The Young Victoria

Every now and then there are awesome period films such as "Apollo 13", that strike a cord, and cause you to want to know more. I like that flick cause it shows what happened to the shuttle, includes some back story , but then also shows those astronauts' family life. It makes you all the more interested, to learn about that historical mission when you get to see the human side. So with that being said, I am a huge fan of following the British family, so when I got to rent "The Young Victoria" I was intrigued.
This film staring Emily Blunt, some may know her as the funny girl in "The Devil Wears Prada", shows the story of the longest ruling monarch in British history, 63 years and 7 months. Victoria found out at the age of 14 that she was the next in line to be queen, and then became queen at the age of 18. The movie show so much historical knowledge, such as her secluded child hood, the death of King George, her coronation, and being the first to live in Bukingham Palace, Though the thing that gripped me the most, like I'm sure most women, was the history of how she choose her husband Prince Albert. The movie shows the actual letter writing between Albert and Victoria, for example how he was encouraging to her before she was even queen. The things he did to prove he adored her, learning to waltz, teaching her to listen to the people of the country, and taking a bullet for her. They were actually a royal couple who loved each other and choose each other. I feel this movie should of been called "Victoria and Albert." Though the movie is about the queen you can easily see that the Albert part is the most intriguing.
Another part of the film that is worth your study are the Academy Award winning costumes. They are amazing the dresses she wore, the suits on the gentlemen and the hats. I loved the hats and hair pieces!
Amazing performances were given and I could talk about how fantastic Paul Bettany is, or how I love seeing another movie with Jim Broadbent in it, but, I was actually most impressed with Rupert Friend who played Prince Albert. This actor definitely does period films well, I've only seen him in one other film, "Pride and Prejudice" and he was a perfect Mr. Wickhem. Friend's natural elegance, and gentle attitude was present through out the movie, but when he starts taking order of how Buckingham Palace is ran you hear and see the determination. His performance was effortless and his accent was spot on. He was worth watching. Oooo you just love to see when he puts Bettany's "Lord M" in his place when he says "I neither ask or seek your advise."
When all is said in done I give this movie a 9 out of 10, so if you are into historical period movies you are in for a real treat. But hey, after all this is just this Ingénues Input.

Romantic comedies are great in my opinion, but lately they all seem to run together.

Indy Tuesdays: Clerks

Cult movies, are ones that inspire a following, and show a particular culture in a way. Many independent movies are know only after a cult following has been born for it, such as "The Big Labowski", and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Cult movies create a love for something, and that love for me, is Kevin Smith. The brilliance that is Kevin Smith is unexplainable, you either get it or you don't. I can go on and on about his amazing writing, and the way he just tells it like he wants to, and how its great to see how loyal he is to his cast, but I had to pick an independent film for the week and his first film "Clerks" is the one that got the young filmmaker noticed, and moved him out of the independent world. Though "Dogma" is my favorite of his flicks, you get hooked on the gritty, realness of "Clerks."
A movie driven by its writing, "Clerks" is a day in the life of Dante, a quick stop employee. "I'm not supposed to be here today" is the attitude he has as his day goes down a crazy path. One of the things about this flick that is so great is it's dialogue. It is a movie to listen to, small jokes, everyday banter, and some serious debates keep the film moving. If you have ever had a mundane job you can relate to this film. The film is shot in black and white, so don't let that turn you off, the effect it gives adds to the realistic style of the movie, think of it as your watching it from the security camera. This film also offers great characters and the start of the "New Jersey Chronicles" of films. If you have ever seen other Kevin Smith films there are inside jokes that all start with "Clerks." One of my favorite.. "she died mid back stroke", plus this is the birth place of Jay and Silent Bob.
The only thing about clerks that can be annoying is the camera angles. Smith shoots straight on most of the time, but hey it is his first film and it does actually work for him.
The performance to watch in this film is Jeff Anderson as Randal, the video store clerk. Randal is constantly locking up the video store to come and bug Dante, he is really what gets the film going. Anderson makes it seem effortless to show a natural way with the dialogue, his sarcastic humor and quick wit shines through his performance. He is an actor who does not abuse the writing but enhances it. He is definitely a scene stealer.
So if you haven't seen "Clerks" where have you been, go and see it and wile your at it check out the other films in the "New Jersey Chronicles" you'll be happy you did. I give this film a 8 out of 10!

Dear John

Okay first off ,let me start by apologizing, my Internet went down so I'm behind on my blogging so there will be a lot of post on here in a row.

You know what your getting into the minute you purchase a ticket to a movie based on a Nicholas Sparks book. Usually there is a "Great love" story, some drama of a predictable kind, and then some tragedy. This formula has been seen in other Nicholas Sparks' films such as "Night's in Rodanthe", "The Notebook", and my favorite "A Walk to Remember", they are predictable to have the sweet and the sour. Look at "the Notebook", such a "great love" and then you find out that Ally has Alzheimer's, a main character always finds there end, in the other stories, its cancer or been killed in a flood. Now, these movies don't always completely follow their books counterpart, and I was surprised to see that a formula was broken in "Dear John."
In "Dear John" the story flowed and was easy to follow. Channing Tatum did a wonderful job as the soldier away at war, who has a rocky home life. His performance though was shadowed by two things, first the wrong placement of Amanda Seyfried, and the awesomeness of Richard Jenkins.
So the reason I went besides the gorgeous Channing Tatum is I am actually a huge fan of Amanda Seyfried. I loved her in "Mama Mia", but sometimes some actors don't fit the rolls they are given well, and for me that was what happened. Her portrayal of the wholesome, do good Savannah, was just wrong. Her and Tatum had chemistry which is key in a Sparks' movie, but just the other moments in the film were awkward. It looked like she was trying to act to much in it, it was not effortless, so I was a little disappointed there. Her words were stuck in her mouth half the time and she just didn't show the emotion that you would think was needed, whether in love, or talking about Autistic children. Plus in through out the movie she has a relationship with Henry Thomas' character ,you may know him as Elliot for "E.T"., and in those scenes the awkwardness rose. He seems to old for her in general, but they had no flow, again I chalk that up to Seyfried looking like she was trying to hard.
As a surprise though, I was again floored by the performance of Richard Jenkins as Mr. Tyree in this film! If you don't know who he is, get to know him cause he is an amazing actor who does exactly what an actor should do in a movie. He works together to bring out the best of the actors around him and himself. you would be amazed at how often you will see him in films, some of my favorite performances were in "The Visitor", "Shall We Dance", and "The Indian in the Cupboard" In this movie he play Tatum's father, a man with Autism, who since a bonding moment with his son has been obsessed with collecting coin. His mannerisms, the way he talks, and when he has a break down about going to a dinner are all things to watch.
Overall i would say that this movie was slow moving with moments of interest. Not my favorite of the Nicholas Sparks movies, but hey with Jenkins, and Tatum performances I would maybe wait for dvd..but that just this ingénues input. I would give this movie and 5 out of 10 with hopes for "Last Song"