I Origins

THE PITCH

I Origins by teasertrailer
I Origins - Window To The Soul by teasertrailer

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING

" Pryia: The Dali Lama said if science disproved his spiritual beliefs he would have to change his thinking.

   Ian:  Good Answer.

   Pryia: What would you do if something spiritual disproved your scientific beliefs?" 

     Love, science and Spirituality, all essentially heavy in topic but fundamentally the fulcrum of this entire story… No way Director Mike Cahill can pull off a film that has all of these things and keep us interested all the way through… but he did. Just a little racy and weird at first, I was concerned if I wanted to finish it. Then the amount of science jargon spewed at me was ‘dumbed-down’ just enough for me to barely keep up. Once the true plot revealed itself, it became impossible to look away from the screen.  The process of the scientific, emotional and spiritual on-screen discoveries captured me.  Director Cahill did an extraordinary job bringing that great script to life and making it so relatable that even a blunt instrument like me can grasp the main ideas used in this outstanding piece of work.

    While watching I began to feel like the film was trying to find itself at one point.  As I look back after everything is seen it was I who lost my place. Mike Cahill’s story board was not complicated.  The way it came across the screen may have seemed like that because of the nature of the subject matter.  The only other director that automatically comes to mind that can balance the seriousness of science and the light-heartedness of a great love/action story and make it appeal to the masses is J.J Abrams and the work that he has done with the recent Star Trek reboots.  It’s a shame though, the same masses won’t be able to see Cahill’s work because my understanding is this film will only be available in limited release.  

    When discussing Spiritualism there are somethings I believe, some things I don’t.  I’m not cynical enough to point out all the points I differ about.  I rather embellish the points that made this movie a real discussion starter. I genuinely admire a film that can accomplish that.  I’ve said in this blog many times:  ANYTIME you come out the theater with more than you came in with[intellectually], that is true value.

    There is talk about a sequel, maybe an origins sequel using the scientific subject of “Emergence” as the central theme [non-life turning into life]… he may even call it EMERGENCE, who knows.  Usually I would scoff at the idea of gambling a follow up of an original that was so good that it should stand alone.  Not anymore; This past year so many successful sequels have emerged that I am now optimistic about those things, at least until I can’t be.

    I Orgins is worth watching.  Popcorn and drink are suggested.

     letter grade: B+

Begin Again

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$$

THE VIEWING

"Dave: I wanted to turn it into a hit.
Greta: Why?"
    This might be thee surprise film of this summer.  Boxed in the walls of “limited release” you will have to search your neighborhood theaters to find it.  My discovery came by a good friend that happen to see the teaser on a random channel on an even more random network.  From the beginning to the end the story captivated me and wowed me not only with a coherent and plausible script but original songwriting as well.  It is safe to say the music was mesmerizing.  The soundtrack as well as the musical score are all threatened to be bought by me as soon as they become available.  

    Director John Carney did a masterful job portraying the smaller nuances and semantics that makes a romantic comedy work. Betrayal, misdirection of the story to propel the plot, descent from prominence, redemption.  All these things seemed far more defined than in your usual romance stories that can seem a little too dramatic and predictable. The cast did a remarkable job of bringing the script to life.  According to IMDB.com Scarlett Johansson was casted for the lead but dropped out.  Turns out to be a fortunate hang up because although I like Scarlett and I believe she has skills[acting] her sexiness, due to her being typecast for so many movies, may have worked against her in this role.  Keira Knightley was perfectly imperfect for her character, if that makes any sense.

    The topic of music and the music industry interest me. This film also captured me by pointing out what is wrong with the music industry.  I tried to let it go but I’m still squirming in my seat at the notion that they know yet still choose to produce shallow hits.  I know music execs go to the show and this isn’t the first film to tackle this issue. Anyways, I was also very amazed and pleased over the reintroduction of the “concept” album.  Unsure of what that is?? I predict you are somewhere south of 26yrs old which is not a diss because it certainly isn’t your fault. This film supplies an excellent example of just what that is.

   Lastly I marvel, once again, at how John Carney was able to capture the joy/essence of music in a way that transcends all cultures and genres.  Easy to understand descriptions made me remember some things I use to love about it but forgot.

    This film’s competition isn’t some goofy love story starring a heart-throb with lukewarm lines and a shallow script. No, this film resides in the top tier films in this genre… Love Actually, The Notebook, About Time, There’s Something About Mary, Silver Linings Playbook, The Holiday (yes, It thought The Holiday was gem missed by a lot of people), and so on… Catch my drift? This is a film you don't want to miss in the the theater all though I KNOW that it would make a wonderful rental night.

     Worth Watching.

     letter grade: A

Locke

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$

THE VIEWING

" That's a good man. "

For all of my audience with Attention Deficit [hyperactivity] Disorder, those who scurry past these words and look at the “Worth” and “letter grade” before deciding if your current situation permits time enough to read the “Viewing”... YOU, my mighty majority, may also notice the pictures.  Apparently with this post you’ve notice that all the stills and screenshots look exactly alike, well… That is what you are going to see for the majority of the whole film.  Ballsy of them huh?  You are not up for a directorial ‘stunt’ right?  Well, let me be the first to tell I’ll tell ya…  it worked but I hope this trend does not catch on.

       I believe LOCKE had the perfect storm, an incredible actor who is quickly rising into my top 5 favorite actors. Also a great script outlining three very compelling stories.  Lastly the enormous weight of each decision. It is near impossible to sit there in the theater and not care.

    The only problem I had is a consistent problem with films that have great stories embedded in them that don’t ultimately become great.  They are either missing a beginning, a middle or an end.  LOCKE is missing one of these and maybe overloaded in another area.  I won't say which ones because I wouldn’t want you looking for it.  It will take away from the suspense.

    Contrary to that one problem discussed above the place where the film succeeds more than any other film that I’ve seen in a while is plausibility.  The most realistic feel regarding cause and effect, right and wrong, even good and evil.  I steadily asked myself how I would of handled each situation throughout Ivan Locke’s drive.  I really dig films that make you subconsciously interact with them.  Thats a certain indication that you got your money's worth if you're on the fence wondering if this was a good film or not.

      I want a BMW. Product placement of their vehicle in this film is ingenious.  Through it all, it was the ONLY thing in the film that was reliable and not 'fragile', that and the in-panel phone. This film did for BMW what RONIN did for Audi. What The Italian Job did for the Mini Cooper... You get my 'drift'. 

      This film is definitely worth the buck.   I’m not sure that I would ever watch it again,  especially after the ending. What ending?  What ending indeed.

letter grade: B