Monday, February 9, 2015

Movie Review: I, Origins (2014)

"I, Origins" is written, directed, and produced by Mike Cahill.  Graduate student Ian (Michael Pitt) is determined to discredit creationists by proving that the eye has evolved.  Ian's interest in eyes leads him to meet the mysterious Sofi (Astrid Berges-Frisby).  Despite Sofi's much different belief system, the pair date and are ready to marry.  Ian's lab assistant Karen (Brit Marling) calls him after discovering a breakthrough, which upsets Sofi.  The wedding is delayed and an accident sends Ian on a path causing him to investigate scientifically as well as his closely-held beliefs.

There's a lot to like in this film.  The story haunted me for days, especially the line about the lead character searching to disprove faith with science but what if that science is challenged by faith.  There is a strong theme here about faith vs. science and in Ian the audience can see a man who is ruled by science yet feels a pull towards the unexplained by Sofi and circumstances out of his control.  The acting is good here too - I liked Pitt, Berges-Frisby, and Marling.  Look for a small role for Steven Yeun from "Walking Dead" fame.  What I didn't like here was some uneven writing and directing where the film starts as this opposites-attract love story then abruptly switches to suspense, science fiction thriller.  I wish the transition was a bit smoother.  Otherwise, this is an engaging and thought-provoking film.

Thought-provoking though a bit uneven - B


Movie Review: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014)

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is a 2014 reboot of the cartoon/comic/movies of the 90's.  April O'Neil (Megan Fox) is a reporter with a nose for news but stuck making fluff pieces when she lands on the trail of some secret vigilantes who are protecting New York City from a clan of thieves.  April's persistence leads her to a startling discovery - a connection between her deceased father's lab and the vigilantes who are really teenage mutant ninja turtles.  Also stars Will Arnett and look for Whoopi Goldberg in a small part as April's boss.


Fans of the original series might enjoy this film for the nostalgia.  There are some fun moments and some action sequences but overall this film isn't much to recommend.  At some points even Megan Fox seemed a bit bored with it all.

This is okay but nothing to run out to see - C