Hobbits, Dwarves, and Elves…Oh my!

Hey Internet,

The New Year is here so let the reviewing continue! I opened my new year with crying my eyes out on Doctor Who and screaming over Sherlock. I wonder if that’s an indication on how my year in movies and fandoms is going to go.

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Director: Peter Jackson

Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lily, Luke Evans, Lee Pace, Cate Blanchett, and Aidan Turner

Rating: PG-13

The Plot:  Bilbo, Gandalf, and the 13 dwarves continue their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain.

The Review: I’m not huge Lord of the Rings fan and I can’t say I read the books. I mean I skimmed the books so I know basically the story but as for details for adaptation comparison purposes, I apologize, I’m at a loss. Well the first Lord of the Rings movies, that actually take place after these movies I know, are not bad. They’re great in cinematography, dialogue, casting, directing; you name it really and their great but they’re so incredibly long which kind of take away from the beauty of the films. The first movie in The Hobbit trilogy was the same in that it was beautiful in visuals and great in all other aspects but it was long though I didn’t feel the length as much as when I watched the Lord of the Rings maybe because it had more humor. I do still love Merry and Pippin and Gimli and Legolas. I was always did want more of Legolas in the Lord of the Rings movies just because he looked so awesome and yet we only got to see glimpses of what he could do.  The entricement of Legolas being more in this one, I admit, was a factor in why I went to go see this one and because the awesome She-elf, Tauriel, that was in the trailer. Both characters did not disappoint in their action scene and were just plain kick butt. It was nice to get a little bit of background story on Legolas and see that he wasn’t always the way he was. I did squeal a little and laugh when he was shown a picture young Gimil and grimaced. Throughout the movies though, I could not remember Tauriel in the books and was not surprised when I found out that she wasn’t. I know Peter Jackson was getting a lot of criticism for creating her for the movie for the sole purpose of being a love interest but personally I loved her. She was kick butt and I love myself little romance. A love triangle? Even better! I always thought the Lord of the Rings need just a bit more romance. Sure we had Aragon and Arwen but lets face it they weren’t really in it for more then a total of like 10 minutes out of all three movies that combined are like 9 hours. By the trailer even one can see that Legolas and her are part of the love story though it is forbidden. In comes (spoiler begins) Kili. I already love Kili’s character and love him and Tauriel but I also love Legolas and Tauriel but I find her and Kili just too cute! I was rooting for that till I remembered after the movie how his story ends and now I’m just depressed (spoiler ends). I like that though more of a love story was present it did not completely change and divert the plot into something that it was not. I felt the length of this movie the least I think and so far I think I like this one the best. It was still great in visuals, dialogue, cinematography, and casting/ acting. I actually love this whole cast but I will admit I got lost once or twice with the flipping between three events and I hated the gross spider. Ugh spiders but other then that I enjoyed it and won’t be surprise if it got a couple of nomination for like visuals and such.

Watch it?

Yeah why not but be warned its long so a lot of patience is needed.

Trailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os1G8RtqY2c

Clip 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YreJ0SamM0I

Clip 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCt_f_WA-qA

More info: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1170358/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I fear I will missed the deadline I have set for myself but anyway Happy New Year to you all!

Until next time,

Jackie

Memorial Day Double Feature

Hello Internet,

So there comes a days that every person in school looks forward to and that is any holiday making the the weekend a three day weekend. Yes, I got to go home and sleep without the noise that are the consequences of living on a floor of 25, yeah count them 25, girls. As part of my weekend I neglected my work and instead slept, ate, and watched movies. I was able to see two last weekend that are complete opposite in every way but worked for my weekend: Star Trek and Epic. I have been buried under film and end of term papers so sorry for the lateness and lack of posting but better late then never.

1) Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Director: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch

Rating: PG-13

The Plot: After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. (IMDB)

The Review: So, I must first state I am not a huge Star Trek in fact the only part of the franchise that I have seen was the last movie that came out before this one. I know, I know I’m a failure. So, going into this film you have to remember that if you haven’t seen Star Trek you’re going to be a bit confused. I sure as hell was and there’s no shame in turn to your fifteen year old brother to ask what the hell is going on because you figure he knows more about whats going on. To me it seemed a bit long in parts but Benedict Cumberbatch was fantastic in. Visually it was stunning so that kept me interest but I think the dialougue tried to insert too much humor at the times where the tension was the highest.

Watch it?

If you’re a huge fan then I would say yes and if not wiki a bit of the past story before you go. Although, I thought it was good I did like Iron Man 3 a little more I not going to lie but I didn’t regret seeing it.

2) Epic (2013)

Director: Chris Wedge

Voices: Amanda Seyfried, Josh Hutcherson, Collin Ferrall, Christoph Waltz, and so many more.

Rating: PG

The Plot: After the death of her mother, a young girl moves out to live with her father who is trying to find a hidden race. After a strange turn of events she get caught up in the affairs of that hidden world that leads her on a great adventure.

The Review: I absolutely adore cute animated films. Tangled, Brave, Despicable Me… I just eat that up. So when I saw the trailer to this I was super excited, it was so pretty, cute, and it was set to a Snow Patrol song. I was sold! Of course when I saw the film I happened to be literally the only nineteen year in the theater so that was a bit embarrassing for me and my mom. Thank goodness my family puts up with me dragging them to all the movies I do. Well anyway the film. Great set of voice that were perfect for the characters and story. It was funny, cute and well animated. The story was environmental but not preaching  for save the planet. I was very happy with this one.

Watch it?

I liked it a little more then Star Trek but I hold a special place in my heart for animated kid films. If you have little cousins or siblings this is perfect to take them or even as family movie. If you don’t want to go threw the embarrassment it can wait for renting especially with the release of Now You See Me, After Earth and The East this week.

I’ll be posting on Now You See Me soon so here’s links to the trails and more information to all theses films.

Star Trek Into Darkness:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408101/?ref_=sr_1

Now You See Me:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1670345/?ref_=sr_1

Epic:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848537/?ref_=sr_1

The East:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1869716/?ref_=sr_1

 

Stay tuned! Don’t forget you can always shoot me your thoughts, a comment, or recommendation.

Until next time,

Jackie