Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Iron Man 2

I have already seen this movie twice, and I have to say that the writers and director of Iron Man 2 did a pretty good job with it. I'm not sure if I like it as much as the first one, but it still embodies what the first movie did. It still has the good acting, cheesy one liners, and comedy sprinkled throughout. Robert Downey Jr., as always, did an amazing job as the genius playboy, Tony Stark. Gwyneth Paltrow is back as Pepper Potts, and Don Cheadle steps into the role of Tony's best friend, Rhodey. There are also some new characters introduced in this film that we will see in the next Iron Man movies, and The Avengers movie. One of those characters is Natalie Rushman/Black Widow played by Scarlett Johannson. I'm not going to lie I absolutely love Scarlett, so that was one of the main reasons I went to see this movie. I felt like her character sort of lacked personality until she became Black Widow and had her "fight scene." I hope this is what the writers were going for. If not I hope they bring her back to give her another shot. ;)

Anyway, this movie is about revenge against Tony Stark and Stark Industries of course. Just like in the first movie. A character called Ivan Vanko, played by Mickey Rourke, is after Tony Stark because he wants revenge for his fathers death. He blames the Starks for this because Tony's father fired Ivan's father for stealing Stark Industries secrets. Of course Ivan is a mad scientist and steals the idea of the Iron Man suit and puts a little twist on it to try and bring Tony/Iron Man down.

Overall I would say if you liked the first movie then you are sure to like the second one. ;)

☆☆☆ 1/2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNQowwwwYa0

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Temple Grandin

This is an HBO film about the life of Temple Grandin, and stars Claire Danes. It goes from her childhood into Temple's adulthood in around 1981. Temple is an autistic woman growing up in the 60s, who is different from everyone around her. This is a time when no one really knew what autism was and blamed the mother for their child being that way. Temple's mother does everything she can to help her to be a better and more social person, despite her being autistic. Temple has a unique gift: she has a photograpic memory. This helps her "think like a cow." She ends up inventing several things for cows that completely changes the agricultural business. Even though Temple is Autistic she doesn't let it hold her back. She even went on to get her doctorate in biology and animal science.

This movie really shows how much Temple went through just to do something she loves. Claire Danes does an amazing job as Temple. If you look up interviews of the real Temple and then watch Claire Danes, she acts and talksjust like Temple. I believe that if this movie would have been in theaters instead of on HBO, Claire Danes would have been nominated for a Golden Globe or Oscar. If you are at interested in seeing a movie dealing with the issue of Autism, want to see a good biography, or just want to see a good movie, then you should check it out on HBO, or when it comes out on DVD in August.

☆☆☆☆

More info on Temple: http://www.templegrandin.com/
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1KPWiLqUE

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Remember Me

I was a little apprehensive about going to see this movie just because it was not a movie I had heard a lot about. I thought the trailer looked pretty good, and I wanted to know more about. So Kristi and I went to see it one night when I was at home.

The movie stars Robert Pattinson (Twilight) and Emilie De Ravin (Lost). The movie is about a college student who comes from a rich family and has always been hounded to do better from his father, so he is quite rebellious. Then the other side of the story it is about a college student who suffers a tragedy from childhood, so she feels like she should stay at home to be with her Policeman father. So the two main characters meet, fall in love, and their relationships with their families. There is a twist at the end that I will not give away, but it makes the whole movie worth watching.

The acting is pretty good throughout. All of the main actors are not from America, but the movie is set in New York, so accents come an go (Especially Emilie De Ravin's Australian accent). Robert Pattinson actually does a much better job than his acting in the Twilight movies. I would not say it's the best movie I've ever seen, but it is well worth renting.

☆☆☆ 1/2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWQV6-QgGjI

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Last Song

Well, yesterday instead of studying like a good student, I decided to give in and go see The Last Song with Miley Cyrus and Greg Kinnear. I do not even know where to start on this movie. I had mixed feelings throughout the entire movie. I wanted to like it so badly because I love cheesy Nicolas Sparks books and usually the movies as well. This one, however, was really slow throughout the entire movie. I think this one would be better left as a book.

OK now to talk about the "acting." Ha! Miley Cyrus is probably the worst actress I've ever seen. She already has pouty lips, but she perks them out even more to look sad or upset. She had two emotions throughout the entire movie: angry and really happy. When she had to muster up some tears, she couldn't really so she just squinted her eyes some and made a pouty face. When the guy who likes her character wants to go on a date she goes from chewing him out to smiling ear to ear. Also their "love" goes from her hating him to her loving him in 2 seconds. Their whole love story, to me, was very unbelievable because basically the whole time you see them together they are usually making out. The lead guy, Liam Hemsworth who is actually Australian, goes in and out of his accent. He must have taken acting lessons from Channing Tatum because they act the exact same, and even have the same mannerisms. They should really play brothers in a movie together, or maybe I should just be a casting director. ;)

Now besides the two main actors, the rest of the cast was really good. Greg Kinnear, in my opinion, always does an amazing job. This role was very good for him. I thought he made the movie 10 times better just by being in it. Next, the little boy who plays the brother to Miley, Bobby Coleman was wonderful. He has a few crying scenes, and the tears just flow from his face as if these things are really happening to him. I am amazed how actors, especially young ones, just turn on and off the waterworks. He is also the little boy in Must Love Dogs, and Martian Child, if anyone was wondering.

So if you like the cheesy Nicolas Sparks books/movies, like I do, then you will probably like this movie somewhat. It is a good story, just some of the actors should have gone to other people.

☆☆☆

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joCwQ2pjfjw

Monday, April 12, 2010

Date Night!

On Friday, Candace and I went to see Date Night with Tina Fey and Steve Carell. I cannot begin to tell you how funny this movie actually is. I have looked at some reviews from actual critics, and they are not as impressed with it. They say that yes the two actors have chemistry together, but it is not as funny as their two shows, so why go spend money when you can watch them on TV for free. I disagree with them completely. I would go see this movie again, and will be buying it when it comes out on DVD.

Throughout the entire movie we could not stop laughing. Yes, it is PG-13 and their are some parts that are more on the adult side, but it's well worth going to see anyway. There are also several cameos from several different actors who I like including: James Franco, Kristen Wigg, Mark Ruffalo, Mark Wahlberg. The comedic timing throughout this movie is dead on. No wonder Tina Fey and Steve Carell are considered two of the funniest people in acting today. If you are a fan of either actor or just in need of a good laugh, then you should definitely check this one out.

☆☆☆☆ (I think I will be using the star system)

Here is a link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-BBJqadtr8

Sunday, April 11, 2010

New blog!

Hello fellow movie buffs,

Well I'm not really sure how this whole blog business works, but I thought I would give it a shot. If you know me at all you know my passion for movies. I pretty much watch a movie a day. I know you might be thinking, "Man doesn't she have anything else to do with her time." Yes, in fact I do, but I cannot help myself.

On this blog I will be giving my feedback of all types of movies: new, old, drama, comedies, and more. Also if anyone has any movies they have heard of and are interested in seeing, but want a review on it, just ask me and I have probably seen it!

One more thing should I use a star system (like 4 stars), or should I say thumbs up/thumbs down. Let me know what you think!

Lauren