Movie Reivew: "I Am Legend" by L Dormois

As I thought about the movie on the way home,it was the typical movie plot with redemption at it's core.
Will Smith was first made to be a hero. We see him loose his wife and his only daughter while following his higher calling to save the world and remain on his watch. We are made to sympathize more with him when he looses his dog. The dog gives his life protecting his master. The villians are demonic like creatures who live in the dark, attack humans, are drawn to blood.

In the end he gives his life to save the mankind.

What is the means of their salvation???? Blood.

What a legend.

Larry D

Movie Review: Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium

Dustin Hoffman plays Mr. Edward Magorium, a 243 year eccentric old man who owns a toy shop in NYNY. Edward Magorium is on the cusp of retirement and “departure” i.e. voluntary death. Natalie Portman portrays a young female composer, Mollie Mahoney, who manages the toy shop for Mr. Magorium. Having writer’s block, Mollie’s life is at an apparent standstill. The bulk of the plot involves the interplay of Edward Magorium’s final plans for his Magic Emporium and Mollie’s quest to recover her musical creativity.

Dustin Hoffman’s acting versatility shines in his role as the elderly eccentric. Natalie Portman’s acting is lackluster. The basic plot had much promise, but really did not connect very well at movie’s end.

Movie Review: "Lars and the Real Girl"

The stories centers around Lars, a shy delusional young man in a small northern Midwestern town, who purchases a sex doll. Lars lives a quiet life working at a mundane office job and lives in a garage apartment next to his brother and sister-in-law. In his intense search for intimacy, he constructs a fantastic platonic relationship with his doll “Bianca.” In an attempt to not offend Lars, friends and family pretend to interact with his doll. The concepts of intimacy, maturity and mercy are slowly developed through the film.

Ryan Gosling and Nashville native Paul Schneider give better-than-average performances as Lars and his brother Gus. The movie is comical and inciteful.

Review of "Pissarro: Creating the Impressionist Landscape"

Camille Pissarro is known as “The Father of French Impressionism.” Most of the landscapes on display are from the decade of 1864-1874. During this decade, Pissarro developed his impressionist style. Representative works include his early years at Louveciennes, his seven months of London exile during the Franco-Prussian War, his return to Louveciennes, Pontoisse and his final years in Paris.

Throughout the procession of paintings, you can see Pissarro’s gradual transition from the use of black and dark colors. His depiction of snowy scenes become more sophisticated as he develops more loosely painted landscape and cityscapes.

My favorites were “The Farm on the Grounds of the Château of Marly” and “The House in the Woods.”

Admission includes a personal audio guide, a thirty minute video by art historians and thirty nine of his paintings. This exhibit is running at the Brooks Museum of art through January 6, 2008.

Movie Review: Elizabeth: The Golden Age

This visually stunning movie chronicles the struggles and intrigues of Queen Elizabeth I. The starts just after her ascension to the English throne after the death of her Catholic step mother, Mary. Elizabeth’s father, Henry VIII, had separated the English church from Rome. England is in a state of flux. A large minority of English is loyal to Rome, but the English government and her Queen are Protestant. Mary, Elizabeth’s Catholic sister and rival to the English throne, schemes to reunite England with the Catholic Church.

The film’s conflicts include Elizabeth’s struggles with her half sister, Mary, her chief counselor, Sir William Cecil, Sir Walter Raleigh and King Phillip of Spain. Throughout the story, Elizabeth is torn between the necessity of being royal and authoritative and the need for intimacy, friendship and council.

Sir Walter Raleigh is in turn torn between the need for the queen’s royal patronage and sincere admiration of her intelligence, sensitivity and will. The interplay between these two characters is well developed, sophisticated and for the most part virtuous.

The visuals, costumes, setting and musical score are stunning. Some theatrical license was taken in some of the pivotal points of the story- including a Joan of Ark-like scene on the Cliffs of Dover as Elizabeth looks over the destruction of the Spanish Armada in shining armor on a white charger delivering a warmed over version of Richard’s St. Crispin’s Day speech.

The movie is rated “R” mainly because of the violence and brief nudity.

Movie Review: “3:10 to Yuma”

This is a remake of the 1957 classic western of the same name. Dan Evans, a crippled Union Army veteran trying to survive bad times as a rancher in Arizona, is pitted against Ben Wade, a sophisticated sociopath outlaw who must be escorted to a train station in Yuma, AZ. In the course of their travels, Dan and Ben build an unlikely bond. Both Dan and Ben make sacrifices in the end in an attempt to redeem both their characters and situations. If not for the salty language, it would have earned a PG-13 rating. Christian Bale (Dan Evans) and Russell Crowe (Ben Wade) gave masterful, powerful performances. Peter Fonda and Luke Wilson made cameo appearances.

Movie Review: Molie’re

This movie’s plot centers around the imaginary events of an undocumented 13 years in the life of famous 17th century French playwright Moliere. At a low point in his career, Moliere is rescued from a Parisian prison to compose a play and teach acting to a rich French bourgeois, Monsieur Jourdain, who is courting a rich pompous young widow. Moliere develops a mutual attachment with Monsieur Jourdain’s wife, Elmire. The story evolves into multiple nests of plays within plays. Like a classic Italian opera, infidelity and dishonesty are rife in the lives and habits of all the central characters. In the end, Monsieur Jordain, wife Elmire and Moliere realize the plight and severity of their personal character flaws. Their lives are redeemed by this realization and individual sacrifices that ultimately result in honor and lasting fidelity.

Movie Review: Stardust

This movie is based on a novel that was in turned inspired by a DC Comics mini-series. It involves a poor young English villager, Tristan, who is on a quest to retrieve a falling star in order to win the hand of the prettiest local girl. Upon falling to earth, the falling star, Yvaine, takes on human form. She falls in the mythical land of Stormhold. Yvaine is also pursued by the evil witch, Lamia (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), who wants to cut out her heart in order to become immortal. Rivals for the empty throne of Stormhold join the pursuit as well. Robert DeNiro makes a semi-cameo appearance as the comical Captain Shakespeare.

The story starts slowly. The other worldly Yvaine and hero Tristan slowly learn the meaning of love. The movie is a delightful mix of comedy and suspense. The musical score is reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean and the scenery of Lord of the Rings. The film finishes with a happy story book ending

Movie Review: Bourne Ultimatum

This is the 3rd installment of the Bourne series starring Matt Damon. Jason Bourne continues on his quest to find out who he really is. He is lured out of hiding to contact a journalist who is writing an exposé of a US government assassin network. CIA agent manager Noah Vosen is determined to assassinate Bourne. Pamela Landy is brought back in to the series to help lead the effort to capture or kill Jason Bourne. As usual, the movie has non-stop action in exotic locations. Some of the chase sequences are too long. US intelligence operatives are mostly treated as assassins and torturers whose end of protecting US interests justify any means- regardless of moral implications. This film was very entertaining, but lacked some of the tidy closure present in the first two films of the series.

Movie Review: Transformers

This movie is based on the Transformer series of Hasbro toys. The plot of the movie centers on the conflict between two groups of robots from the planet Cybertron. The Autobots (good robots) fight the Decepticons (bad robots) for control of a giant square talisman called Allspark that gives unlimited power to the owner. Sam Witwicky, an awkward teen is befriended by one of the Autobots and is called on to help in a robotic/human struggle for ultimate power. The visual effects are superb. The sound effects and sound track are even better. The plot of fairly shallow, but entertaining.

Movie Review: "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End"

This third installation of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series opened this weekend. A resurrected Captain Barbossa, Will and Elizabeth set sail with the usual eclectic pirate crew to free pirate Jack Sparrow from the land of the dead. Davy Jones is now in the reluctant employ of the sinister East India Company head Lord Cutler Beckett. With Davy Jones’ help, Lord Cutler’s ultimate goal is to destroy Jack Sparrow and rule the seas. The central story is muddled by numerous poorly executed sub-plots including- a meeting of the pirate lords on Ship Wreck Island and the betrayal of Davy Jones and his lover Calypso. Rolling Stone’s Keith Richard makes a cameo appearance as Captain Teague, the head of Ship Wreck Island.

The movie plot was not cohesive. Many characters, who were thrown in to the cast from previous movies, contributed little to the story’s development. The special effects were dazzling. Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush’s performances as Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbossa were above average. Aggressive editing of the final film and story line would have served this movie well.

Movie Review: "Away From Her"

This is a slightly disjointed story of a retired university professor, Grant, whose wife, Fiona, develops Alzheimer’s Disease. The movie slowly develops a complex marital relationship involving elements of infidelity, retribution, devotion and self-sacrifice. The subject of past and current infidelity is complex and not clear until the story’s end. The ending is somewhat muddled by Grant simultaneously performing a selfless act of love, but still serving his own needs. Julie Christie masterfully portrayed an aging Fiona through the initial and final stages of dementia. Olympia Dukakis’ performance was above average and reminiscent of her role as Clairee Belcher in Steel Magnolias.

Movie Reivew: "Miss Potter"

This is the story of thirty year old single authoress Beatrix Potter in Victorian England who wrote many children’s books- including “The Tale of Peter Rabbit.” The movie chronicles her struggles with her parvenu pseudo-aristocratic parents, romances, friendships and writing. This film refreshingly details true romance and courtship of Miss Potter in the confines of staid 19th century English society. The awkward relationship she has with her suitor- who is also the publisher of her books- is at times complicated by the unique friendship she has with her suitor’s sister. This is probably the ultimate “Chick Flick” but I was pleased to finally see a film that portrayed healthy strong friendships between women and a wholesome, deep, meaningful search for love between a man and a woman in a society with some moral and social boundaries.

Movie Review "The Ultimate Gift"

This movie is based on the best-selling book "The Ultimate Gift" by Jim Stovall. The plot centers around a totally self-absorbed delinquent trust fund baby, Jason Stevens. His estranged billionaire grandfather leaves only a small portion of his vast fortune to his children. Grandson Jason is given an opportunity to redeem himself and in the process potentially inherit his grandfather’s fortune. Jason changes in a stepwise fashion to discover self-denial and the joy of giving.

The basic tenets of the plot are mostly Christian-friendly. Christ and faith in a transcendent God are briefly mentioned in the course of Jason and his intimates’ struggles.

The supporting actors, James Garner and Bill Cobb, performed better than the star, Drew Fuller. The central theme was noble, but the details of the plot were sketchy and camp.

It won’t be nominated for any awards, but would be worth viewing with the family.

Review of "Amazing Grace"

"Amazing Grace" is a biographical film of 18th century English Christian leader, MP and social activist William Wilberforce. This film, by Hollywood standards, is a fairly even handed portrayal of Wilberforce's conversion, life struggles and prolonged battle to eliminate the slave trade in the British Empire. The film allows enough time to develop the complex relationship between Wilberforce, his wife, Prime Minister William Pitt and the ex-slave trader John Newton. The writer interestingly weaved aspects of the central characters that would appeal to both Evangelicals and political liberals. Wilberforce's dominant Christian belief is never explicitly voiced in the film, but is implied by his passions and way of life. John Newton is brilliantly portrayed by Albert Finney. In the most moving scene of the movie, a blind John Newton declares to a troubled and dismayed Wilberforce "I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great savior."

More on the movie can be viewed at the following link: Amazing Grace

Movie Review: Breach

Based on a true story, FBI upstart Eric O'Neill enters into a power game with his boss, Robert Hanssen, an agent who was ultimately convicted of selling secrets to the Soviet Union. The central dynamic of the movie is the double deception of aging master spy, Robert Hanssen and underling FBI agent Eric O’Neill. Hanssen is a devout Roman Catholic who betrays his country. O’Neill, a lapsed catholic skeptic, is assigned to “spy on the spy.” The acting by Chris Cooper is absolutely superb. Throughout the drama, trust is intermittently won and lost by both characters. As per Hollywood usual, there is Catholic-bashing a plenty. In the end, the young skeptic takes the moral high ground by doing in his boss.

Review of Rivers, Sea & Shore: Reflections on Water at The Dixon Gallery & Gardens

50 paintings are featured in the exhibition, RIVERS, SEA AND SHORE: Reflections on Water, which are traveling under the auspices of the Trust for Museum Exhibitions in Washington, D.C. This exhibit includes paintings of all manner of waterscapes- both oceans, lakes and rivers from the early 19th century up to mid 20th century. The earliest works feature primarily images of sailing ships, followed by steamships of the mid to late 19th century. Also included are scenes of previously prosperous Northeastern river cities such as Mystic , Noank and Old Lyme Connecticut. The late 19th century and early 20th century works are mostly Impressionist works.

Also featured are the works of Memphis native William Nowland Van Powell (1904-1977). Mr. Van Powell worked most of his life as an architect. Due to failing eyesight, he abandoned his architectural practice and produced a large number of marine paintings depicting moments in American maritime history. The collection is interesting. This exhibition is generously sponsored by Jane Maury Lovitt in memory of Lloyd B. Lovitt,Jr.

Lawyer Leffler Review of "Pursuit of Happyness"

The Pursuit of Happyness:

Life is full of temptations to cut corners. Maybe a nip and tuck hereand there on the tax return. Or pocketing the overpayment of change froma purchase rather than setting the record straight. Depending on thenature of the corner to be cut and the nature of the person cutting it,the temptation can run from manageable to overwhelming. The moredesparate the person, the more they will see the temptation asoverwhelming. But the poet Robert Browning said: "Why comes temptation,but for man to meet And master and make crouch beneath his foot, And sobe pedastled in triumph."The Pursuit of Happyness, based on a true story, concerns a man who,against all odds, mastered those temptations and found his pedastle oftriumph. Will Smith plays a hard working entrepreneur who hits hardtimes when his wife gets tired of living on the financial edge. Sheleaves him with their 5 year old son (played by Smith's actual child)and Smith faces even higher hurdles. He loses his home and the sale ofhis medical devices that he plowed all of his money into goes stale. He happens to meet a stock broker who suggests that Smith apply for theprogram run by his brokerage for new salesmen. He gets into the program(which only offers one of the many participants a position with the firmupon completion) while juggling the demands of a single father who hasthe added burden of being homeless and needing to find a place to keephimself and his son each night.There are numerous chances for him to cut corners. Chances that most ofus probably would have seized since the damage to others would have beennegligible. But the message of this uplifing movie is that doing thingsthe right and honest way pays dividends despite how hopeless thesituation may appear at the time.

Review of "Volver"

Raimunda lives in Madrid with her daughter Paula and her husband Paco, who is always drunk. Her sister, Sole, is separated and works clandestinely as a hairstylist for women. The two sisters lost their parents in a fire in La Mancha, their birth village, years ago. Their aunt, Paula, still lives in the village and continues to speak about her sister Irene, mother of the two sisters, as if she were still alive. When the old aunt dies the situation changes and the past returns(volver) in a twist of mystery and suspense.
The movie starts slowly. All the central characters are unmarried or widowed women. The central character, Raimunda, lives a bleak urban life in Madrid with her worthless husband and awkward teenage daughter. She was estranged from her mother for years prior to her death. All the characters hold grudges of some sort. By story’s end, truth ultimately emerges and heals the rifts within the family

Review of "Pan's Labyrinth"

"Pan's Labyrinth" is the story of a young girl who travels with her pregnant mother to live with her mother's new husband in a rural area up North in Spain, 1944, after Franco's victory. The girl lives in an imaginary world of her own creation and faces the real world with much chagrin. Post-war Fascist repression is at its height in rural Spain and the girl must come to terms with that through a fable of her own.
You are never quite sure if the girl’s fable or the often gruesome world she faces daily is true reality. The cinematography is dark, but imaginative and vivid. The acting is superb and not overdone.

The fascists are portrayed as hypocritical, morally and intellectually bankrupt. The Republican guerillas fight a short term lost cause, but adhere to a higher morality. The story line follows the same old tired theme of Christian institutions i.e. the Roman Catholic Church siding with fascist designs on eliminating the open minded i.e. The Republicans. Despite this, there is a central story of the shedding of “innocent blood” that results in redemption and renewal by movie’s end.

Review of "Epic Movie"

Probably one of the worst movies I've paid to see in recent memory. What should have been a glorious spoof of recent movies- including Chronicles of Narnia, Superman, Nacho Libre, Da Vince Code, Night at the Museum and X Men- fell flat on its collective face.

Surprisingly, the musical score was true to the themes of the characters and movies. The humor was low, base and saturated with sophomorish vulgarity.