Reviews

Dear John

The picturesque scenery of Charleston is one of the best things about this film. It starts of as the classic boy meets girl and they start to fall in love but it is not as simple as the trailer makes it seem. John Tyree, played by Channing Tatum (Step Up), first encounters Savannah Curtis, played by Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls) while on leave from the army. He heroically saves her bag after it falls into the ocean so to thank him Savannah invites him to her beach house for a barbecue. During the next two weeks their romance blossoms.
Tatum and Seyfried while both pretty decent actors seemed to lack chemistry to make their relationship seem believable. Even though this film is different than The Notebook I still felt that Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling had more passion. Also I felt as if we knew so little about these characters to really feel any connection toward them. Despite that they shared some good onscreen moments such as when John makes his promise to Savannah on the beach. Tatum played his role well and he seemed like a regular guy. I was disappointed with Seyfried, she seemed to lack something for me.
The best character and the most lovable was Mr. Tyree, played by Richard Jenkins (Step Brothers). He was truly the best thing about this film. His scenes were so well acted and heart warming.
All in all this movie was touching and sad at times but it was just okay. I would rate this film a 6 out of 10.

Book of Eli

This film was about a traveler who possesses the book of salvation. The film takes place after the apocalypse and it is now up to one man to help Earth rebuild. Along the way he meets a young woman who will assist him in his task. My favorite part was how the film was shot - lots of shadows and gray scale. The mise-en-scene echoed of western as well as a road film. Also the lack of dialogue in the opening was well executed, due to the cast being chosen so well.
In many ways this film reminded me of Stage Coach but with a modern take on the western genre. I enjoyed the relationship that developed between Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and Denzel Washington (Training Day). Especially in the scene where she tries to seduce him, because instead they gain mutual respect for one another. I admired Kunis' character's respect for her mother; she was very protective of her. The scene by the distressed wall helped illustrate the turmoil her character had been through.
The grayness and the muted colors that brightened up towards the end gave the film grit and a sense of realism.
"Stay on you path. . .this is none of your concern." Washington however felt compelled to save Kunis because she had an inner goodness.
The script was well written and so was the camera work. As well as the editing techniques used. For example the fighting scenes were nicely choreographed.
Gary Oldman's villian was cruel and I really hated him. Which shows that his personification of evil was a success. I would rate this film a 7 out of 10.