Film Review | The Fault In Our Stars

Being diagnosed with cancer isn’t everything in life – well, at least not for someone who’s dying anyway. Hazel (Shailene Woodley) never saw herself as extraordinary or even slightly special. She’s a teenager, who so happens to have cancer – bummer, but that’s life – her life. But when Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) comes along, suddenly having cancer isn’t so bad; suddenly there’s a little more living in dying.

The Story

Based on the bestselling novel by John Green, the film is pretty much accurate in terms of plot. For readers, some things like Gus’s ex-girlfriend and extended family members are edited out, but otherwise, everything else that you love about the book is in there.

For those who have never read the book, think of it as an amalgamation of Twilight (minus the vampires and werewolves) and My Sister’s Keeper – so, it’s a tear-jerking cancer story with a slice of romance intertwined. Thus, if you cry easily, take a box of tissues with you (but believe me, it’s NOT at all as tear-jerking as My Sister’s Keeper).

I know a lot of people say that the story is not completely centered on the fact that the characters have cancer, but let’s face it, without the fact they have or have had cancer, they a) would not have met (in the way they did anyway), b) would not have a ‘unique’ story and c) John Green would not have a popular book. Let’s face it, the biggest “cancer perk” of this book-film is the fact that the Romeo and Juliet aspect of this film is cancer. I don’t mean to rant, but truth be told, the story is great because of it’s simplicity – two kids with cancer, they fall in love regardless of their circumstances and they embrace their deal in life, no matter how short it is.

Since the film is so close to the book, I have to say that the reason why I think The Fault In Our Stars works is not at all about the “falling in love” aspect of the book – had Hazel and Augustus been just friends I still this the book would have been great! The greatness of this book comes from the raw nature of how each of the characters you come across, along with their little quirks, deal with the concept of having cancer. As a mother, father, child, friend, author, doctor, stranger – they all come face to face with the question of, “How would you react if you had or knew someone with cancer?” This book answers that question in various ways, which is makes cancer, living and death so profound in its scope. So I urge you to remember that when you watch this film, it is a movie about cancer just as much as it’s a movie about two teenagers falling in love. Cancer is not who they are, it’s what they have – just as much as love in its various kinds.

The Cast

Shailene Woodley unfortunately missed the mark for me in this film. Although her portrayal of Hazel was believable most of the time, I felt she could have done so much more for Hazel in the parts where she was supposed to be quirky and sharp. Woodley’s spritely attitude off-screen should have transpired a little more on-screen in order for her to give Hazel a different level. Hazel, in the novel, knew she was dying, but she knew she was living just as much and lived it as much as she could. Woodley’s portrayal made you think she was going to die ASAP, which is not the case at any point of the story. Since this important to the plot, I thought Woodley fell short.

Ansel Elgort was a great Augustus, he unfortunately overshadowed his leading lady, but in his defense, Gus was a stronger character on the page than that of Hazel. Although Elgort was great and I did think that he and Woodley had incredible chemistry, his overpowering nature did not leave room for others to match his on-screen presence. Kudos to a job well done though! I thought Elgort portrayed Gus accurately.

William Dafoe is another amazing actor who portrayed Van Houten perfectly. He understood the uncanny and unwavering nature of a downtrodden writer who is wallowing in self-pity, and to that I tip my hat to him.

Nat Wolff gets a special mention for being an amazing source of comic relief and for his tremendous portrayal of Isaac. He was funny in all the right parts and just as witty when he needed to be.

Overall I thought the movie was ok. It’s definitely for all you guys and gals who like to cry in a good film. Those of who liked the book will enjoy the film, and those of who (like me) only liked bits and pieces of the book, I don’t recommend seeing the film. Look, unlike Divergent, I have to say you should choose whether to want to read the book or watch the film. Personally, I recommend the book rather than the film, The Fault In Our Stars is one that cannot easily be portrayed on-screen due to the wittiness of Green’s words.

sL Star Rating: ★★

***

Rating Support

I'm not the only one who did not enjoy this film:

Next on sL: Sex Tape

Film Review | Maleficent

We’re all familiar with the story; we all know how it goes. Once upon a time a princes gifted with grace and beauty is trapped with a curse to sleep for all eternity. A jealous witch is at the foot of the damned castle, determined to prolong her curse until the end of time. With only truelove’s kiss to save the princess, the impenetrable wall of thorns is not the only barrier for anyone who dares to break the spell cast by Maleficent.

But what if such a tale was simply a fragment of the truth? What if the story was not at all as we have been told?

The Story

This adaptation of Charles Perrault’s, The Sleeping Beauty, takes a different turn by titling it, Maleficent, rather than Disney’s first adaptation with the original title. Like many retellings of beloved fairytales, many writers like to take from a different point of view, and writer, Linda Woodverton, has done just that.

Woodverton gives a deeper meaning to Maleficent’s jealous rage, while simultaneously recreating a villain that is more relatable than the one we were introduced to in the animation back in 1959. This version sees Malifecent’s childhood and ascent to power, while also portraying King Stefan just as vicious as the dragon that we’ve read and seen in the original tale.

The story has Aurora sitting idle rather than being the centre of attention. She becomes leverage for both ends, and is the soul key to the humanity that Maleficent lacks in the animated feature. With the princess sitting as the film’s damsel in distress rather than the token heroine, the concept of “truelove” is questioned.

Since the success of Disney’s new direction (story and concept wise) initiated in Tangled, which continues here with Maleficent, it’s an exciting time for fairytales that we thought we knew and loved. I can’t wait to see what Disney will do with their upcoming Cinderella.

The Cast

Angelina Jolie is magnificent in this film. She embodies Maleficent in such away that gives the character a repulsing, yet relatable compulsion that leaves you curious and jaded. She allows audiences to feel what she’s feeling and even carries a hint of humour every now and again. In one word, Jolie is: compelling.

Sharlto Copley similarly portrays a different Stefan as we see his greedy assent to the throne. With a retelling where the villain is unclear, Copley brought a madness to the character that truly allowed you to never really connect with him from beginning to end. He was brilliant in capturing the tortured nature of a king under threat.

Elle Fanning’s portrayal of a beloved princess was brilliant. She was perfect for the role in the sense that she not only looked sixteen, but she also had the liveliness and optimism that comes with youth and innocence. Through her we see the purity of humanity and imagination that Maleficent and Stefan lose in their adulthood.

Sam Riley’s unlikely character addition is a brilliant new take on Maleficent’s beloved pet. Diaval is Maleficent’s raven who gains a central role in this retelling. Riley character becomes a source of wisdom and hope for Jolie’s character. He balances and supports her well and is never overshadowed. Here, Diaval is Maleficent’s best friend rather than just her pet.

Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, Juno Temple play the pixies who guard Aurora. In this adaptation, they’re mainly the source of comic relief. They’re dynamics is amusing and they worked well as a trio who are giddy, submissive and, well, down right stupid.

Aussie, Brenton Thwaites, lands the role of Prince Phillip, who is also an added comic relief in this film. Although he and Fanning did have an uncanny chemistry, it’s unfortunate that he doesn’t have the central role that the animated Phillip had back in 1959. Nevertheless, he did a brilliant job portraying a realistic sixteen-year-old who is just as unsure about truelove as any one in this entire film.

Graphics and Special Effects

I have to talk about the brilliant portrayal of The Moors – a.k.a. Maleficent’s kingdom – in this film. When you’re creating a fantasyland, such as The Moors, it is imperative that you create a land that is both familiar and mind blowing. The special and visual effects teams need to pat themselves on the back and win an Oscar for bringing The Moors to life. The characters and riches that reside in such a magical place are worth the human envy that this film dwells upon – it is beautifully enchanting.

***

Overall, I am loving Disney’s current movement away from the typical love stories that their past animations have portrayed. It’s been a slow, yet stead progression that I’ve loved watching since I was a little girl. If you love their TV series, Once Upon A Time, you’ll LOVE this film. Like Aurora’s curiosity over the spinning wheel, entice your curiosity and prick you sense with an enchanting retelling of epic proportions.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: The Fault In Our Stars

Film Review | X-Men: Days of Future Past

Mutants aren’t the only ones close to extinction. If there’s any trace of mutation in you’re DNA you’re just as hopeless as anyone who can read minds or shape-shift. Welcome to the future, where the human population is at an all time low and machines threaten to demolish anyone that is different at any cost. In a time where nothing is certain, it’ll take more than just the X-Men to secure life on a dying planet.

The Story

Picking up from where X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: First Class ended, we have a collision of past and present in the latest installment of the X-Men franchise. In this latest release, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is sent back to 1973 to erase the current future in order to restore humanity’s faith in mutants. This blast-into-the-past sees both the original cast – Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Barry, Ellen Page, and Shawn Ashmore – and the current cast – James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Holt – into one gigantic A-List compilation.

This film not only continues the plot that the original comics take, but also undoes the inconsistent and story progression found in X-Men Origins: Wolverine and the unforeseen deaths of characters in X-Men: The Last Stand. As though to remedy past mistakes, X-Men: Days of Future Past literally re-boots and removes everything they were slammed for in the previous films, and pick-up the remaining pieces as though all is right with the world again.

The main story in this film is to wipe out the concept of mutant-inhalation from history altogether. What this film really does is bring back characters that we love very much and make sure that they’re stories don’t get to screwed over in the future. Thus, the plot for this film seems to mirror the inner-workings off-camera, just as much as successfully progress the overall plotline of future films.

Who says art doesn’t imitate life?

The Cast

Hugh Jackman has been loyal to Wolverine over that last fourteen years and I have to say, with the help of incredible writing, we have definitely seen multiple sides to Wolverine. This particular film shows the caring and emotionally contained Wolverine. Being the only one from the future, Jackman portrays a more mature character in this film – he’s like the dad disciplining the children who have misbehaved while his back was turned.

James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart play two different points of view of Charles Xavier. McAvoy plays the uncharacteristically unhopeful Charles who sees the destruction of humanity in the future as none of his business, where as Stewart plays Professor X as the wise professor who sees hope no matter what. The opposing portrayals bring forth another dynamic to the Charles Xavier; in this film, we see a weaker side of Charles that later gives birth to the strength inside of the beloved Professor.

Michael Fassbender and Ian McKellen, much like McAvoy and Stewart, portray different sides to Magneto. Fassbender embodies the same callous Erik that we see in First Class and throughout the X-Men Trilogy. By contrast, McKellen plays a worn-out and beaten Erik who, much like Stewart’s portrayal, is wiser and apologetic for his callousness. The two juxtaposed depictions of Magneto sees the inevitable division between the two friends, regardless of the past, present or future.

Jennifer Lawrence and Peter Dinklage both play the “bad guys” in this film. Lawrence reprises her role as Raven (a.k.a. Mystique) and delves into the “mutant and proud” mantra that she takes with her at the end of First Class in order to kill and destroy Dinklage’s character, Dr. Bolivar Trask. The two villains in this film help develop the plot as Trask is attempting to bring down the mutants once and for all, while Mystique is attempting to stop that plan from proceeding, with no knowledge of the dire consequences for the future. The dualistic nature of villainy in this film really begs viewers to question who is ‘good’ and who is ‘bad’.

In saying that, with all the characters that are prominent in this film, the question of good and evil is always being asked.

***

Overall the film was a blast to watch. There are times where you are absolutely drawn in solely by the action, and other times you’re pulled by the emotion. There are also times, like most of these Marvel films, you’re laughing until everything hurts. But the majority of this film is emotional, you have to remember that the balance of the future sees that everything is done right in the past in order to save the future – that’s a heavy burden for anyone to carry, fortunately, there’s a team who’s got that covered.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: Maleficent

Maleficent

Film Review | The Other Woman

Carly (Cameron Diaz) thought she had everything: the right job, the right house, the right guy, until she meets Kate (Leslie Mann) – her boyfriend’s wife. After coming face to face with reality, Carly’s world is turned upside down in the most bizarre turn of events as she finds herself befriending Kate – not in a, “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” kind of way, the “BFFLs / sorority sisterhood” kind of camaraderie. And if things aren’t any weirder, Amber (Kate Upton), yet another mistress added to the mix like salt to the wound, joins this odd friendship and unites with Kate and Carly in the attempt to take Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) down.

The Story

This film is a mature version of 2006’s, John Tucker Must Die. As Cameron Diaz puts it, it’s a “celebration of women” instead of a reboot of Mean Girls. Unlike JTMD, The Other Woman takes a different approach to the nature of how women interact, view and relate to each other when a man is their common denominator. The writers put the stay-at-home woman, the working girl and the young-naïve-chic in the same ‘room’ – perse – and have them work together rather than compete against each other. It’s a collaborative film with loads and loads of comedic flare.

What the story does best is collaborate the different personalities of the characters and allow them to enhance each other’s characteristics rather than have them heading into a head-on collision. The dynamics between the different characters propel the humour embedded into this film. There’s not one moment where you’re not gasping or laughing from start to finish, I seriously have never laughed so hard in my life!

The Cast

Cameron Diaz is an outstanding lawyer who is at the height of her career. Diaz’s portrayal of a hardworking woman with ties that she decides to cut or tighten is incomparable. She was confident, (at times) unforgiving, and yet caring and loving enough to make Carly relatable and – at times even – comical.

Leslie Mann outshined everyone by far in this film. Not only the loyal stay-at-wife, but she was also the main source of comic relief. Although Kate was mainly the funniest character with her ongoing word-vomit and drunken escapades, she was also a good source of contemplation. As Kate reflects on her marriage and the sacrifices that she made to make it work, you feel just as sad and angry as she does when she finds out that her husband was a lying-cheating-monster.

Kate Upton is the younger woman in this film and lifts the dynamics up a notch as her character becomes the final addition to this twisted hand of fate. Amber, though naïve, is also sporadically insightful and gives the film that sisterhood-like factor as she’s added to the picture. Upton did a great job of portraying a young, but not completely stupid mistress. She brought a strength to the character that we don’t usually see in characters that are supposed to be the “dumb-one” in the pack – kudos to both Upton and the writers.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is just as funny as Mann in this film. He is all at once truly charming and truly devious, which makes Mark both lovable and detestable. He had great chemistry with Diaz as well, giving audiences a real sense of Mark’s true nature of being an expert con artist both in his professional and personal life.

Overall, The Other Woman has you laughing from start to finish. There are moments where your stomach will have a break from all the stitches you’ve accumulated from one scene to the next, but right after you’ve recovered, another burst of comic action happens in front of you. ANYONE can watch this film. Yes, it’s one for the ladies, but I think guys will get just as much out of this film as any girl sitting next to them. GO SEE IT.

sL Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: X-Men: Days of Future Past