Sunday, February 16, 2014

Endless Love is Endlessly Entrancing

Gabriella Wilde and Alex Pettyfer are absolute perfection in this tale of undying adoration.


Endless Love tells the story of Jade Butterfield, a girl who's spent most of her teenage years hidden behind her books until she meets handsome valet David Elliot, the complete opposite of what Jade's wealthy and over protective father imagined for her.




photo credit: google images


But despite her father's disapproval, Jade allows herself to fall in love with David, which does not bode well with Mr. Butterfield. He does everything in his power to prove that David is not good enough for his only daughter.


Throughout the movie, I was angered by her father's heartless actions and found myself rooting for Jade and David's love to concur all obstacles.


This movie had it all: love, drama, lies and deception and the ending was just as great as the movie's opening. It's films like these that restore your faith in the idea of love.


For all you hopeless romantics out there, this is a can't miss film!









Sunday, February 9, 2014

A Unique Perception of Love: The Past

I have never been one for foreign movies but last night I unknowingly watched a French film, The Past, starring Bérénice Bejo, Tahar Rahim and Ali Mosaffa and to my surprise I did find some enjoyment.


The story is about a young mother, Marie, who is seeking a divorce from her husband Ahmad to venture on a new journey with her current fiancé, Samir.


During the movie we learn how Marie's relationship with Samir developed and we see the problems they share with the Marie's oldest daughter, Lucie who disapproves of her mother's lover.

photo credit: google images
Marie and Samir
The concept of this movie was well thought out and like every good film there was a lot of drama and some interesting twists. I was also happy because my lack of understanding the French language was accommodated with English subtitles.

 However, the movie was dragged out and a bit sad. I also felt it could have had a better ending. But for those who enjoy French films with a unique and dramatic plot this is the movie to see.


photo credit: google images
Marie and Ahmad

 


















Sunday, January 26, 2014

standing ovation for Ride Along

Ride Along will have you falling off your seat with laughter from beginning to end. Kevin Hart's humor, paired with Ice Cube's rough exterior make this movie an absolute must see.

Hart plays Ben, an aspiring police officer, desperate for the approval of his girlfriend's brother, who he hopes will become his brother-in-law. As an attempt to prove that he is the right man to marry James' (Ice Cube) sister Angela, he agrees to a ride along with his future cop brother-in-law.

But what starts out as harmless fun to keep Ben from marrying Angela turns into trouble for Ben and James. They are forced to set aside their differences in order to stay alive.


photo credit: google images
Hart and Ice Cube make an incredibly funny team that will have viewers entertained from start to finish. It's the non-stop friction between them that brings out the humor in the story.

Like any good action movie, there was also a surprising twist that shakes the movie up and changes the viewer's opinion of the supporting characters.

I personally would pay money to see this movie again! It was absolutely fantastic. Action movie goers should definitely make a trip to the movies asap to see this movie!

 



Saturday, January 18, 2014

two thumbs down for American Hustle

While this movie was filled with talented actors and actresses, including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Amy Adams and Christian Bale, it was not a film I would reccommend to audiences.

The story was based on a couple of con-artists (Adams and Bale) who were caught trying to scam an undercover cop. As part of a deal to keep them out of prison, they were asked to aid the cops in baiting a politician who was taking bribes. Of course, when taking on the help of cons, the line of trust is thin.

Throughout this movie, I kept wondering when it would end, as it dragged on for two and a half hours. Usually I would be able to sit through a long dragged film, if I felt some connection with the characters but the character development in this film was terrible. No one was likeable.

The only good part of this movie was the fact that Robert De Niro was in it but his part was short lived. If he had more scenes, I could have been persuaded into liking this film.

If you really have the desire to watch this movie, I would suggest waiting for it to come out on dvd because I personally did not feel it was worth the money to see in theaters.



photo credit: google images


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Zone into The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

When I first saw the trailers for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, starring Ben Stiller, I thought it seemed odd and not worth the money to see in theaters. However after some convincing on my cousin's part, I decided to give the movie a chance and was pleasantly surprised.

Stiller plays Walter Mitty, a man who often escapes reality by conjuring up scenarios in which he accomplishes what he's too afraid to try in his everyday life. The focus of his daydreams usually centers around Cheryl Melhoff, a fellow co-worker.

But Walter is forced to set aside his fantasies for the sake of his job, which entails developing negatives for Life Magazine. Throughout the movie, Walter searches Heaven and Earth to find a missing photograph and the photographer who shot it. The success of this task could make or break Walter's career.

Like any good film, this movie had action, comedy, romance and confilict, mostly initiated by Walter's boss Ted Hendricks, played by Adam Scott, an actor that is no stranger to playing the unlikeable.

 I enjoyed the scenes between Scott and Stiller because when Stiller's character zoned out he would stand up and actually fight his boss. I found myself constantly rooting for Walter and throughout the movie kept hoping the fight would become reality.

I must say, I have never been much of a Ben Stiller fan because I found his movies (with the exception of the Meet the Parents films) to be farfetched. But this movie changed my perception of Stiller's acting.

For those who enjoy a good action packed movie, this one is the film to see.



photo credit: google images

Monday, December 30, 2013

Two Thumbs Up for Tyler Perry

Tyler Perry has outdone himself with his latest Madea movie: Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas starring Anna Maria Horsford, Tika Sumpter, Eric Lively and Tyler Perry.

photo credit: google images


The plot was based on a young middle school teacher, Madea's niece, Lacey, (Sumpter) who sought the help of an ex-boyfriend and savvy businessman in an attempt to keep the school's Christmas jubilee from being cancelled. But the extended help came with expectations that caused tension among several of the students' parents.

 Like most of Perry's movies, the viewers are exposed to multiple storylines, which involve, a meddling mother (Horsford,) a sketchy business contract, initiated by Lacey's ex and an angry parent, played by Chad Michael Murray, whose temper adds more drama to the mix.

As usual Tyler Perry delivered an excellent combination of comedy and drama. However, unlike most of his other movies, the drama portion of this film was not as extreme but instead more relatable to the average person.

The best scenes of this movie, of course involved Madea and her wicked temper and offbeat sense of humor but I must say every character was likeable and fun to watch. Even the most unlikeable characters in the film had a story that made viewers sympathize and relate to them. The chemistry exhibited by the cast members was absolutely fantastic.

Anyone who enjoys a good Christmas comedy, with a bit of drama and tons of Madea fun, must watch this movie!


                                                    
                                                     photo credit: google images


photo credt: google images


 

Monday, December 9, 2013

Mixed Feelings: Homefront

While this movie was filled with talented and well known actors, the plot discouraged my perception of them.

Jason Statham plays Phil Broker, a former undercover agent whose past assignment gained him an enemy with a meth dealer. Prior to being arrested, the dealer proclaimed vengeance on Broker.

Two years after the drug bust, Broker moved himself and his little girl to a new town, where he made new enemies with connections to the drug dealer he busted. This turned into a full on war.

Throughout the movie, I was torn between excitement and hate. Though I have always enjoyed a good action packed movie, I found this film to be a bit dark for my taste. I was most affected by the scenes that involved the child; I could not bare to watch grown men and women go after an innocent young girl.

For those who enjoy movies with non-stop action and suspense, this is the perfect film to watch. But if you dislike graphic and disturbing visuals, this may not be the film for you.

photo credit: google images