(photo cred. stupiddope.com)
Beyoncé: Life Is But A Dream - directed by Beyoncé Knowles, Ed Burke and Ilan Y. Ben
I was blown away by the realness of this movie. Yes, I know that it’s a documentary, and I knew it would be a hit from the beginning because 1). it’s Queen B, 2). It’s her talking when we all know how hidden her personal life is, and 3). Oprah raved about it. But Beyonce was just so honest about everything. She never went off about how unfair her life was because she was in the public eye, but she did talk about how hard it was especially when personal space is needed. She addressed rumors, but I don’t remember her ever going off about them in the public. She documented everything for herself, which is really brave.
My favorite part about this wasn’t even the performances. I thought in the beginning that it would be, seeing quality HD performances instead of youtube clips was a winner in my book, but I thoroughly enjoyed that Beyonce has been documenting her life for years. Seeing her walk into an elevator with a macbook in her arms was a breathe of fresh air. She is nowhere near dive status unless she’s on stage working it for her fans, “giving everything she has” as she says at the end of the film. Or when she went out on the balcony and recorded her fans with an old film camera looking incredibly bad-ass, not to mention, while doing it. It made her that much more inspiring. She not only enjoys being an artist and the perks that come with it, but she enjoys the life that’s been given to her. Appreciates the people who have further advanced her career, and her artistic expression. Am I getting too philosophical? Okay, I’ll stop. She’s just too amazing.
I think I fell in love with her in this film. She is an independent woman in any measure of either of those words. I found myself trying to step into her shoes in certain situations, and hell no, as much as I would love to, it would be one incredibly difficult. Not only is she strong, but she’s undeniably talented, business-savy, smart and kind. I found it amazing that she fired her father to become her own manager. Imagine those holidays? “Beyonce, how’s the tour going? You’ve been doing so amazing lately!” *Beyonce looks over to her dad* “Yeah.. yeah, it’s been going great, thanks y’all.” I don’t even know what I’m writing about anymore. And yes, I used y’all because that’s what it sounded like she would say to me, with a huge smile on her face.
I’m not measuring my review based off of the same things I would for a film because it’s a documentary about an incredibly famous celebrity. However, she brought art into an already very artistic film. Her scenes were legitimate and raw, and a lot of the huge scenes that made the film what it was were filmed by her; alone in her bedroom, on a rooftop, in the studio, on vacation with the love of her life.
Everything about this film just makes you feel that much better about how things will work out in the end, regardless of how hard life hits you down. And most importantly, how proud every lady should be to be a woman.
5/5
Just watch it, regardless if you are a fan or not. You’ll get something out of it; some great performances, a look into her world, and insight on a strong woman in touch with her family and career. You’ll become a fan of the woman, and if not than you don’t deserve no independent woman.
- Kristen
Like Crazy - directed by Drake Doremus, starring Anton Yelchin, Felicity Jones, and Jennifer Lawrence
One can definitely be stereotypical when it comes to me and romantic movies. I browse the Netflix category often looking for new films to appear. I’ve wanted to watch Like Crazy for a while now, but I just hadn’t gotten around to watching such a serious movie.
The acting in this movie is great. Some of the scenes with them holding each other just felt so real to me, and of course Jennifer Lawrence was amazing. She made the movie so much happier for me. Anton Yelchin is just so awkward to me. I can’t describe it, it’s not to say he’s not a great actor. I just felt uncomfortable with him for most of the movie. He kind of gave me an I-don’t-even-like-the-main-love-story-line-why-am-I-even-watching-this vibe. I have never seen Felicity Jones in anything else but I just connected with her. The scenes where she is just emotionless and lost in her own head just felt SO right. So spot on for me.
I will say it now, I didn’t like this movie. It’s not because the writing wasn’t good enough or any other part of the film (scratch that, the music sucked). I had subtitles on while watching this because I admit, I was eating Cape Cod potato chips and couldn’t hear anything over my insane chip frenzy. But I constantly saw “slow piano” or something like that on the screen (I could be making that up because I don’t want to go through Netflix and try to find a sad scene to prove my point). I think the film couldn’t been that much more powerful if the music was better. I know it’s a serious, indie film and when music gets too heavy it ruins it sometimes, but I don’t know, it just- it sucked.
However, I can say that this film was VERY powerful. I literally had heartburn by the end of it. I had sat up in my bed to pay closer attention to some of the scenes, even cried a couple of times. I had a stomach ache from the beginning to the end. THAT is the main reason I didn’t like it, because I’m a sap, and I relate any love story to my own love life and it all gets jumbled in my head the possibilities that could rise. So if you do the same, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’m crazy too.
I’d recommend this movie, definitely not after having eaten something acidic. Grab a pint of your favorite ice cream, and your boyfriend or girlfriend if there is one (you’ll probably feel the urge to want to kiss them during some scenes) and just cry. It’s a good cry movie, so let it out. And then never watch it again because oh my god my heart hurts.
Enjoy!
- Kristen
1/5…….. but really 3.786/5
CONAN O’BRIEN CAN’T STOP (* only in selective theatres *)
(Review by Kristen)
Conan O’Brien has been one of my favorite comedians since I maneuvered my way into my tiny living room when I was about six. My two brother’s were watching ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’, while I was supposed to be in my bedroom, sleeping or just out of their site, either way worked for them. Though, I loved the show, even if I didn’t understand a lot of his jokes because I was so young, I loved the energy, I loved the connection he had with the audience, how he looked like there was nothing better in life than to be on in front of that crowd, making those people’s nights. That’s exactly how I felt when I watched this documentary centered around the “Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour’. I just wanted to tell everyone how much more I loved Conan than them. (Also, fun fact: my brother’s and I named a cat of ours’, Conan.)
It was heart-warming. He was so honest about how he felt about his previous, unfortunately short-lived experience as NBC’s host of ‘The Tonight Show’. It was refreshing to see how he could still be so angry, and still manage to make us laugh. It’s as if he can’t help it, which makes me love him even more. His stage presence is amazing. He literally loves the stage, he loves the audience, and he loves every night of it. His improv was on point, and I loved his ideas for each show. When he went crazy dancing, I literally could not even laugh I was laughing so hard (think of a Conan belly laugh). He said in the film something along the lines of, “I never want it to stop, but I know that at some point it has to.” Obviously because he has a wife and two kids waiting for him in Los Angeles. However, his iChat and few scenes with his kids are definitely scene stealers. He may constantly joke about his lack-offs, but he looks like a kind, caring father.
There’s honestly nothing I didn’t like about this documentary. Actually, there is… I wish it was longer. The film’s run-time is a short 1 hour and 29 minutes. Not enough time for a fan to fully enjoy the awesome that is Conan O’Brien. Especially if you wanted to go to one of the tour dates badly. I wanted to go so bad when he came to Boston. However, we saw behind the stages of performances across the United States, to Bonnaroo, to angry rants sidelined with sarcastic remarks. Everything was entertaining. Everyone in that theatre was laughing and having a good time. It felt so chill, and nonchalant, as if each person was sitting in front of their TV sets at home, bursting out in laughter, without a care in the world what anyone else thought. Just imagine how many people feel that way sitting in front of their own TV Monday through Thursday tuned into his new show on TBS, ‘Conan’. At the end of the documentary, when they talk briefly about his new show, as he walks out, it gives you chills. It’s as if everything the Conan and his fans wanted had come true, and this time everyone was on his side.
5/5
I don’t care if that’s extreme. If you love Conan, shit even if you don’t… Go see this movie, go see a man who absolutely loves the work that he does, and just wants to be even a little respected for his loyalty to the industry.
P.S. Definitely a DVD worthy choice, so inspirational!
P.P.S. Can I have Sona’s job?
When I first heard about this movie, the first thing that came to my mind was… they’re making a facebook movie? I honestly didn’t know where they were going to go with it, but somehow they made a masterpiece. Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) is a student at Harvard University, he’s an asshole who one-up’s everyone and looses his girlfriend, Erica (Rooney Mara), within the first 10 mins of the movie. Time goes on, he comes across the idea for a social networking site, and he adds to it. Although, thankfully, the movie isn’t just about creating and coding the website. It focuses on present and past situations and shows how they affected each other. Aaron Sorkin wrote an amazing film, focusing on the uprising of a billion dollar company which we all use, and when I say we all, we ALL. He gracefully moved the story along without it becoming boring, too fast or too slow. Both Fincher and Sorkin made this film by far succeed through it’s wit and dark comedy.
This was definitely a Jesse Eisenberg role, the awkward introvert. By playing Zuckerberg, he’s not only too smart to talk to anyone other than sarcastically, but the ambitious asshole with his “hoodie and fuck you flip-flips”. He’s complex and following that thought process and excessively fast comebacks are incredibly enjoyable. Next, Andrew Garfield. He was amazing in this movie. He’s been screwed by his best friend for some asshole who looks like he should be in a boy band. Oh wait! By far my favorite scene of the movie was at Facebook Headquarters. The moments are crisp, explosive almost indecisive and you can feel the frustration boiling within the character. It was the moment I felt the most compelled by anyone’s acting in this movie. I think his flip out in the office is my favorite art of the movie. He was charming and loveable throughout the whole movie, even when he was sitting across the table suing Zuckerberg’s ass. The two of them, Zuckerberg (Eisenberg) and Saverin (Garfield) had excellent chemistry. it felt like two friends you would know. They complimented each other, one cold and distant who throws out there that he’s smarter than you and one charming and incredibly intellegent, but likeable… the glue to the social world. Basically, Zuckerberg’s only real friend. As for Timberlake.. he was alright. Better than I thought he would be, he held his own throughout a fierce acting cast, but he didn’t stick out to me at all. He honestly annoyed me a little.
Cinematography and directing were incredible. Cambridge, MA was highlighted and shown beautifully. The rowing scene in was jaw-dropping. It was colorful and bright. You could feel the adrenaline of the race, and the water that slowly jumped, I loved. There were so many moments where I was said.. I love that they put the camera there, it’s perfect. He captured the character’s thoughts and reactions frame by frame and carried us through the film effortlessly. Good looks, Fincher.
The music by Trent Reznore and Atticus Ross could have made or broke the movie, and thank god this music was good, better than good. I was dancing in my seat when the club scene came on. Every song made you feel the way you were suppose to feel. It was serious, dark, and sometimes even depressing, but made so much sense. Defintely download the soundtrack, ASAP. http://www.mediafire.com/?lmwb2c8bhhkbug9 (PW: unpaused.livejournal.com)
4.5/5 for sure. I’m going to buy this on amazon right now, bye.
screencaps by thesocialnetworkcaps
Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
(Review by Shirley)
Ok, first of all, I’m a huge Chronicles of Narnia fan so excuse me if I constantly state how awesome I thought this movie was. I know, I know, as a critic, I shouldn’t be biased, so I’ll write about what I didn’t find so interesting as well… but let’s start with the good, shall we?
I absolutely loved this movie! I read the Chronicles of Narnia series so long ago that I don’t quite remember if this movie matched the book, but it’s a film, so don’t you think it’s ok if the storyline was changed a bit?
Here’s a quick summary of the movie before I go any further…
Edmund and Lucy return to Narnia with their annoying pest of a cousin, Eustace, through a painting. They end up on Prince Caspian’s ship, the Dawn Treader and are greeted like royalty because well… they’re… king and queen. Caspian was on his own voyage trying to find 7 men, but of course they encounter some bad mist thing (I forget) and of course it is up to Caspian, his crew and the Pevensie siblings to save Narnia. The ending wasn’t to die for, but I did shed a few tears… (don’t judge me, like I said, I’m a huge fan of the series and if you saw the ending of this movie… and the others, you’d understand why I cried).
Unlike in the previous two films, two of the Pevensie siblings are not exactly featured in this movie and though I first found that to be upsetting, I was really excited to see how Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Skandar Keynes (Edmund) were going to portray their roles and their storylines now that they’re characters have matured. Now, do you remember how tiny little Lucy and Edmund (Georgie Henley) were in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe? Well, they’ve grown up… like A LOT since then. I think they’ve grown to be incredibly beautiful and handsome. I didn’t think they’re acting improved a lot though, but I never thought that they were bad actors to start with. The performances of the rest of the cast weren’t bad either, but this movie wasn’t like every “action/adventure” movie I’ve fell in love with. Maybe I should have watched in 3D, but I didn’t feel like I was on the voyage with the Dawn Treader crew.
With adventure films, I believe feeling like you’re a part of the journey is important and I didn’t quite feel that throughout the whole entire movie, but I still loved it because it was an overall, fun film. You’d probably have to see the other two Chronicles of Narnia films to enjoy it to the extent I did. Not that the movie is confusing or anything, it might just be a bit difficult to understand the chemistry between each character, but that’s basically it.
Great performances, good looking actors (Ben Barnes and Mr. Keynes), and awesome special effects.
4/5
I was only just going to give this movie a 3.5 rating, but I forgot about the music. Though I didn’t feel like I was a part of the voyage throughout most of the movie, the times I did feel like was, I’m glad to say the music contributed to this feeling (…and to me crying during the last scene).
First review, hope you don’t stop reading as of now. And no, I don’t indent these paragraphs because I don’t have to. So, as a hardcore fangirl, I knew the movie was being made before a lot of people and I don’t mean anyone on tumblr or the internet because that would be a crazy accusation. I knew mostly because Angelina Jolie is one of my favorite actresses, if not my favorite, but also the rest of the cast and the location. About 2 years ago I visited Venice, alongside my co-critic on the blog (Shirley) and it’s a memory I we’ll will never. Anyways, so I saw the trailer and it looked like another interesting C.I.A, government drama, which it basically was. Now, that’s not always a bad thing, to expect and receive. The film was dramatic, it had a few good laughs and a it was mostly a love story. I liked that there was this powerful love story, but an action flick at the same time. A little bit of everything, but not too much of everything.
I felt The Tourist was a very predictable movie. Woman/Man fall for each other and do everything they can to be together. The acting of both Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp were on point. Depp was a shy, awkward character. It was nice to see a change of pace from his other eccentric characters, this character seemed to be closer to his own personality. He was funny and admirable, probably the best part of the movie. Jolie was elegant - a stereotypically classical woman. So much different from her badass self. It was weird, actually. A scene in the movie where she has to fight, her character basically doesn’t know how and ends up throwing something awkwardly. All I could think was, “Wow, that must have been weird for her to do that considering she could have probably kicked that guy’s ass?!” Also, why did they dress Angie the way they did.. It was horrible. The hair was eh, the make-up was overdone, most of the clothes were ugly (she’s Angelina Jolie, they should have used that to their advantage… I mean come on!), and that chocker (here too) just looked was too loose on her.
Although the acting was great individually, the film lacked the chemistry I wanted to see. One kiss out of the whole movie, and it’s in the trailer! Really? The characters never connected, I thought they may as the movie went on, but nope. They looked uncomfortable around each other. To be perfectly honest though, I don’t think they deserved Golden Globe nominations especially Jolie for COMEDY, I guess I could see drama, but wtf.. comedy? There was nothing that stuck out, nothing that was particularly stunning to me.
Cinematography = amazeballs. Of course, the backdrop was Venice, Italy, so I mean it couldn’t have been to hard to capture it beautifully, but Von Donnersmarck did an excellent job. There was a scene very close to the water at one point, and the light shown on the water and the background was a perfect color and everything was just gorgeous. That’s when I said to myself, “Holy shit, this movie is beautiful.”
Music was not suitable. It was like a Disney movie, as Shirley said as my piece-of-junk car slowly heated up in the parking lot of the theatre. I swear, everytime Jolie was in frame there was non-lyrical music and slow motion, it got to be old. It never fit either. I had my wtf-face on a lot, let me tell ya. I thought they were trying to hard to either turn this into a less-serious movie (along with the 3 comedic lines), or fit into an audience that they shouldn’t have.
I loved the ending, that was the best part of the movie. I’m not saying that because I didn’t like the movie either, I just would have never expected that to be the ending. It was a good movie overall, enjoyable what a movie should be. It wasn’t Oscar worthy. The best the movie could get would be an award for cinematography or directing.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. My critic may not say so, but it was a good movie, I’d definitely watch it again.
2.3/5
P.S. .gifs are not mine, pretty sure they’re made by 3lzyx.. name droppin’ right now. If not, please tell me, not about stealing .gifs or taking credit.
P.P.S. More reviews coming soon!
WELCOME TO BOX OFFICE OPEN
Hey guys, welcome to our tumblr. We’re just two girls, name’s Kristen and Shirley, reviewing movies because, well, we can. We’re both in college - hate the college we’re attending, would much prefer to stay in and watch movies all day. Hoping to study film and acting somewhere, who knows and get into the business, ya know. We’re the type of people who watch wayyy to many movies and know every actors name. We’re good people to watch movies with, especially when you get what-have-I-seen-them-in syndrome.
So we hope you enjoy what we have to say. The Box Office is open… wow, that was cheesy.
