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Archives for : Steven Spielberg

Jurassic Park 3D

Posted by :Chris On : April 14, 2013
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Category: flowerspix, Movie Reviews

Tags:, , ,

April 14, 2013

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern

Release Date: June 11, 1993 (original), April 5, 2013 (3D)

When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth

I was 11 years old when Jurassic Park was released.  I vividly remember going to see it at my local theater.  The place was packed; there had been a lot of buzz about the movie, and—being a preteen dino enthusiast—I begged my parents to take me one Saturday afternoon so I could see what everyone was talking about.  When it was over, something profound had occurred.  It was the first time I recall feeling an overwhelming sense of wonder at what I’d witnessed.  Sure, Star Wars had blown me away as a child, and I absorbed all things Indiana Jones; but there was something about Jurassic Park that completely enveloped me.  jp3eMuch of this, I think, has to do with seeing it on the big screen.  It wasn’t only that, though; it was the seamless effects, the just-plausible-enough-to-be-believable story, and the intense action (too intense, perhaps, for some kids my age, but I ate it up with a spoon) that made it absolutely unforgettable.  Thus my love of cinema was cemented forevermore.

When I learned that the movie was getting the 3D treatment I groaned.  The movie wasn’t designed for three dimensions, and there was absolutely no way that it would make for a convincing transfer (especially when compared to films like Avatar, which were specifically tailored for the medium).  I managed to resist making too much of a snap judgment and ventured out to my local theater to see the thing (with an IMAX treatment, no less) because, hey—it’s Jurassic freakin’ Park.

Imagine my surprise when that long-lost sense of wonderment was instantly rekindled from the very first frame.  When John Williams’ thundering score kicked in, the outside world melted away and I was, for all intents and purposes, a kid again.  But not only that; the movie lends itself nicely to 3D, with wayward tree limbs and cascading rainstorms feeling as if they were strategically placed knowing that the movie would one day be reborn in an even more tangible manner.

If this wasn’t confirmation enough that the movie had seen a successful transition, all I had to do was glance at the youngsters sitting a few seats down from me.  I’m guessing they’d never seen the film in any iteration, as their reactions—”ooohs” and “aaahs” in equal measure—were proof positive that this a picture perfect example of the magic of cinema.  A side note: I could hardly restrain a snicker as they jolted (nearly) out of their seats when the stray velociraptor popped his head out from behind the control panel.  I did the same thing when I was their age, and it’s a virtual certainty that the experience—and the aforementioned sense of wonderment—will stick with them for a long, long time.

So, in case I haven’t been clear, go see JP 3D.  If you’ve never seen it, then… well… what are you waiting for?  If you’ve seen it at least 500 times since its original release (like me), then trust me when I say that this new iteration is well worth the money.  My hope is that the move will be re-released in another 20 years so the next generation of moviegoers can see what it’s like to be transported to a world where the impossible really does exist.

redstar294redstar294redstar294redstar294redstar294out of 5

Lincoln

Posted by :Chris On : November 17, 2012
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Category: flowerspix, Movie Reviews

Tags:, , ,

November 17, 2012

Director: Steven Spielberg

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field

Release Date: November 16, 2012

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

Abraham Lincoln is my favorite President, as I suspect he is for many others.  After all, the guy managed (with plenty of help, of course) to abolish slavery and reunite a severely fractured nation.  As easy as it to “like” so much of the man, for many he’s a controversial figure—one who undoubtedly abused his power and consciously shirked the parameters outlined in the Constitution.  These aspects of his persona undoubtedly presented Spielberg (and screenwriters Tony Kushner and Doris Kearns Goodwin) with a dilemma.  Should they have taken the “popular” route, choosing to glorify the man or take a more “dirtied” look at his legacy and its wide-reaching implications?

The answer, I’d say, is that the crew opted for a moderate approach.  Without a doubt, Lincoln casts the former President in a positive,  ”grandfatherly” light more often than it does a dastardly dictatorial one, but it chooses not to ignore some of the man’s contemporary critics.  This, I think, is important.

Among other things, the choice to portray Lincoln as a tangible human being—and not a flawless idol who never second-guessed the weighty decisions he grappled with—makes him relatable.  Most often these moments come in his interactions with Mrs. Lincoln (Sally Field), as she attempts to reconcile the untimely death of their son, Willy, while facing the reality that their eldest is hellbent on joining the ranks of the Union Army (and, by all accounts, also meeting an early end).  It’s striking, too, to see the man lie; an act that is borderline heretical if mentioned in the same sentence with “Honest Abe”.  For example, when the movie sees the House of Representatives poised to vote on the 13th Amendment, it’s brought to the representatives’ attention that Mr. Lincoln has, in fact, delayed a “peace delegation” from the Confederate States that seek to the end the conflict, sending everyone in attendance into an unmitigated frenzy.  Before the votes can be cast, the decision is made that word from the President must clarify this one way or another.  Several breathless pages are sent to the White House, where Lincoln, without batting an eye, pens a note that says he has no knowledge of such intentions by the Confederacy.  This, of course, is a bold-faced lie, and only one of the pages—a man who has been hired to try and round-up the votes necessary to pass the Amendment—is willing to deliver the message.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The point of all this isn’t to point out the man’s shortcomings.  Instead, it’s designed to emphasize that none of his decisions were arrived at lightly; that he wrestled with them (often angrily) and ultimately decided to commit an impeachable offense because he saw it as the morally appropriate thing to do.

How historically accurate the movie’s portrayal of Lincoln’s true motivations are depends on which biographer you talk to.  Either way, the sense that Abraham’s essence has somehow been captured is ever-present, and thanks to the spirited performances of Day-Lewis, Field and Jones the wiry, larger-than-life figure who only posed or a handful of photographs is bought to life for all of us in one of the most human ways imaginable.

  out of 5

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Posted by :Chris On : June 10, 2011
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Category: View from the Blu (and DVD)

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June 9, 2011

Henry Jones… Junior

indiana_jones_and_the_kingdom_of_the_crystal_skull19 years.  That’s how long it was between Last Crusade and the 2008 release of Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

The question, of course, is this: was it worth the wait?

It depends on your point of view.  For me, the answer is—unequivocally—”yes.”

While there are oodles of fanboys who would have you believe that Crystal Skull is nothing short of an atrocity against mankind, it’s actually a pretty good movie.  As stated in my previous Indiana Jones commentary, this is actually my third favorite of the series (again, I think Temple of Doom is slightly more well made, but I enjoy this entry more).  Let me explain why.

It seems that Spielberg and Lucas were aware of the need for the franchise to return to its roots.  I’m not trying to suggest that Last Crusade was, in any way, shape, or form, a departure from what Jones is all about.  No, what I’m pointing to here is that Crystal Skull nicely reinserts the “homage” factor to the series.  That is, it feels like this entry was designed to pay tribute to a very specific genre: 50′s era B-movies that were fueled by Cold War paranoia and apprehension about saucer men from Mars.  Sure, this is a blatant departure from the 30′s/40′s serials that made Raiders such an appealing feature, but, given its roots, it makes sense for Crystal Skull (and the characters contained therein) to have evolved in such a historically accurate (and entertaining way).

Let me be clear, though: this doesn’t mean that Dr. Jones’ latest adventure approaches the heights of Raiders or Last Crusade.  Not by a long shot.  But, like Temple of Doom, it’s immensely entertaining.  Sure, the plot feels more episodic than it should, and the inclusion of action sequences that feature berserk monkeys and nuclear detonations is a bit over-the-top.  Given the aforementioned historical context, though, would you have expected anything less?

What’s that?  You don’t like seeing aliens in an Indy movie?  Please allow me to point out they aren’t aliens—they’re inter-dimensional beings.  And they’re the perfect compliment to the obsession with pseudo-science (like telepathy) that were the trademarks of this particular time period.

So where does that leave us?  I like to look at the Indiana Jones series as an EKG—it’s had its fair share of ups and downs, but nothing has come close to approaching “rock bottom.”  Besides, if the pattern continues it means there’s the possibility for one more epic entry.

If so, I’ll be standing in line at the midnight release with a bag of popcorn in one hand and my fedora in another.

redstar2redstar2redstar2redstarhalfout of 5

–Chris Flowers

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Posted by :Chris On : June 5, 2011
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Category: Blast from the Past, flowerspix

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June 5, 2011

You Have Chosen… Wisely

indiana_jones_and_the_last_crusade_ver1Talk about a return to form.

After the decidedly underwhelming (when compared to Raiders, that is) Temple of Doom, Spielberg, Lucas, and Ford managed to put together one of the greatest action-adventure movies to ever see the light of day.  Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade got everything right: it had the perfect comedic duo in Harrison Ford and Sean Connery; the action topped just about everything that had occurred in the previous two Indy films; the narrative returned its focus to the ultimate villain (Nazis) and once again had the fate of the world resting squarely on the shoulders of the rugged archaeologist who was the embodiment of all things good.  Last Crusade helped solidify the notion that stellar sequels are, in fact, possible.

Just about everyone has seen this, so allow me to focus on specifics.  The score is every bit as classic as it was the first time we heard it in Raiders, and the bits designed specifically for this offering are, all-in-all, equally as memorable.  The “booby traps” are spectacular (especially the “devices of lethal cunning” that Dr. Jones must navigate during the final leg of his journey); the decision to begin the film with a flashback of Indy in his youth is a stroke of genius, and River Phoenix perfectly imitates Mr. Ford’s most subtle mannerisms; and, of course, there’s the previously mentioned presence of none other than the original James Bond himself.

Connery is, for lack of a better word, the perfect foil to Ford.  Whereas Indy is often reckless and tends to dive into dangerous situations headfirst, Henry Jones Sr. is calm, collected, and every bit the logical sage one would imagine the father of Indiana Jones to be.

If there’s any spot where Last Crusade falls short of Raiders it has to be in regards to its leading woman.  Don’t get me wrong: Elsa is a great double-crossing she-devil.  But superior to Marion Ravenwood?  Negative.

Next up is Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  That’s right.  The fridge is about to be nuked.

redstar2redstar2redstar2redstar2redstar2 out of 5

–Chris Flowers

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Posted by :Chris On : June 1, 2011
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Category: Blast from the Past

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June 1, 2011

He No Nuts… He Crazy!

indiana_jones_and_the_temple_of_doom_ver1Believe it or not, some fanboys debate the superiority of Temple of Doom as opposed to Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  The consensus seems to be that, for all intents and purposes, Temple of Doom is the better picture.  Hashing out which one is “better” is certainly a tricky proposition; after all, they contain many of the same elements—as noted in my previous rambling—and are the two Indy films that feature non-Biblical artifacts as MacGuffins.

Here’s what I think: Temple of Doom is, in fact, a more solidly put together motion picture.  On the flip side, I actually enjoy watching Kingdom of the Crystal Skull more than I do the former.

But let’s focus on the movie in question.  Temple of Doom is not Raiders of the Lost Ark.  It’s that simple.  The story isn’t as compelling, the romance is duller, and the adventure doesn’t have the same sense of urgency that something like the Ark of the Covenant naturally generates.  Though there’s whip-crackin’ aplenty, some of the more hammy scenes (again, this is pre-Crystal Skull) in the entire series rear their ugly faces in this second outing.  For me, the worst of the worst is the “card playing” scene which involves, Indy, Willie, and Short Round.  They’ve set up camp for the night in a jungle clearing, and while our protagonist and his sidekick are bickering over hidden cards and underhanded tactics, Willie is darting from one side of the set to the other, screaming her head off as a myriad of creatures converge on their location.  It might draw a grin from the most ardent of Indy devotees, but it is, to be perfectly frank, an annoying scene.

Then there’s the blood brain-washing.  Dr. Jones is forced to consume some sort of black magic concoction that causes him to turn into a mindless Mol Ram follower.  Amazingly, Short Round discovers that the spell can be broken if Indy is taunted with a white hot torch.  Er… what?

Okay, so a lot of this movie doesn’t make sense, and it doesn’t have one-tenth the charm of its predecessor.  But it’s still vastly entertaining.  Oh, and did I mention there’s a cameo by Dan Aykroyd?

redstar213redstar213redstar213redstarhalf2out of 5

 

–Chris Flowers

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Posted by :Chris On : May 16, 2011
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Category: Blast from the Past, flowerspix

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May 16, 2011

raiders_of_the_lost_ark_ver1It’s Not the Years, It’s the Mileage

Thirty years ago the world was introduced to Dr. Henry Jones, Jr.  He’s the very definition of the heroic American archetype, right down to his reserved demeanor, rugged exterior, and wise-crackin’ shenanigans.  Though it was designed to serve as a tribute to the action serials of the ’30s and ’40s, Raiders of the Lost Ark has emerged as one of the great stand alone films in cinema history (and the many sequels it spawned have certainly earned their notoriety).  I’ve stated time and again that it’s my favorite movie, because, in the most straightforward interpretation of the phrase, it really does “have it all.”  There’s white-knuckle adventure, a snarky damsel in distress—though she’s certainly able to keep her own—a wonderfully written story, an unforgettable orchestral score, and flawless direction from none other than Mr. Steven Spielberg.

If you haven’t seen Raiders, then there’s a good chance you don’t like movies.  Seriously.  It certainly doesn’t have to qualify as one of your favorites, but along with Star Wars, The Godfather, and a handful of other “classics,” this is a movie that—in many ways—that redefined its genre.  I’ve probably seen it over 100 times.  Maybe more.  The fact that it never gets old is a testament to its sheer brilliance and staying power.

Of course, the film wouldn’t be what it is without Harrison Ford.  One could argue that Star Wars was his breakout feature, but Raiders of the Lost Ark is the movie that, in my mind, molded him into the “every man” who’s able to hold an audience’s attention by simply exuding the mannerisms of a tenured professor of archaeology who only wants the truth to be known.  It doesn’t hurt that each of the Jones movies pits our protagonist against very cut and dry evils like Nazis and Cold War era Soviet stooges; this, in fact, only further cements Jones’ place in American icon.

I mean, come on: when you see the shadowy reflection sporting a fedora and whip, do you think of anything else?  I didn’t think so.

All of this rambling was merely a chance for me to say “Happy birthday, Doctor Jones.”

Over the next several weeks I’ll be reviewing each of the Jones sequels, but I think it’s fair to say that, no matter how good your follow-up adventures have been, the first is still the best.

redstar2redstar2redstar2redstar2redstar2 out of 5

–Chris Flowers

The Top 10 Sci-Fi Films (10-7)

Posted by :Chris On : May 11, 2010
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Category: flowerspix, Ramblings

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May 11, 2010

10 )  Avatar

If you haven’t seen this, then there’s a good chance you live on Pandora (or maybe LV-426).  Though a number of critics slighted Avatar because of its very familiar story line, there’s no denying the impact it’s had on the world of science fiction.  I saw it in 3D—really, is there any other way to see it?—at an IMAX theater at midnight the day of its release, and I still remember the first time Jake Sully and company set foot on the lush surface of the alien moon.  It was the single most immersive movie viewing experience I’ve ever been a part of.  James Cameron “spared no expense” in bringing the vivid jungles and zoology of Pandora to life, and, as the movie spun its tale of greedy executives, hippie natives, and blue pterodactyl dragons, I soon realized that this would go down as one of the greats.

CM Capture 4

Sure, the plot is melodramatic.  But I’d be lying if I didn’t say that, despite its contrivances, it still managed to suck me in and never let go.  My conscious self knew Cameron was working overtime to try and create an “Oscary” movie that tugged on my tear ducts, but I simply didn’t care.  The realism of the world he created was too great, and the characters were just too darn likable. And I’m willing to bet the pioneering technology embodied in Avatar paves the way for an entirely new level of filmmaking.  To read my full review of Avatar, click here.

9 )  Dark City

Released in 1998, this one eventually got lost in the glare of The Matrix.  That’s a real shame, because Dark City is a very clever movie—it’s also a great example of how, in many ways, the mainstream just doesn’t like serious, hard-nosed science fiction.

CM Capture 5

It’s all about scientific experimentation, and it contains some truly fascinating philosophical underpinnings.  It’s also got one of the most jaw-dropping twists ever to be put on film.  Every time I watch this movie, I gain a new appreciation for movies that leave a fairly substantial amount of material unexplained.  This is something that used to infuriate me, but Dark City is one of the films that I credit with giving me the understanding that leaving a little something (or, depending on the movie, a lot of something) up to a viewer’s imagination can be a great thing.  It doesn’t achieve the speculative heights of K-Pax, for example, but it does warrant multiple viewings (and lots of discussion).  If you haven’t checked this one out, be sure to add it to your list of “must sees” immediately.

8 )  Aliens

What is there to say about Aliens?  Many people consider this to be James Cameron’s best movie (I don’t, but you can see my pre-Avatar list of what I think are his top 5 films here).  In my mind, this is one of the original “blockbuster” sequels—it’s bigger, louder, and more aggressive than its methodical and moody predecessor, Alien.  Cameron literally amps up everything about the Alien universe: this includes a deeper probe of Ellen Ripley’s resolve (and some welcome, albeit unexpected, characterization); the technology that exists in this future defined by space mining and colonial marines; and, of course, the biology of the xenomorphs themselves.

CM Capture 6

Yeah, I’m referring to the Queen Alien.  She’s one of the best movie monsters ever created.  Her epic battle with Ripley and her utilitarian “loader” is one for the books, and this scene alone cements the status of Aliens as one of the best sci-fi “actioners” ever created.

7 )  Minority Report

I absolutely love this movie.  Chalk it up to Spielberg’s impeccable direction, the mind-bending premise of Philip K. Dick’s narrative, or the gritty details of a futuristic Washington, DC, but this is a prime example of what happens when quality storytelling meets stellar filmmaking.  If you haven’t seen Minority Report, it’s all based on an interesting theory: in about fifty years, scientists will have developed genetically engineered “pre-cogs.”  These are people who are able to—via some sort of extrasensory/psychic perception—predict the future.  These pre-cogs are actually the result of a failed experiment, but law enforcement officials have harnessed their power (and essentially held them as slaves) to arrest murderers before they actually kill people.  As you’d imagine, there’s a lot of ethical quandaries with such an endeavor, and the movie probes them all in more than adequate depth.

CM Capture 7

One of the things that stands out about Minority Report the most, though, is how believable the world portrayed in the film actually is.  Spielberg and company consulted futurists to try and imagine what the DC of 2054 would look like, and the “Big Brother” aspects of said future are terrifying (but entirely realistic).  There’s a lot of other really cool technology too, and the noir sensibilities that were applied to the movie give it an extra boost of personality that propel it into the oft-mentioned pantheon of “the greats.”

Stay tuned for picks number 6-4, which will be arriving shortly.

–Chris Flowers