Tag Archives: movies

“World Trade Center” A Somber, Serious Movie About September 11, 2001 #911

September 11, 2016 Tony Burgess 2 Comments

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This movie by Oliver Stone tells the story of a group of Port Authority Police officers surviving in the rubble of the destroyed World Trade Center on September 11, 20o1. Nicholas Cage puts in a fabulous performance as Sgt. John McLoughlin along with Michael Peña who plays Officer Will Jimeno. This movie is less about the cause of the events but about the people who were doing their jobs that tragic day. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal show the angst and waiting that many spouses felt that day as they waited for word about the fate of their loved ones.

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Sully, A Movie About Courage and Heroic Validation

September 9, 2016 Tony Burgess 7 Comments

Tom Hanks does it again in his great performance as Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger in the movie “Sully”. Sullenberger on a flight out of LaGuardia Airport in NYC had to perform an emergency landing in the Hudson River after both the engines were damaged in flight by Canada geese flying into them. His experience led to all 155 of his passengers surviving.

In this movie there is a story of heroism and validation when Sully’s landing the plane into the river is called into question. Aaron Eckhart plays Jeff Skiles who is the first officer of the plane piloted by Sullenberger. Eckhart is a great actor in his own right and he puts forth a great performance and is a perfect companion to Hanks.

Tom Hanks continues to establish himself as one of the great talents of our day. This movie as a true-to-life presentation of the events of January 15, 2009 when that airliner made its water landing. It’s a movie that is meant to be seen on the big screen.

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Slumdog Millionaire, A Terrific Movie With Determination and Heart

August 27, 2016 Tony Burgess 3 Comments

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This movie has universal themes of survival, hope and rising above ones circumstances. Dev Patel is a great actor and shines in this great movie. I am not sure how true-to-life the situations are in it so some of my fellow Indian bloggers can help me with that question. This film won an Academy Award for best picture so it has to be good.

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Science Fiction Thriller Twin Bill – Close Encounters and Frequency

August 26, 2016 Tony Burgess Leave a comment

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These movies are full of supernatural science fiction goodness. Close Encounters of The Third Kind is one of the greatest movies made of its genre. Frequency is one of those movies that is surprising and full of heart. They both touch on the paranormal and unexplained phenomenon. It’s a part of a twin bill tonight to end our week.

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My Spoiler-Free Review of “Pete’s Dragon” (2016 Edition)

August 14, 2016 Tony Burgess Leave a comment

Pete’s Dragon is one of those classic Disney films that holds a special place in the hearts of many. It’s musical, heart-felt, loaded with old school animation. Most people my age remember seeing it in the theater and were happily entertained.

The new Pete’s Dragon doesn’t follow that blueprint. This is a reimagining. It deviates dramatically but tells the story of Elliot and his fire-breathing friend in a new way with soul, conflict and some social commentary. It has a great story set in what I think is the 1980’s, making it vintage much in the way the original did when it took us back to the early 1900’s.

Casting can make and break a movie and this film has superb talent such as Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban and the legendary Robert Redford. But the main focus is on newcomers Oakes Fegley who plays Pete and Oona Laurence who won a Tony Award for Matilda.

It is a movie I can recommend without reservation. Just a reminder this is not your dad’s “Pete’s Dragon” so go into it with an open mind, you will be rewarded for it.