Tag Archives: Emma Thompson

Film Review: Beauty and the Beast (2017)

Posted on March 20, 2017 | Leave a comment

Director: Bill Condon
Cast: Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Audra McDonald, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nathan Mack, Adrian Schiller, Hattie Morahan, Gerard Horan, Zoe Rainey, Henry Garrett, Harriet Jones

Beauty and the Beast in 3D is as magnificent as its grandiose  cast that includes Sir Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Stanley Tucci, Ewan McGregor, Luke Evans and its main stars Dan Stevens and Emma Watson among others.

I don’t think there’s even a doubt about Emma Watson’s star-power after the weekend success of the live-action remake of one of the most beloved Disney animations Beauty and the Beast where she played the iconic role of Belle – the provincial lass who felt too confined in her small-minded-small town who fell in love with a cursed prince.

The film just raked in $350M worlwide since its March 16 release despite controversies involving LeFou’s “gay” character (which is totally a non-issue to begin with so to you bigoted piece of shits – Disney doesn’t need your money – kbye!)

I’ve read a tweet last week that says, a new generation is going to forget Emma playing Hermionie because of Beauty and the Beast.

If I’m being quite honest,I think it’s going to be the exact opposite. Emma  has been immortalized by the Harry Potter franchise as the dorky, know-it-all  Hermionie and with Watson playing Belle and meeting every expecations, it solidifies her star-power that trandscends generation. So she’s gonna be remembered for sure playing the two equally iconic roles.

Kids and kids-alike will get a kick out of its fun, funny and endearing characters and songs that will remind them so much of their childhood. I was actually on the verge of tears when Mrs. Potts started singing the theme of the movie during Belle and the Beast’ romantic dance.

The lovely and well-detailed faithfulness of this adaptation from its original animation is what made the film even more special. The magic stayed with  Condon’s fresh new take and fresh new songs from Alan Menken and TIm Rice that includes  “How Does A Moment Last Forever,” heard at the beginning of the movie being sung/hum by Maurice (Kevin Kline), Belle’s father and during the end-credits belted by none other than, Celine Dion.

From the moment Watson appeared on screen, I just knew that it’s gonna be as epic as its trailer. Beauty and the Beast did not disappoint one bit. It was pleasing to the eye, lovely to the ears and just a full-on heartwarming movie that will make you believe in the power of true love – Disney style!

Rating: Perfect 10

movie poster via impawards

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Review: Men In Black 3 in 3D

Posted on January 23, 2014 | Leave a comment
via wikipedia
via wikipedia

“Men in Black 3” comes 15 years after its original installment and 10 years after its sequel where nobody ever expected to get a follow up after. I, for one did not. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant reminder that Will Smith is still very much alive to do movies.

This third film based on Lowell Cunningham’s comic series had Agent J (Will Smith) travels back to 1969 where he met the younger Agent K (played this time by Josh Brolin.) His mission is to stop the alien criminal Boris from assassinating the young Agent K that would change the course of history.

I am not a fan of the franchise but I remember enjoying the first two films somehow. I just loved the dynamics between Smith and Jones in the previous installments. This time though, Smith does not have a lot of sequences with Jones, which is a shame because they really have a great chemistry. Brolin isn’t a bad replacement though; he’s pretty quick and spot-on as the younger Agent K.

Another problem I have was the establishment of Agent O’s (Emma Thompson) character (also played by Alice Eve.) The scenes were not enough to establish K’s softer side for “them.”

Jemaine Clement who played Boris the animal was a-okay. He was “fierce” enough I guess but does little to be a threatening villain.

This film also goes a little backward in terms of special effects that it almost seemed unreal. I don’t know maybe it’s just me or it’s the effect of 3-D but it felt distant somehow. The film isn’t bad at all but it’s missing the spark of the previous installments that may have made the film a bit lackluster in providing a spectacular comeback sequel.

Rating: 7 / 10

Director: Barry Sonnenfeld

Starring: WillSmith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin, Jemaine Clement, Emma Thompson, Michael Stuhlbarg, Mike Colter, Nicole Scherzinger, Alice Eve, Will Arnett, David Rasche, Keone Young, Bill Hader, Lady Gaga, Lenny Venito

This Review was posted first in PinoyExchange at the PEx Official Movie Reviews.

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Review: Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Posted on February 25, 2013 | Leave a comment
via wikipedia

via wikipedia

I did not have high expectations prior to seeing this film. I just actually heard about its film adaptation this year, but I’ve been seeing the book of the same name since about a year ago, and I’ve had no clues about it at all. It turns out, though, that the film is highly entertaining and very different from what people have been saying about it being the next Twilight.

Beautiful Creatures is centered on Lena (Alice Englert), a teenage caster (witch) who is about to choose between good and evil once she turns 16. She transferred to a new high school from a town her ancestors founded and met the charismatic Ethan White (Alden Ehrenreich), who immediately fell for her, and her dilemma about being claimed and falling for the young boy complicates the whole thing.

As far as the story goes, I thought it lacked originality but nevertheless presented a very unique approach to its execution. The leading actors, for one, are just magnificent on screen. Ehrenreich and Englert are both natural, and you’d care for their characters if this movie had a franchise. The rawness and subtlety of their acting deviate from Twilight and the like. Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, Emmy Rossum, and Viola Davis gave the two newbies excellent support, which I have to give to the producer for putting up an excellent cast. In addition, the soundtrack and scoring are just divine!

Overall, the film injects such charisma into its characters that you’d actually ask for more of it. The commitment of the two leading actors may have been overshadowed by the film’s mediocrity, but the mere essence of their love is there—Lena and Ethan are indeed beautiful creatures.

Rating: 8.5 / 10 

Director: Richard LaGravenese

Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Emma Thompson

@Ali Mall, Feb 22, 2013 LFS – 190

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