I LOVED this movie!!! It has it all, good story, good acting, fun, drama, and great music! I could probably just leave it at that, give it my rating, and be done for the day, but I feel like I need to explain my opinion instead of just stating it. :)
Ok, so, to start this movie just had a fun story. "Alt girl" is forced to do something mundane, go to college, when all she wants to do is go to L.A. and dj. She is forced to socialize, and get involved, messes things up, finds out she does like school, and low and behold, there is a happy ending!! O, and there is wonderful singing to great songs all along the way, could it get any better?
Anna Kendrick, Jessica in Twilight and Katherine the psychologist/love interest in 50/50, was delightful. She did a great job being moody and hateful then transitioning to fun and loving. The supporting actresses and actors were equally as good. They provided the comic relief, they stirred the pot to add some drama, and kept the story moving along when Anna Kendrick was off brooding or contemplating her own missteps.
The main guy, Skylar Astin, was also great. He's cute, his character was adorable, funny, and could sing. Also, he LOVED movies, and made Anna Kendrick's character fall in love with them too, which obviously struck a chord with me. So, he was obviously the perfect guy.
Now to the music. If you like Glee, you will love this movie. If you love Glee, you will love this movie even more. I think one of my favorite moments, in reference to Glee, was the statement that college A Capella group is far and above a high school glee club, so participating in a glee club means nothing in this arena. Considering the fact that all the music (instruments, beats, everything) comes from the individual members singing, that is probably a very fair statement. You not only have to sing, but also have to be able to harmonize words, instruments, and everything, with just your voice. That is pretty impressive. But, I digress. the singing was impressive, especially the mash-ups. Yes, there are A Capella mash-ups! At the end, they mixed new and old songs together flawlessly. It was great.
Now, this is not the most amazing, throught-provoking, artistic film made. It's not even necessarily the best film ever made. It was just fun, enjoyable, up-lifting, and left me wanting to see it again almost immediately. That is what I call a good movie!
In the end, I give this a 9 out of 10. 10 is absolute perfection, and that is almost impossible to get. :)
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Moonrise Kingdom
Wes Anderson always has interesting movies, to say the least. This movie was cute, and had a sweet story of young love that, in the end, will leave you with a smile. However, getting to the smile is a bit of a whirlwind. It takes a moment to figure out exactly what is going on, and even when you do, it doesn't get that much easier to follow.
This movie was about a boy and a girl who hated their lives and loved one another. They met one day, wrote a few letters, and escaped from a portion of their lives for a while to live together in the woods, there was also a huge storm, like a hurricane, that added some drama/action into the mix.
This was also a movie PACKED with star power. Bruce Willis was loveable, Edward Norton was too. Frances McDormand and Bill Murray were perfectly neurotic/crazy. Tilda Swinton was perfectly logical and unfeeling, and Jason Swartzman had a blip of stupid/crazy that added some more humor to the story. The main boy and girl also did well and may be future stars.
It was artsy, it was pretty, the acting was spot-on and, like I said, it leaves you with a smile. It really was well done in the elements. Like I said, I think I liked it in the end, but was more than a little doubtful through the viewing experience. When I watch a movie, I want something that has everything, good story, good acting, good filming and directing. This movie had all of the pieces, I'm just not sure I really liked the presentation.
In the end, I give this a 6 out of 10.
This movie was about a boy and a girl who hated their lives and loved one another. They met one day, wrote a few letters, and escaped from a portion of their lives for a while to live together in the woods, there was also a huge storm, like a hurricane, that added some drama/action into the mix.
This was also a movie PACKED with star power. Bruce Willis was loveable, Edward Norton was too. Frances McDormand and Bill Murray were perfectly neurotic/crazy. Tilda Swinton was perfectly logical and unfeeling, and Jason Swartzman had a blip of stupid/crazy that added some more humor to the story. The main boy and girl also did well and may be future stars.
It was artsy, it was pretty, the acting was spot-on and, like I said, it leaves you with a smile. It really was well done in the elements. Like I said, I think I liked it in the end, but was more than a little doubtful through the viewing experience. When I watch a movie, I want something that has everything, good story, good acting, good filming and directing. This movie had all of the pieces, I'm just not sure I really liked the presentation.
In the end, I give this a 6 out of 10.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
The Campaign
So, if you're looking for a relatively funny movie with a not so hidden message, then look no further than The Campaign. The best/scariest part is that a lot of the craziness is kind of true.....The second best part, it's set in North Carolina!
The directors/screen writers make no qualms about where their political ideologies lie, this film criticizes a Republican legislative race by simply making fun of all the ridiculous things politicians do. But it also makes fun of the media, by showing some of the ridiculous things they do. Big money runs the world, buys the race, and, of course, wants fewer regulations so that we can be like China, so they can increase profits by saving on shipping
There are plenty of funny moments, but there are also times where they go a little too far. But really, what else can you expect from Will Ferrell and Zach Galifainakis. On the whole, they really do make for a great team. This movie hits a few low blows, but if you're willing to accept that it's supposed to be a comedy making fun of everything, like Taladega Nights for Nascar, then you should find the humor.
However, I still cringed at some parts that were ridiculous and supposed to be funny, but also seemed to be taken straight out of the headlines. Made it a little less funny. Then there were some things taken straight out of the headlines: a picture of a penis tweeted to a mistress, a $400 hair cut, and much much more.
If you want to see a ridiculous movie, pay attention to politics, and are fed up with how things seem to be running right now, then this is definitely the movie for you. If you are a Republican and can handle all the jibes, then don't be afraid. If you're most anyone else, you probably should skip this one.
In the end, I give this a 6 out of 10. Be sure to stay after some of the credits, there's a gem of a jibe at Citizens United!
The directors/screen writers make no qualms about where their political ideologies lie, this film criticizes a Republican legislative race by simply making fun of all the ridiculous things politicians do. But it also makes fun of the media, by showing some of the ridiculous things they do. Big money runs the world, buys the race, and, of course, wants fewer regulations so that we can be like China, so they can increase profits by saving on shipping
There are plenty of funny moments, but there are also times where they go a little too far. But really, what else can you expect from Will Ferrell and Zach Galifainakis. On the whole, they really do make for a great team. This movie hits a few low blows, but if you're willing to accept that it's supposed to be a comedy making fun of everything, like Taladega Nights for Nascar, then you should find the humor.
However, I still cringed at some parts that were ridiculous and supposed to be funny, but also seemed to be taken straight out of the headlines. Made it a little less funny. Then there were some things taken straight out of the headlines: a picture of a penis tweeted to a mistress, a $400 hair cut, and much much more.
If you want to see a ridiculous movie, pay attention to politics, and are fed up with how things seem to be running right now, then this is definitely the movie for you. If you are a Republican and can handle all the jibes, then don't be afraid. If you're most anyone else, you probably should skip this one.
In the end, I give this a 6 out of 10. Be sure to stay after some of the credits, there's a gem of a jibe at Citizens United!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Bourne Legacy
I like the Bourne movies, mostly. They have their moments of wanna-be intense filming through chase scenes that make you almost nauseous with the bouncy camera, but on the whole, they're pretty good, and fun! This newest installment, though without Matt Damon, or Jason Bourne, is still good. Part of that might be because I have a thing for Jeremy Renner and that Rachel Weiss is one of my favorite actresses, but I'll try to be unbiased.
This one is a little bit different because it does not involve Jason Bourne, but I think you learn more about his whole sordid history that way. In this, we learn more about how far the conspiracy and the super-spies go. There are even more programs that we thought, surprise! There's even something new and supposedly better out there too, so these movies may never end! Just like Eric Van Lustbader continues to write the stories under the deceased Robert Ludlum at the expense of his own fascinating series. BUT, I digress.......
If you're looking for a good action movie that will hold your attention with questions, intrigue, and even a little bit of romance a la Bourne 1, then this is the movie for you! If you wanted some amazing story that cleared up everything about the dirty government behind Jason Bourne and his legacy, haha, then this is probably not the movie for you. I still want to know more about why this program was started, by whom, and just really how far it goes. So, I guess I should read the books? That's what they're for you know. Movies cannot possibly capture everything a book can, especially when the book was written before the movie. BUT, once again, I digress.
This kept my attention while I was watching it, it was fun, suspenseful, and full of action scenes and Jeremy Renner being a bamf, but I don't think I will own this either. The chase scenes with the really shaky camera and what-not are just too much sometimes. Also, Jeremy Renner was never shirtless!
In the end, I give this a 7 out of 10, it was good, not great.
This one is a little bit different because it does not involve Jason Bourne, but I think you learn more about his whole sordid history that way. In this, we learn more about how far the conspiracy and the super-spies go. There are even more programs that we thought, surprise! There's even something new and supposedly better out there too, so these movies may never end! Just like Eric Van Lustbader continues to write the stories under the deceased Robert Ludlum at the expense of his own fascinating series. BUT, I digress.......
If you're looking for a good action movie that will hold your attention with questions, intrigue, and even a little bit of romance a la Bourne 1, then this is the movie for you! If you wanted some amazing story that cleared up everything about the dirty government behind Jason Bourne and his legacy, haha, then this is probably not the movie for you. I still want to know more about why this program was started, by whom, and just really how far it goes. So, I guess I should read the books? That's what they're for you know. Movies cannot possibly capture everything a book can, especially when the book was written before the movie. BUT, once again, I digress.
This kept my attention while I was watching it, it was fun, suspenseful, and full of action scenes and Jeremy Renner being a bamf, but I don't think I will own this either. The chase scenes with the really shaky camera and what-not are just too much sometimes. Also, Jeremy Renner was never shirtless!
In the end, I give this a 7 out of 10, it was good, not great.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Batman: The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan's Batman series is excellent, and the last installment, unlike most other third movies, is just as excellent as the first two. I think I liked the Dark Knight better, butt only because Heath Ledger's Joker is the best and it cannot be beaten. Bane is nice and creepy, and so are his followers, but the Joker still takes the cake on super creepy, super evil, super villains! Also, I still cannot believe that Tom Hardy is Bane, crazy!
This movie has it all: a story, flow, action, humor, growth and development, and a satisfying, yet incomplete ending! There was plenty of boom, lots of toys, and really impressive explosion scenes. There were new characters introduced, (Catwoman, Blake (Robin), and another police officer) and a new potential story line left open at the end.
This movie kind of roller-coastered. The beginning starts with plenty of bang and plenty of questions. Then there is this whole development and past relation thrown in the middle, still with plenty of questions. Then it ends with a conclusion, some bang, and a little bit of a twist, all of which leaves fewer questions.
Christian Bale is excellent as usual, despite the silly batman voice, and I noticed that Christopher Nolan used a lot of his Inception actors. Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Cillian Murphy are all in both films and are all excellent in both as well!
All-in-all, I give this movie a 9 out of 10. I will probably go see it again.....
All-in-all, I give this movie a 9 out of 10. I will probably go see it again.....
Monday, July 16, 2012
The Amazing Spider Man
All-in-all, pretty amazing. I love Emma Stone and I love Andrew Garfield. The chemistry they have is pretty awesome, not to mention he is just adorable!
This story-line is a little different from Spider-Man, and I liked it. Peter Parker wins the girl from the beginning, the spiders are connected to his father, and there is an even more sinister leader of Oscorp. All bonuses to the story, I think. It flowed well, it was suspenseful, it was funny, there was action, and it even made me cry (a little)!
The 3D, again, messed it up some. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I hate the damn 3D movement! It wasn't so bad, until the end. Apparently, if you actually watched it in 3D, it wasn't bad or distracting, but just think about how many of us actually have 3D tvs.......not that many. So, when you buy the movie and watch it at home, you are going to be disappointed and/or discombobulated with the damn 3D filming in 2D style. Arg!
I definitely think this is better than the first Spider-Man, though maybe not better than the 2nd (that one was the best). I definitely like Andrew Garfield better than Toby McGuire, and I definitely like Emma Stone better than Kirsten Dunst. I know I'm not supposed to compare the two, because they are two different stories, but it's hard not to.
In the end, this gets two ratings, like Madagascar 3. A 9 out of 10 without 3D and a 7 out of 10 with 3D.....
Madea's Witness Protection
I love Madea. She is pretty funny, and this movie was the first one I've seen that is ALL about her. Instead of Madea being the funny comedic relief to a serious story, she is the center piece of a a comedy she can call her own. The problem is that I cannot say I liked it better. Madea might be better as the comedic relief, not the center-piece.
This movie was pretty funny, it made me laugh at moments. However, some of the Madea scenes were simply drug out too long. For example, Madea when on her first plane trip, and by the time she got through security I was no longer laughing and just wanted her to get on the damn plane already!
There's really not a whole lot to say. It is a Tyler Perry movie, it's funny. It's different because there are white people, which I don't think either added or took away from the film. As one of my friends said, it is somewhat refreshing that the movie is not about an abused woman who is trying to find her way back into the world, but maybe Tyler Perry should have stuck to a formula that really works.
Like I said, I liked the movie, it was just overall kind of meh. Jim's Dad gets in trouble because he is just so oblivious he didn't realize he was running a ponzi scheme or that his family was falling apart. Madea kind of whips them all into shape, Jim's Dad has an epiphany, the day is saved, and it all ends well. Hooray!
In the end, I give this movie a 5 out of 10.
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