Movie Review - Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer
(Running super short on time so forgive any typos and crappy grammar!)

Starring: Chris Evans, Jamie Bell, Kang-ho Song, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Octavia Spencer, Ewen Bremmer, Ah-sung Ko, Alison Pill, Luke Pasqualino, Vlad Ivanov, Adnan Hascovik, and more.

Directed by: Joon-ho Bong Screenplay by: Joon-ho Bong and Kelly Masterson Based on Le Transperceneige by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette Cinematography by: Kyung-pyo Hong Music by: Marco Beltrami

Premise: When a fix for global warming goes terribly wrong, the world is plunged into an eternal winter. While all other life is gone, humans have survived thanks to Wilford Industries and its train. But for those in the rear of the train, life is harsh. Despite previous failed attempts to push their way to the front and confronting Wilford and his mighty engine, when two of their children are taken away without explanation, Curtis gives in and those in the back make their move. (Rated R)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Loved Chris Evans in this. Shows a different side of his abilities. Jamie Bell was full of passion and hero worship. Kang-ho Song was fun with his interested disinterest. John Hurt and Ed Harris - need I say more? Tilda Swinton was a hoot as Mason. And always love to watch Octavia Spencer work. All these people are what made the movie worth watching. If not for them...

2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: Very subtle and well done special effects. Watching the train careening over the tracks and smashing into ice looked very cool. The engine itself was minimalistically cool. Smoke and mirrors. Several of the cars were fantastic and not just in the sharp contrast with what we'd seen of the train before, but the set up. The sushi car was super awesome.

Lots of neat visuals sprinkled through the film - when they get their first ever look (for some) outside the train; the fight in the car with all the night vision goggle guys; the bizarre school, and more.

3) Plot/Story - Neutral: If you can ignore all the unrealistic pieces of the film, there are some neat plot beneath it. But many will find it hard. Suspension of disbelief has to reach new heights to swallow parts of this one.

The science on this is so terribly, terribly bad. The train is supposed to be a self sustaining entity, and has to have successfully been doing so for almost twenty years. But if the sections of the train we get to see as the revolution heads towards the front is any indication, there's no way it could handle the number of people aboard. They'd been better served to have set this situation up aboard a cruise ship or a facility inside a mountain than on a train. The amount of room they'd need just to reprocess waste materials or grow anywhere near the amount of food or other things they'd need to exist was way beyond what the train could possibly contain. There's not even enough room to walk or exercise, so the fact these people in the back could even move since they've nothing to do but eat and sleep, was a stretch.

Bad science aside, a lot of the social aspects explored in the film were very interesting. They even set up a several mysteries to entice us along - the mysterious Mr. Wilson, the engine, what could they be possibly doing with the back car kids? Seeing how the different sections are all going a little crazy, each in their own way. Neat stuff.

If they'd only paid a little more attention to the science this could have been so so good! They also thought they ended it on a hopeful note, but they are so very wrong.

4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: Some really neat stunts and fight scenes. The way they come up with to break from their compartment into the next car or two over was super cool! And the fight with the guards with the night vision goggles as the new year rings in was mind boggling and well done on so many levels. Nice work!

5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The look of the cars as they moved from back to front where all little capsules of their own with a different look and feel for every one of them. The spanning shots of the train and the white emptiness, the railroad bridge and the yawning expanse below, lots of neat visuals.

Conclusion: If you can ignore the utterly atrocious science with regards to the train being an actual working self contained eco-system, there is fun to be had. The surprises and reveals toward the end were quite devilish.

Rating: 3 of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Better on Cable)

Movie Review - Gravity

Gravity

Starring: Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris, Orto Ignatiussen, Paul Sharma, Amy Warren, Basher Savage

Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón Written by: Alfonso Cuarón and Jonás Cuarón Script Collaborator: George Clooney Cinematography by: Emmanuel Lubezki Music by: Steven Price

Premise: Debris from an exploded satellite sets off an unexpected chain reaction which send hundreds of pieces of metal hurtling straight at American astronauts testing equipment in orbit . The ensuing accident places the survivors on a course to try to save themselves as their air supply and other resources dwindle quickly towards zero. (Rated PG-13)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: George Clooney played Matt Kowalski, an astronaut on his last mission playing it easy and fun until things get ugly and then doing whatever it takes to try to bring those in his charge home again. Mr. Clooney nicely showed the audience Kowalski's fun and somber sides as the plot developed.

Sandra Bullock did a great job as Ryan Stone, scientist turned astronaut, running from the great sadness in her life. She carries the film along easily and it's all the little nuances she brings forth in her character as we go with her on this journey that makes everything feel real.

Great job too by the rest of the cast, though we never see them, only hear them. Yet they added a lot to the film, helping to 'sell' the setting and the other events going on.


2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: The effects in this film were fantastic. And when coupled with the great skill of the cinematographer, it pushed the film to dizzying heights. "Gravity" must be seen in IMAX 3D to get the true grandeur of the work done for this film.

The models of the different spacecraft, both inside and out, were very well done. The floating bits of flame inside the International Space Station and their treatment of Stone's tears looked great. And wait until you see the giant speeding debris field!

3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: The previews for this film clearly stated that the characters are about to have a very bad day. And they definitely have that. Slowly working up at the beginning, once the astronauts hear about the debris coming their way the plot moves fast and hardly slows down until the end. It's even split up into pieces, for faster processing, as those involved try to take it one goal at a time.

A lot of previously used plot bits are part of the script - the astronaut (cop) on his last mission before retirement, the deep emotional scar repressing the scientist from living a full life. But the execution is so good, you barely notice them.

The science looked to be pretty much on target, except for a couple of glaring spots. One of them is a rather significant scene, so the reworking of the effects of motion in space took a little bit away from the rather poignant moment. I really wish they could have figured a way to get the same result without having to cheat to get it. But if you can ignore than one spot, you won't have any troubles enjoying this one.

4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: While some of the stunt work was definitely CGI created, a lot of the 'gags' looked to be real. The bungee cord effect on the people in several scenes looked rather painful. The same can be said about their arrival at the ISS. A 'making of' featurette for the DVD would be of tremendous interest.

5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: The visuals in this film were just "WOW". Earth is shown in all her glory passing below as a backdrop to the drama orbiting about her. The spanning views of the planet's surface during day and night as well as the super lovely sunrise will stick with me for a long time.

The point of view of the cameras changed a lot during the film, but it helped make the whole experience more immersive and personal. One nice composite shot creates a replica of an embryo in the womb.

Conclusion: "Gravity" is a must see film and in IMAX 3D if at all possible. The visuals alone are worth it. Yet the puzzle on how the heck Stone might come out of this alive definitely will keep you 'on the edge of your seats'.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Would Pay Full Price To Go See It Again!)

Movie Review - Man On A Ledge

Man On A Ledge

Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Anthony Mackie, Ed Harris, Jamie Bell, Genesis Rodriduez, Edward Burns, William Sadler, and more.

Directed by: Asger Leth Written by: Pablo F Fenjves Original Music by: Henry Jackman

Premise: An ex-cop escapes from prison after being denied any more appeals on his 25 year sentence and sets in motion a desperate 'all or nothing' attempt to prove his innocence. (PG-13)

Review: I was worried this one had given everything away in the previews. Luckily there were a few bits they didn't spoil and the cast was fun to watch.

One thing I do wish they'd not done (and they're not the only ones) is cast a familiar actor on a seemingly super small part. This is ALWAYS a flag that things are not as they seem. So in a way, they shoot themselves in the foot, because then it's not really a surprise when they show up again later because you already know it's coming. But if you're not an avid TV or movie watcher, this will probably not make a difference.

Lots of nice little touches, especially with Joey and Angie. And the extra story line and depth added by Nick specifically requesting Lydia Mercer and the reasons behind it did much to deepen the film.

A little suspension of disbelief will be called on for one item, but the rest was believable.  A lot of fun to watch the plan slowly unfold and the layers within it. Though there was one of the hitch which did bring to mind that if they'd trained to do this as they stated, would Angie really have had the problem she had? Mmm.

Some twists and turns. Great work on Sam Worthington's part about being on a ledge that high up. They did a lot of stuff/jokes on New Yorkers, and the crowd really did play a part in the film in several instances, which was also fun.

Some gun play, several unexpected comedic moments, paranoia, parallels, and more. A fun watch.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (No hubby rating - he's out of town for work)