F20: Savages-Directed by Oliver Stone

"There is just something wrong with your love story baby."

I was really looking forward to this film, but must say that it was really disappointing. Who wouldn't want a little stickem up-drug runnin-rpg blasting-love triangle kinda film on a Friday afternoon? I thought it sounded like a good idea, but this movie simply falls flat. While some may call Oliver Stone a visionary, he takes this simple plotted film and attempts to stretch into something epic. Epic it is not. I appreciate his attempt and while the man sure as hell can direct a bad ass action scene, this movie crawls and inches its way on. And on. And on. And on. And on. And on. And alright already boys, get moving and rescue the girl. She has and we have for that matter, suffered long enough. It did barely enough to keep me in my seat till the end, which was 2 hours and 45 minutes away from the opening spot.

Meet Ben and John. Ben and John grow cannabis. Lot's of it. They run their indy drug business in Laguna Beach, Ca and both date a girl named Ophelia, played by Blake Lively. Soon their operation attracts the attention of competing Mexican drug cartels and they are forced to accept an absorption or suffer the predictable consequences. Their plan to flee to Indonesia is foiled when Ophelia is kidnapped and held hostage, forcing them into upholding the proposed business arrangement. They conform, but hatch a rescue plan after about an hour of screen time and chaos ensues. Salma Hayek is cast as an unconvincing jefe running the Mexican operation from Tijuana. Other than the action scenes, the only other aspect worth mentioning is Benicio Del Toro's character which he plays to a T. One of my favorite actors, in this film his character is utterly despicable. Playing El Jefe's mullet rocking, bull whip cracking leading henchman, Lotto is abhorrently cruel with his methods. Bencio's talent is obvious and was one of the reasons why I did end up staying. When the ending finally did come, I can say that I enjoyed the mini twist Mr. Stone tossed in there, but more so the fact that it was finally over. Skip this one friends, or at the very least wait till released on DVD so you can take breaks. Trust me, you will need them.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC2zbOwbeEs

F19: Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter-Directed by Timur Bekmambetov

"Judge us not equally, Abraham. We may all deserve hell, but some of us deserve it sooner than others."

History, violence and vampires. What a concept. This movie adaptation of the popular book hit movie houses this week and was quite interesting. It is not for everybody, but for a hybrid genre of historical fantasy, it reeks of awesomeness. Honest Abe wielding a custom silver crusted axe, battling the forces of darkness? Yes please! The title pretty much sums up the entirety of what this film covers and while it lacks depth, the special effects are stellar. Director Timur Bekmambetov had a real challenge on his hands turning this film into something worthwhile, as it could have just as easily become a rotten egg of an experience. The casting was terrific, the backdrop of a U.S. Capital in its infancy and the civil war scenes all were extremely well done. This movie is really a testament to what special effect companies are able to achieve these days and the fight scene that took place in the middle of a stampede was downright ridiculous. Muting the color palate also gives this movie the gothic edge it needed and I really enjoyed how historical events were taken and injected with a little twist of dred. If you are looking for a little escape from the real world and are in need of an action fix, check out of Abe Lincoln Vampire Hunter. It is worth seeing.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34x6m-ahGIo

F18: Moonrise Kingdom-Directed by Wes Anderson

"I am missing a Khaki Scout. I am letting you know only as it is required by protocol."

Wes Anderson is not a director, but rather a mad scientist of his craft. I love his organic approach to storytelling and his sarcastically glum and drab style. Watching one of his movies is like sitting in a funky, hidden coffee shop that’s walls have been strangely muraled by some unknown visionary. You are not sure what to say about the art, but you just know that it is brilliant. He is really unlike any other director out there, and this latest movie of his is exceptional.  His movies are best remembered for their charming yet dark characters and the two leads in Moonrise Kingdom, Suzy and Sam surely belong in the pantheon with such legends as Steve Zissou and Chas Tennebaum. 

Sam is a Khaki Scout. Or ex-Khaki Scout I should say. He is roughly 11 years old.  And unpopular. Quite an accomplished water colorer, Sam has coke bottle glasses and builds a mean campfire. 

Suzy is also roughly 11 years old. She is left-handed. Suzy has three annoying brothers, loves science fiction novels, listening to music and blue eye shadow. Where ever she goes, her trusty binoculars go with, along with her pet kitten.

These two share an unlikely encounter during the school play and hatch a plan to go and live together out in the wilderness. Their disappearance does not go unnoticed and soon a savory cast of characters is on the warpath trying to find them and put an end to their budding romance. Edward Norton plays the Khaki Scout leader and is priceless tromping around the forest in short shorts and knee high socks. Bruce Willis crushes the role of pathetic downtrodden police officer, while Harvey Keitel will have you smirking with his depiction of the commanding founder of the Khaki Scouts. This movie has everything you will not be expecting a summertime flick to have and is a must see. It is fresh, enchanting and awkward, like all great Wes Anderson movies are. Skip the blockbusters and see this, stat. Thank you Mr. Anderson, you are a genius.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MemkzzlQJ6Y

B12: Ghost in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick

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While this much talked about autobio may not be the most eloquently written book, the subject matter makes it worth reading. Kevin Mitnick is a legend. Just about everybody in the computer world knows and fears his name. Best known for his circumventing talents and auspicious ability to manipulate, Mitnick is an hacker extraordinaire. Using a primitive ham radio to intercept police information and to hijack the local McDonald's drive through frequency, Kevin began hacking in his early teens. His journey has been an entertaining one and still to this day he is able to seduce cyber security barriers, while making a comfortable living doing it.

When most people think of the term hacker, more times than not they associate identify theft, fraud and embezzlement with the subject in question. What I found to be piquing with Kevin Mitnick was how his passion for computer hacking was never for financial reasons. He was able to gain access to just about any blip of data he so choose, only to store and stash the intel on some unsuspecting out of state server. Even more interesting are the methods used to manipulate workers with in the targeted company and how Kevin was able master the art of "social engineering". Having done some research on a particular individual, he would contact them on site and pretend to be out in the field with some sort of emergency that required the download/upload of source code he wished to acquire. Often times speaking in a hurried tone that emulated a potential crisis, he was granted access for simply sounding believable. What follows is a true cat and mouse game of life on the run, stuffed with blank birth certificates, cloned cell phones and late night rendezvouses. Rendezvouses. That doesn't quite sound right, but I'm rolling with it. Sorry, I digress. Yes this book is a bit geeky, but I would certainly say that it is an adventure worth digesting. At the very least it will give you something to think about when setting your online passwords. Check it out.

B11: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (608 pages)

"You should have no sense of guilt about having had relations with me. You see, Mr. Okada, I am a prostitute. I used to be a prostitute of the flesh, but now I am a prostitute of the mind. Things pass through me."

Haruki Murakami is a wizard. Reading his work is like using a kaleidoscope to peek into the dream of  a lost poet. The words seemingly drip off the pages, float down and burrow themselves into your skin. You will remember this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would highly recommend it to anyone in search of something different. For it revolving around such a simple plot, the story is imprinted with depth that is often lacking in many books clinging to "Best Seller"  lists churned out by major cosmopolitan cities. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is really a collection of savory characters that all come into contact with our unorthodoxly ordinary hero, Toru Okada.

After Toru and his wife Kumiko's cat goes missing, Toru sets out on a mission of self discovery that ultimately will dump his life upside down. A prostitute, a brooding teenage girl and an old Manchurian War general enter into Toru's world and each provides a piece of a key that will be needed to unlock Toru's potential. He soon becomes a product of these encounters and now needs their perspectives to help him locate his wife who has gone missing without a trace. This book is a heroic attempt at using history, sex, politics and human interaction to tease out life's true purpose and to give meaning to the meaningless. So much in our life revolves around the people we meet along our own journeys and this book will definitely cause you to reflect on some of the more interesting characters you may have come across in your own time here on Earth. It is beautifully written and while it has an austere backbone that creeps throughout, this book will be a fantastic addition to any library. Read it.

F17: Hunger Games-Directed by Gary Ross

"Hope is the only thing more powerful than fear. A little fire is effective and a spark is fine....... as long as it is contained."

This is a stellar movie and about as good of an adaptation of a beloved book that I have seen. There were a few minor adjustments to the plot and the elimination of a character or two, but overall I loved everything about the Hunger Games. The visual experience of life in the districts and the depressing nature of dystopian Panem was incredibly well executed. Whoever was in charge of casting also deserves some praise, as I thought all the characters were perfectly cast for the motley crew of characters Suzanne Collins spawned in her books. Donald Sutherland was a wicked President Snow. Arrogant, insidious and calculating. Woody Harleson's character Haymitch could have been a wee more of a drunken train wreck, but I enjoyed him as Katniss and Peeta's mentor. Jennifer Laurence became Katniss Everdeen and I believe she embodied the crux of the character to the fullest. Strong and innocent. Provocative yet deadly. Rebelliously devoted to those that she holds dear. In short, a prodigious female protagonist that kicks ass.

While I did really enjoy this film, there is definitely something very disturbing about the whole idea behind the Hunger Games. Set aside the futuristic predictions of what society could be like and how oppressively controlling the government could end up being. I think what bothers me the most is that this movie was based on books that kids are reading. Is revolution and televised murder appropriate for our youth? I get that there is a lot out there in the world and we as a society have become more and more desensitized to violence with each passing year. Sure, vicious adventure stories depicting sacrifice have been around for thousands of years (Collins has been noted as using the Greek Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur as inspiration), but I can't help but wonder how much is too much? What's to come from these impetuous spores that we are embedding in our kids? Seems like every few months we hear of some youth who picks up violence, stashes it a trench coat or backpack and trots off to school, only to unleash it on his/her innocent peers who just happened to show up that day trying to learn something.

The Hunger Games is a powder keg of controversial topics and I really hope the parents of our kids out there reading and seeing this movie will take some time to diffuse some of the ideas presented. As an educator, I do admire Suzanne Collins for penning such a magnetic narrative that with out a doubt has hooked many young minds into the world of reading. However, what does that say about our society if it takes a series of books about kids hunting and slaying other kids to convince youths that reading is worthwhile? That being said, if the intended audience age range was higher, this would all be a mute point. Hunger Games was a great movie. It has action, drama and a snatch of romance. The cinematography is wonderful. Top rate special effects and clever camera work create an experience well worth the money you will shell out for admission. I highly recommend reading the books and seeing this movie, if nothing else than to keep your finger on the pulse of what is being talked about in school with our youngsters. Chances are you will become a fan. Judge for yourself and may the odds forever be in your favor.

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FovFG3N_RSU

F16: In the Land of Blood and Honey-Directed by Angelina Jolie

"Do you remember what is was like, before the battles?"

War is relentless. War is ghastly. And grim. And terrifying and something that I will never quite be able to fully wrap my head around. That being said, this really is a must see film. For as savagely brutal as the subject is, there is a whisper of tenderness to this multi layered drama that is worth experiencing. The film begins in pre-war Bosnia-Herzegovina and explores a potential romance between Serbian officer Danijel and a Bosnian Muslim artist, Ajla.  As the militant Serbians begin their ethnic cleansing, Ajla is rounded up with other young  women and sent a commanding strong hold where they are savagely forced into servicing the resident soldiers. Danijel is in charge of the outpost and upon learning that Ajla is now in his camp, risks his own fate by shielding Ajla from the monstrous acts that are being committed each day at the base. What follows is a snapshot of a fragile, forbidden relationship and its struggles to survive in the most dire of circumstances. 

First time director and screen writer Angelina Jolie seizes your attention with a powerfully ominous first scene that formulates the soul of what is to come. This work is essentially a self portrait of war and the horrendous atrocities that follow. War is hard at work killing, raping and humiliating people for nothing more than their belief in different ideas. Entire families are ripped apart and systematically gunned down and covered with earth. Cities are destroyed and memories are stained. Jolie's portrayal of these events are nothing short of numbing and for being such an icon of Hollywood, this film has all the artistic makings of a memorable indy flick. Outside of her choice to have the actors speaking English, there is a real feeling of authenticity to this movie and the eerie way she manipulates silence transforms these tragic events from abominable to haunting. I wish there was never a need to make this film but by reopening the wounds of this conflict, Jolie brings to attention to this abhorrent chapter in our modern history with hopes of teaching people about what took place in the early 1990's in Eastern Europe. Hopefully this film will serve as a reminder of the disastrous effects of war and at the same time remind all of us to treat each other with understanding and empathy. See this movie.

Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDBU8CqU0dg