Beastly Review

Great film!

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

When I first heard about this movie I thought "O no! Not another movie starring an Olson twin!" During the screening process I heard nothing but good things about the film. I decided to rethink my feelings toward Mary-Kate and her counter-part Vanessa Hudgens. The film isn't doing so well in the theaters but that doesn't mean the film isn't watchable. I walked in the theater not expecting anything great but left with a smile on my face. The film is enjoyable from beginning to end and Mary-Kate really impressed me.

STORY

It begins with Kyle, played by Alex Pettyfer, showing off his good looks and rock hard abs. He's running for school president and is solely campaigning against ugly people. He has a problem with anyone who isn't attractive and treats them like crap. He catches the eye of the school witch played by Mary Kate. She warns him that messing with a witch is never a good idea. Of course he doesn't listen and tries to play a mean joke on her. She knew all along what he was planning and decided to give him a taste of his own medicine. She lays a curse on him turning his inner beauty outward. Too bad for him that his inner beauty was as ugly as a bat.

Fugly

He has a year to find someone to say the words "I love you." to him while meaning it. He falls into a deep depression when he realizes his own father doesn't even want him. He hires a blind man played by Neil Patrick Harris to teach him and enlists their servent played by Lisa Gay Hamilton to watch over him. They became his only friends and the only people that really care for him. They motivate him to take a chance and live his life. This leads him to stalk an old friend of his that he never really noticed to begin with; Linda, played by Vanessa Hudgens, the only good girl in school.

Thank you !

Through his stalking he realizes that everyone hated him because of how he treated people but Linda was the only one who respected his ways. He saves her life when her drug addict father was doing a deal that went wrong. The father ended up killing the dealer's brother which made him vow to seek revenge against his daughter. The father sends her to live with Kyle so he can protect her until this issue gets resolved. She doesn't want to be there and shows it with her emotions. He buys her gifts and tries everything to impress her. Nothing was working until he decides to do something that he hasn't done in awhile... be himself.

This leads to a friendship that blossomed on screen. Eventually they do fall in love and the spell is broken. Kyle also achieved good things for his friends. The witch was also impressed with his new found attitude and decided to do him one more favor. Give the father the same treatment!

She rocked it

ACTING

This film is full of chemistry. Everyone was able to feed off from one another. You can feel the connection between Vanessa and Alex. Watching their relationship unfold on screen was a delight to see. Neil Patrick Harris and Mary Kate gave some of their best performances here. Neil was funny from the time he entered till the time he left and I was really impressed with Mary. I didn't think she could act that well but she proved she can do roles that require a bit of sass and a taste of evilness. I wish her the best because she has skills that the world needs to see.

My hero

SPECIAL EFFECTS

I loved the makeup and their choice of scenery. It was very unique to say the least. I loved how his tattoos would change with the seasons and how they just pop out at you. The film was bright and lively, even during dark settings, that kept the feel of the movie from being too depressing. A great choice I have to say.

I think I'm falling for a monster.

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The movie was written and directed by Daniel Barnz. He did a great job keeping the pace of the film. It didn't feel rushed and the story flowed nicely. I enjoyed most of the dialog in this film. Neil was able to use his wit to bring the dialog to life and keep the crowd engaged in the film. Prehaps he was the best writtien character of all. Daniel was able to keep everything in full view and nothing seemed out of focus. He may need to brush up on his smash cuts but you can hardly notice if you're not a film buff. A decent film from a soon to be great director.

THE END

Give it a view. You won't be disappointed. If you love love stories this is the perfect one. I couldn't help but smile and root for him to succeed. One of the best films of the year!

Not so bad after all

STORY 8 out of 10
ACTING 7 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 7 out of 10
WRITING 8 out of 10
DIRECTING 7 out of 10

OVERALL 8 (WORTH A VIEW)


 

RANGO REVIEW



I think I know you?

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

When I heard this film was being made I thought "Another dumb movie about a talking animal." Then I saw the previews and thought "A decent dumb movie with a talking animal." When I found out that Johnny depp was in it my eyebrow rose to a curiosity. The other cast members I didn't care about so much but when I got a pass for the movie screening I thought why not. It can't hurt to watch this movie and broaden my horizons. Good thing I did because this film turned out to be better than I ever imagined and made me a fan out of Johnny Depp.

STORY

                              WHO AM I

That's the mood of the film that displays through out. Rango was a lonely house pet that was lost on a trip to one of the best places in the world. He quickly learns the dangers of living in the desert once he hits the ground. He meets a friend that tells him where to go for water and where to meet people. Rango has been alone all his life and wants to make new friends. This excites him but the journey was harsh. He encounters a hawk who's hungry for lizard, wisecracking peers, and delusional fantasies. Luckily it leads him to a woman that could help him get to town but his new friend has some problems of her own.

Aw crap

The town is facing a harsh water drought making residents pack up and leave. Hope is very little during this time but when Rango proved himself worthy the residents found the hope they needed and Rango found his purpose. That was until they learned that there was very little water left stored in their bank. This sent them into a frenzy making Rango make a vow that he couldn't keep. Meanwhile, he's trying to win the heart of his friend. She doesn't like him because she thinks he's stupid and she is dealing with her own problems. The mayor is trying to buy her land but she refuses because thats the land her dad left her. It didn't help matters when the town folks learned that their water have also been stolen!

Bug eyed

This starts up an everlasting adventure that tested the brain and brawn of Rango. He encounter a foe so scary that his words were tough enough to break the spirit of Rango. After doing some soul searching he finally found who he was. He returned to the town to face his most deadliest foe and to tell the town folks the mystery behind the depleted water. What that mystery was I can't tell now. You have to run to the theaters to find your answer but don't worry... it's worth the trip.

Talk about bad ass

ACTING

This movie had its funny moments but its the story that proved to hold this movie together. The chemistry with the actors were good enough for a kids movie but I couldn't help but think that the villains outshined the heroes. They gave off the best work and put fear in the characters hearts. Johnny Depp did a great job with Rango. He's funny all the time and I loved how he was able to throw his voice. Some of the characters did great while the others flopped. This movie could have been better if they just made a few casting changes. Not everyone was able to flow together.

Mommyyyyyyy!

SPECIAL EFFECTS

The effects are phenomenal here. So far the best animated movie in 2011. These characters looked crisp and bright. Their facial expressions and body language mimicked real people with real emotions. I was taken back by some of the special effects during the action scenes. It keeps your eyes on the screen and popped out of your sockets. I saw this in 2D so if the effects was this good then you know 3D will blow your mind.

WRITING AND DIRECTING

I loved how the story flowed. The story was written by John Logan and he did a great job with the pacing and dialog. Nothing felt rushed and he kept true to the characters traits. It was directed by Gore Verbinski, the director of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. I loved how he filmed the action scenes and the look and feel of the town. I didn't like all those close-ups and some of the film is bunched up together. I felt like I was watching a full screen version of the film instead of the full format. Despite this the picture looked good enough to keep me interested.

You don't scare me!

THE END

                                                                   WHO AM I

Well you're a winner in my book. A must see for next weekend. A great film to take the kids to see and a film that a grandpa would like. It also houses a nice cameo from a legend and some singing rodents along the way. This film will surprise you. It did me!



STORY 7 out of 10
ACTING 5 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 9 out of 10
WRITING 8 out of 10
DIRECTING 8 out of 10

OVERALL 8 (WORTH A WATCH)
 

Tron Legacy Review

Took them long enough

THE MOVIE: CRITIC'S TAKE

I first saw a piece of this film at Comic Con a few years back. It was a test run to see how the public would react. The reaction went well and Disney decided to put this film into production. Fans anticpated the finished product for months, drooling over every little piece of information. Once the official trailer broke everyone was astonished and sitting in awe of the special effects and the Tron world. This film had high expectations and it did not disappoint for the most part. I got what I paid for.

STORY

The story beings with Kevin Flynn, played by Jeff Bridges, telling his son a bedtime story. Not any story but the story of Tron. This will be the last night that his son will see him again for a very long time. Fast forward about 20 years later and his father's company has gone to an elite organization to a struggling one. His son Sam Flynn, played by Garret Hedlund, is the majority share holder who does nothing for the company accept play games with them. He ends up arrested for pulling a risky stunt that could have killed him. Alan, played by Bruce Boxleitner, pays Sam a visit with some happy and disturbing news. He claims that he received a page from Kevin's arcade. He asks Sam to go there and check it out but of course Sam refuses. Curiosity quickly takes him over and decides to check it out. This was proven to be a huge mistake for him but also an adventure of a lifetime.

Nice fireworks

As soon as he arrives he is immediately taken to the gaming arena by the programs foot soldiers. He is suited for battle by 4 beautiful women known as Sirens.

Boner alert

Soon he meets his first opponent and wins. After beating another he goes up against the champion of the game named Rinzler. Rinzler defeats Sam and is about to kill him but notices something that the other players couldn't do. Sam was bleeding red! He takes him to Clu, played by a younger version of Jeff Bridges, that tells him what he needed to know and then some. Clu doesn't like Sam at all and sends him to the Grid to compete in a Death Race. Before he's killed he is saved by another program known as Quorra, played by Olivia Wilde. She takes him to the real creator of the game... his father.

I'm the man in this bitch!

His dad tells him how he was trapped in the game and why he never returned. Sam wants to leave and take everyone with him but his father warns that everything that's happening is due to Clu. Clu wants them to escape so he can also enter the real world. Sam doesn't obey and finds himself talking to a club owner named Castor, played by Michael Sheen. They want to find a program named Zeus. He knows a way around Clu's defenses and they think he can help. Turns out Zeus isn't the person they hope he would be. He manages to get Kevin's disc and inadvertently gets Quorra captured. Things are not looking bright for the father and son.

I've come to kick your ass

They devise a plan to get his father's disc back and save the girl. An action pack adventure ensues that I'm sure you will enjoy. Sam ends up saving the girl but loses his father in the process. Even though the ending was predictable it fits well for the story. Everyone got what was coming to them and then some.

You're getting some tonight

ACTING

This movie won't be nominated for any Oscars this year but overall the acting was decent. It's not much room to act in a movie like this so the chemistry was a give and take. Garret and Jeff didn't feel like father and son at all. The transition from hating him to finding out the truth and loving him again didn't come off well. Garret was forcing his emotions that made his scenes seem stale. Olivia had a stunning image that made her watchable but her acting in this film wasn't top notch either. Then again who was watching her for her acting anyway.

I want to be in her... world

SPECIAL EFFECTS

This is where they earn their bread and butter. The 3D here is the best I've seen since Avatar. Some things do shoot at you but it's nicely done. This movie looks great in the dark and in the light. The bikes and planes are breathtaking and the fight scenes were the best I've seen all year. Tron will be hard to beat in this department and filmmakers need to step up their game in 3D if they want to surpass this film. The effects alone is enough to watch this film more than once.

Awesome

WRITING AND DIRECTING

The movie was written by Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis. They did a great job with the pacing of the film. The film isn't too long and the downtime between action scenes are plausible. The dialog however is a bit cheesy and will make you cringe at certain parts. They tried to be cool but came off geeky and stupid. The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski. For a first time director he did an amazing job. The shots he made will blow your eyes out of your socket and he truly mastered the illusion of light and dark. I can't wait to see more of his work because he has a real future as a director.

Too damn bright

THE END

See it in 3D. There is no other way. You will have fun watching this film with friends and family. I know I did. If you're not a 3D fan then become one. The 2D version is also good but it won't give you the full effect of Tron. Either version will give you the full effect of Olivia Wilde though!

DROOLS

STORY 6 out of 10
ACTING 5 out of 10
SPECIAL EFFECTS 9 out of 10
WRITING 6 out of 10
DIRECTING 8 out of 10

OVERALL 7 (GIVE IT A VIEW)