Discussing Film, Music, TV, Books, Video Games and More
Something Borrowed is an abomination of a film that might look ok and feature competent acting; it’s just that they are trapped in a horrendous story filled with unlikable characters and completely unbelievable plot developments.
The plot follows Rachel whose best friend Darcy is getting married to Rachel’s old crush Dex. Rachel and Dex were study buddies back in law school and Darcy swooped in and started dating him after giving Rachel gave her the green light. Guess what happens next?
Usually the argument for a film based on a novel is that the book is a much better representation of the story and characters. That may be the case for The Killer Inside Me (based on the 1952 novel by Jim Thompson), but for once in my life I have no inclination to read it. This is not to say anything negative about the film itself, I just don’t think I could handle going deeper into the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind.
On the surface Lou Ford seems to be a trustworthy member of the small town in Texas he resides in. Then again, the same thing could be said for most people who come with a badge. But unlike most (hopefully), Deputy Sheriff Ford has a dark side to him far more comparable to those he should be locking up, and the seeming inability to keep this side of him under control. [Read more...]
Hey guys! Lauren here with the news that I am going to be changing things up a bit on my end. The majority of the time I try to write a review for any movie that I am watching for the first time, but as I have been going on that has been getting a little taxing. I love movies, so the reviews keep piling up, and then there are so many that I can’t watch any new things for fear that I will forget what I had to say about one of the previous.
So here is the plan: From now on I will continue writing about the stuff that is most relevant. “What does that mean?” the voice in my head asks. “Well I will tell you voice” I respond. From now on I am going to write the usual length reviews for the films that are still in theatres, the films that have recently come out on DVD/bluray (within the last month). “But Lauren! I still want to know what you think about every other movie you watch for the first time!” Well, fear not voice, I will still be writing a little blurb for those, and they will be compiled into one post at the end of the week. Like this post here (“It’s the middle of the week!” “Shut up, voice!”). Oh! And I will still be continuing my posts for comics, books (yes, someday I will start doing those), video games, etc. I figured since I spend so much more time getting through one of the latter as opposed to sitting through a 2 hour film, they might just deserve a little more of a break down. But we will see when the time comes.
Here goes nothing! [Read more...]
Nine is Rob Marshall’s return to musicals and the result is a bit unexpected but full of quality performances and entertaining musical numbers that entertain nearly from start to finish.
The film picks up ten days prior to the start date of Guido Contini’s latest and ninth film and the stars, the costumes, the sets are all booked or well under way. The only problem is that Contini has no idea, no story, and no script, just a title; Italia. It also doesn’t help that Contini has had a series of flops and is about ready to launch into a full on mid-life crisis. Juggling the many women in his life, his dead mother, muse of a star, mistress, sultry reporter, his past, his costume designer, and his wife, he searches for inspiration as we plow toward the start of production and he tries to bring this picture together.
Daniel Day Lewis stars as Contini and is marvelous in the role. Funny, frantic, fast talking and just the right amount of sleaze come out of him as he dodges questions and women searching for inspiration. Contini is in every scene of the film and his journey would make for an interesting film even without the musical numbers added in. Day Lewis does a fine job, as expected with the singing and dancing of the role and is entirely convincing as an Italian. The mid life crisis story has been done time and time again, but this one definitely holds up told through the eyes of Contini and is full of entertainment as he imagines his world through musical numbers full of sexiness and flash. [Read more...]
Youth in Revolt might look like another run of the mill Michael Cera movie, but in actuality it is one of his best acted and broadest range shown yet in a … (more...)
Kon-Tiki is a pretty straight forward biopic in its construction, but it tells an incredible story that allows some gorgeous imagery. … (more)
J.J. Abrams is back for another trek into Star Trek and fans of his first entry will have little to complain about with Into Darkness. … (more)
Baz Luhrmann brings The Great Gatsby to the big screen with a style and visual wonder that is irresistible, even when the story doesn't connect as … (more)
Upstream Color is now available to everyone, so I thought it's about time to break it down to the best of my abilities to help fuel the conversation. … (more)
Iron Man 3 isn't really an Iron Man movie for much of its run time, but that doesn't stop it from being an entertaining and hilarious ride from nearly … (more)
Love them or hate them, Vampire Weekend’s latest album Modern Vampires of the City is a must listen of 2013. … (more)
Allison Weiss latest effort Say What You Mean brings a punky charm to a rather plastic singer/songwriter scene. … (more)
Iron and Wine continues his road down the glossy, highly produced road with Ghost on Ghost. This time around, however, he knocks this album out of … (more)
Kid Cudi third rap album Indicud reminds us just how unique and fun the former G.O.O.D. Music artist is, as he rides in and out of the most unique … (more)
Fall Out Boy comes out of hiding to release Save Rock and Roll, their highly anticipated fifth full length that doesn’t fall flat when it comes to … (more)
Daenerys army continues to grow, Samwell Tarly displays his brave side, Ser Davos becomes literate and Sansa's last name is Lannister in this … (more)
As I wipe the tears from my eyes, I think it is safe to say that Arrow knows how to end a season. … (more)
Right before our eyes, Jaime Lannister has gone from being one of the most hated, to one of the most respectable characters in the Game of Thrones … (more)
The new HBO show from Christopher Guest and his gang gets off to a great start that shows a lot of promise for the future. … (more)
Apparently, modern day witch hunts do exist. In case you haven’t heard the story of the West Memphis Three, now is your chance to read all about … (more)
Ross Matthews is right about one thing – any self-confidence he feels about his writing skills is without a doubt delusional. He’d have to be … (more)
Yes, this might possibly be (i.e., definitely is) yet another World War II book review that you by now have probably come to expect from me; but … (more)
I am really struggling to come up with an introduction that does this book justice, because to me, Me Before You was perfection. … (more)
Ken Levine deserves some kind of medal. First, he introduced us to the world of Rapture, where we would kindly roam the halls of a forgotten city … (more)
Plagued by delays and shortcomings, 2012 was an up-and-down year for video games. We saw triumphant returns to form, fantastic new IP's, and some … (more)
For future reference: when skydiving, be sure that your projected landing zone doesn’t happen to be an island full of evil pirates that are more … (more)