“WE BOUGHT A ZOO” Movie Review. A FESTIVE offering of FAMILY BONDING, ANIMAL BONDING and MOVING ON.

“WE BOUGHT A  ZOO” PRESS PREVIEW

“WE BOUGHT A ZOO” is a Yuletide cinematic offering with a sleepy title.

Make no bones about that.

Yet upon unwrapping, you will be pleasantly surprised that the content isn’t any duper sleeper.

More than that, you’ll be treated to a family parable of a love lost, another love regained and hey-presto! … with love in this life there’s always hope

and everything can be insanely possible, if we only dare try.

After all, it’s approaching Yuletide, ’tis a season to be jolly.

“WE BOUGHT A ZOO” is based largely on a true story about a man and his zoo.

Now, not everybody can or will buy a dilapidated zoo and give it a new lease of life.

The film focuses on Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), a recently widowed father who’s in denial with the unexpected demise of his beautiful wife.

He is grieving and he has to contend with taking care of a rebellious teenage son Dylan (Colin Ford) and a younger daughter named Rosie (Maggie Elizabeth Jones).

Taking the cue from his older brother (Thomas Haden Church) about starting life all over again, Benjamin looks for a new house in a different locality, but when he stumbles upon the dream abode, he discovers that it’s actually a defunct zoo wanting of attention.

Seeing how much his daughter is fascinated with the place, Benjamin decides to invest in refurbishing the menagerie and works with the head zookeeper, Kelly (Scarlett Johansson) together with her enthusiastic team to restore the park to its former glory.

 ”WE BOUGHT A ZOO” is uplifted by terrific performances from the entire cast and a mesmerizing soundtrack to boot.

 Now there’s a charming chemistry between the leads Damon and Johansson.

 Matt Damon is awesome as Mee, a die-hard who has to plow his way through several self-defeating experiences whilst learning at the same time.

He does so with an indefatigable spirit of courage and positivism.

But behold the future generation of young talents – Colin Ford who plays Dylan Mee,

Elle Fanning as Lily Miska and sweet cutie Elizabeth Jones as little Rosie Mee.

They steal the thunder from the veterans.

This heartwarming film is emotively driven, heart, soul and all.

You’ll laugh at the exploits of the loyal employees as they work zealously to ensure the zoo becomes a reality factor, watched by the troupe of gawky wildlife that is oblivious of the unwarranted fuss and attention.

“WE BOUGHT A ZOO” is directed by Cameron Crowe, based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee.

The film director conjures a finely crafted family entertainment for those who are seeking for a few hours of escapism.

It does not preach the heavenly goodness,  but we surely know there’s light at the end of the tunnel for every good man.

Here’s this three-in-one package of warmth, friendship and camaraderie that will have us tingled all over – as long as we allow ourselves to be immersed with the feel-good emotion.

It’s obvious that the cast and crew had put in a lot of thought and hard work into the film, so it is deserving of a watch in the true spirit of Christmas.

Go for it!

“THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” Movie Review. Whatever the ODDS are, STOP in the NAME of LOVE.

“ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” PRESS PREVIEW

Your destiny is in your own hands?

Surely.

Will you readily accept whatever FATE lines up for you?

No?

Will you do anything, everything in the name of LOVE?

Yes?

Then let’s delve into this staccato type story about LOVE afflictions and the disjointed entanglements that come as part of a package.

A man ( MATT DAMON) ponders the future FATE has planned for him and realizes he cannot accept.

He is David Norris, a charismatic politician on the brink of winning a seat in the U.S. Senate.

He has just met a beautiful ballet dancer Elise Sellas (EMILY BRUNT) and he is giddy-eyed.

He has fallen for her. Hard.

No, he will not give her up, ever.

But some mysterious strangers suddenly lurk and conspire to keep the two love birds apart.

These are powerful men from THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU who control your life and fate and decide where you should be and who you should be with.

Free will doesn’t exist and you can’t change your pre-determined FATE.

If you were David, would you put yourself through your own logic, declaring that “everything happens for a valid reason”?

Bullshit, right?

As in everything, it’s easier said than done.

David discovers that he has to deal with the agents of FATE itself – these men from THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU – who will do everything in their considerable power to prevent David and Elise from being together.

In the face of overwhelming odds, he must face a choice.

To let her go and accept the predetermined path.

Or risk everything to defy FATE and be with her.

This is where the story unravels.

Writer/producer/director GEORGE NOLFI intends “ADJUSTMENT BUREAU” as a sci-fi suspense thriller.

But the final product is essentially, a love that defies the divine order to become a heartfelt romance that you’ll root for.

An intriguing thriller with strong performances by MATT DAMON and EMILY BLUNT who share an affable on-screen chemistry in rhythm and tone.

The fascinating script takes us through the aesthetic maze of mystery and fantasy, but in the end we can safely expect that it’s a case of mind over matter, and that it is all well that ends well.

Whatever odds that are stacked against you, will you ever stop in the name of love?

Will you …

Or won’t you?

INVICTUS Movie Review. It's as GOOD as YOU can GET.

PRESS PREVIEW

INVICTUS gets off to a good start with a potpourri of distinguished talents.

Stir slowly …..

There’s the charismatic veteran MORGAN FREEMAN.

Running alongside, there’s thespian MATT DAMON.

With CLINT EASTWOOD helming the production, it’s a stellar ensemble ….

It’s as good as you can get.

Now, stir briskly ….

INVICTUS has scored the following nominations and wins, so far:

MORGAN FREEMAN (Academy Awards Best Actor nominee)

MATT DAMON (Academy Awards Best Supporting Actor nominee).

Plus the wins:

National Board of Review (NBR) Freedom of Expression Award 2009.

NBR Award for Best Director CLINT EASTWOOD

NBR Award for Best Actor MORGAN FREEMAN.

and more!

Now, Stir Well …..

Here’s the STORYLINE in a nutshell:

INVICTUS the movie is largely a biopic of NELSON MANDELA, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

He was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.

Way before his presidency, he was an anti-apartheid activist, fighting against racial discrimination, irrespective of white or black domination.

MANDELA served 27 years in prison till 1990, spending many of these years on Robben Island.

After his release, he helped lead the transition towards multi-racial democracy in South Africa.

He once stated:

“Resentment is like drinking poison, then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

Admittedly, our lives improve only when we are prepared to take chances, yet the first and most difficult is to be honest with ourselves.

Can we be that stoic?

Can we be like MANDELA?

So, instead of drowning in bitterness, we need to forgive the ones who hurt us and move on.

MANDELA cherished honesty and compassion,

He embraced forgiveness and humility,

and the ideal of a democratic and free society where all persons can live together in harmony and equal opportunities.

INVICTUS is a CLINT EASTWOOD film.

His works have always stemmed from an understanding of races, a feel for words and a detailed eye that follows and grows character.

INVICTUS is a beautifully crafted film, a celebration of, as well as a lament for South Africa’s past, charge with emotional and subjective power.

MANDELA persuaded FRANCOIS PIENAAR played by MATT DAMON, the Captain of the South Africa’s rugby team to help unite their country, in a belief that the universal language of sports can overcome any political odds.

MORGAN FREEMAN steps into the shoes of MANDELA and lives the role.

He stands tall in his portrayal of the former South African President, striking an imposing figure of firmness, yet with eyes that sparkle with a deep sense of genteelness,

It is a compelling and thoughtful movie that’s imaginative and deeply affecting, even long after you’ve left the theater.

Final Stir …..

Will MORGAN FREEMAN eventually walk away with the Academy Awards 2010 for BEST ACTOR?

Make a good guess!

This MOVIE REVIEW is written for

BOOKMARQC.COM