"'Twas The Night Before Sundance" by Pamela Powell

'Twas the night before Sundance, when all through the house,

All the dogs were a-stirring, for I had misplaced my gorgeous red blouse.

People In Black, as the locals do say, 

no red would be missed, just like back in LA.

The children were set with the Amex in hand,

As mom would be gone which left the house completely unmanned.

And Dad in his cave and Kelsey glued to Facebook,

Mom continued stuffing her bags, using each little nook.

When down in the kitchen, there arose such a clatter,

I jumped off my case to see what was the matter!

I tore down the stairs, jumping over the dogs,

Slid into the kitchen, shook my head in a fog.

A tear streaming down the sweet cheek of my daughter,

The red blouse was ripped as it had gone through a slaughter.

The comforting words were emitted with care,

As she knew Robert Redford would certainly be there.

Now, Mother, it's Sundance, you know that for sure,

All people will be dressed in the finest couture.

But you are my mom and a reviewer as well,

Just wear some black like the others, just do it, oh Hell!

So I packed all in black with a smattering of blue,

Hey, it's really the films do that matter, and nothing more could be true.

To the 2 car garage, To the Mazda hatchback

I headed to Park City with not more than 2 cases of black.

And then, in a twinkling, I looked discreetly behind me,

Just to find red and blue flashing brightly to flag me.

Oh Dear, Oh, Dear, what could I possibly have done?

I'm going to Sundance for movies, and maybe a ski run!

The officer walked to my Mazda with care,

As he asked for my license, I said a quick prayer.

His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples how merry.

My reason for speeding was Sundance's  new film,  "Crystal Fairy!"

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

He wrote on the paper, then turned with a jerk.

Directions were written so clearly for the  record,

All is forgiven if you meet Mr. Redford!

Happy Sundance to all, I will see you tomorrow!  

 

ZERO DARK THIRTY A STEP BY STEP VISUAL NARRATIVE by Pamela Powell

No one will forget September 11, 2001.  Everyone's life has changed because of this event.  Safety, Homeland Security, and terrorism are terms that are never far below the surface when traveling.  When in the airport, it is a familiar scene for a complete stranger to go up to a uniformed soldier and shake his hand, pat his back or even give him or her a hug with a heartfelt "thank you."  Without me going into my own personal feelings, I'll leave it at the fact that our military is necessary to protect us and I am thankful for everyone who has served.  That being said, "Zero Dark Thirty" was about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden with his ultimate demise and the steps and people who were responsible for that goal.

"Zero Dark Thirty" was based on actual first hand accounts of the search for the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden.  The opening scene, lacking visuals, recounted the auditory horrors of 9-11.  The screen came to life as the military was performing an inquisition with a Saudi prisoner.  The hunt for Bin Laden had begun.  The movie recounted the mind-boggling steps and attention to detail that it took to piece together a formidable puzzle of his whereabouts.  Over the many years of searching, more attacks occurred.  I'm not giving anything away as we have all lived through it.  I'm not so sure I wanted to live through any more of it on the silver screen.  The amount of torture that our soldiers performed in order to gain information was also mind-boggling.  I'm not about to judge what did or did not happen.  I wasn't there.  It wasn't my job.  There's a reason I became a speech-pathologist turned movie reviewer instead of joining the army.  I couldn't hack it.  Back to the movie.  Major breakthroughs and set backs were recounted in what felt like a long, drawn out narrative.  However, the acting, especially on Jessica Chastain's part, was phenomenal.  I understand her Oscar nomination.  As I watched her become physically drained on the screen from her non-stop and focused search, I too became exhausted.  The supporting cast did exactly that; they supported her character with the utmost attention to detail and skill.  The portrayal of all those involved and their commitment to protecting us felt real and genuine.

The movie itself didn't hook me, though.  Maybe it's all still too fresh in my mind.  The movie took you through each and every step that the military completed in order to accomplish their ultimate goal.  It was so detailed and drawn out that I just wasn't on the edge of my seat wanting to see how they put that puzzle together.  I couldn't help but compare this to "Argo."  Maybe there was a bit more "Hollywood" in "Argo" than I realize.  But even though I knew what was going to happen in "Argo," I was still riveted and questioning what would happen!  "Zero Dark Thirty" did not do that for me.

I know I'm going against the grain of every other review out there, but this is Reel HONEST Reviews and I honestly did not enjoy it.  That's not to take away from the acting skills of those involved.  I'll reiterate that Jessica Chastain was spectacular.  The supporting cast was superb.  The movie felt convincingly real.  It just didn't capture my undivided attention and make me want to watch more.

6 REELS

GANGSTER SQUAD: REPETITIVE WITH NO SURPRISES by Pamela Powell

There's something romantic and nostalgic about the 40's and 50's.  Maybe it's the attire.  Or maybe it's the music and they way they danced.  Or maybe it's the decor.  Or maybe, just maybe, it's all of that wrapped into one.  I love watching movies placed in that time period.  "L.A. Confidential" was a gangster-cop movie set during that same time period.  This was one of my top 100 movies of all time.  It was smart, creative, and kept you thinking throughout the movie.  Herein lies the difference between the two movies.  While "Gangster Squad" was supposed to be based on a true story and characters, it became just another "shoot 'em up" movie.  It lacked thought and creativity.  It followed a very straight line formula starting at A and predictably running through to Z.

I had hopes for this movie.  (I call Chicago my home, after all, and the Mob is always a topic of conversation regarding its history.)  I loved this all-star cast and the topic as well as the time period.  The basis of the movie was Mob vs. LA Cops and cleaning up their City of Angels.  Sean Penn most recently seen in "This Must Be the Place," has once again transformed himself into a believably different character:  Mob leader Mickey Cohen.  Sgt. Jerry Wooters (Ryan Gosling) and Sgt. John O'Mara (Josh Brolin) join forces in the police squad under the direction of their Police Chief Parker played by Nick Nolte.  We saw Emma Stone (Grace) as the familiar love interest of Gosling's character.  Like I said, an impressive cast.  But the cast wasn't enough to make it worth my while to spend $5.00 for the matinee.  (Yes, I said $5.  One of the perks of living outside the city limits!)

The beginning of the movie is disturbingly violent.  There are a few other parts that I think were thrown in there to show the special effects crew's skills.  Yay.  As the Gangster Squad assembled with 5 police officers, all with different talents, we watched as they tried to take down the increasingly powerful mob boss, Mickey Cohen.  Lots of machine guns, and obviously lots of shooting.  These shooting scenes really weren't too disturbing as they were played out over and over again, just in a different venue.  Blah, blah, blah.  More shooting.  Machine guns vs. pistols...amazing that the pistols always win.  Anyway, more shooting.  There were a couple of little side stories with O'Mara and his pregnant wife as well as with Wooters and Grace.  Then there was some more shooting.

I think you get the gist of the story.  I think it was pretty well outlined in the trailers for the movie.  If you like a Shoot 'Em Up type of movie taking place in the 40's and 50's, you will be thrilled with this movie.  Or if you're throwing a Gangster themed party and want costume and decoration ideas, check it out!  If you find Emma Stone's red dress, please contact me!  Otherwise, I'd wait for the DVD or skip it all together.  My life would be just as complete without having seen this film, that is unless you find that red dress for me!

4 REELS

ON THE ROAD MEANDERED AIMLESSLY by Pamela Powell

Did you read On the Road by Jack Kerouac?  I did not.  Don't get me wrong, I attempted to read it on several occasions but frequently my mind wandered while reading the wandering prose to which I then processed very little information.  I had hoped the movie adaptation might shed a little light on the book for me.  It did, but had I not been reviewing the movie, I would have joined the other half of the theater that got up and walked out and stayed out.  OK, maybe not half, but a notable many.  The premise of the movie is that of a young writer named Sal (Sam Riley) who befriends Dean (Garrett Hedlund) and sometimes together and sometimes apart, they journey across the US.  Why do they do this?  I'm not sure.  I guess just for the sake of the journey.  Life is just that; a journey.  Who's life has a definitive purpose?  Not many.  Who's life just goes and meanders, reacting to whatever stimuli are placed before us?  Many.  So I guess this was a reflection of life.

Sal's life was one of not many boundaries.  Dean's life was one with no boundaries.  Marylou (Kristen Stuart), a teen who married Dean, tagged along for a wild ride.  While traveling, via hitchhiking or driving, the crew occasionally picked up others.  We learned bits and pieces of each of the three main characters in this movie while they drank, smoked, enjoyed some pot, ok a lot of pot, and had a lot of sex.  A lot of sex.  Straight sex.  Menage a trois.  Gay sex.  Sex. Pot. Drinking. Oh and a little drug usage.  Not a care in the world for Sal except to write about what he saw and experienced.  Frequently, I thought that Sal was more of an observer in his own life than that of a participant.  In any case, he wrote on note pads with his stubby little pencil for the entire 2 or 3 year period.

As a viewer of this movie, I can't say I was totally entertained or enthralled with the story at hand.  As I stated before, it was a meandering road of life with little focus.  Everyone always went full circle, sometimes spinning in circles before getting back on some sort of a convoluted path.  I was definitely an observer with little involvement or empathy for any of the characters.  This lack of identification with the characters accomplished one thing:  the 2 hour 4 minute movie seemed much longer.  I don't want to take away from what these actors did, however.  Stuart, Hedlund, and Riley were very good.  They portrayed the characters in the script.  I quite honestly don't usually like Kristen Stuart in her roles, but she played the wild teen quite well.  Hedlund was the perfect lost soul in search of something to make him happy and never quite finding it.  Riley was the benign onlooker and casual participant.

Although this was not my type of movie, it most definitely made a statement to me.  It was a statement that very few lives have complete focus and direction.

I welcome comments!  I would love to hear from people who have read the book as well!

PROMISED LAND FOOD FOR THOUGHT by Pamela Powell

I'll be upfront with you, I care about our planet.  I always have.  From the age of 5, making posters to deliver door to door with a picture of Woodsy The Owl, with the caption, "Give A Hoot, Don't Pollute," to fighting IDOT and Illinois' then Secretary of State George Ryan building a bridge over the Kankakee River (we won!), I want the earth to be safe and clean.  That's why this movie initially intrigued me.  The general story line was a natural gas company's two employees went into a small, struggling farming community rich with natural gas to lease owners' property as cheaply as they can.  What the community was unaware of was the possible risks involved in letting the company come in and utilize a technique called fracking to obtain the gas.  But are promises of wealth and a booming local economy rich with good schools worth the possible outcome of a dead land wrought with health risks?

Steve Butler (Matt Damon) and Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand) were the two Global employees who took on the sales pitch to lease the land from the owners.  Their smooth sales pitch and repetitive smarmy lines easily duped the residents until Frank Yates (Hal Holbrook) helped to educate not just the residents in the community, but also Butler about what the true risks really were.   Environmentalist Dustin Noble (John Krasinski) then came in to fight the big company with vengeance.  That was the basic premise of the movie.  Of course, there's a little smoldering of a love story with Butler and Alice (Rosemarie DeWitt) to round out the story.  Although at times the story became a little preachy and definitely geared toward us environmentalists, it allowed you to see both sides of the story as well.  It also allowed you to see how strong a large corporation can be and possibly what lengths it will go to in order to get what it wants.

Damon, Krasinski, McDormand, and DeWitt were all their usual talented selves; perfectly portraying their characters at hand.  The story, although somewhat predictable, did have some interesting and unexpected twists and turns.  The script was tight and tried to be educational, but with a smattering of humor in it as well.  How true was the story?  Does it truly happen?  I believe it has and literally right in my own back yard.  Topical and relevant are the two words that describe this movie, but if you're not an environmental proponent, it might be a bit too preachy.

7 REELS

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IS A BULL'S EYE! by Pamela Powell

It's not often that you come across a smart, witty, yet endearing movie geared toward the teen and young twenty-something age group.  Last year's "The First Time" was another creative endeavor that ranks high in that category.  This year we have an amazingly creative film called "Struck By Lightning."  Written by the prodigy Christopher Colfer, he captured and created a character that will probably ring true with so many teens.  Chris plays Carson Phillips, a high school senior living with his mentally unstable mother and doing everything in his power to escape the podunk town in which he grew up.  He has goals; very loft ones!  Among those goals were winning the Nobel Peace Prize as well as attending Northwestern University (my Alma Mater...who can blame him!) in order to attain that Prize.  Carson had little patience and the utmost contempt for most everyone in his high school class.  He needed their help to accomplish publishing a literary magazine to stand out to Northwestern.  How will he do this?  Blackmail.  That was the answer!

The movie started off with Carson's death.  No, this won't spoil the movie for you.  It's in the tag-line.  We went back in time to tell of his senior year and his relationships with his mom, grandma, dad, and lone friend, Malerie played by Rebel Wilson as well as the groups of kids at his school.  Carson was very quick-witted in his narrative and interactions with all the different characters.  The pace was fast and fun to watch.  The writing was smart and clever.  Carson typified most of us in high school.  Most of us, I am assuming here, were not the super popular ones.  Chances are pretty good that you weren't the cheerleader or football captain.  Chances are much better that you just wanted to finish these four unbearable years and move on to bigger and better things.  High school was not the peak of our lives.  However, most of us didn't appreciate what we had in the 'here and now.'  Those were the very things that Carson realized a bit too late.

The cast was comprised of very familiar faces from Rebel Wilson whose comedic timing was capitalized upon to Christina Hendricks, Dermot Mulroney, Sarah Hyland ("Modern Family") and Allison Janney who seems to be in so many films lately.  Chris Colfer shined in his part and the supporting cast was brilliant as well.  Colfer's development of each character was thorough and thoughtful.  Wonderfully directed, this gem was well worth my time watching.

"Struck by Lightning" was a roller coaster thrill ride which took me back to my high school days.  It was such a pleasure to watch with my high school senior daughter who, by the way, loved this movie!  How many movies can a mother and daughter watch together and both love it?  Trust me, the list is very short.  Rent it now on demand or catch it in the theater next week.  A great movie for mother-daughter or a group of high school kids to see.  Enjoy!



8 REELS

A DARK TRUTH HONESTLY SHOULD BE SKIPPED by Pamela Powell

* CONTAINS SPOILERS!*
I've avoided writing this review.  I saw it a while ago, but all I wanted to do is write "skip it" and be done.  However, that wouldn't be fair so I will sit here and take up a few more gigs or bytes or whatever I use up in memory in order to review A DARK TRUTH.  The main cast most certainly was a talented one.  Andy Garcia from one of my favorite quirky indie comedies, CITY ISLAND and Forest Whitaker who I first noted in THE CRYING GAME and want to just give a great big hug to if I ever saw him, were two of the lead roles.  The lead female role played by Deborah Kara Unger was perfectly cast as the wealthy socialite.  I was initially so taken aback by the amount of plastic surgery that was evident due to the lack of facial expressions that I wondered why they cast her in that role.  But it did fit, if you think about it.  Then the adorable Eva Longoria sans mega make-up who was even more adorable with the make up.  So the cast was fine.  The story and direction, I am guessing, were the HUGE missing pieces of the puzzle.  Before I start with that, let me give you a quick synopsis of the movie.

A wealthy brother and sister team, Bruce and Morgan Swinton (Kim Coates, Deborah Kara Unger) owned a powerful corporation for water filtration around the world.  Andy Garcia played Jack Begosian, former CIA agent turned radio personality who hosted a political talk show late at night.  (Note to self...try to master the voice he used on the air tomorrow.)  As the company's overseas operations involved South American military who gunned down innocent civilians just for being,  Morgan Swinton dropped her luncheons and fundraisers and began to investigate the situation utilizing the skills of Jack Begosian, former high level CIA Operative.  Please insert more killing here.  Also very graphic killing. OH!  And heads being blown off.  And some more killing.  Let's throw in some disturbing killing of children, a suicide, and some execution style killing just to make sure all styles of killing are covered.

I may have spoiled it for you, but truly that was all there was to this movie.  Such a predictable story line: Big bad powerful company wants profits; fight for what's right; story ends.  I'll let you guess where it went.  Now how could Andy Garcia be unappealing in a movie?  Well, for as little as Unger's face moved, Andy's voice stayed monotone throughout.  No emotion.  No feeling.  Now I know there are Botox injections for the voice, but that's a totally different reason than for the smile lines.  Forest Whitaker and the rest of the cast just didn't give me a reason to care.  That, I believe, was due to the predictably boring script (unless you love watching LOTS of killing) and unclear direction.  The story unfolded, but I just didn't care.  So many characters, so little screen time for anything meaningful other than Garcia's character telling his audience about his view on politics and life's meaning.  This part of the movie started to lull me to sleep and I almost spilled my wine!

That's it.  That's all I've got for you about this movie.  Poor script, lots of killing, lots of blood with special effects, lots of plastic surgery on 2 of the 3 main females, and lots of preaching.  Predictable preaching.  Did I mention the killing and the violence?  This made QT look like a G-Rated filmmaker.  Yes, I'm exaggerating here, but you get my drift, don't you?




1 REEL  SKIP IT!