 "Chronicle"
Similar to the style of the groundbreaking Blair Witch, and
subsequently the Paranormal Activity series and the scary
Cloverfield, Chronicle proves that the handycam aesthetic
can deliver effective thrills in the hands of a professional
director such as Josh Trank.
The Story: Andrew (Dane DeHaan) is a socially awkward, abused
and introverted teen whose main form of escape from his dying
mother and frustrated, violent tempered father is a video
camera he employs as a creativeoutklet and emotional safetly
valve. But things begin to change when Andrew, his cousin
Matt (Alex Russell) and classmate Steve (Michael B. Jordan)
discover a mysterious glowing substance, possobly an alien
lifeform, in a giant sinkhole that imparts them with incredible
super-powers. As their psycho-kinetic abilities become more
powerful, they leqrn to control their enviroment and eventualy
actually fly.....just like you-know-who. then, their lives
spin out of control when Andrew turns to the dark side and
his vengeful side begins to emerge. Andrew's camera captures
the unfolding events that eventually envelop the entire town.
A good reference for this film would be the 1932 classic
written by H.G. Wells "The Man Who Could Work Miracles".
The Players: Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, Michael Kelly
and Alex Russell
The Filmmakers:
Directed by Josh Trank
Screenplay by Max Landis
Released by Twentieth Century Fox
|
 "Big
Miracle"
Reviewed by CJ Henderson
Okay, here's one I'm certain a lot of you are not planning
to see. No explosions, sex, cursing, farting or much of anything
else to engage the twelve year old intellect. And, you're
probably right. If you need zombies, car chases, blood-letting,
beautiful girls in varied states of undress ... no. Stay home.
You'll probably just get upset.
However, for those of you willing to give something different
a try, let me tell you about this one. Now yes, I know, "inspired
by a true story" can mean just about anything. But, for
those of us with a few years under our belts, this story was
national news. The plight of these three whales was shown
around the world. Everyone was watching. Everyone was concerned.
Well, everyone who is easily manipulated by our media culture.
And that, my faithful readers, is really what this film is
all about. Do let me tell you all about it.
The story: It's the late 80s. Ronald Reagan is about to leave
the White House. The economy is in recovery and everyone is
feeling pretty good about themselves. One fellow in particular,
a reporter (John Krasinski) out of Anchorage, Alaska, who
is spending a week covering the news in Barrow (a minuscule
town right outside the Arctic Circle), is feeling good about
things because he will soon be heading south away from Barrow's
sub-zero temperatures.
John's character screws things up for himself, however, by
stumbling across a story. Three gray whales, two parents and
a baby, have become trapped by the ice. They need to reach
the open sea, but that's five miles away. The only air they
can reach is through the hole they have made for themselves
by ramming their heads against the ice. John reports the story,
feeling fairly smug. This is the kind of cat-in-a-tree feature
that editors love to use as time fillers. He has earned his
paycheck.
Then, because a network editor has time to fill, his story
goes national. Suddenly, everyone is curious about the fate
of the three whales. Will they live? What can be done? Isn't
anyone helping them? Overnight the town of Barrow fills to
capacity as reporters from around the world fill its street
(it is a very small town). And more than reporters. Greenpeace
arrives, in the form of John's ex-girl friend (Drew Barrymore).
People who just want to help, like two wacky fellows from
Minnesota who have invented a device to keep ice off boats
which they are certain can help.
Then the government gets involved, along with whale hunters,
and oil companies. No matter how much help flows into the
area, though, the weather keeps worsening at a rate that seems
to make saving the whales impossible. Finally, at the height
of the cold war, the Soviets, famous for killing whales in
the cruelest ways, offer to send an icebreaker. It is the
only way the whales can be saved, but because of their reputation
as whale hunters, even Greenpeace doesn't want them there.
So ... how can these whales possibly survive?
This is one of the best films of its type in a long time--that
type being the "based on a true story" type. Everything
about it makes it a highly enjoyable watch. The acting is
on the money, from the stars, to the great supporting case
(filled with great people like Ted Danson and Stephen Root),
to even newcomer Ahmaogak Sweeney who plays the Eskimo boy
who serves as the film's narrator. The whales seem incredibly
natural. The underwater photography is hauntingly beautiful.
Interestingly, most of the film's cinematography is handled
in a very blunt, documentary fashion, helping to intensify
the reality of the event. What really does that, however,
is the screenplay.
Screenwriters Jack Amiel and Michael Begler told their story
with a refreshing honesty which did not take sides. Certainly
it was easy enough to make many of the players look bad. Oil
drillers, whale hunters, politicians, reporters--the script
holds all of them and their reasons for being a part of the
rescue up for careful scrutiny. But, they also make certain
that the benefits to Greenpeace for being on the scene are
mentioned as well.
Really, for me, the best parts of this film were the backroom
struggles as the kinds of deals that are made in situations
like these are revealed. Political infights, the struggle
for ratings, opportunism, the film reeks of it, and shows
it all openly and without favoring one side over the other.
Well, not too much. The message is still more liberal than
anything else, but it is far more fair than one might expect.
So, does this one need to be seen on the big screen ... well,
no. Not really. But it is very well made, fast-moving, extremely
involving, and ultimately worth most anyone's time. This is
a good one folks, and I'm glad I saw it.
Our final word: 5 stars out of 5.
The Players: John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell,
Dermot Mulroney, Tim Blake Nelson
The Filmmakers:
Directed by Ken Kwapis
Screenplay by Jack Amiel, Michael Begler
Released by Universal Pictures
|
 "Woman
in Black"
Based on Susan Hill's selling novel, and produced by Hammer
Film Productions, back in the horror business after a 35 year
hibernation, this one will scare the ---- out of you. The
film was planned to be shot in 3D,but that plan was scrapped.
A stage adaptation of this story has been thrilling audiences
for 23 years in the West End with over 7 million people having
lived to tell the tale of one of the most exciting, gripping
and successful theatre events ever staged.
Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), recently widowed and still
grieving the loss of his wife, is sent to a remote village
to put a deceased eccentric's affairs in order. But soon after
his arrival, it becomes clear that the villagers are hiding
a deadly secret. Kipps discovers that his late client's Alice
Drablow (Alisa Khazanova) house is haunted by The Woman in
Black,the ghost of a scorned woman Jennet Humfrye (Liz White)
who was unable to save Nathaniel (Ashley Foster), her beloved
son, from drowning. She now takes on a horrifying form. Set
on vengeance, her veil hides gaping sockets eaten away by
scavengers and her curse hides an even darker secret - whenever
she is seen, a child dies. In the face of hostility from the
local residents, Arthur dredges up Nathaniel’s skeleton
and buries it with his mother, hoping the evil spectre will
finally rest in peace. In a cruel twist of fate, the Woman
In Black turns her claws towards Arthur’s young son.
To avoid a fate worse than death, Arthur must now sacrifice
everything he holds dear and save his daughter Stella ( Sophie
Stuckey).
The Players: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer, Ciaran Hinds,
Sophie Stuckey, Liz White and Emma Shorey
The Filmmakers:
Directed by James Watkins
Screenplay by Susan Hill, Jane Goldman
Released by Universal Pictures
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Wars: The Phantom Menace" in 3D
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