"The book is a film that takes place in the mind of the reader." ~ Paulo Coelho

Friday, November 30, 2018

The 10 Day Movie Challenge - Day 2

Hello, again!

Same as yesterday, I am doing the 10 Day Movie Challenge! I originally spotted it on: Hamlette's blog, Jessica's blog, and DKoren's blog. Go see what their picks were!

The 10 Day Movie Challenge!:
How to do it: Choose an image from a film that has impacted me in some way and post it without a single explanation. 10 days, 10 movies, 10 pictures, no explanations!

Day 2:

MovieCritic

Thursday, November 29, 2018

The 10 Day Movie Challenge - Day 1

Hello!
I was catching up on reading blogs and found this challenge on three different blogs: Hamlette's, Jessica's, and DKoren's. Go see what their picks were! I then decided to do it as well!

The 10 Day Movie Challenge!:
How to do it: Choose an image from a film that has impacted me in some way and post it without a single explanation. 10 days, 10 movies, 10 pictures, no explanations!

Day 1:

MovieCritic

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Movie Review: Shrek (2001)

Hello!

Welcome to my last day of my Blog Costume Party! I am so, so, sorry that this is so late! I had a cold, sorry!
I know that this is the button that was the hardest to figure out. And that is because as real as it looks it is actually animated!

Just a reminder, it was a few years ago and then we were just taking pictures and we didn't consider the possibilities so they had their faces uncovered, therefor, I have had to blur these. Sorry about that!


My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


Shrek (2001):
(Vaguely) Based on: Shrek! - by William Steig.
Shrek is an ogre who wants nothing more than to be left alone in his swamp. When Lord Farquaad dumps a bunch of fairytale creatures on Shrek's property he has to go on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona for Lord Farquaad to marry in order to get all of the creatures to leave! In tow with an annoying talking donkey he sets out on his "quest".
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy.
Length: approx. 90 minutes.
Costumes: 7, There are a two scenes where someone isn't wearing clothing. I'll talk more about costumes later.
My favorite: You'll see later!
Script: 7, this does have names said in vain.
"Everybody likes parfait."
Crew:
Directed by: Andrew Adamson & Vicky Jenson.
Produced by: Aron Warner, John H. Williams, & Jeffrey Katzenberg.
Written by: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Joe Stillman, & Roger S. H. Schulman.
Starring the voices of:
Mike Myers as Shrek.
Eddie Murphy as Donkey.
Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona.
John Lithgow as Lord Farquaad.

Conrad Vernon as Gingerbread Man.
Cody Cameron as Pinocchio / The Three Little Pigs.
Chris Miller as Geppetto / Magic Mirror.
Simon J. Smith as Three Blind Mice.
Christopher Knights as Three Blind Mice and Thelonius.
Aron Warner as Big Bad Wolf.
Vincent Cassel as "Monsieur" Robin Hood.
Jim Cummings as Captain of the Guards.
Kathleen Freeman as Old Woman.
Cinematography: 8, I'm not usually a bit fan of digital animation, but there are some nice bits of scenery.
Music: 9. It's not original, but I like the mix that they choose.
Music by: Harry Gregson-Williams, & John Powell.
Quotes: 10, "I like that boulder, that's a nice boulder."
Oscars won: 2001 Best Animated Feature.
Storyline: 7, there are gross things, crude humor, fighting, and a few suggestive things.
Good For: People who are lonely, people who like fairytale mashups.
Overall Score: 8!
Bonus thoughts: I have seen this as long as I remember, it's a classic in our family.


There might be a few spoilers in this last bit.


"Ogres are like onions." - Thoughts on Shrek & Fiona

The big thing about the movie Shrek are the characters, mostly Shrek and Fiona. How they both have big character arcs.

Shrek starts off living in his swamp, with nobody but himself, and he likes it that way. Fiona lives in a tower guarded by a dragon. Sherk has a sweet side, and Fiona shows that she can be anything but a princess. They both learn about their strengths, weaknesses, good sides and bad sides.


About our costumes:

Yep, you read that correctly, costumes. Both my mom and my little sister dressed up!

Our mom actually surprised us, we had been planning for my sister to be Fiona, but then our mom came out dressed up as Shrek and it worked perfectly!

My sisters was probably the easiest we have ever done. Green dress, braid, crown, done! Well, it gets really cold where we are, so she needed gloves, ear muffs and a vest.

Our mom had the perfect vest and belt, she just had to use a few pillows and face paint!

Who is your favorite? How did we do?
Of all of our costumes this year, how do you think we did? Do you have a favorite?

Oh, also you will notice that my header involves a scene from this movie:
Right in the middle, it says Fiona.

Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Movie Review: Wonder Woman (2017)

Hello again!

Welcome to the second day of my costume blog party! Today I will be showing you who my older sister was a few years ago.
Once again, as it was a few years ago and then we were just taking pictures and we didn't consider the possibilities so she had her face uncovered, therefor, I have had to blur these. Sorry about that!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


Wonder Woman (2017):
Based on: The comic books.
Diana has always lived her life on the island of Themyscira. All that changes one day when in a battle Captain Steve Trevor finds himself on the island. Diana learns about the outside world and the great war that is going on. She decides that the only reason that it is happening is because of Ares, the god of war. She goes with Steve carrying the sword, the only thing that can kill him. Steve takes her to the front lines to try to stop this big war, and she becomes Wonder Woman.
Genre: Action.
Length: approx. 141 minutes.
Costumes: 6, there is a scene where someone is not wearing any clothes though you only see the top half. Some things are a little low.
My favorite: I will discuss them later, but my favorite color is blue and I like this one.
Script: 7. 
Crew:
Directed by: Patty Jenkins
Produced by:
Charles Roven
Deborah Snyder
Zack Snyder
Richard Suckle
Written by:
Zack Snyder
Allan Heinberg
Jason Fuchs
Starring:
Gal Gadot as Diana/Wonder Woman.
Chris Pine as Steve Trevor.
David Thewlis as Sir Patrick Morgan.
Lucy Davis as Etta Candy.
Elena Anaya as Doctor Poison.

Saïd Taghmaoui as Sameer.
Ewen Bremner as Charlie.
Eugene Brave Rock as Chief Napi.
Lisa Loven Kongsli as Menalippe.
Danny Huston as General Erich Ludendorff.
Robin Wright as Antiope.
Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.
Cinematography: 6, eh, there is a little too much obvious CGI.
Cinematography by: Matthew Jensen
Music: 7.
Music by: Rupert Gregson-Williams
Quotes: 8, "It doesn't go with the outfit."
Notes:
I do not like Chris Pine, so I really didn't like him as Steve Trevor, but my sister did.
I am trying very hard to not be biased, but I have been such a fan of the comics for such a long time and there are a lot of differences.
Storyline: 5, there is a lot of war, death and violence, and there are things dealing with "the gods" which, as a Christian I don't believe in. And some very suggestive things.
There are so many differences when compared to the comics.
First off, she is Wonder Woman, not Captain America. She didn't come to be in a war.
Second, her tools are all wrong (see below).
Third, there is no tournament! This is what I was most disappointed in because I was really looking forward to see how they would do it, but they just took it out!
Good For: People who like superheroes.
Overall Score: 6.5
Bonus thoughts: I didn't like it, but as I say, my little sister did.


Thoughts on Wonder Woman.

Original
Gal Gadot
Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman:

Her tools are her bracelets, her golden lasso and her
airplane. She lives her life as Diana Prince, Steve Trevor's secretary. No one knows who she is. She uses her unmatchable strength to fight evil.

About our costume:

My sister was actually Wonder Woman several years ago, meaning the 2017 movie hadn't come out yet. And it's funny because even though her costume doesn't look like the 2017 one, we always say that she looks like Gal Gadot! Anyway, her costume is based off of the comic books and Lynda Carter's in the TV series (My button that was a clue is showing the golden lasso in the TV series).
Lynda Carter
Ours.

What is really cool is that she sewed this. You read that correctly. She has always loved to sew and sew (so, me trying to be punny) she made it! She also used a glue gun for the gold.


Who do you think did it the best?


Have you seen the movie? Do you agree with me or my little sister?

Thank you so much for reading! Check in tomorrow to see who my little sister was!


MovieCritic

Monday, November 12, 2018

Book vs. Movie Review: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

Hello!
Welcome to the first day of my Blog Costume Party! Today I will be reviewing one of my favorite books. And, this is my favorite costume I have ever had!
Also, I am posting photos from a few years ago and then we were just taking pictures and I didn't consider the possibilities so I had my face uncovered, therefor, I have had to blur these. Sorry about that!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.


The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - by C. S. Lewis
"Some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny."
A little girl is transported into the magical world of Narnia by going through a wardrobe. At first the snow all around seems beautiful, but the girl learns that it is cursed to always be snowy. It turns out that she and her siblings are who the people of this world have been waiting for, and things turn to war.
Genre: Fantasy.
Characters: 10! I am not being biased, these characters are so amazing!
My favorites:
Everyone! But, if I have to choose the top 5, they would be:
Aslan: So powerful, so kind, so loving.
Lucy: Her faith is just amazing.
Edmund: He is probably the most relatable.
Peter: He has so much responsibility, and he handles it so well.
Susan: "The gentle", and she is!
Mr. Tumnus: Don't we all love him?
Words: 10! 'It was a full moon, and shining on all the snow, it made everything almost as bright as day -- only the shadows were rather confusing.'
Quotes: 10! "Things never happen the same way twice, dear one."
Notes: It is said that C. S. Lewis based the Professor on J. R. R. Tolkien.
Storyline: 10! There is some fighting and death, but the most important thing about the storyline is that it is an allegory, and a beautiful one at that.
Good For: Everyone everywhere. If you haven't read this book please, please, do!
Overall Score: 10!!!!!
Bonus thoughts: Did I mention that this is one of my favorite books?
(I'm sorry that there aren't as many quotes as usual, I couldn't find the sheet I wrote them all down on! The ones you read here are off of memory. Once I finally find the sheet I will update this.)


VS.


The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (2005):
Based on: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - by C.S.Lewis
Lucy finds herself in the world of Narnia after hiding in a wardrobe. She befriends a faun named Mr. Tumnus, and everything seems like it is perfect there, but she soon discovers otherwise. The land is cursed in eternal snow, and it turns out that she and her siblings might be able to help end it.
Genre: Fantasy.
Length: approx. 145 minutes.
Costumes: 9. They are all just perfect!
My favorite: You'll see more on Jadis's later, so I won't say any of those. Well, I like this:
Script: 9.
'"I'm just trying to think logically."
"No, you're trying to be smart, as usual."'
Crew:
Directed by: Andrew Adamson
Produced by:
Mark Johnson
Phillip Steuer
Screenplay by:
Ann Peacock
Andrew Adamson
Christopher Markus
Stephen McFeely
Starring:
Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie.
Skandar Keynes as Edmund Pevensie.
William Mosley as Peter Pevensie.
Anna Popplewell as Susan Pevensie.
Liam Neeson as the voice of Aslan.
Tilda Swinton as The White Witch.
James McAvoy as Mr. Tumnus.
Ray Winstone as the voice of Mr. Beaver.
Dawn French as the voice of Mrs. Beaver.
Kiran Shah as Ginarrbrik.
Jim Broadbent as Professor Digory Kirke.
James Cosmo as Father Christmas.
Michael Madsen as the voice of Maugrim.
Elizabeth Hawthorne as Mrs. Macready.
Cinematography: 9, look at this!!!
Cinematography by: Donald McAlpine
Music: 10!! I love it! I even listened to part of it while writing this.
Music by: Harry Gregson-Williams
Oscars won: 1: Best Makeup.
Quotes: 10,
'"Besides, we could all use the fresh air."
"It's not like there isn't air inside."'
Notes: Oh my word. This movie has such nostalgia for me. I have nearly cried several times while watching it.
Ah! My heart! I can't even...
Storyline: 8! As I said, there is war so fighting and death, but once again, this has a very powerful allegory.
There are only a few small differences from the book: they added some things, took one or two things out, but really not that much, and it would have all fit in the book. And the actors don't look as the characters are described, but they all play the parts so perfectly that it makes up for it.
Good For: EVERYONE!
Overall Score: 9.5!!
Bonus thoughts: A favorite!

The book wins!

"Bow down for the queen of Narnia!" - Thoughts on the Jadis, the White Witch.

From the book.

Played by Tilda Swinton.
Her preferred title: Her Imperial Majesty, Jadis, Queen of Narnia, Chatelaine of Cair Paravel, Empress of the Lone Islands
Jadis is described as 7 feet tall and has skin as white as paper.
She is very greedy as she always wants more and more power. Whatever it takes, she will do it.
She is called the white witch because she cast Narnia into eternal winter. This really worked for my costume because I love snow!!

About my costume:

As I said above, this is my favorite costume I have ever had. And one of the things that is so impressive about it is that we (my mom and I) came up with it pretty much on the spot without any planning. It is kind of a combination of all of Tilda Swinton's outfits. Also, I had a cold that day so I was very pale.


What do you think? Who looks more like the White Witch?


Thank you so much for reading! Come back tomorrow to see who my sisters dress up as!


MovieCritic
"If you want a happy ending, that depends, of course, where you stop your story." -Orson Welles