Winds in the East, mist coming in. Something is brewing, about to begin. I remember those words being sung to me by Burt right before we meet Mary Poppins. But what is the story behind the movie? How did this magically story go from book to Disney legend? Saving Mr. Banks takes a look at the difficult task it was to create Mary Poppins. The author P.L. Travers is played by Oscar winner Emma Thompson. Mrs. Travers, as she is called in movie, is strict, protective, and a no nonsense woman. She has a large fear that if she sells the rights to Mary Poppins, Walt Disney will turn her into a cartoon character with no real heart. Walt Disney is played by everyone's favorite man, Tom Hanks. To be perfectly honest, there is no one who could have played him better. Personally, I don't think Walt Disney Studios would have approved of any one except for Tom Hanks to play Walt Disney. Tom Hanks brings so much heart and life into Walt. He was a family man that wanted to create magic for children. Hanks shows us the Walt Disney we saw on tv and film but also portrays him as the brilliant filmmaker he was.
Saving Mr. Banks is really two stories in one. The first is about a young girl and her family living in Australia during the early 1900's. We see a beautiful young Travers and her larger than life, full of joy father who is played by Colin Farrell. He has a large imagination and treats his daughter with love and magic. As the story progresses, we see that things are not always as they seem. We learn of Travers real family problems and see that her father is not the perfect man we think he is. We see where the inspiration for Mary Poppins began.
The second part of the story is of Walt Disney Studios in 1961. Walt has been trying for 20 years to buy the rights to Mary Poppins. Mrs. Travers will only agree if she has final script approval. Most of the movie is about the very negative relationship that Travers has with Walt and the fellow creators. For most of the movie I found Travers to be so harsh but thankfully Thompson does a great job of showing her real heart. She was so protective of her story because it was also her life.
I will warn you in advance, bring tissues. The last 30 minutes of the movie has so much heart and truth that I could barely contain myself. I was a crying Hot Mess but every moment was pure magic. This is a film for the Mary Poppins lovers and the Walt Disney Lovers. I am a very big fan of Disney, I think he was a brilliant man that made it ok to believe in magic again. Hanks brings him back to life on screen and we notice how much we miss the real Walt Disney. I say this movie is for the fans because there are so many little tid-bits for you to enjoy. For example, Walt Disney holds the record for the most Oscars ever won in History (22 according to imdb.com) When we first meet Walt, we see all of the Oscars behind the desk. Walt was also a chain smoker but never smoked in public because he didn't want to tarnish the family image. This issue is also addressed in the movies, it's very subtle but it is still there. To it's credit, the film gives truth, life, and magic to the characters. If you love Disney and you love Mary Poppins, this is a film for you.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
The Conjuring
Who doesn't love a good thrill and chill?! The Conjuring is a scary movie about a family that moves into a house and weird ghost things start to happen.....very original. The movie stars Vera Farmiga as Lorraine a powerful clairvoyant and her ghost hunter husband Ed played by Patrick Wilson. They meet Roger and Carolyn Perron, played by Ron Livingston and Lily Taylor. They have a very haunted house and ask Lorraine and Ed to come check it out.
This movie takes a little while to get going. It starts slowly and has a few jumping moments. It takes about 35 minutes before the movie really gets creepy. I thought the movie was about Ghosts but it turns out to be more of a spiritual battle. That brought a whole new level of scary to the movie. There are a few things I don't mess with and Spiritual battles is one of them. This movie stayed with me because I believe there are forces we don't understand, nor should we.
It's very difficult to do a review on a scary movie because I do not want to give anything away. Let me say that yes it is creepy but it takes WAY to long to get scary. Once the movie gets going, it keeps your attention well. If you like scary movies, you will enjoy this film. It is like The Exorcist meets Insidious. Over all it was good, I won't buy it because it creeped me out a little too much to have in the house. I give it a B
This movie takes a little while to get going. It starts slowly and has a few jumping moments. It takes about 35 minutes before the movie really gets creepy. I thought the movie was about Ghosts but it turns out to be more of a spiritual battle. That brought a whole new level of scary to the movie. There are a few things I don't mess with and Spiritual battles is one of them. This movie stayed with me because I believe there are forces we don't understand, nor should we.
It's very difficult to do a review on a scary movie because I do not want to give anything away. Let me say that yes it is creepy but it takes WAY to long to get scary. Once the movie gets going, it keeps your attention well. If you like scary movies, you will enjoy this film. It is like The Exorcist meets Insidious. Over all it was good, I won't buy it because it creeped me out a little too much to have in the house. I give it a B
The Way Way Back
I have been waiting for The Way Way Back for about a month and a half. I found the trailer on Youtube and knew I would love this movie. I love when films are not afraid to touch on some raw and real emotions. I also really enjoy Sam Rockwell as an actor and was excited to see him in this drama yet comedic role.
Let's get into it. The Way Way Back is a film about a 14 year old boy named Duncan, played by Liam James. Duncan is spending the summer at a cottage belonging to his mother's boyfriend (Pam and Trent). Played by Toni Collette and Steve Carrell. Within the first two minutes of the movie you know that Trent is a giant D-bag to Duncan. For example Trent tells Duncan that on a scale of one to ten, Duncan is a 3. He's horrible to the poor kid. Duncan is already shy and slightly awkward.
The Cottage is on the ocean and all the locals are big drinkers and party animals. It's like spring break for grown ups. Duncan keeps avoiding family and even the cute Susanna next door, played by AnnaSophia Robb. One day, Duncan shows up at the local water park called The Water Wizz. There he meets Owen, played by the charming Sam Rockwell. Owen takes Duncan under his wing and get's him a job working at the water park. Owen becomes the only real friend that Duncan has. Duncan can be himself and have fun for the summer.
The movie is filled with tons of heart and real emotion. It dealt with everything from verbal abuse, to infidelity, to friendship, to first love, to growing up and growing down. Sam Rockwell is so raw and pure as Owen. You miss him when he is not on screen. He brings this fantastic humor and real heart. He helps people embrace who they are, flaws and all. He also has great comedic timing with Maya Rudolph who plays Catilin. They bounce off of each other so well but still have this emotional connection that is the real center of their relationship.
Toni Collette and Steve Carrell do a sensational job playing a couple in love but also a couple confused in what they want. Trent is this man who is so hurtful to Duncan but caring to Pam. He does not act like a parent, he acts like a cliche college party jock you want to punch in the face. Poor Pam doesn't know which day to turn. She wants to be a good mother but she is trying to play this perfect girlfriend. She also tries so hard to fit in with Trent's immature friends, it's almost sad to watch.
Over all it was a great movie that I really enjoyed watching. I laughed so hard I had tears coming down my face. Sam Rockwell stole the story for me, I missed him when he wasn't on screen. I wish the whole movie could have been about Own and the water park. Duncan was adorkable but still managed to pull off this torn teenager.
If you are looking for a good summer movie with tons of heart, this is it. It has a great message and a real story that everyone can relate to. GO SEE IT!! I loved it and I know I will buy it when it comes out.
Let's get into it. The Way Way Back is a film about a 14 year old boy named Duncan, played by Liam James. Duncan is spending the summer at a cottage belonging to his mother's boyfriend (Pam and Trent). Played by Toni Collette and Steve Carrell. Within the first two minutes of the movie you know that Trent is a giant D-bag to Duncan. For example Trent tells Duncan that on a scale of one to ten, Duncan is a 3. He's horrible to the poor kid. Duncan is already shy and slightly awkward.
The Cottage is on the ocean and all the locals are big drinkers and party animals. It's like spring break for grown ups. Duncan keeps avoiding family and even the cute Susanna next door, played by AnnaSophia Robb. One day, Duncan shows up at the local water park called The Water Wizz. There he meets Owen, played by the charming Sam Rockwell. Owen takes Duncan under his wing and get's him a job working at the water park. Owen becomes the only real friend that Duncan has. Duncan can be himself and have fun for the summer.
The movie is filled with tons of heart and real emotion. It dealt with everything from verbal abuse, to infidelity, to friendship, to first love, to growing up and growing down. Sam Rockwell is so raw and pure as Owen. You miss him when he is not on screen. He brings this fantastic humor and real heart. He helps people embrace who they are, flaws and all. He also has great comedic timing with Maya Rudolph who plays Catilin. They bounce off of each other so well but still have this emotional connection that is the real center of their relationship.
Toni Collette and Steve Carrell do a sensational job playing a couple in love but also a couple confused in what they want. Trent is this man who is so hurtful to Duncan but caring to Pam. He does not act like a parent, he acts like a cliche college party jock you want to punch in the face. Poor Pam doesn't know which day to turn. She wants to be a good mother but she is trying to play this perfect girlfriend. She also tries so hard to fit in with Trent's immature friends, it's almost sad to watch.
Over all it was a great movie that I really enjoyed watching. I laughed so hard I had tears coming down my face. Sam Rockwell stole the story for me, I missed him when he wasn't on screen. I wish the whole movie could have been about Own and the water park. Duncan was adorkable but still managed to pull off this torn teenager.
If you are looking for a good summer movie with tons of heart, this is it. It has a great message and a real story that everyone can relate to. GO SEE IT!! I loved it and I know I will buy it when it comes out.
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Host
I will admit, the only reason I read The Host is because Stephenie Meyer wrote the book. The book was a little slow getting started but I really enjoyed the characters. Most of the book has an internal struggle between Melanie and Wanderer. I didn't know how the book would transfer to film. I must say that I was very impressed. I think I might even have liked the movie more than the book!
The Host takes place in the not so distant future. An alien race comes to earth with the goal of taking over the bodies of the people and creating peace and order. A girl named Melanie is part of a small group of human runners trying to stay safe. Melanie is played by Saoirse Ronan and she does a great job playing a duel role. Melanie is running with her brother Jamie, played by Chandler Canterbury and her boyfriend Jared, played by Max Irons. One night Melanie is caught by a Seeker played by Diane Kruger. Melanie jumps out of a window instead of being taken. She survives and the aliens put Wanderer inside Melanie's body. Melanie is still fighting from within. The director did a great job of having Melanie's voice over be in a different accent than Wanderer's.
Melanie talks Wanderer into going into the desert to find Jamie and Jared. Melanie believes that they are hiding with her Uncle Jeb somewhere. Uncle Jeb, played by William Hurt finds Wanderer and decides to take her with him. Jared and Jamie are there and do not believe that Melanie is still alive. Then we meet my favorite character, the charming and lovely Ian, played by Jake Abel. Ian is conflicted because he hates the aliens but Wanda, as they start to call her, is not like the others. I should stop there because I could ruin the whole movie for you.
This movie has a little bit for everyone, it has action, science fiction, and romance. One thing I will warn you is it is 2 hours and 5 minutes long. There is a small moment in the middle where the movie gets a little slow but give it a minute because it picks up again. The same thing happened in the book too.
Saoirse is fantastic as always, this girl is an amazing actress. She is able to play two people in one body and it makes total sense. She bring a purity and grace to Wanda and a ruthless never ending need to survive in Melanie. Max Irons does a smashing job of playing the sexy yet conflicted man. Most of the movie he is angry and confused about Wanda. Max does a great job of making you hate him one minute and then feel sympathy for him the next. William Hurt is the perfect Uncle Jeb, he brings this sense of compassion and open minded spirit to the group. He is willing to take a chance on Wanda and has faith that something good can come out of all the chaos. My favorite character is by far Ian and Jake Abel is fantastic. Ian is a character that learns to love a person by who they are and there actions. He is willing to keep an open mind and allows himself to feel for an alien that everyone else sees as a murderer. It also helps that Jake is very easy on the eyes. He is more than that, he is full of compassion, love, and pain. Jake is going to have an amazing career ahead of him.
Over all I loved this movie a bunch, I really want to see it again. I know it will for sure be apart of my vast DVD collection. If you feel like Science Fiction and a splash of romance, this is a great movie for you. Make sure you enjoy every minute of Ian on screen because he is MY FAVORITE!!
Over All B+
The Host takes place in the not so distant future. An alien race comes to earth with the goal of taking over the bodies of the people and creating peace and order. A girl named Melanie is part of a small group of human runners trying to stay safe. Melanie is played by Saoirse Ronan and she does a great job playing a duel role. Melanie is running with her brother Jamie, played by Chandler Canterbury and her boyfriend Jared, played by Max Irons. One night Melanie is caught by a Seeker played by Diane Kruger. Melanie jumps out of a window instead of being taken. She survives and the aliens put Wanderer inside Melanie's body. Melanie is still fighting from within. The director did a great job of having Melanie's voice over be in a different accent than Wanderer's.
Melanie talks Wanderer into going into the desert to find Jamie and Jared. Melanie believes that they are hiding with her Uncle Jeb somewhere. Uncle Jeb, played by William Hurt finds Wanderer and decides to take her with him. Jared and Jamie are there and do not believe that Melanie is still alive. Then we meet my favorite character, the charming and lovely Ian, played by Jake Abel. Ian is conflicted because he hates the aliens but Wanda, as they start to call her, is not like the others. I should stop there because I could ruin the whole movie for you.
This movie has a little bit for everyone, it has action, science fiction, and romance. One thing I will warn you is it is 2 hours and 5 minutes long. There is a small moment in the middle where the movie gets a little slow but give it a minute because it picks up again. The same thing happened in the book too.
Saoirse is fantastic as always, this girl is an amazing actress. She is able to play two people in one body and it makes total sense. She bring a purity and grace to Wanda and a ruthless never ending need to survive in Melanie. Max Irons does a smashing job of playing the sexy yet conflicted man. Most of the movie he is angry and confused about Wanda. Max does a great job of making you hate him one minute and then feel sympathy for him the next. William Hurt is the perfect Uncle Jeb, he brings this sense of compassion and open minded spirit to the group. He is willing to take a chance on Wanda and has faith that something good can come out of all the chaos. My favorite character is by far Ian and Jake Abel is fantastic. Ian is a character that learns to love a person by who they are and there actions. He is willing to keep an open mind and allows himself to feel for an alien that everyone else sees as a murderer. It also helps that Jake is very easy on the eyes. He is more than that, he is full of compassion, love, and pain. Jake is going to have an amazing career ahead of him.
Over all I loved this movie a bunch, I really want to see it again. I know it will for sure be apart of my vast DVD collection. If you feel like Science Fiction and a splash of romance, this is a great movie for you. Make sure you enjoy every minute of Ian on screen because he is MY FAVORITE!!
Over All B+
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Admission
What to do on a cold Saturday evening.....oh I know! Go see Admission with my best friend from high school! I wanted to see this movie and went into it with an open mind. To be totally honest, I had not heard much about it. I saw a few previews but I was very excited to see that it was produced by Focus Features. Focus is probably my favorite production company out there....they probably tie with Marvel Studios...anyways!
Admission is about a very uptight Princeton admission officer name Portia Nathan, played by Tina Fey. She has been living with her boyfriend Mark, played by Michael Sheen, for ten years. She enjoys finding the right kids for the school but she is tough as nails. She wants applicants that will go above and beyond and have a flawless past.
Portia goes on high school visits to many schools on the East Coast. A new school she has heard about is called Quest. The school is a mix between the commune in Easy Rider and the new age ideas of South Harman Institute of Technology in Accepted. They teach about third world water purification, gardening, and how to birth a cow. This charming yet unorthodox school is run by John Pressman, played by Paul Rudd. John is a world traveler that adopted his son, Nelson in Africa and is working with an adopted kid named Jeremiah to get into Princeton. I feel like that is all I can say about the movie without messing up some very big plot points for you. So there ya go!
The film was very charming and I would not say it is a comedy. The way I would describe it would be as a Dramedy....yes that is a real genre....you can Google it. There are so many very serious moments in this film with a splash of comedy tossed in. It was also advertised as a Romantic film and it really isn't. The focus is about Portia trying to rebuild herself. Taking a look at her life and finding what is really important to her.
Tina Fey is charming, as always. She is able to give a moment of truth and still have undertones of humor without ruining the deeper purpose behind a scene. Her comedy does not overshadow her dramatic acting. Paul Rudd is just so darn adorable! He still looks like the 22 year old from Clueless. This movie was such a great switch for him. So many of his recent movies have been over the top funny that he comes off as completely ridiculous. This movie shows that he really is a brilliant actor that can bring so much love and heart to the screen. He's the man you want to take home to your mother. When he wasn't on screen, I missed his character.
Admission also has an experienced cast of dramatic actors. We have Michael Sheen as Mark, not my favorite character but he played it beautifully. Lily Tomlin plays Portia's mother Susanne. She is raw and Bohemian. She brings this hippie free love that contrasts Portia's uptight personality. Susanne was a breath of fresh air during the stuffy drama moments.
Over all the movie was charming and teaches us that some things are worth fighting for. If you feel like you want to go see a movie with a lot of heart, love, and some comedy this is for you.
Over All B-
Admission is about a very uptight Princeton admission officer name Portia Nathan, played by Tina Fey. She has been living with her boyfriend Mark, played by Michael Sheen, for ten years. She enjoys finding the right kids for the school but she is tough as nails. She wants applicants that will go above and beyond and have a flawless past.
Portia goes on high school visits to many schools on the East Coast. A new school she has heard about is called Quest. The school is a mix between the commune in Easy Rider and the new age ideas of South Harman Institute of Technology in Accepted. They teach about third world water purification, gardening, and how to birth a cow. This charming yet unorthodox school is run by John Pressman, played by Paul Rudd. John is a world traveler that adopted his son, Nelson in Africa and is working with an adopted kid named Jeremiah to get into Princeton. I feel like that is all I can say about the movie without messing up some very big plot points for you. So there ya go!
The film was very charming and I would not say it is a comedy. The way I would describe it would be as a Dramedy....yes that is a real genre....you can Google it. There are so many very serious moments in this film with a splash of comedy tossed in. It was also advertised as a Romantic film and it really isn't. The focus is about Portia trying to rebuild herself. Taking a look at her life and finding what is really important to her.
Tina Fey is charming, as always. She is able to give a moment of truth and still have undertones of humor without ruining the deeper purpose behind a scene. Her comedy does not overshadow her dramatic acting. Paul Rudd is just so darn adorable! He still looks like the 22 year old from Clueless. This movie was such a great switch for him. So many of his recent movies have been over the top funny that he comes off as completely ridiculous. This movie shows that he really is a brilliant actor that can bring so much love and heart to the screen. He's the man you want to take home to your mother. When he wasn't on screen, I missed his character.
Admission also has an experienced cast of dramatic actors. We have Michael Sheen as Mark, not my favorite character but he played it beautifully. Lily Tomlin plays Portia's mother Susanne. She is raw and Bohemian. She brings this hippie free love that contrasts Portia's uptight personality. Susanne was a breath of fresh air during the stuffy drama moments.
Over all the movie was charming and teaches us that some things are worth fighting for. If you feel like you want to go see a movie with a lot of heart, love, and some comedy this is for you.
Over All B-
Sunday, January 27, 2013
The Bourne Legacy
The Bourne Legacy also known as Proof that Jeremy Renner is a bad ass action star! I went into this film torn and conflicted. As you know, I think Jeremy Renner is a brilliant actor known for his dramatic skills. I went into this hoping that Jeremy would be able to hold an entire action movie on his own. All I can say is how dare I ever doubt him! The other reason I was torn is because I love Matt Damon. He did a brilliant job playing Jason Bourne and I was curious to see how this film would cover his story. I must say the writers did a great job creating a new story that is still in the Bourne Universe. Would treadstone and Blackbirer stop with just one man? Of course not! Aaron Cross is just another piece of that puzzle.
The film starts off where Jason Bourne left off. Jason is on the run and the government knows that the project has been compromised. We find out that Eric Byer, played by Edward Norton, is hired to purge the program. As he phrases it, "Burn the project to the ground." While all this is happening Aaron Cross, played by Jeremy Renner, is on a exercise in the mountains. We find out that he is taking two pills to help enhance his abilities both mentally and psychically. Once Aaron reaches the base camp all Hell breaks loose and Byer is killing every participant in the program.
In the meantime we meet Dr. Marta Shearing, played by Rachel Weisz, who works with the program. She helps create the genetic alterations for the participants in the program. She is put in danger when he lab is attacked, again to purge the program. In a moment of desperation Aaron seeks out Marta and together they are running. There journey brings them to the other end of the world where they must work together.
The movie has some of the most intense action scenes I have seen in a while. Aaron is so quick and has no fear. He will hop on the back of a motorcycle and race across the busy streets while being shot at and doesn't miss a beat.
Jeremy does many of his own stunts and it is stunning to see him while climbing up the side of a building. He really dedicates himself to the character and the film. He also brings life to Aaron and shows how conflicted he is about the program. Rachel spends the first part of the movie screaming and not knowing what to do. Once she gets her act together she starts to help Aaron and show she is more than just a Brain. She becomes empowered and she gains courage from Aaron's faith in her. Then we have Edward Norton as the man in charge. He is worried because he knows that if the media finds out they have been genetically altering soldiers they will create trouble. Edward does a great job playing the man in charge and being very stern. We really don't get to know that back story of Byer or why he is the way he is.
Over all it was a great movie that ties in the other Bourne story. It was left wide open for another movie. I even heard a rumor that Matt Damon is considering being a part of the next film. Jeremy Renner and Matt Damon would be fantastic together on screen. I really hope they make another one because it was such a great film....another would be ok with me!
The film starts off where Jason Bourne left off. Jason is on the run and the government knows that the project has been compromised. We find out that Eric Byer, played by Edward Norton, is hired to purge the program. As he phrases it, "Burn the project to the ground." While all this is happening Aaron Cross, played by Jeremy Renner, is on a exercise in the mountains. We find out that he is taking two pills to help enhance his abilities both mentally and psychically. Once Aaron reaches the base camp all Hell breaks loose and Byer is killing every participant in the program.
In the meantime we meet Dr. Marta Shearing, played by Rachel Weisz, who works with the program. She helps create the genetic alterations for the participants in the program. She is put in danger when he lab is attacked, again to purge the program. In a moment of desperation Aaron seeks out Marta and together they are running. There journey brings them to the other end of the world where they must work together.
The movie has some of the most intense action scenes I have seen in a while. Aaron is so quick and has no fear. He will hop on the back of a motorcycle and race across the busy streets while being shot at and doesn't miss a beat.
Jeremy does many of his own stunts and it is stunning to see him while climbing up the side of a building. He really dedicates himself to the character and the film. He also brings life to Aaron and shows how conflicted he is about the program. Rachel spends the first part of the movie screaming and not knowing what to do. Once she gets her act together she starts to help Aaron and show she is more than just a Brain. She becomes empowered and she gains courage from Aaron's faith in her. Then we have Edward Norton as the man in charge. He is worried because he knows that if the media finds out they have been genetically altering soldiers they will create trouble. Edward does a great job playing the man in charge and being very stern. We really don't get to know that back story of Byer or why he is the way he is.
Over all it was a great movie that ties in the other Bourne story. It was left wide open for another movie. I even heard a rumor that Matt Damon is considering being a part of the next film. Jeremy Renner and Matt Damon would be fantastic together on screen. I really hope they make another one because it was such a great film....another would be ok with me!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters
So to begin, I must say that I adore Jeremy Renner. He is a breathe of fresh air and pure raw talent.....he's also very easy on the eyes. I also have been waiting for this movie since the summer when it was suppose to be realised in the fall! I love stories with witches and magic and awesome weapons. So needless to say, I went in with high expectations. I must say that it was AMAZING!
The story starts with the traditional Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and stumble on a candy house and a witch. Together they stick the witch in an oven and kill her. So what happens after the story ends? Who do these children grow up to be? In this story they become Witch Hunters.
Part of the fun spin on the movie is the kick butt weapons they use. We are talking big guns and semi-automatic cross bows created to destroy witches of every type. Hansel enjoys a big gun and Gretel is an arrow girl both with a taste for witch blood.
They come to a small town where children have gone missing. They work together to try and deal with a scared town and renegade witches in the woods. Plus the story has some very painful attachments to Hansel and Gretel's past.
Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton are amazing together. They really do seem like brother and sister who count on one another. You believe that they love each other and they are all they have. Jeremy Renner plays the perfect big brother that will do whatever it takes to keep his sister safe. Gretel loves her brother but tries to be the voice of reason in every situation. Together they are a magnetic team that you want to see more of. They have this great on screen chemistry and playful banter of a brother and sister.
We also have the evil and at times beautiful witch Muriel played by Famke Janssen. She knows more about Hansel and Gretel than they know about themselves. She is also heartless and willing to do anything and hurt anyone she needs to to get her way. We also have the lovely and mysterious Mina played by Pihla Viitala. There is also the lazy, bigot Sheriff played by Peter Stormare and the witch hunter groupie named Ben, played by Thomas Mann.
Over all it is a great film that is sadly rated R. It is rated R because of the blood and guts that happen in the movie. There are also a bunch of hilarious F-Bombs dropped. It is a fantastic movie that I can not wait to see again! Jeremy Renner is THE MAN and I can not wait to see what else he comes out with.
The story starts with the traditional Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and stumble on a candy house and a witch. Together they stick the witch in an oven and kill her. So what happens after the story ends? Who do these children grow up to be? In this story they become Witch Hunters.
Part of the fun spin on the movie is the kick butt weapons they use. We are talking big guns and semi-automatic cross bows created to destroy witches of every type. Hansel enjoys a big gun and Gretel is an arrow girl both with a taste for witch blood.
They come to a small town where children have gone missing. They work together to try and deal with a scared town and renegade witches in the woods. Plus the story has some very painful attachments to Hansel and Gretel's past.
Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton are amazing together. They really do seem like brother and sister who count on one another. You believe that they love each other and they are all they have. Jeremy Renner plays the perfect big brother that will do whatever it takes to keep his sister safe. Gretel loves her brother but tries to be the voice of reason in every situation. Together they are a magnetic team that you want to see more of. They have this great on screen chemistry and playful banter of a brother and sister.
We also have the evil and at times beautiful witch Muriel played by Famke Janssen. She knows more about Hansel and Gretel than they know about themselves. She is also heartless and willing to do anything and hurt anyone she needs to to get her way. We also have the lovely and mysterious Mina played by Pihla Viitala. There is also the lazy, bigot Sheriff played by Peter Stormare and the witch hunter groupie named Ben, played by Thomas Mann.
Over all it is a great film that is sadly rated R. It is rated R because of the blood and guts that happen in the movie. There are also a bunch of hilarious F-Bombs dropped. It is a fantastic movie that I can not wait to see again! Jeremy Renner is THE MAN and I can not wait to see what else he comes out with.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Wreck-It Ralph
I love having an 8 year old nephew that I get to go see all these animated movies with. You all should know that my nephew is very big into video games. He loves them and has been playing them since he could walk. He also loves playing my old school Nintendo, so the kid has played a little of everything. As soon as he heard about this movie he asked me to take him. How can I say no to such a cute kid with big brown eyes?!
The movie is about Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly. He is a character in an old school arcade game that breaks a building every game and then Fix It Felix, voiced by Jack McBrayer, comes in and fixes it with his magical hammer. Ralph does not like being a bad guy and he is lonely. He just wants to be a part of the group and not have people hate him. One day he decides to go into the other games and try and be a hero. He wants to prove to the people in his game that he is more than a bad guy.
The movie is super cute and shows that who people are is more important than what they look like. If you have played video games at all in the past 25 years you will love this movie. At one point we see the Mortal Kombat guys, Mario, Pacman, Sonic, and many many more.Part of the fun is trying to figure out who all of the game characters are.
In part of Ralph's journey he meets Calhoun, voiced by Jane Lynch. She is from a fighting game called Heroes Duty. As Ralph game hops she gets pulled into the other games with Felix. Together they are trying to clean up the mess that Ralph is making. We also meet Vanellope voiced by Sarah Silverman. She is a racer in the candy racing game. She is considered an outcast just like Ralph and together they form and amazing friendship.
I have to say that this movie was very cool. There was no nasty adult humor that is sometimes hidden in these kid movies. It also is such a great lesson for kids not to judge a book by it's cover. Be open minded to new people and value the friendships you have. I even had tears in my eyes at one point. I say if you are looking for something to do this weekend, take the kids to go see it. It's family fun with a classic videogame twist. ENJOY!
Over All-A-
The movie is about Ralph, voiced by John C. Reilly. He is a character in an old school arcade game that breaks a building every game and then Fix It Felix, voiced by Jack McBrayer, comes in and fixes it with his magical hammer. Ralph does not like being a bad guy and he is lonely. He just wants to be a part of the group and not have people hate him. One day he decides to go into the other games and try and be a hero. He wants to prove to the people in his game that he is more than a bad guy.
The movie is super cute and shows that who people are is more important than what they look like. If you have played video games at all in the past 25 years you will love this movie. At one point we see the Mortal Kombat guys, Mario, Pacman, Sonic, and many many more.Part of the fun is trying to figure out who all of the game characters are.
In part of Ralph's journey he meets Calhoun, voiced by Jane Lynch. She is from a fighting game called Heroes Duty. As Ralph game hops she gets pulled into the other games with Felix. Together they are trying to clean up the mess that Ralph is making. We also meet Vanellope voiced by Sarah Silverman. She is a racer in the candy racing game. She is considered an outcast just like Ralph and together they form and amazing friendship.
I have to say that this movie was very cool. There was no nasty adult humor that is sometimes hidden in these kid movies. It also is such a great lesson for kids not to judge a book by it's cover. Be open minded to new people and value the friendships you have. I even had tears in my eyes at one point. I say if you are looking for something to do this weekend, take the kids to go see it. It's family fun with a classic videogame twist. ENJOY!
Over All-A-
Breaking Dawn Part 2
Alright Alright Alright.......here we go the final film the the Twilight series. I have read all the books and seen all the movies. Actually this is the first Twilight movie that I didn't wait in line at midnight for. I guess I felt too grown up for that....that being said I did see it twice....no judgement.
Ok here we go I have to say they FINALLY got it right with this one. As always it had a few cheesy moments and one or two lines that were so terrible you can't help but roll your eyes. The movie starts with Bella waking up as a vampire and getting all PDA with her husband Edward. They go out on an awesome hunt and we see what a predator Bella really is. We also get a chance to see Reneesma their daughter. Here is my beef with that creepy CGI baby...IT LOOKED SO FAKE! I kept thinking it was going to ask me to switch to esurence! The baby looked so fake that is was distracting. This is a million dollar movie, you couldn't have put a little more effort into making the baby look real. It was obvious that it was a real baby with a computerized face. ICK!
Ok I got that out, I feel better. So the movie continues and we see Bella get all mad that Jacob Imprinted on Nessie, it's not as dirty as it sounds. Basically there is a strong connection between them and all Jacob wants is her to be happy.
One day Bella, Jacob, and Nessie are outside and Irina sees them. She thinks that the Cullens made a vampire child, which is illegal. She runs away and tells the Volturi that there is a vampire child. Now remember the Volturi want Alice and Edward as apart of their guard because of their special abilities. Aro takes this as his chance to take what he wants. The Cullens must scramble to find witness to prove the Nessie is not a vampire but half human and half vampire.
The best part about this movie was all of the new amazing vampires we get to meet. We finally get my favorite vampire Garrett played by the lovely Lee Pace. He has humor, charm, and and that whole bad boy thing going for him.....swoon! We also have Maggie Smith as Irina the troubled and confused Cullen Cousin. Mackenzie Foy plays Nessie and she is adorable. She is a beautiful child that you can not help but adore. She brings this pure innocents to the film that is desperately needed.
We have all the traditional cast returning to the film but I must say that Elizabeth Reaser as Esme stood out among the crowd. We finally got to see the compassion and fabulous acting of Elizabeth. In the other films she was not used as much as she should of been. It's like not playing a great hand in poker....what a waste! I feel like I should mention Michael Sheen as Aro is both creepy and amazing. He scares you because you can tell behind those eyes there is such pure evil. Gives you chills just thinking about his creepy laugh! Also Dakota Fanning as Jane is as always fantastic. A brilliant actress playing playing an evil deadly vampire with no mercy in her cold heart.
Over all if you like the series you will love this one. It has everything and it leaves you wanting more!
Over all- B-
Ok here we go I have to say they FINALLY got it right with this one. As always it had a few cheesy moments and one or two lines that were so terrible you can't help but roll your eyes. The movie starts with Bella waking up as a vampire and getting all PDA with her husband Edward. They go out on an awesome hunt and we see what a predator Bella really is. We also get a chance to see Reneesma their daughter. Here is my beef with that creepy CGI baby...IT LOOKED SO FAKE! I kept thinking it was going to ask me to switch to esurence! The baby looked so fake that is was distracting. This is a million dollar movie, you couldn't have put a little more effort into making the baby look real. It was obvious that it was a real baby with a computerized face. ICK!
Ok I got that out, I feel better. So the movie continues and we see Bella get all mad that Jacob Imprinted on Nessie, it's not as dirty as it sounds. Basically there is a strong connection between them and all Jacob wants is her to be happy.
One day Bella, Jacob, and Nessie are outside and Irina sees them. She thinks that the Cullens made a vampire child, which is illegal. She runs away and tells the Volturi that there is a vampire child. Now remember the Volturi want Alice and Edward as apart of their guard because of their special abilities. Aro takes this as his chance to take what he wants. The Cullens must scramble to find witness to prove the Nessie is not a vampire but half human and half vampire.
The best part about this movie was all of the new amazing vampires we get to meet. We finally get my favorite vampire Garrett played by the lovely Lee Pace. He has humor, charm, and and that whole bad boy thing going for him.....swoon! We also have Maggie Smith as Irina the troubled and confused Cullen Cousin. Mackenzie Foy plays Nessie and she is adorable. She is a beautiful child that you can not help but adore. She brings this pure innocents to the film that is desperately needed.
We have all the traditional cast returning to the film but I must say that Elizabeth Reaser as Esme stood out among the crowd. We finally got to see the compassion and fabulous acting of Elizabeth. In the other films she was not used as much as she should of been. It's like not playing a great hand in poker....what a waste! I feel like I should mention Michael Sheen as Aro is both creepy and amazing. He scares you because you can tell behind those eyes there is such pure evil. Gives you chills just thinking about his creepy laugh! Also Dakota Fanning as Jane is as always fantastic. A brilliant actress playing playing an evil deadly vampire with no mercy in her cold heart.
Over all if you like the series you will love this one. It has everything and it leaves you wanting more!
Over all- B-
Lincoln
Right away I should warn you all that I am a big history buff. I am always worried when I go see historical movies because I want them to be true to history. The people of the past deserve that respect. That being said I had high hopes for Lincoln. I must say Steven Spielberg delivered on every level of the film.
I thought the movie was going to be a biopic on the life of Lincoln and I was wrong. The movie takes place during the two or three weeks before the signing on the 13th Amendment ending slavery in America. The Civil War is nearing an end as the South is weary from years of fighting. Now is the time that Lincoln wants to fight for the rights of Slaves.
We see Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, as not only a President but as a father and a husband. We see his relationship with his young son Tad Lincoln, played by the adorable Gulliver McGrath. We see the tarnished relationship with his oldest son Robert, played by the talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Robert wants to fight in the war and feels like he is dishonoring the men fighting by standing aside and doing nothing. We also see Mary Lincoln as she tries to keep herself together. After loosing their youngest son she has been an emotional train wreck. She doesn't know how to deal with the loss and even thinking of losing her other son brings her to a panic attack. This character is brilliant played by Sally Field, she brings such a compassion and sadness to Mary that you feel in every scene.
This film is filled with amazing actors that bring such passion and life to these historical men and women. Tommy Lee Jones plays Thaddeus Stephens a man who has been fighting for African American rights for years. The 13th Amendment is something he feels is long past due. James Spader is W.N. Bilbo a man hired to try and find more men for the 13th Amendment. He is not afraid to take less than legal ways around to get what he wants. David Strathaim plays William Seward a man that believes in Lincoln and will support him publicly till the rapture. Even if he doesn't believe in it privately he supports his command in chief. I think my favorite character is played by the always surprising Lee Pace as Fernando Wood. Mr. Wood is against the 13th Amendment and is incredibly verbal about it. Lee Pace brings this despicable man to life and he is very charismatic. It is not surprising to see people follow his policies because he is a great politician.
The cast goes on and on with Oscar winner and nominees galore! The movie is historic and is fully dependent on the dialog. The movie does get a bit slow and a little long. Still a great movie that I encourage you to try and watch.
My favorite part about the movie is how human it man Lincoln. He wasn't this purified vision of what Lincoln was but the flawed and human man fighting for what he believes in. You see him playing with his son and telling dirty jokes to his cabinet. You see the troubled pain in his eyes and the fear in his voice. You see how much he wants equality and how far ahead of his time he is. Daniel Day-Lewis makes Lincoln Human again. He is not this idea of a perfect martyred man, he is just a flawed as the rest of us.
I must say that this movie came out at the perfect time. This is a time in our country where change is in the air and no matter who you voted for, it was historic. In the movie there is an African American soldier that says in a few years they will have freedom, in 50 years the Vote, and in a hundred maybe someone in office. It gave me chills just thinking how backwards it all seemed. How sad it is that way of thinking was held on for so long. It makes me wonder in a hundred and fifty years what will they think of us. We need to learn from the past to give hope to our future.
Over all -B+
I thought the movie was going to be a biopic on the life of Lincoln and I was wrong. The movie takes place during the two or three weeks before the signing on the 13th Amendment ending slavery in America. The Civil War is nearing an end as the South is weary from years of fighting. Now is the time that Lincoln wants to fight for the rights of Slaves.
We see Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, as not only a President but as a father and a husband. We see his relationship with his young son Tad Lincoln, played by the adorable Gulliver McGrath. We see the tarnished relationship with his oldest son Robert, played by the talented Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Robert wants to fight in the war and feels like he is dishonoring the men fighting by standing aside and doing nothing. We also see Mary Lincoln as she tries to keep herself together. After loosing their youngest son she has been an emotional train wreck. She doesn't know how to deal with the loss and even thinking of losing her other son brings her to a panic attack. This character is brilliant played by Sally Field, she brings such a compassion and sadness to Mary that you feel in every scene.
This film is filled with amazing actors that bring such passion and life to these historical men and women. Tommy Lee Jones plays Thaddeus Stephens a man who has been fighting for African American rights for years. The 13th Amendment is something he feels is long past due. James Spader is W.N. Bilbo a man hired to try and find more men for the 13th Amendment. He is not afraid to take less than legal ways around to get what he wants. David Strathaim plays William Seward a man that believes in Lincoln and will support him publicly till the rapture. Even if he doesn't believe in it privately he supports his command in chief. I think my favorite character is played by the always surprising Lee Pace as Fernando Wood. Mr. Wood is against the 13th Amendment and is incredibly verbal about it. Lee Pace brings this despicable man to life and he is very charismatic. It is not surprising to see people follow his policies because he is a great politician.
The cast goes on and on with Oscar winner and nominees galore! The movie is historic and is fully dependent on the dialog. The movie does get a bit slow and a little long. Still a great movie that I encourage you to try and watch.
My favorite part about the movie is how human it man Lincoln. He wasn't this purified vision of what Lincoln was but the flawed and human man fighting for what he believes in. You see him playing with his son and telling dirty jokes to his cabinet. You see the troubled pain in his eyes and the fear in his voice. You see how much he wants equality and how far ahead of his time he is. Daniel Day-Lewis makes Lincoln Human again. He is not this idea of a perfect martyred man, he is just a flawed as the rest of us.
I must say that this movie came out at the perfect time. This is a time in our country where change is in the air and no matter who you voted for, it was historic. In the movie there is an African American soldier that says in a few years they will have freedom, in 50 years the Vote, and in a hundred maybe someone in office. It gave me chills just thinking how backwards it all seemed. How sad it is that way of thinking was held on for so long. It makes me wonder in a hundred and fifty years what will they think of us. We need to learn from the past to give hope to our future.
Over all -B+
Life Of Pi
So here I sit at my local coffee shop trying to stay focused on writing. My house has too many awesome distractions....like more movies! This was a very eventful holiday week for me. Not only did I see family and friends but I went and saw 5 movies in 7 days....I'm that awesome. So here we go!
I have not read the book Life Of Pi, part of me feels like I should have. At the same time Director Ang Lee paints a better picture than my mind ever could. This film is like a lovely piece of art, moving motion pictures. The colors are vibrant and take your breath away. The cinematography is captivating, there are these huge empty spaces that make you feel so alone and small. The images Ang Lee filmed in India are full of the passion and grace that show what a rich culture India has. You can feel the breeze in your hair and the spices in the air. Not many directors can take you to a new place but Ang Lee does in Life of Pi.
The film is about a man named Pi. We meet Pi as a grown man, played by Irrfan Khan living as a Professor in Canada. One day an author comes to visit Pi. The writer, played by the amazing Rafe Spall, was just in India and met Pi's uncle. The uncle told the writer that Pi's story would make him believe in God and Magic. Pi tells his story for when he was a young man. The younger Pi is played by Suraj Sharma, an actor that is years ahead of his age.
We hear about life growing up in India. Pi's father ran a Zoo and a botanical garden. When Pi get's older his family must move to Canada and sell the zoo animals. Among the animals is a Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. This tiger is dangerous and a predator, Pi has seen what this Tiger can do.
While on the boat the ship sinks and Pi ends up on a life raft alone with a zebra with a broken leg, an organutan, a hyena, and Richard Parker the Tiger. Ok there are going to be some spoilers....I'm warning you........
Right away animal instincts trump reason and the hyena kills the Zebra and the organutan. After Pi screams at the hyena Richard Parker jumps out of the boat and kills the hyena. Pi can no longer stay on the boat because Richard Parker will kill him. Pi makes a raft out of life jackets and floats behind the boat, every once and while going to the boat for supplies.
The rest of the movie is about survival and seeing what we are capable of. We see the bond between Richard Parker and Pi grow as they try to survive together.
The film is unlike anything I have ever seen. The special effects are so real that I could not tell what was real or CGI. I'm still not sure if Richard Parker was real or if they were ever really in the water. Ang Lee did an amazing thing and mixed the CGI in with real images to make the scene more powerful. The colors of the fish and the look of the sky are like pieces of art in a museum. If this director does not get nominated for an Oscar I will be shocked. I also think that this film should win for best special effects because they are stunning and ground breaking.
The acting in this film is the stuff of history. Rafe Spall as The Writer is a small but important character. He brings this childlike curiosity and desire for truth and God to the film. He wants to believe in magic and I honestly think, he wants to believe in God. Irrfan Khan brings so much heart, pain, and truth to the adult Pi. Suraj Sharma is an actor with a long career ahead of him. I won't spoil the ending but there is a scene at the end where we see all the pain, suffering, passion and loss that Pi has endured. The acting was so raw and it stays with you long after the movie is over. I still get goosebumps thinking about the pain in his eyes.
Over all if you are looking for a beautiful film to see, go see this movie.
Over All - A
I have not read the book Life Of Pi, part of me feels like I should have. At the same time Director Ang Lee paints a better picture than my mind ever could. This film is like a lovely piece of art, moving motion pictures. The colors are vibrant and take your breath away. The cinematography is captivating, there are these huge empty spaces that make you feel so alone and small. The images Ang Lee filmed in India are full of the passion and grace that show what a rich culture India has. You can feel the breeze in your hair and the spices in the air. Not many directors can take you to a new place but Ang Lee does in Life of Pi.
The film is about a man named Pi. We meet Pi as a grown man, played by Irrfan Khan living as a Professor in Canada. One day an author comes to visit Pi. The writer, played by the amazing Rafe Spall, was just in India and met Pi's uncle. The uncle told the writer that Pi's story would make him believe in God and Magic. Pi tells his story for when he was a young man. The younger Pi is played by Suraj Sharma, an actor that is years ahead of his age.
We hear about life growing up in India. Pi's father ran a Zoo and a botanical garden. When Pi get's older his family must move to Canada and sell the zoo animals. Among the animals is a Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. This tiger is dangerous and a predator, Pi has seen what this Tiger can do.
While on the boat the ship sinks and Pi ends up on a life raft alone with a zebra with a broken leg, an organutan, a hyena, and Richard Parker the Tiger. Ok there are going to be some spoilers....I'm warning you........
Right away animal instincts trump reason and the hyena kills the Zebra and the organutan. After Pi screams at the hyena Richard Parker jumps out of the boat and kills the hyena. Pi can no longer stay on the boat because Richard Parker will kill him. Pi makes a raft out of life jackets and floats behind the boat, every once and while going to the boat for supplies.
The rest of the movie is about survival and seeing what we are capable of. We see the bond between Richard Parker and Pi grow as they try to survive together.
The film is unlike anything I have ever seen. The special effects are so real that I could not tell what was real or CGI. I'm still not sure if Richard Parker was real or if they were ever really in the water. Ang Lee did an amazing thing and mixed the CGI in with real images to make the scene more powerful. The colors of the fish and the look of the sky are like pieces of art in a museum. If this director does not get nominated for an Oscar I will be shocked. I also think that this film should win for best special effects because they are stunning and ground breaking.
The acting in this film is the stuff of history. Rafe Spall as The Writer is a small but important character. He brings this childlike curiosity and desire for truth and God to the film. He wants to believe in magic and I honestly think, he wants to believe in God. Irrfan Khan brings so much heart, pain, and truth to the adult Pi. Suraj Sharma is an actor with a long career ahead of him. I won't spoil the ending but there is a scene at the end where we see all the pain, suffering, passion and loss that Pi has endured. The acting was so raw and it stays with you long after the movie is over. I still get goosebumps thinking about the pain in his eyes.
Over all if you are looking for a beautiful film to see, go see this movie.
Over All - A
Monday, November 12, 2012
Taken 2
Ok people here is the thing....Liam Neesen is the voice of God, he trained Batman and Obi Wan, and he is Zeus!! Do we really think that he can't beat up a few guys in Europe to save his family...come on! Ok I must say I went into this movie with very low expectations because I heard it was only so so. I must say I enjoyed the film for what it was. It's not the same as the first, which I liked. This time we got to see how Bryan acts in the time of crisis when he's the victim. We also see how Kim is doing after her traumatizing experience in Paris. We also see the compassion that Bryan and Lenny used to have for one another. You really do learn alot about people after dealing with a traumatic experience.
Bryan is in Istanbul for work protecting a diplomat. As a surprise Kim and Lenny show up to spend quality family time together. We find out that the fathers and brothers of the men that Bryan killed in Paris are coming for him. They are really mad and they are coming to take his family and experience pain like nothing else.
I really don't want to ruin the movie for you....hmmm what can I say? Kim is fantastic and clear headed in a time of crisis. Lenny falls apart and freaks out.....shocker. Bryan is brilliant and super smart with every move, he thinks ten steps ahead. There is everything from gun fighting, car chases, bombs, and explosions.
The casting is great, Liam Neesen is perfect as the compassionate father who will do ANYTHING to keep his family safe. Maggie Grace is charming and lovely as the maturing Kim. Famke Janssen is great as the flighty and confused Lenny. You feel for her, Lenny is not mean for a life of guns and violence.
Do not go into this movie expecting it to be better than the first. It is a completely different film and is not trying to out do the first film. It is showing how the characters have grown and progressed over this time. You will be able to enjoy it a little more if you go in and just enjoy the ride.
Over All -B
Bryan is in Istanbul for work protecting a diplomat. As a surprise Kim and Lenny show up to spend quality family time together. We find out that the fathers and brothers of the men that Bryan killed in Paris are coming for him. They are really mad and they are coming to take his family and experience pain like nothing else.
I really don't want to ruin the movie for you....hmmm what can I say? Kim is fantastic and clear headed in a time of crisis. Lenny falls apart and freaks out.....shocker. Bryan is brilliant and super smart with every move, he thinks ten steps ahead. There is everything from gun fighting, car chases, bombs, and explosions.
The casting is great, Liam Neesen is perfect as the compassionate father who will do ANYTHING to keep his family safe. Maggie Grace is charming and lovely as the maturing Kim. Famke Janssen is great as the flighty and confused Lenny. You feel for her, Lenny is not mean for a life of guns and violence.
Do not go into this movie expecting it to be better than the first. It is a completely different film and is not trying to out do the first film. It is showing how the characters have grown and progressed over this time. You will be able to enjoy it a little more if you go in and just enjoy the ride.
Over All -B
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