Movie Review: Three Thousand Years of Longing

 

Michael's Movie Grade: B

A delightful modern day fairy tale for grown-ups. 

Despite the fantasy-based storyline and all the extravagant visuals, the best scenes in this film revolve around two people talking. A reason for this is that the dialogue is simply fantastic. This movie takes this wonderful fantasy-based world and uses it for incredibly intelligent conversations about the world we live in. These conversations are very thought provoking and leave one with much to think about once they leave the theater. As well as giving us a look at the world we live in, this dialogue also gives us a great look into who these characters are, making them much more than the simple two-dimensional stereotypes they could easily have been. These scenes are also boosted by how simply wonderful Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba are in their roles. These are two great actors seen here at the top of their game. As well as giving wonderful performances the two also have amazing chemistry with each other. None of this is to say that the more fantastically elements don't work here. This movie creates a fantasy world that is tied enough into our own world and various mythologies and histories that it feels completely possible to us that this reality could exist. To have a film that makes a story about a genie granting wishes feel this believable is certainly a wonderful feat. The film also looks great. It is no secret that director Geroge Miller (the Mad Max films) knows how to make wonderful looking movies and he certainly does here.

This movie does have its faults though. Much of the story involves the genie telling our heroine about his former masters and what happened when they found him. Some of these are really interesting (the woman who he gives great knowledge to) and some are not that great (the one with the two brothers). However, since there are quite a few of these stories, it begins to get a little tiresome at times, and can make the movie feel longer than it actually is.

While this film has its faults what works about it is truly excellent.   

Movie Review: Wendy

Michael's Movie Grade: A-

An original and engrossing take on the Peter Pan legend.

I may be in the minority as most critics and audiences seem to be underwhelmed by this movie, but I loved Wendy. I was completely engrossed in the dark and mysterious fantasy world it presented, so different from any other film version of Peter Pan. This movies not only doesn't shy away from the dark side of the classic legend, but delves into it. The thought of not growing up is lovely and many of us wish the magic of childhood could last forever. Yet this idea sounds better than the harsh reality it would present. To suppress healthy feelings in favor of more simplistic ones. We can't live our lives denying and suppressing every dark thought we have or we can not be fully human. This film's version of Peter can almost seem delusional in his refusal to grow up and this leads to some of the movie's darkest and most powerful moments. Yet in his outward adventurousness there is an appeal to the inward child to all of us. Wendy speaks of a voice that says "sneak away." In Peter we see a clear call to adventure. Yet this movie has more depth than to simply tell us we have to grow up. Much of this movie reminded me of the final words of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, "Lastly, she pictured to herself how this same little sister of hers would, in the after-time, be herself a grown woman; and how she would keep, through all her riper years, the simple and loving heart of her childhood: and how she would gather about her other little children, and make their eyes bright and eager with many a strange tale, perhaps even with the dream of Wonderland of long ago: and how she would feel with all their simple sorrows, and find a pleasure in all their simple joys, remembering her own child-life, and the happy summer days." This is also the same message this film tries to send that we can grow up but not completely let go of the magic and joy of childhood. As a kid at heart this is a message I try to live every day, in that I try to balance being a responsible adult, with childlike joy and excitement. This is shown perfectly in the movie's fantastic balance between dark realism and pure childlike fantasy. 

One thing that all those who disagree with me about this movie still liked was how visually beautiful it was. This movie is a joy to look at from beginning to end. Also making this film work so well is Devin France's wonderful performance as the title character. She plays this role to perfection capturing both all the little subtle nuances as the character and the more broad childlike joy.

I would say that this is a must see movie, but few seem to agree with me on that. So I guess all I can say is that I absolutely loved this film, because it moved something deep down inside of me.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Movie Review: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Michael's Movie Grade: C+

Well below a Disney classic, but a fun movie nonetheless.

What makes this movie work is that it has a great sense of atmosphere. This is a fantastic fantasy land, that feels very real. This movie does what fantasy movies are supposed to do, make you feel like you were transported somewhere else. The amount of imagination and work that went into this world is very impressive and effective. This kind of fantasy is especially highlighted in a creative and very well done action packed climax. Not only does this climax feature lots of great action, but it is perfectly blended into this fantasy world, making it much more effective. Not hurting at all is that Maleficent and Aroura are likable characters. There is little depth or complexity to them, but they are likable enough for us to enjoy watching them and care about their safety.

The plot of this movie isn't really a bad one, but it is one we have seen a million times before. It is hard for any seasoned movie goer not to know what is going to happen next at each moment. While most of the time this works reasonably well, there are times when it feels to be going through the motions and only doing what we except it to do. The villain is rather bland and cliché. However I will say I like that the movie doesn't try to make it a secret she is the villain. She is too obviously the villain for that to have worked. Since trying to keep the villain a surprise seems to be popular at Disney these days I was glad they overlooked that cliché. While the CGI is mostly quite good, the designs of the fairies is really ugly and unpleasant to look at.

While this is far from top notch Disney, it is still an enjoyable film and sometimes that is enough.

-Michael J. Ruhland    

Movie Review: Abominable

Michael's Movie Grade: B+

A lovely sweet film that overcomes its clichés with pure and utter sincerity.

This movie was a project of passion. Writer and director Jill Culton came up for the idea for this movie seven years ago while working at DreamWorks Animation. She did some work on it, but then left the studio. However one of the heads at DreamWorks saw some of her work and called her back to make the film. She then spent a year and half making this movie. During that time Jill didn't lose her passion for the project.

This passion and work can certainly be felt in this movie. The storyline may contain many clichés we have seen before, but few of them feel forced. Our main character Yi, is extremely likable and relatable. Her emotional arc feels very real and it is hard not to feel for this character. Her talking about her dad bring some surprisingly very emotional and well written lines. They bring a surprisingly very intelligent look into the different effects loss can have on different people. While some may cry, others may just isolate themselves from everyone and everything. This is what Yi does as she spends no time at home with her family and avoiding her friends. Instead she is doing small jobs. Her emotions become numb as all that becomes important are tasks that will never fill the hole inside her. This reality keeps this fantasy movie grounded and completely believable to us. We believe her, so we have no problem believing the fantasy. The film is also visually gorgeous. Some moments of this movie are completely breathtaking. You really begin to feel like you visited these places and went on the adventure with them (which is exactly what I want from an adventure film). Since Everest cannot speak words, character animation is very important. Luckily this was done extremely well. Everest feels as fully formed as a character as Yi. While some humor falls flat much of it is actually quite good. I wouldn't call this a hilarious movie, but the jokes made me smile and sometimes laugh.

However as much as this movie made its clichés work, there was one cliché that felt forced as all get out. This is the villains. These are bland stereotypical movie villains we have seen a million times before and there is nothing about them to cause any interest. Also much of the modern day references about selfies and social media felt unnecessary and will date this movie that should feel timeless.

All in all this is an excellent film and a definite recommendation from me.

-Michael J. Ruhland

Michael's Christmas Movie Guide: Millions (2005)

Millions is a truly fascinating and unique movie, that is much different from most anything we see in mainstream cinema. It blends fantasy with a realistic setting very effectively and has us accept both with great ease. The movie has a beauty and charm all of its own. The characters feel completely real, the story is moving, the fantasy is absorbing and most of all the movie is beyond charming. 

Seven year old Damien (Alex Etel) is playing one day when he finds a bag of millions of pounds. Only he and his older brother Anthony (Lewis McGibbon) know about this. Anthony wants to spend the money on frivolous things, while Damien (who has visions of various saints throughout the movie) wants to give the money to the poor. Things get more complicated when the boys learn that the money was stolen.

One thing that helps make this movie as involving as it is the relationship between the brothers. They have little to nothing in common and do not understand each other in the slightest. However they do care about each other and constantly look out for the other. There is a both a warmth and an awkwardness between them that feels completely real and relatable. There is an awkward but funny scene where the two are looking at women’s breasts on the computer. The director wondered whether to explain this scene to the kids but decided not to because the comedy came from the fact that they didn’t fully know what they were talking about. In the DVD commentary it is stated that the kids found it funny how much the behind the scenes crew were looking at the computer. This scene also shows the relationship between the two brothers very well. Damien is completely confused by this, but Anthony is enjoying it. Anthony tries to be helpful by explaining it to Damien and sharing his joy with his younger brother, but Damien still remains confused.

The visual look of this movie is perfect. The film has a beautiful look that perfectly blends the fantasy and reality. Though the movie takes place at Christmastime, it was shot during the summer to give the film a sunnier look. This sunny look worked perfectly as it added a bit more of a warm and nostalgic feeling of childhood. This nostalgic feeling makes the fantasy fit better and become more acceptable. To heighten the fantasy of the film, this movie features some great uses of stop motion.

This movie has a fantastic soundtrack. It contains some rock and pop songs in the background.  There are songs by such artists as Muse, El Bosco, Feeder, Vangelis, S.-Express and The Clash (this is director Danny Boyle’s favorite band and in the DVD commentary he states that he was happy to finally get a Clash song in one of his movies). They feel completely natural and just add to the fun of the movie, because they fit perfectly with what we see on screen. As this film takes place at Christmastime there are also some traditional Christmas carols heard in this film as well. These songs also bring you further into the movie by creating a great sense of atmosphere.  

-Michael J. Ruhland