The Chronicles of Riddick - 2004

Universal Pictures, Radar Pictures, One Race Productions

Directed by David Twohy

Cast:

• Riddick – Vin Diesel
• Lord Marshal – Colm Feore
• Dame Vaako – Thandie Newton
• Aereon – Judi Dench
• Lord Vaako – Karl Urban
• Kyra – Alexa Davalos
• The Purifier – Linus Roache
• Toombs – Nick Chinlund
• Imam – Keith David

Story: Riddick, the escaped murderer from the movie Pitch Black, is being pursued by mercenaries on an isolated planet. He avoids their attempt to capture him and instead strands the survivors on the planet to pursue the man who sent them: the Imam, one of the two others to escape the dark planet. When he finds him, he learns of the Necromancers, a race of conquerors traveling across the universe to convert all humanity to their faith. Riddick learns he is from the planet Furya, a planet already destroyed by the Necromancers. At first, Riddick is unwilling to get involved, but soon it becomes apparent he must fight or die. He allows himself to be captured by Mercs to rescue the girl Jack, now known as Kyra, from a maximum security prison, then returns to the planet to face the Lord Marshal to test their creedo: “You Keep What You Kill”.

Review: Once again Vin Diesel brings to life the vicious, calculating anti-hero Riddick, the convict who prefers to kill instead of negotiate. Riddick is living a life of arduous survival, preferring the isolation of the frozen planet to the company of humans. When he learns the Imam is the man who has set the bounty for him, he journeys to discover why. Keith David recreates the Imam from Pitch Black as if he had never left the role, and introduces us to Aereon, the elemental being in the form of Judi Dench, whose powerful acting and presence adds both drama and authenticity to the film. Nick Chinlund excels in a role custom made for him, and Colm Feore is magnificent as the Lord Marshal, the holy half-dead who has seen the Underverse. Linus Roache, in one of two films he has worked on with Diesel (the other, Find Me Guilty, perhaps led to his role as the Assistant DA on Law and Order), and while his role is not as big as I would have liked, his presence and eloquence as the Purifier adds significantly to the film. Karl Urban, who has appeared in other fantasy roles (Priest, Star Trek), presents a more powerful, controlled soldier of the faith, while Thandie Newton as his ambitious wife provides the right balance to the struggle for power within any authoritarian regime. Alexa Davalos is excellent as Kyra, defiant and deadly to the last. Even the extended version is rated PG-13 for language and violence, but little sexual content. Since Vin will be recreating Riddick in a third film next year, I would say this is a collectible if you are a fan of the first two, or just a fan of good science fiction.

J. Edgar - 2011

Imagine Entertainment, Malpaso Productions, Wintergreen Productions

Directed by Clint Eastwood

Cast:

• J. Edgar Hoover – Leonardo DiCaprio
• Helen Gandy – Naomi Watts
• Anna Marie Hoover – Judi Dench
• Robert Kennedy – Jeffrey Donovan
• Clyde Tolson – Armie Hammer

Story:In this frank and sometimes dark expose, Clint Eastwood directs a formidable cast in the biography of John Edgar Hoover, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. For forty eight years, he was the undisputed power behind the power, the man who supposedly had files on everyone and knew everyone's secrets. This film explores the possible personal life and circumstances of the man, and shows J. Edgar Hoover as a man with many forces pulling on his life. He was a troubled man, to be sure, a man whose personal life was dominated by his mother, Anna Marie, and his sense of patriotism and commitment to making Americans safe. The film explores his relationships with his mother, his long-time assistant director and companion, Clyde Tolson, and his ever vigilant and loyal Secretary, Helen Gandy. Throughout the film, we are given glimpses of his actions which may or may not have been prompted by his sense of duty to the country, and we are ultimately left to decide for ourselves who J. Edgar Hoover really was.

Review: This film reveals not only the persona of J. Edgar, but of Clint Eastwood as well. As in all of his recent films, we are not offered a conclusion. We are instead given a set of facts, circumstances, and theories, and left to decide the matter for ourselves. The film itself is well presented and the cast is nothing short of formidable. Leonardo DiCaprio creates the impression of growth and personality, showing us the changes from Hoover's past and how they are influenced by his mother and his friends, which are few. The allusion of homosexuality is dealt with in a tasteful and sensitive manner, and again allows us to draw our own conclusions concerning his relationship with his assistant director and companion, Clyde Tolson. Armie Hammer plays his role with sensitivity and passion, as does Naomi Watts. As Helen Gandy, her obvious devotion to Hoover is clear. The remaining cast is incidental, although Jeffrey Donovan gives us another glimpse into his abilities with a flawless performance as Robert Kennedy. At the end, I am left with the impression that Hoover's life was sad and personally unfulfilled, but you'll have to see it yourself to draw your own conclusions. Rated R for subject matter and language, this film is collectible for lovers of Eastwood films, and anyone who enjoys a serious biography.

Henry V - 1989

Renaissance Films, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Curzon Film Distributors

Directed by Kenneth Branaugh

Cast:

• King Henry V – Kenneth Branaugh
• Chorus – Derek Jacobi
• Duke Humphrey of Gloucester – Simon Shepherd
• Duke Thomas Beaufort of Exeter – Brian Blessed
• Captain Fluellen – Ian Holm
• Alice - Geraldine McEwan
• Mistress Nell Quickely – Judi Dench
• Sir John Falstaff – Robbie Coltrane
• Robin, the luggage boy – Christian Bale
• Princess Katherine de Valois – Emma Thompson
• King Charles VI of France – Paul Scofield

Story: Henry V, newly crowned King of England, has petitioned lands in France that are rightfully his from his cousin, the King of France. The king has refused his claims, and the prince or Dauphin, has insulted Henry by sending a tribute of tennis balls to the King. His contemptuous taunt and the King's refusal combined with the advice of his counselors convince King Henry to march on France and take what he wants. We are privy to the preparations of Henry and the thoughts of the common men who will fight, as well as the intrigue of treason within Henry's ranks. We view Henry as a just and tempered leader, and through his actions are convinced his cause is right and his duty clear. A rousing tale of historic truths and valor.

Review: There may be one hundred or so men who are capable of bringing Shakespeare to the screen, but none so talented and capable as Kenneth Branaugh. Here is all the glory, power, drama, suspense, and intrigue the Bard intended in this rousing play. Jacobi is incredible as the Chorus, a device we would call narrator, and builds his role with eloquence and tempered techniques of voice seldom seen in film. Branaugh displays a rare and insightful look at the character of the now wizened king who was so foolish as a boy. The cast, in all, is superb in their understanding of their roles and carry them off with a passion that perhaps only an Englishman can understand. I have seen this film several times, having a copy along with other versions of Shakespearean plays, and by far this is the most exciting, the most accurate, and the most palatable film of its genre. Combine a timeless tale of war and conquest with a cast already world renown and you have this film, a modern testament to the power of Shakespeare. Rated PG-13 for a violent and bloody battle, this film is fit for the high school crowd and, in my humble opinion, should be shown to every English student about to study Shakespeare.