Beauty and the Beast

My Thoughts:

-    I wasn't going to go see this in theaters, but I needed a night out, and I didn't know what else to see. It was the first time I've gone to a movie alone. It wasn't so bad. 

-    I have been really skeptical of this movie. I love the animated film so much, and I was scared of what they were going to do to it. I wasn't happy with what I was seeing and hearing in the trailers. 

-    The movie wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. There were a lot of good things going on. It was alright.

-    I really wish Emma Watson's singing had been dubbed. It was painfully obvious that she had been auto tuned, and it hurt the ears. She also had to cut notes short because she couldn't sustain them. Other than the singing, I really liked Watson as Belle. She fit the role. 

-    I didn't like Beast's face. It was too CG. When Beast turns back into a man, it wasn't horrible. I was really happy that he looked better as a man. Thank the maker for Dan Stevens not have a horrible nose, chin, and huge eyebrows. It is my only complaint about the animated film. Every time that animated dude turns around, I yell, "Change him back!" Not the case here! Thank you! 

-    In the trailers, I wasn't sure about Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Mrs. Potts, but in the end, I really liked them. The bantering between Lumiere and Cogsworth made me laugh.

-    I liked what they did with the Maurice and Lefou characters. Their roles adapted into something more. Maurice was a more prominent character, and they showed his love and protectiveness over Belle. It was sweet to see a loving father figure. This version of Lefou had a bit more backbone, and I loved that. As for the "gay" moment in the movie. It was totally a publicity stunt, and I'm not even sure you could call it a gay moment. 

-    Overall, it was good. I wouldn't buy it or anything, but it was better than I was expecting.

The Wind Rises

My Thoughts:

-    I can't express in words how heartbreaking it is that this is Miyazaki's last film. He certainly was a master storyteller, and I will treasure his movies forever.

-    As usual, Studio Ghibli provided a breathtakingly beautiful film. The art is unlike anything else. The environment, the characters, the buildings, etc. It is so stunning.

-    This was a very somber movie. It had happy beautiful moments, but it also had a lot of heartache.

-    The story was a very lovely love story. It was very touching and very beautiful.

-    I can't stop using the word beautiful for this movie. It is what it is!

-    The characters were amazing. I loved each and every one. Like all of Miyazaki's characters, they have become dear to me.

-    Everything in this movie was so subtle and beautiful, from the music, to the characters, to the artwork, and especially the story. Only Miyazaki could create something like this.

-    The music was amazing! I love Joe Hisaishi's work!

-    Please don't retire Miyazaki!! PLEASE!! I don't want to live in a world where you aren't drawing and creating movies. 

The Terminal

My Thoughts:

-    Tom Hanks has some pretty classic movies. There is Big, Castaway, Saving Private Ryan, all the ones with Meg Ryan, Splash, AND The Terminal. Great actor!

-    I am so amazed at Tom's performance in this one. His speech, posture, and even the way he walks is so unique for his character. That would have been hard. 

-    I love Viktor. You can't help but cheer for him and sympathize with him. Great character!

-    Catherine Zeta-Jones is one of the most beautiful actresses. I wish I looked like her, and had her voice. Her acting is great as well.

-    This movie is so funny, heart warming, and all around great! I really enjoy watching every moment.

-    The music is AWESOME!! I want to learn that clarinet part! 

-    All the sub characters are great as well. They give wonderful performances and they make me laugh.

-    I don't like seeing Stanley Tucci as a bad guy, but he does a good job, like always. 

-    I love watching how Viktor uses his skills and resources to survive in the airport.

-    This movie makes living in airport look a little fun. I wouldn't want to do it for a long time, but a couple weeks would be fun. 

-    If you haven't seen this yet, get ye hence and find it! 

Captain America: The First Avenger

My Thoughts:

-    Awesome!!  Totally Awesome!!

-    The casting was perfect!!  These people were born for these parts.  Chris Evans captures the essence of Captain America perfectly in his mannerisms, his fighting technique, and personality.  The Red Skull...dang!  They did awesome with him.  It was like these characters just stepped off the pages of a comic book.

-    Steve Rogers wasn't a small guy.  He was your average G.I. Joe, and he volunteered for the Super Soldier Serum.  The small skinny guy thing worked out though, and I kinda liked that change.

-    I love that Dum Dum Dugan and Bucky is in this!!!

-    I really wanted a Wolverine cameo.  It would have been so awesome!  

-    There is a part where a guy gets pureed in a propeller.  It gives me the willies ever time!  

-    The whole movie is great.  The emotions, action, characters, etc are all just awesome!  Plus, it is pretty accurate.  

-    I kinda wish they had spent some more time in the present with Captain America, but we get see him more in The Avenger movies.  

-    I hope they bring back Red Skull and Hydra for an Avenger movie.  From the looks of things, they might not, but I hope they do because S.H.I.E.L.D. did fight Hydra.  

The Hunger Games

Last night/this morning, I had the pleasure of seeing The Hunger Games movie!!!  Ya, I was one of the crazy people at the midnight showing.  

 I had the pleasure of going with a bunch of book bloggers and company.  I met a lot of really awesome people, and I had a super great time!!

Now without further delay: 

My Thoughts:

-    The movie was good....really good!  If you love the books, the movie will not disappoint you.  There were a lot of scenes that were just spot on!  The emotions are all there!  It was a bit thrilling.

-    The casting was perfect.  I think Jennifer Lawrence channeled Katniss's character perfectly.  I was worried about Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, but he delivered!  Stanley Tucci made me laugh every time I saw him, and Rue...she just steals your heart.  I was really happy with the overall casting.  

-    (for Andrea)  Gale was a good looking lad, but I'm still a big Peeta fan.  Peeta has a bit of Gilbert Blytheness to him.  He has had a huge crush on Katniss for forever, he is a really good guy, he has a sense of innocence about him, etc.  Who doesn't love a good Gilbert type of guy?

-    The capitol looks like Naboo.  

-    The use of music and lack of music was great!  When the sound would cut off, my heart would drop.  It was really well done.

-    My only complaint was I felt like a monkey was holding the camera for some of the movie.  I would have liked a steadier view of things. 

-    There are only a few changes from the book, and they were super minor.  I wish all movies could be this accurate!  This is probably the best book to movie since Lord of the Rings.  

Shall We Dance

My Thoughts:

-    I didn't like the idea of John lusting after another woman.  He was married!  His relationship with Paulina doesn't go anywhere anyway, so I didn't see the need.

-    Bobbie was kinda gross.

-    I didn't understand why John couldn't tell his wife about taking Ballroom.  It baffles me, and I still really don't get it.  He should have just told her.

-    Those moves that Link pulls in the office at the end was awesome and hilarious! 

-    I love that Nick Cannon played a small part.  He cracks me up!