Cloud Atlas

“Cloud Atlas” is multi-layered epic, telling no less than six separate narratives concurrently, each featuring the same characters in different temporal incarnations.

It’s strikingly original, sumptuous to look at, and incredibly ambitious.

It’s also extremely long, mildly incoherent, and not one half as profound as it would like to be.

Certainly it’s a commendable film, but “Cloud Atlas”‘ reach far exceeds its grasp. Respect needs to be paid for aiming so high, and due to its lofty aim, the end result is a high calibre movie. But this film illustrates why more points are awarded for routines with higher levels of difficulty… namely because they’re so much harder to pull off.

The 2012 Fall Movie Preview – Part II

Ok folks, here we go. Part II of the 2012 Fall Movie Preview. Today we’ll break down all the major releases on tap for the month of October, and the first week of November!

As you might imagine, it’s a diverse bunch. There are some ahead that look intriguing, and some that might as well be announcing that they’re garbage already, LOL. Let’s have a look and see if we can’t sort out what’s what!!

Movies That Everyone Should See: “Apollo 13”

With the successful landing of the rover “Curiousity” on Mars this past week, my thoughts have turned to Space and the Space program, and that naturally led me to think of Ron Howard’s “Apollo 13”.

With an emphasis on authenticity and cast laden with Oscar winners and nominees, “Apollo 13” brings to life the nerve-wracking true tale of determination, ingenuity and courage that occurred on the 13th mission of the Apollo program.  

The Great Debates: Which “Toy Story” Movie is the Best?

A couple of weeks back, during discussion of the Top Ten Pixar Movies several people surprised me by ranking the second chapter of the Toy Story saga as the best. Prior to that I had always thought that people were merely divided between 1 and 3. So, seeing as we have an opportunity to hash these things out here, let’s! Shall we?

Click through to read “The Tale of the Tape”!!

Now Showing on Cable: “Larry Crowne”

Making its debut this weekend on HBO was last year’s “Larry Crowne”, starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. Directed by Hanks himself, “Larry Crowne” is the story of a middle aged man – Larry Crowne – who loses his mid level job at a retail store due to his lack of education.

Unable to find subsequent employment, Larry enrolls in Community College.

What he doesn’t bargain on is the profound, romantic, humorous, heartwarming change that will occur in his life due to – – Aghgh, God. I can’t even write a summary sentence about this nauseating nonsense without feeling ill.

Click through to read why you should stay away from this awful offering of offal.

Movies That Everyone Should See: “Big”

I was in the middle of trying to think of some lighter fare for this week’s MTESS, when I came across “Big” on the Digital Cable Guide. It was a stroke of luck.

“Big” is a lighthearted comedy about a boy who magically gets turned into a grown-up. It’s very lighthearted – easily digestible, if you will. Yet, just below the surface is a movie that effortlessly reminds us about the difficulties of the maturation process, the benefits and drawbacks of “maturity” and ruminates about exactly what “growing up” should mean.

It’s a movie that for some will be all too easy to dismiss… but I think that would be unfortunate. This is a joyful, fun movie with a lot to say.