Category Archives: Christian DiMartino

A&E, Christian DiMartino, Peter Hyle

Students and staff anticipate ‘Catching Fire’

Leave a comment

By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

This Friday, the second installment to the Hunger Games movie trilogy, Catching Fire, will be released into theatres. Starting out as a popular and best-selling book trilogy, the anticipation for this movie is building. Students and staff members at FC have mixed attitudes towards the new release.

In the first movie, fans had to adjust to the actors and actresses playing the beloved book characters. The second installment has even more characters, drawing even more attention to the cast members chosen for each role.

“The first movie was very well casted and filmed, and I really just want to see how Catching Fire will compare,” said junior Madison Rice.

Others look past the actors and actresses themselves and focus on their talent and potential for the character they are playing.

“I re-read the book Catching Fire a second time and pictured the cast in place. I was curious to see how each actor and actress would pull off their role,” said school librarian Pamela Poe.

Some people prefer only the books, and think that the movies were an unnecessary addition.

“I’m not really excited to watch the movie. I feel like all of the hype died out after the first film,” said junior Brett Yeaton.

There are many reasons why people love the Hunger Games trilogy. Whether the plot is in book or movie format, the love for the story is different for each person.

“The story encompasses so many different genres,” said senior Brittany Harris, “There’s a bit of everything. It could be horror, comedy, or romance. They cover every aspect and tie the story together in such a beautiful way.”

Despite the wide variety of genres, some like only a few of the aspects rather than all.

“I’m mostly going to watch it because of the fast paced action throughout the books. I really want to see that intensity translated onto the big screen,” said sophomore Trevor Mason.

There are certain aspects inside each book that a lot of people believe is needed for the movie versions.

“The general idea of each book is bold and exciting. Katniss isn’t afraid to risk her life for the people she loves, and there is a lot of depth behind that. Catching Fire needs to show that,” said freshman Kat Hobaugh.

Every fan of the book has their own concerns about the new movie.

“I think that the first movie was great in comparison to the first book. I really hope that the second film won’t be one of those movies that ruin the book it’s based off of,” said Rice.

Despite all of the worries regarding the upcoming release, there will always be dedicated fans that stand by the author and her original intent for the story.

“It is a truly wonderful series,” said Poe, “No matter how the movie goes,the book will always be great.”

A&E, Christian DiMartino

Columnist previews the final film releases of 2013

Leave a comment

By Christian DiMartino

2013 has had a fair amount of good movies (Side Effects, Disconnect), but an overpopulation of bad movies (Scary Movie V, Getaway). However, there is still hope. The year is wrapping up, and Oscar season is around the corner. Translation: Movies are going to get good again. Here is what to look forward to the rest of 2013. Sure, not all of them are going home with awards, but some of them are kind of a big deal (wink).

5. Gravity (Oct. 4, PG-13): Oscar winner Sandra Bullock is getting rave reviews (the movie is also) for her role as an astronaut stranded in outer space. How can a movie like this work? Not sure. According to early reviews, director Alfonso Cuaron’s film supposedly does work, and very well. Consider it a done deal.

4. American Hustle (Dec. 25, Not Yet Rated): David O’Russell (Silver Linings Playbook, The Fighter) is on a role, and this just may be the one that sends him home with the gold. The first trailer looks terrific, and plus it brings back O’Russell’s finest alumni (Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, and Jennifer Lawrence), so how can it go wrong?

3. Her (Dec. 18, Not Yet Rated): Here is a film that will receive plenty of judgment and controversy, and that alone is exciting. Joaquin Phoenix, after doing an amazing job as a psychotic drifter in The Master, plays a lonely guy who buys a talking computer and… falls in love with it. Strange? Oh yeah. But it is nice to see a daring movie every once in a while. Also, director Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) is the king of strange movies, so it must be perfect. This is going to be the strangest movie of the year, possibly even the next 10, but I guarantee it will leave people talking for a while.

2. Anchorman: The Legend Continues (Dec. 20, Not Yet Rated): After many years of trying to get this movie made, Will Ferrell and co. have finally done it. Finally. Anchorman is one of the funniest movies ever, so the sequel better be worth the wait. The plot is unknown, but what is known is that numerous cameos (Tiny Fey, Meryl Streep, Kanye West, and more) are on the lineup. So, be there for Ron Bergundy this holiday season. He is kind of a big deal.

1. The Wolf of Wall Street (Nov. 15, Not Yet Rated): Wall Street movies are boring, but hopefully this one is far from it. Martin Scorsese, one of the greatest directors alive, rarely makes a bad movie. Same goes for Leonardo DiCaprio, who (fingers crossed) may finally get that fourth Oscar nomination. The trailer is fantastic, and it helps that Kanye West’s “Black Skinhead” is blaring throughout. This could either be a Scorsese masterpiece, or a Scorsese letdown. I truly hope it is the first.

There are plenty of other films, including Nebraska, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Carrie, Thor: The Dark World, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, that did not quite make the cut. Hopefully, with these movies mentioned and whatever other Oscar hopefuls are out there, 2013 ends better than it began.

Christian DiMartino

Columnist critiques movies of summer 2013

Leave a comment

By Christian DiMartino

The summer movie season is wrapping up, and after seeing 20 movies, it is about time for a summary. Yes, there were some that I missed out on, from blockbusters (The Wolverine, Pacific Rim) to indie hits (Blue Jasmine, The Bling Ring). But summer is over, and it is time to move on. Here are the high and low points of summer 2013. *Note* If Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra was considered an actual movie (it was an HBO movie), it would certainly make the list.

The Best

5. Before Midnight: Most probably do not even know what this is, and it is a pity. Richard Linklater’s third chapter in the Before Sunrise trilogy is one of the best written and acted movies of the year so far. This time around, it has become more obvious that Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have developed into bona fide actors. Yes, the movie is a talk fest, but it is worth it.

4. The Conjuring: The Conjuring is a movie that has been done before, but not much better. It is a good old fashioned haunted house movie that takes its time delivering the chills, rather than constantly making the audience jump. It also helps when actors as good as Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, and Lili Taylor are involved. It is not the scariest movie, but it is among the best of its kind.

3. Iron Man 3: Iron Man 3, the first movie of the summer, kicked the summer off right. Often hilarious, with Robert Downey, Jr. doing what he does best, making people laugh, not to mention the  special effects, Iron Man 3 is a total blast.

2. The Great Gatsby: Ignore the critics. Baz Luhrman’s latest film is a visual marvel that captures the era and the essence of the novel well. Gorgeous and well acted, The Great Gatsby is as enchanting as movies get. Leonardo DiCaprio and crew could not have done better. Great job, old sport.

1. Star Trek Into Darkness:  J.J. Abrams’ previous Star Trek movie found a new fan (guess who?). After waiting four long years , the sequel finally came along, and it was well worth the wait. Star Trek Into Darkness puts the word “spectacle” into “spectacular.” The visual effects are marvelous and there are some nice references to previous movies. But what the crew really nails is letting the audience know these characters better, especially Spock (the terrific Zachary Quinto). Besides Quinto, the best actor involved is Benedict Cumberbatch, who steals the show as the villain. Star Trek 3 can’t come sooner.

Honorable Mentions: This is the End, Man of Steel, Monsters University

The Worst

After Earth: Of 20 movies, none of them deserved annihilation as much as this one. M Night Shamylan’s latest disaster is a 100-minute talk fest rather than a cool sci-fi movie. It is incredibly dull, and if Will Smith does not look interested, the movie is doomed from the start. The saddest thing about it is that it is not even Shamylan’s worst (Reigning champion: The Last Airbender).

Most Surprising

Tie: Fast & Furious 6 and The Hangover Part III: After giving up on both franchises, it is nice to say that both movies were pleasantly surprising. The well-reviewed Fast & Furious 6 is dumb fun, and proud of it. The poorly reviewed Hangover Part III is a bit different from its predecessors, and it is for the best. It is not as wild, but it is still funny and it ties the trilogy together well. Neither movie is amazing, but both are better than expected.

Most Disappointing

Kick Ass 2: It is sad to say that The Lone Ranger, which was torn apart by the world, was better than Kick Ass 2. The first hour of it lives up to the original. It is funny and fun, and Chloe Grace Moretz steals the show once again as the foul mouthed Hit Girl. But the sequel takes a wrong turn in the last 40 minutes, and it is a turn for the worst. It is also a waste of what could have been a great Jim Carrey performance. At the end of the day, it is a wasted opportunity.

Well, there it is. This summer was not the best. But it was a decent one. There were only two bad movies the entire summer, and some were borderline bad but shamefully enjoyable (White House Down, The Lone Ranger). It was also a good summer for comedies, such as This is the End, The Heat, and We’re the Millers. All this summer needed was another Batman movie and it could have been perfect. If the summer didn’t meet expectations, there is still a lot to look forward to in the rest of the year, such as The Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle, Gravity, and Her. Count me in.

A&E, Christian DiMartino, Peter Hyle

‘Gatsby’ surpasses original reviews

2 Comments

By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

One of the first summer releases of the year, Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, has rolled into theaters with conflicting reviews. To say that this movie has been unfairly judged is an understatement, this movie was a fresh, original take on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel. But this review is no comparison between the film and the book it was based on.

The story centers around Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire), a writer from the Midwest who moves to New York. He lives next door to the mysterious Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and soon Gatsby draws him into a rich and fast-paced lifestyle.  Quickly, Carraway begins to realize everything his new friend does is in a frantic attempt to attract Carraway’s cousin, Daisy Buchanan (Carey Mulligan). The only problem is Daisy’s cheating husband, Tom (Joel Edgerton), who refuses to let go.

What starts out as an exhilarating and perfect fantasy soon crumbles, and the film is beautifully corrupted by Gatsby’s own desperation. Carraway’s struggle to help everyone and be the neutral party throughout the film is perfect for the narration, and the development of that character is subtle but entirely satisfying. Judging by Maguire’s previous movies, this is one of his better roles.  This actor, known for the Spider-Man trilogy, is capable of much more than most people believe.

The film is caught up in a dazzling, epic swirl of colors and music which only adds to the overall storyline. This is best shown in the party sequences, in which Luhrmann is a master at crafting. What works best with the party sequences is the blend of fantasy and reality all throughout the story line.

The character of Gatsby himself is played perfectly by DiCaprio. The mystery and intense flaws that envelope Gatsby’s character would not have been as intriguing with any other actor. It now makes sense just what Luhrmann, who also directed DiCaprio in Romeo + Juliet, sees in him, talent wise. DiCaprio will win an award some day. Due to the mixed reaction that the film received, it will most likely not be for this one. But he has time, just wait.

Gatsby was phenomenal, but every character in this movie held some sort of depth or charm. The whole movie was packed tightly with heartache and excitement, and it would not be the same if any other role was cast differently.

Another stellar aspect of this film is the soundtrack. Modern hip hop and R&B is mixed with classic jazz-era music, creating an energizing and overall rousing mood for the film, which included Jay-Z, Lana Del Rey, Jack White, and Beyonce. It worked well with each and every scene and enhanced the whole tone of the movie.

Looking past the one too many “old sports,” this film was incredible. It was a stunning piece of work, both theatrically and musically. Some critics will continue comparing it to the book, which does differ in many ways.

Here is the thing with Luhrmann’s films: they are an acquired taste. He consistently takes something that is a beloved classic and puts his twist on it. That twist is usually something modern, flashy, and occasionally wildly bizarre. The Great Gatsby is all of those things, and if those elements do not appeal, or Luhrmann’s other films such as Moulin Rouge and Australia, do not appeal, then this film likely will not please. Luhrmann’s work is good, and watching it for simply the movie itself, it is hard to find any real problems.

Christian DiMartino, Weekly Playlist

Columnist offers how to get prom night kickin’

Leave a comment

By Christian DiMartino

On May 11, the best moments of every students’ high school career will occur. A night many students wait long and ardently for, the mother of all parties: Prom. Do not let the top choice put a damper on the evening.

5. Footloose: Can prom scenes get any more memorable? The film takes place in a town where dancing and rock music are banned. Once the students flee outside the city limits, Ren (Kevin Bacon), the protagonist, bursts into the prom and shouts “Let’s dance!” So they dance, for what feels like a very long time, to Kenny Loggin’s “Footloose.” The movie is not that great, but like prom, the scene cannot be forgotten.

4. Pretty in Pink: The climax of Pretty in Pink takes place at the prom. Andie (Molly Ringwald), a not very wealthy girl, makes her own clothes and goes with her best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer). There, her wealthy boyfriend Blane (Andrew McCarthy), who recently broke up with her because of peer pressure, realizes that he loves her and decides that he does not care what others think. I am sure the rest is self-explanatory. It is a happy ending, and sometimes that is all people need to have a good night.

3. Grease: The first two movies mentioned were 80’s proms. This one is a 50’s prom, and is a little different. Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton John) go to prom in the middle of the movie, and it is so happenin’. There is a lot of dancing. A lot. This is when the “hand-jive” shows up. It is a blast, just the way prom should be.

2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Back to the 80’s proms. The prom scene is upbeat and once again is the climax of the film, but there is something a little different this time. Class clown Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) has been torturing his teachers all year. But on prom night, one of his teachers, Mr. Hand, decides to visit his home and gives him a history lesson, to punish him for wasting so much of his time in the year. But in the end, Jeff makes it to prom. It is a clever idea and the result is hilarious.

1. Carrie: Prom is supposed to be a night to be remembered forever, right? Well, there should be no problem remembering the prom in Carrie. This is easily the most memorable, but yet the most demented. Do not let this prom put a damper on your prom events. The chances of a girl with telekinetic powers murdering almost everyone at the prom are slim to none. But it is still a party to never forget.
For the record, I highly recommend pulling no prom pranks, as previously discussed, the results have the potential to be disastrous.