Divergent: movie review

Grade: A-

Date: March 28, 2014

Location: Citadel Stadium 16
Notes: Great casting choices.

I like when I can watch a movie that I’ve just read the book for, especially when the movie has already been cast before I've finished the book. I can then picture the characters and the vision that the author had, while reading the superior storyline that can only come with a book.

This movie adaptation of Divergent did not disappoint! I think it covered all of the bases of the book and included a lot of details, a tough task to do for a movie that is only a little over 2 hours.

My only criticism is that they didn’t go as dark as the book did, and I don’t know if they did that for a specific reason (like the rating?), but I kind of wish that it did. For example, they did not show the girl falling to her death while trying to jump from the train to the roof in the very beginning or how Peter stabbed Edward in the eye because he was first place. 

In fact, if you are not paying attention, you might not notice that Edward just isn’t there after the first initiation rounds. Or you may have not even noticed him at all and I think this was a mistake as he plays a rather large role in the second book, with an eye-patch. I can only assume that he was the tall guy in the background of some of the scenes. Now, I am wondering how they are going to all of a sudden bring him into the picture without any backstory - I guess they could do a flashback. I digress.

Overall opinion is that I think the movie actually described how Tris could beat being Divergent even better than the book did. It made more sense to me as the book has me question some of the things that happen and was a little confusing at times. I think that the movie, even on its own, was very entertaining and the casting was great. Especially Tobias Eaton. ;)

Opinion: Amy Adams

Let's get real, my whole blog is just one big opinion.

This is something that has been bothering me for a while...

Can we all just agree to ban Amy Adams from big movies? Something about her just irks me - I think it was her role in The Wedding Date. American Hustle going 0 for 10 at the Academy Awards only supports my theory. And she better keep her damn hands off of Henry Cavill! ;)

Seriously though, I can't believe they cast her as Lois Lane in Superman. I could see her as the "April" character in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or something (red hair), but Lois Freaking Lane?!? Who is her manager and what is he paying for her to get these roles? I don't get her.

Does anyone else see this as a mismatch?!?

Here are three actresses that would have made MUCH better Lois Lanes, in my opinion.

Kate Mara

Jessica Biel

Alexis Bledel

Kate would be my number one choice, I have loved her since her roles in Broke Back Mountain and The Shooter. I would have thrown Emma Stone into the mix, but she was already the love interest for Spiderman. One super hero per girl! And I didn't even think too hard about this either, I just thought of women who would be old enough to have a good career in news publications, not too hot that they could appear unrealistic as the character, and not too old that it would be weird if they were single. Amy is 40 years old... you think Henry Cavill, as a 30 year old, would choose her? Especially since he is Superman?

The actress who played his MOTHER is even hotter (albeit again, in my opinion) than Amy Adams, and her last name is freaking Lane! Oh well. Too late to change it now I guess.

Diane Lane

Not So Easy A Task...

My husby asked if I would pick up the new Fast & Furious 6 for him while I was at Best Buy a few weeks ago... I didn't think it would be that difficult of a task! Eenie Meenie Minie Moe... Not really, I texted him this picture and he told me the one all the way to the right.

50 Shades is Cast!

Well, I was 100% wrong in my casting predictions for this movie adaptation in my last post about 50 Shades. I guess it doesn't necessarily mean that I was wrong, it just means that they made a different choice...

The casting of the two lead roles in E.L. James' novel - 50 Shades, goes to Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson, as stated in USAtoday.

The actors normally look like this, which is why I was confused at first:

 

They don't look anything like what I pictured in my mind while reading the book... but after a quick google search, I think I can be OK with it if they look more like the below:

The big thing for me for Christian is that he looks picture perfect all of the time, something that longer hair doesn't really do for me. I picture him as more of a clean cut type of character. And Anastasia MUST have brown hair... any other way just wouldn't work in my opinion.

Can't wait to see what they do with the storyline! Girls' Night? :)

The Saga is Over | Breaking Dawn Part 2

Grade: A-

Date: November 18, 2012
Location: Citadel Stadium 16
Notes: Bittersweet - loved to see it, but sad that it is the last one!

The movie was just great. Since I had a little mini-marathon this weekend (watched Twilight and then Breaking Dawn Part 1) it was nice to see that this series has come a long way since the beginning. I really enjoyed this movie and even had an "oh shit" moment during the ending where they give you a twist - but I don't want to give anything away...

I would recommend watching Part 1 again if you can before you see this one as I had to fill in my friends on why something happened (and I only knew because I had just seen the first one), but all in all I am happy with the way the story was told.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the K.Stew and R.Patt breakup... it was kind of distracting at certain points and I was having a hard time differentiating between real life and movie life. When they would kiss as Bella and Edward I kept thinking "I wonder if she knew at this moment she would cheat on him." Or when she tells him that it is a "forever love" and that "no one will ever love him and much as she does." I couldn't stop myself from thinking "yeah right" but I did try to stop!

I am hoping they come out with a box set of all the movies into one. I will add that to my box set of books and put it away for a daughter one day... or a niece, whichever happens first. :)

Taken 2

 

Grade: C+

Date: October 5, 2012 - Opening Day
Location: Citadel Stadium 16
Notes: I wanted "Taken," but this paled in comparison

The movie was OK... but it was no "Taken." The first movie in this series had several items that this one just didn't...

For one, the sequel didn't really have anything new or exciting in terms of Liam's "skillset." We already know what Liam can do, he's proven it, and this time I was hoping for something more or at least something different.

Another big miss on the part of this movie was that you pretty much know what's going on the whole time from both sides (good and bad). Taken had so many more twists and turns and surprises. The sequel had storyline from the "bad" side and to be honest it was all just a little more unbelievable.

Taken 1 also had a much higher chance for failure as there were several more characters that Liam depended on while Taken 2 basically depended on Kim, an unlikely candidate to drive a stick shift the way she did (not having her license), run the way she did, throw grenades, and outsmart the bad guys when she couldn't even answer her phone when she needed to the first time.

Taken 1 just seemed to have a more fast paced and interesting storyline so I would recommend re-watching it again rather than seeing this sequel.

Magic Mike!

Grade: A-
Date: June 29, 2012 - Opening Day
Location: Citadel Stadium 16
Notes: It is more fun if you can sneak in some vodka to add to your slushy...

Wow.

I can't say much for the plot of this movie, because honestly I wasn't really listening, but the eye candy is sure to please! In terms of dancing, Channing Tatum really outshined the others in my opinion. In one particular set, he was performing for Navy wives and he gave the best performance I have ever seen of that kind - not that I have that much to compare it to...

I wish there would have been a little more material there for me to care about Magic Mike's love interest, but I really didn't. In fact, I kind of just wanted him to take it off a few more times. I also found it hard to believe that in 7 years he had only saved $13,000. Did that seem low to anyone else?

All in all, it was a fun flick that all of my girlfriends and I went to go see together. We had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat!

Oh, and things really do get better with age... here is a photo and article of Channing during his real stripping career.

The Hunger Games!

Grade: A
Date: March 23, 2012 - Opening Day
Location: Regal Cinemas
Notes: Read the book! Then see the movie. :)

I have a hard time deciphering between a book I've really loved and then watching the movie that goes along with it afterwards. I have done this with several series including Twilight Series and The Help, but never the other way around (movie first).

That being said, I feel like I should tell you that I don't know if the movie was really as good as I thought it was because I knew everything that the main character, Katniss Everdeen, was thinking and feeling emotionally. My husband came with me and he thought the movie was just so-so... but his favorite movies are usually a little more graphic and action packed.

The main difference I felt between the book and the movie is that I thought that Peeta's character was unfairly cast as Josh Hutcherson when Gale was cast as the gorgeous Liam Hemsworth. I liked both the Peeta and Gale characters for the Katniss' love interest in the book, but upon seeing them physically in the movie, I was team Gale from the moment I laid eyes on him!

Josh (left) and Liam (right)

I have only read the first book and am halfway through the second of the series of three. I now realize that Gale really is Katniss' true love and Peeta is a good second, but she needs to make everyone believe in her love for Peeta for their safety. So, without giving away any more to the story, I highly recommend you take a few days to read the book (easy read) and give the movie a shot if you loved it as much as I did.

By the way, Miley Cyrus dates Liam Hensworth in real life... Good work Miley!!!

Breaking Dawn Opens Today!

I read all the Twilight books a few years back and really enjoy the escape to whatever place it takes me, even today. Maybe back to my childhood? This story is not a childhood even remotely like mine... we did NOT have boys that looked or acted like THAT in my high school.

Maybe the passionate love story? I don't like to think about it, because I KNOW that it can't happen because vampires don't exist. The whole idea of someone being able to protect you unconditionally, having the knowledge and manners of someone in their 100s, fierce good looks, and not even to mention a ton of money is a little bit intimidating. [I even heard some women went into a depression realizing that this life is not possible in our reality...]

I really and truly just love the stories, love that I am taking a HALF day from work with some of my female coworkers to grab lunch and a matinee, and love even more (although bittersweet) that we still have one more movie to be released!

Now, what is another series I can immerse myself into? Don't even say the "Something Borrowed" series. I saw that movie and it was a train-wreck...

I'll be sure to let you know how it is! :)

Movie Review | Just Go With It

Grade: A-
Date: July 13, 2011
Location: in home - Netflix rental
Notes: I would recommend this movie because when compared with other Adam Sandler flicks, this one was actually funny!


Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston star in this movie where Jennifer plays the part of the woman who has "been right under his nose the whole time" and he doesn't realize his love for her because he is mesmerized by 20 something year old hotties.

Everyone knows what is going to happen just from looking at this movie cover, but there are still some surprise cameo appearances and a whole lot of laughter! Happy Madison productions seems to hit the mark with this one compared to some of their other stupid movies and I really enjoyed it.

My favorite part was at the very beginning of the movie when this woman has asymmetrical eyebrows (Sandler plays a plastic surgeon) and it is just something you have to see.

The least believable part was that Sandler's character did not realize Aniston's character was a hottie before now... she puts on a bikini and he is "shocked." It is pretty hard to make Jennifer Aniston look bad in my opinion!

Movie Review | Blue Valentine

Grade: D for Don't!
Date: June 3, 2011
Location: viewed in home
Notes: Unless you want to be reminded of fading love and passion in a relationship that doesn't end well... don't see this film.


Really? The whole point of watching movies, in my opinion, is to escape from everyday life to a fairy tale or to watch two sides of a love story simultaneously and then watch it magically come together, a good who done-it, or even a little bit of sci-fi/ fantasy (yes, you are reading a review from a self admitted Twi-Hard). This movie was none of those things...

SPOILER ALERT:
I am not usually a fan of spoiling a movie, but since I don't want you to waste 2 hours of your life I figured this could be an exception.

First thing that happens in the movie is the main characters' dog gets hit by a car. Basically, the rest is watching a present day and 10 year past flipping back and forth of how this couple's, Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, love is formed and then ultimately fades.

Just when you don't think it can get any worse, you find out their daughter isn't the father's biological daughter, you get to watch Michelle William's charater get an "almost" abortion, Ryan Gosling's character get the tar beat out of him, and then it ends in divorce, roll credits.

The icing on the cake though is how terrible Ryan Gosling's character looks through most of the movie! I get it, he is supposed to look balding and a little trashy... but really? A sweatshirt with a bald eagle on it and pedophile sunglasses? Come on, Michelle Williams just looked tired in comparison...

Movie Review | Something Borrowed

Grade: B-
Date: May 11, 2011
Location: Cinnebarre - Mt. Pleasant, SC
Notes: I would recommend this movie based on what it is, an easy breezy chick flick

This movie is based on the book by Emily Giffin, which I did NOT read, so this review is on the movie only. I kind of wish I had read it now that I've seen the show, because I feel like it had so much potential for more feeling, but it just didn't come across that way.

Without spoiling it, the main character Rachel, played by Ginnifer Goodwin, was in love with the opposite guy of the one I thought she would end up with in the end. She could have gone with either one, and I think I would have been OK... which isn't the reaction you want to have when watching a movie about one's true love!

And Kate Hudson plays an annoying, crappy friend, but Jennifer also does something to make her a crappy friend, and all around, I wouldn't be friends with either of them in real life.

THE END.