Film Review: Winter Break 5/5

Promised Land: 

Another good movie. I thought Matt Damon and John Krasinski gave great performances. Something I didn't expect was how much I enjoyed Frances McDormand's performance (she plays "Sue," Damon's colleague); she had this straight-faced humor that I just love. With the premise of the movie being about a natural gas company (represented by Damon and McDormand) attempting to buy out a small farming community with resistance from an environmentalist (Krasinski), I thought the movie was going to be mostly serious with a few jokes here and there. However, much to my surprise, I felt that the movie had a nice balance of humorous and serious tones (it was funny much of the time; not always funny "haha" but funny in terms of various situations). I left satisfied  and mind-blown after a surprise twist I don't think anyone saw coming...except maybe the people aware of the true story this film is based around, which I clearly was not. My jaw literally dropped.

Click To View "Promised Land" Trailer 

Film Review: Winter Break 4/5

Parental Guidance: 

Oh my goodness. I love this movie. It was a really cute film. Though it contrasted two very different parenting styles, the kids stole the show. I've become a Bailee Madison fan since her appearance in Just Go With It, and after seeing this I will continue to look forward to seeing her growth as an actress as she gets older. The two young boys who play her brothers are also adorable: one has a stutter that will make you swoon and the other boy's behavior is as random as the fact that he's a ginger in a family of brunettes. Marisa Tomei was awesome as a neurotic mom worried about leaving her children with her parents. Billy Crystal and Bette Midler also brought their classic selves with them. 

All together, the cast was great and managed to give heartfelt performances. The film had this overarching theme of being accepted/needed/wanted by one's parents and one's children, but that theme boiled down to a heart-to-heart moment between Crystal and Tomei; it left an impression on me--and definitely my mom.

Basically, this a predictable Hollywood flick. It's not exactly groundbreaking, but I loved it just the same. For me, it was about the actors and all the laugh-out-loud moments throughout. I go to the movies to be entertained, and this did it for me. If you're looking for an artsy film that will blow your mind and kill off the main characters, go find one. Just don't disrespect this one.

Click To View "Parental Guidance" Trailer 

 

Film Review: Winter Break 3/5

The Guilt Trip:

I thought this movie was just "okay." It was definitely a much slower paced film that didn't pick up until around two-thirds of the way through. Barbra Streisand accurately portrayed a certain kind of mom: the chattering, somewhat annoying mom. I found it really funny in the opening scene of the movie when she kept calling her son, Seth Rogen, and she asked him if he needed any underwear and that she'd get him some: MY MOM SO DOES THAT! "You can never have enough underwear," Mom always says. Needless to say that part amused me. To reiterate, Streisand's annoying behavior dragged out for a long time. Then the tension that builds from their road trip culminates in an extremely harsh argument between Streisand and Rogen. I felt a bit uncomfortable watching because of the intensity of the argument and the reality of some of Streisand's remarks. After they make up, things are fine. Definitely a few funny moments, but the "so-so" quality of the movie doesn't improve to "okay" until the very end.

Rogen's character brought his mom on this trip to secretly have her meet her long lost love since she's been single for decades. Eventually, she discovers his plan and they go to meet him. To prevent spoiling the end, I won't give specifics, but the end is a bit predictable...except for one detail. This detail at the end totally moved me; I started crying in the theater. Shut up! I'm a hopeless romantic: we can't help it. It was beautiful and beautifully connected the exposition with the resolution. It redeemed the movie to some degree, and that, my friends, is why it was "okay."

Click To View "The Guilt Trip" Trailer

(***If you're just dying to know what this redeeming detail is, message me and I'll tell you.***)

Film Review: Winter Break 2/5

Les Miserables:

Alright, my mom really wanted to see this movie. All my friends really wanted to see this. I didn't really have a strong desire either way (please don't hate me). It was definitely a beautiful movie cinematically speaking. The cinematography was beautiful. Production design, costuming and makeup, cast, visual/special effects, everything was wonderful....It just didn't do it for me.

It was just sooo depressing. I know what you're thinking, "Becca, it's called Les Miserables....The Miserable Ones...." Yeah, yeah, I know. But two-and-a-half hours of depression is a lot. I lean more towards happy movies (rom-coms, comedies, Disney, etc.) or movies that are mostly happy with some sadness (basically your dramedies and cancer movies, and as I'm typing I realize how bad that sounds but think about it: A Walk to Remember, Griffin & Phoenix, and A Little Bit of Heaven are all super sweet/tender movies...even though some people died of cancer).

Also, all the singing involved was exhausting to watch. I know what you're thinking, "Becca, IT'S A MUSICAL!" Yeah, yeah, I know. And I'm totally down for a musical. I love me some Sound of Music and High School Musical (no judgements please) and ALL Disney animated features. I like having more dialogue interspersed with the songs and songs that are easy to sing along to (I love singing to movies; I'm not good at it, but I do it anyway). HOWEVER, I will note that I can like musicals of the Les Mis variety in which it seems like every single line of the film is sung. Example: RENT. I liked that musical movie adaptation, and they sang practically the whole time. Maybe I liked it more because it was modern. I don't know; it's all just preference.

Essentially, Les Mis was a beautifully done picture, it just wasn't for me.

Click To View "Les Miserables" Trailer

Film Review: Winter Break 1/5

I wanted to start doing what I said I would in my first post ever, which is writing my thoughts on some films I see. For the sake of brevity and keeping your attention, I'mma make dis quick.

Silver Linings Playbook:

SOOO GOOD! Probably one of my favorites I've seen in a while. I'm a big fan of Jennifer Lawrence; I think she is hilarious, and coupled with Bradley Cooper, the film just ebbs with hilarity. Because Cooper's dealing with bipolar disorder and trying to get back his ex-wife, J-Law with the death of her husband, and Robert Deniro with OCD, the movie does deal with an array of internal conflict, something I found refreshing (who doesn't like a flawed character to relate to?). Also, a big part of the plot is the two characters preparing for this dance competition. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll just say their dance performance is a special thing to watch (pure love for them both). I left the theater satisfied, which is a toss-up when it comes to indie films. My only complaint was all the F-bombs, but even then most of them were well-placed if that makes any sense to say.

Click to View "Siver Linings Playbook" Trailer

Fall 2012: The Recap!

So as a recap of the last semester, here's some highlights. I ended with a 3.810 cumulative GPA (gosh, I'm slackin'). I became in active member in a coed service fraternity (Who would have thought? Not me.).  I joined an improv comedy training group on campus and actually had the opportunity to perform in front of an audience (I learned that I'm not the only person who thinks I'm funny). I attempted to join the Tae Kwon Do club but didn't commit. Never fear, I'm trying again with a vengeance, and I am not too shabby for being gone a decade (true story). I made another self-produced short film for a class: it was...okay I suppose (you be the judge: "One and the Same").

I found out who some of my best friends are, a few people who truly know me and accept ALL my quirks. I also found out which friends I'm drifting apart from, and it's okay. I'll  still see them. I'll still love them. We're just growing up and growing into the lives we were meant to have. It's hard, but life's hard (whoa, this is taking a more serious tone than I was going for; oops). The silver lining is that time brings new people into your life, not to replace the people who once held prominence but to add prominence to your daily life. I made so many new friends from all the different things I involved myself with (I definitely had a social life in Fall 2012 compared the frosh year). I even became friends with a 12-year-old girl I sat next to in my children's lit class; she'll end up doing great things later, and I'll get to say, "I knew her when."

Anyways, those are some of the things that stand out. Just typing this makes me a bit sad. I know I did so many things and had such a great time last semester, but time is no friend of memories and already I forget the little things. Let that be a lesson to us: Write down those precious moments while they are fresh in your heart and mind. Peace.

New Year, New Attempt

So I'm back. I was not abducted by aliens, leprechauns, Kermit, or other green "men." I simply prioritized the rest of my life ahead of this lovely blog o' mine. I can't even say all my endeavors should have been put ahead of adding to this blog (curse you YouTube and your many random, yet captivating, videos). To my one reader, my sincerest apologies. I'll keep this as brief as possible...for now.

So now that it's a new year and a new semester, I figured: what the hey; let's do this thing. In a culture that is outrageously depressed (just found out antidepressants were the number one selling prescription), people keep far too much to themselves. I'm one such person. Now don't get your hopes up; I'm not telling you everything, but maybe if I share things about my experiences, I might better serve my mental health and offer comfort in the fact that you aren't alone. I'm right here. Peace.