2012 (2009)

So the world is going to end in 2012, like we haven't heard that one before. And while the movie at least tries to explain the scientific basis behind why the world is falling apart, it fails in the one reason the movie was created, its special effects. Honestly, why the writers even bothered with a plot is beyond me, especially since they don't do much with it except add to its runtime. Of course the world falls apart around the main characters and the craters them around like winding snakes playing a game of tag. It is the same old just in the nick of time story with a more than obvious blue screen. The movie starts off with a tired middle aged man facing a personal crisis, played by John Cusak. This isn't a stretch for Cusak as he is constantly re-playing this type of character. At least he tries to act scared when the earths crust gives way. The movie continues to race towards its inevitable conclusion when a catastrophic solar flare emitting mutated neutrinos warms up the earths core to temperature that break the crust. Earthquakes and fault lines start to form as Cusak's character fights to take his family to the secret arcs (yes, like Noah) that the government has built in China to save all of the rich and powerful. By the time the movie hits the halfway mark, the plot leaves behind all semblance of hope when a pilot with barely a licence flies a Antonov cargo plane to China. The whole movie feels like a long Disney ride on crack, you know the ones where the chairs move and you can't believe that you are subjecting yourself to the nasea. Sometimes it's fun but for the most part you just can't help but laugh.

Introduction

The first thing you need to know is that I am a realist when it comes to my opinion on most movies. I love watching them, but I am almost always disappointed and typically walk out of the cinema cursing the creators for its flaws. I watch almost all kinds of movies and I can't pick my favourite. My list of must see films include Fried Green Tomatoes, The English Patient, Gladiator, Braveheart, It's a Wonderful Life, Lord of the Rings trilogy and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. My biggest bias, however, comes with rom-coms - must be the sappy side of me. I know that they are all the same but I can't help it. Recently though there seems to be no life or effort put into them anymore. Where are the fresh witty scripts? You can't even compare Valentines Day with Love Actually.

My biggest passion is theatre. Walking to my seat with ticket in hand and staring up at the big red curtain or getting a sneak peak at the set. Trying to figure out the mood or tone of the play before it starts based on what you see and then getting it completely wrong. I love it. My favourite playhouse is Vertigo Theatre in Calgary which is a small venue that only shows mystery plays. They do a fabulous job with the sets, direction and play selection. I don't know what it is about mystery plays but trying to guess who dunnit in intermission is half the experience.

So that's a little about me and what I like.