Divergent

Divergent is a futuristic action thriller set to premiere this Friday March 21. It takes place in a post-war Chicago where people are separated into different societies based on their personalities. Everyone fits into one of five groups that is determined by a test and influenced by upbringing. Beatrice Prior, played by Shailene Woodley, doesn't conform into one specific category. She finds her way into one society at first and tries to assimilate but just isn't able to. As she trains to become a part of her new faction, she realizes she's one of a few people who possesses the power to exercise free will. Beatrice wants to think and live freely, and that's a danger to the current structure of society. Beatrice becomes a threat to plans the government has in store. The journey takes us through the trials and tribulations of fighting against evil to regain humanity.

Divergent is the latest in Hunger Games look-a-likes. Based on the 2011 book by Veronica Roth, Divergent is one of a three book series that has a large following among tweens and teenagers. Interesting fact, Roth wrote the book when she was only 21 years old.

The film was engaging and enjoyable to watch. It was action packed and carried a strong plot line throughout. The most interesting scenes were Beatrice's "dream" sequences that were pretty intense. Woodley plays opposite Theo James. The British native has been acting for a number of years but is an up-and -coming young actor to look out for. He has great screen presence and is sure to be a hit with the ladies. Kate Winslet was the true scene-stealer though. She plays Jeanine Matthews, the villainous leader of her faction with plans of total domination. Matthews goal of completely wiping out independent will is obstructed by Divergents, so she is on the hunt to capture each last one. 

Whether or not you've read the book this movie is a great watch. At first I was not even aware that Divergent was a book adaptation, but thoroughly enjoyed it and understood the concept. An added bonus, the soundtrack is amazing. It features music by Ellie Goulding, Zedd, and A$AP Rocky. The musical score accompanied in the film really set the tone.

SEE IT!

300: Rise of an Empire New Trailer

I was a huge fan of 300, released in 2006. On March 7, 2014 comes the much anticipated sequel. Check out this newly released trailer of 300: Rise of an Empire.

Mitt: A Netflix Original

This past week Netflix premiered an original documentary entitled "Mitt" about presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign. The film follows Romney behind the scenes during both his 2008 run for the presidency and his most recent campaign in 2012. 

While at times interesting and shedding new light on the Massachusetts governor, the film didn't do it for me. In fact, it was difficult to watch just like his actual campaign. With moments of forced emotion and awkward prayer sessions in campaign hotel rooms, Romney had a difficult time connecting to the average American. The first half follows his attempt at the presidency in 2008 during the primaries, which he lost to John McCain. Then half way through we jump forward to 2012 when he went head-to-head with President Obama.

Interestingly, it was nice to see the support behind the man. Romney had his family very close to him during the campaigns both as emotional support and consultants. Romney's five sons were very involved in all aspects of his campaign and helped him through the highs and lows. Although he may come off cold and unrelatable at times, Romney is a family man who really cares about his wife, children, and 18 grandchildren.

I'm usually a big fan of political films and documentaries, but "Mitt" lost my vote. I didn't see anything I hadn't seen during the campaign news coverage. Romney's political future looks limited, as least for now. Seems like he'll stick with what he knows best, the private sector as a business man.

SKIP IT!

Golden Globes Nominations 2014

The 2014 Golden Globes will be held this Sunday, January 12 on NBC. I’m mostly looking forward to the hosts, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. They’re great together, a perfect balance of comedy and charm.



My Picks for…

Movies: Her, Saving Mr. Banks, The Wolf of Wall Street.

TV: Girls, Parks and Recreations, House of Cards, Veep.

Here are the nominees:

MOTION PICTURES
Best Drama
12 Years a Slave
Captain Phillips
Gravity
Philomena
Rush

Best Musical/Comedy
American Hustle
Her
Inside Lleweyn Davis
Nebraska
The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Director
Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Paul Greengrass, Captain Phillips
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best Actress in a Drama
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Emma Thompson, Saving Mr. Banks
Kate Winslet, Labor Day

Best Actor in a Drama
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Idris Elba, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Tom Hanks, Captain Phillips
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyer’s Club
Robert Redford, All Is Lost

Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy
Christian Bale, American Hustle
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo Di Caprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Joaquin Phoenix, Her

Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, American Hustle
Julie Delpy, Before Midnight
Greta Gerwig, Frances Ha
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Enough Said
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County

Best Supporting Actress
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska

Best Supporting Actor
Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Daniel Bruhl, Rush
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyer’s Club

Best Screenplay
Spike Jonze, Her
Bob Nelson, Nebraska
Jeff Pope/Steve Coogan, Philomena
John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave
Eric Warren Singer, David O. Russell, American Hustle

Best Foreign Language Film
Blue is the Warmest Color
The Great Beauty
The Hunt
The Past
The Wind Rises

Best Animated Feature
The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Frozen

Best Original Song
“Atlas,” The Hunger Games, Catching Fire
“Let It Go,” Frozen
“Ordinary Love,” Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
“Please Mr. Kennedy,” Inside Llewyn Davis
“Sweeter Than Fiction,” One Chance

Best Score
Alex Ebert, All Is Lost
Alex Heffes, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
Steven Price, Gravity
John Williams, The Book Thief
Hans Zimmer, 12 Years a Slave

TELEVISION

Best TV Comedy or Musical
Girls
Modern Family
Parks and Recreation
The Big Bang Theory
Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Best TV Drama
Breaking Bad
Downton Abbey
The Good Wife
House of Cards
Masters of Sex

Best Actress in a TV Drama
Julianna Marguiles, The Good Wife
Tatiana Maslany, Orphan Black
Taylor Schilling, Orange Is the New Black
Kerry Washington, Scandal
Robin Wright, House of Cards

Best Actress in a TV Comedy
Zooey Deschanel, New Girl
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation

Best Actor in a TV Drama
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
Michael Sheen, Masters of Sex
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
James Spader, The Blacklist

Best Actor in a TV Comedy
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Don Cheadle, House of Lies
Michael J. Fox, The Michael J. Fox Show
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Andy Samberg, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Best Miniseries or TV Movie
American Horror Story: Coven
Behind the Candelabra
Dancing on the Edge
Top of the Lake
White Queen

Best Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Helena Bonham Carter, Burton and Taylor
Rebecca Ferguson, White Queen
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story
Helen Mirren, Phil Spector
Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake

Best Actor in a Miniseries or TV Movie
Matt Damon, Behind the Candelabra
Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dancing on the Edge
Idris Elba, Luther
Al Pacino, Phil Spector

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Show, Miniseries or TV Movie
Jacqueline Bisset, Dancing on the Edge
Janet McTeer, White Queen
Hayden Panettiere, Nashville
Monica Potter, Parenthood
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Show, Miniseries or TV Movie
Josh Charles, The Good Wife
Rob Lowe, Behind the Candelabra
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Corey Stoll, House of Cards
Jon Voight, Ray Donovan

American Hustle

The film features a star-studded cast and has garnered a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Motion Picture, Drama.” American Hustle takes place in the late 1970’s and tells the story of a con man, played by Christian Bale, and his accomplice, Amy Adams, who are forced to work for an FBI agent, Bradley Cooper, to help bust corrupt politicians and mobsters.


I would not recommend watching this film. American Hustle is completely overrated. It’s not ‘best picture’ quality. The subject matter and plot line are unoriginal and boring. How many times are they going to give us the same story? There was nothing fresh or new about this film. I knew what was going on the entire time and could easily guess what was going to happen next. The story development is slow and simple. It didn’t keep me engaged at all. I could not wait until the credits rolled.


The only salvageable factor was the acting. While not all the performances were great, I thought the character development and casting was well done. Jennifer Lawrence plays Christian Bale’s big-mouthed New Jersey housewife. Her performance was phenomenal and was the shining beacon in this dimly lit film. I thought she played beautifully and was highly entertaining with her witty backhanded one-liners and sassy attitude. Christian Bale was enjoyable to watch also. I think he is one of those few actors that really ‘becomes’ the character he’s playing. Barely recognizable having gained 40 pounds and sporting a toupee, Bale really embraced his 1970’s con artist character.


On the other hand, Amy Adams and Bradley Cooper’s performances fell short. Adams forced a British accent that kept coming and going. It really left me lost and confused. Cooper has done well previously in serious roles, but this one was a miss. He played a high-strung underdog cop who wanted his big break. He didn’t connect with the role and the filmmakers didn’t utilize his abilities as well as they could have.


Overall this film did not do it for me. I was bored the entire time and felt like it was all done before. When it comes down to it the storyline lacked originality and depth, although some performances held it afloat. I do not recommend seeing this film. I hope American Hustle does not win any undeserving awards this award season.

SKIP IT.

House of Cards and Orange is the New Black

I have been out of commission for awhile. I took some time off to travel. I lived abroad for a bit. While that was a great experience I definitely missed American film and television. 

I have recently signed up with Netflix. So I thought I would highlight a couple TV series that are worth watching if you’ve got the time.

I just discovered the amazingness that is “House of Cards.” Kevin Spacey has proved once again he is an invigorating actor who has a strong presence in every role he plays. He brings the character of Frank Underwood, a Congressman, to life embodying the epitome of what politics is today; cheating, lying, and clawing your way to the top. The entire cast is riveting and the plot twists keep you wanting more. The series is not a lot of action but mainly dialogue driven. I would say “House of Cards” is a modern day “West Wing.”







Season 2 will be released February 14, 2014. 


I was hesitant about “Orange is the New Black” at first but after just a couple episodes I became hooked. The series is about a “good girl” whose past catches up with her when she has to serve time in a women’s correctional facility, for international drug pedaling in her former years. Piper Chapman, played by Taylor Schilling, is forced into a crazy new world that will make you laugh, cry, and gasp at what really goes on behind bars. The cast, of mainly women, is one big dysfunctional family played very cohesively given the in-your-face racist and sexist sentiments. Although mainly a dark comedy the series touches on serious social and political issues we face with incarcerated people.





Season 1 is entirely available on Netflix right now. No news on when season 2 will be released. Speculation hints a new season may be released early-to-mid 2014.

Starbuck

"Starbuck" is a 2011 Canadian comedy directed by Ken Scott. It stars Patrick Huard. The film takes place in Canada and is entirely in French with English subtitles. It is set to release in the US on March 22, 2013.

A forty-something year old, David, finds out his girlfriend is pregnant. But that’s the least of his parental worries. He works for his father’s butcher company but is barely hanging on. David doesn’t have his life in order at all, and it only gets worse. He soon finds out that he has fathered over 500 children resulting from his many “donations” to the local sperm bank twenty years ago. Over 100 of his children are now filing a lawsuit against him in order to find out his identity. David is faced with many moral hurdles as he tries to balance his soon-to-be family and current ever growing one.




Starbuck makes you laugh and cry. Although mostly a comedy, it definitely has a deeper meaning. There are sentimental moments that tug at your heart. Patrick Huard brings a lot of laughter to the screen. He plays the stereotypical loser that hasn’t amounted to anything except working for his father’s business, yet he can’t even do that right. Life just hasn’t cut him a break but this news of having hundreds of grown children in the world might just change his life…hopefully for the better. 



Starbuck is a different and unique story that’s worth your time. Through the comedy a message of family and being true comes to surface. If you’re thinking of donating to your local sperm bank or artificial insemination in general definitely check out this film. And even if you’re not, Starbuck is a great film to see.

SEE IT!

Run time 1 hour 49 mins

21 and Over

Last week I saw a sneak preview of “21 and over.” It tells the story of two friends who visit their best friend in an effort to celebrate his 21st birthday. But he’s in no position to party because he’s got an important med school interview the next morning. The story unravels as the trio journey through the night.


I’d say the movie has its good moments, but isn’t worth the trip. It’s a mix of “Project X” meets Ryan Reynolds’ “Van Wilder.” It is an homage to the college years and most 18-25 year olds will definitely connect with the film. People over 30 may find it immature and unnecessarily outrageous. I graduated college a couple years ago and it was bittersweet to reminisce my college years. The movie definitely makes you rethink if you lived your college years to its full potential.  There’s some puffery in there because I don’t think anyone’s real college experience included wild buffalo injuries on campus and acid tripping professors. Then again, I may have gone to the wrong school.

"21 and over" is crude, rude, and then some. There’s lots of nudity; surprisingly more male nudity then female. The film also has many racial jokes, mostly playing on Asian stereotypes. There are many "WTF" moments that will have you covering you eyes or leaving your jaw hanging. 

Miles Teller (from Project X) is the funniest character and plays the goofy party guy that doesn’t know when to filter his thoughts and words. Skylar Astin (from Pitch Perfect) plays the pretty boy who’s a little strung up and gets caught up in a romantic relationship. Justin Chon (from the Twilight series) is the birthday boy whose performance falls a bit short. His acting and comedic ability was not enjoyable. He simply just isn’t a good actor and came off as fake and forced.

"21 and Over" pushes some boundaries and leaves you thinking if you really lived up your college years,  especially your 21st birthday. So to sum it up, grab a drink (or two) at your local college bar instead of seeing this movie.

SKIP IT! 

Introductions/About Me

Movies are the universal language of the world. It’s a subject that almost every person takes part in and can bring people together. Basically movies are like the weather, it’s one of the few topics you can discuss with a complete stranger.

Why do we watch movies? It’s an escape from our crazy hectic lives, to put it bluntly. The majority of us aren’t going to be super heroes, international spies, or Megan Fox’s boyfriend. Movies give us the chance to take a break from our lives and live through someone else. Movies are our portal to another world. The world we imagine sometimes or the world we wish we could be in. I’m here to give you my two cents about the best, worst, and everything in between about movies.

Why should you read my blog?

Too often I hear people say, “don’t believe what that critics say” or “critics are unnecessarily harsh.” I’ve decided to write this blog because I too have those feelings. There are countless critics that judge a movie based on “professional” feelings, and expect the everyone to agree with them. Sometimes a person in the industry is the exact person who shouldn't be reviewing a film. They may be viewing the film from inside “the box” or according to “industry standards.”

The word “critic” or “critique” has even become a negative term because of this practice. I am here to watch movies and tell you about them from my perspective. The perceptive of the average moviegoer. I can judge a movie from the point of view of an educated person who lives and breathes movies. My friends pride me on this all the time, so I thought why not share my thoughts with everyone.

I can tell you what’s worth watching and what’s not, although I may not be right every time. I am an avid moviegoer and enjoy almost every genre of film. I always have an internal dialogue in my mind when watching a film. Even after a movie I’ll keep thinking and talking about it. And that’s just it, the movie experience is not over for me after the credits roll. It continues to evoke feelings, sometimes good and sometimes bad. But regardless, I love talking about movies and letting people know what works and what doesn’t. So stay tuned and see what I’ve got to say. Ultimately I am simply giving you my opinion and personal thoughts. If you like my reviews please let me know and share them with your friends/family. If you don’t like what I’ve got to say let me know (preferably in a private email) so I can perfect my film review skills for you. 

Thanks and enjoy!