2012: Bonus Review: Red Dawn

Red Dawn

Genre: Action

Main Players: Chris Hemsworth, Isabel Lucas, Josh Hutcherson, Josh Peck, Adrianne Palicki, Connor Cruise

General Gist: A group of teenagers work to save their town from an invasion of North Koreans

Deb's Take:  This one was one of our Thanksgiving extravaganza of movie seeing.  As many of you know, this movie was a remake, I remember seeing Red Dawn as a teen/tween and always think it’s cool when 30 years later I am taking my kids to see a movie that I grew up on.  This movie followed the same line, with up to date technology and advancements.  There was a lot of action, suspense, and unexpected events.  The acting was adequate, not a movie that I was expecting a whole lot from.  The actors were good at their roles, but really just a whole bunch of kids. It wasn’t bad or anything, just nothing exceptional.  What I enjoyed more was hearing my kids’ reactions.  My daughter doesn’t usually go to movies like this, and she said she really liked it, she seemed to enjoy the suspense.  My son was slightly troubled by the unnecessary death of some of the characters, and several times explained how those deaths could have been easily avoided.  (He is like that!)  All in all it was a fun family event, a little on the violent side, but not too bad for my 16 and 12 year old.

Deb's Rate: Rent it

Preview:  Almost there!

 

2012: Week 12: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-fi

Main Players: Jennifer Lawrence, Liam Hemsworth, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz

General Gist: In the post-apocalyptic world, a battle is held where a boy and girl, between the age of 12 and 18, are chosen from each of the 12 districts to compete in a televised battle where only one person will survive.

Deb's Take:
So the long awaited Hunger Games finally got here! I was so super excited, and a little nervous. Anyone who has been following us for a while knows I am often disappointed in a movie that was a book I read first. I will never change my opinion that a book is always better than a movie. Books allow you to get inside the head of characters and hear what they are thinking, you don't have to rely on the actions and spoken word to relay a message.

It has been a bit since I read the books. I think this is the trick, read a book, and wait a while before you see the movie. Some of the details and emotions are then forgotten and the movie becomes more enjoyable. This is definitely what happened with this movie. I LOVED IT! I was a little concerned that Jennifer Lawrence would come across too "old" or mature in this movie for Katniss' character. It took me a little while, but she eventually seemed to fit the mold for me. I looked back on some of her previous acting, and realized I had seen her on a sitcom first. Didn't realize she was the same girl! I pictured Haymitch a little different than Woody Harrelson, but he pulled it off well. I think the interesting part of the movie, was how we saw a viewpoint of the people in charge of the games, how they were running the show, changing the venue etc. In the book this didn't happen, but really to make the movie work I don't know how else they could have portrayed that part. (again, an in your head kind of thing that had to be brought forward). I wish we would have seen more of Gale. Katniss and Gale's relationship wasn't really appreciated enough in the movie. All the other main players were very on! Great casting! I will say, the book is better (always is!) and reading it will bring so much more to light about each character, but maybe hold off on the movie right after reading the book so your memory becomes a tad fuzzy so you can enjoy it more. Also want to send a shout out to Amy Sacry for encouraging her mother, Terry Clinefelter for joining us for this movie. We had a larger group this week with my 2 older kids and husband as well.

Deb's Rate: Opening day, definitely! (maybe because I read the books though, interested to see what someone who didn't read the books would think...my son and daughter liked it and they didn't read the books...anyone else?)

Tiff's Take:
Finally, a movie worth seeing! We've seen so many bad movies this year so this came at such a good time.  Of course this was much anticipated as well.  When I was reading the book I thought that this would make a great movie.  First of all, it's action packed.  There's so much going on.  Secondly, there's not a whole lot of inner dialogue that was impossible to convey in a movie.  Of course, there is always going to be some detail that you just won't get in a movie but this one wasn't too bad. 

So my verdict?  It was so so good!  The casting was great.  Jennifer Lawrence had Katniss' attitude down pat.  Really well done.  Hutcherson and Hemsworth both looked the parts of Peeta and Gale.  Although, as Deb mentioned, I would have liked to see more of Gale.  And who could play a drunk washout better than Woody Harrelson? 

I loved how the Capitol came to life in the movie.  All the crazy colors and outfits versus the drab lives of the districts.  Very much how I pictured it in my head.  This was such an enjoyable movie to watch all around.  (Other than the teenagers getting killed for sport thing.)  I was emotionally invested right off the bat.  Well done.  Can't wait for the next two!      

Tiff's Rate: Opening Day.  But I agree with Deb.  If you hadn't read the book would it be waiting in line worthy?  Still going to say yes. 

Preview: Have to look and see what is out there!  Any suggestions?

Bonus Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy

General Gist: A boy and his stepfather travel to a mysterious island in search of his long lost grandfather.

Main Players: Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens

Deb's Take:

So, my 11 year old son was feeling a little like the "middle child" over the last few weeks. He seemed a little down on school, was feeling sandwiched between his sisters and their attention and I decided sometimes a mom's just got to put priorities in line. So I picked him up from school at lunchtime and told him we were going to a movie. I let him get any snack he wanted, and he picked to go to he 3D version of this movie. So, based on the circumstances, me in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, with my middle child, and all the snacks we could every desire, how could this movie even begin to disappoint ;) Well, it didn't. I didn't see the first movie, "Journey to the Center of the Earth", but my son did, and he was pretty excited about this one. The movie lacked a little development, for me as an adult, but I think it was perfect to keep the attention of my 11 year old. There were some super funny parts, (one quote got my son giggling like a little girl) and also some meaningful moments. The 3D version was pretty cool, although I don't know that it is necessary to get the full effect though. I really enjoyed the creativity of the storyline and the action as well. This movie would have been great for my younger daughter too..It's PG appropriate! The experience with my son was the best though!

Deb's Rate: Matinee..especially if you are seeing the 3D version, it will still cost you a little more.