2012 reviews: books + movies
Jan. 22nd, 2012 03:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
felicitykingNOTE: This list will exclude live TV series viewings and news shows. Just stuff that applies to my scrapbook (books and movies). Leave a comment if you want to more specifics thoughts on anything. Order: newest to oldest.
Desperado. I should have despised this movie, given how it treats violence in a throwaway, almost graphic novel manner. But I didn't. Antonio Banderas is searching for Boucho, who has wronged him in a past life. Despite the bloodshed, which was cringeworthy, somehow the tone remains...comic. Not lighthearted, but certainly the humour is there. Quentin Tarantino has a rather memorable cameo. Also, Banderas oozes a certain charisma and charm. It's' got a few twists and turns, and it's slightly ridiculous, but it's good despite the violence.
Rabbit-Proof Fence. Although this is an awe-inspiring film, it never lets us forget how many families were torn apart due to the racism of the Aussie govt towards Aborigines. The film is based on the true story of 3 siblings who walked over 800 miles to their home in Jigalong after being taken from their family. Although this concerned Aussie history, the US govt has a similar practice towards American Indian tribes (as did the British to the people of colour under the empire/commonwealth) so the film remains a pertinent history lesson no matter what culture you come from. It addresses a bit of colonism that always get left out of the textbooks.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. JKR might be pleased with how Steve Kloves adapted her work, but I'm not. He devalued "The Golden Trio + Neville": Instead, it's "The Golden Trio + Draco," with Neville eliminated from prominent scenes that he was in in the book. There are no little character touches scenes that are dotted throuhout included either. It's all introduction, plot, and exposition: wash, rinse, repeat (& the weirdest bits that help the film make sense are missing. Like WHY they are serving detention in the manner they are). And time seem to have passed Chris Columbus by. For a film released concurrent to LOTR (and both franchises rely heavily on CGI, big sets, and locations), it has the feel of a mid-1990s film in both framing and technique. And John Williams! Not everything needed to be scored with an "OMG! Harry's first time! Isn't this magical and epic!?!" (The book is very fresh in my head. I just finished it earlier today.) But at least Harry actually had to work for that snitch in the first quidditch mate (an vast improvement over the book).
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowing. While JKR is overly fond of the word "said" (uses it for everything: after questions, exclaimations, musings, etc), the reasons why I fell in love with series way back in 1999/2000ish is because of her vivid, wonderful descriptions. She really does invent a whole different world! And makes you believe it does exist. What I like best about this book can be summed up by Hermione Granger: "Books! And Cleverness! There are more important things --friendship and bravery.." Also, I LOL at how JKR basically gave us a preview of the coming books via Harry summarizing the centaur predictions: "[The planets] must show that Voldemort's coming back...Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill me...I suppose that's written in the stars as well."
Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Surprisingly thoughtful for a popcorn blockbuster. The CGI was good but the CGI climbing did distract me at times. Also, Tom Felton was WAY over-the-top as a villian. But the story itself was subtle (or, at least not "use a hammer to make the point") in being a cautionary tale about geno engineering. I also enjoyed the relationship between Cesar and Will. Overall, an effective backstory/prequel to both the PotA original + sequels, and remake. Oh, and make sure to watch the first few minutes of the end credits! .... OK. Not going to lie. You need to see this!
13Hrs. OMG! This was awesome! For a low-budget horror film shot in less than a month, the special effects and set are quite amazing. Sarah Tyler, who has been living in the US, comes home to England to reunite with family and friends. Bliss is gone by the night, however, as a creature is in the house stalking them. This is the type of horror film I like: moody, atmospheric, creepy with just enough blood and guts to keep you intrigued but not a torture porn film. (The soundtrack is flawless and really adds to the film.) Also, there's a sequel coming out this year which I definitely will see! Oh, and Tom Felton is in it! Very un-Draco-like. (No, he's not the creature!)
Merlin 1.02
Merlin 1.01
December Boys. I realllllllly wanted to not just like, but love, this film. The Australian scenery, the soundtrack, and the story are all wonderful. Even though the characterization is thin, the actors manage to make the characters interesting and 'meaty.' The film did get to me emotionally with its bittersweetness and sadness of the boys' lives but it's moves at a glacially slow pace. It's a coming of age story about 4 orphans who visit the cove and have the chance be adopted. Daniel Radcliffe didn't remind me of Harry Potter. But he didn't have much to do but be be the older, protective brother type.
The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens. One of his Xmas books only for the time period that period rather than being about the holiday (his other Xmas books take place around the holidays). It's about self-sacfrice and love. However, it is rather melodramatic and grandiose. On the other hand, it's refreshing to read a love triangle that doesn't end in a cat fight. The characterization is too thin, but the descriptions are amazing! (My faves: the battle of death turning to an orchard of life over the centuries, and the fire causing the shadows to dance).
Cherrybomb. From a technical standpoint, the movie was excellent: the acting, the editing and the soundtrack all complimented each other and nothing stuck out as bad. But try though I might, I couldn't get into this. Angsty films that angsty for the sake of being angsty don't appeal. But I will say, it was nice seeing "Sophy Hutton" play a bad girl and Rupert Grint play a character nothing like Ron Weasley. But he does steal a car!
Wild Target: A zany, offbeat British caper comedy that is LOL! and feel good for a story about bad characters (an assassin, a thief, and a loose cannon). Additional reasons to watch: the film fashion and scruffy, naked Rupert who plays an adorkable idiot.
Desperado. I should have despised this movie, given how it treats violence in a throwaway, almost graphic novel manner. But I didn't. Antonio Banderas is searching for Boucho, who has wronged him in a past life. Despite the bloodshed, which was cringeworthy, somehow the tone remains...comic. Not lighthearted, but certainly the humour is there. Quentin Tarantino has a rather memorable cameo. Also, Banderas oozes a certain charisma and charm. It's' got a few twists and turns, and it's slightly ridiculous, but it's good despite the violence.
Rabbit-Proof Fence. Although this is an awe-inspiring film, it never lets us forget how many families were torn apart due to the racism of the Aussie govt towards Aborigines. The film is based on the true story of 3 siblings who walked over 800 miles to their home in Jigalong after being taken from their family. Although this concerned Aussie history, the US govt has a similar practice towards American Indian tribes (as did the British to the people of colour under the empire/commonwealth) so the film remains a pertinent history lesson no matter what culture you come from. It addresses a bit of colonism that always get left out of the textbooks.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. JKR might be pleased with how Steve Kloves adapted her work, but I'm not. He devalued "The Golden Trio + Neville": Instead, it's "The Golden Trio + Draco," with Neville eliminated from prominent scenes that he was in in the book. There are no little character touches scenes that are dotted throuhout included either. It's all introduction, plot, and exposition: wash, rinse, repeat (& the weirdest bits that help the film make sense are missing. Like WHY they are serving detention in the manner they are). And time seem to have passed Chris Columbus by. For a film released concurrent to LOTR (and both franchises rely heavily on CGI, big sets, and locations), it has the feel of a mid-1990s film in both framing and technique. And John Williams! Not everything needed to be scored with an "OMG! Harry's first time! Isn't this magical and epic!?!" (The book is very fresh in my head. I just finished it earlier today.) But at least Harry actually had to work for that snitch in the first quidditch mate (an vast improvement over the book).
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowing. While JKR is overly fond of the word "said" (uses it for everything: after questions, exclaimations, musings, etc), the reasons why I fell in love with series way back in 1999/2000ish is because of her vivid, wonderful descriptions. She really does invent a whole different world! And makes you believe it does exist. What I like best about this book can be summed up by Hermione Granger: "Books! And Cleverness! There are more important things --friendship and bravery.." Also, I LOL at how JKR basically gave us a preview of the coming books via Harry summarizing the centaur predictions: "[The planets] must show that Voldemort's coming back...Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill me...I suppose that's written in the stars as well."
Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Surprisingly thoughtful for a popcorn blockbuster. The CGI was good but the CGI climbing did distract me at times. Also, Tom Felton was WAY over-the-top as a villian. But the story itself was subtle (or, at least not "use a hammer to make the point") in being a cautionary tale about geno engineering. I also enjoyed the relationship between Cesar and Will. Overall, an effective backstory/prequel to both the PotA original + sequels, and remake. Oh, and make sure to watch the first few minutes of the end credits! .... OK. Not going to lie. You need to see this!
13Hrs. OMG! This was awesome! For a low-budget horror film shot in less than a month, the special effects and set are quite amazing. Sarah Tyler, who has been living in the US, comes home to England to reunite with family and friends. Bliss is gone by the night, however, as a creature is in the house stalking them. This is the type of horror film I like: moody, atmospheric, creepy with just enough blood and guts to keep you intrigued but not a torture porn film. (The soundtrack is flawless and really adds to the film.) Also, there's a sequel coming out this year which I definitely will see! Oh, and Tom Felton is in it! Very un-Draco-like. (No, he's not the creature!)
Merlin 1.02
Merlin 1.01
December Boys. I realllllllly wanted to not just like, but love, this film. The Australian scenery, the soundtrack, and the story are all wonderful. Even though the characterization is thin, the actors manage to make the characters interesting and 'meaty.' The film did get to me emotionally with its bittersweetness and sadness of the boys' lives but it's moves at a glacially slow pace. It's a coming of age story about 4 orphans who visit the cove and have the chance be adopted. Daniel Radcliffe didn't remind me of Harry Potter. But he didn't have much to do but be be the older, protective brother type.
The Battle of Life by Charles Dickens. One of his Xmas books only for the time period that period rather than being about the holiday (his other Xmas books take place around the holidays). It's about self-sacfrice and love. However, it is rather melodramatic and grandiose. On the other hand, it's refreshing to read a love triangle that doesn't end in a cat fight. The characterization is too thin, but the descriptions are amazing! (My faves: the battle of death turning to an orchard of life over the centuries, and the fire causing the shadows to dance).
Cherrybomb. From a technical standpoint, the movie was excellent: the acting, the editing and the soundtrack all complimented each other and nothing stuck out as bad. But try though I might, I couldn't get into this. Angsty films that angsty for the sake of being angsty don't appeal. But I will say, it was nice seeing "Sophy Hutton" play a bad girl and Rupert Grint play a character nothing like Ron Weasley. But he does steal a car!
Wild Target: A zany, offbeat British caper comedy that is LOL! and feel good for a story about bad characters (an assassin, a thief, and a loose cannon). Additional reasons to watch: the film fashion and scruffy, naked Rupert who plays an adorkable idiot.
