"Shadowlands" 1993 Movie Review

Pain is unavoidable. For anyone, even a child, who wasn't allowed dessert that night. Now, that may not seem like a big deal, but to a child, not having ones dessert could truly cause grief. However, have truly loved the Narnia books by Clive Staples Lewis since I was 7. I have a memory of staying up late in bed, reading the last few chapters of "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" before seeing the movie the next day. Little did I know of C. S. Lewis' (Jack) personal life. He was a very reserved man as is shown here, and he doesn't have much of a life outside of teaching and writing. That is, until he meets Joy Gresham, an American woman living a hard life with her abusive husband and young son. Jack takes them in and for the first time, begins to love like he never thought he could. There is much more to this film than what meets the eye. It it is a story of compassion, love, loss, grief, and faith. As a Christian, it is wonderful to see a film with such deep and moral messages that revolve and even feel aimed, at me specifically. Anthony Hopkins does a magnificent job in portraying the famous and troubled writer. This is a movie worth watching again and again.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Hitchcock" Movie Review

The opening scene is as follows: Ed Gein and his brother Harry are in the garden outside their home. Henry insults his brother and in turn, is killed by Ed with a shovel. The camera then pans over to a perfectly calm Alfred Hitchcock, who had clearly been watching. He then introduces the film as if it were one of his episodes of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents". As the film progresses, we learn that Hitchcock is in need of a basis for his next movie. We also learn of his dysfunctional relationship with his wife, Alma. What he decides he wants to do is to make a film of Robert Block's novel "Psycho", inspired by this serial killer Ed Gein. The trouble is, Paramount won't make it. Of course, Hitchcock won't have that. As an avid fan of Hitchcock, I was extremely eager to see this film. I grew up watching his movies with my grandmother and so tonight I finally saw it with her in a local theater. And I am happy to say, I was not disappointed in the least. The two lead actors Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren perform their role brilliantly, as does every other actor in the cast. The beauty of "Hitchcock" is that every step of the way, I could feel the emotions right along side the characters. I felt Alfred's anger and sadness with his wife and I felt Alma's anger and sadness with her husband. Although, this movie does a splendid job showing the making of "Psycho", it also does a fine job showing the love story behind the scenes. And that, my friends, is what makes this a masterpiece as suspenseful and intriguing as Hitchcock's own pictures.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"The Majestic" Movie Review

Jim Carrey has always amused me with his quirky characters and how he can transform himself into silly but hilarious roles. But it wasn't until I saw this that I ever saw him as a serious actor. If this is the first Jim Carrey film that you see, you would never know that he is a comedian. Movies about the movie industry draw me in right away and this is no exception. A young Hollywood writer is off to a great start in his career. He has just written his first film, he has a movie star of a girlfriend, and life is good. However, that changes in a second when he is falsely accused of being a communist and as a result is fired from his job. After drinking too much, he goes for a drive and ends up falling from a bridge into a river. When he wakes, he is taken in by a nearby town who are mistaking him for a war veteran named Luke. His "father" is certain this is him and as a result they reopen a worn down movie theater that Luke was very fond of at one time. As I was watching, I couldn't help think of "Luke, I am your father". Please excuse my inappropriate Star Wars reference. This has exactly what a movie should have: strong characters, romance, suspense, and an excellent message. Sadly, this is one of the least known films in the careers of both director Frank Darabont. But I encourage you to see it and although quite long, I think you will get something out of it.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"A Beautiful Mind" Movie Review

What if you saw things that weren't there? Met people that didn't exist? Went through life not knowing what is real? Sadly, that is the case for real life doctor, John Nash. He has schizophrenia. But he doesn't know it yet.  He is a brilliant mathematician who is socially awkward and doesn't like people. The few people he does like are his roommate Charles and his boss Parcher. The problem is, they may be imaginary. When his wife tells him that he has delusions, he doesn't believe it and will stop at nothing to prove that he is right. Russell Crowe plays a very convincing schizophrenic and does a great job portraying this horribly troubled doctor at various stages in his life. I love movies that are based on true stories, such as this one, and what makes them even better is if they are inspirational, such as this one. It is indeed a beautiful movie and one that demands multiple viewings.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" Movie Review

"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few had trod,
Did Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street."

Those are the opening lyrics to the 1979 Broadway production with Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou. The movie version, made 28 years later with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, will blow you away. The entire film is so unique and so strange that you can't help but take in the awe of it. It is the story of a troubled barber who was imprisoned after a judge took his wife away. Years later, he returns to London where there is no sign of his wife and now his daughter is locked away in the Judge's house. His goal now, is to bring in customers, primarily the Judge, and slit their throats so that his new friend, Mrs. Lovett can make them into delectable "meat pies". And the best part of it all is that it is a musical and all of the actors, never previously singers, have unbelievable good voices that are very enjoyable to listen to and fit the story. The majority of musical films seem to be quite upbeat and contain large amounts of dancing, but this has neither. I prefer dark musicals such as this and also "Les Miserables", because I think it is harder to bring those emotions out in song and this kind of musical has much more meaning to me. Every actor in this picture does an incredible job in their individual role and I don't believe that a single actor was miscast. What's more, the writer of the stage musical, Stephen Sondheim, approved which he often doesn't do with movie adaptations. Tim Burton really scores on this one.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Awakenings" Movie Review

I have seen two movies with Robin Williams playing an initially dismissed doctor. This one and "Patch Adams", which was not that great. I am very pleased to say that this one was absolutely amazing. The fact that it is based on a true story makes it that much more brilliant. Robin Williams is a doctor who, when joining the staff of a hospital, tries a new medicine on the unresponsive patients that reside there. Although the staff has high hopes when the medicine seems to work, things may not be as wonderful as they appear to be. Robert De Nero is flawless in his role which was Oscar-Nominated and, as far as I'm concerned should have won. Be prepared to cry. 

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Psycho" 1960 Movie Review

Welcome to the Bates Motel. 12 cabins, 12 vacancies. What are you doing here? Running from the police? Alright, well enjoy your stay and see you in the morning. Or maybe not. Alfred Hitchcock was one of the most influential and fiendishly wonderful movie makers of the twentieth century. Before "Psycho", I had seen exactly 22 of Hitchcock's pictures. Most of them I enjoyed but none of them were as memorable as this piece of work. It is not just a cinematic accomplishment but also of successfully portraying someone who is indeed psycho. This movie was a shock when released in 1960 because of the way the movie was laid out. For example, it was unthinkable for a main character to be killed so early in the film. The goal was to put the audience on edge to the point where they had no idea what would happen next. And Hitchcock indeed pulled it off. In fact, he was sure to make clear that no one would be admitted into the theater after the movie had begun. You must watch it from beginning to end. I am not going to tell you the plot because the less you know, the better. They don't call Alfred Hitchcock the master of suspense for nothing.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Big Fish" Movie Review

Has someone ever told you a story that was so awe-inspiring and so fantastic that you wondered if it could possibly be true? This is how William Bloom feels about his father, Edward Bloom. So much so that he doesn't even talk to him anymore. Edward Bloom is a storytelling, eager to tell everyone about his life adventures. Will knows they can't be true and so as his father grows close to death, he decides to set things straight. This film, based on Daniel Wallace's book, is one of my favorites because it clearly portrays a life well lived. Edward Bloom is one of the most inspiring characters I have ever seen onscreen because he puts so much into life; and gets so much out of it. Tim Burton's usual films are quite dark in tone, but with this, he takes a break from that style, while still managing to put his unmistakable creativeness and true sense of wonder into it. I also highly recommend Daniel Wallace's book which is just as good, if not better, than the movie.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Jaws" Movie Review

Some movies have such a powerful effect on someone that it makes them take action. Or, in this case, not take action. For instance, after watching "Jaws", I may never go into the water again. And if I do, splashing is not an option. The first time this was a few years ago and frankly, I remember it being boring. I am here to say I no longer think that. Yes, it is a bit slow at times but as a whole, that takes nothing away from this movie. Martin Brody is a police deputy on a popular resort island. One morning, he discovers a woman has been killed by what looks like a shark. He panics and plans to shut down the beach, but the mayor just dismisses it as a boating accident. When another shark attack occurs, a search team goes to find and kill the shark but a specialist named Matt Hooper discovers it's the wrong one. This leads to another bigger search involving a man named Quint and together the three men go on a mission to find this shark. With good acting, a good script, and an excellent plot, this is a fabulous film that is definitely a must see.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link

"Hugo" Movie Review

I went into this film, not knowing much about it other than it has been much loved since its release last year. And rightfully so. "Hugo" is one of the most unique and captivating movies I have ever seen. Hugo Cabret is a young orphan who isn't quite sure what he wants to do with his life, except for one thing he is absolutely certain of: fixing a strange mechanical man that could not be completed due to his fathers death. One day, when trying to steal from a toy maker, his plan backfires and the toy maker takes something very important to Hugo: his fathers notebook. In his attempt to get it back, he meets a young girl and together they find out that there is more to this toy maker than what meets the eye. Throughout the first hour, I wasn't sure where it all was going but everything couldn't have come together in a more enjoyable or astounding way. I can see how this movie would appeal specifically to film buffs, like myself, because of the numerous direct references to the early history of film and how cinema really is how it is portrayed here: dreams coming alive.

10/10

IMDb Link

Netflix Link