Catching Fire (2013)

Directed by Francis Lawrence

"Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem." - IMDB

PLEASE BE WARNED, CONTAINS SLIGHT SPOILERS

After waiting like a year and a half for the second installment of The Hunger Games (2012) I could not wait for Catching Fire! I had my tickets book and was counting down the days.

I have to say that I was not disappointed! I loved it! I loved it more than the first film and I just want to go and watch it over and over again!

I know that when novels are adapted into films, the book it always better. And in The Hunger Games, this was definitely true. I was really annoyed that they left so much out of the film as it was all important little bits that you needed for the tension to follow. I heard people who hadn't read the books say it was confusing, and I can understand why.

With Catching Fire, I didn't feel like this was the case at all. I don't know whether or not it was because I read the books ages ago, or because there wasn't as much needed in this as the first, but it really didn't disappoint me at all!

I thought that the casting for the other tributes was fab! I thought that Sam Claflin (Finnick), Jeffrey Wright (Beetee) and Jena Melone (Johanna) (to name a few) played the existing victors amazingly!

The only character I wasn't too impressed with was Mags (Lynn Cohen). They made her character not speak and I'm sure in the book she does, correct me if I'm wrong! I was actually looking forward to meeting Mags, and I think that the casting was done well, but the way they portrayed her character was not.

The arena of the games was done really well too. Not what I imagined it, but it worked. I don't think I had a clear image of what the arena was like from the book anyway, but they adapted it well and it worked as a film.

I was really happy with the games as a whole. It was really thrilling and interesting, which I found in the book anyway. I love the idea of the arena being a clock with different threats every hour and it was interesting to watch on screen.

The film isn't particularly slow either. I remember the book taking forever to get into the games and then the actual 75th Hunger Games didn't last very long at all. They paced it really well in the film. They showed what they needed to, although I would like to have seen more from the victory tour, and Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) and Peter's (Josh Hutcherson) visits to the other districts.

So now I can't wait to see Mockingjay Part 1 which is going to be released in November 2014, so that's another year to wait! (Tooooo long!) Will just have to watch The Hunger Games and Catching Fire over and over until then!

Smurfs 2 (2013)

Director - Raja Gosnell

 

"The Smurfs team up with their human friends to rescue Smurfette, who has been kidnapped by Gargamel since she knows a secret spell that can turn the evil sorcerer's newest creation - creatures called the Naughties - into real Smurfs." - IMDB

 

I realise my recent blog posts have made me look like a big kid... and I'm not even going to defend myself!

I was really looking forward to seeing the second instalment of The Smurfs, I loved the first one! Oh, and if you haven't seen the first one just because you never liked Smurfs, I promise you, you will still love it! I was never a Smurfs fan but the combination of the Smurfs and the real world is what makes it so good!

 

I didn't enjoy this as much as the first film, but when are sequels ever better? (Apart from Shrek 2)

I wasn't disappointed though and my brother (who is 8) said it was really good. There was always something happening so you don't get bored and it made me laugh quite a bit. As unrealistic as the film is, you still really get into the story, and believe it. All we need now is a news report saying some little blue people have been spotted roaming the streets. (How awesome would that be?!)

 

I love the casting in the film too. I was glad to see they kept it the same as the first film as you just get that connection between the 'real people' and the Smurfs. Yes I know they're mythical creatures and all that but still. They seem real! I want one!

 

I reckon it keep adults entertained (I guess I'm considered an adult now...) because there are a few jokes and references that children wouldn't get. At a few points I found myself laughing when my brother wasn't. I guess I like kind of fantasy/adventure films too which is why I enjoyed it.

 

I don't really know what else to say! If you like The Smurfs then go see The Smurfs 2. If you haven't seen The Smurfs then watch it, and then go and see The Smurfs too. I really do recommend the Smurfs films, they're nothing like the cartoon, or what you imagine the films to be like. I keep trying to get my boyfriend to watch it but he won't. One day... One day! ;)

Monsters University (2013)

Directed by Dan Scanlon

 

"A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University -- when they weren't necessarily the best of friends." - IMDB

 

So after waiting for over half my life for this to be released, I had to go and see it! And no I didn't use the "I'm taking my little brother" excuse, I went with my boyfriend (who is older than me, for the record) so yeah! No shame... I've also bought the mugs from Disney store... Yeah.

 

Anyway I was pleasantly surprised! I expected the film to kill the first one (Monsters Inc. 2001), I was a bit worried actually, but it really didn't! Obviously nothing is going to beat the classic and this prequel is nothing like it but it is still an awesome film. It's funny and cute and there's bits in there that link to Monsters Inc. which make your inner child pop out (yes I got a little bit giddy).

 

They didn't kill the characters either, especially Mike and Sully, who we all love in some way. I think because they merged in to the characters that we know from the first film towards the end, we weren't let down by the difference at the start. It was actually done really well; it was good to see what the characters were like before we got to know them so well and how they changed into what we do know.

 

The plot itself was quite interesting; it wasn't like Monsters Inc. but then it wasn't like your average teen, college movie. It was a perfect balance between the two - what it says on the tin 'Monsters University'.

 

We went to see it in 3D and I'm not a fan of 3D anyway but it was purely at the convenience of showing times. I wouldn't say it was a waste of money going to see it in 3D but it wouldn't have changed anything about my viewing experience if we hadn't gone to see it in 3D. It wasn't amazing and like I said, I'm not really a fan of 3D movies anyway, especially animated.

 

The only negative thing I would say is that the bad guys weren't bad enough. Randall actually scared me in Monsters Inc., but the baddies in this weren't very scary at all, and they weren't really played enough. I don't think it's because I'm older, because I'm still a wuss! There was the head of the scare school, Dean Hardscrabble, and a bunch of popular guys, Roar Omega Roar, and neither had a particular scary part in the film which made you shudder a little.

 

So if, like me, you've been waiting 12 years for this to come out then you won't be disappointed. And if you haven't and you didn't like Monsters Inc. then you should still go and see Monsters University because it's still a really good film on it's own. You might even like Monsters Inc. a little more!

 

21 and Over (2013)

Directed by Jon Lucas & Scott Moore

 

"The night before his big medical school interview, a promising student celebrates his 21st birthday with his two best friends." - IMDB

 

I want to start this by saying that this film is basically The Hangover for young people. It is basically the student 'version'. Although I did enjoy The Hangover and I enjoyed 21 and Over.

 

Overall the film had a very basic plot. You can tell that the writers wanted to focus on the comedy element, which they achieved well, but maybe a stronger plot would have been more fulfilling for the film. There isn't really anything there to get in to and there isn't a great deal that you can empathise with. The film was a 'what happened to these three guys on a night out' kind of thing which, yeah it's the main premise of the film, but as a film, it definitely needed more of a story, which would have also paced the film a bit better.

 

The casting was really good! Obviously I have a slight crush for Skylar Astin (Casey) anyway, especially after seeing him in Pitch Perfect, and Miles Teller (Miller) was hilarious, he really played his role well as the slightly stupid but comical friend. You could believe the characters, although you couldn't really empathise with them. Yeah I'm a girl and the film is about three guys, but still, they are students, as am I, and there wasn't a great deal of emotional connection and back story to them. Yes you find out their characteristics and the type of character that they are supposed to be, but throughout the film you just forget this. Again, the film maintaining a massive comedy element rather than a story telling.

I'm probably missing the point here and you're probably reading this thinking "well it is a comedy film, duuuh!" but after finishing writing my own script, I feel the need for a story, let me have my opinion!

 

Before I start going all negative and critical... I did like the film. It made me laugh and I think I'm just being so negative because it was what I expected, there weren't any surprises.

If you liked The Hangover then I'd definitely go and see it. If you liked The Inbetweeners Movie then I'd definitely go and see it. If you like a film that will make you laugh then I'd definitely go and see it.

If you like serious films that make you feel all sorts of feelings and give you a plot that twists your mind then I'd maybe stay clear.

I'm Still Here!

Heeeeeyyyy people of the blogger world!

I haven't forgot about you (you being anyone who reads my blog...) I've just been so busy lately and so uninspired!

I've started a new job at Monsoon, only part time but I seem to work a lot, just about finished uni for the summer and been meeting deadlines.

Also got back into going to open mic nights with Catherine which I am so happy about because I miss going to them all the time! Catherine kindly recorded me singing so that should be up on my YouTube hopefully (meaning when I get around to it!)

I'm also going to see 21 and Over tomorrow so I'll review that since I haven't done a review in so long, especially of a recent film!

Got an exciting message from a guy I know who helps to run Beeston Festival every year! For those who don't know, Beeston Festival is a mini festival, sort of like a village gala or something, in the Beeston area of Leeds, and it has lots of different stages where local talent come and show off! I've been playing there on the acoustic stage for the past four years!

Anyway, I got a message asking if I would like to 'look after' the acoustic stage this year and being the easily excited me I said that I would love to and instantly told everyone that I was 'managing' the acoustic stage this year. Can't wait! So if you fancy having a go then come on down on the 8th June! :D

I'm just procrastinating now from finishing off my script for uni so I really should get to that...

Just wanted to let y'all know I hadn't drifted off the planet!

Toodlepip! :)