Everybody's Fine

By Jozua J. Jonker

Viewing at: Ster Kinekor
Release Date: Released

Written and Directed by Kirk Jones
Produced by Vittorio Cecchi Gori, Ted Field

Genre: Drama
Classification: 13MLV
Running Time: 99Min

Another arty film for me to review: as I sit and read through some of the other critic's reviews, I am amazed at their sheer knowledge and expertise on film. I also realise that some reviewers write for the general public and others write for filmmakers. As I read through one particular review I could agree with many of the tinks in the armour of “Everybody's Fine” by Kirk Jones. Being new to the art circuit of films I am not always aware of the intricacies of an art film and what should be presented by a filmmaker to make it extra-ordinary.

Like “The Visitor” this film moved me... For me, it started very slow, since I am an adventurer at heart, but the film suddenly moved up a few passes as the plot progressed. I did not see the original film, “Stanno tutti bene” by Guiseppe Tornatore, but based on my sources both are equally suited for its time.

The film is about a father of four, Frank Goode (Robert de Niro), who eagerly awaits the arrival of his children to a family get together at his house. The kids cancel at the last minute which spurs our main character on to go and visit them. He does not inform them of his new founded adventure to their surprise which they are faced with, with their father's out of the blue visit.



So what did move me about this film? My father. Yes, the man was as emotionally detached as Frank although he did not give much attention to gardening. Frank catches on to the 21st century re-invention of everyday jobs with provocative titles, like housewives are now known as home executives. So, he teaches his son David that he is not a painter but an artist. Each child, David, Rosie (Drew Barrymore), Amy (Kate Beckensale) and Robert (Sam Rockwell) tries to reach their father's expectations of them but only Amy succeeds to get to the pinnacle of what conventional wisdom calls success. With it she pays the price of failed a marriage and so each of them also pays individual prices for their life choices. Fathers have the tendency to bring the worst or best out in each of us. There are two types of fathers out there: first their are those that try and do good, they are not always approachable, but then do we even try from our side. Then there are those who don't know how and no matter how much you try they will always be a closed book.



I see Frank as stubborn and it seems like he is not approachable but I wish I had a father that was as mild tempered as Frank. Frank's wife was the mediator in the family and through her Frank got the news of what was happening in his kid's life's, be it the news he wanted to hear. So this man was never faced with his true responsibility as a father and only really came to terms with that eight months after his wife died.




Frank aims one last time to get the family together, which ultimately leads him on this road trip of discovering his real role as the father to his children. Robert de Niro is not his usual intimidating, kick ass character, which gives the story a refreshing touch while the other cast members are remarkable in their portrayal of each of the kids.

This film gets a well adapted 7.5 out of 10. Don't take my word for it though. Go and see the film film for yourself and leave your own comments.

Bright Star

By Magdaleen Duvenage.

Viewing at: Ster Kinekor
Release Date: 5 February 2010

Written and Directed by Jane Campion.
Produced by Caroline Hewitt, Jan Chapman.

Genre: Biography Drama, Romance.
Classification: PG
Running Time: 1 hour 59 minutes.

When one thinks of modern day fairy tale, things like “love”, “happily ever after” , “music” and “poetry” are all words that come to mind. Although Bright Star has most of these components, it is still a real story, written perhaps in a time when things did not always turn out to be happily ever after.

John Keats was a famous poet. The movie tells the story of Keats, Fanny Brawne and their romantic relationship. It is a collage filled with passion, poetry, love and beautiful pictures. Keats is a young and handsome poet. Fanny is a young feminist who one would easily describe as one of Jane Austen's characters. She is a feisty seamstress, extremely opinionated and simply colourful.

Fanny seems to be noticeable in a crowd. She is very fashionable and always brings colour to a conversation. Herself and Keats falls in love passionately, they shared a never ending love relationship, if there was a possibility for a everlasting ever-true love – the love of Keats and Fanny would be top of the list. In such a short time, they loved more dearly than any character written about in fairy tales. Their love was never consummated because of Keats's untimely death in 1821.

When one look at a dictionary, under the word “true love”, there should be a picture of Keats and Fanny. Something that was striking is how he loved her. In modern romantic movies, the expression of love is usually done through sex. It seems as if society has proclaimed that when one love someone it is showed through the expression of some physical act like sex. In Keats's expression of love he abstained from sex. When Keats became ill, just before he went away, Fanny offered her self to him, claiming that: “no one would know”. He loved her so much he didn't want to do anything to shame her by saying: “I would know.” He loved her with a love that is remembered today still – words and acts of love. Modern day writers can take a few lessons from Keats: “How to woo a woman without the involvement of sex or physical acts.”

The movie is mostly about the emotional journey of Fanny, not so much the struggles of Keats and his art. This, off course, I would not classify as a “chick flick”, yet it is definitely written for the many colours of a women's heart.

I love what Campion did, she visually describes the poetry – with every phrase you see colours, this is why I love film people! Even if you don't like poetry or love stories, it is very good to just see this movie for the visuals – or as I would like to call it: Poetry for the eyes. When seeing this film you will be satisfied mentally, visually, morally, emotionally and linguistically.

The circumstances is quite troubling because Keats is penniless. Basically everyone, in the end, accepts their love. Brown is the only character who is pessimistic about Keats's and Fanny's relationship, he is an extremely cynical character and does not get along with Fanny. He has a deep love for Keats and that is the factor that brings the humanity aspect out of Brown.

Cornish gives a remarkable performance! Astonishing! She grows with the character, every women can feel what she feels and taste the changes as she grows from girl to woman. You can go through the motion of growth realizing that was you at age 16, at age 18 and finally now. She is far away from the norm size two... Curvaceous but beautiful, fashionable, artistic, feminine, elegant, graceful and different. She handles herself with ease. She floats like ghost on a cloud, head held high - pure, over dramatising movements.

As for Mr. Keats – I do believe this is the beginning of a fascination...

Bright Star was a remarkable movie. It spoke to the most private parts of my heart. The story was told completely... Every ray of sunlight, every movement and word were created to tell a story. To make it a perfect story, Keats's poetry ends this beautiful tale. There was no scenes of nudity or sex, no violence or strong language, no miss use of alcohol or drugs. Every mother can send their child to see this movie with ease.

I am giving it a poetical 7/10!
See you at the movies!
I would love to know what your opinion is on Bright Star, looking forward to hearing from you...

The Velveteen Rabbit

By Jozua J. Jonker

Viewing At: Nu Metro
Release Date: Released

Directed By Michael Landon Jr.
Screenplay By Cindy Kelley

Cast:
Jane Seymour, Tom Skerritt, Ellen Burstyn, Matthew Harbour, Kevin Jubinville, Michael Sinelnikoff, Una Kay, Michael Perron

Genre: Animation, Family
Classification: PG
Running Time: 86 min

Good solid entertainment is hard to find for toddlers and young kids these days. This is a story of good moral fibre and imagination that kids will enjoy and come to love. The story is set in the nineteen twenties when a young ten year old boy is left with his grandmother for the Christmas holidays. The storyline is not complicated, so as to confuse younger viewers with too much plot. Soon we discover that all is not well in Toby's family and he uses his imagination as a form of escape to deal with his absent father and circumstances. The adventure begins...

The story explores themes like, “What makes us real?”, “The power of imagination and friendship.” , “Sacrifice and second chances” to name a few. An added touch for children is that those scenes imagined by Toby are animation which draws the audience into Toby's make believe world.

The Velveteen Rabbit is an open adaptation of a children's story by Margery Williams. This might leave the older crowd disappointed because they may want to look at the movie to reminisce on old childhood memories. The film is adequately directed by Michael Landon Jr. who gave us films like the “Last Sin Eater” and “Love come Softly”. For a low budget production this film was elegantly woven together and the acting left one with entertaining performances. For a Children's film I give this a 7 out 10. But don't take my word for it. Watch the film and please give us your comments.

50 Dead Men Walking

By Magdaleen Duvenage

Viewing at: Ster Kinekor
Release Date: Released

Directed By Kari Skogland.
Screenplay By Nicholas Davies, Martin McGartland and Kari Skogland.
Executive Producers: Donald J. Lee Jr., Scott Rudin & Dana Stevens.
Produced By Stephen Hegyes, Peter La Terriere, Kari Skogland, Shawn Williamson.
Cast:
Jim Strugess, Ben Kingsley, Kevin Zegers & Natalie Press. Genre: Action Classification: VLS 13 Running Time: 117 Minutes

As a rule of thumb, I don't see action movies cause I find them crude and upsetting. I mean all action movies... What I like about them is the small pieces of romance and the tense passion, they always seem to have. Themes are basically always the same, there are always someone who dies (a few people actually), lots of blood and loud shooting. I am just not fond of it... The other part of the truth is, I had to focus with this one, and seeing as though my knowledge of army, wars and politics are extremely limited – I had to up my game, but this, however, I do know: The town we visiting is Belfast in Ireland, 1988. The British and Irish are in war and the British is occupying the the streets. They want Northern Ireland as part of the UK. The IRA isn't letting that happen – therefore the fight. Martin McGartland is a second-hand sales man, selling women's under garments, shoes, etc. He is politically in the mid stream, not caring much for either side. When the IRA breaks his friend's legs, he sides with the British police. He is recruited by Fergus (Ben Kingsley) a Special Branch officer to become a double agent. Both the IRA and the British Police, is positive about who he is... In modern day movies, one knows that a “informer” is someone that is basically already dead. He will be discovered, the story told is therefore, how he dies. So at this stage in the story one knows that McGartland is already dead, you actually know that from the opening scene. McGartland help saved the lives of at least 50 Men, that we know of. A very odd situation is that the IRA see no comparison between the assassinations and McGartland's share; I am sure, by now they have gotten better with it...

Towards the end of the movie there is a situation were his identity and who he works for, is revealed. By then, he is to far in to get out and he realizes that they basically own his life, however long that lasts. He will always be in hiding and he will always run.

The political situation of the time was quite tricky, the movie never really explains McGartland's view or standpoint. I am also not sure I understand the political situation correctly, cause it is explained quite vaguely. The only fact I do understand about this movie, quite clearly as well, is that McGartland did survive. His relationship with Fergus helps him in his position in the IRA and he climbs the ladder of trust and success. The two men become co-dependant on one another, and I sense that McGartland sees Fergus as a father figure. Through the telling, one realizes that Fergus gave up just as much to have this position in the British police, and I would like to call it a longing for a son. Towards the end, Fergus also puts his life on the line to safe McGartland. One, once again realizes, just how cold and hard these men are, when they have gotten what they wanted, they would easily dispose of someone like a garbage bag. The IRA still has him marked as dead and even with him saying the story was “inspired by” the book, would still not in any way help him. There was an attempt on his life 10 years after he fled in Canada and he is still out there – SOME WHERE... This is really Hollywood stuff, in my wildest dream, I never thought something like this is possible of happening in the world.

When one views this story from out side, the question remains: Where is morality in all this? How does one decide whom should live? We in South Africa, especially the younger generation have no idea of what really happens in a war, we don't know the capacity of a war in a country and the implication on a human life when one talks about war... That is why a story like this seems like some sort of fairy tale, I don't think my mind comprehends the capacity of a guy still in hiding in 2009 (not because he is a criminal but because he stood up for the truth)... Everything you are taught is shaken, the very people that are suppose to protect and serve their own, has marked this man as dead. The real question is where will all of this end? What does he still need to loose? How does one find a balance between heroism and moral capability?

He can literally be dead any second... What meaning would his life have had? He already lost it, then what did he gain? A struggle to stay alive very rarely equals the quality of all that is dear to living; I believe that the equity is vied.

There are scenes of implicated sex, brutal and unsettling violence and gruesome scenes of torture, gun violence and horrible fist fights. The violence is extremely realistic and awful to watch – just watching it, is torture. A lot of swearing goes on, you almost feel offended from time to time. The film is extremely intense, from the beginning to the very end. Parents be VERY strongly cautioned, I don't even recommend under 18's to watch this, I just don't think with the crime and violence in our own country that this is a up-lifting movie to see, especially with the president trying to minimize gun violence. This movie will definitely leave you wondering. For me to grasp a life lived like that, is just to unreal to be true. The acting was done brilliantly. The director, yes you better believe it, was done by none other than Kari Skogland! This woman is full of surprises! She had such a good balance in the movie, I am always scared when a woman directs a movie like this, scared of getting a version viewpoint that I am already familiar with, but she did a brilliant job! To everyone: Well done! For my personal taste, I would not buy the DVD – just because of all the gruesome scenes, violence and swearing. It is however, a wake-up call that these things are true and they do exist. As a woman, my heart naturally goes out to McGartland's mother and Lara, and I wonder what they must be feeling knowing that he is still alive and he chose not to put them through the ordeal of his choices. I wonder what they would want? What is your comments on the subject? I am giving it a very violent 6/10. See you at the movies!

MORGAN FREEMAN SHOWS SUPPORT TO DAY OF RECONCILIATION

Morgan Freeman shows support to local charities in light of South Africa’s national
DAY OF RECONCILIATION

Johannesburg, 11 December 2009:- In respect of South Africa’s heritage and in the spirit of promoting reconciliation and unity around the Day of Reconciliation, commemorated nationally on the 16th December, Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman and Producing partner from Revelations Entertainment, Lori McCreary have committed their support in a corporate charity drive to raise much needed funds for three charities of choice. The Soweto INVICTUS Outreach Programme will take place at the Ster-Kinekor Maponya Mall in Soweto on the celebrated day. At the event, Freeman will hand over all funds raised to The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Make a Difference Foundation, and the Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players’ Fund. Making an appearance at the Johannesburg premiere of Invictus, Winnie Madikizela Mandela and family have also pledged their support in favour of all Invictus charity-related activities.

Several communities in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, will be transported to Ster-Kinekor Maponya Mall, where they will be treated to a free screening of Invictus. Freeman is excited to address the guests, and hopes that this event will usher in a spirit of generosity and charity in the corporate environment. In the true spirit of ubuntu, Warner Bros. Pictures, Nu Metro Films along with MTN are honoured and excited to be at the forefront of this initiative, and MTN South Africa’s welcomed support in the local entertainment industry serves to confirm their commitment to our country, as a whole.

“With its involvement in the Invictus premiere and charity event, MTN South Africa is showing its commitment to not only the ideals underpinning the movie, but also to provide people from all walks of life with the opportunity to see this uplifting story,” says Veli Mabena, general manager for marketing and brand at MTN South Africa.

Established in 1999 in lieu of Nelson Mandela’s retirement, The Nelson Mandela Foundation, through the creation of strategic networks and partnerships proudly contributes to the making of a just society by promoting vision, values and convening dialogue around critical social issues that require much needed attention. The Make a Difference Foundation which was corely founded by ex Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, provides exceptional educational opportunities for deserving youngsters in South Africa, who might otherwise never have been given the opportunity to reach their full potential. In respect and homage to two young rugby players who died playing the game they loved, The Chris Burger/Petro Jackson Players’ Fund was formed in 1980. With the purpose of making rugby a safer sport, this fund to assist the unfortunate victims of catastrophic or serious rugby injuries and to develop and implement initiatives that aim to educate, inform and create awareness around rugby injuries.


Freeman and McCreary are in South Africa to support local premiere events for the motion picture release “Invictus,” starring Freeman as Nelson Mandela. Invictus releases nationwide on 11 December 2009, and will stay on in South Africa to support the above Invictus charity- related initiatives.
ENDS


For more information, please contact:

Elisha Bholanath
Nu Metro Entertainment
(011) 340 9426
Elishabh@numetro.co.za

Astro Boy

Jozua J. Jonker
Viewing: Nu Metro
Release Date: 4 December 2009

Directed By Dawid Bowers
Screenplay By Timothy Hyde Harris & Dawid Bowers

Cast:

Nicolas Cage (Dr. Tenma), Kristen Bell (Cora), Charlize Theron (Narrator), Bill Nighy (Dr. Elefun), Samuel L. Jackson (Zog) Freddie Highmore (Astro Boy), Donald Sutherland, (President Stone), Moises Arias (Zane), Nathan Lane (Ham Egg), (Eugene Levy Orrin) Ryan Stiles (Mr. Pistachio), Matt Lucas (Sparx), Madeline Carroll (Widget / Grace), Sterling Beaumon (Sludge)

Genre: Animation
Classification: 10MV
Running time: 93 Minutes

I was exited to see Astro Boy because since I discovered Magma and Anime a few years back I have become a huge fan. The Magma comic series "Tetsuwan Atomu" created by Osamu Tezuka in 1952 formed part of what dubbed him as the god of Manga. The creators of the 3d animation Maryann Garger (Producer), Dawid Bowers (Director), and Timothy Hyde Harris (Screenplay) did not stick to the original plot. This adaption might leave hardcore fans dissapointed, which seems to me was written mainly for westerners.

In a futuristic world where the earth is a rubble heap for discarded robots and humans live on a floating island, we find our hero as the flesh and blood son of Dr. Tenma (Nicolas Cage). Dr. Tenma is the head of the ministry of science and also responsible for the invention and technology behind robotics. Yes, in this world a humans every whim is served by friendly robots and if they no longer function as required they are plainly discarded. President Stone (Donald Sutherland) has asked the ministry of science to build a guardian robot to protect the floating utopia from immanent danger. During its test run Dr. Tenma is son killed when the red energy placed inside the guardian robot makes it goes besirk. At the lose of his, Dr. Tenma rebuilt his son as a robot boy with all his memories which he soon realizes cannot replace his son. Astro Boy is discarded with and finds himself amongst the surface folk.

This 3d-animation film is definitely friendly for children of all ages but aimed for the younger kids. The initial beginnings of a grim story is balanced by light moments and child like humor and innocence, creating a strong moral under current. The creators of this film steered away from clever anecdotes of adult humor and twists and plot turns that would help the kids keep up with their short attention spans today. Which is logical off course... The action sequences was done well and yet again a good balance between a lot and to little. The animation for me was great but not as good as its predecessor Kung-Fu panda. This said, one of the main characteristics in its visual style was efficiency, which carried over to the story, cutting it down to the bare essential but this I feel added to the energy with which the story was told.

Mom and dads will enjoy taking their kids to see this movie knowing that they too can experience some of the Japanese pop culture not worrying about what they are exposing their kids to. I also feel that the makers of this film set out to do what they intended. Don't leave it with me though, add your own comments and score.

It gets a successful 7 out of 10. See you at the movies.

2012

Jozua J. Jonker

Viewing: Sterkinekor
Release Date: 4 December 2009

Directed By Roland Emmerich
Screenplay By Roland Emmerich & Harald Kloser

Cast:
John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Oliver Platt,Thomas McCarthy
Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Liam James, Morgan Lily, Zlatko Buric, Beatrice Rosen, Alexandre Haussmann, Philippe Haussmann, Johann Urb

Genre: Action/Adventure, Drama
Classification: PG13
Running Time: 158 Minutes

Although this film for me was amazing in terms of no brainer entrainment value, it sparked something else in me that I liked about movies of this nature. Added with a pinch of salt, if you found your niche in film making like Roland Emmerich, and you do it extremely well there will be people that love it and people that don't. If you think you don't know his work, you will be surprised that you indeed watched some of his movies, Independence Day, Godzilla and The Day After Tomorrow. We find our hero Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) as a washed up writer who has only managed to write one book (“Farewell Atlantis”). His career which in terms of publications has not done so well. He is divorced from his wife Kate (Amanda Peet) and an estranged father to his kids. He is a limo driver to make ends meet and it seems like the adventurous life of successful novelist or at least the appearance their of still alludes him. What I like about epic disaster movies is it makes me think. It reminds of that saying, “Watch therefore, for you do not know in what kind of a day your Lord is coming.” It makes me ask questions like, “Am I or will I be ready for when it all goes up in flames”. It makes me do a little reassessment of, “Am I living my life to the full!” My film review peers may give me a hard time that I might be over dramatic in my approach to this particular film, which only leaves itself open for good critique based on its amazing special affects, but I will simply remind them that we have always had a fascination with the end of days. Maybe what we don't like is to be reminded that everybody knows it might and can very well happen. It leaves us to ponder about the value of the larger than life aspirations we have in our daily lives. Well if your are no philosopher you might just think this is one to many as far as disaster movies go ,get over it already!



Then, disaster strikes, literally! In this seemingly washed out timid man, Jackson Curtis, beats the heart of a hero. It makes me think why he did not take more risks in his life, why he did not stop and think about what is really important. It is a struggle that most of us associate with or not. Why? Because sitting in the comfort of everyday life we know that only seemingly impossible challenges grow and make us extra-ordinary. In our society, comfort is our main concern and becoming more than what we are is the road less travelled by to experience the true fullness of our potential. As our planet and cities literary fall apart around us, what is left? What do we take with us? We all want to be the hero without any effort on our part. The true antagonist in this story is not the natural disaster or the politicians (Oliver Platt) inside us who seek survival at any cost and the self serving merchants (Zlatko Buric) who in their riches create such a world of comfort bringing up the next generation to think everything comes easy. You can avert or solve any crisis by throwing enough money at it, even a seat on the newly created “Arks” that carry the monetary elite in the film to safety. I mean we can't save'em all.



Now in terms of disaster movies this is a not a unique concept. It all goes back to what killed the dinosaurs will eventually come for us as the premise of the movie is built on ancient predictions by the Mayans and several other cultures. What I did like was the subtle theme of the film. Our hero needs to journey these invisible human forces as well as what the earth throws at him. This adventure makes him realise what few want to realise even in this reality, “what is really important in life”. Will he make it? As the earth's paradigm shifts, so does his. What is also missing in most disaster movies is decent characters that Harold Kloser (Producer) & Emmerich (Director) formed so well. The visual affects where stunning, not an effortless feat but in true Hollywood style spectacular eye candy. Although it is the same story just with a different outfit, this type of film still mesmerizes me and the silver screen has not lost its magic. Don't leave it with me though, add your own comments and score...

It gets a life changing 7.5 out of 10. See you at the movies.