Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), Sam Raimi

Watch Trailer here.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Family
Overall Rating:

.5

(out of 5)

I saw previews of this movie practically daily since I work at the theater, and I've been looking forward to it for months now. The visuals were amazing, and they definitely took a unique approach to making this film. The land of Oz was amazingly beautiful, and many of the characters were witty and entertaining. I was only slightly disappointed in the creation of the Wicked Witch; her makeup seemed a little cheap, and I felt they could've developed her further. Overall, this was a fun film that I'd recommend to any who loved the original Wizard of Oz and doesn't mind reliving your childhood for a bit.

The Story:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Interesting

2 Points: Original

1 Point: Unpredictable

1 Point: OMGZ

An egotistical and cheap magician named from Kansas named Oz finds himself in an enchanted land after being taken up by a tornado while in his hot air balloon.  This new land is named after him, and he is hailed as being the Wizard from the prophecies who is to save the good people of Oz from the wicked witch.  Motivated by the gold riches he'd receive after defeating her, he continues to fool the people of Oz and attempt to defeat her.

Characters:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Well-Played

1 Point: Original

1 Point: Relatable

1 Point: Emotional Attachment

1 Point: OMGZ

Oz (James Franco): A crooked and egotistical magician from Kansas who attempts to defeat the wicked witch and gain control of the kingdom of Oz.
Theodora (Mila Kunis): An alluring yet naive witch from Oz who originally greets the wizard.  After having her heart broken when he didn't return her affections, she takes a stroll on the dark side.
Evanora (Rachel Weisz): The dark and critical leader of Oz who urges the supposed wizard to go in search of Glinda and kill her to return 'peace' to the people of Oz.
Glinda (Michelle Williams): The outcast sister to Theodora and Evanora who is blamed for killing her father and causing mass destruction in the land of Oz.

Believability:

(out of 5)

1 Point: No Disbelief

1 Point: Well-Explained

1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably

1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient

1 Point: OMGZ

Fairytales are never all that believable, but the story was enjoyable and the characters fit well.

Weight:

(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ

Although a fun film, I wouldn't say that it is lasting.

Visual:

(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ

I really loved how they made this film; it was marvelously done! The land of Oz was absolutely gorgeous, and it really got your imagination working. I even loved the beginning credits, it reminded me of Tim Burton almost!

Jack the Giant Slayer (2013), Bryan Singer

Watch Trailer here.

Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Overall Rating:

(out of 5)

I was actually really excited about this movie, solely based on my love of Ewan McGregor. Ever since Moulin Rouge, I have been in love with him. Furthermore, I enjoyed Warm Bodies with Nicholas Hoult, so I thought "How could this go wrong?" Unfortunately, it did. If I had looked more into this movie, I would have realized that this really wasn't my cup of tea. This movie was somewhat cute as arecreation of a childhood fairytale, but I found that it was too childish for people over 16 but too 'scary' for children. My friend who was with me disagreed and thought children could see it, so perhaps I am wrong. This movie was incredibly long, and too cheesy for my taste. At least I got my dose of Ewan.

The Story:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Interesting

2 Points: Original

1 Point: Unpredictable

1 Point: OMGZ

Based on the popular childhood Fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk, magical beans grow rapidly into a large plant that grows up into the sky.  Unfortunately for the kingdom of Cloister, the princess is taken up into the sky.  The king orders a rescue mission with his finest men, but Jack insists that he be taken on the journey due to his crush on the princess.  When they reach the top, they discover that the legends are true and that this new found land is inhabited by giants.

Characters:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Well-Played

1 Point: Original

1 Point: Relatable

1 Point: Emotional Attachment

1 Point: OMGZ

Jack (Nicholas Hoult): A peasant boy living the simple life in the rural countryside who has a taste for adventure and finds himself falling in love with the princess. 
Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson): The mischievous princess of the kingdom of Cloister, who strives for adventure and fights against her arranged marriage to a man twice her age.
Elmont (Ewan McGregor): The leader of the king's army whose job it is to protect Isabelle. He also serves as a mentor for Jack.

Believability:

(out of 5)

1 Point: No Disbelief

1 Point: Well-Explained

1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably

1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient

1 Point: OMGZ

As a fairytale, it is difficult to believe.  On top of that, however, there were some cheesy elements that made it even worse.

Weight:

(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ

The only thing you will remember about this film is how sexy Ewan is and about how much time you wasted.

Visual:

(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ

I felt as though some of the special effects were a little cheap, but they did a really good job with the giants.

Identity Thief (2013), Seth Gordon

Genre: Comedy, Crime
Overall Rating:

.5

(out of 5)

I absolutely adore Jason Bateman. I just think he is one of the most handsome men there is, and he's hilarious to boot. There has never been a movie with him that I have disliked. With that bias announced, I did enjoy this movie. I wouldn't say it was as funny as Horrible Bosses, but it was definitely an enjoyable movie none-the-less. I laughed pretty hard.

The Story:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Interesting

2 Points: Original

1 Point: Unpredictable

1 Point: OMGZ

A man named Sandy Patterson thinks life is looking up when he is offered a great job with significantly higher pay... until his credit card is declined and he's arrested for skipping out on court.  He comes to find out that a woman across the country in Florida has stolen his identity and has been charging extravagant purchases on his account, which threatens his family's well-being.  Police tell him there's really nothing they can do, so he sets out on a journey to find justice on his own. 

Characters:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Well-Played

1 Point: Original

1 Point: Relatable

1 Point: Emotional Attachment

1 Point: OMGZ

Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman): A lawyer who finally receives the opportunity for significantly higher pay, only to have his identity stolen by an overweight woman in Florida. 
Diana (Melissa McCarthy): A professional identity thief who takes advantage of Sandy's ambiguous name and seeks to gain approval and a makeshift 'family' in her life since she was abandoned at a young age. 

Believability:

(out of 5)

1 Point: No Disbelief

1 Point: Well-Explained

1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably

1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient

1 Point: OMGZ

I wouldn't say this is the most believable or put-together story ever, but that's not the point.  It was really a movie based on cheap laughs, and Melissa McCarthy was hysterical as usual. 

Weight:

(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ

Again, this is a cheap comedy versus a life-changing film.

Visual:

(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ

It was well-done, just nothing spectacular.

Life of Pi (2012), Ang Lee

Genre: Adventure, Drama
Overall Rating:

(out of 5)

I have wanted to see this movie for a very long time. What's funny is that all anyone knew about it was that it was about a kid on a boat with a tiger. Yet every single person I knew (and all of the people who came out from seeing it while I was working at the theater) absolutely raved about it. Finally, a good friend of mine saw it, and she reinforced this. I'm going to be honest... I was quite disappointed. Its been over a month now that I had wanted to see this movie, so I think I just built it up too much in my head. It was a good movie, and it had some great effects, but I quite honestly found myself bored through a lot of it.

The Story:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Interesting

2 Points: Original

1 Point: Unpredictable

1 Point: OMGZ

Pi and his family move away from India to try and make a life in Canada. They owned a zoo in India, and were trying to sell all the animals to make money.  They travel by boat (with their animals) when the ship they were travelling on sinks over the Mariana's Trench in a storm.  Only Pi and a few animals survive, and the story is his long journey on a small lifeboat, trying to survive with this wild animals. 

Characters:

(out of 5)

1 Point: Well-Played

1 Point: Original

1 Point: Relatable

1 Point: Emotional Attachment

1 Point: OMGZ

Pi (Suraj Sharma / Irrfan Khan): A young boy growing up with a fascination of different religions, yet a strict and scientific father.  His life and his journey after the shipwreck help shape his beliefs. 

Believability:

(out of 5)

1 Point: No Disbelief

1 Point: Well-Explained

1 Point: Characters Fit Conceivably

1 Point: Not Foolishly Omniscient

1 Point: OMGZ

As I mentioned before, I was a bit disappointed in this movie.  There's a lot of disbelief due to the major concept overall, but that's the point.  Its a very spiritual movie, and I feel as though the more spiritual of a person you are, the more this movie will have an effect on you.

Weight:

(out of 5)
1 Point: Relatable Lives
1 Point: Relatable Choices
1 Point: "Wow" Moments
1 Point: Lasting
1 Point: OMGZ

The more spiritual you are, the more weight this will carry for you.

Visual:

(out of 5)
2 Points: Visual Quality
1 Point: Unique Visual Perspective
1 Point: Special Effects
1 Point: OMGZ

Beautiful visuals. I saw this in 3D, but I think it would've been just as amazing in 2D.