Friday, September 17, 2010

Easy A

High school. So glad those days are behind me. I remember the girls that were tagged as easy and sluts and this movie takes it to the limit.

Right off the bat, you have to love Emma Stone as Olive. I haven't seen her in a film before but she's sassy, brainy, funny, and knows how to wear a bustier top while turning this high school's perceptions of reality into a really entertaining tale of ostracism.

Fun stuff in this film included references to John Hughs' films such as Pretty in Pink and 16 Candles and one of my favs - Can't buy me love with Patrick Dempsey. Remakes of some songs music from these classic coming of age films added that final touch of brilliance.

Olive's hippie parents were fun and had me wishing my parents were that cool back then. At any rate girls will love this film for many many reasons. I liked this film because it was about a girl trying to figure out what's right and wrong and who she really is - something everyone can relate to. And for that I give this move an A+.

Worth the money rating: $$$$

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

I see a lot more movies than I blog about, so sorry if some have past. There's always Netflix, so I feel it's still worthwhile to blog about movies that have closed at the box office.

One of the reasons I liked this film was because Gemma Arterton was in it. I saw her in Tess of the D'Urbervilles, the original book written by one of my favorite authors, Thomas Hardy. And I'd like to see more of her work.

Can't say I hated that Jake Gyllenhaal was in it as well. He must have really worked out a lot for this role. Anyway, I love period films and Persia has that mystique. And because this was a summer blockbuster plastered on every billboard, I had to see it.

When Gemma and Jake meet, there's that usual tension where they don't like each other but after days of adventure together fall in love. Jake plays a prince who isn't of noble birth but has the soul of a true leader. Gemma is a princes who is guarding an ancient dagger with mystical power - the power to rule the world. There are battles, bad guys, and lots of sand which made for a fun ride.

Worth the money rating: $$$ 1/2

The Last Airbender

M. Night Shyamalan ruined this movie for me. The NickToons series was phenomenal and he made it into a high budget, no story fiasco.

I'm not being dramatic. For fans of the series, this movie had nothing but special effects. What was so great about "Avatar: The Last Airbender" series was that it had heart. I realize that a few hours to tell a story vs half an hour over a few years makes a difference. If I were the makers of this movie, I would have made it into four parts for each nation and then a finale. That way you could actually care about the characters.

I missed Sokka's funny lines and Aang's easy-going nature and struggles to learn on his own how to be THE AVATAR with the support of his friends. I was also disappointed in the lack of depth Zuko of the Fire Nation had. Even the kids in the theater seemed disappointed.

That being said - the special effects for the Water Nation part of the movie were amazing! I hope the next movie is 1000 times better. Maybe if Shyamalan doesn't direct it, it'd have a chance.

Worth the money rating: $$

Eat Pray Love

Sorry Liz, but I couldn't get through your whole book. Got stuck in the pray part and had to quit. I know it's a #1 New York Times bestseller, but I it's propping up my iMac.

Anyway, I didn't love the movie either. It was good to see how everything tied together. I assumed it would have an uplifting spiritual ending - as though after you struggle there's always an up side. Maybe so, maybe not. Regardless, with Julia being in her 40s and this story was about someone in their 30s, I guess the studio thought that would made the story more relatable? Because who goes through soul searching in their 30s? Actually a lot of people, because people are working earlier, divorcing earlier and having a mid life crisis earlier - but that's another blog.

What I did read of the book, the movie didn't take too much creative license, and Italy was the best part of the movie. But I felt bored throughout the show. I guess, because I wasn't pulling for the character to get her life together. I didn't feel as though I knew her. Liz Gilbert has a way of writing that's witty and the movie didn't capture that for me. I did like, however, the charming Indian girl at the ashram and the scene with the elephant. I rode one once and they're very cool creatures.

I wouldn't go to this move to escape anything you're down about unless you can have a strong coffee with it. But I do like stories that make you think - Do you want to settle for unhappiness or not?

Worth the money rating: $$ 1/2

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

So I've read all of S. Meyers books and the movie version of New Moon was disappointing to say it nicely. But this saga made a come back with this installment. The Bella, Edward, Jacob love triangle heats up while defending against Victoria and her new legion of newbie vamps. With so much publicity out there, I don't have to tell you what happens. And it doesn't matter if I'm on team Edward or team Jacob. I'm on team, "I want to see a fun, action-packed, romance" and this movie delivered. Of course, you have to keep it in perspective. It's that gendre of movie. You either like fantasy stuff or not. Movies are all about escapism, so for me, these movies are just what the imagination ordered.

If you don't like teen romances or didn't have a team romance, this movie is still for you. It has action and suspense but also the story holds something everyone can relate to.

Worth the money rating: $$$ 1/2

Inception

Wow! What a mind blowing movie this was. It took my brain 3 days to calm down - it was trying to solve the mystery of whether or not Leo's character got out of the dream. I think I have to see it a few more times to be sure, but I'm pretty sure he was stuck on level 2.

This movie was so interesting that I'm not going to talk about the usual stuff - who was in it etc. The scenes I liked the best: The first view of seeing the dream world and the elevator with the van falling into the water off the bridge scene. I think I would have paid to just see these two scenes. So amazing. There's truly no words to describe the movie but confusing, uncomfortable, interesting, eye orgasm comes to mind in addition to a lot of words my brain was inspired to create. It's a blend of everything you think could happen in a dream with an element of danger at every turn. And definitely one of the best, original films Hollywood has made in the blockbuster area.

Also I tried the facebook version of creating a world but didn't get past making a park and it was so complicated that I didn't get it - but I'm glad interactive stuff like that was an extension of the movie. That was some good marketing.