Kim Gentes

The day the earth waited in line for stale popcorn.

In the manner of "The Happening", the latest world catastrophe movie "The Day The Earth Stood Still" becomes an afterthought to geopolitical campaigning, and removes from the equation of science fiction both science and fiction. With a mildly likable character from Jennifer Connelly, this film tried to find a center but feels like no one really steps to the plate. "The Day The Earth Stood Still" is a post-modern remake of the 1951 film with the same name.

The film has relatively unimpressive acting from everyone including Keanu Reeves who adds another deific character to his resume in the human embodied alien of "Klaatu". Cast in the emotionless alien role, Reeves forms a hesitant proxy to which Connelly's character pleads for mercy for the fate of humankind. The story is worthwhile, but after 110 minutes of cliche and vacant stares of emotionless setup for the plot, there is no tension left, nothing to resolve. Just a bit of a pseudo-science conclusion that seems uncontrived, while still being unconvincing.

For those 50's buffs, you will like the retro renderings of special effects, but after that, its just a long series of gun magazines being loaded and stereo-typical stupid leadership decisions being made. It's always nice to watch a movie that shows political figures as even more inanely foolish than their real life counterparts. Thank God we can all recognize Hollywood's relentlessly stupid political bashing, so while its annoying, at least it doesn't completely destroy the movie. But for its part, not much is there to destroy.

As far as content, there is no violence, language, or sexual content that would offend anyone over 11 or 12. The PG-13 rating is a bit cautious in my view, but there may be 8-10 year olds that will find momentary scenes to startle them and stick in their memory. Beyond that, not much is shocking, surprising or even interesting. Likely the biggest draw of this film is its nostalgic connection to sci-fi films golden era. If you can make it that long, at least make sure to get a hot bag of newly popped popcorn before entering the theater. That way at least something will be fresh about your experience.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/TUBmN5

Review by Kim Gentes

Far and away, the best movie of 2007.

Cloverfield is the story of an attack on New York City.  I won't spoil the movie for you, and if you haven't seen or read other reviews, then GET THE MOVIE. Don't try to find out what happens in this movie before you see it.  You will enjoy the movie way more if you discover the story the way it was intended.  The gimmick here is the "Blair Witch" style handicam filming that is the movie goers eyes through which the events unfold.  Directed by Matt Reeves, (and produced by JJ Abrams) the story flows through the camera, instead of forcing the camera to see what will neatly present his storyboard.  It's brilliant.  You come in, remain and leave the story like the characters- uninformed, fearful, occasionally heroic and ultimately human.  The same super-realism photo-imagery that was used in Collateral (Tom Cruise/Jamie Foxx) impacts you here, but with a sledgehammer to the head.

The characters are unquestionably just like us- self-centered and unprepared for much more than living their American lives. Part of the grip of this film is its tanacity to reality, while being a wildly science-fiction yarn.  There is one small hickup in the storyline, in which a military trooper sends civilians back into harms way. Without that I would have given this film perfect marks on all fronts.  But this plot twist does propel the story to its effective conclusion and forces the camera back to document this happening.

If you haven't seen this in the theatres, get going before its done its run. Again, this is easily the best film of 2007.  If you don't get the word on Cloverfield quick enough to see it on the big screen, you will want to rent this in HD and see it on the biggest screen you have access to.  Swimming in the visual experience is part of the plummet/rise rollercoaster you take with the characters, and you really don't want to miss that effect.

No child under 15 should see this movie, in my opinion.  Far too much realism and imagery, along with language to keep the kids sleeping soundly after watching this one.

Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/RZfiSH

Review by Kim Gentes