Movie Review

THE IMMORTALS 

I know what you're thinking... why would I want to see a movie that looks like a remake of 300? That's how it was marketed to the masses, but I'm here to tell you that it was an unique masterpiece to behold. The visual spectacle more than made up for any holes in the script. Every frame is a work of artistic brilliance that conveys an immaculate attention to detail. The trailer doesn't even begin to do the film justice. 

Director Tarsem Singh has a visual style that is all his own. The world was introduced to his awe-inspiring creativity over a decade ago in The Cell, where Jennifer Lopez was allowed to enter into the ornate dreams of a sadistic serial killer. Despite the rare combination of critical and box office success, Tarsem mysteriously disappeared from the public eye for years. In actuality, he was tirelessly working on a passion project. One that spanned the globe, filming on location in seventeen different countries without financial backing.

The Fall was initially screened to festival audiences in 2006, but two more years past before a studio bought the rights to distribute it to select cities. Those lucky enough to see it were treated to extraordinary visuals and an existential storyline that resulted in a blissful experience. The cinematography was unlike anything I'd ever seen. 

Fast forward another three years, and I'd almost forgotten about him all over again. With only two movies to his credit, he wasn't necessarily established. When I saw his name attached to The Immortals though, I suddenly realized the unlimited potential this new movie must possess.
There was hardly a dull moment throughout its seventy minute running time. The stylized gore and violence was impeccably shot with plenty of dazzling slow motion. The elaborate costume design was remarkable, as it was in his previous work. 

You may still think you've seen it all before, but this isn't another rehash of Greek mythology. While it is comparable to what Zack Snyder accomplished five years prior, this movie has its own merits that sets it apart in the end. There was some homo-eroticism, but that takes nothing away from overall enjoyment. I didn't understand that complaint about 300. Stephen Dorff seemed a little too pleased with his physique however. Despite being shirtless most of the time too, Mickey Rourke was an exceptional antagonist. Henry Caville's passable performance was overshadowed by the visuals to be honest. 

Suffice it to say, I was highly impressed with what I saw. So much so that I look forward to seeing it again in the near future. Luckily, Tarsem fans only have to wait a few more months until his next film is released. Mirror, Mirror is an epic retelling of the Snow White story. The way the Grimm Brothers intended for it to be told. Until then... SEE IMMORTALS!

 

Ron Paul For President

Less than one year from now, voting Americans will be faced with an important choice. The future of the nation is dependent upon it. Four more years of the current administration could be catastrophic, and I say that with all sincerity. One way or another, the federal government has to be restrained. The freedoms and prosperity we've grown accustomed to could permanently become a thing of the past if we don't take a stand against increasing debt and quasi-socialism.

Competent leadership is needed now more than ever, but we have to choose the alternative wisely. We can't base our affinity for any one candidate on charisma alone. Ethics and consistency are infinitely more important at this juncture, but the liberal media refuses to promote such things for some reason. The status quo is fine by them, as long as there's someone in the White House who shares the same opinions on social issues.

Ron Paul has long been considered a quirky politician on the fringe, but his staunch views on life and liberty have never changed. While other candidates are desperately pandering for votes, he remains steadfast. Sadly, this makes him unelectable. The media sees no reason to give him any real credibility, despite his growing popularity.

Controversial views aside, Ron Paul knows how to save our country from accelerated entropy more than anyone else running. Left unchecked, the bloated bureaucracy will continue to grow like a virus. Forty cents of every dollar will continue to be borrowed from communist nations like China. The welfare state's stranglehold on an already stagnant economy could result in a full blown depression, especially with a foreign policy that spreads our military too thin. His plan could potentially reverse this downward spiral within a few years, but real change is needed sooner rather than later.

Independent thinkers should be able to comprehend why this man deserves a chance to lead us out of this rut. He pledged to take no more than $39,366 per year in order to match the median income of the working population. His grassroots campaign has not accepted donations from corporations like the others. Unlike most politicians, he cannot be bought.

If you're still unsure about him, consider the following...

Movie Review

The Tree of Life 

Articulating a description of Terrence Malick's signature style of film making is a not an easy task. While I'm cultured enough to see the beauty of his artistic expression, initial viewings can be a chore to sit through.

The Thin Red Line was an underwhelming experience that confused the hell out of me over a decade ago. I struggled to figure out what exactly the plot was throughout its three-hour running time. To be honest, I kind of gave up on it half-way through. The same thing occurred with the release of The New World in 2005, which I thought was laughably bad at the time. 

A funny thing happened last year in a film studies course last year though. I changed my mind. My professor screened The Thin Red Line in class, giving it a glowing recommendation beforehand. We had lengthy discussions about it, and I had to write a four page paper. When it was all said and done, I recognized a brilliance that I didn't notice before. The nature cinematography, introspective characters, and non-linear storyline were the key components that I highlighted in my paper.

The New World ain't so bad either...

Now back to the present, where we must consider the winner of the prestigious Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival. While I knew what to expect, nothing could prepare me for what I saw. I thought I was witnessing a transcendent masterpiece at first, but I grew impatient with the awkward silences and slow progression.

Despite the lack of dialogue, Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain are at the top of their game. Similar to predecessors,narration was prevalent. As much as it pains me to say this, Sean Penn was underutilized. The kids were genuine enough to remind me of my own childhood. They are an rambunctious bunch who annoy their disciplinarian father. Chastain is a sweet and angelic mother who represents grace. A terrible tragedy occurs, affecting the tone of the entire movie. That's a basic synopsis, which takes over two and a half hours to convey in fragmented fashion. Suffice it to say, I got a little bored with it. 

The movie was beautifully shot however, so I can't in good conscience give it an overly negative review. If anyone deserves credit for this, it's Emmanuel Lubezki whose previous work includes Children of Men and Sleepy Hollow. There was also a sequence of eye-popping images that seemed to represent the size and scope of our world in comparison to the universe. This put everything into perspective, making me feel incredibly small in the process. The legendary Douglas Trumbull was responsible for this, who oversaw the visual effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

This is art house cinema at its finest, but I feel like I need to see it again to truly appreciate it. My rating may improve upon subsequent viewings, but it wasn't something I thoroughly enjoyed the first time. It's certainly not for mainstream audiences. 

Rating = 6 out of 10

AUBURN TIGERS: BCS CHAMPIONS

No one thought Auburn could do it. All the odds were against them, but they got the last laugh in the end. Not only did they find a way to navigate through the toughest division/conference in college football unscathed, but THE scandal never seemed to affect morale. The road to the highest level of success was an incredibly bumpy one, suspenseful comebacks became a common occurrence. Auburn developed its own swagger as the season progressed. It was more apparent in the second half, when both sides of the ball played like losing was never an option. They would go on to defeat five ranked teams, six if you count the SEC Championship. 

Gus Malzahn's offense is a clearly dynamic one, but the personnel couldn't have been more adept at turning his brilliant schemes into reality. A foundation of talent and experience was already there last season, so the addition of Cam Newton was clearly the catalyst of the turn around. His impressive feats of athleticism started against Arkansas State, but several more weeks passed before everyone else noticed. He didn't exactly come out of nowhere anyway. Tim Tebow's former backup was always destined for great things, but nothing seemed to go according to plan.

CAM TRUCKS A VOL

Once his Heisman campaign became a reality, the media started to question why Auburn was lucky enough to sign this immensely talented individual in the first place. After winning a championship at Blinn Junior College, Newton promptly started proving himself to be one of the most dominant quarterbacks in the SEC. The only problem was that Mississippi State was practically guaranteed his signature over a year earlier. Dan Mullen reportedly made a pact with him when they were both leaving Gainesville. As we all know, Cam's father must have seen an opportunity to capitalize on the situation. Thorough investigations turned up little evidence that would result in any lasting ramifications. His full reinstatement came one short day after being ruled ineligible. Case closed.

When the preseason rankings were released last summer, Auburn was relegated to #23 in the nation. Their rise to national prominence seemed to have started in the second half of the Clemson game. One would think that it must've been the stressful game in Starkville on Thursday night , but they never trailed. Auburn came out flat against a non-conference opponent, trailing by two touchdowns at half-time. A furious comeback took place, but overtime was necessary to decide the final outcome. Lady luck graciously appeared when a Clemson receiver failed to hold to the ball in the endzone. A bizarre illegal snap penalty led to a missed field goal. Auburn could collectively breath a sigh of relief, but this was only the beginning. A sign of what was to come.

South Carolina visited the Plains the following week. In another nail-biter, Auburn had to overcome a double-digit deficit against a higher-ranked opponent. The team capable of minimizing its own mistakes would ultimately be declared victorious in the end. It took an interception in the endzone at end of regulation to seal the deal. The favorable home schedule started to play a major role in protecting the team's aspirations as the season progressed. The Gamecocks would go on to dominate the #1 Crimson Tide two weeks later in Columbia, proving once again how important crowd support can be.

Louisiana Monroe offered a brief reprieve from SEC play before they made the trip to Lexington. The Wildcats were a formidable opponent, Randall Cobb just could not be stopped. Keeping him off the field was the best strategy. Newton and the offense held onto the ball for the final seven minutes of the game, relying on Wes Byrum to kick a short field goal with just seconds remaining. If not for Newton's scrambling ability, this may not have been possible. Vengeance was had for last season's incomprehensible upset, but then came Arkansas...

The fellow offensive juggernaut from Fayetteville would not be denied points in this game of absolutely no defense. Nick Fairley may have forced Ryan Mallett out with a minor concussion, but Tyler Wilson continued to dissect the secondary with relative ease. Punters were barely utilized, they just weren't needed. Arkansas had all the momentum going into the fourth quarter. That is, until Zach Etheridge returned a fumble for six points. While this could've been one of many questionable calls by the referees, the Razorback offense continued to self-destruct. Josh Bynes intercepted two consecutive passes to give the Tigers all the momentum back. The highest scoring game in SEC history would end with the final score of 65-43.

LSU's highly ranked defense was more than ready to give Auburn's offense a reality check in late October. The Bayou Bengals prided themselves on shutting down any offense they faced, but their own offense was mediocre at best. Auburn's rushing attack racked up 440 yards on the day. Newton's signature 49-yard run into the endzone was absolutely unforgettable. Auburn proved it was for real to the remaining skeptics. They survived two consecutive tests, one of which was supposed to bring them to their knees. They flat-out refused to lose, especially at home where the atmosphere was electric. Everyone wanted to believe this was a team of destiny, but there were a few challenges remaining.

The first of which was dealing with the added pressure of the first #1 ranking in school history. Some thought the ranking was cursed after three consecutive weeks of upsets. They put it all on the line in Oxford, where the Ole Miss faithful were half-expecting the trend to continue. The Rebel offense had a considerable amount of success in the second half... en route to a 20 point defeat. Auburn's offense put on a dazzling display of finesse and power. Newton showed his triple threat capability when Kodi Burns lofted a pass into the back of the endzone. The cornerback never stood a chance.

The homecoming game against Chattanooga was just a scrimmage for the two biggest rivalry games of the season. Georgia had won the last four in the series, but this season had been humbling one for the Bulldogs. They came in with every intention of winning, building an early lead in the first quarter. Auburn would not be denied their first outright division title in six years. The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry turned ugly late in the second half when Auburn's defense refused to let up. Georgia showed frustration over Fairley's aggressive play, which turned into a full-fledged confrontation. This resulted in first-half suspensions for Blanc & Goggans in the Iron Bowl.  Quarterback Aaron Murray may have taken a beating, but that's just football. Final score- 49-31. Next stop, Tuscaloosa.

The recruitment controversy perpetrated by the blogging media refused to go away. Official investigations into the matter were being conducted at a relatively rapid pace, and Auburn's star quarterback continued to play. Bammers relished the moment, unable to restrain themselves from making fun of the situation. Then gleefully watched their team go up by twenty-four points in the first-half, only to witness the most incredible comeback in Iron Bowl history. The deficit could have easily been much more, but little things started going Auburn's way. The Tigers gradually dug themselves out of a deep hole by forcing turnovers, starting with Antoine Carter's hustle play that turned a touchdown into a touchback. The defense refused to allow another touchdown, and the offense took the lead for good early in the fourth quarter. This one point victory was legendary, ending the defending champion's chances of returning to a BCS bowl.

A title game berth was almost a lock at this point, but a rematch with South Carolina in neutral territory presented one final obstacle. The Gamecocks were eager for a shot at redemption, and to play the part of spoiler. The Ole Ball Coach thought it was going to be a close game, but it wasn't. The Tigers dominated the SEC East Champions in every facet of the game. Spurrier, Garcia, Lattimore, and Jefferies were left dumbfounded by the failure of their offensive game plan. Nothing could go wrong for Newton though, who accounted for over 400 yards of offense and six touchdowns. He even connected with Darvin Adams on an improbable hail mary in the endzone at the end of the first half. USC never seemed to recover that. Final score 56-17.  I guess the Georgia Dome isn't so neutral after all.

Thirty-seven days later, the #1 Auburn Tigers were set to face the #2 Oregon Ducks in Glendale, AZ. Awards ceremonies and banquets honored several individuals, but the team hadn't accomplished what they set out to do yet. Based on the season averages, analysts were predicting a combined score of almost a hundred. The long layoff allowed both defenses to contain the rusty offenses. Despite their comparably easy schedule, Oregon played up to Auburn's level. Using their neon yellow socks as motivation, the Ducks would not go down without a fight. If not for Michael Dyer's big run in the fourth quarter, the game may have gone into overtime. Upon further review, the freshman running back was never actually down. The coaching staff rallied him to continue after springing back up. He scampered for thirty-seven yards, setting up another game-winning field goal for Byrum. The senior place kicker never seemed to fail to deliver in these situations, this was no exception.

Chizik's staff will stay intact for the third straight season. Malzahn spurned Vanderbilt and Maryland's offers, and the offensive line coach Jeff Grimes turned down a job at Texas. This kind of loyalty never seemed to exist during Tommy Tuberville's regime. Chizik can attest to that, but the superb level of recruiting continues to impress the Auburn Family. The departure of all that talent and experience will certainly create a void next season, but it's only a matter of time before these new recruits step up. Enjoy this, next season will require some patience. 

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!!