Mirror Mirror And Cut Before It Ends

With the ensuing boredom that comes with having nothing to do; I've taken it upon myself to watch Netflix. That's right, I have appointed myself the task of watching movies when I cannot be bothered with doing other things. It started when I was waiting for the paint on my nails to dry. Now I am stuck! I started with those classics that people judge me for not having watched. I then progressed to holiday classics that I do not happen to own on DVD. Whilst perusing for another flick to continue my duty with, I found a selection of newly added recent releases. Among those releases was "Mirror Mirror."
I must now say that I was more pleased with it than I had expected to be. The only thing I'd heard about it after its initial previews, was that it was a good role for Julia Roberts. That didn't lend itself to much though. However, as far as that goes. I agree that she was excellent in it. As far as the rest of the cast goes; the dwarves were very good. But I'm not convinced everyone was right. I'm not saying that any of them were wrong, I just think that Julia Roberts casting was Oh So Good! that the rust were just short of par.
Visually, I truly liked it. I think the sets and costumes were brilliant and spoke volumes about the lifestyles of the characters. It may have been a little extreme, but this wasn't a hum-drum-drama, so I believe that the extremities were justifiable and only helped the story along. Which may have needed doing. The effects were almost seamless too. So much so that I almost forgot that they were effects and thus; almost forgot to say anything about them.
After the initial waxed people story telling (Which was fun, new and lovely in my view) the story felt a little forced. Though that may be because I know the story of Snow White and this was a retelling of it. Then again, forced is too harsh of a term, and therefore inaccurate. It may have been predictable and uninspiring. On second thought; I just didn't care for the end. I enjoyed the rest of the film as I watched it... I should probably clarify, when I say the end; The song and dance alongside the credits left a bad taste in my mouth and has me not wanting to talk about the rest of the film in a good light.
My actual review and recommendation of this film is this: Yes, it is good, and Julia Roberts was great in it. Do NOT expect much at the end when the credits start. Actually, after the dwarves thing, just stop watching all together.

Mud Slinging Web

I'm not sure if anyone else does this; and based on what people say... I don't think they do. Going into a movie, especially one that I know I want to see, with NO expectations. Well, Little to No expectations, really. I do this for a variety of reasons. One; Everyone has their own, big, bad, I'm smarter than you, opinions, which I try not to listen to. Two; I don't want to be biased or expecting to see something that's not going to happen. Too often than not, people will throw down their big words, trying to sound smart and cool and what-not. While they do this, they completely misrepresent whatever it is that they are talking about, whether it be they talk it up too much, or down too much... the point is; there's too much talking. That being said, I'm going to throw my own 2 cents out there. However, I'm going to also shimmy in the disclaimer that whatever I say is my own opinion and you are welcome to agree, disagree or determine that I like to exaggerate. On that note; you can also decide that I'm uber sarcastic and I actually mean the opposite of whatever comes out of my mouth. That choice is yours.... Now down to business.
I am a spider-man quasi-fangirl. I'm sure you're all; "What do you mean by quasi-fangirl?! That's Preposterous!" I mean that Spider-man has been my favorite for a long long long long time. I like spider-man. I received a box of spider-man cheese nips and matching beach towel for my 21st birthday; I have mountains of "memorabilia" and doo-dads. I wear my spider-man t-shirts on the regular. I do not KNOW all the lore of Spider-man, I know a lot. But I do not pretend to compare myself to the uber-nerd who's watched every single episode, and read every piece of paraphernalia, of everything related to spider-man. THAT being said. I truly enjoyed the newest film out on the subject: The Amazing Spider-Man.
I thought the casting was brilliant. Martin Sheen and Sally Field made a great pair in Uncle Ben and Aunt May. I didn't actually know they were both in it (that goes back to the whole going into things without expectations). The casting of Andrew Garfield was a little surprising when I heard about it so many months ago. He surprised me in the role. Not too squirly or wimpy or whiny, as some previous spider-man actors have been. He was a bit cooler, his head on a bit straighter, a little more; yeah I'm a nerd, but I'm not going to transfix my identity based on that... (look I'm over talking!). I feel the story was well written and delivered well. There was a level of drama to it that, by ALL means, Should be in any spider-man story. I enjoy that they've decided to explore the whole; "where are Peter's parents?" thing. I appreciate the new avenue the story is taking. Much like the choice to go with Peter's less known romantic interest in Gwen Stacy. My least favorite part about Spider-man is Mary Jane. She's ok. Not too exciting, not too awesome, not too great of a personality, and before I go into a rant about casting for her, I'll move on. Or at least I would move on if my mind weren't racing a billion miles per hour. Maybe I'll re-write this later, in the meantime; Go see The Amazing Spider-Man. I recommend it. Thank you Stan Lee and Marvel for my favorite Superhero!

Parts to be left wanting.

There comes a time when you watch a film; and it looks good. Yet it leaves you thinking: "What?" It's not that you don't understand what happened. It's more you don't understand why. You feel misled in some ways. Hoping that something even minutely on the side of epic would happen. There was even music that built the suspense so high, that if Hollywood had done it; you know there would be some climactic scene about to follow... Yet; nothing.
Valhalla Rising was not a bad film. Rather, it was very thought provoking. There are not a whole lot of lines in the movie, and it's based on a book. The film itself was broken up into "Parts" which I can only assume is done so like the book. It had all the feel of independent film, with long stretches where no one spoke to boot. It was placed in the genre of Action and Adventure, there are very few scenes in it that lend itself to that, unlike what the preview showed. I did like watching it. I enjoyed my time spent with it. I do not wish to have that hour and a half of my life back... But I'm at a loss for words on how to describe it. Parts of it were very graphic, and even other parts went unexplained. I'm not saying it was great. I am also not saying it was bad. Check it out and see how you feel about it. It's the type of movie that needs to be discussed.

Valhalla Rising

(P.S.: Based on the Novel by Clive Cussler)

A Gem in a Pile of Rubbish

Some films are highly overrated. There is so much build up and hype surrounding their box office debut that; I'm not so sure it's actually the film that has done well, or the advertisers. There is a lack of originality and art to the films that do best on most occasions. Granted; this is not true for all films, but it is for many.
Other films don't even get to see the light of day, as far as advertisement goes. Some of this days greatest works are completely neglected due to not meeting the requirements of box office stamina. Some movies go unnoted simply because they lack the funding or origin that Hollywood prefers. And then; some are just lost in the shuffle of time.
Tonight I have seen a good film. One of those films that you watch and are (even before the end is near) immediately added to your favorites cue. I found this film to be unpredictable, (I did try to predict it on numerous occasions) Enticing, Entrancing, and just plain good. The acting was done well; as far as I'm concerned it seemed believable as the time it was set in. The language was also pleasing. All around; Arn: The Knight Templar was a good film.
While perusing for a film to watch, we happened upon a good looking cover and settled on trying it out. We were pleased with this choice almost as soon as it started to play. It drew me in and made me feel for the characters. There was very little I didn't understand, even with all the language changes, and before I even knew it was the end; I found myself wondering why I'd never heard of it before. Why was such a gem never mentioned to me amongst talks of films like Braveheart? I can only suppose that no one else has seen it either.
Now I truly and honestly don't want to talk it up too much. I don't want it to be a disappointment to anyone if they do happen to see it. However, I was genuinely pleased that I did like it so much. I'm sure I've not seen a film of this caliber for quite some time, especially in it's own genre.
So; instead of going on and on about it; I will merely recommend. One of my new favorite films. Please watch Arn: The Knight Templar.

Check it out!

(p.s.: This film was based on the trilogy by Jan Guillou)