Transcendence

I have been waiting FOREVER to see this film!! Ok, maybe not forever; but a long time, anyway! Unfortunately, I think I raised my expectations too high (I mean, who could blame me when Johnny Depp is involved?). I enjoyed it, don't get me wrong! It was definitely worth seeing! I just thought it would be...different. It was good, though.

From a cinematography perspective, I really enjoyed the defined and slow-motion water particle shots; there was so much detail in the 5 seconds of watching a raindrop fall off a flower petal, it really makes you appreciate the small things of this world. I wonder, though, how much of that was real. I've shot photographs of running water similar to the shots they filmed, so I know it IS possible to do without any computerized editing - but did they only use the camera? Or was CGI involved? I could probably look it up, but if you haven't figured it out by now (if you've been reading all my entries so far), I'm lazy. I like asking the questions, but I'm not too keen on researching the answers.

Johnny Depp (Will Caster) was wonderful, as always. He has never let me down; in all the films I've seen him in, he has always done well (in my opinion). Seeing his character slowing losing strength was incredibly believable. I love seeing great actors doing great jobs on the role(s) they've been given.

Overall, I liked this Transcendence. The cinematography was astounding, although there were some shots that made me wonder "why is that significant?" but the shots that were important made up for those. If I were to give this film one word to sum up it's storyline, it would be...weird.

I give Transcendence 7.5 out of 10.

Noah

Before I state my opinion on this film, I would just like it to be known that this adaptation of Noah is completely inaccurate. However, it IS based on a TRUE STORY and real events. If you're interested to know the actual story, you can read it here, in any version you'd like: The Real Story of Noah.

So, I've been hearing a lot of bad reviews (pretty much all from fellow Christians) on this movie. They've been saying that, because it's not correctly written, it's a bad film. Well, I beg to differ! Yes, I admit that they added/changed a few minor details to make it more dramatic and interesting, but when have they NOT changed a story to increase the chance of it being a hit? There have been tons upon tons of book-to-movie adaptations that were extremely distant from the original story! But, people still watch them. I enjoyed Noah. The cinematography was exceptionally good. There were a few transition montages that were edited in such a way to make it look like one long shot where nothing changed except for the main subject in the frame. I can't remember if I've ever seen that done before, at least not done in that way. It was probably one of my favorite parts of the film. Another thing I took note of was the use of repetition. There were a few moments where they'd show the same shots in the same order as the first time they had been introduced, or the same scene, but shot slightly different. I remember learning about the power of repetition in my film class this last year, but it's a very old technique and I don't think I've seen it done in my lifetime. I loved the cinematography of this film, and the directing wasn't half bad, either!

As for casting, Russell Crowe (Noah) is great in everything he's in, but Emma Watson (Ila) was astounding. There was a particular moment during her role that I especially liked; she had just given birth to twin girls and Noah had threatened to kill them. The amount of effort and heart she poured into her reaction to that was captivating. I have never seen a woman act in such a way, but there is no doubt in my mind that one would have that exact response in a similar situation. I recommend everyone sees this film at least once.

I give Noah 8 out of 10.

Captain America: Winter Soldier

I really enjoyed this film, despite it's plot-holes. The action scenes were really action-packed and tense, and the emotional scenes were really suspenseful. There were a few twists, which was nice, and at the moments where I was confused about what was happening, the characters seemed to be just as confused. I liked that.

The camera work was really good, in my opinion. There was a lot of hand-held shots, which at times I thought was an odd choice for the scene, but it worked. There was also a scene where Young Stevens (Cap. America, played by Chris Evans) was getting home from a funeral, or something. Throughout that whole scene, I kept trying to figure out if it was the REAL actor, a double, or CGI. I have a feeling it was CGI, and if so, that was the best CGI work I've ever seen. It was very realistic and believable to me.

Plot holes. So many plot holes. The main one I will point out is the fact that the story focused on S.H.I.E.L.D. and yet, only 3 of the 7 main members of S.H.I.E.L.D. ever showed up, even at important or crucial scenes, like when someone significant almost dies or is in need of major help. The bring up Iron Man's name a couple times, but that's about it. I mean, the whole story is centered around S.H.I.E.L.D. being compromised! You'd think the other 4 heroes of New York would step in and one point or another; seems rather ridiculous to exclude them.

I give Captain America: Winter Soldier 7 out of 10.

The Grand Budapest Hotel

I FINALLY got to see The Grand Budapest Hotel a few days ago, and it was brilliant. I had been trying to see it for weeks, but for whatever reason, it was never playing in my city! Until this last week. It was definitely worth my wait.

The narration was done in an extremely unique and creative way; I don't think I've ever seen something narrated that way before. The perspectives of the story switched at least 3 times during the opening scenes. It sounds as if that'd be confusing to the audience, but it really wasn't. It was done so beautifully and smoothly that everything just flowed. I was very pleased with how this film was directed. Wes Anderson is a brilliant man.

I remember reading somewhere (although, I can not recall where) that The Grand Budapest Hotel had the best cinematography seen. Of course, I didn't doubt the reviewers statement, but I decided I'd challenge it anyway. I went into the theatre, ready to take note of camera angles, movement, prop and actor placement, etc. It was, indeed, the best cinematography I've ever seen, can't even begin to explain or describe the many creative ways characters, shots, scenes, and the like were all displayed. The only thing I can tell you is to see it for yourself.

One last thing; if for nothing else, watch it for the casting. The actors/resses they picked for this film is outstanding, in my opinion!

I give The Grand Budapest Hotel a 9.5 out of 10.