Frankenweenie Review

            Released this past weekend was Tim Burton’s latest animated film, Frankenweenie.  This new stop-motion film features the voice talents of Martin Short, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara and Tom Kenny.  Fresh and fun, Frankenweenie makes a tribute to the old-styles of film making by revamping it through its animation.  A family-friendly re-telling of the 1931 film version of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein¸ Frankenweenie is absolutely delightful.

The film follows a young Victor Frankenstein’s mission to pick a science project to display in his school’s annual science fair. In the midst of choosing, his dog Sparky dies.  He then becomes inspired to bring his pup back to life.  With the help of some household appliances, lightning, and a whole lotta love, Victor experiments and brings his beloved pup back to life.  With science at his side, the resurrection is successful and Sparky is able to do as he did before.  But, as all Frankensteins learn, with every little experiment comes big trouble.

Characteristics of a Tim Burton-esque film are seen, such as lack of color, stop-motion animation, and dead people.  All it was missing was Johnny Depp, although one can argue the Victor Frankenstein puppet did have a striking resemblance to the actor…

This film is actually the first film since Big Fish in 2003 that Johnny Depp hasn’t been a part of that Tim Burton directed. 

Making this movie in black-and-white as opposed to color was done as homage to the old film versions of Frankenstein.  It was much better off monochromatically filmed, as it enhanced the overall effect of a Frankensteinistic mood.  Burton has made several films with darker, drearier lighting before, such as Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. 

The Frankenweenie that was released this year is actually a remake of a short film about thirty minutes long Burton did in 1984 under the same title.  It included the talents of Barrett Oliver, Shelley Duvall and Daniel Stern.  However, the original Frankenweenie never made it to the big screen, as Walt Disney Pictures fired Burton for making something “too scary for younger audiences.”  The project was then abandoned until 2005.  It didn’t get on its feet up until January 2009, when a script was written.  Numerous animators and artists of Corpse Bride teamed up again for Frankenweenie.    

As opposed to how critics originally viewed Burton’s first Frankenweenie, the animated remake proves to be wonderful, the perfect film to get you in a Halloween mood.  This movie is funny and cute the whole way through, while still retaining its Frankenstein flair.  Anyone who has read Frankenstein or have seen the movie versions will be pleased with how it follows along with Shelley’s original storyline.  A creature produced by unusual science experiments comes from the result of a man (or boy) by the name of Frankenstein. Complete with an angry mob scene and little nuances of other creature-feature films, Frankenweenie will send audiences home satisfied and infatuated with such a witty retelling of a classic story.

House at the End of the Street

Opening less than two weeks ago was the latest horror film, House at the End of the Street. The term "horror" used loosely, of course. If it wasn't for the group of screaming high schoolers sitting a few seats down, I'm sure the film wouldn't have been as frightening.

Like any stereotypical horror flick, this one starts with a broken family moving into a new home.  As Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence) and her mom Sarah (Elizabeth Shue) meet their new neighbors, they learn about Ryan Jacobson, whose parents were murdered by his own sister.  Because she doesn’t know any better, Elissa accepts a ride home from Ryan (Max Theriot) and befriends him.  Going against the wishes of her mom and the other residents of her new town, Elissa gets close to Ryan, and she learns more about what really happened with his family. 

As the story progresses, twists and turns keep you interested enough only to learn how it ends.  Some scenes may have been enough to make you briefly jump out of your seat.  However, my judgement has been fogged by the abundance of teenaged shrieks throughout. 

Although the film starts out slow and the actors seem bored with their roles, don’t let that fool you.  It really is a slow moving film and everyone is bored.  Only until about an hour in does the film really pick up, and from that point on, it moved so quickly I almost lost track of what went on.  The cinematography may have been an innovative idea to the directors, but I found the movement of shots back and forth distracting to what was actually happening in front of the cameras. 

With a title as boring as the movie, House at the End of the Street will keep you on the edge of your seat…eagerly waiting for the credits to roll so you can go home. 

Don't Make The Vow!

Although based on a true story, the highly anticipated chick-flick was a bit of a let-down. Released right in time for Valentine's Day, The Vow was a disappointment for girls everywhere. Those who expected to cry the whole way through, didn't, and left the theater with just as many Kleenex as they entered with. The only instance in which I cried in that theater was when the preview for the re-releasing of Titanic came on.  Some movies' passion just never fades.  The Vow's passion, however, never even ignited.

The movie follows Paige (Rachel McAdams) and Leo (Channing Tatum) after a near-fatal car accident causes Paige to lose an important part of her memory, her entire relationship with her husband. Paige still believes that she wants to be a lawyer and is engaged to another man, which completely contrasts with her current lifestyle before the accident.

Throughout the film, Leo struggles to help Paige remember everything, this way they can pick up where they left off. Although the story sounds helplessly romantic, the film was a letdown.  Even though McAdams played a woman recovering from memory loss, the chemistry between her and Tatum was flat and unrealistic.  One would think Tatum's character would go to further lengths to get the woman he loves back where she belongs, but no.

If you are looking for a heart-wrenching tale about a man who would do anything to be with the woman he loves, you, reader, are much better off waiting until April so you can spend your money on tickets for Titanic, and not The Vow.

Harry Potter at its Finest: Deathly Hallows Part 2

July 15th of 2011 marks the midnight premiere of the final film of the Harry Potter film franchise.  Many people argue that this generation was greatly influenced by Potter, and the devotion and dedication that fans displayed last night make an excellent point.  People of all ages, muggles and wizards, came to the Palisades Mall to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.  I have been waiting for this moment since last November at the premiere of Part 1, and the finale to the whole series was flawless.

Hours and hours before the movie began, fans flooded the lobby to the theater, all dressed up in honor of the momentous occasion.  There were hundreds of people waiting in line, all excited to see how everything was to end.  Many people dressed up as certain characters, ranging from the notorious Bellatrix Lestrange to the timid Luna Lovegood.  Outfits were as simple as a wand in hand with a scar on one's forehead, to as complex as becoming Albus Dumbledore or Severus Snape. (Upon seeing Snape, I shouted hello to the Potions Master-turned-headmaster, and he replied, "ten points from Gryffindor").  Just the waiting for the film alone was exciting, the superfluous amount of fanfare brought people from all over together for one commonality: the boy who lived. 

Upon entering theater ten, many fans excitedly were challenging each other to duels in front of the screen.  Not wanting to miss out on the fun, a fan dressed as Potter and I challenged two muggles in a duel.  They won, using Avada Kedavra on Potter and Crucio on me.  Everyone seated in the theater cheered as spells were being cast and wands were flying everywhere.  Such devotion to the beloved book series wouldn't be found any other place.

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint return for the last time as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley for the final battle in defeating Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes).  Realising that the dark lord had hidden the horcruxes in Hogwarts school, they make their way back to destroy them in order to ultimately defeat Voldemort.  The film shows what happens in the course of roughly two days, and these two days are the most epic anyone who attended Hogwarts had ever seen.

Director David Yates outdid himself in every way possible.  The storyline of the second half of the Deathly Hallows novel was kept intact and not twisted, which made the film really feel authentic.  Little details and nuances were kept and shown in the movie.  As an avid Potter geek, I was very satisfied that nothing was left out or changed.  The final film was funny; many one-liners uplift the audiences' spirit even though the film is plagued with death and suffering.  The losses of loved ones and favorite characters make it hard to believe that it's all over, and everything that happened up until this point has moved many people emotionally. 

Fans in the theater screamed and clapped when Ron and Hermione finally had their moment.  Their scene in the movie was written especially for the film, and although lots of passion was displayed, Grint afterwards remarked that it was awkward to do it and then watch it on screen. 

The epilogue for me was the hardest part to watch.  Once "19 Years Later" showed up on screen, I started tearing up.  I knew this moment was to come but it had come too soon.  All choked up, like the rest of the theater, I struggled to leave without a blurry vision.

The Harry Potter franchise has finally released its last installment, in regards to the film. The ending was perfect and much worth the wait.  I recommend that whether or not you are a fan of Potter, you should see this movie.  And if you are a fan, whether mild or complete Potter geek like myself, see it, love it, embrace it. 

People wait in line at the Palisades theater.

Voldemort, myself, and Harry Potter (good costumes, right?)

People in line waiting to see the film.

Lines stretch and snake around everywhere.

 Fans wait to enter the theater.

 Danielle and Kat

Me and a premiere poster featuring Tom Felton.

Me and the Chosen One.

 

People get their tickets checked.

 Danielle, Kat and I

 Harry, Ginny and Bellatrix

Harry and Voldemort duel in the lobby.

Super 8 is Super Great!

Super 8, Steven Spielberg’s latest film follows the adventures of six teenagers after witnessing an intense train accident in 1979. Joe Lamb (Joel Cartney), grieving the recent loss of his mother, lives with his estranged father (Kyle Chandler), the police deputy of the town.  Sneaking out one summer's evening to film an amateur movie with his friends and their “super eight” camera, they happen to be at the right place at the right time.  Unbeknownst to them until later, they capture footage of the fateful evening at the train stop.  Things then exacerbate themselves, and the six kids then continue to investigate the strange phenomenon. 

Teaming up with J.J. Abrams was a smart move for Spielberg.  Although this film may seem like an E.T. knockoff, it does have its own personality.  As disaster strikes Joe’s Midwest town, he begins to learn more about himself, along with the girl he liked for what seemed forever, (Elle Fanning).  Super 8 is unsuspecting as well; one may not expect the sensitive undertones to be present throughout it.  The special effects for the train scene and further along in the movie were spectacular.   

The film, according to J.J. Abrams, was homage to the producer of the film, Steven Spielberg and his 1970's films ranging reverence from Spielberg's directorial films like "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind" and "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial" to Spielberg's produced films like "The Goonies." I found this particularly interesting because it pulls certain elements from his earlier movies into his most recent. 

After unorthodox disappearances pop up throughout their town, Joe and his friends learn just how unpredictable life can be, along with what "production value" is all about!

Midnight in Paris Est Magnifique!

      Woody Allen scores again in his latest film, Midnight In Paris. An amazing, feel-good, romantic comedy from start to finish will make audiences want to take the first flight available straight to France.

     Owen Wilson stars as Gil, a struggling writer who takes a vacation to Paris with his fiance (Inez, portrayed by Rachel McAdams) and family.  Hoping to be influenced by such an enchanting city as Paris, Gil looks to fall in love with the atmosphere, while Inez feels the opposite.  While in the City of Lights, Gil and Inez go sight-seeing, and after a wine tasting party, Gil experiences something unbelievable when the clock strikes midnight. A car from the nineteen-twenties transports him back in time, to the golden age of Paris.  Filled with swanky jazz music, women dancing the Charleston and major figures of the Roaring Twenties, Gil finds himself falling in love with Paris.  The closer he gets to figures such as Picasso (Marcial di Fonzo), Fitzgerald (Tom Hiddleston), Stein (Kathy Bates) and Hemingway (Corey Stoll), the more he finds himself drifting from the woman he's supposed to marry. 

        Influenced by the atmosphere and people of the nineteen-twenties makes Gil realise that maybe a life separate from Inez would be better for the both of them.

       Allen's Midnight in Paris is sure to enchant anyone, from the hard-core history buffs to those who haven't given the nineteen twenties a thought since learning about it in school.  Owen Wilson gives a wonderful performance as Gil, who goes decades back to find out who he really is today, and with McAdams at his side, audiences can empathize with what he is going through.  Very historically accurate and sure to charm all, Midnight in Paris is the perfect romantic comedy to see this summer. 

Looking for Something? Perhaps it was Borrowed

        Picture this: your best friend just threw you a surprise thirtieth birthday party.  You were expecting it, of course, but you figure to go along with the charade.  After too much partying, she goes home, and you and her fiance are the last to leave.  He suggests to go out, get a few more drinks, and before you know it, the both of you rekindle old feelings from several years ago, and make one of your biggest mistakes yet. 

And thus begins the film adaptation of Emily Giffin's best-selling novel, Something Borrowed. 

       The typical chick-flick opened May sixth this year, and is very perfect for anyone who enjoys something maudlin.  Our heroin Rachel White (portrayed by Ginnifer Goodwin), the good-girl, tests her friendship with lifelong-friend Darcy Rhone (Kate Hudson) after spending the night with her fiance, Dex (Colin Egglesfield).  Rachel gets to experience the ultimate cliche of finally getting her chance with the one who is perfect for her, but certain risks come into play.  With the advice of her friend Ethan (John Krakinski), who also faces the follies of love, Rachel goes forth to find out where her loyalties lie. 

       All the feelings harbored since law school between her and Dex have shone through, and in this very sappy adaptation, Rachel realises she needs to decide if she wants to risk losing her best friend or true love.

       Something Borrowed was a decent book; quite the page-turner actually.  Pretty different from the movie however.  Although the film had its moments, it is a bit of a letdown to someone who enjoys Emily Giffin's work.  Throughout the film, SB readers question whether or not Darcy really does have a job, as oppose to Rachel, who is always bombarded with assignments from her law firm.  And where is Hillary, Rachel's co-worker who gives her the girlfriend advice she needs?  Although this film is labeled as a romantic comedy, John Krakinski seems to be the only one providing comic relief; his one-liners will leave audiences quoting him for the rest of the night.  Rachel's character in the book and film seemed pretty consistent, however.  Both of them are indecisive, infatuated and tend to be quite the unreliable narrator.  If Rachel White is the self-proclaimed good girl, how exactly did she wind up having an affair with her best friend's fiance?!

        Don't be forlorn;  Something Borrowed was indeed a pretty good film.  I recommend it for anyone who enjoys sappy chick-flicks, Emily Giffin's books, or John Krakinski's sense of humor.