Overall Impression — Infectious fun that compensates for a certain lightness of story. THE FOUR QUESTIONS Who’s the main character? — Tracy Turnblad. What’s she trying to accomplish? — She’s trying to fall in love with Link, get the Corny Collins show integrated, and win the Miss Teenage Hairspray competition. Who’s trying to stop her? — Station manager… Continue reading HAIRSPRAY
Author: Jeffrey Alan Schechter
3:10 TO YUMA
Overall Impression — A well-crafted movie that tries to do everything right and succeeds from a structural viewpoint, but is ultimately undone by some unclear character motivations. THE FOUR QUESTIONS Who’s the main character? — Christian Bale’s Dan Evans. What’s he trying to accomplish? — Save the family ranch by getting the outlaw Ben Wade (Russell… Continue reading 3:10 TO YUMA
MARTIAN CHILD
Overall Impression — A feel-good movie that tries a little too hard, with a seriously misplaced antagonist. THE FOUR QUESTIONS Who’s the main character? — John Cusack’s character of David. What’s he trying to accomplish? — He’s trying to adopt a troubled child. Who’s trying to stop him? — His own personal doubts, his sister,… Continue reading MARTIAN CHILD
TRANSFORMERS
Overall Impression — Odd, inconsistent tone that veers between cartoon comedy and serious violence. Cool effects, though. THE FOUR QUESTIONS Who’s the main character? — Sam Witwicky. What’s he trying to accomplish? — Save the world by enabling the good robots to defeat the bad robots. Who’s trying to stop him? — Megatron, as well… Continue reading TRANSFORMERS