Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy with Chance of Meatballs By

Jozua J. Jonker

Viewing At: Sterkinekor
Release Date: 16 October 2009


Directed By Phil Lord
Screenplay By Phil Lord
Producers: Pam Marsden
Voices:
Flint Lockwood - Bill Hader, Sam Sparks - Anna Faris, Tim Lockwood - James Caan, "Baby" Brent - Andy Samberg, Mayor Shelbourne - Bruce Campbell
Earl Devereaux - Mr. T, Cal Devereaux - Bobb'e J. Thompson, Manny - Benjamin Bratt

Genre: Animation
Classification: PG
Running time: 90 Minutes

After watching the movie I did not feel this movie was for me. Maybe it was an off day for me or that I am not a parent yet. But their where a few things in the movie that caught my attention which I think is worth mentioning.

The story begins with Flint Lockwood as young child having dreams as an inventor. Not sure whether he should pursue his dreams or follow his dad's dreams Flint's mother encourages the boy to follow what is in his heart. As Flint grows up his inventions are prone to have a life of their own which helps set-up the towns disaster that is about to happen as the antagonist, gets a life of its own, creating the food storm of the century . This is motivated by the town itself when it runs into an economic recession. Up to this point the town survived by catching and canning sardines but the world no longer needs it and so the town falls on hard times.

In Flint's impressive make-shift laboratory he works on a solution to the towns problems. An invention that can turn water into food. At the unveiling of the towns new theme park Flint activates his machine, creating a food euphoria for the citizens of Swallow Falls. The sub plots build around Flint's relationship with his father and a newly formed relationship with the Weather Girl Sam Sparks which is told by a big city news broadcaster to report on the weather in Swallow Falls as snippet to the daily news.

The movie is unique in its style, bringing a world of food to everyone's everyday life without it being that “gross”. Kids playing in ice cream show, having a house build out of jello etc. The visual effects created by Sony's new 3d imaging software gives way to stunning weather, food and big crowd sequence effects. Comedy is the drive behind the story which will be appealing to the adult audience and all the color and spectacle will wow the kids. Using animation as a platform to tell the story made the unique events believable, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. The creators of this animation used their knowledge of modern day culture to fuse story and character quirks together in a story mould that will be likable to kids and their parents.

The moral of the story is revealed early in the film, being yourself is OK, even if you are a nerd. The fact that the hero is typical outcasts, loner, does not fit in type who saves the day can be overlooked as each character is given distinctive visual and personal characteristics that make them as unique as the story itself. Cloudy with a chance of meatballs gets a hearty 7 out of 10.

See you at the movies.

Not Easily Broken

Not Easily Broken

By Magdaleen Duvenage

Directed By Bill Duke.
Screenplay By Brian Bird
Produced By Mr. Duke, Mr. Jakes and Curtis Wallace.

Cast:
Morris Chestnut (Dave Johnson), Taraji P. Henson (Clarice Johnson), Maeve Quinlan (Julie Sawyer), Kevin Hart (Tree), Wood Harris (Darnell), Albert Hall (Bishop Wilkes), Eddie Cibrian (Brock Houseman), Jenifer Lewis (Mary Clark) and T. D. Jakes (Allen).
Running time: 1 hour 39 minute

The main story is about a couple who's marriage is in trouble. The opening scene is a wedding, where the pastor places three cords around the couple, symbolizing the bonds in a marriage. This is also the part where you know we are going to see a troubled marriage, obviously “losing the three string cord”, we know that God would save the day and they will “live happily ever after.” It is truly one of those movies you have seen before, and just can't come up with its name. Clarice (Taraji P. Henson) is an ambitions real estate manager, Dave (Morris Chestnut) was a aspiring basketball player, due to a knee injury he was called back to the real world, and became a a general contractor.

Dave seems like the perfect husband in this movie, he is loving, kind, generous – he clearly adores and loves his wife. She however, can't stop to humiliate and degrade him, even to the extend of doing so in front of her clients. The movie takes an unexpected turn when the couple gets into a car accident, leaving Clarice cripple and bittter, she would be able to walk again after intensive therapy. Her mother (Jenifer Lewis) blatantly blames Dave for the accident and moves in with them, he gets verbally beaten now from two angles.

Dave finds a way out, he coaches baseball to a little league team for underprivileged kids, with his two buddies Tree (Kevin Hart – the funny one) and Darnell (Wood Harris). The wedge between Dave and his wife grows deeper and deeper. The fire is turned on when Clarice's physical therapist Julie Sawyer (Maeve Quinlan), and Dave become intimately involved. Dave had a interest in her son first – and it is clear that his intentions was pure, but when the movie takes an emotional turn, she seeks comfort; Dave being the all American hero turns her down! I was very sad when this happened, he deserves happiness and his wife's over clichéd ego, self-obsessive attitude drove me insane! A blind woman, with no sense of touch or hearing could tell he was an amazing husband!

I know the African Americans have an over stated vocabulary that is mostly funny. In this movie it was exactly the opposite, it was irritating. Niecy Nash had one part to play – you don't need to actually know what that part is, one can watch Clean House on TSN to find out. The difference is, this is on a movie set and she gets to play her self, with the "Giiiiiirlll", "Don't make me go all Oprah on you" and the "Don't go all Waiting to Exhale on me." Niecy, don't quit your day job yet!

I am also not sure I like the way they portray God in this movie. He seems to be the Guy who fixes everything, with no effort from our part when it comes to character related issues. If something is not working out, go to God – He will fix it! The moment Clarice decided to admit in her life that she might have left God out of their marriage, everything magically began to sort themselves out. No hard work, no therapy secessions - just nothing. What I don't understand is that five minutes ago, she was standing by letting her mother throw all Dave's clothes out, now she wants him back, all issues aside, even willing to give him kids, which he so longed for!

The story line goes missing when it gets to the plot, and they seem to then go and say: Well, don't worry, no work required, all you need is God and your marriage will be saved! This movie is extremely upsetting – I agree that God is a vital part of any marriage but it takes work and devotion from both parties! There is no magic wands when it comes to marriage. I don't even think these two belong together. From this type movie I expected more...

A disappointing 4/10

See you at the movies!

The Informant

The Informant

By Magdaleen Duvenage

Viewing By Nu Metro
Release Date: 16 October 2009

Directed By Steven Soderbergh.
Screenplay By Scott Z. Burns.
Produced By
Gregory Jacobs, Jennifer Fox, Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein, Kurt Eichenwald
Cast:
Matt Damon, Melanie Lynskey, Thomas F. Wilson, Scott Bakula, Joel McHale.

Classification: 13ML Running time: 108 minutes

I guess the question is always where to start? This movie is one of those whom just makes everything else seems bearable, and for a change, the bad guys look good. It is based on the true story of the highest ranking corporate whistle blower in U.S. History. Mark Whitacre is a family guy – he seems very naïve and likeable, your typical all-American. Mark works for a company called Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), in the agri-industry. The company is set on price fixing, and Mark decided to not go through with it any longer because of ethical values. He claims to not want part of a lying scandalous operation. Mark starts to work under cover with the FBI to catch the “bad guys”.

Mark hopes of gaining a promotion and hero status for doing the “right thing”. He however, helps himself to millions of dollars which threatens the very core of the investigation. Before the FBI can start arresting people and closing companies they need hard core evidence to comply with their story. Mark starts being wired, and goes into meetings with FBI equipment to uncover the truth.

This role he takes to heart and adapts easily. In a very comical way, and a hint of innocence, he talks to the mini microphone introducing his surroundings and people. A four year old toddler could see that he is wired and operating with the FBI. Yet he was never caught. When watching the movie one seems to have immediate sympathy with Mark because of his childhood. He was adopted by a wealthy man who gave him a chance in life and wants to sincerely do good to someone else to carry on the process. According to Mark this is the main purpose of the whistle blowing, to do good in the world cause good was done to him.

As the story progresses, more lies surface. Mark believes till the very end that he will become the president of ADM. With sharp tones like: “Just call me 0014! Why 0014? Cause I am twice as smart as 007!”; one knows that this story will end hilariously. The FBI never really discussed the way his life will change once they take over ADM, he assumes it will be for the best, being a hero after the bad people are caught is always a up side to things. The very funny FBI agent says to Mark: “Well, the atmosphere in the office might change a bit...”He “acts” with the FBI when everyone is arrested – and one can only laugh for his very plausible techniques. At times it felt like watching a scene out of “Clueless”.

Marks lies start catching up with him unfortunately, he appears to not be the angel he started out to be. In the end, he ended up stealing almost more money than the whole company combined and tragically the case turns on him. He was given very strict instructions to not, under any circumstances tell employees, media, etc. what was happening – needless to say, he did not oblige by it. The whole case comes tumbling down when the truth about Mark is discovered. He was never adopted, he only said so because of sympathy reasons. He kept on changing the millions he stole, never remembering the previous million he spoke about.

This story is just written so innocently – with a clear message of never to lie, cause it will catch up with you. It was a very good story; although Mark paid for his actions, you still have sympathy with him for being so naïve. I believe there must be more people like Mark Whitacre, he did not in any way came out to harm anyone visibly. His intentions was pure, his only crime is being the dumbest whistle blower in the world with no sense of integrity and an imagination that reinvents Peter Pan.The script was written in a typical drama/suspense style. The focus was divided on the story and the telling, which is something I love about Soderbergh, I have always been a great fan of his work – he had me with Oceans 11. Up until the very end you are hooked, although the story takes an unexpected turn. As always, Mr. Damon was very impressive, his acting skills go far beyond a nice face and a tanned body.

I am giving it a satisfying 7/10!

See you at the movies!