I first heard about this movie via Eric on Pretty Much It a month or so ago and seeing that he was so passionate about the film I wanted to give it a try. I had it in my Netflix list and when I saw it was available on iTunes I decided to just rent it on there and watch it now. I am very glad I did.
The movie is basically the story of a man named Curtis who lives in a rural town in Ohio. He has a wife and a young deaf daughter and he begins having hallucinations and dreams involving his family and his town. He has a family history of Schizophrenia and begins to worry, to himself, that he may be falling down that rabbit hole. He takes comfort in building himself a better storm shelter in his backyard to protect himself and his family from the storm he keeps hallucinating and dreaming about. It stars Michael Shannon (The Runaways, Pearl Harbor) as Curtis and Jessica Chastain (The Help, The Tree of Life) as his wife, Samantha.
Without spoiling anything because I also would love for people to see this movie and go in with a fairly clean mind, I just want to say that it was beautifully shot and acted. The plot was actually very good despite how simple it sounds. Curtis' dreams and hallucinations are very haunting after the fact. It's been about an hour since I finished watching and I am a little uneasy. It was fantastic. And I also have to say, agreeing with Eric, that I have absolutely no clue how this movie was 100% shut out from the Oscars. Michael Shannon deserves a Best Actor nomination, if not the win, for his performance. Fuck what Clooney did in The Descendents and what Pitt did in Moneyball. What Michael Shannon did with his character in Take Shelter was something amazing and it is truly a shame no one seemed to want to recognize that.
Seriously go give this movie a chance, guys. It is on iTunes, Netflix, etc.. It is really good.
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Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Review: Chronicle
If you don't know the basics of the plot... three teenagers find something in a hole in the ground which either gives them or opens up their awareness of telekinetic powers. They begin exercising their powers to gain strength and one of the three boys begins using his powers to hurt people, destroy things, and steal. In other words, for evil instead of good.
I went into Chronicle with a lot of anticipation and was really excited to see it. I saw the first teaser trailer back in October or November and I was really intrigued. I also listed Chronicle as one of my most anticipated of 2012.
With that said, I found it to be mostly a big disappointment. I thought it was rushed, vague, and that it didn't reach the potential that it had going for it. I liked the characters and found that the only character that was really well developed, in comparison to the others, was Andrew (the one who starts using his powers for bad things).
The main thing I found so weird is how the three boys even got together. Andrew and Matt are cousins so that is how they know each other, but Steve just kind of pops in out of nowhere. They are all at a rave at an abandoned barn and Steve just happens to be with Matt who drags Andrew into finding out what was inside the hole in the ground. We also learn very quickly that the thing in the hole is what gives them their powers and nosebleeds. We never find out what it is or why it's there. You never see how they escaped the tunnel as the ground collapsed in on them just before the camera cuts out.
I also found it weird that Matt didn't know how bad Andrew's home life was. They were close cousins, ffs. Matt should have known that Andrew's mom was dying and that his dad was an abusive drunk. He acted so surprised when Andrew started going crazy and wanting to hurt people. The only one who had the right to be surprised was Steve.
And on top of all that Steve unexpectedly dies because of Andrew's temper. I hate to say this because I know how it sounds, but the movie didn't start getting interesting until Steve's death. That's when Andrew went mega crazy and the most stuff started happening. The use of multiple cameras (security cameras and home cameras) was really cool. I also did love the floating camera trick where Andrew used his powers to float the camera along with him so he and the other two boys could be seen at the same time. AND... the hospital scene where Andrew tries to kill his dad. I was in shock. That was the best scene in the whole movie. I am so happy that wasn't one of the scenes shown in the trailers and TV spots.
And I can't forget to mention that Andrew dies as well. Matt kills him by shooting a piece of a statue through his chest while he is attacking the whole city of Seattle. I found it odd that Matt was the only one of the three to live, but whatever. He had the most control and wasn't as strong as the others so I guess it works out. It ends with him saying he wants to find an answer and use his power to help people.
I feel like I'm just rambling on at this point. I don't know... Overall I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't anywhere near what I was expecting. The CGI was painfully average in some spots (specifically the baseball scene and the talent show scene), the flying scenes were ridiculous and over the top, the idea of them flying in general was retarded, and the pace was all off. Things happened way too fast with little to no explanation and it ended with the opening for a fucking sequel. Naturally.
I also don't like how just about every cool thing in the film was seen in the trailers and TV spots. The hospital scene I mentioned before and one other scene were about the only two things that you can't see in the trailers. Honestly, if you have seen both trailers, the online clips, and the TV spots for Chronicle you've practically seen the whole movie. You just wouldn't know that Andrew winds up in the hospital and that he and Steve die. That's about it.
It just wasn't what I expected and I'm kinda sad about that.
I went into Chronicle with a lot of anticipation and was really excited to see it. I saw the first teaser trailer back in October or November and I was really intrigued. I also listed Chronicle as one of my most anticipated of 2012.
With that said, I found it to be mostly a big disappointment. I thought it was rushed, vague, and that it didn't reach the potential that it had going for it. I liked the characters and found that the only character that was really well developed, in comparison to the others, was Andrew (the one who starts using his powers for bad things).
Spoilers ahead. Beware.
The main thing I found so weird is how the three boys even got together. Andrew and Matt are cousins so that is how they know each other, but Steve just kind of pops in out of nowhere. They are all at a rave at an abandoned barn and Steve just happens to be with Matt who drags Andrew into finding out what was inside the hole in the ground. We also learn very quickly that the thing in the hole is what gives them their powers and nosebleeds. We never find out what it is or why it's there. You never see how they escaped the tunnel as the ground collapsed in on them just before the camera cuts out.
I also found it weird that Matt didn't know how bad Andrew's home life was. They were close cousins, ffs. Matt should have known that Andrew's mom was dying and that his dad was an abusive drunk. He acted so surprised when Andrew started going crazy and wanting to hurt people. The only one who had the right to be surprised was Steve.
And on top of all that Steve unexpectedly dies because of Andrew's temper. I hate to say this because I know how it sounds, but the movie didn't start getting interesting until Steve's death. That's when Andrew went mega crazy and the most stuff started happening. The use of multiple cameras (security cameras and home cameras) was really cool. I also did love the floating camera trick where Andrew used his powers to float the camera along with him so he and the other two boys could be seen at the same time. AND... the hospital scene where Andrew tries to kill his dad. I was in shock. That was the best scene in the whole movie. I am so happy that wasn't one of the scenes shown in the trailers and TV spots.
And I can't forget to mention that Andrew dies as well. Matt kills him by shooting a piece of a statue through his chest while he is attacking the whole city of Seattle. I found it odd that Matt was the only one of the three to live, but whatever. He had the most control and wasn't as strong as the others so I guess it works out. It ends with him saying he wants to find an answer and use his power to help people.
I feel like I'm just rambling on at this point. I don't know... Overall I wouldn't say it was bad but it wasn't anywhere near what I was expecting. The CGI was painfully average in some spots (specifically the baseball scene and the talent show scene), the flying scenes were ridiculous and over the top, the idea of them flying in general was retarded, and the pace was all off. Things happened way too fast with little to no explanation and it ended with the opening for a fucking sequel. Naturally.
I also don't like how just about every cool thing in the film was seen in the trailers and TV spots. The hospital scene I mentioned before and one other scene were about the only two things that you can't see in the trailers. Honestly, if you have seen both trailers, the online clips, and the TV spots for Chronicle you've practically seen the whole movie. You just wouldn't know that Andrew winds up in the hospital and that he and Steve die. That's about it.
It just wasn't what I expected and I'm kinda sad about that.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Young Adult
Well, I have to say that Diablo Cody and Jason Reitman have done it again. Still didn't top Juno but this was a close second.
Charlize Theron's character, Mavis, was one of those that was so painful to watch but you couldn't look away. She is such a terrible person but oddly enough it works for her. She drinks too much, has practically no friends, and is still in love with her high school boyfriend after like 17 years of not being with him. Not to mention Mavis eventually married and then divorced.
I think the introduction to Mavis was one of the best I have ever seen. There is nothing like seeing a "successful" author watching reality shows to fall asleep, chugging Diet Coke first thing in the morning, and playing Wii Fit while her dog barks and is ignored at the back door. Like I said, it is so painful yet you can't look away. I found myself saying, "how depressing and embarrassing" about 20 times throughout the course of the whole film.
The character development left a little to be desired when it came to other characters, specifically Buddy. Buddy being Mavis' ex-boyfriend whom she returns to her hometown to win back despite the fact that he is married with a newborn daughter. I think Buddy was left a little open. He is portrayed as a nice guy who still has minor feelings for Mavis but then says his kindness is fueled only by his wife, Beth. Mavis then revolts against both Buddy and Beth at a ceremony for their daughter in front of the whole party. She reveals Buddy got her pregnant 17 years prior and she miscarried. It makes you feel, as a viewer, that she is just jealous of what Beth has with him because it could have been her.
Mavis also encounters an old classmate, Matt, who was brutally beaten by jocks in high school and was left permanently crippled. He tries to tell Mavis she is doing the wrong thing but she instead uses Matt as a drinking buddy and uses his disability to make herself feel like she is the one who is moving on with life instead of being stuck in the same place hating on people who hurt her. Matt wasn't terribly underdeveloped but they could have given him a little bit more. He was just a typical forgotten high school student who has remained ignored ever since.
Overall I thought the script was the high point. Diablo Cody gave her typical elements of dark humor but it wasn't as sarcastic as its been in the past. That is what I loved. It was a nice change and she is proving why she won an Oscar. Charlize Theron gave a fantastic performance, though. You cannot count her out in this equation. To me, she did a good job of showing how exhausting it is to be such a bitch all the time. You could see it in her physical appearance. She played a delusional woman quite well, too.
The only problem I had and my boyfriend felt the same way... the product placement was ridiculous. We see at exhaustion: Chili's, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Diet Coke, Mini Cooper, Hampton Inn, Macy's, Blackberry, and Apple. It was ridiculous and I feel like I paid to see one big commercial. I was surprised not to see a Target given the film was set in Minnesota. There is a Target on every corner in that state.
But yeah, I recommend this one. It is a bit sad but it's true because we all know people like Mavis. 8/10
Charlize Theron's character, Mavis, was one of those that was so painful to watch but you couldn't look away. She is such a terrible person but oddly enough it works for her. She drinks too much, has practically no friends, and is still in love with her high school boyfriend after like 17 years of not being with him. Not to mention Mavis eventually married and then divorced.
I think the introduction to Mavis was one of the best I have ever seen. There is nothing like seeing a "successful" author watching reality shows to fall asleep, chugging Diet Coke first thing in the morning, and playing Wii Fit while her dog barks and is ignored at the back door. Like I said, it is so painful yet you can't look away. I found myself saying, "how depressing and embarrassing" about 20 times throughout the course of the whole film.
The character development left a little to be desired when it came to other characters, specifically Buddy. Buddy being Mavis' ex-boyfriend whom she returns to her hometown to win back despite the fact that he is married with a newborn daughter. I think Buddy was left a little open. He is portrayed as a nice guy who still has minor feelings for Mavis but then says his kindness is fueled only by his wife, Beth. Mavis then revolts against both Buddy and Beth at a ceremony for their daughter in front of the whole party. She reveals Buddy got her pregnant 17 years prior and she miscarried. It makes you feel, as a viewer, that she is just jealous of what Beth has with him because it could have been her.
Mavis also encounters an old classmate, Matt, who was brutally beaten by jocks in high school and was left permanently crippled. He tries to tell Mavis she is doing the wrong thing but she instead uses Matt as a drinking buddy and uses his disability to make herself feel like she is the one who is moving on with life instead of being stuck in the same place hating on people who hurt her. Matt wasn't terribly underdeveloped but they could have given him a little bit more. He was just a typical forgotten high school student who has remained ignored ever since.
Overall I thought the script was the high point. Diablo Cody gave her typical elements of dark humor but it wasn't as sarcastic as its been in the past. That is what I loved. It was a nice change and she is proving why she won an Oscar. Charlize Theron gave a fantastic performance, though. You cannot count her out in this equation. To me, she did a good job of showing how exhausting it is to be such a bitch all the time. You could see it in her physical appearance. She played a delusional woman quite well, too.
The only problem I had and my boyfriend felt the same way... the product placement was ridiculous. We see at exhaustion: Chili's, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Diet Coke, Mini Cooper, Hampton Inn, Macy's, Blackberry, and Apple. It was ridiculous and I feel like I paid to see one big commercial. I was surprised not to see a Target given the film was set in Minnesota. There is a Target on every corner in that state.
But yeah, I recommend this one. It is a bit sad but it's true because we all know people like Mavis. 8/10
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1
Yes I went to go see it. With that said here is the film in chronological order (spoilers beware):
Wedding invites go out to friends and family.
Jacob acts like a pussy and runs away crying after receiving said invitation.
Bella's mother is happy she is getting married while her dad is protective.
Edward tries to talk Bella out of marrying him by telling her stories of him killing people.
Bella still wants to marry Edward saying she accepts who he is.
Bella's friends think she is pregnant because "who gets married at 18?!"
Bella starts crying, which was weird to see, while taking forever to walk down toward the altar in a gorgeous wedding dress.
Bella and Edward wed in an elaborate ceremony planned by Alice.
The wedding kiss is basically a minute long make out session in front of friends and family.
The reception is full of cheesy speeches including Bella's mom singing a lullaby to her.
Jacob shows up looking scruffy and is still begging Bella to change her mind.
Bella tells Jacob she plans on having sex on her honeymoon as a human and Jacob flips out.
Jacob is escorted from the reception by his fellow wolves.
Edward and Bella fly to Brazil and go to their secluded island.
Edward wants to go skinny dipping in the ocean.
Bella takes a minute to prepare herself for her first time (only way to say it).
Bella joins Edward naked in the ocean.
They move inside where the famous bed breaking scene happens.
Bella wakes up and you see flashes of their wild sexual encounter as she remembers them.
Edward is sorry for hurting his wife after seeing bruises on her.
Bella wants to have more sex but Edward won't because he hurt her.
Bella walks around in lingerie trying to tempt him and eventually succeeds.
The couple scare their housekeepers away after they see the condition of the bedroom.
Jacob has a vision of Bella being a vampire while she is on her honeymoon and bitches about it.
Jacob wonders what the excuse for Bella's death will be (car crash, trip and fall, etc.).
Bella begins eating weird combos of food (chicken and peanut butter, wtf)
Bella pukes and tries to convince Edward she ate bad chicken.
Bella realizes her period is late and immediately receives a call from Alice.
Edward stands in an awkward silence as Bella talks to Carlisle.
The couple secretly returns to Forks after telling her family they extended their honeymoon.
Jacob comes to see a very pregnant and sick Bella after only a month.
Edward hates his child and is pissed Bella is pregnant.
Jacob is conflicted between the Cullens, his loyalty to Bella, and loyalty to his tribe.
Rosalie is protecting Bella and the baby from Jacob.
Bella is getting weaker and sicker with each minute and looks like a meth addict.
Edward is still being an asshole about Bella's pregnancy.
Jacob overpowers Sam and leaves his pack.
Seth and Leah leave Sam's pack to join Jacob in protecting Bella.
Jacob tries to convince them to leave him alone but fails.
Carlisle tells Bella giving birth to her child will kill her.
Edward yells at Bella claiming she is purposely leaving him by keeping the baby.
Edward reads Jacob's mind and they begin feeding Bella human blood to survive the pregnancy.
Edward reads the baby's mind and instantly falls in love with his child and apologizes to Bella.
The wolves outsmart Sam and the pack so Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme can hunt.
Bella goes into labor by bending backwards looking like she is in an exorcism movie.
Rosalie tries to cut open Bella's stomach but can't.
Edward rips her womb open with his teeth to deliver the baby.
Rosalie takes the baby as Edward injects Bella's dead body with vampire venom.
Jacob runs away crying again after thinking Bella is dead.
Edward pumps Bella's chest trying to revive her and bites her several times but it's not working.
Edward joins Jasper and Alice outside to fight off Sam's pack who have come to kill the baby.
Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme join the fight after successfully hunting.
Jacob sees the baby's eyes, sees his future with her, and imprints on her.
Edward reads Jacob's mind, sees he has imprinted, and uses this to fight off Sam's pack.
Bella begins magically healing via cheesy looking CGI tricks.
The Cullens and Jacob surround her as she is healing.
Bella's eyes open and they are vampire red.
The end.
Yeah, that's it. I was drunk during this movie so I am surprised I remember this much detail but whatever. I will say the honeymoon spoilers I had read prior to seeing it for myself were all wrong. Don't believe people when they are saying the sexual scenes are only implied or that it goes by really quick. It is true you don't necessarily see a whole lot in terms of nudity but you see thrusting, there is moaning, awkward music, straddling, etc.. You see enough. Nothing I can't handle just not when it comes to Twilight. Gross.
Bella's wedding dress was gorgeous. Wasn't quite what you expect and it was fairly plain but it was absolutely beautiful. Very flattering for Kristen Stewart.
The thing I didn't understand was why everyone looked so damn different in this movie compared to the first three. Even the vampires looked different. Kristen Stewart looked pretty, which was odd, Robert Pattinson wasn't as ugly, Jacob looked more adult, etc.. I was like, what the fuck is going on? Not to mention, what happened to vampires sparkling in the sun? Edward never sparkled on the honeymoon and they were on a sunny island ffs. If you are going to have ridiculous sparkling vampires be consistent.
Going along with everyone looking different, the makeup department sure did a good job. Kristen Stewart looked like a meth head for sure which was the point. I was like damn son.
Overall it was not good but I will admit it was the best of the 4 released so far. I am sad there is another movie still coming but I think if it follows the path of this one it will be tolerable. Changing directors was the best thing they could have done. Seriously.
Wedding invites go out to friends and family.
Jacob acts like a pussy and runs away crying after receiving said invitation.
Bella's mother is happy she is getting married while her dad is protective.
Edward tries to talk Bella out of marrying him by telling her stories of him killing people.
Bella still wants to marry Edward saying she accepts who he is.
Bella's friends think she is pregnant because "who gets married at 18?!"
Bella starts crying, which was weird to see, while taking forever to walk down toward the altar in a gorgeous wedding dress.
Bella and Edward wed in an elaborate ceremony planned by Alice.
The wedding kiss is basically a minute long make out session in front of friends and family.
The reception is full of cheesy speeches including Bella's mom singing a lullaby to her.
Jacob shows up looking scruffy and is still begging Bella to change her mind.
Bella tells Jacob she plans on having sex on her honeymoon as a human and Jacob flips out.
Jacob is escorted from the reception by his fellow wolves.
Edward and Bella fly to Brazil and go to their secluded island.
Edward wants to go skinny dipping in the ocean.
Bella takes a minute to prepare herself for her first time (only way to say it).
Bella joins Edward naked in the ocean.
They move inside where the famous bed breaking scene happens.
Bella wakes up and you see flashes of their wild sexual encounter as she remembers them.
Edward is sorry for hurting his wife after seeing bruises on her.
Bella wants to have more sex but Edward won't because he hurt her.
Bella walks around in lingerie trying to tempt him and eventually succeeds.
The couple scare their housekeepers away after they see the condition of the bedroom.
Jacob has a vision of Bella being a vampire while she is on her honeymoon and bitches about it.
Jacob wonders what the excuse for Bella's death will be (car crash, trip and fall, etc.).
Bella begins eating weird combos of food (chicken and peanut butter, wtf)
Bella pukes and tries to convince Edward she ate bad chicken.
Bella realizes her period is late and immediately receives a call from Alice.
Edward stands in an awkward silence as Bella talks to Carlisle.
The couple secretly returns to Forks after telling her family they extended their honeymoon.
Jacob comes to see a very pregnant and sick Bella after only a month.
Edward hates his child and is pissed Bella is pregnant.
Jacob is conflicted between the Cullens, his loyalty to Bella, and loyalty to his tribe.
Rosalie is protecting Bella and the baby from Jacob.
Bella is getting weaker and sicker with each minute and looks like a meth addict.
Edward is still being an asshole about Bella's pregnancy.
Jacob overpowers Sam and leaves his pack.
Seth and Leah leave Sam's pack to join Jacob in protecting Bella.
Jacob tries to convince them to leave him alone but fails.
Carlisle tells Bella giving birth to her child will kill her.
Edward yells at Bella claiming she is purposely leaving him by keeping the baby.
Edward reads Jacob's mind and they begin feeding Bella human blood to survive the pregnancy.
Edward reads the baby's mind and instantly falls in love with his child and apologizes to Bella.
The wolves outsmart Sam and the pack so Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme can hunt.
Bella goes into labor by bending backwards looking like she is in an exorcism movie.
Rosalie tries to cut open Bella's stomach but can't.
Edward rips her womb open with his teeth to deliver the baby.
Rosalie takes the baby as Edward injects Bella's dead body with vampire venom.
Jacob runs away crying again after thinking Bella is dead.
Edward pumps Bella's chest trying to revive her and bites her several times but it's not working.
Edward joins Jasper and Alice outside to fight off Sam's pack who have come to kill the baby.
Carlisle, Emmett, and Esme join the fight after successfully hunting.
Jacob sees the baby's eyes, sees his future with her, and imprints on her.
Edward reads Jacob's mind, sees he has imprinted, and uses this to fight off Sam's pack.
Bella begins magically healing via cheesy looking CGI tricks.
The Cullens and Jacob surround her as she is healing.
Bella's eyes open and they are vampire red.
The end.
Yeah, that's it. I was drunk during this movie so I am surprised I remember this much detail but whatever. I will say the honeymoon spoilers I had read prior to seeing it for myself were all wrong. Don't believe people when they are saying the sexual scenes are only implied or that it goes by really quick. It is true you don't necessarily see a whole lot in terms of nudity but you see thrusting, there is moaning, awkward music, straddling, etc.. You see enough. Nothing I can't handle just not when it comes to Twilight. Gross.
Bella's wedding dress was gorgeous. Wasn't quite what you expect and it was fairly plain but it was absolutely beautiful. Very flattering for Kristen Stewart.
The thing I didn't understand was why everyone looked so damn different in this movie compared to the first three. Even the vampires looked different. Kristen Stewart looked pretty, which was odd, Robert Pattinson wasn't as ugly, Jacob looked more adult, etc.. I was like, what the fuck is going on? Not to mention, what happened to vampires sparkling in the sun? Edward never sparkled on the honeymoon and they were on a sunny island ffs. If you are going to have ridiculous sparkling vampires be consistent.
Going along with everyone looking different, the makeup department sure did a good job. Kristen Stewart looked like a meth head for sure which was the point. I was like damn son.
Overall it was not good but I will admit it was the best of the 4 released so far. I am sad there is another movie still coming but I think if it follows the path of this one it will be tolerable. Changing directors was the best thing they could have done. Seriously.
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