Watch me give a movie review with a cold!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell 03/24/15 Big Hero 6, Song One, & Beyond the Lights
Disney does Marvel animated & music movies
2014 Animated PGOscar winner: Best Animated Film
2014 Music Romance Drama RSundance Nominee: Grand Jury Prize
Director:
Kate Barker-FroylandWriter:
Kate Barker-Froyland
Plot: A young woman strikes up a relationship with her ailing brother's favorite musician.
Review:
Seen through the eyes of a musician then an anthropologist, this movie takes Franny and the viewers on a journey, an anthropological excursion through the pages of her comatose brother's journal. This is an emotional journey of understanding, forgiveness, inspiration, and consolation. The original music sets the tone for this mesmerizing, moving story where every conversation & encounter seem genuine and realistic. I was so moved by this I started writing a melody to a new song as soon as I was done. Like a melody you can't get out of your head, this movie brought me to tears and stayed with me long after it was over. Please support this beautiful little film however you can. Originality and authenticity is in short supply.
Rating: Noteworthy
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2014 PG-13 Music RomanceOscar nominee: Best Song "Grateful"
Director:
Gina Prince-BythewoodWriter:
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Plot: The pressures of fame have superstar singer Noni on the edge, until she meets Kaz, a young cop who works to help her find the courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.
Review: Music is the first love of my life, and you never forget your first love. I really see myself in musician characters cuz the place I feel most myself and most free is when I'm performing. As I've gotten older, it's especially freeing to be singing on stage. I don't feel the pressure to be up there for anyone else other than myself. However, at one point in my life, I did. I wasn't free because I was always analyzing what the crowd, my teachers, or what my parents wanted from me. It wasn't until I met the love of my life, my husband, that he finally saw the best of me, but most importantly, saw me and loved me as I am. He told me that there will always be people that tell me I can't do something, so I shouldn't help them. It was that conversation that led to a slew of film roles that I never would've auditioned for if he hadn't said those words to me. I started letting go on stage when I performed. For the first time in my life I felt free on stage, and I felt like me. Though I've never attempted suicide, I see a lot of myself in Noni. I see this love story, and so many moments remind me of how I fell in love with my husband. My husband also happens to be a cop lol. We'd even done the whole "get away from everyone for a few days trip", but when we did it we eloped. 8 years later I'm still singing, acting, writing, and in love. This film felt real, hit me emotionally, had great acting, and was beautifully sung by Mbatha-Raw. I look forward to getting the soundtrack. I look forward to making my husband watch this movie with me lol. My only gripe with this film is that Minnie Driver did not get to sing in this or on the soundtrack. What a missed opportunity! It would've shown where Noni got her talent. So watch this video of Driver singing a slow, moody version of Fly Me To The Moon and pretend like she does in the movie.
Rating: Noteworthy
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Friday, March 27, 2015
[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell 3/17/15 Annie, Top Five, Birdman, Dumb And Dumber To, Song of the Sea, The Theory of Everything & more
R 2014 Rom ComDirector:
Chris RockWriter:
Chris Rock
A comedian tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality-TV star fiancée talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her TV show.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Cinderella/Frozen Fever Movie Reviews
Were they magical or did they make me wanna bippity boppity boo right outta the theater?
Watch to find out.
Don't forget to subscribe, share, comment & follow this blog for more reviews, film lists & my weekly DVD Tues w. Mell article covering the new DVDs out for the week.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
[DVD] Tues with Mell 3/10/15 Nightcrawler, Alexander and Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day & more
This week: Bad people & bad days
2014 R ThrillerStarring: Jake Gyllenhaal
Plot: A down on his luck but very intelligent thief begins working as an independently contracted camera operator for a local news station with the hopes of growing his Video Production News company, at any cost.
Review: This film blew me away. I worked in Broadcasting for a year which made this film even more enjoyable for me. Jake Gyllenhaal was stellar and got robbed of an Oscar nod imo. This movie was original, suspenseful, thought-provoking, well shot, and full of committed performances by all. This movie could've suffered from unlikable character syndrome, but Gyllenhaal manages to make his character likeable enough at the beginning that you kinda of just want him to succeed. Once he crosses certain lines, your hooked and on the film roller coaster not wanting his journey to stop. You've bought in and maybe are a bit jealous of his powerful negotiating skills & business knowledge. Yeah he's a psychopath, but the writing is so good you love to hate him. Surely one of the best produced indies and most unique films of 2014. Wow.
Rating: Epic
Watch with: The Wolf of Wall Street & American Psycho
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Friday, March 13, 2015
Cinderella Premiere Free Event!
Free event! Free movie ticket giveaway-one pair to the 10th child in line! Free face-painting! Free Dreams Come True PKG Giveaway!
Don't forget to book us for your next party/event:
https://www.facebook.com/Bippityboppityprincessparties
Princess Skype/Face-Time Calls Available!
Sunday, March 8, 2015
[DVD] Tuesdays with Mell 3/3/2015 Believe Me, Ouija, Life Partners, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1, Dracula Untold, The Best of Me, Foxcatcher, Hector and the Search for Happiness & more
This week: Subversive Christian films, games turned into movies, dysfunctional relationships, dark comedies, dark dramas, movies films in GA (3) & yet another vampire movie
2014 PG-13 DramedyCasting Society of America Award: Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Low Budget Feature - Comedy
Director:
Will Bakke (Beware of Christians (Documentary))Writers:
Michael B. Allen (Beware of Christians (Documentary)), Will Bakke (One Nation Under God (Documentary))Stars:
Alex Russell (Unbroken), Zachary Knighton ("Parenthood"), Johanna Braddy ("Video Game High School"), Miles Fisher (J. Edgar), Sinqua Walls ("Teen Wolf"), SAG Nominee Max Adler ("Glee"), Television Critics Association Award winner: Nick Offerman ("Parks and Recreation"), Christopher McDonald ("Regular Show")
Filming Locations: Austin, Texas, USA
Plot: Desperate, broke, and out of ideas, four college seniors start a fake charity to embezzle money for tuition.
Review: This is what I'm talking about. A Christian film produced by a Christian production company that makes subversive Christian films that aren't overly preachy and don't alienate nonbelievers. Look at that cast a smart script attracted. I'm really looking forward to watching this.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 Horror PG-13Director:
Stiles White
Plot: A group of friends must confront their most terrifying fears when they awaken the dark powers of an ancient spirit board.
Review: Another game turned into a movie. Ouija boards freak me out so I'm very curious to see what they do with though I've heard nothing but bad things about this movie.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
Just for laughs, here's my 1st & callback auditions for the short film The Board of Truth, which is a short film about a Ouija board produced by Black Flight Studios & will be premiering along side feature film The Legend of Seven Toe Maggie on Friday March 13th in Cordele, Ga then March 26th in ATL. Purchase tickets on the studio website. Below is the teaser.
2014 R Rom ComDirector:
Susanna FogelWriters:
Susanna Fogel, Joni LefkowitzStars:
Leighton Meester, Gillian Jacobs, Adam Brody
Review: It's so good to see Leighton get some great acting roles after the show "Gossip Girl". She's being really smart by taking indie movies so she doesn't get typecast. This looks like a modern film about modern friendships/. Most films about gay relationships that I've seen or seen trailers for seem to involve romantic relationships or feature over the top comedic side characters. It's nice to see another side that treats them like real people and gives more character development. This is a friendship that I really haven't seen explored in a film yet.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 PG-13 Adventure Sci-Fi
Golden Globe nominee: Best Original Song
Director:
Francis LawrenceWriters:
Peter Craig (screenplay), Danny Strong(screenplay), etc.
Plot: Katniss Everdeen is in District 13 after she shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.
Review: Though full of political intrigue, a few great action scenes, and mostly strong performances, this film seems like an episode of a TV show leading up to an epic series finale. I love how we get to explore even more of what the capitol is really like and how war isn't always fought with weapons. As my military hubby tells me, often war is won through winning over hearts and minds. Through, in this case, propaganda films that the begrudging hero agrees to be a part of in order to get the other districts to start revolting against the capitol. All really good stuff. The problem I had was the uneven writing. This small story line requires it to have well articulated characters with multiple dimensions. Katniss appeared to be ready for action at the end of Catching Fire, but digresses back to an unsure state of not really wanting to be the hero. I found it to be a backslide of the character. All the other actors were good but underused in this film. So there wasn't enough character evolution to grab onto and not enough action scenes to thrill though the ones done were done well. This was never meant to be split into two movies. Trust the narrative that the author meant for the story and stop splitting up simple books into two parts just to make money. These are not 800 page novels. It's unnecessary. Ultimately, this will be great once I see the final battle in Part 2. As is it's a great build-up with nowhere to go, for now.
Rating: Snailmail (on it's own) but will probably be at least Noteworthy with the other part.
Watch with:
2014 PG-13 Action Drama FantasyPeople's Choice Award Nominated-Favorite Thriller Movie
Director:
Gary ShoreWriters:
Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless,Stars:
Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon- Universal Pictures (presents)
- Legendary Pictures (presents)
- Michael De Luca Productions
- Dentsu
- Fuji Television Network
Plot: As his kingdom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own people in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom.
Review: ALthough I like vampire folklore, I'm just over it for the time being. Also, I like the fantasy/horror elements of it. This seems like a historical war film with a little bit of vampire sprinkled in. Not my cup of tea. Will probably not even watch this, but wanted to report that it is on DVD for those interested.
Rating: Never TBD
Watch with:
2014 PG-13 Romantic DramaDirector:
Michael HoffmanWriters:
J. Mills Goodloe (screenplay), Will Fetters(screenplay),Stars:
James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan, Luke BraceyProduction Companies:
Plot: A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.
Review: I don't like all N.S. based films. He seems to have a formula that sometimes gets old and sappy. Other times, I like it. Other than the fact that the young & older male leads look nothing alike, I like the story line and will happily give this a go. I think Paul Walker would've been perfect for the lead, as much as do like Marsden.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 R Bio Drama Sport
Nominated for 5 Oscars
Director:
Bennett MillerWriters:
E. Max Frye, Dan FuttermanStars:
Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo |Production Co:
Annapurna Pictures, Likely Story, Media Rights Capital et al.
Plot: The greatest Olympic Wrestling Champion brother team joins Team Foxcatcher led by multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to unlikely circumstances.
Review: It looks like this film might have some weird, twisted ending. I just get such an icky feeling watching Du Pont on screen. I've purposely not looked up anything about this movie for fear of spoilers. I was 4 in 1988 and don't know much about wrestling, so I'm in the dark about this story. The performances and the sheer intrigue of where this will go along with 5 Oscar nods is why I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 R Adventure Comedy Drama
Golden Trailer winner: Best Foreign Comedy Trailer For the international theatrical trailer.
Director:
Peter ChelsomWriters:
Maria von Heland (screenplay), Peter Chelsom(screenplay), et alStars:
Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike, Tracy Ann Oberman |Filming Locations:
Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaProduction Co:
Egoli Tossell Film, Film Afrika Worldwide, Construction Film et al.
Plot: A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.
Review: This reminds of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty which I absolutely loved. I'm not sure if this coming so soon after that will make that emotional impact with me, but I'm willing to give it a try since it's a genre I enjoy.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 R ThrillerJoey Award winner: Young Actress in a Feature Film Principal or Supporting Role
Peyton Kennedy
Director:
Atom EgoyanWriters:
Atom Egoyan (screenplay), David Fraser(screenplay), et al.Stars:
Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Rosario DawsonProduction Co:
Ego Film Arts, Film Farm, The et al.
Plot: Eight years after the disappearance of Cassandra, some disturbing incidents seem to indicate that she's still alive. Police, parents and Cassandra herself, will try to unravel the mystery of her disappearance.
Review: This movie looks unsettling with amazing performances. It reminds me a bit of The Lovely Bones & Prisoners in its look & feel. I love crime films. I hope the victim fights her way out of this alive.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 PG-13 Adventure Fantasy Horror (V)Director:
Hilary BrougherWriters:
Hilary Brougher (screenplay), Tristine Skyler(screenplay), et al.Stars:
Sophie Curtis, Kelly Reilly, Graham Phillips |Production Co:
Scion Pictures, Killer Films, Big Indie Pictures
Plot: A young woman discovers her elite Manhattan preparatory school harbors a dark secret.
Review: This reminds me of Phantasm meets Vampire Academy. The production value looks terrible, but I find this material interesting and I like Reilly. I just hope it's not as bad as Vampire Academy.
Watch with:
2014 Crime ComedyDirector:
Scott FoleyWriter:
Scott FoleyStars:
Amy Acker, Ava Carpinello, James Carpinello |Filming Locations:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Plot: Ward's wife is a bitch. Everyone knows it. Including Ward. After numerous conversations and ruminations on the subject amongst Ward's colorful group of friends, a fortuitous accident leads to a whole new world of problems and possibilities.
Review: I love dark comedies. This one is especially intriguing because Scott Foley wrote & directed it. Great cast too!
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 DramedyTribeca Film Festival nominee: Best Narrative Feature
Director:
Adam RappWriters:
Michael Godere, Ivan MartinStars:
Ivan Martin, Michael Godere, Marisa Tomei |
Plot: Two male actors/close friends want to jump start their careers. They end up making a big shot producer think that they have a hot script that everyone wants to get their hands on. The 2 men then drive to upstate New York and hole up in a family member's country home- with 10 dedicated days to write said script.
Review: I like movies about the entertainment industry. This also has a great supporting cast. I just wonder about these unknown actors in the leads.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2007 Horror Comedy
4 award wins: Chicago Underground Film Festival Best Narrative Feature Film, et al.
Director:
Alex OrrWriters:
Hugh Braselton (story), Alex Orr (screenplay), et al.Stars:
Mike Brune, Anna Chlumsky, Katie Rowlett |
Plot: In the near future, gas prices are at an astronomical high. One man is determined to find an alternate fuel source. That alternate fuel source turns out to be blood...HUMAN BLOOD.
Review: A movie that seems ahead of it's time especially with the big oil rush going on now. I really like Anna Chlumsky and am happy to see her in more films. I like dark comedies & satires. This is both.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2012 War DramaDirector:
Pat O'ConnorWriters:
Michael Morpurgo (novel), Simon Reade(screenplay)Stars:
Jack O'Connell, Maxine Peake, Richard GriffithsFilming Locations:
Suffolk, England, UK
Plot: Set in the fields of Devon and the WW1 battlefields of Flanders, two brothers fall for the same girl while contending with the pressures of their feudal family life, the war, and the price of courage and cowardice.
Review: O'Connell seems to be in a lot of war films. He's good at them. I just hope he doesn't get type cast. I hope this doesn't focus too much on the dumb love triangle. I'm sick of love triangles.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2014 Drama Mystery ThrillerNashville Film Festival winner: Best Actress
Review: I love movies about women trying to figure out life cuz it's universal. I also like movies about writing because I connect with those stories. I really like Robertson as well. I just hope this film has a good message and she gets her life in order. Cuz an 18 year old sleeping around that much as it appears in the film might get old. However, considering the genre of this film, it looks like it might be much more interesting than the trailer would suggest. This might turn dark.
Rating: TBD
Watch with:
2013 R Bio DramaDirectors:
Richard Glatzer, Wash WestmorelandWriters:
Richard Glatzer, Wash WestmorelandStars:
Dakota Fanning, Susan Sarandon, Kevin Kline |Filming Locations:
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Plot: The last days in the life of legendary Hollywood actor Errol Flynn.
Review: I like movies about the entertainment industry, but it's gonna be hard to watch this because of the age difference between the actors/characters. The fact that so many uber famous people compete crimes in public like this and get away with it kills me.
Rating: TBD.
Watch with:
2014 PG Biographical Historical DramaDirector:
A.J. EdwardsWriter:
A.J. EdwardsStars:
Jason Clarke, Diane Kruger, Brit Marling |
Plot: The story of Abraham Lincoln's childhood in the harsh wilderness of Indiana and the hardships that shaped him, the tragedy that marked him for ever and the two women who guided him to immortality.
\
Review: What an interesting pov of one of the greatest men in history by learning about his early life and the women who shaped it.
Watch with:
2012 Biographical Music Drama6X Crystal Reel Award winner
Director:
Nathan FrankowskiWriters:
Kate King Lynch (screenplay), Nathan Frankowski(story), 3 more credits »Stars:
Kat Dennings, Chad Michael Murray, Rupert Friend
Plot: A drama centered around Renee Yohe and her battle with drugs, depression, and other life issues that ultimately leads to the founding of charity group To Write Love on Her Arms.|
Review: I'm always interested in films about psychological disorders cuz I think the U.S. is so bad at handling them. that these films need to be made. It also nice to see Dennings in a serious role. I hope she can act. We all know she's funny.
Rating: TBD
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