Movie review: ‘Thor’

Leon Goodrum

By Leon Goodrum

LA MESA — Thor is film based on the Marvel comic of the same name and is the fourth film released by Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, the Legendary god of thunder.  Fans of the comic got wind of the film back in 2006-07 but, due to set backs, the production of the film was halted.  Director Kenneth Bragnagh later put life back into the project.

The film begins in the past: we find Thor’s father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) king of Asgard, is at war with Frost Giants who have set out to conquer the nine realms, earth included. Odin defeats the Frost Giants and takes their source of power – the Casket of Ancient Winters.  Afterward this, the realms return to peace. This is were we meet our young hero Thor (Chris Hemsworth), blonde haired precocious child, and his young brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), a wide eyed dark haired child.

Thor prepares to receive his crown when there is a disturbance in the kingdom, as the Frost Giants attempt to reclaim their stolen items.  Thor, enraged by this threat, marches off to do as his father did and slay the Frost Giants. Odin, angered by his son’s disobedience, strips Thor’s powers and casts him out of Asgard, to earth were he is to remain in exile until he gains the right to return to his home.

Movie review: ‘Rio’

By Alexis Tittle

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Rio is the latest animated feature from Blue Sky Studios, the creators of Ice Age.  Although this movie is rated G, it is not just for kids – it’s a good date movie as well.  The story is about Blue (Jesse Eisenberg) a tropical bird from Rio de Janeiro, but misplaced in Minnesota, who returns to his home to ensure the survival of his species.

Blue grows up ‘protected’ and never learns to fly.  An exotic bird scientist (Rodrigo Santoro) finds Blue and convinces his owner to bring him to Rio de Janeiro so Blue can be mated.

The mating doesn’t go exactly as planned as Blue and his match Jewel (Anne Hathaway) are captured. They escape with the assistance of a series of characters including a Toucan played by George Lopez.

Lopez’s voice is awkward for the toucan – it just doesn’t sound good.  Other than that, the movie was funny.  A highlight for me was the pick-pocketing gangster marmosets that distract tourists with tricks to steal watches.

At one point in the movie, a standoff ensues between birds and monkeys, then someone yells “Birds versus monkeys!” and they all fight.  In a real fight the monkeys would win but,  because Rio is a bird movie, the birds win.

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Tittle is a student in Media Comm 132; email her at alexist@gcsummit.com

Movie Review: ‘Fast Five’

Leon Goodrum

By Leon Goodrum

LA MESA – Furious Five is the fourth in the order of The Fast and Furious franchise. Although there are five films, the third – Tokyo Drift – is technically the last in the order. In 2001, when The Fast and the Furious was released it became an instant hit, producing several sequels including 2 fast 2 furious, Tokyo Drift, and Fast and Furious.  The Fast and the Furious series continues to be well received.

Returning characters who blessed the screen in this action-packed ride included the following: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Tyrese Gibson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.  With the addition of a new cast member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the cast has really been rounded-out.

The movie starts off after the events of the fourth film of the series, Fast and Furious. We find Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) finally caught and brought to trial for the savage beating that had occurred in the first film. Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), along with Dom’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), break Dom out of custody, and the trio flee to South America.

Movie-review: Paul

By Leon Goodrum

Leon Goodrum

Paul – Rated: R (Rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use.)

Directed by – Greg Mottolla

Written by – Simon Pegg, Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shawn of the Dead)

Paul is the story of Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), two friends who, while on their journey from Comic Con, run into a rather unlikely companion: Paul, an extraterrestrial (voiced by Seth Rogan). The film makes fun of American’s obsession with UFO’s and government cover-ups.

Paul and the duo race to town, while sheltering Paul in an attempt to hide him from the US government, which had held him captive for the past 60 years. Special Agent Lorenzo Zoil (Jason Bateman) is tasked with re-capturing Paul and will stop at nothing to get his hands on the spaceman.

Paul Reminds me of ET or even the 1988 knock off Mac and Me: it is a quirky film as many of the Simon Pegg and Nick Frost films have been. With guest appearances from numerous famous faces such as Justin Reed, Sigourney Weaver and Jeffery Tambor, the film is sure to satisfy in theaters, starting Friday March 18^th. Be sure to go out and have a laugh.

Rating: 4/5

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Goodrum is a student in MCOMM 132; email him at leong@gcsummit.com

Going out? How about a circus or a movie?

By Corey Streeper

Corey Streeper

EL CAJON– Circus Vargas, which eschews animals for human performers, recently returned to San Diego County for the first time in three years with a brand new cast. I recently saw a performance and was astonished by all of the different acts.

One was an all-brother acrobatics team, who built themselves into a giant human robot. One of the brothers stood firm on the ground as two of the other brothers attached themselves to his arms. Then another climbed upon his shoulders, and a fifth brother wrapped himself around his waist. Then, as one, they strutted around the center ring.

Another memorable act was a family of motocross stuntmen utilizing what they called their” ball of death” Not only did they perform inside this ball in single and group acts, but one of the performers was only nine years old. Without giving away the super secret part of the act I will just say that it is a must see.

During the show one of the trapeze artists almost fell from a swinging tower and although it was part of the show I still leaped with fear from my seat. This circus team has been doing this for many years in Venezuela and recently purchased the Circus Vargas name so they could bring the act to America.

‘Black Swan’ dramatizes dancer’s drive

By Alexis Tittle

LA MESA– The movie Black Swan is a story about the epic lengths one ballerina (Natalie Portman) goes not to play, but to become, her part. Her journey is not an easy one as she has to deal with an overbearing mother who is always invading her privacy. Her instructor also repeatedly  pushes her to “be the part.”

To make things even more spicy, Mila Kunis plays her understudy and competition for the leading role. This move takes so many unexpected twists you’re not sure what will happen next. Make sure to see this movie if you’re thinking of becoming an actress,  studying film analysis, or have a passion for dance. This movie is sure to impress.

At Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony, Black Swan will vie in five major categories: Best picture, Best leading actress, cinematography, directing and film editing.

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Tittle is a student in Media Comm 132; she may be contacted at alexist@gcsummit.com

ASGC President Enders talks Oscars

GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Natalie Portman will win the 2011 Oscar for  best actress for Black Swan, and Christian Bale will take the best supporting actor award for his work in The Fighter, says Christopher Enders. The current president of the Associated Students of Grossmont College, dancer, and movie fan made these predictions about  Sunday, Feb. 27,  Academy Awards during a recent interiew with  GCSummit contributor Ilia Evans and videographer and MCOM 132 student Earnest Carter.

Enders declined to make other predictions, saying he had not seen all the nominated movies yet, something he said was key to successful Oscar predicting. But he did note the performances of both Portman portraying a ballet dancer and Bale playing a drug-addicted boxer both involved strenuous physical transformations and journeys.  He said that voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have historically looked very favorably at actors who  “take the audience with them through their complicated journey.”

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Movie review: ‘The Roommate’

By Leon Goodrum

Leon Goodrum

EL CAJON –- The Roommate features Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester and rising star Minka Kelly as two roommates whose seemingly normal shared-living turns both obsessive and deadly.

The film is a familiar horror for anyone who has had the pleasure of rooming with a random dorm-mate, or may be preparing to transfer to a 4-year college.  Worse than someone who leaves  toe nail clippings in the room, or leftover food on the desk,  Rebecca (Leighton Meester) is wicked and dark.

Sara Mathews (Minka Kelly) enters her first year at the fictional University of Los Angeles and, because of her model looks, instantly gains friendship with Tracy Morgan (Alyson Michalka) and a frat boy, Stephen (Sam Gigandet) .  Then her roommate, Rebecca,  instantly decides that she and Sara should be “BFF’s.”

Baseball, Buffalo Soldiers, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Gospel … It’s Black History Month on campus!



GROSSMONT COLLEGE (Press Release)–“A History of the Negro Baseball Leagues,” will be the subject of a free lecture by Byron Motley, documentary filmmaker and motivational speaker, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, in Building #26, Room #220,

The history of the Negro Baseball League (1920-1960) is draped in a fabric that mirrors America’s culture from segregation to integration.

Motley’s presentation will show how the progression of America’s race relation journey is reflected in events that unfolded in the Negro Baseball Leagues. The presentation will include segments from Oh How They Lived, Stories of the Negro Leagues, a television documentary that he produced.

‘Unstoppable’ worth a family stop by the movie theatre

By Leon Goodrum

EL CAJON, California-Unstoppable  stars Academy Award winner Denzel Washington and Chris Pine as two men attempting to stop an out-of-control train with dangerous cargo aboard.

The premise was inspired by a 2001 incident involving a  47-car CSX Transportation freight train, which raced unmanned across Ohio train tracks. With a fair share of Hollywood flair the movie beefs up the factual situation.