Life of Pi (2012)

Directed by Ang Lee

Based on the novel by Yann Martel

Starring Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Kahn, Adil Hussain 

(and Richard Parker)

Runtime 127min. - Rated PG 
4 Stars (out of 4)

Now In Theatres

If you watch "Life of Pi" and don't find yourself lost in its magnificence, then cinema just isn't your thing. This is a film that should soften even the hardest of hearts. I know this because my heart is hard. I was once very religious and considering a career in ministry. Now I recall those times as if I had been brainwashed. Maybe I was just naive, or stupid. These days I see religion as a gateway to all sorts of irrational, illogical and dangerous philosophies.

I mention my spiritual background because "Life of Pi" is saturated with religious references. The main character, Pi, practices Hinduism, Catholicism and Islam simultaneously. He also teaches a college-level class on Kabbalah. Pi is the kind of person who speaks to God as if he expects an audible answer. Even when he might be justified in cursing God or questioning His benevolence, Pi offers prayers of gratitude. I'd probably be disgusted with this level of faith in a real human, but Pi is a fictional person in a fictional story. Also, I can't honestly say I wouldn't adopt an extreme faith if I were subject to such harrowing circumstances.This film is just too damn good not to enjoy. My brain knew this and underwent some involuntary compartmentalization so that I could avoid any internal conflict.

Dusty On Bogart

I spent the last couple of years getting to know the work of Humphrey Bogart. My original plan was take in classics and learn what I could. I started with "Casablanca" and my plan veered towards focusing on Bogart. I considered writing reviews of all his films, but there are just way too many. This list is pretty long and those are just the one's I've seen; less than half of his complete filmography. I hope to add to this list and revise it as I go along. What you see here is just the first step.

This post will exist as a page HERE. That is where you should look for updates in the future.

Dead End (1937) - Bogie wasn't a household name when this film was made. He is one of the top-billed actors but not the lead. He plays a gangster who comes back to the ghetto after making it big in organized crime. The "dead end kids" have a made him into a legend in his absence but are eventually let down by the reality of Babyface Martin (3 Stars)

Flight (2012)

Directed by Robert Zemeckis

Starring Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle

Runtime 138min. - Rated R

3.5 Stars (out of 4)

"Flight" is now in theaters.

If  you keep up with this blog, you know how rare it is for me to review a mainstream film. Even more rare is for me to see a film still in theater. It's damn near unheard of for me to see a big new release on opening weekend during the busiest time of the day. The reasons for this are many and varied. The number one reason is the lack of funding for such ventures. I've been buried in debt for a while and because of that I've gotten most of my movie enjoyment from video-on-demand services and, more recently, screeners. It's so much cheaper than the theater, to rent a $3.99 movie on VUDU and make my own popcorn. Hell, I can even pause and take a piss if needed. Since I live in the boondocks, I save a lot of money on gas too. My financial situation has gotten a bit better recently, but I work on weekends. Ten hour shifts make it hard to see a film. Lastly, I have social anxiety. Opening weekends aren't generally good for folks who don't like crowds.