Zootopia

I took Joselyn to see Zootopia today.  I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a really cute movie about stereotypes and how our minds can be poisoned by others.  I thought it also showed that the sweet and innocent "little guy" might not be so sweet and innocent after all.  I loved all the changes on popular brand names for example the phone had a half eaten carrot on it rather than an apple.  As with all kids movies there were lots of hidden adult jokes, I laughed out loud so many times... Especially at the Sloth section of the movie.

Great movie worth checking out.  Good job Disney its one of the impressive ones.  8/10

M x

Eddie the Eagle

I went to the movies today for the first time in a while & only the second time without Henry since he was born. I went with my friend Kai, she is my movie buddy & we used to go all the time but schedule clashes have prevented us from a movie date for a long time. Kai picked the movie & to be honest I really wasn't interested but thought I'll go purely for the catch up. I knew nothing about the movie and had no idea it was based on a true story.

It was a beautiful movie, I laughed & I cried, I cringed & I cheered. I'd never heard of Eddie but found his story inspiring & filled with valuable lessons.  It had me considering my parenting techniques & treatment towards people who aren't quiet the same.

It was a light hearted, feel good movie and I'll give it 8/10.

M x

Room

I saw this today & I can't stop thinking about it!

The movie starts by showing you a mum & son going through their daily routine contained within the four walls of a "room". As the story unfolds it becomes clear they are being held captive by "old Nick" who visits daily to deliver supplies & collect sexual favors from Joy (the mother). Joy has been held for 7 years and her son jack is 5. They make a beautiful life inside a shed that they call "room" and she teaches her son and provides for him as best she can. Eventually they escape and the story moves to their entry into the world...

Jack: I've been in the world 37 hours. I've seen pancakes, and a stairs, and birds, and windows, and hundreds of cars. And clouds, and police, and doctors, and grandma and grandpa. But Ma says they don't live together in the hammock house anymore. Grandma lives there with her friend Leo now. And Grandpa lives far away. I've seen persons with different faces, and bigness, and smells, talking all together. The world's like all TV planets on at the same time, so I don't know which way to look and listen. There's doors and... more doors. And behind all the doors, there's another inside, and another outside. And things happen, happen, HAPPENING. It never stops. Plus, the world's always changing brightness, and hotness. And there's invisible germs floating everywhere. When I was small, I only knew small things. But now I'm five, I know EVERYTHING!

At the start of the film watching them in the room, I couldn't help but think of how nice it might be to be totally focused on the routine of living. No outside influences to distract you from spending time with your child finding things to entertain yourselves like stretching, creating boats out of shampoo bottles and a snake out of egg shells. When she snapped at his constant questions I couldn't help but think well that's only fair she doesn't get a break, she can't even leave the room! I really came to accept their lif in "room" as being happy & simple. Obviously I don't want to get stolen & live in a shed but it was a calm to the routine and simplicity of it all. No Facebook no worries about what everyone else is doing, just doing your thing. As the movie continued, I just felt so much empathy for the boy and the mum, she was back in the world trying to fit & be a human and he just wanted to be close to her & near her as she was all that was familiar to him.

This film is a must see but I would warn it is so hard to watch. I cried, I laughed and I felt sick to my stomach. The whole thing was really well done!

I give it 9

M x

Brave

This movie was suggested as a must watch for little girls because it has a strong female lead something that is lacking in a lot of the "princess" movies.

We watched it together as a family on Friday afternoon and I'll have to admit it's one of the first Pixar movies I felt fell flat.  I liked the story & theme, mother & daughter bonds and keeping communication lines open & listening to each other. Plus that the female lead is a red head with curly hair and scruffy looking. It was just lacking something, I think maybe the tongue in cheek humor & strong characters.

All in all 4/10

M x

Inside Out

This is such a beautiful movie with a gorgeous theme perfectly timed for our daughter as its release aligned when we are teaching her about her "feelings".

The film is layered with so many different levels of lessons for young to old. I found myself adjusting & thinking about my own feelings & parenting style after watching it. Disney Pixar always does a really good job of making movies that are for children and their parents, I really can't get enough of their films!

The movie is about a little girl Riley and the feelings in her head. Joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and Anger. The major lesson for me from the movie is that your life doesn't need to be happy or "joyful" all of the time. Some of our most defining moments can come from moments of sadness, anger, fear or disgust!

The world really does have a focus on being happy just think of the phrases "happy" new year and "happy" birthday.  I'm not at all suggesting that happiness isn't important just more coming to terms with the fact that you can be joyful but sad or angry at the same time and not being joyful isn't necessarily a bad thing and doesn't mean you've got to be cheered up or distracted, sometimes just feeling the feelings and understanding them and talking about it is all that's needed. I found the scene with BingBong and the rocket really captured this, Joy was trying to distract him from feeling sad but sadness just sat with him and listened to why he was sad.

I just found this really thought provoking in terms of dealing with my own & my children's sadness! 

This movie is up there for me 9 out of 10

M x

Star Wars - The Force Awakens

My husband is a big Star Wars fan and I've watched all the movies but will admit I get a bit confused with who's who and while the story interests me, I don't find it to be the most exciting thing I've watched and totally wasn't interested in the clone wars cartoons. The biggest appeal to me is that I am amazed at how this series has captured billions of followers, and not only that but a cult following that I'm pretty sure is impossible to rival... George Lucas you clever, clever man. 

Now I'm making the assumption here that the whole reason they are making the final 3 movies even though George said he never would is because he sold everything to Disney? But I've also read that they've already made more on this movie than the purchase?? That's crazy & George you're clever but still not as clever as my favorites Disney!

The movie was fine we went gold class so that made it finer. I found I was interested enough to watch through my sleep deprived eyes, up until the last half hour.

I did find the scenes and story line really similar to IV,  especially with the cantina scene and Death Star flight scene.

All in all I enjoyed it and give it a 6/10

M x  

Sex Tape

I did think this was funny but reality kept slipping into my mind of really?  How is this possible?  I don't really understand "the Cloud" but I'm not sure I would ever be caught in this situation!

Age old lesson prevails - don't record anything on camera that you wouldn't be happy with your grandmother seeing!

6/10

M x

The Fault in our Stars

I saw this today, I haven't read the book and didn't really know much about it. I'd been told it is a great book & that it's really sad and I'd assumed this was because the girl is sick and dies(the oxygen thing in the girls nose was my clue). My husband doesn't understand why I would subject myself to a sad movie when you could watch a happy one (and I don't understand why he bother to watch/read the news so that makes us equal) but I wanted to see it because I was in a bit of a funk and needed an excuse to cry... And cry I did!

It was sad but not for the reasons I'd thought it would be, yes the main girl character - Hazel Grace Lancaster (or something like that) is sick and dying and yes she and the boy Augustus Waters(Gus) fall in love  but the love isn't instantaneous love, it is a slow growing love formed around a friendship as described in the movie "I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once." It was beautiful to watch develop and I think the cinematography really displayed it so well I felt the excitement, nerves and flirtation.

The thing that I found saddened me was not the fact that Hazel Grace was sick it was more her obsession around what happens when she dies, is everyone going to be okay? It made me think about the comfort we provide to the dying verses what they need from us. It isn't necessarily to provide comfort that they will be ok or we are here for them in their time of "need" but that WE will be okay without them. Another line that stuck with me was after the funeral and Hazel had chosen not to read the words she had written she said "a funeral is not for the dead, it's for those that have been left behind."

Another thing I found saddening and thought provoking was a conversation late in the film between Hazel and Gus about his fear of oblivion, or being forgotten - he wants to be great, remembered as a hero and have stories written about him and she replies that isn't her love and admiration enough. I found it thought provoking in respect to my own craving for stardom and admiration. It made me question myself and my own relationships with people. Isn't it better to be deeply loved by one person than adored or known by many? Isn't one persons total love and admiration enough? What more do you want in life?

I found this film was layered with so many thought provoking moments and I was still quiet emotional an hour after I'd seen it. The emotion I was expecting (after all that's why I went to see it), it just wasn't the way I expected to feel. I really enjoyed the film 
so I give it 4.5 (.5 short of perfection because there was a single moment I was wanting the end to hurry up and come).

M xo

Toy Story 3

I've been home sick with a toddler and although it's not nice to have a sick child, I have been excited to introduce her to some Disney classics, she hasn't exactly been that interested in many of them but she has taken a liking to Toy Story which is really nice as there are 3 of them and it's a movie series I love to watch.

My disclaimer is that I love toy story that much that at our wedding  the first dance that my husband and I shared was to "you've got a friend in me" from the toy story 2 soundtrack...

My absolute favourite of the toy story series is the 3rd - I think it's the most beautiful movie and has it all covered. I can not fault the movie at all - I laugh, cry and feel emotions each and every time I watch it. I especially get emotional in the final scene where the grown up Andy is giving his precious toys away to the little girl Bonnie.

I honestly can not work out what it is about this scene that has me crying like a baby every time I watch it and even as I type now, just thinking about it I have a tear in my eye. I wonder if it's the symbolic gesture of giving away your childhood toys brings that feeling of saying goodbye to my own childhood? Or is it that I personally could never bring myself to give up my childhood teddy bear? Or is it because now as a mum I think about my own child growing up and the short time that I have left to prepare her for the big world? Whatever it is no movie has me feel this way every time I watch it and that is why after all this time I still give this movie a perfect 10.

M x

Frozen

I've heard so much about this movie & never had any real interest in seeing it until after being stuck at home for 4 days with my sick toddler. What sparked my interest even further is that when I went to purchase the DVD from Big W I was told sorry we sold out again - a new shipment arrives & usually sells out in days... Needless to say now I had to see what the fuss was about! We got the DVD & I watched this afternoon with my toddler & husband. 

The husbands interest was lost in the first few moments when they broke into song but the toddler stay interested for about 10 mins until I was on my own.

I've got to say I really enjoyed it, don't get me wrong it's a typical Disney animated movie but I'd put it up there as one of the best I've seen in recent years. I found it a bit slow to start but once it warmed up I was hooked. The music was lovely & the "let it go" song I found perfectly animated with a beautiful musical melody that had me craving more.  

The only criticism I would have would be around the storyline and the message it sent about being different - stay shut away and try act the same as everyone else but that ended nicely with a sisters love winning over all.

Overall I'd put it up there with Beauty & the beast as one that will remain a Disney Classic for years to come.

I'll give it an 8

M x

Maleficent

As a Disney girl something about the idea of Angelina Jolie playing the villainess character from Sleeping Beauty appealed to me and I couldn't wait to see her as the evil Maleficent.

As I mentioned Angelina was the draw card for me so I hadn't seen any previews and went in totally blind as to what the film was about so it surprised me that the story was written from the antagonist.

I wouldn't say that I didn't enjoy the film because I did but it was lacking something that I can't quiet put my finger on and needless to say it didn't exactly blow me away.  Angelina played Maleficent well and looked absolutely breathtaking and I felt sympathy for her and the situation, the scenes were beautiful and magical but I couldn't help but feel I had seen parts of it before and the remaining cast I would have to say were average.  I liked the twist on loves true kiss (even though I picked it) and enjoyed how it remained mostly true to the Disney Classic.

All in all I will give it a 7

M x 

I'm back.... 12 Years a Slave

It's been a very long time since I played in the world of blogger and while my absence from the blog was more than likely not noticed by a single soul, and truthfully I had so much anxiety over writing my words and making sure they were right that I gave up and had convinced it was a silly idea that I'm not quiet sure why I started, But then..... 

Today I saw a movie and wanted to express my thoughts on it and now I've realised.... It's not even for anyone else to read and honestly I don't think I even mind that nobody reads my posts - it's more for me to relive the memory of how seeing a film for the first time felt when I saw it.

Today I saw 12 years a Slave and I'm not sure that I've ever felt this way during a film ever... I felt sickened to my stomach during the whole thing, I felt sick that the human race was capable of such horrible, nasty and cruel behaviour and just carried on as if it was normal. I felt sick that people that were treated so badly would just then stand by and watch as others were treated the same if not worse. And then I wondered, I wondered what I would be like if I lived back in that time, would I act in this way or would I realise it is wrong and speak my mind? I wondered if there is still racist behaviour like this anywhere in the world and finally, I wondered if my life would be different if my skin was a different colour?

I found this film a great story that kept me entertained from beginning to end. I just find it unfortunate and sad that it is based on a true story.  It's my pick this year for best picture and I give it a 9 out of 10.

The Kings Speech

To be completely honest I had no intention of seeing this movie until it won the academy award and even then the only reason I went to see it was because my mother suggested that I do.  I'm so glad she did!

I laughed, I cried and I felt the emotions of what it would be like to have so much pressure to have to speak when you didn't really want to.  I always thought I wanted to be famous but after watching this I decided I'm glad I'm not a royal!!

I thought Geoffrey Rush was AMAZING and Colin Firth was good too, made me want to explore the royals and learn more of their story which for me must have meant I really enjoyed it!

I'd give it a 9...

Ps this is one I had saved in my drafts stressing over my words.... It's a bit raw but I decided to post it anyway because it was a good movie that I really enjoyed and still think about often... 

No Strings Attached

Chick Flick you say.... well yeah it is but I enjoyed it. I knew how it would end before I even walked into the cinema but for some reason I just can not help but watch the mind numbing feel good love stories.

It had me thinking about why we classify these type of movies as "Chick Flicks"?  My husband hates "Girly" movies and won't come with me unless I drag him, but I noticed the guy next to me with his wife was laughing along to all the jokes and seemed to be enjoying himself (really because his laugh was so loud I found it distracting).

The movie is about a guy & a girl who's paths continually cross and they decide to become friends with benefits, and they start sleeping together for fun, the deal is when one of them feels more they end it.... seems simple enough but as we all know it doesn't work and long story short they .... spoiler alert.... end up together - as if that was a surprise!

Even though the plot was predictable and it was a typical chick flick I found myself enjoying the movie and wondering how it would all work out.  I was laughing along with all the jokes and felt compassion for the Kutcher character Adam when his heart got broken.  It could just be due to the week I've had but I enjoyed just sitting and watching.

I'll give it a 3.5

M

Hall Pass

My husband wanted to see this one and I thought it was going to be one of those "stupid funny movies" and guess what it was!!  It's by the guys that did "There's Something about Mary" and employs that style of comedy... 


As a rule I don't really like Owen Wilson, I can stand him but his crooked face always distracts me in movies and makes me question how a man that looks like that can get such a pretty wife (because he always seems to land the pretty chicks in these movies).  This film is really no exception he is married to a pretty lady and has a wandering eye, his best friend is the same or, maybe even worse.  Their wives decide that they have had enough and give them a "hall pass" which is a week off from marriage to familiarise themselves with what it is like to live a single life again.  The whole idea is that this should make them realise how good they have it and then live happily ever after.


Honestly the film had its funny moments but it was more of a date night movie for us and one I didn't really enjoy.  Sure I had a few laughs but they were few and far between and we all knew that surely in the end they were already, how does that saying go "punching above their weight" and had slim chances of getting a prettier lady.


It reminded me a little of the hangover but I liked that movie a little more. I'll give it 2.5.


Thanks
M x

Black Swan

I went to see this movie with my mother in law and when it finished we both just sat there... As we walked out the first question she asked me was "Did you like it". I couldn't answer right away, I had no idea.  I was still processing, what did it all mean, what was real and what wasn't?  I really wasn't sure what I thought and to be completely honest I'm still not 100 percent sure what I think - I'm still processing and think it might be one of those ones that I need to see again to fully comprehend. The thing I can say is that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and didn't take my eyes off the screen for the whole hour and 48 minutes.

All in all it was really intense, its a psychological thriller based around the story of a ballet company doing a performance of swan lake.  The director feels that Nina (Portman) has the beauty, talent and grace to play the white swan but isn't dark or experienced enough to play the black swan.  As Nina tries to draw on her dark side to prove him wrong and create a perfect balance of black and white she becomes not only reckless but what I can only describe as schizophrenic. The role begins to consume her she rehearses all day and into the night to come home to a really creepy, overbearing mother.

Overall the dancing was amazing, Natalie Portman was amazing and I enjoyed it, well I think I did. I'll give it 4 out of 5. 

Thanks 

M x

The Social Network

The Social Network

Like it or not Facebook plays such a huge role in today's social interaction there was no way I could miss this movie and I'm happy to report that I actually loved it. 

A huge reason why this movie is so popular is because its more than just a movie, it's based on the real story of how Zuckerberg did everything he had to do in order to make it to the top. He can easily be labeled as an arrogant jerk but I disagree with this view, in my opinion he was an extremely smart guy that took an idea further than anyone had ever dreamed. He may have stabbed his best mate in the back and originally stole the seedling of the idea from "fellow students" but he did the work, he had the vision and he had the intelligence to get it as far as he did.  Regardless on where you stand about his character he is a guy who has created a site that millions of users spend hours of their day on, which is quiet ironic considering in the film he (the character of Zuckerberg) seems to lack any social skills.


Eisenberg plays the role of Zuckerberg brilliantly, not that I know him or anything but he plays the role of a highly intelligent person with limited social skills the way I would expect them to be.

After seeing the movie the only question left burning in my mind was how true is it all.  I'd love to sit down and ask the actual people who are depicted in the movie how they feel they were represented. I've read an interview with Zuckerberg about the film and he is quoted in saying:


"It’s interesting what stuff they focused on getting right. Like every single fleece and shirt I had in that movie is actually a shirt or fleece that I own. You know, so there’s all this stuff that they got wrong, and a bunch of random details that they got right."


All in all I thought it was a very entertaining movie and I'll give it a 4.


M

Meet the Fockers

Little Fockers Poster

This one really didn't start off well for me and the reason is simple, I hate it when a movie uses all the jokes in the preview. Unfortunately the first funny scenes were straight from the preview, they weren't even really edited for the preview. So there were no laughs had from me because those jokes had already had their laughs... Actually now that I think about it I don't remember many laughs from the entire room.


As for the remainder of the film it was a usual Fockers movie where the father in law thinks his son in law is up to something tracks him down gets the wrong impression and tries to get his daughter to marry the "Mr Perfect" Owen Wilson character. 


It was ok but don't waste your $$ wait for the DVD


I'll give it a 3 because I've seen worse.


M x

The Tourist

The scenery is the most amazing thing about this movie.  I've never been to Europe and looking at the scenery during the movie kept me captivated the whole time. 


I have read other reviews on this movie and it hasn't been loved by many, in my opinion I enjoyed it.  My husband said that he picked the ending a mile off but I must have been too short sighted or distracted because I didn't see it and thought it was a nice little surprise.


I'm more than certain that it isn't the best thing I've seen. I really don't get the fascination with Jolie, I could be a jealous female but I just don't see it, big lips, skinny and brown hair she is beautiful I'll give her that but I wouldn't say she is worth all the commotion of sexiest person on earth!  Depp was good but the relationship between him and Jolie didn't work for me, it was all  a bit weird.


Overall, it was an ok movie and although I wouldn't watch it again it was fine to sit through. I'll give it a 3.


Thanks
M x

Date Night

I'd only recommend this movie as one of those movies that you watch on a Friday night when there isn't anything else on and you don't really feel like thinking much... 


I don't think I really like Steve Carell... I'm not sure what it is but I think I don't like the way he speaks or something.  


This movie was nothing special, it had few funny moments and I found myself struggling to keep my eyes open which is unusual for me especially watching a movie. It's a blend of Action and Comedy.  I had a few laughs out loud, but didn't really have high expectations.  The best bit was the shirt-less Mark Wahlberg....


It was OK so I'll give it 3


Thanks
M x