Hugo Review

I just got back from seeing Hugo on November 29, 2011. I was very impressed with it. The movie was all about adventure and imagination, which are two things that every person should experience in some form or another, whether its in our dreams or road trips, etc. This movie in particular takes us on a journey to appreciate how movies are designed to take us out of reality and experience what we create in our minds. Now, before I get into some of the plot and characters, this reminded me of a movie I used to watch when I was younger with my brothers Jake and Justin. It was an animated movie called Little Nemo, and he always used his imagination and went on crazy adventures such as flying in a dirigible to new worlds.The film takes place in Paris in the 1930s, and Hugo Cabret, played brilliantly by Asa Butterfield, lives within the walls of the train station, fixing things and also trying to find a particular item in order to repair an autobaton (a robot) who is designed to send a message to Hugo from his father who is killed in a fire. Hugo always questions why he is alone, and he has many run-ins with the train conductor played by Sacha Baron Cohen (very different role than we're used to out of him) and the man that operate the toy stand (played by Ben Kinglsey). More on Ben a bit later on haha. I feel the standout of this movie is rising star Chloe Grace Moretz who plays Isabel (one of my personal favorite actresses over the past two years). She is an excellent actress at 14 years old and really brings forth alot of the magic through her dialogue and facial expressions much like she did in Let Me In. I am really hoping to watch her continue to ascend up the ladder. She is very talented. Actually, Asa Butterfield looks like Owen from Let Me In so that was pretty interesting as well. There is a key around her neck which happens to be what Hugo needs to wind up the autobaton. The autobaton is wound up and draws a picture that would spell out the rest of the direction of the film. From there we learn more about George Melies, renowned film maker (Ben Kingsley's true role), and wer discover how he became impressed with cinema while working as a magician. He enjoyed creating illusions for people and with film he could do this and help people escape harsh realities. I found the films very interesting and filled with creativity, even using technicolor which wasn't really something known until The Wizard of Oz. Martin Scorsese is amazing and even though some scenes can be slow, its still an incredible movie that actually even could be a semi-historical approach as to how film and movies came to be popular. He shows this through the depiction of one of the first movies ever created in 1895 where a train was just coming into a station (much like the train station is a major part of the movie) and the audience reacts as if the train is about to hit them. Melies was captivated by the realism of the shot and then we see Scorsese use it later in full technicolor in a different setting. The dream sequences that Hugo has are very interesting such as when he transforms into the autobaton or when he leads a train off a track through a window because he is stuck on the track. As I said, I loved how this presented how movies are an incredible journey that taps into our imagination and allows us to take adventures with the characters. In this movie, Hugo and Isabel have a real adventure putting the pieces together to discover who George Melies is, so we as the audience follow their adventure as they have theirs. I find things like that very interesting. Alot of the scenes were very impressive and once again Scorsese impresses me. I definitely give this a 5/5!! I really enjoyed this as a movie enthusiast and as somebody that enjoys following the adventures of the characters.

The Muppets Review

I just got back from seeing the Muppets with Jake and Justin on November 26, 2011. It was a fun movie!! It was definitely geared towards a younger audience which isn't a bad thing. There needs to be something that can be appreciated by all audiences. Basically, the synopsis is Walter (the newest Muppet) idolizes the Muppets especially Kermit and has watched them through his whole life with his brother Gary played by Jason Segel. Gary is in a relationship with Mary played by Amy Adams. An oil tycoon named Tex Richman played by Chris Cooper possesses the deed to the old Muppet theater and plans to tear it down to drill for oil. There are adult themes such as corporate greed that are pretty evident in the movie, but kids won't recognize it, which is fine. It's a fun movie filled with singing and all of our favorite Muppets like Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy (who had been working in Paris as a plus size fashion editor), Fozzie (who had been working with a Muppet parody group called the Moopets), and Gonzo (who was a plumbing magnate). They had the parodies and the musical numbers that made it entertaining and isn't that what a movie is supposed to do. I like that Walter has the idea to bring the Muppets together to make one more show. They go to all of the television stations and if they raise $10,000,000 in a telethon they will be able to make a comeback. Veronica played by Rashida Jones is the one that eventually allows them to put this show on, and at the end the magic of the Muppets is experienced inspiring new generations to their amazing talents. Of course, I love the numerous cameos throughout the movie that keep the movie flowing along with a good storyline of reviving the Muppet Theater and ending Richman's plans. My favorite scene was when they had Gary and Walter singing Am I a Man or a Muppet? They had Gary singing and there was a Muppet version of him while Walter sang as Jim Parsons from the Big Bang Theory represented Walter's human form. Entertaining, fun movie that has alot of laughs, a fun cast of celebrity cameos, and a good story to it. I give this a 4/5.

Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1 Review

I saw Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 1 with Justin on November 22, 2o11. I know alot of people frown on these movies, but I have to say I really enjoyed this movie. I do like New Moon and Eclipse as well, so I was actually looking forward to this. Bella and Edward get married at the beginning of the movie, and I personally am a fan of Kristen Stewart as I've liked her in Adventureland and The Runaways, and Robert Pattinson is great in Water For Elephants. Of course, there's the rivalry with Jacob played by Taylor Lautner who did a fairly decent job in this one struggling with the Quilets and the decisions they are making. Of course, Bella and Edward go on their honeymoon and Kristen looked really good in those scenes. There is a baby growing inside Bella, but its impossible since vampires can't impregnate humans. Bella actually bonds with Rosalie played by Nikki Reed while the rest of the Cullens and Jacob tend to her helping her out as the baby is killing her from the inside. Now, the battle lines are drawn as Jacob has disobeyed the pack and along with Leah and Seth, they help the Cullens. The fight outside the Cullen's house gets really good and theres alot of action going on in that scene. Meanwhile, you have Bella feeding her hybrid baby with blood which actually is really important as she has blood in her system and during the birthing scene which is friggin intense, Bella dies on the table. Jacob is furious and Edward doesn't know what to do as he tries to revive her but as he is he bites her. Then the awesome transformation scene begins and the very last shot is Bella opening her eyes and they are red. Now, I marked out with the rest of the tweens just because I was so caught up in the movie I had to. I just really enjoyed this movie and though some of the stuff in the middle can be dry, the second half is chock full of awesome action and scenes, while the first part with the wedding, the images with the Volturi (very awesome stuff) and some of the honeymoon were great. I will give this a 4/5. Probably the best review of any Twilight movie from anyone, but I really liked it and look forward to getting the DVD!!

My Week With Marilyn Review

I saw My Week With Marilyn on November 25, 2011 with Dad and Justin. This was an incredible movie. It chronicled the time period in 1956 when she worked with Laurence Olivier on The Showgirl and The Prince, and the professional and personal issues surrounding the entire ordeal. Michelle Williams was excellent in the role of Marilyn Monroe and really did a good job showing her mannerisms, speech patterns, and how she was around men. I also liked how they incorporated her marriage to Arthur Miller in the movie who was portrayed by Dougray Scott. Also, I really liked how they incorporated the fact that she used to place a picture of Abraham Lincoln at her bedside saying it was her father. Since she didn't know who her real father was, it might as well be Abe haha. Michelle deserves an Oscar nomination (and hopefully a win) for this role. The storyline was simple but made for a great film. Kenneth Branagh was great in the role of Sir Laurence and showed how he was a perfectionist when it came to film as has been documented by many sources. Marilyn's interactions with Colin Clark played by Eddie Redmayne were natural and seemed realistic (which means the acting was excellent and theres no doubt about that). I also liked that they put Vivien Leigh in the movie with a nice cameo by Julia Ormond that worked very well. Of course, I was very happy to see Emma Watson in this movie who looked absolutely gorgeous in her role as Lucy. She seemed right at home in the UK circa 1950s. Though her part was small, it still was very important as her character is involved with Colin. I hope to continue seeing her in more roles. I really can't say enough good things about this movie and I am hoping that it gets the Oscar nominations it deserves. Michelle Williams was just on top of her game and everyone meshed well. Interestingly enough, there are 3 Harry Potter alumnus in this movie. We have Kenneth Branagh (Gilderoy Lockhart), Zoe Wanamaker who did an excellent job as Paula Strasberg (Marilyn's acting coach) (Madame Hooch) and of course Miss Emma Watson (Hermoine Granger). Great cast, great acting, great scenes, great dialogue, just great. Once again I just seem to really be liking the movies I've seen lately and this gets a 5/5. It's extremely deserving!!! Dad really liked it and Justin found it very interesting with good acting.

J. Edgar Review

I just got back from seeing J. Edgar on November 13, 2011. Incredible movie and some of the best acting I've seen since The Help. Keep your eyes on the movie countdown as these two will be making appearances soon!!! Clint Eastwood did an excellent job directing this movie as well. What can I say about the cast other than it was excellent? Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the legendary director of the FBI who worked within the system for 48 years under 8 presidents and saw alot of things go down over his careeer. DiCaprio is on top of his game and constantly proves why he is my favorite actor today without a doubt. Incredible acting abilities in this man!!! He portrayed the man of J. Edgar very well as it seems Eastwood did alot of research from his life as it was fairly accurate for the most part. I did like how they touched on how he wasn't taken seriously as he hadn't arrested anyone directly in his career, and even when he did he embellished the details, but that's how many have said he was. Though, deep down we do know that he is big on trust and keeps those people by his side. He's a big man on Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect (John Cena's ethos) and you can see it through several instances. I really hope DiCaprio gets an Oscar for this. He is more than deserving. I would just love to see him finally holding the little golden statue. He works his ass off on that screen and it deserves to be shown in the form of the statue. However, he wasn't the only great part of this movie as Armie Hammer who plays Clyde Tolson was phenomenal as well. He is basically the only part of Social Network I feel is a decent actor anyway, so it was just nice to see him show it in this movie. I liked how they explored the relationship between Hoover and Tolson, as it shows how Edgar struggled with his sexuality and becomes involved romantically with him. Some of those scenes are extremely powerful and I was just taken in by the acting. There were times that I had a tear in my eye. Sorry, I'm not heartless!! I loved the little nods to historical events such as the kidnapping of Charles Lindberg's baby, and really love how they show Hoover's achievements in helping to create the forensics lab and showed how fingerprints can be beneficial in achieving arrests. They showed how forensics is used to help convict a criminal like Bruno Haumptman. Judi Dench was excellent as Annie Hoover and how she gave J. Edgar alot of advice in his career. They even touched on Hoover's cross dressing briefly which was interesting. I also really liked how they used a flashback technique for some of the scenes as Edgar tells multiple people his memoirs. It worked well and the flashbacks tied in nicely with the section he was discussing at the moment on screen. I also really liked when he was in NYC with Tolson and his mother and they had a brief cameo from Shirley Temple when she was a child actress in the 1930s. It was so awesome to see as Temple shares my birthday of April 23. I marked out because I am a nerd. Definitely one of the finest movies I've seen and really hope it's DiCaprios moment for the golden man. However, though it should be his time, this movie already should have three Oscar nominations (and hopefully wins) and thats (ones I've already mentioned)Best Actor: Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor: Armie Hammer, and Best Director: Clint Eastwood. I give this movie an easy 5/5, and it will be on the countdown soon.

Anonymous Review

Whilst braving Narnia conditions, I managed to see Anonymous with Dad and Justin on October 29, 2011. I thought this movie was excellent. I love when people take theories such as Shakespeare being a fraud and running with it to create an interesting and compelling story. There are some that actually side with the fact that he didn't write his plays, sonnets, etc as manucsripts haven't been found in his handwriting. What's interesting is the movie starts in modern times with a man giving a performance to an audience about the theory that Shakespeare didn't write the plays. It appears they are acting out this story on stage, but then it goes into the real world and how this is what actually happened. I personally found that very interesting. The movie gives the theory that the plays were written by Edward De Vere The 17th Earl of Oxford, a nobleman, who would be educated about the perils of society and the history of the world. Basically: We've All Been Played!!! It also ties in some English history with the Essex rebellion against Elizabeth I (who is one of my favorite rulers from history along with Louis XIV). Rhys Ifans was absolutely amazing in the role as Edward De Vere. It explores his relationship with Elizabeth, how his marriage was arranged, and how he believed that words can give hope to a nation better than swords can. Edward wants his plays to be seen for this reason, but as a noble he needs someone to pen their name to the work. The man he had originally selected, Ben Jonson (played by Sebastian Armesto-who I thought was very good in his role as well) , a playwright himself attends Henry V which has a man that we all may know by the name of Will Shakespeare (played brilliantly by Rafe Spall) in one of the roles. In the movie, Shakespeare is painted as an actor who isn't literate, basically saying he doesn't know how to write certain letters. When the audience demands to see the writer in person, Shakespeare takes the reins and at first Edward is confused as is Ben. Over time, we see a nice montage of the plays we all may know tied in with altered history such as Elizabeth having affairs with Edward, giving birth to bastard sons, and the inspiration for several of the plays such as Romeo and Juliet. What's VERY interesting is they found a way to work in the plots of plays like Richard III, Macbeth, Hamlet, and King Lear into certain aspects of the movie through the political aspects with Elizabeth who was portrayed by both Joely Richardson and Vanessa Redgrave (as mother and daughter in real life this was very cool to see). The Cecil family had been very adamant of getting rid of plays as they felt it was a cesspool of nonsense that wasn't necessary. Both David Thewlis (who some may know as Professor Lupin in Harry Potter) and especially Edward Hogg were phenomenal. Robert took his father William's views to heart and wanted to put James I (who before his succession was the rules of Scotland. The I didn't come until he sat on the English throne) on the throne through the Act of Succession and also in a way to erase the cultural influences of Elizabeth I. They portrayed Elizabeth in a very similar light to her father Henry VIII, especially through Joely Richardson's portrayal with love of theater and festivities, as well as taking several lovers. I just liked how they did it (like father, like daughter). Ben of course eventually gets incensed at all the attention William Shakespeare is getting with building the Globe Theater as well as taking credit for everything. Ben goes to great lengths to expose Edward and this in turn brings forth a conclave of consequences and also makes Robert Cecil very happy as he can bring down those closest to Edward, and even Edward himself. All in all, I loved this movie and really can't wait to get this on DVD as it was one of the most well made movies I've ever seen. I liked how the topic was approached and how the cultural aspects were balanced with the political aspects and then connected to the present. For me, this movie is a 5/5!!!

Jacqui's Countdown begins!

So Mr. Verterano, as requested.. My favorite movie countdown had began. Though there are some movies that are absent from this list... Star Wars, Musicals and Jane Austen Adaptations do not make an appearance in this countdown. Star Trek is limited. All around I tried to keep sci-fi movies and chick flicks to a minimum.  I also kept this down to 50 instead of 100.

Why you may ask? going through my personal movie collection, I realized I focused on certain types of movies. While I would call them "favorites", some I wouldn't say are "great" or even ones I would recommend to friends.  So I thought: "I am going to an island and I have only 50 movies to bring..." And behold, below is the list..

Honorable mentions:

1. Big Fish
2. Finding Forrester
3. Mona Lisa Smiles
4. Finding Neverland
5. Children of Men
6. Black Swan