Trailer Tracking: La belle et Le Bete

            Although once translated from french it becomes, "The Beauty and the Beast!" Who would of thunk? Now there are several reason why I am totally enthralled with this film!

           One, its set in 1702 and is perfectly styled with the time period. Two, Lea Seydoux is portraying Belle. Even if her hair is blond instead of its natural brown. And finally, its following the Brother's Grimm story line! So its a bit more gruesome and plenty more magical. Although from what I have found out about the film is that the way Belle learns of the Beast's past is through dreams. Which are hinted to occur after possible beastiality. Please don't let it be graphic, oh please french hollywood spare from that. Aside from that bit I really love historical french films, the way they do it just appears so flawless. Also Lea Seydoux is a magnificent actress and if you don't know about her I would suggest Farewell, My Queen and Midnight in Paris (2011). Although some of you may recognize her from Robin Hood (2010) or Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

          If you are still interested in this film I suggest this link to the IMDB.

Trailer Tracking: The Fault in Our Stars

         So last week the first official trailer for The Fault in Our Stars movie finally came out! It is a highly anticipated movie that will make you laugh and inevitably cry.

         For those of you who are unfamiliar with this young adult novel I suggest click this here for the full story. But if you want a basic run down this is a teenage romantic novel between Hazel Grace and Gus Waters who meet at a cancer support group. If you couldn't guess they fall in love, but on the way we see some drama and a building and straining of relationships. This story is very heart warming and heart breaking making it totally deserve hiatus its receiving. Also the author is youtuber John Green, so thats a plus.

          The release date for this film is June sixth 2014, so coming out right as school lets out. A fantastic way to start off the summer. For more information click this here.

SPOLIERS for: Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

          So I really wished to see this movie when it was out in theaters, but I sadly missed it. Mainly due my low hopes and expectations, but dang were they exceeded when I watched this film. Leaving me wishing that I had seen it on the big screen!
       

 This spin off the popular Brothers Grimm tale maintains a gruesome image while sliding in under lying messages to warn children. The big one being a hint at Hansel's "condition" which requires him to take a shot every so often or face some sort of debilitating chest pain that eventually leads to death, this condition came from eating way to much sugar as a child. Another being that pretty witches equal good witches. At least thats how it holds for Gretel and Mina. Also a man can only loose his dignity in trees, fun fact. Plus persistence pays off!
              Aside from those few details I would like to discuss the overall plot, which really holds its own. Relatively no plot holes to speak of. The premise being that Hansel and Gretel have grown into famous witch hunters and they have traveled all of the land, Germany, in order to burn every last witch. Eventually taking them back to there home town. Over eleven children have gone missing in the past few weeks and Mina has been accused of taking them, Gretel and Hansel dispel those beliefs that Witches rot from the mouth out and Mina showed no such signs. They hunt and collectively kick witch ass, with the sexiest steam punky weapons. One particular one even being named "Mi Shelles" which was not okay, but totally okay. Then they find another Witch who they begin to interrogate, when Muriel and and her servant come to collect the last child. Hansel and Gretel are separated and both get wrecked. Leading Hansel to loose his dignity in a tree and Gretel to meet Edward the Troll, who calls her a witch? The sibling recanting at an abandoned home, where they face Muriel in her evil story telling of how she required the heart of a White Witch, like Gretel's mother and now they were after her. Hansel is once again left to face a hoard of Witches with Mina, the good witch and Ben the fanboy. Together they defeat the Witches and Muriel at the house of sweets where it all began...
         

Somethings witch are note worthy in the attention which was payed to the sets and costume design, don't even get me started on the make-up. It was all superb! Breath taking, each witch holding her own style and rotting face to match even individual ability. And the more powerful, the more rotted they were. Also the gore was hilarious! Very over the top, a lot of head smashing, so don't fear the goosebumps some get with gruesome scene this does not have any. Also, Jeremy Renner was really good I don't prefer him as a leading actor, but wow he was good. Even if in the first scene where he's introduced he may be stifling a laugh. Gemma Arterton did a spectacular job as well.

                           

Quicky Review: Her

        A thought provoking date movie. Filled with love, letters, physics and technology. We follow the life of Theodore Twombly played by Joaquin Phoenix who is a lonely man whose occupation it s to write personalized hallmark cards. Theodore's life seems very content and humdrum, with only is divorce ruffling its flow. Until he purchases a new OS system complete with a lovely AI named Samantha who is voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Samantha is very lively and fun, she imitates a child who is only just beginning to discover the world, but of course is a tad bit more adult. And when I say a tad I mean that the second scene things get weird.

       The music is well incorporated into the movie and sets a very wondrous tone which really changes for each character and their separate plot lines. Plus Samantha's singing is very calming and rustic, its sadly for only on scene.
         Okay, so, I can't really go into to much detail or I feel like that I would be ruining the subtleties of this film. Overall it was enjoyable, something I suggest seeing with a significant other. The story itself is very provocative and really probes your mind at times. Really addressing how people are becoming more and more connected to there devices and what would happen if we were given an AI device that truly interacted with us. Well, I thought that it would solve overpopulation, but I guess thats not what Spike Jonze was going for. Her is funny and light hearted, slipping in a few puns which was excellent. Plus the attention to detail how we see a slow growth of people becoming aquanited with these devices and eventually only seeing them. In the end we see only a few elderly people not using the system. Although there are a few holes in the story, they can be easily overlooked. Only the last bit with Olivia Wilde's scene is a little confusing. But I say you better hit the Theater this weekend and see this film.

This little CPU is hilarious!

SPOILERS for: Batman Beyond

      Guess whose back and with another TV show to be reviewed! This time we take a look back to a slightly under rated Batman series from 1999. Where we meet an older, more grumpy Bruce Wayne and his new side kick Terry McGinnis. This is Batman Beyond which takes place in 2040 (Which would make Bruce Wayne 101 years old based off of his 1939 first appearance) where after Terry runs off and gets in a fight with the Jokers, a gang in Gotham, he meets Mr. Wayne who kicks ass with a cane. And you would think after this odd encounter they would return to there separate lives. But as all stories go this is not the case, since when Terry returns home that night he finds a crime scene and a dead father. He is overcome with a sense of guilt and aching for revenge. Mr. Wayne understands where young terry is coming from and so allows him to take on the suit. After you know he may or may not have stolen first....This is good timing for Wayne since he is old and suffers from a heart condition which hinders his ability to fight crime. So he settles into the position of Alfred, while young Terry scores a gig to fight crime under the illusion of an internship.
       Okay so now you got the down low on Batman Beyond, but now its time to dive deeper into this futuristic world. Beginning with the seasons

1: Focuses more on a young, immature Terry learning the ropes behind the bat suit. Which is totally rad and tricked out with all sorts of gadgets. We follow a basic story line of corruption at Wayne Powers Inc. Where the current C.E.O of the company, Powers, who is dumping toxic waste as he works on a new super weapon that kills people with poisonous blisters. When Terry learns that the information which was handed off to his father is the reason behind his murder we see hims go a bit Ballistic. Causing an accident that turns Powers to White a radioactive skeleton who at the end of the season goes into hiding. So a note to be taken is "nuclear toxic waste does bad things to you, bad things."

2: After the establishment of most of a few super villains from season one half way through this one most of them make a reappearance. We also meet Max, a very nerdy and flamboyant friend of terry's who deduces his secret and covers for him every time he ditches his girl to fight crime. Side note is that the pacing is perfect since every time I began to wonder if something would happen it did. Like the established villains, a few friends from Bruce's past (Bat Girl!) and character development for Ace. Also, moral of this season "don't mix your DNA with an animal, that is just wrong."

3: Now we have seen terry really grow and develop into a very respectable Batman and we learn more about his past as a criminal and how being a hero is a lot harder then it looks. This where you really see the depth of respect and understanding that is created between Wayne and Terry which closely resembles a father and so. Something that they missed out on. The "official" ending episode as I have come to agreement on is called, "Unmasked." And how deep and rather un-action packed it is really ended the series right for me, even though it wasn't very solid it either. It pretty much the only flash back we really get the entire series and that is ok. We see Terry endanger the life of a little kid because he showed his face to him, something that Terry had been questioning the whole series. This is where he finally comes to the understanding that he can never go back to being just Terry McGinnis that high school student, he's batman now. Which is a very heavy burden and he sees his future, Bruce. And he is okay with that.
Characters
   Terry McGinnis is roughly sixteen when begins working for Mr. Wayne and maybe 19 when the series ends. He starts out as a hot head, but through learning about Bruce and his life he really grows up. Terry becomes responsible and more loving, he still holds onto his bad boy antics, but is much more cautious.
    Bruce Wayne who has become filled with fun sayings like, "It is your fault, but blaming yourself isn't productive." and "back when I first got started we had to do hands on snooping." Bruce is a very serious character who never shows his sensitive or concerned side. Even throughout the series every really dynamic development piece for his happens off camera, but this does not take away from him in anyway. Mr. Wayne has never been one to show himself to anyone, and this leads to Terry saying, "one day you'll tell me why you really took off the mask." A statement said very early one and is very underlying for the rest of the series. We never do find out, but that doesn't mean Terry doesn't.
    Commissioner Gorden who back in her heyday was Bat Girl. Now she has taken her father's place as police commissioner for Gotham. We see her mostly in season two demanding Terry to hop out of the suit while he still can, obviously testing him. Telling McGinnis of her one-time fling with Bruce, which left me so uncomfortable for the rest of the episode.
   Max are spunky best bud of Terry. Who knows how to take one for the team, well once bruce tricks her. A girl who loves video games, has good grades and just seems so lovable. Both Terry and Bruce make sure that she never joins there little club, but they do receive help form her every so often. Even if she is occasionally used as a damsel in distress.
     Ace who got more screen time and a back story compared to Dana. Ace is the guard dog to Wayne manor. He sometimes teams up with Terry and even runs a solo mission.
     Dana, Terry's girlfriend who is so under appreciated in this show I feel bad.
Final Thoughts
          Okay I will make this quick, hopefully. Batman Beyond is an excellent animated series which is not only fun for hardcore Batman fans, but also for people who aren't as involved in the series. The characters and very interesting and villains are just superb. The animation is great. But I love the little rip offs of the fantastic four, star wars and traditional eggbaby sex ed homework assignment. heck even Superman shows up and bruce is like, "he's evil again..." I highly recommend it.

SPOILERS for: Sherlock Season 3

           Well, the Sherlock season finale has finally aired and so ends yet another wonderful peak into the modern adaptation of John Watson and Sherlock Holmes' escapades. Now I will take this review first by each episode then by overall enjoyment and complaints. SO lets go!

Episode 1; The Empty Hearse: Now, I already did a first impressions review so if you want an in-depth look into it please look it up in the archive. But the basis of this episode was to witness the reactions and of the many close companions Sherlock's death after two years. We see John move on and fall in love will Mary. Greg missing the spectacle who always helped him with his cases. Molly who was left to watch her friends suffer. While Anderson was basically the embodiment of Tumblr. Falling into a pit of misery and guilt, but obsessed with find out how Sherlock survived. And we saw some ideas.


Episode 2; The Sign of Three: It is John and Mary's wedding day, with Sherlock as the best man. This episode is surrounded by the speech which Sherlock gives. It starts out very awkward and rocky, very calculating. But as the episode progresses there is this climbing character development from Sherlock as he relaxes, eases into explaining the grand adventures he and John have shared. We see a well knit together unsolved murder, with an appearing threat at the reception. And also a little John who really provides clues for Sherlock. Then Sherlock makes his first and last vow to forever protect the Watson family.

Episode 3; His Last Vow: We are introduced to Charles Augustus Magnussen, a newsman with an archive on every person in London and possibly the world. Supposedly this stock pile of information is kept in hard copy form in a vault under Appeldore, Magnussen's private estate. We caught a glimpse of him in episode one, but just a face. Why John and Sherlock become involved with in the game which Magnussen has set, is in order to protect Mary. Who by this time is close to full term. Earlier on though we are shed some light into her pass, learning the Mary is not her true name. John of course feels conflicted, confused and angry, but not so surprised. As Sherlock says he is attracted to dangerous situations and people. Mary is no acception.

This season was fun, and devoted itself to character development. But still retaining the clever quality that makes Sherlock so much fun. Quick note, that episode one was basically fan service for all the fans. Sporting every ship, what Sherlock is like when he is drunk and some popular theories on the Sherlock's greatest trick. The we dive deeper into the inner workings of Sherlock's mine palace and how his friends and family are present when there special qualities are needed for consulting. We even see Moriarty mock Sherlock back to life. Molly is even shown consulting him on how to fall in order to limit the amount of blood loss which he sustained from a bullet wound.
The only really big problem that I can find at this moment is that we did not see how Sherlock survived the fall. Something that I wished was, shown but by episode two I was okay not knowing. Content I guess you could say.

Now it has been confirmed that there will be a season four and five to Sherlock. Which will hopefully come sooner then later.

Quicky Reviews: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

      Happy Friday everyone! I'm back with another movie review, although most of you have probably seen the blockbuster that is "Catching Fire." The second installment to the Hunger Games movie franchise. And I am so not sorry, but I did not like this movie. As I did with the first one and the book series. Honestly if you want to watch a good take on the government games that use children murdering each other as entertainment look up Battle Royale the book came out in 1999 and is so much better than the Hunger Games and Divergent. It has become so predictable and boring these stories focusing on a young woman who somehow deifies a government system and falls in love with some guy. At least with Battle Royale they are so creative and gruesome with everyone's death its a marvel.
      While in Catching Fire it seems so long when its only two hours and 26 minutes long. Which isn't to long, but it was never able to retain my interest except for little quip moments. Like when we see the redundancy of how the people are so enamored with these victims of trauma and how little girls see that as bravery, when it is in fact sacrifice. I took it as how youth can be so impressionable and how easy it is to convince a populous to morally except terrible things. Thats the message I always get from this particular story of Katniss and those around her. And we see that a bit more in this film which is a high light fore me. Also Effie's little moments on screen is always a perk. But, I swear you guys that by the end of the movie Jennifer Lawrence's acting falters to "I am so dome". That may just be me and how I was so done, but I have seen Lawrence do better in other films. Typically ones where she is given more freedom to be herself and not forced into this almost awkward situation of constant crying. Not to say that her acting was horrible, it was spot on, but I have seen her spark to life the character, but not as much with this movie. As was all the other actors in this movie, there acting is pretty great and thats a highlight. Actually another highlight, the detail that is put into these costumes is astounding and just blew me out of the ball park. They really spoke for the character and what they were like before we really we introduced to them. Which I loved.

         Okay race or pace time. Personally I am not in any way a fan of The Hunger Games, but that doesn't mean that I will not advise you to wait to see this movie on Netflix or DVD. Its has a lot less action then the first one and may be one you want to pause halfway through and take a walk around mars then come back later.

Trailer Tracking: Kite 2014

      I love how right after I rewatch Kite and I blog about its beauty and amazing story telling a live action trailer is released. And I am on the fence about it, but leaning toward the side of "WHY HAVE YOU MADE THIS A THING!?" So let's see if I can write this without devolving into a Reddit rant.

Extended Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEcCkaRUTsc

     This all began when I was checking my subscription on youtube last night, as perusal. Since I pride myself in being in the know of movie soon to be released and I saw a trailer labeled "kite". I remembering thinking, "It can't be what I think it is?" Then I watch the trailer, being met with Samuel L. Jackson, a man and fellow anime member who I deeply admire with his work in anime voice acting (Afro Samurai) again thinking, "He wouldn't do this." But then I he did as I confirmed with the description which clearly indicted that this film is based off of my favorite anime OVAs.
     Now I am going to be seeing this film once it comes out, a release date has yet to be announced, just to make sure that I was right about my claims. Many of them are negative, and typically I'm on the side of giving every movie that has been adapted to the big screen a chance. Though sometimes I get a feeling that something is going to be horrible and its rare that I am wrong. But in the defense of films which I predicted to be absolutely awful Pacific Rim was underrated by myself to be pretty, but lack a good story and characters. Ultimately proving me wrong and becoming a favorite film.
     After seeing the extended trailer my hopes for this film have not been shaken too much. Firstly because we do not see Sawa's pivotal earrings made from the blood of her murdered parents or her crimson pistol with exploding bullet. Although she does have a gun, but with no personality, and very delayed exploding bullets. Another huge issue for me is that it seems that Sawa will be given a dependency on drugs and be very fragile with the memories of her parents. Not as stone cold and strong as she was originally.  This may due to the woman playing Sawa, India Eisley, who may be playing up the sense of lostness that Sawa feels throughout the film. How I have personally interrupted Sawa as a very strong girl who is struck with tragedy then plagued with irony. (And as a side note, I thought that Sawa was going to be played by Chloe Moretz, who may have been a better choice) It should also be noted that Samuel L. Jackson will be playing the Karl Aker or Akai in the original OVA. His performance I have no doubt will be superb, but the others shaky. The final point that I would like to bring up about this movie something that I am not so sure about. The length of the film, will it be feature or featurette? Since the original was 48 minutes long, nothing really to expand on. Though from what I have gathered is that they will be playing up more of a mystery to who killed Sawa's parents. Instead of Sawa finding it out on her own and Oburi just confirming the knowledge we may see them work together and solve the crime. That's my guess, but we'll see I guess.

For more information please visit: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2044801/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 or http://www.movieinsider.com/m1511/kite/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kite_(2014_film)