Category Archives: book

“The Hidden Life of Trees” Shares a Mystical Life

book, documentary

Based on Peter Wohlleben’s bestselling book of the same name and directed by Jorg Adolph, The Hidden Life of Trees, introduces you to a unique idea. The documentary immerses you into understanding how trees are sentient creatures. Despite being rooted to the ground with the inability to flee from danger, these living forces branch off and live to infinity as an unbeatable force. The movie shows how trees release chemicals into their cells to discourage predators, such as deer and insects. In fact, trees disperse chemical signals into the atmosphere to warn other species — prepare for the threat.  

Together with scientists, and dedicated persons, the movie disabuses the idea that planting trees compensates for cutting down trees. 

A renowned forester and writer Peter Wohlleben guides us through his most precious ideas and understanding of how trees work in this enlightening documentary. Presenting ecological, biological and academic expertise with matter-of-fact honestly, Peter inspires us to see the forest for the trees.  

Traveling through Germany, Poland, Sweden and Vancouver, Peter discusses, debates, and explains the unique process of life, death and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the fantastic scientific mechanisms behind these wonders. We are too often blissfully unaware.

Thanks to Peter and his bestseller, we are more aware of this valuable life force that aids our planet’s survival. After watching Adolph’s documentary, you’ll never walk into the woods the same again. 

The Hidde Life of Trees will profoundly change believers’ understanding of forests. That trees can communicate with each other through a complicated system with the ability to feel. The old trees care for the young ones by providing nutrition. 

Wohlleben charmingly takes us through the woods and shows us how the trees cooperate and communicate with nearby species. Sheltering and nurturing young offspring trees, they partner with other species in the forest like fungi — a synergy of survival. 

Gratefully, Jan Haft’s camera work illustrates the fantastic process of life, death, and regeneration Peter has observed in the woodland for decades. Haft’s camera work is a wonder. The result is an immersive and eye-opening look at the scientific mechanisms behind these wonders of nature. 

Thank you, We Are Movie Geeks and IMDB, for information about the documentary. 

Molly’s Game with Jessica Chastain & Idris Elba

book, drama, , , , ,

Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the writer who brought us The Social Network, Moneyball, A Few Good Men, and the popular television series The West Wing, takes a turn in the world of Molly Brown with Molly’s Game. A true story about an Olympic hopeful skier’s career is wrecked. At the age of 26, Bloom uses her tenacity, stamina, wits, and perspicacity and takes over the ultimate boys club of exclusive high-stakes poker and builds an empire.

Sorkin directorial debut received an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.  His speed and energy can clearly be felt and seen as we watch Jessica Chastain, two-time Oscar-nominated actress for The Help and Zero Dark Thirty, plays Bloom. Chastain embodies Bloom like she does all the characters she plays.

In an interview, Sorkin talked about how he wanted Chastain to play this role. He envisioned her as Bloom and wrote with her in mind. Clearly, Chastain commands the movie, and Sorkin choice of casting is pristine. As a powerhouse, Chastain becomes Bloom as she runs a high-stakes poker game for a decade before becoming a target of the FBI.

Idris Elba, known for Star Trek: Beyond and Beasts of No Nation, joins Chastain as her only ally and criminal defense lawyer Charlie Jaffey. It is through Jaffey’s story that we learn there is much more Bloom than what was printed in the tabloids. But, this isn’t new news to the audience. We are wiser than Sorkin allows us to be.

Perhaps, that is where the story drops and we are lost among the charismatic supporting characters of the story.  I ask myself, “How did such a bright person alike Bloom get mixed up with a bunch of tainted characters?”

I am not sure if the scene with her father, played by Kevin Costner, answers that question, though I was hoping it would.

Her undoing was Russian gangsters and her abuse of Adderall, Xanax, cocaine, alcohol, and more becoming a drug addict.  She is also abused and kicked, which Sorkin cuts to her skiing accident in the movie. Are these justifiable reasons for her demise?

The movie has a drive and energy coming from Chastain, and I admire her ability to portray such a complicated woman. Perhaps, you will see where Bloom took the wrong turn and ended up going against the Russians and FBI with the help of Jaffey.

Daniel Pemberton’s electronic soundtrack with titles like “Starring Down a Mountain,” “Play Your Hand,” and “All the Beauty in the World” adds to the intensity of the story. Pemberton has an impressive repertoire of both movies and television including Black Mirror, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Steve Jobs (Sorkin wrote the screenplay,) and Peep Show.

Chastain and Elba are surrounded by a stellar supporting cast, including Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong, Bill Camp, and Chris O’Dowd.

The bonus features are light with Building an Empire – Sorkin, and Chastain commenting on Molly Bloom’s true story.

In the final analysis, the positive aspect of Sorkin’s writing and directing is he did not glorify Bloom’s adventure. He presented a tapestry of anticipation, deception, and repartee.

 

James Patterson’s Zoo: Third & Last Season

book, drama, television, thriller, , ,

Zoo: Third Season from CBS is the last season for the drama series based on the novel written by James Patterson and Michael Ledwige.  The story takes a jump forward and is set 10 years after the animals were cured and humanity was left sterile.

The season follows Abraham, played by Nonso Anozie, who is now a doctor and is helping Clementine, played by Gracie Dzienny, find her father Mitch, played by Billy Burke. The huge plot point is Mitch is being held in suspended animation in a secretive location.

The year is now 2027 and the world has reached a tipping point. The human population continues to dwindle due to a sterility problem and devastating threat rises in the form of the hybrids. These hybrids are an army of unstoppable lab-made creatures who are hell-bent on destroying mankind. Although the team has become estranged over the past decade, they are forced to overcome their differences and reunite when they learn that Mitch is alive. As the planet’s future hangs in the balance, the team must race to stop the hybrids and their creator – a shadowy figure with a startling connection to the team’s past.

Another change of events is Jamie, played by Kristen Connolly, is now a successful author trying to find “The Falco” and what is left of the Shepherds. Still, there is Jackson, played by James Wolk, and Logan, played by Josh Salatin. Both are trying to hold the hybrids at bay. As I went through the DVS I discovered that all the characters work super hard to overpower and wipe out the hybrids. At the same time, they are an urgency to find a cure for sterility.

The third season DVD arrives with deleted scenes and a gag reel that complements the whole package as the final season of a series that started off like a rocket ride and slowly fizzled as the storyline became scattered.

The Beguiled

book, drama, remake, , , ,

Directed by Oscar-winner Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), The Beguiled is billed as a seductive thriller. Winner of the Best Director award for Coppola at the 2017 Cannes International Film Festival, the movie is based on the novel and 1971 movie of the same title starring Clint Eastwood and Geraldine Page.

The dark lighting, intense undercurrents, authentic costumes, and scenery set the story as a historical thriller. The exceptional performances include Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, and Elle Fanning.

The story progresses slowly during the Civil War at a Southern girls’ boarding school. One of the 12-year old girls out picking mushrooms discovers an injured enemy soldier, played by Farrell. While he is nursed back to health, the boarding school provides refuge as well. Kirsten Dunst the teacher, Nicole Kidman the headmistress, and Elle Fanning one of the girls, portray southern women who struggle with decorum and visceral desires with the soldier. The soldier slowly becomes intimate with each of the three women, and a sexual tension escalates bringing about an overwhelming rivalry that becomes very dangerous for the soldier.

As mentioned, the story is slow, and some viewers may walk away wondering how a group of women can lose their senses with only one man in their circle.

The soldier’s outcome is not surprising and seems fitting for the circumstances.

Coppola created an authentic setting with costumes, art design, production sets, and music.

The Blu-ray comes with exclusive featurettes taking viewers behind the scenes and exploring Sofia Coppola’s unique vision.

Some of the Features:

A Shift in Perspective -Filmmakers and cast discuss how this version of The Beguiled is a departure from the novel of the same name and its earlier film adaptation. Screenwriter/director Sofia Coppola describes how the talented cast helped bring her vision to life.

A Southern Style – Discover how costumes, hair, and many other elements came together to create an immersive experience not only for the audience but also for the actors.

A Kind of Murder

book, drama, murder, mystery, thriller, ,

Directed by Andy Goddard, who spent quality time directing Downton Abby episodes, A Kind of Murder follows an obsessed crime novelist, played by Patrick Wilson, who is married to a suicidal wife, played by Jessica Biel. The movie is suspenseful, fascinating along with a captivating storyline that includes twists and turns like an old-fashion movie.

With such a talented cast, I was surprised that the movie’s tempo was slow and not as engaging as it could have been like the novel the movie is based. The novel by Patricia Highsmith, who also wrote other popular psychological thrillers such as Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley.

The movie follows a crime novelist obsessed with an unsolved murder case begins to fantasize about committing a crime of his own. His marriage is an unhappy one, and his desire to be free from his beautiful but damaged wife becomes an obsession. But when his wife is found dead the lines blur between innocence and intent, forcing the question who, in fact, is the real killer?

The movie is a thriller and has a story that should be engaging, but somehow it fell flat in the third act.

Officer Downe

action, book, police drama, ,

Directed by Shawn Crahan, Officer Downe is based on the graphic novel of the same name. The movie is a blood-soaked tale of resurrection, revenge, and justice as the story follows an immortal, crime-fighting police officer, played by Kim Coates, and his rookie sidekick, played by Tyler Ross, who learns that being stuck between doing what he thinks is right and what he thinks is best is not an easy task.

The best way to describe this movie is Sin City meets dark science technology. The L.A. policeman is repeatedly resurrected and returned to active duty through a mysterious technology. When a rookie officer named Gable arrives on the scene as backup, we get to see Downe in a different way because Gable discovers there’s much more to the super-cop than a mindless law enforcement super-cop warring against twisted over-the-top super-villains.

The way the movie is told with over the top acting and action might be enjoyable for those you are looking for mindless entertainment. There is no thinking involved with this movie but, like I said, you will be entertained. You might even laugh because it is so over-the-top and unreal.

Sure, there will be those who felt they wasted their time watching the movie because there really isn’t much to it besides mindless fun.

https://youtu.be/csZKFtayo04

The Great Gilly Hopkins

book, children, comedy, drama, family, , , , ,

Directed by Stephen Herek, The Great Gilly Hopkins, is an inspiring film the whole family can enjoy. A true classic story that will capture anyone’s heart. The cast alone is worth renting or buying the movie including Kathy Bates, Octavia Spencer, Glenn Close. These talented women bring so much life to the classic young-adult novel by Katherine Paterson, who also wrote Bridge to Terabithia.

This great tale won the Truly Moving Picture award at the 2016 Heartland Film Festival. The story is about real, emotional, funny and captivating scenes featuring Sophie Nélisse, who was unforgettable in The Book Thief.  She brings her same talent to this adorable movie, which also stars Julia Stiles, who plays Gilly’s mother.

The story follows Gilly as a coming-of-age story about one girl discovering what a family really can be. We met the feisty and headstrong Gilly Hopkins where she has made a name for herself in the foster system. She outwits family after family in hopes of being reunited with her birth mother.

In a comical effort to escape her newest home and overly affectionate foster mother, Mamie Trotter, played by Bates, the young girl devises a scheme she believes will send her mother running to the rescue. When her grand plan backfires, Gilly realizes she may have been wrong about everything in her search to find where she belongs.

The movie brings up questions like “What is a family?” “What is family love?”

I was touch by this film because it holds life lessons with an impressive cast from a charmingly written novel. It all comes to life with a perfect mix of characters. I laughed, cried, and loved it.

Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party Giveaway

book, documentary, Giveaway, movies, ,

hillarysamerHillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party takes a rich peek into America’s future as Dinesh D’Souza, a leading voice in the conservative movement, uncovers the truth of what a country lead by the Democrats will look like if Hillary were President.

With an unprecedented election coming up, this detailed look at the Democrats’ agenda is practically essential viewing. D’Souza is well-known for agitating the film industry with the $33 million earned by his Obama 2016 film.

Bestselling author and influential filmmaker, Dinesh D’Souza reveals the sordid truth about Hillary Clinton and the secret history of the Democratic Party. This important and controversial film was released at a critical time leading up to the 2016 Presidential campaign and challenge the state of American politics. The film is his response to relentless Democratic attacks on Republicans as racist, greedy, and their cold-hearted attitude toward minority concerns.

The movie follows D’Souza as he researches the history and methods of the Democratic party. He indicates records showing Democratic President Andrew Jackson’s expulsion of the Indians to reservations in the 1830s was opposed by Republican congressman Davy Crockett.  Other documents included northern Democrats were key players to slavery’s survival in the pre–Civil War era. The Democrats at the federal level after the war voted against civil rights for blacks. They lost that battle in congress but managed to enforce Jim Crow laws, the former practice of segregating black people in the US, particularly in the South.

There are more records and more evidence that proves the Democrats did block civil rights throughout history such as the 1964 Civil Rights act.

The Hillary’s America includes special features like extended and deleted scenes, along with extended interviews.

Movie Roar has three copies of this controversial film in DVD format to giveaway. You can post your name in the comments and consider yourself in the drawing for the winners.

Sunset Song

book, drama, foreign films, movies, romance, , , , , ,

sunsetsongSunset Song, directed by Terence Davies, follows Chris Guthrie, played steadily by Agyness Deyn, beginning with her in school, where she and her classmates are struggling in a French language class. Soon she meanders along as we get know her family, clearly, a struggle with her beloved mom, played heart-wrenchingly by Daniela Nardini, and her grumpy dad, played solidly by Peter Mullan.

Patently, her mother is not in a nurturing relationship, and her father is abusive with her and his eldest son, Will, played to the hilt by Jack Greenlees. Will longs to leave home because he is fed up with being abused and bossed around by his dad.  The movie meanders more with beautiful scenes of the Scottish land while Chris suffers through hardships. But, she is strong and gets through each poignant moment because the land she lives on never oppressions her and is always there supporting her no matter what tragedy she goes through.

Having Scottish decedents, I wanted to see this movie set in Scotland during the turn of the century and in the shadow of World War I. Sunset Song is the coming of age story of Chris as we follow her through personal hardships. Eventually, Chris is left alone to tend to the family farm and fend for herself against their abusive father, who eventually dies. Believing she finally found happiness, Chris marries Ewan, played intuitively by Kevin Guthrie, who enlists in the army to fight in The Great War, leaving Chris to tend to the family farm by herself. Ewan returns on leave and the brief reunion is not romantic but coarse and hard to bear. Yet, Chris stays strong and tends the farm after Ewan goes back to the front lines in France.

A tale of steadfast resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity. Yet, the meandering feel of the movie is the irony to the story. Such tranquility in the land but harsh injustice in society. Davies direction pulls it off well.

With cinematography by Michael McDonough, the movie looks more than just visually appealing from start to finish. McDonough captures the tone and era along with the heartache and loss of The Great War.

The movie is based on one of Scotland’s most cherished and notable novels in the last century.  A look at six years in the life of a peasant farm family before and just after the bloodshed of World War I. Life was severe, markedly for the women, who had no control over their destiny. The movie is worth seeing if you want an honest Scottish story that wanders incrementally from hardship to hardship.  The dialogue is totally Scottish, so switch on the English subtitles if it bothers you or just set back and enjoy the movie.

High-Rise

book, drama, fantasy, indie, suspense, thriller, , , , , ,

high-riseHigh-Rise, from genre-bending director Ben Wheatley, is an attempt to adapt the classic J.G. Ballard novel of the same name with a brilliant and talented cast including Tom Hiddleston, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans and Golden Globe winner Elisabeth Moss. If you watch the movie knowing it is dark satire, then you might not have a problem watching this movie. It is boring at times because the pacing is off, but the acting is what saves the movie.

But the message is clear and just as poignant today as it follows the inevitable result of a breakdown of social strata and public decorum, known as class warfare. The classic book is a dystopia with a very strong message, but the movie doesn’t even come near to the heart of the book.

Dr. Robert Laing, played pretty solid by Hiddleston, recently moved into a luxury, high-rise apartment building designed by the enigmatic Mr. Royal, played by Irons. With a literal divide of the classes, the wealthiest residents live on the upper floors with the best amenities while residents on the lower floors experience routine blackouts and other disruptions of basic services. As additional flaws in the building begin to emerge, both physically and socially, the lower floor residents revolt, turning the building into a battlefield for an all-out class warfare.

I wanted the movie to be good and worth seeing because the Ballard’s book tells a great story and the actors are really good. Yet, the script and editing could be tighter. It just dragged on and on with no reason.

The Blu-ray comes with some bonus features that includes a commentary from Tom Hiddleston, Ben Wheatley and Producer Jeremy Thomas, an in-depth look at adapting the beloved novel from the page to the screen, a look at the acclaimed film’s 70s set design, special effects, and more.