Tea for T-T-T-Two - The Kings Speech

4 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels

See Trailer Here

How do they do it?

On paper, the Kings Speech sounds like it would be such a droll event (and in some instances it verged on that), but in the hands of a few British actors and a well thought-out screenplay, this has become a delightful movie of escapism. I wasn't surprised with this cinema achievement, but I was curious to see how a movie that didn't have any of the American elements of movie-making (Good vs Evil, Romance, Action Scenes, or High Drama), was gonna pan out; and of course the British didn't disappoint, and we have a movie that is charged by the heart and soul, where doing good for the greater good is enough.

The Kings Speech is about King George VI (Colin Firth) who in the beginning of the film is starting out as just as Prince Albert (his father is hanging on the thread of death) the second son in line for the title of King. The first son is Prince Edward (Guy Pierce), a man who may have the yearning to be the next King, but is single, and has his attentions on a divorced woman, which may lead him down the wrong path for the monarchy; Kings are not to wed women of a divorced nature (this is Britain afterall). But Prince Albert is hoping all will be forgiven, because if not, then he would be in line for the Kingship, and he doesn't want it, because as seen in many of the speeches he has made as part of his duties, he has a quite noticeable "stammer" (or stutter as we Americans say) - and that too, is quite unbecoming of the British hierarchy. 

During these trying times of speeches and public engagements, Prince Albert's wife, Elizabeth (Helen Bonham Carter) has been with him in search of someone who can cure him of this runaway-tongue; and comes across someone who's methods are quite controversial, a Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who lives modestly with his wife and kids and treats Elizabeth as he does anyone; except for a bow or two here and there in respect of her position. She likes this, and has her husband come to see him, and through some dramatic scenes, he comes to trust this man; especially when it appears as if the people of England will not have Prince Edward as King after all - he is so in love with this divorcee, that he gives up the position to marry her.

Whew! Between the family values, the rich and the poor, the Prince and the Pauper, and the utter secrecy that has to be attained during this training; we have a movie that moves fluidly, with ramparts of comedy mixed in, and a closeness among people all around that is rare in a motion picture. Many British films are like this - taking the underdog and rallying him around people that believe he can do what may seem impossible. That type of film can make an audience also rally for the hero as if they too were a part of the crowd.

And all of this is happening in The Kings Speech, at a time when Hitler is gearing up for World War II - that background tension could almost be strung out into another film, but it gives the scenes a since of urgency, since the new King will undoubtedly be giving some very important announcements in his future.

The actors - all my favorites - are a marvel to behold. Geoffy Rush as the doctor is amazingly calm and real in this film, as he treats everyone the same, but has the same faith in human nature; that we can all achieve anything we want if we have the faith of those around us. Helen as the wife is so regal and staunch that I was at one amazed at her acting ability to melt into any character so fully that one forgets what the real Helen is really like. And of course there is Colin Firth (who as of this writing has won a 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Actor), takes on a handicap with dignity, and gives a performance that shows he has studied the nuances of both that affliction as well as those of the monarchy, and does it without making either seem like a burden.

At times The Kings speech moves along slowly, but that is because as an American, we are used to plots being driven by action or drama, and this is very emotionally driven. We are a fly on the wall of their lives, and sometimes when a thing isn't jumping out at us, the mind may tend to wander...at least mine did. But that happens when the the characters have become real, and as they move on in their lives, and encounter real issues, we are right there with them hoping for he best.

...and this one delivers...not pass the tea and crumpets.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave... - TANGLED

4 out of 5 Popcorn Kernals

See Trailer Here

Animation is not what it used to be.

From the days of rotoscoping and acetate-cell paintings to the newest advent of computer imagery, animaiton has taken new wings in the realm of cinema that have gone beyond those of childhood entertainment and have become more for the adult audience than the little munchkins from the past. No other company can achieve this delicate balance than that of Disney - with their ability to pull a string of emotions from one production that can attract young and old alike.

I had my misgivings when seeing Tangled - a remake of the Repunzel tale (which was the original name) - because I have become a Pixar champion, but since seeing both Despicible Me and Tangled (and The Princess and the Frog), I was reminded that a good screenplay with clear sides of good and evil always makes a good story regardless of the medium used. Disney knowsa how to do this, and in this fairy tale, they are no less successful.

Seeing Eye 2 Eye and Hair 2 Hair

Tangled is the story about a young princess who was born with the gift of the fountain of youth locked within her hair - which only a certain song can cause to extract. This child is stolen by an old woman; Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) who knows the secret, and guises as the young girls mother, who keeps Repunzel in a tower and away from the world so that she can stay young forever. on her 18th Birthday, Repunzel (Mandy Moore) wants to leave the tower and explore the kingdom just beyond the horizon of her window, but Mother Gothel refuses, but does go to make her her favorie meal which is a 2-day walk for the ingredients. During that time a rouge thief named Flynn Ryder (Zachary Levi) who is in hiding, runs into Repunzel's tower thinking it a good place to evade his captors, only to discover Repunzel...and so the tale begins.

I went into this movie thinking it would be a childish fanfare, and was pleasently suprised at what I encountered. There was the downsize of the "white-washing" of Disney, but we are used to that in the Magic Kingdom (even with The Princess and the Frog - which I will comment on in Disporia soon). But this is a FANTASY as well as a FARY TALE, so sure the beckground characters can elicit a few rainbows of color here and there...I'm just saying. But the overall message in this movie is a very adult one.

I've studied animation for a few years in college, and the mannerisms and direction in this movie is very good. The jokes are timed right, and the pacing is good. The tention that Mother Gothes brings reminded me of the evil Queen in The Little Mermaid and a little of Snow White's - her actions are very modern (which is difficult to explain - but true), in that we expect and are suprised at how she is treating this young woman and the way she twists her words to keep Repunzel in check - and even later, when she  discovers Flynn Ryder having taken her. I was moved right up until the very end of this movie. And suprisingly, I had not known the plot of this tale except for her mother climbing Repunzel's hair (this was not one of my bedtime stories).

The 3D is adequate, and actually very lovely in some cases. But as I have discovered (and you will too, when you take the shades off), is that the colors and hues that Disney has put into place on this film, have been sourly muted to darker tones because of the glasses. But with such a fast-moving and very touching tale, it was forgiven - and there is a lantern scent in this movie that uses the 3D to full effect and is amazing; I only wish there were more moments like that in the movie.

All in all, this is a great tale to see. The only large downside of it all, is the musical numbers: nothing to be remembrered. I don't know what happened to Disney after Beauty and the Beast, but their musical animation series have fallen way below expectations when it comes to memoriable and moving melodies. It's a good think that your mind will only ignore them, and remember a great tale about another little plucky girl who grows up to become a woman, and the power she has in choosing the man she wants to be with her.

My stomach gets all tangled with emotions just thinking about it.

An Eye For An Eye - True Grit

4 1/2 Popcorn Kernels out of 5

See Trailer Here

See Original Trailer Here

This is the first time I have given a 1/2 Kernel on a movie - usually I am more precise in my ratings, but even though I have seen a few great western/type movies (3:10 to Yuma, The Quick and the Dead, The Book of Eli...and the upcoming Cowboys & Aliens), I have not been a real fan of the western...until now. This review may have been perfect, except for the fact that many of the westerns I have mentioned were remakes, and I have never seen their original nor the pleasure of a real old-fashioned western; the dust, dirt, rural surroundings never appealed to me, and I always wondered just how many stories can you pull out of a town that hasn't even come into its own story yet. So I really have nothing to compare this film with, nor do I consider myself an expert on what makes a good western; but I do know what makes a good movie, and this is it.

True Grit is a very engrossing film, with vibrant characters, ever-changing vistas, quick-witted moments, fast action, and detailed in its look. The Coen Brothers, who directed this, have once again become my favorite story tellers as their style and direction (although not as forced as in other movies) pepper this film throughout. Even before we meet the characters and the plot unfolds, the movie arrives on the wings of a sepia-toned look before it settles into its true colors, and the introduction into the town appears real and not the makings of some studio backlot. I could really imagine people living, working, and travelling through this town in Oklahoma.

At its base, True Grit is about revenge and redemption. What makes this different, is it is the way a 14-year old girl named Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) redeems the death of her father by an outlaw who happened into town one day named Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin) and killed her father - who at the time was trying to help the man. Mattie Ross takes on the services of the town's Marshal - Marshal Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) to track down Tom Chaney and kill him. Along the way, a Texas Ranger by the name of LaBoeuf (Matt Damon) is in town, also looking for Tom, for shooting and killing a Senator; and this creates the crux of the posse within the tale of True Grit, as they journey together, and deal with each other along their way to kill a man.

The performances in this movie are astonishing. I believe Hailee - the 14-year old in this film, shines the brightest throughout, and it is through her performance that the Coen Brothers are felt and heard in this film. Her dialogue is fast and quick-witted while layered with intellect and a maturity which belies her age. She is determined to find her father's killer; whether she is haggling the cost of his horses with a dealer for more funds, or persuading both Marshal Cogburn and LaBoeuf that she must come along with them to secure the fact that Tom is killed, and knows it is for the crime he committed on her father. It is a very Oscar-Worthy exhibit.

You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry

I am told that John Wayne played the part of the Marshal in the original movie, and Glen Cambell was in the Ranger part. This is NOT a buddy picture, but is does become one of respect. Jeff Bridges plays this drunken Marshal with such ease and such realness, that you can see the years of acting that this man has mastered. He too is a smart man, a sharp-shooter, and understands the criminal mind. We detect that the drinking began as a coping mechanism for him, and as he aged, he had to deal with that pitfall in respect too; but  the Marshal's skill although out of practice, is proven to still be there. Matt Damon holds equal weight as the Texas Ranger, and provides most of the levity in this film. He is the young, cool minded, wanderer on this journey. When we first meet him, we are directed first to his boots and the spurs along the heels: this man has been on a horse a very long time, he is dedicated to what he does, and he never loses his focus or his goal. And although he doubts Marshal Cogburn at first - he soon relies on him in many ways unexpected.

When they are at camp one day, Mattie accidentally happens upon her father's killer, Tom Chaney, and when I first saw Josh Brolin in this role, his arrival on screen had me thwarted for a moment. He is a very handsome man (unlike the actor who played him in the original), and it was a momentary distraction despite the blemish placed on his skin to distinguish him. I couldn't see past it to envision a man who lived a hardened life - but just a man who was hard on his luck - and that sympathy becomes a square-peg in a round-hole for the crimes he has committed. But in the company of Mattie it fits, because it draws Mattie in for an instance, and we are put off guard just as she is because he can elicit a bit of empathy from us with his appeal...and then things get all topsy-turvey.

The supporting cast is also great in this film, but that is mainly because the Coen

The violence in this movie is very low-key for a Coen Brothers film - as they manage to avoid the sight of any real bloodshed which would have drawn an R-Rating, but the dangers and death that surround them is very apparent. I did miss the quirkiness as known in their previous films (Fargo and No Country For Old Men), but until then, True Grit still achieves their status as amazing film makers - and I'm good with that.