Automata

Millennium Entertainment released its first trailer for a new film by director Gabe Ibáñez, and starring Antonio Banderas about the future where robots are as common as they are in the "Jetsons."

Robots in cinema have gone back a long time. Maria, the leader of a revolution in Fritz Lang's 1927 silent film, "Metropolis," comes to mind immediately. While other robots are more subservient like Gort from the 1957 Cold War era film about alien invasion, "The Day Stood Still." If you saw the 2008 remake with Keanu Reeves, do yourself a favor and hunt down the original. One of my favorites, was Robbie the Robot, from "Forbidden Planet," starring Walter Pidgeon, the lovely Anne Francis, and Leslie Nielsen.  "Star Trek: the Next Generation" featured Lt. Cmdr. Data, a more sophisticated from of a robot called an android. Of course there is The Robot from TV's "Lost In Space," and the subject of cinematic robots is never complete without R2-D2 and C-3PO from the "Star Wars" universe. Now, back to robots running amok.  First of all, one should note were the word robot comes from. It is a Czech word that means forced or serf laborer. "Automata" plays on humanity's fears of an uprising that have been depicted in films like Will Smith's "I Robot," based on Isaac Asimov's science fiction bestseller of the same name. Going back to the 1980's James Cameron foresaw a world where humans created an Artificial Intelligence called Skynet that went rogue and started terminating humans. Then there are the Cylon's from Battlestar Galactica, whose rebellion eventually was so complete they destroyed humanity's home worlds.  I know I am missing other famous robots of cinematic history but that would be a whole article in itself. 

So, here is the synopsis:

Fast forward fifty years into the future, planet earth is in the midst of gradual desertification. Mankind struggles to survive as the environment deteriorates and the slow regression of the human race begins in AUTÓMATA. On the brink of life and the reality of death, technology combats the prevailing uncertainty and fear with the creation of the first quantum android, the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Designed to bring support to society's plight, man and robot reveal what it means to co-exist in a culture defined by human nature. 

The descent of civilization is juxtaposed by the rise of ROC, the corporation at the helm of robotic intelligence. Despite the demise of humanity, the company has set forth security protocols to ensure mankind always maintains control over the manufactured population. As ROC insurance agent, Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) routinely investigates cases and complaints surrounding defective androids, he begins to uncover the secrets behind who is really manipulating the Automata Pilgrim 7000. Jacq's own suspicions propel the mystery— uncovering a truth that is far more complex than the make or model of any machine.

Some things that Sci-Fi fans will notice that, like Asimov's "Three Laws of Robotics," there are a set of protocols programmed into the robots for the human's safety.  However, "Automata" takes it one step further adding  that a robot cannot alter itself or others to the list.

Millennium's site goes on to to proclaim:

"Writer/Director Gabe Ibáñez was driven to tell a story that blurs the lines between science fiction and reality. Ibáñez gives audiences a compelling look into the theory of evolution and what life might be like for mankind in the not too distant future. With powerful performances from a cast including Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Melanie Griffith, Dylan McDermott and Robert Forster, AUTÓMATA is a sci-fi film noir that explores the potential dangers and complexities when mind and machine merge."

It's been a while since we've seen Melanie Griffith in something substantial in a while. For the last several years she has been popping up on TV shows here and there.  Antonio Bandereas was seen recently in the under performing "The Expendables 3," and was in the bad Robert Rodriguez sexploitation film "Machete Kills" starring Danny Trejo.

The concept is impressive and the photography based on the trailer reminds me of "Mad Max," or of the Matt Damon & Neill Blomkamp film, "Elysium."

"Automata" is due out in limited release on October 10, 2014 in the United States.

Movie Data

Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller

Year:  2014

Staring:  Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sørensen, Melanie Griffith, Dylan McDermott, Robert Forster 

Director: Gabe Ibáñez

Producer(s): Antonio Banderas, Sandra Hermida, Danny Lerner, Les Weldon

Writer: Gabe Ibáñez, Igor Legarreta, Javier Sánchez Donate

Rating: R

Running Time: Unknown

Release Date: 10/10/2014

Shrek Forever After: Review

R eported to be the last of the Shrek films, "Shrek Forever After" completes the franchise with this charming, but cautionary tale of being careful of what you ask for -- and read the fine print.  Starring the returning voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, and the multi-talented Walt Dohrn providing several voices and stars the film's bad guy, Rumpelstiltskin.  Paramount released "Shrek Forever After," in both a 3D version and a non 3-D version, although purely a personal choice, I would go with the 'non 3D' version.

"Shrek Forever After" provides a quick back-story of how Princess Fiona (Diaz) is cursed, and locked up in a tower by a fire-breathing dragon.  How her parents the King and Queen voice by John Cleese and July Andrews, respectively are about to allow Rumpelstiltskin to trick them into signing away the Kingdom of Far Far Away over to him.  At the last moment, a herald brings them news that Shrek lifted Fiona's curse.

Rumpelstiltskin, with the taste of power in his grasp is now out for revenge on Shrek.  Moving forward to nowadays, Shrek, Fiona, and their three baby ogres go through the day-to-day routines that make up life.  Activities like feeding babies, changing babies, fixing outhouses, and the daily tour bus of fans watching as Shrek takes a mud bath, all of which are driving him crazy.  Looking back at the days as a bachelor, when he could roam free, scare villagers, and have no responsibilities, Shrek longs for those days to return.  At the pivotal scene, after losing his temper at his kid’s birthday party, Shrek makes the mistake that we all sometimes make by saying something he will regret later.  Unbeknownst to Shrek, from behind a pile of garbage Rumpelstiltskin is lurking and hears Shrek's lament.  Shrek, telling Fiona that he wished he never saved her from the tower and lifted her curse; he starts a long and lonely walk home.  Taking advantage of the situation, Rumpelstiltskin lays in wait for Shrek to come down the road and as he fakes an accident with his carriage.  After his 'rescuing,' Rumpelstiltskin invites Shrek in for some food and an ‘eyeballtini,’ loosening him up while talking Shrek into signing over to him a day from his life.  As we all do in life, looking for that easy way out of problems, Shrek signs the contract, laden with many clauses and fine print. Rumpelstiltskin and the carriage disappear, and Shrek is left to figure out what life is like in The Kingdom Of Far Far Away as he was never born.

Not as funny as the first three films, "Shrek Forever After" is still an enjoyable movie to see with the kids during the matinee times.  The story is uncomplicated, and is a play on the It’s a Wonderful World theme, as Rumpelstiltskin says, "how’s that for metaphysical paradox?"  The jokes are mediocre, and missing the same power that the previous films had.  The character that kept the movie going was Rumpelstiltskin voiced by Walt Dohrn.  Dohrn also provided the voice of the Priest and the one of the Ogres.  At the end of the film while taking note of the credits I also noticed that he also contributed screenplay material, was a story artist, and wrote the "Birthday Bash" song that all the characters sang in the film.  Musically the film had plenty to offer in the way of hits; from The Carpenter’s "Top of the World" at the beginning to Maxine Nightingale’s "Right Back Where We Started From" at the end.  The film includes Donkey singing some of our favorite tunes, like Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and James Taylor's "You've Got A Friend," while pulling the cart with the captured Shrek and doubling as a car radio.  The animation is excellent and need to watch this movie in 3D is unnecessary.

This is a family movie and everyone  will find something to enjoy "Shrek Forever After."  I found the film to be charming and story, although simple, easy to sit through for an hour and a half.  While watching this film, the notion came to mind of a baseball game, after eight innings of play, and you are scoring well ahead of the other team, as a coach, you decide to bring up from the bullpen one of your less experienced pitchers and let him have a go at it.  It seems that DreamWorks Animation decided to just that and selected director Mike Mitchell to have a go at it.  My advice, as I have stated before is to watch the non 3D version, as I don't think it is worth the extra three dollars for the pair of glasses.  I already wear prescription glasses and having placed another set over mine is a hassle.  Take the kids, go to the matinee times in your area, watch the regular version or, if you prefer, the IMAX version and enjoy Shrek for the last time.

Movie Data

Genre: Animation,  Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy

Year:  2014

Staring:  Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Walt Dohrn, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese

Director: Mike Mitchell

Producer(s): Teresa Cheng, Gina Shay

Writer: Josh Klausner, Darren Lemke, William Steig (novel "Shrek!")

Rating: PG 

Running Time: 93 minutes

Release Date: 5/21/2010

Published on 5/23/2010 at Associated Content by Robert Barbere