Archive for the ‘Movies’ Category
Oct 18
Wow…um Jason Bourne basically kicks your face off. No joke. If you haven’t seen this yet, just go. Don’t even finish reading this post, just go out and watch it.
Ryan and I were SO satisfied with this third [and final??] installment of the Bourne series. So often, sequels let you down and just leave you wishing the original stood alone. This is not on that level at all.
The fight scenes are incredible. There was one in particular the blew us away. There were so many times that you could hear the entire audience gasping or making some other excited noise altogether.
They did a fantastic job with this storyline as well. The mix between all-out action, and intriguing story was laid out perfectly.
It’s rare that I’m totally satisfied with the way a movie ends. They blew me away with this. They ended it in a way that tied things up just well enough to satisfy you, but everything was left so open that you can’t help but crave more.
I’d love to see a few more things fleshed out, but I don’t even know if I’d want there to be another movie. I wanna know, but I’m happy not to know….ya know? ha
Oct 11
“Their love story was her greatest inspiration”
Oh what a fantastic story! This may not be a ‘great’ movie, but the story is just incredible! I was so compelled! I found myself smiling at the story more often than not.
Becoming Jane is the story of Jane Austen’s early life and possible romance with Thomas Langlois Lefroy–based on true events, and expounding upon the possibility of the great romance that inspired Austen’s writings.
Having been so recently enthralled with adaptations of Pride & Prejudice, I was delighted to see such moments in her own life which could’ve inspired events in her writing.
I’m extremely curious now, to discover which bits are actually confirmed events, which are easily assumable, and which are purely speculation.
This has definitely cemented my desire to read the works of Jane Austen. Thank goodness I get paid this week–I need to make a trip to BooksAMillion!
Edit: I was reading bits of reviews on Amazon and this line about James McAvoy, who plays Tom Lefroy, really caught me. “…he makes us feel the panic of a man about to lose his reason for breathing.” <—That’s the kind of passion you feel throughout the film once this story gets underway.
Oct 5
Okay I’ve done it! I’ve finally finished watching Pride & Prejudice, the miniseries! What a feat! I watched the 2006 movie (starring Keira Knightly) earlier this summer, so I was determined to see the miniseries (Colin Firth).
When looking up information on the two, I’ve seen an overabundance of “this one’s better than this one.” I set out to decide for myself.
I found it hard to see where people compare the two. Of course I have a preference for which I’d rather watch, but I’d dare not call one better than the other. Though they convey the same story, they’re just so different in their presentation. There are small similarities, but not enough to convince myself they’re similar enough to truly compare.
After all, you’re comparing almost 6 hours to 2, and well, it’s just not the same.
The miniseries, in it’s length offered much more character development. It gave a very clear, linear paths to each event.
The DVD offers more intensity. Things aren’t spelled out for you, but the emotion carries you.
I much prefer the intensity of the DVD, but it was very enjoyable to see the scenes playing out in the miniseries that you were imagining during the DVD.
My only complaints with the miniseries were that the actresses playing the daughters just looked too old for the parts they were playing. I wasn’t very fond of the final scenes either. The way they set up the end in the miniseries was just very anticlimactic. I could’ve done without seeing Lydia’s scenes play out, but I think that’s because I’m partial against Lydia. Her character already annoys me so seeing her being so oblivious to her situation and her future just made me more annoyed with her.
I wish the DVD had more characterization of Mary, the undesirable sister. Of course they make her look a little plain, but she has very few sour comments compared to the character in the miniseries. They did a much better job with her in the miniseries.
So again, I say it’s hard to even compare them as if they’re the same movie. I’d say if you’re in the mood for an intense romance, go for the DVD. If you’re prepared to take the time to watch the romance slowly develop, in a different, but equally pleasing way, go for the miniseries.
Watch them both at some point, though.
Sep 21
I absolutely love the imagination that fuels this. I still vividly remember creating worlds, just the way they did. I love how Leslie and Jess interact in their world, with Leslie leading the way. I could just hear all the prompts they’d be giving each other about what was going on now in their imaginary world. It’s so true to kid-form. It always starts off with one providing all the details, until eventually, everyone gets a feel for the ‘world’ and can follow their own paths.
I really expected the movie to jump right into Terabithia, so I was pleasantly surprised to see how they worked into it, and definitely satisfied!
I couldn’t stop cracking up over all the little kids chanting, “Free the pee!” in response to a school bully.
I was a stretch for me to imagine Leslie being quite as knowledgeable as she was. But it definitely served its purpose. I was really pleased, as well, with the types of situations they were able to bring to light without being too….after school special. Sometimes it’s just enough to let the situation be known. Sometimes people just need to know they’re not alone. You don’t always have to flesh something out in a movie, ya know? So I was really pleased.
Overall, based on the trailers, where they played up all the fantasy stuff, it wasn’t at all the movie I was expecting to see, but I really enjoyed it. I’m glad I followed the whim to get it and finally watch it.
Aug 1
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I’m a week late, but better late than never! Last Friday, a few friends and I went to a matinée showing of The Simpsons Movie. I had high hopes for this movie, 18 years in the making, and I was absolutely not disappointed!
Now, if you go into it expecting some epic movie, then yeah, you’re not gonna find what you’re looking for. To me, this was a really extended episode of The Simpsons, with a more in-depth plot, and a much stronger storyline than you’d expect to find in the regular 30 minute spot.
I’m pretty sure they managed to include almost every Simpsons character without simply shoving them in your face.
I was really pleased to find just enough jokes on this being a movie about a t.v. show! My favorite was Homer in a theater, yelling at the audience, accusing them of being stupid for paying to watch something they could be watching for free at home on t.v.!!
I’d have liked to have seen a few of the jokes a little more fleshed out, such as the whole scene with the pig. I was expecting a few more aliases for Spider Pig, but I spent plenty of time laughing over his song.
Overall, the few of us who went spent a large majority of the movie cracking up. Including during the credits!
Jul 23
Oy! What a fantastic movie! Too often I find myself watching movies that are absolutely predictable for me. Not because I’m brilliant or anything, but when I was younger, it was always a competition between my mom and I as to who would figure it all out first, so it’s just how my mind works now when I’m watching a movie.
I really wish Piper Perabo had a longer spiel in this movie. I loved her character.
God, the intensity between Angier and Borden was absolute perfection. It’s just what I would expect out of two men with their connection, plus a little bit of movie flair as well.
The twists–oh man, while some were predictable, the sheer volume of twists that were done perfectly just made it all amazing. I loved figuring something out, having it confirmed, and then in a split, it changed. The amazing thing was, you’d find out and think “Omg! That fits so well! It should’ve been so obvious!”
I wasn’t completely satisfied with the ending. There were a few things I thought they could’ve done that would’ve been better, but I can’t really complain as good as it was.
I highly recommend this one. I hope to own this one soon so I can watch it a few more times.
Movie Info
Jul 13
Why am I watching this? Well, I was desperate to change channels and this was the first thing that hit, and for some reason, I decided not to change it. Pretty sure it was because of Hayden Panettiere. I love her. She’s gorgeous and she’s such a great actress. I’m hoping she’s one of the bigs to come. She could do great things, not to say she hasn’t already. I just realized that she voiced Kairi in Kingdom Hearts, my favorite video game.
She’s really great in this role. I love how versatile she is. She’s so much more serious in Heroes, and here she’s this independent rich girl. It’s great.
Her cheer nemesis, or whatever, looks like Piper Perabo’s doppleganger, except in close-ups. It’s actually distracting looking at her and wondering if they’re distantly related or something.
I get so into watching cheer/dance/gymnastic competitions. I think that’s how I get drawn into these shows.
I’m almost at the end now. They’re pulling it off really well. Not nearly as much air-headedness as I was expecting, and most of it is there as the ‘negative,’ not the standard. I like that for sure.
Alright, so the cheering wasn’t as impressive as I’ve seen in some movies, up until the end at the competition. The storyline was good though, and not completely typical, which is definitely a plus. So if you like teen movies, or cheering movies, it’s a good one to see.
Jul 13
I remember reading this book in elementary school and loving it. I’m pretty sure it was something we read as a class and then made dirt cake (complete with gummy worms, of course) after we took our test on it =)
I was excited when I saw they’d made a new movie. We need more cute kid movies right now. Everything’s animated right now!
I just caught the movie on. I missed the first 15 or so minutes, but I’m pretty sure I got the gist of where they were.
Overall, I’d say it was worth watching. I’d avoid it if you have a weak stomach though as there are a fair few squirting worm juice scenes. I thought it was a little unrealistic in that the kid didn’t put up much of a fight when they started with all the crazy recipes that weren’t part of the bet, and he went back and forth from freaking out to being completely calm. Of course, in an hour and a half you’ve got to cram a lot in 
so things have to be sped along a bit, of course.
It was worth all that to see the cute kiddie dancing at the end though!
Another interesting thing to look at is the inclusion of Hallie Kate Eisenberg. You’ll remember her from Paulie, Bicentennial Man, and as the little curly haired girl from the Pepsi ads! It’s so odd to see actors and actresses that I grew up watching hitting their teen years. She got really tall! The dimples are still in tact though! =)
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