Quaggy's Year of Movies Part 4
We're well into a new year and new year of movies... so let's finish of the old year first, shall we? Six films this time, so I'm going to be speaking about them less in general.
Iron Man
So as I mentioned during my Avengers write-up, I've missed most Marvel films. So a dear friend has taken it upon herself to fix that, starting with Iron Man and I'm very glad she did! Fun film and RDJ is just as brilliant as usual. I even loved Gwyneth Paltrow, who can really be hit or miss for me. Mostly, I enjoyed seeing the "backstory" to the Avengers film that I loved so much. Not sure I'll be watching all of the other origin movies, but I'm glad I saw this one.
Brave
Oh, Pixar! How I love you!! You decide that your first film with a female protagonist was going to be a princess and we all worried that you had finally started drinking the Disney kool-aid. What you gave us was a kickass princess with no romantic storyline at all (not even a hint or the slightest bit of forshadowing) and let her have a true coming of age story by examining her relationship with her mother instead. In other words, you shook up the concept of princess in ways that haven't been seen since Mulan (who, despite what the Disney marketing would have you believe, was not ever nor ever would be a princess.) Please do it again soon. (And a romance-free sequel were Merida goes on a quest would be awesome too.)
Anna Karena
I've actually since this movie multiple times already, but I'm having a hard time putting it into words. It's theatrical in the best sense and plays with what you expect a movie to do. Well acted and staged and the costumes are absolutely amazing. It's an utter shame it didn't do better at the Oscars.
Secret of Kells
A friend on my f-list sung this movie's praises years ago, but I only got around to seeing it now. It's tells the origins of the Book of Kells in a way that is interesting and understandable for kids, though the viking bits might be a little too scary for little kids. (Also, as might be expected in a monastery there's no romance.) This is a movie to watch for the animation and I don't mean the characters' Craig McCracken design style. (Though it needs to be said that I love the look and style of the PowerPuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and therefore loved it here.) No, at the end of the film, they bring the Book of Kells to life. So pretty!
Miss Potter
When we went to the Lake District last September there was Beatrix Potter merchandise everywhere, but it was a text panel is a small local museum that really intrigued me about her life. Wanted to see this movie since. Not only was it a good film, it made me even more interested in the woman who created Peter Rabbit and prompted me to read a huge biography about her. Like most biopics, the film glosses over somethings and leaves out others, but I throughly enjoyed the film from start to finish and would recommend it to anyone.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
No, this isn't Heath Ledger's last film... though ironically, it is about death and mourning. It's a family film about a magic toy store that stars Dustin Hoffman Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman. Unfortunately, I felt like Natalie Portman was only serviceable in this. I sort of wish that Amy Adams had been cast instead, even though she was only just breaking out when the movie was released. However, Jason Bateman was adorable. There was a sock monkey who kept wanting to hug him... and I knew exactly how he felt!!
Iron Man
So as I mentioned during my Avengers write-up, I've missed most Marvel films. So a dear friend has taken it upon herself to fix that, starting with Iron Man and I'm very glad she did! Fun film and RDJ is just as brilliant as usual. I even loved Gwyneth Paltrow, who can really be hit or miss for me. Mostly, I enjoyed seeing the "backstory" to the Avengers film that I loved so much. Not sure I'll be watching all of the other origin movies, but I'm glad I saw this one.
Brave
Oh, Pixar! How I love you!! You decide that your first film with a female protagonist was going to be a princess and we all worried that you had finally started drinking the Disney kool-aid. What you gave us was a kickass princess with no romantic storyline at all (not even a hint or the slightest bit of forshadowing) and let her have a true coming of age story by examining her relationship with her mother instead. In other words, you shook up the concept of princess in ways that haven't been seen since Mulan (who, despite what the Disney marketing would have you believe, was not ever nor ever would be a princess.) Please do it again soon. (And a romance-free sequel were Merida goes on a quest would be awesome too.)
Anna Karena
I've actually since this movie multiple times already, but I'm having a hard time putting it into words. It's theatrical in the best sense and plays with what you expect a movie to do. Well acted and staged and the costumes are absolutely amazing. It's an utter shame it didn't do better at the Oscars.
Secret of Kells
A friend on my f-list sung this movie's praises years ago, but I only got around to seeing it now. It's tells the origins of the Book of Kells in a way that is interesting and understandable for kids, though the viking bits might be a little too scary for little kids. (Also, as might be expected in a monastery there's no romance.) This is a movie to watch for the animation and I don't mean the characters' Craig McCracken design style. (Though it needs to be said that I love the look and style of the PowerPuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and therefore loved it here.) No, at the end of the film, they bring the Book of Kells to life. So pretty!
Miss Potter
When we went to the Lake District last September there was Beatrix Potter merchandise everywhere, but it was a text panel is a small local museum that really intrigued me about her life. Wanted to see this movie since. Not only was it a good film, it made me even more interested in the woman who created Peter Rabbit and prompted me to read a huge biography about her. Like most biopics, the film glosses over somethings and leaves out others, but I throughly enjoyed the film from start to finish and would recommend it to anyone.
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
No, this isn't Heath Ledger's last film... though ironically, it is about death and mourning. It's a family film about a magic toy store that stars Dustin Hoffman Natalie Portman and Jason Bateman. Unfortunately, I felt like Natalie Portman was only serviceable in this. I sort of wish that Amy Adams had been cast instead, even though she was only just breaking out when the movie was released. However, Jason Bateman was adorable. There was a sock monkey who kept wanting to hug him... and I knew exactly how he felt!!