The Day The Earth Stood Still - Review by Camilo Arenivar

This remake/re-telling of the 1950s classic was bombarded with bad reviews from both critics, who disliked it for various reasons, and from people who went to see it. The audience backlash was largely due to trailers and previews that made it look like Independence Day or something with a lot more action. When they got to the theater and had to follow a story and a plot that involved little special effects beyond what was shown in the trailer, they were angry and disappointed.

I went to see this movie a couple of weeks after it had been released, and all the bad reviews were known. So maybe my low expectations helped with my enjoyment of the movie.

It had elements of a psychological thriller; the action was mostly relayed to chase sequences and the stress of trying to avert a disaster. Keanu Reeves makes a perfect expressionless alien, really was it a stretch for him?

And just as the original was preachy with its anti war message, this one takes on another popular potential catastrophe.

Overall this movie is not bad when you think of the context of the original, just don’t expect it to be a fast paced sci fi action film because it is none of that. Definitely worth the DVD rental if you are a sci fi buff or Keanu Reeves fan, otherwise, skip it.

Rating: 77

MILK - Review by Camilo Arenivar

Milk is a combination of a biography and history story. It tells the story of a young NYC gay man who moves to San Francisco in the 1970s’ and becomes a big part of turning it into the gay capital of the U.S. that it is.

Love, sex, and mostly politics are huge themes throughout this film, all based largely on true life events that occurred, culminating in the shocking assassinations of both San Francisco’s Mayor, George Moscone, and the man the film follows, Harvey Milk who becomes the first openly gay elected official in the U.S.

The movie is very well done, Sean Penn is phenomenal in recreating the spirit and mannerisms of Harvey Milk. I believe he’ll take the Oscar for this role.

The impact of this film will definitely relate to it’s meaningfulness to your life. So depending on where your politics and sexual orientation lie, your enjoyment will be tied. Objectively speaking, it creates much of the spirit of Hope that President Obama created through his historical campaign for President, and hope is something that all walks of life should be able to feel. One of the better films of 2008.

Rating: 90