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Reviews
Gone Girl (2014)
The Search for Amazing Amy is Truly... Amazing
David Fincher's film GONE GIRL is one of the most interesting features I have seen in 2014; luring the audience with a picture of a picture-perfect couple town by a missing wife, only to fill our brains with the deception and horrors of marriage.
My favorite parts of Gone Girl was Rosamund Pike. Hearing she was going to be involved in a David Fincher film, I wasn't as compelled (she just didn't cut it for me in 'Die Another Day'). But, she proved me wrong; performing such a dynamic Amy Dunne who not only stealing the heart for those who have never read the book as well as ripping said heart in the second act. Her actions and psychology not only made me feel pity ("Selfish Nick makes frivolous purchases!"... "Give her the baby!") as well as hatred ("And to think I trusted you the entire first act!... "She literally staged rape?!?!") for her.
Technical-wise, this is a Fincher film; when has he failed? Even his weak movies are compelling. His collaborations with cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth (since 'Fight Club') and composers Trent Rexnor & Atticus Ross (since 'The Social Network') show a movie that is dark in both the story and the film itself.
My only dislike would be the big reveal of Amy Dunne's Disappearance; an hour into the movie with another hour and a half to go. I felt an extra thirty minutes into the movie would've been a great reveal, but knowing the significance of the events in the second half of the movie I understand Fincher's choice as it would rush near the ending.
My final thoughts on the film is that it is a classic theme of "Whodunnit?". But, under the direction of David Fincher, the tale dissects the reality and human nature, the social commentary of social media on big cases, and perfects the balance between the horrors and realities of marriage.
Into the Woods (2014)
I Know Things Now (That This Movie is Pretty Good)
When I first heard that there was going to be a musical that intertwines the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows into the consequences of their wishes, I was intrigued. Coming out of the theater after the credits rolled, I have to admit that I wish, more than ever, that I didn't leave the woods...
The one thing that stands out to me the most was the casting; Emily Blunt did a phenomenal job as the Baker's Wife (who knew she could have such a voice!), Meryl Streep never fails in her acting and singing, and Chris Pine did a so-bad-it's-good performance of Prince Charming (he was a jerk in moments, but that was all in good play as I felt that it was a tip of the hat to all princes in fairy tales).
Now, I didn't expect this movie to have so much music; the movie begins with a fourteen minute song of a prologue. There was about 65% singing and 35% talking lines, but the songs were somewhat catchy. Songs that stuck to me were "No One is Alone" (as the remaining characters sing in grief of those they have lost) and just about anything Meryl Streep sang ("Last Midnight" was honestly my favorite tune from her!).
From a subtle Act I to the tremendously tragic Act II, 'Into the Woods' was an enjoyable movie. There are moments in the dialogue that give nods to fairy tale clichés, songs that remain catchy, and performances that deserve recognition.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
I Held My Pee For This Movie?
In the third and final installment of Peter Jackson's THE HOBBIT trilogy, I was expecting a lot; merely because I was a viewer that has faithfully seen the Middle-Earth movies without ever reading a page of the books. By the time the movie was over, I was a little disappointed.
To start things off, I understand that Smaug was not as big of a key-point in BOFA as much as he was in DoS, but to kill him off about twelve minutes into the movie left me feeling a bit discerned. I was hoping for something bigger, I spent almost three hours watching the previous movie, I wanted something big!
The second matter was how the Five Armies were all introduced much similar to a Domino Effect; Person A introduces Person B, Person B introduces Person C, and so forth. The pacing was extremely rushed, it made me feel as though the editors stopped caring (I will admit, after spending almost a decade on six three-hour movies set in New Zealand, I would stop caring too).
Speaking of the pacing, it was all action-packed. There was barely any time to breathe and take in all of the sequences going on. I was extremely pumped for the beginning of the actual Battle of the Five Armies for so long that it turned into a dud.
All in all, I type this review knowing that I sat through two hours and twenty-four minutes wanting to go to the bathroom, only to realize that I could've left the theater for a good twenty minutes without missing anything.
Evil Dead (2013)
A Symphony of Blood & Gore...
The new film EVIL DEAD was somewhat of a surprising film (in a good way): it obviously leaned away from the original 1980s flick, and I thought it was pretty unique. I especially appreciate the very low use of CGI in all those scenes, I found it hard to believe there was little CGI. The plot was a little different, considering there was the character who had a drug problem and all that jazz...
I appreciate the ending, I honestly was surprised that Jane Levy's character was the only person to survive (well, most of her, that hand just didn't wanna stay for long)... Plus, the one dude that looked like Jesus Christ was pretty funny, especially the part when he was shot numerous times by a nail gun.
All in all, I thought the movie is one of those films where you would appreciate to see with a bunch of your friends, because who doesn't love seeing your friends gross out to a film where blood & gore is its forte?