Movie Review: Unbroken

Unbroken has arrived in theaters and while I feel it is a competently made film, I did not find it to be a particularly good film. It is a movie that feels emotionally manipulative rather than genuine, it tells a slightly disjointed tale that covers its subject in broad strokes while never really digging beneath the surface. I will say nothing bad about the real subject of the film, what Louis Zamperini was forced to endure and his efforts to retain his humanity, his morals, and fight through incredibly adverse conditions. His is not the only tale like this, but it is an amazing one nonetheless. Unfortunately, the movie is not nearly as engrossing as the reality is.

Movie Review: Maleficent

Coming on the heels of Alice in Wonderland (the Burton one), Oz: The Great and Powerful, and Snow White and the Huntsman (never bothered with Mirror, Mirror), I found it difficult to muster all that much enthusiasm for Maleficent. Now, I am sure there are ways to have made those other movies, you know, good, and I am sure there is a way to tell a fascinating story about Maleficent. The problem is that none of this has actually been done. Maleficent is just the latest debacle in this revisionist fairy tale cycle. While there may not have been that many movies, yet, let's hope that it either comes to an end or someone with a solid idea steps up and gets the job done.