Sorry Folks...

Hey everyone, I regret to announce that tomorrow there will be no blog post.  I will be on my way to Florida for my family's "Big Fat Christmas Vacation", so I won't have time to post.  Check back in Monday, I should be back on track then!  Until Monday, Don't Forget the Popcorn!

Sin City

Movie Title--  Sin City

Release Year--  2005

Running Time--  2 Hours and 4 Minutes

Director--  Frank Miller, Robert Rodriguez and Quintin Tarantino

Cast--  Mickey Rourke, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba, Elijah Wood, Clive Owen, Rosario Dawson, Benicio del Toro, Nick Stahl, Josh Hartnett, Michael Clarke Duncan, Rutger Hauer, Devon Aoki, Alexis Bledel, Powers Boothe, Jamie King, Frank Miller, Brittany Murphy, Michael Madsen, Carla Gugino

The stories of three people living in the corrupt and violent town of Basin City unknowingly intersect as their individual stories are told.

The Salesman (Josh Hartnett) meets a woman on a balcony and offers her a cigarette.  After a brief conversation, they kiss and he kills her.  As she dies in his arms he makes the implication that she had hired him to kill her.

Detecitve John Hartigan (Bruce Willis) is on the docks of Basin City, better known as Sin City, where he has tracked child serial killer Roark Junior (Nick Stahl), the son of Senator Roark (Powers Boothe) who has paid off the police force to keep his son's crimes under wraps.  Hartigan has only three days to go until he retires but he feels the need to capture the man that has the city fearing for it's children.  Although Hartigan's bad heart tries to stop him, he continues on into the warehouse where Junior has taken his latest victim Nancy Callahan (Makenzie Vega, Jessica Alba).  Junior shoots Hartigan in the shoulder and attempts to escape with Nancy but Hartigan follows him and shoots his ear off, then shoots him again in the hand and lastly the genitals.  Hartigan is then shot in the back by his partner Bob (Michael Madsen), who leaves Hartigan to die.  Nancy climbs into Hartigan's lap while he slowly passes out, his last thought being that her life is worth his.

Marv (Mickey Rourke) awakes from an one night stand with a woman named Goldie (Jamie King) that he met in a bar called "Katie's" the night before to find that she has been killed silently in the night while they were sleeping.  He remarks that no one is able to sneak up on him and decides to find and take revenge on the person that has done this to her.  He goes back to "Katie's" and after an altercation, goes to his parole officer Lucille's (Carla Gugino) house to get some medication for his "condition".  

Eventually Marv learns from a corrupted priest that the murder of Goldie was orchestrated by the Roark family and the killer, Kevin (Elijah Wood) is a protege of Senator Roark's brother, Cardinal Roark (Rutger Hauer), the most powerful man in the state.  Marv then decides that will not stop him from taking his revenge.

Dwight (Clive Owen) is hiding while his new girlfriend Shellie (Brittany Murphy) is being harassed by her abusive ex boyfriend known only as Jackie Boy (Benicio del Toro).  Dwight threatens Jackie Boy when he wanders into the bathroom, ending with Dwight holding Jackie Boy's head under the water in the toilet bowl.  When Jackie Boy finally comes back up, he rushes his crew out the door but Dwight follows him and as he jumps from the apartment window, Shellie yells something at him which he thinks sounds like "stop".

Dwight follows Jackie Boy and his crew to Old Town and witnesses him harass a prostitute named Becky (Alexis Bledel).  When she continually refuses to serve him, he pulls a gun on her and that is when the women of Old Town, led by Gail (Rosario Dawson), attack.  Miho (Devon Aoki) kills Jackie Boy and all of his cronies and that is when they learn that not only is Jackie Boy a cop, he is known by the press as Dective Jack Rafferty, "Hero" cop.  It is then that Dwight realizes that Shellie had yelled "cop" down to him as he left.

Dwight knows that he has to dispose of the bodies, so he takes the car full of them to the tar pits but is put in jeopardy of being able to return to Old Town to help protect the prostitute's turf when he is ambushed by hired ex-IRA mercenaries.  

Hartigan comes to in the hospital and learns that Senator Roark is paying for all of his treatment and rehabilitation.  He is informed that Junior is in a coma and that he is going to be set up for all of Junior's crimes.  Hartigan is then told that if the truth were to ever come out, he would die.  Nancy sees Hartigan and expresses how grateful she is for him saving her life, she then tells him that she will never forget him and that she will write to him every week under the assumed name of "Cordelia".  Despite the torture they put him through, Hartigan refuses to confess to the crimes.

Every Thursday as promised a letter comes for eight years but one day they stop and the pain of losing the only person that loves him causes Hartigan to confess to all the crimes against him.  This leads to his eventual parole and he finds himself searching for Nancy.  His search ends when he goes to "Katie's" Bar and discovers she has become an exotic dancer.

Without Hartigan realizing it, he has been followed by a strange yellow man although he notices a rotten smell, that the man emits, every where he goes.  Once he sees Nancy dancing he realizes he was paroled so that he would led the Roark family to Nancy and he tries to leave without being seen but is unsuccessful when she notices him, then leaps from the stage and kisses him.  Hartigan then takes it upon himself to get her to safety before they can catch her again.

I love this film.  I saw it when it originally came out in the theaters and this is one that I actually went to see several times.  Is it violent?  Yes.  Is it graphic?  Yes, but after all,this is based on a graphic novel so it should just as well be a little graphic.  This film is not really for the squeamish as there is quite a lot of graphic and violent killing scenes in this film, it is not really a good film for the little people in your house to sit through either.

The art direction of this film is amazing.  The black and white is enhanced by the occasional flash of color, that brings a bit of depth to what is going on on the screen.  There are times that the black and white helps to shield the viewer from the violence but most of the time it is to enhance the killing without having the big gory spurts of red blood in the viewer's face.  On the other side of this coin, the story is so interesting and intertwining with the other stories that it is hard to keep your eyes from the screen.  The story telling and witty one liners of the characters make it an enjoyable experience, even through the blood and violence.

Over all, if you don't have a weak stomach, this film is a really good view.  Spend the night in and become a citizen of Sin City but Don't Forget the Popcorn!

Arthur Christmas

Movie Title--  Arthur Christmas

Release Year--  2011

Running Time--  1 Hour and 37 Minutes

Director--  Sarah Smith and Barry Cook

Cast--  James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jenson, Marc Wootton

When Santa, in conjunction with his oldest son Steve neglect to deliver a little girl's present on Christmas Eve, Santa's youngest son Arthur takes it upon his self to save the girl's Christmas.

On Christmas eve, Santa (Jim Broadbent) is out in his new sled the S1, a high tech aircraft that carries all the presents.  With the help of his oldest son Steve (Hugh Laurie) and a ship full of delivery elves, presents are more efficiently delivered to each child in the world.  Steve is next in line to be Santa and has been the person responsible for Santa's new way of delivering presents, believing that it is time to bring the Santa operation into the new millennium.  Steve expects Santa to announce when he arrives back at the North Pole to announce that he is stepping down as Santa and Steve will be his replacement however when Santa announces that next year he will be delivering presents for the 71st year, Steve becomes very cross.  This causes friction between Steve and Santa when they all sit down for Christmas dinner. 

Arthur, Santa's younger son is the person that receives the letters that are written by the children from all over the world and he is the one that enthusiastically writes them back.  Arthur is enchanted by the magic of Christmas.  He is an eternal optimist and when the family becomes upset over dinner, Arthur suggests they play "Christmas" the board game.  When they pull the pieces out, Santa, Steve and Grand Santa (Bill Nighy) argue over who is going to play with the Santa piece.  The argument finally ends when Santa takes the piece and gives Steve the candlestick.  While playing the game, Steve gets a message and leaves the game.  Arthur chases him down and says that he thinks Steve will make a great Santa one day but Steve rudely dismisses him.

Steve goes to the control room and learns from Peter (Marc Wootton) his elf personal assistant and Bryony (Ashley Jensen), an elf from the Giftwrap Battalion that one child's gift didn't get delivered.  Steve wants to keep this a secret but Santa soon learns of the missed delivery and Steve tells him that the margin of error is basically a zero and it is ok to miss one child.  Santa slightly pacified by this answer and goes to his room to rest after his long night.  When Arthur hears about the mistake he becomes determined to make up for it and grant Gwen (Ramona Marquez), the owner of the undelivered gift, a magical Christmas, not matter what it takes.

This film is a little strange but at the same time, it is quite amusing.  This another Santa film that has Santa changing with the times that we live in, which is really quite cool if you go  further back and look at the progression of Santa since he has come to film (in live action and animation).  This film makes Santa a little more high tech but at the same time we see that Santa is ready to give his position to the newer generation, which I think also says something about the society we are living in now; ready to push out everything old and outdated just to replace it with something shiny, young and new.

I will say, although I like James McAvoy and I really like that the character he plays, Arthur, outlook on Christmas is very overwhelming at times and not in a good way.  He wants to make the holiday magical for every child in the world and that is exactly how a Santa should be, it is just at times, this descendant of Santa tends to get very annoying.  His over exuberance seems to be a slight downfall at times when it should be more on the serious side and it sounds as if Arthur is in a constant state of shock causing him to use his "outside" voice even when he isn't meaning to.

If you are interested in seeing a twist on the regular old Santa story, this is a pretty good watch.  If you are looking for something a little different, I would recommend this film as well.  Spend a few hours with Santa and his family and Don't Forget the Popcorn!

The Pixar Story

Movie Title--  The Pixar Story

Release Year--  2007

Running Time--  1 Hour and 27 Minutes

Director--  Leslie Iwerks

Cast--  John Lasseter, Ed Catmull, Steve Jobs, George Lucas, Brad Bird, Stacy Keach, John Musker, Glen Keane, Don Hahn.

A look at Pixar Animation Studios from it's humble beginnings into a fully grown animation studio.

John Lasseter loved cartoons growing up and when he was in high school he found a book produced by Disney called the "Art of Animation".  That was the moment that it dawned on him that people actually get paid to make cartoons for a living and that is when he knew what he wanted to do.  In 1975, he was accepted into Cal Arts, an art college that was created by Walt Disney in 1961.  He attended the first program that taught Disney style animation.  Some  of his classmates were Tim Burton, John Musker and Brad Bird.  The instructors of the class were known as the "9 old men"; they were the legendary animators from the 1930's, brought out of retirement to instruct these young students.

While attending Cal Arts, Lasseter focused on all things Disney and even got a summer job in Disney Land working as a street sweeper in Tomorrow Land.  He was promoted to a ride operator before having to return to his studies at Cal Arts.  He made two short films while at Cal Arts "The Lady and the Lamp" a film about a lamp who replaces his broken bulb with a bottle of gin and "Nightmare" about a boy who sees monsters when he turns out the lights.  Both film won him back to back student academy awards that propelled him into the spotlight for animation.

His success in animation landed him his dream job and he became an animator at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California in 1979.  The money for the build came from the success of Snow White in the 30's.  Walking into the building, a person can just feel the experience and magic coming from the walls and Lasseter was living a dream come true.

Lasseter's first job was introducing a main character in the 1981 animated film "The Fox and the Hound".  After Disney screened the 1982 film "Tron", Lasseter along with his co-worker Glen Keane started to ask why couldn't they use computer animation to make cartoons.  Lasseter then became very excited about the possibility of what computer animation could be.  Lasseter and Keane are soon given the green light to experiment with computer animation but most of the animators in the studio feared that the computer was going to make animators obsolete.

Lasseter is given the OK to develop a story based on the short story "The Brave Little Toaster".  "The Brave Little Toaster" would mark John Lasseter's feature directorial debut which combined computer and traditional animation.  Eight months after development Lasseter was asked to present his story to the head of the studio.  The pitch did not go so well and five minutes after the pitch Lasseter is called to Ed Hanson's office who them tells him that since his project was complete he was no longer needed and he was fired.

The University of Utah set up one of the first lab in computer graphics in the 1960's thanks to federal funding due to the interest of the space race and the need for computer research.  Ed Catmull was an inspiring artist that was drawn to the idea of computer sciences and computer animation.  He loved to draw but didn't think he was a very good animator so he went into Physics.  His first film, that was of his own left hand, was the first step to developing curved surfaces.  The film was later shown in the 1976 film "Futureworld"

Ed graduated with a Ph. D in a technology that was ahead of his time and only one institution was interested in further developing this new  technology and that place was New York Tech.  They hired Catmull to spearhead the new computer graphics department to make paint programs that would help to create art and animation using the computer.  Catmull developed a program called tween that allowed the user to transfer hand drawn images into the computer.  The user would now be able to draw and paint directly into the computer.

George Lucas could see the future in computer animation and after filming "Star Wars", he brought Catmull to Lucas Films to create a new computer division that would invent new digital editing tools.  Catmull recruited a talented team of computer scientists to create these tools for Lucas.

John Lasseter attends a computer graphics conference at the "Queen Mary" in Long Beach California in 1983 that Ed Catmull was speaking at.  When Catmull asks Lasseter about his work with Disney and learns of his departure with Disney so he hires him on the spot for Lucas Films.  When Lasseter first goes to Lucas Films he feels intimidated but soon develops a short film called "Andre and Wally B".  Lasseter then works on a project that uses the computer to animate a man made of stain glass in a live action setting.  The visual effects were nominated for an Academy Award.

To improve speed and resolution, Catmull's group developed the Pixar image computer.  It was the most advanced computer of it's time but after being unable to sell the computer, George Lucas' patients were wearing thin and he insisted that he did not want to build a business off of selling software.  Lasseter and Catmull however, were set  on developing a full length animated feature and Catmull, wanting to keep the team together, convinced Lucas to let him spin it off into a new division called Pixar.  He then went on the hunt for an investor that could see the potiental in their vision.

Steve Jobs goes to see Catmull and Catmull pitches Pixar to him and Jobs invests $10 million to launch Pixar.  The very first film they make as Pixar studios is a short called "Luxo Jr." in 1987 and it was the first 3 dimensional animated film that was ever nominated for an Academy Award.  A hopping Luxo lamp becomes the symbol of Pixar Studios.

The next Pixar film is "Red's Dream" about a unicycle that wants to be a circus performer.  The next short, "Tin Toy", about a wind up toy being tortured by a baby, brought toys to life for the first time.  John Lasseter with "Tin Toy" took home the first ever Academy Award for a computer animated film.

In 1990 Pixar began to use their knowledge to make television commercials.  During this same time period, Pixar began collaborating with the new Disney team, headed by Michael Eisner, Roy Disney, Frank Wells and Jeffery Katzenberg.  Pixar created a program called "Caps" that helped bring dimension to 2-d animations.  This became evident in 1991's "Beauty and the Beast".  In 1994, "Renderman", the leading program in special effects developed by Pixar, won the first ever Academy Award for computer animated software.

Although it was amazing what they had been doing, Pixar is losing about a million dollars a year.  In an attempt to keep Pixar alive, they pitch a 30 minute Christmas television special to Disney featuring the Academy Award winning "Tin Toy".  All the while, Disney is trying to lure John Lasseter away from Pixar and directing a new animated film but Lasseter stays with Pixar.  He then comes up with the idea for a story from a toy's point a view and thought of making it a 30 minutes feature but then it was decided that they would make it a full length film.  They pitch it to Disney and are soon given the green light to work on the project.

"Toy Story" was soon put into development but the first version did not go over at all so within 2-3 weeks the team completely re story boarded the film to make it what they wanted it to be from the start and Disney, who was ready to cancel the project, decided to give it a second chance.

"Toy Story" opened on Thanksgiving weekend in 1995 and earned over $350 million worldwide.  The Academy of Motion Pictures earned John Lasseter a special achievements Oscar for directing the first full length computer animated motion picture.  Because of the contract between Disney and Pixar, the merchandising and profits were left with Disney.  This is when they realized that they needed to become a Animation studio instead of a production company so one week after "Toy Story"'s release, Pixar became a highest selling IPO of the year, raising $132 million.  Disney then came to them wanting to extend the contract but Jobs said only if Pixar could be 50/50 partners.

The next film for Disney/Pixar was "A Bugs Life".  It is the first widescreen full length computer animated film.  Pixar broke through the usual slump referred to as "Second Film Syndrome" and "A Bug's Life" became the highest grossing animated film of 1998.  Next came "Toy Story 2" in 1999, followed by "Monster's Inc." in 2001 and "Finding Nemo" in 2003.


With the release of "The Increadbles" in 2004, 2-D animation went though a slump and a lot of animators were fired or being released before their potential could become clear.  At the same time, Disney and Pixar were clashing over their contract.  In 2004 Steve Jobs opened up talks with other companies.  In 2005, Michael Iesner is out as Disney CEO and Bob Iger is in.  He begins to focus on the future of the company and realizes that they had to return to the "glory" days of animation by finding "the right people" for the job and Pixar was the place that had the right people.  Iger realizes that he needs to  think out of the box and as soon as he starts as CEO, he calls Steve Jobs and Pixar soon becomes part of Disney.  The 7.4 billion dollar aquicision of Pixar provides Steve Jobs with a seat on the Disney board of directors, John Lasseter with the title of  Chief Creative Officer and Ed Catmull becomes the President of Disney and Pixar Animation Studios.

I thought this film was awesome.  I have grown up with Pixar; I remember going to see "Toy Story" in the theater when it was first released.  I was 12 years old when I saw it and to me it was amazing.  Since it's release, "Toy Story" has been and stayed on the list of my favorite animated films.  Seeing where this company that makes so many magical films comes from is a very interesting journey.  

I think that John Lasseter is a brilliant man.  He has such great talent  and because of his love of cartoons and animation, he helped to further animated films.  You can't turn on a Disney animated film these days without seeing Lasseter's name and I  think that it speaks to the kind of man that he wanted to become when he first got involved with animation.  He wanted to make things that other people would love and something that would interest people.  He has succeeded in a big way.

If you are interested in animation or are a lover of Pixar, this is a great film to check out, but  I think this is a film that everyone should check out anyway.  Have a creative afternoon with "The Pixar Story" and Don't Forget the Popcorn!

What If

Movie Title--  What If

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 38 Minutes

Director--  Michael Dowse

Cast--  Daniel Radcliffe, Zoe Kazan, Megan Park, Adam Driver, Mackenzie Davis, Rafe Spall, Sarah Gadon

After Wallace and Chantry meet they puzzle over what it is like to  be just friends with the opposite sex.

Wallace (Daniel Radcliffe) is miserable.  He works at a job that he dislikes after dropping out of medical school, he has broken up with his cheating girlfriend and he lives with his sister and her son in Toronto.  After being antisocial for a year, his friend Allan (Adam Driver) talks him into going to a party.  Wallace soon becomes bored after arriving and amuses himself by creating phrases with the magnets on the refrigerator.  

Allan's cousin Chantry (Zoe Kazan) peers over Wallace's shoulder and the two of them strike up a conversation.  Wallace is intrigued by her but after a while she excuses herself.  Wallace goes looking for her after she doesn't come back and sees that she is getting ready to leave.  Seeing that Allan has met a new woman, Nicole (Mackenzie Davis), he asks Chantry if he can walk her home since they are going in the same direction.  Chantry admits to Wallace right outside her building that she has a boyfriend but asks if they can be friends.  After taking her number, Wallace decides not to pursue a friendship with her but soon changes his mind when he learns they have both gone alone to the same movie.

Over time, Wallace and Chantry's relationship begins to grow and Chantry invites Wallace her house for dinner so he can meet Ben (Rafe Spall).  After an unfortunate fall accidentally caused by Wallace that sends Ben to the hospital, Wallace runs into his ex-girlfriend Megan (Sarah Gadon).  Ben is then offered a position to work with the United Nations in Dublin, Ireland for six months.  During this time Wallace and Chantry's feeling for each other begin to grow but as they are pushed toward each other, they push back and soon they begin to grow apart, ruining their friendship, possibly forever.

I really, really enjoyed this film.  This film is almost like an anti-love story.  It is more like a love story for people that don't believe in love stories.  This film is a great look at how men and women try to make friendships work without there being any kind of feelings involved.

Daniel Radcliffe and Zoe Kazan did an excellent job in this film.  They did a very good job of compliementing each other on screen.  They work very well together, the only problem I have with the film is Chantry seems to be very desperate to hang on to Ben, almost as if she is stuck in a love-sick state and a few times it felt almost pathetic but as far as Kazan's acting goes, she did a great job.

This is a love story for a cynical person but it is very charming and at times laugh out loud funny.  Free some time up for this film, just Don't Forget the Popcorn!

The Giver

Movie Title--  The Giver

Release Year--  2014

Running Time--  1 Hour and 37 Minutes

Director--  Phillip Noyce

Cast--  Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Alexander Skarsgard, Katie Holmes, Odeya Rush, Cameron Monaghan, Taylor Swift, Emma Tremblay

In a society with no emotions, 16 year old Jonah is chosen to be the Receiver of Memory which holds all the pain, suffering and beauty of the past.

After war, famine and death become a way of life, the remaining members of society decide to have their memories erased and all but one, a person known as the Receiver of Memory, will retain his memories.  He will then be able to advise the Chief Elder in times of need.  Every morning the citizens receive a shot that helps them to main sameness.  They live in a black and white world with no last names.  When the children become 16 years old, they are given job assignments based on their talents.

Year 2048, Jonah (Brenton Thwaites) is anxious about the job he will be assigned to.  He meets his two best friends Asher (Cameron Monaghan) and Fiona (Odeya Rush) one last time before they are given their new jobs.  The next day, they are assembled for the ceremony that is designed to give new babies to their assigned families, recognize the 9 year olds for being halfway to adulthood and give the 16 year olds their job assignments.  

Jonah, after being passed by during the initial ceremony, receives his task which is to become the new Receiver of Memory.  That night Jonah gets his orders to go the next day to the receiver's house to begin to slowly take the memories from The Giver (Jeff Bridges).  After a few visits, Jonah's eyes become open to the beauty and pain that is living and begins to wonder why these memories were taken away.  

The Chief Elder (Meryl Streep) notices through closed circuit images that Jonah has started to act strangely.  She goes to the Giver and informs him that he had better get a handle on his student, then reminds him of his failed student Rosemary (Taylor Swift).  Together the Giver and Jonah, decide that the people need to see the beauty that comes with life, even if they have to witness the pain and Jonah sets out to help the people remember.

I liked this film.  This is one of those films that I consider visually beautiful.  It starts completely in black and white and slowly begins introducing color; it begins with just a slight hint of color in Fiona's hair and the color actually becomes it's own character as the film develops.

There are several montage scenes that involved images from the present day and it really stirs the viewer to feel for a humanity that can not handle the effects of living with pain and suffering in order to see the remarkable and beautiful moments that accompany them.  I will say that I didn't really like the love story.  It felt to me like it was jammed into an already full film.  The cast is great and it is good to see the younger cast members getting experience by acting with the talents of Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep.

This is one of those teen dystopian films that takes a turn from the idea of winning by starting a spark and instead encourages the viewer to open their minds.  Watch this one with an open mind and Don't Forget the Popcorn!

In Secret

Movie Title--  In Secret

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 47 Minutes

Director--  Charlie Stratton

Cast--  Elizabeth Olsen, Oscar Isaac, Tom Felton, Jessica Lange, Shirley Henderson, Matt Lucas, Mackenzie Crook, John Kavanagh

In 1860's Paris, trapped in a loveless marriage, Therese Raquin begins an affair with her husband's alluring friend Laurent that leads to tragedy.  

Therese (Elizabeth Olsen) is brought to live with her aunt, Madam Raquin (Jessica Lange) and sickly cousin Camille (Tom Felton).  As Therese grows into a young woman it is evident that Madam Raquin has not taken it easy on her.  When Therese learns that her father has passed away Madam Raquin is more concerned about the news effects Camille instead of her niece.  Therese is left with a small inheritance from her father.  

Camille soon announces that he has a job in Paris and Madam Raquin becomes concerned about him leaving so she insists that she buy a shop in Paris and become a shop keeper, a profession she had once held before Camille came along.  Camille insists it is a great idea and they will leave for Paris after the wedding.  Therese laughs and asks who's wedding they are going to and Madam Raquin informs her that it is her own wedding they are referring to.  Therese then asks who she will be marrying and Madam Raquin once again answers the question, telling her that she is to marry Camille.

Once they are settled in Paris, it is evident that there is no love between the couple and Therese spends most of her days behind the counter in the shop, while once a week they host an eclectic group of friend that come to the shop to play dominoes.  One week, Camille brings home Laurent LeClaire (Oscar Isaac), a childhood friend of his, to join the game.  Therese instantly dislikes him but over time develops a fondness for him that he reciprocates and they start a passionate affair that ends in tragedy.  

So, this film is not my favorite but it wasn't too bad.  This film had it's ups and downs.  I feel like for such a good cast there could have been better writing and more story to support them but I also feel like the actors did a good job with the material they were given.

As far as the story goes, this one could have been better.  Therese and Laurent are lovers that tend to wear on the viewers nerves after a while.  There is a twist at the end that I didn't see coming and hindsight says I probably should have though.  At first it is slightly shocking but once that wears off you just can't wait for it to be over.

I have the feeling a lot of people are not going to like this film, so I say, if there is an actor or actress in this film you like then, sure, it is worth a watch, otherwise you may want to skip it.  Make up your own mind but whatever you decide Don't Forget the Popcorn!

Thor: The Dark World

Movie Title--  Thor: The Dark World

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 52 Minutes

Director--  Alan Taylor

Cast--  Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Roy Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard

When Jane Foster is cursed with a powerful object known as the Aether, it is up to Thor to protect her from an army led by a ruthless leader trying to take the Aether and destroy mankind.

The Dark Elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) wants to destroy the universe with a mysterious weapon called the Aether.  Bor, Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) father battle's with Malekith and believing that he has defeated the dark elf, sends the Aether to be hidden away where no one can find it.  Malekith sacrifices his people, boards his ship and goes into a suspended state while in space to wait for a time when he can seek out the Aether.

In the present day, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been working to pacify the nine realms.  His brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is in Asgard being held in the dungeon for his war crimes on Earth (seen in "The Avengers").  The Bifrost which was destroyed two years prior has now been repaired and through Heimdall (Idris Elba), the Asgardian Sentry of the Bifrost, Thor learns of the Convergence, an alignment of the nine realms is coming and the closer the Convergence gets, portals that link the realms have been appearing at random.

On Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) who has moved from Santa Fe to London is out on her first date since Thor left her on Earth.  Darcy (Kat Dennings), Jane's intern, interrupts the date and tells her of the data that her equipment has been collecting.  Jane and Darcy leave the restaurant and go to the source of the disturbance.  They find children at the sight and the children show them a portal that they are throwing things into to see them come back out of a different portal.  Jane strikes out on her own and is transported to another world where the Aether draws her in and attaches itself to her.

Back in Asgard, Heimdall informs Thor that Jane has slipped out of his vision and Thor immediately returns to Earth.  Jane meets Thor with a range of emotions due to him leaving her with no word of when he may return and his sudden reappearance.  Darcy interrupts the two of them by coming over and informing Jane that they are being arrested for trespassing and when one of the officers put his hand on her, she emits an unearthly force, knocking everyone back.  Thor then takes her through the Bifrost to Asgard.  When Odin sees her, he recognizes the Aether and he tells Jane and Thor the story of how the Dark Elves were defeated but Thor questions this after hearing that the Aether was supposed to have been destroyed as well. 

Malekith has reawakened and sends his most loyal soldier Algrim into Asgard to seek out the Aether.  In Asgard, Thor has kept Jane to try to find a way to extract the Aether from her and he introduces her to his mother Frigga (Renee Russo).  In the dungeon where the prisoners have been taken, Algrim turns himself into a Kursed and escapes from the prison.  Loki gives him advice on which staircase to take as Algrim passes his cell.  Thor goes to the dungeon to contain the situation.  At the Bifrost, Heimdall sees a ship incoming and chases it, bringing it down in the process but turns to see a much large ship with separate flying units come into the airspace.  An attack on Asgard ensues and Malekith gets into the city.  He goes to find Jane and encounters Frigga.  Frigga then sacrifices herself for Jane's safety.  Malekith is forced to feel Asgard without Jane.

Odin takes Jane as a prisoner and when Thor confronts him, tells him that he is going to confront Malekith and take Jane with him so that the Aether can be pulled out of her.  Odin forbids it but Thor decides to go anyway, knowing that if he does it will be considered treason.  He enlists Heimdall, Fandral (Zachary Levi), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) and the Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), warning them that they will also be committing treason.  He then goes to Loki, knowing that Loki is the only way that knows an alternate way out of Asgard and promises him vengeance for their mother's death if he agrees to form an alliance with him.

I really enjoyed this film.  Just like with the "Captain America" series, I am not sure which "Thor" film I enjoyed more.  I like the origin story in the first but the story development and character progression in this film was excellent.  

Hemsworth and Hiddleston are truly my favorites in this film.  There is a scene the two of them are in together and they are verbally sparing, just like brothers do and it had me laughing out loud it was so amusing.  These two men are great actors and I think that their roles in this film opposite each other just goes to show how good their skills actually are.  Every scene they are in together seems so natural and relaxed.

I would recommend this film looking for a little action and adventure, especially if you are wanting to keep current in the Marvel universe.  With "Avengers: Age of Ultron" to be released May 2015, I am sure this is a film that should be viewed before hand, so refresh yourself with this year's "People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive".", Chris Hemsworth and Don't Forget the Popcorn!

The Hunger Games: The Mockingjay Part 1

Movie Title--  The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Release Year--  2014

Running Time--  2 Hours and 3 Minutes

Director--  Francis Lawrence

Cast--  Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Jullianne Moore, Willow Shields, Donald Sutherland, Sam Clafin, Elizabeth Banks, Natalie Dormer, Stanley Tucci, Jena Malone, Paula Malcolmson, Jeffery Wright, Mahershala Ali

Katniss Everdeen is taken to District 13 where she is asked by President Coin to become the face of the rebellion.

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is awake in the middle of the night after having a bad dream.  She is found and forced back to bed, then sedated to  help her sleep.  When she wakes, she learns that Finnick Odair (Sam Clafin) has been rescued from the quarter quell arena as well as Beetee (Jeffery Wright) but Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) was not rescued and is still missing.  

The day she is released from medical care, she is taken straight to President Coin (Jullianne Moore), the leader of District 13 and the rebel forces.  Katniss is asked to become the face of the rebellion by becoming the Mockingjay once again.  She does not want to be a figurehead for the rebels but Plutarch Heavensbee (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) insists that once Katniss sees what happened to District 12, she will be on board.  

Katniss is led to an aircraft that is waiting to take her to District 12 and as she walks up she sees Gale Hawthorn (Liam Hemsworth) standing there waiting for her.  Katniss sees the destruction that came to her home after she took down the quarter quell arena.  After seeing the District in ashes, she finds her way to her home which is still standing and picks up some of her mother's (Paula Malcolmson) herbs and her sister Prim's (Willow Shields) cat Buttercup.  She then goes into the study and retrieves a picture of her father when she sees a bouquet of flowers on the desk dying, all except one white rosebud left by President Snow (Donald Sutherland).

When she returns to the base in District 13, she fights with the idea of becoming the face of the rebellion and at dinner, a transmission comes in from the Capitol featuring Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci) interviewing Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).  Shocked and overcome by the sight of Peeta, Katniss stands and moves closer to hear what he has to say.  After a moment, Peeta begins to tell the people to lay down their weapons and not to fight.  The people in District 12 then begin to call Peeta a traitor and she runs from the room.  That night, neither sister is able to sleep, so they begin talking and Prim tells her that to get her help, the people that hold the power will giver her just about anything.  The next day Katniss goes to President Coin to tell her that she will be the Mockingjay if they retrieve Peeta and the other Tributes that are being held as soon as possible, they pardon the rescued Tributes and they let her sister keep her cat.

Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) is then brought onto the team to help prepare Katniss for the propaganda films they are going to make to help fuel the rebellion.  It is a failure because Katniss does not seem convinced of what she is doing and Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) suggests that they do something to put Katniss in her element.  They decide to take her to District 8 where the Capitol has been bombing and capture her speaking with the wounded.  While they are there, they are attacked and in the aftermath Katniss proclaims, "This is a message for President Snow, if we burn, you burn with us!" helping to ignite the other Districts.

This causes retaliation from the Capitol and they put Peeta on show in front of the cameras once more, this time not looking well, causing Katniss to be concerned for his safety.  She realizes as he is speaking to the citizens that he has no idea what has happened to District 12.  She tells President Coin but Beetee is having a problem breaking into the Capitol's security system that he himself designed.  

After an uprising in District that ends with a damn being blown, Beetee is able to get footage through and Peeta sees snip its of a video where Katniss is walking through the annihilated District 12 and he tells her that Capitol forces are coming to destroy District 13.  The entire District is evacuated into a bunker and District 13 gets off just slightly roughed up.  

Once they citizens are able to come out of the bunker, Katniss is told that forces have been sent in to save the Tributes and Gale was the first person to volunteer for the job.  Once the team is inside, it becomes apparent that there is a chance that they are going to be caught, so Katniss requests to speak to President Snow and asks him to take her in place of Peeta and he declines, then tells her that he knows rebel forces are inside the Capitol.  Katniss and the rest of the team then wait with baited breath to learn the outcome of the team and the captive Tributes.

I loved it.  It isn't often I actually get to go to the movies and ever rarer that I get to go on opening day, so I am so glad this film didn't let me down.  The story is great and I am disappointed that I am going to have to wait a whole year to see how it will end (as I have mentioned before, I have yet to read the books but by the time Part 2 is released I will have made it my goal to read all three books).

This film is visually stunning.  The colors are dark and drab when showing the rebels and their living conditions and darker still when showing the aftermath of the destruction that the Capitol has brought to them.  When the Capitol is being show, the colors are bright and sterile; this helps to show how much of a difference there is between the rebels and the man with the power and it goes to show that just because one force is wearing white, they may not particularly happen to be the good guys.

I don't know who I am more in love with, Gale Hawthorn or Peeta Mellark; both characters are strong in their ways and the actors that were chosen to play each are just awesome.  Liam Hemsworth and Josh Hutcherson are great to watch, although I feel like for two central characters they were not shown as often as maybe they could have been.  Of course with Peeta being in the Capitol there was a big reason that he didn't appear too often but I assumed that Gale was a little more important than he seemed to be in this film.  

Jennifer Lawrence was great, as usual, in this film.  I thought she did a very good  job of pulling off the tortured soul feel of her character.  You have to feel for Katniss Everdeen, she only wanted to keep her sister and Peeta alive and this is what has happened to her and the Districts that decide to stand with her.

This film is great and I recommend going to the theater to see it if you are able to.  I was asked by a co-worker if it was acceptable to take her 9 year old son to and I told her it was, especially since he has read the books and seen the previous two films.  I say judge for yourself if you have any young people that will be interested in this film.  Visit the concessions while you are there but Don't Forget the Popcorn!