Movie Reviews

Who’s Watching You?
Movie Review
By Gabriella Calabro


Watchmen is still playing in nearby theatres.

Taking a break from the usual nonsense of stereotypical "romantic comedies," I found myself enthralled by the action-packed, reminiscent love story and hero adventure film, Watchmen. Having no prior knowledge of the storyline from the graphic novel, published by DC Comics in the late 1980s, following the story was pretty easy.

The first few scenes were filled with visually amazing flashbacks from "the way things used to be" for superheroes. This part of the story is similar to Pixar's The Incredibles, in which a group of superheroes who the public no longer deemed helpful and were shunned, still try to make a comeback to save the world. These first few scenes of Watchmen were not only historically based, but also rather provocative for the period they represented. Shot as pictures that come to life, the aesthetic quality of the first few scenes is definitely unique.

The music features songs written by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Phillip Glass, and performed by Jimi Hendrix, Tears for Fears, KC and the Sunshine Band, and others. Although not what you would expect for this type of movie, the songs help illustrate the passage of time and identify the decades shown in the film

Once back in the present day, the lighting dims and the sets become drearier. Having directed both Watchmen and 300, director Zack Snyder exhibits offbeat lighting, and distinct cinematic styling that adds to the high action-packed scenes in the film, and made the romantic scenes that much more intimate. Following the love triangle of Nite Owl, played by Patrick Wilson, Laurie Jupiter, played by Malin Akerman, and the ever-glowing Dr. Manhattan, played by Billy Crudup, kept hopeless romantics engaged in the otherwise superhero action movie.

Fighting against an unknown enemy, the superheroes reconnected to keep each other, and ultimately the world safe. Rorschach, the name matched the mask that simulated the famous ink-blot tests, played by Jackie Earle Haley, was the primary leader in getting the group together, and became the character audiences loved to hate. Yes, he forced the team to fight against their will, but their teamwork saved the world.

Having gotten mixed reviews at the box office, people should go see it and make up their own minds. Be sure to clear your day, because the movie runs a little over two and a half hours. Although some parts of the movie do drag, it clearly explains what’s going on and answers any questions the audience may have. No matter what has been said, the movie made more than $55 million in just one weekend, according to chacha.com, and has so far grossed nearly $100 million. I say watch the movie, become part of the phenomenon and join the Watchmen debate.

Movie Reviews

A Beatles Inspired Universe Speaks To Us Today
By Sarah Campbell

The film, “Across The Universe” is truly invigorating and provides a feel of the 1960s. Advanced visual techniques, accompanied by heartwarming performances translate the 60s era into our heads, while the Beatles soundtrack explodes in our ears.

The plot involves a young crowd main in New York City: Jude (Jim Sturgess), a poor British ship welder, Max (Joe Anderson) a well-off college drop-out, and Lucy (Rachel Evan Wood) Max’s little sister who ends up following her brother’s footsteps and soon falls in love with Jude, her brother’s best friend.

The bohemian crowd lives together in a Greenwich Village crash pad with several other musicians. Most of the characters are named for Beatles songs or resemble other famous singers of the time, such as the character’s Sadie (Dana Fuchs) and Jo-Jo (Martin Luther McCoy)who easily resemble Janice Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix.

The plot is deep and broad touching on Vietnam (Max is shipped to war) and revolution, in addition to a love between Jude and Lucy, though there is very little dialogue. Almost everything is conveyed through images set to an almost continuous Beatles soundtrack.

One scene in particular, in which the Hendrix type, Jo-Jo walks the streets is marvelous. Jo-Jo passes a group of businessmen performing a rigid combination of movements, in a box-like formation. The men move in unison and look like carbon copies of one another. They’re carrying square briefcases and wearing plain suits. They stomp side to side while moving up and down in a zombie like trance, which translates a feel of confinement.

Jo-Jo on the other hand passes by in his colorful bohemian clothing, guitar strapped to his shoulder, looking relaxed, worn, but happy. Its morning and all of the businessmen are off to work and running through their routine. Jo-Jo’s just heading home. It’s a terrific reflection of the contrast within society. The use of color helps illustrate the mood throughout the film, as it’s more neutral in Middle America and the U.K. and gains brightness and versatility when the setting becomes New York City.

The inevitable fear that strikes us upon imagining new artists singing Beatles songs is immediately crushed, as is the anticipated unease of envisioning a new story to accompany their music. Many of the songs have a different take completely. For instance, Prudence sings, “I want to hold your hand” from a sad place. She expresses wanting to hold a woman’s hand whom she lusts after, but doesn’t feel comfortable admitting this truth about her sexuality. Her suppression and upset come through in her “I want to hold your hand.”

Bleeding strawberries, rooftop concerts and magical tour buses add to the films 60s feel. But this is not why the film stays with you. It strikes a cord of similarity; generates a sense of sameness between the world now and then. By the movies end there isn’t an emotion that hasn’t been stirred. It’s invigorating, inspirational, beautiful, creative, evoking. It serves as a reminder of the past and provides a new lens for the present.

Movie Reviews

Getting Two-Thirds Of ‘300’
By Mark Moran

Every year the American public is bombarded with a slew of Hollywood epics that promise to be bigger, better, and flashier than anything you have seen before. The film, “300”, written and directed by Zack Snyder, easily falls into the category of aspiring Hollywood epics by telling the story of the Spartan nation fighting against all odds to defeat the Persians who wanted to enslave them. "300's" advertisements convey this message not so discretely with the tag line “Prepare for Glory!” Unlike many recently released epic disappointments (cough-King Kong-cough) "300" delivers its promise of glory, for the most part.

In every frame, Zack Snyder paints a visual masterpiece worthy of wall space at The Met. His use of vibrant yellows and reds offset the more muted gray tones in this moving piece of art. The direction and cinematography is beyond any critique. While some may say "300's" visuals take away from the film's story, it actually further emphasizes the Spartan ethic. With images so vivid, one can almost smell the crimson blood on the warrior's swords, feel the cold metal of their shields, and have their stomach's growl at the Spartan's hunger for victory. The aesthetics alone are worth the price of admission. It has been a while since a director has made such a bold and stunning movie. Like a classic painting, "300" has the tendency to take your breath away.

Although a painting gains value, mostly from a visual standpoint, a film must have a good story to back up the pretty pictures. This is where "300" seems to stumble. Battle after battle we see the Spartans fight against all odds and win. We also see their victory from a mile away. In almost every battle sequence, the odds of our heroic Spartans winning seem slim, but they do win and we know they will do it again the next time they encounter the Persian army. When a new battle begins, some may find themselves wondering if the only difference between each battle sequence were the Persians' costumes. The end is almost anti-climatic due to the film’s predictability. Let's just say you see it coming. However, the movie's plot doesn't seem to be based on whether the Spartans will win, but on Spartan honor and ethics. It seems "300" wants to reveal the stoic honor code of these legendary warriors rather than leave you on the edge of your seat. For some, this could result in boredom. For others, this could make the movie more meaningful than a dozen plot twists.

The bottom line is "300" is worth seeing. It may not be the best screenplay ever written, but is surely a stunning work of cinematic art. Although the story could be better, it still has compelling characters and a decent plot line. Nevertheless, what 300's story really has to offer is a glimpse into a legendary nation of warriors with unwavering honor and ethics. "300" isn't going to win best picture at the Oscars, but it is a good popcorn movie.