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How to watch FREE Movies in the Theaters

9 May

So one of my pet peeves is when someone has great information that could help out other people but they choose not to share it. I thought I would share with you all, my darling readers how I see advance screenings for movies in the theaters. It’s actually a simple process and with a few tips you can see a movie for free anytime your little film heart desires.

My go-to website for free movie tickets is advancescreenings.com it’s the best site I’ve found for seeing movies for free in the theaters. One of the great things about this site is that its national, they list free movie screenings in all 50 states. Here’s a few tips to ensure that you get the movie tickets you want as well as a seat.

1. Sign up for advance screening emails. When you sign up for the emails, advance screening will send you an email each time a new movie is listed in your area

2. Check the website daily. Advance screening is constantly updating their movies that are available in your area so, it’s a good idea to check back frequently.

3. Sign up for an account on gofobo.com. Gofobo has many available free movies but in order to get tickets through their site you must have an account. It’s free to sign up.

4. Once you have secured a pair of tickets make sure to arrive at least 1 hour to 1 1/2 before the movie starts. I can ont stress this enough. If you choose to waltz in as johnny-come-lately, then expect to be turned away at the door. Most of the screenings give out more tickets than seats available.  Arriving early allows you to get a seat without being turned away. Good luck. Let me know if any of you use this site.

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Film Review: ‘The Great Gatsby’

7 May

Film: The Great Gatsby

Best Song: ‘Young & Beautiful’ by Lana Del Rey

Best Line: ”And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isnt any privacy” – Jordan Baker

Review:  The gorgeous clothes. The vintage cars. The grand houses. I want it all!  This modern version of  ’The Great Gatsby’ is poetic and beautiful. The cinematography is phenomenal and the 3-D experience grabs you and pulls you into the heart of the action.

The classic tale of Gatsby is told through the eyes of director, Baz Luhrmann (who brought us a more modern version of Romeo and Juliet). The movie is set in Long Island, NY in all its 1922 roaring glory. The parties are happening, the champagne is flowing, the clothes are sparkly, and the money is growing. Staying true to the 1920′s theme the costumes were lovely – the beaded flapper dresses, feathered headpieces, and three-piece suits….transports you into the beloved  iconic fashion era of the 1920′s. The movie does get off to a slow start but once Jay Gatsby (Leandro DiCaprio) appears on the screen. BAM! The pace picks up. The film has some great action scenes with stellar car races, jumping parties, and fast-paced conversations. One of my favorite scenes was the unbelievable  and extremely lavish party at Gatsby’s mansion. I racked my brian trying to figure out how many hours all those actors and extras had to put in to dance like it was their last day on earth. It was EPIC! I just wanted to put on my dancing shoes and join in. The soundtrack for the film, which was produced by Jay-Z puts a  modern twist on a great classic.

It continually blows my mind that Leonardo DiCaprio hasn’t won an Oscar yet. Every role he plays is, so complex and amazing. This role is no exception. DiCaprio brought a wide range of  emotional depth to his role as Jay Gatsby. The struggle between attaining financial success and pursing the love of his life appears tortuous. Carey Mulligan is also brilliant in her role as Daisy (Gatsby love interest). There is no denying the on-screen chemistry between DiCaprio and Mulligan. They’re intimate exchanges are AH-mazing!

I really adored this version of ‘The Great Gatsby.’ I left the theater wanting to read the book  again and reacquaint myself with the classic story. Be forewarn this movie is long at 2 hrs 23 min. I anticipate the reviews for this film will be a bit controversial. The Director took some major risk with the story and the creative direction of the film. Moviegoers will either love it or hate it. I loved it and thought the movie was brilliant. I would see it again in a second. Its one smashing film!

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Film Review: “Zero Dark Thirty”

23 Jan

Film: Zero Dark Thrity

Best Line: “I’m the motherfu$%!# that found this place” – Maya

Review: ”Zero. Dark. Thirty!” What a film! The fact that a woman is behind the directing makes it even better. I LOVED it!. I’m often a little leery about going to see any type of war films or anything to do with war. I prefer to watch movies about unrealistic romantic plots, where a man confesses his love to a woman at first sight. (Blame my self-induced Jane Austen romantic coma. I’m still trying to awaken from my romantic coma. It’s been 15 years. There’s no hope for me.) Zero Dark Thirty doesn’t have a single “love scene” and there certainly aren’t any men running around confessing their undying love. Nope. Just the opposite. This movie focuses on the “decade-long manhunt for Al Qaeda terrorist leader Osama bin Laden after the September 2001 attacks and his death at the hands of the Navy S.E.A.L. Team 6 in May 2011.” This film is VERY intense…..and I do mean intense. Do not go to this movie if you have a “weak” heart. There are several scenes during the 2.5 hours of the film, where I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. All the unexpected car bombings and shootings was enough to make me sweat. The action in the film matches the film’s intensity. I’m positive it contributed to me being on edge during the movie. There’s a scene where Navy S.E.A.L Team 6 storms Bin laden’s compound and I thought I was going to have a panic attack – I have issues. No judgement. I felt like I was right there with them on the front lines. Kathryn Bigelow’s ability as a director to capture the real emotions of fear, unrest, adrenaline, and confidence during the scene was pretty epic. I might be a tad bit dramatic but when the film concluded and the credits began to roll, I had to stay in my seat for 10 minutes just to catch my breath. I felt like I had just went through battle. Phew…

Jessica Chastain plays Maya – a CIA operative. Maya is sent to Pakistan to interrogate Al Qaeda prisoners who are directly linked to Bin laden. Agent Maya is a tough chick with controlled emotions. She’s passionate about her work and deeply committed to locating and killing Osama bin laden. The dialogue between characters is brilliantly written. The banter between all the CIA agents is quick and witty. You must keep up in order to get all the necessary details for the movie to make sense. (There was a woman in the theater that was playing a version of “where’s waldo” with Osama bin laden’s character. She kept asking her husband which one was Osama. It was quite annoying since she carried on like this during the entire film. I finally had to say “shhh” after an hour and a half of this nonsense.) The first scene in the movie locks you in and doesn’t let go until the end. The movie is told in chronological order and I found it very easy to follow. I’m not sure what was up with “confused connie.”  The storytelling in this film is that of a fully mature bottle of vintage Merlot. Like with any vintage Merlot it takes time for the wine to develop. Once the wine has fully matured the pay-off in taste is divine. That’s how I felt during the course of this movie. The story takes time but its smooth and concise. I’ve seen several of the Oscar nominated movies for best picture, “Zero Dark Thirty” will be my pick. It’s a masterpiece!

*Side note* Hottie Alert! There’s some serious eye candy in this film. Manly type men. (You know the ones. The kind of  men that wear plaid shirts, grow a semi-beard, and chop wood for fireplaces in log cabins) Agent Dan –  played by Jason Clarke and Larry – played by Edgar Ramirez were beautiful to look upon. Each time those scruffy, good-looking, tall drinks of water graced the screen. I was all in. Hey boo! Military men just moved to 2nd place on my dating list. First place belongs to Mr. Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice.” Duh.

 

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2013 Oscar Nomnimations are………

10 Jan

Nominations for the 85th Academy Awards Are In…………………..

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BEST ACTOR
Bradley Cooper in “Silver Linings Playbook”
Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln”
Hugh Jackman in “Les Misérables”
Joaquin Phoenix in “The Master”
Denzel Washington in “Flight”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Alan Arkin in “Argo”
Robert De Niro in “Silver Linings Playbook”
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “The Master”
Tommy Lee Jones in “Lincoln”
Christoph Waltz in “Django Unchained”

BEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain in “Zero Dark Thirty”
Jennifer Lawrence in “Silver Linings Playbook”
Emmanuelle Riva in “Amour”
Quvenzhané Wallis in “Beasts of the Southern Wild”
Naomi Watts in “The Impossible”

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams in “The Master”
Sally Field in “Lincoln”
Anne Hathaway in “Les Misérables”
Helen Hunt in “The Sessions”
Jacki Weaver in “Silver Linings Playbook”

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
“Brave” Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman
“Frankenweenie” Tim Burton
“ParaNorman” Sam Fell and Chris Butler
“The Pirates! Band of Misfits” Peter Lord
“Wreck-It Ralph” Rich Moore

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
“Anna Karenina” Seamus McGarvey
“Django Unchained” Robert Richardson
“Life of Pi” Claudio Miranda
“Lincoln” Janusz Kaminski
“Skyfall” Roger Deakins

COSTUME DESIGN
“Anna Karenina” Jacqueline Durran
“Les Misérables” Paco Delgado
“Lincoln” Joanna Johnston
“Mirror Mirror” Eiko Ishioka
“Snow White and the Huntsman” Colleen Atwood

BEST DIRECTOR
“Amour” Michael Haneke
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” Benh Zeitlin
“Life of Pi” Ang Lee
“Lincoln” Steven Spielberg
“Silver Linings Playbook” David O. Russell

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
“5 Broken Cameras”
Emad Burnat and Guy Davidi
“The Gatekeepers”
Nominees to be determined
“How to Survive a Plague”
Nominees to be determined
“The Invisible War”
Nominees to be determined
“Searching for Sugar Man”
Nominees to be determined

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT
“Inocente”
Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine
“Kings Point”
Sari Gilman and Jedd Wider
“Mondays at Racine”
Cynthia Wade and Robin Honan
“Open Heart”
Kief Davidson and Cori Shepherd Stern
“Redemption”
Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill

BEST FILM EDITING
“Argo” William Goldenberg
“Life of Pi” Tim Squyres
“Lincoln” Michael Kahn
“Silver Linings Playbook” Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers
“Zero Dark Thirty” Dylan Tichenor and William Goldenberg

BEST FOREIGN LANUAGE FILM
“Amour” Austria
“Kon-Tiki” Norway
“No” Chile
“A Royal Affair” Denmark
“War Witch” Canada

BEST MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING 
“Hitchcock”
Howard Berger, Peter Montagna and Martin Samuel
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
Peter Swords King, Rick Findlater and Tami Lane
“Les Misérables”
Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell

BEST (ORIGINAL SCORE) FOR MOTION PICTURE
“Anna Karenina” Dario Marianelli
“Argo” Alexandre Desplat
“Life of Pi” Mychael Danna
“Lincoln” John Williams
“Skyfall” Thomas Newman

BEST (ORIGINAL SONG) FOR MOTION PICTURE 
“Before My Time” from “Chasing Ice”
Music and Lyric by J. Ralph
“Everybody Needs A Best Friend” from “Ted”
Music by Walter Murphy; Lyric by Seth MacFarlane
“Pi’s Lullaby” from “Life of Pi”
Music by Mychael Danna; Lyric by Bombay Jayashri
“Skyfall” from “Skyfall”
Music and Lyric by Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
“Suddenly” from “Les Misérables”
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg; Lyric by Herbert Kretzmer and Alain Boublil

BEST FILM
“Amour” Nominees to be determined
“Argo” Grant Heslov, Ben Affleck and George Clooney, Producers
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” Dan Janvey, Josh Penn and Michael Gottwald, Producers
“Django Unchained” Stacey Sher, Reginald Hudlin and Pilar Savone, Producers
“Les Misérables” Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward and Cameron Mackintosh, Producers
“Life of Pi” Gil Netter, Ang Lee and David Womark, Producers
“Lincoln” Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, Producers
“Silver Linings Playbook” Donna Gigliotti, Bruce Cohen and Jonathan Gordon, Producers
“Zero Dark Thirty” Mark Boal, Kathryn Bigelow and Megan Ellison, Producers

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
“Anna Karenina”
Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
Production Design: Dan Hennah; Set Decoration: Ra Vincent and Simon Bright
“Les Misérables”
Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Anna Lynch-Robinson
“Life of Pi”
Production Design: David Gropman; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
“Lincoln”
Production Design: Rick Carter; Set Decoration: Jim Erickson

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
“Adam and Dog” Minkyu Lee
“Fresh Guacamole” PES
“Head over Heels” Timothy Reckart and Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly
“Maggie Simpson in “The Longest Daycare”” David Silverman
“Paperman” John Kahrs

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FLM
“Asad” Bryan Buckley and Mino Jarjoura
“Buzkashi Boys” Sam French and Ariel Nasr
“Curfew” Shawn Christensen
“Death of a Shadow (Dood van een Schaduw)” Tom Van Avermaet and Ellen De Waele
“Henry” Yan England

BEST SOUND EDITING
“Argo” Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn
“Django Unchained” Wylie Stateman
“Life of Pi” Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton
“Skyfall” Per Hallberg and Karen Baker Landers
“Zero Dark Thirty” Paul N.J. Ottosson

BEST SOUND MIXING
“Argo”
John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Jose Antonio Garcia
“Les Misérables”
Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson and Simon Hayes
“Life of Pi”
Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin
“Lincoln”
Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom and Ronald Judkins
“Skyfall”
Scott Millan, Greg P. Russell and Stuart Wilson

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”
Joe Letteri, Eric Saindon, David Clayton and R. Christopher White
“Life of Pi”
Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott
“Marvel’s The Avengers”
Janek Sirrs, Jeff White, Guy Williams and Dan Sudick
“Prometheus”
Richard Stammers, Trevor Wood, Charley Henley and Martin Hill
“Snow White and the Huntsman”
Cedric Nicolas-Troyan, Philip Brennan, Neil Corbould and Michael Dawson

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
“Argo” Screenplay by Chris Terrio
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” Screenplay by Lucy Alibar & Benh Zeitlin
“Life of Pi” Screenplay by David Magee
“Lincoln” Screenplay by Tony Kushner
“Silver Linings Playbook” Screenplay by David O. Russell

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
“Amour” Written by Michael Haneke
“Django Unchained” Written by Quentin Tarantino
“Flight” Written by John Gatins
“Moonrise Kingdom” Written by Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola
“Zero Dark Thirty” Written by Mark Boal

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10 Highly Anticipated Films for 2013

5 Jan

Gangster Squad

in Theaters 1/11/13

Pirogue

in Selected Theaters 1/23/13

Beautiful Creatures

in Theaters 2/13/13

Oz, the great and powerful

in Theaters 3/8/13

Iron Man 3

in Theaters 5/3/13

The Great Gatsby

in Theaters 5/10/13

Man of Steel

in Theaters 6/14/13

Monsters University

in Theaters 6/21/13

Pacific Rim

in Theaters 7/11/13

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

in Theaters 12/13/13

Trailer coming soon……

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Golden Globe 70th Annual Nominations (2013)

13 Dec

goldenphoto courtesy of Getty Images

And the nominees are………

Best motion picture – drama

“Argo”
“Django Unchained”
“Life of Pi”
“Lincoln”
“Zero Dark Thirty”

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – drama

Jessica Chastain, “Zero Dark Thirty”
Marion Cotillard, “Rust and Bone”
Helen Mirren, “Hitchcock”
Naomi Watts, “The Impossible”
Rachel Weisz, “The Deep Blue Sea”

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – drama

Daniel Day-Lewis, “Lincoln”
Richard Gere, “Arbitrage”
John Hawkes, “The Sessions”
Joaquin Phoenix, “The Master”
Denzel Washington, “Flight”

Best motion picture – comedy or musical

“The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”
“Les Misérables”
“Moonrise Kingdom”
“Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”
“Silver Linings Playbook”

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Emily Blunt, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”
Judi Dench, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”
Jennifer Lawrence, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Maggie Smith, “Quartet”
Meryl Streep, “Hope Springs”

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Jack Black, “Bernie”
Bradley Cooper, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Hugh Jackman, “Les Misérables”
Ewan McGregor, “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”
Bill Murray, “Hyde Park on Hudson”

Best animated feature film

“Brave”
“Frankenweenie”
“Hotel Transylvania”
“Wreck-It Ralph”
“Rise of the Guardians”

Best foreign language film

“Amour” (Austria)
“A Royal Affair” (Denmark)
“The Intouchables” (France)
“Kon-Tiki” (Norway/U.K./Denmark)
“Rust and Bone” (France)

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a motion picture

Amy Adams, “The Master”
Sally Field, “Lincoln”
Anne Hathaway, “Les Misérables”
Helen Hunt, “The Sessions”
Nicole Kidman, “The Paperboy”

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture

Leonardo DiCaprio, “Django Unchained”
Alan Arkin, “Argo”
Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, “The Master”
Christoph Waltz, “Django Unchained”

Best director – motion picture

Ben Affleck, “Argo”
Kathryn Bigelow, “Zero Dark Thirty”
Ang Lee, “Life of Pi”
Steven Spielberg, “Lincoln”
Quentin Tarantino, “Django Unchained”

Best screenplay – motion picture

Mark Boal, “Zero Dark Thirty”
Tony Kushner, “Lincoln”
David O. Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook”
Quentin Tarantino, “Django Unchained”
Chris Terrio, “Argo”

Best original score – motion picture

Mychael Danna, “Life of Pi”
Alexandre Desplat, “Argo”
Dario Marianelli, “Anna Karenina”
Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil, “Cloud Atlas”
John Williams, “Lincoln”

Best original song – motion picture

“For You” (Music by Monty Powell, Keith Urban; Lyrics by Monty Powell, Keith Urban) – “Act of Valor”
“Not Running Anymore” (Music by Jon Bon Jovi; Lyrics by Jon Bon Jovi) – “Stand Up Guys”
“Safe & Sound” (Music by Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams, T. Bone Burnett; Lyrics by Taylor Swift, John Paul White, Joy Williams, T. Bone Burnett) – “The Hunger Games”
“Skyfall” (Music by Adele, Paul Epworth; Lyrics by Adele, Paul Epworth) – “Skyfall”
“Suddenly” (Music by Claude-Michel Schonberg; Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg) – “Les Misérables”

Best TV series – drama

“Breaking Bad”
“Boardwalk Empire”
“Downton Abbey: Season 2″
“Homeland”
“The Newsroom”

Best performance by an actress in a TV series – drama

Connie Britton, “Nashville”
Glenn Close, “Damages”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey: Season 2″
Julianna Margulies, “The Good Wife”

Best performance by an actor in a TV series – drama

Steve Buscemi, “Boardwalk Empire”
Bryan Cranston, “Breaking Bad”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Damian Lewis, “Homeland”

Best TV series – comedy or musical

“The Big Bang Theory”
“Episodes”
“Girls”
“Modern Family”
“Smash”

Best performance by an actress in a TV series – comedy or musical

Zooey Deschanel, “New Girl”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”
Lena Dunham, “Girls”
Tina Fey, “30 Rock”
Amy Poehler, “Parks and Recreation”

Best performance by an actor in a TV series – comedy or musical

Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
Jim Parsons, “The Big Bang Theory”

Best miniseries or motion picture made for TV

“Game Change”
“The Girl”
“Hatfields & McCoys”
“The Hour”
“Political Animals”

Best performance by an actress in a miniseries or motion picture made for TV

Nicole Kidman, “Hemingway & Gellhorn”
Jessica Lange, “American Horror Story: Asylum”
Sienna Miller, “The Girl”
Julianne Moore, “Game Change”
Sigourney Weaver, “Political Animals”

Best performance by an actor in a miniseries or motion picture made for TV

Kevin Costner, “Hatfields & McCoys”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock (Masterpiece)”
Woody Harrelson, “Game Change”
Toby Jones, “The Girl”
Clive Owen, “Hemingway & Gellhorn”

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, miniseries or motion picture made for TV

Hayden Panettiere, “Nashville”
Archie Panjabi, “The Good Wife”
Sarah Paulson, “Game Change”
Maggie Smith, “Downton Abbey: Season 2″
Sofia Vergara, “Modern Family”

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, miniseries or motion picture made for TV

Max Greenfield, “New Girl”
Ed Harris, “Game Change”
Danny Huston, “Magic City”
Mandy Patinkin, “Homeland”
Eric Stonestreet, “Modern Family”

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Film Review: “The Hobbit” (An Unexpected Journey)

12 Dec

Film: “The Hobbit” (An Unexpected Journey)

Review: Peter Jackson is the man! I had the pleasure to attend an advance screening of the highly anticipated movie “The Hobbit  - An Unexpected Journey”. I waited in line for 2 hours and it was well worth it. I saw the movie in 3D, which was an added bonus. The movie was phenomenal not only in storytelling but also in art direction. The CGI(computer-generated imagery) was in full force. One of my favorite scenes is when Thorin (dwarf king) fights the leader of the Orcs. There’s blazing fire, fallen trees, with slow motion running…its brilliant. It’s action packed from start to finish! There are hobbits, dwarves, trolls, goblins, elves, wizards, and orcs – I’m forgetting anyone. All the important elements and components to create an EPIC fantasy-adventure film where in this movie. I must say it was such a delight to view the movie in a theater with true fans of J.R.R Tolkein books and Peter Jackson’s iconic filming making. The audience erupted in applause when the opening credits and title grazed the screen. In the beginning of the film you get this sense of ultimate peace and tranquility where Bilbo Baggins the hobbit resides. The colors of the green lush fields and wild flowers are so vivid. The film was shot in beautiful New Zealand. It was a brilliant constant to the stark, dark, and cold forest scenes which was the majority of their journey. The premise of this film revolves around the dwarves making their way back home to “The Blue mountain” (the last of the Dwarves kingdom). The dwarves lost their home to the evil and vicious – Smaug, a gold loving dragon. Smaug takes over the dwarves castle, occupying their fortune and home, forcing them to take refugee in a near by land. Years pass and the Drawves want to reclaim they’re home and fortune. In order for them to take back their kingdom they must destroy Smaug. The only problem is defeating the dragon. Dragons can detect the scent of drawers but not hobbits and that’s where Baggins comes in. Baggins will join the expedition as the honorary burglary and assist with the dwarves reclaiming their rightful inhertiance.

Gollum was my favorite. He was quite hilarious, when he wasn’t being creepy. For some odd reason I was freaked out by Gollum in the “Lord of the Rings” but in “The Hobbit” I found him to be endearing….go figure. Thorin (the drawf  king) played by Richard Armitage was Ah-mazing! I’m a little basis since he also played John Thornton in “North and South” – one of my favorite BBC miniseries.

In my humble opinion, “The Hobbit” is definitely this years BEST action packed movie! It was 3 hours long and I actually want to see it again. Rumor has it that it took director Peter Jackson 10 years to finish these film. I can’t wait for the next one which is slated for 2013 – “The Hobbit – The Desolation of  Smaug.” Followed by the final and third installment to be released in 2014 – “The Hobbit (There Back Again).”  Yes! Two more years of “hobbit awesomeness!”

Best Line in the Movie: “I’m looking for someone to take an adventure with” – Grandalf

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Film Review: Hitchcock

22 Nov

Film:  Hitchcock

Review: The upcoming Oscar season is shaping up to be quite competitive. Between, Argo, Lincoln, Anna Karenina, and now Hitchcock – I can already see some major upsets. The film season hasn’t even concluded and we still have yet to see the remainiang highly anticipated films of the season - Les Misérables, Hobbit, and Django Unchained. 

I remember when I was a child gathering around the TV to watch Alfred Hitchcock Presents – TV series. My parents would allow my siblings and I to watch a couple of episodes under their supervision of course. I had nightmares from a few of those episodes. Even though the episodes were over 20 years old and in black and white, the sinister music and power of suggestion was just enough to spook my 10 year old little mind.

Alfred Hitchcock is arguable one of the greatest directors of all time and the film Hitchcok, touches on why he was so brilliant at creating movies. This film runs two parallel stories. The first being how Alfred Hitchcock made his mega-hit “Psycho” and the second, the love story of his marriage. You know its going to be a great film once Anthony Hopkins and Dame Helen Mirren appear. I’ve been a HUGE Anthony Hopkins fan. Ever since “Legend of the Falls”, I’ve found Hopkins so fascinating on the silver screen. Hopkins was exceptional in this movie!  From the famous Hitchcock profile down to the iconic black and white suit, his transformation into the legendary director was uncanny.  He was also brilliantly funny with his dry and unexpected sense of humor. As good as Hopkins was in this film, Helen Mirren was the stand out star. She was strong, smart, witty, and even regal at times. Her portrayal of Alma Reville is definitely worth an Oscar nomination. Alfred Hitchcock and his wife had a true partnership….. in business and in love. Alma Reville knew just as much if not more about what it took to create an award winning film. There’s a perfect screen depicting this, when Hitchcok becomes ill while filming Pyscho. They’re two days behind schedule and Alma steps in to save her husbands struggling film. She’s also the driving force in Hitchcock securing distribution for the film when the studio wanted to shut it down. Pyscho was deemed “wildly inappropriate” for audiences by the motion picture associate. It was unheard of for a film to show a flushing toilet, suggestion of nudity, and violence during 1960′s. Psycho pushed the cultural boundaries and in the end became one of the most successful films of its time as well as Hitchcock’s career.

Hitchcock is lovely film with a beautiful story about how one man’s success was due to the amazing woman who stood behind him – his wife Alma. I guess that old saying is true -”behind every successful man is great woman”

Best line in the movie: “And that’s why they call me the Master of Suspense”

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Film Review: Anna Karenina

14 Nov

Film: Anna Karenina

Review:  In this mind-blowing, picturesque, sensual, and highly creative film, Joe Wright has created a MASTERPIECE!  The film is so visually stunning, I was captivated from beginning to end. It’s hard to believe that the majority of the film was shot on a single soundstage at Shepperton Studios in a dilapidated theatre outside of London. The call to set the entire film in a theater was brilliant!

The love story which was adapted from Leo Tolstoy novel Anna Karenina unfolds in the late 19th century Russia. Anna played by Keira Knightley is married to Alexi Karenin who is played by Jude Law.  Alexi is a senior Russian government official and lacking in emotion. Their marriage is loveless and the only fruit it bears is a beautiful son that Anna adores. Starving for affection, Anna is bewitched by Count Vornsky. It’s love at first sight! Neither Anna nor the Count will deny themselves the love they so desire from each other, thus igniting their tumultuous love affair. That’s what happens when you’re forced into a loveless marriage, you try to escape even through “sin.” Princess Kitty also has her eyes set on Count Vorknsy but the feeling is not mutual. He only has eyes for the beautiful and mysterious Anna. Poor Princess Kitty, she never saw it coming. Anna swooped in and stole her man (Count Vorknsy) in 10 seconds flat. Anna is unapologetic about her love for the Count. She considers her love for him to be punishment and torture… for which she will not retreat. The path of forbidden love will surely lead Anna to a life of abandonment - outcast by Russian high society. Alexi (Anna’s husband) does very little to prevent the inevitable. Anna is left to her own self-destruction and in the end there is no saving grace for her. A tragic but epic love story.

The costumes are out of this world. I want them all! The rich colors and luxurious fabric speaks to the great opulence of old world Russia. Keira Knightly had access to $2.2 million dollars of Chanel diamonds while filming. The always talented Jacqueline Durran was the costume designer for this grand movie. Durran is also responsible for the iconic emerald green dress in Atonement. Wright and Durran have worked on several films together, so it was a no brainer that she would curate the costumes for Anna Karenina.

Someone get (cinematographer) Seamus McGarvey an Oscar. The cinematography in this film was beyond magical. It was like watching a Michelangelo painting in motion. Every scene was casted in the most elaborate decorative walls, enormous chandeliers, and glorious tapestry. One of the most epic scenes in the film is the live horse race inside the theater. I’m still trying to figure out how they choreographed “live horses” running at maximum speed on a theater stage, its unreal. This film is as funny as it is beautiful. I’m a HUGE fan of Joe Wright since he’s the brain child behind some of my favorite films, Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. I love Directors who direct a film, leaving traces of their creative DNA during the process. Wright is known for having some of the most exquisite scenery in his films. If you look at all his films Pride & Prejudice and Atonement being the most popular. Both films are peppered with breathtaking scenery. If I had to suggest one film to see before the end of the year Anna Karenina would be my pick. If only for the visual stimulation! This film is a MASTERPIECE!!!

Best line in the movie: You can’t ask Why about love!  - Count Vorknsy

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Film Review: “Lincoln”

10 Nov

Film: “Lincoln”

Review: And the Oscar for best picture goes to ….”Lincoln.”  The Oscar for best actor goes to…..Daniel Day-Lewis. The Oscar for best supporting actor goes to Tommy Lee Jones.  I think you get the picture. This film is epic in its storytelling, visuals, set direction, and costuming. I could go on and on. It’s a beautifully done film, telling the story of one of the greatest Presidents the United States of America has ever had. I realize its a bit early to speculate on Oscar contenders but I’m sure this will be in the running. The film is 2.5 hours long and does run at a slower pace. A pace for some that might be too slow. For me it was just right, I had a busy week and was hoping this film would not rush through the story.

Lincoln is one of my favorite Presidents and this movie made me fall in love with his character even more. Spielberg did an enormous amount of research, which was demonstrated though out the film.  We know from history books that Lincoln was a warm, patient, energetic, and also very tall – standing at a staggering 6’4”.  Abe Lincoln was also a bit of a jokester and a long-winded storyteller. He loved telling stories and had a plethora of them to share. It seem to drive his administration mad. Daniel Day-Lewis transformation of the 16th President, (Abraham Lincoln) was uncanny. During the course of the film I thought I was actually watching President Lincoln in the flesh. I was amazed at how Lewis moved his body during the film to emulate the iconic President. Technically a biopic film, the movie focuses on the last 4 months of Lincoln’s life. Where he aggressively tries to procure the votes needed to pass the thirteen amendment. President Lincoln understood the urgency in freeing the slaves. He also understood that the freeing of the slaves could not be left up to individual states to decide. Lincoln knew without passing the 13th amendment, slaves would never actually be free. The constitution was the only way to protect the freedom of all men born and unborn. It will always be perplexing to me on how a single race conjured up a sick viewpoint on being superior. I will NEVER understand it. They had NO proof, NO facts, NO finding of any kind to confirm or suggest that they were superior. None! Not one! Yet, they vehemently denied other human beings the right to be free based off the color of their skin. 

Tommy Lee Jones who played  Thaddeus Stevens was the break out star in this film. His sarcastic humor and easily annoyed personality was the perfect balance to the inward thinking Lincoln. Jones dialogue with the other characters was so hilarious at times, that the audience was laughing out loud during the film. Sally Field, who played Mary (Molly) Lincoln was feisty and strong. A stark contrast to her small stature. She was a force to be reckoned with and could easily go toe-to-toe with her giant of a husband.

I did leave the Theater thinking  ”what happened to the republican party”? It was the Republicans who fought tirelessly for the Thirteenth amendment to pass. The Democrats opposed it. I can’t believe the political party that was on the forefront of injustice is the same republican party today. Boy have the tables turned. As demonstrated this past Tuesday, 11/6 with the re-election of President Obama. If you were to look at an electoral map from 1864 for President Lincoln re-election and compare it to the electoral map of 2012 for President Obama re-election there are some strong similarities. Just who is the republican and democrat party and how have they changed? Another topic for another post.

This film is a beautiful history lesson told through eyes of one of the greatest Directors, Steven Spielberg. The story of a President who changed the course of history by sacrificing his own life. I do believe President Lincoln was aware of  the great cost he would pay for fighting for the freedom of others. However, I think he recognized….”what good would it do, for a man to selfishly spare his own life when he had the power to save millions of lives.” His sacrifice was not lost on this great nation. I’m so thankful that Abraham Lincoln was born and became the 16th President of the United State of America. His life was destined to change the world and change the world he most certainly did!

Thirteenth amendment to the United States Constitution

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

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