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Reviews
City of Ember (2008)
Good movie in its own right, but book was still better
The book "The City of Ember" is an excellent book, and an excellent book series by Jeanne Duprau. The very fact I found out about the books is the movie trailer. After reading the books I was excited to see the movie even realizing from the trailer that many things would be changed. That be said after watching the movie I enjoyed it despite the many changes in technology (aka phones existing in Ember), Lina parent's deaths (drowning trying to escape, rather than coughing disease), and giant animals. I did enjoy having Doon's father increased in the plot, but didn't like how it took Mrs. Murdo's character down. I don't think the characters had as much depth as they did on screen, but that can be expected when character much of the time consist of thoughts and feelings. And the escape being more complicated than the book was OK, but the book had action and plot on a different scale. The sets were beautiful and I think Martin Laing who did an excellent job on Titanic equally did an excellent job on Ember. That being said I would recommend the books to anyone who remotely enjoyed the film. Egress from the Theater and find the books and turn on a light before the blackouts begin. Sit down on your couch (you may need to move the yarn) and enjoy the books by Jeanne Duprau. A brilliant author of an amazing book series.
Amazing Grace (2006)
Excellent Film, Excellent Message. In one word "Amazing"
I just went to the theater for the opening day showing last night and I was moved by this film. Not many films will make me cry, but this brought tears to my eyes. Very powerful true story of William Wilburforce. The serious scenes were put next to some scenes with some comedy to balance it out. Hollywood needs to make more films like this. Powerful message shown through the actors. Very well done and I complement everyone that worked on it. The film is about William Wilburforce and his campaign to destroy slavery from the British Empire. His mentor is John Newton the slave ship captain who came to Jesus Christ during a storm and wrote the powerful hymn "Amazing Grace." I highly recommend it. It will bring tears to your eyes and a message to your heart.
Split Infinity (1992)
Excellent Film about Time Travel and learning life long lessons
I first saw this movie about six or seven years ago. It started off slow and I thought it would be boring...I was wrong. For a somewhat some budget film the acting was good and the plot excellent. I musical score was also wonderful.
AJ is living 1992 and life is all good so it seems. She is caught up in the materialistic American dream. She sells candy and soda from lockers in her school. AJ Enterprises also include tutoring lessons. But the business is causing problems with baseball and family.
Then her grandfather Frank comes for a visit. He tells her about his sister Amelia Jean who passed away in the 1930s from polo. AJ after hearing the story AJ goes to the barn, which is the only thing that was saved with the house from the Great Depression.
AJ's brother comes and joins her in the barn loft before almost falling out the window. AJ yells at him and she tries to follow him to apologize WHEN she falls and the story changes...
She wakes up in 1929 and meets her grandfather (who is her Brother) she is now in Amelia Jean's shoes. She realizes that it is only a week away from the stock market crash that will plunge the country into the Depression and Frank wants to get rid of the farm. What will AJ do? Watch the film and find out.
It is a great film. It is available on DVD and it is a great watch. Enjoy.
Last Stand (2003)
Wonderful Short Film by Gabe Torres
I bought this film a couple weeks ago and after watching it with the bonus material I have to say that it was worth the cost. Gabe Torres did an excellent job with his "green" team for the one week shooting schedule. The movie has very little dialogue, but mostly images about two people from different worlds. One a soldier and one an Indian. They learn to trust each other and help each other out. It is a great film and it is for sale on www.laststandmovie.com. If you are interested in making short films the "Making of Last Stand" on the DVD will help you in making a short film and give you tips and pointers. The film will touch your heart as it did mine. Enjoy the film. Good job Gabe.
The Da Vinci Code (2006)
The Book was better, but Film was good also
First of all, I would like to state that I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ the Son of God and I am not ashamed of that fact. I read the book "The Da Vinci Code" after reading a small booklet, called Da Vinci Code Separating Fact from Fiction. It had small quotations in it from the book, and because of it I wanted to read the book. I believe the plot was well conceived with action and a murder mystery making sure that the reader was turning the next page. I can see where many people will be confused even though this a 100% piece of fiction. It seems just like a piece of truth, but something is just not right. I enjoyed reading the book knowing that it was fiction and it was good to see the film to compare it to the book. The movie had many changes that I noted in my mind as I was watching it.
* SOME MINOR SPOILERS BELOW* In the book, a taxi takes Sophie and Robert through the park while in the movie they walk through it. In the book, there are two decoding machines where in the movie there is only one. There were a few other minor differences, but overall I believe it was a good adaptation from book to screen when they only had three hours to work with. My recommendation is to read the book after you see the film or read it and then watch the film. For Christians I would say it give it a shot and watch it or read the book. If you are sincere in your faith and you know what Romans 8 talks about no film or book should move you from your faith in Christ. It should force you to take a look at your life and make your faith stronger. Have you read the Bible Lately it is good stuff! The Da Vinci Code is a good film that is a good murder mystery who done it film. I makes you think and look inside at what you believe. Both Dan Brown and Ron Howard did a good job at making this book come to life. Take it at face value and then do your homework. Overall I give it a two thumbs up and 8 our 10 stars.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
It's amazing what Hollywood can do when they put their mind to it!
It's amazing what Hollywood can do when they put their mind to it! A film of high quality, amazing acting, superb special effects, beautiful choreography, plus much much more! What's more NO sex, and NO swearing! The pace of the film did not drag for the most part and the screenplay was well written based on the beloved book by C.S. Lewis. *Spoilers throughout* The film opens with the blitz of London in 1940 with German Nazis bombing the city. This forces the children away from home and into the English countryside. The "Evacuating London" score is wonderful to listen to as the title comes down like snow as the children are leaving on a train. They're sent to the home of an older professor. One day during rain, the children play Hide and Seek to "Oh, Johnny, Johnny" sung by the Andrew Sisters. Lucy, the youngest, finds a wardrobe that goes into Narnia, a land that has been frozen for 100 years by the evil White Witch. Soon all four of the children (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) embark on an adventure like nothing before. Edmund betrays them when he meets the Witch earlier, and the children must go to meet the TRUE KING Aslan. Aslan preforms the true meaning of sacrifice dying in the place of Edmund for his faults. Killed by the Witch and then rises again and "death itself started working backwards." The battle scene at the end is amazing before the children are crowned the kings and queens of Narnia. "Once a King or Queen of Narnia, always a King or Queen of Narnia" as Aslan remarks. The children grow up in Narnia going into their 30s I from what I can tell before leaving the wardrobe to return to being children once again. Just as they fall out the professor walks in and says, "What were you children doing in the wardrobe?" "You wouldn't believe us if we told you," remarks Peter. With a twinkle in his eye the professor replies, "Try me." This film has something for everyone. I was surprised when I saw it opening day and people from all age groups were there. Children who were three all the way to Senior Citizens being 70 or 80. The plot is good and teaching great lessons. The Beavers offer great comic relief and the music sets the mood. Enjoy and be sure to stay through the first part of the credits for a final scene.