Tag: Movie Review

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
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
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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Lifted 2010 – Featuring Uriah Shelton

Lifted01

 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.

Bullied

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.

Opening Scene

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. [ti_audio media=”1646″] This opening scene was very refreshing, unlike so many other Hollywood films that always seem to feature divorce or broken home relationships. Continue reading “Lifted 2010 – Featuring Uriah Shelton”