Film review: Anna Karenina

This beautiful movie is about love and its many forms. It’s a rich, elegant, visual feast where the actors dance around the sets, and each other. It’s viewed like a play in a theatre that breaks out and runs free in the real world; many of the scenes take place in an actual theatre they built specifically for this movie.

It’s about a rich, socialite woman named Anna who is married to a very successful politician and has a lovely little boy, but she falls desperately in love with a soldier named Vronsky. He says he can’t live without her and they decide to run away and be happy with each other. However, adultery has a price, and some love doesn’t last forever.

Keira really brings Anna to life, and Aaron Johnson (Vronsky) is much more attractive in this movie than he was in Kick-Ass. It’s a period piece, so the costumes were designed to mix 1950s couture with an 1870s silhouette and body shape, resulting in gorgeous dresses. The men’s uniforms were designed from looking at period style Russian uniforms. Also, I saw a few familiar faces like people from Downton Abbey, Moaning Myrtle perhaps, and Anna's brother in this movie is the man who plays Mr. Darcy opposite Keira in Pride and Prejudice!

I really loved this film, and I think I will have to go and buy it for myself.

 

 

 

Film review: Oz the great and powerful

Overall, not so great and powerful after all. The "3D" effects were annoying to watch in 2D at home, James Franco's performance was a little lacking (which was disappointing because I love him), there was just too much CGI, the china doll character was irritating, and the monkey's voice sounded unsuited to the character. I didn't bother to finish the movie, I just popped in my VHS of the original Wizard of Oz.

I was excited for this movie because I like the original so much, but the reboot just didn't deliver. It's supposed to be a prequel, and to their credit they do stick to the fact that Oz (the magician) was from Kansas and got sucked up in the tornado in his hot air balloon during the carnival and thrust into the enchanting world of Oz, yet the rest of the movie was mediocre.

It seems these days, movie producers are making films just to make money, and forget to actually make a good movie. Some films are works of art, or if not that, they are at least fun to watch over and over again (the original Wizard of Oz) but unfortunately, this movie just doesn't make the cut.

 

 

Peter Capaldi is the new Doctor!

Sooo...

They have finally revealed who will replace dear Matt Smith on BBC's Doctor Who. I didn't believe it when I first saw it, I thought it might be a joke or something. But it's authentic- Capaldi will start filming episodes in the fall.

He was on a previous episode of Doctor Who featuring David Tennant as the Doctor on "The Fires of Pompeii" playing Caecilius, the father of the Pompeian family that survives the explosion.



I'm a little weary about this new Doctor because first of all, I loved Matt Smith like no other. And second, Capaldi is old. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing...but the last two Doctors were quite attractive and I loved watching them on the show. He might bring something good and original to the legendary character, but honestly I'm disappointed.

I'm still looking forward to the new episodes (especially the Christmas special!) and I will try to keep an open mind about Capaldi... I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Film review: V for Vendetta

I know this is an older movie, but I watched it for the first time yesterday and really loved it. I didn't understand it at first, but the movie is about a terrorist/vigilante named "V" fighting for freedom from an oppressive government in Great Britain in the not-so-distant future. He also has to take revenge on a number of party members that wronged him in the past. Evey, a girl who was roped into all this on chance (or maybe not chance...) is being sought after by the police for being seen with the masked terrorist while he blew up a building. V finally rids Evey of fear and she becomes truly free, while he stirs things up and starts a revolution to overthrow parliament.

The movie is based on a graphic novel and has a real comic book feel to it that works in its favor. From the people who brought you The Matrix, this film is very entertaining and thought provoking; it really sticks with you after you watch it.


 

And for all you fellow Sherlock lovers out there, if you're still not convinced, Rupert Graves is a police inspector in this movie... sound familiar?

 

Film review: Hitchcock

If you've ever seen the timeless masterpieces of Alfred Hitchcock (for example, Psycho, The Birds, The Trouble with Harry, Rear Window, Lifeboat, etc.) then you know his unique style, and his talent for suspense. This movie is about the making of the seemingly doomed Psycho, as well as an in-depth look at the man who made it and the woman by his side. Anthony Hopkins is unrecognizable; he disappears and Hitchcock is the only man you can see. Helen Mirren is wonderful as his wife Alma, and their relationship is tested as Hitch is distracted by pressure from the people around him who have no faith in his ambitious picture.

I did not know much about Alfred Hitchcock, so this movie was a very interesting look into the life of the father of horror. It made me want to watch the original Psycho again. I definitely recommend this film for people who love the history of movies or just want to watch something interesting and splendid for a night.