Edward Scissorhands

Release Date: December 14, 1990

Director: Tim Burton

Synopsis: In cookie cutter suburbia, there is a family like any other. The mother Peg, an Avon sales woman, goes to the top of the hill outside of town where an old mansion sits. There she finds a young boy who is dressed in bizarre leather clothing and has scissors for hands. She and the boy, named Edward, begin talking and she decides to take him in with her and her family. Edward immediately falls for her teenage daughter Kim. Soon, the whole town is enthralled with their newest member, and especially the artwork he does with the neighborhood shrubberies. Edward then makes foray into dog grooming and hair styling, and soon everyone wants a piece of this kind hearted, young stranger. Kim’s boyfriend Jim, however, isn’t fond of Edward and will do anything to get him out of town.

Review: I’ve always liked this movie. I thought it would be the perfect segue into the holiday season, since it’s Tim Burton and he’s always doing creepy stuff, and it snows a lot in the movie. This was Johnny Depp’s and Tim Burton’s first collaboration together (7 more would follow over the next two decades), and I have to say I really love this movie. Edward isn’t supposed to be really scary, but just creepy enough that he’s an outsider. What I find great about this film is that it’s not about some monster; it’s about a young man who is an outsider, but isn’t phased by what people have to say about him. He was created from a cookie heart, and the inventor who created him died before he was able to give Edward hands (thus the unfortunate need to have scissors instead). He is inherently kind and would do anything for the ones he loves.

Seeing Anthony Michael Hall as an angry adult is just hysterical to me. I will always see him as Farmer Ted from “Sixteen Candles.” It’s hard for me to see him as this studly, masculine man who tries to kill people. Wynona Ryder has always ranked so-so with me; her voice is SO annoying. But she was likable in this film. As always, Johnny Depp is awesome. I don’t think I even need to say more about that!!!

            I’m usually not the biggest fan of Tim Burton films because the give me the creeps. He can literally take the most normal thing and make it ridiculously creepy. The houses are all neon Easter colors and the hairstyles that Edward creates are just as kooky. His camera angles are a little weird, and the costumes are pretty out there as well. He came up with the idea for the character Edward Scissorhands from a drawing he did as a child. Uuuhhhh . . . who draws stuff like that when they are little? Disturbed, I tell you! I can honestly say this is the only Tim Burton film I enjoyed (except for Pee-Wee’s big adventure, lol).

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Release Date: May 28, 2010

Director: Mike Newell

Based on the video game “Prince of Persia”

Synopsis:  A young orphan named Dastan is taken in by the King of Persia to become a member of their family after showing courage and humility during a street fight. Despite having no royal blood, Dastan is admired by his people and his new family. When he and his brothers successfully take over Almata, Dastan is betrayed by his power hungry uncle Nizam (very Lion King-esque) and is believed to have killed his father with an enchanted cloak. He and the Almatan princess Tamina are then thrust into the desert to escape Dastan’s family and the lies that follow him, but not before Dastan can acquire a mysterious dagger from an Almatan prisoner. While on this journey, Tamina tries to steal this dagger back, and only then does Dastan realize that when filled with special sand, the dagger can take its holder back in time to change his or her past. Dastan starts to put the pieces together and realizes just how deeply seated his uncle’s lies really are. Dastan and Tamina travel through the desert to return the dagger out of his uncle’s hands to prevent events that would change the course of history.

Review: I was really excited to see this film mainly because it looked fun and Jake Gyllenhaal is smokin’ hot (who are we kidding here). But I must say I was pretty disappointed. The plot was just OK. I felt like producer Jerry Bruckheimer was trying to out do the Pirates trilogy, and it just wasn’t up to snuff. I don’t know what it is about Gemma Arterton (tamina), but I really don’t like her. She’s too squeaky clean and prissy. Gyllenhaal seems more carefree, and I didn’t feel any chemistry between the two leads (which was most of the movie’s plot). I would have liked to see more of Ben Kingsley (Nizam), but his screen time was pretty insignificant.

            Not only was the acting spotty, but the writing was as well. The script was all over the place, and I couldn’t help myself from comparing the plot development to Pirates of the Caribbean. It was all eerily similar, just a location and actor change. The special effects weren’t too fabulous either. When the dagger was activated, Dastan would have sort of an out of body experience and it just looked cheesy. The action sequences were fun, though.

 Something about this film just didn’t click with me. It was mildly entertaining, but I don’t think I’ll see it again.

The Social Network

Release Date: October 1, 2010

Directed By: David Fincher

Adapted from the novel “The Social Network” by Ben Mezrich

Synopsis: “The Social Network” chronicles the rise and financial falters of Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook co-founder and CEO, and Eduardo Saverin. In a drunken rage, Harvard student Zuckerberg angrily blogs about his recent ex-girlfriend and decides to start a website called “FaceSmash,” which compares two girls from their school to see who’s hotter. The site gets an unprecedented amount of attention from Harvard students, even making the front page of the school newspaper. Three students in particular admire Zuckerberg’s bold website, and contract him out to make an exclusively Harvard website enabling students to communicate with each other. Zuckerberg realizes he can make a better site, evolving slightly from the same idea as his counterparts, and enlists Saverin to help him finance and create “The Facebook.” The two live the high life, but all good things must come to an end.

Review: I honestly wasn’t this movie’s biggest fan. The appeal for me was that I, much like most of you reading this, use Facebook everyday. This didn’t happen that long ago, so it’s refreshing to see a movie that directly involves a fad that we used from the very beginning. I thought the acting was superb. Jesse Eisenburg plays our title character, and he does a great job of acting like a douche who thinks he’s smarter than everyone. Some of the things he did made me cringe and want to punch him in the face, but I guess that’s how you know his acting was good. Andrew Garfield as Eduardo Saverin was a great role for him. He had a small role in “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus (UGH), but he’s really starting to catch the eye of Hollywood producers (Hello, Spiderman!!!). He really captured the naivety and pure innocence of Saverin, who was blind-sided by not only this sudden fame, but also sudden deceit. Plus he’s pretty hot, so that’s always a good thing. Speaking of hot: Justin Timberlake. I love him when he appears on Saturday Night Live, but I was apprehensive about seeing him in a dramatic role (since previous movies he’s been in have gone relatively unseen). I have to say I was positively shocked. He’s a pretty damn good actor, and provided some much-needed comic relief to the film as Napster founder, Sean Parker. He’s just as douchey and self-involved as Zuckerberg, but again he plays it off well. There’s a lot of Oscar buzz surrounding these three characters. I think that Garfield will get nominated, but definitely not win. But besides the acting I was not particularly entertained. It was slow moving and quite frankly anti-climactic. When the end finally came, I felt robbed of much needed closure.

            All in all, I’m glad I saw it. But I don’t have any desire to see it again.

Pride & Prejudice

Release Date: November 23, 2005

Director: Joe Wright
Adapted from the novel "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Synopsis: The classic story revolves around the Bennett family- Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia in 1797 England. The family’s world is turned upside down when a wealthy man, Mr. Bingley, and his equally wealthy friend Mr. Darcy arrive. Jane is courted by Mr. Bingley, while Darcy and Lizzie go back and forth with feeling both disgust, and eventually love for each other.

Review: This film is one of my favorites of all time by far. It’s the perfect movie to watch when the weather is a little cooler and you just want to snuggle and be warm. The colors and cinematography is like none I’ve ever seen; every piece of the set and every costume are so vibrant. The scenery is poetic, as is the language. And the music is hauntingly beautiful. It fits the time period perfectly, and it really enhances the film without overpowering it. Pride & Prejudice is the kind of story that reminds you that things are not always what they seem, and that (as cheesy as it sounds) you have to follow your heart and live for yourself.

Keira Knightly truly shines in this performance (hence the well-deserved Oscar nomination). She shows both strength and vulnerability as Lizzie, something that is essential to this classic character. She doesn’t care too much about when she will get married, but she knows that it must be with a man that she loves (her dowry isn’t all that much anyway).

Matthew Macfadyen’s portrayal of Mr. Darcy is inspired. He wouldn’t be what I would have thought to cast just based on looks alone, but his hard exterior is perfect for this role. There is something about the way his eyes show whatever emotion he’s feeling. When he’s serious, his eyes are straight ahead. When he’s longing for Lizzie, you can see it in his eyes. I think that’s a difficult thing to accomplish, but somehow he pulls it off.

The rest of the cast fits perfectly: The crazy Mrs. Bennett just dying to marry off as many of her five daughters as she possibly can, Jena Malone as the naïve Lydia (who I love), Carey Mulligan was Kitty (so cute), and Donald Sutherland as Mr. Bennett. At the end when he and Lizzie are speaking about Mr. Darcy, I feel as though I’m watching myself tell my dad about the man I want to marry and he’s sitting their crying with joy. It gets me every time!

My favorite part from this film is at the very end, when Mr. Darcy and Lizzie meet in the field in the wee hours of the morning. The lighting is spectacular; it’s still kind of dark out but it’s at that moment when the sun is beginning to rise and pours light all over the ground. They meet in the middle, both saying how they couldn’t sleep. Lizzie informs Mr. Darcy that his aunt had come by to see her earlier that night to chastise her for supposedly being in love with her nephew. Then Mr. Darcy says,

            “You must know... surely, you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I'd scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

Just reading that makes me a little choked up-so beautiful! This is the kind of love story that all of us dream of having. Whenever I'm feeling a little hopeless because of whatever is happening in life, this is my go-to movie. If you haven't seen it, do so immediately. I'm going to read the book soon, and I can't wait!

Legend of The Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

Release Date: September 24, 2010

Directed By: Zack Snyder

Adapted from the novel, "Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture, The Journey, and The Rescue" by Kathryn Lasky

Synopsis: Soren, a young barn owl, is enamored by stories his father tells him of the Legendary Guardians, which guard the owl kingdom of Ga'Hoole.  His younger sister Eglantine also loves these tales, but their older brother Kludd doesn't find them so entertaining. During a regular outing, Soren and Kludd fall from their tree and are snatched up by two strange owls, who take them to a place where owlets are captured as slaves for The Pure Ones. Soren speaks out against The Pure Ones' mission, and is sent, along with an elf owl named Gylfie, to do a demeaning job for the Pure Ones. Gylfie and Soren soon befriend an owl who helps them escape from this dark place, and they reach out to find The Guardians. Along the way, they meet more owls who join their cause, and together take down the evil Pure Ones.


Review: I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into this film, but every time I saw the preview I got a little choked up and started feeling adventurous. The plot was a bit slow. I haven't read any of the books yet, but from what I've heard it doesn't really live up to the book's expectation. The whole "Follow your gizzard" aspect to the film was adorable. It made it relatable to children, but even as an adult I enjoyed hearing a cute take on "follow your heart." I really loved all of the characters in this film, which is saying a lot to both the novel and the screenwriter. However, this slow plot development is something that Zack Snyder has typically stuck too (Watchmen, anyone?). And all of the slow motion sequences-I get it. I feel epic. Speed it up!


That being said, the visual effects were AMAZING. I was lucky enough to see this in 3D, and it seemed as though I could reach out and touch the poofy owls! Casting of the voices was perfect. Jim Sturgess (Soren) has an almost childlike timbre in his voice, which weas perfect for his hopeful character. Eglantine's voice made me melt with all of it's cuteness. Kludd is voiced by Ryan Kwaanten of "True Blood" fame, and I didn't even recognize his voice. Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, and Helen Mirren help give the cast some star power.  I have a feeling if I saw this film again, I might enjoy it more knowing what to expect. 


Everytime I hear "Kings and Queens" by 30 Seconds To Mars, I see owls. I can't help it. :)

Top 10

Here are my top 10 favorite movies (in no particular order):

1) Wayne's World
2) Harry Potter (For all intent and purposes, they all count as one)
3) Pride and Prejudice
4) Sixteen Candles
5) Sleeping Beauty
6) You've Got Mail
7) Dirty Dancing
8) Garden State
9) Superbad
10) Love Actually

The Town

 

Release date: September 17, 2010

Directed by: Ben Affleck

Adapted from the novel, “Prince of Thieves” by Chuck Hogan

Synopsis: Charleston is a blue collar Boston neighborhood that produces more bank robberies in one square mile than anywhere in the world. A bank manager named Claire Keesey is taken hostage after a gang of robbers breaks into her bank. They release her, but Doug McCray, the brains of the operation, can’t stop thinking about her. He tracks her down, introduces himself, and soon finds himself falling for a woman who doesn’t know that he is one of the men responsible for her recent trauma.

            Meanwhile, McCray’s band of robbers pull off another heist, but this time it attracts the FBI’s attention. Adam Frawley has been on the gang’s coattails for quite some time now and has his sights set on nothing less than taking each robber into custody. He enlists the help of Claire, and the tangled web of lies and secrets starts to unravel.

Review: When I saw the preview for this film months ago, I was thrilled to see a movie like this coming back into the limelight. Ben Affleck’s first directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone,” was truly a showcase of his talents behind the camera. Not only did he direct this film, but he wrote the screenplay (but I guess we already knew he was good at that  . . )He has quite the affinity for showcasing his hometown of Boston, and he does this well.

Affleck has shown spotty judgment when it comes to choosing film roles over the last decade, but his portrayal as Doug McCray was truly inspired. He somehow makes his character likable, despite robbing banks and sometimes killing people. Jeremy Renner’s performance as Doug’s oldest friend, James Coughlin, will likely get nominated come awards season. He’s possibly one of the sleeziest members of the robbers, but he makes it so believable; you love to hate him. Coughlin was in jail for ten years after murdering a guy point blank when he was 18. When the film begins, he’s recently been released. The dynamic between Doug and James is an entertaining one to watch.

I was absolutely shocked by Blake Lively’s performance. I know her from Gossip Girl and the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants movies, so I was hesitant to see how she would portray Kristin Coughlin, James’ younger pill-popping, promiscuous sister. Her accent was impeccable, her acting was actually compelling, and she looked horrid (which is never the case-she’s beautiful).

I thought the plot development was strong, but sometimes a bit slow. The film was much like “The Departed,” but not a crappy knock-off of it. The film was impeccably cast, well written with sound plot development, and entertaining. I honestly can’t wait to see it again! I’m also about to start the book, so I’m interested to see how well the two compare.

UPDATE: After reading the book, I'm even a bigger fan of this film. I read that the original cut of the movie was four hours long because Affleck filmed every aspect of the novel. Obviously the studio wasn't going to let him release a movie that long, so he cut it down to two hours and five minutes within two days. He cut out a lot of character development, but that's to be expected with films based off of novels. The ending in the book is much different than the film: In the end of the book MaCray is shot when escaping from Fenway Park, goes to Claire's house to declare his love, and dies in her arms. The ending in the book is obviously more poetic, but apparently it didn't test well with audiences. Not only do I recommend seeing the film, but if you have the chance read the book. Hogan writes in the Boston accent (which can be tiring at times) but it truly enhanced my appreciation for the story.