Archive for jennifer lawrence

Movie Review: American Hustle

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , on 12/20/2013 by Taylor Holt

nt_13_american-hustle

Stars: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Louis C.K., Michael Peña

Rated R for pervasive language, some sexual content and brief violence, Running time 138 minutes, Crime/Drama

Compare to: Carlito’s Way (1993), Jackie Brown (1997)

It’s always funny to see films set in the 1970s. Whether you grew up in the time period or not, all the clothes, the curls, the lingo; it immediately sets the tone to comedic whether it’s intentional or not.

Thankfully, director David O. Russell (The Fighter, Silver Linings Playbook) knows what he’s doing and plays with the tone to his, and our, advantage. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , on 11/22/2013 by Taylor Holt

hgcf

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Liam Hemsworth, Donald Sutherland, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jenna Malone, Sam Claflin

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language, Running time 146 minutes, Sci-Fi/Action/Adventure

Compare to: Rollerball (1975), Battle Royale (2000)

While everybody waits for the “next big thing” right around the corner, any Hunger Games promos have already found their place in pop culture, not needing to fight for anymore support than they already have. While Beautiful Creatures and Mortal Instruments have come and gone, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been eagerly awaited by fans since it’s first installment last year.

Does it surpass, or even live up to the first? Or is this example of another series that drops out on quality now that it’s fanbase is secure and a third is already on the way? Continue reading →

4 Comments »

Movie Review: Silver Linings Playbook

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , on 01/23/2013 by Taylor Holt

silver-linings-playbook

Stars: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Julia Stiles, John Ortiz

Rated R for language, some sexual content/nudity, Running time 122 minutes, Comedy/Drama

Compare to: Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Our Idiot Brother (2011)

It’s always fun to see a Drama that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Finding a film that deals with such serious issues as mental illness, infidelity, family dysfunction and football, it’s nice for them to be dealt with seriously while allowing you to laugh at the same time. All without the general tone of cynicism that usually accompanies movies like this. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Posted in Reviews! with tags , , , , , on 03/23/2012 by Taylor Holt

Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Donald Sutherland

Rated Pg-13 for Intense thematic and violent material and disturbing images- all involving teens) run time 2 hours, 22 mins, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-fi

Plays Like: The Running Man (1987), Gamer (2009). Gamer to be taken with a grain of salt.

In trying to find a new Harry Potter, or a new Twilight, Lionsgate has arrived at Hunger Games. Upon first hearing of it, I couldn’t bring myself to care. “Yes, that’s exactly what I need; another multi-million dollar franchise about a bunch of adolescents that cry about every melodramatic thing that happens to their amazingly extraordinary lives. Boo hoo, I’m so special.”

But heck, I was still going to watch. And after Eragon and Legend of the Seeker and all those other forgettable Young-Adult movies that were desperately trying to get their sequels, we might finally see a series worth following through to the end. Continue reading →

Leave a comment »