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mjtastic
Reviews
Olympus Has Fallen (2013)
A bloodier, longer episode of 24
First let me say that I like Gerard Butler but some of his movies of late have been mostly miss than hit. I know he wanted be more than "the 300 guy," but the Ugly Truth and Playing for Keeps just weren't working for him. That being said having Butler work with someone like Fuqua, he's able show that he can be that brawny action guy with a heart.
I heard several people complain that the movie is implausible, well, so was 9/11 and it happened. My problem is why are people even thinking about North Korean terrorist attacking the White House, it's a movie, it's fiction. That being said, I would be lying if I didn't have flashbacks of seeing the news on 9/ll.
Olympus has fallen has a lot of blood, deaths, assassinations, and several action movie clichés. It also shows the different relationship the main characters have to one another.
Aaron Eckhart does a good job as a Kennedyesque president. Ashley Judd's appearance was too brief to criticize. Morgan Freeman does what he does best. Angela Bassett, was alright but wasted. Overall it's one of those action films that you can't believe the studios released especially in this overly PC climate.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Pure Summer Movie Fun
I saw this movie the weekend it came out and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't know what people were expecting but the movie was called "Cowboys and Aliens." I saw cowboys and then aliens. Daniel Craig is really trying to make a name for himself outside of the Bond films.
I really think he's going to have the best post Bond career because he's such a great actor. His accent was on point and he picks up where Cling Eastwood left off with "the man with no name" type of character. Harrison Ford was effective as his nemesis but he tends to be grouchy in several of his films as of late.
Olivia Wilde was OK, any number of actresses could've played that part. Jon Favreau, who I loved directing the Iron Man movies is trying to do something different and I applaud him for trying. The special effects are amazing. The aliens remind you of the creatures in Predator or Alien. This movie has potential to be a great TV show. Overall just silly Saturday afternoon fun.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008)
1930s screwball comedy with a big heart for today.
I just watched Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day on DVD and I loved it. I am an avid TCM watcher and love old Hollywood glamour films and musicals. Miss Pettigrew is a film that would fit into that Grand Hotel, Dinner At Eight, or My Fair Lady kind of feel. Frances McDormand plays Guinivere Pettigrew as a frumpy, plain yet wise and strong governess who needs work after being fired from her last employer. She takes upon herself to quickly get a new job to avoid starving on the streets in London. She arrives at the door of Delysia LeFosse played greatly by Amy Adams.
Adams plays Delysia as a mix of Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe, and Nicole Kidman to me. Delysia has so many suitors that she needs Pettigrew ward them off so she can breath. Adams and McDormand have amazing chemistry and they play their parts with charm, respect and humor. Pettigrew is like a Mary Poppins/Fairy Godmother composite in some ways. She is amazed by Delysia world but she doesn't envy it or have ulterior motives. Delysia wants Pettigrew to enjoy the luxury that she and her circle take for granted. In the end, Delysia must choose between living a life of wearing pretty clothes being with people that only care about parties, drinking, carousing or be with the man that loves her There are also several scenes showing the impending threat of WWII with Germany approaching England but it doesn't take away from the original tone of the film, it enhances the characters emotions toward each other. I would definitely suggest this movie to anyone that loves films of Hollywood Golden Age and the costumes are gorgeous.
Hex (2004)
Great characters, Bad story.
Hex for me is one of the shows that you watch and come to love and then whether due to writing problems or actors' personal lives, the show quickly fizzles out and you hate you even watched it. The first season had me hooked and probably should have lasted for more than just five episodes. All the actors are great, and the school is very haunting, and almost claustrophobic with teenage angst and cattiness.
I do know that I enjoyed how Hex was (slowly at first) growing with development and the potential for better story lines was there. I would love to have seen the McBain story further explored and Cassie's(excellently played by Christina Cole)character learn to harness her powers. I also would have liked to have seen, Cassie's father, lightly mentioned in earlier episodes make an appearance. Ella, while cool for fighting skills and toughness ultimately made Hex into the one thing it tried not to be...a Buffy wannabe.
Thelma is amazing as the comic relief, while at the same time, sorrowful as she struggles to exist as a ghost. Azazeal is wonderful as the villain and hunky eye candy, but I think what he did to Thelma in the 2-hour series premiere of Hex may have put a nail in the coffin for the show and Cassie and Azazeal's relationship.
It's no question in my mind that after the lead actress in season one left Hex, the show was over and that's why it was canceled. Plus the writing and the way certain characters were written out was questionable. Hex has a blend of many classic horror movies (Carrie, Rosemary's Baby, Dracula, American Werewolf in London, etc)and may have tried to throw too much out there by the second season's finale.
Hex was a good summer thrill-ride and no doubt great for horror fans that like a little teenage comedy this Halloween. The show was special in how it set up characters and the actors in a beautiful eerie setting and music. I think the original three main actors will be household names in the future as they continue to act in other roles.