Winter Break was long. I saw a ton of movies. Here’s why I think you should or shouldn’t see current blockbusters and the best people to see them with!
The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo: Coming from someone who did not read the book series, my first word of advice is: read the book series. It is an unwritten rule that the book is almost always better than the movie adaptation, and that certainly holds true in this case. Although I found the mystery plot line interesting, the intricacies of the plot were lost on me because I had no background knowledge of the story. The movie is also intensely violent, another aspect I was not prepared for because I had not read the book. In terms of acting, it was nice to see Daniel Craig out of his usual James Bond-esque character but still be a badass. Rooney Mara is my new obsession, and Christopher Plummer was cast perfectly as the patriarch of the Vanger family in my opinion. Disclaimer: Do not go see this movie with your parents like I did. It will be awkward.
The Descendants: I saw this film with two of my best friends because one of them needed a good cry. Although the story line follows a father and his two daughters’ journey to piece their lives back together after the mother dies, this “cry fest” of a film actually fell short of our expectations, in a good way. Every time the movie got sad we would brace ourselves for a weep-a-thon, but we were instead left laughing at the story’s innocent and quirky twists and turns. This tragicomedy kept us smiling when we should have been blinking back tears, and the beautiful Hawaiian backdrop for the story left us feeling refreshed. Plus, it’s not hard to stare at George Clooney for an hour and a half, and actress Shailene Woodley’s simple beauty and ease behind the camera radiates through her character.
My Week With Marilyn: By the time the last week of Trin’s epically long winter break had come, all of my friends had returned to school, and I was getting tired of watching The O.C. reruns in my bed. My Mom suggested that she, my Dad and I go see a movie together—enter: the challenge to find a movie that we would all enjoy. It’s not that my parents and I have dissimilar taste in movies; however, there are certain movies that are appropriate enough to see with your parents, and certain movies you save for your best friends and a bottle of wine to avoid those awkward moments where your mom is still telling you to close your eyes. So, I did a little research and decided that My Week With Marilyn would be perfect for everyone, and it was. My Dad enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of the plot line, my Mom and I bonded over the beautiful fashion of the fifties, and we all enjoyed the spectacular cinematography and listening to Michelle Williams’ renditions of classic Marilyn Monroe performances. Plus, everyone’s favorite wizard Emma Watson makes an appearance, need I say more?
Coming Attractions: Because I frequented the movies a few times this break, I got a sneak peek at what’s to come in 2012. The first movie that stood out to me is 21 Jump Street, a comedy starring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill as two undercover cops who go back to High school. Not only am I obsessed with Channing Tatum, I also love a good comedy so I will definitely being seeing this movie on March 16th. As if the Tatum/Hill combo wasn’t good enough, my main man also stars opposite Rachael McAdams in The Vow. Another Nicholas Sparks story, The Vow, featuring music by Taylor Swift looks like the cry fest my friends and I were looking for in The Descendants. Looks like I’ll be spending my 2012 with Channing Tatum—I don’t hate it.
Image Sources: http://movies.allwomenstalk.com/best-snacks-for-movie-night-with-the-girls/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/fash-track/rooney-mara-girl-dragon-tattoo-vogue-249310
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/alexander-paynes-the-descendants-features-hawaii-in-its-first-candid-role/2011/11/17/gIQAbFiwVN_story.html
http://worldfilm.about.com/od/fall2011/fr/My-Week-With-Marilyn.htm
http://grind365.com/2011/11/page/20/?googleb0t=true