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Reviews
The Good Girl (2002)
Beautiful
The Good Girl was a movie I just happened on. After watching it, I took Jennier Aniston completely seriously as an actress. This movie goes beyond what I had expected from it. There are a few reviews that claim she was evil and despicable by doing what she did - but I find her to be realistic. She wanted to escape her monotonous life, wanted to make something, and wanted to dream. Holden represented this unhinged dream. She hated everything in her life, and so did he. But the two, unfortunately for both, had different limits. His passion was boundless, with large ideas that he could likely never achieve. Her passion was a dream, and became far too real as she began to live it out. I found every single choice made by her in the film to be a realistic one. I believe I see myself in her character a lot, and that might be why I love the movie so much. She was willing to sacrifice a lot to hold onto her dream while she could, but when things became too real, she backed out, realizing she prefers the comfort of the monotony over the 'wilderness' that was Holden. Loved it!
Maleficent (2014)
No, Disney, No
I am a Disney fan. A pure Disney fan. Currently, I have taken it upon myself to watch every animated feature Disney produced in preparation for going to Disney World in August. I know information about nearly every film, flaws, mistakes, how they did certain things, who voiced what parts, etc. I love Disney.
I love Sleeping Beauty the most of all this Disney films for one reason - the art style. It is beautiful. Eyvind Earle was phenomenal as the art director, and I believe Walt's decision to create a "moving tapestry" as it was described, created some of the most under-appreciated sequences in the movie (ie the opening sequence was originally going to be much more like the "Belle" in the opening of Beauty and the Beast, and the cake baking scene with the three fairies was originally going to end in an explosion) Regardless, this movie touched a part of my artistic mind (I'm an illustrator) and opened the door for me as an artist to view the Disney films in a different light.
When I heard that they were making a live-action retelling of it, from Maleficent's perspective, I was elated. Learning that this was likely due to the popularity of "Wicked" I was even more elated. I had read the book (NOT the play) and had loved the treatment Elphaba received. I was only concerned, at the time, about one thing - how were they going to recreate the iconic art-style in alive-action retelling?
That was the least of my concerns when exiting the theater.
This "retelling" was not a retelling a la Wicked or even Snow White and the Huntsman, it was through and through a love story, akin to Frozen. In fact, it WAS Frozen, again - with the same twist ending that already feels cliché because Disney did it in two films back to back.
What's the problem? Maleficent is not Maleficent, the fairies are not the fairies, Phillip is shoe-horned in, and Stefan is the villain because despite trying to give the original villain dimension, we still need a one-dimensional villain.
This is a "lover scorned" story. Maleficent is mad a Stefan so she "curses" his child. I put curses in quotes because she softens it so much, it may as well be a bedtime story. That's right, in this version, SHE makes it a death-like sleep, so the fairies do nothing. Strike one. The fairies? They must have gotten the lobotomized versions of the fairies for this film, who have no plan, no knowledge (despite being self-described as "good with children") and no understanding of what they need to do as guardians of a child. Strike two. The movie shoe-horns in Prince Phillip as a pretty boy cameo with no real purpose.
Maleficent, in the end, turns her RAVEN into a dragon (because... why?) Strike three After this, she is a horned catwoman in latex fighting the "real" villain, Stefan, to his death, and the entire story is stupid, botched, and boring. Out of strikes, you should die now
Why anyone likes this movie or thinks it is not cliché is beyond me. It is the epitome of cliché as it is a replicated storyline from Frozen. "Familial" love is true love, here, again. What this fails to understand is what made Wicked actually INTERESTING was not the complete change of the character of the Wicked Witch, but the explanation behind it. Elphaba still does all the things she ever DID do in the canon of the stories and the movie. She is angry at Dorothy for killing her sister and taking the shoes. Without context, and from Doroty's perspective, she seems evil. From HER perspective, and WITH context, it's not less WRONG that she's mad at Dorothy, but you understand why she IS. At the core, you must not change the actions the character makes in explaining how the character was "not so evil" without completely changing the reasons WHY the character was then called evil, negating the reason for the original story or the retelling altogether.
Eye for an Eye (1996)
A Very Well-Acted, Neatly Wrapped Drama
So I have been looking for this movie for a while. I watched it years ago with my mother and only remembered three parts: A girl being killed by an ice sculpture while on the phone with her mother, the perpetrator talking to a little girl in a playground playhouse, and the mother leaving her hat at the perpetrator's apartment.
After discovering it was 'Eye for an Eye' (some of my difficulty was likely because I kept searching for it in Lifetime movie forums' I was happily surprised by just what had made such an impact on me. The language is astonishing (though I'm not complaining, language in life is astonishing) and the acting is very well done.
The drama is there, it knows what it's doing, and it delivers. Most shocking quote I'd say is 'I don't really like kitty pu**y, but I'm willing to make an exception. Stay out of my neighborhood, and I'll stay out of yours.'
So, 10/10 for everything other than just how neatly wrapped all of this seems to be. The evidence proves JUST little enough for the police, so that the mother is forced to go vigilante. Every scene gives her JUST the right amount of information, and everyone has JUST the right things to say - most of the time. I especially loved a scene where a coworker discovers she followed the Boon around where he lived, she says 'Have you told anyone? Have you told Mac?' - 'No' she replies.' - 'Good, don't. He'd have a COW! And don't do it again.' - 'Oh I won't. It was a dumb idea. A dumb idea.' and sally field smiles. -- So how many people BELIEVE she is 'not' going to do it again? Right...
Despite my complaints, a great film. Though I have to wonder if Boon have filed a complaint against the investigator when he grabbed Boon's testicles and choked him in the back room of the grocery store where he worked... I wonder if they man would still have a job??
Into the Woods (2014)
Excellent
I'm not entirely sure what people are thinking, but that's okay.
For me, I had absolutely no expectations going into this film other than that it looked whimsical, and less like the gritty live-action fairy tales, such as Maleficent (which I hated, mostly). DURING the film, it took Little Red Riding Hood to stuff bread in her mouth and insist it was all for her granny for me to realize the tone this was going to set - and I was definitely on board.
I enjoy an odd tone to films - and this one definitely had it. Whimsical, interesting, fun and playful, but not ignoring darker, more adult themes.
These fairy tales WERE meant for children in the original form, their original, foreign-culture form. What we seem to have lost in our current society is any indication that children could HANDLE mature themes when put into the right context.
Any adult themes were merely hinted at - the ONE exception perhaps being the Johnny Depp's Wolf character, which was still emphasizing flowers and candy, and not, well... 'flowers and candy' of another sort.
I think the key factor is what you choose to emphasize in a film. If a director shows a bird darting for two women's eyes, and shows the up-close eyeball being plucked from the socket, blood spewing form the wound - okay, that some Final Destination crap that doesn't need to be in ANY film (not even in Final Destination), let alone a Disney film. The narration helps by telling us that the birds plucked out the eyes, and the daughters' feet were mutilated - which are things that happen in the original stories.
This film was lovely, great fun, and has many great messages. I am somewhat saddened by Rapunzel not dying in this version, and I believe something was lost when the Baker never MEETS her, because they are siblings - but I see no reason to not show this movie to your children. Let them ask questions - explain things to them if they need it.
This film proves to me Disney can be a little darker, more true to the original stories, and still be fun.
Caprica (2009)
Perfection?
I first heard about Caprica when it had already been cast, FAR outside the rumor mill, and the first commercial was aired on Scifi. I was less than impressed - since I absolutely loathe the main actor *primarily for one role, the first role, I saw him in as a child, and I can't get OVER it)
In any case, I watched the first few seasons of BSG, and then found another program (stupidly) that was on at the same time, that I watched while my mother watched BSG, and just figured I'd catch up at some point.
Later, after the show ended, I decided we should buy the episodes and I should finally find out what all the hype was about for the cylons plan, etc. I was less than impressed, although the ending wasn't horrible - it seemed to come out of left field (though it seems to support the 'ancient alien' claims certain programs like to hype up.
BUT, none of that has to do with Caprica. When I first STARTED the show, and this is the first episode, I was blown away. Not only did they portray children as terrorists, but it was so nice that this entire society really brought home something that was said in passing in BSG, and that was the ridiculous concept of a monotheistic God. (I am not saying this is ridiculous, I just think it's interesting) Aside from the details of the belief systems, every single person is believable, in my opinion, in a world where so much is handed to us. These kids have a LOT... in such an advanced place, they understand a LOT, but they are numb to a LOT as well. I found that really interesting.
I loved everything about this show, and for those of you who thought it was boring, I don't think that is fair. This show couldn't have had the same urgency that BSG had because things weren't happening at large. The human population was fine... probably TOO fine, if it's anything like today... there was no sense of urgency, because at the flick of a button, most things could be done FOR these people. Once people developed a cause was when they really took up action, and realized they had to have agency to realize what they needed to do.
American Horror Story (2011)
Very Good Series
I'm not entirely sure what people are expecting when they turn to a show called "American Horror Story". Evidently, they don't expect the title, because many are complaining about them using the same tropes as other horror films, of being disgusting, and some even say boring, or without any logic. What Ryan Murphy is attempting here is a push of the envelope show, to see what can become accepted on television today. There are explicit scenes in this show, but we, as a people, fear sex. We fear the odd, our emotions, our carnal nature, how close to our natural animal instinct we really are when pushed too far. This show explores this, and it utilizes all the older tropes to put together an interesting story. One thing I love about the series is how each season is self-contained. We don't have to force characters to bend to go with the rising fame and fan-insisted story lines for characters - we get new characters for the actors to play each season, which is very refreshing. Sara Paulson and Jessica Lange are by FAR my favorites on this show - thank god they've been in every season so far. If you don't want to explore the darker side to your human nature, don't watch this show, it doesn't hold back.
Doubt (2008)
one word - superb
Some dark humor ahead:
I give this a 10 only because I can't give it something higher.
This is the perfect movie in my opinion - because it deals with such loud and explosive concepts as the sexual abuse of a child by a trusted religious leader, secular vs religious ideals within the confines of a private religious middle school, and the issue of homosexuality in children in the early 60's.
That is a lot for any move to take on, and Doubt does so brilliantly - because nothing is every actually substantiated. I think horror films should take this tactic into consideration - we can create the monster ourselves, fear comes from the suggestion.
One of the quietest films I have ever seen - and ever INCH of film is worth watching - over and over. The quiet moments where it pans close into Streep or Adams of Hoffman are absolutely fantastic, masterfully capturing so much without saying a single word.
And at the end of the film, all I must say is that I am certain for a few moments after the movie has ended that God is most certainly dead.
White Chicks (2004)
Umm...
This garners no laughter for me whatsoever.
The only thing that keeps it above a one was the ending when the friends of the two 'white chicks' likes the parodies of the two girls better than the real girls, which made me see some heart - but still I wonder about purpose.
If it's meant for laughs, it didn't achieve it. The few moments when it could have been funny are either played up way too much or rely on the stereotypical nature of caricatures or some moment where it actually becomes offensive in its humor - and I love dark humor.
It actually reminds me, at moments, of Freddy Got Fingered which has been stated by some to be nearly an art film it has so little purpose.
If you want to watch a movie, watch ANYTHING else... anything. Even the Scary Movies are more entertaining than this, with some decent acting and jokes that at least mostly rely on surrealistic sex, not 'one you go black, you're in a wheelchair' ... *shudder*
SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)
A Good Show, But it Has Seen Better Days
I was introduced to Spongebob by a friend of my sister's. She turned it on because she frequently watched it and thought my sister and I might enjoy it.
After the first episode, I was extremely impressed, and the viewing only got better the more we watched it. I especially appreciated the children's humor, slightly on the simple or retarded side, juxtaposed with a few nods to more adult themes. Nothing was ever outright said, but moments I thoroughly enjoyed were when Spongebob and Patrick become the unwitting parents to a baby clam, and hilarity ensues, of course; as well as a moment when Mr. Krabs tells Spongebob he looks like a girl in a hat that is worth a lot of money that Mr. Krabs sold him for cheap, and Spongebob asks is he is a 'pretty girl?'
Other themes I have enjoyed were brief moments where the vocabulary seems to become much more sophisticated, such as Patrick's comment 'The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma..' Also, moments where they actually comment on the fact that they are living underwater, such as when they are setting up a campfire, and Patrick asks 'Hey, if we're underwater, how can there be a... (fire)' but the fire goes out before he can finish the question. There was another moment when Spongebob receives an invitation for Patchy's House Party, but when he reveals the invitation, it is ruined, and he says 'Clearly whoever sent this invitation doesn't understand the physical limitations of undersea life.'
Many things about this show are very sophisticated and interesting. There are other elements that are obviously made for children as well. Later episodes have not been up to par with the older episodes, but that seems to go for most shows that continue on after being successful.
I will never stop watching Spongebob episodes if I have a television and it has Nickelodeon on it. I always find myself looking for that first when I turn on a TV, the few times I actually have access to one. I am 25 years old, and I am shamelessly entertained by this show.
This is also harmless entertainment for children. Any sane child will understand the difference between drawn characters and real live people.
Scream (1996)
I Must Have Seen a Different Scream
With the opening scene causing more questions than answers, especially for a NON-comedy, I come into the movie not really understanding the tone, the atmosphere, or the plot.
The first death is very interesting, because they actually take into consideration the physicality of death, albeit very briefly when Barrymore can't speak because her lung is punctured. However, it quickly fades into 'Really?' for me, from the parents being able to hear their daughters moans when the phone is held in an outstretched arm, to the rest of the entire film being completely slapstick and silly.
For those who call this move original, it DOES do something most horror movies try to NOT do, which is be fairly fake, flat, and uninteresting. I guess not having watched this in my teen years but really WANTING to have watched it when my older sister saw it with her friends, this movie was hyped up to me, with mental images of red filtered scenes of people falling to their deaths, screaming as they did so, to a much more artful process (must like Kill Bill, actually) than this was.
It is mildly entertaining, but not what I generally look for with a movie that is SUPPOSED to be scary.
Whose Line Is It Anyway? (2013)
Older is Sometimes Better
I was a HUGE fan of the original show. The borderline risqué and taboo humor the men (and sometimes women) showed was refreshing and allowed me to realize that not everyone is a prude when it comes to man-on-man action... albeit in humor. My favorites have always been Ryan Stiles and Collin Mochrie - when they were heavily featured, the show I felt was at its best.
With this newer show, I am sad to see Drew Carey missing. Understanding that he is busy hosting The Price is Right, I simply feel this newer show is lacking a bit. Aisha Tyler does not have the same chemistry with the other performers as Carey, and she simply doesn't seem to enjoy herself as much. This could change, rendering that criticism moot, but as it stands, I still prefer Carey.
Other than that, I strongly suggest that this show include the AUDIENCE once again and stop being so heavy to include 'guest stars' on the show. They can be entertaining, but not nearly as much as when the audience members, (at time begrudgingly) were put up on stage and forced to perform. It was entertaining, and made you realize that this REALLY is something the professionals make LOOK easy, but it's not.
Also, the games. I absolutely despise this new 'magic wall' game, or whatever it's called, where the performers lay on a red mat but appear to be standing up. Sure, it defies gravity on screen, but not a single one, in my opinion, have actually been funny. Adding ANYTHING to this show isn't needed... I still watch the old ones and crack up. The humor does not need to change for a new year.
All in all, I give this a 7 out of 10 so far. It DOES have much the same dynamic and chemistry as before, but the changes (aside from the set which I don't care about at all) aren't welcomed by me. I understand Aisha Tyler may come into her own, but this show DOES leave me preferring older shows to the newer ones.
101 Dalmatians (1996)
You don't want critical analysis, don't read
So... Disney thought they'd dip into the cash cow and try and rehash the already perfect with no need for modernization movie, 101 Dalmatians. Now with video games, fashion, and modern slapstick humor, this is a wonderfully terrible movie that seems to forget about the stylistic choices and just HOW the original worked. In the original, no one suspects Cruella of doing anything - Anita even states 'She may be eccentric, but she's not a thief.' One of Disney's more downplayed movies, the 1961 original featured wonderful characters, wonderful down to earth animation, wonderful backgrounds, and people you actually cared about. When the dogs go off- on their own - because nobody else saw the sings, it isn't a constant snooze fest of waiting for the off camera crew to have the REAL dogs do what they're supposed to do (in this way, Santa Buddies did it better) but it actually has, (because it was animated) the dogs TALKING. You understand what they want, what needs to happen - because they can speak their minds. Now, we have the police out to get the puppies as well - and Cruella, (whom Glen Close is a good match for) is played up even MORE to the extreme and completely unbelievable as a sane individual that no one would suspect. I enjoyed this movie as a child, but I can't get behind it now. It's too much, too silly, and the original did it right. Sorry.