Marie Antoinette (Film), By: Sofia Coppola

Written & Directed By: Sofia Coppola
Publisher: Columbia Pictures
Publish Date: 2006

Rating: PG-13

Length: 1 hour 85 minutes
Classification: Drama, Indie Film
Genre: Historical Drama
Age Level: 13 and Up with Parental Consent
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Royalty, Execution, French History, Indie Films

Reader's Annotation: In a world of royalty where you can have everything your heart desires, what happens when you can't have anything? Even your own life?

Synopsis: "Let Them Eat Cake" ~Marie Antoinette

Did this infamous child Queen ever actually say those words? Whether or not she did, one thing is historically true: Marie Antoinette lost her head for it. In time just before the French Revolution, indulgence and intrigue ran rife in the the court. Marie Antoinette is given in marriage at a young age to King Louis XVI and sent to live as France's Queen at the Palace of Versailles. Sofia Coppola sets out to show the rock star status and the sensual life of The Queen whose life so tragically ended. A stunning soundtrack and otherworldly costumes and sets, the film looses its magic in the writing. It also fails to stay true to the accuracy of history. Then again, history is in the eyes of the writer isn't it?

Notes: Parental Advisory for Sexual Content, Partial Nudity, & Innuendo. VERY loosely based on on the beloved book "Marie Antoinette: Journey By Antonia-Fraser." Do not watch this film in place of your French history homework. Do watch this film to make your French history homework more visually stimulating. Order cake after watching this film.

Stars: 3 (1 for writing, 2 for sublime visuals & an awesome soundtrack)

Awards:

Oscar, Best Achievement in Costume Design Milena Canonero

Cannes Film Festival-Cinema Prize of the French National Education System

Extras: IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0422720/

Trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WjsqVwWyrI

Wikipedia Marie Antoinette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Antoinette

Marie Antoinette Online http://www.marie-antoinette.org/Welcome.html

OMFG: The Gossip Girl of French History

Guitar Hero: Metallica, By Activision

Guitar Hero 

By: Activism Inc.

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Publish Date: Mar 29, 2009 

Classification: Video Game

Platform: Nintendo Wii, 

Works with both World Tour & traditional guitar

ASIN: B001PKHRVY

ESRB Rating: Teen

Series Titles: (For Wii) 

Guitar Hero III-Legends of Rock, 

Guitar Hero World Tour

Guitar Hero Aerosmith

Reader's Annotation: Guitar Hero fans who enjoyed Legends of Rock will love rocking out to Guitar Hero: Metallica. Guest acts will appeal to heavy metal, punk, and hard alternative music lovers. Guaranteed to have you playing Air Button at school!

Summary:  A new Guitar Hero is out and its designed for those of you who want to ROCK, button, button, button style. Guitar Hero fans who were frustrated with World Tour and it's pop rock licks can breathe a lot easier now. With the best songs from Metallica (old & new alike), Guitar Hero: Metallica offers Motorhead, Slayer, and many many more. The bulk of songs are Metallica and it you thought you weren't a fan, this game will may just change your mind!

Notes: Would not suggest this Guitar Hero for Younger Teens due to the sophisticated nature & suggestions of the songs by featured artists. Parental discretion is advised. The rating is Teen although, no official parental advisory is issued.

Stars: 5 

Awards: N/A

Extras:  http://metallica.guitarhero.com/

Romeo & Juliet (Film), Directed By Baz Luhrmann

By: Baz Luhrmann

Tagline: My only love sprung from my only hate.

Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Date: 1996

DVD Release Date: March 12, 2002
ASIN: B000060OFT
Length: 120 minutes
Classification: Fiction
Genre: Drama, Musical
Age Level: PG-13
Series Title: Part of the Baz Luhrmann's Red Curtain Trilogy (Strictly Ballroom / Romeo + Juliet / Moulin Rouge)
Subjects: Shakespeare, Books-to-Films, Romance, Tragedy, Violence, Family Feud, Musicals

Reader's Annotation: A modern take on Shakespeare's classic love story, Baz Lurhmann delivers stunning modern music and visuals while keeping the original Shakespearian text in tact. 

Synopsis: Romeo is smoking hot. Juliet is a stunning babe. Together they make a beautiful dead couple. Romeo and Juliet as a couple are unquestionably time's most beloved (yet tragic) teen couple. Furthermore, it is one of the most classic love stories ever written (if not the most classic love story). Romeo + Juliet has inspired everything from West Side Story to Twilight. With this in mind, the dream-like director Baz Luhrmann presents his vision of Romeo + Juliet. The appeal to a younger audience is apparent with costumes, music, violence and feuding families (kind of what it may look like if Wallmart CEO's daughter fell for Target's CEO's Son). Rather then butchering Shakespeare Luhrmann presents a window into the depth, poetry, & pertinence of Shakespeare that can rivet even the most reluctant Shakespearian student. 

Notes: Violence, drugs, and sexual references are used throughout the film despite the PG-13 rating. Parental discretion is advised. Foul language is encapsulated by Shakespearian tongue: only English sleuths will catch them. 

Stars: 5

Awards: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/awards
Extras:  Official Movie Website http://www.romeoandjuliet.com/

Read Romeo + Juliet for free online: http://www.shakespeare-literature.com/Romeo_and_Juliet/index.html

Wikipedia on Romeo and Juliet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet 

Romeo + Juliet IMDb http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/

Juno, By Jason Reitman, Written By Diablo Cody

Directed By: Jason Reitman

Original Screenplay By: Diablo Cody
Company: Fox Searchlight
Publish Date: 2007

Length: 96 minutes
Classification: Non-Fiction
Genre: Dark Comedy
Age Level: PG-13 Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Teen Pregnancy, Growing Up, Adoption

Tag Line: "A comedy about growing up... and the bumps along the way."

Annotation: A smart and quirky young girl has an awkward sexual moment that turns into an awkward nine months.

Synopsis: I am sure that a semi-large group of people may have missed the subtle reference to Goddess Juno (who reigned over fertility), but that wouldn't have gotten by Juno. Juno is a clever, teen girl who has a sexual experience with a geeky boy who likes to run a lot. Although a truly likable character, Juno doesn't consider him to be her boyfriend, and even if she did the world that Juno lives is doesn't want a baby. She considers abortion but ends up finding a seemingly perfect couple who can't have children to adopt her baby. Over the next nine months the baby within her isn't the only things the grows and transform. Juno begins to see her life differently, the boy with the sperm differently, and even the perfect family she chose to adopt her child. This is not only a comedy about teen pregnancy, but a comedy that explores growing up, family, and harsh realities. Juno does all this with a laugh through its witty writing and genuinely enchanting cast. 

Notes: Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content and language.

It has been received with mixed reviews from the conservative side due to it's laissez faire attitude about sex and teen pregnancy, but at the same time it explores options other abortion. 

Without an R rating, it is acceptable for older teens to watch, and may even spark some healthy dialogue about pregnancy, sex, and family.

Stars: 5

Awards: 1 Oscar Win, Diablo Cody, for Best Original Screenplay

Extras: Movie Site http://www.foxsearchlight.com/juno/

Trailer: 

The Golden Compass (FILM), Film By Chris Weitz, Book By: Philip Pullman

Director: Chris Weitz
Actors: Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliot, & Dakota Blue Richards
Film Company: New Line Cinema
Release Date: December 2007
Length: 113 min
Classification: Drama, Family Films (Book: Fiction)
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Age Level: Teen
Series Title: Movie based on the series "His Dark Materials" though no more films have been made yet to date.
Subjects: Religion, Alternate Universes,

Reader's Annotation: In a alternate reality, Lyra Belacqua go to the far North to help her friend & other kidnapped kids from hideous testings by a dark, deadly, & mysterious administration.

Synopsis: The Golden Compass is the movie version of the book by the same. The first installment in Phillip Pullman's His Dark Material Series. The story centralizes itself around Lyra. An orphaned young girl who lives at Oxford with her uncle (played by Daniel Craig). The plot is set into motion after an assassination attempt on her uncle and the overhearing of a dubious and dark mysterium called "The Dust." In Lyra's universe, the Magisterium (a religious group threatening to take over her world), she is lurred to the North with Mrs. Coulter (played by a scarily goddess-like Nicole Kidman) with the golden compass in her possession. Children are missing, one of which is Lyra's friend. The golden compass (or alethiometer), is said to tell the truth of things. Can it help Lyra figure out how to save disappearing children and solve the mystery of "the dust"? In a world of animal souls and shape shifters, Weitz translate this adventure into a special effects triumph.

Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia will enjoy this film (but love the series). Fans who don't usually watch fantasy films may enjoy this regardless. This is a series that has a little bit of something for everyone and the movie delivers a faithful (however faithful any two hour movie could be to any book). I had a hard time with the film so I can not enthusiastically endorse it however I am not fully slamming it either. Fans of the book will be the most disappointed audience.

Notes: There is no nudity or bad language in this film. Parents should be more aware of violence and philosophical and religious provocations (in case religion is an issue). Personally, I didn't find it overly provocative, however I have gotten this feedback from religiously conservation parents and thought it appropriate to mention.

Other Notables of Interest: Director Chris Weitz is currently directing the teen film "New Moon" sequel to the immensely popular Twilight film. It is based on the book(s) by Stephenie Meyer.

Extras: Official New Line Movie Site
Book Series Link: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/pullman/
Video Game (10 & up) for PSP, Wii, PS2, Xbox 360, & PC Computer, Check it out Here: Trailer

Rhetoric on religious backfire (Note: This does not reflect the view of Courtney in either direction.)

17 Again, Zac Efron

Directed By: Burr Steers

Actors: Zac Efron, Matthew Perry, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, Melora Hardin
Producer: Adam Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot
Cinema: New Line Cinema's Offspring Productions
Release Date: April 17th, 2009

Classification: Comedy
Genre: Comedy/Romance a.k.a. RomCom
Age Level: Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: High School, Romance, Teens, Fantasy, Marriage, Sci-Fi Geeks

Tag Line: What would you do if you got a second shot at life? 

Synopsis: A graduate from high school in the 1980's, Mike O'Donnell was the star on the high school basketball team with a college scout in the  bleachers and a successful future ahead of him. But instead, he give up his dreams to support his pregnant teen girlfriend Scarlet (Scar for short). Almost two decades later, Mike's carefree high schools days, where he was on top of the world, are behind him. His marriage to Scar has ended, he lost his promotion at work, his teenage kids aren't so keen on him, and he has been leveled down to living with his nerdy high school best friend (who is now a techno-made zillionaire) Ned.

But Mike is given another go at it when he is magically transformed back to the age of 17. While at first he things he's being given a chance to choose a better path, he soon realizes he's been sent back to his younger body for a completely different reason. 

Though not a huge Efron fan, this film changed my mind. Expecting to see a "Big" knockoff and not so great writing, the film itself proved to be hysterical, mostly due to Thomas Lennon and his hilarious ways. He makes me laugh on Reno 911 and the role of Sci-Fi geek saves this film from the impending doom of the same old stupid movie that makes money just because Efron is über hot, which he is.

Notes: A good film for teens and parents can enjoy it as well! 

Stars: 4

Extras: http://17againmovie.com/

Trailer:


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Zombie Honeymoon (Film), Directed By David Grebroe

• Director: David Gebroe
  
• Writer: David Gebroe
• Producers: David Gebroe, Bret Harrison, Christina Reilly, Josh Blumenfeld, Larry Fessenden
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Showtime Ent.
• DVD Release Date: February 14, 2006
• Run Time: 83 minutes

Reader's Annotation: Madly in love, Danny and Denise get married and head off into the sunset to the beachy honeymoon. But after being attacked by a Zombie their honeymoon turns into a nightmare. How far will Denise go to stand by her new undead Husband?

Synopsis: Denise and Danny have the perfect love. They get married and head off to a perfect honeymoon on the beach. Out of nowhere a zombie rises out of the ocean and attacks Danny, only to drop "dead" minutes after. Free of the threat it soon becomes clear that Danny is dying! Denise rushes him into the ER where he flatlines and dies. Denise devastated by her sudden and unexplainable loss is stunned when minutes after being dead, Danny opens his eyes and is back in her arms. They head home feeling blessed with a second chance at young love. But not soon after she begins to see changes in her true love. Will she be able to deal with the truth that Danny is permanently changed? What's more can either of them survive it?

Notes: Despite it apparent lack of rating, neither being categorized as teen or adult, director Greboe delivers what is the most un-offensive horror movie ever made. One part romance, the other Zombie-Comedy, this B-Movie Indie flick is what teens and adults alike will have to admit is a pre-curser to the Twilight Phenomenon.  Dedicated to his sister's late husband who passed away in a surfing accident weeks after they were married, this movie is a heartbreaking yet funny twist on the traditional zombie genre. It is a diamond in the rough, and not to be missed. 

Warning: Light sexual acts (they are newlyweds after all) and horror scenes are in the film (although mostly funny), but upon parental approval, I think this is the least offensive "non-rated" film that both parents and older teens will get a kick out of!

Extras: http://www.zombiehoneymoon.com/

A Second Honeymoon? I can hope! Even though the trend of making zombie films is getting more tired than pretty much any other sub-genre in the history of horror, it still doesn’t dampen my desire to see some of the ones that sound like they may either do something different or, at the very least, be a good time. Zombie Honeymoon (review) was a decent example of the latter, so news on a possible sequel piqued my interest.

“I’ve been in talks with the lead actress, Tracy Coogan, about reprising her role of Denise, and we’re excited about the prospect of working together again,” director David Gebroe told Fangoria in a recent interview. ”I just need financing, and we’re ready to go. I always figured I wouldn’t bother working on a sequel unless the first one was successful enough to warrant it. Well, Zombie Honeymoon definitely was, so there’s certainly an audience for a follow-up.”

So how to follow up the massive slaughter that ended the first film? Gebroe’s being tight-lipped about it but did say that the concept is ”fresh and unpredictable enough over the course of a second installment.”

Gebroe’s working on other projects as well, including one that may be produced by An American Werewolf in London director John Landis if all goes according to plan. No more details were available for that one either, but we’ll keep our ears open...