When I came back from LA, my parents were the one who picked me up from the airport. The first thing my mom said to me was, “Shevonne, you HAVE to see this French film about the children’s choir that I have a cd of.” If my mom was that excited, I had to see what it was about.

The movie concerns two childhood friends who reunite after their beloved teacher passes away. He leaves a journal behind for one of them, who is now a successful classical musician, and they begin reading it. The movie flashes back to when the journal begins. It’s when the teacher enters a school for juvenile delinquents and forgotten children. He gives them hope by sharing his love of music with them, and that there is more to life than their surroundings that had become like a prison due to the overly stern Director.

The little boy who becomes the classical musician reminded me of my son. He was introverted, didn’t speak when pushed, and pretended he didn’t like something, but when no one was looking, he tried and did amazing at it. I am also a sucker for movies about teachers who go in and impact children’s lives. There are some movies that touch you, and this movie was one of those. I already know that I am going to buy it this weekend, so I can watch it over and over again. My kids also loved it. It was in French, but they still enjoyed watching the boys evolve into wonderful kids.

What do you think when you pass a homeless person? I know things that I have thought in the past are:
1. They are drug addicts
2. Veterans who have been wronged
3. Good-for-nothing bums
“Tokyo Godfathers” was co-directed by Satoshi Kon, “Millenium Actress” and “Paprika,” and Shogo Furuya, Animator Director of “Millenium Actress” and “Spirited Away.” It deals with three hobos who find a baby abandoned in the trash bins and the mishaps and adventures they have in trying to find the baby’s mother. The three of them are as different as you can imagine. One is a man, a girl, and a transvestite. We discover their stories and dreams during the search, and how the baby brings them all luck and hope in different ways.
I think that all parents should sit down with their children and watch this movie. It will teach them that you shouldn’t be so quick to label people and be judgmental about their lives. Also, that they always have a chance to turn things around. Everyone is going to make mistakes in life because as we all know, no one is perfect. The people who don’t give up and try to make up for these mishaps are the ones who are the real winners. This movie represents this and makes you feel positive that you can always be reborn. As that saying goes, “You can sleep when you’re dead.”
Another reason that I loved the film is that it showed that if someone really loves you, he/she will always forgive you.  In the end, life is about second chances and forgiveness.  You will not hold grudges for the rest of your life when you love because as another of my favorite saying goes, “Love is never having to say you’re sorry.”
The movie showed great life lessons in a way that children and adults alike could enjoy. My children and I laughed throughout the movie and never wondered when it would be over. It’s definitely a movie that I would add to my collection of treasured films.

Resident Evil: Degeneration is a movie based on the characters from Resident Evil II. For people who have never played the game, they won’t get the same appreciation for this movie as the people who played this game, or other Resident Evil games. Every time I saw Leon or Claire jump on the scene, I was roaring and hollering because I loved them. Out of all the Resident Evil characters, they were my favorites.

The plot is about a pharmaceutical company who starts developing the T-Virus, and some of the vials are taken by a terrorist group. As we all know, terrorist groups are irrational, so they start releasing the vials in different locations. Claire is visiting friends in India when one of the vials is released in the airport. The action scenes were amazing, and every time Claire and Leon went vigilante style on the zombies, I was screaming with excitement. I actually rewinded some of the parts a few time. It gave me such a feeling of nostalgia, and I felt like grabbing someone’s Playstation 2 and playing the game.

The only flaw was that they focused on a new female character more than they did on Claire. The chemistry between this character and Leon didn’t work, and I was a little annoyed that she got way more air time than the lead female protagonist Claire.

Other than that, the movie was great. As I said in the beginning, I can see people who have never played the Resident Evil games to really not care or get this movie. Therefore, I say that this movie is definitely more for the gamer who has followed this great series.

Resident Evil: Degeneration is a movie based on the characters from Resident Evil II. For people who have never played the game, they won’t get the same appreciation for this movie as the people who played this game, or other Resident Evil games. Every time I saw Leon or Claire jump on the scene, I was roaring and hollering because I loved them. Out of all the Resident Evil characters, they were my favorites.

The plot is about a pharmaceutical company who starts developing the T-Virus, and some of the vials are taken by a terrorist group. As we all know, terrorist groups are irrational, so they start releasing the vials in different locations. Claire is visiting friends in India when one of the vials is released in the airport. The action scenes were amazing, and every time Claire and Leon went vigilante style on the zombies, I was screaming with excitement. I actually rewinded some of the parts a few time. It gave me such a feeling of nostalgia, and I felt like grabbing someone’s Playstation 2 and playing the game.

The only flaw was that they focused on a new female character more than they did on Claire. The chemistry between this character and Leon didn’t work, and I was a little annoyed that she got way more air time than the lead female protagonist Claire.

Other than that, the movie was great. As I said in the beginning, I can see people who have never played the Resident Evil games to really not care or get this movie. Therefore, I say that this movie is definitely more for the gamer who has followed this great series.

Death Note keeps getting more and more interesting. Even though this volume was intriguing, it lacked the heart-stopping feeling that the other four volumes made me feel. I can’t believe I only have three more volumes to go. Pretty sad about it. I guess I always have part two of the movie.

When I read the previews, I was excited to watch this film. However, I was very disappointed when I finally watched it because it had so much potential. It wasn’t a very good representation of the black community. The majority of the movie was spent talking about how much Black women hate White women taking their men. I thought it was a waste to what could have really delve into the real issues that are plaguing Black Americans, like HIV.

It was also strange how they would all of a sudden bust out with this soliloquy that was so out of character. Major disappointment.

I have always loved “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald; both the book and the movie. When I heard about this movie in the summer, and I found out it was based off F. Scott Fiztgerald’s book about a man who is getting younger instead older, I jumped at the chance to see it. It was a plus that Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, and Julia Ormond were in it. Today I headed to the theater with Heather to see if this movie was able to do Fitzgerald justice. It did.

After the 30 minutes of commercials and previews, the movie finally started. It was very creative of Paramount to have the Paramount icon created full of buttons. I already knew that I was going to love the movie, even though that really had nothing to do with it.

The acting was superb. From the beginning of the movie, I had tears in my eyes and laughter coming out of my mouth. Pitt did an amazing job as the curious Benjamin Button. At every moment of his age, I believed him. He played the old man with a child’s innocence with such precision that I had to remind myself that it wasn’t based off a true story.

A big and happy surprise was the acting of Taraji Henson, who played Button’s adoptive mother. I know that after this movie, she is going to have movie offers left and right. Pitt and Henson had such a wonderful chemistry that I felt the mother/child love from each of them. Of course, Blanchett and Swinton were just as amazing.

The symbolism in the movie was well thought out. I haven’t read the book, so I’m not sure if it was in there already. The hummingbird flying around in unexpected times signified the freedom and bewilderment that surrounded Button and Daisy. The people Benjamin met all molded him into the person he was. It was great how he recognized that.

It was great how past events were shown using an old-fashioned camera. It kind of took the same method in “Forrest Gump.” I thought that it gave visual breaks in the long movie. What made it more interesting is how they used different formats of old cameras to represent the past.

The movie made me cry. It reminded me of my true love and I, and how he was the only person who ever loved me on first sight. Button’s and Daisy’s love was beautiful and wonderful, and I wish that I could have this with him. It wasn’t all about true love. It had a wonderful message about living your life and never thinking you are too old to do something. However, the love story helped.

Definitely a movie that I am going to get on DVD when it comes out.

I was completely paralyzed while watching “Death Note: Volume 4.” It has left me anxious to receive the next volume. I won’t go into much detail because I don’t want to give much away. All I will tell you is that this volume has made me move this anime series up into one of my top ten favorite animes of all time.

I just finished watching “Death Note” Vol 1 and 2. Before watching the anime, I saw the movie, and I must say that I am now really impressed with the film. They did an amazing job of mirroring what is in the anime. There are some minor differences, but really minor. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite animes of all time.

It focuses on death, god complexes, and a cat-and-mouse chase. The characters are not easily identifiable as good or evil. It’s something that i like about this anime. I sometimes feel like I am smarter than other people, like Light and L. I also feel like I am constantly pondering the questions that the characters are battling:

1. Is killing criminals a crime?
2. Is killing innocents in order to continue killing bad people a crime?
3. What is good?
4. What is evil?
5. What would you do if you had the power to kill someone without touching him/her?

Currently, I think the following:

1. Not if they have killed, tortured, or sexually abused others.
2. Yes
3. Still thinking
4. Still thinking
5. I would do it if they were evil people

I can’t wait to get Volumes 3 and 4. This is one thing that I love about animes. It usually makes you question your beliefs and values . I think my love for anime like this one is one of the reasons that I think in a way that others don’t. Definitely start watching “Death Note.” If you aren’t an anime fan, then watch the movie of the same name.

I just finished watching “Death Note” Vol 1 and 2. Before watching the anime, I saw the movie, and I must say that I am now really impressed with the film. They did an amazing job of mirroring what is in the anime. There are some minor differences, but really minor. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite animes of all time.

It focuses on death, god complexes, and a cat-and-mouse chase. The characters are not easily identifiable as good or evil. It’s something that i like about this anime. I sometimes feel like I am smarter than other people, like Light and L. I also feel like I am constantly pondering the questions that the characters are battling:

1. Is killing criminals a crime?
2. Is killing innocents in order to continue killing bad people a crime?
3. What is good?
4. What is evil?
5. What would you do if you had the power to kill someone without touching him/her?

Currently, I think the following:

1. Not if they have killed, tortured, or sexually abused others.
2. Yes
3. Still thinking
4. Still thinking
5. I would do it if they were evil people

I can’t wait to get Volumes 3 and 4. This is one thing that I love about animes. It usually makes you question your beliefs and values . I think my love for anime like this one is one of the reasons that I think in a way that others don’t. Definitely start watching “Death Note.” If you aren’t an anime fan, then watch the movie of the same name.