Jersey Boys Review

I saw Jersey Boys on June 24, 2014!! I didn't know what to think of this being adapted to a movie with Clint Eastwood in the director's chair, but I was thoroughly impressed. The theater was packed, which was cool to see. I think Eastwood did a very good job with this. I liked that Tony award winner John Lloyd Young reprises his role as Frankie Valli for this movie. He does an incredible job in terms of making his voice sound similar to the real person. I'm a big fan of Bob Gaudio, because to me without him, there really isn't a Four Seasons. Erich Bergman was excellent in the role. He always makes the best points overall. Much like the play, they had the actors talk to the audience. You get different viewpoints on scenarios throughout the movie. Everybody portrayed what I felt their character was supposed to be like. Vincent Piazza was extremely entertaining as Tommy DeVito. He really had that goomba attitude down pat. We all loved his outbursts. While he's probably considered a villain in some ways, he really is the heart of the movie. Even though Frankie Valli may be the main character, a lot revolves around Tommy. A lot of people think that the Tommy DeVito in this movie is the same one Joe Pesci plays in Goodfellas. Interstingly enough, Joe Pesci actually was associated with the Four Seasons & maybe that's where the connection happened. Pesci actually plays a completely different Tommy DeVito-however, the similarities between them is really incredible. Let's face it-I'm sure Pesci borrowed some character traits from the Tommy DeVito he knew. You could see where that is possible throughout this movie. We follow the journey from their beginnings as a struggling musical act from tough streets in New Jersey to a popular musical act to a state of decline due to personal issues. Fame & fortune is great, but with it, there can always be consequences, especially when Tommy is in your group. There are so many great scenes that stem from debt problems caused by Tommy. The music was phenomenal-such an amazing job with the songs & sounds of a generation. Whether it was as a group performing Big Girls Don't Cry or Frankie singing Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (absolutely love the big band element with this performance), each song was captured brilliantly on film. Much like a play, the theater clapped after songs were over. It was actually pretty cool.  You felt like you were in a play. I felt each of the performances were portrayed well. Every person had a great moment to shine. I loved the scene in the restaurant between Mary Delgado & Frankie. That was just smart dialogue mixed with some entertaining lines. I also like the relationship between Frankie & his daughter Francine. The scene in the café was well done between them. This movie has a great mix of music, old time mob/gangster movies, and family all stemming from the Garden State. I give this movie a 4/5 since its difficult to really adapt a musical to movie form and make it work, but I think everything seemed to click. The performances of the main actors was good, the music was excellent, and there are memorable scenes throughout.

The Fault In Our Stars Review

I saw The Fault In Our Stars on June 6, 2014!! Now, I hadn't read the book prior to seeing this, but I knew the gist of the storyline from students telling me about it in school, and interviews with cast members. I couldn't believe how packed the theater was already to see this, and it was only early afternoon. I have never been in a theater where so many people just lost it with the raw emotion taking place on screen. I tend to get emotional when I watch movies, and obviously, this was no exception. I don't know how one couldn't feel something watching this.

It is probably too early to be considered for any award nominations, but I firmly believe that Shailene Woodley deserves a Best Actress nominee. Her role as Hazel Grace Lancaster was excellent!! Woodley showed great range throughout the movie whether it was Hazel's courage in dealing with her disease, her emotional attachment/romance with Augustus Waters, her humor with her parents, or her frustrations with Peter Van Houten. She is such an amazing actress, and I've believed this since I saw her in The Descendants.  Hazel Grace Lancaster is her breakthrough performance. I was just so impressed with how she took the audience into her world. The cinema disappeared, and we followed her along her journey. Through her highs & lows, we see how strong of a person she really is. I really loved her attitude-she believes in living in the face of death. I think Gus, played wonderfully by Ansel Elgort really helps to bring this side of her out more. It's always in her, but she just needs the push to know she isn't alone.

This movie constantly delivers in bringing believable performances for all the characters. Along with Woodley as Hazel & Elgort as Gus, there's also great supporting roles by Willem Dafoe as Peter Van Houten & Laura Dern as Hazel's mother. Many scenes like the courage to continue climbing the stairs in the Anne Frank house, or standing up to Van Houten, I just smiled at how incredible this character is. While her disease may hinder it, she won't let it define her.

The Anne Frank house, the eulogy scene (everybody in the theater just lost it), the conversation with her parents about staying strong when she passes, and reading Van Houten's/Gus's eulogy for her are some of the most emotional moments I've seen in a movie. These are memorable for symbolism, great dichotomy between happiness/sadness (each of these scenes has a silver lining), and for simply crafting a beautiful story. This is one of the best movies I've seen this year. Shailene Woodley's performance as Hazel Grace Lancaster is my favorite female performance in a movie since Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine-I truly enjoyed it that much. This is a definite 5/5 for me. I felt everybody put their all into this movie.

I truly hope to see some nominations for this, but awards consideration isn't shown until August releases. I don't agree with that, since movies from January 1-December 31 should always be the selection period for awards consideration. The Fault In Our Stars takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, but as Hazel is lying in the Grace at the end of the movie, you see her smile as the audience does, because her life is meaningful.

Maleficent Review

Justin, Mike, and I saw Maleficent on June 1, 2014!! I was very impressed with the movie overall. Maleficent has always been one of my all time favorite characters. When I was younger, I loved the look of the character. As I grew up, I always was on her side because all she wanted to do was an invitation to a christening. I never saw her as a villain, just like I'll never see the Wicked Witch of the West as a villain. I have to say with shows and books like Wicked, Fairest of All:: A Tale of the Wicked Queen (great read), and Once Upon A Time, characters I've always believed to be the real protagonists are finally being portrayed in that light. If there was ever a movie where somebody completely steals the show, then this is an example of it.

Angelina Jolie was flawless as Maleficent. The look of the character was amazing-costuming, make-up, etc. Jolie's voice was on point-it matched up so well to Eleanor Audley's voiceover in 1959's Sleeping Beauty. We follow her journey from when she was a child into the iconic character we know her as. We see her role as a fairy, as well as a protector of kingdoms. This portrays the human species as greedy for power as well as the savagery of war. I've never liked the character of King Stefan, and this further proves that point even more. I thought Sharlto Copely did a very good job in the role, but I thought it was great seeing how he rose to power through underhanded tactics. Stefan is the true antagonist of the movie.

I liked that many of the iconic Sleeping Beauty scenes were presented-the christening, the cottage scenes, the spinning wheel, etc. They were all represented very well. I think Elle Fanning did a wonderful job as Aurora as well. It was great seeing the bond between Maleficent and her throughout the movie. She basically is there for her from birth. Those three bumbling idiot fairies (who I've always loathed) had nothing to do with her survival. They just gravitate to whoever has the most power, and really have no minds of their own.

We see the pain in Maleficent's eyes from betrayal, her actions at the christening, and her dedication to repairing any damage she may cause. I thought it was incredible to watch the character as somewhat of an anti-hero. She had elements of both, but definitely is a protagonist overall (as she always has been in my eyes).

While the movie presented us with many of the iconic moments from 1959's Sleeping Beauty, they also put some twists that made sense with the storyline. I really liked what they did with true love's kiss. It made alot of sense to go down that road with the way events unfolded. Other good twists revolved around the character of Diaval. It was great to see the origins of the character and why he was with Maleficent. Sam Riley did really well with it.

Of course, besides the mesmerizing performance by Jolie, the visuals were absolutely incredible. The battle scenes were so incredible to watch. You were really drawn into the movie as this happened. The magic visuals were bright and vivid. I loved the emerald green glow throughout mixing with the black. I also felt the night time sets were really beautiful. It reminded me of Pandora in Avatar. The battle between Maleficent & Stefan was really well done blending effects & emotion. The audience was into everything happening. I give the movie a 4/5-I thought it was a really well done live action movie with an excellent lead performance, phenomenal visuals, and pretty good supporting role. It was great to watch one of my favorite characters in a protagonist light.

Keep your eyes open to the young Aurora scene-its really cute to watch Angelina Jolie interact with her real life daughter. She goes up to her and hugs her in one of the forest scenes.