Sully soars at the box office

Movie Title:    Sully

Grade:  A-

Rating:   PG-13, 96 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This is an inspiring, true story of Captain Chesley Sullenberger III, who saved 155 souls by landing a US Airways airplane on the Hudson River in 2009 when both engines failed.  

Known as “Miracle on the Hudson,” the story dramatically measures numbers and facts against human frailties and instinct.

Combine the legendary Clint Eastwood (who directs the film) with Tom Hanks’ excellent performance and you get solid tribute to a deserving hero.

Uplifting theme: 

• “Everything is unprecedented until it has happened.” – Sully
• “A pilot never stops acquiring knowledge.” – Sully’s crop-dusting trainer when he was young
• Here’s to the hard-working, unsung heroes who do their best every day without fanfare or awards.  Sully explained, “I don’t feel like a hero.  I was just a man doing my job.” - Sully
• "A delay is better than a disaster." - Sully's Chinese fortune cookie

Things I liked:

• I wondered how this story would be stretched into a feature film and what we might learn that we hadn’t already heard in the news when it happened.  Clint Eastwood does an outstanding job building tension and drama by looping forwards and backwards through the story, creating a powerful end to the movie that we didn’t know.
• Great cinematography and CGI work.
• Fans of disaster movies will get a few glimpses of what kind of destruction could have happened if the plane had crashed differently, as imagined by Sully in nightmares and flashbacks.
• Anna Gun from Breaking Bad and Mike O’Malley from Glee do a great job as the critical investigators who questioned Sully’s decision to land on the Hudson River.
• Audiences will likely compare Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Sully with his role as Captain Phillips in that award-winning movie.  Tom Hanks delivers powerful and stirring performances in both.  How is it he has only received two Oscars so far?  Even stranger is that they were both back in the ‘90’s.  He’s everything we want in an actor and truly carries this understated film.
• Hollywood often glamorizes “bad boys” as heroes, so it’s truly refreshing to see an honest, hard-working “good guy” win the praises and adoration he deserves.
• Don’t leave the theater after the last scene.  Keep watching during the final credits and you’ll be rewarded with photos and videos of the wreckage, rescue, and reunion of the passengers from Flight 1549.  You get to hear the real Sully announce, "This is your captain speaking."
• You can never go wrong when you add New York City as a character in your movie.

Things I didn’t like:

• Laura Linney plays Lorrie Sullenberger who withers under the pressure and spends the entire movie walking around her house on the phone. 
• Aaron Eckhart had the most gigantic, distracting mustache I’ve ever seen on him.  I normally love him (he has my son’s eyes), but all I could see when he talked was that super bushy mustache.
• Because the film is pretty short, there simply isn’t enough time to develop any characters other than Tom Hanks’ portrayal of Captain Sullenberger.  We don’t even learn anything about his co-pilot played by Aaron Eckhart.
• I thought it was almost creepy when the flight attendants started chanting “Brace for impact!  Heads down! Stay down!”  Obviously, that’s what they’re trained to do in a crash-landing scenario, but it seems like that would make the situation even more stressful and scary.
• I wish the camera had stayed on Tom Hanks' face longer when he was given the news in the hospital that 155 souls were saved that day.  That was a missed opportunity for what could have been an incredible performance by Hanks.  He started to deliver powerful emotion, but then the camera moved away!

Interesting tidbits:

• The movie was filmed with IMAX cameras.
• The famous aircraft carrier Intrepid is featured in the movie.
• A local bar in New York City created a drink they called “The Sully” which has some Grey Goose with a “splash” of water.
• The water in the Hudson River was an icy 36 degrees that day.  A few passengers jumped in the water and could have easily been frozen to death if rescue workers hadn’t quickly arrived on the scene.  Sully never took credit for saving all the people on the plane day; instead, he attributed the combined efforts of his entire crew and all of the rescue workers to their survival that day.
• Chelsey Sullenberger III was included in Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential Heroes and Icons” of 2009.
• The aircraft for Flight 1549 was recovered and is now on display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum in Charlotte, North Carolina.
• Sully has received several awards and authored two books since that fateful day.  He was hired as an aviation and safety expert by CBS News and currently gives speeches.

Funny lines:

• “I’ve never been so happy to be in New York in my life.” – Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart)
• “It’s our job to investigate how the plane ended up in the Hudson.” – Charles Porter (Mike O’Malley)

“ON the river.” – Jeff

• “You know the only way to get out of La Guardia on time?” – flight attendant #1

“What’s that?” – flight attendant #2

“Go to JFK.” – flight attendant #1

• “I’m thinking about running over the press with a car.  Self-defense.  Do you think a jury would convict?” – Lorraine Sullenberger (Laura Linney)
• “Can you believe they charge $5 for a Snickers?  I could bankrupt the airline in 5 bites.” – Jeff Skiles

• Interesting lines:

• "It's been awhile since New York had news this good, especially with an airplane in it." - US Airways representative
• “Life’s easier in the air.” – Jeff Skiles
• “They should pin the medal and put you back to work.” – Jeff Skiles
• “I don’t like not being in control of the process.  I’d like myself back.” – Sully
• "There was no calculating.  I had to rely on my experience." - Sully

Parent tips:

• 1 F-bomb, which is actually surprising, considering how many people could have easily lost their lives that dramatic, stressful day.
• It’s a little slow-moving and boring for children.

   

My All American hits football, faith, and family

Movie:     My All American

Rating:    PG, 1 hour 58 minutes

Grade:   B+

In a Nutshell:    This tale of gridiron glory is a true story that will inspire you and cause you to shed some tears, as long as you can get past some of the melodramatic  manipulation. 

Critics argue that the film is too squeaky clean in this predictable feel-good sports movie.  And that’s a problem because…?  Don’t we have enough cynicism and ugly in the world?  

Uplifting Theme:

·          “What makes a winner is knowing he can always try a little harder.” – Michael Steinmark (Michael Reilly Burke)

·         Persistence, tenacity, humility, hard work, brotherhood.

·         “Everything is bigger and better in Texas!” – Freddie

·         “We don’t care what people write about us.  We do not care what others say we can or cannot do.  Only those of us right here can tell that story.” – Coach Royal

Things I liked:

·         I always like watching Aaron Eckhart because he has the same eyes as one of my sons.  Coach Royal is impressively supportive.  He says to Freddie, “Whatever it is – you will meet the challenge and I will be here for you.”  Wouldn’t the world be different if we treated each other like that?

·         Finn Wittrock does a great job as Freddie Steinmark.

·         Sarah Bolger makes a cute blonde and a very sweet, devoted girlfriend to Freddie.  She says to him, “Whatever you are going through, I am going through.”  Did you know she was from Ireland?  You might recognize her from The Spiderwick Chronicles .

·         I love how they show the current Texas football players paying tribute to Freddie.  I especially love how you get to see pictures and film footage of the real people during the closing credits.  Hook 'em Longhorns!

·         Impressive hits and flips.

·         Good 60’s music that underscores the images and history of the era, including mentions of Vietnam, John F. Kennedy, and footage of Richard Nixon attending one of the games.

·         There is a LOT of football.  Even if you don’t understand the game, you’ll still appreciate the true story and inspiring message.

·         Touching moment of roommates in prayer.

·         Freddie's faith truly carries him through his challenges.  Religious people should support this film and celebrate the positivity.
      My sister taught for a year at the University of Arkansas and gave me one of those Razorback hats you see the fans wearing in the film.  Ha ha 

Things I didn’t like:

·         It's predictable and formulaic. 

      SPOILER ALERT:  The treatment of cancer is a Pollyanna one.

      There is a LOT of football.

      Some of the extras in the cast are pretty bad.

Funny lines:  

·          “You don’t have to like sports to like Freddie, just a pulse.” – Debbie  (Regan Goins)

·         “You run like you have a school of minnows in your pants.” – Coach Royal

·         “I fell in love faster than a hiccup.” – Coach Royal

·         “Yeah, I might be wrong, but I’m not confused.” – Coach Royal

Interesting lines:

·         “Gentlemen, football doesn’t build character.  It eliminates the weak.” – Coach Darrell Royal

·         “Freddie Steinmark was not an All-American.  No, he was MY All-American.” – Coach Darrell Royal

·         “The greatest disgrace is to quit or turn yeller.” – Lakewood Coach

·         “I hate to see you play at 90%.” – Bobby Mitchell (Rett Terrell)

Tips for Parents:

·         Some profanity, blood, and you see a guy in a jockstrap.

·         I love how supportive Freddie’s parents are.

·         Discussion of cancer and death.

·         Young children may get bored.

To learn more about the true Freddie Steinmark story:

Great football movies:

·         Remember the titans, blind side, Friday night lights

Frankenstein disappoints, but still has cool effects

Movie Title:
I, Frankenstein
Grade:  B-

In a Nutshell:  I know a guy who was Aaron Eckhart’s college roommate.  He said that Aaron often talked about becoming a movie star some day.  He did it!  I’m sincerely happy for him.  I love Aaron Eckhart’s eyes because one of my sons has the exact same eyes. 

Based on the graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux, I, Frankenstein features a teeth-gritting monster who struggles with who he is as he fights demons and Gargoyles in a battle to save mankind.  I wanted this popcorn flick to be a hit for Aaron, but sadly, it falls short of a blockbuster that’s going to get audiences really excited.  

There is not much of a plot, as the CGI effects and production design take center place.  True Mary Shelley fans will be disappointed that the classic tale has been re-invented with a ripped and skilled mixed martial artist, of sorts, as the “unholy abomination” of a monster.  If you’re into Sci-Fi or dystopian genres, you’ll the awesome special effects.  You feel mildly attached to Frankenstein , but there is not much time spent on real character development. 

Gideon is a name known to many Christians, but this character is so filled with hate that he doesn’t seem to be representing heaven.  He declares to Frankenstein “God will surely damn you.”  Frankenstein growls back “He already did.”

Uplifting theme:  Victor Frankenstein never named his creation, so Leonore, the queen of the Order of the Gargoyles symbolically names him Adam.  I’m a sucker for symbolism.  He is the first man of his kind.  He is made in the image of his maker, but has the free will to create his own life.  Like this new Adam, we often spend years trying to figure out who we really are.  It’s when we realize we need humanity and begin to love and serve others for a greater cause that we truly find ourselves.

Things I liked:

• I loved the way Gargoyles died in a brilliant beam of light and were instantly sent heavenward.  In contrast, the demons turn into a fiery blaze that descends to hell when they’re killed.  The battle scene at the beginning panned out and you could see beams ascending and fire bursts swirling, notifying you how many gargoyles and demons were killed in combat. I thought that was pretty cool.
• The slow-motion fight sequences looked like a video game. I’m sure this will come out as a video game and it could actually be pretty good.
• I love Bill Nighy in everything.  He played a lovable and wise father in About Time as equally well as he plays a clever demon prince in this film.
• There are some interesting weapons and cool slow-motion fight scenes featuring them.

Things I didn’t like:

• You know when you see a big towering structure created by the bad guys that it’s going down at the end of the movie.
• Everyone has a British accent except Frankenstein.  Come on Aaron.
• The demons’ faces looked like masks from an old Star Trek episode.
• It’s so clichéd that the brilliant, young scientist happens to be a beautiful girl.  SPOILER ALERT…So, will Yvonne Strahovski be the bride of Frankenstein in the sequel?
• Shouldn’t the gargoyles have been nicer since they were working for God?
• There is a complete lack of humorous moments, as the film seems to take itself too seriously.
• Frankenstein doesn’t have a soul, but yet somehow he can feel pain and wants to do good, as well as have the desire for a female companion.  How does that work?
• Of course, Frankenstein is supposed to be a grungy creature, but I really wanted him to take a bath.  He rinses off his face once, yet his face remains dirty.
• We are told that Leonore is the direct link to the Archangels, but she mostly stands around while the gargoyles do all the work.  She prays and seems to have the best sense of morality, so I was disappointed when  (SPOILER ALERT) she turned against Adam and issued an order to kill him.  Despite that, it was great to see Lord of the Rings starlet Miranda Otto again.

Funny lines:  There really aren’t any.  This movie takes itself too seriously and could have benefited from some levity at its own expense.

Inspiring lines:

• “Each of us has a higher purpose.  Yours is yet to reveal itself.”  - Leonore
• “All life is sacred.”  - Leonore
• “Just because something has yet to be found, does not mean it does not exist.” = Niberious
• “It is not for you or I to deny God’s purpose.” – Leonore
• “You’re only a monster if you behave like one.” – Dr. Wade

Things to look for:

• The symbol seen from the aerial view that the bushes make outside of the Institute entrance.
• There is a certain symbol of the Order of the Gargoyles that you start to see everywhere: on Leonore’s necklace, on the fabric sashes, on the dagger, on the cathedral, formed by the structure of the cathedral as seen from an aerial view.

Tips for parents: Young children may be afraid of the scary demons.  There is a gruesome scene with hundreds of corpses hanging in a large facility underneath the Institute.  There is a lot of bloodless fighting, but not much profanity.  The lighting in the scenes, as well as the general theme are quite dark.

If you're a Frankenstein fan who can't get enough, check these out: