I've wanted to see it the premiere night but now that I did, Into the Wild (the movie) was not bad...not bad at all. Forrest Gump still holds a special place in my heart although Into the Wild has moved me as did the scene when Forrest found out Jenny was going to die. The movie moved slowly, unfolding gorgeous scenes all over the United States and part of Mexico. It does not fail to capture the admiration of the audience right off the bat, and the snow scene is winter wonderland all over again--well, until tragedies happen, of course.

The character that played the role of Chris McCandless was whom I pictured all along. Emile Hirsch was perfect in every way possible as he managed to act realistically with matching eye dilation and crazy-out-of-his-mind budding individual crying his lungs out of starvation and in the end, death. A real-life story of Chris McCandless, his character was positively formidable and one that readers and audience alike would love to hate but could not. This young man was not only admirable to achieve separation from material things but also an inspiration to many whom hearts are broken by human/parental relationships. After graduating in Emery University, Chris decided to take the biggest and the last trip of his life--he was to hitch hike from Virginia to Alaska with a different name (Alexander Supertramp) and as much as possible, no real identification and relation to his parents. Along the course of seemingly a lifetime of memories, he met extraordinary people that taught him wisdom and survival tips he was going to need to his "Great Alaskan Adventure".

The director, Sean Penn portrayed these events with 4 different metaphorical chapters as if watching a book and to each has its own titles too. All the chapters were, of course, viewed with less conversations and more documentary-like manner. It was the perfect example of combined artistry, music and film that not many people my age would get into. For one, there were no definite plot and although the story line suceeded gracefully, the story would be hard to follow for those who didn't read the book yet. The main gist of this movie is the adventure itself while narrated by the very sweet and soft spoken Jenna Malone who speak now and then as, probably a reminder that Into the Wild IS a movie not just long runs of cinematography and favorable acoustic from Eddie Vedder. But it was more than gorgeous shots, it was just like the remarkable book by John Krakeur: a poignant narration than can move anyone who wants to be affected. The interactions between the actors were as human as it can possibly can and the settings helped cultivate the raw and organic feel of the movie. Yes! The life of Chris McCandless was portrayed as genuine as possible. It made me feel like I've watched what happened to him in real life and understood wholey his motives of taking such risky contingency. And if that wasn't enough, Into the Wild was also thoughtful because if you look carefully, you'll see, hear and feel the one great lesson individuals should learn, "happiness is only real when shared".

P.S. Hands down to Hal Holbrook's performance as Ron Franz. He gave a tear, I gave mine.

Labels: biasly criticizing, movies, reviews

| Shroom the third: Shrek made it with the help of other fairy-tale characters. A worthy of B-?

Our barfed-green, giant friend is at it again on the big screen, still spoofing other fairy-tale characters, accompanied with a Justin T's sexy voice, and unfortunately faltering--at its best, a must-see for kids under 7, younger adults, possibly 10-13 years of age and their wonderful parents who have become kids themselves.

Shrek the Third did not surpass neither the second or its first movies, although did not fall flat to its face, I was disappointed to see yet another Shrek-must-save-the-day movie, a slight difference from the first two but repetitive otherwise. And so I think, it deserves a slightly kick on the rear end and absolutely undeserving to be the top movie on the box office hits. There were a few good laughs, mind you but nothing that made me want to go back next year or the year after to go see a 4th one. I was not buying the whole other fairy-tale characters anymore even thought it worked like a charm in Shrek 1. Although the producers added its own original characters, plus a very lovable, irresistable ogre for *Mcdonalds to use as an incentive to lule younger customers in (*Notoriously known for making America, FAT), the whole movie was like watching Cinderella triumph to go to the Prince's ball all over again. Cliche overuled the movie: Frog king died, son-in-law is next to the throne but does not want to, son-in-law went to look for another alternative, and the villain, Charming, tries to take away the throne--jea, there's a twist right there. Do you see it?

In addition to reigning as another cliche animation, the plot was rush too. The animators put too much time on unimportant parts of the movie instead of developing the climax and or the plot more. Shrek had an easy time looking for Arthur, the supposed alternative for the throne of Far Far Away (what a name! They even spoofed the Hollywood sign and well, changed it into Far Far Away). If he was going to be the savior anyway, why did they not make it harder for Shrek to find him? I don't remember exact details because i resisted of actually remembering anything from the movie, but some of the parts were vague and some, that weren't essential at all, were develop further causing the movie to go on for about an hour and thirty minutes, or even longer (when it could have been shorter).

And did anyone who have seen it think the place Far Far Away looks just like Hollywood? I was in West Hollywood to gaze stars at the Griffith Observatory 6 months ago and I swear Highlands is the inspiration for Far Far Away. The Observatory as the palace that overlook the commoners place or San Fernando Valley and the long lines of Palm Trees were, after all, Beverly Hills.

Anyway, maybe I am grewing out of my pixar-animation days, who knows! But if you want to waste 10 bucks on something you have seen and familiar with already, then go ahead, go watch Shrek the third and feel free to contradict my views on this...oh no...oh yea, oh yowza blockbuster..OOOOh (as my opinion is lame itself).

Labels: critical condition, movies, opinion

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