
“URS”
For many years Urs has had to look after his aging mother. But now he sets out for a dangerous journey: He carries his mother up a mountain to find a better place for both of them. But she wants to stay at home.
“The Cow That Wanted to Be a Hamburger”
This is a children’s fable about the power of advertising, the meaning of life, and ultimately the test of a mother’s life.
Oscar Shorts: Live Action
(106 min)
Fri: 4:30, 9:50
Sat: 4:30, 9:50
Sun: 1:30, 7:30
Mon, Wed, Thurs: 4:30
Featuring the following films:
“The Confession”
Quiet and sincere 9-year-old Sam is worried about making his first confession. His conscience is clear, therefore he cannot hope for any relief from the experience. He and his friend Jacob decide to remedy that situation, but their initially innocent prank turns unexpectedly tragic.
“Wish 143″
A fifteen-year-old boy with only months to live is granted one wish from the Dreamscape Charity. But David doesn’t want to go to Disneyland or meet Gary Neville; what he really wants is an hour alone with a naked woman.
“Na Wewe”
1994: There is civil war in Burundi, a small country of Central Africa directly bordering Rwanda. A near genocidal confrontation opposes rebels mainly composed of ethnic Hutus and a national army with a majority of Tutsis.
This short film relates a sadly frequent episode of this fratricidal conflict: the attack by rebels of a minivan carrying ordinary citizens.
A Kalashnikov bursts out. The bus stops, the passengers get off. An order is barked: “Hutus to the left, Tutsis to the right!” The sorting out begins. But who is a Hutu, who is a Tutsi?
This story is entirely based on real people and situations. It was written by a person who has lived in the beauty of Burundi and suffered its horrors. With emotion, suspense and humour it exposes the absurdity of ethnic and racial strife. ”NA WEWE” (pronounce “Na wayway”) means “You too” in Kirundi.
“The Crush”
Ardal Travis is in love. There’s just one problem. He’s an 8 year old schoolboy and the object of his affection is his Second Class teacher, Miss Purdy. But when her boyfriend arrives on the scene Ardal is heartbroken. His reaction, though, is a little unexpected. He challenges Miss Purdy’s boyfriend to a duel. To the death.
“God of Love”
Lounge-singing darts champion Raymond Goodfellow finds his prayers are answered — literally — when he receives a mysterious package of passion-inducing darts. The catch is that the one woman he loves — Kelly, a drummer in his band — is already in love with Ray’s best friend Fozzie, the guitarist in the band. But when Ray uses the darts in a loony scheme to resolve this strange romantic triangle, he learns a surprising lesson about unrequited love and discovers his own place in the universe. Romance is in the air in this bohemian charmer.
Defining A Hero: a Review of The Town
Saturday, September 25th, 2010The summer movie season begins in May, usually ushered in by a big budget superhero film like this year’s Iron Man 2. When autumn rolls around, and these superhero action films have all come and gone, we have a different type of film, usually character studies and dramas for a more mature crowd who often avoid the summer blockbusters like the plague. Not so with The Town, Ben Affleck’s second stab at directing after the critical success of 2007′s Gone Baby Gone. What’s interesting about The Town is that the film is a character study. But it’s also a study of what makes a hero.
Ben Affleck stars as Doug MacRay, a life-long thief who still grieves the mother who, one day, mysteriously abandoned her young son. This incident has impacted every facet of his life, from how he was raised by a gangster father to who his friends are. Of course, they are thieves as well. Doug is the architect of his own ring of bank robbers, and it’s his story completely; we become so absorbed in his life, from his empty relationship with his go-to girlfriend to his ties with the friends who also serve as his crew.
Although a character study, this film is sprinkled with high velocity action scenes, and the opening bank robbery is taut with tension. It’s also a great set up for how Doug will want to change his life. During this robbery, the crew breaks from their usual pattern and takes a hostage. Their unwilling victim is Claire Keesey, the young bank manager. In an effort to see if she “knows anything,” Doug tails her, and soon he becomes her boyfriend in a well-laid out chain of events. Since this film is told through Doug’s point of view, we as viewers feel his claustrophobia. He wants to change his life and find happiness, and it seems within his grasp with Claire.
This is what distinguishes The Town from the summer blockbusters. The hero of the film is flawed, angry, and weighed down with guilt over the loss of his mother many years before. (This could even be a good discussion on the nature versus nurture debate…) He wants more sunlight in his life, and we as viewers want to see him get it. We want him to become the hero of his own story.
This film pulls you in and makes you feel as if you are in Boston. As if you understand the grim life that Doug may or may not have been forced to lead. It’s gritty and smacks of genuine real life troubles. And it shows that sometimes, a true hero isn’t defined by tights and superpowers. Maybe anyone can become a hero. It’s up to you to decide.
Based on the popular 2007 novel Prince of Thieves, I highly recommend The Town. It’s a great film with good actors who make flawed characters look and feel like people you know. You’ll be talking about this film for days after you see it. Save some time for a cup of coffee and a chat. The theater has a great new collection of autumn drinks that go perfectly with a discussion about heroes…even though it’s not summer. Imagine that.
-Reviewed by Dr. Sandra Eckard
The Magic of Jaws
Sunday, September 12th, 2010PCT will be screening JAWS for a special 35th anniversary party on September 18, 2010 at 12 pm. Admission is only $5 per person (no passes)–reserve your tickets now at the PCT Box Office!
The Magic of Jaws
Dr. Sandra Eckard
In everyone’s lifetime, there are certain movies that become—deliberately or not—part of you. It might be a certain character (Bridget Jones) or a certain story (Dirty Dancing) that makes you wish, hope, or relate to that cinematic magic, somehow realizing that you are not alone in your beliefs or dreams.
On the other hand, then, there is Jaws.
I am not sure exactly when it happened, or even why this film touched a chord with my family, but I do know that it is, unequivocally, my family’s favorite film. After you’re done laughing (or cringing), let me tell you why a shark, a small town, and a courageous sheriff add up to an important memory.
The suspense
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, Jaws was the first summer blockbuster. According to the History Channel (2009) documentary “Jaws: The Inside Story,” the filmmakers and actors can remember going to the theater a year later and still saw crowds lined up for the show. Why? As a self-professed horror movie fan, I can tell you that blood and gore can be scary, funny, or awe-inspiring, but the lack of gore in Jaws is actually worse than seeing the events happen.
The music in the film builds to a simple—yet effective—crescendo that always tells you when someone will be in danger. If there’s no famous “da-dum” in the background, it’s safe to say that this is just a teaser. But the minute that you hear the ominous first notes, you know that whoever is in the water—hidden by the luscious blue waves—is going to be victim to the shark.
And yet—other than one famous scene at the end—you don’t actually see anything. Surprised? That’s the genius of this film. By not showing everything, your own imagination magnifies your fears, creating a picture in your head that really does the trick. The suspense, and the lack of gore, then helps craft a tight and scary picture.
The fears of a small town
While Amity, a tiny resort town that lives for the summer tourists, is focused on their own unique problem of a great white shark, this problem is very relatable. Substitute a changing economy, dying industry, or imported jobs and you have a very similar challenge for any small (or not so small) town.
This universal theme brings out the panic—a town that doesn’t believe it “will happen to them,” a mayor who makes bad decisions but for the right reasons, and casualties that reverberate long after the disaster (think of the famous slap scene between a devastated mother and Chief Brody).
These are people we know. These are real fears that are part of the human experience. This film manages to gift-wrap these fears with a ribbon of suspense that crafts one of the best screenplays for a horror film ever.
Understanding difference
One of my favorite aspects of Jaws is how the characters—not cardboard cutouts, but three-dimensional, flawed people—are fleshed out (no pun intended) in the film. While I could talk about the power of a loving marriage, or the importance of family displayed in the film, I’ll focus instead on the bromance between Hooper and Quint.
Matt Hooper is a young, idealistic, rich, and gifted ichthyologist (someone who studies fish) who just happens to love sharks. College-educated, with every gadget available, he’s like a kid in a candy store at the beginning of the film, eager to see a man-eating great white shark.
Quint is a locally renowned—and seemingly crazy—shark hunter. Gruff, rough around the edges, and outcast, we first see him as solitary and singularly focused on not just making a living, but rather hunting as an obsession.
The clash that happens when Quint and Hooper meet—the life experienced sailor verses the book-trained scholar—is fraught with friction and a battle of the experts. (There’s a bit of comedy here, too: my favorite scene is when Quint chugs a whole beer, then smashes the can in a dance of bravado. Watch Hooper’s response for a good chuckle.)
Yet, the two learn to work together, and in one of the most memorable scenes in the film, have a few drinks and compare stories (and scars). Instead of focusing on their differences, the two characters, without even knowing, see beneath the surface to how their experiences are universal.
Becoming your own hero
Despite the fact that Quint is a famous shark-hunter with years of experience in “how to” methods, and the fact that Hooper has thousands of dollars of equipment loaded onto the Orca for the ultimate showdown with the shark, this is ultimately, Martin Brody’s story. It is his story of facing his fears and becoming a hero.
This is a man who wears thick glasses, perhaps a metaphor for why he can’t “see” his own strengths. He is afraid of the water (but now lives on an island). He is the New Guy in town, an obvious fish-out-of-water from the big city who has moved to a place he doesn’t understand to give his kids a better life. He wants to fit in, and bites his tongue more than once when the Mayor steamrolls him or his ideas.
However, it’s not Quint who solves the shark problem.
It’s not Hooper.
It’s Brody.
He is the Everyman, the guy who loses his fears, gets on a boat, and gains something more. He stands up to the Mayor and learns how to—despite all of the obstacles—do the right thing.
You’ll be cheering by the end of the movie as you watch him grow and become the man he was destined to be. And, isn’t that some hidden inspiration? It makes you feel empowered. You, too, can fight your own sharks.
So, in the end, who wouldn’t love this film? And, who wouldn’t love a film that gave you Jaws 3-D? This film introduced me to the awesome Dennis Quaid and a nine-month infatuation with working at Sea World. But I digress. As Stephen King once presented in his “Lines to Live By” column in Entertainment Weekly, there are people who “live in families that develop a whole stock of great lines…like ‘You’re gonna need a bigger boat’ ” (6/11/2004). I’m proud to say that I’m in one of those families, and I’m sure we’ll be watching Jaws on the big screen at the Pocono Community Theater with the same excitement as those moviegoers back in 1975. Come join me for a fun celebration in honor of a terrific film!
Inception
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010It’s rare that you can describe a film as both a summer blockbuster and an Oscar contender. But I would argue that the movie Inception could be both. Not only does it have the thrilling action scenes and dazzling special effects that the popcorn movie watcher craves, it also has a thought-provoking plot that offers Leonardo DiCaprio a vehicle for an academy award. While most summer flicks are easily forgotten once your drink has melted, I’d like to offer you my five reasons that Inception needs not only a second viewing, but also post-film conversation:
5. The brow-furrowing plot.
Director Christopher Nolan worried that this film would be “too confusing for a crowd pleaser” but hoped that there would be a emotional “response to the roller coaster ride of it all” (Entertainment Weekly, 7/30/10). Usually, more complex films are considered outside of the summer realm, where the average audience is comprised of male action-film fans who are teens. If dubbed a summer blockbuster (complete with the all-out budget and marketing of, say, Nolan’s own The Dark Knight), then usually that drives the more mature moviegoer from the theater. After all, Inception isn’t a sequel and doesn’t boast “3-D” format. However, this plot has managed to appeal to a wide range of audiences, garnering terms like “Oscar worthy” from critics, a ‘B+’ from ticket buyers, and an ‘A’ rating from the coveted under-25 crowd (EW, 7/30/10). Here’s the basics, without spoilers: this is a “One Last Job” plot, with our protagonist (DiCaprio) pulling together a crew for the heist. However, instead of the usual extraction of information (like secrets) from a target, this time they are tackling the supposed-impossible: planting the seed of an idea by infiltrating the target’s dreams. (This is called inception.) Our hero (or thief–you decide) is plagued by the projections he brings into the dream world; he is haunted by his dead wife (Marion Cotillard). Thus, the plot is not only to create a dream world capable of completing this task–three levels of subconscious dreaming are needed–but also avoiding all the complications of his own psyche. Take notes: several scenes (including the opening sequence) are crucial in understanding the plot!
4. The masterful acting.
This is a stellar cast, with each member getting the chance to shine. Tom Berenger and Michael Caine fully develop minor characters, and Marion Cotillard steals all her scenes as both a memory and a threat to Cobb’s sanity. Played with great emotion, you can feel her chipping away at DiCaprio’s hold on the dream world as his guilt and regret are revealed to the viewer. Watch out for Ellen Page, too, as the required newbie of the group: it’s through her innocence as the “new one” that we can learn more about how fragile and complex this plot really is.
3. The fabulous special effects.
Bucking the CGI trend, the film uses a blend of live action and special effects. My personal favorite: the nail-biting hallway scene. This tense house-of-cards scene layers all of the kicks in the film that would be needed for the dreamers to awake, synchronized, and return to reality. The special effects team constructed three separate sets to film this scene. This part alone requires a second viewing!
2. The hidden clues.
What can I write here without spoilers? It’s only in the last scene that you realize many clues were woven throughout to help you “get the message” of the film. Watch out for totems and the “rules” of inception that are sprinkled gently throughout the film. You’ll have to work for them though: this isn’t a knock-you-over-the-head film. It’s quite subtle in delivery.
1. The ending.
I don’t remember this much talk over the ending of a film in years. Websites have popped up devoted solely to discussion of the final scene. While Nolan predicted that audiences might have “disagreements about what things mean,” I don’t remember a film in many a year that made me (or others) want to argue about interpretation.
Hopefully, these five points might make you want to see Inception, an odd combination of science fiction, action, and drama. Leave yourself time after the movie for a cup of coffee and passionate discussion. You might also want to plan a second viewing on your way out of the theater!
Creative, imaginative, and thoughtful. My rating: ‘A’
Reviewed by Dr. Sandra Eckard