Movie Reviews: July
Bad Teacher (2011) - <3 <3 <3 - I'll watch Cameron Diaz in just about anything and this was kind of a switch role for her. She was a horrible person, who, by not really doing anything good came out on top. I have to say, as low-brow as this film was, I really enjoyed it. It just wasn't as funny as I'd hoped. Justin Timberlake, however, is impressing me more and more by his acting. He may not ever be Shakespearean quality, but he does a lot better than most of his other singer-turned-actor associates. The sleeper of this film though, was Phyllis Smith, who played Diaz's shy, over-weight sidekick. She stole every single scene she was in and had me cracking up every time she was on screen.
Battle for Terra (2007) - <3 <3 <3 < - For me, Luke Wilson (or any of the Wilson brothers) is one of those actors that could just sit around reading phone books and I'd be happy. That being said, it took me a while to realize it was Luke's voice coming through the only redeemable human being in this whole film. I think I liked this for that reason -- finally humans were the bad guys. For a kid's movie, this film was strangely deep, analyzing human weakness and penchant for self-destruction, dominance and control. When the film was over, I had a lot to think about, and that, in and of itself, makes for a good movie in my book.
Brothers (2009) - <3 <3 <3 < - This is the kind of movie that you really have to be in the mood for. Just reading the synopsis, I knew I was in for a serious, thought provoking movie. There were disturbing parts of this film that didn't sit right with me, but I suppose that's part of the point. War is hell, no, worse than hell. That was the driving theme - that war tears families apart. I liked this movie for the talent of the actors, and for the way it pushed my boundaries. That being said it is not something I would watch twice.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (2005) - <3 <3 <3 <3 - Everyone warned me that if I enjoyed the original version (Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)), I would hate this version immensely. I found that completely untrue. I loved this version, even enjoying Johnny Depp's creepier portrayal of Willy Wonka. I felt he kept it truer to the book while paying homage to Gene Wilder's softer, friendlier Wonka. I find Tim Burton kind of over-does the dark and eeriness of his films, but this was just right. I would buy this DVD and re-watch many times.
Cowboys & Aliens (2011) - <3 <3 <3 - I kept thinking that this movie looked good, but sounded like a bad B movie. I wasn't too disappointed. It had B movie elements, even if the acting pedigree was fantastic with Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, and Keith Carradine, but had a rather modern feel. I enjoyed it for the explosion qualities alone. The aliens didn't look very scary after a while, which was disappointing, but there were a few "gasp" moments. I'd reccommend this to anyone looking for a good shoot 'em up movie, for sure.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) - <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 - OMG. Best movie of the summer, hands down. I cried, I laughed, I gasped, I burried my face in my boyfriend's sleeve. It was beautiful, it was funny, it was incredible. If you are even the slightest fan of the Harry Potter books, go see this film. And if you aren't a fan, well... you should be. My only beef, if it's even a beef at all, was at the end, when the conversational exchanges from the "!9 Years Later" part were left of, particularly the one about giving "Professor" Neville love from the adults, and about Ron confounding the driving instructor. Sad. But hands down, great movie. When it comes out on DVD, I'm going to spend a day watching all eight movies. Bet on it.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010) - <3 <3 <3 <3 < - The only reason this movie got half less than five starts for me is that all the adult Vikings had Scottish accents. As a medieval re-enactor of the Viking age, I just could not let that part slide. I did thoroughly enjoy this movie otherwise, however. Jay Baruchel's performance as the plucky Hiccup was enough to sell it all on its own, but every other character was memorable and likeable as well. It also helped that Toothless reminded me of two of my favorite puppies, one of which was trying to get my attention the entire time I watched!
Summer Wars (Samâ Wôzu) (2009) - <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 - I have to say that after my not so great experience last month with Naussica last month, I'd become a little disenchanted by full-length anime movies. This movie, however, brought my love of Japanese animation right back. It was beautifully illuatrated and I found the English version acting to be amaing. The storyline was not complicated or hard to follow (like anime can often be) and I found the meat of the message to be strangely prophetic. I'd definitely reccommend this one.
The Lovely Bones (2009) - <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 - I cannot say enough good things about this movie. It was thought provoking. It was heart wrenching. It was moving. It was beautiful. It was awe-inspiring. It made me want to hug all the kids I know. It made me want to hug my parents. Mark Wahlberg has come a hell of a long way since his days in the Funky Bunch, but Saoirse Ronan's portrayal of Susie Salmon was so absolutely brilliant. She is a young actress to look out for. Her depth of range was incredible. My only beef with this movie at all, if it even qualifies as a beef, was the casting of Stanley Tucci as the villain. And I don't have a problem with it because he didn't do an amazing job, but because he did such an amazing job that I will find it hard to picture him as the beloved goofball I've come to adore.
The Secret of Kells (2009) - <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 - Such a beautifully drawn cartoon! The artwork in this film makes it worth watching all on its own. The acting isn't anything to sneeze at either. I loved Brendan Gleeson’s performance and Evan McGuire and Christen Mooney shine. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys folk-lore, or artwork.
The Smurfs (2011) - <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 - I was worried about this movie. I LOVED the cartoon growing up so I was worired about this "live action" movie screwing up my childhood. However, I was completely mistaken. I adored this movie. It made me laugh and it was cute (and of course, I love Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays and they didn't disappoint in the slightest. Katy Perry, Tim Gunn, Jonathan Winters and Alan Cumming were awesome too. Defintely go see this movie!!
You Again (2010) - <3 <3 <3 < - This movie was funny and made me smile. I wanted Betty White to steal the show like she always does but she wasn't in the film enough to do that, unfortunately. Kristen Bell was adorable, however, and the movie had a happy fluffy ending, like you'd expect. I'd watch it again.