melissangel94 Reviews

Fifty Shades of Grey (2015)

Expect the worst

[6/10 · 18 February 2015]

Let me start by saying this film is critically awful. The script is laughable and the whole Christian Grey character just reminds me of a spoiled rich child who constantly wants his own way (I expected him to throw a tantrum every time Anastasia turned him down).

However, going into the cinema and expecting this to be the worst thing ever created in human history, I found that I actually quite enjoyed it. The script is so bad that's it's funny and I thought the two main actors did well with what they had to work with. But whoever hired that writer and cast Rita Ora (though she was only in it for, what, 15 seconds?) needs to be kicked out of Hollywood!

Moving on to the sex scenes...honestly, I've seen worse in True Blood and Game of Thrones. There isn't anything particularly graphic and there's nothing that will make viewers feel uncomfortable (unless they've never seen an R rated movie).

I know people are slating this movie for "raping their intelligence" and so on, but just go in with an open mind and a light heart knowing that it's not going to be Academy nominated or Oscar worthy (more like a Razzie winner) and you'll probably get a kick out of it. I know I'll be seeing Fifty Shades Darker, and hey, with a new writer, who knows what could happen.

Before Midnight (2013)

Too Realistic

[5/10 · 27 June 2013]

We all know what happens to relationships over a period of time ― in the beginning there's sparks and excitement and this can then lead to falling in love, but eventually reality decides to kick in and years down the line life becomes nothing but routine and full of arguments. This of course is not the happiest thought in the world, so we turn to films to lighten the mood and bring back the belief of romantic love (which I strongly adhere to).

I have adored the beautiful dream-like story of Jesse and Celine ever since I saw Before Sunrise ― meeting on a train in Vienna and taking a leap of faith, falling "a little bit in love" as they strolled around the city until morning where they vowed to meet again 6 months later. Of course we learn in Before Sunset that this did not happen, but fate brings them together once more, giving them a final chance at true love.

Unfortunately, what I did not expect from Before Midnight was to be watching a couple I had admired for so long constantly argue for at least two thirds of this film, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth as I left the cinema. Agreed, the acting of course was undeniably good and the script was as always clever, funny and a little shocking, but this does not make up for the unsatisfying ending and having to see the couple I loved so much ridicule each other almost to death.

Okay, maybe I have seen one too many fairy tales, but for me, watching something like this is completely illogical, especially since the main reason I go to see a movie in the first place is for escapism, not to get a reality check!