Movie Review: The Dark Knight Rises

On Thursday night, I went to Harkins Theatres with a group of friends to view the final film in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Going into the film, I didn’t want to get my hopes up too high. The Dark Knight, in my eyes, is one of the most flawless films I’ve ever seen in my lifetime (storyline, casting, music, cinematography, and so on). When the soundtrack to The Dark Knight Rises was released on July 17^th, I downloaded the entire album right away, and knew Hans Zimmer had worked his magic again, with the final installment.  It gave me hope that the film might live up to its predecessor, The Dark Knight.

If you have seen any of the numerous previews, you already know that the main villains are Bane (Tom Hardy) and Catwoman (Anne Hathaway). Out to protect Gotham in the place of the Batman (who has now been missing for 8 years, since taking the wrap for the murders Harvey Dent committed) are Commissioner Gordon (Gary Oldman) and police officer Blake (Joseph Gordon-Levitt).  When Bane proves to be much too powerful for the Gotham police force, after his long absence, the Dark Knight… Rises.

In the course of this film, I realized how much there was to the story. It almost seemed like the storyline was overcomplicated to the point where it was too much. I’m not saying it was hard to follow; it was just a lot to take in during the course of one movie. I understand that Nolan really had to tie up loose ends with this being the final film, but that, combined with the introduction of Bane, Catwoman, and Miranda Tate (Marion Cotillard), felt almost overwhelming.
Christopher Nolan really knows how to cast his films. Tom Hardy doesn’t look all that terrifying as himself but he was by far the most horrifying of all the Batman villains in this series - There was nothing redeeming about him.  When he broke Batman’s back (which you would already know if you read the comics), I just sat there in shock. He shows no mercy.
I know a lot of people were unsure of Anne Hathaway being cast as Catwoman, but I couldn’t see anyone else playing this version of Catwoman. I loved Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, but in this specific trilogy Anne was perfect.
And I have to give credit to Michael Cane for managing the break my heart in every single scene he was in.  Another special credit to my main man, Morgan Freeman, for being Morgan Freeman.

I felt unsure of the timeline throughout the film, and I kind of gave up trying to figure it out towards the last hour of the film. Other than that and the storyline being jam packed, I enjoyed the film. It was NOT by any means better than The Dark Knight, but I left the theatre satisfied with how Nolan ended the trilogy that I’ve been attached to since Batman Begins came out in theatres in 2005. Christian Bale was a great addition to the legacy of the Batman, and Hans Zimmer was the perfect movie score composer for these films. His music really set the tone for all the films. Thank you, Christopher Nolan, for these films. I may not have been super impressed with The Dark Knight Rises over The Dark Knight, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see it.
I suggest that everyone who has seen the first two films to go see The Dark Knight Rises and judge for yourself. SEE IT. It’s worth it, especially if you’ve followed the films up to this point.

One last thing: At the very end, when the girl is like ‘’you should go by your legal name, I like _____”.
REALLY? 

Movie Review: Magic Mike

Story: I was super excited to turn 17, so that I could start going to see rated R movies. When I saw the previews for Magic Mike, I knew that it had to be the first one I bought my own ticket to see. I was all prepared to show my I.D. and prove that I was 17, right? They didn’t even question me about it. I was severely disappointed, and that was the beginning of my Magic Mike experience.

Magic Mike is set in Tampa, where Adam (played by Alex Pettyfer) is a 19 year old struggling to find a job that he can stick out. By chance he meets Mike, a roof tiller that owns many side business’. Adam meets Mike that night by chance, and they go into a club, where Mike tests Adam’s ability to attract women. As Mike expected, the ladies love Adam, and he lures them to the strip club Xquisite, where Mike is the star stripper. That night, Adam has to step in and replace one of the dancers who is unable to perform, and so begins Adam’s journey to becoming a successful stripper (who quickly picks up the moniker ‘The Kid’).

This movie… I’m not sure how to properly judge it. You go into the movie expecting to see a bunch of ripped, sexy guys dancing around nearly naked on stage. Yes, you get plenty of that (which I will not complain about), but you also get a really dry plot. I honestly didn’t enjoy a lot of the movie where the guys weren’t dancing onstage. The choreography for the men was better than most of the script for the film, which is a shame. The plot was dry, and I hated both Adam and his sister, Brooke (played by Cody Horn). Both of these actors could’ve been replaces easily, in my opinion, because neither played the parts very well. Cody’s portrayal of Brooke felt very forced, and every time she laughed I wanted to punch her in the face.
Now, the rest of the gang… Oh, I liked them.
Matthew McConaughey as the ring leader, Dallas, was hilarious. One of my favorite scenes was when Dallas was teaching the Kid to take his clothes off for the crowd, Dallas wearing short –shorts and a little yellow tank top. McConaugheywas cast perfectly in this film, as was Channing Tatum as Mike. I really felt bad for all the times Mike had to bail the Kid out of trouble, and I was rooting for him the entire film. The rest of the ensemble (including Matt Bomer, TrueBlood’s Joe Manganiello, and Kevin Nash) were entertaining enough to make the film fun to watch.

I left the theatre very disappointed with the plot of the film. If you are honestly just going to see the film to see Channing Tatum and friends dancing with hardly anything on, then by all means, go and see it! You won’t be disappointed by the abs you see on those boys! Really though, those are the only scenes worth watching in the movie.
I would suggest seeing this film for a girls night out, because there’s really no other occasion to see it for. The film was poorly cast for the most part, with a poorly written plot. It’s only appealing element is the hot strippers (which face it, that’s the only reason this film is being watched).

Movie Review: Brave

Today, I went to my first film of the summer, which happened to be Disney and Pixar’s new release, Brave. In true Disney and Pixar form they didn’t start with the feature film, but instead with a short titled La Luna.

La Luna was an adorable short, starting with a little boy going to work with his Father and Grandfather for the first time. They are shown riding a little boat at night time in calm waters, and then waiting. Continually throughout the short, both the Father and Grandfather try and persuade the boy to follow in their own footsteps. One of my favorite moments was right in the beginning, when they two older men are trying to show the little boy how he should wear his newsboy hat! While the little boy is copying his two role models, there is a glow in the distance, and the moon rises up from the water in the distance. Then the Father pulls out a ladder, and the family goes up onto the moon. The 2 older men try and show the little boy that their broom is better, and while they are doing this a HUGE star lands on the moon. While the Father and Grandfather are trying to figure out how to move it, the little boy grabs a hammer, climbs to the top of the star, and hits it twice. It then proceeds to break into many normal sized stars, a shot that is beautiful to watch. I loved how they made this part in slow motion, and showed the little boy falling through all the stars! At the end it cuts to a shot of the moon, after the 3 have cleaned it up, and show it in the waning crescent phase, bringing in the fable aspect to the story. It was such a simple and sweet short that deserved the Oscar nomination it received at this year’s Academy Awards.

Now onto the main film of the review, Brave. It begins with the little princess, Merida, playing hide and seek with her Mother, and then receiving her first bow and arrow set from her Dad. One of the arrows Merida shoots goes into the forest, where she goes to retrieve it. While she is deep in the forest, she hears a noise, looks up, and sees a wisp. A wisp is supposedly a mysterious light that is supposed to lead you to your fate in some significant way. Her Mom believes in the magic of them, but her Dad doesn’t (these are all key facts to remember later in the film). At that point, they hear a noise, and a black bear comes out and attacks the family. Just as the bear lunges at the King, it cuts to the title credits.
If I hadn’t known any better from the previews, I would’ve assumed her Dad died (since Disney is good at breaking our hearts by killing off characters parents). He fortunately survives the attack, but the bear got away after eating one of his legs. He has sworn vengeance for this reason.

The next time we see Merida is when she is older, and we learn that her hair is not only beautiful, but it’s her character exactly: wild, untamed, and feisty. Her Mom is trying to make her into the proper princess, but Merida would rather spend her days riding around on her horse, Angus, and hunting. Most of all, she just wants freedom, an impossible thing for a princess. Merida is bitter with her Mom, and after a very dramatic display at a competition to win Merida’s hand in marriage, there is a fight that will change all their fates forever.

I thought that the film was a very well thought out and  well executed story. The animation was stunning, and in some of the wide shots I felt like the landscape wasn’t an animated picture, but instead  live action footage. Not only was the film beautiful in animation, but it was packed with humorous  lines, characters, and situations. My favorite characters were Merida’s triplet brothers, with the same mischievous characteristic Merida has. They were comedic relief throughout the film, as was Merida’s Dad. The Queen really has her hands full, surrounded by this family of red heads!

I will say Brave isn’t my favorite Disney and Pixar film. But I will also say that I wasn’t disappointed at all, and I feel it’s a film worth seeing for all ages. There is a special story between Merida and her Mom, and I feel like all Mother/Daughter relationships come to a point where all they do is fight. It’s relatable, and it’s worth seeing for the aspect as well.
It can be frightening at points, so be warned if you are going with younger children. Also, there is brief nudity, but it isn’t THAT big of a deal. Just a surprise, considering it’s Disney!

The film sends a great message, for anyone of any age: You CAN change your fate.

An Update!

 Hello everyone!
I haven't forgotten or lost my passion for film, but these last few months have been busy for me!
I haven't been to the movies since... Well, since I saw Hunger Games. So yes, it's been a while!
I can't even begin to express how anxious I am to get back in the theatre and critique. I'm so behind, I haven't even seen The Avengers yet! There are so many wonderful films coming out in the next 6 months or so, and I plan on seeing/reviewing them all. Stay tuned folks!

-Alexis

*special shout-out to my friend, Nicole, who has been asking me to update this blog for a few months now. Thanks for the support!*

Movie Fun Fact: Quentin Tarantino is one of my favorite directors. I LOVE Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, and the cult classic Pulp Fiction. I'm anxiously awaiting the release of his new film, Django Unchained.

 

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Last night, I went to the midnight premier of the highly anticipated movie, The Hunger Games, based off of Suzanne Collins’ best-selling novel. I had been waiting to see it ever since I read the 1^st of the 3 books, and I couldn’t have been more excited for this film. It had potential for greatness, and I knew this just by looking at the cast list! Also, with the story plot, director Gary Ross was bound to have a film that audiences would be drawn into.

The Hunger Games is the story set in the future, a future where the world is separated into 12 different districts after the war. Each year, in order to win food, the Capitol holds an event they call ‘’The Hunger Games’’, where one boy and one girl from each district are put into an arena, and fight to the death until one remains. Whichever district the one winner comes from, that district is awarded the food.

The film begins on the day of the Reaping (the day the 2 tributes are chosen), with Primrose Everdeen having a nightmare about being chosen as tribute. Her sister, Katniss, quickly comes in and comforts her. Katniss is characterized immediately as the provider/protector of the family, because she is very motherly towards her little sister. Once Prim is calm and fully awake, Katniss leaves Prim with their Mom, and goes out hunting for food to eat/trade. As she is hunting, she runs into her friend Gale, whom she has been friends with for many, many years. As the two are conversing in the forest, a Capitol carrier flies overhead. This carrier contains Capitol citizens that will be putting on the telecast of the Reaping in District 12.
At the Reaping later that day, Capitol citizen Effie Trinket announces that she will be choosing at random  the girl who will be participating in the Games from District 12; the girl chosen is Prim. Katniss, horrified that her sister was chosen out of all the people, goes to her sister and bravely volunteers as tribute, in place of her sister. Katniss is the first ever volunteer from her District, and this makes her an early favorite with the public. After this, the Reaping continues with the baker’s son, Peeta Mellark, being chosen as the 2^nd tribute. The two are sent off to the Capitol, and the madness of the Games begins.

The acting wasn’t outstanding, but I believe that Stanley Tucci as Caesar Flickerman, Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch were all perfect casting moves. There wasn’t anyone in the film that I didn’t like, but I felt as if their performances could’ve easily been performed by a different actor.  
The fast-paced shots, now those were impressive, especially in the beginning of the game, when all 24 tributes went for the backpacks. The editing of the shots was perfectly timed, quickly cutting from one fight to another, and not graphically showing the slaughtering. I also liked throughout the film how the shots weren’t always focused. I don’t remember the last film I saw with a shooting style like this, and I definitely appreciated it in this film. This is one of the best technical films I’ve seen, overall.
Watching the film got very emotional at certain parts; I will admit, I cried multiple times (and if you’ve read the book, you know which scene I’m referring to).

The Hunger Games was a bit of a disappointment for me, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. This is the first film that I haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly what bothered me about it, other than the forgettable acting performances and the script writing itself.
If you’ve read the books, you might be a little disappointed. If you haven’t, you will probably enjoy it a lot more. It is worth seeing in theatres, because the film had a lot of great elements to it, such as the costumes, makeup, cinematography, sound editing, set design, and some of the acting.  This is not a film for the little ones, because there is quite a bit of violence, all involving kids from ages 12-18.  

Movie Review: My Week with Marilyn

Tonight, my stepdad John and I were going through the OnDemand list on our TV, and debating what to watch. He wanted to watch Horrible Bosses, and I was pushing for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Ultimately, he surprised me and put on the film I have been waiting to see since November, My Week with Marilyn.

My Week with Marilyn Is based on the memoir The Prince, the Showgirl, and Me, written by the then 23 year old Colin Clark. The film shows Colin’s determination to prove to his family and himself that he can do something on his own. With this in mind, he goes to the famous actor/director Laurence Olivier’s office after hearing he is working on a new film with the most famous woman in the world, Marilyn Monroe.  Olivier is unable to give Colin a job right away, because Marilyn won’t sign onto the picture right away, an event that foreshadows the rest of the issues that Monroe and Olivier will have during the production. Eventually Marilyn signs on, and Colin is given the job of 3^rd assistant director.

At this point in her life, Marilyn has just wed for the third time to writer Arthur Miller, and Olivier is married to actress Vivien Leigh. Leigh is convinced that her husband will fall hard for Marilyn, and asks Colin to keep an eye on him, which he promises to do. Once production begins though, it’s evident that there is no sign of Olivier falling for America’s sex-symbol. He is consistently frustrated with his star, for good reason; she is always late, forgets her lines, and she has an acting method/coach he doesn’t agree with.

What most of the cast and crew don’t realize is that Marilyn is battling many inner demons during production. She is nervous to be a part of this cast, full of such experienced acting veterans, and she is struggling with being such a spectacle to the public eye. To help deal with these issues, she takes multiple pills to calm herself, wake herself, and to put herself to sleep at night. She also relies on her new husband, but about halfway through the movie, Arthur Miller has a conversation where he admits that he can’t handle Marilyn’s issues on top of his own, and leaves her on set by herself. This is where Marilyn and Colin’s relationship starts to blossom into something that could be beautiful.

Michelle Williams couldn’t have been any better as her role as Marilyn. She brought to life the fun and rebellious side of Marilyn, but also the not so commonly seen vulnerable, nervous, paranoid side of her. Williams has come quite a long way since her days on Dawson’s Creek, and if she hadn’t been up against Meryl AND Viola Davis this year, she would’ve won the Oscar. It was such an emotional performance that not just anyone could pull off.
The overall cast was wonderful, filled with many familiar faces: Kenneth Branagh as Olivier, Eddie Redmayne as Colin, Emma Watson as Lucy (a costume assistant), Julia Ormond as Vivien Leigh, and many more talented cast members.

With director Simon Curtis, costume designer Jill Taylor, and music by Conrad Pope and Alexandre Desplat, My Week with Marilyn is a wonderful film that shows the insecure side of the Hollywood legend.

Movie Review: Blue Valentine

I love that the Sunrise Mountain Library has many movies available to rent that I have really wanted to see. Such as Blue Valentine, starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling as the young couple Dean and Cindy.

The movie starts out with what seems a regular day in their lives, with their little daughter Frankie going to school and Cindy going to work. From the very start of the film, it is obvious that Dean and Cindy's relationship is heading for the worst. Gosling brought to life the child-like quality to his character, but it wasn't cute in this case. He played it like it was meant to be: irritating and obnoxious. William's captured the frustrated-ness of Cindy being the only grown up in her own home, and dealing with the downward spiral of her marriage.

The movie does have some happier moments to it, starting with Cindy in college, and her taking care of her Grandmother. During the film, her Grandmother moves into a retirement home, and Cindy is the one assisting with the move. That same day, Dean is helping an older gentleman move in (he works for a moving company). While he is leaving, Dean sees Cindy from across the hall. It was love at first sight, and he works hard to get a date with her.

My favorite scene from this film is about half way through the film, when Cindy and Dean are on their first date. While Dean is playing the ukulele to the tune ''You Always Hurt the Ones You Love'', Cindy tap dances in front of a heart in a shop mirror. It's fun to see Gosling display his singing skills (even if he is singing stupid!).

Dean truly does love Cindy. He loves her enough to marry her when she is pregnant with someone else's baby. Somewhere along the way though, things went awry, and the movie depicts the night before they decide to get a divorce. The couple drops little Frankie off at her Grandpa's house, and go stay at a nice hotel in an attempt to save the marriage. There are some sweet, tender moments in there, but overall it was hard to watch Dean with Cindy. It made me feel pain for them, and I was actually rooting for Cindy to divorce him.

The ending is very heartbreaking. Dean goes to Cindy's work after he discovers she has left him at the hotel alone, and gets in a fight with her boss. He literally is in a drunken rage, and despite Cindy's efforts, he just keeps going. That was the last straw for Cindy. The final shot of the movie breaks my heart. Dean sees his daughter, and walks away. Frankie then proceeds to chase after him, and Dean tells her to go back to Mommy. Dean is crying, and then Frankie starts crying. Cindy picks up her daughter, and then this happens:

CINDY: Oh sweetheart, it's okay, no, no, don’t cry, it's okay. Who’s my big girl?

FRANKIE:I love him.

CINDY: I know...

Blue Valentine is a great story, of how people's emotions can and do change over time, despite how hard you try to keep the feeling alive. Michelle Williams definitely deserved an Oscar nod for her role, and I'm disappointed that Ryan Gosling didn't get one. I almost didn't recognize him, and I was very impressed with his acting skills in this particular role. It's a great movie, but it isn't for all ages. It is a realistic story, a realistic story full of truth.

Also, here is Ryan Gosling singing. I love it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afuoEuPJBjI&feature=related