4 Thoughts on The Golden Globes

1. The Hosts - I just love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. They are perfect together and they killed this opening monologue. There really weren't any missteps in the beginning. However, as the show went into the North Korea jokes over and over (and over) again, I can't stick up for them. It was just so dumb and boring and it already felt old (I mean, come on...that was like a whole month ago!!). There is still a lot to love, though. My favorite jokes were the George Clooney "Lifetime Achievement Award" gag, the Emma Stone Big Eyes comparison, the "Who would you rather?" skit and the Joaquin Phoenix dis (his wave just made it oh so perfect).

2. The Show - I turned it on about an hour into the live show (I dvr'd it), and aside from the beginning monologue, I was so bored. I fast-forwarded through most of it; and ended up catching up within 30 minutes. The only funny presenters were Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader (absolutely genius; and I loved the way she kept giggling at her own impressions), and Chris Pratt and Anna Faris (love). Even Ricky Gervais disappointed, and I am huge fan (fuck the haters). The winners were mostly annoying - especially Amy Adams who claimed that she "wasn't prepared". It was definitely the least genuine speech of the night. Fuck right off, Amy Adams (I love her, so I'm kidding, obviously). It was fun seeing Julianna Margulies and George Clooney on stage together (HUGE ER fan), but the Cecil B. Demille award? Really? I'm a massive fan, but he just seems too young (and his career didn't really kick off until after Out of Sight, which was 1998 - and that's only 16 years; not exactly "lifetime" status). I hated at the end, when they started rushing everyone because the show was going over in time. I bet they cut some actual funny stuff, which is a shame. 

3. The Winners - I don't have a lot to say about the winners this year, because shockingly, I haven't seen most of the nominated films or tv shows. I knew I would be out of the loop for movies. 2014 wasn't the strongest movie year, for me. I still have a lot to see (even the two big ones are still on my list, Boyhood and Birdman), but in all honesty, nothing is urgent. My favorite dramas of the year, Under the Skin, Interstellar, and I, Origins all received mixed reactions, while my favorite comedy, The Skeleton Twins was inexplicably ignored. Plus, I really hated The Grand Budapest Hotel. It actually made my worst list (but it's already been bumped off). Having seen so little of the nominated movies, I don't think I can fairly judge their winning picks (I can, however, judge the nominations themselves. Having just seen American Sniper, Bradley Cooper is stunning. I can't imagine a better performance. It's better than my previous pick, Jake Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler). I thought I would, at least, have a good grasp of the television side of the show, but man, Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin?! I've never seen the show, but the main reason why I've never watched it, is because the commercials look horrendous; the acting is the worst part. Then, Transparent, took home some of the big drama awards, and I've never seen it (but it's on my list). I'm glad that Fargo beat True Detective. I didn't expect it to, but I think it's a better show. Also, the more I think about True Detective, the less I like the show. It has some amazing elements and some stunning camerawork, but the show, overall is slightly above average. When you compare that to current shows (several of which are stunning), there is no comparison. I am probably the only person who really, truly loves The Affair. I love everything about it. It's definitely my favorite new show of this past season, however, it's not the best drama on television (that title belongs to Mad Men, which I assume wasn't eligible for this year's Globes, otherwise this awards show is truly a joke). There are also other snubbed dramas, like The Americans, Parenthood etc. that are better. And there is also The Good Wife, which I am only on season 4 of, but if it gets as good as most people say, then it has to be incredible (because it's already solid). I'm still happy for The Affair winning, just because I loved watching all of the people on twitter flip their shit over a show they haven't even watched. Let's all remember, this is the awards show that once nominated The Tourist; it's really not that serious. 

4. The Fashion - The one positive note I can say about the show, is that I LOVED most of the fashion, and that hasn't happened in while. Usually I have two or three dresses that I love and I hate the rest, but this year there are like a dozen dresses that I loved. First, best overall stunner, was Jessica Chastain (OBVI). My second favorite was Leslie Mann (she is my style icon. Always and forever.). Other dresses/looks that I adored: Michelle Monogan (slip dresses are hard to wear, and she looked glorious), Ruth Wilson (so weird, and kind of ugly, but the good kind of ugly...if that makes sense. It looks like something I would wear), Sienna Miller (who suddenly has me considering chopping off my hair and dying it blonde. If only I looked like her afterwards! That deep v dress, though. It's just perfection), Emma Stone (who wore pants! And looked fucking SEXY), and a special shout-out to Amy Poehler's necklace (I'm a sucker for a funky statement necklace). The dresses that I didn't like, in no particular order: Katie Holmes (bridesmaid), Salma Hayek (Bride) and Kerri Washington (maid of honor). And the most unflattering dress I may have ever seen was worn by Rosamund Pike, who I've never really been a huge fan of, but I think she is averagely pretty. This dress made her look....just....not good. Not good, at all. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Wish I Was Here - I have always been a fan of Zach Braff (huge Scrubs fan), but the whole Kickstarter thing did annoy me a bit. I don't think successful people (with big pockets) should be able to utilize the site to solicit money from their fans. If you have enough money to fund your passion, then YOU should fund it. However, I do understand why fans would fork over their hard earned cash to get something made. If someone wanted to make an ALIAS movie, I would donate faster than you can say "Milo Rambaldi" (and I would hate myself for it). I was a fan of Garden State, but I didn't think it was life-changing or anything. This movie, from the trailer, did not look anything like Garden State. It seemed overly sentimental, cheesy and lacking any kind of depth whatsoever. Needless to say, I was not excited to see it. It turned out better than I thought, in some ways, and worse than I thought, in other ways. First, I thought his daughter was the sick one (and it's even referenced in the scene with Turk). I knew the father was, too - so that seemed like a lot of depressing stuff for one movie. I am glad that I was wrong; the daughter is fine. The movie is more about just enjoying life and following your dreams (still cheese central), but it wasn't as depressing as I was prepared for it to be. Second, I really, really like that the movie is about a Jewish family - and addresses the Jewish faith from a modern point of view. As someone who was partially raised by a very typical Jewish grandmother, it was refreshing to see a realistic portrayal of characters that didn't feel pummeled with stereotypes. I also think it has some strong father/son moments, while addressing the pressure that is placed on some men to provide for their family. As his father says, in so many words, the pursuit of happiness is not from God, that's the American dream; God wants you to provide for your family. It's sad that someone would discourage their child from following their dream, but sometimes, it makes sense, as to why they do. These two things made the movie quite interesting, but the acting and some of the dialogue really lets the story down. Zach Braff was the biggest let down, his acting was awkward (and not in the usual good awkward way), it felt like he was trying too hard. I've never been a fan of Kate Hudson (even thought she is super adorable, and I am a HUGE Goldie Hawn fan), and I had to endure TWO movies with her, in the same week (see below).

2. Good People - My mom picked this movie (out of EVERYTHING that Netflix has to offer), and I really was not happy. Kate Hudson and James Franco in a movie together; one that was released just last year, yet, I've never heard of it. There is no way it could be good. And it isn't. It's terrible. The plot is ridiculously stupid. Like, scream at the television kind of stupid. The stupidest part of all is the Home Alone ending. It was completely predictable and just so, so ridiculous. The odd part, though, is that they include several shots of this huge chandelier hanging from the ceiling for absolutely no reason at all. My mom even noticed it and questioned it. I assumed it was some sort of foreshadowing, but nope - just random shots of an old chandelier. James Franco can be a good actor when he sets his mind to it, but I just can't take him seriously after his stint on General Hospital. I just can't. This movie will definitely make my list of worst movies of 2014 (I already made my list, but I always do an updated list in July, after I've actually seen everything that I want to see).

3. I, Frankenstein - Everyone trashed this movie. I mean, it has a 3% on Rotten Tomatoes. I don't always go by RT ratings, but a 3% is pretty telling. It's really bad. Not in the "so bad, it's good" category, either. I love Yvonne Strahovski, so I thought that, at least, I could watch a hot girl kick some supernatural ass, but no....she's a scientist. A really bland scientist. Don't even ask me what the plot is, because the most I could put together is "It's about Frankenstein's monster in the middle of a war between gargoyles and demons. And a scientist does some sciency stuff.". The worst part is the special effects; especially the gargoyles. Just everything about it is poorly executed. Another film that will be added to my worst of 2014 list.

4. If I Stay - This is an ok movie; nothing special or truly memorable about it, really. The whole movie is in the trailer, which I actually did watch (it played before something in the movie theater) and it is extremely predictable right to the very end (*spoiler* the letter is obviously going to be the deciding factor). The movie is basically about deciding to live, and I don't know, if my mother, father and brother all died in a car accident, I don't think I would be too keen on staying alive (I don't have a brother, and it would actually be a blessing if my father died, but you get my point). The movie reminded me a lot of the movie The Invisible (with the ever adorable Justin Chatwin. Where has he been?), but I liked that movie a bit more. I usually like Chloe Grace Moretz, but her acting is very up and down in this movie. There are two very painfully acted scenes - the one where she talks to her brother in the hospital and the one where she is crying on the hospital floor - both of which are supposed to be emotional. She can act, so I'm not quite sure what went wrong here. There are two things I really like about this movie, though. One: the slow, haunting version of "Halo" is so good it gave me chills. Two: the quote "You're supposed to break up with someone because you're not in love with them, not because you're completely in love with them." Hear, fucking, hear.

5. In Your Eyes - As you might know already, I do not like Zoe Kazan. I do, however, LOVE Joss Whedon, and he wrote this script so I thought I would like the story. I didn't. It's not bad, at all, I just didn't like it. The story is definitely the best part of it, but I feel like the really cool concept isn't fully explored. The idea that these two people are intrinsically linked is pretty awesome - like an overt soul-mate situation, but the way they communicate is a little too weird. They've "felt" each other's existence for 20 years, but now they can suddenly talk to each other? It's not really explained as to why they can communicate this way (it doesn't necessarily have to be explained, but I guess some sort of reason would have been nice - it didn't even have to be realistic, just....something.). I hate the way her husband is represented as a controlling asshole with absolutely no redeeming qualities. I also hate the way everyone around her is deemed a villain, because they are just trying to help someone who seems to have some psychological problems. Honestly, if that was happening to me, I would walk myself into a hospital and say "check me in, please". The movie is cutesy and sweet, but it's just not my thing. It felt like a low budget Nicholas Sparks movie.

Best and Worst Films of 2014

BEST:

1. Under the Skin
2. Interstellar
3. I Origins
4. Guardians of the Galaxy
5. The Skeleton Twins
6. Filth
7. Enemy
8. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
9. The Babadook
10. Neighbors

*Honorable mentions: 22 Jump Street, Nightcrawler, Begin Again, The Fault in Our Stars (I know, I'm just as surprised as you are about that one), and Big Hero 6

**Still haven't seen: A Most Violent Year, Boyhood, American Sniper, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Inherent Vice, Whiplash, Birdman, Foxcatcher...

WORST: 

1. The Monuments Men
2. Rage
3. What if
4. Transcendence
5. Need For Speed
6. Sex Tape
7. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
8. That Awkward Moment
9. 3 Days to Kill
10. The Grand Budapest Hotel (sorry, but not sorry) 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Babadook - I read so many things about this movie being the scariest horror movie of the year, and I was very skeptical. It's about a children's book coming to life! How on Earth can that be considered scary?! I'm happy to admit, the movie is awesome. One of the best of the year (I will do my Top 10 list tomorrow, and I am pretty sure this will make the cut). It's still not exactly "scary"; it's more of a psychological "horror". It's also not about a children's book coming to life; it's about a woman losing her mind, and that is terribly frightening. It's hard to describe how I feel about the movie, but the best word that comes to mind is "efficient". I know it's weird to describe a movie like that, but I feel like there is nothing unnecessary about it, no loose ends, no added scare tactics. It does exactly what it sets out to do. The absolute best part about it, though, is an incredible, unforgettable, lead performance from  Essie Davis. I mean, it's spectacular. My favorite performance of the year, hands down.

2. The Normal Heart - I love Ryan Murphy (even after he ruined Glee). I didn't really have much interest in seeing this movie, though. It seemed like it was going to be super cheesy and manipulative, but I can't NOT watch a movie with that cast. I can criticize a lot about the movie (like the editing and the ending, which made it seem like a love story and it's a MUCH more important story than that), but there is a lot of good stuff in there that I would rather focus on. The acting is superb; especially Mark Ruffalo. This is the first time I felt like he became a different person onscreen. His mannerisms and his speech are transformed. The two biggest surprise performances for me are Matt Bomer, who I've never seen in anything before and assumed he was just another, incredibly beautiful face, and Jim Parsons, who gave the most heartfelt performance in a large group of talented actors. Aside from the acting, I also just really loved the story. It's an important part of history, and it raises some gigantic questions that still have no answers. It's also extremely interesting that one of the doctors, who worked on early cases of the AIDS virus, was not only female, but also had polio (the character is based on Dr. Linda Laubenstein). When can we get her full story? On a side note, how ironic is it that they mention the forgotten gay man who "is responsible for winning World War II", in the same year that a movie is made about him?

3. The Congress - What a cool fucking movie. Totally unexpected. I never even heard of the movie, until it was on my "Netflix recommends" list and it looked like Naomi Watts on the poster. When I received the disc, I was only slightly disappointed that it was actually Robin Wright. I still watched it, knowing absolutely nothing about it, and was so stunned by its originality. I was also blown away by such a realistic, and also horrific, look into the future of the "movie star". I can totally see this digital recreation of personalities happening (and also "Miramount" made me laugh out loud). The meta references to Robin's career in the beginning of the movie are so spot on. It's all really perfect. Then, the movie dives deep into a hallucinatory animated tale of salvation. It's so weird; I don't even know how to explain it. I don't even know if I fully understand it all; but there is such strong imagery, it doesn't even matter. Robin Wright has such a strong, soothing voice - the parts where she sings are short, but haunting and memorable. Jon Hamm has such a distinct voice, too. It was instant recognition. Anyway, I would put this movie in my Top 10 list, but it was actually released in 2013, which begs the question: why wasn't this on everyone else's Top 10 list last year?

4. The One I Love - I don't know why I watched this movie. I can't stand Mark Duplass (as an actor; as a writer he is fine) or Peggy Olson. Yes, I am talking about Peggy Olson, the character. People are shocked when I say that I hate her. It's always, "*YOU* hate Peggy Olson?! YOU?!". In theory, Peggy should be my favorite character, and the writing on the show is flawless, so I have no choice but to blame Elisabeth Moss. She is just such a terrible actress. Her facial expressions make me cringe, she's whiny, and the dialog doesn't flow from her mouth as smoothly as the actors surrounding her. I hate her with every fiber of my being. ANYWAY, this movie is pretty cool. It was another Netflix recommendation, and just like The Congress, I was pretty impressed with its sheer originality. It's a pretty deep commentary on relationships and the lies we tell ourselves to make relationships work. I don't know, though, if your partner said and did exactly what you wanted them to say and do all of the time, wouldn't that bore the shit out of you? Shouldn't you want someone to surprise you with the unexpected twists and turns of, you know, life? I could tell this movie was written by a man; it does fuck all to equate the sexes. The male "ideal version" of his partner is the same, she just wears sexier clothes and stops nagging him about eating bacon. While her "ideal version" of her partner is a completely different person. Why can't men accept the fact that women accept them? We don't sit there and list out your flaws and spend our lives trying to make you perfect. Well, at least, I don't. I would only choose to be with someone, knowing their flaws and accepting them, so this movie is sort of pointless to me. I get what it's trying to do, though.

The Rover - I'm not really that impressed with this movie. The performances are superb, but the movie is pretty forgettable. The first 15 minutes are really tough to get through. It's sooooo drawn out and the music is distracting. I felt like it took an hour to set the plot forward. Then, once it gets going, it doesn't really go anywhere. There are some jarring moments (like the sudden appearance of the Pretty Girl Rock song. I thought there was actually something wrong with the DVD, until I saw R. Patz mumbling along "don't hate me because I'm beautiful". What the fuck was that about?!). The whole movie is based around the suspense of "what's in the car". *spoiler ahead* I knew that the scene with the dogs in the cages was an important foreshadowing scene, and I knew something important was in the car, but for some odd reason I didn't put the two things together. However, I think most people did (perhaps, I didn't care enough about the plot to give it any deep thought), so then I ask, what the fuck is the point? It's really just a movie about really, really dirty people shooting at each other for unknown reasons.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues - I didn't watch this movie with the highest of expectations. There hasn't been a "Will Ferrell comedy" that I've truly liked since Elf, and even that movie is a bit overrated (side-note, I do love The Other Guys, but I don't think of that as a "Will Ferrell comedy", mostly because Mark Wahlberg outshines him in every single way possible). I rated the first Anchorman ** 1/2 stars, which, for me, means "average". I don't really remember anything about it, but I don't think I hated it (like Semi-Pro, Blades of Glory, etc). I absolutely HATED this sequel. First of all, why the fuck is it 2 hours long? I already knew from the run time that it was going to be painfully repetitive. Second, Meagan Goode is a horrible actress, and those eyebrows are the worst (sorry, it's superficial, but I just can't with those). Third, I didn't laugh once! Through the whole entire 2 hours?! How is that possible? The epic ending could have been hilarious, but it just dragged on for FOOOREEEEVVER. The cameos at the end, were pretty interesting but then I screamed out "Marion Cotillard, what the fuck are you doing?!?" Overall, it is just a disaster of a movie and a waste of some truly great talent.

2. Draft Day - Two reasons I wanted to see this movie: Jennifer Garner, and someone told me it reminded them of Moneyball (which I loved). I get the comparison, but I don't really think it's in the same league. There are several scenes that are eerily similar to it, but Moneyball was driven by its dialogue, and this movie is not nearly as well written. I think I also enjoyed Moneyball more because I know a tiny bit about Baseball, but Football is a blank slate for me. I know absolutely nothing about it. I wasn't sure if the players that they were talking about are real players, or even if the teams are real or fictional. Also, Jennifer is relegated to the "girlfriend" role, which is disappointing.  However, I actually still enjoyed this movie. I feel like I learned a little bit about the draft process, and it is super complicated and dramatic. It was very obvious how the draft was going to go down, and who his first pick would be, but that's not really a bad thing - it's a classic "sports movie" move, but still good.

3. Magic in the Moonlight - I was really excited about this movie, until I saw the trailer. It looked super corny and really poorly acted. And, unfortunately, by all accounts, it is. The beginning is strong, and is a nice reminder that Colin Firth *can* actually act, but then he gets set in his rom-com awkwardness, and it killed me. Emma Stone is so beautiful; her hair, that skin - so stunning, but she isn't as great of an actress as some make her out to be. I love her in light-hearted comedic roles, but her acting has never blown me away. I don't think she did a good job at making this character likeable. Instead, I found her grating, needy and attention-seeking. Their romance is really hard to believe (and yes, I realize that is part of the "point" of the movie), but they just seemed mis-matched and awkward around each other. Certainly not a couple that I wanted to root for. The movie is just "rational" thought versus "passionate" thought, with a bit of "ignorance is bliss" thrown in. It's a little too simple; a little too obvious. It's Woody Allen "light", which can be a good thing, as I consider Midnight in Paris the same (and I adored that movie), but this one fails at being anything above mediocre.

4. A Most Wanted Man - I really wish I wasn't so bored during this movie, because there is some great stuff in it. Overall, I just wanted it to end. I don't know why I couldn't get into it. The comparisons for this movie are The Lives of Others and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, which is interesting because the former is a perfect movie, while the latter is one of the most boring movies in the history of movies. This movie is definitely closer to the latter. Part of the reason that I had trouble getting into it, is the terrible accents across the board. I love Philip Seymour Hoffman, he is definitely missed in the acting world, but I can't get behind this accent. And Rachel McAdams? Oooof. It was painful on the ears. I really don't understand casting decisions sometimes. It's a shame because 10 years from now, when I think of this movie, that is all that is going to come to mind. Terrible German accents.

5. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - The first one took me by surprise, but this one blew me away. The first one was hindered by the human actors (*cough* James Franco) and its lack of sociopolitical commentary (other than "animal testing = bad"). It's fixed in this one. Possibly, a little too in your face with social and political allegories, but in the world we live in, I don't know if that's a bad thing. There are just so many scenes that are perfectly executed. My favorite is probably the scene in which Koba tricks the humans into letting their guard down. I knew it was coming, but it is still fantastically shocking to watch. The tracking scene in the tank is pretty fantastic, as well. I really, really, really wish I saw this movie in the theaters because the special effects are so good and the action is paced perfectly. A perfect summer blockbuster. On a side note; I knew that Kirk Acevedo's character would be the one to instigate a problem - he always plays the asshole (I love him, though. The epitome of a "New Yorker." And on another side note, he went to the same college as me, in the same program, just 10 years earlier. Other famous actors, who went to my school, include, Parker Posey, Melissa Leo, Stanley Tucci, Wesley Snipes, Edie Falco and Josh Hartnett. In other words, all the cool people.). Anyway, I loved this movie. It should make it into my top 10 of the year. It's at number 8 right now, and I have A LOT left to see, so it's not a guarantee, but either way, it is fantastic.

3 Thoughts on Big Hero 6

1. Smart kids rule - I don't think it's a new trend to have so-called "geeks" as the leads in movies; however, I do think that most of the time, these geeks are shown getting made fun of; bullied and branded as the losers of their generation. This isn't very encouraging for the smart kids of the world. I don't think this is what the world is like, though. I was never made fun of for being smart. I think kids who get bullied are often bullied because they are insecure and/or ashamed of who they are (and the same can be said for people who are the bullies). This movie doesn't really do the whole bully angle. It shows this genius kid, who is quite cool, but most importantly he's confident, too. He's a little lost on how to utilize his intelligence, until his brother introduces him to a group of super smart students. A group of people who are changing technology and therefore, changing the world. It made me want to learn things; and I'm an adult. I imagine kids would be even more into it and that RULES.

2. Bah-a-la-la-la - By far, the best scene in the movie is the fist bump scene. You can find the scene on Youtube, but it loses something when it's out of context from the movie. The first introduction of Baymax to the fist bump, had me in tears. It's almost too cute to handle. Then, the gag is repeated several times and instead of being overdone, it just gets funnier and funnier. I often give fist bumps to my cats (they bump their heads onto my fist) and now I make the Baymax noise as I do it. It's the greatest thing ever.

3. The origin story - Not knowing the comic book story that it is based on; I was a little confused by the concept of the movie. I heard it was about 6 superheros, but only Baymax is featured in the trailer. I didn't realize that it's an origin story about these superheroes. So, Baymax is featured more in the beginning, but then the group starts to form - each with their own scientifically based "super power". The story is way too predictable and it could have moved a little quicker, but overall I really enjoyed all of the characters, the action, the technology and the world of "San Fransokyo" that is realized. I would totally watch a sequel.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. What If - What an annoying, shitty movie. I think I hated it so much, because I heard really good things about it. I don't usually look forward to romantic comedies, however when there is one that I like; I really like it. I was a bit skeptical with this movie because I'm not really a fan Zoe Kazan (I hate Ruby Sparks with so much passion). I heard really great things about her chemistry with Daniel Radcliffe in this movie; and I am always willing to give actors a chance to prove me wrong. Radcliffe is an example of an actor who has changed my mind. He was so awful in the Harry Potter movies; it's one of the reasons I couldn't make it through those atrocities. However, he was a strong presence in both The Woman in Black and Kill Your Darlings, plus his EPIC rap moment on The Tonight Show still blows my mind (Watch it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKdV5FvXLuI . It's the best. I've watched it at least a dozen times, in amazement). He is adequate in this movie; playing the "normal guy" with ease. Kazan, however, is still on my shit list. Her character is super annoying; and I realize that this isn't her fault (this time, anyway), but I do wonder if another actress in the role would have been less grating. As for the movie, I hated the entire plot. The theory behind "men and women can't be friends" is explored, in a really awful, sexist way. This "theory" is something that is projected from men, as way to control their own feelings of jealousy. The movie is a horrible representation of this, because the guy does have feelings for the girl (from the beginning), lies to her during their entire "friendship", she does lead him on several times and gives her boyfriend a completely legitimate reason to act jealous. Then *spoiler*, they get married and live happily ever after and now I want to murder someone.

2. Life After Beth - Aubrey Plaza. Zombies. I'm there already. Add in Dane DeHaan? Whoa. This movie had so much potential. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to this potential. It's funny and cute in some parts, but overall it's not very memorable. I'm sad to say that I don't actually think I'm a fan of Plaza. I LOVE her on Parks and Recreation so much, but she does the same character (the awkward, side-eyed snarky girl) in every project and sometimes a role needs more than that. I'm not sure that she has more to offer, and if she does, then she needs to show it. Pronto. Dane DeHaan, on the other hand, is excellent. He's better than this movie. He elevates the emotion; and the complications (you know...of having a zombie girlfriend). There are some great supporting actors (Anna Kendrick, John C. Reilly, Paul Reiser, Molly Shannon, Cheryl Hines...the list goes on) that are severely underutilized. Why cast such a group of funny actors, and give them nothing to do?

3. Rage - I had to see this movie. It's a Nicolas Cage movie called Rage!! The genius behind that decision deserves an award. The movie is not good. I wasn't expecting it to be good, so nothing lost; nothing gained. It's basically a slightly more violent, harsher version of Taken (although Liam Neeson > Nicolas Cage. Always and forever). The only difference is *spoiler* the girl actually turns up dead 30 minutes in. I definitely wasn't expecting that. That was about the only interesting thing that happened, though. I stopped paying attention to it about 1/2 way through and then picked it up again at the end (the middle was super boring). It's super ridiculous to cast Rachel Nichols as Cage's wife. The 16 year age difference is bad enough, but their lack of chemistry is evident with every scene. Also, I have an unjust hatred towards Ms. Nichols because she RUINED my favorite show, Alias. I still haven't forgiven her, and it's unclear if I ever will. Also, the chase scene made me laugh because it was filmed in slow-motion. Let me repeat: a chase scene in slow-motion. Is this because Nicolas Cage can't run fast?

4. The Purge: Anarchy - I liked the first one. At least, I liked the idea of the first one. I just felt that the stakes weren't high enough. The audience was forced to sympathize with a wealthy family, who could have easily just built a safe room to protect themselves during "the purge". I was so happy to see that they made a movie around a group of people who can't afford such protection. There is also a clear commentary on the class warfare that would occur during an event like this, which I felt was lacking in the first one. This setup is just so much better. I like the cast, too. Frank Grillo is always awesome. And Matt Saracen!! I didn't realize that he is married to Kiele Sanchez in real life!? How cute. Anyway, I liked the movie, but I still felt like the concept isn't as fully explored as it could be (but I'm sure more sequels are on the way). The movie is way more predictable than it should be. I knew exactly how every scene was going to play out; who would die and who would live. It takes away the tension, a bit. I really, really loved his car, though. That texture?! WANT.


5. Oculus - As you may know, I'm not really big on supernatural horror movies, so this movie is already at a disadvantage for me. I still wanted to see it because of Karen Gillan. I like her, a lot. Then I started the movie and I saw Battlestar Galactica's very own Katee Sackhoff and I got overly excited. The plot is so stupid, it hurts. A haunted mirror. Really? Am I supposed to be scared of that? Are people really scared of that? HOW? WHY? I don't get it. The only thing that is 1/2 interesting, is the psychology behind it - the idea that the brain creates narratives for things/events that it can't comprehend such as a traumatic experience. I wish this was explored more, but instead the movie focused on some pretty silly elements. I did like the way it cuts between past and present; it held my interest, which is more than I can say for similar movies. Plus, that light bulb scene? Holy cow. That's a scene that I will never forget. Unfortunately, the worst part of the movie is Gillan. I'm not sure if it was just a terrible role for her; or if she is, in fact, a bad actress. I loved her on Doctor Who, and she was awesome in Guardians of the Galaxy (I didn't even know it was her, until it was over).  I refused to watch Selfie, so I don't know how her acting was on that show (I'm guessing, everything about that show was not good). I still really like her, though, and, to be fair, this character is just awkward. The casting was weird - they looked nothing alike to be siblings; so I spent the movie thinking that was going to be the "twist", which distracts from the plot. I liked the way it ended (it was predictable, but it had to end that way).

3 Thoughts on Interstellar

1. The ambition - I will never understand how anyone can criticize a movie like this for its "science fiction" not being "realistic". For me, if a movie builds a world and sticks to the rules of that world, then the so-called plot holes do not exist. I would much rather a story-teller imagine and create something new and not worry about certain realistic logistics, than re-tell me a boring, safe, scientifically accurate story. Plus, there are so many things we don't know yet, about space, time-travel, black holes, other dimensions etc., how can we criticize a movie for not being accurate, when we are still learning the intricacies of the universe? The only thing I would criticize the movie for is the acting - I'm a fan of Anne Hathaway, but she was not good in this movie. It wasn't just her, though. There was something off about all of the acting, except with Jessica Chastain - she's fantastic. Although, I don't see it as a movie that relies that much on acting. I mean, none of the acting was terrible or anything; it just wasn't as spectacular as the rest of the movie. Interstellar may well be my favorite Nolan film (I've liked all of them, to some degree). It's thrilling, intellectual, epic, and bold. Like whoa.

2. The surprises - *Do not read if you haven't seen it* - I don't know how, but I managed to avoid everything about this movie. Never saw the trailer, never read any reviews and I changed the channel every time a commercial came on. The only information I knew was, who the 3 main stars were and I read a whole ton of twitter snark about the science behind it (but I never clicked on the articles). Going in blind for this movie, definitely enhanced my enjoyment. For one, I had NO IDEA about that mind-blowing surprise cameo. I'm not even going to spoil it; even though I prefaced this with a spoiler alert, but I think knowing that there is, in fact, a huge cameo, already ruins the surprise factor. I've read several articles, since watching the movie, that argue this character isn't necessary in the movie, but I say "WHAT?!" to that. His character is the catalyst for the end of the movie. Second, I knew it was a movie about people in space, but I had no idea why they were in space. The whole "Earth becoming uninhabitable" is a fantastic (and scarily realistic) idea for a movie. The beginning of the movie is so engaging; the idea that technology and science has ruined Earth - so much so, that text books have re-invented History to encourage the younger generation to become farmers?!? That's a crazy idea to digest. Like whoa.

3. The emotion - It's so hard to really describe or critique this movie, because it's all about the emotion behind it. As I watched it, I enjoyed the story, and was dazzled by the special effects. Then I went home and bawled my eyes out. It's such a "big idea" movie, that I didn't really connect with it emotionally while watching it. It wasn't until I absorbed all of the information and personalized the theories that are presented, that I really "got it". Behind all of the space travel, adorable robots, and surreal images, the movie is really about this untouchable, mysterious idea of  "destiny". I think I cried so much because it reinforced my theory about "gut feelings". Sometimes, I just "know" when something is right; like everything in my life has led me to this moment. What if this "gut feeling" is another dimension "me", leading me in the right direction? Isn't that just overwhelmingly uplifting and emotional to think about? Like whoa.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Edge of Tomorrow - From the trailer, this movie seemed to be a mediocre, predictable action thriller, but the reviews argued that it was one of the most original action movies in years. I felt bad that I missed it in theaters, because I love to support originality, but honestly, I don't really get what everyone is talking about. It's Looper, Groundhogs Day, Deja Vu, and Source Code all rolled into one movie. I wouldn't call that "original". However, I did have fun with it. Its quality action sequences and witty dialogue had me engaged through its entirety. I just don't agree with most critics describing it as "unexpected" and "surprising". It played out exactly how I expected it to. I did appreciate that most of the repetition is implied, so we don't have to sit through the same scenes over and over again. Tom Cruise gives it his all, as usual. I'm not really a fan, but I can't deny that he can hold an action movie. I love Emily Blunt (I mean, who doesn't?), I would love to see her STAR in an action movie instead of relegated to the side-kick role.

2. Begin Again - I wasn't expecting much with this movie; just a cute, light move. It's actually quite good. First, I was in complete shock the second I heard Keira's voice. It's so beautiful; sort of sounds like Jill Sobule (and I LOVE Jill Sobule). Second, the movie is really, very funny. I laughed out loud several times and it was totally unexpected. Third, I love Mark Ruffalo. He is so perfect in roles like this. It reminded me a bit of his role in 13 Going on 30. Just really authentic, charming, self-deprecating, smart and witty. It's so weird to think that last year's "Sexiest Man Alive" is in this and he doesn't even compare to Mark. (and really, what the fuck were they thinking with this year's choice? Does personality count for anything these days?). Speaking of the guy from Maroon 5 (I can't even think of his name right now. That's how boring he is), he is a TERRIBLE actor - clearly the worst part of the movie. Also, I didn't really like the scene where they walk around the city with earphones listening to the same songs - first, it's weird and a bit disturbing that he would re-enact something that he did with his ex, and second, they were supposedly listening to each other's "guilty pleasure" songs, and no song by either Frank Sinatra or Stevie Wonder should ever be considered "guilty pleasures". Those are, like, legitimately great songs. The movie is a commentary on the fall of record companies and the ever-changing music industry. The only thing needed to become successful is a little bit of luck and a really amazing idea - and recording a live album on the streets of NYC is actually a GENIUS idea. I could see that being a huge hit.

3. Bad Words - I love Jason Bateman. He can be hilarious (Arrested Development), but when he is faced with bad material, he's not good at overcoming it. This movie isn't necessarily bad, but it's not really funny. The entire beginning of the movie is featured in the trailer, which I thought could be a good thing - maybe they saved all of the funny stuff for the actual movie?! But no, it's just not funny. I found the end slightly amusing (when they keep spelling the words wrong), but then it repeats the joke too many times. The whole motive behind his ridiculous charade of entering a spelling bee contest is really obvious (and dumb). There are some seriously funny women involved, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, and Rachael Harris, so it's sad that they couldn't scrap some of the lame jokes and give these women some material worthy of their talent. The part that bothered me the most is the Office Space type montage featuring a white male wreaking havoc while a hip-hop song played in the background. So cliche it hurts.

4. Lucky Them - I didn't really hear anything about this movie, but I saw a trailer for it and was instantly intrigued by the cast - Toni Collette and Thomas Haden Church! I will watch anything with Toni Collette, and THC is probably at his oddest/funniest role since Wings (awwww...remember that show? I loved it.). He cracks me up in this movie, especially as he remembers the only music he likes (*spoiler* it's Bryan Adams! LOL). Also, Ryan Eggold shows up playing the guitar! Yes, please. The movie is really cute, but ultimately forgettable. That is, until the end, because there is a surprise cameo that will blow your mind. It's actually a really perfectly cast role, but completely unexpected. Now I will remember the movie solely for the cameo (and the shirtless Ryan scenes).

5. Sin City: A Dame to Kill For - I could go into a long-winded account of how much I love the first one, but I'm sure it's all already been said before. Visually poetic, beautifully violent film noir. It was my favorite film of 2005, and it's still currently one of my all-time favorites. I'll still be the first to admit, it's a little late for a sequel. I'm over it; the world is over it. It's pretty much what I was expecting; except the editing is TERRIBLE. It makes me wonder if the first one is like that, and I just didn't notice. I haven't seen in it probably 7 years, and I didn't really pay attention to editing until I worked directly in films (I went to school for Film Studies, but it was mostly theoretical, not hands-on). I worked a little bit as a Script Supervisor about 5 years ago, which is the person that the Editor relies on the most and now it's hard to enjoy films with mistakes and rough editing (which is why I decided not to continue. I love films too much and working on them made me hate them). This movie was actually hard to watch because of the choppy editing (for instance; the Juno Temple sex scene - she takes her top off, as in bare skin, and then suddenly she is wearing lingerie. WHERE DID IT COME FROM?). There are still some really cool shots; but nothing as memorable as the first. The plot is typical revenge movie territory (but I wasn't exactly watching this movie for the plot, anyway). I would recommend it if you were a fan of the first, because it brings some closure to the original plot and some characters.

3 Thoughts on Nightcrawler

1. Jake Gyllenhaal's finest performance? - For an actor who has had very little career missteps (The Edge of Tomorrow and Prince of Persia), it's weird that I never really rated Gyllenhaal as one of my favorite actors. He's been a strong presence in many movies, and has been on a career high over the past couple of years, but I think this performance has really sealed the deal. It's an astonishing, Oscar worthy performance. While most refer to the "creepiness" Gyllenhaal instills as Lou Bloom, I didn't really find him creepy at all. Instead, I thought his performance came off as a really complicated sociopath, with aspects of undiagnosed Asperger's syndrome. I really, strongly wish that the scene in the beginning didn't exist because I think it set expectations about his character. If that scene didn't exist, we would see his descent into a vicious monster as a result of a societal effect. As he discovers his interest in crime "journalism", he is praised for the images that he is capturing and the line that he is crossing - someone with personality/social disorders would take that praise and continue to push the envelope. It's a fantastic character study and Gyllenhaal takes pride in the role. It's impossible to look away.

2. Where has Rene Russo been? - First, can we talk about the fact that Rene Russo is 60 years old?! Holy cow, she looks incredible. Stunning, in fact; It seems she hasn't aged in 20 years. The real question, though, is where the fuck has she been? Other than the Thor movies, she hasn't acted in anything in 10 years and I am baffled as to why. She's such a strong actress; and she makes a gigantic impact in this movie. I hope her break from acting was her own decision and not because she wasn't getting roles. This movie proves that the acting world needs her.

2. It's Taxi Driver meets Drive meets Network? - Um, no, no, no, 10,000 times, no. I get the comparisons. The sociopathic character study can be compared to Travis Bickle; the pulpy, noir L.A vibe can be compared to the atmosphere of Drive; the edgy, unapologetic view of journalism ethics can be compared to the subject of Network. Just because it can be compared to these masterpieces, doesn't mean it should be, though. Every review that I've read has referenced one of these three movies and it is mind-boggling. Before I saw the movie, I read several one-line reviews that simply said "this year's Drive" (apparently by people who loved Drive, but may have worryingly misunderstood it). If you go into the movie expecting this; then you may be severely disappointed, as I was. If I hadn't expected a masterpiece, I may have enjoyed the movie more. It's still a strong movie; with even stronger performances, and it sits just outside of my Top 10 of the year, so far. It just doesn't come close to a masterpiece, for me.