movie review

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

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The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)

Director:

Peter Jackson

Starring:

Ian McKellen

Martin Freeman

Richard Armitage

Plot:

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.

Review:

I don’t know if it’s because I’m older or just because the movies aren’t as good, but I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I liked the first one, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but even that not as much.

The Orcs seemed CG, I’m not sure if they are I haven’t taken the time to look into it, but in the original trilogy there weren’t. That barrel scene was freaking ridiculous, not in a good way.

It’s been a while since I read the Hobbit, I have a really nice edition that I got for Christmas so I have no excuse. There’s a lot in the movies that I don’t recognize, I know they took some from other Tolkien sources, but I’m not sure if it’s made the story better or just longer.

What is with Hollywood and making book series longer? The last book is always split into two movie. In the case of the Hobbit the last book remaining by Tolkien that people love it split into three movies. Was that really necessary?

I like the story so I’m not complaining. Not really. I’m just not sure if it makes it better. I’m giving this movie three stars but it was really close to 2.75.

3/5

Veronica Mars (2014)

 

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Veronica Mars (2014)

Director:

Rob Thomas

Starring:

Kristen Bell

Jason Dohring

Enrico Colantoni

Plot:

Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars gets pulled back to her hometown – just in time for her high school reunion – in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls, who’s embroiled in a murder mystery.

Review:

So I wouldn’t call myself a marshmallow but I was a fan on the TV show. Particularly the first two seasons, I kind of thought the third felt different and didn’t like it as much. Anyway, I did not fund the kickstarter. I didn’t need to. Still I looked forward to the movie.

I didn’t get as much closure as I would have liked and it was a definite set up for more, either in TV or Movie form. I got Logan action. Though she did move past getting dumped by the man she supposedly loved fairly quickly to get back with Logan.

I felt sorry for what they did to Weevil, he was a changed man and after two weeks with Veronica back in town he was back in a gang. Poor man.

Overall I liked the movie and was impressed by all the people they were able to get in it. Jamie Lee Curtis people! I look forward to hopefully more installments in the life of Veronica Mars. Maybe there’s a book series I’m unaware of?

3.75/5

Gambit (2012)

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Gambit (2012)

Director:

Michael Hoffman

Starring:

Colin Firth

Cameron Diaz

Alan Rickman

Plot:

An art curator decides to seek revenge on his abusive boss by conning him into buying a fake Monet, but his plan requires the help of an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen.

Review:

This was a cute movie with Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz but that’s pretty much it. Diaz’s southern accent was a bit grating however since it was a Texas accent it didn’t bother me as much as it normally would. Yes there are different Southern accents.

Honestly the movie was just eh and started out a bit boring. It wasn’t until the end that you got a payoff. So the movie ended great but it didn’t really make up for the rest of the movie, it just meant I left with positive thoughts.

2.75/5

P.S.

Alan Rickman is naked in this movie.

Snowpiercer (2013)

Snowpiercer

Snowpiercer (2013)

Director:

Joon-ho Bong

Starring:

Chris Evans

Jamie Bell

Tilda Swinton

John Hurt

Plot:

Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.

Review:

There is pretty much nothing in theaters right now that I want to pay the steep price of a ticket for. However I recently found myself with a babysitter and had to find something. Luckily a theater in my area had this playing.

***Spoilers***

I’m going to be blunt and start off with I didn’t like the ending. It reminded me of The Matrix Revolutions in that everyone I cared about died. I thought a couple scenes dragged a little, and by a little I mean a minute max. The first action scene had an overabundance of shaky cam and the coolest good guy went out like a bitch.

That being said, the movie was incredibly creative and kept me on my toes. Just when I thought it was safe to head to the bathroom a pregnant school teacher pulls out a machine gun and starts firing at people.

I’d love to see more from this world. If it was a book I would be demanding a sequel. Since it’s a movie I’m not sure.

3/5

 

Lilo & Stitch (2002)

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Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Director:

Dean DeBlois & Chris Sanders

Starring:

Daveigh Chase

Chris Sanders

Tia Carrere

Ving Rhames

Plot:

A Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual pet who is actually a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law.

Review:

I watched this once when it came out and didn’t really remember much about it, so when I saw it on Netflix I thought I’d try it out again.

Love how the background is drawn, so freaking pretty. Story made me cry like crazy, of course. I swear I didn’t use to be as emotional when it came to movies but now every Disney movie I watch kills me.

“Oh my god their parents are dead.”

“She’s doing her best.”

“The poor baby doesn’t have any friends!!!!”

It was pathetic, I admit, but whatever.

Amusing story. Lots of Elvis. Man in black child services agent. Good ending.

4.5/5