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Green Lantern (2011)
Top Gun meets Star Trek
I don't know why people expect greatness from comic book movies. By nature, comics are generally fun and fantastical and that's the way I like the movies. The Green Lantern was right along that plane (Think Fantastic Four, not Dark Knight). I loved the characters with their subtlety and genuine presences. The interactions were very well done. And with so little time to tell so much of a story, I felt that the little nuances gave good insight to back story and developed character when there just wasn't time to get too deeply into it. As a whole, the film is bursting with fantasy; space travel, mind-bending, energy powered manifestations, and has the ability to poke fun at it's inherent comic book cheese. The humor is light (you are not getting Van Wilder), but that plays well into Hal's personal journey and the relationship he has with Carol. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be on the lookout for sequels.
Priest (2011)
So much more than expected
First off, the 3D did not add anything to this film. Much like other low action films like Thor, the 3D was distracting and made it appear as if most of the dialogue was shot in front of a green screen when in fact it most likely wasn't.
Priest is a fantastic tale about a world where vampires are an acknowledged threat and are hunted by a unified faction until they are kept under control...or so we thought. This film had it all - action, intensity, drama, layers, humor - and is right up there with some of my favorites among originality (i.e. "Daybreakers"). Visually, there is not much to talk about aside from the introduction (Awesome and original!), but that's kind of the stunning part. It is a dystopian society, and it is one like I really haven't seen before. The acting was, as expected with this cast, on point, but I especially enjoyed Lily Collins! I am so excited to see her work again with Scott Stewart ("Legion") in "The Mortal Instruments", a favorite book series. Stewart and Collins are definitely names to watch for in the future! Priest is one for the home collection and a must for vampire enthusiasts.
Your Highness (2011)
Full of action, mythology, and adventure!...Oh, and also there's laughs
Possible alternate summary: "Pleasantly surprising" I am a fan of all of these main actors, but somehow just didn't see McBride and Franco pulling off the medieval theme. Sufficed to say, being an avid fan of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, and The princess Bride, I was able to find Your Highness quite entertaining. The film includes so much more story than is let on in the trailers. Yes, there is raunchy humor and the standard bumbling idiot, but I was surprised at how often I was taken in by the actual plot and adventure. During the more serious and even whimsical moments, the stoner humor is at the back of the mind and the viewer feels as if they're watching a legit adventure film full of mythology and magic. Then, just at the right times, we're brought back to smiles with some dumb-witted comment or situation. The balance of the two was great.
Think of Your Highness as more serious than Robin Hood: Men In Tights, with more over-the-top comedy than Stardust or Princess Bride.
HAZZAH!
Scream 4 (2011)
Successful passing of the torch!
Teenage movie experts: Check Creepy boyfriend: Check Desperate fame whore: Affirmative Slightly inept but lovable cop: Yup Oh, and all the original cast members we love so much: You betcha!
As always, Wes starts with a bang and just keeps going from there...the central theme and feel of the Scream franchise is back in perfect tune with possibly some improvements. The plot is not at all tired when picking up where the last film left off - it's totally believable, whatever that means in a horror film, and was pretty unexpected. At first, I hated the ending, but the more it played out the more I got on board. The plot is not only relevant to the Scream saga, but also packs some serious social commentary, making it relevant to today's pop culture. Scream 4 is a rare victory in the genre of horror, but really, what did we expect from the series that changed the game forever?
Red Riding Hood (2011)
What makes Catherine Hardwicke Special?
I wish people would leave Twilight alone already! I have yet to find a professional review that does not rag on Hardwicke for directing twilight. If the film was not enjoyed, I assure you it is not because of past projects! Hardwicke is not the first director to use actors they love over and over again in their films (talkin about you, Whedon & Tarantino), and Red Riding Hood is certainly not the first film about a girl who has two guys vying for her affection, (not to mention, Hardwicke did not right it, so lay off). Twilight happened guys, get over it.
On to Red Riding Hood - Phenomenal.
What I love about Catherine Hardwicke is the way she uses the camera. Her films are just beautiful, and in this period piece, that is amped up to full potential. The film rises and falls with intensity and soft intimate scenes. Seyfried has such an expressive face and commands the screen every second that she is on it. The story is, yes, a teen love story - watcher be warned. Don't take it too seriously, there's love, there's conflict, but there is also a brilliant twist and interesting side story! The beginning was so innocent and by the end our world has totally been rocked out of control.
I highly recommend this movie - do not listen to negative reviews, maybe wait for it to hit Red Box, but give Red Riding Hood a shot - in my extremely critical opinion they've earned it.
Sucker Punch (2011)
Visually amazing, as usual....
I absolutely adore Zack Snyder. As far as I'm concerned, he is the George Lucas of my generation. Sucker Punch was as visually pleasing as promised, and the concept of the fantasy scenes was so incredibly original I have no other choice but to put mister Snyder at God status. However, I found myself wondering several times why I was the only person in the theatre laughing...was the intention of certain scenes/characters/lines to be so ridiculous, or was it a complete miss. Some of the scenes had so much tension in the background with either an overdone emotional reaction or totally un-buyable intimidation. I am aware that the story is meant to serve as social commentary, but it came off a bit underwhelming. Included in that, is Emily Browning. An amazing actress and believable as a kick-ass chick, I found myself see her as the only one of the bunch that didn't look like she would at all be a good dancer. That would be alright, had it been so that her character is supposed to be this captivating siren of a burlesque girl. Men and women alike are completely enamored with her whenever she takes to the stage, but we never actually see her dance (with I understand from an artistic standpoint), and there is some awkwardness about her that just doesn't make me think that she would actually be so impressive.
As for the effects, well, that and the soundtrack are the reasons the film rated a 6 on my scale. I am the first to admit that I am beginning to expect a lot from my directors these days and tend to nit-pick at the little things. On the whole, the film was extremely enjoyable and I will own it. But I am left in worry over the monstrous use of effects in all action films lately. Every fantasy scene in this film was extravagant in an awesome way, but the robot scene left me thinking that just because you have all kinds of tools in a toolbox doesn't mean you need all of them to hang a picture. I enjoy the use of modern effects, but there is over-the-top, and there is overdone. I hope directors don't get too carried away and take away from the enjoyability because they've thrown EVERY trick at us in one 30 second scene. Sometimes less is more.
No Strings Attached (2011)
How RomComs should be done!
Let me start by saying that I wanted to watch this movie again immediately after it ended.
Not only is there a plethora of one-liners that we will relive with our friends for years to come (think of the timeless quips from Super Troopers, Anchorman, and The Hangover), but also a deep story line. Normally, that would turn me off, I like my comedies to be funny and I don't wanna think about too much. But the characters are so entrancing and relatable that you want to know the back stories, you care about these people and their relationship, you live their feelings and don't mind. The story was different than I had expected from seeing previews and at first I was apprehensive. Apart from a couple intimate scenes, I did not revisit this feeling after getting pulled in.
The Soundtrack completely rocked, including an awesome rendition of "99 Problems" by Hugo, and old school favorites, like "Bleeding Love" which get's a great scene with Natalie Portman that will have you crying through your laughter and feeling right along with her. On that note, ALL of the characters are really engaging, you want to be friends with all of these people, and the parts are played SO well! Even the bits.
Overall, this was just an amazing experience. I love this movie, will own it, and buy it again of I lose it.
My Soul to Take (2010)
So, so, good! Original and creepy
This film is "Identity" meets "Scream"! It blew me away from beginning to end. I loved the subtlety of the hints we are allowed throughout the film. It makes figuring out the plot as much a game as ever, but we are still surprised with the results. I also loved the involvement of humor. Not as cheesy as horror comedy can get, but rather well timed and off the cuff. It felt like things my friends and I would say or do in the exact same situations. Over all, I thought the idea of this film was crazy original...this is not your average slasher flick, though it does make you feel the nostalgia of watching "Friday the 13th" or "Scream". "My Soul To Take" is definitely one for the collection, I'll watch it over and over!
Ogre (2008)
Best SYFY original yet!
'Ogre' is about so much more than a few kids getting trapped in a town as possible sacrifices to appease a beast. Where most would spend the bulk of the film in slow build up to such a moment, SYFY brilliantly gets into the action very soon, leaving the audience wondering "O.K. how do we keep this interesting for another hour?". Then, they answer: captivating characters(yes, there is actually good acting in this one!), levels and history to build a very well-rounded story, and mystery and twists to keep us not only interested, but on the edge of our seats waiting for what will be thrown at us next! The visual effects are not to be raved about, but this was definitely original and well done. An instant favorite!
Beastly (2011)
Well paced, fresh interpretation; Sweet and moving.
Let me begin by saying that the soundtrack for this film is AMAZING! One to be owned no matter how you feel about the film. Now onto the experience as whole...The film starts on an iffy note with some less than convincing dialogue, but quickly redeems itself with surprising twists on the classic Beauty And Beast tale, believable and deep characters, and sharp albeit sporadic humor. If you think you know how this plays out, don't worry you won't be bored or offended by the update on a favorite. The modernization feels effortless and original, and the players have new and intriguing back-stories that will move you and draw your attachment to even the background characters. All together, I strongly recommend this film; Not because it will change your life, but because among shoddy and overly sappy young adult adaptations, Beastly is a breath of fresh air worthy of multiple viewings. A feel-good, classy, engaging, love story.
Also, Mary-Kate equals best witch ever!