Movie Review: Clash of the Titans

Release Date: April 1, 2010 (8pm, 3D/2D theaters) 
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures 
Director: Louis Leterrier 
Screenwriter: Travis Beacham, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi 
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, 
Genre: Action, Fantasy 
Rating: PG-13 (for fantasy action violence, some frightening images and brief sensuality) 
Official Website: Clash-of-the-Titans.com 

My Wonderfully Majestic Opinion

As I waited 20 minutes after show time, in a theater containing not but myself, I thought about the upcoming remake of the 1981 Lawrence Olivier film and how it will measure up in a modern movie going society.  None can deny that the technological advances Hollywood has achieved leaves very little room for Director Louis Leterrier to half-ass this cinematic endeavor.  But this also can leave one worried that the animated effects will be taken too far.  Can Sam Worthington equal the amazing performance that Mr. Olivier gave audiences 29 years ago?  Will the story’s unoriginality fit in with the film culture of today? It’s hard not to think about, even for someone who tries very hard not to compare a film’s quality to that of its predecessor.  And while the film does come off quite cheesy and somewhat clunky, its entertaining aspects are far from lacking.

One must realize that this film should never be considered a masterpiece in the world film-making and moviedom.  Its literary appeal can be found on the back of any Cracker Jack box, or within any James Cameron movie.  This is an action film, plane and simple, riddled with gorgeous men and women with perfect teeth (in a time where dental hygiene was far from being a major concern in people’s lives) while being watched from above by the Zeus-like like Liam Neeson and the devilishly clever Ralph Fiennes as Hades.  The film draws a lot of it’s inspiration from the 1981 film, successfully in some ways, and terribly unsuccessful in others.  Even the acting experience Mr. Neeson brings to the film is unable to save this poor excuse for a script, let alone Worthington’s piss poor acting skills.  I’m beginning to wonder if Worthington can land a role in a decent movie.  (Terminator: Salvation, Avatar, Rougue.) 

The story is a decent one.  Perseus, played by Worthington, goes on a quest driven by vengeance to destroy the beast of Hades, The Kraken.  Hades, who killed Perseus’ family, has vowed to help Zeus in rekindling the prayers of humans who have lost faith in the Gods and vow never to worship them again.  As the worship and prayers are what fuel the Gods, drastic action was needed, and Hades begins a series of attacks on the human race to scare them back into God fearing race of men and women.  Of course, Hades has a secret up his sleeve to betray Zeus, and Perseus is the only one who can defeat the lord of the underworld.  It is quite predictable, especially when you have lines like “one day, someone is going to have to take a stand.”  Would you like to take a fleeting guess at who this might be?  In that eye-rolling moment, I began to wonder about the next two hours of my life being spent watching this movie.

While the first hour and a half seemed quite unbearable, the story slowly seemed to pick up the pace, causing my interests to revive and my brain to engage.  Of course, when I say brain engaging, I don’t mean the script became much more intelligent or literary, I only mean it woke up so it could soak in the impressive action scenes and overall look of the film.  The world in which the story takes place is very much a sparkling, glittery world that would make Stephanie Meyer’s twinkly vampires stare in awe.  However, the creatures were far from pretty.  The special effects team took a lot of time and care into making the beasts more terrifying than anything I’ve seen on screen in some time.  Despite the famous Medusa resembling more of a swim suit model with a slithering tale, Creatures such as the boatman for Dante’s Inferno, the three old witches, and the Kraken are some of the most terrifying movie monsters I’ve ever laid eyes on.  The final fight scene between the Kraken and Perseus was an amazing piece of work as the creature’s gigantic turtle/crab-like stature commanded respect and fear.  And I honestly was not expecting the huge black desert scorpions to be as menacing and persistent as Leterrier made them to be.

To tag along with this, the CGI special effects are not as impressive.  Zeus looked more like a fairy goddess while Hades’ teleportation trick seemed a bit over done and unnecessary.  Of course, this may have been due to the film’s drastic and badly made 3D alteration.  Important thing to note Mr. and Mrs. Film Makers of Hollywood……if you want to shoot a film in 3D, make sure you’re using the 3D cameras and technology required to do so PRIOR to shooting!  I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film worse in 3D than this one.  I would say the 3D didn’t help the movie going experience, in fact it may have hurt the film’s entertaining qualities.  Even after my eyes adjusted to the 3D viewing, I found myself forgetting the movie was in 3D from time to time.  All in all, I think the movie would have been better served if shot straight, and not making audience members pay the overpriced admission for a pair of glasses.

The action sequences were very well done, progressively building as the film pushed forward.  This is of course is largely thanks to the immensely talented Mads Mikkelsen as the mighty Draco.  The animation and special effects team, however, worked their magic in making the majority of the film seem as one coherent unit, despite the rather obviously animated Medusa fight scene.

My Awe-Struck Conclusion

It takes a lot of courage to remake a film that was, for the most part, quite successful in its day.  And as this film is quite reminiscent of the Percy Jackson film, the movie contains some new innovative approaches to a three decade old film.  Please, don’t go expecting an above average film in its story or content, rather accept it for what it is, an action film meant to grab your eyeballs and focus in on the amazing world of Greek mythology and folklore.

Rating 7 out of 10 stars

Cinematic Excursions: Film Releases For April 9, 2010

After. Life

Studio: Anchor Bay Films 
Director: Agnieszka Vosloo 
Screenwriter: Agnieszka Vosloo 
Starring: Christina Ricci, Liam Neeson, Justin Long, Josh Charles, Chandler Canterbury 
Genre: Psychological Thriller 
MPAA Rating: R (for nudity, disturbing images, language and brief sexuality) 
Official Website: AfterLifethefilm.com 

Plot Summary: After a horrific car accident, Anna (Christina Ricci) wakes up to find the local funeral director Eliot Deacon (Liam Neeson) preparing her body for her funeral. Confused, terrified and feeling still very much alive, Anna doesn't believe she's dead, despite the funeral director's reassurances that she is merely in transition to the afterlife. Eliot convinces her he has the ability to communicate with the dead and is the only one who can help her. Trapped inside the funeral home, with nobody to turn to except Eliot, Anna is forced to face her deepest fears and accept her own death. But Anna's grief—stricken boyfriend Paul (Justin Long) still can't shake the nagging suspicion that Eliot isn't what he appears to be. As the funeral nears, Paul gets closer to unlocking the disturbing truth, but it could be too late; Anna may have already begun to cross over the other side. With an unrelenting edge of menace, "After.Life" is a stylish psychological thriller which provocatively questions the line between life and death. 

Date Night

Studio: 20th Century Fox 
Director: Shawn Levy 
Screenwriter: Josh Klausner 
Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Leighton Meester, Common, Taraji Henson, Kristen Wiig, Ray Liotta, Mila Kunis, Mark Ruffalo, William Fichtner, Olivia Munn 
Genre: Comedy 
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sexual and crude content throughout, language, some violence and a drug reference) 
Official Website: DateNightthemovie.com 

Plot Summary: Action-comedy maestro Shawn Levy, the director of the blockbuster "Night at the Museum" franchise, teams up with two of the comedy world's biggest talents, Steve Carell ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "The Office") and Tina Fey ("Baby Mama," "30 Rock," "SNL") for an adventure that turns a run-of-the-mill married couple's date upside down - way upside down, in "Date Night." 

Everyone Else

Studio: The Cinema Guild 
Director: Maren Ade 
Screenwriter: Maren Ade 
Starring: Lars Eidinger, Birgit Minichmayr 
Genre: Drama, Romance 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 

Plot Summary: On the surface, Chris (Lars Eidinger) and Gitti (Birgit Minichmayr/"The White Ribbon," "Cherry Blossoms," "Downfall") are a young German couple enjoying the sun and relaxation of a Mediterranean holiday. But as they spend more time alone with each other, their playful teasing and silly habits begin to reveal some fundamental differences between them. And when they accidentally run into another, clearly happier and more successful couple, the tensions between them erupt.

"Everyone Else" is about a new relationship that hasn't yet endured much," notes writer-director Maren Ade. "The ground rules haven't been set and both partners are still afraid to completely expose themselves. I was intrigued by this newly created, intricate and unique entity that two people form when they become a couple-a chaotic meshwork of desires, secrets, demands, power structures and rituals." 

Letters To God

Studio: Screen Media Ventures 
Director: Peter Bratt 
Screenwriter: Peter Bratt 
Starring: Benjamin Bratt, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez, Jesse Borrego, Talisa Soto Bratt 
Genre: Drama 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 
Official Website: LaMissionthemovie.com 

Plot Summary: "La Mission" is the story of Che Rivera (Benjamin Bratt), a San Francisco bus driver respected in his Mission district barrio for building beautiful low rider cars, yet feared for his tough and machismo ways.

A reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic, Che's path to redemption is tested when he discovers that his pride and joy--his only child, Jesse (Jeremy Ray Valdez)--is gay. In a homophobic rage, Che violently beats his son, disowning him. Out of pride, Che loses his son – the "best friend he's got" – and once again loses himself. Emotionally broken and vulnerable, Che is left isolated and alone.

In a cathartic moment on the mean streets of the Mission, Che realizes that his patriarchal pride is meaningless to him, and that in order to maintain it, he has sacrificed the one thing that he cherishes most – love. 

When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors

Studio: Abramorama 

Director: Tom DiCillo 
Screenwriter: Tom DiCillo 
Starring: Not Available 
Genre: Documentary 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 
Official Website: WhenYoureStrangemovie.com 

Plot Summary: "When You're Strange: A Film About The Doors" uncovers historic and previously unseen footage of the illustrious rock quartet and provides new insight into the revolutionary impact of its music and legacy. Directed by award-winning writer/director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, the film is a riveting account of the band's history and the first feature documentary about them.

The film reveals a intimate perspective on the creative chemistry between drummer John Densmore, guitarist Robby Krieger, keyboardist Ray Manzarek and singer Jim Morrison -- four brilliant artists, who made The Doors one of America's most iconic and influential rock bands. Using footage shot between the band's 1965 formation and Morrison's 1971 death, "When You're Strange" follows the band from the corridors of UCLA's film school, where Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.

"When You're Strange" captures the zeitgeist and fraction of an era while providing insight into who The Doors were, what they became and what they meant to our culture. The Doors sold more than 80 million albums and continue to sell more than one million albums a year to this day. 

Women Without Men

Studio: IndiePix Films 
Director: Shirin Neshat, Shoja Azari 
Screenwriter: Shirin Neshat 
Starring: Navíd Akhavan, Mina Azarian, Bijan Daneshmand, Rahi Daneshmand,Pegah Ferydoni, Arita Shahrzad, Tahmoures Tehrani, Shabnam Toloui, Orsolya Tóth, Essa Zahir 
Genre: Drama 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 
Official Website: WomenWithoutMenfilm.com 

Plot Summary: "Women Without Men," an adaptation of Shahrnush Parsipur's magic realist novel, is Iranian artist Shirin Neshat's first feature length film. The story chronicles the intertwining lives of four Iranian women during the summer of 1953; a cataclysmic moment in Iranian history when an American led, British backed coup d'état brought down the democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, and reinstalled the Shah to power. 

Cinematic Excursions: Movie Releases For March 26

There are lots of thrillers and R rated films out there.  So for your parents who shelter your kids from everything, don't go to the movies.  But for you college kids, hop every theater!  However, I guess seeing as how "How To Train Your Dragon" is out today, families might be enjoying a night at the movies....

Chole
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics 
Director: Atom Egoyan 
Screenwriter: Erin Cressida Wilson 
Starring: Julianne Moore, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Max Thieriot 
Genre: Drama, Thriller 
MPAA Rating: R (for strong sexual content including graphic dialogue, nudity and language) 
Plot Summary: Atom Egoyan's remake of the French thriller "Nathalie..." The project centers on a married woman (Julianne Moore) who hires a prostitute (Amanda Seyfried) to find out whether her husband (Liam Neeson) is cheating on her. The prostitute, however, cons her about the nature of her husband's fidelity, a move that puts the family in jeopardy. 

Dancing Across Borders
Studio: First Run Features 
Director: Anne Bass 
Screenwriter: Not Available 
Starring: Sokvannara Sar 
Genre: Documentary 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 
Plot Summary: "Dancing Across Borders" chronicles the intimate and triumphant story of Sokvannara Sar, who was discovered by Anne Bass on a trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia, in 2000 and brought to the ballet stage in America. A longtime patron of dance in the U.S., Bass arranged for Sy to visit New York and audition for the prestigious School of the American Ballet (SAB). What unfolds is a tentative negotiation between Sy and the world of American ballet and culture—from the serene countryside of Southeast Asia to the halls of SAB, to the stage of the Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle. The film follows Sy's unusual development as a dancer and offers a remarkable behind—the—scenes look into the world of American ballet. At its heart, "Dancing Across Borders" is an extraordinary story of growth, adaptation, and belonging as well as of the development of talent and the mastery of an art form. 

The Eclipse
Studio: Magnolia Pictures 
Director: Conor McPherson 
Screenwriter: Conor McPherson 
Starring: Ciaran Hinds, Iben Hjejle, Aidan Quinn, Jim Norton, Eanna Hardwicke,Hannah Lynch 
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller 
MPAA Rating: R (for language and some disturbing images) 
Plot Summary: Michael Farr (Ciarán Hinds) is a widower living in a misty Irish seaside town who is struggling to adjust to his new role as the sole caretaker of his two children. Still reeling from the death of his wife, he has been plagued by terrifying apparitions. When he volunteers at a local literary festival, he finds he finds himself drawn to Lena Morelle (Iben Hjejle), an empathetic author of supernatural fiction. While Lena tries to help Michael with the mystery of his nightmarish visions, she must contend with problems of her own—she’s being jealously pursued by a self-obsessed novelist (Aidan Quinn), her one-time lover. As the three adults’ lives converge, the turbulence of the phantom world will soon have nothing on that of the living. 

Godspeed
Studio: Not Available 
Director: Robert Saitzyk 
Screenwriter: Cory Knauf, Robert Saitzyk 
Starring: Joseph McKelheer, Cory Knauf, Courtney Halverson, Ed Lauter,Jessie Ward, Hallock Beals, Lynn Adrianna Freedman, Ben Loosli 
Genre: Drama, Thriller 
MPAA Rating: Not Available
Plot Summary: Winner of the Special Jury Award at the 2009 CineVegas Film Festival, "Godspeed" is an intense, dramatic thriller set in the lingering light of the Alaskan midnight sun.

Charlie Shepard (Joseph McKelheer) is a modern day faith healer whose young son and wife are brutally murdered by unknown assailants for seemingly no reason whatsoever. Six months later, Charlie has abandoned his former life, moving through the days' slow existence more like a ghost than a man. A young, mysterious girl named Sarah (Courtney Halverson) appears in town, and seeks out Charlie, pleading for help with her own grief-stricken father after her mother's death. It's here on Charlie's journey to Sarah's remote home, buried deep in the Alaskan wilderness, where he must eventually confront Sarah's troubled brother Luke (Cory Knauf) -- a dark journey that will ultimately reveal the truth of his family's killing and lead to tragic, violent consequences for all. 

Hot Tub Time Machine 
Studio: MGM 
Director: Steve Pink 
Screenwriter: Josh Heald, Sean Anders, John Morris 
Starring: John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Crispin Glover, Lizzy Caplan, Chevy Chase,Sebastian Stan, Lyndsy Fonseca, Collette Wolfe, Charlie McDermott, Kellee Stewart 
Genre: Comedy 
MPAA Rating: R (for strong crude and sexual content, nudity, drug use and pervasive language) 
Plot Summary: "Hot Tub Time Machine" follows a group of best friends who've become bored with their adult lives: Adam (John Cusack) has been dumped by his girlfriend; Lou (Rob Corddry) is a party guy who can't find the party; Nick's (Craig Robinson) wife controls his every move; and video game-obsessed Jacob (Clark Duke) won't leave his basement. After a crazy night of drinking in a ski resort hot tub, the men wake up, heads' pounding, in the year 1986. This is their chance to kick some past and change their futures – one will find a new love life, one will learn to stand up for himself with the ladies, one will find his mojo, and one will make sure he still exists!
 

How To Train You Dragon
Studio: DreamWorks Animation 
Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois 
Screenwriter: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders 
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrara, Jonah Hill,Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, T.J. Miller 
Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation, Fantasy 
MPAA Rating: PG (for for sequences of intense action and some scary images, and brief mild language) 
Plot Summary: From the studio that brought you "Shrek," "Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda" comes "How to Train Your Dragon." Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe's longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup's world is turned upside down when he encounters a dragon that challenges he and his fellow Vikings to see the world from an entirely different point of view. 

Bluebeard

Studio: Strand Releasing 
Director: Catherine Breillat 
Screenwriter: Catherine Breillat 
Starring: Dominique Thomas, Lola Créton 
Genre: Drama, Fantasy 
MPAA Rating: Not Available 

Plot Summary: Based on Charles Perrault's grisly fairytale, "Bluebeard" tells the story of young Marie-Catherine, child bride to an aristocratic ogre with a reputation for murdering his wives. A classic tale, a favorite of good little French girls since the 1950s. Princess Marie-Catherine must employ all her cunning to outwit her husband and escape the most unpleasant of fates. 

Waking Sleeping Beauty
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures 
Director: Don Hahn 
Screenwriter: Not Available 
Starring: Not Available 
Genre: Documentary 
MPAA Rating: PG (for some thematic elements and brief mild language) 
Plot Summary: "Waking Sleeping Beauty" is no fairytale. It is a story of clashing egos, out of control budgets, escalating tensions... and one of the most extraordinary creative periods in animation history. Director Don Hahn and producer Peter Schneider, key players at Walt Disney Studios Feature Animation department during the mid-1980s, offer a behind-the-magic glimpse of the turbulent times the Animation Studio was going through and the staggering output of hits that followed over the next ten years. Artists polarized between the hungry young innovators and the old guard who refused to relinquish control, mounting tensions due to a string of box office flops, and warring studio heads create the backdrop for this fascinating story told with a unique and candid perspective from those that were there. Through interviews, internal memos, home movies, and a cast of characters featuring Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Roy Disney, alongside an amazing array of talented artists that includes Don Bluth, John Lasseter, and Tim Burton, "Waking Sleeping Beauty" shines a light on Disney Animation's darkest hours, greatest joys and its improbable renaissance.