How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Genre

Animation | Adventure

Directors

Dean DeBlois

Country

USA

Cast

Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Jonah Hill, T. J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, Djimon Hounsou, Kit Harington

Storyline

It's been five years since Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless successfully united dragons and vikings on the island of Berk. The now inseparable pair journey through the skies, charting unmapped territories and exploring new worlds. When one of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace. Now, Hiccup and Toothless must unite to stand up for what they believe while recognizing that only together do they have the power to change the future of both men and dragons.

Opinion

We live in a world where a successful film has to be transformed into a successful saga. But when it comes to make a sequel, it's quite a difficult challenge, because the viewer already knows the characters and there is no surprise element. Dean DeBlois made it, kinda. 

Still exciting, and beautifully animated, How to Train Your Dragon 2 doesn't live up to the first installment, and kinda loses its message.

The film would have been perfect if it wasn't for the writing, the only weak part. The plot sounded very interesting, but turned out to be simple and quite banal. The message is really hard to be understood: the film begins with Hiccup insisting that friendship can be more powerful than force, but ends by submitting the bad guy. 

Also, the introduction of the mother just didn't work. Dean DeBlois focused on the development of the relationship between Hiccup and his mother enough to make a keypoint of it. The only problem is that everybody is ok with the mother. She left for 20 years, and it's all wiped under the rug, like nothing happened. I mean, considering the film is more mature than its predecessor and goes to some pretty dark places, everyone forgiving the mother straight away seems fetched.

However, thank to the excellent characterization both of main and minor characters, and their development and growth acquired in the past fictional five years - mostly Hiccup and his father -, the film is saved in corner.

Vocally, Cate Blanchett did a wonderful job at not sounding like herself. In this way she avoided to distract the audience. The others also did a good job, even though I gotta admit I find Jay Baruchel's voice quite annoying.

Feel free to write back and say, "You're an idiot, this film is perfect, and way better than the first.", I won't be offended. 

Quotes

Stoick: Men who kill without reason cannot be reasoned with.

I Am Sam (2001)

Genre

Drama

Director

Jessie Nelson

Country

USA

Cast

Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, Laura Dern, Marin Hinkle, Stanley DeSantis, Doug Hutchison, Rosalind Chao, Ken Jenkins, Wendy Phillips, Scott Paulin, Kimberly Scott, Michael B. Silver, Eileen Ryan, Mary Steenburgen, Elle Fanning

Storyline

Sam Dawson (Sean Penn) is a mentally challenged father raising his daughter Lucy (Dakota Fanning). As Lucy turns seven and begins to intellectually surpass her father, their close bond is threatened when their situation comes under the scrutiny of a social worker (Loretta Devine) who wants Lucy placed in foster care. Faced with a seemingly unwinnable case, Sam forms an unlikely alliance with self-absorbed, high-powered attorney Rita Harrison (Michelle Pfeiffer), and in the process will teach her the value of love and family.

Opinion

I am shocked. I can't see how it is even possible for this film to have a 34% rating at Rotten Tomatoes. If those people have actually seen the film, there's no way they could have written all those negative reviews.

Delivered by some stunning performances, I Am Sam is a truly emotional, and powerful film dealing with mental disability and the power of love.

This film lacks in originality - it feels like Kramer vs. Kramer and Rain Man had a baby -, it might deal with such a complex issue in a simple way, and it might be a little unrealistic because in real life cases such as this one wouldn't be even considered, but it's still a great drama. 

What director Jessie Nelson did here is to put emphasis on the main character's feelings, on the chance of seeing her daughter growing up in the best way possible, not availing of intelligence but of the ability to transmit an incredible love.

Technically speaking is all whole different story. Nelson seems to be under the influence of the documentary style, with an hand-held camera, not brilliantly used, that unfortunately doesn't add anything to the sentimentalism of the film. No wonder the cinematic world has lost her tracks.

The performances are outstanding. Once again, Sean Penn proves he can act. He gives an incredibly realistic performance as Sam, and comes very close to Dustin Hoffman's performance in Rain Man. There's one flaw though: he didn't get an Oscar for the role. Michelle Pfeiffer is charming - and gorgeous as usual - as lawyer Rita Harrison. Dakota Fanning is fantastic in the role of Lucy. She seems incredibly natural.

If you are looking for something that leaves you feeling and thinking, go for this one, you won't regret it.

Quotes

Rita: I just don't know what to call you: retarded, mentally retarded, mentally handicapped, mentally disabled, intellectually handicapped, intellectually disabled, developmentally disabled...

Sam: You can call me Sam.

Friday the 13th (1980)

Genre

Horror

Director

Sean C. Cunningham

Country

USA

Cast

Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Jeannine Taylor, Kevin Bacon, Mark Nelson, Robbi Morgan, Peter Brouwer, Rex Everhart, Ronn Carroll, Ron Millkie, Walt Gorney, Willie Adams, Debra S. Hayes, Ari Lehman

Storyline

In 1957, a young boy named Jason (Ari Lehman) drowned at Camp Crystal Lake. In 1958, two camp counselors were murdered. In 1962, fires and bad water thwarted the camp's reopening. Now, in 1979, Steve Christy (Peter Brouwer) finally reopens Camp Crystal Lake with the help of a few new counselor. Unfortunately, someone isn't happy about what's going on in the camp and enjoys playing kill the counselor.

Opinion

My first thought at the end of the film was, "Was this film really that scary back in the 80's?", because besides from giving birth to Jason, I struggle to see its greatness.

Slightly scary, Friday the 13th has nothing memorable, only the aura of legend that has been crafted over the years. 

It's hard to find something that works. The script is barely there. The absurd story, and the non-terrifying murders are joined by a killer that just shows up at the end of the film, denying the surprise effect because nobody has an idea of who the hell that person is.

This film condones some of the horrors clichés - the couple having sex dies, the car doesn't start, and the ugly one survives. The action sequences are also quite bad. The fighting looks terrible and completely unrealistic.

The acting is another weak point. Adrienne King is great at screaming: if only her acting was that powerful. The other kids are not better. Betsy Palmer easily steals the show, even though she only shows up for 15 minutes circa.

Besides from Kevin Bacon's character dead - I don't like him much -, the good part is the music. I don't know how, but it was chosen properly, and manages to delivers some thrills.

Quotes

Crazy Ralph: You're doomed! You're all doomed!

Speak (2004)

Genre

Drama

Director

Jessica Sharzer

Country

USA

Cast

Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Robert John Burke, Hallee Hirsh, Eric Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, D. B. Sweeney, Steve Zahn, Allison Siko, Laurie Halse Anderson, Leslie Lyles

Storyline

After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda Sordino (Kristen Stewart) enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.

Opinion

After finding out Kristen Stewart can actually act, I was curious to see how she was before the Twilight Era, so I gave this film a try. I ensure you they - both the film and Stewart's performance - are worth your time.

A little too slow at times, Speak is a different kind of teen movie that delivers a great message, and deals with such a serious subject matter - rape - in an unusual way.

Based on Laurie Halse Anderson's novel of the same name, this film's story is very simple, so simple that the trauma is completely predictable, therefore there are no surprises to come. However, the film finds part of its strength in its simplicity, which is full of expressiveness, and in the realistic story. Also, for once, the voiceover is appropriate and brings us inside the head of the fragile, and interrupted girl played by Stewart.

Jessica Sharzer does a great job both writing and directing this film: the camera work is good, the flashbacks work fine, and the key moments are not over dramatized.

This film also finds its strength in Kristen Stewart's leading performance. She gives a stunning, raw, and honest performance in the role of Melinda, the traumatized girl dealing with her rape. Part of the merits goes to the character whose apathetic expression very simplified Stewart's job. Standing out from the crowd is also Steve Zahn in the role of the Art teacher.

If you have the chance to watch this, please do, you won't regret it. 

Quotes

Melinda Sordino: All that crap you hear on TV about communication and expressing feelings is a lie. No one really cares what you have to say.