The Avengers:
I don't know much about the characters that superhero movies are based on, but I've seen plenty of them. This was a very impressive show and I think it would be nearly impossible not appreciate it. I would absolutely encourage people looking for an action-packed couple of hours to watch this one.
Dark Shadows:
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting...yet I enjoyed it all the same! It was quirky, spooky, silly, artful, and entertaining. Not everyone will love it, but I really did!
What to Expect When You're Expecting:
This isn't the best dramedy (mostly comedy) ever made, but I liked it for sure. It was a chick-flick, but it also had some male humor spilled in every now and then. It had some good acting, so I would absolutely recommenced it!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
The Five Year Engagement
I loved this film. I love Jason Segel (of HIMYM)...I love Emily Blunt (of The Devil Wears Prada)...I love Chris Pratt (of Parks and Rec.)...and I certainly love Alison Brie (of Community and Mad Men).
This movie was six parts hilarious, four parts emotionally truthful, and entirely (ten out of ten) worth the watch. I was wondering if a movie with Emily Blunt could be outright funny...I'll admit it, I was worried that she might ruin all of the comedic talent, but her dramatic performance combined with her beauty and Audrey Hepburnesque elegance...mixed with a refreshing unexpected dose of humor really impressed me.
The Five Year Engagement is the story of a cute couple with a genuinely portrayed strong loving relationship. We follow them as they go from the story of how they met, to how they get engaged a year later, to how they uproot their lives for a career, to how that career eventually comes between them...all the while, their lives are constantly interrupted by the progression of their families' lives and the new relationships that they are forming over the evolution of their own relationship. At times...I couldn't stop laughing...then I felt my heart breaking...and then there were times when I could have sworn that no other movie could make me feel happier than I did in that moment.
It feels authentic, yet it didn't bore me or make me feel like I had wasted time, which is something that often happens when watching films called "authentic."
It was a beautiful experience and it ends better than it began! I recommend this movie to absolutely anyone.
[If you enjoyed Crazy, Stupid Love, you'll have a ball with The Five Year Engagement!]
Thank you for reading!
This movie was six parts hilarious, four parts emotionally truthful, and entirely (ten out of ten) worth the watch. I was wondering if a movie with Emily Blunt could be outright funny...I'll admit it, I was worried that she might ruin all of the comedic talent, but her dramatic performance combined with her beauty and Audrey Hepburnesque elegance...mixed with a refreshing unexpected dose of humor really impressed me.
The Five Year Engagement is the story of a cute couple with a genuinely portrayed strong loving relationship. We follow them as they go from the story of how they met, to how they get engaged a year later, to how they uproot their lives for a career, to how that career eventually comes between them...all the while, their lives are constantly interrupted by the progression of their families' lives and the new relationships that they are forming over the evolution of their own relationship. At times...I couldn't stop laughing...then I felt my heart breaking...and then there were times when I could have sworn that no other movie could make me feel happier than I did in that moment.
It feels authentic, yet it didn't bore me or make me feel like I had wasted time, which is something that often happens when watching films called "authentic."
It was a beautiful experience and it ends better than it began! I recommend this movie to absolutely anyone.
[If you enjoyed Crazy, Stupid Love, you'll have a ball with The Five Year Engagement!]
Thank you for reading!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Catching Up: The Movies of This Weekend!
American Reunion:
Let me start out by saying: If you like the American Pie movies, you'll like it (if you don't, you probably won't). I really liked it, so go ahead and judge me! The raunchy humor is still there and doing a good job at getting a laugh from the audience.
I'll just go ahead and say that one of the best parts is that Jim's dad gets together with Stifler's mom, and it's wonderful! (I don't want to say too much else though because I want you to experience the comedy for yourselves.)
I recommend this movie if you are looking for a guaranteed laugh.
Like Crazy:
This movie is beautiful in one of the most sad and sentimental ways possible. It follows the continual relationship between two young adults who met at college and became ripped apart by the distance between Los Angeles and England once their time at school came to an end.
Initially, their love is quite literally, like crazy...nothing came between them, they were happier than ever before. Slowly, they grow apart once the female lead must go back to her home in England. Like any young couple in a long-distance relationship would do, they try to make it work...but it turns out that sometimes it can be easiest to just let go. Their constant worries of their love for each other, past, present, and future, gives new meaning to the title. Their relationship makes them feel crazy.
Excellent acting, cinematography, and story.
The Sitter:
Jonah Hill fans of the world, unite!
It's not my favorite Hill movie, but it's still pretty good, especially if you didn't like how skinny he was in 21 Jump Street (okay...maybe I just don't like change).
This comedy chronicles the adventures of a college-dropout-turned-babysitter for a night. It is a thrill ride of silly fight scenes and drug-humor, yet it still manages to have the token few sentimental moments that we all crave (to some extent).
If you're looking for something worth your dollar at the Rebox, this one is for you.
Rubber:
The tagline of this movie should be: "Why does anything happen: No reason."
This film is literally the life story of a telepathic tire. Yes, you read that correctly, a tire, like from a car. You may stop and think, why on earth would this ever become a movie? Here's the answer: No reason.
The tire, once it finds that it has destructive abilities, that it enjoys killing. One thing you don't want to do with a tire like this is anger it or treat it poorly, which is a lesson learned by his victims throughout the movie.
Some have found it brilliant, others have found it funny, and many more have found it ridiculous. I thought, if we look past the fact that it's a bit insane, we can see that the message may be to respect our environment, even the tires. It becomes somewhat clear that, when anything is treated poorly, it is hard for it to be anything but inherently evil.
Crazy, but beautiful cinematography is my verdict on this one.
Let me start out by saying: If you like the American Pie movies, you'll like it (if you don't, you probably won't). I really liked it, so go ahead and judge me! The raunchy humor is still there and doing a good job at getting a laugh from the audience.
I'll just go ahead and say that one of the best parts is that Jim's dad gets together with Stifler's mom, and it's wonderful! (I don't want to say too much else though because I want you to experience the comedy for yourselves.)
I recommend this movie if you are looking for a guaranteed laugh.
Like Crazy:
This movie is beautiful in one of the most sad and sentimental ways possible. It follows the continual relationship between two young adults who met at college and became ripped apart by the distance between Los Angeles and England once their time at school came to an end.
Initially, their love is quite literally, like crazy...nothing came between them, they were happier than ever before. Slowly, they grow apart once the female lead must go back to her home in England. Like any young couple in a long-distance relationship would do, they try to make it work...but it turns out that sometimes it can be easiest to just let go. Their constant worries of their love for each other, past, present, and future, gives new meaning to the title. Their relationship makes them feel crazy.
Excellent acting, cinematography, and story.
The Sitter:
Jonah Hill fans of the world, unite!
It's not my favorite Hill movie, but it's still pretty good, especially if you didn't like how skinny he was in 21 Jump Street (okay...maybe I just don't like change).
This comedy chronicles the adventures of a college-dropout-turned-babysitter for a night. It is a thrill ride of silly fight scenes and drug-humor, yet it still manages to have the token few sentimental moments that we all crave (to some extent).
If you're looking for something worth your dollar at the Rebox, this one is for you.
Rubber:
The tagline of this movie should be: "Why does anything happen: No reason."
This film is literally the life story of a telepathic tire. Yes, you read that correctly, a tire, like from a car. You may stop and think, why on earth would this ever become a movie? Here's the answer: No reason.
The tire, once it finds that it has destructive abilities, that it enjoys killing. One thing you don't want to do with a tire like this is anger it or treat it poorly, which is a lesson learned by his victims throughout the movie.
Some have found it brilliant, others have found it funny, and many more have found it ridiculous. I thought, if we look past the fact that it's a bit insane, we can see that the message may be to respect our environment, even the tires. It becomes somewhat clear that, when anything is treated poorly, it is hard for it to be anything but inherently evil.
Crazy, but beautiful cinematography is my verdict on this one.
The Cabin in the Woods
When I started to watch this movie I had no clue where it was going. It starts in something that looks like a secret corporate or government-run facility with important people in lab coats talking about competing with some unknown product of Japan.
Then, in a completely unrelated change of scene we meet the characters we are to follow into this cabin in the woods. I thought to myself: "Oh god, not another movie like Prom Night, with pretty people going off to have fun...then all dying..." They set out on a long voyage down dirt roads where their GPS no longer works and are warned not to go to this cabin by a wild-eyed, red-neck gas station owner. They make it to the cabin and are still slightly put-off by the warning they received, yet still get ready to spend their weekend out in the middle of nowhere.
It is at this point that the two plots start to come together as we see the campers on television screens in the facility we initially saw. All of a sudden, these "scientists" of sorts start talking about how they dosed the token blonde actress' hair dye with a substance to dumb her down. The film seems to be a documentation of a controlled experiment, in which they are medicating the characters and watching what happens, but it is actually far worse.
The campers are shocked when the basement door (hidden in the floor, of course) flies open. For some reason, they decide, rather than just shutting the creepy door, that they should go into the basement and investigate. (That's their first mistake.)
We watch as they pick up what they believe to be the old belongings of the previous owners of the cabin, and we are brought back to the facility where the campers are being watched on-screen. We see nearly fifty people in lab coats making bets on something, and then there is a close-up of a whiteboard, riddled with various monsters that exist in nightmares and spooky stories, with tally marks beside each name.
Then the campers decide that it's a wonderful idea to start reading a diary which, in turn, causes zombies to rise from the ground.
It is here that I cannot tell you more without ruining the whole movie for you. What I will tell you is that the film uses this excellent idea to give rise to all the trouble that ensues: They are haunted not by creatures that come from nightmares, but by the creatures that nightmares come from.
Overall, the film had an interesting idea, many people loved it. (It wasn't my cup of tea...however, there is an excellent plot twist or two at the end and a completely awesome and unexpected appearance of a star that really wraps up the movie.)
(For more information on this film, please visit IMDb: The Cabin in the Woods)
Thank you for reading!
Then, in a completely unrelated change of scene we meet the characters we are to follow into this cabin in the woods. I thought to myself: "Oh god, not another movie like Prom Night, with pretty people going off to have fun...then all dying..." They set out on a long voyage down dirt roads where their GPS no longer works and are warned not to go to this cabin by a wild-eyed, red-neck gas station owner. They make it to the cabin and are still slightly put-off by the warning they received, yet still get ready to spend their weekend out in the middle of nowhere.
It is at this point that the two plots start to come together as we see the campers on television screens in the facility we initially saw. All of a sudden, these "scientists" of sorts start talking about how they dosed the token blonde actress' hair dye with a substance to dumb her down. The film seems to be a documentation of a controlled experiment, in which they are medicating the characters and watching what happens, but it is actually far worse.
The campers are shocked when the basement door (hidden in the floor, of course) flies open. For some reason, they decide, rather than just shutting the creepy door, that they should go into the basement and investigate. (That's their first mistake.)
We watch as they pick up what they believe to be the old belongings of the previous owners of the cabin, and we are brought back to the facility where the campers are being watched on-screen. We see nearly fifty people in lab coats making bets on something, and then there is a close-up of a whiteboard, riddled with various monsters that exist in nightmares and spooky stories, with tally marks beside each name.
Then the campers decide that it's a wonderful idea to start reading a diary which, in turn, causes zombies to rise from the ground.
It is here that I cannot tell you more without ruining the whole movie for you. What I will tell you is that the film uses this excellent idea to give rise to all the trouble that ensues: They are haunted not by creatures that come from nightmares, but by the creatures that nightmares come from.
Overall, the film had an interesting idea, many people loved it. (It wasn't my cup of tea...however, there is an excellent plot twist or two at the end and a completely awesome and unexpected appearance of a star that really wraps up the movie.)
(For more information on this film, please visit IMDb: The Cabin in the Woods)
Thank you for reading!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
The Hunger Games
What makes a victor in The Hunger Games? The ability to survive a merciless world without succumbing to the immense levels of disgust, dishonesty, and pain.
In what seems to be something of a post-apocalyptic world, in what could be thought of as our civilization's future, there exists a sick game that started out as a punishment, but is now put on for the entertainment of the society's elite. From an evolution of our world, where the wealthy watched as gladiators were ripped to shreds by beasts in ancient Roman arenas, to the picnics that bystanders set up along the sidelines of the Civil War, it is no surprise that people enjoy a fight to the death, no matter how ashamed we may be when questioned about it. This is precisely why The Hunger Games is so brilliant. It shines a mirror on the flaws of society, whilst telling an amazing story of extreme trial, excitement, terror, love and friendship.
This film, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Stanley Tucci grossed nearly $20 million on its opening night, which is more than any non-sequel midnight opening thus far in movie history (despite the fact that it had a tiny advertising budget, unlike Disney's recent release, John Carter). And all of this success is not without good reasoning.
Laurence's portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, a raw, strong, and brave young woman who volunteers to take part as tribune in the Hunger Games in the place of her younger sister, is positively astonishing. This story demands an almost unimaginable amount determination from Katniss and Laurence's portrayal of the character features an absolutely flawless range of emotions. Her acting was complemented impeccably by the performance of Josh Hutcherson, who was cast in the role of Peeta Mellark, who was also sent to the Hunger Games as tribune to fight for his life and attempt to bring pride to their shared District 12. Together, they win their disturbed audience's affection by becoming "star-crossed lovers," putting on a show much like Romeo and Juliette, yet by the end of the film, one may wonder how much was real and how much was just to survive under the cruel eyes of their society. Serving as the star commentator of the Hunger Games, the talented and versatile Stanly Tucci expertly plays Caesar Flickerman, the favorite television host of the rich and elite, who pushes for the romance between Katniss and Peeta.
It is not without such powerful acting from these three, as well as every other tribune and "game keeper," that this film earned such amazing believability. The realm of Panem suspends disbelief as it captures everything that a post-apocalyptic world could be, with an absurd concentration of wealth concentrated in the Capitol, juxtaposed with its twelve districts, many of which are filled with extreme poverty and despair. The representation of the scarred society is awe-inspiring, as it progresses from a parade of the twenty-four tribunes (two from each district, none from the Capitol) to the blood-bath that occurs, all for the entertainment of the rich and influential beings who enjoy this show in the regression of the values we like to think we have today.
All around, this film is brilliant, outstanding, and above all, compelling.
(This work is credited to Maria NeCastro (me), for future reference.)
In what seems to be something of a post-apocalyptic world, in what could be thought of as our civilization's future, there exists a sick game that started out as a punishment, but is now put on for the entertainment of the society's elite. From an evolution of our world, where the wealthy watched as gladiators were ripped to shreds by beasts in ancient Roman arenas, to the picnics that bystanders set up along the sidelines of the Civil War, it is no surprise that people enjoy a fight to the death, no matter how ashamed we may be when questioned about it. This is precisely why The Hunger Games is so brilliant. It shines a mirror on the flaws of society, whilst telling an amazing story of extreme trial, excitement, terror, love and friendship.
This film, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Stanley Tucci grossed nearly $20 million on its opening night, which is more than any non-sequel midnight opening thus far in movie history (despite the fact that it had a tiny advertising budget, unlike Disney's recent release, John Carter). And all of this success is not without good reasoning.
Laurence's portrayal of Katniss Everdeen, a raw, strong, and brave young woman who volunteers to take part as tribune in the Hunger Games in the place of her younger sister, is positively astonishing. This story demands an almost unimaginable amount determination from Katniss and Laurence's portrayal of the character features an absolutely flawless range of emotions. Her acting was complemented impeccably by the performance of Josh Hutcherson, who was cast in the role of Peeta Mellark, who was also sent to the Hunger Games as tribune to fight for his life and attempt to bring pride to their shared District 12. Together, they win their disturbed audience's affection by becoming "star-crossed lovers," putting on a show much like Romeo and Juliette, yet by the end of the film, one may wonder how much was real and how much was just to survive under the cruel eyes of their society. Serving as the star commentator of the Hunger Games, the talented and versatile Stanly Tucci expertly plays Caesar Flickerman, the favorite television host of the rich and elite, who pushes for the romance between Katniss and Peeta.
It is not without such powerful acting from these three, as well as every other tribune and "game keeper," that this film earned such amazing believability. The realm of Panem suspends disbelief as it captures everything that a post-apocalyptic world could be, with an absurd concentration of wealth concentrated in the Capitol, juxtaposed with its twelve districts, many of which are filled with extreme poverty and despair. The representation of the scarred society is awe-inspiring, as it progresses from a parade of the twenty-four tribunes (two from each district, none from the Capitol) to the blood-bath that occurs, all for the entertainment of the rich and influential beings who enjoy this show in the regression of the values we like to think we have today.
All around, this film is brilliant, outstanding, and above all, compelling.
(This work is credited to Maria NeCastro (me), for future reference.)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
21 Jump Street, Mirror Mirror, & The Titanic 3D
21 Jump Street
This was one of the most hilarious movies I've seen lately. It is a quality film because of its nearly-satyric humor, parodies, and how it addresses the stereotypes it uses. 21 Jump Street is better than most teen-comedies in the sense that it is non-traditional and has a more genuine feel than most, which is ironic because the leads, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, play two cops who are pretending to be high-schoolers in order to break-up an illegal drug-ring.
This film really proves an increase in the ability of Hill's acting (along with his more serious recent role in Money Ball). If you think that means that there won't be the token hilarious intoxication scene, you are wrong, 21 Jump Street doesn't disappoint.
Also, Channing Tatum is not just a guy that can take his shirt off in movies for a good rating. His comedic abilities were truly impressive. If I could tell you to see this movie for one reason, it would be to see Tatum's comedy for yourself!
This movie also really rocks because: a) the love interest doesn't look like a barbie, she's sweet and deep, b) there is a genuine portrayal of a change of time, high schools have changed (when you go back to highschool, the unexpected WILL happen), and c) there is a very awesome celebrity appearance at the end that really makes the whole movie worth while.
Mirror Mirror
I don't have too much to say about this film, other than don't read reviews of it before you go. I did, and it really spoiled how beautiful the costumes, special effects, make-up, etc. were. It is gorgeous, if you don't like fairytales, don't go see it, if you do, watch it and love it (no thanks to Roger Ebert)!
The Titanic in 3D
This movie is amazing, no matter whether it's on a giant screen in 3D or if you're watching it on cable interrupted by a billion commercials. It is one of the best movies ever made, in my opinion, especially if you feel emotion and aren't some weird robot, no offense. The acting is phenomenal, the cinematography is awe-inspiring, the music is perfection...be still my beating heart.
Here's my verdict of this recent release: It's beautiful that a whole new generation gets to see it on the big screen, but it really doesn't need to be in 3D (because it wasn't shot in 3D originally, the effects aren't all that impressive). The biggest improvement I've heard of is that they adjusted the appearance of the night sky to be an exact replica of how the stars looked that night on The Titanic in the North Atlantic.
It's beautiful and it always will be.
This was one of the most hilarious movies I've seen lately. It is a quality film because of its nearly-satyric humor, parodies, and how it addresses the stereotypes it uses. 21 Jump Street is better than most teen-comedies in the sense that it is non-traditional and has a more genuine feel than most, which is ironic because the leads, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, play two cops who are pretending to be high-schoolers in order to break-up an illegal drug-ring.
This film really proves an increase in the ability of Hill's acting (along with his more serious recent role in Money Ball). If you think that means that there won't be the token hilarious intoxication scene, you are wrong, 21 Jump Street doesn't disappoint.
Also, Channing Tatum is not just a guy that can take his shirt off in movies for a good rating. His comedic abilities were truly impressive. If I could tell you to see this movie for one reason, it would be to see Tatum's comedy for yourself!
This movie also really rocks because: a) the love interest doesn't look like a barbie, she's sweet and deep, b) there is a genuine portrayal of a change of time, high schools have changed (when you go back to highschool, the unexpected WILL happen), and c) there is a very awesome celebrity appearance at the end that really makes the whole movie worth while.
Mirror Mirror
I don't have too much to say about this film, other than don't read reviews of it before you go. I did, and it really spoiled how beautiful the costumes, special effects, make-up, etc. were. It is gorgeous, if you don't like fairytales, don't go see it, if you do, watch it and love it (no thanks to Roger Ebert)!
The Titanic in 3D
This movie is amazing, no matter whether it's on a giant screen in 3D or if you're watching it on cable interrupted by a billion commercials. It is one of the best movies ever made, in my opinion, especially if you feel emotion and aren't some weird robot, no offense. The acting is phenomenal, the cinematography is awe-inspiring, the music is perfection...be still my beating heart.
Here's my verdict of this recent release: It's beautiful that a whole new generation gets to see it on the big screen, but it really doesn't need to be in 3D (because it wasn't shot in 3D originally, the effects aren't all that impressive). The biggest improvement I've heard of is that they adjusted the appearance of the night sky to be an exact replica of how the stars looked that night on The Titanic in the North Atlantic.
It's beautiful and it always will be.
More on John Carter...sorry it's a bit delayed
Disney rarely disappoints, in my opinion, and John Carter was no exception. Despite the fact that the advertising department did not do the best job of portraying what this film was actually about, within the first twenty minutes of sitting down in the theater, the makers of this movie more than made up for it.
This could get me in trouble, but I'll go out there and say that this movie was more enjoyable than all of the Star Wars I have ever watched (and DEFINITELY Avatar...fell asleep during that one twice)! Now, I can tell you that if you don't appreciate the science-fiction genre, you may not like this one, however, it involves a plot that is far more than just sci-fi. (Although, most of the sci-fi we all know today has developed because of the existence of the John Carter stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs (b.1875).)
John Carter of Mars is an adventure to a new world, in which, you guessed it, the main character is none other than John Carter. He meets new species, makes new friends (and new enemies, of course), meets a girl, saves the girl, etc....and arguably saves the entire planet of Mars within the story of his universe.
It wasn't so much the story that won me over on John Carter as it was the character development, casting, make-up, and the uber impressive CGI (computer-generated images). This film goes far beyond the typical Disney set of characters: bad guy, good guy, princess, and fairytale ending, although it absolutely covers them all...but in a far more suspenseful, sophisticated, and most importantly, entertaining way.
I applaud the casting of this film. The main characters are played by actors and actresses that are not particularly well known, which really adds to the believability of the story. With performers that an audience hasn't yet seen over and over, it supplies the viewers of this film with the opportunity to see a story unfold without rating the actors based on their performances in other roles.
If you are looking for an adventure, love story, mystery, and all-around well-told story, go watch John Carter of Mars. I would suggest it to almost anyone!
For more information on the film, please check out IMDb's listing for this movie.
Thank you for reading/following!
This could get me in trouble, but I'll go out there and say that this movie was more enjoyable than all of the Star Wars I have ever watched (and DEFINITELY Avatar...fell asleep during that one twice)! Now, I can tell you that if you don't appreciate the science-fiction genre, you may not like this one, however, it involves a plot that is far more than just sci-fi. (Although, most of the sci-fi we all know today has developed because of the existence of the John Carter stories written by Edgar Rice Burroughs (b.1875).)
John Carter of Mars is an adventure to a new world, in which, you guessed it, the main character is none other than John Carter. He meets new species, makes new friends (and new enemies, of course), meets a girl, saves the girl, etc....and arguably saves the entire planet of Mars within the story of his universe.
It wasn't so much the story that won me over on John Carter as it was the character development, casting, make-up, and the uber impressive CGI (computer-generated images). This film goes far beyond the typical Disney set of characters: bad guy, good guy, princess, and fairytale ending, although it absolutely covers them all...but in a far more suspenseful, sophisticated, and most importantly, entertaining way.
I applaud the casting of this film. The main characters are played by actors and actresses that are not particularly well known, which really adds to the believability of the story. With performers that an audience hasn't yet seen over and over, it supplies the viewers of this film with the opportunity to see a story unfold without rating the actors based on their performances in other roles.
If you are looking for an adventure, love story, mystery, and all-around well-told story, go watch John Carter of Mars. I would suggest it to almost anyone!
For more information on the film, please check out IMDb's listing for this movie.
Thank you for reading/following!
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