PAGE 14 FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 2010
THE PAPER DANA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
ENTERTAINMENT
Best 300 Million Dollars Ever Spent By Pia Bhathal Editor-in-Chief
A $300 million budget, 12 years and state-of-the-art technology has definitely paid off for director James Cameron, as his newest motion picture, “Avatar,” has become the second-highest grossing film worldwide. Continuing to sell out in Imax 3D weeks after its release, the film is well on its way to become the highest grossing motion picture in history, surpassing Cameron’s “Titanic.” The appropriate word to describe “Avatar” is an experience. An experience that fully absorbs audiences for nearly three hours, taking them on an out-of-body journey to a new planet, Pandora. Pandora is inhabited by the Na’vi, a race strongly connected with the spirits of the natural world, who worship a goddess known as Eywa. War
veteran Jake Sulley signs onto a mission to mine for a reserve of the valuable mineral unobtanium. With an ‘avatar’ identity, Jake is ordered to learn about the Na’vi and their culture in an attempt to persuade them to relocate to a different region on Pandora. However, when Jake falls in love with a Na’vi named Neytiri, he bonds with the tribe and begins to appreciate the natural world they live in. When the Na’vi refuse to give up their home and an adamant Colonel threatens to destroy Pandora’s natural beauty, Jake is forced to choose a side in an epic war. Although “Avatar” presents the common scenario of boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, it effectively addresses concerns that our world is dealing with today – corporate prominence and environmental chaos. The motion picture resonates with today’s generation, forcing us to take a hard look at
our actions and how they affect the rest of the world. The simple storyline, which does not become apparent until long after leaving the theater, frankly does not matter in comparison to what truly makes the film impressive – technical innovation and execution. In Imax 3D, Pandora fully comes to life right in front of your eyes. Its lush landscape and vivid colors engulf the screen, as special effects are taken to an entirely new level. The technology used in “Avatar” is definitely cuttingedge and raises the bar for future action adventure films. “Avatar” is a perfect display of imaginative filmmaking, which has finally arrived on the big screen following several years of absence, surely making it one of the best films of the year. Receiving well deserved accolades, “Avatar” picked up Golden Globes for Best Director and Best Film on Sun. Jan. 17.
photo courtesy of Google Images
With the determination of a true warrior, Jake Sully prepares to take down a flying beast in his Avatar body. It is nominated for multiple Screen Actors Guild and Academy Awards. My recommendation: If
After escaping the clutches of death, Tony and Valentina work together to discover his true identity.
Imaginarium of Mediocrity By Marilyn La Jeunesse Feature Editor
What do colossal jellyfish, meditating monks and the midget from “Austin Powers” all have in common? Absolutely nothing, except the fact that they all make an appearance in the overly imaginative, mindboggling movie “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.” This film is unusual and original in both plot and casting. The late Heath Ledger is the star of the movie. When Ledger’s untimely death occurred in early 2008, director Terry Gilliam cast Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to take turns portraying Ledger’s character, Tony. In any other movie, the death of the main star would sabotage the entire plot. Instead, Gilliam cleverly allows Tony to step through the magic mirror and enter the imagination of Doctor Parnassus. Once in the dream realm, Tony would physically transform into Depp, Law and eventually Farrell. The film is incredibly unique, because it is all about imagination and the decisions that people make in life. In the movie, the incredible Doctor
Parnassus makes a deal with the devil to receive immortality and youth in exchange for his first-born child when the child turns 16. Parnassus is the leader of a traveling theatre troupe struggling on the streets of London to make ends meet in modern times. Meanwhile, the conniving Mr. Nick, the Devil in disguise, comes to collect Parnassus’ child, who is fastapproaching 16. Though the movie is both thrilling and enchanting, the acting is somewhat mediocre. Additionally, this is not a movie that one would view to relax; you have to follow the movie very carefully to keep up with everything that is happening. Without having known why Ledger’s character changes his appearance once he passes through the portal, one would be utterly confused. The movie itself is a bit quirky and out-of-this-world; it felt almost as though the entire movie was created as a psychedelic visual piece instead of an actual film with a working plot. It is highly recommended for all those who were fans of the movie “Across the Universe,” except this movie doesn’t include any teenagers
singing horrible renditions of Beatles’ classics. “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is instead filled with ironic symbolism and ingeniously hidden satire. I do feel the need to point out that Ledger’s untimely death is ironic, because when we are first introduced to his character, Tony is found hanging by a rope underneath a bridge. Although this fact may be upsetting to some, it was not not foreshadowing to Ledger’s fate and not intended to poke fun at the actor’s death. Altogether, the movie was a vast change from all the predictable love stories, chilling horror movies and masculine action flicks. It is an artistic oddity that takes your imagination to the limits as well as touches on a moral basis. Ledger’s farewell performance will not be as famous as his role in “The Dark Night,” but it is one to remember. The film is dedicated to Ledger. The movie is not an award winner, but it’s still an entertaining journey if you aren’t expecting too much. Keep in mind what the doctor himself said as you venture into the land unknown: “don’t worry if you don’t get it all at once.”
haven’t seen it in Imax 3D, spend the extra money for the full cinematic experience. It’s worth it.
Obviously, the material in Lovely Bones is much heavier than the average movie, and such weight can often come off as cheesy when not handled artfully. While I will concede to the fact that some scenes are as corny as a Pilgrim Thanksgiving, I feel that director Peter Jackson skillfully and carefully orchestrated the horrific proceedings. The acting was certainly the neon yellow highlight of the film, with big-name actors filling almost all of the roles. Ronan’s heart wrenching portrayal of Susie will break your heart, and Stanley Tucci’s unsettling, Academy Award nominated performance as the killer will harden you and have you crossing your fingers for revenge. While not usually instrumental in the critical success
of the film, the visual effects were cited by many reviewers as one of the major downfalls of the film. Jackson was left with the extremely difficult and sensitive task of visually interpreting Susie’s spirit world and the heavens beyond, and apparently critics were considerably displeased. I have to agree that certain segments were excessive – I really don’t think that Sebold would have seen her literary inventions as so psychedelic and, at times, jovial. But I respect many of Jackson’s artistic decisions, especially considering the task he was given. Overall, the movie is a heavy load for viewers, but there is a dim light at the end of this dark and dreary tunnel. If you don’t go expecting a diamond, you might just find a piece of gold.
Beautifully Chilling, But Far from Lovely By Devin Valenciano Entertainment Editor
photo courtesy of Google Images
you have yet to see “Avatar,” don’t wait for it to release on DVD, and make sure to catch it while in theatres. And if you
Once in a rare while, I drag myself to the movie theater to see a film plagued with less than stellar reviews. Typically, I’ll leave with the bitter taste of wasted money in my mouth, marveling at the mediocrity that somehow ended up on the big screen. But if you sift through enough dirt, eventually you’ll find a sizeable chunk of gold as a reward for your patient perseverance. In Lovely Bones, critics saw an excessive, overly dramatic interpretation of Alice Sebold’s bestselling novel that strayed too far from the original plot; in Lovely Bones, I saw a beautifully chilling, wonderfully thrilling story of life, death and everything that comes afterwards. In the first lines of the movie, narrator Susie Salmon, portrayed by Academy Award nominated Saoirse Ronan, solemnly informs her audience of her murder. Such an open introduction shocks the audience into attention and turns the exposition into a 20 minute wait for the inevitable horrors that befall the adorably innocent youth. It is then that the realization sets in – this story tells not of life with Susie but of life without her. Susie is unable to proceed to heaven with her killer left undiscovered, so she watches the earthly happenings from a spiritual middle ground. Her family is left devastated by the loss, but the father, played by Mark Wahlberg, is particularly destroyed by the death of his child. Life without Susie becomes nothing but a tireless endeavor to discover the identity of his daughter’s murderer.
photo courtesy of Google Images
Acting on the whims of her innocent curiosity and youth, Susie Salmon falls into the trap of her ruthless killer.