Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Kingsman: The Secret Service - Soooo much fun! It's almost embarrassingly unoriginal, but it works really well as a mashup between James Bond, Men in Black and The Recruit. However, it does put its own spin on things, and the biggest success is the action scenes. Holy shit, they are intense. The infamous church scene absolutely blew my mind. Did anyone ever expect to see Colin Firth in a hyper-intense action sequence like that? I sure as hell didn't. I don't think I'll ever be able to listen to "Free Bird" again, without thinking of this scene. The other success is the guy who is "the recruit" (Taron Egerton), he is fucking hot. There is a decent amount of humor and self-referential commentary about spy movies ("give me a far-fetched theatrical plot any day"), and best of all, it moves with a pace and a purpose. The ending was given some flack for being misogynist (I'm not even sure that 90% of social media users even understand what this word means), but once again, it's called a JOKE. And it's a successful joke - maybe not laugh out loud, but it's appropriately and sarcastically funny. The whole movie references James Bond and the "gentleman spy", this JOKE is smart commentary on the women featured in Bond movies (not the Bond girls or the female villains, but the ones I refer to as "throwaway women"). I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end; it will probably make it into my favorite movies of the year.

2. The Longest Week - I watched this for the cast - Olivia Wilde, Jason Bateman and Billy Crudup (oh how I love Billy Crudup. I miss him so much. He deserves to be a much bigger star than he is). The movie is about over-privileged people in a love triangle and I have no interest in this story, whatsoever. Olivia Wilde's character seems like a snobby bitch and the two guys that she is basically using, both seem like very boring individuals who have no other character traits other than being rich. I adore Olivia Wilde, but I've seen her give terrible performances and this is one of them. Plus, her eyeliner is on so fucking thick that you can't even see how gorgeous she is. She usually wears heavy eye makeup (why?!), but this is beyond over-doing it. It looks like she can't even open her eyes properly. Anyway, I can't think of one solid reason as to why anyone should watch this movie.

3. While We're Young - I consider myself a fan of Noah Baumbach even though I don't love all of his movies. The Squid and the Whale and Greenberg, are the only movies of his that I would give high praise to. I really didn't enjoy his other praised films, Margot at the Wedding and Francis Ha. However, oddly, I still look forward to his movies because there is something tangible and flawed about his characters. While We're Young excels at this. I relate to both characters of this aging couple - terrified of the next part of your life as "middle-aged", losing friends to marriage and babies, becoming the people that you never thought you would be. The characters are stubborn, selfish and insecure - and therefore, human. The problem that I have with the movie is the "hipster" element. It starts off with a title card exchange between characters of Henrik Ibsen's The Master Builder, which is perfect (a little too perfect, meaning subtlety is lost), and continues with its characters giving way to the younger generation. While it's an interesting look into the "hipster" generation, I don't think it's very representative of the actual younger generation. So, for me, it's a tale of untrustworthy hipsters instead of commentary on the younger generation. This hipster couple collects records and VHS tapes, they make their own ice cream, refuse to google answers to questions, and don't have Facebook. That literally describes maybe .5% of people under 30 in America. Then, the story is actually very hateful towards these hipsters because it shows them as inauthentic leeches. Overall, I have mixed feelings about the movie, because I think it fails at what it sets out to do (shine light on the generation gap), but there is something about it that I find interesting. Plus, Stiller and Watts are superb. I could watch Naomi Watts dance to hip-hop for hours on end. Adam Driver, though. It's official, I really don't like him. I've given him plenty of chances even after I hated him on Girls, but he failed to impress me in multiple movies, plus he seems like a dick in real life (social anxiety is not an excuse to be an asshole).

4. Jupiter Ascending - I have a hard time criticizing a movie like this because I can tell that so much work went into it. It's just...not very good. It's not as horrible as the critics made it out to be. The cast is great and it at least *tries* to be an original story. If it didn't have a constant "damsel in distress" plot, it probably would have been a more successful movie. Visually, it's pretty exciting to watch. There's a lot to look at and there are ideas that have never been explored before. It's really just the story and the pace that are the problem. It's all over the place in terms of editing. The scenes are abruptly put together - none seem like a smooth transition. As for the really hilarious performance from Eddie Redmayne, I think it fits the movie really well. It's deliberately over the top and brilliantly bizarre. Honestly, if more of the movie were like this, it might be better. The movie is a space fantasy sci-fi and I think that genre tends to get shit on right away, until years later when it receives cult status. The only recent movie that seemed to escape the criticism is Guardians of the Galaxy. I loved Guardians, but it's absolutely ridiculous. The reason it's a success is because it revels in its ridiculousness. Something this movie missed the mark on.

5. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her - Everyone was right, this is the best version. I absolutely loved the "Them" version, but the "Him" version felt incomplete. I think this version could hold its own because the story is a female story. With the "Him" version we are left with the same confusion that he is suffering from (which is effective, in a sense, but it's more frustrating than anything else). This version holds more depth and insight into her depression; her need to "disappear". I can feel her heartbreak more with this version and it is utterly perfect. There are some differences though, and they are very subtle - it's sort of like the show The Affair where their memory of certain events is different, so you don't know which to believe. In this case, I tend to believe his version because her mental state is a bit blurry. Jessica Chastain is mesmerizing - the scene with her and Viola Davis where Davis tells her "Now you sound maternal" is just so heartbreaking. This is the type of movie that I can watch over and over again, because I know I will find more depth - especially between the three versions. On a side note, how does Chastain manage to look so classy with a see-thru white t-shirt and black bra combination? It's just not fair.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Into the Woods - I wouldn't really call myself a big fan of musicals, but there are a few that I absolutely adore (Chicago springs to mind first), so I watch them with an open mind. This just isn't the type of musical I enjoy - the songs all sound the same and it's really just dialogue that is spoken in a sing-songy way. I have a hard time paying attention to this type of musical because it just feels like one never-ending song. When they first started singing the "Into the Woods" song, I thought "well, this is cute", but then it just kept going and going and going...and going. I think I would have actually loved this story without the music. It reminded me of the tv show Once Upon a Time, which is a show I used to enjoy (but it became completely ridiculous and hard to follow, and I gave up on it! Can you believe it? I actually quit a television show?! Go me!). It takes all of these fairy-tale stories and mushes them together to create something new; connecting plots and characters and adding depth to them. Then, the story ends how one would expect it to, and THEN it gets interesting. It kind of crushes and subverts the happily ever after ending, in favor of something much darker. I dug it quite a bit until it started to drag. I would love a re-edited version done without music (I'm basically just making up my own movie, really). The cast is excellent, I wouldn't change a thing there. Even the kids are great, and that's something I usually struggle with (kid actors usually ruin everything).

2. 50 Shades of Grey - Oh boy...where do I begin? I'm actually a bit surprised that I don't have a lot to say; the movie doesn't hold enough weight to get under my skin. It's just really, really, really stupid. Also, extremely boring. There is no chemistry between the leads and the guy from The Fall (shit, I forgot his name again) is so very pretty, but he is bland as fuck without his wonderful accent. I think the controversy around the movie far exceeds the actual controversy in the movie - it's actually pretty tame. I've read that the movie tones down the sex stuff from the book, which is odd since that's the thing that made it popular. Anyway, I obviously have issues with the plot. It is justifying abuse. There is a huge distinction between BDSM and an abusive relationship and this movie is very, very confused on this distinction. I'm not going to pretend that I know anything about BDSM; I don't. It confuses the fuck out of me. However, I am a product of an extremely violent childhood, so if someone so much as raises their voice at me, they will likely never see me again. I think it's pretty normal, though, to have certain sexual fantasies and to act out fantasies with someone with whom you trust. And that's the key word that this movie misses: trust. It's clear that Ana does not trust this man; and instead of backing down as any sane man would do, he stalks her, coerces her, and manipulates her. The problem, that many people have brought to attention, is that it seems to be acceptable behavior because he's handsome and rich (and white). This amuses me, because as a perpetually single woman, I find that my greatest enemy is this exact description - there is nothing scarier than a wealthy, white male, who is used to getting his way. So for me, this movie is simply about a predator who successfully captured his prey. The end, that is left wide open, as interpreted by me, is that he kills her and goes about his business until he finds his next victim (and her friend, Jose, is dead about half-way through the movie).  If E.L. James recognized that this is, in fact, the story that she wrote instead of insisting that it's a "love story", then everyone could just ignore it and it would GO AWAY! But, alas, James is obviously a very smart woman, who realized she wrote a shitty book that she needed to sell - so she slapped the words "love story" on it, and the world fell right into her trap. Also, I did catch the implied notion that Christian was abused as a child, but that just opens up a whole other can of worms and IN NO WAY justifies his actions. I guess I have more to say than I thought I did because I still have more to say in regards to the actual movie. As I stated above, it's beyond stupid. Ana is a wide-eyed giggling idiot, who has apparently never seen a tall building before (even though she goes to school within driving distance of this big city - and she graduates in the movie, so she spent at least 4 years never venturing to this city?). She's apparently never talked to another person before (at least that's what it seems like with her first interaction with Christian) and she really enjoys sticking pencils in her mouth. She has moments of genius, like when Christian tells her "I'm used to getting my own way", and she responds "that must be very boring". FUCKING YES NOW RUN AWAY RUN FAR AWAY!. As I also stated above, the movie is pretty tame. The sex scenes are very boring - and what's-his-name doesn't even get naked (isn't this supposed to be a sexual fantasy movie for straight women? Why is she the one that gets naked?). And correct me if I'm wrong, but after Ana "negotiates" his sex contract - is there really anything left for them to do but, like, "normal" sex? I mean, it's kind of embarrassing to make a movie about kinky sex that leaves the audience asking "is that it?". Lastly, who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to have Christian say the line "I'm fifty shades of fucked up"? I almost died of laughter.

3. Tracks - **HUGE SPOILER** The fucking dog fucking dies. That's the biggest thing I will remember about an otherwise pretty great movie. The odd thing is that even though I didn't really expect it to happen, I foreshadowed it in my head right from the beginning. I thought to myself how selfish it is for this woman to bring her dog with her on such a dangerous venture. If you want to risk your life, that's all fine and good, but to risk your innocent pet is shameful. Then, even worse, she kills wild animals because they get too close to her. Um...you're in their territory! Ugh...the whole thing just makes me angry. Other than that, I really liked this movie. It was sort of like Wild, but instead of hiking for redemption, the main character, played to perfection by the utterly perfect, Mia Wasikowska, is hiking for self-discovery. She is hiking to absorb the loneliness, to prove that she is worthy enough, to force herself into unpredictability. The starkness of the desert is beautifully captured; the heat can be felt during every moment. The best part, though, is the end, when the audience is treated to these gorgeous photos of the real life adventure. It's these photos that really captured my attention to think "wow...she really fucking did that!".

4. Laggies - Just to get it out of the way quickly, Keira's American valley girl accent is woefully terrible. While the movie is painfully simplified, I can sort of relate to it - and that is not something I say often about female coming of age stories. I graduated high school and continued a relationship with my high school boyfriend for another 3 years before realizing that I need to move on. It was a tough decision that I kept putting off making, but I realized that I would never be able to become the person that I wanted to be, if I didn't allow myself to become me (without "him"). I think this movie does a good job of capturing that phase that a lot of women go through - a phase in which "commitment" scares the shit out of us. Yes, it's not just a male thing. Women are just as scared; we are just used to hiding our fears better. We don't often see stories about emotionally stunted females. It's similar to the recent movie, Obvious Child, except I would argue that this is more of a "feminist" movie, because the catalyst in Obvious Child is that her boyfriend dumps her (so her life falls apart, naturally). I liked the chemistry that Keira has with Sam Rockwell, although, I wish he was featured more because he's the best part (duh!). I absolutely loathed the ending, though. *spoiler* She encourages this teenage girl to dance with her crush at the prom - but that's not the problem. The problem is that it's incredibly selfish to not consider his date. Why ruin someone else's prom? That just seems rude and unnecessary.

5. Beyond the Lights - I didn't really have any interest in this movie, but then I read a really strong review about it as a powerful story about how women are portrayed in the music industry and Netflix predicted that I would give it 5 stars (really, Netflix? I rarely rate any movie above 4 stars). It's a 3 star Lifetime movie. Fairly predictable, mediocre story about following your dreams and remaining true to yourself. I don't really feel sympathy for celebrities in the mainstream media because most of them crave the attention. I do think that the media goes too far (especially when children are involved), and that we, as a people, are far too judgmental of celebrities. It's sad that someone with actual, legitimate musical talent, needs to put up a show and create a "personality" in order to "make it". I don't really relate to movies about women who allow men around them to treat them like shit. It's not really a great feminist story because she basically rides the coattails of a man who is famous, and she relies on a man to save her (from her inner demons). She does, however, learn from this experience and open up about her depression, which is a powerful message. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is a star. Her performance transcends the movie and her voice is raw and soulful. The scene where she sings "Blackbird" is stunning (but you can save yourself some time and just watch the clip online). The most shocking part of the movie is Nikolas Cassadine from General Hospital is in a small scene! It's extremely jarring. He's been on GH for FOREVER (maybe 20 years?), and I've never seen him in anything else.

Best Films of 2014 ***Updated***

It's that time of year again!...Time for my updated "Best of" list now that I've seen everything that I've wanted to see from last year. Here goes: 

1. Under the Skin
2. Interstellar
3. I Origins
4. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Them
5. Guardians of the Galaxy
6. The Skeleton Twins
7. Whiplash
8. Still Alice 
9. Filth
10. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

The list definitely changed - there are some strong contenders that got pushed out (Enemy, The Babadook), and some that I nearly added (Inherent Vice, Mockingjay). My list drastically defers from most - Birdman might have made it to my Top 20, but Boyhood and The Grand Budapest Hotel are nowhere near the top. I'm a little behind in my movie watching this year, but I am planning on a few movie binges soon! 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Cake - I really, really, really want Jennifer Aniston to give up on the movie star thing. Someone please give her another great television role! I appreciate that she tried to do something challenging, but when actresses "challenge" themselves by portraying "normal" people, it's a little demeaning (and narcissistic). Plus, it's even more annoying that even with no makeup, dirty hair, and scar across her face, she still manages to attract super hot guys (it's not like she has a winning personality, either. She is a miserable shrew of a person). The story is a little interesting, but I think it will be frustrating for people who suffer from chronic pain. They sort of take the "it's all in your head" route; which, in this case, it may be. She is suffering a much greater loss; using her physical pain as a way to punish herself, is a coping mechanism. That's all fine and dandy, and a story that will hit many people close to their heart. However, as someone who suffers from endless back pain (hit by a car when I was 10; fell off of an 8 ft ladder when I was 20), I can certainly attest that it's not "in my head". And to think that there are people who suffer from chronic pain, and don't even know why! That must be an even more frustrating experience. The other difference is that she is wealthy. They say that money can't buy happiness, but it can buy a maid to clean up after you, a beautiful pool that you can relax in, and, let's face it, better medical care (the only medical care I receive is a doctor prescribing me Oxycodone, even when I tell them that I don't want it). She has so much more than any "normal" person will ever have. I can feel sympathy for her - no-one should have to experience such a loss, but I certainly can't empathize with her. Wait...did I mix those up? I always forget sympathy vs empathy. Oh well, you know what I'm trying to say (all 10 of you). Also, Sam Worthington! Remember him, you guys?! I had so much hope for him, but he is just sooo boring.

2. Men, Women & Children - Oh Jason Reitman, what is happening??! This is his second inexcusably awful movie in a row (and I wasn't really a huge fan of Young Adult, either). I should clarify that this isn't nearly as bad as Labor Day, but it's still really disappointing. First, I hate when a movie has a voice-over to tell the audience what a character is feeling. That's like poor screenwriting 101 (coming from someone who just wrote "like" in a sentence). Second, I adore Jennifer Garner. It's really hard to take her seriously in this role, though, because her character is so utterly ridiculous. Third, I don't like the girl who plays Hannah. She was terrible in Rescue Me and Terri, and now this. Fourth, teens don't talk like this. Seriously. Wait...do teens talk like this? Someone please tell me that teens don't talk like this! Fifth, OH MY GOD...teens don't remember 9/11. Thanks for making me feel old. Okay, those are all the reasons I didn't like it, but there is some good stuff. There is a nice debate about social media, and how much is too much for children to participate in it. There is a debate about over-protecting your children versus letting them experience life and learn from their mistakes. There is a depressing depiction of relationships and marriage, which still begs the question - why on Earth do people do that to themselves? I just wish these debates and depictions weren't so heavy-handed and extreme. It makes it hard to relate to, which seems like the opposite of its intent.

3. Chappie - Speaking of heavy-handed....wow, this movie should win a medal for it. A lot of people/critics had harsh words for this movie, but I assumed that expectations were just too high for Blomkamp, and that Chappie could be nowhere as terrible as everyone made it seem. I was wrong. It's really terrible. That doesn't mean that I've lost hope in Blomkamp - I still see great things in his future. However, this movie will be a stain on his filmography. The best way to describe this movie is if you take the scene from Short Circuit 2, in which Number 5 hangs out with the Los Locos gang and then returns knowing gang chants, and made it into a 2 hour movie. It's cheesy, racist, and unoriginal. It's about several terrible people, doing really terrible things; there is literally no-one to root for, except maybe Dev Patel's character (that's a stretch, though). Plus, it's really stupid. Chappie can search the internet and learn anything instantly (humans can do that too, you know), yet he believes that stabbing someone just puts them to sleep. Um....ok. I'm done with you, Chappie.

4. Focus - If the two leads weren't Margot Robbie and Will Smith, this would have been painfully bad. The charisma of the leads save it from the disaster of a script. I honestly couldn't even explain the plot of the last 30 minutes of the movie (the race car con part). The twists and turns became hard to follow (or maybe just too boring to follow?). There is a great, tension-filled scene that involves betting at the Superbowl, but it drags on for what seems like an hour. Other than that, I have nothing else of interest to note, so I will just stress, again, how perfect Margot Robbie is. She is just mesmerizing; I couldn't take my eyes off of her. I can't wait for her to star in a movie in which her love interest isn't 20 years older than her (or maybe she doesn't even have a love interest! Okay, calm down, Michelle. One step at a time).

5. Miss Julie - I've read this play dozens of times (Drama Studies major), and it is, to put it politely, not one of my favorites. While we can credit Strindberg (among others) for the naturalist movement in theater, a movement that focuses on character development over plot, I find his work extremely dull. Ironically, I enjoy present day stories that focus on character over plot, so I obviously appreciate his innovation, but I can still hate his work. Of course, his unwavering and outspoken stance against feminism *could* be muddling my judgement, but whatever. The play is largely about class warfare (and of course, catty women treating each other like shit), with heavy dialogue (and what we now refer to as "slut-shaming"), with limited production value and set design. The only reason I would sit through this story again, is for Jessica Chastain and Colin Farrell. While Colin isn't at his best here (perhaps the misogynistic dialogue was too much for him to stomach), Chastain is a freakin' queen. *That* scene is breathtakingly beautiful and she nails it beyond perfection. Probably the only reason to watch this movie.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Gambler - I usually take a few notes while I watch movies at home, so that I remember things that I want to say. The notes that I jotted down for this movie are as follows: "Blackjack is boring" "Mark Wahlberg looks old" & "When will it end?". That pretty much sums up the entire movie. I am a big fan of casino gambling (I've paid many months of rent that way), but Blackjack is my least favorite card game. I hate that you have to follow the rules, otherwise people at the table get pissed off, and I hate that you only win double your money, so you either have to sit there for hours to make anything or you have to bet big bucks. I like poker. It gives me more of a rush and if you hit the big hands its odds are 30 to 40 times your bet (I hit big hands quite a lot - lucky in cards, unlucky in love, as they say). I'm also a bit psychic when it comes to cards (you don't have to believe me, I certainly wouldn't), but I *know* when I'm going to hit a big hand and when I'm not, so it's easier for me to walk away. Once I was sitting at a table and two guys sat down and they said how they've never seen anyone get a straight flush, so I said "oh, I'm going to get one in a few hands, so just stay here for a few minutes". Three hands later, straight flush. THEN, I said to the dealer. "Deal me these same cards again", and the very next hand I got the same exact straight flush. I'm pretty sure everyone thought I was a witch - they sent the big bosses down to check the table and count all the decks. The only way I could explain it is that I *knew* it was going to happen. The only time I get caught up in the game and end up losing is when I'm with other people who want to keep playing, because if I'm sitting there, I'm going to keep throwing money down, even if I know I'm not going to win. Anyway, this rant is far more interesting than the movie. I promise.

2. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night - What a beautiful movie. I've had a few people recommend this to me, but I've been so disappointed with movies lately, that I really didn't trust that I would like it. I loved it. It's just so gorgeous and strange and wonderful. It's a bit like Under the Skin, with a female predator hunting unwitting men (Under the Skin still remains my favorite movie from last year). The music is this hybrid mix of a classic Western film soundtrack, new wave techno and Iranian rock, and it's glorious. I've always been a big fan of vampire tales, but it's hard to keep something like that fresh and new, so I really appreciate the way this story is told. It's frightening, but it's quiet and moody instead of jump scares. The last scene is so perfect that it will go down as one of my favorite scenes in the history of movies, ever. Of course, it features a cat, so I'm a bit biased, but I could stare at that image all day. I wish it was an official poster image, because I would totally buy that.

3. Unbroken - This story is such an unbelievable, true story of survival; the perfect story to be adapted into an epic movie. Angelina Jolie did a respectable job with In the Land of Blood and Honey, so I was rooting for her on this one. Unfortunately, I found the movie quite dull. It focuses on events over people and that is a big mistake. You know you failed as a filmmaker, if the end credits that conclude the story, are stronger than the entire movie before it. Seriously, I bawled like a baby at the image of him running with the Olympic torch...in Japan...at 80 years old. In the final seconds of the movie, the audience is suddenly made aware that it's a story of forgiveness, when that's what the entire focus of the movie should have been on. Even the poster quotes "Survival, Resilience, Redemption", when it should really be "Survival, Resilience, Forgiveness"(what exactly is he seeking redemption from?). Anyway, while watching this movie, I thought a lot about my grandfather because I always found his WWII history completely unbelievable, and it was something he never talked about, so everything I heard was hearsay. The only concrete information that I know about him is that he was born in Germany, but adopted by a Jewish American family when he was a child, he married a Jewish woman, was in the Marines, and he had numbers tattooed on his forearm. When I was really little, I asked him about these numbers and he said it was "because I love your grandmother" (you can imagine my horror, when I learned what the numbers actually were). My grandfather was a quiet man, who woke up early every morning, socialized for an hour with his coffee club, then watched old Western movies for the entire day and then went to sleep (Pretty much my role model in life). I thought he suffered from PTSD because of being held in a concentration camp, but then to my surprise, I found out he suffered from PTSD for a completely other reason. Apparently, he was stationed in Pearl Harbor, but was away the week of the attacks and all of his friends were killed. I found this out after watching Pearl Harbor with my grandmother in the theater because she cried through the whole thing. I questioned it and she explained that my grandfather changed forever because of that day. "But he was held in a concentration camp?!" I exclaimed. "Oh, that didn't really bother him that much.", she responded. UM WHAT?! How crazy is that? Well, I am on an epic sidetrack now, but my point is that WWII soldiers have some crazy, unbelievable stories. The one from Unbroken is rightfully fascinating, but Jolie didn't give the material the emotion that it needed. Also, I LOVE Jack O'Connell. I heard his name over, and over again about being the "next big thing" and I didn't even realize that this was Cook from Skins!! Mind = blown.

4. St. Vincent - I honestly did not expect this movie to be good, at all. I love when a movie surprises me and surpasses my expectations. I really liked it. It won't make my top 10 of last year, but it just might make my top 20. The reason I didn't think much of this movie, is because it's a theme that's been done before - bullied kid bonds with an eccentric adult, blah, blah, blah. Plus, Bill Murray kind of makes me sad now. His curmudgeon shtick is overdone and deeeeepressing. However, there are some moments of lightness and kindness that really help develop this character into a complicated, realistic and lovable person. I'm surprised that he was overlooked during awards season, because it's one of his best performances. Naomi Watts delivers an awesome performance as well, as a pregnant, Russian, stripper. I don't like Melissa McCarthy in serious roles; I'm not convinced she's a great actress (but I do think she can be funny). She does a decent job here, but is the weak link of the movie. I really wasn't expecting to connect with this movie, but I connected to it several times - the kid being raised by a single mom, his wife suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, the end revelation about him being a war hero - it all just hit me really hard and I even shed a few tears.

5. Paddington - Super cute movie, but all of the rave reviews are a little bit ridiculous. It's a good kids movie that adults can enjoy, but it's not like I would ever watch it again. I don't really know much about Paddington Bear, it's not something I enjoyed as a kid. I do remember the Friends episode where they dress Ben in the Paddington rain coat and hat to cover his bump ("Monica bang"), but that's the extent of my knowledge. I did enjoy when the first promo images were released and they (the internet) tampered with it to make it look like this: http://junkee.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Creepy-paddington-the-shining-2.jpg . I almost died laughing. Luckily, he's so much cuter in motion than in the production stills. Nicole Kidman is the perfect "bad guy", and even though the whole thing was super predictable, I enjoyed watching her revel in her role. Again, I had fun watching this movie, but that's all there really is to say about it. On a related note, Chloe (my cat), sat and watched the whole thing.

3 Thoughts on Avengers: Age of Ultron

*contains spoilers*
1. Pandering to the audience - To put it bluntly, I didn't like this movie. I didn't necessarily hate it, but I found the whole thing to be a gigantic mess of a movie. The plot is uneven and overwhelming. The dialogue is so focused on snappy one-liners that I felt like the characters were just talking at each other instead of having a conversation. I laughed once. ONCE. In a 2 hour and 20 minute movie filled with dialogue that was definitely supposed to be funny. But, the thing that really bothered me was that it felt like it was a reflection of every complaint that "fans" have made since the first one. The biggest, most in-your-face, annoyance is the "human life as collateral damage" argument. As opposed to another big superhero (ahem), the Avengers painstakingly save EVERY SINGLE HUMAN LIFE and they need to show you EVERY SINGLE SECOND of it. Um...that's great guys (and gal), good for you, now get the fuck on with the plot. Also, are we supposed to actually believe that everyone survived all of that destruction in the third act? Like, really? To imply that saving one life is more important than saving thousands just sounds a bit ridiculous to me. Another critique of superhero movies is that the hero always saves the day and that the main characters always live (and even some supporting characters, as well....*ahem* Coulson), so it's all a bit predictable, really. The months leading up to the release, several movie websites hinted at a big "death" in this sequel. I have to say that they did a great job at keeping who it was under-wraps. I thought for sure it was Hawkeye. Even after release, people vaguely hinted at his demise. The whole movie is set up that way. First, they made him important (he was pretty non-existent in the first one, even though he was my favorite). Second, they gave him a family. Third, he risks his life to save a little boy and BAM! SHOTS FIRED! And then, WHAT?! All of that build-up and he doesn't fucking die?!. It's not like I wanted him to die, or anything, but still...don't pretend like you're going to kill of a main character, to show how high the stakes are, only to kill off the guy that nobody cares about.

2. My preconceived notions - There are certain aspects of the movie that I thought I was going to be aggravated by, but to my surprise, those are not the worst parts of the movie. The first is Black Widow and her storyline. It's not a secret that I rarely like Scarlett Johansson's acting. I certainly didn't like it in the first Avengers, and I thought Black Widow was the weak link of that film. I read that Black Widow was going to be featured more, and that she would have a romantic relationship with Hulk, and it literally made my stomach groan. In the first movie, their scene together was horribly written. It felt like a PSA on domestic abuse. When all of the complaints of anti-feminism and Joss Whedon's apparent misogyny started to trend online, I assumed that this whole "don't make him angry"/ "It's not his fault if he hurts you" domestic abuse justification garbage would continue (and that's why people got mad). I never read any of the articles because I didn't want spoilers to be revealed, but I was skeptical (because Whedon is definitely not a misogynist). After watching the movie, all I have to say is "what the fuck?". Why are people upset? I kinda like her now, and I actually really like how they handled the "relationship". Sure, there are some red flags - she's inevitably the "damsel in distress", and she compares the fact that she can't conceive children to that of a literal monster (um...not okay). However, I think they did a great job at showing that one can be feminine and still be a strong, powerful figure. It's often seen as a weakness among female action characters to show emotion, compassion, and warmth. In other words, traits that have feminine connotations are supposedly "anti-feminist" - in order to have a strong female character, they have to act like men. And really, that's where the problem lies. I could go on and on about this subject, but I'll just say that I think it's refreshing to have a strong female character who isn't cold and dead inside (and this is coming from someone who is often referred to as "cold and dead inside" and I usually appreciate female characters that aren't feminine like Maya from Zero Dark Thirty.). I don't really think the whole relationship part is necessary to this kind of movie (and it was cheesy as Hell), but  there wasn't anything misogynistic about it, aside from a throw away line about Black Widow dating a lot. It's called a JOKE. The second assumption I had about the movie was that Aaron Johnson was going to ruin the whole goddamn thing. He's such a terrible actor. Luckily, I found him to be inconsequential to the movie. He doesn't really leave a good or bad impression, even though he plays a pretty important role. I am a little confused by his character, though. Not knowing anything about comics, puts me at an obvious disadvantage. In the X-Men universe, it's implied that Quicksilver is Magneto's son and he's American. So, why in this is he an Eastern European, orphaned, twin? It's not like that's a minor difference. It doesn't make a bit of sense.

3. The future - So, what's next? In the end, we are left with a bunch of new, not so interesting Avengers that I am terribly bored with already. I didn't really agree with the whole "superhero fatigue" that people are complaining about, but this movie was just exhausting. I actually have no interest in watching any of these characters anymore. Yet, the release date for superhero movies is relentless for the next few years. I felt like the whole point of this movie was to set up Captain America: Civil War, instead of focusing on its own point. So, if Civil War is going to focus on the Avengers fighting each other, does that mean that the next Avengers movie is going to be focused on the new Avengers? Because, no thanks. Scarlet Witch is ok, but only because Elizabeth Olsen is awesome. Ditto for Falcon. The characters, though, feel second-rate.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him - After watching the "Them" version, I had really high expectations for the "Him" and "Her" versions. I've read that the separate versions are stronger entries to the story, and that the "Her" version is the strongest (I still haven't watched it. I think I need some time to pass before I give it a go). Honestly, I didn't really like the "Him" version. It was boring, and I think if I didn't watch the "Them" version, I would be confused by the story. It's jarring to only see one side of a story that is about the disintegration of a relationship. I still really like the concept, though. Plus, the story is beautiful. I like that it provided more insight; specifically, how she encouraged him to have an affair. I mean, that changes EVERYTHING! If you push someone away so many times that they actually go away, then you deserve the heartache (sorry, a bit harsh, but that's honestly how I feel). The biggest plus of all, is that there is more James McAvoy in this version (in glasses and a white t-shirt, no less. I think my heart actually stopped beating for a second).

2. They Came Together - Amy Poehler and Paul Rudd together in a movie, pretty much guarantees that I will enjoy it. I feel like they've already starred as a couple before, but I can't think of what movie. They definitely feel like a natural couple, though. This is a really smart satire of a romantic comedy. It follows the exact same plot of any movie in the genre, but consistently points out all of the ridiculous cliches. Some of my favorite moments include:
- "How do you sleep at night?" "I usually jerk off then I can sleep pretty soundly"
- "Fiction books" as the common interest that brings them together
- Picking up the lamp in the middle of their passionate encounter
- The dead body in the leaves
It's all very funny. It's also completely cynical about love and relationships, but it still remains cute. It becomes a bit silly and overdone sometimes, but it still fits in with the satire.

3. Wild - I found this movie really boring. There is some good stuff in it, but it was just such a chore to pay attention to. I don't really like Reese Witherspoon. I don't see her as the talent that she is praised for being. So, that was one of my problems, but mostly, I just don't think a movie about someone walking is all that interesting. Her backstory is even worse - just a cliche of a "hot mess". I also don't really see how hiking is a form of redemption. It's just not something I can relate to on any level. The only thing I found really interesting (and I don't even know if it is done on purpose), is the juxtaposition of the scene featuring the threat of rape and the scene where she is seen as having female privilege. It's so striking; the way she faces such a threat for simply being a woman hiking alone - it's also a very real threat. I would never hike somewhere by myself. Not because nature is unpredictable, or wild animals are dangerous, but because men rape (NOT ALL MEN). Then, just a few scenes later, she is being chastised for receiving special treatment for being a woman. I'm pretty sure any woman would forego receiving special treatment if it eradicated the threat of rape. Anyway, I also liked some of the mother/daughter stuff, and the use of that Portishead song. OH AND THE GUY FROM EVERCLEAR APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE. So random.

4. The Imitation Game - Another movie that really bored the shit out of me. I really struggled to make it through the whole thing. It's a fascinating story, so there really is no excuse. Plus, I love the show The Bletchley Circle, which is about women who worked as code-breakers (and use their knowledge and instincts to solve crime. It's awesome.), so it's not like the story doesn't interest me. It's just so straight-forward and repetitive. I'm not a huge Cumberbatch fan. He's good in every project that he's in, but my problem is that he plays the same type of character in everything (cold, stoic, anti-social, bordering on personality disorder). Also, question: Did Alan Turing have Asperger's? I guess we'll never really know, but that's what this movie implies - although it comes and goes, because the writing is shitty. And a bigger question: Why is he wearing makeup that is two times too dark for his complexion? Totally distracting. That's all I really have to say about a movie that was nominated for 8 Oscars. At least it didn't win any. Wait, what? For Best Adapted Screenplay? HAHAHAHAHA! Fucking absurd.

5. Selma - After being disappointed by both highly rated movies, Wild and The Imitation Game, I was really nervous to watch this movie. It's 100 times better than both of those movies, but I still wouldn't call it great. It's slightly better than average. I think my biggest problem is David Oyelowo, which I wasn't expecting. I just don't think he embodies Martin Luther King Jr., at all. First, he sounds like Kevin Spacey in House of Cards (this is not a good thing), second, aside from the very last speech, I felt like he lacked presence. MLK is ALL presence, charisma, a figurative "force of nature". If he was playing a fictional character, I probably would have enjoyed the performance, but he wasn't and in my eyes, he failed. I admit that biopics are not really a genre that I enjoy, because most of them bore me to tears, I appreciate that this movie starts after he is already a known and powerful figure. There are also some very powerful scenes, such as the Bloody Sunday scene, which is absolutely beautifully shot, but just so awful to watch (especially after the horrific events happening in America - a full 50 years later). The best part of the movie is definitely the song "Glory", which won the Oscar. It's so good that I watched the full credits just to hear the whole thing, although the live version during the Academy Awards was even more potent. It brought me to tears. I get chills just thinking about it.

3 Thoughts on Welcome to Me

1. The trailer vs. the movie - The only thing I knew about this movie was a little blurb in Entertainment Weekly's "Summer Movie Preview" issue. So, I knew the cast, a simple plot description, and that Bill Murray described it as "one of the strangest and boldest comedies he'd ever seen". A Bill Murray seal of approval is a pretty strong endorsement. In choosing a movie to purchase On Demand with my mother, she insisted on this movie. I explained that she probably won't like it because it's a "dark comedy" (to put it bluntly, I knew she wouldn't "get it"). She then played the preview trailer, and before it was even over, she exclaimed "YES! This is what I want to watch!". I couldn't argue with her because the trailer is edited so that it seems like a mainstream comedy. 20 minutes into the movie, and I could tell that my mom HATED it. I don't understand why they market something in such a deceiving way, because, ultimately, it just causes disappointment. Even I expected something a bit funnier - similar to Wiig's last movie, The Skeleton Twins, which handled deep, dramatic themes in a witty, sarcastic way. Welcome to Me is just depressing; bordering on unsettling and horrific. Was it good? Yes. I actually really liked it. The themes are relevant, the acting is raw and unfiltered, and the story is original. I just wish it didn't pretend to be something its not.

2. Narcissism vs. psychopathy - It's known in the movie that the main character suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder. That's the whole point of the movie. But in a way, I think the movie has some deep commentary on the narcissistic behaviors within us all. It's all gone a bit too far. And it's all Oprah's fault! I'm kidding, of course, but in this movie, Alice is obsessed with the talk show queen and her only real quest in life is to have her own show to talk about, what else, herself. I admit to having conversations with my bff in college about having our "own" reality show. To us, we were the most interesting people on the planet. However, after suffering the aftermath of the reality tv explosion in which narcissism runs rampant, I just can't stomach it anymore. With the normalizing of extreme narcissism, it's hard to tell if someone is "normal" or suffering a mental disorder. I mean, to me, someone who posts 30 selfies within minutes on whatever social media site they use, is suffering from some sort of state of psychopathy. I'm glad that this movie makes a clear statement on Alice's mental state, because a movie can be made without the references to this disorder, and still be believable in this age of self-absorption that we are living in. It would be even more depressing, though.

3. Kristen Wiig vs. her co-stars - Kristen Wiig is just the fucking best. I can't get over how much I love her. She just owns this character; makes her flawed but still sort of lovable. Even at her most stable moments, you can feel her emotions being stifled, waiting to be set free. The rest of the all-star cast is a bit under-utilized and completely over-shadowed by the one-woman wrecking ball that Wiig embodies. It's almost unfair to them, which, considering the cast includes Tim Robbins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Joan Cusack, seems impossible.

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Rosewater - The reviews for this movie were mostly good, yet I didn't see, nor did I hear, anyone talking about it. Now I can see why. It's a good movie, but there really isn't much else to say about it. It's an interesting story, well-acted, and it's surprisingly humorous considering the material. It just doesn't feel severe enough. It's sort of fascinating that a story like this can be told in a way that evokes absolutely no emotional response, but because of this, there is also no emotional resonance. Gael Garcia Bernal is one of my favorite actors - I would say top 10. He is awesome in this, as Maziar Bahari, a journalist who was captured in Iran and accused of being a spy, largely because of a segment featuring him on The Daily Show. Sounds absolutely ridiculous...right? However, it's a true, and pretty well-known, story. I think the best part is the humor, because it highlights the absolute absurdity of the situation. Plus, it highlights Jon Stewart's strength as a storyteller. I loved all of the references to NJ, too. The "Porn?" "The Sopranos." "Porn?" scene is hilarious, as was "Yes, of course, everybody knows what happens in New Jersey" line. I just felt like I should, you know, feel something after watching it and I felt nothing.

2. A Most Violent Year - Oh man, one of the biggest film disappointments I've had in a while. I really thought this movie was going to shoot up my Top 10 list to my favorite movie of 2014. It has all the potential in the world. Solid writer/director, JC Chandor (Margin Call), really talented cast, and the trailer just blew me away. So what went wrong? I think my biggest problem with the movie is the story, itself. It's just really not that interesting. I really like quiet, subtle movies, but when the story is also boring, it just doesn't work. It's really beautiful to look at; stunning, in fact. However, I found my thoughts drifting more than once. I'm a huge fan of Jessica Chastain (isn't everyone?), and she is fantastic. However, I haven't jumped on the Oscar Isaac bandwagon (yet). He's a decent actor, but I constantly read really boastful critiques of him (mostly, for Inside Llewyn Davis, which I didn't really like). He just hasn't impressed me, but I'm waiting patiently for it to happen.

3. Maps to the Stars - Another film that I thought would shake up my Top 10 list, but unfortunately missed the mark. I liked it, though. It just wasn't strong enough to make an impact. I love David Cronenberg movies (like, soooo sooo much), but this didn't feel like a Cronenberg movie. It felt more like a David Lynch movie (not necessarily a bad thing). It's a black comedy/satire about fame and the Hollywood "machine", and it's oddly structured and paced. There are some really strong, chilling moments - mostly with Julianne Moore. I'm surprised she wasn't nominated for an Oscar for this performance. She would have been competing with herself, but still, this is definitely a worthy performance, and something completely different for her. I also love Mia Wasikowska. She is just an incredible young actress. My biggest problem is the young boy; his name is Evan Bird, and he can't act at all. He absolutely ruins an all-star cast of superb acting. I don't understand how no-one noticed that this kid didn't fit in. I thought for a moment that maybe it was part of the bigger picture, but in the end, I just can't justify having a horrible kid actor ruin a movie.

4. Big Eyes - What an absolutely fascinating story! Seriously, how did I not know about this? You would think in all the classes I took about Art History or Women's Studies, that this would be a part of an important lesson about sexual politics. Also, is this how commercialized artistic prints started?? That's crazy! I LOVE when a film teaches me something; causing me to frantically research everything about the subject matter (I haven't had the time yet to do so, but it's on my list - yes, I have a list of things I want to learn about. I'm a weirdo.). While the film has obvious commentary on sexism, it also has some commentary on the "mass appeal" of art. The idea that once something gains attention from the masses, it is no longer good. The cast is brilliant, especially Christoph Waltz. He just oozes this natural charisma, that he uses in this completely smarmy way. The scene when she confronts him about the Cenic painting could be used as an example for an acting masterclass. It's that good. This is probably the first Burton film that I've truly enjoyed since Big Fish. 

5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Movies I expected to change my Top 10 Films of 2014: Maps to the Stars & A Most Violent Year. Movie that I didn't expect to change it: A Hunger Games movie. Boy was I wrong! I don't know why I am still surprised when I like a Hunger Games movie, considering that I really liked the first two. I think the reason why I liked this movie so much, though, is that it didn't have the actual "games", which I found was the worst part of the first two movies. I love all of the political & social commentary within this story and that is all this installment covered. I see from reviews, that the fans and critics don't like this movie as much as the first two, but I am in the complete opposite camp. I loved this one. I love that they use her as propaganda for the rebellion, I love that Elizabeth Banks gets to really showcase herself, and I love the ending. Also, I didn't even realize that the hauntingly beautiful song, "The Hanging Tree", is Jennifer Lawrence, or that it was from this movie (is that weird? I'm sure that was a highly publicized thing that I missed), but I adore that song and her voice is really pretty. Right now, this movie sits at #10 on my Top 10 list (but that could change, when I reevaluate in July). There are a few things I didn't care for - Natalie Dormer, for one. I just really can't stand her. She is such a terrible actress. I just don't get it, and I sincerely hope she isn't featured even more in the next one. Also, a minor thing, but the hair dye (or wig) that Jennifer Lawrence uses is really distracting. It's so unnatural.

Summer Movie Preview: 13 Movies That I Am Excited About

1. Avengers: Age of Ultron (5/1) - The first one was a ton of fun. I haven't watched the trailer for the sequel yet, but everyone was FLIPPING OUT about it, so I take that as a good sign. I did read that Scarjo has a bigger role, which, for me, is not a good thing. I thought she was the weakest link in the first one. I'm also not really looking forward to Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Quicksilver, because one, I hate him and, two, Evan Peters did such an awesome job with the role already in X-Men: Days of Future Past, there's no way he can compete. Anyway, I'm sure the movie is still going to rule the summer and I'm hopeful that it's going to be a blast. In Joss, I trust.

2. Welcome to Me (5/1) - I really, really love Kristen Wiig. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite actresses (especially after The Skeleton Twins). She has the perfect balance that is required for "dramedy" roles. I could see her being nominated for an Oscar soon. I also kind of love that Linda Cardellini is making a comeback (she didn't really go away, she's been doing voice work). With Mad Men, Bloodline and this movie, I am hopeful she stays in front of the camera (she's also the first person listed for Avengers: Age of Ultron on IMDB, which makes me laugh. Some intern is clearly behind the ball on that one).

3. Mad Max: Fury Road (5/15) - I saw the trailer for this before American Sniper, and HOLY SHIT! It looks completely insane. I've actually never seen any of the Mad Max movies (at least that I can remember), so I have no preconceived notion of it. I really have no plans of watching it, but maybe if I like this one, I will give it a shot.

4. Tomorrowland (5/22) - This movie looks pretty cool. There's some solid talent involved (Damon Lindelof, Brad Bird, George Clooney) and a pretty solid newcomer (Britt Robertson - who I really loved on two really awful CW shows - Life Unexpected and The Secret Circle). I know people shit on Lindelof, but I think he's a fantastically imaginative writer. So, there.

5. Aloha (5/29) - Bradley Cooper! Emma Stone! Bill Murray! Directed by Cameron Crowe! Sign me up!

6. Spy (6/5) - I think Melissa McCarthy can be very funny, but I also think she can be very not funny, as well. I wasn't really that excited for this; saw the trailer and it's not exactly laugh out loud....BUT, ROSE BYRNE (Love her so much) and JUDE LAW and ALLISON JANNEY?! Now that has potential. Plus, I laughed my ass off with both Bridesmaids and The Heat. 

7. Jurassic World (6/12) - The movie that I'm most excited about this summer!! While I didn't really like either of the sequels, I am a HUGE fan of Jurassic Park. It's the movie that made me love movies. It's the first big cinema experience that I can remember clearly. I was 12, and had seen plenty of movies that I loved dearly, but none had been this big. When it was over, I turned to my mother and said "AGAIN!". From the trailer, it's clearly trying to set up a "reboot" to the franchise and it seems to copy the same things that made the original so great (which could be terrible....or genius?). My only trepidation is Bryce Dallas Howard, because she is a horrible actress (seriously, she is the worst part of every movie that she is in).

8. Ted 2 (6/26) - I thought the first one was pretty hilarious. I mean, for a movie about a talking bear, it's pretty fucking good. I love when Mark Wahlberg does comedy. I don't know why, but I just think he's so funny. He's just such a naturally serious guy, so it works well when he breaks away from that.

9. Irrational Man (7/17) - Not only is it a Woody Allen film (already sold), but it's Allen working with one of my favorite actors, Joaquin Phoenix. It's an odd pairing, but I think it might work brilliantly. I love how awkward and odd Phoenix is, and I think the Allen dialogue is going to really bring out these features.

10. Ant-Man (7/17) - I know absolutely nothing about Ant-Man. I will always watch superhero movies with an initial glee, though. I actually like when I don't know the history behind the character, because then everything is a surprise. I love Paul Rudd, but I think he's an odd choice for a superhero. I guess we'll see how it goes (although I was infinitely more excited when Edgar Wright was the director).

11. Southpaw (7/24) - I'm not really big on boxing movies, but when they're good....they're really good (like The Fighter). Plus, Jake Gyllenhaal hasn't had a misstep in 5 years, so I trust he's continuing his trend of meaty roles.

12. Fantastic Four (8/7) - The Fantastic Four movies are pure garbage. Seriously. However, in the new land of superhero movies, a reboot is inevitable and the only thing that is going to peak my interest is the casting. And boy, did they knock it out of the park with the casting for this. I mean, they are actually young actors who can....*gasp*...act! Miles Teller, Michael B Jordan AND my favorite Kate Mara! I am soooo freakin' excited. Plus, I really liked Chronicle, so I am excited to see what Josh Trank has in store for us next.

13. The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (8/14) - I'm excited for a Guy Ritchie movie that is not Sherlock Holmes related. Plus, I love spy stuff that isn't Bond related. It's win, win, really,