Movie Review - Beautiful Creatures

 

 

Released:  February 14th, 2013

Starring: Alice Englart, Alden Ehrenriech, Jeremy Irons and Viola Davis

Directed by Richard LaGravenese

 

 

Okay, so let me start this post with a side note that I have NOT read any of the books. I've heard great things, but considering that I work full-time and am also busy writing my novels, I'm selective about what I read, and I usually read Indie novels. That doesn't mean I won't pick them up one day, but I don't see that happening any time soon. That being said, I enjoyed the movie. I wouldn't say I was crazy about it and fan-girling all over the place, but I liked it enough that I'd watch it again.

 

 

The Good:

 

LOVED the POV character Ethan. I can relate to being from a small town and feeling as though life has more in store for me than settling down and going through the motions, just to live and die the way everyone expects. I also appreciated that his character was multi-faceted - jock, but smart and independent. He didn't need anyone's approval and values meaningful relationships. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. Oh, and did I mention he's cute? :)

 

And as for Lena, I liked that it didn't take long for Ethan to break through her tough and guarded exterior. I also liked that she was conflicted about what side would claim her - the light or the dark. We all battle with our own light and dark sides, and sometimes it's hard to know which is stronger.

 

Her uncle - a dark caster who turned to the light to help his niece... instant likability factor for his character. He can be cocky and rude, but serves it up in such a way that you arent sure if its an insult or not (a true southern trait lol). The southern drawl helps, as well. :) He's also a man of conviction, an immovable force once he's made up his mind. He gets shit done.

 

I also enjoyed Ridley, Lena's cousin. She owns her darkness and is full of confidence. Probably one of the more one-dimensional characters, but when she was on screen, she stole the show... which I mainly attribute to Emmy Rossum's performance!

 

As for the storyline, I loved that it didn't drag. Everything developed nicely, and I stayed hooked from the first scene. I also bought the romance between the two main characters, which is important to me with romances. I didn't feel like they forced the chemistry, and their love was sweet, but complicated. Not all-consuming and flawless, which is boring and unrealistic.

 

And the ending... oh, the ending! I won't give a spoiler, but the whole monologue about sacrifice had me in tears. Really hit home. What wouldn't you do in spite of your own desires to make sure someone you love stayed safe? That's love, people.

 

 

The Bad:

 

Not much to say in this category except I would have liked for them to go into the types of powers Lena has. We only know she's a caster, but what does that encompass? We know more about her cousin Ridley's powers than we do the main character. I assume the book goes into more detail, so maybe that will be the reason I eventually pick it up one day.

 

Also, there were a TON of southern cliches... to the point where I was rolling my eyes. It was a little thick for my taste. And teenagers, now a days especially, haven't ever even heard some of the sayings they'd written into the script. Hell, I was born and raised in the South and hadn't heard half of what they'd said. I kept thinking, "Okay, I get it. This is set in the South."

 

 

The Ugly:

 

I have nothing for this category. Well, maybe I would have liked to see Emily get smacked and that didn't happen. :)

 

 

My Rating:

 

A strong B+

 

 

Favorite Scene:

 

When her uncle busted up in the church to set all of the judgemental idiots straight. Loved it!

 

 

Favorite Line:

 

"Well bless your heart, sugar. You must have been first in your litter."

 

 

 





Movie Review- Snow White and the Huntsman

Released: June 1st, 2012

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, and Chris Hemsworth

Directed by Rupert Sanders

I know, I know... I'm incredibly late to the party. And not even fashionably late, either. For some reason, even as much as I anticipated seeing this movie, I never ended up making it to the theatre to see it. Well, I finally had a night to myself at home *gasp* and it's free on On Demand. So with a plate full of Chinese left-overs and a glass of wine, I settled onto the couch to watch.


The Good:

Kristen Stewart's accent was believable. Not as believable as Charlize's, but much better than I anticipated. Maybe its because she's dated Robert Pattinson for so long that she dang well better be able to speak with an English accent in her sleep. lol I was also quite impressed with her acting. As big a fan as I am of the Twilight Saga, let's face it... they never won any Oscars and we all know why. But it was nice to see her in this type of role, especially at the end when she had to give a speech to get the army riled. I was quite proud of her!

Charlize. She's my hero, and I've loved everything she's in. She played the dark queen like nobody else could, in my opinion. She brought a dark intensity to the role that made you think she'd been secretly devouring young souls her entire life. I love her!

Chris Hemsworth. He could save me from an evil queen any day. ;) And he, too, could act circles around most.

The art direction of the film - exquisite. The dark forest, the enchanted forest, the battle scenes... all very well done. It reminded me of Lord of the Rings blended together with Alice and Wonderland (the one with Johnny Depp).

And last but not least, I'm glad they (mostly) stayed true to the original  story with the  poison apple, the magic mirror and seven dwarfs.


The Bad:

One of the complaints I have about the movie is that I wish there would have been more chemistry between Snow White and the Huntsman. The movie is, after all, named after the two of them. By the time we get to the end and he kisses her to wake her from the witch's spell, it almost seems anti-climatic. Didn't feel, to me, like a true-love-breaking-the-spell kind of thing, and it almost ruined the entire movie. Isn't that the WHOLE idea behind the story? The prince waking her from the spell so the evil queen can be defeated? True love conquering all?! But I don't think it's the actors' fault; I blame the writing/ direction for not giving their story enough screen time and development. I know the movie was already two hours long, but give me a break, you could have found a way to give the two characters a chance to build a believable romance. And the end- they didn't even show if they ended up together or not! Hmph! And yes, I'm crossing my arms and pouting like a five year old.

The only other complaint I have is the queen herself. And let me start this off by saying that I do NOT fault Charlize for this. As I mentioned above, she's a phenomenal actress. I also blame this on the writing. I was hoping for a more multi-faceted character. Yes, she's evil. Yes, she's dark and twisty. But everyone, yes, everyone has more to them somewhere. Even the way she treated her brother was borderline heartless, given how selflessly he'd served her.


The Ugly:

I have nothing to say in this category. Ok, well maybe the queen's brother's haircut. And I can't even remember the guy's name because every time he's on the screen, all I hear is "BAD HAIR" lol


My Rating:

So, to sum it up, I give the movie a healthy B-. If they'd ramped up the romance and given the characters a little more depth, it would have been at least an A for me.


Favorite Scene:
When two of the dwarves were about to shimmy out of the gutter, one said; "We must act as one." And then they try and leave at the same time and can't because they're too big. lol Too funny.


Favorite Line:

"But I have come to learn there is no peace as long as others suffer." So true.