I know Real Housewives is easy to pick on, but is this for real?!?!?

Taylor Armstrong from the newest season, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, threw her daughter a Mad-Hatter/Alice in Wonderland tea party for her birthday, did I mention she was only turning 4? This little gathering of 35 adults an 25 kids cost a $60,000. I’m not sure if thats counting the Barbie diamond necklace party favors at $999 a pop? Who is Taylor throwing this party for? Her daughter won’t remember her 4th birthday! It’s clear Taylor is in it for herself when her daughter refuses to take pre-party-professional-photos and would rather spend time with her nanny. What does Taylor do? Get on top of the table and goes photo-nuts!

Beverly Hills is all about marked woman. Who buys $1,650 Barbie necklace for a 4 yr old? We are literally witnessing the next generation of women being marked, or branded more like it! Does a little girl really need to see her mom parading around on top of a throw-up-pink table for a camera?

Beverly Hills is just waiting to consume the next generation of little girls into its “marked-ways.” The consumerism and high couture designer clothes, the botox, the plastic surgery, the houses, the hair, the cars, even the help! Each one of those things will in some way make its mark on the girls that they will carry around for everyone to see. In Beverly Hills the mark women carry is magnified x100 and insanely examined. There is no way for the generation to escape the mark and the mindset that their moms and Beverly Hills push on them.

An actual movie review – “visually inventive hybrid martial arts Western tracing the adventures of an Asian assassin who must fight for his life while hiding out in the Wild West.” – anonymous

Style over substance? Check. Is anything not overly-styled in this movie, and this is just the trailer! Flying through the air, ninja’s in perfect garb – in a perfect line on the top of a building.

Confusions over space and time? Maybe. How could there not be some sort of flashback or confusion of space and time in a movie like this, guess we’ll have to wait and see…

Erosion of Identity? Check. This warrior refuses a mission when he has to kill the last person in a clan, aka a baby. Somewhere in this he most likely realizes he has lost a sense of his identity – which is the purpose of the movie. It’s a wild guess but I’m assuming he finds his identity throughout the course of this movie – what a hero!

Inter-textuality? Mehh. Maybe. This is for the Cultural Capitalist out there. When you see Geoffrey Rush from Pirates of the Caribbean, his character doesn’t seem that much different.  Also, if you have been a-long-time-hollywood-tabloid-junkie then you would know that Orlando Bloom (yet again from Pirates of the Caribbean) dated the swash-buckling-leading-lady Kate Bosworth……..Coincidence?

Simulacra? A little. The trailer alone captures the “real” and imaginary collapsing together. At some points this even looks like a video game. What could be more “simulacra-ish” besides Disneyland and video games?

Bricolage? A bit. This is one big jumbled mess of other movies put together. Pirates of the Caribbean, 300, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon…..The list goes on.

Just from watching the trailer I am already reaching for the kleenex, there has been quite a few Drama Romances out there lately but I really think this one is going to be special. I don’t think I can wait until July 30th. So I think I may just have to read the book.

Zac Efron, Amanda Crew, Donal Logue, Charlie Tahan, Kim Basinger, Ray Liotta

Based on an acclaimed novel, Charlie St. Cloud is a romantic drama starring Zac Efron as a young man who survives an accident that lets him see the world in a unique way. In this emotionally charged story, he begins a romantic journey in which he embraces the dark realities of the past while discovering the transformative power of love. Accomplished sailor Charlie St. Cloud (Efron) has the adoration of mother Claire (Oscar® winner Kim Basinger) and little brother Sam (newcomer Charlie Tahan), as well as a college scholarship that will lead him far from his sleepy Pacific Northwest hometown. But his bright future is cut short when a tragedy strikes and takes his dreams with it. After his high–school classmate Tess (Amanda Crew) returns home unexpectedly, Charlie grows torn between honoring a promise he made four years earlier and moving forward with newfound love. And as he finds the courage to let go of the past for good, Charlie discovers the soul most worth saving is his own. [apple]

Charlie St. Cloud Trailer

Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Cam Gigandet, Stanley Tucci, Penn Badgley, Lisa Kudrow, Dan Byrd, Thomas Hayden Church

September 17 2010

Wild Target

Bill Nighy, Emily Blunt, Rupert Grint

June 18 2010

(yes, that is six stars – reserved for only for my top 3 movies)

Some people can never believe in themselves, until someone believes in them.

“So what did I think? I’m holdin’ out for somethin’ better. I figure fuck it, while I’m at it why not just shoot my buddy, take his job, give it to his sworn enemy, hike up gas prices, bomb a village, club a baby seal, hit the hash pipe and join the National Guard? I could be elected president” – Will

“I have a bullshit answer for everything” – Sean

“I think I got some of your pickle” – Skylar

“Does this violate the doctor-patient relationship?” – Will
“Not unless you grab my ass” – Sean

“You’re my best friend, so don’t take this the wrong way. In 20 years, if you’re still livin’ here, comin’ over to my house to watch the Patriots games, still workin’ construction, I’ll fuckin’ kill you. That’s not a threat; now, that’s a fact. I’ll fuckin’ kill you” – Chuckie

If you haven’t seen this movie, you seriously haven’t lived yet. It’s incredible that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were nobodies and wrote this incredible screenplay. It changed their lives forever. Every time I watch this movie, I interpret it differently. It changes your philosophy on life, and impacts you differently every time. The intensity of it is almost scary, and the good ending is the cherry on top. If you don’t grow as a person after watching it you have some serious disconnect issues. When I say this is one of my favorite movies I actually mean it. It falls in at No. 2 right behind Gladiator. This is a classic, worth watching once a year to do a little soul searching, with some great actors Minnie Driver, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Robin Williams. Love them, (and the amazing soundtrack)!

“I have to see about a girl… Son of a bitch he stole my line”

“You’re legally allowed to drink now, so we figured the best thing for you was a car” – Billy

Filed under: Movie, Photos, Review, Soundtrack, Stills Tagged: 5 Stars, Ben Affleck, Casey Affleck, Good Will Hunting, Matt Damon, Minnie Driver, Robin Williams, Screenplay, Soundtrack, Stellan Skarsgard ]]> http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/05/03/good-will-hunting/feed/ 0 ag Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting Good Will Hunting http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/an-education/ http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/an-education/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:01:58 +0000 ag http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/?p=784 ]]> Simply Amazing! My new favorite! ☆☆☆☆☆

It’s no wonder Carey Mulligan won the “Best British Actress of the Year” award, she more than deserved it. Starting this movie I wasn’t sure what to expect, I had only seen the previews for it on TV which reveal nothing about the movie. I was expecting it to be good considering all of the Oscar Buzz, but wow I was blown away! The movie is just so well done! The screenplay by Nick Hornby, who wrote another favorite About a Boy was plain and simple brilliant. I just thought it was very applicable, maybe it’s because I’m in college, but I thought wow school is important and it almost slipped between her fingers. It translates to a large audience, there is actually living and discovering, living how we think we should and trying to be mature, and then doing the smart and invaluable thing – learning even if the lessons are hard.

Sure dating a man that much older isn’t common, but it was so well done it seemed realistic. Sitting there watching this movie I felt as though I was standing right behind her shoulder yelling “NO” don’t do this! Jenny is smart and that is what makes this movie worth watching, you aren’t witnessing a airhead teenager who wants to rebel. You are seeing an educated, smart, young girl, who just wanted to live. Can we blame her for wanting to live life?

The cast was perfect. Who doesn’t love to see Emma Thompson. Even though it made my skin crawl Peter Sarsgaard was still a charmer. Dominic Cooper – hello bad boy, loved his mysterious role. Rosamund Pike’s second movie with Carey Mulligan, they were in Pride & Prejudice together, and she is a sophisticated fashionista in this movie, almost idol like.  Love to see Olivia Williams in anything. To top it off no one could have played the father role as well as Alfred Molina. Not to forget Carey Mulligan, my new icon, in the lead role.

Not to mention an amazing soundtrack!

Only 67 days left, and the cast will be on Oprah May 13th!

Click to view slideshow.

The movie was suprisingly good! I was expecting good, I wasn’t expecting to cry like a baby one minute, sigh like a sissy, and then laugh out loud. I can’t say it beat The Notebook or A Walk To Remember, but it was good!!!! Nicholas Sparks knows how to write books, that women will fall apart with – whether watching it as a movie or reading it as a novel. I guess we can watch and find out how long Liam and Miley will stick together?

Bonus- A good soundtrack! OneRepublic, Eskimo Joe, Miley Cyrus (duh…), Ra Ra Riot, Jose Gonzalez, Iron & Wine, Maroon 5, Edwin McCain,

Click below to see stills from the movie!

If it isn’t clear, I am not a fan of 3D, I normally go to the 2D version. However, this looks good! It looks corny, seems like it will have a great soundtrack, and the 3D could be cool, not to mention the cool dancing and hot guy! Tentative release day Aug. 6, 2010

SURPRISING! This was way better than I was expecting. I expected it to be “good,” a few laughs and a good ending, BUT this movie delivered! Sarah Jessica Parker and Hugh Grant are perfect. Hugh Grants dry one liners keep you smiling the whole movie, and there is actually a plot! What a shocker!

Filed under: Movie, Preview, Trailers Tagged: Dakota Fanning, Kristen Stewart, Movie, Trailer ]]> http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/the-runaways/feed/ 0 ag The Runaways http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/the-ultimate-gift/ http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/the-ultimate-gift/#comments Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:54:00 +0000 ag http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/?p=700 ]]> ★★★★★

This is one of the BEST Hallmark movies I have ever seen!!! The cast of James Garner, Drew Fuller, and Abigail Breslin makes this movie feel “not so Hallmark-ish.” Adapted from a novel The Ultimate Gift really is great and the movie is well done, definitely not cheesy at all. This is a curl up with a blanket, cup of tea, and a box of kleenex with your best friends type movie. I give it 5 stars keeping in mind its from Hallmark.

Looks sooo good, definitely going to read the novel/memoir version by Elizabeth Gilbert first. I think I may have enough time to finish it first considering the movie’s release date is August 13… just maybe.

Here is the trailer for Eclipse! Only 107 days until June 30th!

I have been out of civilization -spring break- for a whole ten days and was not able to watch or post this sooner, simply put I thought I was going to die.

Filed under: Movie, Trailers Tagged: Eclipse, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Trailer, Twilight ]]> http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/15/the-twilight-saga-eclipse/feed/ 0 ag http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/remember-me/ http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/2010/03/06/remember-me/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:03:54 +0000 ag http://thecritiqued.wordpress.com/?p=692 ]]> Honestly Cannot Wait!

MARCH 12 2010

Release: March 31,2010

Who didn’t love this scene?

Leading up to the release of Dear John I had read the back of the book, got the impression it wouldn’t turn out good, and started to worry that the book would follow. Luckily, it didn’t! The movie had good ups and downs, a bit of suspense, lots of hot Channing Tatum, and a happy ending-what else could I ask for? Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum made the perfect duet, and let the movie live up to the standards us “chicks” are used to in a Nicholas Sparks movie. This makes me want to go back and watch the other Nicholas Sparks movies Message in a Bottle, Walk to Remember, and The Notebook (we can leave out Nights in Rodanthe), but it also makes me excited to see The Last Song with Miley Cyrus. Also, heads up there is going to be movie versions of The Lucky One, and True Believer.

Who didn’t love this scene?

Not what I was expecting at all! The trailers are misleading, on less you are watching them after, you have seen the movie. However, this was a great movie and sooo worth seeing! Amazing costumes, and a great soundtrack. Tom Ford- I think you have discovered another talent! Matthew Goode, Colin Firth, Julianne Moore are great, and the kid from About a Boy is all grown up!

Still from Eclipse…Projected release June 30, 2010

Inspired by the classic Universal film that launched a legacy of horror, The Wolfman brings the myth of a cursed man back to its iconic origins. Oscar® winner Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot, a haunted nobleman lured back to his family estate after his brother vanishes. Reunited with his estranged father (Oscar® winner Anthony Hopkins), Talbot sets out to find his brother…and discovers a horrifying destiny for himself. Lawrence Talbot’s childhood ended the night his mother died. After he left the sleepy Victorian hamlet of Blackmoor, he spent decades recovering and trying to forget. But when his brother’s fiancée, Gwen Conliffe (Emily Blunt), tracks him down to help find her missing love, Talbot returns home to join the search. He learns that something with brute strength and insatiable bloodlust has been killing the villagers, and that a suspicious Scotland Yard inspector named Aberline (Hugo Weaving) has come to investigate. As he pieces together the gory puzzle, he hears of an ancient curse that turns the afflicted into werewolves when the moon is full. Now, if he has any chance at ending the slaughter and protecting the woman he has grown to love, Talbot must destroy the vicious creature in the woods surrounding Blackmoor. But as he hunts for the nightmarish beast, a simple man with a tortured past will uncover a primal side to himself…one he never imagined existed. – apple.com/movies

VALENTINE’S DAY 2.12.2010

“Valentine’s Day” follows the intertwining story lines of a group of Los Angelinos as they find their way through romance over the course of one Valentine’s Day. Gary Marshall is the best director hands down!

THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF   2.26.2010

A love story at its core, THE YELLOW HANDKERCHIEF is about three strangers of two generations bound by loneliness who reach out to one another. After embarking on a road trip through post Katrina Louisiana, their relationships forge and change in a myriad of ways, leading to the possibility of second chances. Brett Hanson (William Hurt) dealing with a painful past, crosses paths with a lonely and troubled teenager Martine (Kristen Stewart) and her new ‘ride’ Gordy (Eddie Redmayne). The trio head out together, each motivated by reasons of their own. Martine yearns to escape her family, Gordy hopes to get closer to Martine and Brett must decide whether he wants to return to the uncertainty of the life and the woman he left behind, his ex-wife May. -apple.com/movies   Cast: William Hurt, Maria Bello, Kristen Stewart, Eddie Redmayne

CHLOE   3.3.2010

Catherine and David, she a doctor, he a professor, are at first glance the perfect couple. Happily married with a talented teenage son, they appear to have an idyllic life. But when David misses a flight and his surprise birthday party, Catherine’s long simmering suspicions rise to the surface. Suspecting infidelity, she decides to hire an escort to seduce her husband and test his loyalty. Catherine finds herself ‘directing’ Chloe’s encounters with David, and Chloe’s end of the bargain is to report back, the descriptions becoming increasingly graphic as the meetings multiply.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND   3.5.2010

I guess this is Alice re-visiting “Wonderland.” Sorry to say this was never one of my favorites and I did not like the movie as a kid, but this deserves a view just because of the outstanding cast! Director: Tim Burton, Cast: Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Marton Csokas

Avatar beats Titanic for international and domestic gross box office sales! Safe to say that James Cameron is the director to beat!

TITANIC = $1,843,201,268 < $1,858,866,889= AVATAR