Starring: Alex Pettyfer, Mary-Kate Olsen, Vanessa Hudgens, Neil Patrick Harris, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Peter Krause and more.
Directed/Screenplay by: Daniel Barnz Based on the Novel by: Alex Flinn Original Music by: Marcelos Zarvos
Premise: Modern retelling of the Beauty and the Beast in New York City.
Review: I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast movies. There's just certain tales that I will go watch every time they're redone. This is one of them. And I'm glad I did.
Everyone involved with the film gave it a fun, fresh feel to the old story. Some nice chemistry or the beginnings of chemistry between super popular Kyle and and down to earth Lindy right before the world gave out under Kyle's feet. The addition of Neal Patrick Harris was brilliant. A nice bringer of humor to lighten the dark, somber, estranged Kyle. And you'll love Mary-Kate Olsen as the witch. Too fun!
All the original earmarks of the tale of Beauty and the Beast are here - a test failed by Kyle which gets him cursed; the one year time limit to find true love; fate giving Kyle a way to strong arm Lindy's father to have her stay at his home; roses.
Having said that, there are also many new surprises. Reasons are shown why Kyle was the shallow, skin deep only boy we meet at the beginning. The transformation of Kyle is not into a beast but someone with tattoos, torn skin, embedded metal. And the sign of his curse, the way to keep track of its progress - some really nice subtle special effects for this one - a giant rose bush with roots in his hand and up his wrist, with the crown on his arm - and it goes through the seasons. There was a section passage of time that was also done in a subtle surreal way that totally complemented the film.
The ending had a slight twist from the norm, which was also a nice surprise. I especially liked the question it through in, the spiking of unexpected tension after he believes Lindy's gone on her trip - will she know him now as she did then? (No, I won't explain. Don't want to spoil it!) Fun film!
Rating: 4 out of 5 (No hubby rating as he didn't want to see it. Now I get to rib him that he missed a good one. Nyah!)
Even though I was totally out of commission for most of last week, I did manage to get a few pictures before I succumbed to the evil cold. (This is also the first time I'm doing this type of blog post from the new fandangled multi loader so should be exciting how much I have to fix before you all see it! Hah!)
The flowers from the red tree in the back yard last but maybe a week. Got lucky and actually got a couple of shots of them this year.
Hubby helped out a friend in clearing out a shed from an older lady who was about to go into an assited living facility. It seems they were big proponents back in the day of having extra food and stuff in case of the apocalypse. I got the friend to send me a couple of pics as these are not things you see everyday! Thought I'd share them with you.
Look at the size of that can! John said they weighed a ton. Six to a box. And they had a whole shed full. Perma-Pak, baby!
And while I huddled in my chair, hoping to sleep away or immobilize my cold, a beautiful and unexpected picture moment appeared! Matt, Drew, and their puppy child, Serenity. Adorable!!!! (Just don't tell them! I'll be killed! :P)
Even though I was totally out of commission for most of last week, I did manage to get a few pictures before I succumbed to the evil cold. (This is also the first time I'm doing this type of blog post from the new fandangled multi loader so should be exciting how much I have to fix before you all see it! Hah!)
The flowers from the red tree in the back yard last but maybe a week. Got lucky and actually got a couple of shots of them this year.
Hubby helped out a friend in clearing out a shed from an older lady who was about to go into an assited living facility. It seems they were big proponents back in the day of having extra food and stuff in case of the apocalypse. I got the friend to send me a couple of pics as these are not things you see everyday! Thought I'd share them with you.
Look at the size of that can! John said they weighed a ton. Six to a box. And they had a whole shed full. Perma-Pak, baby!
And while I huddled in my chair, hoping to sleep away or immobilize my cold, a beautiful and unexpected picture moment appeared! Matt, Drew, and their puppy child, Serenity. Adorable!!!! (Just don't tell them! I'll be killed! :P)
-- Gloria Oliver Unveiling the Fantastic www.gloriaoliver.com
This one I loved how the sun was nestled in the clouds. (Thought I was going to go blind taking it! lol. Couldn't see right for a while.)
I love that weird orange glow.
Starring: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ashley Jensen, Michael Caine, Matt Lucas, Patrick Stewart, Jason Statham, Stephen Merchant, Hulk Hogan and more
Directed by: Kelly Asbury Screenplay: Kelly Asbury, Mark Burton, and more. Music by: Chris Bacon, James Newton Howard and Elton John
Premise: A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, except with lawn gnomes. And a happier ending. :)
Review: First off, this movie was totally CUTE! The unusual venue for the premise was adorable. And right off they tell you upfront it's a retelling of Shakespeare's play and almost immediately deviate from it for fun. (The 'play' begins on stage and at the end the cast does a rather unusual presentation of the characters as they would in live theater.)
There are a lot of little details when you get first shown the scene of where the play will enact itself. The 2B or not 2B was hilarious and sneaky. Many lines are quoted or should I better say misquoted, on purpose even, although they give you a little jolt of recognition all the same, which was a lot of fun. (Needless to say there's a lot in this movie directed at the adults more than the kids.) Even William Shakespeare makes an appearance! I thought the film even had a touch of West Side Story running through it as well (lawnmower racing, booyah!).
I didn't realize Elton John's deep involvement with the film until the credits. Not only was his music seeded through out, he was also an executive producer. Several visual jokes are also centered around the singer and were adorable. (Again extra bits that will mean more to the parents than the kids. But there's plenty there for the younger viewers as well.
Several minor characters make the film (though Juliet's ninja sequence had me totally falling in love with her!). Nanette, the pond frog, as Juliet's confidant, was a total hoot and added a lot of flavor. Paris, the pink flamingo, I also enjoyed very much. The tiny red hat gnomes and the super commando bunnies were hilarious. And Spot, the ceramic mushroom/dog was also very cute. Alas, the sad plight of the little red fish will have you feeling sorry for him through the whole thing. lol.
One of the best spots in the film is an infomercial, of all things! The Terrafirminator ad was awesome! (I love the page and a half of disclaimers for the thing - including not being meant for residential use. ROFL!)
One little detail that so made the movie for me was the added clinking sounds of pottery as the gnomes moved about. Firmed their reality in a strange way. So kudos for that lovely touch.
Overall there aren't many surprises, but the presentation was adorable and many of the side characters totally endearing. All the voice actors were excellent and with the added talent of the artists, you can totally immerse yourself in this little tale set in Verona Lane.
Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby is on the fence between Full Matinee Price and Better on Cable)
(Inclement weather kept me from going to the movies on Friday but we went Sunday! Bwahahaha!)
Starring: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Tony Goldwin, Donald Sutherland and more.
Directed by:Simon West Story: Lewis John Carlino Screenplay: Lewis John Carlino and Richard Wenk Music by: Mark Isham
Premise: A corporate assassin is asked to kill his mentor after he sells out an op. Feeling guilty, Arthur takes his friend's volatile son under his wing.
Review: The Mechanic is a remake of a film by the same name from 1972 staring Charles Bronson and Jan-Michael Vincent.
I'm quite happy to say they kept the best parts of the original and added even more fun. Some good twists on top of the original ones, too. And a ton of action sequences and assassin goodness.
Mr. Statham is well know for his action films like the Transporter series and continues to provide much entertainment in that area. Ben Foster was very believable as the grieved and anger infused, trigger happy son who pretty much can only learn his lessons the hard way.
So if you like action, lots of guns, some explosions, intrigue and what have you, this film is for you! The violence does get somewhat graphic and bloody and there's some sexual content, so the rating is serious on this one. Be advised.
Rating: 4 out of 5. (Hubby rating - worth full price of admission)
