Catching Up With My Reviews

I've been seeing some movies lately but I need to catch up on my reviews. So here comes my reviews for Avatar, The Book of Eli, and Dear John.

I went to see Avatar with a friend who had already seen it but didn't mind watching it again. Right before we entered the screening room, he mentioned that someone he knew described the Na'vi people as "big giant smurfs." We both laughed at that description for sure. I don't know if younger people will know the reference.

The movie is set in the future. By this time, Earth has managed interplanetary travel and make their way to a planet known as Pandora. Pandora is the home of the Na'vi (the big giant smurfs) people. As the movie begins, we see Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a marine paraplegic, waking up from a long sleep since this is the way space travel is being done in the future. He is remembering how he got involved into a project that entails him getting into a cocoon like machine and be in control of a Na'vi like body (avatar) so they can learn the culture of the Na'vi people. Turns out that Jake is an identical twin of his scientist brother who had volunteered for the program but who had died just before he could make the trip. The project managers asked Jake to take his place since he had the same genetic makeup as his brother and could still control the avatar.

Jake goes in there committed to do the job that his twin brother was supposed to do. The scientist in charge of the program (Sigourney Weaver) was not very happy at all whatsoever. Afterall, Jake had not been trained to do the work that Jake's brother had worked for so long. However, the corporate owners and managers (Giovanni Ribisi) of the program have other ideas for Jake. They want him to do reconnaissance of the rainforest where the Na'vi people live and where the source of a very valuable mineral lives. Jake at first, eagerly did this job until he got to know the Na'vi and fell in love with one particular Na'vi (Zoe Saldana).

No doubt the special and visual effects of this movie are well done especially if you saw it on 3-D and in an IMAX theater. The best part of the movie is getting to know the world that Na'vi people live in and seeing the change in Jake's character from what he was before. Yet, the second half of the movie which focuses on the corporate guys' sending a military complement to raze the rainforest and displace the Na'vi people. The characters of the corporate bad guy (Ribisi) and military bad guy (Stephen Lang) are very two dimensional and caricaturish. You will notice that Avatar didn't get a writing Oscar nomination. The story is not original and should not be rewarded. Its a good thing that the Academy noticed that.

I was also very pleased to see the film's hero in a wheelchair. I have a younger sister that is in a wheelchair and you hardly ever see people with disabilities in movies, much less an action and scifi/fantasy movie where the hero is disabled. This is one of the reasons I don't give this movie a lower rating than it should get. I want to encourage filmmakers to look at people with disabilities as real people and be more inclusive in the movie industry.








The Book of Eli

A friend of mine and I went to the theater to see a different movie and when we found it was sold out, we decided to go and see The Book of Eli.

No regrets here, however. The movie is set in a post-apocalyptic world...a world akin to the American wild, wild west. Eli (Denzel Washington) is on a mission. He is to travel across the country to take a very special book to its final destination. This book is so special that it was banned and burned and it is the only one left untouched. The book has the power to change the world. Eli battles a lot of bad guys on his way to his final destination. What is this mysterious book that he is guarding and why are so many people after it? You will need to see the movie to find out.








Dear John

The movie begins at a North Carolina beach during spring break as we see Special Forces Army Staff Sergeant John Tyree (Channing Tatum) who is home from duty in Germany for two weeks enjoying the waves and walking along the pier. While at the pier, a beautiful blonde girl (Amanda Seyfried) who is walking along with her friends has her purse fall into the ocean. In a gallant gesture, John, jumps from the pier to rescue the girl's purse for her. The gesture makes an impression on Savannah and the two are smitten right away.

The couple spends a lot of time with each other falling in love with each other. But, sooner or later, John needs to make his way back to Germany for duty. The two promise to write each other. Afterall, John only has one more year of duty before he can make his way home again and come back home to North Carolina and his new found love...until 9/11 happens that is. Their relationship is challenged when John re-enlists.

The subplot of the movie revolves around autism. Savannah lives next door to a friend (Henry Thomas) whose son, Alan, (Braeden Reed and, as a 14 year old, Luke Benward) is autistic. Turns out that John's father (Richard Jenkins) has a mild form of autism. John has issues with his father about his childhood and the way he was raised by his single dad. But, Savannah makes an effort to bring the two of them together and with it understanding. Henry Thomas' performance as Alan's dad is quite good and strong as he raises his very special son.

No doubt the film makes for the perfect date movie. I was seated next to a sweet young couple who were cuddling and kissing during the movie. The movie will certainly touch your heart.

Now some critics will not like the movie because of its romantic qualities but it is precisely the reason why you should go. They will also criticize Channing Tatum's acting which actually is quite improved in this movie. A few more acting lessons and he could very well become a great actor some day.