Downsizing has a big message

Movie Title:  Downsizing

Grade:  C+

Rating: R, 2 hours 15 minutes

In a Nutshell: Alexander Payne directs this social satire that introduces some interesting environmental ideas, but ultimately reminds us that a life lived for others has the most meaning.

Tips for parents: 

• Paul takes the Lord’s name in vain and gets immediately scolded by Ngoc Lan Tran.  She uses the “F” word a thousand times in one scene and he tries to teach her it’s a vulgar word.  There is some more profanity in other scenes.
• Pre-marital sex and discussions about it.
• Oddly, there is a LOT of full body male nudity.
• Kids will mostly be bored.

                                   

Uplifting theme: 

• “The door to happiness opens outward.” – poster on the wall during Paul's high school reunion
• We are meant for something better.
• “The world is filled with things to see.” – Dusan Mirkovic (Christoph Waltz)
• “I finally have a chance to do something that matters.” –   Paul Safranek (Matt Daman)

Things I liked:

• Hong Chau was recently nominated for a well-deserved Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as Ngoc Lan Tran.
• Christoph Waltz always brings such colorful characters to the big screen.  I thought he was fantastic in Big Eyes.
• It was interesting to see how Downsizing  was used in different ways: save the planet, punish criminals and poor people, allow the average person to live a life of luxury, reflect on the meaning of life, opportunity to begin again.
• Gorgeous scenery in Norway.  Parts of the movie were also filmed in beautiful Canada.

Things I didn’t like:

• Some people have been very critical of Matt Damon’s bland performance, but I think that was just Paul Safranek’s character.  I love Matt Damon in anything.  Because Paul rarely smiles, it would have had a lot of impact if the movie had ended with him grinning from ear to ear like in the 1988 movie The Accidental Tourist (which I loved).
• It’s a little slow moving.
• It’s very preachy about global warming and over-population.
• The trailer made the movie appear like it would be a comedy, but it’s really not.  The idea of downsizing could have made for a very funny movie, but it strives to be something much deeper and comes off feeling uneven.
• A lot of plot points are glossed over without much explanation.
• The trailer makes it seem like Matt Daman's boring call center job is what contributes to his wanting to leave his life in the "real" world and downsize, but he actually gets that job after he downsizes!  The trailer scene with Kristen Wiig's character working at a shoe store doesn't even appear in the movie.  It always annoys me when trailers paint a different picture from what the movie actually is or when they show lines that don't appear in the movie.                                           

Interesting lines:

• “Not a very successful species these homo-sapiens.” – Dr. Jorgen Asbjornsen (Rolf Lassgard - This is his first film in English!)
• “Lots of people are in pain, Mom, in all sorts of ways.” – Paul Safranek (Matt Daman)   That’s really true.  We should never judge others, because we don’t know the pain they might be going through.
• “Human life on earth is unsustainable.” – TV talking head
• “Friends tell friends the truth.” – Dusan Mirkovic (Christoph Waltz)
• “When you know death comes soon, you look around things more close.” – Ngoc Lan Tran (Hong Chau)
• “Downsizing is about hitting the reset button.” – Dave Johnson (Jason Sudeikis)
• “It’s humbling, huh? Nature is such a patient sculptor, grinding a tiny bit each day, slowly, slowly for thousands of years to make such a supremely beautiful thing.” – Dr. Jorgen Asbjornsen
• “Downsizing is about saving yourself.” – comedian guy is about saving yourself.” – Dave Johnson  (It's true.  The more we get rid of all the stuff and things in our lives, the more free we are from the things that fill our lives with unimportant nonsense.)

                                           @trinaboice 

The Legend of Tarzan blends Human with Nature..and a lot of CGI

Movie Title:     The Legend of Tarzan

  

Grade:   B

Rating:   PG-13, 109 minutes

In a Nutshell:  Director David Yates is most known for his work with the last four Harry Potter films.  This time he brings us a new take on Edgar Rice Burrough’s Tarzan. 

One of Hollywood’s first silent films was the Tarzan story, shortly after the original book came out.  While the story is flawed, and many feel like there was no need for a remake, the lush, romantic images in this movie will make you feel like Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bocall could float down the river at any minute.

Did you ever see the 1984 movie “Greystoke”?  I loved it and highly recommend it.  This story...sort of....begins where that movie left off.

Uplifting theme: 

• “A normal man can do the impossible to save the woman he loves.  My husband is no normal man.” - Jane Clayton
• Honor, friendship, loyalty, revenge, respect.
• The value of human an animal life.

Things I liked:

• The musical score sounded very exotic and mysterious from the very beginning.
• Christoph Waltz is fantastic in anything.
• Alexander Skarsgard makes for a perfectly believable Tarzan.  I loved it when he greeted the lions he had known since they were cubs.  So sweet.  Great CGI moment!  As a 6'4" hunk of muscle and abs, Alexander convincingly plays a kind Tarzan who can easily kick butt when needed.
• Margot Robbie makes a lovely, spunky Jane Porter.  She's a British actress playing an American, while Alexander Skarsgard is an American playing a Brit.  
• Samuel Jackson.  Ha ha  He looks like he's having fun.  His character is actually based on a real person.
• Beautiful scenery and settings.
• Tarzan thinks those pincer ants taste like bacon.  Ha ha
• There is a lot of action and movement from start to finish. 
• There are some emotional moments akin to Bambi losing his mother.

Things I didn’t like:

• The movie jumps back and forth in time and could become confusing for some people.
• Sometimes the apes and animals looked real; other times the CGI looked too fake.
• There is a LOT of narration so that the audience can understand what’s going on.  The problem is that the movie almost talks down to the audience.  Show us; don't just tell us.
• Samuel L. Jackson’s existence in the movie is merely for comic relief.  He represents an American emissary, which doesn’t make a lot of sense in the story line.
•  You hear Tarzan's famous yell, but you never actually see Alexander Skarsgard do it.  You also hear him growl like lions and other animals, but again, it's a soundtrack behind him and you never see his face while he's making those sounds.

  Funny lines:

• “I’ve already been to Africa.  And it’s hot.” – John Clayton (Tarzan)
• “I never take the stairs.  I usually take the curtains.” – John Clayton
• “You DO know that the right side of your mustache is just a little bit lower than the left?” – Jane
• “How are we supposed to catch a train going 40 miles an hour?” – Samuel L. Jackson    “Gravity.” - Tarzan

Interesting lines:

• “He’s Tarzan.  You’re Jane.  He’ll come for you.” – Captain Rom (Christoph Waltz)
• “They say an elephant’s eye speaks the greatest language.  Who else can say so much without speaking a word?”  - Tarzan
• “These are what you came for?  What will you do for them? – Chief Mbonga (Djmon Hounsou)

“Whatever is necessary.” – Leon Ron (Christoph Waltz)

* No man ever started with less.” – Jane

• “Your husband’s wildness easily disturbs me more than I can easily express, whereas your spirit…” Captain Rom
• “That woman!”  - Captain Rom
• “What was that?” – Captain Rom’s assistant

“Tarzan, although it sounded different than I thought.  Better.” – Captain Rom

Tips for parents:   

• There is a LOT of violence.  Man vs. man.  Man vs. animal. 
• Some profanity, usually out of the mouth of Samuel L. Jackson.
• The issues of African slavery, mistreatment of the American Indians, and “blood diamonds” are addressed.
• There is a before and after sex scene, but the audience doesn’t see what happens in between.

Spectre is nice addition to James Bond franchise

Movie:    Spectre

Rating:    PG-13, 2 hours 30 minutes

Grade:   B+

In a Nutshell:    When I first heard that actor Daniel Craig recently admitted he never wanted to play James Bond again, I have to admit I was shaken…..but not stirred.   Ha ha   With gorgeous landscapes in faraway lands, exciting action, and a light social commentary, this is a respectable addition to the 007 franchise.

Filled with lots of crashes, explosions, chase scenes, cool toys, beautiful women, and even a little humor to top it all off, this 24^th installment isn’t as good as the most recent Skyfall , but gives a respectful nod to the classic Bond movie still and is still very entertaining.

Uplifting Theme:

·          “We always have a choice.” – Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux)

·          Information control vs. privacy

          

Things I liked:

·         The movie starts off at a Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico City, which makes for an intriguing backdrop.  While most Americans associate skeletons with creepy Halloween decorations, Mexicans are inspired by them to think of their honored ancestors.  With a title name of Spectre , it's the perfect opening for the film.  I liked how the ring introduced the Spectre image for the story and how there are many layers of meaning behind the word in this movie.

·         FANTASTIC camera views from interesting angles.

·         Love the stunts and action from the very beginning.

·         I really love watching Christoph Waltz work his craft.  I thought he was really great in Big Eyes  You can see my movie review of Big Eyes by clicking here.

·         ·         Cliché "lose the bad guy in a parade" scene suddenly becomes interesting with a helicopter.

·         I love all the international destinations Bond travels to.

·         Ah, Ralph Fiennes.  It’s always a pleasure to see him.

·         Those blue eyes, Daniel!
       Grammy champ Sam Smith's song is #1 in the UK now and getting Oscar buzz for "Writing's On The Wall".

Things I didn’t like:

·         I didn’t care for the naked body montage during the opening credits.  (Parents, you see skin, not naughty bits.)

·         SPOILER ALERT:  I thought it was extremely odd and inappropriate for James to sleep with a woman practically minutes after her dead husband’s funeral.  I want to admire the hero, not think he is a complete scoundrel.  I know, I know, he's an assassin.  Still.

·         Such beautiful cars destroyed!

·         It was hard to see what was going on in some of the dark scenes.

·         “What do we do now?”  Quick cut to make-out scene.  Lame.

·         It’s sort of silly that James survives all kinds of fights, crashes, and even torture without even getting a scratch.  I mean, even Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson gets scratched up sometimes.  Ha ha

·          

Funny lines:  

·          “I believe I said to bring it back in one piece, not bring back one piece.” – Q laughing at Bond for destroying his last car and bringing back only the steering wheel.

·         “May I remind you that I answer directly to them.  Also, a mortgage, and 2 cats to feed.” – Q (played by Ben Whishaw)

“Oh, then I suggest you trust me…for the sake of the cats.” – Bond

·         “What do you do?” – Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci)

“Life insurance.” – Bond

Interesting lines:

·         “He obsessed about work.  He was never home.” – Lucia

“Then, he was a fool.” – James Bond

·         “I always knew death would wear a familiar face.  But not yours…” – Mr. White

·         “She was never going to let death get in the way of her job.” – James Bond

·         “You’re a kite, dancing in a hurricane, Mr. Bond.” – Lea’s father

Tips for Parents:

·        Lots of fighting, but mostly bloodless.  There is a yucky scene where a guy gouges out another guy’s eyes and you see dripping blood.  Ick.
      Pretty clean language, considering the violence and high body count!

·          

Want to catch up on the latest James Bond movies?  You can start here: