Ed's Review Dot Com

Summit Entertainment, Red Wagon Entertainment,

Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, Theo James, Ansel Elgort, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Maggie Q, Jai Courtney, Miles Teller, Ashley Judd, Tony Goldwyn, Mekhi Phifer

In the future, society has broken the population down into five factions based upon their nature. When a child comes of age, in an elaborate, they are given an aptitude test to recommend to them which of the factions they will be best suited for. But based upon their own heart, they have the right to choose which faction they wish to be a part of, but once the choice is made, they cannot change their mind. Of course, those that fail or who are unable to choose are condemned to be “the factorless” and must live in poverty. When Beatrice (Shailene Woodley) takes the test, she fails as the results are inconclusive. She is “divergent” or one who has the characteristics of all the factions and is able to choose her own future. This is very dangerous to the government so even though she joins the rough and tumble warrior factor, she has to keep her secret before the government can find her and eliminate her.

I must first say I haven’t read the books. I think often fans of a book, or series of books is very disappointed when they come out on film. I’ve always had a theory for myself. If I am looking at a series that I’m already familiar with, such as Star Wars or Star Trek, or something along those lines, I would love to read the book first. But if I go see a movie that is really good, or strikes me as a very interesting subject, I love to read the book afterward. That way, I get the story and understand what’s going on, then go into much more depth and I already have a picture in my head (from the movie) of what the world looks like and what the characters look like, so reading about them I can picture it the same way in my mind. But if I read the book first, I end up having a completely different idea of what a person looks like, sounds like, or what their environment looks like. This is good if you’re simply a book reader, but if you love movies, like I do, it’s very jarring to find out the director’s vision is so very different from yours. This is what I think happened to the people who love the book and hate the movie.

Coming into this with no knowledge of the story, I was really blown away. I really enjoyed this film, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had a 5 star review. But I loved this story. Now I will agree, there is certainly a similarity to other works. It’s obviously got elements of The Hunger Games, and Harry Potter in it. And just when I was certain the film was going to go and turn all Blade Runner/Logan’s Run on me, it totally didn’t. It is a unique enough story that has to steal some from other similar types of stories. There’s no way to avoid that. But this was very colorful, suspenseful. a very innocent love story, extreme action and excitement, tension till the last, comedy, tragedy, and it tugs the heart strings. Basically it’s everything a big budget Hollywood blockbuster would have. And it’s obviously ripe for a series.

I can understand those who were disappointed, but this is certainly the best film I’ve seen in 2014, and really think they have the makings of a great series here. See it in the theater if you have a chance.

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Scott Rudin Productions, Michael De Luca Productions, Trigger Street,

Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi, Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed, Mahat M. Ali, Michael Chernus, Corey Johnson, Max Martini, Chris Mulkey, David Warshofsky, Yul Vazquez, Catherine Keener

This film, based on real events covers the 2009 hijacking of the Meaersk Alabama container cargo ship by Somali pirates. The Alabama was carrying relief food and water and goods to the people of Somali. They were sailing in risky waters and followed the proper protocol for attempted piracy, but still ended up in a serious situation. This is the minute by minute account of the actions of the Captain (Tom Philipps), the crew, and the pirates as the events unfold in major action and suspense.

There has been a little controversy over the accuracy of the events told in the story. I’m sure there are a lot of liberties taken to make this into a Hollywood blockbuster. If I were one of the sailors aboard the ship, I might take a little offense at the changes from actual events. But as a dramatic telling of the story, this is an excellent movie. Certainly the artistry of Tom Hanks adds a lot to it. He plays the Captain in a remarkable way. The major story is about the Captain and the leader of the Pirate band, and how both are riding a wave of events that are completely out of their control. Neither can really do anything but play out the drama. In the words of Captain Philipps, “We all have bosses.” This is the true meaning of the story. But in getting there we’re placed in a marvelous adventure filled with suspense. This is a roller-coaster ride of emotions from start to finish and one of the finest films of 2013. This is one you should NOT miss.

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Walt Disney Pictures, Ruby Films, Essential Media & Entertainment,

Tom Hanks, Emma Thompson, Colin Farrell, Paul Giamatti, Jason Schwartzman, B.J. Novak, Bradley Whitford, Ruth Wilson, Annie Buckley, Melanie Paxson, Rachel Griffiths, Kathy Baker

In the 60’s British author P.L. Travers (Emma Watson) found herself low on cash. Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) had promised his daughters that someday he would bring Mary Poppins, their favorite book, to the big screen. But Mrs. Travers was not about to let Mary Poppins out of her clutch as it was much to close to her own life to let it go. She insisted on absolute last say over the entire process. So Mrs. Travers arrives in Burbank to drive the story writers, music writers, and Mr. Disney himself nearly crazy trying to meet her demands. This biographical picture covers the bumps and bruises of trying to get arguably Walt’s most successful movie ever, to the screen.

Emma Thompson is marvelous as the formidable little lady Travers, and Tom Hanks does an amazing job as Walt Disney, but there is lots more going on to make this one of the greatest films I have ever seen. Granted, I was familiar with the struggles Walt went through to try to get Mary Poppins off the ground. One of the things Walt really wanted to do was to bring the world of cartoons and live action back together in the scene where Mary and Bert and the Banks Children enter the chalk drawings to a world of fancy with dancing penguins and all. Walt wasn’t really sure that Mary Poppins would ever be made, as Mrs. Travers constantly threatened not to sign the release. But a little known fact is that Walt hedged his bet with another really great film that was to be the Mary Poppins should Mary not get out of the book. He hired Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson (who also played Mr. Banks) to make probably one of the least known, but also really good Disney film “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”. This film featured a sequence (like the chalk drawings excursion in Poppins) under the ocean to visit the Island of Naboombu. Had Mary Poppins failed to get launched, Walt no doubt would have thrown all his backing behind this film, and it probably would have been a great film. As it turned out Mary Poppins was the big hit, and this film was left pretty much neglected. The same people who made Mary Poppins also made this film, including the Sherman Brothers (played by Jason Schwartzman and B.J. Novak) in Saving Mr. Banks. Paul Giamatti also has a charming role in this film

Basically this is two stories in one. The major story of Walt’s efforts and Pam Travers resistance to letting Mary Poppins turn into the marvelous movie that it is. The hard work and determination that everyone put into the development of this project is vividly portrayed here. But the alternate storyline is the heartbreaking story of Mrs. Travers life as a small child in Australia and the things that led her to put the stories on paper in the first place. Mary Poppins was indeed a huge part of her life. Prior to watching the movie, the title “Saving Mr. Banks” sounded trivial to me, but after hearing her story, it became crystal clear why this is certainly a brilliant title and the crux of the entire story. This is an excellent film, one of the best stories I’ve seen in many years, and the fact that both Tom Hanks and the movie were snubbed by the Academy this year is dreadful. This could easily have been best film. I urge everyone to get a chance to see this fabulous story. Bring tissues, as it’s very sad in some parts, but well worth watching.

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Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), New Line Cinema, WingNut Films,

Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom, Luke Evans, Manu Bennett, Hugo Weaving, Lee Pace, Andy Serkis, Aidan Turner, Christopher Lee, Billy Connolly

Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) are accompanied by an odd collection of characters in the continuation of their journey to defeat the horrible dragon Smaug and return the kingdom of Erebor for Thorin (Richard Armitage) the rightful King. In the first part of the trilogy, “The Hobbit:An Unexpected Journey”, Bilbo tricked Gollum out of his ring, a powerful ring that gives the wearer the ability to be invisible. Bilbo uses this to help the crew as the make their journey toward the mountain to face Smaug.

Another marvelous piece of “The Hobbit” a book by J.R.R. Tolkien which was written after, but is a prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The “Lord of the Rings” was three books, and a true trilogy, whereas “The Hobbit” was a single book. “The Hobbit” is much easier to read and must simpler to understand what is going on. Many people were angry that Peter Jackson chose to break this book up into 3 movies, but this segment is over 3 hours long, and I don’t see where there is much to cut out of it. There’s no way they could have fit all the richness of this story in a single movie, and previous attempts to do it have been ok, but lack the depth and dimension of this series. I am sorry to have to wait another year to see the final one. Tolkien always suggested that new readers of his books start with this one to put things in chronological order, but there’s more to it than that. By reviewing this story first, you are well aware of the different races, peoples, and lands of the major trilogy, and you get to know many of the same characters. Though very violent, with lots of battle scenes complete with graphic beheadings and stabbings, this would be ideal for the older kids who might have trouble following the main trilogy. I agree with many people that “The Hobbit” is Tolkien’s best work.

The scenery in New Zealand where this is filmed provided a beautiful and pristine landscape for a background and it’s unbelievable beautiful. It also allowed him to keep his cast captive, and limit the problems with cast defections. There wasn’t much to do there but make the movie! The scenery is not only breathtaking, but the story is one of the richest known to man, so it’s hard to go wrong. The special effects are stunning, and though very involved and complicated, do not overshadow the story or the adventure and action. The animation of Smaug alone is well worth the time spent watching this film. It is truly spectacular. I had the privilege of watching this in IMAX 3D which was technically marvelous. All in all there is nothing really to find wrong with this film, and it’s a solid 5 star blockbuster well worthy of all the praise and $$$ being heaped upon it. This is group theater experience too good to miss out on. Wonderful film.

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Walt Disney Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Santino Fontana, Josh Gad, Alan Tudyk, Fred Tatasciore, Chris Williams, Ciarán Hinds, Stephen J. Anderson, Maia Wilson, Edie McClurg, Robert Pine, Maurice LaMarche, Livvy Stubenrauch, Eva Bella, Spencer Lacy Ganus, Jesse Corti, Jeff Marcus, Tucker Gilmore

Two daughters, Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) are left alone in the castle when their parents are suddenly taken. Anna, the eldest has powers that can freeze anything at a touch, and has been hidden away to keep the subjects from knowing her secret because Elsa is set to become the queen now that her father and mother are gone. But Anna can’t understand why Elsa stays locked up and won’t associate with her. When her subjects find out a tragedy happens and Elsa runs away to the top of the mountain. It’s up to Anna and her new found friends to search for Elsa and let her know everything will be OK.

Wow, Disney Animation Studios have been killing it lately. This is an excellent film. Prior to the feature film, there is a Mickey Mouse cartoon. This cartoon has been made for 3D! There’s no doubt about it that this short film has to be seen in 3D. Additionally the beauty of Frozen is also very much enhanced by 3D. This film is probably the best 3D production I’ve seen, and I was blown away by the wonderful story, great music, and the 3D effects. So get yourself to a theater right away before it’s too late to catch this movie on the big screen in full 3D! This is one of the best animated films I have seen in a long time. I think this one is destined for tons of awards. The animation is excellent, and as I already stated, everything else is great as well. Some wonderful songs, and great new characters. Kids will love Olaf, the snowman who was created to sell toys. Olaf is a character, and a great addition to the film. If I could fault anything, and I really can’t, but if I could, it would be that Disney has now gone way overboard in response to the criticism of the old sexist ways. Princesses waiting for their Prince to rescue them, and the fact that basically none of the Princesses had a mother, and if they did, she was evil and a bad person. Well, now we have Princesses with “Girl Power” who won’t wait for anyone to rescue them. In fact, the guys now are idiots, incompetent at the least, and sometimes downright helpless, and the gals run right into the fray and fight their way through and rescue the poor princes who are quite helpless. It’s a new age, and I think we have to learn to live with that. I’m sure there are girls out there who still are into the Princess thing, but these are young beautiful girls with a kick like a mule. Anna doesn’t wait for any guy to rescue her! That being said, it’s a wonderful new age kind of movie, and I highly recommend this one in the theater with 3D glasses in place!

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