2012

Devastating tidal wave

So, we all expect the world to end. The apocalypse has long since bewildered, frightened and intrigued mankind ever since he gained self awareness of his fragile state. The end of the world has always made fairly interesting movies, regardless of how the world loses its most prominent species. But leave it up to ‘Day After Tomorrow’ maestro Roland Emmerich and a long-gone Mezo-American civilization to scare movie goers stiff. ‘2012’ bases its scare factor on the probability that the world will end on precisely December 21^st, 2012...but just way worse then even they expected. (Lucky them!). Super-volcanoes, tectonic quakes that scar the globe, waves miles high. Yeah...but, mankind proves that again, it’s better to be smart than lucky, although Lady Luck just became his favorite deity. 

So, we all expect the world to end. The apocalypse has long since bewildered, frightened and intrigued mankind ever since he gained self awareness of his fragile state. The end of the world has always made fairly interesting movies, regardless of how the world loses its most prominent species. But leave it up to ‘Day After Tomorrow’ maestro Roland Emmerich and a long-gone Mezo-American civilization to scare movie goers stiff. ‘2012’ bases its scare factor on the probability that the world will end on precisely December 21^st, 2012...but just way worse then even they expected. (Lucky them!). Super-volcanoes, tectonic quakes that scar the globe, waves miles high. Yeah...but, mankind proves that again, it’s better to be smart than lucky, although Lady Luck just became his favorite deity.

 When a global cataclysm thrusts the world into chaos, divorced writer and father Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) joins the race to ensure that humankind is not completely wiped out. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Danny Glover, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, and Oliver Platt round out the cast of this end-of-the-world thriller co-scripted by the director and his 10,000 B.C. writer/composer, Harald Kloser. 

 

Day After Tomorrow

Picture of New York city being consumed by a tidal wave

This movie featured stars such as Dennis Quaid, Ian Holm, Sela Ward and Emmy Rossum.  The movie highlights the potency of a growing phenomenon that is Global Warming.  The movie starts with workers collecting ice core samples in the Arctic region when the ice shelf begins to break away, eventually the ocean temperatures began dropping drastically, extreme weather conditions word wide for example, snow in New Delhi.  Amidst all that the signs, at an international Climate Convention the signs were ignored.

From space astronauts observe three extreme storm systems over the United States.  Devastating tornadoes obliterate Los Angeles and the cause due to the increase in the ocean temperatures due to the large amount of cold water entering the oceans and as a result not getting a chance to heat up therefore affecting the North Atlantic current.  With the drastic increase in the ocean levels and the drastic decrease in temperature in some instance in excess of 25 feet saw the development of tidal waves one of which destroyed New York city.  Scientists in the movie noted that all things in nature only when an equilibrium is achieved, then the climate will return to normal, however these temperatures threaten a new Ice Age.

Given the devastation that is apparent, the United States is forced into reverse migration into Mexico.  A lesson is learned and now more consideration is being placed on the effects of foot prints being left by man on the earth.         

The Impossible

Natural disasters come in different forms.  The latest disaster in recent times was the typhoon that ravaged the Philippines. These disasters can happen at any time and cause serious damage not only to a country but cause families their loved ones.

However, The Impossible, is centered around the experience of a family of five in the 2004 tsunami while on vacation in Khao Lak, Thailand. The movie stars Naomi Watts (Maria), Ewan McGregor (Henry), Tom Holland (Lucas), Samuel Joslin (Thomas) and Oaklee Pendergast (Simon). The movie follows their survival after the tsunami and the search for each other.

After the tsunami hits the family becomes separated with Maria together with Lucas and Henry with Simon and Thomas. Maria is gravely injured by debris caused by the wave as she and Lucas are being swept away by the wave.

Maria and Lucas are helped by some locals who then transport them to a hospital. Because of her injuries Maria is admitted to the hospital and has to undergo surgery. Because of a mix up Lucas believes that his mother is dead but is later reunited with her in another part of the hospital.

Henry sends Simon and Thomas ahead with the other tourists and stays behind to look for Maria and Lucas. However, he later learns that his sons have been sent elsewhere.

Lucas recognizes his father’s pants and shouts after him he is too far and unable to hear him. At the same time Simon and Thomas arrive at the hospital and Simon jumps from the van because he has to pee as Thomas follows him.

The most amazing and tear-jerking moment comes when Simon and Thomas recognize Lucas’s voice and they all embrace followed by them reuniting with their father moments later.

The whole family is reunited when Lucas takes them to Maria’s bed side. The movie ends when they finally leave Thailand.

This movie was really captivating not only did it show the realities of a natural disaster but it showed the strength of family. It demonstrated how the ones we least expect to be brave and as well as show compassion are the ones who do as Lucas was able to be that strength for his mother until they finally reunite with the rest of their family.

United 93

Image of bomber onboard United 93

The movie United 93 was based on a re-enactment of the terror that faced the passengers on Flight United 93 from New York to San Francisco, United States of America and by extension the world on September 11th 2001.  It detailed the events and the mind-set of those involved from the time the first plane - American Airline 11 bound from Boston to LAX, struck the World Trade Centre in New York, with its 92 persons on board.  At the time of realizing that AA11 was unresponsive to demands and requests from the Air Traffic Control tower, the thought of it being a high jacking was a passing joke as there has not been a high jacking for almost 20years. NORAD (Northern Air Defence) was contacted and still required further confirmation on the status of AA11.  After receiving confirmation NORAD becomes battle ready but throughout the movie they never received any ROE (Rules of Engagement) or as needed in this case a 'shoot down authority' which can only be received from the President. 

AA11 disappears from the radar, at 8:46 a.m. a plane crashes into the northern tower of the World Trade Centre, all on-board are killed.    

United 175, attempts to hail this aircraft proves futile as it has vied off its path and was in the path of Delta 2317.  United 175 is confirmed as another high jacking and is approaching New York, descending rapidly.  The plane is seen on monitors turning and crashing into tower two of the World Trade Centre, all on -board were killed.

Four Ottis jet fighters are positioned over Manhattan.

FAA closes air space of the United States

American Airlines 77 is confirmed missing out of Dallas

NORAD engages and as yet has not received the ROE or shoot down authority.

Delta 1989 is suspected to be high jacked.

Smoke emanates from the Pentegon as a plane crashed into it.

United 93. One of the bombers strap himself with explosives and the cockpit is taken over by the Islamic militants.  The passengers on -board United 93 learn of the other planes and the World Trade Centre when they call their loved ones and decide to retaliate. Although the passengers retaliate, and the plane not reaching its intended target, at 10:36 a.m United 93 crashed into Shanksville field Pennsylvania, all persons on board was confirmed dead.

NORAD jets were 100 miles off.  

September, 11th opened the eyes of the world on the missteps taken on national security and each country took steps to minimize the instant of this or any such attack occurring in their country.  Over 3,000 persons died that day.September 11th 2001September 11th 2001 statisticsSeptember 11, 2001 statistics.

Olympus has Fallen

Issues of national security are more than often shown on the big screen with the US being the victim of either an alien invasion or terrorist attack and you can almost always expect there to be a traitor. The epitome of a national security issue, Olympus has fallen. Olympus, in greek mythology is a place where the Gods called home. The irony that the White House is being called Olympus but that's a whole other discussion altogether.

Gerard Butler stars as Mike Banning, an agent who was once on the president’s security detail. However following a car accident on a bridge where he chose to save the president which resulted in the first lady being killed. More than a year later, Banning is no longer on the president’s service. The movie also stars Angela Basset, Aaron Eckhart, Dylan McDermott and Morgan Freeman.

As the president meets with the Korean prime minister, a heavily armed military plane attacks the capital shooting down military jets and killing civilians in the streets below prompting the meeting to be cut short and the president ushered to the bunker beneath the white house. There it is revealed that Kang who arrived with the Korean prime minister is the one responsible for the attacks and has another plan in mind which is to see America as a wasteland.

Banning finds his way into the white house and must first find the president’s son then rescue the president from his kidnappers before they are able to retrieve the nuclear missile codes.

Forbes played by Dylan McDermott has betrayed his country and has joined forces with the North Korean rebels to take down America. Forbes is sent by Kang to kill Banning but is no match for him; in an effort to help undo his betrayal he tells Kang that he has killed Banning then Banning finally kills him.

After a failed attempt by the SEALs to gain back the white house, Banning has to try to save the president alone. 

When the helicopter requested by Kang is blown up with the remaining hostages on board it is assumed that he has taken his own life along with the president’s. However, Banning isn’t convinced and goes in search of Kang and the president. Banning is able to kill Kang and save the president but the countdown for the nuclear detonation has already begun. With 3 seconds to spare the nuclear bombs’ detonation is stopped and all is well for the United States.

What’s a good movie without a group of people in a room cheering about being alive and the safety of the Republic?

All in all what can be said about this movie and the realities are that a bunch of men play chess as it relates to the lives of the people of their countries. Their motivations based solely on greed, power or revenge and fueled by egos. 

“Olympus” did fall but only for 24 hours, Banning was quite efficient.

White House Down

"America will not be destroyed

From the outside.

If we falter

And lose our freedom,

It will be because

We destroy ourselves"

- Abraham Lincoln

So who would have thought that those words, uttered by the 16th president of the United States, would be prominent in a movie shot in 2013. America's war on terrorism is as surreal as it is gripping, but when the war occurs on American soil, both America and the rest of the world surely sits up and takes notice.

White House Down is just that, the war on terror brought home in stunning detail and riveting action, by Award winning director Roland Emmerich. And he's no stranger to chaos on a national level: who could forget his jaw-dropping work on Independence Day? Only this time he's ditched the aliens for a group of home-spun dissidents, the nation owes its survival to a single dad, who happens to be a street cop and the President reflects current trends, so to speak. Add in some mind-blowing visual effects (pardon the pun; a lot of minds are gonna be blown), a fairly solid storyline, dialogue that can be better and a thrill ride that at times forgets the 'thrill' part.

Channing Tatum plays John Cale, average working-class dad and Capitol officer who so desperately wants to join the exclusive Secret Service. He's inspired, brave and determined...but he also scores poorly in the tests and draws the wrath of recruiting officer Finnerty (Maggie Gyllenhall), who thinks that he should just enjoy his job and his daughter Emily, played by a sprightly Joey King. But, he doesn't want his daughter to think less of him, so he endures the insults and the scorn by Finnerty. And since his daughter shares his patriotic passion for the single-most important symbol of American freedom, he decides to take his daughter to the White House for a tour and gets more than he bargained if he really gets the job.

Just as Cale begins to enjoy the day with his daughter, the Whie House security is suddenly and woefully overwhelmed by heavily armed men, lead by 'Walker', who thinks he can run the nation better than the current Head of State. Played in fine style by James Wood, Walker plan is fairly simple: remove the President, declare himself leader of the free world and reshape the global politics of the day. Only factor he didn't incorporate was a fairly determined Cale and a less than agreeable President Sawyer, done quite nicely by Jamie Foxx. Between Cale and Sawyer, they endure everything from slugfests in the Oval Office to dodging attack helicopters; racing the Presidential limo across the front lawn to staring down tanks along the Reflective Pool. But hey, it’s Emmerich, so all this feels quite like home.

Now this being an action movie, the action rolls out in spades. The drawback: sometimes the action 'stops' for no major reason to incorporate the dialogue. It comes across as forced or simply a 'filler' between the fight sceens and the humor between the two main protagonists doesn't always flow as naturally as it should. Then the scale of conviction is about as believable as Bush's reasons for war: the White House goes down really easily to thugs who barely shoot straight and for God's sake, where are the video cameras and security checkpoints? Yeah, feel free to just waltz in, the doors basically unlocked....

All in all, WHD isn't the WMD that producers thought it could have been, in light of the other survival successes that hit the big screen earlier this year. But, it isn't as bad as the Syrian crisis either. Depends on what your reason for seeing this blockbuster, you're sure to leave with two things, some degree of fulfillment and the burning question of "Can that REALLY happen?"  

   

This is the end

There are so many things that can be said about this movie and hilarious is definitely one of

those things.Who doesn't like a movie with their favorite stars playing the role themselves of course with the addition of an apocalypse? This is not your average  squeaky clean comedy, it doesn't lack explicitness, drugs and sexual imagery and references. The film centers around actors Jay Baruchel, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride. 

Jay Baruchel arrives in LA for a fun weekend with his friend Seth Rogen which literally turns into hell on earth. They go to a house party hosted by James Franco where there are many other celebrities in attendance including Mindy Kayling, Rihanna, Kevin Hart, Emma Watson, Michael Cera to name a few.

Jay and Seth leave to go get cigarettes because Jay feels uncomfortable at the party among the celebrities as he feels out of place. Suddenly while in the store there is an earthquake then a beam of blue light comes down and sucks people up. The two panic and return to Franco’s house, which to their surprise the party seems to be in full swing and no one believes their story. Another tremor rocks the house and everyone runs outside and sees the chaos that is happening.  A crater opens up and many of the party guests fall into the hole and plummet to