10 Things I Love About Cabin in the Woods by Joss Whedon

I don't do Halloween. Not really. We never did trick-or-treating as kids in my family (never really felt like I missed anything). I enjoy dressing up, and for the first time I'm in my own place where I had to think about getting candy for trick-or-treaters coming to my door!

I also don't really do horror movies. I was one of those people who had nightmares after watching something most people would consider innocuous. So I didn't see my first real thriller/horror movie until I was in my 20's. True story.

But I've been slowly working my way into them. I still prefer thrillers to horror movies and I'm not a big fan of really gory movies. But the short series Harper's Island hooked me on a good psychological horror and when I heard that Joss Whedon was putting out a horror movie, I knew I had to go see it in the theatres, so I dragged Jenn N. along with me. And I loved it. I love the way that Whedon both paid homage to horror movie tropes and yet also made fun of them. It's a fascinating movie to me. And since Friday is Halloween, I thought that it would be fun to do a 10 Things post about one of the only horror movies I've seen :)

1. The humor: Yes, it's a horror movie, but true to Whedon form it's filled with little tongue-in-cheek moments (the elevators killed me) that make it more than that too.
2. The cast: Come on. Fran Kranz and Chris Hemsworth?! And Kristen Connolly does a great job. Plus small parts for Amy Acker and Tom Lenk. What more can I say?
3. The unexpected: I'm assuming that most horror movies thrive on the unexpected. I don't have a lot of things to compare it to, but I get the feeling this is a different kind of unexpected. And it was all the perfect kind of unexpected.
4. Which leads me to the ending. I won't go into detail, but if you haven't seen much of Whedon's work the ending might throw you a bit. When the movie was over I was grinning like an idiot because it was just such a Joss Whedon ending. And the 2 couples who were sitting in front of us were gaping at the screen and one of them suddenly yelled, "What was that?!" and I started giggling.
5. The memories; And I know this isn't directly related to the movie, but I will always remember this particular movie-going experience. Somehow on that night I managed to leave my driver's license at home - something I have never done before or since. But when I got up to buy my ticket, the girl behind the counter, (who was almost young enough to be my daughter) (that's a slight exaggeration, but not by much) ASKS FOR MY ID to prove that I'm over 18 and can watch an R rated movie. I, of course, do not have my ID. I blink at the ticketeer (what are they called?) as I dig through my purse and confess I don't have it on me. She hesitates. Hesitates. And I said, look, I'm over 30. I appreciate the compliment, but please don't tell me that you're going to ban me from going into this movie because I don't have my ID. And she sold me the ticket. And I was laughing so much because this is the only time in my entire life that I have ever been ID'd for anything. Ever. And it was also the only time I have ever not had my ID on me. Ever. So. Lesson: Never assume that the 18 year old behind the counter will accept that you're old enough to go into an R rated movie without your license as proof. :)
6. Fran Kranz: Seriously. I love this guy so much. And his character is so bizarre. And I just loved his performance.
7. It has Everything: It's a horror movie and a monster movie and it has zombies and it has aliens and it has government conspiracies and it has mermaids and it has ... basically anything you can possibly imagine is here. Yet somehow it works.
8. The Menagerie: Even though so much of this is basically just throw-away footage, each of the monsters is pretty fully realized in some way. Super creative.
9. The Opening: Maybe I should have started with this, but the beginning of the movie cracked me up so much with the weird guys in suits and then BAM the title just blasted in your face.
10. The Conceit: I really liked the fact that we, as the audience, know the whole time that this thing is rigged. That there is more to this than a creepy cabin in the woods. And I also like that, at the same time, we learn about the full nature of this creepiness along with the characters caught in the cabin in the woods. Not quite sure how you can know and not know at the same time, but in this movie you can.

So there you have it! Happy viewing!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

"The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," the second film based off the best-selling trilogy by Suzanne Collins was the #1 film in America the past two weekends and is on track to make be #1 again this weekend.  Everyone involved in the blog is a huge fan of the books and the first film but did "Catching Fire," meet our expectations?

I finally got a chance to see the movie this week and it was definitely worth the wait and the $10.50 ticket price.  The film was approximately 2.5 hours long so you definitely get your money's worth despite the length, the film didn't lag at all.  The action was non-stop. The film, just like the first one stayed very close to the book. Despite having read the book, my pulse still raced when Katniss and Peeta were fighting for their lives in the arena.  While I pictured the horrors of the Games in my head, nothing compares to seeing the craziness on the big screen.  I also loved the continuation and allusion of the Tributes and the Games coverage to the spectacle of reality and tabloid reporting that seems so popular today.  I love Jennifer Lawrence and her performance here showcases why she's an Oscar award winning actress.  I also loved seeing Jena Malone, the young girl from the film "Stepmom," all grown up as Katniss' fierce competitor Johanna Mason.  The scene with her in the elevator with Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch is priceless and provided a moment of comic relief in this heart-wrenching action packed dystopian tale.  The film's ending sets up for then next film, "Mockingjay: Part 1" and I can't wait!

Naomi: "I really enjoyed this movie. I liked it much better than the first one. I liked the director [Francis Lawrence] better, how it was filmed better. I don't know what else to say, because I just liked it and would gladly watch it again. I thought the casting was great. Quite pleased." 

Rebecca T. "I loved Catching Fire. I also cried through pretty much the whole thing. I thought that it was paced well and I thought that it held more closely to the book than the first one. What was added was added well (such as the PTSD episode Katniss experienced right at the beginning). I loved the casting for everyone, but especially for Finnick, Mags, and Wiress. I was also very happy for many of the things that were left in like Katniss' nightmares and the comfort she and Peeta found in each other over the course of the movie and the development of all the characters. I am beyond excited for the next movie."

So, if you're like our Rachel and haven't made it out to see the film yet, what are you waiting for?  Go see it!  If you have seen it, please share your reviews below but try to keep them spoiler free.  And, "may the odds be ever in your favor." 

Breaking Dawn: Part 2

It seemed like it was just a short time ago that I met up with Claire and Rebecca T. to see a little movie called, "Twilight."  The film, based on Stephanie Meyer's best-selling series went on to become a pop-culture phenomenon.  However, it's been a few years since then.  The fifth and final film, "Breaking Dawn: Part 2," was released last week soared to become the number one film last weekend.  Did the film live up the sales and the hype? 

Eileen: "Breaking Dawn: Part II was definitely the best of all the movies. I had higher hopes for this film than the others because it was my favorite part of the books, but i was definitely blown away. Kristen Stewart actually did well this time, and the twist at the end was perfect."

Grammy T: "I  thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Yes, I screamed at the appropriate times and my daughters laughed at me. I would go see it again . . . and probably scream again."

Jess B. "I thought it was the best movie out of all of them. The ending had me yelling at the screen. I think Jasmina, Joanna, and myself almost killed half the theater when it happened. Thank goodness for 81mg Aspirin or my heart condition may have actually taken me out. All in all I think it was very well put together, and to top it all off Kristen Stewart actually did a good job!" 

Rebecca: "I don't want to give anything away, but the twist toward the end blew my mind and I thought was really well executed. It was a fun movie and a good ending to the set. I think it was my favorite of them all so far!"

The twist near the end blew me away too!  I was enraged but then the twist made so much sense that I believe this film was better than the latter half of the novel which it is based on.  My favorite film in the "Twilight" series was "New Moon," but I loved this one.  Not only did it have action and romance, it also had humor.  The scene where Jacob reveals his secret to Charlie, will have  you laughing out loud.

Speaking of laughing out loud, Alan shared his summary of "Breaking Dawn: Part 2" with us. "These shiny guys continued getting in fights with these hairy guys over this morose chick that one of the shiny guys knocked up and stuff. And it snowed."




  
 As you can see, we all enjoyed "Breaking Dawn: Part 2."  Did you see it?  What did you think? 

Happy with the Hunger Games

Planning on going to the movies this weekend?  Perhaps you haven't seen "The Hunger Games" yet or maybe you enjoyed it so much you're planing on seeing it again.  Read on for our review but be warned, SPOILERS AHEAD !!!

For those living underground who may not have heard much about "The Hunger Games," the film is based of the best-selling series of the same name by Suzanne Collins.  It's set in a dystopian future where teenagers living under a totalitarian regime are selected by their government to participate in "The Hunger Games," a televised battle to death.  This battle is designed as a penance to the citizens for a decades old rebellion against the government.

Once again, anyone not looking to read SPOILERS, click away now.  You've been warned.  Now, on with the reviews, "Happy Hunger Games."

Albert: "I think the costumes and lighting were amazing. The audience could really see the huge disparities between the districts and The Capitol. I think if someone did not read the book he or she would be confused by parts of the movie."

Stanley Tucci, as Cesar Flickerman

Eileen:  "I set my expectations for this movie much lower than they should have been. In spite of time limits they managed to get much more of the story in than i expected. The casting was great. My favorites were Stanley Tucci (Caesar Flickerman)and Amandla Stenburg (Rue). Exactly how I pictured them when reading the books. My biggest surprise came from Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), I did not expect much from him as I am used to him being the bratty teen-aged kid without much depth. But he really picked up Peeta's emotions from the book and completely convinced me that he was indeed Peeta Mellark. I could go on forever about aspects of this movie but I wont. Costumes and music get a 9 out of 10 in my book. photography was a disappointing 7 out of 10. Overall the movie was much more than i expected, however, if you want to get the most out of it, go read the books :) "

Jess B.  "Honestly, I loved it. I was so afraid when I heard they were turning it into a movie that they would destroy it like everything else they touch. But I was quite satisfied. I cried through the entire movie and nearly took my boyfriends hand off when I knew what was coming next and he who never read the book had no idea. There are a few things I wish they had kept in the movie like Octavia, Venia, and Flavius. But other then that 95 out of 100 :D"

Rachel: " I thought the movie was the best book adaptation I've seen. Yes, even better than Harry potter. I thought the movie captured the tone of the book so well and I loved the subtleties, like when the tail of Prim's shirt was hanging out during the reaping. Even though they changed some things, I felt that the authenticity of the book was preserved. I can't wait to go see it again."

Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark

Rebecca:" For me they completely nailed the tone of the books in the movie. Are there things I wish they had included? There always are, but overall this movie was a fantastic adaptation. I love the fact that Collins was so involved and I think it really showed in the integrity of the film. I too loved the little details - even really small things like showing Peeta breaking every twig as they walk through the woods. Every casting choice that I was hesitant on before melted away. Each part was played amazingly well. I especially loved seeing into the gamemaker's room and the scenes with President Snow. It added a nice depth to the world that we don't really see in the books since everything is from Katniss' perspective. I was so excited to go to the midnight release and I loved it so much that I'm planning on seeing it again today!"

As for me, I was really impressed.  I agree with Rachel that this was the BEST adaptation of a novel into a film that I have ever seen.  I think the fact that the author, Suzanne Collins, also worked on the screenplay was what kept the film so true to the source material.  

Banks (l) as Trinket and Lawrence (r) as Katniss

I also agree with Eileen that the casting was perfection.  I didn't read the novels until a few months before the movie was released but all while reading, I could picture Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss.  Lawrence, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in "Winter's Bone," had Katniss' tenacity down pat.   Also, Elizabeth Banks, best known as the beautiful girlfriend to JD on "Scrubs," or Jack on "30 Rock," was unrecognizably wonderful as Effie Trinket. 

Woody Harrelson as Haymitch

I also could not have selected a better actor to portray Haymitch than Woody Harrelson.  I loved that this film included some scenes not depicted in the novel.  I've read some criticism that Harrelson's Haymitch wasn't "drunk" enough.  When I read the novels, it's clear that Haymitch is a drunk but when necessary he could pull himself together to accomplish the task at hand and to me this was made quite clear in the film during the scenes where he manipulates Seneca Crane and helps Katniss get items necessary for her survival.  It was also clearly early on in the film that he really likes to drink.  I also have to note, I found him to be much more attractive than I pictured when reading the books. Harrelson also added a little snark and swagger to Haymitch that I loved.  I seriously wanted to drink some scotch with him.


I found the cinematography and artistic direction incredible.  I loved the stark contrast between the bleakness of the districts and the outward beauty of The Capitol.  At times during the scenes of The Games, it seemed the camera was shaky or they used a handheld.  To me that just added to the gritty realness of this film.  It was as if you were watching this unfold before you on some horrific TV reality show or documentary which is exactly what the citizens in the districts were forced to watch !  I also loved the subtle commentary both the books and the film make of reality television.  What is entertainment for some may actually be exploitative.   

The costumes, as Albert noted were amazing especially those worn by the citizens of The Capitol.  Beautiful outsides but not beautiful insides.  Albert also mentioned that people who hadn't read the book may be slightly confused by some parts of the film.  I went to see the movie with my mom who hadn't read the books and knew very little about the concept.  After the film she had a just a few questions about how much control The Capitol had over its citizens but she told me it was the best movie she had seen in a long time and she really wants to read the books.  My mom is not a reader so for her to want to read something, she must've really enjoyed it.

So, it seems like we all agree that "The Hunger Games," certainly lived up to its hype.  It's an excellent film that does the novel justice.  However, if you haven't read the books, please do, it will certainly add to your appreciation.  

Finally here is one more "review," that I would make Cesar Flickerman chuckle, Alan said "I didn't read it, and haven't seen it, but I do enjoy games, and am frequently hungry, so it must be pretty good."
 
I'm seeing this movie again this weekend and I can't wait. This movie is well worth the $10.50 or more that your local theater may be charging.