Avatar (2009)

GENRE: James Cameron
SOURCE: 3D Theater Screening



...And James Cameron strikes again. Why is it that every movie this man makes turns to gold?
A couple of months ago I was a bit skeptical of Avatar after seeing all the previews. I was like, ok, funny looking blue people running around and being chased and killed by the military. But of course, once James Cameron's name was connected with this film, everyone's eyes lit up. And yes, his name intrigued my interests as well. I mean come on...Titanic (awesome-- screw all you anti-romance people), Terminator (awesome), Aliens (not as good as Ridley Scott, but still pretty good), how can you not want to check it out? So of course, I did, in 3D nonetheless.
The film was visually amazing. I felt like I was watching the First Thanksgiving on acid...in a good way of course. The storyline was a bit un-original, but yet it's unlikely to have both an ingenious screenplay coupled with a stunning visual display. One thing that I must point out is those weird, tentacle connector-thingys coming out of the end of the Na'vi people's braids. The Na'vi people btw are the indigenous people of the planet Pandora (yes, Pandora) which the Avatar's are modeled after. Anyways, I realize that it represented their connection with nature but did it have to be through those weird wiggly things? Sorry, but I really had to get that out. I don't know if it's just me, but It's hard for me to come out and say this movie was "awesome". I mean it was a bit long (160 mins) but yet it kept my attention, but I also wasn't sitting there anticipating every scene. I feel like i'm missing the "awesome" train on this one. My final verdict will have to be..."awesome" visually, but entertaining overall.

The Dark Knight (2008)

GENRE: Action. better than transformers
SOURCE: personal collection






The Dark Knight is a movie that actually deserved to make the bazillion of dollars it did in the box office. Not only were each individual performances noteworthy, but the story line and level of action was both suspenseful and not too over board. Just to get it out of the way, as everyone should be aware, Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker was unforgettable. He turned Jack Nicholson's comedic, almost silly version of the character into someone so dark and ruthless it gave you chills. He deserved the oscar and he deserved all the hype and anticipation that was received once it was announced he would be playing this role.
On another note, I think Christian Bale is by far the best Batman. He enticed me in Batman Begins and didn't lose my attention in this film. I also love Aaron Eckhart and wish they kept him around for the next installment.
I will admit, there were a couple of things I didn't enjoy. First off, I really hate in films, especially franchises as large as this one, when they replace characters. I am talking about replacing Katie Holmes with Maggie Gyllenhaal. I don't know the exact reason why she left. I think I heard something about her just not wanting to play the part anymore, or maybe Tom Cruise and Zenu brainwashed her. Either way, in cases like those, I wish they would just write the character out all together. The other thing that I didn't enjoy about the movie was that it could have ended in multiple scenes. It was a long movie, but it kept my attention, but there were certain parts of the movie where it still would have been great if it ended earlier than it did. For one, I think that if it ended right after two face was visited in the hospital and before the joker decided to blow the hospital up, it would have been a perfect cliff hangar. You walk out of the theater not knowing the fate of either two-face or the joker, in anticipation to see how the next movie will develop. All in all, the anticipation for this film was well worth it, as i'm sure it was for the majority of people. Batman is the only franchise that I have always, and probably will always enjoy from beginning to end.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

GENRE: Action, Crappy action
SOURCE: movie theatre or every single time my bf turns on the television

NEIN NEIN NEIN!...But the sound effects were pretty cool.



I honestly do not have much to say about this film. I know it made a bazillion dollars at the box office but that has nothing to do with the quality of the actual film. People crave action and people crave anything to hold their attention. All the fight scenes just gave me a headache and disoriented me throughout the entire movie and the story line sucked. I can't wait for the third one to come out!