This movie had a happy ending and it had an interesting premise. It really spoke to the human situation of not knowing what to do with yourself, and finding yourself. Sticking to something, and finishing it.
I just found this movie really boring though, despite it's grand nod towards the human condition. It wasn't what I thought it would be at all. Though it had clips from the life of Julia Child, it was mainly about a blogger named Julie Powell, who believing she was a loser, and going nowhere in her life, decided to find herself. So, she started a blog where she was to cook a recipe everyday from Julia Child's cook book "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" and then write about it in her blog.
This movie was too much about, "who read my blog?, and wow I have so many readers of my blog! Oh, my cooking is great, everyone is reading my blog!, opps, I dropped the chicken on the floor. I ruined the mold, the stew is bland, I'm not a good human, my days are going badly, freaking out when I have a disaster." "I'm learning about Julia Child, she was such a great women, she is an inspiration, I'm strangely connected to her and feel a kinship because I'm cooking all the recipes from her book"..."Am I a bitch, am I a horrible wife, I'm narcissistic and self centered because of my blog?" Then it's "Yay, everyone is calling me for a book deal, phone calls, publishers calling me...bla, bla, bla...yada, all that jazz."
That's what this movie felt like. Overkill of all the above. The movie was dull and uninteresting.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Anne of Green Gables
This book was written a hundred years ago by a Canadian Author from Prince Edward Island. By some strange coincidence, it takes place in Prince Edward Island too. Though it was so long ago, and in a different time and place, I felt that this book was very easy to relate to and understand. It makes me think that we barely changed in the last hundred years. In some ways that is actually a good thing.
I never liked a book so quickly as I did this one. After the first page or so, I was really was impressed. The way L.M. Montgomery writes is hard to explain, but it really shows the story from a good vantage point and from a witty and smart frame of reference.
I liked the book a lot better in the beginning when Anne was a very silly, fun, colorful character. Reading a book full of her thoughts and her sayings is perfect for putting someone in a good mood because she is so positive and really enjoys the little things in life.
Towards the end of the book, it had some good plot twists and turns, and I was surprised by how it turned out, however, it became more of a summary, lacking the life it used to have, and the main character was not as entertaining as before. Anne became more mature, in the beginning she was 11 years old, and at the end of the book she was 16 years old. For most of the book, she was 11 and 12, then towards the end it just did a quick overview of her older years.
She became less imaginative, less talkative, and more serious, competitive and sober. I didn't see the passion and life in the older Anne like in the younger Anne. I supposed it was a good thing she grew up some.
Though I'm not as happy with the end of the book as the beginning, I am very curious to read the next book from the 6 book series, Anne of Avonlea.
I never liked a book so quickly as I did this one. After the first page or so, I was really was impressed. The way L.M. Montgomery writes is hard to explain, but it really shows the story from a good vantage point and from a witty and smart frame of reference.
I liked the book a lot better in the beginning when Anne was a very silly, fun, colorful character. Reading a book full of her thoughts and her sayings is perfect for putting someone in a good mood because she is so positive and really enjoys the little things in life.
Towards the end of the book, it had some good plot twists and turns, and I was surprised by how it turned out, however, it became more of a summary, lacking the life it used to have, and the main character was not as entertaining as before. Anne became more mature, in the beginning she was 11 years old, and at the end of the book she was 16 years old. For most of the book, she was 11 and 12, then towards the end it just did a quick overview of her older years.
She became less imaginative, less talkative, and more serious, competitive and sober. I didn't see the passion and life in the older Anne like in the younger Anne. I supposed it was a good thing she grew up some.
Though I'm not as happy with the end of the book as the beginning, I am very curious to read the next book from the 6 book series, Anne of Avonlea.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Inception
I wanted to see this movie just because Leonardo DeCaprio was in it. I don't like him as an actor that much, but he was the main character in one of my favorite movies, the Aviator. I also saw on Oprah that Leonardo really cares about making good movies that will be a classic. I thought that Inception has to be good if Leonardo is in it. Only because he is so passionate about making good movies that will be talked about still, one hundred years later.
The writer and director of this movie is Chris Nolan. Chris said, "Films are subjective-what you like, what you don't like. But the thing for me that is absolutely unifying is the idea that every time I go to the cinema and pay my money and sit down and watch a film go up on-screen, I want to feel that the people who made that film think it's the best movie in the world, that they poured everything into it and they really love it. Whether or not I agree with what they've done, I want that effort there-I want that sincerity. And when you don't feel it, that's the only time I feel like I'm wasting my time at the movies."
I really sense that Chris poured everything he had into this movie. I thought to myself when it was all over; This movie was very carefully, masterfully done. Every t was crossed and i was dotted. He tied all loose ends and accounted for and explained everything. His intense amount of commitment to this movie showed. It has been awhile since I have seen a movie this polished.
Some people complain that this movie is too complex and hard to understand. It is complex, and a bit hard to follow at times, but Chris Nolan takes you by the hand and guides you through the complexity. All things I wondered about was explained by one of the actors in some way or another, anything that confused me later became crystal clear because Chris Nolan was careful in his execution of the complex. He really made sure you got it. If you didn't get it, you weren't paying enough attention. He didn't fail to account for one detail in the movie. It's not hard to follow if you just relax and let yourself get into the movie. It's like you are being guided through the movie, and not watching the movie.
I really thought that the message of the movie was interesting, which was, an idea can be powerful and take affect in your life and change who you are. An idea is more dangerous than a virus, parasite or bacteria. An idea is the ultimate threat.
The writer and director of this movie is Chris Nolan. Chris said, "Films are subjective-what you like, what you don't like. But the thing for me that is absolutely unifying is the idea that every time I go to the cinema and pay my money and sit down and watch a film go up on-screen, I want to feel that the people who made that film think it's the best movie in the world, that they poured everything into it and they really love it. Whether or not I agree with what they've done, I want that effort there-I want that sincerity. And when you don't feel it, that's the only time I feel like I'm wasting my time at the movies."
I really sense that Chris poured everything he had into this movie. I thought to myself when it was all over; This movie was very carefully, masterfully done. Every t was crossed and i was dotted. He tied all loose ends and accounted for and explained everything. His intense amount of commitment to this movie showed. It has been awhile since I have seen a movie this polished.
Some people complain that this movie is too complex and hard to understand. It is complex, and a bit hard to follow at times, but Chris Nolan takes you by the hand and guides you through the complexity. All things I wondered about was explained by one of the actors in some way or another, anything that confused me later became crystal clear because Chris Nolan was careful in his execution of the complex. He really made sure you got it. If you didn't get it, you weren't paying enough attention. He didn't fail to account for one detail in the movie. It's not hard to follow if you just relax and let yourself get into the movie. It's like you are being guided through the movie, and not watching the movie.
I really thought that the message of the movie was interesting, which was, an idea can be powerful and take affect in your life and change who you are. An idea is more dangerous than a virus, parasite or bacteria. An idea is the ultimate threat.
A Team
I have vague memories of watching the show A Team as a kid. I was really entertained by the main characters of BA Baracus and HM Murdock. Seeing the previews for the movie the A Team based on the TV show, spurred my memory, and I ended up buying season 2 on DVD really cheap. I enjoyed it as much as I did when I was a kid(at first) but after many episodes, the plots seemed to be the same for each episode. A boring trend ensued. Despite this, I really like the interaction of the main characters and I was impressed with how the plot was about them helping people and risking their lives for a good cause. It is a naive series, since, even with all the violence, shootings with machine guns, cars getting flipped over, and explosions, people rarely get hurt in this show. No blood and no bruises.
Anyway, on to the movie. As you can gather from the previous paragraph, I had a refresher in the show before watching the A Team movie. There was something likable about this movie, however, I am really disappointed with the way they re-did the main characters. My one reason for really loving this show was how the main characters interacted, and they didn't interact that much in the movie. They were together in one explosive scene after the other, but not enough interaction took place for me. They remade the characters all wrong. It's as if they went out of their way to redo them differently. They remade Murdock very wrong. His craziness was scary in the movie, and in the show it was a fun kind of crazy. In the show his craziness made him do a better job, because it made him get into his roles more, and be more creative and savvy. In the movie his craziness made you wonder if he would be competent. They did the worst job with him by far.
I can live with how they redid the other three characters, but they really stole the joy, fun and soul of these characters and made them something they are not. BA was into peace and non violence. Faceman was scrubby, Hannibal wasn't the planner in this movie. I was really disappointed that this movie murdered the whole premise of the main characters because that's what makes the A Team enjoyable.
The whole premise behind the plot really stunk. I just plainly didn't like the story line. I could see people go through all that trouble for real money, not counterfeit money.
Anyway, on to the movie. As you can gather from the previous paragraph, I had a refresher in the show before watching the A Team movie. There was something likable about this movie, however, I am really disappointed with the way they re-did the main characters. My one reason for really loving this show was how the main characters interacted, and they didn't interact that much in the movie. They were together in one explosive scene after the other, but not enough interaction took place for me. They remade the characters all wrong. It's as if they went out of their way to redo them differently. They remade Murdock very wrong. His craziness was scary in the movie, and in the show it was a fun kind of crazy. In the show his craziness made him do a better job, because it made him get into his roles more, and be more creative and savvy. In the movie his craziness made you wonder if he would be competent. They did the worst job with him by far.
I can live with how they redid the other three characters, but they really stole the joy, fun and soul of these characters and made them something they are not. BA was into peace and non violence. Faceman was scrubby, Hannibal wasn't the planner in this movie. I was really disappointed that this movie murdered the whole premise of the main characters because that's what makes the A Team enjoyable.
The whole premise behind the plot really stunk. I just plainly didn't like the story line. I could see people go through all that trouble for real money, not counterfeit money.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Prince of Persia Sands of Time
Ummm....I liked the movie. But, I guess I'm not passionate enough about it to really say anything much. Huh. There were nice looking people in it, nice looking costumes, nice looking cities. Very good visuals throughout the movie. How shallow of me to notice.
Like the Robin Hood that recently came out, there were a lot of battle scenes, sword fights, and arrows flying too. But as Robin Hood was filled with ugly scenes, and ugly people, wearing mostly hideous dark clothing, in dreary looking lands; this movie was filled with everything beautiful, it made for a better experience in that regard. But, Robin Hood being so ugly made it more real and serious. This was a polished Disney movie, and Robin Hood was rough, real and rugged.
In both Robin Hood and Prince of Persia, there was a a betrayal by a trusted friend or relative that really helped shape the plot and drama of the movie. In both movies too, the main characters were excellent in battle, and brave to stand up for what is right despite the terrible risks involved. I saw both movies only two days apart from each other, and I can't help but compare.
I complain that Robin Hood is too ugly, and Prince of Persia is too pretty. I am surprised to complain about that, because everything being so gorgeous made the movie more watchable and enjoyable. The reverse was true for Robing Hood. But, Robin Hood had the rawness and the misery of real life. It would be interesting to see the reverse. The makers of Robin Hood filming the Prince of Persia, and the makers of the Prince of Persia filming Robin Hood. That would be a fascinating turn of events.
Like the Robin Hood that recently came out, there were a lot of battle scenes, sword fights, and arrows flying too. But as Robin Hood was filled with ugly scenes, and ugly people, wearing mostly hideous dark clothing, in dreary looking lands; this movie was filled with everything beautiful, it made for a better experience in that regard. But, Robin Hood being so ugly made it more real and serious. This was a polished Disney movie, and Robin Hood was rough, real and rugged.
In both Robin Hood and Prince of Persia, there was a a betrayal by a trusted friend or relative that really helped shape the plot and drama of the movie. In both movies too, the main characters were excellent in battle, and brave to stand up for what is right despite the terrible risks involved. I saw both movies only two days apart from each other, and I can't help but compare.
I complain that Robin Hood is too ugly, and Prince of Persia is too pretty. I am surprised to complain about that, because everything being so gorgeous made the movie more watchable and enjoyable. The reverse was true for Robing Hood. But, Robin Hood had the rawness and the misery of real life. It would be interesting to see the reverse. The makers of Robin Hood filming the Prince of Persia, and the makers of the Prince of Persia filming Robin Hood. That would be a fascinating turn of events.
Extraordinary Measures
This movie always claimed that it was based on a true story, but despite that, for some crazy reason, I thought that the disease the children were suffering from called Pompe disease was a made up fictional disease. I never heard of it, and it just sounds fake..."Pompe." Turns out, the disease is real, and much of the story is in line with what really happened.
Pompe disease is a very rare genetic disease that is a kind of muscular dystrophy. Most kids don't make it past two years old, and rarely does anyone live past 9 years old. The parents in this film have two children with this disease. They know that they will die. Because the disease is so rare, there is not treatment for it and doctors can do little to help.
The daughter almost dies in the hospital in one scene, but she pulls through. The father sees the determination in her eyes, and he keeps thinking of her eyes while in a business meeting. He gets up and walks out of the meeting and flies all the way to the Nebraska to talk to a doctor that researches this disease for the U of Nebraska without telling anyone in advance. His wife is furious that he will lose his job for just walking out like that.
He quits his job, goes into business with he doctor to start a genetics company to find a cure to the disease, raises millions of dollars and risks it all for the slight chance of finding a treatment to the disease before his children's time is up. It was amazing to see such will and determination to put everything on the line.
He said it's crazy to quit my job, and to spend so much money, and to work so hard for something that could not even work, but I can't just watch my kids die. His wife in the movie said, I thought you were crazy at first, but when we started doing fund raising, and working to save our children, I realized it was better to do something rather than just accept what the doctors say and have no hope.
Pompe disease is a very rare genetic disease that is a kind of muscular dystrophy. Most kids don't make it past two years old, and rarely does anyone live past 9 years old. The parents in this film have two children with this disease. They know that they will die. Because the disease is so rare, there is not treatment for it and doctors can do little to help.
The daughter almost dies in the hospital in one scene, but she pulls through. The father sees the determination in her eyes, and he keeps thinking of her eyes while in a business meeting. He gets up and walks out of the meeting and flies all the way to the Nebraska to talk to a doctor that researches this disease for the U of Nebraska without telling anyone in advance. His wife is furious that he will lose his job for just walking out like that.
He quits his job, goes into business with he doctor to start a genetics company to find a cure to the disease, raises millions of dollars and risks it all for the slight chance of finding a treatment to the disease before his children's time is up. It was amazing to see such will and determination to put everything on the line.
He said it's crazy to quit my job, and to spend so much money, and to work so hard for something that could not even work, but I can't just watch my kids die. His wife in the movie said, I thought you were crazy at first, but when we started doing fund raising, and working to save our children, I realized it was better to do something rather than just accept what the doctors say and have no hope.
Robin Hood 2010
When I was a kid, I do have memories of watching Disney's Robin Hood. However, I was surprised to be told by my sister and mother that I watched that moview around a hundred times. My sister said it was a part of my daily routine, to put that Disney movie in the VCR.
I went into this movie with the hope that it would be a Robin Hood better than Prince of Theives. This movie was more like a prequel to the Robin Hood story. There was no stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. It was the story of the events that led up to him being an outlaw or a wanted man.
I like that this prequel adds a lot of layers and demension to the Robin Hood story. It showed a lot of history from the time period. The plot is complex and masterminding. The movie was filled with tretchery, spying, betrayal, scheming, etc. Basicaly, what the movie had going for it was that the plot was great and complicated.
I do wish that the visuals were better for the movie. The actors were not good looking. Kate Blanchet played Maid Marian and Russel Crow played Robin Hood. There were a lot of war scenes and everyone was wearing dark ugly clothing surrounded by a dark and dreary land. The war scenes were somehow more depressing than in the average movie. I was like ouch! I just saw another movie with plenty of arrows shooting and people getting stabbed too, but it didn't capture the "scary ouch" effect of war. Just saying the plot was good, but the movie was hard on the eyes.
I went into this movie with the hope that it would be a Robin Hood better than Prince of Theives. This movie was more like a prequel to the Robin Hood story. There was no stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. It was the story of the events that led up to him being an outlaw or a wanted man.
I like that this prequel adds a lot of layers and demension to the Robin Hood story. It showed a lot of history from the time period. The plot is complex and masterminding. The movie was filled with tretchery, spying, betrayal, scheming, etc. Basicaly, what the movie had going for it was that the plot was great and complicated.
I do wish that the visuals were better for the movie. The actors were not good looking. Kate Blanchet played Maid Marian and Russel Crow played Robin Hood. There were a lot of war scenes and everyone was wearing dark ugly clothing surrounded by a dark and dreary land. The war scenes were somehow more depressing than in the average movie. I was like ouch! I just saw another movie with plenty of arrows shooting and people getting stabbed too, but it didn't capture the "scary ouch" effect of war. Just saying the plot was good, but the movie was hard on the eyes.
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