The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 20 Nov 2015
Running Time: 2 Hours and 17 Minutes
Staring:  Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutchinson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Julianne Moore, Jena Malone, Elizabeth Banks, Stanley Tucci and Many Many More.
Rating? PG-13
SPOILERS? NO

REVIEWS
IMDB: 7 of 10
MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE
As the war of Panem escalates to the destruction of other districts, Katniss Everdeen, the reluctant leader of the rebellion, must bring together an army against President Snow, while all she holds dear hangs in the balance.

MY REVIEW:
This movie picks up just where the last installment left us with Katniss still coping with her role and dealing with Peetas continued destruction under President Snow.

It's dark, intense and scary. It's definitely a shocking jolt that shows the true consequences of war, yet still remains true to the 'Hunger Games' theme. This being that the Capitol ultimately becomes the arena. Mockingjay Part 2 is without a doubt the most emotional of the series as some of the most adored characters are killed off in very brutal ways. You also get to see Katniss struggling mentally and emotionally, yet being brave and courageous. This is why I believe she inspires so many people. Jennifer Lawrence is absolutely magnificent and really brings out Katniss' emotions. I strongly believe that she is the right person to play Katniss and I couldn't imagine anybody else playing her.

Overall, this film is an on edge; intense thrill ride filled with emotion, action and tells a story that should inspire a generation. This film ticks most of the boxes that anyone would want to see in a blockbuster to be entertained. The whole Hunger Games Franchise is without a doubt the best YA series, and Mockingjay Part 2 gives fans a satisfying and thrilling end to a journey, which should be remembered for decades.

The Ouija Experiment

GENERAL INFORMATION
Release Info: 2011 (Actually watched November 2015)
Running Time: 92 Minutes
Staring:  Horror
Rating? N/A
SPOILERS? Yep

REVIEWS
IMDB: 3.4 of 10
MY RATING: 3

STORYLINE
Five friends decide to videotape their experimental sessions with an Ouija board in an attempt to create a viral video that is sure to make them famous. Personal drama causes members of the group to forget to maintain focus on the game's important rules and soon fall prey to the evil entities that occupy the board.

MY REVIEW:
There are a few problems that I have with this movie as general all-encompassing notes:

Me watching this on the couch in my Delta Zeta hoodie.
Can you see the disappointment in my face?!?

1. The mispronunciation of the word Ouija. It's NOT WEE-JEE. The name is derived from the French and German words for Yes; Oui and Ja.
2. Camera work in general was a disgrace. My 12 year old niece could have done a better job with a camcorder and some general instructions.
3. The characters are so one-dimensional that it's laughable. I'm sure I'm not the only one, but I prefer developed well-rounded characters who can bring a little je ne sais quoi to the screen. 
4. (Spoiler) WHY on earth did they have to drive all over town when they knew that they had to burn the damn thing! I am certain that it was JUST to kill off a character. Although, the dude that got his head chopped off was one of the worst actors in history, and deserved it, it was not really a good plot point.
5. (Spoiler) If you are going to have a flashback scene, it's useless to have it be that long! Cut that shit out!

That being said, I KNOW better than to watch un-rated horror movies on Netflix thinking that I would be impressed. Don't get me wrong, on occasion, I am amused, but this was not the case. IT was NOT the worst movie I have ever seen, and some people may actually like it! 

La Boheme

GENERAL INFORMATION

View Date and Location:  10 November 2015

Premiere Date: Turin Italy on 1 Feb 1896 at the Regio Theater.
Language: Italian
Composer: Giacomo Puccini
Director: Kyle Lang

REVIEWS

MY RATING: 9

STORYLINE

The opera tells the story of a love affair between a poor poet and an equally poor seamstress in 19th century Paris. The opera is based on a book by Henri Murger called Scenes from Bohemian Life (French: Scènes de la vie de bohème).

MY REVIEW

This was a touching story. Mimi and Rodolfo were perfect. This compelling and tragic romance is one that was doomed from the beginning but still needed to be told.

This is everything that an opera should be in one single event. Its emotional. It's musically romantic. It's just perfect. I think the Virginia Opera did an amazing job with the two leads that we cast to play Mimi and Rodolfo. Soprano Elaine Alvarez bring a superb performance with her smooth rustic voice and a sad love for Rodolfo, played by tenor Jason Slaydon who epitomized the clumsy love-lorn poet. Watching his heartbreak on the stage was almost surreal. I actually found myself shedding a few tears at some points. That was the true piece for me when I realized how MUCH I was feeling this story.

I am a true believe in the work of Puccini.

James Bond: Spectre

GENERAL INFORMATION

Release Info: 6 Nov 2015

Director: Sam Mendes
Writer: John Logan and Neal Purvis
Running Time: 148 Minutes

Staring:  Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz

Rating? PG-13

SPOILERS? YES

REVIEWS

IMDB: 7.2 of 10

MY RATING: 8

STORYLINE

A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

MY REVIEW

Entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes; smart, profound, intellectual or just plain escapist fun. I have been a James Bond watcher from when I was a kid and I really loved the fun! The last three 007 instalments fell a bit short in that department (at least for my taste), and since I expected this new film to be more of the same, I didn't exactly get my hopes up.

I was pleasantly surprised (although judging from most reviews I've read, I seem to be in the minority). Instead of further exploring the somewhat dark, dramatic route the previous three films took - which, I must admit, worked very well in Casino Royale - Spectre unexpectedly goes in the exact opposite direction. 

So my verdict: Spectre is a love letter to the classic Bond films, and while it might not be the masterpiece many people seem to have expected, there is a lot to enjoy here. It's a solid, almost classic Bond film with insane action, great set-pieces and a fantastic cast!

This is supposed to be a spoiler-free review, so I won't go into any of the story details, but what 
unfolds after the introduction plays like a combination of the more grounded, serious Bond we've come to associate with Daniel Craig's films, and the more self-aware spy-romps of the Roger Moore era.

What I DID LIKE about this movie:

• Don't get me wrong; it's not suddenly ALL fun and games, but the new film is a virtual celebration of the whole James Bond universe, from past to present, including the less grounded and over-the-top elements from the older films. In fact, after a stand-out intro sequence in classic fashion, the spy with a license to kill takes us on a ride which - tonally - feels like travelling back in time to the glory days of such classics as You Only Live Twice, Goldfinger or The Spy Who Loved Me (and it's a ride back in time in more senses than one).
• Spectre largely succeeds in paying homage to many of the classic Bond films while still delivering the gritty action people come to expect from the newer instalments and staying true to the character Craig has so successfully made his own.
• And despite all the references and callbacks to classic 007 adventures, Spectre still manages to continue the storyline of the three previous films. So while his second entry in the world's longest living franchise is far from a perfect film, I believe Sam Mendes achieves exactly what he wants: he intentionally embraces the old Bond formula, but he also plays with it, twists it and introduces new story elements. 

What I DID NOT LIKE about this movie:

• Some flaws with the storytelling in the 3rd act. Tone and pacing seem a little off from the first two acts.

On a more personal note..... Had girls night a the house a few days ago, well, girls night plug Jeff. We love him like he's one of the girls! Me, Katie and Missy had a wonderful time~ Baby Dexter is just over 4 months old now and ridiculously adorable.  I love his big green eyes and his cute little kitten face! Then there's Majestic big Jinx!!