Tag Archives: tom_hanks

Angels and Demons (Theaters)

Posted on by
6

Between the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, most will agree that A&D had the far superior storyline. With such high expectations coming into this film, I must admit that I wasn’t overly impressed with Ron Howard’s translation of A&D onto the silverscreen. Much like the Da Vinci Code before it, I found it very difficult to appreciate this film because I was such a huge fan of the literature. With so many important aspects of the story being left out or abridged, it really didn’t feel like the same story at all.

The film itself wasn’t a total wash, and will probably peak the interest of those who haven’t read the books or are just looking to be entertained. Unlike The Da Vinci Code which stayed true to its script, A&D was far less pretentious than its predecessor and was definitely much better paced. Set primarily in Vatican City, A&D had a lush canvas to work with, and it felt as if I were taking a free tour through Rome itself. The cinematography was stunning to say the least, but with little more to offer than a few “postcard” quality shots, this film still falls quite short.

To his credit, Ron Howard tried his best to answer the call of the heavily criticized Da Vinci Code. Rather than staying true to the script, he along with his team of screenwriters attempted to create a film far more appealing to its general audience by writing a script which moved at break neck speed. In this case however, he probably should have kept with original. Although a tad better than the Code, A&D still fails by epic proportions.

I’d recommend you skip this one in the theaters and wait for it on DVD. Its not worthy of its price for admission.

Synopsis: Angels and Demons re-teams director Ron Howard and star Tom Hanks for the sequel to their international blockbuster adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel The Da Vinci Code. Although the book Angels and Demons was written before the novel The Da Vinci Code, the movie transpires after the events of the earlier movie. Hanks stars as professor Robert Langdon, the most respected symbologist in the United States, who uses his knowledge in order to decode a symbol on the skin of a murder victim. The clues put him on the trail of an international conspiracy involving the Catholic Church. Ewan McGregor and Ayelet Zurer also star in the Sony Pictures production. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Angels and Demons Theatrical Trailer

Posted on by
3

I read both The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons and instantly became a fan of Dan Brown’s work. I’m looking forward to this sequel.

When Robert Langdon discovers evidence of the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati – the most powerful underground organization in history – he also faces a deadly threat to the existence of the secret organization’s most despised enemy: the Catholic Church.

The Polar Express (DVD)

Posted on by
Reply

polar_express The Polar Express was based on a childrens book by Chris Van Allsburg. Some of Allsburg’s other famous literary works include Jumanji and more recently Zathura. All of which were fairly successful when they went from paperback to the big screen.

Visually, The Polar Express was fantastic. No one can argue that the film was lacking visual appeal. The details of the characters and the scenery were superb. Some film goers had mentioned that the film was kind of creepy, but I did not see anything really creepy when I watched it myself.

The MAIN problem with this film was the character development and identification. I think that they forgot that it was a children’s film and focused too much on the visuals instead of the actual screenplay. Not one of the characters had a name. I know they were probrably trying to give the character a universal appeal but most children identify themselves with a character in a film. I think its important that the protagonist in any children’s book/film has a name. I did not find myself becoming attached to any of the characters, nor did I have much information on the reasons they were going to the North Pole. The only thing I knew was that “The main Character” had issues with believing in Christmas. For some reason this film just lacked the joy and warmth of Christmas I felt when watching movies such as A Christmas Story and Frosty the Snowman.

Synopsis:

Santa Claus does not exist. Or does he? For one doubting boy (voice of Daryl Sabara and Tom Hanks), an astonishing event occurs. Late on Christmas Eve night, he lies in bed hoping to hear the sound of reindeer bells from Santa’s sleigh. When to his surprise, a steam engine’s roar and whistle can be heard outside his window. The conductor (voice of Tom Hanks) invites him on board to take an extraordinary journey to the North Pole with many other pajama-clad children. There, he receives an extraordinary gift only those who still believe in Santa can experience.