Hitchcock

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This film is based off the novel Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho written by Stephen Rebello. This film is a biographical drama about the film producer/director Alfred Hitchcock. In 1959, Hitchcock stumbles upon his most controversial, and greatest, film-Psycho. However, creating this film he is forced to face himself.

This film was directed by Sacha Gervasi. I was disappointed to not be able to see this film in theaters. This film is a great biographical film. The story creates a humorous and dark portrait of the silhouetted man. This films plays with cinematography to add to the various emotions Hitchcock is facing. There are also several nods to Hitchcock's other films and works. It also presents a different image to the filmmaking process. This film also creates varied portrayals of the women involved in Hitchcock's life. This film has several great sequences that go from humour, to horror, and to poetic joy. This film only has one song-the Psycho theme. This worked greatly for the film. 

The cast worked wonderfully together. Anthony Hopkins played the role of Alfred Hitchcock. He was great in his role. He was unrecognizable in this role-except for his infamous piercing stare. Helen Mirren played the role of Alma Reville. She was great in her role. She was able to stand opposite Hopkins with talent and poise. Jessica Biel played the role of Vera Miles. She was great in her role. She pulled off the softer image of the Hollywood actress. Scarlett Johansson played the role of Janet Leigh. She was great in her role. Toni Collette played the role of Peggy Robertson. She was also great in her role. Michael Wincott played the role of Ed Gein. He was great in his role. He created a new image for the murderer. 

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great biographical film. It creates a unique portrait of the infamous Alfred Hitchcock.

Answer to last blog: The Ring created the nightmare that inspired the film Sinister.

Que: What was Alfred Hitchcock's last film?

Family Plot

The Birds

Vertigo

North by Northwest

Sinister

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Ellison Oswalt is a true crime novelist looking for his next big novel seller. He begins researching a new case about a murdered family by moving into their old house. He discovers a box of 8MM films that contain various family murders. Oswalt, unable to stop, begins to realize that there is something more sinister behind these murders.

This film was directed by Scott Derrickson. This film is genuinely scary. The story combines familiar forms of horror, and adds several new twists into the story. The story contains several unexpected moments of squirm in your seat, and jump in your seat. The story also does a great job in revealing the necessary details until it is needed. The opening sequences is unexpectedly volatile, because it feels like an invasion of some dark family secret. It continues to keep that feeling that your invading someone's darkest secrets, but you are unable to look away. It is unique to combine both handheld camera visuals with haunted house visuals. The lack of music is great until the end is great. It keeps the film audience in suspense. It is surprising that this film does not have a ton of gore. The only real gore is in the end with a lot of blood. However, this film does hint at it. The villain was also great in this film. He was different from other films, but also familiar to the genre. Not bad for a film based off a nightmare.

T he cast worked great together. Ethan Hawke played the role of Ellison Oswalt. He was great in his role. You could feel him slipping into an obsession. James Ransone played the role of the Deputy. He was great in his role. Juliet Rylance played the role of Tracy. She was good in her small role. She played the familiar role of a wife/mother. Clare Foley played the role of Ashley. She was great in her role. She gave the film an unexpected creepiness. Michael Hall D'Addario played the role of Trevor. He was good in his role. He added to the films sense of horror.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is a great horror film made to terrify its audiences.

Answer to last blog: Actress Rachel Weisz, Oz the Great and Powerful, also stared in the film The Fountain.

Que: What ghost horror film inspired this film?

The Grudge
The Ring
Gothika
House on Haunted Hill

Oz the Great and Powerful

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This film is based off L. Frank Baum's characters from the Oz novels. It is also a prequel to the 1939 MGM Film The Wizard of Oz, and the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Oscar Diggs, Oz, works as a carnival magician. He escapes into a tornado that transports him into the land of Oz. He meets three witches, Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda. Oz is soon faced with a choice of destroying the wicked witch and saving the land of Oz, or finding a way back home.

This film was directed by Sam Raimi. This film isn't based directly off a novel. Instead it acts as a prequel to the novels, and establishes the characters in a different light. It also offers an explanation as to how the characters become who they became. The story becomes predictable, but it is full of childlike charm. The unfortunate part is that any mystery is discovered by knowing the character names. It can be hard to enjoy the movie since the characters aren't entirely likable. Unfortunately  this does keep true to the characters. There are also several cheesy over the top moments. It can be frightening to some children with moments that could make you jump, but it is family friendly. There are several adorable characters, and there is plenty of references to the original Wizard of Oz. It was unique to watch the screen go from standard to widescreen. It was also interesting to watch it begin in black and white and transfer to color like the 1939 film. There is a ton of computer animation in this film. It could have done well with less, but it does offer plenty of visual eye candy to audiences.

The cast worked well together. James Franco played the role of Oscar Diggs/Oz. He was good in his role. He did go over the top at moments, but he fit the character. Mila Kunis played the role of Theodora. She was over the top-especially when she turned into the Wicked witch. She tried too hard to imitate Margaret Hamilton-even in cackle. Rachel Weisz played the role of Evanora. She was good in her role, but she was obvious about her deception. Michelle Williams played the role of Glinda/Annie. She was good in her role. She kept true the over the top goodly character. Zach Braff voiced the character Frank. He was great in his role. He gave the film an unexpected humour. Joey King played and voiced the roles of China Girl/Girl in Wheelchair. She was great in her roles. She did appear slightly creepy as the girl in the wheelchair, but that was because of being over done with make-up. As the China Girl she was adorable.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! The characters might be unlikable, and it may be over the top, but it works. It is an entertaining film to watch.

Answer to last blog: Actor Nicholas Hoult, Jack the Giant Slayer, played the role of Hank McCoy/Beast in the film X-Men: First Class.

Que: What other film did actress Rachel Weisz also star in?

Casino Royale
Babel
The Fountain
Inside Man

Jack the Giant Slayer

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This film is based off the fairytales "Jack the Giant Killer" and "Jack and the beanstalk". An ancient war between giants and humans has faded into legend. Years later, Jack (a farm boy) is caught within the mystical story when a monk hands him some mysterious beans. Isabelle (a princess) arrives at his home one fateful night. The two are thrown into an adventure as a giant beanstalk grows through Jack's home and lifts it to a land between heaven and earth; a land inhabited by giants with a taste for human blood.

"Fe, Fi, Fo, Fum." This film was directed by Bryan Singer. This film is following the trend of classic fairytale stories becoming modernized for newer audiences. This film is much lighter than recent adaptations. The story is very adventures and predictable. The characters lead the familiar story of a hero rescuing a princess and a kingdom from monsters. However, this story is fun and entertaining to watch. Some children may get frightened, but its suitable for children-no real gore. There is, however, some violence. The computer animation was well done for the backdrop of the giant's floating island. The floating island was great to watch, because it felt ancient and mythical. The computer animation for the giants was slightly unusual to watch. It did keep an animated feature to them.

The cast worked good together, but they spent too much time acting for children that it appeared lackluster. Nicholas Hoult played the role of Jack. He was great in his role. He created a likable character who relies on luck and intelligence instead of strength. He is really beginning to open up as a leading actor. This film introduces him into a new genre. Eleanor Tomlinson played the role of Isabelle. She was good in her role. She played the popular generic role, and did not bring anything new to the role. Ewan McGregor played the role of Elmont. He was good in his role of a generic hero. There was enough in this role to make acceptable. Stanley Tucci played the role of Roderick. He was good in his role. He was a very cheesy villain with no explanation as to why. Ian McShane played the role of King Brahmwell. He was good in his role. He brought a sense of childlike nobility to the film.

I give this film 3 out of 5 stars! This film is predictable and cheesy, but it is a good family adventure film.

Answer to last blog: Actress Eliza "Hope" Bennett, Inkheart, also starred in the film The Prince and Me.

Que: Director Bryan Singer wrote and produced X-Men: First Class that starred actor Nicholas Hoult. What character did Nicholas Hoult play?

Janos Quested/Riptide
Alex Summers/Havok
Armando Munoz/Darwin
Hank McCoy/Beast

Inkheart

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This is based off the novel, of the same name, written by Cornelia (Caroline) Funke. Meggie, discovers that her father has a gift to bring storybook characters to life by reading it aloud (also known as Silvertongue). Meggie quickly discovers that her mother, Resa, was pulled into a story as the stories villains (Capricorn and Basta) and the stories main protagonist (Dustfinger) were brought into their world. Meggie must help her father to restore order. 

This film was directed by Iain Softley. I cannot tell how truthful this film is to the novels. This film is unique with its story. However, since this is the start of the series, it is held back by its need to explain everything and convey the appropriate story. The story is very heartfelt and light spirited-even if it is predictable. There are a lot of character and story cliches typical for films of this genre. It is a great fantasy adventure that'll get some children to read more. The computer animation was well done and kept moderately limited. It was great seeing the character Farid (a new variation of Aladdin) along with a few other familiars in this film. The backdrop was well done using old style Europe, and Capricorn's castle, really worked for the film. 

The cast worked great together. Even though this film is a children's story, it focus' more on the father than the daughter. Brendan Fraser played the role of Mo (Meggie's father). He was great in his role. He created a heartfelt character driven to save his family. Eliza "Hope" Bennett played the role of Meggie. She was great in her general role. More could've done with her character to make her stand out better. Paul Bettany played the role of Dustfinger. He was great in his role. He created an amazing fictional character. Helen Mirren played the role of Elinor. She was great in her small role. Andy Serkis played the role of Capricorn. He was great as the villain. Jim Broadbent played the role of Fenoglio. He was great in his small role. He created the image of an author. Sienna Guillory played the role of Resa (Meggie's mother). She was also great in her small role. 

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! It is a great family film that get some children reading. It is full of character and story cliches though.

Answer to last blog: Actor Jeremy Irons, Beautiful Creatures, also starred in the novel/film adaptation of Eargon.

Que: What film did actress Eliza "Hope" Bennett also star in?

Mean Girls
The Incredibles
The Prince and Me
The Butterfly Effect

Beautiful Creatures (2013)

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This film is based off a novel, written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, with the same title in the Caster Chronicles. Ethan meets the girl from his dreams, Lena. He soon learns that Lena is a caster (witch) that is about to face her upcoming fate of becoming a dark, or light, caster. 

This film was directed by Richard LaGravenese. I can not tell how truthful this film is to the novel. Unfortunately, this film falls after the Twilight craze has ended. This causes the film to be doomed to be compared to the Twilight franchise. However, this film does involve a young paranormal romance, but youth does not play deeply into the story. This film feels like it could apply to most audiences. The story is dark, emotional, and heartfelt. Its taking place in a southern religious small town is common, but is fitting for the story.  The use of visual affects were well done. The magic had a feeling of power, but believable power. The costumes were very well done. They really presented each characters different dark personalities. There are some moments when the film can be unnerving, but it is not a horror film. 

The cast worked great together. Even though many of the characters were typical for this genre. Aiden Ehrenreich played the role of Ethan Wate. He was great in his role. He created a smart mouthed romantic. It can be tiring after a while, but the film shifts gears before it does. Alice Englert played the role of Lena Duchannes. She was great in her role. She create the usual super powered outcast. Jeremy Irons played the role of Macon Ravenwood. He was great in his role. He created someone who appeared protective and frightening. Emmy Rossum played the role of Ridley Duchannes. She was great in her role. She created a hell of a 'siren'. Emma Thompson played the role of Mrs. Lincoln/Sarafine Duchannes. She was great in her dual roles. She created an usual unnerving character.

I give this film 5 out of 5 stars! It is the newest in paranormal romance, but it does stand out. The films story and familiar characters carry it into the new year.

Answer to last blog: Writer/director/voice actor Seth MacFarlane, Ted, also lent his voice to the character Johann in Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

Que: What other novel adaptation did actor Jeremy Irons star in?

Twilight

Percy Jackson

Eargon

Harry Potter

Ted (2012)

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John Bennett was a lonely child who made a Christmas wish for a best friend. His wish came true bringing to life his teddy bear-Ted. Years later, Ted and John remain best friends for better or worse. Their friendship is tested with John's love for Lori Collins.

This film was written and directed by Seth MacFarlane. This film in many ways feels like a continuation to Family Guy. It recycles much of the same jokes from the animated series, and brings them into a new light. The story is very heartfelt, but the script contains a ton of adult humor. It makes fun of commonplace people and everyday life. Even if the humor feels recycled it is still fun to watch. There are a few over the top moments where the joke gets lost, or bundled by overuse. I was slightly surprised by ending, but it wasn't wholly unique for these types of films. The story kept a serious tone but kept it light with comedy. There was a sub-plot that accomplished a lot for the ending, but it felt out of place. The film also brings back several old time nerd features that might have been forgotten. The computer animation for Ted was well done. There were a few moments when it was kind of obvious, but it did not hinder the film. Often times, its awkwardness added to the humor. Using Boston as the backdrop was great. It gave the film its comedic-serious tone. 

The cast worked great together. Mark Wahlberg played the role of John Bennett. He was great in his role. He created a Boston nerd with a child complex very well. Seth MacFlarlane voiced the character Ted. Apart from reminding me of Peter Griffin he was great. He created a likably flawed character. Mila Kunis played the role of Lori Collins. She was good in her role. She was there as the girlfriend, but she felt to limited to this role. Joel McHale played the role of Rex. He was good in his small role.

I give this film 4 out of 5 stars! The humor is there, and the story is there. However, this film feels like a recycle of Family Guy. 

Answer to last blog: Director Darren Lynn Bousman, Repo! The Genetic Opera, did not direct Saw. 

Que: What character in Hellboy II: The Golden Army did director/writer/voice actor Seth MacFarlane lend his voice to?

Hellboy

Prince Nuada

Abe Sapien

Johann