Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Those who know anything about me at all--and really, I mean anything--know I have a weird thing for James Franco. I suppose my fondness for Franco all started when I saw him in the made-for-TV movie James Dean as the iconic star. Since then, he's been in a string of movies--some memorable (the Spiderman trilogy, Pineapple Express, and his Oscar-nominated performance in 127 Hours) and some not so memorable (Tristan & Isolde--which I loved despite it being a BAD movie, Annapolis,
and Flyboys). Arguably, James Franco likes to keep things interesting: he writes, he reprises roles on soap operas, he does art, he has a bajillion degrees, he even teaches?! (See the picture above for proof the boy is quirky!) I guess the question really is what can't he do? Well, up until this weekend's release of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, he hadn't headlined a big-budget summer blockbuster.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is not your baby-boomer parents' Planet of the Apes (or even the forgettable Mark Wahlberg telling of the tale). Technology has come a far way, and instead of humans in ape costumes, Rise of the Planet of the Apes' apes are all computer-generated. There set is not a bunch of plastic caves, but modern-day San Francisco. Beyond the more realistic look of Rise of Planet of the Apes, this prequel is much darker. Sorry guys, there's no "Get your hands off me you damn dirty ape!" The beloved cheesiness of the original series is non-existent here.

Will Rodman (James Franco) is a young scientist at Gen-Sys who is on the way to finding a cure for Alzheimer's. The is a backstory to Will's motivation to find a cure--his father, played by John Lithgow, suffers from Alzheimer's. When his brain cell regenerative formula, AZ-112, is tested on Bright Eyes, an ape who shows dramatic signs of improvement from the drug, all seems to go well--until it doesn't. On the day Will pitches AZ-112 to the Gen-Sys board to get approval to begin human testing, Bright Eyes gets aggressive and wreaks havoc. While everyone attributes Bright Eyes' aggression to a flaw in the AZ-112, turns out, she was protecting her newborn baby. The newborn, whose existence is unknown to the execs at Gen-Sys, is the only ape not to be put down because Will takes him home.

The AZ-112 virus passed down vertically from Bright Eyes to Caesar (the name given to the baby ape, played by Andy Serkis--Gollum in Lord of the Rings), which causes him to have advanced intelligence, even compared to his human counterparts (yeah, the Alzheimer's cure apparently creates crazy smart apes!). But, despite Caesar's crazy intelligence, he still is an ape with ape desires--swinging from trees, climbing to great heights, being outside... But, despite his apeish desires, Caesar becomes one of the family and Will very much is Caesar's father (James Franco as fatherly?! Swoon).

The real drama begins when Will's cure, which works--he tries it on his father and his intelligence is not only restored, but improved--backfires, not only on his dad, but on Caesar who seeks to protect Will's dad in a moment of vulnerability. Acting out on his ape and human instincts, Caesar lands himself in an ape "sanctuary" with Will unable to do anything about it. The place is anything but a sanctuary; rather, it's a place where the apes are caged up and mistreated by the humans who cage them. It does not take long for the brilliant Caesar to grow resentful and angry of his new environment and his captors. He designs a plan to help all the apes escape and exact their revenge on the humans who have been nothing but cruel to them. Amidst all the chaos, what species will prevail?

There's a little bit of a love story between Will and Caroline (Freida Pinto), but that takes a backseat to the bigger picture. James Franco even takes a backseat to the bigger picture (shoot darn!). This movie is all about the apes and what they are capable of when driven to inhumane extremes. It would be naive to think there is no social commentary going on in this movie: warfare, how people treat one another, how people treat animals. But, I will let you be the judge. For those of you going into this movie hoping to relive the corny days of old, you'll be sorely disappointed; however, the lesson to be learned seems very much the same.

I enjoyed this movie, but admittedly it's not for everyone: it's dark, there is violence, there is more of a focus on animals than people. But, if you are looking for a summer blockbuster with some depth, take a couple of hours and see Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Movie Review--Captain America: The First Avenger

This summer, like most, has had its fair share of blockbusters, most notably the end of the Harry Potter series. However, I never could get into the Harry Potter books (sorry I'm not sorry that that makes me uncool) and so for better or for worse, my childhood ended with last summer's Toy Story 3 at the ripe old age of 22. I have not seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows...either part...and probably won't until they start airing it every weekend on ABC Family. But, I digress. Beyond the boatload of romantic comedies and dramas I have seen/want to see, the summer blockbuster I was most looking forward to was CAPTAIN AMERICA! I thought it was going to be The Green Lantern, but the trailers and bad reviews put that thought to rest. Once again, I digress.

The following things are what drew me to Captain America: The First Avenger--1) Chris Evans. Let's face it ladies, he's super easy on the eyes. 2) It's a comic movie. I don't read comics, but I tend to always enjoy the Marvel movies, with a few exceptions. 3) The cast overall--Tommy Lee Jones, the aforementioned Chris Evans, and Stanley Tucci. I trust any project with Stanley Tucci, not counting Maid in Manhattan. 4) An underdog story. I cannot help but root for the underdog, and I know that's nothing special, but it was still a reason for me nevertheless. Lastly, and most intriguing for me, the nostalgic feel to the movie. Americana at its best--the 1940s. Anyone who knows me knows that most of my favorite movies were made in the 1940s AND I am an old soul. Something about the 1940s just screams "classy."

So, with all of my preface out of the way, let's get to the review. Captain America: The First Avenger stars Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, who up until this was arguably relatively unknown, or at least not mainstream. The movie takes place in 1942 at the height of WWII. As American men are enlisting for the war, a beyond scrawny Steve Rogers (Evans) is 4F'd until a scientist, played by Stanley Tucci, singles him out as the perfect man to be transformed by a serum and "Vita-Ray" to become a super soldier. It's not Steve's physical build that singles him out as special, but his heart, which he puts on display time and time again.

Post-experiment, Steve's scrawny build (thanks, CGI) transforms into nothing but muscle (that's pure Chris--swoon). At first, Captain America is used as a symbol to garner support for the war (not unlike Uncle Sam), but that's never what Steve wanted--he wanted to be in the fight and make a difference on the battlefield. He goes against orders from Captain Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) and ends up saving 400 Ally soldiers--pretty much single-handedly. From that point on, Captain America is nothing but a brilliant and heroic soldier, taking on the Nazis. And, let's face it, who doesn't like to see the Nazis taken down?

Throw in a love story (which I loved--the heroine was intelligent and sassy), the great wartime nostalgia (artwork, costumes, hair, movie reels) of 1940s America, a bit of wit, and of course the awesome stunts and special effects, you have yourself an entertaining film! Although this movie is not unlike other summer blockbusters in terms of being a solid and entertaining movie, I think it is the nostalgia it oozes out of every pore that sets it apart and gives it a bit of a flare.

The truly great thing about this movie beyond the nostalgia? It's not really about the politics of war, but about the strength of America and its people--the bravery and heroism of its soldiers. It's not some political hotshot making the headlines because he is saving the world, but the little guy whose heart knows no limits. It's Captain America (who, although a "superhero," truly is an ordinary guy whose capacity for bravery is enhanced by becoming physically stronger) that saves America from doom. In the present day, it's nice to have a feel good movie where the little guy is the hero and prevails against all odds. I think the movie arguably serves as a reminder of what bravery and courage our military has shown in the past (our grandparents' generation) and continues to show today. Captain America is a celebration of patriotism and Americana--that's timeless! Sorry I could not elegantly articulate what I wanted to say on this point, so I will continue on!

If you are looking for a fun, old-fashioned, and entertaining movie, I highly recommend Captain America: The First Avenger. AND, if you do go and see it, BE SURE TO STAY AFTER THE CREDITS HAVE ROLLED--there is a teaser trailer for The Avengers. Enjoy!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II from a movie watchers view.

 

Most people in the world who stayed up till midnight to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II premiere all have read each of the seven books.  Well I on the other hand have only read 2 1/2 but really just enjoy the movies from the movie watchers prospective. So when most people leave wishing they explained parts of the story line better where I just go and enjoy what the 2 hours gives me.

Of course I was one of many who showed up two hours before the movie and waited anxiously for the conclusion of the Harry Potter series.  Watching part one the night before it added more the the suspense to see what would happen.   With that being said the movie did not disappoint.   I thought that the movie had a slow start, but that could had been the anticipation of seeing  inevitable showdown of Harry and Voldemort.   I don’t want to say what happens in the story because I know that most people want to wait out the crowd and see it at a later date.  I will say that all of the answers that you have been waiting ten years to see end, end in the best way possible. All of the lingering questions are answered.  They even shot the epilogue of the book so you can see what happens in the future for each of the characters .

For me being an avid movie watcher of the Harry Potter series I was really sad to see the series come to an end.  I have grown up with each of the characters.  Trying to share the emotional connection to one of my friends I compared it to that of Toy Story 3.  We all had a connection to Andy and when he grew up we grew up and at the end when he gave his beloved toys away we were sad because we were at the point of Andy life of giving his childhood away and moving to adulthood and that is the same with Harry Potter.   As Harry, Ron and Hermione went to their next stage of life most readers and watchers like myself are also making that next step.

The conclusion of the Harry Potter series was a awesome movie and I highly recommend it to anyone.  And if you have not seen any of the Harry Potter movies you should get on that and borrow them from a friend and have a marathon you will not regret it.

The Glee Project

 

 

The Glee Project  is a competitive reality show to select a 7 episode guest star to be on  Glee.   The show had an audition process similar to American Idol.   People could go in and sing their selected song for the Glee casting director, Robert Ulrich.  When they would leave the room a the host would tell them if they made it upstairs for a call back or if their Glee journey ended there.  From the 40,000 people that auditioned 12 finalist were selected to compete for the guest starring role. The finalist each week participate in the Glee boot camp/ master class.  They do everything that the normal Glee does  and  work with the same instructors.  During each week finalist have a homework task that they will perform to get them an advantage with end of the week music video that is Glee inspired. The tasks also focus on a quality that Glee holds important.  Zach Woodlee, the choreographer, teaches them the dances for the music video.  They go record in a professional studio with vocal producer, Nikki Anders.  Then after the homework assignment and music video is complete Zach Woodlee, Nikki Anders help Robert Ulrich select the bottom three contestants.  The bottom three are given a song to perform at the last chance performance in front of Glee creator/producer Ryan Murphy.  After deliberation the call back list is posted and one of the finalist doe not make it ending their journey on The Glee Project.  

The show is great for Glee fans to see new talent grow and end up seeing on of the 12 finalist on the show.

The Glee Project  air on Oxygen at 9pm. (check your local listings) For those who do not get Oxygen it is on Hulu.

Also go check out the finalist on The Glee Project website.

 

 

 

Midnight in Paris

I typically am not a fan of Woody Allen's work. For example, I have never made it all the way through Annie Hall (I know, such a big fan of film and I don't like Annie Hall). Admittedly, I do enjoy some of his more recent work like Match Point and Whatever Works, but really, those are the exceptions, not the rule. I think the major reason why I do not like Woody Allen movies, whether he writes/directs them and/or acts in them, is because I don't like Woody Allen. It may sound stupid, but I was ten years old when he married his adopted daughter and was left jaded. At age ten, I found that sort of thing repulsive; what can I say, my philosophy has not evolved since then. But, I digress...

So, typically staying away from Allen's films, I found myself drawn to Midnight in Paris, Allen's latest in a series of films to feature iconic European cities, because of Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams. I figured why not give this movie a try? Owen Wilson is always charismatic and funny and Rachel McAdams is a likable personality (aside from playing Regina George in Mean Girls). So, with no notion of the film's premise other than it having to do something with Paris, off to the movies I went.

Wilson plays Gil Pender, a successful Hollywood writer who longs to be the next great American novelist. Somewhat of an idealist and a romantic, Gil is in love with Paris and the idea of writing there, even if it means giving up good money he gets for writing movie scripts and living a minimalistic life. McAdams on the other hand plays Inez, Gil's well-to-do fiancee who is not idealistic about Paris at all; for Inez, Paris is about expensive things and nice hotels. Gil cannot imagine anything more beautiful than Paris in the rain while Inez would be quick to catch a cab. Don't want to forget other problems like the pedantic Paul, played by Michael Sheen, and Inez's parents who think very little of their daughter's soon-to-be husband.

Every night while in Paris while Inez enjoys the "society" Paris has to offer, Gil wanders the streets of Paris, to take in the city and to hopefully get ideas for his novel. And boy, oh boy, does Gil get more than he bargained for when he is taken back to 1920s Paris, which happens to be his ideal time in his ideal place, at the stroke of midnight. While in 1920s Paris, Gil is surrounded by and befriends some of the most iconic artists of the 20th century, including some of the greatest American novelists to ever write. This is his opportunity to write the novel he wants to write!

Needless to say, things get complicated for Gil as he is torn between his two realities: one in 1920s Paris where he is surrounded by his idols, the other in present-day Paris with his fiancee. Will Gil's escape from his own reality into a different one give him a new perspective on life? On Paris?

Midnight in Paris is smart, funny, and charming. Owen Wilson brings his famous charm to Gil Pender, but with a touch of naive sweetness atypical to his characters in other films. For her part, Rachel McAdams played her character well; however, as a fan of McAdams, her being cast as someone who is less than simply endearing seemed a bit off. The writing is witty, the story is something fun and new, but the scenery is familiar.

I cannot say whether this will go down as one of Allen's classics since I don't usually watch his classics. It's probably nothing epic, but I was entertained. If you are looking for a movie this summer without a bunch of flash and over-the-top special effects (after all, that is the definition of a summer blockbuster, isn't it?), take a couple of hours and enjoy a Midnight in Paris.

-Erin

The Royal Wedding

Quite the exciting weekend this weekend...just when I was almost over my royal wedding hysteria, the world learned Osama Bin Laden had been killed! So, I would like to take a minute and address both these historic events with an entertainment twist!


The Royal Wedding
Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with the British monarchy...past and present-day. In fact, in 10th grade, I ran past Clarence House to arrive just in time for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace and I swore I saw one of the Princes at the window. Perhaps, I was just dreaming, but I would like to think I did in fact see one of the boys. Given the fact I was in 10th grade, I would presume it would be Harry--William would have been in college.

Anyways, needless to say, like any other girl, I am envious of Kate and was super excited for the wedding! I could talk about it all day long, but, I will just list my top 5 favorite things from Friday's festivities!

1) Kate's gown--I don't think anyone knew what to expect, except that Kate's gown would be gorgeous. Being a 20-something lady myself, I really appreciated Kate's modern take on a classic look. Her dress will never be dated. I also appreciated the fact that Kate respected tradition rather than trying to make a statement with her dress. She definitely was meant to be a queen! The fact that it resembled Grace Kelly's wedding gown delighted this fan of the movie star! I could not imagine a more perfect dress for the occasion.

2) The little flower girl who covered her ears when the planes flew over Buckingham Palace--Too cute. Enough said.

3) The Princes in their military uniforms--Ladies, we all know it's true, a man in a uniform is a splendid thing. The fact that the men sporting those uniforms on Friday were two fit, young, and handsome princes certainly made the wedding all the more a fairytale. Most girls my age would gladly date Will (when he was a bachelor) or Harry, but man oh man, did I feel like I was twelve years-old all over again, obsessed with Prince Will. So handsome.

4) The lip-reading analyses that followed the first airing of the wedding. It was fun to figure out what everyone was saying, and it was fun to hear the commentators' speculation. Whether it was what Harry said when he saw Kate walking down the aisle to his brother who had yet to see his bride, or what Kate said to Will when they entered the carriage to be taken to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. Everyone just seemed so happy!

5) The historic two kisses on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. The first one was certainly a disappointment given the fact the Duke and Duchess had been dating each other for eight years, so the second one was necessary. I just cannot get over how happy I was at seeing these two strangers so happy. It was just wonderful!


***Had there been photos or videos of the late-night bash at Buckingham Palace (which, would have been the event of the day I would have wanted to go to), I am sure that would have made my list of top things! How fun to dance the night away with Prince Harry! Swoon.

Osama Bin Laden
Okay, so there is still a lot to learn on the killing of Osama Bin Laden. However, I can say that I was truly ecstatic and speechless last night when I learned the news. Hard to fathom. I am so proud to be an American, and so proud of our Troops. It is because of their hard work and dedication to this Country that our world is ridden of one less evil-doer.

HOWEVER, the interesting "entertainment" element that I wish to share with everyone is from Saturday night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. Seth Meyers was MC and interestingly enough, he made a joke about Bin Laden. Go to the 2:05 mark and watch Obama's face--what the poker face.


I applaud President Bush, President Obama, the CIA, and most of all, our Troops. God Bless the USA.

~Erin

It's Kind of a Funny Story

So, amidst all the March Madness (hooray, Butler!), both basketball and law school, I took some time out to watch a movie about a young lad that gets committed.

It's Kind of a Funny Story stars Keir Gilchrist, Emma Roberts, and Zach Galifianakis. Gilchrist plays Craig, a 16-year-old who wants to kill himself, but can't go through with it. Instead of jumping off a bridge, Craig commits himself. The problems facing him are not all that unfamiliar: stress about school, stress about friends, stress about not fitting in, stress about not being good enough. However, after having himself committed, Craig soon finds he does not really fit in with the patients on the psych ward either: his problems seem nowhere as big as his fellow floormates. Needless to say, Craig struggles to adjust to his new surroundings and adds yet another stress to his life: what will people on the outside think.

Galifianakis plays Bobby, Craig's older and wiser guide to life on the psych floor. It's apparent from the get-go that there is something Bobby is hiding from Craig and that he has many regrets, which consequently provide the foundations for his advice to Craig. It was interesting to see Galifianakis in a more serious role; the best analogy I can come up with is Steve Carell in Little Miss Sunshine: a typically comedic actor in a darker, more serious dramedy.

Overall, I thought the movie was excellent. It was quirky and was smart and the cast were equally as quirky and smart. Roberts had an edge, this was no Nancy Drew after all (don't get me wrong though, I liked that movie!). I had never seen Gilchrist in any other project before, so I found his performance refreshing and charming. And, as I said about Galifianakis, I am always impressed when a guy known for outrageous comedy is able to take on a more serious role. But, what made this movie really great was that it had a lot of heart. The story was relatable: funny when it wanted to be, somber and reflective when it needed to be. The only thing that was crazy and extravagant was an 80s-fied lip sync to the timeless Queen and David Bowie hit, Under Pressure--how can you not love that?! So, if you are in the mood for a good flick that isn't gunning for the cheap laughs or crazy plots, but is just a simple story that seems like it could be your own, check out It's Kind of a Funny Story.

~Erin

Take Me Home (or to the Movies) Tonight.

My first contribution to Commercial Break! Thanks Erin and Emily for asking me to do a guest review. This is quite the privilege! You see when Erin, Emily and I all lived in the same town it was easy go to dinner and a movie on a Friday night. Now, however, inter-states, corn fields and a few major cities hinder us from casually viewing the latest chick flick or drama in the comfort of a Kerasotes Cinema.

That being said, I don’t often go to movies in the theater, anymore – it just isn’t as much fun when you don’t have 15 of your closest friends with you eating buckets of popcorn and making comments here and there. However, this past weekend I ventured out with a friend to see “Take Me Home Tonight.” (I honestly can’t ever say that title without singing the rest of the song) and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

I’d give you 80 reasons why I loved this movie since it is an 80s-esque movie, but I’ll spare you that many. Instead just three:

1) The Costumes.

Leg warmers. Skinny ties. Metallic material. Wayfarers. Bright colors. No, I’m not talking about my and most of my friends’ closets. HA! It was obvious this movie was going to have fun costumes and that is definitely one of the things that made it so great.

2) The Soundtrack.

My toes were tapping the entire movie and I wasn’t alone! My friend even leaned over to me and said, “I know what soundtrack I am going out and buying after this movie.” Let’s be real, the 80s had some great dancing jams! Don’t tell me you can stand still when “Come On Eileen” by Dexy's Midnight Runners comes on at a bar.

Music can help make or break a movie. And while this one may have had it easy because the story line revolved around a great decade, the musical directors chose a nice selection from their broad 1980s discography menu.

3) It’s "like a totally rad film."

Take Me Home Tonight is light hearted and fun. While I wasn’t sure what to expect (I feared it would be some sort of 80s spoof, which would have crushed me because I love 80s movies – Hello?! Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles, Molly Ringwald?) it was genuinely well made. If you need a break, a good laugh, or for some, a walk down memory lane go see "Take Me Home Tonight." Isn’t it crazy that technically this could be considered an era film?

So, those reasons seem pretty vague. But as soon as you see the movie, you’ll understand that "Take Me Home Tonight" is a story that is only good if it is staged in the 1980s.

Let My Love(LY Life) Door Open the Door [to your creative findings on the web].

Beastly Review

Hey! Long time, no....blog?!

Well, I finally have something fun and new to blog about! But, before I get to my review of the new film, Beastly, I want to make a brief commentary on the Oscars. The day after the Oscars, all anyone could talk about was how bad the two hosts were, mainly how bad James Franco was. It goes without saying that James Franco is an odd kid: he does odd things, he says odd things. One of the many reasons I love James Franco is because he is extremely strange and awkward. I find his oddity refreshing...and attractive! HOWEVER, it is because of how awkward he is that I anticipated his Oscars gig would not resonate with the majority of its audience...and I was right. Everyone Monday morning seemed so shocked at how "awful" both James and Anne were at hosting. I was not disappointed. Were Anne and James the greatest hosts ever? No, but I still managed to be entertained. I think people made much ado about nothing. The Academy Awards is a night to celebrate the movies and the people in them. Do not get me wrong, I live for stuff like the Oscars, but there is nothing about them that makes a lasting impact beyond those people in Hollywood. Anne and James are actors--they do not make a living from being show hosts! They are good at what they do and that is why the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences asked them to host. After all, James was up for Best Actor for his portrayal of Aron Ralston in 127 Hours. If people wanted a show host, they should have hired Bob Barker.

And now on to my review of Beastly...

First confession? I saw Beastly by myself. Now before you all start to say "oh, how pathetic," I have always wanted to see a film by myself. I have finally achieved something on my bucket list. AND, this was a great movie to see by myself. Don't have to recite a ton of jokes to people and laugh about it for hours on end, nor am I sobbing and just want to sob with someone else who knows why I am sobbing. It was an enjoyable hour and half. Okay, now really on to my actual review...

Beastly stars Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens, with a little help from Mary-Kate Olsen and one of my faves, NEIL PATRICK HARRIS! (sorry for the all caps...I will continue calmly) Beastly is a modern take on the classic fairytale, Beauty and the Beast. Similar to Clueless and Easy A, Beastly spins a classic story and puts it in a high school setting...however, although Beastly is fun, it is not smart like those two other movies.

Pettyfer plays Kyle, the cliche guy in high school who has it all: money, popularity, and good looks. The problem? He knows what he has all too well, no thanks to his good-looking, absent news anchor for a father. Hudgens plays Lindy, a quiet and shy girl who is at Kyle's elite prep school on scholarship. It is not a coincidence that Kyle, having no sense of the world around him, meets Lindy after three years of being in the same school. He is immediately intrigued because, being the self-respecting girl that she is (yay, Lindy!), she does not much care about what Kyle has; and it is because Kyle is intrigued, the audience gets glimpses of a Kyle who is not a self-absorbed monster (turns out Lindy sees that too). Unfortunately, those glimpses of goodness are just that, glimpses.

Olsen's character, the "witch" in this story, truly sees Kyle for who he is and what he is: ugly on the inside. After being scorned by him, she turns the tables around casting a spell on him. He is finally as "aggressively attractive outside" as he is on the inside. Kyle has a year to find someone to truly love him for the curse to break and to regain his good looks.

Well, much like the Disney telling of Beauty and the Beast, Kyle is locked away in a castle of sorts: a brownstone over the bridge from Manhattan. Instead of a talking clock and candlestick? Kyle has a housekeeper (Zola, played by Lisa Gay Hamilton) and a tutor (a la Neil Patrick Harris, who plays Will), both with their own tragedies. It is only when Kyle is in his beastly state that he begins to realize how everyone saw him, and that's how Lindy's character truly captures his attention. A mishap here and a mishap there, Lindy ends up Kyle's captive. With the guidance of Zola and Will, Kyle finally begins to realize the man he can be and he wants to be, someone Lindy can love. Luckily for Kyle (who goes by Hunter once taking Lindy captive--after all, what would be the intrigue if she knew he was the "once hot" Kyle?!), Lindy sees this side of him all along despite his being ugly on the outside.

I'm not going to pull any punches. The rest of the story is much like its Disney counterpart, after all, that is the one most audiences know and love! If it is a spoiler-alert that the movie unfolds much the same way as any other version you might have seen, my apologies. However, because it is a movie geared at an older audience, its humor and elements of its storyline are also slightly more mature. Like any take on a classic, Beastly offers its own interesting twists.

With all of that said, I really enjoyed this movie. I have been wanting to see this flick since May and it was supposed to come out last July, but due the onslaught of other summer movies, the distributors thought it could not compete and so it was released today. I was hesitant about the movie at first: as a fan of the High School Musical trilogy, I never liked Vanessa Hudgens. What made me want to see this film? NPH, of course. But good news HSM but not Vanessa Hudgens fans: her voice is not high-pitched and obnoxious like Gabriella in this movie (so I am assuming in real life the same can be said?!), nor is she just running around and giggling all the time. Hudgens plays a smart girl who is not all about the glitz and glam. Most refreshing about Hudgens in this film is that unlike her HSM character who is supposed to be the nerd but is always well-dressed with perfect hair and makeup (not to mention Zac Efron on her arm), she looks like an average teen. NPH was lovely of course, but played a very different character from his alter-ego, Barney Stinson. And Pettyfer, who is the focus of the film I thought played his role well: in the beginning, he is very unlikable yet you know there is something there; slowly, his character evolves so that what you see on the outside is not reflective of what is on the inside. It does not hurt that he is an extremely attractive guy in the beginning and end, but because of the nature of the film, he cannot rest on his good looks (other than his great abs...those are out for show a lot of the film!).

As far as content is concerned (beyond the story itself), the movie did not go for the cheap laughs (not saying it was tremendously deep or anything), nor did it seek to impress its audience with a ton of special effects. It was just a good ole chick flick for the teeny-boppers and people like me who will always love that kind of stuff regardless of how good or bad it is. The overall flow of the story was good, but the end did come about rather rapidly.

Maybe I was not the most objective critic. After all, I already admitted I have been wanting to see this movie for quite some time (however, I suppose the same could be said for How Do You Know and I was totally disappointed with that one). I suppose this is what it all boils down to: I am a girl who is a sucker for the classic fairytale. And however unrealistic things may be, it is nice to escape for an hour or two into a story of romance and happy endings. Beastly won't be the best movie you see this year (probably nowhere close to the top ten or twenty), but I think you will find it an enjoyable one.

-Erin

White Collar

 

I have been telling my friends for months about the show White Collar.  They are probably sick of me talking about it but I just love the show.  I probably can no express my love for the show. It had been on a mid-season break but finally after four months it returned to back to USA Network. (THANKS HEAVENS!)

So you are probably thinking well I have missed a season of the show so why watch when  I will be lost. Have no fears I am here to give a you a recap.

The show is about Neil Caffery (Matt Bomer, who also played Bryce Larkin in NBC’s Chuck) a con artist, who has 3 months left to go on his jail sentence escapes from jail to go find his girlfriend Kate.  To his disappointment when he finally made it to Kate’s apartment Kate was gone only leaving an empty wine bottle.  Peter Burke (Tim DeKay) a FBI agent who caught Neil before finds him in the apartment an arrests him.  Later, Burke goes to visit Neil in prison to get while there Neil notices a fiber on Peter’s jacket that helps Peter solve the current case that he was working on. Neil proposes Burke with a plan.  He wants to become a consultant with the FBI.  He could serve out the rest of his term under Burke’s custody using a tracking anklet. Burke and the FBI agree and believe that he can be a valuable consultant.

Throughout the numerous adventures of the show, solving cases for the FBI, Neal uses many of his old contacts from his “past” days as a con man.  This includes his (unadmited) best friend Mozzie who, although plagued with clinical paranoia and OCD, is without a doubt the most complex, in depth, mysterious, and lovable character on the show.  He is full of obscure yet insightful quotes, and later in the show grows to have a delightful banter-filled relationship with Burke as well.  Mozzie aids Neal in many of his schemes, plots, and capers and is his go-to guy when he needs someone of “unsavory character.” 

When not working on cases Neil is trying to locate Kate.  He believes she did not leave him but that she is in trouble.  During his search he keeps finding clues that Kate has left for him.  Neil finds a picture of Kate with a hand reaching to touch her shoulder with a ring on the hand. With help from Mozzie, they find out that the ring belongs to someone who is in the FBI.  Neil gets suspicious of the people that he works with especially Peter.  When confronting Peter he finds out that ring is given to agents who have served 10 years in the FBI.  Peter also tells him that he has been doing some of research on his own.  They found out that the people that are holding Kate want this important Amber Music box and they believe that Neil has the box, so their way of getting the box was to take Kate to get to Neil. Neil is able to find the music box and find the agent that has been trouble with Kate.  The agent and Neil make a deal that would get him away from the anklet and out of trouble with the FBI so that he can be with Kate for the music box.  Neil decided that he wants to take the deal. Neil is about to board the plane at the airport, when Peter shows up.  Peter tells Neil that he knows about the deal and how he understands that if he leaves its perfectly legal and there is nothing that he can do to stop him, but he wants Neil to think about what he is doing if that is really what he wants to do or to stay with him and actually make a difference.  While talking to Peter, the plane that Kate is on explodes and season one ends.

The show is just so wonderful.  Each show they have a different case they are trying to solve, so it gives the mysterious element of a Law and Order but is has humor in it.  They writers do an excellent job at making the show exciting and suspenseful but at the same time keeping it light hearted.  Most shows there is always a couple bad episodes that you think that the writers must have had an off night but not with White Collar, there is not one bad episode.  You will want to keep coming back and watching them over again.  If there is one thing you will do when reading this blog please watch White Collar you will not regret it. I mean it is my New Year’s resolution to get more people to watch White Collar.  So go watch!!

The show is on Tuesday nights at 10pm on USA Network.

Here is a clip of the show that tells you the basis of the show:

 

A thanks to our reader Chris White for his help with a description of Mozzie

To Infinity and Beyond

My movie watching extraganza continues. One morning I made Jayme watch Toy Story 3 with me. I had seen it in theatres but I knew Jayme had not seen it and I knew she just had to watch it. When I first heard the premise of the toys getting donated to a daycare I was really worried about the movie, wondering if the writers were just pulling on straws to get a new movie out, but oh was I wrong.
The movie begins with a slideshow of what happened in Andy’s life to get us to the point in the movie that he was going to go to college. Yes, the kid that was just having a childhood birthday party in the first movie was going to college. Andy’s mom tells him that it is time for him to clean out his room and has to decide whether the stuff in his room goes in the attic, goes to college with him, goes in the trash and what gets donated. When Andy finally reached the toy box he begins to put all of his toys in a trash bag all besides Woody, who gets put in a box to go to college. When Andy goes to put the bag in the attic his sister Molly begins to have trouble with boxes that she is carrying downstairs so Andy goes to help her leaving the bag behind. Andy’s mom mistakes the bag for trash and puts in on the curb. The toys and Woody begin to panic. Woody goes to try to help his friends escape. Thanks to Rex’s tail the toys are free. Believing that Andy does not want them anymore and that they were destined for the landfill Buzz, Potato Head, Ham, Rex and the rest of the gang decide they should go start a new life at daycare. Woody tries to tell them that Andy was not going to throw them away but the toys do not believe him. While disputing Andy’s mom gets in the car and drives to the daycare. Once at the daycare they meet all the other toys who have been at the daycare. These new toys try to show them the ropes of the daycare and show them all the perks of being there telling them that it is a dream land for toys because they get played with all time. Andy’s toys come to find out they they are not made for daycare and long to be back with Andy even if that does mean sitting in the attic. So in typical Toy Story fashion they toys begin on their journey back home. Like all of the other Toy Story movies the writers know how to pull at your heartstrings and make you feel the story. I usually do not cry when I watch movies but I do admit I cried twice when watching the movie. I was just happy that the first time that I saw the movie in theatres I had my 3D glasses on to hide my tears. But the movie will get you every time that you see it I again teared up when I watched it with Jayme. I highly recommend Toy Story 3. If you have not seen any of the Toy Story go now and rent them you will not regret it. I do have to say after watching Toy Story I feel guilty about my own toys that I had when I was a child, wondering if they feel like they are abandoned since I have grown up. I can see why people are hoarders. Anyways check out Toy Story 3 you will love it.

~Emily

And Now, Special Guest and fellow Blogger with an A+ blockbuster

As I said before I spent my week off enjoying movies with my best friend Jayme watching all of these moives. We have been friends since the 7th grade. I do not know how we have put up with each other this long but we have.
Enough about us, the next moive that we watched was Easy A. Jayme wanted to share her thoughts about the movie. So enjoy her guest blog post.

"Like many of you, when I was not Christmas shopping, at family gatherings or baking every possible holiday treat known to man, I spent the rest of my holiday in front of the television watching movie after movie. I’m sure Emily has given you the rundown of all the movies watched by her and myself, but I’m here to talk specifically about one of the best romantic comedies since “10 Things I Hate About You.” Our generation’s “Sixteen Candles” or “Pretty in Pink.”

Easy A

Now I’m not making the drastic statement that Emma Stone, who plays our fiery heroine, Olive, is the new Molly Ringwald. However, this retelling of the “Scarlet Letter” knows exactly what it is without being your typical run-of-the-mill teen movie. Witty, smart and fun.

Standout performances go to Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson, who plays Emma Stone’s (Olive’s) parents, Dill and Rosemary. Not the most conventional of parents, they truly conveyed support, concern and a parent’s love for a child without being overbearing or sappy, but with humor and levity.

A movie about one sassy virgin who gets a bit too caught up in her newly tainted reputation, judgmental Jesus freaks, eccentric parents and high school kids just trying to fit in, this movie is not only entertaining but also heart-warming. So if you are looking for a good laugh in 2011, look to one of the best all-round, feel-good films of 2010.

Well thanks for reading and now back to Emily"

Don't You Forget About Me

Most of us have not gone untouched by John Hughes' work. Even though John Hughes became MIA in 1991 (he continued to write screenplays but most often did so under a pseudonym), his teen comedies/dramedies of the 1980s are still as relevant today in 2011 as they were in 1984. Whether you wish you were singing "Twist and Shout" in the middle of downtown Chicago like Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller's Day Off or have longed for the ideal ideal guy like Samantha Baker does in Sixteen Candles, we all can relate to John Hughes' films. I have always wished Ferris Bueller was my best friend and no actor will ever be a better "ideal" high school boy than Michael Schoeffling (his look is timeless!) was in Sixteen Candles. For me personally, I find myself relating to most John Hughes' movies...except for Weird Science...

Considering the impact John Hughes has made on teenagers spanning three generations and given his abrupt exit from Hollywood, it is no wonder that four young aspiring filmmakers in 2008 went on a search to find John Hughes. Don't You Forget About Me is a documentary that chronicles the journey of these four aspiring filmmakers on their search for John Hughes. Along the way, the filmmakers talk about how John Hughes' movies changed their lives, they talk to teens of today to learn what they think of his films, and they interview some of the stars of these beloved classics (Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy to name a couple) in addition to other people in the movie industry (Roger Ebert, producers, current filmmakers). The common theme of what everyone has to say about John Hughes is that no one has been able to replicate what he did. Unlike teen movies of today which generally are all about the cheap gimmicks to attract their audiences, Hughes' movies have a heart. I think most would agree that Hughes' movies show a respect for their teenage audience rather than dumb things down. I think most importantly though, every teen interviewed in this documentary said the characters in Hughes' movies are relatable: they look, they talk, and they act like someone you would know or did know in high school.

Ultimately, these filmmakers' journey from Canada to Lansing, Michigan (Hughes' hometown) ends in 2009 in a Chicago-suburb that Hughes calls home. The filmmakers' goal is to land an interview with John Hughes and ask why he left Hollywood when he did. But, how does one go about approaching John Hughes? Will he be receptive to these aspiring filmmakers? These are all things you will have to find out for yourself by watching the documentary.

One quick note: this documentary is somewhat timely. Shortly before its release, John Hughes suddenly passed away after suffering a heart attack in Manhattan. This documentary obviously is dedicated to him and honors his memory; you only have to hear how much people love his work and loved him as a person to know that.

~Erin

Movie week continues

After our day at the movie theatre seeing Black Swan we stayed in the next day and rented moives. We next rented Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is the sequel to the first Wall Street. It begins with Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) getting out of jail. At the same time you are following the story of Jake Moore (Shia LaBeouf). He is a Wall Street business man. The movie follows him and his struggle to make it big in the stock market. Jake tries to balance his working life and personal life with girlfriend, Winnie (Carey Mulligan), who you find out is Gordon Gekko’s daughter. When Jake’s company begins to fail, he uses his now fiancée to get help from Gekko to be able to learn from him. Gekko accepts but then uses Jake for his own agenda.
I was quite excited about this movie since I am a Shia LaBeouf fan, but overall this movie was a disappointment. The movie followed a straight line path. I kept waiting for that climax but it never came. It by all means is not a bad movie, I think I was just looking for more excitement and drama in the movie that it did not have.

Comment and let me know what you thought of the movie if you thought it was good or you had the same letdown feeling that I had,

Movie Review: Black Swan

After Christmas I had a week off work. I spent most of the week with my best friend Jayme watching a ton of movies. It is a theme for us when we get together with no real plans we just watch a tv series or movies. One Christmas break we watch the whole Arrested Development series it was amazing and I highly recommend it. This year’s theme was new movies. We were not strangers to the movie theatre or the local video store, we wanted to catch up on all new movies that were newly on DVD or just hitting the theatres. The first movie that we watched was Inception. After hearing so many good reviews of the movie and the praise from my fellow blogger Erin gave, I took the chance and bought it for Jayme’s sister for Christmas and therefore making it available for me to watch. It was awesome! I have to agree with everything that Erin said in her post. You should really check it out.

Our movie journey continued to the movie theatre to see Black Swan. Black Swan stars Natalie Portman as the main character Nina, a ballet dancer as she tries out for her dream role Swan Queen in the ballet Swan Lake in New York. In her way are her own goals of perfection. Nina’s strive for perfection sets her apart from the other ballerinas. During the audition process a new ballet dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis) joins the company. Nina keeps getting strange vibes from her, Lily basically goes against everything that Nina, the ballet dancer believes in. She is not on time, she goes out and parties, smokes and even takes drugs. The bad vibes continue at the audition. The director tells Nina that she would make a perfect Swan Queen but lacks the passion that is needed to be the Black Swan. Nina leaves determined to win the role. This is when the movie gets really good. It becomes more of a psychological thriller. I do not want to give anymore away so all I will tell you is that as a viewer you are sitting there trying to decipher what is reality and what is Nina’s illusions. She begins to truly live out the story of Swan Lake.

One word of advice before seeing the movie is to know the story of Swan Lake. They do explain it in the movie but having a little back story would not hurt.

Overall the movie was awesome, go see it!

Here is the movie trailer:


Stayed Tuned to see what other movies my friend Jayme and I watched over break.

(Image from: http://blog.80millionmoviesfree.com/in-theaters/black-swan-movie-poster)

Movie Review: Flipped

One of the best parts of the holiday break is having the time to lay around and watch movies! My sister and I were debating what to watch the other day so after perusing the RedBox, my sister picked Flipped. It was not until I imdb'd the title that I realized Flipped was a little movie I have been wanting to see since August. BUT, much to my dismay, there were no theaters around showing it, so I let Flipped slip my mind...until today.

Flipped is a coming-of-age tale set in the 1950s. Madeline Carroll (who plays Juli Baker) and Callan McAuliffe (who plays Bryce Loski) are the young stars who carry this film and they do it exceptionally. The story centers around the ongoing tension between Juli and Bryce. Akin to the ongoing tension between Juli and Bryce, we hear their story in the same way: a he-said/she-said narration of the same events dictates this film. In the beginning, it is Juli who finds her self enamored by Bryce; she believes he is more than the sum of his parts. Bryce however finds Juli to be weird and being a young boy, weird equates to bad or stupid; nothing Bryce does seems to get rid of her much to his dismay. Juli's chase lasts until middle school--that's when things start to get interesting and that is when things start to flip. A series of incidents cause Juli to question Bryce's character, and ultimately, her affections for the boy with the "sparkling eyes." Bryce begins to see Juli for how truly special she is; she is not like the other girls in middle school--she has substance that is far more than the perfect hair and dresses of her female peers. And even though Bryce has hated Juli since he was seven years old, he finds himself confused by his suddenly evolving feelings, which become even more complicated by Juli's apparent indifference about him.

No coming-of-age tale would be complete without the complications that family life presents. Juli and Bryce's families, neighbors, seem to be polar opposites. Juli's seemingly free-spirit ways are reflective of what appears to be a free-spirited family; however, a painter for a father (played by Aidan Quinn), lack of money and an unkept front yard are far more significant than what they seem. Bryce's family from outward appearances look to be the stereotypical 1950s family, but they are not the Cleavers; although they seem to have it all, having it all has its price. Both of these families have their fair share of the good and the bad; what one family lacks, the other is fortunate enough to have. Isn't that true of real life? No family is perfect. Things are often not what they seem.

Rob Reiner directed this film, and for those familiar with his work, this definitely has his stamp. Flipped's simple, funny and compelling story has a lot to say. The supporting cast of this film is also excellent. John Mahoney (of Frasier fame) is particularly poignant as Bryce's grandfather. It is Bryce's grandfather who acts as sort of a moral compass for Bryce. It is only when Bryce's grandfather takes a liking to Juli and sees her as the "irridescent" being that she is that Bryce begins to see her in the same light.

I am not too subjective when it comes to films like Flipped: the story is always heart-warming and makes one nostalgic for childhood. However, this movie is also poignant. In an age of highly technical, spectacle-like films, sometimes you just need a movie to ground you. As people come and go in my life, I sometimes struggle to determine what exactly I should hold on to. So, although the stars of this film are only 14-years-old, the story is the same no matter what age you are: remain true to yourself and things will work out the way they should. Corny, I know. But, this movie isn't corny. I was truly touched by this film and found myself smiling at its end. There was something beautiful in its simplicity. So, do yourself a favor next time you see a RedBox: pay the dollar and see this film!

~Erin

11 Movies I Want to See in 2011!

With 2010 coming to a close, many of us are thinking ahead! And while the list of movies I want to see in 2011 is no where near being comprehensive, the list below are 11 movies I am excited to see in the new year!

1. Country Strong (January 7)
Who knew Gwyneth Paltrow had a singing voice? Country Strong looks to put Paltrow back in the spotlight after a self-induced hiatus. This girl loves her some drama, particularly when it involves a washed up has-been redeeming his or herself (a la Robert Downey Jr...LOVE HIM!). It will also be interesting to see how Leighton Meester does in a more serious role which has her singing songs about things other than boys making her good girl self go bad. We'll see if Country Strong is like a good country song of the Johnny Cash/Patsy Cline sort that will stand the test of time or if it is more akin the twangy types of country music that I cannot stand!


2. Red Riding Hood (March 11)
Okay, so I am really excited about this movie because it takes a classic children's tale and adds a dark twist. Amanda Seyfried plays Valerie, the woman in the red riding hood. The cast also includes other big names like Gary Oldman and Julie Christie. If the story and acting is half as stunning as the cinematography appears to be, this movie is sure to be one of 2011's best.


3. Beastly (March 18)
Beastly was originally set to be released last summer, but due to other circumstances, is now being released this March. Like Red Riding Hood, Beastly adds a twist to the classic tale as old as time! However, unlike Red Riding Hood which is set in medieval times and generally seems dark in tone, Beastly is geared toward the teeny boppers. Although I am not a Vanessa Hudgens fan by any means, rest of this film's cast is exciting and interesting: newcomer Alex Pettyfer as the Beast's equivalent, Neil Patrick Harris (NPH!), and Mary-Kate Olsen who puts the spell on Pettyfer turning him into his beastly self. I am really hoping this movie does not disappoint!


4. Crazy, Stupid, Love (April 22)
Haven't heard a lot about this film but I do know one of my favorite actresses of the moment, Emma Stone, plays Ryan Gosling's love interest. Steve Carrell also stars in this film and he is always an interest actor when it comes to dramatic roles like those in Little Miss Sunshine and Dan in Real Life.
(no trailer available)

5. Water for Elephants (April 22)
Water for Elephants is based on the best-selling novel that chronicles the life of a young man who abandons his college studies to join a travelling circus. Starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson, this film promises to show them both in roles that their respective audiences are not accustomed to. The cinematography looks beautiful, as do the film's stars. I better get started on reading that novel...


6. Green Lantern (June 17)
Ryan Reynolds in anything and I am there! What's better is that he will be in a skin-tight green suit...ohhh, yeah! But in all seriousness, I tend to enjoy the superhero action films and this is one of those! Something about good versus evil and good prevailing always gets me excited! Green Lantern is certain to be a summer blockbuster if not THE summer blockbuster of 2011.


7. The Smurfs (August 3)
NPH makes the list again! Like any good animated film nowadays, this movie just looks funny and entertaining for all ages. Plus, the kid in me who used to watch the TV cartoon is curious as to what this newest reincarnation of the beloved blue creatures will entail. I tend to put faith into any NPH project, but rest of the cast is pretty stellar as well: Hank Azaria, BJ Novak, Fred Armisen, Sofia Vergara, Anton Yelchin and so many more! After all, all the world loves the Smurfs!


8. Footloose (October 14)
Change of director and three Rens later, the film-adaptation of the musical Footloose will finally be here! I am a fan of the musical genre of old, and while the movie industry is trying to revive the movie musical, I still remain skeptical. Will Footloose be a bad adaptation of a movie turned musical or will it be a hit with fans and critics alike akin to 2007's Hairspray? Much like Hairspray's Nikki Blonski, Footloose will put Kenny Wormald, a relative unknown, in the lead role. Let's hope for a success for the sake of the movie musical!
(no trailer available)

9. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part I (November 18)
Admittedly, this movie will probably boast overly dramatic and painfully awful acting. The past three movies in the series have done so. HOWEVER, I love the books despite how awful they are, both in their writing and in their message. Plus, what girl doesn't dream about being fought over by Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner? Well, okay, some of you might not, but I don't think it would be a bad situation! Really what I am most excited for? I am excited to see the highly anticipated sex-scene between Bella and Edward because it can only be awkward and I am interested to see how they pull off the whole half-vampire/half-human baby. I don't expect this to be winning any Academy Awards or anything, I just expect it to be a guilty pleasure.
(no trailer available)

10. The Muppets (November 23)
Who doesn't love THE MUPPETS?! The Muppets' movies of old are among some of my favorites, and based on the cast, 2011's looks to be no different. Jason Segal, Paul Rudd, and Amy Adams are only a few of the all-star cast that will accompany our childhood friends as they make their way back to the big screen. This movie will be out just in time for the holidays, making it the perfect film to see with both friends and family!
(no trailer available)

11. Sherlock Holmes 2 (December 16)
No absolutely nothing about this film except the release date. But, if the sequel is anything like the first, then this movie is sure to be entertaining! Plus, I have mad love for Robert Downey Jr.!
(no trailer available)

And that rounds out my list of 11 movies I want to see in 2011! What movies are you looking forward to in the new year?

~Erin

"How Do You Know"

Well, I thought I knew based on the casting of this film that How Do You Know would be a good movie. The movie was...ehhh...alright. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just...there. Stars that normally shine in the rom-com genre were just not all that shiny in this movie. I guess the best way to describe my sentiment about this film is "indifferent." This is probably more harsh of a review than I am normally used to writing, but that is because I expected so much!

How Do You Know stars Paul Rudd (who I have loved ever since he played Josh in the smart teen comedy Clueless), Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and Jack Nicholson. Witherspoon plays Lisa, a woman struggling with the end of her Olympic softball career. Rudd plays George, the nice guy who happens to be the target of a federal investigation thanks to his dear old dad, played by Nicholson, who is well-intentioned but still self-absorbed. And then there is Wilson, who plays Matty, a player for the Nationals who up until this point plays not only the baseball field, but the dating field, struggles to commit to Witherspoon. Inevitably, there is a love-triangle: Wilson, the charming and wealthy "boyfriend"; Witherspoon, the pretty and smart girl who doesn't sacrafice her values for some guy; and Rudd, the always kind and slightly awkward guy who falls for Witherspoon despite her being unavailable. Who will Witherspoon choose?!

Like any romantic comedy, the dilemma of the love triangle is predictable and so is the overall plot--but that's not what made this movie bland. The dialogue was there in parts. Paul Rudd was charming per usual. Jack Nicholson's performance--disappointing. Granted, he was not given a lot to work with in terms of his storyline, but Nicholson just did not have that grit which I have come to expect in any Nicholson film--including The Bucketlist. Wilson, although an integral part of the film, seemed to just be...there; his comedic chops were definitely not put to the test and his wit was not sharp like in his films of old. Witherspoon lacked the sparkle that I love in movies like Legally Blonde and Sweet Home Alabama. However, I think the biggest problem for me with this movie was nothing that could have been helped by what normally would be a stellar cast. The problem was that there were too many loose ends: it was anti-climatic; what happened to the big federal investigation that was going on?!; Witherspoon's softball career--she was upset for like a minute, but then what doe she really do with her life? With all of these storylines that seemed important at the time they were introduced, nothing ultimately happened with them. The only thing that was resolved was which guy Witherspoon ends up with in the end, and even that did not seem to come full circle.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is that despite all of the star-power and great advertising, I left the movie with no real emotions about it. If you are really excited for this movie, but have yet to see it, hold off and when you have nothing better to do, Redbox-it when it comes out on DVD.

~Erin

The Paper Chase

Well, with one semester of law school under my belt and with the "Available Until..." date approaching ever quickly on my OnDemand for this particular title, I figured it was about time that I sat down and watched The Paper Chase. To be perfectly honest, I tried to watch the movie a couple of months ago but I lacked the focus to watch it and I was totally turned off by the hair. The only guy I have ever thought could pull off even a semi-long hair look was Brad Pitt circa Legends of the Fall. But, I digress. Now that I have time to relax and am away from the high school life that is law school, I decided to watch a movie...about law school.

1973's The Paper Chase chronicles the life of first-year Harvard Law student James Hart (played by Timothy Bottoms--who until this movie, I knew as Emile Hirsch's dad in The Girl Next Door) as he tries to navigate the challenges of law school life (if you can even call it a life). I must admit, I am glad I did not see this movie until AFTER completing my first semester of law school. I would have been totally stressed out by notions that everyone was out to get me and that I would inevitably fail (granted, I still could fail...won't know until February). I have no idea what Harvard Law is like now, but it is still the best of the best so I am sure it's pretty cut-throat; luckily for me, that has not been my experience at IU--the people are pretty great and I have managed to have a life outside of law school. But once again, I digress.

On his first day of class, James Hart sets himself apart--the infamous Contracts professor, Mr. Kingsfield (an intensified version of Mr. Feenie), calls Hart out to recite the facts of the infamous Hawkins vs. McGee and he is caught unprepared. From that day on, Hart makes it his mission to impress Kingsfield and prove that he belongs at Harvard. But it's clear, everyone at Harvard wants to prove they belong--after all, Harvard Law is the best and the brightest. Hart joins a study group that turns out to be illustrative of the cut-throat nature of Harvard Law as a whole: Hart is pretty laid back, Thomas Anderson is a serious student on top of his game, Kevin Brooks is overwhelmed by the whole thing and his inability to deal with the pressures of law school ultimately drives him insane, Franklin Ford III is part of a Harvard Law legacy and turns out to be Hart's best law school comrade, and of course, there is the jerk--Willis-- whose selfishness gets him in the end (and, being human, I was glad). Like every law student, even those of us that are calm, cool, and collected, Hart has his moments of stress and intensity--luckily however, he's not the jerk; Hart's the good guy, the good friend, the motivated and underestimated student. Had Hart been the jerk, I may have gotten past his hair, but I would not have gotten past his 'tude!

And of course, there is a love story that further complicates Hart's life. The girl Hart falls for? None other than the daughter of Professor Kingsfield--except, Hart does not find that out right away. It is only after weeks of being dogged by Kingsfield and complaining about his horrid professor that he discovers the girl he has been seeing is Kingsfield's daughter (Susan Fields). Beyond the obvious complication of dating his dreaded professor's daughter, Susan having been married to a former law student, has little patience for Hart. Susan wants a relationship and life not all about organization; Hart seems unable to leave his law school life at law school and OBSESSES about organization (Obsessive about organization? I have never met such a person...).

With a year under his belt, Hart finally seems to get his footing. Although I have been lucky enough to have peers who did not make me want to throw myself down the stairs or made me feel like I was in it alone, I found the little challenges in Hart's life to be relatable. And despite law school being a unique experience to those who go to law school (regardless of WHAT law school one goes to), I think the nature of the challenges that Hart faces in regards to his relationships, his trying to maintain a semblance of his former self, and his striving to be successful are all experiences we share as human beings. Once I got past the hair, I thought the movie was enjoyable--there was nothing flashy about it, it was just a good story. My only issue with this movie? The ending. I think having gone through two weeks of exams and who knows how many weeks before that prepping for the end all be all, I think my fellow 1Ls would agree: WTF?!?

Well, back to hibernation I go! If you can follow my review, I congratulate you...my brain has become mush!

Tuning out! (For real this time!)
Erin

Click here to watch the trailer!

Shout out!

I have to do a blog shout out to my friend and fellow SMC grad's blog "Post Grad...Present Life." It is awesome you should go read it!