Oh, Joss Whedon, you just make me so happy with your strange way of twisting the normal around and around and around until it all make sense once again. This really was a clever movie, done completely in the style of my most faved director!
Ever get tired of the same formulaic horror movie where five kids hop in the car to go to someone's cousin's cabin in the woods, only to be picked off one by one by a redneck zombie family? Ever wonder why there is a formula in the first place? Then, this is the movie for you!!!
An absolutely strange mixture of classic modern horror, scifi/fantasy goodness! The movie will build and build in intensity, and just when you think you are going to scream, someone makes a wise crack and you end up laughing instead.
Be prepared to yell "WHAT?!" and "COOL?!" at the exact same time!
This is going on my list to buy the day it comes out!
Let's recap a bit on the book. I wrote a review a while ago which you can read here. Now, to further the discussion I wanted to comment on something I've been hearing a lot of. The gruesomeness of the story is the
number one excuse I hear from people who have not read the book. But, I cannot stress this to those of you who are avoiding this read enough, the gruesomeness is not glorified and it is not the focus! It's more about the bravery of these children,
especially Katniss, to have the courage to face this, not lose themselves in the
Capitol and the injustice, get home to their families, and start fighting back
for the first time in 74 years! What is happening to them is not their fault, it
is the fault of others, elders, that fear the power even a child can have in
raising hope.
Their character is what defines these books and makes them
worth reading. They give you the hope and courage you need to continue
reading.
With that said, onto the movie, (Note: very minor spoilers about what is not in the movie) I'm mostly on the side of the fence of really
enjoying it. I miss very small things that only a reader would be endeared to,
like Katniss yelling at Peeta for being too noisy while they are hunting during
the games, or Haymitch being much slobbier at the beginning and falling off the
stage at the reaping. But, the movie is already almost 2 1/2 hours long and I
can't think of anything I would have wanted them to remove to find more room for
other stuff.
Also, I went with a friend that had not read the books first
and she said that she got it, she wasn't too confused, but she could not depend
on the usual devices, such as dialog or narration to tell her what was
happening, instead she had to look to the actors movements, glances, comments,
etc to fill her in.
On that note, I thought the young cast of this movie
was wildly talented!!! Especially Jennifer Lawrence! Way to really bring a
character to life. If some other young actors or actresses had even half the
talent of Lawrence or her costars, we all might enjoy some of these books-to-movies concepts a lot more. :)
It's only been a day since I saw it, and the excitement has yet to wear off. In fact, I may be entering a withdrawal period here in a few days. I'm more than certain I will see this movie again before it leaves theaters and it is on my "To Buy" list, and not just any old "To Buy" list, but the one with the disclaimer that reads, Must be purchased on or before the official release date!
Here is the trailer for anyone else that may be expecting side effects like shaking, chills, giggles, random rants, screaming, sudden excitement, etc after seeing the movie...
Now, my absolute favorite part!
DISCUSSION!
You MUST discuss this with me. I fear it is the only thing to hold off the withdrawal.
Let me know what your thoughts are on the books or movie.
Things you liked, disliked, wish you saw more off, what you could have lived without, etc.
Pride and Prejudice! I loved the book and I think the movie was beautiful!
6. What's your favorite comedy movie?
A few Years ago, I would have said How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days! Now, I would probably say Easy A!
7. What movie makes you happy?
The Rocker!!! My previous roommate and I sat down to watch it, loved it, and watched it again. From then on we always put it on when we had a hard day. It's a nice one to fall asleep to also because it has lots of music.
8. What movie makes you sad?
Lots of movies! I cry a lot at certain movies. Dear John probably being the latest. I waited a long time to see it because I knew I would bawl through the whole thing, which I did! Also, movies that suck, when they could have been so much better, make me sad. For example...Cowboys and Aliens, Underworld 4, and Immortal.
9. What movie do you practically know the whole script of?
The Goonies! I've been watching since I was a little kid and I still love to watch it at night before I go to bed or un a Sunday afternoon when it's kind of crappy out.
10. Who is you favorite director?
Uh, does anyone have to ask me that really? JOSS WHEDON!!! After him, Ridley Scott. Then, perhaps Peter Jackson (really only for Lord of the Rings, though).
11. What's your favorite movie from childhood?
I would say The Goonies, but I just used it for the script questions. So, how about The Mighty Ducks! I loved the entire trilogy and used to make my cousins watch it with me all the time because they owned all the movies and I didn't have any of them until I bought them all when I was 21 years old.
12. What's your favorite animated movie?
I LOVE lots of Disney movies! Especially Beauty and the Beast, the Little Mermaid, Mulan, and Hercules. Now I would have to say one of hayao Miyazaki's movies, like Howl's Moving Castle or Princess Mononoke.
13. What's a movie that you used to love, but now hate?
Hates a pretty strong word. I wouldn't say I "hate" any of them, just they're too young. Like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Also, perhaps The Notebook. It was nice to see it the first time, but now it's so corny!!!
14. What's your favorite quote from a movie?
That's a hard one! I did quote Zombieland for a long time after it came out. Especially anything that had to do with Woddy Harrelson trying to find his Twinkies. But, I also love some lines Joss Whedon wrote for Serenity, like "Half of writing history is hiding the truth." or "Way I remember it, albatross was a ship's good luck, 'til some idiot killed it." I like his writing because there are always references to other things, like the albatross from Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner."
15. What's the first movie you saw in theaters?
Beauty and the Beast! I went with my mom and some of my cousins!
16. What's the Last movie you saw in theaters?
I think it was The Grey? Maybe? The last week that I went to the theaters, I ended up seeing 3 movies in about 4 days. So, it could have been One for the Money or Underworld 4.
17. What's the best movie you saw during the last year?
The Three Musketeers! The critics killed it, but I think that was a load of crock! I LOVED it! So entertaining!
18. What is a movie that disappointed you?
There have been a few sadly. Mostly horror movies. For example...The Hills Have Eyes and Skyline!
More to come!
You can do this too! I choose to do mine in 15 days, but here is the list to try in 30 days:
Day 1- Your Favorite Movie
Day 2 - The last movie you watched
Day 3 - Your favorite action/adventure movie Day 4 - Your favorite horror movie Day 5 - Your favorite drama movie Day 6 - Your favorite comedy movie Day 7 - A movie that makes you happy Day 8 - A movie that makes you sad Day 9 - A movie that you know practically the whole script of Day 10 - Your favorite director Day 11 - Your favorite movie from your childhood Day 12 - Your favorite animated movie Day 13 - A movie that you used to love but now hate Day 14 - Your favorite quote from any movie Day 15 - The first movie you saw in theaters Day 16 - The last movie you saw in theaters Day 17 - The best movie you saw during the last year Day 18 - A movie that disappointed you the most Day 19 - Your favorite actor Day 20 - Your favorite actress Day 21 - The most overrated movie Day 22 - The most underrated movie Day 23 - Your favorite character from any movie Day 24 - Favorite documentary Day 25 - A movie that no one would expect you to love Day 26 - A movie that is a guilty pleasure Day 27 - Favorite classic movie Day 28 - Movie with the best soundtrack Day 29 - A movie that changed your opinion about something Day 30 - Your least favorite movie
I saw the trailer for One for the Money a few weeks back and expressed to one of my best friends that I thought I would like to see it. She then went on to tell me how it was based off of all the books she had been reading for months now. Let me just say, that Janet Evanovich needs better covers for her books! Ones that actually reveal something about the plot of her books. I kept looking at what my friend was reading, thinking what the he** is she reading. It looks old, outdated and tells you nothing about the book. Once I saw the trailer, and learned a bit more, I actually wanted to read the book, and so I did.
Just a few weeks later, the movie came out and talked everyone into going on opening night. I don't see things often on opening day because I know it will be crowded, but I knew nothing about the movie until a few weeks before it was coming out, and I figured, how bad can it be? Turns out, IT WAS TWILIGHT BAD! So many women, EVERYWHERE! lol. Nevertheless, besides being a bit claustrophobic, I enjoyed the movie immensely! I think the movie caught all the big scenes and the ones that they had to condense worked well. The only thing that disappointed me was that the movie was not nearly as scary as parts of the book were. When Stephanie is being taunted by Ramirez, I was freaked in the book. In the movie, his taunting was diluted to one message left on her answering machine! Ramirez was barely a part of the movie, when I would have counted him as the fourth or fifth biggest character in the book! Other than that, I was thoroughly entertained.
My friend would probably add that she thought Ranger talked too much in the movie lol. She said that he should have been more of the sexy silent type. She's a major Ranger fan, though.
Summary: ONE FINE MESS
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...
ONE FALSE MOVE
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...
ONE FOR THE MONEY
Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn’t. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she’ll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man. *******
By the time I got my hands on this book, one of my best friend's had already read ALL 18 of the Stephanie Plum novels and a movie based on the novel was about to come out! But I got it, read it, and then was able to see the movie the very next week!
High Notes: As many of you must already know, I am not the type of person to pick a piece of contemporary fiction. I just think reading about every day life can be a bit boring or depressing. I enjoy the escape from it so I usually turn towards historical fiction or sci-fi/fantasy. However, One for the Money was so very, very funny! And, at the same time, very serious! A great mix. I enjoyed the main character's, Stephanie Plumb's, sardonic reasoning. "Well, I was fired and am going to lose my car and my apartment so I might as well become a bounty hunter so I can bring in that hotty that I had a one-night-stand with in high school and ran over a few years back because he never called!" LOVE IT! Completely ridiculous, but Evanovich just sweeps you away with her fast-paced dramedy.
But it's not all guns and roses. The novel tackles some serious issues like rape and abuse. Stephanie is constantly just getting away from trouble with the help of the quiet, but buff, fellow bounty hunter, Ranger, and the guy she's trying to bring in, Morelli. She is a strong personality that doesn't stop until she achieves her goals and puts the real bad guys behind bars.
Low Notes: This is a tough one for me. I tend to like just about everything I read, because if I don't like it, I won't read it! So, most of the times, you guys only get the good reviews. :). But, I will say, for some of you, the book could be a bit offensive. There is quite a bit of swearing, including the F-word. None of the violence or sex is really described, but it is talked about and implied. And shooting people is taken pretty lightly, but just because most of the people in the book accept is as "life" in certain parts of town.
I'd suggest that you be at least 16 years-old to read the book.
*****
As a final note, ladies, I must ask! Morelli or Ranger? I'm personally leaning towards Morelli!
Ratings:
Character Development: 5/5
Dialogue: 5/5
Prose: 5/5
Believability: 4/5
Style and Grammar: 4/5 At times there are accents built into the dialogue. Not, necessarily a bad thing, but I know some people find that hard to read.
Entertainment Value: 5/5 This book is pure entertainment!
Overall Rating: 93% A quick and entertaining read!
Look for my "One for the Money" movie review coming tomorrow!
Entertainment Weekly is calling it the best action movie of 2011! It's hard to recall all the action movies from 2011 at this time, but I wouldn't hesitate for very long to put it in the top 5 of my list for 2011.
Mission Impossible and I have had a pretty solid love hate relationship. I've seen the first one multiply times, but really can't tell you anything about it because it was that forgettable. I LOVED the second one and can tell you almost everything that happened in order! Number 3 was just another repeat experience of the first movie. I've only seen it once and had the common sense not to re-watch it. Now, onto 4, it rivals the 2nd one for sure!
In this edition to the franchise, Ethan Hunt's (Cruise) team is blamed for the bombing of the Russian Kremlin. The entire division is disavowed, and it is up to Hunt and his other agents to prove their innocence by finding the real bomber, all while playing in the dark with no way of contacting any of their inside connections
This film was full of impressive stunts that leave you hanging half off your seat and holding your breath, from scaling the tallest building in the world, to a high speed chase in the midst of a sand storm.
I will also note that this film was funnier than the others, a pleasant change in the franchise.
Go on and check out one of the best, if not the best, action films of 2011 and let me know what you think!
At first, I thought, "FINALLY! Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie are making a movie together!" Then, I thought, "CRAP! They've both done some strange movies lately and this could be double the disaster."
Luckily, it started playing on the Stars channel while I had the free few months or so, so I figured I might as well DVR it (BEST invention EVER!) and give it a try.
I was not disappointed!!! Parts were a little artsy, yes, but the overall story was fascinating and terribly romantic!
Johnny Depp plays his signature slightly not-all-there, but handsome persona, charming you the whole way through with his clumsy, yet clever character.
Nevertheless, Angelina Jolie steals every scene (a VERY difficult thing to do next to the previous Captain Jack Sparrow). She's stunning from head to toe! Looking robust, healthy, steeled and confident, yet graceful, she makes me want to be her, and have the capabilities to stare someone straight in the eye and either intimidate or attract them without saying a word!
This is a difficult one to summarize, even just a little without giving too much a way, but I will try and just be plain cryptic for you:
Depp is a tourist who meets a beautiful woman during his travels that changes his entire life from a seemingly dull existence into an edge-of-your-seat European adventure. The problem is, did he ever want to meet this mysterious beauty in the first place, or did he decide to stay with her the moment he first laid eyes on her.
Definitely one to check out. Especially if you love just a little artiness, but not too much, some action, adventure and intrigue, and just the right amount of romance.
Oh, Joss Whedon, you just make me so happy with your strange way of twisting the normal around and around and around until it all make sense once again. This really was a clever movie, done completely in the style of my most faved director!
