OPINION: The Pre-Emptive Critics
‘Cloud Atlas’
An all-star cast takes on the film adaptation of the well-known novel “Cloud Atlas.” I haven’t read the novel, but from the high-paced creative trailer, I would love to read this book before seeing the film. Since I’m unfamiliar with the book, I was a bit confused by what I saw. There were a lot of characters played by Tom Hanks, Hallee Berry, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant and more. Each character seems to play out their lives in several different time periods.
In the beginning of the clip, we see that the same trio who put Matrix on the map directs the film. I have no doubts this film will become just as popular and culturally significant as soon as it hits theaters Oct. 26
Out of curiosity, I did a little IMBD hunting. The storyline, according to the surely dependable ‘Anonymous’ explains that everything in the film is connected based off an 1849 diary of an ocean voyage across the Pacific and heads into both the past and future. Needless to say, I’m intrigued.
– natashabodily@gmail.com
Twitter: @Natasha627
‘Flight’
Whether it’s a bus, a car or a plane, the vehicle-crash beat is one that movie directors have toyed with often over the past few years. With movies like “We are Marshall,” “The Grey” and “Speed” – for the unfortunate individuals who remember it – the concept is nothing new. “Flight,” starring Denzel Washington, employs it with what seems to be a very original spin.
Washington plays Captain Whitaker, an airline pilot who miraculously lands a plane after an in-flight malfunction at 30,000 feet in the air. The plot appears to be more focused on the drama of Whitaker’s personal life, as well as the post-crash politics.
Whitaker is painted as both a hero and a villain. Having landed the plane and saved hundreds of lives, and also for being the only pilot who could have done so, he is very much a hero. In spite of this, he is portrayed as the bad guy for his intoxication the night of the flight. This had serious repercussions, possibly including a sentence of life in prison.
These contrasting elements make for what looks to be a crash film of substance, whose emphasis lies more in the complications of the government’s legal system as well as social issues including alcoholism. There is also mention of a sabotaged plane, which could add an intriguing twist to the plot. Viewers will have to find out for themselves if Captain Whitaker really is a hero weighed down with very human problems, or if his carelessness unnecessarily endangered the lives of his passengers and he somehow managed to save them despite his blunders with alcohol.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the very same who directed “Cast Away” and “Forrest Gump,” I am confident that the drama of “Flight” when it premiers on November second will not be disappointing.
‘Fun Size’
“Fun Size” is a movie all about Halloween, and the title brings to mind gorging on those grab bag Halloween candies that never quite satisfy. After watching the trailer
for the movie, I’m sure it won’t satisfy either.
The story idea is that two high school girls get invited to the popular hot guy’s party. Ironically, the hot guy, Aaron, seems quite interested in Wren while her friend April is practically drooling over him, and Wren doesn’t seem too interested. That night they dress up and Wren actually has a decent looking costume, while April slut-ifys the costume of a cat. Unfortunately, the two girls get their plans screwed up when Wren’s mom decides Wren has to watch her little brother Albert, and they end up trick-or-treating with him.
What could possibly go wrong? Everything. Albert disappears.
Albert then has some sort of side adventure with a random creeper dude who picks him up off the curb of a gas station and who acts like he’s a pedophile, but of course Albert is Spider-Man, so he doesn’t really notice. He’s a kid, so he trusts the man, who ends up breaking and entering into some woman’s house, there are explosives and I don’t really understand what happens. That must be why it’s a preview.
Then the craziness ensues. A car-humping chicken, pretty girl falling for nerdy guy, best friend tells her she’s committing social suicide and what I’ll bet will be the best line of the movie: “Police? We have a situation involving a musket and a drumstick,” and possibly the second best, “Put your mask on. You’re about to be an accessory to a major crime.”
I would not spend the money to see it in theaters.
– april.ashland@aggiemail.usu.edu
Twitter: @AprilAsh2012