Apocalypto

Apocalypto: Mel Gibson directs this look at the decline of the Mayan empire. The film is violent, but has plenty of heart. No “name actors” are in the film and the dialogue is entirely in Mayan with English subtitles. This does not however mean the film is not an action packed, “edge of your seat” drama, because it is just that. The attention to detail in this movie is simply stunning – the costumes, makeup, jewelry, piercings, and tattoos are so meticulous. It would be fun to just watch the people on screen even if there was no story – that is how real it all felt. Nevertheless the film has an excellent story with superb action sequences. At the beginning of the film, we are introduced to a Mayan tribe and given a glimpse of their lives. The main characters are introduced and then further developed allowing the audience to identify with these villagers. All is good until their village is raided by another tribe. The story then takes us through the forests and on to the Mayan temples, giving us a fascinating look at this past civilization. Some of the scenes are jaw dropping for both their violence and just the scope of the film itself. The film then turns into a heart pounding chase / survival story. Mel Gibson has really given us an authentic look at a civilization gone "bye". The only part of the film I found out of place was when one of the Mayans called another Mayan a Jew – then started to point and laugh at him………strange. Seriously, Gibson gives a film on the scale of his award winning Braveheart, it was just missing some of the emotion William Wallace brought to the screen.
* * * and a ½ or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: Last of the Mohicans & Rambo, First Blood part 2

With a running time of 135 minutes
This film is rated R

Blood Diamond

Blood Diamond: An action packed drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou. The topic is one that needed to be brought to the big screen to make people aware of the devastation the diamond trade is causing in Africa. Set in the country of Sierra Leone during the 1990s - DiCaprio plays Danny Archer, a diamond smuggler who while in prison learns of a rare diamond that was found and hidden in the diamond fields. Solomon (Hounsou) plays a poor fisherman who hid the rare stone which he found while being forced to work in the diamond fields. He agrees to lead Danny Archer to the diamond, in return he wants Archer's help to find his family which was torn apart when his village was raided. The movie is filled with action, more so than I expected (but that was a good thing). The film also opens our eyes to the blood being shed over the diamond trade in Africa. Villages are raided by warlords who steal their children to join their militia. These children learn to kill at around the age of 10 – very disturbing. This is all done so they can smuggle diamonds and help finance the purchase of weapons to fuel the ongoing civil war. The acting by both DiCaprio and Hounsou is exceptional. The story drives home its point and may actually go a little over the top in the final scenes. Stories about these kinds of topics need to be made – having the film be as entertaining and powerful as it is ….is a bonus. Note: Guys if you are thinking of popping the question this Christmas consider seeing this movie before buying an overpriced and surprisingly common diamond.
* * * and ½ or Grade: A-

If this movie had parents they would be: The Constant Gardner & Romancing the Stone

With a running time of 128 minutes
This film is rated R

Bobby

Bobby: A new film written and directed by Emilio Estevez……I can’t believe I just typed that, let me try that again. A new film written and directed by……...….Emilio Estevez -still feels strange. Even stranger – I really liked this movie. The film centers around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel the night Bobby Kennedy was killed. There are a number of storylines in the film, all of which are meant to show you the state of mind people were in back in 1968. The cast is exceptional; it stars more big names than I think any other movie I have seen. The only role void of a big name actor is the role of Bobby Kennedy. For Kennedy, Estevez chose to use actual footage of the senator to increase the impact of the moment. As the film weaves between storylines we see and hear some of Kennedy’s great speeches leading up to that dreadful night of his assassination. Also, throughout the movie we see the hope building in people for the change they believed Kennedy would bring to the country if elected. The ending sees all that hope wiped away with a couple of loud bullet shots in a hotel kitchen. Emilio dips into the music of the time and lays it over the actions on the screen for an exceptionally powerful finish. I think this is another top 10 movie of the year for me…….Back to the cast for a moment, have a look for yourself at the names involved in this movie – CAST

* * * and ½ or a Grade: B+

If this movie had parents they would be: Crash & JFK

With a running time of 120 minutes
This film is rated R

Little Children

Little Children: Kate Winslet stars in this small film dealing with young married couples living in everyday “American suburbia”. The story opens up with us finding out that a man who exposes himself to little kids is out of jail and living back at home. This has the whole neighborhood up in arms and worried for their children. What we see is a lot of finger pointing by everyone, but what we learn is that everyone has their own evils inside. Winslet’s character finds out that her husband is addicted to internet pornography. This leads her to seek out something or someone new to satisfy her hunger and not just sit there and deal with the hand that has been dealt to her. Enter Patrick, a father who stays at home with his son while his wife works….you see where this is going. There are another four or so storylines going on in the neighborhood that all come to a head on the same night - (Think American Beauty). The film succeeds in getting its message across, however I thought it took to many “winding roads” to get there. The film is blessed with 2 great performances – one by Kate Winslet and the other by Jackie Earle Hailey who plays the best creep I have seen on the screen in some time. Not sure if my expectations for this movie were too high or if it was the fact that it had some misplaced humorous scenes that hurt the serious message being conveyed. I walked out of the theater wanting something better. As I let this film marinate some more I find myself wanting to discuss some of its ideas. Summed up: A very interesting film, which could have been carried out better.
* * and a ½ or Grade: B-


If this movie had parents they would be: American Beauty & Magnolia

With a running time of 130 minutes
This film is rated R