2008 Woodie Awards
Pair of movies gets high marks
Jenna Penquite
Issue date: 2/29/08 Section: Entertainment
"Fool's Gold"
This movie tells the story of Finn, a treasure-hungry adventure man (Matthew
McConaughey), who is incapable of keeping a job, a boat, or even keeping someone from trying to kill him. Kate Hudson plays Tess, Finn's newly divorced ex-wife, who is desperate to rid herself of all the troubles that come with being married to such a reckless and irresponsible treasure
hunting scoundrel. They end up discovering a piece of the legendary 18th century Queen's Dowry - a valuable artifact that may lead them to an unbelievable lost treasure, and
ultimately help bring their troubled
marriage back together.
"Fool's Gold" was an action packed movie filled with witty and memorable lines and sweet "summery" sceneries. The biggest problem, I found, was with the technicalities
of the plot. Also, some of the characters were not fully explored, and may have left the viewer wondering if there was more to this person than was being shown. The general
feel that I walked away with, however, was one of wild excitement and the treasure-hunting spirit but most of all left me wishing for some warm summer weather.
Grade: A-
"The Spiderwick Chronicles"
Based on a series of successful children's books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" tells the story of Jarod and Simon Grace, (twins played by Freddie Highmore), Mallory Grace
(Sara Bolger), and their mom (Mary- Louise Parker), who move into an old house inherited by their Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright), and discover that there is more to this house than meets the eye. Jarod discovers a book written by his great uncle
Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn),
which depicts a hidden world all around them. This world includes an evil ogre who, with a host of angry goblins, will do anything to obtain the knowledge contained in Spiderwick's book. Jarod, Simon, and Mallory must find a way to stop the ogre, and
save the book - for fear that the ogre
will capture Spiderwick's life work,
and use it to kill everybody.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles" was a masterpiece of CGI effects. The plot was very easy to understand,and it moved along fairly well. The only issue I had was the climax of the movie was very understated, and
so it left me with a sense of it being unfinished. Overall the acting, the effects, and the story-line made for a most interesting movie that the whole
family could enjoy!
Grade: A
This movie tells the story of Finn, a treasure-hungry adventure man (Matthew
McConaughey), who is incapable of keeping a job, a boat, or even keeping someone from trying to kill him. Kate Hudson plays Tess, Finn's newly divorced ex-wife, who is desperate to rid herself of all the troubles that come with being married to such a reckless and irresponsible treasure
hunting scoundrel. They end up discovering a piece of the legendary 18th century Queen's Dowry - a valuable artifact that may lead them to an unbelievable lost treasure, and
ultimately help bring their troubled
marriage back together.
"Fool's Gold" was an action packed movie filled with witty and memorable lines and sweet "summery" sceneries. The biggest problem, I found, was with the technicalities
of the plot. Also, some of the characters were not fully explored, and may have left the viewer wondering if there was more to this person than was being shown. The general
feel that I walked away with, however, was one of wild excitement and the treasure-hunting spirit but most of all left me wishing for some warm summer weather.
Grade: A-
"The Spiderwick Chronicles"
Based on a series of successful children's books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" tells the story of Jarod and Simon Grace, (twins played by Freddie Highmore), Mallory Grace
(Sara Bolger), and their mom (Mary- Louise Parker), who move into an old house inherited by their Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright), and discover that there is more to this house than meets the eye. Jarod discovers a book written by his great uncle
Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn),
which depicts a hidden world all around them. This world includes an evil ogre who, with a host of angry goblins, will do anything to obtain the knowledge contained in Spiderwick's book. Jarod, Simon, and Mallory must find a way to stop the ogre, and
save the book - for fear that the ogre
will capture Spiderwick's life work,
and use it to kill everybody.
"The Spiderwick Chronicles" was a masterpiece of CGI effects. The plot was very easy to understand,and it moved along fairly well. The only issue I had was the climax of the movie was very understated, and
so it left me with a sense of it being unfinished. Overall the acting, the effects, and the story-line made for a most interesting movie that the whole
family could enjoy!
Grade: A
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