Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

After a long break, I'm finally back.

This movie was absolutely fantastic. I have been waiting for it for what feels like forever now and it truly did not disappoint. The storyline was clever, the dynamic between Watson and Holmes was charming and beautiful, and the effects were incredible. Honestly, as much of a fan I am of the first movie, its sequel surpassed it and my overall expectation. Some the effects were unnecessary at times, but I really enjoy the style in which these movies are edited. It can be slightly confusing periodically, another reason to rewatch, still pay attention closely. Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr.'s chemistry was compelling and the supporting actors were on par. I laughed, I nearly screamed, and I even cried. Game of Shadows is gripping, exciting, hilarious,and even draws tears. You'll be cheering throughout and satisfied with the end. Too be honest, it is absolutely one of the best movies of this year.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

While I am not a fan of end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it-flicks, **The Rise of the Planet of the Apes** was a pleasant surprise on so many levels, good story, interesting character development with a clarity of vision. Thought provoking and fully entertaining, **The Rise of the Planet of the Apes** has set a new standard with Summer Science Fiction movies, while remaining true to the wild and original ideas of Pierre Boulle’s novella.

San Francisco Professor Will Rodman (James Franco) seeks to find a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, as his father Charles (John Lithgow) suffers from this malady. When a female test subject reacts badly to treatment, Professor Rodman adopts her son, a baby ape. While Charles names the ape Cesar (Andy Serkis), Professor Rodman provides a nurturing environment and pharmaceuticals that promotes intelligence.

Tragically, paradise is lost and Cesar ends up being a captive in a monkey house run by John Landon (Brian Cox) and his sadistic son Dodge Landon (Tom Felton). After torture and abuse, Cesar organizes his cell-mates and creates the **Rise of the Planet of the Apes.**

Director Rubert Wyatt provides realistic logic to Cesar’s evolution, making Cesar’s growth a joy to behold. Wyatt is not afraid to present static scenes with no dialogue. The audience gets to know Cesar and his compatriots, as well as the rogue’s gallery of brutal humans. When dialogue is spoken, the words actually have meaning.

In spite of the epic grandeur of this movie, **Rise of the Planet of the Apes** is full of clever details for the **Apes** fans. Shortly before one climatic moment, a cameo appearance from the late Charlton Heston helps set the dramatic moment on a subconscious level. It is a bone chilling moment.
Given his performances as “King Kong” and “Gollum,” Andy Serkis is the perfect actor to play Cesar in his motion-capture costume. The Academy Awards should create a special category for this type of performance. As Professor Rodman, Franco puts behind his public relations fiasco at this years Oscar’s ceremony. Given his success as Draco Malfoy, hopefully Tom Felton will be able to play a nice guy soon, for the actor is quite good as the cad you love to hate.

Good Science Fiction is often a parable of modern times. Given the setting in San Francisco, one must consider the political consideration of a Cesar candidacy. Given recent headlines, Cesar would be a better San Francisco Representative for Congress than Nancy Pelosi.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (part 2)

It’s been ten years in the making, but the multi-billion dollar movie franchise based on J.K. Rowling’s best selling novels has come to an end. If you haven’t read the books, then how will it all shake out? Will Harry fall prey to the evil Lord Voldermort or will he triumph in his final showdown of spells? Those who know what Deathly Hollows Part 2 holds in store rest assured you will still be wildly entertained with action-packed battles and the biggest and best special FX of the series.

DH2 finds Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) searching to destroy four Horcruxes that contain Voldermort’s (Ralph Fiennes) soul. Along the way we things get explained, loose ends are finally tied, and we see Harry’s most serious and mature side (He has chest hair for God’s sake). Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) take on one last adventurous trek that includes Ron and Hermione’s first kiss, the death of some major players, and some amusement park-like visuals. I’ve already given away too much. Just go see it. Potter fanatics and casual fans alike should get a kick out of Harry’s farewell roller coaster ride. Ralph Fiennes continues to steal scene after scene as Voldermort and really ends up being the driving force behind the last few films…especially this one. I couldn’t imagine anyone elses slithering tongue sadistically deliver tasty lines like, “Harry Potter, the boy who lived…comes to die.” Fiennes elevates Voldermort to one of the classic movie baddies in recent memory. He’s no Darth Vader, but he’s not too far off. It also doesn’t hurt that the always excellent supporting cast in the series includes Alan Rickman and the devilish Helena Bonham Carter. Director David Yates, who helmed the last four Potter films, shows concise control over the story and actors and proves he was the right man for the job all along.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows: Part 2 is definitely one of the more entertaining of the franchise, but for my money’s worth I say Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix are right up there with this one for the franchise’s top spot. With Harry darker is better, and a down and out Hogwarts serves as a graveyard of Harry’s innocence lost in this extravagant effects laiden grand finale. You can tell that a lot of the story gets crammed into a running time of just over two hours, but I think the film is better for it. With a final battle at Hogwarts that is extremely long, but never once boring, Harry Potter gets the proper send off that he deserves. Harry Potter goes out as the most successful movie franchise of all time, and that makes the fireworks between Lord Voldermort and Harry all the more apropos.

Rio - Review

Good for the Family!!!
The movie was very good for a family movie! The voice acting was very good, and fit all of the characters perfectly. Some scenes were pretty funny, but are sometimes not suitable for children. The supporting characters were actually a bit of a drawback... Some of them, like George Lopez's character, you just wanted to tell it to just be quite and stop talking, while the some main characters, like Jessie's, were rather pathetic. The plot was actually okay, but lacked much to give for the adults, leaving them a bit bored and tired. The musical scores were very good... even if it had will.i.am. Thought it blended well with some scenes. The ending was paced too fast for my taste. Will there be a sequel? I hope not... Another sequel would actually ruin the magic for the first one. Worth the watch. ;)