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Oz the Great and Powerful
Hey there, I was out yesterday. Finally. Practically all the members of our household (except brother who is rarely at home) are sick of me staying home. Like a sluggish sloth of sort. I went to the movies yesterday with a friend. We watched Oz the Great and Powerful. Well...we were interested in either Croods or Oz but settled with Oz instead. Mainly because I'd rather watch Croods at home, it was by Chris Sanders after all! I want to absorb and enjoy every milisecond of the movie XD Oh yeah I'm going to complain a whole load about this one, so....I'm sorry if I offend someone. And I might not go into details regarding the plot because I don't have much to say about it XD Anyway, onto my thoughts regarding the movie:  Oh there might be a little bit of spoilers below, please skip it if you do not wish to be spoiled :) Okay I'll just say what comes into mind first. The opening credits? I don't know what it's called but it's a (vintage?) technique in which layers of paper are attached to a wire and placed at different distances to create the effect of 3D view. (I didn't watch it in 3D but this sequence might be really cool in 3D though) Here's a video I found, check it out yourself :) My opinion? It was rather long and slightly messy. Don't get me wrong, it was well-made and it might be an effective way to let the viewers know about the creators and everyone else. But still, I dunno, there's something slightly off in it :/ Notice the typhoon storm? Yep. That was what I noticed too. Anyhow, it started as a black and white film and ten minutes into it I was getting impatient. You know, I hope to see colours, really. And yeah, about fifteen minutes or twenty minutes (or so? I dunno I didn't keep record but it certainly felt forever) into the film we finally, like finally get exposed to colours. It was a scenery porn, definitely one I could tell. However, the colour was a tad bit over saturated during Oz's landing scene for a real-life movie. (But maybe they're made like that on purpose to show how magical the place it, to show how out of the world the place is..) I mean, yeah the colours are so vibrant and beautiful on its own but when you put people in it.... Well, it REALLY is gorgeous and I know the CG people behind the scenery must have worked their butt off to get that result. (The lake fairies are really well made though, I love their creepiness) Oh did I mention the actor playing as Oz? I have to be frank, although it might come upon as rude... It was painful to watch the first half of the movie. I dunno, he wasn't 'enchanted' with the wonder enough for me. I could see that he's an actor and not a conman magician stuck in a land of magic...you get the drill? I got used to this apparently during the second half. So yeah, after being exposed with such wondrous scenery porn, we meet Mila Kunis (Theodora). I was never really a big fan of hers to be honest. Yeah, she is really, really beautiful, but there is something 'stony' about her...I don't think she played a believable good witch who wanted peace at the beginning, honestly..her 'cheerful' skip-walk was.........um. BUT! She was awesome as the wicked witch, really she was! Her screams and cackles were really, really great. No kidding. Her witch sister was really beautiful (Rachel Weisz I believe?) I wasn't fond of Glinda at the beginning (Michelle Williams), she was rather boring, but she grew on me. I especially laughed during the scene where she was horribly surprised by the flying baboons. My friend and I were genuinely amused. XD Oh, Knuck? He wasn't really good either. (Sorry have to throw that out there too :/ ) Now that I finished with the humans, let's move on with the animated people. The monkey? He's cute XD I loved it when he wanted to be hugged by Oz too. He's a good monkey. The china-girl? So cute as well! I loved it when she played tantrum in order to join Oz. (Btw Oz did a good job at acting when he dragged his feet around with the China-girl latched onto it). She's really pretty too! (Awesome animators and designers) Oh yeah, there's one thing that bothered me when I watched. When Oz held onto Monkey in a scene. It felt rather....fake? Yeah, like he was holding onto something but not tightly enough that Monkey would physically slipped down his hands in reality. That bothered me yeah. (I know I'm supposed to enjoy the film without being so OCD about all the minor details...but I can't help it) Another thing that bothered me...the weird tilted camera angle. I don't know why I dislike it. It's just so...weird and out of place. In my opinion, at least. Oh the music box piece was wonderful! As usual from Danny Elfman :D I'm so in love with this piece. The ending. Can I just say that I'm not exactly satisfied with it? Well, it ended with Oz kissing Glinda. I mean, yeah maybe the writers can't show how Oz patch up his real life, or if he ever finds a way home (maybe) without straying from the original story. Oh I know! Maybe there's a sequel? Ah yeah, that must be it. Anyhow, it's a...good movie? Maybe I was being too sceptical when I watched this..oh well.. Labels: films Mirror Mirror
I originally thought of postponing to post for a few more days so that I could include pictures of my recent updates and stuff, but I think it's more appropriate to post now as I've just finished watching this particular film. (And also it's a good idea not to pile up experiences into one long tiring post that induce headache to read) I just watched Mirror Mirror.  It is yet another adaptation on a classic fairy tale (which seems like a trend these days) of Snow White. The only difference is that the princess doesn't stay in her damsel-in-distress role like the olden days and fights back (surprise surprise!). So in the end, the princess wins and the queen dies. There, I spoiled it for you. My opinion? First of all, the acting. I am neutral on Lily Collins' Snow White. She was, hmm, kind of..bland? I don't know, I'm not a professional, I'm just stating my opinion. Besides, I've always thought that Snow White is kind of boring. Julia Roberts' Evil Queen was good, she's funny (courtesy to the scriptwriters). And yet, she's not very 'evil', after all, this is a comedy. She doesn't even have her own name for God's sake; she's only referred as the Queen! The Prince was kinda funny. I love his 'Puppy Love' :p And oh, he's kinda cute too. (Just checked imdb, turns out his name is Armie Hammer) I love the Prince's companion's one line: "There's I'm-in-the-same-room-as-a-prince crazy, and then there's good old-fashioned plain traditional psycho crazy. I fear she's the latter." Which reminds me, this guy (the companion) sort of disappears in the movie after the first few scenes. I didn't actually understand what the prince had requested him to do (something about golden-clad soldiers), but I really expected him to make a re-appearance. He's the Prince's companion, afterall. Finally, the dwarfs. I love them. I mean, they all just have that unique personalities! Distinguishable like the fairy tale yet not your typical Disney kind of 'different'. Chuckles definitely stood out for me, his chuckling voice sounds so..crispy and refreshing. Then comes the storyline. I don't really find it as interesting. Honestly. It was kind of funny in some parts, but well... And finally, the costumes and atmosphere (interior decor stuffs). Holy shit. It was amazing. I think I focused more on those stuffs than on the acting and story line whatsoever. I'm not kidding. I mean, whoa. I don't even- The Queen's attires. Every. One. Of. Them. Every. Single. One. Of. Them. (This is a special case, I'll screenshot stuffs okay.) (Spoilers for those who haven't watch....sorta?) (In case, I'll place the page breaker here) Read more » 20120722
I know, I know, I know, I should get back to work on my assignments but. But. BUT!! Seriously? Seriously? A badass Russian Santa (with tattoos on his hands) and two giant loraxes? And the sleigh! AHAHA!! I don't know why they didn't put Jack in the first trailer (he's kinda cute for a 3D-in-2D character though). (imho the first trailer is a lot better, but I'll just put the second here just because of Jack...and imhhho.., I don't really get the humour, just an opinion.) BUT THE SANTA MAKES UP FOR IT..I hope. Edit: Just found out that the Australian Easter Bunny is voiced by Hugh Jackman!! Squeeeeeeeee!! Labels: films The Fight Club
Hey. How's there? I'm writing again today. I lied. I didn't stay for extra study session. I didn't even attend class today. I just stayed home and ate some microwave'd TV dinner. It think it tasted like plastic, a little. I watched Fight Club today. It was a 1999 film with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton. It was good, really. Slightly thrilling, but good. Honestly. I recalled saying "this man is fucked up" for so many times, aloud. Well, at least I didn't scream or something. And I was alone in my room, so everything's good, I guess. But really, he was fucked up. In a crazy, sorta cool(?) way? Man, I'm fucked up for thinking he's cool.  I chose this poster because I like the soap. Anyway. (Since this is an old movie, I'll just write the story down, OK? If you hadn't watched the movie and planned to do so, skip this part. Oh dear, this is long. I realised.) -- This movie was told mostly in a first person view, Edward Norton's view. His name was never mentioned in the film, ever. Or I didn't catch it, but whatever, I'll just call him Ed. So, Ed was your typical salary man working in a company. His job was to go all over places and to get the record of the accidents caused by the malfunctions of his company's vehicles. He had a normal life and lived in a 15th floor apartment. He had this strange hobby of collecting furnitures from IKEA? Not sure about that. He's also an insomniac, who had this in-and-out-but-not-sleeping-not-awake syndrome. He also mentioned that his father left him when he was six. Read more » Labels: films 20120511
Sup? I've been posting a lot lately, haven't I? Anyway today I went to watch movie with some of my friends. We originally planned to watch The Avengers..since practically everyone talks about it and praises it so much and I get curious about the film. Alas, due to its popularity, the only seats left are either those of right in front of the screen or the ones on the sides, which also are conveniently placed right in front of the screen too. Since we (or at least some of us) have experienced the wonderful time when we chose such places, we denied. Thus, we went and watch Dark Shadows instead. Dark Shadows is a Tim Burton film based on a 1970s TV gothic-horror drama series with the same title. However, this 2012 adaptation isn't quite horror and they added comedy into this movie as well. -- For those who don't know what Dark Shadows is about (not much spoiler...I suppose?): It's about a witch, who out of her tragedy unrequited love of a man called Barnabas Collins, killed his parents, placed a curse on the man which renders everyone he romantically loves to leap to their death, and finally, condemned him to be a vampire. She then led the townspeople to confine him in a coffin and bury him. Barnabas, who was released accidentally two centuries later (1972), was confused of his changed environment and decided to pay a visit to his old home to find his somehow dysfunctional descendants. And thus, he decided to help restoring the Collins family back to their glory like the old days. The witch, of course, was not pleased. And let the story begin.. -- I'm not good at summarising, but I hope the paragraph above will help. I love the casting. Really. Johnny Depp? Helena Bonham Carter? And Chloe Grace Moretz? I laughed when I discovered their names during the opening credits. I was really sure this movie is going to kick ass. They did act amazingly. In addition, the witch, who was played by Eva Green, was excellent. I loved her act. So amazingly wicked and evil, yet so desperate for Barnabas' heart. I'm in love with the whole atmosphere, so gothic and dark. The setting, the Collins' home was grand. Typical Tim Burton, I suppose. Johnny Depp's lines were wonderful. His cheesy ancient pickup lines especially, was superb, I giggled too much during this. (But you got to admit, if someone used one of those archaic pick-up lines on you, you'd melt, no joke.) By the way, Johnny Depp looked so young in his first scene as Barnabas (during his adulthood, of course) that I thought he was some JohnnyDepp-lookalike. Overall I love all of this. Yet, there is a major disappointment in the storyline. I mean, yeah, I did enjoy seeing the obsolete Barnabas trying to catch up with the trail of time. And some of the humours as well. But I'm still disappointed. I honestly muttered "What the fuck, that's all?" during the finale. It was so absurd and vacant. And what exactly happened? It was as if it's a quick sweep under the rug to wrap everything up. Really? Man, that's the only down point I could think of. -- Anyhow, I've got end term finals coming up in less than 20 days and as usual, I have yet to prepare. I think I might start to read some...stuffs. I guess that's all for today. I'm sleepy. No doodle, I guess. I might add one tomorrow? Labels: films |