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Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Best animated film I've seen in a long time
I remember seeing the posters for this movie while I was abroad in London. There were only posters of Jack, Tooth and Bunny. I remember going "wow, that looks pretty cool" and I've been meaning to watch it. I finally watched it before I came back to school and oh my goodness, I have no idea why it took me so long to watch this movie. It is a beautiful, beautiful movie. Because Jack Frost is the main character, his characterization is absolutely amazing. He's always portrayed as the villain or just this spirit that brings on winter, he's never really been fleshed out like this before. Not even Martin Short's Jack Frost was this great. Having him be a late teenager was a great idea because even though he's been around for 300 years he still loves to have fun. I also think that Chris Pine was a great choice for his voice acting, being his first animated film, I thought he provided enough charm, energy and emotion to this character to make him so lovable. I'm glad they didn't pick someone younger.
The Big Four were also amazing. North was Russian! Santa Clause is Russian! How awesome is that?? I'm not familiar with all of the origins of these legendary figures but the ones I'm used too went right out of the window with this movie. Santa being this Russian, sword wielding spirit was brilliant. I also loved the bit with their "centers" what are they guardians of? That is truly the heart of the film. The Easter Bunny played by Hugh Jackman in his usual accent was great, he was second favorite character in the movie. The animation for both The Tooth Fairy and Sandman was breathtaking. Never have I seen such detail like that on one character.
I believe that people misjudge movies like this because it's whimsical, it's a movie for all ages because it makes you not only feel sympathy for the characters, even the villain Pitch Black (the boogeyman), played by Jude Law, but you start to reflect on what your center (purpose) is. What is that you put out into the world? These five guardians, all put something into the world and they protect what they put out within the children. As you get older, this sort of thing doesn't particularly matter anymore once you start to get extremely involved in the real world but as a child, we relish in these things, in these figures: The Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, The Easter Bunny, The Sandman, The Boogeyman, and Jack Frost. This movie puts them out here, giving them actual reasons for being legendary other than the selfish reasons that we might come up with (we get something from them), they protect our childhood. This movie may not be perfect but it is the best animated film I have seen in a while and I adore it.
Mindless Behavior: All Around the World (2013)
Enjoyable to all, loved if you are a fan.
First, I'd like to say that I am 21 years old. I wanted to mash out any misconception that only teenagers and little kids enjoys listening to this group. Anyway, I've known about them since they came out on the scene and seeing their first "My Girl" music video. Adorable.
So, years later, my 15 year old sister loves them and plays their music and I find myself really getting into it. Their music may not be completely "original" but these days that's hard to find and yes, they do talk about girls but what 16 and 17 year old boy doesn't? I hope as they get older and mature and go into their 3,4 etc albums, they branch out and sing about more. It would definitely help them keep their audience and welcome more as they get older.
I went with my sister to see their "All Around the World" concert. Now, I find myself getting rather reacquainted with the group. I really like them. This movie really shows just how they came to be where they are. This is a documentary, it's meant to showcase where they were before, how they got there and what they're doing at the time this was being filmed. I think many people get the wrong impression. It's a documentary, not a movie. It's not narcissistic or anything like that, if it was, then all documentaries about people's lives are just that right?
Prodigy, Princeton, Ray Ray and Roc Royal are four talented young men who are paving their way for this generation through a boy band. They are African American which is another plus because who was the last African American boy band? This documentary shows the fans who they are outside of Mindless Behavior. They are teenagers, they like to have fun and they feel extremely blessed to be where they are. If you are a fan, you'll love this movie, if you're not a fan I think it could be enjoyable if you allow yourself to not be so judgmental about four boys just wanting everyone to know "this is us". That's not wrong. It's endearing. I like them a lot and I hope that this is the first step in many big things in their future. "Mindless" is no longer negative but a positive word. Stay true to who you are without thinking of what others have to say about it. That's being mindless to them and they really inspire girls and boys their age to be who they are.
This film really shows that. Definitely watchable many times.
Four Brothers (2005)
I adore this movie
I cannot for the life of me figure out just why I haven't reviewed this yet. But here goes.
I've always loved this movie. I think I really wanted to watch it when I did is because I had a huge crush on Garrett Hedlund when I was in high school. So I was determined to watch everything he was in. Anyway, you have four adopted brothers Bobby (Mark Wahlberg), Jeremiah (Andre Benjamin), Angel (Tyrese), and Jack (Garrett Hedlund) who return home after the mysterious death of their mother. Now when I say mysterious, it was cold blood but we just don't know why exactly they killed her. We meet them though Officer Green's (Terrence Howard) description of them to his new partner. It turns out they each have some sort of negative connotation but who cares? lol
The story: The story is elaborate and can get a bit confusing. Even to this day I find myself always trying to pay close attention to figure out just what the problem Victor Sweet had with Evelyn Mercer. I always know that it has something to do with her being nosy about what Jeremiah was doing and getting mixed up in, but some things can get a bit muddled and I think the initial story is a bit overshadowed by the violence/action. Especially once it is revealed that the new cop Fowler is involved. Which those things aren't bad, it just doesn't particularly help the plot, in fact, it kind of obscures it. You just have to really pay attention, the story plays out but you have to make sure you're listening and watching.
The Acting/Characters: I think they all did a great job. I think the casting was wonderfully done. The main four had great chemistry and I liked the idea of having a mixed family of black and white brothers especially since they all were bad ass. Bobby was a great character, the eldest brother who seemed to have the most issues. Jeremiah was secretive but not very discreet, Angel... the soldier, brash and Jack, the sensitive rock star baby of the family. The actors portrayed their characters very well. I thought the relationships were fleshed out well. I mean, say what you want about the story but these four were the heart and when Jack dies... (I cry always), it really makes them rethink what they're doing. I loved these four so much, when I first saw the movie, being the writer that I am, I wrote a back story to each one. We don't know really anything about their past, the moment when they have flashback memories at the dinner table was a great scene. That is when we can see how three of the four brothers remember their mother and Jack's moment with her is most compelling (even compared to Bobby's scene at the end of the movie).
Overall: I've always loved this movie. The action is great, the humor is funny, the characters are likable and unlikable if supposed to be, the acting is good, the soundtrack is freaking AH-MAZ-ING and it's worth a watch.
Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013)
Good but still lacking.
"Temptation", is a movie that I wasn't particularly interested in but willing to see because of Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Robbie Jones. Read at your discretion, spoilers are below.
The movie starts with a female marriage counselor explaining to a woman about the dangers of having an affair; she said it was her sister. So we are introduced to Judith (Smollett-Bell) and Brice (Lance Gross) who grew up together fell in love and got married. Later, Judith is now 25, unhappy with her job and life. Brice is oblivious to her unhappiness and doesn't particularly notice her as much anymore. She wants to own her own counseling firm but is forced to work at a Matchmaking agency as a Therapist. She meets Harley (Robbie Jones), this very good looking and successful man. They begin working together because he is thinking of investing in their company. He is attracted to her and has no shame in admitting multiple times even though he knows she's married. She continues to tell him that she's married and doesn't fall full victim to his moves but it's clear that she is attracted to him as well. I mean, I don't blame her; Jones is alluring, dangerous and sexy in this film. After steamy words from Jones, she tries to spice up her sex life with Brice but he only wants to do it in the bedroom. She goes out of her way to meet up with Harley in the park where they both ironically run. Jones being so good is probably why every time he was on screen I was completely attentive.
Judith continues to attempt to thwart Harley's advances; she doesn't really start giving him more attention until Brice forgets her birthday (But Harley somehow knew it and sent her roses) and they go to New Orleans for business. Harley and Judith share a moment in his private jet, then he comes on to her rather strongly and at first she fights him, but he's consistent. That moment started it all. Her mother visits and knows something's up when she meets Harley. This is also where things in the film begin to feel rushed. The first part of the movie focused on Judith's interactions with the people around her which helped to see her unhappiness but once the affair actually started, if you blinked you missed it. That's how I felt. I went to the restroom and when I came back, I was lost. I was only gone for 2 minutes and I felt like I missed a LOT. The movie was in a song montage and I was like "umm?" Apparently her mom slapped her, said some words and Judith ran out.
Anyway, Judith is now outright cheating with Harley. He's buying clothes and things, she is on his arm out in public, they buy a building for her firm and I guess she now is doing drugs. I must have blinked and missed her snorting it earlier but that sparked her addiction, she also quits her job. After speaking with Melinda (Brandy Norwood), Brice goes to Harley's house to find Judith and he drags her out of the house, she tells Brice he's a good guy but not a phenomenal guy and that's what she wanted. She wanted to feel alive but not with him. Harley goes with Judith to her apartment to get her laptop and her mother was inside in a prayer circle. Her mother tries to keep Judith from leaving and Harley manhandles her to the ground and drags Judith out. They leave, get back to his place, they argue, she says "just because your mother abandoned you in a crack house does not mean you can abuse mine" or something like that. His face... now you knew he was completely crazy because his reaction to THAT... wow. Basically he beats her up.
Melinda and Brice are talking and she tells him she has HIV... yeah. I rolled my eyes too. She reveals that Harley is her ex as if we haven't already figured that out yet. I mean I hope people have. I knew it in the beginning. Perry probably thought he was being smart with all of these twists but no... He's predictable as always. Brice goes to save Judith who was beat up. After taking her out, he returns and hits Harley; Melinda comes in to stop him. Harley sees her calls her by her real name "Karen" and they both leave. We come back to the present with the Counselor, the young woman says she'll end the almost affair. Turns out Judith (Counselor) contracted HIV as well. She is no longer with Brice, he is married with a son, Melinda is still alive and working in the Pharmacy but Judith is alone.
It was pretty good. I enjoyed watching Jones and Smollett-Bell the most. Gross did his role well, Brandy's character was unnecessary. I guess in the play her character is the twist, it didn't do anything for the movie. Brice could have gone and saved Judith on his own without Melinda telling him it was Harley she was running from. Kardashian is ugh. The ending baffled me though. Older Judith is clearly played by another actress however when we go into the pharmacy, Melinda is not only alive but looks completely the same but Brice (still Gross) is old. We have no idea how far the present is into the future but really? Brice looks like a grandfather with a 5/6 year old son and a 20 something looking wife? Melinda looks 26 still? Judith has HIV as well but is a different actress? Sense? None. It went to fast after the turning point with the affair, I guess the idea was to set up as to why she started the affair but during the affair was really quick. The climax was pretty good though.
Not one of Perry's best
if he really has any but worth a watch.
Loaded (2008)
It was undeveloped.
The trailer that I saw on Youtube made it look horrible. The movie wasn't really bad but it lacked...something, I mean I honestly only watched this movie for Chace Crawford but the movie confused me. There were so many lose ends that weren't tied up, the ending was horrible and I just wanted to slap the writer of this movie. Whoever he is, just like the writer for Eragon, should be fired.
The characters were undeveloped, I personally hated the character of Tristan, he made me mad, he was stupid and he was supposed to be a BIG BROTHER but Hayden was more a big brother than Tristan and he was the younger one. The scene that he did with Jesse when Hayden was telling Tristan what he thought of problems was a good scene but he gets punched in the face for telling it like it is? Ugh... boys.
Ohhhh and don't even get me started on the scene where Hayden gets beat up (Yes I pretty much scanned the movie for more Chace scenes since those were the ones worth watching) Hayden gets beat up and put in the hospital and for what? Because he made out with a girl who clearly didn't want to be there anymore? More could have happened with that whole thing, Tristan sees him in the hospital and now he wants to get Sebastian back? At first I thought they were gonna kidnap him and use him against Tristan like they were basically doing but I guess I was wrong, but if they did it like that THEN the movie would have had some kind of plot. But... we never know what happens to him... he just stays in the hospital, I would have rather watched what happened to him then see Tristan go on a rampage.
I wish that April girl would have gotten a life, it was clear she didn't like him like that, guess he was just too drugged up to tell.
Ugh...I don't know, there just could have been more to this movie then there was. Tristan shouldn't have shot Sebastian... movie was just way to rushed. All that crap in the beginning should have been cut out, if Hayden was going to get beat up they should have done more than just put him in the hospital because now they can REALLY frame Tristan. I don't know...I don't really recommend it but if you want to watch Chace Crawford then watch it.