Movies
Both movies pleasantly surprised me. I went into both with low expectations, which they exceeded. I don't know if that makes them great movies or not, but hey.
Charlie was a great eye-candy movie. I knew it wasn't going to Gene Wilder's version and that it would be totally different, so some of the more stark changes didn't bother me so much. Like the Oompa-Loompa music, I actually thought it was a good idea to give them more modern melodies. It kept up with the obviously changed atmosphere of the whole film. All of the children were wonderful, I think I like this cast much better than the other one. Maybe because they had more interaction with each other, which is always fun.
And, of course, the genius that is Johnny Depp can't be overlooked. That man has continued to creep me out my entire life, but I've slowly turned from creeped to respectful. This guy always does odd-ball but unforgettable rolls; not once have I seen him in anything so horribly demeaning as a B rated romance comedy, playing the leading man with a bouquet of ugly-ass flowers in his hands. I respect him for that, choosing to play characters that are...special. Special in their insanity, kindness, maniacal chocolate-making.
This one was definitely not as subtle about the psychological underbelly as the original, though. All the flash-backs were very unexpected, and were all at one disturbing, heart-rending, and amusing.
And the ending? Well, not so bad. The reunion with the father (I love you, Christopher Lee!) I thought was a little awkwardly placed. It seemed like it was stuck on there last minute. But the family going to live in the factory so that Charlie could work there was very sweet. And I love Helena Bonham Carter, she's always so good.
And who could resist Charlie? He's adorable, I can't wait to see what he's in next.
Is anyone else excited about Corpse Bride? I am! Despite the fact that until two years ago, Nightmare Before Christmas gave me...well, nightmares, I'm still really excited. I love the animation, and the story seems right up my alley. Not like I like dead people or anything, just the concept. Ok, so stopping right now.
The Island! I was so surprised. I thought it was going to be an explosion-fest with the incredibly attractive people that are Scarlett Johansen (spelling?) and Ewan McGregor running around kicking ass. And though there was that, there so much more. I loved the characters childlike wonder over everything they saw and heard, and the scene where Jordan sees her "client" reflected in the advertisement (the real one, which I thought was clever) was so poignant. You reall felt for the clone Jordan.
Oooh, and evil Ewan was so hot. Evil, Scottish Ewan. Not that he was really evil, and, in fact, I give props to the writers for making the "client" Lincoln turn his "insurance policy" back in. It made a sad realism, and again, such a poignant moment when he sees Jordan take Lincolns hand. You see it in his eyes that he just wants to live.
And Djimon Honsou! Oh, how I love him! He's such a badass, not just his character but him. So beautiful, so talented. I just fall in love with him every time I see him. I thought it was interesting that he helped Jordan in the end; a little random, but not a random I disliked. He didn't seem on baord with the assignment in the beginning anyway, you could see it ruffled his feathers that these clones were alive.
Sean Bean is such a good bad guy. I wonder if he'll ever get a role as a good guy, because I'm sure he could do it well. But he's so good at being...bad. He's got that insane-God-complex fervor in his eyes, so totally fitting.
I thought the beginning was the best part. The exposition on life at the Institute was really well done, and I liked the innocent interaction between Jordan and Lincoln. It was cool to watch their relationship change through the film, but you gotta love watching them burn all that sexual tension through kicking each other cyber-asses. That was a fun scene.
And when they say goodbye, that's another favorite part of mine. The simplicity of his hand on her arm like that, it being so forbidden, made it shockingly intimate. Even the sex scene didn't top it, in my opinion.
By the way, how'd they know how to have sex? I got the kissing part, since they'd seen it on the advertisement with the real Sarah Jordan, but still. I guess I can see how Lincoln may have remembered it, his brain growing and amassing memory and all that. I wish they'd explained it a little better though, because one minute they don't know what a alcohol is, and the next they're going at it like rabbits.
Besides that there's only a few other places I thought could've been better. I'm sleepy and won't go into it though. I suggest everyone sees these movies! Now!
And why are my apostrophe's going crazy?!