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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

20181129:
I'm not sure what I thought about this movie by the time it ended. I guess I wasn't a fan of the overall story but it did have its moments.

Dracula (Gary Oldman)

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 97% match. I decided to give the movie neither a thumbs up nor a thumbs down.

Instant Comments:
Impalement.
Hmm. Tragic. Though this would be an example why one shouldn't commit suicide.
Is that John C. Reilly? [No.]
Keanu Reeves!

Mina Murray (Winona Ryder)

Is that Keira Knightley? [No, it's Winona Ryder. I suppose they have a similar facial bone structures, at least at some angles.][Apparently - says Google search - a third similar face to these two celebrities is Natalie Portman]
His shadow moves independently of him
"They say you're a man of good... taste."
Dracula slides across the floor. Not making a noise.
How did she melt his cross? Is she more powerful than Dracula in this regard?

Professor Abraham Van Helsing (Anthony Hopkins)

My goodness. A painful, yet erotic experience.
They have no reflection.
Is that Cary Elwes? [Yes]
Dr. Jack Seward says he has called Van Helsing.
Oh. She's been bitten.

Dracula takes on a more human form and approaches Mina in the daylight.

He says "Nosferatu." That has to do with the teeth? [The etymology seems unclear: Nosferatu (word) (Wikipedia.org)]
"An autopsy? [...]" "No, no, not exactly. I just want to cut off her head and take out her heart."
How did Van Helsing go about finding the three brides of Dracula?

Watched 20181129 (Netflix, Instant)
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Francis Ford Coppola. 128 min [botn Dracula (1897) by Bram Stoker]

Jonathan Harker (Keanu Reeves) isn't having a good time at Dracula's castle

Relevant Links:
Bram Stoker's Dracula (IMDb.com)
Bram Stoker's Dracula (RottenTomatoes.com)
Bram Stoker's Dracula (Wikipedia.org)



Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Christmas Inheritance (2017)

Overview:
Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor) is the heiress of a gift company. As a favor to her father, the CEO, Ellen makes a visit to Snow Falls to deliver a letter to his business partner Zeke. She must, however, go with only $100 in cash and go incognito (no one must know she is Ellen Langford). While initially dreading the trip, she begins to embrace it and learn a few things.

20181128:
Watching this movie, I couldn't help but crack a bunch of jokes. For example, I thought it was silly that the protagonist showed nearly no restriction of her emotions given that she had a fiance. This flaw is made worse from the fact that the movie failed to clearly illustrate why her relationship with her fiance might in any way be broken.

Ellen Langford (Eliza Taylor)

While the majority of the plot was silly (and the big picture was predictable*), the ending was admittedly decent.

Overall, I'm unfamiliar with the genre and I would never pick to watch this type of movie on my own. As such, I would also have trouble recommending it (and I would equally have trouble not recommending it) - at least when it comes to everyone. I would not recommend it to anyone who generally doesn't touch romantic comedies, especially because this movie isn't that funny.

*The protagonist will end up leaving her fiance and falling in love with this guy.


Jake Collins (Jake Lacy)

Instant Comments:
1b: [Went back to the beginning to watch what I missed.]
1a: [Started watching at the 17 minute mark.]
1a=20181128, 1b=20181128

Watched 20181128 (Netflix, Instant)
Christmas Inheritance (2017) Ernie Barbarash. 104 min

Relevant Links:
Christmas Inheritance (IMDb.com)
Christmas Inheritance (RottenTomatoes.com)
Christmas Inheritance (Wikipedia.org)


Saturday, November 17, 2018

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

20181117:
I initially planned to watch this in the afternoon but I ended up watching it in the evening with my wife. It's the first time I've seen it.

First, the transition between the previous movie and this movie was blunt. In fact, it might be accurate to say there was no transition.

Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp)

This film was also notably weird at times without a clear sense of rhyme or reason.

And when the story didn't make sense, it was too convoluted.

Finally, the action was sometimes too ridiculously crazy to follow; I had a similar problem when watching Transformers. In contrast, I love watching the action in Jackie Chan movies because there's a lot going on, but I can still follow the action.

Overall, the movie has some amazing special effects, but the plot is weak. This is especially unfortunate because this movie provides closure to the second movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley)

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 98% match. I decided to give the movie neither a thumbs up nor a thumbs down.

Instant Comments:
"Yo Ho. Thieves and beggars. Never shall we die."
Hahahaha. Not our man.
Hahaha. Recoil sent him back into the hole.
Hahahahahaha. The telescopes.
Mexican standoff.
Hahaha. Telescopes, part II.
Haha. Larry.

Pintel (Lee Arenberg) and Ragetti (Mackenzie Crook)

Credits:
After the credits, ten years later, Swann and her son wait at sunset and Turner returns.

Watched 20181117 (Netflix, Instant) (English subtitles)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) Gore Verbinski. 169 min

Relevant Links:
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (IMDb.com)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (RottenTomatoes.com)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Wikipedia.org)


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Coco (2017)

Overview: Miguel Riviera dreams of becoming a musician, but his family, since the days of his great-great-grandparents, has forbidden music. Young and rebellious, Miguel goes against his family wishes, runs away, and sets out to become a famous musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. In his efforts, Miguel is sent to the Land of the Dead where he needs his family's blessing to return to the Land of the Living. Upon discovering that Senor de la Cruz may be his great-great-grandfather, Miguel journeys through the Land of the Dead in search of him.

Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) and Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez)


20181114:
Today I watched the movie with Ada. It was technically her first viewing* and it was my second viewing of Coco. My knowing the ending of the movie didn't change the experience of watching it too much. In fact, I feel the only big change was that I realized the movie is named after the protagonist's great grandmother.

Overall, the movie is charming and well-written. Furthermore, I loved the incorporation of singing and dancing.

Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt)

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 98% match. I decided to give the movie a thumbs up.

*She saw bits and pieces of it while I was watching it the first time on the plane and the beginning of it when we went to an event called Pumpkin Nights.


Miguel progressively turns into a skeleton as sunrise approaches.

Instant Comments:
2: I forgot this was a Pixar movie.
1: His crazy grandma
1: Go get my shoe
1: Haha De La Cruz
1: Needs a guitar (get the one in the museum/shrine?)
1: His great great grandfather
1: Oh. Her photo
1: And I don't have a nose and yet we're here
1: "Pepita" - huge spirit guide
1: Interesting reveal (between Hector and De La Cruz)
1: Though I feel like Hector should have said something sooner...
2: I remembered most of the story but forgot why De La Cruz decides to imprison Miguel.
1: ooo... plot twist!!!
1: Lol. Dante
1: I wonder if... how will the photo be recovered?
1: Haha. Death by bell.
1: Does she have a copy!?!
1: Sing the song!!!
2: Ada cries when Miguel begins singing to Mama Coco.
1: Beautiful moment
1: Yes! She did keep it!
1=20180423, 2=20181114

Mama Imelda (Alanna Ubach)


Watched 20180423 (In-Flight Entertainment)
Watched from the 5 min mark to the 20 min mark on 20181104 (Pumpkin Nights)
Watched 20181114 (Netflix, Instant) (English subtitles)
Coco (2017) Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina. 105 min

Pepita, Dante, Tio Oscar / Tio Felipe (Herbert Siguenza), Papa Julio (Alfonso Arau), Tia Victoria (Dyana Ortelli), Tia Rosita (Selene Luna)

Relevant Links:
Coco (IMDb.com)
Coco (RottenTomatoes.com)
Coco (2017 film) (Wikipedia.org)

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Constantine (2005)

20181113, 20181114:
I saw Constantine once a long time ago and (as of 20181113) I vaguely recalled that it wasn't a great movie. Regardless, I found myself being drawn to watching it, perhaps due to the genre and/or topic of the movie.

John Constantine (Keanu Reeves)

In Constantine, the antihero John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) has the ability to see beings from other planes. But having had this ability since he was a child, he went through great pains and eventually committed suicide. Officially dead for two minutes, John was brought back to life and his experience in hell (which feels like an eternity) led him to realize the things he saw on Earth were real. He has since used his ability to hunted down demons as a way to selfishly buy his way back into heaven.

As the story unfolds, we also meet a detective named Angela whose sister Isabel had recently committed suicide. This, however, didn't sit well with Angela and, in short, her detective work and intuition leads her to Constantine. Due to a strange disturbance going on between demons in Hell and Earth, Constantine decides to help Angela and put a stop to the evil that's brewing.

Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz)

Things to enjoy about the film are the special effects, Keanu Reeves performance (e.g., attitude and personality), and the ending sequence (i.e., Constantine and the devil).

As for the story, I thought the story felt disconnected. Most of the pieces were there but there probably needed to be some extra plot to connect it all together. For example, near the end of the movie the protagonist Constantine uses an ability with his arms and we had not scene that ability used prior in the movie; it felt mysterious. I later read that there was actually a scene cut from the film which shows him using this ability; in fact, not only does he use the ability, but using it was shown to put a strain on him.

Overall, the movie wasn't as bad as the residual feeling I had in my mind and I could recommend it to fans of Keanu Reeves.

Balthazar (Gavin Rossdale)

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 93% match. I decided to give the movie a thumbs up|thumbs down|neither a thumbs up nor a thumbs down.

Instant Comments:
2a: This is Constantine. John Constantine. Asshole.
2a: [Sleepy. Paused at 19 minute mark]
2b: "Johnny. Word is... you're on your way down. Fresh meat. Finger-licking good." - Balzahar to Constantine
2b: kismet - destiny, fate
2b: Angela releases the spider.

Constantine makes a visit to Hell

2b: "Look, John. I know you've never had much faith, you've never had much reason to. But, that doesn't mean that we dont have faith... in you."
2b: "Who's a rat in a dress now, huh bitch?"
2b: Ha. "Two hundred dollar shirt by the way."
2b: Lol. I can't watch straight. After he says the Latin stuff and Angela resumes. I have no idea what will happen.
2b: It ended up not being so bad.
2b: Oh. I don't think I realized before the reason why time slowed down.
2b: Breaks the glass window. Slow motion. Walks through the shattered glass. Awesome effect.

Gabriel (Tilda Swinton)

2b: Ha. The middle finger.

Credits:
2b: After the credits end, John is seen visiting Chas's grave. He places his lighter on the grave and says, "You did good kid." As John is walking away, Chas appears with angel wings. My interpretation is that he was always a half-breed, since becoming an angel doesn't have any precedent.
2a=20181113, 2b=20181114

Watched once before.
Watched 20181113 and 20181114 (Netflix, Instant)
Constantine (2005) Francis Lawrence. 132 min

Satan (Peter Stormare)

Relevant Links:
Constantine (IMDb.com)
Constantine (RottenTomatoes.com)
Constantine (MetaCritic.com)
Constantine (film) (Wikipedia.org)



Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Chocolat (2000)

20181106:
A mother (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter arrive in a town and set up a chocolate shop (chocolaterie). They begin positively affecting the lives of the townspeople, though at the cost of being judged and scrutinized by others. This is particularly so, because the mayor, the Comte de Reynaud (Alfred Molina), keeps the town traditional and conservative.

Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche)

I enjoyed the movie's themes, the mood which the movie created, and the general feeling of the movie. The story was also intriguing but I don't entirely agree with how it ended. In particular (and I'm thinking about a specific movie), I would have preferred Vianne and her daughter have successfully impacted the town and then leave. Then again, perhaps that was too expected and the movie ended the way it did for the unexpected, albeit happy ending.

Overall, the film certainly felt magical, but I don't know if that magic translated into a great movie. Perhaps it's just a good movie.

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 73% match. I decided to give the movie neither a thumbs up nor a thumbs down.


Armande Voizin (Judi Dench)

Instant Comments:
"It tastes like... I don't know. Heh heh. Heh heh."
Hahaha. "Look what I won."
flout - openly disregard (a rule, law or convention)
"Nipples of Venus."
Johnny Depp's character @ 56 minute mark.
"We are still married in the eyes of God." "Then he must be blind."

Watched 20181106 (Netflix, Instant)
Chocolat (2000) Lasse Hallstrom. 121 min

Roux (Johnny Depp)

Relevant Links:
Chocolat (IMDb.com)
Chocolat (RottenTomatoes.com)
Chocolat (2000 film) (Wikipedia.org)

Monday, November 5, 2018

Shrek (2001)

20181105:
It's been a long time since I've seen Shrek - somewhat odd considering I own the first three in a box set.

Shrek (Mike Myers)

Watching it today, I realized I didn't remember the bulk of the movie. In particular, I remembered the key plot twist of the movie, but didn't have any recollection of how that was revealed. Furthermore, I had images from at least one of the other movies in my head as I watched this film as well (e.g., the inclusion of Puss 'n' Boots).

In any case, Shrek has enough elements of a romantic comedy to be one, though perhaps one might argue it's more of just a comedy. Regardless, the movie would surely give any official (live action) romantic comedy a run for its money. It has a decent story, the jokes are consistent, and it's accessible to persons of all ages.

On a different note, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie's choice of songs.

Donkey (Eddie Murphy)

Overall, I would recommend Shrek to fans of comedies, animations, and romantic comedies.

Netflix determined the movie for me as a 97% match. I decided to give the movie neither a thumbs up nor a thumbs down.

Instant Comments:
Geppetto sells Pinocchio. "I'm not a puppet, I'm a real boy."
References Peter Pan. "He can fly."
References Dumbo. "I bet you've seen a ? fly."
Oh! Interesting. The Magic Mirror actually tries to warn Farquaad about Fiona.
"Well that's not very nice. It's just a donkey."
References Babe. "That'll do Donkey. That'll do."

Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz)

"I have to save my ass." [Apparently he was referring to Donkey.]
References The Matrix.

Watched at least once before.*
Watched 20181105 (Netflix, Instant)
Shrek (2001) Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson. 90 min

Relevant Links:
Shrek (IMDb.com)
Shrek (RottenTomatoes.com)
Shrek (Wikipedia.org)
Shrek (franchise) (Wikipedia.org)

*I've definitely seen this movie at least once before and I can't remember having seen it twice, but it's possible. Officially, I'll just say I've seen it at least once.