Two great movies
Movie Review #1 – V is for Vendetta (4.7 Stars)
I don’t get a chance to go to the movies very often, but for my birthday I had Lindy get a babysitter for Molly so we could see V is for Vendetta on IMAX. I had read a Time magazine article about the movie a few months ago and thought it was very really interesting. It was written by the Wachowski Brothers (who wrote the Matrix and may or may not exist in reality. There are no pictures of them and they don’t give interviews). The movie itself was a brilliant portrayal of a neo-fascist society and how government has to potential to get way out of hand (without the people ever realizing that something is wrong). The main character wears a mask throughout the whole movie because of injuries he suffered in a fire. However, the real reason for the mask, in my opinion, had nothing to do with that. The real reason is that “V” (as he is known) can be anyman. He could be me, he could be you. We all have the power, if dedicated enough, to change society. V understands the truth of this neo-Orwellian society and has decided to fight back through “terrorism”. Terrorism is another theme of the movie, in which the idea of violence against a government, as a moral wrong, is blurred. Another theme is government control of information. At one point in the movie, someone asks “If our government committed a terrorist attack against its own people, would you really want to know if they did?”. Conspiracy theorists would say this is a specific reference to 9/11. Watch this video (click here) for some very interested information on the subject of a 9/11 cover-ups (note: I’m not vouching for the accountability of anything in the video, that is up to you to research yourself). V uses the very media system that the government controls to contact the masses and metaphorically open their eyes. And V calls for action, he calls upon the people to stand together against a government that they were used to trusting. In the end, V was never for “Vendetta”, V was for Justice!
Movie Review #2 - Shaolin Soccer (4.9 Stars)
I am finding it hard to explain how good this movie is and why it is so good. It is a magically story of a group of former Shaoilin Monks who come together to play soccer. There are ridiculous (and sometimes silly) special effects; in a very similar style to Matrix II, but not quite as clean. It is funny, original, moral, and has a great ending. Each member of the team has learned a special Shaoilin technique that gives them unique special powers. The story is also a fable, teaching lessons like; don’t cheat, see inner beauty, teamwork, personal strength, and friendship. I am lost for the right words, but to give power to my recommendation of the movie, I think I rank it just behind the quartet of the greatest movies of all-time list (the Last Dragon, Godfather, Flash Gordon, and The Princess Bride). Watch the movie, bring the kids.
I don’t get a chance to go to the movies very often, but for my birthday I had Lindy get a babysitter for Molly so we could see V is for Vendetta on IMAX. I had read a Time magazine article about the movie a few months ago and thought it was very really interesting. It was written by the Wachowski Brothers (who wrote the Matrix and may or may not exist in reality. There are no pictures of them and they don’t give interviews). The movie itself was a brilliant portrayal of a neo-fascist society and how government has to potential to get way out of hand (without the people ever realizing that something is wrong). The main character wears a mask throughout the whole movie because of injuries he suffered in a fire. However, the real reason for the mask, in my opinion, had nothing to do with that. The real reason is that “V” (as he is known) can be anyman. He could be me, he could be you. We all have the power, if dedicated enough, to change society. V understands the truth of this neo-Orwellian society and has decided to fight back through “terrorism”. Terrorism is another theme of the movie, in which the idea of violence against a government, as a moral wrong, is blurred. Another theme is government control of information. At one point in the movie, someone asks “If our government committed a terrorist attack against its own people, would you really want to know if they did?”. Conspiracy theorists would say this is a specific reference to 9/11. Watch this video (click here) for some very interested information on the subject of a 9/11 cover-ups (note: I’m not vouching for the accountability of anything in the video, that is up to you to research yourself). V uses the very media system that the government controls to contact the masses and metaphorically open their eyes. And V calls for action, he calls upon the people to stand together against a government that they were used to trusting. In the end, V was never for “Vendetta”, V was for Justice!
Movie Review #2 - Shaolin Soccer (4.9 Stars)
I am finding it hard to explain how good this movie is and why it is so good. It is a magically story of a group of former Shaoilin Monks who come together to play soccer. There are ridiculous (and sometimes silly) special effects; in a very similar style to Matrix II, but not quite as clean. It is funny, original, moral, and has a great ending. Each member of the team has learned a special Shaoilin technique that gives them unique special powers. The story is also a fable, teaching lessons like; don’t cheat, see inner beauty, teamwork, personal strength, and friendship. I am lost for the right words, but to give power to my recommendation of the movie, I think I rank it just behind the quartet of the greatest movies of all-time list (the Last Dragon, Godfather, Flash Gordon, and The Princess Bride). Watch the movie, bring the kids.
Comments
And the best part of it is that now the kids have a new interest in soccer and they are out every day kicking the ball against our wall. So, combined with the perfect weather that has finally come back to us, the movie haas made them spend MORE time outside and less screen time! (And less whining for screen time!) Hooray!