Ladies and gentlemen, this is the “Right World View’s” new outlook on theatrical releases. This begins a new issue by issue perspective and review on movies released to theatres and upcoming DVDs. If you were second guessing it, these reviews will help you decide.

Coming to Theaters…

SHUTTER ISLAND (2010)

U.S. Marshall Teddy Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner, Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo), investigate Ashcliffe Hospital for the criminally insane on Shutter Island. They are there to investigate a missing person, Rachel Solando, who vanished from a locked room. Daniels appears to have inner demons while trying to finish his investigation, as he is plagued with thoughts and memories of his dead wife (Michelle Williams). During their time at the island, they encounter suspicious people who try to warn them of the island’s dangers. Teddy and Chuck realize that they are in the middle of a mystery that they have to solve before it is too late. Shutter Island is a fantastic movie directed by Academy-Award winning director Martin Scorese. I gave this film four stars because of its great acting and its terrific storyline. DiCaprio plays a great character whose inner demons may or may not prevent him from solving this case. Since the movie is two hours long, it is imperative that you stay alert throughout it, because if you miss a part, the ending will confuse you. Other than the fast moving plot, it was a great movie.

THE WOLFMAN (2010)

The Wolfman is a remake of the classic 1941 film of the same name. Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro), a traveling Shakespearean actor, rushes back to his home in England after learning about his brother’s death. After promising to investigate said death to his brother’s fiancée (Emily Blunt), he gets attacked by a strange creature. Subsequent to recuperating he begins to transform into The Wolfman, who terrorizes all of London. Lawrence has a difficult decision to make. Can he continue on with the life that he was destined to have or must he continue on his path of violence, death, and destruction? I gave this film three stars because the acting was superb. However, even though the film was in the horror genre, it lacked in the terror department. If you like horror films that would give you nightmares, than this would not be the film for you.

Journal Entry 1: Saturday night, Oct 21: Match.com Soul Mate?

On a scale of 1-10 rate my experience with the product? I could have lied and described her as some exotic beauty, with raven black hair that rolled past her shoulders and green eyes that gleamed, catching even the smallest amounts of light. I could have said that she was angelic, with freckles scattered along her cheeks and dimples that winked at me every time she smiled. I could have shouted that she had the most amazing smile I had ever seen, a smile of pearly whites that sparkled ten miles off. I could’ve sworn she had a voice like silk that encouraged a tingling sensation in my spine. I could’ve said that she had a name that was music to my ears, like Catherine or Emily. I could’ve said that she was sophisticated with a touch of innocence that you only saw when she looked up at you. I could’ve lied, but I didn’t.

Instead, I told them the truth. Her name was Bertha Sperts. She was nearly six-five, but not like a model, more like a basketball player with the nickname “stretch”. She towered over me so much that I could easily see the blankets of fur that lined her nostrils as we danced that night. She had hands the size of baseball mitts that gripped my neck as we swayed from side to side, stamping my skin with bruises, and huge feet that crushed my toes with each step she took.

She was built like a linebacker and ate like one too, ordering nearly everything off the menu. Then, when she had inhaled her feast, she reached across the table with her knife and fork and went to town on my pork tenderloin. She smiled sweetly as she did it, and I stared in disgust at the scrap of meat that was trapped between her teeth. Her voice was harsh as she asked to be excused and dashed off to the ladies room. I was tempted to make for the exit, but noticed a redhead in the corner. I had no chance, but it was nice to fantasize and I was definitely willing to embarrass myself. I was used to it. I glanced at the ladies bathroom and wondered how many bones Bertha would break if she found me talking to someone else. I liked my legs intact but the redhead was really hot! I couldn’t decide what to do and before I could make a play for the redhead, Bertha returned complaining of the long line in the ladies room.

I could see that she had tried to reapply her makeup, but it seemed as if she had done it in the dark. Her skin reminded me of the worn cream leather sofa I had freshmen year at Columbia. She had scattered some blush along her cheeks and plastered lipstick on her lips and teeth. A glob of what I hoped was mascara, gathered in the corner of her eye and worse of all; my pork tenderloin was still trapped in her fangs!

She was giggling at one of my sarcastic remarks, when she accidentally burped. She tried to pretend she had hiccupped, threatening to hold her breath and God forgive me, I wished she would, just long enough for her to pass out and give me time to run. She rambled on about her job and I scanned the restaurant, contemplating my escape. I thought of faking a seizure, but couldn’t bring myself to cause the scene. I weighed quietly sobbing and telling her I had asked her on the date because I was afraid to be who I was, a gay male; but my heterosexual male loafers gave me away. I considered just pointing at something with a low “oh” and running when she turned to look; but one glance at her convinced me that she could outrun me, and maybe do some serious damage if she wanted to.
No. None of those things would work and so I sat there as she whispered about a near lesbian encounter she’d had in college and winked. I wished she would’ve just converted, but no such luck. I tolerated the huge hooves that tried to slip under my pant leg, the low hissing and the damn pork tenderloin in her teeth! I put up with it all, because through it all, I had learned a very valuable lesson. Never again would I give into the pressures of Match.com.

I was driving around my town the other day with eight dollars in my pocket. My stomach was growling and I was looking for somewhere to eat, and as I drove around I passed a bookstore. My inner bookworm started nagging me. I had finished the previous book in the series I am currently reading and the next book was right inside. After weighing my options for about three seconds I made a quick turn to go inside the bookstore and purchase the book, which was seven dollars and eighty eight cents. I had no more money for food, and I didn’t care. I actually passed up food to get this book.

Now, the series that I’m talking about is probably only for the dedicated reader. If you can’t handle a book that’s longer than two hundred pages you’re not going to be able to handle this one. Each book in the series is about seven hundred and fifty pages long, give or take forty pages. The series is called The Sword of Truth and it is by Terry Goodkind. There are ten books in the series and I am currently on the fifth one called Soul of the Fire.

What type of book is this you may ask? It is a fantasy book, and is similar to J.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Richard Rahl was a woods guide in his homeland, but fate thrust him into a completely new world where he is the ruler of the land, and must constantly stop his world from coming to an end. He experiences forbidden love, occasionally becomes hopelessly lost, and encounters situations that would stump Tom Cruise’s character in Mission Impossible, but not Richard. He has been named the Seeker of Truth, and always finds the right path in the end even if it is a path that couldn’t be predicted.

The amount of detail that Goodkind puts into these books is amazing, which is why I cautioned before: if you’re only an intermediate reader this is not for you. The amount of plot that is within the pages of each book is unfathomable. With some books, you can predict what is going to happen in the end by the hundredth page. With these books, you can’t know what is going to happen in the next twenty pages. It is so easy to become attached to the heroes in the series. Unlike many books, these heroes are human and each is flawed in their own way but those flaws make them more likeable. Each character has such depth to them that they seem like real, not fictional, characters by the end of the book.

This series is so good, that it’s on the New York Times bestseller list and has been made into a TV series called The Seeker. So if you’re the type that burns through books within a day of buying them, and you need something with more sustenance, The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind is something you definitely should check out. And what better time than right as winter break starts when you’ll have plenty of extra time on your hands to be able to actually enjoy the book you’re reading?

*It’s called music?
**Get select songs on iTunes
***Grab it while it’s on sale
****I hear the Grammy’s calling

Adam Lambert:  For Your Entertainment
For Your Entertainment is the first album by American Idol winner Adam Lambert.  On the album Lambert experiments with variations of rock and pop sounds.  The title track off of the album has been received pretty well by most critics.  The album has a song for everyone everywhere and is a fun experiment on Lambert’s end.

***

Rihanna: Rated R
The first singles from Rihanna’s junior effort were lackluster in sales and sound.  However, after repetitive listening of the singles there is a catchy element to them all.  The album is full of catchy tunes and R&B/Pop/Rock elements.  Be aware that the album is called “Rated R” for a reason and doesn’t portray Rihanna as the “Little Miss Sunshine” Jay-Z named her to be.

***

Lady GaGa: The Fame Monster
This album is calling to be considered Lady GaGa’s sophomore effort and it well deserves it.  The new album comes with Lady GaGa’s debut album The Fame and a separate disc containing all-new music representing her sophomore effort Monster as well as all new cover art work.  A classic, creative, and awe-inspiring performer, this album supplies us with more amazing GaGa material.  It is GaGa’s signature Pop genre with a dark and creative twist.

****

Beyoncé: I Am…Yours
This is a three disc boxed set including two live-music discs and one DVD video of Beyoncé’s I Am…Sasha Fierce Concert recorded in Las Vegas.  The song selections are more intimate and the concert is a lot more intimate than her other tour dates around the world.  This is definitely a Beyoncé fan must have and everyone else’s must see.

***

Jay Sean: All or Nothing
A fresh sound in the R&B world has come into play.  Jay Sean has already made noise around the world with his single Down and now Do You Remember.  The album in its entirety sounds like an R&B record that is bound for the repeat button.

****

Shakira: She Wolf
Shakira successfully crossed over into English music with her album Laundry Service.  She has now gone from Oral Fixation to the new album She Wolf.  She Wolf is Shakira at her best with experimentation on the Hip-Hop and Pop turf.  She embraces the original she is and brings new hits song after song.

***

Angie Stone: Unexpected
Having shied away from the spotlight time and again, Angie Stone has always produced good soul music.  On this album Angie Stone takes a different turn continuing to be reminiscent of her soul sound but including variations of R&B and Pop throughout her album.  This album has select songs that will rock your soul and some that are lackluster and dismissive.

**

Boyz II Men: Love
It’s as though they never left.  Boyz II Men release Love in hopes that their old fan base rises from the ashes again while aspiring to gain more fans.  Though it is a great effort, unless you followed Boyz II Men from the rise of their career this album will affect you little to none.

**

Beyoncé: I Am…Sasha Fierce [Deluxe Edition] (Re-release)
Beyoncé re-releases I Am…Sasha Fierce with two bonus songs not present on the previous Deluxe Edition.  Though the album was a hit amongst many of her fans, the re-release strikes no new cord and is an unnecessary replica.  If you haven’t purchased the album at all or heard any of her songs, which I highly doubt, the money is well worth it.  All in all, look for the two new songs Poison and the Video Phone Remix featuring Lady GaGa on iTunes, Amazon, and Rhapsody sold separately. There’s no need for a whole other set of the same album.

*

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the “Right World View’s” new outlook on theatrical releases.  This begins a new issue by issue perspective and review on movies released to theatres and upcoming DVDs.  If you were second guessing it, these reviews will help you decide.

*Painfully bad
**Slightly Amusing
***Worth the Risk
****Absolutely Brilliant

Coming to Theaters…

2012

If you’ve ever thought the world was coming to an end anytime soon, this would definitely be the movie for you.  The movie is a spectacle of special effects, impossible situations, and an aftermath of chronic depression.  If you want to cry or question all of the choices you have made thus far in life, simply make a trip to your nearest theatre for an epic dose of depressing visuals.  The action in this movie is non stop and embedded within a simplistic storyline.  From the director of The Day after Tomorrow comes another preposterously slightly entertaining epic.

***

Precious

A gritty story based on a novel is delivered with Oscar-worthy performances.  Much of the cast are unexpected breakout hits with the audiences almost instantly.  During this film, the audience cannot help but to connect with the characters in one or another and become emotionally enthralled.  However, Precious touches on sensitive topics of abuse, rape, and much more so it is recommended for mature audiences seeking an unforgettable experience.  This is a movie that supplies trending conversation and intense visuals; be prepared for a story that literally jumps out of the pages.

****

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are is a gripping bedtime storybook, but once transferred to film it became an emotionally gripping tale on personality and compatibility.  The film takes you on a journey and exploration of complex personality and undeniable entertainment.  Within the tale there are an abundant amount of laughs for children’s enjoyment as well as adults.  This is a film for everyone that is worthy of DVD and Blu-Ray purchase once available; you’ll want to see the movie again and again for the compelling lessons and characters.

****

COMING TO DVD… November, 24 2009

Angels & Demons

Serving as the prequel to 2006’s The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons serves up much of the same antics represented in The Da Vinci Code.  If you are a follower of Dan Brown’s books and movies then this is a must own DVD.  However, if the first movie was the first time you had ever seen Dan Brown’s name, then you’d probably just be better off renting this movie too.

***

Funny People

One of the longest dragged out story lines in history is not worth the wait or money.  Funny People delivered minimal laughs and loads of cramps in the movie theatre seats.  If you are desperate for Adam Sandler or Eric Bana, your best bet would be your nearest rental kiosk.

*

Shorts

Seeing as to how children between the ages of 2-6 can be entertained by basically any special effect in movies nowadays, this is a must own movie for parents.  If kids are not an element of your household, please stay far away from this movie.  Anyone with common sense would feel insulted by this film.

**

Santa Buddies

If you are a fan of dogs in clothes, dogs in animation, and dogs in film the DVD is coming to a store near you.  Santa Buddies is the next installment in the Buddy straight to DVD franchise.  Though the films have proven successful for straight to DVD releases, this is one DVD that only dog lovers should own.  It serves as an excellent Christmas treat for the kids and family pets.

**

Imagine That

Imagine That is a nice winter family film.  It serves up many of your typical childhood morals and adult realizations.  If you’re absolutely sure you’ll have family time to enjoy this film it is worth the purchase.  Once the family watches the film, it will become a household favorite amongst parents and kids alike.

***

Four Christmases

Fans of Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn have an ideal film waiting for them on November 24th.  The film is typical Reese and Vince comedy recipes combined into one.  Unless you’re a strict fan of Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, you can experience the movie through Netflix or any other form of rental service.  Believe me, once will be enough for this movie.

**

As the year begins to come to a close and we enter the holiday season I find myself taking solace from daily stresses in old favorites. I inhale and savor the scent of burning firewood, I’ve brought my winter coat out from the back of the closet, and at night, I wrap a knit blanket around my shoulders, curl up on an overstuffed chair, and read an old favorite book. Recently, I have been reading Edith Pattou’s young adult novel East, an adaptation of the Norwegian fairytale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, which is similar to Beauty and the Beast.

Don’t let the young adult label discourage you from reading this fantastically written fairytale. It appeals to all ages as most timeless classics do. If you find yourself still shaking your head consider Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight and how it has swept the nation despite it being a young adult novel. Pattou’s words fit the fairytale theme and appeal to the hopeless romantic in all of us.

In this tale, the protagonist Rose is a young girl whose family is experiencing financial troubles and must move, but find themselves unable to as Rose’s sister is very ill. When there seems to be no hope left, a talking white bear appears at the door and offers the family good fortune. In exchange Rose must go with him to his castle in a distant land. Rose leaves with him and finds herself on an amazing adventure. Once at the castle, Rose befriends the white bear who is actually a prince that has been put under a spell by a Troll Queen. When Rose finds that she has lost her friend to the Queen, she decides to travel east of the sun and west of the moon to save the white bear.

This retelling of the Norwegian fairytale is exceptionally well done as Rose is stronger and more selfless than the old tale, and the story is told not only from Rose’s point of view, but also from the view of her brother, her father, the white bear, and other characters throughout the story.  I particularly enjoy this style of writing as we can form an opinion of the story without exclusively relying on the biases of one character.

If you’re looking for a fairytale story that goes a bit beyond the well known Disney style, then East is definitely a novel that you’ll enjoy. This is the type of book that can be read again and again but never grows old. Try reading only a few pages of East and it will definitely be added to your repertoire of favorite novels.

10. Law Abiding Citizen

9. The Fourth Kind

8. Couples Retreat

7. The Men Who Stare at Goats

6. Precious

5. Disney’s A Christmas Carol

4. Planet 61

3. 2012

2. The Blind Side

1. The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the “Right World View’s” new outlook on theatrical releases.  This begins a new issue by issue perspective and review on movies released to theatres and upcoming DVDs.  If you were second guessing it, these reviews will help you decide.

* Painfully bad
**Slightly Amusing
***Worth the Risk
****Absolutely Brilliant

Coming to Theaters…

SAW IV

It isn’t what he’s done up until now, it’s what he can do from beyond the grave.  SAW VI proves to be a horror franchise of the 21st century that can stand on its own.  If you thought you knew it all, you thought wrong.  The sixth movie in the SAW series proves that not everything is exactly as it seems.  Though at times it can feel like it’s a lot of cheap thrills and minimal scares, it is definitely suspense like no other.  The movie sticks to what it does best and is a good piece to the puzzle, missing nothing but audience members who want to play a game.
***

MICHAEL JACKSON’S THIS IS IT

This is a concert experience like no other.  Michael’s last days in rehearsal were put together to form a movie to remember.  Whether you barely knew him, doubted him, or idolized him, this film opens you up to an entirely different side of the “King of Pop” that you have never seen before.  Both a documentary and a concert, this film delivers for fans and music lovers alike.  This a movie that entertains and intrigues the whole way through with dancing, singing, and innovative concert ideas that never had the chance to be showcased in front of the large audiences intended.
****

Coming to DVD…

November 10, 2009
Up is a new Disney classic.  Filled with tear jerking moments and traditional Disney comedy, Up is a movie for adults and children.  You can watch this movie over and over and appreciate it every time.  A successful hit in the box office, Up should be a hit amongst all households.

****

November 10, 2009

A summer comedy hit, The Ugly Truth is full of rude, crude and true laughs.  It is definitely something that you have seen before but with a different twist.  This is the best mediocre comedy since The Break Up.  Not necessarily something you should own, simply something you should borrow and watch from a rental store around the corner.

**