"I am fire... I am DEATH."

Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug released earlier in December was pretty epic to say the least. Several of my friends and I went to the midnight showing to watch the epicness before the rest of the general population. And overall, I was not disappointed.

So the movie obvi (obviously) picks up where the last one left off, with the dwarves on their way to Erebor. The movie follows the rest of their journey to reach the lonely mountain. The movie has several ups and downs... Lets start with some of the moments I wasn't too thrilled about.

I'm becoming less and less of a fan of all the CGI that is being used in these film. I only say this because Jackson spoiled us with Lord of the Rings! He made everything looks so real, even things that were so fake he made me believe that they were real. And in the Hobbit series, so far, there are several things that I'm like.... and fake. Though I know its all fake and its a movie, its just nice when things feel real. Gollum and Smaug have to be CGI but they are sooo beautifully constructed they look pretty real. There is time taken in making them look as real as possible so I don't feel like I'm being attacked with CGI. I just wish the orcs had that much care. Also there are a couple fight scenes that clearly use a heavy amount of CGI. Once again, that's not what I'm used to seeing from Peter Jackson, considering the fact that most of the stunts were done by actual people in LOTR. That's the only thing that's really bothered me about this film. Other than that I think its awesome.

I was so glad elves are in this movie because they are so cool.Though she may not be in the books,Tauriel, played by the beautiful Evangeline Lilly, is just really awesome! I'm always going to support a strong women character who can kick some butt! Also its cool to have Legalas back, however, he is not the exact same Legolas we used to know. As some of my friends have pointed out to me, he is a little more native and a tiny bit arrogant because he is not the mature, humble Legolas we know from LOTR. This is him before all that. I constantly have to remind myself of that because at first I expected him to be exactly the same as he was in LOTR.

There are tons of great moments throughout the movie. The scene with the spiders is one of my favorites. It was freaky and gross looking but also really entertaining. There is also the epic barrel scene that is just soo cool to watch. It is such a long fight scene and I was biting my nails for every single second of it. That moment was one of my favorites.

I love all the characters development throughout the film. However, the nature of Thorin is the most interesting to me. He wants to believe in Bilbo and honestly in himself but he really just can't seem to decide. His greed and pride start to take over him and he is constantly trying to fight it. He will do anything to not be like his grandfather, but that challenge is tough when they actually reach Erebor. All his hopes and dreams lie with Bilbo. Also I love Luke Evans, who plays the Bard in this movie. He just has some good lines and is a good guy. I look forward to watching his character grow in the third installment of the series.

Martin Freeman makes such an awesome Bilbo! I just felt that needed to be said. Anyway, Smaug is amazing!!! Jackson used the same technology he used to create Gollum to create Smaug and that was such a great decision. I loved the way it moved and talked. Cumberbatch was a great choice for the voice of Smaug. I also loved how smart and witty Smaug was; he was kinda sassy which was fantastic!

And let's not forget Gandalf!! Man who doesn't love that wizard! In this film he is just as great, but not in it as much as he is in the other films. However, when he is in it he faces well... lets just say Grave Danger. I can't say much about what happens to our friend Gandalf but lets just say... well... you just need to watch to find out.

Overall, this movie is awesome! If you haven't seen it yet you are missing out. You will be glued to your seat for the entire movie. It is fairly high paced and flows very well. It's got action and of course some funny moments to balance out all the intense parts. So hit the nearest theater quick, you won't want to miss one of the biggest movies of the year!

-Megan O'Neal

"What kind of monster are you?" "The Wolverine!"

So sorry this review is coming so late.. But lets talk about "The Wolverine". Let me start off by saying I saw this movie 2 times within the first week of it being released. Safe to say this was a well made movie and got me even more pumped for the new X-Men: First Class Movie.

I don't honestly think I need to say it, but I will for emphasis: Hugh Jackman was Amazing!!! I honestly do not think anyone else could be Wolverine. I mean honestly he is Logan. This film far exceeded my expectations. Hugh, as usual, dedicated himself to the role by sculpting his body to the role. His acting was very good (as always). Logan is different then he has been in the other films. He has always been a 'tragic hero' type. He has always been a little broken and a sort of somber character. However, in this film he has reached his lowest point. This movie picks up after X-Men: The Last Stand. Logan is being haunted by Jean after killing her months or years prior. And the movie is kind of an evolution of Logan, showing if he will be the guy he was or become something completely different.

This movie takes a lot of twist and turns and the ending will take you by surprise. The major plot is something happens to Wolverine that makes him lose his ability to heal quickly. He still is able to heal faster than normal people but not nearly as fast as he always does, which makes him vulnerable and weaker. However, he still finds himself protecting someone ( as usual) and that opens his heart to other things (yes to love friends)

The action in this movie is really really awesome!! There is a ninja/karate element that is just great. It's fun to watch. And the actors they picked to join Jackman in this film are very talented. Especially, Rila Fukushima, who plays Yukio. She looks after Logan and kicks some serious butt!! She was one of my favorite characters in the whole film. Her acting isn't the best, but you her fighting is amazing and that's good enough.

The end of this movie is what was soooo surprising to me and I didn't see it coming at all!! If you haven't seen it yet, I can not prepare you for what happens... sorry If you have seen it click the spoiler box!!

So when Logan gets his claws cut!!! WHAT!!! I legit screamed when I saw that. The writers did a great job of shocking me through out the film, but that was just a lot. I'm still confused as to what that means for Wolverine in the new X-Men movie coming out.. but I guess we'll see. Does anyone have any theories on how he will get his claws back?

 When viewing this movie you will be on your toes; it has its funny moments and a few moments of roromance but mostly its ACTION!! Which is what I want from my well... action movies! If you are weary about seeing this movie because Wolverine: Origins was kinda a flop, don't worry this movie makes up for that one and X-Men: The Last Stand (which isn't my fav). And stay tuned after the credits, trust me you will wanna see the clip afterwards. The Wolverine is out on DVD now so go rent or buy it now!! Enjoy!

- Megan O'Neal

" Ask yourself: what would you sacrifice, for what you believe??"

Thor 2 Released this fall!! And Yes guys I know I'm late on all this but I saw this movie twice opening weekend! And I'm back with a vengeance! So Let's talk Thor: The Dark World shall we....

Let's start with the fact that Chris Hemsworth really is Thor. They could not have picked a better person to play Thor. Like if you look at him, he really is the God of Thunder. Plus the costume looks amazing and better than ever. Also Hemsworth looks better than ever as well! He does a great job and we love him. And lets not forget who we love to hate: Loki! We all love him, even though we know he is bad. Tom Hiddleson is a great actor, we all know this. Him and Chris work so well together its amazing. I mean their bromance is that of legends. Just look at what  buzzfeed says about them:
- http://www.buzzfeed.com/lyapalater/chris-hemsworth-and-tom-hiddleston-are-the-hottest-bromance-
Anyway safe to say the two of them make this movie. Granted Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård, Anthony Hopkins, and the other members of a cast do a good job as well.

Now the plot of this movie is good. Solid, I would say. Honestly, I figured out a section of the plot within like 10 mins, however, the movie had a couple turns that really shocked me and caught me off guard which is always nice. If you have seen it you know what two moments that were truly shocking. Speaking of

When Loki "dies" I think I cried for about 10 mins until my friend leaned over and told me they cant kill him. But in mind, well he was dead. I was a little suspicious when the "guard" came to tell Odin everyone was dead. But still I am confused on exactly how he could return. So if you have any ideas, please enlighten me! And what the heck happened to Odin? Also I was really upset when the mom died cause lets be honest she was freaking awesome! But her funeral scene was so pretty. I really loved that.

And Yes if you were wondering... there is tons of action. Way more than the first one. I was happy to see Thor use his hammer all the time! It brought such joy to my heart. This movie is pretty intense though, it will keep you on your toes. I enjoyed watching the characters figure out how to use portals and loop holes to their advantage. (if you haven't seen it yet, you'll understand later). This movie is actually pretty funny as well. They definitely turned up the action and comedy in this movie a ton. Also Jane and Thor have good chemistry in my opinion. I love seeing them interact; really I just love the way Thor looks at Jane; hes so freaking adorable!!

Overall, this movie is a lot better than the first, at least I think so. So if you enjoyed Thor or Avengers you will really like this one. So if you are a loser and haven't seen this movie yet, get out there and go see it. Or Redbox it the moment it comes out on DVD, which is estimated to be in March of 2014. So hit the movies guys and look for more of my reviews! I'm back to helping you guys know whats worth seeing and what's not! So Stay Excellent!!

- Megan O'Neal

"Tonight we are cancelling the apocalypse!"

Pacific Rim, released July 2013, is a whole new spin on the alien apocalypse. The story follows the idea that an alien species called the Kaiju, are trying to take over our world. The movie does have some good action scenes and some intense moments. However, the writing, in my opinion is not the best. This movie is predictable in many cases and the acting was decent at best. Overall I would give this film a C. The action was good and I would probably see it again but I wouldn't actually buy it.

The special effects in this film were the best part of this movie. The Kaiju look real and are designed in a cool way. They are neon sea creatures that are actually pretty frightening. This film does present a new way to look at aliens and that is refreshing considering all the apocalyptic films that have been coming out lately. The robots in this film are cool as well. The robots, which are called Jaegers, are the soul of this film. They way they operate is that two pilots are connected in one robot and together, with their minds linked, they control the Jaegers. With the mix of the Jaegers and giant sea aliens, some pretty awesome fight scenes are created.

To me this movie was just okay because I was not very impressed with the writing. It was easy for me to figure out exactly what was going to happen. I prefer when movies have some twist and turns that catch me off guard. Or the film at least has really good writing that help the actors shine, so that even if I can figure out whats going to happen next, I am still impressed with the performance. The acting was okay, nobody was a bad actor but the script didn't really give many opportunities for them to shine. I must say though, I do like Charlie Hunnam. I do see some potential in his acting skills. I have never watched Sons of Anarchy but I hear he is pretty good, plus, he isn't bad to look at either. Also there is some romance in this movie, so guys if you thought you could escape that, well you're wrong. Honestly, I kinda wish there was no love interest in this film because I don't think the movie really needed it. I think that the character Marko, played by Rinko Kikuchi, should still be in the movie, but she didn't necessarily need to be a love interest.

This movie did have some funny moments, however. I found myself laughing more then I expected. Granted, sometimes I was laughing because some of it was so cheesy, and I love cheesy things. Most of the funny moments were due to Charlie Day, one of the stars from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. He is just a really funny guy so most of the time when he was on screen, he was cracking me up, even if he wasn't trying to. I actually really enjoyed the funny moments because I wasn't expecting them.

Overall, this movie is a total "Dude Flick". And I love action and "guy" movies as much as the next person, but this one was not one of my favorites. But that being said, I know that many guys will enjoy this movie. I mean robots fighting aliens; those are two of guys favorite things. Honestly, if it were me I would wait for this movie to hit the dollar theater or rent it. But if you want to have an action movie night, this movie isn't a total waste. Enjoy the movies, until next time...

 - Megan O'Neal

" I've been waiting for this my whole life! I'm gonna be a scarer!"

The classic Disney Pixar movie, Monster's Inc., was released in 2001 and it brought so much joy to adults and children alike. I mean honestly how could a movie involving Disney,  Billy Crystal, and John Goodman not be an instant success. So its safe to say that the prequel, Monsters University, is also an instant success and classic. Monsters University is hilarious, heartfelt, and overall one of the best prequels I've ever seen.

Monsters University released June 24th is a fun movie for the whole family. One of the reasons this movie is such a success is because it is still an original idea, even though it is a prequel. Many things about this movie were very unexpected. For example, like the trailer shows, Mike and Sully do not start off as friends. But they way they meet, the way they become friends, and most of the plot is very surprising. Which is why it is so awesome.

This movie is filled with tons of humor as well. It still contains the same fun, slightly sarcastic, humor that Monster's Inc. had.You will laugh the whole time, guaranteed. But this movie is very heartfelt. It's about a kid with a dream; which is classic Disney! I think the plot of this movie is so good because its about a kid who does his best and works hard for his dream. It's also really fun to see a movie about college. I guess there are movies about college but Disney did a great job of showing what college would be like for monsters. If monsters were real and went to college this would be the way I would imagine Monster College. The movie really has the feel of what college feels like freshman year, minus the scaring little children.

This movie is about not letting other people stop you from doing what you want, no matter what. It is very heartfelt movie about friendships and working hard. It was a terrific  film that everyone will enjoy. I think this is a great prequel as well. Everything fits with Monsters Inc. but not necessarily in the way you would expect. So obviously this movie is an A+!! I love Disney guys so go to the theaters and bring your family and friends with you. And if you have never seen Monsters Inc. go buy it and watch it after you see Monsters University! Enjoy the laughs everyone, Happy Scaring!

- Megan O'Neal

"Most people don't believe something can happen until it already has. That's not stupidity or weakness, that's just human nature."

Zombies!! Zombies!!! Zombies!!! Honestly, what's better than zombies? World War Z, released June 21, 2013 starring Brad Pitt is a film all about, well the Zombie Apocalypse of course! It's safe to say that the idea of this movie is appealing in its own right. The movie is based on the critically acclaimed book written by Max Brooks, in which an Ex-Untied Nations worker has to help save his family and the planet during a "zombie" outbreak. This film is intense, fast moving, and takes several different turns. Overall I would give it an A for amazing!! No plus or minus, just a solid A.

Brad Pitt played Gerry Lane in the film and was excellent, as usual. But instead of playing the sexy stud that fights the bad guy and saves the girl, he plays a stay-home-dad (who just happens to be ex-military for the United Nations) that would do anything to protect his family. This isn't necessarily a new role for Brad but it is a little different and refreshing! Karin Lane played by Mireille Enos is the mother and wife in this film and she was great. Why? Because she played a wife and mother the way a real wife/mother would act in a high pressure/danger situation. AKA: She protected her kids!!! I'm so sick of movies where women, especially mothers, are so terrified by fear they can’t even protect their own children. That's just dumb and disrespectful to good moms everywhere. If your child is in danger, you protect them at all cost. In the film Gerry did everything to protect his family, but Karin did everything to save her children, even if that meant running ahead with the kids, leaving Gerry to fight off the zombies alone. That doesn’t mean she didn’t love Gerry, she just trusted him to get his job done so she could get her job done.

Family is the core dynamic of this film and that's what makes this film good, in my opinion. This movie contains a good strong family. The kids listened to their parents. Even when they were scared and didn't know what to do, they ran when their parents told them to run. And they all loved each other. It was so nice to see an on screen family that was happy and tried to stay positive, despite the circumstances (I mean it’s the end of the world and these people try to keep their heads up. They deserve some props). It actually helped me connect to the characters more because, though all characters have their flaws, none of them were particularly selfish and their motives were pure. They did things to protect the people they love and that is great to see.

Now let’s get to the good part... ZOMBIES!!! The zombies in this film are crazy cool. The whole idea of the film is not the classic "zombies are the undead, gross, and need human brains to survive.” Instead, it goes more of the direction that the zombies came from some sort of unknown virus. Obviously, this movie isn't the first thing to put that twist on a zombie movie, but it still works. The zombies themselves look awesome. They are haunting and creepy but they are not gross looking, necessarily. The way the zombies move is what makes them sooooo crazy looking. It's one of those things you will just have to see for yourself. And as always, the zombies do provide some funny moments. For example, when they randomly bang their head into a wall, you cant help but laugh.

This movie is a high tension film. You will be at the edge of your seat for sure. I got so worked up when I first saw it that I gasp so loud, I scared a lady one row down from me (mission accomplished). Everyone in the theater will be on edge until the credits start to roll. Speaking of credits, the end is not what you would expect out of a movie like this, but it is a great ending to the story. I like the way it ended because it leaves you feeling like all your questions are answered, but at the same time you are still pondering certain things. It’s a good film that shows how a good family core relates to human nature, and how human nature reacts to Mother Nature: a true serial killer. Have a good night at the movies folks!

- Megan O'Neal

"My Father believed that if people knew who I really was, they would reject me. What do you think?"

Superman! One of the coolest and most iconic superheroes to every hit comic book stands. I mean even if you hate comic books you cant hate Superman. He is just a genuine good guy, and lets not forget he is incredibly suave and sexy (even as the nerdy Clark Kent). But in recent cinematic history, they have stained the name of Superman. After the epic failure of the last Superman movie, Superman Returns, released in 2006, I lost all hope in any Superman movie that could meet my expectations. But in June 2013 my expectations were met! Man of Steel release June 14, 2013, directed by Zack Snyder, was a movie I had been looking forward to since 2012, and it didn't disappoint. However, it is not what I expected. But hey, it was co-written by Christopher Nolan, so nothing ever goes how you expect when Nolan is involved.

So what did I mean by saying this movie isn't what you expect? Well its not like oh here is Clark as a kid, now a teenager, now a grown up. It's actually not a chronological period piece, which is part of the reason I liked it. Granted they do show Clark as a child and a teen but they do it in a cool and innovated way that I really enjoyed (when you see it you will know what I mean). Another thing about this movie that was unexpected was the fact that they focus a lot on Jor-El (played by Russel Crowe) and why/how he sent his son to earth. I just thought Clark would be on Earth and we would just accept the fact that his parent sent him away.

Russel Crowe, well he's Russel Crowe. He did a decent job as always. He performance wasn't Oscar worthy by any means, but it was a solid performance that helped move the movie along.  The villain of this film was General Zod, played by  Michael Shannon, who did a good job. I was just really happy this movie didn't have Lex Luthor as the villain. It was refreshing to have a new spin on an old story. Michael Shannon made a good bad guy, partly because he has these crazy eyes and veins popping out of his head, that he kinda gave me the creeps. But I'm pretty sure that was the reaction he wanted his audience to have.

Now, Amy Adams, I love her so much, and she was an adorable Lois Lane. She is a spark-plug to be sure, so she brought sass to the character of Lois, which is perfect. I always loved Lois in the comics because she was a strong female. She didn't necessarily want to be saved; she just got herself into trouble, so she had to be saved. Adams makes a good Lois, and I was glad she was the one who brought that character to life. Also her and Henry Cavill have amazing chemistry!! They look at each other and BAM!! Instant love connection .... it's fantastic! 

Speaking of Henry Cavill... Now I know I'm a girl and I'm bias but he is soooooo HOT!! And honestly Superman is suppose to be hot! He was so ripped in this movie it was crazy. Even some of my guy friends had to comment on how good looking Cavill was. But the movie did a classy job of showing how hot he was all the time. He only really has his shirt off for one scene, because the movie isn't about that, though it is a plus. Now I think Cavill is the perfect Superman. He has that classic look about him that makes him the right actor for the role. And he is has that whole "farm boy" thing going for him. And I realize that he doesn't have a lot of lines in the film, but hes Superman. Superman has always been a man of few words, unless he is telling you what to do (in the nicest way possible, of course). The thing about Superman is he is a leader and a protector. He has to be presence; I think Henry Cavill captured the essence of Superman (and its not all about his looks, though those helped, he is a good actor)

Another reason this movie is worth a look is because the special effects were very good. The flying sequences in this film are real looking and believable. They are pretty sweet honestly. I was impressed because some flying scenes can look really lame. But these looked cool. Somehow, it seems, they composite the faces of the actors during some of the flying scenes, so you can see their faces while they are flying and fighting in the air. That makes it look real because you are seeing a face, not just blurry characters flying around on screen.

Overall, this movie would be an A-. It's not an A + because it still left you wanting a little more. But it is a great start and it does Superman justice. He is a solid character. He has morals and stands for something. They kept him humble and they made sure he stayed true to who Superman is. They didn't corrupt him like some movies try to do with heroes. He was a true hero and that's the main thing I want out of my superhero movies. A good character that people look up to. So this movie is definitely worth checking out ASAP. You wont want to miss it! Hoping you have a happy day spent at the movies,

- Megan O'Neal

"One Night a year, All crime is legal"

The Purge, release in early July, tells the story of what America would look like when crime is only allowed one night a year. It's an interesting concept that is pretty morbid and doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Let's just say that this movie proves that there should be no stupid law that says all crime is allowed one night a year. I would rate this movie with a solid 78%, aka: a C. It wasn't a bad film but it wasn't great by any means. I think I had fun with it because I had a great experience with my fellow audience members at the theater; which is why I say going to the movies is an experience.

I honestly did not want to see this film, but my best friend dragged me to see it, plus I guess its good to spread my wings and see a variety of movies. I usually don't like horror or scary movies, but technically this can be classified as a jumpy thriller. Personally, if there was a kinda creepy yet funny genre, I would place this movie in that category. I do have to give this movie props for being original and coming up with a different concept for a movie. Though the theme of allowing murder, robbery, and rape to be legal for one night freaks me out, its nice to see something new and fresh. The concept itself is interesting and is part of what makes the film endearing. I believe the film was trying to show how evil and corrupt people can be when you release them from the "normal" contrast of society. That was the best part of this movie, seeing how people might react to a situation like this.

Ethan Hawke stars in this movie as a dad doing the best he can. As usual he has a beautiful wife and two children. One is a disgruntled teenage girl filled with angst, and the other is a strange but sweet middle school boy. His wife is played by Lena Headey, whom I know from 300 and Game of Thrones. Though she really annoys me in Game of Thrones she is still a pretty strong women. So in this movie I accepted her to kick some butt, however, that is not the case. In fact she is kinda a wuss until the last 5 mins, when it doens't even really matter. What bothers me most about the mom in this film is that she is so taken by fear she doesnt even really protect her children. And I'm sorry I don't care how scared you are, a mother protects her children with her last breath no matter what. Hawke's character at least tries to protect his family, which makes him one of the best characters in the film (and if you see this movie thats not saying much). Now I do believe that Rhys Wakefield gives a great performance in this movie. Just look at a picture of him and you would think 'he's kinda adorable'. See this film and you will be freaked out by him for months. His smile alone gave me the chills when he first came on the screen. I don't wanna give away too much, but everyone knows that a happy, smiling, psycho is way creepier than an angry, mad psycho.

This movie is very original and does have some jumpy moments. I found myself shocked one or two times. However, overall it is just a decent film. I feel like more could have been done with such an new idea. I vote that if you do want too see this film it is definitely a dollar theater or a Redbox kinda movie. But, if you do decide to rent it or go see it at a cheap theater, take some friends with you, because I think this movie is better when you experience it with other people. I mean it's always nice to have someone to be scared with or laugh with. :)

- Megan O'Neal

"I have no idea what I'm suppose to do. I only know what I can do."

Star Trek: Into Darkness was released in early May was one of the best movies released this summer. I saw the first Star Trek and was sort of  impressed, but the sequel was amazing!! I felt every emotion in one 2 hour period. I left in awe and pleasantly surprised. If you haven't seen this movie in theaters yet you need to get a move on before it leaves theaters. You don't want to wait for this movie to come out on DVD because it will feel like an eternity.

To start off, the cast of this movie is simply fantastic. Zoe Saldana is simply breath taking and kicks some butt which is always great. And Zachary Quinto was simply fantastic in this film. The first movie he was pretty good, but this one he crossed a new level. He is so funny in this movie, which took me by surprise. He is sarcastic and witty and really helps make the movie better. Everyone in the cast is great and you get attached to every single character. But let's not forget Captain Kirk, played by the sexy and talented Chris Pine. Chris is exceptional in this movie. He is a good actor and I'm enjoying watching him grow as an actor. You root for him the entire time, even when he is being stupid and prideful, you cant help but love him. But even though Kirk can act stupid sometimes he redeems himself in the film. He is an amazing leader and loves his crew like family. It's nice to see a movie with a leader who puts his team before himself and his desires.

Now let's not look over Benedict Cumberbatch playing Khan! He was a great and that's all I can tell you. You will love to hate him, that's pretty much all I can say about him. On a random side note, I heard Cumberbatch is going to play Smaug in the new upcoming Hobbit movie, and I am sooooo excited about that. Even though we wont see Cumberbatch's face, he is still a major part of Smaug character and I just know he will make the character come to life. Speaking of the characters, Cumberbatch and Pine do a great job of using their facial expressions to convey their emotions. Both have such powerful facial expressions that one stare in the camera can make the audience feel so many emotions. When you see this movie, pay attention to what these actors do what their stories and their script.

This movie takes many unexpected turns. They threw me for a loop 20 times. I was curled up in a ball for most of the film, wondering how everything was going to turn out. This movie is fun, upbeat, intense, heartfelt, and just an overall good movie. The writing is very good. The plot is solid and keeps you guessing. And J.J. Abrams is a great director. He is smart and a beautiful director. He makes space look so vast but at the same time he makes us relate to the characters and their environments. ( I cant wait for J.J. to do Star Wars, I'm sure he will make them fantastic)

Do Not Miss one of the best films released this summer. Get to a theater and prepare to be amazed. Every one of my friends I've talked to all love this movie. I cant wait til it comes out on DVD cause I really want to buy it. So if you have a boring day or a rainy day, hit your local theater and see a movie you know will be good, and honestly how often does that happen. Enjoy!!

- Megan O'Neal

"Danger is very real. But fear is a choice"

After Earth was released this May and it actually wasn't a bad film. It was pretty easy to figure out, and the acting performance by Jaden Smith wasn't overly impressive, but the movie wasn't that bad. Overall I would give it a solid C.

Now I love Will Smith. He is an exceptional actor and he is just a good guy. He was pretty good in this movie. I think it is hard for Will to completely fail at any role. He played a non-expressive and distant father. Based on what I know about Will, he is not like that at all and he played the part very convincing so I think he played the role well. His son, however, still has a lot of work to do. I believe he could be a decent actor but he is in that awkward middle school stage, or his voice sounds like it. Basically whenever he gets mad he screams; then comes his squeaky voice . His weird puberty voice causes the audience to laugh taking us out of the moment. I'm still holding out hope for Jaden, I think he has a bright future, I just hope his acting skills catch up to the huge expectations that lie in front of him.

The movie was unpredictable at times. I caught myself short of breath wondering what was going to happen next. Yet, the overall plot and the ending itself is very predicable. Somehow this movie is very predictable with very few moments of unpredictability. I will say that there is one monologue in this film that is very good. The monologue focused on the idea of fear and how it is a choice. I fully believe in this idea. The rest of the speech discusses how fear is not real, instead it is something we form in our heads. It's a great speech. Honestly, if you don't wanna watch the movie, at least look up the speech on Youtube or something, its really good.

This movie is a B. I would not see it in theaters unless it was dollar theater. Definitely save it for RedBox. But if you wanna see it on the big screen it won't be a complete waste. But lastly I will say again, look up the speech because it is very true. We need to stop letting fear stop us from accomplishing things and becoming the people we want to be. After Earth will be in theaters a little while longer, until it hits dollar theaters and then the DVD racks.

- Megan O'Neal

"You're here for a reason. Sometimes the connections aren't clear, but they're always there."

Epic was released in May and based on my previous post, I was looking forward to this movie. And it did not disappoint. The movie overall was pretty, action-filled, funny, and relatively inspiring. However, I would not say it was the best cartoon movie ever made but it was a pretty good movie not question about it. Overall this film would get a A - in my opinion, or at 92%.

Epic is definitely great for kids. It is a light heart and fun film. It's basic plot comes from two ideas. One is to believe in more than what you see, and that family is very important. Two good themes that children need to hear. So parents if your looking for a fun family night film, I recommend this one.

The reason this movie did not make a A+ is because it is predictable and kinda slow at points. Its still a good film but it is not a great cartoon film. The voices given to the film are good. I think the casting was well done, except I feel Pit Bull was a little random; but he wasn't bad. Also the slugs in this film are HILARIOUS!! They really make the film so much fun and provide a lot of laughs throughout. The love story in this film (yes of course there is a love story; its not a spoiler) is cute and fun. Some points in this film are a little surprising and other parts are rather intense. Not too intense for children but intense enough to keep me a little nervous. As for kids they will be on the edge of there seats that's for sure.

Overall, its a fun movie. I recommend seeing it but I don't know if I would pay $11.50 for it. But if it was a $6 movie or the dollar theater its definitely worth a trip to the movies. You will enjoy it and it does have its inspiring and touching moments. It stresses the importance of family and believing in your family and also yourself. And trust me after you watch this film you will see the forest in a completely different way. You will feel bad for stepping on a leaf for like a week; enjoy Epic! It's still in theaters today!

- Megan O'Neal

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

"Gatsby? What Gatsby?"
The Great Gatsby directed by the ever popular (or not so popular) Baz Luhrmann was released May 10th 2013. And it was pretty good; at least to me. However, I admit I am a little bias because I love Luhrmann. Many people don't understand that but, I do. I mean come on he directed Moulin Rouge and Australia (which are two of my favorite movies), so I can overlook the not so great Romeo + Juliet film that was released in 1996. Yet, even with that film he dared to be different, and sure it may have been a bit of a miss, but at least the man dared to add his own personal flare and originality to his work; can we really condemn him for that? Anyway back to Mr. Jay Gatsby....

This film is based on the very popular book " The Great Gatsby" written by  F. Scott Fitzgerald. I was assigned to read this book, along with many other children in high school. However, honestly I did not finish reading this book, but not because it wasn't a good, it was just not good timing... Anyway from what I remember from the book and what my friends told me who actually read the whole book, the movie does stay pretty true to the plot of the novel, which is always a plus. So for those who have read the book and are a little scared that the movie will stray to far from the book, rest assured the plot remains true and if you don't enjoy the film, that might not be the main reason.

Before we discuss the casting of this film, let's talk about the soundtrack. Now I know everyone either loves the soundtrack or hates it. Personally, I am indifferent about it. I think that this movie would have been great if it stuck to the originally type of music used in the 1920s. AKA: mostly jazz type music. However, I would only be okay with this if the movie was directed by any other man. But it was directed by Baz Luhrmann and I expect him to mix modernism with the past. It's his style and I believe he is good at it. If there is anyone who can get away with sticking modern-like music into a period piece, its Baz Luhrmann. Also please notice I said "modern-like" music! I think many people overreacted about the soundtrack saying "Ahhhh!!! It's not like the 1920s at all!" Truthfully, most of the music in this movie is rooted in the original jazz sound. It has the base of jazz and is modernized. I do agree that it is not the same music as the time period, but it is not so far off into left field that it doesn't make sense. When you go to see this film don't let the music make it or break it for you. Just let it flow in and out and accept it for the duration of the film, then when the film is over, decide if you hate the music. Later you might realize you didn't hate the music that much after all.

Alright... time to talk about casting!!!! I believe the casting of this film was pretty good.
     I think that the casting of Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway was a bit random to me. Maguire is not one of my favorite actors; he is just very awkward to me, especially when the camera focuses on his face for long periods of time. Yet, in this movie Maguire is not half bad. Granted, half the time he is drunk, crazy or  just confused so he didn't have to do any kind of acting that would require him to really strain himself. He isn't bad, but once again he is not one of my favorites; he does well though, for the most part.
     If I could describe Carey Mulligan's performance in one word it would be haunting. She was radiant and beautiful. She was perfect for the role of Daisy; she just fits so well into the 1920's era that she was the natural choice for this role. Her smooth voice and little smirk makes the whole audience fall in love with her. Mulligan's performance is good and she works well with DiCaprio making the relationship between them convincing and believable.  And that's all I can really say about her before giving away too much about the plot.
    Leonardo DiCaprio... what else can I say. The man can act! He is good at his job and nobody can deny that. He made Gatsby come to life on the screen. I could just feel his energy coming through the screen, helping me follow the story. In the movie, you must wait for a good 25 mins before Gatsby even comes on screen. We all know Leo is playing Gatsby so for those first 25 mins my mind was building with tension just waiting for Gatsby to come on screen. And when he finally reveals himself, your heart jumps because on the screen you don't see DiCaprio, you see Jay Gatsby. DiCaprio was perfect for the role because he can go from happy and calm to a crazy mad man in seconds. He also is good at working his mysterious eyes which is what you need to play Gatsby. I'm not saying that this was his best movie role, however, I am saying if he wasn't Jay Gatsby this movie would not have been as good or as successful. They picked Leo to play Gatsby but he really did bring the character to life.

Overall I would give this movie a A - . It was very good and worth a see in the theaters. It was beautifully shot because Luhrmann is really good at making movies look pretty! The plot is good and has a mystery factor to it which will keep you guessing and intrigued until the very end. There are some cons of course, I do think it was a little slow at some moments. For example, the party scenes are drawn out a little longer than they should be, in my opinion. Things like that slow the movie down and make you wanna just movie on to the next scene. There are some funny parts in this film so you will get a chuckle now and then, but don't expect a lot of cheery moments. One more thing about the movie is they do include a lot of text from the book, which makes the movie easily quotable. For example, the title of this post is a quote from the movie and the book. It sums up the movie well. Gatsby is a man who is constantly trying to relive his past, while he is wishing he could change things about his past. And like every good movie quote, it  reveals things about people in general. Our lives move on and we continue to move forward, yet there are some of us who continually look back, hurting their future's forever. Go see Jay Gatsby in theaters and prepare yourself for some wild parties and a crazy ride.

 - Megan O'Neal
 

"There's one thing you can never take away from me: I am Iron Man."

Iron Man was finally released into theaters on May 3 and I have seen it twice already. Its safe to say this movie lived up to my expectations. Where do I begin on breaking down the awesomeness of this movie?

Okay, lets start with the fact that the action in this movie is AMAZING!! I don't wanna give away too much to those people who haven't seen the film yet (speaking of, get your butt to a theater ASAP!), but the action scenes in this movie are intense. As seen in the trailer they blow up Tony Stark's house and I was at the edge of my seat. Things are blowing up,  people are flying backwards in slow motion, and the music cuts in, adding even more intensity to the sequence.  Tony is flying in and out of suits and even kicks butt when he is sometimes left with out the suit for a moment.

           - Spoiler Alert: Keep scrolling if you haven't seen the movie: However, Tony is not the only one who gets to take part in the action. Pepper Pots kills the action scene at the end of the film. Gwyneth Paltrow   looks great and the intensity in her face is perfect. And true to Pepper's character, after she kills the bad guy she looks around and says "Gee that was violent". It was awesome seeing Pepper fight in this movie cause honestly who doesn't love a strong female character kicking butt and saving her man every once and a while.

Moving away from action, poor Tony Stark just makes me sad with those puppy eyes. The film shows how he is having a hard time after New York and how his paranoia is overtaking his life. This effects his relationship with Pepper in some big ways. However, Pepper and Tony still are one of my favorite super hero couples. In this movie, they really show how much Tony needs and loves Pepper and its adorable. I'm a sucker for the lovey dovey stuff and I am not ashamed of it. So any women who is not a fan of action movies (for whatever strange reason) you will love the way Tony treats and talks about Pepper, its so cute.

I don't want to speak too much about the villain of this film because I don't want to give away too much of the plot. So for those who have not seen the film yet, LOOK AWAY...

         - Spoiler Alert: Okay, I know there are a lot of people who do not like the way The Mandarin was portrayed in this film, but I actually was okay with the fact that they made him a fake. I thought it was a funny touch that most of the audience appreciated.  This is the most intense of the 3 Iron Man films so I think, Trevor  is a nice touch to the film. As for Aldrich Killian... man.... he gives me the creeps. Guy Pearce is just the perfect villain. I mean come on Count of Monte Cristo, Prometheus, and countless other films, Pearce just makes a good bad guy. We love to hate him and that's the truth. He is a good actor though and I was impressed (once again) with his villainy in this film. 

Lastly, I don't want to talk about it too much, but a kid helps Tony in this film and he is amazing. The kid's name is Harley, played by Ty Simpkins, and he is just hilarious and cute. He is kinda witty and sarcastic just like Tony. He is basically a mini Tony Stark and he is so cute. Him and RDJ act well with each other; they flow and their interactions seem natural. So when you do go see the film, pay attention to Harley cause he is pretty great.

Overall, I really liked this Iron Man. It was funny and filled with action. The writers developed Tony Stark's character even more but even though he has been through a lot, he was still the same witty, cocky, billionaire that we love. And as usual, RDJ, is perfect in this film. He does Iron Man justice once again. And I believe we will see him again in The Avengers 2. So if you love action, Marvel, Superheroes, and good movies in general, Go see Iron Man 3.

-Megan O'Neal

"Just because you haven't seen something, doesn't mean it's not there."

A movie involving talking slugs, mini people riding on hummingbirds, and an intense battle for the forest; any of these things sound appealing to you. If so look no further. Epic, set to be released on May 24, 2013, seems to show a lot of promise. It comes from the creators of Ice Age and Rio which are both very fun, feel good movies. I have been looking forward to this cartoon for months now. Why, you may ask, am I so excited for this little cartoon? Because it really does look epic!

First before I say anymore just watch the teaser trailer for this film by clicking the link: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/epic_2013/trailers/11173962/

Okay, now that you have seen this teaser trailer how could you not be intrigued? First of all, it was an excellent choice to play Snow Patrol in the background to set the tone. There is so much going on in these 2 mins it causes one to ask so many questions. Why does the hummingbird have a saddle? Who are these tiny people? Holy crap, what's riding on that evil crow? And the questions continue... And to me it is a pretty intense trailer for a cartoon. Especially when the tiny solider is running around through the woods. He is jumping around, he almost falls, and then he almost gets killed with an arrow. All this leads up to him grabbing hold of a slug's eyeballs, adding comedy to this little trailer. Overall, I was very interested from the beginning.

However, when the full length trailer was released it made the movie even more appealing to me. It's a fun concept: little tiny soldiers protecting the forest from a villainous mini-monster who is trying to "destroy the forest". This film is filled with big name actors, including the Academy-Award winning Christoph Waltz who plays the villain in this film. He is joined by the lovely Amanda Seyfried and the awesome Josh Hutcherson, among others. This movie also excites me because I am a child at heart and I am always happy to see someone's childlike imagination come to life on the big screen. Cartoons like this take us on an adventure and we love them for that. Movies like this  allow us to leave the real world behind and fall into a totally new one where nothing is impossible and good will win in the end (hopefully).

This movie looks like it will be endearing, funny, and filled with action (of a cartoon status). I hope I will not be disappointed. This movie looks like a good one to go see with the family so make sure to bring the kids. And if you’re a big kid yourself I think you should make an effort to go see it when it is released. I can't wait for this movie to come out so I can go to the movies, take my seat, and be immersed into a new and Epic universe. Click the link below to see the full-length trailer. Let's hope this film brings out the epic kid in all of us.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/epic_2013/trailers/11168403/

- Megan O'Neal

"In a game divided by color, He made us see Greatness!"

I just saw the newly released “42. The True Story of an American Legend" directed and written by Brian Helgeland, and it was a very good film. It stars the great Harrison Ford as Branch Ricky and a new comer (well to me at least) Chadwick Boseman, as the amazing Jackie Robinson. This film has heart and is very inspirational. It shows the story of a man who had the "guts not to fight back."

I love Jackie Robinson. I was always interested in him as a kid. I also really liked him because my father liked him a lot as well, and you know what they say, like father like daughter. So I was very impressed by the performance given by Boseman. I wasn't sure what to expect from him since I had never seen him in anything else before. He also resembles Jackie pretty well which is always a plus.  Boseman was good because he has very expressive eyes. You could see in his facial expressions when he wanted to fight back but resisted. When he was hurt, confused, or proud; the audience could see it all through his eyes. That is a big accomplishment for an actor because it says a lot about them when they can make you feel something just by displaying emotion to the camera.

This film has a pretty good score in my opinion. The music is actually very subtle and would probably go unnoticed by many people (but now that you’re aware you can look out for it). However, the subtle music works because it fits well with the mood of the movie. It's almost as if the music is playing within the actual scene instead of just being sounds only the audience can hear. The camera work is also very beautiful. There are many slow motion shots in this film, especially the end sequence. These shots are used well though and not overdone. They actually really had to the emotional tension of the movie. By this I mean, they bring your emotions into the moment, then by slowing it down in slow motion, with the music in the background, it causes one's emotions to sort of 'float' through the scene as it glides on. It really helps the audience to connect with what's happening on screen. This film also has tons of below shots looking up which I really like. I think that it is a creative way to look at the scene and keeps the movie from being to flat. The action shots are well done as well. I mean after all this is a movie about baseball so there better be some good shots when the game is being played.

The story and the script for this film is what makes this movie so good. I mean it’s the story of Jackie Robinson, one of the greatest men to ever play baseball, so has to be good, right? Well honestly when I saw the trailer I was very excited and I was also terrified. Like I said this story means a lot to me and I would be very upset if it got messed up. But Helgeland does an excellent job with this script. He captures Robinson's story very well. It is truly inspiring to see someone be at their lowest points and still decide to step up and work hard no matter what other people say. It is also great to see how people begin to change their way; how people began to respect Robinson and even grow to love him. He was a hero to all children of all races and that is a big thing people need to understand. Also this film shows not all white people hated black people back in the 1940s. Branch Ricky, who helped Robinson immensely, was white. And throughout the film many white people show their support for Robinson. I think this movie is coming out at a great time. It shows how far our country really has come. Yes, there are mean, hateful people in this world who hate people of all different races, shapes, and sizes. But men like Robinson and people who came after him, helped change the world and that is a fact. I think this movie helps remind us things have changed for the better. It also shows what hard work will get you. It displays how never giving up on your dreams pays off in great and fantastic ways.

Another great thing about the story of this film is the relationship between Jackie and his wife Rachel. First of all, the chemistry between Nicole Beharie, who plays Rachel, and Boseman is fantastic. They are young and in love and you can feel it the second they look at each other on screen. They are so adorable that the audience can completely believe they are in their love. However, the great thing about the relationship between these two characters is how they are there for one another. Rachel always supports Jackie; she is his rock and always believes in him. And Jackie is head over heels for his wife and he makes it known. He does whatever he can to provide and take care of her. My favorite line that Jackie says throughout the movie to Rachel is "You're in my heart", meaning no matter where he goes or what happens she will always be with him. They are a happy, strong, married couple and it’s nice to see such raw love. A married couple that sticks together through anything is the kind of relationship people should strive for. It's great to see this on the big screen today. Like I've mentioned before, true and unselfish love is the sort of thing that should be promoted these days because that's the kind of love everyone deserves.

When watching the trailer with my father he told me that this movie could either be great or be awful. When I asked why he explained "Robinson worked hard. People didn't just hand him things. He had to learn to deal with the pain and fight through it. He came up from nothing and made himself. Nobody handed him anything. I worry this movie may not show it that way." Well I am happy to report that my dad does not have to worry. This film shows all the nitty gritty, the pain and the triumph of Jackie Robinson. The road was not easy but he persevered and he succeeded. "42" is also very funny. You will laugh during this film and enjoy it. But many moments in this film are intense and some things are a little hard to watch. By that I mean, the movie really tries to embrace what happened in the 1940's which hits the audience with a reality check. However, this film is also very motivational and heartfelt. You will leave the theater happy and overwhelmed with a sense of hope. You will leave thinking that if we can change then; we can continue to change now. So I definitely recommend this film and I just wanna say, 'Grab your ball caps and go to the theater, it’s time to play ball!'

- Megan O'Neal 

"Lesson number one: Heroes, there is no such thing."

After the amazing Avengers movie came out in May 2011 all Marvel fans have been waiting for the next wave of superhero movies. And in roughly 4 weeks the waiting will be over. Iron Man 3 is set to be released on May 3, 2013 and it looks like it is going to be really good. Not to mention, it looks like it’s going to be super intense.

While watching this trailer I feel so worried for Tony Stark played by the sexy Robert Downy Jr. Just in the trailer we can see he does not seem to be the normal, happy, and sometimes cocky Stark that we love. He admits to not being able to sleep because he is haunted by nightmares. He seems stressed and on edge, causing us as an audience to fear for him as well. I feel most touched by Stark when he admits to Pepper, played by the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow, that he can’t "live without" her. This frightens me because I feel something big and bad is going to happen to the lovely Pepper Potts. Not to mention later on in the trailer she seems to be trapped in some kind of weird machine. And also in the trailer it seems like a suit is about to attack her while she is in bed with Tony. Which brings me to another question: What's going on with all these suits?

It seems that there will be plenty of Iron Man suits to go around in this movie. And a popular question is: what's the deal with all these suits? My theory is that Tony is trying to figure out how to let the suits run on their own without humans being inside. And then someone (someone bad) gets control of the technology and uses it against Stark. Now it's a loose theory but it's one I have. Some of my friends have also thought maybe Stark is making a bunch of suits for the Army to use. Honestly, it’s all speculation but I can't help but wonder.

The real threat here is The Mandarin played by Ben Kingsley. Kingsley in my mind is one of Hollywood's classic villains. I mean he really always plays villains and man is he good at it. I'm excited to see him bring The Mandarin to life on the big screen. With his word echoing throughout the trailer providing this ominous feel to the trailer sends chills up my spine.

With all the things blowing up, people screaming in pain, and worst of all Iron Man lying defeated in the snow, this movie is clearly going to keep its audience at the edge of its seats. So prepare yourself because in 4 weeks we will finally have our questions answered. Click the link below for the trailer; try not to freak out too much.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEIVPiTuYkQ

-Megan O'Neal

"Do you think we choose to be born? Or do we fit into the times we are born into?"

Lincoln released in theaters on November 16, 2012 was an amazing film to say the least. If you have not seen this film yet let me just say "Stop what you’re doing and go rent it immediately!" Now there are many reasons to why this film is great, but I think it is the impeccable acting and the genuine story that what makes this film so lovable.

Daniel Day-Lewis.... Oh Daniel Day-Lewis. I cannot even really describe how awesome he is in this film. I mean he did win the Oscar for this film and he truly deserved it. Now personally, I love Lincoln. Ever since I was a child I was always excited to learn more and more about Lincoln. So when I knew there would be a movie and it was directed by Steven Spielberg, my expectations were quite high. Day-Lewis truly captures the essence of Lincoln. When he first comes on screen and speaks, I was in awe! Now I know that nobody really knows exactly what Lincoln sounded like, but we can all imagine. And based on what I imagined, Day-Lewis sounded just like the Lincoln in my head. It was soft and calm, yet, it was also powerful and demanding. Also the way he walked was perfect as well. Lincoln was 6'4 and was very lanky. It would make sense for him to have a pleasantly awkward manner of walking. And the makeup that Day-Lewis wore was simply incredible. Spielberg made a smart choice of shooting a lot of Day-Lewis from the side. His profile shot was when he looked most like Lincoln and Spielberg picks up on this. Also Lincoln gives many monologues and they are AMAZING! I love every single monologue and story he has. The moments when Day-Lewis gives his monologues are captivating, to say the least. You can truly tell that Day-Lewis pours himself into this role. You forget who he really is and completely accept the idea of him being Lincoln. So mission accomplished Daniel! You did great.

The other actors and actresses in this film are also amazing. Sally Field is amazing as Lincoln's wife. She puts on a great show and doesn't disappoint. Tommy Lee Jones adds most of the comedy to this film which was a pleasant surprise to me. Jones pulls off his role of a passionate and kind of crazy radical Republican very well. Speaking of comedy, if you thought this would just be a dull, history flick you are completely wrong! This movie is filled with loads of funny moments Some are kind of cheesy (but the good kinds of cheesy) and others moments are just purely hilarious. There are also many tense moments throughout this film that will keep you interested until the end. The writing is simply exceptional.

Speaking of the writing, this script is very good. Tony Kushner, who also wrote Munich, creates a beautiful script for this film. It truly portrays Lincoln as an amazing leader, but also shows how Lincoln was a regular guy. The script was inspired by the book "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" by Doris Kearns Goodwin which helps to bring this script and movie to life.

This film embraces the idea of Lincoln being a regular guy who is "fitted to the times". He was the perfect leader for the time. People who don't even like history can still love and appreciate this film. And if you are a big history buff you will like it as well. However, I do want to state, this is a movie. So if everything is not "accurate" by your standards don't get too upset. It's a film meant to entertain and honestly nobody knows what really went on back then. So open your eyes and enjoy this wonderful film. It’s an A+ film and you will love it.

-Megan O'Neal

“Can’t change the past… Why of course you can.”

The Great Gatsby directed by Baz Luhrmann is set to be released May 10, 2013. And I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Let's just discuss how amazing the trailer for this movie is. You can tell from the two min. trailer that this movie is filled with so much action, mystery, and love it is busting at the seams. I read some of the book in high school and from what I remember this movie seems to be pretty accurate. Plus I couldn't think of a better actor to play Gatsby they the amazing Leonardo DiCaprio. He is such a fantastic actor and he is filled with such passion I know he will do the part justice. Just based on the trailer I can tell this is going to be an intense film just by seeing Leo's face screaming halfway through the trailer. One big thing that makes this trailer so great is the use of music.

First using an upbeat song by JayZ to set the tone of the trailer, and then switching to the fun, yet mysterious song by Florence and the Machine is just fantastic. But the best part of this trailer is the buildup of "Happy Together". It's a remake that I have not heard until I saw this trailer. But this song is simply powerful. Starts off quiet and builds up into an almost screamo climax. It makes my heart race as the scenes flash on the screen like jump cuts, but at the same time showing the amazing cinematography that this movie will surly possess. Because let’s face it, Baz Luhrmann may not be everyone's favorite director (though I will admit he is one of mine) but nobody can deny he makes some truly beautiful movies and that is a fact. I really do love this trailer. I watch it all the time just for fun. The best part is the end when Leo looks at Tobey Maguire and states "Can't change the past? (insert a few more intense scenes here) Why of course you can." and with that the title zooms into you face. The first time I saw this trailer I caught myself releasing a huge sigh due to the fact that the trailer had made me so tense. I'm hoping the movie will live up to the high expectations the trailer has set, but I really believe it will. If you haven't seen the trailer yet, check it out by clicking the link below… it’s a great trailer and it would be a shame to miss it.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_gatsby_2012/trailers/

- Megan O'Neal

"You've Bewitched Me Body and Soul..."

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one of the best romantic stories I've ever read. The love between Elizabeth and the mysterious Mr. Darcy is incredible. The way the story goes about showing their love though words and awkward meetings is refreshing when we think of some of today's so called loves stories. The movie version of Pride and Prejudice that came out in 2005 directed by Joe Wright is a true masterpiece.

First, lets discuss the amazing casting for this film. Starting with the lovely and talented Keira Knightley. She was perfect for the role. Her tomboyish beauty is what makes her, in my opinion, the perfect Elizabeth Bennet. She has an independent way about her that fits perfectly with the original character of Elizabeth. Matthew Macfadyen was also a great Mr. Darcy. His evolution throughout the film is the greatest of any in the movie. Though he seems harsh in the beginning we learn he is misunderstood and painfully shy. Matthew acts like a man pretending not be a hopeless romantic puppy through out half the film making every women fall in love with him instantly. And the way the two  reacts to one another is perfect. They have a subtle sexual tension throughout the whole film that makes the movie 12 times better. They both react to each others actions so well to the point where the audience can clearly see they love one another before either character actually realizes that fact. For example, the scene in the rain where Elizabeth states that Mr. Darcy is the "last man in the world" she could ever be married too is the most intense scene in this film. The rain, though some may say is clique, I find it to be perfect (even though it is slightly clique). That moment when they stare at each other is filled with sexual tension. The audience fully expects them to embrace one another and share a long passionate kiss. Darcy leans in, as Elizabeth does the same. He turns his head and the audience is sitting at the edge of their seat only to hear Darcy utter "Sorry, for taking up so much of your time." The first time I saw this I was shocked! In movies set in today's time period the two characters would have kissed. However, because it is a classic story the two must walk away, longing and pretending to be indifferent. The actors and actresses in the whole film are perfectly cast and wonderful, however, without Knightly and Macfadyen, this movie wouldn't have been such a success.

This movie also excels due to its amazing camera work. As I continue to write more blogs you will all see that I love camera work. Me and the camera are intimately  involved. In this film the setting is simply breath taking and Wright does a great job of showing the beautiful scenery he has. The long takes are the best in this film. Particularly when Mr. Darcy is walking up to Elizabeth towards the end of the film. The camera stays on him for a good minute and a half. The director could have made cuts back and forth between him and Elizabeth. Or he could have made Mr. Darcy's walk much shorter. Instead, he plays the beautiful piano in the background (thanks to Dario Marianelli) and Macfadyen walks toward the camera with the wind in his hair. This scene is what I like to call subtly dramatic. You don't realize the drama in the scene until it ends and you think "man that was the most epic walk across a field I have ever seen". The close-ups in this film also show the simple beauty in the story. It causes the audience to be absorbed into the film in a way that makes you feel like you are standing in the field or in the rain watching the characters right in front of you.

Overall, this movie is excellent  Granted, I can understand if its not for everyone. Some people might not enjoy the whole 'old English' theme. However, the love story of this film is a good one and that is undeniable. It shows how you cannot judge a person based on loose first impressions and you need to open yourself up to the best love possible. Towards the beginning of the film, Elizabeth tells Jane "Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony" showing how she would only settle for the greatest love, not the convenient kind of love. That's why I think this film is so exceptional and different then a lot of love stories today. Obviously the movie is shot in a different time period than other movies based on romance are today. Yet, there is a true love in this story that I think other romantic movies in this generation lack. But, I do believe that good romance movies are making a comeback. Stories filled with real love, not a selfish sort of love story, and that is exciting to me.  

-Megan O'Neal

Welcome to the Theater, the Movie Theater that is.

There are critics out there who speak about movies of all sorts. The good movies and the bad. The movies that change us and the movies that waste our time. However, sometimes the critics are very wrong, but they can also be right. This blog is just to focus on movies from the perspective of a regular person. It will show movies from the eyes of an audience member who has a passion for movies and what they are. Granted, it is only my opinion and I am open to other peoples as well. I just think it's a way for us to look at movies through our own eyes and just gush about them, or discuss the awful ones too. Also I will be looking at new movies and old movies. All movies are worth talking about, because whether they are good or bad they can change us... That's the point in them after all. So without further ado: Lights, Camera, Action!