Cin’s Movie Critiques

Premonition

Sandra Bullock, Julian McMahon. Rated PG-13 for some violent content, disturbing images, thematic material and brief language. 2007, Drama/Mystery. Cin’s Critique: 4 ½ *

A housewife receives the tragic news that her husband has been killed in a car accident. The next day she wakes up and he is alive and well. The next day, he is dead again. As she struggles with her own sanity, she pieces together a puzzle that takes the audience for an intense roller coaster ride.

A definite two thumbs up for Premonition. This one was so remarkable that I saw it in the theater not once, but twice! (Not something I usually do, but my sister really wanted to go, even though I had already seen it…J ) What surprised me was that in two days I had forgotten how intense this movie was! And even though I knew how it would end, I was still trying to figure out what was going on.

Premonition was a masterpiece! Scary, funny, romantic, horrific, and all with an incredible ending that you don’t see coming until it has hit you between the eyes like a ton of bricks. It literally took my breath away, even the second time. Go see this one right away!

p.s. Check out the promotional movie poster that has Sandra Bullock’s face in the trees. When you take a closer look, you’ll see that her facial features are made up of clouds, birds, and tree branches. Eerie…

The Passion of the Christ

Jim Caviezel. Rated R for sequences of graphic violence. 2004, Drama/Historical. Cin’s Critique: 3 *

The Passion of the Christ focuses on the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus Christ. It begins in the Garden of Gethsemane and takes you through the trials and torture he endured, and ends with the crucifixion.

This was a powerful and moving film, filled with excruciating detail showing the torture that Christ endured on our behalf. It helped me to better appreciate the pain he endured for me personally, and it put a good deal of shame into me for incurring the debt that he paid.

I watched this movie recently with the intent of posting the review on Easter Day. Unfortunately, I didn’t get it done in time. I considered saving it for next Easter, but then I looked at my review I just put up for 300. It got me to thinkin’….

Why did I give 300 a 4* for violence and gore, yet the movie about Christ only got an “it’s okay” 3*? I remember all the controversy this movie stirred up when it was released. I now understand why. It was so brutal and violent; yet, it was depicting truthful events, and honestly, probably didn’t even come close to how horrible the events really were. For me, this movie was too personal. It was very hard to watch the graphic violence when it was someone I know and love. I had my hands over my eyes for much of the movie, wishing it would end.

I guess the difference between 300 and Passion, is that even though they are both based on factual events, that one was much more personal and emotional for me, and it was hard to watch. Do I recommend watching this movie? That is a tough question. I’m glad I finally watched it, it invoked deep feelings that any believer in Christ should have. However, I will never watch it again.

If you are debating about whether or not to watch this movie, I’ve included a review that I found to be very accurate. Adam Shellenberg describes exactly the feelings I had watching this movie:

“From the opening shot to the falling credits, this film demands full control of ones body and emotion. So visually spectacular and physically gripping, this film had me literally convulsing as I attempted to watch what was onscreen. Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, starring Jim Caviezel, is a retelling of the last hours of Jesus Christ. Believe me when I say that this production is more than a story, more than a movie; this film can only be described as an experience.This movie is fantastically brutal. From beginning to end, blood drenched flesh is smeared across the screen in a ghastly fashion. Gibson defends his incredibly graphic depiction by noting that the bible states Jesus was beaten beyond recognition. I assure you, beaten beyond recognition hardly describes soft tissue being torn to be the bone as blood drips into puddles on the ground. The violence shown in this movie is unlike other Hollywood violence – it’s uncomfortably personal. The scenes are so believable, the violence so real, that the scenes appear to take place in your very presence; imagine before you a man being torn to bloody shreds; your helpless to do anything, you’re a spectator – utterly horrific.”–Adam Schellenberg

300

Gerard Butler, Lena Headey. Rated R for graphic battle sequences throughout, some sexuality and nudity. 2007, Action/War/Historical. Cin’s Critique: 4 *

Based on Frank Miller’s graphic novel, 300 concerns the Battle of Thermopylae that took place in 480 B.C., when King Leonidas of Sparta led his army against the Persian army of Xerxes. The battle has gone down is history, known as the battle that inspired all of Greece to fight and defeat the Persians, and helped usher in the world’s first democracy.

I went into this movie expecting lots and lots of bloodshed and gore. Yes, I got it. The battle scenes were violent, yet I was absorbed into the history, the bravery and the mentality of the soldiers. Their vision of a glorious death allowed them to fight valiantly. It was inspiring as well as heart breaking. The movie had a lot more to offer than the battle scenes, it had an interesting plot that drew me in and kept me captivated. And beautiful bods! Yes, 300 men with perfect bodies, it was a very beautiful movie indeed! Also, did you know this movie was shot mostly with bluescreen technology to duplicate the imagery of the original comic book. That too, was beautiful to view, it was almost surreal and dreamlike.

While not for the weak of heart or stomach, I recommend this epic movie. It was unique and it left me pondering…if it’s not for you, at least watch the preview!

Red Eye

Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy. Rated PG-13 for violence and language. 2005, Thriller. Cin’s Critique: 4 ½ *

One word: Intense! Of course, what else would you expect from a Wes Craven film?

On her way back home to Miami on the Red Eye flight, a woman is held captive by a man that threatens to kill her father if she doesn’t cooperate. He wants her to use her position as a hotel manager in his plot to assassinate a politician.

Rachel McAdams and Cillian Murphy were perfect for these roles, they had a flawless connection that made their characters fearful and realistic. An airplane was an excellent setting for this movie, giving it the extra sense of claustrophobia, and heightening the intensity and fear that is never lacking once the flight is in the air. This movie is full of tense moments and a few jump-out-of-your-seat scares! (Guys, a perfect movie to watch with your girl, she’ll snuggle up close for you to keep her safe!) . Enjoy this one with the lights off!

The Lookout

Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jeff Daniels. Rated R for language, violence and sexual content. 2007, Drama/Thriller. Cin’s Critique: 4 *

I went into this expecting an action movie, but what I got was much better, an intelligent film with some unusual elements. I was impressed with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, he did a great job. Remember him from the TV series Third Rock From the Sun?

His character was very interesting as a popular young man who had a tragic accident leaving him with a brain injury. Now working as a janitor at the bank, he realizes his new “friend” is using him to execute a bank robbery.

Like I mentioned, I was ready for an action film, you know, bank robbers and all. But this movie had some depth of human emotion and tragedy, and dealt with the issue of consequence. How our actions and decisions affect us long after the moment we do or decide. All the while, keeping the audience guessing at what would happen next with a great plot full of unexpected turns. For me, The Lookout was a pleasant surprise, one I recommend.

Well, I “saw” this movie many years ago, but have only recently “watched” it. Make sense? No? Let me explain…

You see, when I was in high school I went on a date and we rented this movie. Hence, the explanation saw not watched. Now, that’s not the funny part, the funny part is as follows…

The next day, my mom and dad asked about the movie, it had been left out on the TV and looked interesting to them. They asked how it was, and not wanting to admit that I hadn’t actually watched it and go into the details of what I was doing instead of watching…ahem…I told them it was a great movie. So they watched it during the day while I was at school. When I got home, boy was I in for a verbal lashing!

Now you have to understand here the nature of my parents regarding movies. If a movie has the “F” word in it, that is a sin far greater than murder itself. Well, unfortunately, this movie had the big “F”amous word, and I was grounded for a month for watching such filth. (Which was okay by me, because I considered myself getting off easy in comparison to the punishment they would have bestowed had I actually told them the truth of what necking and groping went on while the movie wasn’t being watched!)

p.s. Hopefully Mom and Dad don’t ever read my blog…

Regarding Henry

Harrison Ford, Annette Bening. Rated PG-13 for language and violence. 1991, Drama. Cin’s Critique: 3 *

An arrogant, cruel attorney makes a quick run to a convenience store for cigarettes and interrupts a robbery. He is shot in the head, but amazingly does not die. The bullet, however, damages his brain enough to take away his memory and his ability to even walk. He is born again, in a way, as he relearns everything from how to feed himself to how to treat his wife and daughter. A bit sappy, but touching movie emphasizing the importance of family, honesty, and what one’s true priorities in life should be.

Planet Earth

Just the previews for this superior miniseries on The Discovery Channel are enough to give you chills! I actually saw a trailer in the movie theater last week, it’s pretty unusual to see a TV preview in that setting, and it caught my interest. Now, I like watching nature shows as much as the next person, but let me just say “WOW!” After watching five hours of Planet Earth, I am convinced that you will love it as much as I do.

Planet Earth is broken down into eleven episodes: Pole to Pole, Mountains, Deep Ocean, Deserts, Ice Worlds, Shallow Seas, Great Plains, Jungles, Freshwater, Forests, and Caves. I have watched five so far and been utterly amazed. Enough to watch each one a second time with my kids (who also love it) so that I can record it!

Educational and beautiful, offering a unique look at our planet, don’t miss this series on The Discovery Channel. Every Sunday during April with two new episodes each week. Want more? Check out the official website at www.planet-earth.com.