Review: Oz the Great and Powerful (No Spoilers)

I have a seen the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz more than any other film. I don't think it would be any kind of a stretch to say that I have probably seen it over a hundred and fifty times. Growing up in my house it was a regular affair to watch the annual broadcast, and once we owned a copy of our own it was viewed even more regularly. So it was with great anticipation and the glassy eyes of nostalgia that I took my seat today to see Sam Raimi's interpretation of Frank L. Baum's wonderful world of magic and munchkins. It did not disappoint.

In a way I feel sorry for the creative collaborators for having undertaken a project that carries so much history. In my opinion they did a good job. It's not a perfect movie, but it is a perfectly delightful movie.

From the moment the opening credits dawned in an otherworldly 4:3 screen ratio, complete with black and white color pallet, I was hooked. The story unfolded with charm and pointed story telling that never felt like it was too much for kids, but connected with my adult sensibilities just as well. In a film where every shot is essentially a special effects shot the characters must truly sell the picture. The characters were at the heart of the story, with Oz (the land itself) being inasmuch a character as any of the others. What stole the show for me was the color. I have never seen such a visually pleasing movie. It was vibrant, imaginative, and delightful.

I'll not go on about plot elements or boring details. I enjoyed the movie. I have been traveling to Oz via books, movies, and cartoons all my life. Oz the Great and Powerful was the best trip yet.

Review: The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey (No Spoilers)

A spoiler free review of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey from a lifelong Tolkien fan.

I grew up with hobbits, goblins, elves, and dwarves. Early in life I had the chance to see the classic Hobbit animated film, a movie which still holds a special place in my heart. Ever since the final credits rolled on Peter Jackson's 2003 version of Return of the King I have deeply desired to see The Hobbit get the feature film treatment. In anticipation of this film I have watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy in its entirety twice in the last month. I was excited for tonight. So how did The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hold up against my nearly lifelong expectations?

Thematically An Unexpected Journey sets a familiar tone for fans of Peter Jackson's previous forays into Middle Earth, at least at the outset of the film. Fans of the written fiction who expect to find a more light-hearted approach need not fret, this movie does not stray far from its roots. There are embellishments, alterations, and frequent expoundings upon but all serve to enhance the story being told.

The tale itself is one that instantly feels incredibly familiar, and yet fresh. The cinematography is what you might expect from a journey to Middle-Earth; full of wide shots and stretching landscapes. What you might not expect is all of the color. Where The Lord of the Rings trilogy was frequently washed in grayish drab color, An Unexpected Journey rarely gets lost in greyscale. The special effects were top notch, although I chose to view the film in 2D for my initial viewing. My biggest delights in the film were the soundtrack and the frequent nods to the written fiction. For the former there are familiar tunes and to the latter it put a smile on my face every time.

This is a well adapted tale, that at nearly three hours long, never felt slow or dry. It is a grand adventure that somehow manages to continue the legacy for Jackson's interpretation of Middle-Earth while preceding that which has come before. All in all The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was almost exactly what I expected it to be; a charming fun adventure full of both nostalgia and suspense for what's to come. It feels good to spend time in Middle-Earth again.

Review: The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises, or does it? As a movie, it is entertaining. As a Batman story, it borrows from so many different plot lines that it borders on convoluted.

The acting is great. The dialogue and direction are as good as you should expect from a Nolan film. The special affects are awesome with plenty of neat set-pieces and spectacular happenings. If you want to see a lot of violence, it's there. If you want to see things blow up, you can rest assured that there are plenty of grandiose pyrotechnics. If you want to see a lot of Batman, expect to be disappointed. Ultimately, this is not a movie about the Caped Crusader. It's a movie about a lot of different things, and Batman.

I am not going to offer any spoilers so this may read as a little vague, but I don't want to ruin it for those yet to see it. There is just too much going on. There are so many players and so many story threads that by the time they all come together at the climax of the film, it feels more like a knitting experiment gone awry than a grand tapestry. I realize I am just one opinion, but when the final credits rolled it just felt lacking. It felt unfulfilled and flat.

I have been a Bat-kid as long as I can remember. I love the character, but ultimately this movie just didn't do it for me.

Review: Pictures of Silver Moves Me to Sing

In the interest of full disclosure; Picture of Silver’s Ryan Taylor gave me a copy of their debut album Moves Me to Sing several days ago for review purposes.  In the interest of complete and total honesty, I was planning to buy it anyway.

I’ve been following Pictures of Silver since they arrived on the local music scene a couple of years ago, and every time they take the stage they improve.  This is a talented collection of musicians, who enjoy making music, but not for the chief purpose of entertaining.  Simply put, these guys are anointed.

As a self-styled Indy Rock Worship ensemble, Pictures of Silver’s debut brings a lot to the table.  It is a guitar driven festival of voluminous melodies, building choruses, and thoughtfully worshipful lyrics—sure to fit into any worship playlist.  Nearly every song on the album is an upbeat display of riffing guitar work and happy harmonies, not a small feat considering it tops out at eleven tracks.

Krystal Manning delivers an anointed vocal performance on nine of the eleven tracks, whereas band mates Ryan Taylor and Lance Shingleur take the vocal forefront on tracks Speak and Never Thirst Again.  Never Thirst Again, The Stand, and We Were Made for You all feature beautiful melodies performed by pianist Shingleur.  Rain Down, We Were Made For You, and Holy really stood apart to me for their rich sound and endearingly reverent lyrics.

Pictures of Silver’s Moves Me to Sing is a great album that will undoubtedly move any worship enthusiast to open their heart, turn up their headphones, and join the band.

For more Pictures of Silver info check out these links: facebook, ReverbNation, Noise Trade, Amazon

You can also search Rhapsody and iTunes for Pictures of Silver.