Announcing My Fourth Blog Costume Party!

Hello, bloggers!

It is that time of the year again when it is cold and snowy (well, maybe just where I am), and my reading and movie watching multiplies. Because of that I start thinking about how much fun it would be to dress up as different fictional characters, and what better time than Halloween?

Yes, I am once again hosting my Blog Costume Party! I am very excited about this, because it is one of my few consistencies on this blog. Without further ado (wait for it, more is coming), here are the rules/guidelines/thoughts!:

1. I totally understand if you don't participate in Halloween or support it. That is why a few years ago I changed it from my "Halloween Blog Party" to "Blog Costume Party", to make sure that everyone was comfortable enough to join, if they so ever wanted to. I do this around Halloween because I can get away with dressing up. (Here is a really thought provoking post about it by the awesome Kara Lynn!)

2. This is very informal. Four years ago, in 2016, this was my first blog party. Since then it has become less official, and more of an excuse to dress up. I would absolutely love it if you would like to join!

3. All the other years I've said that by participating you had to write a review of book or movie with that fictional character. This year, if you want to put pictures of yourself, or talk about what makes that character recognizable, how to dress like them, or just talk about what you love about a certain character, go for it! Or if you do want to review a book or movie, do that, too!

4. If you are showing pictures of yourself, you don't have to show your face. I never do, I either put a book or some other prop in front of my face, or I just blur it out. I do this because I love to dress up, but I'm not comfortable with having everyone know what I look like... yet. Maybe one day.

5. I will be something either magical or scary, but you don't have to! If there is a character who has a look that everyone is familiar with, you can definitely be them, it's pretty free ranged! My only guideline here is to think of a fictional character, because that's what my blog is kind of about.

6. If you want to join, let me know and I'll link to you here. It can be a surprise if you want (mine always is), or if you have any questions, just ask away!

For a simpler run down:
What: Costume Blog Party!

Where: Hosted by me, here at Movies Meet Their Match!

When: November 7th-9th

Usually I have the buttons be clues to what my sisters and I are going to be, but I am still undecided! I have a few ideas, but I'm not sure yet. So, if you would like to guess what my options are, go for it! (I will take them as suggestions.) The images for these buttons are just random things that I thought looked cool. Please take one or two to spread the word! (Sorry that they are a little blurry!)

The participants:

MovieCritic @ Movies Meet Their Match
Anna Black @ Bookends and Bwopper-Eels


Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: Penelope (2006)

Hello, everyone!

I first watched the movie that I am going to review today back in 2009, so 10 years ago! I thought that I remembered it almost perfectly, but both my younger and older sister, who watched it with me, didn't remember it at all! A few weeks ago I was finally able to rewatch it with my older sister. I was right, I remembered pretty much everything (except the last 10 minutes). My older sister liked it, but still didn't remember seeing it before! I feel so old...

(Also, yay Netflix! I watched it both times on there).

Note: I was so excited to be watching it that I kept forgetting to write things down, but then I randomly would so these are out of context. Sorry!

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

Penelope (2006):

A long time ago, the Wilherns were cursed that their first born daughter would have the face of a pig. They never thought about it because they only had sons... until Penelope. The curse will only end when one of her own kind, a "blue blood", someone who has money and position, learns to love her. A reporter wants to make money by showing a photo of her to the public. He also has personal reasons for wanting a slight "revenge" because he got hurt when he previously tried to get a picture. Working with Edward, one of the few people who has seen her, they plan to hire someone to pretend to be a suitor long enough to get a photo. Penelope wants to see the world but it doesn't want to see her. Will she finally find a friend, or will they only run from her?

Genre: Low Fantasy (there is the idea of the curse, but all of it takes place in our world and there is no other mention of magic), Romance.

Length: approx. 104 minutes.

Costumes: 8, nothing brilliant, but nothing bad.
My favorite: I couldn't find any good pictures, but she has an awesome coat!

Script: 9, only one or two bad words!
"Once the queen's dead the king is useless." (Chess!)

Crew:

Directed by: Mark Palansky.

Written by: Leslie Caveny.

Starring:
Christina Ricci as Penelope Wilhern. "Plants are great, I just thought of you as a cop."

James McAvoy as Max Campion, "Johnny".

Catherine O'Hara as Jessica Wilhern.

Richard E. Grant as Franklin Wilhern.
Peter Dinklage as Lemon.
Simon Woods as Edward Humphrey Vanderman III.
Nigel Havers as Edward Vanderman II.
Reese Witherspoon as Annie.

Ronni Ancona as Wanda.
Richard Leaf as Jack the Bartender.
Michael Feast as Jake.

Cinematography: 9, at first I thought that it was a little weird, but I think it was just the screen that I was watching it on.

Cinematography by: Michel Amathieu.

Music: 8, if there was a score or soundtrack it didn't really stick out to me, but I love how they have the song "You Are My Sunshine" in there!

Music by: Joby Talbot.

Quotes: 9. "It's not the power of the curse, it's the power that you give the curse."

Storyline: 7, so there is death, suggestive things, mention of an affair, smoking, drinking (we see people intoxicated a few times), and gambling, but it is all mostly shown as bad.
"Will somebody call my mother?"

Good For: People who don't like how they look, who are scared of being seen, anybody!

Age Range: All ages! There are a few exaggerated drawings that might scare really little kids, and there is mild kissing, but that's it! Penelope is not scary at all, she is really sweet and pretty. She is uncomfortable with how she looks and it shocks people when they first see her, but would never be scary to anyone watching it.

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:
How do I even begin to talk about this wonderful movie? It is so incredible sweet! This is one of those movies that makes you happy and encourages you, and one that I could watch all the time. This movie is so adorable! It has a very fall like feeling, so it would be great to watch this month (hint hint, you should!). The question of "Is beauty skin deep?" is one that I really like to see explored and see what people come up with. I can't stop saying how good this is!


Well, it's up to you, my readers, now! Have you seen this movie, what do you think? Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

2019 Tolkien Blog Party: Would You Rather Tag!

Hello, fellow Tolkien fans!

This week Hamlette who blogs at The Edge of the Precipice is celebrating all things Tolkien with her Tolkien Blog Party! There is a giveaway, two different games, and lots of blog posts, so be sure to check it out!

Isn't this button great? These are what my book covers look like.

This is her seventh year hosting this! Three years ago I participated for the first time, and it was the very first blog party I ever joined! Ever since then I've made sure to participate in one way or another. Last year I was in a different country and therefore very late in my answers, so this year I made sure to be on time!

Here are my posts from past years: 2016, 2017, 2018.

For the tag this year Hamlette has switched it up and made it a would you rather tag, and I am very excited to answer! I hope you enjoy!

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings then spoilers are ahead, so please don't read any further.

And just to be clear, I'll be answering these based on the fact that I've read:
The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, & The Return of the King.
And I've watched:
The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, & The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Would You Rather...

1.  ...join Thorin's Company or the Fellowship?

Oh man, just when I thought that the would you rather questions would be easier...

I'm going to have to choose Thorin's Company. I love The Hobbit to bits, and I feel like the Fellowship is perfect the way it is and I'd only get in the way.

2.  ...ride Shadowfax or an eagle?

I've ridden a horse before, but I've never ridden an eagle, so definitely that.

3.  ...travel through Moria or Mirkwood?

Mirkwood, 100%. I wouldn't want to be trapped underground, I'd rather be able to breathe fresh air. Though Moria is a very friendly place, right? (hahahahaha NO.) At least you just speak friend to enter...

4.  ...learn to make elvish rope or mithril chainmail?

Does it seem like I have enough patience to make chainmail? A clue: no. I have a very short attention span, but I think I could make rope.

5.  ...try to outwit Smaug or Saruman?

Outwit? I would never outwit either of them, but if I had to try it would be Smaug. I would hope to just be funny enough that he thinks I'm entertaining to watch and doesn't want to eat me.

6.  ...spend an hour with Grima Wormtongue or Denethor?

When I was little and saw part of The Return of the King movie, I was absolutely freaked out by Denethor. The guy is a total creep and I don't want to be anywhere near him. I feel like I could be in the same room with Wormtongue for an hour and just ignore him.

7.  ...attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?

This is not fair because Sam and Faramir are two of my favorite characters in the whole trilogy. I'll have to pick Sam, just because I feel it would be nicer. And also because I don't really like Eowyn. Sorry! Maybe when I see the movies I'll like her more.

8.  ...have to care for the One Ring or the Arkenstone for a day?

Now, I don't think that I would be tempted to ever put the One Ring on, but just the strain of carrying it around for even an hour would kill me. I get super stressed really easily and it would be too much for me to handle, it would tear me apart. To that end, the Arkenstone for sure. A lot of people want it, but it doesn't mess with your mind, right?

9.  ...have tea with Bilbo or Frodo?

Definitely tea with Bilbo. I'd do something else with Frodo, but I would love to hear Bilbo's stories while drinking hot tea.

10.  ...fight alongside Boromir or Eomer?

Not going to lie, Eomer is another one of my favorites. But, I'd rather fight along side Legolas, if I had the choice. Sadly, he's not part of the question, so Eomer.

Thank you so much to Hamlette for hosting this again! It is a treat each year to participate! Everyone, please go make sure that you read all of the other posts HERE!

Thanks for reading!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: STAR WARS VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Hello!!!!
The time has come for me to do another STAR WARS review! And I only do these on very special occasions therefore today must be special! (I mean, every day is special, but STAR WARS related). Today, September 25th is Mark Hamill's birthday, and because he is the last jedi, that is exactly what I'll be reviewing.

I am very excited about this because A New Hope will always be my favorite because it is the original, but this one is a very close second! I also have visited two of the locations where they did a lot of the filming! Eeek!

Time for my necessary note: If you watch the STAR WARS movies you have to watch them in a certain order, or a lot of things will be spoiled. This series is awesome, and so please don't spoil it for yourself. Watch it in this order:
IV: A New Hope (1977), V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), I: The Phantom Menace (1999), II: Attack of the Clones (2002), III: Revenge of the Sith (2005), VII: The Force Awakens (2015), and VIII: The Last Jedi (2017).

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

STAR WARS VIII: The Last Jedi (2017):

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..."
The Resistance has been found! With the First Order right on their heels, and running low on supplies, they don't know what they will do when time runs out. Finn, Poe Dameron, and Rose decide that desperate measures must be taken. They come up with a plan to hack into the First Order's security long enough for them to get away, but that involves finding a master code breaker. Meanwhile, Rey wants to become a jedi, but Luke Skywalker has given up. She wants him to be her master, but is he hiding the truth about the past?
"We are the spark that will light the fire the will burn down the First Order."

Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy.

Length: approx. 152 minutes.

Costumes: 7, nothing amazing, and there is a scene where someone isn't wearing a shirt.

Script: 7, there are a few bad words (thank you, Finn and Poe).
"Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it then you'll never make it through the night."

Crew:

Directed by: Rian Johnson.

Written by: Rian Johnson and George Lucas.

Starring:
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. "The galaxy may need a legend."

Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa.

Daisy Ridley as Rey. "Something inside of me has always been there and now it's awake."

Adam Driver as Kylo Ren.

John Boyega as Finn.

Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico.
Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron. "Happy beeps."

Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke.
Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Holdo.
Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux.
Benicio del Toro as DJ.
Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca.
Anthony Daniels as C-3PO. "Wipe that nervous expression off your face."
Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata.
Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma.
Veronica Ngo as Paige Tico.

Cinematography: 10, it is amazing. I know since I've been there. There is just one thing which looked really cool, but when I think about it it doesn't make a lot of sense. Oh well. In the storyline it helps the opposing side.
The animals are CGI, but they are so cute!

Cinematography by: Steve Yedlin.

Music: 10!! Forever and ever I'll give it a 10.

Music by: John Williams.

Quotes: 10! "That's how we're going to win this war, not fighting what we hate, but saving what we love." (This might be my favorite line of the whole franchise).

Storyline: 7, there is a lot of violence, torture, and shooting, then killing and death. There is also one suggestive line (thanks Maz) and a few gross things.
"There are things that you cannot solve by jumping into a cock pit and blowing something up."

Good For: STAR WARS fans!

Age Range: It is rated PG-13 because of the violence, but I think it just depends on what each person is comfortable with. I've known younger kids to watch more violent things and be fine.

Overall Score: 8.5!

Bonus thoughts:
Okay, I know that quite a few STAR WARS fans didn't like this one, but I love it! A lot happens in the 2 and a half hours and there is never a quiet moment. I really relate to Luke Skywalker, and Mark Hamill did such a great job playing him (as always)! I have watched this movie so many times but never get tired of it. This movie deals a lot with fear and selflessness. Ack, these characters are so amazing!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hamill!

Thanks to all of you for reading! Have you seen this? If you have I would love to chat about it in the comments! Have a great day!

MovieCritic