Maleficent
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Main Players: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Sharlto Copley
General Gist: A twist on Sleeping Beauty, from a totally different point of view.
Deb's Take:
I'm a sucker for fairy tales. I think 2 years ago a handful of fairy tales told from a different point of view flooded the screen. I liked them, so I figured I would like this one too.
I have never been a real big fan of Angelina Jolie and her acting abilities. Whenever I watch her I always just get more of a feeling that she is a presence more than an actor. She doesn't have many lines in the movies I watch her in. I was a little nervous she might ruin this one for me. Luckily, her role required more of a "presence" and not much talking, so she fit it perfectly. I was impressed with the makeup work on her (or digital work as it may be). I liked how this played on the fantasy, and told a pretty good back story. I liked Sam Riley's character, and felt like he was Angelina's other side. Almost like he had the words she didn't. Elle Fanning was very princess like. This movie was quite enjoyable. I'm not sure how younger kids would do with it however. I know it's a Disney movie, but a few parts may be on the scary side for those 5 year olds, but all in all it had all the things a good Disney movie needs.
Deb's Rate: Matinee
Tiff's Take:
I too have been enjoying the twists on the old fairy tale classics. This one had an interesting point of view. Obviously more depth to it then the original Sleeping Beauty.
I don't necessarily love Angelina Jolie but I don't really dislike her either so I didn't go into this one with as much skepticism as Deb. And I wasn't really surprised at how well the role fit Jolie. The other actors were good and got the job done. Overall, it was a good movie but not sure what demographics it was trying to pull in. I thought about taking my 6 year old but glad I didn't. I'm not sure it was "young" enough for her. And my 9 year old didn't have any interest in seeing it although he probably would have liked it better then he thought. (Not too princessy) But as a thirty something women who likes fairy tales it was worth watching.
Tiff's Rate: Matinee
Preview: We both finished the book "The Fault in Our Stars" so we took our posse (ok two others who also finished the book and a few more who didn't read it) with us!
Showing posts with label Elle Fanning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elle Fanning. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Week 52: We Bought a Zoo
Week 52! NOOOOOOO, ok, we will see another one, sort of like being pregnant, they say it's 9 months, but really it's 10. They say 52 weeks in a year, we say 53.
So, Christmas Day we loaded up the families (minus 2) and headed down to the Plaza to see a movie. Sort of trying to make it a little more exciting than going to our regular theater. Christmas lights, theatre with an escalator (cheaper by about 15 bucks!)
The key players in this movie were Matt Damon, (the dad) Scarlett Johansson (the zoo keeper), Colin Ford (older child) Maggie Elizabeth Jones (younger child), and Elle Fanning (13 year old zoo helper). The story line follows the title, a family of 3 buys a home that happens to be part of a Zoo. This movie is based on a true story, I like true stories so was happy this was our Christmas movie.
All in all I enjoyed this movie. My husband did happen to notice there was a little more "swearing" than he thought appropriate for a PG movie. I do agree, but regardless I thought the movie was good. I like Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson was okay, nothing outstanding. Maggie Elizabeth Jones stole the show really. She was super darn cute! She is a 7 year old, but really seemed younger which made her more cute. If you saw "Footloose" she played in that as well. Wouldn't be surprised to see her more in the near future.
This movie was touching, had some good humor and a good family show. My 8 year old was "in love" with the romance of this movie. She couldn't hard contain her "AHHH" for the romance that happened between Elle Fanning's character and Colin Ford. She is a hopeless romantic like her Mama.
All in all and good family movie. See it together and appreciate the family you have.
See you for our LAST review of 2011~ It's a good one!
So, Christmas Day we loaded up the families (minus 2) and headed down to the Plaza to see a movie. Sort of trying to make it a little more exciting than going to our regular theater. Christmas lights, theatre with an escalator (cheaper by about 15 bucks!)
The key players in this movie were Matt Damon, (the dad) Scarlett Johansson (the zoo keeper), Colin Ford (older child) Maggie Elizabeth Jones (younger child), and Elle Fanning (13 year old zoo helper). The story line follows the title, a family of 3 buys a home that happens to be part of a Zoo. This movie is based on a true story, I like true stories so was happy this was our Christmas movie.
All in all I enjoyed this movie. My husband did happen to notice there was a little more "swearing" than he thought appropriate for a PG movie. I do agree, but regardless I thought the movie was good. I like Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson was okay, nothing outstanding. Maggie Elizabeth Jones stole the show really. She was super darn cute! She is a 7 year old, but really seemed younger which made her more cute. If you saw "Footloose" she played in that as well. Wouldn't be surprised to see her more in the near future.
This movie was touching, had some good humor and a good family show. My 8 year old was "in love" with the romance of this movie. She couldn't hard contain her "AHHH" for the romance that happened between Elle Fanning's character and Colin Ford. She is a hopeless romantic like her Mama.
All in all and good family movie. See it together and appreciate the family you have.
See you for our LAST review of 2011~ It's a good one!
Week 52: We Bought a Zoo
Any normal person might think this is our last post in our quest to see a movie a week in 2011. After all, it is week 52. Well, as it turns out it is not. We just saw our last movie yesterday and it wasn't this one. How can that be you ask? Well, if you recall January 1st was a Saturday. We went to a movie that day and called it week 1. Technically it probably wasn't week 1. But alas, that's what we did so we managed to defy the western calendar and actually have 53 weeks of movies this year. Not to mention a few extras. As far as movies are concerned it's been a pretty darn good year for us. Now that the accountant in me has justified week 53 I'll continue on.
This past weekend we saw We Bought a Zoo for week 52. We chose this one to satisfy all the family needs since we made this one an all family event. Christmas day movies are the best. Going to a movie on Christmas has always been a tradition in our family. Anyone else?
This may not have been my first choice of a movie to see but I was interested in seeing it. I love Matt Damon for one. And two...well I love Matt Damon. How can you go wrong with that? This movie is about a guy who is working through the loss of his wife and decides to move his kids to a new place to get a fresh start. They end up buying a house that includes a run down zoo. They put in a lot of money and hard work to get it open again and of course learn some life lessons on the way. Pretty much a nice wholesome story.
Matt Damon was of course good and so was Scarlett Johansson who played the main zookeeper. I'm not sure that the two had the best chemistry but it was okay. The kids were played by Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones with another role played by Elle Fanning. They were all good especially Maggie Elizabeth Jones. She was so cute it was hard not to consider her the standout.
Overall I thought this was a cute movie. It had funny and touching moments and a good story. I'm not sure I would say it's one of my favorites but good entertainment for a night. The kids seemed to enjoy it but it was a little slow for my six year old.
To Sum it up: A warm, fun story with heart.
This past weekend we saw We Bought a Zoo for week 52. We chose this one to satisfy all the family needs since we made this one an all family event. Christmas day movies are the best. Going to a movie on Christmas has always been a tradition in our family. Anyone else?
This may not have been my first choice of a movie to see but I was interested in seeing it. I love Matt Damon for one. And two...well I love Matt Damon. How can you go wrong with that? This movie is about a guy who is working through the loss of his wife and decides to move his kids to a new place to get a fresh start. They end up buying a house that includes a run down zoo. They put in a lot of money and hard work to get it open again and of course learn some life lessons on the way. Pretty much a nice wholesome story.
Matt Damon was of course good and so was Scarlett Johansson who played the main zookeeper. I'm not sure that the two had the best chemistry but it was okay. The kids were played by Colin Ford and Maggie Elizabeth Jones with another role played by Elle Fanning. They were all good especially Maggie Elizabeth Jones. She was so cute it was hard not to consider her the standout.
Overall I thought this was a cute movie. It had funny and touching moments and a good story. I'm not sure I would say it's one of my favorites but good entertainment for a night. The kids seemed to enjoy it but it was a little slow for my six year old.
To Sum it up: A warm, fun story with heart.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Week 29: Super 8
This week was Super 8. I have been curious about this movie for awhile but it kept being pushed aside. This week we didn't seem to have a lot of choices so we finally decided to go. (And yes, I realize Harry Potter comes out this weekend and it's sort of a big deal. Since my sister's not a huge fan I'll be seeing it on Monday with my good friend Cory who is. I'm beyond excited to say the least. Look for a bonus review.)
Like I said, this movie peaked my interest from the start but I wasn't really sure if it would be too out there to really like. To be honest I liked it better than I thought I would. Just like Deb said it reminded me of Stand By Me right away but with a Sci Fi twist. It had a group of kids getting into trouble and dealing with things they probably shouldn't at their age. It reminded me a little bit of Goonies too. The Sci Fi aspect of the movie was okay but the part I liked so much about it was the humor. The boys were really funny and made me laugh out loud.
The main actor was played by Joel Courtney. He was really good. He had a sweet, sincere quality about him. Elle Fanning was good as well. I agree with Deb. You can tell acting runs in her family. I didn't recognize any of the other boys but they made the movie. It wouldn't have been funny without them. And I do like Kyle Chandler who played the dad.
This movie was definitely better than expected. It's nice when those come along.
To Sum it up: Good humor, really great characters and a surprising hit.
Like I said, this movie peaked my interest from the start but I wasn't really sure if it would be too out there to really like. To be honest I liked it better than I thought I would. Just like Deb said it reminded me of Stand By Me right away but with a Sci Fi twist. It had a group of kids getting into trouble and dealing with things they probably shouldn't at their age. It reminded me a little bit of Goonies too. The Sci Fi aspect of the movie was okay but the part I liked so much about it was the humor. The boys were really funny and made me laugh out loud.
The main actor was played by Joel Courtney. He was really good. He had a sweet, sincere quality about him. Elle Fanning was good as well. I agree with Deb. You can tell acting runs in her family. I didn't recognize any of the other boys but they made the movie. It wouldn't have been funny without them. And I do like Kyle Chandler who played the dad.
This movie was definitely better than expected. It's nice when those come along.
To Sum it up: Good humor, really great characters and a surprising hit.
Week 29: Super 8
"Super 8" was our Movie this week. I was a little reluctant to go to this movie because I am really not a science fiction type of gal, as I have said before. Tiff talked me into it though, ok..so when I say "talked me into it" I really mean she said.."I really want to see Super 8" and I responded, "OK"! Not too much convincing.
So this movie told a story of a group of young teen (14 year olds I would guess) friends who are in the process of making a homemade movie for a contest. While filming they happen across a train accident that holds a military secret. The movie then centers around how these kids eventually get in the middle and what they must do to get out.
I was sort of thrown back to the movie "Stand by Me". Although this movie will more than likely not be that iconic, it held a lot of similarities. I was most impressed with the abilities of these actors. Young kids amaze me in their abilities on film. I found myself laughing a lot, touched by innocent discovery and amazed at how the young actors can bring out emotions almost better than adults. I would assume, it has something to do with youth!
Some of the actors in this film included Joel Courtney, who looks to be just getting started in the movie industry, Elle Fanning, who through-out the whole film looked familiar but I couldn't figure out who she was...she was good! Guess it runs in the family. Kyle Chandler played the deputy/dad. I have always liked him..I most remember him from his days on T.V. in "Early Edition" and then in the mini-
series "Band of Brothers". The other kids in the movie included some new names, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee (super funny!),Gabriel Basso (looks like he has done a handful of films) and Zach Mills (also with some movies under his belt).
All these kids had great chemistry, and I believed they truely were a group of kids who lived together in a small town and knew eachother for years.
Overall, I have to say this one was super enjoyable. Even the Sci-Fi was ok, a little bit "E.T." and little bit "Stand by Me". See you next week for the big 30!
I will get the winner of the movie tickets posted later this weekend!
So this movie told a story of a group of young teen (14 year olds I would guess) friends who are in the process of making a homemade movie for a contest. While filming they happen across a train accident that holds a military secret. The movie then centers around how these kids eventually get in the middle and what they must do to get out.
I was sort of thrown back to the movie "Stand by Me". Although this movie will more than likely not be that iconic, it held a lot of similarities. I was most impressed with the abilities of these actors. Young kids amaze me in their abilities on film. I found myself laughing a lot, touched by innocent discovery and amazed at how the young actors can bring out emotions almost better than adults. I would assume, it has something to do with youth!
Some of the actors in this film included Joel Courtney, who looks to be just getting started in the movie industry, Elle Fanning, who through-out the whole film looked familiar but I couldn't figure out who she was...she was good! Guess it runs in the family. Kyle Chandler played the deputy/dad. I have always liked him..I most remember him from his days on T.V. in "Early Edition" and then in the mini-
series "Band of Brothers". The other kids in the movie included some new names, Riley Griffiths, Ryan Lee (super funny!),Gabriel Basso (looks like he has done a handful of films) and Zach Mills (also with some movies under his belt).
All these kids had great chemistry, and I believed they truely were a group of kids who lived together in a small town and knew eachother for years.
Overall, I have to say this one was super enjoyable. Even the Sci-Fi was ok, a little bit "E.T." and little bit "Stand by Me". See you next week for the big 30!
I will get the winner of the movie tickets posted later this weekend!
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