Man of Steel (2013) reviewed by Kelly Anyadike
Man of Steel (2013)
Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael
Shannon, Diane Lane, Russell Crowe, Antje Traue, Harry Lennix, Richard Schiff,
Christopher Meloni, Kevin Costner, Ayelet Zurer, Laurence Fishburne.
Director: Zack Snyder
Synopsis: Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent, a
young man trying to find his place in the world after he discovers that parents
found him in a spaceship and his origins are not of this world. In search of
who his is, and his purpose for being sent to earth, he encounters a number of
obstacles that cause him to challenge what it means to be human; leading him to
come to terms with who he really is. When earth's very core is at stake Clark
Kent must embrace the history of his ancestors in order to become the hero the
world needs in order to save it from a disturbing fate. Clark must face a
battle on two fronts.
Reviewer's rating: 4.5/5
Review :
As the wind rushes
through the line of pinned up clothes, a boy emerges from behind soft white
linen. Hands firm at his sides forming tight fist, he stands before a setting
sun, his blood red cape rapped snugly around his neck, fluttering amongst a
steady wind. Man of Steel is a movie dealing with the origins of the famous
childhood superhero, superman. The story starts in the motherland of Krypton,
and the audience for the first time is able to experience the tragic end of a
powerful planet, the events that lead to its destruction, and the hope that we
find in his parents that allowed him to survive the fate of his dying planet.
This movie is
action packed , filled with great eye catching effects that you wouldn't want
to take a bathroom break to miss. Throughout the movie we see Henry Cavill give
an amazing performance, as he molds a lost boy into a confident hero willing to
give up everything to save his people, and to prove to the earthlings that he
indeed is one of them.
The audience is
able to identify with Lois Lane as she finds out the truth about a mysterious stranger
that saves her by using light beams from his eyes. Amy Adams is truly
believable as she tries to find out the truth of Clarks life in the shadows but
as she digs deeper she comes face to face with her own challenges of an alien
invasion and he new role as the only one who has talked to this alien that has
been living among them. We get to see the strength in Amy Adams' character, her
passion, and her desire to stand for justice and truth no matter what that may
mean for her.
The plot is very
original for a Superman movie. The introduction to the new concepts of the
planet krypton, and its history, as well as superman's struggle on this earth
as he tried to find ways to discover himself were attention grabbing. Even the
enemy Zod and his story had an awesome twist that really caused me to feel for
him.
This movie with its
theme of hope, community, and courage is beautiful, and caused me to engage in
deeper thought even after the credits. It is exciting, action packed,
inspiring, and creative despite the fact that Superman has been created and
recreated several times in our era. This movie is more than fighting; it is
about over coming. I would definitely recommend this film to both superhero
lovers and non-super hero lovers alike.
By: Kelly Anyadike
About Time (2013) reviewed by Merri Camburn
About Time (2013)
Cast: Domhnall
Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard
Cordery, Joshua McGuire, Tom Hollander, Margot Robbie, Will Merrick, Vanessa
Kirby, Tom Hughes
Director:
Richard Curtis
Synopsis: The
night after another unsatisfactory New Year’s party Tim’s (Domhnall Gleeson)
father (Bill Nighy) tells his son that the men in his family have always had
the ability to travel through time. Tim
can’t change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his
own life—so he decides to make his world a better place…by getting a girlfriend
(Rachel McAdams). But as his unusual
life progresses, Tim finds out that his unique gift can’t save him from the
sorrows and ups and downs that affect all families, everywhere. From Filmmaker Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Notting Hill, Four Weddings
and a Funeral), About Time is a
comedy about love and time travel, which discovers that, in the end, making the
most of life may not need time travel at all.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4/5 Reels
Review:
About Time, in
my own words, is charmingly quirky.
Richard Curtis, who brought us Notting
Hill and Love Actually, wrote
another wonderful film that breaks rules at every twist and turn. As you watch this film, you will think you
know what is about to happen, only to be surprised at the reveal.
The cast is wonderful in every
possible way. Specifically, Domhnall
Gleeson’s portrayal of Tim is loveable, cute, and yet awkward all at the same
time. He is like your nerdy little brother. To this day, I could not name a
better actor to fill his character’s shoes.
Opposite of him, Rachel McAdams, plays off the adorably quirky character
that is Mary, as no other actress could.
Their characters complemented each other so well, while still allowing
them to be their own person. Speaking of
chemistry, Bill Nighy’s portrayal of Tim’s father could not have been more
refreshing. While Nighy may be
recognizable for other films he has done, I was not deterred by his former
credentials. He reminds us all of our
favorite dad, uncle, or grandfather. This bond that Tim and his father had was
clear and simple from the very beginning, as both actors did not try to force
it. It was natural. Each and every one of these characters made
me wish I was a part of this family.
Even now, I miss them dearly.
However, the reason this movie did
not receive a perfect rating, would have to be due to the confusing subject
that is time traveling. While I did not notice it as much watching the film the
first time, my second time through revealed more questions than answers. If anything, the rules that are set up seem
quite inconsistent. The very first thing
we learn about time travel, within this film, is that the men in Tim’s family
are the only ones that can travel back in time.
Nevertheless, in the midst of a difficult struggle, Tim takes his sister
with him back in time. Another problem I
saw was that when Tim had already gone back in time, his father took him even
farther back in time, past events that could greatly affect Tim’s future. However, everything is the same, once Tim
returns. If either of these are allowed,
it was not made clear.
Still, there are some very poetic
moments that were clearly taken from time travel. For Tim, “it was always going to be about
love.” Now, several of you may not like
romance, but this is different. Every
time Tim travels back in time, despite his many faulty tries to obtain a
girlfriend, he always tries to fix the problem that is causing pain for the one
he cares about, and to say strongly, the one he loves. That is not always going to be a girlfriend,
but at times, a friend, his sister, or even his father. For Tim, love is not selfish.
So, take the time to watch this movie
at least once. These two hours are not
filled with the predictable mumbo-jumbo storyline that one has seen a hundred
times over in every other defined romance or romantic comedy. This is a good one, and two hours I am
willing to watch over and over again.
About Time is
“always going to be about love” and the lessons we can take away from it as we
learn to live everyday as it is for all its ups and downs. Enjoy life, and maybe even this film, too.
By: Merri Camburn
Labor Day (2013) reviewed by Kelby Schaeffler
Labor Day (2013)
Cast:
Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, Gattlin Griffith, Tobey Maguire, Tom
Lipinski, Maika Monroe, Clark Gregg, James Van Der Beek, J.K. Simmons, Brooke
Smith, Brighid Fleming, Alexie Gilmore, Lucas Hedges, Micah Fowler
Director: Jason
Reitman
Synopsis: Young
Henry Wheeler’s (Gattlin Griffith) painfully fragile mother, Adele Wheeler
(Kate Winslet), suffers from depression and anxiety after Henry’s father left
her some years ago. While on a back-to-school shopping trip, injured and
suspicious-looking Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin) coerces them into taking him to
their home, where a news anchor on the television makes clear his real
identity: an escaped convict facing 20 years for murder. After hiding out for
the night, Frank begins to do chores around the house, cook and clean, and even
teach Henry to catch a baseball, quickly proving his benevolence to Adele, who
begins to fall in love with him.
Reviewer’s
Rating: 3.5/5 Reels
Review:
Kate Winslet fantastically plays her shaky character who can
no longer perform even menial tasks. Josh Brolin also portrays his character
perfectly, with his ruggedly dangerous appearance and serious composure.
Gattlin Griffith perfectly portrays the pre-teen purity of Henry Wheeler, who,
no longer carrying the burden of caring for his mother, begins navigating the
idea of sexuality throughout the film.
After Adele and Henry feel sure that Frank’s presence does
not threaten them, the plot depicts an unlikely new family battling the police
and the neighbors to live together in secrecy and find happiness. Two people
incapable of facing the outside world, Adele and Frank find joy and comfort together
within the confines of Adele’s small and humble home.
Perhaps the most enthralling aspect of the film is the
tension throughout its entirety. Will Frank violently murder Adele and Henry?
Will he marry Adele and become Henry’s father? Will the police find him and
re-incarcerate him? Will Henry have sex with the cute new blonde girl in town?
The suspenseful questions are endless and persist throughout the film. The
structure of the film, with the interspersed flashbacks to Adele’s divorce and
Frank’s life before prison, lends to its suspenseful storyline. The flashbacks amp up the film, slowly
revealing more and more of Frank’s story as viewers are left dying to know how
he ended up in prison.
Labor
Day’s
brilliant acting and innovative plotline makes it a must-see movie of the year.
Viewers will leave with joy, relief from the suspense they have felt for the
past two hours, and even some new cooking tips. What’s not to love?
By: Kelby Schaeffler
Lone Survivor (2013) reviewed by Carly Tillery
Lone Survivor (2013)
Cast: Mark Wahlberg (as Marcus Luttrell), Taylor
Kitsch (as Lietenant Michael P. “Murph” Murphy), Emile Hirsch (as Danny Dietz),
Ben Foster (as Matthew “Axe” Axelson), and Eric Bana (as Lieutenant Commander
Erik S. Kristensen)
Director: Peter Berg
Synopsis: A four-man Navy SEAL team is assigned
to Operation Red Wings in Afghanistan. The mission consists of tracking down
Ahmad Shah, a Taliban leader responsible for murdering numerous American
servicemen. After reaching the Hindu
Kush region and managing their way through the mountain three herdsmen cross
paths with the SEAL team. A decision was made to turn the herdsman loose and to
abort the mission. The SEAL team was unable to retreat before being attacked by
the Taliban. After a series of wounds and misfortunes the team was running out
of options. The last hope was to get to high enough ground in order to transmit
the location of the team. The goal was achieved at a high cost; all lives were
lost except for one. Luttrell was left as the lone survivor of Operation Red Wings.
The next day Luttrell was discovered by a local villager and was cared for as a
message was sent to the nearest American airbase to bring awareness of
Luttrell’s location. Before aid arrived the Taliban threatened the village on
the merit of helping an American. During another battle brought on by the
Taliban American forces arrived to return their lone survivor to safety.
Reviewer’s Rating: 4.5/5 Reels
Review:
Lone
Survivor is based off a mission completed by the Navy SEAL in 2005. The filming
took place in New Mexico to set the stage and bring the feeling of an
Afghanistan hillside and village. Although not all of the facts are necessarily
true, the storyline stays close to the autobiography of Marcus Luttrell. The
ending of the film leaves the audience in a daze of uncertainty. Fortunately
for the viewers, the final ending to Luttrell’s story is told through a series
of screen shots describing the reunion of the two heroes.
Peter Berg
directed Lone Survivor in a way that brought the reality of war to life. The effort
placed behind each detail of the battle was excruciating yet life-like. The
battle scenes seemed to drag on, but it would have only been a fraction of a
second that the team actually endured. There is no time to recoup during the
ultimate struggle of the men portrayed in this film. Berg incorporated each
struggle, frustration, and pain that the men experienced and did not bring
light to any of the matters at hand. This movie may be more difficult to watch
because it is based on a true story that is relevant to this day and time. Many
details of the war that we find ourselves amidst are not revealed to the everyday
American society. The story of these men, as hard as it is to bear, is the
first real insight that Americans have been provided with for a more proficient
understanding.
This film places
light on the moral decision the men of this story encountered through the
herdsman. Too often the media is filled with poor decisions made by serviceman
and never praise for those who dare to endure the pain of the correct path.
People are not always rewarded for an accurate action as seen by the fallen men
of this story. Through this movie, viewers are able to appreciate and honor the
heroic men and their families who dare to excel during great trial.
By: Carly
Tillery