Movie Review: The Monuments Men (2014)

Hello, all!

Today I am going to be reviewing a star-studded movie. I'm always super interested in books and movies that give you a different look at a war, or show you an element that you never thought of, and today's movie is about war and art!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

The Monuments Men (2014):

Based on: the true story, and loosely based on a non fiction book by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter.
With World War II raging, the Nazis are trying to eliminate different cultures. A group is formed to find lost pieces of art and return them to their original owners. They call themselves the Monuments Men and are specialists in art, architecture, and sculptures. There are only a few of them and there are thousands of artworks and it is a dangerous job, can they ever find them?

"This mission was never designed to succeed."

Genre: Drama, War.
Length: approx. 118 minutes.
Costumes: 7, the uniforms are very official, but nothing special.
Script: 8, there are only one or two bad words.

"'Why don't we keep this to ourselves.'

'I think that's best.'"

Crew:
Directed by: George Clooney.
Written by: George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Robert M. Edsel, and Bret Witter.
Starring:
George Clooney as Lt. Frank Stokes (loosely based on George L. Stout).

Hugh Bonneville as 2nd Lt. Donald Jeffries (loosely based on Ronald E. Balfour).
Bill Murray as Sgt. Richard Campbell (loosely based on Ralph Warner Hammett and Robert K. Posey).
Matt Damon as Lt. James Granger (loosely based on James Rorimer).

John Goodman as Sgt. Walter Garfield (loosely based on Walker Hancock).
Bob Balaban as Pvt. Preston Savitz (loosely based on Lincoln Kirstein).

Jean Dujardin as 2nd Lt. Jean-Claude Clermont.
Dimitri Leonidas as Pvt. Sam Epstein (loosely based on Harry L. Ettlinger).

Serge Hazanavicius as René Armand (loosely based on Jacques Jaujard).
Cate Blanchett as Claire Simone (loosely based on Rose Valland).
Sam Hazeldine as Colonel Langton.
Miles Jupp as Major Fielding.
Justus von Dohnányi as Viktor Stahl.
Zahari Baharov as Commander Elya.

(Source for who's based on whom).
Cinematography: 7.
Cinematography by: Phedon Papamichael.
Music: 8, not a really memorable score (to me), but I love the choice of song (I think there's only one) that they put in there.

Music by: Alexandre Desplat.
Quotes: 7, "Fortunately I'm fluent in French."
Storyline: 6, there is death, a suggestive thing (which is handled really well), drinking, and a lot of smoking. I am some one who is really bothered by smoking, and this is one of the movies that has the most of it that I've seen. I know that it is going for accuracy because most people did it at the time, but I still don't like it. A few times people say "I don't smoke!" but then do it anyone which makes a little sick to think about. Just a warning for anyone who is like me.
Good For: Anyone who is interested in art, anyone who has a tough job to do, fans of any of the stars.

Age Range: It is a war movie. It isn't gory, but there are a few deaths. It is also rated PG-13, but I didn't understand it even when I watched it for the first time, so I would even recommend a little older. It is perfectly clean besides the things I mentioned, so it depends on the person.
Overall Score: 7.5.
Bonus thoughts:
I thought that this was a really good movie. Some times when you have a lot of really famous actors together the movie is mediocre, but they all did great jobs in this! As I said, it is a part of World War II that I hadn't thought about, but a really interesting one. Art is an important part of cultures because it is a way of expressing our feelings and brining people together. If you haven't seen this, I would really recommend it!

Thank you so much for reading! Have you seen this? How do you think the actors did?

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

Hello, everyone!

Each day we are getting closer to autumn, and fall is the perfect time to watch movies! For me, that usually means watching some of my old favorites. Today I will be reviewing one of my older sister's and my favorite movies when we were younger, which we always just called "The horse movie".

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002):

Also known as Spirit.

"The story that I want to tell you, you cannot find in a book."
Through the thoughts of the mustang "Spirit", we follow his story of leading his herd, being captured, finding love, and watching his freedom disappear. People are taking over the land with their big steel machines, but are all humans truly bad, or can some be friends?

Genre: Adventure, Animated, Family.

Length: approx. 83 minutes.
Costumes: 7, it is animated, and there aren't a lot of people, but there is someone who isn't wearing a shirt.

Script: 10, there aren't any bad words, but for that matter there aren't really any words. We get to hear Spirit's thoughts, and the people say a few things, but mostly we just figure things out visually.

Crew:

Directed by: Kelly Asbury & Lorna Cook.

Written by: John Fusco.

Starring the voices of:
Matt Damon as Spirit. "...as wild and reckless as the wind over the land."

Daniel Studi as Little Creek.

James Cromwell as The Colonel (who's character is somewhat inspired by George A. Custer).

Those are pretty much the only voices. Every once in awhile a different character will laugh or say something short like, "Easy, now".

Animation: 10! It is beautiful! I love it. There is so much work that went into it and it paid off. Some parts are based off of Glacier, Teton, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks.

Music: 9! Eeep! Another thing that I love about this! The sound track, and the songs that play are both great. When I'm having a hard time with something I'll sing to myself, "I won't give up, no I won't give in, you can't break me, I'm free!"

Music by: Hans Zimmer (score) & Bryan Adams (songs).

Quotes: 8, and I'm giving it this score because as I said, it doesn't have a lot. But, it certainly doesn't need it!
"My heart galloped through the skies that night."

Storyline: 8, there is some smoking, and abuse of animals, but that's it!

Good For: Any horse lover!

Age Range: As I said, my sister and I loved this when we were little. Any age could watch it and enjoy it!

Overall Score: 9!

Bonus thoughts:

This is a super sweet story, and it is a fun way to spend an hour and a half! I think that we can all relate to feeling trapped, but it shows that we can pull through.


Thanks for reading! Have any of you seen this movie?

MovieCritic