Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes- Spoiler Alert

Honestly, the Rise of the Planet of the Apes was not my first choice when I planned my recent trip to the movies but you know what they say...everything happens for a reason.  Needless to say, the 105 minutes I spent in the overly air-conditioned movie theater was well worth the ticket price.

This modern day reprise of the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes was an awesome display of cinematic ingenuity. With a starring lineup that includes John Lithgow, James Franco, Freida Pinto and an ape with more swagger than I've seen in most humans, this movie is sure to join the ranks of the likes of Avatar.

Will Rodman (played by Franco) is a scientist who is working on a genetic experiment, which is being tested on apes, that he believes will be the cure for Alzheimer's and all he needs is for the powers-to-be to give the green light for funding.  He is right on the brink of a success until all hell breaks loose and one of the apes runs amuck during a crucial presentation for the board of directors.

From that point on, Rodman's research is shut down and his boss demands that all of the lab apes be put down. Unwilling to give the only hope he has of finding a cure for the illness that plagues his father (played by Lithgow), he secretly takes one of the infant test apes home with him and continues his research on his own.

As the young ape, which he names Ceasar, progresses Rodman finds that his intelligence exceeds his wildest expectations. As Ceasar grows, he becomes not only more intelligent but more human in nature, and as he becomes more human in nature he begins to see just how different he is from other humans when he really starts to interact with the world around him.

Then the plot thickens after Ceasar tries to protect the people he has come to know as his family and is then caged like an animal, and then the city of San Fransico quickly learns the consequences of mistreating and pissing off a genetically enhanced primate.

Enter the guns, spears, explosions and such.

Long story short, I loved this movie! The acting and emotion of apes was phenomenal! The humans did a good job too, but the shear execution of how the animals were portrayed made this viewing experience a real treat.

I also liked the fact that there wasn't a lot of unnecessary violence and profanity. So Rise of the Planet of the Apes gets an enthusiastic 10 spirit-fingers. Go see it and take the family.

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Don't forget to look out for my daughter's new book "The Lonely Kid" which hits stores August 31st!

Detroit Filmmakers: Get in Where You Fit In

On Dec. 31, 2010, Specs Howard and Global Pictures will present the 1st Annual Michigan Film Gala at the Sheraton Detroit Novi Hotel.  This event will be hosted by Detroit's own Brandon T. Jackson and will feature appearances from a host of other Hollywood film industry play makers such as Tanya Ryno (producer of Saturday Night Live), Rod Harrell (RLH Talent), Ruth Daniels (Executive VP, Emagine Theaters), Darryl Farmers (Willow Smith producer and Disney composer), and laundry list of others.

So, fellow filmmakers or enthusiasts, why do you need to be there, you ask? Because if you are really serious about taking your film making platform to the next level, this event will afford you the opportunity to have access to people from every aspect of the film making process at your disposal. And if you choose not to take advantage of it, then you should never again complain about what resources are "lacking" in Detroit.

Ever since the film incentives have been rolled out in Michigan, local independent film makers have felt slighted because most of us don't have access to enough money to actually take advantage of them and when the hiring is done, somehow we still aren't getting a shot. But now, Specs Howard and Global Pictures have gone out of their way to make sure that Detroit film makers get their fair chance at bat by bringing in the people who can provide that missing link: a relationship.

This gala will feature interactive Q&A panels and film screenings during the day and a star-studded New Year's Eve party that evening...what more could you ask for?

I know first hand from conducting a film festival for the past 4 years, sometimes it's difficult to get Detroiter's to latch on to positive things that can actually benefit them. But after seeing how many film makers have benefited from our efforts, we continue to press on for our city.

So, with that being said, please don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity. The ticket prices are reasonable and with most packages you get a room at the luxurious hotel in addition to the panel, workshop, party and dinner. You can't beat that! So film making Detroit, please take advantage of these opportunities because if we don't, the industry is going to pack up and leave again and we'll be stuck with a bunch of "I should'ves".

Michigan Film Gala...be there or stop complaining. #thatisall

For more information about the 1st Annual Michigan Film Gala visit www.michiganfilmgala.com.

For more more information about Trinity Film Coalition please visit www.trinityfilmcoalition.com.