The Pursuit of Happyness

Film Title: The Pursuit of Happyness
Year: 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Length: 117 minutes
Film Genre: Biography / Drama
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Producer(s): David Alper, et.al.
Writers(s): Steve Conrad
Players:
Will Smith as Chris Gardner
Jaden Smith as Christopher Gardner
Thandie Newton as Linda
Brian Howe as Jay Twistle
Plot: The true story of Chris Gardner, a down-on-his-luck entrepreneur who wanted a better life for his family. With no qualifications, he attempted to become a stock broker on Wall Street. His struggles and victories are chronicled in The Pursuit of Happyness.
Acting: Though the acting is superb thorughout the film, Will Smith does continue to lock himself into one roll - the dramatic. No complaints to be heard though, as Happyness introduces the father-son duo of Will and Jaden. A bond of love that is shared by few (especially a 7 year old) is witnessed in the film and is a credit to the young Jaden's talent.
Cinematography: Good
Visual: Good
When I watched it last: Three days prior to review
What to watch for: Will and Jaden's performances; a heart-tugger.
What to watch out for: Some language; intense drama.
IMDB Rating: 7.4 out of 10
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) Rating: NA
Outside Review: "Inspirational...the word that best captures Will Smith's powerful portrayal of real-life father and pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps worker Chris Gardner" (Adam R. Holz, Plugged In).
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.3 out of 10;
--Reviewed by Brady

Batoru rowaiaru (Battle Royale)

Film Title: Battle Royale
Year: 2000
MPAA Rating: N/A
Length: 114 min / Japan:122 min (director's cut)
Film Genre: Action / Drama / Thriller
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Producer: Kenta Fukasaku
Writers:
Koushun Takami (novel)
Kenta Fukasaku (screenplay)
Players:
Tatsuya Fujiwara as Shuya Nanahara - Boy #15
Aki Maeda as Noriko Nakagawa - Girl #15
Taro Yamamoto as Shougo Kawada - Boy #5
Chiaki Kuriyama as Takako Chigusa - Girl #13
Sousuke Takaoka as Hiroki Sugimura - Boy #11
Plot: At the dawn of the new millennium the Japanese government is near collapse. Unemployment is at an all time high and the violence amongst the nations youth is running rampant. In an effort to combat this problem the government introduces the Battle Royale Act. Each year a class of high school students are selected at random for a "field trip". They are kidnapped and taken to a deserted island where they are forced to participate in a fight to the death, the last one left alive is allowed to return home. The "game" is used as the ultimate sign of what the government will do to punish disobedient youth.
Acting: A bunch of teenage kids. Nothing really top notch. One thing is worth mentioning Chiaki Kuriyama plays Go-Go Yubari in Kill Bill Vol. 1
Cinematography Great overhead shots and great close-ups
Visual: The island is gorgeous with very elaborate sets pieces.
Audio: Standard. Nothing spectacular
When I watched it last: An hour ago
What to watch for: Crazy Story, Social Commentary
What to watch out for: Subtitles, Language, Gory Violence (At times), Sexual overtones
IMDB Rating: 8.0 out of 10
Roger Ebert Rating: N/A
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.4 out of 10. I have wanted to see this film for a long time, it is interesting to say the very least. Japanese films tend to be over the top when it comes to violence and this one is no exception. This story accurately depicts the reality of sin and the violent nature of man. Kill or be killed is the law and friend quickly becomes foe in the world of the Battle Royale.
--Reviewed by Jason

Movie in a Minute: Babel

Babel comes from the director/producer of Amores Perros, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu. The 2006 entry by Inarritu was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, two Suporting Actress nods and other nominations, plus a win for Best Original Score. Babel is an obvious social commentary on the language barrier: the problems it creates, the triumph over it. The film follows four interwoven stories of families in Morroco, America, Mexico and Japan. After the first five minutes, this story quickly becomes tense and never lets up until the credits roll. Relative newcomer roles by Rinko Kikuchi and Adriana Barraza (Best Supporting Actress nominees) in addition to star performances from Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett make Babel a movie definitely worth seeing. Warning: Moments of nudity; language; tense drama.
The Cinema Standard "Movie in a Minute" Rating: 8.0 out of 10...look for Dakota fannings little sister, Elle, as Pitt and Blanchett's daughter Debbie.
- - Reviewed by Brady

Frank Miller's 300

Film Title: 300
Year: 2007
MPAA Rating: R
Length: 117
Film Genre: Action / Art / Drama / History / War
Director: Zack Snyder
Producer(s): Frank Miller, et. al.
Writers(s): Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Michael Gordon (screenplay); Frank Miller and Lynn Varley (graphic novel)
Players:
Gerard Butler as King Leonidas
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo
David Wenham as Dilios
Dominic West as Theron
Vincent Regan as Captain
Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes
Plot: The mighty Persian Empire demands defiant Sparta's allegiance, but King Leonidas will not bow to King Xerxes rule. The million man Persian Army marches against tiny Sparta and King Leonidas takes 300 of his bravest men to challenge them. Loosely based on the true story of the Battle of Thermopylae which took place in 480 BC.
Acting: The acting is certainly over-dramatised in 300, but that is expected (if not necessary) in the portrayal of a graphic novel. Butler, Regan and Wenham stand tall above the rest of the cast as the three main Spartan warriors.
Cinematography: Amazing! See Visual.
Visual: One of the grand visual spectacles of cinematic history! Blood looks like paint on a canvas, helping to drop the uber-violent content. The use of slow-motion and high-contrast desaturation make this movie a heart-pounding thriller and a stunning visual masterpiece. Costume was - for the most part - incredible, especially the many cultures represented in the diverse Persian Army (Chinese, Arab, African and European warriors were all represented). Surreal backgrounds and sets help maintain the feel of a graphic novel. A grainy film technique finishes off the visuals, solidifying 300 as the new benchmark for FX techniques.
Audio: Very good.
When I watched it last: One night prior to review.
What to watch for: Jaw-dropping visual effects; a great story told in the most incredible, sensory-numbing fashion.
What to watch out for: Nudity; Sexual Content including one sex scene and an implied orgy; Surprisingly goes without cursing; Blood and Gore with several decapitated bodies and severed limbs.
IMDB Rating: 8.4 out of 10
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) Rating: 4 out of 4 stars (Richard Roeper); "This is a film that never, not for one second, considers taking its foot off the accelerator."
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.5 out of 10; Without the nudity and sexuality, I would consider this one of the best films I've ever seen. If blood and sex bother you, don't watch this one. If you love graphic novels and can handle the rough nature of the film, this is the movie for you.
--Reviewed by Brady

Amazing Grace

Film Title: Amazing Grace
Year: 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
Length: 111 minutes
Film Genre: Drama / Biography / History
Director: Michael Apted
Producer(s): Jeanney Kim
Writers(s): Steven Knight
Players:
Iaon Gruffudd as William Wilberforce
Ramola Garai as Barbara Wilberforce
Benedict Cumberbatch as Pitt the Younger
Rufus Sewell as Thomas Clarkson
Michael Gambon as Lord Charles Fox
Albert Finney as John Newton
Ciaran Hinds as Lord Tarleton
Plot: William Wilberforce, a young and ambitious member of the Parliament, comes to a moral dilemma in his life: should he follow the will of God or continue in politics? The striking answer is yes, on both counts. Wilberforce would go on to challenge the British Parliament for years in the fight against slavery.
Acting: Some of the best. Gruffudd is incredible in this film. His portrayal of the ever-tormented Wilberforce is the epitome of great historical drama acting. The supporting cast helps make this one of the year's best.
Cinematography: The camera work was very well done. It is often overlooked in historical dramas.
Visual: Very good.
Audio: Good.
When I watched it last: Less than a week ago
What to watch for: A moving account of the fight against the slave trade in Brittain; Gruffudd and his supporting cast.
What to watch out for: Some language, opium use for medicinal purposes.
IMDB Rating: 8.0 out of 10
Roger Ebert Rating: N/A
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.3 out of 10; Well made and worth seeing. If you have any interest whatsoever in the history of slave abolition, you must see this film.
--Reviewed by Brady