Review: Into the Woods (2014)

I have no idea what to expect when I rocked up at the cinema to see Into the Woods, I knew it was a musical but I didn't know if it was serious like Les Miserables or funny or complete fantasy.  It seems I was surprised on all counts...

Somehow I didn't even realise it was a musical until about a week before it was released in cinemas, and then my other half wouldn't go with me! Boo...

 

Into the Woods is the story of a Baker (James Corden) and his wife (Emily Blunt) who are desperate for a child but in order to be able to do that they have to lift a curse put on their house by the wicked witch (Meryl Streep).  They venture into the woods to gather four items that the witch needs to reverse the spell, at the same time Cinderella happens to be in the woods running from her prince, Jack is escaping and giant from the beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood is wandering having lost her Grandmothers house and Rapunzel is banished there by the queen. 

 

This is a great mixture of lots of different fairy tales but it took me at least half an hour to settle into it.  In this first half an hour I was desperately trying to take the film seriously (and losing) and finding it cheesy and awful.  But then, I was about to give up when the Prince brothers (Chris Pine and Billy Magnussen) meet in the woods and break into a rendition of Agony, which was hysterical.  This brought me back, I stopped taking it so seriously and enjoyed it for what it was.  It has it's serious moments, comedy scenes and completely ridiculous sections but I was engrossed.  I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and, considering these are well known fairy tales, I had not idea what was going to happen next.
 

 

The mixture of different fairy tales is what really captured my interest. These are stories we all know, stories we've heard a million times before, but take a bunch of them and put them together, and suddenly they're no longer boring to see brought to life for the hundredth time. Red Riding Hood and the Wolf was a tad creepy, but really, what could they do to tone the theme down without losing the story?

 

I know there have been some mixed reviews about this but I think the benefit for me is that I haven't seen (or heard of) the stage version (which I have been told is better by far).  This meant I went in with no expectation and because of that I was pleasantly surprised.  The music, what can I say about the music, it took a bit to get used but it was totally gripping, I have already downloaded the soundtrack and the original stage version (as there were some songs missing in the movie) and I can't wait to listen to them.

 

 

I didn't even know it was based on a stage show until now, oops! It makes perfect sense now. The music got me instantly and I found myself humming 'Into the Woods' all evening, much to the annoyance of my fiance. Could anyone else listen to Chris Pine singing for hours on end? Is it too late to cast him for Pitch Perfect 2?

 

After all that though, there was one clear cut highlight of the whole film.  That was Meryl Streep.  She stole every scene she was in with complete ease and her singing voice is unreal (apparently she sang everything live even though she has pre-recorded the songs).  Last Midnight was amazing, so much so that it gave me goosebumps.  Is it just me or (once she was made young again) did Streep look as good in this as she did in Death Becomes Her way back in 1992, she has got some good ol' genes!

 

The film is pretty much in two halves, and the first half was amazing, the second dragged a little and there was a huge break between songs which wasn't great, but the twists in the story made it worthwhile I think.

 

I know many won't agree with me but I really loved this, I can't wait to learn all the songs and then (attempt) to sing along. 

Apologies to Jenna's neighbours, because I'll be blasting this soundtrack in the car on my way to her house next time I see her!

Review: Begin Again (2013)

Another long haul flight, another list as long as my arm of films to review.  I wanted to do this one first because it was the one that I enjoyed the most.  I honestly didn't know what to expect, I didn't know much about the storyline which probably helped as I had no expectations.

I do remember hearing about Begin Again, but I don't remember it ever actually coming out in the cinema! I must have missed it, but no matter, because Jenna very kindly gave it to me on DVD last month. After promising I would watch it the very next day when I got home, I of course lost track and only watched it the other day!

Begin Again starts with two timelines of Dan (Mark Ruffalo) and Gretta (Keira Knightley) and how they both ended up in the same bar on the same night.  Dan, a down and out drunk who is slowly losing his business and Gretta a heartbroken musician ready to leave New York for good.  They come together on a new music project that might just change their lives.

I loved this, it didn't have a huge storyline or crazy twists but I was engrossed throughout, I found myself smiling through the whole film.  For me, this is one of those films that I will buy on DVD and whenever I feel a bit down I'll put it on and I'll smile.  I was thrilled when SPOILER ALERT at the end they didn't bring the relationship between Dan and Gretta to a romantic level, they kept them as friends which is rarely seen but fits perfectly with this film.  Its not a love story, its not a drama it's something all it's own.

I'm not a huge music junkie, but there are some films that I have loved for their soundtrack alone, and Begin Again is one of them. Seriously, as soon as I can get my hands on this one it will be blasted out of my car's speakers on my way to and from work every day. I was tapping my foot throughout every song and just couldn't stop smiling.

Knightley's pouting bothered me, but it always will, in any film, I just have to look past it. Aw, I know she winds a lot of people up but I love her! You really should dislike Dan but the more you get to know of him, the more you want him to succeed and be ok.  The movie has a real charm and humour that pulled me in and kept me there until it was over, at which point I didn't want it to be over. 

I felt a bit 'meh' about Mark Ruffalo before, but he absolutely won me over in this. He starts out as a complete loser and a bit of an ass, but his character really develops as the story goes on and I was so happy with his outcome.

Surprisingly, the biggest downfall for me was James Corden, now I am a HUGE James Corden fan so for me to admit this is a big deal!!  I just felt like his character, Steve, a school friend of Gretta and her ex Dave, was only there to provide narrative on Gretta and Dave's failed relationship, instead of showing them in maybe flashbacks they use his stories to explain things.  It's just didn't feel like he brought any other benefits to the game.

Yeah, I don't even think is was anything to do with James Corden himself, but his character's apartment had more use than his character itself I thought, and then he just sorta disappeared all together!

Overall, I really loved this (if you couldn't already tell) the music is great and the story is just so lovely that you can't help but smile.  I dare you not to love this!

I'm a sucker for romcoms as a guilty pleasure more than anything, but Begin Again was a truly great film, and even my fiance tore himself away from his gaming to sit with me and watch it!

Oh, how have I not mentioned Adam Levine yet? How did I not know he was even in this film before his beautiful face blessed my screen? He may have been a naughty boy, but I'll let him off.

Review: Starter for 10 (2006)

UPDATED

Sunday nights are just perfect for Netflix, they really are. I think I should make it a weekly thing, 8pm, glass on wine, kittens on my lap, and Netflix. I had no idea what I wanted to watch, but I was tired and didn't want anything that would make me think. So I had a flick through the Romantic Comedies section and chose Starter for 10.

I have finally go around to getting Netflix and therefore watching this (only 6 months after the original post but hey ho!).  This was the first thing I headed for on Netflix (after I realised that Gilmore Girls was only on the US version boo hoo!!) as I knew Allie had already done her bit so I could add to it :-)

I'm going to try and actually review this film. I promise you, I'm going to try. But I spent the whole film in shock because I knew every single actor and actress from something else I'd seen. I knew nothing about this film when I started to play it. I knew James McAvoy was in it, his face was the poster! I'm rambling already, so let me try and get to my point.

This is an awesome little British film about a student called Brian, starting his first year at Bristol University. As a child he loved quizzes and would play along whilst watching University Challenge on the TV, and so he tries out for the team at his university...whose team captain just happens to be Benedict Cumberbatch. I think I dropped a biscuit and threw a kitten across the room at that moment! Back on track Allie...back on track...but first!

I really enjoyed this film. It wasn't anything original, and I may have enjoyed spotting the cast more than anything else, but it was enjoyable none the less and it ended how I hoped it would. Being a British film as well I hold it close to my heart. Especially the New Years scene because I don't know anyone who actually knows the words to Auld Lang Syne! I even had to Google 'New Years song' just to find out how to spell that.

This film was entertaining and typically British, my Dad watched University Challenge religiously when I was little so there was a bit of nostalgia thrown in there as well.  James McAvoy was great as always and proved why he has done so well since.  He delivered the comedy with perfect timing and the head-butting scene literally made my spit my tea across the room! 

I did find the story overall quite predictable, but there was odd lines and actions that I just didn't see coming (see head-butting comment above) and the 'meet the parents' scene in the kitchen so I was engaged throughout.  I can't say I liked either of the leading ladies, I have never been a fan of Alice Eve since seeing her 'act' in Star Trek Into Darkness and I actually found Rebecca Hall's character quite irritating.

If you'll forgive my rambles, I have a little trivia for you. Benedict went on after this film to star with 3 other actors/actresses in this film. Sherlock with Mark Gatiss, Parade's End with Rebecca Hall, and Star Trek Into Darkness with Alice Eve!

Don't rush out to see this but if, like me, you have a Sunday evening free, give this a try because it's worth a watch!

That is what I did and I was pleasantly surprised, held my attention (moreso that University Challenge ever did) and loved seeing Cumberbatch and McAvoy before the 'big time' but the ladies let it down for me.