Nov 12 2010

Cool It

Quite possibly the most important documentary you’ll see this year, Bjorn Lomborg, author of the book The Skeptical Environmentalist is out to challenge what we’ve been fed to believe about global warming and what’s being done to save the planet. In short, there’s no question that the planet is warming up; but, in easily understood science Lomborg breaks down the math to show the annual $250 billion being spent to solve the problem is in fact being misspent and our priorities are perhaps totally backwards.What’s more, where Al Gore’s familiar Inconvenient Truth leaves the viewer with a wake-up call but without an effective solution, Lomborg goes through the effort to detail a handful of easily solutions that are totally feasible. A must see. Cool It is rated PG.


Nov 12 2010

Morning Glory

Becky (Rachel McAdams), is an aspiring workaholic and executive producer for morning television who’s just been given her chance to work at the network level, the rub, she’s been hired to turn around a sinking ship of a show; a show with dysfunctional and arrogant anchors (Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton) but a crew with hearts of gold. Now with just weeks before being cancelled Becky will have to work harder than ever before to raise the ratings and  save the show, but is it already too late, and how will she ever get her on-air talent to get along? Again, a skeptical reviewer to start with I wasn’t expecting much out of this one but instead was pleasantly surprised with the end result. For a comedic/romantic/dramatic-ish type the film may be a bit difficult to categorize, and, despite it’s rather predictable outcome, the heart of the film is still solid. Acting all round from the ensemble gels, and, from a production level the film comes together nicely. It’s light, it’s airy, it’s a matinee, Morning Glory is rated PG-13.


Nov 12 2010

Unstoppable

Freight Train 777 is a half-mile long iron horse beast, which on it’s own might not be that interesting. Except, on this particular day, 777 is carrying enough toxic chemicals to destroy a small town; more interesting but not uncommon– what’s notable about today is the fact that 777 is careening down the tracks, unmanned, and gaining speed. Now in the face of what seems to be an impossible task, an engineer and conductor (Denzel Washington and Chris Pine) onboard a train bound in the opposite direction are about to make an attempt to stop 777 before it’s pending doom, but are they too late? Based loosely on true events, I’ll admit I was skeptical that I’d actually find myself held by the story or impressed with the film overall, yet, I’m pleased to say I was entertained. Writer Mark Bomback and Director Tony Scott have done a nice job creating a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, at times holding your breath, and spellbound without overstaying their welcome. Edgier editing and camera work feels a little rock and roll and some of the subplots did little to impress me but this all goes by the wayside and shouldn’t be a deal breaker. Fun as a matinee for audiences looking for an adrenaline rush. Unstoppable is rated PG-13.