DRALION Cirque Du Soleil by Pamela Powell

I had the pleasure of attending my second Cirque Du Soleil show last night at the United Center.  My first one was "O" in Las Vegas many years ago.  That show made an lasting impression and this show was just as spectacular.  As I entered Section 105, which is my friend's season Hawk's seat section, I saw the United Center transformed into a Circus!  The capabilities to accommodate such diversity in performances has always boggled my mind about the United Center.  We walked into a vaudeville type of performance taking place on and off the stage and throughout the audience.  Three "clowns," not your typical clowns, were entertaining every person in the audience and the show hadn't even truly started.  This was the warm-up.  It was a cute, old-fashioned kind of fun as they dragged audience members (yes, literally!) up onto the stage to help them with their gig.  I was laughing out loud from the very beginning!

Dralion's inspiration comes from Eastern philosophy of the complementary existence between nature and humans.  The costuming represented the elements of nature such as water and air, and fire and earth.  Dralion literally is the blending of East and West:  the dragon and the lion.  The lights dimmed and the scenery began to appear with performers appearing to be "stuck" onto a three story wall.  Beautiful, graceful dancers in brightly colored unique outfits filled the stage.  Throughout the first "act," I have never been so visually captivated and auditorily transfixed as I was during this performance.  There was so much going on that I don't think I blinked more than once!  I didn't want to miss a thing!  Between each segment, the "clowns" came out to entertain the audience.  Although I couldn't understand the language they were speaking (was it Italian? French? Maybe a combination of both? Or perhaps it was truly just jibberish!), it didn't matter; it just added to the hilarity!  The physical comedy was spectacular.  From the Juggling act to the Trampoline act, I was left with my jaw dropped and "wow's" involuntarily being emitted from my mouth.  These performers were spectacularly talented and strong!  They were gymnasts and dancers of Olympic calibre.  Their bodies were perfectly balanced.  Amazing, truly amazing!

My favorite performers were the Trampoline Artists.  Spiderman could learn a thing or two from them! Flipping from side to side (picture the right side of the hockey rink to the left side!) and up to a ledge in unison or complementary to the other 4 jumping and flipping and "sticking" to the wall at the same time was mind-boggling!  The precision timing in all of the performances was astonishing and so important!  One wrong move, one second off, and there could have been disastrous results.  Although my favorite was the Trampoline Artists, the rope jumpers were incredible as well.  Picture Triple Dutch doing acrobatics! And the juggler!  And the Crossed Wheel!  Oh, then there was the Aerial artists!  Honestly, and this is Reel Honest Reviews, there wasn't a dull moment!

If you can catch this here in Chicago, please do!  You won't be disappointed!  This was a jaw-dropping and mind-blowing experience!  It's here in Chicago just through Sunday, July 1 at the United Center.  This performance will entertain any and all age groups, both male and female.  In fact, I "interviewed" a few kids after the show who were 7 years old.  They all said they loved it and their favorite part was the "clowns!"  Their parents said they were captivated the entire show...as was I!

For tickets, go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/dralion.

SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD

Lorene Scafaria

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, which starred Steve Carell and Kiera Knightley, sounded like a depressing topic.  It was a very disturbing topic, if nothing else, however the writing and acting made this movie into a thought-provoking and bittersweet story.  Written by Lorene Scafaria, the story looked at what the central character Dodge, played by Carell, was going to do with his remaining 3 weeks before the asteroid Matilda entered Earth's atmosphere and demolished the planet.  An interesting question to ask and hopefully one we will not have to truly live out and answer.

The story revolved primarily around Steve Carell's character Dodge, but also looked at all the other people he knew or began to know during this 21 day period.  Some of his friends looked at the end of the world as being somewhat liberating and took advantage of the aspect of no consequences for your behavior.  Lots of drugs, drinking and sex were some people's answer.  Others mourned for the life they wouldn't live, but Dodge's primary concern was dying alone.  In the first scene of the movie, we watched as Dodge and his wife heard about the last ditch effort that the government had failed to accomplish to save the Earth.  His wife got out of the car and ran for it, never to be heard from again.  Dodge was devastated on so many levels.  An accidental encounter with Penny (Kiera Knightley) who was a neighbor in his building then set Dodge off on a course that only an asteroid could propel.   Penny was a whimsical character and a true romantic.  They both set off on an adventure to wrap up their lives.   Although it looked like the roller coaster ride of life that they were on was going to end disastrously, maybe it can be happy too.  

As I said before, this was a bleak topic with upsetting events, but also some light-hearted and fun circumstances as well.  Steve Carell and Kiera Knightley had performances that pulled you in to their world and you experienced all the emotions, both high and low, that they experienced.  I loved Steve Carell in Dan In Real Life (one of my top 10 movies) and this performance, although similar, was even better.  Kiera Knightley was perfectly cast as this flighty, but loving soul.  The rest of the cast was wonderful and added just the right amount to the story; they never overshadowed the primary subject.

This was a wonderfully told story full of irony that made me laugh out loud.  I've replayed the scene where Dodge almost kills a spider, then, given the knowledge of the future, he decided to let the creature live.  He shouldn't have!  I love movies that make me think about them days after.  I walked out of the theater not knowing whether or not I liked it.  In fact, I waited a day to write the review.  I found myself thinking more and more about many different scenes in the film.  This, in turn, made me think about aspects of my own life such as:  Have I lived a full life?  How would I spend my final 3 weeks if I had that knowledge?  Who would I want to be with in the final days or weeks?  And many more questions, but I'll let you come up with your own questions after you go see this movie.

This is not an uplifting movie; the topic is unfortunate, to say the least.  I would recommend dinner BEFORE the movie and not after.  I am guessing that this is more of a woman's movie as it is a bitter-sweet romance at heart, but I have talked with some males who thoroughly enjoyed it as well.  It's definitely worth seeing, but you could wait for the DVD.  It's not a movie you have to see on the big screen, but do see it!  (Just don't judge it based on the fact that it is supposed to take place on the East Coast and it most definitely is the West Coast!)

7.5 REELS

DARK HORSE by Pamela Powell

DARK HORSE, written and directed by Todd Solondz of Welcome to the Dollhouse, Storytelling, and Happiness notoriety, opened in Chicago Friday,  June 22.  Dark Horse starred Jordan Gelber, Selma Blair, Mia Farrow and Christopher Walken.  The premise of the movie, according to the writer and director, was a "typical boy meets girl story."  Dark Horse is anything but a typical boy meets girls story!  You see, Abe, who was "the boy" was a 30 something man-child "working" for his father and still living at home in his childhood room.  Abe did meet "a girl" at a wedding and instantly wanted to marry her.  This overmedicated and depressed girl, Miranda, for some reason agreed to marry Abe.  That's as much as I will give away because the movie isn't just about a boy meeting a girl, it's about relationships and regrets, parenting and "tough love."

Mia Farrow played the over-nurturing, smothering, but loving mother counter to Christopher Walken's part as the rather disappointed father, Jackie.  Jackie always rooted for the underdog that had potential which is a Dark Horse.  Abe was always his father's Dark Horse, or so he thought.  Abe's older brother, Richard, was the pride of the family.  He then became a doctor on the West Coast; not a disappointment.  We see how Abe and his brother were total opposites and the competition between the two was never really fair nor was it realistic.  Abe made it that way.   He never really grew up.  He played with action figures in his office setting and had more social interaction in his day dream sequences than in reality.  The blending of the two situations gave the viewer insight to Abe's thoughts and wants as well as his fears.  As Mr. Solondz pointed out to the audience that night, blending reality with dreams in a movie isn't new, but what I don't think he pointed out was the way in which he did it was unique.  These day dreams melded so smoothly with reality that as the viewer, I was questioning which was which!  It all fell together seamlessly, though.

Dark Horse was a comedy and a drama, but a rather sad comedy as you can see the reality of Abe's situations.  The pacing and conversational style of this movie kept things crisp and clear.  Abe's relationships with women were quite interesting and I am sure that Freud would have had a hay day with him on the couch!  This boy never became a man and this mother never really wanted him to become one.  Abe's thoughts and feelings toward his father's secretary along with how he interacts with Miranda is rather pathetic, but at the same time, as we have begun to know Abe, believable.  This self-absorbed character who took no blame for any turns in his road of life, frequently looked to others to bail him out of so many situations.  And they did.  A lesson we parents should all learn as bailing Abe out didn't help him in any way.

With many children returning home to live with their parents due to the current economic times, this movie is quite topical.  As I watched Mia Farrow coddle her son, it made me be a bit more self-critical in how much I do for both my kids.  I DO want them to grow up.  I DO want them to become independent!  Really, I do!

Make the time to see this film while it's here.  It's smart, quirky, realistic, current AND entertaining!  These independent movies are worth supporting so make a night of it and head to Lincoln Park to see it!  (Dinner suggestion is Erwin and it'll serve its final meal next week!  Don't miss that either!)

7.5 Reels

SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED by Pamela Powell

SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED, premiered at Sundance this year to sold out theaters and audience ovations.  It was a similar experience here in Chicago.  Safety Not Guaranteed starred Aubrey Plaza (Park and Rec),  Jake M. Johnson and Mark Duplass who is better know as a filmmaker for movies such as Jeff Who Lives at home and Your Sister's Sister.  Darius (Plaza), Jeff (Johnson), and Arnau (Karan Soni) work for a magazine.  In searching for their next story to write, Jeff happened upon an interesting ad about a guy in need of a time traveling partner.  The three set out to covertly interview this person and write a story.  All three magazine employees get more than they anticipated.

Time travel movies have been done before, but not like this one.  The three co-workers, actually Jeff was the only paid employee and the other two were interns, embarked upon an adventure to the state of Washington to find the person who placed an ad for a time travel partner.  After Jeff struck out as a trustworthy companion, Darius quickly took his place and earned Kenneth's (Mark Duplass) confidence.  The training then began.  Kenneth appeared sweet yet "not all there."   Further research into Kenneth's background indicated that may be the case, but Darius saw something else in Kenneth.  I watched as their relationship developed and found that I really cared about them.  Arnau and Jeff found other things to occupy their time and Jeff's true motive for traveling to that location was revealed.  Poor Arnau just wanted to do his job and gain experience for a "well-rounded resume."  Jeff certainly helped him become more well-rounded!

This was a smartly written, quick-witted script that each actor pulled off with ease.  Their quirky interactions were believable and made the storyline flow.  Aubrey Plaza's deadpan I-don't-care attitude so reminiscent of Parks and Rec, was a perfect match for the character of Darius.  She was the lead and delivered a solid performance.  Jeff Garlin and Kristen Bell were two other recognizable stars who had small parts which just made this an overall fun film.   I'll warn you.  Everyone in the audience, both at Sundance and in Chicago, audibly cheered at the end.  A wonderful film!

Take the time to see this movie!  You won't be disappointed!


8 REELS

ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER by Pamela Powell

I went to this movie very begrudgingly, however there was a kernel, no let me rephrase that, a speck of optimism that a best selling book couldn't be totally in bad taste.  I had other good omens that this might be a passable movie such as Early Bird parking in Chicago for $14 for the entire day!  Then there was the fact that I got MY seat in the theater.  You know, the center seat with the railing for my feet is labeled as Pam Powell's seat.  Additionally, there were actually many other people in the theater at 10 am!  Shocker!  I was much more open-minded to this movie now.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter was based on Seth Grahame-Smith's novel and starred Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper (from An Education and My Week with Marilyn), and Mary Elizabeth Winstead.  The movie began by taking us back in time to Abraham's childhood experiences and the real reason his mother died at a young age.  This was the beginning of my re-education of history.  Apparently, all I had known or remembered from my high school history classes was only part of the truth. (Sorry, Mr. Johnson!) It's all based on Abe Lincoln fighting vampires from taking over the USA.  Yes, it's true.  The Civil War was really a war between humans and vampires.  But an ax wielding soon-to-be lawyer and then president would fight to his death to save America and avenge his mother's untimely death.

Let me first start by saying I am no history buff nor am I a purist of history which is in part due to the fact that I am no history buff!  However, I spent many a weekend, while pregnant with my son, traipsing through battlefields named Manassas, Antietam, Harper's Ferry, and Ball's Bluff in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.  I'm sure I hit Pennsylvania too, but I might have been passed out due to exhaustion!  While I watched this movie, I felt that it was giving off a certain air of mockery of Lincoln and an important part of American history.  People died for other's freedom.  Twisting this around into a horror flick about vampires imparted disrespect for that memory.

I'm getting off my soapbox now and looking at the movie as just that...a movie.  Besides being preposterous, which it was, it was repetitious.  I saw Lincoln receive orders or "hits" from his master trainer and best friend, Henry Sturgess.  Hit after hit after hit.  Yes, Lincoln was a serial vampire slayer, not just a hunter.  He was pretty handy with that ax!  It was a retro version of the Matrix!  They then tried to weave some aspect of history in with vampires then stitching in little love stories ending with broken hearts seemed pathetic.  I hesitate when judging an actors abilities as I realize that the director and editing have a lot to do with how things end up looking.  I'm afraid I must break my rule and judge the lead's ability to at least look the part of either Lincoln or a vampire hunter/slayer.  Benjamin Walker just didn't cut it.  His facial expressions were bland and his conviction as the person he was supposed to be was absurd.  He was a large mouse of a man who acted impulsively and completely lacked confidence.  The interactions between him and his friends were stilted and unconvincing.  Compound that exponentially when you assess the believability of Mary Todd's relationship with Lincoln.

The movie was mostly explanatory drudgery or high impact action with deftly performed choreographed fights.  It felt rather "Guy Ritchie" in the style as they slowed down the battles and the explosions of either blood or dirt being blown sky high.  I'm afraid that is the only positive comment I can make.  This movie was embarrassingly comical in a very unintentional way.

I'm going to give this 1 Reel just for the imitation of Guy Ritchie effects.  (I just checked imdb to make sure he didn't have anything to do with this film.  Guy, you're clear!)

1 Reel

ROCK OF AGES by Pamela Powell

ROCK OF AGES is an all-star musical on the silver screen adapted from the stage production of the same name.   Starring Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Alec Baldwin, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Paul Giamatti, Rock of Ages retells the familiar story of the small town country bumpkin finding her way to Hollywood to make it big as a singer.  There are plenty of side stories of various relationships and struggles that occur at the infamous lounge called The Bourbon Room.  This movie is loaded with songs from the 80's and performed by this all-star cast.

The music from the movie was great as it took me back to my college years; ok maybe I was in grad school by then, but it was still fun to hear!  And the hair styles, the make up and fashion brought me back in time as well.  However, I think I will be haunted for a while by the fact that one of the "church ladies" was wearing a flower and lace dress that I wore in 1986!

Alec Baldwin plays Dennis Dupree, the long-time owner of The Bourbon Room on Sunset Strip.  He is close to closing his doors on the place due to unpaid taxes.  (This reminds me a bit of Burlesque!)  His only hope is the return performance of the rock 'n roll idol Stacee Jaxx (Tom Cruise).  We watch as all the characters intermix and their stories intertwine.  Patricia Whitmore (Catherine Zeta-Jones) tries to fight Dupree and rock 'n roll.  No movie or story is complete without a love story or two or three.  One of these might even shock you!  But don't get too caught up in any one story line because it quickly cuts to another scene or another song.  I was amazed at how many songs they could throw into each scene.  The dialogue between characters was choppy, cliche and sappy.  Even Russell Brand's signature style of humor as the assistant at the club, Lonny, doesn't help as the pacing is somehow off between him and Baldwin.  

I think this stage production should have been left on the stage.  It just didn't translate to the silver screen.  This was a run of the mill story made for over $70 million!  Was editing at fault?  Perhaps as I would have ended it LONG before the film editor did!  I think the story has been done over and over again which is fine for a live performance on stage, but not just a year and a half after Burlesque hit the theaters.  I think one of the most disappointing aspects to this movie is that I really love a few of the actors.  Paul Giamatti has never disappointed me from Sideways to Win Win and Barney's Version.  (I'm overlooking his role in The Hangover Part II.)  Then there is Alec Baldwin whose dead pan humor makes me laugh out loud in 30 Rock.  Such a disappointment as I found myself wishing I could look at my phone to see how many more of the 123 minutes were left.

I've had enough of musicals on screen from Mama Mia, Burlesque, Country Strong, and Chicago.  However,  I really loved Chicago and hope to see it at the Egyptian Theater, live on stage in Park City this summer!  Keep them that way to really enjoy.  If you do choose to see the movie, you will be amazed by the pole dancers.  Yes, I have a new appreciation for the "art" of pole dancing.  You truly have to be strong!  Seriously!

4 Reels....SKIP IT!
 

JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME by Pamela Powell

JEFF, WHO LIVES AT HOME will be released on June 19 so you can see it on VOD  or you can actually get into your car and drive to your nearest video store to rent it on DVD.  This movie never made it to a wide release and I base the term "wide release" on whether or not it made it to the sub- suburb of Chicago called Kankakee, so now is your chance to view this entertaining film.

JEFF (as I will now call it to abbreviate it), starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon starts with a bong.  No, that's not a misspelled "bang."  It's a bong.  Jeff is the 30 year old son of Sharon, played by Susan Sarandon and Jeff lives in her basement.  The words "total slacker" don't do justice to Segel's character.  He lives his life based on the movie SIGNS with Mel Gibson and Abigail Breslin.  Jeff's older brother Pat, played by Ed Helms, has his own set of problems but is supposedly the "more together" brother.  However, we soon learn that Pat's marriage is on the rocks and Jeff is begrudgingly involved with helping his brother find out if Pat's wife is having an affair.  Meanwhile, Jeff just wants to follow "the signs" he is given to find Kevin.  Will he find Kevin?  Just who is Kevin?  JEFF is a fun roller coaster ride of relationships and responsibilities.  

Given the other movies that Ed Helms and Jason Segel have been in, I expected more of the raunchy and childish humor.  This wasn't the case.  The dialogue and reactions were so realistic in every interaction that I felt like I was peeking in on a real situation.  The conversations between mother and son were complete deja vu!  I KNOW I have had the same phone conversations with my son.  Yes, I will admit that I too, like Susan Sarandon's character, have nagged my son to complete a project over the phone and no matter how much yelling I have just completed, I always ended my phone call with an "I love you."  She did as well...softly and reticently, but still did it!  I am, however, hoping that I am not still doing that when my son is 30!    

I was lucky enough to screen this movie at the Chicago International Film Festival last October where one of the directors, Jay Duplass explained some very interesting details of the movie.  He said that he filmed the movie in a "naturalism documentary way."  Also there was no script!  With no script, the actors were placed in a scene, told the general idea of that scene and then they filmed!  Sometimes, the actors were told individually and secretly what their role was and had no idea with the other actors were going to say!  This created the "real" environment of conversation and dialogue.  Genuine reactions and expressions were captured on film.  In fact, to make it even more authentic, there was only one camera and one sound guy in the filming area so that the actors could react and resond as you would in a real situation without the interference of 40 crew members checking make up.

This 83 minute movie, which is apparently the gold standard for a movie duration took 9 months to shoot with an unbelievable amount of editing.  83 minutes...that explains the fact that my Adult Onset Attention Deficit Disorder kicking in at 84 minutes!

Be sure to rent this DVD or stream it to your home screen.  After learning how the film was made, you can appreciate it even more!

8 Reels

FAVORITE VOD,DVD, AND RENTALS! by Pamela Powell

I've put together a list of all my more recent viewings of DVDs and VODs.  Take a look and see some of the movies that are truly well-done, but not highly publicized.  E-mail me YOUR favorite movies available to view at home!  Go to the link below to see the list...

www.reelhonestreviews.com

EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR By Pamela Powell

Theatre Seven of Chicago presented EXIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR on Tuesday, June 7th.  Written by Lauren Gunderson and directed by Cassy Sanders, this production featured a small ensemble of actors, but the performance was nothing shy of enormous!  The main role of Nan Carter played by Tracey Kaplan, was supported by her fellow actors Ryan Hallahan (Kyle Carter, the husband), Ryan Lanning (her gay best friend and cheerleader Simon Beaufort) and Elizabeth Hope Williams (her newly found best girl friend and stripper extraordinaire Sweetheart aka Peaches).  Described as a revenge comedy, Nan has duct taped her husband to a swivel chair reinacting her not-so-happy marriage with the help of her friends Sweetheart and Simon.  I had to see this play that, in the synopsis, stated that we would watch “the simple joy of tying a dickhead to the living room chair.”  Sounds like a perfect Girls’ Night Out!

As I entered the theater, I took in the ambiance of the set before me.  I couldn’t help but notice the man duct taped to the tacky swivel chair apparently passed out.  OK.  You’ve got MY attention! EXIT took place in rural (super-rural) Georgia.  The house set could have been out of anywhere in the back hills of the US, but the perfect southern accents hammered home the locale.  Introductions to each character took place in very creative ways so the audience understood each person’s relationship and perspective.  Poor Nan has been not just verbally abused, but physically abused all of her 7 years of married life.  Nan has knocked out her husband with a frying pan and then duct taped him to the chair.  This was completely planned out as she and her friends have written out a script to act out the last 7 years of Nan and Kyle’s life together.  Their audience?  The captive Kyle.  Sweetheart, the stripper and wannabe Shakespearean actress, and Simon, her best friend and gay cheerleader, have memorized their parts and with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, acted out Kyle’s behavior.  How is it possible to take such a serious and sad topic like spousal abuse, address the issues tastefully, and still make it really funny?  EXIT did just that.  That’s not to say there weren’t some serious parts to it.  There definitely were.  But not enough to drag you down while watching it.  Just enough to help you learn and understand.

The humor with the dialect was somewhat campy and at times, over-the-top, but not in a bad way!  I found myself laughing out loud, much to the chagrin of the gentleman next to me.  This well-written play took you through various highlights and lowlights, if you will, of Nan and Kyle’s marriage.  Through these snippets, you gained understanding into why so many women stay in marriages like this.  It’s tough to leave.  It takes courage and support which is where her two quirky friends came into play.  They both loved Nan and wanted desperately for her to leave.  These two definitely had their own issues, but they did not let it overshadow their friend’s immediate needs.  

With the common thread of Jimmy Carter quotes sewn throughout the entire comedy, Nan, Kyle, Sweetheart, and Simon all learned life lessons, bless their hearts.  There are many lines that are absolute gems, but I won’t tell you as I want you to go see this and hear them for yourself.  A play that (please read with a southern dialect) “I ain’t never in all my born put-togethers” (translation:  I have never in my life) seen the successful combination of humor and depth about a very serious issue.  Let’s face it, we all know someone who is in a marriage that may be verbally and/or physically abusive.  Unfortunately, it’s more common than we want to admit.  Get some friends together and see this well-written, well-directed, well-acted, and well-done show!  You’ll laugh and then you’ll understand.

Go to the following link to get your tickets:

www.theatreseven.org

Or call 773-404-7336

Curtain times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm

Tickets are $20-$22 in advance and $30 at the door.

There isn't a bad seat in this intimate theater!

PROMETHEUS by Pamela Powell

PROMETHEUS opened after SO much advertising and hoopla that I think I was expecting the second coming.  Trust me, it wasn't.  Let me put it another way, I wasn't blown away nor was I bored; I was something in between.  Prometheus, starring Noomi Rapace (from my favorite version of The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo), Charlize Theron, Guy Pearce and Michael Fassbender, was advertised more than The Hunger Games, believe it or not!  Every magazine had something on its cover about Alien, Ridley Scott, and/or Prometheus.  Hush, hush, secret stuff about is it really a prequel to Alien or is it its own story in its own right.  The marketing department did its job.  I was hooked and I hadn't even seen Alien in its entirety before!

OK, I'm going to get it over with right now.  It took me a good 20 minutes of the movie before I did NOT think about Michael Fassbender in SHAME and focus on his current role as David in Prometheus.  There.  Done.  No more references to SHAME.  Whew!  I was expecting sold out audiences so I purchased my NON-3D ticket ahead of time and ended up sitting with about 10 other people for the movie.  Shouldn't have paid that $1 service charge after all.  That was my first red flag.  I also spent the afternoon watching the original 1979 ALIEN to see all of it for the first time.  Don't even ask me why I hadn't seen it before.  Actually, here's the answer...I was too young when it came out! HA!  Anyway, it's a really good flick!  Relax all you Ridley Scott fans!  I know I have just offended you by referring to it as that, but hey, I'm just an everyday gal watching and reviewing movies.  I did think the special effects for that time were pretty good and I will admit to gasping and jumping in my comfy recliner a few times.    I loved the camera work and how they built suspense visually for an intellectual BOO!  It worked.  It wasn't your typical alien horror flick as it didn't try to capitalize on the gross-out factor, but there were some pretty gross scenes.  That being said, I don't think Prometheus measured up to its parent Alien.  It even had some duplication which in my mind wasn't creative.  And yes, Prometheus is the prequel which makes the original the sequel, but since it was made before the prequel, I'm going to call it the "pre-prequel sequel".

The location of the movie was Iceland as well as the United Kingdom.  They couldn't have found  more fitting locations to portray an inhospitable environment.  In addition, technology has advanced the special effects department tremendously which made this a visually intriguing movie.  As with Snow White and the Huntsman, I was in awe of what I saw on screen.  I'm not going to spoil anything for those of you who will go and see Prometheus so I will leave it at that.

The story answered a few questions left lingering in space from Alien.  It explained the Why's and Who's not known prior to this.  In hindsight, I could have and probably should have watched Prometheus this afternoon and Alien this evening.  Oh, well.  The story is now complete, but to me not wonderfully told.  I saw lots of explosions and chases and there was a major "gross-out" factor that I equate with today's horror flicks.  I would guess that that happened because it could:  special effects allow it.

If you're an Alien or Ridley Scott fan, you're going to see this whether I give it 1 Reel or 10.  If you don't fall into these categories, I would wait for the release of the DVD.  If you feel you must succumb to the over-the-top marketing and go to the theater to see it, you will be entertained.  Just don't expect it to out-do the original.

6.5 Reels