The Hunchback of Notre Dame

At the time of it’s release, this Disney classic has been called a Masterpiece. As a child watching this movie, I never really understood the lessons this movie was teaching to children. It asks the question, “what makes a real monster and what makes a man?” regarding Quismodo or Frollo, his evil guardian.

It brings to light that though someone is different on the outside, it’s really the inside that counts.

I’m in love with the fact that as an adult, I can still find enjoyment out of this type of movie. The lessons never get old, every moment is unforgettable and it’s defiantly something that everyone in the family can enjoy.

At the urging of his hilarious gargoyle pals, Victor, Hugo and Laverne, Quasimodo defies his evil guardian Frollo and ventures from his tower to the joyous Festival of Fools below. But the crowd turns cruel and rejects him because of the way that he looks. The city turns into a disaster as Frollo searches for the mysterious Esmeralda (voiced by Demi Moore) and it’s up to Quasimodo to save everyone and the city he loves.

 

Dirty Dancing

By far one of my favorite movies. This is all about firsts love, dancing and Patrick Swazye as the hot male dance teacher.

Baby is a 17 year old girl traveling for a week with her parents to a resort. Already she feels out of place and unwanted in her family, and she begins to learn to dance with Patrick Swazye’s character.

Everything is so new and fun and to this day, I still dance on my toes because that’s the way Baby learned. =)

This movie is fun for the whole family and highly approved of by this girl.

***** 5 stars

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

The 3rd and final movie to the Mummy Trilogy, made in 2008. Starring Brendan Fraser and Jet Li

Classic Mummy tale of a cursed King in a tomb which somehow the O’Connells have managed to awaken and therefore must also destroy before he takes over the entire world.

Though it is slightly predictable compared to the other 2 films, some things from the previous films don’t match up to this one. First, Evy has been replaced with another actress. Second, Alex the son of the famous couple in the second film had a British accent, but in this one he has an American accent.

The fight scenes were pretty robotic to say the least. Not fluid or life like at all. Having taken a  stage combat class, it is very difficult to learn to that type of scene, how ever for a movie, this was pretty bad.

I will admit the ones with Brendan Fraser were pretty epic for lack of a better term. His scenes were very realistic.

Overall, *** 3 Stars. Not the best movie in the world but still entertaining. Mostly cheesy but that’s just how these films are.

RENT

Classic Broadway musical RENT came to screen in 2005. Showing the lives of 7 friends…Roger a musician dealing with the death of his girlfriend and accepting that he has HIV. Mark, a film editor capturing the lives of the homeless while dealing with the fact that his girlfriend left him for another woman. Maureen, protesting a cyber studio to be built and trying to handle being in a relationship with Joanne who is a confident lesbian and doesn’t deserve the crap Maureen puts her through. Mimi, the young stripper also dealing with HIV and has her eyes set on Roger. Collins, an MIT graduate also stricken with HIV who happens to fall in love with Angel. Angel is the heart of the group.

This musical is heartfelt and amazing for anyone into Broadway Classics. The film was directed by Chris Columbus.

***** 5 Stars

 

 

This is an example of Rule of Thirds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an example of Leading Lines.

This is also an example of leading lines.

This is an example of Geometric shapes.

 

Father Of the Bride

After my sister announced she was getting married in 2007, my first and only thought was this movie. Steve Martin stars as a controlling but loving father George Banks. His first child, and daughter has just come home from Italy to announce her engagement to a man she met while traveling. Through the process of his daughter and wife’s wedding plans, he comes to terms with the fact that his daughter is growing up to be the woman he taught her to be.

This is a perfect father-daughter movie, where the dads will agree with everything the father says, then come to realize that maybe, just maybe that she’s doing just fine.

***** 5 Stars

I know that if I ever get married, I’m buying this movie and giving it to my parents as my announcement! Teehee, I’m so clever.

Princess Bride

The story of Princess Bride is that of an iconic 80’s film that teens today are still quoting. The infamous line of “Hello, my name is Inioga Montoa. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” still brings smiles to anyone’s faces, young or old.

The beginning shows a young boy sick who’s grandfather comes to visit and read the story of “The Princess Bride”. At first the boy is resistant to the idea of reading a “love story” but soon becomes wrapped up in the tales of Fresic, the Man in Black, Princess Buttercup, Indigo and Prince Humperdink.

Recommended for anyone of all ages, this PG film is perfect for any family night.

***** 5 stars!

Pretty Woman

Pretty Woman is the iconic tale of a hooker turned elegant lady. Like Cinderella but much better. This movie stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

Classic late 80’s to early 90’s film, of a hooker Vivian (Roberts) who happens to catch the eye of a business man about town Edward (Gere). With the promise of $3,000 for the week, they will begin an adventure neither of them were expecting.

From an acting point of view, the transformation that Julia Roberts does from trashy prostitute to classy Pretty woman is amazing. It goes from little things such as sitting on a desk instead of a chair, or simply singing out loud to a song in a bathtub. Over time, she eventually just settles in to her new environment with grace and with the help of her “fairy god butler” who shows her how to eat with the proper utensils.

Richard Gere also changes in little ways when his emotions become involved in his work.

I give this movie…

**** 4 Stars