Hunger Games: Catching Fire Review
Fresh from rereading the book, I had such high expectations for this movie and let me just say, I was BLOWN AWAY. From the minute it starts the cinematography and directing was just beautiful. I enjoyed the first movie a lot, but Catching Fire takes us to a whole new level. The acting performances are better from everyone, it's edgier, no shaky camera, believable chemistry between Katniss, Peeta, and Gale, the budget is bigger, there's less CGI and the CGI that is in it is more realistic, the arena is stunning! All in all it was a perfect film in every way and got the tones of the books down to the T.
Everyone did SUCH an exemplary job with their characters, but two people stood out to me a bit more than the others and that was my girl, Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Clafflin who plays Finnick. Jennifer Lawrence has such amazing expression that you don't need a first person perspective like the book to know what she's thinking. You can just see it in her eyes. Jennifer really perfects this role, it's the best I've ever seen her.
Sam Clafflin also had a lot of pressure entering this all star cast, but he totally nailed it. Finnick's character is so likeable and he encompasses everything I imagined him being in the book perfectly. Now of course there are other names that did absolutely amazing as well, Jena Malone as Johanna Mason, Josh Hutcherson really brought it this time around, and I loved the new game maker played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, just to name a few.
I am so happy with how much detail from the book was in the movie from the smallest things. Buttercup actually looked like Buttercup instead of some random black cat like in the first movie. Katniss and Gale's hair were actually black like it was in the book instead of dark brown. Little details like this made the movie so much stronger than the first and that's saying something cause I really loved the first.
Director Francis Lawrence's vision of Catching Fire is definitely worth the price of an admission ticket. It's the best sequel I've seen since The Dark Knight.
5 out of 5 stars, no doubt! (A Must See)
Thor: The Dark World Review
While I was excited to see Thor kick butt, I'd be lying if I said I didn't see this film mainly for Loki. He's unpredictable, sarcastic, twistedly awesome, but not that much in the film which had me a bit disappointed.
The film's strength was it's comedy in that it didn't take itself really seriously at all. It knows it's cheesy, we know it's cheesy and it doesn't try to be what it's not, which I can respect. The visuals are beautiful especially in a particular scene involving a boat and a waterfall. However, there were quite a few flaws that I simply couldn't overlook. The plot was all over the place (most of the time I wasn't even sure what it was), Jane and Darcy were borderline annoying most of the movie, and again, I wanted more Loki!
The more you think about it the less you like it, but if you are in the mood for some fun mindless action, this is the film for you. I enjoyed the first movie more which makes Thor: The Dark World just good enough not to be bad. 2.5 out of 5 stars from me. I left the theater thinking, "Meh." (Watch If Free)
Ender's Game Review
I want to start off by saying that I have NOT read the book and so there will be no comparisons in this review; that being said, after seeing this, I would definitely like to.
One of the things I can't stand in movies is bad child actors, thankfully most of the cast was really good! While some of the children had a hard time with the complex dialogue, (Ender) Asa Butterfield's line delivery is spot on. After seeing him in Hugo and Boy in the Striped Pajama's I already knew he was talented, but in Ender's Game he holds the entire movie on his shoulders and even stands out next to Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley and Viola Davis. With such a tremendous amount of emotional range at such a young age, this star has a bright future ahead.
I was very impressed with the character of Ender himself and his development. He was effortlessly likeable, smart, and respectable, definitely a leader I'd want to get behind.
While at some points the story is a little hard to follow, long winded, and some of the emotional moments seem forced, Ender's Game held its head above the water with solid performances, strategic character development, and a powerful ending. It was hardly perfect, but it was charming. 3 out of 5 stars. (Rent It)
