Viewer,
Imagine if you will a man who was willing to forgo most common comforts for the sake of improving the planet. How would he do it? Go on a pilgrimage maybe, search for answers on the top of a mountain?
No, he does it by cutting off his electricity in lower Manhattan.
That's the story of No Impact Man. A documentary filmed in 2009 and available on Netflix.
Colin Beavan was a writer of non-fiction and Internet blogger when the idea hit him to decrease his environmental impact to zero.
Not lower it, like a credit score. Not like cholesterol, no, he wants to make no impact on a struggling eco-system. Pun intended.
To his credit he does it incrementally, first changing the way he eats, and buys food. It is a gradual growth he undertakes to change his life.
Problem is, he's married to a pop-culture/coffee junkie and has a young baby while living in one of the most populated and cosmopolitan centers on Earth.
The story of Beavan and his family is an engaging one, with small lessons about how to be better for our environment sprinkled throughout.
While it is important for the question "how much consumption is too much consumption?" to be raised. It also, without trying, makes you wonder who else could do this but someone with enough money to shop at a farmer's market, or go to upstate New York and go directly to a farm to get real milk.
And should someone undertake that kind of transformation when they have a baby on board?
It's definitely a conversation starter, the kind of movie that starts good debates and some self exploration. It's also the kind of movie that makes you feel bad for the bottle of water you're drinking.
-Paul
P.S. This movie is a Popcorn Combo. Give it a look.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Ahvahtahr Ahng, we need you!
Viewer,
You don't have to go far to read a poor review of The Last Airbender.
As the first live-action adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, many people had high hopes for this film. However, it seems that fans and critics alike have slammed the movie for poor casting, poor acting, rushed plot and blatant racism.
Die-hard fans of the series are furious at the absence of key characters and background story. M. Night's groupies are sure the fault lies anywhere but on an egotistical director/writer.
Reviewing the movie as it stands....most of the complaints are still valid. (To save time, I'm just going to discuss the script.)
This movie has a lot to convey. In 103 minutes, we're covering the entire first season. At 20 minutes a show, and 20 episodes total, that's 400 minutes of plot. Even if you cut out time for filler and non-essential asides you still have several hours of information. The script of this movie simply does not do justice to the amount of source material.
The areas of plot which require the most explanation are eerily silent. Explanations of interesting concepts are cut short, as if the movie were trying to reach an even younger demographic than the original Nick crowd.
The dialogue is stilted and unbelievable. The characters speak as if they didn't live in their world. ("Yes we have a very spiritual place", "we could be friends you know", "may I introduce you to the mysterious ocean and moon spirits?")
The conversations between characters do little to convey a sense of the social hierarchy or cultural traditions that brought the show to life. Adults speak to children as if they were on equal ground. The lord of the fire nation speaks to his generals casually during times of war and turmoil. Honestly, what boss spends that much time listening to an employee complain before thinking "I hired you to take care of stuff....why can't you do it?" Not mine!
As a movie on its own, The Last Airbender it's AWFUL....as a live-action representation of an animated show it's worse than my humble vocabulary can hope to express.
M. Night must be the Ahvahtahr himself. I certainly feel subdued by all the elements....
-Sylvia
P.S. This movie is a stick of gum. SKIP IT. Or get it on DVD and stage your own Mystery Science Theater special from the couch.
In case you still aren't sure whether you should watch this movie, I listed a few other complaints....
1. There is no main character. You don't care about anyone because you don't know who they are or where they are coming from. There is no emotional connection.
2. There's no comic relief. (Unless you count the people coming out of the ground with drill bits on their heads...it was funny that we were supposed to take that seriously.)
3. The race criticisms are legit. Eastern-looking characters are evil. The good guys are Caucasian. M. Night's explanation doesn't show a relation to the show or social commentary. The original show was pretty clear about the physical attributes of each nation. They were all identifiable races.
4. None of the kids act like kids. Aang doesn't act like Aang did in the first season.
5. Zuko has no noticeable scar tissue. A little odd for a character whose scar tissue is one of his defining physical and psychological traits.
6. The characters lack interest in their own story. How about the scene where we all stand still and watch someone kill the spirit of the moon? Why didn't anyone do anything?
7. "He's making fire out of nothing!?" Why would other firebenders fail to understand the concept of personal body heat in its relation to fire? It is clearly stated in the show that this is a fundamental lesson in the world of firebending.
8. "Show them the power of one"? Why would the Avatar guide be on a power trip? Sounds a little unbalanced...
9. The monks NEVER tell him he can't have a FAMILY in the show. Why would this be added to the script? At best it sounds like a misinterpretation of the GURU episode. At worst it is a harmful revision that will alter the entire process of becoming the Avatar.
10. Most of the movie reflected the activity of the first and last two episodes. But the content of these scenes is lost in the movie representation. The humor and confusion of Aang's awakening and the fear and anger of that final battle in the North is nowhere to be found.....
Come on...Why not save yourself the trouble and watch the real AVATAR at work. Check YouTube.com or Nickelodeon.com for some great clips and episodes. Or buy it today on Amazon.com.
You don't have to go far to read a poor review of The Last Airbender.
As the first live-action adaptation of the popular Nickelodeon series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, many people had high hopes for this film. However, it seems that fans and critics alike have slammed the movie for poor casting, poor acting, rushed plot and blatant racism.
Die-hard fans of the series are furious at the absence of key characters and background story. M. Night's groupies are sure the fault lies anywhere but on an egotistical director/writer.
Reviewing the movie as it stands....most of the complaints are still valid. (To save time, I'm just going to discuss the script.)
This movie has a lot to convey. In 103 minutes, we're covering the entire first season. At 20 minutes a show, and 20 episodes total, that's 400 minutes of plot. Even if you cut out time for filler and non-essential asides you still have several hours of information. The script of this movie simply does not do justice to the amount of source material.
The areas of plot which require the most explanation are eerily silent. Explanations of interesting concepts are cut short, as if the movie were trying to reach an even younger demographic than the original Nick crowd.
The dialogue is stilted and unbelievable. The characters speak as if they didn't live in their world. ("Yes we have a very spiritual place", "we could be friends you know", "may I introduce you to the mysterious ocean and moon spirits?")
The conversations between characters do little to convey a sense of the social hierarchy or cultural traditions that brought the show to life. Adults speak to children as if they were on equal ground. The lord of the fire nation speaks to his generals casually during times of war and turmoil. Honestly, what boss spends that much time listening to an employee complain before thinking "I hired you to take care of stuff....why can't you do it?" Not mine!
As a movie on its own, The Last Airbender it's AWFUL....as a live-action representation of an animated show it's worse than my humble vocabulary can hope to express.
M. Night must be the Ahvahtahr himself. I certainly feel subdued by all the elements....
-Sylvia
P.S. This movie is a stick of gum. SKIP IT. Or get it on DVD and stage your own Mystery Science Theater special from the couch.
In case you still aren't sure whether you should watch this movie, I listed a few other complaints....
1. There is no main character. You don't care about anyone because you don't know who they are or where they are coming from. There is no emotional connection.
2. There's no comic relief. (Unless you count the people coming out of the ground with drill bits on their heads...it was funny that we were supposed to take that seriously.)
3. The race criticisms are legit. Eastern-looking characters are evil. The good guys are Caucasian. M. Night's explanation doesn't show a relation to the show or social commentary. The original show was pretty clear about the physical attributes of each nation. They were all identifiable races.
4. None of the kids act like kids. Aang doesn't act like Aang did in the first season.
5. Zuko has no noticeable scar tissue. A little odd for a character whose scar tissue is one of his defining physical and psychological traits.
6. The characters lack interest in their own story. How about the scene where we all stand still and watch someone kill the spirit of the moon? Why didn't anyone do anything?
7. "He's making fire out of nothing!?" Why would other firebenders fail to understand the concept of personal body heat in its relation to fire? It is clearly stated in the show that this is a fundamental lesson in the world of firebending.
8. "Show them the power of one"? Why would the Avatar guide be on a power trip? Sounds a little unbalanced...
9. The monks NEVER tell him he can't have a FAMILY in the show. Why would this be added to the script? At best it sounds like a misinterpretation of the GURU episode. At worst it is a harmful revision that will alter the entire process of becoming the Avatar.
10. Most of the movie reflected the activity of the first and last two episodes. But the content of these scenes is lost in the movie representation. The humor and confusion of Aang's awakening and the fear and anger of that final battle in the North is nowhere to be found.....
Come on...Why not save yourself the trouble and watch the real AVATAR at work. Check YouTube.com or Nickelodeon.com for some great clips and episodes. Or buy it today on Amazon.com.
Netflix Pick: Farscape
In March of 1999, a quirky sci-fi show went on the air in Australia. It told the tale of an American astronaut thrown in with a band of escaped convicts aboard a living ship. After four years of misadventures and hours of puppeteering, the group had managed to traverse the universe and gain a (small) but loyal fanbase.
Although some begrudge the worth of Farscape, there's no denying the mark it made on the sci-fi community.
There's also no denying the formulaic nature of the program. There have been and will always be shows about space exploration, loss, being a fugitive, and little alien men in hover chairs; but few are as entertaining as Farscape. Don't get me wrong-the show is all kinds of cheesy but it does have merit.
If you like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or Babylon 5, then Farscape may be for you.
Give it a look.
Although some begrudge the worth of Farscape, there's no denying the mark it made on the sci-fi community.
There's also no denying the formulaic nature of the program. There have been and will always be shows about space exploration, loss, being a fugitive, and little alien men in hover chairs; but few are as entertaining as Farscape. Don't get me wrong-the show is all kinds of cheesy but it does have merit.
If you like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine or Babylon 5, then Farscape may be for you.
Give it a look.
Rocky loves Emily, Rocky loves Emily!
Get ready for some rockin' retro action with 3 Ninjas.
When international weapon smuggler, Hugo Snyder, seeks to expand his business he draws too much attention from the FBI. Looking for a quick fix he hunts down his old ninjutsu instructor and partner Mori Tanaka.
But Master Tanaka has new pupils in his grandsons, Rocky, Colt and Tum-tum.
Three young warriors-in-training receive their first field test when Grandpa refuses to join forces with Snyder.
If you're nostalgic for Twizzlers, bleached denim, and floral prints then pick up a copy of this classic 90s flick.
I rate it a popcorn combo! HIYA!
When international weapon smuggler, Hugo Snyder, seeks to expand his business he draws too much attention from the FBI. Looking for a quick fix he hunts down his old ninjutsu instructor and partner Mori Tanaka.
But Master Tanaka has new pupils in his grandsons, Rocky, Colt and Tum-tum.
Three young warriors-in-training receive their first field test when Grandpa refuses to join forces with Snyder.
If you're nostalgic for Twizzlers, bleached denim, and floral prints then pick up a copy of this classic 90s flick.
I rate it a popcorn combo! HIYA!
Friday, July 9, 2010
The Ant Bully
If you're looking for a feel-good, family flick give the Ant Bully a try. Lacking the budget and hype of the current cinema fodder, the Ant Bully was quietly received by the masses. (No doubt because we are all still reeling from the mediocrity of Bugs' Life, Antz and Bee Movie.)
The Ant Bully tells the story of Lucas, an under-sized kid with over-sized problems. Dealing with a bully of his own, Lucas takes his aggression out on the ants in his yard. Little does he know, his antics have wreaked havoc in the insect world earning him the title of the Destroyer. Terrified at the prospect of the next disaster, the ants take matters into their own hands...
Zach Tyler Eisen (Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Backyardigans) does an excellent job as the voice of Lucas Nickle standing up against Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, Regina King, Bruce Campbell, and Lily Tomlin. The animation is fluid and interesting, though the score is uninspiring.
I rate it a Popcorn Combo!
P.S. Check out Zach Tyler's television voice work on Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The Ant Bully tells the story of Lucas, an under-sized kid with over-sized problems. Dealing with a bully of his own, Lucas takes his aggression out on the ants in his yard. Little does he know, his antics have wreaked havoc in the insect world earning him the title of the Destroyer. Terrified at the prospect of the next disaster, the ants take matters into their own hands...
Zach Tyler Eisen (Avatar: The Last Airbender, The Backyardigans) does an excellent job as the voice of Lucas Nickle standing up against Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, Regina King, Bruce Campbell, and Lily Tomlin. The animation is fluid and interesting, though the score is uninspiring.
I rate it a Popcorn Combo!
P.S. Check out Zach Tyler's television voice work on Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Lost Boys 2: The Tribe
Despite the belief of half the teen population, vampires are no new craze. Long before the Cullen teens made fangs gay, adolescent blood suckers were tearing up a quaint little town called Santa Clara. (That would be The Lost Boys, if you haven't figure it out yet...)
Although Keifer Sutherland is sorely missed, Angus Sutherland steps up as Shane the leader of the Santa Clara vampires. His performance is believable though the surfer boy act gets a little old. (Hey, at least he doesn't glisten in sunlight.)
Facing down the clan, Chris (Tad Hilgenbrink) struggles to keep his sanity while protecting his younger sister. Not that he's alone, Online Reverend Edgar Frog (Corey Feldman) returns to the scene with years of hunting experience and a bone to pick.
If you liked the first movie, give part 2 a go. It won't wow you with special effects or phenomenal acting but it's sure good for reminiscing about the vampires of yore. You know...the ones who kicked serious a$$.
I rate it a box of candy.
Although Keifer Sutherland is sorely missed, Angus Sutherland steps up as Shane the leader of the Santa Clara vampires. His performance is believable though the surfer boy act gets a little old. (Hey, at least he doesn't glisten in sunlight.)
Facing down the clan, Chris (Tad Hilgenbrink) struggles to keep his sanity while protecting his younger sister. Not that he's alone, Online Reverend Edgar Frog (Corey Feldman) returns to the scene with years of hunting experience and a bone to pick.
If you liked the first movie, give part 2 a go. It won't wow you with special effects or phenomenal acting but it's sure good for reminiscing about the vampires of yore. You know...the ones who kicked serious a$$.
I rate it a box of candy.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
I ain't afraid a no ghost!
Bringing Ebonics to the lips of paranormal professionals everywhere, Ghostbusters is a cult classic not to be missed! This New York-themed, action-comedy follows the birth of a ghost hunting agency from conception to reception (that's a party for those readers behind on the hip lingo). Although not big on the frights, Ghostbusters never falls short of laughs. Mostly because no one stops to consider good taste.
Indeed, it seems as if Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson were given free reign to ad-lib as desired. The script always seems natural, with each actor truly owning their character. (Although, this reviewer must admit "the Black Ghostbuster" could probably be replaced without drawing much notice.)
Excellent writing, set work, music, and plot, Ghostbusters has all the trademarks of an unnaturally good movie. Buy it, borrow it, barter it-just get this movie into your house immediately!
Definitely a bucket o' food!
Indeed, it seems as if Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson were given free reign to ad-lib as desired. The script always seems natural, with each actor truly owning their character. (Although, this reviewer must admit "the Black Ghostbuster" could probably be replaced without drawing much notice.)
Excellent writing, set work, music, and plot, Ghostbusters has all the trademarks of an unnaturally good movie. Buy it, borrow it, barter it-just get this movie into your house immediately!
Definitely a bucket o' food!
Penelope
Penelope presents a refreshing take on a classic theme. Set in England, this modern fairy tale tells the story of a young woman cursed. Doomed by her ill-mannered ancestors, Penelope is born with the nose of a pig and one chance at breaking the spell. "Only when one of your own kind claims this daughter as their own will the curse be broken." (Could you ask for a better set up?)
Christina Ricci (Casper, Sleepy Hallow) does justice to the part with soft-spoken wit and believable naivete. James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, and Richard Grant round out the rest of the main cast. You're sure to find brains and brawn in this bunch of characters.
However, Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice, Home Alone) steals the show. Her typical over-the-top charm and shrill tone hits you from the opening scene. Don't sit too close to the screen, you might take a swing at her.
Although you'll be glad you skipped it in theaters, this delightful piece is sure to make a welcome addition to your home movie collection.
I rate it a hot dog combo!
Christina Ricci (Casper, Sleepy Hallow) does justice to the part with soft-spoken wit and believable naivete. James McAvoy, Reese Witherspoon, Peter Dinklage, and Richard Grant round out the rest of the main cast. You're sure to find brains and brawn in this bunch of characters.
However, Catherine O'Hara (Beetlejuice, Home Alone) steals the show. Her typical over-the-top charm and shrill tone hits you from the opening scene. Don't sit too close to the screen, you might take a swing at her.
Although you'll be glad you skipped it in theaters, this delightful piece is sure to make a welcome addition to your home movie collection.
I rate it a hot dog combo!
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