Tag Archives: Movie Review

A&E

Insidious: Chapter 2 fails to capture the nerve-wracking plot of the original

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By Christian Dimartino and Bryce Romig

There is a vicious cycle when it comes to scary movies. The original is released, it becomes an instant classic with a large fanbase; however, most of the time, the filmmakers do not leave the original alone. Instead, the director brings along a new form of terror: a sequel. About 99.99 percent of the time, the sequel never lives up to the original. So, going into James Wan’s Insidious: Chapter 2, the burning question on the viewers’ mind is this: Can it top the original?

Insidious, Wan’s 2011 movie that slowly gathered a cult like following, was one of the more effective scary movies in recent history. Wan hit another slam-dunk back in July with The Conjuring, an even better movie (and very successful and even critically acclaimed) which is among the year’s best.  So, there is a lot of hype to live up to. But did he do it?

The sequel takes place directly after the events of the original. The Lambert family is trying to move on with their lives and recover from the events they had previously been through. But of course, since this is a sequel to a scary movie, the recovering doesn’t last very long. The wife Renai (the always terrific Rose Bryne) starts to notice strange occurrences again, including the behavior of her husband Josh (Patrick Wilson, the most overlooked actor in Hollywood), who she doesn’t reallytrust, due to events of the previous film.

Warning: Do not see this movie without seeing the original. It is not worth it. For confusion sake, just sit down and watch the original. The sequel will not be completely confusing, but either way the original is worth seeing. The original has a solid plot that is crucial to the second.

It’s always nice to see good acting in a scary movie. Like in the original, Wilson and Byrne nail it. The statement about Wilson being the most overlooked actor in Hollywood is true. This guy is great in Hard Candy, Little Children, Lakeview Terrace, among others, and he is still not a household name. Neither is the gorgeous Byrne, who is known for FX’s Damages and Bridesmaids. These two are in top form here. Everyone’s acting is solid, and it is nice to have almost everyone from the original (even Lin Shaye’s deceased character Elise).

At the end of the day, Insidious: Chapter 2 is not quite as captivating as the original. For Wan, this is a step down from the original Insidious and The Conjuring. Jumping out of your skin is guaranteed, yet the movie needed something more chilling. It needed more of Tiny Tim’s “Tiptoe through the Tulips” or the freaky demon that had a close resemblance to Darth Maul.

It is a good movie, but some of it is uneven. Not quite all of it adds up. Also, the twist, while good, is out there, even for this movie. Insidious: Chapter 2, though flawed, is a consistently entertaining movie that is worth seeing. It works, just not as well as the original. But Insidious: Chapter 3, if it happens, is pushing it.

Regardless of a hard to follow plot and somewhat confusing storyline, Insidious: Chapter 2 is definitely going to leave you paranoid at night.

Rating: 7.5/10

A&E, Christian DiMartino

Django Unchained illustrates Tarantino’s consistent artistry

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By Christian DiMartino

Rated R for strong graphic violence throughout, a vicious fight, language and some nudity.
Runtime: 166 minutes
Now Playing: Regal New Albany Stadium 16, Regal River Falls Stadium 12, Cinemark Tinseltown USA Louisville
Five Stars out of Five Stars

For the past twenty years, writer/director Quentin Tarantino has been entertaining us in a hilariously cringing way. Sadly, those twenty years have brought us only eight films (not counting his writing and producing efforts). But yet, each one of those eight films has a marvelous quality. One of his best qualities is his killer dialogue, which is always whip smart and hilarious. Django Unchained is no exception.

Tarantino has a gift for making the most serious of topics comical. This was displayed three years ago with his last film, Inglourious Basterds (my favorite film of 2009), which revolved around a group of Jewish Americans known as “The Basterds,” who hunted down the Third Reich. With Inglorious Basterds, Tarantino re-wrote history in an extraordinary way; he created a Holocaust cartoon, which probably led to a lot of bickering from historians. His latest film, Django Unchained, is even more controversial. Some may bicker again. Forget’em. Sit back, shut up, and get consumed by QT’s latest revenge fantasy.

Django (Jamie Foxx, who I do not generally like, but is enjoyable here) is a slave during the 1800’s. Enter Dr. King Shultz (the expectedly brilliant Christoph Waltz, whose show-stealing performance in Basterds led him to a much deserved Oscar), a dentist/bounty hunter who lets Django free and gives him an offer he cannot refuse: if he helps him hunt down some people, then he will help him find his wife, Bromhilda (the always lovely Kerry Washington). Bromhilda as it turns out, is currently the slave of a lunatic plantation owner named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio, giving one of his best performances).

Waltz is always perfect, but when DiCaprio is on screen, it is his show. Like Waltz’s character Hans Landa from Inglorious Basterds, Tarantino has written yet another scene stealing villain. Candie is a maniac, and once DiCaprio steps on screen, he, as he says in the film,”had my curiosity, but now you have my attention.” Lastly, in his best performance in years, there is Samuel L. Jackson as Candie’s conniving slave, Stephen. Almost unrecognizable in latex, Jackson’s character is a mystery. He’s a slave playing on the wrong team, and he’s the sort of character just unique enough to be in a Tarantino film (QT’s previous film made a Nazi somewhat likable). Great supporting work from the three actors.

But while being hilarious, it is also real enough to make you cringe, and it does not shy away from the fact that this period happened. The “n-word” is used plenty, and it may make some uncomfortable. Also, the violence is pretty constant and graphic.

But the above content wasn’t enough to keep it off of the Oscar Ballot. Django Unchained is now nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture, Original Screenplay, and Supporting Actor for Waltz. Though Tarantino was snubbed of Best Director, they at least gave it a very well deserved best picture and screenplay. DiCaprio and Jackson also did not make nomination lists. They did not give it quite as much justice as it deserves, but it is good enough for me.

What I admire about Django is the way that Tarantino blends drama, action, western, and comedy so well. Tarantino is one of the greatest current directors. He does not care about awards or Oscars. He just wants to give the audience what they want. There is not a boring second in the whole two hours and forty-five minutes. But it never lets you go. The cast seems to be having a great time, and so does the audience. It is nothing but a bloody good time from the opening credits until the closing credits.

A&E

The Dark Knight rises to the occasion

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By Christian Dimartino

Christopher Nolan, the co-writer and director of Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and Inception, wasn’t sure if he wanted to come back for The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment in his perfect series. With the success of its predecessor, The Dark Knight, he said he would only come back for round three if he felt that the screenplay lived up to TDK. So, he came back to direct TDKR. So you can assume what he felt. And what he felt, I feel also.

When the Joker, played by the late Heath Ledger, blew into Gotham in the previous film, chaos reigned, and not only did it reign, it left an impact on the city so large that their only symbol of hope is built on a lie. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckart,) a District Attorney who everyone called “The White Knight,” became horribly scarred, and ended up going on a killing spree. A killing spree that Batman took the fall for.

Eight years have gone by, and Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale, probably giving his best performance as Batman) has become a hermit. He refuses to see anyone, besides his loving butler Alfred (Michael Caine, who is brief but brilliant here.) But he is called back to action when two new foes, Catwoman (Anne Hathaway, giving an over-the-top but still enjoyable performance) and Bane (Tom Hardy, who is so menacing he makes the Joker look like the Riddler) step into town.

Meanwhile, Batman does have some allies once again. Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman,) the genius who designs all of Batman’s brilliant gadgets. Comissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman), who was also in on the Harvey Dent thing, and John Blake (Joseph Gordon Levitt), a rookie cop. And Bruce also has a new woman named Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard), a philanthropist who works at Wayne Enterprises.

There is much more to the story than I have told, but I would hate to ruin any of the constant surprises that TDKR keeps throwing at us. At times very powerful, moving, and nearly tear jerking-ly dramatic with some extraordinary action sequences, TDKR is the perfect way for this series to go out.

The acting from everyone is excellent. Bale is such a great actor, and I am glad that Christopher Nolan, that brilliant man, found him and made him who he is today (even though, sadly, he has been around for over twenty years). Caine’s performance, though small, is heart breaking. There is one moment where he brought tears to my eyes. The rest of the cast is excellent also, especially the diabolical Hardy and the sweetly subtle Levitt. Hathaway, though not the sexiest woman on the planet, is pretty sexy as Catwoman. She may be a little over-the-top, but, hello, she’s CATWOMAN!

Nolan is the best filmmaker. Ever. The man makes Albert Einstein look like Forrest Gump. With all of his films, since Memento, a film that went backwards, he’s dazzled our eyes, ears, and minds. He finally got the recognition he deserved with his previous film, Inception, in which he explained the way dreams work. The academy always seems to snub him whenever they can, and that irritates me.

With this final round, screenwriter Nolan, his brother Johnathon, and David S. Goyer have painted their bleakest canvas yet. what makes this series better than any other superhero film is that Batman is a real man, he has no powers, he could be one of us, and it’s that spirit that makes these films seem so real. TDKR feels like a drama, with action in the background, where as The Avengers is a fight fest. This is the most powerful one of the series, especially with the plot it has, (it’s a secret.)

I have been waiting four years, and it was worth the wait. TDK was my favorite movie and reigning champion for four years. But with TDKR, Nolan has reached new heights of excellency. He is reached film heaven. This is the best movie I have ever seen. It didn’t hit me until the final five minutes, but this film unfolds beautifully, probably having the best ending in film history.

Nolan’s Batman films have dove deeper into this hero than Tim Burton’s and Joel Schumacher’s films could ever do. These films have shown what a sad, mysterious, and fractured character Bruce Wayne is, and how he has done so much for this city and not gotten much in return. TDKR poses the question: Why? This film makes The Avengers looks like Kazaam, and that’s not exactly a good thing. The thing with The Avengers, while a good movie, is that it really dragged on. Apparently, TDKR was over two hours and forty minutes. Where did those minutes go? If you’re expecting just what I was expecting, you won’t be disappointed.

A&E, Alyssa Book

‘The Avengers’ are heroic in students’ eyes

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By Alyssa Book
The Avengers is a Marvel movie that centers around some of the most famous heroes, including  Captain America, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Thor, who all come together to defeat Thor’s brother, Loki. The movie centers around comic book mayhem and was in 3D to help intensify the action.With all the excitement surrounding this new Marvel installment, FC students joined in the fun, incorporating superheroes in the academic pep rally and some even going to the midnight showing of the film.Senior Erica Mohler went into the premier with low expectations because she does not particularly enjoy superhero movies. Coming out of the theater, though, she left with a different perspective.“I loved it. I wasn’t expecting to laugh, but it was hilarious. So often in superhero movies the hero is just “the hero,” but this movie did a great job of bringing out the heroes differences and made them more human. It showed their imperfections. It exceeded my expectations.”Junior Bryson Koch thought the movie was awesome and the best he has seen in a long time. He liked how the movie displayed every character. Koch’s favorite superhero was Iron Man because of his suit and flying abilities.

With all of the praise and the ticket sales to show the movie was a success, people are left wondering if the Avengers will be coming back to the silver screen.

Koch thinks it is inevitable that there will be a sequel.

“With box offices sales off the charts it would be stupid to not make a second movie. The effects in the first were great and the second would be even better.”

Junior Gordon Heltzel went to the midnight showing and loved the effects and the plot line. Heltzel also commented on the characters having human qualities.

“I liked how the movie showed each character’s flaws and special abilities.”

The Avengers made students come back to the comic book hysteria that once came with the Spiderman and Batman installments. Surely, the sequel will be hitting theaters sooner than some expect, to keep up the hero madness that is sweeping across America.

“The Avengers was really entertaining and lived up to everyone’s expectations. There has to be another one soon. It’s like lays chips, you can’t have just one,” said Heltzel.

A&E, Alyssa Book

‘The Hunger Games’ franchise garners students’ approval

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By Alyssa Book
Katniss Everdeen has become a worldwide phenomenon. Not only has this character been the symbol of peace in the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, but with the highly anticipated film still raking in millions of dollars in theaters around the world, Katniss Everdeen is the new “Bella” of  teenage pop culture. 

If you have not witnessed the movie or read the books, the plot centers around a young girl fighting for her life in the Hunger Games, held in her country Panam. This book is futuristic and takes place in the continent formerly known as North America.The book is highly suspenseful and as a reader I found myself cheering for my favorite victors to win and for the government to be taken down. FC students have also found this book to be exciting and have their opinions on how the movie held up to the high expectations from the book.

Freshman Remi Bowman liked the choice of casting as Jennifer Lawrence as the main character, Katniss.

“When I saw the movie, I thought Katniss Everdeen was cast perfect. She was the exact fit,” said Bowman.

Senior Brittany Murray said she was a little more hesitant to accept some of the characters, but she said all did a great job.

Bowman also enjoyed seeing her favorite parts from the book being interpreted on film. She said her favorite scene was Katniss and Peeta’s return home, knowing that their journey was far from over.

Murray’s favorite scene was seeing the chariots entering the arena and being announced to all of Panam as the Hunger Games are about to begin.

The movie was two and a half hours long, but similar to the book, once it was over it felt like it took just a blink of an eye to escape into another world. The ending to the movie was mirrored to the book; Katniss and Peeta returning to District 12 and a future uprising is in their midst.

With the success of the movie and the books now topping the lists of best sellers, it is evident the next two installments will be produced and released soon to keep the Hunger Games’ fire burning.