Brave (2012)

Overview: Princess Merida is told she must choose a husband to marry (among three persons, each a son of an allied clan). However, she rebels against this. After a fight with her mother Elinor, she runs away into the forest where will-o'-wisp guide her to a witch's hut. There a witch gives her a spell baked into a cake. This can't possibly be good.

Merida (Kelly Macdonald)

---

20120627:
This was a really great movie. It was fast-paced, and had great characters.

On a different note, I'm glad I saw it in 3D. This is perhaps the first movie I've seen in 3D where I feel the impact of using 3D.

Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson)

The image I remember most from the film was the one patch of arrows on her archery run. But the scene where she free climbs up the rocks was also memorable - quite a display of bravery.

Regarding the short, La Luna, it was cute. The boy gets his own style.

Trailers (3D): The Hobbit (2012) | ParaNorman (2012) | Hotel Transylvania (2012) | Katy Perry: Part of Me (2012) | Wreck-It Ralph (2012) | Finding Nemo 3D (2012) | Monster's University (2013)

The Witch (Julie Walters)

[20120628 12:57 AM PDT][20220117 Edit]

---

20130126 Comment:
I think back at this movie and I remember it being cute, funny, and charming. I liked the story, which mainly concerns itself with the importance of family and independence. At the same time, the story is quite simple, which I don't mind. The movie might not be as good as many other Pixar movies, but one can't expect every movie to be better than the last.

---

Merida climbs up a pillar of rock next to a waterfall

20220109: After finishing the film I watched The Legend of Mor'du. It's a short narrated by the witch. It ends comedically, revealing that the witch was telling the story to Wee Dingwall (son of Lord Dingwall) in an attempt to offer him the same spell. However, he runs away saying that he just wanted a drink of water!

---

Instant Comments:
2a: Hehe she's good at bows, going from one show with bows to another [I was just watching Hawkeye]
2a: She corrects her mom and says, "It's what you've been preparing." Kate Bishop has a parallel experience when her mom tells her that joining the company is what they've been planning

King Fergus (Billy Connolly)

2a: Paused 30 minutes in: after her mom tossed her bow into the fire
2b: Resuming brave.
2b: I remember the spell will change her mom into a bear but I don't remember how she realizes or resolves it
2b: Oh as her mom is eating the cake, I remembered her brothers became little bears, so they probably ate some of the cake as well

Lord Dingwall (Robbie Coltrane), Lord Macintosh (Craig Ferguson), and Lord MacGuffin (Kevin McKidd)

2b: Haha "you're covered with fur, you're not naked!"
2b: Hehe post credits. The bird delivers the goods and asks the guy for a signature. As the guy doesn't respond, the bird mocks the guy and calls him a birdbrain.
2a=20220108,2b=20220109

Merida uses her bow to catch a fish for her mom.

---

Released 20120622.
Watched 20120627 Theaters. Bella Terra [BRAVE] 10:50P 3D $14.50
Watched first third 20220108, remaining thirds 20220109 (Disney+)
Brave (2012) Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell. 93 min

Relevant Links:
Brave (IMDb.com)
Brave (2012 film) (Wikipedia.org)
Brave (RottenTomatoes.com)

Police Story (1985)

20120621:
Yay! A Jackie Chan movie I haven't seen yet!

My favorite scene was the one where Jackie Chan starts picking up all the phones (and ending on the punchline: phone company).

The most surprising scene was the one where they played the tape back in court. While I expected something to go wrong, I had no idea how.

The best action scene was definitely the last.

Overall, the movie was a great balance of action and humor (much of what you expect of Jackie's movies during this time period).

---

Instant Comments:
Special Features Watched:
Deleted Scenes
Stunts Documentary
: Various members of Jackie Chan's stunt team recap the overall dangers and other related information both in general and specifically with Police Story. Notable tidbits include the cars rolling down the hill and following wooden rails. Their budget was tight so they couldn't use metal rails. One of the cars derailed and injured two stuntmen who were on a roof. Another involves the bus and the stuntmen falling out onto the ground instead of onto the car. But the scene is usable, because they follow a general rule to not run in until the director (or in this case the assistant director) yells cut. And of course they talk about Jackie sliding down the pole. Often times a member of the stunt team will try a stunt before Jackie tries it. Many won't want to and the one that usually is willing to recently dislocated his shoulder so couldn't. Thus, Jackie did that stunt without having someone test it out first.

---

Watched 20120621 (Cantonese audio, English subtitles)
Police Story (1985) Jackie Chan, Chi-Hwa Chen. 101 min

Relevant Links:
Police Story (Wikipedia.org)
Police Story (IMDb.com)

Titanic (1997)

20120608:
I wrote: "I love the score. The movie is a lot better than I remember. Maybe the 3D adds a little bit here and there. The music is important. I love when she asks, 'Do you want to hear this story or not, Mister?'" 20120609 12:57 AM PDT

Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Rose (Kate Winslet)

I wrote: "I don't remember which scene it was, but there was definitely a peak emotional scene in the movie. However, there were no tears involved, not even tears being held back, just tension. Nevertheless, I value movies with intense emotion like that. Even though I'd seen the movie once before, there were still scenes to watch and rediscover. The movie remained exciting despite knowing the ending." 20120609 12:59 AM PDT

I'm not sure if I missed any trailers, but I walked in at 9PM exactly, so I think trailers had just started.

The RMS Titanic.

Trailers: The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) (3D), Step Up Revolution (3D), Men in Black 3 (2012) (3D), Prometheus (2012) (3D)

[20120627]

---

20131226:
This is a great film and perhaps becoming a personal favorite. While the main structure of the film is a romance, there is also plenty of action and excitingly tense moments spread throughout. As I've said before, I also love the score and how it adds to the film. With that being said, I've tentatively placed Titanic in my top 50. Thus, if you haven't seen this film yet, do yourself a favor and try watching it as soon as possible!

Titanic 3D - ticket stub

---

Instant Comments:
"Alright... enough of that bullshit." Oh, I didn't realize he was such an asshole.
"Oh yes, that woman in the picture is me."
"...her whole ass sticking in the air."
The guy is wearing a Watchmen t-shirt.

Rose, Cal (Billy Zane), and Ruth (Frances Fisher) arrive
and prepare to board the Titanic.

"It's been 84 years... [interrupted] Do you want to hear this or not, Mr. Lovett? It's been 84 years, and I can still smell the fresh paint. The china had never been used. The sheets had never been slept in. Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was."
I love the way the music picks up.
They almost missed boarding.
And then the music again during the departure.
Haha. "Where's Sven?"

Jack Dawson looks up and sees Rose for the first time.

"What's the artist's name?" "Something Picasso." "[...] he won't amount to a thing."
Rose is shown to be a very intelligent woman.
"...It hits you like a thousand knives."
"With all due respect miss, I'm not the one hanging off the back of a ship here."
What lovely banter.
"I see you." Hahaha.

Rose DeWitt Bukater at the edge of the first-class deck. Her eyes briefly turn in Jack's direction.

"Make the morning papers. Retire with a bang?"
Hehehe. I love the bewildered look on Cal's face after the toast.
"Don't think." (in regards to dancing)
The demeanor of David Warner's character Spicer Lovejoy reminds me of that of Finlay Currie's character Shunderson in People Will Talk (1951).
Oh wow, that piece of paper the Captain received was an iceberg warning.
She teases, "I can't see Mr. Monet blushing." Simply he replies, "He does landscapes."

Rose and Jack run through the Titanic's engine room.

"You mean, did we do it?"
"It will make the 'bergs hard to see..." Oh my. I didn't realize the multiple preliminary chances mentioned.
No binoculars!
Oh wow. I didn't notice that plot point before. "Why aren't they turning!?!" The large ship has really low steering, especially at such great speed.
It's unfortunate that they didn't start the unloading procedure.
"You unimaginable bastard."

Old Rose (Gloria Stuart)

"Goodbye, Mother."
"I'd rather be his whore than your wife."
That's an awesome spit.
"Wait, wait, wait, wait. Try a couple practice swings first." Lol.
Haha. She closes her eyes before striking.
What an idiot. The boat's stinking and he says "You'll have to pay for that you know?"

Molly Brown (Kathy Bates)

That's one of my favorite little moments: "Keep back. Keep order I say." Turns around and actually loads the gun.
Realistically speaking, she could have improved both their chances of survival by ensuring her own survival and stay on the boat. Of course, that would be much less romantic.
Hehe. So much easier to rise to the surface with a vest.
At least she stood up and spoke her mind.

Captain Edward James Smith (Bernard Hill) and 1st Officer Murdoch (Ewan Stewart).
"Take her to sea Mr. Murdoch, let's stretch her legs."

I used to think (and others probably have the same misconception) that Jack asked Rose to physically never let go. But he's really just asking her to survive. The conversation they have is as follows:

Jack: [...] Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless. Promise me now, Rose, and never let go of that promise.
Rose: I promise.
Jack: Never let go.
Rose: I'll never let go, Jack. I'll never let go."

Thomas Andrews (Victor Garber)

I love the raspy voice; it's an integral part of how I remember the scene.
"Jack... Jack... Jack... Jack, there's a boat! Jack... Jack... Jack. Jack! Jack! There's a boat, Jack. Jack..."
"Come back. Come back. Come back. Come back. Come back! Come back! Come back, come back. Come back! Come back. I'll never let go, I promise."
Now that I think about it, why didn't strangers try to seize the wreckage for themselves?
Even though I've seen the movie before, when Rose succeeds at blowing the whistle, my eyes had watered a bit.

Jack and Rose kiss.

"Six were saved from the water, myself included."
Carpathia.
"Dawson, Rose Dawson."
Wow, so upset, he threw away a cigar he was saving for when he found the diamond. I imagine it would have been a fairly expensive cigar to save for such an occasion.
"Ah."

---

Rose smiles as she poses nude in a supine position for Jack.

Released 19971219.
Watched once before (VHS)
Released 20120404 (3D version).
Watched 20120608 Theatre. Regency Charter Centre [TITANIC 3D] 9:00pm $5.00
Watched 20131226 (Netflix, Instant) (Streaming until 20140101)
Titanic (1997) James Cameron. 194 min

Relevant Links:
Titanic (IMDb.com)
Titanic (1997 film) (Wikipedia.org)

---

"I'm the King of the World!"

---

HISHEdotcom:
SPOILER ALERT. This HISHE episode pokes fun at the ending of the film, but take it with a grain of salt. If I remember the plot correctly, Jack would have surely died if Rose hadn't return, because he was handcuffed to a bar in one of the rooms. Ultimately, I don't think there is any one person to blame for Jack's death and the story should simply be viewed as a tragic romance.

The Avengers (2012)

Overview:
Loki has come to Earth with the intent to take over. In order to do so, he wishes to harness the power of the Tesseract to open a portal and summon an alien army. In response, S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury looks to gather some of Earth's heroes. In particular, he has recruited Tony Stark/Iron Man, Steve Rogers/Captain America, and Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Already working for S.H.I.E.L.D. is Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow and Clint Barton/Hawkeye. Note, however, that upon his arrival to Earth, Loki used his scepter to control various S.H.I.E.L.D. employees, one of who included Hawkeye. As the story progresses, our heroes manage to capture Loki and are intercepted by Thor. After talking things through, Thor cooperates with S.H.I.E.L.D. and returns to the headquarters with Loki as their captive. Some suspicion is raised that Loki gave in too easily.

While trying to figure out Loki's motives, the agency and the heroes continue to search for the missing Tesseract. This is the primary reason for Fury's recruitment of Banner, who is an expert in gamma rays. Stark, who gets along with Banner scientifically, assists Banner with this search. One thing leads to another and eventually chaos erupts. Banner turns into the Hulk, Black Widow fighting Hawkeye, Loki ejects Thor plummeting in a container towards Earth, himself fleeing to safety, and Captain America and Iron Man trying to fix part of the S.H.I.E.L.D. flying aircraft carrier.

After the mayhem is resolved, the situation looks grim. The team has practically given up. Fury, however, manages to use Agent Coulson's death to motivate the team to fight on.*

*While the movie imparts the feeling that Coulson is dead, one can not conclude with certainty that he is dead. In particular, the character is set to appear in the television series "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", a show which takes place chronologically after this movie. While there are different theories on how this is possible, we'll have to learn.

---

20120604:
This movie is great! I liked Iron Man (2008) and this movie is so much better than that.

You have the witty Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), the beautiful and deadly Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and an awesome Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Plenty of fun jokes.

I jumped when Banner scared Black Widow.

Plenty of great one-liners which I can't remember off the top of my head.

The action in this movie is amazing. The way the film panned from one hero to the next in part of the final epic battle was awesome. And epic is definitely the right word to describe that battle.

One thing I'm unsure of is how Iron Man seemed to drift off the rocket backwards. Was he still being affected by the Earth's gravity? How did he lose all the forward momentum he had from holding the rocket? Minor detail which hopefully has an explanation I missed. It's still great movie.

Nobody except my friend and I remained in the theater to see the very end (the scene after the credits rolled). Of course, he's seen the movie twice before and generally just waits for me because I love sitting through the credits. People ask me why, sometimes I read the names, but I mostly enjoy the music. I also hold the sentiment that it is just another part of the movie. At minimum I would want to watch the part of the credits that has any sort of fancy animation, pictures, video, background, etc. [20121119] I certainly have many other reasons for staying.

Trailers:
The Expendables 2 (2012)
The Dark Knight Rises
The Amazing Spider-Man
Frankenweenie
Brave (2012)

There might have been a trailer for Prometheus (2012), but I sometimes I confuse the trailers with the First Look feature that plays before the trailers roll. The same goes with Men in Black 3 (2012) and That's My Boy (2012).

---

20130703:
This movie is full of great one-liners.

There were various things that could have factored into Iron Man's return to Earth. First, he might have slightly pushed away from the rocket. Second, after he lets go, some shoulder pads eject. Then there's the explosion, which should be the main force driving him back towards the portal. In any case, its not as impossible as I had thought it to be from the first viewing.

On a different note, I could hear my roommate watching Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008), also directed by Joss Whedon.

Possibly My Favorite Part of the Movie:

Steve Rogers: Doctor Banner, I think now might be a good time for you to get angry.

Bruce Banner: That's my secret, Cap: I'm always angry.

Best Zero-Liner:
The Hulk and Thor take down one of those alien creatures. They stand and rest. The Hulk punches Thor out of the way and sniffs.

---

Instant Comments:
2: Shawarma
2: That final battle is just epic.
2: I wonder if I noticed the A remaining on Stark's tower after the first time I watched the movie. Probably.

Credits:
2: A scene plays after the main end titles. Then the credits roll and then there's the extra scene at the very end of them in the cafe. That last scene is so simple, and yet I find it funny. There's no talking, just a bunch of super heroes gathered around a table, tired and/or eating.

2=20130703

---

Quotes:

Bruce Banner: Should have got paid up front, Banner.
Natasha Romanoff: [comes up behind him] You know, for a man who's supposed to be avoiding stress, you picked a hell of a place to settle.
Bruce Banner: Avoiding stress isn't the secret.
Natasha Romanoff: Then, what is it? Yoga?

Bruce Banner: STOP LYING TO ME!

Bruce Banner: I'm sorry, that was mean. I just wanted to see what you'd do. Why don't we do this the easy way, where you don't use that, and the other guy doesn't make a mess? Okay?

Tony Stark: I thought we were having a moment.
Pepper Potts: I was having 12% of a moment.

Steve Rogers: Stark, we need a plan of attack!
Tony Stark: I have a plan: attack!

Nick Fury: [walks away] Well, let me know if "real power" wants a magazine or something.

Tony Stark: That man is playing Galaga! Thought we wouldn't notice. But we did.

Tony Stark: [to Bruce Banner] You really have got a lid on it, haven't you? What's your secret? Mellow jazz? Bongo drums? Huge bag of weed?

Bruce Banner: Sorry, kids. You don't get to see my little party trick after all.

Hawkeye: [to Iron Man] Want to give me a lift?
Iron Man: Right. Better clench up, Legolas.

The Hulk: Puny god.

---

Released 20120504
Watched 20120604 Theatre. Garden Grove [AVENGERS] 10:00PM $6.00
Watched 20130703 (Netflix, Instant)
The Avengers (2012) Joss Whedon. 143 min

Relevant Links:
The Avengers (IMDb.com)
Marvel's The Avengers (RottenTomatoes.com)
The Avengers (2012 film) (Wikipedia.org)

Marvel Cinematic Universe - Phase One: Avengers Assembled
Iron Man (2008)
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Thor (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

---

HISHEdotcom:
This HISHE episode doesn't actually change the ending, but various jokes are made in the Superhero Cafe.

The Hunger Games (2012)

20120601:
The pace of the movie was too fast. And while it might have helped if I had read the book, I think a book-based movie should do its best to portray the story independently of the book. In this movie, I get the overall idea of the story, but there were relationships that just came and went too quickly for me. I get the feeling that the book would have gone into great detail with all the individual relationships.

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence)

Jennifer Lawrence did a great job. Though looking at her pictures, I'd have to say she's better looking with a serious look on her face than with a smile.

After her performance I liked Woody Harrelson's performance.

I liked the vision and sound blurs that occur in the movie. That's one of my favorite special effects. I like the similar use of sound in Sherlock Holmes (2009), it's sequel A Game of Shadows (2011), and Star Trek (2009).

Gale Hawthorne (Liam Hemsworth) and Katniss.

One thing I didn't understand was why the people in charge of the game needed to influence the game rather than just monitor it. On a related note, wouldn't it be clear to the viewers that the game was unfair? Though I guess it would still be enjoyable for the elite to watch.

Trailers: [Came in late]; Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011); The Amazing Spider-Man (2012); Men in Black 3 (2012)

[20120602][20130909 Edited]

Katniss and Rue (Amanda Stenberg)

---

20120907:
This was one of those small movie events where a club reserves a room on campus and uses the in-class projector and projection screen to play the movie. In addition to the change in medium for which the movie was being played, having seen the movie once before and watching it with a different audience definitely changed the experience of the movie.

I wrote: "The audience, myself included, laughed at the line where Peeta tells Katniss he watched her go home everyday. There was also laughter for the scene where they kissed. It was funny, because the movie cuts back to Gale in the village. Awkward... hahaha." 10:00PM ET

Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) and Katniss.

I also wrote: "I don't really like the beginning. For me, the movie starts getting good around the time Peeta and Katniss enter on the chariots with the fire or when all the champions are being interviewed." 10:20PM ET

[20121224]

---

20140208:
Today I watched this movie in the background while I graded homework.

I noticed several things in the movie as I watched.

Primrose Everdeen (Willow Shields)

First, I never liked the entirety of the film's beginning. In particular, the following dialogue is awkward:

Prim: Mom.
Katniss: Aw, look at you! You look beautiful. But you better tuck in that tail, little duck.
Mom: I laid something out for you too.
[Pause]
Katniss: OK.
[...]
Mom: Now you look beautiful too.
Prim: Wish I looked like you.
Katniss: Oh, no. I wish I looked like you, little duck.

Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley)

Why does that scene feel so awkward? Maybe it's meant to be awkward. Although even if it was meant to be awkward, I wouldn't like the scene any better.

Later, near the end of the movie, Katniss and Peeta wake up to find their wounds have healed extensively. While it made sense for Peeta to be surprised, Katniss had already used the healing salve earlier in the film and shouldn't, in my opinion, have been nearly as surprised as Peeta.

Finally, the detail I noticed on this viewing was that Peeta used his finger to indicate that Katniss should aim for Cato's hand.

Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci)

In any case, I like the sequel, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), more than The Hunger Games.

[20140208][20181214 Edit]

---

Instant Comments:
4: what's she going to do with the deer if she manages to kill it. that's a lot of meat
4: ah, Gale interupts her for that reason
4: the mockingjay pin
4: ah the reason for the Hunger Games is explained
4: they salute her
4: hehe "that is mahogany"
4: not sure if that makes sense. not real fire but also suits made to not feel a thing.
4: are those Joshua trees?
4: what does it mean district 12 might finally have a winner. I thought Haymitch was a district 12 winner. maybe he was just a previous winner but not from 12? [20240601: he was a district 12 winner; according to a Wiki, he is only the second from district 12 to have won]
4: aww... Rue's odds are an abysmal 60-1. [but when it pans out there's no such bad number]
4: for district 1 and 2 supposedly winning almost every time, their odds arent very high (someone in district 8 has 3-1)
4: and apparently the back 6 have very similar odds as the front 6.
4: even though the boards are only up for a second, which wouldnt be noticed in the big screen, they should have used accuratr numbers for people who pour over details
4: this tree burning and fireball is just mean. it went from pvp to pve. she got punished for surviving...
4: they gave up way too easily
4: they never say, but if a small thing like this comes from a sponsor... it must cost a lot
4: oh I don't remember Peeta coming and tellong Katniss to run
4: oh I didn't remember she had these hallucinations which explain what happened to her dad and her mom going catatonic
4: I didn't remember this uprising in district 11
4: hehe strategic kiss
4: ha! "you call that a kiss?"
4: oh wow I didn't remember 11 helping her out... makes sense cause I was thinking they were saying she was outskilled in melee and for her to win against this girl wouldnt make sense.
4: with people having placed bets and the ability for the gamemakers to rig a winner... that deems totally a terible game to bet on
4: does Cato not have a sword anymore?
4: I wonder if I ever noticed before that Peeta taps on the hand to hint at Katniss where to shoot
4: such a bullshit last minute rule change
4: hehe. 0 winners would definitely result in an uprising but I guess at least 2 winners is the lesser evil
4: hehe locked in a room with the nightlock

Credits:
3: Interesting, the film was filmed in North Carolina.
3=20140208, 4=20240529

---

Released 20120323.
Watched 20120601 Theater. Regency Charter Centre [HUNGER GAM] 10:00PM $3.00
Watched 20120907
Watched 20140208 (Netflix, Instant, HD)
Watched 20240529 (Netflix) (Last day to watch 20240531) The Hunger Games (2012) Gary Ross. 142 min [botnotsn (2008) by Suzanne Collins]

Movie Ticket

Relevant Links:
The Hunger Games (IMDb.com)
The Hunger Games (Wikipedia.org)
The Hunger Games (film)

---

HISHEdotcom:
Hahaha. "Well... it appears the odds aren't in their favor."

---