Æon Flux * * *
It's hard to find Sci-Fi anymore, so I always perk up when a sci-fi title hits the big screen. This slick tale set in 2415 is the evolution of the animated series that aired on MTV in 1991. It was created by Korean American animator Peter Chung for the big screen and stars Charlize Theron as AEON (changed from the latin Æon).
We all know we are headed for a catastrophic end of the world, and by 2415 a few million humans are left on earth in a little spot of paradise called Bregna. (the devout likely have departed in the "rapture") But as always there is trouble in paradise. Many Bregnan's "disappear" much as they did in Argentina in the last century. The government leaders constantly surveil the populace and something our current government would like, inn 2415, they apparently don't need a court order. Rebels living in Bregna, known as Monicans are working for freedom. Enter Aeon Flux, a more gymnastic and shapely James Bond of the future who is neither shaken nor stirred as completes her missions for the Monicans.
This is a bit tongue in cheek, and this movie is after all based on a cartoon. But it is very entertaining with well thought out special effects. Charlize Theron and her body double are eye candy for the adolescent and older male audience. They knew what they were doing when they went for a PG 13 rating! But as neither an adolescent nor male, I also enjoyed the film, the sci-fi genre which is so rare these days. I think you will too.
March of the Penguins * * * *
The theatrical release was awesome, but the DVD is better yet. Along with the incredible photography and narration of the feature film, the DVD offers additional short features. The first is a French naturalist who has been monitoring the Penguin population in Antarctica with concerns about how global warming is effecting their habitat. The 2nd short is "the making of", narrated by the men who filmed the Penguins, and in it's own way is as fascinating as the feature film.
I checked with the IMDB, and discovered that in the various versions produced for the world audience, (Germany, France, Taiwan, Japan) there are differences in the script and the editing. If I can get a copy of the European version, I will update this blog with details on the differences. They seem to think their version is more artful than the one made for the US market.
The bottom line is... this is a must see movie. You will have a new respect for these wonderful creatures who have adapted to one of the harshest environments on the planet.
Into the Blue * * ½
We don't see a lot of "main stream" video, but it's December and the nice beach colors and tanned actors on the cover had some appeal as we're in Maine and it's snowing out tonight. This film is about a young American couple working in the Bahamas. Sam (Jessica Alba) works at the Atlantis resort's shark encounter. Jared (Paul Walker) is a professional diver relegated to a tourist diving service. He once worked for the local "treasure hunter" but parted company with dreams of doing his own thing. They have little more than each other and their dreams which seem enough for them for now.
Jared's buddy (Scott Caan - yes, James Caan's son) flies down for a well earned vacation. He is a defense attorney whose last client paid part of his fees with a house and boat in the Bahamas. He's brought along the girl he met "14hours ago." It's time to kick back, enjoy this Luxurious home and boat. They go out for a little snorkling, and find stones and relics from a sunken ship, uncovered by the recent hurricane. In looking for evidence of the name of this wreck, they find an even bigger surprise... a wrecked plane full of cocaine bricks.
Now the suspense is in high gear and you are strapped into a roller coaster of plot twists you will keep you guessing until the closing credits. For action genre folks, they won't be disappointed, there are plenty of heart stopping moments. I'm more of a March of the Penguins type myself.
Strange Bedfellows ***
Paul Hogan is a natural comedian, which is why he isn't painting the Sydney bridge anymore. He has been off the radar for the past few years, so it was good to see his face on the DVD cover as I was scouting for something to rent. This is an Aussie film, and my logic is that it would have to be pretty good to make it all the way from "down under" without a general release. I wasn't disappointed!
"Vince" is a divorced man living in a small rural town who gets stuck with the tax bill after his wife leaves him for their accountant. He is facing financial ruin when he reads of a new retroactive tax break for same sex partnerships in the newspaper. He convinces his lifelong friend to have a gay relationship "on paper" to save his business. "Nobody except a clerk in Melbourne will ever know." What he didn't expect was a personal visit from the Tax collector to verify the legitamacy of their gay relationship. This film is somewhat predictable but hilarious anyway, and it has a few surprises too. It's a must for Paul Hogan fans, and try it even if you aren't.
Saving Face ***
I love Asian films. I am always amazed at how much alike our cultures are. Okay, yes that is a gross generalization, but I've seen enough films from China and Korea to have a sense that we are not all that far apart in our ideas and values. Now that I think about it, my house has as much stuff made in China as a gal from Beijing!
So, this one is billed as a "Romantic comedy" but it is a story that pushes all the buttons of conservative Asian-American culture. Everybody knows a little too much of everyone elses business, and of course the pressure to get married and start making grand children creates distress for single career women. Wil (short for Wilamina) is a fast rising star studying to be a surgeon in Manhattan. She is obliged once a month to go to Flushing "to swim in the Chinese gene pool," and possibly meet Mr.Right. Her mother, grandparents, and their friends and neighbors attend these gatherings, hoping the young people will match up. This is a first feature for writer-director Alice Wu and she was able to keep me guessing about what would happen next. This is NOT predictable romantic comedy fare.
We enjoyed it for our Christmas afternoon entertainment. We wanted something upbeat and this was perfect. With the DVD there is a little extra commentary from the director and some insights about the Sundance film festival which made it seem more personal.
