Jane Got a Gun

PLOT:

Jane Hammond has built a new life with her husband Bill “Ham” Hammond after being tormented by the Bishop Boys gang. She finds herself in the gang’s crosshairs once again when Ham stumbles home riddled with bullets after dueling with the Boys and their relentless leader, John Bishop. With the vengeful crew hot on Ham’s trail, Jane has nowhere to turn but to her former fiancé Dan Frost for help in defending her family against certain death. Haunted by old memories, Jane’s past meets the present in a heart-stopping battle for survival.

What people are saying:

“A silly movie with a poor cast–Natalie Portman is not good in this “Western.” She and a former beau are able to hold off a dozen outlaws? Don’t waste your time.” 2 stars

“Hollywood has forgotten how to do a decent western. Sub par acting with a lame, contrived story.” 1 1/2 stars

“The movie had a lot of trouble being made from changing multiple directors, delays, and shifting around roles. Which becomes apparent throughout the movie. All the actors do a very good job to keep the movie relevant though. Even with good performances the movie never able to overcome its troubled past. ” 2 1/2 stars

“Not just confusing, predictable and mis-sold as a feminist film, the calamity that is Jane Got A Gun is hobbled by the dullest of plots.” 2 stars

“Slow and tedious with the worst sound editing I can ever recall. An hour and thirty-eight minutes that seems like a lifetime. Those shot in this western suffered less than we who watched it.” 1 star

Exodus: Gods and Kings

PLOT (spoiler alert!!!):

In 1300 BC, Moses, a general and member of the royal family, prepares to attack the Hittite army with Prince Ramesses. A High Priestess of Sekhmet (the war goddess) divines a prophecy from animal intestines, which she relates to Ramesses’ father, Seti I. He tells the two men of the prophecy, in which one (of Moses and Ramesses) will save the other and become a leader. During the attack on the Hittites, Moses saves Ramesses’ life, leaving both men troubled. Later, Moses is sent to the city of Pithom to meet with the Viceroy Hegep, who oversees the Hebrew slaves. Upon his arrival, he encounters the slave Joshua, who is the descendant of Joseph, and Moses is appalled by the horrific conditions of the slaves. Shortly afterwards, Moses meets Nun, who informs him of his true lineage; he is the child of Hebrew parents who was sent by his sister Miriam to be raised by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses is stunned at the revelation and leaves angrily. However, two Hebrews also overhear Nun’s story and report their discovery to Hegep.

Seti dies soon after Moses’ return to Memphis, and Ramesses becomes the new Pharaoh (Ramesses II). Hegep arrives to reveal Moses’ true identity, but Ramesses is conflicted about whether to believe the story. At the urging of Queen Tuya, he interrogates the servant Miriam, who denies being Moses’ sister. When Ramesses threatens to cut off Miriam’s arm, Moses comes to her defense, revealing he is a Hebrew. Although Tuya wants Moses to be put to death, Ramesses decides to send him into exile. Before leaving Egypt, Moses meets with his adopted mother and Miriam, who refer to him by his birth name of Moishe. Following a journey into the desert, Moses comes to Midian where he meets Zipporah and her father, Jethro. Moses becomes a shepherd, marries Zipporah and has a son Gershom.

Nine years later, Moses gets injured during a rockslide. He comes face to face with a burning bush and a boy called Malak, who serves as a representative of the God of Abraham. While recovering, Moses confesses his past to Zipporah and reveals what God has asked him to do. This drives a wedge between the couple, because Zipporah fears he will leave their family. After he arrives in Egypt, Moses reunites with Nun and Joshua, as well as meeting his brother Aaron for the first time. Moses returns to confront Ramesses, demanding the Hebrews be released from servitude. Ramesses refuses to listen, insisting that to free the slaves would be economically impossible. Upon Moses threatening Ramesses life, Ramesses orders the death of Moses, executing random Hebrew families until he is found. Using his military skills, Moses trains the slaves in the art of war. The Hebrews start attacking the Egyptians, prompting Ramesses to raid slave villages. Malak appears to Moses and explains that ten plagues will affect Egypt. All the water in the land turns to blood, and the Egyptians are further afflicted by the arrival of frogs, lice, and flies. The plagues of the death of livestock, boils, hail and thunder, locusts, and darkness continue to affect the Egyptians. While conversing with Malak, Moses is horrified at learning the tenth plague will be the death of all firstborn children. The Hebrews protect themselves by covering their doors with the blood of lambs, as instructed by Moses. Ramesses is devastated over his son’s death and relents, telling Moses and the Hebrews to leave.

During the exodus from Egypt, the Hebrews follow Moses’ original path through the desert and towards the Red Sea. Still grieving for his son, Ramesses decides to go after the Hebrews with his army. After making their way through a dangerous mountain pass, Moses and the Hebrews arrive at the edge of the sea, uncertain about what to do. Moses flings his sword into the water, which begins to recede. Ramesses and his army pursue the Hebrews, but Moses stays behind to confront them. The Red Sea reverts to its normal state, drowning the majority of the Egyptians (crossing the Red Sea). Moses survives and makes his way back to the Hebrews. Ramesses is revealed to have survived, but he is distraught over the destruction of his army. Moses leads the Hebrews back to Midian, where he reunites with Zipporah and Gershom. At Mount Sinai, after seeing Malak’s displeasure at the Hebrews’ construction of the Golden Calf, Moses transcribes the Ten Commandments. Years later, an elderly Moses riding with the Ark of the Covenant sees Malak walking with the Hebrews through the desert.

REVIEW:

In the same vein as Noah, we have Exodus: Gods and Kings, a retelling of a well-known story from the bible, but with a darker, more fantasy-type tone. There has been a recent upswing, if you will, in films like this, as well as faith-based movies, but does that mean this is worth your time?

What is this about?

Re-creating the biblical narrative of Moses and his liberation of the Israelites from bondage, this epic drama covers the full span of his life, which includes his upbringing in Egypt’s royal court and following the Lord’s command to free his people.

What did I like?

Plague. The 10 plagues were a horrible thing that happened, but they made for one of the best segments of this film. Watching the darkness creep over Memphis as each first born child’s life was taken from them was a powerful bit of imagery. The other plagues weren’t as memorable, but at least the film took the time to show them on-screen.

Effects. The special effects in this picture are really the only thing that kept me interested. The aforementioned plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, battle scenes, etc. I will never be a fan of CG in favor practical effects, but there was just something about the way things were utilized. The special effects were not the focal point of the film, but rather the icing on the cake.

What didn’t I like?

Whitewashing. I hate to talk race, but this has to be done, especially since I happen to be watching this, coincidentally at the same time there is a controversy brewing over the next film set in this area, Gods of Egypt, is beginning its push towards a summer release. We all know that no one in this cast is of middle-Eastern decent. Well, Ben Kinglsey has something in him, but his portion of ethnicity isn’t enough to justify the casting of an all-white cast in a land of dark-skinned people. Hollywood needs to wake up! It is 2015, cast some ethnic actors in these ethnic roles. The backlash for this film and the one that is coming, not to mention Prince of Persia a few years back should be a warning for them. Audiences are just not going to take it anymore!

Change for change sake. It is pretty obvious that things were changed in this film to “make it more exciting” for audiences. The biggest change has to do with Moses. If memory serves, he was never a general in the Pharaoh’s army, nor was he adopted by said Pharaoh. Also, he had a staff when parted the red sea, not a sword. There are countless other changes to the source material, of course, but this is the biggest one in my eyes. Why did they feel the need to change things? Other than making sure this doesn’t come off as a remake of The Ten Commandments in some respects, I don’t understand the need to change things. For me, these changes did not work. Now, if you renamed the characters and not tell anyone what this story is, then yes, it would.

Somewhere beyond the sea. Staying on the change topic, I have to comment on the big effect scene of the film, where we see the Red Sea parted. Wait…we never see the Red Sea parted. This filmmaker chose to make God’s miracles come off as scientific, so we see all the water taken up in funnels. If I remember my biblical history, Moses led his people across on dry land. I did not see dry land when he was crossing. Also, as the Egyptian were giving chase the waves came down and crushed them. This was shown as a sudden change in the weather, if you will, as opposed to a miraculous feat.

I have my issues with Exodus: Gods and Kings, but I admit that it is a better film than everyone gives it credit for. The filmmakers and casting directors have no one to blame but themselves for that. Had they made better casting choices, more people would have seen it, or at least not boycotted it. While I am on the casting. John Turturro as Pharaoh and Joel Edgerton as Ramses just did not work. Turturro was laughable and Edgerton doesn’t scream great Egyptian leader to me, and his performance did nothing to change my opinion. That point aside, there are some aspects of this film that are worth watching, such as the effects, Christian Bale’s performance, etc., but that is not enough for me to recommend it. So, I cannot recommend this in good conscience. It is probably best that you forget this even exists, to be honest.

2 3/4 out of 5 stars

The Great Gatsby

PLOT (spoiler alert!!!):

Nick Carraway, a Yale University graduate and World War I veteran, is staying in a sanatorium to treat his alcoholism. He talks about a man named Gatsby, describing him as the most hopeful man he had ever met. When he struggles to articulate his thoughts, his doctor, Walter Perkins, suggests writing it down, since writing is Nick’s true passion.

In the summer of 1922, Nick moves from the U.S. Midwest to New York, where he takes a job as a bond salesman after giving up on writing. He rents a small house on Long Island in the (fictional) village of West Egg, next door to the lavish mansion of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious business magnate who holds extravagant parties. Nick drives across the bay to East Egg for dinner at the home of his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, and her husband, Tom, a college acquaintance of Nick’s. They introduce Nick to Jordan Baker, a cynical young golfer with whom Daisy wishes to couple Nick.

Jordan reveals to Nick that Tom has a mistress who lives in the “valley of ashes,” an industrial dumping ground between West Egg and New York City. Not long after this revelation, Nick travels with Tom to the valley, where they stop by a garage owned by George Wilson and his wife, Myrtle, who is Tom’s lover that Jordan mentioned. Nick goes with Tom and Myrtle to an apartment that they keep for their affair, where Myrtle throws a vulgar and bizarre party with her sister Catherine, that ends with Tom breaking Myrtle’s nose as she taunts him about Daisy.

As the summer progresses, Nick receives an invitation to one of Gatsby’s parties. Upon arriving, he learns that none of the guests at the party, though there are hundreds, have ever met Gatsby himself, and they have developed multiple theories as to who he is: A German spy, a prince, even an assassin. Nick encounters Jordan, and they meet Gatsby, who is surprisingly young and rather aloof, in person. Towards the end of the party, Gatsby’s butler informs Jordan that Gatsby wishes to speak with her privately.

Gatsby seems to take a liking to Nick, inviting him out for numerous occasions. Their friendship furthers when Gatsby takes Nick out to lunch with his friend Meyer Wolfshiem, a gambler who fixed the 1919 World Series, where Nick learns that Gatsby was born to very wealthy people that have already passed away. During the lunch, they run into Tom, Gatsby appearing uncomfortable throughout the exchange. Through Jordan, Nick later learns that Gatsby had a relationship with Daisy in 1917, and is still madly in love with her, throwing his extravagant and wild parties in the hopes that she will one day appear at his doorstep. On most nights, he can be seen reaching out across the bay to the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock. He now wants Nick to arrange a reunion between him and Daisy. Nick invites Daisy to have tea at his house, without telling her that Gatsby will be there as well.

After a rather awkward reunion, Gatsby and Daisy begin an affair. Gatsby is rather dismayed to learn that Daisy wants to run away from New York with him, his initial plan being for them to live in his mansion. Nick tries to explain to Gatsby that the past cannot be repeated, but he dismisses the remark, claiming that it most certainly can be. Trying to keep the affair a secret, he fires a majority of his servants and discontinues the parties. Eventually, he phones Nick and ask that he and Jordan accompany him to the Buchanans’, where they plan to tell Tom that Daisy is leaving him. Nick is hesitant at first, but Gatsby insists that they need him.

During the luncheon, Tom becomes increasingly suspicious of Gatsby when he sees him staring at Daisy with such passion. Gatsby begins to announce their love when Daisy stops him, and suggests they all go into town. Everyone leaves for the Plaza, Tom driving Gatsby’s car with Nick and Jordan while Gatsby and Daisy take Tom’s car. Out of gas, Tom stops at George and Myrtle’s garage, where George tells him he plans to move him and wife out west, much to Tom’s concern.

At the Plaza, Gatsby finally tells Tom that he and Daisy are together, claiming that she never loved him. Outraged, Tom begins to accuse Gatsby of bootlegging alcohol and conducting other illegal endeavors with Meyer Wolfshiem, explaining how Gatsby earned so much money. Pushed to his breaking point, Gatsby screams in rage at Tom, frightening Daisy. She asks to leave and goes with Gatsby, this time in his car. Nick realizes that it is his thirtieth birthday.

Later that night, Myrtle manages to flee from her husband, rushing out onto the street. She sees Gatsby’s yellow car approaching and runs toward it, believing the driver to be Tom after seeing him in the same car earlier. She is struck and killed. Afterwards, Tom, Nick, and Jordan stop by the garage when they see a large crowd has gathered. There, they learn of Myrtle’s death. Tom tells George, her widowed husband, that the yellow car belongs to Gatsby.

When they get back to East Egg, Nick finds Gatsby lingering outside the Buchanans’ mansion, where Gatsby reveals that Daisy had been the one who was driving, though he intends to take the blame. In spite of everything, Gatsby is convinced that Daisy will call him the next day. At Gatsby’s mansion, he also tells Nick that he was born penniless, and his real name is James Gatz. In the morning, Nick leaves for work while Gatsby decides to go for a swim before his pool is drained for the season. While swimming, he hears the phone ring, and believes it to be Daisy. He climbs out of the pool while his butler answers the call, looking out across the bay at Daisy’s house with anticipation. He is abruptly shot and killed by George, who then turns the gun on himself. It is revealed that it is Nick on the phone, who stays on the line long enough to hear the two gunshots.

When Nick calls the Buchanans to invite Daisy to Gatsby’s funeral, he learns that she, Tom, and their daughter are leaving New York. The funeral is attended only by reporters and photographers, who Nick angrily chases out. The media accuses Gatsby of being the lover and eventual murderer of Myrtle, leaving Nick as the only one who knows the truth. Disgusted with both the city and its people, he leaves New York. He takes a final walk through Gatsby’s deserted mansion, standing out on the dock for the last time. Back in the sanatorium, he finishes his memoir and titles it “Gatsby”, but not long before adding to it with pen, ultimately titling it “The Great Gatsby”.

REVIEW:

One of the best known works of American literature is The Great Gatsby. Baz Lurhman has taken the immortal story and giving it his own unique style. We’ve seen his genius at work before in Moulin Rouge, but will that work with more serious material?

What is this about?

Leonardo DiCaprio stars as literary icon Jay Gatsby in this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel. Fascinated by the mysterious, affluent Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Carraway bears witness to the man’s obsessive love and spiral into tragedy

What did I like?

Casting. Back in the 20s, beauty wasn’t the same as it is today, or even in the 30s and 40s. Every now and then there are some in Hollywood that have that classic look. Carey Mulligan perfectly embodies that waif-like, beautiful flapper look that was the standard of beauty. Also, Leonard DiCaprio has that look that was popular among males, but he seems to be able to pull off that look no matter what he’s in, especially these period pieces.

When to say when. Director Lurhman was smart enough to make sure that his style is seen, but not overdone. I believe many thought this was going to end being a spiritual sequel to Moulin Rouge, which it isn’t. Sure, the beginning has that style and you kind of get the feeling that Tobey Macguire’s character is filling the role of Ewan McGregor, but eventually, that style is tossed by the wayside and we get into more of a serious drama. Fret not, though, we do get some visually stunning scenes as the film progresses.

Changes. I’m not too familiar with this novel, having not read it, but I can say with confidence that things were changed. Did those changes affect the story and/or stick out as added material? I can’t say for certain, but it doesn’t seem that way to me. People that actually have knowledge of the book may feel differently, however.

What didn’t I like?

Isla. We can all agree that Isla Fisher is a gorgeous creature, I think. For whatever reason, though, they decided to ugly her up to unrecognizable levels. If this was done so she can get attention as a serious actress, that’s fine, but she’s on-screen for maybe a total o 5 minutes, including her time as a dead body!

Shift. It is my understanding that this is a pretty serious novel, so why am I so shocked that the film goes that route once it gets its footing? I can’t really tell you. Perhaps it is because the trailers and advertisements made this film seem so fun and lighthearted, you would never expect it to be so heavy.

Music.  *SIGH* Where do I begin with this one? How about I ponder the rationale for putting rap music in a film set in the 20s. WTF?!? Let me make this point clear. I don’t hate rap, although it isn’t my cup of tea, but it really had no place here. In Django Unchained, they randomly insert rap songs and it didn’t work there, either. Granted, this could have been just about any genre and it wouldn’t have worked for this film, but they took a slightly newer song, Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love”, gave it the 20s sound, and it works! Why is it that whenever rappers are given the undeserving honor of producing film soundtracks they feel they have to make it modern? What is about this film makes you think anything is modern? As far as the non-rap music that actually was a part of tis time period, I applaud them for choosing, as I do with the Beyoncé chart, everything else was just so badly misplaced, that is seriously affects my rating!

When The Great Gatsby was released in theaters, I chose not to see it, but my good friend Sarah told me I should. Scheduling didn’t allow for that to happen, but I am actually glad I chose to add this to Netflix (originally I wasn’t going to). Contrary to what some may say, this is actually a really good film. I question the fact that it was released in the summer, as it plays like it could be a contender for award season, as opposed to a summer blockbuster. All that said, I surprisingly enjoyed this picture and, music rant notwithstanding, I highly recommend it, so check it out!

3 3/4 out of 5 stars