2014: Bonus Review: Noah

Noah

Genre: Action, Drama, Adventure

Main Players: Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins, Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Douglas Booth

General Gist:  The title is pretty self explanatory.  However, this "based" not an actual replication.

Deb's Take:   This movie was quite a different experience than I expected.  Obviously, there is a book that the story is based on...I haven't read the book,  but I have heard the story over and over again in my life.  I think there was controversy over how this story was told.  Here is my take.  Noah is a bible story, we all have the basic idea and beliefs of what happened.  Hollywood decided to tell the story with a different spin.  That is what movies do, tell stories in a new way.  I don't think anyone said the movie was a "true recollection of specific actions".  I went into the movie really having no idea what I would truly see.

The movie was done in a Sci-Fi sort of way.  Some crazy creatures were formed, some pretty evil people were portrayed, and it was all done with Hollywood flare.  I was actually quite impressed with the casting, some pretty big names.  I also thought the acting was good.  I found some enjoyment  seeing this story told with a new spin.  I didn't feel the movie was being disrespectful to Christianity, I wasn't turned off by the approach.  That being said, I'm not a huge Sci-Fi sort of gal, so all in all the movie wasn't something that impressed me.  I felt like it got a little long, it was lacking meaningful relationships, and the bottom line lessons were not touching, like I feel they could have been.

If you are going to see the story of "Noah" as represented in the bible, you may want to reconsider, or at least don't get offended, because that's not what you'll see.


Deb's Rate: Rent It

Preview: Two more reviews to post!

2012: Week 44: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Genre: Drama, Romance 


Main Players: Emma Watson, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller

General Gist:  A story that follows the school year of a shy freshman boy who becomes friends with two seniors.

Deb's Take: 
I loved this movie!  It felt like the "Breakfast Club" meets "Pretty in Pink".  I have always liked movies about high school.  Everything is so innocent and new.  The thrill (or maybe agony) of becoming an adult, and experiencing so much for the first time.  It's also scary, and lonely and sad for some, but when it's not, its amazing.

I loved the chemistry of these actors. The characters were bizarre, quirky, and perfect!  All three of the actors were great.  I really liked Logan Lerman, what a wonderful job. There were funny parts, sad parts, and happy parts.  All those things that make life...Life, and all those things that shape who we are.  Yes, we all experience life differently, but all in all, everything is a lesson, and if we make it through we learn something about who we are and who we will be become. 

Deb's Rate: Opening Night

Tiff's Take:
Ditto on what Deb said.  Yeah, really great movie.  Although I'm not surprised.  I thought I would like this one from the first time I saw the preview.  It's been out a little while and I wasn't sure if we would get to see it so I'm glad we finally did. 

The basic story line was pretty straight forward.  A boy trying to fit in while finding unlikely friends in two older kids.  But there was a lot more to the back history of the three main characters that made it interesting.  In fact, it makes you want to know more about them.  Parts of it are vague which I think was done on purpose to let you fill in the holes.  That can be annoying at times but worked for this.  I'm guessing the book gets into a lot more detail but the movie worked.

I loved all three of the main actors/characters.  They each had a special charm to them.  I loved seeing Emma Watson do so well in a post Harry Potter movie.  Definitely one of the better movies we've seen this year.

Tiff's Rate: Opening Night 

Preview:  Review for Argo and Wreck-It Ralph coming up. 

Week 48: My Week with Marilyn

While all the family was here for Thanksgiving we went and saw My Week with Marilyn down at the Cinema Suites downtown.  So much fun going there.  And it was Russ' first time and he thought it was pretty cool.  He decided he wants to see the new Mission Impossible there.

So, on to the movie.  Let me tell ya.  Deb and I have really been struggling these past couple weeks on what movies to see.  There really hasn't been a whole lot of good stuff coming out.  Hopefully the last few weeks in December will be better.  Luckily this movie worked with our schedule and was a movie no one else in our family had seen. 

The movie was really more about a guy, Colin played by Eddie Redmayne, who worked on one of Marilyn Monroe's movies and his interaction with her during that time.  Marilyn is played by Michelle Williams.  I'll be honest, other than the blonde hair I didn't think she would fit the part.  Marilyn is so curvy and sexual and Michelle Williams just isn't.  But I think she did a fantastic job.  Now, I'm not an expert on all things Marilyn Monroe but from my limited knowledge of her I think Williams portrayed her well. 

I really thought Eddie Redmayne did a great job as well.  There were some other well known actors in this movie.  Kenneth Branagh, Julia Ormond, Judi Dench and Emma Watson had a small role.  It was good to see Emma in something besides Harry Potter.  Just to see how she was.  And she was good.

The storyline was interesting as well.  It was about an assistant director who gets chummy and ends up falling in love with Marilyn over this short period of time.  It was interesting to see what the life of a star might look like.  And how easily infatuated a "normal" person might get with them. 

Overall, I liked this movie and thought it had great acting.  I heard Michelle Williams might be considered for an Oscar for this role.  We'll see.

To Sum it up: Well acted, charming characters and interesting look at stardom.

Bonus Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Ahh, such a bittersweet moment.  All the books are read.  All the movies are watched.  I am officially done with the Harry Potter series for good.  I remember I read the first book late in the game.  There were a couple books out already when I first heard of them.  That was right after I got married and lived in Maryland.  That was almost 11 years ago.  Holy cow.  That's a long time to devote to one series.  It was so worth it.

On Monday I went to see the final chapter, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  I always look forward to these movies because I love seeing the books come to life.  Also, there is such a large span from when the book comes out to when the movie comes out so you get to enjoy it like it's the first time.  That way too, you forget the details of the book and can really enjoy the movie without picking it apart.

And the verdict?  It was great!  Because of the way the book is written, Part 1 was a lot slower.  It couldn't really be helped though and was necessary to build the story.  It made the excitement of Part 2 that much better. This one had a lot more action and you finally got to see Hogwarts again and all the characters you loved from the previous movies/books.  You can really tell that the actors have matured too.  In the first movies they were okay but the story line and the "magic" really made the movies.  With this movie I felt like they finally hit their full stride.  What a great way to end the series.

To Sum it up: Lots of action, lots of emotion and a perfect ending.