Amazing cast and acting, amazing script all this movie needed to be a 9 or 10 was music! A whole lot more music. I get they were trying emphasize the situation but... without music, a ply doesn't convey as well on moving pictures.
Still liked it, but didn't love it.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List
(2015)
Great for teens
26 March 2016
I went in wanting to assess Matthew Daddario's acting so I had little to no expectations.
It's a nice little movie with a good pace, great music and excellent costumes.
Victoria's acting did nothing for me. At no point in the movie did I feel her despair, excitement or any other emotion she was apparently experiencing. Pierson was amazing, touching, sensitive and sensible. Sadly, Victoria was giving him so little material to work with, he often came out too strong and overtly emotional. Still, an actor I will watch out for.
So I went in for him but he was the biggest disappointment. I found he played his character the same way he plays Alec in Shadowhunters. Huge bummer... While in Shadowhunters it works great with the book character as it brings him a more complete personality - except for the occasional out of character lines - it worked even better here as Gabriel. The two characters are so blurred, now I will see Gabriel every time I watch Alec. That being said, great chemistry between Gabriel and Naomi, Naomi and Ely but nothing between Ely and Bruce 2.
Overall, it's an OK movie that 16 years old girls should enjoy. I would recommend it to them.
It's a nice little movie with a good pace, great music and excellent costumes.
Victoria's acting did nothing for me. At no point in the movie did I feel her despair, excitement or any other emotion she was apparently experiencing. Pierson was amazing, touching, sensitive and sensible. Sadly, Victoria was giving him so little material to work with, he often came out too strong and overtly emotional. Still, an actor I will watch out for.
So I went in for him but he was the biggest disappointment. I found he played his character the same way he plays Alec in Shadowhunters. Huge bummer... While in Shadowhunters it works great with the book character as it brings him a more complete personality - except for the occasional out of character lines - it worked even better here as Gabriel. The two characters are so blurred, now I will see Gabriel every time I watch Alec. That being said, great chemistry between Gabriel and Naomi, Naomi and Ely but nothing between Ely and Bruce 2.
Overall, it's an OK movie that 16 years old girls should enjoy. I would recommend it to them.
Whiplash
(2014)
I don't want to be great. I want to be one of the Great.
26 March 2016
I like when Hollywood dares to cast a young actor that doesn't fit their standards of beauty. The lead worked extremely well with his character and quite frankly, I think that's what kept me riveted. Adversity fuels him, exhaustion is merely an obstacle in his path. The actor's nervousness and receptivity is mesmerizing and will entrap you in his world. The camera could have pulled a Lars Von Trier, standing just behind his shoulder and it would have felt the same.
While the audience isn't courted so much into caring for the characters, the story does bring its emotional content with themes that appeal to everyone. The desire to make something out of your life, the sacrifices, the labour. But who knows how it will end? It's different for each of us.
JK Simmons was remarkable and his chemistry with the lead could have been better but it was sufficient. It was just enough to hold the movie together.
Now the bleeding hands were great at first but that quickly wore down. Everyone one of us who's ever played an instrument (which is everyone), knows the hardship isn't in the playing but in the accuracy. I get that his main struggle was to keep up the fast beat but as I said, the bleeding hands metaphor quickly wore down. If it had been a trombone, would they have made his lips bleed? The fingers of a piano player? It was just too much. Sweat would have sufficed.
Ups and downs - not the greatest movie I've seen this year, but good. Pretty good. It's an 8/10 for me; would recommend it to a specific crowd only.
While the audience isn't courted so much into caring for the characters, the story does bring its emotional content with themes that appeal to everyone. The desire to make something out of your life, the sacrifices, the labour. But who knows how it will end? It's different for each of us.
JK Simmons was remarkable and his chemistry with the lead could have been better but it was sufficient. It was just enough to hold the movie together.
Now the bleeding hands were great at first but that quickly wore down. Everyone one of us who's ever played an instrument (which is everyone), knows the hardship isn't in the playing but in the accuracy. I get that his main struggle was to keep up the fast beat but as I said, the bleeding hands metaphor quickly wore down. If it had been a trombone, would they have made his lips bleed? The fingers of a piano player? It was just too much. Sweat would have sufficed.
Ups and downs - not the greatest movie I've seen this year, but good. Pretty good. It's an 8/10 for me; would recommend it to a specific crowd only.
Shadowhunters
(2016–2019)
Miles away from the movie but still not quite there
24 March 2016
I'm an optimist so let's start with the good stuff and work our way down to the worst.
MAGNUS is great! He's a bit more reserved than the actual thing, his mannerism, and careless yet still caring traits are just on par with the one you had in your head. Although he could have been a tad more flamboyant...
ALEC... no words. He brings a whole new layer to the character, making him even more credible than the books did. He turned out to be not as introverted as the book version which works surprisingly well. He doesn't fall into the Alpha male cliché yet he pulls off the righteousness and sensible charm that will have you rooting for him even in his most questionable decisions. And that smirk...
ISABELLE too, much like Alec, has brought the character to life. Her confidence is evident in every scene, she has screen charisma, never falls out of character, and her acting feels like a second skin. Her chemistry with Meliorn is palpable; better than in the books. MELIORN is great - his ability to change the mood of the entire scene by softly speaking and playing with words (shout out to the screenplay) is fascinating.
TV Show SIMON is acted with just the softness you'd expect from him, the geeky attitude and all that jazz. The weak point is when it comes to love affairs. It's not smooth, it's just amateurish and you can tell it's acted. He gets better and better as the show goes on.
I have a new found love for MAX LIGHTWOOD! Just like his siblings, he brought the character to life. Excellent little guy who you both love to bits and want to kill - aka he acted it perfectly.
Luke is black?! Was not expecting that and you know what? That guy is the perfect cast. Could have been a little more helpless to correspond to the book but I like what he brings to the character. He's got it. A yes for me.
Both LIGHTWOOD parents were convincing and likable. Maryse was so well presented I saw the book come to life as she took her first few steps.
VALENTINE oh wow! They got a good actor for the role - and he plays it well. He could be a little less murderous and more righteous (even though his righteousness is twisted) but eh, after seeing the movie, I am not complaining!
HODGE I can't help but seeing someone like Gandalf when I think of Hodge. Of course, that's not what we got here. He's a good actor - he also seems to do his own stunts which in my book, is awesome!
JOCELYNE no comments. The young one is pretty great though. She kept me riveted to the screen and made me care.
RAPHAEL & CAMILLE nope. Camille worse than Raphael. I think she tried to pull a Drusilla but really Camille is more like Claudia from Interview with a Vampire. Wasn't Raphael supposed to look kid- like with darkness palpable through every pore? Anyway, they both did nothing for me. I cared as much for Camille as I do for the ice cubes in my freezer.
OK let's recap on what the institute looks like shall we? It is dark with long hallways lit by chandeliers. There is a weapons/training room with a high circular ceiling, a library with shelves going up two floors and Hodge's bird - or was that in a different room? There's a cafeteria with a small counter which feels quite cold. Oh and a vast empty room with a piano where Clary first finds Jace after entering the Institute. Can some please tell me where the HIGH TECH COMMAND CENTRE comes from? And who are all those people walking around and doing squat? Everyone is supposed to be in Idris! The concept not only killed the mood, it made the show less realistic and took away the Gothic and heavy atmosphere we all fell in love with. They made it feel like "Arrow" when they should have aimed (no pun intended) for "Gotham" and that was a HUGE MISTAKE.
CLARY is a bold yet sensitive character. While she cares for those around her, she will step over anyone who stands in her way because she's doing the right thing (or at least she believes so). TV Show Clary however, is lost in the Shadowhunters world and running around like a headless chicken. She's constantly on the verge of despair and seemingly not caring about anyone. She wails her arms around so often I literally have to look away from the screen cringing. Sadly the sensitivity and connection she's supposed to easily establish with everyone will never manifest itself.
JACE is independent, cocky and fierce when it comes to his emotions. TV Show Jace is cocky. Period. He acts more like The Rock than say, Superman. His character is badly layered but mainly, you can tell he's acting and that... that is what makes a bad casting decision. In emotionally charged scenes (other than the ones with Clary because I admit they have chemistry), you feel absolutely nothing.
The MUSIC. The video EDITING. The overall DIRECTION. Seriously, what the heck? Most of the scenes end up feeling awkward, it feels like a play on screen, lacking fluidity. There are moments in between dialogues where you feel someone is going to call "cut!" and it's going to turn into a documentary. BAD.
It's a 6/10 because of all its redeeming qualities but I would not recommend it to someone who hasn't read the series. Ps: where's the Seelie Queen? I'm still waiting.
MAGNUS is great! He's a bit more reserved than the actual thing, his mannerism, and careless yet still caring traits are just on par with the one you had in your head. Although he could have been a tad more flamboyant...
ALEC... no words. He brings a whole new layer to the character, making him even more credible than the books did. He turned out to be not as introverted as the book version which works surprisingly well. He doesn't fall into the Alpha male cliché yet he pulls off the righteousness and sensible charm that will have you rooting for him even in his most questionable decisions. And that smirk...
ISABELLE too, much like Alec, has brought the character to life. Her confidence is evident in every scene, she has screen charisma, never falls out of character, and her acting feels like a second skin. Her chemistry with Meliorn is palpable; better than in the books. MELIORN is great - his ability to change the mood of the entire scene by softly speaking and playing with words (shout out to the screenplay) is fascinating.
TV Show SIMON is acted with just the softness you'd expect from him, the geeky attitude and all that jazz. The weak point is when it comes to love affairs. It's not smooth, it's just amateurish and you can tell it's acted. He gets better and better as the show goes on.
I have a new found love for MAX LIGHTWOOD! Just like his siblings, he brought the character to life. Excellent little guy who you both love to bits and want to kill - aka he acted it perfectly.
Luke is black?! Was not expecting that and you know what? That guy is the perfect cast. Could have been a little more helpless to correspond to the book but I like what he brings to the character. He's got it. A yes for me.
Both LIGHTWOOD parents were convincing and likable. Maryse was so well presented I saw the book come to life as she took her first few steps.
VALENTINE oh wow! They got a good actor for the role - and he plays it well. He could be a little less murderous and more righteous (even though his righteousness is twisted) but eh, after seeing the movie, I am not complaining!
HODGE I can't help but seeing someone like Gandalf when I think of Hodge. Of course, that's not what we got here. He's a good actor - he also seems to do his own stunts which in my book, is awesome!
JOCELYNE no comments. The young one is pretty great though. She kept me riveted to the screen and made me care.
RAPHAEL & CAMILLE nope. Camille worse than Raphael. I think she tried to pull a Drusilla but really Camille is more like Claudia from Interview with a Vampire. Wasn't Raphael supposed to look kid- like with darkness palpable through every pore? Anyway, they both did nothing for me. I cared as much for Camille as I do for the ice cubes in my freezer.
OK let's recap on what the institute looks like shall we? It is dark with long hallways lit by chandeliers. There is a weapons/training room with a high circular ceiling, a library with shelves going up two floors and Hodge's bird - or was that in a different room? There's a cafeteria with a small counter which feels quite cold. Oh and a vast empty room with a piano where Clary first finds Jace after entering the Institute. Can some please tell me where the HIGH TECH COMMAND CENTRE comes from? And who are all those people walking around and doing squat? Everyone is supposed to be in Idris! The concept not only killed the mood, it made the show less realistic and took away the Gothic and heavy atmosphere we all fell in love with. They made it feel like "Arrow" when they should have aimed (no pun intended) for "Gotham" and that was a HUGE MISTAKE.
CLARY is a bold yet sensitive character. While she cares for those around her, she will step over anyone who stands in her way because she's doing the right thing (or at least she believes so). TV Show Clary however, is lost in the Shadowhunters world and running around like a headless chicken. She's constantly on the verge of despair and seemingly not caring about anyone. She wails her arms around so often I literally have to look away from the screen cringing. Sadly the sensitivity and connection she's supposed to easily establish with everyone will never manifest itself.
JACE is independent, cocky and fierce when it comes to his emotions. TV Show Jace is cocky. Period. He acts more like The Rock than say, Superman. His character is badly layered but mainly, you can tell he's acting and that... that is what makes a bad casting decision. In emotionally charged scenes (other than the ones with Clary because I admit they have chemistry), you feel absolutely nothing.
The MUSIC. The video EDITING. The overall DIRECTION. Seriously, what the heck? Most of the scenes end up feeling awkward, it feels like a play on screen, lacking fluidity. There are moments in between dialogues where you feel someone is going to call "cut!" and it's going to turn into a documentary. BAD.
It's a 6/10 because of all its redeeming qualities but I would not recommend it to someone who hasn't read the series. Ps: where's the Seelie Queen? I'm still waiting.
Reign
(2013–2017)
Gossip Girl meets Game of Thrones
31 October 2015
Reign is a show aimed at girls, there's no arguing about that. It's fiction, doesn't claim to be otherwise.
Season 1 is very light and full of spiralling dresses, and love stories. So light you might loose interest at some point but somehow, I always wanted to give it one more episode. Just one more to convince me to drop it. But just like you stuck with Gossip Girl for Blair & Chuck, you stick with Reign for Marie & Francis. Marie is regal and steals the screen while Francis is honest, and endearing. I have to admit Francis grew in me, wasn't such a fan at first.
Season 2 however, gets much more political (and we thank you for it). The plot twists are unpredictable (at least less predictable than the first season), you will feel thorn by the various love stories that are stretched by politics. You will find matches you're rooting for, and others you hate. Following Marie's ladies from their teenage crushes to their marriages, you will see what life has planned for them. While it still revolves very much around the love stories, the intrigue is not only accessory in this season, it is fully part of the story.
Can't wait to see season 3!
Season 1 is very light and full of spiralling dresses, and love stories. So light you might loose interest at some point but somehow, I always wanted to give it one more episode. Just one more to convince me to drop it. But just like you stuck with Gossip Girl for Blair & Chuck, you stick with Reign for Marie & Francis. Marie is regal and steals the screen while Francis is honest, and endearing. I have to admit Francis grew in me, wasn't such a fan at first.
Season 2 however, gets much more political (and we thank you for it). The plot twists are unpredictable (at least less predictable than the first season), you will feel thorn by the various love stories that are stretched by politics. You will find matches you're rooting for, and others you hate. Following Marie's ladies from their teenage crushes to their marriages, you will see what life has planned for them. While it still revolves very much around the love stories, the intrigue is not only accessory in this season, it is fully part of the story.
Can't wait to see season 3!
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