The Book of Eli

Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis

Directed by Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes

Rating: 4 stars

In this post-apocalyptic movie, Eli (Denzel Washinton) is a drifter who for the past thirty years led by faith, is on his way west; all the while protecting a book that will save mankind. When he arrives in a village full of survivors, he meets Carnegie (Gary Oldman) who is searching for a book, but not just any book: the Bible. When Carnegie finds out that Eli has the book he wants, he asks Eli if he wants to join his gang. Eli refuses, as the only thing he needs to do is go west. Solara (Mila Kunis) helps Eli escape from the village so that he can continue on his travels. The trip west is very difficult as Carnegie and his thugs hunt down Eli for the book. They eventually find Eli, shooting him, and take the Bible from him. However, Carnegie is unable to read it because it is in brail. Eli makes it to San Fransisco only to recite the whole Bible so it can be written down and dies.

This movie was so powerful in that this man who refuses to give up something he believes in, makes it to the end of the movie only to die. The Book of Eli deserves four stars because you go through this journey with Eli, you see him fending for himself, protecting the book that he carries. He never gives up, even after he was shot. Though the beginning of this movie was slow, it definitely picked up on the action within ten minutes. I really liked this movie, it had a Children of Men sort of feel to it. The ending was really sad though because after all Eli went through, he ended up dying. But it was okay because he fulfilled his goal and did a great thing.

The Kings Speech

Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush

Directed by Tom Hooper

Rating: 5 stars

Before you come to know him as King George VI (Colin Firth), the movie starts off before he became king. George (or "Bertie" as those closest called him) grew up with a speech impediment. This was something his parents tried to correct while he was growing up. However, it was to no succession. Even as an adult, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), looked for speech therapists to help him overcome his stammer. Frustratingly, Bertie had had enough and was done with the fruitless attempts. Yet Elizabeth looked for one more doctor and came across Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Lionel's unusual methods was able to make Bertie's life a little bit easier, though he was never cured of his stammering. Lionel was an important asset, and friend, to Bertie in life; especially when his brother abdicated the throne and Bertie is thrust into a life he never wanted.

The Kings Speech clearly deserved five stars. Usually when you hear that there is a movie based on a king, queen, or president, you don't tend to jump up in excitement and say "I want to see that!" But with the Kings Speech, it's different. First of all, Colin Firth is playing the lead. That should be reason enough. Of course, that's not all. The Kings Speech brings humor into it and you find yourself chuckling in your seat throughout various scenes. (Especially the scene where George is introduced to Lionel's wife and he says, "It's nice to meet you again." Colin Firth and the wife, Jennifer Ehle, were Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice.) Also, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush make a great on-screen friendship. It's fun to watch them together; especially seeing the unusual methods Lionel uses.

What I liked about this movie is that it's not boring. It not only keeps you entertained and makes you more knowledgeable about Britain's King George VI, it brings awareness about stuttering. I'm sure a lot of people who have this problem could relate to what King George VI went through and yet it also brings a message of hope. Even though the Kings Speech is rated R, it's for language. There's no nude scenes or drug usage. It's not like you're hearing curse words fly out at you every few minutes either. It's just here and there, not something you would really consider not seeing this movie for. This movie, however, is not for everyone. It's more like an acquired taste. I could never see my sister, for example, sitting through this movie and saying it was great. Not in a million years. Therefore, I would recommend watching the trailer for this movie on youtube before deciding whether you're interested or not.

The Black Swan

Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Rating: 4 stars

In this twisted tale of The Swan Lake, Nina (Natalie Portman) strives to be perfect. Her dream is to play the lead of the Swan Lake and so she practices and practices and practices. Perfection is her ultimate goal. The choreographer, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), casts Nina as the Swan Queen where she has to dance both as the White Swan and the Black Swan. Nina's "White Swan" is perfect, as it reflects her personality. But as Nina tries to be too perfect, her "Black Swan" suffers. Lily (Mila Kunis) is new to the dance studio and is seen as a threat to Nina. Lily seems nice as she tries to be friendly to Nina. What's threatening is that Lily is the new girl and would be perfect as the Black Swan. Thomas sees this. So Nina is under pressure to break out of her good-girl mold and try to loosen up a bit. However, it costs her life to reach it.

The Black Swan is truly a great movie. The symbolism in it is what makes this movie so amazing. You see Nina, this young woman (her age is never revealed but I'm guessing she's in her early 20's), who dedicates her life to ballet. She's the image of innocence. All she wants is to be perfect. When she gets the role of the Swan Queen, all her dedication to dancing has paid off. However, Thomas keeps telling her she needs to loosen up a bit in order to be the perfect Black Swan. The White Swan represents innocence and precise moves. The Black Swan is flirtatious and full of experience. Nina, being as innocent as she is, can't achieve the perfection to be the Black Swan. She tries too hard, Thomas says. But as the movie progresses, you see Nina transforming herself into the Black Swan, losing that innocence you see her as in the beginning. By the end of the movie, she kills herself because she has done it: reached perfection in her own eyes.

The reason I think this movie deserves four stars instead of five is because it's a little disturbing. The thing is, it was necessary in order to make this movie beautiful. The symbolism, the transformation from White Swan to Black Swan, that makes this movie amazing. Yet, seeing Natalie Portman go crazy and imagining things (like the bedroom scene with herself and Mila Kunis), the hospital scene with Winona Ryder, the murder of Mila Kunis in her dressing room, this was all a little too much. Obviously she had some mental disorder. I wouldn't recommend this movie to those who like a happy ending, the faint-hearted, and the sensitive. If you're going to watch this movie, be prepared that it is hard hitting. It's an amazing movie but also on the dark side too. Don't say I didn't warn you.

The National Lampoons Christmas Vacation

Chevy Chase

Directed by Jeremiah S. Chechik

Rating: 5 stars

To poor Clark Griswold, his Christmas vacation doesn't go exactly like he planned. What with in-laws from both sides of the family, plus an unexpected arrival of Clark's brother, Christmas in the Griswold home certainly is entertaining. Christmas is a challenge. After spending hours covering the house in lights, turning the switch to illuminate them doesn't necessarily work- until going into the basement and turning on the wrong switch does light them. Christmas dinner proves to be just as interesting with an inedible turkey and a cat that gets electrocuted by the tree. But what takes the cake in this hilarious movie is when Clark finds out he doesn't get the Christmas bonus he was expecting.

This movie deserves five stars. I've heard of this movie before but wrote it off because it was an old movie (1989) and thought it would be filled with dumb humor that wasn't funny. I couldn't be more wrong. This movie was funny from start to finish. If you're married, you might be able to relate to this movie for when you have the in-laws stay for vacation. You might understand the frustration of putting up lights and then they don't work. Or you might have a boss who is a Scrooge. I would recommend this movie to those who like a good laugh and find like dumb humor. Yes, some of the material that makes you laugh might be seen as dumb humor but who doesn't laugh when you see havoc in a Christmas movie?

Elf

Will Ferrell, James Caan

Directed by Jon Favreau

Rating: 5 stars

A cheery Christmastime movie, this might be one of the favorites people like to watch over the holidays. Buddy (Will Ferrell) is a man who was raised in the North Pole among the elves. Until one December, Buddy had always thought of himself as an elf, despite the obvious. Papa elf (Bob Newhart) decided it was time to tell Buddy where he really came from. So he makes the decision to go find his biological father, Walter (James Caan), in New York City. Walter's wife (Emily) welcomes Buddy into their home. Throughout the movie, Buddy tries to adjust to a different world than he was used to in the North Pole.

This movie deserves five stars. If you've seen it, then you understand why. It's funny and full of remember-able one-liners such as, "Smiling's my favorite!" and "I'm a cotton-headed-ninnymuggins" that make you laugh out loud. Will Ferrell is hilarious and is what makes this movie as great as it is. I think what's great about this is that no matter what your age is, it appeals to almost everyone. Of course, there are probably going to be some people out there who don't like this movie. So I would recommend this movie to those who like comedies, Will Ferrell movies, and go into this without high expectations. Not everyone has the same sense of humor; this isn't for those who like quirky intelligent laughs. It would probably be better if you went in without a high expectation because then when the movie ends, you might like it better instead of wishing it was more humorous.

The Polar Express

Tom Hanks, Nona Gaye, Eddie Deezen

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Rating: 4 stars

A cute movie for children, this movie revives the belief in you that Santa Claus is real. The story takes place on Christmas Eve. A young boy who is nameless throughout the movie (Tom Hanks), finds out that Santa Claus does not exist. However, he hears a train outside of his house and the conductor (Tom Hanks) tells him the train is headed to the North Pole. At first, the boy does not want to go but as the train starts to leave, he climbs aboard. He meets other kids who believe and are excited to go meet Santa. When they finally reach the North Pole, one event leads to another and the main characters (Hero Boy as the main boy is called, Hero Girl, and Know-It-All) end up away from the main group and have to find their way back to the main plaza where Santa will be. As you might have guessed, the Hero Boy ends up believing in Santa Claus.

This movie was actually pretty good, albeit, a little cheesy at some times. For example, when Hero Boy, Hero Girl, and Lonely Boy start singing on the train. I thought this wasn't necessary. Then again, I personally dislike movies that have that kind of random singing in it. There are some exceptions (this movie wasn't one of them). Aside from the fact that these children don't have real names (i.e. "Hero Boy" "Know-It-All"?) this movie was based on the book. So I guess you couldn't really add a name. Also, I assume Tom Hanks got a pretty good pay check for being the voice for most of the characters. I watched this with friends and this was pretty laughable.

But hey, let's look at the positives as to why this movie deserves four stars. It wasn't that bad. It's not a must-see movie, so I wouldn't go and brag that you HAVE to watch this when you have the chance. However, when Christmastime roles around and there are kids in your household, maybe you should pop this in the DVD player and watch with them. If you don't want your kids suspicious that there is no Santa, then maybe you might not want them to see it since the topic of the movie is the doubt of Santa's existence. This might be more of a movie for twelve-year-olds. I liked it though and would recommend it to those who liked the book, Christmas movies, and want a heart-warming story about a boy who finds his belief in Santa again.