Summer Family Film WALL*E

Disney’s Pixar has created a poignant visual reflection of the purity of mankind once again this year’s summer family film; WALL*E. Pixar successfully demonstrates that real actors aren’t needed to captivate and connect audiences with computer animation; however, real characters are a must. WALL*E’s endless humble charm and relentless pursuit of his love Eve, creates a cinematic delight that seals Pixar’s fate as the leader in graphic technology but also in character development.

The movie opens with detail CGI that is awe-inspiring, there’s so much to love about this film that techies and nannies will leave the theater happy. Fine details incorporated in this film create a digitized trompe l'oeil effect. We’re introduced to WALL*E’s world of paper, junk, and garbage piled sky high in what is a recognizable Manhattan skyline taken over by trash piles that are higher that are larger than the buildings. It is here in the mundane world that WALL*E works his shift alone, surrounded by broken down robots of his kind that blend in with the debris, taking home what he finds interesting and compacting the remainder into neat bundles of trash.

It is an existence begging for excitement and adventure and it isn’t long before WALL*E’s orderly world is shaken by the one weakness of all mankind, Love. A traditional tale of boy meets girl gets a twist with late model robot meets sleek new model robot with blue digital eyes, EVE, the object of WALL*E’s affection whose profound passion leads her to the right decisions. Overlooking the visual typecasting, one becomes more attached to the safety and well being of the star, WALL*E. As the romance develops, EVE encounters a not so agreeable substance that send her internal mechanics into freeze mode, leaving WALL*E in suspense as he cares for her through rain, sleet and snow. When help arrives for EVE, WALL*E refuses to let go and takes a journey into her world to bring her back into his. What masterfully done is the attachment viewer will feel for WALL*E’s protection, happiness and safety – and it’s a Disney film so you wont be disappointed.

The producers and writers incorporated significant juxtapositions that lure to viewers into agreeably staying with this familiar plot. WALL*E’s world of debris and dirt is a direct contrast to the ultra clean world of on Axiom’s Luxury Spaceship. Similarly, WALLE*E’s world of hard work and Axiom’s world of leisure as well as his many right angles to EVE’s sleek design. The bridge to both worlds is WALL*E’s charisma that makes a huge impact across galaxies.

For the sci-fi geeks you will not feel this movie enhancing the nuances of science fiction, except to think of a technology created by man that has it’s own personality as in Blade Runner, has it own morals that question the status quo as in the Twilight Zone, and fills the Galaxy like Star Wars. A memorable scene is when WALL*E is in outer space and reaches his hands out and swirls it around in the universe creates a trail of stars in the distance. Absolutely Outstanding!

What doesn’t work well in this film is the intrusive “real human” the President of the United States played by Fred Willard. His presence returns the viewer back to “reality” when we’ve gotten so taken with the movie. The good news is the interruptions are brief and aren’t severe distractions, but unnecessary and could have been seamlessly made into a CGI character.

WALL*E is a welcoming summer family film that 3 year olds and 63 year olds will enjoy! No parental censoring needed for this film.


Our Rating – POSITIVE - This movie doesn’t let the viewer down. You want WALL*E to be with his love and for her to see how much he loves her… and for nothing to come between them not even a Galaxy…I wont say anymore about the plot. GO SEE IT!

An Imperfect Offering By James Orbinski

Author: James Orbinski, MD

Publisher: Random House (c) 2008

James begins the book from early childhood memories. One in particular was that of an old Jewish couple in Canada who sold shoes. James, curiously noticed the tattoos on their wrists and arms from being held in German concentration camps. This memory serves as the removal of an innocent Vail to revealing atrocities committed around the globe. An Imperfect Offering, approx 430 pages, provides detailed chronicles if James passion of medicine and humanitarianism. Oftentimes requiring him to be human. From his first visit to Rwanda, pre-genocide, the reader is introduced a vast land sprawling with people who are friendly and humorous. James tells of story having to ride his moped up a steep hill and the villagers yelling "Go white man go!" As the story progresses we read much about government corruption and extortion of Non government Organizations (NGO's) such as MSF, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Boarders), with whom Dr. Orbinski served as physician. The book provides astonishing details of the care of Afghanistan citizens as being comical and familiar. The toll of tribal wars in Somalia and the power the United States has to end wars or to ignore them. Informed exposure of the Kosov crises being completely mismanaged from a humanitarian perceptive. All the while hundreds of people, like Dr. James Obrinski, risk their lives to save lives and the momentary joy that brings. But he is without need, and the book poetically connects the reader to Dr. James well of spiritual grounding.

But what is most riveting are the details James experienced in Rwanda when he returned during the genocide. An Imperfect Offering, provides painful details of the suffering of all the people how NGO's and strangers helped out to rescue lives. Also, startling details of the French governments involvement in supplying arms to Rwandan government that were used to slaughter millions. The aftermath of such atrocities and how he made it through being repeatedly shot at as well as keeping tempers down at a camp of frustrated people. Particularly being the lifesaving hope and inspiration to many who no longer had any.

An extraordinary man who extended his life to help others in the most extraordinary circumstances. Certainly a must read for those who enjoy giving back.

Iron Man

A successful marriage of realism, drama, action and fantasy - Iron Man is ascends to the top of this list. Wonderfully scripted and flawlessly acted Iron man takes viewer through the carefree life of Tony Stark. He has the inheritance, brains, good looks and availability that makes him irresistible except to one woman, Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). His world is shaken when he finds himself fighting for survival in an isolated desert surrounded by the weapons he created to destroy. A life defining moment creates an Epiphany about his role in the sales of mass arms. Iron man sets to out to level the playing Field but not without a fight.

A must see film. Certainly a first that I hope will persuade younger audiences on involving themselves with science, engineering and math.


Director: Jon Favreau
Writers: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby

Starring: Robert Downer Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, Faran Tahir, Sayed Badreya

Juno

Well what can I say? It's a chick flick that actually works for guys too. Who knew? Great performances and casting. Realistic nuances in character and story. A wild soundtrack. The film-makers had a chance to wimp out several times in the plot, and they didn't. They went for realism instead of movie convention. A drama about a serious situation, but it's funny as hell too. I can only stand up and applaud. All this from a first-time screenwriter. Two admiring thumbs up!

Directed by: Jason Reitman
Writer: Diablo Cody
Starring: Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons, Olivia Thirlby

Speed Racer Review

By Michael Gutierrez  This move started badly. It was bad for a good 45 minutes. After that, things started to turned around. The humor became funny, rather than just stupid. The actors seemed to hit their stride and the racing got really good. However, it could have been a whole lot better!

There is no doubt that the Wachowski Brothers are immensely talented. "The Matrix" is a classic, one of the finest films ever made. They reached the pinnacle with that movie and have been going down hill every since. The Matrix sequels were a step down, but not as bad as my fellow critics have said. I liked "The Matrix Revolutions" and "Matrix Reloaded" improves with multiple viewings.

"The Brothers" (as the Wachowski's are now known) seem to have forgotten the reason for their earlier success. All great films engage the intellect and the emotions. The Brothers hit the sweet spot with "The Matrix". They've missed the mark a bit on all other films ever since.

"Speed Racer" suffers significantly in comparison to "IRON MAN" which got it RIGHT! (See my earlier review). It's not the fault of the cast, they carry the day as best they could. I especially like Emile Hirsch, who was outstanding in "Into the Wild" (see my earlier review). Everyone here does the best they can with the material, but there is no denying that the story is weak.

However, the movie looks terrific. The racing is the highlight of the film. Cut this 2 hour and 15 minute movie by at least 45 minutes and it's a solid recommendation. In any case, it's definitely worth a look in IMAX!


GO SPEED RACER GO!

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