Rewind Wednesday: Nell

This week I had a day off and I was watching HBO and a movie came on that I had not seen in a loooooong time!! How many of you remember the movie Nell, well after today you will!

"Her heart. Her soul. Her language are a mystery...A mystery called Nell."

Nell is a 1994 drama film starring Jodie Foster as a young woman who has to face other people for the first time after being raised by her mother in an isolated cabin.

Nell Kellty's mother was paralyzed on one side, which contributed to the oddity of Nell's speech. She and her mother live in an isolated cabin in the mountains of extreme Western North Carolina. Technically, because she lives in a house, cooks her food, wears clothing and performs routine household tasks, she is not a "wild child" or feral child. She seems like one to outsiders at first, because of her terror of strangers, her ritualistic behaviors, and her unintelligible, idiosyncratic language. This language is made up of English-like phrases that are a blend of stroke-impaired speech and twin language.

Once Nell’s mother dies, she is confronted by the outside world through Dr. Jerome Lovell (Liam Neeson) and Dr. Paula Olsen (Natasha Richardson). When Lovell goes there to declare her mother dead, Nell screams and fights, but gradually adjusts to his presence as he visits more and more often. Unsure what to do, he talks to psychologist Paula Olsen in Charlotte, who wants to bring Nell to a laboratory for tests. When Lovell fights this in the courts, he and Olsen are given three months to observe Nell in her own home; when this period of observation ends, the judge will rule on Nell's fate.

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by orange169369

This is one of those films that although it is a drama, its a film that gives a humanistic message to its viewers. So often human behavior is ignored, belitted, or barely even recognized but this film sheds light on true human nature. "The most outstanding feature of the film is Jodie Foster's performance in the title role- a remarkable one even by the standards of this talented actress. Throughout the film Foster speaks only in Nell's unearthly-sounding private language, but is able to use this, together with gestures and facial expressions, to convey a full range of emotions."

The "hook, line and sinker" of this film is its power is not shown as an obvious 'message' but more so in a deeply poetic and spiritual tone. There are three central characters (Nell, Jerry, and Paula) and the exquisite photography of the North Carolina landscapes that bring this movie to life. After watching this one will draw several different conclusions- "some may see it, for example, as a religious allegory about the redeeming power of love, while others may view it in a more literal way.

Nell is by far one of the finest and most powerful films of the nineties.

MMA star is set to play in "The A-Team" remake!

According to The Sun, mixed martial arts star Quinton "Rampage" Jackson could be set to play the role of B.A. Baracus in the June 2010 remake of The A-Team.

Its actually quite interesting and surprising considering there were several other choices that were possibly to be slated, including 50 Cent, Ice Cube, The Game and even Common (not too sure on that one) had been mentioned for the gig made famous in the 80s by Mr. T.

The movie is being directed by Joe Carnahan, the man behind Smokin' Aces. Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) and Liam Neeson (Taken) have already been cast.

Well whether he gets the role or not, the film is set to come out June of next year. I am pondering whether or not I will see this one....hmmmm!

Taken (2009)

"The time for revenge has come..."


Taken is a film that may slip past you if you are not paying close attention to it. There is always that one movie that we are not sure about but somehow surprises us after watching it.

Taken is a film follows an ex-CIA agent faced with recovering his daughter after she is kidnapped by sex-traffickers in Paris, France. Even despite a strained relationship with his ex-wife Lenore played by Famke Janssen, Bryan (Liam Neeson) still manages to make it his business to be a part of his daughter's (Kim) life. He would do any and everything to make it so that his daughter comes back to him. It becomes the longest 96 hour rescue mission for his daughter and even his own life.

Throughout the film we are able to see old friendships and allies rekindled as well as past ones staying in the past. Bryan, an ex-CIA agent is brilliant in his methods and his actions with regards to what he has to do to get the job done. He definitely makes sure that we realize his whole purpose is to make sure of his daughter's safety. Its almost as though this is what drives him throughout this journey. All in all, upon Kim's return to the states she is able to satisfy a dream that she has had since she was 5 years old...to sing; as she is able to meet a song diva and begin her journey into the business.


I was very pleased with the selection of the actors they all seem to mesh very well to give a complete chemistry. It has been awhile since we have seen Neeson in a quality role (Batman Begins) so it was a pleasant surprise to see him in a little bit more of an action role. And it was definitely a twist to see Famke Janssen outside of her "Phoenix" role. The near perfect action is definitely one to keep you on the edge of your seat. The many twists and turns of this movie will have you guessing the next move. It sticks straight to the point, upfront, straightforward high speed action. There is no need to question or get clarification because the viewer already is on task. This is even a movie that even if you are not an action kind of person you would still enjoy it.




Grade: B+