Showing posts with label Movie Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movie Reviews. Show all posts
In The DUFF, Bianca actively seeks to change the label attached to her name, through enlisting the help of her neighbour Wesley Rush - a charmer amongst the ladies. She finds herself on a journey discovering her identity and road to self-acceptance.
I remember when I read The DUFF at seventeen - barely out of secondary school and learning to explore the world around me. I found myself captivated by this story because it addressed so many important issues that teenagers face in the modern age; politics between families, social hierarchy between their peers, and defining labels that are so hard to get rid of. I loved the message of the book, so I was excited when I heard it would be brought to life.
Although the movie was enjoyable - it was so far from the story I had envisioned on screen. I had waited so long, only for the story to be sabotaged and destroyed on screen for no true purpose. This movie slaughtered the book I fell in love with. And while it was enjoyable, it was so far from it's true potential. What had the makings to be a brilliant story in it's own right was completely upstaged by the producers attempt to become the 'next big teen story'. So heartbreaking indeed!
Jumping straight back into action, Mockingjay Part 1 starts where Catching Fire picks off. As Katniss struggles to come top terms with the loss of her comrades especially Peeta, District 13 begins to prepare together the equipment to take on the capital. A war is brewing right on the horizon, and so much is at stake.
I was never really a fan of the final book in The Hunger Games series, mostly because of it's sour end. I expected to love the first part of Mockingjay, and sourly dislike the latter. But I'm surprised to say Mockingjay Part 1 is my least favourite film in the series. The story itself sets up for epic finale I'm sure, but that feels like this movie's main and sole purpose. It was truly amazing seeing the political workings of a war, but everything else falls short. The engaging elements from the book were missing from this military based adaptation, and I really don't understand why, since it had enough time to divulge and explore. It's clear that Katniss takes complete front and centre in this film - with very little room for other players to contend. All in all, I'm pretty disappointed with the outcome of this movie, and I can already tell that Part 2 will definitely be better than this.
Time for Spoilers ....
Big Hero 6 tells the story of Hiro Hamada - a 14 year old robotics genius - who with the help of his friends, attempts to battle an evil villain roaming the streets of San Fransokyo.
If you don't want to be spoiled, I suggest skipping to the end of the post, because I can not contain myself. For reals.
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Highlights
Every single character held their ground in this film, and were just so hilarious. I loved every single one of them! I loved Hiro's childlike essence so full of check, and the fact that he could also be so endearingly vulnerable. Honey Lemon was so quirky and screamed scientific brilliance, breaking all the stereotypes of cheerleader blondes. Go-go was a walking swagger machine owning everything in her path, which was utter awesomeness. Wasabi was the pure embodiment of cool, and Fred was that fanboy always high on life. Oh gosh, can we just talk about Tadashi for a moment. He was literally the heart and soul of everything. So much purity and goodness!
Jesus, I'll confess I cried three times during this film, because of all the emotions caused by Tadashi. I don't think I've ever been that emotional in a cinema hall - nope. I love the way this movie dealt with grief. The way Hiro became so consumed in his grief and loss over Tadashi - who was everything to him. A brother and a mentor. It was just so emotional! And yet this movie was also so full of life and energy. Baymax was more than Hiro's loyal friend - his best friend. He was the perfect reincarnation of Tadashi - that spoke to Hiro in his most urgent time of need. He became the source of good that helped Hiro move on. Man, if I didn't already have enough reasons to love Baymax. Seriously, where can I get a squish-able marshmallow like him?
Shortcomings
My only flaw with this film was that it wasn't longer. I wanted more. More time to divulge into the story, more time to learn about each character's backstory, and get more invested into the story. I wish we saw more of Tadashi's character. I was so not ready to lose him. It was way too soon. In all fairness, with the amount of characters and action going on - the timing of his death could not be helped. One of my friends who saw the film with me actually said to me maybe this story might work better as a series - which would be amazing! In the beginning every episode could be an origin story for each character. They'd be more time to explore more and expand on events. And who knows, it might even be a possibility since this movie is out in the universe now!
Funny enough for a long while, I thought the masked villain was actually Tadashi. That somehow he'd lost his memory, and was employed by an evil genius to carry out his evil plan. That would have been one hell of a plot twist. Even though I'm glad that this movie still had the shock factor for me, I wished this was true! I just selfishly wanted more time with Tadahsi, and this would have been such an interesting storyline. I can imagine Hiro and his friends trying to help Tadashi, who stubbornly refuses. But then as he regains his memory, he risks his life again to save them all and the city, - turning back into the amazing character we all know him to be. I get chills just thinking about it!
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ConclusionBig Hero 6 is a wonderful adventure that'll leave you sobbing, laughing and sat in awe at the edge of your seat. One of the best animated films I've seen in a very long time. Well worth the watch. You won't regret it - at all.
So what are your thoughts on Big Hero 6?
Image Source
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| Into The Woods - © Disney Enterprises |
This wonderful musical indulges and defies the cliches of all the classic fairy-tales we know and love. Every story is enchanting, and every single character helps to make this movie spectacularly amazing! With songs at every turn, Into The Woods seamlessly leaves you breathless and entranced throughout with clever twists throughout. If you have not seen it yet, I urge you to go and see it, because it is so awesome, ever so entertaining and utterly captivating! Into The Woods by far is one of my favourite films of 2015 so far. Now time to talk spoilers ....
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Highlights
I don't think I can put truly in words how much I loved and adsorbed this movie. Everything about Into The Woods was so visually stunning. The cinematography was so on point - supporting the brisk fast paced nature of film, helping to aid the storyline along and capture every movement and moment of the movie, putting spotlight on each character when their turn came. The acting in this film was superb! Every single cast member executed the role they had to play brilliant, which helped to shape and define the universe of Into The Woods. Lilla Crawford who played Little Red Riding Hood was absolutely spectacular! She carried herself with such grace and childlike innocence, it was such a pleasure to watch. Anna Kendrick nailed her vocal performances, which blew me away - period. The biggest surprise of all though for me was James Corden, who carried the weight of this film as the most wonderful narrator. Who even knew he could sing! I was just amazed by the amount of talent in this film truly.
My favourite defining moments of Into The Woods was that ultimate twist, which stole my breath away! The giant earthquake was almost like the ripple that broke the picture perfect fairy-tale everyone was living in. It broke all conventions, taking a very different direction from the norm. It was almost like two movies in one. The happy ever after ... then the grim reality. Just so awesome.
I was a little sad to see that Rapunzel and her prince had truly little time to really shine on screen. I wish they had included more for them. I wished that we could see Rapunzel finally reunite with her brother.
My only other flaw with this musical is the way the witch's death was portrayed when she sings the Last Midnight. I couldn't quiet decipher what she was saying exactly in hysterics, and neither could my friend beside me. Then she started throwing around beans - which I assumed was punishment for the other characters for not turning Jack in to the lady giant - and then the witch transforms into tar. Seriously, what was that?! It was only until I goggled the lyrics when I got home, realising what she was saying. In that moment I believe the music drowned out Meryl Streep's voice - making it an audio issue. But with all considered, it's such a small detail.
Conclusion ...My only other flaw with this musical is the way the witch's death was portrayed when she sings the Last Midnight. I couldn't quiet decipher what she was saying exactly in hysterics, and neither could my friend beside me. Then she started throwing around beans - which I assumed was punishment for the other characters for not turning Jack in to the lady giant - and then the witch transforms into tar. Seriously, what was that?! It was only until I goggled the lyrics when I got home, realising what she was saying. In that moment I believe the music drowned out Meryl Streep's voice - making it an audio issue. But with all considered, it's such a small detail.
Into The Woods was such a spectacular story that every fairy-tale fan can appreciate. While telling its own unique spin, it entertains thoroughly and captivates you from the very beginning. Well worth the watch. You'll be replaying its soundtrack long after the credits end!
So what did you think of Into the Woods? Did it meet your expectations?
The Fault In Our Stars tells the story of two cancer survivors Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace, who fall in love for the first time. I'll confess - I was pretty nervous about seeing this movie adaptation. Not because I had no faith in the director Josh Boone - as I loved his previous movie Stuck In Love -, but because I know the story. I was so desperate to see it, and yet reluctant to have my fangirl heart ripped to a million pieces of feels. But it was well worth it. This adaptation was not only faithful to the story, but it provided an added depth that I was really not expecting. It was a touching tale that perfectly encapsulated the characters of Augustus Waters and Hazel Grace.
For all of you who haven't seen this film, you seriously must! This is a story that needs to be told and shared. It perfectly shows that these teenagers are not just cancer patients. They are just not defined by their condition – but their heart and soul. If you take anything away from this story, that should be it!
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| Spoilers under the cut. Beware. |
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