Immortals (2011) *****

Immortals is a true epic.  An epic of awesomeness... something few modern epics can achieve.  It was the perfect blend of vintage epic with a modern twist.  Tarsem Singh has managed to create just the right balance of both, appealing to multiple generations by not mocking what came before but embracing it unlike, for example, Clash of the Titans.

Immortals is a story based on the myth of Theseus (Henry Cavill) who is chosen by Zeus (Luke Evans) to lead the humans against the incredibly barabaric King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke). 

King Hyperion you see, has gotten it into his head that by releasing the Titans he can not only conquer (or destroy?) humanity but also annihilate the Gods (includes Isabel Lucas as Athena, Kellan Lutz as Poseidon and Daniel Sherman as Ares – I prefer the this verion of the name as opposed to Aries).  To achieve this feat he’ll need the Epirus Bow – forged by Ares (shouldn’t it have been Hephaestus?) it is the only thing that can release the Titans who are in turn the only things that can kill the Gods.

Unfortunately, for evil King Hyperion, he doesn’t know where the bow is.  Fortunately, he has the oracle (the ludicrous Freida Pinto) that can lead him to it.  Unfortunately, he loses her to our hero Theseus and his fellow slave comrades (includes Stephen Dorff's very cool Stavros).  Through a series of events, he regains it and Theseus has his work cut out to get it back… can he get it back before  the Titans are unleashed and all hell rains down upon the Heavens and the Earth?

Mickey Rourke in my opinion was perfect as King Hyperion.  There’s nothing sensitive or even remotely good about him (you’ll have to see the movie to find out why).  I found his actions quite disturbing at times – the scene of the roasting giant silver bull and the screams coming from it will send shivers down your spine. 

Henry Cavill played Theseus as a vintage hero (think a cooler Harry Hamlin).  He smiles and laughs something few heroes these days do.  Which is why I like him.

I already said Freida Pinto was ludicrous… women should not be allowed to speak in these movies unless they are useful.  She quickly outgrew her usefulness.

It is however Luke Evans (I think we all know how much I like him – see The Three Musketeers) who once again stood out to me.  People have commented that he should have been bigger in his muscularity.  As a woman, I can say it was not necessary.  Muscularity is not everything.  Luke Evans commanded the screen as Zeus, whether he was talking or fighting.  And that is what a good Zeus needs.  Command.  He showed many sides of Zeus – the loving and tender side, along with the angry wrathful.  Something Henry Cavill’s Thesus, did not quite reach effectively.  That doesn’t mean he was not a good Theseus.
There were a few things I was disappointed in... The first being Stephen McHattie's Cassander.  I know he's getting on a bit in age, but I'd still wager given the right script and look, he could eat Mickey Rourke for breakfast.  Therefore, I'd say bad casting.

What disappointed me most were the Titans… dark creatures that yes, are fun to watch but do not deserve the title of Titans.  If you know your history the Titans included the likes of Cronos – Zeus’ father.  Had they introduced the Titans in this format, a sequel would have been a lot more interesting.

That being said, the final battle raging in the Heavens is a great way to lead to a sequel (should the powers that be grant it to us).   With the promise of more Gods and of course more Zeus (as long as it’s played by Luke Evans)… I’ll be sitting here impatiently waiting for it.  Waits.

The Help (2011) *****

I would suggest that before watching this movie, you stock up on a stack of tissues… It is a tearjerker, but one with a healthy dose of humour too.  You will laugh and you will cry.  You will want to scream at certain characters and pull your hair out.  Others, you’ll just want to reach out to, to offer comfort.  That’s how real and touching this story is.

Every part is so well acted that it feels like you are in that time period watching the ugly side of the 1950’s America whilst also rejoicing in that fact that there is hope through bravery, kindness and the open-mindedness of a few individuals. 

This is the time of segregated America.  Where black people are treated with no dignity and no humanity, a time where black women have to put their jobs of raising their white charges ahead of raising their own children.  Skeeter (Emma Stone) is a product of that relationship.  She was raised by the family maid, and is one of the very few who reciprocated the love shown to her by her beloved Constantine.  She comes home one day to find Constantine gone and no one can give her true explanation of why she has ‘left.’  This traumatic event, along with her growing disgust at how ‘The Help’ are treated prompts her to catalogue the stories of various maids to educate people on what it is like to be  the help.  Her biggest aid in this endeavour is through Aibileen (Viola Davis) and Minny.  Everyone’s stories will break your heart, but it is Aibileen’s (or Aibee as her charge likes to call her) that will really tug every corner of your being.  Minny’s will also hurt, but Octavia Spencer’s performance will also make you laugh until it hurts.

A word of warning… You will want to throttle uber-snooty-witch-Hilly’s (Brilliantly acted by Bryce Dallas Howard) neck each time you see her and won’t feel sorry for her hilarious humiliations as she deserves each one.

There are many stories each intertwining all the participants of the story with many different characters.  My favourite is that of Minny and Celia Foote (Jessica Chastain).  This maybe because Celia didn't give a hoot about 'social etiquette' and in her own blundering way managed to form a real relationship with Minny. 

There are lessons still to be learned… the most important being, stand up for what you believe in.  Stand up for your fellow human beings.

The Help teaches us this and many other important lessons in a way that isn’t preachy, but a healthy balance of fun and sobriety.