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Pearlangel2291
Reviews
Shelter (2007)
I don't think you'll regret watching it. Just give it a chance.
I remember when "Brokeback Mountain" first came out. It caused an uproar. It was considered to be a landmark in "gay cinema," and it was supposed to "change your life." Well. I don't really consider it a landmark, and it didn't change my life. When I first saw BBM, I didn't like it. It took another viewing or two for it to grow on me. And while now, after two years, I can enjoy the movie from a detached position and consider it to be a well-directed and well-acted movie, I still don't really see what the big deal is.
And let me just say one thing: "Brokeback Mountain" has NOTHING on "Shelter." Have you ever watched a movie and just instantly fell in love with it? It's an indescribable feeling. You ultimately just feel like that movie is made for you to watch, to enjoy, and to hopefully implore others to watch. Not harass, but just let people know that you think it's a good film. The last movie I really, truly remember feeling that way about was "Finding Neverland" back in 2004. November of 2004, actually, so it's been almost four years since I've felt this way about a movie.
The summary on IMDb does not do the film justice. To really, and accurately, grasp the concept, you need to watch it. If you go on Rotten Tomatoes to check out its score, I fear you will be swayed from watching it. I would know; it almost swayed me. I went on Rotten Tomatoes to check out the score, and it's not exactly top-notch. Not many people voted on it, but it still does not have a high score. As I was looking at the meter and reading some short reviews, I thought to myself, "Great. I wanted to watch this movie, but what if I'm just wasting my time?" So I compromised. I watched the movie online, in parts. I skipped to the last part, the end of the movie, and watched solely that.
And you know what? I LOVED IT! I didn't think it was possible to fall in love with eight minutes of a movie, let alone the end of a movie, but I did. And there it was. I'm being completely serious. After watching the end, naturally I wanted to watch the rest. And I did. And the whole thing was just beautiful.
Trevor Wright is astounding as Zach, a young man who's struggling with his life on a day-to-day basis with his family, his on-again/off-again girlfriend, and his job. While watching him, it's almost like you're being pulled into his world and you're not watching someone act. It's like you're watching Zach go about his day and the problems he endures. I hope that Trevor gets more critical acclaim for this role, as I'm not sure if anyone else could have done it as well as him.
Brad Rowe as Shaun is funny, charming, and sweet as a confidante, friend, and partner to Zach. He's outgoing, friendly, and knows how to put a smile on Zach's, and Cody's (Zach's nephew) face. He and Trevor have chemistry on screen in such a way that it's hard to believe these are two actors. Again, it's like you're just watching them go about their lives.
Too many movies with homosexual themes are forced, awkward, over-acted, or any combination of those previous things. To be able to capture a movie that literally revolves around family and love and intimacy, without falling into the trap that so many other movies have (including "straight" romantic comedies), amazes me. I feel privileged to have been able to take part in the magic that is this movie. To me, it's a new favorite and has surpassed several of my other favorites based on acting, direction, charisma, and overall wow-factor. That's exactly what this movie made me do: Go WOW! The love and intimacy are genuine. The struggle and longing for a family is realistic and heartwarming. And the bottom line is that the characters are human beings that you empathize with, care about, and hope for the best for.
I give this movie 9 out of 10. It really deserves 10 out of 10, but I feel compelled to warn you that, on occasion, SOME parts are just a TINY bit overacted. Those parts mostly involve the words "cool" or "great". Those two words are used many times throughout the film, and it's a little bit annoying, but it's not a big deal. It's mostly just what I imagine is supposed to be California-speak, though I myself am not from California and am therefore not a reliable resource on the subject.
Please just give the movie a chance. I don't think you will regret it. I think you will enjoy it, and hopefully find the magic in it that I did.
Man of the House (1995)
One of my favorite movies
I love this movie. It's been a favorite of mine since I was a little kid, and I love it to this day. Jonathan Taylor Thomas is hysterical as Ben, Chevy Chase truly embodies Jack, and Farrah Fawcett is great as Sandy. I love the Indian Guides characters; the kids and their fathers have great chemistry. For anyone who doesn't like this movie, I have to wonder if you were watching the same one I was.
If you're ever looking for a funny, heartfelt family comedy, then this movie is definitely for you. I highly recommend it to everyone.
P.S. I actually learned the rain dance. What does that tell you (apart from me being slightly obsessed)?
Garden State (2004)
Probably my favorite movie...
I didn't see this movie until well after it came out and aired on HBO. All I can say is that this movie is very likely my favorite movie.
Zach Braff, who wrote and directed this movie, did a spectacular job. He developed the characters so well, and you relate to all of them. Although I'm not fond of Natalie Portman, she did an amazing job with this role. Peter Sarsgaard is a great actor who is often overlooked, and he did a fabulous job with his portrayal of Mark.
I myself am from NJ, and there is a lot of New Jersey humor in this movie. The quote (I wasn't sure if this could count as a spoiler, so I put the warning up) where Mark says, "They love their malls here, man," made me laugh so hard. It's very true, because in New Jersey, you can go in any direction and find a mall within 20 minutes to a half an hour. It's crazy.
I'd recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a heartfelt and realistic portrayal of life, and the obstacles that come with it. The fact that it's independent just made it better (I'm partial to indie films for some reason). "Garden State," as I've said, is probably my favorite movie. It's so difficult to describe why. I just fell in love with it upon seeing it.
Friday Night Lights (2004)
I adore it...
I absolutely adore this movie. I think it is one of the best sports movie in the entire world (besides Field of Dreams, Varsity Blues, and Angels in the Outfield). The acting is superb, the plot is superb, and I really just am in love with it.
This is a movie that you can watch again and again and not get tired of it in the slightest. You'll come to enjoy watching each of the characters evolve and change, and you'll end up picking a favorite or two that you just automatically feel for.
If you end up doing that, then you know that you are in love with "Friday Night Lights" as well.
In from the Night (2006)
Sweet
Marcia Gay Harden plays Vicki, a woman who has cut herself off from her dysfunctional family in order to write. One night, she gets a very unexpected visit from her 16-year-old nephew Bobby (Taylor Handley). He looks tired, hungry, and depressed. So begins the journey of Vicki and Bobby.
I didn't think that I was going to like this movie. It seemed like just another boring Hallmark movie. However, after not being able to get the previews out of my head, I realized I needed to watch this movie. So I did. I was most pleasantly surprised.
Both Marcia Gay Harden and Taylor Handley are perfect for their roles. The transformations of the two, especially Bobby's, are timeless. It's a very sweet story of two people trying to find themselves.
Props to the cast. The acting was superb. I really enjoyed this movie (I'm glad I taped it so I can watch it again!).
I give it 9 out of 10 (I took off because I believe that some of the characters needed more screen time, i.e. Thomas Gibson's character).
High School Musical (2006)
Fun
The last Disney Channel Original Movie that I enjoyed was "Stuck In the Suburbs." Since that time, there hasn't been a movie that I was impressed with...except this one.
I do love this movie. I didn't really like it as soon as I first saw it, but after seeing it a few more times, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fun, exciting movie that makes you want to sing and dance along (and thanks to the Dance-Along and Sing-Along on Disney Channel, now you can!).
I love the character Troy (Zac Efron), and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) is good too. All of the characters, to me, played their part and did an excellent job.
This is just a great movie. I would definitely recommend it to everyone to watch it!
Transamerica (2005)
I was curious...
I'd heard about this movie because of Oscar buzz. It (like other movies, such as Brokeback Mountain and Capote) were favorites. So, I figured if I could ever get to watch it, I would and then form my opinion.
I have to admit, the idea of this movie kind of creeped me out when I first learned what it was about. However, after seeing it, I don't feel that way.
I won't say that it changed my life and view upon things, because it didn't. It did, however, change my opinion of the movie. And for that, it deserves props. The acting (especially Kevin Zegers) was superb. Felicity Huffman did a fine job playing a man-turned-woman.
It was a good movie. I was curious about it, and I'm glad I saw it.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Amazing
It's not often you can see a movie and want to watch it over and over again. This is, perhaps, the only one I will ever experience.
I have to say that everyone involved in this movie was amazing. Each character brought something to the table. I was especially impressed with Colin Firth's portrayal of Mr. Darcy, a role which he'll never be able to escape due to his performance (think Bridget Jones's Diary).
It was hysterical. I laugh every time I see this movie, and I've seen it more times than I can count.
With a book like Pride & Prejudice, I think you need to do a long movie like this one. It gives you a much more detailed portrayal of the characters, and you can decide more accurately which ones you like and dislike. If this movie's time limit were cut it half, there's no way you could get a better showing. This movie is long, yes, but it keeps you interested.
I love this movie.
Where the Heart Is (2000)
sweet and heartwarming
When I first watched Where The Heart Is, I was sick and I had nothing better to do. So, I was flipping through the channels and saw it was on. I'd heard about it, so I figured I'd watch it. I'm so glad I did.
One of the reasons I loved this movie is because of Forney, more so than any other character. He became my favorite character in the movie when Novalee brought Americus to the library to thank Forney for helping her, and Forney ended up holding Americus. He looked so out of place and so nervous that it was cute, and I loved it. Forney made the story, in my opinion, because he brought something different to it.
I have to say Natalie Portman did a very good job playing Novalee, and that I was impressed with her acting in this movie (I don't normally like her in movies, besides Star Wars and Garden State).
Where The Heart Is is a sweet, cute, heartwarming story that makes you appreciate life. I recommend it to everyone.