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Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Earth to Echo (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Earth to Echo really excited me when I first heard about it. The premise reminded me of movies of my youth, such as Goonies, E.T.: Extra Terrestrial and Explorers. In fact, Echo actually seems like a mix of these three movies, which made me even more excited about it.
Earth to Echo sees three childhood friends Alex (Teo Halm), Tuck (Brian “Astro” Bradley) and Munch (Reese Hartwig) as they deal with moving away from each other because their neighborhood is being torn down to make way for a new freeway. Shortly before the final move date, something weird starts happening to their phones, and it turns out that a map is being fed into them. On their last night together as a group, they decide to pursue the map, not knowing the great adventure they have waiting for them, or the dangers that lie ahead. Of course, without any spoilers that are not already in the commercials/trailers, they find an alien life-form in a small owl-like creature. The creature is hurt and trying to get off planet, and the kids decide to help.
Overall the main story-arch of Echo was great. While a little unbelievable in this day and age that an established neighborhood is going to be uprooted for a new freeway (at least to me), the story was solid and things are not exactly as they seem. All three boys, and a love interest Emma (Ella Wahlestedt) did an excellent job in their performances, and you forget that the actors are actually the age of the children they are portraying. The visual effects were awesome, and the score was spot-on. The film was very enjoyable and knocked it out of the park in these aspects.
Now, this movie unfortunately suffers from its cinematography. The movie is viewed through cameras that are “controlled” by the characters themselves. Think Chronicle. Tuck is the camera-fanatic of the group and we see the adventures of the friends through his GoPro camera, spy glasses and handheld camcorder, as well as through the cell phones of the various characters. There is nothing wrong with this method of filming, and in fact could have worked really well, especially as it does play into the plot with our little alien friend. However, this filming technique was not used appropriately. There was just way too much “shaky-cam”. In fact, every single person in my party became nauseated by the overuse of the film style. While two in my group were able to overcome the sick feeling, the rest of us could not shake it. There are several things that could have happened on our part to prevent this (i.e., sitting farther back in the theater), but many will not know this going in and it could be a bane to their movie-going experience.
It really is too bad that the camera-work had this much effect on the film. As I said, overall it was a very enjoyable movie. My suggestion is to sit toward the back of the theater, or even just wait until it comes out on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital. I think that being able to see it on a smaller screen, or sitting in the back of theater, will allow you to frame the film and not be so submersed into it. This will prevent the nausea that my party, as well as other moviegoers I heard expressing the same concern. I will definitely be picking it up when it is released for purchase, despite my experience in the theater.
Earth to Echo sees three childhood friends Alex (Teo Halm), Tuck (Brian “Astro” Bradley) and Munch (Reese Hartwig) as they deal with moving away from each other because their neighborhood is being torn down to make way for a new freeway. Shortly before the final move date, something weird starts happening to their phones, and it turns out that a map is being fed into them. On their last night together as a group, they decide to pursue the map, not knowing the great adventure they have waiting for them, or the dangers that lie ahead. Of course, without any spoilers that are not already in the commercials/trailers, they find an alien life-form in a small owl-like creature. The creature is hurt and trying to get off planet, and the kids decide to help.
Overall the main story-arch of Echo was great. While a little unbelievable in this day and age that an established neighborhood is going to be uprooted for a new freeway (at least to me), the story was solid and things are not exactly as they seem. All three boys, and a love interest Emma (Ella Wahlestedt) did an excellent job in their performances, and you forget that the actors are actually the age of the children they are portraying. The visual effects were awesome, and the score was spot-on. The film was very enjoyable and knocked it out of the park in these aspects.
Now, this movie unfortunately suffers from its cinematography. The movie is viewed through cameras that are “controlled” by the characters themselves. Think Chronicle. Tuck is the camera-fanatic of the group and we see the adventures of the friends through his GoPro camera, spy glasses and handheld camcorder, as well as through the cell phones of the various characters. There is nothing wrong with this method of filming, and in fact could have worked really well, especially as it does play into the plot with our little alien friend. However, this filming technique was not used appropriately. There was just way too much “shaky-cam”. In fact, every single person in my party became nauseated by the overuse of the film style. While two in my group were able to overcome the sick feeling, the rest of us could not shake it. There are several things that could have happened on our part to prevent this (i.e., sitting farther back in the theater), but many will not know this going in and it could be a bane to their movie-going experience.
It really is too bad that the camera-work had this much effect on the film. As I said, overall it was a very enjoyable movie. My suggestion is to sit toward the back of the theater, or even just wait until it comes out on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital. I think that being able to see it on a smaller screen, or sitting in the back of theater, will allow you to frame the film and not be so submersed into it. This will prevent the nausea that my party, as well as other moviegoers I heard expressing the same concern. I will definitely be picking it up when it is released for purchase, despite my experience in the theater.
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Naomi Judd recommended The Silence of the Lambs (1991) in Movies (curated)
Taryn K (441 KP) rated Sing (2016) in Movies
Dec 9, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was a bit slow starting out, and I was wondering how we would make it to a good ending; but then after everything, including the theater, fell apart, it all came together.
The music is fun, although there is only one original song, "Set It All Free", which Ash the Porcupine delivers with authority.
Possibly, if I didn't enjoy watching so many musical reality shows, I might not have liked this as much; but I do, and I did, and it's just fun to see how the characters interact and grow over the course of the movie. The running gags don't hurt either.
I'd definitely recommend this movie.
The music is fun, although there is only one original song, "Set It All Free", which Ash the Porcupine delivers with authority.
Possibly, if I didn't enjoy watching so many musical reality shows, I might not have liked this as much; but I do, and I did, and it's just fun to see how the characters interact and grow over the course of the movie. The running gags don't hurt either.
I'd definitely recommend this movie.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Damsel (2018) in Movies
Jul 1, 2018 (Updated Jul 1, 2018)
I was psyched when the local indie theater added this film to their lineup this weekend, because I'd been wanting to see this since Sundance. I also love anything with Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska.
The damsels in the film are contrary to what you would ordinarily think, which was humorous. It was billed as a western-comedy, and normally, I'm all for off-kilter humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was more awkward. I think the only reason I was entertained was because of Pattinson and Wasikowska's characters, other than that, the story seemed to move at a snail's pace. The nearly two hour run time wasn't really necessary.
Overall, I wanted to like it more than I did. I'm only rating it an 8 for the actors.
The damsels in the film are contrary to what you would ordinarily think, which was humorous. It was billed as a western-comedy, and normally, I'm all for off-kilter humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was more awkward. I think the only reason I was entertained was because of Pattinson and Wasikowska's characters, other than that, the story seemed to move at a snail's pace. The nearly two hour run time wasn't really necessary.
Overall, I wanted to like it more than I did. I'm only rating it an 8 for the actors.
CKD (37 KP) rated Kiss Carlo in Books
Dec 7, 2018
South Philly, 1949. Main character is Nicky Castone, who is orphaned and lives with aunt (Jo), uncle (Dom) and cousins. He drives Cab No. 4 for the Palazzini Cab Company (owned by his uncle Dom). Dom is in a feud with his brother, Mike. Nicky is engaged to Peachy but he is missing something so at the age of 30, he decides to follow his dream of acting and gets a job at Borelli's Theater. Within the cab company is a Western Union telegraph office where Hortense Mooney works. Nicky and Hortense find themselves impersonating a Italian officer and an attache to Eleanor Roosevelt.
As is typical of any Adriana Trigiani book, the characters are richly developed and you feel like you know them. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
As is typical of any Adriana Trigiani book, the characters are richly developed and you feel like you know them. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
Marie (8 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies
Jan 26, 2019
Too great for words
Contains spoilers, click to show
I took my 3 boys to see this incredible masterpiece. All three are under 10 and they were enthralled with it and cannot wait to own the movie.
Remi completely sucks you in. He was the perfect choice for casting. When Mary had to walk away or when Mary helped Freddie you could feel the pain. You wept for Freddie.
So much talent. It is truly a classic movie. When you leave the theater you have to smile because you just experienced a piece of history. You also leave with a brand new appreciation for Queen.
Remi completely sucks you in. He was the perfect choice for casting. When Mary had to walk away or when Mary helped Freddie you could feel the pain. You wept for Freddie.
So much talent. It is truly a classic movie. When you leave the theater you have to smile because you just experienced a piece of history. You also leave with a brand new appreciation for Queen.