Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Directed by: Bill Condon

Written by: Stephen Chbosky & Evan Spilliotopoulos

Starring: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGreggor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Audra McDonald, & Gugu Mbatha-Raw


This live-action remake brings to life the original fairy tale along with the Disney classic animation version.  There are so many things that I loved about this film.

Ok first, my favorite princess was always Jasmine.  But as I grew up and took a bunch of "What Disney Princess are you?" (I always got Belle) my favorite changed to Belle.  So when I heard that this film was coming out, I was very excited.  So excited that I got advanced tickets in 3D.  (I recommend seeing it in 3D.)

Anyway, one of the positives from the film is how I said that it incorporates the original fairy tale...at least a little bit.  Belle (Watson) still doesn't have siblings, but the reason for Maurice (Kline) leaving is the same as the original story.  So rather than trespassing as the original, Maurice is imprisoned for being a thief.

Second, it is pretty historically accurate.  In the cartoon it is difficult to figure out when the film takes place, but in the live-action it is pretty evident that it takes place during the 18th century a.k.a. during Marie Antoinette time.  The costumes were outrageous and the antiques that the king has are for sure during that time. (I used to work at an antique lamp shop.)

Third, it is a very modern version with there being interracial couples as well as more than one gay character.  It brings it into this time period.

Plus the additional scenes that weren't in the original are fantastic.  They answer the questions that we have like what happened to Belle's mother?

So it's a must: 5 popcorns.

La La Land (2016)

Directed by: Damien Chazelle

Written by: Damien Chazelle

Starring: Emma Stone & Ryan Gosling





Emma Stone plays Mia, an aspiring actress, while Ryan Gosling plays Sebastian, an aspiring jazz musician.  Both characters are just trying to make it in modern day Hollywood, where dreams come true.  But will their love get in the way?

This film brings various time periods into modern day while executing a love story of a couple reaching for the stars.  In addition, this musical calls to Broadway with its choreography and singing as well as its continuous shots.

This film will definitely win for best picture for a comedy or musical because of its cinematography, plot line, and, of course, focus on Hollywood, which all those that vote for the Golden Globes and Oscars can relate to.

But a theme that keeps occurring this year in the movies, or maybe just my life, is this...as previously mentioned, collateral beauty in which you must give up something to get something else.  You can't have it all.

Nevertheless, I thought this movie was inspiring for audience members to focus on their dreams or the one they love.  Plus the music is very catchy; it makes you want to dance and sing along with the actors.

I do not think that Stone and Gosling will win though for best actress and actor considering the other nominees.  Although they were both great, especially for this film, their performances are not award winning in my opinion.

But this film is entertaining, pleasing to the eye and ear, and overall amazing.

5 popcorns.

Moana (2016)

Directed by: Ron Clements, Don Hall, John Musker, & Chris Williams

Written by: Jared Bush, Ron Clements (story), John Musker (story), Chris Williams (story), Don Hall (story), Pamela Ribon (story), Aaron Kandell (story), & Jordan Kandell (story)

Starring: Auli'i Cravalho & Dwayne Johnson


Finally another Disney film!

Moana (Cravalho) is on a quest to save her people by searching for the Demi-god Maui (Johnson) in order to convince him to give back the heart of Te Fiti.

This princess is lovable, funny, charming, and beautiful.  She shows that you don't need a man to rescue your village.  Maui isn't that helpful and there is no romance in the film, which is the nice trend that Disney continues.

Overall, I liked the film, except the crab part.  The crab looked more like a snail and creeped me out.  I guess it was supposed to be the villain, but it was barely in the film that it seemed unnecessary.  Couldn't they have created something else?

The person I went with noted that Maui was ugly and why couldn't he look more like Johnson.  My guess was because they didn't want the audience to think their relationship could develop romantically.  I thought he looked find.

Amazing music and very catchy.  Beautifully done, except the crab part.  4 popcorns.

Hail, Caesar! (2016)

Directed by: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

Written by: Ethan Coen & Joel Coen

Starring: Josh Brolin, George Clooney, & Alden Ehrenreich








Hail, Caesar! revolves around Brolin's character Eddie Mannix.  The story takes place in the 1950s and Mannix is trying to keep his job afloat and keep his stars inline while staying sane.  His biggest problem is Baird Whitlock (Clooney), who was just kidnapped by Communists.  Unlike Trumbo, communism is a small detail in the plot rather than implied in the trailer.  If you see it from a metaphorical standpoint, then technically Communism is the whole story, but I'll get to that in a moment.  Anyway, besides Clooney, other stars such as Channing Tatum, Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, and more also are in this film.

This film was interesting.  It had many small details that only one would understand if they knew how the studios worked during the 50s including the Hollywood blacklist.  The plot was a little all over the place and I was not prepared for it.  From looking at the trailer, I thought that the film would focus on finding Whitlock, but it had other small storylines within this one storyline.

Metaphorically speaking, the film was all about Communism and religion.  Mannix was in this constant struggle with himself on doing right from wrong, while what he did for a living is the struggle against Communism.  Clever Coen brothers, very clever.

It did have it's slow moments and all these mini storylines might have rubbed some the wrong way.  Let's just say, while in the theater myself and one other person were the only ones laughing, compared to the thirty people in the theater.  I do think people should see this film, but I don't think many will like it like I did.  So for being all over the place and the slow moments, this film gets 3 popcorns.