IMDB Summary: In a bright and colorful future, a young destitute caretaker gets targeted by the ruthless son of a powerful family who lives on a planet in need of a new heir, so she travels with a genetically engineered warrior to the planet in order to stop his tyrant reign.
Review: Jupiter Jones was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things. Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning other people’s houses and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine, a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along—her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.
My thoughts on the film? I thought it was a very good story. I saw some reviews before I went and was preparing for it to not be very good. While I am not completely crazy about the film, I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. The graphic effects were amazing and the shots of Chicago were gorgeous. Since I live near Chicago, I enjoyed them very much. The plot was a little weak but, again, the visuals are stunning.
The acting was also phenomenal, of course, with Mila Kunis playing Jupiter and Channing Tatum playing Caine. They both put on great performances and carried the film to bigger heights even with the plot line being a bit weak. I thoroughly enjoyed their acting and I really thought it was interesting how they decided to pair up Channing and Mila in a film. I will definitely be buying this movie when it is released on DVD.
Overall Rating: 7/10 stars
Film Rating: PG-13 (for some violence, sequences of sci-fi action, some suggestive content and partial nudity)
IMDBSummary: A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree.
Review: I am late seeing this movie and doing a review because of the holidays and also just starting this blog. I saw it this past Friday and thought it was great. So great, I went and saw it again with my mother Monday. I have to let everyone know that this is a musical film. The first time I went to see if with my fiancée and he was taken aback at first because he didn't realize it was a musical. He also didn't watch the trailer beforehand, however, but lots of people might not be aware. I haven't seen the actual musical so I won't be able to reference or compare the film to the musical in this review. Now that I have seen the film though, I am very interested in checking the musical out. So what are my thoughts of this film?
I thought this movie was amazing and the cast did a great job. My favorite character was Cinderella, played by Anna Kendrick. I was really looking forward to seeing her break out in a different kind of role. I already knew she had a stunning voice but she really went all out for this film and her acting and singing was perfection. I loved seeing her in this kind of role. I just don't have any more words for it except stunning perfection. I loved how this film made Cinderella a more deep character and having issues with decision making because that is what real life is all about. It also joined the new theme of women empowerment and not necessarily needing a man or that happily-ever-after due to the issues with the Prince two-thirds of the way into the film.
Johnny Depp as the Wolf was perfect. I can't think of any other actor that could have looked the part like he did. He fit the part perfectly. I came into the film thinking he was going to play a bigger part in it, however. But with Johnny Depp, he doesn't have to be in a film long to make an impact. The song he sang made the theater smile and laugh. It was a great performance but who would have thought it wouldn't be. Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood and Daniel Huttlestone as Jack (and the Beanstalk) were the young actors that blew me away as well. Beautiful voices and acting that I am sure we will see more of in the future.
Of course, I have to talk about Chris Pine and what I think is the funniest part of the film. I was most surprised by Chris Pine, who played Prince Charming, with his epic acting and singing voice, which I had no idea he could do. With this duet, "Agony", I have to say it was the best musical moment for the film and the theater was in an uproar.
I can't talk about every actor in the film because of course there is Meryl Streep who played the Witch and her performance, of course, was also completely amazing. Also people like Emily Blunt, James Cordon, and Lucy Punch did a great job. I was excited to see Lucy Punch playing a step-sister like her role in Ella Enchanted many years ago. They all had hilarious moments.
All in all, I really enjoyed Into the Woods. Two-thirds into the film, it definitely becomes more darker and if you are hoping for a happy ending, it won't be as you expected. The hilarious moments though and all the humor throughout the film definitely shocked me in a great way. It's also a beautiful film with great costumes and stunning sets. Parts of the movie were a bit slow but overall very enjoyable.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 stars
Film Rating: PG, for thematic elements, fantasy action and peril, and some suggestive material.
