30 Days of Movies: Interstella 5555

Daft Punk + anime = this

Another prime example of my wide taste in movies, after one viewing, this movie shot to a place on my top 5 list of favorite animated movies. Fan-frikin-tastic.

First off, this movie is NOT for everyone. There is no dialogue. None. Not a word. Anything that's 'said', is expressed through the beautiful lyrics of Daft Punk. This whole movie is the 'visual realization' of their album Discovery, so the songs craft the plot and provide a sort of dialogue for the characters. On top of that weirdness, its not traditional style animation, its anime style. And the characters are blue aliens. Soooo....not for everyone.

But for those who are intrigued enough to look into this, you are in for a treat. The plot is a bit confusing, I had to watch it with the Wikipedia plot summary up on my laptop. Somethings will be easier to understand with that up. For example, the characters all have names! Never would have known that just from the songs.

The animation is so pretty, it's really my favorite style of anime. The lines are so clear and precise, and the detail is stunning. Daft Punk makes everything better, so in this instance it makes a good move absolutely great! The soundtrack really sets the tone of the film to the point that you almost don't notice the lack of dialogue. And what character wouldn't want development to happen while Daft Punk's Superheros played and you jumped out of a plane?

 My review: 5 stars. Give it a chance.

Cause there's something between us anyway.

30 Days of Movies: The Grey

Or, as I call the movie: Liam Neeson: Wolf Puncher

I hate football. So I decided that seeing a movie I knew NOTHING about rather than watch the Superbowl. I cannot emphasize that enough, I knew nothing about this movie.  Hadn't seen a single trailer, had no idea what the plot was, and I honestly thought the title was Wolf Puncher. I had just been expecting a simple film about a guy fighting wolves somewhere....like some kind of weird hobby, or fight club.

Needless to say, I was a bit confused when the whole plot thing showed up. The plot is interesting, don't get me wrong, but also predictable. It's an action/thriller so there is plenty of tension, action shots, and shaky camera work. But for all the beautiful scenery, breathless moments, and touching flashback scenes, the movie still felt like it was lacking something. I never truly felt drawn into the story, the entire film I was very aware that I was an observer watching a film in a theater. 

I didn't feel much for any of the stranded men. Even as they [spoiler alert] one by one are killed in horrible [and almost humorously predictable] ways, I just didn't care. They had cheated death already once when they survived the plane crash, and you CANNOT cheat Hades for long without any repercussions. As the pack of wolves picks off the survivors one by one and with nature taking care of the ones the wolf pack misses, I decided it was best to root for the killers so as not to incur the wrath of Hades on myself. I liked the more creative deaths and rolled my eyes as they slowly became more ho-hum.

But for all the things I didn't like about the film, there is something I couldn't complain about. It was shot magnificently. The setting really helped tell the story, and I found myself admiring the trees and rocks more than even Liam Neeson. And I adore Liam Neeson.

Now, all that being said, I think this film would be brilliant in the perfect setting. It would be a great movie to watch with a group of friends to make fun of it, while also allowing for a more serious discussion of the battle of man vs nature and the futility of the human struggle. I was lucky in seeing it with a friend who didn't mind talking during the show, so we naturally made snarky remarks for most of it.

My rating: 2.5/3 stars. Best seen only when the time is right.

Live or die on this day. Live. Or die.

30 Days of Movies: The Help

Yaay standing up to racism!!

 I really wanted to do a movie that WASN'T based on a book but...well I didn't. I'll eventually get to that. If it makes you feel any better, I haven't read the book yet. But I'll eventually get to that too. Now I'm kinda tired tonight so this is gonna be a brief review.

Ok, so, The Help. Good movie. But just as with Crazy, Stupid, Love, I think this was a bit over praised for me to really enjoy. The storyline was a bit predictable, but the cast was phenomenal. It began to feel a bit long, oh, around the halfway point. Ultimately, though this was such an interesting topic, I just wasn't as entranced as everyone else. Oh well.

My review: 3 stars. Hoping the book is better.

Be wary of disgruntled former maids bearing pies.

30 Days of Movies: As You Like It

Because SHAKESPEARE!

Shakespeare is not an easy author to understand. The English of the time Shakespeare wrote in is so far removed from our modern English, that you genuinely have to work to understand the meanings within the meanings WITHIN the meanings! It's mind-bending. But it is oh so worth it. I'll admit, I'm a bit of an English major fail here...I've never read the play. I know, I know, but I never claimed to be a great English major. OR even LIKING being an English major. But I like Shakespeare, I know that.

As You Like It is easily my favorite adaptation of a Shakespeare play. As you might have guessed from my Bride & Prejudice review, I like films that adapt books in a unique and different ways. This play is typical Shakespeare work, but the film transplants the activity to 19th century Japan. The costuming is gorgeous, and the score sets the tone of the film without being distracting or annoying. I adore the casting selection, especially in the roles of Orlando and the two Dukes (played by the same man)

Like any work of the Bard, it takes repeated viewings to really understand. I think I've seen this movie five times and every time I watch it I notice something new! 

In the interest of full disclosure, this was not released in theaters, it was broadcast on HBO. But it's my blog and I wanted to review it so THERE.

My review: 4 stars.Watch, but with a dictionary next to you!

All the worlds a stage.

30 Days of Movies: Crazy, Stupid, Love

I usually put a movie poster up here but...yeeahhhhhhh

I don't think I'd heard a single bad thing about this movie from my friends who saw it. Girls were raving about it, saying how perfect it was. With reviews like that, I was really looking forward to seeing this film, yet still cautious. In my experience, anytime reviews are THAT good the film cannot live up to the hype.

The movie was alright, had some good laughs and a very surprising twist towards the end. Casting was good, overall story was good, and Ryan Gosling has uh-MAZING abs. But I really and truly didn't feel like this movie was as brilliant as I'd been lead to believe. There were laughs, but they were the usual laughs. There was a big twist, but in retrospect it wasn't that surprising.

Though I didn't fall in love with this movie, it really is the perfect movie for a girls night or just to see what everyone is so crazy about. It's cute, funny, and a good way to spend a few hours.

My rating: 3 stars. Worth watching, but don't rush out and get it.

I'd call it more Silly, Foolish, Like.

30 Days of Movies: Bride and Prejudice

Ideal movie for fans of Jane Austen, as well as an awesome intro to Bollywood films.

I am a self-proclaimed Jane Austen nut. I own all her novels and eagerly watch every film version and judge the transition from book to film. Some Austen movies are wonderful. Others are good. Some are downright awful. Bride & Prejudice is a clear winner.

First off, the transition from Regency England to modern India was a stroke of genius. The cultures are surprisingly similar, so the modernization doesn't change much from the basic plot. But the best part of this film is the soundtrack! The songs are typical  Bollywood fare and hard to resist dancing or trying to sing along with. I joke with my Momma that I want my bothers to do the first song and dance from the friend's engagement party at my own engagement party. Once you see it, you'll understand.

Seeing a beloved Austen classic updated from a time when we usually picture the world in dull, muted colors into a world of bright shimmering hues is overwhelming but again it works! Colors are always bright and beautiful in Bollywood films, but again this serves as a great Bolly intro film because the colors don't overwhelm the scenes.

Watching the familiar story unfold in a new way is always refreshing. I recommend this film for anyone who wants a change from the usual Austen fare, or who wants to dip their toe in the enormous pool of Bollywood films! But I can admit that this film might not be for everyone, true Austen sticklers might not appreciate the changes made to the story, or even to the updated settings (no matter how well it is done).

Heads up, I REALLY love foreign movies, so be ready for a lot more of these films to be reviewed during the challenge!

My rating: 4.5 stars, find a copy!

No life without wife!

30 Days of Movies: The Hunger Games!

Katniss Everdeen the girl on FIRE!

Wow. Really, wow. I am something of a book nerd, and seeing a beloved book turned into a movie is always a difficult thing to do well. I did my best not to get too excited so as to not be disappointed, but I shouldn't have worried.

I did feel it started out a bit slow, but the books started out a bit slower. What I found interesting was that people who did not read the books argued that it started too quickly. Hmm. Would love to hear other peoples opinions on this! The story progressed along quite well, very little was cut and only minor plot points were changed. The translation from book to page was wonderful.

My biggest 'problem' was the Girl on Fire outfit in the chariots, I had pictured the flames being all over her body and not restricted as it looked to her back and shoulders. Ah well. But there were plenty of other things to make up for that. The general look, and feel of the film was stunning. My friend pointed out the difference between how District 12 was shot (with handheld, shaky shots) and how the Capitol was shot (sweeping anchor shots). Even more noticeable differences, like with wardrobe, were further enhanced by the differences in color palate, age of citizens, and even their dogs.

The overall message of the film was good, though it usually gets less attention by the screaming teen fans. Don't trust the government, a hero can be born by simply providing hope, and beware the draw of reality television in out shock based culture. Katniss never set out to change the world, but she stepped up. She became a symbol without seeking fame. She was selfless and humble to the point of being unaware and uncaring about her fame. The government wants its people to be to oppressed to speak up or overthrow them. NEVER let that happen. Once a government becomes a dictatorship, not even your children are safe. People will do anything to keep their children safe.

My rating: 5 stars, see in theaters

May the odds be ever in your favor.

30 Days of Movies!

So my friend Shannon at Eat, Pray, Love, LIVE! started yet ANOTHER thirty day blog challenge. This one was more relaxed, instead of thirty different topics planned out for everyday, this challenge will basically just direct my blog for the next thirty days.

I always get the most blog hits when I post movie reviews, so I figured that would be a good topic to go with! I'll post the links back to each day on this post.

First up, The HUNGER GAMES!

May the odds be ever in your favor.

A modern Indian twist on a beloved classic!

Who doesn't love chick flicks?

Call me not a fool till Heaven hath sent me a fortune.

Ahh, I love the smell of racial progression in the morning.

Yes, this movie was based on a book too.

Oh, you know, just another movie with blue people.