The Dark Knight Rises

" A hero can be anyone. Even a man doing something as simple and reassuring as putting a coat around a little boy's shoulders to let him know that the world hadn't ended."


I will be honest. I did not have much, if any, desire to see The Dark Knight Rises. I was not a big fan of The Dark Knight. I will say that Heath Ledgers' Joker was absolutely amazing, but I thought the film as a whole was too...well, dark. With noting but good reviews and recommendations and all the press about the tragedy in CO I decided I would go see it. So I checked out an early morning show with about 20 other people in the theater.

Since I did not have much desire to see it I did not know what to expect. I also have not seen the Dark Knight in about 3 1/2 years, so I had not remembered much of what led up to the current film. One other thing that kept me from wanting to see the film was Anne Hathaway. I can't always believe her acting. I decided that since I was alone with no family around I might as well go spend some time alone in the theater.

The Dark Knight Rises picks up 8 years after the Dark Knight ended. Batman has gone into hiding after being blamed for the death of a public figure. Bruce Wayne has also shut himself up in his mansion. We see the appearance of Selina Kyle, aka Catwomen. She is a cat bugler who crosses paths with this films villain, Bane. Bane is played by a very large Tom Hardy, who seems to have gotten back into his "Bronson" workout ethic. Bane has plans to turn Gotham back over to the people and let anarchy rule, just like any good villain would.

One of the parts I liked about this film was that fact that for once the bad guy was truly better than the hero. There is a fight scene where you realize that Batman has no chance to physically beat Bane. Much like the the other films it is up to Batman to upset the evil plan to destroy Gotham. There are many obstacle and twists and I found myself wondering how it was going to end. Of course the final option was very obvious to figure out, but leading up to that was great.

The Dark Knight rises was not as dark as the last film. The story was great and the characters we developed well. I was never bored. The introduction of Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a welcome surprise. He was great addition and had a major role in the film. Gotham city looks more like NYC now and it is good to see Gotham in daylight. With a run time of 2:45 I was surprised to see it go by quickly. I told my wife that I would be willing to go see it with her for the second time. The depth of the story and the acting really sold me on this one. If there is another one, and it is as good as this one, I would be willing to go see it

9 out of 10

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

"When things get tricky in my life, I talk to my fish."


When I was in the theater waiting for my first screening of The Artist they showed a a preview for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. That is one of the great things about going to see lesser known films is that you get to see trailers for more independent films and film festival selections. The trailer for this film was a good one and I really wanted to see it. Unfortunately, it was only in select theaters for a short time.

A rich sheik has dream of bringing the sport of salmon fishing into Yemen. His assistant, played by Emily Blunt, is tasked with the responsibility to make this a reality. She asks for the expertise of Dr. Alfred Jones, played by Ewan McGregor. He works for the British government in the department of fisheries. He is a sad man who is stuck in his life with a slow job and a wife who ignores him at best. His only joy in life is his fish pond.

With the help of the sheiks millions, the Prime Ministers PR person they begin the task of the impossible. They must first find away to keep the water cool and oxygenated. The second task is finding fish to make the run. The sheik is a wise man who offers advice and helps Alfred with his problems. Relationships rise and fall and tempers flare.

The scenes are beautiful. The shots of the rivers and the country are great. This film was based on the novel by the same name. A simple plot, but it is the story of the two leads that make up the rest. The tough relationships they are each in and the confidence they place in each other to control the one thing they both care about. I was amazed it was not seen in more theaters with the two leads being so popular. I hope more people get a chance to see this film.

7 out of 10

Beasts of the Southern Wild

"I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right.




"My wife and kids are out of town for a whole month. That leaves me with a lot of extra time. So for the first weekend alone I decided to go catch a movie that I head heard great things about and wanted to see it before it left the theaters. The film, Beasts of the Southern Wild, was a winner at Sundance and at Cannes. It is a truly beautiful movie.


Hushpuppy, played by newcomer Quvenzhane, is a six year old girl who lives in place nicknamed "The Bathtub." it is by the levee just outside New Orleans. She lives with her father Wink in a make shift house and they live off the land raising chickens for dinner and eating the fish. Her mother "swam away" when she was a baby. Leaving her with her father. she is not self sufficient and find herself causing accidents, but Hushpuppy has a gift. She can hear the animals heartbeat and it speaks to her.


The film is about hurricane Katrina and what it did to this little family. The brilliant part about it is that you never hear to it being referred as a hurricane. Instead, you see the hurricane through Hushpuppys eyes. We watch as her father, a bit drunk, make a stand during the storm and vows to stay no mater what even when the relief efforts come.


Beasts is shot with hand held cameras and from a low vantage point really making you feel like a child without you realizing it. The music in the film was amazing. The music could not have been more perfect for the film. A great blend of bayou music and a film score. I won't say I cried in the film, but it was a very emotional film. It was not as heavy as others, but enough to make you think and feel good. Some of the scenes at the end with "The Beasts" where quite beautiful.


I hope many people get to discover this hidden treasure. It was one of the best films I have seen in a long time. This will be my favorite undiscovered film of the year for sure. I hope to see it again. There is a line at the end of the film that sticks with me and haunts me at the same time. In a wonderful scene Hushpuppy and her friends are dancing with some women and she says:
"I can count the number of times someone has lifted me. I can count the number of times someone has lifted me on two fingers."


9.7 out of 10!!!