Brave

****
Dir. Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
I think it's safe to say that it's pretty much impossible for Pixar to make a bad film. This is just a group of people who have a genuine passion for the art, and who devote themselves to producing great movies. Their latest picture is Brave, a comedic fantasy that features an adventure seeking Princess who desires nothing more than to abandon the life her pompous mother has made for her. With three directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, and Steve Purcell; and four screenwriters: Brenda Chapman, Irene Micchi, Mark Andrews, and Steve Purcell; this film indeed does justice to Pixar's previous works.

This is an original and compelling story (not the best but fair) that appeals to a wide range of audiences. Merida (Kelly MacDonald) wishes to change her fate when her mother Elinor (Emma Thompson) arranges for the lords of the neighboring clans to compete for her hand in marriage. Her father Fergus (Billy Connolly) is the ruler of an ancient kingdom, seeking to unite the surrounding territories. When Merida attempts to escape from this, she ventures into a nearby forest and encounters a mysterious witch (Julie Walters), who promises the Princess she can change her fate. Yet when Merida uses the potion given to her by the witch, it causes her mother to experience a bizzarre transformation which they have but forty-eight hours to revoke. Their journey enables them to discover things about one another, and challenges them to use the deepest layers of their courage in order to overcome the various obstacles they face.

Like any Pixar film, the animation is absolutely spectacular. Executive Producers John Lasseter, Pete Doctor, and Andrew Stanton spent years working on developing the details of Merida's hair alone, along with the many other characters and settings. There are scenes overlooking the country that sent chills down my spine because they're so beautifully constructed. The artistic value of each shot is worthy of comparison to visionaries such as Peter Jackson and Ridley Scott. Yeah, it's that good. Composer Patrick Doyle also does a great job of making each score correlate with the mood of the story.

Although the story doesn't have the same emotional intrigue as Toy Story or Finding Nemo, what makes it so captivating is that it's a visual spectacle. There's a good amount of laughs, unique characters, and magnificent cinematography. Although it will have to compete with Paranorman and Frankenweenie, this one will definitely be in the running for best animated film of the year.

Season Premiere of TNT's Falling Skies

It's very rare that a show on T.V. will really capture my attention. I'll turn on TBS or whatever if I'm looking for a good laugh, but it's been quite a long time since an original and compelling series got me hooked. However, last year on TNT, Falling Skies did exactly that.

Created by Robert Rodat, this sci-fi series starring Noah Wyle, takes place in a post apocalyptic society in which extraterrestrials have launched a full scale invasion of Earth. Leading a human resistance, a history teacher named Tom Mason (Wyle) seeks to liberate the planet from this otherworldly threat. With the help of his three sons and his good friend Captain Weaver (Will Patton), this band of freedom-fighters poses a significant challenge to their alien opponents.

In this new season, the stakes are continually increasing as Tom's middle son Ben (Connor Jessup) remains traumatized from being enslaved by their enemies. There is also tensions among various members of the resistance. Although a loose alliance remains between them and the hot headed vigilante type figure John Pope (Colin Cunningham), Captain Weaver remains unable to trust the gunslinger. Then, in a climactic sequence in part two, a parasite infects Tom and causes him to behave in an uncontrolled manner. Although his allies are able to remove it, the strange substance escapes their clutches, and it is uncertain as to where it will strike next.

What I really liked about this episode, and about the series in general, is the psychological factors it examines regarding human nature. We see how the aliens' greatest weapons are fear and hatred. Beyond the explosive battle sequences and special effects, the show is an accurate depiction of how we ourselves would react in the midst of a hostile environment. Tom's character is the ideal model of leadership, as his courage and strength enable him to invoke a spirit of hope among the resistance members. Now, as the battle is heating up, the fate of humanity will depend on the faith of these survivors. The artistic manner in which this show is presented puts it right up there with Star Trek and Firefly. Hence, with a great script, an all star cast, and brilliantly executed visual effects, Falling Skies is definitely one I'll be watching throughout the summer.

Prometheus

*****
Dir. Ridley Scott
Ever since the classic 1979 film Alien, Ridley Scott has revolutionized the science fiction genre in cinema. Prometheus combines the essence of the Alien saga with stirring 21st century special effects. Set in 2093, the crew of Prometheus ventures into the far reaches of space to explore the origins of mankind. The members of this expedition include Dr. Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace), an advanced robotic organism named David (Michael Fassbender), the ship's Captain Janek (Idris Elba), Shaw's boyfriend Dr. Holloway (Logan Marshall-Green), and the stern and secretive Meredith Vickers (Charlize Theron).

Before I get into what I liked, I feel obligated to inform readers about the controversial messages expressed through the film. As with many sci-fi stories, it puts heavy emphasis on evolutionary themes. As a Christian, I despise evolution altogether. Furthermore, I don't like that it's being presented in schools and through the media as fact and not theory. The film depicts the origins of humanity as being spawned from an alien civilization, and questions creation at many points. Hence, I would advise you to be cautious of this going in.

Nevertheless, Scott and screenwriters Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof provide viewers with a unique and compelling story line that intrigues sci-fi fans in particular. The foundations of the plot are connected to Alien, but I wouldn't call the film a prequel. It's centered mainly around the species which the crew encounters, and what they come to discover about the human race. With graphic images and brutally violent encounters between the humans and extraterrestrials, the picture is horrific to say the least, making the original look like a walk in the park. Scott does a great job of pacing the story, despite the ending being a bit rushed; and cinematographer Dariusz Wolski is remarkable in creating this dark, otherworldly atmosphere. I had the pleasure of seeing it in IMAX 3-D, which I would say enhances the viewing experience effectively. It being shot with 3-D cameras, you can actually feel the floor vibrating when the ship takes off. Hence, despite my disagreements with some of the themes presented, I thought the film was very intriguing and certainly a visual spectacle.

Snow White and the Huntsman

***
Dir. Rupert Sanders
It's been a while since we've seen a really solid and original fantasy film. The last I can think of off the top of my head is Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth. However, Rupert Sanders' Snow White and the Huntsman is a fresh and compelling take on the classic fairy tale character.

In this story, we see the origins of Snow White (Kristen Stewart) and of the kingdom she is destined to inherit, which falls under the rule of the wicked Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron) and her phantom army. After years of imprisonement, the Princess manages to escape the clutches of her arch-nemesis, only to be pursued by a hired Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth). Yet when he, a widower promised by the Queen that she would resurrect his wife if he did her bidding, discovers he too had been deceived by her wickedness, he then allies himself with Snow White (unaware of her identity). The two then venture through the dangers and perils of the Dark Forest; with the Princess intending to make contact with the former Duke of the Kingdom and all the rest who had served her father during his reign. It is here that they encounter the seven dwarves, a band of gold miners who are in no way reminiscent of Disney's version (an aspect I was completely fine with as this is intended to be a much darker adaptation). The plot also features the poison apple, as well as the kiss from Snow White's true love which reawakens her. Upon her resurrection, the Princess leads the Huntsman and all those loyal to her to defeat Ravenna and restore her father's Kingdom to its former glory.

What really stood out about this film to me was the script. Screenwriters Evan Daugherty, John Lee Hancock, and Hossein Amini did a really nice job of incorporating a multitude of characters and events into one clear and precise story. The very essence of it brought together a wide range of elements from classic fantasy and mythology, while appealing to a modern audience. Furthermore, the pacing of the script complimented Sanders's vision very effectively. Producers such as Joe Roth (Alice in Wonderland) and Sam Mercer (The Sixth Sense) did a fantastic job of constructing this fantasy world, and correlating with the lighting and cinematography. This dark atmosphere opened up a lot of room for various motifs to be expressed through the different creatures and settings. Then, the action scenes were really well executed and there was a great amount of detail devoted to each shot. All in all, the film contained a great cast, a solid storyline, and an artistic vision from Sanders that has the ability to engage a wide range of viewers.

History Channel's Hatfields and McCoys

With an emotionally gripping storyline, tremendous acting and character development, and brilliant cinematography, Hatfields and McCoys is the best mini series I've seen since Band of Brothers.

This 3 night epic event, directed by Kevin Reynolds, demonstrates such quality filmmaking that viewers are left with a deeper understanding of the complexity of human nature. Set in post Civil War Kentucky and West Virginia, the film documents the blood feud between the families of Devil Anse Hatfield (Kevin Costner) and Randall McCoy (Bill Paxton), and how this conflict became one of the greatest rivalries in American History. What started with Hatfield's Uncle Jim Vance (Tom Berenger) murdering McCoy's brother after the man had publicly insulted him, developed into a pure and chaotic massacre of vengeance and despair. Screenwriters Ted Mann and Bill Kerby did an excellent job of documenting the sequence of events in a clear and precise manner. Other sparks that ignited the tensions between the two families included disputes over their land and timber, as well as a love affair between Hatfield's son Johnse (Matt Barr) and McCoy's daughter Roseanna (Lindsay Pulsipher). As soon as she gets pregnant, all hell breaks loose. The film's climax depicts the Battle of Grapevine in 1888 where both sides clash.

What really stood out to me about this picture was the themes it explored and how effectively they are presented. Audiences are able to witness an examination of humanity's spirit of vengeance, lust, love, betrayal, loyalty, and ultimately an example of redemption in it's purest form. Watching it, I was not only compelled by the story and cinematic techniques used, but I also thought to myself that this really wasn't all that long ago. What's more frightening is that there's nothing stopping it from happening again. This is a film many new age philosophers need to watch so they can see how misguided they are. I think humanistic psychology is a bunch of bogus. How are we good by nature when history reveals the pure evils that we are capable of? The great thing about this film is that it brings to light disturbing truths about us as humans. Furthermore, it provides a great depiction of reconciliation at its conclusion. As a Christian, I wholeheartedly believe in redemption with God, but it requires faith and for us to admit that we are sinful by nature. The Biblical themes explored in this film and the way they're presented through the characters make the story all the more compelling. Hence, I recommend this to any history buff, as well as to those simply wanting to learn more about this story. On that note, the film is set to release on DVD and Blu-Ray on July 31st.

Men in Black 3

**
Dir. Barry Sonnenfeld
When you make a sequel fifteen years after the original, my expectations for the film aren't all that high going in. Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones return for the third installment in the sci-fi/comedy series, Men in Black. While the story itself had potential, director Barry Sonnenfeld failed in presenting it properly.

We open on a prison escape with very poorly executed visual effects that make this one unworthy of being called a film. The last survivor of his species, a Boglodite assassin by the name of Boris the Animal (Jemaine Clement), seeks revenge on his long time rival Agent K (Jones) for blowing his arm off 40 years earlier. Meanwhile, the MIB agency has just lost their leader Zed, who is replaced by Agent O (Emma Thompson). After the funeral, we see some tension between agents K and J (Smith), resulting from K's hiding information about his past from his partner. The next day, there is a disruption in the time-space continuum. J finds himself in a world where K has been dead for over forty years, and a Boglodite army under Boris' leadership invades Earth. In order to save the human race and his long time partner, J travels back in time to 1969. Hoping to kill Boris and prevent the entire chain of events from happening, his plan fails when he encounters a younger K (Josh Brolin). Fortunately, he is able to convince him of the truth. The two then embark on their mission to stop Boris and save humanity. During their journey, both men discover things about one another, and a key component regarding J's past is revealed to him.

Although the story wasn't bad, this one lacked the essence of the classic 1997 film which made it so compelling. The humor was very dry, the action sequences were poorly done and unexciting, and the cinematography was rather weak. However, I did think Brolin was a very good pick to portray the younger version of K, and he and Smith had very solid chemistry. What stands out about the original was that it provided a fresh and compelling story, had plenty of laughs, and appealed to a wide range of viewers. Sci-fi geeks like me and casual moviegoers were equally captivated. This film however was lacking in nearly each of those elements. It was dull, fairly predictable, and not half as entertaining as the previous two. If you are an MIB fan and itching to see it, I'd recommend you save the money and wait for it to come on Netflix.

Television: A Dying Medium

As a writer, I like looking at almost any form of storytelling. I love reading and watching movies, as both mediums provide me with the opportunity to exercise my imagination, and be compelled by quality plot lines and characters. When I was growing up (I'm 18 so my childhood was during the late 90s and early 2000s), the majority of T.V. shows I watched also served the same purposes. From Justice League to Batman to Spider-Man, the comic book animated series' at this time were great examples of good television. With spectacular animation, solid writing, and great voice talents, these shows captivated viewers as much as a good movie. And it wasn't at all limited to this genre. Sitcoms from the 80s and 90s provided wholesome family entertainment, and the wide range of characters allowed audiences to connect with them in one way or another. Both cartoons and live action shows at this time demonstrated originality and creativity.

Today, it seems as though all you can find is a long list of bogus reality shows and low quality fictional series'. Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, and Cartoon Network used to contain great shows that invoked the imaginative spirit of children. I know from what my eleven year old cousin watches whenever he hangs out, that all three channels have gone down the drain. It points to the underlying problem with television and film today: people are running out of ideas.

Our culture spends way too much time watching T.V. Beyond this, there's so much pure garbage within this medium that younger generations just aren't being exposed to quality storytelling. Hence, kids today are being deprived of the opportunity to really use their imaginations. Reality T.V. continues to turn me off more and more because it just goes to show you producers can't come up with anything better. I can think of four singing shows right off the bat-"American Idol", "America's Got Talent", "Britain's Got Talent", and "The Voice". Wow, real original. Then, there are those stupid fashion shows-"Say Yes to the Dress" and "What Not to Wear". Can you get any more pathetic? A show about picking out wedding dresses and all the bogus drama from Bridezillas that accompanies it. And don't even get me started on that "Toddlers and Tiaras" garbage.

The sad thing is, it's only getting worse. If T.V. producers and screenwriters had the same mentalities as those of let's say, the guys at Pixar, we might see some more quality and family oriented shows come about. When you do things like adapt comic book characters into T.V. shows and films, you open up a lot of doors for solid, compelling plot lines. If networks would just utilize the resources they have available to them, I think this medium could move in a more artistic direction.