Wrath of the Titans

My View:  Wrath of the Titans (2012) Sam Worthington is back as the hero, Perseus, on a new quest – to rescue his father, Zeus.  Ares, the God of War, and Zeus’s brother, Hades, have devised a plot to use the powerful Titans to unleash the father of all Gods, Kronos, and destroy Zeus.  Perseus must stop them in time or the human race will cease to exist.  I didn’t like the first Clash of the Titians (2010) and, while I liked the action sequences more than the previous film, I still didn’t like the overall feel of this film. The storyline is very confusing, and we get tired, very quickly, of Perseus’ refusal to help his father, Zeus. The lone, bright spot in this film is Koby Kebbell’s role of Agenor, another half-god who is the son of Poseidon.  Kebbell gives some life and a little comic relief to a script a role that is just a little too somber for this type of film.   My Rating: Cable   Wrath of the Titans Website

Family Faire: Mirror Mirror (2012) This film is a new take on the old fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Julia Roberts plays the evil queen who has stolen control over a kingdom. Her only threat is an exiled princess, Lily Collins, who enlists the aid of seven small rebels and a handsome huntsman, Armie Hammer, to help her win her birthright if she can defeat the evil queen. This is an enjoyable, family film where Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen, seems to be having the time of her life in this role, as she spits out her lines with sarcasm and wit.  Lilly Collins is beautiful as the spunky Snow White, but this film is at its best when the dwarves are on-screen. This film presents a very different version of the dwarves (as opposed to the meek and kind Disney version), as theses dwarves are thieves and proud of it.  Armie Hammer stands out as the handsome Prince who falls in love with Snow White but keeps getting held up by the dwarves who steal his pants upon each meeting.  If you are looking for a fun family film that will keep the kids and the adults equally amused, this film is for you.   My Rating: Full Price   Mirror Mirror Website

Indiefest: W.E. (2012) Madonna co-wrote and directs this film that explores the love affair that shocked the world – the romance between American divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and the man she fell in love with, the soon to be King, Edward VIII.  W.E. is intercut with a contemporary romance between an unhappily married woman and a security guard at Sotheby’s Auction House. While I liked Abbie Cornish, who played Wally, the contemporary married woman, and Andrea Riseborough, who played Wallis Simpson, much of the rest of the cast is unimpressive in their roles. Madonna seems to have suffered from A.D.D. when she directed this film, as she can’t seem to stay on one shot for more than a few seconds.  I also got very tired of newsreels with audio narration, used constantly in the film, which makes it seem she doesn’t trust that we can figure out what happened in the past.  Madonna has created an uninteresting film about a very interesting subject.  My Rating: Cable   W.E. Website

The 50 (A Movie From My Best/Worst Films of All Time)

#23 Worst Film:

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) A sequel to the classic horror film The Exorcist, this movie was cursed from the start when most of the original cast, director, or writer wouldn't sign on. The only cast member to reprise her role was Linda Blair, and it was with the understanding that she would not have to put back on the demon makeup from the first film.  Richard Burton plays a priest who is battling the devil, and it’s said that as the film progressed, Sir Richard drank more and more, which is very evident on-screen. Meant to be a “metaphysical thriller”, the movie had audiences laughing at its premiere, and Linda Blair’s career was left on the table like a cold bowl of split pea soup.   Exorcist II: The Heretic Info

Forgotten Film: The Reivers (1969) This film is a turn of age film about a small boy named Lucas (Mitch Vogel) who grows up in a Mississippi town at the turn of the century. When Lucas is left in the care of his half-brother, Boon (Steve McQueen), no one could predict that they would soon be on a journey involving gambling, ladies of the evening and a horse race or two.  This is a very different role for McQueen as he plays a rather simple guy who would rather sleep than work - not the cool persona that he normally played. This film perfectly captures the magic of the William Faulkner novel of the same name.   My Rating: Full Price   The Reivers Info

In Case You Missed it ( A Film Just Released on DVD):  The Muppets (2011) One of my top ten movies of last year, The Muppets is a brilliant, funny film with great songs (one that won an Oscar) and a great message about being happy with the person you are.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Muppets Website

In Memory of Ed Wood (A Movie I’ve Only Seen in Trailers but Looks Like a Bad Idea): The Three Stooges  (2012): It’s got to be the bottom of the barrel when Hollywood decides to do this type of remake. I think the studio that is releasing this film deserves a two-finger poke to the eyes.   The Three Stooges Website

Weird Credits: From the credits of Mirror Mirror: Crowd Wardrobe Master

Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You: The Hunter (2011) Willem Dafoe is always one of those actors who brings everything he has to a role, so it will be fascinating to see him play a hunter in the wilderness who searches for the last Tasmania tiger in existence.   The Hunter Website

Until Next Time!