theStoicPundit Reviews

Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Sure we've seen it before, but have we ever seen it with the Easter Bunny portrayed as a boomerang wielding Aussie? I think not!

[7/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: March 24, 2013

"We go by many names, and take many forms. We bring wonder and hope, we bring joy and dreams. We are the Sandman and the Tooth Fairy, we are the Easter Bunny, and Santa. And our powers are greater than you ever imagine..." When the boogeyman threatens the beliefs of children around the world, a group of immortal guardians must join together in order to protect the purity of a child's imagination.

As a kid how did your imagination depict Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy or Sandman? Did you perceive them as an edgy, sword wielding Russian? Or a rabbit the size of a kangaroo, equipped with boomerangs and an Australian accent? My brain certainly never painted these legendary beings as such. Welcome to the world of DreamWorks Animation.

"Rise of the Guardians" stars Santa Claus(Alec Baldwin) , the Easter Bunny(Hugh Jackman), the Tooth Fairy(Isla Fisher), and Sandman. The Story however mostly concentrates on a much less known character, Jack Frost(Chris Pine). Unlike the others, Jack Frost's popularity lacks severely. He finds himself intangible, as people are able to walk right through him. Being literally invisible and not given any credit for his magical works of art, such as snow days and intense sled rides through town, it is no wonder Frost denies his call to be a legendary Guardian. After all who wants hard work and deadlines when you're snowballs and fun times? However Jack soon realizes without his help, the joy and dreams of children around the world would resort to darkness and nightmares, created by none other than the Boogeyman himself.

The villain of the film, known as pitch(black) by the Guardians but referring to himself as the Boogeyman, is a diabolical snake. With only one goal in mind, he's determined to personify fear itself and put an end to the Guardians once and for all. Although, at times throughout the film the audience almost feels bad for pitch, I mean he only wants to be believed in, right? Remind you of anyone? Maybe that's why they pitted Frost and Pitch against one another.

With dazzling visuals, fast paced action and strong voice acting, "Rise of the Guardians" was 97 minutes of visual enjoyment. DreamWorks has succeeded in making a crisp, action packed, magical world that a younger audience will surely love, and one that even the older moviegoers might throw into the Blu-Ray player around the Holiday Seasons.

Les Misérables (2012)

"To love another person is to see the face of God."

[8/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: April 19, 2013

"To love another person is to see the face of God." The film opens with dark skies, angry waters and a nearly capsized ship being pulled into a concealing dock the size of two football fields. Enter Jean Valjean(Hugh Jackman) a hardened criminal, or so it seems, playing an unforgiving game of tug-o-war with a 300 ton ship and carrying a tune while doing so. Of course this tune was the byproduct of the film belonging to the musical genre. However within the walls of the movie, the song mimicked the initial mood of the film. Dark, Crashing chorus's layered with unease and exhaustion. After meeting victory and pulling the ship from the oceans grasp, we meet another vital character, Inspector Javert played by Russell Crowe. As the two Oscar caliber actors come face to face, Inspector Javert hands Valjean his freedom from 19 years of imprisonment validated through paper. Shortly after being freed, Vajean is nearly reunited with captivity and would have been if not for a mild mannered priest. Questioning why a man would perform such an act of kindness for a stranger, Valjean makes a life altering decision that would affect him in ways he couldn't possibly have imagined.

In most cases musicals are an acquired taste, however Tom Hooper has created (or rather adapted to the big screen) a wonderful film filled with glorious cinematography, wonderful acting and beautiful musical numbers, that can be enjoyed by musical lovers and haters alike.

Although at times it proved to be a little too much. With constant singing being the only thing vocalized, Les Miserables played more like an opera than a conventional musical. Which is different although not neccesarily a good different. There were almost cringe worthy moments as Valjean and Javert would conversate one to another through song. I found myself desperately thirsting for solid spoken dialogue thrown between the two leads, but I succumbed to dehydration. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the songs had plenty of catch to them, and the solos by both Anne Hathaway (Fantine) and Samantha Barks (Eponine) were absolutely awe inspiring.

The performances by the entire cast were pleasurable. Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter played the innkeepers that were "taking care" of Fantine's daughter Cosette, and also the unnecessary comedic relief that ended up being a necessity. As for Russel Crowe, he may not have the most polished singing voice out of the group, but his depiction of Javert's fiery yet violent disposition and love of the law was impeccable. Anne Hathaway gave an unparalleled performance as Fantine however short lived it may have been and even Amanda Seyfried had our attention the entire time she was in front of the camera.

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

"This world between Heaven and Earth was nothing short of a treat to look at."

[6/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: May 2, 2013

Jack: "Am I dead?" Elmont: "Not just yet." A boy named jack, a horse bartered for beans, a magic bean stalk that shoots through the sky and giants that rule a world in the clouds. A story we all have heard numerous times and one that's been introduced again and again through multiple mediums. One would think yet another revisiting of the same old story would end up as a wasted effort. To be completely honest, I shared these thoughts after seeing the trailer for such a film. However, Bryan Singer's "Jack the Giant Slayer" not only dowsed the expectations of being a wasted effort, but did so in a rousing, adventurous, fun and surprisingly thrilling sort of way.

The opening scene introduces us to both the hero of the story, before he was a hero at all but rather a small farm boy between the ages of seven and eight, and the eventual love interest of said hero.

As a storm begins to take hold in the background, both children are found intently listening to a legend of giants and mankind battling over the kingdoms of earth (portrayed poorly through a terrible CGI sequence), being told by a single parent of each. A few clashes of thunder later and we jump forward ten years, to Jack (played by Nicholas Hoult), now residing with his less than pleasant uncle.

Life as a farmer has clearly taken a toll on Jack and his uncle, especially in a financial sense. In desperate need of money, Jack receives the task of selling their horse and cart. While attempting to pawn off the duo, two major events take place. First we meet "said love interest" (Eleanor Tomlinson), now fully grown and wearing not only a pretty face but the title of Princess. The second of which Jack meets a monk and receives a handful of magic beans.. The casting up to this point was good all around although two characters really began to stand out among the rest. Ewan McGregor's Elmont was the perfect hotshot, knight in shining armor. Along with Stanley Tucci, who was almost cartoonish in his role as Roderick, the villain of the film.

After a few necessary happenings, one or two more character exchanges and pacing that seemed a little too drawn out for comfort, the magical beans find their way into the earths crust. The only way to go from here is up (pun intended) and so they did, as did the action sequences.

Bring on the giants! Ugly, grotesque, rancid creatures that seem to love only two things, consuming human flesh and picking their noses. On a visual standpoint these brutes certainly looked commendable; however, the real praise goes to the world in which they inhabited. Filled with beautiful landscapes and glorious waterfalls, this world between Heaven and Earth was nothing short of a treat to look at. However, if this world is located between Heaven and Earth, what is the foundation composed of? What's holding it up? What's allowing it to stay afloat? Surely not the clouds, but if not these tiny drops of floating water vapor and ice crystals than what? I guess we'll never know. Nevertheless, don't allow this minor poke or gripe or whatever you'd like to call it, prohibit you from seeing this all around fun film that well exceeded any and all of my expectations.

The Place Beyond the Pines (2012)

As a whole it was a well written, superbly acted, riveting machine. Even if it was a bit overweight.

[8/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: May 11, 2013

"If you ride like lightning, you're going to crash like thunder." "The Place Beyond the Pines" is a fast-paced drama that plays in three acts, and follows four young men separated by a generation. The opening scene introduces us to Luke (Ryan Gosling), as he performs mild yet impressive tricks with a butterfly knife. A slight sense of anxiety is painted across the screen as he paces back and forth, but is masked quickly as the camera follows the bleach blond, tattooed man through a carnival, into a large tent filled with screaming fans and to a steel cage, circular in shape. As he straps on a helmet and fires up his dirt bike, the unimportant underlying question of occupation is settled instantly.

After defying gravity and death itself, Luke is met outside the tent by a young woman (Eva Mendes) who appears to be a few classes below "proper". Body language shows us the two have had a prior engagement and know each other well enough, while dialogue fills in the blanks. Her name is Romina and her prior engagement with Luke, left her with his infant son.

Wanting nothing short of the best for his son but not having the financial means to provide for him, Luke does what he feels he must. With the help of his freshly acquainted friend Robin (Ben Mendelsohn) Luke begins robbing banks. An unwise decision that leads to more unwise decisions but also to one of the best and most intense chase scenes in movie history.

The second act follows Avery, a cop and law school graduate that appears almost too pure. Corrupt men are expected to commit corrupt acts, the same is expected of good men with good deeds. However when reality sets in we find that even a good man can succumb to crooked desires, even when the core of the desire is no more corrupt than the heart of the good man. This is portrayed perfectly as Avery attempts to use a "heroic act" to climb his way through the judicial system.

The third act takes place 15 years later, and revolves around the sons of both Luke and Avery. Littered with Drugs, alcohol, parties, friendships, fights and arrests the third portion of the film remains intriguing but not as riveting as acts one and two.

As stated before "The Place Beyond the Pines" plays in three acts, but it almost feels like three separate films. There is a lot going on here, a lot of information, story and dialogue to chew on and not nearly enough time to digest it. It's arguable that it would have been more effective with a thinner less repleted plot. Some even say the first act would have played better on its own, which in my opinion didn't have an adequate amount of substance to fill an hour and half running time let alone two hours. Although it would have made for an award winning short film. Concluding with the end of act two could have left us satisfied and not so bloated, but could also have left us thirsting for more information. So who's to really say if "The Place Between the Pines" should have ended with act one, act two or act three, as a whole it was a well written, superbly acted, riveting machine. Even if it was a bit overweight. We all have opinions we're entitled to and they're all different colors. As they say, "To each their own".

Oblivion (I) (2013)

Either I enjoyed "Oblivion" more than I should have, or it was just flat-out good entertainment.

[8/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: May, 22 2013

"I can't shake the feeling, that earth, inspite of all that's happened, earth is still my home." Why is everything in the future layered in white? The tables, chairs, walls, floors, clothing, devices...everything seems to be coated in white when living in cinemas impending worlds. Maybe it's meant to symbolize purity or the coming of cleanliness from a darker, filthier time? Even though most future civilizations, seen through numerous films, have a reputation of wearing elegant masks while hiding the corrosion coursing their veins and suffocating their hearts. Or maybe white is just fashionable.

"60 years ago, Earth was attacked. We won the war, but they destroyed half the planet. Everyone's been evacuated. Nothing human remains. We're here for drone repair. We're the "mop-up crew".

The year is 2077 and the planet Earth has been invaded and ravaged by an alien species known as skavs. Tom Cruise plays Jack Harper, a repairman that mends broken and destroyed security drones (that resemble dogs, not in looks but in behavior). These drones protect a number of very large, very valuable machines from the remaining skavs plundering whats left of the Earth. These giant, almost extra-terrestrial looking machines are used to gather the remaining water from the oceans around the globe. Once every drop has been gathered, jack and his "effective teammate", Victoria (Andrea Riseborough) will have completed their mission and can then join the rest of humanity on one of the moons of Jupiter, or was it Saturn? Does it really matter?

"Oblivion" isn't necessarily fresh or original, in fact it's more of a cheap(er) replica of an assortment of previous, mostly better science fiction films. Although its Superb acting, beautiful landscapes, top notch visual effects and score, so emotionally stirring it sends shivers down your spine, make up for its lack of ingenuity. It holds interest even if a bit cliche', and makes for an enjoyable ride of twists and turns. Either I enjoyed "Oblivion" more than I should have, or it was just flat-out good entertainment.

The Great Gatsby (2013)

"I knew it was a great mistake for a man like me to fall in love..."

[6/10 · 3 July 2023]

Written: June 12, 2013 "I knew it was a great mistake for a man like me to fall in love..." Like most people that went to high school, I have read The Great Gatsby at some point in time in my life. Although if I were to be honest, before revisiting F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel through Baz Luhrmann's eyes, I couldn't remember much of anything about the story (other than a woman getting hit by a car and a strange metaphoric use of a billboard and pair of eyes). Going into the film almost completely ignorant of the essence of the novel has its advantages though. I had the opportunity of watching the movie without comparisons possibly chaining me down and making it nearly impossible to enjoy the film, and was able to judge the movie on it's own merits.

The Great Gatsby's cast is composed of Tobey Maguire, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, the beautiful Carey Mulligan and of course Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead. All of which portrayed the characters well, although at times I found myself wanting to see Tobey Maguire throw on the gloves and mask and swing through the much younger city of New York. As previously stated the casting for this film was viciously good, Leonardo DiCaprio now wears the face of Gatsby and I wouldn't want it any other way.

The film opens with a dolly in shot over a body of water, we later find out is a lake, and towards a bright green light. The shot is smooth and gives a sense of relaxation, however this is the last smooth or relaxed feeling the viewer will have for the first quarter of the movie (which is arguably a third in reality). For that entire quarter or third, the film becomes very hyper-active and a chore to watch, jumping from character to character and scene to scene in brain rattling fashion that will leave you fighting a case of nausea. It was a fever-dream of lights, colors and swift, cutting camera movements. Luckily for audience the film is pieced together well and as fluid as possible, the dizzying roller-coaster ride was over before you knew it, and what was left turned out to be a gem.

Over all, the film in it's entirety is dazzling. It has a "diamond in the rough" feel to it. Once you scrape past the dirt, dust and coal we find a shimmering viewing experience.