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Posts Tagged ‘New Movie reviews’

The Amazing Spiderman 2

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Spider man 2 poster

The Amazing Spiderman 2, starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Marc Webb was truly AMAZING! This was one of the best superhero movies I’ve seen.
Without giving too much away, I will say that the movie is a continuation of the first film. What really makes this movie a first rate action film is the storytelling aspect. The writers focused on delivering Peter’s story in such a way that fully explains Peter’s connection to OsCorp and his real reasons for becoming Spiderman.
The rise of Electro and The Green Goblin were elements that added to the film. Andrew Garfield did a wonderful job reprising his role as The Amazing Spiderman, but Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Electro was just outstanding. I had the pleasure of experiencing the film in 3D and it was such an entertaining experience that I will never forget. Electro made the movie. Foxx aka Electro is now on my list of the top 5 Superhero villains of all time.
The action scenes were superb and I felt like I was in the film living every moment as if I were one of the characters. This movie is definitely an engaging film with no dull moments.
The love story between Peter and Gwen was also nice, but it wasn’t an overwhelming element. Each mini storyline fit to the overall bigger story and came together very nicely. Even the Green Goblin’s story was interesting, and the whole story behind Peter and Harry’s past unveiled some very engaging plot outlines. OsCorp is the corporation of the future, but all things intended to help mankind don’t necessarily end in success. I hope an Amazing Spiderman 3 is in the works.
The special effects were out of this world, the scenes with Electro in the heart of Times Square were so authentic in its presentation. Also the scenes where Spiderman is above the city jumping from building to building were also amazing. I was completely swept away by this film.
The score was another element that was outstanding. The music played an important role, which kept the flow and mood of the movie in ways that increased the dramatic effect of the film. It connected to the emotion of the characters and impacted the audience in a way that drew you into the movie even deeper.
Peter’s adventure is just that, a great adventure that you will want to experience.
Overall I gave this movie 5 stars and highly recommend that fans see it in 3D. Spending the extra cash is worth it.

L.L

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The Hobbit:The Desolation of Smaug “Movie Review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on December 22, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug directed by Peter Jackson was absolutely Amazing!! The movie goer is immediately sucked into Bilbo’s adventure. The film opens with Gandalf and the Dwarf King Thorin meeting at the Prancing Pony, a familiar place that all fans reconigize from TLOTR.
The film moves quickly as Bilbo and the Dwarves continue their journey to The Lonely Mountian. On their journey they meet friends, and foes, and embrace many challenges along the way. The great evil that lurks in the shadows is introduced and Gandalf battles the evil to some degree. We are shown the power that lies within the gray wizard. The Woodland Realm Elves make their mark, as so many other story elements are revealed. The on screen presentation of The Dragon Smaug mentally and creatively altered my imagination. Every aspect of this film demonstrates a form of creativity that I have never seen or experienced before. The actors, special effects, score, writing, and director was spectacular! Peter Jackson is a creative genius and should be considered for a life time achievement award in film. This movie is a must see. Jackson and Tolkin has elevated the fantasy genre to such a degree that I don’t think no one else can top. I give this movie 5 stars! I’ve got to see it again OMG!
L.L.

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Carrie 2013 “Movie Review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , on October 21, 2013| 1 Comment »

Carrie directed by Kimberly Peirce and starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore is the retelling of a classic, based on Stephen King’s novel. The story is about a religious teen girl that is extremely withdrawn and is consistently bullied to a degree that is unimaginably hurtful.
Carrie has the unique gift of telekenic powers and researches it’s origins,and tries to perfect her ability.
Carrie’s life is not just complicated at school,but her home life is also very difficult, as she deals with a religious crazy mother, (portrayed by Moore)Carrie is abused physically and emotionally. Its not until she is invited to Prom by Tommy Ross where she starts to defend herself. As she tries to recoup from a disturbing lockeroom prank she makes an attempt to try to fit in by accepting the invitation.
Prom night turns into a night of carnage as the final prank of the evening ends deadly.
Female directors are underrepresented in the world of Hollywood,so I must say that Peirce did a great job representing women in the industry. The film focused more on Carrie’s powers and the commotion among friends, but it still was entertaing. Chloe did a nice job holding her own, and Moore’s portrayal of Margaret was a unique take on an old character. The original role played by Piper Laure is irreplaceable and priceless.
I love the representation of Carrie’s powers in the movie, they had a life of their own and every time she used them, it sucked me in even more. The special effects were engaging and eye catching. If your looking for a lot of gore then this movie is for you. The anticipation to see the Prom scene intensifies with every moment.
I give this movie 3.5 stars.
Have a frightening week!!

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Curse of Chucky Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Curse of Chucky directed by Don Mancini, stars Brad Dourif, and the horror legend’s real life daughter-Fiona Dourif. This movie marks the 25th anniversary of the Child’s Play franchise.
The story picks up where Seed of Chucky left off, as it follows a woman named Sarah that receives a mysterious package. That package turns out to be a Good Guy doll, and before the night is over she is dead.
Nica (Fiona Dourif) is left to plan her mother’s funeral along with her older sister Barb, and her husband Ian. A night of family time ends up becoming an evening of terror as Chucky unleashes his wrath of murder upon them.
Only a true fan of the series would appreciate this movie. Now don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a blockbuster not even “made for television” worthy, but for those who have been looking for some kind of closure to a story that seemed to be never-ending- this is the film for you.
The death scenes were average, some of the past films within the franchise were more creative, but I applaud the effort. As a fan of Chucky, I was happy to see the Brad had taken on the role again. The classic Chucky humor was not as evident. This film was a bit darker than the others,but I still enjoyed it.
Charles Lee Ray’s past resurfaced again, and this time many questions were answered, and his fate was rewritten as he finally accomplished his goal.
I give this movie 2.5 stars
Have a frightening weekend!
L.L.

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Insidious Chapter 2 “movie review”

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , on September 15, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Insidious Chapter Two, directed by James Wan and starring Patrick Wilson is the continuation of a story about an entity that has crossed over into our world,as it haunts and terrorizes a family.
I’ve already read some reviews about the movie that basically give the movie a bad review,and I understand that everyone has their own opinion and is entitled to that.
From a writers’ perspective, I appreciate every written component that was put into the story. The whole idea was interesting and complex.
The movie picks up where the first one ends, after Josh brings his son back from the astral dimension of the Further.
As the family tries to settle back into a normal life and deal with the death of their paranormal researcher friend Lin, Josh soon realizes that he is still stuck in the Further and the spirit of a man with a disturbing past has inhibited his body in the realm of reality.
I won’t giveaway any more spoilers, but I will say that the movie wasn’t as scary as it could have been, and the effects were lacking in some areas. As for the writing and the overall storyline, it was captivating and drew me into the story completely. You have to see the first movie in order to follow the second, and in order to understand the second, you must have an appreciating for good writing.
I give this movie 3.5 stars
My next horror review will be Carrie, coming out Oct 18th.

Have a good fright!
L.L.
.

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Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 8, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Fall is one of my favorite seasons, and even though it’s not official yet, I’m already in the mood to watch some awesome horror flicks.
My first horror review of the season is Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D. It was released early January of this year, but I just got around to seeing it this past weekend.
Directed by John Luessenhop and starring (The Lightening Thief’s Alexandra Daddairo) this horror continues the saga of masked murderer Leatherface.
The film picks up right after the 70’s original. After a girl reports that a masked man killed her friends, a group of townspeople torch the home of the Sawyers, in hopes of getting rid of the evil within the family.
Years after the horrific incident, a girl learns that she has inherited a home in Texas. She travels to the southern state with a group of her friends and before they can settle in, the bodies began to drop. She quickly learns that she is a survivor of the brutal town massacre and that she is directly connected to the family that was murdered.
The roles reverse for her, once she and her newly discovered cousin Jed becomes a target for the town to get rid of. Heather and Leatherface aka Jed team up in the name of family to survive the wrath of the town.
I thought this movie was pretty good. The death scenes could have been bloodier, but the overall storyline was interesting. Its a great start to a screaming horror season! Fans can check this out on Demand. I give this movie 3 stars.
Coming next week, Insidious Chapter 2 review.

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The Incredible Burt Wonderstone: Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on March 26, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Bert wonder poster

The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Movie Review
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone directed by Don Scardino, known for directing many popular television shows including 30 Rock, stars Steve Carell and follows the story of a middle aged Las Vegas Magician as he struggles to remain one of the top magicians in Sin City.
Wonderstone and his partner/best friend Anton Marvelton played by Steve Buscemi have had an act based at Balleys hotel and Casino for over ten years. Stuck in their old school magician ways, their careers and friendship is put to the test when fellow magician and rival Steve Gray portrayed by Jim Carrey attempts to show the world a fresh new form of creating illusions.
The team of magicians try to keep up with the competition by creating a stunt that hopefully will boast ticket sales, But Burt and Anton soon part ways when the idea of the new stunt goes terribly wrong and Anton gets hurt.
Burt struggles to maintain the show on his own, but the show sinks without his partner. As a result of the act loosing money Burt is fired. Unable to properly adjust, Burt is faced with living in a motel with accommodations that do not suit him.
During his travels and transition he meets the king of magic and learns that throughout the years he has lost his passion for the art of magic.
As realizes that the passion he once had can be regained, he reconstitutes his friendships and opens himself up to new ideas.
The movie was funny but still was not 40 Year Old Virgin funny. That is what I was expecting. Jim Carry’s character was very funny and it was nice to see him back on the screen doing what he loves. Carrell and Buscemi were a great team and had great chemistry.
I give this movie 3 stars and recommend it to anyone that wants to laugh and enjoys the combination of all actors.

Happy Reading and Writing
L.L

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Oz The Great and Powerful:Movie review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

oz poster

Oz The Great and Powerful:movie review
Oz The Great and Powerful directed by the talented and creative Sam Raimi and starring James Franco tells how the origin of the Wizard of Oz came to be. Franco plays a struggling magician part of a traveling circus. A good man at heart, unfortunately Oscar learns how to live his life by tricking the people around him in order to make ends meet. After a day of creating illusions for a show Oscar is swept away in a hot air balloon when he is caught in a tornado.
(The introduction of the movie starts out in black and white just like the original Wizard of Oz.)
Oscar prays that if his life is spared he will change. And suddenly everything stops and he enters another world, Oz. From there on the movie is (shot in color.)
Oscar is memorized by the magic and uniqueness of this place. He soon meets a beautiful woman (Mila Kunis) that admits she is a witch and charms her just like he charms every beauty that walks into his life. In no time Oscar learns that this beautiful land is in trouble and is in search for the one that will save the people of Oz from the wrath of a wicked witch. Oscar quickly makes the people believe that he is the Great Wizard that the prophecy predicted. He uses his charms,wit and ability to create illusions to claim a throne of riches and fame that does not truly belong to him. Once he learns that he is in the middle of a great battle for power among three powerful witches (Rachel Weisz and Mila Kunis and Michelle Williams) he backs out trying to turn his back on the people and the mission to save the land. Forced to demonstrate his true nature of good he soon teams up with Glina the good witch and utilizes his trickster ways to create the ultimate illusion to defeat the two witches.
This movie is actually a prequel to the Judy Garland original. Sam Raimi did an excellent job directing this epic adventure. It was different than the classic Sam Raimi films that his fans know so well but he did not disappoint. The movie was filled with special effects. The effects were created with skill but there were times that I felt I was in Tim Burton’s world. Overall the movie was very entertaining and thrilling. The 3D version of this film did not enhance the cinematic experience for movie goers. That component was pointless. I would not recommend spending the extra money to see this film in 3D. The writing was creative and the make up was artistically developed. Mila Kunis’ makeup as the wicked witch was over the top with added laytex and construction considering the original witch had an elongated nose, warts and green face paint. The costume design was another element that added to the magic of this film. My goal for this review was not be long and obviously I did not meet that goal. ( LOL) The movie is a must see for adults and children to enjoy. I give this movie four stars.
Happy Reading!
L.L

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“The Hobbit” Movie review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , , on December 16, 2012| 1 Comment »

The hobbit

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit starring Martin Freeman is the spectacular genesis of an epic adventure that follows a small hobbit a young “Bilbo Baggins” as he sets off on a journey to help a clan of dwarves reclaim their homeland at the Lonely Mountain which was stolen from them by a fierce dragon called Smaug. Recruited by the great wizard Gandalf, Bilbo is approached by the dwarves and their King Thorin to assist in their efforts. Labeled as a “thief” Bilbo is Reluctant to leave the comforts of home and branch off into the world. As the dwarves try to convince Bilbo to take on the task, he continues to let his fears of the outside world get the best of him.
Once the dwarves make way out the Shire, Bilbo soon decides that he will not be a product of his own fears and sets off on “an unexpected journey.”
Bilbo’s travels open him up to a vast array of possibilities that Middle Earth has to offer including the most important aspect of his journey which is his encounter with the creature Gollum and finding “The Ring of Power.” Bilbo and the dwarves encounter trolls, orcs, and even battles goblins on the journey to recapture the dwarf land.
The opening of the film was just wonderful. Bilbo starts off as the Bilbo we know and love in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He and Frodo (yes Elijah Wood makes an appearance!) are preparing for Bilbo’s birthday party. Bilbo is in the process of writing his book An Unexpected Journey.
This movie is the most perfect prequel that I have ever seen. I was looking at this movie as if I hadn’t seen the others. We learn more about the character that makes up Bilbo, as well as the relationship between Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond and Galadriel. It amazing how well Jackson tells this story.
Without giving away anything else, this movie is a must see and fans will be in awe once again over this cinematic experience.
The cast was stunning in their collective performance which included Ian Holm, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian Mckellen, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, and Christopher Lee. Howard Shore graced the musical scene for The Hobbit and Jackson’s team of creatures and makeup artists ultimately created a film of sensational measure.
I give “The Hobbit” five stars.
L.L

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The Possession Movie Review

Posted in Fantasy literature, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 2, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The LionsGate and GhostHouse production of the film The Possession directed by Ole Bornedal opened this Labor weekend.  The so-called “Based on a True Story” was not the horror movie that it claimed to be.  Starring Kyra Sedgwick and Jeffery Dean Morgan, the movie tells the story of a divorced couple, making an attempt to raise their two daughters in two separate homes.  One weekend as the girls spend time with their father in his new home, he takes them to a local yard sale to find items for the house.  His youngest daughter Emily is drawn to a large antique box and ends up buying the box.  Curious over the box it’s self and the possible contents inside the box, the daughter quickly becomes obsessed with it.  Slowly her father notices that his little girl is demonstrating odd behavior at home.  Her life at school is also affected to the point where her dad tries to separate her from the box.

Her downward spiral and her social and physical demise is fast-moving.  The obvious psychiatric evaluation is recommended as well as doctors appointments and MRI’s are scheduled in order for the parents to seek answers in what is wrong with their daughter.  Once medical issues are ruled out the father puts two and two together and learns that his daughter is possessed.  As he familiarized himself with the concept of possession, he realizes that his daughter must have an exorcism.  Finally embracing his heritage, Clyde makes contact with a Jewish priest to seek advice and plead for him to exorcise the demon.

This movie was not what I thought it would be.  The Sam Raimi element of the film to me was non existent.  The special effects were minimal and  the demonic transformation was disappointing.  The movie was not original and had elements of The Unborn, Emily Rose, The Devil Inside, and The Exorcist wrapped up into one film.

The acting skills were pretty basic, and that was not a negative reflection on  Sedgwick and Morgan.  I think it was the lack of commitment and passion from the writers.  Just because the story is “based on true events” does not mean that the writing can be dull.  Just the idea alone is not good enough.  The writing must be passionate so it can transform the story into something that will “Pull us in”.  It was a nice surprise to see Melrose Place’s bad boy Grant Show make an appearance as Stephine’s new man.  The character was really pointless, he took up space in the house and that is all.  The score was not that impressive and did not enhance the movie.

Overall this movie would be best to watch on Dvd or Netflix on a Friday evening when there is nothing else much else to do.  I give this move two and a half stars.

Happy Reading and Writing

L.L!!

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