A 1972 Car Changes Everything

A 1972 Car Changes Everything

By: Nemo Zaragoza

A calm looking neighborhood is where this takes place, not a place you would suspect for gang related violence, but then as the movie progresses you see that the quietest neighborhoods are probably the worst. Well this is where Clint Eastwood decided to film his amazing movie, Gran Torino. Clint Eastwood plays Walter Kowalski, a veteran of the Vietnam War. The movie starts off with Walt, in a church next to a coffin, and in the coffin lays his late wife. Shortly after the ceremony Walter goes home, and they have an after ceremony dinner, and after that, that’s when the fun really begins.

Gran Torino is a movie directed by Clint Eastwood, with main actors Walter Kowalski (Clint Eastwood), Father Janovich (Christopher Carley), Thao Vang Lor (Bee Vang) and finally Sue Lor (Ahney Her). It was made in 2008 and it’s rated R for language, and some violence. Well the movie is about a disgruntled Korean War veteran called Walt Kowalski, Walt sets out to change his neighbor, a Hmong teenager, who tried to steal Walt’s prized possession: his 1972 Gran Torino.

In this movie Walt tries to change his neighbor who tried to steal Walt’s Gran Torino by giving the teenager work to do to turn him into a man that can stand up for himself because before, Thao got confronted by an Asian gang that gives Thao an initiation, and they want him to steal Walt’s Gran Torino. So now Walt is trying to make Thao a man so he doesn’t get picked on. After that Thao is walking home, after Walt got Thao a job in construction and the gang drives up to him and takes all his tools, and breaks them, they also burn Thao’s cheek with a cigarette. After Walter saw Thao’s cheeks and face he asked what happened so then Walt goes to the hideout of the gang and hurts one of the members in hope that they will leave Thao alone. Then after that they do a drive by shooting and that’s when Walt takes justice into his own hands and does the unexpected.

Well I cant really express one of the moments I felt really strong about because that would be spoiling the movie…

To end this up, I totally recommend this movie with all my being because this movie is AMAZING, it was full with comedy but it was also really serious and what happens throughout the movie is awe striking. For an audience I will have to recommend this to an age group of 14+ because of the swearing in the movie. I have before seen Clint Eastwood in movies, but this is probably his best work thus far, that is why I recommend this movie.

Grand Torino

Grand Torino

By Travis Drewett

No, that’s not a spelling mistake, this movie was actually grand. It was an intense movie with quite a few twists and turns. You couldn’t go through the movie without feeling some sort of suspense and laughter. The movie was so serious, that it seemed funny, and the audience agreed. However the overall plot is very serious and emotional. It tells the story of an old war veteran, Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) whose neighborhood is filled with Asian people, or as he calls them, “zipper heads.” He finds himself starting to slightly enjoy their company, and begins watching over a young boy named Thao (Bee Vang). Thao’s cousins begin to cause trouble, which triggers Walt to take action.

The main actors in this movie were both Clint Eastwood and Bee Vang. Clint Eastwood has acted in many movies before, most using his “tough guy” appearance. Whereas this was Bee Vang’s first movie, which didn’t seem to show, he looked as though he had moderate movie experience. This film was very gruesome in the sense that it had things such as racism, gang violence, rape, and incest.

In this movie, you have a very violent plot, with humorous detail. Walt had fought in the U.S. 1^st Calvary in WWII, and was now a bitter old man. The funny parts occur when he gets sucked into a tradition of the Hmong people, whether it’s accepting gifts, or not looking them in the eyes. Of course, he always shows his dissatisfaction with a sigh or a growl but eventually complies, leaving the audience in laughter.

Something that really caught my interest in the movie, maybe not in a good way, was the acting of Sue, Thao’s sister. She must’ve been new to acting because I found her to be somewhat unrealistic. She had the lines down, but the way she displayed them was irritating and sounded like she was reading them in an elementary school play. I think that she was one of things the movie would’ve done better without, but then again, all actors need to start somewhere.

As a final result, I would recommend this movie to a mature audience. It contained too much cussing and disturbing events to be seen by little children, such as the rating for it suggests. It’s a fine movie and definitely one to go see with friends, then again, it may not exactly be the number one “chick flick” so make sure the story line is appealing.

Behind the Buttons...

Behind The Buttons, Lie More buttons.

By: Nemo Zaragoza

What would you think if a baby was left on your doorstep and you almost stepped on it, not knowing it was there? As you quickly uncover the baby’s face you see that its all raggedy and old looking, what would you do? Well for Queenie, played by Taraji P. Henson, that baby was a blessing, she didn’t care if it was ugly or not, she took him in and gave him the chance of life, she gave Benjamin, the chance his father didn’t. So what I would have to say is that this movie was alright.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was directed by David Fincher, with main roles by Brad Pitt as Benjamin’s young version, also with Tom Everett being Benjamin from 1935-1937, Robert Towers being Benjamin from 1932-1934. Then we have Daisy played by Cate Blanchett, Queenie, Taraji P. Henson, and these are just a few of the main characters. It was made in 2008, and it has a rating of PG-13. Well, this movie is about Benjamin Button, a baby that was abandoned on the doorsteps of a senior home, he was born at the end of WWI, and the reason he was abandoned was because when Benjamin was born, he aged backwards, but his father didn’t know so he just saw a monster, and abandoned him on a doorstep.

In this movie, it starts with a mother and daughter, the mother is dying and she tells her daughter to read a journal that she had in her suitcase, this told the story of Benjamin Button, a man that aged backwards. So now, Benjamin is curious about the world so he leaves home and travels abroad trying to see the world, and ends up fighting for a brief time in WWII.

Something that was interesting and almost made me cry was the fact of how Benjamin had to give everything up because he aged backwards, he would be a kid when he would die and he told his wife that she wouldn’t be able to raise their child and Benjamin, so he left her and the child, and left them with a substantial amount of money so they could live off of the money he left them, but when the real daughter is reading the journal to her mother she see’s postcards, and they were all for her, they were all dated on her birthday, and that moment touched me because I just knew he ached to be with here but he knew he couldn’t.

Overall this movie is pretty good, but if you think about it really, you are just watching a movie about a man that retells his life story, the only interesting part is that he aged backwards, but still I would give this movie a 3/5, so I would say that almost anyone should watch this movie but if you don’t want the movie ruined just don’t think about it at the end.

The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Button?

By Travis Drewett

If I could turn back time, I would definitely have watched this movie again. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a very moving film that differed from the rest. It was loosely based off a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, telling a story of a man that actually ages backwards. Even though he was first expected to die within months at birth, Benjamin grew up and withstood the challenges of being young, but looking old. Brad Pitt does an excellent job in this film, acting through each scene with realistic expressions and smiles. He get’s a certain blankness in his eyes that just tells you that inside he is still Benjamin Button, even though he looks young, very well done.

The cast of Benjamin Button was a good choice. It starred Brad Pitt (as Benjamin Button), Cate Blanchett (as Daisy Fuller), Taraji P. Henson (as Queenie) and more. They all played important roles in this movie, each character being able to connect to in depth. I don’t think there is one character shown that you wouldn’t know their name, and what kind of personality they have.

There seem to be branches on this tree of stories that reach out far and wide. It’s amazing the amount of side stories there are in this film, such as Captain Mike’s story, or Tizzy’s story. If there is one thing I learned about this movie, it is that time can never move backwards, and maybe that isn’t such a bad thing after all. This film explains that point well through symbolism and entertainment.

Something that really interested me in the movie is the plot. I was quite impressed to see something that hadn’t been put into a movie before. This was an eye opener and gave new questions to the thought. However, it was already known that he was going to die, so that made me feel some sort of sorrow throughout the entire movie, knowing such a kind man was going to end in such an awkward way. In this way the case of Benjamin Button was not so curious.

I think I would definitely recommend this movie to all ages. It teaches important values, such as innocence and helping, and gives a very odd and unexplored plot. The only precaution I would warn is that there is implication of sexual-intercourse, but nothing is shown, so I wouldn’t think of it as an issue. This movie is a must-see, and also one that I may go back and see again.

The Dark Corners of a Church

The Dark Corners of a Church

By: Nemo Zaragoza

Doubt was a movie that was a “sleeper” film in my opinion. There were no recognizable interesting parts in this movie. Overall I would say that I did not like this movie at all.

Doubt is a movie made by Director John Patrick Shanley, with the main roles in the movie you will see Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams. The movie was made in 2008 and is rated PG-13. This movie is about a real life story that started with a nun named Sister Aloysius Beauvier (played by Meryl Streep) that was told by a nun by the name of Sister James, played by Amy Adams, that she suspected Father Brendan Flynn (Philip Seymour Hoffman) of molesting a child. Immediately Sister Aloysius wanted to rid her church and school of that man, for she remembered about such incidents in her past.

Well it pretty much states it in the paragraph before, but it’s about a nun that is suspicious about the father in there church. She is suspicious because she thinks that he molested a child. Overall through the whole movie there is just a big talking scene when Sister Aloysius confronts Father Flynn, and they fight verbally about the situation.

Overall I really did not like this movie at all, so I cant really say something stuck with me except the fact that I almost went to sleep, I’m not hating on anyone with that liked it or the actors, because the actors, especially Meryl Streep, did a great job, they just couldn’t keep me engaged.

To me I wouldn’t recommend this movie to anyone under 30 or so because this movie isn’t really (in my opinion) targeted to anyone under that age group, because this topic is serious and of course there are those young people that believe they are “mature” enough to watch it, but I just think they are fooling themselves because this movie will probably pass over there head or they will find it boring. So whoever disagrees, I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree, in other words, I say no, I wouldn’t recommend this movie.

Without a doubt

Doubt Review

By: Travis Drewett

If you’re looking for a movie with fast cars, hot women, and big explosions, then this movie is not for you. If you’re looking for something a little deeper in meaning, then this movie would be perfect.

I seriously doubt that this movie is going to be ignored. It was expected to be an interesting movie, but from what I saw it went above and beyond. The whole plot went above and beyond, explaining the accusation that a priest may have molested a child. However, the movie seems to make you question both sides on whether or not the priest actually did it. I do believe, though, that by the end of the movie, you will have your answer.

I must say, the actors in this movie did very well. Meryl Streep played the impressive part of Sister Aloysius Beauvier. Followed by her, were the acting talents of Philip Seymour Hoffman, as Father Brendan Flynn, and Amy Adams, as Sister James. These actors star in a movie about the questioning of faith, and the immersion of doubt.

What happens in the movie, is that Father Flynn is accused of molesting a young kid named Donald Miller (Joseph Foster). Aloysius has no evidence to support her accusations, but trusts in her heart that she is correct. The whole movie is spent trying to get him kicked out, while he would constantly act insulted and call her crazy. Meanwhile, Sister James is having difficulties deciding whose side she should be on.

The idea behind this movie gives me chills. It’s simple, but as shown in many ways throughout the movie, for example when the picture of an eye looks down at Father Flynn, it gets consumed in symbolism. It intrigued me while watching to see such a thick plot and emotional storyline develop into a great conclusion. The result of all of this was a great message passed onto the audience about the questioning of one’s belief, and that all things have their upsides, and their downsides. The downside in this movie is that a priest is looked at as trusting, and never doing any wrong.

I definitely would recommend this movie to adults and teens. I agree with the movie rating on this, which is PG-13. It’s a great movie, but not necessarily appropriate for children because of its plot. However, I wouldn’t blame parents taking their children to go and see it anyways. There’s compelling story, interesting characters, and things that just make you think. I give it two thumbs up.

Big anticipation became big disappointment

Valkyrie Movie Review

By Travis Drewett

With a non-German cast, and what seemed like ten second conversations, Valkyrie is a movie that could have been made during the time of World War II…literally.

Valkyrie is about the fifteenth and last attempt to assassinate Hitler, which just by knowing the history, failed. It drops the audience in, what seems like, the middle of a storyline that has already been in progress. It progresses through the building point of the assassination and shows you everyone that conspired against Hitler. It skims across the surface of the subject matter and gives you an overall quick summary of the events that had taken place. A scene that seemed to capture the mind in this movie was at the very end, when the main character, Col. Stauffenburg (played by Tom Cruise), is executed by gunshot after yelling “Long live sacred Germany!” This scene was very powerful and well done by Mr. Cruise.

Valkyrie has a unique cast of actors, starring some of the talents of Tom Cruise Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighly, Terence Stamp, Kevin McNally, David Schofield, Christian Berkel, Jamie Parker, Edie Izzard, David Bamber (as Adolf Hitler), and many more. The director of this movie, Bryan Singer, had gone through many costly obstacles such as the building and finding of over 70 different sets.

In this movie, it begins with the oath that all Nazis had sworn, while a Nazi flag waved in the background. It then pans over to the journal of Colonel Stauffenburg, as he is writing about finding men who are brave enough to stand against Hitler and his army. Later on he ends up getting drawn into an organization that dislikes Hitler as much as he does, if not more. As the leader of the group gets arrested, Stauffenburg has a plan to get a truce with the Allied power, and have Hitler dead.

I think that one of the most intriguing things about the movie is the historical accuracy. There was no memorable musical soundtrack to this movie, however it did offer interesting little facts about the history of Col. Stauffingburg. Something that really caught my eye was the fact that his wife died in 2006, meaning that she had to have been at least one-hundred years old. It also gives a lesson that Hitler was not as crazy as he appeared, how he was actually mellow, but all the more dangerous.

Although it provides many things that may spark a persons interest, I definitely would not recommend this movie to either kids or adults. The characters are so blank, and the progression of the storyline is so fast, that if you blink, then you probably would miss half the movie. One thing for them to improve would be interacting with the characters more and making us feel some sort of connection with them so that we would feel bad when any of them die.