Movie Review - Chasing Mavericks

After months of not being able to report on any movies. I'm back. For those of you who love to follow my thoughts on movies that I have been to see.
Yesterday afternoon, I went to see Chasing Mavericks.  I knew when I first saw the trailers of this movie I wanted to see it, but it was not until it was in the final stages of the movie that I realized it was based on a true story. That even made the movie more wonderful.  The movie is about Gerald Butler who plays Frosty, an older surfer and a young man Jay (who turns 16 within the movie) played by Jonny Weston and their relationship as he trains Jay to be able to surf the Mavericks wave. They were both great!!!
The movie slowly shows the relationships around them, Jay with his mother played by Elizabeth Shue and Frosty with his wife and children. The story at times, in the first 30 minutes was a little slow, but that was soon forgotten as the relationships with others, school friends, enemies, first loves unfolds and you get to understand how it all comes together.
The way Frosty takes this young man and makes him learn the four principles of life, you begin to see how they intertwine and how although Frosty in the beginning is so reluctant to take on this young man, when his wife makes him realize the 'kid' will do it anyway (surf the big waves) he does.
I found myself with tears in my eyes at the end and sorry it was ending.  I wanted more of Jay and Frosty. And although you learn it is based on a true story and you discover what happens to Jay in real life you feel like you were let into a little bit of what drove him to want to surf the 'big mavericks'.
I liked this movie a lot.... 4 out of 5.
Hope you get to see it.
Until next time.
Norma.

Several Movies I've Seen Lately

I'm finally able to go to the theatre to watch movies again.  I was not able to sit comfortably long enough before.  During the time I was unable, I did catch a few movies on the PayPerView, but not many. 
Last night, I went with a friend to see the movie The Exotic Marigold Hotel.  I had several friends advise me to see it and they were right. I left the theatre with a warm heart and a filled up feeling. The most wonderful British Actors, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Bill Nighy plus others did their usual great job with Dev from Slumdog Millionaire being his great self.  (I'm so happy to see him in the HBO series Newsroom). The storyline is a group of seniors go to live in a Hotel in India where it is nothing like it is advertised. The way in which each one copes and adjusts to the life in India makes the story warm and heart touching.  Definitely a 4 1/2 out of 5.
We also went to see Moonrise Kingdom, with Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray. It was definitely a different, weird movie. All the actors were acting in strange, different roles. Its about two 'strange' 12 yr olds who run away and have a series of adventures while being tracked by the adults and the troop of scouts. I would not recommend it, but I was wondering why I was laughing at times.
2 out of 5.
I did finally get to see Hunger Games. It was worth the wait.  I thought it might be too gory for me, based on the trailers and I was a bit upset when I saw quite young people in the theatre, but I did not need to have been concerned. They edited the violence very well, and the story of young love and survival more than made up for it.  Jennifer Lawrence played the young strong female lead well, Liam Hemsworth is always worth seeing on the screen.  I'm not sure if Josh Hutcherson was the best pick for the male survivalist in the 'game', but I thought he did well.  Well worth seeing (my friend who came with me was seeing it for the 3rd time).  I found it held my attention the whole time.
4 1/2 out of 5
I also managed to go and see The Amazing Spider Man. I did not enjoy this so much. I found it a bit too much in the 'horror' genre for me.  I don't like seeing men change into something else, especially not a reptile, whose tail can grow back when he loses it.  I found myself putting my hands up to my eyes and shutting them so I would not see the screen.  Not good. Perhaps I'm more sensitive after months of recuperating, but that part of the movie I did not enjoy. I thought the acting of Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and especially Rhys Ifans (who I did not recognize at all until the credits) was good. A different kind of Spider Man than the Toby McQuire ones.
3 out of 5
One of the first movies I ventured out to see if I could sit through it was Brave. Oh how I enjoyed that movie. I also liked hearing little kids laugh during it too. So often they say these movies are for kids, when in fact they are not. Some kids could have been frightened by the bear within the movie. But this movie is delightful for adults of all ages.  If you can go see it. Its so well done.
4 1/2 out of 5
Two movies I saw via the TV pay per view were Safe House and Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows.
Safe House was a tremendous non stop action was good. Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington in their action movie best.  3 1/2 out of 5  (I must admit I slept through some of this - I was still in the needing to nap a lot) but did not feel I missed anything - only more action.  If I had seen every scene maybe the score would be higher. Definitely a great action movie.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.  I thought this was better than the first one (which is unusual as follow up movies are usually not as good as the first). I found the pace better and I laughed many times at Robert Downey Jr's antics. It was lighter and Jude Law as the wonderful Watson on trying to get married was great. I also found the female lead was much more suitable than the first. I'm looking forward to the next one.
4 out of 5.
As I missed many movies I wanted to see, I will endeavor to catch up through the PayPerView section.
In the meantime.  Enjoy the movies
Norma.

Red Tails

I went to see Red Tails because I wanted to support George Lucas in his endeavor to bring this movie to the screen. I had to go to a late screening, something I don't do much these days, because it was only being shown once a day - late.  Every movie theatre in our area was the same. One screening late in the day. This is an area where there are a lot of pensioners - me included and we don't go out that late, especially when the weather is not good and there is snow on the ground. Anyway, a friend and I went. I was thrilled to be able to go to the movies again and be able to sit through the movie quite OK.
Now onto the movie. I was disappointed in the movie. Although the action scenes are good something was lacking. Both my friend and I did not like Cuba Gooding Jr's pipe. We thought it totally took away. It's like it dominated rather than the script and you always noticed it, it was out of place, out of character and talking about characters, they all seemed 'over the top' somehow. I thought maybe it was 'culture'. I understand the 'black' culture is different from 'white culture'. Just as 'deaf' culture is different from 'hearing' culture. But I would have liked more authentic normalcy among the pilots.
Over the years I have seen a lot of war movies and this one misses the mark. Sad when 'Lightening' gets killed - yes, he seemed to dominate (and I have no idea which one of the names of the black actors was him) but he was good in his role. They were for the most part OK - not great but OK.
So bottom line, something was missing in this movie. I'm not sure who wrote it but they missed something. I remember the TV movie and it was good. This wasn't. But is it worth seeing. Yes it is worth seeing, especially if you want to support George Lucas in saying a 'Black' movie is worth producing.
3 out of 5 stars (the dog fights were worth a star).

Movie Reviews

Hi:  Just wanted to let everyone know that I have been laid up with a disk issue and have not gone to see a movie in over a month.  I feel terribly deprived as so many have come out while I have been able to sit or walk. Now I'm beginning to get back to normal, I will be off to New Zealand for six weeks. I'm sure I will get to see some of the movies I have missed there.  Won't be long before you will get more of my movie reviews. Thanks for your patience.
Norma.

Hugo

I came away from watching Hugo in 3D wondering about the movie. Did I like it? What had I enjoyed? What did I not enjoy? I had heard it was hailed as the best 3D movie, and although I truly wanted to put that comment away I kept wondering why someone would say that. I really did like it when occasionally a person was speaking they seemed to come right out and be right in front while the background fell away. Or, was it because it seemed to show the movement of the clocks in high definition (HD) or what. Did I enjoy the movie? Now that is the question. As I have often found how tired I am can have an influence as to how I see a movie and it was the end of a long day of shopping, a massage and the general hussle and bussle of this time of the year, that could be a factor, and I thought the beginning part of the movie a bit too long, and did not grab me at all. In fact it wasn't until the young girl (played by Chloe Moretz) began her friendship with Hug (played wonderfully by Asa Butterfield) that my attention became full time. This friendship and interrelationship was definitely the mainstay of this movie. Sacha Baron as the Train Inspector was terrific as were all the 'bit players' of this movie. Sir Ben Kingsley was great as the irritable old toy shop keeper - in fact every actor played their part superbly. The acting was sublime. The interactions as the story built was great. So, what was the problem. I think the scenes held a bit too long on old metal objects, ie the clocks, the books (oh they are not metal) and the automaton upon which the movie rotates was the issue. Yes I'm being critical, but remember when I go to a movie I want to be moved, to laugh or enjoy the underlay story line. I found I was not moved as much as I could have been, but the relationship between the children was good, and some of the philosophy which came through, especially at the end was nice, but felt something missed the mark. Perhaps it was the hype, perhaps it was - who knows. Should you go see this movie - yes. The photography by the master Martin Scorese is worth seeing, the old time look (after world war I) is great. Paris always is lovely at any time of the year, especially when snow is coming down - even when created. In looking back each segment of the movie was wonderfully done, so what was missing. I don't know something for me was, you need to go see it and see for yourself. I truly would like comments on this one.
3 out of 5.

Muppets

The Muppets movie is worth seeing. Even if you are not a super duper Muppet fan, there are components in this movie which are enjoyable. The story line is simple, and yet somehow enduring. Although I was not a big Muppet fan, I do enjoy Miss Piggy and of course Kermit is always a hit. I don't know all the names of the Muppet gang, as I missed the Muppet years. My ignorance was I did not even realize they were no longer on T.V. But, in saying that, as they travel around gathering all the main Muppet people, you get an insight of who they are. I loved the performances which happened when they were doing their show in order to save the theatre. And of course, the 'bad man' changes his mind, and they get to keep their theatre. Perhaps more movies would be in order. Up until they were all performing and doing their acts I was amused, but the acts were terrific - true Muppet style - how puppets manage to create an emotional response, I do not know, yet they do it. Of course all us Miss Piggy fans were delighted that she and Kermit get back together. I think kids will enjoy this, the action and dance sequences and there is a lot to watch in the large scenes. Jason Segal, who seems to have been the main thrust of this movie, by being one of the writers as well as the star. He had a delightful interaction with Amy Adams but the movie is the Muppets - somehow I think they will be back..

Happy Feet 2

I had enjoyed Happy Feet a lot, so I went with great enthusiasm to see Happy Feet 2 in 3D. I was not disappointed, in fact, there is a song near the end, when I had tears brimming over the sides of my eyes. Eric, the little penguin, who cannot dance, sings a song to his father, this most operatic voice comes out of this little bundle of a penguin and I lost it. But the stealer's of the show are the two shrimp voiced by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon. The philosophies of life which comes forth in this movie, besides the singing and dancing of the penguins, with help from Elephant Sea Lions and another group of penguins. I found myself laughing, crying and thoroughly enjoying some of the scenes (especially those philosophical shrimps). I'm not  sure that one has to see this movie in 3D, but the movie does bring you to many different emotions. Adventurous young penguins going off, concerned father following, the singing and dancing of massive amounts of penguins (is there really that many in the Antarctic). The awareness of the warming and the effect it has on the climate and therefore on its inhabitants. And the humor, lots of humor. I'm not sure how much a young child would enjoy this, but as an adult, I did. Worth going to see, I think so. Happy Feet 2, makes you happy and the time worthwhile. Although I do not think it is as good as Happy Feet 1. But then, what sequel is.
3 1/2 stars out of 5.