Netflix DVD on 5/15/11
Considering that Kristen Stewart is best known as virginal (at least till Breaking Dawn), innocent Bella Swan and Dakota Fanning is the golden child actress of the last decade, this is a big, dark move for both of them. Drugs, random graphic sex, choppy 70s haircuts - not at all what audiences are used to. The story is also dark and pretty sad. Joan Jett and Cherie Currie produced great rock music, but it came from very hard lives (as most great rock music does). Overall, the movie has a dark, gritty look to it that I don't love, but both actresses sell their roles.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 33
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Atlas Shrugged: Part 1 (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Adam and Kat on 5/9/11
Okay. I haven't read this book, but it seems to me that it's a lot about railroads. And I know that the book is epically long - especially if it's going to be made in three films. Whatever subtext there is in the book that doesn't make it about trains definitely got lost in the translation to film. The casting is good (which, along with now being able to talk about the story, is why I went to see this) and the effects were not terrible, at least for the shoestring budget that I'm sure this had. If parts 2 and 3 get made, I'll go to see them, but I won't cry if they don't.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 32
Okay. I haven't read this book, but it seems to me that it's a lot about railroads. And I know that the book is epically long - especially if it's going to be made in three films. Whatever subtext there is in the book that doesn't make it about trains definitely got lost in the translation to film. The casting is good (which, along with now being able to talk about the story, is why I went to see this) and the effects were not terrible, at least for the shoestring budget that I'm sure this had. If parts 2 and 3 get made, I'll go to see them, but I won't cry if they don't.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 32
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Thor (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic with Kat, Anna, Sadie and Adam on 5/6/11
Ah, Marvel - how I love thee! Here continues the epic journey toward The Avengers. At first I was disappointed that Alexander Skarsgard didn't get the titular role here, but Chris Hemsworth was pretty badass and completely hysterical. It's also worth noting that, aside from the scenes in Asgard, this entire film takes place in one tiny New Mexico town and never once feels suffocated by the restrictive location. I like Marvel films so much more than DC ones because they are just far more fun. Batman is broody whereas Iron Man and Thor are just having a good time. And Idris Elba showing up as the Gatekeeper of Asgard was a great bonus!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 31
Ah, Marvel - how I love thee! Here continues the epic journey toward The Avengers. At first I was disappointed that Alexander Skarsgard didn't get the titular role here, but Chris Hemsworth was pretty badass and completely hysterical. It's also worth noting that, aside from the scenes in Asgard, this entire film takes place in one tiny New Mexico town and never once feels suffocated by the restrictive location. I like Marvel films so much more than DC ones because they are just far more fun. Batman is broody whereas Iron Man and Thor are just having a good time. And Idris Elba showing up as the Gatekeeper of Asgard was a great bonus!
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 31
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Scream 4 (2011)
Saco Cinemagic with Ben on 5/5/11
This had the potential to be really bad (much like Scream 3 was), but I found it very fun! It's self-aware (just like all three before it), and pokes fun at Hollywood's recent obsession with reboots. They rounded up a pretty good cast of young actors and a fantastic group of cameos. I've heard that they're considering making 5 and 6 in the series, but that's pushing it. This one was more of the same good and, I'll admit, I wasn't able to call the ending. But if they try to push the new generation idea any further, they will just end up with a Saved By the Bell: The New Class situation. Nobody wants that and besides, this franchise has a reputation to protect.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 30
This had the potential to be really bad (much like Scream 3 was), but I found it very fun! It's self-aware (just like all three before it), and pokes fun at Hollywood's recent obsession with reboots. They rounded up a pretty good cast of young actors and a fantastic group of cameos. I've heard that they're considering making 5 and 6 in the series, but that's pushing it. This one was more of the same good and, I'll admit, I wasn't able to call the ending. But if they try to push the new generation idea any further, they will just end up with a Saved By the Bell: The New Class situation. Nobody wants that and besides, this franchise has a reputation to protect.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 30
Sunday, May 1, 2011
All the King's Men (1949)
Netflix DVD on 5/1/11
Another down on my quest to see all of the Best Picture winners! I watched the remake of this with Kate Winslet not too long ago and honestly, I don't really like either of them. This one is better than the remake, but I still find all of the main characters detestable. Again, I find myself asking, what else was nominated for best picture that led this to win? When the characters are repugnant and the plot is boring, there is no reason to watch the film.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 29
Another down on my quest to see all of the Best Picture winners! I watched the remake of this with Kate Winslet not too long ago and honestly, I don't really like either of them. This one is better than the remake, but I still find all of the main characters detestable. Again, I find myself asking, what else was nominated for best picture that led this to win? When the characters are repugnant and the plot is boring, there is no reason to watch the film.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 29
Jane Eyre (2011)
The Nick with Kat on 4/30/11
I just finished reading this, breaking my cardinal rule of never reading the book first. However, with a handful of very minor changes, this stays incredibly true to the original. Even though I still haven't read anything by Jane Austen and can therefore not make any kind of comparison, I can safely say that I really like the Brontes. I thought that they got the mood of the story right with the film, and besides the fact that Michael Fassbender is way too good-looking to be Edward Rochester, I thought that the casting was very good as well. Well done!
My Netflis rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 28
I just finished reading this, breaking my cardinal rule of never reading the book first. However, with a handful of very minor changes, this stays incredibly true to the original. Even though I still haven't read anything by Jane Austen and can therefore not make any kind of comparison, I can safely say that I really like the Brontes. I thought that they got the mood of the story right with the film, and besides the fact that Michael Fassbender is way too good-looking to be Edward Rochester, I thought that the casting was very good as well. Well done!
My Netflis rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 28
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Cider House Rules (1999)
VHS over 4/27/11 and 4/28/11
Yes, I still own a handful (or around a hundred) of films on VHS. This is one of the Best Picture nominees from the late 90s - right around the time that I started seriously caring about the Oscars. It ultimately lost to American Beauty, which I think was the right choice, but this is a very strong film too. It's depressing and heavy. I was not expecting the abortion subplot to be so strong, but I didn't know much about the film going in. It's worth watching, but I'm not sure it's one I'll feel like watching again.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 27
Yes, I still own a handful (or around a hundred) of films on VHS. This is one of the Best Picture nominees from the late 90s - right around the time that I started seriously caring about the Oscars. It ultimately lost to American Beauty, which I think was the right choice, but this is a very strong film too. It's depressing and heavy. I was not expecting the abortion subplot to be so strong, but I didn't know much about the film going in. It's worth watching, but I'm not sure it's one I'll feel like watching again.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 27
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Hanna (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic on 4/27/11
This is a very violent, fast-paced spy movie that centers on a little girl who's been trained by her ex-CIA father in the Russian(?) woods. The editing and music choices are sometimes really strange and the writing falters some places (especially with the dialogue - I will never understand screenwriters who don't have the hang of dialogue), but Saoirse Ronan is absolutely amazing. It's no wonder she's been nominated for an Oscar once already. I don't really understand why they gave Cate Blanchett that terrible Texas accent, but I guess it's a CIA agent thing. They're always southern, aren't they?
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 26
This is a very violent, fast-paced spy movie that centers on a little girl who's been trained by her ex-CIA father in the Russian(?) woods. The editing and music choices are sometimes really strange and the writing falters some places (especially with the dialogue - I will never understand screenwriters who don't have the hang of dialogue), but Saoirse Ronan is absolutely amazing. It's no wonder she's been nominated for an Oscar once already. I don't really understand why they gave Cate Blanchett that terrible Texas accent, but I guess it's a CIA agent thing. They're always southern, aren't they?
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 26
Sunday, April 24, 2011
How Do You Know (2010)
Netflix DVD over 4/21/11 and 4/23/11
This movie was pretty disappointing. With such a good cast (Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson), I was expecting a heartwarming, moving, funny film that was well-acted and well-written. Apparently, that was asking too much. Overall, this isn't a terrible movie, but it came nowhere near the expectations I had for that ensemble. It's also nothing special in terms of plot - generic love triangle rom com.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 25
This movie was pretty disappointing. With such a good cast (Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson), I was expecting a heartwarming, moving, funny film that was well-acted and well-written. Apparently, that was asking too much. Overall, this isn't a terrible movie, but it came nowhere near the expectations I had for that ensemble. It's also nothing special in terms of plot - generic love triangle rom com.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 25
Soul Surfer (2011)
Westbrook Cinemagic on 4/18/11
I was afraid that this movie was going to be very cheesy and overboard with the inspiration, but it's actually not. I think the key to that is in the performances. AnnaSophia Robb really owns the role of Bethany Hamilton and makes the audience feel for her. The Hawaiian locations are gorgeous and the surfing camera work is pretty eye-boggling. The one complaint I do have is with the shark attack itself - it's far too quick and too tame. Maybe it's my love of Jaws or some leftover scarring from 127 Hours, but I was hoping for a much more graphic moment - especially since that event is the catalyst for the major character arc.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
I'm sorry for the delay in posting. Unfortunately, we lost our office building to a fire on April 17th, and this whole week has been spent cleaning and seeing what is salvageable.
New Movies in Year Three: 24
I was afraid that this movie was going to be very cheesy and overboard with the inspiration, but it's actually not. I think the key to that is in the performances. AnnaSophia Robb really owns the role of Bethany Hamilton and makes the audience feel for her. The Hawaiian locations are gorgeous and the surfing camera work is pretty eye-boggling. The one complaint I do have is with the shark attack itself - it's far too quick and too tame. Maybe it's my love of Jaws or some leftover scarring from 127 Hours, but I was hoping for a much more graphic moment - especially since that event is the catalyst for the major character arc.
My Netflix rating: 4 stars
I'm sorry for the delay in posting. Unfortunately, we lost our office building to a fire on April 17th, and this whole week has been spent cleaning and seeing what is salvageable.
New Movies in Year Three: 24
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Arthur (2011)
Cinemagic Grand with Sheila on 4/9/11
I really expected to hate this movie. I really can't stand Russell Brand in the little I've seen him in (plus he's married to Katy Perry - big loss of points there too), but he's a little bit endearing in this. PLUS, Helen Mirren is here. Big plus. She really makes anything she's in that much better. This is a remake - I've never seen the original, so I don't have a comparison for you. But let's just say that I went into this expecting (as Stephen King would say) cinematic dog vomit. And in the end, it actually made me laugh.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 23
I really expected to hate this movie. I really can't stand Russell Brand in the little I've seen him in (plus he's married to Katy Perry - big loss of points there too), but he's a little bit endearing in this. PLUS, Helen Mirren is here. Big plus. She really makes anything she's in that much better. This is a remake - I've never seen the original, so I don't have a comparison for you. But let's just say that I went into this expecting (as Stephen King would say) cinematic dog vomit. And in the end, it actually made me laugh.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 23
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Fox and the Child (2007)
Netflix DVD on 4/5/11
This is sort of a fairy tale about a young girl who befriends a fox and her kits living in the woods around her house. It's cute and the girl is a pretty good actress (which is good since she's literally the only one) but I have to take issue with the idea that's central to the story. People should not befriend wild animals. Growing up in a fairly rural area, that was one of the first things I was taught. Wild animals can be cute and exotic and intriguing, but trying to tame them is a bad idea all around. It is potentially disrupting to the animal's life and potentially dangerous if it has any sort of disease. Cute movie, but bad message.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 22
This is sort of a fairy tale about a young girl who befriends a fox and her kits living in the woods around her house. It's cute and the girl is a pretty good actress (which is good since she's literally the only one) but I have to take issue with the idea that's central to the story. People should not befriend wild animals. Growing up in a fairly rural area, that was one of the first things I was taught. Wild animals can be cute and exotic and intriguing, but trying to tame them is a bad idea all around. It is potentially disrupting to the animal's life and potentially dangerous if it has any sort of disease. Cute movie, but bad message.
My Netflix rating: 3 stars
New Movies in Year Three: 22
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)