Monday, January 25, 2010

The Lovely Bones (film)

Wow, It has been WAY too long since I have reviewed anything.  If you read my last post you'll understand why.  Anyways, I plan on writing a book review in about 3 weeks (just if you're wondering).  I am constantly seeing new movies and I feel I haven't lived up to my url's name. After all it is robBOOKblog.blogspot.com.  Anyways, I got a bootleg copy of a movie that has sparked alot of controversy.  Teenage girl's love it, critics hate it.  I am talking of course about The Lovely Bones. Here's my review.

Title: The Lovely Bones
Genre: Fantasy/Suspense/SUPAH CREEPY
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Summary: Director Peter Jackson attempts to adapt Alice Sebold's best-selling novel concerning a murdered 14-year old who watches from the inbetween as her family attempts to cope with their devastating loss and tracks her killer as he stealthily covers his tracks.
Review: Like almost every film there is good and bad.  I'll flip a coin for what goes first. Heads bad tails good.  Heads it is! No joke, I seriously flipped a coin. Haha!  Okay where do I begin? Let's start with the creepy factor. This was officialy the creepiest movie I have ever seen.  Stanley Tucci's performance as the killer was impeccable.  Just looking at the character, you can tell he's a major creeper.  This was not pleasant considering he was in the majority of the movie.  Another thing I did not like was how dragged out some scenes were, especially the murder scene.  Nothing graphic was shown.  However, the scene was about 15 minutes long and every second was grueling.  Another creepy part was the scene immediately following the murder in which Susie (the girl who was murdered) watches as her killer cleans the blood of his body, shoes, and home.  I could not stand it.  One thing I thought was way too intense was when Susie sees all the bodies of her killer's past victims. Overall, I found the movie way too creepy.  I also didn't like how the movie didn't go into depth of a sub-plot involving Susie's love intrest and a mysterious girl whom we assume will play a larger role as advertised in trailers and the beggining of the feature. Quick note: the ending will leave you biting your nails wondering "OH NO!" but don't worry I was semi-satisfied.
       Don't worry though, there were about two things I happened to enjoy about the movie.  The first thing I enjoyed was the acting.  I really was super creeped out by Stanley Tucci as the killer (as mentioned previously) which means he did his job.  I also think that Susan Sarandon's role as the awesome grandma was phenominal.  The supporting roles played by two teenagers whos names I do not know as Ray and Ruth were pretty good even though they only got like 5 minutes of screen time.  I am typically not a huge fan of Mark Wahlberg although he did a great job as Susie's obsessed yet loving dad.  Also, the girl who played Susie's sister was pretty good.  The second thing I liked were the special effects.  Peter Jackson's movies always have great ones. The third thing I liked was the portrayal of life in the 1970's.  Everything from the clothes to the houses to Susie's opening lines.
       As you can see, I didn't particularly enjoy the movie because it was too creepy.  However, the acting, visuals, and pertraying of suburban life in the 1970's.
Grade: C+

Sunday, January 10, 2010

A Very Short Message

HI EVERYONE! I know it's been quite a while so I just wanted to say a few things

First, there hasn't been many reviews lately because I've been VERY BUSY with the holidays and schoolwork and such. Just clearing that up.

Second, I saw Up in the Air over holiday break.  It's a movie getting alot of Oscar buzz staring George Cooney and up-and-coming film star Anna Kendrick (I enjoy her acting very much.  She was in a small film called Rocket Science which was excellent! Get it from Netflix or something!!).  Up in the Air was also directed by Jason Reitman who did Juno and Thank You For Smoking.  Anyway, what I'm saying is go see it. You will be heaing alot about this movie in the next few months

And third, I found a FANTASTIC little chocolate shop in Greenwich Village (west side) appropriately named The Chocolate Bar.  I could spend $500 dollars in there! Everything is made right there in Greenwich Village and they have some things that might not be available anywhere else.  Go check it out sometime! http://www.chocolatebarnyc.com/

Thank You for allof your support! I'll be reviewing sonn once everything gets back to normal in a week or two.  While you're waiting why not go see Up in the Air or take a trip to The Chocolate Bar! Have fun!

-Robert