Hugo Magically Enchanting Amazingly Heartwarming

“I’d imagine the whole world was one big machine. Machines never come with any extra parts you know?”

Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret

From the opening scenes Hugo catapults its audience into an adventure of wonder and intrigue. The use of 3D magic coupled with digital animation and live actors sets the stage for this wide eyed wondrous cinematic creation.

The film boast an all-star cast starring two amazing young actors Asa Butterfield as Hugo Cabret, and Chloe Grace Moretz as Isabelle.   The relationship between the two begins when Hugo’s life inadvertently becomes intertwined with the life of Isabelle’s Step Father. Their friendship bonds grow even stronger after becoming aware that both of them were orphaned through the loss of their parents.

Asa Butterfield

Hugo (Asa Butterfield) is simply amazing in this film made for the entire family.  One of the first things I noted was his superb acting ability through his use of his facial expressions.  Not since Elijah Wood have I seen this in any young actor.  The masterful use of the camera by director Martin Scorsese  zooming in on our young protégé’s face peering through a huge mechanical clock, drew in the audience and immediately made us feel that we were about to see the world through the eyes of Hugo!

Asa played his part so convincingly that I immediately felt that I was a part of his great adventure and not just a spectator.  His supreme ability to show the proper emotions of hurt, pain, loss, and joy throughout the story made this film more than believable.

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Real Steel Has Reel Appeal

From the beginning of this film you know it’s going to be one that is not only filled with excitement and great special effects but one that has a back-story that will also touch your heart.

Young Max Kenton played by charming 12 year old Dakota Goyo not only supports his co superstar Hugh Jackman, but at times steals the show.

If you have not yet seen this late Summer Box Office thrill ride, you still have time to view it in its entire large screen splendor at many local theaters.

This Smash-um, Bash-um, Rock-um-Sock-um Sci-fi story is not only well produced, but directed in such a way that it masterfully relates its story of relationships, hurts, joys, and the struggle to hold on to your dreams without losing the most meaningful things in your life.

Dakota Goyo "Click for Poster Size Picture"

Hugh Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, a down on his luck ex-boxer who lost his championship boxing career by being replaced by large futuristic fighting robots.  With his life in the state of turmoil due to the loss of his wife, family, and job, he now scrounges parts to create a robot that can compete in the arena and hopefully bring back his respected status among his peers.  Of course this isn’t working out so well, and to make things worse, his ex-wife passes away leaving him his twelve year old son whom he has no time for.  The very thought of becoming a full time Father is the last thing on his list of things to do.

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Lifted 2010 – Featuring Uriah Shelton

 It’s been awhile since any film has made an impact on me like August Rush or Pay it Forward.  While “Lifted” should not be compared to these two films, it is a unique film that was both touching and aroused the same emotional feelings and response as the other two films.

Henry Matthews (Uriah Shelton) is a young, slim built, bullied boy, who is just trying to survive middle school.  He was bullied in part due to his mother, who was a recovering drug addict, and the fact that Henry was a misfit in his class among his peers.  At the same time Henry was an extremely talented boy who was not only charming and good looking but had a musical skill that stood out above the rest.  A chip off the block of his Father, played by (Dash Mihok), who portrayed a Marine reservist and struggling auto mechanic, trying to make ends meet and help his wife with her recovery efforts.

This film captured my heart immediately in its opening scene.  Uriah was singing with his Father at the table in an impromptu cover of “Sunshine” which was done extremely well as an opener, showcasing not only Uriah’s beautiful unbroken voice but showing the closeness of the family unit.

This opening scene was very refreshing, unlike so many other Hollywood films that always seem to feature divorce or broken home relationships. … Continue Reading

“Super 8″ A Super Ten!

I have always been a fan of coming of age movies which include young actors in starring roles and have followed the careers of youngsters like Fred Savage, Elijah Woods, Haley Joel Osment, Josh Hutcherson, Thomas Sangster, Freddie Highmore, and more recently Troye Sivan, and Jaden Smith.

Now, along comes newcomer Joel Courtney, who more than captivated my interest in his portrayal of Joe Lamb, in “Super 8”, J.J. Abrams’s 1979-set film about a group of kids who witness a spectacular train crash while attempting to film a horror flick.

This movie was more than what I even expected.  With all the Hollywood special effect films that have come out recently, I have sometimes walked away feeling disenchanted due to a lame storyline or poor acting.  This film was a pleasure to watch largely due to the cast of youngsters who portrayed their roles with professionalism that would usually be expected from much more experienced actors.  I was quickly drawn into the story because they convinced me that I was more than an observer but one who was a part of their unique company of friends.

Of course it’s no secret that I’m a Sci-fi Action Adventure freak, but I also enjoy a good drama that causes you to think, not just duck bullets or things flying out of the screen at you. This film did both for me.  Not only was it exciting, with a crazy unknown alien creature running about destroying things and striking fear into the small town of citizens, but it also wove a wonderful story of friendship, understanding, grief, and emotion which must be seen in its entirety to be fully enjoyed

The success of this movie is not found in the special effects even though my hat is off to Steven Spielberg for once again captivating me with his amazing film producing talents. It’s this group of young actors that really brought the story to life, making the unbelievable convincingly real, through the excellent portrayals of their characters.

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“The Karate Kid 2010″

Jaden Smith

While I don’t usually write this kind of article and leave it for the pros like Skykid I just could not go to sleep until I created a new publication on my site. Who knows this may not be a first and last movie review by Rivenmaster!

You see, I just returned home from viewing “The Karate Kid” movie starring young Jaden Smith as Dre Parker. I must say that I was really disappointed! You ask why? Because I’m usually right in what my expectations of a movie are going to be. I have been very disappointed in the past with copycat films. And I just did not believe that there could ever be another film that could match the original staring Ralph Macchio. Having all three of the Karate Kid Films from the series in my personal collection and refusing to purchase the ones that followed due to their lame stories I was expecting to see just another copycat. Instead I was overjoyed and enthralled with this remake to the point that I must say that I personally feel it was better than the original film.

While Jaden, due to his relationship, will most likely always stand in the shadow of his father (Will Smith), I can truly say that Jaden stands alone as the best choice in the casting for this role. I noticed in the credits that Will Smith was one of the producers of the film so we can be doubly proud of the Smith family’s contribution to this gem of a movie! Truly, Jaden proved himself to be an actor in his own right and he stands in nobody’s shadow in this regard. The chemistry which builds between his instructor Mr. Han, Jackie Chan is unspeakably magic! There is a touching scene in which Mr. Han explains the loss of his family to young Dre. We watched through tears of own the tears that flow down both of their faces. Jackie has always had a comedic side to most of his films, even in the midst of action, but never have I seen him play such a dramatic role so well! I can’t say enough about how these two actors together drew me into the film causing me to experience every hurt, pain, anguish, and overwhelming joy of victory that played throughout the film. Over all the entire cast did splendid with their portrayal of their characters. In fact I think what made this film for me was that they actually used younger children in these roles rather than the middle age teens in the original. The coming of age time in life is always the hardest. Working through finding out who you are, where you stack up in the world, along with the new feelings for the opposite sex and the confusion of adult worries starting to creep in makes this an even more powerful film as it addresses each issue.

The cinematography was magnificent with every shot carefully thought out! The splendid colors and the beautiful scenery of China’s Forbidden City in Beijing was breathtaking. I was sitting down in front which is not always where I sit, but I was so glad I did as this scenery just enveloped me making me desire to reach out and touch the great walls and climb the steps to the top of that glorious mountain. The music score was also done in a way that added to the film rather than distract from it. When I come out of a movie saying I want to look for that soundtrack you can guarantee that the audio team performed their work in style. Of course all the young girls had to be happy with the trailer music as Justin Bieber sings his song “Never Say Never”

I close this review with one last statement of endorsement! Don’t wait for the DVD on this movie. You will miss too much watching it on anything smaller than what it was intended for, The Large Screen! Buy a bag of your favorite treats, a soda, and be sure your best friend is sitting next to you! Because you are in for over two hours of pure enjoyment !