AVATAR

The phenomenon that is Avatar.....

I was reluctant to see this film. I am not into sci-fi romances (which I am SURE that I have mentioned before :) ), and I guess that I am prideful enough where if everyone on the planet is telling me to do something, I just REFUSE! I have been wrong before, and will surely be again. And I am happy to say, that I was completely wrong regarding this film as well.

This ambitious and detailed film is a visual masterpiece. What an amazing undertaking by James Cameron! We have seen him bite off quite a bit before, but nothing this expansive and impressive. I was blown away by the immense scope that was this movie. I can't even begin to imagine the work and effort it took by many hundreds of people to pull this off, it truly is like nothing I have ever seen before! Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect. But it definitely was a movie that continued to run in my head over and over even after the ending credits. And in 3D, fabulous! I don't think I have seen a 3D movie since Captain EO (yikes! I sure do date myself with that one), and I was stunned!!! Watching the movie in 3D was just as good as seeing my husband with those humongous glasses on for 3 hours! :)

Let's start with the not-so-good....

I didn't think that the storyline running throughout this film was completely believable. Don't get me wrong, I understand that life on other planets, etc isn't supposed to be completely realistic. But putting that aside, I felt like we have just seen this plot many times before. Nothing original with the main relationship storyline except the planet and species. However, I did find myself relating to an alien species in some way, and even cried for them and their race, so I guess I can't call it completely unbelievable. Though I do I wonder how much of that was the visual aspect.

The great......

The actors were amazing, well picked, and believable in their roles. The detail of the set, special effects, and cinematography was fantastic! The movie was so completely detailed down to the way the main characters legs looked in a wheelchair that I could not find anything distracting from the entire film while watching. And that is a good sign! Usually I get caught up on "that isn't supposed to be there" or "they didn't show it that way earlier".

Another great, the visual effects were FABULOUS!!!! I could not believe my eyes at times. The entire world surrounding this alien race was well thought out and planned. Each piece impressed me more then that last, and I found myself just staring with my mouth open half the time at the beauty that was created on screen. I especially loved the "floating mountains" and the entire story surrounding them. What an inventive idea and execution! This scenery is nothing like we have ever seen before. I have no idea how they would create it, but they sure did it wonderfully.Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana both had an epic performance. Each, in their own way, played their part exceptionally well. I was most impressed by the emotion that Saldana showed throughout the film. Truthfully, I was not expecting that from her. I have seen Saldana in movies past, and have not been that impressed. I have been proven wrong. She WAS this alien character, in every way. Again, I am stumped at how she was able to act so emotionally with all of that make-up and get-up on, but she did an amazing job.

Mostly, I was impressed with Worthington. I had not seen him in movies past, and was anxious about that for some reason. But, he completely shocked me (in a good way!) throughout this entire emotional roller coaster. He seemed to embody Jake Sully, both in human and Avatar form. I could feel his angst and emotional ties to both sides, and truly felt for him.

Overall, James Cameron put together a fabulous and perfectly picked cast that made up Avatar, and he did a terrific job. I think that every actor was cast in a perfect role, one that would make them shine through each and every scene.

I truly adored this movie, and can't wait to see it again. I have to give it my highest rating, a 1 diaper day, FABULOUS! I would like to close with what a fellow viewer has said...."It is the experience, more than the story, that's worth celebrating here". I completely agree.

When In Rome

The ultimate classic romance....

Boy meets girl (or should I say girl meets boy), boy likes girl, girl likes boy but thinks boy likes someone else, girl picks up coins out of a fountain, all of a sudden a whole bunch of boys like girl including the original boy, girl thinks boys are crazy including original boy, girl finally falls for boy, girl breaks up with boy, girl likes boy again (do I really have to go on??).

This movie was terrible. Downright terrible. I was so excited to go see a fun chick-flick with a great friend, and we ended up being completely disappointed.

The acting was terrible, the cinematography was a mess, the scenes did not sync well, and it was completely cheesy. Truly, the only redeeming quality was watching Josh Duhamel for two hours. And possibly seeing some amazing sites of Italy.

This movie gets my lowest rating by far, a four diaper day....absolutely MISERABLE!

Meryl

So I just watched Julie and Julia again. First time since I had seen it in the theaters last year. And I have got to say, Meryl Streep is BRILLIANT!!! She has always been a favorite of mine, but as I was watching closely and critiquing her performance, I really truly felt that she was completely brilliant. Couldn't have been better.....

Just thought I would share.

Dear John

I admit it....I was actually pretty darn excited to see this movie. I love all types of movies, romantic, action and adventure, and even some sci-fi, but I will give that I am partial to the hopeless romantic, everyone lives happily ever after type of film. I guess it is just in my nature. Which is why as I was laid up for 6 weeks rehabilitating my knee, I was simply dying to get out and watch this film in particular.

The beginning starts out promising, with a good (notice I didn't say great) cast of characters and some likable scenes, but doesn't quite find it's center as the film goes on. Though I enjoyed watching what was playing out in front of me, I couldn't help but think "where were we all going to end up?" I admit some tears were shed, but instead of just the tear streaks that I should have left the theater with, I also had lines across my forehead from being so puzzled in parts.
The classic Nicholas Sparks premise...young love riddled with complications. That summarizes the plot in a nutshell. Beautiful young love, only having known each other for two weeks, and then being separated by time, space, war, and every other possible calamity. But what else should we expect from a Spark's novel? The two lovers have the hope of being reunited when 9/11 strikes and all is interrupted. Both must be consigned to write letters for who knows how long, in order to keep the spark alive. And then the unthinkable happens....

Channing Tatum and amanda Seyfriend play the young lovers in this romantic drama. The two definitely had a spark, and I think clicked pretty darn well from beginning to end. I truly did like watching the two together, if it wasn't so darn dramatic ALL of the time! Tatum did well, though emotion is not his strength. He made me want a sensitive man, but didn't convince me that that was his true character. Seyfriend is one of my favorites, but really felt that this role didn't live up to the potential she has locked inside. Though I believe that the film was cast well, there definitely isn't any Oscar winning roles to speak of.

Overall, I am torn between a two and three diaper day. I enjoyed it, but is it on my list of movies to buy in the next 6 months? Probably not....So, let's give it a 2 and a half diaper day, somewhere in the realm of agreeable to mediocre. Thoughts?

Behind....

I know, I am already starting 2010 on a bad note...

I am severely behind on my reviews beginning in the new year, but no worries, I do have a few up my sleeve. They may be slightly shorter then normal, but here they are none-the-less.....and off we go!

Star Trek

I have never resembled a Trekkie in any way, shape, or form. Not sure if I ever watched an entire episode of this amazing franchise in my life. This is why I was not the least bit anxious to watch JJ Abrams relaunch of this already epic story. However, this is not the first time I must admit a fault, and I am sure not the last.....I truly loved this movie. Surprise, I know.

I was truly impressed by JJ Abrams, who took on this nearly impossible task of recreating a storyline for these already beloved and well-known characters. His vision was clear; create an exciting, show-stopping story surrounding this beloved series. And all I can say is "well done!" The action was fantastic, with scenes keeping me on the edge of my seat, never knowing what was going to happen next. His cast of characters (well, most of them....more on that later) was inspired, with fantastic dynamic between actors and well acted, fast-paced, scenes. Humor in all the right places, drama at all the right times. Unpredictable story with a twist. There was also just enough of the old Star Trek story line to keep those who have loved the show for ages interested, as well as new twists and turns for those who never heard of such a thing as a Romulan. :)

One of the twists that truly peeked my interest was the arrival of the "old" Spock, Leanord Nemoy. Though the story was a bit difficult to follow (why there are now indeed two Spocks on earth at one time, one trying to save the fate of the other), it was truly a treat to see his familiar face. Even familiar to me, who never watched the original series. His arrival made a perfect fit for humor, drama, and action all in one.

As for the new blood that penetrated the slides of this film....
Most of these actors were completely unknown to me. And I do have to say that the side characters were a bit disappointing. Besides the main few, the lines tended to be a bit cheesy, the acting was mediocre, and it actually seemed like they may be trying a bit too hard to emulate the already loved characters.
Now, as for the main actors. These few truly had great dynamic between them, portrayed their characters extremely well (from a non-Trekkie critic anyway), and though their objective was a lofty one, I think that they accomplished it well. Chris Pine (Kirk) was one I had never seen before, but now he will have to significantly step up his game, because he impressed me in this very first film I had seen him in. I believe he even looked the part. My one negative thought regarding this character was only, how many times can one person die? I mean, really? Falling thousands of feet, shot at, inferno, on and on and on. However, I guess that isn't his fault as an actor. :) His part was a strenuous one, but I think that he performed beautifully. Zachary Quinto (Spock) has previously been seen in the show Heros, though not something that I have never seen as well. He triumphed in this film. He was serious, studious, logical, and adds an outsiders point of view on human kind. I think that Leonard Nemoy would be proud.

Overall, this new flavor to an epic story was done incredibly well. I enjoyed my experience so much that I immediately began writing notes for this, the review. I would watch it again in a heart beat, which is a lofty statement coming from a non-Trekkie. I have to give it my highest rating, a 1 diaper day! And to leave all of you my readers, I say only:
"Live Long and Prosper!"

Edit

I must add another movie to my favorites of 2009. I only recently saw the new Star Trek, and though this is completely against my "normal" favorites by far, I absolutely loved it. Review to come...

ADDED! :)