‘2012’: New Meaning to the Disaster Film

In a word… disappointing. Here’s my take on this sci-fi blockbuster wannabe.

Basic Plot:

In 2009 American geologist Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) discovers that the earth’s core is heating up and goes to warn U.S. President Thomas Wilson (Danny Glover) through White House Chief of Staff Carl Anheuser (Oliver Platt) about the terrifying ramifications: an apocalyse. But before a global plan can be implemented to save the earth from disaster, global quakes and tsunamis start destroying the world.

The 2010 G8 summit decides to create giant arks to save a select 400,000 people and several animals in hopes of salvaging some of the planet.

In the middle of this chaos, writer Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is trying to enjoy an adventure with his kids in Yellowstone away from ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) when he stumbles upon a conspiracy theorist and radio host called Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) who keeps announcing that the Mayans were right and the world will end in 2012.

Jackson now must save his family – and perhaps even repair his former marriage with Kate – by locating the arks and getting his family to safety before the whole earth is destroyed.

Flying High With ‘Amelia’

I just viewed the Mira Nair movie Amelia, the film based on Amelia Earhart’s two loves – flying and, apparently, men – starring Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, and Ewan McGregor.

Despite a couple of flashback scenes near the film’s beginning that are a bit disorienting, and the annoyance of seeing Hilary’s hair change colors throughout the film — blonder with highlights, redder, then back to highlights, not to mention how Richard Gere’s hair went from nearly white back to light grey at a time when it should have remained the same — the film has merit in reminding us that we need two things in life: the ability to follow our dreams unrestricted and people who can support that dream.

‘District 9’: Disturbingly Powerful

In a battle between “us” vs. “them,” no one thinks what it would be like to walk in the enemy’s shoes. The groups are clearly demarcated and everyone knows exactly what side they are on.

But what if “us” and “them” got suddenly switched? What if the so-called good guys were really the bad guys, and the so-called bad guys were actually not that bad after all? Better yet, what if the hunter becomes the hunted?

These questions and more are part of Neill Blomkamp’s creepy new R-rated sci-fi action/adventure film called District 9.

Spy Pigs: The ‘Force’ is With You

The FBI has a new pet project. And who better to be the next guinea pigs on a government-funded secret ops mission than… well… real, live guinea pigs?

In this first Digital 3-D movie from producer Jerry Bruckheimer, a federally funded crew of animal secret agents known as “G-Force,” trained by Ben (Zack Galifianakis) and his assistant, Marcie (Kelli Garner), has just been tasked with stopping power-hungry businessman Leonard Saber (Bill Nighy) from implementing his mission of world domination. The goal of G-Force is to locate and destroy Saber’s computer program called Saber Sense (also known as Clusterstorm) before Saber gets the chance to activate microchips in his worldwide line of household appliances and turn them into sinister killing machines.

‘Night at the Museum 2’ Delights

It’s always a risk that sequels will never truly live up to the success of the original theatrical release. But if opening weekend box office receipts are any testimony to a film’s success, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, hit a nerve back in May with moviegoers everywhere. The movie more than doubled the profits earned from the original 2006 Night at the Museum. Now, more than a month later, it’s still ranking in the top ten box office releases to date.

So what, exactly, is it about the adventures and antics of these nighttime-activated, historical characters that captures audience delight? In a phrase: good, clean humor and imagination. And that combination makes for family friendly fare, indeed.

Movies for the Fourth of July

Tomorrow is a happy holiday for our nation. Hope you get a chance to get to the beach, the mountains, or at least take the day off and celebrate our freedom. It’s great to be an American!

And while you are enjoying a cookout with your friends and family, shooting off fireworks, or catching lightning bugs in your backyard, when it’s time to go inside after all those outdoor festivities, how about a good flick to remember this great holiday?

If you are thinking about new movies at the box office, consider Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. It just came out Wednesday, July 1. I may be heading to the theatre this weekend to catch this fun animated flick. Plus, it looks like it will be family friendly, so those kids can tag along and no one has to worry about problem content.

Or if you haven’t seen it yet, why not try the new Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian? I just saw this movie last week. I was surprised at how entertaining it was. I didn’t see the original Night at the Museum mostly because I am not a Ben Stiller fan. However, this film is creative, clean, and enjoyable. So consider a matinee if it is still playing in your area.

And, of course, if you are thinking about renting a DVD, I would recommend the thoroughly entertaining Independence Day (1996), the action-adventure starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Vivica A. Fox, and more. Nothing like watching the good guys beat the aliens!

Be safe, get outside, enjoy your family, and celebrate with a great film. 

 

— Laura

‘Transformers 2’: Thin on Plot, Cool on Visual Effects

Autobot Optimus Prime (voiced by Peter Cullen) and the military, headed by Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) have been successfully working side by side to defend Earth from enemy attacks from the Decepticons for years. But there are once again sinister stirrings from Decepticon forces, headed by The Fallen, who aren’t about to give up their infiltration and destruction of Earth. And now one government official is trying to rid the planet of Autobot defenses just at the time when those Autobot forces will be needed most.

Now the Decepticons are after college-bound Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), who happens to possess the remaining sliver of the cube, the ultimate object of robotic power force.