Movie Review Recommendations!

Hey readers!

Because I have a busy schedule with balancing school and the blog, I don't have enough time to actually go to the movie theater. That's why I'm asking for movie review recommendations! I will watch the movie if I haven't seen it already. If I have seen the movie, I'll still review it! I enjoy sharing my thoughts on things and helping people decide on a good movie to see! COMMENT BELOW! I might even watch a scary movie! I also enjoy classic black and white films ;)

'The Maze Runner' Movie Review (SPOILER FREE)

On August 24^th of 2014, I woke up to an invitation to go to an advance screening of “The Maze Runner”. After finding two friends to attend with me, we rushed downtown right after school and waited in a line for 3 hours. Both of my friends have read “The Maze Runner”, but my friend Alli read the entire trilogy and the prequel. I can confirm that she is a hardcore fan of James Dashner, as she remarked once “He’s one of my favorite writers” and my other friend, Steven said “It was the only book I read”. I asked my two friends if they could tell me their thoughts on the movie after it’s over, because unlike them, I didn't read the book… yet. They both replied with “of course”. This is actually my first time not reading the book before the movie adaption. I wanted to get that “I didn't read the book, but I saw the movie and read it afterwards” feeling. I wanted to make sure I wasn't anticipating anything and didn't have any expectations, because when a movie adaption of a book you love doesn't meet your expectations, it sucks. However, I did have a trustworthy Dashner fan and a brain filled with background knowledge of the film, so I felt prepared.

“The Maze Runner” is the first installation of the post-apocalyptic science fiction trilogy. Yes, there will definitely be two more movies and maybe a prequel if the trilogy does well, which I’m highly assuming it will. “The Maze Runner” is about a boy named Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who, after being unconscious, wakes up without any memory of his past and how he got to where he is now, which is a place called The Glade. The Glade is the center of a maze, in which dangerous creatures called Grievers reside. The Glade is inhabited by a large group of boys of all ages and they all have no memory of their previous life. The doors to the maze open periodically and as a group, the boys try to find a way to escape, but no luck has come. The boys also warn Thomas that every boy that stayed in the maze overnight, never survived. But things begin to change when the latest arrival to The Glade is a girl, Teresa (Kaya Scodelario), whose thoughts Thomas can read. Together, they bond and, along with the other boys, they .search for a plan to escape.

The movie started off exactly how the book did (from the five chapters that I've read), with anticipation, rapid heart-beating, and a big gasp of air from Thomas and the audience. The very first scene was quick and altered a little but everything made sense. The good part about this movie is that you don’t get confused easily or quickly. But the bad part about the movie and maybe my only disappointment is that in numerous scenes, it was too dark for me to actually see what was going on. For example, when Thomas is running away from a Griever, all I could see was movement. I’m not sure if it was just the theater I was in or if it really is like that, but it bothered me so much.

The entire… yes entire movie is taken place inside The Glade and inside the maze, which is basically part of The Glade. Not to spoil anything, but yes, there are exactly 2 scenes where they’re actually not in The Glade, but it doesn't really make a big difference. Luckily, I didn't find that part annoying. Some people might, but there was so much action going on that I didn't notice.

The relationships in the movie were small and weren't specifically praised, but I felt that Thomas’s friendship with Chuck (Blake Cooper) was important. The conversation between an older individual and a younger one might not be taken into notice, but the bond they had was significant. I teared up at a discussion they had about what they thought their parents were like. Their relationship was a typical brother bond, but it almost felt like they were real brothers and I praise O’Brien and Cooper’s performance. Another relationship in the film was Thomas and Teresa’s. I can’t say they actually have a relationship, but they do have a connection. In the book, Thomas could read her mind and vice versa. In the movie, they dampened the subject and made it completely irrelevant, which as told by my friend Alli was “… completely important in the next book”.

Overall, the movie was shockingly good. My friends said "It was a great movie. I followed the book pretty well. It left out one or two minor details, but that was okay". With its male dominating cast and dull setting, the greatest outcomes it had were its’ special effects and acting. Will Poulter, who played Gally, was Thomas’s enemy. Poulter has played a wicked boy with snarky remarks before like in, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader”, but that was when he was younger. Now, at the age of 21, Poulter has showed how a real bully behaves. I couldn't believe that the boy who made me laugh in “We’re The Millers” made me want to shout at him in this movie.

I give this movie 3½ shouting Dylan O'Briens

“The Maze Runner” comes out in theaters September 19^th of 2014. Go see it if you like action, sci-fi, cute boys and a powerful girl.

Another great opportunity that happened only two weeks later was that the stars of “The Maze Runner” came to visit my high school on September 4. Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario and Will Poulter appeared in front of what seemed like hundreds of screaming boys and girls, who desperately tried to take a good picture of them on the tiny stage. The appearance, originally held for acting and English classes to attend, was a short 30 minute Q&A. They presented an extended version of “The Maze Runner” trailer and then the cast came out and answered questions about the movie and acting. At one point, the crowd asked Poulter to sing (because in “We’re The Millers” he hilariously rapped the lyrics to “Waterfalls” by TLC) but he kindly declined. After the half hour, they explained that they needed to catch a flight (assumingly to Dallas because it was next on their tour). 

Photo credit to Karina

'If I Stay' Movie Review (SPOILER FREE)

On July 30th of 2014, I was lucky enough to attend the "If I Stay" tour. At the tour, which was held at Sprinkles Cupcakes in Chicago, I met the lead actress in the film, Chloë Grace Moretz and the author of the book, Gayle Forman. After the meet up and book signing, I had to rush over to the movie theater where an advance screening of the movie was being held. After watching it, a Q&A was held with Moretz and Forman, where they discussed the movie adaption of Forman's book.

I read Gayle Forman’s novel “If I Stay” about six years ago, when it was first published in 2009. At the age of eleven, my three friends and I shared one book and discussed the happy, funny, and sad parts in it. “If I Stay” is about a 17 year old girl, Mia Hall (Moretz) who is an inspiring cellist and has a rocker boyfriend, Adam (Jamie Blackley) who has his own band. It follows her as she deals with the aftermath of a tragic car accident involving her and her family. While she’s in a coma, she has an out-of-body experience. She observes her family and friends in the hospital while she is being treated. As she watches them, her memories flash before her eyes. She realizes that she must come to a decision on whether or not she should wake up and stay with her family and friends or slip further away and die.

The movie was overall one of the best adaptions anyone could ever make of a book. The book alone already had a simple plot, right? No. It actually had a difficult plot. It was hard to keep up with Mia in the present and the past. The movie made it easier to understand. Moretz was dressed in pale colors to create an ethereal appearance and in her flashbacks she dressed in dark, winter colors. The flashbacks offered insight into Mia’s life with her friend, Kim (Liana Liberato), boyfriend, her family and her love for the cello. However, a majority of the movie was focused solely on Mia and her relationship with her boyfriend Adam. The scenes started with how they met, and then continued with their first date, kiss, college decisions, and fight. The on-screen couple was cute and adoring to each other, but made it annoying at some times and to be blunt... boring. The movie was 75% about Mia and Adam and 25% about how Mia felt about her family in the hospital. To compare the book and the movie, Mia (in the book) was extremely worried about her family, especially her younger brother, Teddy (Jakob Davies). In the movie, it appeared that Mia only cared 75% about her boyfriend and 25% about her family, especially her parents.

Music played an important aspect in the film because it was a major factor in Mia’s life; her whole entire being was filled with musical strings. The music in the movie set the tone of an upbeat and moving film, which wasn't exactly the case. The movie wasn't set out to be a melodramatic film about a girl in a coma, but the music made up for that. Adam’s band plus Beethoven might equal a weird combination but it didn't. The soundtrack is without a better word, surprising. Adam is supposed to be a rock god, but he sings pop rock-ish (alternative)? In my opinion, Adam would have been even more perfect if he actually sang hardcore rock music, because I can’t even begin to explain how many times Mia called him a “rocker” or “rock god” in the movie and book.

Jamie Blackley... Adam Wilde... 

Blackley was the perfect Adam because he was Adam. Blackley grabbed Adam by his old, dirty ACDC tee shirt and said “I am going to be you”. That was how good Blackley’s acting was. I praise Blackley, and him alone, because he pulled off a “cheesy role”. Adam is a stereotypical “guy in a band with absentee parents” character. Blackley was able to envelope this character and make it him. So in other words, he gave the impression of a guy with a romantic side, confidence, a soulful voice, hair that isn’t great but not hideous and a tough childhood instead of a stereotypical “guy in a band with absentee parents” character.

“If I Stay” was surprising good, but dull in some parts. It was like my favorite sandwich: peanut butter and Nutella. It looks bad, but it’s actually great. Inside the sandwich, it could have less Nutella and peanut butter in it and it was incredibly gooey, but it’s still good. Moretz's performance showed a side of her the audience doesn't get to see too often: girly and innocent. This film was definitely a good way to flaunt that side of her, but sometimes, we don’t need to see it. She seemed so sweet and innocent, that she came off a little fake. My mother who went to the advance screening with me cried throughout the movie but commented that Moretz wasn't “convincing enough in certain scenes”. But don’t fret, my mother did say that “[Moretz] really looked like she was playing the cello!” and later asked me if she really was. She wasn't.

I give this movie 3½ Jamie Blackleys

There’s still time to see “If I Stay” and read the book! Go right away to your nearest theater or bookstore if you want to see a movie or read a book that will make you laugh, cry and smile all giddy with happiness.

'X-Men: Days of Future Past' Trailer Review

If you're not quite sure who or what the X-Men are, leave this post now, and rent the movie.

Following the events in 2013's 'The Wolverine' and 'X-Men: First Class', characters from the original 'X-Men' film trilogy are reunited with their younger selves to fight a war for the survival of the mutant species across two time periods. A battle that must change the past, to save their future.

Reasons to consider seeing it:

1. New X-Men are recruited! (You just might see some familiar faces)
   • Evan Peters, as some might recognize him in 'American Horror Story', joined the cast as Quicksilver. He's plays a mutant that can (you guessed it) run, talk and does everything with supersonic speed.

   

   In the center is newcomer, Evan Peters as Quicksilver. On the left, Michael Fassbender as Magneto (past), on the right, James McAvoy as Charles Xavier (past)

   • Fan Bingbing appears as Blink, a mutant that can teleport. Keep an eye out for this Chinese actress. She's definitely going to be kicking some major telepathic butt in this film.

     

     Bingbing as Blink

   
   
2. Your old favorites are back!
   • Kitty Pryde, Kitty Pryde, all hail Kitty Pryde! This mutant can go through solid objects and her power allows time travel to happen. She is definitely a key aspect in the film.

     

     Ellen Page returns as Kitty Pryde (left), and on the (right) is new X-Men recruit Bishop

   • Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake aka Iceman returns. Let's hope to see some rekindled romance with Rogue... or Kitty Pryde. 

     

     Iceman returns with a new look?
     
     
     
     

     Although Halle Berry was pregnant during filming, she still manages to pull off a good Storm. She brings back her silver hair and she's ready to go! 

     

     3. Plenty of Man Candy! 

Let's not forget the very hunky Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy (who sports a longer 'do in the film), Nicholas Hoult, Shawn Ashmore and many more are BACK! I'm expecting at least one shirtless Michael Fassbender in this movie.

     4. The new villain is not "new"

• Mutant hunting robots, the Sentinels! These deadly robots are out to destroy the mutant race. Fun Fact: these things were the villain in the 'X-Men' trilogy but they were never shown clearly.
• Bolivar Trask, head of Trask Industries is portrayed by Peter Dinklage. The creator of the Sentinels has appeared in 'X-Men: The Last Stand' and was mentioned in 'The Wolverine'.

  

  Peter Dinklage as the villain Bolivar Trask

Excited to see 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' now?

COMES OUT MAY 23, 2014

My 'Divergent' Experience!

If you haven't read my last post, I reviewed the movie 'Divergent'. However, I saw it a little earlier than most people.

I found out a week before, about the 'Divergent' press tour in Chicago. I tried to get tickets, but it was already sold out. Although it was sold out, I fortunately discovered that the red carpet part of the event was FREE. I asked a friend of mine if he wanted to go, but two days before the actual event, he tore something in his ankle. Long story short, I had to ask my sister to tag along with me.

The day of the event, Ansel Elgort (who plays Caleb Prior in the movie) tweeted that he was going to give away two tickets to the movie screening if [people who didn't have tickets] made a sign that read, 'I am Factionless! Need tickets!'. Well, I read that tweet while I was in school and made a sign during my French class.

This is the sign. I put a picture of Ansel on it at the last minute.

I was at the movie theater and my sister and I waited for three and a half hours until it actually started. Ansel Elgort walked out and finally gave out the tickets... to the girl standing next to me. I felt so bad, but then, HE CAME BACK! He gave away 2 more tickets... to the girl BEHIND me. At this point, I had given up. It wasn't until my sister excused herself to get food when he returned to the "Factionless" area when he looked me directly in the eyes and asked, "How many do you need?". I was so frantic and happy and yelled, "Two please!". After he reached over to hand me the tickets, I freaked out and ran to find my sister.

The two tickets Ansel gave me

After finding my sister, I went onto the lower floor (I was on a balcony) and tried to get closer to the other actors. As Ansel took a picture with some people who made him a cookie cake (yes, I was right behind them), I asked him if I could get a picture with him and he said, looking at my digital camera, "Don't know how we're gonna do this, buuuut" and shrunk down a bit and held my camera out to take a picture of us.

Not the best picture, since there's a bunch of people photobombing it (haha the blue haired girl)

So basically before this time and afterwards, I got everyone's autograph, except for Ansel's, but it's okay (I mean, look at that picture). My sister and I got to watch the movie and well, you'll have to read my review to see what I thought of it.

'Divergent' Movie Review (SPOILER FREE!)

So, let's just say Ansel Elgort (himself!) gave me two movie tickets  to see the Chicago premiere of 'Divergent' at the press tour...

As I sat in the large theater amongst other 'Divergent' fans, I remember being filled with a myriad of emotions: Eagerness, Excitement, Happiness, Tiredness, Hungry-ness? That entire night, I went 10 hours without food. Not a good idea.

'Divergent', as many know, is the movie adaption of the first installment in the dystopian book trilogy. It sets place in the city of Chicago in the future (post-apocalypse?). Chicago is divided into 5 factions: Abnegation, the selfless; Amity, the peaceful; Candor, the honest; Dauntless, the brave; and Erudite, the intelligent. As every teenager turns 16 years old, they are faced to go through an aptitude test that tells them what faction they’re suited to be in. It's up to them to choose whether or not they want to stay with their family or transfer to a different faction. Beatrice Prior (Shailene Woodley) discovers that her aptitude test is inconclusive, which makes her “Divergent”, meaning that she fits into more than one faction. As she faces her predicament, she learns of the corrupted faction system and the sinister plans regarding her identity.

‘Divergent’ was a very good movie. I try to use my words carefully, because in many ways, the movie was lacking. As someone who has read the book, many, many times, I must say there were some expectations that I had, but were not met in the film. Overall, the acting and the creative soundtrack tied the movie together perfectly... and I’m all about movie soundtracks. Shailene Woodley, who is known for her “decent” role as a pregnant teenager in ABC Family’s ‘Secret Life of an American Teenager’, definitely shows off her skills as an actress in the movie. She’s relatable and displays what a true feminist is, and I applaud her for that. Many people have even asked me about Four (Theo James). As he might be handsome and talented, Theo portrays Four very well. Although, I wish I would have seen more character development or more scenes with him in it. Even though in the first book he IS kind of absent. Another character people have asked me about was Peter (Miles Teller). Yes, Miles played Peter to justice. What I like so much about Teller’s portrayal of him, is that he made me want to punch Peter (of course), but at the same time, laugh WITH him. I never knew how sarcastic Peter could be until I saw the movie.

CH-CH-CHANGES. I swear, the one thing that bothered me the most was the ending. I have to confess, it was not what I expected at all. It was quick and inaccurate (according to the book). Without giving too much away, I must say, they pulled a “Hunger Games”, and did something completely different from the novel. Although that was the movie’s “major” change, I hope that the sequel ‘Insurgent’ will make up for it.

It was a great movie and overall, a great experience. The day I saw it (March 4^th!), was literally the best day ever for me. I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the books and sci-fi/action movies. I went with my older sister who never read the books or heard of the cast, and she enjoyed it very much. If you’re worried about the differences between the book and the movie trust me, you’ll get over it and you’ll learn to deal with it. Because there’ll be 3 more movies…

I give this movie 4 ‘Four’’s out of 5