I’ve been looking forward to this movie and it didn’t disappoint. More than any Marvel movie, this one felt like a fantasy novel to me, with dynastic struggle, tribal factions and family secrets. And of course there was the struggle between protecting your own and reaching out to help others. The acting was great and I loved how they connected everything to character development. Loved it.
Tag Archives: movie
Quick Take: The Greatest Showman
I doubt anyone who knows me will be surprised, but I loved this movie. The music, the spectacle, the themes–all amazing. I appreciate that some people dislike the historical inaccuracies, especially in regards to Barnum’s character, but I don’t think focusing on the reality would have allowed for the same kind of escapist fantasy that is so thrilling and uplifting. The only thing that really threw me was that the opera singer didn’t sound like an opera singer. She sounded basically like everyone else, which is great, but not like an opera singer. Her song is beautiful, though, so once I got over that, I liked that part too. I will be purchasing the soundtrack.
Quick Take: The Last Jedi
I really enjoyed this film, although sometimes it was kind of like one of those shows where things just keep going wrong. I told myself before I went that this was the second movie in the trilogy, so like Empire, this is the installment where things get worse before they get better. So overall, that didn’t bother me. And they left it on an uplifting note and the climax was great–and surprising. Finally, bittersweet watching Carrie Fisher on screen. Sweet because she was so wonderful and bitter because we’ve lost her. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go see it again.
Quick Take: Furious Seven
If you like the other movies in the Fast and Furious franchise, you’ll like this one. Stunts are crazy. There are moments so ridiculous, you just have to laugh and love it. Some joking comic relief and lol one-liners, but also moments of quiet intimacy between various characters. For sentimental people, you might cry. I did. I obviously never had a personal relationship with Paul Walker. I haven’t even seen him in many other movies, but I enjoyed his performance in this franchise and I found this move, especially the end, to be a fitting farewell. But don’t let my tender heart make you think it isn’t a fun movie. It is! Fun, exciting movie. Full of badassery!
Quick Take: Insurgent
I think I need to go back and read Insurgent again because the ending was really different than my friend and I remembered. That said I’ll be eager to see where they go from here in the third movie. And also, I remembered a few things only as they were happening. So I can’t really compare the book and movie at this point, but I really enjoyed the movie. I love the movie’s portrayal of the relationship between Tris and Four. Shailene Woodley gave another beautiful performance. Awesome special effects. Special mention of Keiynan Lonsdale who plays Uriah. Pleasure seeing him on my screen again! I loved him as Ollie in Dance Academy. Definitely worth seeing if you liked the books and/or the first movie.
Quick Take: Cinderella
I cannot express how much I loved this movie. It made me cry. The imagery and special effects were gorgeous. Rob Stark–I mean Richard Madden–didn’t die. Lily James (aka Lady Rose from Downton Abbey) was perfect as Cinderella. I also have to mention the completely heartbreaking performance of Haley Atwell as Ella’s mother. I didn’t recognize her in the previews due to the blonde hair, but she made the movie extra special to me just because I love her as Agent Carter SO MUCH.
There were nods to the Disney animated film, but also enough additional material to make it stand on its own. A very well-done follow-up to last year’s Maleficent. And while the “message” of a classic fairy tale like Cinderella isn’t as obviously female-empowering as the “there is more than one kind of true love” we’ve seen recently from Frozen and Once Upon a Time, I have no problem with “have courage and be kind” as a general guideline for all humanity.
Quick Take: X-Men: Days of Future Past
Enjoyable movie. Good set up for an assumed reboot of franchise and good-bye to the main characters/ actors of the previous movies. I love James McAvoy so that’s cool. Hugh Jackman was perfect again as Wolverine. I thought the movie a little cluttered with appearances that turned out to be nothing more that cameos. I should have also watched the previous movie again before watching this as I couldn’t remember who some of the newer X-men were (or maybe they weren’t even in the last movie). Good build on young Charles and Raven’s relationship. Solid but not spectacular.
Quick Take: Maleficent
I loved this movie. It’s collection worthy. They relied more on the movie than the original fairly tale, I think, but that was to be expected with Disney, although they took some liberties even with that, but necessary ones for the character development. The two main adversaries hardened quicker than I thought was realistic, but again, I think that was necessary. Overall, a great movie. Angelina made me cry a couple times. She’s such a good actress.