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! :)

Film Review: Memento (2000)

Director - Christopher Nolan

 

"A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife." - IMDB

 

Before I get "Memento was out thirteen years ago. Why are you reviewing it now?" I'm reviewing it because it's probably one of my favourite films and I've watched it again recently. I just love it!

 

One of the main things that stands out about this film, and makes it one of my favourites, is the narrative structure. It's very confusing as it starts at the end, plays a scene, then goes back to the scene before. The whole film continues like this so you have to keep watching to understand what's going on. I like this because I don't think I've ever seen a film like it before and you get put into the main character's, Lenny (Guy Pearce), position as he has a brain injury which causes his to only be able to remember things for a few minutes at a time. It allows you to empathise with him and lets us know what he knows, making the film more enjoyable and psychological.

I also really like this structure as every time you watch it, it's always like watching it for the first time: You always get something new from it. Even the ending surprised me when I watched it again! It also helps to watch the film more than once as it's so confusing!

 

The casting is also very good. Each person plays their role really well. I heard that Brad Pitt was going to play Lenny, but I think that Pearce did it better than Pitt could have (although I wouldn't mind seeing Pitt in the film... Who wouldn't?) even though Brad Pitt is good at playing psychological roles - I really love him in Fight Club.

 

Guy Pearce or Brad Pitt - Who would you rather play Lenny?

 

I love the mise-en-scène (yes I know fancy film words), specifically the use of props, as it's what gives you little clues and makes you go "aaah that's why..." It helps to have these little things in there to link up the plot and give away elements of the story making the plot more exciting. One instance is when, at the beginning of the film Lenny finds two bullets in a car and at the end we find out that it was his car and he put them there. Just little things like that!

 

Overall I think that the story is really good but without this weird structure, the film wouldn't stand out from any other. I've been told that there's a version of the film, on the DVD, played in chronological order which I need to watch at some point!

If you haven't seen Memento, watch it! Because it's so old you can get the DVD on Amazon for fairly cheap! It will change your life! (Well... I'm being dramatic now but you get it!)