Swansong Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 This was sooooo awesome, I just had to share it with y'all! http://moonette1.livejournal.com/32428.html moonette1 (moonette1) wrote, @ 2008-04-18 22:52:00 Previous Entry Add to memories! Tell a Friend! Next Entry Nim's Island Review Wow, it's been over two months since I posted last! I've been busy with family and writing, so some things had to give, but I'm reading my FLIST's posts regularly. Leave it to a special occasion such as my actually seeing a Gerry Butler movie while it was still in the theater to prompt me to post! I feel the occasion deserves a formal review of the movie. Nim’s Island Review I have to admit it was very nice to get to see a family movie with my two girls that mom actually enjoyed just as much (or more if you measure enjoyment by pulse rate) as the kids did. Beautifully shot on Hinchbrook Island, Queensland, Australia, the film concerns a widowed scientist named Jack Rusoe who is quite content living on a deserted island with various entertaining animals including a sea lion, and his precious objects of research, marine protozoa. Oh, and there’s someone else on the island, but I can’t seem to recall much about the character. Jack lost his wife, an oceanographer, years before, and explained her apparently being lost at sea with a sweet story of how a frightened whale swallowed her along with the boat. Seeing Jack’s wife engulfed by the whale was an extremely heartwarming part of the film, leaving Jack emotionally traumatized, vulnerable, and very single/available. All of the women in the audience breathed a collective sigh of relief at the conclusion of that scene and a couple even raised their fists and yelled “Yeah!” I heard it! The story then picks up with an overview of Jack’s life on the island where he writes articles for National Geographic and studies marine protozoa. He’s built a charming house there and shares it with…darn, I can’t seem to remember…but anyway, Jack is a wonderful combination of handsome, tan, and healthy, but with a sort of professorial look from his eyeglasses. As a matter of fact, he looks disconcertingly like Will Wood! It got me thinking—Will was just on an island…Jack is on an island…Dear God, Did Will play the part of Jack Rusoe? And how did he do it while the opium was still in his system? But that line of logic only sidetracked me for a minute or two. Back to the important stuff. I have to admit I was a little disappointed that Jack wore those eyeglasses in a longish, close-up scene where I could have had the opportunity to melt into those incredible eyes. When I pay 8 bucks for a matinee, I want to get my money’s worth, not a glass reflection obscuring Gerry Butler’s eyes! Luckily his glasses got swept to sea during his hair-raising adventure on his sailboat in stormy weather, and his eyes were blissfully unencumbered for the rest of the movie. Now then – back to the storyline. Jack takes a research sailing trip in search of more of his beloved protozoa and unfortunately gets caught in a terrible storm. Well, it’s really not that unfortunate, because he gets injured (nice cut/bruise over the left brow and a bloody hand), swept overboard repeatedly, and gets all angsty about returning home to his island and…whomever it is he’s trying to get back to. Can’t remember. Jack also gets to play MacGyver on his boat, with the help of a pelican named Gallileo. (Any Brits on my flist who need an explanation of MacGyver – he’s a character in an American TV show who could get out of any dire situation by monkeying something useful out of whatever junk might be lying around.) While all of this is playing out at sea, the viewer is also treated to some subplot in San Francisco where a fictional character named Alex Rover is played by – you guessed it – Gerard Butler. As a serious movie reviewer, I have to comment on the superb acting skills of Mr. Butler, playing two different roles in this movie – the ONLY two roles in the movie, now that I think about it. I thought it was a superb feat of acting skill from Mr. Butler to use his Scots accent in all its glory for the character of Alex Rover, then tone it down for his more nuanced portrayal of Jack Rusoe. Very clever and a thoughtful gift for the grown, female moviegoers in the audience. *takes time out for a deep sigh* Since this is an integral part of the movie, I thought it best that my review cover how different Alex Rover appears from Jack Rusoe, even though both are played by Gerry Butler. Alex Rover has longish, messy, light brown hair and a scruffy five o’clock shadow as well as some weird-arse knee high boots. Jack is clean cut as described above. A nice contrast, but I definitely prefer Jack. Now onto the rest of the movie. Gerry Butler as the hero Alex Rover travels to the island with someone, I think, but I can’t remember who) to rescue…well…I guess to rescue himself, since Jack is still lost at sea and Jack is played by…you know who. Interesting plot line, isn’t it? Somewhere in all of this travel we get to see snippets of Jack’s struggle out at sea which includes a shirtless dive for fish with a spear. Good God, that scene was wonderfully shot. I believe an Oscar for cinematography is in order. And thank goodness we get our happy ending of Jack zipping back onto the island in a home made catamaran. Gah, he has the nicest legs! A wonderful treat with which to end a wonderful movie. I give it four stars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NordicGirl Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 For the first time ever I long for the autumn to come, - when this arrives in Norway. Outside of the Gutter, 'member? Member?!? *Goes to put self in freezer* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas gramma Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Perfect! Moonette saw the same movie I did!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbes Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Whoever this moonette is, she sure gets 'The Juice' !! Somebody sign her up! She's a GAL through and through. By far the best review of this movie I've read! Thanks for that Swannie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GerrysJewel Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Love it! It's great to see that even some movie critics are not immune to "the Juice". Thanks for posting. GJewel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan~Sporran Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 You are right, Swannie - FABULOUS is exactly the word that came to mind as I read that review - along with PURE DEAD BRILLIANT! I'm with those who say we need to find Moonette and invite her over to GALS because she is most definitely one of us!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annieday Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 (edited) Thanks, Swannie for posting this review. A woman after my own heart, Moonette! I'm relieved to see I'm not the only one who can't pay attention to the other characters in a Gerry movie. He's just too Edited April 19, 2008 by annieday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyfran Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Hey Mods can't we give Moonette some kind of special Gals award for this "Brilliant" review?? Your right Hobbes.....THE BEST REVIEW YET! Thanks Swannie................great find! *Fran* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan~Sporran Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 I was going to post something on her Live Journal but evidently you have to be a member of Live Journal to do that and I am not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IListen Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for this "brilliant" review. I can't really add anything new to the cudos from the posters before me. One of the most enjoyable film reviews I have ever read, and one of the few with which I most heartily agree!! Moonette, join the Gals!!! Liana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenixgirl Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Absolutely spot on review!!! She so got it right - and like TG said, she saw the same movie I did! Thank you for sharing that!!! Lisa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kez Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Nice review! I´m on LJ, but I couldn´t view moonette´s entry, it´s not public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swansong Posted April 19, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 Hmmmmm. not public? I found it because of a Google Alert. Swannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b-elle Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 This was sooooo awesome, I just had to share it with y'all! http://moonette1.livejournal.com/32428.html Thank you Swannie to share this article. At last someone who sees this film and who sees that Gerry was acting for !!! And that Gerry was acting 2 characters ... Even in France I didn't read a so long article, and something so awesome and cute !!!! Thank you Moonette !And I particulary appreciated this sentence : When I pay 8 bucks for a matinee, I want to get my money’s worth, not a glass reflection obscuring Gerry Butler’s eyes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DonnaKat Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 The blogger has made the entry private now. I hope she wasn't getting harrassed like that lady that videotaped the dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cybrsal Posted April 19, 2008 Report Share Posted April 19, 2008 I'm glad Swannie caught it before it went private. She saw the same movie I did. What a hoot! Her heart belongs in GALS. Sal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CherokeeGrl Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 LOL, now that's a review!!! I love it! I was in love with this movie from the beginning. I saw it at the Drive-In. Gerry really was amazing and showed his range so well...I was lovin' me some Alex Rover!!! I am all about any movie that has Gerry AND sea turtles!! April Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyMacbeth75 Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Yep, that review about sums it up for me. (By the way, Swannie, you need to update your signature. You're about to celebrate 30 years with Bill. I'm no math expert, but I married my hubby in August of 1978 so I know it's the big 3-0. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swansong Posted May 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Yep, that review about sums it up for me. (By the way, Swannie, you need to update your signature. You're about to celebrate 30 years with Bill. I'm no math expert, but I married my hubby in August of 1978 so I know it's the big 3-0. ) yeah I know. Janie made it for me last year, and I'm not a graphic's person, so I have NO idea how to update my siggy! Swannie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.