2012-04-28

phyncke: (Floral - Blue by me)
2012-04-28 09:16 am
Entry tags:

2/100 The Hunger Games (movie review)

The Hunger Games
Based on the book by Suzanne Collins
Movie Review

Set in one possible future when North America has dissolved away to the country of Panem, a realm where the decadent Capitol dominates 12 provinces through the mechanism of exacting tribute through the Hunger Games. The tribute are children, offered up in combat to the death in an arena. Two, a boy and a girl, from each district and only one can triumph. The games are televised, broadcast live for all to see. This system has been in place for seventy four years, ever since the districts revolted and lost the rebellion. Before the revolt, there were 13 districts but one was obliterated by the Capitol in the war.

The movie opens with a flash of the underlying situation (the Hunger Games idea) on the screen so we know what is what and the stage is set. That is really clear from the get go. We follow the life and day of Katniss Everdeen on reaping day and through her experience as a tribute in the Hunger Games. I don't want to give too much away but suffice to say that this movie adaptation is pretty faithful to the book and gorgeously realized in setting, costuming and casting. I can see where they made some decisions to diverge from the text and that does work for the movie. This movie is compelling, so compelling that it got me to read the series that it is based on. I was drawn into the story, I found Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence) believable and the secondary characters supported the story line.

What this movie does have a lot of is production value - the costumes are beautifully done and serve the story line, make up and hair are to the point and support the story and echo what is described in the book. Down to the facial hair. We have appearances by some interesting people - Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, the stylist, in an understated and elegant role that is so so important to the film. Donald Sutherland as the snakey, President Snow, really good and very Machiavellian there. I have to say, my favorite performance in the film, is Stanley Tucchi, as Caesar Flickerman, the announcer and on-air personality for the Hunger Games, he is over the top and outrageous and truly great in this role. He totally hams it for this role and is outrageous and campy. Ever changing hair color and his teeth are just too much for words.

This is a strong first film in the series and I hope that all the films are this good. I look forward to more of these.

Link to IMDB for cast, credits and info about the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

Official movie website:
http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com/

Overall rating:
Excellent!

Recommend:
Highly!

Warnings:
Story is violent and disturbing. Add in the visual images that go with the story.

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by lotrangel17
phyncke: (Gary Oldman Hmmm)
2012-04-28 01:37 pm
Entry tags:

Tonight's movie choice - The Raven

I am not sure that Edgar Allen Poe really was this cool but, I am game to see this movie. I am going to have to suspend belief for him as a crime fighting detective type but will see it. Here is a link to the wiki on Poe (not a happy life):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_Allan_Poe

Movie trailer:



Cheers and hope your weekend is going well!


by lotrangel17
phyncke: (Jaided by me)
2012-04-28 11:19 pm
Entry tags:

3/100 The Raven (movie review)

The Raven
Loosely based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe and parts of his life
Movie Review

I am on the fence about this movie. I really am. My lasting impression is of the really bad end credit music and modern shattered glass moving modern art stuff at the end. That is popping into my mind, almost to the point where it obliterates my sense of this movie. I am not kidding. The end credit sequence after the movie, frankly s*cked. Did not fit with the film and were just bad. I am going to try and move beyond this and write a review of the film.

This is a movie where you have Edgar Allan Poe at the end of his life, drunk, destitute, adrift and bereft of writing ideas. He lives in Baltimore, MD. A series of murders takes place that are based on his stories. This is the basic crux of the idea for the film. Mr. Fields, dreamy detective, enlists the writer's help in solving the crimes. The murders, as are Poe's stories, are gruesome and brutal and maniacal.

I don't know if it all holds together. This is very gruesome and gothic and they pull the murderer out of the air with no clues - well one clue right before or I totally missed the hints. I am usually observant so I am thinking the clues were not there. The one clue was remarked on and evident.

John Cusack gave a solid performance as Poe. It was a pleasure to watch him recite The Raven on film. I really enjoyed that. I was fascinated by the detective - Mr. Fields played by Luke Evans. He is gorgeous and a good actor. I found I really enjoyed watching him. Solid performances all around. Nice period outfits, masquerade ball but I don't know what makes this special. I am guessing no one else thought so as the theater was empty on the opening weekend of this film and we went to the 8pm show.

Link to IMDB for cast, credits and info about the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1486192/

Overall rating:
Fair

Recommend:
You wait for the DVD

Warnings:
Story is violent and very gruesome.

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by ccrescive
phyncke: (Pretty Girl by me (qqshow))
2012-04-28 11:37 pm

4/100 La Cocina Poblana (restaurant review)

La Cocina Poblana
Mexican Restaurant
Emeryville, CA

Restaurant review

Basic info:
Moderately priced (16-19 on the entree) Mexican Restaurant with a bar in the restaurant and open kitchen format. You can watch the food prep from the dining room. Casual dining, street parking.

This is our go to place when we go to the movies over in Emeryville. The food is delicious and the menu can accommodate special food needs for a person with food allergies. The staff is willing to adjust plates for diners personal tastes. Example, tonight I asked for mole sauce to be replaced with verde sauce and that was no problem. The staff are courteous and attentive and check their tables frequently.

We started with chips and guacamole which arrived elegantly plated and with an ample enough portion to last through the whole meal. No wimpy plates here. I ordered chicken enchiladas and as I indicated above I did a sauce substitution to their usual. No problem there and it was a delicious offset to the crema that comes with the meal. The rice here is also cooked in a hint of cream and everything tastes rich and delicious. Portions are large and I usually have left overs to take home.

For dessert there are a lot of choices but I am a fan of their flan. I had the coffee flan which is a nice dark, rich color and beautifully plated. Light and airy, this melts over the tongue with a smoothness that flan should have. Perfect every time.

Cocina Poblana always delivers the flavor, service and portion that I expect. I was not disappointed tonight and will go back again. Absolutely.

Website and restaurant information:
http://www.cocinapoblana.com/


Over all rating:
Excellent

Recommend:
Highly

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by niftybabe313