This 1 is for Heath!

1)I pray that Heath Rests In Peace
2)I pray that his family and love ones find some sort of peace during these dificult times
3)I pray that the media stops using his death as a get rich quick scheme
4)I like to thank Heath for all that he gave this world.
5)I like to point out that it was Heath's time to leave us, so let us remember him and thank God that he lived for as long as he did.

I did not know the man. And I was not very familiar with his work. But one thing I was aware of was his talent. So I will mourn for him. Having said that I present to you...

Monsters Ball
****/5

It’s truly a small world that we live in. Nowhere is this more evident than in the film “Monster’s Ball”. There are critics that would denounce this film’s story as being unrealistic. How could Hank Growtowski a racist corrections officer, supervise the execution of a black man, and then fall in love with that man’s widow? How could that same officer played by Billy Bob Thornton, hate his son so much that he would standby and watch as that son ended his life? Well to those critics I say only one thing: it might be unlikely, but it could very well happen. “Monster’s Ball” is a movie that truly pushes boundaries. It is a film that asks audiences to feel sympathy for characters that are a step above lowlifes. Yet when a cast gives performances that are so impassioned that we can feel empathy for the characters that they portray, and when writers and directors put their best foot forward as well they usually produce a film that has some sort of hold on us. “Monster’s Ball” is that film we just can’t seem to forget. We can’t forget Halle Berry’s character, the newly widowed Leticia Musgrove. Berry’s portrayal of an emotionally bankrupt woman who always seems to be teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown is disturbingly vivid yet graceful as well. Heath Ledger who plays Billy Bob Thornton’s son in the movie is not given much screen time, however he certainly leaves an indelible mark on the entire feature. As strange as it may seem “Monster’s Ball” leaves a similar type of imprint on all those who watch it. It is a small world after all.

THE TREASURE...

C THIS MOVIE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE I WILL POINT OUT A MOVIE TO YOU THAT YOU SHOULD WATCH. FOR ALL THOSE WITH A NETFLIX OR BLOCKBUSTER ACCOUNT, CHECK IT OUT...

THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE
*****/5
When John Huston and his father Walter Huston, chose to collaborate on the film “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” there is no way they could have possibly envisioned the heights this film would ascend to. Although it was no box office smash when it was first released, this film has gone down in history as a truly honest and compelling film. The story of the film is very simple. Three men go to mine for gold and all goes according to plan. But once greed rears its ugly head, their dreams of wealth and a life of ease turn into nightmares. Although the script was cleverly written, the script is not what makes this a stupendous film. The cast of the film consisting of Humphrey Bogart, Walter Huston, and Tim Holt combined with the John Huston’s bold direction made the film what it is. Director John Huston was rightfully awarded an Oscar for his direction here. Not only did he illicit moving performances from his cast, he efficiently made gold mining appear to be the arduous and harrowing task it is, while capturing the beauty of the Mexican landscape. His father Walter Huston was also awarded an Oscar for his portrayal of a wily old man who always seems to roll with the punches. The one cast member who was erroneously looked over by the Academy was Bogart. Despite turning one of the finest performances of his career, as well as one of the finest in the history of cinema, he was not even nominated. As if that were not bad enough, “Hamlet” was chosen as the Best Picture over “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”. Which as we all know now, as another monumental blunder on the part of the Academy. Unfortunately we can’t always recognize fools gold when we see it.

CHANGE O PACE

BELOW I ADD A VIDEO OF MY OTHER PAST TIME...ENJOY!

241 the sequel

THERE WILL BE BLOOD

*****/5

Oil was is and will always be a tremendous resource. Ever since the first oil well was discovered men have desired to possess this resource in order to build their fortune. “There Will Be Blood” tells the tale of such a man. Daniel Plainview portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis, is a determined oil aficionado with an indomitable spirit. He uses his abilities to discover oil and then convince people to sell them their land so that he can dig for that oil. During his quest for oil he meets a young evangelist named Eli Sunday depicted by Paul Dano, whose search for salvation irritates Plainview so much that he begins to lose sight of what actually matters in life. Despite Sunday’s constant interruptions Plainview stays focused on his goal and acquires great wealth. But then again what good is wealth if you have no one to share it with? This film can only be described as majestic. Paul Thomas Anderson and cinematographer Robert Elswit incorporate the very essence of oil and its destructive nature, into every frame of the film. Anderson’s direction in particular inspired the cast to give awe-inspiring performances. For example Paul Dano squirms and smiles and speaks softly and simply transforms into the venal, young Eli Sunday. Finally one cannot watch this movie and not be astonished by the performance of Daniel Day-Lewis. For most of the time that he’s on screen the viewer is actually looking at Daniel Plainview. Daniel Day-Lewis is nowhere to be found. His peers around the world should applaud him for his performance here. The film “There Will Be Blood” is not a movie that you enjoy. It is a film that you absorb. It enters your bloodstream and much like oil itself you realize that you can’t function without it.

HAIRSPRAY

***1/2 /5

Musicals are usually simple stories that are told by directors posing as choreographers, actors who are better singers, combined with some catchy music. Then of course every once in awhile out of nowhere a musical goes where no other musicals have gone before. “Hairspray” is that musical. The movie introduces us to an obscure chubby teenager with big dreams named Tracy Turnblad depicted by memorably by newcomer Nikki Blonsky. Apparently she thinks she has what it takes to appear on her favorite TV show aptly titled the “Corny Collins Show.” Her desire to be apart of the show however opens her eyes to the harsh reality of racism that afflicted this nation in the 1960’s. She then courageously takes it upon herself to make a change and integrate the show she loves so much. The cast of the film, including John Travolta as Tracy’s overweight self-conscious mother, Christopher Walken as Mr. Turnblad and Queen Latifah as Motormouth Maybelle enthusiastically carry the film and get some help along the way from the younger equally excited cast. The songs are memorable; the choreography is impeccable, so true fans of musicals will not be disappointed. But most importantly the story is not superficial. Which is why this movie is not your run of the mill musical.

Anotheryearanothereviewforuenjoy!

Happy New Year ya'll! Lets get into it!

The Great Debaters

*****/5

Power. Inspiration. Knowledge. These are only some of the words that could be used to summarize what “The Great Debaters” is all about. Denzel Washington should be applauded for his characterization of Mel Tolson, an educator, poet, and social activist who is put in charge of the small town Wiley College debate team. He chooses 4 standouts out of a pool of 40 or more to represent the team, and it was safe to say that he chose wisely. Although they humiliate most of their competition, Mr. Tolson’s extracurricular activities and the infidelities of certain members of the team threatens to disband the group. Nonetheless colleges everywhere have acknowledged their success and invite them to compete. One of these colleges just so happens to be Harvard. From the very first frame up until the time that the credits are shown, the film does not skip a beat. Details regarding the south and the Jim Crow laws that dehumanized the people of color are always in your face, but not for you to feel pity. The story clearly shows that people of color at that time were very intelligent and well read and not just a population of sharecroppers. So the question is this: How can Jim Crow and knowledge coexist? That is what the great debate is all about. This film is arguably the greatest film 2007 had to offer because it arouses the mind while stirring the spirit. You think about the topics that are debated and you don’t even realize it, because you are enthralled by what you see on the screen. Washington’s direction is immaculate. He takes a cast of well-respected thespians including Oscar winner Forest Whitaker, and elicits performances from them that are jaw dropping. The fact that this is only the second feature he has ever directed proves that he has promising future behind the camera. And that is one topic not up for debate.