Directed by Clint Eastwood, Based on a True story, Los Angeles, 1928. A single mother returns from work to find her nine-year-old son gone. She calls the LAPD to initiate a search. Five months later, a boy is found in Illinois who fits the description; he says he’s her son. To fanfare and photos, the LAPD reunite mother and son, but she insists he’s not her boy. The cops dismiss her as either a liar or hysterical. She takes on the LAPD to her own detriment, while also refusing to give up hope that she will find him one day.

DIRECTOR: Martin Campbell.

CAST: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard, Mark Strong, Geoffrey Rush (voice), Tim Robbins, Taika Waititi, Jay O. Sanders, Michael Clarke Duncan (voice), Angela Bassett, Jon Tenney, Dylan James, Gattlin Griffith.

SYNOPSIS: Highflying test pilot Hal Jordan (Reynolds) unwillingly becomes part of the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic squadron who keep the peace throughout the universe. With Earth facing a dark nemesis, Jordan embraces his newfound identity and unleashes an incredible power in the hope that he can save his planet.

Martin Campbell’s exciting and refreshing take on the Bond franchise blew everyone away back in 2006, but there is nothing particularly new or groundbreaking with his first foray into the hallowed lands of (DC) superhero territory. Green Lantern isn’t quite the abysmal mess I’d been led to believe, but it is an unfortunately predictable film set within a patchwork of two very different worlds.

It would be all too easy to place the blame on the film’s core, Mr Ryan Reynolds, but the quality of this film is not Reynolds’ fault. He does the best with what he is given, but is not helped by the initial painting of him as a roguish playboy. Jon Favreau got the right mix when showcasing Tony Stark as an international ladies man, but Campbell never follows through with the idea after we meet Hal kicking a girl out of his bed. In fact, he makes it very obvious Hal only has one girl on his mind – Carol Ferris (Lively). Ironic, then, that Hal and Carol are barely given enough screen time together to make us understand their connection. There isn’t much chance to forge any chemistry between them, but both parties do the job well enough.

In a film full of special effects, Green Lantern relies very heavily on Ryan Reynolds – a man who is impossible to dislike. Reynolds manages to avoid making Jordan’s plight laboured and tragic, identifying more with Tony Stark than Bruce Banner, to mention his Marvel rivals. The script allows him to provide the audience with one or two laughs, especially when poking fun at DC and fellow Warner project Batman, by mimicking Christian Bale’s growl in one specific scene. However, this film does not show Reynolds on full-speed laugh-a-minute mode and with a little more work on the script, he could have been given the chance to better portray the cockiness Jordan is meant to exude.

The villains of the piece are a bizarre bunch, with otherworldly Parallax and Hector Hammond (Sarsgaard) as far apart as physically possible. One of the film’s major flaws is how it tries too hard to link the two worlds. When the action is set on Earth the film slows down and struggles, with the best set pieces being on Planet Oa, the home of the Green Lantern Corps. The origins of the Parallax are surprisingly rushed resulting in a lack of empathy with this character, but with Hammond initially starting out as a hermit Professor, sympathy with his downfall is far easier. Always very likeable and enjoyable, it’s obvious Sarsgaard enjoyed his moment of madness playing against type as Hammond, but he would have been a far better and more effective villain had more time been invested in him. Hammond unintentionally becomes a comic character due to some pretty nasty editing and unfortunately it makes the film turn into ‘How to be a Villain 101’, even though we know Campbell is entirely capable of portraying extremely effective villains after Casino Royale.

One big question you’ll ask yourself during this film is to do with money. Where exactly did it all go?! The effects are hit and miss, resulting in some of the supporting characters appearing a little less invested in and not cared about (although Michael Clarke Duncan was perfectly cast as the voice of the massive Kilowog). Some of the 3D is put to good use, especially during Hal and Tomar-Re’s flying scene, but apart from that I would have been just as happy to see the film in 2D, as again the film was a little dark (is this problem ever going to get sorted out?!). The main moments of attack do impress, though, with the siege on a large city and especially the final moments regarding the sun remaining grandiose, but there is something about Parallax that leaves you slightly underwhelmed. I preferred some of the smaller details, the constant movements within Hal’s suit and the ‘fear snatching’ idea. Hal’s full body scan and Lantern modifications were a nice touch – if not merely a chance for the ladies in the audience to admire Mr Reynolds in nothing but his briefs.

Talking of women, Blake Lively takes another huge step into the limelight with her role as Hal’s long-time friend and work colleague, Carol Ferris. We’re slowly starting to see Lively make her mark after roles in The Town and upcoming projects such as Oliver Stone’s The Savages, but her role here requires little more of her than to be a more mature and intelligent version of Gossip Girl alter ego, Serena van der Woodsen (apparently the brunette hair is meant to make us distance her from the character she is synonymous with). Carol is a refreshing change, not simply a damsel in distress like a lot of superhero films have their girls. She’s more Betty Ross than Mary Jane, for sure, but the audience aren’t stupid enough to believe Sarsgaard, her and Reynolds are all meant to be the same age.

In a film full of hundreds and hundreds of CGI characters, there are very few supporting players actually worth a mention. The Geoffrey Rush-voiced Tomar-Re and Mark Strong’s red-faced Sinestro are worthy of most praise, Rush’s smooth Australian voice always wonderful to listen to and his alien form an interesting mix of horse and fish. Kind of. The ever commanding Strong does stand out, but this will never be a character you will remember him for, nor does he seem to know exactly what is going on. But this is far from his fault. Tim Robbins and Angela Bassett pop up as Hammond and Doctor Waller respectively, but this won’t be the role Oscar winner Robbins will be most proud of and Bassett doesn’t get enough screen time to play with. Her character could have been quite interesting but is never developed, leading to her merely feeling like a spare part.

Jordan’s best friend Tom (Waititi) makes it appear like the director wanted Richard Ayoade but couldn’t get him. The result of this is Tom being quite an odd character, serious half the time and tongue-in-cheek the other half. By choosing to play Tom as tongue-in-cheek for the entirety of his time onscreen, the relationship between him and Hal would have been a lot funnier and fast paced, letting Reynolds flex his comic muscles like we know he can, but as a result parts of their friendship unfortunately appear forced and unnatural.

Green Lantern’s mixture of in-depth Corps history (courtesy of Tomar-Re and Sinestro) and an easy to follow, dumbed down summer popcorn script isn’t enough to satisfy the fan boys. Campbell kept the Bond camp happy back in 2006, but doesn’t do enough to appease the DC clan. The writers behind the film mainly work in television and this really shines through, with any sense of momentum lost by cutting to military or domestic issues that weren’t particularly necessary. The amount of unfortunate superhero clichés also leads to it becoming just too darn predictable. However, Campbell did break away from tradition by not killing the film with back-story, something that often weighs down a lot of superhero flicks. By weaving Hal’s story into his initial flight sequence it keeps the narrative moving forward rather than dragging it down.

In this current, overcrowded world of superheroes, Green Lantern is rather forgettable. We know Ryan Reynolds is better than what he was given here and Campbell shouldn’t have been so intent on making Hal Jordan like Ryan when Ryan is more than capable of making himself like Hal. We also know Martin Campbell directed Casino Royale and that is what makes this film so disappointing. It’s summer pulp and the kids will love it as it’s a little darker than other films of its type, but there is a great deal of room for improvement, with an end scene in the credits making way for a sequel and current news talking of a trilogy.

But the feeling I was left with was overwhelming.

Give me Deadpool.

VERDICT: 2/5

Der Womanizer

Bitte Lächeln – und Knips! Machen Sie sich ein Bild von Mode-Fotograf Connor, der seine Freiheit liebt und seine Freundinnen nach Lust und Laune abserviert.

In der Nacht der Ex-Freundinnen führen ihm drei ganz besondere Geister alle seine gescheiterten Beziehungen vor: Der Womanizer.

Auch eine junge Bankangestellte bekommt es mit übernatürlichen Erscheinungen zu tun, als eine alte Zigeunerin sie mit einem mächtigen Fluch belegt. Ob Drag Me to Hell der Verbannung entkommen kann, flüstert Video Buster Ihnen in der Filmkritik.

Gespenstisch geht es dann weiter, denn dort werfen die Halloween-Collection und ein Star aus Trick’r Treat ihre Schatten voraus.

Top-Film: Der Womanizer
Der Junggeselle Connor Mead (Matthew McConaughey) gehört zu den Typen, die drei Freundinnen den Laufpass geben. Gleichzeitig. Per Telefonkonferenz. Auf der Hochzeitsfeier seines Bruders hat er also nur ein Ziel: Er will die einzige Brautjungfer herumkriegen, die er bisher irgendwie übersehen hat… Filmperlen Bewertung ***

Filmkritik: Drag Me to Hell
Verflucht! Sam Raimi kehrt zurück in unsere heimischen Player. Höllisch gut oder zum Gruseln schlecht?

TOP 10 bei Video Buster:
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Hugh Jackman schlüpft wieder in die Rolle, die ihn zum Superstar machte: Wolverine – der Mann mit den unverkennbaren Stahlklingen, bemerkenswerten Selbstheilungskräften, ruppigem Charme und einer gehörigen Portion trockenem Humor. ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ erzählt die Vorgeschichte Logans mit Augenmerk auf seine mysteriöse Vergangenheit, seine komplexe Beziehung zu Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) und das ominöse Weapon X-Programm. Der Zuschauer erfährt, wer Wolverine wirklich ist.

Slumdog Millionär
Für Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) ist es der größte Tag seines bisherigen Lebens. Nur noch eine Frage trennt ihn vom 20 Millionen Rupien-Hauptgewinn in Indiens TV- Show ‘Wer wird Millionär?’. Doch was in aller Welt hat ein mittelloser Youngster aus den Slums von Mumbai in dieser Sendung verloren? Und wie kommt es, dass er auf alle Fragen eine Antwort weiß…

Duplicity
CIA-Offizier Claire Stenwick (Julia Roberts) und MI6-Agent Ray Koval (Clive Owen) standen früher im Geheimdienst ihrer Regierungen. Derzeit haben sie in die Privatwirtschaft gewechselt, um mit lukrativen Verträgen das meiste aus dem Kalten Krieg herauszuholen. Beide jagen jeweils für ihre Bosse Tully (Tom Wilkinson) und Garsik (Paul Giamatti) einem milliardenschweren Patent nach. Keiner ahnt, dass sie eine heimliche Affäre und eigene Pläne haben…

Männersache
Tagsüber arbeitet Paul (Mario Barth) in einer Berliner Zoohandlung und abends an seiner Karriere als Komiker. Zugegeben, seine Auftritte laufen mies… bis Paul anfängt, Witze über seinen besten Freund Hotte (Dieter Tappert) und dessen Freundin Susi (Anja Kling) zu reißen. Auf einmal läuft es auf der Bühne: Pauls Gags über Hottes Beziehungsgeschichten, nicht enden wollende Shopping-Orgien von Susi und den Pärchen Kaffeeklatsch bei den Schwiegereltern sind ein Renner…

The International
Im Mittelpunkt steht die Entschlossenheit von Interpol-Agent Louis Salinger (Clive Owen) und der New Yorker Staatsanwältin Eleanor Whitman (Naomi Watts), eine der mächtigsten Banken der Welt zu Fall zu bringen. Während sie eine Reihe illegaler Aktivitäten aufdecken, folgen Salinger und Whitman der Spur des Geldes von Berlin nach Mailand, New York und Istanbul. Bald schon befinden sie sich mitten in einer hochriskanten Hetzjagd rund um den Globus, bei der sie durch ihre kompromisslose Hartnäckigkeit auch ihr eigenes Leben aufs Spiel setzen…

Defiance – Unbeugsam
Kriegsjahr 1941: Zu Tausenden werden Juden in der Sowjetrepublik Weißrussland von den Nazis ermordet. Darunter auch die Eltern und weitere Familienangehörige der drei Bielski-Brüder. Um ihre nackte Haut zu retten, fliehen sie in die undurchdringlichen Wälder der Umgebung. Als sich die Kunde ihres Partisanenkampfes gegen die deutschen Besatzer verbreitet, stoßen immer mehr verzweifelte jüdische Landsleute zu ihnen. Unter der Leitung von Tuvia Bielski bereitet sich die Notgemeinschaft auf die unabsehbar lange Zeit im Versteck und den harten Winter vor…

Willkommen bei den Sch’tis
Der Postbeamte und Südfranzose Philippe Abrams (Kad Merad) wird unfreiwillig in den rauen Norden versetzt – zu den Sch’tis, wie die ‘Ureinwohner’ wegen ihres Dialekts genannt werden. Zwei Welten prallen aufeinander! Schnell merkt Philippe, dass er den Sch’ti-Dialekt zwar überhaupt nicht versteht, die Menschen aber unglaublich herzlich sind…

Der fremde Sohn
Los Angeles, 1928. Die alleinerziehende Mutter Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie) verabschiedet sich morgens von ihrem Sohn Walter und geht zur Arbeit. Am Abend ist der Neunjährige spurlos verschwunden. Fünf verzweifelte Monate später bringt ihr die Polizei einen Jungen, doch Christine ist überzeugt: das ist nicht ihr Sohn! Die Behörden tun alles, um Christine zum Schweigen zu bringen, aber die kämpft unbeirrt weiter. Ihre Suche nach der Wahrheit bringt einen Sumpf aus Korruption und Lügen ans Licht, erschüttert die Öffentlichkeit und verändert L.A. für immer…

Appaloosa
Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) und Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) werden als Unterstüzung gegen die Herrschaft des Ranchers Randall Bragg (Jeremy Irons) in einer kleinen Stadt angeheuert. Schnell bekommen sie die Situation in Griff. Als jedoch die junge attraktive Witwe Allison French (Renée Zellweger) anreist, ändern sich die Pläne für die beiden…

Hilde

Hilde
Hildegard Knef geht einen langen Weg, bis sie zu sich selbst findet: Aus bedrückenden familiären Verhältnissen gelingt ihr der Sprung in die Schauspielausbildung, doch in den letzten Kriegswirren zählt nur mehr das blanke Überleben. Nach Filmerfolgen und Fehlgriffen, falschen und richtigen Männern, lähmender Langeweile in Hollywood und einer turbulenten Hass-Liebe mit dem deutschen Publikum muss die Kämpfernatur Hilde lernen, dass manchmal andere Dinge zählen als der Ellenbogenkampf im Showbiz: In ihrer eigenen Geschichte und im Inneren ihrer Seele findet sie die Substanz für die ‘Hilde’, auf die sie selbst aber auch das deutsche Publikum immer gewartet hat… Einer der deutschen Lebenswege nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. Hildegard Knef war die Sünderin, ein Kinotraum, ein Weltstar, eine Ikone. Und sehr, sehr cool. Dies ist ihr Leben.

Filmperlen-Tipps zu Halloween
Die lange (Film-) Nacht des Grauens…
Ob Sie nun einen privaten Halloween-Abend planen und zu Ihrer orange-schwarzen Dekoration neben einem ekeligen Büffet mit Kürbissuppe noch die richtig unheimliche Filmkost reichen möchten, oder sich ganz einfach mal wieder im Heimkino erschrecken lassen wollen: Video Buster hat viele höllisch gute Vertreter und einige ‘Geist-reiche’ Filmvorschläge versammelt. Grausige Gestalten, schauderhafte Schauplätze, mörderische Träume. Nebel zieht auf… das Böse stirbt nie. Oder doch?
Bloß nicht erschrecken lassen – buh!
Freitag, der 13. (2009) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Der Fluch der 2 Schwestern (2009)
Der Nebel (2007) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Das Omen (2006) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
The Descent (2005)
Saw (2004)
Gothika (2003)
Ring (2002) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Haus der 1000 Leichen (2002)
Final Destination (2000)
Das Geisterschloss (1999) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Haunted Hill (1999) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Blair Witch Project (1999) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Scream – Schrei! (1996) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Candyman’s Fluch (1992)
Stephen King’s ES (1990) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Friedhof der Kuscheltiere (1989)
Nightmare on Elm Street – Mörderische Träume (1984)
Poltergeist (1982)
Tanz der Teufel (1982)
Stanley Kubricks Shining (1980) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
The Fog – Nebel des Grauens (1980) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Amityville Horror (1979) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Carrie – Des Satans jüngste Tochter (1976) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Das Omen (1976) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Die Wiege des Bösen (1974) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Der Exorzist (1973) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Filmperlen Bewertung ****
Night of the living dead – Die Nacht der lebenden Toten (1968)
Tanz der Vampire (1967) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Der schwarze Abt (1963)
Freaks – Missgestaltete (1932)
Dracula (1931) Filmperlen Bewertung ***
Nosferatu – Eine Symphonie des Grauens (1922). Filmperlen Bewertung ***    Mehr über Video Buster erfahren Sie hier:  Video Buster – Erleben Sie Hollywood mit dem Filmtipp der Woche!

—————————————————————-
#506 Review By Jenny

A Girl’s Point Of View — So I wanna talk about that kid… I gotta admit I didn’t know crap about Gattlin Griffith and I was pleasantly surprise by his acting performances during that episode !

The kid was 100% evil when his mother was talking to him then the very next second he was 100% human when Sam was talking to him… That was something amazing to see in a little boy’s eyes… Gattlin was an awesome choice if you ask me ! I like that kid and I’m really looking forward to see him again (And I’m sure we will ! I mean, the writers wouldn’t have dangled the prospect of introducing that child to the myth-arc of the show, to finally end up changing their minds snatching that kid away… That wouldn’t make sense, right ?!) Hope that little boy will come back from his trip in Australia soon, cause I really digg the idea of a child being the most powerful weapon [On Planet Earth] That Luci might use against God !! Now will that kid fully turn evil ? I don’t know… For now, I kinda think he’s chosen the Angels’ side, but who knows what Luci might have in store for that kid ? If the BIG BOSS happens to find the little boy he’ll probably try to tease the little kid by saying “I can’t lie… I’ll never lie to you…” After all, the kid was willing to chose the demons’ side when he realized everybody’s been lying to him since the very beginning… I kinda think, Luci will try to mess with the kid’s head, even though that kid seems to be pretty Strong-Minded trying to make his choices on his own… I think he’ll give up and chose Luci’s side… At least that would make the plot move on, but hey… Who knows ?!

As for the rest of the episode, I absolutely loved Cas… As usual… Funny and totally “OUT“…

Then the fairy tales ! Damn these were creepy… The tooth fairy, the hair on Dean’s hand (GROSS !), Coke & Pop Rocks etc… That was really funny !

As for the brothers’ relationship well… Sam could definitely relate to that poor kid… And I think he did… I mean… The Half-Demon/Half-Human blood… The fact that the kid has powers and doesn’t even know crap about them… That he’s using them without even knowing how he’s doing all this… [Kudos to the writers for that, I enjoyed the similarities between Sam & Jesse...] That was interesting to see how Sammy was dealing with that situation…

Anyways… I kinda think that’s pretty much it… (I know it’s shorter than usual, but I guess I said all I could say about that episode…)

** Thumb Up** It was a great episode…

The “One-Week” hiatus is starting now… That sucks… But it’s not like we had a choice here, right ?!

Jen. Admin

El capítulo Fallen Idol de ”Supernatural” es un pelín más bizarro de lo que estamos acostumbrados.

En este episodio las cosas se van a ir por la tangente hasta tocar la línea de la parodia y esto sin contar que tiene la participación de la popular y polémica Paris Hilton.

-.Cuidado que esta entrada contiene spoilers.-

Los ídolos se vuelven contra sus fans en un pequeño y misterioso pueblo.

Dos amigos se disponen a encender los motores del auto con el que se mató el mítico James Dean y uno de ellos no vive para contarlo, el coche lo asesina.

Paralelamente un chico amante de los libros y la historia es brutalmente masacrado por Abraham Lincoln y una chica fanática de la prensa rosa, los escándalos y Paris Hilton, es secuestrada por ésta.

Sam y Dean se hacen pasar por agentes del FBI para investigar los sucesos extraños y caen en la cuenta de que el museo de cera de la cuidad está tras los hechos. Allí Sam cae en manos del doble maléfico de Gandhi y una vez resuelto este dilema tienen que rescatar a la chica que está en manos de la presuntuosa rubia heredera del imperio Hilton.

Por otro lado el próximo 15 de octubre veremos el primer episodio “I Believe the Children Are Our Future”, en el que los protagonistas -Sam y Dean- tendrán que investigar asesinatos misteriosos que se suceden al mejor modo de leyendas urbanas y cuentos fantásticos.

Poco a poco las pistas les irán llevando a Jesse (Gattlin Griffith), un niño de 11 años que todo lo que desea se hace realidad (un flash back a la película “Cuentos que no son cuentos” con Adam Sandler)

Castiel resurge como el Ave Fénix después de no vérsela en Fallen Idol el capitulo anterior,para decirles a los hermanos que este chiquillo es una grave amenaza para la humanidad y debe ser eliminado.

Admin : Okay so here’s the promo for the next episodes #506/#507/#508 (All mixed up) !

Guess we now know who Chad Everett is playing in the #507 ! He’s playing “Old-Dean” : “Dude, relax… It’s me !” LOL I just saw the guy 10 seconds and I’m already saying : “That actor’s amazing !“

Also, I laughed my ass off watching these clips, I mean seeing the boys playing Sexy-Doctors and then playing “Horatio Caine” – “I’d say… JACKPOT !” (Don’t forget to put your sunglasses on, Sammy LOL) That was delightful ! I just can’t wait ! Though, I know this is all due to the trickster’s magic, I just don’t get what’s the “BIG” lesson here… Guess I’ll figure it out when the episode’s airing !

Although, I think you should know cause we’ve been pretty quiet about it, but yeah now it’s time to talk about it…

Between episode #506 & #507 there’s a break, yeah guys you heard me… A hiatus !

You can check the airdate here… We don’t know how long exactly will last the hiatus but we’ll keep you posted !

Meantime, check out later in the day our reviews of last night’s episode : #505 Fallen Idol !

Jen. Admin

5.06 – “I Believe The Children Are Our Future”

FAIRY TALES DO COME TRUE — Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) investigate a series of odd murders that strangely resemble fairytales and urban legends. The brothers track down an 11-year-old boy named Jesse (guest star Gattlin Griffith) and realize that whatever Jesse believes is coming true. Castiel (Misha Collins) tells Sam and Dean that Jesse is a serious threat and needs to be eliminated.

Charles Beeson directed the episode written by Andrew Dabb & Daniel Loflin.

Source : TheCW

—————
Admin : Sounds kinda like the #305 “Bedtime Stories“, right ? That’s great I loved that episode !!!

Jen. Admin

]]> http://theheapblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/the-heap-reviews-changeling/ Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:15:38 +0000 jmooser http://theheapblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/the-heap-reviews-changeling/

It’s about time I add on to the quite bare reviews page. I’ve seen many movies, heard new albums, and read a book or two since the initial review! I literally have a (running) list of pieces I have been wanting to review. Perhaps I will get to them in due time. Let’s just say reviews will be more prevalent, especially since we have a subscription to Netflix and my mom loves ordering the most random of movies.

Changeling is just another one of Clint Eastwood’s silver screen masterpieces. I guess this goes without saying about much of his work.

Based on a true story, Changeling pits citizen versus a corrupt, higher order in the LAPD. Oh yes, the story occurs in Los Angeles towards the end of the Roaring 20′s. While the movie doesn’t depict demonstrators as violent, it’s fair to say they surely keep the spirit of Los Angelans past and present when it comes to formal riots.

I found the opening minutes of the film to be borderline tolerable. The interactions between mother and son seemed “forced,” so to speak. I didn’t feel the chemistry between Jolie and child star Gattlin Griffith, and found it hard to believe in the deep relationship the film attempts to establish in a relatively short period of time. A bit of “over-acting” takes place, perhaps working to distract the audience from what is occurring.

Despite these minor personal pet peeves, the set-up was executed pretty well. We follow the Collins family through their daily rituals, and allow the film to establish a sense of serene normalcy. Then before you know it, Walter Collins is kidnapped, and the audience is left wondering, How in the world can the next hour and a half be about finding the boy, especially with the beginning of the movie being a bit slow.

Needless to say, the pace picks up immediately. An assured story of a normal life in American Suburbia takes a turn towards a suffocatingly horrific and bizarre tragedy. It’s funny because strangely enough, Jolie becomes believable. Scenes immediately following the kidnapping showing are downright claustrophobic. Her encounters with obstacles and the tribulations she must face are that much more unsettling.

The film’s brilliance is  how all of the components come together- setting, camerawork, and perhaps even script/acting- to create a false sense of security. Then, as the child is taken away, so is the peace of mind, so is the comfort. Collins and the audience are cast into a world of constant rain and darkness. Most of the time, the brightest and most vivid object on the screen were Jolie’s vibrant red lips. If you pay attention throughout the movie, it appears the shade of lipstick may coincide with her relative “hope” level.

Eastwood clearly has a knack for storytelling, no matter if it be Western, post-modern, or a movie about old farts in space. In Changeling, Eastwood addresses the emergence of the American woman in the post WWI era. To me, it was amazing how he was able to add such a deep, complex layer to what could have been just a simple retelling of a true story. Instead, he chooses to empower. Jolie’s character is the first female supervisor at the telephone company she works at. She’s a single parent. Yet in public forum, she is easily dismissed by official (men in power), discredited and forced into an insane asylum for questioning the status-quo set by the man’s world.

So of course, now you have your double-entendre for hope: Finding her boy and the continued advancement of women in society. Ironically, she needs the help of John Malkovich’s character, a Presbyterian pastor who constantly exposes government and police officials in cover ups and demands accountability. Malkovich’s interpretation is wonderful, with the character echoing of the voices of many Rights activists of the past.

Changeling was nominated for three Oscars. One was for Jolie as leading actress. the other two were for Cinematography and Art Direction. The film is extremely visual. Eastwood employs colors, angles, and setting quite skillfully. I’ll have to see it again to be able to really delve down into the deeper meanings! Overall a wonderful movie and an unexpected thriller.

9/10 Bags.

]]> http://saltsweetfilms.com/2009/03/30/changeling/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:32:00 +0000 msjenfu http://saltsweetfilms.com/2009/03/30/changeling/

“To find her son, she did what no one else dared.”

Dir – Clint Eastwood
Angelina Jolie, Gattlin Griffith, John Malkovich, Michael Kelly, Michelle Gunn, Frank Wood, Colm Feore
http://www.changelingmovie.net

It is 1928. DNA traces and CSI do not exist. We hear headlines of missing children and people. We feel helpless for the ones left behind, out of our depth of what we can do to help. But what do we do when it’s one of our own? What lengths do you go to prove yourself and be heard against a time when you have nothing to prove what you only know as maternal and gut instinct. How much do we trust what the police choose to inform us? Would our story be any believable if it were in black and white in print over said by a person of the law?

]]> http://grapefruits.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/recomandare-film-changeling/ Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:23:42 +0000 Grapefruits http://grapefruits.wordpress.com/2009/02/18/recomandare-film-changeling/

E primul film din anul acesta care imi place cum se termina. In timp ce ma uitam la film, mi-am amintit de un clipulet vazut la TELELEU.info: este vorba despre abuzul politiei, un abuz grosolan si neintemeiat, asupra unui tanar din Targoviste. Acesta facuse o poza unor politististi care au parcat, neregulamentar, pe trecere de pietoni, prin urmare, politistii ofensati, l-au dus la sectie:

]]> http://hagiblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/changeling/ Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:17:54 +0000 The Film Reel http://hagiblog.wordpress.com/2009/02/04/changeling/ http://atlasfilm.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/the-changeling-clint-eastwood-2008/ Mon, 08 Dec 2008 00:00:49 +0000 Daniel http://atlasfilm.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/the-changeling-clint-eastwood-2008/ http://2lines.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/changeling/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:32:42 +0000 HD DSLR REVOLUTION! http://2lines.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/changeling/  [...]l´andamento “classico” della narrazione e della regia diventa vagamente sentenzioso, la vicenda va avanti in modo – a tratti – più “automatico” di quanto vorresti. Non è giusto rimproverare a un regista di non essere sempre all´apice di se stesso; però Clint se l´è un po´ cercata. Ci ha viziati con la commozione di film quali “Mystic River” e “Million Dollar Baby” e ora ci sottrae proprio quel tipo di emotività, ben padroneggiata ma decisamente forte, che appartiene soltanto a lui. Angelina Jolie, sempre col cappello in testa, onora il contratto senza sollevare il nostro tasso di partecipazione emotiva alle sue ambasce.

Autore: Roberto Nepoti per la Repubblica

Sito Ufficiale

]]> http://thestopbutton.com/2008/11/03/changeling-2008/ Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:12:27 +0000 Andrew Wickliffe http://thestopbutton.com/2008/11/03/changeling-2008/ During the lousiest parts of Changeling–easily identifiable by Jeffrey Donovan’s increased presence–there should be a disclaimer running across the bottom of the screen: “It doesn’t stay this bad… promise.”

Changeling is the worst film Clint Eastwood’s made in years. It’s easily the worst of his serious films–afterwards, I realized his last film before this one was Letters from Iwo Jima, which is stunning. One film’s an artistic expression, the other is the most over-produced Oscar bait I’ve sat through in a long time.

Eastwood’s never been a director-for-hire, but maybe Changeling signals some kind of a change. There’s absolutely no personality to this film. Eastwood’s direction, his composition, is impeccable. His musical score, fantastic. It looks great. But it’s empty. True stories aren’t good because they’re true–and true stories meant to win Angelina Jolie her coveted Best Actress statuette–vehicles for highly paid actresses who don’t necessarily bring in the box office dollars… they’re the worst kind of true stories.

Eastwood does find material in Changeling he’s interested in, but none of it features Jolie. Once he gets done with the fetishistic approach to daily life in 1928, he’s done with her. There are occasional moments of interest, like when John Malkovich shows up, but there are also terrible stretches. The film’s interesting moments are the discovery of a crime, when Michael Kelly’s the protagonist. Kelly’s great in the film, one of the best performances, and he gets the entirely un-Academy part of enabling the discovery of truth. The Oscar desperate moments feature–really–Amy Ryan as a hooker with a heart of gold who gets ECT just to show off her twenty-four karats.

I don’t fault Ryan for taking the role–I’m sure it came with assurances of a Best Supporting campaign and all–but Clint Eastwood making a film so desperate to win Oscars it brings in a ringer? It’s painful to watch.

Jolie’s fine in the lead. She’s never great and never terrible. Her despair is believable (because it’s Angelina Jolie and we know she’s a mother), which is about all the role calls for. The most interesting parts of her character–going back to work while her son is missing, digging a little on her bald boss–are never explored. They wouldn’t look good in that Best Actress reel.

Malkovich is utterly solid in a role with nothing for him to do. It’s technically the second biggest role and I guess they needed another name for the poster. Jason Butler Harner and Eddie Alderson are both great, so is Geoffrey Pierson.

When I heard about Changeling, I thought the biggest problem would be J. Michael Straczynski’s script and I was right. The dialogue’s fine–never particularly good–and the plotting is okay. It’s boring, but okay. But Straczynski’s approach to characters might actually be Changeling‘s place in cinematic history (in addition to being a blot on Eastwood’s filmography). Straczynski’s characters are entirely one-note–every last one of them–and it exemplifies the difference between one-dimensional bad guys and one-dimensional good guys. The bad guys are unbelievable. The good guys… it’s sort of assumed they’re not always being white knights. But the bad guys? Donovan’s performance is atrocious–it’s one of the worst I can remember seeing in a film from such a good director–but his character is idiotic too. The guy’s always bad. Compared to Donovan’s cop, Milton treated the serpent like Mickey Mouse. It makes the film excruciating for long stretches.

I can’t figure out why Clint Eastwood would have made this movie. Sure, he got a bigger budget than usual and an interesting setting, but it’s crap. It’s well-made crap, but I felt embarrassed watching it. Worse, I felt bad for Eastwood… Changeling is the kind of malarky Ron Howard makes now, not Clint Eastwood.

And look who produced it.

CREDITS

Directed by Clint Eastwood; written by J. Michael Straczynski; director of photography, Tom Stern; edited by Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach; music by Eastwood; production designer, James J. Murakami; produced by Eastwood, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Robert Lorenz; released by Universal Pictures.

Starring Angelina Jolie (Christine Collins), John Malkovich (Reverand Briegleb), Jeffrey Donovan (Captain J.J. Jones), Michael Kelly (Detective Ybarra), Colm Feore (Chief Davis), Jason Butler Harner (Gordon Stewart Northcott), Amy Ryan (Carol Dexter), Geoff Pierson (Hahn), Denis O’Hare (Dr. Steele), Frank Wood (Ben Harris), Peter Gerety (Dr. Tarr), Gattlin Griffith (Walter Collins) and Devon Conti (Arthur Hutchins).

---

Related posts:

• Letters from Iwo Jima (2006, Clint Eastwood)
• Gran Torino (2008, Clint Eastwood)
• Flags of Our Fathers (2006, Clint Eastwood)
• Thor (2011, Kenneth Branagh)
• Frost/Nixon (2008, Ron Howard)

]]> http://havingsaidthat.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/review-changeling/ Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:01:00 +0000 Zac http://havingsaidthat.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/review-changeling/ http://bestofhdfest.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/changeling-directed-by-clint-eastwood-reviewed-by-gerald/ Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:54:40 +0000 bestofhdfest http://bestofhdfest.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/changeling-directed-by-clint-eastwood-reviewed-by-gerald/ Check out Gerald’s review of Changeling directed by Clint Eastwood.

Actor, director, producer, writer, composer and musician Clint Eastwood’s newest project is a film based on the actual facts and true story Christine Collins (Angelina Jolie), a telephone operator and single mother in 1928 Los Angeles who returns home from work to find her 9 year old son Walter missing. It’s a movie about corrupt cops, an egotistical preacher and a serial killer.  Read the entire review here.

]]>