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PirateRaven
Reviews
Inkheart (2008)
Fantastic
After years and years of waiting, I finally got to go see this movie last night. Needless to say I was extremely excited, and a little nervous. I've had my heart broken by books-into-movies before, and I really didn't want that to be the case here.
Fortunately, my fears were unfounded, for the most part. I loved this movie. Absolutely adored it. I had a few problems with it, but overall it was fantastic. So let's go through the list.
Dustfinger. I cannot say enough. He was perfect, exactly how I have always imagined him. It was so fantastic to see a character like him brought to life, a character that is so torn between the fate that was written for him, and his own desires. Torn between the personality that he's supposed to have, and his growing sense of honor and loyalty. Paul Bettany played it perfectly. I will forever now re-read the book with him in mind, and to me, that is a great thing. So yeah. He was awesome. *thumbs up* Now, Fenoglio. I was surprised to find myself quite annoyed by him for his first few minute of screen time, but I slowly grew to appreciate what his personality brought to the film. And he had some fantastic lines. (Look, it's Basta! Isn't he awful??) His total fascination with the world that he created, even while he was in danger made me laugh. So I'm OK with the changes to his personality.
Meggie was good, not amazing, but good. She's a decent actress, and she brought out the emotion necessary. Her interaction with Farid was very cute, and I can certainly see their relationship growing if they make Inkspell.
I was surprised when Farid turned out to be surprisingly good-looking. *laughs* I'm not much of a fangirl, but the people I went to see this with were fangirls, and they made lots of noise. Again, good actor, not amazing, but good, and I liked that they showed off his athletic skills with all the roof-jumping and running about. And his attachment to Dustfinger was hysterical.
Elinor was very enjoyable to watch, especially when she roared down the road on her rented motorcycle. Her spunk and enthusiasm impressed me, and I wished she had gotten a bigger part.
Capricorn was fun to watch, and I loved the duct tape line. He manage to pull of eerily sinister and slightly funny at the same time.
Basta's mustache cracked me up. And he was so short! I would have liked if he had a bigger role as well.
Mo was perfectly cast, and it was fun to see him take on the role. I was disappointed when he didn't read the ending that finished Capricorn off, and that brings me to my gripes with the movie.
Meggie was not supposed to be able to write the ending. Only Fenoglio can. That kind of screws up the next book. I was disappointed with that.
And, of course, the very ending. Dustfinger was NOT supposed to go back in the book. I don't care if it wasn't a happy ending! That's what the next book is for! (Although it's not a happy ending in that either.) I heard that originally they stayed true to the book, but preview-screening audiences wanted a happy ending for him, so they re-shot it. If that's true, DARN YOU, PREVIEW SCREENING AUDIENCES. Dustfinger is the tragic anti-hero! He's not supposed to have a happy ending! ARGH! On a happier note, my group and friends and I practically screamed with happiness when Fenoglio mentioned a new character he was thinking up.. a master thief, stealing like a bluejay. Subtle hinting for the next two movies?! In conclusion, I loved it, but will never watch the last five minutes again, and instead pretend they did it the way the book ends.
Speed Racer (2008)
Enjoyable on all levels
I just got this movie on DVD to watch the other day, and I must say I am supremely disappointed that I missed it in theaters. It was an absolutely enjoyable, fun, clean, heartwarming, exciting film.
I really don't see why the critics had such a bone to pick with it. What exactly didn't they like? The plot was exciting, the characters believable, the effects incredible. Did they have a problem with the colors? I found the colors wonderful. It made for an eye-catching, exciting movie.
It was also nice to see a true family in this film. Too often in films nowadays families are broken, arguing, hating each other. I know that that is a real-life situation far too much these days, but there are also countless happy families. It was great to see one on screen to enjoy.
The relationship between Speed and Trixi was also fantastic. It was just so... clean! It was like a deep, wonderful friendship that had turned into love, and I thought it was great.
Ah, the effects. Eye-popping. Flawless. So what if the cars "defied the laws of physics"? It's a movie! People go to movies to be entertained, to see something wonderful. This movie certainly delivered.
It's not often in a movie when my heart is pounding with excitement during the climax. During the final race in this film, I was sitting on my couch, clutching a pillow to my chest and watching intently, the world forgotten as Speed fought against all odds to attain his victory. Any movie that can involve me so deeply is first class in my book.
All in all, a winner, and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
Nuke the Fridge!
Entertaining the populace since 1981, the Indiana Jones Series has left its mark on film history. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by George Lucas, how could it not be great? Although classified as an action adventure, The Crystal Skull has a science fiction side which will catch you by surprise. From motorcycle chases in a library to Aztec temples in the jungle, this movie is a thrilling, enjoyable, and full-throttle ride. The score, composed by John Williams, triumphantly holds its own against the other famous works in Indiana Jones one through three.
Possibly the greatest hero in motion pictures is Indiana Jones. He is original. He is witty. He is helpless at times. Most importantly, people can relate to him. Harrison Ford, the actor who plays Indy, has starred in several other movies including (Air Force One, Patriot Games, The Fugitive, and Star Wars episodes four to six.) After three successful, imaginative, and hilarious Indiana Jones movies, Hollywood has produced a fourth. Boasting an all-star cast, including Cate Blanchett, (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) Shia LaBeouf, (Transformers, and Holes) and Karen Allen, who has returned from the first Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull has lived up to its predecessors. Placed twenty years into the future from the first movie, Indiana's nemesis is a female Soviet spy, named Irina Spalko (Cate Blanchett), who is desperately trying to obtain a crystal skull. When she detains Indiana, believing he knows where the skull is kept, the movie gets interesting.
Escaping the Soviets, Jones is lost in the desert somewhere in Midwest America. Narrowly missing being incinerated by a nuclear explosion, he finds his way back home, where he discovers he lost his teaching job. Believing there is nothing left in America for him, Jones makes plans to leave for Britain, but before he departs Mutt Williams, played by Shia LaBeouf, intercepts him. Mutt Williams tells Indy about how his professor and mother disappeared in search of the crystal skull. When Indiana hears his friend, the professor, was probably captured the Soviets, he agrees to accompany the irrational, immature, and fiery Mutt Williams in search of his mother and friend. These two comprise a droll debonair duo.
Rescuing William's mother, who is actually Marion Ravenwood, Indy's girlfriend in the first movie, Jones discovers Mutt Williams is his son. If this is not enough for Indiana, he also learns the Crystal Skull is a skull of an alien. After escape from a massive, deadly, and uncontrollable ant hill, Indy, Mutt, Marion, and the professor search for the temple where the crystal skull needs to be returned. Reluctantly but bravely, the group enters the ancient Aztec temple.
Although original, The Crystal skull has parts which are so unrealistic, watchers have to object. In one scene, the heroes are tossed down three waterfalls without being harmed. Another scene has Indiana evading a nuclear explosion by hiding in a mannequin's refrigerator as the bomb goes off. Frankly the Indiana Jones movies have never resembled anything realistic, but that is what makes them so incredibly, irresistibly and hugely popular. It will have you hollering, "NUKE THE FRIDGE!" by the end.
The Thief Lord (2006)
Fantastic
I've always been a fan of the book, and I was thrilled to find out that a movie was being released. Last night as I had the movie in my hand and was putting it in my DVD player I thought "You know, this had better live up to my expectations or I'm going to be terribly disappointed."
I was not disappointed.
I'll have to say, my only tiny complaint is that Bo was a little /too/ cute, if you know what I mean. He was also not that great of an actor, but hey, he was a little kid.
Scipio. He was fantastic. Rollo Weeks, a relatively unknown actor, did a awesome job. I don't think anyone else could have done the part quite as well. I wasn't even bothered by the fact that his hair was shorter than in the book, I thought it fit perfectly. He was definitely my favorite character. I liked him much better than in the book. Rollo Weeks gave the character much more personality and I had more sympathy for him.
The other characters were also very well cast. Riccio was perfect, as was Mosca and Prosper.
The sets were beautiful, and the filming was done surprisingly well for a low-budget film.
I give it 10 stars. *********