BIG EYES MOVIE REVIEW

BIG EYES MOVIE REVIEW: By Tamera Lawrence

Family life was different in the 1950’s for women, who were expected to stay at home and take care of their family. A husband was the main breadwinner.  For better or worse is the motto and divorce is frowned upon. So when Margaret Keane (Amy Adam) leaves her husband, towing along their young daughter, she is met with a stigma already attached. Work is hard to come by for the housewife, who gets a job painting furniture. But Margaret is not deterred, painting portraits of her daughter and other children with her trademark of huge, sad eyes or better known as the “Windows of the Soul.”

 During an sidewalk art fair, Margaret meets the charming Walter Keane, who sweeps her off her feet. With praise and enough ambition for the both of them, the soon to be husband sets upon a quest to find a market for the both of them. It works only too well. Dismayed when his wife’s art begins to sell, Walter claims her artwork as his own, basking in his what should have been his wife’s glory. The eccentric Walter soon hits payday as the paintings, posters and postcards craze begins. But poor Margaret is left out of the limelight, resentful and frustrated by her husband’s lies. Things only spiral after that in what leads to a heated showdown between husband and wife. 

Based on a true story, BIG EYES is a wonderful drama with a few laughs in between. Margaret is an exceptional character, who one can only root for. As much as you want to hate Walter, you can’t help but smile at his quirky character and his sinister charm. 

BIG EYES is a great movie, well written and worth watching. 

Go see it.

 

Reviewed by Author Tamera Lawrence

Author of: 

THE POND
WRECKER
GHOST OF MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING
THE SERPENT'S MARK

* All books are available on Amazon.com

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS MOVIE REVIEW

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS MOVIE REVIEW 

 

            “I am.” The name for which God calls himself is barely hinted in the movie EXODUS: GODS and KINGS.  God’s wrath is mighty, but the how and why seem to be absent from the film. The story of Moses and the Israelites is one of the most fascinating stories in the Bible. Yet, the writers of the film took great liberties changing things up. For instance, Moses wields a sword given to him by Pharaoh rather than using the simple staff, whose use was directed by God. This obviously led to the absence of the staff turning into a serpent, since there was none. Aaron was also a part of God’s plan to aid Moses in dealing with Pharaoh, yet he is barely noticeable in the film. The ten plagues were quickly time elapsed, with barely a word spoken between Moses and Pharaoh. One would wonder if Pharaoh even knew he was being told to “Let my people go.”  In the book of Exodus, scripture says that Moses’s wife and children traveled with him back to Egypt, yet this movie wife stayed behind angry with God and her man. Passover was hardly explained as to why it was necessary to put the blood over the doorposts.

In a good movie, an observer needs to feel connected to the main characters. There was little to connect with in this film. The Israelite's plight was more of an overview, with no real story to sink your teeth into. People getting whipped, hung and working in the fields should have tugged at the heart, but alas barely so. Although an awesome actor, Christian Bale’s Moses is stifled, angry and questioning God. He seems to have no faith in anything except his sword. Although the real Moses was reluctant to be the deliverer of the Israelites, this movie version Moses is disrespectful to God. But perhaps this can be explained by the small, sulky boy playing I AM.

 In what should have been an epic scene, the parting of the Red Sea was a bit confusing with the Israelites walking up to the chests into the Red Sea, then suddenly walking in and out of watery areas. The parting of the sea should have been a fascinating moment - one of triumph revealing God’s almighty power, but again it seemed distorted and insignificant. 

My review: What could have been a fascinated film was stifled by poor dialogue and confusion. Most writers will embellish a story a bit, but that wasn’t this film’s problem. It was lack of heart. Substance. Faith. 

Perhaps a narrator would have helped the film’s cause.  

Reviewed by: Tamera Lawrence, author

Happy Holidays

 "HOPE EVERYONE IS ENJOYING THE CHRISTMAS SEASON THIS YEAR!"

DELIVER US FROM EVIL: MOVIE REVIEW

DELIVER US FROM EVIL MOVIE REVIEW

 Does evil exist? Not just any kind of evil, but a true evil that can possess a human soul? That is the question facing Officer Ralph Sarchie (Eric Bana) in the movie DELIVER US FROM EVIL. Officer Sarchie has little faith in all that is holy and no belief whatsoever in what’s considered unholy. Officer Sarchie blames crime on human nature.  It’s obvious from the beginning just how mind numbing dealing with crime in New York has affected the officer.  But that all begins to change when Ralph is faced with the malicious actions of seemingly once normal people who’ve appeared to have come under some kind of demonic possession. Officer Sarchie and his family become targets of supernatural forces.  It will take brawn, faith and the help of an exorcism priest to fight the evil in their midst. 

DELIVER US FROM EVIL is based on true events in Officer Sarchie’s life. A scary thought indeed.  One only has to pick up the paper or watch the news to see evil pop up its ugly head. But is it human nature or something more darker?

DELIVER US FROM EVIL is an intense movie that runs on a pretty good clip.  There is a familiar feel to the story as Hollywood has created similar gory scenes before. However, there are a few scares in the mix. If anything, it wasn't boring.

An interesting note: Today Officer Sarchie is now a well-known demonologist believing in his cause.

Reviewed by Author Tamera Lawrence aka Tammy Tattles

http://www.outskirtspress.com/GHOSTSOFMAYFLOWER

GOZILLA MOVIE REVIEW



REVIEW

 

 

Friend or foe of man? That is the question in the new 2014 GODZILLA movie and has been since the start of the Gozilla’s film legacy that began in 1954 with the first original version of Gozilla.

 After laying dormant for many years, Gozilla rises from the ocean’s depths to face down two menacing creatures that are wreaking havoc and destruction on mankind as they feed upon nuclear energy in alarming rates. The main battle takes place in Hawaii as the trio clash in a battle that trashes and destroys anything in its wake. And the US military is right there along the battle front to lend a hand as well as use whatever means necessary to destroy all three creatures. No one seems quite sure of Gozilla’s intentions, although it’s clearly hoped that Gozilla will kill his adversaries.

Although a bit clumsy and seemingly emotionless, Gozilla has one and only one motive – to kill the nuclear sucking pair of creatures along with their unborn offspring and restore the earth to its former balance.  As a large reptilian looking dinosaur with a lumbering gait, Gozilla cares little for the destruction this battle inflicts on property or mankind, although there is one point in the movie when he seemingly makes eye contact with a soldier bent on the same mission – as if giving his approval to a team member.

Kids and adults can both enjoy this newest Godzilla movie. This sea monster always manages to impress when he opens up his mouth and bellows out his rage in a cry that clearly means he means business. And I for one have been reminded of my childhood on a rainy Saturday afternoon when I watched many of the old Gozilla movies at my parent’s home on a small television set. But now I have to wonder if I watched Godzilla to see the huge giant in action or just to have a laugh at the English words that passed out of Japanese mouths in a funny disconnection.

Whatever the reason, I was drawn to see this movie and connect with an old friend.

By Author Tamera Lawrence

Books By Tamera

THE POND
BEFORE I WAKE
THE WRECKER
THE SERPENT'S MARK
GHOST O MAYFLOWER: A PENNHURST HAUNTING

 

HALLOWEEN SHOW

THE NATIONAL HAUNTERS CONVENTION & HALLOWEEN SHOW is coming to Oaks Pa

on May 2nd, 3rd and 4th 2014

 

This event is located at: Greater Philadelphia Expo Center

100 Station Avenue Oaks Pa

484-754-3976 

 

Featuring a variety of vendors,  classes, props, contests, a haunted house , Make up Wars, NHC's Miss Halloween Beauty Pageant (Friday) and a Costume Ball on Saturday night

 

Times

 

Friday 12:00pm-8:00

Saturday 10am-6:00pm

Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm

 

If you like Halloween and can't wait until October, this event offers a fun filled day!

 

Check out their website for more information

http://halloweenshow.com/

 

"I will be at the convention with my books for sale, so come and visit me."

"Hope to see you there!"

 

http://www.outskirtspress.com/GhostsofMayflower

 

 

Books include:  Wrecker, Ghosts of Mayflower & The Pond