Tag Archives: Amy Adams

Arrival

Posted by Amy A in Drama, Sci-Fi and tagged with , , , , , ,

After a long slump (truly sorry my last review was in June), I have finally seen a film that has motivated me to write again: Arrival. I really enjoyed this film. In fact, I loved it. It exceeded my expectations and left me speechless. I can easily name it as my favorite movie this year (so far). However it may not be for everyone.

After 12 mysterious spacecrafts touch down in different locations across the globe, the military enlists the aid of linguist professor Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) to try to translate the alien communications before a global war breaks out.

Arrival was not the movie I expected. From first glance it may seem like a typical alien invasion type film but do not be fooled. I prefer to describe Arrival as a film that simply has aliens in it. Truth be told, while the alien aspect of the film does play a very large and central role to the plot, the film is revealed to be much larger and introspective. This reason alone is why I do not feel the movie may meet everyone’s expectations. Certainly some sci-fi fans who go in solely expecting an alien invasion movie will be somewhat disappointed. Arrival is not a simple popcorn flick. It is an intelligent film that makes one think, so much that even I cannot stop going over the film in my head.

Arrival is full of emotion. Right from the beginning, it grabs your heart and your mind and does not let go until the very end, where truth be told I found myself in tears. It is simply a beautiful film. With strong performances from Amy Adams and a gorgeous score by Jóhann Jóhannsson (whose previous work includes films such as The Theory of Everything), the film takes the viewer away into a parallel world. The story line of the film is also so smart and intricately constructed. Both beautiful and heartbreaking, the plot of Arrival forgoes conventional storytelling and constantly reels in one’s concentration. Seriously the film made me gasp.

I wholeheartedly recommend this film and I also suggest going in as blind as possible. Arrival may not be what it is pictured as, but nevertheless, it is a powerful and moving film that grows into so much more. The overarching themes and decisions the plot presents resonate with the viewer even after the credits roll. Arrival definitely is a sci-fi film, but it is more so a film about life-about endings and beginnings. Arrival is a well done film and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

ALL IN ALL: While not the typical alien movie, Arrival unveils itself as a beautiful and poignant film with themes of life that resonate deep.

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Cast: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker

Year: 2016

 

 

Trailer of the Week: American Hustle

Posted by Amy A in Trailers and tagged with , , , ,

So this next trailer came out about a week or two ago, and immediately caught my eye because it looks like a major award contender. From David O’Russel, who is on a roll lately with The Fighter in 2010 and Silver Linings Playbook in 2012, comes the story of a con artist (Christian Bale) and his partner in crime (Amy Adams), who are forced to work with a federal agent (Bradley Cooper) to turn the tables on other cons, mobsters, and politicians – namely, the volatile mayor of impoverished Camden, New Jersey (Jeremy Renner). Coming to theaters Christmas Day 2013.

I think the film is going to be good! Apart from Bale’s horrifying comb over and Cooper’s many curls, the cast looks great. It’s pretty much half the cast of The Fighter + half the cast of Silver Linings Playbook + Jeremy Renner. You know, I sometimes forget how young Jennifer Lawrence because her roles are all very mature. Christian Bale, from what I can tell, gives a good performance as a Jersey con man and so does Amy Adams as his sultry lover/partner. Keep American Hustle in mind for next award season.

Man of Steel

Posted by Amy A in Action/Adventure and tagged with , ,

First of all:

ummm

     ENOUGH SAID.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Just Kidding!!!!!!!!!  

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD  

Man I was so psyched for this movie. The one superhero movie that I actually greeted with open arms for a reboot. I thought that critics would praise the film; however, much to my dismay, the film received mixed reviews! So out to prove them wrong, I went out and watched the movie and have come back with a different conclusion. Though I agree with some of the criticism, Man of Steel was a good movie in my opinion!!!

Man of Steel tells the origins of the famous man behind the obvious glasses: Superman (Henry Cavill) as he is forced to confront his secret extraterrestrial heritage when Earth is invaded by members of his race. Also in the movie are Amy Adams as Lois Lane: journalist and love interest, Michael Shannon as General Zod: villain trying to rebuild planet Krypton, Diane Lane as Martha Kent: Clark’s (a.k.a Superman’s) adoptive mother, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent: Clark’s adoptive father, and Russel Crowe as Jor-El: Clark’s father.

Let me just get what I didn’t like about the film out-of-the-way. First of all, the fight scenes. Though the special effects were amazing, the fight scenes were dizzying, confusing, and never-ending. Way too many times did I think the movie was over, only to be countered with some other object falling from the sky or some bad guy coming back for more. I think one is enough, thank you. Speaking of fights though, New York City gets destroyed! Aren’t hundreds of people being killed in these skyscraper crashes? I feel bad because it’s like in every movie, NYC is smashed to pieces. Moving on, though I loved Amy Adams as Lois Lane, her character was dictionary definition of “damsel-in-distress”. Yeah, yeah they tried to make her all headstrong and independent as a journalist, but Superman saved her butt like ten times in the movie. When do you learn, girl?  The movie was a bit confusing at times too, but after a while can be deciphered easily. I also thought the film could have included humor and the attempts were futile, but I respect it being a darker version of the tale.

Now onto the good stuff! First of all, Henry Cavill. As you could have seen from my little tribute above, my interest in him has definitely sparked from watching this movie, probably because I spent the whole time looking at his beautiful face! Distracting? Yes, but I’m not complaining and I’m sure no one else is either. I personally think he’s the best one yet, besides for Christopher Reeve of course. Cavill was great and showed true emotion as his character goes through major reinvention. My favorite parts of the film are surprisingly the scenes of him growing up in Kansas. I loved hearing about his origin and background, and the scenes with and him and his mother (perfectly played by Diane Lane) were the only heartwarming aspects of the film.  Great story overall.

One last point I wanted to bring up that I will praise the movie for endlessly is the fact that Lois Lane knows about Clark Kent being Superman. Thank god, finally a realistic plot! Lane is supposed to be an intelligent journalist, right? So of course she would find out about his true identity! Never understood why past movies and comics kept her in the dark. So, Man of Steel misses some and hits some of the required points to become a great superhero movie. However, I do recommend it for the younger crowd and those action-thirsty fans. You will be satisfied!

ALL IN ALL: Man of Steel has potential to be a great superhero movie with its story and cast, but the never-ending fight scenes and dizzying visual effects put a damper on things.

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