Zero Dark Thirty is the gripping true life account of the hunt for Osama bin Laden and Kathryn Bigelow superbly tells that story through the eyes of our protagonist Maya. [Read more...]
HST…Film Review: Argo
10/11/2012 by 2 Comments
Lauren: In a time of war, there is nothing quite like propagandistic films to sway us in our feelings towards a certain group of people. Seriously, after the first 10 minutes of this film you will hate Iran. Wait… That’s not the point of this movie? Oh, my bad. [Read more...]
Looking Ahead to 2012 – Quarter 4 (October – December)
10/01/2012 by 2 Comments
Alright people, it’s almost the end of the year – which means some big releases are coming out. Some of the biggest albums, movies, and video games are slatted for release, making for one incredible last quarter in 2012. Enough of this, let’s get to our selections. [Read more...]
HST’s Best of 2011: Television
01/04/2012 by Leave a Comment
With so much of my (Lauren’s) personality constructed by Television, from PBS shows of my childhood to everything Joss Whedon that influenced my sense of humor and sarcasm, it’s no surprise that every year I get pretty excited for the pilots making their attempt to gain viewers. Not only that, but sometimes I go crazy fanatic for those shows I have come to love for seasons and seasons. Chuck is only a half season!? Community is getting shelved!? NNNOOO!!!! Good thing there are some great new shows that helped these irritated wounds sting a little less. [Read more...]
Now Playing Review – Super 8
06/10/2011 by 1 Comment
Those still plagued by their childhood fears of ET rejoice! Though J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 pays deep respect to Steven Spielberg’s beloved (by others) classic, we are now old enough to appreciate these films without cowering behind our blankets. And thank goodness because Super 8 is not one to be missed.
In a time where movie trailers are not shy about revealing key plot points, that for Super 8 refuses to ruin anything for the audience. However, if you still want to have a faint idea of the setup then I will say this: a small group of kids making a movie of their own are thrown into a creature feature greater than what they could have ever imagined after witnessing a train accident on the edge of town. As it derails in quite the distracting fashion, something far worse than stowaway hobos stealthily emerges from its train car to seek shelter in the nearby town. [Read more...]
Review: Super 8
06/10/2011 by Leave a Comment
Super 8 is a fun and fine looking homage to Spielberg, as is intended. But I can’t help but feel it could have been more given a bit better characterization and fully engaging some of its really interesting ideas surrounding the secret of the film.
There is no need to get into plot here because JJ Abrams doesn’t want us to. I for one appreciate that sentiment as I hate that I can’t comfortably watch TV spots or trailers anymore without seeing a bit/to way to much spoilery footage in them. The gist of the story is a group of kids, who are making a movie on their Super 8 camera, experience a train crash in which something covertly escapes and begins causing disturbances around town. That is all I am giving you.
And that is all you need to know. The mystery, surprise, and suspense the story throws at you is what makes the film fun and JJ Abrams is more than up for taking us for the ride. Like I said in the opening, the film has a lot of great ideas and I love a lot of them. The execution of some of these ideas fall short while others soar and I will hit on those that worked for me first. The train crash mentioned above is incredible and exhilarating and will go down as one of the set pieces of the summer. [Read more...]
The Decade's Best – King Kong (2005)
06/30/2009 by Leave a Comment
This is the first of a new column I will be writing for the remainder of the year culminating with a best of the decade list when it is all said and done. It’s almost hard to believe the first decade of this new millennium is almost over, but that just means we get to start debating what where the best films of this young century and why we think so. Over the next six months we will have a series of essays of my reflection and discussion on what made these films great to me and why I would love for you readers to seek them out. So sit back, take a gander, and let me know what you think. Agree, disagree, call me an idiot, but let me know in the comments why you loved it, hated it, or thought these films were just ok. So without further ado I give you my first entry into the series…
Peter Jackson’s – King Kong (2005)
After Peter Jackson finished the Lord of the Rings trilogy he could have made any, and I mean any, film he wanted to. He could have released a three hour film about a box of Cheez-it’s that cost 100 Million to make and it would have made its money back; well maybe. But Jackson choose to dive head first into another classic tale and one that he had held dear since his childhood, King Kong. [Read more...]
Review: The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)
12/16/2008 by Leave a Comment
Keanu Reeves stars in this remake of the lauded cautionary tale original, putting a relevant green spin on things; the effect is a solid sci-fi thriller that operates with reserve instead of going way over the top.
Helen Benson (Jenifer Connelly) is a scientist that deals with studying bacteria and elements on outer space bodies like the moons of Jupiter when she is quickly called by an anonymous voice and is swooped away by the government to advise on a potential collision with a fast moving object heading directly for earth. The object is traveling near the speed of light and is able to switch directions to pinpoint itself on a Manhattan target and the impending destruction does not pan out, as the object slows down and lands in the middle of Central Park without damage. What lands is a large swirling orb of light that an alien of some sort emerges from barely visible through a blinding light. When a shot goes off and injures the alien, Helen who had landed in the park after the object touched down, rushes to his side just as a large robot emerges from the light emitting a piercing noise that “paralyzes” everyone and causes all electronics to fail in the area. [Read more...]
