PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

  Overall Impression — I don’t know what they were smoking, but I want some. THE FOUR QUESTIONS  Who’s the main character? — Jack Sparrow, but only by default.   At various times Will drives the story, Elizabeth drives the story, Barbossa drives the story, there’s probably some sub-plot I missed where the third pirate… Continue reading PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END

ENCHANTED

 Overall Impression — A confused movie that delivers more sizzle than steak.  THE FOUR QUESTIONS Who’s the main character? — Giselle. What’s she trying to accomplish? —  Sort of return to Andalusia (her fairy tale realm) but she doesn’t actively try to do that much after a few first efforts.  Her main drive is to… Continue reading ENCHANTED

INTO THE WILD

Overall Impression  — A beautiful movie experience which DELIBERATELY DEFIES NARRATIVE STORY STRUCTURE. THE FOUR QUESTIONS  Who’s your main character? — Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch). What’s he trying to accomplish? — Go to Alaska and have an existential experience living in the wild. Who’s trying to stop him? — Nature, resources, the amazing people that… Continue reading INTO THE WILD

HAIRSPRAY

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