Review: Bridesmaids (released May 2011)

Spoiler Warning. Yes. But to avoid them you can stop reading after the impression.  And it was recommended to me to actually put up a disclaimer. If you aren`t going to continue reading what I have to say for fear of spoilers.. I thought I`d warn you that there are certain sexual and vulgar scenes that may make you a bit uncomfortable, although the movie was still funny if you can overlook them :)

The impression. Here is the trailer: click. And this looked like it would be an endless laugh of a movie as we follow the tragic single life of Annie, whose best friend just got engaged. Another note I might want to make is that a lot of these scenes actually aren`t in the movie, or they have been altered somehow. But those particular scenes are still quite amusing.

The introduction. Be warned, it isn`t how one would expect a movie to begin. So we follow Annie`s single life by getting a glimpse into her relationship in bed with this man named Ted. Except they are really not in a relationship. We are quickly introduced to Annie`s best friend Lillian, and Annie`s role as maid of honor in Lillian`s wedding. We are also informed that Annie once owned a bakery. It is quickly understood that Annie doesn`t lead either a wealthy or steady life. (Which can easily be seen in her relationship with Ted, the “asshole”)

The action. Introduce the bridesmaids: Helen, Megan, Becca and Rita. Helen is the image of perfect, pretty and rich. Her competition with Annie is quite the entertainment, especially when they are giving speeches. Megan will become Lillian`s sister-in-law, and provides a comical relief although certain audiences will be appalled even though you won`t be able to help a smile or a small laugh. Becca is a more minor role, she is innocent and very agreeable to anything. Rita is a bittersweet wife and mother of three sons. The combination of the girls makes this movie hilarious. Annie herself has a good sense of humor (or sarcasm rather), although as her life unravels slowly, it is quite a tough spot she`s got herself in.

The ending. I must say that the end was a little uncalled for. Depending which part of the end you would call the end. The happy little ending was nice, Helen and Annie become friends (as close to friends as they can get it seems), Annie and Lillian make up after their fight at the bridal shower, Annie and Officer Nathan Rhodes also make up (it is implied that Helen had a hand in arranging Annie`s ride after the wedding), and everything just seems to somewhat fall back into place. Then we have Lillian`s favorite band sing us towards the end, and what a lovely song it is. Quite shortly after when you would expect credits, enter Megan and the guy who she was seated next to on their flight. And…. Let`s just say you could be either cringing, laughing or again appalled.

The plot. For a comedy, Annie`s life becomes quite depressing if you take out all the comic relief. She loses her job, loses her best friend, loses her “relationship” with Nathan, loses her confidence, gets rear ended, and is forced to move back into her mother`s place even. All while she is planning (rather trying to plan) Lillian`s wedding, which clearly does not go well when Helen tries to take over and win the title of Lillian`s best friend. Their little competition between each other in tennis got quite a few laughs out of me. The plot basically surrounds Annie`s struggles in life, and how she hits rock bottom before things start to get better.

The cast. I loved Rose Byrne, she played the picture of perfection. But even for Helen, underneath the perfect life she leads, she has her troubles and her imperfections that you can`t judge based on the impression you get of her. I.. admire Melissa McCarthy for being able to play the particular role that she did; Megan at times really disgusted me, especially when they all had food poisoning..

The opinion. I actually found my tear ducts starting to run when everything in Annie`s life started to fall apart. Sure the movie was still funny, but I couldn`t help but sympathize with her. Becoming jobless, homeless, friendless and loveless is something I think anyone would be terrified of. She makes quite the character, still being quite able to smile and pull through despite everything else happening in her life. So although I wouldn`t watch this movie again, I think for the most part this is still good comedy. And definitely not your average chick flick, since the emphasis isn`t really on Annie`s relationship status.

3.5 Stars.

Review: Kung Fu Panda 2 
(released May 2011)

Spoiler Warning. Yes. And once again, this is up late!

The impression. Here is the trailer: click. The fat, talking, kung fu fighting “dragon warrior” panda is back. Since the trailer really doesn`t reveal very much, I didn`t really know what to expect, just that the second movie of most cartoon movies have the tendency of not being as great as the first. But hey, I`m up for surprises :)

The introduction. Oh Po. Comical, comical Po. Just watching the way he fights is hilarious. Let`s not even start on how he travels, he bounces while the others jump and run. Although it is clear that the Furious Five are farther along in their training, Po seems to lead the team really well. We begin the movie with the story of the kingdom; enter the emperor and empress, and their son, Shen. It is foretold that Shen will be defeated by a warrior of black and white, and out of fear (if you will), he sets out to wipe out the panda population in China. How fitting considering they are an endangered species. He is banished from the kingdom, but he promises to return.

The action. It is FUNNY and entertaining to watch Po and the Furious Five work together whenever they`re fighting Shen and his wolves. Shen`s “style” of fighting is quite the artwork, from the way his claws are made of steel to the beautiful design on his feathers. 

The ending. It is to no one`s surprise that Po saves the day against the cannon that even kung fu can`t stop. But upon finding inner peace, Po naturally can do something that no one else in the kingdom can do. The ending had me near tears when Po comes home to hug his father, although the idea that he never suspected he was adopted still amuses me.

The plot. A very.. interesting angle, I suppose. I didn`t expect it from a second movie: I was pleasantly surprised to learn both “the history of China” and the history of Po. Po`s panda village was destroyed by Shen when he was just a baby boy. His tragic tale tugs at heart strings and I would say even reaches out to children in a similar situation. The message, “it is not your past that defines you” is a really simple and special one for a children`s movie. By understanding his own past, and those who are important to him, Po at last finds inner peace. In doing so, he becomes immune to the canyon that killed Master Rhino, and with that he defeats Shen and his pack of wolves before they can conquer China with the canyon that was said to “destroy kung fu.” Po comes home to his dad, the goose who says “Did you do it? Did you save China?” It is clear there will be a third movie, when it is revealed that Po`s true father is alive at the very end of this movie.

The cast. I loved Tigress. She is such a toughy, yet we see a soft side to her in her understanding of Po`s confusion with who he is if his dad (“the goose?” she says) isn`t his real father. I really enjoyed Jack Black`s character, Po. How can you not? He is such a funny panda bear :) Another character I really enjoyed watching, was actually Lord Shen. Although he is sinister and evil in the movie, he is not portrayed as a one-dimensional character. He has his fears, his troubles, like any of the other characters, and you can even sympathize for the bitter peacock.

The opinion. My favorite scene of the movie, is definitely when Po tells Tigress that he JUST discovered that he was adopted. But I really enjoyed this movie. I really expected there to be yet another disturbance in the peace of the kingdom and Po to save the day.. Which DID happen, but it was more developed than that, and Po goes on this journey towards self discovery. It was really enjoyable, and I WILL watch this again, rather than I would. I do recommend it!

4.5 Stars.

(via groolsauce)

Review: Fast Five (released April 2011)

Spoiler Warning. Nah and you`re good to go watch it still, this review is up super late.. Forgive my procrastination :P

The impression. Here is the trailer: click. Check out 1:49 of the trailer btw! I have always wanted to try street racing. So here is a movie about super fast cars. Something I worried about, and I`m sure more than just me, was that I hadn`t watched the previous movies. You don`t need them really, everything still makes sense without them.

The introduction. The fast (crazy) car driving, and stunts aren`t very far from the very beginning of the film. Surprise, surprise. You won`t catch yourself bored in this intro. Since it IS a fifth movie, they`re not really introducing very much. Don`t get me wrong, they don`t leave you questioning anything beyond a regular first movie would.

The action. Fast cars, guns, explosions.. Yanno, it`s got a lot of it. And I enjoyed every single minute of their schemes and plans :) And I love how everything just falls into place. The best part is we find out how everything happens, as it happens and how impossible it would be, but somehow Dom and crew make it happen anyway.

The ending. I was almost surprised.. But no. It was a good one, and it managed to get more laughs out of me. Oh, wait till the end of credits again for yet another clip that informs us that there will be yet another Fast and Furious movie. What a big surprise.. Heh :)

The plot. So I will not comment a lot on this, besides to say it wasn`t predictable. Certain parts were, but for the most part, I was entertained during my whole sitting in the theater :) Don`t forget your super expensive popcorn.

The cast. My two favorite actors in this movie are definitely Vin Diesel and Sung Kang. Sung Kang being the only Asian (I swear) that ever appears on the screen, who somehow blends right in :P And Vin Diesel, just because.

The opinion. I was concerned that by not having seen the first four movies, I would have troubles keeping up with this one. But no, this movie isn`t filmed for just that specific audience. It`s made enjoyable for new comers too :) You need no previous knowledge from the previous movies that are vital to understand and enjoy this movie, and I did my share of laughing during the movie. Would watch this again if movies ever get cheaper!

4.5 Stars.

I have been exploring the songs on Lady Gaga`s new album with one of my friends :) My top picks from Born This Way (in order of preference):

• The Queen* - click
• The Edge of Glory - click
• Hair - click
• Marry the Night - click
• Scheiße (German) - click
  
• Bloody Mary - click

*This particular song that makes me feel a little bit nostalgic of a song that I`d once heard before when I was seven and in Vietnam. It makes me smile and brings me near tears at the same time. Really like this one.

Review: Thor (released May 2011)

Spoiler Warning. Very minimal, I will be trying not to. Because I really want anyone who hasn`t seen to make sure to see it. But I think it`s a bit unavoidable :P

The impression. Here is the trailer: click. The first time I saw this trailer, my mind screamed “I MUST SEE THIS” and good call. For the comic book lovers, it was already a must-see. But I haven`t read it, and now I think I may very soon.

The introduction. An epic battle that sets the history and of course, the plot. The setting was very beautiful, very very beautiful. It made me wonder what about what I was looking at made it seem realistic even though it wasn`t. Right away, I realized if there was a movie that should be in 3D, it was probably this one.

The action. Everything SHOULD have looked SO fake. HAHA, I mean.. A magical hammer.. Seriously. But it didn`t. I am truly impressed. Unfortunately that`s as much as I can say without spoiling anything.

The ending. I was a little bit surprised that they remain separated, and it did bother me a little that the ending wasn`t one hundred per cent happy. For those of you who haven`t watched it, make sure to stay to the end of the credits. There`s a clip at the end that I found rather interesting :P

The plot. So since I really don`t want to spoil it. I unfortunately will not be saying anything. The only thing I had a problem with though.. Is maybe the character developing for Thor was a bit.. sped up. He learned “his lesson” in what felt like a very short amount of time. His time on Earth couldn`t have been longer than two to three Earth days!

The cast. I love Natalie Portman (Jane), and although whenever she was on the screen, I felt she didn`t ever do anything important. Besides kiss Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and hit him with her car a few times, HAH. But I much prefer this role to the one she played in Your Highness. Hemsworth was very suited to the role he was meant to play, so truthfully I wasn`t very shocked with his performance. And not to bash Kat Dennings (Darcy) or anything, but I don`t ever like seeing her on screen. Her expressions (or maybe her roles) always bore or irritate me. Good thing, her role was super minor, and pretty much a bystander in this movie. 

The opinion. I usually am turned off to movies made in 3D. So far, most of the movies I`ve seen in 3D haven`t needed to be in 3D, because only a few scenes in the movie are actually 3D. Some examples are Rio and Despicable Me. The 3D was actually a very good idea for this movie, it may even have had a hand in why everything felt more realistic. And the plot itself managed to keep my mind very occupied. It wasn`t too long, nor too complicated. There weren`t any scenes that made me roll my eyes and wish that things would just get going already… Actually there was one, when he was about to grab his hammer on earth, there was no need to circle it. Anyway, there is comic relief and there`s the series of dramatic events that just kept coming at you. I actually really enjoyed this movie, and would pay to see it again :)

4.5 Stars.