Movie Review: Three Average Movies That Have Some Memorable Moments For Moviegoers
Whale Rider – 2 stars (average)
“Whale Rider” is the story of an 11-year-old Maori girl who must overcome her grandfather’s prejudices and tribal tradition to fulfill her destiny and become the leader of her ancient aboriginal tribe on New Zealand’s North Island.
Only the eldest son becomes the designated heir to carry on the timeless knowledge from one generation to the next, but “Pai” (Paikea played by Keisha Castle-Hughes) is determined to do so despite the odds.
Pai’s twin brother, who was supposed to fill the role of the next tribal leader, dies at birth with his mother. His father is so distraught that he leaves the island and the tradition, leaving his grandfather Koro (Rawiri Paratene) and his grandmother (Vicky Houghton) to raise Pai. His grandfather Koro’s belief system will not allow him to compromise centuries of tradition.
On the east coast of New Zealand, the Whangara people believe their presence there dates back a thousand years or more to a single ancestor, Paikea, who escaped death when his canoe capsized as he came ashore on the back of a whale.
This was not just a movie, but a real tradition. Because Pai was doing traditional Maori things that women are not supposed to do, the cast and crew performed special Maori chants to prevent any bad luck that might arise.
Whale Rider will test your songwriting, melt your heart, and make you want to scream. Child actress Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her incredible performance (won by Charlize Theron in “Monster”). Whale Rider garnered another 29 award winners and another 28 nominations.
The whales in the film were depicted using a combination of images of real whales, life-size models with humans creating movement, and some computer-assisted assistance. Castle-Hughes said the key scene in the whale ride took place 15 to 20 miles offshore and was terrifying.
This movie should get a good rating instead of an average rating (the story line is THAT good), but it suffers from terrible sound management that makes it hard to follow at times. I would watch this movie again, which is saying something when I rate a movie average.
Gloria – 2 stars (average)
“Glory” showcases the bravery of the first company of black volunteer soldiers of the American Civil War as they battle prejudice from both their own Union army and their enemy, the Confederates.
The 54th Massachusetts is trained and led into battle by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick), a young idealist and abolitionist from a wealthy family. Gould, like 54, is pretty much on the hook for everyone involved. He is supported by Sergeant Major John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman), the highest-ranking African-American soldier, and Private Trip (Denzel Washington), a runaway slave.
Washington won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe for his performance. Glory also won Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, Oscar nominations for Best Art Direction and Film Editing, and Golden Globe nominations for Best Director (Edward Zwick), Best Score (James Horner) and Best Screenplay (Kevin Jarre).
Glory is long overdue. America is full of people who want to take credit for things they didn’t do; It’s nice to see credit and recognition being given to Americans who bravely did something honorable.
Chris Rock: Bigger & Blacker – 2 stars (average)
This is a classic stand-up comedy routine at the famous Apollo Theater in New York City from America’s Greatest Comedian in 1999, Chris Rock. Billing himself as a comedian only, Rock actually delivers social information and relationship truths wrapped up in the word “fk” in what felt like 1,000 repeats in 65 minutes onstage.
Chris Rock offers his sharp insights and the truth of his time on the cultural vulgarity that is the common talk of the ghetto in the African-American communities of the metropolitan area. He cuts the language (he ignores the delivery method) and Chris Rock is very impressive as a comedian and social observer in 1999.
Copyright © 2008 Ed Bagley