Rise of the Guardians (2012)

Starring: Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Jude Law

Director: Peter Ramsey

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family

Rating: B

"It is our job to protect the children of the world. For as long as they believe in us, we will guard them with our lives.."

As far as Christmas movies go, this one's a bit awkward.  In a way, it kind of reminds me of The Nightmare Before Christmas simply because while appearing to be about Christmas, it's actually about something more than that and Christmas itself is rather secondary.

Rise of the Guardians follows the spirit of winter, Jack Frost (Pine), on a journey as he comes to realize his destiny.  Opening 300 years ago, we see Jack emerge as Jack Frost, with no memories of who he was before, having been lifted from the ice by the Man in the Moon (who also tells Jack his name).  While Jack has great power, however, he is invisible to everyone, since no one believes in him.  Fast forward 300 years, where Jack is still unbelieved by all, the Guardians of Childhood, lead by North (Baldwin), are informed that the Bogeyman, Pitch Black (Law), has returned and it is up to them and newly appointed Guardian, Jack Frost, to stop him.  Pitch has lived much like Jack, invisible and unbelieved, but has figured out how to attack the children of the world by transforming the dreams created by the Sandman (who does not speak) into nightmares.  Pitch's ultimate goal, however, is to make the Guardians feel what he has felt, and cause all the children in the world to stop believing in them - and thus make them invisible and powerless.

To start, I really loved the portrayal of the different Guardians, although I was a bit confused by their loss of power.  As we see that Jack Frost still has his powers without being believed in, I had to wonder why the other Guardians didn't also have their powers, or at least some of them.  Although, I guess perhaps we're only seeing the limited manifestation of Jack's powers as it is before he becomes believed by many, and it is not until he is believed in that his true power really begins to manifest - perhaps North, Tooth, and Bunny are all weakened so much because they have forgotten what it's like to not be believed in, since they've all been around for so long.  The worlds that each inhabit, with the exception of Jack Frost who is very much of this world, are absolutely amazing though, so I can't blame them for not knowing how to deal in the real world.  I'm a bit torn on who I loved most here - North, who lives in his snow palace filled with dimwitted elfs and intelligent yetis; Tooth (Fisher), whose airy castle is filled with the baby teeth, and thus memories, of everyone; or Bunny (Jackman), who's bright and festive world is very much reminiscent of Easter Island.  We don't get to see the Sandman's home, but we do get to see much of his sandy dream creations which is awesome, and we also saw Pitch's lair which is completely perfect for his character.  I look forward to a future installment in this series (if it becomes one), where we get to see Jack Frost's home.

I also liked the story, particularly how it wasn't simply about saving Christmas.  The competition between the different characters, even the ones who were technically working together, was great.  The new take on old classic characters was also great - especially as it kind of took things on a completely different path than we're used to.  I love the idea of Santa looking (and sounding) like a member of the Russian mafia.  The whole idea of the Easter Bunny was great too.  This movie was just all around good fun.

People Like Us (2012)

Starring: Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Hall D'Addario
Director: Alex Kurtzman
Genre: Drama
Rating: B

The basic plot of People Like Us, at least as told by the film’s trailer, is one that I feel like I’ve seen before – heck, it’s one that I feel like I’ve seen several times.  I’m not certain what it says about me and the movies that I watch, but I suspect that it’s a lot.  Fortunately, however, the movie is a lot more than just what its trailer presents, and in that I was thoroughly satisfied.  There is a lot that is rather typical of movies of this genre, but it feels like it’s been put together in a new way and the film succeeds in avoiding being predictable.  While People Like Us does have its shortcomings, I found it to be a really enjoyable movie.

Following a failed business deal, Sam (Pine) is threatened with an investigation from the FTC – the only way to avoid it is to bribe an FTC official with a new deck for his home.  Before Sam can begin to complete the deal to get the needed materials, however, he discovers that his father has died and he must travel to L.A. for the funeral – something which he rather desperately tries to avoid doing, resulting in the two of them missing the actual service.  It becomes quickly apparent that Sam had a great deal of issues with his father, who he views as having essentially been a negligent jackass, however he does hope that he might inherit a sum of money which will help to get him out of debt.  He doesn’t, however; instead he inherits his father’s sizeable record collection and is tasked with delivering a shaving kit full of money to eleven-year-old Josh (D’Addario), Sam’s previously unknown nephew.  Sam embarks on a mission to get to know his half-sister Frankie (Banks) and Josh, while straining his already tenuous relationship with his mother Lillian (Pfeiffer), potentially ruining his relationship with his girlfriend Hannah (Wilde), and is repeatedly summoned by his work and the FTC.

My one big problem with People Like Us is the whole FTC subplot.  I don’t object to it on principle, I just can’t help but feel that the movie didn’t really explore it.  The whole subplot of Sam’s job, debt, and impending legal troubles were all interesting but only briefly mentioned.  It’s like a great Greek drama; all the action in that regards takes place off screen, and Sam never really seems to deal with the consequences.  As the film is wrapping up, this whole plot kind of looms over things, a forgotten thread.  The problems with Hannah are similarly treated, but in the end I felt this was pretty well handled.  The whole surprise half-sister plot, however, is handled far better, as is the exploration of Sam’s relationship with his parents.  I especially loved the way that Pfeiffer portrayed Lillian, from the character’s mannerisms to the sheer expression of emotion.  It’s clear that a lot of thought was put into her, as well as the other characters, and I loved how Pfeiffer appears as this dishevelled, unglamorous, mourning woman.  She really showed a vulnerability in this role, as did Banks.  My two favourite characters in this movie were Lillian and Frankie, who were these strong and yet vulnerable women.

The character that I didn’t really like was Josh, played by newcomer D’Addario.  I don’t think the actual portrayal was bad, I just didn’t like the kid in general.  I found him to be this rude, obnoxious little brat and spent a lot of the movie hoping that someone would slap him for his attitude – that and give him a haircut.  I also really wanted someone to slap Sam for his attitude and the way that he treated the people in his life.  There was a lot about him that made me think that he was more like his father than he realized.  That having been said, I really did enjoy the journey that the movie took.  I might have focused more on the negatives in this review, but it was a good movie, with a good journey.  It told an interesting story and it made you root for the characters.  I didn’t want Sam and Josh to get slapped because I hated them, I wanted them to be slapped because I was certain that they were good people who just needed some sense knocked into them.  I was really happy with the way that the film ended too; with the exception of the FTC subplot I felt like things had been nicely wrapped up.

Recommendations: June 29

Magic Mike - I'm going to quote the Cineplex Magazine's description of this movie: "Based on Channing Tatum's real-life experience working as a stripper".  This is a movie about male strippers.  I'm going to say that again: it's a movie about male strippers.  Based on Channing Tatum's real life.  This could be absolutely horrible, and it'd still be worth seeing.

Ted - Seth MacFarlane's transition into the big screen, Ted is about a kid who wishes for his teddy bear to be real, then grows up.  I'm not really sure what to expect from this movie; I think it could be really good or really bad.  We'll definitely have to wait and see.

People Like Us - Starring Chris Pine, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Elizabeth Banks, People Like Us is about a man who finds out that his father had another family and that he has to give his previously unknown, half-sister $150,000.  I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie and have been since I saw the first trailers for it.  I'm interested in seeing the journey that these characters go on, from Pine's struggling businessman, to Banks' alcoholic, to Pfeiffer's grieving widow.

Take This Waltz - The second film from Canadian Sarah Polley, Take this Waltz is about a woman, Margot (Michelle Williams), who is in love with her husband (Seth Rogen), while attracted to her neighbour (Luke Kirby).  As Michelle Williams appears to be on a kick as of late, I'm certain this'll be a great movie, although I am a bit nervous about Rogen's part in it.  I usually enjoy his movies, but I don't think I've ever actually seen him in a drama.

21 Jump Street - An amazing combination between comedy and action, 21 Jump Street is about two rather failed cops who are sent to a high school to pose as students and uncover a drug ring.  I really enjoyed this movie, and recommend it to others.

The Artist - The 21st century's take on a silent film, The Artist is about a silent movie star who bemoans the coming era of talkies.  While I haven't actually seen this movie yet it was a huge success last year, winning 107 awards during the award season, making it the most awarded French film in history.  Definitely an artsy movie, this film is a must-see.

Mirror Mirror - The year's first Snow White movie, Mirror Mirror was ridiculously overly sugary, but in a good way.  Something to check out when you're in the mood for some easy entertainment.

The Glass Castle - Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle tells the story of Walls' childhood and family, both which could be described only as unconventional.  There's something about this book that just kept me reading, while also gave me the firm desire to yell at Walls' parents.

Let's Pretend this Never Happened - I haven't actually read this book yet, but Let's Pretend this Never Happened is getting a good reception and debuted at number two on the New York best seller list.  This is a memoir by blogger Jenny Lawson about the things that people like to pretend never happened.

Water for Elephants - This is one of the best books I've ever read.  By Sara Gruen Water for Elephants tells the story of Jacob Jankowski though two periods in his life; one as an old man, in a nursing home, reflecting on how his life has turned out, and one where he's a young man beginning to live said life.  At the start of the Depression, Jacob jumped onto a train that would change his life and, inadvertently, joined the circus.  If you have the time, check out this book.