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Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Speak (2004) in Movies
Feb 1, 2020
I loved this film. I think it's one of the better film adaptations that's been done. My favorite scene is when Melinda shows Mr. Freeman her closet and all the trees she's ever done. I know it's not in the book, but I almost wish that it was. I think that would've really added to the story.
I think Kristin Stewart was a great Melinda, for the most part, but I wish there was even more emotion. I know that she doesn't talk much in the film, she actually talks even less in the book, but there were moments where I felt the emotion could've been more. Her facial expressions were just blank at times and that can definitely cause the film to lose its believability.
The other thing that I didn't like about this film was the ending. What I loved so much about the book was how open-ended it was - you aren't really sure what happens to Andy, you don't know if Melinda ever tells her parents, we don't know what happens with her friendship with Rachel, there's a lot of unanswered questions. I think that's what makes the book so good. I hate that there's a push in movies for everything to be wrapped up, for all the conflicts to reach some kind of conclusion, and for this film, it was telling Melinda's parents, but I wish they didn't. I wish they would've just ended the film with her walking out of the school after Andy attacked her in the closet. I think that would've held much more meaning than her telling her mom.
Regardless, I think this film is great. I appreciate that it actually felt like high schoolers and not just adults playing 16-year-olds, and I like that the story was the focus and that's what shined through in the end.
I think Kristin Stewart was a great Melinda, for the most part, but I wish there was even more emotion. I know that she doesn't talk much in the film, she actually talks even less in the book, but there were moments where I felt the emotion could've been more. Her facial expressions were just blank at times and that can definitely cause the film to lose its believability.
The other thing that I didn't like about this film was the ending. What I loved so much about the book was how open-ended it was - you aren't really sure what happens to Andy, you don't know if Melinda ever tells her parents, we don't know what happens with her friendship with Rachel, there's a lot of unanswered questions. I think that's what makes the book so good. I hate that there's a push in movies for everything to be wrapped up, for all the conflicts to reach some kind of conclusion, and for this film, it was telling Melinda's parents, but I wish they didn't. I wish they would've just ended the film with her walking out of the school after Andy attacked her in the closet. I think that would've held much more meaning than her telling her mom.
Regardless, I think this film is great. I appreciate that it actually felt like high schoolers and not just adults playing 16-year-olds, and I like that the story was the focus and that's what shined through in the end.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated A Dog's Way Home (2019) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
There's a Dog...She's Finding Her Way Home
Just like the title indicates, a dog tries to find her way home after being separated 400 miles apart.
Acting: 4
Beginning: 8
I wasn’t completely sold after watching the beginning of A Dog’s Way Home, but it was at least a solid enough ten minutes to keep me interested. You quickly learn what’s happening, who to hate, and who to root for. It also tries to set expectations for just how cheesy and kiddy it’s going to be.
Characters: 3
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 7
The pup star of the show Bella does go on quite a bit of an adventure that produces some interesting bouts of conflict. Bella is on her own and has to do what she needs to do to survive, including finding food and staying warm. Even when she does manage to get to a safe place, there’s always the question of how she’s going to get back to her owner. Some of the occurrences are a little on the farfetched side, but I’ve seen worse.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 4
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
Resolution: 9
Even if you don’t like the movie as a whole, you can’t help but appreciate the ending. It’s full of cheese and sap, but I can be a sucker for those things even when I see them coming a mile away. I mean, come on, you really think a movie that’s titled A Dog’s Way Home won’t see the dog actually make it home? Sorry, SPOILER ALERT!
Overall: 65
My biggest issue with this movie is the gimmicky voiceover for Bella. It’s been done so many times before and it’s totally distracting and unnecessary. You take out the voiceover and the movie at least becomes bearable. As it stands, I can’t recommend it.
Acting: 4
Beginning: 8
I wasn’t completely sold after watching the beginning of A Dog’s Way Home, but it was at least a solid enough ten minutes to keep me interested. You quickly learn what’s happening, who to hate, and who to root for. It also tries to set expectations for just how cheesy and kiddy it’s going to be.
Characters: 3
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Conflict: 7
The pup star of the show Bella does go on quite a bit of an adventure that produces some interesting bouts of conflict. Bella is on her own and has to do what she needs to do to survive, including finding food and staying warm. Even when she does manage to get to a safe place, there’s always the question of how she’s going to get back to her owner. Some of the occurrences are a little on the farfetched side, but I’ve seen worse.
Entertainment Value: 5
Memorability: 4
Pace: 10
Plot: 5
Resolution: 9
Even if you don’t like the movie as a whole, you can’t help but appreciate the ending. It’s full of cheese and sap, but I can be a sucker for those things even when I see them coming a mile away. I mean, come on, you really think a movie that’s titled A Dog’s Way Home won’t see the dog actually make it home? Sorry, SPOILER ALERT!
Overall: 65
My biggest issue with this movie is the gimmicky voiceover for Bella. It’s been done so many times before and it’s totally distracting and unnecessary. You take out the voiceover and the movie at least becomes bearable. As it stands, I can’t recommend it.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Why Did I Get Married Too (2010) in Movies
Mar 5, 2020 (Updated Mar 5, 2020)
Part of me almost likes this film more than the first one. I feel like we know the couples a little more, versus the first movie where we meet them in the middle of their marriages, fighting, trying to find each other again. We come out of that film into this one and we see the growth but we still see some problems. You have a better understanding of their dynamics but still questioning some things. The overall arc of this film wasn't very clear and I'm not sure if I like that or if I found it frustrating - I think somewhere in between. I don't like the inconsistency of the characters, it just felt like the whole situation with Patricia and Gavin came out of left field and then we never really got anywhere with it. And then the scene where Gavin is drunk? Just uncomfortable to watch. I feel like that was supposed to be a scene that really meant something, we were supposed to see Gavin and Patricia's disconnect or Gavin's pain or Patricia's lack of pain, I don't know. That all feels like speculation that isn't quite hitting the mark. It was just an unnecessary scene and one that is wildly uncomfortable to watch.
I'm torn about this film. I like it, I think it's good. The plot is just a bit weird and the various relationships and the ways that they function are obviously unhealthy. I also hate the ending. I think it was horrible and then DJ? WEIRD. I think in writing this review I've realized I like the first one more, this one was sucky. Patricia was the character that made me feel it the most. I don't know. I'll end up watching this film again whenever I watch the first one. *facepalm*
I'm torn about this film. I like it, I think it's good. The plot is just a bit weird and the various relationships and the ways that they function are obviously unhealthy. I also hate the ending. I think it was horrible and then DJ? WEIRD. I think in writing this review I've realized I like the first one more, this one was sucky. Patricia was the character that made me feel it the most. I don't know. I'll end up watching this film again whenever I watch the first one. *facepalm*
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Rambo: Last Blood (2019) in Movies
Mar 25, 2020
Honestly, I'm not a massive fan of the Rambo franchise. I don't hate them...the first movie is enjoyable enough, but anything else I can give or take.
Rambo: Last Blood, the fifth and (apparently) last chapter in this "saga" is no different.
The plot takes a fair while to really kick into gear. The set up heavily focuses on sex trafficking. It's not a pleasant subject by any means, and to Last Blood's credit, it doesn't glamourise this horrible avenue of humanity, much like the previous film doesn't glamourise war in Burma. It's gritty and horrible, and the film pulls no punches in what's it's willing to put on camera.
John Rambo is old, and still haunted by everything he's seen over the years, a plot point that the movie likes to beat us over the head with, and when his adopted daughter is abducted into the aforementioned sex trafficking nastiness, it's up to Rambo to get her back.
Sylvester Stallone looks damn tired at this point. He's still weirdly stacked, and it's still hard work trying to understand what the hell he is saying, but that's all part of the fun, I guess?
The second half is where it becomes 'business as usual'. A load of dudes come to fuck up Rambo, and gratuitous violence takes places. The ensuing carnage relishes in how over the top it is, and is undeniably fun to watch. It's difficult at times to look past the sub par CGI gore, but there's still enough moments to make you wince. Carrying the torch of Rambo 4 then...
Rambo: Last Blood is absolute nonsense, and I say that with enthusiastic certainty, but if you're willing to switch off abit, then there's enough to enjoy for a one off watch.
Rambo: Last Blood, the fifth and (apparently) last chapter in this "saga" is no different.
The plot takes a fair while to really kick into gear. The set up heavily focuses on sex trafficking. It's not a pleasant subject by any means, and to Last Blood's credit, it doesn't glamourise this horrible avenue of humanity, much like the previous film doesn't glamourise war in Burma. It's gritty and horrible, and the film pulls no punches in what's it's willing to put on camera.
John Rambo is old, and still haunted by everything he's seen over the years, a plot point that the movie likes to beat us over the head with, and when his adopted daughter is abducted into the aforementioned sex trafficking nastiness, it's up to Rambo to get her back.
Sylvester Stallone looks damn tired at this point. He's still weirdly stacked, and it's still hard work trying to understand what the hell he is saying, but that's all part of the fun, I guess?
The second half is where it becomes 'business as usual'. A load of dudes come to fuck up Rambo, and gratuitous violence takes places. The ensuing carnage relishes in how over the top it is, and is undeniably fun to watch. It's difficult at times to look past the sub par CGI gore, but there's still enough moments to make you wince. Carrying the torch of Rambo 4 then...
Rambo: Last Blood is absolute nonsense, and I say that with enthusiastic certainty, but if you're willing to switch off abit, then there's enough to enjoy for a one off watch.
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated The Neon Demon (2016) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
A combination that looks like it may be a vapid display of glitz and garbage, the trailers for “Neon Demon” don’t dare give away just how far this film will take audiences.
Completely unique, the psychological thriller goes to dark places – necrophilia, cannibalism, and the solitary confines of the human mind.
The film stars Elle Fanning as Jesse, a sixteen year old girl from a small town who decided to go to LA to become a model. Without any parents, Jesse is completely on her own in a seedy wonderland.
She stays by herself in a dingy motel. Keanu Reeves plays the grubby motel manager, Hank. His role in the film is more of a supportive one, but he still plays a major part in the overall story and feel of the film.
Of course, Jesse meets all kinds of odd people as she dives into a world that is so shallow it could break her. Makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), and supermodels Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee) are characters the audience will love to hate. Malone, Heathcote, and Lee have done a great job becoming their characters. They incite visceral disdain, perhaps laced with admiration.
There may be a few moments where it feels like the plot is going nowhere fast, but I highly recommend resisting the urge to lose hope. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts in this case.
It’s not a stretch to say that Director Nicolas Winding Refn has created a piece of cinematic art.
The combination of finely selected camera technique, psychedelic lighting, and a cerebral soundtrack is like watching a beautiful nightmare.
Best described as “Clockwork Orange” meets “Top Model,”
Completely unique, the psychological thriller goes to dark places – necrophilia, cannibalism, and the solitary confines of the human mind.
The film stars Elle Fanning as Jesse, a sixteen year old girl from a small town who decided to go to LA to become a model. Without any parents, Jesse is completely on her own in a seedy wonderland.
She stays by herself in a dingy motel. Keanu Reeves plays the grubby motel manager, Hank. His role in the film is more of a supportive one, but he still plays a major part in the overall story and feel of the film.
Of course, Jesse meets all kinds of odd people as she dives into a world that is so shallow it could break her. Makeup artist Ruby (Jena Malone), and supermodels Gigi (Bella Heathcote) and Sarah (Abbey Lee) are characters the audience will love to hate. Malone, Heathcote, and Lee have done a great job becoming their characters. They incite visceral disdain, perhaps laced with admiration.
There may be a few moments where it feels like the plot is going nowhere fast, but I highly recommend resisting the urge to lose hope. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts in this case.
It’s not a stretch to say that Director Nicolas Winding Refn has created a piece of cinematic art.
The combination of finely selected camera technique, psychedelic lighting, and a cerebral soundtrack is like watching a beautiful nightmare.
Best described as “Clockwork Orange” meets “Top Model,”
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) in Movies
Apr 29, 2020
There's a lot to love about this film and a lot to hate. I think this film does the best job of allowing you to live through Peter more than any other film. Some of my favorite shots throughout the whole movie are the ones where it looks like we're in Peter's perspective as he traverses New York City. I love Andrew Garfield in this role. Even though he's 27 in the film, he played a high school kid fairly well - at least I think so. I love Emma Stone too. As a blonde, I feel like she has this innocence that she doesn't have as a redhead.
Truthfully, I like Andrew Garfield's Spiderman and Tom Holland's Spiderman way more than I like Toby McGuire's. I think this film is entertaining and a good watch. You definitely get hooked in on Peter and are rooting for him. The only thing I didn't like were some of the effects. It's clear that there was more effort or money put in some scenes than others. Maybe that's just my opinion, but those small details can really pull you out of the world the film creates.
The other detail I appreciated is Gwen. When we think and talk about Spiderman, unless you're a die-hard fan, you think of Mary Jane. And she's great. Don't get me wrong. Kirsten Dunst in Toby McGuire's and Zendaya as M.J. in Tom Holland's, but Gwen often gets forgotten. I like that in this series, Gwen is the love interest instead of Mary Jane.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film. I think I still like Tom Holland's Spiderman better, but I think the fact that he's in the MCU plays a part in my love of him. I would recommend both of these films just to say you watched them.
Truthfully, I like Andrew Garfield's Spiderman and Tom Holland's Spiderman way more than I like Toby McGuire's. I think this film is entertaining and a good watch. You definitely get hooked in on Peter and are rooting for him. The only thing I didn't like were some of the effects. It's clear that there was more effort or money put in some scenes than others. Maybe that's just my opinion, but those small details can really pull you out of the world the film creates.
The other detail I appreciated is Gwen. When we think and talk about Spiderman, unless you're a die-hard fan, you think of Mary Jane. And she's great. Don't get me wrong. Kirsten Dunst in Toby McGuire's and Zendaya as M.J. in Tom Holland's, but Gwen often gets forgotten. I like that in this series, Gwen is the love interest instead of Mary Jane.
Overall, I really enjoyed this film. I think I still like Tom Holland's Spiderman better, but I think the fact that he's in the MCU plays a part in my love of him. I would recommend both of these films just to say you watched them.
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