Saturday 21 June 2014

The Fault In Our Stars Review




Movie No. 61 of 2014

It's been couple of days since The Fault In Our Stars was released in the UK, but due to other commitments, I was forced to wait until today to see it. And let me say: it was worth the wait. Not just the 3 day one. I first read the book of which the film was adapted from in January 2012 and I raced through it. Now, 2 and a half years later, I have seen the movie and this chapter is closed. 
Directed by Josh Boone

The film is about two cancer patients, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters who meet at a cancer support group and become smitten with one another. The story takes them around the world to Amsterdam and sees them at their incredible highs and tragic lows.

This movie was incredibly true to the book and any fans of the John Green novel will certainly not be disappointed. The picture really brought my imagination into reality. At certain points, specifically at Augustus' house, it was everything I had ever imagined put in front of me. It was astounding. 

The acting was also incredible, especially from Shailene Woodley who played Hazel. There were moments were simply her presence moved me to tears and her performance seemed so natural and effortless. Ansel Elgort (Augustus) also did a fine job. Again, he brought some heart wrenching moments but for me, Shailene stole the show. Even the character of Isaac, played by Nat Wolff was tremendously well played and if I'm perfectly honest, he deserved a lot more screen time than he was given. 

The soundtrack which featured artists like Ed Sheeran, Birdy and Jake Bugg fitted the visuals seamlessly. I think it was great that young, fresh artists were used for a film specifically targeted at a young, teenage audience.

Obviously, with a story surrounding cancer, there will be some waterworks. BRING TISSUES! The strange thing was, I cried at all the sad parts yeah, yeah...but then the movie ended and I found myself balling my eyes out because I wasn't ready for it to finish. Got a couple of odd looks, not going to lie. It really touched me and I've come away from it wanting to live my life to the fullest, even if 'oblivion is inevitable.'


Favourite Quote (purely for the reason I finally understood it properly after not quite getting it whilst reading the book): I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. 

Thursday 30 January 2014

Frozen Review




Movie No. 5 of 2014

I am the biggest Disney fan in the world. So obviously, I waited 2 months before I went to see Frozen...But I've seen it now and that's all that matters!

Disney Frozen Poster UK
Directed by Adam Green


I wish that I liked Frozen more than I did. I think the next time I watch it, I'll enjoy it more as there won't be simpleminded, ignorant people chatting the whole way through it like those who I had the pleasant fortune to be sat near. 

It wasn't that I didn't like it, I did, I just feel like it was nothing new. It was made by the same people who made Tangled and that was very clear. Anna who is the princess of Arendelle is basically a ginger Rapunzel. They're both clumsy princesses who both fall in love with a man who has a 4 legged companion. Kristen Bell who is the voice of Anna did a fabulous job! Her voice was absolutely incredible! She was perfect to play Anna. Idina Menzel on the other hand...hmmmmmm. Idina voiced Elsa, the Queen of Arendelle and the sister of Anna. Having a 42 year old voice as the voice of what is supposed to be a girl in her late teens clearly didn't match up the visual image to the audio. The first time Elsa sung, I couldn't take it seriously because it looked so disjointed and out of place. 

However, I have to admit, Let It Go is one of my favourite songs right now and it's a lot easier to listen to without having to see the words coming out of Elsa's mouth.
The songs in Frozen are incredible! I'd go and watch it again purely for the songs. They were really something special and so catchy. 'Do You Want To Build A Snowman' has been on repeat in my head for the past 24 hours. If someone could get it out that would be smashing.

The supporting characters were superb if they were a little predictable at time *cough cough* Hans *cough cough.* I thought Christophe was a great, funny character and he and Anna made a great duo. Olaf, Olaf, Olaf. He was so adorable! Everything he said made my laugh! Bless his icy heart, he was just a snowman who wanted to see Summer...
I'll definitely watch Frozen again, but I'll wait until it comes out on On Demand.



Favourite Quote: Oh, look at that. I've been impaled.




Monday 27 January 2014

When Harry Met Sally Review

Movie No. 3 of 2014


I'd heard a lot about When Harry Met Sally but the only thing I really knew was it was a romantic comedy and Mike Wazowski was in it. I stumbled upon it through Netflix and I had nothing better to do so on it went.


Directed by Rob Reiner, 1989
This film was incredibly good! I can't get over it. Really. It's all I've thought about for the past 24 hours. At first I was wondering why on Earth these two people are in this car together but the plot summary on Wikipedia sorted that one right out for me. The story is about Harry and Sally who share a car on the way to New York to start out their careers. They immediately take a dislike to one another and go their separate ways. 5 years later the pair meet again, however only briefly as they share a flight. (They seem to be sharing a lot of transportation...) And again they go their different ways. Then ANOTHER 5 years later, what are the chances, they bump into each other again but this time, they get along. 

The characters are what made this film for me. Harry, played by Billy Crystal is so frustratingly interesting. I could listen to his character talk all day! He was hilarious. The dialogue was also brilliant. I forgot I was watching a film, it was so effortless and natural to the ears. That's all that's really needed to be said except I will obviously make a quick note to Rob Reiner's mother and her famous line, "I'll have what she's having." 
Pure genius.

The make up team really did an excellent job by making Billy look so young and then completely transforming him into a fully grown, tax paying adult. On the other hand, they must have spent so much time on Billy that they completely forget to help out Meg Ryan so they just gave her a quick trim to her hair. 

The only negative thing I have to say is that Meg Ryan's acting was too exaggerated and I found my eyes rolling countless times. You're letting the team down, Meg!

If you haven't seen When Harry Met Sally yet, what are you doing with your life? 



Favourite Quote: I'll have what she's having.

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