Snow White and the Huntsman

Question: Are you tired of Hollywood beating a storyline to death? Or when one studio gets the idea to do a film and miraculously another studio ends up making a film about a very similar tale. How does that seem to happen so often?

Case in point: Antz / A Bug’s Life, Tombstone / Wyatt Earp, Capote / Infamous and now there are a couple versions of the Snow White fairytale with Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman (and I have read there is another one coming out next year, yes really).

Well, if you don’t know, I saw Mirror Mirror (PG) and reviewed it. It was not my favorite film of the year. In fact, I thought it was far from a good movie; and even my children, who I believe were the intended audience for the film, thought the same. However, since it was so bad it made me want to see Snow White and the Huntsman just for comparison. That is a first for me, having a poor interpretation making me want to see another.

Now, let me say right now and get it out of the way. Yes, I understand everyone who says that they can’t see why Kristen Stewart, who portrays Snow White, is as beautiful or more when compared to Charlize Theron, the Evil Queen. Who the fairest is, if you just want to compare face to face, there is no contest. However, I always interpreted Snow White's tale as morality lesson about vanity. It's Snow White’s heart – her moral compass – that is pure and the beauty within mixed with her outer beauty far exceeds anyone whose  motives are to be powerful over all or be the most beautiful. Internally, those types are the most hideous and far, far from fair no matter how perfectly proportion their face is.

Also, I do think some people out there, who are not fans of the Twilight saga, might be a bit prejudicial against Kristen Stewart and avoiding her other work on purpose. That is a shame. I personally think she is decent actress. But despite whether the actress is good-looking or not, I understand not liking actors. However, I am the opposite. I see films based solely on certain actors being in them, so I must accept others will not see films for the same reason. Nonetheless, it’s a shame to let dislikes stop anyone from seeing future films but the saying goes, “to each his own”.

So, with all that said, what did I think of this film? Well, it started off with Chris Hemsworth, as the Huntsman, with soft Scottish accent narrating the film. I smiled and eased right into the story. The Snow White tale in Snow White and the Huntsman is far darker than that of Mirror Mirror and it is nothing like the Disney animated movie from the 30’s, which I grew up watching, either. That didn't appear to bother me one bit. I was entertained throughout, much to my surprise.

So, all-in-all, I liked the movie. It was visually stunning. Although the weather and overall tone of the film was dark and dreary, the special effects in this movie were spectacular, and that kept my interest. Most of the special effects surrounded the Evil Queen, but there was one specific trick that was done so well in Snow White and the Huntsman that I was blown away thinking, "How did they do that and make it look so real?". I could go on and on about details that drew me in and kept my focus on the film, even though I knew what was going to happen, I will let you all experience the film for yourselves. This Hollywood version is worth the ticket.

Note: This film is not for the little ones - note the rating below. There is a lot of violence in this version and it could be a bit scary for young children.

My favorite part: The seven dwarfs - you will just have to see why.

My least favorite part: Everyone had some sort of British accent that kept going in and out, although it wasn't too distracting.

Directed by Rupert Sanders, Universal Pictures, 2012

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron, Sam Claflin, Sam Spruell, Ian McShane, Bob Hoskins, and Nick Frost.  
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama.

Rating: PG-13
Length: 124 minutes

Review: 7 out of 10


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Expats Post: The Avengers

Happy Monday, everyone!

I posted my latest review today for The Avengers. This was great from start to finish. Enjoy!!

Review: The Avengers


















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Mirror Mirror

Question: Do you wonder why Hollywood seems to come out with different versions of the same story and around the same time? First, we have Mirror Mirror starring Julia Roberts as the evil Queen. Soon Snow White and the Huntsman will be released. That stars Kristen Stewart as Snow White and Chris Hemsworth as the Huntsman. And I just read, not too long ago, that another film about Snow White will be released next year. I was pretty content with the 1937 Disney version but Hollywood will be Hollywood.

Recently, I witnessed one of the newer versions: Mirror Mirror. And except for some fantastical costumes and set design I was rather bored with the film. In fact, I couldn't wait for it to end but my children were enjoying it and that made me happy.

Both my kids gave the movie "a thumbs up" but I can't say the I enjoyed the film. Julia Roberts did play a wonderfully crazy evil Queen. Her performance was tolerable but everyone else's seemed to fall flat. The actress, who played Snow White, Lily Collins, might have been my least favorite portrayal. I can't quite put my finger on as to why but she was just bland. Not something I am accustom to when thinking of Snow White - pure, beautiful, charismatic all usually come to mind. But Tarsem Singh's version of Snow White just left me numb.

Also, there were a lot of changes, ones I won't say, just in case you are still going to see the film. However, for me, when something is a classic I just prefer the details to remain the same. There is nothing wrong with attempting to update or show a tale from a different perspective; but, for me, Mirror Mirror just missed the mark.

I really don't like to bash films so this review will remain short because I just didn't care for this movie. On the flip-side, it appeared a lot of people in the theatre enjoyed the film, but I just didn't get it. Maybe I missed something but it did make me look forward to seeing Snow White and the Huntsman. I am curious to see that version and what those filmmakers did with the tale.

My favorite thing: I will admit the costumes were wonderful, especially the Queen's outfits. The designer must have had so much fun with this project.

My least favorite thing: Ummm, which part to choose from? Perhaps the song and dance.

Directed by Tarsem Singh, Citizen Snow Film Productions, 2012.

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane and Mare Winningham. 

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Drama.

Rating: PG
Length: 106 minutes

Review: 3 out of 10


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Paul

Directed by Greg Mottola, Universal Pictures, 2011.

Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, and Jason Bateman.

Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi

Question: On a scale of 1 -10 where would you say you fall on as being a geek - with 10 being the highest? After growing up on watching reruns of Star Trek, the original Battlestar Gallactica and Buck Rogers, I would say I am right around the 3 mark, but after finishing the movie Paul I might have to bump it up.

I won't say it because if you know me, you know why I watched this movie, right? And it wasn't for the sci-fi story.

The movie began and I was almost immediately reminded of another movie: Close Encounters of the Third Kind but I brushed it aside because soon Simon Pegg came on the screen. YAY! He and his best friend and "business" partner, played by Nick Frost, were at Comic-Con - the geek mecca. That is not an insult. I was actually invited to go next year and am considering it. (Okay, maybe I'm, a little more of  a geek than I thought. Let's bumped it up to 4 now.) Anyway, the two friends come to America to fulfill a lifelong dream of attending Comic-Con and then travelling the path of UFO's or unexplained phenomenon that occurred in the Southwest - in an RV, no less.

By the time the British pair began their journey I will admit I was a bit bored with the film. And that was within the first fifteen minutes. Something was just off on the storytelling but a hint or reminder, or better yet, several references to other sci-fi movies would pop up from time to time. That kept my interest. (Okay, maybe need to add on one more notch on the geek rating - let's say 5 is where I am at.) Anyway...their adventure begins.

Soon thereafter, an alien named Paul and voiced by Seth Rogen arrives in the story, and it was hard for me to keep going. There would be an occasional funny line or two but the movie was trying too hard. I won't go into detail, as usual, but the storytelling was just flat by this point. I so wanted it to be better especially for my love of all things Simon Pegg - okay, I will give myself another point for that one - what are we up to now? 6?

About halfway through Kristen Wiig's character had me interested again - by merely vocalizing some of what I presume to be a lot of improvisational sayings. Honestly, I would giggle almost every time she spoke. Then the moment came - I suddenly was jealous of her character. I won't say why but I totally envy that woman.

Did I enjoy the movie by this point or had it gotten funnier? Somewhat. I read somewhere there weren't as many movie references in Paul as you might think but I saw them left and right especially towards the end: Star Wars, Aliens, ET, Raiders of the Lost Ark and that made me happy. (Alright, should I say 7 or 8 now? Geesh). The movie was very reminiscent of all things Steven Spielberg and George Lucas - two of the most influential movie-makers of the last 30 years and who may have helped me reach number 8 now on the geek scale since I am a huge fan of a lot of their movies. Unfortunately, this movie wasn't all that funny and usually Simon Pegg cracks me with whatever he does. Not this time.

All-in-all Paul was a mediocre movie that had the potential to be more. Something felt like either too much was missing or I would have made this movie a complete homage to the sci-fi movie gods. It fell somewhere in between. However, this movie made me realize I am a pretty huge sci-fi geek, but at least I never dressed up as Princess Leia for Halloween...oh wait, DAMN...as an adult, no less...Yep, I am a full-on geek!

My favorite thing: A line about a t-shirt towards the end.

My least favorite thing: That the movie wasn't better.

Rating: R
Length: 104 minutes

Review: 4 out of 10 

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Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Directed by Brad Bird, Paramount Pictures, 2011

Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton, Tom Wilkinson and Simon Pegg.

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller

Question: Anyone sick and tired of sequels? Yeah, me too. However, I just saw Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol and may have to eat my words about this particular sequel. This one was pretty good!

I must confess I was actually planning on viewing this movie for one reason and one reason only - Simon Pegg. Yes, you heard that right. Although Tom Cruise makes pretty decent movies I really went to see Ghost Protocol for one of the supporting actors. This is the honest truth. Sure he was in Mission: Impossible 3 but not enough, I say, so I didn't think he would be in the next installment.

Indulge me for a moment....About six months ago I saw a preview for this one. Well, that's not true. I "heard" the preview as I was sitting in the theatre shielding my eyes as I normally do during previews. Immediately I thought I would skip the film until I heard Simon Pegg's voice and quickly looked at the screen. YAY! There is just something about him that cracks me up and pulls me to see everything he is in. It started with Shaun of the Dead (and I don't even like Zombie movies) and I never looked back. In fact, Simon Pegg was one of the first people I started following on Twitter; and even when I was sick of Twitter awhile back I couldn't cancel my account because his tweets give me the giggles....okay, enough...I will talk about the movie.

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol was a thrill ride from beginning to end. I am not kidding. So for you adrenaline junkies out there - go to the theatre now. You don't even need to finish reading this review....really, go, go now...Oh wait, see it in IMAX. This is the type of film that requires the biggest and best screening available. There is one part that even made me a little queasy due to a certain death-defying act performed by Mr. Cruise because you feel like you are right there within the scene. (How did his "people" allow him to go through something like that?)  Now I suppose if you have a fear of heights, you might want to cover your eyes but try not to during this scene. It really was one of the most spectacular stunts I have EVER seen on film. This will not be the same on the TV screen, iPad or laptop, trust me.

Since this is a thriller I won't go into any detail about the story. However, I will say Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team were given a mission, that they chose to accept, and you are along for the thrill of a lifetime. Also, Simon Pegg (yes, I am mentioning him again) was the great comic relief in this movie, which was needed because your heart pounds so much that you'll require a break from the tension.

The fourth installment of this series got back to what I enjoyed from the first Mission: Impossible: action, adventure, thriller and no romance. Okay, ladies you might be mad at me for saying that, but there was not a romance story line connected to this one and I was relieved. Well, maybe there was a little one. The second and third installment went too much into a lovey-dovey tale for me with Thandie Newton's character in MI2 and Ethan Hunt's wife in MI3. Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE a good romance but these movies didn't need to cram in another genre to make it watchable for the female population.

I really don't want to say any more about Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol except to say that if you are gadget nut you will enjoy this movie - a lot. I believe even Q and James Bond would have a difficult time containing their excitement at the amount of cool electronics in this film. There that's it. No more. Now go enjoy this film.

My favorite thing: Simon Pegg - really! He was in this a lot more and he better be in the next one.

My least favorite thing: That I actually got a little teary-eyed at the very end. What? You will just have to see why.


Rating: PG-13
Length: 126 minutes

Review: 8 out of 10

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