Oblivion movie review

 

Yes you're probably tired of only seeing book reviews and wondered "Whatever happened to the movie reviews?". To be honest, I didn't make time for watching but now I have and as you can see from the title we saw Oblivion. It's a sci-fi film featuring Tom Cruise who plays Tech 49  Jack Harper, one of the last astronaut tech assigned on Earth to maintain the security of the Hydrorigs, which extracts the remaining resources of the planet and send them to the Tet which is the escape vessel for the humans after the war and the Earth became uninhabitable. He lives with his partner/lover, Vica and they are classified as an effective team. They are expected to leave for the Titan in 2 weeks to be with the rest of the survivors and prior to their mission, their memories were wiped off for security purposes. Regardless, Jack still has flashbacks but does not recall who the woman in his visions is and why he is remembering her. It is what makes him curious and derives from the mission and in turn becomes insubordinate.

 

 

I did not know what to expect at first but as I followed it became easier for me to predict what happens next because of other films that have similar plots one of which was distinct I almost yelled it out loud in the cinema was from Moon (2009) as soon as Tech 52 Jack Harper landed his ship to repair the drone. What amazes me most is the tech used and where they live. For some reason, David and I are attracted to it and want to have a place like that to live in. Jack's aircraft looks like a dragonfly to me with the two round things as the wings and the long, narrow body. The motorbike is simplistic in appearance. It looks like an ordinary bike, pimped in white. I can't comment on the guns because I am not a pro at identifying them other than what I've seen in Fringe.

 

There are some cases that make me form theories as to why the story was set in that way just like when Tech 52 Jack Harper disappeared, I wondered where he went and throughout the voice over when Julia and Tech 49 Jack Harper's daughter was on screen, I wondered if it really was 49 who was talking. It wasn't until 52 came with the scavs that I concluded he must have been as curious as 49 because he had the same vision when he saw Julia running after 49. The effects of course are great but the story, when it's supposed to reach its climax immediately falls including the ending. The film could have been better but it's still safe to say that it is a good film but personally I'd rather see Moon again rather than this.

Les Miserables (2012) Movie Review

Film poster

It was only a week ago that I've watched this interpretation in the cinema and at first I think I wasn't fair because I kept on comparing it to the actual play. And so when I had watched it again a few days ago, I managed to keep an open mind and concentrate on cinematography and adaptation from a musical in the theater to cinema. If you do not already know but I am sure that my loyal readers do, the need for this mentality is because an audience of a film at the cinema is completely different from that of an audience at the theater.

The appreciation is different, which is also why for this musical to be successful as a film there has to be a a way for the audience of a cinema to relate to the story without tiring themselves of the songs.

The story remains the same and so if you have seen either the play or the film then there are no spoilers needed. At the most, this review is going to be about the major actors selected as well as their techniques and interpretation of delivering the songs.

Jean Valjean

Although his understanding and interpretation of the songs are great I am not entirely sure if Hugh Jackman's voice is right for this part but I can't think of another alternative if not this either because upon hearing his voice every time he sings, I just don't get the same fluttery feeling like I do when the others are.

Inspector Javert

I don't know why Russel Crowe has to walk on ledges as if he's walking on a tight rope and yes I know that it is not about the voice I'm referring to now but I just had to say it. I don't know if it's a foreshadowing to his suicide but I can't really stretch it that far. In a nutshell, his voice and interpretation is definitely great.

Fantine

Personally, I believe that Anne Hathaway gave it all her heart and soul. It wasn't completely about her voice that made her performance compelling but the way she portrayed Fantine without overdoing it.

Cosette

Amanda Seyfried's voice is angelic and it what this part needs from the actress. Although I am not taken away by her character, she did the best there is for her to offer and make her part stand out just as everyone else's.

Marius

Eddie Redmayne I think has one of the best voices in this film and I would say his overall delivery was great and met my expectations or perhaps even more and I am not saying this just because I think he's good looking but I really did pay attention to his facial expressions, body language and of course his voice.

Éponine

When Samantha Barks sang On My Own I was hesitant at first because it is my favorite song and I wasn't sure whether or not I was ready to her a new interpretation but I am at ease now because I have not heard a fault and I am not disagreeing with her style. For some reason I've been thinking that if I am asked what character in the play I would do, it would be Eponine.

Thénardier and Madame Thénadier

Helena Carter never ceases to please. In any musical or play adapted to film that she starred in such as Hamlet as Ophelia and as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd has she failed to satisfy our need for entertainment without losing the essence of the characters from their original productions. To work with Sacha Cohen brings more laughter into the mix in the theme of misery. A bit of slapstick here and there is like adding some garnitures to dishes for a bit of fluff and balance.

Gavroche

The French Revolution

Daniel Huttlestone makes me feel both sad and happy. His voice is simply magical that I can't help but be awed by him. I believe that a musical whether it's in the theater or in the cinema is incomplete without a chorus. The songs become more powerful when they sing in unison or in harmony.

Wreck It Ralph Movie Review

Before going on our lovely trip to Paris, David and I decided to watch the long awaited Wreck it Ralph. It's about a video game villain called Ralph in a video game called Fix It Felix set in an arcade. It follows Ralph's story of wanting to change from being an evil character into a good character.

Ralph's job is to destroy the apartment building, which would be repaired by Felix and then tossed off the building by the tenants. After being insulted in his game's 30th anniversary, he feels that he has to prove himself.

In the film, the term Turbo is used when a character decides to jump to another game and act as one of the characters there. Unfortunately, when that character dies in the other game he doesn't revive, which means that game and his own game's plugs would be pulled.

Because of Ralph's want for change from good to bad he heads off to another game called Hero's Duty to win a medal signifying him as a good and rewarding character because it is mentioned in the movie that evil never wins.

However, a problem occurs after receiving his medal delaying his victory and he ends up facing new challenges. It leads him to another game called Sugar Rush, a racing game and is at first bugged by a glitch character, which then becomes his friend.

He makes new friends along the way and faces enemies that could destroy all the games in the arcade. It is a really great film that not only has great animation but also has an actual story worth following.

Re-imagined Beauty and the Beast film

Photo from Tumblr

This is not going to be a movie review. Rather, it's more of a "What's new?" or "What's in my head?" sort of post. This is going to be all about Guillermo del Toro's upcoming work Beauty and the Beast. I have been researching and what I've learn't so far is that he is working with Emma Watson to play the role of Belle. On the storyboard, he'll be working alongside Denise di Novi, Ed Wood and Andrew Davies who is the script I am a great fan of del Toro and Emma Watson and that's why I think this new interpretation of a Disney princess movie is worth writing about.

Thinking about the works of the team, del Torro's Pans Labyrinth is an amazing film and my favorite on top of that. Unfortunately, making a movie review of it will make my post long because of how much detail I would put into it and it might be tiresome to read for those who merely want to know what its about, generally.

Denise di Novi worked on a few Tim Burton films such as Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmass. I am a Tim Burton film lover apart from Edward Scissorhands, which I still love watching during the Christmass season, the Corpse Bride too is a film I cannot stop watching. You can ask my sister how much I watch it and how she wonders why I never get tired of watching it. Not to mention that I also learned the piano pieces and watched the film so much that I practically memorized it word for word and could practically watch it in my head. Edward Scissorhands is a great film that is a mix of disturbing yet sweet moments that you'll have mixed feelings and probably feel sad in the end. I don't think the ending is happy but something that I can be content with.

We all know who Emma Watson is and what films she starred in. I'll give you a clue, it starts with Harry and ends with Potter. Yes, you've guessed it, Harry Potter's Hermoine Granger will be playing the sweet, gentle, and loving Belle. This actress also starred in Ballet Shoes whose character aspires to be an actress in the theatre and in the end lands a job as a Hollywood actress. Did I say I am a big fan? I think I did but I'll say it again. I'm a big fan of Emma Watson. I would say that there are movies coming up that I would always think of her as the one to play the part because she has the appearance as well as the ability to perform the character perfectly.

I grew up with Disney princess films and knowing the thematic styles of Guillermo del Torro, there's no doubt that the latest interpretation of Beauty and the Beast will be darker annd it actually suits the current generation, what with the zombies, vampires and wolves taking centerstage. We are definitely seeing more and more dark elements in films except for the romance genre. I would say that having dark elements in a children's fantasy film will give the traditional story a twist and it might be a surprise. Just think about the new interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood in the film Red Riding Hood featuring Amanda Seyfreid. Weknow the classic Red goes to granny's house to bring her a basketfull of goodies only to find the wolf on her bed, oh my what a fright you've given me there granny.

We are now facing the age of special effects that give aid to making fantasies appear before our eyes, when details to events in our bedtime stories were not so obvious becausewe started nodding off, the age of wanting to make entertainment makes sense of our past even if it wasn't like that at all. You never knew that your bedtime stories could lure you into visiting their pages once more with the development of technologies that entertain us. If there is one thing I'm going to do about this new movie, it would be not to hope for something over the top and keep myself updated on the progress. I look forward to it. Enjoy

your day.

ParaNorman movie review

I'm not a fan of zombie movies or series, which means The Walking Dead is not something I would jump for joy. Bad memories when I first watched it and it was a marathon with my boyfriend. Don't ask what happened to me because you might think that I'm a sissy and I wanted to try seeing it to know the story myself. I do like Zombieland however and I was excited to see this film after seeing the trailer a few weeks ago.

ParaNorman is about a boy, Norman Babcock, who can communicate with the ghosts who are still roaming about with the living. His life is not an easy one because where he lives, in Blithe Hollow, those who are different aren't socially accepted. What makes it more difficult is that even his family doesn't believe his in his ability and thinks of him as mediocre (not referring to the image on the below specifically but it is funny too). It is only until Neil Downe befriends him that he finds someone who believes in his ability and doesn't have a problem with it. Everyone needs someone to back him up even if solitude is what's appealing for the person. 

During the rehearsal of his school's play, a commemoration of an event that took place 300 years ago of the execution of the town's with, he suddenly has visions of being in the woods but not as himself but as the witch. One of the schoolgirls was right. Witches don't always wear a pointy hat and completely ugly looking.

On the way home, he and Neil are spoken to by Norman's uncle, Mr. Prenderghast, and is told of his duty to protect the town as his uncle has been doing for years. Its both weird and funny how Neil manages to scare Prenderghast away when he says, "Don't make me throw this hummus... it's spicy!". But Norman is left to do exactly as instructed but upon failing on his first attempt and the zombies come to life it appears to be more of a reverse of role.

Instead of the zombies attacking the townspeople it was the reverse. Even I felt sad about it. It is quite an adventure that even his own enemy helped him along with his older sister Courtney, his eccentric friend Neil, and Neil's older and buff brother Mitch.

Norman comes to realize that he shouldn't be following the ritual but to right the wrongs of the old citizens who executed the Agatha by sentencing her to death because she was thought to be a witch because like Norman, she can communicate with ghosts. It was an unfair judgement. They were afraid of her and didn't know what to do but eliminate her thinking that it was the best for their town. Instead of reading the book to Agatha he confronts her and narrates her story to her tells her that it's up to her how the story ends. He manages to convince her to remember the good times because life is not all downs but it has its ups too. This is definitely important for all of us because if we do think about it, we get carried away when we have our sad moments. We should be able to look passed the wrongs done to us or we did ourselves but recall the good times and look into making ourselves happy once more.

Photos taken from:

• http://www.into-the-dark.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/size300_original_paranorman_poster.jpg 
• http://content.internetvideoarchive.com/content/photos/7247/00000110.jpg
• http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ParaNorman_Still4.jpg

Step Up: Miami Heat movie review

I watched it today and I must say, I had my doubts at first because the last 2 was not as good as I hoped it would. This, however, is AMAZING! Both my sister and I love dancing, it's a big part of our lives, performing, and this really made my day. The best parts of this film are first and foremost the dance numbers, followed by the music and the costumes, the shots, and the storyline.

What I love most about the dance numbers is that at the beginning I already thought that it was great. It wasn't a let down as the movie developed further because every performance got better making me more and more breathless. I think that it was their performance at the museum that I love the most because of the incorporation of all the effects, the music, the costumes, the choreography that matched the location. Every single dance number did just this but to me, the one in the museum is by far the best.

Dance numbers(the ones I could find):

• Ocean Drive
• Initiation to the Mob
• The Office Mob
• We Are the Mob

The music score, all original, is just absolutely incredible. It makes me want to get up and start moving myself but nevertheless, I'm in the cinema so I must refrain from disturbing the rest of the people watching. As for costumes and scenes I really love the dance scene in the restaurant. Emily's dress was wonderful as it followed her every movement and complimented her body. For those who haven't seen it, I strongly suggest that you do. NO! Scratch that. I'm commanding you to watch it and I guarantee that you will not regret it. Or maybe you might and I also might be just being biased because I'm so taken away by it. Either way it's a great movie.

Hunger Games movie review

So after I read the book I watched it with my sister. As always when it comes to books being made in to films I tend to worry because it often happens that the story is not followed which ends up ruining it, well for me. It is understandable that it is difficult to make Panem realistic but they have. A lot of the props used are just right for the movie and the setting of the story.

However, just as my fears were, some parts in the book were not followed and to me they were very significant in the story such as the Mocking jay pin that was supposed to be given by Madge to Katniss during the visitation. Also the visit of Peeta's dad to Katniss. For me, they both had a significance such that they play a part in the upcoming events. In the book it made me wonder why his dad visited her and what part does the pin play in the story. It seems like such a huge deal for it to come from the mayor's daughter.

The scenes wherein Haymitch was supposed to give advice to them were also important because it showed a side of him that actually cares and knows what he is doing despite the initial appearance of his character being a drunk. Instead, the movie made him continuously look like a drunk and insufferable except for the scene when he went to get sponsors in order to send her an ointment for her burn.

Also the scenes that involve the planning of making Peeta and Katniss the star-crossed lovers from District 12. The theme of romance was not much played in the movie or at least I could not see it as much as I did in the book. They made Katniss look like she hardly cared about him the entire movie while in the book there was some feeling that was shown including the part when Peeta tells her when he started liking her. When his dad told him that he was supposed to marry her mum but she went off and married a miner. How Peeta knew from then that he had no chances with Katniss and then finds out that he does not have any competition. And also when Peeta finds out on their trip home that she's only been playing a part for him and he ends up feeling betrayed. These scenes help build up the tension not only in Peeta and Katniss's relationship but also Katniss's relationship with herself and to Gale. The confusion she had when he said they could leave the district and survive and be well off with what they have. The film failed to show this one aspect that affects Katniss.

One thing I did like the most in the film is the scene that they added when Rue died. I think it would have been great if it was mentioned in the book. It almost made me cry, or maybe I would have if I was not watching with my sister. It shows so much emotion and drama. It shows exactly what the people of Panem feel about the Hunger Games. However, this confuses me when I think further because I recall from the book with the upheaval of District 13 which is now obsolete might end up being the same fate for District 11's riot. It is a powerful scene and very moving. I hope it does not become a source of difficulty for Catching Fire.

It is only the riot of District 11 that was inspiring. But without the key scenes from the book being followed, the absence of the dialogue which are key to answering questions that arise in the beginning, presence and absence of characters also having roles in the story and help build it up, I can not like it more than how I do now. I might be choosy but it frustrates me when this happens and so this is all I think it deserves.