The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
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3 Arts & Entertainment February 3, 2012 'The Descendents' a film about desperately trying to keep a family intact A Struggle of marriage, business, and child happiness Laurel Shoop Topics Editor Set in Oahu, Kauai, and Big Island, "The Descendants" follows the life of a lawyer named Matt King (George Clooney) and his two rebellious daughters, Alex (Shailene Woodley) and Scottie (Amara Miller). Unlike the many cliché romantic comedies set in Hawaii, "The Descendants" brings a whole new feel to this seemingly perfect vacation paradise, focusing on real-life family, marriage, and career issues rather than honeymoons, vacations, and happy endings. This movie brings a lot to the plate, and while it is tragic and heart-wrenching, it also contains some dry humor and many beautiful shots of Hawaii. This movie begins after Matt's wife, Elizabeth, is the entire movie, Matt is also deciding what to do with a billion dollar amount of virgin Hawaiian land that has been in his family for years. "The Descendants" is http://www.hawaiimagazine.com Matt King (Clooney) looking for his wifeʼs lover. involved in an awful boating accident that leaves her in a coma, forcing Matt, the "back up parent," to step up to the plate and build a relationship with his daughters. This accident opens his eyes, causing him to reminisce on his past with Elizabeth and come to the realization that he had spent the last several years too busy with his job to spend quality time with his daughters and keep his marriage intact. When Matt is Bluffer Staff Pick 'The Lion King' (1994) Eddie Spidle A&E Editor Growing up we all knew of the good guys and bad guys in movies. In this classic cartoon film starring famous actors and actresses such as (Jonathon Taylor Thomas, Matthew Brod- erick, James Earl Jones, and many more) 'The Lion King' is one of the best films of all time, with its catchy songs, good ac- tion, and the balance between good and evil. As the movie begins you find yourself watching a heard of an- imals travel through the serre- getti to what is known as "Pride Rock" and the ceremonial birth of the new prince Simba son of Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and Sarabi (Madge Sinclair) it's not long after the young prince is born that the plot unfolds. Mufasas brother Scar (Jeremy Irons) the smaller lion of the brothers and the smarter devis- es a plan to remove his brother and young cub from the picture and take over pride rock. Before viewers figure out Scars master plan on how to take over the pride and get his brother out of the way you hear faced with the fact that his wife is never going to wake up, the family begins sharing the news with relatives and close friends. Things get complicated when Matt learns that Elizabeth had been cheating on him and was planning on leaving him, and the family's intentions shift from mourning Elizabeth to tracking down the man she was involved with and confronting him. In addition to these complications, a genuinely good movie, filled with great acting, life- lessons, and a unique plot-line. George Clooney and Shailene Woodley do a remarkable job portraying their roles as the stoic, heartbroken father and the defiant yet lovable teenage daughter. This movie captures the raw effects of various crises that could happen to any family. "The Descendants" is up for various Oscar awards, and it is not hard to see why. throughout Award-nominated movie with good acting and unique plot. 'Man on a Ledge' poor plot but will keep viewers entertained Josiah Vasey Staff Writer With betrayal, thrills, Scar leaves Young Simba on a rock for an ambush on Mufasa him entice Young Simba to go against his fathers teachings and venture into an elephant grave- yard, not of their kingdom. The graveyard is ruled by the hyenas and the are hungry for power. Although the young cubs were placed in the clutches of the terrible trio of Shenzi (Whoopie Goldberg), Banzai (Cheech Marin), and Ed (Jim Cummings) they were unable to dispose of the Prince and his friend and future wife Nala. Af- ter their failure Scar devises his new plan to rid them both from his life and become king. They will kill Mufasa and point the blame towards Young Simba. Once the film reaches its- final minutes, Simba kills his uncle Scar and takes control of Pride Rocks. I personally would recommend this film to many people especially those who like animals and films with musical numbers. suspense and twists, "Man on a Ledge" is a perfect fit for those looking for a good thriller. It is a tale of corruption and a man willing to risk everything for redemption. It has a strong start with an unknown man entering a hotel and going out onto the ledge, threatening to throw himself off. He claims to have been framed for stealing a 40 million dollar diamond. It is an exciting experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This movie also surprised me with some witty comedy as well. At some points, the plot felt rather predictable, but it had enough twists to keep my attention. I enjoyed the part with a complicated break in that it reminiscent of classic break in movies. Sam http://entertainunlimited.com The Police Psychologist (Mercer) tries to talk down Nick Cassidy (Worthington) Worthington stars as Nick Cassidy, a desperate convict with a plan for redemption. Elizabeth Banks plays Lydia Mercer, a police psychologist that Cassidy requested to talk to. Man on a Ledge is a good movie, but if you came for a psychological thriller or straight action movie, you will be disappointed. Man on a ledge has a good amount of action, but not too much. The plot wasn't too deep either. Don't rush out to see this movie. Wait for it to be released in stores or online. A movie with a predictable plot, 'Man on a Ledge' doesn't entice. 'The Lion King' a film about discov- ering yourself. Guest Review 'The Goonies' (1985) One Stop All Red Bluff High School students receive a FREE 24oz Fountain Beverage with a purchase of a freshly made deli sandwich. 714 Walnut St. Red Bluff Come visit our deli: freshly made sandwiches made to order. We also carry a variety of items in our hot food case. Travis Hansen Guest Writer The movie, "The Goonies" was adapted by Chris Colum- bus from a story by Steven Spielberg, the film involves a group of misfit kids such as, (Josh Brolin and Sean Astin) as they search for buried treasure in a subterranean cavern. Here they cross the path of lady criminal Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) and her outlaw brood. Fortunately, the kids manage to befriend Fratelli's hideously deformed (but soft- hearted) son (John Matuszak), who comes to their rescue. The movie, "The Goonies" was adapted by Chris Colum- bus from a story by Steven Spielberg, the film involves a group of misfit kids such as, (Josh Brolin and Sean Astin) as they search for buried trea- ʻThe Gooniesʼ as their group is called looks at a map of buried treasure sure in a subterranean cavern. Here they cross the path of lady criminal Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) and her out- law brood. Fortunately, the kids man- age to befriend Fratelli's hid- eously deformed (but soft- hearted) son (John Matuszak), who comes to their rescue. 'The Goonies' a quest in its self. Grading System The Bluffer grading system shows what each critic thought of what he or she reviewed, based on the overall experience of whatever was reviewed. Excellent Good Bad Very Bad http://collider.com http://www.heyuguys.co.uk