Toban’s Movie Reviews- Red Tails |
Red Tails
(Score: 2.5/5)
Summary:
Red Tails tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first crew of African American US fighter pilots and their journey to the top. While facing segregation throughout their training and tour of duty in Italy, they are kept mostly on the ground during World War II. Then one day they are given the chance to make a name for themselves, on a mission where their only objective is to protect a large group of larger aircraft, in order to assure a safe return home for the men piloting them. In order to not ruin anything,
I will shy away from any spoilers.
Positive Elements:
Red tails is a story of companionship and overcoming obstacles. Each member of the crew has their own personal weakness, which is kept in check by the accountability given to them by the other members in the squadron. An overarching, though underdeveloped plot point is overcoming racism.
Negative Elements:
One character is extremely defiant and cocky, ignoring all orders, in pursuit of as much glory as he can get. Some may see many of the racist moments of the movie as negative for 2 reasons. 1) the movie is EXTREMELY RACIST in its points of racism. #2) The reaction of the movie to these points of racism is very lackluster, if existent at all. Sure the overarching racism is “dealt-with” once the movie’s closing paragraphs on screen tell us that they were eventually respected. However, the movie itself doesn’t fulfill on its side of the struggle. The opening visual of the movie consists of an extremely offensive line from an old army paper, just to get you in the mood for how racist the movie will be.
Spiritual Content:
One member of the group, Deacon, is a strong Christian who spends most of his screen time praying to “Black Jesus” while keeping a picture of a dark-skinned Jesus with him at all times. The group, consisting of roughly 30 men, prays together before a big mission.
Sexual Content:
The romantic side of the plot consists of one of the men dating an Italian woman who he can’t communicate with. It is hinted to multiple times that this individual spends his nights with local women throughout the military campaign. Once he falls for a local girl, for real, they are depicted as having spent a night together later in their relationship.
Violent Content:
Red Tails depicts many aspects of aerial warfare. We repeatedly see planes being ripped apart by bullets and exploding. Inside those planes, bullets often wound pilots and gunners, and blood spray is frequent. Some main characters get pretty nasty injuries.
Language:
8 s-words. God’s name is abused five or six times (three times with “d‑‑n”). We hear about 20 uses of “h‑‑‑” and “d‑‑n.” Characters say “a‑‑” 6 times. A white officer calls a black officer a “n—-r.”
Alcohol:
Alcohol plays a vital role in the story of one of the officers. It is his struggle with alcohol, as well as another crew member’s cockiness, that comprise most of the plot while the group is on the ground.
Conclusion:
Overall, the movie is pretty clean, with only a few curse words thrown into the mix, as well as some alcohol. Though it had great potential, Red Tails suffers from poor acting and depiction. George Lucas, who began work on this film in 1988, has presented a film that feels much more like Star Wars (the prequels) than Glory. Some viewers may be very offended due to how “raw” the racist remarks are in this film, as well as the passive way it is dealt with. I would recommend this movie to people looking for fun, not substance. The feel of this film is somewhere around early high-school, and viewers looking for a deeper film, or one that is more mature, may prefer past war films, such as Glory, We Were Soldiers, or other films of that nature. Be warned however, that I have not reviewed those movies, nor watched them recently. Therefore I cannot vouch for their content if they prove more vulgar, graphic, or sexual than this film. I usually add a “date” recommendation to the films I review, so here’s the one for this movie..take her to Beauty and the Beast 3D, it will go much better. I feel like I need to post a backup review with this, as it is a movie I know a lot of people will defend without seeing it so here you go (look below). The biggest problem I have with the film is how much potential was squandered on it. The Tuskegee Airmen deserve a better portrayal than this, and I’m sure many will agree with that statement. God bless you all with a fantastic week.
Review (via Wall Street Journal)
Toban’s Movie Reviews- The Three Musketeers |
The Three Musketeers
(Toban’s Score: 3/5)
The Three Musketeers tells the tale of a young boy named D’Artagnan who fights alongside three former musketeers, who have recently lost their drive to fight. The movie focuses on their exploits in England as they try to recover stolen jewels from a beautiful double agent named Milady and her employer before they seize the French throne and engulf Europe in a massive war.
Positive Elements:
This is an interesting element to focus on in The Three Musketeers. Though they are valiant and heroic in their actions, the characters aren’t all that good in nature. D’Artagnan fights for love and honor, but the rest don’t redeem their pre-movie qualities until the very end (which I cant explain due to spoiler guidelines).
Spiritual Elements:
Aramis the primary man of faith in the film. We witness him praying part of the Lord’s Prayer before he kills a number of men, later praying again for their souls. Aramis also says that there’s a difference between a man of the cloth and a man of God.
The clergy in the film is seen as corrupt. The primary villain is an archbishop and we constantly see him committing crime in the same room as a large crucifix. A ship has a large carving of a grim reaper holding a crucifix and wearing the holy garb.
Sexual Elements:
There are actually a lot of verbal sex jokes and double meaning behind conversations in the film right from the beginning. Milady is displayed as being willing to sleep with anyone to achieve her goals. At one point she and the Duke of Buckingham kiss, and he states, “Shall I search you for concealed weapons?”. Even I didn’t have to ask this question, due to all the effort the filmmakers went through to show cleavage, I knew they didn’t have any on them, even before he says this.
Violent Content:
The entirety of the show is violence but in a fantastical way, so as to not be overwhelming. Most is accompanied by witty one-liners and played off exactly as you would expect from the source material. Also there are so many explosions, Michael Bay would be jealous.
Foul Language:
3 s-words, 5 d—, 2 a—and –h—. Also one comical use of b——-d.
Alcohol:
Characters toast to things multiple times and there is no shying away from alcohol. However, they do not get carried away at any point in the film.
Conclusion:
The Three Musketeers was made for 3D, and I highly recommend that you see it that way, if you plan on seeing the film at all. I, myself, very much enjoyed the film. In no way is it a quality film, but then again I do not believe anyone walking into this movie is looking for anything substantial. It is a fun film, filled with humor and swashbuckling, a great movie to see with friends, maybe a date, though not a first one. The film did get a little out of hand with the double meanings and such, but they calm down as the film moves forward and it actually becomes a pretty clean film. There’s really no that much to explain about the film. It’s exactly what you would expect and doesn’t deviate from the “guideline” of such films. Hope someone gets out to see it, I’m interested to hear what you think.
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Toban’s Movie Review- 50/50 |
50/50
(Tim’s rating 4.5/5 though cautionary)
50/50 is inspired by the true story of Will Reiser. It is an interesting film, teetering on the fence between heartfelt glimpse of a cancer victim and a, later on in the film, romantc comedy. The film focuses on a 27-year-old man, named Adam, who learns of his cancer diagnosis, and his subsequent struggle to beat the disease. The film, though marketed as an immature comedy actually shocked me with its realistic an empathetic retelling of the events that occurred in Reiser’s life. What starts as a comedic affair turns very dire. The film matures as it progresses, much like its characters, from childish views on life to more adult ones.
Positive Elements:
The story of this movie is great. It is very well written and a very interesting message for a movie that masks itself behind comedic moments. I honestly felt for the main character, and sympathized with his struggle to relate and be understood by those around him. The events of the film have a very positive influence on many of Adam’s relationships and interactions. Even Seth Rogen’s “best friend” character gains some maturity and becomes part of the overall movement towards progress.
Spiritual Elements:
None
Negative Elements:
Seth. Rogen. Seth Rogen begins this movie so crudely and out of control with dialogue that some may feel the need to leave the theater. Rest assured he does get better as the film goes on. The details of other content is below.
Sexual Content:
Basically every line of Seth Rogen’s for the first 30 minutes of the film, at least. There is also a point in the film that Adam becomes so downtrodden relationally that he uses his cancer to convince two women to go clubbing with him and Seth Rogen, the end result being to sleep with the girls. This does actually occur, and nudity is almost shown, but the scene is not what it first appears to be. It is actually a display of the torture Adam is experiencing, as he is unable to even enjoy this act, though sinful, due to overwhelming back pain as a result of his cancer. Though this sounds like a big deal, the scene is about 10 seconds long and is the only scene of its kind during the movie’s 2hr and 5 minute running time.
Drugs/Alcohol:
Alcohol is used recreationally. Marijuana is used medicinally…A LOT. We see Adam, as well as some elderly cancer patients smoking, drinking, consuming (in cookies), and generally flaunting the drug constantly throughout the film. The film however does not breach beyond medicinal use and actually portrays it quite maturely (with the exception of the cookies).
Language:
The movie contains 43 uses of the F-word. Only 5 of them aren’t Seth Rogen. Other than that, random, though few, uses of A–, S—, and c— are used.
Conclusion:
50/50 is very hard to describe. Throughout its tale viewers are exposed to both a very serious, almost overwhelmingly, emotional portrayal of facing your mortality and its effect on your relationships, and the childish/selfish decisions some make when able to play the guilt card. I will say this right now. THIS FILM IS NOT FOR EVERYBODY. I, unlike some, am able to see the heart of the movie and overlook some of its shortcomings, but there are definitely those who will be rightly offended by its first hour or so. If able to, however, one will receive the rare experience of a movie with some real heart. Adam’s journey and internal transformation contain many redeeming qualities that are applicable to an audience member’s internal struggles. I, for one, came put with great respect for those who face that which is portrayed in the film.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Toban’s Review) |
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Tim’s Score: 5/5 (aka OUTSTANDING)
Rise of the Apes is an origin story in the truest sense of the term. Set in present day San Francisco, the film is a reality-based cautionary tale, a science fiction/science fact blend, where man’s own experiments with genetic engineering lead to the development of intelligence in apes and the onset of a war for supremacy. (via Metacritic)
Positive Moments
This movie contains so many positive depictions, its difficult to remember them all. Will’s love for his dad, as well as Caesar is refreshing to see in a lead character of a modern summer blockbuster. The entire story is fueled by this love, as well as Will’s lessens to Caesar about right and wrong.
Spiritual Content
None, but that is not something to be discouraged by. This film is pure fantasy set in a modern world.
Sexual Content
Will and his girlfriend kiss and we see the pair in bed. (Due to timeline progression it’s never stated whether they married or not.)
Violent Content
Trailers for Rise of the Planet of the Apes make it appear that this is a man-vs.-ape war movie. That could not be farther from the truth. There are some intense moments of violence, but what set this story up differently is that there is hardly any death. Monkeys fight each other, a finger is bitten off, a helicopter explodes mid-air (possibly killing one rider), and monkeys fight people near the films conclusion. This last example is not what it appears to be however. I use the term lightly because the monkeys do not kill anyone on purpose, they’re leader won’t allow them. However, this does not stop a particularly vengeful monkey from killing a main antagonist due to a “kill-be killed” scenario. Another death is present in the movie as an accident and is played for sorrow and surprise rather than a meaningful act of aggression. Again it is a means of self-defense.
Crude or Profane Language
God’s name is combined twice with “d‑‑n.” 1 or 2 uses of “a‑‑”. A man is cut of before finishing the sentence “what the …”
Drug and Alcohol Content
The drug variations ALZ112 and ALZ113—the medicines being developed in the film—are injected and/or otherwise transmitted to both apes and humans.
Conclusion
This movie is a must see for any fan of the Planet of the Apes franchise. The movie is the purest of any that captured the screen this summer and I, myself, have seen it 3 times in theaters. There is surprisingly nothing to worry about seeing in this film and I gladly watched it with my entire family.
I apologize this review has taken so long, now that school has started back up I plan to review the top 2-3 movies that come out every week. I would greatly appreciate getting requests of what you guys would like me to review. What are you planning to see this fall?
Movie Review “Cowboys & Aliens” (via toban) |
COWBOYS & ALIENS
Tim’s Rating: 8/10
1873. Arizona Territory. A stranger (Daniel Craig), Jake Lonergan, with no memory of his past stumbles into the hard desert town of Absolution. The only hint to his history is a mysterious shackle that encircles one wrist. What he discovers is that the people of Absolution don’t welcome strangers, and nobody makes a move on its streets unless ordered to do so by the iron-fisted Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford). Its a town that lives in fear.
But Absolution is about to experience fear it can scarcely comprehend as the desolate city is attacked by marauders from the sky. Screaming down with breathtaking velocity and blinding lights to abduct the helpless one by one, these monsters challenge everything the residents have ever known.
Now, the stranger they rejected is their only hope for salvation. As this gunslinger slowly starts to remember who he is and where he’s been, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of the elusive traveler Ella (Olivia Wilde), he pulls together a posse comprised of former opponents, townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors – all in danger of annihilation. United against a common enemy, they will prepare for an epic showdown for survival. (via IMDB)
POSITIVE MOMENTS
Jake and Dolarhyde come to respect each other’s strengths and are able to bring the Apache and a gang of cattle rustlers into the fight too. Self-sacrificial action is taken on just about everyone’s part to protect and defend. Jake, in particular, gives the effort his all. Ella does her part too, for the record, and becomes an instrumental player in saving the day. Likewise, the town’s preacher, Meacham, stands between an armed gunman and the townspeople. Dolarhyde teaches us that overcoming prejudice, while difficult, is foundationally important, not to mention liberating. I leave out the details because they are riddled with spoilers.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT
Meacham tells the saloonkeeper that things will go well if they can have faith. The man, known as Doc, retorts, “God ain’t done much for me.” To which the preacher says that we can’t expect God to do everything. “You gotta earn His presence,” he says. “Then you gotta recognize it, then you gotta act on it.” The preacher also tells Jake to help the others, encouraging him with, “God don’t care who you were, son. Only who you are.” Meacham tells Jake, “Whether you end up in heaven or hell, it’s not God’s plan, it’s your own.” The Apache perform a chanting ritual to help Jake regain his memory. Early on, the townsfolk find it hard to understand what the aliens actually are, and a young boy named Emmett suggests that they’re demons—an idea that frightens the others, but sticks. Overall the good of this content outweighs the silly movie elements it contains.
SEXUAL CONTENT
Ella, during a very brief scene, appears naked in front of a roaring fire, however, only partial bare back is visible. There’s one crude reference to masturbation in the form of a campfire joke.
VIOLENT CONTENT
This film is very violent. So much in fact, that someone with me did not enjoy the movie, stating, “It was too violent, I can’t justify the good in the end, after all that happened to the people fighting.” During large battle scenes, rifles and pistols blaze, arrows zip, and spears impale as men do anything and everything they can to bring down the seemingly unstoppable aliens. We do see several well-placed blasts from rifles and shotguns hit the right spot and obliterate aliens’ faces or limbs. One guy slams his knife through lit dynamite and into an alien’s head. The resulting explosion obliterates him and the creature. A cornered Emmett pulls out his large knife and thrusts it deep into an alien’s exposed heart. Men carry the scalps of Indian victims. All the while, the alien energy-blasting weaponry delivers another level of mayhem. Those blasts explode on contact like grenades, sending earth, rocks, buildings and often people flying in all directions. On several occasions an alien plunges its sharp claw-like appendages into a human chest or bites through a jugular—rising afterward with blood splashed across its face. We see one woman reduced to a pile of ash by a laser beam. A large splash of blood hits a window pane. A man is punished by being stretched between two horses. He’s then cut loose at one end and dragged away by the horse on the other.
CRUDE/PROFANE LANGUAGE
Two s-words. Jesus’ name is misused twice, and God’s name is combined with “d‑‑n 3-4 times. We also hear at least a dozen uses of “h‑‑‑” and a half-dozen more uses of “d‑‑n.” “A‑‑” ,”b‑‑ch” and ”w–re.”
ALCOHOL CONTENT
A group of men drink beer and hard liquor in the saloon. And Jake throws back three or four quick shots of whiskey while standing at the bar.
CONCLUSION
Cowboys & Indians is a pretty interesting film. Many are turned away simply by its silly name, which is taken from the graphic novel upon which the movie is based (but hardly follows). I would definitely recommend this movie, as it seems to be the last of it’s kind for the summer. I myself enjoyed almost every aspect of the film. Whether it be the fighting, effects, or even the message itself, everyone will like some aspect of this movie. However, as previously stated, its is quite violent and, upon my questioning, I have found that some girls do not enjoy the film as much, due to this. Overall, Great movie for a get together of friends, such as what some 19northers do occasionally on Mondays, and well worth seeing to make an entrance into the final stretch of your summer movie experience.
| 19north said… Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:55:48 |
19north: iTunes Podcast Link Graceland 1 – Zack Blair http://twurl.nl/sbsx73
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| 19north said… Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:29:11 |
19north: New Podcast: Graceland 1 – Zack Blair http://tinyurl.com/cj385a
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| 19north said… Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:27:23 |
19north: @ZackBlair post: What is Truth? 5 of 6: The Problem is the Church http://tinyurl.com/c5lftn
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| 19north said… Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:27:39 |
19north: @ZackBlair post: What is Truth? 4 of 6: Truth Inside http://tinyurl.com/d3tv7m
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| 19north said… Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:24:10 |
19north: If you are reading this you need to get to http://19north.tv/live
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