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Reviews
White Collar: Vital Signs (2010)
Carrier Pigeons!
I absolutely loved this episode. It highlights how much Neal has come to care for June. I also liked how Neal was being law abiding and not the whole "tempted to run off with the loot" plot. The storyline may have been silly, as one reviewer put it, but it worked for me. This series, which always makes me laugh, contained some of the best scenes in the whole first season, from Neal walking in on poor Peter's breakfast, to Mr. Magic Hands and Mozzie pretending to be Bruce Willis, and drugged Neal, I laughed so hard. Yet the part where Neal confesses how he feels about Peter touched me. Brilliant and well done. Plus, Neal Caffrey in a lab coat and glasses and then in scrubs... yummy!
When in Rome (2010)
A great film.
I've wanted to see this film since I watched the preview, and it did not disappoint. I laughed so hard throughout. I loved the characters. Kristin Bell as a young woman who wants love, but has given up on it and focused on her career instead. Then along comes this awesome guy who seems too good to be true, and probably is. The four men were hilarious and I adored the best friend of Nick. It was nice to relax and watch a film that focuses on the problems and difficulties of love unrequited. Plus, even Rome was beautiful and made me actually want to visit. If you're in the mood for a laugh and some sighs, I recommend this film.
Hamlet (2009)
Amazing production.
I lived in the UK during the production of this Hamlet, but, alas, tickets were sold out. When I found it was filmed, I was ecstatic. A long time fan of Patrick Stewart and David Tennant, I had high hopes. However, I was blown away by this film. Those who have complained about Tennant's acting skills are treating him as the Doctor starring in Hamlet. Tennant's portrayal is one of my favorites. Here is the Hamlet I've read, a young man with a terrible knowledge searching for answers and guidance. His "To be or not to be" was chilling. Patrick Stewart as Claudius is soft-spoken and deadly. He gave me shivers. Here is a man who looks like your uncle (to use one reviewers words), but would kill you in a moment. If I had one complaint, the actress portraying Ophelia was an obvious let-down. I'm not a big fan of Ophelia and this actress seemed to be struggling with the character. Her "mad" scene was painful to watch. So, I had to give this 9 stars. Excellent production. Great set, acting, and atmosphere. I loved it.
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
Epic film.
I haven't read the books and I openly admit the only reason I really wanted to see the movie is because Sean Bean is in it. It did not disappoint. I may not be well versed in the books, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. Great action, believable CGI, cool sets and wonderful characters. The boy who plays Percy is great. Pierce Brosnan and Sean were epic as well. I even liked Posideon. And Steve Coogan as Hades was spot on. The special effects are wonderful and nearly seamless. I didn't look at my watch once (which is my test of a good film). One thing I really liked was the portrayal of Annabeth as a smart, independent girl whom the boy likes because she can kick his butt. Great movie and I hope there's a sequel.
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Curiouser and Curiouser.
A great adaption of one of my favorite stories. Finally in the hands of a capable director, I loved this film. Everything was spot on, from the visuals, characters, acting, and design. There were some pitch perfect portrayals. Stephen Fry is excellent as the Chesire Cat (my favorite version of this cat). Mia is wonderful as Alice. Johnny Depp continues to earn my deep admiration as an actor. His Mad Hatter was spot on, as they say. It was thoroughly enjoyable and I found myself grinning like the Chesire cat at the end. All the way home. I loved the Scottish accents as well. Roger Ebert didn't like the action scenes, but I felt they were a great addition and not too long. It was such a visually brilliant movie. Go see it! You won't regret it.
Doctor Who: Midnight (2008)
Maybe I didn't get it...
I voted a five if only for the superb acting by David Tennant. It was hard to watch him at the end of the episode as his voice was taken. Tennant was brilliant. I've just finished watching this and I have to say, after the great episode last week, what was the point of "Midnight?" As the episode ended, I just felt as though I had... missed something. The Doctor is trapped on board a vessel with people that keep changing their minds. First they like the doctor, then they hate the doctor, then they decide to kill the doctor. The characters kept changing and I was confused as to why, telling myself that Davies had written it in the script so that's why.
Watch it for Tennant's acting, but don't expect "Forest of the Dead."
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
Someone cut my heart out.
I was so excited to see this film. I loved the first Pirates, adored the second, and was anticipating a grand finale. Instead I left the theater feeling as though someone had cut MY heart out. The special effects were amazing, but the jokes seemed forced, set up, and sometimes not funny, though I did like the return of the two soldiers from the first movie. Granted I did laugh out loud, but as the film went on, I knew something was missing. Gibbs, one of my favorite characters, has only a cameo. Even Pintel and Raghetti were serious. This film felt as though it was written around the special effects (and as the last three Star Wars movies prove, that is not a good idea) and quickly banged together. I was disappointed. There are holes and unanswered questions in the plot that are brought up and never touched on again. For example: How is Jacks' dad immortal and his son not? But what killed me was the end! What did Will do to deserve that fate? Why not Jack or Barbossa (that would have been fitting) or even Norrington? Here was this great love story that had a stupid and tragic ending. Also, the scene with Will and Elizabeth getting married while killing people was a bit much. And don't get me started on the whole ending with Jack and the Black Pearl. I doubt I want to see this one again. I do not think my heart can take it.
Spider-Man 3 (2007)
Good film. What else is there to say?
I try to view every movie I want to see without reading the reviews or other's reactions. I tend to think art is a very individual taste kind of medium. I loved Spiderman 3. While it at times did feel rushed, I was not confused or lost and while the ending did tear at my heart strings, it was rather appropriate and well done. The lines were great. J Jonah Jameson always makes me laugh and I loved Bruce Campbell as the French maitre'd. Tobey Maguire does a great job, along with Kirsten Dunst. They were able to take their few scenes together and let the audience get more out of it. Bravo to James Franco who had to go from bad to good to bad, etc and each time made it believable and still likable. What I especially loved was how the film was able to explore choices, the dark side of humanity, and forgiveness in well written ways. So BRAVO Spiderman! I only wish Pirates 3 had taken a page out of your book.
Flyboys (2006)
A great film.
I only wish I could have seen this on the big screen. It must have been awesome to watch the fight scenes. I love this film! The characters are great and the special effects are wonderful. It was a little hard to tell some of the characters apart, but I think the actors all did a good job. Some may say the characters were stock, but stock characters are based in real life. I liked how they changed and grew as the film went along. I was especially impressed with James Franco. I've only really seen him in the Spiderman movies, so it was interesting to watch him in this film playing a completely different character. He did a good job. Oh, and I loved that all the French characters actually spoke with French accents. What a rarity. What I especially liked the fact that this film was clean. No unnecessary sex scenes or swearing. The violence was authentic and not overdone or too graphic. It was a nice change. All in all, this one is going on my wish list to own. Good film.
Elizabethtown (2005)
Cameron Crowe does it again.
Ever since "Say Anything," I've been a fan of Cameron Crowe. Elizabethtown did not disappoint. Orlando Bloom was great in the role of Drew. I sympathized with his character. To those people out there who insist he can't act, I say "HA!" This movie proves that he can. Kristen Duntz was good in a role I didn't ever picture her in. The supporting cast was superb, especially Susan Sarandon. I even liked Alec Baldwin, which is unusual. When the movie ended, I felt like I had been visiting my relatives and I had this sense of comfort and happiness, like I had been home. What I love about Cameron Crowe is his attention to characters. Unlike most "romantic comedies" Crowe's films don't have the usual crisis at the end. There isn't some great split followed by a reconciliation in the middle of a public place. The problems that arise are natural and they are resolved naturally. (Although it never did tell us where Samson's mother was) Still, overall, it was great film and I wanted to get back in line and see it again. Now I really, really want to take a road trip across America. Cameron, you did it again. Oh, and the soundtrack rocks!