Saturday, January 9, 2010

Across the Universe

The story, inspired by the music of the greatest rock band to roll across the earth, The Beatles, Across the Universe tells the tale of a struggling Britain played by Jim Sturgess, named Jude of course, who finds himself young, in love and in America. The cast consists mainly of unknowns with the occasional cameo, including Bono (I Am the Walrus). The film displays superb talent and, for a musical, does the Beatles justice. Particularly well rendered editions include All My Loving, Let it Be, Come Together, Because, Strawberry Fields Forever, Revolution, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird, Hey Jude (because of an original drum sequence) and All You Need Is Love. I give the film four and a half stars for its musical value and acting excellence.

Twilight

Based off Stephenie Meyer’s like-titled book, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) find each other in the town of Forks, SE. Bella quickly learns that Edward is no normal high school boy of 17 but an immortal vampire who is only one of the immortal vampires living in this wink of a city. Edward introduces Bella to a whole cast of fantasy figures including a few dodgy human hunters that any serious boyfriend would have better avoided. Needless to say, Bella becomes the dodgy vampire’s prey and an exciting chase ensues. The soundtrack includes two songs written and performed by Robert Pattinson and features Supermassive Black Hole by Muse. The musical overtones of the movie harmonize with the new age love story, alluring to a dark but hopeful resolution. This may not be a great film and cannot be confused with a classic but it entertains and offers a bit of eye candy. I give this film three and half stars out of five for the cliché lessons on love yet its power to bring the vampire back into pop culture.