Movie Review: "A Christmas Carol"

This 3D animated version of the Dickens classic was directed by Polar Express’ Robert Demeckis. Jim Carrey is the visual template and voice for the Victorian character Ebenezer Scrooge. Because of it’s popularity, there are very few plot surprises in the story’s telling. The animation truly brings 3D viewing to a new height. The screenplay was a fairly accurate rendering of the book. The film did not over rely on it’s highly sophisticated animated effects. The movie is rated PG, but some of the ghostly scenes would probably be a little too intense for younger viewers.

Movie: "Where the Wild Things Are"

Max Records is a boy living in a single parent suburban home. He has a fantastic imagination, but cannot control his anger or emotions. In a fit or rage, he leaves home and sets sail in a small boat to an island populated by bigger- than- life sentient fantastic creatures. There he establishes himself as king over the wild things. Most of the story is spent in conflicts amongst the wild things and his rule over them.

Max is mostly out of control emotionally the first twenty minutes of the movie. The facial animation of the creatures is excellent. The story and cinematography are dark and cheerless. You definitely will not leave the theater feeling enlightened or uplifted.

Despite being based on a children’s book, I would not recommend taking small children to see this.

Movie Review: "Zombieland"

This movie is a spoof of Zombie movies- including “Night of the Living Dead” and “I Am Legend.” Almost the entire population of the earth has been infected with a virus that turns everyone in to flesh-eating zombies. The plot centers around the relationship between a dysfunctional neurotic University of Texas undergraduate, Columbus, and a zombie-killing psychopath, Tallahassee, played by Woody Harrelson. Columbus wants to return to see his family in Ohio and Tallahassee wants to return to his home in Florida. Tallahassee is obsessed by his search for the last Twinkie and the desire to kill as many zombies along the way. Their quest is complicated by their encounter with two sisters who are on their way to an amusement park in Los Angeles. Billy Murray makes a cameo appearance as a zombie impersonator.

I personally enjoyed the twisted sense of humor that usually centered around the application of the myriad “Rules of Zombieland.” You need to get past the first ten minutes of unnecessary gore at the beginning of the movie. If not for the needless profanity, the movie would not have been rated R.

Movie Review: "The Informant"

This tongue-in-cheek comedy chronicles the torturous real life story of ADM executive informant Mark Whitacre. Matt Damon gives an above average performance as a Walter Mitty character who lies even when the truth might be more convenient. The plot is fairly sophisticated and not always predictable. A Who’s Who supporting cast made the film even more interesting- including The Smother’s Brothers and former Comedy Central comedian Allen Havey. Ocean’s Eleven Stephen Soderbergh directed the movie. Were it not for the repeated fowl language, the movie would likely have merited only a PG-13 rating.

Movie Review: "GI Joe: The Rise of the Cobra"

This is a highly animated movie based on the Hasbro toy series “GI Joe.” An elite international group of soldiers forms a secretive Brussels-based organization that battles the mysterious terror organization “Cobra.” Cobra is led by a corrupt Scottish arms dealer, Destro, and his mad scientist collaborator. Dennis Quaid plays the leader of the GI Joes.

The animation is superb and non-stop. The roles are predictable and corny. The plot allows some closure at film’s end with an opening for a sequel.

This movie won’t win any academy awards. This is a fun summer adventure movie with elements of Star Wars, James Bond, and The Mummy.

Movie Review: "UP"

Up is the latest animated 3D offering by Pixar. Ed Asner is the voice for the central character Carl Frederickson. His early life and middle life are quickly montaged during the first five minutes of the movie. As an elderly recently widowed man alone in a changing city, he pursues his life long dream of traveling to Paradise Falls in South America by attaching balloons to his house. He is unexpectedly accompanied by a neglected young scout named Russell. During their journey, Carl ultimately discovers his greatest joy helping others fulfill their needs and dreams.

The animation is superb. The story line, character development and comedy are fairly sophisticated. This is a movie that could be enjoyed on multiple levels. Best animated film since Toy Story.

Movie Review: "The Soloist"

This movie involves the relationship between a homeless schizophrenic Julliard trained musician, Nathaniel Ayers, and faltering LA Time reporter Steve Lopez. While looking for an interesting story, Lopez discovers Ayers under an overpass near the Disney Concert Hall. Through his chaotic relationship with Ayers, Lopez gradually discovers what it means to be a true friend. Robert Downy Jr. and Jamie Foxx excel in their respective roles. This interesting plot never quite fully develops. The ending is somewhat open ended.

Movie Reivew: "State of Play

This is a film play based on a 6 part BBC miniseries from 2003. Russell Crowe plays a veteran reporter with a large DC newspaper investigating the death of a congressional aide. Ben Affleck plays the congressman in question who is also a friend and old college roommate of Russell Crowe. Helen Mirren plays hardball editor of the DC newspaper. The plot spins about the simultaneous apparently random murder of two people in a Washington alley, the murder of a congressional aide and political intrigue involving a large powerful overseas security farm that is thinly patterned after Blackwater of North Carolina.

The action was fast moving and not entirely predictable. The story intelligent, but essential details are barely covered in the time provided.

A portly Russell Crowe adequately portrays his character. Ben Affleck’s performance is marginally convincing. Helen Mirren is- well- Helen Mirren. She was great.

Movie Review: "The Day The Earth Stood Still"

Many will remember the original black and white movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still”. It was a classic. This year’s version is a remake. Like most remakes, there are two story lines. The first is the movie itself and it’s message. The second is the contrast between the re-make and the original and it’s portrayal of the cultural changes that occurred between the two movies.

The classic black-and-white version of The Day the Earth Stood Still has been recognized as a Christian allegory: An alien (higher being) taking the form of man comes from the heavens to Earth preaching peace. He's murdered by those he came to save even thought they reject or don't understand his message. He rises form the dead and preaches a message that if not embraced by men they will die. In essence He saves man.

In the 2008 version instead of simply warning mankind to behave, Klaatu (played by Keanu Reeves) and his robot pal Gort (much larger and with more dramatic special effects this time are on a mission to retrieve a sampling of Earth's species ( symbolic of Noah's Ark) before the Earth and Mankind are wiped out. The Earth is dying or should we say being destroyed by man (environmental message). Man had their chance. Now it's time for the higher powers of the Universe to reboot the planet. The emphasis shifted from saving “Man” to saving the “Earth”.

Klaatu is shot and wounded- not killed and brought back to life (i.e. the resurrection imagery is removed). His birth is pictured as his DNA in a cocoon that resembles “placental tissue” growing into a man. The government and military complex is again portrayed as evil and unable to “get it”. Their only solution is violence.

It’s reasonable to view Klaatu as a Christ figure. He arrives from another world and is "born" as one of us. Nonviolent by nature, he has healing power, can restore life to the dead, warns that our sinful predispositions will lead to our destruction, and appears to surrender his life to save humanity. It breaks down from there, but comparing and contrasting the missions of Klaatu and the biblical Jesus could profit mature viewers.

-Larry Dormois, DDS, PhD, etc.