Dec 13 2013

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Continuing the journey to Lonely Mountain, a band of dwarves and one hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), will need to trek through Mirkwood Forest without the aid of Gandalf the grey (Ian McKellen). Hunted by Orc and the powers of a Necromancer growing in strength, leader Thorin (Richard Armitage) will have to keep the company nimble and alert. Although, an alliance appears to be forming, help from Elves, Tauriel and Legolas (Evangeline Lilly and Orlando Bloom) as well as the human, Bard (Luke Evans), may be just the shot the group needs to keep moving forward. But will it be enough help to keep the dragon, Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch), in check?Hobbitsmaug Moving at a considerably swifter pace than it’s predecessor, this second part of Tolkien’s Hobbit is still a lengthy exercise in CGI and cinematics, but seems to accomplish more with less. Albeit, the film is relatively strapped into being one big chase sequence after another with the only really strong plot advancement happening in the last 1/3 or so. Still, from an enjoyment factor we’re certainly given a lot of ring pulp to chew and swallow, and you know what, that’s just fine. There isn’t a whole lot that Director Peter Jackson is going to be able to add to middle earth that’s ground breaking and revolutionary, and at this point who cares, more so, let’s wrap this trilogy up…yeah that’s right, we’ve got one more film to go, one ponders how the final act is going to play out at feature length. At the very least it’ll be visually interesting, something that can also be said for The Desolation of Smaug. Big money big money big money! The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is rated PG-13.


Dec 13 2013

Saving Mr. Banks

For 20 years Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) was on the hunt to make a film of the popular children’s novel Mary Poppins; the major roadblock, the author of the story, one Ms. P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson). Only when she hit rock bottom did Travers consent to have the film made, but retained full creative control on the project– a challenge of the utmost for the creative team Don DaGradi (Bradley Whitford), and Robert and Richard Sherman (B.J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman). Holding her characters almost too close to her heart, Saving Mr. Banks embodies the journey a hardened Ms. Travers emotionally and psychologically in effort to see the good that could possibly come from her story and the mildly flawed but human Mr. Disney who helped to thaw her frostbite. mrbanks So yeah, this is a Disney film about a Disney film, but not only that, it’s a hard hitting Disney film with adult themes and concepts providing context to what would otherwise be seen as a light family favorite. Impeccable acting chops from all including parts from Colin Farrell and Paul Giamatti, a painful but heartwarming screenplay, great music, from arrangements to score, this almost seems like the unexpected heavy hitter for the holidays. See this film, and while you’re there be sure to sit through the credits for extra historical gems. Saving Mr. Banks is rated PG-13.