Tag Archives: Movie Review

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Posted on by
Reply

Divergent 1TITLE: Divergent
AUTHOR: Veronica Roth

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Appearance: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)

AMAZON DESCRIPTION:
This first book in Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy is the novel the inspired the major motion picture starring Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet. This dystopian series set in a futuristic Chicago has captured the hearts of millions of teen and adult readers.

Perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and Maze Runner series, Divergent and its sequels, Insurgent and Allegiant, are the gripping story of a dystopian world transformed by courage, self-sacrifice, and love. Fans of the Divergent movie will find the book packed with just as much emotional depth and exhilarating action as the film, all told in beautiful, rich language.

One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she’s determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.

Buy it HERE on Amazon!
THE CRITICAL POINTS

WRITING: Veronica Roth’s writing style reminds me of Suzanne Collins. She is a fast-paced story-teller who uses a lot of great descriptive language. She paints a picture in your mind without forcing the details down your throat over and over again.

STORY: Let me start by saying, I had never heard of the Divergent series when I first picked it up. I had seen a movie trailer for the first film in the series and quickly decided I needed to read the book before the movie hit the theatres. I’M GLAD I DID!

If you liked the Hunger Games or The Maze Runner, then you’ll love Divergent. Divergent is the first book in the series, and is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat page after page. This YA novel is full of characters every YA reader can either relate to fall in love with. Our heroine starts out as a young, quiet, innocent girl in the Abnegation faction but quickly claims her spot as a fearless Dauntless initiate.

Roth is an excellent character builder. The reader gets to know Beatrice, and the others, as if they are our friends and family. They struggle and you struggle along with them, they get excited and as a reader you get excited too. Roth brings these characters to life.

Have you seen the movie? Me too! I have to say; the first movie did a pretty good job keeping up with the book. However, they missed some key character-building moments and friendship building moments that were prominent in the book. The effects weren’t terrible in the first movie, but because of what was missed, the later movies suffered – In my opinion.

APPEARANCE: The cover is eye-catching. The blaze of fire in a ring of fire caught my attention right away when I passed it in the bookstore. I didn’t know anything about the story at the time, but the cover drew me in!

MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”
“Becoming fearless isn’t the point. That’s impossible. It’s learning how to control your fear, and how to be free from it.”

Check out my YouTube channel and the video review below… and make sure you hit subscribe so you never miss a video.

NOT YET RECORDED

Check out the official movie trailers here:

Movie Information:
divergent movie

In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late.

Director: Neil Burger
Writers: Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor (screenplay), Veronica Roth (novel) 
Stars: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet

My 2 Cents… Confessions of a Shopaholic

Image

Reply

shop

Movie/Book: Confessions of a Shopaholic
Director: P.J. Hogan
Screenplay Writer(s): Tracey Jackson, Tim Firth, and Kayla Alpert
Book By: Sophie Kinsella
Stars: Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, and Krysten Ritter

Blurb:
A college grad lands a job as a financial journalist in New York City to support where she nurtures her shopping addiction and falls for a wealthy entrepreneur.

Storyline:
Struggling with her debilitating obsession with shopping and the sudden collapse of her income source, Rebecca Bloomwood unintentionally lands a job writing for a financial magazine after a drunken letter-mailing mix-up. Ironically writing about the very consumer caution of which she herself has not abided, Rebecca’s innovative comparisons and unconventional metaphors for economics grants her critical acclaim, public success, and the admiration of her supportive boss Luke. But as she draws closer to her ultimate goal of writing for renowned fashion magazine Alette, she questions her true ambitions and must determine if overcoming her “shopaholic” condition will bring her real happiness.

Book Blurb:
Becky Bloomwood has a fabulous flat in London’s trendiest neighborhood, a troupe of glamorous socialite friends, and a closet brimming with the season’s must-haves. The only trouble is, she can’t actually afford it—not any of it. Her job writing at Successful Saving magazine not only bores her to tears, it doesn’t pay much at all. And lately Becky’s been chased by dismal letters from the bank—letters with large red sums she can’t bear to read. She tries cutting back. But none of her efforts succeeds. Her only consolation is to buy herself something. . . just a little something.

Finally a story arises that Becky actually cares about, and her front-page article catalyzes a chain of events that will transform her life—and the lives of those around her—forever.

By your copy of Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella HERE!

The Books:
• The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic (2000) also published as Confessions of a Shopaholic (2001)
• Shopaholic Abroad (2001) also published as Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (2002)
• Shopaholic Ties the Knot (2002)
• Shopaholic & Sister (2004)
• Shopaholic & Baby (2007)
• Mini Shopaholic (2010)
• Shopaholic to the Stars (2015)
• Shopaholic to the Rescue (2016)

MOVIE RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★
Story: ★★★
Acting: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (3.33)

My 2 Cents:
I read the book, Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella, years ago. I can’t really say I remember too much about it, but I do remember enjoying it. In fact, I enjoyed it enough to run out and by the next two books in the series as soon as I finished. I think that was where I stopped. The rest of the series hadn’t come out at the time.

The movie is based on the first two books in the series, Confessions of a Shopaholic and Shopaholic Abroad. Lucky for me, as I watched I slowly started to remember bits and pieces of the books. I absolutely love Isla Fisher, but would never have cast her in the role of Rebecca Bloomwood and although Hugh Dancy didn’t quiet look like the image I had of Luke Brandon in my head, they both delivered solid performances.

Let me first clarify… I love Isla Fisher. She is charming, funny, goofy, and very talented. I have enjoyed her in just about everything I have seen her in. However, she didn’t fit the image of the young girl living way beyond her means in London that Sophie Kinsella portrayed in her book. Maybe that is because the movie jumps right in with her living in New York city and skips the back story of London all together… I missed that aspect of the story and honesty, I think with it missing, the movie just didn’t meet my expectations.

This was another case where the book was way better than the movie. Sure, the performances were fun, the story was enjoyable, and the movie was watchable, but it still lands with an average 3.33 rating from me.

You can watch the official trailers here:
https://youtu.be/ZYYCSEV-i1Y

My 2 Cents… The Break-Up

Image

Reply

The Break-Up

Movie: The Break-Up
Director: Peyton Reed
Writer(s): Jeremy Garelick and Jay Lavender
Stars: Jennifer Aniston, Vince Vaughn, and Jon Favreau

Blurb:
In a bid to keep their luxurious condo from their significant other, a couple’s break-up proceeds to get uglier and nastier by the moment.

Storyline:
In Chicago, the art dealer Brooke Meyers feels not appreciated and neglected by her immature boyfriend Gary Grobowski, who is partner with his two brothers in a tourism business, and decides to break-up with him to make Gary miss her. Gary misunderstands her true intention, both follow the wrong advice of family members and friends, beginning a war of sexes with no winner.

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★
Acting: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (4)

My 2 Cents:
The Break-Up isn’t the romantic comedy I was expecting… It wasn’t all laughs. It wasn’t the funny side of breaking up. It was a relationship drama with all the ups and downs of a real-life (on-camera version) relationship.

Sure, there are some laughs in there, but even more there is frustration, desperation, anger, pain, and ultimately heartache. This movie brings to life the ugly side of relationships and the risks you take with your heart when you put your whole self into a relationship and the other person does not.

Vince Vaughn (who I will forever see as Trent Walker in Swingers and Jennifer Aniston (Rachel Green from Friends) deliver a very realistic and unexpectedly touching performance. If you haven’t watched it yet, I encourage you to take the time and watch it with an open mind.

Have you seen The Break-Up yet? If so, what did you think? Comment below and let me know.

You can watch the official trailers here:

https://youtu.be/ljnEUL-fdt0

My 2 Cents… Adrift

Image

Reply

adrift

Movie: Adrift
Director: Baltasar Kormakur
Writer(s): Aaron Kandell, Jordan Kandell, and David Branson Smith
Stars: Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin

Blurb:
A true story of survival, as a young couple’s chance encounter leads them first to love, and then on the adventure of a lifetime as they face one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history.

Storyline:
Starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin, Adrift is based on the inspiring true story of two free spirits whose chance encounter leads them first to love, and then to the adventure of a lifetime. As the two avid sailors set out on a journey across the ocean, Tami Oldham (Woodley) and Richard Sharp (Claflin) couldn’t anticipate they would be sailing directly into one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history. In the aftermath of the storm, Tami awakens to find Richard badly injured and their boat in ruins. With no hope for rescue, Tami must find the strength and determination to save herself and the only man she has ever loved. Adrift is the unforgettable story about the resilience of the human spirit and the transcendent power of love.

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)

My 2 Cents:
WOW… the cinematography of this film is stunning! The vast expanse of the open ocean had my agoraphobia working overdrive. I can’t even imagine being stuck (on a sinking sailboat) out in the middle of the ocean – no land for hundreds of miles much less in sight.

This film is a window into the human soul, our survival instincts, and the truly frightening power of the earth we live in.

The way this film moves through time, taking us from flashback to present day and back again, is beautiful. The on-screen relationship between Tami (played by Shailene Woodley) and Richard (played by Sam Claflin) has all the intensity of new love and the comfort of a lifetime spent together.

Without giving too much away, I have to say I loved seeing that this story doesn’t leave out female protagonist sitting passively waiting to be rescued. From the starting scene when Tami wakes up in a sinking boat, she acts. She is fighting for her life and the life of the man she loves and never plays the damsel in distress. It is entertaining, suspenseful, romantic, scary, and most of all – and maybe the hardest thing to pull-off – it is REALISTIC!

Congratulations to director Baltasar Kormakur and of course both Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin who brought their characters to life!

Have you seen Adrift yet? If so, what did you think? Comment below and let me know.

You can watch the official trailers here:

https://youtu.be/HdMP4sWc71M

My 2 Cents… A Quiet Place

Image

Reply

A Quiet Place

Movie: A Quiet Place
Director: John Krasinski
Writer(s): Bryan Woods, Scott Beck, and John Krasinski
Stars: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe

Blurb:
In a post-apocalyptic world, a family is forced to live in silence while hiding from monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing.

Storyline:
Two parents do what it takes to keep their children safe in a world full of creatures hunting every sound they can hear. Not a sound can be heard from the family hiding in silence, but all it takes is one noise and everything can go wrong.

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)

My 2 Cents:
Oh my goodness… This movie was incredible. Husband and wife team John Krasinski and Emily Blunt both star in this amazing, sit on the edge of your seat, thriller.

The concept of this movie is simple… be quiet or you’ll die. I’ll be honest with you, when I clicked play on this one I was expecting a horror film, nothing more. I thought there would be some pop-out-at-you thrills and an interesting concept. I had no idea the acting would be so unbelievable.

There is very little dialogue, which meant that the story had to be strong and the acting even stronger. The film, directed by John Krasinski, relied heavily on the use of visual cues and ACTING. In reality, I walked away knowing it wasn’t just a horror/thriller film, it is a piece of art.

Watching Emily Blunt, in the “delivery scene” – I won’t say more – was intense. I was holding my breath the whole time.

Blunt and Krasinski have amazing onscreen chemistry, not surprising, and the family dynamics between them and the two young actors that play their children is breathtakingly believable. As the movie begins, we are thrown right into the story, with little to no backstory, you are immediately immersed in the love, pain, and fear these people live with day in and day out. I was on the edge of my seat – in a good way – from the time the movie started until the credits rolled.

Have you seen A Quiet Place? If so, what did you think? Comment below and let me know.

You can watch the official trailer here:

My 2 Cents…Extinction

Posted on by
Reply

Ext.

Movie: Extinction
Director: Ben Young
Writers: Spenser Cohen and Brad Kane
Story by: Spenser Cohen
Cast: Michael Pena, Lizzy Caplin, Amelia Crouch, Erica Tremblay

IMDB DESCRIPTION:
A father has a recurring dream of losing his family. His nightmare turns into reality when the planet is invaded by a force bent on destruction. Fighting for their lives, he comes to realize an unknown strength to keep them safe from harm.

REVIEW:
WOW, just wow!!! Michael Pena and Lizzy Caplin played off each other beautifully!!! I had no idea what to expect when I hit play… I hadn’t even seen a trailer at the time, but I’m glad I watched it.

The story was unique and the plot twist was crazy – I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!! The directing, the cinematography, and even the CG all worked perfectly to create a tight film. It’s fast paced with so much action that you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time!

Have you seen it? If not, watch it – it’s on Netflix. If you have seen it, what did you think?

Watch the Movie Trailer Here:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt3201640/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0

My 2 Cents…Like Father

Posted on by
Reply

Like Father

Movie: Like Father
Director: Lauren Miller Rogen
Writer: Lauren Miller Rogen (screenplay)
Story by: Anders Bard and Lauren Miller Rogen
Cast: Kristen Bell, Kelsey Grammer

IMDB DESCRIPTION:
A workaholic woman who is left at the altar takes her honeymoon trip away with her overachieving father who left her mother because he believed his family was holding back his career.

REVIEW:
I had no idea what to expect with this one, but I loved it!!!! I don’t think the online reviews do it justice. It’s a heartfelt story about realistic family relationships. Besides, with today’s society being so addicted to technology, I’m sure Bell’s character hits a little to close to home for many people.

Aside from being an amazing advertisement for Royal Caribbean cruises, the movie is about tragedy, loss, and failed expectations and how we overcome them.

There’s a great lesson to be learned all wrapped up in an entertaining package.

I say watch it! What do you say? Have you seen Like Father and I’d so, what did you think?

Watch the Movie Trailer Here:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt7170950/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0

My 2 Cents… Book Club

Posted on by
Reply

Book Club

Movie: Book Club
Director: Bill Holderman
Writers: Bill Holderman and Erin Simms
Cast: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen,

IMDB DESCRIPTION:
Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading 50 Shades of Grey in their monthly book club.

REVIEW:
Amazing cast!!! I just have to put that out there right from the start. This is a comedy, which is obvious if you’ve seen the trailer, but it’s so much more than just a comedy! The script dives into some pretty serious topics too; grief from the lose of a spouse, retirement, adult children who end up parenting their parents, dating in your later years, and the cause and effect of life choices!

I definitely recommend this one. I laughed so hard and truly enjoyed the wonderful characters these talented women brought to life.

Now, the real question… who wants to start a book club with me?!?! I’m ready to commit to a night a month to discussing books and drinking wine!

So, have you seen Book Club? Have you read Fifty Shades Of Grey? If you answered yes, to either of these questions, what did you think? Please share your thoughts!

Watch the movie trailer here:

https://m.imdb.com/title/tt6857166/?ref_=fn_al_tt_0

My 2 Cents… DUDE!

Posted on by
Reply

DudeMovie: Dude
Director: Olivia Milch
Writer: Olivia Milch
Stars: Lucy Hale, Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, and Awkwafina

Blurb:
A group of teenage girlfriends deal with life after high school.

Storyline:
DUDE is a grounded comedy about dealing with first losses in life–leaving your best friends, the death of loved ones, and the passage of time–and that odd mixture of grief and nostalgia experienced by young people as they try to understand these losses. It is also about getting stoned with your friends in your car while listening to hip-hop.

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★
Acting: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★ (3.66)

My 2 Cents:
Netflix recommended this movie to me because I had just finished watching Life Sentence also with Lucy Hale. I did sit through the entire hour and 37 minutes of Dude, although I’m pretty sure I’ll never get that time back. It wasn’t that it was a bad movie, it just wasn’t what I was expecting. Definitely not another typical teen comedy where girl meets boy, they fall in love, break up, and eventually end up together again.

Right from the start, a mix-match group of high school aged girls are smoking weed, drinking, and cussing like gangsters. As a mom, this put me on edge. One of my biggest fears is that I’m not raising my kids right and they somehow end up going down the wrong path and end up like the teens in this movie.

Back to reality… I’ll leave my parenting choices out of this.

The acting was good, especially Lucy Hale. [SPOILER ALERT] During the party scene… when Lily finds herself alone with the overly aggressive boy that she only partly knows, Lucy shows just how good her acting chops really are.

The directing, not bad… I can see why she made the choices she made.

The writing wasn’t bad either, and I’m sure there are more high school kids out there living lives just like the ones seen in this film than I’d like to believe. Overall, I think it was a good movie, but I do hope it’s not one my kids watch while staying up late watching Netflix on their iPads.

You can watch the official movie trailers here:

My 2 Cents… Same Kind of Different as Me

Posted on by
Reply

Same kind ofBlurb:
International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife, a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.

Storyline:
Ron Hall lost track of what matters most in life. It took an affair, a confession, a dream and an unlikely friendship with a homeless man to help him remember. From the outside, Ron Hall’s seemingly charmed life looked pretty perfect: He had a flourishing art business, a beautiful wife, two fine teen children and an amazing 15,000 square foot house in Fort Worth, Texas. But appearances can be deceptive.

Director: Michael Carney
Writers: Michael Carney, Alexander Foard, and Ron Hall (screenplay) | Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent (book)

RATING OVERVIEW
Writing: ★★★★★
Story: ★★★★★
Acting: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (5)

Based on a true story, Same Kind of Different as Me will bring you to tears, so make sure to have some tissues on hand when you watch it.

I hadn’t heard of the film until sitting on the airplane (it seems I watch most of my films while flying), but it had Renee Zellweger in it so I hit play. It is definitely a film driven by the story and the acting. There are no crazy expensive special effects to keep you entertained and in awe. The story is strong… heart wrenching… and an important one to be told! The acting is perfect in every way.

Denver (played by Djimon Hounsou) is a homeless man who through fate is befriended by, Debbie, a wealthy white woman (played by Renee Zellweger) and reluctantly, Ron, her husband (played by Greg Kinnear). Where their journey through friendship takes them and how they grow as they learn more about one another is beautiful. I won’t give away the ending, or spoil the story for you, but if you’re in the mood to watch something truly beautiful… something with a message… something that isn’t just pure entertainment, then I suggest renting this one.

You can watch the official movie trailers here: