This is the first time I review something on here while its still 'hot'. In fact, it came out almost a week ago and it was #1 on the box office charts the previous weekend. I got to see it last night, in 2D (not 3-D as it is available in that format).
I'll be frank: when I first heard about this movie about a month ago, I'm like, 'Why?!'. The reason for that was because in Hollywood today, we live in a world of not just prequels, sequels and remakes, but there are so many things people enjoyed as kids that are being made into movies. Hey, it's all about the almighty profits, right? And Legos are the latest thing being offered on the big screen. It is quite easy to forget that this is not a new thing, as there are animated Lego movies that were direct to DVD.
The story follows construction worker Emmitt (voiced by Chris Pratt), who seems to be the everyday average worker, but his characteristics are being naive, accident-prone and just doing things at the wrong place, wrong time. All he wants is to be very likeable and to have more out of life. As he's leaving the hard hat zone, he notices an attractive woman (who calls herself Wildstyle) trespassing and follows her. But Emmitt ends up getting deeper (literally) into trouble as he obtains something that 'The Man Upstairs' is after: the Piece of Resistance. Emmitt is also mistaken as 'the Special' and he lives up to it, trying to impress Wildstyle...who has a boyfriend, Batman! With his geekiness and somewhat new allies, 'the Special' is destined to save the world from the evil Lord Business (voiced by Will Ferrell, who also appears in a live-action part in the movie).
It's not just the nostalgic-ness that makes the movie fun. Several celebrities and pop culture references make the movie what it is. You have a mixed bag of DC comic-book characters meeting with Star Wars, and even the NBA. (And yes, that really is Shaquille O'Neal voicing himself) This is a film that is kid and adult-friendly. While its still in theaters, now is a great time to take the whole family out and enjoy it. And get a good laugh.
My rating: 7 out of 10
Showing posts with label morgan freeman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label morgan freeman. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
02/08: Lean On Me
Obviously this was inspired by the hit song by Bill Withers from the early 70s. The song has made such an enormous cultural impact since its release, mostly to help radiate positivity and inspire hope. Lean On Me is a great film (based on a true story), but of all titles in the world, I'm still questioning why they would name it Lean On Me. Yes, I know they sing it in the movie.
Morgan Freeman stars as Joe Louis Clark, who takes over New Jersey's worst school, Eastside High School. In 1987, Eastside is plagued with several things: teachers being beaten nearly to death, low test scores, dropout rates, drugs, gang violence, etc. It wasn't like 20 years earlier, as shown at the beginning of the movie where times were seemingly fine. Enter Clark, who is promoted to be principal of Eastside. But with a cost: keep the students together, turn everything around, and more importantly, raise the average test score. Or no job.
Freeman puts on a powerful performance of the strict and brutal Clark, whom the kids eventually look up to but he evidently alienates several staff and faculty as well as members of the community, even his own boss. Clark's disciplinary measures are put to the test all through the movie. He starts by putting a school group assembly, humiliating those who have put shame to the school on stage. Next comes the faculty, whom Clark reprimands. He even goes as far as to firing one of the most popular (seemingly harmless and inspirational) teachers. There is even a subplot about a boy who was expelled but begs Clark to take him back at the school, in which he agrees.
Of course, Clark's actions make the film very controversial, as these happened in real life. Some agree, though some may suggest he take the small touch route. But anyone who is up for a great story on how to make the impossible possible should definitely watch this. Freeman, as people who know me personally know, is one of my Top 5 favorite actors, and this is one of the reasons why.
This is a continuation of my Black History/Civil Rights series.
My rating: 8 out of 10
Morgan Freeman stars as Joe Louis Clark, who takes over New Jersey's worst school, Eastside High School. In 1987, Eastside is plagued with several things: teachers being beaten nearly to death, low test scores, dropout rates, drugs, gang violence, etc. It wasn't like 20 years earlier, as shown at the beginning of the movie where times were seemingly fine. Enter Clark, who is promoted to be principal of Eastside. But with a cost: keep the students together, turn everything around, and more importantly, raise the average test score. Or no job.
Freeman puts on a powerful performance of the strict and brutal Clark, whom the kids eventually look up to but he evidently alienates several staff and faculty as well as members of the community, even his own boss. Clark's disciplinary measures are put to the test all through the movie. He starts by putting a school group assembly, humiliating those who have put shame to the school on stage. Next comes the faculty, whom Clark reprimands. He even goes as far as to firing one of the most popular (seemingly harmless and inspirational) teachers. There is even a subplot about a boy who was expelled but begs Clark to take him back at the school, in which he agrees.
Of course, Clark's actions make the film very controversial, as these happened in real life. Some agree, though some may suggest he take the small touch route. But anyone who is up for a great story on how to make the impossible possible should definitely watch this. Freeman, as people who know me personally know, is one of my Top 5 favorite actors, and this is one of the reasons why.
This is a continuation of my Black History/Civil Rights series.
My rating: 8 out of 10
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