Chronicle Movie Blurb by Shale February 5, 2012 I almost missed this movie. No hype, no great promotion. I don't even remember seeing any trailers in theater. Luckily I saw a good review in the Friday Herald and made a point to check it out. So glad I did. I checked with Rottentomatoes and the aggregate reviews for this movie were 84% good and 82% of audiences liked it. Rottentomatoes generic review: "It arrives during a glut of found-footage films, but Chronicle transcends its gimmicks with a smart script, fast-paced direction, and engaging performances from its young, talented cast." So, if you liked Cloverfield or X-Men or even Hancock, you will probably like this movie. If you liked all three of them - GO SEE THIS MOVIE. It is put out by 20th Century Fox but is a low budget ($15 million) independent film directed by the newcomer Josh Trank and is filmed by the characters, much like Cloverfield (but don't worry about the shaky cam - new screenwriter Max Landis fixed that with the script - you'll see.) Our main protagonist and videographer is Andrew (Dane DeHaan) a slightly built kid, preyed on by bullies at school and the neighborhood and his drunken abusive father (Michael Kelly). His mother is dying of cancer and his life is a mess. He is a loner and the movie opens with him getting his new camera (to hide behind). His only friend is his cousin Matt (Alex Russell), who drives him to school. Matt tries to be a friend to Andrew and invites him to come with him to a rave party out in the country, where he again gets attacked by some bully. While he is outside crying he is approached by Matt's friend Steve (Michael B. Jordan) who has him bring his camera to record what he and Matt have found. The three boys go into a cave and find some strange lit object that seems to affect them. (Like the monster in Cloverfield there is no explanation of what they found). Guys Go Into the Cave Next scene has our teen boys comparing (isn't that just like teen boys) their newfound powers of telekinesis. At this point with no guidance of a Dr. Xavier the teens are totally and realistically into using their new powers to have fun. Hi School Boys On Superpowers Thru their playing around we find that their powers are growing with use, like building muscles by working out. They can move objects by thot, have great strength and can fly. Oh and they are somewhat indestructible. Diner Fork Test Much of this movie had me laffing at the typical antics of these adolescent guys with their newfound powers. But then there is a dark side to Andrew. How would a target of bullying from peers and an abusive father handle this power. From the exhilarating moments of the guys moving things telekinetically and playing football in the clouds we see Andrew the former prey realizing he is the apex predator. Car Crushing Anger The tone of this movie does a major switch and things get very dark. Of course at this point you know I would recommend this movie. I can't believe I almost missed it. (It was only because a friend clued me to Raiders of the Lost Ark that I saw it the first time) So, be clued - go see this movie.
Hey Shale, Also here in New Zealand there hasnt been huge hype, and yet my wife and i love Chronicle. Great movie.
Thanx for the comment Hitman. Nice to know it is also liked on the other side of the planet. IDK if you guys follow our 'football' like most of the world follows international football (soccer), but opening a movie in the U.S. on Superbowl Weekend affects the box office draw and this movie did quite well. I usually don't follow the Box Office results but like the Stock Market numbers, they are an indicator of movie popularity. Here is the report for Chronicle's opening weekend - against the other two movies opening that weekend, which I also saw. Box Office Mojo 'Chronicle' Barely Overpowers 'Woman in Black' by Ray Subers February 5, 2012 Even with most people distracted by the Giants or Patriots or whatever elaborate gameday dish they had been working on, this weekend still marked the first time in history that two movies opened above $20 million against the Super Bowl. Based on studio estimates, Chronicle held off The Woman in Black to take the top spot this weekend, though Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter outing was impressive in its own right. The weekend's other opener, Big Miracle, was a tad disappointing, but it still finished in line with modest expectations. Total box office came in at over $115 million, which is a 32 percent improvement from Super Bowl 2011. Chronicle debuted to $22 million, which is the fourth-highest Super Bowl debut ever and second-best among movies targeting at men behind Taken ($24.7 million). ... Chronicle is the latest example of the economic viability of the found footage genre—the movie nearly doubled its production budget ($12 million) through its first three days. According to distributor 20th Century Fox, Chronicle's audience was 55 percent male and 61 percent under the age of 25. Overall, it received a "B" CinemaScore, and that improved to a "B+" among the under-25 crowd. Chronicle and The Woman in Black both managed to attract the under 25 crowd in large numbers (61 percent and 57 percent, respectively). While this audience has been a bit absent as of late, these numbers shouldn't be misinterpreted as some sort of return of the youth to movie theaters. Chronicle's main characters are all high-school students, and the "what if" premise was obviously relatable to younger audiences. ... http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3363&p=.htm
Would say I'm so over the found footage genre, but the superpower angle in this one makes it look worth it
CHRONICLE ACTORS by Shale February 19, 2012 I just went to see Chronicle again today - and am just as amazed as the first time how engrossing an independent budgeted film can be. . Hope the DVD has some behind the scenes features when it comes out. It must be that "smart script, fast-paced direction, and engaging performances from its young, talented cast" that has been reported. Here is a little about those talented "teen" actors: Alex Russell - Michael B. Jordan - Dane Dehaan Dane DeHaan while playing an 18-year-old high school student (Andrew Detmer) is actually 26 years old. He seems diminutive and nerdy enuf to disguise the age. Before this movie he was on TV in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and True Blood. While Alex Russell seems like the older cousin in the movie (Matt Garetty) - he owns and drives a car and picks up the 'younger' Dane and drives him to school, he is actually 24 years old. Again, still convincing as one of those more developed and perhaps 19-year-old high school seniors. He is Australian and has been in some Oz productions, but this may be his first appearance in the U.S. Our third actor is Michael B. Jordan who at 25 can play a high school senior in this movie (Steve Montgomery) and play one of the Tuskegee airmen (Maurice 'Bumps' Wilson) in Red Tails.
I just saw It and it was good I think it could have been better though the end left me with too many questions
Ok, this is one i wished i had gone to the movies to see rather than downloading. Thought this was pretty awesome really, very engrossing and well acted. Liked the story, liked the end, glad they went the self destruct angle, the lead did come off very nerdy/creepy. Very well acted, great script. Best indie film i've seen for a couple years
I've always loved this found footage horror gene. Ever since Blair Witch Project, I've been obsessed with watching them. I'm planning on buying this when it comes out. A lot of people say it reminds them of the anime Akira. Does anyone agree?
i thought this was a terrific film. i've seen akira, and the ending of this reminded me of the ending to that fine film. they seem to cover the same theme of the abuse of great power, so i was hooked.
