2014: Week 1: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure

Main Players: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly

General Gist: The second in the trilogy. A Hobbit and a gang of dwarfs continue their journey to reclaim their home from a Dragon.

Deb's Take:
I looked back at my review for the first Hobbit movie (week 50 in 2012.)  After reading my review I'm thinking two things, 1.) Wow, I can tell I had been doing reviews for a while because I am extremely out of practice for writing like that! 2.) I think I must have liked the first one better.

As I've said many times before, this movie genre is not my favorite.  After seeing the first one though I felt like I need to finish the whole trilogy or it's a job left undone.  This movie was good.  My husband and son both thought it was much better than the first.  I think it was comparable.  This movie had a lot more adventure and action then the first one.  The characters took on more personality and life.  I found some of the characters more endearing and there was a little romance for my soulful side.  I feel like this one fell more into the "Hollywood" category as it worked to capture the audience with bling and fire.  The actors did wonderful, and I feel everyone fits their parts perfectly.  Again, I am just not so much a fan of these movies so I'm a little biased in my lack of enthusiasm. Like I said the first time, if you are a Hobbit fan you will probably love it!


Deb's Rate: Its a renter for me, but if you are a fan Friday Night.

Tiff's Take:
I read my review for the last Hobbit as well and I have to say that I feel pretty much the same about this one.  I didn't have a huge desire to see this movie but I didn't not want to see it either.  I've seen all the other movies so it seems like I need to keep going.  For being so unenthusiastic about going, I was pleasantly surprised.  As always with these movies.

I really did enjoy this once I started watching it.  It kept me engaged and didn't feel super long even though it sort of was.  The only bad thing is I felt totally confused about what was going on.  Apparently I remember even less then last time.  But even in my state of ignorance I didn't feel like it was a waste of my time.  Also, it was a major bonus seeing Orlando Bloom.  It's been awhile!  Oh, and another bonus.  It's super fun saying the word Smaug.  

Tiff's Rate:  Matinee for me.

Preview: Week 2: "Her"

Week 43: The Three Musketeers

This weekend we went and saw The Three Musketeers.  I hadn't heard a lot about this movie but you can guess what type it is based on the title.  I generally like these type of movies but wasn't sure if it would be anything special.  Turns out it wasn't.

Basically, it's about three washed out musketeers who are rejuvenated by a young musketeer who is looking to change the world one great cause at a time. The three actors who played the original musketeers were Matthew Macfadyen, Luke Evans and Ray Stevenson.  The younger one was played by Logan Lerman.  I'm not sure if it was bad acting or just plain boring characters but all of these guys were completely forgettable.  Not one of them jumped out.  I almost forget what they all looked like as I'm writing this.

The villains were played by Orlando Bloom and Milla Jovovich.  I've decided I'm not a big fan of Milla.  It seems like I've seen her in other things and she's been okay but in this she just wasn't.  And don't even get me started on Orlando Bloom.  I love Orlando Bloom.  I've loved him in everything he's been in.  But I can't believe he was in this movie.  The character just didn't work for him and even he was forgettable.  What a shame.

Overall I think it was tyring to be a little like Pirates of the Caribbean and failed miserably.  The special effects were too over the top and the music was exaggerated and corny.  And I don't usually even notice the music.  It's set up to be a sequel but I really hope its not.  If it is I really hope Orlando Bloom doesn't sign up for it again. 

Too Sum it up:  Boring characters, boring plot line and a sad use of one of my favorite actors.