Replenished Gibson presents the epic to end all epics

“Apocalypto”
Starring: Rudy Youngblood
4 stars out of 4


Having seen previews for “Apocalypto” months and months ago, I looked at it as another risky gamble from controversial director Mel Gibson that probably wouldn’t pan out with major audiences, or even anyone. Gibson has a gift behind the camera that few possess. He shoots in exotic locations and his costumes and set designs are beyond exceptional, that along with bold storytelling make “Apocalypto,” one of this year’s best.

As the Maya kingdom faces its decline, the rulers insist the key to prosperity is to build more temples and offer human sacrifices. Jaguar Paw (Rudy Youngblood), a young man chosen for sacrifice, flees the kingdom to avoid his fate. Leaving his son and pregnant wife behind, Jaguar knows he must escape his captors and return to his family. Although the film is completely in Mayan, the English subtitles have no distractions towards the film.

Gibson is so talented with his original and lost material, I have honestly never set a glance on the images and moments Gibson creates in this epic story of survival. He places his main character Jaguar in so much danger and near death that the audience is always gasping during his fleeing scene, which is the whole 2nd half of the movie. The first half is all leading up to it, the civilization is crumbling, and more are needed to be sacrificed. When you watch the film, you will constantly become baffled at how they shot some of the scenes, and how much research had gone into this, although it won’t garner any acting nominations, it should be a lock for makeup, cinematography, and costume design. Since the competition will be rather stiff for foreign language film, and Gibson’s stagnant reputation, the academy could shy away from the film altogether.

If there were any negative aspects of the film, I’d say the dialogue could have been tweaked, and the lack of a larger storyline, although what was in front of me was ambitious and non-stop great filmmaking. Mel Gibson should really consider staying out of the public eye, and focus on being behind the camera more, when he is, he makes outstanding, and thought provoking material. For its braveness and pure heart, “Apocalpyto,” is a very straightforward film about the beginning of the end, and what is to come afterwards. I was thrilled for 2 and half hours

An extremely satisfying 138 minutes

“Little Children”
Starring: Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Noah Emmerich, and Jackie Earle Haley.
4 stars out of 4


I wouldn’t even know where to start describing and dissecting “Little Children.” A film so rare and true to it’s nature, that I would be shocked if I didn’t gather several Oscar nominations. New Line has failed to market the film appropriately, and that will serve as its downfall come award season, unless it gets a late push come December.
Todd Field is a master crafter; he knows the ins and outs of the settings that he paints. Field’s last effort “In the Bedroom” was he debut film, it garnered many nominations, and it’s stood on its own as one of the best finds of 2001. Field, who has been away from the big-screen, returns swiftly as we come to notice fast that only he could create a film with so many haunting, but yet true and bold undertones.

The film takes place over a very long summer, we are always sitting in on conversations at the playground, or the local pool, Field creates such innocence, and as much guilt at the same time. Winslet plays Sarah Pierce, whose young daughter Lucy doesn’t get as much attention as she should at her age, Sarah has a PhD in English literature, but never finished her dissertation. She is now a stay at home mom, while her husband Richard is off at work all day, or is he? Sarah and Richard are never really on speaking terms, mainly after Sarah catches him sniffing the panties of an online woman who likes to be called by all of her fans, or net perverts, “Slutty” Kay. Sarah dulls around all day long, taking Lucy to the playground and sitting with the other mothers, who fantasize about Brad (Wilson) who they call the “Prom King”, due to him being so dreamy, and of course, them not knowing his name. Brad is marred to Kathy (Connelly) who is a PBS type documentary-film maker, while she isn’t at work she protects and loves there young son Aaron, who Brad entertains all day with Kathy is at work.
Brad has failed the bar-exam twice, and is constantly pressed by Kathy to attempt a third try. When he is pretending to go to classes, Brad watches the local young kids skate around, a young life Brad still obsesses about, no responsibility or commitment.

Meanwhile a local pedophile has just moved back into town with his mother, Ronnie McCorvey, played to a haunting tee by Earle Haley, is one of the many characters we feel bad for, he is also the only one who is grown up and faces reality, unlike Sarah and Brad who aren’t doers. The town hates the idea of McCorvey roaming around amongst the many children, one particular man who hates this is former cop Larry Hedges (Emmerich), since he got kicked of the force for mistakenly shooting a black kid, Larry has arranged a late night touch football team. Larry introduces Brad to this, and also to the pleasures that he gets from damaging McCorvey’s property, and making sure everyone knows this man lives amongst them.

The film is so complicated as these characters come to grip with there needs, there pleasures, and there regrets. Field is truly crafty in the way he presents equal screen time to everyone, but mostly Sarah and Brad, who share an intimate and truthful affair over the summer. Neither realizes the consequences that might arise, but they feel comfortable and safe with each other, recognizing one another needs at all times. They are happy together, but will it last?

Todd Field’s sophomore effort takes the closest look at modern suburbia since “American Beauty” and asks some pretty tough questions. I try to think of weaknesses of the film, but I draw a blank, although the ending was realistic, I wanted a little more. Other than that “Little Children” proves that acting, dialogue, and characters on the edge can truly form a stellar movie. Although I had to watch the film on my computer, I look forward to watching it again, and hopefully it comes to a local theatre to capture all of the cinematic effects. The film also has a narrator, that doesn’t hand feed us what is happening, but simply adds another touch to the characters thoughts and flaws. Wow do these characters have flaws, but I’ve never cared for, or identified with them more in my life. Keep it up Todd Field; you have made two great films.

Oscar Predictions

Best Picture
-Babel- Needs support from the supporting categories to be a for sure nod (4/4)
-The Departed-Pretty much a lock for a nomination (4/4)
-Dreamgirls-A lock for a nomination, also the supposed frontrunner (not seen yet)
-Little Miss Sunshine- Breakthrough of the year, (3.5/4)
-The Queen-This is Capote of last year, will garner a best directing nod, and will win best actress(3.5/4)
Darkhorses-Children of Men, Blood Diamond, Little Children, Flags of our Fathers, the Good Shepherd

Best Director
-Martin Scorsese(The Departed)-A lock for a nom., has missed out on the gold his previous 4 noms.
-Clint Eastwood(Flags of our Fathers)-Looks to be a nom, although his film could miss out on best pic nomination
-Stephen Frears(The Queen)-Will get a nomination
-Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittu(Babel)-This will be close, academy voters like voting for foreign directors, and how could you not with how good this film is
-Bill Condon(Dreamgirls)-Lock for a nomination

Best Actor
-Ryan Gosling(Half-Nelson) Breakthrough performance, small indie with a lot of heart
-Will Smith(Pursuit of Happyness) This will probably be the film's only nomination
-Peter O Toole(Venus) Due for an Oscar
-Forest Whitaker(The Last King of Scotland) Voters have placed him in this category, it's probably his race to lose
-Leonardo Dicaprio(The Departed or Blood Diamond) Strong acting in both films will give Leo a nod.

Best Actress
-Helen Mirren(The Queen) Lock for a nom, probably lock for a win
-Kate Winslet(Little Children) New Line better start pushing this film hard, it's getting raves, but no one has seen it
-Judi Dench(Notes on a Scandal) Seems fair
-Meryl Streep(The Devil Wears Prada) Weak year, and good performance
-Penelope Cruz (Volver) Voters love those foreign performances with heart
Darkhorses-Beyonce Knowles(Dreamgirls)

Best Supporting Actor
-Jack Nicholson(The Departed) Jack is a lock for a nod.
-Jackie Earle Haley(Little Children) Said to be one of the best performances this year, again not many have seen this movie, will need a wider release to expose this performance, and the film itself.
-Michael Sheen(The Queen) A safe bet
-Eddie Murphy(Dreamgirls) Said to have been his best performance ever, will he attract voters?
-Adam Beach(Flags of our Fathers)Not sure here, but could get a nod.
Darkhorses-Ben Affleck(Hollywoodland) Alan Arkin(Little Miss Sunshine) Brad Pitt(Babel)

Best Supporting Actress
-Abigail Breslin(Little Miss Sunshine)-Youngster could get a nod.
-Jennifer Hudson(Dreamgirls) Frontrunner
-Rinko Kikuchi(Babel) Praying she get's noticed for this heartbreaking performance
-Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal)Seems like a safe bet
-Adrianna Barazza(Babel) Yes, 2 Babel stars could get nods.
Darkhorses-Demi Moore, Sharon Stone(Bobby) Sandra Bullock(Infamous)