Movie Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Light sci-fi yarn with fine actors all around
but parsecs away from quality of the original _ 5/10

The Day the Earth Stood StillProfessor Barnhardt: There must be alternatives. You must have some technology that could solve our problem.
Klaatu: Your problem is not technology. The problem is you. You lack the will to change.
Professor Barnhardt: Then help us change.
Klaatu: I cannot change your nature. You treat the world as you treat each other.
Professor Barnhardt: But every civilization reaches a crisis point eventually.
Klaatu: Most of them don’t make it.
Professor Barnhardt: Yours did. How?
Klaatu: Our sun was dying. We had to evolve in order to survive.
Professor Barnhardt: So it was only when your world was threatened with destruction that you became what you are now.
Klaatu: Yes.
Professor Barnhardt: Well that’s where we are. You say we’re on the brink of destruction and you’re right. But it’s only on the brink that people find the will to change. Only at the precipice do we evolve. This is our moment. Don’t take it from us, we are close to an answer. Continue reading

Movie Review: Stuck in Love (2012)

Love and morality play for writers of two generations 8_10

StuckThese are the kinds of movies I like—romance, with loss and love found (or lost), especially among the youthful who are new to the experience. Some guys like action and adventure, me, I’m all into the subtle language of relationships. And speaking of language, the principal characters are working or soon-to-be -working writers. [Stuck even has the bonus of Stephen King in the movie, playing himself via telephone voice.] Also, everyone connected with this movie is really competent at what they’re doing. Continue reading