Movie Review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2

 

Review written by Michael J. Ruhland



















Michael's Movie Grade: B+


Review: A very fun movie that is highly recommended.

This movie successeds on many levels. The characters are very likable and relatable. By the end of the film we feel that we completely know the main characters. Unlike a lot of these type of movies it does not confuse backstory with personality and understands that a good backstory can never be a replacement for likability. Though there is a lot of backstory here, the main focus is these characters and simply what made people like them so much in the first film (or comics for that matter). The backstory however is quite interesting and really complements the character. As well as this even though they are often comic relief, Rocket and Baby Groot are just as likable and real as any of the other characters, and who can't like Baby Groot. The humor in this film is fantastic. There are very few jokes that miss, and some jokes are flat out fantastic (Baby Groot and that toe especially). The music once again complements the action perfect and makes the scenes more exciting, funny, emotional and of course the songs fit Star Lord's character perfectly.

On the downside, the story while good has been done before and it is not hard to guess the movie's twist. This film is very similar to many other superhero movies, story wise. Gomorra's side story with her sister, honestly could have just been dropped. It isn't bad at all, but it is very rushed and doesn't add much to the film. Maybe it could have been better if it was either the focus of the movie or just given more time, but as it is it is kind of the weakest part of the movie. Despite all this the movie is more than fun enough to make up for these faults and still comes out as an excellent movie.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

I am Groot.

Movie Review: Born in China

 

Review by Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

Review: Excellent film, is a pure delight especially on the big screen.

The nature photography in this film is absolutely incredible. Like Disney does so often in these films, I haven't the slightest idea how they got the shot, but I am too busy being amazed that I don't think about that until after the film. This is a movie that will definitely be better if you see it in a theater (though most movies are better in the theater (except obviously those made for TV)). From the first shot you feel as if you have been transported to China.

However this film does have a fairly big downside and that is John Krasinski's narration. While it isn't all bad it certain does get in the way. The attempts at humor through this narration (especially when he voices an animal character) fall really flat. There is also a really inappropriate use of the song, Burn This City, but that is so brief it will not affect your enjoyment of the film. Still these faults are completely overcome by the sheer beauty of the nature photography, which is so breathtaking, you can overlook these faults no problem.

By the way do not go away when the end credits start. There is plenty of great footage of the crew interacting with the animals. This is delightful, fun and would be worth the price of admission easily, even if the rest of the film didn't exist.

This film may have its faults, but if you are a nature lover like me, it is a must see, simply to see the beautiful nature photography.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Silent Film of the Month: Moran of the Lady Letty (1922)

Run Time: 71 minutes. Studio: Famous Players-Laskey Corporation. Director: George Melford. Writer: Monte M. Katterjohn. Based on a book by Frank Norris Producer: George Melford. Main Cast: Rudolph Valentino, Dorothy Dalton, Charles Brinley, Walter Long. Cinematographer: William Marshall.

A year earlier in 1921 (also the year of his breakthrough appearance in Rex Ingram's The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse), Rudolph Valentino had one of the biggest success of his career with The Sheik. This movie proved very popular especially with women. This was hugely due to his Latin lover persona. However the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation (later Paramount Pictures) noticed this image did not have the same effect on most male movie goers. Instead men seemed to find this image a bit off putting. Because of this the studio decided to put him in a role that would appeal more to men in the audience. So Valentino was put into my silent film of the month, Moran of the Lady Letty, which was a much more adventure based film in order to get him a male audience as well. George Melford who had directed Valentino in The Sheik would also direct him here. George Melford might be a name that clasic horror movie buffs will recognize as he directed the famous Spanish language version of 1931's Dracula.

Melford had stated in interviews hinted that this movie would show Valentino in a very athletic and almost Douglas Fairbanksian light as he stated "find out what a husky, red-blooded chap he is." Melford also stated that "climbed to the very tip of the mast -- just for exercise. The hard-boiled crew of the ship gasped!" However it is impossible to say if that was actually true. One change was made however to make the role fit more into Valentino's Latin lover image. This was that writer Monte Katterjohn (who also worked on The Sheik) changed the main characters name from Russ Wilbur (the name in the book) to Ramon Laredo. An intertitle early in the film states "rich man's son spends the dash and fire inherited from his Spanish ancestors in leading cotillions."

As the story begins Moran (played by Dorothy Dalton) is happy living with her sea going father and she is love with the sea. Ramon (played by Rudolph Valentino) is however unhappy. He is rich, but his life is sheltered and he craves adventure. However all this changes when Ramon is shanghaied. The ship he is now aboard is ruled by a mean and hate filled captain (played by Walter Long (my fellow Laurel and Hardy fans will easily recognize him)). They run across a burning ship in trouble. The crew mostly just steals goods for them selves. However Ramon saves one of the sailors aboard that ship, more specifically Moran. Raman falls in love with Moran, but the lustful captain has his eyes on her, and Ramon must protect his new "mate".

This is an excellent film. The adventure filled climax is exciting to watch, and easily just as (and in many cases more) compelling than today's special effects filled action scenes. The chemistry between the two leads is fantastic and you really believe that these two grow to care for each other, even with their different backgrounds. The technical film making is also very well done. This film uses color tinting a lot, and extremely well. Color tinting is when the whole screen is tinted a certain color and it was used often in the silent era. While on the boat (except in the cabins) the screen is tinted blue, but the high society functions are tinted brown. This creates a great contrast and makes many of the more adventure filled scenes seem bigger and more exciting. Also the cutting between (slight spoilers ahead) Moran on the boat and Ramon at a fancy party towards the end is extremely effective as it lets us know that they are on each other's minds. The tinting also comes in handy here as it makes us see why the party is less appealing to Ramon. Also with dropping the Latin lover image I think this film is more accessible and enjoyable to many modern day audiences and all those who just don't like his Latin lover image, than most of Valentino's work is.

Despite his excellence in the lead role Valentino did not care for his role in this movie. He preferred playing more exotic types and felt a film like this hurt his Latin lover image. Because of this his later this same year he would play those type of characters again in Blood and Sand and The Young Rajah.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Resources Used
http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/497111/Moran-of-the-Lady-Letty/articles.html