Diary of a Fangirl: Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino fanatic that I am, of course I saw this on Christmas Day upon its release.

I've been hearing the buzz about this film for about a year and a half--read the screenplay and saw Tarantino and most of the cast at this year's San Diego Comic Con:




And finally, the day came today.

I went there this afternoon and they were sold out.  Went home, bought tickets online, and then went back [early], nabbed my seat and settled in.

Now, anyone who hasn't been under a rock knows that the film is about a slave (Jaime Foxx) who is freed by a German bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) to help with a bounty, of course, who later in turn helps him find his wife, Broomhilda (Kerry Washington)--a German speaking slave.

I refuse to give away any details that you can't see in a trailer, because if you're like me and can't wait to see this film, then you want to be surprised while watching.  And I guarantee there will be some [major] surprises.  I'd give it 3 to 3.5 stars out of four.  If I hadn't seen "Inglorious Basterds," I'd have given it a four. That being said, if I were to rate this films against other films this year, I'd give it four out of four, and put it in my top films list for the year (which will be out before the new year).

This film is a mash-up of Spaghetti Westerns meets the Antebellum South.  If you know anything about slavery, then the happenings in this film shouldn't surprise you.  Yes, there is use of the "N" word, but not gratuitously so.  The violence slaps you in the face, sure, but I can't say that I found that gratuitous either, particularly so given the subject matter (and also given that it's a Tarantino film).

That being said, I know that at least one couple (non-black) walked out of the theater about two-thirds of the way in (the movie was almost three hours).  I know that there have been some media attention around this film in a negative light, and some of black Hollywood is coming out against it.  All this without having seen it and/or refusing to see it.  Let me make this abundantly clear, boys and girls:  They are wrong.  All I can say is, see it for yourself, and then judge.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Christmas Films to Watch

So, there are a slew of Christmas films, but I'm going to share with you the best films to watch for the holidays.

"Scrooged" is a classic, in my opinion.  A modernized spin on an old classic with Bill Murray.  I seriously doubt the awesomeness of this adaptation can be recreated (properly).  It's not only okay to watch for the kiddies, but good for the adults.

"A Christmas Story" A cult classic that will more than likely run all day on TBS [though I own the DVD].  This Christmas tale follows Ralphie, his home life, his school life, and his quest for a BB gun.  The film didn't do so well upon release, but is beloved by many today.  I saw a snippet of the musical a week or so ago on The View....yeah, just stick with the original film, folks.

"Bad Santa" is crude and rated R and stars Billy Bob Thornton.  But, like a lot of Christmas stories, it is a tale of self reflection, discovery and change.  No, really.  This film, come to think of it, is like an inverse of a Scrooge tale.  Thornton's Willie is a thief, a sex addict, and a drunk (and apparently, Thornton was actually drunk during filming).  Brilliantly done film.

And finally, my number one pick, "It's A Wonderful Life."  The black and white version, folks.  Something that Jimmy Stewart actually fought for for all black and white films to maintain their integrity.  I agree.  "It's A Wonderful Life" is a funny, witty tale of George Bailey, who has hit rock bottom and contemplates suicide.  An angel takes him on a special journey to show him a world without him in it, and boy is it rotten.  Don't let the suicide attempt/contemplation fool you--this is still child friendly.  There are also a ton of great lines that would go over a child's head and that the parents (if they're quick) will get.  This film was also not well received upon release, but is a wonderful classic today.

Note: I think there should be a "Festivus" movie with the Costanzas.  I'd pay to see that.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Movie Previews

So, before I saw "The Hobbit," there were some interesting trailers...

"Oblivion"--end of the world with Tom Cruise.  I feel like I've seen this movie, but I totally want to see it again.  What can I say?  Tom Cruise fangirl here.

"After Earth" --end of the world, which results in the beginning of the world.  In the first "Matrix" film, I think, Agent Smith says that humans are a virus polluting the earth.  In this film, we get to see what the Earth would be restored to its natural state, with Will and Jayden Smith making their way through it.  Curious about this one; will probably see it.

"Beautiful Creatures"--The use of the song "Seven Devils" is compelling me to see the film, but I honestly don't have high hopes for it.  This will be one of many waiting in the wings to be the next Twilight, I'm sure.  It does have Jeremy Irons and Viola Davis, so that automatically makes the stock of this film go up for me. I do wonder why one of the daughters has a Southern accent, another standard mid-Western, and the parents are kind of...something not those.  Also, the love interest is an average-average looking guy (and not cute average--just run of the mill average), and call me shallow, but I'd like someone pretty to look at if the story can't sustain itself.  But maybe it will; I'll check it out.

"Pacific Rim"--Transformers meets Godzilla, or Jurassic Park with Idris Elba.  Flip a coin as to whether this one will be good or bad.

And finally,

"Parental Guidance" vs. "The Guilt Trip."

Bette Midler > Barbara Streisand when it comes to comedy. I think "The Guilt Trip" would have been funny with Midler, and I think "Parental Guidance" will be the better between the two films.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: "Thor" and "My Own Private Idaho"

Okay, most of these will be bullet point random thoughts, and I combined them because they do have something in common...I wasn't expecting that, of course--just a bit of happenstance.

Here goes...

*Both films deal with rejection of love.  Mikey searches for his long lost mother, while Loki searches for acknowledgement from his father.  Also they're both broody and moody fellows.  Scotty and Thor are rebellious and vibrant and full of life, and will leave their brotherly counterparts behind, eventually.

*Didn't buy the Portman/Hemsworth "love" at all...it was kind of an annoying side note.

*Loki was desperate for the love of his adoptive father.  Desperation never leads to anywhere good.

*This was the first film of River's that I've ever seen (excluding "The Last Crusade").  I am impressed by him, and look forward to seeing more of his work.  Shame the list is so short.

*I don't think Thor was going to sacrifice himself for Jane, so much as he saw that as his purpose, the one thing he could do, and maybe do something to redeem his past and rash deeds.  Also because it was the right thing.  Ah, martyrdom.

*This film is another spin of Shakespeare's "Henry V", much like "My Own Private Idaho," which I watched right before "Thor." Huh.  Keanu [Scotty] would have made for a good Thor.  A coming of age story.

*I have to say I was totally rooting for Mikey/Scotty.  Also, Mikey was way prettier--insanely so--than Scotty's twu luv.

*Thor's "death" was his version of growing up.  Only then, after feeling like a nobody, loss of purpose and his mighty hammer could he realize what was truly important.

*Loki's story was more interesting.  But then, a villain's story typically is.  They have more layers, and they keep you on your toes in regards to what they will do next.  Something good?  Something bad?  Something evol?  Who knows.  Must be why some of my fave characters are antagonists/former antagonists. [Note: Tom Hiddleston auditioned for Thor, but was requested to play Loki.  Interesting...]

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Walking Dead Season 3 Part 1

Well, I just did a marathon of The Walking Dead, and, well I have some ponderings...

*I kind of ship Daryl/Michonne

*I know Michonne slew Penny out of revenge, but someone had to put that girl out of her misery.

*How come every time a new black character with lines is introduced, the old one dies?  Should I refer to them all as Neo?

*Wasn't expecting Lori to go, though I'd been longing for her ending since mid s1.  That being said (and this was probably pre-PMS hormones), I shed one, lonely tear, like one of those sad clowns, when Rick heard the news and fell out.

*I don't know how Daryl and Merle's relationship can be sustained, what with Merle being a fucking bastard and all, trying to kill Daryl's new family.

*What's with all the looks between Beth and Carl?  Isn't he like 12?

*Will Carl morph into Shane part two if Beth talks to that new kid who's more her age?

*Carl's kind of getting that Michael Corleone effect, isn't he?  I'm waiting for a scene where he just drops a gun to the floor, purposefully.

*The Governor...I take it he has a limit to how many males can live at his base.  What an asshole.

*Will Andrea side with her old gang or her new piece?  Hmm...Of course we have to stay tuned, but I'm betting on the former.  I wager that Rick and the others will take over the little town (which means that the Governor's number will be up soon).

*Glenn somehow became fucking awesome.  I thought he was going to sit the chair leg on that walker's eye, but how he killed him was a bit of alright as well.

*That new guy Allen looked like a bootleg Rick to me...I'm not sure what to make of that.

Well, I think I might go do a marathon of True Blood next.  Any recommendations?  What else should I be watching?


    

Diary of a Fangirl: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Late tonight, I went and saw "The Hobbit."

I have to be honest and say I wasn't wetting my panties to see it.  In fact, until it was mentioned to me, I totally forgot it was even coming out this weekend.

The Ring series came out when I was in high school, and I rented the first one, fell in love, and saw the other two on their respective opening days.  There was like this, Harry Potter and Fellowship of the Ring divide, and I was on the latter team, I suppose.

So, fast forward nearly a decade later, and I'm fairly "meh" on the prequel, "The Hobbit."  And, judging by the ending of this film, I suppose I should amend that to preqeuls.

I don't know if it was because it was so many dwarves or what, but I just didn't care about their quest in taking back their mountain/home, after having lost it to a dragon of all things.  It just seemed pretty random.  I mean...what could a dragon possibly do with gold?  It's never explained.  What's also never explained?  Random, gigantic rock monsters who like to fight each other in the rain for thirty seconds.  Or why one of Gandalf's wizard friends made a bird's nest out of his hair and permanent bird-do coming down the side of his face (seriously, it was gross).

This film left me feeling bewildered and...only mildly curious to see the follow up.  At any rate, I can't see myself funneling more money into the series moving forward.

All that being said, I think for the hardcore fans, they'll enjoy it all the same (which is the whole point of being a "hardcore fan" yes?).  The special effects were spectacular, Bilbo makes for a nice lead (and hero), and seeing Gollum again in and of itself made the nearly three hour film worth it [for me].  Although, he did seem creepier in this films somehow...there were moments where he seemed like something out of a horror film.

ETA: Just checked IMDB; turns out there are two more films after this one...buckle up, kids.
ETAA: The guy who plays Thorin is pretty hot...yep.

    

Diary of a Fangirl: 90s Video Games

It's getting close to that time of year where gifts appear under trees, and I've pondered carefully one of the things that I'd like, but will likely never happen.

I'd love for video game companies to make new consoles of the original Super Nintendo and Sega that would have compatible adapters to today's televisions.  I'd totally by that man.  Super Mario, Mario 3, Sonic, Street Fighter, Mortal Combat..

When it comes to video games, I don't care about the best graphics and what looks 3D or not--I care about what's fun.

And not just playing the games themselves, but holding those familiar remotes, hearing those jaunty tunes, blowing on the cartridges to make them work...

I MISS THEM.

Sigh, childhood.

Note: Apparently, Nintendo was founded in 1889.  How about that?

Diary of a Fangirl: Keanu Reeves

So, I started to watch "Speed" for the first time in years, and I reawakened my Keanu crush.

This whole Keanu!crush thing dates back all the way to the Bill & Ted days, and then this movie came out.  I remember going to see it with my mom, and the buzz about it was tremendous.  The film (nor Reeves' looks) did not disappoint, and we loved it so much that we went to see it again in the theatre that same week.

And then there was "The Matrix," and "Constantine" and a slew of others...

I know I'm in the minority, but I LOVED "Constantine." 

Mmm...Keanu.  He can be a cool breeze over my mountains any day.

Gawd, I'm such a geeky perv.

I'd love to see a [proper] sequel to "Speed" with Jack Traven as a detective now or something, and some sort of "speed" scenario occurs again.  Maybe the kid of the lady who gets killed via pulled under the bus or something is bitter from Jack not having saved her, or some kid/sibling/lover/disciple of Howard Payne.  Whatever, I'm easy.  As long as it stars Keanu (and preferably all dialogue written by Joss Whedon--again), just call me Sunday morning.

What's one of the best things about Keanu?  He doesn't seem to age!  He's still hot and still got it.

I don't actually think he's an immortal, but this theory amuses me.

    

    

Diary of a Fangirl: Lincoln

Spielberg's "Lincoln" was a most excellent film.  I'm not sure what it was that I was expecting going into it, but it was a pleasant surprise.  The movie mostly focuses on the time in which President Lincoln had to deal with the war, and also his determination in the ratification of the thirteenth amendment.

Daniel Day Lewis gives a superb performance (shocker, I know), accompanied by Sally Field (who did not look too old to be his wife, since Day Lewis was in make up that aged him), Tommy Lee Jones (who was one of my favorite parts of the film), James Spader, Lee Pace, and others who I can't recall off the top of my head.

The film ran for about two and a half hours, but it was so well done and quickly paced, that one would not notice it.  So, if you have the time this weekend, I suggest you take a gander.  "Lincoln" is an entertaining and a history lesson, wrapped in an awesome acting and directorial bow.

Diary of a Fangirl: JGL as Batman

Well, I can't say this is a shock, but I also can't say that I'm unhappy about it.  In fact, I'm tickled pink.

While Joseph Gordon Levitt's reps have denied this rumor of JGL portraying Batman in the upcoming/budding Justice League franchise, saying that it was just a ruse to drum up sales for "The Dark Knight Rises" (which is out tomorrow; must. HAVE...), at the end of Nolan's Batman trilogy, this is exactly the fate of the character Detective Blake at the close of the film.

Frankly, I called it when I saw this little sequence. 

I'm thinking they'll update him to the Batman with the red logo emblazoned on his chest as opposed to Bruce Wayne style (guys, I don't know comics, and I think the Batman I'm referring to was named Terry, but it's just a theory at any rate, and Detective Blake definitely won't be Robin.  Well, he kind of played the role without a suit in TDKR, so I think he's gonna be upgraded and soon).

I think we'll know more if we stay after the credits of "Man of Steel," due out next summer.  Or, maybe they won't wait until the end ala Avengers style, and merely insert a scene somewhere throughout the duration of the film.  Either way, I'm excited.


          

Diary of a Fangirl: Breaking Dawn Part 2

I'm trying to organize my thoughts on this, but I think I liked this film (a startling first when I think about the four that preceded it).  This was mainly due to Jacob.

I just watched the whole "saga" in the last week or so, and I feel drawn to Jacob's story, not Bella's.  His is mos def more interesting.  Part of me is tempted to write a fan fic called "The Book of Jacob."
Cause I'm weird/bored, but whatever.

Jacob was the most interesting character in the series (who I admit, became hot in the last two films somehow.  I feel gross for saying that.  The dude is 20).  This film brought him more to the forefront cause of that whole imprinting the baby thing, but I think he should get his own story/film.  I think he's a character worth exploring.

How I feel about my new-found Lautner crush :/

Note: I think Michelle Trachtenberg should play adult!Renessme.

The final fight scene was very well done.  This film has more action than the other films combined, or at least, it seems like it.

I'm at a particularly vulnerable place in my life, so I have no idea if my liking this movie is in due part to my specific state of mind.  But the fact remains, I did enjoy it.  And if I did, I know that any kinda sorta fan of Twilight will lose their minds over it.

Note #2: The CGI used on the baby was disturbing.  I get it--they wanted the kid to look like Kristen Stewart, but it wasn't that serious, or worth creeping out the audience.