Captain America: First Avenger

I love this movie.  It is a good action movie…it is a good comic book movie…it is a good movie.  Just over two hours long, the movie is jammed packed with explosions, good versus evil, and feel-good moments.  Chris Evans portrays the lead, Captain America / Steve Rogers, with emotion often lacking in “beefcake” actors.  We have seen him in comic tights before – as the human torch in the last two Fantastic Four movies.  Steve Rogers is a more humble character than the flamboyant Johnny Storm.  With a bit of CGI we see Steve Rogers transform from a nobody to a propaganda tool to a true hero.  Hugo Weaving is a perfect foil for Cap as the Red Skull, one of the creepiest and most evil of super villains in the comic genre.  Most fantasy/sci- fi fans will recognize Hugo as Agent Smith in the Matrix trilogy, Elrod in the Lord of the Rings,  Megatron in the Transformers series, and V (as in Vendetta) – truly a prolific actor.  The cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones as the curmudgeon Army Colonel Phillips, Hayley Atwell as Agent Carter, a no-nonsense soldier with a soft side, and Stanley Tucci as the father figure and German scientist determined to right the wrong of the Nazis.

I did enjoy the story.  Not only did were they faithful to the comics, they kept the emotional tug of the storylines and patriotic fervor.  It is important to note that Captain America began in the throes of WWII. Yes, it was a propaganda piece, but it was a good one.  It is important to recall that prior to Pearl Harbor, this country avoided entering the war (the xenophobic contingency was most vocal for years).  Once we finally stepped in, there was a huge push in the entertainment industries – including comics and movies – to create strong heroes to inspire those both in the front lines and those at home.  The fact is that Hitler and the Nazi movement defines evil.  Captain America embodied the Allied spirit and American heroics.  Considering the enemy, one can overlook the over-the-top, obviously overly dramatic patriotic fervor found within this character and storyline.  There was a time when “truth, justice, and the American way” was an ideal (not something to ram down the throats of another in order to claim one is more patriotic).  Captain America is NOT obnoxious and NOT self-absorbed.  He doesn’t want to kill for the sake of killing; he wants to stop the bullies.  Steve Rogers wants to protect the ordinary person – and that inspires those around him.  When you look at his team you see a hodge-podge of Allied soldiers coming together – representing a positive relationship amongst all nations who wish to fight injustice.  There is a clear villain – the Red Skull – who represents the horrors of the Nazi regime and their obsession with the occult.  It is so easy to hate Johan Schmidt and his deity-fixation.  .

Oh how to discuss the ending without spoilers…  Let’s just say that the movie end (including tags) fits in with the comic books.  A transition into the Avengers comic (and movie) is well done.  Now it is hard to make comic book fans happy – especially when there is 70 years with of material (some of which is contradictory).  Regardless, I think everyone will find something to enjoy about this movie.  Most people - 13 to th 80, who will like the powerful action sequences and emotional draw.  There is a lesson in Captain America’s story which will be nostalgic and entertaining.

So, get some popcorn, grab a drink, and sit back – this is a ride you will enjoy.

Movie to rent: The Who’s Tommy

Begun as a concept album in 1969 and written primarily by The Who’s lead guitarist Pete Townsend - Tommy is an exploration of human emotions and failings.  Tommy - a young man from post-WWI - is unable to speak, hear, or see… an infliction caused by childhood trauma and ongoing horrors.  Those around him use and abuse him.  Even when he becomes famous, the people who should love him simply milk him for everything.  In the final act he is reborn as a messiah – yet this is not a happy ending.  Back in 1969 the ending was bittersweet at best.  There is a tone of sorrow and waste to Tommy’s life.   Nearly 25 years later Townsend re-worked his masterpiece for a Broadway production, which ends on a positive note.  I once heard an interview with Pete where he discussed how he had become more optimistic in his later years.  The cynicism and despair he felt in the 1960s had dissipated by the 1990s.  He wanted his revamp to reflect his personal growth.

No that I have digressed…significantly…back to the matter at hand, the 1975 Ken Russell movie.  Now Ken is a unique director – like Kubrick or Fellini – and his audience was either inspired or reviled.   His films were often controversial but yet you could not take your eyes off the screen (some times it was hard to believe what he got away with).  So Russell takes Townsend’s creation, tweaks it a bit, flashes it up, and gives it an all-star A-1 cast.  I cannot claim he cleaned it up for the masses, because he lays it all out, the traumatic death of a father, child abuse, pedophilia, drug use, prostitution, and more.  This is not an easy story to watch, but Townsend wanted his audience to think, feel and experience Tommy’s life…exactly what Ken Russell then visualize on the screen.   I do not recall when I first saw this movie.  I am fairly certain my mother would not have taken me to it, but it is something my brother and I would have probably watched at a cheap show on base or on a Saturday afternoon on a cable-access station.  I do remember being enthralled by the music and the images (remember this is also the same time period as Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar so the music and pageantry was very present in my life).  Today, I would not recommend it for everyone – especially children.  This movie is for those who enjoy the music, get the irony, or want to watch one of the original rock “operas” (similar to The Wall).

So you’ve decided to look past the nasty buts and delve into Tommy’s world.  In this film you see an amazing group of musicians.  The line-up of The Who are front-and-center: Roger Daltrey as Tommy grown up, the late Keith Moon (drummer) as Uncle Ernie, along with John Entwistle and Townsend.  Eric Clapton joins his friends for the ride. The irrepressible Ann-Margret plays Tommy’s mom and hell-raiser (and hard drinker) Oliver Reed plays his stepfather.  Elton John performs the massive hit Pinball Wizard and Tina Turner is freakish as the Acid-Queen. Rounding out this amazing cast is small but pivotal cameos by Jack Nicholson as a lecherous doctor and Robert Powell as Tommy’s murdered father.  The irony of having Robert Powell as Tommy’s father is that two years later he takes on a messianic role as the title role in the epic miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. 

As you watch the movie, there are many changes between the album and film. Russell brings the story up from WWI to WWII.   Some song lyrics are adjusted, the order of scenes and performances changed, and characters are tweaked.  But you still get the raw emotions and basic story.  There are (now) iconic scenes and songs many of us who grew up in the 1970s recall well. 

Pinball Wizard – Elton John wearing his infamous sparkling glasses and massive Doc Martin boots playing a giant pinball machine.  Not only is the song still a hit, but Elton John’s rendition is sublime.  Acid Queen – Tina Turner’s manic rendition as a leggy prostitute encouraging the deaf-dumb-blind Tommy to enjoy her needles…frightening is an understatement.  I both love and loathe the scene where Ann-Margret in a fit of insanity (drugs?) is seen “swimming” in first foam, then beans, and finally chocolate – all pouring from her TV.  It is creepy, gnarly and has an ick factor beyond belief.  I also enjoy Oliver Reed’s jingly holiday camp song are catchy and Daltrey’s I’m Free.

The 1975 movie version of The Who’s Tommy is worth a look.  Avoid if you dislike the 70’s, campy movies, Ken Russell or rock n roll.  For everyone else (of age) give it a whirl.

Harry Potter - a 10.0 Finish

The second part of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an amazing end to a wonderful journey.  As mentioned in a previous post, I love the books and feel they are uniquely superior to the movies.  However I do also enjoy the movies, once I can accept what the director decided to cut.  So 7b (as I annoyingly refer to this last movie) is a good movie.  I laughed, I cried, I was spell-bound.  Even my son, who is no longer a big Potter fan - enjoyed himself.  Actually many non-potter fans have remarked how much they enjoyed it.  Why, most of it's 2 1/2 hours is THE war of all wars...Harry versus Voldemort.  For those who have not read the book they now finally understand, well everything.  The truth about Snape...  Dumbledore's secrets...  Harry is so much more than "the boy who lived" or "the chosen one."  Characters we have watched grow up over the last ten years fight valiantly, and some lose their battles (no spoilers here).  Neville has it in him to have been the chosen one (in case you missed it, the prophesy could have been about Neville or Harry but Voldemort assumed it was Potter and thus made it so but attacking him).  There is love in the middle of chaos (you already know who).  And  I am happy to report some of my favorite parts of the last book is faithfully brought to life.  Let's just say Mrs. Weasley has *the* best line! 

I was able to see a midnight showing with some friends.  The crowd moved in unison, laughing, gasping, sniffing, and the thunderous applause at the end was something to behold.

So, go see it.  The special effects are fabulous.  The acting is tremendous (duh).  The battles are astounding.  Even if you have never read the books and failed to get the first seven movies...7b is a blast

The World of Harry Potter

As the anthology draws to a close, I have a confession.  Well, I guess it isn’t much of a secret. But who cares – I like Harry Potter, the books and movies. I am a sci-fi fanatic, anglophile (one who loves everything British), and magic aficionado – so, duh.  But in the beginning, back in 1997, I was not sure I would like them.  I actually cannot recall when I finally read the first book…probably around the time Chamber of Secrets was released as a paperback.  By the time Prisoner of Azkaban was released I was buying them (with a coupon) as they came out. 

I enjoy the way J. K. Rowling writes.  It is a disservice to dismiss her books as “children’s literature” as it suggests a lesser product (and  suggests children’s books are some how inferior as a genre).  She brings you into her world, as did 19^th Century British authors such as Dickens and Stoker.  She gives you visual details, emotions, thoughts, feelings…she gives you everything.  Yet she is an easy read - her books are not War and Peace (although the Deathly Hallows is about as thick).  Her words activate your senses – soon you feel the cold of a dementor and hear the slither of a basilisk.  She writes about characters you can identify with and care about.  By the time I finished Deathly Hallows (the first time) I knew these characters as if they were old friends.  I celebrated their joys and wept at their sorrows. And then I wanted more. 

I will confess I do not read much fiction, outside of the classics.  My BA is in English and I do love many of the classics: Milton, Marlowe, Chaucer, and of course Shakespeare (now you know why my son’s first name is William).  I generally read non-fiction- history and theology are my favorite genres.  In today’s world of fiction, few authors interest me. Anne Rice and Anne McCaffrey are two of the few modern writers I can think of…and more recently J. K. Rowling.  Maybe that makes me unqualified to judge fiction…but then again as a Lit major and veracious reader (I have my own library) I am comfortable that I can recognize good writing.  If you dislike sci-fi, fantasy, or magic…stay away.  However, for everyone else I can recommend the books – regardless of age.

The movies took a bit of getting used to for me.  The movies by themselves are good, enjoyable, and I watch them often (just finished a marathon this weekend).  My issue was no movie can compare to the books.  I am so passionate about the stories, sub-stories, and sub-sub-stories that I cringe upon first viewing of the movie.  My son likes to tease me that I need to see each movie twice, in quick succession.  The first time I see one of the movies, I miss everything left out from the books in order to make the movie fit into a decent timeframe.  I have to bitch and moan…explaining what was left unsaid in the movie or how something really happened.  Then, after that is out of my system, I go back and watch it again.  This time I watch it separate from the book and try to simply enjoy it for the movie it is.  And I do.  So despite wanting to add or tweak parts of each movie, I do actually like them.  They are good fantasy films.  Rowling’s characters are brought to life by a group of young actors who have turned into good actors.  You do mistake Daniel, Emma, and Rupert as really being Harry, Hermione, and Ron.  I love the fact that nearly all my favorite actors have had a part in at least one of the films…Alan Rickman, Richard Harris, Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Helena Bonham Carter, Bill Nighy and so many more.  If they could dig up Lawrence Olivier…well that would be just gross. The bottom line…fans of the books must give the movies some grace – there is no way to turn the volumes Ms. Rowling produced into manageable movies and some story lines simply had to be cut.  To the uninitiated, I would recommend these movies as long as you like fantasy, dragons, flying cars, shaper-shifters, and magic.  Well done and worth a look (or three).

And yes…I am seeing the midnight showing Thursday night with my boys and a few friends.  I won’t get home until after 3am... that ok, I am having a procedure the next morning on my back (to alleviate the inflammation in my spine from the arthritis) and won’t have to be awake. J

Transformers 3 – Take the Wild Ride

Should you go see Michael Bay’s latest attempt to bring the Hasbro toys of the 80’s to light? Let me start with the easy answer… if you liked the first two Transformer movies, go see it…if you didn’t then you won’t like this one either.

I loved it – nearly all of it.  The only part I really didn’t like was replacing Miss Fox with a Victoria Secret model (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley).  I am glad they replaced Fox (she had little acting ability and was merely eye-candy for the male movie-goer) but this new gal is vacuous (at best).  I did enjoy the inside jokes made at the expense of Fox, she really shot herself in the foot by giving up this franchise (the only movies she has been in which made money).  Considering Bay has made several movies with strong females (see any Pirate movie) I cannot understand why he seems incapable in this franchise.  I don’t care if the character is beautiful but I do care if she is an idiot.  Oh, continuity issue…as she runs through Chicago she switches between flats and heels…I swear in at least one bit she has on tennis shoes.

Regardless - the movie is cool, awesome, tubular (what other 80’s slang can I fit in), like totally awesome.  Yes, the movie is 2 hours and 40 minutes, but there was so much action I did not notice.  There are insane special effect, non-stop action, and a lesson to be learned (in between explosions).  As with the other movies, conspiracy nuts will find much to enjoy.  This time the government conspiracy is the real reason for the race to the moon in the 1960s and what we really found on the dark side of the moon.  There are so many inside jokes – especially Spock and Star Trek references.  .

We have our favorite cast of characters – including Optimus Prime, BumbleBee and Megatron.  We have Shia LeBeouf, Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, and Tyrese Gibson all returning.  The cast’s prestige bumps up with such notables as Leonard Nimoy, John Malkovich, Frances McDormand, and Patrick Dempsey.  Plus cameos by Buzz Aldrin and Bill O'Reilly.

I would recommend this movie for anyone over 13 who likes action movies, comic books, or sci fi J