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Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Lion King (2019) in Movies
Jul 11, 2019
It seems recently that the Disney vault has exploded with the release of several of their classic animated films being remade. Unfortunately, the classics that have inspired these remakes have been redone with mixed results. The original The Lion King was released back in 1994 and it’s hard to believe that I was a junior in college when I saw it. Since that time, we’ve seen various iterations of the classic story, a few direct to VCR sequels and the awe-inspiring Broadway stage production (which if you are a serious fan of the movie I encourage you to see). It seems odd to discuss the plot of a movie that I’m certain everyone reading this has seen at least once (or a dozen times over). To the uninformed however, The Lion King is about a young cub named Simba (JD McCrary as the young voice and Donald Glover as the adult) who suffers the tragic loss of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones) at the paws of his evil uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Scar convinces Simba that he is responsible for his father’s death and that he must leave the pride and never return. With the help of his faithful friends Timon (Billy Eichner), the lovable warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), the ever wise Zazu (John Oliver) and his budding queen Nala (Beyoncé’) he learns that true courage comes from within and realizes he must face Scar if he is ever to bring peace back to the Pride Lands.
Given the recent track record, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a retelling of the story as I remembered it, or a re-imagining of the story as a whole (and yes there is a difference). Thankfully, I can say that The Lion King draws practically all of its inspiration directly from the animated classic. Director Jon Favreau (who had already wowed audiences when he directed The Jungle Book) brings the same heart-warming, tear jerk moments that we all know and love. While he certainly didn’t take any risks with The Lion King, that’s exactly what made it such a pleasure to behold. He understood that there was no need to change the story into something new or try to make it something it shouldn’t be. True, for those who have seen the animated film it will feel incredibly familiar, but I think that’s exactly what fans are looking for. Changes and risks don’t always make a movie better, and The Lion King is a prime example of not breaking something that works.
The real star of the show however isn’t the actors, nor it’s incredible director, but the technology that went behind bringing our favorite felines to life. Disney refers to this as a “photo real movie”. The technology behind it merges both new and old together to bring the animals to life, indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. Utilizing VR, animation and mixed with live action film-making it is practically impossible to distinguish what is live and what is animated. The character models have come a far way from the original Jumanji, which was heralded back in 1995 for it’s use of computer animated animals that supposedly looked and felt like the real thing. While Disney has always made great strides to make their computer-generated animals look and feel real (much like the absolutely stunning Jungle Book) The Lion King takes this to an entirely different level altogether.
Disney has done what has seemed practically impossible lately, bringing a classic back to the screen without changing what made the original such a classic. Unlike some of their more recent attempts, The Lion King holds true to the source material which has delighted fans for over 25 years. While the story doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, the photo realistic lions and their supporting cast feel as fresh as they ever have. If you aren’t a fan of the classic animated movie, The Lion King won’t necessarily change that, however the imagery alone may be reason enough to see it. I hope Disney takes note of this movie in particular, that fans don’t need a re-imagining of the stories that captivated our youths to bring the magic back. The Lion King is a testament to how the Disney classic still holds up today, and how to make something old feel new again.
http://sknr.net/2019/07/11/the-lion-king/
Given the recent track record, I wasn’t sure if this was going to be a retelling of the story as I remembered it, or a re-imagining of the story as a whole (and yes there is a difference). Thankfully, I can say that The Lion King draws practically all of its inspiration directly from the animated classic. Director Jon Favreau (who had already wowed audiences when he directed The Jungle Book) brings the same heart-warming, tear jerk moments that we all know and love. While he certainly didn’t take any risks with The Lion King, that’s exactly what made it such a pleasure to behold. He understood that there was no need to change the story into something new or try to make it something it shouldn’t be. True, for those who have seen the animated film it will feel incredibly familiar, but I think that’s exactly what fans are looking for. Changes and risks don’t always make a movie better, and The Lion King is a prime example of not breaking something that works.
The real star of the show however isn’t the actors, nor it’s incredible director, but the technology that went behind bringing our favorite felines to life. Disney refers to this as a “photo real movie”. The technology behind it merges both new and old together to bring the animals to life, indistinguishable from their real-life counterparts. Utilizing VR, animation and mixed with live action film-making it is practically impossible to distinguish what is live and what is animated. The character models have come a far way from the original Jumanji, which was heralded back in 1995 for it’s use of computer animated animals that supposedly looked and felt like the real thing. While Disney has always made great strides to make their computer-generated animals look and feel real (much like the absolutely stunning Jungle Book) The Lion King takes this to an entirely different level altogether.
Disney has done what has seemed practically impossible lately, bringing a classic back to the screen without changing what made the original such a classic. Unlike some of their more recent attempts, The Lion King holds true to the source material which has delighted fans for over 25 years. While the story doesn’t bring anything particularly new to the table, the photo realistic lions and their supporting cast feel as fresh as they ever have. If you aren’t a fan of the classic animated movie, The Lion King won’t necessarily change that, however the imagery alone may be reason enough to see it. I hope Disney takes note of this movie in particular, that fans don’t need a re-imagining of the stories that captivated our youths to bring the magic back. The Lion King is a testament to how the Disney classic still holds up today, and how to make something old feel new again.
http://sknr.net/2019/07/11/the-lion-king/
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Bright (2017) in Movies
Dec 23, 2017
To long (1 more)
Somtimes tries to hard to be intellegent
Again better than critic give it credit for.
Ever since I saw the first trailer for this film I wanted to see more.
The opening half an hour of the film for me was a rather slow burner. That being said the story that is being told and entire plot is something that we need more off. Some people will look at this film at see it as making a political point others will look at it and go it got great chi others will go great sci fi. That happens to be what makes it special is that it bridges the gap of so many diffrent genres and age groups maybe that why it can come across as disjointed at times.
This film is also a film I think you need to watch a couple of times to truly grasp it depth and meaning and the true beauty of it. This may put some people off but it has left me wanting to watch again to truly grasp everything and if that is not the Mark of a great film well I dont know what is.
The opening half an hour of the film for me was a rather slow burner. That being said the story that is being told and entire plot is something that we need more off. Some people will look at this film at see it as making a political point others will look at it and go it got great chi others will go great sci fi. That happens to be what makes it special is that it bridges the gap of so many diffrent genres and age groups maybe that why it can come across as disjointed at times.
This film is also a film I think you need to watch a couple of times to truly grasp it depth and meaning and the true beauty of it. This may put some people off but it has left me wanting to watch again to truly grasp everything and if that is not the Mark of a great film well I dont know what is.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Bone Clocks in Books
Dec 29, 2017
This is a very unusual book. Not quite in the realms of Cloud Atlas, but it’s still a strange and interesting read.
This is unusual because it starts off as a character driven life story, and a very good one at that, with a few odd snippets of a underlying fantasy subplot that create quite a lot of intrigue. Even when the focus of a chapter shifts to a different main character, it doesn’t lose the interest and great writing. It shows a great take on a dystopian future and it’s almost disturbing to read as it’s a future most of us could imagine coming true.
It’s also unusual as the main fantasy subplot isn’t fully revealed until well over two thirds of the way through the book. But for me, this is where the problem starts as the fantasy strands turn out to be the main plot and it’s a bit of a letdown. It isn’t complete nonsense, it just seems very overcomplicated and out of place with the rest of the novel. Parts of it could have worked well, but it has perhaps been a little overthought.
This is unusual because it starts off as a character driven life story, and a very good one at that, with a few odd snippets of a underlying fantasy subplot that create quite a lot of intrigue. Even when the focus of a chapter shifts to a different main character, it doesn’t lose the interest and great writing. It shows a great take on a dystopian future and it’s almost disturbing to read as it’s a future most of us could imagine coming true.
It’s also unusual as the main fantasy subplot isn’t fully revealed until well over two thirds of the way through the book. But for me, this is where the problem starts as the fantasy strands turn out to be the main plot and it’s a bit of a letdown. It isn’t complete nonsense, it just seems very overcomplicated and out of place with the rest of the novel. Parts of it could have worked well, but it has perhaps been a little overthought.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Frailty (2002) in Movies
Jan 4, 2018
Paxton acting and directing (1 more)
Plot twists
Bill Paxton was one of my favorite actors of all time. I was very sad when he passed away in 2017 at the young age of 61. He will leave a legacy of fantastic films including Aliens, Twister, One False Move, Apollo 13 and this film which he also directed.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated To the Bone (2017) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Best adaptation of anorexia I've ever seen (2 more)
Very real
Every actor outstanding
A must watch!
I've read and watched a lot of film programs and read a lot of book on subject like this. Whilst I have never had an eating disorder my self harming and sucided when younger has caused me to have in patient treatment. As I've recovered and been stable enough to get a psychology degree I know look at the show different that I did when I was younger. However I do like to see how media pursue these issues and if they handle them with the care that needed. This film is beautifully handled ever single actor portrayed there part beautifully and made it so real. The story was brilliant and true their was no glamering or Hollywood effect it was something that could so easily be real. I fell for every character and truely hope people watch and take awake front this film on how hard recovery is but people can recover if given right support and the right time.
Niten. NR (75 KP) rated Donnie Brasco (1997) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Johnny Depp (2 more)
Al Pacino
True Story
Forgettaboutit!
Great film. Great start to a film....Just look at the information passed in the opening credits, we see gangsters, photographs, evidence, this film sets the scene in the first 1 minute, let alone 20. After that, the film plays out brilliantly. Depp plays Don the Jeweller (aka undercover FBI Agent Joe Pistone) infiltrating the New York mob/crime family. Al Pacino plays the flawed gangster Lefty Two Guns. I like a few other supporting roles like Michael Madsen as the rising mob boss Sonny Black, and Paul Giamatti show us great talent in a small role as FBI technician.
This is just a great film where we see Donny torn to pieces by the guilt of not being with his family, the pressure and danger of infiltrating the mob as an undercover agent, and the confused loyalties and love for his connected contact Lefty.
Lefty struggles with his tenuous and fragile position within the mob and looks at Donny as a way up or out.
The film can only go one way but it's fun getting there.
Ill not divulge too much but, for me, its a must watch. Enjoy.
This is just a great film where we see Donny torn to pieces by the guilt of not being with his family, the pressure and danger of infiltrating the mob as an undercover agent, and the confused loyalties and love for his connected contact Lefty.
Lefty struggles with his tenuous and fragile position within the mob and looks at Donny as a way up or out.
The film can only go one way but it's fun getting there.
Ill not divulge too much but, for me, its a must watch. Enjoy.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Yanks Are Starving: A Novel of the Bonus Army in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[The Yanks Are Starving] by [Glen Craney] was a very well written book that I really did not want to put down. Which is why I often found my eReader on the floor the next morning where it dropped. As a student of history I am glad to see one of the most glossed over and darkest times in American history addressed. The Bonus Army was a real thing. Our government asked young men to defend democracy overseas but when they returned they were shunned and treated as criminals.
Although some of Craney's characters were fictional(as he states in his notes) they were based on real life people. The hurricane that is referred to at the end of the book where WWI vets were left to fend for themselves is also a true event often called "Hemingway's Hurricane" because of the scathing report he wrote after being one of the first to see it's aftermath.
I think this is a must read book for anyone who wants to learn the truth about American history. Even though it is a fiction story it is purely based on fact and the author really did his research well.
Although some of Craney's characters were fictional(as he states in his notes) they were based on real life people. The hurricane that is referred to at the end of the book where WWI vets were left to fend for themselves is also a true event often called "Hemingway's Hurricane" because of the scathing report he wrote after being one of the first to see it's aftermath.
I think this is a must read book for anyone who wants to learn the truth about American history. Even though it is a fiction story it is purely based on fact and the author really did his research well.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated Spotlight (2015) in Movies
Jul 28, 2017
The story is amazing (2 more)
Heartfelt writing
The best ensemble cast in years
Wow. Just wow
Michael fucking Keaton!!!!
Holy shit!!!!
Although he will always be Beetlejuice to me, he keeps proving to me time and time again that he is one of the finest dramatic actors of our time. Id even go as far to say of anytime.
This movie follows the Boston Globe's Spotlight team in the early 2000's as they break a scandal involving the Catholic Church's involvement in a priest molestation case.
Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Leiv Shriver (spelling incorrect I know) also star, as well as a few other familiar faces.
This is not my typical movie, but when something stars Keaton, I check it out. And it didn't disappoint.
It's long, drawn out, and sometimes boring. But in this reviewers opinion, totally worth a watch.
The number 87 will forever stick out in my mind as something that reminds me of that wretched feeling you get in your stomach before you vomit.
Based on true events that transpired over an almost 55 year period, if not longer.
Holy shit!!!!
Although he will always be Beetlejuice to me, he keeps proving to me time and time again that he is one of the finest dramatic actors of our time. Id even go as far to say of anytime.
This movie follows the Boston Globe's Spotlight team in the early 2000's as they break a scandal involving the Catholic Church's involvement in a priest molestation case.
Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams and Leiv Shriver (spelling incorrect I know) also star, as well as a few other familiar faces.
This is not my typical movie, but when something stars Keaton, I check it out. And it didn't disappoint.
It's long, drawn out, and sometimes boring. But in this reviewers opinion, totally worth a watch.
The number 87 will forever stick out in my mind as something that reminds me of that wretched feeling you get in your stomach before you vomit.
Based on true events that transpired over an almost 55 year period, if not longer.
Courtney (25 KP) rated Assassin's Creed (2016) in Movies
Feb 10, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
There's action (2 more)
Has history
Movie adaptation from a game
Can be a bit confusing (2 more)
Not enough suspense
A bit predictable
El español asesino
Contains spoilers, click to show
So... this film is adapted from a game and I did like the whole animus style BUT I prefer the games.
Not saying it's boring because I did end up watching it all just to see what happened next, but not like an exciting feeling to see what's going to happen just to see if my guesses were in fact true.
The logic behind the animus I think was presented as well as it could be.
The actor I think fitted his role well and there was the odd big name in the film.
Even though there was action it still felt like there was a calmness to the film, like there was the same tone of voices throughout the film, hard to explain what I mean.
I think the story could have been explained a bit better than it had been.
It's one of those films eere once you've watched it, you would probably not watch it again for a while maybe a year or so.
Not saying it's boring because I did end up watching it all just to see what happened next, but not like an exciting feeling to see what's going to happen just to see if my guesses were in fact true.
The logic behind the animus I think was presented as well as it could be.
The actor I think fitted his role well and there was the odd big name in the film.
Even though there was action it still felt like there was a calmness to the film, like there was the same tone of voices throughout the film, hard to explain what I mean.
I think the story could have been explained a bit better than it had been.
It's one of those films eere once you've watched it, you would probably not watch it again for a while maybe a year or so.
Ross (3284 KP) rated 13 Reasons Why - Season 1 in TV
Feb 28, 2019
Deep personal story, gripping drama
On the surface this series looks to be all angsty teen drama. However from fairly early on, we see how a few instances of a nice sensitive person being slighted by the wrong people, or by those she trusts, can start to snowball.
Some of the "reasons" may seem fairly small and on their own not a reason for someone to take their own life. However, as the series tries to say, we never know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Without knowing that, and without true care over our own actions and interactions, small things can easily build up.
Small actions can have larger consequences and can make other people do things they wouldn't otherwise have done.
The cast are superb with all the main sterotypes of school personae covered (the rich kid, the poor but gifted kid, the nerd, the bookish girl, the talented jock etc). However, these aren't cartoon versions of those and are portrayed in a more human way than I've seen before. They all have their failings and in one way or another let someone down and resulted in them killing themselves.
Some of the "reasons" may seem fairly small and on their own not a reason for someone to take their own life. However, as the series tries to say, we never know what someone else is thinking or feeling. Without knowing that, and without true care over our own actions and interactions, small things can easily build up.
Small actions can have larger consequences and can make other people do things they wouldn't otherwise have done.
The cast are superb with all the main sterotypes of school personae covered (the rich kid, the poor but gifted kid, the nerd, the bookish girl, the talented jock etc). However, these aren't cartoon versions of those and are portrayed in a more human way than I've seen before. They all have their failings and in one way or another let someone down and resulted in them killing themselves.