Events over this year include each of the subjects dealing with relationships, both romantic and platonic, fears about the future, the awkwardness of adolescence, bad choices, and a cruelty that can only be found in American high schools and Turkish prisons.
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Hollywood is always trying to reinvent and repackage the same movies, like Indiana Jones, over and over again. It’s partially forgivable because the formula is a great one that, even when it gives out to tired premises and homages, can yield some decent thrills. But on the flip side are movies like The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor that fail to create a single thrill.
It’s been ten years since the events of the last ‘Mummy’ installment – ten years during which main characters Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evie (Maria Bello, replacing a Rachel Weisz who wasn’t interested in returning) have miraculously not seemed to have aged at all. They’ve given up the risk of their adventures in putting down ancient Egyptian pharoh Imhotep, deciding instead to live off of the riches made from Evie’s semi-autobiographical novels called ‘The Mummy’ and ‘The Mummy Returns’ (what, no ‘The Scorpion King?’)
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‘Mummy’ Not Worth Reawakening Read More »
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is the latest from the movie franchise which has spawned prequels and sequels. Brandon Frasier returns to stop a Mummy, this time with the help of Maria Bello (who takes over for Rachel Weisz), their brash young son (Luke Ford, in a performance everyone will want to forget), and a mysterious Asian woman (Isabella Leong) who holds answers to their questions.
Ridiculous from beginning to end, instead of a review I’m going to give you some of the “highlights” of the flick which provides some lessons worth discussing. For more on the ins and outs of the film itself check out Ian’s review.
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7 Lessons from the Tomb of the Dragon Emperor Read More »
When the outcome of the Presidential election comes down to one uncounted ballot in New Mexico the entire country’s attention becomes focused on Earnest “Bud” Johnson (Kevin Costner) an unemployed single father from a small town called Texaco.
Both campaigns, along with news media from around the country land in Texaco to court this doofus who, in ten days time, will decide the fate of the election.
The film is many things, part parody and part cautionary tale. At the heart of the film is the relationship between Bud and his much smarter daughter Molly Johnson (young Madeline Carroll, who steals the film in her first performance on screen). There’s also a subplot about the secret of Bud’s ballot which, although sets up the story, is a bit burdensome to the plot.
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The abduction of one of their own and arrival of a psychic (Billy Connolly) on the scene leads Agent-in-Charge Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) to ask for the help of a former member of the bereau with experience in the paranormal.
Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), now a brain surgeon, is asked to bring in her former partner from the wilderness. Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is living like a hermit cutting clippings of unexplained activity out of newspapers. Reluctant at first, he agrees under the condition Scully comes with him.
Fans of the show should feel right at home here in terms of tone, mood, and storytelling. Those unfamiliar with the mythology of the show should still able to follow the events, though you may miss some of the layers of the film, and specific moments added just for fans.
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