first class

Here's something I've never done: fly first class. Krikey. This could get to be a dangerous habit. We haven't taken off yet and I've already been handed slippers, gotten refresher on my OJ and given a menu. That's right - I get to choose my dinner. What. I have so much leg room, I can't even reach the end if my cubicle with my feet. My pillows are velvet, my blanket is cashmere. This is going to be the shortest flight ever. 

Now Playing: The Hobbit (the desolation of Smaug)

I finally went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  Last weekend, I was foiled by epic snow; Tuesday, I was foiled by greed.  So yesterday, I snuggled into my IMAX seat with my popcorn and 3D glasses, ready to be entertained.  I was very open-minded, especially considering my keen disappointment with AnUnexpected Journey. 

You know what?  I was entertained.  The pacing was much better this time; I believe this is because there were no silly songs.  Everyone acted their hearts out with some exceptional performances:

-          Evangeline Lilly was born to play an elf.  I mean, just look at her nose! Seriously. 

-          Orlando Bloom could have done with more dialogue and less brow-knotting stares.

-          Benedict Cumberpatch.  That is all.

The one thing the movie really suffers from is its lack of conclusion.  I mean, nothing is wrapped up at all.  Nothing.  And while I understand they wanted to milk the Hobbit for all it was worth, I think they could have concluded at least one storyline. 

So, of course, you should see it.  It’s part of a pretty epic trilogy and the production values are stellar.  I just don’t think it lived up to its potential.  3.5 out of 5 stars.

Now Playing: Frozen

I’m using my 100-word rule!

Frozen is cute Disney movie.  It’s what you expect a Disney movie to be.  I like that there are two “princesses” and that the prince isn’t at all charming.  Having watched ALL the Disney Princess movies recently, this one is a good addition.  3 out of 5 stars.

I went to see Frozen in theatre, eschewing the much better 12Years a Slave, because I’m a big suck.  You see, when I was but a wee pixie, I watched two movies in one afternoon: The Snow Queen and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  In my 3-year-old brain, they melded into one awesome cinematic feat.  These movies were also my first introduction to snow.  Which basically meant I thought it would be a perfectly round cotton-ball-like substance that would feel something like a cool fuzzy blanket.  Pfft.  When I saw they were remaking the tale, I knew I had to see it.  Jadek fell asleep but I enjoyed it.  And it actually had a plot twist that I didn’t see coming! How novel.  A nice way to start the holiday season.

Now Playing: Catching Fire

Last weekend, I caught the sequel to The Hunger Games movie (two of four, I believe): Catching Fire.  

Disclaimer: yes, I read the books beforehand and yes, I loved them. They were… well, you can read my thoughts on them elsewhere on this blog.  I try very hard not to compare them.  Try being the operative word here.

Six days after the fact, I find that two things that really stuck with me are completely superfluous: Katniss’ outfits and her awesome hairstyle.  Yes, yes, the acting (and indeed casting) were all very good.  I covered most of that when I saw the first movie.  I somehow found the movie a bit, well, slow.  Which is surprising, since what I remembered most about the book was just how quickly I devoured it.  So, I’m really looking forward to the next two movies, not so much because this one whet my appetite, but more so to get to the good stuff.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

So!  The outfits and hair! Okay, casting Lenny Kravitz as Cinna was a true stroke of genius because I totally believe that designed those badass yet beautiful outfits.  Everyone will ooh/ahh over the “wedding dress” but for me? The Girl on Fire chariot dress just blew me away.  Way to go, Costuming Department!  I also love how it’s her hair/clothes that recruits the first Katniss fans.  That scene with President Snow and his granddaughter?  Priceless.  I really want to make my hair braid like that when I next go travelling – it’s pretty and pragmatic.

(it seems I broke my 100-word rule already… sigh).

Now Playing: Ender’s Game

This will be a short review, because I've fallen behind - again – and I don’t write other posts because I feel guilty about not doing my movie reviews.  Perhaps we’ll get to shorter Movie reviews in general.  100 words or less.  You know, something to keep me on schedule.

Anyhow.

I know Ender’s Game was a book before it was a movie (it’s a good time to be YA novelist right now), so I expected a pretty tight story – which I got.  Surprisingly well-acted too, though it shouldn't have been surprising: Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld and Asa Butterfield.  A good movie to watch if you have too-cool-for-you teens in your life that you want to hang out with.  3 out of 5 stars.

A pet peeve (and spoiler): the tag line is “This is not a game.” – umm, doesn't this give away the whole movie?  Or maybe it’s not supposed to be a surprise…

Now Playing: Thor : The Dark World

You. know, I love a certain Mr. Hiddleston in his turn as Loki.  And when I say love, I mean a deep fangirl devotion.  Thor: The Dark World only served to cement this (bordering-on) obsession.  I mean, everything about this character is made for me to fall in love: cunning, funny, charming, evil-but-really-good-maybe... checkcheckcheck! Sigh.  and he wears a cape like he owns it.

Oh yeah, so the movie.  It was solid.  Very entertaining and an excellent addition to the Avengers saga.  4 out of 5 stars.

A couple of other standout moments:
1) The badass ladies, Frigga and Lady Sif.  Seriously, if it were possible to cast them as warrior women from Themyscira, DC should jump on the chance.  And the writers didn't hold them back either.

2) Kat Dennings.  I love this girl. She steals almost every scene she's in and makes her older sister seem, well, bland. 

Honestly, poppets, I watched this last week and it's quickly fading in terms of details.  Except Loki.  Every scene he's in is still crystal clear: the jubilant little skip down the dungeon corridor; the heartbreaking sorrow; the bravado exchange between father and son... the list goes on!  They should give him his own movie.  Seriously. 

Now Playing: Gravity

(Third of three very short catch-up reviews.  Which isn’t really fair, because this is a movie I could talk about.  A lot.)

I'm going to admit this: I wasn't sold on Gravity via its trailers.  Every trailer seemed to be advertising a different movie.  But I was intrigued by the effects and the theme of Lost in Space, so I was in.


Is it Drama, SciFi, Action, Thriller, Mainstream/Indie, or just an experiment in cool special effects tricks...  turns out?  All of the above.  Sandra Bullock – honestly, is there anything this woman can’t act?  Even in really bad movies, she comes out on top.  And this is not a really bad movie.  In fact, it’s a really really good movie.  With a cast of only FIVE people, the script relies on you, the audience, being able to get up close and personal with Bullock (and to some extent, former-nemesis and newfound love, George Clooney) without being completely turned off by them.  So close, that any cracks in their acting would show up in spotlights… but none did.

And the effects? Holy heck – they were so real, I actually forgot they weren’t shooting in space.  Which is, you know, impossible.  That last scene?  Stellar.  Go watch it.  Take your parents.  You’ll all enjoy it.  4.5 out of 5 stars.

Edit: this is awesome -
http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/check-out-aningaaq-the-beautiful-7-minute-gravity-spin-off-by-jonas-cuaron