Review: One Day

 

Title: One Day (Movie)

Director: Lone Scherfig

Stars: Anne Hathaway, Jim Sturgess

Release Date:  19 August 2011

Viewed: Netflix

After a romantic tryst on college graduation night, Emma and Dexter pursue separate dreams. This romantic drama based on a novel of the same name checks in with them each year on the same date, tracking their personal and professional progress.

This movie was based off of David Nicholl's book, One Day, and it received some pretty good reviews so I thought I'd give it a shot.


I'm just going to cut directly to the point and say that it was not at all what I expected. The first 99% of it was great! I loved the movie! Anne Hathaway played a character that I could easily relate to, mostly because she had, at one brief moment, a relationship with her friend that was very similar to my old best friend. Then it divereted and became a good love story. It had it's rough patches, and it had its good ones.


Then...then the story turned upside down and I nearly cried. I can't say what happens without giving away the obviously most impacting part of the movie, but I really want to. All I can say is that, if you're looking for a happy romance/love story or chick-flick...this is not it. Go watch Leap Year (which will be reviewed later) or Julie & Julia. This will pull at your heartstrings big time.

I gave it THREE out of FIVE Sporks!

Follow Friday (10)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! This week's feature is Starcrossed (@ Alison Can Read) and The Bookaholic (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q. What book that hasn't been turned into a movie (yet) would you most like to see make it to the big screen, and who would you like cast as your favorite character?

Xavier Samuel

OOO. I would love to see The Iron King by Julie Kagawa turned into a movie! I think it would be lovely, especially if it was done by Tim Burton. (Think the style of his Alice in Wonderland movie!) And, thanks to Nicki @ Word for Teens, I would totally cast Xavier Samuel as Puck. :D I loved Xavier before he starred at Riley in New Moon, so I don't associate him with the Twilight series. And you shouldn't either, 'cuz he's just so hot. 

Jake Gyllenhaul

I also would LOVE to see The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor turned into a movie. (It actually is in the process of that. They're currently holding casting calls for Young Dodge and Young Alyss. ;D) I would love to see Jake Gyllenhaul as Dodge, because he is so yummy. <3 Just look at 'im.....

Anywhooo, what did you pick!?

Review: Red Riding Hood

 

Title: Red Riding Hood
Production Co.: Warner Bros. Pictures, Appian Way, & Random Films

Release Date:  March 11th, 2011

Stars: Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman, Billy Burke, and Shiloh Fernandez

From Netflix:

In this horror-fantasy re-imagining of the classic tale, young Valerie juggles a difficult romantic decision with feelings of fear and grief as her town is terrorized by a legendary werewolf, which has killed her sister and hungers to feast again.

Red Riding Hood is one of those rare films where the book was made after the movie. I never heard of it before, but its an interesting idea. However, everything I head about it was bad. I heard the movie was alright and the book was downright horrible. Given that, and the fact that I trust many of those reviewers, I wasn't too keen on watching the movie. I only saw it because my family wanted to and.....I'm glad I watched it.

Valerie

Red Riding Hood is more than a retelling, but a re-imagining. It's a fresh look on the whole  story, and I absolutely loved it. The wolf in this story is werewolf instead, that preys on the small village every full moon. Life is relatively peaceful through the years when the wolf accepts the gift of prized livestock every full moon...until the werewolf kills Valerie's younger sister.


The plot thickens there, and you slowly realize that the plot's roots are deep and widely spread throughout the story. Even the romance is tied in, which is really nice. I love to see romances that matter; not the kind that are just added as side-sillies to entertain the reader or viewer.

Peter

Through out the film, I was rooting for Peter -- the story's MEGA hottie! -- to the point where I once yelled at the screen. Not even kidding. (My family thought I was bonkers) But I believe that when I can get that involved in a two hour story, that it was pretty well crafted. 

Peter & Valerie

I loved everything about this film; from the awesome digital graphics, casting, the acting, to the romance and action sequences.
An all around awesome film, and I'd recommend it for anyone over 10 (since the violence might give the wee little ones some nightmares and the romance scenes might cause awkward moments. ;] )


Also, just a side note...Peter (played by Shiloh Fernandez) is now on The Spork Master's list of hotties. He'll soon be on yours too...only if you watch the film though. ;D

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks.

Hey, costume enthusiasts! If you love accurate costumes, then you'll love this movie too. The costumes are all authentic to the time period, and they are superbly done. Costumes to watch for in the film; Peter's (it's dark, but the close ups of his legs show the amazing laces of his pants and boots, and his tunic is nicely done), Valerie's (stitching, materials and garments all match the era), and any of the armor.

Review: Gnomeo & Juliet

 

Title: Gnomeo and Juliet
Production Co.: Touchstone Pictures, Rocket Pictures, & Miramax Films

Release Date:  February 11th, 2011

Stars: (Voices of) James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Ozzy Osbourne, Matt Lucas, & Michael Caine

Where to Buy: Amazon 

"A little adventure goes a lawn way."

From Netflix:

An edgy Shakespeare adaptation like no other, this animated musical transports the classic tale of forbidden romance between two star-crossed lovers from warring families to the unlikely yet hysterical world of garden gnomes. Features songs from legendary recording artist Elton John.

I love adaptaions on Shakespeare stories/plays, and this movie didn't fall short of my expectations. It actually exceeded it.

The movie starts out showing a town house divided in two, on side housing an old woman, and the other and old man. Their last names? Capulet and Montague. Mrs. Capulet has her house decked out in blue while Mr. Montague has his in red. When they're gone, the gnomes and all the garden decorations come to life. However, one hop over the fence in either direction, and you (as a gnome) have headed into enemy territory. The two sides of gnomes - who refer to the each other as the Reds and the Blues - hate each other. Each family is set out to one up the other or destroy the other.

Gnomeo finding Juliet

The movie is full of so many puns, that's it just downright hilarious. They even clink when they touch each other or walk around. (Ya know, since they're made of porcelain.) The best part, though? The movie actually had a plot, and it didn't follow strictly to Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliette. 

 

The characters were well rounded, which made the watcher engrossed in the scenes. The 'aww's and the 'oh no!'s came very easily. The animation was pretty good, and the details were wonderful.

As a whole, it's a great movie for the family or even a date. Loved it!

I give it four sporks!

Follow Friday #1

 

Woo, so this is my first Follow Friday!! I'm excited! :D

This Friday's Feature is Erika @ Let's Talk About books! So you should go check her out and follow her! Now, for the question...

Q. ACK! Your favorite book/movie character (example Hermione Granger played by the Emma chick) just walked into the room! Who is it and what would be your first reaction? You get extra points if you include visual stimulation.

Emma Watson as Hermione Granger

The example character is actually my favourite book/movie character. D: Hermione Granger is my role model and so is Emma Watson. I love them both! As for my reaction..oh boy. If you asked me two years ago, I probably would have either squeeled with joy or been total nonchalant. Now, I know how I react around celebrities. I met Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix! Woo!) once and I just gaped like a fish. I stood and stared like an obnoxious kid and I felt terrible for doing it.

Hopefully, my first reaction to Hermione/Emma would be cool, sophisticated, but still a fan. Ahh! The prospect just kills me. XD

So, who is your favourite book/movie character and how would YOU react?