tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75608085356573786032024-03-14T10:08:31.824-05:00Burning ReviewCritical reviews of recent films that value the film for what it is.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-81014067404148342013-12-29T16:18:00.000-06:002013-12-29T16:18:21.950-06:00American Hustle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>American Hustle</i> is the story of a conartist couple that is forced to help an eager FBI agent catch some major criminals. It is roughly based on a 1970's sting operation called ABSCAM that focused on finding corrupt public figures. The film stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Lawrence. While the story is similar to many other conartist films, the satire in this film goes above and beyond any film I have seen before. Along with fantastic comedic timing, these all-star actors give some amazing performances. The acting is a definite highlight in this film.<br />
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The comedy in this film is one of its strengths. I was very confused after watching the previews to hear that this is considered a comedy. Throughout the movie I asked myself if I would consider it a comedy. As the entire audience laughed out loud frequently, there was no question that this is a comedy, and a great one. This is really what sets this movie apart from others. </div>
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Another major strength is the acting. Christian Bale has demonstrated his strength and range many times in frequent years. This is another hit out of the park. The opening scene finds Bale working on his elaborate comb over, a perfect sign of the times. This hysterical scene sets the tone for the whole movie and shows off Bale's skills as an actor. Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper give exceptional performances also. They both have demonstrated their range. This really showed off their comedic timing. Jennifer Lawrence rounds out this cast. She is just beginning to show off her varying talents. In this film she shows that she can hang with the big dogs. She is able to be physical with her acting and keep up her character in some of the most hilarious scenes in the movie. I was extremely impressed with her performance. It is not surprising that this performance has put her name in the running for more awards this year. </div>
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Overall, <i>American Hustle</i> is a comical twist on a regular conartist story. The story won't blow you away, but the comedic writing and production along with some fantastic acting will leave you wanting more. </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-28465656093721603592013-01-19T23:36:00.001-06:002013-01-19T23:36:15.738-06:00Gangster Squad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Gangster Squad is the story of some rogue cops that go after the mobster, Mickey Cohen, who is running the town of Los Angeles. I find the release date of this film very interesting, because it hits right at the same time as the beginning of award season. I think this was an excellent movie with great writing, directing, and exquisite acting! It could really be a heavy hitter for awards, but the release date makes me concerned it will be forgotten about by the time awards come around in 2014.<br />
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The first positive of this film is the writing and directing. This is a action flick about battling for justice, but there is a great amount of humor mixed in. I never expected to hear the entire audience laughing during a gangster movie, but it created perfect moments and provided just the right mix of action and laughs! I believe this came about from a collaboration between writing and directing.<br />
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The best part of this film, however, was the acting! This is a loaded cast including Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, and Emma Stone. Each of these actors brings an exceptional performance and plays a part in creating this amazing movie! First, Sean Penn can transform himself better than almost any actor I have seen. He has the voice, the facial expression, and the mannerisms of a serious gangster. He perfectly portrays a man who takes joy in seeing others suffer and loses control when things don't go his way. I was amazed by his performance! Josh Brolin supplements Penn's performance as the good guy cop leading this squad of misfits to bring justice for their city. He fits into this late 40's time period very well and is perfect as the stand up, by the book cop. Ryan Gosling may convince you that he was actually living during this time period by his performance in this film. I believe that he might have been born in the wrong era, because his voice and his actions fit perfectly into this type of character. He is the pretty boy, slacker, and tough guy all wrapped into one as he also sweeps the damsel in distress off her feet! His body of work is becoming more and more impressive with each film he makes. Emma Stone is another person who fits into this time period perfectly. She plays the damsel in the arms of the evil mobster that needs a good guy to save her. She is sexy and independent while also showing the weakness a woman of this time had. This only begins to scratch the surface of the plethora of talented actors in Gangster Squad, but each of these had to be mentioned.<br />
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Overall, Gangster Squad was excellently written and directed. The casting was perfect to create a believable time period film. The acting takes this excellency to another level. The loaded cast makes this a great film.<br />
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SEE IT!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-50284854336213670882012-11-27T20:45:00.001-06:002012-11-27T20:45:03.462-06:00Lincoln<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Lincoln</i> tells the story of President Abraham Lincoln as he tries to pass the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery. It is a very interesting historical story with excellent acting and just the right amount of humor mixed in. This is a classic historic film that tells a story about a very important time in the history of the United States. If you're looking for an action-packed thriller, this might not be the film for you. For any history buff, it is a must see! If you're in between, like me, it's worth checking out.<br />
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The highlight of <i>Lincoln</i> is definitely the acting. There is a lot of actual acting required. There were multiple scenes when a look or a gesture was used to convey important information and feelings. This requires strong actors who can make a statement with the slightest movement. Steven Spielberg and the casting director managed to find a plethora of actors who can REALLY act! At the forefront is Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln. From the voice, to the stature, to the walk, Day-Lewis manages to bring to life every imagined picture you might have of this beloved president. Sally Field brings in some extra humor and strength as Mrs. Lincoln. The all-star cast is rounded out by David Strathairn, James Spader, and Tommy Lee Jones, to name a few. The cast as a whole did an excellent job creating the emotion of this significant time period and perfectly acted out the humor written by a group of clever writers. Among the civil war and political banter was just the right amount of humor to completely surprise the audience. I would not be surprised if <i>Lincoln </i>was on the short list for acting and writing awards when awards season comes around!<br />
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While the acting and writing were expertly executed, I found myself checking the clock frequently throughout the film, the biggest no-no for any film. This is still a historically-based film, which means it isn't aiming for romance or action. This can create somewhat of a lull at times. I think <i>Lincoln</i> could have been improved slightly if it was shortened. The film runs about two hours and thirty minutes, which is fairly long for any film. This epic story could have been condensed slightly to keep the audience attention a little better. For this reason, I doubt there will be much buzz about the overall film for big time awards.<br />
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Even with some extra length and not quite fully keeping my attention, I would highly recommend this film. The acting is impeccable and memorable. Again, for any history buff, this is a must see. If you're not, this is probably best as a rental. Either way, find the time when you are in the right mindset to check out this fantastic movie!<br />
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For most people I'd say..... REDBOX/NETFLIX IT!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-55093391894281898142012-11-19T21:44:00.001-06:002012-11-19T21:44:46.040-06:00Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As a huge fan of the Twilight books I have had a slightly biased view of the films in this saga; however, I have also had very high expectations. I have felt that the films have improved greatly over the course of the series. Breaking Dawn Part 2 continues in this pattern. Even though the first few films were not winning any awards based on acting or production abilities, you cannot deny that this series has been elevated to fan-favorite blockbuster status. I am not going to say that Part 2 is going to be on the Oscar short list for next year, but it did end the series on a high note. There was some definite surprises even for those avid book readers and some great closure for those fans who have anxiously awaited the arrival of each film.<br />
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I am not going to start singing praises for Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, but the overall acting in this film was a great improvement from where it began. I was very anxious to see how Stewart would portray her character post-transformation. Her quirkiness suited this transition perfectly. This was clearly seen in one scene where Bella tries to control her new vampire speed and perfection to act human and talk with her father. Stewart made the feelings and humor of this scene come through effortlessly. Pattinson was much less annoying since his character was no longer resisting the urge to suck his bride's blood. The two had great chemistry on screen to fully bring together the ending to this love story.<br />
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Breaking Dawn Part 2 meets expectations to bring this epic saga to an end. It have the token battle scene, plenty of romance, and some drama too. The most talked about part will probably be the surprises that come towards the end. (Sorry I'm going to keep those to myself to avoid any spoilers!) After the audience receives just a glimpse into the future for the new Edward Cullen family, the producers included a montage of all the characters from the entire series. This provided the perfect closing reminding the fans of all the characters they have loved throughout the past four years. Overall, I give two thumbs up for a fantastic ending to a blockbuster series. Many times concluding films like this do not measure up, but I think these producers did it right!<br />
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If you're a Twilight fan, this is a definite must see! If not, Redbox/Netflix it! I still think it's worth the dollar.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-2031885947372190182012-01-30T21:36:00.000-06:002012-01-30T21:36:20.285-06:00The Best of 2011- The Burnies!!!I have been slacking horribly over the past few months, but this is my favorite time of year... Award season!!! As the Oscar nominations were announced, I was reminded that last year I made a list of my top picks for the year. While I haven't seen all of the heavy hitters for this year yet, I'm going to try to change that, I think I can come up with a pretty good list of my favorites from this year. So far The Golden Globes are the biggest indicator of what the big wigs think and mostly I agree. <i>The Ides of March</i> was a big disappointment for me. It got many noms from Hollywood Foreign Press, but I don't think it quite measured up.I am now glad to see that the Academy agrees with me, almost shafting <i>The Ides</i> completely. Also, there is no animated film on my list. I think this was a very disappointing year for animated films. My guess was that <i>Adventures of Tintin</i> would pull away with the awards pretty handily (however, I haven't seen it), but the Academy gave it no notice.<br />
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Anyways, here's my list in no specific order, just the top films from 2011, keep in mind these are just the ones I've seen.<br />
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Drive<br />
Moneyball<br />
The Help<br />
Bridesmaids<br />
Crazy, Stupid, Love<br />
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2<br />
Super 8<br />
Friends with Benefits<br />
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These are the movies I'm still DYING to see!! So please let me know if you want to see any of them!<br />
Most of them are nominated for Academy Awards and from what I've seen they deserve it.<br />
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Hugo<br />
Iron Lady<br />
My week with Marilyn<br />
Descendents<br />
Girl with Dragon tatoo<br />
War Horse<br />
J. Edgar<br />
Midnight in Paris<br />
Adventures of TintinLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-1580911664620764392012-01-30T21:29:00.000-06:002012-01-30T21:29:39.363-06:0050/50<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNjg3ODQyNTIyN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjUzNzM5NQ@@._V1._SY317_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BNjg3ODQyNTIyN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjUzNzM5NQ@@._V1._SY317_.jpg" /></a></div><i>50/50</i> is the story of a 27 year old man who discovers he has cancer. It tells the story of his relationships with pretty much everyone he encounters from his mother to his therapist. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the main character spectacularly. Seth Rogen plays his best friend, and pretty much the same character he has played in every other movie he's been in. While this is a very serious topic, the film gives is a comedic spin but doesn't downplay the severity of the situation.<br />
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The biggest highlight of this film is the acting. Joseph Godon-Levitt does an amazing job. He brings the realness that is necessary to breach a tragic topic like cancer while keeping some humor mixed in with his wit. He brings a lot more sarcastic humor than Seth Rogen's character. While Rogen's character is rather shallow, it is so realistic and enlightening to see the bro-mance-type relationship deal with a life-threatening issue.<br />
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The film as a whole is very current with this cancer issue. It also has a very indie feel to it. The story line is pretty general, but it develops the relationships of the main character eloquently. It's these relationships that really make it any story at all, without them it'd be rather boring.<br />
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Overall, the story is in line with our current society. The strengths of the film are the development of the relationships throughout the film and Gordon-Levitt's acting. Generally the independent-type movies do not wow me. They usually just make you feel like nothing actually happened throughout the whole movie. <i>50/50</i> is definitely as step up from nothing happening, but it didn't wow me.<br />
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I didn't make the effort to see this one in theaters, so I guess I'd say.... it's definitely worth a dollar!<br />
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Redbox/Netflix ItLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-2646334398933399792011-12-17T21:31:00.000-06:002011-12-17T21:31:55.346-06:00Sherlock Holmes: Game of Thrones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/Movies/S/Sherlock_Holmes/Posters/Sherlock_Holmes_final_movie_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://collider.com/wp-content/image-base/Movies/S/Sherlock_Holmes/Posters/Sherlock_Holmes_final_movie_poster.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>This is the second Sherlock Holmes film. While I always have big concerns about sequels, this is somewhat different than other sequels. The best aspects of the first Sherlock Holmes films were kept intact for this second film. The wit and intrigue continue in <i>The Game of Thrones. </i> Robert Downing Jr. and Jude Law make an excellent duo. The only complaint I have is this film did not keep me involved in the mystery.<br />
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The best part of Sherlock Holmes is the humor and wit that the main character brings to the story line. Clever disguises, laughable one liners, and some hilarious physical humor make a great comedy! Robert Downing Jr. brings them all to this movie. I even heard another viewer in the theater say, "The humor was the best part." at the end of the film. Without Robert Downing Jr. I think these films would be nothing. He perfectly portrays this meticulous and detail-oriented character. The biggest upgrade from the original film was the viewer's entrance into the mind of this crazy character. The scenes were often slowed down to show us, the regular people, what the methodical Sherlock Holmes was seeing or thinking. This was an amazing addition that was not as strong in the first film. Jude Law plays Watson, Holmes's sidekick, wonderfully also. He is so calm and collected throughout all the chaos that bestows the pair.<br />
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The only downfall of this film, especially compared to the first one, was the lack of clues for the audience to see. I did not feel like I was trying to solve a mystery at all. Holmes discovers the mastermind villain at the beginning of the film, so there's not much to solve. He was just trying to figure out what was going to happen next. This does not bring the audience into the film very well. It is the difference between watching something happen and being involved in what's happening. I felt very outside of the action rather than involved in it like an audience should be.<br />
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Overall, I loved <i>Sherlock Holmes: Game of Thrones.</i> It was witty and humorous with two excellent actors. I miss Rachel McAdams's character a bit, but she didn't fit into the majority of this plot. If you liked the first Sherlock Holmes film, you definitely need to see this one!<br />
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SEE IT!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-61028566353013011262011-10-16T10:44:00.000-05:002011-10-16T10:44:02.372-05:00Footloose<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBZgr6xzZ_9IS6XgS_Fpxyslg-oSkkpUENZ6Jq6ZoHvtLeFF0xHKWLBbtmKQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBZgr6xzZ_9IS6XgS_Fpxyslg-oSkkpUENZ6Jq6ZoHvtLeFF0xHKWLBbtmKQ" /></a></div>While I have not seen the 1984 version of <i>Footloose</i>, I feel as though I got the gist by watching the 2011 version. It appears that this remake is quite similar to the original. This can be great for a great story line, but terrible for outdated clothing, dialogue, and scenarios.<br />
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Going into watching <i>Footloose</i> I did not have high hopes. I had heard about the struggles the makers had when trying to find a male lead. When Zach Efron and Chase Crawford both turn down the role, you probably aren't going to get a top-rate actor. While Kenny Wormald, the lead that decided to make this his big break, does have the moves and the looks for this lead role, a bigger name star would have made <i>Footloose</i> more of a box office hit. While the casting troubles did cause the film to loose marketing power, the film is not a total shamble. It is enjoyable, entertaining, and even funny! With that said if you are male or over the age of 17, I don't think you'll get much more than a few chuckles from this classic remake.<br />
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The acting is average. The story line is out of date. I respect the creators for trying to recreate some classic scenes, but when you put an adorable Julianne Hough in a 1980s dress, you fail to keep me engaged in a 2011 movie. Overall, I would recommend this film if you loved the original and want to see another take on it or if you are a High School Musical fanatic. If you are looking for a cheesy dance movie to finish off a girls' night, this would be fitting also. It would be worth seeing it for a dollar or two if you feel inclined, but it's not worth the $10 a movie ticket costs. <br />
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<b>Maybe Redbox It</b>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-21017067834385605772011-10-08T22:05:00.000-05:002011-10-08T22:05:37.654-05:00The Ides of March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6j9PaX-hUWY-11sQHY0oBanu3g5sEJSsZK5F2yTYuKMC5T0PcNKMVfPgjwbaia8iehVzPDw0eSaM6kw6SCeae-IOcyttDps6MaU-vwrrskEiArXNQGK0Qup3yAEzdDGaBobSY5YAa74/s1600/ides.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6j9PaX-hUWY-11sQHY0oBanu3g5sEJSsZK5F2yTYuKMC5T0PcNKMVfPgjwbaia8iehVzPDw0eSaM6kw6SCeae-IOcyttDps6MaU-vwrrskEiArXNQGK0Qup3yAEzdDGaBobSY5YAa74/s320/ides.bmp" width="224" /></a></div><em>The Ides of March</em> is a political story about a democratic campaign team as they work in the Ohio preliminary. It features an allstar cast and an interesting, relevant story with a few twists. I had very high hopes for this film and I have to admit it didn't quite measure up. It felt a little slow-paced and there was not enough character development to make me feel strong effects when the twists came into play. <br />
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The best thing about this film was the great cast: George Clooney, Ryan Gosling, and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. These are excellent actors and they show that off once again. The story is a strong point also. Politics always create an opportunity for a great story, because of the deception, emotion, and personality invovled. <br />
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With a great cast and a good story, you'd think this would make an awesome movie. Something didn't quite add up this time though. The beginning of the movie seemed very ordinary to me. It consisted of scene after scene of regular campaign work. We were getting to know the characters, but most of the character traits were hinted at through a couple comments rather than fully developed. This created a feeling of slow pace and lack of connection with the characters. Things improved somewhat when the political twists shook things up, but even these were portrayed through a sequence of simple scenes. A little more ups and downs in the plot or a clear climax would have added a lot to this movie. <br />
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Overall, I enjoyed this film because it was a good story and some great actors. However, my high expectations were not met. The plot was a little slow paced and lacked some solid character development. It was a good movie but didn't have to fighting power that is expected with so many big name actors. <br />
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Netflix/Redbox It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-88790800250186741892011-09-24T16:14:00.001-05:002011-09-24T16:18:09.094-05:00Moneyball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyaLS4noVRl0HkdQ7Kf7cVA8zj8_lDPv5gM-hmkvgYyVfIWK6UUQJZyhuF45S2YpWG79mr8AgTfRup4saPWg8tBBBBMx59QULsm4JcjyRewT4PePmFD0h3ql1QshbVSw1i61vlu1NKyig/s320/moneyball-movie-poster-2011-1010711003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbyaLS4noVRl0HkdQ7Kf7cVA8zj8_lDPv5gM-hmkvgYyVfIWK6UUQJZyhuF45S2YpWG79mr8AgTfRup4saPWg8tBBBBMx59QULsm4JcjyRewT4PePmFD0h3ql1QshbVSw1i61vlu1NKyig/s320/moneyball-movie-poster-2011-1010711003.jpg" /></a></div><i>Moneyball</i> tells the story of the Oakland Athletics's General Manager as he tries to create a successful team on a fraction of the budget of his opponents. This is an excellent story that incorporates the intensity and emotions of baseball. Brad Pitt shows us once again how great he is at acting. The producers and director used great creative in their filmography also.<br />
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This story is excellent! It is a incorporates the great intensity that baseball fans love and the behind the scenes drama brings you into another realm. It is exciting and keeps you hooked, especially if you are a baseball fan already, but non-baseballs will enjoy it too.<br />
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It's been a little while since we heard anything about Brad Pitt that wasn't just family drama. He shows off his excellent acting skills once again in this movie. Also, the producers and director did a great job using a lot of creativity in the filming and scenes. This creativity added another element of depth to make this not just another sports movie.<br />
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Overall, this was an excellent movie. I expect it to be a box office big hitter! Pitt does some great acting, the story is riveting and emotional, and the extra creativity gives it something different.<br />
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SEE IT!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-14639621710803215272011-09-17T22:17:00.000-05:002011-09-17T22:17:35.899-05:00Drive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/drive-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/drive-movie-poster.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><i>Drive</i> is a film about a stunt driver who works also as a getaway car driver until he gets involved with some serious criminals. Ryan Gosling plays the main character amazingly! The story and directing are very exciting and unique! I even love the 80s soundtrack giving it a perfect flow. The only negative I have is that it was extremely, extremely, extremely violent! You may think three extremely's is too much, but this is more gore and violence than I have ever seen in my life.<br />
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By far the best part of this film is Ryan Gosling's acting. He has really shown himself in a variety of roles throughout his career. It if very impressive that he can create so many different characters and do it in a believable way. Again in this film he created a very different character perfectly. In <i>Drive</i> he talks very little and performs his acting through his body language. The fact that he can portray a introverted, caring, and aggressive character with minimal talking is evidence that yet again he deserves an Oscar nomination!<br />
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The story and directing are very unique. Nicolas Winding Refn has become known for his violent and award-winning direction. He continues with the violence and I think this time he will be winning some bigger awards. The story is riveting! I was at the edge of my seat (when I wasn't covering my eyes) for much of the film. It is difficult for me to explain what exactly is different about this film. I think it is the use of silence and body language to portray real emotion rather than making the film wordy. Overall, I am not a fan of the gore but I am impressed with the creativity in directing.<br />
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The final part I liked was the soundtrack. The font used in the film and the music both have an 80s film. You would think this would make the film seem less modern, but I really think, the music at least, added to the emotion of the film. The font didn't influence the film much but was unusual.<br />
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The only part I did not like was the violence, but apparently it is common for this director. This does involve serious mob/criminal drama, and in real life I'm sure people are this violent, but I don't need to see this at the movies. I don't really think it added anything to the movie. Take this as a fair warning if you are squimish, be prepared to cover your eyes.<br />
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Even with the violence, I think this was an excellent film. The directing and the acting are the strengths and deserve some award nominations. I like the story line, which keeps you guessing. I have heard there is some Oscar buzz already and I think it will continue. I am not sure if <i>Drive </i>will be on the Best Picture list, but I wouldn't be disappointed if it was.<br />
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SEE IT!!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-39007623457210494892011-08-19T22:16:00.000-05:002011-08-19T22:16:30.682-05:00One Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/247855/ONE-DAY-POSTER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/247855/ONE-DAY-POSTER.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><i>One Day</i> tells the story of two friends through accounts of where they are on the same day each year. It is based on a book by David Nichols, which is usually a good sign. However, this film was not at all what I expected. It has two actors who I love that acted well, but I was not impressed with the plot or the writing. It is fair to say that I was quite disappointed.<br />
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The previews for this film make it seem like a whirlwind romance between two people who are destined to be together. This is somewhat true in the film, but it all kind of gets lost in the shuffle. We don't get much background story since we only see the characters on one day out of the year. There is almost no attempt to fill the audience in on what has happened the rest of the year. There was no build up to make it feel as though these two were meant for each other. There was no climactic, romantic scene when they make an advancement in this relationship. It was just all flat. Then out of no where one thing changes the whole path of the film. After this everything becomes depressing, but then the plot finally gets a bit romantic in the last few scenes of the film. It was all just a mess.<br />
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I do love Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess who both did a good acting job. But the writing was awkward and choppy. The plot didn't really flow because we didn't get any hints into what happened during the days of the year we weren't seeing. The biggest problem, though, was it was very slow. I have not been bored in a movie in a loooooooong time! I kept talking to my friends sitting next to me, because most of the movie was not keeping my attention. If I had watched this movie at home, I definitely would have fallen asleep.<br />
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Overall, I like the concept of this film and the actors could make it great. But we did not get enough information to feel anything for the characters or fully understand their relationship. There was a little bit of romance towards the end of the film, but this just didn't measure up to expectations.<br />
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It's hard to say don't see it, but don't be sad if you miss it.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-88242735454368915822011-08-10T22:18:00.000-05:002011-08-10T22:18:40.935-05:00The Help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUObXSy1QioU0Z2l2wQpqDK3lxnGwC0HQot5GHVY4Uc2SBn5Ok" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUObXSy1QioU0Z2l2wQpqDK3lxnGwC0HQot5GHVY4Uc2SBn5Ok" /></a></div><i>The Help</i> is the story of a young female journalist in Mississippi in the 60s who decides to write a book about stories told by "the help," mainly the black maids and caregivers of white families. This, of course, is an emotional and strong subject which is felt greatly in this film. But <i>The Help</i> has some amazing acting, great writing, and an overall perfect portrayal of the struggles faced by many during this time period.<br />
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This movie was serious and emotional, but it was also hilarious!!! I have not been to many movies where an entire audience bursts into laughter multiple times during one film. The "sassy" oneliners from a couple of prominent characters and the karma that comes back to bite some asses creates so many funny moments!! This is one of its strongest characteristics. We can only take so much intensity. The break-up of comedy gives this movie a great dynamic.<br />
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The acting was excellent! Emma Stone, who plays the young journalist, once again is kind of broadening her repertoire. She portrays this strong-will girl who doesn't quite measure up to the usual beauty queens of the south. She has the look, the acting ability, and the subtle comedy to support the other great actors in this film. I was really impressed with Octavia Spencer, who plays one of the maids. She had an amazing character written for her, but she could not have acted better! Her character was the source of the majority of the humor and she executed it all perfectly! Throughout the movie I was continually impressed by her performance. The rest of the cast was great. They set the scene and created the characters wonderfully, but I was most impressed with Spencer and Stone.<br />
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The biggest pull of a film like this is it gives us a peek into the past. This was such a volatile time in history and has been represented in a variety of medias. But <i>The Help</i> shows a more personal perspective. It puts you in the homes and lives of people living during this time and people trying to challenge the current system. Emma Stone's character's mother at one point says, "Courage sometimes skips a generation." This referred to her feelings about her daughter trying to challenge these negatives systems in society when she was unable to. I just wondered how many parents at this time felt the same way. The idea that my great-grandparents or others living during this time could have thought that way makes the depth of the film intensify.<br />
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Overall, this was a moving, emotional, and funny movie. It shows a great picture of the struggles of inequality during the 1960s, but it's not just about a societal issue or history. It is so much more than that. Plus it was really fun to watch. You feel connected to the characters, because you watch their emotion and struggles play out. The majority of the audience tonight was women and older couples. I think it will resonate most with this audience most, but I would recommend this film to everyone!<br />
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SEE IT!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-92157631107588671382011-08-05T22:51:00.000-05:002011-08-05T22:51:50.482-05:00The Change-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.daemonsmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/the-change-up-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.daemonsmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/the-change-up-movie-poster.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><i>The Change-Up</i> is a cookie cutter comedy about two friends who magically switch bodies, a new version of Freaky Friday. It stars Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds who both found their niche in this genre! It was very funny, but included a lot of what I would call "guy humor." I didn't realize it was R rated, so the nudity surprised me! Overall, it is a typical comedy, nothing too unique, but it was funny!<br />
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The best part of this movie was the acting! I love Jason Bateman. He can do no wrong in my book, but he is perfectly suited for this type of movie. He plays a workaholic lawyer with three kids who sped through life to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible. Ryan Reynolds plays his life-long best friend who is the exact opposite. He is the slacker ladies man who never finishes anything, cusses incessantly, and spends his time with "quite a few lovely ladies." Reynolds has not always been the strongest actor, but this role really suited him. He played the lazy bachelor well and was believable as the slacker trying to act like a business man. I think these two were perfect together!<br />
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The movie was very funny, which is what you expect from a comedy. The plot is very predictable. Everybody realized that what they have is really great and the people close to them reveal telling information that makes them want to better their lives. The plot will not shock or surprise you, but it will make you laugh! As I mentioned a lot of the humor is "guy humor:" poop jokes and babies playing in the kitchen (which was giving me a heart-attack). It was funny, but some of the humor was immature or male-oriented. This plus the boob-action leads me to believe the execs were shooting for a male audience.<br />
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Overall, this was a funny comedy. Again, no one is going to be getting a call during award season, but I don't think that's what they were aiming for. It's a cookie cutter format that works (the theater was full!). It is funny. It has a bit of a twist to make it slightly different than similar movies. It's a fun movie and even throws in a little romance! It'll make you laugh and hopefully reflect on how great your life really is. I don't think you need to run out and see it right away, but it's worth a dollar!<br />
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Redbox/Netflix It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-81959768681598130232011-07-29T22:53:00.000-05:002011-07-29T22:53:10.076-05:00Crazy, Stupid, Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.daemonsmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/crazy-stupid-love-movie-poster-02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.daemonsmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/crazy-stupid-love-movie-poster-02.jpeg" width="219" /></a></div><i>Crazy, Stupid, Love</i> is a romantic comedy about a variety of individuals as they embark on their own struggles with relationships and mostly love. There is some great acting, hilarious one liners, and a few hopeless romantics. It is very idealistic, a little over the top at the end, but I really enjoyed it!<br />
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This was definitely a comedy. It was really funny with lots of one liners to keep you laughing! It is also very romantic, you are striving for these couples to make it through. But it was very different from other romantic comedies. This is mainly because the story is told from the men's perspective. The men are the ones cheated on and damaged trying to pick up the pieces. This made the whole dynamic of the movie very different. It also was not happy-go-lucky through most of the movie. There was a lot of down-in-the-dumps moments, but yet again, somehow misery is hilarious!<br />
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My favorite part was the acting! Steve Carell perfectly portrays a 40-something man who's let himself go a bit. He hilariously shows this character that is downtrodden and the opposite of hip trying to turn his life around. His chemistry with Julianne Moore is questionable at times, but I think you are still fighting for these two throughout the movie. Ryan Gosling was also perfect as the confident, studly, womanizer who takes Carell's character under his wing. These two have great chemistry perfectly showing a man's perspective of relationship struggles. The casting of these two is great for a movie centered on the men! Emma Stone did a great job also. Her chemistry with Gosling was believable and romantic. This is a more mature role for her. She plays a mature woman about to begin her law career, much different than a high school hottie.<br />
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This movie, like many romantic comedies, was very idealistic! Everything is grand gestures and ends conveniently. But we have our own lives for depressing story lines, a little idealism won't hurt while we are at the movies. The ending is over the top. I do think it could have been wrapped up in a way that was a little more believable. I don't like to reveal too much, so that's about all I can say about that.<br />
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Overall, I had fun watching this movie. It was funny! It had some great acting and hilarious lines and moments. It is idealistic and doesn't have the best ending, but all this is forgivable. It claims to be the best comedy of the summer, which I don't think it quite achieves. There have been a lot of comedies this summer, and a couple really good ones. But I enjoyed it a lot!<br />
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Redbox/Netflix It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-65603071408618401622011-07-26T22:53:00.000-05:002011-07-26T22:53:31.509-05:00Captain America: The First Avenger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.netkushi.com/gallery2/var/albums/Hollywood-Movie-Stills/C/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-movie-stills/Captain-America:-The-First-Avenger-Movie-Posters/Captain_America_The_First_Avenger_movie_posters_1.jpg?m=1297166473" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.netkushi.com/gallery2/var/albums/Hollywood-Movie-Stills/C/Captain-America-The-First-Avenger-movie-stills/Captain-America:-The-First-Avenger-Movie-Posters/Captain_America_The_First_Avenger_movie_posters_1.jpg?m=1297166473" width="214" /></a></div><i>Captain America</i> is the next individual superhero movie leading up to the <i>Avengers</i> movie in May 2012 (which we got to see a preview for at the end of <i>Captain America</i>). It is much different than the superhero movies we have seen recently. It is set in the 1940s which creates a completely different context that effects almost every part of the movie. This added to the fact that this is a superhero movie resulted in an overload of cheesy moments.<br />
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This movie reminded me of the Batman and Spiderman cartoons I used to watch as a kid. There is lots of slow motion running with explosions all around, anticipatory music to create a mood, and the villain escaping last minute with a quick remark. It is not as modern as the previous superhero movies released lately. This is not necessarily a negative, but it made me shake my head and chuckle often at the cheese-fest that occurred for the majority of the movie. I would not have been surprised if POW and BOOM action bubbles flashed across the screen at any time, luckily they left that to the original comic books.<br />
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I was a little worried about Chris Evans' portrayal of a superhero, especially one as iconic as Captain America. He did a pretty good job representing this little guy turned to super soldier. He also fits in well to this cheesy-type movie. He doesn't really have the swagger of Robert Downing Jr., but that's not what's needed for Captain America. I give him props on this one.<br />
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Overall, I enjoyed the film. The combination of a 1940s setting and the fact that it is a superhero movie should have made me expect the cheesy-fest that ensured. I think it outranks <i>Thor</i>, as I expected, but does not compare to <i>Iron man</i> in any way. For most people I would say wait and Redbox/Netflix this one. But if you are a comic fan already or hooked into this Avengers saga like I am, then SEE IT! And make sure you wait until after the 20 minutes of credits to see the amazing preview for <i>The Avengers</i> movie!!!!<br />
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Redbox/Netflix It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-67553654188749216872011-07-23T01:16:00.001-05:002011-07-23T01:50:45.033-05:00Friends with Benefits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/friends-with-benefits-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.onlinemovieshut.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/friends-with-benefits-movie-poster.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><i>Friends with Benefits</i> is a romantic comedy about two friends that decide they want a sex-only, emotionless relationship. I am sure you are probably thinking, "I've seen that movie already. " My thoughts exactly when I first heard the premise, but don't let the plot fool you. Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis star in a very funny spin on the usual friends with benefits story. The characters are great and these two actors portray them perfectly. Add in the R rated humor and you have the perfect romantic comedy!<br />
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As a female who was on the Nsync side of the best boy band debate in middle school, the highlight of this movie is Justin Timberlake. However, if you were on the Backstreet Boys side or avoided boy bands all together, I have a feeling you will still be impressed with comedy and charisma that Timberlake and Kunis bring to the screen in <i>Friends with Benefits.</i> These two have great onscreen chemistry and I don't think anyone will mind seeing both of their backsides. Kunis has proven her acting abilities, but she really shows off her comedic ability in this film. (I even heard Timberlake compliment her on her comedic timing in an interview on Ellen). The duo takes this cliche plot and make it something current and special.<br />
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The writers created two characters that are classified by their exes as "emotionally damaged" and "emotionally unavailable." I think most people in the world can fit into some kind of emotionally dysfunctional category. Relateable characters make each viewer really put themselves into the shoes of the character that they relate to most! I'm sure every woman, and some guys too, could see their reflection a little bit when they watch this movie.<br />
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Ratings can always put an interesting twist on a movie. An R rating saved this movie from revealing it's best moments in the previews. I mention this often, but this is the ultimate downfall of a movie, especially a comedy. Many hilarious moments were in the previews, but many of the funniest moments would probably not be approved by most networks! The R rating was necessary and perfect for this movie!<br />
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Overall, this is a romantic comedy. It's not a deep, life-changing plot. Its writers are not going to be holding their breathe when Oscar noms are announced. But it is funny and cute and fun to watch! I was really concerned that this would be a repeat of a similar movie I saw at the beginning of the year, but I think <i>Friends with Benefits</i> outdid similar movies! It has many funny moments, a great mix of 90s throw back jams and some recent pop hits, and entertaining actors! It's one of those movies that you laugh throughout and at the end think, "That was fun!"<br />
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See It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-52745252841682485872011-07-16T13:28:00.001-05:002011-07-16T13:30:22.578-05:00Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/117/1170191/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-20110523031600554_640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/117/1170191/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2-20110523031600554_640w.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>This is the final film in a decade long series. The movie is emotional, exciting, and action-packed!. I thought it was a great movie, but actually enjoyed Part 1 more than Part 2. It felt like it should have been more epic and final. Everything technically about the film is, of course, spectacular! The emotion that is portrayed, and felt by the viewer, is perfect for the final film. We have spent a whole decade with these characters and longer if you read the books before. There is a lot of emotion associated with that much time. The story is also great! The ending to this journey brings everything to a close!<br />
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With all this said, I did feel some changes could have been made to make this movie really monumental. Part 1 created the feeling that something huge was coming, the ending was going to be far beyond what we could have imagined. The final scenes of Part 2 just fell flat. There was no strong feelings whatsoever. It was just finished. (I have already hear many book-readers were disappointed with some changes that were made. I didn't read the books, so I can't attest to this. But I'm sure those die-hard Harry Potter book readers will be frustrated by this.)<br />
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Overall, I loved the movie. I have loved everyone of the movies in the series, but I think it could have been a little bit more; more exciting, more emotional, more imaginative. I would definitely recommend it. It's a great movie!<br />
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SEE IT!!!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-51665345512328293492011-07-10T21:58:00.000-05:002011-07-10T21:58:47.319-05:00Horrible Bosses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.studiobriefing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/horrible-bosses-movie-poster-hi-res-01-405x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.studiobriefing.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/horrible-bosses-movie-poster-hi-res-01-405x600.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><i>Horrible Bosses</i> is a comedy about three friends who decide their lives would be better if their bosses were dead. It has an all star cast featuring Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jaime Foxx, and Kevin Spacey. It is a hilarious and surprising story with great acting and some hilarious moments! My only complain is that, like many comedies, most of the funniest moments are in the previews.<br />
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The best thing about <i>Horrible Bosses</i> is the cast!!!! I love every one of these actors and each of them does an amazing job! Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis have a wonderful dynamic and enhance each other's performance. It appears that they had a blast making this film and that comes across clearly onscreen! Aniston and Foxx are in roles that are different than we've seen them recently. Aniston is still working to get rid of her type cast in a Rachel-type roles. This movie was perfect for her!!! She plays a ridiculously crude boss who harasses her employee (Day) constantly! She looks great and portrays the character perfectly. Foxx does a great job also. He is a thuggish con-artist who is also hilarious! Great acting all around!<br />
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The story is funny and entertaining. There are no complains there. The concept of hating your boss and imagining them being killed is very relatable. However, most people probably don't actually try to go through with it. It is a bit outlandish in that way, but we don't go to the movies to watch something realistic.<br />
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My only complain is one of the biggest downfalls of a comedy film. The previews for a movie look hilarious. You go to see the movie and all the funny parts in the whole movie were in the preview. Maybe I see too many previews and watch lots of interviews, but most of the funny parts were in the previews. There were some other funny parts in the movie (ones that could not be put on regular television). But the funniest parts were all in the previews. Except! I think the funniest part was the credits at the end of the movie! Between outtakes and some ad-libing, I didn't stop laughing for the last ten minutes!<br />
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Overall, this is an amazing cast portraying a hilarious plot. Most of the funny moments were seen in the previews, but there were a handful of surprises held back. I have very mixed feelings about a recommendation for this movie. Other viewers were laughing a lot more than I was, so maybe I'm just being a little harsh. I would say Redbox it, but you probably won't be disappointed if you spend the money to see it in theaters. I believe it was the best release this week, but most of you don't see a movie each week like I do. There are plenty of other movies to see in theaters before you see this one.<br />
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Redbox/Netflix It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-59840671443516081712011-07-02T17:56:00.003-05:002011-07-02T18:08:48.991-05:00Bridesmaids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYUx2JYyxApQwHs5fVhw4CeJ_-Tl11keWqTo-ANaMH_gvigMAPnQ&t=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTYUx2JYyxApQwHs5fVhw4CeJ_-Tl11keWqTo-ANaMH_gvigMAPnQ&t=1" /></a></div><i>Bridesmaids</i> is the hilarious story of what happens in a world where Kristin Wiig and Maya Rudolph are best friends and planning a wedding together. These SNL veterans are hilarious together and I will probably love any film/skit/performance that they do together! Rudolph and Wiig play childhood friends who struggle with their relationship as they plan Rudolph's character's wedding. The acting is great! The writing is hilarious! The story is a little depressing at times, but I've discovered there must be something funny about misery (almost every comedy film includes plenty of it).<br />
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Overall, this is a film that can only be described as over the top, crazy, and .... the only word I can think of is hilarious! There is no other word to describe it. Wiig's character, Annie, thinks she's at the lowest point in her life when her pastry business goes under, but things only get worse! This adds a lot of humor to the plot, but also made me depressed. Then again it made me feel a lot better about my life, so maybe that was Wiig's goal (she was one of the writers). I am pretty late in seeing this one, so most of you already know it is hysterically funny! It is a bit over the top, but only in true SNL style! If you are one of the few who have not seen this film yet, grab a good friend and buy your tickets now!<br />
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SEE IT!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-57677817128604289422011-06-29T14:23:00.000-05:002011-06-29T14:23:40.006-05:00Bad Teacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOvF2tQhrS3EkbfRjMrJKc1k3-AuzAabdGdfy_We8ToyOdIWSufbL-GgEb0lBw3gU8o3Ab-jLmbkqtekfHLdwowuL4gTI3Bu5rtVVhLfkLSwr0bhwQyNi7s6PO6JEVvRVRmBazURTrY/s1600/Bad+Teacher+Movie+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbOvF2tQhrS3EkbfRjMrJKc1k3-AuzAabdGdfy_We8ToyOdIWSufbL-GgEb0lBw3gU8o3Ab-jLmbkqtekfHLdwowuL4gTI3Bu5rtVVhLfkLSwr0bhwQyNi7s6PO6JEVvRVRmBazURTrY/s320/Bad+Teacher+Movie+Poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><i>Bad Teacher</i> is a comedy about a middle school teacher who is not at all equipped to be a teacher. Her main goal is to find a wealthy man to take care of her. Cameron Diaz does an amazing job portraying this gold digger. A strong, hilarious cast supports her well also. It is a very funny film! (Although, I am slightly biased as a teacher). It's a funny movie with a shallow, but funny story and some great comedic writing!<br />
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The strongest point is the comedy. This is a full on comedic movie! Granted I saw it with a group of teachers, but we barely stopped laughing the whole time. The writing was great with hilarious scene after hilarious scene. The acting perfectly created theses scenes and quotes. Unlike some other comedies, <i>Bad Teacher</i> has less one liners and more physical humor. This is a testament to the strength of the actors! The writing was well done also. I absolutely hate when comedies get really serious with an underlying message after they have made you laugh for at least an hour. <i>Bad Teacher</i> did it perfectly! There was an underlying message about being less superficial, but it was not corny or overly sentimental! Loved it!<br />
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I was a little disappointed with Justin Timberlake's performance. I am a huge Justin fan, but this character was not quite right from him or he didn't portray it well. I'm not sure which was the issue, but it didn't sit right with me. The story is not spectacular or deep, but that's not what a comedy is supposed to be. I worry that others will not be able to relate to the film as well as teachers do. Hopefully it will make you laugh though.<br />
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Overall, I loved this movie! It has good comedic acting and writing. It is not life changing, but it does make you laugh. That is all a comedy is supposed to do!<br />
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SEE IT!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-78827928314422113312011-06-17T21:32:00.000-05:002011-06-17T21:32:49.103-05:00Green Lantern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deviantart.com/download/146975087/The_Green_Lantern_Movie_Poster_by_hyzak.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.deviantart.com/download/146975087/The_Green_Lantern_Movie_Poster_by_hyzak.png" width="214" /></a></div><i>Green Lantern</i> appears to be DC Comics' attempt to compete with Marvel Comics in creating a series of major superhero blockbusters. This attempt is falling short in creating interest in the superhero theme again and I'll predict that it will fall short in making a profit also. However, much to my surprise, <i>Green Lantern</i> was a valiant effort by DC to create a modern movie based on a comic book superhero. There were quite a few weaknesses, but I didn't check the time or shake my head in embarrassment once.<br />
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Watching the trailers I expected this to be one of the worst films I had ever seen. My major concern was what appeared to be very weak and superficial casting. I would consider the acting to be the biggest weakness of this movie. Ryan Reynolds may have the look of a superhero, but he is much better suited for a romantic comedy than an action flick. Similarly, Blake Lively looks like the perfect superhero love interest, but in this movie she was also supposed to be a serious business-type woman. She did not pull this off well.<br />
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Aside from the acting, there were only minor problems. The effects were sub-par at points but didn't take away from the plot. I felt that there was too many story lines playing out at once. I understand it is necessary to set up a lot of background in a short amount of time, but as a viewer, I felt like I was jumping from one story to another to another until they somewhat came together 3/4 of the way through the movie. I could have done without one or two of the story lines. At the same time, there was so much focus on setting up the background of the Green Lanterns, the history, and the villain that the background of the main characters was lacking.<br />
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Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. The acting was not great. The effects could have been stronger and I would have been satisfied without so many storylines. But I enjoyed seeing the film and do not think it was one of the worst films I have seen. I think it will fall in the wayside of many other major summer movies, but Redbox it if you are in the mood for another good superhero adventure!<br />
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Redbox/Netflix It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-28578069878274201082011-06-11T22:21:00.000-05:002011-06-11T22:21:56.391-05:00Super 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHux5GrukIgqvCdtJTL6Vb7sngOvRkwxJeEwXy5HWzI0GgNBcMIU0qtaBJwMXul5AnZCdwSMKqnZvkY1wnlZkbcffAfH6WcqFU8IMRSIOuhtQMBJtJzqX6MifLL1VbwrKU1RP52CCjJ2Ym/s1600/Super+8+New+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHux5GrukIgqvCdtJTL6Vb7sngOvRkwxJeEwXy5HWzI0GgNBcMIU0qtaBJwMXul5AnZCdwSMKqnZvkY1wnlZkbcffAfH6WcqFU8IMRSIOuhtQMBJtJzqX6MifLL1VbwrKU1RP52CCjJ2Ym/s320/Super+8+New+Poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div><i>Super 8</i> is a film about a group of kids that witness a catastrophic train wreck outside their small Ohio town. When unusual things start happening throughout the town, these kids investigate to see what is causing all the strange occurrences. This is Steven Spielberg's newest film, joined by J.J. Abrams as writer and director. Like most Spielberg films, it has a unique story and lots of surprises. It is very well written. The acting was great! It definitely had me hook for the entire 112 minutes. There were a few weaknesses, but overall it does not disappoint.<br />
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The story in this film is very Sci-Fi and out of this world. There was a few moments that I could not quite accept the crazy occurrences that were happening. When electronics and pets are going missing throughout the town and people are being dragged away by an unknown force, I began to think this was a little too outside the box for me. However, Speilberg and Abrams changed my thoughts when they slowly began sharing information about these mysteries, a little at a time. Letting the viewer in with bits and pieces keeps you guessing.<br />
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My only other disappointment was the similarities between this film and other films (most of which involving Speilberg). I would describe <i>Super 8</i> as a cross between <i>Transformers, E.T.,</i> and <i>The Goonies. </i>This film was rumored to be Speilberg's next great film. I wish the writers and Speilberg could have come up with something that didn't nearly copy previous films.<br />
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Aside from a moment of frustration about a lack of knowledge shared with the viewer and some repeat of material, this was an excellent film. With a cast of mostly young actors, you have to wonder how well the portrayals will come across on screen. These young actors were super! I thought the story was good, the effects added to the story, and there is definitely excitement from start to finish. I am not sure that <i>Super 8</i> will go down as one of Speilberg's greats, but it's definitely good.<br />
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SEE IT!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-64954991136403406802011-06-04T21:23:00.000-05:002011-06-04T21:23:37.156-05:00The Hangover: Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shoppingblog.com/2011pics/the_hangover_part_2_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.shoppingblog.com/2011pics/the_hangover_part_2_poster.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><i>The Hangover Part 2</i> chronicles the disaster that ensues when the Wolfpack is reunited in Thialand for Stu's wedding. It has the same characters and similar catastrophes as the first Hangover film. I was very concerned that it would be a total flop, because <i>The Hangover</i> was so great and unique that it cannot be repeated. However, the executives did a great job of keeping the same actors, staying true to the characters, and creating new adventures for our favorite best friends to go on.<br />
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The best aspect of <i>The Hangover Part 2</i> is the fact that all the original actors were part of this film too. It would not have been the same if they would have changed, as often happens with sequels. Also, the writers stayed very true to the personalities of these characters. Again, many sequels go too far to create humor and completely change the characters. These writers perfectly kept the uniqueness of each character and created new situations for them to experience.<br />
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The writers also did a great job of creating similar, hilarious activities without repeating those that happened in the first <i>Hangover. </i> From bar fights to mistakes with prostitutes, <i>The Hangover Part 2</i> created all new disasters to make you laugh.<br />
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Overall, <i>The Hangover</i> is film that cannot be repeated, but <i>The Hangover Part 2</i> kept the best parts of the original without copying it completely. It is unrealistic that such shenanigans would occur twice, but we don't go to the movies to watch something realistic. <i>Part 2</i> is hilarious in it's own way. I don't think any comedy with measure up to <i> The Hangover</i>, but <i>The Hangover Part 2</i> comes very close.<br />
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SEE IT!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560808535657378603.post-41639333676912678582011-05-23T20:59:00.000-05:002011-05-23T20:59:24.601-05:00Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moviephotogallery.com/data/media/1126/pirates_of_the_caribbean_on_stranger_tides_poster_18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.moviephotogallery.com/data/media/1126/pirates_of_the_caribbean_on_stranger_tides_poster_18.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><i>On Stranger Tides</i> is the fourth film in Disney's <i>Pirates of the Caribbean </i> series. It tells the story of Jack Sparrow, Captain Blackbeard, and Captain Barbossa was they each try to make their way to the Fountain of Youth. <i>On Stranger Tides </i> is missing Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom but adds Penelope Cruz for a new twist. The plot pretty much follows the same recipe as all the previous fills. It is the first on the series in 3D so that is another added bonus. Overall, it's the same recipe with some updated twists.<br />
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Disney and the <i>Pirates</i> writers created a great formula for a box office hit action film based around the life of pirates. This has been repeated for a fourth time excellently. <i>On Stranger Tides</i> has action, the usual sword fights, a little romance, and some extraordinary Captain Jack escapes. The context and goal of the escapades change along with the swapping of a few cast members, but the rest is the same. While this seems boring and weak, the film uses the recipe perfectly and creates another new and entertaining movie. <i>On Stranger Tides</i> brings the viewer into the the <i>Pirates'</i> world and takes them on an imaginative journey.<br />
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The biggest change for this film is the loss of Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Swan and Orlando Bloom as Will Turner. They were two of the main players in the first three films, but <i>On Stranger Tides</i> brings in Peleope Cruz as Angelica, Captain Blackbeard's daughter. She replaces Knightley as the pretty lady and love interest who's also tough and a little rough around the edges. I was a little skeptical about this casting change, but Cruz fits in well and very accurately portrays this tough yet beautiful woman. It brings a nice twist that fits with the elements of the previous films but creates just enough change so that this film isn't another boring sequel. Another nice addition is the 3D element. This is well done to enhance the film rather than make it cheesy. It also keeps the film up to date with the other big films of the summer.<br />
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The most impressive aspect of <i>On Stranger Tides</i> is the plot. It again follows the same theme as the previous three films, but this one creates a completely new story that is interesting and unique. It tells the story of how three different groups work to find the fountain of youth. The difficulty comes when the unique ritual of the fountain comes into play. This creates a fantasy world the can only be believable in the <i>Pirates'</i> world.<br />
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Overall, there are just enough changes to keep an audience interested in a sequel. I absolutely hate most sequels, but these writers have found a way to create multiple films that work without being boring or trying too hard. <i>On Stranger Tides</i> does the job again! And I hear there are already rumors of Pirates 5. These writers created an amazing character in Jack Sparrow. As long as Johnny Depp stays on board, I think we will see the <i>Pirates</i> series continue.<br />
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See It!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034606834037147248noreply@blogger.com