So there I am, in a crowded theater waiting for the The Dark Knight to start and watching the “pre-previews” previews.  If you do not know what I am referring to, does “Go Guard” and repetitious cinema trivia ring a bell?  As I am trying to keep myself entertained, the guy behind me keeps kicking my seat and making these weird nasal sounds.  During Hancock someone was actually smoking a cigarette in the theater.  Can you believe this?  These irritating occurrences are just a few examples of the things I have endured as a part of my movie-going regimen.  These annoyances can negatively impact the movie experience and is just plain distracting, especially for those of us who have some degree of attention deficit disorder.   

I have composed several “movie etiquette” tips/rules that might make local movie going just a little more pleasurable for everyone.  In my quest to receive full cooperation in having people abide by my statements, I will add a “please” and “thank you” where I deem necessary.  Here it is: 

1)    Please refrain from chatting during the movie about Uncle’s Aunty’s Sistah’s Cuzin’s boyfriend who broke up with her a week ago and left her with the five kids.  Okay, so sometimes when we go to the movies it might be the one relaxing time during the week where we can vent and talk about life.  I understand counseling sessions are necessary, but just not during the movie. 

2)    Thank you for not smoking.  This is a no-brainer, well, I guess not for the braddah who was lighting one up at Ward Theaters (a cigarette, that is). 

3)    Thank you for not smoking your pakalolo.  I just needed to be more specific about the smoking, because I have also been in a movie that had the crowd guessing for the first hour who was in possession of weed. 

4)    Please do not throw popcorn at those sitting in front of you.  I know popcorn is a perfect food item for throwing, it is aerodynamically shaped (depending on how that particular kernel popped in the hot butter) and it is soft enough so that you do not leave evidential scars or bruises on your targets.  However, it is ANNOYING and Aunty Mary who is scheduled to clean Theater 8 when the movie is done is not going to be so happy about sweepin’ up the popcorn.  Be considerate people. 

5)    Thank you for not laughing during the not-so-funny parts.  I understand that humor varies from person to person.  What I think is funny might not be funny to you, and vice versa.  But there is that time during the movie when someone is chuckling away (all by their lonesome) and that particular scene is just not that funny.  Promise me you won’t be this person. 

6)    Please do not put your rubbah slippahs on the seat backs.  I know we all want to get comfy and stretch out our legs, but do not put your feet up on the seat backs in front of you.  This can be hazardous to the people in front who have to breathe in the rubber + toe jam scent for the duration of the film. 

7)    Thank you for keeping the keiki quiet during the flick.  Okay, the kiddies are bound to make noise during the film, that is just how it goes.  I know first-hand because my little brother is always chatting and asking me play-by-play questions.  But the parents of babies who are screaming their heads off need to check out the “Cry Baby Matinees”- the latest installment at Consolidated theaters to offer a stress-free environment for moms and dads who have little ones who can’t keep quiet during a normal showing.  

8)    Thank you for not making too much noise while crunching on your arare mix.  Gotta have the arare with the popcorn, but geez, can you keep the noise down?  This is especially noticeable in- between previews when the screen goes black and the speakers go silent.  Every last crunch can be heard. 

9)    Please do not have makeout sessions (or whatever it is you are doing) in the back row.  Get a room, nuff said! 

10) Thank you for putting your phone on silent, so when your booty calls start rollin’ in at around 10 pm, the entire theater does not have to know about it.  And, more importantly, do not answer your phone after it rings on high volume, then start talking away like it’s nobody’s business. 

Hopefully I don’t sound too critical, and okay, I must say, I probably violate a couple of these.  I know you all have stories about your encounter with “movie theater etiquette” (or lack thereof).  Whether you are the victim of a lack of etiquette, or you are the person committing the offense, I want you ALL to ‘fess up about what irks you when you are at the movies or outrageous things you did in a movie theater that may have pissed off those around you (please refrain from x-rated comments!).        

Batman is a nostalgic figure to me, because it reminds me of my childhood.  Aside from the fact that I loved the TV show (reruns from the 1960’s), “Batman” was the first movie I had seen in a theatre at the inquisitive age of four.  I remember not quite understanding the concept of “going to the movies”, and this was a significant milestone to me.  I specifically remember asking my mom if Batman was going to walk down the center aisle in the theatre dressed in his crime-fighting attire.  What was I thinking?  I guess I hoped that the actual characters were going to be present, maybe like Sesame Street Live.  The Joker, played by Jack Nicholson, was my favorite character by far.  I will even admit that I owned a creepy-looking Joker t-shirt, which I begged my parents to buy me at the time.  Okay, enough of my childhood confessions.  The sentiment of “Batman” in my life has never dwindled and intensified my excitement to see “The Dark Knight”.  

I went to see “The Dark Knight” on Sunday evening, despite my previous hopes to be the first to see it at 12:01 a.m. on Friday.  I had also thought that by Sunday there would be less of a crowd because the hype surrounding the movie would diminish.  With this in mind, I leisurely made my way to Kapolei Theatres for the 8:45 p.m. showing, only to find the majority of the people on the Leeward Side (and their Aunties and Uncles) waiting in line to buy tickets for this movie.  Well, I might be exaggerating a tiny bit, but the theatre was packed and I luckily found us seats near the back, which is my preferred seating location.  

The movie is definitely worth seeing, and lived up to my expectations.  However, it was really long, clocking in at 2 hours and 32 minutes.  By the three-quarter mark, I was beginning to think that they could have deleted a few scenes. Everytime I thought the film was going to conclude, the plot grew thicker.  The length was the only drawback.   

The acting in this film was superb.  Although I am a fan of Michael Keaton as Batman, I warmed up quickly to Christian Bale.  His demeanor was befitting of Batman, which elicited a refined confidence.  Maggie Gyllenhaal was a good fit for the role of Rachel Dawes, but I am still contemplating if Katie Holmes would have brought more pizzazz to the role.  Heath Ledger is the best reason to see this film.  His role as the Joker is spine-chilling.  I knew his acting was going to be impressive from the buzz that is going around, but it surpassed my expectations.  He was the creepiest villain I have watched on the big screen in a long time.  It is hard to tell that it is Heath Ledger under all of the makeup because his acting is completely distinct from other roles he has played in the past. 

The 411 Fo’ Reel:  You have to see this movie, you’ll be missing out if you don’t.  Heath Ledger’s performance is Oscar-worthy and the most recent debate is whether he should be entered in the “supporting actor” category or in the “lead actor” category.  Read more about the debate and let me know what you think!

And… I’m Back!!!  I have missed the blogosphere for a few weeks now, while I’m getting adjusted to my new job.  But, here we go, full throttle, and we’ll start with a countdown to The Dark Knight.  I know this movie is being highly publicized, and probably for good reason.  I am extremely excited to watch this movie, especially to see Heath Ledger’s final role.  Here’s the thing though: Who is actually going to the midnight viewing of this movie?  I might be going to the late night showing, but I heard on the radio that the midnight to early morning showings are sold out at some venues.  I am not going to stand in line for The Dark Knight tickets though, because I just acquainted myself with the Fandango website.  For those of you that are traditionalists and consider standing in line at the box office a part of the movie experience, then more power to you.  But, those that value convenience as much as I do might want to know that Consolidated Theatres solidified a contract agreement with Fandango, so now you can visit www.fandango.com to get showtime information, buy movie tickets, and watch movie previews, among other fantastic features.  Check it out and let me know what you think!  Also, please advise if you are one of those people who already have tickets to The Dark Knight.  I am really curious to know who is going to be the first to see the movie at the stroke of midnight!  I am still debating if I am going to be a part of that group.   

“Then She Found Me” was a unique comedy/drama which focuses on relationships.  Helen Hunt was fabulous in this film, but she has aged noticeably since her last debut.  Nonetheless, she also directed this film which proved to be superb.  Bette Midler was exceptional as well, with a lovable quirkiness and undeniably real demeanor that was captivating and uplifting. 

Helen Hunt plays April Epner in this film, who was adopted when she was a child by a Jewish family.  After April’s marriage dissolves at the start of the movie, the events in her life unfolds at a brisk pace.  Her biological mother, Bernice Graves (Bette Midler), is a talk show host and immediately seeks out April after the death of her adoptive mother and triggers a relationship with her.  In conjunction with this newfound motherly relationship, April also gets tangled in a romantic relationship with a father of her student, Frank (Colin Firth).  April’s sole mission in life is to bear a child and shows an aversion to adoption. 

This movie analyzes the “realness” of parent/child relationships when it is evaluated from two perspectives: biological vs. adoptive.  April’s adoptive mother was always there for her until her death, but they obviously never shared DNA.  Bernice Graves, on the other hand, was obsolete from April’s life, but she bears the “biological mother” title.  This dynamic is what leads April to question adoption as an option for her to fill the void of having a child of her own. 

The parent/child relationship dynamic is also scrutinized as Colin Firth’s character, Frank, is a single father.  He plays the “mom” role, which intermixes with his “head of household” position and emasculates him a little.  To further complicate the situation, Frank’s relationship with April adds a “step-mother” component to the story, once again evoking another complex relationship scenario. 

Matthew Broderick, who plays April’s husband, portrays a familiar role of the “guy who needs to grow up”.  His acting is perfection, as his “mommy’s boy” persona is unrivaled. 

The 411 Fo’ Reel:  Although the movie is mostly serious, the laughs are inevitable.  The end of the movie is left to interpretation, which gives rise to two possibilities.  Great movie overall with an all-star cast, go see it!      

I love to watch movies with legal content because it sparks controversy, curiosity, and passion in the viewer.  Here are my top ten movies that deal with legalities, politics, courtroom drama, and the death penalty: 

1.  12 Angry Men (Orion-Nova Productions, 1957) 

2.  Inherit the Wind (Stanley Kramer Productions, 1960) 

3.  A Civil Action (Touchstone Pictures, 1998) 

4.  Erin Brockovich (Jersey Films, 2000) 

5.  To Kill a Mockingbird (Brentwood Productions, 1962) 

6.  The Verdict (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1982) 

7.  Dead Man Walking (Havoc, 1995) 

8.  I Want To Live! (Figaro, 1958) 

9.  Anatomy of a Murder (Carlyle Productions, 1959) 

10.  Just Cause (Fountainbridge Films, 1995) 

What is your favorite legal picks?    

All of your responses to my “top ten flicks for movie night” list inspired me to designate the next few days to composing other “top ten” lists (just for the fun of it!).  Here’s to ten good laughs (in no particular order): 

1) Napoleon Dynamite (Access Films, 2004)

2) There’s Something about Mary (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1998)

3) Knocked Up (Universal Pictures, 2007)

4) Pure Luck (Sean Daniel Company, 1991)

5) National Lampoon’s Vacation (Warner Bros. Pictures, 1983)

6) Some Like It Hot (Ashton Productions, 1959)

7) Office Space (Twentieth Century-Fox, 1999)

Meet the Fockers (Universal Pictures, 2004)

9) Legally Blonde (Marc Platt Productions, 2001)

10) What About Bob? (Touchstone Pictures, 1991) 

Let me know what movies make you laugh out loud!

I like nothing more than to hit up the local hot spots during the week (my peers in their 20-somethings know exactly what I am talking about), whether it is enjoying a lava flow at the Mai Tai Bar, socializing at Aku Bone with my fellow traditional Hawaiian music lovers, or waiting in an extremely long line at Dave & Buster’s on Wednesday night.  However, when these weekly outings get monotonous, I am completely content with settling in at home for a movie night.  The next time you want to have a relaxing night in, just throw on your pj’s, get your popcorn ready, invite some buddies over, and pull one of my top ten picks off the shelf (for now…there are many more movies where these came from and it was hard to choose just ten!): 

Coming to America (Eddie Murphy Productions, 1988):  Eddie Murphy is hysterical in this film as the naïve Prince Akeem from Zamunda visiting Queens, New York for the first time.  Definitely a fun film! 

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (Universal Pictures, 1982):  This was one of my favorite movies when I was a child.  Steven Spielberg does a phenomenal job in portraying the friendship between Elliott and E.T. (the alien Elliott finds near his home). 

Forrest Gump (Paramount Pictures, 1994):  Tom Hanks is the lovable Forrest Gump, who lacks intelligence and learns life lessons from his momma.  I love the part when Forrest says: “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get.” 

The Godfather (Paramount Pictures, 1972):  Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, this movie features Marlon Brando as Don Vito Corleone, the patriarch of an Italian family who is involved in organized crime.  Who does not like a good mafia movie? 

Love and Basketball (40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, 2000):  This movie is set in Los Angeles in the 1980’s as Monica, played by Sanaa Lathan (one of my favorite actresses) and Quincy, played by Omar Epps, are childhood friends who share a passion for basketball.  This common interest translates into a love for each other that is real and thrives when their athletic careers lead them from Crenshaw High to USC to the pros.  This is my favorite movie of all time!  I have watched it over a hundred times and I know every line by heart (I know, pretty pathetic).

North by Northwest (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1959):  Cary Grant (who plays Roger Thornhill) is magnificent in this adventure film that unfolds as a result of mistaken identity.  This movie is just one of the many spectacular Alfred Hitchcock films you could add to your movie night collection.  Among others are The Birds (1963), Vertigo (1958), Psycho (1960), Rebecca (1940), Notorious (1946), Dial M for Murder (1954), Frenzy (1972), Sabotage (1936), Saboteur (1942), and The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). 

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Fantasy Films, 1976):  Randle Patrick McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to a mental asylum via prison, after he pretends to be insane.  Nicholson’s conniving demeanor makes this movie worth watching.  

Pretty Woman (Silver Screen Partners, IV, 1990):  Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, need I say more?  Make it a party with some strawberries and champagne while getting cozy with this film. 

Pulp Fiction (A Band Apart, 1994):  Directed by Quentin Tarantino, this movie is one of the greatest films ever made.  A definite classic! 

The Silence of the Lambs (Orion Pictures Corporation, 1991):  Anthony Hopkins’ performance in this film is spine-chilling as the serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.  Leave the lights on for this flick!  

What are your top ten picks for movie night?  Fill me in!!!      

The Big Apple + four attractive women + cocktails + Manolo Blahniks + Mr. Big = Sex and the City.  Okay, so if you were a fan of the ongoing television series and were consumed with the lives and times of Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Samantha (Kim Cattrall) and Mr. Big (Chris Noth), this movie is fulfilling and is essentially the cherry on the cupcake for dedicated fans.  If you preferred to stay out of the gossip circle of this NYC clique, then maybe you might not connect with the movie because you lacked any previous bonding time with these characters prior to catching them on the big screen.  Either way, this movie is entertaining, fun, refreshing, and has a theme of “labels and love” that will put life and relationships into perspective for any person. 

The movie gives an opening description of the girls so the non-fans can get up to speed with the past dilemmas and character descriptions before they slam you with the new drama.  The movie focuses around Carrie (like the show mostly did), who is slated to get married to Mr. Big.  The highs and lows of this scenario is the driving force in the film.  Miranda has problems in her sex life, which creates a disturbing time for her and Steve.  Samantha has her steaming hot boy toy Smith, who is more focused on work than on her, and as their relationship crumbles, she finds solace in spying on her hunky Hispanic neighbor who is well-equipped.  Charlotte finds out she is pregnant and her problems come from worrying about being too happy; go figure.  Mr. Big is still very charming and classy, but you will resent him at a critical point in the film.   

Relationships and happiness spark much discussion in this film.  When Big proposes to Carrie, it is more like a business deal, as he asks: “Would you mind being married to me?”  When Carrie announces the news of their big engagement to Samantha, they begin to analogize marriage with Botox treatments.  In true Sex and the City style, the code word for “sex” if front of Charlotte’s adopted daughter is “coloring”.  Samantha declares that she loves to color and she would use every crayon in her box if she had the chance.   

I need to give attention to Jennifer Hudson (Louise) for her outstanding performance as Carrie’s personal assistant.  She brings a genuine concern and naivety to her character that makes us believe that she is just a small town girl who yearns to have a fairy tale ending after being exposed to the big city.  Carrie and Louise share a “sisterly” chemistry on-screen, which aids in making the drama more real.     

The 411 Fo’ Reel:  This movie will sweep you off your feet and leave you wanting a night on the town accompanied with a lemon drop martini (you get the picture!).  Fantabulous!

The title, “Son of Rambow,” did not appeal to me when I first heard about this film.  It sounded “artsy,” which was made more prominent by the fact that it came out of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it was a hit.  Although the title was questionable, I kept an open-mind about the film and hoped it would have the same creativity as films such as “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Little Miss Sunshine,” which were also seen at Sundance before their box office releases.  The creativity was in this film without a doubt, but there was little substance until nearly the end of the movie.   

“Son of Rambow” is set in 1980’s England, a time when block cell phones were still in existence (“The Brick” as I would refer to it!), as you will see in the film.  As the movie begins, we are given a first glance at the young Lee Carter (Will Poulter), as he is watching a film in a darkened theater with cigarette and camera in hand (for pirating purposes).  This scene makes us cognoscente of the fact that we are doing the same thing as Carter (minus the pirating): staring at a movie screen and being immersed in the lives of the characters.  The plot unfolds when Carter fatefully meets William Proudfoot (Bill Milner) one day at school, and bullies him into being a stuntman in his film, which he hopes to enter in a contest.  The film that Carter conjures up is based on “First Blood,” and is given more depth when Will contributes his own storyboard to the movie.  In addition to the two boys, French exchange students are also involved in the filmmaking process.  The role of Didier Revol (Jules Sitruk), the most popular French exchange student, was a true gem in this film, from his clothing and boots, to his persona. 

Will is a part of the Plymouth Bretheren faith, which bans him from being exposed to any sort of media.  This censorship makes Will overly imaginative, and he becomes susceptible to finding other means of fulfilling the creative void in his life.  He draws storyboards on walls and makes “flip books” as his only form of entertainment.  Will ironically meets Lee (the mastermind behind the movie project), while sitting outside of his classroom because he is not allowed to watch the documentary film being shown to his peers.         

Self-reflexivity is prevalent in “Son of Rambow”.  We are made to feel conscious of our role as viewers.  This production element, as applied to this film in particular, prompts an appreciation in the audience that we have access to watching film, unlike Will. 

The virtues of friendship, family, and brotherhood are important themes in this film.  The relationship between Will and Lee is heartening and adds meaning to the term “blood brothers”.  The importance of family is of utmost priority, and the movie depicts how families can come together in even the most chaotic of circumstances.   

The 411 Fo’ Reel:  This movie tests your patience, but in the end, as the melodrama unexpectedly unfolds, you will be rewarded.  Either you connect with this movie or you don’t.

When I think of “Indiana Jones,” the first thing that comes to mind is… Disneyland!  Each time I visit the Magic Kingdom, I get carried away in its euphoric environment.  I am given a reality check though, when I have to stand in those ridiculously long lines just to experience a couple-minute thrill ride.  Nevertheless, I will always wait in line for the “Indiana Jones Adventure”.  For you Disney regulars out there, you may remember the part in the ride where a gigantic boulder is heading towards you, then all of a sudden the vehicle you’re in jolts back a bit, then dips downward going full throttle to avoid the boulder.  Well, like all rides in make-believe land, the boulder is not really going to crush you, but time and again that is the one part in the ride that gets my heart pumping.  That feeling of adventure and vulnerability was what I wanted to experience in “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” directed by Steven Spielberg – and you know what?  I surely was not disappointed. 

When the movie opens, Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is held hostage by the KGB, then escapes.  The next part shows him teaching a college class, when he is interrupted to learn that the FBI is after him.  He then changes into his Indy garb and jumps on a train, where he looks out his window to find Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) requesting his attention.  Jones and the kid head to a diner where they hash out the details of the adventure to come, and the movie gets going as they try to find the crystal skull and return it to its intended home.   

The one thing that I wondered about before heading into this movie was if Harrison Ford would be able to keep up with his character as Indiana Jones, because he has aged since the last movie.  I guess the filmmakers felt the same way I did and made it an issue in the film, with disclaimers inserted wherever they could poke fun at his age.  At the beginning of the movie, Jones says, “…not as easy as it used to be… we were younger, we had guns.”  Mutt also makes a few comments, which include: “You know for an old man you’re not bad in a fight, what are you, like 80?”  He also urges Jones to hop on his motorcycle when he says, “Get on, gramps!”  I sensed an insecurity about Jones’ physical state throughout.  However, Ford kept up and his age just made him look all the more wiser. 

The movie is set in 1957, which was validated by the old-fashioned looking title sequence.  But c’mon, with the technology and handy special effects in the film industry today, there is no way the movie is going to have the raw authenticity of a 1957 classic, like “12 Angry Men” starring Henry Fonda.  The movie was trying too hard to look old, which was more obvious at the beginning of the film.  Once the scene shifts to the caves and the waterfalls, the year does not seem to matter much. 

The 411 Fo’ Reel:  The action in this movie was incredible and kept my attention.  I loved this movie!  You have to see it if you are an Indy fan.