John Rabe

As I sit here alone on my space ship I begin to wonder what makes a true hero? and even working in the face of evil can a man redeem himself while still being a part of problem? Well this film John Rabe answers just those questions. Based on a the International best selling book "The Good Man Of Nanking" which in turn is the true account of the amazing man known as John Rabe (pronounced Jean Rob).

The film takes place in China during 1937 in the planet Earths second world war. The film centers around the German businessman John Rabe after the Battle of Nanking, which led to the Nanking Massacre. This film leads up to this moment and how John Rabe sees the atrocities the Japanese are committing and in turn is elected to govern a safety zone in the midst of the surrounding war. Ulrich Tukur does a amazing job at portraying the title character and is joined by a very talented international cast including Daniel Brühl (From Inglorious Basterds and The Bourne Ultimatum), and Steve Buscemi (From Boardwalk Empire and Saint John of Las Vegas). Steve Buscemi plays an American doctor named Robert Wilson whom holds a deep grudge against the Nazi Rabe but begrudgingly takes the role of co leading the safety zone with Rabe. Daniel Brühl portrays a German doctor of a Jewish background who helps put together the safety zone.

I hate to talk about the whole story in my reviews because basically I feel if I am writing a good review, I want you to see the movie and if I tell you the whole story, what is the point. But through and through, I just want to let you know that this movie is a story the world should know and very few do. History is filled with heroes and some do not get as much credit as they deserve and John Rabe is one of those men. This story, like most World War II stories is dark and depressing, but the thing I loved about this film is the fact that they do have moment that make you smile, and sometimes laugh, which is not something you can say about many war films.

I honestly must say that this was my favorite film of 2010, and that may be a very big surprise to many people considering it had nothing to do about Facebook or Jesse Eisenberg talking slowly and silently. But I feel that this film combines so much of what makes films and overall stories great. A lot of credit has to go to the director, Florian Gallenberg. The fact this was only his seventh film to date shows a lot of promise for him as a very successful international film director. This film was nominated for and won many awards across the globe to show this including being nominated for over seven German Film Awards, winning Best Film, Best Actor (for Ulrich Tukur), Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design. Ulrich also won Best actor at the Bavarian Film Awards, meaning none for the movie monopoly of the U.S.A. But most of the time I find any films not from the U.S.A. to be of a much higher quality. A lot of other countries have not lost sight that film is an art and not just a huge cash machine.

and since he helps me post these Jacob asked me to point out that Steve Buscemi's performance is phenomenal and among his best and he was one of very few non German citizens to be nominated in the German Film Awards, this being for Best Supporting Actor.

5 out of 5

Now I have to go wax my rod, or as humans say, make sure that when metal touches metal it doesn't make that high pitched squeaking sound that sometimes hurts your ears making you rush to the nearest store for a can of WD40.

Stay tuned for the next Review From Outer Space!!!!!

The Illusionist

My first review is of The Illusionist, the new film by Sylvain Chomet, who made the wonderful Triplets of Belleville. The film is about a down and out magician who just can't seem to find anyone who still enjoys magic, until one performance at a dive bar where a little girl falls in love with his act and this sparks a relationship between them that will change their lives forever.

Although The Illusionist is mostly a silent film accompanied by some beautiful music written by the director, it captivates you the whole way through. I feel that although some people feel silent films are a thing of the past, The Illusionist shows that dialogue is not necessarily needed in order to have a modern day masterpiece. The fact that just as much emotion can come through these silent animated character as the best Laurence Olivier performance is outstanding to me. That is one thing about animation that out trumps other entertainment is that you can have an outstanding performance even without words. I mean just look at how far Wile Coyote and Pink Panther got without using words.

The one thing that really shines in this film is the artwork, the only other animated artwork I can compare it to is Hayao Miyazaki films, and we all know how beautiful the animation is one those, at least I hope we do, if not please go treat your self to Porco Rosso or My Neighbor Totoro. But when an animated film gives away so much beauty and it still has a wonderful story, you have some very talented people at work there. Just as with Miyazaki's films almost every single frame is a picture I would gladly frame and put on my wall.

Overall the film has a great production value, as well as a great story and beautiful visuals. After seeing this film I really would have liked to see Toy Story 3 win best film and The Illusionist win best animated film, because Toy Story 3 was a great film, but The Illusionist was a great animated film. The animation in the Illusionist out trumps any 3d experience because once you realize how long it took to put in all the details of this film mostly by hand and not a computer you begin to realize how much work went into this film and just how much recognition is deserves.

5 out of 5

Now I must go and change the whale oil in my spaceship but stay tuned for the next Movie Review From Space!!!!!!!!!