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Last week I saw DreamWorks Pictures’ “Real Steel.” You can read my review and see a clip here. Now you can win a special movie prize pack. The prize pack includes:
REAL STEEL t-shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL
REAL STEEL bottle opener
REAL STEEL stickers
REAL STEEL temporary tattoos
This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. age 18 or older and ends Friday, October 14th at 11:59 p.m. ET. Good Luck! The movie hits theaters tomorrow, October 7, 2011!
I had the opportunity to see “Real Steel” last night before it hits theaters October 7, 2011. I was looking forward to this movie. I like action movies. I like attractive leads. But for me, “Reel Steel” misses the mark.
Directed by Shawn Levy from “Night at the Museum,” “Real Steel” (rated PG-13) is a gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, “Real Steel” stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.
Call me conservative, but I don’t like it when movies are billed as “family” movies and they feature a cursing 11-year-old boy. I asked my students today what they thought about a young kid swearing and their overall reaction was that it was unneeded. On girl exclaimed, “It’s hard to find movies today where kids don’t swear.” Do any parents find this sad? Once I explained a little bit of the story to them—a guy who left his son and didn’t really want him—they collectively agreed that the boy had a reason to swear. I’m just not sure if this reason is appropriate for a family movie.
I have no problem connecting with inanimate objects. I would love it if my car was a Transformer, and I even shed a tear when the Autobots show their love for the humans. I just wasn’t emotionally connected to the robots in this movie or any character really. There’s one scene where Atom seems to “feel,” but that connection isn’t really continued. The characters lack depth. Charlie’s dashed boxing dreams, his love interest with Hailey, and his connection to his ex are all underdeveloped. However, Dakota Goyo does a great job playing a cast aside kid. There’s no doubt in my mind that we will be seeing him star in more movies.
Overall, the film isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t rush out to see it on opening day. Oh, I rarely notice product placement in movies, but you won’t miss Budweiser and Dr. Pepper displayed.
DreamWorks next big hit is arriving in theaters October 7, 2011. A gritty, white-knuckle, action ride set in the near-future where the sport of boxing has gone high-tech, “Real Steel” stars Hugh Jackman as Charlie Kenton, a washed-up fighter who lost his chance at a title when 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots took over the ring. Now nothing but a small-time promoter, Charlie earns just enough money piecing together low-end bots from scrap metal to get from one underground boxing venue to the next. When Charlie hits rock bottom, he reluctantly teams up with his estranged son Max (Dakota Goyo) to build and train a championship contender. As the stakes in the brutal, no-holds-barred arena are raised, Charlie and Max, against all odds, get one last shot at a comeback.
“Real Steel” is directed by Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum” franchise and “Date Night”). Like the movie on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
Courtesy of Disney Pictures, I was able to see an advance screening of “The Help.” The movie is based off the book “The Help” written by Kathryn Stockett. As an avid reader, I think I’ve only seen one film adaptation of a novel—“Little Women”—that I really liked.
This movie doesn’t disappoint, and dare I say it. . . I almost liked it better than the book! Read away because I won’t put any spoilers in this review. The last thing I want is for you to bring me “The Terrible Awful.” You’ll laugh after you see the movie.
“The Help” is set in Jackson, Mississippi, during the 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement is at an all-time high and racial tension is at the core of everything going on in this town. The Help, as the Black maids are called, clean the houses, practically raise the children and are often times poorly treated by the white families employing them. One young woman, Skeeter played by Emma Stone, and two maids, Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny (Octavia Spencer), embark on a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk.
The acting was superb. There wasn’t a single weak actor or actress in the film. Not a single one. I already knew that the story would be good; I read the book, but the subtle body language and emphasis on certain words really brought the book to life. I don’t remember crying while reading the book or even laughing as much. This isn’t a dainty laugh, either. I’m talking a full out loud HA HA laugh. I don’t want to retell the funny or sad parts here because I could never do them justice, but be prepared to be shocked, entertained, and touched by the characters in the film.
What I really liked best about the film was that it was inspiring. As I watched I knew instantly that this movie would become a classic shown in classrooms in the coming years. Don’t get me wrong, that doesn’t make the moving boring, but there are few movies created that show regardless of your status that “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” The film celebrates the courage to inspire change. It shows that finding your voice is empowering and that one person with one idea can create change. Isn’t that what we want to believe? Aren’t these the very themes America was built upon? You will leave this film wanting to do something great and I encourage you to act. If not now, when?
“The Help” is in theaters now. You can share your stories and make a difference at http://www.takepart.com/thehelp. You can also download “The Help” book club kit and see a video clip from the movie. If you entered “The Help” contest, check your email to see if you won.
The most anticipated movie of the summer is about to hit theatres on Wednesday, August 10th – DreamWorks Pictures’ THE HELP! I’m going to an advance screening of the film August 8th and can’t wait. I read the book this June and couldn’t put it down.
“The Help” is a provocative and inspiring look at what happens when a southern town’s unspoken code of rules and behavior is shattered by three courageous women who strike up an unlikely friendship. If you have already read the book or plan to go to the movie, check out “The Help” Book Club Kit. The Kit includes drinks and treats all inspired by the book.
Fun Facts
Thanks to Disney Pictures, I’m able to offer you a chance to win an awesome “The Help” prize pack including:
Adult female sized t-shirt (S, M, L or XL)
Pocket note jotter & pen
Fan
Nail file/mirror
The contest is open to US and Canada residents only. Prize Pack will ship directly from Disney at the end of August.
How to Enter…
Giveaway ends August 8, 2011 at 11:59 EST. Good Luck!
“The Help” opens in theaters Wednesday, August 10. You have just enough time to read the book before seeing the movie, and DreamWorks Pictures has created an awesome “Helpful Book Club Kit” which contains everything you need to create a perfect “The Help” themed meeting for your club! The Book Club Kit includes southern style recipes, drinks inspired by the characters, and discussion group questions.
Now for a little bit of fun. I’ve listed the character descriptions and the drink descriptions, inspired by the characters. See if you can determine what drink goes with what character.
SKEETER PHELAN (EMMA STONE): A bright, enthusiastic recent college graduate and aspiring writer, Skeeter bucks the trend for southern women of the time by being more interested in her career than marriage.
Drink Descriptions
Even if you don’t have enough time to read the book, you could always use the treats and drinks for your pre-movie party. So what drink best suits your personality? Are you a Skeeter, Aibileen, Minny, Hilly or a Celia?
“Change Begins with a Whisper”
I’m very excited about the August 12, 2011 opening of “The Help.” I just finished the book and was completly drawn into the story.
Based on one of the most talked about books in years and a #1 New York Times best-selling phenomenon, “The Help” stars Emma Stone (“Easy A”) as Skeeter, Academy Award®–nominated Viola Davis (“Doubt”) as Aibileen and Octavia Spencer as Minny—three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed—even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.
Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, “The Help” is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.
You can follow “The Help” on Facebook, Twitter, or visit them on the web at http://www.thehelpmovie.com.
