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Friday, April 22, 2016

The Jungle Book (2016 film) - Movie Review

By Disney [CC BY-SA 4.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons

The newly released movie, The Jungle Book, is the best new movie of 2016!

The combination of a fabulous book, excellent actors, and spectacular animation techniques makes The Jungle Book one of the best movies ever released.

I sat in amazement as I watched the new movie version of The Jungle Book unfold on the big theater screen. The characters were so realistic it was seriously hard to believe that they were not real live animals.

I have read the book by Rudyard Kipling several times, I've seen the original Disney The Jungle Book many times, but the new Jungle Book movie starring Bill Murray as Baloo literally breathed new life into the old beloved story.

Bill Murray as Baloo

By Paul Sherwood from Welland & Toronto, Canada
(Bill Murray Uploaded by Diaa_abdelmoneim)
[CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)],
via Wikimedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, Baloo has been one of my all time favorite animal characters. His cheerful personality in the original Disney movie always made me want to dance and sing right along with him.

I didn't initially want to see the new Jungle Book movie because I didn't want my mental image of the beloved bear to be ruined. Once I found out Bill Murray was Baloo, I decided it might be okay. It was better than okay!

Bill Murray is Baloo! There could be no better choice to play that part. Since Bill Murray has always been part comedian and part serious actor, he was perfect for the part!!! Baloo the Bear is fun-loving, easy going and yet very powerful in the jungle. All of those descriptions apply as well to Bill Murray.

Oh, and yes! He does sing "The Bare Necessities" with Mowgli. They were so precious together.

Christoper Walken as King Louie

John Harrison [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)
or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)],
via Wikimedia Commons

King Louie was always my least favorite character in The Jungle Book. Much to my surprise, that is no longer true. This is The Jungle Book character that has forever changed for me, and it is a great change.

Christoper Walken, as King Louie, was magnificent! The man actually made me like the orangutan. So much of Christoper Walken's personality showed though that the orangutan made me laugh.

The really crazy thing, there was a part of me that wanted Mowgli to give this King Louie the desired red flower (fire).

Exceptional Animation in Jungle Book 2016

I've seen a lot of animated movies in my lifetime, but the new Jungle Book animation is truly beyond spectacular. You can see the real human actors in the facial features of the animals. Their voices were not simply dubbed in. When I looked at the face of Baloo, I could see Bill Murray's expressions. The same thing was true for King Louie. Those eyes are so very recognizable especially when the voice matches.

Each of the animals were exceptional! I dearly loved Mowgli's wolf mother, Raksha in the new movie. She is gorgeous, expressive and very believable. Prior to seeing this new adaptation of The Jungle Book, I would not have even remembered her name. Now, her image and her protective strength will come to mind when I define motherhood.

It is truly hard to believe that this movie, this story that I was previously so familiar with, had such a powerful impact of me. I largely attribute that affect to the realistic animals and their interaction with what appears to be a real human boy.

The Art of The Jungle Book

You can see for yourself in the photos above how very realistic the animals look and how beautiful they each are. The little wolf cub sitting next to Mowgli is his little wolf brother, Grey. The stunning beauty in the lower right photo is Mowgli's wolf mother, Raksha.

The Two Big Cats in the The Jungle Book

Shere Khan, the tiger, is so gorgeous that at first he is really hard to dislike. Just in case you are not familiar with the story, Shere Khan desires to take revenge on Mowgli for the injuries he suffered when he killed Mowgli's human father. His hatred of the man-cub is palpable and sadly diminishes his outward beauty.

I saved one of the best til last. As the story goes, after Shere Khan kills Mowgli's father, Bagheera finds him and gives him to the wolves to raise because of their strong, protective family pack. Bagheera, who is so profoundly well played by Ben Kingsley, is beautiful inside and out. I have always thought black panthers were pretty, but Bagheera's beauty goes beyond the fur. He is wise, protective, intelligent, loyal and above all else, good.

More Notable Actors in The Jungle Book 2016

Simply stated, all of the actors are exceptional and deserve a standing ovation for their performance.

Here are a list of the main actors in Jungle Book (2016)

Neel Sethi - Mowgli
Bill Murray - Baloo the Bear
Ben Kingsley - Bagheera the Panther
Idris Elba - Shere Khan the Bengal Tiger
Lupita Nyong'o - Raksha, Mowgli's Wolf Mother
Christopher Walken - King Louie the Orangatan
Scarlett Johansson - Kaa the Snake
Giancarlo Esposito - Akela the Wolf Pack Leader

All of these actors, and more, worked together to make The Jungle Book film of 2016 the best movie of the decade! You will not want to miss it. While quite suitable for kids, this movie is not just for children.

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Friday, January 8, 2016

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review

Expect the Unexpected!

We recently went to see "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and I was actually very surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie. You see, I am a huge Star Wars fan. The very first "Star Wars" movie came out when I was a teenager so you could say that I have grown up with "Star Wars". Almost 40 years of Star Wars influence and I was not ready to let go of the original characters and embrace a new generation.

Daily, I am surrounded by Star Wars characters. Yoda sits at my kitchen sink overseeing all my activities. Darth Vader hovers by my the coffee pot and frequently speaks to me. Well when I push his little button, he speaks to me. I also own a Ewok plush. And to this day, Jabba the Hut totally grosses me out. Oh, yes! I even have Star Wars Christmas decorations. Wanna see Yoda in a Santa suit? Just come to my home next Christmas.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - My Biggest Surprise

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Deluxe Figure Play SetBased on the trailers I had seen, It appeared that the new Disney made Star Wars movie was moving beyond my favorite things and characters. I didn't think I could stand watching that happen. When my son wanted me to go see the movie with him, I decided spending time with him was more important than hanging on to the past. However, I was in for a huge surprise!

Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) were back and even Peter Mayhew returned to play everyone's favorite Wookiee, Chewbacca. I do want to make one note here. There were actually two actors who played the part of Chewbacca in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". Joonas Suotamo stepped in to cover the action scenes for Peter Mayhew.

In addition to these fabulous actors who made the characters come to life in the original "Star Wars" movie nearly 40 years ago, "The Force Awakens" also included C-3PO and R2-D2.

Plus, the Millennium Falcon is back!

I missed Yoda, but otherwise it seemed like a wonderful reunion until the unthinkable happened.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Plus Bonus Features)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review for Original Star Wars Fans

If you are an old Star Wars fan, by now you already know that this movie takes place decades after the original confrontation with Darth Vader, but there is a new Dark Side, just as there is a new generation that is strong with the "Force" fighting for the Republic.

Sadly, just as Darth Vader was Leia and Luke's father, Kylo Ren is Leia and Han's son, Ben. It seems to be a family trait to betray the Republic and move to the dark side.

We were never meant to like Darth Vader, and we most certainly do not like Kylo Ren. The atrocity he commits to "prove" himself will forever define him as the greatest villain in the "Star Wars" series of movies.

If you are a huge original "Star Wars" fan, prepare yourself! Things will never be the same again.

This Reviewers Opinion of Star Wars: The Force Awakens Movie Review

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual DictionaryMuch to my surprise, I really liked the way they tied the old with the new. There does come a time in life to pass the gauntlet to the young. To let them have their own generation of heroes and villains. I have no doubt there are more revelations and surprises for the "Star Wars" future films.

I also really liked the new characters. I look forward to seeing Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron take on this new generation of the dark side. Plus, it appears as if we will be seeing a lot more of Luke Skywalker as he assumes the tasks of Jeti mentor and instructor. I anticipate really liking the mature Mark Hamill, perhaps even more than I did when he was oh, so very young.

I assure you, I will cheer wildly when they finally take down Kylo Ren. I await the day when his empty helmet sits next to the disfigured Darth Vader headpiece in a lineup that demonstrates that good will conquer evil even if evil rules for a day.

May The Force Be With You!

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Friday, October 30, 2015

Crimson Peak Movie Review

Crimson Peak is the perfect mystery movie for Halloween! Of course, it would be a great horror flick anytime of the year, but the release of this movie was perfectly timed for Halloween in 2015.

This movie actually has a lot to recommend it and I was not disappointed. Crimson Peak is not just a scary horror movie, even though the ghosts are the scariest I have ever seen, bar none. The movie has a fantastic mystery plot. At one point, you may think you have it figured out, only to be stunned by the truth when it is revealed.

Tom Hiddleston is also a huge draw for this movie. He has that perfect "innocent", disarming and enchanting personality with just enough edge to be fascinating and mesmerizing. Just like his performance as Loki in the movie Thor, as Sir Thomas Sharpe in Crimson Peak, the audience embraces him. We want to trust him!

The two beauties in his life are equally beguiling. His sister, Lady Lucille Sharpe (Jessica Chastain), is the embodiment of old world grace and style on the surface with just enough arrogance and talent to broadcast her existence of entitlement.

Even though she is from an equally wealthy background, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is like an open book. Her childlike charm and exuberance announce her naiveté. It is obvious that her father has protected and cherished his only daughter.

Synopsis & Review of the Crimson Peak Movie Plot

Written by Cynthia Sylvestermouse

Crimson Peak Tom Hiddleston as Sir Thomas Sharpe Poster Promo 8 x 10 Inch PhotoThe movie starts at a very difficult time in young Edith's life when her mother has just died of black fever. We are told how she never got to even say goodbye to her mother. It isn't long before Edith is visited by the ghost of her mother with a warning to "beware of Crimson Peak." Years pass, and unfortunately, it isn't until after Edith is married that she even identifies the location of Crimson Peak.

Sir Thomas Sharpe breezes into Edith's life and doesn't hesitate to show his interest in the pretty young woman. He pursues her and singles her out publicly as his choice of dance partner. Although Edith has a long established affection and friendship with Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam), she is still totally and completely captivated by Sir Thomas's attention.

After the unexpected death of her father, Sir Thomas Sharpe swoops in as a buffer to Edith's indescribable pain over the death of her remaining parent. She marries him without hesitation and moves to his family mansion in England which she soon learns is also known as Crimson Peak.

At Crimson Peak, Edith is haunted by even more ghosts who are trying to communicate with her. When she suspects she is being poisoned, she starts to summon the ghosts and to listen to her eerie messengers.

Recommendation of Crimson Peak

First, let me start here by telling you that Crimson Peak is rated "R" for a reason. Not only is it violent and scary, it also has crude language and adult content. In all honestly, there were a few times when I had to hide my own eyes. I knew I didn't want those images replaying in my head for years to come.

As a whole, and largely because of the mystery plot, I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who has the stomach for it and an interest in horror flicks.

Ironically, considering the mystery plot, the ghosts and grotesque scenes seem to "fit" this movie. They are not contrived to booster the rating to R. It is truly a well earned "R" rating, but do be warned, it is not for the faint of heart.

It is truly the perfect Halloween movie!