celluvoid

Disney's Wreck it Ralph presents as an animation visual thrill ride through multiple video game worlds, the audience is besot with comic gags and punchy one liners but is ultimately left to believe that while we are all interconnected we also exist within the restricted confines of our own social strata. Through survey of film theories in Structuralism, Constructivism, Post-Structuralism, Post-Modernism, Post-Humanism and finally Super-modernity it may be proved that such children's fantasy entertainment posits social expectations within the impressionable spectator. Wreck it Ralph as a mainstream entertainment vehicle lends credence to the empowerment of the individual whom does not feel accepted by the status quo through recognition that as individuals we must determine our own self-worth within our respective cultures.

Welcome to the South The final installment of the Metro-Detroit Italian Film Festival (2012) featured director Luca Minero's Benvenuti al sud, Welcome to the South (2011). The venue of Royal Oak's new Emagine Theatre was filled to capacity and resulted in the always unfortunate scenario of turning away hundreds of would be patrons. The film begins with Alberto Colombo (Claudio Bisso) as a civil servant of the Italian-Postale. Alberto has been passed up for promotion to a coveted Milan position and following a comical yet ill-fated attempt to secure another such opening is assigned to two years postale purgatory in Italy's southern region. Alberto's wife Silvia (Angela Finocchiaro) chooses to remain in the civilized north while Alberto is subjected to his penance. The ensuing journey is a farcical romp through social stereotypes and false assumptions which leads Alberto to re-evaluate his own system of beliefs. Steeped in Italian cinemas rich history of neo-realism and romanticism it seems that amore' is the parallel undercurrent to the film. Love reigns supreme beneath the comical veneer, as southern mama's boy Mattia Volpe (Alessandro Siani) garners courage to express his affections for local bellissima Maria (Valentina Lodovini). Alberto and Silvia teeter on the brink of their faltering relationship and her brave trip to the south will either break them or change them forever. A wonderful introspective on pre-conceived notions that prove false wrong when people understand one another combined with breathtaking scenery of Italy's southern coastal regions make this a film for all the world to enjoy. The sequel Welcome to the North (2012) should prove to be equally entertaining as the noteworthy cast of Alberto's friends invade the northern regions. Caio!

What begins as a slow freight train of the slogging political campaign trail picks up to become a downward spiraling vortex in which no player escapes unscathed. The checkerboard of dirty politicking gets uglier as the stakes are raised in a game of secrets and lies. George Clooney as the Director moves his pieces about his role of Presidential hopeful and sitting Governor like moons orbiting Jupiter. The central core of his moral servitude destabilizes and results in the collision of those caught in his gravitational pull. Ryan Goslin gives a dark and stormy performance as the kid who will do what it takes to stay in the game. Evan Rachel Wood who is hard pressed to pass for twenty lends a subtle seductress sans innocent intern credibility. Paul Giomantii creates a swarthy opponent to the Morris campaign, He don't drink no F---in Merlot and He didn't order any F---in Buffalo Wings! Phillip Seymour Hoffman gives an incredible level of believability and proves that great acting is knowing when to shut your trap. Marrisa Tomei blends in beautifully as the reporter hot on the trail, she's a bloodhound that is going to sniff out what she can from the campaign. Very well done, and hat's off to George for not stealing the show.