lauantai 19. helmikuuta 2011
perjantai 18. helmikuuta 2011
torstai 10. helmikuuta 2011
Tangled (2010)
I just finished watching the Disney movie Tangled. The plot was a bit different from how I remembered Rapunzel going, but I usually prefer them to change things a little (The Little Mermaid would be a pretty depressing movie had it been told faithfully to H.C. Andersen's original story).
The plot went mostly as follows: the only decent-looking guy in the movie is a thief. The movie starts with a short narration from him, leading up to the story. He's running from pretty much everyone, the guards and his partners. He winds up in the tower where Rapunzel is held hostage by "Mommy", who's actually just a witch with a hair fetish. Alright, alright, she wants to live and that's why she kidnapped Rapunzel, so she could keep using her hair to prolong her life span. As any self-respecting teenager before her, Rapunzel finally gets fed up with being a prisoner in her home. The arrival of Flynn coincides nicely with her plan to go see some magical lights (no, she's not on mushrooms, they're lanterns her biological parents set up every year to remember her/maybe bring her back). She strikes a deal with Flynn: he takes her to the lights and back, and in exchange he gets the crown he stole from the castle back, currently in Rapunzel's possession. They go outside and Rapunzel experiences some mood swings concerning her sudden bout of independence. Quite a lot of things happen after that, but to summarize, they make their way to the citadel and Rapunzel and Flynn bond along the way. Meanwhile, the witch finds out her fake-daughter left, and she goes after the duo (it's a question of self-preservation, really). She concocts a plan involving Flynn's ex-partners and makes Rapunzel think Flynn abandoned her for monetary compensation. Rapunzel returns to the tower with her 'mother' while still glum about Flynn's 'betrayal'. At the tower, she hallucinates about her real parents and seeing them as a baby. Meanwhile back at the castle, they're about to hang Flynn when Max the horse arranges his escape. They charge to the tower, Flynn climbs up the tower with the aid of Rapunzel's hair (finally a reference to the original story) only to get stabbed by the witch once he reaches the top. Rapunzel begs for the witch to let her save Flynn, or Eugene by now. Actually it's been Eugene quite a while now. Whatever. The witch agrees, but Flynn/Eugene takes a knife and cuts Rapunzel's hair, taking away its healing power and turning it brown as a result. The witch dies. She did hang on quite a while without the hair singing, so I was starting to wonder when her fuel would run out. Rapunzel cradles Flynn's/Eugene's lifeless body...until a mixture of her tears and her singing heals him. Apparently the hair was useless, after all. They get back to the castle and meet Rapunzel's parents. Then we get Flynn's/Eugene's narration again, this time coupled with Rapunzel's voice. According to them, they are happy and living happily ever after.
I liked the voice acting in this movie. All in all, all characters had a voice that matched their persona. The music was certainly a change of pace, definitely different from the classic Disney songs. These songs seemed more natural, something a person might actually sing by themselves while alone in a forest. You probably won't find yourself singing to their tune in the same way as for example to the Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas, but still, I will just stick with saying 'different', instead of comparing them to each other for nobody's benefit.
I liked the witch, she had that thrilling evilness to her that I expect from a Disney villain (watch Snow White for the classic), while still diluted with the fact that at times I honestly believe she loves Rapunzel. It's probable that she loves Rapunzel's hair, not the girl itself, but still. I believe it. Especially at the beginning. Her death at the end was very sudden, I would've liked to see some sort of emancipation from Rapunzel's part before it happened. For example, Rapunzel told Eugene at the very beginning that she is always true to her word, like the good girl who's been raised in a tower would be like. At the end, when she promised the witch to go with her willingly if Eugene was spared, she should have broken her promise and really show some independence. We have seen some menacing villains in Disney movies, but they hardly ever get to actually harm anyone. This witch actually stabbed Eugene fatally. That's how it's done.
I rather liked the relationship between Rapunzel and Eugene, but it wasn't very well developed. Sure, it's a 90 minute film, but when Rapunzel told her 'mom' that Eugene might like-like her, we had barely seen anything to indicate anything of the sort. When he first revealed his name to Rapunzel, Eugene showed some promising signs of self-loathing, but the theme was dropped pretty quickly and didn't resurface later. He explained the name change further later on, but then it was another theme, being an orphan with nothing (Aladdin). As the movie progressed, we got to see some actual scenes that would indicate a romance between the two. It was rushed, but it was nice that the two got together eventually (and if the narration is to be trusted, it took some years for that to happen, so Rapunzel had time to meet other men, too). When Eugene 'died', I was almost hoping he wouldn't be revived, because it would make such an original Disney movie to have a good character die. It would have provided Rapunzel with much needed independence, too. Think about it: she lived 18 years in one tower, then she falls for the first guy she meets. Freud would have a field day with this one.
Max the horse was a nice side quip who can convey more with his eyes than most actors with their whole face. I didn't like him at first but when he met Rapunzel and they started travelling together, he quickly grew on me. The camelion was like a mascot and unlike Max, didn't really serve any purpose for the story, it was there to be cute and funny. Not complaining, just pointing it out.
I liked the royal couple. Their expressions were really conveying their sorrow over their lost child, especially the king. That's why it was strange that in the end, it was the queen that approached Rapunzel first, when it seemed that the king was more of a wreck about it. Maybe she went ahead to check the goods (where's the DNA test? How did they know?) to pave way for him. The way they slumped to the floor together at the end was a bit corny, especially when the queen invited Eugene to join them without knowing anything about him, but hey, it's Disney.
The thugs they meet at the beginning and who later help them escape were hilarious. They also appear in the end narration and honestly made me laugh.
In conclusion, despite its hangups, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it. It contained some very funny scenes. I feel a little like there weren't enough primary characters, just the main couple and side characters that weren't developed too much, but if you don't think about it too much, the movie is a very enjoyable 90 minutes of your life.
-Rapunzel hallucinates a part about his childhood and the suns she's painted all over her room were a coincidence or a remnant from the past. What?
-The royal couple just accepts it when a strange girl shows up and says "I'm home"? Didn't we see in Anastasia (not a Disney movie) that there is bound to have been numerous copycats trying the same trick on them?
-the plot wasn't altogether solid and not always logical. The witch's plot was also kind of a let-down.
-Flynn and Rapunzel's relationship was a bit rushed, but not all bad
-is it plausible that Eugene and Rapunzel are the only guy and the only girl who could get married in the movie? That's not destiny, that's just choosing when there is no other choice.
+Finally, an evil witch whose wickedness is diluted not by humor (sorry Yzma, I love you) but love.
+the witch's songs especially, but others were good too
+Max
+the thugs that helped them, very good and swift characterisations
+Rapunzel and Flynn
+humor, often by Max, but others too
+as if it needs saying: lanterns. The visual side of the movie was definitely spectacular. And I didn't even see it in 3D.
The plot went mostly as follows: the only decent-looking guy in the movie is a thief. The movie starts with a short narration from him, leading up to the story. He's running from pretty much everyone, the guards and his partners. He winds up in the tower where Rapunzel is held hostage by "Mommy", who's actually just a witch with a hair fetish. Alright, alright, she wants to live and that's why she kidnapped Rapunzel, so she could keep using her hair to prolong her life span. As any self-respecting teenager before her, Rapunzel finally gets fed up with being a prisoner in her home. The arrival of Flynn coincides nicely with her plan to go see some magical lights (no, she's not on mushrooms, they're lanterns her biological parents set up every year to remember her/maybe bring her back). She strikes a deal with Flynn: he takes her to the lights and back, and in exchange he gets the crown he stole from the castle back, currently in Rapunzel's possession. They go outside and Rapunzel experiences some mood swings concerning her sudden bout of independence. Quite a lot of things happen after that, but to summarize, they make their way to the citadel and Rapunzel and Flynn bond along the way. Meanwhile, the witch finds out her fake-daughter left, and she goes after the duo (it's a question of self-preservation, really). She concocts a plan involving Flynn's ex-partners and makes Rapunzel think Flynn abandoned her for monetary compensation. Rapunzel returns to the tower with her 'mother' while still glum about Flynn's 'betrayal'. At the tower, she hallucinates about her real parents and seeing them as a baby. Meanwhile back at the castle, they're about to hang Flynn when Max the horse arranges his escape. They charge to the tower, Flynn climbs up the tower with the aid of Rapunzel's hair (finally a reference to the original story) only to get stabbed by the witch once he reaches the top. Rapunzel begs for the witch to let her save Flynn, or Eugene by now. Actually it's been Eugene quite a while now. Whatever. The witch agrees, but Flynn/Eugene takes a knife and cuts Rapunzel's hair, taking away its healing power and turning it brown as a result. The witch dies. She did hang on quite a while without the hair singing, so I was starting to wonder when her fuel would run out. Rapunzel cradles Flynn's/Eugene's lifeless body...until a mixture of her tears and her singing heals him. Apparently the hair was useless, after all. They get back to the castle and meet Rapunzel's parents. Then we get Flynn's/Eugene's narration again, this time coupled with Rapunzel's voice. According to them, they are happy and living happily ever after.
I liked the voice acting in this movie. All in all, all characters had a voice that matched their persona. The music was certainly a change of pace, definitely different from the classic Disney songs. These songs seemed more natural, something a person might actually sing by themselves while alone in a forest. You probably won't find yourself singing to their tune in the same way as for example to the Colors of the Wind from Pocahontas, but still, I will just stick with saying 'different', instead of comparing them to each other for nobody's benefit.
I liked the witch, she had that thrilling evilness to her that I expect from a Disney villain (watch Snow White for the classic), while still diluted with the fact that at times I honestly believe she loves Rapunzel. It's probable that she loves Rapunzel's hair, not the girl itself, but still. I believe it. Especially at the beginning. Her death at the end was very sudden, I would've liked to see some sort of emancipation from Rapunzel's part before it happened. For example, Rapunzel told Eugene at the very beginning that she is always true to her word, like the good girl who's been raised in a tower would be like. At the end, when she promised the witch to go with her willingly if Eugene was spared, she should have broken her promise and really show some independence. We have seen some menacing villains in Disney movies, but they hardly ever get to actually harm anyone. This witch actually stabbed Eugene fatally. That's how it's done.
I rather liked the relationship between Rapunzel and Eugene, but it wasn't very well developed. Sure, it's a 90 minute film, but when Rapunzel told her 'mom' that Eugene might like-like her, we had barely seen anything to indicate anything of the sort. When he first revealed his name to Rapunzel, Eugene showed some promising signs of self-loathing, but the theme was dropped pretty quickly and didn't resurface later. He explained the name change further later on, but then it was another theme, being an orphan with nothing (Aladdin). As the movie progressed, we got to see some actual scenes that would indicate a romance between the two. It was rushed, but it was nice that the two got together eventually (and if the narration is to be trusted, it took some years for that to happen, so Rapunzel had time to meet other men, too). When Eugene 'died', I was almost hoping he wouldn't be revived, because it would make such an original Disney movie to have a good character die. It would have provided Rapunzel with much needed independence, too. Think about it: she lived 18 years in one tower, then she falls for the first guy she meets. Freud would have a field day with this one.
Max the horse was a nice side quip who can convey more with his eyes than most actors with their whole face. I didn't like him at first but when he met Rapunzel and they started travelling together, he quickly grew on me. The camelion was like a mascot and unlike Max, didn't really serve any purpose for the story, it was there to be cute and funny. Not complaining, just pointing it out.
I liked the royal couple. Their expressions were really conveying their sorrow over their lost child, especially the king. That's why it was strange that in the end, it was the queen that approached Rapunzel first, when it seemed that the king was more of a wreck about it. Maybe she went ahead to check the goods (where's the DNA test? How did they know?) to pave way for him. The way they slumped to the floor together at the end was a bit corny, especially when the queen invited Eugene to join them without knowing anything about him, but hey, it's Disney.
The thugs they meet at the beginning and who later help them escape were hilarious. They also appear in the end narration and honestly made me laugh.
In conclusion, despite its hangups, I enjoyed the movie and would recommend it. It contained some very funny scenes. I feel a little like there weren't enough primary characters, just the main couple and side characters that weren't developed too much, but if you don't think about it too much, the movie is a very enjoyable 90 minutes of your life.
-Rapunzel hallucinates a part about his childhood and the suns she's painted all over her room were a coincidence or a remnant from the past. What?
-The royal couple just accepts it when a strange girl shows up and says "I'm home"? Didn't we see in Anastasia (not a Disney movie) that there is bound to have been numerous copycats trying the same trick on them?
-the plot wasn't altogether solid and not always logical. The witch's plot was also kind of a let-down.
-Flynn and Rapunzel's relationship was a bit rushed, but not all bad
-is it plausible that Eugene and Rapunzel are the only guy and the only girl who could get married in the movie? That's not destiny, that's just choosing when there is no other choice.
+Finally, an evil witch whose wickedness is diluted not by humor (sorry Yzma, I love you) but love.
+the witch's songs especially, but others were good too
+Max
+the thugs that helped them, very good and swift characterisations
+Rapunzel and Flynn
+humor, often by Max, but others too
+as if it needs saying: lanterns. The visual side of the movie was definitely spectacular. And I didn't even see it in 3D.
lauantai 5. helmikuuta 2011
Firefly
I just finished watching the entire series plus the movie a day ago. Genius. I wasn't entirely convinced in the beginning, since I was too occupied with looking for clues as to why the series was cancelled in the first place. Firefly quickly drew me in, though, and now I can officially join the club "why why why was it cancelled".
keskiviikko 26. tammikuuta 2011
Psych 5.13
Psych 5.13 We'd like to thank the Academy
Better the second time around, Psych came around with an homage to the Police Academy. A very enjoyable episode with many laugh-out-loud moments.
+ Police academy references. Oh Gus, you really can't do it.
+ Lassiter's sting: he made it happen based on Shawn's idea. Teamwork!
+ "It's 11 am.!" "I know."
+ "I can't believe you're Henry Spencer's son."
"Me neither. It's an ongoing investigation."
+ "It's 2.15, absolutely not." Another piece of evidence that running around all the time lets you eat what you want.
+ Lassiter's "--beat me off?"
Shawn: "You might want to rephrase that, sir."
+ Weeks, days, the next 10 hours..You've made a real impact on our lives.
+ "Too late, idiots."
+ Jules has a skirt that shows off her legs, but doesn't appear even a little sexier than usual. How does she do it?
+ "You locked them in the cruiser, right?"
"Yes."
"Appreciate that."
"No problem."
+ Jules saving her own ass for once instead of getting sanctioned over helping Shawn.
+ "You rock my world."
+ Chief's back!
-Lassiter: "That was mine!"
-"We won't let you down, chief."
"Ha ha..oh, yes..you will."
+ "I really do have a problem."
+ Lassiter genuinely telling Conforth that his students are topnotch. Lassiter and Conforth's awkward moment. When they were going for a hug, Shawn stopped them.
+ "I can wear it tonight." "How about I wear it tonight?" ....
Better the second time around, Psych came around with an homage to the Police Academy. A very enjoyable episode with many laugh-out-loud moments.
+ Police academy references. Oh Gus, you really can't do it.
+ Lassiter's sting: he made it happen based on Shawn's idea. Teamwork!
+ "It's 11 am.!" "I know."
+ "I can't believe you're Henry Spencer's son."
"Me neither. It's an ongoing investigation."
+ "It's 2.15, absolutely not." Another piece of evidence that running around all the time lets you eat what you want.
+ Lassiter's "--beat me off?"
Shawn: "You might want to rephrase that, sir."
+ Weeks, days, the next 10 hours..You've made a real impact on our lives.
+ "Too late, idiots."
+ Jules has a skirt that shows off her legs, but doesn't appear even a little sexier than usual. How does she do it?
+ "You locked them in the cruiser, right?"
"Yes."
"Appreciate that."
"No problem."
+ Jules saving her own ass for once instead of getting sanctioned over helping Shawn.
+ "You rock my world."
+ Chief's back!
-Lassiter: "That was mine!"
-"We won't let you down, chief."
"Ha ha..oh, yes..you will."
+ "I really do have a problem."
+ Lassiter genuinely telling Conforth that his students are topnotch. Lassiter and Conforth's awkward moment. When they were going for a hug, Shawn stopped them.
+ "I can wear it tonight." "How about I wear it tonight?" ....
maanantai 24. tammikuuta 2011
Doctor Who saved my life
It's difficult to watch a TV show where people run around all the time and adventure through time and space without wanting to get into it too. I'm going to start running. Spend less time online. I can be a good person, if I so choose, I think (snort).
Friends 2.06
Friends 2.06 TOW the baby on the bus
I was feeling depressed, so I watched an old episode of Friends from the good old season 2. As much as I think Chandler and Monica are one the most amazing couples out there, I miss terribly the times when it was just Chandler and Joey.
I ignored the Phoebe/Rachel sideplot and simply concentrated on Joey and Chandler. Those guys are just so funny together. I want a friend like those guys are to each other.
+ Chandler mocks Monica for not having a boyfriend or a baby. The former is ironic when you think about the future. The latter is 'Ouch', when you think about the future.
+ J/C pretend to be a gay couple to get Ben. F-un-ny.
+ "What kind of scary-ass clowns came to your birthday?"
+ Frank Jr. makes an appearance and gets money from his sister, though it is unclear whether he's Frank Jr. here or just some guy.
+ "I've got kiwi! Run, Joey, run!"
+ Rachel was finally ignored for the most part. Yes!
I was feeling depressed, so I watched an old episode of Friends from the good old season 2. As much as I think Chandler and Monica are one the most amazing couples out there, I miss terribly the times when it was just Chandler and Joey.
I ignored the Phoebe/Rachel sideplot and simply concentrated on Joey and Chandler. Those guys are just so funny together. I want a friend like those guys are to each other.
+ Chandler mocks Monica for not having a boyfriend or a baby. The former is ironic when you think about the future. The latter is 'Ouch', when you think about the future.
+ J/C pretend to be a gay couple to get Ben. F-un-ny.
+ "What kind of scary-ass clowns came to your birthday?"
+ Frank Jr. makes an appearance and gets money from his sister, though it is unclear whether he's Frank Jr. here or just some guy.
+ "I've got kiwi! Run, Joey, run!"
+ Rachel was finally ignored for the most part. Yes!
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