The Minority Report - "50/50" (2011)

“50/50” does its name justice. It is a brilliant balance of humor and complete sadness. It does what most movies can't—capture the essence of life and how, in tragedy, there is great pain and yet someone can still find glistening hope and, yes, still laugh. It is a tale of pushing through hard times with the support of family and friends, finding out who you really are, and discovering the true character of the people around you. It can easily be said that this is one of the best movies of the year and should definitely be watched.

Do you remember the Adam sandier film "Funny People"? It tried to create a sense of juxtaposition between sadness and comedy—a dramedy, so to speak. But it failed miserably with a piss poor passing, a hard to love main character, and a multitude of other issues. It is almost as if “50/50” took all the mistakes of that film and reversed them. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays a character who anyone can easily relate to; he is not in your face, and plays back on acting. He is a normal 27 year old, unsure of where he is and wants to be in life and is trying to figure everything out, but in this tempest, he finds out he has a rare form of cancer. The story follows him through the slow realization that cancer has highs of optimism and lows of hopelessness. It is a complicated affair and shows just how severely an occurrence like this can take a toll on a person. Seth Rogen plays his best friend, who at times can be hard to like, but at others melts your heart with his charm and humor. Anna Kendrick also has what is possibly her best acting debut to date, as an inexperienced psychologist that accompanies Gordon-Levitt throughout his emotional rollercoaster.

Cancer can inspire a multitude of effects. It can leave an individual weak and hopeless. Near death can truly bring out who you really are, but it also causes ripples of emotions to the ones around you. This is what this movie is about. Sure, the main character is suffering from an illness, but it is a true observation on how an illness can make the others around you sick, and how to rise above everything even if faced with death, and look towards life and live. In short, I laughed, I cried, and came out of the theater still bogged with the feelings the movie inspired in me. This movie is not like watching paint dry.


By V-Dawg

The Minority Report - "Kung Fu Panda 2" (2011)

“Kung Fu Panda 2” has just won its way into my heart and into my ranks as one of the best kung fu movies of my generation. It allays my complaints of the first “Kung Fu Panda.” As, for a kung fu movie, the first film seemed to have a lack of fighting. Sure, it was a heart-warming coming of age story, but it was not the over top goodness that one expects from such a flick. In comparison, “Kung Fu Panda 2” comes out karate chops a blazin’. Over the top action moves from scene one, obvious inspiration from classic films alongside improvements, and an increase in the general wackiness of the action sequences due to the fact it is animated and not so grounded in reality are a few of the things you can expect. This, combined with another heart warming tale, Po’s back story, a menacing villain, well timed humor, captivating animation, and fantastic voice work creates an on-screen spectacle that will surely bring a smile to one’s face, young and old alike.

Shen The Peacock (voiced by Gary Oldman) makes for a profound and merciless villain. The subtle evil that radiates from this character sends chills down the viewer’s spine. This reaction is drawn from the simple fact that his evil stems from innocence and an entanglement of fear about his own fate. Shen is fighting against his fate by trying to end kung fu with a militia using destructive technology and it is up to the dragon warrior and the furious five to defeat him. Po (Jack Black once again is brilliant as the voice actor) has slimed down and has learned some new moves since the first film. Tigress (voiced by Angelina Jolie) is put more into the spotlight alongside the rest of the furious five (voices of Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, David Cross, and Lucy Liu), who in the first film deserved more screen time.

The art and graphics of this film have improved as well, including flash back scenes told in a 2D animated fashion, and some cell shaded effects. The director, Jennifer Yuh, once again outdoes herself by breathing new life into how computer animated films are made, as well as making a fine kung fu movie. It reminded me a lot of one of my all-time favorite kung fu films: “Kung Fu Hustle” (which is a huge compliment). By striking a delicate and perfect blend of over the top action, yet keeping it grounded enough to be fantastically believable, the humor, unlikely protagonists, and nods to historic kung fu films allow this movie to carve its own path into kung fu greatness. Now, the movie is not without its flaws. Obviously, its chief demographic is children, so there are some groan inducing gags to tolerate. It seemed to move fairly fast, and could have benefited from some more introduction. Furthermore, some voice acting was not as strong as the others (for example, David Cross and Seth Rogen). This movie is far more epic and grander than its predecessor, which make it superior in many ways, but how can one top a surprise hit? You cannot. Instead, you improve and move along, which this film does flawlessly. This film is like watching a kung fu master dressed as clown paint an epic tale with vivid detail and technique. Pandas rule! Skadoosh!


By V-Dawg

The Minority Report - "Superbad" (2007)

One of the greatest comedies of our time. ‘Nuff said. So instead of a review, I will quote many of the unforgettable one-liners from the movie.

Evan: McLovin? What kind of a stupid name is that, Fogell? What, are you trying to be an Irish R&B singer?

Seth: Gimme that. All right, you look like a future pedophile in this picture, number 1. Number 2: it doesn't even have a first name, it just says "McLovin"!

Francis the Driver: Wait, don't do that. Alright, listen. I can get you alcohol. I'm going to this party right now, bro. Okay? It's got booze, it's got girls. Booze and girls equals... I don't know. Do you? I don't know. Do you? I think you do. Do you?

Seth: It’s like a three thing... its like ball, dick, ball.
Evan: It's like a division sign...

Seth: Yeah, but it doesn't actually show dick going in which is a huge concern.
Evan: Right, I didn't realize that.
Seth: Besides, have you ever seen a vagina by itself?
Evan: No.
Seth: [shakes his head] Not for me.

Seth: You know when you hear girls say 'Ah man, I was so shit-faced last night, I shouldn't have fucked that guy?' We could be that mistake!

Seth: You know how many foods are shaped like dicks? The best kinds.

Mark: What the hell is this?
Seth: I don't fucking - it's detergent!
Mark: Yeah, what are you doing with it?
Seth: ...I got fucking blood on my pants.

Seth: This plan's been fucked since Jump Street.

Fogell: I got a boner!

Now that you are now either in stitches cause you have seen the movie or completely confused, go watch the damn movie.

By V-Dawg